Disclaimer: I don't own these guys
Fair warning, this story is an AU, so the turtles are human.
This is the Chapter One 2.0. I had a friend say there wasn't enough detail so, I updated it. I'll get to the next chapters later, like, two a day, I guess.
Enjoy!
It's late. The sky is a dark purple over the Japanese style house. The giant tree in the backyard sways its leaves, but the branches stay rigid against the soft wind. Inside the house is a large open space with a square step down in the center. There is a tv, a few couches, and a bean bag. The dojo is in the back with a room beyond for the head of the house. To the right of the dojo is the kitchen and an elevator going down below to the basement. To the left, there are stairs leading to a hallway enclosed by a railing. Four bedrooms, plus the bathroom, is along the other wall of the corridor.
Silent feet touch the hard wood floor. Their owner is careful not to wake anyone as he walks down the hallway. He's a little late getting up, so he skips the stairs and goes over the railing. His landing is softer than his previous footsteps, rolling after to spread out his weight. He makes his way to the front door and steps out. 'It's gonna be a warm day,' he muses.
Leo has been getting up early on Saturdays for almost a year. But it's for a good cause, he says. He runs around the block, loosening his toned muscles. He isn't seen by anybody since no one would be crazy enough to be up at this hour, except him.
He stops for a small break at the pond in the park and looks down at his reflection from a nearby street lamp. His hair is raven black and his caucasian skin is tanned as dark as a nighttime roamer's could be. He's five foot nine, not the tallest of his brothers, but also not the shortest. He rubs his deep blue eyes of the last hint of exhaustion and continues on his run around the park.
Soon, he's back home. No one else is up, as usual. Checking the clock on his way through the kitchen, he sees it is five forty-five. He grabs a quick breakfast. He walks to the back of the living room where the dojo is located. He slides the door open and flicks on a light. Leo picks up his katanas and their holders as he passes the weapons display, leaving the sais, bo staff, and nun chucks alone.
The sixteen year old ninja sets his katanas in his hands comfortably by beginning with simple katas he had mastered years ago. Then, with concentration lacing his face, he focuses on what he was taught in the last weeks. When he is satisfied, he slides the swords into their place against his back. He takes the time to do some non weapon katas, before using his swords again. He trains in the dojo well after the sun has risen.
He finishes the last round of mock katana fighting when the door slides open behind him. "Why am I not surprised," the voice of Leo's immediate younger brother snarks sleepily. Leo turns and dips his head in greeting to his green eyed brother. "Finishing up?" Raph asks as Leo sets his swords next to the sais.
"Yep," Leo answers. Raph is shorter than Leo, coming to only five foot five and a half, but he's only one year younger. He has black hair that he keeps shorter on the sides than on top and piercing green eyes. His muscles make up for his height, due to being the strongest of them all.
"Dude," Raph says while doing the first kata of the day, "You need a hobby."
"That's what I'm going to," Leo retorts, half-heartedly.
"Space Heroes. Is not. A hobby," Raph enunciates at each new kata.
That is why Leo is up before the sun every Saturday. At seven every morning, a Space Heroes episode plays for forty-five minutes, not including commercials. In order to watch, Leo has to do his solo exercises earlier than the rest.
No one can understand his love for the show. Donnie says it's 'cheesy', and 'stupid', in Raph's words. Mikey, the youngest, was a fan for the first episodes. But it was too repetitive. He easily became bored. He dislikes mornings anyway. But for Leo, from the moment the tv turns on at seven, it's all he can think about until the credits.
His eyes are glued to the screen when another member of their family steps onto the ground floor. He has brown hair with matching brownish-red eyes. He yawns, showing the tooth missing in the front of his mouth. He's wearing their traditional training gear, much like his brothers. "Hey Leo, is Raph inside already?" Raph grunts from unequal balance, falling. "Leo?" Leo doesn't hear him. He's too busy listening to the theme song he knows by heart. "Leo!"
The older teen jumps and allows a peek at Donnie, who happens to be trying to set his brother's hair on fire with his stare alone. His younger brother towers over him at almost six feet, despite being the third oldest. Donnie raises an eyebrow to ask, 'Well?'
"Uh, no Mikey isn't down yet," Leo answers, hoping that was right. Donnie rolls his eyes.
"Well, when the commercials come up, call Mikey down. He can't be late again."
"Okay, just let me wait 'til commercials," Leo suggests, only hearing the second half of Donnie's request. Donnie sighs and walks off to join his other older brother. He grabs his staff and twirls it, unlocking his taut fingers. He's not as strong as Raph, but his muscles are built for the bo staff.
"Fearless' zoned out again?" Raph asks, now using his sais. Donnie gives off a long sigh and nods, regretfully.
"I cannot wait until that show is discontinued for inaccuracy," Donnie admits, moving to his chosen spot on the dojo floor. He has always been the techy of the group.
"Y'know what? You should call it in if ya think it's inaccurate." Raph swipes the air in mock attempt to stab an opponent. "Besides, there will always be that room of his to remind us of it." Raph and Donnie do their exercises in silence, hearing every sound coming from Space Heroes.
= Slap! "Get it together, Captain. You're our leader so act like it!"
"Stay tuned! We will be back after these commercials." =
Donnie pauses in training, "Leo!"
"I didn't forget, Donnie!"
"Like last time," Raph says under his breath.
Leo leaps over the couch and runs up the stairs. 'We have an elevator to the basement. Why can't there be one going up?' He ponders. He stops in front of Mikey's door. It's riddled with drawings and signs. Leo knocks. "Mikey!" He yells. The fourteen year old doesn't respond.
Leo steps into the room. He eyes his brother whose arm and leg are dangling of the bed. Leo stands at the foot of the bed. "Mikey, get up," he orders. The head of yellow curls groans, but doesn't rouse. Leo frowns and moves over to sit next to him. He nudges him. "Mikey," he sings softly. The freckled teen mumbles. As last resort, he's flipped from the bed. The blonde hair boy is awake before he hits the floor.
"Leo..." he groans, looking up with drowsy bright blue eyes. Leo helps him up.
"C'mon little brother, those nunchucks won't swing themselves," he prods. Mikey walks out of the room like a zombie. Leo runs ahead of him and gets to the tv right as commercials end. Donnie sticks his head out of the dojo, ready to call for Leo again. But he stops, seeing Mikey.
"Mikey, just because we call ourselves turtles doesn't mean you have to act like one," Donnie says, palm on forehead.
"Sorry Don, I had a lot of homework last night. You're lucky you didn't have to have the eighth grade teachers," is Mikey's excuse.
"Well, hurry up!" Raph yells. Mikey runs at this to not get there any later than he is already.
The end of the credits roll on screen as Leo stands up. He turns it off and goes back to the dojo. He retrieves his katanas and stands by his brothers. "So," Mikey asks on Leo's left. His top curls are high enough to touch his older brother's nose, being almost five foot four, "how was Space Heroes?"
"Well," Leo perks up, "this episode picks back up after Captain Ryan and his crew crash landed on Gylodea. They had to seek help from the native people, but in order to achieve that they had to collect the Five Gyldean Diamonds that were scattered around the planet, running into the Riphals again. Of course Captain Ryan fends them off while-"
"Whoa, slow down Fearless," Raph says, clutching his stomach, "spare us the cliffhanger. I don't want to end up watching next week." The other two were also chuckling.
"Isn't that the same storyline of two weeks ago?" Donnie asks, knowing it is.
"Good morning, my sons," Hamato Yoshi greets, coming out of his private room. He stands in front of them, his black hair neatly combed and his red kimono in order.
"Good morning Sensei," the brothers return in sync.
"Leonardo, how was your morning's story?" their father asks. Hamato Yoshi is the only one of the Hamato household that does not tease Leo's choice in watching Space Heroes. As long as it was over before sparring, he allowed it. In return, Leo doesn't try to explain the show to him from fear of losing the privilege.
"Exciting, Master Yoshi," Leo answers, bowing again. The elder nods and splits the four in half for sparring. Leo is with Mikey, as Donnie is with Raph.
"Hajime," Master Yoshi proclaims. They begin. The pairs end up with Raph and Leo on top. "Yame." Leo offers his hand to Mikey.
"Don't worry, otouto, you'll get there," he assures. Mikey nods.
"Michelangelo, Raphael. Switch." They face their next partners.
"You ready, little brother," Leo taunts.
"Bring it."
"Hajime." Katana's and sais clash. "Yame." But the katanas win in the end. He helps Raph up. They are both surprised to see Mikey above Don. The tall teen stands up and shakes Mikey's hand.
"Good job," he comments, feeling the sting of defeat, "The key is definately speed. You have that." Mikey beams at this.
"Michelangelo, Leonardo. Switch." Donnie waits in his stance, bo staff in front. "Hajime."
"Boyaka- whoa!" Mikey yells as Raph pins him. Mikey slams his nunchuck into his attacker and gets up. But he could never stand for long against his older brother.
"Yame." Raph and Leo win again. "Well done, my sons. Let's do a few more exercises and then be done. Michelangelo, please show us the move you worked on this week." The rest groan. Because Mikey was late, however Master Yoshi knew, they all have to stay longer. After Mikey's demonstration, the rest of the hour is used for extra katas.
So, how's the new version for the people that have read it before?
FYI- I have no clue what Space Heroes is about. But it sounds a lot like Star Trek. The plot of that episode is my own doing.
So, there is information about this story on my profile. It's near the bottom, so... take a look.
The next chapter will be updated in a day or two. But please, continue reading.