Later that night, the Turtles returned to their underground lair not as heroes but as survivors. Shredder had left them battered, bruised, and barely able to stand. They sat around, sharing a heavy, uncomfortable silence as April bandaged them up as best she could.

Master Splinter looked at his sons, aware that their pain wasn’t just physical, but emotional, too. He could tell that their experience with Shredder had put fear into their hearts. They were doubting themselves and their abilities as ninjas. He wanted to tell them everything would be okay, and that the next time they faced Shredder, things would be different. But he knew that would be a lie. He knew what Shredder was truly capable of—which meant the Turtles were in grave danger.

“You were all very lucky,” Splinter told them.

“I think we define that word differently, Sensei,” Raph objected.

“Few have ever faced Shredder and survived,” Splinter explained.

“He was just so fast,” Mikey said with a wince.

“It was like he was everywhere at once.” Donnie shuddered.

Leo gulped. He didn’t want to admit defeat, but being in denial meant endangering his own life and the lives of his brothers. With Master Splinter’s words echoing in his mind, he knew he had to say something. “You were right about us being overconfident, Sensei,” Leo admitted. “There are some things we’re just not ready for.”

“Perhaps. But that no longer matters,” Splinter informed them as he put a comforting hand on Leo’s shoulder. “It is clear now that Shredder is a problem that will not go away.”

One by one, the Turtles each looked up at their sensei.

“So prepare yourselves, my sons,” Splinter advised. “Because as of this moment . . . we are at war.”