Chapter 20:
Inner strength

By the time the nine made it down the stairs all of the villagers were already on their way out of the valley. ‘No doubt Zeng told the citizens after he told Shifu.’ Leonardo thought as he watched the show.

“This stinks, Leo, big time.” The red warrior shouted ounce they made it to a doorway of wood at the base of the stairs. It was then Tigress realized the look in the teen’s eyes - it was not ticked anger, but anger of letting his master being harmed. The feline knew the feeling, but she had her orders.

“We’ve got to get them out safely.” The aggressive Kung Fu fighter said as she saw the feeling friends. It was then the simian heard a crying noise and saw that an infant was left, by accident, on the steps.

“Come, little one. Let’s go find your momma.” Monkey said before fleeing to find the young one’s mother. With him doing that task the most experienced of the five went on with getting the others out.

“Viper, gather the southern farmers. Mantis, the north.” The orange/black furred fighter said to the fighters to her right. “Crane, light the way.” She finished by giving the flier a lantern, and as soon as he took off the others were as well.

‘This is not right.’ The orange turtle thought as he brought up the rear. As they watched Tigress help a bunny family with their cart the four decided to rooftop leap to get back to Hamato Hovel. They leaped building to building, and the bridge was only a moment’s stop.

“Look, it’s the Dragon Warriors.” A civilian pig muttered out to his friend when he saw four waving ribbons on top of a building. After hearing the sarcasm the red one took out a sai and was about to toss it like a throwing knife at the man, but it was snatched by his older brother.

“No.” He mouthed when the owner of the weapon glared at him. After that he gave the weapon back, and they went the rest of the way home. When the teens got there they saw that their father was packing up the cart.

“Welcome back, my sons.” The rat said to his sons after looking over the cart and saw his four kids all standing shoulder to shoulder with one another.

“Hello, father.” They replied with a bow, and then helped him with the cart by pushing it outside.

“While we are leaving we best make sure that everyone is protected.” The rodent said to his children as they merged into traffic. They all gave him grunts and groans of acceptance, so he accepted that.

“I’m still worried about our latest teacher, guys.” Donatello as he helped push the cart while glancing at the palace with worry.

“I know what you mean, Don. Considering Shifu taught the Five and they still lost tells me that his chances of winning are low.” Leonardo added to his intelligent brother, but focused on moving the cart.

“But bros, even if we wanted to help - we couldn’t. Thanks to that blank scroll.” Michelangelo said aloud, and the last part got their father’s attention as he was pulling it to safety.

“I have never heard of a blank scroll, Michelangelo. May I see it?” The father of the four questioned after pulling the cart and themselves into an alleyway. Seeing no harm the youngest of the visitors opened it and only saw himself.

‘Why’s he smiling?’ The young one thought as his first teacher smiled at his reflection.

“You are wrong, Michelangelo, there is something on the scroll. It is more than your reflection, my sons.” The rodent pointed out which confused them all, so he went deeper. “Let me put it differently: did you have any secret in defeating the Shredder in any of our encounters.” The team looked at one another out of confusion.

“Of course we didn’t, father.” Leonardo pointed out: not getting what he was talking about.

“Did you have a secret of helping our friends whether it be from a physical affliction or emotional.” The senior ninja stated calmly.

“No.” Don and Raph said as they recalled their biggest triumphs was when they helped their underground friends from their monster forms or when they put Casey Jones on a clearer path.

“Did we have a secret when protecting the Earth from evil.” He questioned to the group who all shook their heads in response. He showed them the reflective paper and asked, “Then wouldn’t you say that there is something on this paper.” It was then they fully understood what he was getting at.

“How could we have missed something so obvious.” The warrior in orange said to the others, but was easily ignored.

“I’m sorry father, but we need to go back to help Shifu.” The eldest of the four said to their role model with a bow.

“I like to hear that, but I believe to handle a threat like Tai Lung you will need stronger weapons. Weapons that can attack an enemy like him both physically and mystically.” He said to them, using the like Juto used on them and the other four since he stood just outside the room they were in - just in case.

“Come again.” Raphael questioned since he knew of that line, but he did not think they didn’t bring anything like that along. To prove him wrong Splinter opened a secret compartment on the cart which revealed the four mystic weapons.

“Behold the four fangs of the dragon: Inazuma - which commands lightning from the heavens. Byakko the hungry ghost that calms the cleaving winds. Bonrai - which can shatter mountains with its thunder. Gunshin - commanding the white flame of the dragon king.” Their father said as he gave them their trademark mystic weapons.

“Why did you bring them along, Master Splinter?” Michelangelo questioned as he secured his mystic weapon on his belt.

“I brought them from home, and stored them in the cart. Once we got here I journeyed to the palace, and became friends with Oogway who wanted to safeguard these weapons at the palace.” The rodent explained calmly, and let the four pick up the slack.

“So you stashed them in the cart, to be transported more easily.” Don said before adding, “It was a good thing that you chose a cart - better concealing device.” They knew he was right about that, but they still needed to aid their latest master.

“We will help stop Tai Lung. You help protect the villagers.” The eldest eased after securing his new sword. He knew that the question - why doesn’t Faraji have it came to mind, but right now they needed to move .

‘Good luck, my sons.’ The father said as the five went off in two different directions with one goal - protection.

Copy Rights:
TMNT, and the others, are owned by Eastman/Laird and Fox Box.
Kung Fu Panda, and others, are owned by Dreamworks.