This first part was hard. Splinter just stood there, silently, staring at Raphael. Forget the Ghost Rider, the penance stare of Splinter was just as fearsome in it's own way.
"You know that I do not mind you doing what you can to help people, but there is one thing that I cannot abide. You should know this by now, and yet, you still let your anger rule you."
Splinter brought his staff down hard and fast and stopped it, less than an inch from Raphael's knee. Raph had no doubt that,had that strike actually followed through, he would have a broken bone.
"You are allowed to defend yourself, and if life is taken in defense of your own, that is the wages of war - on both sides. What you are not allowed to do is, kill without purpose."
He sat crosslegged across from Raphael.
"There once was a boy. His mother loved him dearly. His father grew up in a neighborhood that was very poor, and riddled with gangs and criminals. So, to survive, the father joined one of the gangs, and slowly, lost his kindness. Eventually, the son saw how cruel his father was and although he did not want to be like his father, he knew that the best chance his mother had of surviving was for him to also join the gang. He did not want to." Splinter paused for effect for a moment.
"Shortly, his father died in a fight with a rival gang, so the son took care of the mother, and had no reason to be in the gang now that his father had passed, but once entered into, this life does not let one go. He was a very gifted artist, and began selling his works. His last work was bought at a charity auction by Tony Stark himself. Once he was paid for that, he would have enough money for him and his mother to move out of the city, to a nice place near his aunt and uncle far away. He was very close to leaving the gang life behind."
Splinter leaned forward and lifted Raphael's head, and looked him in the eyes, making sure he had the full impact of the final bit of his story.
"That boy's name was Anthony Alvarez, and he was one of the gang members struck down and killed by you. This is why I say never take a life unless you must. Every life is connected to every other life, if one looks hard enough."
He stood and walked to the door, leading Raphael out to the living room.
"Until sunrise tomorrow morning, you do not deserve to hold your weapons. Leave them on the weapons rack. You will be allowed to speak and leave the lair tomorrow at dawn. For now, consider silently what you have done."
Once he saw Raphael was complying, he turned and walked slowly back to his room, his staff thumping on the lair floor as he departed.
@Nomad-22
