A few days later, Randall had gone back to the lair to hang out. He and Mikey started looking at some new comics that Randall had brought for him, bought by April to start the new collection of Silver Sentry comics that had been lost. There was one that was called Toxic Zombie.

"Thanks, Randall." Mikey said.

"No problem. I told April and she wanted to help." Randall replied.

Splinter's younger three sons had already had training for the day and now, he wanted to train alone with Leonardo. Leo was still raring to go. Splinter asked for Leo's other katana and Leo gave it to him. It was just a katana lesson, but at the same time, Splinter wanted to get Leonardo to talk.

Raph was weight lifting again, with Don right next to him. The noises were getting intense as their bro and father were going at it.

They all could hear Leo was getting agitated as the lesson continued.

"I already told you I'm fine." Leo snapped at his father. He was tired of these questions about his behavior.

"You are sure?" Splinter asked.

"Nothing is the matter, Sensei!" Leo replied back. "Why do you keep asking me that?!"

Mikey and Randall looked up from the comics. They were getting worried about Leo.

"So much anger. The inner pressure of the unopened bottle will burst when it becomes too much to bear. For months now, you have been brooding, sirly, and stubborn!" Splinter admitted to Leo.

"Yeah, right!"

Even Raph and Don looked at each other at hearing those comments. It was so hard to get Leo to open up about his feelings. They were worried that something was going to happen that would be something bad. Splinter had a point.

"You have not been yourself! You must let go of what festers within you. Your family will help you, Leonardo. We must be open with one another." Splinter explained while dodging his son's many strikes at him.

Leo's voice could be heard carrying a lot of anger. Then he put his own sword under the one his father was using and flipped it away from him.

Splinter looked at him and glared.

"Open? Fine!" Leo snapped angrily. "This katana lesson stinks! I mastered this years ago! Years ago!"

Splinter was getting agitated too. He went over to collect the sword. "It is not the student's place to say when a lesson is learned." He went back for more fighting with Leo. "The student's place is to listen and learn." They continued their fight.

Leo's brothers and Randall gathered around to watch. "Something tells me the cork's about to pop on that unopened bottle." Mikey pointed out.

"That hothead." Raph said. He crossed his arms. The others looked at him. "I hate it when Leo reminds me of me." Then they looked back at Leo and Splinter.

"I've already mastered this lesson! And yesterday's lesson! And the one before that! When… are you going… to teach me something… I don't already know?!" Leo yelled angrily, and his control was gone. He slashed his father's head close to his right ear in anger.

Splinter cried out and felt to his knees. He held the wound.

The others gasped and ran over to him. The uncorked bottle had finally burst. "Master Splinter!" Don gasped in concern.

Leo was brought out of his anger when he saw he had hurt his father. He dropped his katana.

"Are you okay?" Mikey asked.

"Looks deep." Randall said. He looked over at Leo angrily.

"Leo, what the shell is your problem?!" Raph demanded furiously.

Leo rushed over and pushed Raph and Don aside. "Master, Master, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I just… lost control." He looked down sadly.

Don took Splinter to the infirmary where he cleaned and stitched the wound. Then he bandaged it up. Splinter now had bandages wrapped around his head.

The others knew this couldn't go on any longer. It had finally happened. Leo's temper had burst and he had hurt someone that he loved.

Leo felt really guilty for what he had done. He saw when Splinter was released from the infirmary. After the injury had taken place, Leo took his swords to his room, where he left them out of their sheaths.

Splinter went to meditate and he once again, talked to the man that he was going to send his son to. There was nothing more he could do for his son while he was like this.

Leo soon approached his father's room, wanting to make amends.

Splinter could sense Leonardo outside his door. "Sit down, my son." He ordered him into his room.

Leo went in and closed the door. Then he knelt before his father. "Master, I… I don't know what to say." He closed his eyes in sorrow.

"Say nothing." Splinter said. "Listen. I know you were badly injured by those rogue ninjas, but you have not fully healed."

Leo knew he was right.

Randall and the other three turtles were listening outside the door. They wanted to know if Splinter was going to punish Leo for what he did, or find a solution to this problem.

"I have meditated long and hard on this matter, and I now realize, that you are correct." Splinter said. Leo opened his eyes in surprise. It was rare for his father to say he was right. "It is time for you to move on. It is time for you to study with a new sensei." Splinter laid a hand on his left shoulder.

Leo shook his head. "But, Master, I don't want a new sensei. I'm happy here with you. I know there's so much more that you can teach me."

The others all looked at each other sadly. So, Splinter was going to send Leo away? Hopefully, not permanently.

"No, my son. It is as it must be." Splinter shook his head. Then he got up and Leo followed. "Now, there is only one man that I would entrust my son's wellbeing to. He is wise, honorable, and highly skilled. He is called the Ancient One, and he was the sensei to my sensei, Hamato Yoshi." They glanced at Splinter's picture of his master.

"You must make a pilgrimage. A pilgrimage halfway across the world." Splinter finished.

"But, Sensei…" Leo tried to talk him out of it.

"Come, let us prepare you for your journey." Splinter pulled him away.

They came out of the room and his brothers made room for them to get through.

"Go get your camping gear, Leonardo." Splinter ordered.

"Yes, Father." Leo said and went to his room.

"So, where's Leo going?" Randall asked curiously.

"Japan, Randall. He needs to do this. I hope the Ancient One can help him find himself again." Splinter said.

"Will I get to meet him?"

"Maybe someday." Splinter replied.

"Are we going too, Master?" Mikey asked.

"No. Leonardo is going by himself. This is a journey he needs to do on his own."

"When is he leaving?" Don asked.

"When there's a ship to go to Japan. But he is leaving us tonight." Splinter said.

Leo soon came back out with his camping gear.

"You might also want to take some clothes, or your trench coat, Leonardo, in case of needing a disguise." Splinter said. "And then, pack some food for your journey."

"Before I do that, I just want to say, I'm sorry for all the times that I've been too hard on you in the past months. I will miss you guys." Leo said. "But who will be the leader while I'm gone?"

"I'll choose one of them to lead while you are gone, my son. Now, finish packing up." Splinter said.

Leo went to the kitchen and packed up some food. Dried fruit, peanut butter, trail mix, chocolate, and some other things. He didn't know how long he would be on a ship, and hoped he wouldn't get sea sick. If he had to fast himself, he would. There would be no one there to tell him he had to eat.

When he was done, his pack was full enough. He grabbed his trench coat and a hat to cover his head. He also grabbed his swords as he knew he would need them for self defense.

He said goodbye fully to his family before he left.

"Take care of yourself, Leo." Don said.

"I'll miss ya, big bro." Mikey added.

"Have a safe journey, bro." Raph said.

"I wish you the best." Randall said.

"Just be safe and learn the best. I hope you can find yourself again." Splinter said calmly and sadly. They were all a little overwhelmed with emotions. They had never thought they would have to say goodbye to their leader and brother and son like this.

Leo put his coat in his pack and headed out. "This isn't forever, guys. I'll be back before you know it." Leo gave a smile on the way out.

"How long is he going to be gone?" Don asked.

"As long as it takes." Splinter replied.

"Will you write to us?" Mikey asked.

Leo gave one last nod at his family and went to the elevator. "I'll write as soon as I'm able to." he said on his way out. He went up and out, and didn't look back.

He went to one of his many hiding spots for the day that was still going on, but that night, he went to the docks to wait for a ship that was on its way to Japan.

Surprisingly, there was one there being loaded, and it was going to Japan, so Leo didn't have to wait long. He climbed up the rope of the anchor and jumped on deck, heading for the cargo hold.

In just a little while, down in the cargo hold, Leonardo was watching through a porthole as he was leaving New York behind for the first time, that he remembered of to go to Japan. Not that he remembered anything from when he was real young.

Back at the lair, the others knew they would miss Leo like crazy, but they had to get on with things. Right now, Master Splinter wasn't sure if he should dub Donatello or Raphael the substitute leader.

For a few nights, when they went out on patrols, Splinter went with them to see who seemed the most next capable of the job. And he knew better than to dub Michelangelo. Randall too was capable of being a leader, but he didn't exactly stay with the family quite so much anymore.

Even though Leo's brothers missed his presense, once he was gone, the air in the lair seemed to calm down much more. There wasn't quite so much tension as there had been for so many months.

For the few nights on the patrols while he was observing, Splinter saw who he would name the new leader in Leonardo's absence.

After Leo had left, Randall had decided to head home again. He needed a break from all that action.

After four nights of observing his three remaining sons on patrol, Splinter called them before him.

"My sons, I know Leonardo is gone for now, and hopefully, he will return to us soon, but I hope he finds the answers and training he needs to find himself again. There is no telling how long he will be gone, but while he is gone, I must pick a new leader for while he is gone." Splinter explained.

"From what I observed on your patrols for the last few days, I have seen enough and made my decision." Splinter said. His sons looked at him anxiously. The rat then glanced at the red masked turtle. "Raphael, as the next oldest and you interacted with Leonardo that you seemed to direct orders the best to your brothers. You are only leader in his absence." Splinter said.

"Thanks, Master Splinter." Raph said, if a little guiltily. He didn't want to take Leo's place. No one else ever truly could.

Then he looked at Don. "Donatello, you can show great promise as a leader too, but you rely so much on your inventions. You can help to guide Raphael as well, as his second in command."

"Thanks, Sensei." Don replied.

"How long do you think it'll be before the ship would reach Japan?" Mikey asked.

"It depends on how many stops it has to take along the way and which way it will go. One might sail down around South America, or it could take the longest way and go down around Africa and up to Asia that way. It's hard to say for certain." Don explained. "If it's supposed to be the fastest to Japan, I'd say around South America and up the coast and over to Japan."

"He probably could have hopped on a plane and got there a lot faster." Raph said.

"Yeah, but all the flights are listed on the inside of an airport, Raph. He might not have saw one bound for Japan." Don said.

"As far as I know, he would have picked a ship to go on, my sons, I am sure." Splinter said. "I have been on a ship before, and it could take nearly a month to get there."

"I hope Leo's food supply will last that long." Mikey hoped.

"I think Leo would know when to ration his supplies, or he would find food on the ship if he needs to." Don told him. "Leo's not exactly the biggest pig out type."

"I know Leonardo will take care of himself. He has always been responsible for you, and sometimes he doesn't always make the best decisions for himself when it comes to his health, but he's going to have to now that he is on his own." Splinter proclaimed.

"I really hope he writes and tells us what the Ancient One is like." Mikey said.

"I'm sure he will." Don said.

Splinter already knew who the man was. He had taken his sons over there years ago when they were very young, but they didn't remember. It would be a story to share one day, but not now.
…

Randall told April and Casey that Splinter had sent Leo away on a trip to Japan to find some old guy that might be able to help him.

"I really hope that he can help him." April agreed with Splinter's actions. "It was hard seeing him the way he was before he left."

"I'm glad he's gone for the time being. I couldn't put up with his temper any longer. It was just a matter of time before he really hurt someone, and he did. His own father." Randall explained. "I was around that kind of energy for so long and almost all my life. It made me that way, and I hated it. Look how it had ruined my life in my other world. It got me here, though now I'll say it was meant to be. You and the mutants are my family now, the one I never had growing up and would have been nice to have."

Casey found it hard to believe that Leo had actually hurt Master Splinter. But then, he had seen some strange signs in the lead turtle too. But Leo's attitude had been perfect for Casey while they were out on the battlefield together. It had made their victories a lot better, if, by a little bit at times.

"We just wish Leo the best on his way to find true happiness again." April said.

Randall just hoped that whenever Leo did choose to return, he was better than how he had left them.
…..

For the next month, the guys patrolled a lot and even trained topside without too many issues. Randall even started going three nights a week now, to help out more since they were down one turtle.

Randall saw that Raphael was actually perfect for the job. Raph actually seemed to be a lot more stable without questioning orders a lot more. If he had learned anything from Leo, it was how to give orders. And Donatello made a good second in command, giving advice when needed.

If the four reptiles went out on patrols and split up, Raph would usually pair up Mikey and Randall while he and Don were a team. But he varied them as well. He tried not be particular about favorites. It could be him and Randall, or with Mikey. Or Don and Mikey. Or even Don and Randall. The team ups were a little better when the opposites kind of thing went on.

Raph trusted Randall's judgments more than Mikey's often times, because even though the lizard could also goof around, he still had a much more adult way to him than Mikey did.
…..

During their times topside, the rogue ninjas were beginning to get more active too to try to find and spy on the turtles. That lizard creature was often seen with them too and they reported back to their leader, Yogami.

Yogami was going to put a tracker on one of the turtles if it was the last thing he ever did. He was going to get the turtles at their home and destroy everything they loved! And soon.
…

Soon, the ending of November came and the family did celebrate Thanksgiving. They had a dinner, though there was a part of themselves that was sad about still missing Leo, but they did enjoy the company of their friends visiting them.

Mikey and Randall made a fabulous dinner for about twelve people. The Professor and two of his friends, Silver Sentry, and Angel were all there. They had to tell them why Leo wasn't there to share in their enjoyment. But they wished their friends the best.
…

On the ship to Japan, Leonardo missed his family terribly, but the time alone was seeming to do him some good. He wasn't getting on anyone's nerves and he wasn't getting on theirs. He knew they would be expecting a letter from him soon, but he first had to get to his destination. He knew that when he would send his first letter that he would mail it to April's address.

Leo didn't really do too bad on the ship at all. There were some moments of nausea from the ship rocking if it got too rough, but when the water was calm, he did just fine. Leo just kept his portions small.

He trained silently in the cargo hold and tried to keep out of sight when he decided to sleep. When he was awake, he kept on the lookout for the crew. He knew when to lay low. He listened to many a conversation among the crewmen who came down to check on things. Most of the cargo items, the biggest ones, were all tied down securely so they wouldn't roll around.

He wondered what his family was doing often times without him there to run their lives and keep them on track. He could imagine them not patrolling or training as much, since he knew he might have gone overboard on it at times, but he knew they just needed to be ready for a fight at anytime. He hoped they would be okay without him. And who had replaced him as leader for time being?

Leo would look out the portholes daily to see what the waters were doing and the weather. He hoped to see Japan soon.

It took almost a month for him to finally see a city on the seaport heading into shore. He noticed some buildings from what he had seen from Japanese culture and figured this was it. "Japan." It did look incredible.

When the ship docked, Leo put on his trench coat and hat to hide his looks from possible lookers. He would stick mainly to rooftops, back alleys, and such to get out of the city. He had to avoid being seen. He had arrived at the city of Tokyo.

It took him awhile to get out of Tokyo, but he made it. He knew that he had quite a walk ahead of him to find the Ancient One.

Soon, he reached the mountains that he had to pass through. It was getting cold, as there was some melting snow on the ground. But, the higher that Leo climbed in the mountains, the colder it got. Soon, he had to fasten his coat closed.

After a few days of traveling in the cold, he had always made sure to find a sheltered place and made a fire to warm up when he had to rest himself before continuing onward. On the third day after setting off, he ran into a blizzard, but he wasn't going to let it stop him.

It was hard trudging through the snow with no shoes on, and being cold blooded. He winced a little as the cold felt like it was burning his skin. Soon, he got into a place where some high cliffs blocked off the cold, and it was much better for the moment.

As he continued, he soon heard footsteps and there were two giant creatures further on up the path. He wasn't going to let these creatures get in his way. He would try to get through peacefully if he could help it. He was going to complete his journey no matter what it took.

Leo marched forward to face whatever he was facing. He stopped when he was close enough. The two big furred beings stepped forward and took out their swords.

They growled and the one on the right said, "None shall pass!"

Leo knew he might have to find a way around them, but then, these creatures might know where to find the Ancient One.

The same creature then said, "Let's teach this puny thing a lesson, brother."

The second one then spoke to him, "What is it that you seek?"

"I seek the Ancient One." Leo replied.

The first one scoffed, "You seek the Ancient One?"

"You funny looking little green man, you not even old enough to be a man. You a child, an itty bitty child." He went on to be calling him a baby even. This was ticking Leo off. His temper hadn't risen like this since before he left home. Then he was told to go home.

Leo got so mad that he finally threw his camping gear aside and took out his swords. "That's it!" he yelled angrily. "I didn't come all this way to just turn around and go home!" Then he charged to attack the things in front of him.

It was easy for them to just pick their feet up and avoid his strikes against them. One of them just kicked him in the shell and he went flying and landed in the snow. They made fun of him again, and thought he was going to cry.

Leo screamed out in pure rage and charged again. The one that had a beard finally stepped on his shell and held him down. Leo squirmed and he couldn't move. He tried to catch his breath as it was a little hard to breathe being held down under this thing's giant foot. He screamed again in rage and more taunting words surprised him and he was finally released from the pressure and picked up but the first one.

"Time for cranky baby to be put to bed!" The being taunted and threw Leo a ways. The blow winded him a bit. But the snowmen finally put their swords away. The one that seemed older walked over to Leo and picked him up, and then he put him back on the path.

"Have you learned anything, Little One? A warrior who attacks in anger…" The older one said, and his brother finished for him, "is a warrior who never wins."

Leo finally sat up and put his swords away. "That is the lesson." The same one finished.

Leo stood and collected his camping gear. Then the giant snowmen let him through with directions if in a more childish way. They said there was a hidden land ahead. The snow started to catch Leo again. He still heard their laughter as he got past them. His mask tails were blowing in the wind behind him and he turned to see if they were still there and they weren't. He tried to keep the hat on his head.

"Well, no one said it wasn't going to get weird." Leo muttered to himself and moved on. He was more than ready to get out of the snow and cold.

He quickly came to the edge of the path and saw over the next hill that there was indeed, a secret land. It looked more like solid paradise! It was beautiful. Leo continued down the path and soon found himself in a warmer place.

Leo walked most of the day away on that path and he figured he was getting closer all the time, at least he hoped he was on the right path.

When the sun was about to set that evening, Leo was still walking when he passed a rock shrine and though he didn't notice him, there was an old man sitting by it. It was a real fat old man at that, but then, he let out a loud fart. That got the turtle to stop in his tracks.

Leo groaned and held his nose as he could smell it. He could see why Raph hated it when Mikey had gas real bad.

The old man laughed while looking at him, "Nice one, heh?"

Leo figured he could get directions despite the disgusting fart from this guy. Holding his breath so he wouldn't smell the stinky air, he asked, "Um, sir, could I ask your some directions? I'm trying to find my way to someone called the Ancient One." Leo's voice sounded a lot like he had a head cold while holding his breath to talk.

The old man's face scrunched up for a moment. "Heh. Ancient One, huh? Trust me. I know the way to that old windbag. But it going to cost your Monkey Boy. You got yin, give me yin. You got dollars, give me dollars!" He waved his fists in the air like a silly child.

Leo pulled his pockets out. "But, I don't have any."

"Give me food then."

"But, I don't have much food." Leo said.

The old man started talking about wanting junk food like donuts, pork rinds, and beef jerky. He jumped behind Leo and started going through the bag. Leo turned around to stop him. "Sorry, but I don't have any of those things. Mostly, I have trail mix…"

"You green kamquat! Trail mix is for ponies! What else you got?"

"Uh, I have some dried fruit, peanut butter, chocolate…"

"Chocolate? Gimme!" The man demanded like a spoiled child.

"Uh, okay." Leo said, and got a piece out and offered it to him.

The old man grabbed it and ate it in a hurry. He licked his fingers after, then demanded more. "Uh, let's save it for later." Leo said. "Are you sure you know the way to the Ancient One?"

The old man farted and then started walking the other way. "All roads lead to the Ancient One, green monkey boy." Leo followed him, then he went off the trail to the left. "But some roads are shorter than others."

"Um, the path continues in this direction." Leo pointed out.

"I said some roads are shorter than others. That means a short cut, stupid." The man said.

Leo wasn't so sure he should have bothered with this guy, but he followed him anyway and they soon came to a spot to camp for the night.

The old man had so much gas. "Man, you are unbelievable." Leo commented.

"It's just air."

The gas wouldn't stop. Then there was a strange, almost frightening noise in the air. Leo tensed. "And that? What was that?"

"Demon ghosts coming down the trail."

"Demon what?! What are you talking about?!" Leo demanded. This was getting freaky. More noises came on, and it made Leo really tense. He jumped out and took out his katanas. "Get ready. We may have to defend ourselves." Leo said.

The old man seemed all too relaxed though. "Don't be so tense, monkey turtle. If we don't bother them, they won't bother us. Remain silent and they will go on their ghostly way."

Leo looked behind him. He turned back. "Are you sure?"

"Trust me."

Leo growled and put his swords away, sitting back down by the fire. He saw four demon ghosts coming down the trail, ignoring them. That was until there was another fart.

That got the ghosts to notice them. Now that had Leo angry once again.

The old man just looked at him and said, "It's just air."

The ghosts were now getting closer and on the attack. Leo looked back and said, "Tell that to them!"

Leo jumped up in rage and took out his katanas again and the ghosts started crossing swords with him. He noticed the old man wasn't helping. "Don't get up to help or anything!" He yelled out while fighting the demon ghosts.

"Heh! I will not! Now, where did you stash that chocolate?" The old man looked at Leo's pack.

Leo tried going in for a blow, but found that he couldn't hit them. He almost lost his footing and used his swords to catch himself. "Okay, I see where this is going. They can hurt me, but I can't hurt them!"

He had to keep his footing and keep from being struck by ghost swords from both directions. "There's no way I can win. I'm gonna lose!"

"Oh, dumb kamquat." The man said ridiculously.

Leo was pushed back quite hard and he went down on one knee. "How about helping me out here?!" Leo demanded.

"How about surrendering?" The old man offered.

Leo leaped away from the ghosts. "What?! That's your advice?! That's ridiculous!" He avoided another hit.

"Just say, 'I surrender.'"

"But that's stupid! To surrender, is not the warrior's way!" Leo jumped over the ghosts and landed, but it was looking more dangerous by the minute. The sword in his right hand got torn away from him.

"You won't be much of a warrior without a head."

Leo was tired and out of breath. He was down. It seemed to be the only option left. Just as the ghosts started to strike again, Leo reluctantly cried out, "I… surrender!"

The demon ghosts stopped and hesitated. Then they went on their way.

Leo watched them for a moment and panted hard. He put his left hand on the ground. "I lost. I failed!" he complained.

The old man finished another piece of chocolate, then stated, "You stupid. You alive, right?" He crossed his arms.

Leo continued to pant, and he tensed when the man said, "A warrior who never fails, never learns."

The turtle stood up and turned his back to the man. He looked up in the sky. There was a shooting star that went by. He hoped following they guy was really worth it to meet the Ancient One. He was ready to ditch this guy.

The next day, they finally reached the destination. They stopped at the bottom of the mountain. The old man then said, "The Ancient One lives at the top of this mountain, deep within a temple."

Leo had been wanting to hear those words for too long now. "Great. Let's go."

"The temple grounds are perilous and guarded for those who are unworthy. Do you deem yourself worthy, kamquat?"

"I do." Leo said firmly.

The old man had his doubts. This turtle was too sure of himself, but in the wrong way.

"Hmm. Okay, your funeral."

Leo didn't like those words. He knew the old man was doubting him. He placed his hands on his hips and asked, "So, what makes you think you're worthy?"

"This!" And another fart ripped out of him.

Leo got in front of him. "Uh, me in front, okay?" He began climbing. The old man was behind him.

They soon reached the top of the climbing part and the old man wanted to test Leo's weight limits. Leo carried the man up until they reached the gates, until he farted again, grossing Leo out and he tossed him off of his shoulders.

"The temple of the Ancient One lies within. Prepare yourself, kamquat!" The old man warned and ran towards the temple, Leo following him.

The man came to a stop and Leo stopped too. "Now, you must prove yourself against your most dangerous adversary." Leo took out his swords just as the room seemed to rumble to life.

Rocks started coming off the walls and floor. It made one formidable monster. It also got its own rock sword off the wall. Then it spoke in a deep voice, "I smell your fear, and your failure. You are not worthy."

Leo growled. This thing had no idea what it was talking about! He charged in.

He got knocked to the ground first and kicked in the stomach and into a high wall, though Leo caught himself that time on his hands and feet.

"You are doomed to fail, as you have always failed yourself and others!" The rock man taunted him.

Leo stood, "You don't know what you're talking about!" he exclaimed and went back in.
He got a few strikes in against the rock sword.

"I know you better than you know yourself." Rocky said.

They went on to fight some more, and the monster started hitting him and bashing him. Each blow made Leo's mind flash to a moment of his family when they had been hurt badly in the past.

When it was looking dire, Leo was on his knees, he said sadly, "I'm sorry! I did the best I could. I did the best… I could!" He broke the rock sword and got more rough at the monster. "There… wasn't… anymore… I could have done!" He gave a few more hard blows and then it was over.

The monster pulled his arm away and the rocks fell away, revealing his own face. Leo gasped in shock.

"If there was nothing more you could have done, why do you punish yourself so?" The old man questioned.

Leo now finally got it. His expression changed finally, one from fear and hatred, back to a softened expression. He put his katanas back in. He and the monster bowed respectively and then it disappeared, leaving just rocks behind.

"I finally understand." Leo said. He walked over and knelt before the old man. "Ancient One, I am honored."

The old man sighed, "Took you long enough, Leonardo." He bowed to the turtle.

Soon, they settled down for tea to be made. When it was finished, Ancient One said, "Now, Leonardo, tell an old man what it is you think you have learned."

Leo accepted the cup that was given to him before trying to explain, "I guess I've been obsessed with failing, after what happened to me with the ninjas. I hardened my heart like a rock, wrapped up inside my own shell. I tried to be perfect, and not wanting my family to get caught and done to them what was done to me."

To the Ancient One, his explanation was too long. He picked up a bamboo stick.

"I thought I had to be better. So angry, so- OW!" He cried out as he was struck on the head. "What?"

"Too many words. Explain… simply." Ancient One said.

Leo rubbed his head, then said, "I've been my own worst enemy."

"Much better. Now, relax and enjoy your tea. And let me tell you a story of Master Yoshi, when he found himself at a crossroads very similar to your own…" The Ancient One told the tale.

This story made sense to Leo. It was inspiring to know more about Yoshi. There were surely more stories about him that he had never heard before that Splinter didn't even know. But now, Leo's reformed training could really begin.

After a few days of talking to his new sensei, to learn of new things and stories, that was when he started to get his first letter written as he had promised to do. He got it sent off.

"So, how is your family to this day, as of when you left them?" The old man asked.

"They were fine when I left them. They were sad to see me go, but I see now that it was right for me to go come see you. I might have been kicked out if I didn't have help before too much longer. I just couldn't stay there if I was just going to hurt the ones I loved. I did it to Master Splinter when I lost control finally during a last katana lesson with him." Leo explained.

"I have sensed through meditation that you also have a lizard family member too. Tell me about him."

"His name is Randall Boggs. He's a monster from another dimension. He was banished from his world. He's helped us multiple times. We helped him to turn his life around. He had a bad temper nearly similar to my own when he first found us. Mikey welcomed him first. We've had our disagreements, and we've all had our lessons along the way with him, but he's proven himself that he can be trusted and is a worthy friend. He even saved my life a few times. He even was able to track me down at the time of my kidnapping from those ninjas." Leo explained.

"We also got to meet a few monsters from his world when he asked for our help to destroy a machine that he had created for originally harming kids. Human kids. Before he met us, he didn't understand what human kids were like. He had a hard life as a kid, being an orphan. He was never fully accepted and was taken advantage of and used a lot in his life. His old boss did that to him too."

Leo went on to explain more about Randall, including his talented abilities that had helped them out so much, even taking out a few of their worst enemies. Even if it meant he got hurt in the process.

The Ancient One could see that this lizard was valuable to the family indeed.

"Master Yoshi too, was an orphan. I found him and a friend of his on the streets after the war ended. I raised them as my sons." He went on to tell about Yoshi, his friend, and a girl they fell in love with, and the Utroms. How it all made sense and came together, why they also came to be in New York.