Disclaimer: I novalightstar do not own Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

A/N: PLEASE READ! Hello my lovelies. No this is not a dream. I have updated. I just have something I would like to bring up since is has been brought to my attention by a reviewer that goes by the name Frances. I am not sure if others have been thinking this as well BUT this story IS NOT on hiatus. Please understand that I do attend university and over the course of the last month I have had much papers to write and work to do. I apologize for the long wait but I will try to write and update as often as I can. There may be times where I cannot update for a period of time and I personally do not consider that a hiatus. With this said I appreciate your patience and loyalty to this story. Thank you all for encouraging me to continue writing so PLEASE leave reviews. Also feel free to send me a PM if you would like to reach me. Anyways. I really hope you read this now enjoy.

Chapter 23: The Fate of the World

It has been almost a week and Donatello has not uttered a word to Leonardo. He spends all his time with April in his lab trying work on the strange orb April found. It bothered Leo slightly that he and April haven't been spending as much time together. He felt jealous every time he watched them disappear behind the door. Were her feelings changing? They couldn't be. She was with him after all. Of course he didn't necessarily announce they were in a relationship but neither did April. It was still a secret after all. The final episode of Space Heroes was going to be on today. He invited her to join him but she was busy with Donnie, so he sat on the floor alone while Raphael read and Michelangelo ate on the couch. The episode was just getting good when the screen went blank.

"What are you doing? That's the final episode of Space Heroes!" He turned to see the remote in the hands of Donnie who was glaring daggers at him.

"I've got something a little more important." The turtles entered Donnie's lab. Leo leaned forward on the table as Donnie sat in his chair. April was already there standing behind Leo. The blue-masked turtle turned his head to her smiling slightly. She returned it. I trust her. I shouldn't get so worked up. "Leo, eyes this way." Donnie's voice was cold and tension that was building between the two brothers was undeniably strong. Leo would have make sure to see that April still wanted to be with him later. For now, he had to put up with Donnie. "April and I have been sifting through all this Kraang chatter and well, listen to what we have translated."

"The final phase of the plan known as the Kraang's invasion shall commence in the unit of the time that is six hours. The technodrome shall arrive from Dimension X through the portal."

"Are you sure this is the translated version?" Mikey seemed confused as usual but the Kraang's English was even harder to understand sometimes.

"They said," Donnie explained "in six hours, something called the technodrome is coming through that portal. This is the final phase of the Kraang invasion."

"Wait, but it thought April was the key to the Kraang plot and they don't have her." Peering back at the girl. He was worried about her. What if this was a trap to get April?

"If that technodrome comes through that portal. Well, it sounds like the end of the world."

"So what do we do?" Raph questioned.

"Guys, we've gotta find a way to shut that portal down. It's up to us."

Leonardo sat in his room. The words that Splinter had said kept repeating in his head no matter what you have to sacrifice. Or who. He was worried. What if they didn't come back? What if they failed? What was the sacrifice? What would happen to the world? What would happen to April? A soft rap came from the other side of the door. "Come in." The red haired girl entered shutting the door gently behind her. She could see the fear, the worry all in his eyes. The turtle opened his arms to which she accepted and embraced her, holding the girl tight.

"What's wrong Leo?" Her voice wavered in her own worried thoughts. April knew how dangerous this was compared to the other missions they faced.

"April, I don't want you to worry about this. I want you to be safe."

"Leo I am scared. I don't know what's going to happen. I don't want you guys to go. It's dangerous."

"April, I know things are crazy right now but we are the only ones who can stop this. I promise you that we won't fail." He leaned down and kissed her gently. She returned it quickly. The soft and gentle kisses turned into hot passionate ones. They broke the kiss only to gasp for air. "I know this could be bad timing, but I gotta know. Are you my girlfriend?"

"What?" Her confused blue orbs searched his.

"I mean what are we? We are together right?"

"I don't know. We never talked about it. You were always off on some mission or training. The time we did spend together I just didn't question it. Besides you've never asked."

"Then will you be my girlfriend?" April's eyes lit up and her smiled brightened but there was still an air of uncertainty. She opened her mouth to answer when a hard knock on his door interrupted them.

"Hey Leo! Donnie told me to come get you. He wants to start getting ready!" the voice belonged to Mikey.

"Be right there Mikey!" He was slightly agitated of the interruption. "Think about it." He kissed her lips tenderly before turning to the door.

"Yes." He stopped in his tracks. Leo turned around once again and engulfed her into an embrace.

"Really?" She simply nodded pushing his face closer to hers kissing him hard. "Now go save the world." He gave her one last kiss before exiting to save the world.

A/N: Lines taken from "Showdown Part 1".

Also just making sure for you to read the Authors Note at the top. :)