A/N: Welcome everyone who has been enjoying this fic. My name is FunktasticMe. You may know me from such stories as The Fab Five Do Middle Earth or The Adventures of Bobby 'the insane' Baggins. Most likely you do not, but that's ok. I've been granted the opportunity to guest write this chapter. In doing so, I have tried to stay true to the author's intent. Working with great restraint I have come up with the following chapter which I title: A Moment of Clarity. Please enjoy.

A Moment of Clarity

            "So, I guess we aren't chasing the hobbits anymore," commented Donatello as the large group had gathered around a fire and listened to the nighttime music of crickets (Middle Earth crickets, that is) Being in Rohan, with no money for an apartment, had forced them back to their wilderness roots.

            "No, apparently not. I must say, being the leader and all, I'm a bit confused as to our purpose here," said Aragorn thoughtfully as he puffed on his pipe.

            "Yeah, like exactly what are we supposed to be doing here anyway?" asked an irritated Ralph.

"That's what I'd like to know. Why would Gandalf send four large talking turtles to Middle Earth?" asked Legolas.

"You were expecting, like, the Adam's Family?" asked Mike as he and the other turtles laughed at the joke only they could understand. Legolas just looked annoyed. "I want some answers," he said suddenly rising.

The group fixed a sharp glare on Z-man, who was pretending to be asleep. Z-man looked uncomfortable. Mike coughed. Finally the silence was too much for the boy. He sighed, throwing off his covers.

            "All right, crybabies, what's the problem?" he asked. Z-man thought to himself. Damn! He shouldn't have given them that weed to smoke. Since they were normally in parody mode, the peace pipe had a strange effect on them. It was making them all act in character! This was not good.

Where was the group to begin. There was so much that needed explaining. "I can't seem to figure it out. One moment we're racing across the lands in pursuit of the hobbits and the next thing we know, Gandalf is riding away with one of them and we're just left in the middle of nowhere doing who knows what," said a frustrated elf.

"Like don't have a cow, man," urged Mike, putting a hand on his shoulder.

"How could I possibly have a cow? That doesn't make any sense. None of you ninja turtles make sense," Legolas protested, brushing the hand away from him. Legolas, after all, knew all about Mike and Ralph. Mike just sighed, rolling his eyes.

"Ok, I can explain everything for your feeble minds."

"Please do, master Z-boy," urged Aragon.

"Z-MAN! That's Z-man. Anyways, Gandalf had to take away Pippin because he kept making passes at Merry and the display was making Treebeard, who's rather a traditional old tree, very uncomfortable."

"You mean the hobbits are alive?!" cried Gimli with excitement.

"Shut up, Dwarf! I'm trying to tell a story. You really are stupid," declared Z-man.

"No I'm not. I'm just ugly-I mean-Oh these counfounded parody writers!"

"But it was said before that he looked into a magic seeing stone and saw a great destruction at Minas Tirith," corrected Leo.

 "Gandalf had to say that because if he told you the truth as I just did, you all might feel emboldened and give in to the obvious slashy overtones that have been present since the beginning of this piece."

"Overtones which I am just as distressed about as Gandalf," said Ralph looking with disgust at a Mike who was giving him another dreamy look. Ralph quickly handed him more weed to smoke.

"The hobbits were lucky to escape when they did. Who knows what would have happened to them," commented Legolas. He paused for a moment and continued, "This may seem strange, but why do I seem to recall an embarrassing display at a bakery shop?"

"My mind is filled with strange happenings as well," said Aragorn solemnly. "It's like I have been in a deep sleep and have just awoken," he said taking another puff of the pipeweed. "I dread to think what has become of Frodo and the Ring. Z-man, what new can you give us of them?"

"I'm not that kind of a wizard," Z-man replied.

"Right," Aragorn's eyes narrowed. "Exactly what kind of a wizard are you?"

"I think that pipeweed is going to your head. You are not yourselves. Dispose of it!" replied the young wizard. The group made no move. Using a power unknown to the group, Z-man made all the weed disappear in the blink of his eyes.

"We must lead the Rohirrum to Minas Tirith; tomorrow at first light," Z-man announced to them.

The group pondered his words and, without the effects of the weed, they slowly realized Z-man's wisdom and nodded their understanding.

"Oh, well now that makes perfect sense," spoke Leonardo.

"Yes, I can see the wisdom in that," agreed Legolas.

Z-man smiled, satisfied, as it appeared the effects of the weed were departing with great rapidity.

"Man, that weed sure gave me the munchies. Anyone got some pizza?" asked Mike.

"Just don't expect me to dig another hole," said Donatello pointedly.

"Enough of this pizza talk!" yelled Gimli. "It's all you ever talk about!"

"Oh, and cakes is a better topic!"

"How dare you question my cake-lore!" cried the dwarf raising his ax.

Leonardo pulled at his swords ready to protect his friend.

"Oh, I'm so scared now," mocked the dwarf. "You don't even know how to use those things."

"What are you talking about? I'm a master swordsman."

"Hah! I haven't seen you cut a single thing with them this whole time."

"That's because he's a G-rated character," interrupted Z-man. "Now I'll have no more of this. Everyone get some sleep or I'll launch a fireball on your asses."

"I suppose I can relax," said Mike. "Gimli just doesn't understand me like you, Ralph."

"Oh for the love of--!" muttered Ralph as he rolled over to sleep away from the offending turtle.

"Legolas, my friend, did I ever tell you about the time I ate the cake of a dwarven cake-master?"

"Well, yes. Several times actually."

"There I was, surrounded by dainty dishes of all sorts, when my eyes fell upon the most-"

"I miss Gandalf," whispered Legolas, but quickly looked timid as Z-man gave him a menacing look.

In the calmness of the night, Z-man smiled. The moment of clarity had ended.