Ch.7: The Trial

Back in the Nexus, the Lady Daimyo was aware of the growing chaos happening back down on Earth. She could sense the pulsations of the Oni's evil energy, and knew that the demon lord Kavaxas had to be behind the plot.

A shame…Long ago, dragons were seen as great protectors of the land, until a few became corrupted and started taking out their evil upon mankind. There was no choice but to seal them away in a different dimension, where their fires of hate could slowly burn forever in the dark.

The fabric between realities were starting to fray now however, and soon a terror even darker than the Shredder would be unleashed. The monstrosity that Saki had unleashed just now was only the fatal first step.

"In order for the world to truly be saved" thought the Lady Daimyo " these two must pass the test."

Finally, after minutes of walking, the Lady Daimyo stopped and informed the other two that they had arrived. Raphael and Karai immediately gazed around, taking note of where they were.

A giant stone door stood in front of them with a divide down the middle, kept in place by a large, red jewel. Ancient symbols covered the entire door, speaking a dead tongue that had been lost to the winds of time.

"What is this place?" asked Raphael.

"Where your test shall be" spoke the Lady Daimyo " None of you know how important your destinies are to the future. This is why Karai will be given a second chance, and you Raphael, will have a chance to atone for your sins."

"The world right now is being transformed" she continued " into a place where demons will thrive. This horror must be stopped, but the true threat rises after the creature's defeat. You must be prepared to face it when the time comes."

"What do you mean?" asked Karai "What's going to happen to Earth?"

"A horror that should have been extinct a hundreds of years ago" said the Lady Daimyo " Now enter."

With that said, the door slowly opened up, revealing a portal to beyond.

"Wait, both of us?" said Raphael " Why do I have to take this test?"

"You would rather I had left you to your fate?" said the Lady Daimyo " Do not let your guilt embrace you Raphael. Embrace the light. Your compassion shall set you free. Go now, and be wary of the whispers in the dark."

Seeing like they had no other choice, Raphael and Karai stepped into the swirling light, disappearing in the mist. Once they were gone, the Lady Daimyo closed the door, sealing them within.

The crisis on Earth was growing worse now. Even without the Turnstone to aid her, the Lady Daimyo could still sense everything that was happening down below.

Right now, Casey and Slash were trying to stop the Oni before it consumed all of New York, while Leonardo tried to focus his attention on the fight, instead of worrying of where the Shredder and Splinter had disappeared.

"Saki," hissed the Lady Daimyo to herself, before her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by Ninjara's scream.

Worried about the kitsune, the Lady Daimyo instantly ran to see what was wrong. When she finally arrived in the Turnstone Chamber, she was horrified to see Ninjara laying passed out on the floor, and Lord Dregg standing over her, with the Turnstone in his hands.


Meanwhile, inside of the Trial, Raphael quickly found himself separated from Karai.

"Where am I?" thought Raph, trying to get a bearing to where he was.

Whatever the place seemed to be it was absolutely volcanic. Laced with rivers of boiling rock, exploding along solid paths, that stood out like black bones against a bright splat of blood.

Picking a direction to go, Raphael started to walk, and soon noticed that were other noises to be heard besides the magma bubbling around him. It sounded like screams, a screech, a child crying in distress.

Instincts kicking in, Raphael immediately ran towards the noise, and stopped in shock when he saw a baby turtle being attacked by a trio of feathered beasts.

The baby turtle was small, pink, and cute, with pointed spikes growing out of the back of its shell. It might of just hatched and wandered away from the nest . The vultures started attacking because it was an easy kill.

Except the little one didn't make it so easy. For some reason Raph didn't know, the baby turtle could breathe fire, and tried to fight off his attackers as best he could.

"He still won't last long though" thought Raph " Not unless I help."

Drawing out his sais, Raphael immediately sprinted out to the little turtle's defense, slashing at the vultures with his blades, and sending the creatures screaming back further into the air.

Scooping up the little turtle in his arms, Raphael gave one last slash and tried to run, before his progress was suddenly stopped by a dark figure in a black mask.

"Hand over the turtle" said the figure " the creature is my prize."

"How about you just try it freak!" said Raphael, and began to attack.


Meanwhile, in another part of the Trial, Karai found herself wondering around alone in the dark. She had no idea where Raphael is, or where she was. What was this test she was supposed to take?

Finally, as if to answer her, a light illuminated the darkness, and Karai could make out the image young, teenage boy crying in front of stone shrine.

"They aren't my family! They aren't my clan! How many other lies have I been told!"

"Saki!" called out a voice " It is time to come in for supper."

And that's when Karai suddenly realized who the little boy was. Oroku Saki. Her false father.