The following journal entry is set to take place between the episodes Vision Quest and Return to New York. TMNT does not belong to me, and all rights go to their respective owners. It's short, but it serves it's purpose.
April O'Neil: Journal of Our Journey
After three days of awkward quiet at the farmhouse, the Turtles have returned. The four brothers have changed in all aspects...visually, physically, mentally, spiritally. They all looked stronger in every way. And the words that Leonardo said upon their return was all the proof I needed.
"We're going back to New York."
They're ready...
Our journey continues.
Leonardo - Like the Wind
As Leo dawned this mystic white clothing that looked of something from the renaissance, I could sense in his soul how much this journey had changed him. Being around the guys for a couple years now, I have come to learn some of the basic symbols in Japanese and Chinese. Leo dawned the symbol of wind. It's very fitting for Leonardo, being the leader and all.
Like the wind, Leo must always continue to flow effortlessly in mind, body, and spirit. Which is one of the reasons why he has been so much more distraught about his injuries than perhaps the others would. Leonardo told me about their encounter with Splinter's spirit...all the more reason I wish I could have gone. I miss him...
I now know with the guidance of Sensei, the turtles will be strong. Starting with Leo. Leo is now more ready than anyone to get back to the city, where as for a bit he felt he was holding the team back.
But no more...
Our leader is back...and ready for all that stands in our way.
Raphael - This Fire Burns
The outfit that Raphael worn looked both inspirational and intimidating all in one fell swoop. The fish net arm sleeves, gasoline tanks on his back...wherever he got those from, a Diablo looking mask. The symbol Raph bared was the symbol of fire, and everything he wore showed the signs of a fire burning inside him unlike anything I had ever seen in Raphael before, but this fire seemed different than other occasions. This fire seemed controlled, only burning when it needed to.
Even Casey seemed a little awestruck upon seeing his red-clad friend, his little experience of the ninja and their ways definitely makes it more flattering to me when the ways of the ninja meet the life of Casey Jones. And deep down I know Raph is more than wanting to "show off" his skills to the uneducated. He's by his brother's sides, and for once in my life I see that Raph was and is in full control of his emotion. Perhaps Sensei's inspiration did this? I can only hope.
And I can only hope Raph is as ready as everyone else and willing to whip some Kraang butt...yeah, you already know the answer to that don't you journal. :)
Michelangelo - Strong and Calm, Like the Forest
If there's one thing I never thought I'd see from the day I met the turtles, it would be seeing a drop dead, serious Michelangelo standing before me. He showed the poise of Leonardo, the strength of Raphael, demeanor of Donatello. He seemed calm...at peace with what he had discovered out their. Which makes sense. The symbol Mikey bared was the symbol of the forest. I wondered at first what that would mean when it came to Michelangelo, and even now I'm still not entirely sure.
Perhaps it stands for never underestimating the power of the forest, despite the peace and beauty that it brings. Always respect it and always take it seriously, because you never know when it may make you regret it if you take it for granted. We often take Mikey for granted, and even sometimes he does things that make just wonder how he can possibly be a ninja. But when the time comes, Mikey always steps up. It may be unorthodox, but it's effective. Just like the forest, the forest can use so many elements of force and deception to make a person crumble.
Always respect the forest...always respect Michelangelo.
Donatello - Strong Like the Mountain
Of all the turtles, Donnie looked the most different. His body was covered legs to arms in markings with what looked like from mashed blackberries, he wore a giant stone shaman's mask, and carried a massive stone ax than his tradition staff. It was far from the Donatello I knew who left three days before hand. I ran over to him after they were situated from returning home. No pun intended, but he wore a stone face with me walking up to him. I slowly pulled the object from his face, and I saw his eyes. No facemask he was wearing...he looked so innocent. Then, he looked like the Donnie I remembered.
Having learned much about the Japanese culture and way of life, I learned much about Mount Fuji and what it meant to their people. So I noticed very quickly that Donatello was dawning the symbol for the mountain. Tall and strong, just like Fuji. From the outside, that is what it could mean, but perhaps to Donnie, the mountain may be more important.
In terms of the mountain, we sometimes take for granted the treasures of our world, and we don't appreciate how important and meaningful they are...until they're not there anymore. The guys regularly believe that Donnie is the weakest fighter, there are times where I don't think Donnie believes in himself enough. But we know how important he means to us...I certainly do. And when we are set to head back, Donnie will come up with something to help us succeed. He always has...
And he always will, because he's strong...like the mountain.
Casey - Awestruck
For a person who claims to not get rattled or believes he's seen it all, Casey certainly was in awe of seeing the guys upon their return. Leaving Casey to a speechlessness is quite an accomplishment in that regard.
He certainly went out of his way to ask a ton of questions to them...but hey, anything that would actually leave me alone finally is a big plus. Casey went out of his way to let me know that it was just me and him, and "if anything happened, don't hesitate for a second to call on Casey Jones." What a goofball. :)
But one is for certain, he's ready to go back. He wants to try and find his family, as we all do. All trying to save everyone that is important to us.
He's focused, he's determined, he's ready to go home.
April - We're Ready
I can't lie...I never thought this day would ever come. I didn't think internally all of us we're ever going to be ready to head back home and fight for New York. In a little over five months, we've been through so much with each other, while hardly learning anything about what has been going on with the city. I have worried that something is very wrong, how could there have been no news reports on an alien invasion of the biggest city in the U.S.? Something's very wrong.
In a way though it may have been a positive. Perhaps the constant reminder of a demoralized city wouldn't be good for any of our spirits.
But all that doesn't matter now, because our spirits are ready. And in a couple days...it's time to go back.
Well, gotta go now journal. We have a lot of work to do. It's time to start packing everything back up and get plenty of rest.
The battle for the city...will soon begin.
