How does the confrontation between Splinter and Draxum go after Drax finds Lou's wedding ring?
Splinter had never been a fan of being tied up. He hadn’t cared for scenes where he was tied up, trapped, even though it was just for an act. He didn’t like not being able to move freely. Unfortunately, that was the situation he was in, but one hundred times worse. He was bound in the Foot Clan’s base, locked in a small cell which certainly didn’t help his anxiety or his anger, and away from his sons. His only hope was that Draxum didn’t find the teapot, or the ring for that matter. But more importantly the armor piece - if he could prevent the Dark Armor from being completed even though sequestered, he would be happy. Denying Draxum what he wanted had become joy.
After what felt like hours, the door to the cell opened, and Splinter squinted up at the light, scowling at the familiar figure who entered, eclipsing the light for a moment. Draxum’s face was cool, but his eyes were intense as they stared at him, arms clasped behind his back. Splinter’s scowl deepened into a snarl.
“If you’re here to gloat, I don’t want to hear it!” he snapped. “You won’t win in the end!”
“Is that so?” Draxum replied, stepping closer. Splinter tossed his head back haughtily in response. “I found the piece you had hidden. I’m another step closer now.”
Whatever clever retort Splinter had died on his tongue. If Draxum found the armor piece, that meant that he found…
“Oh no…,” Splinter whispered watching as Draxum presented a confirmation of his fears. The ring had been cleaned, shining bright in the light - a beacon that Draxum had the piece and the truth behind where the ring had gone.
“I found this with the teapot,” Draxum continued. “I believe this is yours.”
“I don’t want it anymore!” Splinter spat, fighting against his bonds. Draxum frowned.
“Then why take it? Why keep it all this time?” he interrogated.
“Spite! Because I knew it would hurt you!” Splinter replied with a snarl. “I knew how much that thing meant to you! How much you “loved” seeing it on my hand.”
“Then why not destroy it, sell it?”
“Why do you care? It was all part of your ploy anyway!”
“It wasn’t!” Draxum snapped, shoving the ring under his nose. “I gave this to you wholeheartedly. I said those vows truthfully! None of that was part of my plans!”
Splinter scowled at him. “It doesn’t matter now. I hate you and I hate that thing.”
“Then why keep it, Lou?” Draxum hissed. “You could have gotten rid of it and hurt me more.”
“Because...because,” Splinter angrily huffed. “It meant something to me once. I just never wanted to see or remember it- any of it, okay? I may have kept it, but I kept it hidden! Just like the rest of my past with you until now!”
“Then let’s unbury the past,” Draxum replied, pulling back. “I’m bringing back the Dark Armor, and I’ll bring us back with it, along with all yokai to their proper place.”
“That won’t happen!” Splinter shouted, pulling harder against the bonds until he felt them begin to give. “Whatever you do, whatever you try, I won’t let any of it come to fruition!”
“We’ll see about that,” Draxum said, clasping the ring firmly in his grip as he turned, heading back to the door. “Don’t try to escape. I’ve expanded the Foot Guard with a few of my own.”
Splinter’s continued shouts went unheard and ignored as he left, the door closing behind him. Once again, Draxum left him in the dark but at least Splinter knew what was going on in his head.
His worries only increased at that knowledge - Draxum didn’t seem to know the full extent of the Armor’s power, and didn’t consider the consequences. Splinter had to get out, grab his sons and get far away, just as he had done thirteen years ago.
But this time...he would have to confront Draxum. This had to end, and the armor had to be destroyed.
