Alright Team, I decided to update tonight instead of tomorrow, but meh, I don't think you guys will mind too terribly much! ;) This story is turning out to be pretty long and is pretty much writing itself. I'm loving it! Anywho enjoy this chapter and please if you're reading this story, let me know what you think. Reviews make my day and give me inspiration!

Leo sighed and flopped onto his bed. He couldn't believe what his life had unexpectedly turned into. He and three other boys he had only just met were supposed to work together to save the world from an ancient demon.

And they were turtles.

Couldn't forget the turtle part if he tried.

Boy he hadn't figured his life would change so drastically. He remembered his thoughts earlier today, which felt like a million years ago, about feeling like he was just another face in the crowd. Now he wished he was back to plain old Leonardo. That he didn't have to worry about making a decision that literally held the world in balance. He was fifteen! He was supposed to worry about good grades, Kendo club and maybe a girlfriend. Man did those worries fly out the window!

And it was only a Tuesday!

Leo sighed again as he looked over to his clock on the bedside table. 6:47. He was so tired, but it was still early and he hadn't eaten. So he forced himself to his exhausted feet and grabbed his phone. A quick call later he was now waiting for his pizza to arrive. A thought then popped into his head and he grabbed his backpack that had miraculously survived the whole thing. It was still wet and when he opened it he pulled out sensei Tsuyoi's book. It was… really wet. Leo sighed and went to put the book on the coffee table. He then walked over to his father's office room and pulled out one of his mini fans. Walking back into the living room he plugged the fan in and placed it next to the book turning it on so the book would dry.

He really hoped sensei Tsuyoi wouldn't kill him. How was he going to explain getting it sopping wet? And why the heck was his life getting so complicated!?

His thoughts were cut short by the doorbell. Leo went to get his wallet and answered the door. "Hello. $10.50, please." The pizza guy said with a smile.

Leo sort of just wanted to punch him.

"Here ya go." He said handing the money over. The pizza guy thanked him and went on his way.

Leo turned the TV on glad to see his favorite show on. Space Heroes. As he excitedly watched the crew battle evil in the void, he could help, but think what would Captain Ryan do? He would save the world. 'But I'm not Captain Ryan.' He thought. What was Leo going to do? If he chose to ignore what had happened and what Splinter had told them, he could have a somewhat normal life… at least until that demon Shredder came back and killed everyone.

But then, if he chose to accept what Splinter had said and worked to save the world, how the heck was he supposed to do that? He was just a teenager. How was he and three other teenagers supposed to defeat an ancient evil that was barely able to be defeated the first time?

Leo sighed and stopped eating. He suddenly wasn't all that hungry anymore. Standing he cleaned up his meager mess putting the rest of the pizza in the fridge then headed to his room. He was about to flop down onto his head when he remembered he had been swimming in water that had been glowing and was underground.

He probably needed a shower.

Pushing down his frustration and weariness he went to his bathroom and took one of the fastest showers he had ever taken. Now clean and thoroughly exhausted he plopped down on his bed and barely remembered to set his alarm for school before passing out.

..::-::..

A very annoying sound woke Leonardo from his sleep and he felt his eyes groggily open to see the time. 7:00. Leo felt like he had only just gone to sleep 5 minutes ago! Sighing Leo forced himself out of bed and got ready for school. He opted not to take a shower this morning because he showered last night so he made himself some toast and got ready. At 7:30 he was out the door and headed towards the bus stop. When he arrived at school he went straight to his locker to get his text books. On the way there however he bumped into someone, knocking their things onto the ground.

"Oh geez. I'm sorry." Leo apologized kneeling down to help pick up the scattered papers and books. "I'm really distracted today."

"That's okay, I am too." A very familiar voice said and Leo looked up to meet two red-brown eyes behind glasses and a mop of curly brown hair.

"Donnie?"

"Leo?"

"I didn't know you went here." Leo said standing and handing Donatello his things.

"I didn't know you went here either." Donnie supplied taking them.

There was an awkward silence between them where they both wanted to ask a certain question, but neither wanted to know the other's answer. "So where are you headed?" Leo asked breaking the silence.

"Collage science." Donnie answered simply. "You?"

"English."

Donnie and he both started walking towards their classes in silence. "So um…" Donnie began, "Have you had any um… problems?"

Leo looked at him not catching on to what he was asking. "Problems?"

"Um… you know with… three green fingers?" Donnie finished deflated.

Oh.

Leo shook his head, "No I'm… fine." He paused for a bit before he looked back at Donnie, "You?"

Donnie shook his head, "No I'm fine too." He answered with a somewhat relieved smile. "Weird to think that, that… happened."

"Yeah." Leo agreed and they were silent for a while.

"Well this is my stop." Donnie said as they came to a classroom.

Leo nodded and offered him a small smile, "Alright, I'll see you… around." He finished lamely. He was about to say see you later, but he didn't want to. He still didn't know what he was going to do.

Donnie looked at him and offered him a small smile as well, "See ya." He said before heading into the room. Leo then went on his way and headed to his first class.

The rest of the day Leo felt like he was just going through the motions of school. He managed to return sensei Tsuyoi's book with a pathetic explanation of 'he tripped and fell into a fountain'. Tsuyoi didn't seem that angry. Confused, but not angry and luckily let it drop. He didn't have Kendo today so after class Leo decided to just walk around New York. He forced himself not to think about the decision he was going to have to make. He didn't want to.

Leo decided to head to his favorite Pizza place. Antonio's Pizza. Conveniently located in Times Square. Leo took the bus to Times Square and once there walked to 44th street. There he saw thousands of people walking the streets. 'Will these people all survive the Shredder?' Leo thought unbidden. 'Can I really help?' Leo paused and shook his head, he didn't want to think about it. So instead he walked to Antonio's and pushed open the glass door. Hearing the small bell ring at his entry Leo walked up to the short line and waited. Finally it was his turn and he made his way to the counter.

"Oh! Leonardo! Welcome back!" The man Leonardo knew to be Antonio said with a welcoming grin. He was a kind Italian man who always made him smile. "What can I get you, huh?"

"Can I have a slice of cheese pizza please?" Leo asked.

Antonio chuckled, "Of course you can! You seem like you need one." He quickly handed Leo the slice and he took it, happily taking a bite of the delicious deep dish. "So what's the problem, eh?" Antonio asked softly, "You seem a little down, like there's somethin' on your mind. Tell old Antonio all about it."

Leo paused for a second. He didn't really have anyone to talk to at the moment and he trusted Antonio. "I just have a lot on my mind right now." He began, "And I have to make a decision by four o'clock today and I still don't know what to do."

Antonio smiled, "Why four? I'm sure you have more time to think it over."

Leo shook his head, "No. It has to be by four o'clock. It's… kind of a life or death situation." He said somewhat reluctantly.

Antonio nodded solemnly, "I see. What sort of life or death?" Leo looked away from him. He didn't want to tell him something he wouldn't believe and… he didn't want him to worry. "I see. Not something you can talk about, eh?" Antonio looked over to Leo and smiled reassuringly, "Leonardo," Leo looked back up at him, "I don't know what kind of situation you are in, but you should know that if you ever have the power to help someone, you should. Always chose life over death."

Leo's eyes slightly widened and at once he realized Antonio was right. All day long he was avoiding a decision that he had already made, but was too scared to admit it. He knew what the right decision was and he was going to follow it. He smiled up at the pizza man, "Thanks Antonio!" He turned to leave then paused, "How much do I owe you?"

Antonio waved him off with a kind smile, "It's on the house, now get out here."

Leo's smile grew, "Thanks Antonio!"

"You're welcome! And Leonardo, you be careful, eh?!"

"I will! Bye!" Leo cried before racing out the door.

..::-::..

Splinter sat on the little island waiting patiently for the four boys to return. He knew that they could leave and never return even if their answers were no, but somehow he knew that they would be back. To at least give him their answer if nothing else. When he was given the knowledge of the past and future he was not given the ability to know if the four boys would rise the call. He had been correct when he told them they were the chosen ones and they alone could defeat the demon Shredder, but he knew that it was a terrifying thing to put on the shoulders of four teenagers. He never would have done so if there had been any other way.

But there was not. It was how it was meant to be.

Splinter thought about each other them. Michelangelo seemed to be very carefree and an all-around happy spirit, but Splinter sensed there was more to it than that. Something he was keeping to himself.

Donatello was very intelligent. He had overheard their conversation as he was making his way to them. Donatello seemed to be a very level headed person, but like Michelangelo, he sensed something else was driving the young man.

Raphael was hard. Splinter didn't know why a youth his age would have such anger. What would cause someone to be that angry at the world? Despite that however, Splinter saw that Raphael was someone that cared about something very much.

Leonardo was someone Splinter felt that was a reserved person. He was patient. He waited to find out all the facts then made his move. He seemed very level headed as well. And if what he saw and heard of their interactions yesterday were anything to go by, he had the makings of a good leader as well. But like the other three he sensed something beneath the surface. Leonardo seemed to be hiding some deep sadness that he couldn't begin to understand.

Splinter was pulled out of his thoughts by the sound of movement from above. The sound of feet smacking against pavement and water. He opened his eyes to see the four boys jump carefully down to the island. Once they all landed they made their way to him. Splinter stood and rested his hands on his ever present cane. The old rat smiled at them gently, "I trust you have all come to a decision?"

Leonardo looked back at the other three who subtly nodded to him. He nodded back, then took a few steps in front of the small group and looked to Splinter.

"We're in."

..::-::..