Leonardo (TMNT 2014-2016)- Chapter 1
Through all the trials they faced, there was always one code they lived by.
Never take a life.
The whole reason they started this was to save lives. They’d matured so much since they started. They were older now. Wiser. At least he thought so. He’d learned so much.
That’s why Leo was so conflicted.
There was just so much blood.
Vincent’s most recent mission had led them to an underground crime syndicate. This wasn’t like the petty thieves or bank robbers they faced in the street. No, these were the worst of the worst. He realized that when they boarded the ship. Being as efficient as they were, it was a piece of cake.
But facing what they saw was the hard part.
Each room seemed more gruesome than the next. People were chained to the walls. Ages seem to vary. Some suffered from minor injuries. Others seemed on the verge of death. Vincent’s discovery of two bodies that turned up ashore were what had led them to this point. Leo felt sick to his stomach. Because these people were being treated like animals by their own kind.
“What is this..”
Mikey sounds scared. Hurt. Just the sight could bring anyone to their knees.
“We have to stop them.”
Raph said, biting down on the toothpick in his mouth. They wanted nothing more than to free all the people held here, but that might have caused more harm than good at the moment. Most of them appeared asleep. Which worked in their favor. If someone started screaming right now, it would no doubt blow their cover.
Leo caught the sight of a child in the corner who was wide awake. She was trembling, clutching a stuffed turtle plushie. He couldn’t help but smile at the irony. Leo kneeled.
“We’re going to save all of you.”
She glanced down at the stuffed animal, then back up at him.
“Joshy?”
Leo smiled, nodding.
“That’s right. I’m Joshy. I’m going to need you to be real quiet okay. Even when you hear the screaming. Just close your eyes and hold onto Joshy.” She nodded frantically.
“I-I will! I promise.” Leo smiled.
The ringing of an explosion went off, and pretty soon everyone in the room began to wake up. The screams started.
“Donnie what was that explosion!!” They were racing out the room in record time, and Donnie started to click his device frantically.
“I-I don’t know! Lieutenant Vincent is still at the pier waiting for our instruction. “ They were now above deck, and the men running around seemed to redirect their focus from a side of the ship that was in flames.
“We’ve been made, alert Vincent!”
Donnie did as instructed and the rest of them prepared for the attack they were now about to face.
Bullets echoed, but not from where Leo expected. Each one was a direct head shot. Leo stood in shock watching as one by one each man was cut down. Raph couldn’t speak. Mikey went still, and Donnie could only stare. They could hear more men in the distance yelling. Leo saw the body of someone walk out. Someone decked down in black. Whoever it was, the three men trying to run were obviously terrified. One gun in hand, the person just lifted their hand. Three straight shots to the skull. Leo flinched each time the gun went off. The thuds of their bodies seem to echo.
When the culprit turned to him, he wasn’t sure what to think. What to do. He was a bit afraid to move. Their shells might have been strong, but a head shot would guarantee death. They had all just seen you take down seven men like it was child’s play. Leo stayed protectively in front of his brothers. He’d sooner die than let something happen.
The gun lifted, and Leo’s shoulders locked as he prepared to retaliate. They were all ready. The figure fired, and to their surprise, a body dropped behind them. Raph turned around surprised when he saw the gun in the man’s hand. He’d been right behind them and they didn’t even hear it. Leo looked back forward just as you removed your hood.
He couldn’t believe it. You couldn’t have been much older than them. The look on your face was raw of any kind of emotion.
“Make sure you take care of those people. “
That was all you said. The sirens from the distance pulled their attention. Leo’s eyes shifted back to you just as you holster your gun, taking off. You jumped right off the boat, into the water. Leo raced to the side of the ship, but as he looked down he could only see the steady waves hitting against the ship.
He hadn’t felt so unsure about anything in his life.
One thing that was for sure, he had a feeling he would see you again.
After all the briefings and plans to reunite all the missing families, Vincent was overall happy with the result. They’d managed to confiscate dozens of guns, drugs and other weapons that were trafficked. Although they were unsure what to make of the dead bodies, Vincent could not complain. They’d taken out this threat with minimal casualties to the innocents involved.
“None of you recognized her?” Vincent asked.
Leo shook his head.
“She couldn’t have been associated with Shredder’s group.” Leo explained. April, Casey and Vern stood with the boys at the checkpoint with Vincent.
“You should have seen the way she moved. She didn’t even react to us. It was like we were her allies.” Mikey expressed.
“She’s not an ally.” Leo said sternly.
“We don’t kill.”
Vincent understood the moral code.
“As much as I admire what you stand for, I’m not truly sad to see those men died.” Vincent slid her hands into her pockets.
“When you’ve worked this job as long as I have, you see things that make you question your reason for wearing the badge. That’s why every day I wake up. I'm grateful that there is still good in this world. “ She sent a smile in their direction, holding out her hand to Leo. he took it, giving it a firm shake.
“Thank you all.”
He nodded.
“We’ll be here if you need anything else.” Leo advised.
“Much appreciated. Keep an eye out for that rogue vigilante. If anything comes up, don’t be afraid to reach out. I’ll do what I can to help.”
That’s what Vincent said that night.
He hadn’t seen much of you since then. They were back on the usual night patrols keeping gangs off the streets like what the foot clan had intended to start. Shredder's influence would never truly be eradicated. Time seems to bring other criminals who were intent on taking his place. But each time, they managed to stop the trouble before it started.
One particular night Leo had just been on the rooftop after another long patrol. He just wanted to mediate and leave his troubles behind. But he couldn’t get himself to focus. Because when he closed his eyes he kept seeing your face. Those empty eyes. As if they’d given up on humanity. It was a painful sight.
“You’re taller than I remembered. “
Leo drew his sword on instinct, and your gun was already raised, pointed in his direction.
“I promise that my bullet is faster than your sword.”
“Do you want to test that?” He seethed.
You grinned, but didn’t lower your weapon.
He was confused.
“How did she climb all the way up here and I didn’t hear a sound. Who is she?”
You circled him, and he turned with you, marking each move as you both remained at a stand still.
“What is she waiting for?”
He couldn’t read you at all.
“I just came here to make it clear that I’m not your enemy.”
“You killed all of those men.”
You stopped walking, now facing his direction.
“You saw what was inside. You know as well as I do that those men deserved what they got.”
“It’s not up to us to decide that!” Leo fired back.
“What if one of your brothers had died.”
Leo’s expression turned sour.
“Are you threatening my family!!” His grip on his swords tightened.
“That rage that you feel, I know what it’s like. I’ve already lived through it.”
He didn’t get it, not at first. But then he remembers the empty look you wore as you stared back at him that day and it seems to make sense. You don’t speak, just begin walking backwards. When you’re at the edge, Leo looks a bit panicked.
“Do your job, and I’ll do mine.”
Just like that, you jump. This is the second time he runs after you, but when he looks down, your body is nowhere to be found.
