Flights of Fancy

Disclaimer: I deny any ownership of any adolescent transformed shadow warrior chelonians. I own just about everything else in this story.

Chapter Twenty Four: Trapped!

They woke early in the morning when the sky was just starting to glow slightly with the promise of the sun arriving sometime later, a few stubborn stars still hung above them and the air was very chilly in the pre dawn morning, a slight breeze blew. The others rose slowly with massive yawns and stretches, limbering up their bodies after the night. Shanza moved off to paw at the dirt and then dropped down to roll kicking up a bit of dust. She stood up and shook all over, snorting some of the dust out of her nose.

'Its a beautiful morning. Come on wake up let's get a move on.' She called cheerfully to her friends.

Gimod half opened one eye and grunted, 'Unicorns are despicable early morning risers. I could sleep for a bit more and catch up to you later.' The dragon suggested.

Symbia stretched out her forelegs as she gathered her hind legs under her, with a quick shove she gained her feet "Gimod we are to travel together through the mountains. If we should be beset upon by trolls we will have need of your fire wyrm. Besides we have wasted enough time." Symbia remarked in a snippy way.

Lobo seemed to bow to the centaur mare as he stretched, but his wide yawn, stated clearly that he had no respect for her "We are going waste more time in having a bite to eat first. If the trolls are going eat us they'll want us nice and plumb for the stew pot."

Don blanched as he heard the canine's words "Trolls?" he repeated uneasily. Last night it had been one thing to talk about such beings, while settling down under the peaceful stars. But now that morning was here it seemed even worse, especially when one added such threats of being eaten by such things, as trolls. Don furrowed his brow as he considered then again near as he could recall, trolls were supposed to be slow stupid beings, which meant they ought to be easy to trick or even avoid if worse was to come to worse.

Marina fluttered her wings as she began her morning's absolutions, washing and fluffing up her fur, preening her wings and doing everything in her ability to insure that she looked truly beautiful, because no catafly would be caught dead looking anything short of beautiful, nodded her head "Trolls are common in mountains." She replied absently.

Demon Wing snorted " The only mountain ranges trolls don't bother with are the ones owned by dragons. The giant Wyrms don't like to share their territory, not even with other wyrms, and trolls avoid dragons for good reason. At least they do normally." Demon walked over to Shanza's side arching his neck over hers as she nipped him tenderly.

Leo listened to the news nodded his head "We can find food and water in the mountains right?"

"Oh yes, there are mountain streams, lakes and waterfalls to be found and Shanza can always insure we have water. There is meat and various plants and small berry bushes to supply food for those who prefer plants to meat" Symbia replied helpfully.

Leo took in the information "Then we should be all right." Leo walked over to where Mike was still sleeping he mumbled something incoherently. "Mike" Leo called gently nudging his brother with a foot.

"Mmmmph" Mike muttered as he rolled over.

"Rise and shine Mikey" Leo raised his tone a notch.

"Go 'way Leo." Mike mumbled in reply.

"Look you have your choice Mike, sleep longer if you like or eat" Leo declared, "But we don't have time for both" With that said Leo turned his back and walked away, Mike for all his energy had never been an early riser, once he was up and out of bed he was fine, but getting him out of bed and with some resemblance of mobility was often a challenge in itself. As Mike was quite capable of understanding consequences Leo often gave him an option or choice in matters when they were on a set schedule.

Mike groaned as he sat up blinking his eyes a few times, and then reaching a fist to rub at his eyes "Not fair Leo. I was having such a good dream." Mike heaved a sigh and looked around, "I don't see Gimod up yet, or Raph." He protested suddenly as his sleep fogged brain cleared long enough to take in this important information.

"Raph isn't as hard to wake as you are Mike." Leo remarked. He smiled a bit "If you want Gimod up go ahead and try it Mike, but I think it might be better to let sleeping dragons lie."

"No way, that is not Mike's cardinal rule. That which states, if Mike is up then everyone is up" Mike insisted as he got up. He strode towards the dragon taking his nunchucks from out of his belt he went over and rapped the dragon hard on a foot with one chuck.

Gimod raised his head, turning his long sinuous neck and glared at Mike hard, the corners of his lips curled and a wisp of smoke escaped, as the dragon narrowed his eyes. Gimod wasted no words he lashed out hard with his tail bowling Mike over and then pinned the ninja under his tail.

"OW! Hey get offa me you overgrown lizard. Smokey, Ol' smoke get offa me now!" Mike yelled.

' I might decide to move when I feel that I have had enough of you, and then you may find you didn't want me to move at all, as I turn you into an appetizer.' Gimod threatened calmly.

Leo smiled it was good to see Mike being kept out of trouble for a change and perhaps his annoying brother would learn the consequences of being a pest to those who were much larger then himself. Still it was a rather comical sight to see the dragon practically sitting on Mike.

XXXX

It was hours later they had all enjoyed a filling breakfast, and were now using the protein from that meal as they climbed up and into the mountainside, there was no clear paths, just small trails here or there amongst the rocks that smaller animals used. The sun was by now starting to climb just as they were, Symbia, Demon and Shanza seemed nervous, especially when they saw the silhouette of griffins, or heard the griffins roaring amongst the cliffs they were walking around. Gimod flew lazily overhead, scanning for the best paths for the others to take, his vantage point in the air giving him a better chance of observing such things.

The toshe weren't really mountain creatures did their best to not stray far from the path for the loose pebbles and shale of the mountains made it all too easy to start a landslide even with their light weight. Lobo's nose twitched, "How long before we are through the mountains? About four days travel I would think" He whined answering his own question.

Symbia shifted as some rocks rolled under her hind legs "About that unless we run into trouble, but that means that the wizards ought to be close to casting the next spell." She laid back her ears, "I really don't care for that idea." She clutched her bow in her hand as she heard a griffin make a sound nearby, and she trembled, tossing her long hair " I know they won't hurt us, but instinct says it isn't safe."

Shanza turned her neck so she could see Symbia behind her 'Instinct is meant to keep us safe from danger. To save Necron though we must walk into danger.' She advised simply, 'I have been there before and it isn't easy to ignore the inner alarms that sound within us. But if it was easy then we would not be able to find the part within us that ...grows...from such challenges.'

Leo shrugged "I'm not worried about the griffins betraying us in any way, or going back on their word. They vowed to not interfere with us, and to uphold what," Leo coughed a bit as if clearing his throat, "Honour they have they will abide by that. I got that feeling very much from Pride. It isn't the griffins that concern me, rather it is whatever else might lie hidden in these rocks," Leo paused as he looked up and down the mountain "This would be a perfect spot for an ambush especially one that is launched from above. Or traps even."

Raph shook his head 'I hate it when he talks like that" he grumbled.

Mike nodded agreement "I'm with you on that bro!"

"Why?" Traba asked curiously.

Don smirked a bit, "Because Leo, as our brother and our leader, has been taught many things. Mostly how to think the way an enemy might think and so, if Leo thinks such things are possible, then it is highly likely that someone else has also considered those options."

"Yeah but that ain't the worst part Donny. The worst bein' that he usually says such a thing moments before the proverbial shit hits the fan" Raph pointed out.

Traba glanced up and sniffed "Don't smell anything. Besides with Gimod above he'd see it."

"Not if the adversary is well camouflaged" Don corrected, "Look the griffins themselves are hard to spot against the multi shades of yellows and browns in the mountain rocks around here. So imagine if someone laid a trap some time last night lying in wait for us to draw near."

"No traps" Traba barked, "One thing we toshe know is traps and we avoid them."

Shea laughed "This from the toshe who has willingly walked into how many traps that I know of?"

"Only when I was hungry and wanted to steal the bait. I walked in but I got out too." Traba boasted. "You might not do as well, because you have never been in one."

Shea curled his lip "And I don't intend to" he remarked. He glanced up to see Gimod flying above lazily doing acrobatics in the air while waiting for the others to get a move on the dragon snapped his long neck back and forth showing no sign of discontent or alarm.

' There is a narrow pass ahead that will allow you to go through in single file, it is a few feet in length' Gimod reported.

Leo tensed, "Is there a way to avoid going through that pass Gimod?"

' I'm trying to pick easy routes' the dragon grumbled a bit, ' You lighter ones could probably make it by climbing up and over but Shanza and Symbia are likely to find it difficult.'

Leo scowled, to him the pass sounded like an excellent place to launch an attack and his ninja instincts were warning him to avoid it at all costs, and yet, Leo was also very much aware that there had been many times in his past where he had walked into traps placed by his enemies to get back one of his brothers or a friend. He still hated doing it, and he'd much prefer avoiding it at all costs if possible but he knew he could not always avoid such matters.

Gimod rumbled lightly he chuckled a little ' Leonardo do not fear this pass is no place to launch an attack or a battle. Not even the trolls could be so foolish, for there is no room to move or strike. It is a very narrow pass and not an overly long one. I would be more concerned if the pass was longer or ran deeper.' Gimod did his best to reassure Leo.

Leo was not so easily placated though he gave a knowing glance to each of his brothers in turn, he didn't need to speak, the brothers had worked together so long as a team, could focus so much upon one being or another in their family, and mental skills of ninjitsu were so involved and in depth that, they could in essence speak easily to one another without saying a word and know that the family member they spoke to could pick up their thoughts with ease.

Mike glanced around and shook his head "Well it looks like we can only go up from here guys."

"Going up is all we've been doing Mikey" Raph said.

"Not quite Raph we go up and to one side, then we go up some more and then..." Mike answered.

"I punch ya in the mouth to shut ya up" Raph grinned at his sudden solution.

Shanza ducked her head trying not to laugh at the two turtles friendly banter that was disguised in boredom and threats, she sensed that they did this because for them it was routine, habit. It was what they were used to and they did it with ease, and under it all was the feeling of companionship. She rounded a large rock outcropping and saw the pass Gimod had mentioned, she snorted jerking back slightly her eyes growing large. Her withers trembled as if a fly had landed on her. Shanza shifted her hind quarters and sent some loose rocks tumbling off over the side of the mountain. She snorted quickly her breath quickening.

Symbia nudged her friend from behind " What is a matter Shanza, did the wind shift have you picked up the scent of something?" Symbia asked with concern she clutched her bow tighter and cocked her head listening.

Shanza tossed her head, ' No I am sure it is fine.' She murmured a soft reply, but it was clear from her tone that she really didn't believe that herself, ' It is just the darkness of the pass ahead reminds me of a few things, I'd rather forget. I have come upon such obstacles before and they were never very good.' Shanza recalled she laughed a bit more in nervousness then anything.

Demon leaped up and flew just over Shanza, ' Don't think about such things when you faced Tilamat you had to go alone into her home, and when you went in search of the gem with Gimod he left you to hunt and the Trolls of the mountain fell upon you.' He nickered kindly.

Gimod spat a large blast of flame suddenly ' You arranged for the Trolls to attack then so you could act like you saved Shanza, but only longed to find a way to get in with us to betray us later. Your plan worked Demon,' Gimod hissed.

' I didn't want to live my life alone. I was weak and tempted and I have paid for that crime a thousand times over wyrm.' Demon raged rearing up screaming in fury at the dragon, his ears laid back he challenged Gimod.

Shanza lunged forward a bit striking with both fore hooves. ' Stop it both of you. We must all work together if we are to get Shaman back home. That is the past and we must concentrate on the future.' With that said she pushed her way passed her mate, gave a flick of her head and headed for the pass, not willing to allow her past adventures to hold any more of a grip on her. Besides she felt the need to escape the display of her mate and her best friend. ' See you on the other side Gimod.' She called boldly.

The pass itself was, narrow as Gimod had said and it was set between two large rock outcroppings, that caused only shadows and darkness to fall between the large rocks that piled up on either side. It also curved slightly around but Shanza was sure, in spite of the curve or maybe more due to the argument between her friends, that she did see a dim light coming from not far around the bend so she bravely ventured forth stepping into the darkness.

"Stay close" Lobo growled.

As they did their best to keep in contact with each other while entering the pass one at a time. Demon kept his nose resting near Shanza's rump, Symbia rested a hand on Demon's rump. The toshe, and the turtles could see better in the dark so did not feel the need to be touching any one to keep in contact, besides they wanted to be ready for trouble if anything was going to happen. Marina could see in the dark quite well herself so didn't see the need to stay too close, but she really didn't expect trouble if anything she teased the equine types about being afraid of the dark.

Mike could almost feel the walls closing in around him as he entered the pass, he could sense his brothers near and at least one of the toshe, but the wall of rock seemed to draw tighter about him. He took a deep breath knowing that Shanza had to be out of the pass by this point. "It's a good thing I'm not claustrophobic" he whispered.

Raph grinned, "But you are afraid of the dark Mikey."

"Am not" Mike protested almost instantly.

"Are too." Raph cut in, " You took forever to get rid of your nightlight and your teddy bear as a kid."

"Don't go bringing that into things. It has nothing to do with it" Mike declared suddenly.

"Yes it does" Raph retorted.

"No way the droid from Star Wars has nothing to do with this conversation..." Mike stated.

"Pipe down Mike" Leo growled.

"What droid from Star Wars?" Raph asked blankly.

"Artoo." Mike answered, "Now I am going quote that famous droid." With that Mike gave a big wet raspberry Raph's way.

"Cut it out both of you." Leo snarled sharply, keeping his voice low, "Don't you see we should have been out of this pass by now but we aren't. I can see Symbia ahead, and sense the others in front of her, but we are all still in the dark. They are all starting to tense up something has gone wrong here."

"Not only that I think I hear something around the walls" Don whispered.

The others listened and heard the dry scuttling scraping noise around the walls and darkness about them.

"Do you think it is too late to turn back?" Leo wondered.

"It is magic. The pass has been enchanted possibly just for us, once in we can't get out of it by backing up we are stuck in here until we beat it." Lobo whined.

"Any idea what it is we are up against?" Leo asked curiously.

Marina nodded "Yup I see them. Giant bugs with large teeth and stingers, and some good sized rodents too. They are coming in around holes in the rocks, there are lots of them here so fighting them won't be easy with them so low to the ground."

Lobo barked a quick warning to Symbia, Demon and Shanza, "We have fallen into a trap, an enchanted one if my guess is right we are moving and getting nowhere so stand ground and prepare to fight."

" Fight in these small quarters all they can do is stomp with those feet of theirs, clumsy beasts." Marina complained.

"Those clumsy beast can take out a few beings with those large feet of theirs. Vain cat, they will probably do better then you." Lobo countered.

XXXX

Meanwhile Gimod had quickly flown to the other end of the pass, but he saw no sign of his friends, he called to them but when his mental call was not received or replied to, then the small dragon grew worried and agitated. He dropped to the path, being so large he didn't really fit and his feet were causing many rocks to go bouncing down the sides, sending dirt also to slip along in tiny streams.

Gimod didn't seem to notice that, he couldn't fit in the pass, he was just a bit too wide for it, but he crammed his neck and head in as far as it would go and came into contact with no one. Gimod took a clawed hand and scratched at the rocks in a fury grunting and snarling, but he realized, quickly enough, that he might only cause the pass to topple if he kept at it, and then his friends might get caught in the falling rocks and debris, he might even bury them alive. Or at the very least he might trap them in whatever place they were now all caught up in. Either way it wasn't helping matters.

So the distraught, enraged dragon could do absolutely nothing!

This did nothing to improve Gimod's temper, for he was a dragon, but he was a smart enough dragon to be patient and wait and hope for the best. So Gimod sprang to the air and flew over the pass waiting for some sign from any of the beings trapped inside it to answer him and let him know all was well.

XXXXX

Leo had quickly assessed that his katana would not be of much use in such close quarters against such enemies as they were now up against the long sword was not exactly meant for tight areas, as they now found themselves in. A long knife, or a short sword would do better. Even sais would be a better weapon under the present circumstances. He recalled the dwarf sword did have the ability to change, the fact that it had maintained the exact weight and consistency of his own katana, did not mean he was stuck with almost useless weapons for the coming fight. He took the weapon in his hands and instead used his mental thoughts to picture a pair of sai in his three fingered hands.

The swords seemed to shimmer and shake a bit, before settling on the three pronged weapon Leo had envisioned. Raph grinned his brother's way.

"That's more like it Leo" he called just before the wave of smaller beast attacked and the battle began.

TBC