The Turtle King II: Leonardo's Pride *COMPLETED*

Chapter 2: Meet Tygra! And Koya! & "We are one"

Words Count: 3128

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A few years later as the sun was shining over the grasslands as it was shining on the Palace, where Shuri is playing at Leonardo's feet atop on the Palace, gazing down over the side. "Wow." Shuri said. She giggles continuously, and Leonardo catches her as she comes near the edge. 

"Whoa. Where do you think you're going in such a hurry?" Leonardo said. Shuri wriggles in Leonardo's grasp as he moves her to safety. "Daddy! Let go!" She said. She keeps giggling as she tries to escape. "Well, I just want you to be careful." He said. She pounces after a butterfly as Leonardo grabs her tail to stop her. 

She looks back at her father. "Shuri...are you listening? Accidents can happen. You could easily get hurt or stepped—" He said. Shuri says this well-practiced line along with Leonardo and finishes it for him. "...Hurt, or stepped on, or even get lost." Shuri said. "And remember...I want you to stay in sight of the Palace at all—" He said.

"At all times, I know." Shuri said. She's testy at the repetitive warning; she continues reciting. "And if I see any strangers, don't talk to them. Come straight home. Okay, okay. Can I go now? Please?" She said.

Ariella and Aries enter. Leonardo exchanges a glance with Ariella, reminiscent of when they played out this same scene as cubs. 

"Hmm. Very funny." Leonardo said. Ariella laughs gently. "Mind your father, Shuri." She said. Shuri giggles. "Yes, mom." She said. "And stay away from the outlands." Leonardo said. Aries came down to Shuri's level. "Nothing there but a bunch of backstabbing, murderous Outsiders!" The colorful bird said as he glares at the grasslands. 

"Aries' right...you can't turn your back on them." Leonardo said. Shuri is curious. "Really? How come?" She asked her parents. "Mm...never mind. Just run along now." Leonardo said. "But Dad, I—" Shuri said.

"You'll understand someday. Go on." He said. "Dad..." She said. He runs his hand over her back, then nudges her off, she resumes giggling and runs off down the stairs of the Palace. "And stay on the path I've marked for you!" He said. Ariella chuckles. "Leonardo. Who does she remind you of? Hmm?" She said. Leonardo was cluelessly. "Huh? What? Who?" He asked. "She's just like you were when you were young." Ariella said as she nuzzles against her husband. "Exactly. Do you realize the dangers we put ourselves in?" He said. Ariella looks at him for a bit then she tackles him and puts him on his back/shell.

"You mean the dangers YOU put us in." Ariella said. They chuckle and nuzzle for a few minutes, then Ariella gets up. "She'll be fine." She said. She moves off. Leonardo waits till she is out of earshot. "Hey, Mushroom. Skyla. Come here." He said. Mushroom enters while riding on Skyla's head/shoulders.

"Good morning, Mon Capitan." Mushroom said. "I want you to keep a close watch on Shuri. You know she's bound to run off." Leonardo said. "No worries, Leonardo. We're on her like stink on a mutated angelic dragon!" Mushroom said. "Hey!" Skyla said. "It's the hard truth, Skyla. Live with it." She said.

"Guys, I'm counting on you. Danger could be lurking behind every rock." Leonardo said. Mushroom looks quizzically at Leonardo, then takes him mock-seriously. "Ah hah." She said. Mushroom and Skyla begin looking theatrically from side to side, scanning behind every rock.

Meanwhile, later that same day, out in the open grassland, savannah. Shuri is walking through the tall grass, chasing a butterfly. "Hey! Wait! Come back! I just wanna play!" She said. She sees the butterfly land on the rock and she crouches to attack. "Ahh...the mighty hunter has cornered her prey." She said to herself. She snarls. Shuri's pounds takes her up the side of a small rise, from which she can see a distance into the Outlands. "Whoa...cool! The Outlands! I wonder what's out there..." Shuri said. A rustling in the grass behind her draws Shuri's attention. She turns, and the grass separates.