Epilogue

"Hmm. It looks like I have been quite busy these past two days."

Splinter stroked his whiskers while looking at his four sons. They had just related their crazy story, and were looking at him with eager expressions, as if they couldn't believe he was there.

"Indeed!" Michelangelo nodded. "You bit Leo… You kicked me… You insulted Raph… You ran away, twice… You plotted against us…"

The orange-masked turtle was swinging back and forth and counting each misdeed on his fingers, obviously impressed. Splinter chuckled.

"Yes. I was quite a troublemaker when I was young."

"And you corrected Leo's kata," Raphael added with great satisfaction. "That part was fun."

"Speak for yourself," Leonardo muttered, crossing his arms. "I was doing it right!"

There was a hint of concern in his voice, though, and Splinter shook his head fondly.

"I have no doubt, Leonardo. But the kata I taught you aren't entirely traditional. I adapted them to your turtle bodies."

"Sensei, don't you remember what happened?" Donatello asked, curious.

Splinter considered this question. He did remember, vague memories that floated at the edge of his consciousness. Including very embarrassing situations, and a forbidden skateboarding party that his reasonable, adult self couldn't admit having enjoyed.

"No," Splinter lied, his features as serene as ever.

His four sons sighed with obvious relief, exchanging not very discreet glances, and Splinter inwardly chuckled.

"So we're done, then?" Raphael asked happily. "No more turning-into-children nonsense?"

"I still have to figure out how the Kraang device…"

"…The Kraanjuvenator," Michelangelo interjected.

"…The Kraanjuvenator works," Donatello said. "I want to know if there was an emergency reverse functionality or not. I feel cheated."

His brothers rolled their eyes.

"You may," Splinter said, "but be careful, my son."

Donatello nodded.

"At worst, we'll only have to wait for two days," Leonardo remarked.

Raphael smirked.

"I bet Karai is having the time of her life with Tiny Shredder."

Michelangelo looked thoughtful.

"Is it bad that I feel sorry for the guy? He seemed like a decent child. I mean, he did kick that Foot ninja."

"He's a freaking murderer," Raphael spat.

"Raphael," Splinter admonished him before turning to his shortest son. "It's not bad, Michelangelo. As you know, Saki and I were very close as children. He was my best friend. We shared everything…"

The ninja master fell silent and gazed into the distance. Saki had been a trusting, loyal child. But everything had changed when he had grown up. He had never accepted Tang Shen's feelings for Yoshi… And then he had learned the truth about his past…

Splinter could only guess what a shock it had been. Learning that the father who had loved and raised him was, in fact, the murderer of his biological father…

He's reproducing the same pattern with Miwa, the giant rat realized. Does the cycle of violence never end?

His sons were still looking at him, expecting him to end his sentence.

"He was my brother," Splinter said. "He chose his own path, a path that broke our bonds."

The turtles waited for more, but Splinter added nothing.

"Well, nothing will break our bonds," Raphael said fiercely. "Turtles first, right guys?"

As Leonardo, Donatello and Michelangelo agreed with enthusiasm, Splinter allowed himself to hope. Maybe his sons' generation would be wiser than the previous ones.

"And now that everything is settled," Raphael added with a grin, "I believe we were about to have a movie night."

In the Foot headquarters, a very tired and exasperated Karai was holding a spoon in front of Tiny Shredder's mouth.

"Fa- Saki," she began. "Please. You have to eat something."

"Master Saki," Saki pouted. "I told you, it's Master Saki to you. Where is Yoshi? I want my brother!"

"Master Saki, your brother Yoshi…"

"Master Yoshi!"

Karai grimaced as if the words were burning her tongue.

"Your brother Master Yoshi isn't there. But I'm sure the ninja I sent will find him soon. Now will you please take your meal?"

Saki looked at her suspiciously. She wasn't telling him everything, he knew it. But he was beginning to get really hungry, and he took the spoon she offered. He didn't miss her relieved expression.

"Thank you, Karai," he said with his sweetest voice.

Let her believe that he trusted her. Soon, he would have his brother back.

He had a Plan.

The End

Author's note: And this short story is complete! What Tiny Shredder's Plan is, or if and when Nanny Karai will snap, is entirely up to you.

Oh, and I am aware of the fact the Kraanjuvenator hasn't been destroyed. I wonder if Mikey will resist borrowing it to, let's say, test it on his brother Raph next time he'll try to punch him? And if Leo happened to be in the way, then the family would suddenly have two tiny problems on their hands.

But of course, it is mere speculation.