Author's Note

This short chapter is in dedication to the recently departed James Earl Jones.

Wise Words

It was nighttime in New York, and on one of the roof tops, Luz was doing some exercises just like the turtles do.

“I'm at peace... I'm at peace.” she repeated to herself as she concentrated. Soon she felt as if she was one with the whole of life, until she suddenly thought about Belos and what he could be planning and her mother wondering if she'd ever see her again. That resulted in her losing concentration and she opened her eyes.

“Dang it!” she cursed, “Trying to find inner peace is so hard. How does Leo do it?

“Luz?” came a voice, as she looked up seeing Dragon Jake flying down before landing and shifted back into human form.

“Oh, hi, Jake. What're you doing out so late?” she asked.

“Had to settle a feud between two tribes of trolls. It wasn't easy, but I got it done. What about you?”

“I just came up here hoping to find some peace and tranquility.”

“Yeah living down in the sewers with Raph and Mikey of all of them can probably get to you after awhile.” Jake chuckled.

“Yeah, that,” she sighed, “But mostly I'm just worried.”

“About what?”

“All of this. Kikimora, Chang, and Finn, they came so close to releasing the Dark Dragon.”

“I know. But luckily we pulled it off and stopped them.” Jake reminded her.

“For now. But knowing them they're not going to stop until they get what they want. And that scares me.”

Jake sighed, “Truthfully, I'm scared about it as well. Chang and the Dark Dragon have been two of my worse enemies. The last time they worked together they almost had the entire Dragon Council and more under their command had I not swapped the potion they blackmailed me into giving them. Even after we sealed away the Dark Dragon I'd still have the occasional nightmare about him coming back and having his revenge on me, even going after my family and friends.”

Luz nodded in understanding, “And we need to stop the trio otherwise, me, Eda, Amity, and the rest of my friends can't get back to the Boiling Isles. And we have to get back there before Belos does something that could really bring more trouble. That's why I've tried to find inner peace in myself, but I keep thinking about what Belos could do, and if he succeeds in who knows what I might never see my mom again.”

The two teens looked down dismally, unaware of some clouds passing by started changing shape, and soon took the form of a familiar rat mutant who was smiling.

“Jake and Luz!”

The teens jumped before looking up at the night sky seeing Splinter in the clouds, “Whoa! Aren't you?” Jake began.

“Yes, Jacob. I am Hamato Yoshi, better known as...”

“Master Splinter,” Luz finished, “The turtles sensei and father.”

“The turtles and the Rainbooms told us so much about you.” Jake told him.

“And I have been watching over the both of you and your friends ever since you joined up with my family. You all have quite a long journey ahead of you.”

“So you do know what we're up against?” Luz asked.

“Indeed, an enemy from both your factions and my students have joined forces and aim to unleash a great evil upon the world. If they succeed there'll be no future for anyone. Only pain and suffering.”

The two recoiled feeling more pressure, “We've each managed to best them individually before, but with these three working together it might be too much for either of our sides.” Luz voiced doubt.

“I understand the pressures you face. My sons and I have faced similar problems of our own. From the Shredder, the Kraang, and even the Triceratons. Yet even when things looked bleak, we all stuck together until the end.”

“Even when Shredder?” Jake began but found it hard to finish.

“Yes. Though I had been defeated by Shredder on two occasions with the last one costing my life I still passed on as much of my knowledge to my sons, and all their friends. Especially to the Rainbooms. But you will find they will always have your backs and more. For one of their greatest strengths is their friendship. And becoming friends with both of you and your own friends had only made it stronger. Friendship is indeed a powerful element that most of our enemies underestimate, just as Chang and Kikimora have for you.”

The two looked at each other and remembered with their friends helping them their enemies never have stood a chance against them.

“Do you think all of us together can really overcome the trio's plan, sensei?” Jake asked.

“As long as you remember to believe in yourselves, and each other, there is nothing your minds cannot accomplish together. Remember that.” the cloud form of Splinter started rolling away.

“Master Splinter?” Luz called.

“Remember!”

“Sensei!” Jake called.

“Remember!”

The clouds rolled away and the sky cleared up again revealing the stars. The two knew Splinter's spirit had gone, but his words still rung in their heads.

“The Rat sensei's right,” Jake told Luz, “There's nothing we can't do if we work together and believe in one another.”

“Just as we always had with our own friends.” Luz smiled.

“And this time we'll be even stronger with our new friends the ninjas and the Rainbooms.” Jake smiled as well, as the two fist bumped.

“Well, I'm going back to the lair. See you tomorrow, Jake.”

“Later, Luz.” Jake dragon upped again and flew for home.

Luz looked back up at the sky thinking of what Splinter said, “We'll make you proud.”