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The air was thick with smoke and ash, fire licking up at the murky gray sky. Cars were blocking off streets, the horns blaring. Panicked screams and harsh shoves were dealt as people rushed to evacuate the area. The sounds of falling buildings and rapid gunfire rang in his ear. The situation would be enough to make anyone flee in terror and confusion. However, throughout all of the chaos happening around him, Splinter could do nothing but stare down at the snapping turtle in his arms.
Raphael - his son, his eldest son - was laying on the ground with his head in his arms. He was hurt, his shell cracked and a good chunk of his side was obliterated. Blood was pouring forth from the cracks on his shell, creating a web of crimson that snaked the broken concrete. The tails of his red mask were beginning to soak up some of it, darkening it. Splinter could feel it seep into the bottom of his robe but he paid it no mind. His heart was aching as his eyes roamed over the snapper’s face, committing every detail to memory. He watched as his son gave a shaky inhale, a weak smile flitting across his lips.
“Got a little carried away, huh,” Raph wheezed. “Where are the others..?”
Splinter shook his head, whiskers twitching as a smile of disbelief graced his lips. It was just like his son to be worried for his family instead of himself. His worry wasn’t misplaced, however. It had been a normal day for the Hamato family, Raph and Leo arguing like usual. Splinter had broken up the fight before it could escalate, his tail swishing in annoyance. Not even thirty minutes after they’d gone to train had passed before the roof of the lair came crumbling down on them.
Their home was destroyed, crushed to nothing but dust. Panic surged in his veins as he frantically searched for his sons. He had to get them somewhere safe, away from the humans and their judgmental stares. Their exposure to the public was the least of their worries, though. The sky looked as though it had been split in two, smog filling the air and a harsh pink light emanating from the top of Metro tower. What rained down upon them then was nothing short of a nightmare.
Raph had been the first one to challenge the invaders, body glowing with his mystic powers. He was quick, fists pummeling one of the smaller zombie like creatures. Leo was quick to follow suit, followed by Mikey and Donnie. Splinter took it upon himself to help some humans evacuate the area, trying hard to get in contact with April. After making sure to get the last human child and mother to safety, Splinter ran back to where he could still see his children fighting. That’s when it happened. A beam of harsh light slashed through the street they were on.
The force was enough to blow him backwards, away from his family. He only had time to see Raph summon a large projection of himself to shield his brothers before Splinter’s vision went white. When the dust cleared, he hurriedly ran over to his boys. That’s when he’d seen him. Splinter could do nothing to stop his other sons’ enraged shouts, watching helplessly as they charged for the attackers. All he could do was kneel there, holding his son’s head in his lap and praying that the rest would come back safe.
The sound of Raph coughing brought him out of his thoughts. Blood was seeping out of the corner of his mouth and Splinter could feel something inside of him breaking. With a shaky smile, he placed a hand against the snapper’s cheek.
“They’re going to be alright, Red,” he cooed. “Just worry about conserving your strength, yes?”
Raph gave a breathy chuckle. “I’m gonna have to sit this one out. Right, pops..?”
Another crack went off inside of him. He took a deep breath and willed away the stinging sensation behind his eyelids. The snapper’s breathing was starting to become a bit uneven, a little lax. Splinter watched with a heavy heart as tears shined bright within his son’s eyes.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered as the tears began to slowly fall. “I’m sorry for always arguing with Leo. I’m sorry for not spending enough time with you. I’m sorry for not being a good enough leader. I’m s-sorry for not… being a good enough son-”
“Raphael,” Splinter interrupted. “You don’t need to apologize, my son. You… You’ve always been enough for me. Always . You’ve done so well, my son. Always the protector and sturdy foundation for this family. Even when you didn’t need to be.”
Splinter allowed the tears to finally flow as he watched the watery smile grace the snapper’s lips. The lights that always shone bright within those eyes were beginning to fade. With a choked sob, Hamato Yoshi laid a hand over his son’s eyes and rested his forehead against his.
“I’m proud to have been your father. I’m so proud…of you , my little soldier.”