Author's Note:

To the Guest: Can't say you're wrong :D

Thanks a lot for reviewing!

Haste Makes…

"How do you know we're not already too late?"

Slash's words cut through the thick silence of the travelers' short break, catching everybody's attention.

Slash went on, his features visibly drawn under the moonlight.

"I mean… If the Shredder is as powerful as the legend says… Maybe…"

He gazed at the others, clearly frustrated.

"Come on, don't tell me nobody else is thinking it!"

Leonardo bit his lip. Of course he was thinking it; he couldn't stop thinking about it, but saying it out loud wouldn't help.

The scene Leonardo had witnessed kept playing again and again in his head, its details as vivid as they had been during his trance - except for the presence he had felt.

What was wrong with him? Why did he feel connected to the Shredder? Raphael was his descendant too, but Leonardo seemed to be the only one affected.

And there was this mysterious pink ray, the one that had destroyed the ice cocoon. What was it? Leonardo had never seen anyone firebend in such a way.

Splinter didn't shift from his relaxed posture as he answered Slash's question.

"We can only hope that we will be of some help. I would be surprised if the Shredder launched an attack so soon after waking up. I'd expect him to be weakened."

"He most certainly will be," April added. "Especially during the day. But tomorrow night…" She looked up at the moon. "The moon will be full, and his power at its highest. That would be the perfect time to attack."

"We will be home by then." Casey's grim features showed nothing of the easy-going man he usually was. "We'll fight alongside our people."

Leonardo wondered sadly just how helpful he was going to be. He was only at the beginning of his waterbending journey, and he knew very little about offensive moves.

Still, he was willing to do everything he could. It was the least he could do for his people and his family.

His family…

They didn't know he was coming back. It was going to be a shock to them.

What would his parents say? What would they think? Did his mother know that he hadn't left her of his own free will? And how were his little brothers going to react?

He hadn't told them goodbye, he hadn't…

"What do you think?"

The aggressive tone of that question broke Leonardo's train of thought. He raised his head to look at Slash.

"What do you mean?"

Slash's gaze was burning.

"You sure seem to know a lot about the Shredder," he said bitterly. "Didn't you just see him waking up? Maybe you could tell us what he has in mind. Because the two of you are so close, you know?"

Slash's words hit Leonardo like a punch to the face. However, the tired young waterbender was in no mood for a quarrel, and he answered as quietly as he could - although his cheeks were burning him so much it was surely visible.

"I haven't seen anything else."

"You're so useless," Slash spat right before he stood up and walked away, his heavy steps producing small clouds of sand.

I didn't ask for any of this, Leonardo wanted to yell, but he didn't think it would have convinced Slash.

So he remained where he was, feeling even more miserable than before.

Raphael couldn't believe Slash would pick a time like this to quarrel. As if they didn't need to stand united against a threat like the Shredder!

And as if Raphael wasn't worried enough about Leonardo as it was.

Learning that the Shredder, that man who had tried to take over his home two hundred years ago, killing so many of its people, was his ancestor had been a hard blow, but Raphael knew it didn't make him, Raphael, a bad person. He felt the same as ever; he still wanted to protect his home, his friends, his family.

If anything, it made it his mission even more than before.

But Leonardo's second admission? That the Shredder had been trying to influence him?

In hindsight, that was way more worrying. Raphael was frankly appalled that Leonardo had tried to carry such a burden without him.

And now Leonardo had apparently witnessed the Shredder's awakening?

Raphael glanced at his twin. Leonardo looked so lost and so sad that Raphael immediately wrapped an arm around his shoulder and reconsidered the whole united thing.

Maybe punching Slash in the face wasn't that bad an idea after all. The more Raphael thought about it, the nicer it sounded. The only drawback was that Raphael would have to move away from Leonardo, and considering the way Leonardo was leaning in Raphael's embrace he really needed the support.

Before Raphael could make up his mind, Casey stood up.

"I'll talk to him," he said simply before going after the retreating Slash.

Raphael wasn't sure how Casey intended to drill some sense into Slash, but if his friend wanted to try, he was happy to let him.

"Hey, Leo," he whispered to Leonardo. "Don't listen to Slash. He's just being a jerk."

"Is he wrong, though?" Leonardo muttered, as if for himself.

Raphael frowned. "Of course he's wrong," he emphasized." And stupid. And like I said, a jerk. Come on, Leo!"

But Leonardo didn't smile. Instead, he turned to April.

"You didn't feel it, did you? When the Shredder woke up, I mean."

"I didn't. But thanks to you, we know he did, and that's valuable information." April smiled. "Your brother is right, and if I had to guess, I'd say Slash is speaking from a place of frustration and anger. Like all of us, he's worried." She sighed. "Not that it's an excuse for his behavior."

Raphael nodded vigorously. He didn't know April very well, but he was happy that she was here for Leonardo; hopefully, she would do a better job supporting him than Splinter had.

"Yeah, about that," he began. "If I was to punch Slash, hypothetically speaking that is, would you…"

"Don't do that," Splinter warned.

"Okay," Raphael muttered.

Splinter kept gazing at him for a while, which was a little intimidating, before he spoke again.

Raphael expected him to say some version of 'We have to stay focused, we're in this together,' but it wasn't what Splinter had in mind.

"Leonardo. I have a feeling that you haven't been entirely honest with us."

Raphael's eyes widened. What was Splinter thinking? Didn't he have some comforting words for his brother, like April did? Couldn't he see how down Leonardo was feeling?

"I told you everything I saw!" Leonardo protested, just as surprised as Raphael.

"But not everything you know," Splinter added, folding his hands.

Leonardo lowered his head, and Raphael felt his brother's body tense.

Raphael stifled a sigh. Leonardo's silence was an admission, and Raphael knew it - just as he knew how much his brother hated lying. Even when it was of the utmost importance he did, like when he had to hide his waterbending abilities. Granted, Leonardo had managed rather fine for weeks; then it had gone down spectacularly when he had demonstrated his talent in front of Splinter, Yoshi and Saki.

And got himself exiled.

Without Raphael knowing.

Raphael straightened up. If he knew Leonardo at all, his brother was about to come clean.

Well, at least this time, he was right here with him.

If Leonardo could have dug a hole and hid himself inside, he would have. He felt terrible for hiding an important piece of information - that was, his link to the Shredder - from Splinter and April.

"Is it something important?" Splinter pressed. "Something that could change the course of a battle?"

Leonardo bit his lip, oblivious to how suspicious it looked. If the Shredder still looked like he had all these years ago, then people who knew his mother would acknowledge the resemblance. But would he?

It had been two hundred years, after all.

If he didn't, then nobody else had to know. If he did, though…

And Leonardo knew he wouldn't have a better opportunity before they faced whatever was waiting for them in the oasis. And he was tired of keeping secrets.

And he was tired, period.

"Maybe," he whispered to his feet.

Splinter raised an eyebrow, obviously expecting Leonardo to go on. But it was April's voice - so soft, so kind, so concerned - that was the last straw.

"Leonardo. We're worried about you."

"I think…"

Leonardo paused and glanced at Raphael. His twin looked resigned, like he knew what Leonardo was about to do and didn't approve of it - but his presence here, by his side, still gave him strength.

He went on in a more confident tone.

"No, I know. I… We… We're related to the Shredder. I could feel his presence, even though I don't know why or how it works."

He closed his eyes and waited for the upcoming storm, but all he heard was Raphael's heavy sigh.

He opened his eyes to see that neither Splinter nor April looked mad at him.

"So that's it." Splinter didn't even sound surprised. "It makes a lot of sense."

"That's it?" Raphael repeated, dumbfounded.

Leonardo was happy that his twin had taken it upon himself to do the talking, because he was speechless.

Splinter smiled. "Yes. What did you expect?"

"I don't know." Raphael blushed. "That you would resent us for being related to that monster?"

"No, of course not." Splinter watched each of the twins in turn. "You're not what your ancestors did." His face grew somber. "Although there are those who would think differently, and I understand why you would be wary of telling us, but I assure you, I wish you no harm."

"Nor do I," April added without the slightest hint of reproach in her voice.

"I know, Master Splinter, Master April," Leonardo whispered, feeling both ashamed of himself and impossibly relieved. "Sorry."

Casey and Slash came back at that moment, stopping the conversation. Slash looked something between furious and ashamed, and he didn't say a word as they all resumed their journey.

Leonardo ignored him. His heart was filled with new resolve; he didn't know what the future held for him, but he knew that he could have been in far worse company to confront it.

Karai was assessing the damage on her house when her uncle Yoshi knocked on the door.

He seemed relieved to see she was fine, and she was glad to learn her aunt and cousins were unharmed.

"I'm going to the village, see if anyone needs help," Yoshi said. Where is your father?"

Karai knew her uncle wasn't going to like her answer, therefore she made it as straightforward as she could.

"He went patrolling in the desert."

Yoshi frowned. "I see."

Karai waited for him to tell her more, but Yoshi kept quiet. She wondered whether he was as worried as her about Saki.

He's a powerful firebender, she reminded herself. He can take care of himself. He'll be fine.

"Uncle Yoshi? What's happening with Bishop?"

Yoshi averted his eyes. "I'm not supposed to tell you," he said, his tone apologetic.

"But will my father… be in danger?"

Yoshi put a hand on her shoulder. "Karai. I'm sure my brother can handle whatever danger might come his way."

Karai couldn't have been less happy with that non-answer, but finding a way to make her uncle share his knowledge wasn't a priority right now.

Not when an earthquake had just hit their home.

"I'll go with you to the village," she said. "I can help. And I want to make sure everyone is alright."

To her relief, Yoshi didn't try to talk her out of it. Maybe he was just too happy that she didn't keep asking embarrassing questions.

As soon as they arrived to the village, Karai realized how lucky she had been. Here, the houses had taken way more damage than her house; several had entirely collapsed. People were searching the rubble, looking for their missing family members.

Yoshi immediately began to organize the rescue, and Karai left him to it while she looked for the injured.

They were gathered in the village's square. People were building fires to warm them. To Karai's surprise, none of them seemed to be firebending.

"Where are the firenbenders?" she asked.

One of the villagers sighed. "Those who aren't with Master Saki have gone down in the wells in order to melt the water."

Karai's eyes widened. "The water is frozen?"

The villager nodded once, his face grim.

"Yes."

Karai's heart beat faster. Something like this had to mean that… Had to mean that…

That her father was in way more danger than she had thought.

In the hours that followed, Karai tended to the wounded and offered blankets and warm drinks to the newly homeless people. The activity helped her to avoid thinking about what must have happened. She couldn't have talked about it with the other villagers anyways, as only the firebenders were supposed to know about the Shredder's existence in the first place.

She was getting really tired when a familiar voice made her turn around in shock.

"Karai! Are you alright?"

"Angel? What are you doing here?"

"We came to help. It's not as bad in my hometown."

"Maybe because it's more… you know, far away," Karai whispered, glancing left and right to make sure nobody was listening to their conversation. "Is the water frozen in your town too?"

Angel nodded, her face grim.

"Bradford is here," she told Karai. "He brought most of the firebenders from our part of the oasis with him. I don't know what Bishop had in mind, but it looks like we have to assume the worst."

"Yes." Karai bowed her head to hide her face. "I know."

Angel watched her carefully. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"My father went into the desert," Karai whispered. "I hope he'll be safe."

Without a word, Angel put an arm around her shoulders and squeezed.

"He's nowhere to be found, Sir."

Saki hid the displeasure that the news brought him. To be completely honest, the fact Bishop wasn't here made him uneasy. Had he left of his own free will, or was he lost somewhere?

The absence of his men hinted at the first hypothesis, but Saki was reluctant to condemn the man without further proof.

They had arrived at the camp set up by Bishop maybe an hour ago, and had searched it thoroughly before coming to the conclusion that it had been deserted. The area was surprisingly undisturbed; either the earthquake hadn't hit here, or it had been less powerful than in the oasis.

If only Bishop had kept a few of our people to work here, Saki thought. Then I would have witnesses.

"What do we do, Sir?"

Saki considered his options. It was obvious that something had happened here, something that involved powerful waterbending, or the water in the oasis wouldn't have frozen.

Therefore, Saki assumed Bishop had somehow woken the Shredder up. Had he melted the ice cocoon? Considering how the former workers had described it, Saki would have expected that to take more time, even for a powerful firebender like Bishop.

And then, what had happened? Had Bishop managed to control the Shredder, like he had intended? Was it the reason why the earthquake had stopped?

In that case, where was he?

Saki glanced eastwards. The first light of dawn caressed his face, making him more comfortable about going through with his plan.

"You, and you," he said, pointing at two firebenders. "Go back to the oasis and tell the others the camp is deserted. The rest of you, follow me. And stay on your guard."

He made for the tunnel entrance, fully conscious of the danger that waited for them inside. He wasn't foolish enough to enter it, not when he was leading a reckon mission.

Of course, he intended to defend his oasis with everything he had, and he knew the other firebenders felt the same. But he prided himself in being audacious, not reckless. Confronting the Shredder on his own ground would give the enemy the advantage.

Saki stopped in front of the tunnel entrance. When they had first arrived, he had sent a fireball inside to check for any human presence; it had only shown that the tunnel was deserted.

He sent another fireball, just to make sure that it was still the case. He then motioned for his warriors to move forward.

"Collapse the entrance," he ordered.

Saki watched them as they attacked the props with their firebending. Once that would be done, they would keep watch and wait for reinforcements. By then, the whole oasis must have noticed that the water had been frozen. Bradford might be an idiot, he couldn't ignore that.

So reinforcements would come, and then they could decide on a strategy. Saki was in favor of a siege. The Shredder was a waterbender, not an earthbender. Sooner or later he would need to leave this place to eat, and then they would attack.

The props had almost been burnt enough to collapse when it happened. One second they were all here, and the next one of the firebenders had disappeared, as if swallowed by the tunnel.

It had been so fast that Saki didn't immediately process it. Then a distant yell and the sound of a body hitting water echoed inside the tunnel.

"Stop!" Saki shouted.

"Look!" one of the less experienced firebenders yelled, panic in his voice.

He was pointing at something on the tunnel's ground. Saki moved forwards to get a better look at it.

It was a vine of water, ready to coil around another firebender's foot. Saki dismissed it with a flash of fire.

The tunnel was still deserted as far as he could see. He had never heard of a waterbender able to use his bending at such a distance and without eye contact, but he was not fighting any waterbender.

And now the Shredder had taken one of his men. An unforgivable mistake, as Saki wasn't the kind of leader who left people behind.

"Turtle Formation!" he yelled. "Behind me!"

The firebenders immediately obeyed. With swift moves, they gathered in a compact group and surrounded themselves with hot fire.

Saki nodded. That way, any water vine would evaporate before it could reach them.

He led the warriors down the tunnel, one step at a time. So far he didn't see anything suspicious; his man had purely and simply vanished.

The only sounds he heard were his troop's footsteps and heavy breaths. As they moved further downwards, sand was replaced by rock and the props became rarer.

It had been at least two hundred feet when the tunnel changed direction. Instead of going down, it was now going up.

Then Saki heard a new sound - the sound of water flowing.

He realized his mistake too late. They were now below the Shredder's level, which meant he could use gravity to his advantage.

"Retreat!" Saki yelled.

But the water was already engulfing them, extinguishing the flames.

Saki tried firebending, and was satisfied to note that his fireball lasted a few feet before it disappeared. He could still defend himself, at least at close range.

He had never learned how to swim, but the current was pushing them towards the exit. They didn't have to fight it. Soon they would be outside, and…

The current abruptly stopped, and Saki realized with horror that the water was freezing around him. He fought desperately to prevent the ice from engulfing his body, but the cold was so strong… So strong…

How? Saki thought. How does he still have so much power, after so long? He should be weakened. He should…

The cold was reaching his heart. Saki fought desperately to keep what little warmth he had left, but it was a lost battle.

Right before he lost consciousness, he saw a face smiling at him. It was so emaciated it looked like a skull; and its smile was more freezing than the ice around Saki.

"Fight, little firebender," the Shredder whispered. "Don't give up, and maybe you'll survive long enough to see me slaughter your dear family."

Then Saki's world went black.