Farewell Dear Friend
Disclaimer: The TMNT and all related characters belong to Mirage
Special thanks to Reibeauchaser for editing.
Chapter 3 Leo Tells A Story
Early the next day, Leonardo slipped away from the lair before dark. He made his way through the sewers to a manhole hidden between two buildings. Splinter had told them that Margaret always left one window unlocked for them. Leonardo found it with ease and slipped into the house. Once inside, Leonardo heard a man's voice speaking.
"I still don't understand what this one account is for, Maggie," the voice said. "All the documentation say is that the O'Neil girl is maintaining the account. Is she –"
"No, Matthew, April is not shaking me down for money," Maggie's voice insisted. "April is handling the estate sale, and she is getting twenty percent of the profits, but my home account is for someone else. She is just taking care of it for some mutual friends of ours."
"And these friends are?" The man's voice asked.
Suddenly Leonardo had an idea of who that account was for. She's leaving us money? Why?
"I can't tell you about them," Maggie said. "I've been helping them for several years now, and I want them taken care of after I'm gone. They introduced me to April. She's the only one who can help them."
"Do I want to know why?" The man asked.
"You could say they are Yoshi's grandsons," Maggie answered. Leonardo wondered how long Maggie could talk around the subject.
"Yoshi Hamato didn't leave any family. He never had a wife or children. Unless this is a TCRI thing." When Maggie didn't answer the man's voice said, "It is a TCRI thing."
"I suppose," Maggie answered, "but they never knew about Yoshi's employers until recently. Please Matthew, try to understand. He and his boys are very shy and reclusive by necessity. They're very kind and deserve help. Don't fight me on this."
Leonardo heard the man sigh. "I could never say no to you, Maggie. All right, I'll agree not to contest the will."
"Thank you, my friend," Maggie said earnestly. "Now I've kept you long enough. Say hello to Katherine and the children for me."
"Good night, Maggie," The man said. Leonardo heard footsteps coming down the hall. Leonardo hid in the kitchen, and watched as a well-dressed gentleman in a black wool suit and a ring of black and gray hair around a balding head walked past. The man stopped for a moment as if he heard something. Leonardo held perfectly still in the shadows of the kitchen not even breathing.
After a few seconds, the man in black walked away. Leonardo didn't move a muscle until he heard the front door open and close, and he was positive the house was silent. Only then did Leonardo move from his hiding place, and moved to the open doorway into Maggie's bedroom.
Maggie was in her bed as always. Today she was dressed in green and yellow. Her eyeglasses were almost falling off the bridge of her nose. She was reading a book, and as she turned the pages, she pushed her glasses further up on her face.
Politely, Leonardo knocked on the open door. Maggie looked up from her reading and smiled in delight at him.
"Why Leonardo! What a lovely surprise! I didn't expect you or your brothers until later!"
"Hey, Maggie," Leonardo said shyly closing the door behind him. "Um, the others aren't here yet. I kinda wanted to talk to you alone."
"You sound so serious," Maggie said worriedly. "What's the problem dear? Is Splinter being too hard on you or something?"
Leonardo pursed his lips and tried not to laugh at the idea that he would complain about Splinter. "No, that's not it," he said unable to keep the amusement out of his voice. "But first, who was that guy who was here?"
"That was Matthew, my lawyer," she answered then more worried, "Don't tell me you were in the house while Matthew was! What if he saw you?"
"I am a ninja," Leonardo said, as matter of fact. "He went right by me, and didn't see anything. I guess you were going over your will with him? You were talking about leaving money to April."
Maggie sighed sadly. Leonardo knew she didn't want to talk about her death, but this would allow him to lead into the topic that he wanted.
"He's worried about a special account I've set up for you four and Splinter." Before Leonardo could protest, Maggie said quickly. "Now don't you dare tell me that I shouldn't do that. It's my money and after I'm gone, I shan't need it. Most of my money is going to charity. So will the proceeds from the estate sale after April's commission, but you boys have been getting food and supplies from me since you were very small, and if my renting this old house will keep you in milk and band aids, then don't argue."
Leonardo couldn't help but grin. "Yes ma'am," he said giving her a mock salute.
"And don't you tell Splinter either." Maggie said, the harshness of her tone softened by a giggle and a grin. "The old dear, he's too proud to accept money, but he's never won an argument with me when I've put a package in his hands."
"I'll bet," Leonardo said appreciatively. "You're a pretty hard person to say no to."
Maggie nodded. "So the house is in April's name, in trust for you five. The rent money will be in a special account that only she has access to, and she can buy you whatever you boys need. "
"Thank you," Leonardo said earnestly. "I know you've helped us a lot over the years, but don't tell Don or Mikey either. Otherwise they'll keep April buying tech and video games, and not saving for emergencies."
"As long as you don't tell Splinter." Maggie said with a chuckle. "I don't want to have to fight with him about it. He so hates to accept help."
"I guess," Leonardo said with a shrug. "I know he worries about you. He told me that you were trying to be brave for our sakes."
"The tattler," Maggie said with a smile. "I don't want you boys to worry about me. I've had a long full life. I have absolutely no regrets."
Leonardo gave Maggie an amused glance. "No regrets at all?" he asked.
"Not at all," Maggie insisted, and then sadly she said, "I only wish I knew if there was something more out there. When I close my eyes for the last time, will that truly be the end?"
Leonardo took Maggie's gnarled wrinkled hand into his own. "No way Maggie. Believe me. I know for a fact that dying isn't the end of everything. I know I have some friends waiting for me on the other side and I know I'll see them again."
"You sound very sure," Maggie said surprised.
"I am sure," Leonardo answered. "I never told my brothers about this, but when the Shredder almost killed me two years ago I kinda left my body for a little while, and it was kind of hard to find my way back."
"Your way back?" Maggie asked confused.
Leonardo nodded firmly, and closed his eyes trying to remember. "The last thing I remember about the fight at April's was hearing the others talking about a fire. I wasn't quite sure where we were at the time. All I clearly remember was being in a lot of pain, but gradually the pain went away. It was a funny feeling like I was floating or something. When I came to, I was in this garden. It was full of trees and flowers, and I remember really liking it."
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It was peaceful laying here on the cool grass. The sun was warm and comfortable on his skin. Leonardo opened his eyes and sat up puzzled but unworried.
Where am I? He wondered. The scent of flowers and fresh-cut grass hung in the air like a mist around him. He closed his eyes and took in the intoxicating scent. Slowly, Leonardo rose to his feet and staring with wonder at the warm sun floating in a bright sapphire sky. He seemed to be in some sort of park. There were trees, flowers, and little stone paths. The only thing there wasn't, were any people, or animals. The place was totally silent. The only thing Leonardo could hear was the sound of his own breathing.
I have to find Master Splinter and my brothers, Leonardo thought to himself. There wasn't really any urgency to the thought, however. This place was so peaceful that Leonardo almost wanted to stay here further, but he knew he had to find his family. He began to wander around the park slowly trying to figure out where he was.
Eventually he came to a small decorative stream with a small Victorian footbridge running across. Curious, Leonardo moved forward and prepared to cross the bridge. That was when he heard a strange voice say, "If you have any intention of going back to your father and brothers, Leonardo, you'll stay over here with me."
Leonardo turned to face a young man in his early twenties dressed in an antique military uniform. Soft gray eyes stared back at Leonardo. His hair was brown, and his dress cap was tucked gently under his arm.
Leonardo stared at the stranger intently. "Who are you?" he demanded.
"A friend," the young man said. "Oh I know you don't know me, but I know you, and that's the important thing right now."
"Do you know where my brothers and my father Master Splinter are?" Leonardo asked.
"Yes I do," the young man said, sadly. "Come this way Leo. Walk with me."
Leonardo couldn't find a reason to argue. So he began to walk beside the stranger.
"Can you remember how you came to be here, Leonardo?" The young man asked, as they walked side by side in the garden.
Leonardo frowned. For some reason he couldn't remember how he got here. "I remember being with my family. We were fighting the Shredder."
"Were you fighting The Shredder?" The man asked. Suddenly Leonardo shivered as he remembered exactly what happened.
"Be careful guys!" an unexpected but very familiar voice called out. Leonardo spun around to see April behind him. Gone was the warm green garden. Now they were in some woods in a place Leonardo had never seen. Leonardo could see snow everywhere, but for some reason he could not feel the cold snow against his feet. April was there hovering over his three brothers and Casey who were carrying somebody covered by a sleeping bag.
"April?" Leonardo said. April gave no indication that she could hear him. No one seemed to see him at all. "Casey, Raph! Don!" He turned back to the young man who had been walking with him. "What's going on? Why can't they see me?" Leonardo demanded. He took a step forward only to find himself on his knees in unbearable agony. Every inch of his body felt bruised and twisted into knots. He heard his pulse in his ears pounding as if something was inside his mind trying to escape. His blood felt like fire in his veins, but his skin felt icy. His chest tightened up making breathing impossible. He could taste bile in his throat, and blood in his mouth, but the strangest thing was, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was suddenly being lifted and carried somewhere. All at once the feeling passed. Leonardo found himself on his knees next to his companion in the snow.
"Careful now," The man said. "You're not quiet ready for that. If you get too close you will feel your body's pain."
"My body?" Leonardo looked over again at Casey and the others. He couldn't quite see who they were carrying, but he soon caught a glimpse of a blue headband. "No," Leonardo breathed in.
Oblivious to Leonardo's presence, Casey and the others carried their burden inside, and closed the door. The young man with Leonardo motioned to Leonardo to follow him, and then passed through the door. Experimentally Leonardo placed his hand on the door and gave a push. Sure enough, his hand and then the rest of him passed through the door. "This can't be happening," he said as he saw his brothers lay his body gently down on a couch. "That's . . . that's me!" Leonardo told his companion. "Am I dead?"
"Not quite," the young man said. "Your spirit escaped your body to avoid the pain it was in. You are on the very edge of death now. Whether you return to life, or go on to the next level is entirely up to you."
"Up to me?" Leonardo echoed, "What do you mean? Please tell me what's going on!"
"Do you want to go back to your brothers?" The man asked him. "You can, but it will hurt quite a bit."
Leonardo wondered at that. Having felt the pain once and remembering how The Shredder had defeated him, Leonardo wasn't sure that he wanted to go through with it.
"Why won't he wake up?" Raphael's voice was angry and frightened. Leonardo looked puzzled at his companion who smiled, nodded, and gestured to the others. Curious Leonardo listened.
"Healing takes time," Splinter said sadly. "And Leonardo has received more than physical wounds. His spirit has also been grievously injured."
"Do you think he can hear us?" Donatello asked Splinter. Instantly Leonardo's attention was on his brothers.
"Perhaps," Splinter said. Donatello swallowed and got on his knees next to Leonardo.
"Hey Leo," Donatello began uncertainly. "It's me, Don. I know your going to pull through this. I mean you have to. The rest of us would be lost without you. Remember the time . . ."
Donatello began to talk about once when he had fallen into the runoff and almost drowned. Leonardo smiled remembering the incident vividly. He remembered saving Donatello. He realized that he had to find a way to get back into his body. He didn't want to leave his brothers yet, and he could tell that they didn't want to lose him either. As Donatello spoke, Leonardo felt a strength grow in him. He had to go back. He had to find a way.
"You really came through for me that day, Leo," Donatello said finishing his story. "And I know you will again."
Raphael was leaning against the wall watching Donatello cynically. "You've got him hanging on your every word Don," he said snidely
Donatello's face fell instantly. Angry, Leonardo stepped forward and barked. "Leave him alone Raph!"
All of a sudden, the pain washed over him again. All of his muscles in his arms, and legs suddenly bunched and tightened. His plastron felt cracked as he tried to take in a breath. His throat felt as if someone had tried to choke him. He was freezing, and felt as if was dying again. The oddest part was he had the feeling that he was on both the couch and standing behind the others at the same time. He could feel the couch under him, and quilt covering him, but he was also watching the others next to the strange young man.
"Hey, I think he heard you Raphie!" Casey said suddenly.
"Maybe talking to him does help," April said hopefully.
Splinter sounded hopeful as well. "It is said that the voice of a loved one can guide a lost spirit back to its home."
"Mind if I give it a try?" Michelangelo asked.
As Michelangelo began talking, Leonardo turned to his companion. "What happened to me just now? I felt like I was there and here at the same time."
His new friend nodded. "You were. The strength you feel from your brothers will help you return, but your physical body is in a lot of pain. You must bear the pain and re-anchor your spirit within or you will fly free again."
"That is not going to be easy," Leonardo muttered to himself. He tried to focus on the story Michelangelo was telling, which was incidentally about his ability to focus.
"Leo, when you put your mind to something, you're unstoppable." Michelangelo said. "So how about using that famous focus of yours and come back to us?"
"If you ask me, he's not coming back cuz he's afraid!" Raphael cut in, distracting Leonardo.
Instantly Michelangelo jumped to Leonardo's defense. "No one asked you," he shot back.
Raphael was undaunted. "He got his butt whupped and now he's too chicken to come back and face it!"
"That's enough Raph!" Donatello said angrily.
Leonardo waited. He knew Raphael all too well. Splinter didn't chastise Raphael either. Leonardo knew that his sensei could hear the real fear and pain in Raphael's voice hidden by the attitude, just as he could.
"Well I say who needs him!" Raphael said ignoring his brothers' protests. He had a story too. At first it sounded as if Raphael was trying to say he didn't need Leonardo's help, but Leonardo remembered the fight with the albino crocodile well. As Raphael spoke, Leonardo heard the real message behind the story.
You can't bail out on me, Leo. I won't be able to handle it. I can't take care of the others like you can. I'm liable to get Don and Mikey killed. Leo, I need you back. Raphael finally couldn't keep his emotions in. His voice choked up and tears welled up in his eyes.
"Raph," Leonardo said tenderly. He knew that no matter how often he and Raphael fought there was a deep bond between them. Even more than the others, Raphael depended on him, to keep himself steady. Again, he tried to draw close to his family. He could again feel every single wound The Foot had inflicted on him. Again, he got the sensation of being on the couch and standing behind them at the same time. Unfortunately, the pain was too great and Leonardo couldn't seem to anchor himself inside his body. For the third time he found himself still behind his family next to the young man in the military uniform.
"You almost had it that time," the young man commented evenly. "Sometimes it takes more than one try."
"I've got to go back," Leonardo said firmly. "Don and Mikey could handle me dying, but Raph would lose it completely. He'd wind up getting himself killed within a month."
Donatello and Michelangelo were both staring at Raphael trying to figure out why he had suddenly done a one hundred and eighty degree turn with his attitude. Only during the most drastic of times did Raphael's defenses come down and he expressed his true emotions.
Splinter placed a gentle hand on Raphael's shoulder. "Your brother hears you Raphael. He understands."
Even though he knew they couldn't see him, Leonardo nodded.
Raphael wandered over to the open window, and looked out at the snowfall. Cautiously Michelangelo and Donatello followed him.
"Raph," Donatello asked tentatively.
"Go away," Raphael snapped at them, but his voice lacked its usual venom.
Michelangelo shook his head firmly. "Nuh uh, Raph. You need to talk about this before you explode." Michelangelo drew closer and put a hand on Raphael's shoulder.
Raphael wouldn't look at either one of them. "I. . . I can't" he said.
"You have to," Donatello insisted. "Not that I believe in it, but if there was anyone who could spontaneously combust it would be you."
"No…" Raphael shook his head. "That's not it. I…can't protect you guys the way Leo does. I can't take care of you!" Raphael suddenly began to tremble with emotion, a sign that he was on the verge of cutting lose in a rage.
Michelangelo said nothing. He gently rubbed the back of Raphael's shell until his brother stopped shaking.
Leonardo bit his lower lip, and looked back at his body with determination. "Don't worry Raph," he said firmly. "You won't have to."
Splinter was kneeling next to Leonardo. "Leonardo, my son, you must gather all of your strength and face your fear."
That caught Raphael's attention. He moved back to where everyone was hovering over Leonardo. "Come on sensei, Leo ain't been afraid of anything in his life!"
"Not true my son," Splinter gently corrected Raphael. Reaching out and cupping his hand around Leonardo's head he said, "Do you recall Leonardo, our early years?"
As Splinter spoke, Leonardo found himself drawn into the half-forgotten memories. It was a time in his life when failure had been the norm, not the exception. Splinter had worked for nearly a year to cure Leonardo of his fear of heights, and in the end resorted to a trick to begin that conquest.
That's when Leonardo suddenly realized what was stopping him from getting back into his body. It was that sensation, that feeling of helplessness that the world was spinning around him out of control. Even to this day, anytime he looked over a high edge, he remembered for a fraction of a second the vertigo that had plagued him as a child.
Then I'd remember what I was supposed to be doing. I'd remember that I could do it. I'd remember how good it felt when Master Splinter praised me. That day marked not the end of his fear, but the beginning of his cure. Once he knew that, he could overcome his fear of heights. Splinter and he worked together to overpower the fear all together. It was his first real success.
"I can do this," Leonardo said firmly. "I just have to let myself feel the pain, and not be afraid."
For the third time Leonardo drew close this time focusing on not only Raphael, but on his sensei's story. Again, he was overwhelmed by the sensation of pain and dizziness, but this time he bore it, knowing that only by going through the pain would he find his way home.
"No fear," he heard his own voice say. The pain was excruciating. Leonardo couldn't figure out which way was up or down, or even if he was standing or lying down. Still, he held on. I can do this, he told himself. I have to do this.
Suddenly the falling sensation stopped suddenly. He was still in pain, but it was a good pain. It was the kind of pain that let you know you were alive. The world felt solid and real to him again. He opened his eyes and looked up at his family. When he heard them cheer, he knew that it was worth every ache and pain to come back to them.
"We thought you were gone, bro," Raphael said warmly. Leonardo wondered when he had seen his hotheaded brother so happy.
"I was," Leonardo said. It hurt to talk. His throat was dry and scratchy, and he was desperate for a drink of water, but reassuring his family was more important. "But you brought me back, all of you."
"You fought your way back my son," Splinter told him. "I am proud of you."
As always Splinter's praise left a warm feeling inside of him that was able to reduce the pain he was in. He felt very heavy and tired. Unable to keep his eyes open any longer, Leonardo said weakly, "Thank you, sensei," and then fell into a deep restful sleep.
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"So that's how I know," Leonardo finished his story for Maggie. "When I die, I'll have friends waiting for me to help me out. So I'm not really afraid to die at all. Not that I'm anxious to die or anything. The last time I got hurt a friend of yours told me I had to be more careful. I've got too many things to do before I go and stay with him for good."
"What do you mean the last time? Do you mean you almost died twice?" Maggie demanded.
"Raph and Mikey get hurt way more often than I do," Leonardo said defensively. "But I make up for it in how badly I get hurt. For some reason people just target me; first The Shredder and then this guy from another dimension." Leonardo looked at Maggie quizzically. "Did Master Splinter ever tell you about the Battle Nexus?"
"No," Maggie answered, "But Yoshi did. He said it was some sort of Martial Arts competition."
Leonardo. "It's ruled over by a Damiyo. His son once lost to me in a duel, so when we showed up at the Battle Nexus he tried to poison me."
"How terrible!" Maggie said worried. "It sounds to me as if this Damiyo's son was quite the sore loser."
"You have no idea," Leonardo said with a sigh. "The moment the dart hit me, I felt myself becoming paralyzed. I vaguely remember Don showing up. It took everything I had in me at the time to tell Don that it wasn't the fault of the samurai I was competing against. He actually turned out to be a friend. I started feeling myself drift away again like the last time, but this time there was someone else trying to pull me back to the physical world. I didn't know who it was though, so I pulled further away from them. I didn't become fully aware after that until I heard Master Yoshi call to me."
"Yoshi? You saw Yoshi?"
"Yep," Leonardo said with a grin. "He was right there when I needed him."
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"Leonardo, wake up."
Leonardo sat up, opened his eyes, and saw before him a peaceful garden full of flowers. Instead of peace, all Leonardo felt was frustration. He knew what this meant. His spirit was separate from his body again, and his brothers were in the care of their enemy.
"No!" Leonardo said in frustration. "No, I can't be here again! I have to warn Master Splinter and my brothers!"
"I agree with you, Leonardo, but often a situation must get worse before it gets better." A familiar voice said. Suddenly Leonardo remembered that he had heard that voice call to him when he first came to. He turned to his left and saw standing on the grass a young man who he had only seen before in his dreams.
"Master Yoshi?" Leonardo said confused.
Master Yoshi bowed at the waist as he smiled. "Hello, Leonardo," The young ninja master strode forward confidently, and offered Leonardo his hand. Leonardo took it and rose to his feet. Once standing Leonardo returned Master Yoshi's bow.
"Master Yoshi," Leonardo said again, more calmly. "Can you help me please? I have to warn Master Splinter and my brothers. I think the Damiyo's son is trying to kill me."
"Oh I know for certain that he is trying to kill you," Yoshi replied with a sigh. "That boy is the poorest sport I have ever seen, and he knows nothing of honor."
"I've got to warn the others," Leonardo said firmly. "Please Master Yoshi you have to help me!"
"There are things that I can do and things that I cannot do to help you, Leonardo," Yoshi said sternly. "Even as we speak there are events occurring that must occur for a greater good."
"A greater good?" Leonardo echoed. "I don't understand."
"You will see," Yoshi said. He offered Leonardo his hand. Gingerly Leonardo put his hand in Yoshi's and instantly they were somewhere else. They were in a throne room decorated with pillars, tapestries, and torches. Within the room was the Damiyo lying unconscious and surrounded by the same assassins that had tried to kill him earlier that day. Keeping the assassins away from the Damiyo was his own Master Splinter.
"Master Splinter!" Leonardo called out. Splinter didn't seem to hear him. Splinter was busy trying to battle the assassins. Leonardo turned back to Master Yoshi. "We have to help him."
"I'm afraid we cannot," Yoshi explained. "As you are now, you cannot affect the living realm. I could, but I cannot leave you or your chances of grasping life again would be gone, and you must survive, Leonardo. Your brother's need you. "
"Tell me something I don't know," Leonardo said with a sigh. As soon as the assassins were gone, the Damiyo's soldiers returned and the Damiyo's son. He accused Splinter of attempting to kill his father. Leonardo watched as the guards took Splinter by force, and began to drag him away as he proclaimed his innocence. Leonardo couldn't stand it. "Leave him alone!" Leonardo shouted.
"Leonardo no!" Master Yoshi said. Leonardo ignored him, and tried to spiral kick one of the guards holding Splinter, but his foot simply passed through the guard's head. Confused he looked back at Master Yoshi who said sadly. "Your form is excellent as always, Leonardo, but right now you can do nothing."
"So I'm supposed to stand here and do nothing while that dishonorable brat throws my father in his dungeons?"
Yoshi glared at Leonardo firmly. "Leonardo, you have been poisoned. Unless your body heals, you can do nothing! And if the poison is not countered soon you and I will have far too long to discuss it."
"No, I can't die!" Leonardo said desperately. "If they know I'm poisoned aren't they looking for a cure?"
"The Damiyo's son wants you dead, my young friend. He has framed your sensei for attempting to kill the Damiyo. He is now in command."
A great crushing weight fell onto Leonardo's shoulders. "Then I'm as good as dead."
"Do not give up hope, Leonardo," Yoshi said gesturing for Leonardo to follow "You yourself have put a series of events into motion that may yet defeat the Damiyo's son, and save the Damiyo."
"I did?" Leonardo asked. He tried to remember something he had done to fight the Damiyo's son, but he couldn't remember anything in particular. Yoshi passed through a wall, and without a moment's hesitation Leonardo followed. "What did I do?"
They ended up in a pavilion full of the strange masked beings like the Damiyo and his son. Leonardo saw his body laying there on a pallet. He felt a strange tingling pain along his skin warning him that, any closer, and he would feel the pain of the poison coursing through his body.
Then he saw Usagi.
"You made a friend," Master Yoshi said warmly. "It is the bonds of friendship and family that can save both you and the Damiyo. Observe."
At that moment, the Damiyo's guards came in carrying the Damiyo.
"Master Healer, you are needed at once. The Damiyo has been attacked."
Instantly the healer, who had been helping Leonardo, got up and left Leonardo's side, and went off into a separate room with the soldiers.
"Wait," Donatello cried out. "What about Leo?" Leonardo smiled warmly as he watched his brother tenderly apply a cold cloth to his forehead. "What can I do?" Donatello wondered to himself. "I'm an engineer not a doctor."
"Don," Leonardo wanted to comfort his brother, but Yoshi held him back.
Suddenly Donatello's hand snaked out and grabbed Usagi by the wrist. "Don't even think about touching him!" Donatello said in a tone that surprised even Leonardo. Donatello was never that harsh with people.
To his credit, Usagi did not take offense. "Please," the samurai rabbit said earnestly. "I only wish to examine your brother. I mean no harm."
"Don doesn't know that Usagi helped me in the hall of past champions," Leonardo said to Yoshi. "How can we let him know that Usagi is okay?"
"Wait here," the ninja spirit said gently. He moved directly behind Donatello. He knelt down, and began to speak to Donatello softly. "Donatello, you can trust this young samurai. He has helped Leonardo before, and he can help him now."
Donatello didn't give any indication that he heard the ghost, but his expression softened slightly. "Go ahead," he said. "But I'll be watching."
Yoshi smiled, and got to his feet to rejoin Leonardo.
Confused Leonardo watched as Usagi showed Donatello how the crystal prism could find the place where he had been poisoned. "Master Yoshi, can Don hear you?"
"Not exactly," Yoshi said with a smile. "Deep within his soul he does hear me, but he is not aware that we are present. He will heed my advice, but not understand where the knowledge came from."
Suddenly a thought occurred to Leonardo. "It was you! You warned me about the assassins in the hall of past champions!"
Yoshi laughed warmly. "Yes. To your credit you did sense the danger before I spoke, but I do confess that I told you where the attack was coming from. I also drew your friend, Usagi, into the hall."
Now he remembered; the moment he knew he was in danger he had heard a soft voice in his mind that said, "On your left, Leonardo." Without understanding why he had turned to his left and blocked the first attack.
Suddenly Leonardo felt a strange tingling along his neck and spine. He took a step back, but craned his neck to see what Donatello and Usagi were doing. "Master Yoshi, what's going on? I feel something going down the inside of my shell."
Yoshi looked very satisfied. "That is very good. As I suspected, Usagi had a counter to the poison used against you. You should be strong enough to return to your body in a few hours."
Leonardo found it hard to concentrate with this feeling spreading from his spine down though his arms and legs. "I'm going to have to feel like this for hours?"
Yoshi looked at Leonardo amused. "Discomfort in battle is not the same when there is nothing more important to distract you, eh? Distance should take care of that problem."
"Can we go see Master Splinter?" Leonardo asked anxiously.
"Yoshi sighed sympathetically. "You cannot help him. He is in the palace dungeons.
"I just want to see him, okay?" Leonardo said a little harsher than he intended to. Then guiltily, he apologized. "Master Yoshi, I'm sorry I-"
Yoshi held up a hand to silence him. "You find yourself unable to do anything to help or protect your family. I understand your frustration. Come." He took Leonardo's hand and together they appeared in the palace dungeons.
Leonardo winced trying to see through the murky darkness of the dungeons. He glanced over at Master Yoshi, who pointed to a cell ten feet away. Leonardo nodded and walked over to the cell. Inside he saw his Master Splinter sitting on a bench, deep in meditation. Master Splinter seemed to be unharmed. Leonardo drew closer and then saw his sensei suddenly tense and shiver.
"No!" Splinter cried out as if wounded. "Leonardo!"
He knows I'm here, Leonardo realized. He knew that Splinter could sense things that he and his brothers could not. He always seemed to be three or four steps ahead of them. It wasn't surprising to Leonardo that his sensei was aware of his presence, but it took him a few seconds to figure out what it would upset his father so.
Oh, shell, he thinks - Leonardo didn't finish the thought. Instead, he came closer to his sensei and knelt before him. "Master Splinter, no. I'm all right, or at least I will be soon. Don found someone who's helping me. I'm going to get better. I'm just not there right now."
Splinter had to have heard him. The old rat calmed down and whispered into the air, "My son, you must be careful. The Damiyo's son seeks your death, and the death of his father. Watch over your brothers, guide them if you can, and return to us as soon as you are able."
"Of course I will, Master Splinter," Leonardo said reassuringly. "I just wanted to check on you."
"I am not important," Splinter said barely above a whisper. "It is you and the Damiyo who are in danger."
"Don and my friend, Usagi, are with me and the Damiyo in the healer's pavilion. I don't know where Raph and Mikey are."
"They may yet be in the tournament," Splinter reminded him. "Watch over them that the Damiyo's son does not harm them."
"I will, Master Splinter," Leonardo promised. "Don't worry I've got a friend helping me. I'll be back with you soon." Leonardo smiled realizing that his visit had helped his sensei. Splinter now knew that Leonardo would help his brothers even limited as he was. Splinter seemed much more relaxed and at ease than he had been before.
Even though Splinter could not see him, Leonardo bowed after he got to his feet. Then he passed through the bars of the cell, joining Master Yoshi. "Can you take me to Raph and Mikey?" He asked.
Master Yoshi nodded amused. "Your brothers are still in the tournament," he said with a chuckle. "I believe things are about to become interesting."
The palace dungeons faded away only to be replaced by the large outdoor stadium of the Battle Nexus. Leonardo found himself with Master Yoshi on a high wall dividing the stadium into four sections.
"Where are Raph and Mikey?" Leonardo asked. Master Yoshi smiled and pointed down outside the arena area. There were his two brothers with five other warriors, and the Geogi. Michelangelo seemed to be upset about something.
"I changed my mind!" Michelangelo said nervously. "I think I wanna fight the purple guy."
Whatever was upsetting Michelangelo must have been amusing to Raphael, because he was grinning from ear to ear.
Leonardo found out what was so funny when his two brothers disappeared and reappeared in the arena. A burst of laughter escaped him, and he sat down on the wall eager to see the outcome. "This is going to be priceless."
Michelangelo and Raphael had to fight each other.
Master Yoshi sat down on the wall next to Leonardo. "Raphael is most eager to battle your brother," he said.
"Raph has his reasons," Leonardo said. He could barely keep from laughing. Raphael had started off very aggressively. Michelangelo had to work to keep out of Raphael's way, but Leonardo knew that Michelangelo was very good at doing that very thing. "But if he's not careful, Mikey will beat him."
"Michelangelo is not even trying to strike him," Master Yoshi said sounding slightly surprised. "Do you truly believe that Michelangelo can win?"
"Oh Mikey can definitely beat Raph," Leonardo said confidently. "Believe it or not, Mikey's nonsense is partially a battle strategy. Mikey will get Raph's temper to a low boil, and let Raph wear himself out. Then Mikey will say something that will send Raph over the edge. Mikey will use Raph's own strength against him. If Raph ignores Mikey he'll win, but if he doesn't keep his temper it's a sure bet that Mikey will beat him."
Seconds after that, they heard Michelangelo taunting Raphael.
"Why? Does my talking bother you? Am I distracting you somehow? Messing up your concentration, Making you lose focus? Finally getting on your nerves perhaps?"
"Careful Raph," Leonardo said, trying very hard not to laugh. "Mikey's going to beat you if you blow it."
Down in the ring, Michelangelo continued his taunting. "Or maybe you're just the tiniest bit worried that I might actually beat you."
Raphael broke into a very un-turtle like roar, and ran for Michelangelo. Even before he hit the wall, Leonardo knew.
"And that sound you hear is Raph blowing the tournament." Leonardo said with a chuckle. This was one battle he wasn't going to let Raphael forget. Above them, where the defeated warriors were teleported to, Leonardo could hear Raphael venting.
"He could become the Battle Nexus champion! He'll never let me live it down, and I'll never be able to live with myself!"
Leonardo couldn't help himself. This was just so funny! "Serves you right Raph," Leonardo said between laughs. "If this doesn't teach you to keep your temper in a fight, I don't know what will!" Leonardo was even happy about the fact that Traximus showed up next to Raphael and they went off together.
"At least Traximus will keep Raph safe from the Damiyo's son," Leonardo said relieved. Suddenly he felt that odd tingling down the inside of his shell again. "Hey Master Yoshi, that tingling down my shell, I can feel it again."
"That means the medicine is working," Master Yoshi said. "And just in time too. Donatello and your friend Usagi will need you soon. Do you think you can bear the discomfort if you were closer to your body?"
"I think I can now," Leonardo said. He had seen Master Splinter, Raphael, and Michelangelo. Now he wanted to get back to Donatello.
Master Yoshi nodded to Leonardo. He got to his feet and offered Leonardo a hand up. By the time Leonardo was standing, they were both back in the healer's pavilion.
Instantly the light prickly sensation he had on the inside of his shell spread out through his arms and legs. A pounding headache began in the back of his head. "Okay, this is not pleasant," he complained lightly.
"Pain is good," Yoshi reminded him. "It tells you that you are alive. If you were truly dead, you would feel no pain."
"That's nice to know," Leonardo said trying to keep the sarcasm out of his voice. Some of it must have leaked through, though, because Yoshi smiled amused.
Leonardo glanced over at his unconscious form. Donatello and Usagi were keeping a careful watch over him.
"He's not as cold as before," Donatello said sounding hopeful. "It looks like your medicine is working."
"Good," Usagi said. "Even though you and Leonardo are ninja, you have much honor. Ninja in my world are not so."
"We really didn't have much of a choice, at first," Donatello explained. "Master Splinter learned ninjitsu from his sensei, Hamato Yoshi. Their statues are in the pavilion of past champions. As we got older we realized if the people who lived in our world ever knew about us, they'd try to capture and study us like animals. It's best that we stay invisible and hidden. Maybe if we had lived in a world like yours, things would have been different."
"I see," Usagi said thoughtfully.
Suddenly Master Yoshi turned to the door. "The Assassins are coming,"
Instantly Leonardo was on alert. "Master Yoshi, can you warn Don?" He asked.
"Yes," Master Yoshi said firmly. "They must hide themselves before the assassins arrive." Instantly the ninja master vanished and reappeared behind Donatello.
"Donatello," Master Yoshi called to him. "Be wary. The assassins are coming! Take Usagi and hide!"
Donatello sat up, every sense he had on alert. Usagi looked at Donatello surprised. "Donatello-san, what is the matter? "
"Shhh!" Donatello hushed Usagi instantly. His brow furrowed in thought then he grabbed the confused samurai, and pulled him over to a private curtained alcove, away from the beds. Donatello pushed Usagi against a wall and covered his mouth with his hand. "Don't move, don't talk, and try not to breathe," he instructed the samurai. Together they held perfectly still waiting for trouble to come to them.
They didn't have long to wait. Seconds after they hid, Leonardo saw small gas globes tossed against the far end of the room insuring the gas would go into the Damiyo's private chamber.
When Usagi saw the gas he began to struggle against Donatello, but Donatello mouthed the word 'no' and made a signal that Leonardo knew meant, "wait."
Sure enough seconds later the assassins appeared. When they stopped by Leonardo's body Leonardo saw Donatello tense for action. "Steady, Donnie," Leonardo said, even though he knew his brother couldn't hear them.
It seems the assassins weren't interested in Leonardo, though. They intended to use his weapons to kill the Damiyo to frame him. Donatello waited until the Assassins went into the Damiyo's chamber. Now it was time to move.
Leonardo watched as Donatello and Usagi fought the assassins. Anxiously Leonardo glanced over to Master Yoshi. "I've got to help Don and Usagi," he said. He looked over to his body with determination. "I've got to get back."
Leonardo stared at his form and focused on returning to his physical body. He could feel the medicines working, but the pain was still too great and, after a moment of struggling, he found himself still as a spirit.
He must have moved or made some noise however. Donatello looked over at Leonardo's prone form. "Leo?" Donatello cried out hopefully. Unfortunately, the distraction allowed an assassin to strike out at Donatello.
"Don, don't worry about me! Pay attention to what you're doing," Leonardo called out. At this point, he didn't care if Donatello could hear him or not.
"Leonardo, try again," Master Yoshi said. "You must join your brother in defending the Damiyo."
Leonardo nodded and used everything he had in him to force his way back into his own body. Suddenly with a 'pop', Leonardo found himself lying on the pallet with a horrible headache. His muscles ached, and he wished he could lay there for a few more hours.
Leonardo, I know you are in pain, but you must get up! Your brother and Usagi need you!
Leonardo heard Master Yoshi's voice differently now. It was as if he were talking to Leonardo from the other end of a long hallway. Leonardo tried to obey and sit up, but his muscles would not comply. "I...I can't get up," he muttered with effort.
You have to, Leonardo, Master Yoshi's voice still filtered gently into his mind. You are the only one right now who can help them.
Suddenly, Leonardo heard a dark harsh voice say, "time to skewer the rabbit"
Usagi! No! Leonardo thought desperately. Before he even knew where the reserves of strength came from, he was out of his bed, and in the Damiyo's chamber. He snatched up his discarded katanas, and blocked the blow meant for Usagi.
"I am glad to see you are feeling better, Leonardo-san," Usagi said relieved.
Leonardo glanced over at his friend and thought about how much of an understatement that was. "Maybe not better," he said forcing every word from his achy lungs. "But at least I'm breathing."
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
"With my help, Don and Usagi were able to take out the rest of the assassins. Then, we waited for help. Not long after that, Master Splinter showed up with Raphael and Traximus, and together we were able to stop Draco and the Damiyo's son from causing any further damage."
"And who won the tournament?" Maggie asked.
Leonardo grinned at that. "I'm still not sure how, but Mikey actually managed to win the tournament. If you ask him about it, though, please make sure the rest of us aren't around. He reminds us about it often enough."
"I see," Maggie chuckled. Then she noticed Leonardo's expression go distant. "Leo? What's wrong dear?"
Instantly Leonardo snapped back to reality. "Oh I was just thinking," He said softly. "I know why Master Yoshi didn't show up the first time, but I've never been able to figure out who the guy in the uniform was. He seemed to know a lot about me, but we don't know anybody in the military."
Maggie looked very thoughtful and glanced over at her dresser. "Leonardo," she said after a few moments, "Go into the bottom of my dresser drawer, and bring me the white box, please."
Puzzled, Leonardo did as he was told. He brought Maggie the box, which was far more off-white than white. It looked very old with worn torn corners. Maggie opened the box. It contained some yellowing tissue paper, which was wrapped around a photo album. She had not shown them this album before. It was made of white leather, which was cracked, stained, and faded in a few places. It had gold trim and a plaque that said, "Margaret and Peter March 9 1938". Without a word, Margaret turned to the third page in the album. It showed the young man Leonardo remembered from his first near-death experience. He was standing next to a very young Maggie, who was dressed in a stunning white dress that trailed to the floor. He was wearing the exact uniform Leonardo remembered. "Maggie," Leonardo breathed out astonished, "Was he your husband?"
"Yes, that was my Peter," Maggie said wistfully. "He was assigned to a battle ship in October of 1940. They were docked at Pearl Harbor the day of ..." Maggie sighed sadly. "I never saw him after that."
"I'm so sorry," Leonardo said guiltily. "But Maggie, that's him! That's the guy who helped me!"
"I thought it might be," Maggie said with a smile. "Peter loved to help people when he was alive. When we said our vows all those years ago, Peter whispered to me, 'till death do us part and beyond.'"
"Is that why you never remarried?"
"I guess," Maggie said with a smile. "I've always felt Peter near me, so I never missed having him."
"Well I'm sure - " Leonardo broke off suddenly and motioned to Maggie to keep quiet. In a flash, he jumped for the door and opened it to see Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael tumble into the room.
"So how long have you three been listening?" Leonardo asked harshly. He could feel the heat of embarrassment coloring his cheeks copper. He focused on controlling his breathing. He didn't have anything to be embarrassed about. He hadn't told his brothers about his two near-death experiences because he never wanted to frighten or upset them.
Michelangelo and Donatello looked properly contrite. Raphael was on a low boil. Leonardo knew that if he said or did the wrong thing, Raphael would explode into a full-blown temper.
Unapologetically Raphael said, "Long enough to want a few questions answered, fearless leader."
"Raphael!" Maggie said reproachfully. Leonardo turned and gave Maggie a slight grin.
"It's okay Maggie. I can handle this." Leonardo said calmly. He gave his brothers a blistering look, and said, "On the roof, guys."