Hello, readers! Sorry again that I haven't posted in a few days. Besides, it is my birthday today! XD *cheers* I was doing stuff all day, so I have an excuse. Okay, I know I left you all hanging with the last chapter, so I'm going to pick up from where we left off. You'll see what happens. Read!
This is it, Leo thought, as he still looked at the Shredder. I'm sorry...I'm so so sorry...
Then, the blade went down.
-TMNT-TMNT-TMNT-TMNT-TMNT-TMNT-TMNT-TMNT-TMNT-TMNT-TMNT-TMNT-TMNT-TMNT-TMNT-TMNT-TMNT-TMNT-TMNT-TMNT-
In life, most people spend all of their time waiting.
They wait for that chance, the one where they can redeem themselves for all the things they did.
All of their regrets and mistakes build up, and most people just bottle them all inside. They keep them to themselves, and never open up to others. Sadly, those people would keep waiting and waiting for that chance... but they would wait until the day they died.
What those poor people didn't know is that the chance they were waiting for was in front of them the whole time...now.
They could have relieved themselves from all of this suffering and all of this pain if they just opened up at any point in their lives. People make the choices in the world, and some, like these, never chose.
Very rarely, you will meet someone who's open about what they have done. They don't let their mistakes get the better of them. They are the ones who forgive themselves. They are the ones who don't live with them until the day they die.
Leo never felt good enough...he was one of the ones that would keep everything inside.
He was one of the ones who let his regrets and mistakes haunt him. He never felt that he deserved to have a great Sensei, or caring brothers. He never felt that he deserved such an amazing family.
He never felt that he was worth it. He wasn't worth the effort of placing him on the Earth. Poor Leo always felt as though he needed to prove himself to his father, his brothers, and the world. But, every time, he felt like he failed...
Leo never saw his purpose in life. He never saw how powerful he was, or how great he was, or how special he was in the hearts of his father and his brothers...
He never believed in himself.
But Leo still kept waiting for that chance to change everything, and forgive himself for what he has done...
But it didn't look like Leo was ever going to live to that day...
-TMNT-TMNT-TMNT-TMNT-TMNT-TMNT-TMNT-TMNT-TMNT-TMNT-TMNT-TMNT-TMNT-TMNT-TMNT-TMNT-TMNT-TMNT-TMNT-TMNT-
Even though it only took a little less than a second for the blade to fall, it felt like hours to Leo.
There he was, strapped down in a chair, bleeding and in pain, and about to die.
Staring into the Shredder's eyes, and knowing that there was no turning back now, killed him. Even though Leo knew it wouldn't do any good, he closed his eyes, with the image of the Shredder still fresh in his mind.
The blade got closer and closer to his head.
And at the last second, when he wanted to die, when he wished for that blade to come quicker, when he knew that he was a disgrace to his family...
He wanted a second chance at life, and he didn't want to die. He had so much more to live for...
But it was too late.
The blade came closer and closer, and then...
Nothing.
Wait a second.
Leo still felt his body in the chair. He still had the pain from his wounds. He was still breathing...
He was still alive.
Had the Shredder not done it? Had he backed out?
Leo snapped open his eyes...but he didn't expect to see what was actually in front of him.
The Shredder was still in front of him, but he was struggling with something.
There were two sais, just centimeters away, right over Leo's head, blocking the Shredder's blade.
Leo turned his head to see the brother that he wanted and missed the most... Raph.
He was standing next to him, blocking the Shredder's sword from killing Leo.
"You're not dyin'," Raph said to Leo, with an angry expression on his face. "Not yet, you're not!" and with a big push from his sais, Raph sent the Shredder flying a few feet away.
"R- Raph!" Leo said, voice full of relief and joy. Leo has never been this happy to see Raph in his entire life.
"I'm here, big bro," Raph said, his face softening, when he looked at Leo. "You're not gonna die tonight. And I don't ever want to hear you say you want someone to kill ya, again. We need ya, Leo. You mean so much to us."
"I- I know, Raph," Leo said, looking down. "And I- I'm sorry for everything..."
Raph knew what his brother was talking about.
Leo was apologizing for giving away their family's location, for Raph heard everything. He waited for the right time to come into the picture, and there was no way that the Shredder was going to kill Leo, so he guessed that his timing was appropriate.
Even though he heard how Leo said he wanted to die, Raph just couldn't allow that. Even though he spilled their location, Leo wasn't going anywhere...Raph just didn't understand why Leo thought he should die.
"Leo-" Raph started to say but was cut off.
"Look out!" Leo yelled, louder than he thought he could yell.
Raph turned, only to find Dogpound's massive fist punch him in the gut, sending him flying a few feet, and then to the ground.
"R- Raph!" Leo yelled again.
Leo had to get to him. There was no way Raph could take on a dozen Foot ninjas, Fishface, Dogpound, and the Shredder all by himself. He would die.
But another thought dawned on Leo and make him worry even more.
The enemy already knows the location, and they were planning to kill all of them anyways...so why keep Raph alive if he came so willingly to the Shredder's hideout?
Leo tried to break free from the chair, but the cords were digging deeper and deeper into his skin, causing blood to trickle down his wrists and ankles.
Leo was losing too much blood. He could see the pools that ran along the floor, and he could do nothing about his wounds, especially the one made by the Shredder. That one needed the most attention. His whole upper body was in serious pain from all of the cut wounds. His vision was becoming more blurry and his breaths more deep. He felt weaker than ever, and his head was starting to spin, bringing him more pain.
Leo slightly turned his head around to see Raph, sais in his hands, bringing down the Foot ninjas. Fishface was sprawled out on the floor, unconscious, for Raph knocked him out with the butt of one of his sais. Dogpound was advancing on him, and pushed some Foot out of the way to get to the turtle.
Raph was overwhelmed.
Yes, he managed to take out Fishface and some of the Foot, but there seemed to be more and more coming, including Dogpound. He didn't realize that it would be this tough trying fight all of them.
He already had multiple bruises and little cuts all around his body, but he knew that Leo's wounds were way worse. He had to suck it up and fight. If Leo's still holding out, then he can too.
But Raph knew they were going to wear him down. If Raph took down one Foot ninja, two more would take their place. And to top it all off, Dogpound was getting angry. Raph managed to push him away for some time, but he knew it wasn't going to work for much longer.
Leo was so caught up in his brother's fight, that he failed to notice the dark figure looming over him...the Shredder.
Leo turned back around just in time to see his worst enemy raise his blade above his head again.
"N- no," Leo said.
"What?" the Shredder said, in a wise tone. "I have no need for you, anymore. So I'll dispose of you while you're still weak...And then I'll finish off your brother, and then your entire family."
Chills ran up Leo's body. Is this really it? Is the Shredder going to kill him and his family?
Raph couldn't get to him, even if he tried. His brother was cornered by Foot ninjas and Dogpound. There was just no way...but he had to try and get his brother's attention somehow.
Leo was in no condition to defend himself against the Shredder, not by a long shot. He's gotten this far, though, and if he died now, it would be all for nothing. And he couldn't let Raph die, for the Shredder would surely sneak up on him, once he killed Leo. Raph wouldn't know what hit him.
Leo had to get Raph's attention towards the Shredder, to save both of their lives.
"No!" Leo yelled, loudly, with such force that the Shredder jumped.
His scream echoed throughout the whole building, causing the fight to stop for a moment, and grabbing everyone's attention...including Raph's.
Screaming took so much out of poor Leo, that his head swam even more, and he slumped down into the chair. It was too much for him, but he knew it was worth it.
Just then Raph took notice of the Shredder, and screamed, "Leo!"
The Foot and Dogpound tried to stop Raph from getting over to Leo, but failed, for Raph was fast.
He dove over his enemies, turned around, and hit them with his last smoke bomb. Apparently, Raph and Mikey weren't allowed, by Donnie, to use smoke bombs. Only Leo and Donnie could, and it was an unfair rule, according to Raph. Donnie said that Raph and Mikey would use them only for fun, which was probably true, but allowed each of them to have one, just for emergencies.
I could really use more smoke bombs now, Donnie, Raph thought.
"Leo!" Raph yelled, quickly afterward. "Leo, are you okay?"
All Leo could do was nod. He was too weak to speak, and was losing more and more blood by the minute. His breathing became more shallow and short.
"Alright, I'm gonna get ya out of here," Raph said, as he started cutting the cords that strapped Leo to the chair with his sais.
It was a good thing that Raph was quick at cutting the cords, because just a second after he cut them all, the Shredder smacked him across his face, causing him to fall to the ground.
"Pathetic," the Shredder said.
He kicked Raph in his stomach, with such force, that the poor turtle couldn't help but let out a cry.
Unfortunately, Fishface managed to recover, and was standing again with Dogpound and the Foot ninjas. They were advancing towards their turtle target, when the Shredder said, "Kill him."
All poor Leo could do was sit and watch what was happening in front of him. He was so helpless, and wished he could do something, but couldn't. His younger brother was about to be killed...
Leo slumped down to the floor, with his shell against the chair, with silent tears finding their way down his face. There was nothing he could do for Raph now, nothing at all.
Dogpound lifted up Raph and threw him down to the ground. Raph tried to get up again, but was smacked by Fishface, and was sent to the ground, once more. The Foot ninjas repeatedly punched and kicked the turtle until he could take it no more, and whimpered, "Please stop..."
Fishface then ordered for the Foot to stop...and took out his own knife. He stepped over Raph, raised the blade over his head, and was about to strike the poor turtle, when the Shredder yelled, "Wait, Xever!"
Fishface turned and looked at his Master in confusion.
The Shredder took notice of Leo against the chair, and an idea struck.
"We should have a little fun, before we destroy Hamato," said the Shredder, a wide grin spreading across his face. He then signaled for Dogpound to hold Raph so he could face him.
Raph had no idea what the Shredder was planning to do...until he went over to Leo.
"No, no! What are ya doing?" Raph said to the Shredder, as he tried to break free from Dogpond's grasp.
"You, Raphael," the Shredder said, deviously, "are going to pay for distracting me in my attempt to kill Leonardo...now you will have to face the consequences of watching him die before you."
"No, no, no!" Raph yelled, struggling against Dogpound, but to no success.
The Shredder strode over to Leo. He picked him up, causing Leo to wince, and threw him face down to the ground. Leo couldn't help but let out a cry.
Even though Raph knew he couldn't get out of Dogpound's grasp, he continued to try to slip out of it. He had to try to do something, and couldn't just sit there.
But Dogpound's grip became tighter and tighter, until Raph lost blood circulation to his hands. He couldn't feel them at all, and was surprised that Dogpound hasn't broke his arms yet, but he continued to resist. He had to get to Leo.
The Shredder then stood above Leo, and smacked his foot down onto his shell.
Again, Leo stifled a cry. He couldn't take the pain...first the cuts, now his shell. It was all too much for him to take.
Leo was on the verge of blacking out, but he stayed strong...if this was going to be his last moments on Earth, then he wanted Raph to be the last thing he saw.
Leo turned his head to face his brother. Raph had a mixed look of anger and sadness on his face, and saw tears forming in his eyes, as he saw what the Shredder was doing to him.
The Shredder pressed his foot down even more on the back of his shell, and Leo could do nothing but scream. His shell couldn't take the amount of pressure the Shredder was putting on it, and it could crack.
Raph realized what the Shredder was doing and screamed frantically, "No! No! Please don't do it to Leo, do it to me, instead! Please, just don't hurt him anymore!"
That was Raph's last desperate attempt to save his brother...but no dice. The Shredder had his heart set on killing Leo, and he wasn't going to stop until it was complete.
Leo and Raph locked eyes and looked at each other for what seemed like the last time. Leo's vision was blurry, but he could make out Raph's face, pretty clear. Leo had to be there for Raph, now more than ever. Leo saw his younger brother starting to cry, and Leo wanted to do something to make him feel better...so he smiled at him.
Raph started to cry even more, but Leo wanted Raph to know that he'd be okay...even though they both knew he wasn't.
The Shredder laughed at Leo's petty smile, and said to him, "You're not going to be smiling for long, turtle."
As quick as a flash, the Shredder jumped up into the air, releasing his foot from Leo's shell...
Only to bring it back down, with full force, in the very middle of Leo's shell.
'CRACK!'
Leo let out a cry far worse then when the Shredder sliced his arm...for a lightning shaped crack split Leo's shell from the middle, all the way up his spine, to where his shell ends, at his neck.
"No!" Raph yelled, as more tears fell their way down his face, and watched his brother scream in pain.
The Shredder then stepped off of Leo, and stood next to him, watching his victim writhe in front of him.
Leo couldn't help but cry. It hurt more than anything he's experienced before...he didn't even know it was possible for his shell to crack like that. Yes, turtle shells are tough, but the Shredder put so much force on it that it gave way. Fortunately, Leo's shell wasn't entirely split in two, but it was severely split from the middle, up.
Pain coursed through Leo, like a bullet. Even the slightest movement he made, pain, far worse than he ever had, shot through him. It was like he broke his back.
Leo's cries wore down after a few minutes, as he went into shock. Cracking his shell was too much for him to take in his condition. He didn't know if his body could take anything more.
Raph had silent tears flow down his cheeks, as the Shredder stepped over Leo, a blade in his hands. Raph couldn't take it anymore. He couldn't stand seeing his older brother get beat like this. He couldn't see him go through anymore pain...
"Stop, please!" Raph yelled. "Please..." he drifted off, as he knew his pleads would not work on the Shredder.
The Shredder ignored the turtle, but said, "Take a good, long, look at your brother, for this is going to be the last time you'll see him alive!"
"No...no..." Raph said, crying, as he locked eyes with Leo again.
Leo was barely breathing, with tears streaming down his face. His shell was cracked, and he was still bleeding out from his wounds. There was no way he was going to survive without treatment...and the Shredder wasn't making it easy.
Raph gazed into Leo's eyes, and Leo gazed into Raph's.
"I love ya, Leo!" Raph yelled. "And- and I'm sorry for everything! I'm sorry for being so hard on you, and for always starting fights, and- and for not believing in you, like I should have. I'm so, so sorry, Leo...I love ya, bro..." Raph trailed off, as he closed his eyes.
Leo wished he could speak...he would have told him how much he loved him and how he's also sorry for everything he's done to him. There was so much he wanted to tell Raph, but Leo was too weak to do so. So, he gave the faintest of smiles, and surprisingly enough, Raph smiled as best as he could.
The Shredder then raised the blade higher, for he wanted to kill Leo right then and there...
But before he could do so, a loud yell echoed across the building.
"GET AWAY FROM MY SON!" Raph recognized instantly as...
"Hamato-" but that's all the Shredder could say.
Splinter rushed through the doors of the building, and kicked the Shredder, sending him flying a few feet, and onto the ground.
Leo saw his father kick the Shredder, and that was the last thing he saw before he sank into unconsciousness.
Well, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! It is definitely one of my longer ones, which I'm very happy about. Poor Leo :( I know, but I won't disappoint you all in the next chapter! However, you're all going to have to read the next chapter to see if it gets better or worse for Leo. I'm so evil, aren't I? I want reviews, people! Reviews! I want to see what you all thought of this chapter and what you all think will happen in the next. I'll update soon!