Mutants Misplaced

Chapter 17

Peace

Hurrying through the tunnel, the mutants were forced to slow down after a while as there were no more of the glowing mushrooms past a certain point. Using his mana as a makeshift torch again, Tyroth led the way, checking back down the tunnel periodically to make sure that they weren't being followed. They must have walked for at least an hour when Mikey saw something.

"Hey, is that... light? Sweet! I think we've just found the exit!"

"Finally, I can't wait to get out of here." said Raph.

"Take it easy, guys, there may still be dangers ahead. We don't want a repeat of what happened before." said Leo, and his caution was justified as they found a few more claw traps, remarkably well hidden. Once they were past the traps, they could all clearly see that it was in fact daylight at the end of the tunnel.

A few minutes later they exited the tunnel and were almost blinded by the light, even though the sun was setting and it would be dark within a few hours, still, it was good to feel the suns warm rays again.

"The surface! How I've missed it!" Mikey said, dropping to his knees and kissing the ground, only to get dirt in his mouth which he tried to spit out.

"Feels like we've been down in those caves four ages." said Sephie, stretching a bit. "Man, I'm beat."

"You're not the only one." said Mona. "We could really use some proper rest, far away from this place."

"Agreed. Any suggestions on which direction we should take, Donnie?" asked Leo.

"Well, since we were heading for Winterhold, which is in the north, that way would be our best option."

Said and done, they headed north, still keeping a relatively high pace just so they would be at a safe distance from the caves and the inhabitants. After almost an hour, the sun had set behind the western mountains and it was getting darker by the minute. Leo suggested that they find some place to make camp before it got too dark, and they were in luck. A large rock formation provided excellent shelter against the northern winds and there was a river running only twenty meters away, well within sight. It didn't take them long to prepare their camp and collect a good quantity of firewood. Eating most of what food they had left, they saved the last for emergencies, but now that they were back on the surface again, they could hunt, forage and fish if they needed more food, which was a relief.

Shortly after they had finished their meal, they started feeling drowsy and soon some fell asleep, exhausted from their recent adventure, and were tucked in by those still awake before they too went to sleep. Only Mona remained awake, having volunteered to take the first watch.

Sitting with her back against the rocks, she poked a little in the fire with a stick and sighed deeply, there had been many close calls for them lately and it was a miracle that they were still unharmed, but she feared that this was just the beginning, that someone might snap again like Raph did against Mikey. Looking up from the fire and looking out into the dark, she saw a pair of eyes among the shadows and she tensed up, reaching for her fans she tried to see what it was.

"You don't have to worry, it's just a curious fox." said Tyroth all of a sudden, startling Mona.

"I thought you were asleep, like the others." she said, her heart still beating at double the pace.

"Too much to think about, can't really relax enough. Sorry if I scared you."

"It's okay, I just didn't expect anyone to be awake."

"Mind if I keep you company?"

"No, not at all, in fact, I think I could use it."

Tyroth got up from his sleeping place and made sure that Sephie was properly tucked in before sitting down next to Mona.

"You seem troubled." he said.

"Is it that obvious? 'sigh' I don't know, the turtles have been on this kind of 'journey' before, going to other worlds against their will, and always getting out on top. I guess I feel a bit like a liability, being inexperienced."

"Now why would you think that? It's not like you could have trained for this kind of stuff, give it a few more times and you'll be a veteran as well, and living with the turtles, I'll bet that will happen. As long as we're together, we'll overcome this kind of hardship."

"I guess you're right, the turtles must have felt the same way their first time, even if they won't admit it." Mona said, leaning back a bit and looking up into the cloudy night sky. "I owe you an apology, Tyroth, for what I said back in the cave. It was rude and insensitive of me to say."

"This again? Come on, Mona, I said that I knew what you meant. If anyone have to get caught in a trap, it is for everyone's best that it's the one with the greatest chance of survival, it's logical and Donnie will vouch for that."

"But, still-"

"We've all been under a lot of stress lately, and if it makes you feel any better, then I forgive you."

"Thank you, Tyroth. You're very kind, you know that?"

"I like helping and protecting people, it's in my nature. I would still do it even without this power I got."

"Magic. What's it like, having that kind of power?"

"Difficult to say really, it's hard to find the words to really explain it. In a way, it makes me feel a bit godlike, like I could part oceans, but, at the same time it terrifies me to no end. If I do something wrong, I might cause far more damage than a nuke for all I know, I might even hurt those I care about. I guess it is knowing that I might be capable of such things that keeps my head clear when I'm using my magic. If you ever get this kind of power yourself, you'll understand what I mean, and the burden that comes with it."

Thinking about what Tyroth said, Mona was brought out of her thoughts when the night got a bit brighter.

"Well, would you look at that." said Tyroth, looking up at the sky. Mona followed his gaze and saw that the clouds were parting, revealing the source of the extra light. A bright and colorful show, resembling a curtain in the wind, glowing red, orange and yellow with just a hint of green and blue.

"The Northern Lights? I've never seen it before, other than in videos and pictures." said Mona.

"I have, many times when I was a kid. It was among the best things with living that far north as I did. I used to watch them from my bedroom window whenever I could, they are just so incredible."

"They truly are beautiful. Just looking at them, it makes me feel so at ease."

"There is only one thing that I've seen that's more beautiful than this, and that is the love I see in Sephie's eyes. And I know that Raph feels the same way about you, Mona, your eyes are the most beautiful he has ever seen."

"Oh, thank you." Mona said, blushing at the compliment. "It's a shame that the others are missing this, but I think they need the rest more."

"Yeah, but I think we will have more opportunities to see the aurora, we're not home yet but we will get there."

"Thank you, Tyroth. For being there for me, for us, it means a lot to have a friend like you by our side."

"Well, I can't let you guys have all the exciting adventures for yourselves, now can I?" Tyroth chuckled.

"No, I guess not." Mona giggled.

The team is finally out of those caves and have earned a bit of rest (at least until the next chapter, maybe).

I really wanted to have a Mona and Tyroth moment 'cause they've been through a lot, but with not as much bonding as I'd like. I hope you liked it. :)