Splinter had felt so alone wandering dark alleys of New York City.

So when he witnessed four baby turtles falling down a drain he took it upon himself to find and care for them. It was challenging raising four turtles alone but Splinter wouldn’t change it for the world. 

Originally Splinter had just intended to train them to avenge Yoshi’s death, but the four boys had wormed their way into his heat. As well as students he’d gained four sons, and even though he felt lonely when they weren’t around, the feeling wasn’t nearly as bad as it once was.