"If you want Raph, I can strap you to the table in the lab." Donnie said with an evil smirk. Raphael knew very well that Donatello had ways of keeping his brothers in line when it comes to injuries. Raphael snorted and head over to the couch. Ari just shook her head. She smiled towards her brothers. She had finally found a family accepting of her; regardless of who or what she is. All her life; she had been put on a pedestal and certain behaviors were expected of her. She was expected to be proper as the future queen of Mt. Olympus. She had been raised a princess a thousand years ago. Ari had created Phoenix as a way to get out and do her own thing, but even still, she had to be mindful of how she acted. Ari could really never remember a time when her actions wasn't being watched or scrutinized. Now in this time, she still couldn't get away from her past. Even if the other heroes didn't know she is a goddess; they still watched her actions as a superhero. When she first fell in love with Red X; she didn't know how the others were going to react. After all; he is a villain and she is a superhero. There is no gray area. But then she found out that he is the Prince of West Elysionia she had fallen in love with. She sighed; she had yet to tell the others. Red X had an innate ability to find what he is looking for regardless of what is. If anyone discovered the truth, it would be him.
"Uh, Ari?" Leo stood in front of her trying to get her attention. Startled, she jumped as Leonardo gently grabbed her arm. "You ok, you were spacing there for a moment." "Oh, yeah, sorry; just thinking. Can we talk in private?" Ari figured now as much as a good as time as any to get this over with. "Yeah, sure let's head to the dojo? If anyone needs us, we'll be in the dojo." Leo shouted back at the others.
Leonardo slid the door opened letting Ari enter first. She took a seat in the center with Leo sitting directly across from her. "What is it that you need to talk about sis?" Ari grimaced a little at being addressed "sis". She wasn't sure how Leo let alone the others would handle this.
"When I told you about my past, there is one thing I did not mention. His name is Jason; otherwise known as Red X in Jump City. While I was still living in Elysionia, he was the Crown Prince of West Elysionia. Our kingdoms were sworn enemies until we managed to convince our parents that the real enemy was Angel and not each other. We were to be married and our kingdoms united. That is; until the war happened. He didn't care that I was a goddess. He was killed a few months before the war's end. As I did state before; I fought in the war as Phoenix. However; he did not know and died not knowing it was me. When I came to the present; I wasn't even sure if he had been reborn. While I was Jump City, I took notice of their local villain, Red X. There was something about him that was familiar. I took a lot of heat for falling in love with a villain until it was realized that he is the same Jason from Elysionia. If anyone is good at finding things: he is. I was afraid to let you guys know about him, especially with him being a villain and with your honor and all." Ari sat quietly after finishing her explanation. She looked up to Leonardo for any implication of what he is thinking. Leo sat with his eyes closed. He understood why she was so apprehensive of telling them about Jason. She needed his rational thinking and calmness over Raphael's abruptness. He clearly saw the frightened expression on her face. Was she afraid that they were going to kick her out? Leonardo was torn, for one the man who has captured her heart is a villain; but in the same aspect, he is not. She sat there awaiting his answer. "Ari, it's ok. I appreciate you letting me know of Jason. He sounds like good man and I know you would not be with him if he was a sinister villain." He gently placed his hand on her shoulder. "So, you're not going to kick me out?" Ari quietly said with a few tears. Leonardo was stunned. Why would she think that they would kick her out after all she has been thru. "Of course not, Ari; we would never kick you out. You are family and family sticks together. You have helped us in many ways. You have brought semblance to this family. Please do not cry. As I have said before, no matter what the problem is, we are here for you." He leaned over to hug Ari. She hugged Leo tightly; tears still streaming down her face. "Oh thank you Leo." He gently rubbed her back in comfort. "There is just one more thing; I want to meet this young man and make sure he is good enough for my baby sister. And he has to meet the others; including Raphael." He said with a smirk. Ari paled for moment. Raphael would put Jason thru hell to get his approval. "You are kidding right, Raph will kill him." "Nope baby sister, I am afraid I am not and don't forget about April. She will have fun with him." Leonardo was rather enjoying teasing Ari about Jason. But in the back of his mind, he knew she may well very well never see him again or at least for a while. Could she live without ever seeing him again? Leonardo busted out laughing at the horrified expression on Ari's face. "You should see your face." Ari punched him in the arm. "Not funny Leo!" "Oh but it is; sis." He continued to smile at her with a big grin on his face. "Ya know, you're going to have to tell others, at least the shortened version. Don't worry; I will try to hold Raphael back."
"I know but how, for one thing, I'm sure by now they have accepted my death. And secondly; it's not like I can go up to him and let him know I am alive. So for a bit at least; I won't have to worry about Raph going after him." She said lightheartedly. Leo knew the emotional turmoil she is in but all will be well soon enough. Little did he realize that in a few short years; it will be one of his own brothers seeking approval for Ari's hand? "Thanks again Leo, let's head back out to the living room." "No prob Ari, anytime." They left the dojo to find the living room in total chaos. Raphael was chasing Mikey across the living room while Donne tried to break them up. Leonardo shook his head at the display while Ari chuckled. Yes, they are her family and this is how family is. Never before had she truly felt love of a family. Living in the lair with four older teenage brothers and their master; she could feel love they have for each other; and now she is a part of it. Mikey saw the duo reenter the room and shouted for help.
"Ari, please help Raph's gonna kill me!"
"I don't think so Mikey, I'm having too much fun watching the display." Leo and Ari glanced at each other. "Should we help him Leo or join in the fray?" "I think…we should join." Leo and Ari ran towards Raph and Mikey and started chasing the two turtles. Donnie stopped when he saw Ari and Leo join.
"This should be fun." He rejoined the rest and they all ran around the lair; acting like the carefree family they are. Splinter heard all the commotion in the living room. Upon entering; he found all his children running around. He couldn't help but smile at the fray. For once, they can act teenagers and not care about any of the worlds' problems they shouldered. The five teens collapsed in front of the couch, exhausted and still laughing; Ari landing on top of them. The turtles were careful that they didn't accidently hurt her. "Ow, ok you can stop tickling Mikey." Ari tried saying in between breaths. The siblings lay on the floor for several moments, catching their breaths. "That was fun; I think that is the most fun I have had in a while."
"Really?" Mikey questioned.
"Yeah, kinda hard to have fun when you're out risking your life every day. There are times I wish I could be just like any other teenage girl. That's the price I pay for being a superhero. I guess you guys can relate."
"Yeah but we still manage to have fun." Mikey replied, instantly feeling bad for his sister. He didn't realize just how much she gave up to live the life she did. Mikey made a promise to himself that he will make sure that Ari has most fun she can. They continued to lay there until a loud grumble broke the silence. Mikey sheepishly grinned. "Guess its dinner time." The group piled into the kitchen to heat up some leftovers.
"So Ari, what did you and Leo talk about?" Donnie piped up in between bites. Ari glanced over to Leo; he gave her an approving nod.
Setting her fork down, she started, "I do want to start with that I am sorry that I did not tell any of you this before. It's not that I did not trust you; it's that it is a very sensitive subject for me and I was worried since all of you follow bushido. While I was still living in Elysionia, I fell in love with the Prince of West Elysionia, Jason. He was my enemy at the time. I did not care that our kingdoms despised each other and neither did he. We fell in love and managed to convince our parents to put aside their differences. A wedding was planned for us; but it never happened. The war broke out and he died a few months before its end. He died protecting me although he did not know it was me. I fought as Phoenix and did not let him or anyone else know it was me. After the war ended and I was brought forward in time; I had no idea if he was reborn. While I was in Jump City, I ran into their local villain; Red X. There was something familiar about him. Before we realized each other's true identities; we fell in love. I took a lot heat from the other heroes for falling in love with a villain. They believed that there is no gray area, just black and white. I saw him for something more. A short time afterwards, I discovered that indeed he was my prince so long ago. As I explained to Leo, I was worried that since he is a villain, all of you would be upset and kick me out." Ari looked down with her last sentence. Leo was accepting but now she had to make sure the others were as well. The turtles glanced at each then to Master Splinter then back to Ari. Splinter was the first to speak up.
"My daughter, there is nothing to worry about; as long as he does not pose any threat bout honor. And I do believe I know why he was reborn in this world as a villain. It is to represent the different sides you two were on back then. You had already become Phoenix so it only made sense that you would still her in this time. There is only thing I ask, my daughter."
"Yes sensei."
"When the time comes, I want to meet this young man; to make sure he is good enough for you." Ari sat there in shock. She was happy her brothers and sensei are accepting of him; but it was hard enough to pass Zeus's test let alone theirs. "Yeah I want to meet him too, gotta make sure he has honest intentions for my sis, ya know. Can't just have her dating just anybody?" Raphael said with a smirk that made Ari's skin crawl. Oh is Jason in trouble when he finally meets her family, especially Raphael. She smiled now happy that her family is accepting of his villain status.