2nd Author's POV:

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After Master Splinter (Hamato Yoshi) found out about Jennifer's existence in being a vigilante ninja, he sank to his knees, the origami flower crumpling slightly in his grip as memories washed over him—radiant laughter, the sweet innocence of a child whose once looked up at him for guidance. 

How was it possible that his student/daughter figure had survived the fire? 

Her image as a small girl in Japanese training clothes back in Japan made Master Splinter carry the weight of pain, loss, and betrayal, "Jennifer...what has changed you?" he repeatedly murmurs while his voice trembles with sorrow and regret. "I thought you died along with your parents, I tried everything to look for you, and yet you weren't and I had feared the worst but...

"When you showed up, you were already grown up to the path of vengeance that now clouds your heart and soul." Gazing at the flower, the fragility of its paper reminding him of her delicate nature as a child, he couldn't help but feel the sharp sting of guilt. 

Despite his efforts to protect her, to shield her from the shadows, the darkness had found a way into her life, twisting her soul into that of a vigilante. Master Splinter glances at the shrine with its flickering candles. Sitting back against the wooden wall of his dojo, he cradled the origami in his hands, his heart heavy. 

His thoughts spiraled into memories—of training her, of her bright silver eyes absorbing every lesson he taught, of the moments they spent together in laughter, and joy. And now, that bright spirit had been consumed by darkness, "I see her now, all grown and covered in shadows, yet still searching for answers where none may exist."

Splinter's voice grew firm, he rose to his feet, steeling himself. The duality of his heart weighed heavily; as a father of four turtles, he wanted to comfort her, to bring her back to the light, yet as a sensei, he understood that she must confront her demons. Taking a deep breath, he placed the origami flower carefully on the shrine beside the pictures of both families he lost: 

"I should have been there for you... I should have sought harder to find you and keep you safe." He frowned, "Now I feel as if I had failed in protecting your daughter, old friend..." Unbeknownst to him, Dark Ninja heard it all not long before she successfully snuck out of the lair before being spotted by the Turtles and headed back to her apartment. 

Back with the Turtle Ninjas, they tiptoed their way through the dark until they heard the lights turn on, and the first one to speak was Leonardo, "Ah! Sensei!" He stayed frozen in his place with the rest of his brothers while their sensei said: "And where have you been?" 

Master Splinter questioned, which Raphael spoke without making eye contact with him: "Nowhere." 

"How did you get so hurt?"

"Oh! That! Um, well, we were um-"

"Hit-"

"By a-"

"Bus?" Michelangelo finished his sentence. Master Splinter raised his eyebrow in confusion and suspicion about his son's strange behavior, while Mikey felt his teeth fall out from the 'Bus' as Donatello hissed at Michelangelo, who simply rolled his eyes at him: " 'Hit by a bus'?" 

"Well, what was I supposed to say? Meteor? Cow? Flying building?" Both glared at each other which caused their sensei to slam his emerald (I forgot that I wrote jade in the previous chapter) on the floor, "Enough!" Making the Turtles stand up straight in fear of their Asian father/sensei, who sighed quietly and asked, "Tell me what happened." 

After the Turtles went into the dojo with Master Splinter and told him the whole truth about fighting a mad scientist named Baxter Stockman, now known as Stockman-Pod. Mikey says, "And then I threw hot cheese in his face and ran away." He finishes the story with a huge relief when Master Splinter: "Very resourceful, Michelangelo." The giant rat sensei continues, "But I'm still highly disappointed in you all. 

"The first rule of being a ninja is 'Do no harm.' Unless you mean to do harm. Then do lots of harm." "You're right, Sensei. I guess we did make a mess of things." Leo spoke sadly, looking down in shame as he questioned their promises of punishment, since Master Splinter was right on their list, "So what do you think would be a fitting punishment?" 

Leo answers truthfully, "We need to clean up our mess." 

"Yes." He continues, "You must stop this Stockmanpod." 

"But, Sensei, that guy's already kicked our shells. And now he's even more powerful. How are we supposed to stop him?" Donnie asked as Raphael answered: "I know! I'll hit him really hard!" He connects his fists in his palm like it was a great idea but it wasn't which caused the Dark Ninja to mutter under her breath, "So reckless and irrational..."

Master Splinter then tells the hot-headed turtle son of his, with a wise tone: "Brute force is not the answer. You will need to rely on your ninja training." "Excuse me, Sensei, but ninjas never had to go up against guys in armor." 

This made Master Splinter glare abruptly at him, who looked over at the sliding door of Japanese warriors with armor, which Mikey sweatdrops and quickly replied: "Oh, I mean ninjas always had to go up against guys in armor." Spoke in a nervous laughing matter, Raph tells him: "Nice save." He whispered sarcastically, making Mikey glare at him, "Sensei, what was their secret?" Leo asked. 

Master Splinter then, told him, "They understood that you do not fight the armor." he continued, "You fight the man inside."

The Turtles glanced at each other until Mikey said: "Why are we all looking at each other?"