"You are extraordinary, my sons."
Am I not extraordinary, Master Splinter?
"Unlike anything the world has ever seen."
But I'm just like all the others, aren't I?
"Bound for greatness, destined to protect the people of New York."
And what of my destiny, father?
Ming couldn't help her bitter thoughts as she listened to Master Splinter speak. She knew she should be grateful she was here at all, that not only had Master Splinter taken her in to care for and raise, but that he had found her at all, that she hadn't died in the abandoned building alone.
"A dark force is growing," Master Splinter continued, "a criminal organization known as the Foot Clan, so named because they step over the good people of this city, with no regard."
Poetic.
"Their leader, the Shredder, will come at you with ferocity, his Foot Clan will outnumber you, and the people of New York will look upon you as their only hope..."
Don't think I don't notice how you address THEM when you say this. THEY will be the hope, and I? One of the people, I guess...
"Eyes, focused. Elbows, locked. Stance, low."
Ming took stance, as instructed.
"And we begin."
Swords deflected throwing stars, a bo staff broke through concrete bricks, nunchucko swished through the air and sai moved so fast Ming's eye could hardly catch.
"Be one with the blades. Lead their path."
Ming tightly gripped the bamboo stick she held like a sword.
Be one with the blades. Lead their path...
"I know you are eager to answer their calls, but your training is not yet complete."
Will it ever really be?
"The world below must remain your home."
A ninja throwing star glinted. A subway rumbled overhead. A katana sliced through a watermelon. Ming's bamboo stick deflected an apple.
"As your father, you must trust me."
I trust you...
"Patience. Patience."
Patience is so hard...
"You're not yet ready to go above ground, but I believe when that day comes, and you rise to the streets, you are going to be responsible for amazing things."
Yes, you will, and I will stand on the side as you shine, probably forever, who kno- "GAH!"
Ming was snapped from her thoughts and concentration when a chunk of fruit collided with the back of her head. "Ow... Hey, who's apple?!" She demanded, picking it up. It had been skinned and a small chunk had been sliced off by a weapon. "This is either a sword or a sai!"
"Focus!" Master Splinter snapped. Ming threw the apple, and re-assumed her stance.
Right. Focus.
It was hard to focus. Ming couldn't help but wallow in her self pity as she tried to hide said pity from Splinter. It was obvious, it had always been obvious that she was different from her brothers.
Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo had always been bigger, faster, stronger than her. Basically just better students and ninjas in every way they could be. She was a small, scrawny human. Not the least bit intimidating or powerful. Sure, Master Splinter said she had her strengths as well, but what even were they?
She was not strong like Raphael, she was not skilled like Leonardo, she was not smart like Donatello, she wasn't even fast or funny like Michelangelo.
Everyday felt harder and harder. There was almost a crushing weight on her shoulders, knowing that no matter how hard she practised, how much she worked out or how much heart she put into a fight, she wasn't anything like her brothers. She never could be.
Sure, Master Splinter was training her to be a ninja just the same as them, but it felt more like a contingency plan. Like it was only so she wouldn't waste her brothers' time if she got captured or cornered by their would-be enemies.
No, that's ridiculous. Ming thought, shaking her head and trying to focus on training. The only reason Master Splinter doesn't hold me to the same standards as them is because I'm younger and I'm only human. Don't be so hard on yourself. Most people can't do half the stuff you can.
Her little pep talk made her feel a little better as she broke an apple in half with her bamboo stick. A stand-in for the weapon she would some day receive and train to fight with. Hopefully.
The weapons and masks were given to her brothers only a few months ago, when they had moved past the level of training Ming was currently stuck on. It was just another reminder how much better they were.
Raphael certainly wasn't helpful, he liked to tease Ming about her lack of accomplishments. Sometimes the others would join in, but Raph was the meanest.
Maybe they wouldn't do it if they knew how much it really hurt...
Maybe, but she would never admit this to them. She couldn't. Maybe they would understand, but how self-pitying would it feel? Ming was too proud for that. Instead she held her cards close to her chest, shoving her insecurities and doubts down where nobody could see them, masking them with jokes and her fiery nature.