Chapter 25: The Heart is a Soft Muscle
A/N: Here is the next chapter in this tale though it will be a bit of an interlude chapter with not a huge amount of action. That will happen in the next chapter. Thanks to all of those who have read and reviewed thus far. Your kind words mean the world to me and keep my muses going. Special thanks to Illusionna for being kind enough to let me borrow her characters and take them to interesting places. I hope that all of you enjoy this chapter.
Disclaimer: TMNT and all related characters are property of Nickelodeon. The Phoenix, her children, and any other characters from The Other Side of the City are property of Illusionna and are used with permission from the author. I only own the plot and my own characters.
The Phoenix sighed in frustration as she came out of her meditative trance. Usually this type of thing relaxed her, but it was hard to concentrate on letting go of her thoughts. Since her announcement about possibly going to college, she began to think about the last time she had been at college. Her degree had been in Ancient Greek Literature, but she wasn't that great of a student because she was always so focused on her gymnastics since she felt that was where her future was. She had only gone to college to please her parents who felt that being a gymnast wasn't a career opportunity and that she would have more of a promising career if she earned a degree. So, she had relented though she wasn't happy about it at the time.
College did have some good points though. She made a lot of friends and it was where she met Stephane. A pang tore through her at the thought of it. They had been so happy back then with nothing to disturb them. It made her wonder why her life had taken such a drastic turn with her husband acting the way he did. Then again, it was understandable considering everyone had thought she was dead when she was really alive. But now things had changed for all of them. She could never go back to that life ever again. She had a new life now and she wasn't willing to change that for the world. She knew her children would be okay and that she had a destiny to take care of Aries, Arcos, and Medusa as well as Splinter's boys. That was what she had to accept now.
"Phoebe, you seem troubled," Splinter noted.
"I was just thinking," she answered.
"About what?"
"My past. I remember how I went to college before and how it didn't really go so well because I really wanted to do gymnastics instead."
"If you were only interested in gymnastics, why did you decide to go to college?"
"My parents wanted me to do it because they felt that being a gymnast wasn't a good career choice and that I would have a better chance at getting a job if I got a degree. I didn't want that, but I did it anyway."
"And now you wish to start over again to right that mistake," Splinter observed.
She nodded. "I suppose I do want that."
"Well, if I may offer my honest opinion, I feel that your reasoning for going back to college is not a very good one."
Phoenix looked offended. "Why do you feel that way?"
"Because you should not go to college just because you feel the need to correct a mistake you made. You should go because it is something you truly want to do for yourself. If you feel that you cannot enjoy being in college, then perhaps you should not go at all. You have a tremendous gift as a healer, Phoebe, and though it may not give you the career you were hoping to have, you have made a good impression on everyone you have helped and that should make you feel proud of all you do."
"It does make me proud, but what if these powers don't last? What will I do then?"
"I highly doubt that will happen, Phoebe. You must do what you think is best for yourself but not just because you feel you need to do it to make someone else happy. I believe your parents would not care one bit what you do now so it does not matter."
"What if one of the boys said that they didn't want to be a ninja anymore?" she asked him. "How would that make you feel?"
Splinter sighed. "I have raised my sons in the art of ninjutsu to help them defend themselves against others who seek to do them harm. However, I have always maintained that my sons do have different interests other than being ninja at times. If one of my sons was to tell me that they do not wish to live that lifestyle, I would understand. Yes, I would feel a little disappointed at the choice, but I would not hinder them or tell them that they could not pursue whatever they wish to do. That is one issue I have with human parents. They tend to want their children to do what they wish them to do without observing what the child wants. That is something neither you or I have ever done with our children."
"No, we haven't," she replied. "I suppose the best thing to do is to just think it over some more and then come to a decision."
He nodded. "Yes, that is always the best way."
"I think that's why my parents were happy when I met Stephane. They wanted me to get married and they felt he was the right one."
"And did you wish to be married as well?"
"Before I met Stephane, I really never gave much of a thought to getting married and having kids, but after I met him and was with him for a few years, I changed my mind and felt he would be perfect for me. We were married and then had Lisabetta and Jacque. I enjoyed being a mother and I could tell he enjoyed being a father. My parents were over the moon about the kids and really had a good time with them. They would tell everyone they knew that they were proud grandparents. But now I know they wouldn't be happy with me. Who would want to admit they gave birth to someone who masqueraded as a dead woman when she was really alive? If Stephane weren't in jail now, I think he would have rushed to tell my parents everything."
"I disagree. I think your parents would have bene proud of you no matter what, and if they are not, then that is their loss and not yours. You should not focus on your parents and should focus on yourself and what makes you happy."
"Thanks, Splinter," Phoenix said. "You truly are a good friend."
"I am glad that I can be of service to you, my sakura. You have changed my life and I am very blessed to have you in my life."
She leaned over and kissed him on the lips. "I feel the same way about you, my love. I don't know where I would be if you weren't in my life."
Splinter kissed her again even more forcefully. She melted into the kiss and let out her emotions in the form of passion for her beloved. She stopped thinking about her worries and reveled in making love to the one being who had changed her life for the better.
22222
Stephane was relieved to be out of jail and back where he should be. He contemplated what to do about his wife. He knew he couldn't drag her back with him, but he still had a plan and hoped to execute it as soon as he could. After some rest and a bite to eat, he headed out to the streets to walk around. He wasn't sure if he would see his wife or not, but he figured it would be worth a shot to see if his plan would work.
Lost in his thoughts, he suddenly bumped into somebody and reeled back.
"Pardon me," he said. "I am so sorry." Then he looked up and saw his wife staring back at him.
"Stephane!" she gasped. "What are you doing out of jail? Did you escape?"
"No, a generous benefactor freed me," he answered.
She gritted her teeth. "Oroku Saki is a dangerous man," she warned him. "Stay away from him."
"He does not seem dangerous. Perhaps you are only seeing what you want to see."
"No, I'm definitely not imagining things," she replied. "What do you want? I already told you that I'm not coming home with you."
"I know that, and I know I cannot force you to do so," he said repentantly. "I merely want to talk to you."
"There is nothing to say," she said firmly. "As long as you have aligned yourself with Oroku Saki, I want nothing to do with you."
"I just want to understand why you faked your death."
"I never did fake my death," she answered. "I was kidnapped by these aliens called the Kraang and by the time I escaped, everyone assumed I was dead so I figured it was time for me to start a new life."
"Yes, you have definitely been doing that. Tell me about the mutants you have adopted."
She bristled. "You'll never get near them and neither will Shredder!" she snarled. "Stay away from my family and my friends too."
"Ah, so you have befriended the Turtles and their rat master then," Stephane observed. "Fascinating stuff from what Saki tells me."
"I mean it, Stephane," she said. "Go home to Lisabetta and Jacque. Stay away from Saki. He'll only bring you trouble."
"I appreciate your concern, Phoebe, but I am old enough to make my own decisions. I wish you the best of luck in your future." He bowed to her and left her standing on the street. He hoped that this encounter would give her a false sense of security that he wasn't going to bother her. Once he had her fooled, he would make his move, and he knew exactly how to do it.
22222
"You seem quiet tonight, Dus," Raph remarked. They were in the living room watching wrestling.
"I just don't understand how you can watch this stuff," she remarked. "It seems barbaric."
"It's all scripted," he pointed out. "And it's no different than the fights we encounter every day."
"Maybe, but it just doesn't seem right that people can turn on each other and then become friends," Medusa remarked. "Look at those two who were in the Scepter together. They were all good friends but then Stan turned on the other two and broke them up and now they're friends again."
"Okay, first, it's the Shield, and the man you're talking about is Seth Rollins. Yeah, he turned on Dean and Roman, but he mended his ways and now he and Dean are a pretty good tag team together. I'm hoping that at one point, the Shield will reunite for good and I'm sure a lot of fans feel the same way."
"Yeah, but it just feels weird to me. I just don't understand the entertainment value of it just as I really don't understand the entertainment value of a lot of the sports you watch."
"I think the only sport that's boring is golf," Raph said. "All of the others are pretty neat if you give them a chance."
She smiled. "Well, I guess I can try to like them for your sake."
"Now, I know that this isn't the only thing that's bothering you," he remarked. "Spill."
Medusa sighed. "I keep thinking about what Mama said about going to college."
"Oh, I see. You don't want her to go, do you?"
"No, I don't. I'm so used to her always being here for us, and I don't know what I would do if she wasn't around."
"But it's no different than her going to clinic," Raph pointed out. "She wouldn't be staying there and would always be home after her classes are done."
"I know that and I know we don't need her as much as we used to, but it just won't be the same. How would you feel if Splinter decided to go off to school suddenly?"
"I wouldn't care one way or the other because he would always come back," Raph replied. "But I get what you're saying. It's always been just the four of you for so long and it would be a big change for it to just be three of you."
She nodded. "Yes, it would. I do support her decision, but I just don't really like it that much."
"Well, at the end of the day, your mom has to decide what she wants to do. It's out of your hands."
"I know. Oh, look! That one guy just hurt himself!"
"He could be faking it," Raph remarked.
"Wait, they fake injuries too?"
"Sometimes when a storyline calls for it. But judging by the way Big Cass is walking, I think this is legit."
"I hope he gets better," Medusa said. "Thanks for the pep talk, Raph."
"No problem, Dus. That's what I'm here for."
22222
Phoenix was shaking as she made her way back to the Lair. She couldn't believe Stephane was out of jail and that he was acting the way he was. Something definitely wasn't right and she was determined to get to the bottom of it.
"Hi, Mama, how was clinic?" Medusa asked her.
"I need to speak with Splinter," Phoenix said. "Is he here?"
"He's in his room."
Phoenix hurried to the dojo and to Splinter's chambers, her heart racing.
"Phoebe, what is the matter?" Splinter asked her.
"Stephane is free!" Phoenix gasped. "I saw him outside!"
Seeing her distress, Splinter gently put his arms around her and led her further into the room. "Come sit and tell me all about it," he said.
"He told me he knows he can't force me to come with him but he wanted to know why I had faked my death. I told him that I was kidnapped and by the time I escaped, everyone assumed I was dead anyway. He knows about the children and about you and the Turtles. He acted like he didn't want me to go home with him, but I just feel like something is going to happen. I really don't know what to do!"
Splinter held her gently. "Do not worry, my sakura. I will not let him harm you."
"What will you do?" she asked him.
"I will do whatever it takes to make sure he never gets near you," Splinter vowed.
As she looked at him, she saw a darkness in her beloved's eyes that she had never seen before. She knew he would keep his word and for that, she was grateful.
"Let us have some tea and some food," he suggested.
"I hope your day was better than mine," she joked as she sipped the tea he gave her and a few of the gyozas he had for her.
"It was pretty uneventful by most standards," he answered.
"I guess you can be happy about that."
"Yes, but this news you bring is very troubling."
"I know and I think I've made my decision about college. I'm not going to go as long as Shredder and Stephane are out there."
"I think that is a wise choice," he remarked.
"I need to concentrate on taking care of my kids and making sure no harm comes to them or to any of us. Maybe college just isn't meant to be."
"And maybe someday you will go back," he reassured her.
"Maybe, but I'm not going to worry about it now."
"Do you feel better?"
"I always feel better when you're around, Splinter."
22222
She moaned in pleasure as his tongue explored her mouth. This felt ten times better than it had when Bradford had bene human, which was a surprise in and of itself. Most people would have been turned off by his appearance, but it made Danielle yearn for him even more than she had when he was human.
"Man, that felt good," he remarked. "That was even better than the first time we did it."
She giggled as she ran her hands through his fur. "Remember how we had to hide our relationship; from the Master because we thought he would be mad about it?"
"Yeah, those were some good times," he said. "I remember when you snuck in my room and slept the whole night there and then you had to sneak out in the morning."
"I managed to do it, too."
"You were always good at being a ninja."
"That's because I had a good teacher," she remarked.
Bradford smiled. "Yeah, I used to be one of the best."
"Do you ever miss being human?" she asked him.
"Sometimes, but my life is good here. Shredder takes good care of me and gives me what I want when I want it."
"Okay, but what if there was a way to turn you back into a human? Would you do it?"
"Sure, if it didn't kill me."
"Then I'm going to find a way to make your wish come true," she declared.
"What's in it for you?" he asked her.
She tweaked his ear. "What makes you think I want something in return?" she purred.
"Because I know how you think, Dani."
"All I want is your undying devotion to me."
"You already have it."
She smiled and kissed him once more before pulling away and getting dressed.
"Where are you going?"
"To make your dreams come true."
22222
"I've been trying to create more retro-mutagen because I think it's so essential nowadays," Donnie said. "Just think about how many lives could be changed with it."
"But do you think they would want that?" asked April. "Some of them might be happier being mutants."
"I wouldn't force anybody to take it," replied Donnie. "I would offer it for those who want it and if they refuse, then I wouldn't force them to take it. But from what Phoenix has told me, there are plenty of mutants who aren't happy about their plight and feel that they are outcasts. Just think about how happy they would be if I could offer them a chance to go back to who they used to be."
"It sounds awesome, Donnie, and I hope it works out for you. Now that I don't have school to contend with, would it be okay for me to be your lab partner?"
He brightened and grinned, showing his gap teeth. "I'd like that," he answered.
She grinned back. "Great."
22222
Danielle smiled as she listened to the conversation between the mutant and the human girl. Apparently, there WAS a way to reverse the effects of the mutation and the Turtle was the key to getting it. She left the noodle shop after paying for her food and went back to Foot Headquarters.
"Well, what do you have for me?" Bradford demanded.
"There is a retro-mutagen that can be used to reverse the effects of the mutation," she reported as she handed him his miso soup. "The Turtle named Donatello is the one who invented it and he wants to use it to reverse the effect on some of the other mutants in the city. If we can get to him and demand that he make it, we can reverse your mutation and any other mutant can have that chance too."
Bradford grinned. "You're so sexy when you have an idea. Let's get to work."
A/N: Okay, so now Bradford and Danielle have a plan to capture Donnie so Bradford can become human again. One of the plots I'm surprised the show didn't tinker with was the idea that Donnie knew of the retro-mutagen and that Shredder or one of his henchmen didn't capture him and use him as a pawn. But that's what fan fiction is for and I've decided to use this plot in this saga. I know you haven't seen Ian this chapter like I promised, but he'll be back in the next chapter so don't worry about that. Feel free to leave a review and have a shelltastic day.