Origin Story

Origin Story

I have been a ninja master for many years, for my entire life I have been classified as a rodent but I have been a sensei, master, mutated rat and father for only fifteen short years. As a ninja master you protect your pupils but as a father you protect your children with your life. Now there is a new threat upon my sons but why if she could be a threat do I have a sense of calm security?

“Our story starts decades ago in Japan, there existed a ninja clan known as the Foot.  Among the Foots higher rank was my master, Homato Yoshi. From my cage I mimicked Yoshi’s movements, forming the basis for my knowledge of Ninjitsu. Maser Yoshi often disagreed with a fellow member of the clan, Oroku Nagi, over the love of a woman named Tang Shen.  When it became clear that Tang Shen loved only Yoshi, Nagi arrived at her home and savagely beat her. She was saved by my master who in a moment of rage took Nagi’s life.

“Knowing that the foot clan would not accept the murder of another member, Yoshi, Tang Shen and I fled to New York City where Master Yoshi founded a small martial arts studio. Meanwhile, the Foot continued to train Nagi’s younger brother, Oroku Saki. Fuelled by a thirst for vengeance, Saki eventually became a high ranking member of the organization and was tasked with leading a branch of the Foot in New York. Once there, Saki adopted the name ‘The Shredder’ and led the once proud clan to the highest ranks of the crime world, specializing in burglary, espionage and assassination. Yet the entire time Saki sought the opportunity to avenge his brother by slaying my Master Homato Yoshi.

“One night, one that I will not soon forget, Yoshi came home to find our apartment ransacked, his beloved Tang Shen lying dead on the floor. Yoshi then saw the Shredder, who revealing his true identity as Oroku Saki, promptly started to fight my master. During the scuffle my cage was broken. I stared in horror as the Shredder killed my Master. Alone and heartbroken, I escaped into the sewers, rummaging for food to survive.

“Then in 1998 my life changed for the better. A young boy was carrying four baby turtles home from the pet shop. A blind man was crossing the road when a T.C.R.I truck almost ran him down another man behind the boy with the turtles ran out to save the blind man, bumping the boy and knocking the turtles from his hands. The jar broke when it landed in the gutter. As the truck swerved, the back door flew open, a container of glowing green ooze fell and was also washed down the drain with the baby turtles. The turtles landed safely until the jar of ooze fell beside them and broke open coating them in its contents. When I came across the babies, gathering them into an old coffee can, I didn’t realize I was also covering myself with the green ooze as well as I cleaned them off. In very little time, the turtles and I evolved and mutated into beings with intelligence and emotion rivaling that of a human. With our mutation near completion, and the turtles educated, I named them after my master Yoshi’s favourite renaissance artists.

“Raphael, he is the most fearsome and fearless fighter of the four, although he has trouble mastering his anger at times. Too often he is steadfast and strong minded, and acts like a typical rebel who questions authority. Raphael understands that he needs to work on keeping his temper in control but he prefers to, at times, be alone. Due to his quick and pointed personality I chose the red mask and twin Sai for my eldest son.

“Leonardo has taken on the title of ‘leader’ of the Turtles due to his serious and responsible nature. He leads by example and not by giving orders, thus earning himself respect from his brothers. Never in my time have I seen someone who works, studies or trains harder than he does except for possibly Master Yoshi. Leonardo wields the double katana swords and wears the blue mask for his sharp mind and steely resolve.

“Donatello is my wisest son and has the unique ability to figure things out. He has invented many of our transportation devices such as the battle shell, shell cycles, sewer sliders and the tunneler. To match his long for inspiration and stout of heart personality Donatello uses the Bo Staff and is masked in purple.

“Michelangelo, the youngest. He is a naturally skilled athlete, which often makes up for his lack of readiness to participate in long training sessions. Keeping his brothers both annoyed and entertained is what my son does best with his practical joker and fun loving personality. I chose the nunchuku as Michelangelo’s weapon and orange mask since it best suits his show stopping style and spirit.

“For fifteen years I have trained my sons in the art of Ninjitsu and the way of the ninja. In the past year and a half however our simple lives have changed. Multiple threats have been thrust upon us now that Oroku Saki, the Shredder, knows we live. But thanks to the help of our new friends we have not yet suffered great defeat.

“Now Kodomo we are at your mercy. You have heard our story; I think it may be time for you to tell us your own.”