Somewhere in China. The gorgeous architecture of old styled red buildings settled by the water. The tide was low and still, for a heart stopping moment was in play. Dusty rose misted the sky with a touch of grey clouds, rolling along the steady breeze. No bird sang their songs. The water barely tapped the land once it hit it. Even the frogs decided not to play their leaping game on the lotus flowers for they were all hiding in their burrows, full of grief. Somebody was dying. After almost a century of mystic wisdom and guidance, his old heart began to calm the fire within him. He lay on the elevated floor of his room with nothing but his red, peach dotted pillow and a blanket comforting him. Over his head, he could still see the royally designed structure of red and blue hang over his body like it was watching and protecting its master. He wanted it this way. It kept him at peace to stay in his room, leaving the world and watching the mirror he was meant to protect. The fire torch flickered against the wall. It was the only thing that brightened the room, in contrast to the concrete walls. His breathing was short and steady as he peacefully listened to the sounds of the earth. They blew over him like an ocean, mixing and intermingling with the many elements nature had to offer. Calling birds tweeted, bubbles of a dolphin where heard, and dry tall grass rubbed against each other as the hyena walked past them. One noise disturbed him. The sound of soft footsteps crept into the room, briskly opening the golden doors to his domain. A figure approached him. He couldn't see clearly for his vision had been blurred, but he smiled for he knew who it was. One of his daughters, the eldest, laid her uncommonly webbed fingers onto his forehead.

"Chung I, I've found her." She spoke softly in her rugged voice. More footsteps coming, but they were short and rushed. The pads of her big, two-toed feet plodded against the cement. He could feel the wind of her passing by as she panted by his side.

"Master! I am here!" Her intentions were great, but her aura proved stressful, he sensed. Chung I smiled softly.

"Thank you for finding her Mona. I did not want to cross without seeing you two one last time." His youngest shook her head in defiance as he watched the green blur. Besides her voice, he could see her green scalp and the shadows of her eyes.

"Don't say that. I can help you Master. Let me heal you!" She pleaded, preparing her hands by rubbing her fingers against her palms. "I can help you into the Dream Realm, and your spirit will be healed." Droplets escaped her eyes and dripped onto the blanket below. Chung I desperately grasped her three fingered hand. They were large, but skinny and threaded by blood-filled spider veins.

"This is what must happen. It is natural for an old man such as me to pass on. I like it this way." His sentences were short and paused. Chung I was known for appreciating nature and the nature of nature. If he didn't, he wouldn't have the thought of raising his unrelated, special daughters. He coughed abruptly, scaring the girls even more. "You must go to America, New York City." He struggled against the air.

"Chung I, please get some rest. You're in no shape to waste your energy." The elder one hissed, but with love behind her voice. Chung I knew she was a tough one, but her intentions were always well.

"No, I must tell you. In New York… there is a master. Master Splinter. Who lives in a sewer…" Chung I coughed once again. Already in their minds, they thought their father was going under, but even on his death bed, they believed every word. "He is a ninjitsu master, a mutant rat. You shall seek shelter and comfort from him and his sons." His breathing became intense suddenly. His gasps for air grew more and more in intensity. The two teens could only watch in horror as he began to leave them.

"Master." The young one squeezed his hand, feeling his soul lifting itself up from his body. "Who would watch the mirror? Protect the Realm of Dreams? Please, oh please answer me!" The great magician prevailed to escape his fate once more. He frowned upon her pleas.

"I am forever protector of the Realm of Dreams. When I am gone, my soul will forever be in the realm. But I cannot be seen or speak to you. You will feel my presence throughout your journey of growing up, my daughters." Her three-fingered hand lightened her grip on her master.

"Thank you Master." She planted a delicate kiss upon his forehead. Her sister copied her. His dark grey and black hair parted easily as she combed her fingers through it.

"For everything." The elderly man smiled once more. A silenced breath escaped his lips, as well as the glow of his eyes. The veined hand in the youngest grasp dropped in defeat. The youngest girl rested his hand on his stomach that no longer heaved. Instinctively, his oldest daughter cradled her sister in her green arms as the youngster began to cry. Her sobs remained silent, but were still painful as she burrowed deeper into her sisters long hair.

"What do we do now?" she pleaded. "Where do we go from here?" Her older sister brushed the top of her bald head.

"Don't cry sister. It hurts me to see your eyes so puffy." She looked down to see watery, lime eyes pleading for answers. Hating the look, she placed a hand on the bald head of her sister's and held her close to her chest. "Contact Master Splinter. We are going to New York. It's what dad wants us to do." She looked at her eyes. The glow of her innocent lime green eyes reflected off of her brown ones. "Stop crying so you can concentrate." She ordered her. Her sister sighed and did what her elder sister asked of her. Just as many times before, she honored her wishes and tried to control her tears. Her bare head nodded and crossed her legs like Chung I would do when he tried to meditate or escape into the Realm of Dreams. The mere reminder shook her insides, but she had to stay focused as her mind searched for that of Master Splinter of New York.

"Who are you? Why are you contacting me?" The voice nearly scared her. She had never summoned an open mind so quickly. Whoever this male was must be one of the rare few. Her voice choked up and felt like a lump.

"I am Mei Pei Chi, student of Chung I, Master Chinese Magician." There was a long pause. Venus grew nervous for she couldn't hear him breathing. It was an awkward silence, but she couldn't come up with anything else to say.

"Come to me with your sister. My mind shall lead you to me." His invitation was rather weird, or startling. How did he know she had a sister or that she was coming anyways?

"How do you know of me and my sister?" She heard him chuckle on the other end.

"All questions will be answered soon. Come as quickly as you can. I must ask you of a favor." His voice sounded elderly, but smooth, unlike her former master's hoarse voice. She straightened herself up as she sat.

"What kind of favor Master?" she kindly waited for his answer.

"My sons must learn a lesson of listening to their sensei's commands." Although she couldn't see him, she could hear him smiling deviously.

"Yes, anything."

"How long has Splinter zoned out?" an anthropomorphic turtle hung upside down from a chair. His biceps bulged out of his arms, shaking out of tiredness. Beads of wood and seashells clung for life on his stout neck, copying the orange tails of the mask her wore around his eyes. Another spun around on a platform, hitting a ping pong ball back and fourth from his two paddles. He was much taller than him, but not as muscular.

"By my calculations… about thirty minutes." He spoke in a nasally tone, hinted with sickness.

"Sensei! Dad!" the eldest shouted from pain as he was in full splits. His gorgeously blue eyes popped out of his darker shaded mask. The rat master lowered his head suddenly. He looked around at his sons, who grew more and more in pain. All four stared at him in awe, as well as begging for the pain to stop.

"I am sorry." He apologized, accentuating each word with meaning. "Where were we?" he thought for a moment, remembering his place after being interrupted. "Oh, yes. Hour five in the hashi."