Dream Walker

Disclaimer: I deny any ownership of any adolescent transformed shadow warrior chelonians

Epilogue

Jennifer:

I don't think I really enjoyed the last bit of my visit with my Aunt, after all I'd gone through with the turtles and Akuma, along with trying to sort out how I felt about Mike well, it was too difficult to act like nothing was wrong or that life was perfectly fine. Aunt Crystal put my somber mood down to her attack and she told me time and again that she was just fine and we shouldn't let it spoil our fun. I tried, I really did, to relax and just let loose. Sometimes it worked for a little bit, then I'd feel guilty because here I'd been having all this fun like I didn't have a care in the world, but in reality I shouldn't be able to escape the pain that easy.

I also had to wonder about Leo, Don and Raph, how were they getting along now without Mike. I knew that such a loss could end up pushing them away from one another, or help cement them together. I didn't hear much from the turtles at first, though I desperately wanted to hear something, anything, from any of them. Still I knew they had their own grief to bear and injuries they needed to recuperate from. It was also possible that, in spite of their promise they would end up not getting a hold of me, allowing me to drop out of their lives.

I didn't think that I could forget them, fighting Akuma had created a bond between us, one that had made us stand together for a time, to fight a demon that could not be stopped by any one of us alone.

I returned home and my mind often focused on the turtles, strangely enough all my comics and other aspects of turtles were kind of hard to look at because I knew the real thing, and trying to look at the images of what had been created just didn't measure up. It was like meeting a favourite actor or singer and finding out that this person wasn't what you expected or thought, they were so much more and yet so much less then what you had believed. I wanted to tell my friends about the turtles but I knew there was no way I could divulge the reality because no one would ever believe me, even my closest and dearest friends would only assume that I was playing some kind of trick on them.

At night I would light a candle and leave it burning in the window, while I thought about the things Mike had told me about being a hero. I used to believe that being a hero was meant for certain people, like they are destined for it. Now I realize that anyone any where could be a hero, it just takes being in the right place at the right time, or perhaps more the wrong place at the wrong time would be more correct.

I had almost given up on ever hearing from the turtles, I was almost ready to forget them and move on when one day after school I turned on the computer and saw an e-mail with the heading Thanks Dream Walker.

I clicked it open.

Hi Jen,

Guess you figured we forgot about you huh? Well in a way we sort of have, its just we've all been so trapped, so hurt by the events that I think we just wanted to distance ourselves from anything connected to it. Sorry about that, we really ought to have contacted you sooner.

We arrived out a the farm all right. Leo he is spending a lot of time meditating and Raph he is still Raph, meaning he's spending a lot of time off on his own. As for me, I know that much as I love all my gadgets and stuff like that, well nothing can really replace my family. I've always felt strongly for my family but Mike's death made me realize that there are some things not worth putting off or sweeping things aside. I guess what I'm trying to say is I have to reorganize my priorities.

Have to tell you this though Jen, we are all grateful for your help. You really came through for all of us. I appreciated your sincerity when Splinter was hurt how you wanted to turn back and silently cussed us out for being so callous. You said everything we were feeling and it took a great deal of strength for you to come with us. You have the heart and soul of a warrior and the sweet compassion, the deep caring of one who loves strong and deep. You Jen can use your skills to help so many people and I know that you will not back down from a challenge no matter how daunting. You are a true hero.

The other night we were all star gazing and we saw a star that reminded it all of Mike. So we recalled the words you told us, the very same words Splinter had told us many times before, well we decided that star was Mike's bright light shining for all of us to see. I'll send you a picture showing right where you can find it. So if you want to see it too, you will know where to find it.

Thanks for everything Jen and I promise. I'll keep in touch with you.

Don.

I smiled and felt a tear or two escape from my eyes and trickle down my cheek. I suddenly felt so relieved that one of them had even bothered to drop off a quick message to let me know how they were. it made me feel warm inside. Though I quickly wiped my eyes and glanced around to ensure none of the family had caught me blubbering at the computer.

I sent a quick message back to him telling him how pleased I was to hear from him.

It was about week later that Raph dropped me a short note.

Yo,

Uh Jen, hope you ain't too mad at us for not talkin' for this. But I was kinda messed up and not in a talkin' mood. I know ya don't really talk over the computer but Don would have been right pissed if I smashed his computer up and the way I was then well, it weren't a far possibility.

Hope ya don't blame yourself for what happened to Mike. Ya did your best I know that. Just so hard not havin' him s'all. I gotta go Jen I'm gettin that insane urge to smash the 'puter gain. Bye.

I laughed when I read that. Ah, Raphael. I don't think I could be mad at him, besides I recalled too well how intimidating he could be, though in some way those tactics had died, at least somewhat, as if Raph knew that I really didn't want to hurt him and there was no need to act so aggressive towards me. Short simple to the point, a turtle of few words but of quick action.

Did I blame myself for what happened to Mike?

At first, I did if just a little, but I had come to accept, as I thought about Mike, that he did what he did, to help me, to spare my life. Mike acted the part of the hero, which is what he was. Mike wouldn't have had it any other way. Besides Leo had said it would be wrong to steal Splinter's honour of dying a hero's death and I suppose the same could be said for Mike, no one should take that from Mike either. So now I honoured him the fallen hero, who sacrificed his life, who gave everything so that others could be free. I didn't want to steal away any honour he might have gained.

I didn't talk much to Raph and Don but they did send me the occasional message and I would send them stuff too, once in a while passing on jokes or riddles friends had either told me or sent to me. Some of the jokes were real bad, true groaners, the ones Raph would insist "Mikey would have loved that one." Leo hadn't bothered to contact me as of yet, I would often ask about him only for Raph or Don, or both, to assure me he was doing all right. He was recuperating from his shoulder injuries and spent a good deal of his time meditating. It seemed they were making excuses for Leo.

I worried then for Leonardo, knowing what a tremendous weight he had to be bearing on his shoulders, knowing that he had to be taking the death of his father and brother quite badly and my mind started running through all kinds of possibilities. Of course the simple comments from the other two didn't help matters it only made me think they were hiding something.

I dreamed one night about the farm, I could see Leo meditating, I knew he was hurting but was trying to find balance, he was seeking something that perhaps only he could find, he was in his own way dream walking. I then felt a strange dizziness come over me and I was looking at what I knew had to be the turtles in the future. They all looked older, their skin more scarred and yet the three of them stood together and there was a feeling that nothing could or would tear them apart. I know how tenuous it can be trying to tell the future from visions but I could only hope that what ever path my friends took they would truly find that future, instead of some other possibility. Perhaps that night vision was only a way to bring me peace of mind about my concerns.

Funny though the next morning when I got up and checked my e-mail messages, there was one from Leo.

Jennifer,

Don and Raph have told me they have been keeping in touch with you and I am afraid I have been a, little derelict in that detail. I really didn't want to say or do anything until I was sure what the next step would be. I know Splinter taught me to lead, to care for my brothers, and he taught me so much and yet nothing could really prepare me fully for what I'd have to do when leadership truly became mine. I needed answers, and couldn't give any when I myself didn't have them to give.

I spent a great deal of time emptying my mind searching out the path that I feel is the right one for us to take. I needed to find peace, serenity and most of all acceptance. I so wanted to deny everything to do with Akuma even though I knew such denial would get me nowhere. I felt lost and alone though I knew in reality I wasn't.

I managed to converse with Splinter's spirit he asked me to continue to guide you in dream walking, to help your skill and ability grow. I would truly appreciate having you as a student, if you would be willing to have me as your Sensei. Though I warn you I can be a bit hard to please at times, I am not a total ogre. Of course I realize that you may not wish to do any more then what you know and that is fine too. Still I believe with your talent, the gift you have been given, you could do so much to aid others especially if you were able to untap your full potential in your skill.

Think about this before answering. There are dangers as you have learned, some of them can be deadly but I think in the end the rewards out weigh all else. A diamond can not shine without friction, and a person needs trials to overcome, to prove their character. I am sure you realize being a hero isn't all it is cracked up to be.

Take care of yourself Jennifer, and consider well the path you wish to take from here.

Leonardo.

Mike had said much the same thing about heroes, it wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Yet when I thought of Mike and how he lived his life. I realized that I had been hiding my light under a bush for a long time, while Mike allowed his to shine brightly. He had shone for all who knew him, made people feel so good about themselves. He could not hide what he was, not even in the end and because of that he shone all the harder and brighter, making it so much more difficult to forget him.

I didn't have to think about it. I knew my answer, I didn't even have to by psychic to know it. It was time to shine if only because I was tired of hiding and being less then I should be. It was time to take my place in the world and do what I could because, that is what a hero would do even if the odds weren't in their favour. It was the best way I knew of to honour Mike.

The End