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((Author's Note: sweatdrop Donny's dream was actually hard to figure out! I had to really get deep into his skull in order to get it right. I hope this doesn't suck...))

Donatello wandered through a temperate forest, enjoying the sounds of wildlife around him. The wind brought the smell of water from a nearby river, and every now and then, he spotted some animal--a deer, a rabbit, or even a fox.

"It's so beautiful," he murmured to himself. "I can see--no, I understand how much the Native Americans loved and worshiped the land. It is full of life...it supports all life..." He laid a gentle hand on a very large and very old tree. "Without the land...we would be nothing."

An sudden noise filled the air, and Donny turned to see that he no longer stood within the forest, but on its edge as humans did major logging, as well as reckless tearing of the land.

"And yet...people would rather use technology without realizing that they're damaging the very earth they're getting their resources from. True, we've advanced so far that we can try to reverse the damage and destruction...but the human population is growing so rapidly...and so many people in high places don't care about saving the enviroment." He grimaced as he added with contempt, "They'd rather profit for themselves than others. In that sense, they're as bad as the Shredder. I could say that we should try to get rid of technology.

"And yet...it has done so much for the human race. Our scientific understanding has advanced so much that many people are better off today than they are a hundred years ago. In many ways, we need technology in order to continue this route. And yet..." His voice trailed off as he looked at the careless destruction before him.

"You feel the earth's pain...do you not, my son?"

Somehow, Don wasn't surprised to see his father standing next to him. "I do, Father. Even though I'm grateful for the technology available to us, I still wish to help save this world from those who would carelessly destroy it for their own selfish gains. But...I fear that we might have to give up said technology."

"Nature itself is made up of many elements, Donatello, and it works best when all of them are in balance with each other. Lava erupts from a volcano, forming more land for plants to grow on. The turning of the planet brings the winds to life, which--combined with the water--creates the weather the parched earth needs to produce. All four of you represent these elements--Michelangelo is the swift wind, Leonardo is the deep waters, Raphael is the passionate flames beneath...and you, my son, are the earth that gives our family footing."

"Me? The earth?"

"Yes," Splinter nodded. "You, my son, help the family through your inventions, your medical skills, and the vast stores of knowledge that you have collected over the years. Together, you are like the land itself--strong, unasailable, and supportive."

"But the land is wounded, Father. It's starting to fall apart."

"Yes...and until recently, so was our family."

"...that is true... We were drifting apart while Leo was off on his training mission. Raph especially didn't take his sudden leave so well... And something's still bothering him even after Leo came back and we managed to save New York from the threat of an interdimensional invasion. Leo ain't back to his usual self, either... I think Mikey's been trying to help them out by getting them to talk to him." Don grinned. "He's pretty good at that with all his joking and fooling around. But...I dunno what to do. I...I feel like I'm missing something...that I'm still not fully aware of what's really going on with my brothers."

"But you have begun to make an effort to be more aware," Splinter-Sensei pointed out. "You already know that there are problems among your brothers."

"But...I still have my own problems. It's kinda hard to help them and leave this issue unsolved..."

"That is why you must seek balance, my son. One does not have to give up technology in order to save the earth...but one must be able to strike a balance between nature and civilization before they can begin the healing process. You must find the balance within you--" The rat pointed to his son's heart with his cane. "--in order to find the strength of the earth...your inner strength. Some have to find it before they can help others...but others have found it by helping each other. The choice...is up to you, my son."

Donatello looked at his Bo, which was being offered by his father, and then at the forest facing destruction.

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