"Ack!" A voice of protest was muffled out.
"Will you quite doing that." He hissed back. Mike pulled the blanket up farther, not completely, keeping his eyes trained on Donatello.
"It's too hot in here." Don seethed to himself. He didn't have time to coddle little Mike right now. Raph had woken them up early to go, and made him the one to pull the stretcher while he walked ahead. So extra tired he had to pull more than 200 pounds around in wild rains in the dark and play nursemaid for Mike. First it was the loss of Leo that set him off, so they covered him in the blanket before they set off. That way he wouldn't catch cold. And wouldn't bother them with insessent talk. It didn't stop him. Then it was the flooding waters. How they splashed his feet sometimes. Now he couldn't stop fiddling with the blanket. A dozen times already he had had to repremand him.
"If you want to get sick Mike, fine." Mike wiped the water off his head but didn't pull the blanket back. Raphaels fiery glow was disapearing ahead of them. Talking was slowing them down. He went back to pull the blanket up himself.
"Hey look!" Mike grabbed his hand before he could, looking skyward. The clouds above were starting to disperse. Don took his hand back and watched sunlight break through. Raphael returned to them, making a comment about daylight. The rain was thinning out, Raphs orange aura died out with it. The darkness was begining to fade. Mike gave the blanket a weak shake and folded it over his stomach. "Storms over." He announced, as if he had won something.
"Looks like." Raph watched the clouds as they peeled back. The red-orange light of dawn touched everything as they did, turning the city the color of pale oranges. Water in the street looked soft and playful with glimmering spots of carmine. Don stuck his foot out in the cold of the water to see color run over his toes.
"Coooool." Mike reached his hand up from the shadows to see it turn strange shades of olive, orange reflecting off his nails. He bent his fingers too see the changing shade.
"Dawns breaking." Raphael crossed his arms. Don turned to look at him, shifting his shoulders to keep a cramp out of his back. His stomach was feeling a little queasy.
"What's wrong." He asked. Mike smiled and closed his eyes, laying back to soak in some rays. Raph shrugged.
"I don't know. Something." All of a sudden they each lurched, as if an anvil had exploded somewhere inside them. Don watched in horror as the city filtered to black. Turned to negatives, solarized. His eyes strained to keep up, giving him a headache. It seemed as if everything was in focus. Tunnel vision was kicking in. It made the sides of his head ache.
Things began to wobble like shaken sheet metal. Noises howled in his ears and bombarded his eyes as if he could see them. He shut his eyes tight and shook the noise from his head. He couldn't let go of Mike, and that's all he knew. Raph grabbed his shoulders. He could feel the fire smoldering him. It added to the confusion and made him lose his senses for a time.
It was a crucial time at that. When the disorienting howls and shaking knees receded enough for them to open their eyes they found dry floors. White gilded colums of fine stone. A silver trimmed white carpet walkway, thin as paper, rich as silk...
Mike moaned as his head stopped spinning. His stomach was still swimming, and didn't bode well with the rest of him. He attempted a whistled to express himself, but didn't finish. He dropped his head on the cot, making Don fidget to keep balance.
"What is this place." Raphael asked his somber driness, his hand releasing Dons shoulder. They surveyed the room together, uncertain whether to even move or not. Mike turned his head side to side to see what he could as well. "Sensei...." Don heard whispered. He jerked his head over in the direction of Raphaels in anticipation.
Master Splinter, dressed in full robe, sat upon a gigantic throne up at the front of the room. Seated beside him was Jimmy, looking rather nauseated himself. Their faces were tired and sallow in the light. Splinter was silent with acceptance as he looked down at his children. His deep ruddy brown fur was thin and had been brushed in such a way to make it look thicker. The fine white robe he wore hung down over his claws, bulging out over his feet and hands. A golden bronze crown sat on the arm of the chair.
Their eyes lite with satisfaction and relief, Mike called his name and tried to roll to his feet. Dons hand pushed his shoulder back down. The sai were drawn. Mike struggled to hear, turned the wrong way he couldn't see much of anything. Crisp clacks of hard soled shoes made a well excecuted descent from the thrones steep staircase. It took almost 30 seconds for them to completely the march to the ground level, snapping together at the heels. The breathing was timed, and had never varied for procession down the steps.
The wobbling began again. It had focused itself away from them, making a smaller space contort and burst with currents. It shrunk and expanded several times before steadying itself. Black volts pulsed around the space, sparking inside like hot oil. Six pairs of eyes watched. With a descisive howl the currents shrunk into the white space, taking a form on the floor.
Before the globes were finished disipating Erika was rubbing the back of her neck. She had snapped it when she hit the ground. There was no sound as she looked around. As her eyes followed the carpet lead up to her brother, Splinter, down to Nikira where she shrunk back, and over to the turtles. She sat up on her knees and pressed her fingers against her chest, looking at them with an almost curiousness in her eyes. Mike let go his breath and rested his head on the bar of the stretched to keep an eye on her.
With a twist of the wrist it began all over again. Water coursed over the dark volts and splattered over the ground. It fought against the spacial transfer for a long time as it was brought through, leaving a spreading puddle on the floor. There was an interested arch in Splinters eyebrow as his oldest son came through with young lady Lita wrapped tightly in his arms. She peeked out over his shoulder and looked up at him. He turned around as she whispered to him, his arms sliding around her waist, keeping her close against him. They looked up to him, sitting on his ill sized throne. He wondered if they caught the tears trapped in his fur. His sons had come. He thought he caught a bow of the head by Lita. So little one, discovering your roots are you.
"Here at last." Nikira let his voice boom. He had awaited this day for 65 million and 16 years. Anticipating since the day they let that knocked up ancient-wannabe run away with her cohorts. Even if Tatakai wasn't here, the anniversary was still as sweet as ever. "You just don't know how long I've been waiting." He hissed, taking steps toward them. The blue turtle pushed the elemental behind him and drew a sword. He wanted to defend her. How sweet. That must be the infamous Leonardo of Perothe. This could be amusing. Wait, not yet. He stopped in his tracks. There was more pressing business at hand. But first. "Drop your weapon, child." His lip curled itself into a sneer. Leonardo only turned it to the side. That malevolent glint was in his eye, just as the first time he had bared his swords to him. Oh, the repugnance. In the corner he saw other weapons being drawn. They didn't concern him now. He would bring some knights in to fight them later anyway.
Raising his hand forward to demostrate his own power, he touched each finger in to the palm of his hand. Each nail pressed against skin and gave a small pulse. The blade began tarnishing black. Dark fire was burning it's way out, though no one could see it besides him. The thing was only steel. There wasn't even any magic stone affixed to it. Pitiful as a donkeys ass. The metal disapated into the air, leaving a lose hilt in the tight hand. It lowered just so.
In the air dark flame spirits hovered after devoring the metal. It occured to him to send them into the Advisor. Inhabit his soul. It was a wonderful idea to play with this unfit mortal. A quirk played in the corner of his eyes.
The swish of a light breeze carried the spirits away, dispersing harmlessly in the upper rafters of the throne room. But no one appeared to have noticed. Nikira cocked his head to send a nasty look the way of the windy girl. Had she any strength of character, in his opinion, she might've actually glared at him. Instead she looked quite blank, and a little scared without another person to validate her efforts. It didn't matter though. She didn't matter.
"Your young highness, please come stand with me." He let his words bite, and looked intensely at the sister girl. He hoped her imagination ran wild with her. Maybe rile her up. He would not see this morning pass without a worthy battle. "Stand now."
Shuffling footsteps began. The prince was on his way down. All eyes were on him now. These people were naive enough to let him continue his play, expecting him to make some opening remark to begin combat. Their honor got in the way of practicality. It would cost them at least one life.
Prince Idola reached his side after some time of clomping along on his injured leg. He was looking up at him with frightened and scornful eyes. Unkempt locks of dirt colored hair hung in his face dispite grooming. It was laughable now to consider these two were once confused for brothers. Brothers indeed. His crown had fallen to the side on his small head. This was only a pauper. What a wreck the rulers of Delphus had fallen to. A pauper heir. A king rat. Protection of the greater universe was left to turtles and school girls. This must be some sort of punishment.
Nikira drew the Prince Sword with the flick of his wrist, snapping it smartly against the side of Idolas head. He saw how they all jumped, ready to bit his head off. They had not lost everything, had they. He closed his eyes with a smirk and lifted the rim of the crown with the blade. It settled comfortably on his head. Quickened pulse traveled through it and up his sword, into his hand. He let his breath out slow through his nose. His sword gripped hand moved over to sit on the back of the hot neck. He looked between each of those who faced him now. They had frozen again. Waiting were they not, in dreadful anticipation for just a signal to begin. It was honor. And honor was for fools. Maybe Tatakai was a fool. If it was not for him, this would have been finished long ago. He never forgot. This unpleasantness could have been avoided.
"Fools!" Lifting his hand up, the weight of the sword dropped down and he aquired a new grip on the hilt. Giving it just enough pressure the blade inserted itself through the vestments, and into the back of Idola. He gave a delicious squeak and twitch. The tip emerged through his chest, with a bold but tight rip of the shirt.
Simply holding the grip the pierced prince slid off gracefully in descent. Sister girl jumped forward to catch him in his outstretched arms. He was already quiving with shock. Nikira tossed the sword by their side and back up the stairs. The boy was gathered up into her lap, already being staining a deep red of blood. She coddled him and pressed his head to her chest, whispering sweet words in his hair. What was she doing? These mortal emotions eluded him to this day.
"Come no-" The hothead of Raphael of Cannon felt no need for invitations. He lept with a battle cry, daggers positioned at his sides. His outburst sparked a match for his brothers. They each tensed their muscles to prepare for a flying leap as well. This must be dealt with swift action, before all these idiot ninjas smother me.
Raphael cried out as he dropped from flight, jolting the rest of his party to a stop. He clutched his face in his hands, doubled over on his knees. The sai hanging in his hands waivered, caught in the crook of his thumb.
Leonardo watched helplessly as the sai dropped. Blood began dribbling from between the tensed fingers. It trickled along his hands, making rivulets down. The blots landing on silk turned bright red and froze in their tiny circles.
"Let's be serious here." A deep voice intruded Leonardos vision. His brother incapacitated with pain. All the blood. That bear like voice. It was far more than enough for him. He at last let himself flew into white hot rage, unsheathing his second katana. Someone had to take Raph's place. A great roar began building in his throat as he raised the sword. Dropping farther into the new abyss of his mind he ignored the voices warning him to slow. All he could see was his brother hurt, and a tangible afflictor. If it was tangible, then my sword can cut it. I'll cut it down!
"Leonardo, Leo..." Cool hands on his face. On his shoulder. They were tempering his anger. They stroked him urgently, aware they might not have another chance. "Leo, please..."
"Hhnnnnn!" Taking a great breath his stomach tightened, he let out a releasing whine as his vocal cords slackened. A hand closed over his around the sword and was trying to lower it. He took a moment to gather some senses and look down at Lita. Her big brown eyes softened just so in relief. He found his hand lowering under the weight of hers. Damn her.
"Please.... you can't fight." She stroked his beak. His blood was still boiling, and she knew it. "Please...." His mouth twitched. It was involuntary. The agitation was getting to him. He was huffing like a race horse. Her hands fell to all the right places, lowering his heart rate. She stroked the palm of his hand and he discovered he had lowered his sword completely. "Not this time." She whispered. Time to panic.
"No, I can't let you fight him. I won't--" Her hands had already slid from his. She was backing away. She smiled. Oh god. She never did listen. Did she. "Lita-" Her back turned to him.
Ooooooh.... just stop hurting... please. Oh, Jimmy.... Erika settled the side of her face in his hair. He rocked back and forth in her arms, limpened hand dragging on the ground. Little brother of mine.... Her free hand absently took hold of the bloody blade. Going places without me again. She laid him down as softly as she could, cradling his sun baked face.
The thin blade fit right under the arch of her ribcage as she sat back on her knees. Giving it a timid push it pricked through her skin, inside of her. She gave a squeak with the sharpened pain. A satiated purr rolled inside her. The sword jerked forward and filled her with steel.
Looking up she saw Lita, looking down at her incredulously. From afar there was Mikey. Good night guys. She draped herself over her brother. I won't let you go again....
Mikey tried not to cry out. He knew it would be stopped in his throat if he tried. But still. "Nooo!!" The stretcher tilted, he rolled onto the floor. The room was spinning. He was going to hurl. A sharp pain stuck him from inside and he groaned. Don didn't help him up. Nobody did. "Oh god noo..." He sobbed onto the floor. He immediately began wishing to go with his dear, sweeter than sweet Erika. "Ooooooohh."
"You..... villain!" Was that.... Lita? Mike moaned and pulled his face from his damp hands. "You could not leave good well alone." Her voice was directed at the bad guy, but somehow he felt she was chastising himself as well.
"Is this what you want? For what, damnit!" Nikira smiled with a subtle roll of his head, the side of his lip perking up. She was casting him down, condeming him.
"Did you forget. I am the sorceror of destruction." Lita fumed. Something was catching up with her. It grew up from inside her and was filling her body. He had caused this. He hurt the ones she loved. He destroyed her world. He killed her friends. Killed them. Weren't coming back. A new reality burst out inside of her as she hastily snatched the crystal from her pocket. I won't look away this time.
Foolishly sheathing his sword to watch, Leonardo let his pulse begin to slow. He could see as the stone began bubbling over with light and streamed out. It consumed Lita like a bolt, and for a moment all was submerged in its depths. Leonardo strained to tear his eyes away, for fear it might blind him. He didn't though.
His hands seemed to soften as his eyes rested on a set of fluffy feathered wings. They ruffled about and tickled his senses. It wasn't until Lita actually turned to face him that he saw they were hers. Long supple hair lingered in the air as rich white wings panned out. They raised up subtley in uptake and turned in to contain light from the translucent orb Lita held against her. She turned her eyes up to him, a smile starting to pull at her mouth. She was that beautiful girl again, eyes bright and energized. In the next instant she was gone.
Leonardo pulled Raphael to his feet as Lita faced off, and helped him back to his brothers.
"Leo, she-"
"I know." The ground was begining to shake as strange protection spells were cast. It was difficult to tell who by. Leonardo wasn't concerned by that yet though. Donatello was as well mesmarized by Lita fantastical transformation. Her hair had stretched out past her waist, and was twisiting up at the ends in repulsion to the ground. Ratty jeans had turned to a crisp white slip dress, and a taught blue necklace clasped her neck. Don absently pulled Mike on his stretcher while he watched her. He nary heard the entry burst open till Raphael called for his attention.
New soldiers. These came well armored, weathered for battle. Edged glaives hung at their sides, swaying with the healthy gait. Their wings were thick with ropey muscular frames. Chain mail covered the veiny stretched skin between the hollow bones, and swished as the links crumpled against each other. Their plastrons were smithed iron, a weight that would require a great strength to maintain. Neck clasps ran down the small of their backs in chains guarding the protruding spine.
The four stopped just inside the doors and swung the glaives around beside them. They thudded against the floor. Leonardo whipped his bandana tails out of his eyes and called to his brothers through the winds. Fours pairs of reptilian eyes trained on him. He sensed as Raphael and Donatello appeared beside him. The dragons hesitated. Another moment later Michelangelo floated beside Don, his elbows resting upon his drawn up knees. His face winced briefly.
The dragons raised their weapons and began to chant. Raphael charged. He was knocked back as he ran into the shield of light, and left a simmering impression of his beak in the shroud. Donatello caught him on his way back, burning the palms of his hands.
"Ah Shit-"
The glaives jerked in their direction. Balls of black electricity burst out around each of them and shrunk inwards. Almost instantly the crystals began reacting. They burst and shook to fight off the infection.
Colored lights streamed out from Leonardos brothers, making him turn his head to shield his eyes. The black energy had siphoned right through him, leaving him a little colder. Donatellos helpless eyes pleaded to him through the black and green fireworks. He was confused about his control. Raphael fought to stay afoot as his brothers fell beside him.
Leonardo leapt with his remaining sword, swiftly beheading one of the staffs in a downswipe. The blade clanked against the tile. He finished his jump through a roll, ducking the other end of the staff which came for the back of his head. Before the dragons turn was completed Leonardo sliced his katana with a backstroke, still perched upon his knees. He felt the blade hit bone resistance as he turned, and sunk his head into his shell momentarily to avoid another downsweep. As the staff passed he looked back out again to see the full edge of the katana lodged in the side of the left ankle, nearly severing the ikeleas heel. Nearly. He decided to finish it through and grabbed the blunt edge of the tip, hastily switching grip on the hilt. With a jerk forward the sword slid through. The dragon hopping back, Leonardo prepared for the other three. He stepped back as he stood and levied his blade.
Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo had began already however, leaving him standing apart. The dragon lifted its wings and took into flight. Leonardo raised his sword to it as it flew overhead. He hadn't it anticipated it flying with the heavy chain mail on its wings.
The creature dived over head with the broken staff, bringing back his arm to swing down upon Leonardos skull. Without the blade head it appeared he wasn't going to be casting any new spells. The staff end still came down for him though. He dodged to the left. Only here he found his blade was out in the open. With a precise slap he lost the new grip, the katana went skittering away.
With a sideways glance he saw his brothers, still fighting losing battles. Not losing for them though. Combining their respective powers they supercharged their weapons. Blow by blow they drove the remaining two down, hitting them before they cast another drain spell. They hadn't been expecting this level of magic sophistication from them.
Leonardo went to dive for his blade, flipping around. The dragon cut him off, blocking him with his body. Holding the staff with both talons he shoved Leonardo back out of mid air, cracking the back of his head against the floors runner. He hastily stumbled to his feet before the full effect of the landing concluded. There was watery blood on the floor, but he couldn't tell who's exactly.
The dragon made several more runs at Leonardo. Each time he drew closer it was revealed how helpless the turtle was against a flying opponent. Slowly drawing him away from the sword, Leo was forced back anytime he went for it. He fought back frustration as much as the reptile.
You'll know what to do.... when the time comes..... A soothing voice diluted his anger for a time. Splinter. Wherever he was, his words awakened something in him. Don't be so stubborn...
Leonardo made another dive into the driving gales of the huge wings, back towards the sword. The staff came down again to block him. This time he grabbed on, clasping the broken bo like a life preserver. The dragon wasn't stubborn either, and let go. Leonardo dropped it also, quickly grasping the fisted talons before they jerked away. The staff clattered against the floor beside the foot.
"Fuck you!" Leonardo snarled as he was shaken off. His hands wouldn't let go, empowered with a life of their own. He flailed around for only a moment as the dragon tried vainly to fling him off. Then they both ascended toward the rafters.
The air became weak above, dark shadows flew by them like ghosts. Leonardo twisted and pulled downwards to keep himself from being bashed into the heavy beams which kept the glassy ceiling from collapsing. The clawed foot reached for him legs to claw him and he timed his movements to avoid their lunges while swaying the beast off course.
As he pulled and pushed around at the dragons will he found his maneuvers were turning against him as he drew closer to the opposite side of the rafters. He delivered a blunt kick to the dragons knee, temporarily incapacitating it. The arms suddenly spread apart, bringing Leonardo in close. Too close for comfort. The snapping of a weighty jaw opening was all the warning he recieved of the mouth of fangs coming for his throat. His fists strained to pull both arms back together again, allowing him space to pull back again.
The huge mouth still failed to close even after Leonardo was out of range. He could see right into the red fleshy throat. It smacked of the time Splinter checked them for sore throats. And how he thought of how easy it would be to kill them in that position. How bare they all really were.
Rocking forward once he caught a fang across the top of his head. The wings were on a back sweep however, and it was pulled away before it cut through the skull. In reward for wounding his already bloody head, Leonardo swung his feet forward. He pushed his body as far away without actually releasing the dragon. His legs swung up from underneath, before it even knew what was coming.
Striking right at the bone of the chin, it snapped the neck backwards with split second accuracy. A familiar Crack shattered the relative quiet of the rafters, followed by a soft swish of the wings finishing the upstroke.
Suddenly the weight of the metal and armor came into play. Once defending vulnerable plastrons and thin skin, they plummeted both bodies to the floor below. Mighty wings were subjected to the heft of their bulky load, chain mail which wished ever so much to rest upon the ground. Leonardo, left with no option, clung to the body. Twisting it below him he was sure to keep his wrists and knees from locking, less they shatter with the impact.
It seemed to happen to soon, as they hit the ground. But with a loud nauseating 'Slap', accompanied by a shooting pain up his right knee, he was sure that they had. The break in his leg forced him to grip the dragons shoulders tighter till the pain subsided to tolerable level.
He had landed far from his sword still, which he had wished not to do. There was another 20 feet or such to reach it. It would take him ten times as long to reach it now. And he had to get to it. Glimpsing the fight below by air he had fought the urge then to drop and fight beside Lita. He must help her. He must reach that katana.
Forcing his left leg up to kneel he blew his air out through his teeth. A presence above him queued him to look up. Nikiras sweaty face bore into him, with wide intense eyes.
Lita knelt down beside the carpet. Hair hung over her eyes and stuck to the heat of her skin. Clasping her arm loosely, water began to trickle freely down the inside of her wrist. Trying to sink back into her skin it would disapear only in splotches. Her concentration was breaking like chipping glass. Damn it.... focus. She glanced over her shoulder. The doors had been shut again. Swirling currents warned her that it was locked by a spell. Not to try. She couldn't move this fight outside. Couldn't use any powerful magic without wounding her friends. Leonardo..... where's Leonardo....? He had been there only a moment ago. No, please no.....
She rolled onto her feet and back around. Nikira was briefly nursing his wounds as well. He looked up at her and his eye twitched. Simmering blood spatters on his clothes smoked faintly over his face. They began dying down, but could not absorb completely as well. He straightened himself up, easing up on his hip.
"Dear how you've grown." He mused to himself. Lita took a defensive stance, raising her hands up. "Who knows. If you had remained behind before you might just've beaten me." She decided to use this time to charge her powers. He was probably looking to do the same.
"For what. There was nothing left. What good is it to control the universe, if there's no one to share it with… All our people were dead. Yours too."
"So you let them die in vain. 500 years of battle-" Lita side stepped and drew the prince sword off of the floor as Nikira proceeded closer.
"Yes… In vain… I'm ready now. You want to finish this, we will."
"Do so." A spout of water carried the fallen hilt of Leonardos sword to Lita. She plucked it out of the air. It felt heavy in her hand. She could imagine his hand around it. How light and familiar it must feel to him.
Pressing the two grips together she closed her eyes, blocking distractions. A quiet spirit grew upwards from the tip of her toes. It was cool and soft, and asked her to let all go. It sounded like him. She let her heart go as it filled her, lifting a great weight off her chest.
At her command it channeled down her hands, growing into the hilts. She pressed them together and they merged. The thin blade glowed like blue lights under water as the heavy hilt enveloped it. Lita tossed her head back and poured all her spirit into it. She felt her hair lift up around her, and the wings return for a brief second. They felt warm. Then they were gone.
In her hands the Chailyn Sword streamed with light, happy at her touch. Nikira drew his cane and tapped it against his shoe. A burst of flame transformed it into a burning sword, and he levied it to her. The licks of flame reflected in his ever darkening eyes.
"Come." Her grip changed just slightly and she began running. He extended his arms and ran. The stricken white hair of his jounced behind him, his heart pounded out of his chest. An excited cry emanated far before he reached her. He raised his blade back, a few embers arching off, and they both drew their swords down.
To slow himself it took some time to finish the run. His legs continued to move even though he didn't wish it. There was a stream of flame that trailed after his sword tip. He stopped near the exact spot the girl had begun by, and clomped to a finish.
Sir Leonardo landed in front of him, like a falling rock. A mangled knight was caught beneath him and rightfully dead. He watched it look about only a moment before it looked up at him. His knees wobbled and fell out from under him. He turned his head and keeled to the ground. The sword clattered against the tile and sizzled out.
Leonardo grunted as he rose to his feet. His brother came to help him, but he was already off. Standing at the bottom of the stairs he looked up at Splinter. "Sensei-" Splinter smiled oddly and nodded. He recognized himself as safe. The crown was hung around his arm. Leo turned his head to the side to Lita. Her back was facing him. He turned the rest of the way as she swayed, dropping the the side of her leg. "Lita!" The sword dropped beside her. He took off running. If he could someone reach her he just knew he could save her. She eased down onto her side and turned onto her back as he skidded to his knees, taking up the back of her neck in one hand. "Lita," Her labored breath responded and she swallowed. "It'll be alright, I'm taking you home... We're going home." She shook her head, taking quiet blinks.
"I'm sorry Leo.... not this time...." He felt his hand tighten even though he didn't want to hurt her. He took her other hand in his.
"Just hold on-" Her hand moved up to his beak and silenced him.
"Mmmm." She stroked it tenderly. He felt like he might burst right there. Her eyes were getting cloudy. She began moving her hand toward her face, and he came with it. Her fingers were getting cold on his cheek, and were struggling to continue to hold on. She pulled him down to her and tilted her chin up to reach him. He felt her warm lips press against his, soft. Bringing their locked hands up to her chest he pressed back lightly, closing his eyes.
Bright lights streamed inside of him and warmed his core. He felt himself being lifted. Feathers fluttered around him and soothed his senses. A great white like grew and enveloped him completely, taking him to a fresh place. Floors and walls seemed to only be drowsy light, and let Leonardo stand upon them as he wished. Before him Lita stood, long hair drifting about her hips.
She smiled. He reached out to grab her and she quickly stepped forward before he fell. He just wanted to pick her up and take her back. Just to take her home. Away. She seemed to sense this and caressed the backs of his hands.
"Leonardo...." His hands closed around hers and held them up.
"Lita, please, let's leave. Come with me." She smiled and shook her head.
"I'm sorry I can't do that." His expression easily asked 'why not.' "I can't go back, Leo."
"....please-" She pressed their hands all together.
"Shhhhhhh." Her hair trickled over his sides. "I know. I know.... Leonardo.... I want you to remember. I want you to remember when you held me so close you could feel my heart beating, whenever you're alone. 'Cause you know we're family. You're mine. I'm part of yours. Don't forget.".....
"Lita.... I'm going to see you again." She smiled. "I know it."
"No. No, this is the end for us. Forever.... So don't you cry on me, because I don't want to leave you and be scared. Leo...." Her finger tips gently brushed his beak. "Don't be sad. Our love will still live on without me. My only love." Love. She smiled playfully. "Now you're going to have to tell me to be quiet, because you have to kiss me now, because it's the last time you'll be able to."
Leonardo felt his hand run through the silky bits of hair, resting on the side of her cheek. He leaned down as she laid her hands on his shoulders, pressing his lips to hers. She kissed back, warm and sweet. They suddenly moved closer, pressing up against each other. His arms enclosed her. The feeling was so strong. Please don't go now.... let's just stay like this....
I'll always be in your arms. He loosened his hold around her as Lita pulled back.
"Tee hee!"
"Woooo Lita!"
"You silly girl."
"Way ta go!" Leonardo glanced up to Maddie and Noriko standing back farther in the lights. They giggled and waved. He felt his heart sink.
"I think you have to go now." He spoke, although it hardly registered in his mind. Lita nodded and took his hands, slipping out of his arms. "I don't think you should."
"I know. Goodbye Leonardo." She squeezed his hands.
".....Bye." He didn't let go as she backed away. Soon though he had to, and she drifted off to Maddie and Noriko. They all turned their backs to him. "Bye....." He felt himself shifting again. The lights were growing. He was moving.... like being sucked away. Farther and farther. Away....
Leonardo opened his eyes, looking down on a quiet cheek. He gently took his mouth back and laid Litas head down, slipping his hand back. Her skin was unnaturally cool against his. Lita..... fuck.....
A hand on his shoulder drew him away. His eyes looked sideways at the fur licked claws and his head sunk. He sensed his brothers coming around him and wished evermore for them to leave. A few mutterings passed them. Just go....
"Leonardo." Splinter stroked his head slowly, like a poor child.
"I'm....."
"Come now.... we are all still in danger." He rocked back onto his feet and walked away. Splinter hand fell back.
"Yeah.... let's get the fuck outa here." Raphael muttered so he could hear it. "This place eats shit."
"Hai." Splinters coarse bark stopped Leonardo. He stood in place, looking off at the open doors. Soldiers could come in any second. He should close it. "Stand before me, my sons."
Leonardo came with his brothers. They all knelt before Splinter. His fur was starting to fall out. Never had he looked so old. But that intensity was still in his eyes. Leonardos eyes fell to the long sword his master carried. It was long like Nikiras, but it had his handle. Or at least what he could see from the hand around it. The famiar scratches were all there, and glistened filled with a water that wasn't running off.
"You have all fought well. You have done a great good here." He raised the blade. "For your noble ventures, I will knight you. For you have made me great with pride." The sword lowered upon each shoulder. With words of a strange language Splinter appeared to have conferred knighthood upon them. It was rare they ever recieved immediate satisfaction of any kind when it came to the sensei.
Leonardo was the last. He hung his head lower then the others. The blade felt sharp against his skin, and rested for sometime. Lita should have been there as well.
His worn hilt motioned into his lowered sight, it drew his eyes up. Splinter offered the sword to him, holding it as to it not piercing him as he held it out. There was no expectant look to him, but he took the sword all the same.
As soon as it was out of his hands Splinter retreived the golden crown from beneath his arm. Leonardo set the sword on the ground with his hand.
"I am an old man now. You have proven yourself worthy with your own hands. It is time for you to accede." He held the crown out with both hands. Leonardo felt his stomach clench.
"I... can't." The band was held forward to be laid. He lowered his head for it still. For he could not disobey.
"You never much believed in the fantastical until you had to live it." Splinter half mused, resting the crown upon his head. It felt heavy. He'd have to get used to that. "....Your Majesty."
Leonardo touched the side of the crown with his free hand. It was so new, and made him feel powerful. He always wondered what a real crown would feel like. Splinter stepped back as he stood. His brothers stood back as well. He felt so tall. Like he was standing on the top of the world...almost all alone....
"So.... like, what's your first royal order." Mike quipped quietly. His words echoed in the hall. Leonardo turned and walked away again. The sword was light. He expected it to be heavier for some reason. It moved very freely. The crown was heavier than it though. They were probably different metals... He was king now..... Lita once sent them all to Earth. Even dead spirits. He turned around and returned to his brothers.
"We're going back to Earth." They all nodded in assent. Splinter didn't say anything. He could even tell Splinter what to do now if he wanted. That really didn't feel right. "We're going back before the summer... Before all this. Let's leave this world as it is now. And go back to when everything was as it was on Earth."
"Can we do that?" Donatello asked.
"Hey, he can do whatever he wants." Raphael took out his crystal. Leonardo came into the circle of his brothers. Splinter followed and stood in the center upon his command.
"But.... how do we... uh..." Mike trailed off, unsurely holding his crystal up like his brothers. Leo's sword began glowing. Their crystals followed suit.
"Just think happy thoughts." Soldiers began trooping in. Raphael closed his eyes and held his arms out farther. Maybe that would speed things up.
Lights burst outward and enveloped them. Like hundreds of feathers pushing
in around them their eyes rolled back in their heads. They were off, traveling
in a heart beat. Leonardo was leading them again, sword in hand. They were finally
leaving. And all was well......