This story is rated G for general viewing.
It is before dawn, and I'm first up. The others won't wake for hours. Yeah, it was a dirty trick, but doping the food last night was the only way I could think of to delay our departure, and I promised Terra to keep my new status a secret. It makes sense in a way: if the "bad guys" find out where I am, they'll find the crystal and then I'm toast. Plus, I don't really want my bros dragged into this mess. After moping around for a few hours yesterday, I really started thinking, and putting things together. Terra chose me because not only am I perfectly equipped for this task, physically and mentally, I am near the crystal. I have to find it. I don't know where this insane urge comes from--maybe, being the "chosen one" I'm more finely attuned to the crystal? Who knows. But somehow, deep inside, I know I have to find it.
Nearby--so I start thinking. The water crystal would be hidden near water right? (Okay, it's just a guess, but it's better than nothing, right?) And what is the nearest major body of water? The Connecticut River! Yeah! I've gotta hike down there right away, see what's up. I'm moving so fast, it takes me under an hour to reach the bank of the mighty Connecticut, wending its way through Massachusetts. Now if I were a magical rock, where would I hide? Under another rock? Hm.
Or maybe--in the water itself........
I wade into the water, splashing a bit as I look at the bottom. Have to look for the drop-off--there. I plunge into the icy water, shivering. Too early in the morning for it to have warmed up. I try to ignore the cold as I peer into the depths. Then, with one lungful of air, I plunge down. I open my eyes, searching for any sign of crystal before I finally have to come up for air. After several such plunges, I come to my senses and realize how stupid I'm being. Terra said my instinct would guide me to the crystal, and I have to let it! This method could take years!
So when I fill my extra-large turtle lungs with air again, I go still and let my instinct guide me. Something is pulling me down, so down I go. Diving deeper, I find a pit-hole, a deep spot I have never seen before. I go in. And finally, I see a tunnel, one of the many caves that exist down here. It seems stupid, but the feeling tugs at me again, and I pull myself into the tunnel and up it. I seem to swim forever before I emerge into a great underwater cavern. And in the center, a rock platform. I swim over for a closer look--yes! This is it! The light blue of shining crystal catches me eye, winks at me. I can't believe how easy this is!
I reach out, and as I lift the crystal, it seems to pulsate in my hands: I hear a sound like striking chimes, and a shiver runs down my spine. How odd; but I have no time to think about. My lungs are on fire! I glance down the tunnel that I came from. It looks so much longer now! I'll never make it! But ahead of me, the tunnel slopes up--no, this is insane! Don't take the chance, Donny! Almost unbidden, my legs kick and propel me toward the other tunnel. I shoot upward, occasionally pushing again the tunnel walls to go faster, desperate to escape this place before my lungs explode.
I burst into the light, gasping. A cave? No--I've made it! I'm in a deep canyon, but at least it's dry land! I grab the rim of the tunnel and drag myself onto the rocky floor of the canyon, totally exhausted. But I pull myself into sitting position so I can examine the crystal. I look at it from every angle, turning it slowly in my hands. It's in the shape of a pentagon, an inch thick, on a leather thong; the edges are cut sharply, but they don't cut me, even when I run my finger along the edge. Why? It fits in my palm, and I lay it there. Looking deeper into the swirling white clouds at its center, a tingling feeling comes over me like a mild electric shock. I gasp as a flood of sensation covers me.
I feel as if I'm immersed in a rushing body of water, pulled by a slow current. Water caresses me and I close my eyes to absorb the sensation fully. It's incredible--but my reverie is broken by a voice.
--Yes.-- it murmurs, like water rushing through a creek bed. --Yes, you ARE the one....--
"The one what?" I ask stupidly aloud.
--The chosen one.-- Of course....then the crystal was accepting me as the water elemental?
"What are you? The crystal? Terra said the crystal was only a physical manifestation of the element--"
--Of course.-- The entity, whatever it is, seems to emanate amusement. --It is merely convenient for your "logical" mind to assume that the crystal is speaking, and not I, the one behind the crystal.--
"Then...you're the water, the element itself."
--I am that thing.--
"What am I supposed to do now?"
--You must find the other elementals. But first you must return to the farmhouse. Your family will worry, and for now you must keep up that charade.--
"Aren't there, um, powers or something I'm supposed to--"
--You have already received them. Secure the crystal. You must go now.--
"Why are all you guys so pushy?" I grumble. I tie the thong to my belt, knotting it so it can't come loose. "So how do you propose for me to get back?"
--Go back the way you came.-- it says easily. The element apparently senses my doubt, because it continues --Do as I say!-- I stand up and move toward the hole, expecting to feel my aching body complain at me. But to my surprise, I seem rejuvenated, as if I'd never had my grueling swim. Steeling myself for the cold shock of the water, I plunge in. Again, I am pleasantly startled. The water is as warm and soothing as a heated pool, despite the fact that I am in a rock tunnel far from the warming light of the sun. I smile to myself. It is nice, though. --Now open your mouth.--
--What!?-- This time I think rather than say it, but the element seems to grasp my point.
--Stop questioning me and breathe!-- the irritated element commands. I hesitantly exhale, and then draw the water into my lungs. Geez, this is stupid! I'll probably just drown. No way! I'm BREATHING, actually breathing water as if it were air! This is totally impossible. --No.-- the element interrupts. --Just improbable. Unless, of course, you are an elemental. You now have total and complete control over water In a manner of speaking..-- I'm really enjoying this ease of movement. I find now, too, that natural buoyancy doesn't work. Instead of sinking or floating, as any normal creature would, going to one extreme, I am able to "hover" in the water! If I don't propel myself, I remain in the same position.
I think to respond to the element's statement. --In a manner of speaking?--
--I am not sure that control is the best way to put it. Let us say that you have a sort of obliging relationship with the element. I will do what I am asked, and I provide you with several talents, but you do not truly control me....--
This conversation is getting off into some weird tangents. But I'm not interested in discussing free will as it applies to the elements, so I change the subject. --So.....What am I supposed to do now?--
--Go back to your family.--
--So you said. But what then?--
--You must find the other elementals. They will join you on the next part of your quest.--
A quest, huh? This is getting even stranger than it seemed at first. Still, I'm apparently the elemental, and it's way too late to back out now. At long last, I break the surface of the river.
"DOOONNNNNNYYYYYYY!" Uh-oh. Mike's voice, calling from somewhere up on the bank. Now I am really in trouble! I had planned to be back before anyone noticed I was gone. This little trip must’ve taken longer than I’d planned....
Bowing to the inevitable, I shout back, "Down here, Mikey!"
A minute later, Mike's face peers at me from bank, which is pretty high up at this point in the river. "Donny? What're you doing down there?"
"Swimming, duh," I tell him, trying to sound casual. I was never any good at lying to people.
"Why didn't you wake us! It's late! What time did you come out here?" babbles Mike.
"I dunno, I wasn't paying attention."
"Don not pay attention? Are you coming down with some hypothermia or somethin'?" Raph joins Mike above me. "C'mon and get out, nerdly boy. It's time to go, we've been looking for you forever."
I kick my way over to the edge of the river and grab the root of a tree which sticks out over the water. I slip, and brace myself to fall back into the water, but to my surprise, the water seems to push me back up, keeping me from falling back! I pull myself up on roots and grass until Raph and Mike can grab my hands and help me over the edge of the bank. Again, I'm surprised as I seem to be completely dry already.
--Of course. I told you, the water is now actively aiding you....even in minor ways.--
I jump with surprise and fear before I remember that the voice is in my head and my bros can't hear it.
"Yo, Don, I said, what's with the rock?" Raph, startling me out of my silence. Oh no! I totally forgot about the crystal, and now he's seen it!
"Uh-what?" I pretend incomprehension while I try to think of a plan. Oh, I wish they couldn't see the darn thing!
Raph suddenly does a double take. "Um, never mind." He turns away, muttering, "Guess I WAS tired after all....Coulda sworn I saw something..." Mike doesn't appear to notice the crystal any more either! --Water, what did you do?--
--You wanted the crystal rendered invisible to the sight of others. It has been done.--
Cool. I follow my brothers back towards the farmhouse. Instant granting of my wishes? Well, as long as they involved water. But I have to admit, pretty awesome! This element stuff is looking up....