Performances

Raphael wasn't happy to leave for the festival before Leonardo had come back, especially as he hadn't seen his twin this morning. However, his presence was required hours before the opening ceremony began, and there was no avoiding it.

The festival would take place at the center of the oasis, where a vast area could accommodate all the people attending. It included the oasis people, of course, but also the travelers present at the moment and the caliphe's delegate and his guards.

Now that it wasn't the middle of the night and his head was clearer, Raphael was really worried about whatever intents Bishop had. And he was even more worried about Leonardo.

His brother wasn't stupid enough to waterbend in front of everyone, though.

It would be okay.

They had barely reached the Hamato house when Bishop noticed his crystal's absence.

He was supposed to dress for the upcoming ceremony, but instead stormed off to Splinter before the old master had a chance to go back to his house and put on his own ceremonial clothes.

He got straight to the point.

"The crystal has disappeared. It's not in my purse anymore."

Splinter allowed his genuine surprise to show. "You must have lost it."

"I didn't lose it," Bishop said, his expression calm and threatening. "I'd rather say it has been stolen from me."

Splinter narrowed his eyes. "Are you accusing me?"

"Of course not." Bishop's tone was unpleasantly sweet. "But we were more than just two in this expedition."

"Then you're accusing one of the guards. I'll vouch for them, so it comes to the same."

Bishop pondered his options. He hadn't noticed anything, so whoever had dared to steal from him was extremely gifted. Did such a person even exist in this oasis removed from the world? Maybe Splinter was right and the crystal had slid from his purse. Unless it was Splinter himself… But the old man had always been a faithful defender of the caliphate… Bishop was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

He opted for a compromise. "I'll retrace my steps, just in case I did lose it. In exchange, I'm expecting you to conduct a quick investigation, just in case your trust is… misplaced."

"So be it," Splinter said in a very cold tone. "We'll meet directly at the festival. I have no doubt you'll have found what you're looking for."

"I certainly hope so." Bishop saluted him and left. He remembered still having the crystal maybe fifteen minutes from the oasis' gates; it wouldn't take that long.

And if he didn't find it, well…

The culprits would learn just how bad an idea it was to cross him.

Splinter watched Bishop depart with a pensive expression. He didn't like the implicit threats the man's tone had carried.

He was convinced Bishop had lost his crystal in the desert. What else could have happened? Splinter knew every oasis guard by their name, and he had chosen himself those accompanying them. They were beyond suspicion.

It must be the crystal itself. Who knew what kind of hidden powers it had?

Moreover, something had been deeply disturbing Splinter during their trip to the dried-up well. In all the years he had watched the place, he had never felt something like this. A… presence. Why had it stirred? Was it the crystal's influence? Then it was for the best if Bishop had lost it. Although it was surprisingly careless from the caliphe's delegate.

Splinter sighed and stroked his beard. He didn't know what the future had in store for them, but he had a feeling he wasn't going to like it.

He was still deep in his thoughts when he caught something from the corner of his eye.

Or more precisely, someone. A someone Splinter knew very well, and who was now tiptoeing like an intruder in his own house.

He moved silently to find himself right behind the boy.

"Leonardo? Aren't you supposed to get dressed? I can't imagine you would want to be late for Raphael's performance."

Leonardo started. In his defense, it might be because Splinter was speaking right in his ear when the boy had thought himself alone.

"I was looking for my brothers," Leonardo quickly said - maybe a little too quickly. "But I guess Mom already left with them. They were so eager to see the festival. Uh, where is Bishop?"

"He needed to check something," Splinter said slowly. "Why?"

Since he had started training Leonardo, he had become closer to the boy, and rather good at deciphering his attitudes.

And he could have sworn Leonardo was hiding something.

"No reason," Leonardo answered.

Again, too fast.

A nasty suspicion made itself known in Splinter's brain, one he refused to believe. He decided to find out for sure, if only to shut it up.

"Bishop says he has lost something very precious. Have you any idea what might have happen?"

"Not at all," Leonardo said.

Splinter's heart sank. He would never have suspected the boy. Leonardo was always so honest…

But it was painfully clear he was lying.

"Leonardo." Splinter delicately put his hands on his student's shoulders. "Please tell me the truth. Did you take it?"

"No!" Leonardo looked Splinter in the eye.

Splinter felt relieved. This time, he had a feeling the boy was telling the truth.

Still, Leonardo had to know something.

"It's about a tiny crystal. It's very precious to Bishop. Have you seen it?"

Leonardo opened his mouth to answer…

... and he immediately closed it, looking horrified.

Splinter could only mimic his expression at seeing the blue light shining through Leonardo's closed fist. He frowned and grabbed said fist, forcing Leonardo to open it.

Bishop's lost crystal lay there.

Splinter waited several seconds, hoping for an explanation from Leonardo - or for the crystal to disappear, proving it was only a bad dream.

None of these things happened.

"Come with me," Splinter finally said, heartbroken, to the upset boy in front of him. "I'll let your father deal with this."

Leonardo closed his eyes, clearly fighting tears. Splinter refused to comfort him.

The boy had to face the consequences of his actions.

Leonardo couldn't believe what was happening. That cursed crystal had betrayed him, and now Splinter was convinced he was a thief.

He was riding behind his teacher, a rare occurrence inside the oasis, but they needed speed if they were to talk to Yoshi before the festival began. They had only stopped at Splinter's house, so the man could get dressed for the festivities - Leonardo himself already had, as fast as he could before he followed Splinter.

What was he going to tell him? What was he going to tell his father?

Would they believe him if he said the truth, that was, he had no idea why the crystal was now in his possession?

They only dismounted when they came in sight to the festival itself and the crowd forced them to continue on foot. The sun was now high in the sky - the festival would soon begin.

Leonardo barely noticed the stands filled with drinks, flowers, and products of local craftsmanship. Splinter hadn't said a word to him since he had discovered the crystal. Said crystal was now safely hidden in Leonardo's purse.

Way too soon, they stood inside the tent where his father had taken residence. Leonardo noticed with resignation that his uncle Saki was also there. Could his luck get any worse?

"Yoshi, may we talk in private?" Splinter said, and Leonardo could only guess how dire his expression was from the surprise on his father's face.

They went to a private area in the tent, comfy and brightly decorated, with a basin of water for ritual washing and food and drinks on a coffee table. Saki followed them, apparently considering he had a right to be part of the private conversation about to unfold, and Splinter didn't prove him wrong.

Which only showed how mad Leonardo's teacher was at him.

"Your son has something to tell you," Splinter said, his tone rather cold.

Leonardo kept his gaze on the floor. Words weren't coming to him. What was he supposed to say anyways?

"Leonardo?" Yoshi prompted him, to no avail.

Splinter shook his head in disappointment. "No? Well, then I'll do it. Bishop has lost his crystal, and looks for it in the desert. It happens to be in Leonardo's possession."

"What?" Yoshi said, as if he wasn't sure he had heard properly.

Saki, however, immediately grasped Splinter's meaning. His face tore into a furious grimace. "You're stealing from our guest? What a dishonor!"

"I'm not a thief!" Leonardo protested desperately.

"But you have the crystal, don't you?" Yoshi asked severely.

Leonardo could only nod.

"Give it to me."

Leonardo obeyed. The treacherous thing wasn't shining brightly like it had in the house, but its light was still unmistakable.

"Oh, Leonardo."

Yoshi's tone was more disappointed than mad, and it was unbearable for his son.

"I didn't take it!" he almost shouted, on the verge of tears.

"So what, it just flew to you?" Saki said, his tone harsh.

"Yes." Now Leonardo was crying. There was no way his uncle would believe him.

Or anybody else, for that matter. Not when it was all he could say. What was this crystal anyways, to put people in trouble like that?

"Leonardo…" Yoshi sighed. "Look at me. Why would you do that?"

Leonardo did his best to hold his father's gaze. It was hard to do through his tears, and he wished the water away from his eyes. "I didn't take it," he whispered. "I don't know what happened."

"A thief, and a liar," Saki spat. "And on the opening day of the Year End Festival no less. How could you stoop so low?"

Now Leonardo could see better, although he was still crying. Saki was looking at him as if he was the most disgusting thing in the world.

"What am I going to do with you?" Yoshi asked sadly. "I know the last months have been hard on you, but I would never have expected you to…"

The crystal, which Yoshi had kept in his palm, suddenly flew to Leonardo's hand. At the same time, Leonardo realized why he was seeing better: he was waterbending his tears ever so slightly out of the way. His heart beat faster. His powers were spiraling out of control.

Yoshi, Splinter and Saki were watching the crystal like it had suddenly become alive.

"What was that?"

Leonardo angrily wiped away his tears. "I don't know. I don't know!"

"It's attracted to…" Splinter whispered before stopping, so low that Leonardo wasn't sure he had heard correctly. "But it would mean…"

"Obviously this thing has a mind of its own," Yoshi said. His tone sounded surprisingly relieved, as if he was happier his son wasn't a thief after all than worried about mysteriously flying crystals.

"That wretched magic." Saki snorted. "We should never have allowed Bishop to bring it here. It doesn't belong there. I'm sure it jumped at the chance to be with a non-bender rather than a firebender."

And that was when Leonardo realized the obvious. That crystal had been made by waterbenders. It was attracted to waterbending. That was why Bishop had brought it to the well, and that was why it kept coming back to Leonardo…

But he wasn't going to correct his uncle. Let him believe that the crystal avoided firebenders when it could.

"It looks like we've falsely accused you, my son," Yoshi said. "Please accept our apologies."

Leonardo nodded and was about to say it was okay, could he go find Raphael now? His twin would look for him before the beginning of the festival, when Splinter carefully stepped in front of him.

His teacher seemed to be prey to a strong emotion as he grabbed Leonardo's wrists.

"Leonardo," he whispered urgently. "If what I think is right, you're in great danger. Please be honest with us. Are you…"

Splinter didn't end his sentence, but Leonardo had understood. He looked the old man in the eye, searching for a sign that Splinter was repulsed by him, by who he was - by what he was - but he could only find concern.

"Master Splinter?" Yoshi frowned. "What's wrong?"

Leonardo bit his lip. What choice did he have, now that Splinter had guessed?

Still. Raphael was going to kill him.

He nodded to Splinter, and the old man released him with a sigh.

"Can someone tell us what's happening?" Saki asked wryly. He didn't like being left out.

Leonardo had never felt calmer in his entire life.

"Fire isn't my element."

Yoshi raised an eyebrow and Saki rolled his eyes.

"Yes. We know."

Leonardo closed his eyes briefly. "You don't understand." He took a step towards the basin of water. "I mean that Fire…" He stood straight, his feet shoulder-width apart, "…is not…" He leaned forwards, letting one of his hands graze the ground, "My Element." He raised his arm, and a tentacle of water rose in the air and danced around his fingers.

Then he let the water go back to the basin and watched his family's reaction, his lips pressed tight.

Both Yoshi and Saki were gaping at him so hard, he might as well have grown a second head.

"You're a waterbender," Splinter whispered. "It explains so much."

"Impossible," Saki finally managed to say.

"But how?"

The hint of panic in Yoshi's voice made Leonardo's heart sink.

Splinter took a deep breath. "We don't have much time. Leonardo… you're related to the water tribe."

"What?" Yoshi and Saki exclaimed.

"Through your mother, Tang Shen," Splinter went on. "At least that's my assumption. You see," he said, looking at two baffled brothers, "not all the water tribe people that came to us were benders, and not all stood against us. Our ancestors helped and hid some of them..." Splinter watched Leonardo pensively. "And for two hundred years, nobody felt the call you did…"

Yoshi massaged his temples. "Give me a minute," he begged. "Leonardo, how long have you known?"

Leonardo bit his lip. Did it matter now?

"For weeks," he admitted.

His father gave a deep sigh. "Then I assume Raphael knows, too."

Leonardo's silence was eloquent enough.

"I can't believe you would keep that to yourself," Yoshi muttered.

Leonardo turned to Splinter. "You said I was in danger. Why?"

"Bishop wants to wake up a very old waterbender," Splinter answered. "I'm afraid he wouldn't hesitate to use you… and besides…" He hesitated. "Leonardo, how did you learn these moves?"

Leonardo shrugged. "It just… came to me."

"Like firebending, waterbending must be taught." Splinter stroked his beard. "Have you noticed anything out of the ordinary? Dreams, maybe?"

Leonardo gaped at him. "How do you know?"

Splinter's tone remained calm, but his expression was grim. "He's reaching out to you. Teaching you. Influencing you… You must leave this place."

"What?" Leonardo's heart skipped a beat.

"What do you mean?" Yoshi said imperiously.

Splinter didn't pay him any attention. "Leonardo, have you already heard of the Shredder?"

"Of course not," Saki whispered. "How would he…"

"Yes," Leonardo said awkwardly. "Uh…"

"It doesn't matter how," Splinter said, an eyebrow raised. "But he, the Shredder, was a very powerful waterbender. You're not safe near his resting place."

"But where am I supposed to go?" Leonardo felt as if his world was crumbling to pieces around him.

Splinter looked at him sadly. "Your powers are awakening. You must find those who are like you. They can teach you what you need to know to protect yourself."

"But…" Yoshi said before Leonardo could, and Leonardo suddenly felt the strong arms of his father embracing him.

"Yoshi, we don't have time," Splinter urged. "Bishop will be back soon, and we must give him an explanation for his crystal's disappearance. And Leonardo must leave the oasis. Nobody here can properly teach him. Besides, he's Raphael's twin, and nature loves balance in all things. I believe that, in time, he might become a very powerful waterbender."

"I'll do it," Leonardo said calmly.

If what Splinter said was true and he was, somehow, connected to the Shredder… sooner or later, he would put his family in danger, and he didn't want that.

"You must go now." Splinter put a hand on Leonardo's shoulder. "With the sun at its peak, the Shredder's influence on you is weakened. The path you must take goes around the well. Use this time wisely."

"He can't go alone!" Yoshi protested.

"Maybe we could find him a companion," Splinter thought out loud.

And Leonardo realized that whoever that was, it wouldn't be Raphael. His twin's powers were still too unstable, he needed the proximity of a master.

Besides, the oasis, firebending… it was Raphael's whole life.

But Raphael… Raphael would never allow him to leave. He would insist on coming with him…

Which meant Leonardo couldn't tell him goodbye.

And Donatello. And Michelangelo. And his mother. And Karai. Was he also supposed to leave without telling them goodbye?

"What will we say to the others?" Saki said calmly, and Leonardo realized with surprise that his uncle wasn't going to report him.

"We'll find something." Splinter extended his hand to Leonardo. "Can you give me the crystal?"

Leonardo complied, and Splinter surrounded the item with tiny flames. Its light decreased until it was a pale blue.

"So it lets you leave," he said to Leonardo. "We can't let it come back to you, although it probably belongs to you more than it does to Bishop."

In other circumstances, Leonardo might have appreciated the irony more.

The festival was about to begin. Under the sun at its highest, the new firebenders would soon display the full extent of their talent to create an overwhelming ode to the beauty of firebending.

From his place in the backstage area, Raphael was eagerly watching the crowd. He could see his uncle Saki talking to a few guards, and his mother and his two littlest brothers sitting next to Splinter in the front row. His father Yoshi had just proceeded to the podium where he would stand during the performance, as had Bishop, the caliphe's delegate. However, Raphael couldn't see Leonardo.

What was his brother doing?

Leonardo's hands slightly trembled as he followed his traveling companion out of the oasis gates and into the desert. Almost everyone was at the festival and those who stayed wouldn't tell on them, but what if one of Bishop's men saw them depart?

No, they would remain with Bishop. By now, the caliphe's delegate must be with Leonardo's father. Hopefully he had believed Splinter's tale: that Leonardo had been the thief, and he was confined in his house as a punishment.

And tonight, when Bishop would want to talk to him, they would discover that he had fled into the desert to purge his crime. They would organize search parties and not find him, and he would be declared dead…

Leonardo didn't like this plan, not one bit, but he had no better one.

Donnie, Mikey, Raph. I'm so sorry.