A large, human-like rat watched his four sleeping sons, who were sprawled in various positions across the room. Today had been their 15th-no, 16th- Mutation Day, the day in which a canister of Mutagen had hit them, transforming them into their current state.
Silently, so as not to disturb them, he moved across the room, examining each one closely. The four had all faced many, many dangers- all in a single year. Fear flooded him momentarily as he thought to himself: They may have been able to face last year's challenges, but what about this year? How long can they go, fighting constantly while the enemy gets stronger every day?
He angrily pushed the thought away. The mere thought that his sons might one day be unable to defeat an enemy such as Shredder, or the Kraang, frightened him.
But of course, he had every right to worry, didn't he? After all, it had only been one exact year since he had allowed his sons to go to the surface. And look at what had happened- they had rescued a girl, and, after many, many dangerous missions, stopped an alien invasion.
What would this year bring?
Would it bring new allies? New enemies? What would his sons have to face this year? Their 16th year on this planet?
They're only teenagers, his mind said. They shouldn't have to go through all of this.
He shook his head. What was the point in complaining about the unfairness of it all? It was far too late now.
He sighed, and in doing so, woke his eldest son from his slumber.
"Sensei?" he asked. "Is everything all right?"
His father looked down at him, and in that moment, he knew- he knew- that no matter what happened, they would be ok. Yes, his sons would go through hardships in life and have their obstacles, but together, with his help, they would get through it.
"Everything is fine, my son," he said, smiling. It was true- everything was, and would be, fine.
Happy Mutation Day, guys! ^^
~KTNT