“We’re not staying with you?” Mikey asked in a small voice.
“No,” Splinter shook his head. “You will be safe at the Kimuras. I am not allowing anything to happen to any of you again.”
Mikey frowned and excused himself, going after Donnie and Raph.
“Leonardo,” Splinter murmured.
“I understand,” Leo whispered. “I do. I’ll talk to them.”
He stood and went after his brothers, finding them standing on the bridge over the pond. Raph gripped the railing, grinding his teeth while Donnie and Mikey flanked him.
Leo slowly joined them, leaning on the railing beside Mikey. They were all silent. Mikey and Donnie each slowly scooted closer and closer to Raph until he was squished between them. He flailed his arms at them both and pulled away, scowling.
“What?” He snapped. “You don’t think we should stay and help?”
“I do,” Donnie admitted. “But we can’t do anything about it. If Tou-san’s made the decision, then–”
“Like we’ve always listened to his decisions,” Raph shot back. “Like his decisions have always been good ones.”
Donnie sighed, glancing at Leo.
“I know you want to help,” Leo said quietly. “But I don’t think I can.”
The admission stunned the other three into silence. Leo didn’t meet their eyes, continuing to stare into the water. The scar on his knee ached.
“Yeah,” Raph responded, voice soft. “Okay.”
Synopsis
It is finally time to open the portal into the
Yokai Realm, and
Splinter sends the boys away with the cousins, not wanting to risk another encounter with
The Shredder. They are all upset at this notion, except for
Leonardo, who admits he's still terrified of the idea of facing the Shredder again.
Eventually, it's
Ryuji that convinces Leo that they need to help, and just in time, as when the portal opens, Shredder was waiting for them, and came through with several armed oni to attack them. Shredder fought directly with Splinter, seeing for the first time the
Mutant he had become, and mocking him for it. That's when the boys swooped in to help drive the Shredder and his forces back. Shredder realizes he is out numbered when his oni are defeated and bitterly retreats.
With the yokai portal open, the cousins finally get to see the Yokai Realm themselves. Splinter converses with the local lord of the region, warning him of Shredder, and sets things up for the
Hamatos to once again do their work protecting the region and it's portal.
With everything taken care of, Splinter and the boys must say goodbye to the Hamatos and return home with a bittersweet goodbye.
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