Hey everyone. I want to thank those that reviewed, liked, and are following this story. Also I know the general plot of this story, but I am open to ideas. So if you have any ideas on how I can improve this story let me know. This chapter is set right after the 3rd episode of season 3.
To guest: Thank you for reviewing.
After the whole incident April's "mother", Donnie and Casey got the idea to use the krang technology to rebuild the old truck in the barn into a hot rod and of course they asked Valiant to help, since he had experience with advanced technology.
"Can you hand me the welder, Casey?" Donnie asked from underneath the car.
"Sure thing, Don." Casey replied grabbing the tool then turning to Valiant asked, "So, Valiant. What is it like to have Leo as a dad?"
"What is it like? Well it depends on what's going on. During the war he was training Venus and I almost twenty-four seven with hardly any breaks with no room for mistakes. We would be pushed past our physical, mental, and spiritual limits just to gain the smallest percentage of perfection. He didn't show any emotions toward us and acted as though we were nothing but soldiers there to go into battle and die. But when there was a break in the war, he would take time and talk about the rest of his family and teach us about Japan's history as well as help us with any project we were doing or play games with us. Like I said it depended on the situation we were in." Valiant replied.
"Leo always liked Japan and it's culture, but I've never known Leo to be harsh about training nor push someone past their limits." Donnie said.
"Well there is a saying that people change with time. I can tell that you still see father as the loving and caring older brother that sacrificed himself for your safety, but he isn't like that any more. It's time that you let go of the past and forget the old Leo and get to know the new one." Valiant said.
"You expect me to forget the brother that I lost in exchange for this stranger?"
"Yes, and the sooner that you accept what has happened the sooner you will be at peace. Think of it this way. Father is having to go through the same thing. For him it has been twenty years since he has seen any of you instead of just the two years you haven't seen him. He is trying to get to know his brother's again after all you aren't the "I get so excited over science" guy any more. At least not as much as you use to be. So you see it goes both ways you have to get to know the new Leo while he has to get to know the new you." Valiant explained.
"I agree with Valiant, Don. I talked to Leo and he blames himself for not being a good brother or leader for you and your other brothers." Casey said as he was tuning up the engine.
"Why would he do that?" Donnie asked.
"Because he would tell stories of where you, Mikey, and Raph would argue with his decisions and, maybe not in these exact words, tell him what a horrible leader he was. There was one time when I was four, Venus was about a year and a half old, and had just started to learn the way of the ninja, father was pushing me so hard that I broke down crying. I asked him why he hated me so much and he took me into his arms lovingly and told me that he was pushing me hard because he wanted me to be prepared to be a better older brother to Venus than he was to his brothers." Valiant said.
"He really thinks that? I had no idea." Donnie said.
"Don't you start down the guilt trip as well, Uncle. It's bad enough with father and I don't need to be worrying about him and an uncle." Valiant said looking up from what he was doing.
"Wait did you just call me Uncle?" Donnie asked looking at Valiant.
"Yeah. I might as well start calling you and your brother's Uncle. After all we are family."
"Yeah that we are." Donnie said smiling.
"So if Don, Raph, and Mikey are your uncles what does that make me? Casey asked.
"I don't know. Maybe a very distant cousin or something?" Valiant said. Donnie and Casey gave each other a weird look then burst into laughter.
Again please tell me what you think and if I need to correct something. I'm also up for any ideas someone might have.