Chapter 17: Leeri

"Welcome to Leeri! The largest town in this small region!" Arna shouted happily as everyone was walking towards the town. "You sure are in a good mood." Donnie remarked as he walked up to her, giving a smile.

Arna chuckled lightly as she quickly turned around and continued towards the town, followed by Donnie. "I'm not much of a social person, so making friends is actually kinda thrilling." Arna stated somewhat with a sad tone, Donnie quickened his pace to join beside her.

"You've never had any friends or family?" Donnie questioned her, "What about that one person you mentioned when you also arrived?" Donnie added confusingly.

Arna shrugged lightly with a small sigh, "They passed away a few years back, they were the only friend and family I had, this includes even earth, I was like a stray. I am honestly glad I ended up here, I love it here."

Raph noticed something that stood out the most with this town, and he couldn't get it off his chest. Leeri had multiple turrets placed around the outskirts, all around the town, Raph came to the conclusion they were probably either for protection against large monsters or just decor, so he ignored them.

After everyone entered the town, it was practically like a heaven for shopping and exploring. There were so many stores with fancy items, materials, weapons, you name it. Donnie, Casey and Arna were all glued to a certain window of a shop, all sparkly eyed and cheeks against the glass. "Is that a future generation computer processor!?" Donnie questioned excitedly as he started to drool slightly.

"I've never seen one before close up, but yes, yes it is!" Arna remarked also excitedly, Casey was more attached to the glowing and sparkly weapons. "Dude! Since when could weapons glow!?" Casey questioned with excitement, also drooling and sobbing as he fell slowly down sadly knowing he couldn't touch it or get one.

April, Raph and Leo only stared at the three unamusingly, Mikey was playing around with Jogo behind them as she tended to enjoy playing around with Mikey's necklaces. "Ahem, sorry to interrupt you nerds, but we got business, remember?!" Raph growled angrily as he was growing impatient.

"Oh, right right! There's a bar that some of us could check out." Arna stated as she pointed down the street with a large sign above a building that literally stated bar. "I thought you knew someone you could ask." April questioned Arna, "I do, just not here. We're just stopping by here for a few supplies and to ask around too if you wanted." she added.

April shrugged slightly, "Might as well. Let's go check the bar then." April stated, she grabbed Leo's hand and dragged him along, she knew he was bothered by something and wanted to try cheering him up, Arna followed along right after with a small smile.

Everyone except Mikey and Casey followed into the bar, the place was huge and packed with people and mutants, magic was also being used around the place. "Wooaah, actual magic…" Donnie giggled lightly as excited as he was but stopped instantly the second he realized all the people, he instantly started shaking and clung to Raph.

April instantly became surprised as she noticed someone familiar, "You're kidding me… no way.." she quickly marched her way to a table where a man was sitting alone, writing and piled up with a few dozen books with some drinks. The man instantly stopped writing as he noticed April who had approached him and was standing across from him from the table, he only looked at her confusingly, "You're professor Dan, aren't you?" April questioned him as she pointed at him as well, the others followed along behind her confusingly.

The man instantly became shocked, "I knew it!" April stated happily, "Professor Dan?" Arna questioned as she gazed at April confusingly. "He was a famous book author back on earth, until he went missing four years ago." April explained, "A fan I see?" Dan stated confusingly as he glanced at April.

"I've read your books since I was a little girl, so in a way, yes. Were you… also teleported?" April questioned him, Dan sighed sadly but nodded in agreement, "It did happen four years ago, I was in the process of making my next book, but then suddenly a large bright light happened within my room, and I appeared here. I've been stuck here for four years, still writing these useless books that I've just kept with me."

April stood up straight with a small sad expression on her face, they ended up in another dead end. It seemed everyone they've encountered so far that have been teleported, was meaningless as they don't even know how they resulted into getting here after a large white flash, and no teleporter in sight like them with Dragor's teleporter.

April couldn't get the fact off her chest though as she noticed something with him, she raised an eyebrow as she looked him over. Dan noticed this and only gave her a confused expression, "You don't even look like you've changed or aged a bit…" April remarked suddenly, she covered her mouth lightly as she thought it was rude. Dan only looked at her with slight amazement, "You mean you don't know?" Everyone except Arna gave him a confused look.

"Oh yeah...I forgot…" Arna began worriedly. Everyone moved their gazes at Arna who raised a finger, "I forgot to mention, once you're teleported here and like I stated this planet affects people who aren't born here, you will not age any longer past the age you arrived here."

"WHAT!?" Raph shouted angrily, "You mean we're stuck as teens and can't grow old!? And die old!?" Raph added angrily. Arna dropped her finger innocently, "I won't hit adult puberty… Awesome!" Donnie stated excitedly but instantly dropped down frighteningly as Raph jolted a glare at him and growled, "I mean… booo." Donnie added.

"I don't know… maybe staying teens forever won't hurt." April suggested, "Just think of the bright side, not the dark side. Raph." April added as she gave a serious unamused look at him, Raph only lowly growled. "Atleast Mikey doesn't have to worry, he never really matured past eight years old…" Donnie sobbed sadly.

"And Casey when he finds out?" Leo questioned as he glanced at April, considering she knew him best. April shrugged, "Honestly, I don't think he would care, he would probably just be excited if anything. Would be best not to tell the two though."

"The fox is correct, but you still can die like any ordinary person from health issues, being killed, such as stabbed or something." Dan stated reassuringly. "How is that reassuring!?" Raph growled, Leo rolled his eyes and grabbed Raph by the scarf, dragging him out of the bar as eyes were beginning to watch and look over at them from other people because of his tantrum.

"Have you just arrived here, on Dimension Nether?" Dan questioned April as she was watching the two brothers leave. April directed her attention back at Dan, "Yeah, we've only been here a day. We're trying to find clues and a way back, but your words are the same as others, so another dead end." April stated sadly. Dan only lowered his head, "Sorry I couldn't help, but I won't lie, this place is honestly very nice, beautiful and a wonderful place to stay in compared to earth once you get a good look around."

April gave Dan a small smile, everyone was too occupied with wanting to get back home, including herself, they didn't even bother to think and reconsider about staying in a place they knew nothing about and already seemed dangerous.

April had to literally drag Donnie out of the bar as he was frightened by all the people still, he was still adjusting and working on his fear, but it has gotten better. April sighed sadly, "Dead end…" Arna glanced at her and gave a sorry expression, "At least it was one small step closer, knowing there's other people who ended up here like you guys."

April gave Arna a grateful look, she then glanced around and noticed Raph was sitting alone at a table in a resting area, she gave a small sad expression as she left Donnie and Arna and walked over to him. She sat down across from him on the other end of the table, Raph didn't even bother to look at her.

"You blame me, don't you." April questioned him, "If I and Casey hadn't showed up during the fight, Leo wouldn't have gotten badly hurt, he would've been able to help and save Splinter and Xen and we wouldn't be in this situation, right?" April added attempting to get his attention, Raph only glanced at her, "Of course I blame you. But it doesn't change the fact you're still family, Leo would've done the same for any of us even if you two didn't show up. Same goes for Splinter." Raph stated as he turned to face her, "And I can tell you and him get along very well, seems you two are just growing closer, I don't know why and I honestly don't care why, but right now he's breaking down mentally because of the loss of Splinter, and you seem to be the only one who can get through to him better than any of us now." Raph added seriously.

April was only looking him in the eyes as he talked to her, Raph pointed with his thumb behind him, showing her where Leo had left and went towards, "He went to the fields." April only gave him a small reassuring smile, she knew he was bothered by the fact they were officially stuck as teens now, the fact they wouldn't age, grow older, and die old.

Raph was confused as April sat there giving him a small smile, "We're all in the same boat, Raph. Like you and everyone else that have mentioned it to me more than enough times, we're family. We live together, we fight together, and we die together, even if it's for an eternity." April stated as she stood up, "And if a Den Na' Vor can live for thousands of years, so can we." She added happily.

Raph widened his eyes as he looked at her, now he knew, he knew why she was able to get through to Leo better than anyone else, he remembered what Donnie had mentioned before back at the lair, April was extremely good at reading people's emotions just based on their expressions, it was a gift of hers that she wasn't entirely aware of. Raph knew there was something more to it than just that though, he only quickly looked away slightly timidly and shyly, "Just go to him already…"

April only chuckled lightly as she started to walk off, Raph watched as she left and sighed as he glanced over where everyone else was, his expression instantly became annoyed and unamused as he noticed the three nerds continuing their glue fest on windows. "Will you guys knock it off! You're embarrassing!" Raph shouted at them angrily, but they continued to drool on the windows, Raph only looked away and pretended he didn't know them.

April walked out of the town and searched the fields as she glanced around, she immediately noticed Leo as he was sitting on a small hill with his hands on his knees, she could tell he was sad and devastated on the inside. She knew he was closest to Splinter and that his death had really impacted him, and the fact he couldn't do anything at the time, April had also started growing closer with Splinter with the short amount of time she spent training with him after he accepted her and Leo had convinced him.

April relaxed sadly as she stood at the outskirts of the town, she slowly walked up towards him and remembered what Raph said earlier and it made her feel sorry for Leo, she was extremely grateful for all he's done for her, not just rescue's but also the words he would say to her that would help her understand just as much as she does for him. All she could do in return was try to get through to him and cheer him up with her own words.

Leo flinched at the sound he heard behind him, he glanced back and relaxed when he noticed it was April who sat beside him, April noticed this and knew he's been having his guard down often and getting lost in thought.

Leo pointed behind him and back at the town, "Aren't you going to explore with the others?" He noticed her only give him a sulking expression and this confused him, but also scared him a bit as she was silent, he also noticed her glance at the crack on his plastron, which was caused by Dragor after receiving a hit from him and the impact which also resulted into a rib break, he knew it hurt her everytime she saw it and that she continued to blame herself even though he consulted her about it.

Leo only placed a hand over the crack to cover it and let out a small sigh knowing she was annoyed with him, Leo hardly showed any signs of pain from his rib as he continued to endure it since it happened, April knew this, and she knew it hurt him still even with how much he was not showing it. She stood up and walked in front of him, this confused Leo knowing she was up to something as she was full of multiple unexpected surprises, he instantly became surprised when he noticed her crying.

He started to worry and freak out slightly thinking it was something he did as she always resulted in crying for a reason. "A-April, if it's because of the save again-" Leo began trying to reassure her, but was put to a stop as he suddenly became even more shocked as she collapsed down and hugged him, once again.

April knew Leo was always surprised when it came to hugs, she also preferred it the most as she saw it to be the most comforting and reassuring and because she always resulted to it when she knew someone was breaking down, she's always done it since she was a little girl, even to her own parents. Even though she's already done it a few times, not just with him, he sure hasn't gotten used to it yet.

"I know Splinter's death is ruining you, Leo. But breaking down because of it on us isn't going to bring him back or solve anything, Splinter made his choice just as you and everyone else has, you keep risking your life to save mine and you have no idea how grateful that makes me, you and your brothers have helped me so much, I am not just going to idly sit by and let stuff destroy you or the others. Even if we're stuck here and there's no way back home, we still have to make sure Xen is ok. We only have each other now, we're family, right?" April sobbed sadly, hoping she convinced him and for him to snap out of it and be the fearless leader they knew.

Leo relaxed as he was listening to her, she was correct, breaking down wasn't going to help the situation at all, he drastically missed Splinter badly as he was their sensei, their mentor, guide, and father. Leo lowered his head onto her shoulder as he attempted to hold back the tears, he hated showing affection as he saw to be a sign of weakness, but this time around, it hit him hard after losing Splinter.

"I swear to god! We've spent almost the entire day here with you three being glued to shop windows!" Raph shouted aggressively as he pulled them away from a window, "We came here for supplies she said. Well look at you guys now!" he added, "Where's April?" Arna questioned, Raph growled, "Oh now you noticed she's gone, she went to go talk to Leo in the fields." "Oh no.." Arna remarked as she became shocked, this worried everyone except Mikey who was just confused, "Oh no? Oh no what?" Raph questioned, Arna pointed in the direction that the other two were in and he instantly became worried, but she was pointing at the turrets placed all around the town.

The turrets had activated and all began pointing in a general direction, "They're Leeri's defense mechanism, they only activate and start firing at anything aggressive that attacks the town." Arna explained as they all stumbled and staggered from a sudden crash impact, "We gotta get over there!" Raph shouted worriedly.

April had suddenly become shocked, Leo had grabbed and lifted her and jumped as if dodging something, and she instantly knew why. Both her and Leo gazed at a large boulder that had crashed landed right where they were sitting, if he didn't react when he did and notice it incoming, they both would've become pancakes.

She could feel Leo becoming unsteady, she knew he was in pain. "Leo, put me down! You can't with your rib!" She growled at him angrily, Leo refused as he noticed another incoming boulder, he was confused on why the boulders were coming directly at them, someone was throwing them.

"Not happening." Leo stated seriously, April became upset even more as she hated how persistent he was being, and she thought she was bad. Leo had dodged another boulder but it wasn't entirely directed at them, but the impacted wind pressure still caused unbalance and could still injure someone or worse, he almost lost balance as he landed because of the pain in his side, and because of April's persistent tantrum.

"I said, put me down! I don't care about the boulders, I'm sick of you getting hurt and suffering because of me!" April growled attempting to break out of his arms, but he was twice her strength, even with an injury. Leo glanced behind him and noticed they were pushed back closer towards the town, whoever was throwing these boulders, were throwing them randomly and attempting to hit the town, he also glanced up and noticed the turrets were activated but weren't firing at anything, yet.

"Well I care, family, right." Leo growled as he lowered himself, he noticed another attempted incoming boulder, April had shoved her hands onto his chest and attempted to push out of his arms and fall down, which she almost did and broke free but Leo had swung and tossed her out of the way and she practically face planted in the grass. April lifted herself slightly and spit out some grass, "Not like that…" she sobbed lightly and turned around quickly in worry.

Leo couldn't entirely dodge the incoming boulder, and the impact had caused him to crash into a nearby sturdy building within the outskirts of the town. All April could see was a bunch of smoke and dust after the boulder had crashed into the ground, she instantly covered her ears after the turrets began firing and they were very loud as they did.

April glanced towards where the turrets were firing and where the continuous boulders were coming, she instantly noticed a huge rock like creature that seemed extremely aggressive and angry approaching the town. "April!" A voice called out to her, April was tearing up again but glanced back to where the call came from as she recognized the voice, Arna and Mikey came rushing towards her, "Wooaahh, is that a real Rock Golem!?" Mikey shouted excitedly.

April and Arna looked at him confusingly and in surprise, "You mean the made up monsters for fantasy games and movies?" April questioned him, Mikey nodded, "Oh yeah, they are powerful! I never thought they would be real! This is awesome!"

"Yes, it's a Rock Golem, and by the looks of it, it's very pissed off for some reason and taking it out on Leeri. They're also very strong and powerful. Where's Leo? Raph said you were with him…" Arna stated as she questioned April, April gave a sad look and pointed at the building she saw him crash into, "He was thrown by the impact into the building, knowing him though, he should be fine." April remarked as she remembered what Donnie told her about him, "Because he's one hell of a fighter."

Leo was leaning against a wall, he let out a few coughs and opened an eye, realizing his situation, Leo rubbed his fingers on his cheek as he felt pain there and looked at them and noticed blood, "Damn…" he mumbled as he attempted to recover and stand but collapsed, letting out a large whimper of pain and grasping his side, his side felt excruciating more painful than before.

Leo knew instantly he must've broke another rib, he only gave an unamused expression also knowing April was going to kill him and end his saving and rescuing career. "This sure is not the way I expected us to start out here once we encountered a monster…" Leo growled lowly, Leo became slightly surprised as he noticed something at the corner of his eye, he glanced over, it was a large sword that leaned against the wall to his right.

He had also glanced out the large hole in the wall that he had crashed through, considering this building was rusty, it was falling apart. He noticed the large Rock Golem approaching the town as it still continued to throw boulders at the town randomly. If it wasn't for April snapping him out of break down, he would still be sulking and probably turned into a pancake himself, Leo clenched his teeth and staggered as he forced himself to stand.

He knew his two katana's would do nothing against a creature like that, plus they were already and still cracked since the incident with Dragor back on earth in the volcano. Leo wiped off the blood from the cut on his cheek as he walked up to the sword, he slowly placed his hand on the hilt and as soon as he touched it, certain parts of the hilt began to glow and the blade had lightning forming and generating around it. He could feel himself getting weaker the longer he held onto the sword, he instantly let go of the hilt in sudden surprise as it felt like it was sucking the life out of him.

Leo remembered everything that has happened so far, the incident with Dragor, the loss of allies because of Dragor, Splinter, and now Xen was unknowingly somewhere else on this large planet, either dead or injured, and there was only way to find out. April has been the main source lately, Dragor has used her against him and he hated it, putting innocents at risk, April has helped him countless times even though she doesn't realise it herself as she felt pathetic and weak, but her words were strong. It's usually been Donnie who would sometimes help him with his breakdowns and sulking when they did happen, but they weren't anything similar towards April's assistance and comfort.

Leo gave a small smile as he stared at the sword, "Family, right?" he grabbed the sword by the hilt as it started glowing and generating lightning once more from his touch. The family he had that was still here and living was more important, the past is the past and there is nothing he can do to change it, and right now, they needed a leader with a clear head.

Raph, Casey and Donnie halted close to the building as they noticed the Rock Golem, "Woah! A real Rock Golem!" Casey happily stated as he wiggled his arms excitedly, "Wicked!" he added. Raph noticed Leo as he was walking out of the tattered building, he spun a large blade once in hand as he walked towards the Golem, noticing the blade was magical.

Leo spit out some blood to the side, he was tired of these evil monsters getting in their way, hurting loved one's, and killing out of anger. He was going to protect his family, even if it killed him. Raph gave a small smile, he knew there and now that their fearless leader returned, April really had gotten through to him and made him realize.

Raph was about to follow and help Leo but was stopped as he noticed Arna glaring at him from the field as she was crouched down next to April who looked relieved, Arna was shaking her head and holding her paw up, showing and telling him to stay put. This confused him but came to realization on the possibility why, he instantly glanced at the sword in Leo's hand, the lightning around it continued to get stronger and larger.

April had noticed Arna's actions towards Raph, telling him to stay away and back because of the sword Leo had in his possession. Arna knew something, something about that sword, and April knew immediately it must've been a dangerous blade, it already seemed dangerous by the looks of it as is.

The Golem was literally almost near the town, only few feet from it, the Golem noticed Leo approaching below him and only let out an angry roar, Leo only glared at it as he lowered the sword back prepared for a swing, the Golem had immediately stopped and attempted to smash Leo with it's large foot.

Leo easily dodged it and blocked the impact from it with the sword, Leo was surprised that the sword acted like a shield as well as he didn't even feel the force of the impact, he quickly took action and lifted the sword and swung it at the Golems foot, literally severing it off as the blade easily sliced through the golems stone foot. Lightning quickly generated and also penetrated parts of the golem, this surprised Leo as much as it surprised all the others.

Donnie glanced up and noticed the turrets had stopped firing, was it because of Leo taking care of the problem, or something else. Donnie glanced back at the fight and noticed Leo getting weaker as he could tell he was having a hard time swinging the sword, he was also unsteady, and most likely in a lot of pain, "I think that sword is killing him…" Donnie remarked with worry, "What?!" Raph shot a worried look at Donnie, Raph was about to forcefully charge on over to help but Donnie grabbed his wrist and stopped him.

"Pretty sure he knew from the beginning, look…" Donnie began as he pointed at Leo who staggered back as the Golem collapsed onto it's knees and attempted to slam its hand onto Leo, but it failed as Leo easily sliced through the Golem's hand before impact. "He won't let loose of the sword, and he knows it's draining him." Donnie added, Raph only growled lowly.

The golem couldn't use it's one hand or knee for support any longer in order to stand or move, Leo quickly moved over slightly and placed the blade right under the neck of the golem, the golem couldn't react or dodge as it slowly fell towards the ground because of how large it was and it's head came clean off and rolled along the grass considering Leo had cut clean through its neck.

Leo was panting heavily and having a hard time breathing, everyone quickly came to a sudden froze including Leo who had glanced down at the ground below him, "What's going on?!" Mikey questioned worriedly as he wobbled around in place, the ground was shaking drastically, "Earthquake?" April questioned as she attempted to stand up.

Everyone except Raph, Casey and Donnie were affected by this, April knew it wasn't an earthquake and most likely caused by the golem in certain degree, and considering they were closer to the golem, they were also experiencing it. April glanced down as she noticed cracks forming in the ground, instantly fast and quick, she also noticed it was happening near Leo as he took a step back weakly and was glancing around at the ground.

"It's going to be a cave in! We have to move!" Arna shouted worriedly, but as soon as she finished, it was too late. The ground instantly became unstable and broke apart, causing a cave in, April and Arna were the first to fall through quickly and they hugged each other frighteningly, then Mikey and Leo fell quickly after. The golem had also slightly fell through the cave in, but was too large and didn't fully go down.

Raph and the other two instantly freaked out and rushed over except Donnie who had glanced over to notice a elderly man walking up beside him, "Dude, they fell through the ground! Now they're buried!" Casey shouted shockeningly.

The elder man only looked at the incident, "Seems they fell into a golem's cave in." Donnie stared at the man in confusion, "Golem's cave in?" The elder nodded weakly, "Yes, a golem has a special power that can cause an earthquake in a wide range, and then causing the ground to break apart and create a giant hole and then covering it with the rubble. Such as a cave in, they've been buried alive."