*Author's note* not my song folks. Song is Every Storm (runs out of rain) by Gary Allen. Think it fits very well in here.
One watched from their rooftop view, one watched from the hill they were standing on. One sighed as they heard about it on the radio and one wished they could see it.
There was a storm coming. It was a severe one, unusual in the city, and it was causing a lot of watches and warnings to be issued. But it was nothing compared to the four smaller ones brewing in troubled souls. The loud crack of the thunder roared across the skies and the brilliant light brightened up the heavens. And it brought a rain that all wished would wash their current problems away.
I saw you standing in the middle of the thunder and lightning
I know you're feeling like you just can't win, but you're trying
Leonardo sighed as he looked out to the north west. He touched the glass as the first few drops began to dot the window. He was looking, but he knew he would not find the answer. Not yet. His heart ached because he didn't know where she was, and he missed her terribly.
It's hard to keep on keepin' on, when you're being pushed around
Don't even know which way is up, you just keep spinning down, 'round, down
Vicky laid on her cot, ignoring her still aching nose. Her hands were clasped once more under her head. And she listened. Even in her prison, she could hear the thunder. So strong that it shook the walls. She was upset because she was missing yet another thing she loved, and it was starting to hit her hard. She wanted Leo, she wanted her children, she wanted to go home. Her eyes didn't move from the ceiling, but a tear slid out of the corner of her eye and she let it trail down her face and into her hairline.
She wanted to go home...
Every storm runs, runs out of rain
Just like every dark night turns into day
Raph finally let the man be tended for his head wound, after he had him sit down with Donnie and point out every single building the clan is known to use. He grew a bit dismayed as the dots on the map grew, but at least it was something. After watching, he finally had to leave the tent they had pitched. And he stood on the hillock and watched the storm roll in.
Aloplex watched him, her own face showing her worry. She cared greatly for this brute of a turtle, and she could easily see how this was all affecting him. Raph was usually the one who kept his feelings closely guarded, but the strain of trying to find his loved ones was wearing on him. Dark circles were forming under his eyes, and she couldn't remember the last time she saw him eat.
Raph paid her no mind. He was setting all his hopes that one of those dots would finally end this torment on his family.
Every heartache will fade away
Just like every storm runs, runs out of rain
Cris sat in the lair, the radio on, but she really wasn't listening to it.
Her mind wandered. Right through the memories. All of them. From when she met him, fell for him, and through every abuse that followed. Her mind just would not leave any of it be. And now, he was here. And her new life was very dangerously threatened because of him.
She was holding a blanket in her hand, her fingers abesntly running over the fabric of Than's baby blanket, her mind now wandering through her memories of the life she had built with her very special turtle. A life she wasn't going to lose, refused to lose. And her eyes narrowed. Next time, she wasn't going to run.
So hold your head up and tell yourself that there's something more
And walk out that door
The lightshow from outside illuminated Leo's face, even as he still stood there, his hand resting on the glass as he looked out. His face was marred now by the shadows of the rain drops now streaking down the glass, in a way making it look like the leader himself was weeping out his loss and frustration. He should have found her by now. He should have at least been able to make a mental connection with her. He should be holding her right now, dammit!
He took a calming breath in. It would be ok, he reminded himself. His brothers were smart, they would figure out the clues he left them. They would help him find her if he failed to do so. He let his eyes roam over the rainy city a very long moment more, his hand still reaching for something past that clear barrier that he couldn't hold.
Then his eyes hardened before they closed. The storm was now illuminating a turtle whose mind had drawn deep within himself, determined to open at least that door to her.
Go find a new rose, don't be afraid of the thorns
'Cause we all have thorns
Still she silently cried. Once the door opened, the river of tears couldn't and wouldn't be stopped. But she wept quietly as to not arouse the attention of her jailers. Even now, in the middle of her heart wrenching loneliness, she could not let them see her as soft. She had to stay strong, for her self and in their eyes. She would not let them see her fear, her weakness. But she allowed herself to see it.
Vicky rolled over onto her side, her tear blurred eyes staring at an empty wall, but not seeing anything besides images of her family. Holding her children, laughing with the brothers and her sisters, making love to Leo. Normal images to comfort, all they did now was drive home harder how lonely she now felt.
Then, she felt it. It shocked her so much, she sat up, her eyes wide. He was there... He was...
'Hold strong, dear one. I love you.'
It was all she heard, but it was all she needed. Now she cried with joy, knowing he was still there. It was a brief contact, but it was the first words she had heard from him in over a month, almost two. She let herself cry, her gaze smiling at the camera, not sure if he was watching or not.
The building shook again with another massive thunderclap, but she paid it no mind. Her tears ran a few more moments, then they stopped. Her resolve once more strengthening.
She would see this through.
Just put your feet up to the edge, put your face in the wind
And when you fall back down, keep on rememberin'
He kept his silent vigil over the camp. Watching the rolling storm pass to the east and south. He watched as Donnie kept working. All of them finding some sense of relief in this huge break they had been given. Even now, Donnie was crossing out all the different faction headquarters that had already been hit. The list was shrinking, and that meant there were fewer places left for Vicky to be imprisioned in.
Finally, just as the storm hit the city and began pelting it with it's full fury, Donnie came out of the tent and approached him. Talking rapidly as he laid out the best strategy of searching the few points left. Raph let Ninjara and Aloplex in on their planning and troop movement. The three brothers and two fox friends spent their next few hours, now ignoring the weather, with their heads close together.
They were calm, descisive and full of something they had been lacking. Hope of finally being able to find Vicky and bring both her and Leo home. No sighs of previous tensions could be seen as Raph seemed to take on Leo's calm as they made plans. The foxes seemed a bit shocked at that, so used to seeing his hot headed impulsiveness.
He truly wasn't the same turtle they knew, and surprisingly, the liked this side of him more. Even if that did mean they would never lay in his bed again.
But that regret was lost when they saw just how much these brothers cared for their own, something they had forgotten about with time and current events, and the blindness of a youth full of mistakes on all parts.
Every storm runs, runs out of rain
Just like every dark night turns into day
Cris was gathering things she would need, and firmly told Caitlin to shut the portal down after she went through. It was time she took this matter to him. And since she couldn't risk taking him to the police, she had to convince him in another way that she wasn't going to let Ken ruin her life.
Because this life was to precious to her to not fight to keep him out of it.
She slipped her bow over her shoulder as well as her case full of arrows. The way she looked, it seemed as if she were Rambo about to take on Vietnam. She didn't care. She could't put him in jail, she refused to kill him for a great variety of reasons, so she had to make sure Ken would never, ever think of coming back here for her again.
It was war. And the prize was her freedom from him, permanently.
She steeped into the lab, met Caitlin and Marina's eyes, knowing her son would be well cared for in their hands, gave them a reassuring smile, and stepped through the portal.
And it closed behind her.
Every heartache will fade away
Just like every storm runs, runs out of rain
The storm raged on, then finally it began to wane...
It's gonna run out of pain
Leo finally turned away from the window, much more at ease with himself. He had reached her, and he was able to tell her that he loved her.
It's gonna run out of sting
Vicky listened to the storm wind down, and she was at ease and even smiling. There was nothing Karai could do that would ever break her. Not when they loved and trusted each other this much.
It's gonna leave you alone
Somehow, Raph realized as he watched all of them scurry into motion, everything had been forgiven. Ninjara and Aloplex didn't resent him anymore for what happened between the three of them. If anything, these last few weeks formed a stronger bond of friendship that completely replaced the bitter break up all around. He looked out a last time towards the now dying storm. Leo, Vicky, even this was temporary. Raph was determined to back that thought up as he walked down the hill.
It's gonna set you free
Cris grunted as she dropped her load, then looked up at what she was working on, running the plans for it in her mind one more time. Then, she picked up a hammer, and got to work.
Ken, was going to find out that he was over his head this time.
Set you free
Leo left the office, softly closing the door behind him. Soon, he told himself. Soon.
Every storm runs, runs out of rain
Vicky finally let herself fall asleep, the feeling of Leo still clung tight in her mind. Soon.
Just like every dark night turns into day
Raph got to the van, stepped in with one foot while he called out orders for different groups. Then, with a heavy slam, he got in and closed the door behind him, and the vehicles drove away. Soon.
Every heartache will fade away
Cris wiped her brow as she put the last, new, shoe on Beast. The horse was just looking at her mildly surprised. Not used to her actually being the one to shoe him. But these were special shoes, and Cris grinned as she looked at her watch. Soon.
Just like every storm runs, runs out of rain
It's gonna set you free,
It finally blew past. The winds over the oceans taking the built up fury of the storm, and slowly breaking it apart. The winds calmed under a lighter breeze as the lighting strikes grew fewer and fewer.
It's gonna run out of pain,
It's gonna set you free
And four individuals settled into their calm after the storm. All knowing, soon enough, their own storm would rage.
They were ready.