Chapter 15: Close Call

A/N: Hey, I know it's been a while since I updated this story, but I wanted to take a break from it due to sinus trouble. I technically have it now, but I'm disregarding it and posting anyway. Thanks to all of those who have read and reviewed thus far. It means a lot to me. When I first wrote this chapter, the finale hadn't aired yet, but based on what we now know about Karai, I thought I would add some things in here anyway reflecting that. I hope you enjoy the ride because it's going to get bumpy.

Disclaimer: TMNT and all related characters belong to Nickelodeon. I only own the plot of the story.

Leo hung up the phone, feeling really excited. Madison had just called and asked if he would go to a showing of the newest Space Heroes. She had even invited Robyn along, though Leo was going to ask her after he got permission from Master Splinter. Even though the Turtles were eighteen now, Leo still thought it was better to ask Splinter's permission since they were still under their father's care.

Leo approached Splinter's room and knocked politely.

"Enter," Splinter called.

Leo did so, bowed, and knelt before his father. He explained what Madison asked him to do, and Splinter listened until his son was finished.

"So you wish to go to a movie and be seen by the public?" he asked.

"It won't be a big deal," Leo told him. "Everyone will be in costumes, and they have alien characters who look a lot like us, so they'll just think that's who I'm supposed to be dressed as."

"That is true, but you will not be able to carry your weapons," Splinter pointed out.

"Well, no, I won't, but I'll have some great cover," Leo replied. "We haven't seen any Foot activity, and the Purple Dragons haven't done much either. Besides, Madison invited Robyn and you told us it would be good for us to get to know her."

"Then Robyn is going to this movie as well?"

"I have to call and ask her, but I'm sure she'll go. Sensei, this is my chance to actually be around people who love Space Heroes as much as I do. I promise I'll be safe."

Splinter sat and contemplated his sons' words. "If you promise to be careful, then I will allow you to accompany Madison and Robyn to this movie. But I want you home as soon as it ends, understood?"

"Hai, Sensei," Leo replied.

"Good. You are dismissed."

Leo bowed to his father and hurried to call Robyn and ask her to go to the movies. He was afraid she wasn't home, but she answered on the first ring.

"Hey, Leo, what's up?" she asked him.

"Hi, Robyn," Leo said. "I was wondering if you would like to go to the premiere of the new Space Heroes movie with Madison and me."

"Oh, yeah, I'd love to go," Robyn replied. "Maybe it'll help me get a handle on why you guys like the show so much. Count me in."

"Great!" Leo said happily. "The movie starts at seven, so we'll pick you up at five so we can get to the theater early to snag our spots in line."

"Better make that four," Robyn corrected him. "That way we've got a three hour head start because you know the place will be jammed."

"Okay, good idea," Leo answered. "See you then." He hung up and smiled. This was going to be great.

"Wow, Leo, you're lucky," Mikey said wistfully. "You're going on a date with two girls."

"It's not a date, Mikey," contradicted Leo. "It's a group movie night."

"Yeah, if it was a date, he'd just be goin' with Madison," chimed in Raph. "I don't know why Robyn's decided to go though. She doesn't like Space Heroes."

"She's just trying to give it a chance," Leo told him. He didn't really care what his brothers thought. This was going to be a night where he could have fun and not worry about anything at all. Don jut told him to be careful and to have fun, which Leo was grateful for as he thought maybe Don would tease him about what he was going to do.

When it was time to go, Leo said goodbye to his brothers and father and headed out. He decided to travel via the rooftops until he picked up Robyn. She was waiting for him wearing a yellow T-shirt with stars on them, jeans, and sneakers. They went to Madison's and Leo talked more about Space Heroes on the way there so that Robyn wouldn't be confused when she saw the movie.

Madison was waiting for them and was dressed as Sergeant Luna Mercury, one of the females added to the show after fans complained that there weren't any female crew members. Luna was now a permanent member of the Dauntless crew and even had a big fan base.

"Wow, Maddie, you look great," commented Leo.

"Thanks," replied Maddie. "So do you. At least you won't have to hide who you are."

"I know, and that's the best part. Well, we'd better get going."

"I'm glad you made it, Robyn," said Madison. "It means a lot to Leo and me."

"No problem," replied Robyn. "Leo's been filling me in on the show so I won't be confused."

"Yeah, he's so sweet to do that," said Madison giving Leo a genuine smile.

Leo blushed but didn't say a word. When the got to the theater, Leo made sure to turn off his T-phone so it wouldn't go off during the movie. Robyn and Madison did the same as they joined the line that was for the movie. Many fans commented on Leo's costume, and Leo returned the compliment, pleased that they weren't screaming in terror at the sight of him.

Madison and Leo continued to fill Robyn in on Space Heroes once they took their seats. She listened but she wasn't interested despite the fact that she kept her eyes on Leo and Madison as they talked. Then the lights dimmed, and the previews started, though there were only three. Then the movie started, and Leo and Madison clasped hands and squealed because they were so excited.

As the movie progressed, Leo and Madison reacted appropriately at certain scenes with gasps and exclamations. Leo noticed that Robyn didn't react at all and seemed to be bored, which made Leo feel guilty. What had he been thinking? It was a stupid idea to bring her.

When the movie was over, all three of them headed home. Leo and Madison talked about the best parts of the movie and what would happen if they made another one or continued the plot into the next season of the show.

"Thanks for coming, Robyn," said Madison as they arrived at her apartment. "I'm sorry you weren't into it though. Maybe next time we can see a movie you'll like."

"Sounds great," Robyn responded. "See you later."

"Robyn, I'm such an idiot," Leo said as they went to Robyn's apartment. "I never should have invited you to this movie. I'm sorry you didn't enjoy yourself."

"It's not a big deal, Leo," she said. "I'm glad you asked me. I may not have been into the movie, but it was nice being out with you. So, what's going on with you and Madison?"

"We're just good friends," Leo answered.

"It didn't look like that to me," Robyn pointed out. "I really think she likes you, Leo. You should go for it."

"I'm not ready for that right now," responded Leo. "Besides, I've got too much going on right now to even think about dating. Oh, you didn't receive any more texts from A did you?"

"No, I haven't," said Robyn. "Have you?"

"Not so far."

"Maybe it's finally over," Robyn predicted.

"Or maybe A's just biding their time," Leo added.

"Well, if I get any others, I'll let you know," Robyn told him. "I'll talk to you guys tomorrow. Good night, Leo."

"Good night, Robyn," Leo replied. "I promise we'll do something you like soon." He waved and started for home across the rooftops. Despite the fact that Robyn hadn't enjoyed herself, Leo felt that it had been a good night. The movie was awesome, and he was happy that Madison had been able to see it with him. At that moment, Leo felt that nothing could have spoiled that night.

He pulled out his T-phone to turn it on and saw he had a text message. He read it and gasped when he saw it. Was he seeing things? There was no way this was possible.

Hey, Leo, that was some movie, huh? It's too bad that two people of a different species can't really fall in love. Don't believe everything you see.—A.

"This can't be," he whispered. He looked at the number again, trying to make sense of it. Most of A's texts came from an unlisted number, but this one came from a number Leo knew all too well. He pulled up a new text window and texted his brothers to meet him at the Byerly Building because he knew who A was. He made it to the Byerly Building in record time and waited for his brothers. As much as he was in shock over who was doing this, he was relieved that this mystery would soon be over.

"Hey, Leo, long time, no see," a voice said.

Leo turned around at the sound of the voice. "Karai," he growled. On instinct, he reached for his swords before he remembered that he didn't have them.

Karai laughed. "Forget something?" she taunted. "A true warrior never leaves home unarmed."

Her comment stung Leo, but he never moved. "I don't have time for this," he said. "Why are you here?" Had she been kicked out of the Foot and was on her own? Was she finally going to admit to Leo that he was right and that she should join them as allies? The one thing that had hurt Leo the most was when he tried to get Karai on their side after finding out she was Splinter's long lost daughter, and she had refused, saying she would never join a bunch of freaks.

"I was patrolling the area when I saw you were alone," she answered. "Why are you here all by yourself?"

"I'm waiting for my brothers," he told her.

"Ah, I see," she said. "Some sort of important gathering?"

"It's none of your business," snapped Leo. "Now get out of here!"

"Oh, I can't do that, Leo," answered Karai. "You see, I have orders from my father that if I see you, I'm to eliminate you. I thought maybe someone else would have done the honors while I was away in Japan, but I guess I'm going to have to do it." She unsheathed her katana and positioned herself in a fighting stance.

Leo laughed. "I may not have weapons, but I can still beat you," he said

"I know," she said with a smirk. "That's why I brought some friends with me." She motioned with her hand, and a group of Foot Ninjas surrounded Leo. "I thought I'd make the fight more interesting."

Leo was a little worried, but he didn't show it. He knew the odds were against him, but he wasn't going to back down from this challenge. He would fight like the warrior he was. "Bring it on," he replied.

At a signal from Karai, the Ninjas attacked Leo at once. He thought that he'd be fighting them one by one before facing Karai. Still, he tried to parry their blows but it wasn't enough. In the midst of the battle, Karai entered the fray with a flurry of kicks and punches. Leo tried to fight back, but he was exhausted, and the Ninjas continued to attack him before Leo had a chance to recover. Then Karai called a halt and looked down at Leo.

"Such a shame," she said. "I thought you would actually be a challenge this time. Oh, and one other thing. I'm not here on my father's orders. I was asked to attack you as a favor to someone, and I took it. I won't destroy you this time, but next time, all bets are off." She delivered one last kick to Leo's head and signaled the Ninjas to leave.

The last thing Leo saw before he blacked out was a figure standing on a building across from him. The figure was dressed in black, so Leo couldn't make out who it was. Before he could see who the black figure really was, darkness consumed him.

22222

Meanwhile, Don, Raph, and Mikey were all making their way to the Byerly Building to meet Leo. They were shocked that Leo had gotten a text that revealed who A was. Soon, this whole mess would be behind them.

"Is Leo there yet?" Raph asked as they neared the Byerly Building. "I don't see him."

"He has to be there," Don replied.

"Guys, something's lying there," Mikey pointed out. The others followed his gaze and saw something lying on the ground. They hurried to the building and gasped as they saw Leo lying unconscious, cuts and bruises littering his body.

"What the hell happened to him?" Raph demanded.

"It looks like he was attacked," Don answered.

"I know that, Don, but who did it?"

Suddenly, Mikey spotted Leo's crushed T-phone. "I think A attacked Leo," he said.

Before the others could respond, their phones all chimed, indicating that they had a new text message. They opened the text and realized that Mikey's assumption was correct. And what they read next made their blood run cold.

He knew too much.—A.

A/N: Dun dun duuun! So, will Leo recover? Who exactly is A? Will the truth be revealed, or will the Turtles have to sit on it some more? Find out in the next chapter. I know Space Heroes will no longer be on, but I'm pretending that they decided to continue it based on the fact that fans begged them to do so. Feel free to leave a review, and have a shelltastic day.