Letters To Yoshi
Chapter 1: Firsts
A/N: This plot bunny was lurking in my head for some time, but I had to put it on hold due to another story that required my attention. Then, when I finished my first chapter and was ready to put it up, I noticed a really good story called "April's Diary" by Connie Nervegas. I decided not to post this story for fear that people would think I had taken the idea from Connie and posted my own story up. So, I consulted with Connie via Stealthy Stories and told her about my idea. She said it was a good idea and gave me permission to put the story up. I hope that you all enjoy it, and I highly recommend Connie's story because it is very well-written.
This story is dedicated to Cynlee because no one writes Splinter like she can. Happy early birthday, Cyn! Here's your present!
Summary: Splinter writes letters to Yoshi chronicling his life as a mutated rat and single parent to four turtle sons.
Disclaimer: I don't own the TMNT or any characters related to them. They are the property of Nickelodeon Studios. I do own the plot of this story.
Additional Disclaimer (applies to FF readers only): If this chapter and any subsequent chapters I post appear in a different format other than the regular textual format, it's a glitch with Windows Vista. At least, that's my assumption, since none of this happened until I started posting my stuff on my laptop, which has Vista. So, if you have a hard time reading the story on FF, you can also read it at Mikey's TMNT and Stealthy Stories.
Dear Master Yoshi,
My sons have started walking upright for the first time. They are very fast learners. I wish that you were alive to see them and how much they have grown. The green substance that mutated us has had an interesting effect on all of us. My sons and I have grown very quickly, and we can now walk upright like the humans above us. I have learned to speak, read, and write by observing the humans on the surface world, by studying out of books I have found in the sewers and in garbage cans (Such a waste for humans to throw out these marvelous tools!), and by watching humans on the television I was able to acquire for my sons. They do not speak yet, but I feel that they are trying. I often hear them making noises that almost sound like speech.
I found a book about Renaissance artists in the sewers and have decided to name my sons after four of them. I think these names are very beautiful and will suit my sons well.
I saw a news report about a woman who went to jail for leaving her children alone in her apartment with no supervision. I fear that I would be sent to jail for letting my sons stay home alone. But I have no choice for there is no one to care for them. I do not leave them alone all the time, but I do go out for supplies while they take their nap. I have tried to leave them while they are awake, but they always have cried for me not to leave them.
I must find food for my sons as we are running low. I will leave as soon as they are asleep.
22222
Dear Master Yoshi,
My sons are now talking. I did not expect it to happen so soon, but it has. Perhaps this is another effect from the mutagen. Needless to say, my sons are getting more intelligent every day. I often wonder what they will do next.
Donatello was the first to speak. It all started when I took my sons for a walk in the sewers. I felt that if I lead them through the sewers they would be able to navigate their way by themselves without getting lost once they memorized the way. I did not want to tire them out too soon, so I decided that once they showed signs of not wanting to go further, I would let them rest and then take them home.
As we were walking, I pointed out certain sections of the sewers and warned them not to venture there. I knew I would have to keep telling them for I had a feeling they would not obey me all the time. As I was giving one of my explanations, I heard a voice say, "Splin-ter?" I turned to my sons in shock, not sure who had spoken. Then Donatello pointed to me and repeated, "Splin-ter?"
I was speechless at first because I could not believe what was happening. But as my son repeated my name, I replied, "Yes, Donatello, I am Splinter." He smiled, pleased at what he did and turned to his brothers. He pointed to me again and said, "Splin-ter." His brothers did not respond, which startled me. I had a feeling they would not progress at the same time, though that is what I hoped for at first.
A few days later, I was watching the news on television. My sons were playing with some toys I had procured while on the surface. Leonardo decided to stop playing and came over to me. He looked at me and said, "Hi."
Once again, I was shocked at what Leonardo said, but I quickly got over that and responded, "Hello, Leonardo, would you like to join me?"
He nodded, and I lifted him to my lap. I turned the channel, for I did not want him to see the horrible story that was on. He cuddled into my lap and watched the cartoon show with me, laughing whenever something funny happened. His brothers saw what we were watching and joined us.
Raphael was the next one to find his voice. I was serving them their lunch and presented them with some broccoli. Leonardo and Donatello were curious and decided to try it out. Michelangelo was a bit reluctant but followed his brothers' lead. I could tell they were not fond of the food, but they did not want to hurt my feelings and pretended to enjoy it.
When I set a portion down in front of Raphael, he gave me a questioning look. I urged him to eat it, explaining that it would help him grow. He took his fork, speared a piece onto it, put it in his mouth, and began to chew it.
"What do you think, Raphael?" I asked him.
He spit out the piece of broccoli and said, "Yuck!"
"But, Raphael, it is good for you," I told him. "You need to eat it to grow big and strong."
"Yuck!' he repeated and refused to eat another bite. I decided not to force him because I knew he would argue with me.
Each day, three of my sons would learn more words, but Michelangelo still did not speak. I was worried that he would never speak, but then he surprised me. I had just come out of my room to check on them when Michelangelo walked up to me and tugged on my kimono. I asked if he wanted a piggyback ride, and he eagerly nodded. I let him climb on my back and began walking around the Lair, bouncing him as I did so. He shrieked with laughter which was normal for him to do. But then he suddenly shouted, "Cowabunga!" I smiled happily, for I knew that finally my son was able to talk. Now, they have all caught up to each other. I am so proud of them.
22222
Dear Master Yoshi,
Donatello saw me writing and was very curious. He cam over, pointed to my journal, and asked, "What?" I explained to him that I was writing down my thoughts and feelings. He seemed intrigued by this and pointed to my journal again.
"I wite, too?" he asked me.
"No, you may not write in this journal," I responded. "But I can teach you to write so you may have a journal of your own. Would you like that?"
"Yeah," Donatello said. His eyes were filled with curiosity and excitement at the prospect of learning how to write.
I must find some sort of educational book to teach my sons their letters and numbers. Perhaps I will find one when I go out today.
22222
Dear Master Yoshi,
I was able to find a wonderful book on teaching my sons their letters and numbers. In fact, I have found quite a few books that will aid me in my quest to educate my sons. After perusing the first book I acquired, I decided to teach my sons their alphabet. I gathered them before me and began to explain the importance of knowing the letters and numbers. Then I taught them how to write big A and little a while matching a picture to the sound. Their attempts were fairly good, but Michelangelo had his big A on a slant. Raphael did not want to do this, but I told him that he was going to learn it whether he liked it or not in my best stern voice. He was quiet after that and began to learn his letters like everyone else.
I feel that it will take time for my sons to learn these things, but I will do my best to teach them all I can.
22222
Dear Master Yoshi,
My sons are making a lot of progress on their letters and numbers. They have learned up to K on their letters and the number twelve on their numbers. Donatello can even count to twelve in French. He learned this from watching Sesame Street on the Canadian channel on television. Quite extraordinary! I feel that he will surpass his brothers in knowledge rather quickly.
22222
Dear Master Yoshi,
I have decided we need to move to a bigger home. This burrow will no longer hold us. My sons are far too cramped due to being so big now. I will have to search for a new home soon.
22222
Dear Master Yoshi,
The search for our new home had to be put on hold. As I was on the surface, I ran into a man who claimed to know you and introduced himself as Mr. Mortu. I wanted to know how he knew of you and of me. He said that you were a Guardian with the Utroms and that he had your ashes to give to me. He remembered me as your pet rat and knew that I was living in the sewers. I asked how he knew such a thing, but he said he could not explain just yet. He presented me with your ashes and said that I could have them now. I thanked him and took your ashes to my burrow. My sons were curious about it, but I did not want to tell them anything of your demise. Instead, I told tem that it was a gift for someone else and they were not to touch it. They nodded and never once came close to your ashes.
I know that I will have to eventually tell them what happened to you, but they are far too young to know of that tragedy. I do not want them to grow up with hatred in their hearts. So I will keep it from them as long as I can. They may be mad at me for doing so, but I am trying to protect them.
22222
Dear Master Yoshi,
We made it to Japan to bury your remains beside Tang Shen. The Ancient One was very surprised by our appearance and was saddened to hear of your death. After I explained to him how my sons and I came to be, we buried your remains beside your beloved Tang Shen. Then we talked outside while my sons played in the yard.
Suddenly, Raphael came over and declared that he saw a ghost. I was a bit confused until the others started claiming they could see it, too. I asked where it was, and they pointed to a bush. I looked at it carefully but saw nothing. I figured that this was just a case of an imagination running away and paid it no mind. But this was not the end of the matter.
That night, I put my sons to bed and had some tea with the Ancient One. We were interrupted by my sons bursting out of their room, screaming in terror. I hurried to their side and comforted them. I figured they were not used to sleeping alone, so I decided to stay with them.
The next morning we were ready to go home when my sons claimed they saw the ghost again. They said that he was following the Ancient One as he was leaving us. I still did not see anything, but I did sense a presence and felt it would be wise to make sure that no harm befell the Ancient One. We followed him, and I explained what my sons had seen. Then they spotted the ghost going into a different building, so we headed that way. At first, nothing looked out of place, but then the Ancient One and I were grabbed from behind. We tried to fight, but it was no use. I could hear my sons crying and fear and longed to comfort them, but I could not even breathe because of the tight hold the creature had on me.
Then my sons began to throw rocks in an attempt to have the phantom release us. Donatello hurled a rock and managed to hit a certain point, forcing the phantom to reveal itself. The Ancient One and I saw it was a bone demon, and we knew we had to defeat it. After the demon released us, we began to fight it. The demon put up a good fight, but it was no match for us. My sons cheered as we defeated the demon.
The Ninja Tribunal appeared and assessed what had occurred. They decided that my sons would be fine warriors one day but felt that my sons should not know about what transpired. They performed a ritual that modified my sons' memories and gave them a very dazed look. I was not happy about it, but I knew I could not overrule the Tribunal. Then they opened up a portal that led to my burrow. Before we left, the Ancient One gave my sons ninja masks as a gift. Now it is easier to tell them apart. Leonardo wears blue, Raphael wears red, Donatello wears purple, and Michelangelo wears orange.
I have decided that it is time for me to train them in the art of ninjitsu. I feel that I cannot put it off any longer, for I know that eventually they will be exposed to the outside world and the dangers that inhabit it. If they are prepared, it will be easier for them to face it.
To be continued….
A/N: So, the first chapter is done. I hope I wrote Splinter well enough. I tried to remember everything that happened in "Fathers and Sons" from my own head, but I might have messed up on that. My bad. And as for the Turtles' first words, I just think that with the mutation, it affected their speech and they could say words most human babies couldn't. Feel free to leave a review and have a shell-tastic day!