The run felt like it took him an hour. Trying to get over the fact that he was always on the edge of falling down a mountain wasn't a good feeling at all. The best they could have done was make the path wider for a person to pass and carry a load behind them. But, no. No passing room (thank you nobody was coming in the other direction) with just barely enough space for his shell to jab at the Rock every now and then as his body bounced side to side with his movements. It felt like he had just hit a home run when he had the Wu Kwan in his sights with all the flat space stretching far and wide. Upon his arrival, his teacher opened up the door to the porch and stood in the doorway. With a cup of tea in her hand, she advised that he should take a moment's rest and come back. Apparently, she had a surprise in mind and wouldn't want it to be spoiled for him. Although he smiled and took off with it, he felt like it was go no to be very unpleasant. If anybody says there's a surprise briefly after getting cross with the other, there was nothing fun about the outcome. With the break, he had a good moment to dawn on the thought in the comforts of his home of a few months. When he first arrived, Leonardo dwelled on the fact that Venus may be home. She probably woke up and noticed that he had gone by now. Probably doesn't even want to see him right now. He had to admit, that was a really… um… Not really nice thing to do to her. Every morning they woke up together, so he sure wouldn't have gone unnoticed. He better try to make peace with her at least. Alas, wherever he looked, the lady turtle was nowhere to be found. Not in her room, not in her father’s room, not even in her glorious backyard. Venus probably took off somewhere. Miwa didn't mention whether or not she was in the Wu Kwan, so maybe she's somewhere else? The hole? An old friends? Oh no, what if she's with Yujin? She hadn't talked about him much since, but that couldn't mean that she's forget about him. Leo jumped onto the couch. He wished he could say that he cared whether or not it would break under his sudden weight, but now he could care less. Could he really have driven her back to her.. Her guy-friend? That was the last thing he would want and it was entirely his fault if she did. Oh, man. He may have messed up big time. The whole point of him going home for a while was a time for relaxation, but how was a turtle honing to relax with these thoughts through his head? He tried calling her, but with every call there was no answer. Typical. Well, if he wasn't going to relax, might as well go back and meet up with Miwa. Besides, keeping further bottled up feelings without blowing off some steam will make him repeat the same actions that brought him here in the first place. He went through the back entrance to where Miwa had sent him off from earlier that morning. On the walk there, he tried to drop the subject altogether in order to keep from taking his frustration too far in the face of his teacher. It wasn't her fault anyways. It was nobody's fault that he felt such a way. Nobody's fault but his. A careful hand turned the knob and pulled the door open. The creak of its hinges notified that someone was coming in. Upon closing it behind him, he stood there as he waited for the incoming footsteps to meet up with him. As spritely as ever, it was Miwa. Her cup was no longer in her hand after having finished it a while ago. Updated nag her face was a black mask made of some type of netting by material like chiffon of some sorts. The black shadowed her sharp eyes outlined by her edgy makeup. A torso of a silver plate adorned her along with strapped pads on both her shoulders and forearms. She looked ready for a fight. “Welcome back.” Her words were mellow. “I have someone in the dojo for you.” She didn't explain her new get up, which was odd since he had seen her wear nothing else but black pants and shirts. Something was definitely up. Good or bad for him, it was seriously leaning towards the bad side in his stomach. Like a good student, Leonardo followed as she led him to the other room. A lump in his throat went down as they neared the dojo. “Is Venus here? She wasn't back at the house.” He forced himself to say. Maybe talking could calm him down for the possible worst behind the door. “I don't want you thinking about her right now.” She snapped, letting half of her covered eye pierce his soul. “In other words, she brought him in for you.” Her face disappeared behind her head. “Him?” Leo questioned with a raised brow. His teacher did not answer. Miwa opened the door to the dojo and walked in. A small panic surged through the brave turtle for the surprise was just beyond this point. With a careful mind followed by confident steps, he tip toes into the room. Miwa was looking at one sode. A smile plastered on her red lips with her hands holding her hips. The turtle sealed a big lump of courage before looking at what she looked at so smugly. “There's the monkey boy!” The familiar, frog like croaking of the Ancient One sang so brightly. A squint in his eyes observed him more carefully. “You look sweaty, like a freshly washed cucumber only rotten looking.” He referred to his glistening state from walking over in the hot sun in addition to the anxiety he had coming in here. Normally, Leonardo would make some type of assurance that he heard his critique loud and clear, but for now, he was a little preoccupied. After hearing the Ancient One announce him, it turned around to see. The man had to be at least eight feet tall; a staggering giant next to the little old man. Was it right to refer to it as a man, as in, a human being? The creature wore a getup of blue pants and golden boots that curled at the toe. Not even the elf-ish style of his footwear made him any less intimidating. His physic was rock hard, rippling muscle everywhere including his four arms. Yes, his four, muscled arms shaded in the same blue-gray color of his body. Here and there, tufts of blonde hair lined his forearms and shoulders. He fancied a rather bushy beard that stopped just before the rope of his cranium. If he weren't interesting enough, a long tail with a striped pattern limped behind him. Mona had nothing on him when it came to length, but hey, she's supposed to have an adequate length and more thickness as a mixed salamander turtle. But this guy, what was he? “Heh. Just a little boy I see.” His haughty laugh frightened the confused turtle even more. He stood there like a dork, mouth still agape. “W-what? Who…?” Leonardo stammered. He couldn't function. The creature rendered him helpless, trying to comprehend his state of being. Was this what it's like when people meet him? Letting him suffering for a good few seconds, Miwa gave in, but with a sly smile. “This is D’Jinn.” She presented the strange creature with an extended hand. Her student continued to stare blankly. The teacher took hold of his bottom jaw and pushed it up. The click of his teeth snapped him out of his trance for he looked into her eyes and off the visitor. “You are going to be fighting him today.” Wait. Fight, him? The eight foot, four armed dude? Fight him? “Y-you mean like… right now?” Leonardo asked, wondering if he understood her right. With closed lids, she lowered her head. It's as bad as it sounded. “Whats the problem?” He laughed. “Afraid to get pummeled by an old timer?” His voice mixed of old and smoker, yet the deep bass surely did justice for his size. Leo gave his opponent another look over. In confusion, his eyebrows furrowed. Green lips pursed into an ‘o’. “Who?” The turtle almost sang as he liked back down to his teacher at his side. “What is he?” “Later. For now, prepare yourself Leonardo. This is one of your final tests. So far, you have learned and progressed with the new techniques I have taught you, but there is only one lesson left.” She approached the creature with amazing confidence. A space was created In the middle just before the Ancient One and the large gray man.“Defeat D’Jinn and you pass. If not, you are not the ninja we thought you were.” Well, that was encouraging. The student terrapin took one last look a D’Jinn before taking his place on the other side of the room. A list of advatnages and disadvantages went through his head. Master Splinter always warned him of never to assume anything during a fight, but if Miwa wanted him to fight him and apparently Venus did too, this guy had to be pretty good to pose a challenge to him. Leo walked to the other side of the dojo. Miwa and the Ancient One took refuge to a far corner of the room. ready to judge and spectate. D’Jinn casually sauntered to his place, letting his tail drag behind him. Leaning against the wall was a large, wooden bat that had the appearance of that of what a caveman would use. He chuckled as he grasped it and played with it childishly, showing off to the already worried terrapin. He turned around and face the turtle, smiling all the while. His nose stuck into the air. A couple audible sniffs went up his nose. “I can sense your fears, and your failure.” Two grey fists from the same side of his body formed, clenching at ‘failure’. The ninja turtle growled, teeth clenched so tight that his lips couldn’t hide his slight overbite. His animalistic voice grew higher in volume as he charged the awful creature. A leap in the air, he held out his katanas. A quick fip was added to assure a kick to the upper torso. Unfortuantely, his scheme was all too predictable. Before he could get a hit, he could see D’Jinn smile before winding up his bat and swatting him down. The flying turtle plodded onto the floor facedown. He tried to get up with his shaking arms, but D’Jinn gave hima brutal kick to the side of his shell. The power behind it sent him flying into the rafter. Thankfully, the wood barely splintered and kept the place upright. The shock was absorbed through his back armory, so it was more of a pinch than it would if he actually hit his skin. The terrapin caught himself and stuck the landing on the floor. When he looked up from his crouched position, he was less than pleased.“With everything that has happened, you are doomed to fail both yourself and others.” The blue bandana turtle stood up straight, katanas at his sides. “You don’t know what you’re talking about!” Again, he charged with great fury. Miwa and the Ancient One looked on in silence as the two got into a brief slashing battle before D’Jinn’s bat stopped the two katanas from cutting him vertically. Leonardo pushed down with all his might while the creature pushed up to hold him there. “Believe me, I do!” Suddenly, he pushed him back, shaking off the angry turtle. Then, he pulled hit bat over and behind his back, ready to spring. He swung down. Leonardo’s blades formed an ‘x’ in an attempt to guard against it. Suddenly, there was a bright flash. Donatello was in front of him. The cattle-like prods from the Foot shocked his already wet body in painful ways. With the addition of rain and the tech already on him, he was taking it the most. His grunts and held in screams were clearly audible, as if the Foot took the all over again. Then, there was Michelangelo. With the blood slowly withdrawing from them, he was the first to partake in its effects. Before Raphael had shown up, Leonardo looked to his right. His youngest, the happy one was pulled forward in a slumped position. Never had he seen his head hang low so involuntarily as his juvenile life was being sucked out of him and flowing through a tube. Another flash and he was back in the dojo; Right back into the middle of the fight. It was weird, but there was no time to register what happened as he found himself perfomring a double backflip to make space between his opponent. His hard footsteps shook the ground as he would up his bat again. Raphael, beaten to the floor and all he could do was watch his little brother fly and be humiliated by that monster. The sound of his bulky armor clinked and haunted his memories as he drew closer to his fallen brother. A foot pressed against his shell with hydronic force. More and more pressure pushed him down. The sound of the cracking bone that would soon become a crack in his shell began to break open under his shoe. The visions. Was this his mind playing tricks on him? Surely none of these thoughts were remotely near his brain at this time, but there there were. Clear and vivid. Such gruesome sights, he shook his head, hoping it would stop regenerating his past. Another charge came from the turtle, With his head in the clouds, he could think of no other tactic. It bothered him like crazy, but there wasn’t much he could do. He had to pass him test. D’Jinn waited patiently, which irked the turtle more as he pounced at him. With his legs curled back as well as both him arms, he wanted to dice up the arrogant alien. Before he could knick his skin. Two arms stopped him in mid air, gripping at his shoulder and the other at one of his legs. In a fit of rage, the D’Jinn wound up and smashed him into the floor, shell first. Then, there was Master Splinter. His body was being suspended by the same monster who did them wrong. As crisp as the real thing, his metal arm moved back and swung with the momentum. Splinter grunted as the blades cut at his stomach. So carelessly, was his body tossed to the floor. More flashes as he watched he and his brothers dropping like flies as they were attacked from behind until they blanked out. If it could become any more disturbing, their faces and bodies began to melt. Slowly, their distraught expression dissolved into the air along with the Foot holding them hostage. He was alone in their old home; Alone, with the exception of D’Jinn taking up the space the Shredder was once in before dissappearing. He laughed haughtily, letting his bat fall playfully into one of his palms. The memory was worse than the real thing. It all felt too real. The feelings and pain returned once more. The top of his head showed because her dropped his chin to his chest. His hands clenched the edge of the broken cemented floor while his knees scratched along with its jagged surface. “I’m- i’m so sorry!” He apologized out loud. His strong voice now shook. “I’m so sorry.” D’jinn continued to laugh, obviously enjoying every moment of the powerful leader breaking before him. Leo cold hear him, but it didn’t matter. Appologizing to his family was his biggest concern. “I- I’m. I did the best I could!” Suddenly, it hit him. He looked up. D’Jinn was still in his same, overconfident state. “I did the best I could!” Leonardo yelled with power behind his voice. The katana on the floor were picked back up as kickly as he got back onto his feet. The creature had to rush to gain better control of his bat as the mutant turtle came running at him like a freight train.“There” Clash! “wasn’t…” Block! “anymore…” Clash! “that I could’ve done!” His voice rumbled animalistically as he held the surprised creature in a deadlock. “If there was nothing more that you could have done, why do you punish yourself so?” An inquiry posed upon by the Ancient One pierced the imagery. The turtle paused. Blades lowered to his sides, shoulders relaxed. Before long, a smile warmed up his face. He got it. He understood. As quickly as it arrived, the awful background melted around them. They were back at the dojo, or , at least, could see it since they've never left. D’jinn backed off from the turtle. His large torso gave him a slight bow. Leo, now knowing he was no longer a threat, placed his katanas in the sheaths of his back. When the last one fell to the bottom on the carrier, he squared himself up with the noble creature and bowed with him. A few seconds and the two rose up. Suddenly, a blue aura surrounded him. His body was engulfed by a blinding light as he grew shorter and thinner in stature. At 6ft, he stopped changing and the light faded away. There stood Venus, smiling with all of her heart. It was her. She was him the entire time! Before he could say a word of disbelief, the female turtle engulfed him into a bear-tight hug. Her face pressed into the nook between his shoulder and neck. The move stunned him massively, but it didn't take long until he embraced her just the same. “I didn’t know it was that bad.” She was referring to what had happened between him and the Shredder. Surely, she knew of the story, but she had never seen it with her own eyes. “You needed help, but you wouldn't let us.” It sounded like a soft sob while she spoke into him. Leo nodded, agreeing fully. She pulled away, using a hand on his shoulder to distance herself and use the other to wipe her face. “Leonardo, you have so much promise and you're a great leader, but you thought you needed to be perfect in order to live a wonderful life. It's okay for a glow stick to break. Eventually, it will shine.” The sincerity. Such truth passed from her lips. It felt so good for him to hear words of praise towards him after a while of nasty remarks about his behavior. Assuredly, this feeling was way better than being angry all the time. “And you have proven yourself today.” Miwa chimed in. The two turtles turned their attention to their approaching teacher. The Ancient One was escorted by her side, arms wrapped around hers as she led. “Under my wing, you have learned many lessons in aikido, judo, Kung fu, and contact caopeira, as well as two important lessons that were personal.” “What were those?” “Lesson 1: taking critism and handling it nicely. Neither The Ancient One nor I thought you were a terrible prospect when we first met you.” “I did.” He raised his free hand proudly. Miwa chooses to ignore him after giving him a passing glance. “It was discouraging critism meant to break you down. At first, it did not seem to bother you but over time you applied it to getting better rather than expecting encouraging word and believe you were perfect. Lesson 2: don't let everything fall on your shoulders. I know you are the leader of your clan, but you can't be held responsible for everything. Some things are just beyond our control. When something as bad as that happens, accept that it happened and move forward. You are an exceptional student, Leonardo, and probably the best of students I've had. Your training is complete.” Those words. Leonardo has been waiting for them for the longest time. He accomplished his purpose of coming. Now, he can go home. Now, he can see his family again. Now, he can be at peace. Leo took a step towards the two mentors. Both Miwa and the Ancient One lifted up their chins to see his face. A calm exchange of facial expressions created a tacit treaty of peace. The terrapin took a deep breath before taking a bow. His hands were stiff at his sides as he lowered himself almost to the Ancient One’s height. In mutual respect, the two teachers bowed their heads, forgiving and congratulating their student. A few seconds passed until both parties straightened back up. Leonardo had the sweetest, most assuring smiles youve probably ever seen him have. This was what he wanted, and he got it. It took some blood, sweat, and quite a few tears, but he got there. Breaking his train of thought, a hand firmly grasped his chin. The beholder of it turned it abruptly towards her at his side. Venus smiled brightly. “Ready to lead a mission again?” A/N: Back at it again with the 2k3 references! The Character “D’Jinn” is from the Battle Nexus episodes. The action sequence comes from The Ancient One. Ok… be honest… how many of ya’ll did I trick from those last three sentences…? I know I did :p