Race. [TMNT 2012]

025. Intense; Raphael

Song: One Day Too Late - Skillet

I can't look at the fire anymore. There is a stabbing pain in my heart and it isn't just because I breathed in a bunch of smoke. It's because I just witnessed the destruction of countless memories, as well as our confidence. We are broken. We don't need food or shelter. All we need now is time to heal. But time is a thing that's hard to possess.

I look around at my weakened team. They're all covered in soot and frowns are plastered upon their faces. Their eyes are downcast to either stare at the ground in shame, or to examine their own wounds. We are one miserable-looking family.

But one good thing has come out of the attack upon us. I glance at Leonardo. He no longer has that distant look in his blue eyes. Instead, he is focused and scanning the area around us. I know that expression well enough to tell that he is planning our next move.

Before he can declare it, however, Casey interrupts the sad silence that has taken us over.  "What do we do now?"

It takes me a minute to realize he's looking at me.  He wants me to make the decision.  It's a nice feeling, but it's also a bit odd to be treated so highly.  It makes me squirm sheepishly in my shell.

"Uh..." I glance at Leonardo again.  There is no denying the strange expression in his eyes as he awaits my orders.  He makes no move to help me out.

Fine.  If he wants me to lead, then I will.

"We're going to the fire pit," I decide.  I have grown used to giving orders, so it comes almost naturally to me.  "There's something there that you all need to see."

I take the lead without a single squeak of protest from Leonardo.  All my life, I thought being in charge would be fun.  But now that I have it without an argument from the blue-clad turtle, it doesn't feel right.  It's... unsatisfying.

We arrive at the fire pit in renewed silence.  Remembering the hand motions that Leonardo uses constantly, I order everyone to form a circle around the pit.  Once everyone settles down, we wait.

Almost immediately, a familiar blue flame begins to grow in the midst of the ashes.  It increases in size until it's large enough for Master Splinter to fit into it.  His spirit hovers there, his gaze trailing over each of his sons.  He does not acknowledge the existence of Casey, Elizabetta, Charlotte, Lucy, or April at first.  He is simply focused on the ones he spent his whole life protecting.  Even as a ghost, he is doing everything within his power to keep us safe.  It warms my heart and makes it ache at the same time.

"My sons," Master Splinter begins, his voice full of sorrow.  "It is good to see you again, though I wish it had been under different circumstances."

I risk a peek at Leonardo.  As I suspected, his eyes are sparkling with emotion.  Amazement covers his face as he reaches out for our sensei's transparent body.

"S-sensei," the eldest turtle gasps softly.  "Are you...?"

"I am afraid not, my son," Master Splinter replies gently, as if speaking to a small child.  "The Shredder has taken my mortal body from me.  But since you are witnessing this, he has not yet managed to steal my spirit from your hearts."

Leonardo's eyes close tightly.  He is shivering; but because of what, I'm not sure.

Michelangelo's sky-blue eyes are practically bulging out of his head.  "Whoa," he whispers.  "Sensei, if that's really you, then tell me what I'm thinking right now!"

I glare at the orange-clad turtle.  "He's not a mind-reader, you-"

"You are daydreaming about pizza that is large enough to blanket New York City," Master Splinter's spirit replies.