As you walk through the trees, Farję informs you on the news of Lumina Stellar, mostly gossip he's caught around the nearby town. The others follow behind and listen closely. You come close to tears upon hearing the body count, glaring down at the ground as a burning hatred for your aunt ignites. Farję wraps his slender lavender arm around your shoulders in an act of comfort, noticing your depression at the news.

"This war must end as soon as we are able," you speak with a shaky voice, biting back tears. "I will need you and Sewcen on Lumina Stellar's closest moon, effective immediately, and without detection," you speak sternly and with determination, angry tears flowing down your pale face. "I will not let my aunt go unpunished for her crimes."

"I would be honored to fight under your command, my princessa," Farję begins, cleaning your face of tears and dirt. "But Sewcen and moi have a remaining five cycles to serve here."

"I have paid it off." You look up at your old friend with beseeching eyes. "Please, Farję. You and your beloved are some of the best warriors I know."

"Well, I am," a new voice comments from the trees. All heads turn up, Farję grinning from punctured ear to ear. "Farję here is more of a lover."

"My love! Good hunting today?" He calls out.

"Very!" Sewcen jumps out of the greenery and takes Farję's head in her hands, tenderly pressing foreheads together. "I brought home your favorite," she smiles a sharp toothed grin him, then turns to the newcomers.

"My beautiful Endo-child!" She exclaims, hugging you tightly. "How I have missed thee. I wish our reunion was in better circumstances." She sighs faintly and turns to the Hamatos. "Hello! I am Sewcen the Hunter! I see you have met my lover." Her smile evolves to a grin as she eyes the group.

"Hello ma'dam, I am the Fugitoid. A pleasure to meet you!" The Professor bows his head slightly.

"I see you have brought some first-timers, eh?" She smirks as her arms fold over her chest, observing the ones gawking and staring at her.

"Heh... yeah, we're still getting used to the whole... aliens and space travel," Leonardo smiles sheepishly. "Leonardo.. uh, the Leader. Nice to meet you," he sticks out his hand for her.

Sewcen grabs his hand and throws him over her shoulder, pinning him down with a knee to his shell and his arm twisted uncomfortably. Raphael and Casey clap and laugh.

"A pleasure," she purrs. You chuckle softly and kneel down to Leo's face.

"I forgot to mention, they fight for fun and pleasure. A very rough, but noble race of warriors."

Raph hears and grins, stepping up next.
"Hey there, I'm Raphael, the Fighter."

Sewcen grins and stands.
"Care to put that to the test?"

At this, everyone, even Farję backs up five steps.

The hotheaded terrapin looks coy and very sure of himself.
"I thought you'd never ask." He steps back in a strong, sturdy fighting stance. He has been itching for a good fight for a long while, and Sewcen can tell.

She laughs with amusement at his positioning, and stands square before him, shoulders loose and a playful aura about her. In an instant, she runs over and performs a flawless aerial flip over him. The moment she lands on her feet, she attempts to kick his back leg out, only to find that he shifted his weight to that foot. Raphael then grabs her leg and twists it suddenly, forcing her to flip over on her stomach with a low groan. She growls and captures his arm between her legs, flipping over on to her back and knocking him down on his shell. She pins his bicep between her thighs before he can jump back up, and pulls his arm down as she raises her hips up. She was about to break his arm.

"Ok! Ok, I give!" Raph surrenders, tapping out on her leg.

"Release him, Sewcen. You won," you order, an amused grin playing at your lips. She nods and releases Raphael's arm, who immediately stands and glares at your smug expression.

"Not a word," he growls.

"I didn't say anything." You smirk.

Sewcen laughs heartily and pats Raph's shoulder.
"You have a true warrior's spirit within you. It was an honor to defeat you!" She smiles. "I would have drawn it out longer, but there are others I must meet."

After the rest of the introductions, the two aliens lead the group to their home; a large, towering tree with moss covered branches and bridges leading from the roots up to the top, where a bright beacon-like light casts shadows on the thick branches. A fog is settled on the surrounding still lake, ripples dancing across the water at the slightest disturbance.

April leans over the bank to peer into the water, gasping loudly as the sight below.

A creature swims past her, a long fish tail swishing back and forth; it's scales shimmering from the faint light cutting through the fog. Long black hair floats around them, brushing against their pale back and slender arms; and with gills residing at their rib cage, allowing them to breath comfortably under water.

"Mermaid," April whispers with wide eyes, causing the others to look with her.

The 'mermaid' twirls over to stare up at the group with blind eyes, their head tilting as they sense the vibrations in the air above and in the water around them. After a moment, it darts away like a frightened fish would evade a predator.

Casey watches it speed off and grins.
"That was awesome!" He laughs, turning to the shocked and amazed mutants.

"That was a Cree-noc," you say pronouncing the 'R' in 'Cree' with a drawn out vibration. "They stay in the deep water until darkening. That one is out a tad early," you remark, looking around.

"He comes around early to say hello before we sleep." Farję smiles.

Donnie looks around curiously, unable to see very far into the distance with the fog hindering his view.
"How do we get across?" He inquires.

"There are two ways; one is to wait for the boat," Sewcen replies as she takes off her shoes, along with Farję. "The far more enjoyable way is to swim, and try not to get caught." She grins mischievously as she and Farję dive into the lake and begin to swim, their boots left on the bank. Raph grabs Mikey's belt as he tries to follow, rolling his eyes.

With a pout, Michelangelo and everyone watches, gasping and some covering their mouth in shock as they see what wished to catch them.

It can only be described as a titan of a creature, with teeth as long as the trees surrounding them. As it opens its mouth, a bright white light floods out, lighting up its eyes and gills as well. Its long, serpent light tail twists and slithers behind, churning the water around it.

Leo gulps.
"Ho-"

"-ly.." Raph murmurs, flabbergasted.

"Shell!" Mikey shouts, covering his mouth afterwards.

"The Blinding Titan," you whisper, in awe. "I've never seen one in person before.."

"Amazing! Where is that light coming from??" Donnie asks the Professor with wide, astonished eyes.

"No one has survived a trip inside and out, so it has remained a mystery." The Professor answers, in awe of the magnificent and powerful creature he is observing.

You survey Farję and Sewcen swim to land and cheer in victory, having outswam The Blinding Titan. Liberating a breathy chuckle, you and your group board the trolley boat, and ride it to The Tree Village, where Sewcen awaits your arrival.

"Farję has gone ahead to prepare dinner. Shall I show you the sights?" She inquires eagerly.

"Of course," you agree with the others, following her over the sturdy, moss-covered bridges that coil around the trunk of the tree. As you walk along, smiling and greeting the passing people; Sewcen explains that this is The Tree Village, home to a small community of travelers, farmers, fishers and hunters, all beginning as thieves and criminals, sent here for the remainder of their days. You smile at the thought of how these people thrived under such circumstances, and rose up to build villages wherever they could.

"Almost poetic, in a way," you remark with a faint smile. "Sentenced to death, so they make a new life for others to use centuries later.."

As you all resume to walk and converse among each other, Raphael catches himself watching you- really, full on staring. He hates admitting it, but he wants to get to know you more, after seeing you around your good friends, experiencing you in these challenging  surroundings.

Maybe he was starting to like you.

But he can't really know for sure.

~~

Now at the end of a long day of exploring and finding two of the many of your allies, you bid farewell to the two warriors before you head back to the ship; which is surprisingly residing just over the mountain. The Vee-chee has scurried off to who knows where. You soon discover your next mission is to assist the ninja turtles in acquiring the first piece of the Black Hole Generator. Everything seems to ensue in a rushed blur of movements and conversation; and you suddenly find yourself sitting on your bed in the Fugitoid's ship... awaiting the call for the first meal of the day... when everything lurches forward, and you slam into the far wall.

(The Tree Village:

The Blinding Titan:

Hope you enjoyed!!!)