Alternative Ending: Fade

Picks up after the start of the final chapter…

Splinter leaned forward and gently took hold of the two youngest before pulling them into him and a hug.

They sobbed against him.

Raph jerked away from Casey and threw a punch at an invisible foe before screaming his rage and pain to the world as he dropped to his knees.

April sobbed softly before grabbing one of the blankets and covering Leo up.

Nobody moved again until the sun crested the horizon.

"We….we have to take him home," Mikey choked out, "we have to bury him."

No one wanted to respond.

"He should've had to die like that!" Raph spat suddenly, "Its not FAIR!"

"Life is not always fair Raphael," Splinter soothed sadly.

Still no one wanted to move, no one wanted to admit the truth.

They hadn't been fast enough to save him.

They'd failed him.

He was gone.

"You guys are welcome to bury at the farmhouse if you want," Casey whispered suddenly.

They all looked at him and nodded.

"Thank-you Mr. Jones," Splinter whispered sadly.

~O~O~O~

Raph finished putting the headstone in the ground and stepped back, staring blankly down at the fresh grave.

It seemed more final now.

Leo wasn't coming back.

Raph turned to look at his remaining brothers and fought tears, he was the big brother now.

"It'll be ok guys," he choked out, "we'll find out who did this…they'll pay. We'll make it."

Even though the words were said they weren't enough to ease the grief there.

But Leo's killer should've thought of one thing…you take down one and then rest would soon be after you.

And you better run or be very good at hiding.

Because they'd never stop until they found you.

The family turned aside and headed towards the farm house.

The grave stone sitting in shadow under a great oak tree.

Hamato Leonardo

1991-2010.

R.I.P.

~O~O~O~ 5 Years Later ~O~O~O~

Bishop froze as a blade caressed the side of his neck, his eyes widening in shock.

He never thought Raphael would find him, or dare to.

After Donatello had crippled him when Bishop had gone after him he knew he was helpless.

Donatello had paid dearly.

Paid with his life.

Michaelangelo had prevented him from rebuilding a new clone body.

And perished in the act.

Raphael had been forced to retreat in an attempt to save one of his remaining brothers.

It seemed after three years he'd been found again.

"Go to Hell Bishop," he heard hissed into his ear a split second before his throat opened up and he was choking.

Drowning.

Raphael stepped back and waited, when the convulsions stopped he took the shades that Bishop was famous for, before disappearing into the shadows.

The shades were later tossed down on top of his brother's graves.

A furry hand rested on his arm.

"You have avenged them Raphael, now…let your heart heal," Splinter whispered.

"I don't think I'll ever truly heal Sensei," he replied, "but I'll try…for you. Rest easy guys…and don't wait up for me…got some unfinished business still."

A cocky grin quirked up the side of his mouth as a tear rolled down his cheek.

A/N: alternative ending complete. "Bows" Thanks for the reviews.