Leo's chest swelled as he took a deep breath, smiling as he looked out over the bright, vibrant lights of New York. The city, the home his family had saved together. It was strange to think it wasn't quite a year ago… everything that happened in that battle, and in the aftermath, felt like it could have taken decades. So much had changed, and Leo could freely admit that wasn't a bad thing. That didn't stop him from regretting the pain his brothers and the rest of the family went through, but that was just something he had to live with.

It helped to see that the last scars of the invasion were beginning to fade… something that Leo always felt reassured to see on these runs. Letting out a quick exhale, he stretched both legs with a few sideways lunges before taking off, leaping from the building's edge to the next rooftop. The sooner he wrapped this up, the sooner he could get back to April's for movie night. No doubt his brothers were arguing the plot points of every film they'd selected right now. Leo was looking forward to joining them and kicking back, but if he wanted to keep up his resolve to take this whole leadership thing seriously, work had to come first sometimes.

Leo had to admit, though, that wasn't turning out to be as much of a drag as he thought. In fact, he could swear that he somehow felt freer than he had in years. That incessant urge to hide his fear and uncertainty, to hold back and slack off so the others would see he wasn't right for this, was lessening more and more. It was strange to think that not long ago, he'd been so certain that was the best way to handle his problems and protect his family. But then came the whole Krang mess, and he was forced to the painful realization that it had become harmful rather than helpful… both to the others and himself.

Ya don't hafta be a different person… just the best version of yourself.

Raph's words echoed in Leo's mind, and he felt a smile tug at his face. He wasn't sure his big brother would ever really understand how much Leo had needed to hear those words. They were the main thing that made him realize at some point while switching between his masks, he'd lost who he was underneath. And without his family, Leo knew he'd never have been able to find himself again.

Leo had almost reached the halfway point in his run when a feeling came over him. It wasn't exactly fear, but unsettling… a strange sensation that someone was watching. Sticking his next landing, Leo lifted both arms in an alternating stretch, his eyes casually scanning the rooftops. Having an audience was hardly something he minded, but just friendly ones, thank you very much. Seeing nothing, he shrugged and began to turn.

Just then, Leo caught something out of the corner of his eye. He immediately turned just in time to see a shadowed figure disappeared over the far edge of a nearby building.

Shadowy figure… well, that's probably not good.

His hand moved to the panic button Donnie had installed on their communication devices, but something made him hesitate. Should he really call for backup now? Shouldn't he at least investigate first? Make sure whether the others even needed to come? He lowered his hand, mind made up, and sprinted toward where the figure had vanished. He needed to make sure. Had to know if he was needlessly dragging them into danger, again…

No. Focus, Leo.

By now he'd reached the edge of the building. His eyes moving over the alley below, Leo slowly lowered himself into a crouch. He squinted into the long shadows cast by the streetlight, looking for any trace of movement. Even though he saw none, that strange tension remained. The sense that something wasn't right.

Taking a slow breath, Leo straightened up. He was probably just still paranoid from the Krang invasion; even though he and his family had done a lot of healing, it wasn't complete yet. He turned and headed back the way he came, though he found himself not going quite as fast. His thoughts began to calm, turning to the coming evening.

If they ever made a movie about us, that'd be so awesome. His mouth quirked into a grin. If they found someone handsome enough to play me.

As he raced over a building top, he caught the barest whisper of a sound. It was barely there, but his inner alarm immediately began screaming. Without hesitation, he swerved and ducked. He heard the blade whistle through the air, felt it whiz past just above his head. Dropping into a roll, he reached up and whipped his katanas from their sheaths with a smooth metallic shing.

Adrenaline pumping through him with every pulse of his heart, Leo leaped to his feet and whirled around to face his attacker. His eyes went wide, a jolt of fear making him back up a step. Yellow eyes glared back at him from a misshapen figure covered with an all too familiar pink slime; the only thing that showed it had once been a person was the torn remnants of a Foot uniform still hanging on it.

Leo gulped down the fear and held his katanas up in a defensive stance. He and his brothers had been forced to fight the occasional Krang infected soldier in the months since the invasion, and it was just one… might be a tougher fight, but he could handle it.

Bracing his feet, Leo was just about to charge toward the enemy when faint snarling came from behind him, and he leaped to the side. His eyes darted around, and his heart almost froze. He counted at least ten, but before he could think anything else the creatures charged.

The sound of clanging filled the air as Leo leaped and dodged, parrying blows as he looked for an opportunity to run. He needed to get far enough to shake these things before he could portal away. Even he wasn't foolish enough to think he could get through this in one piece.

It seemed the fight dragged on for hours, and it wasn't long before Leo was struggling. He'd never faced this many enemies alone, and every hit that got past his defense only sapped his strength more. Finally, as he just managed to block another blow, Leo spotted an opening. With a slash of his blades, he leaped clear and bolted across the roof, thanking the stars that the injuries he'd gotten were superficial. But before he could open a portal, a deep, sinister voice came from behind.

"So… still running to others for help?"

Leo froze, his blood turning to ice. That voice… he couldn't forget that voice if he tried… and he had tried. But it was seared into his mind like a deep burn from a hot brand. He turned, and his body went numb. Nothing but pure body instinct kept his swords from slipping from his nerveless fingers.

There, moving to the front as the Foot soldiers drew back out of the way…

Shredder.

Though the logical part of his mind was saying it wasn't possible, that first thought was screaming louder and louder, drowning it out with an icy wave of fear. A chilling laugh came from the hulking, armored figure.

"Fear. Still, it controls you. Did you really think it was all over? Then you have learned nothing. You are nothing, nothing more than the naïve child you were at the start."

Those words seemed to break through the fog clouding Leo's mind, and along with the still lingering fear a fierce anger rose in him. Gritting his teeth, he tightened his grip on his katanas.

"I don't know who you are now or how you're here, but you can bet we're gonna kick your spiky butt back wherever ya crawled out from."

That only prompted another laugh from this new Shredder, those malicious eyes Leo knew too well fixed on him with menacing intent.

"Then you really are the same… still calling on others to clean up your messes. Dragging your loved ones into danger for your own benefit."

Leo knew he should've expected a low blow like that, but it still hit hard. Shredder spoke again, the cruel amusement in his voice a sure sign he knew it had.

"Go on… call your brothers. I look forward to finding out how weak they are as well. Picking them off one by one… and saving you for last."

At those words, Leo felt his blood turn to ice. His brothers… he couldn't let this monster near his brothers. He wouldn't. Bracing his feet, he held his katanas in a ready stance.

"You're not getting anywhere near them," he growled.

The armored creature laughed again.

"You think you can stop me, alone?" He flicked his fingers in a mockingly inviting gesture. "Then by all means, child… entertain me."

A hidden well of strength Leo didn't know he had seemed to open. Letting out a fierce yell, he charged forward and began slashing his blades with new vigor. The exhaustion didn't matter. The sting of his cuts and bruises didn't matter. All that mattered was protecting his family. Keeping them safe, like he'd failed to do in another timeline, nearly had in the other.

Not again. Never again.

"More impressive than I thought."

Leo wasn't sure, but there might have been some uncertainty in his enemy's voice. But then it was gone, replaced with malice.

"But you were unwise to continue fighting not at full strength."

Just then, time seemed to catch up with the slider, and a sudden bout of exhaustion blurred his vision. He stumbled, shaking his head to clear it, and suddenly a clawed hand was swinging toward him. A killing blow, Leo's mind told him. He twisted, making a desperate attempt to avoid it…

Hot, searing pain slashed across his side and he let out a sharp cry, barely keeping his grip on his swords as he fell. But still his battle instincts screamed at him to get up, to run.

Leo grunted as he pushed himself up into a stumbling run. One fist, still clenched around his sword hilt, moved to the pulsing wound on his side and he felt a warm, slick wetness.

Bad… very bad. Run, run, portal…

The pursuing footsteps were growing closer, and he knew he couldn't shake them. With no other option, he punched the panic button.

Raph, Donnie, Mikey… Casey, April… I'm sorry.

His remorseful thoughts were interrupted when he heard the whistle of a blade. Clenching his teeth, he whirled around to block. With a loud clang, the strength of the blow ripped his katanas from his grip. The snarling of his pursuers surrounded him, and rough, mishappen hands snatched his arms. Leo couldn't stifle another cry of pain as they pushed him to his knees, forcing his hands behind his back.

The sharp tip of a claw brushed his chin, slowly lifting his head to meet the cold eyes of the Shredder, that cold voice full of satisfaction.

"You really are all too predictable. Though I do have you to thank… destroying the others will be that much easier."

Leo felt his mind hazing with weakness and pain, a sense of utter helplessness filling him as he closed his eyes and sagged in his captors' grip. He forced down threatening tears… he wasn't going to give them that satisfaction. But still a wave of despair and all too familiar self-loathing filled him.

I failed… I failed again. My family, everyone else, in danger again… because of me.

Everything went black.