Splinter's Tale

Rated- PG. Might be upgraded to PG-13 later.

Disclaimer: I deny any ownership of any adolescent transformed shadow warrior chelonian and their Rodent Master.

Author's Note: This is an idea that came to me and it keeps bugging me so I decided to start it and see how it goes. Mostly the Eastman and Laird comic books inspired it and how Splinter in the original number one issue came to ask his sons to restore honour.

I do not wish to forget the events that transpired all those years ago, I don't think I could forget them even if I wanted to. Everything that transpired after that, including the pure chance events of our transformation has allowed the events of over twenty years ago to come almost full circle.

The memory is imprinted clearly on my mind. I can recall every about my early life in Japan, how I came to be in America and how I lost all that I loved and held dear. I can see the images playing themselves out as clear as when they happened, I can recall the sights and the smells and the sounds surrounding those events.

Just as the memory of the four baby turtles and the strange liquid is imprinted in my memory with every nuance.

I recall looking at the four turtles and having no inkling then of what might occur to them, or what they might be able to do in the future. I was only moved by their plight. I sought to help them not knowing then what I was getting into or even why I bothered.

Some things happen for a reason, some things you feel compelled to do even though you don't know why and could explain if you were asked.

My sons were gone now and I had time to reflect about the early days and how I came to the path that I was now on. In those early days I did not know that this day would ever come or be in my reach.

Some people might say that I have raised my sons with the sole purpose of getting revenge but how can they speak thus when they refuse to obtain all the information before coming to that conclusion.

Even I, who was there, am not fully aware of everything that happened. I am very much aware of what I saw and heard, I must rely on what I also heard my Master Yoshi tell me for he confided in me a great deal. Enabling me to know of things that I might not have learned otherwise.

I know that minds and our memory can often trick us, making us recall things differently from how things happened. Old age brings about many problems with the mind but I am far from senile.

It is also true that we may have a tendency to brag or boast and put ourselves into a better light so we might be liked better by others.

I do not have such desires. I accept what I have done. I know why I did what I have. I accept that and whatever the outcome of my actions may be.

I only did what I thought was right, what I felt had to be done. I have made mistakes before and I admit I could be making the largest mistake of all this night. I know I might have sent my sons to their very death when I asked them to restore the lost honour. It is far too late for me to call them back or stop that which is all ready in motion. Though a part of me longs to do just that.

I sat in the lotus position meditating and wondering if I had made a fatal mistake? If I in essence had just killed my sons, in my desire to restore honour.

What reason had I asked them to do that, which no living being should ask of another?

Was it merely my own pride and desire for revenge that caused these words to leave my mouth and thus endanger the very ones that I loved the most? Or was it something more?

Only time and perhaps you might be the judge of that.

But permit me at least the chance to tell my tale before you totally convict or condemn me. So that you might know that I did not ask this lightly.

TBC