Flights Of Fancy

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

Chapter Nine – No reasoning!

" Leo come on wake up" Don muttered frantically as he shook his brother, he glanced now and again over his shoulder as if expecting Gimod's return at any moment.

The dragon had left in a clearly irritable mood, to finish his hunting trip that had been cancelled when he had battled with Leo, considering the temper of the creature, it was also quite possible that it had gone off to destroy some nearby village just to take the edge off of its uncharitable feelings. No matter what their scaly host was up to, Don realized that they really didn't have much time to get out, and escape was very high on Don's priority list at the moment, considering that Gimod had pretty much decided that he wasn't about to let the turtles live.

Don also knew that it would be hard enough to escape the dragon's home without having to try and pack his unconscious brother with him.

Don had noted the numerous scratches and bruises that had been caused in the small landslide, but he detected no broken bones at least, 'something is going in my favour. Now if I could just rouse Leo.' Don mused to himself as he slapped the leader a few times.

Silently treading ever so carefully, Marina slunk up behind Don she was keeping to the rocks along the cave wall to hide in and to move around with great care, her ears swiveling and her whiskers twitching as she moved. She sat down and eyed Don's meager attempts at waking the sleeping Leonardo; she shook her head as if she consider it all quite pathetic. She smirked to herself and decided she might be able to get some retribution on Leo after all.

As the other turtle worked on the upper half of Leo's body, Marina opted to take the lower half. Keeping her senses alert for either the dragon's return, or Don catching her, something she wanted to avoid at all costs, Marina edged closer to Leo. Moving as quickly as she could she positioned herself behind a rock near one of Leo's legs, then she peeked around the rock to insure Don was occupied. Then she acted she bit Leo's toe quite hard between her small white teeth.

" Yeowch!" Leo yelled bolting up so fast he bowled Don over.

Don only grinned with relief " Glad you finally woke up Leo. Come on we have to get out of here now!" Don insisted as he got to his feet.

Leo was stunned as he looked around the rocky cave, a scowl crossed his face and deep puzzled furrows creased his brow. " Don you're all right but where are the others?" Leo began then he recalled what had happened before " I was attacked by a dragon."

Don nodded understanding Leo's confusion but more concerned with how to make good with the vanishing act " Yes, I know the dragon found me too. He thinks we want to harm him so he intends to beat us to it." Don explained, " I don't know where the others happen to be at the moment. I just hope they are better off then we are."

Don headed to the front of the cave looking outside again, seeing no changes from his last search. It would not be easy to leave but they would have to risk it.

" Don hold on" Leo began checking his slightly throbbing toe, he noted bite marks but no blood, so he stood up and dusted himself off " Just slow down and tell me what is going on here?"

Don heaved a heavy sigh, he knew his brothers looked to him for answers whenever they were stumped. He grimaced and shrugged " Truth is Leo I don't really know what is going on" Don admitted reluctantly. " However I can tell you this. The dragon that brought you here has been my host, though not a very gracious one. He thinks we are a threat to him." He shook his head as if even he couldn't begin to believe that two ninja turtles really posed a threat to something like Gimodaptor. " He is going kill us when he gets back but he can't kill what he can't find." He finally concluded.

Don turned to see Leo checking and looking around the rocks as if he hadn't heard him. Don frowned a bit wondering if Leo might have injured his head in some way. " Are you feeling okay Leo?"

" I was just looking for Marina."

At the sound of her name Marina jumped onto a rock and began to wash her coat " Don't you bathe? Your toe taste awful," She groaned, " I might never get the taste out of my mouth." Then she sat up very primly with her head held high and a disdainful look in her eye " Just what sort of dragon slayer are you fighting a wyrm on its own hillside."

" I am not a dragon slayer" Leo corrected the catafly sharply.

Don looked at the creature, Marina noting his penetrating gaze stood on the rock and held her tail high clearly posing for him " Aren't I just so perfect in every way? Don't you wish you could be as stunning?" she inquired batting her eyes at him, she shook a bit fluffing up her hair as she pranced about on the rock fluttering her wings so Don could better appreciate her.

Don grinned, " Perhaps Leo, your friend might be able to help us…" Don began.

Leo already used to the mercurial behaviour of the catafly informed his brother with a simple " Don't count on it."

Marina took offense to Don's words arched her back, her hair bristled and she laid back her ears " Help! Oh! You are more of an oaf then he is!" she fumed, " You both deserve to be dragon food." She snarled as she swiped at the air with a paw that had claws unsheathed. In her anger at the turtles for their attitude, she jumped into a run slipping like lightning past the ninja and out the cave without even looking back.

" Just what did I say?" Don asked uncertainly.

Leo smiled " Don't worry about it Don. Marina is of service only when she chooses to be. She is quite emotional and easily offended on top of it." Leo strolled over to the front of the cave to take a look outside. He paused drawing back and whistling softly as he noted the treacherous way down to the ground.

Leo then looked up ward and smiled " If we use our climbing claws we might be able to go up instead of down. We could work our way over the mountainside and hopefully find enough niches in the rocks to hide in to avoid the dragon catching us again." He decided.

Don nodded " What about avoiding the other dragons Leo? I've been keeping track there has to be around twenty living in this general area" he informed the leader.

" We have to do what we can Don." Leo replied trying to put confidence into his tone, a confidence that even Leo, wasn't too sure of after the way Gimod had defeated him. " Either we take our chances out there. Or in here." He pointed out.

Don gave a weak grin " Lets go for a climb then."

In moments with the climbing claws attached to foot and hand the two turtles had made their way out of the cave and started the slow journey upwards. Both of the ninja kept every sense alert for the dragons that were living in the valley as they made use of whatever shadows the mountain face afforded them.

Gimod's home actually seemed far closer to the upper regions of the mountain face then it did to the ground, so, Don reasoned there would probably be a far better chance of being caught if they had moved down hill instead.

Suddenly there was a warm puff of air at their backs and both brother's turned to see a large burgundy coloured dragon hovering near by with an inquisitive look on its face.

' Going somewhere? You wouldn't be thinking of leaving us now would you?'

Don yelped, " How did you do that? There wasn't even a dragon in sight a couple of seconds ago" He ranted quickly his voice edging near panic.

' None the less it was done. I've been watching you and I know your intent. Let me tell you, It is not allowed!' The dragon informed them, the tone going from slightly amused, to displeasure almost instantly. The dragon reached out its two front limbs and snatched a turtle in each, before taking one mighty flap of its leathery wings.

It folded the wings near the scaly hide and dived at incredible speed, snapping its body around as it neared the entrance to Gimod's cave. The dragon flipped both turtles out of its hand sending the ninja rolling towards the back of the cave.

'Your apperance and allegiance is doubtful. Now your intent proves suspicious at best.' The creature rumbled smoke starting to curl from the large nostrils as it talked.

Leo had managed to stand up first using the momentum of the roll to do so, now he walked carefully back towards the dragon with hands upraised in hopes of placating the beast. " Obviously we have a misunderstanding here. Perhaps if I explained things we could reach common ground." Leo explained, hoping silently that he could negotiate with a creature such as a dragon. So far the only other creature he had seen on Necron didn't seem open to discussion or reason.

The burgundy dragon flickered its long forked tongue ' If you wished to explain things you wouldn't have tried to leave.'

" We were only going to look for our brothers." Leo insisted.

Don sat at the back of the cave shaking his head mumbling how " It isn't going to work." He'd seen enough of Gimod's logic to know that dragons just didn't think the way others did. Then again Leo often had a better way with words. Don knew he had a tendency to get bogged down by explaining things in ways that often needed a further explanation. He tended to forget that not everyone understood what he was talking about.

'You are hoping that I can be reasonable'

Leo nodded " Exactly. I am sure we are both reasonable beings."

The dragon huffed suddenly in fury ' If you want reason talk to a unicorn. We dragons live by our own rules and reason has very little to do with them!'

Don had been expecting this outcome " Trying to reason with these creatures is like trying to reason with Raph when he gets into one of his moods." He grouched a bit, " in other words there is just no reasoning with them Leo."

The burgundy dragon seemed to smile slowly, a look that made it seem truly sinister, ' You must wait here for Gimod's return. Then he will decide what to do about you. In the meantime I think I will just stay here and keep you both out of trouble.'

XXX

Mike hurried after his brother they had been walking for some time and the forest trees were starting to thin out making it easier to move. Mike who really hadn't any desire or wish to leave Shanza was complaining to Raph about his brother's decision.

" You don't know where we are, you have no idea where Leo or Don happen to be, you don't even know where we are going but…"

Raph whirled shooting a truly venomous glare at his brother who was almost toe to toe with him " Just shut yer yap already" Raph ordered.

Mike shrugged " I was just saying..." Mike began but got no further.

Raph slashed out with one hand " I've had enough of yer griping and belly achin' Mikey. So try just shutting up for once in your life" He growled before turning to stomp off around some of the trees.

Mike rolled his eyes and threw his hands up in frustration " I just think…"

Raph chuckled a bit and sneered, " No. You don't think" he corrected. He turned and lightly rapped Mike on his domed head " Huh. Just as I thought, hollow. It would echo in there if I yelled in your ear. There is no room for any thought," Raph teased.

Mike grinned slightly, perhaps now Raph , just, might listen to him. " Yeah and we all know the only reason your head rattles is because of all the rocks in it. You are the one not thinking bro." Mike retorted, " After all Shanza and those toshe she knew, had a better idea about this world and the dangers we could run into." He couldn't help pointing out that fact.

" We can handle any problems on our own Mike" Raph declared.

" Sure but they could have helped us steer clear of some situations too Raph." Mike pleaded, " I fought these creatures called Harpies I did my best using the skills we were trained on" Mike explained, " But they still got me. Shanza saved my life because the harpies scratches infected quickly and might have even killed me."

" Look Mike sure we travel with them and get all the help and whatever to find the others then what?" Raph wondered.

" I dunno" Mike admitted scuffing his foot slightly in the dirt, " maybe help them."

" Didn't you hear what they were talking about? They are gearing up for war. Shanza doesn't have time to help us find the others and we have to find them before we end up dead." Raph insisted in a firm way. " Or they do." He finished with a heavy sigh. " Our best bet is to find the others and get out of here hopefully while the getting is good. Sides if they did bother to help us find Don and Leo, we'd owe them by ninja code of honour, which means we'd be stuck here fighting a war that could go on for who knows how long."

" If the wrong ones win this coming war though Raph we could still end up fighting the battle. Shanza said if the darker powers of Necron gain the upper hand they will end up crossing into the worlds Necron borders." Mike recalled.

" Fine but if that happens we fight on our turf Mike." Raph pointed out simply, " Now our job and only job is to find the others and get home. No more, no less. Got it?" Raph asked gritting his teeth his brother's naiveté meant that Mike often felt that certain things just had to be done that weren't really necessary to the task at hand. Raph liked the compassion Mike showed but he also got irritated when Mike felt that he had to go help every down on his luck bum, or stray he came across.

Mike glowered at Raph's back infuriated with his bone headed brother's attitude ' There is just no reasoning with him.' Mike mused ' I could reason with a brick wall better. When Raph's mind is made up there is just no changing it.'

" Raph!" Mike yelled in exasperation.

" NO!" Raph roared, " The toshe guarded the unicorn before and they won the last match. They'll manage. Now shut up or I am going shut ya up!" Raph threatened.

Mike gave up defeated he would have to follow along and hope that together they could manage whatever danger or threats Necron threw their way. " Well, while you are leading us can you find us something to drink I'm thirsty." Mike caved in smiling at Raph.

Raph nodded he knew Mike would give in once he saw reason that is.

Ten minutes later they finally broke out of the trees into a clearing and not far from the woods was a stream, the water bubbling and trickling lightly over and around the rocks, the water looked clear and refreshing.

Raph smiled " See told ya, we can manage bro" he gloated as he headed for the stream.

Suddenly a large black blur interceded bolting in front of Raph and pushing him back. The move caught Raph so unawares that he almost landed on his rear end.

" Don't touch! That water is dangerous"

Mike looked in surprise at the black and white toshe Traba, who had obviously followed them instead of staying with his pack. " It looks all right" Mike protested, just staring at the water made him feel like his tongue was swollen and his mouth had turned to instant desert.

" Pay no mind and walk away. One touch is all you need you don't even have to drink it, though drinking it makes it much worse." Traba bunted and pushed at the two turtles " That water is enchanted it would make you forget who you are and turn you into something not natural."

" We ain't natural to begin with." Raph said.

" You want to turn into a rock, all the rocks in that stream came to be there from drinking. You become a rock when you lose all sense of yourself. I'm thirsty too, it lures you." Traba whined, " Come. I'll show you good water."

Raph felt like opposing the lone toshe for he'd never heard such silliness in his life and he was extremely thirsty. Raph paused as he realized that a few minutes ago he'd been wanting a drink, but not like this, not to the point he longed to just drink until he had his fill.

" Lead on" Raph agreed as he grabbed Mike's arm.

Mike had all ready come to the same conclusion and the two ninja quickly used their training to block off the sudden desire for water, it was just as well they had for otherwise they might have both ignored Traba's desperate but gentle warnings to them.

Mike shot Raph a withering stare " Maybe now you'll realize that being with them, war or not makes a lot of sense." He muttered to his brother. It was quite clear to Mike, if not to Raph that this world clearly held dangers they hadn't even begun to consider.

XXX

Gimod returned in a far more aggravated mood then when he had left he blinked as he spotted the burgundy dragon ' Goshen what are you doing here?'

Don startled a bit as he realized this burgundy dragon must have been the one to have spotted him, when he arrived on this crazy mixed up world to begin with. He also noted that Gimod was in such a temper, that he wasn't bothering to hide his thoughts from the turtles.

' They tried to escape only I caught them making their way up the mountain side.' Goshen explained quickly bowing his head in slight submission to Gimod.

Gimod rumbled deep in his throat as large amounts of smoke began to rise from his nostrils and out the corners of his wide mouth. " It is time to rid ourselves of these two interlopers and I have decided that they ought to be displayed as a warning to all!'

Leo gulped as he sensed the dragon's wrath along with the harsh words that did not bode well for Don or himself.

Goshen though seemed quite agreeable ' Good idea Gimod, one at each entrance I suppose.'

Gimod nodded, ' Exactly a sign for all dragon slayers, or wizards, or whatever these things are, to stay away!' Gimod declared quickly ' Tell you what Goshen since you are here. You take one I'll take the other. Do anything you want but don't flame them. Flame is too quick and it tends to wipe out other warning signs.'

Goshen slapped his tail in pleasure ' I understand torture well and long, leaving all signs so the warning is clear.'

' That is the plan' Gimod affirmed.

Don cast a quick worried glance towards Leo wondering if his brother had any bright ideas. Leo looked ill at ease and Don could tell that he seemed very much out of his depth with what to do.

Don grimaced slightly wishing not for the first time, though quite possibly one of the last times how to fight a dragon, because reasoning with them was totally out of the question.

TBC