In the forest of Turtle Island, a deer was eating some grass in a field while the birds were chirping. But above the trees was Leo, who had a bow and an arrow aimed at the deer, he focused as he aimed it, but the deer lifted its head and quickly rushed off.
Leo put the arrow away as he sighed that the deer got away. He jumped down from the branch as he landed on his feet, but he yelped as he clutched his leg, still feeling the pain as he moved a bit to shake it off and took a breather. He then sensed something as he gasped and took out his arrow again and aimed it at the same deer as Leo glared at it.
The deer stood there as the sunlight shone down on it, which surprised Leo as he looked at it in surprise and then lower his weapon while looking at it in wonder. The deer then glared and gave a darkened aura. "Huh?" Leo asked in confusion before the deer charged at him and tossed Leo in the air, causing him to scream before he was kicked to a tree. Once he was on the floor, he was hit multiple times by the front legs of the deer before the deer snorted and wheezed in his face as Leo covered his face.
"Hold." the Deer stopped and turned it's head.
Leo uncovered his eyes and saw the deer walk towards a stranger, dressed in a white hooded robe.
The stranger caressed the deer under its chin before turning to Leo, "You are still burdened," They said in woman's voice before she and the deer turned to and left.
Leo blinked in wonder, "What did that mean?" He asked himself.
Back at the village, The three turtle brothers and islander sisters were lined up together as Orimura was infront them while Naomi, Olly, Leatherhead and the four humans stood off to the side with Dariyasa, Ryuga, Harumi and the elders, "Young ones, you mastered the principals of Stealth, Strength, Honor, Weaponry and Discipline," Orimura said, walking in front of the turtles Before stopping near Mikey who was busy chewing on some pizza. "in a manner of speaking," He said pointedly.
Mikey realized what he was doing and hid his pizza behind his back and smiled sheepishly. Orimura shook his head and continued.
"But you haven't achieve the first of the eighteen Ninjistu Arts, the ancient sue-yu. Or as you all would call, spiritual refinement. All true ninja must master it." He said while giving a brow at Mikey.
Mikey blinked and gave a look, "Hey, who said I'm not spiritually-" He started before he gave a burp, which caused the others to turn to him. "Whoa! Must've been-" He made another burp, which made him stood silence as he gave a smile. "Okay. You win. Maybe not totally refined."
"Indeed, which is why, once Leonardo has returned, I will explain what today's lesson shall be," Orimura said.
"What's taking Leo so long anyway?" Vee asked in wonder. "He should've been back from the forest by now."
"A simple hunting practice in the woods shouldn't take him this long, even with a hurt leg." Tal said while rubbing her chin. "You think he's back in shape yet?"
"Hardly," Orimura answered, surprising them before he turned to the woods, "And if you require proof," he started while pointing forward.
Then stumbling out of the woods, was Leo with his bow and arrows, "Leo," Raph, Mikey and Donnie said in surprise as Leo fell to his knees.
"Leo!" Vee said as she and Raph rushed to the Blue-Clad Turtle and helped him up, "Are you okay?"
"I just got my shell kicked by a stag in the woods," Leo explained with a wince.
"A deer? That's odd," Naomi commented with a brow, "The deer around here are actually quite friendly,"
Orimura then walked over to Leo, "Leonardo's experience shall come as an example to you all," He said.
"Going into the woods on a bum leg is a bad idea?" Raph guessed sarcastically only to receive a whack on the head by Orimura, "Ow!" He yelped and held his head.
"No. It's exactly what he needs. What you all need." Orimura said seriously, pointing to the four boys and four girls, "Because you have grown complacent, too depend on technology, and distracted by television and Pizza that you have become at odds with the forces of nature itself."
"He's right." Leo said, understanding what Oriumra saying. "A true must become one with nature to master himself."
"Hey, you leave TV and Pizza out of this!" Mikey said before Orimura whacked him in the head as well. "Ow! I was just saying!"
"In the time you have been here, I have observed your strengths, weaknesses, fighting styles and weapon usage," Orimura said, pacing infront of them, "So now the time has come for you to pass the final test before you may be called true Ninja: The Spirit Trial." He said seriously.
The eight turtles looked at each other, "Uh, The what now?" Jenny questioned.
"It's a pilgrimage every ninja must undergo before they can be called a true warrior," Olly said turning to Naomi, "Naomi and I had ours a few years back," He said as Naomi nodded.
"I think Master Splinter mentioned this before." Donnie said while rubbing his chin. "He said only when you become one with nature can you make peace of yourself."
"Make peace?" Raph questioned. "What are we, hippies? We're ninjas!"
"Donatello is correct." Orimura said to them, which caused the group to look at him. "And clearly it is needed if you are to overcome your burdens because if you cannot you will never stand a chance against the Shredder," He said.
Leo's eyes widened as he remembered what the woman he saw said, "You are still burdened,"
"What? What burdens?" Raph asked.
Orimura drew his sword and pointed at Raph, "Raphael, you believe your anger is what gives you strength but your lack of control turns it into a crippling weakness," He said strictly.
Raph grimaced and huffed, knowing that to be true while Mikey laughed before Orimura pointed his sword at him next.
"Michelangelo, Your need to constantly be moving in time with the illusions of your mind leaves you vulnerable to enemies, thus jeopardizing your brother's safety," Orimura said as Mikey looked sheepish and tapped his finger.
Orimura then turned to Donnie and pointed his sword at him, "Donatello, your mind is indeed powerful, but you lack the ability to seek other methods to overcome your trials and act upon them quickly," He said as Donnie wilted slightly.
Orimura then rounded on Jenny, "Jennika, you rely too much on your strength and disregard to Ninja's power of Stealth in battle," He said as Jenny crossed her arms and looked away as Orimura turned to Ames.
"Amoly, you rush into battle with no thought or strategy while ignoring your enemies' superior skills to your own," Orimura said as Ames slumped down concededly.
Orimura then aimed his sword to Tal, "Talena, you rely on the power of your mind so much that you fail to see the strength your body truly holds," He stated as Tal held her hands while frowning as Orimura turned to the last two.
"Venus De Milo, you have great gifts and mastery of your energy but without the belief in yourself to fuel them, you will never achieve what you are capable of," Orimura said, pointing his sword to Vee who gave a look of acceptance.
Orimura then pointed his sword to Leo. "And you, Leonardo. You have a perfect balance of both, but in your heart there is one thing keeping your inner warrior chainee." He finished as Leo looked down slightly. "Only when you overcome this weaknesses shall you be called Ninja."
"Then we better get started." Leo said with determination.
"You will do three days of meditation and practice awareness in the wilderness, and only eating what you can forage, either with items you bring or whatever food you find in the forest." Orimura instructed them. "On the second night, you shall be met with a guide that shall direct you towards your spiritual adversary where you must find what you have lost and return to the village as true Ninja."
"Three days?! We're gonna live like animals!" Mikey cried out dramatically as he started running around with screams.
"Wait, how come Olly and Naomi don't have to go?" Raph questioned. "If we're all doing it, they should too!" He complained.
"Sorry, Raph, but Naomi and I already passed our Spiritual Trials." Olly said to them. "So we're already a true Ninja and Samurai."
"Aw man," Raph complained.
Casey then leans over to his friends, "I think Olly's dad's been breathing in too much of the meditation smoke," he whispered.
"No, Grandmaster Orimura's right," April said with a smile. "Camping's a great idea. I'm tired of being stuck in the village."
"I am sorry, April. But this Trial is for third class Ninja only." Orimura said with an apologetic look.
"What? B-but, I'm almost a Kunoichi!" April complained.
"Precisely," Orimura said before he grabbed April's arm and quickly flipped her over and pinned her down with an arm on her back, "You are still severely lacking in most areas, so while Leonardo and the others are finding their spiritual strength, we will continue honing your other skills," He told the O'Neil girl.
"Yes, Grandmaster." April groaned as Orimura let go of her and she rubbed her arm.
"Wow, April just got spanked." Robyn commented.
"Oh nodey-dodey." Keno chuckled.
"Cool. Looks like we'll be stuck in the village training." Casey said as the eight turtles stood up and walked off to the grand hut.
In the kitchen, Ice Cream Kitty meowed while in the freezer while Mikey is packing some food. "Thanks for the 'To-Go' bag, Ice Cream Kitty. I'm sure gonna miss you when I'm out there getting all natured up." He said as he stood up and scratched ICK's chin. "Kitty, kitty, kitty." He said as Ice Cream Kitty purred with a meow.
Once the turtles had gathered all their gear, they stood at the gates where their friends and family would see them off, "Remember my children, this Trial is more than mastering your physical skills, it finding the balance within and without," Dariyasa advised them.
"We will, mom. Don't worry." Vee said with a smile as she and her sisters hugged their mother.
Olly then turned towards Leo. "Now, Leo, as leader of the group, you have to learn to adapt, to try and overcome whatever comes your way, whether it be alone or together." He then leans close to whisper in Leo's ear. "And between you and me, the Spirit Trial is more real than you think. So watch your shell out there."
"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind." Leo nodded with a smile as he turned to the others. "Alright team, let's go." He said as the group then walked further into the forest as their friends watched them go.
"Will they be okay out there?" Leatherhead asked in concern.
"They will face challenges ahead, but I am certain they will return as true ninjas." Orimura assured them as they watched the eight disappear into the forest.
Once the eight turtles are in the forest, the first thing they do is meditate on the treetops. When they were foraging some food, Mikey was taking some nuts from the squirrels, before he screamed and ran off when the squirrel chased after him.
Ames saw this as she giggled. "Never take food from squirrels, Mikey." She said in amusement. A bit later, they meditate again with the wind blowing from the treetops.
After meditating, they are walking in a creek with their survival bags above their heads. When Leo stepped, he cringed and nearly lost his balance. "You okay, Leo?" Vee asked in concern.
"I-I'm fine. Just lost my footing there." Leo assured her as he stood straight. "Let's keep going." He said as they continued on while Vee looked at him in concern.
At night, it started raining as they all huddled together in a small cave keeping them dry while Raph was getting a fire going. "Are you sure you got this, Raph?" Jenny asked. "What if it's too wet?"
"Don't worry. It will work." Raph assured her as he kept going. When he saw he was getting a smoke, he slightly blew on it, which lit into flames as he smiled. "See. I told you I got it!" He said as the eight all cheered at Raph's success, acting like cavepeople who first discovered fire.
The next day, the eight turtles are standing on rocks on a creek while practicing their ninja forms in perfect sync. When they went back up to meditate in the trees, Mikey felt a squirrel on his shoulder and it gave him an acorn, which Mikey smiled in appreciation.
The day suddenly turned to night and the winds swirled around them fiercely causing them to look up as Violet vortex of purple energy formed in the sky above them. "Ah! It's happening!" Mikey yelled as he lost his balance and fell from the tree as he landed on the ground as the others jumped down beside him.
"What was that?" Jenny wondered aloud.
"I think it might be a sign we've entered the spirit plane," Vee guessed, "This must mean this is the next part of our trial."
"Or Mikey's crazy is contagious." Raph said with a smirk.
"No, we all saw it, Raph." Ames said with a shrug as Leo turned and saw the deer from before.
"Whoa! Guys, look!" Leo said as he pointed to where the deer was, but it was gone. "I think it's the same deer. I think it's been following us." He said as he saw the deer roaming around them and disappearing behind the trees.
"Ah, it's probably laughing at the eight dumb turtles lost in the woods." Jenny joked.
"Actually, in the Shinto religion, deer are considered the messengers of the divine." Donnie said to them.
"So maybe it means we're on the right path if it's following us." Tal said as they saw the deer walk out from behind the tree but in the form of a tall man-like creature, with white fur and golden markings on it.
The turtles' eyes widened in alarm, "What the-?!" Raph said in shock.
"Another mutant?!" Ames exclaimed.
Leo held up his arm, "No, it's not a mutant," He said before they did anything rash.
"He's right, this deer, I think it's a spirit," Vee said in wonder.
"W-what does it want?" Donnie asked nervously.
The Deer looked at the turtles, seemingly studying them, before turning and walking away, "Hey, where ya going?" Mikey called, the Deer stopped and turned back to them.
Leo then understood, "I think, it wants us to follow it," He said to the others.
"And why should we follow this freaky spirit deer thing?" Jenny asked sarcastically.
"Compared to Swamp monsters, Bigfoot hunters, Kraang Hybrids, Frogmen, Dream Beavers, living cars, and Fish-bird-worm things, this is the first freak trying to help us." Vee told her sister.
They all looked at her for a moment before Donnie shrugged. "Eh, she got us there." He said in agreement.
"Okay, so we follow the spirit deer. Cool." Raph said as they all began to follow the deer as they walked further into the woods.
As the turtles walked deeper into the forest, following the Deer, they came upon a campfire with the same hooded woman Leo had encountered alongside the deer.
"I've been expecting you," The woman said, looking towards the turtles Before turning to the deer, who turned back to its animal form, "Well done, old friend," She said as the Deer walked over and sat next to her.
"You again," Leo said, recognizing her.
The woman removed her hood, revealing herself to be a middle-aged woman with brown hair, two bangs framing her face, and wrinkles under her eyes and sides of her mouth, "I am Hopu, your guide in this Trial," she introduced while gesturing to the fire, "Please, sit with us,"
The turtles looked at each other and shrugged before sitting around the fire, "Thank you, Hopu," Vee said as the boys and girls sat close to their significant other, "You said you were expecting us?"
"Indeed, I understand that your progress in this pilgrimage has been lacking, due to your fear of The Shredder," Hopu said as the turtles gave solemn looks. She then pulled out a brown pouch with some blue dust, "Which is why I shall give you an even greater purpose to succeed,"
She then poured some of the dust into her hands, cupped them and closed her eyes. The turtles watched as she then held the dust close to her mouth and blew it into the fire, as the flames turned blue.
The eight teens gasped in surprise as Hopu held her hands up, doing a mantra in an unknown language as the flames swirled upwards, forming the blue specter of a familiar rat mutant before them. "Master Splinter!" They all said in shock and awe.
"Watashi no musukotachi yo." Master Splinter spoke to them in Japanese.
"Are you like.. a ghost?" Mikey asked, in slight fear.
"My spirit has become detached from my body, but that body still lives." Splinter said, looking over all of them, "It was only thanks to Hopu that I am able to speak to you now,"
"So, You are alive?!" Leo asked, standing up, "Where are you, Father? Let us help you!" He begged.
"You cannot yet, there is much you must overcome." Splinter stated, turning to Leo, "If you cannot find your inner spiritual strength, you will never stand a chance against the Shredder or the Kraang."
Leo looked down in doubt, "But, Master Splinter my leg injury it's, it's physical. Until I heal..." Leo tried to say before Splinter placed a hand on his shoulder again.
"We choose what holds us back, and what moves us forward." Splinter said wisely as the turtles listened intently, "You will all learn this; each of you must now journey out alone to face your spiritual adversary and overcome your burdens." He said, looking at all of them.
"Raphael, your temper must tamed if you are to find more power, be focused and controlled, like Fire," Splinter said to Raph as the Red-clad Turtle nodded in understanding.
"Jennika, you rely too heavily on power and none in stealth, be swift and unforeseen, like Lightning," Splinter told Jenny as she gave a resolute expression.
"Michaelangelo, your mind is overrun with distractions and excitement. Learn to be calm and patient, like the Earth." Splinter told Mikey, who nodded.
"Amoly, you must learn to think before you charge into battle, be slow and wise, like Nature," Splinter told Ames as she nodded.
"Donatello, your mind focuses too long and hard on one way to success and ignores all other, be flexible and adapt, like the Water," Splinter advised Donnie as he nodded seriously.
"Talena, you depend too much on your strength of mind and not on your strength of body, be immovable and strong, like Metal." Splinter instructed Talena as she gave him a confirming nod.
"Venus, your doubt in yourself inhibits the abilities slumbering inside yourself, be firm and confident, like Ice," Splinter said to Vee as she bowed her head in acceptance.
"Leonardo, you must learn to be the leader in both body and spirit. Be like the Wind, let nothing weigh you down." Splinter finished to Leo as the eldest turtle gave a determined expression, "Sleep now, my children, for the greatest part of your Trial awaits here on the spiritual plan. For the challenges you face here, will be just as deadly as the foes you face in the real world." He said before he vanished in a swirl of flames, leaving them with only two words.
"Be warned…" The turtles all look at where Splinter's spirit was as the fire turned orang again. they all have solemn looks after hearing and seeing him again after three months as they try to recompose themselves while Leo looks to Hopu.
"Thank you," he said gratefully as Hopu smiled and nodded.
The next day, the group woke up as the fire was put out and noticed that Hopu and her deer were gone. "Whoa, that was deep," Mikey commented.
"Really deep," Ames added in wonder.
"So, what next?" Vee asked as they all looked to Leo.
"Master Splinter made our quest clear. It's time we begin Ninjas." He said as he turned to them with determination.
"Each of us will forge new armor and weapons, then journey on alone. Where we'll be challenged here in the spirit realm, a place where the unreal becomes realm. And we meet our ultimate fate." Leo instructed as Leo now had a bow and arrow, Raph had Takagi claws and flamethrowers with gas tanks on his back, Mikey had two kama blades, Donnie had an axe-bladed staff, Venus crafted a twined-bladed sword, Jenny was armed tonfas with retractable blades, Tal had a Kamayari staff, and Ames wielded Kunai daggers with satchels on her sides.
The eight turtles also wore new ninja masks, bandages, and knee and elbow pads in paler versions of their colors. Cloth hoods of matching colors over their heads and on each of their belts were symbols of the elements Splinter had designated to them.
They all stood at the flag with their elements, steeling themselves for what would come. But then they heard munching as they turned and saw Mikey trying to eat the frozen pizza he packed. "Mikey, stay focused!" Raph said, snapping Mikey out of it. "Remember what Master Splinter said? The things we're gonna fight are just as dangerous as Shredder." He reminded him as he closed his eyes.
Mikey looked at his pizza before he gave a serious look and tossed it away. "Hope you two like pizza, Hopu, and magic deer!" He called out before he got into his ready stance.
Leo then opened his eyes, "It's time," He said as they all nodded, "Good luck everyone, Kentou-o." He said while bowing his head.
"Kentou-o." The other repeated, bowing as well before they all turned and headed into the forest as a thick fog fell over the area.
Leo walked through the foggy woods, but with his leg, it was difficult. He then felt something woosh past him and he looked around before he turned and saw the Deer. The two locked eyes before it ran off, "Wait!" Leo called as he chased after it, "Wait!" He repeated and found himself on an old bridge, with the fog hiding anything below.
Leo looked down and then in front of him as he saw the deer in its humanoid form. The bridge swayed and shook, knocking him off balance momentarily before he fell off and grabbed the bridge at the last second.
As he pulled himself up, a Foot Soldier with a blue color jumped onto the rope, followed by a Kraang Droid of the same color. "A Foot Soldier and a Kraang?" Leo asked in surprise as the two bad guys jumped away as Leo stood up and ready his bow and arrow. "Were they real?" He wondered before he turned and saw a Kraang droid flying towards him, he started firing arrows at it but missed as it flew past him and into the clouds before throwing stars were tossed to him, but Leo blocked them with his bow.
Leo looked up when he saw a Foot Soldier charging towards him with a sword raised, which he rolled to dodge as he reared his arrow again, but then he saw more Kraang Droids and Foot Soldiers surrounding him from both sides. "Okay, not cool. Definitely not cool." He said with a glare.
Vee held a hand in front of her face as she was greeted by a blast of cold, and when she looked, she found herself on a field of ice with a snowstorm raging around her, "What the? Wasn't I just in the forest?" She wondered aloud.
She then noticed a shadow through the storm, "Hello? Is someone there?" She called only to be greeted by Foot Soldiers and Kraang Droids with cyan tinge to them, "Guess I'm in the right place," She said, pulling out her sword.
Raph resurfaced from a pool of water and found himself in what looked like an underground cave, "So much for finding a hidden pirate ship, waste of time," He complained as he swam to the edge and climbed out before noticing some torches around him.
"Huh, someone's gotta be in here keeping those torches lit," Raph was correct as stepping out of the shadows were Foot Soliders and Kraang Droid in red and holding flaming weapons as Raph gasped in shock, "Aw, sewer-cakes," He griped as the spirit foes aimed their weapons at him.
Jenny ran onto what looked like a grassy plain as above her the clouds crashed and banged with thunder and lightning, "Huh, was pretty sunny earlier," She commented as she started walking.
Through the tall grass, Jenny could feel something or someone was watching her. She looked around before she turned and slashed a yellow Kraang droid with her Tonfas as it poofed in a cloud of yellow smoke. "Figures I wouldn't be alone." She said that before looking around, a flash of lightning revealed multiple Kraang Droids and Foot Soldiers surrounding her, all of which were yellow, and she sighed. "Aw, shell." She muttered before pulling out her tonfas.
Donnie was currently trudging through a large fast-moving river. "For all I know, this isn't even the right direction. Boy, I really miss GPS guidance right about now." He told himself as he was trying to get across it.
Then something blasted close to his feet, "Whoa! What the?!" Donnie shouted in shock as he turned and saw there were foot bots and Kraang Droids, that were purple, with the Kraang aiming their blasters at him.
"Hey! Watch where you're pointing those things! Aren't you afraid you'll short circuit in the water?!" Donnie questioned before realization came to him, "Unless.. you don't care what happens cause.. you're an apparition of the spirit plane!" he said before they rushed him. "Heheh, I hate being right." He said nervously as he grabbed hold of his weapon.
Tal was currently shimming across the side of a mountain, "Fascinating, this mountain seems to be made of unique iron ore," She noted before looking down, "And that is a long way down," She gulped as all she saw were clouds.
But then, some boulders came falling down as she looked up and saw Kraang Droids and Foot Soldiers, with a periwinkle coloration, who were slamming the side of the mountain with hammers, causing rockslides, "Whoa! What's wrong with you?! Are you trying to bring this whole thing down?!" Tal demanded, barely dodging the rocks, "Wait, maybe you don't care because…you're just spirits made to look the Foot and Kraang," She realized.
The two droids slammed down on the boulder, which got it loose and started falling, which Tal avoided as she moved aside while the rocks fell into the clouds. She looked up and saw the two enemy groups rushing towards her. "Oh, I should've kept my mouth shut." She muttered as she readied her Kamyari staff.
Mikey found himself in a large gorge with rock pillars that he could jump across and small caves in the walls on either side of him. "Wow, this is one honking hole." Mikey commented before he was knocked over from the side, which caused him to jump to his feet and draw his weapons. "Who's there?!" He questioned before he was knocked down again and swung his blades around. "Come out!" He ordered as he searched around.
Mikey then threw a throwing star at one of the caves, which a Foot Soldier caught with its two fingers. "Your camo is so weak, dawg!" He taunted before multiple eyelights appeared in the blackness of the cave, "Whoa!" He said in fright and white disk eyes. "Either I'm wrong about the camo, or I'm about to fight a ten-eye monster!" He said that coming out of the cave were some Foot Soldiers and Kraang Droids, who were orange as they drew their weapons. "Oh, I was wrong about the camo!" He screamed as he leaped away.
Ames was in a plateau of trees in a thick fog. She moved from one tree to the next, always keeping her guard up. "Alright freaky spirits guys, come out, come out wherever you are," She said with her hands close to her satchels.
Ames then heard footsteps echoing around her, "I know you're out there! Come out and face me if you got the guts! I dare you!" She called out before she saw multiple glowing eyes through the fog, "Oh boy, why do I feel like I bit off more than I could chew?" Ames asked in slight worry.
Then, pink Foot Soldiers and Kraang Droids appeared from the fog as they ready their weapons. "Yep. I bit off more than I can chew." She said before they started rushing towards her. "Should've kept my mouth shut." She whimpered as she dodged a throwing star.
Back on the bridge, Leo was shooting arrows at the spirit foes, "Keep 'em coming! I can do this all day!" Leo boasted as he shot at the Kraang and Foot causing them to poof in blue smoke. Once they were all gone, Leo looked around, "That's it? I've still got more arrows, guys," He said.
But then he jinxed himself when the lines of the bridge started snapping, much to his panic, "Oh no! No, no, no!" Leo said as he rushed to the other side before the bridge, and he fell screaming into the cloudy abyss. He grabbed a stray rope and swung back upwards to the side of a mountain.
A Foot Solider on the other side looked before it was pulled down by Leo's bow as the turtle climbed up, "Hah, not as tough, as I thought," Leo panted and continued on.
In the Canyon, Mikey jumped from rock to rock as he mopped up the Kraang and Foot, reducing them to orang smoke. He then jumped from rock after rock while he was fighting off the bots by jumping from tree to tree. Mikey finished off the last bot by grabbing its back and flipping downwards until he slammed it on the ground and it disappeared. But he was attacked again suddenly and slammed into another rock pillar. He looked up and saw Stockman-Fly above him.
"Long time no zzzzee, Turtle." Stockman-Fly buzzed.
"Buzzter Stockboy?!" Mikey asked in surprise.
"It's Baxter Zzztockman!" Stockman-Fly retorted in anger, "And Juzzzt for that, I'm gonna make thizzz, bzzz, even more painful!" He said before shooting some acid at Mikey.
In the Forest, Ames jumped from tree to tree, throwing her kunai at the bad guys, causing them to poof away, "Yeah, take that! And That!" She said with a smirk as the last Droid was gone, "Ha! Ames one, and spirit lamos, zer-" She was cut off when something grabbed her from the side, and she slammed into a tree.
Then rising up from the fog was a familiar zombie wolf, "Been a long time," Rahzar said with a smirk.
"Oh boy, Rahzar?!" Ames said in fright as she hid behind the tree, "Uh, good doggy, nice? Maybe I've got a nice juicy bone for you," She said nervously.
"Oh you have many bones I can feast upon," Rahzar said wickedly before he lunged at her with his jaws wide open.
With Raph, he was fighting the Foot and Kraang in the cave. "I would've been way more into this quest if I knew I'd get to slap some Foot and Kraang around!" Raph said excitedly as more jumped down behind him. Raph ignited his flamethrowers and incinerated the bots in an instant. A bot came from behind him and tried to attack from behind, but Raph grabbed the torch and aimed his arm at him before firing at him as well.
"Yeah!" Raph said in victory before he saw something bubbling in the water. "Huh?" He asked in confusion before suddenly seeing a familiar cybernetic Snakehead jump from the water and lunge at him as he dodged.
"Fishface? Here?" Raph asked in shock as Fishface turned to him.
"That temper fizzles fast underwater, doesn't it, Tartaruga?" Fishface asked before he jumped in the air with a screech and gave a double kick.
With Jenny, she stabbed and jabbed at the Foot and Kraang in the grass field. "This is kinda fun! No wonder Olly took the spirit quest thing! Makes fighting and beating up bad guys more fun!" She called as she then took out every last one of the bots. "What? It's over already? If that's all you got this spirit quest is gonna be cake." She boasted.
But then there was a growl as a figure rushed through the grass behind her, "Huh?" Jenny said, turning around, but then it was on the other side. As she turned, "Okay punk, you wanna go, then stop hiding in the grass and face me like a turtle." She demanded before the figure leaped out behind her.
"So the little cub thinks she is a true hunter," Tigerclaw said as Jenny whipped around and faced him, "If you truly wish for a fight than allow me to show the difference between our strengths," He continued as he slammed his paws together in time with the thunder.
"Tigerclaw?!" Jenny asked in shock and slight fear while backing away a bit. "No, you're just part of the test! I'm not afraid of you!" She said before Tigerclaw punched her to the face, sending her sliding to the ground.
"Are you afraid now?" Tigerclaw taunted.
"Possibly." Jenny groaned while rubbing her face.
At the river, the Kraang continued firing at Donnie while he fought the Foot soldiers fought him in close combat. "You wanna fight a freshwater turtle in the river?!" Donnie asked as he leap back and raised his axe, "Fine with me!" He then swung his axe, creating a large wave that swept away the enemies.
Donnie gave a proud laugh, "Hey, the Spirit Trial's way easier than I thought," He said, putting his axe away and noticing the bird silhouette above him. "All it takes is little quick thinking-!" He was cut off when a very familiar Falcon mutant huntress landed in front of him.
"Oh, you'll need more than quick thinking to take me, Mate," Koya said with a smirk while sharpening her wing blades.
"Koya!?" Donnie asked nervously. "No, you're just another spirit disguised as her. You can't be real-WHAAA!" He screamed as Koya took flight and lifted Donnie from the river, flew him around before tossing him back into the river.
"That feel real enough for ya, Mate?" Koya asked while in the air.
"Absolutely," Donnie said weakly while he floated on the river.
On the mountain, the Foot and Kraang kept slamming the mountain while Tal was fighting others on the side of the mountain. "You guys need help bringing down the mountain?" She questioned before she whacked the bots close to her away before jumping up and taking out the top ones. "Let me show you how!" She yelled as she slammed her weapon down, which caused the mountain to crumble and the side of it to fall off while taking out the Foot and the Kraang. "Sweet! I'm starting to get the hang of this. A little quick thinking and they're down."
But then a fist punched through the rock wall behind her as walking out was a familiar alien bounty hunter, "We're just getting started," Newtralizer said with a growl as he cracked his neck, "Let's see how quick your thinking is when I smash you head into to the Rokka-Rokka-Rokka-Rokka!" He chanted.
"Newtralizer?!" Tal asked in shock while backing up, "It can't be! You were vaporized by the Kraang Walker, there's no way you're for real!" She denied as Newtralizer smirked.
"Here, let me test that theory!" He said, raising his blaster gauntlet and firing at her.
At the ice field, Vee used her twined blade weapon to stab each Foot and Kraang, using some of the ice to skate around and knock them off balance. "Got use what got around me." She said as she then turned and stabbed and slashed each one before she used her blade to decapitate two heads, one a Kraang and the other a Foot, as they went poof. "Phew, that was close. Nearly had me for a second."
"Don't be so sure, little girl," Vee perked up and turned to see a woman with a fox mask staring at her, "Your True battle is yet to begin," Kitsune told her.
"Kitsune?!" Vee asked as she stepped back a bit. "Seeing how you're my adversary, the others are fighting the other foot goons, right?" She asked while reading her sword.
"You are correct," Kitsune said while drawing her Hypno stone. "You are one of the spiritual inheritance, so you would know that I shall show no mercy,"
"Yeah, I had a feeling it would be something like that." Vee said as the two then charged at each other and clashed weapons.
With Leo, he was climbing up a mountain and was looking around. Leo looked ahead and saw the deer, staring back at him. "What is it? What is your lesson?" Leo asked the deer.
"Lesson?" a familiar cold voice asked suddenly. Leo whipped around and saw his worst nightmare standing right behind him. "You've already failed, Boy." Shredder mocked.
"Shredder!" Leo said in shock before glaring.
Shredder then extended his blades and stalked towards Leo, "You are too weak to stand without your master." he taunted as Leo drew his swords and charged at him. He blocked his swords with his blades and quickly went behind him. "You can hardly stand at all!" He added before kicking him in Leo's injured leg, and the turtle screamed in pain.
With Ames, she was fighting Rahzar as she tried to block his claws, "Okay, down, boy! Heel!" She exclaimed as Rahzar grabbed her weapons. "Can't we take a breather?!" She desperately asked.
With Mikey, he was running around while avoiding acid spit as he dodged and hid behind a rock as Stockman-Fly kept attacking him. "Hey! Pause! Pause!" He called as he avoided another acid, which caused the rock pillar to fall as he quickly rolled to avoid getting crushed. "Give me a sec, spirit dude!" He called out as he wrestled with Stockman-Fly's pincers.
Tal was fighting Newtralier from the mountain as she slammed down and destroyed the platform below him, causing him to fall with a yell. Tal looked down only to see Newtralizer jump back up with a roll, laughing evilly. He then landed behind her and grabbed her staff, laughing with an insane expression before knocking her back with her weapon.
With Donnie, he spun his staff, deflecting Koya's feather blades as she charged and swiped her wing blades; he barely dodged her before the falcon grabbed him by the face and threw him into the air.
As he came back down, Donnie saw Koya reeling her fist back, "Oh, this gonna hurt," He whimpered before he was socked in the face.
Jenny was still fighting Tigerclaw in close combat, but she was having trouble fighting him as she kept attacking him. Tigerclaw kept blocking each one of her strikes as he gave a sinister laugh.
Tigerclaw then raised a fist over Jenny and slammed it down.
With Raph, he was dragged underwater by Fishface before being pinned to the floor, struggling to breathe. He was thrown upwards before Fishface repeatedly attacked him rapidly from all sides. Then, he was sent flying out of the water and into a wall nearby.
Vee clashes weapons with Kitsune as they fight on the ice field, and some snow is flying around because of their dueling. "You fight well, turtle. But you have yet mastered your skills." Kitsune said as she moved her chain ball around and wrapped it around Vee. "You aren't even using your full strength."
"Well, at least I'm trying my best," Vee growled before she spun and kicked Kitsune off and landed on her feet with her weapon ready. "I won't give up, no matter what." She said as she charged at Kitsune again.
With Leo, he was still trying to fight off the Shredder as they kept climbing to a higher ledge on the mountain. Shredder roared with rage as Leo blocked another attack. Leo backflipped into the air before jumping high and trying to deliver a ground slash on him, but Shredder side-stepped out of the way before grabbing his sword. Leo tried using his other one before Shredder grabbed it, disarming the Blue-clad turtle and pushing him back. Shredder spun the swords before embedding them into the ground before marching back to him.
With Ames, Rahzar snarled and disappeared into the fog. Ames looked around, trying to locate him as his slashmarks covered the tree trunks.
"No, this isn't working, I can't just keep dodging him forever," Ames realized as she breathed, "I need to stop and think. Like Master Splinter said, be still and calm like Nature." She said as she closed her eyes and crossed her arms while holding her daggers backhanded, "If I can't see him, I'll have to hear him. Just listen, listen." She said as she stood there for a moment and listened carefully, and through the silence, she heard a drop of water land on something.
Then Rahzar jumped from above Ames as she dodged Rahzar's strikes with ease before she gave a yell and stabbed Rahzar from his muzzle, then flipped over him and slashed Rahzar through the chest as he vanished into pink smoke.
With Mikey, he was still avoiding Stockman-Fly while avoiding his acid spits before hiding behind a rock pillar. "Okay, Mikey, what did Master Splinter say? Be still and patient like the Earth." He said as he stood still and focused before he pictured Ice Cream Kitty in his thought bubble, which he slashed with his weapon. "Not now, kitty! Need to focus!" He yelled before he closed his eyes again.
"If I concentrate and let him come to me, I know I can beat him," Mikey said as he spun his weapon back, "Wait for it. Wait for it." He said as the wind blew over the canyon and he heard a buzzing sound, he quickly used weapons to slash at a rock pillar, causing it to fall. it crushed Stockman-Fly, and he vanished in a puff of orange smoke while Mikey stood there seriously.
With Tal, she was tossed around before she tumbled down the mountain and into a platform. Newtralizer laughed and threw one of his exploding discs, which exploded as the boulders came down. Tal screamed as she covered herself as the boulders came down to her, but once the smoke cleared, she saw that she was standing on a lone pillar as Newtralizer was at the side while licking his chops at her.
"Oh dear, what do I…" Tal panicked before shaking her head, "No, I can't think, I need to stand my ground, immovable, right?" She said as she stood up and glared at Newtralizer as he charged at her, and the two got into a strength match.
"And they say you're the smart one like that turtle who freed me from the Kraang, Rokka-Rokka?" Newtralizer mocked as he pushed against. "I'm bigger and more skilled. You will be torn, limb from limb. Rokka-Rokka!"
Tal struggled to push Newtralizer back as she remembered what Master Splinter said to her. "Be immovable and strong, like Metal." His words echoed in her head. Tal took a deep breath before she grabbed Newtralizer and tossed him over the mountain, he screamed and disappeared into the abyss while Tal stood there with a serious look at where Newtralizer fell.
Back at the river, Donnie skidded across the water before he landed in the shallow end of a lake while Koya flew above him, "Oh, this hopeless," Donnie moaned as he pushed himself up, "How am I supposed to fight a bird in an air-"
Donnie then remembered, "No, like Master Splinter said, I can't think too hard on one way to defeat my opponent, I need to adapt," He said before looking to the deeper end of the lake, "If your opponent has an advantage, put them where their strength is a weakness." He said as an Idea came to him.
Koya then dove down, "Now I gotcha, ya drongo!" She declared with her talons out.
"Wrong, I got you!" Donnie said as he pulled down his mask and held out his arms, "Because, unlike you, I can swim!" He said as he grabbed Koya and he rolled both of them into the deep part of the lake.
After a few moments, Donnie resurfaced and breathed in some much-needed air, "Now that's what I call fowl play," He quipped before swimming back to shore.
Jenny was still fighting Tigerclaw, who was laughing at her as he kept punching her before he kicked her hard in the gut, which caused her to go flying. "Haven't you realized the difference in our strength, cub? I am a sensei, you are barely a student!" Tigerclaw taunted as Jenny landed on the ground.
Jenny growled in frustration before calming down, "Cool off, Jenn. You can't win with power," She told herself, "Just be faster and stealthier than Tony, like Splinter said, be like the Lightning." She said as she took out her tonfas, and then when the Lightning flashed, she disappeared.
"What?" Tigerclaw said in surprise and looked around, sniffing the air, "Where are you, reptile?" He called.
Then through each flash of lightning, Tigerclaw saw Jenny getting closer and closer before disappearing again. Tigerclaw looked around while growling, but then, he felt a sharp slash from his back, causing him to go poof into dust as Jenny stood behind where Tigerclaw with her right Tonfa pointing left.
"That was your ninth life, Puss in Boots." Jenny quipped with a serious tone and a smirk.
Back in the cave, Raph got up from the attack and took a deep breath. "Breath, Raph, Splinter is right. I need to concentrate, and focus my anger." Raph told himself as Fishface emerged from the water. "Sharpen it…give it form," H said as he put his hands together before drawing his blades and lighting them on fire.
"Ready for another swim? I bet your toys don't work so well underwater." Fishface taunted, marching up to him.
Raph turned around and slashed his blades before screaming with fury and charging at him, he stabbed him right in the chest and laughed confidently as he disappeared as well. "Yeah! I love me a fish fry!" Raph quipped in victory.
With Vee, she kept clashing weapons with Kitsune. Before her sword was knocked out of her hand, she was kicked in the chest and rolled across the frozen ground.
"You're like a young Eaglet who refuses to leave her nest, constantly dependent on the strength of others to survive," Kitsune taunted as she walked towards Vee with her claws out, "So now, I clip your wings,"
Vee got on her knees as she remembered what Master Splinter said to her. "Your doubt in yourself inhibits the abilities slumbering inside yourself, be firm and confident, like Ice." His words echoed in her mind.
Vee took a breather as she closed her eyes and stood up, and got into a ready stance with her twin-bladed sword ready as she charge at Kitsune, who was surprised by her action as the two clashed weapons again, which Vee seemed to have the edge this time while Kitsune struggles to keep up.
"You're right. I've always been afraid to use the gift I was born with, always dependent on the physical side of my training when I should've been focusing on my inner strength this whole time." Vee said as she kept pushing Kitsune back. "I've always been afraid of the powers I have, afraid that if I lose control, I would hurt those I cared for."
Vee then walked up to Kitsune, and her body began to glow; when Kitsune tried to attack her, Vee sent a powerful punch that sent her flying until she crashed into an ice spire. "This power?! Where is it coming from?!" Kitsune asked in shock.
"I have been studying chi since I was little," Vee said as her eyes kept glowing as she walked calmly towards Kitsune. "It's time I stop holding back what I've been given and start using them to to protect those I care about."
Kitsune tried to swing her chain ball at Vee, but she quickly sliced it in half as she then jabbed Kitsune in the chest, causing her to gasp as she poofed while Vee stood there with her eyes glowing.
With Leo, he was leaning against a wall as Shredder moved towards him, "Your wounded leg is like a rusted ball and chain, dragging down to defeat," Shredder mocked as Leo pulled and arrow and tried to jab in Shredder's face, but he grabbed him and held him in place, "No matter how hard you'll struggle the face remains: You are not Olivier." He finished as he kicked Leo higher up the peak.
Lighting flashes as Leo lands on the ground with a groan. "Shredder is right. My injury is always gonna hold me back.. I can't win." Leo said hopelessly right before he heard a snort. He looked up and saw the Deer floating in the air before it trotted and looked at his knee as Leo finally realized it.
"Unless.. the pain is just in my mind. It's just an excuse, it's not real!" Leo told himself right before he heard the sound of thunder. He looked behind him and saw a Kaiju-sized Shredder towering over him, laughing evilly.
The deer appeared in its humanoid form and turned to Leo before its body turned into blue energy and entered Leo's head.
"It is time we end this, turtle," Shredder mocked, drawing his huge blade.
"I agree," Leo said, turning to him with white eyes and looking more confident than ever. Shredder roared and slashed his blade on the mountain before Leo landed on it and ran upwards, Leo flipped onto his armor and jumped in the air before Shredder grabbed him with his huge hand. Leo had had enough and aimed his arrow right at him, Leo finally finished him off by shooting him straight into his eye.
Shredder roared with pain as he finally disappeared. Leo landed back on the ground and smiled confidently before picking up his swords.
"I beat you on the spirit plane, and one day, I'll beat you in the real world!" Leo said confidently.
Leo then looked down and saw Hopu staring up at him with a proud smile, "Well done, Leonardo, you are burdened no more."
Leo gave a determined nod as he sheathed his swords. "I'm ready." he declared.
In the village, Olly, Naomi, and their four human friends are training with Dariyasa, Orimura, and Leatherhead watching them. "They are getting stronger," Dariyasa said with a smile.
"Indeed, since coming to the island, their skills have much improved," Leatherhead added.
"But will it be enough to save New York?" Orimura questioned as they turned back, "Only time knows the answer."
Olly then stopped his training as he sighed. "Father, you've been saying that more times than I can count." He said as he walked up to them. "I know that we need practice, but New York and all those people are probably in more danger than ever! If there was ever a time to return, it's now!"
"Only when you are physically and mentally strong enough to face your enemies shall we allow you to leave," Orimura said firmly as Olly sighed.
"But what if the others are having trouble with their spirit trials?" Olly questioned. "I barely managed to pass mine."
"Yeah, he's right," April said as she, her three human friends, and Naomi walked up to them beside Olly. "What if the others are having trouble, or what if they got hurt and they…"
Orimura simply smiled and pointed behind them, "Then what is your argument to that?" He questioned.
The six turned and were surprised to see the eight turtles approaching in their spirit gear with flags of their elements on their backs. "You made it," Olly said in awe with a smile as the eight walked up to them.
"I never doubted you for a second," April said before Robyn elbowed her.
"Indeed," The group turned and saw Hopu and her deer approaching, "These eight overcame their weaknesses and found the balance with their strengths to journey through the Spirit Plane and come home alive," Hopu said with pride.
Dariyasa and Orimura then walked up to the eight, as the former looked into each of their eyes, "Yes, I can see it. Do you believe you found what you lost?" She asked them.
"We did," Leo answered without hesitation.
Orimura then nodded, "Then the time has come," He declared before glancing towards Ryuga, "Ryuga, prepare your men for battle." He ordered as Ryuga nodded and left.
"So, that means…" Keno asked slowly, a smile forming, as did Casey and the O'Neil girls.
"Yes, we're going back to New York," Olly said with full determination as they all stood together, with determined and courageous expressions. They looked up at the sky, ready to return to New York and free it from the Kraang and the Foot once and for all.
Yup, just like Olly said: The Island half of this season is over, and now it's time for us to return to New York. But don't worry, the Turtles will still call the Island home even after finding Splinter.
Also, the New Character, Hopu, is another OC created by Propimol.
Also, I've been thinking of giving the Turtles Mystical powers like their 2003 and Rise Counterparts, and I wanted to ask you guys which turtle should get what kind of powers and when would be the best time for them to unlock these powers.