Note: Some parts in this chapter come from my fics 'Fury Within Her' 'Karai's Legacy' 'A Father's Lament' and 'Mona's Wonderful Life' and also from Tyroth Darkstorm's fic 'Ancient Legacy'.
Also again credit and big thanks to Tyroth Darkstorm for his part in writing this chapter!
Chapter Forty-Two
A Comfort?
Meanwhile, in their allocated room, Monalisa laid in her and Raphael's bed, crying and sobbing because of the loss of her youngest brother, and in the most horrible way imaginable.
Raphael was sitting in the bed next to her, keeping a comforting hand on her shoulder in silence, as he didn't know what to say, if there was even anything that he could say to comfort her.
Since Mona had fled the mess hall, she had just run to their room and collapsed on the bed, she wasn't sure how long she had been lying there weeping, but right now she didn't care.
She had never felt so low in her life, apart from the day she had woken up as a mutant lizard in the New York sewers all those years ago, but this hurt even more.
Raphael had tears of his own soaking his mask, mainly over his mate's pain, and this time there was nothing he could do or say to help her.
He was still furious as Rattletrap for his cruel words and some of the Mutopians for even having thoughts that this was Mona's fault. He had wanted to take out his aggression on one of the punch-bags in the Dojo or practice throwing his sai on the wooden dummies.
But he knew Mona needed him, and his left hand was so painful and James had said it would be a while before he could use his left hand in combat.
Watching his mate continue to sob and weep, he stroked her shoulder and back and leaned down every so often to kiss and nuzzle her head and hair.
Just then there was a short knock on the door making Raphael jump slightly yet Mona didn't stir.
"Whose there?" he growled, until he heard the voices of his older brother, and shortly after Raphael gave him the invitation to enter, the door was opened, and Leonardo and Tyroth stepped inside.
Both the Dragon and eldest turtle looked saddened seeing Mona laying there crying like it was the end of the world.
"Forgive the intrusion." Leonardo said. "But we have something important that we would like to talk with Mona about."
"Can't it wait, Fearless?" said Raphael with a frown. "She's been through enough already, give her some time to recover at least."
"Trust me, we are all aware of that." said Tyroth. "But we think that this might just help her heal."
It was only then Mona looked up from the bed.
"How?" Mona asked through her sobs and tears, looking up at the two.
"How could you possibly help me? Callum, my brother, is gone, and I'm never getting him back, all that's left is this 'Diablo', and he's not the same, not in the slightest. He's hurt so many already, others physically, and me emotionally as well. All because I tried to help him, because I didn't want to loose him, and now I have to live with this shadow over me. How could you do anything to make that right?"
"We can't make it right, Mona," Tyroth said with a sigh "But we might be able to make things better for you, if you just allow us." he continued, holding out a hand for the Lizard Lady.
Looking into Tyroth's eyes, Monalisa could see that he truly meant what he said, there was a sincerity and compassion in them that she just knew that she could trust, no matter what.
Leonardo had the same look in his eyes, though Tyroth seemed to have something extra in his, something that spoke to her.
In all the years that she had known him, Mona had seen time and time again just how much Tyroth was willing to do to help those dear to him, no matter how little it might have been.
She took a breath and looked at them both.
"Okay…" she said with a weak voice, trying to wipe away some of her tears as she took Tyroth's hand and was helped up on her feet, still supported by Raphael.
"I know that both of you only want to help… and if you think this, whatever it is, will help… then I will let you try…"
"Thank you, Mona." said Leonardo with a soft comforting smile "Come now."
Then he and Tyroth then left the room together with the couple, and walked to a more fitting place.
The walk had been fairly short, but still not a pleasant one.
As they walked through the village, many Mutopians watched them go.
Mona felt a pang in her stomach and heart as she felt their eyes on her, Mutopia had been such a lively village full of laughter and security, but now it felt cold and distressing.
The Mutants spoke in whispers and as Mona passed them, they would stop and look at her, and Mona wondered if they blamed her.
She knew Rattletrap did, and it broke her heart, and some had even displayed anger towards her and Jake.
But she knew, or at least she hoped that the Chicago Knights and the other Mutopians didn't blame her.
They understood that she only wanted to save a life, and they would all have done the same given the chance.
After all Tyroth had given his sister the chance at a new life when she was on the brink of death, and it was no different what she did.
Before long the group reached their destination, when they came to a stop, they found themselves in the temple that housed the magical well, the very well that had transformed Callum into a raven mutant when Mona used it to save his life.
Normally, only Mutopians are allowed inside the temple for safety reasons, though there have been several exceptions of various kinds, and this was one of them apart from when Mona had gone in with Tyroth to mutate her youngest brother.
"Why are we here?" Mona asked, more tears forming in her eyes as she remembered what had happened.
"We need a calm place for what we have planned, and despite what happened recently, this is the most tranquil location in Mutopia." Tyroth answered.
"So what are you two up to?" Raphael asked half demanding, keeping his arm protectivly around his mate.
"Mona, do you remember how I used a special form of meditation to see the… the attack on you many years ago?" asked Leonardo, hesitating slightly to bring up more unpleasant memories for the still fragile Lizard Lady.
"Yes… why?"
"Leo and Splinter have both told me about this technique earlier, and I think we can use it." Tyroth began to explain.
"Use it? Use it how?" Mona asked in a louder voice. "So that I can relive how my brother became a monster?! So that you can see how he looked at me?!"
She was close to breaking down again and Raphael pulled her closer.
"Mona, please, calm down. This has little to do with that." Tyroth said softly.
"Do you remember back when the demons attacked? And how we fought against them together? And how Sephie was… how she was killed by their leader?"
"I do… it was horrible…" Mona shuddered at the thought. If Sephie hadn't been brought back to life by Tyroth's magic, life would have been so empty for all of them.
But as she thought about it, a thought dawned to her, one that she was almost afraid to ask.
"Wait… are you…" she paused "Are you telling me… that you want to bring my mother back to life?!"
"Gods know that I want to, Mona," Tyroth replied "And if I could, by Odin I promise you that I would do it. But I don't even know how I brought Sephie back to life, and even if I did, I'm afraid that it might be too late for your mother, given how long it has been."
"Then what are we even doing here?" asked Raphael, now starting to become quite annoyed.
"The idea is that I can amplify Leo's meditation technique with my magic then we can literally reach into the afterlife, and allow you to talk with your mother."
Mona's eyes went wide and her heart skipped a beat. She couldn't even believe it, and didn't know what to say.
"So some form of séance? Ain't they all just bluffs?" said Raphael.
"Many of them probably are, but we've all experienced things that we would never have believed if we had been told of them." said Leonardo.
"Is it really possible? Could you let me talk to my mother?" Monalisa asked in a weak voice, not really daring to believe it, fearful that it wouldn't work.
"Mona." Leonardo took his adopted sister's hands and held them tightly "When Kemeko was a baby, it was not long after her first Christmas, after Karai was killed."
Mona lowered her head, remembering that time, even though Leonardo had adopted Kemeko after her mother was murdered by the Shredder, it had been such a traumatising time for them all and Leonardo had been so badly affected by the whole incident.
"I kept wishing in a way I could see Karai once more," Leonardo continued. "Just to ask her if I was doing the right thing for Kemeko, and if I would be able to be the father she needed and be able to tell her of her origins when the time was right."
Mona stared at the blue masked turtle in amazement, as did Raphael.
"Why didn't you tell us about this before, Fearless?" he asked.
"I didn't wish to speak of it until the time was right." Leonardo said "Such knowledge shouldn't be known until the right time comes."
Tyroth nodded in agreement.
"And such power is so sacred," he added "It should not be used for just about anything, only when it dire need, and now we believe is the right time."
"But will it work this time?" Mona asked, hope welling in her breast.
"Honestly, I don't know." said Tyroth. "This is still completely new to both me and Leo, and we got lucky that time trying to reach Karai, but I pray to all Gods that it will work, and while I don't know if it will, I believe that it will work."
Not sure what to do, Mona looked at her mate for support. He looked back with caring eyes, holding her close as he spoke.
"I would take this chance if I were you, babe. You may never get it again." he said softly.
"You think so?" Mona asked.
"Look, I don't really buy this whole 'talk with spirits' stuff, but like Leo said, we've seen a lot of really strange things. And if anyone could do this, it's these two." He took a breath as he remembered something else.
"Plus, didn't you tell me that you saw the spirit of your grandmother back when you almost died that Christmas several years ago? The year before Pandora was born if I'm not mistaken?"
"I did, yeah."Mona confirmed still feeling rather guilty of that Christmas Night she left the sanctuary when she was upset.
"Part of me still thinks it was just a dream, but it felt so real, so I can't really let go of the feeling that she really did come to me when I needed her the most."
"Then this might work, for this sure feels like a similar scenario." said Leonardo hopefully.
Standing quiet for a while, Mona thought about it.
There was a big chance that this wouldn't work at all, but the more she thought about it, the more she prayed that it would work, and the fact that this might be her only chance was all the incentive she needed.
"If there is a chance, no matter how small, then I will do it." She said finally "I want to see my mother again, one last time."
Tyroth, Leonardo and Raphael smiled at her.
"Then lets get to work!" Tyroth said in a determined voice.
A few minutes later, Monalisa and Leonardo were sitting on their knees facing each other, their palms touching and their hands clasped firmly.
Tyroth sat beside them both, his arms and hands extended towards theirs but not touching, while Raphael was sitting behind Mona, and held his hands on her shoulders, letting her know that he would be there for her.
"Okay, Mona." Leonardo began. "Just like we did that day, breathe along with me, relax your body, and this time, focus on your mother. Tyroth and I will handle the rest."
Mona nodded and did as she was told, and shortly after, the two was breathing in sync, to which Raphael also followed suit.
Seeing as they were all in synch, Tyroth began channelling and shaping his mana for the purpose he wanted, silently praying that it wouldn't be in vain.
His signature red glow began flowing all over him, like soft flames that spread a warm glow.
He then let it spread to his friends, enveloping them all in short order, then Tyroth began to also breath in synch with them, all while he let his magical powers seep into their very souls...
So that's what Tyroth was planning! He along with Leonardo are going to try and help Mona reach the afterlife so she can see her mother once more, like how Leonardo managed to reach Karai in 'A Father's Lament'
Tune into the next chapter to see if it works fr the Lizard Lady!