Sons of the Seven Seas (TMNT)

𝟏 || 𝓟𝓲𝓻𝓪𝓽𝓮 𝓣𝓪𝓵𝓴

     The Hamato family had fallen apart. Once living in a humble port turned to flee across the seven seas. A story of tragic betrayal by Yoshi's own brother Saki turned the two into land and sea-borne enemies. The attack left their home in ruins. Nothing but ash and dust remained on the small island. If anyone else survived, Yoshi did not know and Saki did not care, not anymore.

     The two brothers truly had never gotten along well. It only grew worse when they became older. Saki wished to exploit their home. The island was home to humans and mutants alike. They coexisted and lived harmoniously. Saki believed that the island contained a magical cave that could transform any human into such a creature. To Yoshi, and everyone else, that was a mere fairytale. Mutants could not be created. They were born, just like humans. That was the Hamato ideology.

     Perhaps the tipping point for Saki was Tang Shen. The two of them had had a small, fleeting romance when they were younger. It was nothing more than a childish love to Shen. To Saki, it must've been more as he held a grudge, even as Shen moved on to his brother, Yoshi of all people, and began a family. They had a beautiful daughter and adopted four turtle mutant sons. Even with this grudge, there was a point of peace for Saki. He did love them all. He told the children of his stories of this magical pond. It struck adventure in the children's hearts and they wished to find the cave as well.

—

     "Avast ye scallywags!" The youngest shouts. He holds a small wooden sword in front of his crew.

     "Shh! Mikey!" The oldest hushes in an exasperated whisper. "No pirate talk."

     "Blimey! Who says this is pirate talk?" Raph joins. "We're just sailors with a cool boat and swords."

     "You two aren't fooling anybody," Miwa chimes in. "Don't talk or act pirate. You know if you do, they'll think you're one of them and come for you in your sleep."

     "That's ridiculous." Donnie shakes his head. "No pirate would ever fall for Mikey or Raph's stupid act."

     Miwa shrugs. "You four have to finish your chores before you go on any adventure anyway."

     Mikey drops his shoulders. "That's no fun."

     "Should've unloaded the fish sooner. Now I get to have all the fun."

     Their sister took off running along the dock. Her idea of fun was talking with all the fishermen, sailors, and merchants as she waited for uncle to return from sea. The boys all grumbled, lowering their heads as they boarded a small ship and began unloading baskets of fish and other various crates. Although the boys were having no fun, the fisherman greatly appreciated their help.

     As the turtles set down their loads and returned to the boat, they picked up their conversation.

     "Do you think we'll be rich when we find the magic cave?" Mikey inquires.

     "Us?" Leo scoffs. "We'd have to let our uncle take all the glory."

     "I don't know why you three are so invested in it." Donnie frowns. "It doesn't exist."

     "Of course it exists." Raph lifts a crate above his head. "It's probably where we come from."

     Donnie rolls his eyes. "If it did, we'd be seeing a lot more mutants around here. They'd be popping up out of nowhere."

     As the boys haul the cargo from the ship and set it down once again, they crouch in a circle.

     "Maybe we're searching for the wrong thing," Mikey whispers. "Maybe it isn't here, but maybe the clues to it are."