Chapter 1

"Concentrate my daughter. You must concentrate. To control the energy, you must be focused. Feel the power surround you, and then summon it to do your will."

An ageing shaman encouraged his daughter to keep going, to focus and take command of her power. But she could not do it. Exertion strained at her face as she brought her shaking arms down from in front of her. Her sweating and heavy breathing showed she was tired, but her shining eyes also showed her disappointment.

"I am sorry master. I was not strong enough. I have failed you." Her voice was sullen, and it ached him to his adopted daughter so sad, but he knew she had to become strong. Knew she had to master this skill. He sighed.

"We shall try again tomorrow, my child." He resorted, before his daughter bowed and went to make some tea, an act that always followed after training. He sighed again. His daughter held great strength, he just knew it. Her energy and strong mind combined to produce incredible power, if only she could control it. Wield it. He was incredibly proud of her, but these past few weeks had been frustrating. He was teaching her to master the elements, an ancient practice now dying out in the Shinobi clan. Some were born with natural powers, some had a unique aura which allowed them to be used. And some just found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time...

Mei Pieh Chi had mastered the elements water, air and earth, in that order, the first almost immediately as she was calm and lucid. But fire held difficulty for her. Wielding fire required passion, strength, almost anger, and his daughter, his sweet innocent daughter, was still a little lacking.

'Perhaps a mother figure would have helped. Or a proper family...'

His thoughts were once again drawn to the curious figure he met so many years ago whilst walking in the realm of dreams. His daughter, then aged only about 6, was taking a nap, so he decided to meditate and explore the dreamscape. He was not too surprised to suddenly find a rat there too, raising Mei Pieh Chi hadn't exactly been normal. For his daughter was a large, 17 year old, anthropomorphic, mutated turtle. He had been wandering in China town, New York, cultivating a precious stone, when he came across a splashing noise next to him. Suddenly, a glowing turtle stumbled out of a drainage ditch, cutting itself on the coarse, uneven concrete edge. Out of surprise, he dropped the stone, which shattered immediately next to the creature. He heard a faint squeak, and realised that some of the shards must have scratched the creature. He panicked, seeing the remaining shards disappear right in front of him. That stone was thousands of years old and incredibly rare. The Daimyo himself had trusted him to safe guard it. And now he had destroyed it. Or had he? He crouched down and saw some glittering white shards within the turtle's wound, which then seemingly dissolved into its blood. As he looked at the helpless creature below him, he wondered if the power of the stone had transferred...into it. He knew he could keep a small turtle safe, and he would also gain some companionship in his ageing years. Nodding with resolve, he picked up the turtle and used a cloaking spell to smuggle it back to China on his flight that night.

When he returned home, however, it was clear that this was no ordinary turtle. After resting from the jet-lag, he found that the creature had doubled in size. Over the next few weeks, it became incredibly dextile, and even spoke, its first word being "moon". Chung I knew the power of the stone dwelled within the creature, not just because of the instinct that the moon fed its power, but he also believed that the stone had made the creature like this. He later found a book on turtles and decided that this one was a female, and so named her 'Mei Pieh Chi'. It wasn't until he came across the rat in the dreamscape that he discovered the truth.

"I am called Splinter," the rat had initiated, "may I enquire your name?"

"I am Chung I" the shaman replied. "I am a shaman of the ancient Shinobi clan."

"It is an honour to meet you Chung I. I have never had the honour of meeting a shinobi. I am merely trained in the art of Ninjutsu."

Chung I raised his eyebrows in surprise. "A noble dedication. Although I trust you are not an assassin?"

The rat laughed. "No, I learnt by copying my own Master, who was trained for self defence. I have passed on the same skills to my sons."

Chung I nodded, before asking his burning question. "Forgive me Master Splinter, but you are a rat."

Splinter laughed again, and began to explain his story. Chung I's eyes widened in surprise as the story went on, realisation hitting him square in the chest.

"Are you alright my friend?" Splinter asked, Chung I's sudden silence unnerving him.

"You say you only found four turtles?" He was surprised by the solemn look that darkened the rat's face.

"I fear there was one more. I believe it was knocked into the rushing stream by the canister. But in my naivety, I overlooked the creature. I believe it drowned." Hi eyes were now downcast, but Chung I was suddenly filled with relief. His daughter wasn't alone. There was a sanctuary she could retreat to should the need arise. He smiled, causing scorn to erupt from his new friend.

"Do you mock my guilt?!" The rat suddenly shouted, his anger startling the shaman. Chung I was horrified.

"No! No, of course not. You just can't understand how relieved I am!" And so he began to tell his story. Splinter listened intently, smiling as the truth washed through him.

"I too am relieved, for I have felt guilt everyday for leaving the poor creature. What is her name?"

"Mei Pieh Chi."

"A beautiful name for surely a beautiful child."

Chung I nodded and smiled too, before his eyes became serious "But not all would think so."

Splinter sighed. "No they would not. I have managed to keep my sons safe underground, and shall continue to do so. But I know there will come a time when they must venture to the surface and discover the world. They must experience its harsh judgements to learn from them. They will continue to grow, as will their curiosity. I cannot keep them isolated forever."

"I understand how you feel Master Splinter. But Mei Pieh Chi and I are in an isolated part of China. We live in an ancient temple in the centre of a lake, surrounded by a dense forest and grand mountains. But even in this beautiful place, I know she will soon feel trapped. She will be allowed to wander until a barrier, but I cannot risk her being seen by other humans. I am afraid the Far East has a thing with empowering medicine. Here, a turtle represents good luck, and if they find one of my daughters' size, the temptation to capture her, I fear, will be too great."

Master Splinter nodded. Their children were precious, in more ways than one, and outsiders may not understand them.

"This is another reason I have taught them to fight: So that they are not defenceless. But even underground, they are able to learn much about the mannerisms of humans. Well, those of western culture anyway. May I ask how you have prepared Mei Pieh Chi for the dangers she must face in the future?"

Chung I frowned, not sure whether to trust the rat. But he sensed genuine truth from the curious creature, and he may be the only thing his daughter could go to if anything were to happen to himself.

"I have begun to teach her the way of the Shinobi. She has begun to master the element of water, along with other aspects of magic. I sense great energy from her, and believe that she can grow to become a powerful sorceress. But it will take time and patience, for she must build up her strength before she can fully command her powers."

"Have you considered teaching her a little self defence?"

"I am not sure yet. I am not all that trained myself. I was given basic training in the arts of Kung Fu and Karate, but by a multitude of masters. I was never taught a 'set way', and so am not really sure of the correct method of practising each move."

The rat chuckled a little. "My friend, there is no set way. In Ninjutsu, we test out many ways and discover which one is best for us. I have decided that we shall also follow the code of Bushido, a Samurai concept my master was taught by a friend. And therefore, we have created our own style. Why not combine the two forms? Research them? My advice to you is to just make sure your daughter is able to defend herself, should the worst happen."

"Thank you my friend, and I shall indeed take on your suggestions and investigate my choices. But may I offer you some in return? You are able to dream walk, showing that you are in touch with your mind. But meditation is not the only gift you can grant your sons. I was taught in the way of qigong. It allows me to cultivate life energy, and the practice of aligning breath, movement and awareness will greatly help them for exercise, meditation and indeed healing. I have installed it into my daughter since the start, and I urge you do the same."

"I shall. It is a concept my master's master introduced to me, but I have never mastered it myself. Hopefully through teaching my sons, I shall also be able to learn."

The pair continued to exchange training tips before saying their goodbyes. Over the years, they would often meet in the dreamscape and discuss their children's progress, linking to each other mentally so that the other may see the turtles for themselves. Chung I became amazed by the boys' strength and power, their fighting skills were highly developed, and he felt pride even though he had not raised them. Splinter too looked fondly upon Mei Pieh Chi, a delightful child that seemed to enjoy life whilst taking her responsibility as a shinobi very seriously. He observed her physical training, noting that while she was not as strong as her sons and could not do the flips and cartwheels that embroidered their conflicts, her reflexes were quick as well as her strikes. She also had a great awareness about her, nearly at Splinter's own level.

"That is the qigong." Chung I explained during one of the pair's conversations. "It makes you develop a sort of sixth sense. Have your sons not experienced this?"

Splinter shook his head sadly. "I am afraid only one has managed to persist with this depth of training. His brothers are still very much aware, but only one has continued to learn qigong."

"I am saddened to hear this Master Splinter, but I am sure that they shall be perfectly fine without the skill."

"They just seem so distracted. They are 11 years old and coming into their own, growing up. Michelangelo has discovered the excitement of comic books and videogames, and is determined to master 'the art of skateboarding' as he calls it. Donatello has always been clever, but now he fills his head with science journals and books on engineering. He will grow to be extremely intelligent, I can tell, but I severely regret allowing my sons to have a computer."

"What of the other two? I have sensed a great passion within the red masked one, Raphael."

"Yes, a great anger resides deep within his heart, causing him to be hot headed and rash. He will always apologise when he realizes he has gone too far, and is obviously the strongest of his brothers. But I fear his anger will cause him to make mistakes he will severely regret, and may not be able to rectify. He is undoubtedly protective of his brothers yet I cannot help but feel that he doesn't set them the best example."

"And what of Leonardo? I have always sensed a great calm around him."

"Ahh, my best student. He is truly devoted to his training, giving his all during group sessions as well as practising on his own. He aims to master every move I teach him, and strongly follows the way of Bushido. As I said, he is the only one who has continued his qigong training, but I fear his dedication has become a curse. I believe he will become a leader to his brothers, and shall carry the burden with both duty and honour. But he is not as free spirited as his brothers, and I wish him to enjoy his youth whilst he still can."

"Why not try and find some books for him? I feared the same would happen to Pieh Chi, but I have introduced her to books on history and legend, both eastern and western. It has provided her with invaluable knowledge and insight, whilst allowing her to relax a little more easily after training. Sometimes meditation isn't what she needs, but a distraction. And it is a pure joy when she reads to me before she sleeps. It allows me to see her new found confidence as she blossoms into a young woman."

"Reading? I had never thought of that. I have told my sons ancient Asian folk tales since they were young, but I have not thought to introduce them to books of the western world. I shall take your advice, as ever. But there's one thing that troubles me, my old friend. Your daughter has become skilled in her physical training, but she still fights without a weapon. Why is this?"

Chung I erupted in laughter. "She doesn't need to." And for the first time, he allowed his friend to witness his daughter's magical training. Splinter was amazed. He had seen the power of the Shinobi clan before, but not in one so young. Her father was right: she didn't need a weapon. After their session, Chung I returned to the old rat.

"Does the Daimyo still not know of her power?"

Chung I's eyes darkened. "I do not know. He has not visited me since I returned with the Lunar stone, and so I have not brought the subject up, with either of them."

"But Pieh Chi does know how she acquired her powers, doesn't she? I have kept my promise and not told my sons of her existence, but surely you have not kept her in the dark?"

"I'm afraid I have, Splinter. I have for her own safety, but now I realise that that is just a flimsy excuse now. I shall tell her the truth, without revealing you or your sons."

"Thank you Chung I, I believe it shall be best. Then at least she can understand herself a little more. It can only provide her with more strength."