"I just don't know what to do Father."
Master Splinter looked at his son, still recovering from the battle in the Everfree Forest from a few nights before. He wanted to speak to Master Splinter within the castle. "What is wrong, my son? You have not failed the ponies," he reminded Leonardo, poking his chest weakly with his staff. "You have shown fhem what it was like to truly survive a battle beyond what they know."
"I know, it's just... I almot got them killed. I'm responsible to make sure the six of them are ready. We're the ones who brought Shredder here to begin with. And I nearly brought them to their deaths once we entered the Everfree Forest." Leonardo slowly said.
"Shredder brought this upon himself. We were merely trying to stop him. They chose to join our battle to stop him when he attacked Ponyville." the wise rat said.
"Honestly Sensei. I'm afraid of what might happen to them. And to us."
Splinter looked at his son solemnly, "You mustn't worry about the future and the what-ifs, Leonardo. You must instead focus on the happenings of now. I told you to train them, to prove that what I have taught you was for a good cause."
"They know that, Father. But still... We don't even know where Shredder is at! How can I prepare them for something like this, if we ourselves aren't ready!?"
Splinter placed a book on the shelf. "You must have patience. The time will come when we must ally ourselves with the ponies once more for the final battle."
Raph had just gotten to Sugarcube Corner, following another day of crusading with the CMC. "I gotta remind myself to never to make sure they don't go do something even stupider than what they usually do. Good thing I'm here..."
'So, you're alive?'
Raph quietly screamed, "Oh, it's just you Solar." he sighed in relief. The hooded pony didn't look at him. "What the shell do ya want, now?"
'I noticed how you seem attached to those you care for. You will do anything to protect your brothers, won't you?' Solar asked him. Raph rolled his eyes.
"Of course," he began, crossing his arms. "I gotta protect them. They're my family. Why're ya asking me all this, anyhow?"
'That's the key for what's in store. You must figure out where your devotion lies, Raphael.'
"Alright, I've had it with these God forsaken cryptic clues about the future and what this means, or what that stands for. What does all of this have to do with who or what I protect?"
'Although, you hate to admit it. You've grown attached to the ponies of this world.'
"Yeah, as if I truly care about what they think of me or if I will die for their sakes."
Solar paused, absorbing what the angered turtle had just said. Although Raphael couldn't see it, the hooded pony scowled at his response, almost harboring anger at his stubborness.
'Very well. Stay in denial. But you will learn more about yourself soon enough. More than you think.' Solar echoed once more, before fading away from the inside of Raphael's mind. "How do I know she's not some figment of my mind?"
"And all I wanted was a treat or somethin' to fill my stomach..." the turtle groaned, finally opening the door entering Sugarcube Corner, where Pinkie and Mikey waited with a tray full of cupcakes, predicting his actions. "Should I even ask?"
"Nope!" Mikey replied. "Come on dude! Dig in with us!"
Raphael waved his hand dismissively. "Save some for me." he said shoving Mikey slightly off his chair. He grabbed a cupcake, one with red frosting. 'Fitting.' he took a bite, enjoying its taste. 'How does Pinkie Pie do it?'
"Do you like it?" Pinkie inquired, finally wanting Raph to give an honest opinion.
The turtle shrugged, "I mean, it's alright. You make some pretty good cupcakes Pinkie. How'd you do it?"
"Well, I make them with baking soda, flour, and lots of dough, put them in the oven and wait for them to finish baking before finishing it off by putting on frosting!" Pinkie explained in one breath.
"Forget I asked." Raph muttered.
Mikey laughed, "Ya wanted an answer, and you got one, bro." he reminded his brother lightly. Groaning, Raphael took another bite, somewhat regretting the decisions he made today. He swallowed, still enjoying the treat. 'Eh. Maybe it's not too bad after all... Though I would like to find Shredder soon.'
Donatello moved his arm, the limb finally starting to recover following being thrown by the timberwolf. "Alright. That feels a lot better. Now I can get back to focusing on tracking Shredder for Leo."
"Need any help, Donnie?" Spike offered, the dragon bored and wanting something to do. The genius didn't look up as he replied, "Yeah, Spike. Can you see if Twilight has another book about the Crystal Empire? I wanna learn more about it. I have a theory."
Spike opened the door, "Alright, Donnie. One book from Twilight. I'll be back in a minute."
"Thanks, Spike."
Sometime later, Spike and Twilight walked back into Donnie's room with a heavy hardcover carried by Twilight's magic. The alicorn placed the book down on the table in front of Donatello. "Thanks." he said again, opening the book.
He glanced at the contents, but then he saw something that made his jaw drop. "Oh no..."
"What is it, Donatello?" Twilight asked.
Donnie looked at the purple mare with wide eyes, "Get the others. We have to get to the Crystal Empire as soon as we can. It's in danger... That's where Shredder is heading!"
"Why?" asked the confused and worried dragon.
Donnie grabbed the book, and held it under his armpit. "I'll explain once we're together and on the train. We don't have a lot of time to waste!" he practically
The Shredder placed a hand on a tree, pausing to get some more energy. His Foot soldiers had stopped as well. Hovering over him in his astral form, Sombra growled. 'Why have we stopped!? We're almost there.' he wondered.
"In case you have forgotten, I am a human. I need the energy to fight the turtles and Hamato Yoshi. I have a feeling that they're on their way and have tracked us."
'Ha! That won't be a problem. I've seen the minds of the turtles. Quite a dysfunctional family, I might say,' Sombra laughed. 'I have an idea that will last us long enough to accomplish our goals should the turtles find us...' he revealed darkly, making Shredder raise a brow under his mask in wonder.
"What shall that be?"
'The mind of the tempered one, Raphael, is a fragile one. We shall use that to our advantage,' Sombra explained. 'But I'll save that should that become a necessity.'
Shredder looked at his surroundings before replying to the dark king guiding him, "You may continue this plan on one condition. I get to kill the turtles and Splinter myself... I promised you that you shall take the ponies yourself. That was our deal." he raised his spiked gauntlets in anger, threatening Sombra.
'Yes, yes. I remember our deal, Saki,' Sombra told the ninja master. 'I'm just presenting a better compromise that will bring us to our endgame a little easier than what you expected. But we must travel a little further before I can teleport you to our destination safely.'
The Shredder scowled, before a scoff was heard, "Fine. Sombra. As long as I end the Hamato clan on my own terms, got it?"
'Yeah, got it. I want the ponies, you want the turtles. The easiest alliance has been reaffirmed.' Sombra chuckled.
Shredder snarled, "Shut up before I end our alliance prematurely and permanently."
'I'm sorry, Raphael.'
Raph flinched in place, "What the shell, Solar!? I'm tryin' to mind my business. The last thing I need is the voice in my head to surprise me like that!"
'I apologize for my sudden intrusion again, Raphael, but for now I must depart to focus my attention on the other hero I have spoken of before. The next time I see you, the battle you are destined to fight here will already be over.'
"And what the hell is that supposed to mean?"
'It means the very moment I've been preparing you for is coming sooner than expected. Remember what I told you. Always keep those close to you in your mind. Your family, friends, and everyone else. Your heart shall be what saves you.' she said before fading for the last time.
"Wait! Solar! What's that supposed to mean!?" Raphael wondered aloud, curious by what the hooded pony had meant.
"RAPH!"
Knocking the turtle out of his thoughts, Donatello sprinted past the confused Raphael, "What's wrong, Donnie?" he asked his worried brother with concern.
"I know where Shredder's going! Everpony should be on their way to the train station now."
With a smirk, Raphael cheered, "Finally! Let's get goin!" he followed his brother in a jogging pace.