Race. [TMNT 2012]

4. The Blades and the Staff; Raphael

Song: Get Out Alive - Three Days Grace

My brothers and I sink into a sea of Footbots. We keep our backs close together as we defend each other, blow after blow. Parts of the 'bots scatter into the ash pile, but more, newly energized Footbots quickly take their places.

Growing angrier by the second, I forget my Ninjutsu training and just start beating them. I trip two Footbots, ripping off a mechanical arm from each, and use them to fend off another 'bot. I continue to steal their robotic devices until they can't quickly replace themselves anymore.

Seeing that I'm winning, I feel a burst of energy. I keep on with my brutal way of fighting, until only my brothers face challengers.

   Then I go to Michelangelo's aid, destroying any Footbots that get within a few feet of him. I take down four in the amount of time it takes him to take out two, spurred on by an explosive anger. That ratio carries on until I accidentally throw a punch in the wrong direction, smacking Michelangelo's cheek.

   "Ow!" he whines, rubbing his face. "Raph, you're being too rough."

   Though my blood is still boiling, I manage to feel a hint of guilt. "Sorry, little brother," I apologize. "That wasn't meant for you."

   In our moment of distraction, something completely unexpected happens. Leonardo and Donatello are both thrown onto their stomachs, their faces covered in ashes. Before we can even react, Michelangelo and I have our arms pinned behind our backs by Footbots. I struggle against them, but they have a hold that is impossible to break.

   I didn't think it was possible, but things gets worse. The remaining Footbots have formed a circle around the Shredder and Master Splinter. Our sensei is on his knees, defiantly staring up at the Shredder. The Shredder returns the expression in an even crueler way.

   "Sensei!" Leonardo calls out as he strives to achieve freedom from our enemies. One of the Footbots tasers him as punishment. He lets out a loud yell and weakly falls back into their hold, barely managing to stay conscious.

"Stay back," Master Splinter orders us.

Though we've only been fighting for a short time, he already sounds worn out. Yet, he stands to face the Shredder, his head held high. He takes up a defensive stance, his staff in front of his body.

The Shredder lets out a cold laugh. He slices his blades through the air and they connect with Master Splinter's staff. It's barely a struggle before the staff is beaten by the blades, and it is sent skidding across the ground.

Master Splinter, now weaponless, looks even more frail. I have never seen him so weak and helpless. He looks like he has given up on everything, that fighting the Shredder is no use. The mutant rat is admitting defeat for the first time in his life.

Fear shakes me. He's going to get killed!

I start violently tugging against the Footbots again, yelling, "Splinter! Master Splinter, no!" My brothers join me with desperate calls of their own. None of us, however, sound as despaired as Leonardo does.

"Sensei!" The blue-clad turtle calls. His eyes glow with rage as he awakes from the electrocution. "Sensei, don't give in! Please!"

From where I am pinned down, I watch the horrible scene: Master Splinter makes no move to defend himself as he is kicked and cut with the Shredder's ruthless blades. The rat simply lets out many cries of pain, still refusing to protect himself. Then, the abuse stops.

And I know exactly what's coming next.

"Master Splinter!" I yell, once again tugging against the Footbots holding me down. "No!"

"My sons," Master Splinter orders weakly, without taking his eyes off of Shredder. "Get to safety."

"But-" Donatello begins to argue. He is in the same situation I am: pinned against the floor by several Footbots, his fighting getting him nowhere.

"Now!" Master Splinter commands.

As soon as the word is out of his mouth, it happens. The Shredder deals a final blow. Our father topples to the ground, and does not move again.

He's gone. Our father is gone.

Once the words register in my brain, emotions crash into me like a hurricane. Anger, grief, and shock. My whole world has plunged into a pool of disbelief. It can't be real. It just doesn't seem true. Our father, a master ninja, is dead?

I fight harder against the Footbots, but there is no point. Our enemies toss us aside and silently follow the Shredder. They scoop up Master Splinter's corpse as they fade into the shadows, leaving behind nothing but ashes.

Leonardo is lying on his stomach. Through his eyes, I can see sorrow lingering. His hands are clenched tightly into fists, his katanas lying useless on the ground beside him. He is broken.

"That did not just happen," Michelangelo voices our incomprehensible thoughts. "That totally did not just happen."

I hear a loud shout from the street. I glance over and see several New Yorkers crowded around, vicious expressions upon their faces. I can tell by their tense legs that they're prepared to charge at us.

"Hey, it's those evil turtles!" One of the people shouts.

"Kill them!" Another yells.

As the citizens run at us, I desperately shake Leonardo. "Leo, get up!" I call.

He doesn't budge.

"He's going into shock," Donatello diagnoses as he retrieves his bo-staff. "We're going to have to carry him."

Without hesitant, I throw the motionless blue-clad turtle over my shoulder. "Done."

"Dudes, let's get out of here!" Michelangelo squeaks in fear. The New Yorkers are only a few feet away.

He and Donatello use their grappling hooks, each pulling Leonardo and I to the rooftop of a building. Even up here, I can hear the mob below us raging on.

We almost got killed by the very people we're trying to keep safe. My blood turns hot as my heart pounds with renewed anger.

"Not now," Donatello says, placing a gentle hand on my shell. "Leo needs us."

I glance at the turtle dangling over my shoulder. I reluctantly let myself calm down; as usual, Donatello is right. Our leader needs us much more than the citizens need a lecture.

I reluctantly nod in agreement and follow my brothers.