Worlds Below
Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing! So suing me would be a waste of time.
Author's note: I'm going speed this up a bit, to get this story to the next place I need it to be. So this chapter may not be very entertaining but it is necessary. Ramica.
Chapter Six
After the sparring routine many of the tunnel dwellers, especially the children were suitable impressed and awed by the skills the three turtles had, were bombarded by questions and remarks about "How cool!" it was, and how some of the younger ones wanted so much to learn it. Father scowled as if he was not so sure about permitting such a thing.
"I'm not sure that is such a wise choice" he muttered a bit as he adjusted his glasses.
"It is known that such schools of martial arts teach their students respect, discipline but most of all it teaches them to not be afraid" Splinter remarked, " It gives the student confidence, and they learn through their studies to not go out and cause trouble with their training, but to use it in the right way, a way to defend themselves from trouble they may face." He corrected, "That is part of the reasons of the belts to show the students achievements and how well that student has done."
"Oh please father can't we learn it."
"Yeah father we promise we won't use it unless we have to."
"I want to learn it too father"
Came the rambled and jumbled voices of many of the young children and adolescents as they turned eager eyes onto the leader of their world, silently begging, hoping and praying to learn it, and hoping Father would cave in to their interest.
"It could be good for them, and one never knows where it may come in handy" Vincent remarked.
"Leonardo and Raphael could make adequate sensei for them if you would permit it." Splinter chuckled wryly, "Many of them will perhaps lose incentive when they realize that like anything worth having it takes time, patience and practice to achieve."
Father turned "What of your other sons?"
"Michaelangelo and Donatello's interest lie far more outside the dojo then in it though if they wanted to teach I'm sure they could do so. However Donatello would be far more interested in helping with math or sciences. Michaelangelo prefers cooking, baking," Splinter scrunched his nose up a little "Playing video games and things pertaining to enjoying life."
Mike shrugged indifferently "All work and no play makes Mike a boring turtle Master. Life is short...live it up."
Father sat back, " I wouldn't mind but I really don't want to encourage the children to use weapons. There is enough of that up above, with guns, knives and what have you."
"They do not have to learn weapons, and perhaps if they take a weapon in hand it could be the bo staff, no more than a walking stick to some but extremely effective if one knows how to use it," Splinter replied, "As Donatello is not fit to demonstrate perhaps I will do so." He stood up and bowed while heading into the center of the large room. There was a winding staircase that led up to another tunnel section, but the large room at the bottom of the stairs was the perfect place for those who lived here to put on plays or shows from time to time.
At the moment many of the inhabitants stood on the stairs for viewing of the sparring session and now eagerly watched whispering among themselves that the old rat couldn't be half as good as the display they had seen with the turtles, they were fully aware that Splinter had taught the turtles but he was older and not as agile. Still most of the people who lived in this distant world, eagerly watched any show or display put on, as in many ways, it was there only form of entertainment.
"Leonardo, Raphael, Michaelangelo join me."
Mike groaned and rolled his eyes, "Do I have to Master I just finished..." Mike began hopefully.
A sharp look from his mentor and a quick slash of the rat's tail was enough to alert Mike to not push his luck.
"Right with you, there is nothing I love better" Mike replied giving a large false grin.
Splinter crouched in the center of the open space his walking stick poised, as he waited with his eyes narrowed.
"Three on one but he is, well he has to be around my age and..." Father protested he was more then a little concerned himself.
"That is just it, he wants to show you how effective the bo staff, or in this case his walking stick, is against other more dangerous weapons. Don't let Splinter fool you, he can hold his own in battle. He is not a Master for nothing." Don replied doing his best to lay any worries to rest, and knowing full well that once the session started the people of the tunnels would be able to see for themselves how capable the Master was.
The three turtles charged, Splinter leaped up in the air, proving that in spite of his age, he was still agile. The ninja Master seemed to call upon all of his rat heritage to slip around his opponents, to dodge a blow or to know when to strike. By the time the quick session was over Splinter had disarmed all three of his sons, he paused letting his form slouch a bit, as he gave a heavy relaxed sigh. He leaned back on his cane, once again giving the impression he was far too stiff and sore to move as nimbly as he had moments ago.
Father sat back his eyes round with surprise, he saw the eager look of so many of the children gathered around "We'll consider it" he stated guardedly.
Some of those gathered groaned and rolled their eyes, even though they knew father was cautious above all else. Still they knew better then to pester him and that he and some of the other adults might have to decide
Splinter and the turtles convinced father and Vincent to let Don return home with them that very evening assuring them that Don would heal quite well at home.
XXXX
The next few weeks it wasn't too strange to find one of the turtles heading to visit with the others who shared their sewer home, for Mike it was as if a whole new world had opened up for now he had other teenagers and young children to play games with, or share comics with, or ride skateboards, not to mention playing practical jokes or amusing one another in numerous other ways.
Don fixed up a computer for Mouse to use and Mouse was thrilled for a bit, but Don later found out that he was far more interested in what was inside the computer and how it worked the way it did, then in actually doing anything with it by looking things up or what have you. Don had returned to Mouse's home to find the computer torn apart and Mouse insisting "It worked better this way far more useful." Don didn't have the heart to correct his new friend, after all he knew that he had taken apart many items to see how they worked himself.
Another thing Don worked on was a wei-chi board for Vincent and any others who wanted to learn the game of Go, for he and Leo had been instructing Vincent in the game. Vincent was catching on quickly but he was still easy to beat as he had not picked up all the intricacies of the game.
Don wanted to do more for those who lived in the tunnels and talked with Winslow and father about certain things that might be done to make things a bit more enjoyable, Father was very strict on the rule of not bleeding too many resources from the world topside, for with the number of people they had to protect they could not allow an abundant use of electricity.
However those in the tunnels soon learned the turtles had such resources and many found their way to the turtle's homes at different times for movies, or playing video games. To the point Don finally encouraged Father to permit him to set up a wide screen surround sound theater system for them so that everyone could enjoy it without wearing out their welcome. He assured them that he could fix something up so that little was known topside. Thus Don, Winslow and Mouse were soon busy working on the idea.
Father had okayed lessons in self defense and so Leo and Raph soon became instructors, Leo handling the younger kids, where Raph got the older ones who often gave him lip. Raph liked their sass but let them know that as long as he was their Master they best behave.
Father and Splinter enjoyed many get together discussing medicine, books, and playing games of chess or wei-chi so that there could be at least two instructors for the game of Go later on.
The boys on rare occasions would invite Vincent along on training runs, at first father had been unsure about this practice, but the turtles had assured him that Vincent would not be fighting, not even if they came across anything and Leo made Vincent promise that at any time any of them felt there was danger or trouble that Vincent leave the area as quickly and silently as possible.
"It is for your own good Vincent there is no need for you to tangle with our enemies." Leo insisted, "If they find you with us, they will assume you are a part of our family, a new mutant and will look for you."
Father hadn't liked that warning but Vincent in his beguiling way assured father, that it was no more dangerous than visiting with Catherine. He would be extremely careful and listen to his friends for he was sure that with their skills they could care for themselves. Father heaved a resigned sigh and relented, hoping that he would not regret it in the long run.
Meanwhile Catherine, April and Casey Jones had gotten together for visits and to compare notes. Catherine had spent so many years keeping her secret from others, that she found it a tremendous relief to talk with others who seemed to understand the importance of their shared information. Here was finally someone who understood her fears for Vincent if he was ever found out, or how special and wonderful Vincent and his family were. In this way April and Casey became friends of those who shared the tunnels, and Catherine became friends with the turtles.
XXXX
It was a few months after Don had been injured and the boys, along with Vincent were on a training run around the city. Vincent had no problem keeping up with the turtles, not even when it came to leaping across roof tops, here then was a thrill, something he could do that many in his home would have to avoid. Vincent found a secret sort of pleasure in that as so often it was the other way around. He had visited Catherine earlier when Leo had dropped down on the balcony and invited him "If you want to join us, just let us know when you'll be ready."
With his cat like grace he had no problems with the jumps, though he could not perform some of gymnastic feats the boys performed around them. Vincent's chest heaved slightly from the exertion and his eyes sparkled. "I always enjoy the chance we have to do this" he confessed.
"Then we'll try and invite you more often" Leo remarked, "Though sometimes it isn't possible." He raised a hand gesturing for everyone to take a rest.
Vincent nodded "Because of your enemies."
"Exactly we have to be on the top of so many wanted lists" Mike laughed.
Raph smacked him and pulled on his bandanna tails. "I'm tired of the wrong people knowing about us and not enough of the right ones" he grunted a bit as he took out his water bottle and gulped from it, allowing some of the liquid to trickle out of his mouth and down his chin.
Vincent gazed at Raph, he was growing used to the more pessimistic, jaded view of the red masked turtle, "But in spite of it all we still find some of the right ones. One can not fully appreciate the sun without the rain."
Raph just shot a sour look towards their new friend, refusing to comment.
Leo grinned "You guys ready to move on? We could play some tag" he hinted.
His brothers smiled in return. Don nudged Vincent, "In this game of tag Leo will be it until he is tagged, whoever tags him then becomes it." he explained.
Vincent nodded understanding, tag seemed like a child's game yet with the element of leaping roof tops added into the equation, just made it a whole new game. He found that he wanted to join in, and was soon sprinting and leaping along side the others as they tried to catch up to Leo. None of them noticing a dark clothed figure who had spotted them.
TBC