In Tal's lab, Vee has a tech helmet on her head that Tal and Donnie had hooked her up to as she gives a concerned look. "Um, guys, is this thing safe?" She nervously asked the two smart turtles, who had Dr. Clutchingsworth with them.
"Absolutely." Donnie said as he held up two cable wires and hooked them onto the helmet. "Now let me adjust the straps and plug this baby in." He said as he plugged the helmet, which caused the lights to flicker before the helmet sparked, making Vee panic a bit.
"Uh, it was just starting up, sis." Tal said sheepishly while rubbing her head while Vee gave a dull look.
Mikey then came in with some chickens around. "Whoa, Vee, check you out! Is that a tiara? I love tiaras!" He cheered.
"It's not a tiara, Mikey." Tal said dully. "It's a psychic neural transmitter." She explained after she finished adjusting it.
"Whoa," Mikey said in awe. "That was my second guess."
"Tal and Donnie, salvaged it from the Kraang Ship," Vee explained, "They were planning on using it on April and Robyn to test their powers, but now they want to use me as the test dummy," She said with a dull look.
"Cool." Mikey said with a smile before seeing Vee glaring at him, "I mean, totally not cool." He corrected.
"Don't worry Vee, since you were able to link the girls' minds to go into our dreams, your dream-walking powers, are the closest thing to psychic abilities," Donnie explained as he adjusted the transmitter, "With this device, I'll be to determined how similar your powers are,"
"Except for the part where this thing is untested." Vee said with a brow. "Plus we're missing the Arena battle, Leo's supposed to be in the first match."
"It will be fine. And we'll be done before it's over, sis. Leo will be fine." Tal assured as she sat down. "Let's start now." She said as she then turned the radio on as it powered on. "You feel anything?"
The Transmitter powered up with a ding as Vee felt herself over, "Hmm, Nope," She said simply.
Donnie adjusted the radio again, and gave it a good bang, "Okay, how about now?" He asked.
Vee closed her eyes and then got a little electric surge in her head. "Oh, that tingles." She said with a smile while her eyes were still closed.
Tal then picks up a card. "Okay, now, sis, focus on the card. Close your eyes and tell me what you see." She instructed.
Vee gives a confident smile, "Please, mom gave me this test a hundred times, never got it wrong once," She boasted as concentrated, as Mikey looked at the card and saw it was a plane. "I see… a bird." She said confidently.
"Ooh! So close!" Mikey called with a smile while moving around like a plane. "It flys like a-"
"Ssh!" Donnie shushed him. "You'll spoil the test!" He whispered harshly.
"Wait, you mean, I got it wrong?" Vee said in surprise.
"Never mind that, let's try again," Tal said as she took out a new card, "Okay, what do you see on this one?" She asked as she held up a card that looked like a monkey.
Vee concentrated a bit. "Mmm… I'm gonna say…" She started as Mikey made monkey sounds and jumped like a monkey, which Vee ignored as she kept focusing. "A fish?" She guessed as Mikey repeated his action.
"Mikey!" Tal and Donnie yelled while glaring at Mikey.
Mikey held his hands up, "Just trying to help," He said in defense.
"Well, stop…being…annoying!" Donnie said firmly to Mikey before turning to Vee, "Sorry Vee, wrong again," He said.
"What, again?" Vee said in confusion, "But I thought for sure…"
"Okay, third time's the charm," Tal said as she took a third card and gave a sly grin, "Okay, there's no way you could get this one wrong," She said as the card had a picture of Leo tapped to it.
Vee concentrated hard, with both hands on her temples. "It's… It's…" She then opened them with a bright smile. "A worm! Definitely a worm!" She said confidently.
Tal cringed while Donnie and Mikey slack-jawed, as they imagined Leo as a worm, "Ooh, strike three, you're out," Mikey quipped.
"No? Really?" Vee asked with a frown. "But, these images in my head, they feel so right." She said while rubbing her head before taking the card from Tal. "Give me that." She said as she looked at the card and her eyes widened when she saw a picture of Leo. "What?! Okay, I not only got the three cards wrong, but I thought Leo was a worm?!" She questioned in disbelief.
"Uhhh, pretty much," Donnie said sheepishly while tapping his thumbs and Vee slumped over in shame. "That's why it's a test. We'll try again." He assured as Vee groaned.
Meanwhile, The Shell Tribe had gathered in a Geodesic arena made of tree branches and roots, with roots for seats in the formation of a ring, in the front was the main observation stand where Dariyasa and Olly watched and in the center was the battle arena. "Is it really necessary for Leo to even fight in the arena?" Olly asked his mother in concern. "I mean, I know his leg is healing properly, but so far, he managed to fight only briefly."
"It was Leonardo's choice to partake in the exhibition match," Dariyasa reminded her son as they watched the gathered Tribe cheer with anticipation for battle, "He will never know what he is truly capable of unless he tries."
"I agree that Leo has to at least try, but," Olly said before looking down at the arena in worry, "He said he chose a very special opponent for this and won't tell who is."
"Oh, don't worry, dear. Leonardo will be fine." Dariyasa assured her son with a smile as they watched what was to come.
Leo walked down the right arena entrance and put his crutch to the side while Raph, Jenny, Ames, and Casey came up behind him.
"Alright, it's showtime! And I'm feeling a lot better." Leo said with a smile as he took out his sword and spun them around as he placed them on the ground and did some stretches. "Today, I'm bringing home the gold." He said confidently.
"Hah, good luck with that, Leo." Raph said before Jenny leaned up to him.
"Raph, Leo's been down for ages." Jenny whispered to him. "Cut him some slack if he might bust a leg again, okay?"
"Besides, considering he hasn't told us who he's probably going up against he's gonna need it," Casey added.
Raph smiled and nodded, "Yeah Leo, I feel sorry for the sap you're gonna kick the green off of," He said as Leo focused and sheathed his swords, "We'll be rooting for you, bro," He added as they headed to the stands.
"Break a leg, Leo!" Ames called before Leo heard a smack and an 'Ow!' from Ames, "I didn't mean literally!" Ames said in defense as Leo chuckled and walked to the exit.
"Fellow Terrapins, Brothers and Sisters of the Shell! Welcome to this Month's Official Arena Battle, where the greatest warriors of our island clash, for honor, glory, and pride!" The announcer declared as he gestured to left gate of the Arena, "But first a small demonstration of what is to come. For the first time ever in the History of the Shell Dome, I give you: Hamato Leonardo!" The announcer declared, gesturing to Leo who walked out into the ring.
The crowd then cheered as Leo waved to the crowd. "Thank you! Thank you, everyone! It's great to be here!" He called, "You're in for a real show today, you can bet on it!"
From the stands, the O'Neil Sisters, Keno, Casey, Leatherhead and the other turtles watched, "Leonardo seems very confident in himself," Leatherhead noted.
"Definitely a step up from his constant whining and complaining about his leg," Keno commented, "Can't believe, Donnie and the girls are missing this,"
"Said something about an experiment, they should be here soon," April told him as she turned back to Leo, "Now, let's see how Leo does,"
"And now, Leonardo faces the greatest warrior of our entire tribe," The Announcer said as the other gate opened as a familiar turtle walked out from it, "The Great, the Courageous, Grandmaster Orimura!" He announced.
The turtles and their friends were shocked by what they heard, "Dudes, did he just say…" Casey started.
Coming out from the other end of the arena was indeed Orimura, who was walking calmly with his hands behind his back into the arena, as the entire crowd started erupting into cheering to him while he simply nodded to them before standing at some distance to Leo, who looked at him eager for battle.
"Grandmaster," Leo greeted respectfully.
"Leonardo." Ormiura nodded naturally, "I must admit, I was surprised when you approached with this proportion."
"Hey, I've been off my feet for way too long, I can fight my brothers and the others just fine," Leo said with a confident smile, "But if I want to take back New York, I need to fight an opponent stronger than your average Kraangdroid."
"You have quite the spirit, young one." Ormiura said with a smile. "Very well, let us see who fate shall smile upon this day." He said while drawing his Scimitar sword.
"My thoughts exactly." Leo said as he drew his swords as he and Ormirua bowed to each other as a sign of honor before taking their stances, staring each other down challengingly as they then charged at each other with battle cries as they then clashed with each other weapons, exchanging blows and blocking each other strikes as the crowd started cheering to them.
In the stands the others watch in concern, "Leo doesn't actually think he can take on dad, does he?" Ames asked as they watched Leo slash at Orimura but the older turtle blocked his katanas with his larger sword.
"He's got guts, I'll give him that," Jenny shrugged.
Robyn shushed them, "Guys look," She pointed as Orimura went in for a big swing but Leo dodge-rolled and kicked him in the shell to the ground, "Ooh!" They all cringed.
"Orimura may be stronger and has better technique, but Leonardo is much faster," Naomi realized.
"As long as Leo can keep moving, Orimura can hit him or dodge his attacks," April realized as they watched the duel continue.
Leo and Orimura were soon caught in clash of strength, "You've grown stronger, Leonardo," Orimura noted to the Blue-Clad Turtle, "But do you believe you have what is needed to save your city,"
"Watch me!" Leo told the older turtle as he gave a yell and pushed Orimura back. The two jumped up and clashed weapons before they landed on the ground, they then charged at each other again with their swords raised.
But then, Leo in a brief moment saw Shredder in place of Orimura with his clawed blades raised. He the flashed back to when he was mercilessly beaten down by the Foot before Shredder delivered the final strike.
Suddenly, the pain in his leg came back in full force as he yelped and stumbled a bit, "No, no! Not again!" Leo said to himself before he was met by a slash from Orimura that knocked him onto his back. Leo tried to raise his katana but Orimura knocked it away and pointed his sword at Leo's head.
The Stadium was silent in anticipation as Leo stared into Orimura's eyes, "Concede," The Black-clad turtle told him.
"Alright," Leo said.
"For all to hear!" Orimura insisted, bringing his sword closer.
"I, Concede!" Leo declared loudly with his head down as Orimura nodded and drew his sword back. The crowd cheered while Leo got to his knees as his friends and family rushed to him.
"Bro/Leo!" They exclaimed in concern as they helped Leo up and took him out of the arena near a bench.
"Just let me down here!" Leo said as they got Leo on a bench as he sighed. "It's hopeless."
"Come on, Leo. You just need to stretch it out." Raph said to him with a smile.
"Yeah, I mean you almost had him back there," April encouraged.
"You're getting really good." Ames added.
"You can make it up to the next round." Casey suggested.
"No!" Leo snapped, which startled them before he calmed down. "I mean… I just hold you back. You guys get to your matches, I'll just watch." He said before he lowered his head. "It's all I'm good for anyway." He said in defeat as the others looked at him in concern.
Orimura then walked up to Leo and patted his shoulder, "Come Leonardo, you can observe the rest of the tourney with Olivier, Dariyasa and I," He said as he helped Leo to his feet and they walked up to the main podium.
Back in Tal's Lab, Donnie and Tal tried to figure out why the transmitter wasn't working, "Guys, just face it, this thing doesn't work," Vee told them, "Let's just take a break, we're missing the Arena Battles,"
"In a sec, Vee." Donnie said to her. "Maybe if we make some adjustments…" He said as he turned the dial on the radio, which made a weird sound as the lights flickered.
Vee stood there boredly before the helmet started sparking up, which made her scream in pain before she opened her eyes, which turned pure white as a shockwave burst out of her head, which made Mikey fall to the ground while Tal and Donnie covered their heads.
"Mikey!" Tal and Donnie exclaimed as they looked and their eyes widened when they saw the room was filled with a mystic-looking mist with a light blue aura.
"I didn't do that! I swear!" Mikey said in defense and amazement.
"What is this?" Donnie wondered.
"I think its, Vee's Chi. Her dreamwalker powers are fueled by this energy," Tal said in wonder before looking to her sister and saw her stark white eyes as she had a vacant expression, "Vee? Are you okay? Sis, can you hear me?" She called, waving her hand in front of the Cyan-clad turtle but got no reaction.
The boys looked concern as Tal turned to them, "Something's wrong," Tal said before helping Vee up, "Come on, we gotta get her mom," She said as they rushed out of the lab with Donnie and Mikey carrying Vee.
Back in the arena, Two turtle warriors clashed as the crowd cheered, from the main podium, Olly and his parents watched while Leo just rubbed his leg scowling, "Stupid Leg." He complained, "You're never gonna heal,"
Olly turned to him and gave an encouraging look, "Leo, give it time, that was the longest you lasted yet," He said, "And you were able to take on my father for crying out loud, that gets a big thumbs up,"
"Yeah right," Leo scoffed while Olly just sighed.
"Doubt is the greatest enemy of the warrior," Dariyasa said as the two boys turned to her, "It is strong, makes you feel you are weak when you are indeed strong. You simply must be stronger than what is holding you back,"
Leo and Olly were taken aback by the Mistress's wisdom but before they could answer, "Dudes!" The four turned and saw Mikey behind them, "Come quick! It's Vee!" He said frantically.
Leo's eyes widened, "Vee?" He said as they got up and followed Mikey to the inner halls of the arena, Leo hobbling behind them.
Eventually the five reached the medical room where the others were already there, surrounding someone sitting in a chair, "Guys!" Olly called as they turned to them, "We came as soon as we could,"
"What's going on? Is Vee okay?" Leo asked in concern.
The others looked at each other before turning back to him, "Maybe you should see for yourself," Jenny said as they moved aside and Leo saw Vee sitting there, with an emotionless expression and blank white eyes.
Leo kneeled down and waved his hand in front of her, "Vee? Are you there?" He called in concern, "Venus can you hear me?" He called again.
A few seconds later, Vee's body twitched and she blinked a few times, looking confused, "L-Leo? Is that you?" She called as they all relaxed.
"Don't worry Vee, I'm here, we're all here," Leo said while Vee still looked confused.
"Where? I, I don't see you," Vee said as she stood up, "What happened to the Barn?" She asked. "Where are we?"
"Um, we're not in the barn, we're in the Shell Arena," Donnie told her in confusion.
"What do you mean, I don't see anything," Vee insisted as she held out her arms and moved around before walking into a wall, "Ow! Wh-what was that? Is it invisible?" she asked feeling the wall.
"Um, looks pretty visible to me," Mikey commented as the group looked at each other in concern.
"Vee?" Leo said slowly.
"Leo? Leo! I-I can't see any of you!" Vee said as she started walking around like she was stumbling in the dark as she tripped a bit, "Somebody say something!" she called.
"Um, well, you're looking fine." Ames said with a nervous smile. "Despite the fact that your eyes are pure white." She said before Jenny smacked her on the head. "Ow!"
"Okay, Vee, calm down." Donnie said slowly as he and Dariyasa approached her.
"Tell us where you think you are. What do you see, sweetie?" Dariyasa asked while placing her hands holding Vee's, sensing that this wasn't typical blindness.
Vee focused as in her eyes, she was above the clouds. "Clouds. I think I'm flying." She said to them.
"Totally understand. I get that way when I eat pizza." Mikey said with a smile.
"You're seeing things, Vee." Leo said in concern. "Donnie, Tal, what did you do to her?" He questioned the two smart turtles.
"Uh, we sorta of, uh…" Tal stammered nervously.
"We kinda try to test out Vee's Dreamweaver powers with a Kraang Neural Transmitter, which malfunctioned and somehow made her blind," Donnie explained sheepishly.
Dariyasa gave a skeptical look, "No, this isn't blindness. I sense something is amiss here," she said before turning to Vee again, "Venus, what are you seeing now?"
"Still in the air soaring, but now I'm heading down." Vee said to them before the sound of a bird squawking could be heard outside as she saw the village below them as her face widened in shock. "Outside! I see the villagers! They're under attack!"
"Let's move!" Olly called as they rushed out to the Arena and into the village as they saw a worm/fish/bird hybrid, nearly as big as Ryuga's Rok, in front of them while the villagers screamed before they rushed into battle while Vee had her hands out while slowly following behind.
"Guys? Guys, wait for me." Vee said as she tried to feel her surroundings.
"What the heck?! Another mutant!?" Keno called as they all started fighting the mutant.
"Seriously?! Again?!" Casey exclaimed as he whacked it away.
"Where did it come from?" Raph questioned with a sai ready.
"More importantly, what does it want?" Jenny asked they dodged the mutant's tendrils.
"Booyakasha!" Mikey called as he whacked the creature before it could attack Leo. "Ooh! Bird, worm, and fish! Three animals, one body. I know this one! There's a perfect name for it in the mythology!" He called.
"Chimera?" Donnie asked as he whacked the Chimera back before jumping away to avoid its strike.
"The beast with the front of a lion, middle of a goat and tail of a snake?" Tal added, shooting an arrow.
"No, Turduckan. But Chimera works." Mikey said with a smile before the Chimera squawked and tried to get a bite on Mikey, but he quickly moved out of the way as the others dodged and tried to strike it.
"In your beak!" Ames exclaimed as she lashed her whip at the Chimera's beak, sending it flying and landing next to Leo.
"Careful, Leonardo!" Naomi exclaimed as Leo tried to attack it, but one of its tentacles hit him in his leg, causing him to scream in pain as he clutched it before being flung back, making him crash into Vee as the two crashed into the ground.
"Careful, Vee. You gotta find cover." Leo said before Vee looked ahead at the Chimera's direction with a squint face.
"What? Is that me I'm looking at?" Vee questioned when she saw herself and Leo next to her through the Chimera's eyes. "Look out!" She called as Leo dragged her away as the Chimera got its head to the ground while the others tried to fight it before following Leo and Vee. "This is my fault, I must've summoned this thing somehow." She said as she and Leo got next to the hut, which tried to bite them, but Leeo grabbed Vee and moved out of the way.
Then some throwing stars were thrown at the Chimera's face, who was unfazed as it turned and saw Raph charging at him, but it caught him by the beak as it swung him around as he yelled. "A little help?!" He called out as the other turtles, Robyn, and April tried to attack it, but they were quickly caught by its tentacles as they all screamed.
"What the heck?!" Robyn said in disgust as the Chimera started to fly away.
Keno and Casey climbed up to the roof with their weapons raised. "Time to bring the pain, Jones!" Keno called.
"Right, buddy! Goongala!" Casey called as the two boys charged at the Chimera, but it quickly caught them as they screamed. "He meant, your pain! Your pain!" He called before the Chimera flew off while the others screamed.
"No!" Leo, Orimura, Leatherhead, and Dariyasa yelled as they saw the Chimera fly away with the others as they kept screaming.
"My friends!" Leatherhead yelled out.
"They're gone. I couldn't do anything." Leo said in guilt while clutching his leg.
Orimura turned to Ryuga, "Ryuga, prepare your team! Find my children!" He ordered.
"Yes, Grandmaster!" Ryuga said as he ran off to prepare.
"Leo? Mom? Dad? My eyes…" Vee said as they went up to Vee.
"We know, Vee. You're blind." Leo said while placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Not exactly." Vee said while looking around. "Somehow, I got a psychic connection to the monster. Must've been when my powers mixed with Donnie and Tal's transmitter." she said while the others looked at her in confusion.
"So, what you are saying…?" Orimura asked in wonder.
"I'm seeing through its eyes." Vee said while pointing to her white eyes as she saw a mountain somewhere in the mainland in the forest. "I know where it's taking them. And…" She was cut off when her stomach started growling, which surprised her as she clutched her stomach. "Uh oh. I know why it took them too. I feel really hungry. Like… Ames and Mikey hungry." She said in concern.
They all gasped as Orimura's face turned serious, "Alright, Dariyasa, you remain here and attend to the village," He instructed his wife before turning to Leatherhead, "Leatherhead, you are with me, we're going to rescue the young ones whilst Ryuga diverts that creature's attention."
Vee gave a hard look, "No dad, Leo and I are coming with you," She said firmly, "Those are my siblings that overgrown turkey snatched, and we're going to get them back!"
Orimura could see there was no changing Vee's mind as he turned to Leo, "And what of you Leonardo?" He questioned as Leo looked down in conflict.
With the others, they were flying over the mainland while Casey was being smacked to the back of the head by the tree. "This is not cool!" He screamed as they flew higher to the mountain.
"Put us down, you wormy freak!" Ames exclaimed.
"That's not a good idea!" Donnie cried out before the Chimera let them go, which caused them to scream, but they didn't fall far as they landed on a wooden nest.
"Phew. That was close." Mikey said in relief as they stood up. "Maybe it will leave us alone now." He said as April stepped on something, which she looked down before she noticed that there were human and animals skeletons all around them.
"I don't think it would, Mikey." April said fearfully. "I think that thing brought us for dinner." She said.
"Really, what's on the menu?" Mikey asked before Raph slapped his head, "Ow!"
"Mikey, We're the Dinner!" Raph told him as the Chimera flew around them with sqwuaks.
"Well, I don't wanna end up as bird… fish… or worm… eh, whatever! Let's move!" Rpobyn called as they ran towards the edge of the branch as they tried to get away.
"Get it!" Donnie yelled as he, Donnie, Casey, and Keno whacked it, which caused the Chimera to squawk in pain.
In the forest somewhere in the mainland, Vee screamed as she clutched her head in pain. "Vee!" Leo called in concern as Vee fell to his knees, which Leo did as well after clutching his knee as he placed a hand on Vee's shoulder while Orimura and Leatherhead looked on in concern.
"Are you alright, my friend?" Leatherhead asked in concern.
"I-I'm fine." Vee said as she placed her head straight. "I-I could feel the Chimera's pain. It got dizzy." She said as she stood up. "The others are at the top of that peak. We better hurry!" She called while gesturing to the mountain she saw in her vision.
"Hurry?" Leo asked as he stood up. "Vee, look at us."
"Uh, that's a little difficult for me right now, Leo!" Vee exclaimed while reminding him of her blindness since her eyes are connected to the Chimera.
"My point exactly." Leo said to her. "You can't see, I can't walk, and only Leatherhead and your father are the only ones in any condition for a fight, we'll slow them down." He said to her.
"No we won't! We'll make it together! No matter what!" Vee called with determination as she walked forward, but then she bumped into the tree face first, which caused her to stumble back while holding her face. "Heheh. I meant to do that." She said in embarrassment while Leo, Orimura, and Leatherhead gave her a brow.
"Perhaps it would be wiser, if I lead this rescue," Orimura suggested, walking up to his daughter, "You can help keep Leonardo walking while he acts yours eyes."
"Good idea, father." Vee said as she walked up to Leo. "Well, Leo, looks like you get to support me for a change." She said as she walked past him, but Leo quickly grabbed her hand and pulled her back.
"Yeah, but try and let someone grab you instead of the other way around." Leo suggested with a small smile, which caused Vee to give a small chuckle while giving a sheepish blush.
"Um, good point." Vee said sheepishly.
Back on the mountain, the Chimera is flying around while the others are at the side of the mountain with their weapons ready. "We've gotta get off this mountain!" Olly called while the Chimera advanced towards them.
"Easy, Turduckan!" Mikey called as he and Casey whacked it back.
"We can take this thing!" Casey called.
"Not while on its turf!" Tal called as the Chimera charge at them, which caused them to fall down a hole as they screamed before landing on a rock platform as they managed to avoid the edge from the water below.
Donnie lost his balance for a moment before Keno and Mikey pulled him back while the Chimera sat on the edge and looked down the hole while it gave another squawk.
Back at the forest where the rescue team is, Leo is supporting Vee to guide her while Vee helps Leo walk while Leatherhead and Orimura took the lead. "Okay. They're safe, for now." Vee said to them.
"I can't believe you told your father in bringing me into this, Vee." Leo muttered.
"I shouldn't have had to." Vee said to him firmly.
With Leatherhead and Orimura ahead and scouting the path, Leo sat on a rock while Vee stand there. "You don't understand. I thought I was getting better, but back in the arena, I was hurt again way too easily." Leo said as he looked down. "I'm a liability to the whole team." He said in shame.
Vee looked at him in sympathy before her face turned determined as Leo looked to her, "No, you're not!" Vee said firmly, "You're Hamato Leonardo, son of Master Hamato Yoshi, you're their leader! We can help our friends and family! We have to help them! So stop being a whinny softshell and start being the turtle I know and love who managed to bring down an Alien Space Station!" She declared.
Leo looked at her for a moment before giving a sheepish smile. "Uh, Vee…" He started, while Vee was leaning towards a tree, "I'm over here." He said awkwardly.
Vee turned in the direction of Leo's voice and blushed in embarrassment, "Oops," She said sheepishly. "It would've been more direct to you, but uh, you get the point."
"Y-Yeah. I guess I do." Leo said while rubbing his head before giving a small blush. "But uh, you said something about love?"
"Well, uh, yeah, I guess I did," Vee answered, blushing a bit.
"Well funny you should mention that because," Leo started as he leaned closer to Vee, "Vee, there's something I have to-" He tried to say, mere inches from her face before Orimura spoke up.
"We caught sight of the mountain." Orimura called while Leo and Vee turned to his direction. "It's a bit far, but we might be able to make it in time to save the children if we cut through this pass."
"That's great." Leo said with a smile as he stood up and held Vee by the shoulder. "We better get going. The others are gonna need us against that Chimera."
'Y-Yeah. They do." Vee said with a slight blush as the four continued on their path.
Back with the others, they stuck close to the edge of the ledge as the Chimera observed them, "Looks like the Chimera is too big to even get down. We're safe." Olly said to them.
"Safe?" Donnie questioned as he gave Olly a look. "Dude, we're trapped inside a giant hole!" He pointed out.
"Hey, it's better than being in the beak of death," Olly retorted.
"Um, did you feel something move a little?" Mikey asked nervously before the floor where him, April and Donnie stood on broke and they fell to another platform with a scream.
"Are you three alright?" Naomi asked as she took out her grappling hook and tossed one end down to them.
"We're cool," Donnie said while rubbing his head.
April then tapped his shoulder, "Um, Don?" She said while pointing to the bubbling, steaming water, "Is that what I think it is?"
"I think it is, April." Donnie said nervously as the floor piece that came off sank into the boiling water.
"Hot tub time! Alright!" Mikey cheered in excitement.
"It's not alright, Mikey!" April called, stopping Mikey before he could jump in.
"That water is boiling around 200 degrees fahrenheit. It's under intense pressure." Donnie said as he, April, and Mikey started climbing while Naomi pulled on her grabbling hook to pull them up.
"We must inside a geyser." April theorized.
"It must erupt here all the time, that's why the walls are so smooth." Donnie while rubbing the walls.
Once they made it to the top Olly looked at them, "How long before the next eruption, an hour?" He asked.
"Less. Then we're turtle soup." Donnie said nervously.
"Yeah I'm not sure being flashfried in a geyser is how I wanna spend my final moments," Keno said with a gulp.
"Great, trapped between boiling hot water and a fish-bird-worm thing," Jenny said sarcastically.
"So, how do we get out of here if we can't climb the walls?" Robyn questioned.
Olly rubbed his chin, "I think if we tie enough of our grappling hooks together, we should be able to climb out of here," He theorized.
"Uh, one problem," Mikey said, raising his hand, "I may have forgotten my grappling hook," He said sheepishly.
"Uh, me too." Donnie said in embarrassment.
"Same here," Raph said with a nervous shrug.
"Yeah, I sorta forgot to pack mines this morning before the Arena Battle." Ames said while rubbing her arms.
"Uh, mine got busted so I had to leave it at the lab," Tal said while playing with her bandanas.
"I didn't think I need mine." Jenny admitted embarassedly as Olly and Naomi looked unimpressed.
"Are you being serious?" Naomi asked with a brow and hands on her hips.
"Ugh, I'm surrounded by numbskulls," Olly said with his arms crossed, while the O'Neil sisters, Casey, and Keno did the same while Naomi and Olly turned to them, which the four humans notice their looks.
"Hey come on! Like we thought we needed Grappling Hooks!" Robyn said in defense.
"I mean, what were the odds of us being kidnapped by a giant mutant monster?!" Casey exclaimed.
"Have you met us?!" Olly questioned in irritation. "What are the odds we wouldn't kidnapped by a giant mutant monster?! A Ninja needs to be prepared for everything!" He told them.
"Donnie and I were busy working on Vee's dream-walking powers before we even got our gear, incase you'd forgotten!" Tal exclaimed.
"Yeah, and made her blind in the process while also bring Turducken right to our doorstep!" Olly retorted.
"Why is always on us?!" Donnie demanded.
"I'm sorry, I thought you two were the smart ones!" April retorted.
"Does anyone actually have an idea?!" Robyn questioned.
"Let's make a giant balloon!" Mikey suggested.
"How about we make a ladder!" Ames added.
"And how would we build something like that?!" Jenny questioned.
"Can't you two ever come up with something not stupid?!" Raph questioned.
"Listen to Casey Jones!" Casey yelled.
"Oh like that's ever gotten us out of jam!" Keno stated sarcastically.
"Will everyone please stop arguing!" Naomi exclaimed while the Chimera roared down at them.
Back in the forest, the rescue team continued their way while Leo and Vee still supported eachother. "Things are getting worse. We gotta hurry!" Vee said to them. "The others are in a geyser that could erupt any second."
"Then time is of the essence, we must hurry," Leatherhead urged.
"We're trying…" Leo grunted a bit. "Our best." He finished.
Vee stopped for a moment before sniffing Leo a bit, "Hey Leo, I don't know why but, you smell really, really…" Vee said as she continued sniffing as Leo pulled away from her. "Good." She finished before she gave a crazed smile.
"Don't get any ideas." Leo said as he backed away from Vee, who walked closer to him while Orimura and Leatherhead saw this.
"Daughter?" Orimura asked in concern.
"I'm hungry. So hungry!" Vee exclaimed before she put her arms on her side like a bird with wings before she sniffed Leo again and started cawing and moving like a bird before jumping towards Leo, who grabbed her as he pulled her back so she can't bite him.
"Vee, snap out of it!" Leo called while Vee kept trying to bite Leo.
"Venus!" Leatherhead and Orimura called as they rushed toward Vee and pulled her away from Leo as she kept trying to bite him while struggling to break free.
"It's alright, my friend. We won't hurt you." Leatherhead said to Vee.
"Snap out of it, daughter! You are not a bird!" Orimura said as he shook Vee, who shook her head for a moment before speaking.
"Oh man, dad. I am so embarrassed right now." Vee said in embarrassment as Orimura let her go as she rubbed her arm. "I-I'm sorry, Leo. I think the Chimera's instincts must've gotten to me."
"It's okay. Just, uh, please stop trying to bite me." Leo said with a nervous smile.
"We must hurry, this is proof that the link between Venus and that creature is growing stronger," Orimura said seriously, "If we don't do something about that creature, it won't be long before the damage is permanent."
"So let's-" Leo started before he looked down and noticed his crutch on the ground. "Oh, man." He said before he grabbed Vee and shook her with a wide smile. "I can't believe it! I'm standing! I'm standing!" He cheered as he danced around and stood up proudly.
Orimura smiled, "It would seem you found something worth your concern more than pain," He mused.
"I-I guess I did." Leo said with a smile.
"I am proud of you, my friend." Leatherhead said with a smile as Vee stood up and brought out her hand to Leo.
"Come on. Let's go save our family." Vee said as Leo turned back to the mountain and gave a determined expression.
Back in the geyser, Donnie finished tying Naomi's grappling hook with Olly's and Ame's whips together. "Okay, by tying Ames's ribbon whips to Olly and Naomi's grappling lines, it should be just long enough." Donnie said.
"Are you sure?" Robyn asked.
"Only one way to find out," Raph said as he twirled the rope and threw it up and Casey gave it a good whack to rocket it up higher as Olly grabbed one end of the rope while the other made it to the top and got secured.
"Yes! Goal!" Casey cheered.
"That'll hold. Now let's get out of here!" Olly said as he took the lead as they started climbing up the wall, while wobbling a bit as they took a breather. "We're almost… there." He said before the Chimera appeared and roared at them. "And I spoke too soon." He muttered as it snapped down at him, which he avoid as he swung around the rope. "Whoa! Bad Birdie! Bad!" He called as the others were swinging around on the rope before the Chimera snapped it with its beak and they all fell screaming towards the boiling water.
Luckily they managed to grab onto the edge at the last second, but Mikey nearly fell into the water before Ames caught him, but his rear end touched the water. "Hot! Hot! HOT!" He screamed as he jumped up and landed on the platform as he rubbing his butt across the ground. "My sweet little turtle tush! Ow! Owie! Ow!" He whined.
"Guys the water's rising." Donnie said nervously, noticing the water level was much higher than last time. "We're running out of time."
Meanwhile, the rescue team was scaling up the mountain, tied to each other with rope, Leatherhead at the front, Orimura second, Leo third, and Vee in the back. They kept climbing the mountain as Vee nearly slipped, but she was caught by the others as she smiled as they kept climbing.
After a bit of climbing, they made it to the Chimera's nest. "The creature's nest. We made it." Leatherhead said.
"But I don't see the… fish-bird-worm thing." Leo said while searching the sky for the Chimera.
Vee concentrated and saw herself in the clouds again, "I see clouds. I'm flying through them. Faster and faster." She said as she saw that she was flying through the clouds. "Do you see the geyser?"
The three men searched around before Leo found the hole. "Yeah! Over here! Guys! Guys, do you hear us!? Are you alright?!" He called out to them.
"Children?!" Orimura called out next.
"Father/Leo!" The group called out from the geyser.
"Yes! We're all okay!" Olly called out.
"But we're running out of time! The Geyser could blow any second!" Tal exclaimed as she saw the geyser moving close to them.
"Then we must make haste!" Leatherhead called as Vee then saw the mountain coming through while above the nest.
"Guys! Guys! Wait!" Vee called as she held Leo's shoulder while facing straight. "I'm right on top of us!" She exclaimed as the Chimera came into view in front of them.
"The creature has returned!" Orimura called the Chimera and charged at them, but it grabbed Leo and Vee as it flew off. "Leonardo! Venus!"
"My friends!" Leatherhead cried out next.
"We're fine! Just save the others!" Vee told the two as they flew away.
"Alright!" Orimura nodded as he and Leatherhead looked down at the geyser while trying to find a way to get them out.
With Leo and Vee, they are dangling from the Chimera's wormy legs as the Blue-Clad turtle grunts in pain and holds his leg, "Leo! You're leg, are you-" Vee tried to ask.
"I'm fine! I'm not gonna let a little pain stop me!" Leo said with determination as he used his sword to cut himself free, which caused the Chimera to groan in pain as it let go of Leo, which caused him to fall before he used his grappling hook to swing up and onto the Chimera's back. "What about you?"
"Don't worry, I think I'm getting the hang of this blind thing." Vee said as she pulled out one of her chakrams fans, "Just need to hit right between the eyes," She said before throwing her chakrams straight at the Chimera's face, causing it to moan in pain while Vee climbed up to the top of its neck. "Got it by the gills!" She called before she felt slime from the gills. "Gross!" She called as she shook the slime off before the Chimera started spinning in the air to try and shake them off.
"Hold on!" Leo called.
"Holding!" Vee said while holding on tight.
Back on the mountain, Orimura lowered a rope down the geyser, "Alright, children, use this rope to climb up," He instructed, "And hurry, that creature could come back any moment." He urged.
"Got it, father! Okay, gang, let's get climbing!" Olly called as they all started climbing the rope.
In the air, the Chimera kept flying around through the clouds near the sun while Leo and Vee held on. "Hah! Not that easy! Just like steering a Roc!" Vee said with a smirk as Leo climbed onto the Chimera's back.
"I don't think easy is part of the plan." Leo said as he saw a lake below them. "Hold your breath!" He called as Vee did just that right before the two turtles dove into the water as Vee pulled the Chimera up and Leo stabbed it with his sword, causing it to roar in pain as it swam back up and flew back into the air.
Vee coughed up some water, "That wasn't refreshing! You okay Leo?" She asked.
Leo had a fish in his mouth as he spat it out. "Could be better. Whoa!" He exclaimed as he saw some trees heading towards them.
With Vee on the Chimera, she could see them. "No!" She called as she moved the Chimera side to side to avoid the trees and turned as she flew back to the mountain. "This is much easier when I'm on it!" She called before she recalled how back in the village, the Chimera lost balance when it was hit on its neck. "Leo, I remember something. Casey, Donnie, and Keno hit it on its neck! It lost its balance!"
"Worth a try!" Leo called as he then got close to Vee and wrapped his arms around her, which caused Vee to flinch in surprise. "Better be prepared, because it's about to get bumpy!"
"Right!" Vee nodded as she and Leo both kicked the Chimera's neck, causing it to squawk in pain as it started spiraling down to the geyser.
"Get ready to jump!" Leo called.
"Wait?! Jump?! Are you crazy?!" Vee exclaimed before Leo quickly grabbed Vee and carried her bridal style as they jumped off the Chimera and landed next to the others before the Chimera crashed into the hole and plugged it up.
Leo set Vee down, "You guys okay?" He asked.
"Now that you guys here," Jenny answered.
"Sweet move Leo!" Mikey complimented.
"That was so, Metal!" Casey declared.
"Can't imagine what it was like to ride a Fish-Bird-Worm thing," Robyn commented.
Vee shrugged, "It's cool, it was actually kinda of fun," She admitted with a smile.
"Minus the part where we fell into a lake and nearly crashed into some trees," Leo joked.
Tal came over to Vee, "Vee, your eyes. Their still…" She tried to say, seeing they were still blank white.
"Yeah, I can't see anything right now," Vee said as all she saw was black, "The Chimera, must be unconscious." She guessed.
"No wonder, it plugged the hole," Keno said as they looked down.
"Well that's good, if it's plugged no eruption," Casey said with a smile.
Donnie however shook his head, "No! That's bad!" He said in a panic, "The pressure from below has to escape somehow, but with the Chimera lodged in the only exit, extreme compartment syndrome is imminent!"
"What does that mean?" Raph questioned.
"Imagine one of Mikey's water balloons, and you keep filling it with water, more and more by the second," Tal explained in worry, "You know what happens sooner or later, don't you?"
"Oh yeah, biggest splash-bang ever!" Mikey said with a grin.
Olly then held up his hand, "Hold on, are you trying to tell us if the geyser can't erupt the whole mountain is going to explode?" He asked with horrified realization.
"Yeah. That's exactly what will happen." Donnie said nervously.
"Well, what are we standing around here for?! Let's get out of here!" April exclaimed.
"She's right! Everyone run!" Orimura called as the mountain started shaking as they all screamed while the side of the mountain exploded and rocks started falling.
"Avalanche!" Leo called as he pulled Vee and guided her down while the others started climbing down the mountain.
While rushing down, Vee realized she could see them as she stopped. "Wait! I can see. I can see again!" She said in joy that her sight had returned.
"That explosion must've broken the link!" Leo guessed before they saw rocks coming down on them.
"Incoming!" Leatherhead called as they hid under a rock pillar before the rocks came down on them. After a few moments, they climbed out of the rumble unharmed.
"Yes! Whoohoo!" Mikey cheered.
"We did it! We're alive! Hah!" Ames cheered in joy.
Leo then saw Vee climbing up the boulder as he rushed up to him and helped her up. "Vee, thanks." Leo said with a smile.
"Thanks for what?" Vee asked in confusion.
"I'd still be at the island if not for you." Leo said with a warm smile. "You really inspired me and always had my back when I was down."
Vee gave a warm smile back, "Oh, Leo," She said before pulling him into a hug and they broke apart as the others approached.
"You guys were awesome," Mikey said, High threeing Leo and fist-bumping Vee, "It's good to have you back bro," He said to his brother.
"It's good to be back," Leo said with a smile.
"Yeah if you're not leading, who am I suppose to complain about?" Raph joked with a grin.
"Well mostly but then, who am I suppose to support?" Olly joked as well.
The three then did their handshake while Donnie and Tal approached Vee, "Hey uh, Tal and I wanted to apologize for using that transmitter on you," Donnie told the Cyan-clad turtle.
"Yeah, next time we want to experiment with Kraang tech, Mikey and Ames are the test dummies," Tal added.
"Hey!" Ames and Mikey retorted.
Vee chuckled, "Thanks you two, but don't be sorry. Without my link to the Chimera, we might've lost you guys, plus it gave me some understanding I've rely on my other senses," She said with a smile.
"I suppose all's well that ends well," Orimura mused with his hands behind his back, "Come now, let us return home," He suggested as they nodded and made their way off the mountain and once they were on stable ground they portaled back to Turtle Island.
But when they left, they didn't see a squirrel taking an acorn near a pile of rocks right before it exploded and from it was the Chimera, somehow miraculously surviving the explosion as it roared at the frightened squirrel.
Back at the Shell Tribe Village, Vee was sitting on one of the upper branches of the Grand Tree, looking out into the distance as the day turned to dusk. "Hey," Vee turned and saw Leo climbing up, "Thought might find you up here," Leo said.
"You know me so well," Vee said as Leo chuckled and sat down next to her, "How's the leg?"
Leo shook his leg a bit, "Still not 100% but at least I can't move without falling over or need my crutch 24/7." He said with a smile. "Baby steps, that's all I need,"
"Atta boy," Vee said with a smile as they watched the sunset.
"You sure you're okay?" Leo asked.
"I'm fine Leo, really, you can stop worrying now," Vee told him.
"Well, I never stop worrying about you," Leo told her, "That's just how it is with us Leaders,"
"Yeah, I guess that goes for us friends too," Vee conceded.
Leo then scooted closer as Vee gave him a playful elbow, "Hey," Leo said as Vee chuckled.
After a while, Vee spoke, "Can I ask you something?" She asked.
"Fire away," Leo said.
"Um… Back in the forest, when we were… Well, you know." Vee said with an awkward smile.
"Yeah?" Leo nodded, wondering why Vee brought it up.
"Were you about to…" Vee asked with a sly look and a light blush on her cheeks.
"Oh, uh…" Leo's eyes widened when he realized that Vee felt him about to kiss her. "So you felt that, huh? I thought I maybe I got away with it." He said embarrassedly.
"Well, why didn't you?" Vee asked with a small warm smile.
"Oh. Oh." Leo said in surprise before he tried to find the right words. "Well, I… It wasn't perfect. At first I thought it would be with Miwa, but with her technically being my sister it'd never get off the ground, and then I met you," He explained with a smile. "And I always thought that if it ever happened, uh… it has to be just perfect."
Vee gave a chuckle as she looked ahead at the sunset. "Well, this seems pretty perfect to me." She said while smiling warmly at Leo.
"Yeah? Yeah, I guess it does." Leo said with a smile as he turned to Vee.
The two kept smiling warmly at each other before they leaned in close and then their lips met in a kiss as some birds flew above them. The two then broke away with loving smiles at each other.
And then Leo gave a smirk, "You know we're being watched right?" He asked his new girlfriend.
"Care to do the honors?" Vee asked with a smirk.
"Gladly," Leo said before he pulled out a slice of Pizza and threw it off the tree.
"Not the Pizza!" Mikey exclaimed as he dove from the branches above and grabbed it before turning to Leo with a glare, "How do you sleep at night?!" He demanded.
"Mikey!" The other turtles and humans shouted in ire while Vee and Leo just grinned in amusement.
"How did you guys know?" Robyn asked in surprise as they sat on the branches with the two, with her sitting by Keno.
"This wouldn't be the first I caught my bros snooping on me," Leo answered with a grin.
"He's got a point." Raph said in agreement with Jenny next to him. "There's no fooling Leo anymore."
"Too true," Donnie vouched while Tal sat close to him. "That and he knows Mikey's too much of a Pizza-addict to stay hidden,"
"Hey, waste not, why not," Mikey said in defense as he munched on the pizza while Ames giggled at him.
Olly then gave Leo a bump, "You take good care of my sister, you hear blue boy," He warned with Naomi beside him, "And that goes for you three as well," He told Raph, Mikey and Donnie.
"Yes, sir." The four brothers saluted as they all laughed.
They then looked towards the sunset, finding peace in it's beauty and the sounds of the birds, animals and the forest itself, "It sure is beautiful, isn't it?" April said in reverence while leaning close to Casey.
"Totally," Keno agreed.
"Yeah," Tal added.
"Breathtaking," Naomi described.
"No argument there," Jenny said.
"It's the best," Ames finished.
"Yeah, it was nice to finally have a place where we don't stick out like green sore thumbs," Raph said in agreement. "But we still have to travel back and forth to protect New York, guys," He said to them.
"Yeah, I agree. But still, we will protect New York, but Turtle Island is our home as well." Donnie said with a smile. "It's nice to be among our own people,"
"Yeah, and once we get all our stuff back, it's gonna be party like there's no tomorrow yo!" Mikey declared.
"Well, even after we take down the Kraang, you guys are welcome to stay as long as you want," Olly told them.
Leo then gave a solemn frown, "I just wish Master Splinter could be here to enjoy it with us," he said.
Vee placed a gentle hand on Leo's as she gave a warm smile. "I have a feeling that he will, Leo. We'll find him. I promise." She said.
"If he's even still alive," Raph said disheartedly while Donnie and Mikey looked solemn too.
"Don't talk like that." Olly said with a determined look. "If anybody can survive the drain, it's Hamato Yoshi. He's out there, surviving and fighting the Foot and Kraang in New York. And once we're strong enough, we'll find him and Miwa, and when we do, we're taking the Kraang and Shredder down once and for all!"
The others gave inspiring smiles as they nodded with determination as they all looked out towards the sunset. "Hang in there, father. We'll find you, someday." Leo said as they all kept watching, keeping hope they would find Master Splinter, wherever he was.