Chapter 9: Burden to Bear

It wasn't long after this that Michelangelo awoke as well, followed shortly by Raphael and eventually Donatello. Unfortunately they all remained weakened and disoriented for several days and it took some time and effort to regain their spent magic, but after which they were finally able to use it to heal themselves.

This allowed them to, at last, take part in their coming of age ceremony; when according to the Hamato Clan's traditions they were officially old enough to take up a weapon of their choice.

Though they were perfectly happy using just their magic as they had always done, it seemed that recent events had bestowed them with a new respect for a weapon that did not require energy from its welder.

The tools of the trade were many, as a ninja's ability to use everything and anything at their disposal was what often made them so formidable. But that wasn't to say the turtles didn't have their eye on a certain one.

For Leonardo the choice was obvious, as his sharp cunning could only be rivaled by the blade of a katana. Products of meticulous smithing techniques and highly steeped in the noble customs of ancient Japan, they were the perfect blending of tradition, honor, and artistry, just as Leo himself.

The sai eventually proved to be the only weapon sturdy enough to take on Raphael's shear strength and power. A close combat weapon perfectly suited for the turtle's hard core personality and up-close and personal fighting style.

Donatello's weapon became the bo staff, more of a tool than a true weapon, it may have looked simple by all appearances but was easily the most versatile, and Donnie's ingenious mind proved to be the perfect match to its thousands of functions.

Relying on quick reflexes and an effective use of hand speed; nunchucks in the end were truly the only weapon that held enough personality and flash to suit Michelangelo. It seemed almost fitting that there were actually no true katas for the tool, as this left Mikey with the freedom to develop his own unique way of fighting.

And then there was Miwa, for her the choice was harder but she eventually followed in her mother's footsteps and took up the Tessen; as dangerous as it was beautiful, the weapon's strengths of speed and defense where the perfect match for Miwa's steady hands.

However for the turtles, their training with weapons was extended to their magic as well, for learning that it was only their water that could destroy the shadow creatures under Shredder's control seemed to bring out a determination in them that required they find a way to unitize their power to the greater extent.

…

"Father?" Leo asked nervously as Splinter led the four of them to the cave of the Oracle some weeks later.

"Be at ease my sons." He said gently and laid the scrolls he had been carrying on a large stone nearby. "We are merely going to test something." He added before opening one of the rolled documents.

Though they were some of the oldest documents within the complex they still did not go back to the age of the first Yōkai, but there was still some mention of the great magic that bound them to the area.

So with this knowledge in hand Yoshi walked up to the Oracle to gently reach out and touch the sphere of water in front of him. However before his skin could come in contact with the magic a whimper caught his attention and he looked around his shock to find the turtles cowering at the door.

"My sons." He said worriedly and pulled his hand away, allowing them to relax as he walked up to them once more. "I have read the pages carefully, it will not harm you." He promised.

"Father, you don't understand." Leo started in a small voice.

"Then help me to." Splinter tried before remembering something from the scrolls. "I grant you permission to speak freely." Though he truly hated to speak to them as though they were slaves, he knew it was the only way.

Of course the kame did not seem to think the same way as they promptly sat up straighter, clearly very shocked to hear him say this.

"I –" Leo tried again, at a loss for words but Splinter carefully knelt to lay a hand on his shoulder supportively.

"It is alright, tell me everything." He offered kindly. "Tell me what holds your tongue. Tell me what binds you to this place."

"The Oracle keeps us here." Leo finally explained. "It is what keeps us silent."

"How do I free you?" Yoshi insisted next taking notice of the fact they all became nervous again.

"By – by destroying the Oracle." Leo stated in a small voice.

"And it will not hurt you?" Yoshi asked and they all shock their heads in response. "Why are you so fearful?" He requested worriedly but they all looked at the ground this time and refused to answer. "Do you not want to be free?"

"We are." Mikey suddenly insisted causing the man to blink at him in shock.

"How can you say that when you are bound to this place by force?"

"It is – better." Donnie put in then, leaving Yoshi even more confused.

"Please explain, how is it better?"

"If you destroy the Oracle – we would be free." Leo explained again. "But we would also be vulnerable."

"What do you mean?"

"The Yōkai." Raph stated leaving Yoshi to look at him. "They would come."

"Why do you fear your own kind?"

"They are not." Donnie put in again. "We are – different, they would not accept us. They would come – and they would kill us."

"But why?" Yoshi demanded kindly, not able to understand why other Yōkai would care so much.

"We have power." Leo explained again. "Magic."

"I know this." Yoshi informed him with a little nod. "But other Yōkai have magic as well, do they not?"

"Yes, but not the same." The oldest continued. "Ours is greater, because it comes from you." He stated suddenly causing the man to start. "By protecting you and your name – we grow. If we leave – they will take it."

It was with these final words that Yoshi finally understood; the Oracle wasn't containing them it was protecting them, by going beyond its borders other Yōkai became aware of the power they held and stole it away. It was not the distance that had harmed them, it was their own people. This was why they feared freedom, for to be free meant to face death.

What a horrible burden to bear.

"I'm sorry." He said after several minutes as he looked at the floor. "Forgive me, I did not understand." He added shamefully, but they did not allow him to wallow in the sadness too long before walking forward to hug him. "Please forgive me?"

"There is nothing to forgive." Leo pointed out and the man pulled away to look at him again. "You wanted to give us something truly great, but father –" He added, gently curling his smaller hand into Yoshi's and smiled. "We already have it."

Chapter 10: Strength Refined {Coming Next Monday}

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