Hey everybody, once again I'm sorry for the late update and leaving u guys hanging. But I'm here now, and who's ready for Vision Quest? I don't own the turtles, or any of the characters from the show, I only own Caitlin and AVP5 owns Chris. Hope u guys like and enjoy
Thirty-Three: Vision Quest
Another three more crazy weeks went by as the turtles, April, Casey and Caitlin dealt with a crazy messed up speed demon(who turned out to be a pocessed car) and a crazy bird chimera thing that attacked the guys.
So it was a nice break when Leo was able to sneak out one morning and practice his archery in the woods.
Sunlight shone through the tree and birds could be heard singing as Leo sat in one of the trees watching a deer below. He took out his bow and arrow and aimed at the deer, but it saw him and startled, ran off.
Leo sighed as he jumped down from the tree, wincing from the pain in his leg. He something rustle in the bushes behind him and taking out his bow and arrow again he came face to face with the deer.
More sunlight shone through the trees and down onto the deer. And then the strangest thing happened. The deer charged for him. It kicked him and he knocked into a tree and started punching him.
Leo winced in pain as the deer growled at him, and finally ran off with Leo watching it, confused.
*…*
Back at the farmhouse, the turtles, April, Caitlin and Casey were out in the front yard. ''Alright team if you can clobber Kraang, you can crack logs,'' said Raph, ''watch and learn.''
''Aw yeah time for some ninja training farmhouse style'' Mikey said with a grin. Raph ignored as he took the position and did a few moves before splitting the log in half.
''Whoo hoo!'' Raph grinned, ''you like that? your'e turn April.'' Casey picked up a log for April, ''sure you don't want me to soften it up for you red?''
''Just hold it straight. Wouldn't want to miss and accidentally kick that smug grin off your face.''
''Remember, it's not just physical strength that breaks the wood, it's also inner strength'' said Donnie.
April took up a fighting position, ''I got this she aimed to kick the wood, but ended up knocking Casey on his face. ''Ooh I wish I could see that in instant replay'' said Donnie.
Caitlin shook her head, ''okay my turn.'' She picked up her own piece of log as Mikey held it for her. She took a deep breath and…broke the log in half. ''Yes!''
''Impressive. Nice job Caitlin'' said Raph. Caitlin smiled and bowed with a little smile on her face. ''Thanks guys.'' Raph and Mikey nodded and Donnie grinned at Casey. ''How's that mud taste Casey?'' he said breaking out laughing.
The others broke out laughing to, but they stopped when they saw Leo walking towards them. And he did not look good.
''Leo'' his brothers raced over to him, ''what happened to you?'' ''I had a realization in the woods.''
''Going off alone with a bum leg was a bad idea?'' Raph asked him. ''No, it's just what I need. What we all need.''
''Leo what are you talking about?'' Caitlin asked. ''We're so caught up in T-phones and junk food and Tv that we've become at odds with nature. A true ninja must become one with it to master himself.''
Mikey glared at him, ''hey man you leave Tv out of this.''
Leo continued, ''Even Master Splinter did it. He said only when you become one with nature can you make peace with yourself.''
''Make peace?'' Raph asked him sarcastically, ''What are we hippies? We're ninjas!''
''We'll do three of meditation and practiced awareness in the wilderness, only eating what we can forage'' said Leo.
Donnie looked at him shocked, ''Three days? We're gonna live like animals.''
''Aah! I think Leo might've taken one too many kicks to the head.''
''No Leo's right,'' said April ''Camping's a great idea. I'm tired of being stuck at the farmhouse.''
''I'm sorry, April. This trip is ninjas only.''
''But I'm almost a Kunoichi.'' Raph laughed, ''yeah, almost.'' April crossed her arms, ''hmm.''
Caitlin looked at Leo, ''what about me? Can I come? I think I could use a couple days out in the woods.''
Leo looked at her sadly as he took her hand, ''I'm sorry Caitlin, but we need to go on this quest alone.''
''But-''
''I'm sorry.'' Caitlin glared at him, ''Um do I have to remind you that A; I'm a kunochi, B; I've kicked your'e butts a few times in case you've forgot, and C; Caitlin whispered in Leo's ear ''do you seriously think you're gonna leave me again? and with Casey for crying out loud?''
Leo shook his head. ''Caitlin -''
''Cool,'' said Casey looking at April ''Looks like we'll be stuck in the farmhouse together…oh except for Caitlin. Yay.''
Caitlin groaned, ''are you seriously telling me I have to stay with that? no way I'm coming.'' '' No Caitlin, this is something we have to do on our own.''
Caitlin glared at him, ''fine.'' And she marched back to the farmhouse angrily. Leo sighed as him and his brothers went to go pack.
''Thanks for the togo bag, Ice Cream Kitty'' said Mikey as Ice Cream Kitty packed him a couple frozen pizzas. ''I'm sure gonna miss you while I'm out there getting all natured up. Kitty kitty kitty.''
Mikey petted her head as Ice Cream Kitty purred ''meow.'' Meanwhile Leo was packing while Donnie looked out the window worriedly at April and Casey.
''Okay, I'm all for getting in tune with nature. But those two are gonna be getting in tune with each other.''
''You have to learn to let it go. We all need to leave our worried behind.'' Leo looked upstairs at Caitlin's room one last time before sighing and walking out the front door. She'll understand. She maybe a full trained Kunochi, but this is just something I have to do without her.
His brothers met him in the front yard, and April and Casey waved goodbye as they headed into the woods.
Not realizing someone was following them.
*…*
As the turtles walked into the woods, Leo explained what they needed to do. ''We've mastered our weapons, stealth, and hand to hand combat, but we haven't achieved the very first of the eighteen Ninjitsu disciplines. The Seishin Syuyou or spiritual refinement. All true ninjas must master it.''
Mikey gave him a look, ''Hey, who says I'm not spiritually refien-'' Mikey burped, ''refined. Heh. Must have been,'' Mikey burped again ''okay, you win. Let's get refined.''
Suddenly the turtles heard a branch snap above them and Caitlin fell to the ground, but landed on her feet. ''Caitlin?!''
''oh hey guys.'' Leo glared at her, ''what are you doing here?'' ''I told you, I'm coming whether you like it or not.''
''Caitlin this is very important, you can't just-''
''Leo…'' Caitlin sighed, ''I need this spiritual refinement as much as you guys do. I got my powers back, but I still feel….out of touch…out of balance. Please Leo…''
Leo looked at her and took her hand. ''Okay Caitlin. Come on guys let the spiritual training begin.''
*…*
As their expedition began, they mediated in the woods, crossed a few rivers, practiced their ninjutsu, mediated a little more, and sometimes Mikey had to run away from a few squirrels.
Then one night everything changed.
The turtles and Caitlin were just sitting around a fire when suddenly the leaves from the trees above them levitated into the sky.
''Guys…'' Mikey said frightened as he hid behind Caitlin. Suddenly again, out of nowhere, the same deer appeared that Leo saw in the woods before.
''Guys, look. It's the same deer. I think it's been following us.''
''It's probably laughing at the four dumb turtles and girl lost in the woods'' said Raph. ''Hey!'' ''sorry Caitlin.''
The deer continued to stare at them, ''Actually in the Shinto religion, deer are considered messengers of the divine. Maybe it means we're on the right path.''
Suddenly, the deer transformed and into a humanoid deer. ''Mutant!'' the others shouted, and took out their weapons. ''No, wait! It's not a mutant!''
Mikey, Donnie, Raph and Caitlin attacked the deer, but it avoided all of their attacks and fought back. ''I said stop!''
''Whoa dudes…it's gone'' said Mikey as they realized as the deer disappeared. ''Well, that was a little weird'' said Caitlin as her and the others went back and sat around the fire.
They sat in silence for and were starting to get bored, when the campfire suddenly turned blue and grew and manifested into Master Splinter.
''Master Splinter!'' they shouted in unison, all shocked by this. ''Watashi no muskotachi yo.''
''Are you, like a ghost?'' asked Mikey.
''My spirit has become detached from my body, but that body still lives.''
''Your'e alive?'' Leo asked, ''Where are you, Sensei? Let us help you.''
''Master Splinter, my brother, is he alive?'' Caitlin asked, hoping he would say yes. ''I have not seen him Caitlin. But yes I do believe he is alive.''
Caitlin nodded and sighed in relief. The sprit form of Master Splinter gazed at them, ''And you cannot yet. There is much you must overcome. If you cannot your inner, spiritual strength, you will not stand a chance against the Shredder.''
''But Master Splinter,'' said Leo ''my leg injury, it-it's physical.''
''Until I heal We chose what holds us back and what moves us forward. You will all learn this. Each of you must journey out alone to face your spiritual adversary. Raphael, your temper is like a fire that you must learn to focus for power. Michelangelo, your mind is overrun with distractions. Learn to be strong and calm, like the forest.
Donatello, you rely too much on your mind, and not on your body. Be strong, like the mountain. Caitlin, even though you are strong and your powers are in control, you must learn to stay focused and your fighting movements must be more fluid. Stay calm as well and move like water.''
''Leonardo. You must be the leader in body and sprit. Be like the wind. Let nothing weigh you down. Sleep now, Caitlin, my sons. For your greatest trial awaits on the spiritual plane. For the challenges you face there will be just as deadly as those you face in the real world. Be warned.''
*…*
The next morning, everyone slowly opened their eyes and woke up. Mikey yawned, ''whoa that was deep.''
Leo nodded, ''Master Splinter made our quest it's time we begin ninjas. Each of us will forge new armor and weapons, then journey on alone, where we'll be challenged in the spirit realm, the place where the unreal become real, and we meet our ultimate fate.''
The others nodded as the went off to prepare. Raph makes steal claws, the ones like the Shredder had, Donnie makes another staff with an axe, Mikey got kamas, Leo used his bow and arrow, while Caitlin decided just to stay with her tanto sword.
They met up again later in the middle of the woods each holding a Japanese banner and wearing dark grey cloaks.
But the moment was ruined when Leo saw Mikey nibbling on the frozen pizza Ice Cream Kitty had packed for him. ''Mikey, stay focused! Remember what Master Splinter said? The things we're gonna fight are just a dangerous as Shredder.''
Mikey sighed and threw it on the ground, ''Hope you like pizza, you lucky magic deer! Hm.''
Caitlin tried not to laugh as the wind blew through their cloaks. ''It's time. Good luck everyone. Kentou o.''
''Kentou o.'' They bowed and each turned and left their separate ways. But Leo and Caitlin looked at each other one more time. Caitlin bowed again, and then pressed her fingers to lips blowing him a kiss.
Leo smiled at her, and she smiled back as she watched him disappear into the woods.
*…*
After him and the others separated, Leo wandered into the woods. After a little while he came across a bridge. Suddenly, as he looked up, he saw the deer, or the Deer Spirit from before.
''Wait!'' he tried to catch up to it, but it disappeared. And was replaced a Foot solider. ''Huh?'' He looked around as the solider disappeared. ''Was it real?''
The Foot solider suddenly reappeared, and he brought friends as they ambushed him. Leo grunted in pain as he took our his sword and faced towards the Foot soliders. ''Okay, not cool. Definitely not cool.''
*…*
Meanwhile, Raph traveled to a cave. ''So much for finding a hidden pirate ship. Waste of time.'' He looked around and saw some torches that were lit around the cave. ''Huh. Somebody's gotta be keeping those torches lit.''
And he was right, about a dozen Foot soldiers stepped out of the darkness, torches in hands. ''Aah! aw, sewer cakes.''
*…*
While that was going on, Donnie was up on the mountain. ''For all I know, this isn't even the right direction. Boy, I really miss GPS guidance right now.'' Suddenly, the mountain began to shake, ''whoa! what the?'' Donnie looked up and saw Foot soilders carrying hammers and trying to bring him down with hammers.
''You're gonna bring the whole mountain down! Unless you don't care what happens 'cause you're an apparition from the spirit plane!'' They continued to bring down their hammers smashing the rocks above him.
''Whaaahha!'' He screamed getting out of the way, ''I hate being right.''
*…*
Meanwhile Mikey was in the forest trying to focus his mind when he sensed someone was near. ''Oh! who's there? gah! come out! Your camo is so weak dog!''
He took out one of his throwing stars and threw it at the figure, as it revealed ten sets of eyes. ''Either I'm wrong about the camp, or I'm about to fight a ten eyed monster.''
Mikey was wrong, the monster turned out to be more Foot soldiers. ''Oh! I was so wrong about the camo!''
*…*
In another part of the forest, Caitlin was walking around, wondering what her quest was going to be like. Suddenly, she heard a tree branch snap behind her.
''Hello? anyone there?'' silence. ''Hello? hm probably just the wind.'' Suddenly, she heard an evil laugh from nowhere. ''Hello?''
''We met again Caitlin.'' She looked up into the trees and couldn't believe what she saw. Her evil self. ''…you…'' ''that's right,'' her evil self said jumping down from the tree. ''Miss me?''
Caitlin glared at her as she took out her sword. ''Not a chance.'' Evil Caitlin grinned, ''still think you can fight me off girl?''
''I know I can.'' ''Well,'' she took out her sword which was black and a bigger than Caitlin's. ''We'll see about that.'' Caitlin screamed in anger, and charged for her.
*…*
Leo was still on the bridge still trying to fight off the Foot soldiers. ''I can do this all day'' he said as he sliced through a few more Foot soldiers.
Suddenly, they disappeared. ''That's it? I still got more arrows guys.'' He saw the Foot soldiers again as they started to cut the ropes to the bridge.
''No, no, no, no, no! Nooo! aah!'' but before he could fall to the ground he caught on of the ropes and swung to a nearby cliff and pulled himself up trying to catch his breath. ''Not as tough as I thought.''
*…*
Mikey was still trying to fight off the swarm of Foot soldiers that attacked him as he cut his way with his kama. In a few more minutes, all of the soldiers were defeated. ''Heyah!'' but he didn't celebrate fro too long, as suddenly something knocked him into a tree.
Mikey groaned as he tried to stand up. ''It's been a long time.'' Mikey looked up and his eyes grew wide. Rahzar.
''Oh, man. Rahzar? Good dog.'' Rahzar snarled at him. ''Easy. Maybe I have a bone for you. Oh, you have many bones I can feast on.''
Mikey whimpered, ''this is so not good.''
*…*
Back at the cave, Raph was actually having a good time fighting the Foot soldiers. ''I would have been way more into this spirit quest if I knew I'd get to slap some Foot around.''
Two Foot ninjas tried to sneak up behind him, but he turned around and used his flamethrowers on them. ''Ha! that was way too easy.''
Suddenly, something jumped out the water. Fishface. ''Fishface? here?''
''That temple fizzles fast under water, doesn't it?''
''Ah sewer bunnies.'' Fishface glared at him as he charged for him.
*…*
Meanwhile, Donnie was having a little trouble on the mountain. The Foot soldiers were still using their hammers crushing huge rocks as Donnie tried to avoid them.
''You want to bring half the mountain down? Fine with me.'' He gripped his axe and slammed it against the mountain as the Foot soldiers lost their footing and fell off the mountain.
''Ha! Hey, this Seishin Syuyou is way easier than I thought.'' He chuckled, ''All it takes is a little quick thinking.''
''Let's see how quickly your thinking is when I smash your head into the rocks.'' Donnie turned around and stepped back as he came face to face with Tiger Claw.
''Tiger Claw? No, you're just a spirit, too. You can't be real.'' Tiger Claw grabbed him and punched him, knocking him to the ground. Does that feel real to you?'' ''absolutely…''
*…*
''Aah!'' Caitlin screamed as she was knocked to the ground. ''Ha! I knew it you're as just as weak as your were before!'' Caitlin groaned as she slowly stood up wiping her now bloody and swollen lip.
''No, I'm not weak…I'm just as powerful-''
''But you're not focused, and that's what makes you weak.'' Evil Caitlin pulled out another weapon. A beautiful Ninjato sword with skulls etched into the metal and a black and blue handle.
Caitlin stared at the weapon as Evil Caitlin grinned at her. ''Hope you don't mind, but I thought I'd change things up a bit.''
''Oh no…'' Evil Caitlin continue to grin at her and she brought the ninjato down.
*…*
Leo had reached the top of mountain still trying to catch his breath when he saw the Deer Spirit Guide again.
''What is it? What is your lesson?''
''Lesson? You've already failed.'' Leo turned around as the deer disappeared and he came face to face with Shredder.
''The Shredder.''
''You are too weak to stand without your master.'' Leo glared at him as he drew his swords and attacked him.
*…*
Back to Mikey who was still battling Rahzar but it starting to become a loosing battle. The others weren't doing so well either but they tried their best and tried not to give up.
Mikey let out a scream as Rahzar went to attack him, but Mikey used his kama to knock him back. ''Okay, Mikey. What did Master Splinter say? Be still and calm like the forest.''
Mikey took a deep breath as he closed his eyes and thought of Ice Cream Kitty. ''Not now, kitty.'' He chased the thought from his mind. ''Need to focus.''
''If I can concentrate, I can beat him. Focus. Focus.''
Mikey became silent as he concentrated and listened to everything around him. He sensed Rahzar was near as a raindrop fell on the dog's nose and Mikey managed to dodge his hit and defeated Rahzar.
''Booyakasha!''
*…*
Meanwhile, Donnie was not doing well as he tried to avoid Tiger Claws attacks. ''Oh no!'' Donnie took a deep breath. ''Okay, I gotta stand my ground. Immovable, right?''
Tiger Claw chuckled, ''And they say you're the smart one? I'm twice your size and three times your strength. You will fall!''
Donnie ignored him as he closed his eyes and focused. Be strong, like the mountain. Tiger Claw charged for him, trying to knock him down, but Donnie didn't move.
Tiger Claw growled in anger and tried punching and tackling him, basically anything to knock the turtle down. But Donnie didn't move at all. He became immovable. Donnie lifted his axe and hit Tiger Claw, knocking him off the mountain.
*…*
Back at the cave, Raph wasn't doing so well. He was trying to fight off Fishface, but it wasn't easy. The fish was fast, and had already dragged him underwater.
Raph dragged himself out of the water, trying to catch his breath. ''Breathe, Raph. Splinter is right I need to concentrate and focus my anger. Sharpen it. Give it form.''
Fishface laughed at him. ''Ready for another swim? I bet your toys don't work so well underwater.'' Raph ignored him and concentrated, and just as Fishface charged at him again, he used his flamethrowers and claws and defeated Fishface.
''Ha! eat it!''
*…*
''Aah!'' Caitlin screamed as she charged at Evil Caitlin again. It was becoming a loosing battle, Caitlin was swollen and bruised and not sure how much longer she could fight her off.
Evil Caitlin glared at her and kicked her away, ''please I thought you were better than that. In fact, all this started you met those turtles. You became weak. Soft. You may think your powerful and that you got your powers back. But you're wrong. As long as you stay good, you won't be able to do half the stuff you could achieve. Join me Caitlin. Let us become one. Together, we'll be unstoppable.''
Caitlin glared at her and slowly stood up, and thought about what Master Splinter said. You must learn to stay focused and your fighting movements must be more fluid. Stay calm as well and move like water.
She took a deep breath,''You're kidding right? I'm not weak. I'm not soft. And don't you dare accuse the turtles. Or have made me stronger in more ways that you ever could. I'm not gonna let you take that away from me.''
Evil Caitlin glared at her, ''so be it.'' She charged for Caitlin again but this time, Caitlin avoided her attacks moving like water. She also used her powers, lifting her into the air. ''I don't think so.'' She slammed into a few trees before slamming Evil Caitlin into the ground.
She walked over to her, and caught Evil Caitlin's hand as she tried to strike her with the ninjato. ''I will never be like you. And you will never harm me or my family.'' She grabbed the ninjato and struck at Evil Caitlin as she let out a scream.
It was done. Smoke appeared around Evil Caitlin revealing Destruction Beaver.
''…You…'' ''congratulations girl…you won.'' And with that she disappeared.
Caitlin was shocked, and was even more surprised as the metalwork on the ninjato changed from skulls to cherry blossoms, and the handle to a blue and purple color with a turtle charm hanging off a purple ribbon.
Caitlin sighed and sunk to her knees in relief. ''Hope the guys are okay.''
*…*
Leo was still fighting against the spirit Shredder high on the mountain. ''Your wounded leg is like a ball and chain, dragging you toward defeat.'' Shredder punched him again knocking him to the ground as Leo screamed in pain.
''Shredder is right. My injury is always gonna hold me back. I can't win.'' Suddenly, he looked up and saw the Deer Spirit floating midair above him. staring at him.
''Unless…the pain is in my mind. It's just and excuse. It's not real.'' Shredder growled at him, and suddenly grew into a giant. ''It's time we end this turtle.''
Leo picked up his bow and arrow, ''I agree.'' Leo charged at him, climbing up his arm and avoiding Shredder's hand as it tried to crush him. Leo took up his bow and arrow and struck at him. Once. Twice. And final blow right in the center of Spirit Shredder's head. He let out a scream, and disappeared, finally defeated.
Leo nodded as stood on top of the cliff putting his katanas and bow and arrow away. ''If I could beat you in the spirit plane, I could beat you in the real world.''
*…*
Back at the farmhouse, April was still trying to break a log.
''I'm ready.'' Casey picked the log up, ''If you knock me into the mud one more time, red-'' ''oh what are gonna do about it?'' April took her position and was finally to able to crack the log.
''Finally! yes!'' April did a little victory dance, smiling and snapped her fingers. Casey nodded in complete amazement, but he wasn't looking at her. He was looking at the turtles and Caitlin emerging from the woods.
''Whoa.'' April and Casey walked over to them, ''what happened out there.'' None of them answered at first, until Leo looked up. ''It's time.''
''We're going back to New York.''