Well, from here, things get a bit interesting. I'm sorry I haven't been updating, once again. Things have just been very busy for me. I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 14

Fortress

As Mikey walked with Donatello, he noticed the sky was getting darker.

"This is getting creepy."

"You JUST now noticed Mikey? Did you hit your head or something?" Don wasn't exactly in the best mood. He couldn't shake the feeling that… well, there was this fluttering in his stomach and it was driving him insane. He felt he needed to DO something… but what? He couldn't put his thumb on it and it was driving him insane.

Mikey snorted," Geez, what crawled up your shell and DIED?"

Don shook his head," Nothing."

"Sure…." he paused as Leo and Raph made their way through the crowd. Leo nodded slightly as he looked at Donnie's leg," You alright?"

"I'll be fine. What's going on Leo?"

Raph snorted," Another disaster."

Mikey's eyes widened," Beg your pardon?"

"There's another plot. Four monsters known as "The Hybrid Witches" are the ones behind that building. Ue-Sama said we can't start the Battle Nexus until they're found and either killed or banished," Leo explained quietly. He too, had troubled look in his eyes, much like Donatello did.

Raphael suddenly blurted," There's something weird going on here."

Mikey nodded," Yeah, and i think it's you three. You all are acting so much WEIRDER then usual"

Don, Raph and Leo all glared at Michelangelo, who shrugged," Well, it's TRUE."

Leo shook his head," Mikey, this is serious. The Daimyo is already organizing a search and destroy party. Me and Raph volunteered. How about you, Mikey?"

"I want to come!" Donatello protested.

There was no response. All that Leo did was look down at the bound ankle and then up at the crutches Donatello was leaning against. Don looked at him pleadingly. Leo sighed, feelingtrue pity for his younger brother as he ruefully responded, "Don, I don't think it's a good idea."

"But, Leo-"

"Donnie, look, it's not that we don't trust ya. But if it was you in OUR place, you wouldn't let yourself go either."

Don grumbled as Mikey nodded," Yeah bro. Besides, you'll be on your feet maybe tomorrow, you could join then."

Don harrumphed," Fine. Go on without me. Maybe I can do some good from here."

"Yeah, keep dreaming bro!" Mikey laughed as he and the two others turned to leave.

Don grumbled as he turned and limped away.

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The group was large. Leo wondered if the large numbers were truly necessary. Yes, of course, the Daimyo and Splinter had made it clear that the Hybrid Witches were dangerous foes… but really. Nearly half the Competitors had volunteered for the hunting party.

Raph seemed to have the same thoughts," Huh… maybe Donnie should'a come along."

"Raph, you need to take this seriously," leo chided, as they followed Ue-Sama back to the old building that they had stumbled across just hours ago.

Usagi walked alongside them, warning gently," Indeed, Raphael-san. This is no laughing matter."

Leo looked down at Usagi," Have you met them?"

"No… but I have heard altogether too much. They say that though the creatures are evil beyond belief, they are also beguiling… all except one."

"What do you mean?"

"There are four of the Witches. The first like unto an ice fairy, cold and heartless, but beautiful and siren-like. The second is like a sun-spirit, rich in her appearance but far more clever and devious then any living thing. The third is like the mistress of the night. Her very words cause your spirit to melt within you. But every word she speaks is a lie. And the fourth…"

Usagi hesitated, genuinely unwilling to speak.

Raphael prodded," Well?"

"They say she is only their half sister. That the mother coupled with a- a dragon spirit. This one has no beauty. Her skin is like rippling midnight sky. Her eyes are hypnotic, for they change colors, from gold to ruby red. Her fangs jut out from her yellow mouth, and her tongue is forked. Her body is supple and reptilian. They say she's more dangerous then the three of her sisters put together, the strongest and the most brazen."

There was silence…

"Well, we've been through worse, right?" Mikey grinned. His grin faltered when he saw the fearful look in Usagi's eyes. This was not characteristic of the Samurai.

Mikey's spirits wilted as Usagi replied quietly," This may be the worst yet."

Suddenly, the group came to a halt.

Ue-Sama looked around frantically before calling Leo and Raph.

"I could have sworn that THIS was where the building was," He told them, looking unsettled.

Leo looked at the landmarks, frowning. The landmarks were the same… but where was the fortress?

8~8~8~8~8

Don sat at a table, looking down at his notebook. He had written down the riddle, which he had taken the pains to memorize.

"Only the wise may decide for themselves. Only the foolish shall pass. Strength and bravery are nothing, when the appearance is inward. A heart of gold beneath scales, A heart of stone encased by gold. Choose thee Wisely… thou fool."

He murmured quietly to himself as he examined the riddle. Apparently, something was off. There was something they were missing.

"Only the Wise may decide for themselves. Only the Foolish shall pass… Ugh, sounds like a bunch of mumbo jumbo to me," Donatello groaned as he took a sip of a protein drink someone had brought to him.

With a sigh, he stood and limped out of the building, the notebook tucked into his belt as he reasoned," I'm not going to get much done here if I can't understand the elements the riddle is talking about."

With an inward resolve, Donatello started out towards the outskirts of the citadel.

8~8~8~8~8~8

After an hour of searching, Ue-Sama sent three of his huge team to report back to the Citadel. Leo and Raph both rested against a tree, as Ue-Sama contemplated their next move.

At this moment, there was a rumbling. And off in the east, birds rose into the air, shrieking as they went.

Ue-Sama looked up, as Raph observed," Looks like a calling card to me."

8~8~8~8~8

Don walked for what seemed like forever. He had limped through the trees, noting that his ankle seemed to be feeling better already. Good.

As he explored, he paused, as a strong scent reached his nose. His heart began to pound.

The scent was of a desert rose.

For a moment, he wondered if he was indeed rooted in reality. Was this a dream?

But he pinched himself and felt pain. This was real.

He walked cautiously and called out," Hello?"

There was no answer. He walked on, following the scent. Parting the branches of a tree that looked like a willow, he gaped.

There, in front of him, was the building they had stumbled across. With a racing heart, he stepped forward and made his way to the building.

He looked at the drawbridge, which suddenly lowered itself. A chilling whisper came to him,"Enter, thou fool, the Imp Rose shall save thee."

Don swallowed hard. He looked around before making up his mind. He stepped forward, into the fortress.

As he entered the dark building, he realized there were four passages that stretched out before him. Over each door way, a message was inscribed.

Amiat

Okiran

Ibar

Aisyle

Donatello looked at the words quizzically. No language that he knew. On the wall to his left was written another riddle. He examined this with interest.

Deception is spoken like truth. The Truth as deception.

Donatello shivered as a chill wind blew across his face. he looked back down at the four passages. To his surprise, the wind that blew brought the scent of burning rose incense. It was coming from the tunnel marked, "Ibar"

With a hesitant backward glance, Donatello started down the tunnel.

Please to review if you have read this far!