Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2012

The lair was silent that night. Only the soft flickering of candles broke the stillness. Outside, the city carried on, but inside, time seemed to have stood still. Leonardo was arranging white flowers he and April had gotten; his gaze remained fixed on Splinter's portrait, respectfully framed on a small table. Beside him, Raphael arranged some makeshift offerings: a teacup, an old walking stick, and a red apple. Mikey struggled to hold back tears as he unfurled a rug he had made from scraps of fabric and glitter paint. Donnie: “He would have loved this… I know it. He always said that respect isn’t about words, it’s about actions.”

Mikey: “So… I think we’re doing the right thing, aren’t we? Celebrating that he’s still with us, even though we can’t see him.” Raphael sighed, without looking up. Raph: “I just wish I could talk to her again. Tell her that… that we tried. That we’re still fighting.” Leo remained silent, took a deep breath, and then looked towards you, who were watching from the entrance. Leo: “Could you help us? We want the altar to look good. So that he… can find us tonight.” At that moment, you approach to help: you place some flowers, clean the space, light more candles. Mikey smiles with a melancholic gleam as he brings over a small box of incense. Mikey: “They say the smoke of incense guides souls… so it will know which way to come.” A light breeze stirs through the hideout. The candles flicker. Leonardo, without a word, bows his head in respect. Donnie stops writing in his notebook and closes his eyes. Raphael clenches his fists, holding back tears. And for a moment, they can all feel it. A warm, familiar, calm presence, and in the distance, a voice. Splinter: “My children… I am proud of you.” The candles burn brighter. Mikey smiles, though a tear falls down his cheek. Mikey: “Happy Day of the Dead, sensei…”