Foot Mystics (2003 TV series)

The Foot Mystics, also known as Heralds of the Shredder or Mystic Ninjas, are five elemental entities who each controls a classic element: Metal, Earth, Fire, Water, and Wind. They all have the ability to regenerate body parts or shape their own bodies. Their bodies themselves are made of the element they command. The Earth, Fire, and Metal Mystics are voiced by Sean Schemmel while the Wind and Water Mystics by Brian Maillard in the 2003 TV series.

History[]

FootMystics(Ep22) — Water, Fire, and Earth Mystics

It is seen in the series that the Mystics are powerful enough to even outmatch the Ninja Tribunal. They are called "Heralds of the Shredder" because they were loyal servants of the true Demon Shredder. They were first seen in the series as guards of the Utrom Shredder because they were being controlled by the Heart of Tengu. This artifact is demonic and holds the commands of the Mystics. The Utrom Shredder somehow knew this and took advantage of it. In Return to New York, Part 2, the Mystics awaken when the TMNT and Splinter attempt to infiltrate the Utrom Shredder's tower. The Mystics outmatched the TMNT, until Splinter used the Sword of Tengu against their foes, using the elements the Mystics were composed of against each other.

In Bad Day, it is revealed that the Foot Mystics have black magic powers, when they attack the Ninja Turtles on the astral plane. After their attack failed, Karai scolds them. The mystics point out that the Utrom Shredder had more respect for their power than her, but she cold heartedly tells them that she does not respect them or fear them either. So long as she had the Heart of Tengu, their powers were hers to command.

As a result of their mistreatment at the hands of Karai, they became more determined to liberate themselves from her. They trick Bishop and the Ninja Turtles by proxy into stealing the artifact, while the Mystics themselves allowed them to pass into the new Foot Tower. The Mystics broke free of Karai's grip when they have Baxter Stockman destroy the artifact and they begin their plans to resurrect the true Demon Shredder. When freed the Mystics were able to revert to their true forms and were shown to be far more powerful than previously shown.

The Lost Episodes[]

The Foot Mystics are the main antagonists of the first part of the season, trying to resurrect the demon Shredder by having monsters guard the parts of his dead body. After the three artifacts are recovered by the acolytes and the Ninja Tribunal, the Mystics take matters into their own hands. They kill the Ninja Tribunal, as well as the 4 other acolytes that the turtles had befriended and stole the three artifacts. They retreated to New York, but were followed by the turtles, Splinter, and the Ancient One. Despite their fanatical devotion to the Demon Shredder, they were still abused by him for so much as saying anything he felt was out of line. Especially when they plead for their master to kill Karai for "stealing" his mantle, which doesn't concern him the least, much to their displeasure. It was later revealed that they were disgusted at serving Ch'rell and hatched a plot to resurrect their master by using an invisible bone demon to gather the helmet, gauntlet and body from the "Ninja Tribunal", but it was defeated by Master Splinter and the Ancient One. It was also revealed that the Mystics at some point in time sent out their demon servants to steal the gauntlet and helmet from the Tribunal and when they arrived in Japan they found their servants defeated by the new acolytes of the "Ninja Tribunal", who were in fact the Ninja Turtles and four other brave warriors chosen by the Tribunal. After a massive attack the Mystics succeeded in recovering the Demon Shredder's helmet, gauntlet and body and eventually revived the true Shredder. They are all killed in "Enter the Dragons, Part 1" by the Turtles, the other four Acolytes, and Karai.

Fast Forward[]

In the Fast Forward episode The Journal , the Metal Mystic in his original form appeared before Raphael and Casey Jones following their fight with the Purple Dragons and teleported them to a deserted island for three years. This was found in one of the pages of Casey and April O'Neil's journal that the Turtles were reading despite Splinter and Cody's warnings not to read it. However, this particular event was a complete fabrication by Master Splinter and Cody in order to teach the Turtles a lesson about messing with the future, though this was only because the former got tired by the end. Splinter even found the part with the Foot Mystic to be humorous.

Powers[]

The Foot Mystics' elemental symbols

It is implied that while under the control of the Utrom Shredder and Karai, they limited their powers to a level they could manage. Nonetheless, they were impossible to defeat or destroy through physical skill alone, requiring the Sword of Tengu, focused meditation, or mystical power to fight them. In their true forms, the Mystics' powers reach the point where they can overpower the Ninja Tribunal and destroy structures. However, in Enter the Dragons, Part 2, it's revealed that the Tribunal possibly allowed themselves to be defeated by the Mystics to teach their students an important lesson. Individually, the Mystics have powers and abilities related to the element they represent:

The Metal Mystic is the leader, who controls metal. He can form blades from his metallic substance that can stab or tear apart enemies, create liquid metal, and metallic dust.
The Earth Mystic is larger and more muscular. He can project sand that blinds or overwhelms enemies, hurl large boulders, create earthquakes and fissures, and tunnel underground.
The Fire Mystic can create large flames and fireballs that packs a burning touch and explosive power.
The Water Mystic can make waves of water and giant bubbles that submerges someone and drown them. He is also capable of creating walls of ice as well as freezing.
The Wind Mystic is the most agile and flexible. He can conjure powerful wind currents such as tornadoes and can dodge many attacks and is shown to move faster than other beings. Although all of the Mystic Ninjas can fly, the Wind Ninja is the fastest while in the air.

They are also capable of flight, projecting lightning bolts, teleportation, opening portals, changing their appearance, levitating objects, watching events and communicating with others from afar, shielding others from harm, casting spells, and commanding demonic minions. The Foot Mystics' combined powers also let them attack opponents within their minds with extremely realistic illusions.

Appearances[]

Trivia[]

The Elements The Mystics control are based on the concept of The Five Phases in Chinese Philosophy. However, in the show, the element of wood is replaced by wind. This was probably done in an attempt to better correlate with the traditional Four Elements of Western Philosophy: Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water. Furthermore, the writers probably felt that younger viewers would be able to appreciate the element of wind more than wood.
As demonstrated by Master Splinter in "Return to New York (Part 2)", The Mystics' elements seem to possess a virulent relationship with one another. Each of which can be used to severely cripple another. As Splinter describes it:
- Fire melts metal
- Water quenches fire
- Earth swallows water
- Wind scatters earth
- [Presumably, metal would smother wind. However, this is never confirmed, as Splinter uses The Sword of Tengu to "quell the wind" himself]