Daughter of the Tribunal Chapter 21
Later in the day the Acolytes were inside their own living quarters licking their wounds after the brutal training hey were put through. Since all four of the Turtles were family they roomed together in one large space with Splinter and the Ancient One. The humans were roomed separately.
The four brothers were sitting in front of the ire absorbing its comforting warmth. Master Splinter, on the other hand, was far too angry to do any sort of relaxing. He was pacing back and forth growling through gritted teeth.
Mikey was holding an ice pack to his head directly on the place where Ancient One had hit him.
Mikey groaned "If the Tribunal thinks a water burping dragon is a teachers aide then sign me up for homeschooling."
Pressing the ice pack deeper into Mikey's head, angrily, Master Splinter said "I cannot believe you were set against the Tatsu Spirit! It was rash and careless."
Ancient One held his tongue lowering his face until his hat shadowed it.
"What's your problem with the Tribunal, Sensei," asked Raphael, curious.
"Old wounds are hard to heal," said Master Splinter. "Learn what you can from the Tribunal for you will need it for when the Dark One comes to battle, but remember they will not hesitate to sacrifice you if it serves their purpose. So here, more than ever, you must stick together as a family. Promise me, My Sons."
"Yes, Master Splinter," they said.
Turning to the Ancient One, Leo said "Ancient One, may I ask you something/"
"You just did, Leonardo," said Ancient One, "but you may ask another. What is it you wish to speak to me about?"
"It's about that girl, you know the other Acolyte living here besides us eight," said Leo.
A ninth Acolyte? Ancient One didn't know anything of the sort about that. He had to think trying to figure out whom Leo was indeed speaking of. Then realization came across or recognition hit.
"Ah," said Ancient One, slapping his hand, "you're speaking of young Persephone."
Nodding, Leo said "Yes, I think that was her name."
"What would you like to know," said Ancient One.
"Who is she," asked Leo, simply. "And what is she doing here?"
"As you already know her name is Persephone," said Ancient One. "But despite what you may think she is not an Acolyte like the rest of you are."
"If she's not an Acolyte then what is her purpose here," said Don.
"Persephone is here not as an Acolyte, but as a daughter and heir to one of the Tribunal," explained Ancient One.
Thee was a stunned silence that came with this statement.
"Say that again," said Raphael.
"Persephone is the daughter of one of the Tribunal," repeated Ancient One. "To be more specific she is the daughter and heir to Juto Shisho. Being of his bloodline makes Persephone a demigod."
"A demigod," exclaimed Don, "but demigods aren't supposed to exist."
"Oh, but they do," chuckled Ancient One. "I assure you they quite do although they are rare, especially with offspring of the Ninja Tribunal. Persephone is the only one to actually be born and remain alone this long in the last thousand years."
"Wait a minute," interrupted Leo, hand raised, "what did you mean by survived?"
Ancient One sighed "All of the others born before her, however few they were, all were either stillborn or died within their first few months of life before getting even close to reaching their first year. Persephone is the one out of all to have made it this far. Now no more interruptions!"
Any more questions the Turtles wanted to ask would have to wait until after Ancient One was finished. So they all shut their mouths.
Continuing, Ancient One said "Just over seventeen years, on the spring equinox, Persephone was born. Being born from that very day is how she got her name,"
"Hold it," said Mikey, jumping in. "What about her mom?"
Ancient One glared heatedly at Mikey slowly causing him to shrink.
"I was just getting to that, Michelangelo," said Ancient One, irritated. "Stop with the insufferable questions!"
Ducking his head sheepishly, Mikey apologized "Sorry."
"Now where was I," said Ancient One, looking to regain his train of thought. "Oh, yes, now I remember. When Persephone was born it was to a young woman named Melinda. Similar to most of the women who carried offspring from the Tribunal she was immediately told what she was getting into as soon as she found out she was in the family way. She was given a choice on whether to carry or abort the little one growing inside of her. After much careful consideration she decided to keep the child and give birth despite the risks and consequences she knew would come with her choice."
Lo said "You say she wanted to keep her baby. Then why haven't we seen another woman around here?"
Sadly, Ancient One said "Ah, this is when it began to get complicated."
Authors Note:
Hope you guys like this one! ;D