Phoenix Call

Chapter 12: To Rise Again

Amber sipped her tea and looked out over the lake. Her mother had explained that she could stay here, lay down her pain and trouble and die. As much as she hated it, she had to admit this place was nice, and it soothed her. But, another part of her was screaming to fight for life, to claw her way back to the pain, that she still had things to do. She glanced at the woman enjoying her own cup of tea beside her.

"Mom, not that I don't love being here with you, but how do I go back? I have four teenage sons that need me, not to mention Eric."

Her mom laughed. "I understand. Give my love to them, will you? Now, close your eyes."

I'm coming, my sons. Don't count me out yet. I'll rise from my ashes again and again for you.

OoO

Beep. Beep. BeepBeep. BeepBeep. BeepBeep.

Raph's haunted eyes stared at the heart monitor. Could she finally be waking up? "DONNIE!" The roar from his elder brother brought Donnie to his feet and beside him in seconds from the other side of the lab. Chocolate eyes glimmered hopefully as they met Raph's.

"Looks like she's trying to wake up. I'll get the others."

OoO

Amber closed her eyes as her mom hugged her one last time. "Stay safe. I don't want to see you here again until you're an old woman, young lady." Smiling, Amber nuzzled her mom as she felt a warm sensation creeping over her.

Back at the lab, the turtles stared as a soft glow enveloped their mom. It seemed to caress her, healing her burns and the deep wound in her shoulder in a matter of minutes.

"What's happening, guys? What is that?"

"No, Mikey don't -" Mikey gently poked the glow. It brightened, almost like it recognized him, before flowing around him also. Baby blue eyes widened.

"I can hear her."

Unsure, Leo put a hand cautiously on Amber's arm and the glow reached out to him also. Mikey was right, he could hear Amber saying something but couldn't make it out. "Donnie?"

"I don't have any explanation for ANY of this. I really don't. How do you feel?"

Leo thought for a moment. "Warm, and calm, and Mikey's right. I can hear Mom, but I can't make out what's being said."

Raph and Donnie looked at each other before reaching out to each take a soft ivory hand in theirs.

A rich laughter seemed to bubble up from Raph's chest, confusing him for a moment. Then he realized the laughter was distinctly feminine. It was Amber.

I'm coming, my sons. Don't count me out just yet. I'll rise from my ashes again and again for you.

The glow seemed to dissapate around the brothers, drawing itself into Amber's skin. With a gasp, her eyes popped open. Her normally hazel eyes were a shining golden orange, like there was fire sparkling and cracking behind them. As Raph watched, they cooled and changed until hazel met identical hazel once more before Amber closed her eyes again.

"Let's let her sleep, guys."

OoO

Amber groaned and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. She felt incredibly well-rested, but waking up wasn't an activity she particularly enjoyed. Opening her eyes, she looked over and saw Leonardo studying her carefully. She smiled and offered him a hand.

"Leonardo, what troubles you?"

Leo almost laughed. Here she was, going through a major ordeal, almost dying, because he couldn't put away his stung pride and listen to his brother, but she was worried about him? He was a failure, and because of his pride he had let her be hurt. Leo blinked as he felt a warm hand on his face and looked up. Amber had sat up and was looking at him, no looking into him. He felt the warmth from her hand radiate through him.

"Leo, it's alright. It's true, you should always listen to your brothers input, but a wise leader does not take unnecessary risks. Learn to temper your pride, my son. You did not fail, the fault is mine. I kept Raphael from discovering where we were being held for a solid three weeks, blocking every attempt he made to find me spiritually. I did not want you boys to put yourselves in danger for my account."

"Why not?"

Amber smiled and pulled her eldest son into a hug. "Because we are a family, Leonardo, and you boys are my sons. I would gladly trade my life for any of yours. Now, let's go see about your brothers, shall we?"

OoO

Amber smiled from her place in the kitchen as she took a steaming pot of chicken and vegetable stew off the stove and gently dipped out six bowls, topping them with cheese. As she finished the last bowl, the boys came in, tired from the extra randori Master Splinter had put them through. Mikey perked up at the sight of food.

"YEAH, BROS! DINNERTIME!"

Amber quickly picked up her bowl and another, which she handed to Splinter, before the boys descended on the food like a pack of wolves. She took in the scene with amusment, and when her eyes met Raph's he slowed down and tried to show that he DID have some manners. Mikey let out a loud belch, then grinned sheepishly. "Sorry."

"This is pretty good, Mom."

Amber smiled as Donnie slurped another chunk of carrot down. "Thank you. I learned the recipe from my mother before she passed. She always said it carried her love with it."

Later, as Amber was cleaning up and the others had wandered off, Raphael made his way back into the kitchen with a bundle under his arm. "Mom?"

"Yes, Raphael?"

"I, uh, I have something for you."

Turning from her work, Amber dried her hands and came over to where Raph stood. Gently unwrapping the bundle, she was surprised at what she found. A pair of tonfa, beautifully carved from what looked like cherrywood, rested in her lap. She positioned them, enjoying the weight in her hands and the solid way they braced her forearms. Raphael had carved the entire side, all the way down, to look like a phoenix. A small switch on the side of the handle alerted her to the fact that there was a retractable blade. Amber smiled as Raph fidgeted.

"Thank you, Raphael, for such a special gift. I love them. Perhaps you would care to help me break them in properly later in the dojo?" Raph grinned.

"I'd like that. Love you, Mom."

Amber smiled. "I love you too, my son, my sweet little Raphael."

A/N: Awwww...