A/N: Splinter's background story is from the 2012 series, but the story of how the Turtles got mutated is from the 1987 series. They got mutated from the toxic waste. The mutation is kind of my own thing from there. Again, thanks for all the amazing comments! This story's getting popular so fast and I just wanted to thank everyone who's read it so far! Please leave comments on how often y'all think I should update. I'm trying every four days, does this work for everyone?
Chapter Three
Raphael's P.O.V.
Once Master Splinter walked into the room, everybody tensed up. Most of all, the girl did, so much so I thought she might start screaming or attempt running off again. I'm so glad she didn't.
Sensei eyed her with rich, milky brown eyes, and she eyed him back with striking, fiery emerald ones. "Do not be afraid. We are all here to help you. You may call me Splinter."
"Hi," she replied, voice cracking.
"I understand that you are very confused, and I must admit that I am too." Looking up at me, he said, "Isn't that right, Raphael?"
In that one moment, I'm sure that my face went pale from the accusation. I'd been caught red-shelled, and I knew I couldn't get out of this one. "Well, you see, Sensei-"
"No need for explanations. We will talk about this all later." Looking back to the girl, with a face like stone, he asked, "What is your name?"
"Scarlett Elaine Jackson."
Scarlett Elaine. The name melted into my mind and left a large, gaping hole. I wanted to say her name at least once so that I could taste the sweet letters on my tongue. Her name was luscious, and yet spicy with a fiery kick, just like the fight she'd put up (just like the words she'd said to those men). The words that wouldn't leave.
"Alright, Scarlett, I suppose you're ready for an explanation, am I correct?" She nodded sincerely and whole-heartedly. "Of course."
I began to zone out, because of hearing the story over how we were all mutated many times. Once every year on our birthdays was enough, and then the times with April, Casey, April's dad, and so on. But as the story went on, I couldn't help notice Scarlett getting more and more fascinated. All the lines were connected about how we were once turtles, and how Splinter was once human.
"I was hoping for a job to come along that would not be too challenging. Eventually, a job opened for a sewer-line re-constructor, and I decided to take it since all other jobs seemed to stay occupied." She laughed at that. "However, one of the first times I went to rebuild a sewer line, toxic waste began to pour out of it! Four baby turtles I had petted earlier were all covered in it, and so was I. Over the course of a few seconds, a change occurred to all of us. I became what I am now, and the four baby turtles became what you see in front of you." He then reached his arm out to all of us. Mikey seemed proud to be pointed out specifically, and I had to admit I was a bit fond of myself too at that moment.
"So, the toxic waste somehow mutated all y'all?" she asked, with a beautiful Southern accent.
"Yes. I understand it can be very hard to take in all at once. There are others who know the story besides you. Perhaps they can help you cope with it."
"Really!? Who are they?" She gasped.
Scarlett's P.O.V.
After hearing the incredible story over all the mutants, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. Splinter was very old and wise, so I knew I could always come to him for advice. Mikey, I learned his name quickly, was a chatterbox who I couldn't help but laugh at. The other three didn't talk very much, especially Raphael. When he'd said "Wow" after I defeated those two men, and the words of comfort he'd expressed to me before Master Splinter came in have what really calmed me down. I felt much more confident in myself whenever he talked, but again, that's only if he would.
Also, the mutants had told me about two other people they knew who visited quite a lot: April and Casey. Mikey had showed me pictures on his "T-Phone" of them and told me a bit about the two. I was glad that there were other people who knew about the mutants. It made me feel less anxious about the whole situation.
Right now, we're all hanging out in the living room. Mikey had asked me about the encounter I'd had, and if I was scared or not. I replied, "Heck, yeah, I was scared! Would you be happy if two men came up to you and started touching you in yo' no-no spots!?" Some of his questions were downright ridiculous, but I didn't mind answering, as it was exciting and invigorating just to laugh and talk to all of them.
"How did you harm that one guy who was holding you? I forgot," said Raph.
"Oh, that. Well, come over here and I'll show you," I said, making sure my voice had a menacing tone to it whilst eyes flashing vividly.
"Oooh..." all of the turtles sounded at once while Raphael blushed and stared at the floor. He seemed rather vulnerable to me, and I liked to toy around with him.
"Shut up," he said to his brothers, obviously annoyed, but at the same time willing. He came straight up to me.
"Alright, well, I learned this in a defensive class in seventh grade. I randomly thought of it while that man was holding me, and I knew I had to get out." I picked my foot up and put it right below Raph's knee. He tensed up as I did. "Then you just scrape down the leg real hard until it hits their foot."
"Ouch!" they all yelped.
"Oh, so you're not actually gonna do it?" Raphael challenged me, with arms crossed.
"Not unless you want me to," I said with a light smirk and a devilish grin. I tried to intimidate him, which seemed to work for a while. It was a playful intimidation, but also, I found it a bit flirty (so I backed down) soon realizing that it was getting extremely late. Raphael stared at the floor for the longest amount of time, arms still crossed. I couldn't tell what his emotions were. He was the only turtle who I couldn't read. One minute he would be silent, the next asking me to do something, the next challenging me, and then silent once more.
"If the novel has a theme it is that of survival. What makes some people come through catastrophes and others, apparently just as able, strong and brave go under? It happens in every upheaval. Some people survive; others don't. What qualities are in those who fight their way through triumphantly that are lacking in those that go under? I only know that survivors used to call that quality 'gumption.' So I wrote about people who had gumption and people who didn't."
~ Margaret Mitchell, author of Gone With the Wind ~ (1936)
