NOTE: I don't own the lyrics in this chapter.
Chapter Five
Carol Concert
Before long, the party was in full swing, Cam and Barry were playing DJ and playing all the Christmas hits as everyone danced, chatted together or ate from the unlimited buffet and drinks bar.
The Chicago Knights were either dancing or talking, even Kate and Percy had put their fighting aside and were happily talking with Tyroth's family.
Although they were told to quit their activities by Tyroth, Splinter and George since they had guests in Mutopia and if they did play up they'd be punished, so for the moment, everything was calm.
Richard and Erica were delighted that the whole of Mutopia was made up for their arrival and everyone was paying extra attention to make sure their room was made up nicely so they could put their belongings and presents for Christmas Day in there.
Jack and Tyroth then gave them a tour of Mutopia, Erica was overjoyed to see Tiana's salon and said she would book herself in there for a pampering before Christmas Day.
Richard was impressed with the dojo and how hard the Chicago Knights would train each day and the patrols they went on.
"I'm glad you, Sephie and Jennifer are safe here." Richard said as he sipped some beer, "You're very lucky!"
"I feel even luckier now you're here!" Tyroth replied as he ate some crisps from a paper plate "Christmas as a family once again!"
"After all we've been through!" smiled Richard "This is going to be a Christmas to remember!"
Just then, Barry picked up the microphone.
"Okay everyone!" he called out getting everyone's attention "Hope you're all having a good time?"
"Yeah!" everyone shouted excitedly.
"Hey that was only a few of you!" Barry said "I said are you all having a good time!"
"YEAH!" everyone shouted louder.
"Fantastic!" said Barry "Well, now we got a treat for you and in honour of our very special guests!" he nodded at Erica and Richard who laughed "We got some of our talented singers here to sing a few carols! So if everyone would like to sit quietly! We shall begin!"
Everyone cheered happily and all stood or sat down as the choir took their places in front of the DJ set.
Mona and Sephie stood together and held up their song sheets, they both giggled slightly at each other as they were both wearing bobble hats and scarves as well as holding a couple of lanterns.
Amongst them were some of the other Chicago Knights and residents of Mutopia, Leonardo and Donatello were there too, and young Sonia stood between the two lizards.
Cam then started the carol music and the choir began to sing.
First they sang 'Once in Royal David's City' with Sephie and Mona singing the first verse as a solo, then they sang 'I Saw Three Ships' followed by 'God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen' 'Silent Night' 'O Holy Night' 'Oh come all ye Faithful' and many more.
Then a Christmas Song came up where Sonia sang the first solo, as the music began, Sonia stepped forward slowly and looked at Tyroth who smiled at her warmly, Sonia gripped her little lantern close and began to sing in a sweet voice:
Christmastime means laughter
Toboggans in the snow,
Carolling together
With faces a-glow
Stockings on the mantel,
A wreath on the door
And my Merriest Christmas
Needs just one thing more
Then the choir began to sing the chorus and Sonia looked at Tyroth as she sang as if to ask 'How did I do?' to which the Dragon winked and put his thumbs up making her smile.
Christmas Tree,
My Christmas Tree,
Lit up like a star;
When I see my Christmas tree,
Can loved ones be far?
Christmas Tree, I'm certain
Wherever I roam,
The glow from your branches
Will light my way home.
Then Mona sang the next verse, as she did, her eyes glistened, and she kept her eyes on Raphael, Splinter and Michelangelo who were smiling proudly at her.
Ornaments collected
From every Christmas night,
Memories reflected
Through tinsel and light;
Gratefully we gather
As ever before
To rejoice in the season
And sing out once more.
Then the rest of the choir began to sing the rest of the song. Raphael smiled proudly at his mate, and Sephie winked at Mona who smiled weakly back.
Christmas Tree,
My Christmas Tree,
Lit up like a star;
When I see my Christmas tree,
Can loved ones be far?
Christmas Tree, I'm certain
Wherever I roam,
The glow from your branches
Will light my way home.
Then Sonia sang out the last part of the song:
It's Christmas!
It's Christmas
And I'm going home!
As soon as the song was over, the whole hall erupted into wild applause. Tyroth went mad with cheering for Sonia's solo and Raphael and Michelangelo clapped and cheered louder for Mona's solo.
When the applause died down, the choir sang a few more carols then they began their final song:
Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
Christ is born in Bethlehem
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King!
As the last carol was sung, everyone couldn't help but join in and many stood up to sing along
Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King!
When the concert finished and the choir had changed back into their normal clothes, everyone began to dance and laugh as Cam and Barry went back to being DJ, in fact Donatello went up to help as well as play a few records.
"So, how are things going for you, baby girl?" asked Erica as she stood with Amber by the Christmas Tree.
"It's going great!" said Amber "Well, I do kinda miss my old life as Jennifer, but I have a lot of friends here! Well, we were friends together before I mutated, well with my life in Chicago and all before..." she paused slightly "The whole incident."
Erica went pale as she remembered.
"It was a horrible time baby..." she said "I still have nightmares about it...and I do cry when I think of what that evil man did to you..."
"He will get his one day!" said Amber "Well, all the Chicago Knights want his head on a platter, well...Mona especially after all the stuff he did to her." She looked at Mona who was standing with Raphael and were talking to Jack and Sharky "...and to Ray-Ray..." she glanced at Tyroth who was with Richard, George and Splinter "And me..."
Erica held her daughter's scaly arm and nodded.
"I know sweet girl." She said "But remember despite what happened, we're all together again!"
As Erica and Amber continued to talk, Mona couldn't help but overhear the conversation they were having, and she soon saw Tyroth and Richard walk over to join them.
She soon stopped listening to Jack, Raphael and Sharky and began to listen to Tyroth's family talk together.
"I know what happened was dreadful..." said Tyroth "And I sometimes blame myself to the extent that I couldn't help you sooner..."
"Brother..." Amber started.
"But..." said Tyroth "I have to say...in a way...if Arashi and Dr Arden hadn't done what they did...maybe we wouldn't be here...right now!"
Erica, Richard and Amber stared at Tyroth in amazement as well as shock.
"What are you saying son?" asked Richard "You saying that what Arashi and Dr Arden did was a blessing in disguise?"
As Mona heard those words, her blood boiled.
"Blessing?" she seethed, "Blessing?" she gripped her wine glass and gritted her teeth, but she couldn't help but feel the anger rise within her.
And it didn't help as Tyroth kept talking.
"I know it sounds strange, but in a way...Dr Arden did bring us together again...as a family...although there are times I wish I could go back in a machine and prevent everything that happened to you...but I can't..."
"We know Ray-Ray." Said Amber "But think of the now! And the now is we're together again!"
"Yeah!" said Tyroth "Together again! A family again!" he held up his drink "So I guess I should say...thank you Arashi and Arden!"
"Like mum used to say!" said Amber as she raised her own glass "Everything happens for a reason! So I guess those evil bastards did us a favour!"
"To us!" said Tyroth with a grin.
It was at that moment than Mona could stand it no longer, she turned to Tyroth and his family and glared.
"So...those evil men did you a favour huh?" she snarled.
Tyroth turned to Mona in shock.
"Huh?" he asked as he caught her eye.
Mona was seething.
"Those monsters did you a favour huh?" she snapped at Tyroth and Amber "Then maybe you should write them a card to day thanks!"
Tyroth, Amber, Erica and Richard were shocked at Mona's outburst, but they didn't get a chance to say anything until Mona brought her glass of wine to her mouth, downed it, placed it harshly on a nearby table and strode out of the room.
Tyroth's eyes widened.
"What the...?" he said.
"What's gotten into Mona?" asked Amber.
"Is she okay?" asked Erica, Richard just looked confused.
"I'll handle this." Tyroth said, he looked around the room, he saw Mona's tail whip out the door and he went to follow her.
Luckily, the others hadn't noticed, not even the turtles as they were so busy either dancing, drinking, eating or socialising, so he decided to try and defuse the situation without causing a stir.
As he followed Mona, Amber also went with him, and Sephie, who also noticed the situation, also followed.
"Oh man..." Sephie thought with dread "I was fearful this would happen..."
Uh oh...looks like the bombs gone off within Mona...what will happen next?
Stay tuned to find out!