~Epilogue~

The flickering candlelight was warm and inviting. The smell of Master Splinter's incense was familiar and comforting, like being wrapped in strong arms after waking up from a bad nightmare.

Raphael slowly made his way into his father's room, the Night Watcher's helmet cradled carefully in his hands. The dancing amber flames of the candles were reflected in the cracked visor of his helmet, and it looked as if the fire was actually trapped insidethe visor, instead of simply reflected upon it.

Master Splinter stood with his back to Raphael, hands clasped behind him, lost in memories as he stared at the Shredder's helmet sitting atop a stack of shelves, retrieved after they had defeated the Shredder in battle two years ago.

"Got room for one more?" Raphael asked, clearing his throat before meeting his father's gaze. "I found it when I went out for a ride last night," Raphael explained, reaching out to hand his father the helmet. "It's a little damaged, but I thought…" he trailed off uncertainly.

Master Splinter's eyes softened as he gently took the helmet from Raphael. A silent moment passed between them. Master Splinter knew that Raphael was giving him more than just his Night Watcher's helmet. He was giving him a silent vow, a promise that the Night Watcher was gone. By giving his father the helmet, he would always be reminded of the life he had once had, and the consequences of it.

Master Splinter brought the helmet over to the light, where he could see the cracks and dents that covered the metal like tiny intricate capillaries. Placing the helmet carefully onto the empty space of the shelf, Master Splinter turned back to face Raphael.

"I have something I wish to show you as well," Master Splinter whispered softly, pulling his favourite tea cup out from the pocket of his robe.

Raphael silently reached out and turned the cup over in his hands, a lump starting to form in his throat. All the tiny, splintered fragments had been meticulously glued back together with a careful and skilled hand, so that the cup was now whole once more. Some of the cracks were still visible, and Raphael saw one cut smoothly right across the big red sun that he had painted on the side when he was just a child.

"Just like your helmet, and this cup, you have healed, my son," Master Splinter said gently, resting his paws on his son's shoulder. "And like the helmet andthe cup, you show cracks; cracks that will forever remind you of your past, but cracks that have been healed nonetheless. You are strong, Raphael, and you have been saved my son. Fate has looked down on you, and though you may have made some mistakes in the past, you have now redeemed yourself."

"Thank you, father," Raphael whispered, bowing his head.

"It's going to be okay now, my son, everything will be alright," Master Splinter said reassuringly as he hugged his son.

And for the first time in a very long time, Raphael believed him as he hugged his father back and tears rolled down his cheeks silently.

~End~

A/n: And there it is everyone, the ending to Redemption! I hope you all enjoyed the ride and have braced yourself for the next! Remember, keep a lookout for Retribution!

Don't forget to leave a review; I'd love to hear what you all think.

Until the next time,

~Cat