The Past

Two days have passed since the attack. The turtles and Splinter had no choice but to leave their old home of fifteen years. But it was thanks to the little robots that the family had gotten a new additional member to the family.

Irina, a blue female salamander mutant, who had lived in the sewers just as long as the turtles, was a wanderer who wandered around the sewers. They had generously offered her to stay with them after her encounter with Splinter and his family, which she had accepted with a smile of joy because now she is no longer alone.

However, just because she is living with the five in their new home, which she and Splinter had found by coincidence, she still leaves them from time to time. This action did not go unnoticed by the family, though. They understood that Irina was a wanderer, who had roamed the sewers all her life. So doing this was probably a routine for her. That all changed when Donatello finished building a small bridge over the pool of water in the middle of the room on their second day of living there.

It was still early in the morning, and Irina had just stepped out of the lair through the front door.

Curiosity getting the best of them, all four brothers looked at each other, nodding, and was about to start following her. However, they were quickly stopped by Master Splinter, who stood in front of his new bedroom doorway.

"And just where do you four think you are going?"

They all halted in their steps when they heard his voice. Turning to him, the brothers nervously scratched the back of their heads, trying to seem aloof, or whistle as if nothing had happened.

"O-oh, Master Splinter. We uh, we were just-" Donnie started nervously.

Splinter raised an eyebrow, "Yes?"

Not being one to be able to lie to their Father, Leo sighed, "We were going to follow Irina, Master Splinter."

"Why, may I ask?"

Looking at each other, Raph answered, "We're just curious about where she goes, is all. I mean, she says she wanders the sewers."

Mikey nodded next, "Yeah. So, we were hoping to see where she goes and what she does."

Sighing at his son's curiosity, Splinter knew that this would come eventually. He had told the young salamander of his son's natural curiosity and that they will eventually try to find out where she goes. On the other hand, Irina seemed not to be too worried about it and had dismissed it.

Splinter knew precisely where Irina had gone and what she was doing, but the four were curious. It was in his new chosen room right after the young woman had agreed to stay with them, that she had told him her secret in private. A secret never to fall into the wrong hands. And if it does, enemies around will do anything to try and take her or kill her at any cost.

"Master Splinter?" asked Leo, concerned. For their Father had taken quite a while to answer them.

Blinking, Splinter focused his attention back on his sons, who are still standing in front of him—waiting patiently for his reply. Yet, there were looks of impatience. Impatient because they wish to follow the young female before she could get too far.

Closing his eyes, he sighed inwardly. Splinter mentally wished that Irina would not be too mad at him for exposing her secret to his sons. The four were going to find out about it eventually.

Opening his eyes, he sternly looked at all four of them, "You may follow her. However, once you find out what she is doing, you may not interfere with her problems. Am I understood?"

Standing up straight at his demanding tone, they all nodded, "Yes, Sensei."

He looked into each and every one of them in the eyes, to see if they indeed will follow his orders. Once he saw that they all understood, he nodded in satisfaction, "Then you may go."

Bowing to him, they all quickly left the lair and rushed to catch up to Irina.

It didn't take them long to catch up to the female salamander. They thought that they had lost her with how long the conversation was with Master Splinter. But that wasn't the case.

Irina had only gone three blocks away from the lair and was standing at the entrance to a room. The room was vast and spacious. Pipes ran everywhere as water ran through the bigger sewage pipes, falling into the middle of the pool.

The brothers, not being able to see what was happening, all quickly went to another tunnel, which led into the same room. But they had appeared in an entrance that was fifteen feet up and more to the left, from the still unmoved girl. Being able to see, they all watched and waited, confused as to why she was just standing there.

Mikey quietly asked, "What do you guys think she's doing?"

"Who knows, Mike. Why don't you be quiet so we can find out," Raph answered gruffly.

Before the youngest turtle could retort, both Leo and Don quickly shushed them. Focusing their attention back on Irina, they all watched her put her hands together in prayer before bowing. Her action confused the brothers. They all looked at each other, wondering if the other knew whom she was bowing to or what.

They got their answer to their question and curiosity when the water in the middle of the pool started rippling. The ripples, created by hundreds of small bubbles coming from the bottom of it, then started bubbling as if there was something underwater.

Mikey nervously asked, "Uh, Don. What's going on?"

"I don't know, Mikey. This is the first time I ever saw anything like this," answered Donnie, confused just as much.

Leo hushed them when the bubbled up water burst sky high up onto the ceiling. They all covered their eyes from the excess water that sprayed at them before bringing their hands down. They stared in awe as they watched the pillar of water soon take form, which will forever be imprinted into their memories.

In front of them, was a massive form of a serpent dragon formed from the water. They could see the water within it ripple as it looks down at the young salamander.

As the brothers were looking at it in awe, the dragon spoke, a silvery voice that they did not expect to come from it.

"Irina."

When the dragon had spoken her name, Irina stood straight from her bow, "Master."

"Master?!" Mikey exclaimed, getting muffled by both Raph and Leo's hand over his mouth.

The brothers all held their breath, waiting nervously if the two had heard them. But when they continued with their conversation, they all breathed out in relief.

"You have improved much in your training all these years, Irina. It would seem that you are almost a Master yourself. When the time comes, and we deem you ready, the other Spirits and I will give you one final test before claiming you as your own Master."

She bowed her head respectfully, her hands still in the prayer sign, "Yes, Master Aegir."

"Then let us begin, shall we?"

The brothers didn't know how long they had stayed there. Sitting, standing, watching as Irina went through her katas directed by her water dragon master. They were in awe at how fluid her movements were, how she executed them perfectly.

"Now that you have learned the katas, perform it with the water," Aegir ordered, watching his young student closely.

Nodding, Irina closed her eyes, taking deep breaths before opening them back up and starting to execute her katas. The boys watched in amazement as the water began to flow up from the pool and around the girl, following each movement that she made. Some were fluid like a calm river, while most were deadly and defensive.

They didn't know how long they had stayed there until Irina's master, Master Aegir, spoke, "That will be enough for today, Irina."

Floating the water back to the bottom of the pool, Irina bowed before standing upright.

It was quiet between the two as Aegir inspected the young girl in front of him before he finally spoke, "I have heard from the other spirits that you have finally found a family to live with and that they also seem to be worthy of protecting you when the time is needed."

Irina smiled, "Yes. They are known as the Hamato Clan."

Aegir ah'd, "I see. So, it would seem that their clan did not fully die out. That is wonderful to hear."

His words confused the boys as they looked to one another, but focused their attention back when Irina replied.

"Yes. Though I did not know until Splinter had told me."

Aegir nodded, "Yes, I remember fully well when the Yamauchi and the Hamato Clan aligned themselves together to defeat their enemy."

"But the only Hamato Clan member to live that day was Hamato Yoshi," said Irina, confused at how one man could be a Clan.

Aegir chuckled, "That may be true, my dear. But if he had children, and those children were to bore their own, they would have truly become a Clan."

Irina softly giggled, "Forgive me, Master."

He shook his head, "It is alright."

The silence was calm around them when their laughter stopped until Aegir brought up a subject that made Irina frowned.

"Have you decided to finally search for husbands to carry on your clan, Irina?"

This subject peaked all four boys' interest as they all leaned in closer to hear the girl's response.

Pursing her lips, Irina looked up at him, "Do they have to be four husbands though, Master?"

The boy's eyes widened when they heard this.

Aegir, fully understanding what she meant, sighed, "Yes, Irina. We have spoken about this. The other three Elemental Spirits and I deemed that it is time for you to start looking. And you also must carry on the Yamauchi bloodline."

Irina frowned, "I understand that, Master Aegir. But finding four husbands that could be compatible with the elements will not be an easy task. Nonetheless, they also have to be okay with each other and share me…"

Thinking about her words, Aegir nodded, "What you speak is true." He hummed to himself before slowly giving his suggestion, "Then what about those four turtles? The spirits had talked finely about them and deemed that they could be worthy of harnessing the elements."

The boys all blushed at the thought of marrying the beautiful Salamander girl. They all didn't dislike the idea. However, they frowned a bit at the thought of sharing her.

Eyes widening, Irina quickly shook her head, "No! Definitely not, Master!"

The boy's hearts deflated at her quick rejection of them. Leo internally sighed in disappointment as he crossed his arms in front of his plastron, leaning his shell to the wall. Even though she was the first female mutant he had ever met in person, she was beautiful. So to hear her reject him and his brothers as maybe potential mates, kind of hurt.

Raphael, though saddened, growled lowly in his throat. His fists tightening on each side of him. He was hoping to maybe have a chance at romance since neither he nor his brothers ever had much social contact with females before. But to hear Irina's denial of them, hurt him even more.

Donnie was hurt just as much as his brother's. Here she was, their potential might-be-future mate, a beautiful Salamander who had roamed and lived in the sewers just as long as they have, had rejected them. He guessed he kind of understood that Irina would be able to find better mates for herself. Better than them. But to hear her not at least give them a chance and instantly deny them. He didn't know what to say. Or think.

When he heard her rejection when Aegir had suggested them, Mikey felt his heart deflate like a balloon. He had hoped to try and impress the wonderful and beautiful Salamander that had quickly become a part of their family. Woo her so he could have her accept him as her mate. But hearing her rejection… he didn't know what to do now. He just felt… sad.

"And why not?" asked Aegir, a brow raised.

The brothers didn't dwell on their sadness for long as they perked back up when they heard Irina's answer.

"I can not accept them because they are still young. They are only fifteen, Master. Well, in their teenage years. What happens if they end up finding another in the future. Another female, whether if it is human, mutant, or maybe an alien, and they are stuck with me as their mate. I can not and will not do that to them. Besides, I would rather see them happy with whomever they chose to be their mate than to see them unhappy and tied to me. Even if it costs me to be alone with no mate or family to continue the Yamauchi bloodline."

Hearing her reasoning made them smile. They hadn't thought about meeting other female companions. But for Irina to think about them and their happiness, just made them admire her that much more.

Paying attention back to the two, Aegir hummed, "I see. Very well. I will give you until your seventeenth birthday. If you still do not find any potential mate until then, then the other Masters and I will have no choice but to intervene. Will you abide?"

Hesitating, she slowly bowed, "I… abide by this agreement."

Nodding at her acceptance, Aegir started to disappear. The water that forms his body began to drop back down into the pool. As he left, his voice echoed throughout the room.

"Until our next session tomorrow."

Still bowed, Irina waited a few seconds until she felt the presence of her Master vanished from the room. When she no longer felt him, she straightened back up and deeply sighed. Her shoulders sagged as she felt her heart heavy within her chest. Turning around, she slowly made her way back to the lair.

Seeing that she was heading back, Leo quickly gestured for them to hurry back before her. Nodding, they all promptly followed him. However, since they had to take another route to try and spy on the girl, it had taken them a bit longer to get back to the lair.

Upon returning, they all quickly looked around to see that they had gotten back before the female Salamander. Sighing in relief, the four all smiled at one another, high threeing.

"Did you four have fun following me?"

Hearing her voice, all four turtle brothers stood rigid before looking back at the entrance of the lair. There, standing with her arms crossed in front of her chest, stood Irina. She had a raised brow ridge as she waited for their answer.

Not knowing how to answer her, they all sheepishly smiled with a nervous look. They didn't know how to answer her since they didn't want to be on her wrong side.

Seeing their emotions clear as day on their faces, Irina sighed before stepping forward towards them.

"Do not worry. I am not angry at you four finding out my secret. You all would have found out about it eventually."

Sagging their shoulders in relief, they all smiled. Before any of the three older brothers could say anything, Mikey beat them to it. Walking up to her, he smiled, "Why didn't you tell us that you have superpowers? They looked awesome when you were practicing it with your Water Dragon Master."

She gave him a small smile, "They're… not exactly superpowers, Mikey."

Splinter had decided to join them as he walked up, "It is a secret art that has long existed through many era's. An art that is known only in the Yamauchi Clan."

Turning to their Sensei, the boys looked at him with surprise. Donnie took a step forward, "Master Splinter, you know about it?"

Splinter hummed.

Remembering where he had heard that clan's name before, Leo spoke up, "Irina's master has spoken about them before."

Splinter nodded and turned to the girl, "Irina, I think it is time that my sons know."

Pursing her lips, Irina looked down at the ground. She knew that the four turtle brothers would eventually find out and know about it since she was living with them. However, she hoped that the boys did not dwell too much into what she had spoken with Master Aegir about finding husbands. It was not their problem to think or handle. It was hers and hers alone.

Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, she slowly exhales and gestures to the living area, "You all will need to sit down. It is… quite a long story."

Doing as she says, everyone went and sat on the sofa, except for Mikey, who sat on the floor, since they only had a three-seater and an armchair, which everyone had taken and left the youngest to be on the floor.

Seeing that they had comforted themselves, Irina begins, "It is like I said earlier. It is a very long story."

Seeing the sadness in her eyes, the boys wanted to get up and comfort her. But Splinter had put a hand up at them, stopping them in their seats. Obeying him, they all reluctantly stayed seated and listened.

"A long time ago, the world was covered in darkness. There was nothing but wars. It's fire licking every land. Destroying anything in its path."

"Wait," Donnie interrupted, making Irina look at him. "Was this during the World Wars?"

She shook her head, "No. This war has been going long before that. This war was between humans and spirits."

They gasped at this information.

"Uh, when you say spirits. Do you mean like, ghost or?" asked Mikey, a bit scared to find out the answer.

"No. What you speak of are human spirits. The spirits that I am speaking of are ancient. Ones that have been living in this world for many Millennia."

Mikey was about to open his mouth to ask more questions until he was hit on the head by Master Splinter's staff.

"Ow!"

"Enough, Michelangelo. We may ask questions later after Irina has finished telling us the story. Understood?"

He had said the last part to every one of his sons. Seeing the seriousness in his eyes, they all nodded. Looking back at the still patient girl, he bowed to her, "I apologize. You may now continue with no interruptions."

Smiling, Irina nodded, "As I was saying. This war was between humans and spirits. Of course, way before the war, humans and spirits have lived peacefully. They all got along well. The world was even beautiful. That is… until an evil spirit, one that represents the darkness had corrupted the other spirits. The spirits were all weak against it. So being corrupted by its darkness, they were forced to do its bidding by getting rid of the humans.

"The humans did not understand why the spirits were killing them. At first, they had tried to talk to them. Asking why they were attacking them. The spirits did not answer them because they could not speak. So after defeating the humans, weakening them so they could not fight back, the spirits had rounded them all up in the middle of their burning village. That is when the evil spirit revealed itself to them."

"Foolish mortals," it said, chuckling as he saw the human's coward below him.

The dark spirit, Alva, though it could take many forms, had taken a form of a dark phoenix. He smiled gleefully as he saw the fears on their faces.

One of the humans, though scared, braved himself and approached the dark spirit, "Why are you doing this? We have lived in peace among each other and have not done you or the spirits any wrong?"

Losing its grin, Alva narrowed its eyes at the man who had spoken, "Wrong, you say? There are many mistakes. To see spirits living together with humans is despicable. You, humans, are inferior compared to us. We have lived in this world for many Millennia. We spirits had nurtured and grown the plants and vegetables that this world has long before you humans came along. All you mortals ever have done was take and never give anything in return for our hard work."

The man's eyes widened, "But we have always worked along with the spirits when it comes to farming for food. We would always offer a portion of our food with you all."

"We should not have to offer any at all!"

With its outburst, Alva grew bigger, making the spirits that surrounded them, overwhelm the humans. Their screams howled as the fire burned brightly. The smoke, creating black clouds high in the sky.

"After that night, Alva had left that village in search of more spirits to consume as he tried to find more humans to destroy. But what he didn't know was that the man who had questioned him survived the attack. Wounded and tired, the man stumbled his way into the forest, not knowing where he was going. Collapsing from exhaustion, he had blacked out.

"When he came to, though, he saw that his surroundings seemed different. The trees were more vibrant and colorful. Like something you would only see in a dream. Unfamiliar with his surroundings, he got up and started to stumble his way through the forest. When he got into a clearing, he saw a bunch of spirits huddled together.

"They all held frightful looks when he saw them. Confused at where he was at, he slowly approached them. The spirits, seeing that he was getting closer, quickly backed away. Confused at their action, he saw that their fear had turned into confusion when they saw his expression. Approaching them some more, he put his hands up in front of him, telling them that he means no harm as he asked them what was going on. What was happening? And where he was.

"Seeing that the man was confused, they knew that he nor the humans knew nothing. One of the spirits slowly approached the man and told him that he was in the spirit world. A world that no mortal being has ever been able to enter.

"Hearing that he was in the spirit world, the world that originates and is the spirit's home made his eyes widen. He did not expect to find himself in their world when he had passed out. Remembering why he had done so in the first place, the man, devastated, asked them why they were attacking his world—attacking humans.

"Instead of answering him, they had taken him to the Guardian Spirits. These Guardian Spirits are known to be protectors of the world. When he met with them, they had explained what was truly happening.

"In every world, whether it be a different dimension or another universe, there would always be light and darkness. One that cannot live without the other. Just like any other world, this world also has light and darkness. Spirits represent and keep the balance. However, Alva, the dark spirit who has been corrupting the weaker spirits and having them do his biddings, killed the light spirit, whose name was Kiran. Kiran was the only one who was strong enough to keep an eye on his other half. His brother.

"However, thanks to Alva killing him, there is no spirit strong enough to stop him, which is why the man saw so many of the spirits trembling in fear. Not wanting to stay in the spirit world while the humans back in his world could all perish, the man begged the spirits to help him get back.

"The spirits, on the other hand, didn't want him to go because they didn't wish to see him perish like all the others. But the man stood firm and tall in front of them. With his head held high, he looked at them and told the Guardian Spirits that he did not care if he perished, for he would do anything to stop Alva to save the human race, the corrupted spirits, and his home.

"Seeing his seriousness and bravery in wanting to stop Alva with anything at all cost, the Guardian Spirits had decided then and there, to train him. Even though the training may not help him defeat Alva, the spirits will know that he at least had a fighting chance.

"So as he trained, years passed until they finally deemed that he was ready and was escorted back to the gateway from where he had entered."

Entering back into the human world, the man's eyes widened, his face paled at the destruction around him.

He couldn't believe what he was seeing. His home, the forests, the lands, they were all in ruins and ashes. Not wanting to see the horrifying scenery, the man tightly closed his eyes as tears ran down his face. Feeling anger crawling its way next to his sadness, he opened his eyes and narrowed them at the blackened sky. He couldn't believe how far Alva would go just to destroy the human race. His people.

Hearing the familiar dark laughter not far away from here, the man clenched his hands and ran to confront it.

It didn't take him long to get to where Alva was. Arriving on a cliffside, the man looked down to see a bunch of spirits that had been turned dark thanks to the dark spirit, attacking a group of human survivors. Hearing the same dark laughter again, the man looked up to the sky to see Alva.

Clenching his fist, the man started making his way down towards the survivors. Even though he was far from where the humans are trying to run from getting killed, he used the arts of elemental bending that the spirits had taught him and arrived there much quicker.

Skidding to a halt just at the forest's outskirts, the man hid in the trees, watching as the corrupted spirits chased his frightened people. The spirits had the advantage of being able to hurt them since his people couldn't touch nor harm them. When he saw one about to kill a child, he leaped out of the tree and used the wind to push him quickly to grab the child into his arms—saving them before the spirit could consume and suffocate them.

"My baby!" shouted a woman, running up to him to grab her child.

Taking her kid, the woman kept thanking the man before running back to the others to get away from the spirits. After making sure they had gotten away safely, the man turned his attention to Alva.

The dark spirit was still laughing in glee as he watched the corrupted spirits take out the humans. The man glared, angry at how little Alva cared for his people. Then again, he killed his brother with no remorse.

Hearing the screams and cries of his people, the man had enough.

"What he'd do? What he'd do?!" Mikey exclaimed, leaning forward in anticipation.

He got smacked on the head once again by Master Splinter.

"Ow!" he shouted. Rubbing his head, he looks back to his father before looking back at the salamander girl, "Sorry, Irina."

She smiled at him before continuing, "Having enough of seeing his people being hurt or killed, the man confronted Alva."

"Alva! Stop this insane killing!"

Looking away from his entertainment, Alva looked to see who had shouted his name to see the same man he had thought his corrupted spirits had killed years ago. Narrowing his eyes, Alva floated closer to him.

"So, you were alive all these years, I see. Tell me, human. What have you been doing while your people have been getting killed by my corrupted ones? Cowering away in fear as you humans usually do, maybe?" he laughed.

"No," the man answered, getting into a stance. "I have been training."

Hearing his answer, Alva guffawed, "Training? You humans can not even touch us. What makes you think your "training" will help you in this war?"

He smirked, "Maybe seeing this will answer your question."

Feeling the nature around him, the man easily controlled the element of wind and blasted it at Alva's face. The dark spirit screeched in surprise at the attack. He couldn't believe what the human had just done. Looking down at him, Alva shouted in anger, "How?! How did you learn to control the elements?! The Guardians never show themselves here in the mortal world!"

Getting in another stance, the man narrowed his eyes, "You're right. They didn't come to this world. I went to them."

Narrowing his eyes, Alva flew higher up into the sky, "No matter. Having the knowledge to control the element will not save you. I will kill you, just like how I killed my brother."

And with that said, dark like flames burst from the spirit and covered the already darkened sky.

"Whoa, did he win? Did he defeat Alva?" Mikey asked enthusiastically.

Raph was the one to slap his baby brother on the back of his head this time.

"Ow!"

"Would you stop interrupting? It's getting rather annoying."

Rubbing the back of his head, Mikey narrowed his eyes at him, "Well, sorry for my curiosity."

Sighing, Splinter shook his head at his son's antics. Both Leo and Don followed their father's action, sighing as well.

Irina, on the other hand, wasn't bothered by the interruption at all. Instead, she was quite amused because it reminded her of how she was when she had first heard of the story.

Seeing how the two brothers weren't going to end their bickering anytime soon, she cleared her throat to get their attention. The two stopped and looked at her. She held a smile, telling them that she was patiently waiting for the two to finish.

Embarrassed, Raph and Mikey smiled sheepishly at her before quieting back down again. Giggling, Irina continues with the story.

"With the man only knowing controlling the elements, Alva did not see him as a threat, or so he thought. Seeing that the man fought back with great knowledge of techniques that he used to send the dark spirit back, angered Alva greatly."

"But why?" Leo decided to ask.

Pursing her lips, Irina answered, "Alva never once loved the human race unlike the other spirits and his brother, Kiran, because he has viewed them as greedy and selfish beings. So for the Guardians to help the human man, to go so far as to teach them how to control the elements, made his hatred grow even more. They had already taken the lands. To see a human man take knowledge of controlling the elements from the spirits, it was pretty much the last straw."

The guys and Splinter all stayed quiet, taking that answer in. Once she saw them nod in understanding, Irina took that to continue.

"Anyways, the two fought against each other well into the night till dawn arrived. The man was severely injured. Though, he wasn't the only one either. He had been able to dwell some damage to Alva as well, but not by much."

Huffing in exhaustion, the man looked up at Alva, who looked a bit tattered but was still standing tall. He still couldn't believe how the spirit could still have so much energy. They have been fighting all night, and it didn't seem like the dark spirit was exhausted at all. Compared to him, the man felt like he was going to collapse any time soon.

Even with all that training with the Guardians, he knew that it would not be enough. He knew that it wouldn't be enough to stop Alva. And yet, he had only hoped that it might have been enough to give the humans a fighting chance or time to retreat to live another day.

Alva began to laugh, "I see that you are getting exhausted. You mortals were always so weak. Now, to destroy you once and for all!"

Spreading its wings, Alva started to spread his darkness like flames again, "This time, you won't be able to fight back."

Staring as the sky slowly gets covered, the man starts to accept his death. Closing his eyes, he waited for the pain as peace and calmness overtook his being. However, what he didn't expect was to feel an overwhelming surge of power flowing through him suddenly. The energy that felt so strong and powerful made him feel like he would be able to stop Alva. Yet, he knew that someone or something had taken control over his body.

Opening his eyes, they were not the usual set of auburn color, except they were now glowing white. Looking up at Alva, he narrowed his still-burning white eyes and pointed at him, "Alva, I will not let you destroy the humans any longer!"

Stopping his attack, Alva's eyes widened, "No, that voice. It can't be!"

"But it is. You should already know that light cannot live without darkness. Just like how darkness cannot live without light."

After he finished, he raised his arms, controlling the four elements to his will, "Your reign of terror in the human world stops now, Alva!"

"Never Kiran! I will never stop until they are all destroyed! And if you're still going to be in my way after coming back, I'll just have to kill you again!"

Spreading his wings, Alva spread his darkness once more, aiming it straight at his brother.

Still controlling the man's body, Kiran could feel how deeply this human felt about his brother's destruction on his people. His anguish, sadness, anger. He could feel how much this man loves this world and the spirits. Even when Alva had corrupted the spirits, this human male does not hold malice against them, for he knows that it is not their fault.

Kiran inwardly smiles at the Elemental Guardians choosing his descendant. They have chosen a worthy human to protect the spirits. It would seem that the human could feel his feelings since Kiran could feel respect coming from him.

Using their feeling of wanting to protect the world, their body started to glow a bright white. Looking to see Alva's attack nearing them, Kiran began to control the wind, making it glow with his power, and waved it straight. The two forces collided, creating a massive explosion that blinded everyone within the vicinity.

When the explosion died down, both Kiran and Alva still stood in their spot. Alva growled when he saw that his brother did not perish along with the human whom he was occupying in.

"Why do you care about these humans so much?! They have done nothing but take from us!"

Getting into a stance, Kiran narrowed his still glowing eyes at him, "Because I believe in coexisting with humans. For a long time now, we have lived, played, eat, and slept together. So tell me, brother, what is so wrong to live together!"

"That is because you do not see what I see, Brother! They may seem all nice and caring on the outside. But in the darkness, they show their true colors. Hatred, destruction, and greed for power."

"That may be true, but that is why we try to help them. Lead them to the right path. And if they choose not to then, that is not something we can control!"

"Oh, you are so naive, brother. We can control it. We can control their fate," Alva quietly said. Rising himself higher up into the sky, he spread his dark massive wings and jet straight down towards his brother, "By destroying them all!"

Bringing his hands up in front of him, tears flowed down Kiran's eyes as he brought his energy out, "You are wrong, brother. Just like us, there is darkness in everyone. But that does not mean that there are no lights in them as well."

Alva was flying straight down towards his brother until his eyes widened when he saw what his brother was about to do. Spreading his wings, he quickly tried to stop himself or at least maneuver himself away. But it was too late when Kiran released his energy and blasted it straight at him. His howl was the only thing that could be heard through the bright beam of raw power when it made contact.

Closing his eyes, Kiran closed his eyes as tears ran down his face. When the energy finally disappeared, there on the ground, scorched and wounded, laid Alva, breathing heavily as he choked out, "W-Why… didn't you… finish… me off?"

Walking up to his brother's pitiful form, Kiran put a hand on him, running his fingers through his brother's feathers.

"Because you are my brother. I could never kill you, Alva. Ever."

Staring into the human male's still glowing eyes, the light that he knew belongs to his brother, Alva scoffed before finally closing his eyes, "Do not touch me with the human filth's hand, Kiran."

Smiling sadly, Kiran pulled his hand away, started to bring forth his power and light, and swirled around Alva as he sent him back to the Spirit World.

"Whoa…" Mikey awed.

"So whatever happened to Kiran if he sent Alva back to the Spirit World?" asked Donnie, curious about what the light spirit did after the war.

Humming, Irina answered, "Kiran left the human man's body once his mission of stopping the war was over. However, before he left to go back to the Spirit World to join his brother, he had titled his Chosen, Head of the Yamauchi Clan. A Clan that protects all and to teach those who are worthy of the elements."

The boys awed that the man had created a clan, a Clan that wielded the elements.

Thinking about it, Leonardo asked, "Wait a minute. The Yamauchi Clan?"

"Didn't we hear Irina's Master mentioned about them? About the Yamauchi and Hamato Clan being an alliance with each other," said Raph, raising an eye ridge.

"Hey, yeah. Her Master did mention that," Mikey shouted, remembering the conversation between the Salamander and Water Serpent.

Sighing, Splinter got everyone's attention when he spoke up, "Irina, my dear, I think it is time to tell my sons who you truly are."

Confused by what he meant, the boys looked to the girl. Seeing their attention on her, Irina slowly sighs, "My full name is Yamauchi Irina. The Head Daughter of the Yamauchi Clan."

They gaped at the information that she had just told them.

"No… Way…" they slowly said, disbelief that this female Salamander was the very descendant of the man from the story that she had just told them.

Pausing for a bit, Donnie asked, "Wait a minute. But the man in the story was human. Yet you're…"

The other terrapin brothers' eyes widened at the realization and looked at her.

"Don's right. How can you be the descendant if you're not human?" asked Leo.

Lips thinning into a line, Irina looked away from them, sadness glossing her amethyst eyes, "I used… to be human…"

Mikey gasped, "What?"

The brothers stared at her, shock numbing their minds. They couldn't believe it. They had thought, all this time, that she was probably like them. Yet, to find out that something else had happened to her to turn her this way… They have no words.

Getting up from his seat, Splinter walked up to the girl and grasped her hand in his, making the blue salamander girl look at him. He can see the sadness, the pain that she had gone through to survive to this day, swimming in her eyes.

Tightening his hold on her hand, he reassured her, "My dear, whatever had happened to you in the past stays in the past. It is what you chose to do to this day that you are who you are today. You do not need to tell us what happened if you do not wish to talk about it. We will listen, though, when you are ready to tell us your story."

Understanding what his Sensei was getting at, Leo quickly replied, "Master Splinter's right. I'm sorry if we're making you remember some unpleasant memories."

Don, Raph, and Mikey quickly agreed with him.

"Yeah."

"Don't worry too much about telling us, Irina."

"Who cares what happened. You're with us now."

The corners of her lips turned upward, and her glossy eyes softened as she looked at every one of them, "Thank you."

Blushing at her beautiful smile towards them, the terrapin brothers all smiled shyly as they either turned away to look at something else or rub their necks. Raph had tried to hide his embarrassment by crossing his arms in front of his plastron to look cool.

Giggling at them, Irina clasped her hands in front of her, "Now that you know the beginning of my Clan's story and who I am, if you all are ready, my Master's wish to meet you all."

Mikey grinned widely, "You mean we get to meet that Water Dragon Master of yours?"

She scratched her cheek, "Well, that's not his true form. But yes. My Masters have all been wishing to meet you all when the Spirits have told them about you."

Raph rose an eye ridge, "Spirits?"

Understanding his confusion, she smiles sadly at them, "That's right. You all can't see them anymore." Thinking on how to explain it to them, she tried her best, "You see, the Spirits that I have told you in the story, they still exist even to this day. After the whole war that Alva had created, humans have become wary of the Spirits and have started to distance themselves from them. Even the ones that Alva had corrupted went back to normal and went back to the human families they had known for a long time. But, when they tried to return, some of the families had pushed them away. Some screamed and shouted either in fright or anger and had wanted nothing to do with them anymore.

"The only ones who are still accepting of the Spirits were my great ancestor and some of the villagers who wished to follow him. So, as times moved on, the Spirits slowly started to disappear from mortals' visions and were only visible to those born within the Yamauchi Clan or those with a powerful spiritual will."

"And since we can't see them, we don't even know if they are watching us even right now," Donnie slowly theorized.

She giggled, "That's correct, Donatello."

Realizing that unseen spirits have been watching them, Mikey started to freak out, "You mean there could be some here even now?"

Humming, Irina looks around them before shaking her head, "No. Spirits would never watch or stalk you unless they are given a reason to. They're like children; their curiosity would sometimes get to them, and they would sometimes pop their heads in to see what was going on. And once their curiosity is sated, they leave."

She shrugs, "You can't blame them, though. No one besides me now can see them, so they feel lonely sometimes and try to have fun with other humans or beings, even if they can't see them."

Raph frowned at this information, "I understand how they feel. Heck, I mean, we're mutants, and even though humans can see us, who knows if they're accepting of us or if they see us as freaks."

Pursing his lips, Leo nodded, "Raph's right. But to have no one be able to see them at all… that's just more lonely."

Splinter inwardly sighed at his son's words. He knew that they sometimes wished to have a normal life like humans do. However, they were not humans. So if they were ever to be seen by them, he knew that they would be locked down and he and his sons would be experimented upon.

Irina started to reassure them, "The Spirits are quite happy actually. I mean, sure they wish they could interact with other humans, but they have a whole world to look at and sate their curiosity. So they're quite satisfied with it. Besides, they also have each other to keep company. Don't forget, humans never existed while they did."

Thinking about it, they all started to murmur their agreement.

Seeing as how the conversation is finally at its end, Splinter stood up, "Now then, before we all get back to finish cleaning. Irina, when did your Masters wish to meet with us."

Thinking about it, she shrugs, "If you all have time. You can meet them tomorrow morning when I have to meet up to train with Master Aegir again. I'll just send them a message that all of you will be with me."

"Yes. Please tell them."

Nodding, she smiled and bowed, "Well, then, if you'll excuse me."

They all watched her leave to go into her room, which was on the second floor next to Leo's. Once her door closed behind her, Splinter broke the silence, "Now then, my sons. It is time to get back to work."

Nodding, they all didn't argue against him as they all went their separate ways to finish sprucing up the place. However, as they cleaned, the information that Irina used to be human kept replaying around in their minds and them being potential marriage candidates for her.