Ch 12 Abandoned

Casey and the Three turtles drove the Shellraiser through the city on their way to Shredder's lair. They decided that since it was Tiger Claw who had taken Leo, and more then likely under Shredder's orders, Leo was probably being held there.

They made their way to the Lair and Casey parked the vehicle in an alley across the street. The four youths made their way into the sewer. Taking the passage that led directly under the lair, they made their way to where Stockman's lab was kept, and were surprised to see no one was there.

Even Stockman's equipment was completely gone. As they continued to make their way through the lair and up to the dungeon, it was becoming clear that Shredder's lair was, much to their astonishment, completely abandoned. They decided to separate, Donnie and Mikey went to search the upper floors and Raph and Casey continued to explore the lab and dungeon.

"Where did they all go?" Mikey whispered.

Donnie shrugged. "The whole place is completely deserted." They looked around the various rooms. It was completely empty, no sign that anyone had even been there. "Everything's gone."

"It doesn't look like anyone's been here for quite a while." Casey said.

"But how is that possible?" Raph said. He picked up his t-phone. "Donnie, you got anything?"

"Absolutely nothing." He replied. "It looks like no one's ever been here."

"Shredder took off in a hurry and took everything with him." Raph mused. "He's obviously up to something but what?" Raph shook his head. "Let's meet in the main room and discuss our next plan."

They got together and tried to figure out what their next plan of action should be. "If Shredder left here, it's possible he went back to Japan." Raph said as the four boys walked around the now empty throne room.

"It is possible." Donnie said, "But why take Leo?"

"And why take him to Japan?" Casey asked.

"And take all there stuff?" Mikey said walking up to and sitting in Shredder's chair.

"Why wouldn't they take their stuff?" Raph said. "If their leaving and not planning on coming back, you take everything." He pointed out.

"Yeah." Mikey said as he rubbed his chin. "So if their not planning on coming back..."

The three turtles and Casey stared at each other. Raph quickly started to walk for the exit. "Let's get back to the lair." He turned to Casey. "Casey, ask around and see what you can find out on the streets about Shredder's goons." He turned to Donnie. "Let's get in touch with the Mutanimals and also, let's check some of the flights going to Japan." They made their way to the Shellraiser. "If Shredder did leave, he would have taken his own private jet and there's not too many of those leaving the airports unnoticed."

"But they took Leo only a few hours ago." Donnie pointed out. "They wouldn't have been able to take everything in that short amount of time."

"I think they may have been planning this since the last time we fought them." Raph said, his eyes narrowing in concentration. "Let's also check ships leaving the harbor going to Japan."

"Isn't it possible they could still be in the city though." Mikey asked as he sat in his chair. "Shred head could have another place to hole up in."

They others looked at each other before turning to Mikey. "That's actually a possibility." Donnie said. "I can check to see if Shredder has any affiliates and any other businesses under his name."

"Then lets get back to the lair and start looking." Casey said as Raph drove the vehicle to the secret entrance.

They got back to the lair where Splinter and April were waiting anxiously for news of Leo. Upon hearing what had happened, Splinter sank into the couch, his face taking on a look of shock and despair.

"I should have known something like this was going to happen." He said in disbelief. "When I saw Leonardo grab the Sword of Tengu and hold it so easily, I should have realized Shredder would want to take him."

"But why Sensei?" Mikey asked. "What does one sword have to do with wanting to take Leo?"

"The Tengu sword is not just another sword, Michelangelo." Splinter told him. He picked up a book that he was sitting next to and opened it. The turtles noticed it was an old leather brown book that was torn and weathered with age. "The sword is filled with an energy, a demonic energy that few can handle." Splinter began to stroke his long beard. "Leonardo held the sword with ease, it did not reject him as it would have anyone else." The others stared at him in confusion." Normally, one would have to wear the gauntlet in order to yield the sword." He said looking at them with worry in his eyes." Leonardo did not need the gauntlet and he was able to command the sword." Splinter looked away from them as he recalled the memory. "And he did so without realizing it."

"What does that have to do with anything?" Raph asked.

"There were stories about the Tengu." Splinter's eyes narrowed as he began to look through the book. "They would take children from the villagers and use them as a 'vessel' to aid them in walking among the people. Some of them, if possessed with a demon Tengu were forced to do their bidding and were actually able to absorb the demonic energy. Those children would then be taken by the Tengu and 'kept' for further use."

"Wait." Raph suddenly stood up and looked his Sensei directly in the eye. "What does that mean exactly?" Raph asked. "What do you mean they were 'kept' by them?"

Splinter had a very sad look in his eyes. "They would...take their souls" He said slowly as a sudden realization creapt into him.

"You mean they would kill them." Donnie said. All eyes turned to him then back to Splinter.

"Is that what you mean Sensei?" Mikey asked fearfully. "The Tengu demon would kill these children and would use their souls later for whatever they needed."

Splinter lowered his eyes and nodded. "Leonardo kept having strange dreams of a village, an ancient village. I had wanted to talk with him, find out what these dreams meant." Splinter clenched his fist. "I should have approached him about this, made him talk to me. I could see something was wrong; I knew something troubled him since he returned with us from Shredder's lair after the battle."

"Wait wait wait wait wait." Casey looked at everyone more confused then ever. "If Leo was able to handle that sword, are you saying that this Tengu demon dude has access to Leo's soul?" He blinked in confusion. "But Leo's not dead! How can that be."

"There are those who believe a soul lives on after death and goes from one body to another upon rebirth." Splinter told him. "It is what is known as 'Reincarnation'."

"So your saying that at one time in Leo's past life he was taken by a Tengu demon." April asked him.

Again, Splinter nodded and held up the book. "This book is a history of my ancestors. Many years ago, when the Tengu first revealed themselves to the humans and began to teach them Ninjutsu, one of my first ancestor, Hamato Akio, noted that the Tengu expected loyalty from the villagers. After a time, the villagers began to turn away from the Tengu. Some did not care but other Tengu were outraged and demanded they bow to them." Splinter looked from one page to another reading the inscriptions. "The villagers refused and tried to banish the Tengu, but one does not banish a demon without repercussions." Splinter sighed heavily as he continued to read. "According to this book, Akio had a son who was taken by a Tengu with the promise of helping the village rid themselves of the evil that plagued them, he only needed to accept the Tengu and give into the power. He did so but then the Tengu used the boy to destroy the village and murder as many people as possible."

"That's horrible!" April cried out.

"Did any of the people escape Sensei?" Mikey asked.

Splinter nodded and continued. "Many did escape, but many more did not. Akio, along with the rest of his children survived."

"How did he stop the Tengu demon?" Raph asked.

"The boy stopped him." Splinter said, flipping to another page in the book, he began to read:

"I watched as my son held the sword high above his head, a light as bright as the stars in the heaven shone around him. He was about to strike me down when a look of recognition shown in his eyes. He let out a loud scream and turned the long powerful sword on himself. Before I could stop him, he committed Seppuku and forced the demon to leave his body. At once, a shinto priest was able to capture it into a mirror made specifically by a Daitengu. I cried as he laid in my arms dying, pleading with his last breath for forgiveness. "

The lair was silent as Splinter closed the book. He looked from one youth to another with a heavy sadness in his eyes.

"Do you think that boy your ancestor talked about was possibly Leo in a past life?" Casey asked.

Splinter clenched his fist and nodded.

"And that's why he could hold the sword with such ease." Donnie mused. "And that's why Shredder wants him." He added, suddenly jumping on his feet. "Shredder has those Tengu items and he now knows Leo holds the key to getting the power of the Tengu and how to use them."

"But does that mean Leo has to die in order for Shredder to get the power?" Mikey asked, his voice almost shrieking.

"No, the demon needs Leonardo to accept the darkness that is still within him from all those years ago." Splinter said. "And Shredder needs Leonardo alive and willing to accept the demon and the darkness."

"But Leo's not one to just give in to evil?" Raph said. "So how will Shredder get Leonardo to do accept a dark demonic entity?"

Splinter set his jaw firmly and looked from one young face to another, a look of dread showing clearly in his eyes. "Anyway he can."