TMNT - Worlds Change

Nineteen

Iris POV

I glanced, not for the first time, out at the raging snow storm. Everyone seemed calm here, but there was an underlying tone of nervousness. Leo couldn't help if he wanted to. Venus was still shivering, no doubt from Athena. And there had been no contact from the guys and Belle at all since they left.

"Iris. What is the matter?" Master Splinter stood beside me at the window.

"Sir, aren't you worried about them? The storm has gotten stronger in the past few minutes alone." I looked up at Mikee's Sensei.

"I am worried, but I will always be worried. It comes with the responsibilities of being a parent." I glanced down. While Shredder had called us his daughters, he had never been a very fatherly figure. That being said, he still showed more 'fathering' towards the others. I was his quiet, reserved backup plan.

"I'm sorry Sense. I forget sometimes they are more than just your students."I paused. I wasn't sure how to ask. "Sensei? Do you sometimes get the feeling you are powerless in a situation? Like there is nothing you can do to help, but you want to help and not being able to is almost painful?" He turned to me.

"Is that how you are feeling, Iris?" I blushed and looked down. I hated to admit it, but I felt inferior at times. And not being able to help when my sister is in danger makes it worse. When we fought with Shredder, Mikee had fought alongside me, but still protected me like I was more likely to get hurt. Master Splinter scratched his chin, a soft smile on his lips. "The truth is Iris, yes. At times, sitting to the side in a rescue attempt can be difficult. But sometimes staying behind is just as important as being on the front line."

"That is just it, Sensei. Even here waiting, I feel like I am powerless. If only I could heal Leo and Venus, or Master Dante even. I could be doing something good." He nodded.

"And why do you not?" I paused. Why didn't I heal them?

"Because I don't know how to heal them."

"Then let me teach you how."

Donnie POV

Sitting here with Athena, with all our cards on the table, felt better than anything. I just wish I could help her get warm.

"Oh! I almost forgot!" Athena pulled her pack close and showed me a small device, no bigger than a dime. "I was... I was going to show it to you this morning on the walk here. I finished it." I stared at the small tracking device in amazement. The tracker was small enough to not hinder movement in any way, and still had a full range. The device blinked a blue light at me. I smiled at her.

"This is awesome, Athena.The detail work is insane. How did you do that?" She snuggled close to me, still shivering slightly.

"Tweezers and patience. You know I fixed the alloy conversion?" She smiled up at me.

"How?"

"I found volcanic rock at the farmhouse. It's all over the place out here. It melded with the alloy perfectly." I smiled at her, but then faltered for a second. Volcanic rock. That would mean... "Don? You have that 'genius crossing' look Raph talks about. What is it?" I grinned at her. I felt like a genius and an idiot at the same time.

"Come on. I just remembered the best part of these caves."

Raph POV

"Bella?" I tried to call out without raising my voice. Where was she? I heard a soft groan from across the cavern space. I turned and headed in her direction. "Bellona?" I took one step too far and tumbled down the snow bank. I blinked up at the sky, which then became blocked by a smirking Bellona.

"There you are. I was wondering how long it would take you to get down here." I chuckled at her sassy remarks. She helped me sit up and then I looked her over.

"You alright?" She nodded gently to me. I let out a soft breath I had been holding. She giggled and gave me a little shove. I ended up falling over in the snow. The two of us started laughing. Finally, we got to our feet, and I pulled out the tracker.

"Alright. As much as I would love to have fun in the snow with you, we do have a mission." Bellona rolled her eyes, but leaned against me.

"You don't have to worry so much. Look, their on the move anyway." The signal on the screen blinked a second closer on the screen.

"Well then that's good. That means you and I can get back to us time once we find them." She blushed a little at that. I slid my hand into hers and helped her get to stable ground, and we began our search again.

Leo POV

"Mikee, you're breaking up. Is there anything else you can tell us? No? Alright. Get somewhere safe and hunker down. Keep us apprised." I ended the call on the tphone. my eyes fell to Venus, who had drifted off to sleep. I sat beside her and draped the second blanket over her with my decent arm. I was slowly gaining mobility back, but it still hurt. More than I would admit. I wondered again about Donnie and Athena, and Bellona and Raph. I should be out there getting her sister back. I whispered softly to the empty air around us.

"I hope they are all ok."