Ch.2: Realm of Pain

Inside Raph's Mind

Through the efforts of deep meditation, Splinter, Leo, Don, and Mikey materialized inside of Raph's mind. A cold chill could be felt in the air, and the sounds of a crackling fire could be heard burning below.

Luckily, for Leo and the others, they had safely landed on a small path above the fire pit, safe from searing flames. Mikey instantly wrapped his arms around himself in a desperate attempt to keep warm.

" I don't get it Sensei" said Mikey, looking at Master Splinter " how come it's so hot down there, but so so cold up here?"

"I fear we are seeing the two elements of Raphael's mind clashed in a never-ending battle for power" said Splinter " however, if we don't hurry, one of these elements is likely to win, and we could lose Raphael for good,"

"Then what are we waiting for?" said Leo " I say we head down this path and see where it leads. Maybe we can find the monster responsible for this mess,"

With that said, Leo and the others headed down the path to find the source of Raphael's pain. After a few minutes of nothing but cold air and fire, Don finally spotted something strange in the distance.

"Look!" shouted Don.

Up ahead, at the end of the path, stood a large, black stone castle with fire shooting out of its twin towers and a red light forcefield guarding the door. Leo put his hand onto the forcefield and jumped back in alarm when it yelled out in pain.

"That sounded like Rapheal," said Mikey.

"Well we are in his mind" said Don, examining the force field " my guess is that this force field was created by all the pain Raph's going through right now. That's why it screamed when Leo touched it,"

"Then how are we going to get through it?" asked Leo.

"You don't," came a voice from above.

Shocked, everyone's eyes turned to the top of the castle to see Raphael's dragon form perched on top. The red and green dragon looked at all three turtles and their master fiercely, his gleaming white teeth shining in the firelight.

"No one is to enter the Realm of Pain" said Raphael's dragon " by orders of the Master, it's secrets are meant to be kept under lock and key,"

"Can't you allow us passage?" asked Leo, looking up at the dragon " Raphael's life may be in danger if we don't put a stop to the monster that is haunting his mind. You don't want your Master to die do you?"

For a moment the dragon's eyes glowed with rage at Leo's words, then he calmed down enough to think them over. Making up his mind, the dragon chanted a few words under his breath, and the shield of pain guarding the castle door vanished without a trace.

"You may enter" said the dragon to the group below " But be warned... More than one monster haunts my Master's mind,"

Thanking the dragon, Leo and the others stepped into the castle and got transported into a vast valley full of red grass and broken trees. Tiny balls of white light could be seen flying all around the place, like ghosts. What they were was anyone's guess.

Curious, Mikey touched one of the light balls, and the whole scene around them suddenly twisted and changed until they were back in the lair. Standing in the center of the lair was a young Master Splinter and even younger ninja turtles standing in line.

"I remember this day" said Leo, turning to his Sensei " this is the day you chose me to be team leader,"

"Yeah" said Don " and Raph really wanted the job,"

All three turtles and their Master watched in silence as the dream Master Splinter chose Young Leonardo to lead the ninja turtles team. Young Raph cursed and sulked up to his room, disappionted the he hadn't been picked. Suddenly the air was filled up with the shouting of two voices.

Leo recgonized those two voices easily. They were his and Raph's, argueing about why Raphael wouldn't be fit as leader. Young Raphael heard every word of those arguements and tears started to stream down his face.

"He's right" cried Young Raphael " I'll never be a leader. I'll never be anything,"

"Oh Raphy," said Mikey, uncomfortable to see brother in such pain.

"Could I be the cause of this?" thought Leo, as the illusion dissappeared " am I one causing Raph his pain?"

Splinter put his hand up on the blue-masked turtle's shoulder and looked up into his eyes.

"Do not blame yourself my son" said Splinter " it is not the past we have come to see,"

Leo felt a little better after his Sensei's words, but that didn't ease the guilt flowing in his heart.

"Maybe one of these orbs can take us to the monster in Raph's mind," said Don.

"It's worth a try," said Mikey, and grabbed another orb.

A white light flashed, and the turtles and their Sensei dissappeared.