TMNT - Worlds Change

Five

Leo POV:

Several weeks past as things began seemed to settle. Venus and the other girls settled into another section of the sewer nearby. I had suggested they stay with us, but Venus was hesitant. She wanted to keep us separate, but in coordination. It didn't really work that way. There was always one or two of us there, or two of them here. Until one day, none of them came. I took the guys out for a training exercise, to put some distance between us and the girls. We had just gotten back when the lair door slid open. Venus stumbled in, breathing heavily as if she had been running.

"Leonardo?" I walked over to where she stood. She had a look in her eyes. "It's Iris. We don't know what's wrong. She just started shaking like she was having a seizure." Bellona and Athena helped Iris in.

"Iris?" Mikee walked over and moved to pick her up to carry her. Bellona stepped in front of her to protect her.

"Bellona. Let him. He wants to help her." Bellona gave me a look, but moved. Athena moved to Donnie.

"Donnie I need your help in here. Leo I need your help too. Mikee stay with her." The others moved to the other room while Athena and Donnie and I began to study Iris's symptoms.

I glanced back at Venus, worried for this girl who had messed with my head. She gave me a sad look, which made me want to just hug her. How did she have me wrapped around her finger that way? Don called my name, and I turned back to him.

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Venus POV:

My heart ached a little at what I was about to do. When had Leonardo become so much to me? I heard Donnie call out to him and he turned away. I turned to Bellona and Raphael.

"I need to talk to you both. And Master Splinter." Bellona looked at Raph and the three of us walked to Master Splinters' room. He looked at us as I turned and closed the door.

"You know what's happening to Iris, don't you?" Bellona spoke softly. Raph had explained to Master Splinter why we had come so swiftly.

"I have... have a hunch. You have to understand Bellona I never thought he would do this."

"He? You mean Shredder?" Raph stood beside Bellona. I turned to look at them, sadness in my eyes, I knew.

"Yes. It was the first time I left the pagoda on my own. Master Shredder gave me a warning. 'Do not be gone from here for longer than 3 weeks. Your sisters will suffer for each day you are gone after this. Do not fail.' I was back before 3 weeks. I was barely gone an hour. But I still feared it. Until you brought my sisters to me. I called it as a bluff. I failed. Not him, but my sister's because I put them at risk. And now Iris is paying the price." Raph and Bellona looked down, but I looked at Master Splinter. He nodded softly.

"So what's the plan?" Raph switched gears quickly. Master Splinter waved his hand at Raph and he stopped.

"I believe she already has one. But it is one only she alone can bear."

"No." Bellona looked at me, anger coursing through her. "You are not going back there. I won't let you and you know Leo won't."

"Which is why I'm not telling him. I'm telling you because I know that Leonardo would do the same thing for his brothers as I would do for you. It is the only way, Bellona, and you know it. He won't hurt me."

"We are free. There has to be another way." Bellona backed down. I knew she felt helpless, knowing she couldn't stop me if she tried. Not alone. Raph rested his hand on her shoulder. He knew I was right.

"Alright. But you will need to move fast. Leo will catch on that somethin's going down." As the three of us turned to leave, I turned and bowed to Master Splinter.

"It has been an honor to know you. I pray you will watch over my sisters." He bowed back.

"And I pray you will be safe in your endeavors. We shall find a way to save you, Dante's daughter." I nodded to him and turned to leave. I walked over to where Iris laying on the couch. I sat beside her.

"Hey. How are you doing?" Iris smiled up at me.

"I'm fine. Athena is making a big deal. She already scanned me and stuff." She took my hand. I smiled through the pain.

"That's good. Now get some rest ok?" She nodded, and I kissed her forehead. I knew this was what I had to do. Bellona and Raph had gone to distract Leo and the others while I talked to Iris. I stood as she drifted off to sleep. I walked over to Mikee.

"You're doing something, aren't you?" I looked at him. He didn't look like the young happy guy he had been when we first met.

"I have to, Mikee. To protect Iris. So I want you to promise me something... Protect her ok?" I didn't realize how emotional I would be when I said that. He pulled me close in a hug.

"Of Course. As long as you promise to be safe for Leo. And you don't have to say it. I know you will." I nodded. I turned and walked to the door, glancing back one last time. I saw Leonardo with the others and he looked up at me... And he knew. One glance and he knew. I took off and I knew he was following me. I raced down the sewer corridor towards a maintenance hatch.

"Venus!" I could hear Leonardo down the corridor. I climbed and began up the fire escape to the roof of the nearby building. I heard Leo behind me at the base of the fire escape. I raced across the rooftops toward the park.

"Venus stop!" I jumped to the building across, knowing the gap was too much for Leo. He may have been stronger, but I was lighter. I turned to see him skid to a stop.

"Don't follow me Leo! You can't stop me!" I watched as a pained look flashed across his face. The rain had begun to fall. It hid the small tears that fell from my eyes. "This is the only way Leo. Wouldn't you do the same if it was Mikee? Or Donnie or Raph?"

"I'd find another way! There has to be!"

"There isn't time! If there was another way, I would gladly take it over this. But there isn't. Just... Tell Athena I love her ok? You would have stopped me before I left if I had gone to say goodbye. No one else needs to hurt for what I've done." I turned to run again. Leo called out.

"Venus, please! We... I need you here. You can't do this. I can't lose you." There was so much pain in his voice too. We had both given up so much for the sake of others that we never thought selfishly. But even if he could let that go for a moment, in a moment of grief... I couldn't.

"I can't Leo. Not when my sisters are at stake." I turned and ran, feeling the rain beat down on me as I lept from building to building, and let the tears fall from my eyes. That may be the last time I see him, and I just broke his heart. I heard his frustrated cry of anger as I kept running. Running back to the place I had dreaded returning.

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