IIIIIIIt's MONDAY!...I hate Mondays especially since I got dumped a whole bunch of school work today. Anyways, hopefully if you're like me, this will brighten your Monday. Please review, yada yada ya.

Thanks go out to the following for reviewing:
dream lighting - Sooner than you'd think, but not as soon as you'd hope. That's all I'm going to say...
Miss RaeFox - Well, you don't have to wait anymore. He's in this one, but not as much as...3 or 4...I can't remember which...
Nadia - Alex is going to kill you...
QueenAnju - Yeah, before the last couple chapters, there wasn't much known about them, was there? Well, in the future even more will be told...Maybe not so nice things...
pokemonjkl - Yeah, I finally made it to that. I've been waiting forever to get to it!...And you might not thing that in the furture (parents)...
16 - ...That's actually never came to my mind...Why didn't I think of that? That could have been so COOL! Dang! Oh well, this'll do. And I don't either. I don't like him...At all. Only when he's a kid.

Chapter 18
"The Big Brawl"
Part 2

Her gut was almost never wrong. Sometimes, she hoped it was wrong. Most of the time, she hoped it was wrong. If it was wrong most of the time, then she or her friends and family, wouldn't have been in so much trouble all the time. She always sensed when they were in trouble and if she were wrong, then there wouldn't have been anything to worry about. Or in instances like the Ultimate Ninja (UN). She hoped he had changed and that the things he was saying and doing now, really was true.

But that almost never happened.

And her gut was telling her that something was wrong as she stood in the pavilion with Leonardo. Alex gave Leo a side glance. He opened his eyes and looked at her. His eyes told her that he too could feel what she was feeling.

Leo quickly turned around and used the elbow pad to deflect an arrow that had been shot at him. It flew up and stuck itself into the Himato Yoshi statue. "Sorry, Master Yoshi," Leo apologized.

There were several figures clouded in shadow. It looked like they were actually made of shadow. That amazed Alex. That could really, really come in handy in our line of work, the girl thought. And I guess in their line of work as well, though ours seems a little more honorable.

As Leo was deflecting several arrows and then fighting the shadow assassins, Alex tried to move a little more. The kimono made it very difficult for her to move. This is why I don't get dressed up! She took out her tanto and manriki chain from their hiding places in the sleeves and back up, trying to distance herself from one of the assassins that was making its way towards her.

"Nice assassin," Alex said, backing up. "Good assassin. You don't want to hurt a Princess now, do you?" He strolled toward her still. "Come on, I'm not even sixteen yet!"

"You fight without honor, Assassin!" Alex looked over to see…a bunny samurai?...going to Leo's defense.

The assassin that had gone towards Alex and changed course and went to aid the others. That gave Alex the chance to use the manriki chain. She threw one end and got it wrapped around the ankle and made them fall to the floor. The twisted themselves and got out of the chain before crawling up the wall and leaving with the others.

"Leo?" Alex asked, rushing up as quickly as she could in that kimono that she could. She threw her arms around his neck, giving him a tight, though quick hug before moving back at arms length to check for any injuries. "Are you okay? Did they hurt you?"

"No, I'm okay, Alex," Leo said.

"Leo," she warned. She knew how usually just said that to make others feel better and not worry, much like she often did. "Are you okay?"

"Honestly, Alex," Leo said, getting a little embarrassed, though flattered at her concern. "I'm okay. Are you okay? Did they hurt you?"

"No, I'm okay. Plus, you know I can take care of myself," Alex defended.

Alex had interrupted the conversation between Leo and the Bunny. "I am Leonardo and I am in your debt."

"As am I," Alex said, as she and Leo bowed. "Thank you. My names Alex, by the way."

Alex stood up and watched the Rabbit introduce himself. His white ears were tied back as if it were a pony tail. He was also wearing old Japanese clothing with two swords at his waist. His white furry feet were in sandals. Alex couldn't help but blush and cover her face with one of her hands. He's just too adorable!
"I am Miyamoto Usagi, a Ronan competitor in the Battle Nexus Tournament," Bunny said. "I was passing by when I saw you set upon by those dishonorable assassins.

"Lucky for us," Leo said.

"Luck had very little to do with it," Usagi said. "It is about skill and control of your energies. Your mind and your weapon must be as one or you will certainly parish."

Oh my gosh, he's a fluffy, fighting, wise bunny. How can he get any more adorable!

"Yeah, I know," Leo said.

She smacked his arm lightly and said, "Then why don't you listen to the wise rat?"

"Yes, duck," he said.

Alex and Leo ducked as Usagi took care of a ninja star that had been thrown at them. Alex instantly took out her tanto once more and used that to deflect several more that had been thrown at them. Leo had used a shield from the display next to them to do that same thing.

"Who are these guys?" Leo asked.

"And must they wear such tight uniforms, I mean, I'm not complaining. They're very nice to look at, but still. Is it really necessary to have such fitted clothing? Or maybe they're trying to distract us by their fit physic?" Alex rambled as she stood behind the rest of them. She wasn't much good fighting in that kimono. She was better off just standing to the side, out of the way.

"Alex!" Leo scolded.

"What?" she asked.

She sat down on the ledge of her mother's statue until she heard Usagi say, "They are gone; vanished."

"Again, thank you for your help, Samurai," Leo said.

"As I thank you," Alex added, finally making her way over to them. "I could have been more assistance, but I'm kind of useless in this kimono."

"Do not thank me yet, Warrior," Usagi said. "Fate may pit us against each other in the tournament."

"I have to tell you, Usagi-san, the way you fight, I'd rather not go up against you if I can help it," Leo said.

"Got that right," Alex said. "I wish you the best of luck in the tournament, Usagi-san."

"The feeling is mutual," Usagi said.

The Gyoji appeared next to them with Leo's swords. "Master Leonardo, your swords have been repaired. I trust you will find them worthy."

He did. He laughed as he looked at them. He then bowed and said, "Thank you."

"You two must hurry," the Gyoji said. "The next stage of the Battle Nexus Tournament is about to begin." He then turned to Alex and said, "Princess, shall we return to the Daimyo?"

"Yes, I suppose that would be appropriate," Alex said. She turned to the two male warriors and said, "Usagi-san, best of luck to you, again. And thank you for your help." She then turned more towards Leo hugged him. "Good luck, Leo. You'll do great." She pulled back, seeing that his face was bright red and smirked. That's just too adorable. "Tell the others I give them the best of luck, please?"
"Of course," Leo said. "Have fun, Princess."

"Oh you're do dead!" Alex growled as the Gyoji instantly teleported them to the Daimyo.

Alex sat beside him as he rang the gong, telling everybody that the next stage was about to begin. "Let the contest begin!" he declared, raising the staff in the air.

The power divided the arena into sixteen different sections with two people in each quadrant. Alex quickly looked for her boys, Master Splinter, Traximus and Usagi to see who they were going up against.

"Warriors, begin!" Daimyo said.

Mikey was going up against someone who looked like a human-half furred-blue and brown- gorilla. Raph was against a yellow thing with long black dreadlocks and metal fighting rings –who was very quick and flexible. Leo was up against someone that looked like a knight with large claws as hands. And Donny had something that looked like a Turian from the video games Mass Effect. Master Splinter was going against what looked like a large orange, humanoid thing. While they had those people, Traximus had someone else that looked like a knight and Usagi had something that resembled a centaur. Though the whole thing was red, it looked more like a bull dog body. The human part, on the stomach as a mouth and the head was just a large eye.

Leonardo, Master Splinter, Traximus, Mikey, Raph and Usagi won their matches while Donny was the unfortunate one to be taken out first, of their little group. He disappeared. "My Lord?" Alex asked.

"Yes, Princess?" he responded.

"Where is it the defeated warriors go?" she asked.

"They are taken to the infirmary," he answered. He pointed with his staff where that was and Alex could just make out Donny standing there with a healer.

"Champions, I commend you on your victories thus far," Daimyo said. "And now, prepare yourselves. The next round, tier two begin!"

Leonardo was against Usagi, just as they had said they might have had to do. Michelangelo was against Master Splinter and Raphael was with their friend Traximus. Alex sighed. "This round is going to be difficult not only for them to fight, but also for me to watch. Friends pitted against friends, Master against student."

"Sometimes, those are the battles that teach us the most about ourselves and the others around us," he said.

Never have I heard truer words, Alex thought.

Master Splinter ended up giving his spot up so that Mikey could continue on in the competition. He appeared next to the Daimyo, on the opposite side while Alex was on the other.

"Ah, Splinter-san, I see the Master of your Ninjutsu lost to the father in you," the Daimyo said.

"Yes, I suppose so," he replied. "It is just that, if my sons can win, I do not wish to stand in their way."

"You so could have kicked their butts, Master Splinter," Alex laughed. "Don't deny that."
He didn't reply, but Alex could see the small smirk on his rat lips as he tried to fight a small chuckle trying to emerge from his throat.

Raph ended up defeating Traximus, though it was a very intense battle where Trax almost won. Usagi and Leo's fight was very intense.

"You should be proud to have raised such fine warriors and sons," the Daimyo complimented.

"Yes, I am proud," Splinter replied. "Though they can be a little too willful at times."

"You're got that right," Alex mumbled.

"If only fathers could make their sons understand we're only trying to protect them from their own inexperience," Daimyo said.

Ever since Alex had met the Daimyo, there was an air of importance and he almost didn't seem real. As if he was a figure who looked upon everything. But in that moment, he had never seemed more human to Alex. He wasn't the Daimyo. He was a father who just cared and loved his child.

"I know exactly what you mean, old friend," Splinter said.

All of that talk of fathers had made Alex think of her. She remembered how he used to train her. How he would kiss her head before she went to bed each night. How he would laugh at her brothers when they would moan and complain after being defeated by their sister – while right before hand, had been saying that there was no way their little baby sister could win. She remembered the ways he loved her and given his life up for hers.

Absentmindedly, Alex began to play with the Utrom Guardian Medallion around her neck. A sigh escaped her lips. "A father's love for their children is one of the strongest kinds of love there is," Alex muttered. It seemed that they hadn't heard the girl's comment.

"But tell me, there is something familiar about this samurai my son Leonard faces," she heard Splinter said.

"He should look very familiar to you," Daimyo said. "He is the same young samurai in training that came to your aid when Draco ambushed you some years ago. He is already a Ronan at such a tender age, but his sword arm is skilled far beyond his years. "

Okay, I'm missing something here, Alex thought. Who the heck is Draco? Why did he attack Master Splinter? And I guess he hasn't changed much, seeing as he was still kind enough to help Leo and myself earlier. Her face became red again. "He is such a cute bunny!" Alex said. She couldn't help but squeal at his adorable looks. She had never sounded nor really felt more girly than in that moment.

A samurai came up to them and handed the Daimyo a paper. "Excuse me, I must attend to a small matter," he informed them. "Will you join me later when this battle is over?"

"It would be my honor, Daimyo," Splinter replied.

"As it would be mine," Alex said, bowing her head as the Daimyo left.

It was then that her gut dropped again. It was one of the worst she had ever had. "Master?" Alex asked.

"Yes, Alexandra?" he asked, turning to the girl.

"Something's not right," she said. She looked up at him, her eyes big and worried. "Something very bad is going to happen, I can feel it."

Something very strange was going on with Leo. He backed away from Usagi and dropped his swords. He was stumbling about before collapsing onto the ground. Alex screamed, jumping to her feet.

"LEO!"

I'll probably tell you the results of the poll in the next chapter. So if you haven't voted, make sure you do.