This was a rather strange way, no maybe unorthodox kind of training Master Splinter was doing with Casey and the guys. All of them surrounded Splinter with their weapons out, while Splinter had nothing. Except for canister of liquid that made him become rather in plainer terms...loopy. Mikey would put it, in your mind at least. Watching Master Splinter swaying back and forth, his balance staggering. Unsure if he was going to fall over or not. Though a bit of you was concerned, you had to refocus with your task. Your practice.
With your yumi out, you draw the string back forming a fiery glowing arrow. In the direction of the tree, on the other side away from the others. Focused and calm, you release. Watching the arrow straight shot in the target, Hitting its mark, like the many times before. Pleased, you quickly do a few more. It looked like a straight barrage of arrows. There was no damage you made sure of that, the energy you used wasn't that concentrated. Changing it up if you needed. Knowing well if you wanted too, you could make the energy harder and cause some damage.
Your eyes never left your target, shooting from different angles. You saw why this weapon was given to you. It allowed you to release and be free while also remaining focus. It allowed you to be in control for once. Jumping from side of the dojo to the other, taking aim and firing. Rushing, jumping and flipping. It was clear you where enjoying yourself, doing a few shoots in the air. Never missing. Rushing to the tree, to jump and push off. Flipping over and releasing an arrow. Hitting your mark. Landing delicate and firm.
Using the yumi was becoming easier and easier. Stepping back, attaching your weapon to your back to the holder Donnie made for you. With you weapon aside, you focus on the other part of you.
Cosmic Onmyodo.
Is what you called it now, well Donnie too, after your fight with the tainted Aeon. Your other transformation, from your current one. The one that allowed so much power to flow through your very being. Through every cell in your body. That feeling, felt...it felt strange yet right. With your memories back and knowing your history. What you really are, what you where made up of. Made you question if that was really all of what you are? All that power? Energy?
In that form, you could feel...you could sense so much. Felt life flow through you, you saw a light so pure and holy it was amazing. While at the same time, scary and fearful. Where there was light, there was also a dark side. You weren't sure how, but you had in that form managed to balance the two and found peace. Tranquility. Though there it was fragile. The slightest mishap could...well you weren't sure really. It was dark. Empty. Cold. Bleak.
Thank goodness for onmyodo, it helped you in this. The mystical ways. Remember Za-Naron's last thoughts and you're reassurance and promise to the ancient Aeon. It was the least you could do, she was in a sense family. Touching the center of your forehead, where the nearly faded symbol reside since that day. It hadn't gone away, taking the form of a small circle with five points around it, nearly identical to a star. Or a starburst The others pointed it out to you, Mikey calling it a tattoo.
You didn't understand why you had this now, Master Splinter suggested it meant you where now a new plane. Upon your brow it stayed, covering it up with anything besides your hair didn't hide it. Those with untrained eyes wouldn't notice it at first glance. It was a part of you now, there was nothing you could. And just excepted it.
Back to your onmyodo practice, centering yourself you summon your energy. It slowly ignited around you, surrounding you. Beneath you appeared mystical circle, starting off as a five pointed star. That grew more points around it as it expanded. The center of your forehead begin to glow, as you levitate yourself a few inches off the ground. Bringing your hands pressed together, your energy around begin to transform into a soft, pure hot white. Your mind and something else felt weightless, you could see the stars. You could feel so much. Do much. You felt free. It was exhilarating.
Was this life? Free? Flowing? Connection?
So much...so many...What peace. What blissful peace. Crossing your index fingers together, you begin to chant..When suddenly you couldn't breathe. No. That wasn't it...it was hot. No. Dark. Malevolent. Demonic.
Yellow eyes. Stared straight into you. You went cold. Shuttered in fear. Green fire. Green fire emitted from their open mouth. You tired to gasp, to find your throat in their grasp. Being crushed. That wasn't all, it was burning. You could feel pain. Horrible pain. You wanted to scream but nothing came out. Leathery large red wings appeared behind them. Enlarging their already imposing figure. Their hold on you was tight, the look in their eyes had no mercy. Feeling them bring you to your knees as they towered over you.
Demanding your obedience. Demanding who you where. As you clawed at the hold, trying to pry them off. With each struggle of resist you gave, their grip became tighter. They raise their other claw and bring it down.
"MAY! MAY!"
Your eyes snap open. The nightmare or daymare or whatever it was...a premonition. You weren't sure. Shaking like a leaf and pale. You begin to cough hard, coughing up black smoke. Soot too. It almost sounded like you where hacking up a lung, it sure felt that way. It was whizzing that made you realize you could breath again, latching your hand around your throat. There was nothing there. Anymore.
"MAY!?"
April's call finally brought your attention back. Your vision returning finding her kneeling beside you visibly worried and scared. She wasn't the only one, the others where there too. Donnie on your other side, with a light in your right eyes to see if there was something wrong. Shaking your head a bit, not sure why they where by you. The last thing you remember was seeing the guys still sparing against Splinter and you training with your bow. Before connecting. That's what it.
"Looks like another black out."Donnie said. Putting his flashlight away. Holding up a finger for you."Follow my finger."He tells you, which you do."Yeah. That's all, nothing to worry."
They others seem relived from his deduction, another black out. Was what he called it when you would things suddenly blacked out. While trying to go into that other mode. And you looked like someone hit the pause button. It was just a side effect, that wasn't going to last too long. You remember Donnie telling you.
"May."April chaste you, while helping you up."Don't over push yourself. I know you're feeling well, but-"
Donnie comes in cutting her off."That new part of you, you need to get a handle on. Until well..until I can figure out how it works and the amount of power it produces. It's best to well...dip the tip."You didn't follow."I mean, don't throw yourself full in it. Just a little a time. Actually, why don't you come with me and April. So I can make sure every things okay."
In Donnie's lab, he had April hooked up to his equipment to test her powers and level. You would be next, so you just had to stand and wait. Though you felt it wasn't really necessary. You felt fine. Board you start to look through some things in his lab, when you stumbled upon something. With your name on it. Actually it was addressed to you.
Picking up the envelope, wondering who it was from and why it was addressed to you. The others come in, Mikey was the one to notice you holding the envelope.
"Hey."He exclaims."You found it. I was wondering where I put that letter. I thought I put it away better..."
"Better? Letter?"You arch an eyebrow. Looking back the envelope. The others look over at you, the guys knew what it was."Why do I have a letter? Why did you not give me the letter? Addressed to me?"
"It was given to us."Leo tells you walking over. Sensing his hesitation and knowing you where he gets ready to tell you for Casey to blab it out.
"Oh! That letter. Bishop gave it to us."He said remembering."Yeah. He said "Please give this to my daughter." Or something like that. I don't know. He just made it sound really important."
The others slap their faces from his stupidity. Casey didn't realize what he said until he saw the upset and hurt look you had. Not to mention you clenching the letter, you threw back down from where you found it. And storm pass Leo. A heavy silence came, quickly you excuse yourself and leave. Mikey tires to stop you, but you shoot him a warning look to leave you alone.
Raph smacks Casey in the back of his head."Good job. Idiot."
April not wanting to be out of the loop and concerned about this. Wants them to fill her in."Care to tell me what's going on?"
The guys looks at each other then to her, Leo picks up the letter. Letting out a small sigh."After Tokka left Earth and we helped Bishop and EPF. He wanted to know about May. How she was doing. He gave us this letter, that someone was suppose to keep HIDDEN!"Leo looks to Mikey.
"Sorry."
"Anyway,"Donnie takes over."He passed us this letter for her. Wanted us to give it to her. We said we would, though we also agreed, we'd do it when the time was right."
"Bishop really misses, May."Mikey said.
"Do you guys know what the letter says?"April asked.
"We didn't open it."Raph tells her."He said it's for May only."
Nodding her head understanding. Still, she knew how her sister felt about Bishop, it was a opposite of how he felt with her. It made sense why she walked out. There was no sense of talking with her, it was best to let it be.
"Anyway."Leo changes the subject."You up for patrol, April? We're searching for any new leads to help find Super Shredder's secret lair."
"I'm good to go."She quickly takes off the device and hops off the table.
"Alright."Leo begins to pair up everyone."Raph you're with Casey. Mikey with me. April with Donnie. May's going to be the eyes in the sky."With that the team heads out on patrol.
Flying through the city, you patrol from above as Leo said. The others paired off, leaving you by yourself. Which was fine. Everyone always looked so small from up above. Just like back then, when you first learned to fly. When you first flew through the city, it was amazing and beautiful. All the lights. The life down below. The people. Landing on the top of a building and just kept looking down. Watching families walking together. Friends. Some on the phone. And then there was a couple. Walking together, hand in hand. Smiling and laughing. You watch as the man face emitted with love and happiness. The same as the woman, their eyes locked. The whole world was just the two of them. The way the two of them held hands, never to let go. Filled with nothing but love.
A sight like this would make anyone feel giddy and warm. But, those feelings didn't come to you. You felt pain, hurt and sorrow. Looking at your empty hand, the night was rather chilly this evening. Up here alone.
"Raphael. So many lights."You smile from ear to ear looking at the all the lights below. Standing next to Raph, the two of you partnered up for patrol. You where so excited with everything your eyes landed on. Leaning over the side to get a better look. That you nearly slipped over the side.
"Whoa!"Raph grabs your hand and pulls you back. Nearly having a heart attack."Geez. May. You okay?"
"...Yes."you respond with a smile and turn around about to lean back over the side. Raphael stops you and suggest the two of you sit down on the edge instead.
"Let's sit down instead."He leads you over and sits with you.
"This is much better."You admit, thanking him."Thank you. Raphael."
He smiles to himself."Yeah...sure. Better safe than sorry."
"Yes."You agree. Turning back to look down. Raph noticed you smile hadn't wavered. It amazed him, how happy-go-lucky you where. Despite it all.
It was calming."Raphael."He hears you call him.
"Yeah?"He looks to you."What's up?"
Your eyes weren't looking at him, but down. Down at his hand still holding yours, he realized this and quickly takes it back when you stop him. Holding it on to it. Shocking and surprising him. That you didn't notice the soft blush he had.
"Better safe, than sorry."You repeat."Right?"
Smiling to himself, he agrees."Yeah."
Staring at your empty hand, back then you didn't understand that kind of gesture. But, you knew and felt a strong connection. You enjoyed having his hand in your's. It made everything better. Each time you the two of you held hands, you felt something growing stronger and stronger. Who would have thought a hand could feel empty.
Down with Casey and Raph, the mutant notices the same couple walk by. His eyes couldn't help but follow them. Observing the behavior that mirrored the past. A past that still haunted him. Looking at his hand, dropping it to the side.
"...What...What did I do.."he mumbles.
Back with you, there was nothing here so you move on, when you get a call from Leo. Who warns you of something or someone coming in fast."I'm on it."Taking a bit higher grounds, with your hands held out, you emit some energy to locate this speeder. Coming across normal energies of the city, when one stood out.
A fast one. That you could barely zone in on them. With their previous location located you head in towards them. Zipping through the city, while trying to get a lock on them. From the information given to you, this speeder stole two things from the museum. Two blades.
"Where..."you try to search for them. When your eyes spot something rushing like a missile down below. Through the streets."There!"Diving down towards the moving blur, you only had one shot at this and had to make it count. Drawing your yumi, you take aim and fire.
You didn't hit them, instead you aimed and shot your arrow in front of them. Getting their attention. Which you didn't realize was a bad thing to do.
"Wha-?!"The blue stopped relieving to a mutant fox, dressed in purple ninja attire. She studies the arrow for a second, then turns around and lunges at her assailant. Kicking them straight in the abdomen.
Her attack caught you by surprise, you where kicked right into some trash cans. Hitting your head on a dumpster. Barely just knocking the wind out of you, before you could even make sense of what just happened. The female fox stood over you with the sickle blades at your throat.
"Who are you?"She demands in a hostile and angry tone. You just barely move and she presses the blades closer."Move and I will cut off your head."
She wasn't playing, you could sense she was serious."..."
"Tiger Claw, did he send you?! Well?!"She questions with prejudice. Pressing the blades closer.
"No."You reply."No. He didn't."Your answer didn't cause her to drop her guard. She presses the blades closer, you could feel their sharpness upon your neck and her angry eyes.
Telling yourself not to move, wanting to keep your head. Even ignoring the April's screaming mental call and the others call via communicator. Any sign of you responding would clearly be the end of you. Sensing her pain and bitterness. Vengeance and betrayal. It was ugly and dark. Shallow and torrent. You empathize with her, knowing those feelings too well yourself or still learning them. Dealing with them. Which she noticed, surprised her and releases you.
"You're eyes are pool that reflects myself."She tells you, looking at the blades."I seek vengeance."In a dark and bitter tone."For the one who has caused me such pain and misery." Slowly you get up, carefully watching her. Ready to react should she turn on you."Who has pained you?"
Raphael and Bishop came to your mind and you fringe looking away. But she could knew."I see. It has twisted the two of our hearts, my has become dark. While your's screams with rage still. Yet, you keep it at bay. Control it. Though it is fragile. These blades are called the Cursed Blades of Vengeance."She tells you."They shall cruse the one, who has wronged me. And I shall be set free...What is your name?"
"May O'Neil."You tell her.
"May O'Neil. Quiet an interesting name. I am Alopex. Hmm..."she looks at you as if sizing you up. When you asked her a question she wasn't expecting.
"Why...Does Vengeance drive you?"You asked."Does it with all who have been hurt? How does it work?"
The question was out of the blue. She was taken back by it and had to think for a response."Your questions sounds like a child. But, if you would like an answer, then I shall show you."
Back at the lair after everyone but you regrouped. April still received no mental response from you. Which begin to worry her, not to mention the curse which Casey now had due to the scratch he received from his and Raph's encounter with Alopex at the museum. Leo researched about them while Splinter had information on them as well. Stating their name and lure to be true. And the only way to lift the curse from Casey was to turn it back on the one who gave it to him.
"Any word from May yet?"Donnie checks in with April, all eyes on her.
She looks at them disappointed and concerned."No. Nothing. She's not responding at all. Any luck with you guys?"
Mikey looks at T-Phone, shaking his head."No. Nothing."His brothers and Casey had the same results.
"It's not like her to ignore.."April stops herself from thinking of such a thought. Shaking her head."No. I know she's okay. She'll meet up with us. We should go."
"Alright then, let's fox hunting."Leo takes charge and everyone heads out.
Alopex on top of a building searched for Tiger Claw, feeling him near and locating him."Did you find the him? The source of your pain?"You notice she had. She nods her head.
"Yes. I have."She then bares her teeth."He is near. Tonight I will end this and have my vengeance. Then you shall see how it works. To be free of it. Of the pain, then we will shall free you of your's. May. Come."She jumps down, you follow right behind her. Staying on her tail. She seem rather impressed you kept up with her, as you flew next to her.
You had to remain focus to keep up with her speed which was rather taxing. She was quick and fast. Her skills where highly impressive and nimble. Every sharp turn she took, she had to warn you before hand so you could follow her too, otherwise you'd ram right into the wall or whatever it was. Quickly the two of you turn down an alley finding Leo and the others blocking the way. They where surprised to see you and relieved. Though confused why you where with Alopex.
"May."April was glad to see you. You land down next to Alopex and stand by her side.
"Sister."you reply back, in a somber tone. Your eyes quickly look at Raph then back to April.
"Alopex. Give us the blades."Leo demands from her."Now."She just gives a taunting smirk and whips out the blades."We don't want to hurt you."
"Believe me, you won't."She assures him. And attacks them, using her speed. She manages to easily subdue the guys, while putting Casey in peril from the curse. There was no need for your help, until April using her telekinesis to subdue her in a psychic grip.
"Alopex! Sister let her go."You come to her aid. April was shocked by you defending her. Using your powers, you try to get Alopex back, leading to a small struggle between the two of you.
"May? W-What are you doing?"April struggling ask confused.
"I am helping. Alopex be free."Was all you said. Before pulling more for her release."She is hurting. She is in pain. It is my job to help heal her."You switch to communicating with her via telepathic link.
"What? What do you mean by that?"
"You wouldn't understand. You do not hold the swirling pain and confusion inside you. Alopex holds just that. She is weeping inside from the unbearable pain. Pain that has caused suffering for so long. Leaving on to endlessly question over and over again. Till they find the source of pain."
April realized what you where meant."Vengeance? You want to help her seek vengeance? May? You know that won't do anything. Why?"
You seem a bit a lost, but came to a conclusion."Because this is something I must...I must learn. This tainting feeling inside, has done nothing. But cause me confusion on which and how I must act. I must rid myself of this. And Alopex has promised to allow me too. I will learn this from her. Then...then I shall truly be settled."
With April distracted by what you just told her, Alopex uses this opening and throws a kunai at her. Making April release her to prevent herself from being hit with the weapon. Giving you and Alopex the chance to escape.
"Are you okay?"You ask the mutant fox.
"Yes. I am. Come, he is near. You remember the plan?"She directs, giving you a nod to leave. Which separate from her allowing her to go up ahead. Meanwhile you managed to sense and spot two others who where also spying upon Alopex.
Taking to the shadows you conceal yourself, dropping low underneath Bebop. Nothing was going to stop Alopex, she needed to be free of this pain inside. Just like you, you wanted to see how it could be free and once you did. Everything would alright. Waiting, you draw your yumi and take aim at the warthog about to fire an arrow when you hear Alopex's anguish and raging scream.
"Alopex!"You gasp, loosing focus and accidentally let go of the arrow which missed Bebop. Giving away your position.
"What the-?!"He spots you."Well, well. Looks like this little piggy found."And drops down kicking you right in the face and cheers."Heeh..hee. Gotta better than that to sneak up on me, girl."Going invisible and continues his attack. You stand and draw your yumi.
"Then come!"you shout and release a barrage.
Back with Alopex, whom Tiger Claw captured due to the trap laid for her by her brother. Tiger Claw took the blades from to exact his vengeance, when the turtles, Casey and April came just in time. They free Alopex who agrees to help them lift the curse from Casey. Though it would have to wait, right now there where more pressing matters.
Fight against Tiger Claw, who ruthlessly attacked the group along with Rocksteady firing his machine gun. Alopex managed to take him out, then went after Tiger Claw."Alopex!"You enter the scene and fire solid arrow right at Tiger Claw to aid her, she moves out the way.
Tiger Claw quickly dodges the hit and fires one his blasters at you. Thinking quickly you produce a shield and deflect it, you get ready to fire again."DUCK!"Mikey alerts you.
You move just as Rocksteady fires at you, taking to the skies and come down with a spinning round house. Knocking him right in the jaw, knocking him back into a wall. Putting your weapon away, and charge at him. Throwing a devastating punch, hitting the wall behind him. Missing your target, creating a crater and large cracks along the building. Taking you fist, you hurl a energy orb at the mocking rhino. Hitting him. Smirking yourself.
When someone kicks you from behind. Bebop again. The mutant turns visible, to be tackled by Mikey. Getting up, you continue the fight. When you remember Alopex and her fight with Tiger Claw. Searching for her, she was still engaged with him. About to help her, to be tackled by Rocksteady. Slamming your feet in the ground, making yourself solid and flip him over. Throwing him. Then hit him a few times with your energy blast. Quickly put up an arm, blocking a kick from Bebop. Stunning the mutant.
"Not this time."You grab him and throw him. He retaliates throwing one his energy Mohawks back, hitting you. It didn't do anything, but annoy you. Drawing your yumi, you get ready to shot an arrow, when change the shot and deflect an incoming projectile headed for Casey. Protecting like the others from his misfortune. You fire a few more to save him again. Sighing from the stress. Returning your focus back to the fight, you spot Tiger Claw and get ready to send an arrow his way, when you Raph crosses your path for a second. Everything goes red. You freeze causing you to release your shot, it just barely skids on his shell, shocking him. It misses Tiger Claw. Who turns around and shots you in the shoulder, with his freeze gun.
Yelping from the bit of pain and grab your shoulder."May!"
Everything burning inside suddenly vanished. Looking at your frozen shoulder, you could feel the tingling and burning of the ice. All because you...was this actually vengeance? Because if it was, it was painful and lead to nothing.
"You okay?"Mikey helps you up. Looking you over. You nod your head and break the ice off.
"Yes. I am."You assure him, when a painful roar erupts. Whipping your head around, shocked and horrified at what you saw. Tiger Claw, without an arm. Amputated by Alopex. It was a gruesome sight. If you could gag you would. All you could do was stare. Watching Rocksteady and Bebop hurry up and usher Tiger Claw away.
"May."Alopex calls to you."That is vengeance. Being beaten."With those last words she leaves in a flash.
You sat alone by the empty tracks, in deep thought. Thinking about what happened with this mission. This fight. How you felt. What you did, reflecting upon it. Seeing what vengeance was. What it could do to a person. If it takes over them. You went against your sister. Against the others. Nearly ended, Raphael's life. Felt disgusted with yourself. From the anger you felt not just with him, but also with Bishop.
With your memories back, knowing he created you and how you ended up with the Kraang. You knew and did not try to hide it, your detest for the Utrom. Blaming him for the cause of your misery and pain. He let the Kraang take you. No. If he had never made you, than you wouldn't have had to go through so much. Experience the cruelty of so much. Cruelty that made you, shaped you to who you are now.
Both him and Raphael. Raphael, who shattered a part of you, you still where picking the pieces up and putting them together. When you saw red, you saw nothing but pain. Pain that wouldn't end. That arrow that was meant for Tiger Claw, you knew subconsciously it was for him. You had put so much into that arrow, the second he crossed your view. More than you wanted. You where just as shocked and stun as him. Guilt ridden by nearly ending him. The ride back to the lair, you remained quiet and sullen. Needing distance.
Still...the thought of heartache. Heartbreak still stung. It wretched at you, though you found in a sense peace. You weren't complete. Loss, you had yet to understand despite seeing first hand. Experiencing it right before you. Your mind still was trying to wrap around it. To get some clarification. All you knew was that with loss came pain. With pain came emptiness. Emptiness can anger. Which turned into vengeance. Vengeance just repeated the cycle. Vengeance held great control, over anyone. Control, you didn't like the thought of something else controlling you. It caused you to loose focus.
Knowing what you had to do stand up and make your way back to the lair. Where everyone was relaxing at the mission. Casey talking about how it felt to be curse free. Mikey munching on pizza. Leo just relaxing, Donnie mocking Casey to April's amusement. Raphael with Chompy at the pinball mechanic. When the little alien baby turtle suddenly became excited. Cooing, wagging its little tail back and forth. A huge smile on his face, puffing up happy breath's of fire. Caught Raphael's attention.
He chuckles at the little guy."What? You're not suppose to cheer until I get the high score? What are you so excited about?"Turning around chuckling smirking. For it to drop."M-May..."
Chompy in the back wagging his tail faster at your presence. He starts walking over to you, for Raph to stop him. Much the confusion and sadness of the little one. Who whimpers. But, Raph pays no attention. Unsure why you where in his presence. He could barely look at you, becoming nervous and uncomfortable. Fumbling and mumbling over his words. This was the first time the two of you had ever actually been face to face, since...
His own guilt controlled his actions now. Chompy with a huge smile on his face looking from the avoiding Raph to you. Looking right at Raph, you didn't seem uncomfortable at all. Standing there. Feeling Chompy's eyes on you, you look at him flashing him a small smile. Which made him smile more and let out a little roar. Turning your attention back to Raph, you open your mouth.
"Raphael. I forgive you."
Your words surprised him. It wasn't what he was expecting, looking at you baffled and shocked. More so shocked from the smile you had and your extending hand towards him. It was genuine. There was malice behind it. None that he could see. Where you forcing yourself to say this? Just a while ago you nearly shot him. Sensing his hesitation and knowing what it was about. Apologize.
"I understand your reluctance. From earlier. I apologize, I should have not have let my own anger blind me. It has done nothing but held me back."You take responsibility. He didn't really know what to say."This is to be expected. Just please know again, I have forsaken my own vengeance upon you."Looking to Chompy and scratch the little one under chin."I hope we can make amends and start anew. Okay?"Giving him a smile he didn't know how to describe. Just that it left him stun and filled with something he couldn't explain.
One thing was sure, it felt like someone or something sharp pierced him. It wasn't on your part, but himself. That smile, the same smile he remembered you had the day you opened your eyes, the smile that lite up even the darkest places. That made thing enjoyable, the smile that made him smile too. Now, stung with pain of his own guilt and regret.
He opens his mouth about to say something, but you had left and went to join the others. Leaving him standing there alone.
