Chapter 10: What He Fears the Most
Over a year ago, post-battle with the Kraang:
Casey Jones walked through the Hamato Clan's lair. Things seem calmer now than the briefly hectic experience in Med Bay a few hours ago. Each clan member rests from injuries sustained from the battle over New York, leaving Casey somewhat lost in what to do next.
Baron Draxum came as quickly as he was called to help. He has lectured everyone on why no one bothered to contact him to join the fight. Regardless of his disappointment in not participating in the battle, the Yokai jumped in to help heal the injured.
Leonardo was the first to require treatment, especially when he started showing signs of losing conciseness and expressing pain throughout his body.
Donatello and Michelangelo were treated with minor injuries, though Donnie needed a few stitches on his soft shell from when he had been ripped from the Technodrome computer.
Raphael, the protective eldest of the four brothers, requested that he be the last to get treated.
After Draxum finished patching up Leo and helping Mikey and Donnie, he went straight to Raph.
He applies the last bandage wrap over the giant turtle's infected eye. The medicine drops Draxum used will help his eye heal fast.
April has already done everything she can and realized she needs to find her parents and see how they are.
With no family, Casey stayed with the Turtles, Splinter and Draxum. He wandered from room to room, recollecting the last twenty-four hours. Everything feels so different from what he is used to.
Casey passes through the sleeping quarters when he spots Splinter tucking in Michelangelo as the youngest turtle drifts off. The tired turtle understandably needs his rest. The boy walks by Donnie's room and sees that he is asleep. Some parts of his soft shell are wrapped with bandages; otherwise, he is fine.
He wonders how everyone seems to be so calm after everything that happened. Casey envied how comfortable the turtles were in this one place they call home.
In the alternate future, Casey is used to the surviving humans, mutants, and yokai enjoying little rest but still on guard for potential attacks from the Kraang. They always had to prepare to run or fight at a moment's notice.
Finding his way through the game room, Casey questioned if he would ever feel comfortable without constantly looking over his shoulder and moving from place to place.
The anxiety builds up until he reminds himself that the Kraang is defeated. With one of the Kraang held captive by the authorities, the other Kraang, and possibly the third Kraang, has been returned to the Prison Dimension.
Casey spots a basketball and picks it up. It had been so long since he had seen any sports toys, but he still remembers when he played a game or two with his Sensei.
Memories of his past keep popping up with his experiences from the future and what the older Turtles had taught him.
The most he learned was from his Sensei and father figure, Leonardo. Master Leo introduced him to ninjitsu and unique skills to fight the Kraang. Then, whenever the rebels could rest, Leonardo would teach the young Casey how to play sports, especially basketball.
Casey smiled at those fond memories.
Master Michelangelo, he remembered, primarily focused on teaching Casey balance and agility in his fighting.
Master Donatello always taught him how to build and fix things, while Master Raphael taught him that true strength comes from the heart.
Casey frowns, remembering their tragic deaths.
Master Raph and Master Donnie. First, Raphael was killed during an attack by several Kraang Mechs. Then, a few years later, Donatello was lost during an explosion. It was a trap meant for the Kraang, but Donnie didn't make it out in time.
Losing them devastated the rebels terribly, especially Master Leonardo and Master Michelangelo.
Now they are all gone. Everyone he knew was gone. There's only him now.
The last time he saw his Sensei alive, telling him to find the KEY and stop the Kraang still rang in his ears.
Well, now he has completed his mission, now what?
Casey drops the basketball and leaves the game room.
He returns to an old subway car turned into a medical room.
The human boy still feels emotionally drained since Leo ordered him to close the portal. He briefly glances at the KEY sitting on a table before gazing up at the young teenage version of his mentor.
Leonardo appears comfortable, lying back in an elevated position.
His face still is swollen over his right eye, and a few minor cracks are visible on his plastron shell. The injuries Leonardo suffers the most are a concussion, several broken ribs, and some internal bleeding.
Including the crown of his head, parts of Leo's arms, midsection, and legs are wrapped in bandages. However, a blanket covers his legs and most of his body. The young turtle is sleeping off some pain medicine that Draxum gave him earlier and is expected to sleep for at least a few hours.
Casey lets out a shaky breath. How close he was to losing his Sensei for the second time. Thanks to Mikey and his mystic powers, he and his brothers worked together to open the portal to the Prison Dimension and pull Leonardo out.
With no idea what to do, Casey finds a chair by the gurney and sits.
Flashbacks of all the times he sat by his Sensei while meditating or recovering from an injury, especially when his Master lost his right arm to a Kraang monster. Regardless of the situation, Sensei Leo seemed to have a positive sense of humour that lightened the mood.
Thinking about his Sensei again, Casey can't help feeling alone in this strange world he is now a part of. The teenage Leo beside him is different, yet Casey finds comfort in sitting by him.
The boy is so focused on his thoughts that he is unaware that Leonardo has opened his eyes and is smiling at him.
"Hey, kiddo," Leo says in a soft groggy voice.
Casey is startled and sits straight to face Leo.
"I'm sorry. I-I didn't mean to wake you." He apologizes.
Slowly, Leonardo shakes his head from side to side.
"You didn't." He says before around the room with his good eye in puzzlement.
"It's quiet. Where is everyone?" Leo asks.
"They are all resting. It's been quite a night." Casey responds.
"It sure was." Leo agrees.
The two are quiet for a moment. Leo can tell Casey is struggling with his thoughts. The young turtle ponders what it may be, even though he might have a few ideas.
"You doin' all right, Cas?"
"Yeah, just thinking about stuff."
Leonardo gives him an understanding nod, not wanting to pressure the boy into saying anything more unless he wants to.
"Anytime you wanna talk. I'm here, okay?" The turtle offers.
"Thanks, I appreciate it." Casey smiles.
"So, there you are," Splinter says from the Med Bay entrance.
The mutant rat steps up to Casey before looking up at Leo.
"Leonardo, you are supposed to be resting." He lectures.
"I am," the turtle argues tiredly.
Splinter reaches up to touch Leonardo's hand.
"Come now, my son, try to get some more sleep. I'll be back to check on you later, okay."
"M'kay," Leonardo's eyes droop, showing he struggles to keep them open.
Splinter turns back to Casey.
"Come with me. I have prepared a bed for you. You must be exhausted."
Casey manages a sad smile as he looks up at Splinter.
"Thank you."
The boy stands up and starts to follow Splinter out of the Med Bay when Leo calls out to him.
"Hey Cas, when we are all healed and the city is repaired, we will all go out and grab a slice. My treat." He says this with a groggy slur.
Casey freezes. Again, that was the last thing he remembers his Sensei saying as he was hurtled through the portal. Casey... when you're done saving the world, do me a favour. Grab a slice!
Instantly, Casey starts blinking back a few tears. He wondered what his Sensei meant by that. It felt eerie that this younger Leo said that since no one knew what his Sensei instructed. Regardless of his confusion, Casey looks back to Leo.
"I don't know what that means, but I can't wait." He says with a smile.
OoOoOoOoOoOo
Present Time:
With a loud sigh, Casey stares at his reflection in the creek. He searched with the others for almost an hour after they noticed Leonardo was gone, and still, there was no sign of him.
The boy is starting to feel more lost than Leonardo is right now.
It's times like this that he misses his Sensei more. In the past year and a half, he would find himself going to Leo and talking with him. The experience might not be exactly like it was with Master Leonardo, but Casey found comfort in speaking with the teenage Leo. It is mainly because they are the same turtle but have different experiences.
However, since Leo woke up from his coma, Casey, though happy that his friend is recovering, has started to distance himself. It is very confusing as to why, but Casey seems to think that his past fight-or-flight instincts are resurfacing. It has been all he has known growing up. He is just a little frustrated with how the others seemed more laid-back than he's used to.
Being that they stayed at the farmhouse for nearly a month now has him feeling a little exposed. He guesses it might be that he fears that the Kraang might be flying overhead in their Technodrome at any moment, and they are all just sitting here.
Behind him are Raph, Mikey, and Donnie, all scratching their heads over the sudden disappearance of their brother.
"Where would he have gone to?" Mikey wines.
"Good question," Donnie nods. "He couldn't have gone far. I mean, his injury has him literally moving the speed of a turtle."
"What about your tracker? Aren't you able to find Leo on your computer?" Mikey asks, pointing at Donnie's mystic gauntlet.
"I tried, but something is interfering with the signals. It's like it's bouncing from one spot to the next. It could be something with intense energy, perhaps something electrical. It's hard to say." Donatello shrugs as he taps on the holographic purple screen.
"Maybe he is using his mystic powers?" Mikey suggests.
"I, too, would suggest that, but his swords are still at the house, and because of his injury, he isn't strong enough yet to use his powers. So, who knows where he is?" Donnie argues.
"Well, he's not here. Let's head back to the house. Maybe he has found his way back there already." Raph suggests.
As the three brothers start walking back, Mikey looks back to see Casey staring at the water.
"Casey, you comin'?"
With another heavy sigh, Casey turns to face the youngest turtle.
"Yeah," he says, stepping away from the creek.
OoOoOoOoOoOo
Splinter walks down the stairs with a perplexed stare. He is simply in turmoil over the fact that his son is missing. The how and why keeps popping up, but no answers seem to come. He must have checked the upstairs rooms several times, especially the bathroom – thinking Leonardo might have taken a bath and fallen asleep.
To his disappointment, Leo is in none of the rooms in the house, and according to everyone else searching, he isn't anywhere on the property. So where could he have gone?
April rushes in from the back door and spots Splinter coming down to the last few steps.
"Hey, Splints, anything?" She asks.
"No," he replies, shaking his head in despair.
"Darn, I must have checked the barn three times now. He isn't there either. I'll catch up to the others and see if they had any luck." April offers.
"Okay, I'll stay here in case Leonardo returns."
The two nod at each other before April turns and heads back outside.
Splinter shuffles his feet into the living room. Looking around, he stops at the empty gurney. He almost wishes to see Leonardo still lying on it. But, even though he is blessed to see his son awake and moving around again, the thought of his boy somewhere in the woods in his condition worries him.
The elderly rat turns and spots one of his books, open-faced, on the table beside the couch. It's a wonder Splinter hadn't noticed this detail before. Regardless, he walks over and picks it up. As he glances over the page, Splinter realizes Leo must have been reading the chapter on meditation.
It still doesn't answer why his son disappeared, but he hopes to find him soon to ask why he left without telling anyone.
At that moment, something electrical tickles his whiskers. Splinter looks around, hoping to see what is causing this static energy.
Suddenly, blue streaks spark around a particular spot before the fireplace, and Splinter perks his ears in curiosity.
Leonardo finally appears in a flash, practically falling over as if running or falling from somewhere. The young turtle teen looks around and starts laughing.
"I did it. I'm back." He says with a cheer.
"Leonardo?" Splinter gasps.
Leo turns his head and smiles at his father.
"Dad, you aren't going to believe what just happened."
Splinter raises his brow in interest. Then, slowly closing the book, the rat looks directly into his son's eyes.
"I'm listening," he nods.
Leonardo suddenly is unsure how to describe the weirdness he endured. However, Leo sucks in a deep breath and reminds himself that the situation happened accidentally, no matter how crazy the experience was.
Feeling cold after being outside for over an hour, Leonardo grabs one of the blankets to wrap himself in for warmth. Then, he sits on the couch and takes a moment before beginning.
"Okay," he pauses briefly to find the right words to explain what happened. "While you guys were outside training, I was reading the chapter on meditation from that book," Leo says, addressing the book in Splinter's grasp.
"I guess I was getting a bit antsy, feeling I should be training too, but I couldn't because of this whole situation," he says, waving at his midsection. So instead, I decided to try one of the meditation exercises. Next thing I know, I'm talking to Gram-gram – "
"Wait," Splinter interrupted. "You connected with one of our ancestors?"
Splinter puts the book on the table before sitting beside his son on the couch.
"Yeah, to be honest, it was the first time I actually felt anything from meditating," Leo admitted.
Unbelievable, Splinter thought. He growled to himself that all the times he meditated, he never heard a whisper from any of the ancestors, and Leo took a few minutes and instantly connected with one of them.
Quickly deciding to let it go, Splinter leans forward, wanting to know more about Leo's story.
"What did she say?" He asks.
"Um, well," Leo pauses momentarily.
"She said the ancestors chose me to be the next Ninpō Master."
"Really?"
Again, Splinter is surprised. Leonardo was always notorious for ditching training and wasting time. However, thinking about how his son, even as a young turtle tot, showed great promise as a ninja, being able to catch on to the extreme technical moves more skillfully than his brothers.
Even if Leo wasn't aware during his early years, Splinter noticed his potential as a leader, but Leonardo had difficulty accepting responsibility and lacked focus half the time. However, he eventually adapted and learned difficult lessons independently, sometimes at a cost.
To encourage him to take his ninjitsu more seriously, Splinter forced the leadership role onto him. Unfortunately, Leonardo again avoided the responsibility of his new position and goofed off.
In hindsight, Splinter should have focused on training Leonardo and easing him into the leadership role instead.
Regardless, Leo eventually stepped up to lead the team but only after learning the dark reality of being impulsive and arrogant with his decisions.
Looking at his son now, Splinter can tell he is struggling with the new role his ancestors appointed him to take on.
"My son, this is huge." He admits to Leo.
"Tell me about it." The turtle groans while rubbing the back of his head.
"How am I supposed to be a Ninpō Master when all I do is screw up?" Leo asks with uncertainty.
Splinter frowns.
"Leonardo…?" He starts but is cut off.
"Dad, I don't think I can do this. I really messed up on our last mission," Leo whines, on the verge of tears.
"What do you mean?"
"Our supposed meeting with the agents. I promised the team that I would get them out if it were a trap – no matter what. But I failed." Leonardo looks away in shame.
"Everyone could have died that day, and I was useless to protect them." He adds, emphasizing his tone of disappointment in himself.
"What happened was not your fault," Splinter tries to assure Leo.
"Yes, it was. I could have followed my instincts. Every part of me was screaming 'trap,' but instead, I encouraged everyone to push forward. Why didn't I follow my intuition?" Leo looks to his Dad, almost expecting him to have an answer.
Splinter wants to say something but can't think of anything to help. So he remains attentive to what his son is saying.
"I can barely lead, not to mention keep my team safe. So how can I be a Master of the Mystic Arts? I don't know. I think the ancestors made a mistake." Leonardo sighs with low self-esteem.
"Leonardo," Splinter snaps, figuring it is high time he says something. "Our ancestors never make mistakes."
The mutant rat pauses, recalling when they were battling the Shredder and one of his ancestors told him his sons would become martyrs.
"Well, except for that one time. However, that was more my fault than the ancestors."
"But," Leo tries to speak, but the rat continues.
"No!" Splinter instantly cuts him off. "There has to be a reason behind their decision. Now. Tell me, what else did Gram-gram say to you?" He asks.
Leonardo starts chewing on his lower lip as he remembers more.
"She, um. Oh, she showed me how to open up my Chi. Unfortunately, while Gram-gram instructed me through this exercise, I somehow accidentally teleported myself somewhere in the mountains." Leo sheepishly admits as he points upward.
"You…did?" Splinter raised his brow in confusion.
He leans to the side to get a good view of Leo's broken sword on the table by the window. Splinter then glances over to the side wall where his other sword is still leaning.
"You did that without your swords?"
Again, with a sheepish grin, Leo scrunches his shoulders.
"Yeah, somehow." He softly admits.
"Do you think you could do that again?" Splinter asks, hopefully.
"I don't know," Leo shakes his head. "It took me a while to figure out how to return here. I zapped around the forest several times until I could better focus on this house."
A slight sharp pain stings his midsection, and with a jolt, Leonardo lets out a hiss.
"My son, are you all right?" Splinter springs forward to check on him.
"Yeah, the pain isn't as bad as before. I felt this a few times while attempting to teleport back." The turtle explains.
After a few deep breaths, Leonardo shows he is feeling better already by smiling at his father.
"Thankfully, they don't last as long either."
"I see. While you opened up your Chi, it would appear you must have healed most of your injury." Splinter assumes, relieved his son is no longer in agony.
"Now, I want to discuss how we can hone your new teleporting powers." He instantly adds.
"Dad, come on," Leo whines but is quickly interrupted.
"Ah, bub-bub-bub," Splinter waves his hand in front of him to quieten his son from speaking anymore.
"Listen, I think it is high time I start us on a one-on-one training. We will begin first thing in the morning. Right now, you need your rest."
Splinter looks away briefly with regret.
"I should have started your training many years ago when you were younger, but I neglected my responsibility as both sensei and father."
"Awe, Dad." Leo groans.
"Leonardo, enough. This is important, and we might not have much time before the Kraang eventually come out from wherever they are hiding. Your new powers could be what we need to beat them once and for all." Splinter demands.
"You sure about that?" Leonardo questions.
"No, but the ancestors seem to see something in you, and that is enough for me to be convinced." The rat admits.
He quickly glances at the window and spots the rest of the family making their way to the house. Splinter then leans up to his son.
"Now, until we can work more on your new power, I suggest we keep this between us, okay?" He asks him.
"Fine by me," Leo tiredly agrees. However, he is confident he won't be able to explain this experience again until he can sleep on it for a bit.
The search team walks through the front door expecting to pass on the sad news of their failed attempt to find Leonardo. Instead, to his surprise, Raph turns to the living room and spots his missing brother.
"Leo!" The giant turtle shouts.
"Oh, my God, where have you been?" April cries out.
"Do you have any idea how worried we were?" Donnie snaps.
"But we are also so happy to see you again." Mikey cheers, rushing up to his brother to hug him.
"Awe, Mikey," Leo chuckles.
He looks up at his family with guilt all over his face.
"Look, I'm really sorry for scaring all of you. But, I," He pauses briefly to develop a story. "I didn't realize how far I went during my walk. Guess I got a little lost."
Usually, Leonardo felt more confident with lying, but, for some reason, this time, it felt wrong. He looks over at Splinter and receives an approving nod. Leo hopes his father knows what he is doing by keeping this new skill a secret, at least for now.
"Awe, we forgive you. We are just glad you are back safely." Mikey happily says, giving Leo another hug.
"As much as I hate to admit it, Mikey is right," Donnie adds.
"Absolutely, little brother." Raph also mentions giving Leo a head noogie.
April lets out an amusing chuckle at the spectacle.
Leonardo smiles at his family before glancing past them to see Casey standing by the door. The boy looks deep in thought like something terrible is troubling him.
"Hey Cas, something the matter?" He asks.
"Huh," Casey breaks out of his thoughts and looks up at the worried glances from everyone.
"I'm fine," he quickly says. "Just a little tired, I guess. I think I'll go lie down for a bit. Glad you're back, Leo."
"Okay," Leo responds, not convinced by his excuse.
While Casey shuffles down the hall to his room, Mikey jumps.
"And I'm going to start making dinner. I bet you must be hungry after your walk." The youngest turtle chirps.
"Actually, I am," Leo says, without lying this time.
"Great, I'll get some more firewood while you start dinner. Donnie could use your help." Raphael announces.
Donatello rolls his eyes at being instructed to firewood gathering.
"Fine," he groans in protest.
As the three brothers leave the living room, April sits by Leo on the couch.
"So, Leo, where did you go on your walk?" She asks, almost in a way that she doesn't quite believe his 'gone for a walk' story.
"Ah, April, perhaps we should let Leonardo get some rest. In fact, I think now is a good time to review some of the ninjitsu techniques from this morning's training." Splinter says quickly.
"But Splints," April pleads.
"Come on. Let's go," Splinter demands.
The two leave, and once again, Leonardo is on his own. He takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. His future is starting to look more complicated.
He quickly becomes tired just thinking about it and lies back for a nap.
OoOoOoOoOoOo
The following morning the family is sleepily preparing breakfast before their training exercises.
Leonardo walks into the kitchen, belting out a big yawn.
"Morning, Leo," Mikey sings as he scoops some scrambled eggs on a plate and hands it to his brother.
"Morning," Leo replies with another big yawn.
"I hear Dad is finally getting you out today for some training," Raphael says teasingly.
"It's about time," Donnie adds, amused by the thought of Leo training with the rest of them in the cold.
"So, you will be out there with us this morning?" Casey wonders.
"Not yet. Dad wants me to start on other exercises to build my strength back up," Leo responds while scooping some of the eggs into his mouth.
"How long will that take?" Casey asks, hoping that he didn't sound rude or impatient as he said that.
Leonardo shrugs before swallowing.
"I don't know, hopefully not too long. We need to get back to the city soon," he says.
"Agreed," Raph nods.
Splinter walks into the kitchen and frowns.
"Leonardo, I told you to be ready. What do you think you're doing?" He snaps.
"Eating breakfast. You don't expect me to start my training with an empty tummy, do you?" Leo responds sarcastically.
"Leonardo, now!" Splinter barks impatiently.
With a loud groan, Leonardo pushes his half-eaten eggs away, which Raph quickly snaps up.
"Ah, this amuses me." Donnie snickers before sipping his tea.
"Oh, and Raphael. You have five minutes to get everyone else outside to start on your morning exercises and training!"
That comment earned a chorus of groans from everyone except Casey and Raphael.
Raph quickly swallows the mouthful of eggs so he can respond clearly.
"Will do, Pops."
