Nobody's Drabbles

by Mikell

A series of 200 word, narrative drabbles. I've deliberately left out names and dialogue (in most), to practice and improve my narrative characterization. ("Tell" is the exception, being 100% dialogue.) Random topics. Mostly set in the 2k3 series, with occasional references to the 2k7 movie.

20. 20 Victory

~Victory~

Even after the change, he remembered her. The scent of the cherry blossom his Master tucked behind her ear… the softness of her fingers on the back of his neck. Riding on her shoulder, he was sure that all was right with the world, and that it always would be.

His chiefest regret, later, was that she was alone that night. He recognized the predatory nature of his Master's enemy, but then he didn't have the wit to fear for her, didn't understand the intricacies of the human psyche or the depths of jealousy and hatred. He didn't know that love, gone wrong, would kill. Later, when the opportunity came to fight for his Master, he remembered and threw himself into the battle, fiercely determined to win, to protect what he loved… and failed.

His past failures haunted him, in the evenings when meditation was hard to come by. The sadness and guilt stayed with him, returning in nightmares while his sons trained to fight the tengu Shredder. His new form was stronger, but was it strong enough? When the victory was won, his Master's spirit smiled, well pleased, and finally avenged. He bowed. With the victory came peace.

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A/N: I happen to love Splinter, and his story. I think that his early losses helped him recognize the precious nature of family, and were a big part of his motivation in the way he raised his sons.

In the 2k3 series, The Ninja Tribunal, the Turtles are kidnapped by the Ninja Tribunal, a group of four spirit creatures who are charged with the protection of relics left over from a time when a demon tried to take over the world. The demon's minions' attempt to revive their master makes it necessary for the TMNT and others to become Acolytes, specifically trained to defend the world from this new threat.

Splinter has recurring nightmares during this series, about Yoshi appearing, and being cut down by the demon, along with all four of his sons. The nightmare seems to play out in the final battle, but this time, the ending changes, and they are victorious. Yoshi's spirit stays long enough to convey his pride and approval in who Splinter became. It's one of the most bittersweet moments in the series.