TMNT - Worlds Change

Twenty

Athena POV

"Donnie, where are we... oh. Wow." I glanced around the cavern, covered in giant crystal formations. Blues, Greens, and even a few pale purple gems shimmered in arching pathways.

"This was what I brought you here for. But the best part is over here." Donnie smiled and guided me over to a large pool of water, the surface smooth like glass. He turned to me. "It's a hot spring, fed by the melting snow from the mountains and heated by the same volcanic activity that gave you the alloy for the tracker." I could feel my eyes grow wide. Warmth.

"Why do I get the feeling that you aren't going to join me if I get in?" Donnie flushed at the statement, but shook his head.

"If we both got in, getting out would cause our body temperatures to drop much further than safe. I need to go and find a way out while I make sure you are safe."

"No." I stood firmly in front of him. "You're not going without me."

"Athena, please. You are dangerously close to hypothermia. And for a cold blooded animal, that really bad."

"And it's a bad idea to divide a working pair of two because it reduces chances of sighting an exit." I glanced at my pack, resting on Donnie's shoulder. A blue flash emitted from the tracker. "How...?" I moved to look at the tracker, that somehow had been turned on. I grinned.

"Athena? You have that face again." Donnie looked at me concerned.

"And they are already on their way. With gear, I'm sure." I held up the tracker. He shrugged off the pack and rested it against a pillar of quartz crystal with his bo staff. With that, he lead me down to the pool, guiding me in.

Iris POV

"Focus your energy from your center. The healing hands take discipline and patience." Master Splinter adjusted the form of my hands. I tried the form again, only to be corrected once more.

"Sensei, I'm not sure if this is working." I opened my eyes, dissapointed in myself for wanting to tap out so quickly.

"Concentrate. Do not give up so easily, Iris. You are closer to achieving your goal than you think." Sensei gave me a nod, telling me to close my eyes. I sighed, but tried again. I felt something different this time in my motions. Something almost... powerful. Opening my eyes, I could see Master Splinters demeanor had changed. He beckoned me to follow him to the next room, where Master Dante was laying, ever still.

"I have confidence in you. I want you to continue your practice here. He will be fine regardless, but I feel you have potential." I smiled at Sensei, then turned to try again. This time the stakes are even higher.

Bellona POV

"The tracker says they are right here." Raph turned in every direction. I just shook my head.

"Raph?" He continued to turn in circles looking. "Raph."

"Yeah?" I grabbed his shoulder and forced him to stop, turning him to where the pack and bo staffs sat. "Oh. Right, well that's... yeah." I laughed at him and headed over towards the pack, looking for any indication of where they might have disappeared to. Down a small path was a pool of water, light ripples lapping at the edges. I headed down the path.

"Bella? Where you goin'?" Raph's question made me pause.

"I thought I saw movement down at the pond. I'll be back in a moment." He nodded and I headed down to the waters edge. I glanced around and sure enough. I headed back up the path. "Hand me that camera and follow me." I grinned at Raph. We both trekked back down the short path, Raph laughing when we reached the bottom. I barely managed to snap the picture before they stirred.

"It's 'bout time." Raph grinned at Donnie as he slowly focused in on the two of us. "Come on Lover boy. Lets get you two something warm and then get you out of here."

Mikee POV

The storm had finally subsided, but Raph and Bellona still hadn't tugged on the rope. I leaned against the tree.

"Why am I always the one left behind?" I watched the snow whip softly across the mountain side. The sun was starting to get low on the horizon, which would be very bad if we got caught out in it. As I watched the horizon, three black shapes darted across the sky, headed in the direction of New York City. I watched them closely until they were out of sight.

"That could be trouble. I better let Leo know." I turned to pick up my t phone when the rope moved. I watched for a second or two before it shifted again. I quickly started pulling the first one up. I could tell Leo when I got back.