Chapter 17 Halfway mark
To keep from falling into the despair the muddy planes seemed to generate Leonardo and the ninja girl, Freyja, actually began to talk to each other. Freyja seemed a bit reluctant to talk about why they were here, so Leonardo took the opportunity to vent a little.
"So when My sensei told me that Don and Raph had gone after Lillian alone I knew I had to go after them. I wasn't going to let myself screw up again." Leonardo took a deep breath. "But that doesn't change how I feel about the mermaids. I can't stand the idea of having someone that intimately connected to my mind and heart, and I can't even fight it. I guess I'll just have to face facts, and give in. We're bound to them by something that's so deep inside of me that I can't even understand it, much less resist it, and I'm going to be like this for the rest of my life."
"You have been that way all of your life," Freyja observed genuinely curious. "The mermaids simply have awakened instincts that have slept within your mind for all this time. Now they are awake, and you do not know how to integrate them with what you already know."
"I guess," Leonardo answered pensively. "I just feel sometimes that I should have better control over my emotions or something. Despite all my discipline in ninjitsu whenever they're around I feel as if I have no control at all.
"No sad thoughts," Freyja reminded him. "We are near the end of the mud plane but we have not escaped yet." She was silent a moment, deep in thought. "Leonardo," she finally said. "It took you many years to master the disciplines you know well, no?"
Leonardo wasn't sure what she was trying to point out so he went along with her. "In a real sense I'm still learning. Every now and then Master Splinter reminds me that even though I'm better than my brothers, I'm not a master yet. I still make mistakes."
Freyja nodded. "My mistress Badb is the same. I am a mere novice compared to her. It stands to reason, however, if you have not master ninjitsu after training before you could walk, it would be very hard to master an instinct you have never known of before. It is not that you cannot, it is simply that self mastery requires much time. "
Leonardo smiled and nodded. "That's probably what Master Splinter would tell me too. Still I don't like the feelings I get when they're around. I'm just so confused. I don't know who I am anymore."
Freyja nodded sympathetically, then nodded ahead of them. "Look a wall rises up out of the mud. If we climb it we shall be rid of this melancholy land."
"Not soon enough for me," Leonardo said with a grin. The whole place generated depression. The moment his hands and feet were on the wall he instantly felt a weight depart his shoulders.
The wall seemed to be unadorned granite. It was relatively easy to climb. Neither Leonardo nor Freyja had any trouble scaling the wall.
When they reached the top they found themselves in a small globe shaped chamber made of opaque, white crystal. Around the edges of the wall were seats carved out of the crystal. In the very center of the room was a stalagmite and a stalactite linked together with a beam of turquoise energy. Floating within the beam was a small crystal sphere filled with water and light.
Welcome, a strange voice said into their minds. I was not aware of any wishing to endure the trial, and there should not be two of you. This is very strange.
Leonardo looked around. He didn't see anyone. "Freyja?" He asked.
The female ninja nodded. "I heard it too, but I see nothing."
Leonardo drew his katana as he scanned the room carefully, but there was not even a place to hide here. "Whose there?" He asked. "Show yourself!"
A dry amused chuckle answered them. And you do not know me either. Neither of you? This is very unusual. Can I be right in guessing that you did not undergo the trial willingly? Before either one of them could answer the voice said, Let me get a better look at you two.
Suddenly the light shimmering in the globe of water flew out of its container and circled Leonardo and Freyja. Tiny globes of light surrounded them and penetrated their skin. Leonardo flinched at the touch. "Get out of my head!" He demanded Freyja was no less alarmed, but she was struck silent as the globes went into and out of her body without leaving a mark.
Finally the globes of light joined again into a single sphere of light and returned to the crystal bowl of water in the center. Well well, well this is a surprise. Here I was looking for a candidate, and I find two lost children instead.
"Slightly nettled and unnerved Leonardo said testily, "We're not children."
The light laughed again. You are to me hatchling. I have been on this earth before your ancient ancestors down in the coral gardens. All creatures are but children to me, and what a pair of foundlings you are! You are lost and do not wish to be found, and you my dear don'teven know you werelost to begin with.
Leonardo shifted uncomfortably. He had an idea of why the globe of light said he did not want to be found. Instead he tried to change the subject. "What is this place? What are those traps protecting? "
Not traps, dear, trials, the lights responded. This is the pathway that leads to the healing waters. In order to reach the waters you must undergo the trials of the other elements.
"Other elements?" Leonardo echoed confused. He looked up to the ceiling of the chamber. There were five sea shells carved into the crystal, and each one had a symbol of the five magical elements. "Air, Earth, Metal, Fire, and Water." Leonardo read off of the wall. He hadn't forgotten the strange Elemental Foot warriors they had fought in the Shredder's building. Suddenly he understood. "To reach the healing waters we have to pass through the others? Is that what we're doing?"
"Leonardo," Freyja asked confused, "Do you know what this being is speaking of?"
"Kind of," Leonardo admitted. "Those symbols represent forces or elements in magic. Those two corridors we passed through, they were Air and Earth. We have to pass through the remaining two halls before we can reach the water and the exit."
"But we are not supposed to be here!" Freyja said. "Surely there must be another way to free us from this place."
Sorry dear, the only way out is to go forward, the light said. You have already passed two trials. The other two are harder, but you have this place to rest, and time to think.
"And who are you?" Leonardo asked.
I serve Gaia, the light said. The spirit of the earth. When men became civilized and began to despoil the earth, the great powers brought forth guardians to protect the landthe sea, the air, and all the creatures within. Each one was given a gift by the powers to aid them, and to guide mortals back along the paths of harmony. To the guardians of the sea Gaia gave the healing waters. Any who drink of them, will heal in body, mind and soul. The powers must have guided you here children, because both of you need to heal in several different ways.
Leonardo blushed a bit at the assessment, but Freyja stared at the light in confusion. "I do not need to heal, spirit," she said firmly.
Yes you do, dear, the light said unperturbed. Your life path has been altered to the point where it is nearly unrecognizable. Unlike your companion, who has had his brothers support, you are floundering in life because you do not know who you are.
Freyja was getting more and more agitated by this. "What do you mean, I do not know who I am?"
Finish your trial, The light advised. Once your mind and body are whole again, you will know what it is that your mistress has stolen from you.
The globe of light then turned its attention back to Leonardo. You too, must finish your trials, Leonardo, the light said to him formally. Your brothers need you, as do those who dwell here. If Badb is not stopped she will bring great destruction and ruin to those who fight against her. The, before Leonardo or Freyja could say anything else the light vanished leaving the room dimmed.
Leonardo heaved a heavy sigh, and thought about what they had learned. "We have to go on," he said
Freyja nodded. She looked up and the elemental symbols on the ceiling. "We have already passed through the air and the earth. What will the trials of metal and be like?"
Cool and business like Leonardo said, "There's only one way to find out." He turned to his companion, wondering why the spirit said that she was lost and did not know it. "Are you rested up?" At her nod, he said evenly, "Let's go."
Raphael quivered with tension as they waited in ambush for the Foot Tech Amazons to approach. They were deeper in the temple now, where some of those dangerous weapons were stored.
Benten had taken a huge bronze trident from the wall. Lillian had her knives. Sylvia was hidden down under the waters. No one wanted her hurt. The other mermaids had found other weapons that had been scattered around the chamber displayed on the walls.
Donatello was impressed with the glowing bronze trident. "Is that Poseidon's Trident? The one Mikey told us about?"
Benten nodded. "The Trident has great power. We were to guard it as well as other things here.
"Like this box?" Raphael noticed the black obsidian box the size of a small milk crate on a pedestal. Curious he tried to open it, only to have Michelangelo slam down the lid before he saw anything.
"Don't do that Raph! Nobody is supposed to open that box!" Michelangelo turned to see Murial near-by with a smirk on her face. "And you were going to let him look to weren't you."
Sounding smug the old mermaid security mistress said, "If you are all so intelligent, he should have known better. In the sea, if you are not clever you are dead."
The hostility between this particular mermaid and Michelangelo was almost palatable. "Why don't you go do something useful, Murial, and go play with the Lipo." He muttered.
"Peace," Benten said to both of them. The enemy is approaching."
Sure enough, twenty Foot Tech Amazons began to charge through the doors into the main chamber with more behind them.
Raphael and Michelangelo charged right into the midst of the group of Foot Tech Amazons. Instantly their laser weapons stunned Michelangelo and hurt Raphael's leg to the point where he could not stand. Donatello managed to disarm two of the Amazons but there were about thirty of the women and only fifteen mermaids. Donatello was still standing, but Michelangelo was dizzy from the attack on him, and Raphael was trying to struggle to his feet. Megan, a mermaid who was amazing with a smaller version of Benten's tridentwas suddenly hit by the laser and fell against the pedestal holding the Gorgon's head. The box teetered, and slid off of its pedestal. Megan slid across the floor, and snapped down on the box before the lid could open. Her eyes were wide with fear.
"Megan!" Donatello asked. "What is in there?"
"The Gorgon's head!" Megan answered back sharply with fear. "It is forbidden to look upon it."
"The Gorgon!" Donatello echoed as he analyzed what he knew about mythology. As another mermaid fell due to laser fire Donatello suddenly had an idea. "Megan I know you can reach your people telepathically. Ask Benten if the healing waters can cure people if the Gorgon is released.
"Release the?" Megan concentrated for a second then answered Donatello. "Benten said they could and to give warning if you intend to release the Gorgon."
Donatello nodded "Tell her on three everyone on our side should shut their eyes."
Megan nodded. "Everyone knows." She then handed over the box, and closed her own eyes.
Donatello followed suit. He cracked open the box just squeezing his hand in. Then he cried out in his loudest voice, "On three! One, two, THREE!" He grabbed the head, and pulled it out, keeping his eyes closed. He thrust his arm up holding the head aloft.
The silence that suddenly fell over the area was haunting. The only thing Donatello could hear was the breathing of those who had not looked at the head. Without opening his eyes Donatello felt for the box on the floor before him, and replaced the head back in its container. Once the Gorgon's head was secured he called out. "Clear guys! You can open your eyes now."
He opened his own eyes and an instinctive shudder ran through his body. All the Foot Tech Amazons were now stone statues.
Michelangelo was just coming around. He opened his eyes and rubbed them. "Duuude!"
Raphael was just as shocked. "Woah!" He said looking around. "Don, how'd you do that?"
"It wasn't me," Donatello explained as he held the box carefully cradled in his arms. "It was the Gorgon's head, or more specifically, the head of Medusa. According to Mythology her face was able to turn people into stone, even after she had died. "
"Are they dead then?" Raphael asked. Donatello shook his head.
"No, before I did it, I asked. Benten said the healing waters could cure them."
"It was an effective way of stopping our attackers without losing any of our fighters," Benten said, joining them. "It was well done."
"But what if they send more fighters down?" Murial asked. "What are we going to do then?"
"And we still have to get Leo out of that trial thingie," Raphael added.
"I only wish we knew what was happening to Leo down there." Donatello said with a sigh.
Michelangelo looked sadly at Lillian and Benten. "You guys know," he said with a slight whimper. "I know you always told me it was too personal to talk about before, but can't you tell me now? I mean we gotta know how to help Leo."
Lillian sighed and placed a tender hand on Michelangelo's shell. "Even if we were to tell you of our trials it would not help you, my friend. Only four of us here in the temple have taken the trails, and for each trial the challenges change to match the candidate. What your brother is experiencing now is not what Benten or I experienced. It is simply something no one knows unless they undergo the trials themselves."
Suddenly Michelangelo snapped his fingers. "Of course! Why didn't we think of it before!" He raced behind the great hall to the Oracle chamber.
"Michelangelo!" Murial cried out disapprovingly.
Michelangelo spun around at the entrance to the chamber. "Don't you see," he said excitedly. "If it's something no one knows about we can ask the Oracle!"
"The what?" Donatello asked. Raphael nodded with a grin on his face.
"Yeah. That Oracle thing talked to Mikey before. Maybe it can help us now." Raphael sheathed his sai and followed Michelangelo into the chamber.
"Benten, stop them!" Murial cried out annoyed. "They cannot use the Oracle to-" Benten interrupted her.
"The Oracle answers who she chooses to. If she chooses to answer Michelangelo we do not have the right to interfere. She went after the two turtles, entering the chamber, followed by Sylvia, Lillian, and finally Donatello. Still scowling, Murial entered the chamber herself.
Coming Soon! Trial of Metal
Leonardo wasn't getting room or time to attack his double. Illusion or some other strange magic, this fake turtle was faster and stronger than he was. "It wasn't like that it was-"
"You can't lie to me, Leo. I am you. I know everything you know. You left Mikey to get hurt because you didn't want to listen to him! You won't listen to anybody who doesn't want to do things your way, Leo and you know it!"
"That's not true!" Leonardo said parrying his double's attacks. "I–"
"You didn't even let Don and Raph make the decision to go off without you. You had to get involved then. Face it Leo, it's always been your way or the highway! You don't let any of the others do anything without your say so!"
Leonardo ducked under another blow, but within his own mind now some doubts began to creep through. "What are you talking about? What do you mean?"
His double sneered and attacked again. "You're a control freak, Leo. You complain about how much time Donny spends on his inventions, You complain about Raph's adventures, and you complain about everything Mikey does. You try to get everyone to do things your way! If you had your way Mikey would never see his mermaid friends again."
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