Hello hello hello! Okay, so I know that my first chapter to the story was short and maybe a little boring, but I think this next chapter will make up for it. Now that you got an idea of the three girls and how they are, it's time that I bring in some familiar faces back into the story. So let's get right into it, shall we? As always I do not TMNT, only my OCs. Enjoy:)
Chapter 2: Threats Rise Again
Verena's P.O.V.:
It has been a year since the Dark Benders and the Foot was defeated, and my life could not be any better. Earth has definitely been very good to me in my year of staying here and being away from my other family back on Kennistar. My other family, the Hamatos, have all been terrific and very fun to be with, they have all become very dear and near to my heart each time we do something together. Whether it's going on patrols, having adventures here and there, or just enjoying each other's company in the Lair having family time together; those are the times that I like the most. I love spending time with each of them and with each one we do different things. With Master Splinter we spend our time meditating and watching his favorite soap operas on TV, and he got me into those a while ago; he's like my grandfather in so many ways that makes me feel more comfortable. Raph makes a great sparring partner for me and we train and exercise together most of the time which is good for his temper so he can blow off some steam. Donnie has me help him out with some of his inventions that he's working on, and I show him more of Kennistar's technology that he has been researching since I got him those books and tools. Mikey is very laid back and at times energetic when we do anything together, like when we play videogames, watch movies, or if he pulls pranks on everyone else; he keeps me on my toes. As for Leo, well I can honestly say I love spending time with him the most and when we do the two of us are either training, talking, or my personal favorite cuddling in each other's arms. Our relationship has become stronger with each passing day and the love we have continues to grow, and Leo and I could not be any happier being this close. Leo is like the missing puzzle piece that I've been waiting for, and love him with all of my heart.
Anyway, it is a quiet morning in the Lair and I am starting to wake up from another good night sleep when I feel the other side of my bed open and empty. I stretch out my arm and open my eyes to see that Leo isn't in bed with me, realizing that he must have gotten up early again… as usual. I turn over to my side and see a small bouquet of white roses on my nightstand right next to the lamp, and I already know who put them there. Leo has been leaving me a small bouquet of flowers every week for the past several months now, and to be honest I think it's so sweet and charming of him to do something nice for me. I take the flowers in my hand and inhale the fresh aroma as I continue to wake up, stretching out my body within the covers. A moment later I get out of bed, put the flowers on my pillow after making the bed, and walk out of the room to see the others. No one else seems to be up yet and I begin to wonder where my Leo is since he's up before everyone else. As I walk further to go into the kitchen I see the doors to Master Splinter's room closed and the lights on, Leo must be in there talking to him so I walk away to start on breakfast.
Leo's P.O.V.:
I'm inside Master Splinter's room waiting to get through to Kennistar to talk to Verena's parents about something very important, something that I've been waiting to ask them for a few months now but never got to chance to 'til now. Today is the day I ask Mr. and Mrs. Ishtar's permission for me to propose to their daughter. I wanted Master Splinter to be with me for support because I am very nervous and worried that her parents will say no, but my father tells me not to doubt myself especially when it comes to my love for Verena. What man doesn't get freaked out over this? Asking your girlfriend's parents for permission has to be the most nerve-wracking thing ever to happen to anyone. I don't know what's worse, dealing with her parents or fighting a bunch of Foot Ninjas by myself. Either way I have to do this, for our sake and if I want to move my relationship with Verena a step further. She means the world to me and I don't want to lose her. I love her.
The communicator blinks for a few seconds and the image of Mr. and Mrs. Ishtar appears as they are smiling at me and holding each other close. Seeing them makes my blood go cold and my palms start to sweat uncontrollably, the nerves hitting me like a ton of bricks. I just need to stay calm and get through this okay.
"Leonardo! Master Splinter! It is good to see you two again." Mr. Ishtar says waving at us.
"The honor is ours, Your Majesties." Master Splinter said as we bow to them through the communicator.
"You sounded like you had something important to tell us Leonardo, what can we help you with?" Mrs. Ishtar asks being as sweet and professional as possible.
I take a deep breath, swallowing the giant lump in my throat, and talk, "Mr. and Mrs. Ishtar… I have something very big to ask you both, but before I ask you I need to tell you something about me and Verena. We have been together for a while now, and I couldn't be any happier than spending my life with her every day since she's been here with us. Verena is so beautiful, strong, intelligent, sweet, and a very loving soul that I cannot just get enough of. When we're together all we do is make each other smile and laugh, trying to make the other happy all the time and to never go to bed angry or upset. We talk to each other about everything in our lives and we are very supportive in our decisions. My life without Verena would be… empty." I have to say it now before I choke, "So, what I want to ask you both as her parents is for you blessing and permission for me to propose to your daughter to be my wife. Will you allow me to ask for Verena's hand in marriage?" I ask sounding calm and slightly confident.
Mr. and Mrs. Ishtar stare at each other in complete shock in what I just ask them, not saying a single word to one another. I'm starting to feel sweat run down my forehead and my hands shake from the silence as I want them to say something. Master Splinter places a hand on my shoulder to help me relax, but if anything else I grew tense from the touch. We see them whisper to each other's ears for a couple of minutes, and they look at me with a serious look on their faces. This is it.
"Leonardo," Mr. Ishtar starts the conversation with me, "after talking it over with my wife, we have both come to an agreement for your request." He pauses for a moment and smiles at me, "You absolutely have our permission and more importantly our blessing to ask for Verena's hand."
I widen my eyes and smile big, "Are you serious?"
Mrs. Ishtar nods and giggles, "Of course we are serious. We are more than happy for you two and it would be wonderful for you to propose to her. You have proven to all of us that you are more than worthy of Verena's love and we support you one hundred percent with your proposal."
I breathe heavily still in shock, "I-I… you don't know how much this means to me… thank you so much, Your Majesties." I bow to them.
"You are most welcome, Leonardo." Mr. Ishtar said happily.
"Good luck, Leonardo, and tell Verena we said hello and we miss her." Mrs. Ishtar said.
"I will and thank you again. Bye." With that said the link goes off, leaving me and Master Splinter alone in the room. "Well, that takes care of that."
"I am so proud of you, my son." Father said rubbing my shoulder and walking us to the door, "How do you plan on asking Verena for her hand?"
"It's going to be a big surprise." That is all I tell him and we walk out of the room.
We walk into the kitchen and see my brothers at the table eating their breakfast and talking with each other saying good morning to us. I see Verena making herself a plate as I come up behind her and sneak a kiss on her cheek with her saying good morning to me and sensei and taking her place at the table with us. Throughout breakfast I hold Verena's hand on my lap tightly, rubbing it with my fingers every now and then as I see her smile and kiss my cheek a few times making my body feel lighter than air. To think in a few days I will finally ask the woman I love for her hand in marriage.
In The Evening…
Verena's P.O.V.:
The guys and I do our evening training with Master Splinter before we go off on our patrol for a couple of hours and now we are doing our meditation session. I let all of my thoughts wonder as I let my spirit relax and be free with no stress or problems just like I normally do. Into my next breath I feel a heavy cloud over my head and my mind see nothing but black fog, worrying me. My vision starts to clear and the next thing I see is so terrifying and unbelievable. There is a Dark Bender army charging into New York as two of them are holding my three new friends hostage as the army attacks and kills every human insight. The air is thick with ash and heavy rain covers the sky threatening to flood the city, dead bodies everywhere and covering every inch of the streets, and a giant being with four arms and red eyes howling in laughter. My three friends struggle to get free from their bonds and are scared for their lives as two Dark Benders come closer to them with daggers in their hands. Next thing I know my three friends are stabbed to death and thrown into their streets with the other corpses, their powers being drained from their bodies into the four-armed being. The monster uses its powers and burns the city to ashes until there is nothing left and I scream from the horror.
I shoot open my eyes and lie down on the floor burying my face into it and crying from what I just saw. It was nothing that I haven't felt in a long time and I feel my whole body shake in terror. The guys come up to me and I feel Leo pull me into his arms trying to calm me down as he rubs my back in a soothing pattern. I look up at the guys with tears still streaming down my face as they stare at me with a worried look in their eyes.
"Verena, what did you see?" Master Splinter asks gently.
I wipe my tears away and take a deep breath, "I-I… I saw a creature attacking the city, destroying everything into fire and ash. Everyone was dead, the air was thick from the smell of ash and rotting flesh, and my friends were killed by Dark Benders." I tell him hugging Leo tightly.
"Your friends? Ya talkin' about us?" Raph asks confused.
I shake my head, "No. My other friends that I met a while ago."
"You mean the ones from Kennistar?" Mikey asks.
"Yes." I answer and stand up slowly, "I need to talk to my grandfather right now, ask him what this all means." I said and leave the dojo to contact my family immediately with the others behind me.
Ten Minutes Later…
"I cannot believe the visions are happening again." Grandfather says through the communicator rubbing his chin.
"Neither can I Grandfather." I said after I explained what I saw, "What does this mean."
He looks at me seriously, "It means that your friends are in terrible danger, their lives are threatened, and now they will be hunted down by the Dark Benders for their powers. Verena, you must find them and protect them from those scums."
"Right…" Then I thought of something shocking that I didn't realize, "I have to warn them! They could be out there right now!"
"Do what you must and I will tell your parents the situation. Contact us as soon as you have them with you." Grandfather says and gives me a small smile.
I nod, "I understand, Grandfather." I said and the link goes off. I reach into my pocket and take out my Shell Cell.
"What are you doing?" Mikey asks.
I look at them dialing a number, "Calling them." I put the phone to my ear and hear it ring three times.
"Hello?"
"Listen to me carefully; you need to find me now." I tell my friend.
"Wait a minute! Verena, what's going on?"
"My friend, I need you to get the others and meet me on the roofs near the docks." I rub my eyes and sigh, "The threat that you all have been asking me about is coming, and they set their sights on you three."
"What? Are you saying they're coming after us?"
"Yes. You are being hunted by the Dark Benders."
I hear her sigh loudly, "When do you want us there?"
"Now, and hurry." I said.
"Copy that, we'll be on our way." She hangs up.
I put away my phone and look at the guys, "We need to leave."
"Where to Verena?" Leo asks me worried."
"To the docks while there's still time." I said and we leave the room.
I know that the guys are confused about my friends and I don't blame them one bit. When I told them I made new friends on the surface I said they were from Kennistar, but I didn't necessarily tell them everything like for instance how they're all female benders. I wanted to but they told me to keep them a secret for their protection. So that's why I kept my mouth shut. We leave out into the sewers and rush out into Central Park in a hurry. I pray to La Shien that we find them before the Dark Benders do.
So, what do you think? I'm happy I got another chapter in with a short amount of time working on it. As usual you're my judges. Thank you to you guys who have so far favorite and followed my story, I really appreciate it! I don't know when my next update will be, but I am hoping sometime soon so I ask you all for your patience. Please R&R, PM, and all that great stuff I like. Until next time:)