#rise raph is best raph change my mind i dare you

[toonsforkicks22]

Happy late Christmas, I finally got this done.

Raph is not just best boy, he’s definitely on top of Santa’s nice list and that’s CANON.

*Yes, I saw the official Rise Christmas art on Twitter in which he got coal (like what the shell smh)

Shoutout to @autumndeeers for sending me the Raph figure from my Amazon Wishlist for Christmas! I love it so much! 😭❤️

[crypticbeliever123]

Link to my fic on AO3. You can also read chapter 1 here below. Feel free to comment on what you thought of the fic! It’d be really appreciated.

It’s been 11 years since the mutation event, and 11 years since Splinter saw the man who was once his childhood friend rise to become the Shredder, the face of bigotry and hate directed against his kind. Though many people are accepting of mutants, he knows that there are also many who would fall in line with Oroku- no. Not Oroku Saki. Not anymore. Now he is only the Shredder, a villain who would see countless fall dead at his hands for simply being who they have become after Stockman’s experiment; a fate they could not control.

His old friend has grown quite powerful since he last saw him years before the event. Even in their youth Saki was a gifted Firebender, capable of using blue flame and lightning to great effect. Now he has found a new technique in his Bending. Firebenders have long been known to harness the power of their own chi to will fire into being. Now it seems that Shredder has managed to gain such control over chi that he can affect not only his own but that of others as well, severing the connection between spirit and chi within a person, cutting them off from their Bending permanently. Not even Splinter’s Energybending could restore their gifts.

Still, though Shredder has brought much pain and fear into this world Splinter has found small joys in it as well in the form of his four students, his adopted sons. Though they brought him joy as he has tried to do for them in return, he can’t help but feel pain in his heart for them and the sorrows that led to their union as a family.

First there was Leonardo, a Waterbender from the Foggy Swamp Tribe whose family left him behind in the chaos that erupted when the Shredder attacked. The great banyan-grove tree that resided there had caused a mass congregation of mutations through its connection to the Spirit Wilds just as had occurred at ground zero, Republic City itself. The Shredder had sought to bring about the end of all the mutants that had sprung up in the tribe by destroying the great banyan-grove tree using his new technique to kill the tree’s connection to the surrounding area and the Spirit Wilds. Though Splinter was unable to save the swamp from ruin at the Shredder’s hand, he was able to rescue the frightened Leo from death and take him in as his own.

Then, a year later Shredder laid siege to the city of Zaofu. Two Earthbenders, mutated into the forms of a female lizard and a male armadillo, did their best to hide their young son, Donatello, from the Shredder’s attack but sadly lost their lives in efforts to protect their child. Luckily, Splinter arrived just in time to save the young Donatello from being slaughtered as his parents had been. He still remembers holding the young turtle in his arms as he wept for the loss of his parents that night when they returned home to Republic City.

It was only a handful of months before Splinter found himself with yet another son; another turtle to his amusement. Michelangelo may not have been the Shredder’s target but he was still a victim of his nonetheless as Shredder’s attack on Republic City, in an effort to lure Splinter to his doom, led to much destruction that brought about the car accident that claimed the lives of Mikey’s parents. Splinter was called in to the Police Precinct after the incident, having informed the Police Chief that should any young mutants find themselves in need of a new home he was to be contacted at once. Mikey took to his new brothers almost immediately.

It was several years before he took in another son. This one he didn’t find through tragedy but rather by happenstance. Raphael was but 14 when Splinter found the turtle stealing food to survive. When confronted Raph attacked him with his Firebending, thinking he was in trouble with the Avatar. The fight ended quickly as Splinter used his own Bending to counter and offered to instead buy him a meal that they could talk over instead of fighting. Raphael told him about how in light of his mutation his father had attacked him and cast him from their home. Splinter felt sorry for the young Firebender and offered him a home. Though hesitant to trust him, Raphael agreed and was greeted by his three new brothers when they arrived at the Avatar’s Temple.

Over the years his sons have grown and become very capable Benders. Leonardo, who was now 17 was nothing short of a master, having trained to be skilled at not just natural Waterbending but also the arts of healing and Plantbending as well. Donatello, now 15, was as skilled at Bending metal as he was at bending other earthen materials and took full advantage of it in his inventing. Michelangelo, an energetic 14 year old, despite not having as wide a range with his Bending as his brothers did, was still gifted in his skills; enough so, that he frequently uses them in pranks around the temple. Raphael…

*sigh*

Raphael was different. No matter how hard he tried to teach him, the boy still could not even master the basics. It was as if he weren’t even trying. Raphael could create fire no problem, even large amounts of it if he lost his cool. It was simply controlling that fire that seemed difficult for him as he couldn’t direct flames very well and making precise movements with such fire was proving to be essentially impossible for the young Bender. His form and technique were both sloppy to say the least. Two years into his training and still no improvement.

“Again,” Splinter said with a sigh as Raphael failed in performing a basic Firebending technique once more.

Raph took a deep breath.

“Just relax and remember why you’re doing this,” the turtle whispered to himself as he drew in another breath only for his focus to be completely disrupted by Mikey bursting in with loud enthusiasm.

“MIKEY!”

The Airbender just ignored him and flew past on an air scooter before coming to a stop.

“Guys, guys, guys! Check this out!” Mikey exclaimed as he pulled out a poster for a Pro-Bending match that was being held downtown.

“It’s Pro-Bending. So? What’s so great about it?” Raph questioned with irritation at Mikey’s exuberance as they were joined by Leo and Donnie.

“So?! It’s a match between the Fire Ferrets and the Boar-q-pines! They’re the two best teams in the circuit! We have to go and see them play!”

“I don’t know Mikey, I’ve still got a lot of work I need to do on my latest inven-” Donnie said before being interrupted by the sound of an explosion coming from his lab.

“On second thought, I’d love to go.”

“Yes! What about you Leo?”

“Sure thing. Sounds like fun. Raph, are you in?”

“Pass,” Raph said before turning to leave.

“Pass?! How can you pass up the chance to see the Fire Ferrets play the Boar-q-pines, bro?”

“Because I’m not as big a fan of Pro-Bending as you are. Heck, I’m not even a fan!”

“Blasphemy! Pro-Bending is the single greatest thing in the world and it is impossible to not love it. You just say you don’t like it because you know you’re not good enough to make any of the teams.”

“Michelangelo!” Splinter warned.

“It’s fine, Master Splinter. Mikey’s little jabs about my bending haven’t upset me before, they ain’t gonna start now,” Raph replied as he headed off to his room.

Raph sighed, sliding down against his bedroom door. The weight of his secrets could really eat at him sometimes. Luckily his phone started buzzing to take his mind off it. Surprise, surprise, a text message from his best friend Casey. Good ole Casey, always there when he needed him even if it was a total coincidence that he was calling at the exact moment when he needed him the most.

Practice is @ 3. Think u can make it or is Splinter still trying 2 “teach u firebending”? lol

Oh I’ll make it alright. Just make sure April’s there & geared up. Last time she was late & still needed 2 get changed

Clearly you’ve never taken college classes. Just be there on time, kay?

Kay btw Mikey’s trying 2 get the fam 2 go 2 our match this Friday

XD what’d u say?

Said it was stupid and that I wasn’t going

Blasphemy!

That’s what Mikey said 2 is that word trending right now or something?

Make all the excuses u want dude but don’t u dare insult our beloved sport

Whatever see u @ practice

See u

[toonsforkicks22]

This better inspire “2018 TMNT adopts 2012 Mikey” fanfiction because I’m too lazy to write one myself.

[toonsforkicks22]

2012 Raph’s going to be getting that “hug” once 2018 Raph finds out how he treats their Mikey.

[toonsforkicks22]

Why does Raph have to be the most underrated when he’s been through it the most?

I feel like the Rise fandom barely talks about the relationship between Raph and Splinter.

Like out of all of them, this rat has left a lasting effect on the oldest that seriously needs to be focused on. Both positive and negative.

To me, Rise Raph isn’t just my favorite (and the sole reason I became hooked on ROTTMNT when it premiered in 2018), he’s the character who has held the most emotional baggage.

Some fans have theorized that Raph was practically the father figure to his brothers while Splinter was moping over his lost glory (although he wasn’t neglectful on purpose).

So while we can say Leo and Donnie have some inner resentment toward the rat man, how did Raph feel deep down about carrying such a responsibility for most of his childhood?

He’s 17 now. He’s still a child.

Why I spiritually beg for more Raph-centered episodes in the hopeful new season is because this guy needs not just a break.

He needs a whole arc of relief, happiness, and all the Teddy Bear Town merch.

I also believe Splinter talked to Raph before making Leo leader. He isn’t heartless! (Just look at how Raph reacted at the end of season 2, he’s definitely FEIGNING surprise!).

[toonsforkicks22]

Leo’s “Raph chasm” comment really got to him…

[toonsforkicks22]

My first attempt at drawing Smooth Jazz Raph from “Al Be Back” and I went HARD. It’s the 21st night of September (that Earth, Wind, & Fire song).

Shell, they better bring him back in the third season (and the other guys too, I guess lol).

[toonsforkicks22]

For 4 years I thought Raph was the most popular. I think I cried and nearly threw up when people commented he’s not. He deserves so much. 🥲

These are two of my OCs from my webcomic series FANGIRLS. (You can find more of them on my INSTA: Nameabbycallmej)

[toonsforkicks22]

He got his hug.

2012 Raph’s going to be getting that “hug” once 2018 Raph finds out how he treats their Mikey.