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There was this burning, agonizing sensation throughout his body and then.... cold.
Leo snapped his eyes open, but all that met him was darkness. He looked around, swords at the ready, trying to make out anything in case this was a trap. With a deep breath, Leo slowly inched his right foot forward, feeling around for any obstacles in his way. Once he was sure there was nothing there, he slowly moved his left foot.
Leo continued at this slow steady pace. The thought of using his sword and markings as light did cross his mind, but if he wasn't alone, he didn't want to draw attention to himself. Instead, he relied on his hearing and touch to navigate.
It wasn't long till Leo stumbled upon something wet. He had almost fallen back as his right foot came into contact with what he assumed was water. Again, Leo argued in his mind about using his powers to see but the itching feeling of not being alone wherever he was kept eating at him. With much hesitation, Leo stepped into the body of water.
He stood still, waiting to see if anything would attack him. A minute went by with nothing happening, giving the slider a bit of relief. He slowly made his way through the water; it was only waist deep as he hesitantly used his swords as light. He would occasionally stop to check his surroundings but eventually made it to the other side.
As Leo stepped out of the water, the temperature seemed to drop even more. His fingers on his left hand started to feel numb as well as his feet. It must have been the effects of the water, he thought as he pushed forward.
Now, with the bit of light, his swords provided Leo was able to see the ground. He must have fallen into some kind of underground cavern during the fight with the Kraang. He just hopes Casey was okay.
He gasped. Casey. He glanced up, pointing his swords toward the ceiling. He couldn't make out anything; maybe he was way too far down to see the ceiling. Casey's tearful face flashed in his mind; did he make it through? Did he save him in time?
Leo shook his head. Focus. He needed to focus.
Looking back in front of him, Leo continued his adventure through what he figured was a cavern. He would occasionally stop to observe for any other direction he could go but found it safer to stay on his set path to not get lost.
"It's freezing." Leo shuddered. He could see his breath in the dim lighting of his swords. His left hand hurt as the numbing feeling spread throughout his arm. His legs weren't any better. Each step was slow and more painful. He was now stopping every few minutes to wiggle his toes and fingers, but the numbing feeling wouldn't go away.
Suddenly, there was a loud metal clank whatever it was had fallen right in front of Leo, forcing him to his knees. Leo glanced behind him only to see his sword. He had tripped on the hilt. He looked down at his left hand and noticed just how pale it had gotten.
"Fuck." He breathed out. He tried standing up but all his strength had now vanished and in its place, was exhaustion.
"Get up dumbass." Leo chuckled as he echoed his brother's words.
"Why? I'm pretty sure I'm dying." Leo replied. "I guess Dad is shaking his head at me, huh?"
Dad. When was the last time he thought about his dad? How long ago did he pass away? He knew it had been two years after the Kraang. His mind quickly brought the memory up.
*
*
*
Leo ran into the makeshift hospital they had set up in the Battle Nexus. After the Kraang had attacked, Splinter had informed Big Mama, who had in turn informed the Yokai, and eventually, word had spread throughout the Hidden City.
"Dad?" Leo shouted as he pushed past two fox like Yokai.
"Leo!" The slider scanned the room before spotting his little brother.
"Mikey." Leo quickly ran to him, meeting halfway as Mikey rushed to wrap his arms around him.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Mikey cried.
"It's okay. Don't blame yourself." Leo hushed as he held onto his baby brother. Mikey only sobbed louder as he rubbed his tear-stained face on Leo's plastron.
"Leo?" Leo glanced up to see Donnie. His eyes widened when he saw blood all over his twin.
"Donnie?" Leo tried reaching out to him, but Donnie flinched back. Mikey let go as he stepped aside to let Leo through. "Donnie, what happened?"
"I just- We were just- I told Mikey to- There was so- He just -" Donnie was panicking. Leo quickly pulled his twin into a hug and held him there. Donnie tried squirming away, but Leo held him there.
"Nardo, let me go!" Donnie shouted, but Leo just shook his head and kept him trapped. "Leo the blood! I'll get you dirty! Leo! The blood! Leo! Blood!"
"I know. I know." Leo repeated as he held on to his twin. He started swaying them side to side as he whispered 'it's okay' over and over.
"Leo." This time, Raph had been the one to call him. The eldest poked his head out from behind the thin blue curtain that covered the gurney.
"How is he?" Leo asked. Donnie suddenly wrapped his arms around him and shook his head. Leo feared for the worse.
"Is that... Blue?" Leo flinched at the raspy voice of his father. He could only imagine what he must look like right now.
"Yes, Pops Leo's here." Raph replied as he glanced back.
"My son." Leo slowly inched forward with Donnie, still holding on to him. Mikey followed closely behind grabbing hold of Leo's blue sash.
He knew it was bad but nothing could prepare him for what he saw. Splinter laid in the hospital bed with tubes and wires connected to him that led to machines. Draxum stood nearby, examining the heart monitor and using his powers to seal the giant gaping hole in his dad's chest.
"Dad?" Leo shuddered, seeing his dad cough out a large amount of blood.
"My sons... I... I'm sorry." Splinter wheezed. Mikey let out a sob and Raph was quick to pull him into a hug.
"Dad, it's okay. You just need to rest." Leo said quickly glancing up at the sheep Yokai.
Draxum met his gaze and shook his head. "Save your strength, Rat. It's hard enough to do this on my own without that spider."
Leo slowly scanned the room again and noticed Big Mama off in the corner sobbing, April right beside her, staring off in thought. She too had blood staining her arms. Leo figured she had tried to close the wound. April didn't seem to have any blood, but her face told him everything. She too knew what was about to happen.
"You... and I...both know I'm... not making it..." Splinter said in between heavy breaths. Leo could feel a lump forming in his throat as he watched his dad's eyes slowly open and shut, each time getting more and more slower.
"Dad, please just... Just stay... stay..." Leo couldn't seem to finish his thoughts. If only his dad could stay still and not talk for Draxum to heal him. However, his father didn't seem fazed by this; if anything, he seemed at peace with it.
"Oh, my sweet baby blue." Splinter managed to say before starting another bloody coughing fit.
"Stop that!" Draxum scolded. He too, had tears rolling down his sunken cheeks as he glared down at the hole made by the Kraan.
"Dad, please listen!" Donnie shouted. He refused to turn around. Turning around meant seeing his mistake. If only he had been more careful during their search, none of this would have happened.
"My boys." Splinter extended his right hand out towards his sons. Leo was quick to grab it, followed by Raph. Mikey hesitated, but he managed to turn around in Raph's embrace and place his hand right on top of his brothers. Donnie didn't want to touch them, but he knew if he didn't, he would regret it; so much to his dismay Donnie too placed a bloodied hand on top of his brothers.
"I'm sorry... I wasn't a better.... father." Splinter started. Raph and Leo wanted to jump in, but their father gave them a weak shake. "I failed many... many times, but..." He gave a small smile at his sons. "No matter what... I don't regret.... ever meeting you. I love you and... I'm proud."
There it was. All four of them cried as their father slowly took deeper and slower breaths. Draxum had stopped staring at the machines and only focused his gaze on the rat man's face.
"Draxum...." said Yokai nodded in acknowledgment. "Take care of our boys.... okay?" Now it was his turn to sob. Draxum wiped his tears and placed a gentle hand on the Splinter's face.
"I will. You have my word." Draxum promised. He glanced at the crying teens, his eyes lingering on Mikey before looking back at Splinter.
"Good." Splinter chuckled. Suddenly, the heart monitor beeping started to slow down. Leo immediately started to panic, his grip tightened, and his eyes widened in fear.
"No, pops, stay with us!" Raph exclaimed. Mikey and Donnie sobbed louder and from the other side of the room, April let out a cry.
"Dad, please don't leave us!" Leo shouted. All four of them were pleading, begging, bargaining with their father to just hold on a little longer but Splinter just smiled.
Then.... he was gone.
*
*
*
Leo cried at the memory of his father. Afterward, Mikey completely shut down on them, and Donnie blamed himself for the whole situation. Raph had also taken the heavy burden to fill their father's role within the rebellion. Draxum had kept to his promise and was surprisingly good at it.
Now that he thought about it, Draxum always favored Mikey the most.
The two seemed inseparable after years of being together. After all, Mikey had been the only one to care about Draxum way before the Kraang, and Draxum always had a soft spot for his baby brother. Leo chuckled at the memory of Draxum running around patching them up after a search and rescue mission while lecturing them about how important it was to be aware of their surroundings.
"Wonder if Draxum would be mad at me for dying down here?" Leo chuckled. He could just hear both his Dad's yelling at him from above for being careless. Donnie probably joining in as well.
"Donnie." Leo whimpered. He looked down at his prosthetic arm and smiled. Donnie had made it in the image of their big brother. He remembered all three of them crying when he wore it for the first time.
"I could really use you right now Big bro." Leo said as he brought the metal arm up and wrapped it around himself.
"Giving up that easily?" Leo chuckled. Raph was always pushing them to be better even when the world was ending.
*
*
*
Leo was making his way into the children's center in Witch Town with Cassandra. They had just left Big Mama's office with baby Casey for his checkup.
"Look at you being strong and healthy." Leo said as he gently poked at the child's cheek.
"Well of course he is. I am his mother after all." Cassandra bosted. They both joked as they entered the building. Leo making stupid faces at the child and Cassandra following up with a sly jab.
"Leo help!" Once inside both of them were greeted by an amusing sight. Mikey was floating upside down with children trying to reach him while Raph was cornered into the far back wall. Some of the children were trying to climb up him but the snapping turtle would quickly grab them and place them back down.
"Okay everyone!" Leo chuckled, "The stars of the show have arrived!" Suddenly all the attention was on him and every child in there rushed to greet him.
"Thanks Leo." Raph said as he picked up one of the children that had stayed behind.
"Anytime Big brother! These kids love me." Leo winked at him. Raph shook his head but chuckled as he made his way towards Mikey who was now hovering over Cassandra.
"So how's the little guy?" Raph asked as he place the kid he was carrying down so they could join the others with Leo.
"Healthy and strong just like his mama." Cassandra said as she gently crested his cheek.
"He looks so cute sleeping." Mikey chimed in. "When's his dad coming back again?"
"Should be later today. April messaged Donnie who then told Leo who then told me." She replied bouncing slightly as the baby started moving around. "Are you excited to see Dada? Yes?"
Raph dismissed himself from the two and made his way towards his brother. Leo was posing getting giggles from the children.
"Do the thing!" A child shouted.
"Yeah, the thing the thing!" Followed another.
"Oh, you want to see me do the thing?" Leo grinned. "Hey, Raph they want me to do the thing."
"Oh yeah?" Raph said as he made his way through the small crowd. "Hm? I don't know Leo? I don't think they're ready for that." Suddenly the room echoed with disappointed whines making the brothers chuckle.
"Oh, are you two talking about the thing?" Mikey joined in as he hovered above the children. "It's amazing!" Suddenly the children were back to asking.
"Okay okay. Get ready to have your minds blown!" Leo said as he readied his swords. Raph and Mikey quickly got to backing the children away from Leo.
Once they were at a good distance Leo activated his powers. His markings and swords glowed bright neon. He made a portal right above him and threw one sword in right before the portal blinked out of existence.
"A bu-bye!" Leo said before he too zapped out of the room. The children all cheered as Leo showed them his mystic powers. Raph and Mikey grin feeling a sense of normalcy in the apocalyptic world they lived in. Suddenly the portal reappeared and out from it came Leo and Donnie.
"Nardo please I'm very busy!" Donnie shouted as he squirmed in his twin hold.
"Ta-da!" Leo shouted as the children cheered. "Now who wants to ask professor Donatello questions on some of the tech we use?" All of sudden Donnie was the center of attention and he loved it.
"Oh well in that case..." Donnie typed on his wrist tech and S.H.E.L.L.D.O.N came flying in moments later. "How about I go over Donnie pods with you all? These will only be used in an emergency so pay attention."
Leo walked away letting his twin ramble onto the sea of six-year-olds. He leaned back on the wall resting his head back as Raph joined him. "Busy day?"
"Busy life." Leo replied as he let out a sigh.
"Yeah. Hey, come with me for a sec." Raph said as he nudged his brother on his shoulder. Leo followed right behind him as they walked out of the building. They made it right out of Witch Town when Raph quickly turn to hug Leo.
"Woah! Hey, Raph you good?" Leo hugged back as he could feel his brother crying. "Raph?"
"Leo... next week's mission-" Leo tightened his grip.
"Stop. Don't think like that. Please Raph." Now it was Leo's turn to cry. "We need you here so stop thinking about dying. You're not dying on me!" Leo shouted. Raph gently lifted Leo off his feet and carried him as he used to when they were little.
"Leo? Leo if something happens-"
"It won't! I can portal us out!" Leo rebuttal.
"If something happens.... promise me you'll watch over our brothers and April. Please?" Raph said as he swayed with Leo in his arms. Leo slammed his fist on his plastron shaking his head but Raph continued. "I'm not saying I'll go down easily, I just need to know that if things do go wrong I'll be able to count on you."
"Raph." Leo choked out as he tried to swallow the lump that formed in his throat. "Please don't leave us. Don't leave me alone." He cried.
"You will never be alone. Even if we all disappear you will never be alone. I'll be there waiting okay?" Raph replied letting Leo get his footing before letting him go.
"Please come back. You have to come back." Leo sobbed. Raph nodded giving him one last hug before letting go.
*
*
*
He never did keep that promise. Leo was to blame there. If he had only been faster. No. No. There was no point in dwelling on the past. It was in the past. Raph would have smacked him on the head for blaming himself instead of figuring a way out.
"I got a fix bro." Oh how he wished Donnie was here. He always had a fix.
Leo looked down at his swords seeing his brothers' masks wrapped on his hilt. Mikey had wrapped Raph's mask for him after he died and the prosthetic arm was Donnie's gift after Leo lost his arm in a portal accident. He remembered Draxum yelling at him for being reckless and Donnie yelling at him for abandoning the plan.
However, he had stumbled upon their lair and found some of their things laying around. He wasn't about to leave those memories fade away. So he quickly portaled what he could but the Kraang had found him. He just needed one last thing. Raph's teddy bear. He remembered grabbing it then diving into the portal and closing it as soon as he made it through. Not aware he had closed it off on himself.
"I was an idiot." Leo chuckled. "Donnie I wander what you think about all this?"
*
*
*
"I don't see the point of this." Donnie mumbled as he was sat down at the table. They were currently in Draxum's old lab. The Yokai Alchemist agreed to make this their home for now.
"Oh come on Donald! It's only for a few minutes!" Mikey chimed as he floated around his brother.
"Mikey no mystic powers." Draxum scolded as he placed a hand on the box turtle's head.
"Kay!" Mikey exclaimed as he landed on his feet and walked over to Raph who was leaning against the wall.
"Okay ready?" April asked as she walked in holding a large white box. Echos of 'yes' and 'sure' filled the room as she placed the box in front of the tech wiz. "3. 2. 1!"
"Happy birthday!" Donnie stared at the purple frosted cake in front of him. His name written in cursive using a dark purple jelly and the number eighteen formed using small candles.
"Hueso made the cakes so you know they're special." Leo said as he glanced over at his respective cake over on the side.
"Do you like it?" Mikey asked with a grin. Donnie didn't say anything, he just stared at the square pastry in front of him lost in thought.
The room quickly grew concerned with the silence. Everyone exchanged looks as the soft shell turtle stared unfazed.
"Do you think he hates it?" Leo whispered only to get elbowed by Raph and April. "Ow! It was a genuine question!" He whispered shouted.
"Thank you." Donnie finally spoke. Everyone stared wide eyed at him as tears threatened to spill from his eyes. "Bye." Donnie stood taking the cake with him as he started making his way towards the door.
"Wha- Donnie! Donnie come back with the cake!" Mikey shouted running off to get him. Everyone broke out in fits of giggles as Donnie tried keeping his cake away from the box turtle. "Share!"
"No its my cake! Leo has one too! Eat his!" Donnie shouted as he used his jet pack to hover over his younger brother.
"Ha! Jokes on you! I can do that too!" Mikey shouted as he jumped into the air and hovered around Donnie trying to swipe some frosting off the cake.
"Boys! Settled down!" Draxum scolded as he tried pulling Mikey down from the tall ceiling.
"Okay Leo it's your turn!" April announced as she held the slider's cake in hand. He took a seat where Donnie had been seated and excitedly tapped his fingers on the table.
Just like Donnie's cake, Leo's had the same number eighteen but instead of purple frosting it had blue. Unlike Donnie however, everyone sang happy birthday. It was a bit off tune but he absolutely loved it.
After cutting the cake, and getting yelled at by Draxum for using his swords to do so, Leo set off to find his twin. Donnie had slipped out and had gone back to his lab to work on more attack drones.
"Hey Don Tron!" Leo greeted as he walked into his twin's new lab. Donnie was hunched over some blueprints scribbling down measurements. "So how does it feel to be officially considered an adult?"
"Not much of a change though it does feel a bit satisfying knowing we can force our authority on to Angelo." Donnie replied. He placed his pencil down and turned to look at Leo. "But to answer your actual question, no. He hasn't." Donnie turned to look at the small drone charging next to him and sighed. "Yet."
Leo pulled up a stool nearby and sat next to his twin. He glanced down at the blueprint and noticed just how big the measurements were. "Donnie are these..."
"Battle ships." Donnie answered. "Figured we need a way to fight aerial battles without putting Mikey at risk."
Leo nodded as he stared at the intricate design. Two pilots, two gunmen, and two extra for assisting. Six people per ship.
"How far have you gotten along?" Leo asked as he glanced up to meet Donnie's eyes.
"Not far. Though Draxum has agreed to help with the beta testing." Donnie replied.
"So do you have a hypotenuse?" Leo asked as he rested his elbow on the desk and place his chin on the palm of his hand.
"Do you mean a hypothesis?" Donnie questioned with a raised drawn out brow.
"Hey you're the genius not me." Leo said raising a hand at him. Donnie scoffed in his own unique way by actually saying the action. He turned back to his work and pointed to the pilots seats.
"Well I still don't have a thought out plan yet, for this is still in the works, however, I can say finding people who can actually pilot will be a bit if a struggle." Donnie said as he chewed on his pencil.
"So no go?" Leo said with a confused expression.
"Yes Leon, no go." Donnie replied. The two chuckled at the little slang they learned from the humans they saved not long ago. Then came a beep. The small drone had come to life as it hovered over its charging port before hovering over the blueprints.
"Here we go." Leo said. Both twins took a deep breath in as they waited for the message to start. "Ten bucks he scolds us."
"Nardo please."
"Oh c'mon Donnie. You know he'll do it." Leo teased. He poked his brother's side earning him a slap to the wrist.
"Nardo I'm serious. Stop." But Leo kept poking him. The twins were so caught up in their little game of pokes to notice a holographic projection of their father appearing in front of them.
"Oh c'mon!" Leo teased.
"No!" Donnie shouted poking Leo on the neck.
"Ow! You bitch!" Leo shouted poking Donnie on the underside of his arm.
"Ow! Leo! Stop!"
"It's just a small bet."
"I said no!"
"Yes!"
"No!"
"Yes!"
"No!"
"Boys!"
They froze. Slowly both teens stared up at their father.
"You'd think now that you're 18 you would behave better."
Leo slowly reached a hand put to touch his father only for it to go through.
"Leo started it." Donnie commented.
"Really?" Leo turned to look at his twin in annoyance.
"You started poking me because I refused your silly little bet!"
"Yeah well I was just trying to lighten up the mood!"
"I don't care who started it! I need you to focus!"
"Sorry dad/pops." The two said in unison.
"Dad knows us well." Leo chuckled as he realized this was a recording and not his actual dad.
"Yeah." Donnie replied.
"Now, let me start with happy birthday. You are all grown up!"
There was a pause followed by the sounds of what sounded like Leo and Donnie shouting in the background of the recording.
"Boys knock it off! I'mtrying to sleep!"
They heard echos of 'sorry', then a sigh from their dad.
"Even with how things are now you boys still manage to give me a headache."
"He's talking about you." Leo whispered at Donnie, earning him a hit to the shoulder.
"I'm sorry. I know making these videos seem like I knew I was going to die but I was unsure what would happen. Every day we risk our lives to help the remaining people of New York and we don't know when it will be our last."
Donnie's hand quickly grabbed onto Leo's wrist. Leo glanced at his twin noticing the tears threatening to spill as their father talked. He scooted closer and wrapped his arm around Donnie, rubbing his hand up and down the soft shell's right arm.
"Thanks." Donnie mumbled as he leaned his head of Leo's shoulder.
"Yeah." Was all he could say as they listened to their father talk.
Splinter had brought up so many memories of they twins when they were tots. From when they snuck out and got lost in the sewers, to Leo pulling out Donnie's tooth. The two laughed and cried at the trip down memory lane. Their father had just passed away not long ago so having this recording meant the world to them.
"You boys are the light that keeps me going. Promise me you'll take care of each other. No matter what."
The two looked at each other and smiled.
"You and me?" Donnie said as he had tears streaming down his face.
"Me and you." Leo replied, his face not any better than his brother.
"I love you two so much. Happy birthday."
"Message over." S.H.E.L.L.D.O.N. said as he flew in between the two. "Happy birthday Donnie! Happy birthday Leo!"
"Thanks buddy." Leo said as he scratched one of the drones many ears.
*
*
*
Leo cried as he sat there staring into the void. His missed his twin so much. Donnie was the only other person who truly knew him well. He knew exactly what was on his mind and knew exactly what the other was up to without needing to use words. It was just their twin thing.
Leo took a deep breath and glance down at his numb body. He couldn't move anymore. His body had become way too heavy for him and his breathing had become heavier as well.
"I'm dying." Leo said. He thought back to the battle up top and a sudden realization hit. Mikey's portal, Casey, the kraang.
He wasn't dying. He was already dead.
"There is no way that blast didn't kill me." Leo chuckled as it started making since. He glanced around him feeling a sense of loneliness. "Raph you lair. You said you'd be here."
Leo's eyes started to grow heavy now. Each blink into the darkness got longer and longer as time past by. He would occasionally jerk up to keep himself from falling asleep but the warmth that started to spread throughout his body was too inviting.
Suddenly white butterflies fluttered around Leo. They were small at first, like small dust floating about until starting getting bigger and brighter. Leo squinted his eyes at them and glanced down at himself. They were coming off of him.
This was it. He was fading.
..
At least Casey was safe. He kept his promise to the boy's mother.
...
He should be glad he didn't need to fight anymore.
..o
Everything was fine.
.eo
He could rest now.
Leo
He could let go now.
Leo!
His eyes snapped open. No. It couldn't be.
Leo!
A small light suddenly appeared in front of him and within it three shadows.
Leo!
"That voice..." Leo let out a shaky breath as he stood. A sudden burst of energy coursed through his body,giving him the strength to get to his feet and start walking.
Leo! Leo!
He stumbled as he picked up the pace. The silhouettes in the light getting clearer. The light around them growing the closer he got. Butterflies flew up and pass him as he broke into a sprint trying desperately to get to the voices.
"Nardo!"
Leo let out a sob as he ran now seeing exactly who had been calling out to him. He begged that this wasn't a dream or some hallucination.
"Guys!" Leo shouted as he got closer.
"Leo! Look he's here! Leo finally made it!"
Leo choked on his cries hearing his little brother.
"Guys wait up!" Leo shouted. He was so close. Just a bit more and...
"Took you long enough bozo!" Raph grin at him. Donnie stood next to him his hands on his hip shaking his head.
"Classic Leo move." Donnie commented.
"Leo you're here!" Mikey shouted as he bounced up and down in excitement.
"You guys!" Leo shouted as he leaped into Raph's open arms. "I missed you!"
Raph wrapped his arms around his brother and cried. "I missed you too."
"Please don't let this be a dream." Leo cried. He noticed just how much smaller he was compared to Raph. It was as though they were back to when before the Kraan.
"It's not. Promise." Raph replied. Donnie and Mikey were quick to join the hug as they two sobbed their brother's name.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Leo repeated. Raph cooed as he rubbed Leo's back shaking his head.
"Don't apologize. No one blames you for what happened to us. No one, you hear me." Leo nodded as he desperately grasped at his brother's waist. The four of them stayed hugging for a while, neither of them wanting to let go but eventually Raph broke the hug.
"Let's go. Pops waiting for us." Raph said as he moved aside to let Leo through.
"Dad?" Leo asked as he looked at brothers.
"Yeah he's been waiting here for all of us. We're were actually waiting on you so we could get going." Donnie said as he started walking. Mikey followed closely behind as he winked at Leo.
"Hurry up you guys!" Leo could feel the tears returning as he saw April waving at them from a far.
"We're coming April!" Mikey shouted as he broke into a sprint. "Last one there get is a rotten pizza slice!"
"Took you a while dork." Leo jumped at the new voice next to him. "What you scared to see me again?"
"Cass." Leo gasped as he gave Cassandra a hug. "I'm- Casey he-"
"Hey I know." Cassandra said as she hugged back. She glanced at Raph who nodded giving them some space. She pulled away with a gentle smile and lightly bonked Leo on the head. "He's okay. He completed his mission. Told you my kid was strong."
Leo laughed nodding at the little comment. "Yeah well he had your annoying dedication to be a people pleaser as an advantage." He joked.
"Yeah well that people pleaser saved the world!" She bragged. "See for yourself."
Cassandra dragged Leo towards where the others were. He immediately saw he dad and quickly broke out of Cassandra's grip as he ran to give his dad a hug.
"Dad!" Leo shouted as he picked his father up and held him tight. "Dad! I missed you!"
"Oh my sweet baby blue." Splinter chuckled. "I missed you too." He said patting his shell. Leo pulled away and set his father down as he glanced around at all the familiar faces.
"Look they're leaving!" Mikey shouted as he pointed down at something.
"Hey away from the edge Mikey." Draxum said as he pulled the turtle from his shell. Leo glance down to see what everyone was looking at.
It was was New York. No Kraang destruction anywhere in sight. He could hear the faint sounds of the busy streets below but most importantly, he could hear himself and his brothers cheering.
"Look at him. He's all grown up." Cassandra said as she stood next to Leo. There, cheering with his brothers, was Casey. He had a huge smile on his face as Mikey ran circles around him and April taking selfies of the two of them to send to Cassandra.
"Hey are we just gonna stand here or are we heading home?" Raph asked getting echos of 'yes' and 'about time' from everyone.
"Home?" Leo asked as he turned to face his older brother. He watch as Big Mama jumped into the manhole that had somehow manifested from thin air.
"Where else would we go?" Raph shot back. Leo watched as one by one everyone jumped down, leaving just him and his brothers.
"You coming Nardo?" Donnie said as he jumped into the hole.
"Man I can't wait to get home and cook a huge meal for everyone!" Mikey exclaimed as he jumped right after Donnie.
Leo turned back to look at the other him. Casey was hugging goodbye. It hurt knowing he was never going to see him again. That boy meant everything to Leo. That was his kid, and now, he's all alone.
"Leo?" Raph called out to him.
"Am I going to see him again?" Leo asked as he watched Casey swing and jump from rooftop to rooftop.
"I'm sure you will." Raph replied. When Leo didn't move he placed a hand on his back and smiled. "Hey, look at me." Leo did. He stared at Raph with watery eyes. "He's okay. He has us down there and when the day comes we'll be here waiting for him."
"Yeah." Leo sniffle. "You're right."
"Now come on." With that Raph turned around and jumped down to join his family.
Leo turn to gave Casey one last smile and sighed. "It's okay. We're okay."
And with that.....
Leo jumped.