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Leonardo already knew what had to be done to save everyone. He’d messed up as his family’s leader, and he knew this would make up for almost everything he did wrong.
But it didn’t make the sight of the wispy smoke in place of the enormous portal any less bleak.
He was breathing hard. His chest felt tight, his stomach hollow with sinking dread. His body ached to the point where he didn’t notice anymore.
He just stared at the place where the portal had been, the final sight of NYC cast in the eerie red light burned into his eyes.
It's probably back to its neon-lit self by now, he thought to himself, with that nice night sky and the ten million little stars up there.
He paused in his thoughts. Probably almost morning back home, isn’t it? He chuckled weakly to himself. Guess that doesn't matter now, does it? I won't get to see the sun come up again anyway…
He had clearly lost a lot of blood and was only vaguely aware of his physical state.
He attempted to get up from the place where he landed, stumbling slightly and leaning against the wall. He was still incredibly damaged from all the fighting the day had brought, having not allowed himself a real moment's rest. He lifted his weary head and looked back up to the circling smoke that remained from the portal gateway. Just below it in his field of view was Kraang, staring, seemingly just as in shock as Leo was.
Leo stared for a long moment, the reality finally sinking in.
He swallowed and turned his head away. "I guess that's it," Leo sighed, turning to lean his back against the wall.
He looked down. "It’s over,” he whispered, “and I don’t have to fight…anymore..."
A small movement of metal caught his attention. He looked up to see the seething Kraang glaring at him.
And there’s my cue.
He stood up from his position and staggered, limping slowly toward the other end of the platform. He looked up and grinned at the Kraang, smug and full of pride.
"COME AND GET ME, KRAANG!" Leo yelled voice strained. "I did it! I made it! I beat you!"
Kraang roared and launched himself toward Leo, landing with a tumultuous-sounding crash in front of Leo. Debris and smoke flew from the spot where he landed.
A small ringing began to grow in Leo’s mind as Kraang came closer to him. But he paid little mind to him and his furious shrieking.
Instead, he pulled out the aged photo of him, April, and his brothers.
He stared at it with watering eyes. Their smiling faces stared back.
"...kind of doesn’t feel like it right now," Leo said his voice cracking slightly. He gripped the photo tight to his chest as he looked up at Kraang, grinning viciously with satisfaction. "But we’ve won."
A loud cry of anger rang through. Scraping metal screeched on the ground beneath his feet.
Sharp, clawed shadows fell over him.
Leo smiled.
"We won."