Special Thanks to pacphys for editing.

Chapter 21 Resolutions

Leonardo handed Raphael back his sai, and turned his attention back to the elderly mermaid. For a long moment Leonardo and Benten just stood there looking at each other. Then Leonardo asked quietly. "You are Benten, the leader of the mermaid colony here?"

She nodded once slowly.

Leonardo nodded back, and then took in a deep breath. He drew his katanas, placed them on the floor, and knelt before them. In a voice that only trembled slightly from grief he said, "Lady Benten, Any promises my brother Michelangelo made to you, any debt that he or we might owe you, I hereby vow to fulfill ten fold. We...I owe you, and your people, more than I can ever repay."

"I see," Benten said.

Whether she might have said more Leonardo never found out, because at that exact moment a very familiar voice behind him said, "Benten, if you take him up on that deal, I am sooo out of here!"

Leonardo blinked, and spun around. "Mikey?"

Sitting behind him with the remaining two mermaids at his side, Michelangelo continued with a mischievous gleam in his eye. "It's bad enough I've got Leo up top telling me what to do all the time. If he starts hanging out here, I just may hitch my way south to the colony in Florida!"

"Mikey!" Benten and everything else forgotten, Leonardo ran forward and hugged Michelangelo touching him to make sure he wasn't imagining things.

Raphael and Donatello equally shocked move forward slowly. "But...but I saw!" Donatello said amazed. "You weren't breathing when they pulled you up!"

Michelangelo giggled as he hugged the two mermaids closely. "Oh honestly Donny, me drown? In a mermaid's temple? Didn't you read up on my ladies before you came down here?"

With a slightly amused smile Benten came to join them. "A mermaid can call back any spirit drowned in the sea, simply by calling their name and giving them some of their own breath in a kiss."

Still grinning like a cat that swallowed a canary Michelangelo said, "Gee, if I knew that would have gotten me free kisses before, I'd have drown sooner!"

"You'd better not!" Raphael said thwapping Michelangelo lightly on the head. "There's no way I'm going through that again."

"I agree," Leonardo said. He tried to sound stern but he couldn't help smiling as he did so.

Lillian came back to Benten's side. "The other Foot Amazon's are restrained in the great hall. We must deal with them."

Benten nodded. "Agreed." She gestured gently to the four turtles as Raphael helped Michelangelo to his feet. "Come, it is time to finish our business with these intruders."

Leonardo and the others followed Benten to the great hall. Leonardo looked in awe at the multi stair dais. The pools of water all around and the fountain behind the dais. In the center of the room stood the fifty or so Foot Tech Amazons surrounded by more mermaids with swords and tridents. An elderly mermaid with grey hair and an unusual scowl stood to the side. Sylvia came rushing up and jumped into Michelangelo's arms.

"Mike! Are you all right? Lillian said you almost drown! And Leo almost got eaten by the Lipo! You promised you'd be careful! You said-"

"Woah! Slow down little lady! We're all fine!" Michelangelo said trying to get a better grip on her. "And Leo passed the trials too!"

"He did?" Sylvia looked at Leonardo with a new respect! "Awesome!"

With a grin Raphael said, "That kid has been hanging around you way to much, bro."

Benten smiled and gestured to Freyja who was very shy hiding behind Leonardo. "Yes he has passed all the trials, and has returned this lost child to her peoplewhere she belongs. As soon as we have sent the Shredder's people on their way we will have a grand celebration."

Raphael, Donatello, and Leonardo looked at each other confused. "Send them on their way?" Donatello echoed?

"We can't let those girls go," Raphael added. "They know how to get down here now!"

"Do not worry so, my young friend," Benten said gently. "We have ways of dealing with even female invaders." She looked sternly at the female warriors. "Ninja of the Foot clan, you have invaded our temple and home, and have threatened our secret and lives. We are a merciful people. You shall be released in another location, after you drink a potion that will remove your memories of the past forty eight hours."

One of The Foot females glared at the mermaid with contempt. "And what if we refuse to drink your potation, freak?"

Benten's face then grew dark. "Then you will be sent to a colony of my people, and remain there for the rest of your lives."

"Sorry Foot Ladies, Mermaids can't afford to fool around. Can't keep fighting off stupid invaders when they're supposed to be protecting oceans." Michelangelo said with a grin.

Leonardo was impressed though with Benten's first offer, which of course was the Foot Amazons best bet. A few of the Foot ninja looked very unhappy, and a thought occurred to him. "You know, Benten, some of them might be afraid to return to The Shredder. He's not too forgiving of those who fail him."

"I see," Benten nodded thoughtfully, then said, "Of course any who wish asylum from the Shredder will be welcome within the refuges of our agents."

Leonardo smiled as he saw several of the young women relax at that.

Benten gathered the Foot women before three archways that glowed with a soft blue light. "Drink, and choose your destination. The door to the left leads to the Eastern Coast of Brazil and the Amazon. The door to the right leads to the Western Coast of Africa, and the door in the Center goes to The High Council at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Drink, and go."

The sullen Foot warriors looked back at the angry mermaids, drank the cups before them and all entered one of the three archways. Within minutes all the Foot Amazons were gone.

"And now my friends," Benten said with a relieved smile, "We shall eat drink and make merry!

The food was different from what Leonardo expected. Most of it was boiled or raw shellfish, and sea plants. Michelangelo was comfortable enough with it and was eating as if it were food from home. Donatello quickly followed suit. It took Raphael a little longer to try the new foods, but he soon found that they were good and he was eating and drinking along with the others.

Leonardo didn't feel right celebrating. Not that he didn't think they deserved it. It was just that he felt that one of them had to be on alert and not thinking about the partying right now. He smiled as he saw Raphael dozing in the corner surrounded by five of the mermaids. Leonardo had never seen Raphael so calm and relaxed in his life. Donatello was seated in a hot tub with a young mermaid named Tara and they were talking about his inventions. Leonardo couldn't be sure, but it looked like the girl was really interested. Donatello was obviously delighted to have someone to listen to him. Leonardo wished that he could talk to Freyja, but several of the other mermaids had taken her into a back chamber so they could question her about her false life, and help her adapt to her new one.

"Your brother's seem to enjoy the celebration." Benten said suddenly from behind Leonardo.

Leonardo decided not to take the bait, and answered honestly. "Your people are very beautiful and friendly, Lady Benten. It would take harder hearts than ours not to be moved by them."

"And you four have not had many lovely young ladies crooning over you, no?" Benten said with a wry grin. "I know that Michelangelo enjoys coming here to be with my charges. He is quite the flirt when he wishes to be.

Leonardo hid a smirk. Benten knew Michelangelo all too well. Before he could answer her Michelangelo came up behind them with some shrimp wrapped in seaweed.

"Cool party, right Leo?" He asked.As he gulped the shrimp down whole and continued with his mouth full, "Isn't it great down here?"

Leonardo couldn't help but answer Michelangelo with a slight smile. "I can see why you visit here, but we have to be going soon. Master Splinter is probably very worried about us."

Michelangelo glanced over at Raphael who was sound asleep in one corner and Donatello who was still talking to Tara, but his conversation was being punctuated by yawns. "Yeah, well Benten and I have an idea about that, but what I wanted to ask you is what happened with that Foot girl in the passage leading to the healing waters? How'd you beat the trials?"

Leonardo opened his mouth for a moment, but then closed it again. He didn't really want to talk about it. The experiences he had in there were a bit too close to home to want to tell anyone about, even one of his brothers.

Leonardo bit his lip, thinking about how he could gently change the subject. Michelangelo noticing his pensive expression suddenly frowned. "Don't tell me, it was kind of intense, and showed you a side of yourself that made the whole thing a little too personal to talk about." Michelangelo rolled his eyes to the ceiling.

Benten laughed amused. "I am sorry my friend, but as I have said before, in order for you to understand you will have to undergo the trials yourself."

Sylvia ran up besides them and jumped into Michelangelo's waiting arms. "Every time someone goes through the trials they tell Mike the same thing!"

Now Leonardo knew why Michelangelo was so put out. He had figured the mermaids simply wanted him to undergo the trials himself, and now he had essentially told Michelangelo the same thing. "Sorry Mikey, but you hit the nail on the head. I really don't wanna talk about it. I just want to go home."

"Yes, about that," Benten said. She led Leonardo over to a more secluded alcove with a bench. Michelangelo and Sylvia followed behind. "My people have many ways of traveling. We know of a way to transport you and your brother's home quickly without having to have you swim all the way back to the surface."

That caught Leonardo's attention. "You can do that?" He asked amazed.

Benten nodded. "Yes but it will require your cooperation. My people can open a porthole between here and anywhere a body of water exists. Then one or several minds focus on where they wish the porthole to go. Michelangelo suggested that since Raphael is already asleep, and your brother Donatello seems to be weary it may be easier to return them this way than to wake them to go home, or wait until they have rested."

There was something funny about this. Leonardo eyed Benten critically. "You said you needed my help to do this?"

"In a way," Benten said, she led him to a small alcove with a bench. Once seated she explained. "It is very difficult for many minds to focus on a single thing. With my people this is overcome by our link to each other's minds, but if Michelangelo is directing the porthole it is best for him to do so without other thoughts interfering. Since Raphael is asleep he will not interfere, and before we are finished here, Donatello will be asleep as well, however if you remain awake and aware, Michelangelo might have difficulties directing the porthole.

"You want me to go to sleep?" Leonardo asked hesitantly. Instantly he was on his guard. They don't want me to just go to sleep, they're going to put me to sleep. He knew the mermaids didn't mean any harm, but the idea of allowing them to lull him to sleep didn't set well with him. He still wanted to be in control of himself.

"Michelangelo told us you may not wish to rest here. With your brothers off their guard, you would naturally compensate for their lack of attention. He told us you would most likely not rest until you returned home, even though we know you are weary."

Just talking about how tired he really was made Leonardo feel every ache and made his limbs feel heavier. "You...you just want me to go to sleep." Leonardo said accusingly. He stifled a yawn.

"If you were to sleep, we could transport you and your brothers instantly home. "Benten reminded him. "If you do not wish to sleep you will have to wait until your brothers are rested, and go home the long way. What do you wish to do?"

Leonardo wasn't sure. He was tired, and he wanted to go home right now and get some rest, but he didn't want to give in and allow Benten to send him to sleep. "I...I don't know," he admitted as he tried to shake off his exhaustion. "I just don't want to be forced into anything."

Michelangelo sighed as he joined them at the bench. "Leo, it's not forcing if you just let it happen. If you close your eyes now we'll be home in a heart beat."

It would be so easy to give in. Leonardo knew they were both taunting him with what he wanted, but he shook his head firmly. "I won't let you put me to sleep." He insisted. Michelangelo sighed impatiently.

Benten gestured to Michelangelo to be silent. "You need not sleep completely," Benten said gently again catching Leonardo's attention. "You need only allow your mind to quiet. You shall not lose your awareness, but your mind shall be clearallowing our magic to work properly."

Leonardo could feel himself on the edge of Benten's power, and yet she was not forcing it on him. It was just there for him to take or refuse. He was just aware of it. "I don't understand," he said.

"If you do not wish to sleep, you need not." Benten explained. "All you need to do is allow your mind to grow still. As long as your mind is quiet it shall not interfere with our porthole."

Leonardo frowned. "You still want to do something to me." he insisted.

"I only wish to help you." Benten insisted. "You only need to allow it to happen."

"Leo, will you just trust us on this? You do this, we'll be home in time for breakfast." Michelangelo said.

"And you will see how we accomplish such a thing as well." Benten added.

That caught Leonardo's attention. "I'll see it happen?"

"Yes," Benten said, fixing her eyes on Leonardo's. "But you must clear your mind. Simply allow it to happen." She offered her hands to him.

Still Leonardo hesitated, until Michelangelo said. "Leo, do you want to go home or not?"

The one thing that would make Leonardo allow Benten to enchant him. He looked up into her bewitching deep blue eyes, took her hands, and said, "I would like to go home now."

Benten smiled and closed her hands over his. Suddenly a warm comfortable feeling washed over him. He was still tired, but it was an odd type of tired. He wasn't a bit sleepy he just wanted to go relax somewhere. His thoughts slowed down as if they had gotten stuck in a thick sweet syrup. He hadn't forgotten anything, but it was just too hard and strenuous to work for. It felt so good to stop thinking and just relax.

Benten took Leonardo by his hands, and led him over to where both Raphael and Donatello were sleeping curled up as if they were children again. Leonardo didn't even feel his feet touching the stone floor. It was as if his thoughts were wrapped in marshmallows. He could only follow along passively and allow Benten to seat himself next to his brothers. Somehow he managed to remember that Raphael kicked in his sleep and snuggled against Donatello. He didn't feel like moving at all. He just watched as Michelangelo came and sat in front of them.

"Are you sure about this Benten?" Michelangelo asked glancing over at Leonardo.

"He is not thinking about anything at all now my friend," Benten reassured him. "I am sure your will and determination will allow you to transport you and your brothers home."

Michelangelo smiled at that. "Okay Benten, if you say so." He turned and nodded at the group of ten mermaids who were sitting off to the side of the dais. "Ladies if you please."

Lillian,who was in the lead of the mermaids smiled and nodded her head. As one they began to sing. It was the first time Leonardo had heard mermaids sing without being afraid. There were no words to describe how haunting and beautiful their combined song was. It stirred something inside of him he had never felt before, finally understanding what it was that fascinated Raphael all this time.

As they sang, a small glowing light began to form in the room. The light grew bigger and brighter the more the mermaids sang. When the light was the size of a small car Leonardo had to shut his eyes because the light was too bright. Still he could sense the light behind his eyelids. It was growing brighter and brighter, and the song of the mermaids became louder and louder, until the only things Leonardo was aware of was the mermaids song and the warmth and light all around him.

Suddenly both were gone. The light had vanished, and with it the warmth. The room was silent except for the distant rattle of subway cars and the steady soothing dripping of water into a puddle. The air was cooler now and taking in a breath of air, Leonardo could smell mildew, and exhaust fumes. The warm stone beneath him was now cool and damp. They were home. He didn't understand how this was possible, but he knew the smells and sounds of home. He could finally relax he could finally rest.

Leonardo was asleep before he even heard his sensei's greeting.

Coming Soon The Final. Chapter 22 Home again

Suddenly an eerie high pitched hum was heard in the tunnels surrounding the lair. It was faint at first, but grew stronger and louder as the source of the sound grew closer. The sound began to vibrate everything in the liar from the cup on the coffee table to the table, to the very floors and sofa. Not understanding Splinter tensed himself for action. He could feel the very molecules of air vibrate, making his own fur stand on end.

The strange whine was making the air molecules vibrate in patterns. Splinter could see waves in the air above like ripples in a pond.

Or in the ocean?

Again and again the waves of air appeared. They began to form a large translucent bubble. The waves formed layers upon layers on the bubble, making it grow, spreading out invading the space of the lair. Curious Splinter reached out and touched the bubble, but it found himself pushed backwards by the sphere.

Undaunted the bubble continued to grow as if fed by the very vibrations in the room. Splinter backed up forced by the bubble until he was pressed against the walls of the lair.

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