As the carriage continued its long journey up a road past the marketplace. Leonardo couldn't think of anything but the view. All around were luscious green fields and jagged terrains in the far distance. Covered in tall grass, bright-colored flowers, and strange turquoise-colored trees. He could see a stream nearby. Children of all kinds ran across the fields, laughing and playing. The weather was cool with small clouds overhead. Leonardo felt like he was in heaven as he felt the wind blow against him. But the inhabitants are what caught his attention, he had never seen so many of his kind, instead of most turtles he saw all sorts of animals. All walking in daylight.

"So this Murania," he whispered. He didn't think anyone heard him. "Yes, it is. It's beautiful isn't it," Veera answered. Despite their mishaps, he couldn't help but agree, although he never wanted to come here in the first place. Leo was then shaken out of his thoughts as the carriage came to a stop at a vast gate of colossal metal. Leo stared at the magnificent castle behind, he couldn't find the word to describe how amazing it looked.

Nine lean-round towers formed an almost perfectly square barrier around this marvelous castle and are connected by huge smooth walls made out of obsidian. Small windows are scattered here and there across the walls, a formalized pattern, along with holes of various sizes for archers and artillery. When the guards at the gate looked upon them, they were astounded to see them. "S-Sir Kalem, Sir Issac, Lady Veera. It is a pleasure to see you have returned home."

Kalem and Issac then salute them. "And it's good to be home, mind-opening the gate for us," Veera said cheerfully. "Of course, my lady." The soldiers then bowed their heads and when they looked up once more their eyes went wide as they landed on Leo. "You…You've done it. You have found him." And they bowed their heads once again. Leo was shocked by this and ultimately uncomfortable.

"Leo, come on!" Kalem calls out as the guards open the gate. As they walked toward the entrance of the keep, Leo could feel dread wash over him and it had only gotten worse as they stepped through the door. A large hall welcomed them. The walls were of cream color with gold trimmings and vaults up on the ceiling. Approaching a large two-door entrance, it slowly opens to a throne room as grand as the hall.

A blazing red carpet runs down from the doors leading to the throne ahead while red banners with embellished gold embroideries dangle gently from the walls. Hefty, stained-glass windows were built between each banner, with the light of the sun shining through every part of the throne room. Four thrones of gold sit beneath an overlooking statue of a legendary dragon. One was empty. In fact, there was no one here.

Leonardo was so entranced by architecture, the sheer size of the palace, of what was happening around him. Kalam asks one of the guards nearby as they noticed that none of the royal family were there. "Where is the royal family?"

"They are in the war room, sir," they say.

"What, why?" Issac asks.

"Oh forgive me, you three on an expedition. Ahem, two days ago the leaders of the Scale Tail clan and the Metal Fangs came to see his majesty. I believe it was something about the trading routes that's been taken control of by bandits, monsters, necromancy witches, etc."

Kalem sighs heavily. "Is that so? Alright, send a message to his majesty that the prince—" Suddenly, the sound of a door slammed open followed by a few voices entered the throne room, causing everyone to freeze.

Four individuals walk into the room, not noticing the pair. Leo looks at them in shock and curiosity, even feeling intimidated. One of them was an oversized lion with metal teeth speaking in a rough, hoarse voice. The other was a large dragon of silver and blue scales trailing behind the ruler for he was the only one wearing a crowned helmet, but he could not make him out like others.

"My lord, I am telling you we can't take any chances with these Shadowscales. They have already severed our trading routes to our neighboring kingdoms, and now every caravan who passes through; who don't even sheath a single weapon at them is slaughtered on the spot!" the lion said. "And you what would you have us do Rigamor, sound the drums of war and let more lives be slaughtered. Pooling our fields in blood once more? We've already had one war, there's no need for further bloodshed." The dragon then spoke, sounding hollow, almost echoing. Sounding female. The lion growled. "Of course not, Striga. What I mean is that they need to be dealt with and if death is the only option to keep the peace then so be it. After all, they are the ones responsible for the death of his so—"

"Say. One. More. Word," The King sneered. "We may be friends Rigamor, but I have made it abundantly clear never to bring him up again. Understood?" The ruler shouted, immediately silencing them. No one else spoke a word. The two leaders shrunk beneath his gaze. "Yes, my lord," Rigamor says.

"Good, for now, this discussion will continue later on, right now I need to—" He turns around, but he could make another step, his body goes still and stiff. His eyes widened and his mouth gaped open as he stared down below him. At Leo.

Leo should have moved when he had the chance but he couldn't. Normally, anyone would feel intimidated being stared down by a king. But he didn't, which surprised him. Instead, he felt it. That energy signature, like how it was with Issac but it was stronger, more familiar. It brought a sense of calming and warmth to his heart. Unbeknownst to him, the king felt it too.

"Father?" Realizing what he had said. Leo immediately covers his mouth. Everything became too much, he tried to move but his body wouldn't listen. The king was pulled back to reality as a small hand touched his shoulder. It was a turtle, a female, wearing a crown. The queen. "Serana!" The king says. The dragon leader approaches her. "My queen you are still weak, you must get back…to…bed. Her words are ignored as the queen's eyes suddenly watered as she approaches the young turtle. When she was a few inches away from him, she slowly lifted his hand and gently touched the middle of his forehead with her finger.

Upon contact, Leo gasped. And images of the past and present sprung in his mind. Voices of people he's heard before. In his dreams. Now coming to life.

The first one came when he met Karai. "Not bad. My names Karai."

"Maybe I shouldn't lead the team."

"Don't be like that! That's not the Leo I know!"

"Splinter is your father. Your true father!"

"FACE ME SHREDDER!"

"And no matter what happens, you have all made me very proud."

Then the memory of him being born.

"Congratulations! It's a boy!"

"He's beautiful, Serana,"

"Look at him, my love"

Voices of children are heard. "Wow, mother! He's so tiny and cute! what are we going to name him! Can I name him? Can I? Can I?"

"No fair I wanna name him too! Hahaha!"

His father held him in his arms, looking out into the world. "This planet is ours. And it is our responsibility to protect it and I know one day, you will do things unimaginable, my son."

Suddenly, the image of his mother struggling to hold him. He could hear himself wailing. "No! Let him go! He is just a child! I trusted you! Why are you doing this?!" Several beings he could not see fought her off.

They ran away with him. Darkness clouds his mind

Then he sees, Splinter!

"Do not worry young one. You are safe."

"I'm truly sorry…I could not save her…Come, meet your new brothers."

Splinter…You….