Donatello carefully steered the van up on the gravel-covered road to the ranch owned by Susan Monroe. Beside him, Candace slept in the passenger seat. They had been driving for eight hours almost non-stop. In the two seats behind him, he had Mike, Kelly and Leonardo. And in the furthest seat, Venus, TwoFeather and Raphael were asleep. It was in the middle of the night, so he felt quite exhausted as well. He'd been driving the past four hours, in pouring rain. Candace had been able to rent the big van and they had left New York only a day after Raphael's dream. Don yawned and turned the van to face the big ranch house. In the light of the van, he could make out that it was made partly of stone and had two storeys, with a balcony leading across both the upper floor as well as the front of the house. He gently shook Candace and she woke with a yawn. The others started to get ready as well.

"You all just sit here, while I speak to Susan." said Candace and grabbed her long grey coat. She pulled it on before opening and running to the house. They could see a lone figure standing in the doorway, waiting for Candace.

"Where are we?" asked Venus and looked out the windows.

"In the middle of nowhere..." grumbled Raph and stretched his arms as well as he could. They had been fortunate to find a big van, but it had so far cost them more in gas then rent. Leo leaned forward and looked out at the rain. He sighed and pulled up the old hat he had.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" he asked and opened the slide door of the big mulberry-red van. They saw Candace running thru the rain.

"Ok, She don't believe me...." she said with a grin. Don chuckled and turned off the lights and the van fell silent. The others made it out as well, running thru the rain with bags and gear. Susan waited on the long porch. That led all the way out to the ends of the house, and onwards to the bathrooms and extra storerooms next to the main house. As Leo walked up the stair towards Susan, a mighty bolt of lightning lit up the sky and his face.

***

Susan didn't really know what to think. All she saw, was a grim face, definitely not human. Candace had been right. They were strange. She took a step back as she saw Leonardo's face in the light of the thunder. He put down the big sportsbag he had brought and moved aside as the others came to seek shelter.

"Susan... May I introduce Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, Michaelangelo and Venus De Milo. And that is Kelly and this is Charles TwoFeather." said Candace and each of them said hello or nodded. Raph looked a bit bored and started to wring water out of his bandana tails.

"When Candace called and told me she's bring some friends, I didn't expect...you all to be..."

"Turtles? No, I understand. Who ever does?" said Leo and looked at the door. "We are quite tired, and need to get to sleep...."

Susan swallowed hard and hurried inside before them, inviting them into her big roomy kitchen. She pointed at the big roaring fireplace and the chairs in front of it. Candace hung her soaking coat here; Kelly and TwoFeather did the same. Mike crouched down in front of the fire and soaked in as much heat as possible. "I plain hate cold rain!" he proclaimed and rubbed his hands.

"Ditto that..." mumbled Raph and joined him. Susan stood still in the middle of the kitchen, not sure what to think or say. She glanced at Candace and then at Kelly. Even TwoFeather, with his exotic good looks, seemed more human then these green creatures. She knew how pale she must be, her half albino looks being very pale before, now this was making her white as a ghost. She stepped aside as Leo walked by, out into the hallway. Susan's eyes were big as plates when she looked at him. He radiated a strange respect.

"Where are we going to stay?" asked Candace.

"Umm... I have two spare rooms upstairs, and two downstairs. And a spare bunk in the office. I borrowed some mattresses. I couldn't find enough beds..."

"Don't worry. They have futons at home. " Said Candace and picked up her big bulky suitcase.

"Home?" asked Susan as she showed them the way. Venus decided to take one of the room downstairs, and TwoFeather stayed with her. It was obvious he didn't plan on sleeping anywhere else. Candace and Raph got the second room downstairs. Don settled for the spare madras in the office, preferring to have some privacy.

"Yep, home in New York. They have a quite cosy place actually. " Said Kelly with an ironic tone in her voice as she followed Susan. Kelly had seen the lair for the second time the past afternoon when Mike had called her. He'd been in contact with their policesource, and Candace had come up with an easy and solid story about Kelly's idea of a safe house. Susan had been dragged into it as well, agreeing to act along. The FBI had been furious, and had been forced to work very rapidly. But during the last 8 hours, they'd checked the farm, checked the countryside and decided that the place was suitable as an atleast temporary hideout.

***

"What do you bozos mean by gone!?" roared Cornelius Blackwood and slammed his fists in the desk. The three men in front of him didn't dare to look at him, fearing that he would either kill them or do worse.

"They...They are just gone, Sir. I sat outside the Indian dude's house for six hours. He didn't show up. And his shop was closed."

"I practically gave them to you three. I pointed out locations and sites where they might be, and you..." he pointed at them each one," you three...screw it up like this!! " He raged and the eyes almost gleamed red of anger. "I am very disappointed..."

He took several deep breaths and then straightened himself, looking almost calm again. "And do you three know what I don't like? Huh? Do you?"

They mumbled something and didn't look up.

"I hate to be disappointed!" said Cornelius. He straightened his black tie and turned towards the window, looking out at the city below. It seemed like it was going to be a bad night. The thunder was just around the corner.

"Get out. If I want to speak to any of you, I'll let you know. Out!"

They scrambled out thru the door very fast. "Pathetic creatures" mumbled Cornelius and shook his head. But as long as he had to use this body and this ugly face, he had to cope with it. Some took shortcuts and ended up dead. He had planned this for a very long time. Years actually. And in the long run, he'd wield powers stronger then anyone could stand. The four elements would be under his control, and their precious protector White Eagle Woman would be gone. Right now, he could sense her despair and anger. But even if he hated her, he still admired her powers. She'd been able to atleast three times slip past his guarding walls of the spiritworld. She had called upon allies he could barley see. They were protected by something. By life itself it seemed. By love, friendship and light. He shivered at the bare thought. But White Eagle had forgotten; that he could trace her energies, and then he had found the ones she had contacted. He didn't know who they were or how they looked, but their inner energies were among the strongest and most powerful he had met yet. No human could keep them in place. So he had been thoroughly surprised when one of these strange powerful beings had wiped the floor with his people. And White Eagle's most reliable source of energy, the Eagle sculpture, was now in their hands. He leaned his smooth forehead on the glass, examining the city out there. He couldn't feel them anymore. Not even the ones who were clearly tainted by their powers as well. They were gone from New York as well. He realised that he had to do some serious energy tracing to do here. Something that would put him in a state of extreme danger and exposure for several hours.

***

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Mike happily threw himself on the big bed.

"Ahhhh... this is heaven!" he grinned and sighed deeply. Leo shook his head. And dropped his bag in the floor. Mike got up from the bed and looked at him, then at Kelly. He got a slightly annoyed look in his eyes when he saw Kelly being led away by Susan to the room across the hall. Mike stopped in the doorway, looking after her with a surprised look in his face.

"Forget it Mike. She barely knows you..." said Leo and sat down on the madras. He picked up his katanas and examined them carefully before he resheated them and placed them beside him on the floor. He untied the bandana, making a hideous face at the wet fabric.

"But I..." started Mike. One look from his brother made him silent. Mike plopped down on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. He looked like a rain drenched puppy, pouting childishly with his lower lip. Leo glanced at him and snorted something. He'd personally had it with women. All he could think of was the loving smile TwoFeather had given Venus. He placed the second katana much to hard on the floor.

***

Susan sat by the big oak kitchen table with a tired Candace opposite from her. The others were sound asleep, since they would have to get up early.

"That's a very fascinating story, Candace. You know what, I almost fainted when I saw them"

Candace smiled and sipped her tea. Susan was just like she'd always been. Tall, strong and solid as Earth itself. She was far from beautiful, with her long nose, broad cheeks and very pale eyes. She was almost an Albino, but still had some more blonde hair then a true albino.

"Well, I was on the verge of doin' that myself. But then...Well, if there's one thing I know it is to never judge a person by his or hers looks. And believe me, I am glad I didn't judge Raphael by his looks."

"Ahem. Yes, I suppose so. I still can't understand... What are they doing here? Why did they come along?"

Candace placed her cup carefully on the table, looked around in the kitchen while she tried to come up with a reasonable explanation.

"I... don't know if I can explain it. It has to do with some magical stuff. Some kind of spirit. She is apparently being threatened by something evil, and has asked them to help out. "

She smiled at Susan and took her friends hands, "And I think they will make it. They are so strong."

"Everyone is strong when they are in a group. How do they work on their own?" said Susan and looked at her.

"I have no idea. I suppose I didn't think of that. "

Susan watched her. The clock was getting closer to four in the morning. It was obvious the young woman was worn out. Susan studied her lines, her face and eyes. Something was eating away in her. As if something was chewing up the inner core of her. Susan had an eye for this. As if she could sense how a person felt in the soul and body.

"I am so sorry I couldn't attend to Uraiah's funeral. I really am."

"You sent lovely flowers. Father would have been very grateful." said Candace and smiled at her.

"You know, if you need to get away, you can always come here. Even with friends like this..."

Susan saw her smile again, but something in her eyes didn't smile.

"Thanks. I'll remember that."

Candace gave her a warm hug before she left the kitchen. Susan heard the old door to her parents bedroom creak a bit. Someone said something in there, a male voice. She leant back in the chair and drank the last of her tea. Time to get to bed. Even if she didn't understand the strange beings that was under her roof, something about them alarmed her. She locked the doors before she turned out all the lights.

"Sleep tight." she said when she passed Candace and Raphael's room.

"Same here." said Candace from inside.

Susan smiled and walked up the broad wooden stair to the upper floor.

The house had been built during the 1860, and had stood up against war, invaders and quite a few generations of people. She fondly smiled at a small drawing on the wallpaper. Her first horse sketch. It looked more like a dog then a horse. She turned out the lights in the hallway and walked on. Her room was at the end of the house, being the biggest bedroom in the house. On the way, she passed the two rooms lying opposite to hers. She glanced at one of the doors, seeing an open crack, barely wide as her hand. She saw the old bed, with Mike sleeping. But by the window, basking in the light of the furious thunder outside, she saw Leonardo. Now he didn't have the bandana, the belt or any other strange gear on. Even if the others were odd looking, and Raphael was rather scary regardless of what Candace assured her of, this one was like ice. She saw him stare straight out at the storm; not moving an inch when the worst bolts struck eachother. A particularly big flash made her jump, and Leo heard her. His eyes looked right at her, like two piercing, dark truly lionine eyes. Susan hurried to her room, and closed the door behind her. She placed a hand on her heart, trying to convince it not to jump out of her chest. She still had the image of the strange turtleman etched in her mind. And those empty eyes as well.

***

Even New York had its fair share of thunder. And one person, a vessel of darkness, stood at the window of an officebuilding, watching the bolts rushes across the sky. The handsome face was not naturally handsome. No, it held a beauty that went beyond human. It was much too perfect to be true. The man raised his hands, touching the glass in front of him. He bodily control belonged to the dark demon inside. Behind him, in the dark room, a pale-eyed man smiled wide. He brushed his long black hair aside, waiting for orders.

"Travel..." whispered the man by the window, "north. There, you will find the fifth element. It must be stopped. It can not be allowed to work its magic towards me. White Eagle is helping her. I need Eagle's powers to rule this world. Without my control over the four elements of life, I will be doomed. And so will you...Crow."

Crow touched the sore jaw. The turtlefreak woman had smashed his face well. He wanted to get even. His master knew this well, and channelled his fury.

"I will travel north. But I need more help."

"Find help, but do get up there. If you treasure your head."

The man looked over his shoulder, the eyes gleaming yellow for a brief second. Then Cornelius looked out at the storm again, taking in the fury and rage of the storm. Soon. He had worked in the dark that was also what he was. He glanced at his hand, forcing it to close. The other soul within him worked hard to gain the control of this body. But what had a soul to fight with against the dark spirit?

"Your body is a mere vessel, and I will use it as I like. Afterall, Cornelius, you invited me into it...."

In his inner, a small soul cried in fear as the demon once again attacked it.

A soft knock on the door made Candace wake up. She looked around, unfamiliar with her surroundings. But then she remembered the trip, the house and the storm. But now, she had bright sunrays shining in thru the high windows.

"Yeah?" she said and sat up. Raphael was gone. She touched the pillow beside her, smiling at the memories of him.

"It's Susan. Are you up for some breakfast?"

"Ranchstyled?" asked Candace. She got up from the bed and started to rummage thru her suitcase. She pulled up a pair of jeans, a bra, and an old T-shirt.

"You're on a ranch, Candace! Yep, all ready."

"OK. I'll be out in a minute!" she said. Today, she felt pretty good actually. The clean air and the hours of sleep had finally made a difference. She looked at the wristwatch and grinned. Half past ten. She'd slept a few hours atleast.

She came out into the kitchen after taking a quick shower. This time in daylight. It was crammed with people, and turtles. She saw Venus and TwoFeather sitting by the table. Venus was poking at some bacon and eggs. TwoFeather was digging into something fit for vegetarians. Mike was making Kelly laugh over something. Raph stood by the window, nose deep in the local newspaper. Susan beamed her a smile and pointed at the table.

"It's all yours. The others are almost done anyway."

"Thanks! I am starving!" she said. Raph looked over the brim of the paper, giving her a look that made her almost full of other things. But even if the mind did get fed with love and care, the body had other needs. She took the seat next to Kelly, having Venus as a neighbour and Mike and TwoFeather opposite her. Susan took the chair on the short end, back to the stove and kitchen while she poured herself a cup of black coffee.

"Where's Leonardo and Donatello?"

"Leo is calling Splinter. April, Casey and Shadow is at the farm. They took Splinter with them so he could have a change of scenery. Don is probably calling Maria if I know him well enough..." said Mike and smiled at her "Oh, by the way...Goodmorning Candace!"

"How do you manage to be alive in the mornings?" mumbled Raph at his cheery tone of voice and folded the paper. He sat down on the last chair, next to Candace.

"He's Mike." said Venus with her accent and finally convinced herself to taste the bacon. She chewed on it slowly, then more happily. "Bacon, right?"

Susan grinned wide, "Yeah. Like it??"

Venus look said it all. She obviously liked it.

Candace glanced at Raph, smiling at him.

"Slept well, I hope?" she said with a low voice.

"Yeah, like a baby."

He grabbed a piece of bread from the basket on the table and chewed on it while listening to the conversation. His hand slipped over to Candace thigh and rested there as warm remembrance of that he was just next to her. Halfway thru the meal, Leo walked in from the hall and the office beyond it.

"All well at the farm. Splinter sends his regards. Especially to you Susan, for taking us in here." he announced and stopped by the table. He held his swords under his arm. "I'll be outside."

"Ah...You'll all be outside soon," added Susan. "I need some help."

They all looked like living questionsigns.

"My stablehelps are on vacation for the next week and a half..."

Chapter Seven

Chapter Nine

Turtles Fanfiction

EMAIL to Anna-Karin