--July 25th, 1998
     “Ah!  This is great!”  Wendy sighed from her reclining position along the edge of the pond.  The mid-afternoon sun beamed down gaily from a piercing blue sky.  Leonardo shifted his gaze from Wendy to the action in the pond.  Raphael, Donatello, Michaelangelo, and Mona Lisa seemed to be up to something.  Suddenly, Raph and Don ducked down, leaving only rings and ripples in the water, and Mona and Mike eyeing each other.  With a squeal and a giggle, Mona Lisa surged up, now perched on Raph’s shoulders.  Mike fared the same, above the water on Don’s.
     “Oof!  Next time, I want Mona,” Don puffed, struggling to maintain his balance.
     “She’s no featherweight, Donnie.”  Raph grinned wickedly.
     “Creep!” Mona Lisa snapped and gave Raph a solid whip-like smack with her tail on the back of his leg.
     Raph yipped, “Joke, joke!  Geez!”
     “We playin’ chicken or not?” Mike piped up.
     “Yeah, I’m getting tired already,” Don groaned.
     Mikey grinned at his beached brother, “Hey Leo!  Start this brawl!”
     Smiling and shaking his head, Leo said, “Ok, ok.”  Wendy had risen up to one elbow and was watching with interest.  “Ready. . . Set. . . GO!”
     Don and Raph lunged toward each other.  Nearly knocking heads, Mona Lisa and Mike locked fingers and bore down with grinning snarls.  Leo mentally analyzed each group.  The Mike/Don team had several inches of height, and greater all around power.  Mona and Raphael had her natural speed and dexterity, his brute strength, plus the stubborn hard-headedness they both shared.  The four struggled, grunting, and giggling, water flying everywhere.  Leo observed Raph and Mona working together as one easily; When Raph seemed to lose his balance, Mona Lisa would lean and shift, giving him some counter-weight and enabling him to regain footing.  None of them noticed Splinter approaching, watching silently.  Mona had darted in with her tail, tucking the tip into Mike’s armpit.  Mike jerked back, laughing and swatting at the tickler.
     “Woah!” Don cried, releasing Raph and swinging his arms, trying to stay up.  Seizing the moment, Raphael took the opening, knocking himself and Mona into the wavering tower of Turtles.
     Mike attempted a grab at Mona, Missed, and shouted as he and Don hit the water “Hey!  No f--” but was cut off as he submerged.
     Wendy laughed out loud, “Hooray Raph and Mona!  Man, I wish I’d placed a bet!”
     Snickering, Leo wiped a bit of water from his brow.  Looking up, he suddenly noticed Splinter and quickly stood.  “Master.”
     Wendy twisted around, saw the rat, then got to her feet as well.  Coughing and dripping, Mike and Don had regained footing and looked at Splinter.  Mona slid around and slipped down to be cradled in Raph’s arms; He kissed her gently before setting her to her feet.  “Well done Raphael and Mona Lisa.” Splinter said with a small smile.  “Excellent diversionary tactics.”
     Raph and Mona bowed, “Thank you Master,” then glanced at each other, grinning.
     Splinter addressed all of his students, “Come, it is time to practice.”
     Groans all around.  “Why can’t we do it later, when it’s cooler?” Mike whined.
     “This evening is to be for meditation.  I wish to see how those skills are developing,” Splinter eyed Mike.  Then turned and walked toward the practice area.
     “Great, Mikey.  Get him mad.  It’s not like afternoon practices are hard enough!” Raph splashed his brother.
     The four swimmers made their way out of the water, where Wendy and Leo stood with towels.  Wendy gave Raph a light punch to the stomach, “What’s wrong, Raph?  Turning into a wuss?”
     Raphael looked down at the tiny Wendy with a ferocious growl.  Reaching down, he scooped her up and hefted her over one shoulder like a sack of potatoes.  “Don’t annoy me, gnat!” he snarled playfully.  Raph strode forward to Leo and shifted his “cargo” to his brother’s arms.  “Here, this is yours.  You take it.”
     “Thanks!  It’s just what I wanted!”  Leo grinned down at Wendy in his arms; she beamed back.
     “That,” Raph pointed at Mona Lisa, who looked up from drying her hair with a towel, “is mine!”
     “Uh oh,” Mona took off at a run as the wet Turtle lunged for her, growling.  She sprinted toward the workout area, giggling, with Raph at her heels.
     Mike laughed and slapped his knee, “What a goof!”
     Watching the two run around, Don commented, “I think Mona’s been a good influence on him.  He has lightened up a lot.”
     Leo had set Wendy to her feet.    He looked after Mona and Raph for a moment, then said, “Come on.  Mustn’t keep Splinter waiting.”
     “Yeah,” Wendy agreed, “Ready to be run into the ground?”  She grinned at the three remaining Turtles.
     Mike motioned toward the workout area, “Anytime your ready, Small One.”
 

     “Oof!”  Raphael hit the ground and rolled away from Don, his bo impacting with the dirt instead of Raph’s head. The Turtle was on his feet a moment later as Don was distracted by Leo, wielding sais.  Raph glanced over at Mike, who was defending himself with katana against Wendy and his own ‘chucks.  But where was--
     “Gah!”  Leo suddenly went down to kiss dirt as Mona swept out his legs.  She swiftly leapt back away from Donatello’s bo, then countered with a back-handed swing of her sword.  Don ducked and shot out his bo--a solid gut-shot doubled Mona over just as Leo got to his feet.  He kicked the bo away before Donnie could do the same to him.  Don leapt for his weapon, Leo after him, giving Mona a moment to recover.
     “Woah!”  Raph turned his head to see Wendy standing over Mike, holding one of the katanas to his throat.
     “Nice try, but you’re gone!”  Wendy looked to Splinter, who nodded.
     “Michaelangelo sighed, “If it weren’t so darn hot. . .”
     “Excuses, excuses,” Wendy slowly approached Raph.  “Ready to be ‘Bugged’?”   Raph crouched into a ready position and grinned, “Bring it on.”
     Leonardo was on defense as he blocked several blows from Mona’s sword.  He dodged a high round-house kick, but wasn’t ready for her tail that followed the same path as she turned 180 degrees.  It caught him smack in the jaw, sending him sprawling.  She pushed him onto his back with her foot and sat on Leo’s chest, knees on is shoulders, pinning him.  Her sword was at his throat.  “Surrender your weapons!  You are finished!” Mona growled playfully.  She also looked to Splinter for confirmation.  The Rat nodded, indicating Leo was out.  Leo sighed and went limp.
     “Getting me back for yesterday, huh?” he asked Mona as she stood.
     “You know me, always holding a grudge.”  She giggled then looked around.  Don and Wendy were double-teaming  Raph.  “Enjoy your break, Leo!”  She called, heading over to help Raph.  Donnie’s back was to her, so sneaking up was easier.  However, being as skilled as he was, he sensed her and spun suddenly to face her.
     “What makes you think you can jump me from behind?”
     Mona Lisa stood in her ready position, “Oh I don’t have to sneak up on you, I can take you ANYtime!”
     Don eyed her, “Big words, but do your actions speak so loud?”
     “Come find out, and stop ganging up on my boyfriend.”  She challenged.  He swung in high with his bo, Mona ducked and threw a low spin kick, which Don jumped over.
     Wendy spun the ‘chucks in lazy figure eights and watched Raph warily.  He had chosen to fight without weapons, and cross-stepped around her, a familiar look of intensity on his face.  “You sure take this seriously, don’t you?”  She asked as she dodged several kicks.
     “Hey, gotta keep you slackers on your toes.” he shrugged, then leaped away from one of Wendy’s nunchuckus.
     Splinter watched his students practice.  It had not taken them long to spar together comfortably.  These past months had been relatively calm, with very little tension between the Turtles and their new friends.  The winter passed quite smoothly.  Once the weather began to get warmer, his old students had begun to get restless, as they usually did in Spring.  Leonardo had brought up the idea of going to the farm, which sparked interest in Mona and Wendy.  They had been locked up for many years, and the idea of being outside in the open air appealed to them.  The Turtles agreed that it was a good plan, so, with April and Casey acting as transports, they all made their way to the farm.  Splinter was just as glad as his students to be here, away from the confounds of the sewers.  After a moment, he stood, and clapped.  “That will be enough for today, my Students.  You may go.  I will call for you again at sunset.  Until then, the afternoon is yours.”
     The Turtles, Mona Lisa and Wendy bowed to the Master.  Mona smiled at Splinter, her new father, then turned to the others, “I’m heading back to the pond.  It’s hot!”
     Raph took her hand, “Sounds good to me.”
     “Ooh!”  Mike grinned wickedly as the two walked by.  “Do the ‘Lovebirds’ want to be alone?”
     Raphael scowled at his brother, but Mona took action: as she passed him her tail shot out, snaking around his ankle and pulling is foot out from under him.  His shell hit the ground with a loud thunk as the others laughed.  “That’s my girl,” Raph chucked and shook his head.
     “Oh, and Mikey.  Anyone who wants to can join us.  We could whip your butt in chicken again.” Mona looked over her shoulder and grinned.
     “No thanks,” Mike struggled to his feet.  “I’m just gonna go get some ice,” and he limped toward the house, hand on his butt, his bros laughing after him.
 

     Splinter took them to the woods near the work out area, the place that had been designated “The Meditation Spot”.  The sun had sunk low, turning the sky gold at the horizon and deep purple and blue above.  A few twinkling starts hinted of the multitude that would soon emerge.  After lighting a fire in the circle of stones, Splinter positioned his students in two rows, three per line:  Leonardo sat facing Raphael, Mona Lisa was placed before Michaelangelo, and Wendy was across from Donatello.  The master lit incense, one stick behind each of them, then sat at Leonardo and Raphael’s end and gazed each of them,  “You are now sitting before your partner.”
     “Woohoo!” Mike hooted in Homer-esque style, grinning and raising his eyebrows at Mona.  She chuckled, Raph didn’t.
     “Come on, Raph,” Leo nudged his brother and smiled, “I didn’t get who I wanted either.”  Raph grumbled something in “Raph-speak”, then turned his attention back to Splinter, who was waiting patiently.
     “Tonight, I want you to remember what we have learned and practiced.  Remember the calming and clearing of the mind, the focus on one thing.  This evening, that focus will be your partner.  Think of that person, but not just of what you see, for that builds barriers.  Open your mind to good things, as well as bad.  When you have your focus, then you must reach. . .

Mona Lisa--
 Hmm. . .Thoughts of Mike, huh?  What kind of things come to mind when I think of Mikey?  Fuzzy thoughts, mostly.  Cute, cuddly stuffed animals, fluffy kitties, Bright sunny days spent lying in the soft grass.  Mike’s definitely country.  Not like Raph--No. They may be brothers, but I can’t compare them.  I’m supposed to be focusing on Mike.  OK. . . Mike-Mike-Mike.  He’s open, like this farm is open; always willing to hold his arms out and embrace you.  Splinter said to keep an open mind.  What makes him think were ready for this?  Mental communication?  Not hardly. . . Dammit, I did it again!  Losing focus is so easy!  Come on Mona Lisa, concentrate.  Mikey.  Deep breaths, picture him, as he is now, as he was, and as he could become, don’t put up any barriers.  My mind is open, as open as the country-side, as open as
Mikey.  Good as well as bad?  Well, bad stuff is harder.  Hmm. . .maybe the way he’s never serious, even when he needs to be.  But that’s not always a bad thing.  Open mind. . .Well, I’m focusing on YOU Mike.  Any thoughts?
Mike. . .

Michaelangelo--
 Ah, this should be easy!  Focus on the bodacious babe, Mona?  No problemo!  Heck, I could focus on her all day!  Heh heh.  Good thing Raph can’t hear this. . . or can he?  No, he’s with Leo, not me.  Ookie Dookie, let’s concentrate on Mona Lisa. . . Mmm. . . She’s sweet, beautiful, smart, sexy. . . I could go on forever.  Images.  Hmm. . . a rose: so delicate and lovely, yet equipped with thorns to use as needed.  Images. . .leaning on a porch railing at sunset.  Warm summer breezes dancing through her hair.  The way her body moves as she works out: smooth, graceful, muscles flexing, sweat glistening off her. . . Whoa!  Calm down, deep breaths.  *Whew!*  New subject. . . She never treats me like I’m stupid, like the guys tend to do.  She’s very insightful.  It didn’t take her very long to get into our heads and learn how to handle us.  She brought a motherly quality to our group.  We’ve always had Leo the “Older Brother” type, Raph, the “Loose Cannon”, Me the “Up-lifter”, Don the “Peace-Keeper”, and Splinter, the “Father Figure”.  Mona’s become our “Comforter”.  Always ready with open arms to make us feel warm and loved.  Both she and Wendy, who’s become our “Dear Abby”, have helped make us whole.  Well, that’s good points.  Negative. . . Gee, that’s tough . . . I sometimes feel she’s closed up.  Only living in the now.  Trying for forget her past, what made her the mutant she is today.  She never talks about what happened to her and Wendy.  Maybe her lack of openness on the emotional level is bad.  On the outside, she seems so calm and cool.  But somehow I sense there’s a lot going on inside that could be eating away at her. . . Wow, I’ve never had such deep thoughts about Miss Mona before.  I wonder if the same thing is happening in her head?
Reach. . .
Mona Lisa. . .

Raphael--
 *Grumble*  This is stupid!  Why is Splinter wasting our time?  There’s no way Leo and I will ever connect!  We’re too. . . Different!  Humphf!  Let Leo try as much as he wants, ‘till his head explodes for all I care!  Why should I strain myself on something that will never happen!
 . . . But, I may as well kill some time while I’m just sittin’ here.  Meditating on Leo, sheesh!  The Honorable Leonardo, Ninja supreme!  What comes to mind?  The Great Wall, the Pyramids, all those amazing structures that were built so long ago, so strong, built to last;  that’s Leo inside and out.  Leo’s like a riddle or a puzzle:  Makes no sense to some, yet is perfectly clear to others.  Sometimes he’s like a stone; solid, strong, ridged.  But other times he’s a marshmallow--especially with Wendy.  Kinda like me with Mona, I guess.  He usually tries to put too much thought into things.  Trying to find a meaning when there’s none to find.  He can be bossy, too.  And stubborn. . .
Hmm, maybe I should put more thought into this “me and Leo being different”
stuff. . .
Leo. . .

Leonardo--
 So, I’m paired with Raph huh?  *Sigh*  Oh well, I’m sure Sensei has his reasons.  He’s always said that Raph and I are more alike than we may realize. . . I can’t decide if that a good thing or not. . .
 Raph Images:  For a while, Raph was like a bottle with a loose cork, or a firecracker with a short fuse, very easily set off.  He has always handled being. . . different the poorest.  Even Splinter had a hard time channeling his intense fury, which seemed to have no end.  Not too long ago, there seemed to only be a ghost of Raph; he was so rarely around, spending a lot of his time wandering about the sewers or holed up in his room.  Like a shadow among shadows.  A lot of things have changed.  Especially since Mona came along.  She’s brought out a different side of him.  Maybe all he needed was someone to love him in a way none of us could.
 Images. . . Warm summer rain trickling down from  the storm drains above; Running wild and free from roof top to roof top; Sweat soaking your skin in the fury of a work out; Sunlight glinting off polished steel. . .
Raph. . .

Wendy--
 Hmmm. . . Donnie’s a sweet guy, always ready to help his brothers and friends out.  He’s very intelligent, and can do almost anything with computers.  Too bad it’s only a pastime for him.  He could be the next Bill Gates someday, if humans and mutants ever get along.  I wonder if he feels his talents are sort of. . . wasted?  I hope not.  OK, now for some negative-- I guess sometimes he can get TOO wrapped up in his pastime, becoming distant to those around him.  I can’t really think of anything else, except that he only trains with the bo and never any other weapon.  But that is his choice, and who am I to judge?
 When I think of Donatello, I see a tree blowing in the breeze, kind of peaceful, yet flexible.  I see waves rolling up and down the beaches, rising and falling with the tide, gradually wearing away at the rocks they crash against.  Don has that persistence.  Of course, I see computers too.  The soft blue glow of the monitor shining on his intense face, and sparkling in his deep eyes.  I’ve learned so much from him, from all of them, yet I could--and would like to--learn more. . .
Don. . .

Donatello--
 It’s amazing how quickly things change.  How easily we adapt into feelings of “normal.”  Less than a year ago, we were five.  Now, we’re seven.  We became comfortable with Mona Lisa and Wendy so quickly.  Their personalities helped make that easy I suppose.  Wendy and I befriended each other swiftly.  I still find it hard to swallow the story she tells about where she came from, but I cannot deny her incredible intellect is almost other-worldly.  And the rate at which she learns is also astounding.  She mastered the computer in mere days. . . Hours even.  She’s a veritable sponge when it comes to knowledge.  Wendy is very easy to talk to.  We’ve spent hours tinkering and chatting, playing handymen, so to speak.  She’s like a new leaf, absorbing sunlight, striving to become more, stretching, growing.
 One cannot be deceived by her small size, either.  Like the wind, which can be calm and gentle, it’s power at times can be devastating.  Her moves are quick and cunning, and surprisingly powerful.
 I don’t know where you’re from, but I am, needless to say, impressed with
you. . .
Wendy. . .

     A strange sensation washed over each of them,  like a soft breeze whispering each of their names.  To Mona, it was Mike’s cheerful voice.  For Leo, it was the sarcastic tones of Raph.  Don’s inquisitive voice came to Wendy.  Mike heard Mona Lisa’s sweet voice.  Wendy’s voice came to Don as if in a dream.  Raph heard Leo’s voice tickling his mind.  The shock was so great that it snapped them all out of their trances.  The stared at the owner of the voice they had heard.  The connection was brief, but none can deny it had happened.  They could read each other’s eyes:  Shock, confusion, awareness.  Slowly, their gazes shifted to the Master, who sat motionless, eyes closed.  Another wave rolled through each of them, and another voice drifted into their minds--”Well done my Students.”  A strange mental embrace followed, then the presence was gone as quickly as it had come.  They sat for a long time, absorbing what had happened.  The moon was high and the fire was low as they stood and made their way back to the house, all but Splinter.  No words were spoken.  None were needed.