I realized later that not all of the chapter got posted. So I'm reposting it. I'm really sorry about that. But still this one still is really short, but also very important. You'll see.

Thanks go out to:
Guest: I KNOW! I always hate it when things like that happen. It makes me sad. I'm glad you liked it though.
TMNTluckygirl: He was a loyal pet, wasn't he? *sniff, sniff*
pokemonjkl: He was, wasn't he? I would have been proud to surve with him..if…you know…I were a dino alien monster who wanted to track don't the Professor….But I'm not. And he was great when he was dilusional (By Tri. standards) and was on our side….Sorry for rambling. I'll shut up now.
16: Oh, I put that there for a reason to see who would remember. And you'll be happy to know that this will be answered in the in the next chapter (not this one).

Chapter 16

"Guardianship"

It wasn't the warmest day, yet it wasn't the coldest. A cool breeze danced in the air, making anybody who stood outside in it without a long sleeve shirt or a light jacket shiver. However, when the sun shined down upon the land, it left the people feeling warm and like they didn't need a jacket, but the instant they took it off, they had to put it back on because of the breeze.

Alex had been one of those people who were outside that day. She was sitting on the ground in front of a stone. The one large stone was gray and still rather new, having only been placed there almost a year ago. It had been a while since the girl had been to see them and it felt even longer.

Mr. Adam and Mrs. Amanda O'Neill

Beloved parents, family, friends and watchful guardians.

That had been what her parents requested to have on their grave stone in their will. Alex had not known why they had asked for those specific words, nor the little design above their names, but that explained why Alex knew she had seem the symbol on the gold little amulet she had found at her house.

The gold amulet had the same symbol that her parents had on their grave. Alex pulled out the necklace that she had taken to wearing very day, even when she wore her ninja uniform on her crazy missions with the guys. It was small, and could fit in the palm of her hand with great ease. It was simple, even with the symbol on the front.

What does this mean? How are these connected? And why do I feel as if I've seen this before, even outside of my parents?

Alex fiddled with the amulet. Suddenly, the amulet started to glow. For a moment, the girl though that it had just caught the light, but when she covered it with her hand, it still gave off a dull light. What the heck is going on?

A pain shot through the girl's head. She closed her eyes tightly, before jumping upon hearing a very familiar voice. No, it can't be, Alex thought, eyes still clamped shut. It's impossible. I mean, even for me. This just can't happen!

"Child," the female voice said. "Sweetheart, open your eyes."

Alex slowly opened her eyes to see two people she had not seen in so long. The woman was small and skinny, though she was not overly so. Her long strawberry blonde hair hung down straight while her blue eyes watched the girl before her warmly.

Beside her, Alex could see a tall man. His deep red hair was short, and his bright green eyes stared down at the younger red head. One of his muscular arms was wrapped around the much smaller woman in a loving, protective manor.

"Mom? Dad?" Alex asked, her voice sounding as if she hadn't spoken in several years. "This is impossible," she mumbled.

"No, it's not," her father said.

"You have found one of our amulets," her mother said. "You have met the Utrom. Have you met the Utrom?"

"Yes," Alex said. "My friends and I helped them get back to their home planet." She paused. "I thought you died because you wouldn't join Shredder," Alex stated.

"Yes and no," Dad said.

"When the Shredder arrived at our residence, he offered us a place in his ninja army. However, he saw our amulets and attacked us, demanding to know information about the Utrom. When wouldn't give it to him, he took us from you," her mother said. "I am sorry, sweetheart. We did what we could to protect our children."

"The technology that permits us to have this conversation is limited. We do not know who you are, only that you have found one or both of our amulets. However, we assume that it could only be our children who would be able to figure out our puzzle," her mother said.

"Of course," Alex thought out loud. "I guess that's why they haven't really said anything like, 'I miss you' or something. Whatever I say to them, must trigger an automatic recording. Specific sets of phrases make it place a specific recording."

"And it is to you we entrust the uniform of the guardians," her father said. "Take up the mantle. Help our friends, the Utrom and protect those you care about. Protect humanity."

"But the Utrom are already gone," Alex said. "We already helped them get home."

"We have raised to follow in our footsteps," her father said. "We would be so proud to see you now."

"Follow your heart and do what you think is right," her mother added. "And always remember-"

They both said, "We love you."

Another shot of pain when through the girl's head. Her hands went up to her face, rubbing her eyes to try and make the pain go away. Just as soon as it came, it was gone again. The girl opened her eyes to have them fall upon the empty space in which her "parents" had been "standing." In their wake, however, was left a set of clothes.

Alex picked up the uniform and examined it. It was the old fashioned style Guardian uniform. She had no idea how it got there – some kind of technology that went along with the kind that had projected her parents. She had gained a new uniform and a couple answers, but was left with even more questions than she had before.

More questions for Alex were never a good thing. Gathering all of her belongings up, Alex made her way out of the cemetery and then into a manhole to travel the labyrinth of sewer tunnels to get to the Lair. She had so many questions and nowhere to get any answers. There were three options she was left with. One – she could go back to April's and do nothing but think about them, ultimately driving her crazy. Two – she could meditate in the Lair with Master Splinter, which usually helped her relax and clear her mind for a while. Or Three – despite Master Splinter not knowing the answers to her questions, she could vent and voice her thoughts on the matters.

She was going with the latter.

Upon entering the Lair, Alex noticed that it was abnormally quiet. She could see that Master Splinter was over by the televisions meditating. Except for him, the whole place seemed abandoned. The guys must have gone out, Alex thought.

The girl sat down next to the large rat quietly. She just kept staring at the clothing and the amulet in her hands. It was as if she just couldn't believe what she was holding. Did they belong to her parents or were they new? How come there was only one and not several? They had to at least think of the possibility that all four O'Neil siblings could have discovered the information. What would have happened then?

"Something is troubling you, Alexandra," Splinter stated.

Her head snapped up quickly. Master Splinter's eyes were still shut. He had sensed what the red head was feeling. She hated it when he did that. Though at the same time, she loved it. It meant he was always there to look out for her. That she couldn't deceive him.

"My parents were Guardians," she blurted out.

It was Master Splinter's turn to quickly look up at the girl. He stared into her eyes for a moment before glancing down at the content in her hands. "Where did you acquire this information?" he asked.

"I went to my parents' grave with this," she said, holding up the amulet. "I found it in my house a while back. It triggered some type of technology there. They told me they had been Guardians, and that I'm supposed to take up the mantle, despite them being gone."

"It would be a great honor," Splinter said.

"I know," Alex slowly said.

"Is there something wrong, Alexandra?" he asked.

"It's not that I don't want to do it, I do, but they said I had to take it up," she started to explain. "What if I had other plans? What if I didn't want to do it? How could they just expect me to do it? Yeah, they knew me and of course I'd do it, but how could they just assume something that important?"

"Perhaps they were just hoping for the best," Splinter said. "It is as if my sons wished to stop their training. I would not like it, but if it is truly what they wish, I cannot stop them."

"I understand," Alex said, nodding her head.

"If it is any consolation," Splinter started to say, "I am very proud of you for taking up the duties of a Guardian."

"That means a lot to me, Master Splinter," Alex said. "Thank you." Alex looked down at the items once more. She put the amulet back around her neck and gently ran her fingers over it. "You mean a lot to me, Master. You remind me a lot of my father, and in a way, I feel as if you are." She hadn't realized she had said that until it slipped out. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to say that. It's not my place to say."

"It is quite all right," he said with a smile. "You have become a vital member of our family. My sons feel vacant when you are not present and I must admit, I do as well. You are the daughter I never had."

Before Alex could control herself, she jumped forward and wrapped her arms around the furry rat. "That means a lot to me, Master Splinter." She held on for a moment before Splinter did anything. He placed a hand on her back and the other on her head. "You guys are my family. I have April, and my brothers will eventually be able to come home, I know it, but you guys have become a very important part of my life. I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Neither would we, Alexandra," Splinter said. "Neither would we."