Here With Me
Chapter VII: Closer

By: Michelle



Raphael looked around the place he was. He knew for sure he wasn't with his brothers anymore. He had seen this place before. It was years ago, with Venus.

Venus. The thought of her gone hurt his heart, but somehow he felt like she was near.

He began to walk around. He watched as he made each step. The sky began to clear to a the shade of blue. It was a light blue. Venus' blue. Venus' favorite color. The ground beneath him began to prout with small flowers. He bent over and touched them. They were so beautiful. They were beautiful like his Venus.

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Mai Li looked at Mondo Gecko with fear. She thought he was a dragon. She summoned her powers to attack.

"Mai Li, there is no dragon here." Splinter assured her.

"No, there is one here."

Mondo Gecko nad the Turtles looked around for the dragon. As each one looked around the room, their eyes ended by staring at Mondo Gecko.

A bright light began to glow from Mai Li. Mondo Gecko continued to look around. When he saw the fear in her eyes, he knew she was talking about him.

'Oh Shit!" Mondo Gecko yelled as he drove to the floor to dodge the blast of enrgy that came from Mai Li.

Splinter grabbed Mai Li's wrist before she could build up for another blast. "It's OK, Mai Li. That's just Mondo Gecko, a good friend of Michaelangelo.

Mai Li looked at Mondo Gecko who was still ducking down on the floor. "Oh my." She said softly. "Oh My, I am so sorry."

Mondo Gecko slowly stood up with the help of Michaelangelo. "Umm, it's Ok."

"I'm so sorry," She continued. She then looked at all of them. "It's just that lately, the village has been visited by the DRagon Lord's Rank warriors."

"Dragons have been here." Leonardo began to worry.

"Yes." Mai Li replied. "They have been searching through our village for herbs, medicines, and the mirror." Mai Li glanced over at the mirror and took a deep breath.

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Raphael continued to look around the place he was in. He could feel her. He could feel Venus' spirit, She had to be nearby.

Raphael nodded his head. There was no way Venus could be here. she was trapped in the mirror. He wanted to hold her so much.

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Venus continued to walk around the Realm of Dreams.

"Raphael." She whispered under her breath. She could feel his spirit. Was he there. Was he in the Realm of Dreams?

Venus nodded her head. There was no way Raphael could be here. He had never dream walked by himself.

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Bitoku followed closely behind Venus. She was his key to freedom.

Bitoku paused for a moment. He could feel something. Someone else was here with them. It was a strong presence of love, consern, and happiness. He had never felt those things, and he knew he probable never will.

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Kurai held her tightly. "Tashina, what is wrong?"

"The Shinobi will be freed. Ryu's son will join the Turtles to fight us." Tashina shivered.

"Tashina, you are dilirious. You need rest."

"No." Tashina jumped up and opened the door to the Dragon Lord's room. "We have a problem."

The Dragon Lord rolled to look at her. "What now?" He knew something was not right.