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

Chapter 4: Shuri's first hunt! Fire in the Grasslands! Tygra rescued Shuri

Words count: 3412

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Later that night at Rockwell's tree. He is doing a new picture of Shuri as she grows into adulthood. "Oh, Splinter...every day Shuri grows more beautiful, into a Queen that will someday make us all very proud." Rockwell said. He paints a belt across Tygra's chest and longer stripes on his face, next to Shuri. "But this cub Tygra grows stronger. And Koya fills his heart with hate. I am very worried, Splinter. Things are not going well. Nope." He said. Wind blows, rattling Rockwell's gourds. "Hmm? You have a plan?" He asked. One of the gourds falls, splitting in half. 

"What?" He asked. Rockwell holds up the two halves against the painting of Shuri and Tygra and brings them together until they join. "Tygra...Shuri...together? This is the plan?" He asked himself. He drops the gourds and then he looks up through the branches. "Are you crazy?! This will never work! Oh, Splinter, you been up there too long. Your head is in the clouds!" He yelled. 

The wind blows hard at Rockwell. "Okay, okay, okay! Okay! All right--okay! I don't think this is going to work... but I trust you. I just hope you know what you are doing!" Rockwell said as he put his hands on his hips.

Later...in the Outlands, inside of the cave, Koya's rocky home, where the grown Tygra is sitting on a rock while Koya slinks around him. "You are ready!" She said. She chuckles. "Nice...very nice. You have the same blackness in your soul that Tigerclaw had. What is your destiny?" She said. "I will avenge Tigerclaw...take his place in the Grasslands." Tygra said. "Yes! What have I taught you?" Koya said.

"Leonardo is the enemy." Tygra said. "And you must you do?" She asked. "I must kill him!" He said/growled. The other huntresses and hunters either roared or let out their battle cries.

The morning as the sun was raising up to the sky and it was a prefect day for Shuri's first hunt on her own which she is emerging to take part in her first hunt. Ariella is walking towards Leonardo, who is sitting at the end of the assembled huntresses and hunters. He looks quite worried and sad, but he sighs gently and forces a smile when Ariella reaches him. "Wow, her first hunt! You must be so proud, Ariella." Amaya said.

"Here she is!" Sal Commander said. Shuri emerges from over a hill on the trail. She has her weapons on her back which are twin blades, arm warmers that is attached to her middle fingers on each hand, leg warmers and her navy blue scarf. She looks at Rockwell, who is standing next to the path. She looks worried until Rockwell speaks to her. "Shuri." He said. Aries lands on the branch.

Mushroom and Skyla embrace goofily. "Good luck, Shuri." '12 Leatherhead said. "She'll be great." Traximus said. "Her first hunt!" DJ said. "You can do it!" Donatello said. "It's your day, Shuri." Jennika said.

"Good luck, Shuri!" MC and Michelangelo said. "My, how you've grown!" Aurora said. Ariella and Shuri nuzzle. Leonardo is looking vaguely glum. "You'll do just fine." Ariella said. "Daddy?" Shuri asked.

Leonardo looks up at his daughter and his wife. "You have to promise to let me do this on my own. Promise?" She said. Leonardo looks at Ariella, who lifts her chin knowingly. "All right. I promise." He said. Shuri grins and bounds towards Leonardo. They embrace their hugs. 

Mushroom and Skyla exchange sorrowful glances. Mushroom hugs Skyla as they sob. Shuri breaks her embrace with Leonardo, and they exchange one final look. 

She bounds to the edge of the trail and overlooks the grasslands, where a herd of topi grazes peacefully. She squints excitedly at the herd, then looks over her shoulder at Leonardo. He nods, and she bounds away. He strides to the trail and watches her go, clearly worried. Mushroom and Skyla approached.