#SIW Raphael

[truths33k3r4]

CHAPTER 16 - When Everything Changed

The soft fragrance of lavender candles did everything they could to ease the stifled air of Splinter’s bedroom. However, now that his youngest son had vacated the space, it seemed that the Great Master was finally able to take a proper breath. Light grunts escaped him as he leaned to retrieve the meditation mats, his aged knees groaning in protest of the motion. Normally he would’ve chided Michelangelo for not picking up his own mat after their meeting, seeing how it was blatant disregard for proper etiquette. But after putting his youngest child through such a mortifying experience, he supposed, just this once, that he would make an exception for the unintentionally rude behavior. 

His stoic exterior faltered with a slight wince as the tightness of inflammation made itself known in his wrists. The ache constricting his joints burned with a heat of familiarity and resignation that bothered him greatly. As a sensei and father, he would never allow it to stop him from handling his sworn responsibilities to his home and children. But his stubbornness and long-suffering did little to ease the growing tension in his hands and joints.

Some days were more difficult than others. And at those specific times he was forced to rely on his sons to take care of each other and their home, while he remained as an invalid in his room. 

The draining migraines would compel him to keep the lights off and his candles snuffed out, adding a deathly, almost mournful aura. Those days became the bane of his existence. No blade or enemy had ever wounded him like the helplessness he felt when he couldn’t care for or protect his family. Guilt coiled around his heart when one of his thoughtful sons- most often Leonardo- would enter into the dark abyss of his room carrying a steaming cup of tea. As the boy took slow, careful steps so he didn’t spill the beverage, he would ask in the softest tone a child could manage, “Papa? Is there anything I can do to help?”

A shaky breath escaped Splinter’s mouth.

The burden of caring for a parent should never be placed on such a young child’s shoulders.

Those days had unfortunately become more prevalent as time trudged on. But comparatively, through the years, his sons grew in their capability of handling the needs of their home. That brought him great relief when confined to the darkness of his room. Despite the pain flickering within his joints and mind, he still recognized his Lord’s majesty and mercy shining through. The thrashing waves of agony were hushed still when he remembered and planted himself on the blessings in his life. As time passed and wisdom grew, he would make a conscious effort to sing psalms of gratefulness to his Creator, thanking Him for his sons, his home, and the cherished days that weren’t so painful.

A faint smile bloomed on the rat-man’s face as the memories within him came together to paint a beautiful masterpiece of warmth, love, sadness, pain, and resilience. His family had climbed atop the highest of hills as well as tripped and fell into the lowest of valleys- but through every challenge, every trouble, every test, they all remained planted in the truth of who they were and Who God was. 

That fact brought tranquility into the old Master’s heart, believing and knowing that when the time came for his children to be on their own, they would be alright.

Shaking his head softly, he returned to his task, quickly adapting to the growing ember of discomfort by shifting the meditation mat into his arms rather than his hands. With practiced precision he reached his tail and wrapped it around the rolled mat, weaving it into the closet and sliding the door shut with a careful flick. 

A rueful chuckle left him as memories of his mutation rose to the surface in the shadowed lake of his past. For years he had vulgarly cursed those who changed him from man to rat. The decline from revered Master to Sewer Dweller was certainly a drastic change to become accustomed to. But over time, the Lord calmed his vengeful spirit, quenching the blaze of resentment and anger through countless hours of studies and meditation. 

It was perfect timing in God’s plan, seeing how just a few weeks later, the rat-man stumbled upon the greatest treasure he would ever own.

Splinter sat on his bed with a wistful sigh as he began to remember that frigid night thirteen years ago.

~

It had just reached late autumn in the city of New York, leaving a crisp, chill air snaking its way through the sewer tunnels. That evening was especially cold thanks to the rain. The streets of the city were smothered with a dense fog as droplets cascaded down, leaving the pavement scattered with puddles reflecting the glimmers of billboards and traffic lights.

He had just returned to the damp darkness of his sewer home when he heard it- a young child’s cry echoing in the depths of the tunnels. Something within him, a deeply rooted instinct, awakened at the sound of distress. Without a moment’s hesitation, he dropped his newly acquired bag of stale pastries, as his body began sprinting to the source. With years of experience in his changed form, he minimized his breathing and softened his steps. His ears automatically began twitching and rotating, searching for the nearby child.

The sewers were no place for anyone, especially one as frail and easily frightened as an infant. Memories of dark corridors, open sewer grates, and treacherous heights loomed in the concerned rat-man’s mind, propelling his feet to a faster pace. 

After what felt like eons of drowning silence and steadily rising panic, he heard it again; A few faint sniffles and a smothered whimper. A rushed exhale of relief passed through him as he dashed around the corner.

Every ounce of air within his lungs vanished altogether when his eyes met the source of the frightened sound. There before him, glowing under the beams of light through an above sewer grate, was a tight huddle of three shivering, turtle mutant toddlers. Splinter couldn’t believe his eyes at the sight, his jaw dropping as words vanished from his mind. With a few cautious steps he remained disguised in the shadows, watching and studying the young children. All of them were half covered by a thick, impenetrable shell on their back. Their skin ranged in hues of different greens, one being a lively mint, the other two having a deep jade. Splinter couldn’t quite see their faces- all three were huddled close, their shells pressed together like a wall, shielding them from the dangers of the world around them. Noticing the droplets of water trickling down their shivering backs, it looked as though they had all come from the city above. Perhaps they were only seeking refuge from the rain? 

Splinter made up his mind as he slowly pulled himself out of the concealing shadows. Immediately the three toddlers took notice of his sudden presence, causing a chain reaction of hisses and growls to escape their tiny, trembling bodies. When he didn’t back away from their clear warnings, the mint-hued child scrambled to his feet, taking a stand as he stretched his gangly arms in front of the others like a human barrier. Splinter couldn’t help but smile at the bravery of the little one, attempting to protect his brood from anyone capable of harming it. The young boy finally showed his face, revealing two irises that shone as bright as blades. Going by his size and overall body structure, he looked to be about four or five years old. Tears poured down his cheeks as his lip quivered, clearly terrified but still not backing down from protecting the others. 

“G-Get back! GO AWAY!” The little one cried, his voice trembling as much as his body. 

At the shout of the oldest- or at least who Splinter suspected was the oldest- the two jade toddlers hunched together further. The one with the crimson shell shielded the smaller child with his body. Just before the violet-hued toddler disappeared beneath him, Splinter caught a glimpse of blue cloth clutched in the child’s arms.

“I mean you no harm, young one.” Splinter softly replied, as he lifted both his hands into full view of the toddler. “I merely heard your cry and wanted to make sure you are alright.” 

The small turtle cocked his head as if not understanding Splinter’s concern. “W-Why? Y-You’re not like the kind lady…”

‘Kind lady’?

“Who is this woman you mention, little one?” Splinter tried, attempting to earn more pieces to this sudden puzzle plopped into his lap. “Is she your mother? Do you know where she is?”

The boy shook his head. “She h-helped us ec- ex- exescape. She’s not our m-momma. We… We don’t h-have one anymore.” As if the realization struck the child for the first time, he wailed out with cascading tears, “We’re lost! She- She told us to c-come down here and wait for her- but… but she n-never came back!”

At the heightened sound of distress from the boy, the others seemed to answer his cry by making small chirps and churrs. The noises had a warmth to them, a nonverbal communication of comfort and safety that even Splinter himself could feel. His heart softened at the obvious love the children carried for each other.

“It is alright.” Splinter gently soothed, lowering himself to his knees so he didn’t appear so frighteningly tall. “You are all welcome to come with me. My home is not too far from here. There are blankets and a fireplace so you’ll be nice and warm. I even have some food to fill your bellies with.” He stated in the most welcoming tone he could muster. He didn’t have that much experience with handling children, the life he once knew being one of loneliness, but he had grown up with younger siblings. That had to be enough.

The child’s lip pouted in thought as he pondered Splinter’s invitation. The great Master was partially relieved to see the young boy being cautious of trusting a stranger, but the dropping temperature demanded that these little ones find a place to stay, and soon. If they didn’t go with him, the children would be left to the dangers of the unpredictable city above. The sewers seemed to be the only safe place for outcasts like them- anywhere else was shadowed with the looming terrors of government organizations and greedy scientists.

A loud sneeze sounded from behind the boy, making his trembling form jolt. He turned around to look at the others, his eyes wide with worry. “Is Mikey okay?” He asked in a small voice drowning in concern.

The red-hued toddler glared daggers at Splinter with his hazel eyes as he slowly leaned back, allowing the purple one room to sit up. What Splinter once thought was just a blanket in the child’s grasp proved to be so much more. There, swaddled tightly in the blue cloth was a very tiny, very pale baby mutant turtle. Its eyes remained sealed closed as if it hadn’t yet had the strength to open them. Pale mint spots decorated its head. It must’ve been no bigger than Splinter’s hand.

“I th-think he’s cold, Leo…” The purple one whispered, his squinting hazel eyes meeting the red one’s matching pair. A pitiful whimper crept past his lips as he pulled the baby in his arms closer to his plastron, seemingly hoping the heat he carried in his body was enough to keep the infant warm.

The crystal-eyed boy, or Leo as the purple one called him, shriveled where he stood, his light blue irises glimmering with absolute desperation as he turned back to Splinter. 

The protective instinct pulsing within the great Master made his heart drum painfully against his chest. There was no doubt in his mind that if these little ones didn’t find shelter soon, that baby would undeniably perish. With a new wave of boldness sparked by the forlorn children, he edged closer and reached out his hand, a soft smile gracing his face. 

“I can help you, Leo. All of you.”

Leo’s face scrutinized the open palm before him, his shoulders slowly rising in insecurity. The child’s gaze rose to meet Splinter’s, and with a trembling voice asked a question that would either seal or end the forming agreement. 

“Y-You… You’re not gonna take us b-back, right?” 

Splinter’s expression thoroughly melted at the heartbreaking clarification. With assurance and peace that he didn’t understand but knew to be true, he opened his arms and said,

“I will take you all home.”

Leo’s eyes widened at the statement, large tears quickly making their way down to the tip of his chin. He turned to his brothers as if for confirmation of the group’s decision. “R-Raph?”

The red-hued turtle, or Raph, continued to wear the glare he had firmly carved into his rounded face, but nonetheless allowed the decision with a curt nod of his head. “Fine.” He grunted, his voice squeaking despite the low tone he was trying to force through his throat. 

Leo then turned to the purple-hued turtle. “Don? “

The squinting child, Don, also glared, though his face read more of being confused than hateful. Splinter couldn’t help the small smile that began to spread on his face when he saw the tiny freckles adorning the boy’s cheeks and shoulders. The markings reminded the rat-man of his own younger brother, something he would relentlessly tease his sibling for throughout their childhood. 

Splinter’s thoughts screeched to a halt when the baby sneezed again, causing all the children to immediately jump into action. Raph wrapped his arms around Don as the freckled boy clutched the baby closer to his chest. The realization in Don’s eyes was clear: The decision was made.

“O-Okay, Leo.” He whispered, his voice slightly smothered by the cloth of the blanket against his face.

With all his brothers’ agreement, Leo turned to face the rat-man again. “M-Mikey needs to get warm. He’s too c-cold!!” He cried out in clear concern for the sickly baby. His voice lowered to an agonized whisper that broke Splinter’s heart. “I don’t know what to do. He’s s-sick and I don’t know what to do! I n-need to know what to do!!”

The great Master’s smile grew as he held out his arms wider. “I will do everything that I can, dear Leo. I promise. You don’t need to carry this burden alone anymore.”

With that, Leo’s tiny body collided into Splinter’s chest, sobbing relentlessly as tears stained his exhausted face. The rat-man immediately embraced the boy in his arms, using his hand to tenderly cradle the child’s head. “It is alright. Shhh. Shhh, it’s alright. I'm here. It will be okay.” He softly hummed as he unconsciously began rocking his body back and forth to help settle the child. Tiny hands clenched tightly to the fabric of his robe, as if letting go would result in being swept away. 

Splinter rose off the floor, keeping one hand under Leo to support the child still clinging to him like a lifeline in a hurricane. He cautiously crept to the remaining huddle of toddlers, reaching out his unoccupied hand in silent permission.

Don immediately retracted from Splinter’s presence, pressing the baby in his arms to his heart. He let out a low, almost silent growl, to which Raph instantly joined in to the threatening chorus. 

Leo turned his head away from Splinter’s chest to face his brothers, stating in a placating tone that definitely sealed the great Master’s suspicions of him being the oldest of the brood.

“N-No, guys. It’s okay. He’s gonna h-help!” 

The two jade turtles gave a sideways glance at each other, silent communication happening between them as they contemplated what Leo said. Eventually the two relented, the growls ceasing as Don pulled the baby swaddled in his arms away from his chest to present it to Splinter. 

“He n-needs to get warm soon… Please.” Don whispered, his eyes remaining in a permanent squint making Splinter a little concerned for the freckled child’s eyesight. The violet-hued toddler gently held the baby out, his tiny fingers being oh so careful as he delicately placed the infant into Splinter’s outstretched hand.

The newborn’s head fit snugly in his palm, the contact with the baby’s skin confirming it had a rising temperature. That realization made the rat-man act as if the infant were a porcelain doll, gently pulling him up to his chest alongside Leo. The movement caused the blanket the baby was in to shift, revealing a small patch sewn into the corner of the cloth. Splinter leaned closer and silently read four names stitched neatly into the fabric:

“Leonardo~ Raphael~ Donatello~ Michelangelo”

The rat-man resisted his body’s natural response to take a staggering step back as realization collided into him. The facts quickly stacking into his brain of the children’s situation had led him to a heartbreaking conclusion- Four mutant children, cold from the rain and shivering in the sewers, with nothing but a blanket with all their proper names stitched inside- This had not been an accident, but a purposeful abandonment. 

“H-hey, Mikey.” Leo whispered, laying a single finger on the baby’s plastron peeking through the top of the blanket. The boy moved his finger in gentle circles on the tiny chest, resulting in the baby, or Mikey, stretching and yawning as he pulled himself closer to his oldest brother. Leo smiled. “You’re gonna be okay. We’re gonna g-get you warm now.” 

. . .

A single tear fell from Splinter’s face as the memory ended, leaving nothing but love and nostalgic warmth in its wake. That night so long ago changed everything- He changed. His relationship with God changed. His relationship with the world changed.

He was given a true, unmistakable purpose in the forms of four tiny, mutant turtles.

Splinter leaned forward, a strained grunt escaping him as he pulled open the drawer to his side table. Delicately folded within was a small, blue blanket; the very cloth that Michelangelo had been swaddled in that night thirteen years ago. The rat-man’s fingers gently stroked the small piece of fabric as nostalgia filled his soul. 

Becoming a father in a single night was the most terrifying thing he’d ever experienced. Scarier than moving to America, and even scarier than being mutated. When those events occurred, he was the only one that was affected by them… But as soon as four precious, little souls found their way into his heart, his life became more than it had ever been. It wasn’t about him anymore.

The responsibility laid on his shoulders shook him to his very core; The fact that he was now held accountable for four more lives on top of his own both warmed his heart and twisted his stomach. 

He quickly learned how selfish he truly was. There was no such thing as personal time when you became a father, nevermind a father of four. Keeping the home clean and caring for his sons made the very idea of ‘spare time’ feel like a long-forgotten dream. Every moment of his day was spent comforting, caring, scolding, shouting, cleaning, and protecting his newly acquired family.

Exhaustion seeped into his bones, and he found himself marveling at the strength of his own mother- how she’d raised two boys and one little girl all on her own. It never felt so incredible to him when he was young, but now, after struggling to survive raising four sons of his own, he looked through new eyes. It came off a little humorous to him how his mindset had so drastically changed once his role was switched from child to parent. Perhaps this was God’s gentle vengeance for how rambunctious and troublesome he’d been when he was a child.

Mother did always say that “children were a refining fire”… 

But despite the chaos, the messes, the hardships, and the learning curves, he knew he was right where God wanted him to be. What he once thought was a downgrade from man to rat turned out to be a promotion from sensei to father.

Nothing could match the swell of pride when he heard his children call out his name for the first time.

“Dad! DAD! Look! I finally got the kata right!”

“Hey Dad, let me hit ya in the arm and see if ya can take it!”

“DAAAD My math homework is demanding that I show my work on how I solved the equation.  Tell it I don’t have to!”

“I love you sooo much, Papa. Yer like the sun! You don’t ever go to sleep, and you’re always there even when I can’t see you!”

Another small smile spread along the great Master’s features recalling the past words of his now grown sons. The events of the day confirmed it; All of them were officially teenagers now. 

Splinter lifted the blue cloth and pressed it into his chest. He never imagined becoming a father, finding such worth and purpose in the lives of his children. It had never mattered that they weren’t related by blood, for the love the family shared always remained the same- never-ending. That same tenderness shone brightly within his sons as they did their best to bring the sickly girl in their home back to health. 

Something unexpected sparked inside, surprising Splinter with the possibility that their family might be growing again. Lotus he recalled. Her past was shrouded in darkness, and the bruises adorning her pale, jade skin further revealed the abuse she had endured within the horrendous labs. When Splinter and Leonardo had infiltrated that building in search of the twins, neither of them ever imagined that they would find her- another lost, mutant turtle. 

Or perhaps… Splinter thought, sadness weaving its way into his heart, Another abandoned child.

With a soft sigh, he stepped away from the faded pictures and words of his past, and made his way back to the present with dutiful intention. He recalled the fact that he had a certain fiery son who needed a talking to- and possibly a medical check up if the teen’s pained face was anything to go by. It would’ve been a lie if Splinter had said he wasn’t worried about Raphael. Truly, it made him very nervous that his son was already injured within three days of returning to their home. As much of a spitfire as the boy liked to be- instigating his brothers with playful taunts and causing fights- he rarely got himself injured in the process. Just that morning had been his first training session in far too long, so what else was there to cause such an injury?

As the concerning questions continued to pile on top of each other, growing the dread flickering inside the old Master, he finally decided that enough was enough. After returning the precious blanket to its drawer, he rose from the edge of his bed, his knees once again noisily acknowledging his growing steps in age and frailty. He steadily made his way to the door until a slight pang of discomfort squeezed the joints in his hands. He quickly adapted, opening the door with a calculated twist of his tail.

After leaving his room, his ears began to twitch at the sound of footsteps. Turning around, he nearly plowed into Raphael, the teen’s attention directed to his cell phone rather than his surroundings, most likely reading a text message. Splinter refrained from giving a lecture regarding the vitality of spacial awareness to a ninja, resorting instead to focus on the hefty task ahead of him:

Making his fiery son listen.

“Raphael-”

“-GAH!” His son gasped as his head shot up from his phone. A shaky sigh followed as he used his hand to pat his rapidly beating heart. “S-Sorry, Master Splinter! You scared the shell offa me…”

“I don’t believe that’s possible, Raphael.” The great Master retorted back, using his tail to tap the ridge of his son’s carapace. “I can’t imagine the amount of force one would need to pull out another’s spine.” He said with mischief in his mossy irises.

Raphael deflated immediately, rolling his eyes and moaning, “Ugh Dad, it’s just an expression…” 

“Mmhm.” Splinter hummed as Raphael returned to reading whatever it was that was displayed on his phone. The rat-man swiftly looked over his son’s form as the teen was distracted, searching for any more concealed injuries. Finding none on the surface, his gaze zeroed in on Raphael’s right arm. The great Master’s expression tightened when he realized Raph was favoring his left hand, using it to hold his phone even though the teen was known to be right-handed; It seemed his fiery son was still bothered by his injury. Splinter cleared his throat, making his son look back up to meet his gaze. He raised his white brows in question, giving a small gesture with his bearded chin to the device in the teen’s hand.

“Oh- uh, Don texted me. Told me to bring Lotus to the couch so she can rest. The uh, the Medbay table’s not exactly comfy.” Raphael muttered, rubbing at the back of his head and shrugging his shoulders.

Splinter’s gaze constricted again, becoming a deeper frown as he noticed the faded outlines of cracks over the skin of Raphael’s right arm. The same arm- he realized- the teen had been clutching back in the dojo. 

“My son, is there something you want to tell me?” He asked in a tone as casual as a breeze and serious as a storm.

The boy’s posture immediately straightened. “Uh…no? Why… do ya ask?” Raphael replied, his face subtly shifting from confused to nervous.

Splinter sighed.

Gentle prodding never worked when he was a child so why would it now?

“Hmm- let me try a different question- Raphael, there is something you need to tell me. What is it that happened to your arm?”

The boy's face fell immediately as he swerved the limb in question behind his back, as if hiding the wounded appendage would do anything to help his side of the argument. “Uh- NOTHIN’.” 

Splinter’s frown quickly escalated to a knowing glare. “A lying tongue does not belong in the mouth of a man who stands for truth, Raphael. Choose your next words wisely.” He chided sternly, holding out his hand to his son. 

That boy never makes it easy…

The teen’s heterochromatic irises darted left and right, clearly searching for a way to escape. “B-But!”

“Raphael Kisho Hamato.” Splinter rumbled, his warning slow but drenched in potency. “Give me your hand.”

As always, being referred to by his full name seemingly scared the boy into complete silence, causing his shoulders to shoot up and his head to lower as if he were about to escape into the safety of his shell. Eventually he came to the conclusion that there was no way out of his predicament, so he relented and held out his arm to his father. 

The great Master took Raphael’s arm while maintaining a steady pressure. Whenever the teen winced or grunted his father would reply with hushed apologies as he continued the examination of the faded marks littering his son’s jade skin. 

“It…” The boy timidly spoke up, his volume uncharacteristically small as he turned his gaze away, “It’s from the lab.” He whispered, shame squeezing his voice in a painful grip.

Splinter forced back the immediate surge of anger blazing within him. He should’ve known better than to leave his sons in the hands of the captious city above- a world where equality and acceptance were nothing more than empty promises to him and his kind. “Freak!” “Abomination!” “Creature!” Threats and slurs echoed in his ears, voices of past men and women who no longer saw him as a colleague… But a monster. 

He forced a calming breath that did little to alleviate the pain finding its way to the surface. “How did this happen?” He asked gently but gravely. 

The boy’s gaze remained planted to the floor, his eyes creasing into a subtle wince whenever Splinter pressed onto the thin scars. “I um… I got injected with something. But I guess it didn’t work… Still hurt like shell though…” The last of his sentence was barely recognizable with how he spoke under his breath. Thankfully, rats were designed with acute hearing.

“Did you tell Leonardo of this? I’m sure he would want a further examination to clarify if you’re alright, my son.” Splinter asked in a fatherly tone that both requested and demanded his son’s obedience.

“N-No!” Raphael surprisingly cried out, waving his other hand, “No, you can’t tell him. I’m fine! It just aches sometimes, I swear!”

The great Master cocked his head in mock confusion. “I can’t tell him?” 

His son’s face twisted into a grimace as he realized how much had been revealed through his words. “I-...”

It seems I was wrong to presume all was well between Raphael and Leonardo. Their years of growth and recovery have yet to complete.

“Raphael.” Splinter warned, “Surely I do not need to remind you what happens when you hide your injuries from those who want to help?” He made his point by turning his son’s palm over to display the faded scars of ropeburns scattered across the teen’s hand; More proof that Splinter had failed in the past to see the needs of his hurting child. “Why don't you want your brother’s assistance?” He asked, concern clear in his words as he soothingly rubbed healing circles into the long-faded wounds etched into his son’s skin. Without realizing it, the great Master’s gaze wandered to the lightning bolt chipped into Raph’s plastron; Further proof of the teen’s struggles that he had kept from his family; Secret battles that had been fought without the proper armor, eventually leading to disastrous consequences.

Raphael’s body tensed at the tender words of his father. Slowly and cautiously, the teen pulled his eyes from the ground and met his Sensei’s gaze. “It’s not that, Dad. Things are just- they’re… They’re different between me and Leo now. I don’t…” Raphael’s eyes began to glisten, resulting in the teen immediately growling and hiding his face into his hand. In a trembling voice very rare for his warrior son, the boy hissed, “I can’t screw this up again…”

The great Master’s heart pulsed lovingly at Raphael’s explanation. He thanked the Lord for the caring spirit his children all possessed, shown in their own unique ways. But as with all things, there must be balance. Replacing hatred for guilt would do nothing to heal what had been hurt.

“My dear boy.” Splinter’s voice soothed like warm tea on an aching throat. “It is true that your past with Leonardo has strained your relationship. But I have also seen healing- true progress in both of you. As the years passed and you grew in understanding, your bond began to mend. But this progress means little if you continue to hide your pain from your brother.”

“I-It’s not like I want to!” Raphael defended as he slowly pulled his arm out of his father’s grip. His voice was strained, thin and fraying like Michelangelo’s hand wraps mere moments ago. “He’s just got a lot on his mind right now- one too many problems. And I don’t want to be another to add to his growin’ list.”

“Hmm. I understand the concern you carry for your brother. But you must trust that he will speak to you if you are becoming a burden he can no longer carry.”

Splinter had to restrain himself from taking a step back at the expression of utter betrayal plastered all over his son’s face.

“That’s the problem, Sensei…” The teen replied with a bitter tongue, “I can’t trust him to tell me. The guy’s a major hypocrite! You think I’m bad with hidin’ my scrapes and bruises- but Leo’s been carryin’ all kinds of guilt about me and Don gettin’ snatched! Worst part is he didn’t tell anyone ‘til we had a friggin’ intervention!”

Splinter hummed and nodded, processing his fiery son’s words. 

“It’s bad enough bein’ the leader and carryin’ all the responsibility with it, but on top of that he’s the team medic! Ever since we got home he’s been goin’ nonstop. I haven’t even seen him eat anything yet, and it’s been over two days! ‘Treat your body like a temple’ MY A-”

“-Ahem.” Splinter warned, his tail curving dangerously like a whip about to lash out- Another way he had adapted when it came to the discipline needed in raising four boys. No vulgar language was ever allowed in this home. 

Raph grumbled but complied, letting out a defeated sigh. “All that to say, Sensei… No. I can’t trust him to tell me the truth. He’d probably just lie straight to my face.”

Splinter couldn’t argue against the teenager’s statements. It wasn’t a complete shock to hear that Leonardo wasn’t caring for his body as he should either. With a regretful sigh, the old Master shook his head. “I see your point, Raphael. But whether you’re wrong or right doesn’t change the fact that you need this wound to be examined further. Especially if it is still causing you pain.”

“B-But I told you it’s really not that bad! You can tell, look!” Raph gestured to his arm, and began to poke it for emphasis of his wound’s apparent recovery. The facade remained unconvincing though, as Splinter still noticed his son’s eye slightly wince with each poke. “The scars are all faded, so they’re probably healin’ just fine!”

Splinter’s gaze once again met with the scar carved deep into the skin over his son’s heart, an expression of sheer guilt bleeding into the rat-man’s features. “Unseen wounds can be the most dangerous, my dear Raphael.”

The teen gingerly followed his father’s gaze, and upon reaching the lightning bolt chipped into his plastron, his whole body struck rigid. His hazel and green gaze instantly shot back to the floor as his breath began to quicken. 

I have gone too far… Splinter realized dejectedly.

Returning to the needs of the present rather than drowning in failures of the past, the rat-man leaned forward and rested a steadying hand on his quaking son’s shoulder. “Now that this has been brought to my attention, you will go to Leonardo and let him tend to your wounds- willingly or not. Am I clear?” His words were spoken in blatant authority, but his soft tone comforted with the gentleness of a worried parent.

Raphael’s trembling breath eventually steadied. With a sigh of resignation, he slowly nodded.

“Very good. I shall accompany you to the Medbay, just to make sure your journey is quick and unfaltered.”

The fiery teen’s head rose just enough to reveal he was rolling his eyes. Despite the blatant sass dripping from his son’s expression, the great Master could still detect the hints of fondness in his multi-colored irises.

“Gee…thanks, Dad…” Raphael drawled, a thin smirk finding its way onto his lips.

“You are welcome, my beloved son.” Splinter replied, his tone playful but his heart overflowing with endearment.

Raphael paused at his father’s heartfelt words, his expression shifting as he seemingly began to ponder them. His face twisted as his gaze once again found its home on the ground. With a slight tilt of his head the teen gestured to the awaiting hall, signaling that the conversation had officially reached its end. 

I shall respect his boundaries. Splinter thought to himself as a weighted sigh left the rat-man’s nose, The walls he has built may bring my heart grief, but that does not negate the truth that they were formed by his hands.

The Lord allows us the choice to trust in Him- Therefore I must give that same liberty to my own children.

…No matter how much it hurts.

With nothing more to say, both father and son began the short journey to the Medbay.The two traipsed side by side, silence filling the gaps of sound between their soft footsteps. 

That's it for this chapter! Guys- I gotta be honest with you- this was by far the most difficult chapter I have ever written in my life. Many fanfic writers agree that writing for Splinter's POV is a test on the author's part by itself. And then on TOP of getting his inner voice, mannerisms, and dialogue right, I also had to figure out the backstory of how he and his little adopted family came to be.

Just- YIKES. XD But my glorious writing Sensei, @poetique823, guided me every step of the way, giving helpful critiques and compliments to show me better how to write this complicated chapter. :) She saved my sanity~

Thanks for reading! Feel free to reblog!

@indieyuugure @writer-in-wonder @allyheart707 @oddartistl3 @risebabyx2 @joyjoygorl @carrots-bear @imagionationstation @howtotrainyourdragonprince @jasminegazer @brightonstudios @ninjaturtlefan-dee @rottmntlover14 @eggbem @lydjachan @sashatrout @chaosborb @maddys-nerd-blog @alexthecreature @dorkatella @thetanzanitequill

If you want to be tagged in the next chapter, comment down below! (That way when I post the next chapter you'll get the notification!)

To God be the glory!

~ Melissa

MASTERPOST <- PRIOR CHAPTER NEXT CHAPTER ->

[truths33k3r4]

Hey, guys!! I saw @angellustrates post this earlier and I thought it would be a really fun challenge for me to keep practicing with expressions. (ALSO clarification- she's the one who made it!) :)

Soooo this here list of various emotions is for you to peruse, and then pick which one you want based on the letter and number, connected to one (or two) of my own turtles. :) You can send your requests to my Ask Box. Then I'll draw them and post them with a tag to the person who requested it! (As long as they're not anon that is.)

In case you're curious, here are the turtles you can pick!

Leonardo~ Team Leader, Realist, and gentle Medic

The twins:

Raphael~ Team Strategist, Pessimist, and stressed out Protector

Donatello~ Team Brain, Pessimist, and diligent Provider

Lotus~ (hasn't found her role in the team yet), Pessimist, and weary Survivor

Michelangelo~ (hasn't found his role in the team yet), Optimist, and vibrant Creator

I'm excited to see what you guys come up with! Have fun with it! ;)

~ Melissa

[truths33k3r4]

E6, Raph :)

The next entry for my SIW Expressions Challenge! :) E6 for Raphael! I can totally see Raph saying something along the lines of "Why don't you ask stupid over there?" or even "If you think this is a mess, you don't even wanna KNOW what's over there..."

Thanks for the challenge request, @eggbem! :)

~ Melissa

[truths33k3r4]

"The Strength in Weakness" UPDATE!!!

Okay- So, I will start by saying this: This was... the most DIFFICULT CHAPTER I have EVER written. It has taken weeks of help and critiques from my beta-reader, @poetique823 ,and re-write after re-write in order to finally get it right. @-@

But~ Even when things seem to be going wrong, God still remains intentional and creative in His plan. <3 Thanks to how long this chapter has taken to finish, I will be posting it tomorrow, Father's Day.

And there's something you must know about this upcoming chapter- It's centered for the first time around Splinter, and is specifically based around what it's like to be a father.

To quote one wise ancient turtle, "There are no accidents." :)

Anyways, I can finally proclaim that SIW CHAPTER 16- "When Everything Changed" will be posted tomorrow! I know I usually have a little sneak peak picture to add to this post, but unfortunately it will give away WAY too much if I do- so you guys will just have to wait to see my illustrations. :)

Can't wait to see y'all's reactions! And thank you so much for your patience!

OH! And if you want to be tagged in the chapter comment below! :)

To God be the glory!

~ Melissa

[truths33k3r4]

DAY 4- “Betrayed By Someone They Trust”

(PS Just a quick heads up for some warnings~ This fic- is not a happy one. TW- Capture, blood, strangling, implied character death, and stabbing)

Smoke burned into Lotus’ eyes as she peered through the flames frantically. Her throat was dry and itchy from the lack of moisture in the air. Vibrant hues of red and yellow flickered in the reflection of her irises, her pupils shrinking with her hope. She kept her limbs as close to her body as possible as the flames continued to grow.

Where are they??

The smaug filling the room echoed the mist in her mind as she tried to remember what happened. She recalled a bright neon light encircling her and her brothers as they fled from incoming foes in an intergalactic battleship. As a tingling sensation overtook her, sparking electricity through every nerve in her body, her whole world went to black.

And then- she woke up in the belly of the beast.

She winced as a twinge of tightness pulled at the muscles in her arms, biting back a yelp as she tried to rub away the remaining rope burns from her wrists.

The flames continued to grow, alighting the room as if a sunset had unleashed all of its power. As the fire grew in mass, the amount of oxygen shrank. Lotus coughed and tried to hide her face with her arms, but the smoke paid no mind as it weaved itself into her sinuses. Between more hacks and now tears, she grabbed her mask tails and spat in them, covering her mouth so she would somewhat be able to breathe through the moisture in the fabric.

She knew it wouldn’t last- but she had to try something.

The flames continued to claw at the walls as more boards fell to the ground in crackling shards. She scoured the room for an exit, but the fury of the flames hindered her from seeing one. Lotus could feel her barely damp mask tails continue to dry out with each passing second. 

Time was running out.

She knew her brothers were around here somewhere. They had to be. Not just anyone would do something so risky as using a wrecking ball on a crane to obliterate the wall of your deadliest enemies’ fortress. No, that would be illogical, foolish, and life-threatening.

That would be her brothers.

Something any newcomer to their home would quickly learn, was the fact that all bets were off once someone in the family was put in danger; All or nothing. But unfortunately, such reckless actions would always come back to snap at their shells. Her brothers did an excellent job of infiltrating the lair in which she was being kept, but they didn’t take into consideration just how many flamed stakes would be strewn throughout the walls. Or how flammable the carpet would be…

..Their arch nemesis needed a new indoor decorator.

Lotus coughed and staggered as the remaining moisture in her mask dried up. Her lungs were quickly filled with smoke as her eyes squinted, trying to see through her stinging tears. She searched with choked breaths and gasps for anything that would resemble her brother’s colors: The cool blue of Leo, the vibrant orange of Mikey, the bold purple of Don, and the zealous red of Raph. 

The flames grew ever closer, making her back away into the middle of the room. The heat was beginning to sting her arms and legs now, as sharp, burning claws flickered at her body. Her throat felt drier than the inside of an hourglass, but that didn’t stop her as she tried yelling for her brothers. She raised her hands and coned them around her mouth as she screamed,

“LEO!!! RAPH!! DON!!! MIKE-”

Her cries to her family were cut off as a hand shot out from the darkness, gripping around her throat with precision. Painful pressure burst into her neck as she was lifted off her feet and dragged towards her captor.

The clasped hand restricted her heart from leaping out of her throat as she gazed into his eyes.

Her brother’s eyes.

Lotus could feel her body tense further as her brother tightened his fingers like a noose around her throat. The biting pressure made it nearly impossible to speak. 

Nearly.

“GhHhhh- R--Ra-APH??” She managed to squeak out in shattered gasps.

Raphael’s eyes tightened with his grip.

“Who’s askin’?” A soulless voice crept out from her brother’s mouth, colder than a grave and just as empty.. “You’re nothin’ but a prisoner- how do you know my name?” He spoke with a tongue dipped in venom.

Words had escaped Lotus as quickly as her breath. She tried to gasp and speak but now it was truly becoming impossible to. Dark spots began invading her vision as she felt the flames around her slowly grow cold. The pain radiating from her arms and legs dulled to faint pulses. Her brain shushed all her rampaging thoughts, humming a lullaby and making them all turn to sleepy static.

Th-that’ssssss not gooddddd…

“I SAID WHO ARE YOU?” Raphael shouted, letting go of his grasp just enough so Lotus could breathe. His hazel eyes searched her for answers, the reflections of flames in them a constant reminder of his growing impatience.

Raphael’s slight release on her throat allowed Lotus’ tongue to finally unravel from its binds.

“I’m… yo-our f-f-family.” She wheezed as she tried to fight the losing battle of staying conscious.

Raphael’s eyes grew dark as he sneered mirthlessly.

“That’s cute. You think I’ll let you go cause we’re both freaks.” He hissed as his right hand pulled a thin blade to Lotus’ chin. “There’s no code of honor when being a monster is in your blood.”

He raised his sai until it barely pierced Lotus’ left cheek. She winced and tried to fight against it, but her strength was quickly leaving her. Her cold body shuddered at the sudden warmth of blood trickling down her neck. 

“P-p-please-” Lotus choked through her tears. She had to hold back from gagging when something warm and metallic found its way into her mouth. Darkness continued to creep further at the edges of her vision. 

“P-ple-ase Raph- I..I l-love you brot-ther.”

Raphael’s face became unreadable. His eyes, for a shard of a second, lit with a faint warmth. The hand holding his sai twitched and loosened its grip, slightly pulling the blade away from the flowing crimson on Lotus’ face. His expression subtly twisted as he fought against something inside him.

For just one second, Lotus saw Raph again. She saw her brother who taught her how to do lineart on his sketches. She heard a teasing voice with a smug grin. She felt the fading light of hope grow into a spark.

But before the light could overtake her brother’s irises, the darkness within him swallowed it.

He raised the sai again, aimed directly at Lotus’ head. 

“N-n-no!! NO! PLEASE!” Lotus cried out with the last shreds of her voice.

 Raphael’s shuddering grip on his weapon’s handle clenched into an unforgiving vice.

Lotus braced herself as her fight to stay conscious came to an end.

“P-please Raph..” She whimpered as her eyes rolled back and her body went limp, finally succumbing to the cold in the room filled with flame.

Tada~ Now we ALL BROKEN. XD

This was a FUN challenge- not only for my writing, but for my art. I NEVER draw fire- I'm still learning how to replicate the thriving, flickering movements- But then I looked up "fire in TMNT 2003" and BOOM. IT WAS GO TIME.

Thanks for reading! :)

~ Melissa

~ TMNTember 2024 Prompts List ~

[truths33k3r4]

So for the expression challenge… you know imma make you do a feelings one… so can I please get ma boi Raph with D9? ❤️‍🩹

Here's the next SIW Expression Entry! D9 for Raphael, (with guest appearance of his stressed out medic brother~)

This expression sang "Raphael getting unwanted first aid" And I had to trust that feeling. Plus, I'm VERY aware that you, MJ, are a lover of hurt/comfort as much as I am. ;) Soooo yup! This was fun! XD

Thank you, @howtotrainyourdragonprince for the request!

~ Melissa

[truths33k3r4]

~ MASTERPOST ~

-STORIES-

-"The Strength in Weakness" - My own Original TMNT Story

Have you ever wondered why you were made the way you are? Why you were designed with nervous ticks, bad habits you can't break, or even.. a body you never wanted?

These are questions that plague the minds of 5 teenage mutant turtles.

" Why can't I be normal?? " " Why do I have unique physical limitations that no one else has to deal with? "

" .... WHY AM I LIKE THIS? "

Follow Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Lotus as they learn how to help each other through their quirks, trauma, and especially - their WEAKNESSES.

-"Double Mutated Mikey"- Collaborated Story with Phoebepheepsphibs :)

-ART and PROMPTS-

WHUMPtober 2023 ~ SIW

TMNTember 2024 ~ SIW

-COMIC DUBS-

Little Subjects

Shadows of Our Past

Indie TMNT

Indie TMNT ( Sketches )

The Mutation Situation

I Care

3 Months

Here I have all my comic dubs in a neat little row for you all to peruse through. :) All the ones I have above are TMNT based. Each dub is family friendly, (as in no vulgar language or nsfw content), and there will always be warnings if the video contains any of the following, (Vomiting, Blood, Panic Attacks, Death). All my dubs have an addition of sound effects, ambience, editing, and music, as well as my voice doing all the dialogue, (and A Cappella theme song for my Mutation Situation Comic Dubs!)

I have been given permission by the creators of every comic to dub over them. None of the art is mine, and the links for every creator's page will be in the description of the video. :)

To God be the glory!

~ Melissa

[truths33k3r4]

Is Leo will be sick, and what will happend ?

Hmmm. Do you mean "If Leo got sick, who would take care of him and be the team medic"? If so, I think I got an answer for ya. :)

(SIW Spoilers below!)

So, it is canon in my universe of TMNT for Leonardo to be the medic of the team. This position matches well with his eldest sibling role and his caring and gentle heart. However, sometimes things will happen that will force him to bestow/pass on this role- one of the main ones being when he falls ill or gets hurt.

Now, I really had to think about who he would give the role of "medic" to out of his brothers. (assuming Splinter isn't home or around). I already KNOW it wouldn't be Donatello- going by this simple example below of how he usually reacts to any kind of germs in the lair:

...As you can see, he wouldn't fit that role all too well. XD Despite being the definition of "THOROUGH" when it comes to sanitation, and understanding everything about bacteria and germs and how to burn them into oblivion, Don has a very difficult time showing any kind of empathy or nurturing. Rattling off facts can only be so helpful when it comes to comforting a suffering patient- so Leo wouldn't be all that quick to choose his freckled brother if he could help it.

Then there's Raphael- He can be just as caring, (and sometimes even just as gentle) as Leo. He loves his family dearly, but doesn't handle medical supplies all that well ever since returning from his time in the labs with Don. He's also not the best at handling situations when he doesn't immediately know what to do, usually choosing fight or flight rather than thinking past his feelings and emotions and doing what needs to be done. These factors, mixed with his past medical-based trauma, proves to Leo that Raph couldn't handle the pressures and uncertainty of being medic.

Leo would NEVER subject Lotus to perform any kind of medical procedures if he could. Knowing of her haunting past, and how she's still fighting the urge to run and hide when she's in the Medbay, she would never be his first pick to take over as medic. It also doesn't help that some of her medical-based trauma was sparked because of him.

And then there's Michelangelo- Whom is the actual answer to this question. If Leo had to pick one of his bros to take the role, it would be him. And I'll explain why. :)

First off, Mikey is in the Medbay the most out of all Leo's brothers. He's constantly getting himself hurt by not being careful, and each time he injures himself, Leo subjects him to a long rant/lesson about how dumb he was being and how the oldest was going to treat it. Scolding quickly became basic teaching. Leo would take every opportunity he could to call Mikey over and show him how to treat different injuries. And because Mikey loves hanging out with his oldest bro, he would never refuse to hear a lesson, so he found great joy when Leo called him over to practice basic first aid or watch a video about certain medical procedures. Eventually, Mikey became excited to learn as well as hang out with Leo.

This wasn't that much of a problem until blood was involved.

Just at the mere sight of the crimson liquid, Mikey would lose either one of two things: his lunch or his consciousness. And Leo quickly realized that he had to help his little bro get over his phobia if he were ever chosen to be the next medic or expected to care for one of his injured brothers on missions.

The following weeks were spent trying to desensitize Mikey to the sight of blood, (which was not easy seeing how Leo's student would be fighting not to pass out or hurl his guts out during each lesson.) But eventually, Mikey would at least be able to stomach seeing it and carry out any and all medical needs to the best of his ability whenever Leo wasn't available.

Cause someday there would come a time when Leo might not be there.

Hope this answers your question! :)

To God be the glory!

~ Melissa

[truths33k3r4]

DAY 1- Going on a Walk After a Week of Being Inside

Yes I knowww these are out of orderrrr~ but sometimes you get energy and time to draw at different intervals. ;) Anyways! Here are all of my Teeny Turts from SIW going out with Splinter to a hidden river. :)

The challenge I wanted to try was drawing a nature background with MANY plants and roots. (I like to draw trees as much as the next artist, but HAIIIYAAAA I HATE every other kind of floraaaa.) Now I need to get back to drawing Evil Raphael byeeee~

~ Melissa ~ TMNTember Prompts List ~

[truths33k3r4]

TMNTember 2024 ~ “Carnival Ride Gone Wrong” - SIW

(TW for descriptions of dizziness, nausea, injury, and vomiting)

“Guys c’mon!!!” An eight year old Raphael called out as he led the way to the newly-constructed carnival rides.

The cool, autumn air nipped at Leonardo’s beak as he ran after his mischievous little brother. By Leo’s side was Donatello, heaving and sighing as he tried to keep up with the rapid pace of Raph. Leo had to hold back from laughing as he watched his freckled sibling continually need to readjust his still-too-big glasses during the sprint.

Throughout the whole trip from the sewers, the brothers had to take multiple breaks to allow Michelangelo to catch his breath or be carried. Seeing how the youngest was only five years old, they couldn’t blame him for not being able to keep up. To Leo, it was both admirable and annoying that his smallest brother always pushed himself to do the same things he, Raph, and Don did. This included when they did something stupid.

The four of them had been running for what felt like two hours now, going by the taut muscles in Leo’s sore limbs, and the spicy burn in his nostrils and throat from the chilly air. The extra weight of his youngest brother in his arms didn’t help much either.

Sheesh- how FAR is this thing?!?!

.  .  .

Finally all the brothers, sans Raph, collapsed onto the ground. Leo’s rapidly beating heart skipped and stuttered as he noticed the sky growing darker and darker. His skin let out a small shiver as the mist crept in, enveloping him and his brothers in smears of white and gray.

…He never said it was this far away…

“C’mon!!” Raph called out, as he waved his gasping and panting brothers to the gate of the carnival. “We got this place allll to ourselves~”

Leo masked his scoff as a groan while he lifted himself off the damp grass. After rubbing the moisture off his knees and shins, he walked over to Don’s sprawled out form on the ground.

“Don.. ya good?” Leo wheezed as he tried to force air back into his aching lungs.

Donatello’s body remained cemented to the grass as he fought to catch his breath. Leo watched as his brother’s plastron rose and fell in huffs, but eventually evened out to a steady rhythm. The oldest patiently waited with an expressionless face as Don gave out a long, dramatic sigh.

“...I’m takin’ that as a yes.” Leo finally mumbled as he turned around to check on Mikey. 

The youngest wasn’t panting or groaning, but rather fighting the battle of his life to keep his eyes open. As his eyelids slowly fell, his head would lull and roll to the side. Slumber would quickly be cut off with a harsh jolt as he shot his eyes open again.

Leo inwardly berated himself for letting Mikey come. Well, kind of. He shouldn’t have let the youngest hear the plan to sneak out in the first place. But, as always, Mikey used his youngest-sibling-powers to convince the other brothers to let him join them. And by that, he meant if they refused to let him come, then he would run straight to daddy and get them in trouble.

Blackmail~ the greatest weapon a sibling can possess.

“Mmmmmm can you cawwy mee?...My wegs hurtttt..” Mikey whimpered, as he lifted his hands into the air. His sky blue eyes grew triple their size, and shimmered with the reflection of the moon and stars.

Of…freaking….course.

With a more obvious groan, Leo leaned over and slipped his hands underneath Mikey’s arms. The oldest’s brows raised in concern when he was met with silence as he hoisted the youngest onto his shoulders. Normally Mikey would squeak or giggle when he was picked up, but the only sound that squeezed out of him was a feathery whimper.

..Guess he really is exhausted.

“C’mon! C’mon! C’MOOOOON!!!” Raph groaned from the other side of the gate. Leo shot him a quick glare as he held down Mikey’s legs to his plastron and stood up. After a curtly kick to Don’s side with no reaction, he found that his freckled brother was fully asleep in the grass.

Seriously???... HOW???

“DUUUUDE. The human said this place opens tomorrow!! That means we can only try out these sick rides tonighttttt.. Get your shell OVER HERE!!!”

“Oh yeah, a temper tantrum-. That' real ninja-like, Raph. You remember what dad says, ninjas are s’posed to be sneaky and- what was it again? Oh yeah~ silent.” Leo retorted as he began to scale the wire gate. Something so simple would normally be cake for him to complete, but the adding of Mikey’s vice-like grip onto his neck made things a bit more difficult. Kinda hard to focus when your oxygen is being cut off. He also didn’t realize the extra weight on his shell would throw off his balance.. When he pushed off the top of the gate, he attempted to curl himself and somersault as he landed. But that decision was quickly reprimanded as he tumbled to the ground, landing flat on his rear, and nearly throwing Mikey off his shoulders by the harsh impact.

“BAHAHHAHAHAAHA!!! I might not be sensei’s best student, but even I know that wasn’t very sneaky or silent.” Raph wheezed as he choked on his laughter.

Leo bit his cheek to keep an embarrassing whine from escaping his clenched teeth. 

Owwwwwwwwww.

“Oh shut up! I’m not used to climbin’ with Mikey on my shell!” Leo grumbled as he shakily stood back up. The fall only enhanced the growing soreness in his arms and legs. And now, he can officially add his bottom to the list.

“Hehe~ Come on, Snailanardo, let’s go try one out!!!” Raph excitedly pointed to the nearby spinning teacups ride. 

Despite the absolutely lame insult Raph had called him, the oldest was sincerely happy to see his brother allowing an expression on his face besides rage and spite. Leo couldn’t help the teeny tiny smile tickling his cheeks as he watched his brother sprint towards the ride with a smile as wide as Mikey’s.

Ah.. Right.. Mikey…

Leo began to crane his neck to see his youngest brother, but was abruptly halted at the sudden flop of weight onto his skull. Thin, short arms fell limply at the sides of Leo’s head, as a tiny huff sounded from Mikey’s lips. 

Aaaand he’s gone. Great~

Leo huffed out an amused chuckle as he ran to catch up with Raph, who was now red-faced and stamping his foot on the ground waiting for Leo again.

“I’m comin’ Tinkerbell! Don’t get your wings in a bunch.” Leo whisper-shouted as he finally arrived at the teacup ride. 

Embarrassment-tinted pink blended in with the anger-fueled red burning Raph’s cheeks. Leo loved calling him that nickname ever since dad found that old cassette tape of “Peter Pan” in the lost and found of the abandoned library. It was just too good of a nickname to pass up. The resemblance of his brother to the fiery fairy was uncanny.

“D-dad told you not to call me that!!!!” Raph squeaked with another stamp of his foot.

“...Just like how he told you not to call me names??...” Leo shot back with his head cocked and a smug grin on his face.

Raph opened his mouth but froze before another retort could escape. He stuttered and sputtered as Leo just stood there basking in the glow of victory.

“Fine! Imsorryforcallingyouabadname. Now can we PLEASE go on this ride????”

Leo’s smile shifted from teasing to genuineness again as he nodded. He was actually very excited to try going on his first ride. Carnivals weren’t really a thing that came by their part of the city all that much, so who knows when he’d get the chance to try one again?

Excitement flooded his senses as he jumped onto the seat of the ride by Raph.

They waited. 

Nothing happened.

Oops.

“Uhh..” Leo turned to Raph with an embarrassed, (and frankly disappointed) look. “I don’t think we can ride unless there’s.. power.”

Raph’s face plummeted through every stage of grief as he tried to comprehend what Leo just said.

“I…Y-you…B-b-but….WHATTTT?!?!??!?!?!” 

If Leo thought Raph’s face couldn’t get any more red earlier, he certainly was corrected now as his brother’s cheeks burst with hues as vibrant as his new mask that Sensei made him for his eighth birthday. Before Leo could utter a word, Raph stood up and took a very deep breath.

“DONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!” He shrieked into the night sky with all the volume his little lungs could muster. 

The sonic BOOM of Raph’s voice made Leo flinch something awful, as he shot up and slammed his head into the ceiling of the ride. He expected stars to dance in his vision, as he curled into his plastron and rubbed his head, but… His head was fine. He gave himself a few seconds to see if the adrenaline was keeping the pain away, but no. His head was absolutel-

MIKEY.

On cue to his realization, he and Raph heard a loud, squeaky groan from the youngest.

“OOOOWIIEEEE!” Mikey hiccuped as he started crying.

OH CRAP- OH SHOOT- OHHHH OTHER BAD WORDS-

“M-Mikey!! Uh- It’s ok!! It’s ok! You’re ok!! YOU’RE OK!!!” Raph pleaded as he pulled the youngest off of Leo’s shoulders and into his lap. He began to look at Mikey’s head as best he could, but the darkness looming over the carnival was making things much harder to see. “Uh- Leo, I-I can’t see anything! Is he bleedin’? You check!!”

“W-what??? Uh- okay?” Leo slid over to Mikey in Raph’s lap, and began feeling around the youngest’s forehead. His fingers smoothly traveled across Mikey’s skin until they were stopped by a large egg forming. The youngest chirped in distress by the contact of the sensitive area. “You’re okay, Mikey!!! It’s just a bump!! We get those all the time in practice!”

As Leo tries to gently rub the tears out of Mikey’s eyes, he hears the faint sound of footsteps.

And grumbling.

Raph’s whole body tenses as he begins peering into the streets for the owner of the sound. Leo scoots closer to his brothers, and shields Mikey by wrapping his arms around him and pulling him close to his plastron.

“What was that?” Leo whispered to Raph.

“D’know….” Raph quietly growled back.

Their heads both snapped to the left as the sounds of metal being pried open screeched. There were a few clicking sounds, followed by wire snips, and screwdriver twists. 

Then the night sky was swallowed by bright neon lights.

“WHAT THE-” Raph began, but was abruptly cut off as the whole world began moving.

Leo yelped as the ride started. He gripped tightly onto his little brothers as the outside world jarringly smeared into colors of navy, reds, and yellows. The spinning made him shift in his seat, forcing him to latch onto the safety railing for dear life just to keep upright. 

Raph wasn’t fairing any better.

The sickening circular movement was making the second oldest’s body yank, jolt, and slam into the railing and the sides of the cart. Leo winced as he imagined how thoroughly bruised Raph would be afterwards..

..And Mikey..

..Mikey looked like he was gonna die.

The youngest screamed and cried into Leo’s arms, shaking all over. Leo had to continually tighten his grip on his little brother, for fear that letting go would result in Mikey being flung off the ride into the cold heart of space. Yeah- That’s not gonna happen.

After an eternity passed of suffering through a spinning hellscape, the world began to slow.

Soft mechanical gears hummed and sputtered as the worst decision in Leo’s life mercifully came to an end.

His head rang with the echoes of his and his brothers screams. His chest ached as his heart seemingly attempted to break through the walls of his plastron. His stomach gurgled and twisted, like the spinning of the ride forced his insides to braid into a pretzel. 

“Ughhhhhh…” He groaned as he pulled away from Mikey to rest his head on the back of his seat.

He didn’t want to open his eyes.. Even though the spinning had stopped, his world still teetered and tipped like he was on the other end of a seesaw. 

And then he heard a familiar voice clear their throat.

Leo risked the world toppling over like Lincoln Logs and opened his eyes.

There, in front of the ride and picking at the dew-dusted grass.. was Don.

“So, dear brothers…how was the ride?” He grumbled with an exhausted shade under his eyes. “Tell me- was it worth it waking up all of FREAKING NEW YORK????”

Leo just sat there with wide eyes and a greener face.

Ohhh I don’t feel good..

Raph apparently felt the same, because simultaneously they lurched forward and painted the platform of the ride with everything they had eaten prior. Don’s face glitched as he recoiled back, and gasped with horror and disgust.

“AIIIEE!!! EW- WHY- EW- WHAT IS WRONG WITH- EWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!”

Leo wiped his mouth with his arm, and turned to look at his two fallen brothers. Raph hadn’t even stopped throwing up yet, and Mikey looked like he was about to start.

As all oldest siblings know- THE YOUNGEST HAS THE WORST AIM.

Running on instincts alone, Leo grabbed Mikey from under his arms and leapt over the ride’s safety railing. Landing shakily on the grass, Leo held Mikey out over a trash bin and let the youngest do what he had to do to feel better. The smell wasn’t exactly helping Leo’s recovering stomach, and he would DEFINITELY have to clean his feet in the pond nearby after this-

-But at least they’re all alive..

Once Mikey was finished, Leo pulled him away from the trash, (still holding him an arms length away just in case), and began walking to the pond.

WORST. DECISION. EVER.

“RAPH!!” Leo called out to his deceased brother still leaning over the side of the railing, “NEXT TIME YOU GET AN IDEA FROM A SEWER WORKER THROUGH THE GRATE, KEEP IT TO YOURSELF!!!”

The End XD

~ TMNTember Prompts List~

[truths33k3r4]

What are each of the SIW turtle’s pet peeves? Even like those pet peeves that are oddly specific 😂

Hello, Anon!!! :)

Ohohohohhhh this is gonna be FUN to answerrrrr~

STRAP IN MY DUDES. I've had these facts in a list on google docs for MONTHS.

I'll go through each turtle one at a time. :)

Leonardo- Leo hates it when his schedule is thrown out of whack, his family is put in danger, or when there's loud chaos that he can't keep under control. All of these things coincide when it comes to his charming (troublesome) brothers.

As seen here in this little comic based on my friend's childhood story, Leo suspects that his little brothers are in danger once he begins to hear crying. However~ Once he rushes in, he finds that it was just a dumb prank gone wrong by the two little gremlins. He finds it bothersome when such stress is THRUST UPON HIM by his mischievous siblings. He really doesn't need anymore, thank you. Also whenever he fails at anything ever- and Sensei or his brothers watch it happen. He dies a little on the inside every time there's an audience for his failures.

Michelangelo- This comic also goes over Mikey's pet peeves. He absolutely hates it when one of his jokes goes too far; When it hurts someone's feelings, isn't laughed at, or is just ignored. He never has ill intentions with any of his jokes or pranks. It's always in good fun! But the times when his jokes force an angered Raph to go stomping into his room and lock the door, or make Don yell at him cause it could've been dangerous, makes him feel like the worst brother in the world.

Donatello- Don absolutely DESPISES loud noise when he's trying to work his shift. Or when he's trying to repair another leaking sink or faucet. Or when he's existing at all. He also hates it when his twin, (Raphael) will fool around about his allergies to meat. (Don has Alpha-gal syndrome, which causes his body to react with the following symptoms if he digests mammalian meat: Hives or itchy rash. Nausea or vomiting. Severe stomach pain. Heartburn or indigestion. Cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing. Drop in blood pressure. Swelling of the lips, throat, tongue, or eyelids.)

He also~ as seen here~ HATES IT when an event occurs and has no scientific explanation. Here he is training Lotus in baking. And uh... things do not go according to the recipe. (Definitely not speaking from experience AT ALL.)

Lotus- She can't stand loud sounds. Any kind of *BOOM* or *CLANG* that emanates through the lair sporadically and without warning. She hates not feeling prepared for it, and especially how vulnerable she feels when it happens. The first night she's allowed with some of the brothers to the surface was not easy for her to handle.

(Some old Whumptober art from last year.)

Surprises. If someone leaps out in front of her, they will get a fistful and an earful. Mikey quickly learns to not mess with her after a particular situation that ended with him having a full-on black eye.

Last but not least, she gets very annoyed when someone is lying about how they feel. As someone who needed to rely on her instincts to tell if a new doctor would be sincere and kind, or ruthless and apathetic, she learned through the years to recognize masking and lies in a person's facial expression and body language. So when someone in her adopted family is exhibiting these signs, she feels extra offended by the fact that the family member doesn't trust their emotions with those who love them so dearly.

Raphael-  Raph hates it when it’s WAY THE FRICK TOO NOISY. (Just like his temperamental twin.) He also gets thoroughly annoyed by overly emotional people. Those who demand his attention and will drown him in their sob story. This is evident when he's clicking through channels on the tv, and "America's Got Talented People" pops up on screen.

He has the thing called "empathy" deep within him. It's especially obvious when his family is in danger or hurting and he does whatever he can to protect them. If he's forced to, he will take the role of "comforter", but you'll have to drag him into it kicking and screaming.

Thanks for the question, Anon!! :)

To God be the glory!

~ Melissa

[eggbem]

Makes me think of the line, "Raphael has the most attitude on the team!" XD This is fantastic!!! Always love seeing more of your turtle designs! This challenge is such a fun idea!

E6, Raph :)

The next entry for my SIW Expressions Challenge! :) E6 for Raphael! I can totally see Raph saying something along the lines of "Why don't you ask stupid over there?" or even "If you think this is a mess, you don't even wanna KNOW what's over there..."

Thanks for the challenge request, @eggbem! :)

~ Melissa