"Ah! The complete set of Mindful Minds, too. Thank you, Donatello," you squeal, hugging the square device Donnie made you as you sat opening your gifts.
It was a portable, highly advanced, and compact library he built for you—every one of your books, along with a couple more, resided in it. You couldn't believe it and weren't surprised he did this. It was both voice-activated and touch; there was also face recognition. You tried it out, and a hologram list of every book came up; it was astounding. Donnie stood both proud and sheepish.
"You're welcome. Glad you like it," he smiled, scratching the back of his head mainly from the pleased look April gave him. "Just wanted to make sure you had something to read while you're gone. Also," he cleared his voice, becoming excited, pushed his way over to you. "It's also a universal collector."
You arch a brow. He explained.
"So, wherever you go, it'll store any form of reading you come across. This right here," he pointed to a small bluish button on the side, "press it, and it'll scan the language or whatever and store it for you. You can even have it plug into a server if you come across one and do it that way."
Your eyes light up; there was so much you could obtain with this device. Officially it just became your best friend, "I am to assume it has enough storage? Correct? Did you the IBS?"
The others exchanged confused looks; Donnie smirked with a snort, "You know it! I also used TMs."
You gasped with a smile and sprung from your chair, a geekish smile shining on you, "Tectonic Memory! Ingenious. The material used, is it from Dimension X? Oh!" You give a snap, realizing instantly what it was; Donnie's eyes shinned, matching yours.
Soon your mouth and Donnie's fired off in a maze of large and grand terms the others couldn't follow; they stood back and watched the two big minds catch fire. Laughing at jokes far above where their minds could reach. Normally, someone would disrupt that delight and refocus you and Donnie if this was a mission or something else. But today was your day, and everyone couldn't help but laugh and smile. April and the others could read and plainly see the effect your departure would have on Donnie; he was, after all, like your teacher/older brother and any hat he needed to have for you. He took care of you in pretty much the majority of your aspects. Whenever you were injured, he was there to tend to you or chart your abilities. And most important, his Lab Buddy. You were pretty much the only one allowed in his lab to assist him in complex things. He supplied you with anything that helped further and unlocked your mind and always held a quiet pride seeing this. He even felt and was a bit against you going to school, feeling you were far advanced to be in it, but he was the first one to beam like a father when you received your first A+. Even positing it in his lab.
So with you no longer present, it was only fitting they allowed you both to have this time. You felt it too—no more Donnie to affirm your findings or talk about chemical properties. You were going to miss those lab moments. Ten minutes went by, you and Donnie were still going; Mikey reaching his limit and pushy, desired you open his gift next, put a stop to it.
"My turn!" He shouted, shoving his way in-between you both, bumping Donnie back, who shot an annoying glare at him.
You laughed a little and took Mikey's….ummm…attempted wrapped gift. The present looked rather lumpy from the orange and yellow wrapping. He placed it in your hands; you were tempted to give it a shake but decided against it and gently opened it. Your eyes widen, and your head tilts a little; you blink a few times, trying to figure out what it could be. It took you a moment to realize what it was, and your mouth hung for a moment before transforming into a smile. In your hands, a few of Mikey's comics mashed up.
"Mikey!" You gasped and threw your arms around him.
He threw these arms behind his head with a goofy smile, "I knew you'd like."
You squeeze your cheek against him, "Of course! How could I forget! We read these together the very first time I opened my eyes. Thank you! Thank you! For such treasures."
Unable to hold himself back, Mikey burst into tears and latched his arms around you, nearly matching your strength, smiling warmly from ear to ear, and whispered with affirmation, "We'll always be best friends."
"Yes." You whisper back, hugging him tighter than ever, doing your best to resist your voice from cracking. Your heart lifted and dropped at the same time.
Mikey was the first one…the very first to officially declare you as his friend and do his best to introduce you to…the world. Through his eyes, of course, and since then…you viewed the world with a bit of his taste, and you'd carry that with you.
After Mikey, you resumed opening the others, though he told you there was one more gift he had for you when the time was right. Karai gifted you with two things: a new yumi and Hamato clan symbol necklace(your heart cried). Surprisingly Shini also had some, rather some things for you: a new outfit that was more on the dark side and mature; hot shorts, off-shoulder cropped corset top that zipped in the front and seamlessly disappeared into flared out sleeves. With proud high-thigh boots and chocker. You found it humorous and baffling; April shook her head while a few cheeks dusted with red. She felt you needed more age to appreciate look; Shini also had two old scrolls and dagger that clipped to your hip.
From the Mutanimals; a bag of bread crumbs from Piegon Pete; rollerblades from Mondo Gecko; Leatherhead a box of seashells he carefully collected. Professor Rockwell, the 5th-10th editions of the world encyclopedia along with a few volumes of Latin, along with a promise you'd write a two-hundred thesis. Slash gifted you with a bag of oranges; some of the others didn't understand. But you and a few others did; the gift touched you. You used to share these with him back when Slash was Spike. Attached to his gift was a framed picture of you and him back when he was Spike, with orange slices in your mouth as smiles. You remembered this and laughed sweetly; Spike turned a darker green and smiled. He had one more thing for you, a pair of boxing gloves.
Surprisingly, Mona Lisa had a gift for you. It was her laser sword. She even honorably presented it to you; her stare was intense on you; you remained calm while the tension lifted a little; holding your breath, her eyes shined with soft respect and held out the gift. You were speechless.
"All warriors deserve a weapon. But a comrade deserves a proper one. I would be honored if you would accept my gift on your journey." She said, with a tinge of hope in her firm voice.
You saw hope and amending; understanding, you nodded respectfully and accepted it. Her eyes sigh with relief when they widen in shock. Mona went stiff from your embrace.
"Thank you, Mona. I promise to honor your gift," you affirm in a whisper.
She said nothing; just as you release her, her arms wrap around you and accept. You could hear for those seconds the world stopped and the sunburst open, flooding you with feelings that stretched your smile beyond. Also, you were sure you heard her sniff softly.
Casey gave you a hockey stick with his name written on it, a lavender bandana, and a packet of flower seeds. You thanked him for it all. Leo gave you him, with a slightly sad and proud smile; it was wrapped with tender care and a bow. Taking it from him, your hands accidentally brushed against his, and a tint of hidden appeared on his cheeks quickly.
"I-I…hope you like it," he muttered hopefully.
You nod assuringly and open it; your mouth nearly drops to the floor at the lovely kimono hidden within the wrapping. It was beautiful. Your breath was snatched away at sight. You hold it up, letting it gently unfold fully. It was white as snow with green and gold leaves decorating it. You hold it up to yourself; the measurements were right. Squealing softly, proudly show it off. Twirling around each time and imaging yourself back in ancient Japan wearing it, standing atop an open hill with a gentle breeze combing through your hair under the sun's warm rays.
"Thank you! Leo!" You break from your dream, jumping on him with your arms open. "Thank you! It is lovely! I cannot wait to wear it."
Raph was next, though before you opened his, Mikey's other surprise came. He hugged you instantly, wanting to hold you, but it was quick. You let him go seconds after giving him one; Mikey's was longer and Mona's. Sadden, he let it be and took solace in your smile and your reminding time.
Renet!
"Renet!" You gasp, smiling from ear to ear, jump to hug her.
You almost knocked her over and the scepter, but she steadied herself and hugged you back. If you could produce tears, you would have. This was unexpected; she was here…you wouldn't have thought in a million years she'd come. She hugged you back with nearly equal strength. She had tears of happiness in her eyes.
"You are here!" You express, tightening your hold.
She laughed. "Yeah. Of course." She and you separated, "I love coming to see you off. It's like one of my favorite things. That and our other adventures."
Karai and a few others didn't know what she was talking about; you threw your head back and laughed. "I cannot wait. Please come and join us." You took her by the hand and led her to the others, quickly introducing her to everyone and vice versa.
Once introductions were out the way, you picked up where you left off. Raph's gift. It wasn't wrapped or in a bag or box. Instead, he gave you an envelope and asked if you could open it later. Your eyes meet with his and search them. When you found it, smiled at yourself softly and agreed. The last two, April and Kirby, Kirby had a bag, and April handed you along with a small box. You take them, opening Kirby's first, pulling out the very first book he read to you.
The flower one you were known for reading in the hall while you waited for him to come home. Your hands trembled tearfully. Nights upon nights, Kirby would ready this to you; it was the first book ever you came in contact with and the only one that put you to sleep. You always had this on your desk, and when it came time to settle in, you'd pull him into your room and have the book ready for you. Honestly, you just enjoyed the pictures and, most importantly, Kirby. The sight of the book in your hand filled you with an immeasurable about of emotions. You couldn't stop yourself from hugging it. You could Kirby's presence and every ounce of his love wrapped over it. He wouldn't be able to read to you…anymore…it was bittersweet.
Seeing you sinking into such thoughts, April cleared her throat and held her gift out to you. It was enough to bring you out, setting the book in your lap take it from her. Tempted to shake, you decide against it, take off the top of the box, and find her tanto with your name engraved in kanji. You couldn't believe it; your eyes grew twice their size. This couldn't be…why would she…Master Splinter gave it to….
Speechless, you look at April; she smirks lovingly. "Sisters always share. Right? Besides, now you have a reason to come back. I do expect that back." She chuckled, only to stop when you brought her into a hug tighter than you had ever given. However, you were careful not to hurt her.
April nearly forgot how tall you had become, nearly her height, and had to lean back a bit. She hugged you back all the same, tears in her eyes ready to fall; normally, she wouldn't to be strong for you. But she let them pour for you both.
"I love you, May. Okay?" She cried, choking on her tears that soaked your hair.
Your heart wept too, and voice cracked, "I know. I love you too, sister. I will miss you everyday Every second."
April nodded, unable to lodge the words from her throat; it pained you seeing her like this. For so long, she was always the strong one for you both; she didn't break down when it came to certain things. She was your strength and you, her shield. That's how it always was with you both. You reflect on an array of moments between you two. From the very beginning….to everything. The moment you opened your eyes and instantly you knew who she was to you. The moment she took your hand and led you to this new life. Helping you walk. Introduce you to everything. Feeding you. Helping to clothe you. Introducing you to card games. Participating with you when you copied dance moves you saw on television.
When she led you to school for the first time. Every battle the two of you faced together. Her patience with you. Your desire to throw anyone who acknowledged in hurting her. How you'd come to her aid and defend her. The training you both did. How she…she helped you see and understand what a true family was. You were going to miss the nights and times when she'd brush your hair. Every time you were injured and awoke, she was always there with a smile welcoming you back. Her proud twinkle in her eyes when you accomplished something and the same with you. Some nights you both would stay up late and talk. In her room. Your room or the rooftop. You were supposed to be a part of her; that's where your powers came from…it was connected to her.
But slowly, they faded away and turned into your own….but you could still feel her, and she could with you. The connection was still there no matter the distance. Now, you wondered if the distance would be too far?
Goodness, you didn't want it to!
Realizing this, you almost screamed inside, only to stop by April, cupping your face in her hands and touching foreheads with you. Those thoughts vanished, and you swelled up inside. Grabbing her hands, you squeeze them, she squeezes them back. Time literally froze for you and her; you felt it and the magic from it. Holding your breath, you close your eyes and enjoy the rest of the time you had with her.
Within a blink of an eye, the remainder of your party went by, and before you knew it, it was over, and Earth slowly became nothing more than a marble in the vastness of space. A hand gripped your heart and squeezed it as you watched your home and home planet fade away from the Utrom ship. Your mind produced tears trickling down your face while your eyes only acted it out. In your hand, you held paper from Raph that added to your mental tears. With your other hand, you wipe your phantom tears and swallow the longe in your throat, manage a smile.
Bishop came to your side and pulled close, even helping you wipe away your phantom tears. It was comforting, and you appreciated it. You were glad he was here; he esstiencally was the only family you had with you right now. As the ship light folded, you wondered as your surroundings wrapped and stretched around you what the others might be doing. You hope they at least ate something good.
"We are here," Bishop informs you, squeezing your shoulder.
"Okay," you force a nod and do your best to straighten yourself up.
Taking a moment to get yourself together, exit the ship with Bishop into the jungles of Xaava-Dal. The minute your skin felt its presence, your markings appeared, and hair ignited. You felt weightless and free. You could easily fly through here in euphoria. But you kept yourself grounded and made your way to the pyramid with Bishop, where the Aeons were waiting and glad to see you.
You stop and bow respectfully to them. They do the same, "Welcome."
"It is a great pleasure to see you all again," you said. Bishop came to your side.
The Aeons took a moment and studied you, "…Ah, we see it. Yes. Indeed. There is much within your physical form. Come." One extends a hand to you, "There is much the universe has to offer."
At first, you were hesitant, realizing and understanding their words, glance at your body at the markings come to see what they might really be. Closing your eyes for a moment, you felt yourself pull into the nexus and then burst in your mind, lines and more lines from where you are spread out across this vast space. Realizing this, snap your eyes open lay a hand on your heaving chest.
Did you just…what was…..casting your eyes to the stars above, millions of twinkling balls of gas and much more swam above you. Each one is different from the other. You reach a hand up and keep it there for a moment, feel a million tickling feelings upon your fingers. Tempted to close your eyes again, keep them open and bring your hand back down, taking the Aeon's.
"Shall we begin?" They asked.
"…Yes."