Chapter 6: The Guardian's Past

And so, while I was with Usagi, my three big bros were following a kind of Triceraton, intelligent and tall.

Along some stone corridors, by the tall ceilings, you could see various stone staircases or big main doors. Brilliant, red torches gave off clear flames, lighting everything.

"So," Donnie said, interrupting the sound made by our steps, "do you come from Triceraton Republic?"

"Yes," the Triceraton answered, stopping himself for a moment.

He had cinnamon skin and white armour was on his arms, legs, and chest, with a black and orange belt on his waist.

His name was MonZaram, the leader of "Warrior Stars."

"Interesting," Leonardo murmured, observing all those walls, which were similar to those in the Middle Ages.

"This place is ancient," MonZaram explained. "It's far away and indiscreet to common eyes and the evil."

The last word made everyone immediately think of me. Well, I was the "Black Child" and… I loved being considered the "Evil in person."

"Is there a problem?" MonZaram asked, noticing the silence of my brothers.

"No," Raph replied immediately, his shoulders trembling gently. "We just remembered that we have our little bro to check."

"What is his name?" The Triceraton asked with a nice smile.

"Michelangelo Hamato. He's the fourth of us." Leonardo revealed.

"Ah, yes. Usagi is our Guardian. I know that the Black Child is Michelangelo."

At that, Donnie took a step forward. "We don't know the story of the Black Child, but…we hope that it stays within our group only."

MonZaram smiled and laid a hand on Donnie's shoulder. "Relax. This is secret and it will never be revealed."

"Thanks," Leo smiled. "Now… how can we return to Michelangelo?"

"Follow me…"

I enjoyed seeing the strange forest filled with fog, for entire kilometers at a time. The sky was a dirty grey, and some flash brought forward the thunder. Turthfully, I was extremely curious to know why Usagi put the strap on my arm.

"Michelangelo, you haven't finished your tea," Usagi told me softly.

From my bed, under the window, I turned with an anxious look. Did he want me to speak…?

"Don't worry," the rabbit continued. "If is at the strap that you're thinking, is just my gift. Nothing in particular, nothing to hurt you."

I nodded and with a small jump, I stood up, my hands on my sides. I needed to do something, anything. I hated remaining still without doing anything.

"Do you want to explore your new house?" Usagi proposed to me, removing his mantle.

I smiled with happiness and walked toward the door, which slammed open, hitting my face. I fell to the ground, massaging my nose. When I saw that it was Raph who opened the door, then tried to hug me, something happened.

Jūbun! (Stop)

A blue light wrapped around me, holding me tight, my head pressed down to my chest. I felt fine and Raphael was trapped in a kneeling position on the floor, wrapped in a double golden light.

The emotion was strong, but a strange pain grew in my forehead. I gripped my head, while the strap's rattle played its beautiful sound.

I knew that everyone was watching me, but I couldn't help but pant while the headache grew increasingly worse.

Usagi pointed his fore and the middle finger towards me, while a strong electric discharge of the rattle paralyzed me. I opened my mouth. I would have screamed, if I had a voice…

MonZaram took me in his arms quickly. I was panting, breathing heavily and very quickly. Violent trembles shook my poor body, while I hid my face in my hands. The anger's fire moved away from my chest.

"MIKEY!" my brothers shouted, seeing Usagi steeple his fingers, sighing.

"What is happening?" Raph growled, trying to reach to me.

"We mustn't hug Michelangelo for any reason!" Usagi reproached. "Anything is sufficient to activate the dark part of your brother. We have had a demonstration just now!"

"Strong emotions can seriously affect Michelangelo's Chi. The seal has tried to activate itself, but the strap is another seal to block the dark power." MonZaram explained.

"Mikey, in other words, is..." Don murmured, swallowed, "A time bomb?"

"In human's way, yes," Usagi confirmed. "MonZaram, put Michelangelo on his bed. He needs to rest."

"We want the answers! ABOUT EVERYTHING!" Raphael screamed. "Mikey isn't a freak! He is an angel in person!"

"We can't reveal anything, until you are ready." Usagi excused: "It's a Guardian's task."

MonZaram put a blanket on my body. "And I'm not your Guardian, unfortunately. I have four young brothers to care for."

"Usagi... how will you be looking over us?" Leonardo asked.

"We have our methods."

MonZaram giggled at small wink of the rabbit and with a bow, he left the room, closing the door behind him.

"So..." Don murmured, breaking the silence immediately. "The electric shocks didn't damage Michelangelo's brain, I hope?"

"Don't worry," Usagi explained, caressing my head. I frowned up at his hand. "He's waking up."

My eyes were normal when I opened them, and I found myself sitting and aching all over. I started massaging my forehead, still aching. In all these years, the seal had never hurt me before..."Are you ok?" Leonardo whispered. "We're sorry for hitting you with the door...We were in a bit of a hurry."

A small tremor ran through me, and I grabbed my knees, bringing them close to my chest. I noticed my brothers staring at me, fear in their eyes, while Usagi sat next to me.

"How old are you, Usagi?"

The rabbit giggled at unusual Raph's question, but he answered. "Almost twenty-four."

"I finally understand why you have a paternal touch for us and one very brotherly for Mikey."

"I don't deny it," Usagi admitted, with soft sadness. "I, too, had a little brother. His name was Hane and was fifteen when…"

Our Guardian hesitated, gazing at nothing: he saw his past…again…

"Usagi?" Donnie called softly, worried.

"He was the Black Child…the demons took him from me…dragging him away. My memory was erased, and because of that, I never remembered the place of the horror…I was seventeen…"

I felt bad, thinking about my similar evil, and shuddered. I didn't want to be taken away…I wanted to stay with my family my whole life, or what I have left of life.

"Now, is time for your first training session." Usagi murmured. "It isn't right to depress ourselves. Follow me…"

The meadow was wet with dew. The sky threatened us with rain. The grass extended for miles and miles, disappearing into the horizon.

Usagi walked quietly ahead of us, and when we saw some shadows ahead of us, we slowed down our fast step. They weren't trees, in fact, they were far away from any of the trees along the edge of the meadow. Everything was gloomy and silent, and the air almost icy.

"We've almost arrived." Usagi said to himself, motioning to a big crowd of students and Guardians.

"Jeez..." Don murmured, incredulous. "And we thought we were unique in the castle!"

"Don't worry about your appearance," the rabbit said calmly. "Everybody here just thinks of himself."

"Interesting. But abandon isn't a word in our dictionary," Leonardo said, a hint of a challenge in his voice.

Usagi nodded and when he recognized MonZaram, he stopped. We did the same. I felt Donnie's hand take mine and I tried not to move away.

For once, I wanted be an obedient kid. I saw my brother give me a small look of confusion.

"It's okay, little bro," Don whispered to me, smiling with that missing front tooth. "Nobody will say anything."

I nodded and noticed two deep blue eyes that observed me. I turned towards the east to find a girl with orange hair, brushing a horse's mane. She wore a yellow t-shirt with a "5" on the chest, jean shorts, black stockings, and dark grey boots. She had to have been about fourteen years old.

The girl approached, with a smile on her lips. I felt Donnie's hand grip mine so tightly that I had to nudge him in the ribs roughly. He groaned, but loosened his grip, allowing me to slip my hand out.

"Are you guys new?" She asked gently as Leo and Raph approached.

Donatello was frozen, and from his eyes, I understood that he was in love!

I kicked Donnie's shin hard and he woke up as if he had been struck by lightning, jerking and breathing hard. It was the first time I saw Donnie so red, embarrassed, and it was hilarious.

"Yes," Donnie finally answered, rubbing his neck nervously. "We're from New York."

"Cool!" The girl exclaimed. "My name is April O'Neil and I'm from New York too!"

"I'm Leonardo and these are my brothers: Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo," Leo presented proudly.

I smiled a bit and looked at Usagi, who gave me a soft look…maybe our first experience in this place wouldn't be so boring after all…

Hey, guys! I'm finally returned! After a long time, I and my beta amazing reader CuddlyHawk, the sixth chapter of this story is online! Please, don't kill me for a unacceptable time, but... I think I'll update soon!

Enjoy and don't forget to criticize me and the story!