Disclaimer: I do not own the turtles.

Set in the 2012 universe. My first fanfic. It just wanted to be written, so I had to comply.

Prologue

The dojo was calm and quiet. A light breeze made the leaves of the beautiful tree move slightly. Master Splinter breathed slowly. He was deep in meditation, enjoying the moment and relaxing after the intense training session he had just had with his four fourteen-years-old sons. His boys were growing up fast and becoming more reckless and he had decided to intensify their training. He had told them it was because they were now strong enough, which was true. He had carefully kept the other reason to himself: if they were exhausted enough, he hoped he could get some peace. At least for a few hours. The tall rat master chuckled silently. So far, it had worked perfectly.

At this precise moment, he heard a small bump and the sound of soft footsteps beside him. Voices echoed.

Donnie! What have you done this time?

Nothing, Raph. It looks like the device went wrong. I didn't think we would land in the dojo, just a few meters from my lab, but…

It's okay, bro. You're still the most awesome ninja thing-builder on the planet.

Um, guys?

Master Splinter repressed a sigh. It looked like his precious downtime was coming to an end. He opened his eyes to see four very surprised turtles and frowned. Something was off, and not only because he had expected his sons to be resting in their rooms or watching TV on the couch.

"Ma…master Splinter? What are you doing here?" The turtle who had just spoken wore a blue mask and twin katana.

"Leonardo, my son. What happened to your voice?" The rat master frowned deeper.

"What do you mean, sensei? What is wrong with my voice?" Leonardo answered, surprised.

"Uh, Leo? I think we might have a little problem…" A purple-clad turtle with a bo staff on his back was looking hard at a small device in his hand.

"What else is new," growled another turtle, rolling his eyes behind his red mask and twirling both his sai in exasperation.

"It can't be that bad if we're still in the lair," said an orange-clad turtle happily, two nunchuks at his belt.

At that moment, a new voice spoke from outside the dojo.

"Master Splinter? Who are you talking to?"

This voice had an amazing effect on the four turtles and the rat inside the dojo. They froze in disbelief. Then the blue-clad turtle turned to the purple-clad turtle and whispered between clenched teeth.

"Donnie… Please tell me this is not happening…"

"It is… I have no idea why but it is!"

Master Splinter was finding it hard to process what was happening. He had just heard Leonardo's voice from outside the dojo, but his son was standing right in front of him. His voice had sounded strange when he had spoken instants ago. Maybe this was some kind of joke? Was he learning ventriloquism? It was not something he would have expected of his ever so respectful son, but teenagers were known to be unpredictable. He was about to say something when Leonardo whispered again with this strange voice of his.

"Ninja! Disappear!"

And the rat watched in disbelief as the four turtles disappeared quickly, apparently hiding behind the tree. This was becoming ridiculous. He would have to give them a piece of his mind. Maybe training hadn't been as exhausting as he thought…

"Sensei?" The normal Leonardo voice was heard again, and this time its owner stepped into the dojo. Master Splinter looked at him, speechless. He could have sworn he had just hidden behind the tree. Something was definitely amiss here.

"What is the matter, my son?"

"I…I thought I heard you talking to someone," answered a perplexed turtle, looking at his sensei apparently very alone in their dojo.

"Leonardo. Is there something you want to tell me? Where are your brothers?"

"Mikey is watching TV with Raph and Donnie is in his lab. I am sorry to have disturbed you, sensei. Please forgive me," said Leonardo, finally considering he had just imagined the whole thing. He was still sore from their earlier training. Maybe he was more tired than he had thought?

Master Splinter was confused too. But he kept his voice calm and answered gently.

"You may go."

Leonardo bowed and left the dojo. The rat master waited a few seconds before standing up and going around the tree to contemplate four ninja turtles pressed against the trunk and hanging from the branches, one of them having supposedly just left the room. He looked at them with an intense look in his eyes.

"Does someone care to explain?"