Stephen was sweating while the doctor was treating him.

"Try to be still." he said.

"I am..." he said but then winced in pain as he placed a leaf on his head. However, pain was now bearable. Not gone, but bearable.

"Thank you, colleague." he said and patted the doctor on the shoulder, and got up. "And thank you, too."

Jake Sully nodded. "I am glad I could help."

"Yet," Neytiri added, "not everyone else thinks so."

Stephen and Turtles looked around, noticing how surrounding humans and Na'vi were looking at them, with a mix of fear and anger. Deathstroke was still tied in a golden rope, but was guarded by two Na'vi warriors, just in case.

"So?" Jake Sully asked, Mo'at, Neytiri and a few other human and Na'vi leaders sitting around them, waiting. "Tell us then: why should we spare the man who wanted me killed? You five deserve to live, but I have no reason to believe he does."

"It's not about deserve." Donnie said. "It's about need."

"And what is this need?" Mo'at asked.

Stephen and Turtles looked at each other. "Should we tell them?" he asked them.

Mikey frowned. "Ya know, we kinda owe it to them."

"We appeared here out of nowhere." Donnie said. "Threatened their peace, disturbed them."

"Even angered their goddess, apparently." Raph added.

"They should know." Leo was decisive. "Remember what Uatu told us: 'Don't play games with them.'"

Stephen sighed, in frustration and confusion. He looked back at their hosts. "Please: only the most trusted people you have can know this."

"We are all trustworthy." the Na'vi from the group said.

"All of us." a human added.

"If you are going to tell us this," Neytiri spoke, "then everyone here must know. The entire tribe."

Stephen bit his tongue. "Then I...we must have you promise us this: what we are about to tell you will not leave this place. Only people present here, human or Na'vi, can know about this and no one else. No one will speak any of this."

"Deal." Neytiri and Jake Sully said at the same time, with everyone else present nodding.

"Well then," Stephen said, "this will be a bit complicated."

And Stephen started to explain them the Multiverse. He was as brief, yet clear as possible. He left out some things: difference between cyclical and parallel universes, various rules of the Multiverse, his and Turtles' personal experience with it and the rest. Mikey would try to add something, but his brothers would cut him off, stating it's not necessary to know. However, Stephen said the most important things and didn't hide them: Multiverse is real, it is in chaos and it has to be fixed.

At the mention of displaced variants throughout the Multiverse, Neytiri and Jake Sully exchanged a surprised look, but didn't say anything until Stephen was finished.

At the end, Stephen sighed a sigh of relief and he and the Turtles stared at everyone around them, anxious about what they will hear. For a few moments, the only sound was that of Deathstroke chuckling, but the guards silenced him.

"Impossible." Mo'at said.

"Prepostrous." a human scientist said.

"These must be lies, Olo'eyktan." a Na'vi guard beside them said. "To make themselves appear good."

"I don't know." another human scientist said. "In our scientific research, Multiverse is a valid theory."

"You got no idea, friend." Donnie said.

"It is a crazy theory." the previous scientist said. "There is no evidence for it."

Mikey coughed. "Uh, my lady, hello? I believe we count as evidence."

"We should get rid of them." the guard said, but Neytiri raised her hand.

"It does sound crazy." Neytiri said. "Ridiculous and insane. So insane only a fool would try to use it as a defense. They would know we wouldn't believe them: so why would they tell us this if they didn't believe it is true?"

"So not liars, but lunatics instead." the Na'vi guard said. "That could be even worse."

"Do they look insane to you?" Neytiri asked him. Then she turned to her mate. "Jake?"

Jake was stroking his chin, considering. "I believe you. But others do not and we cannot let him free if not all of us agree. Do you have any evidence?"

Stephen shook his head. "I could've shown you, if your goddess hadn't weakened my powers!"

"That's it!" Leo said, gaining everyone's attention. "That's the proof."

"What is the proof?" Mo'at asked.

"If we were from this universe," he started, "especially if Stephen was, your goddess would have no reason to weaken his powers. But we are not. Stephen has a foreign power, found neither on your Earth nor on Pandora, and that is why she marked him."

"Is it proof?" Mo'at asked. "You could simply be from a third world, not from the Outside."

Raph scoffed. "Yeah, because he totally looks like a pinkskin frog, doesn't he? I mean, look at him, a piece of sewer junk, no human at all, right?"

Stephen glared at him. "You really wanted to say that, didn't you?"

"Well, two birds with one stone."

"It is what it is," a human scientist said. "He is human. But not one of us."

"We are not certain of that."

"There is only one way to settle this." Jake Sully stood up. "Come with us. We will bring you to the Tree of Souls."

They looked surprised at one another, but stood up, following everyone. After some time, they came upon a sight to behold: a huge, giant willow tree, surrounded by water, shinning bright with purple and blue color. It was one of the most beautiful things Leo has ever seen. Light reflecting in all of their eyes, it shined so bright they thought it will blind them, but it didn't. By themselves, they approached the tree, while the rest of the Na'vi and humans stood away.

"This is so beautiful I would cry." Raph commented.

"Please do, bro." Mikey patted him on the shoulder, staring at the tree astonished. "It's okay."

Leo looked at the leaves and raised his hand trying to touch it, but then put it down.

"Touch it." Mo'at said to them.

Stephen looked at her. "We can?"

"You should." Jake Sully said. "This tree is Eywa's: she will decide if you are right or wrong."

In that moment, tree was terrifying rather than beautiful. Stephen and Turtles stared at each other, terrified and back at the Na'vi. Mikey swallowed and touched the tree first. Others did the same, Leo praying harder than ever before that this will work.

Then, everything faded and again, everything exploded in light. Beautiful light of blue and purple color filling everything with its warmth. It was comforting and friendly, filling Leo's heart and mind with peace. With peace that Splinter talked about so much.

Inner peace, he heard his father's voice. But instead of sorrow, Leo was filled with memory and joy, remembering every moment spent with Splinter. He felt as if he was there, with Splinter. His brothers were there too, together with their father.

When it was over, he didn't feel disappointment, but still happiness. He and his brothers smiled.

Leo turned to the humans and the Na'vi and they all had their mouths open agape. Leo turned back and saw: a light was emiting from Stephen's hand, the mark on his wrist shinning as bright as a star. It was growing brighter, and brighter, until it was the greatest source of light outside of the tree. And then, it was gone. And so was the mark. Stephen's wrist was clean. Jake Sully and Neytiri stepped forth, to see what happened.

Then, Stephen conjured up a spell and belts of light formed on his hands, rings dancing in harmony. He conjured up a portal and was gone, only to appear in the group of gathered Na'vi and humans. They all stepped back, terrified, but quickly realized he was not going to hurt them. Stephen was chuckling the entire time and looked at Neytiri and Jake Sully, who were both startled. He once again showed them his clean wrist.

"Looks like she said yes." he said and raised his eyebrows.

"Wow." was all Mikey could say in return.

Everyone started murmuring among themselves, but stopped as soon as Jake Sully and Neytiri approached Stephen.

"It is true?" Jake Sully repeated.

"Well, hell yes, giant!" Raph said. "We have been telling you that the whole time!"

Jake Sully looked at Neytiri, who nodded. "Come wih us." she said and both of them walked away. Surprised, but curious, Stephen and Turtles caught up to them.

Instead of going deeper into the forest, they entered scientific labs. The room they entered was black in color and near its entrance was a huge table of buttons and mechanics, a heaven for Donnie. In front of these things, Donnie was just like Mikey.

"I can't believe this!" Donnie hugged the table. "Is this the highly upgraded version of the smart table?"

"I don't know, Donatello," Raph asked. "Is it?"

"Yes it is!"

"Good grace!" Mikey hugged the table. "All kinds of games can be played on this!"

"It is not for games." Leo said, pointing at the huge table just beside it, connected to the smart table by tubes and machinery. And on that table was a half-naked man, hybernating with a mask fo breathing.

Leo and Donnie slowly approached the man, with Stephen too, observing him.

"We found him just two nights before you appeared." Neytiri said, laying a hand on the man. "We had no idea who he was, but he was on the brink of death, so we brought him here."

Stephen laid a hand on his chest. There were no moves. "How...?"

"He seems unresponsive." the human scientist said. "But his vital signs are positive. He is alive. Barely, but he is."

"But he hasn't awoken?"

"No."

Donnie and Stephen both took a look at him. He seemed human. He really did. There was nothing strange about him, at least physically. But he didn't feel human.

"We know what you think." a scientist said. "We have examined him almost thoroughly. Biologically, he is nearly identical to humans. There are a few differences. Strange, but few and slight."

"Nearly identical?" Donnie said.

"Maybe," Mikey placed himself in the middle, clearing his voice, "he is some kind of mutant!"

"Could be." Stephen said, to their surprise. "I met some of them on my travels. They are no exactly humans. Next evolutionary stage of them, if Uatu was right."

"Buddy," Raph asked, "do we mean the same thing when we say mutant?"

"He is not a mutant." the scientists commented. "Of any kind. We made research."

"In four-three nights?" Donnie said. "On a living, but asleep being?"

"Uhm, yes?" scientists answered. "Our technology and methods are advanced enough.

Donnie almost squealed. "I think I love this place."

"No, we can't stay here, Donnie." Leo said. Mikey bent to pick up something from the ground, but Leo hit him in the head. "And we are not taking anything either." Mikey frowned.

"He is not from our world." Neytiri said while Stephen was still observing the man. "And neither is he from Earth."

"At least our Earth." Jake Sully commented. "Could he be another of those you mentioned?"

Stephen glared at the man and said nothing for a few moments. He looked confused.

"Uh, Strange?" Leo asked. "So, is he one of them."

"What? Oh, yes he is. It's just...something is..." he glanced at him again. "Nevermind." he looked back at Neytiri and Jake Sully. "He is one of those we are looking for."

"Good." Sully said and nodded to others. They approached the man.

"Be careful with him." Stephen said, as they started unbinding him from the table.

"Don't worry." Neytiri said. "They know what they are doing."

Mikey looked at the man too. "That guy looks like he is not well."

"He doesn't have breath, Mikey." Leo commented. "What did you expect?"

"We should get to a clear terrain." Donnie said to their hosts. "Only there can we open the portal."

"Otherwise, it could suck you in as well." Stephen added.

"I know a place." Jake Sully said. "The Hallelujah Mountains. There are many of them, clean and empty on the top. That is where you could go."

The Five stared at each other.

"Is that those flying mountains?" Donnie asked, surprised when Neytiri nodded.

"What?" Raph wondered. "How do you expect us to reach that?"

Jake Sully smiled.


The banshees yelled in the air, but that was nothing compared to Raph's yelling, which was so loud. He was clinging close to Leo and Jake Sully, hugging his brother from behind.

"Please Leo, tell we're there yet!"

"Not yet, but we will be soon." Jake Sully said, bored. "Your brother is not that tough, I see?"

"Deep inside, he's very gentle." Leo smirked.

"I'll show you who's..." Raph started, but the banshee flew down all of a sudden and he started screaming again. "Don't leg me go, Leo!"

Leo sighed.

"YES!" Mikey yelled in excitement, holding onto the animal and feeling the wind slap him all the time. "Woohoo! Dream come true! I am riding a pterodactyl!" he was almost hit by a branch flying around. "I mean, you're riding, dude." he patted the Na'vi rider. Remembering he glanced at Deathstroke, tied behind him. "What do you think, angry face?" Deathstroke cursed and spat at the beast bellow him.

Donnie and Stephen were on a third banshee, with Neytiri as the rider, and the two of them taking care of the second man, who now only wore an oxygen mask and was bound with ropes to the animal.

"Is this really safe for him?" Donnie asked.

"Don't be worried." Neytiri said. "Arzo has carried more than one person before. He can take it." She patted her mount. "He is bigger even than his sister was."

Donnie and Stephen stared at her. "We talked about him."

"Hmm?" she realized. "Oh, don't worry. He will be alright." and she violently flew up, so much that Stephen and Donnie held one another to not fall.

The flying mountain was finally seen, green and egg-shaped. To the Na'vi it was a common sight, but to Stephen and Turtles it was still something they couldn't believe they were seeing. Like a myth or a movie coming to life. Even though he was on Titan and saw many wondrous things there and in other universes, like Earth-838, this was still magnificent.

This would be a nice place to live in, wouldn't it, Christine?

Then, his thoughts travelled elsewhere.

They finally landed on the top of the mountain, banshee hitting the ground harder than the car after a sudden stop. They all dismounted happily, except for Raph.

"You could have just teleported us here!" he yelled at Stephen.

"I could." he helped Donnie carry the man. "But it wouldn't have been fun."

"Fun! I'll show you..."

"Raphael, please," Stephen said kindly, "be useful and," he left the man in Raph's hands, the turtle almost collapsing because of the man's weight. "don't be a spoiled brat."

Raph's face twisted in only slight anger, twisting worse when Mikey sneaked in. "You got roasted."

In return, Raph slapped him. "Be useful!" he said. Mikey just frowned and helped him carry the man.

"Should've told you not to be a goathole too."

They all stood in the center of the mountain, preparing to say their goodbyes.

"Thank you for your help." Stephen shook hands with Neytiri and Jake Sully.

"And," Leo offered his hand too, "forgive us for making trouble."

"We were glad to help." Jake Sully said. "If this was so important."

"It was." Stephen said. "Very important. You helped us save all of existence with this. The entire Cosmos owes you."

"No, we owed help to the Cosmos." Neytiri said. "This was the least we could do in return."

"Farewell, then." Jake Sully said. "Maybe we will meet again one day."

"I hope not." Stephen said. And then he noticed everyone staring at him. "I mean, not because of you yourselves, you are all good, but because of, you know, Multiverse and..." he sighed. "Just...I wish you happiness."

"We wish it to you as well." Neytiri placed a hand on his shoulder. "Good luck, Protectors of all Life."

Stephen and Leo both raised their eyebrows at that.

"Well, that sounds good." Donnie said.

"Goodbye, guys." Mikey said. "It was fun."

The Na'vi present nodded while Turtles bowed their heads in respect. Then, the Na'vi mounted their beasts and flew up, leaving them alone on the top of the mountain. They all left out a sigh of relief.

"Protectors of all Life." Stephen repeated. "Never thought of it, but it kind of makes sense, no?"

"Yeah, that does sound good." Mikey frowned. "Too bad I haven't come up with that."

"Don't be sad, Mikey." Leo said, all happy and lightened up, pointing towards Deathstroke. "You can still make a name for these guys."

"I am not a dog to be named by you!" Deathstroke hissed.

"Truly." Stephen said. "Dogs are nicer."

They all gathered in a circle, Leo and Raph taking care of the man, with Mikey keeping Deathstroke down. "Well, this wasn't so hard." Mikey said.

"Yeah." Donnie added. "It was actually kind of fun, when you think about it."

Stephen was about to remind them they almost suffocated the moment they appeared here, but he just waved away.

"Agree." Leo said. "I bet they're all gonna be easy from now on."

"Please don't ruin it, Leo."

"Too late." Stephen said, preparing to open the portal. "He jinxed."

"Oh, come on guys." Leo complained. "Am I the only one optimistic here?"

"I am optimistic too!"

"There you go!" Leo offered him a high three.

"What a company you have." Stephen smirked and they all pressed the symbol of the Cosmos on their gloves. They waited a few seconds, and suddenly, wind started to flow harder, more violent and powerful. The leaves on the wind started forming in a huge circle, gathering like soldiers on a command.

Earth shook in a moment. Fire burned and water flowed around them. Even sound started to change, the nature forming an intonation, a music.

A light exploded. They all stepped back, fighting to hold their ground. The light dots in the air quickly spread, until they gained shape, forming a doorway. A portal. Just like first time, thousands of worlds flashed in that doorway, but the world around them started to fade.

The portal started pulling not just them, but all around them. Nothing entered it yet, but it was forcing itself on everything.

"Strange!" Leo yelled. "What's the matter with you? Bring it to us!"

"I..." Stephen tried to say, but the portal, in one moment, pushed him away. "It is too strong! I can't hold it! It...hurts!"

"Well I bet it will hurt more if you don't just do it immediately!" Donnie yelled.

Stephen tried to grab the invisible, magical threads that weaved the portal into existence, but they were wild and powerful. They didn't obey him. They wouldn't submit to him. They treated him like an agressor and fought back. And boy did they do it well.

"Just pull the portal already?!" Raph yelled.

"You have no idea what I am going through now!" he yelled back.

He grabbed the threads again. He barely reached them. The portal moved nearer only by a few steps, but was not far anymore.

"Jump!" Stephen yelled at them.

Mikey hugged even Deathstroke to hold himself down. "Are you insane?!"

"JUST DO IT!" he yelled with all his voice. At that command, Stephen and Turtles, holding Deathstroke and the man, jumped as far as they could.

The portal illuminated a huge light, hotter than the sun and then it was gone.

And they were gone with it.

End of the first journey:)

It was very short and straightforward, yes. But I wanted to make it more light and digestible in the beginning. As Strange and Turtles go on more adventures, they will be getting longer and harder.

The direct continuation of this will be in the next chapter of Strange Turtles fanfic. From now on, whenever Turtles return to the Sanctum, it will be a new chapter in that story. Thought that would be much simpler than making a new short story every moment.

Thank you for reading and tell me where would you like to see Strange and Turtles go next!:)