Chapter 14: Final Showdown

A/N: And now, here's the final chapter of A Warrior's Pain 3. It's been a long road, but I've finally gotten to the end, and I'm so proud of myself. There was a long instance of writer's block, but I motivated myself to continue, and I did. I also want to thank those who have taken the time to read and review the whole story. I'm so grateful for your support and kind words concerning it. Thank you for sticking with me and not giving up. I really hope you enjoy this final chapter.

Disclaimer: See chapter one.

Leonardo sat in deep meditation, trying to concentrate and process everything that had been said. He felt much better after telling his story and even hearing his family's side of things. He felt guilty for all they had to go through to get him out of there, but he also felt proud of them for sticking together and doing what they had to do. They had proven that they could work as a team even with one member missing. Even when Karai had told him they were dead, he hadn't wanted to believe her. Some part of him had denied her story and had declared that his brothers were going to rescue him soon. But as time passed, he began to doubt that voice even more and started to believe the story Karai had concocted. It had sent him into a wave of despair until he remembered that at least his father was still alive. He knew that he had to keep going because of this and because he wanted to protect Splinter at all costs.

His thoughts were interrupted when a voice asked, "Leo, are you okay?" He turned to see Raphael framed in the doorway, a look of concern on his face.

"I'm fine, Raph," he reassured his brother. "I was just clearing my head."

"Did it work?"

Leo nodded. "Yeah, it did," he responded. "Raph, I never got to tell you guys this, but I'm really proud of the way you handled yourselves when you were trying to rescue me. You worked as a team to get me out, and I just wanted to thank you for that. I hate to think of what would've happened if you hadn't gotten me out."

"Hey, you don't have to thank us, bro," Raph told him. "You know we would've gotten you out no matter what." But then he remembered what Karai had told Leo about them. "Did you really believe Karai's story?"

"Not at first," Leo answered. "Even when she showed me those masks, I just didn't want to believe it. But as time passed, I really began to believe that maybe it was true. But even if it had been, I still had to fight for Master Splinter. I wasn't going to give up on him and expose him to the Foot. That's one of the things that kept me going. I even thought about you guys and heard you giving me words of encouragement. I knew that even if you were dead, you would still want me to fight and beat the Foot."

Raph was silent as he processed what his brother had just said. It must have been horrible for him having to endure all of that torture and thinking that they were dead. "Well, you did what I probably would've done, bro," he said. "You fought the whole way through and didn't give Karai an inch. You really are a great ninja, Leo. I know I never say that often, but I mean it. You were born for this lifestyle."

"Thanks, Raph," Leo said. "So were you. I even think you'd make a great leader if you really wanted to be one. You stepped up to the plate and got me out of there."

"Yeah, but Don was the one who stopped me from bein' rash," Raph corrected him. "If it hadn't been for him, I would've gone in there and gotten into trouble. He's the one who really stepped up, Leo, and he deserves the title if you're not around to lead."

"That's true, but I don't think Don would want that," Leo replied. "He was under a lot of pressure, and I don't think he could handle that all of the time. But you're right he did do a good job of keeping you in check. I never thought he had it in him." He smiled at those last words.

"Yeah, I thought he was gonna knock me out with his bo if I didn't stay put," Raph chuckled. "Either that, or put drugs in my cereal."

Leo laughed along with him. "Donnie can be sneaky when he wants to be," he said. "But I'm proud of all of you. I'm in your debt."

Raph waved his hand as if fending off Leo's words. "You don't owe us anythin', Leo," he told him. "Just having you here with us is enough."

"Well, okay," Leo said. "Where are the others?"

"Sensei and the Ancient One are in the living room watchin' some stories," Raph replied. "Mikey's outside, and I think Don's in his room. Are you comin' out?"

Leo nodded and got to his feet. "Yeah, I'm coming," he said. Then he followed Raph out of the room. They were about to go outside when Mikey came running in, a panicked look on his face.

"Guys, I really hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we've got some unwanted guests outside," he said.

Leo tensed. "What do you mean, Mikey?" he demanded.

"Well, I was just walking around, taking in the sights, when I saw some Foot Ninjas," Mikey replied. "I just thought my eyes were playing tricks on me, but they're really out there and coming this way."

"Aw, crud," Raph grumbled. "Why is it we can't even take a single vacation without someone tryin' to kill us?"

Leo immediately sprang into action. "Mikey, get Donnie, Master Splinter, and the Ancient One," he ordered. "Meet us here so we can come up with a plan." He was worried about what would happen now. How had the Foot found them?

"Leonardo, what is wrong?" Splinter asked, suddenly appearing before Mikey could leave and summon him. The Ancient One and Don were at his side.

"Mikey spotted some Foot Ninjas," Leo replied. "They must have discovered where we were, but I don't know how that could be. I've got an idea though, so follow my lead." He hurried outside with the others following him. He wasn't sure if his plan was going to work, but he knew he had no other option at this point.

Sure enough, a group of Foot Ninjas surrounded them, led by Karai. Her green eyes flashed with malice as soon as she saw Leo there with his family.

"And so we meet again, Leonardo," she said. "You were able to escape me with the help of your accursed family, but this time you have no escape. This time, you and your family will die at my hands."

Leo growled. "No, Karai," he replied. "You will not harm my family. If you want a shot at me, then you can have it. It's me you want, not them. I say we finish this once and for all." He smiled as he dropped his bombshell on her. "But your ninjas aren't allowed to attack my family while we are fighting. This is just between you and me. If you beat me, then the Foot may do what they wish and finish off the rest of us. But if I win, you will be finished, and the Foot will no longer be allowed to hunt for us. They are to call a truce and end this war. Do you understand?"

Karai smirked at him. "Yes, that is understood," she said. "I do not know why you are so sure of yourself, Leonardo. Even with your brothers by your side, I was still able to capture you and torture you. What makes you think you will survive this fight?"

Leo drew himself up and looked at her, his brown eyes boring into her green ones. "Because as long as I have my family by my side, I cannot lose," he answered. "They give me the strength to carry on. Even when I was imprisoned by you and your ninjas, my family still gave me that strength. And even when you lied to me and told me they were dead, I knew that they still wanted me to fight you and defeat you. I could hear their voices, urging me to continue to fight. That's what gave me the strength to endure what you did to me, and it's what will give me the strength and courage to defeat you once and for all. But before I fight you, I'd like to speak to my family if that is all right."

"Fine, you may speak with them," Karai replied. "But it will not change the outcome of the match." She stepped back to allow Leo the chance to talk to his family.

Leo turned to his loved ones. "Now, listen guys, this is between Karai and myself," he said. "Don't try and come between us no matter what. Even if it looks like I'm in trouble, I want you to stay here, you understand?" He looked at Raph as he said this.

"Yeah, Leo, we get it," Raph said. "But if you lose this fight, I'm the first one in there to take that bitch out."

Leo nodded. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Raph," he replied as he gave his red-clad brother a hug.

"Good luck, Leo," Don said as he hugged his older brother. "I know you can do it."

"Thanks, Don," Leo said. "And if I don't make it, just promise me to keep Raph in line. I know you can do it just like you did before."

Don nodded. "I promise, Leo," he said.

Mikey threw his arms around his older brother, tears spilling out of his eyes. "Leo, I love you, and I want you to know that you've always been the best older brother a Turtle could ask for," he said. "Go out there and kick her ass."

"I will, Mikey," Leo reassured him. "And I want you to promise that if anything happens to me, that you'll still try and be strong. Keep on being the shining light you've always been. Can you promise me that, Mikey?"

Mikey wiped the tears from his eyes and looked at his older brother with a new resolve. "I promise, Leo," he said.

"Good," Leo said, smiling at his little brother.

Splinter looked into his son's eyes and smiled. "Leonardo, I cannot tell you how proud I am of you," he said. "You have proven that you are a great warrior and a great leader to this team. No matter what may happen in this duel, know that I am proud of all that you have accomplished and that I love you with all of my heart. Use your skills to your advantage, and do not let her win. I know that you can do this, my son."

Leo bowed to his father. "Thank you, Master Splinter," he said. "I'll do my best not to let you down."

"Leonardo, I must say that you have proven yourself a great ninja," the Ancient One began. "Yoshi would be proud of you if he could see you today. Carry his spirit with you as you battle your foe. I have confidence that you will defeat the Foot and start a new beginning for this clan. Good luck, kumquat."

Leo bowed to his second sensei. "Thank you, Ancient One," he said. "I'll do my best."

"Are you done saying your farewells, Leonardo?" Karai taunted. "You know I do not have all day."

Leo turned and unsheathed his katanas. These were the same swords Raphael had helped him forge after the attack by Shredder's Foot Ninjas. He stood proudly and faced her. "Yeah, I'm done," he said. "Are you going to say farewell to your family? It's only fair after all."

Karai bared her teeth. "I do not need to say anything to them," she replied. "They know of my orders after I have finished you. Now, prepare to meet your doom."

Leo couldn't help but roll his eyes. "Don't try and intimidate me with your cliché villain lines," he replied. "You forget that I've grown up with Mikey and have heard every one in the book. Let's finish this feud once and for all, Karai."

"As you wish, Leonardo," she responded. Then she launched herself at Leo, and the battle began.

Leo had to admit that Karai was skilled, but he was able to block each of her attack and get in some of his own. She tried to swipe his shoulder with her sword, but he dodged her attack and parried it with one of his own. He could tell she was getting agitated as the battle progressed. She managed to get a few kicks in, but that was all. He could tell she was tiring, and that fueled his resolve. She tried to sneak in her kusarigama and tried to sweep his legs with it, but he dodged it skillfully. Then she managed to wrap the chain around his katanas and began to pull. Leo kept his weight evenly centered and gripped his swords tightly.

"Give up, Leonardo," Karai told him. "You cannot win."

"Never, Karai," Leo grunted and yanked his katanas forcefully, pulling the chain from her grip. With the chain still wrapped around his swords, he managed to catch her own sword in its grasp and disarmed her neatly. Then he did a sweep kick, knocking her to the ground and pinning her beneath his weight, his katanas poised at her neck.

Karai let out a gasp after realizing she had been defeated. Her green eyes met Leo's brown ones as he stared down at her. "Go ahead," she rasped. "Finish me. Then I will be with my father, and our feud may end."

Leo hesitated. Yes, he could kill Karai and finish the whole feud right there. He thought about what she had put him through for two months and the endless torture he had endured at her hands. Anger coursed through him at the thought of it, and the desire to kill came to him. But then he looked in her eyes and could see the plea within them. Killing her wouldn't erase all that she had done to him. As far as he was concerned, it was the easy way out, and she wouldn't have to live with what she had done.

"No, I won't kill you, Karai," he replied.

"What?" his family gasped.

"Leo, she nearly killed you!" Raph protested. "She needs to die!"

"If she dies, she won't have to suffer for the crimes she committed," Leo replied. "She won't have to live with what she's done to me and our family. So, instead of killing you, I suggest that you seek help from the Ancient One here in Japan. I know that there's a good person in there somewhere, Karai, and you need to let go of the anger that has consumed you for so long. The Ancient One can help you and give you a new lease on life. He did it for me, and I'm forever in his debt for it. Will you accept the help I am offering you?"

Karai hesitated for a moment, trying to process what Leo was telling her. But then her eyes filled with an understanding that had never been there before. "Yes, I accept your help, Leonardo," she responded. "I am truly sorry for all the pain that I have caused you in the past and in the present. I am willing to seek help and to absolve myself of this hatred. You are truly an honorable warrior, Leonardo. I always knew that deep down and often longed to be a friend to you. Perhaps once I have been cured, we can start anew."

"I would like that, Karai," Leo replied. He sheathed his swords and helped her to her feet, giving her the weapons that she'd carried. She accepted them and put them away, smiling at the blue-clad Turtle.

But the Foot Ninjas weren't happy about what had just transpired. One of the Elite Guards hissed, "Traitor! You dare to ally yourself with the filthy Turtles? You are not your father's daughter! You dishonor the name of the Shredder!"

Karai turned to face him. "No, I am not my father's daughter in some respects," she replied. "I am not as evil as he was, and I vow to end a feud that should not have happened in the first place. He began this feud, and I am going to end it. I refuse to be associated with the Foot Clan any longer. I know where my loyalties lie, and it is not with you."

"Then you will die for treason, Karai," the Elite snarled. He leapt at her, his weapon ready to strike her, but Leo pushed her out of the way and met his attack. The Elite's weapon sliced his plastron, but Leo countered his next attack and knocked him to the ground. The Elite got up, and Leo braced for another attack, but it didn't come.

"Very well," the Elite spat. "This is not the last that you have seen of us. Once you return, Karai, we will deal with you. And as for you, Turtles, this feud is far from over. Enjoy this reprieve while you can because we will strike again when you least expect it." He signaled to the Foot Ninjas, and they retreated.

Leo's family hurried to his side as he clutched the wound the Elite had given him. Don reported that the cut wasn't deep and that it would heal fairly quickly. He patched up the wound with expertise and sent Leo on his way again.

"Good job, Leo!" Mikey congratulated him. "You were awesome!"

"Yeah, you really kicked some ass out there, bro," Raph added, punching him playfully on the arm. "I'm proud of you, bro."

"You fought well, my son," Splinter praised him. "Well done."

"Yes, you did well, kumquat," the Ancient One chimed in. "Yoshi would have been proud of you."

"Way to take the fight to her, Leo," Don praised him. "No offense, Karai," he added hastily.

Karai smiled. "None taken," she said kindly. "You did fight well, Leonardo."

"Thank you, everyone," Leo responded.

"I suggest that we all get some rest," Splinter ordered. "It has been an eventful day for all of us."

Everyone nodded and retreated to their rooms to get some much needed sleep. The Ancient One showed Karai to her quarters and began to discuss how they were going to start the healing process. As Leo went to his room, he couldn't help but feel that he did the right thing. Karai was truly a good person, and he hoped that the Ancient One could help her see that. He was glad she had defected from the Foot and that she was going to start her own life without them. It was what he had hoped she would do all along, and now it was a reality. He was proud of what he had accomplished and hoped that there would be a new beginning for all of them.

22222

The next day, Karai got to know the Turtles in a way she never had before. She began to see them as more than just mutants and definitely more than just enemies. She laughed at Michelangelo's jokes, marveled at Donatello's intelligence, and smiled at Leonardo's sincerity and the kindness of Master Splinter and the Ancient One. Only Raphael seemed distant, and she could understand why. He still didn't trust her, and she knew it would take him some time to really see whether she was willing to change or not. She had tortured his brother, and she knew that he was still angry over that. She didn't pressure him to talk to her and gave him the space he deserved.

She was meditating in her room when Leonardo appeared in her doorway.

"Karai, I hate to disturb you, but we're leaving for New York now," he said.

Karai slipped out of her meditation and rose to join her friend. She followed him to the front of the Ancient One's compound where the others were waiting to head off on a ship bound for New York City. She smiled at all of them. "I want to thank all of you for giving me the opportunity to get to know you better," she said. "And, Leonardo, I am truly in your debt. You spared my life when you could have finished me off in that battle. You gave me yet another chance to redeem myself even though I did not deserve it after what I did to you. Thank you, my friend." She bowed to him.

"You're welcome, Karai," he answered. "I truly hope that you will heal and start a new life without the Foot Clan. Good luck."

"The same to you," she replied. "I wish you all a safe journey home. When the time comes for me to return, I will make sure that I visit you."

Mikey smiled. "Yeah, you would so love our movie night, Karai," he said. "It's always so much fun. Is it okay if she comes to those when she gets back, Master Splinter?"

Splinter smiled. "Yes, I believe that Karai would be most welcome in our home," he said. "You may come at any time when you wish to. Just let Leonardo know, and he will escort you there."

"Thank you, Master Splinter," Karai replied. "I will keep in contact with Leonardo as much as I can. Perhaps, in time, Donatello can make me one of those ingenious phones you use to contact one another."

Don smiled. "I'll get right on it, Karai," he reassured her. "And you can even help me out when I experiment on things. I'm sure you'd be a great help."

"I would be honored, Donatello," Karai responded. "Thank you."

The Hamato family gave one last wave to Karai and the Ancient One then headed to the harbor where their ship awaited them. All of them were happy that peace had been established though they all knew that the Foot wouldn't stop until they were dead. Even though Karai had defected from them, there would be a new leader to take her place and a new battle to establish power within New York. But whatever happened, the Hamato family would battle the Foot and end the war once and for all. Perhaps with Karai as their ally, they could really gain an advantage over their enemy and vanquish them once and for all.

22222

As the ship made its way to New York, Leonardo stared out the window, fascinated by the swell of the waves. He was thinking about the future and what it would hold for his family. His family was happier now that Karai had severed ties with the Foot, but Leo knew that Raph hadn't totally severed his grudge with her yet. He still didn't trust her, and though Leo wanted Raph to just let things go, he could understand why it was hard for him to do so. Raph was very protective of Leo and had become more so when Leo had been ambushed by the Foot. He would make sure no one hurt his brother and would stand in their way if they tried.

As if on cue, Raph came over to where Leo was standing. He was silent as he stared out the window alongside his brother.

"Go ahead, Raph, you can say it," Leo said. "I was an idiot for letting her go, wasn't I?"

Raph shook his head. "No, you weren't," he said. "It's not in you to kill out of revenge, Leo. You were right about what you said. If she was dead, she'd escape all that she'd done to us and to you. But since you spared her, she has to live with what she did to you and to all of us. You did the right thing, Leo. I still don't trust her, but I'm willin' to try with time. I just hope she doesn't blow the chance you gave her. If she does, you can bet I won't hesitate to kill her if she hurts you again."

Leo smiled at his brother's words. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Raph," he replied. "But I'm glad you're willing to give her a chance. She deserves that. I really think she has reformed and is willing to turn over a new leaf."

"I hope so, Leo," Raph said. "I really hope so."

The two continued to stare out the window in silence, thinking about all that had brought them to this point. Both were glad they were together and that they had survived yet another bump in the road. There would be many more bumps to come for them, but they knew that as long as they were together, nothing could stop them. They were a family and would stick together until the very end.

The End

A/N: And so, this story had finally come to an end. I'm so happy that I finally finished it. I'm sorry if the fight scenes weren't that good. I did the best I could with what I had in my head. I want to thank everyone who has read this story from the beginning. Even when I hit a huge wall of writer's block, you guys didn't give up on me and stuck with me once I began to write again. I also want to thank some of my new readers who had never read my work before. Your encouragement and kind words meant a lot to me. So, thank you for that. I appreciate it.

And before you guys think that this is the end of the series, it's not. I have one more story to write in this series, and I hope to have it up soon. I also have a series of one-shots set in my A Warrior's Pain series that gives insight to some moments you didn't really see within the series. I'm not sure when that one will be up, but I will try and have it up soon. So, feel free to leave a review after you've finished reading, and, as always, have a shelltastic day.