Chapter 22-Wishes Granted and Farewells
It had taken the turtle brothers another few days to fully recover from their final battle with the Warlord Shredder.
After having a good long rest and with the right medical care, Leo, Raph, and Donnie were able to leave their beds without any more issues.
Mikey, on the other hand, took a bit longer to heal due to the seriousness of his wounds, but he was soon able to slowly recover and move around once his fever was broken and the pain had subsided.
Everyone was so relieved and delighted to see their youngest friend and brother back to his normal self again, and they all celebrated by having a day out looking around the shops and eating delicious treats in Emerald City.
Then, Leatherhead was informed by the Great Wizard via telepathy to bring the turtles back to his place for an important meeting, so he gathered the turtles by asking them to meet at his workshop and guided them towards the Wizard's home.
By the time the group reached and entered the building, the Great Wizard was standing at the entrance way and waiting for their arrival.
"I have received your message and brought you the turtles, Great Wizard…" Leatherhead notified the Great Wizard with a bow.
"Thank you, Leatherhead…" The Great Wizard thanked the large reptile gratefully.
"Is everything ok, Great Wizard?" Leo asked in concern.
"Calm yourself, Leonardo, it is nothing to be concerned about…However, before I explain my reason for asking you to return here, there is something that I must confirm with Michelangelo…" Master Splinter answered reassuringly before he stepped in front of Mikey.
Then, everyone watched as the Great Wizard slowly reached for his mask and removed it to reveal his true face. The orange-banded turtle looked at him in shock as he immediately recognised him.
"M-Master Splinter…" Mikey said quietly with a stunned look on his face.
"I had a feeling that I would have some resemblance to someone you know and love as well, Michelangelo…" The Great Wizard said with a warm smile.
"I-I…I had a inkling, but…I wasn't sure…" Mikey said with tears in his eyes, which he quickly wiped away before they could fall.
The Great Wizard smiled more warmly as he placed a comforting hand on Mikey's shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze before he spoke to everyone.
"Now then, the real reason for calling you all here…was to grant you your wishes as promised…"
"What!?" "Really!?" The turtles said in surprise.
"Yes…I will grant them to my secret chamber…Follow me…" The Great Wizard replied before he walked away to head for his secret chamber, the doorway of which was camouflaged on a wall next to his bedroom.
"We're finally getting our wishes, guys…!" Mikey said excitedly.
"Yeah, it's really happening…!" Donnie replied in a jitter.
"They're finally gonna come true…!" Leo said next, his heart now racing with anticipation.
"C'mon then, let's get goin'!" Raph said impatiently before he hurried on ahead, with the others quickly following him from behind.
/
The hidden room…
The turtles entered the hidden room, and they saw the Great Wizard and Leatherhead standing in the middle of the room with a large box on a stand next to them.
As soon as they reached the duo, the Great Wizard smiled and asked Leatherhead to open the box before he refocused his attention back at the turtles and spoke.
"Donatello, please come forward…!"
Donnie was surprised to hear his name first. He suddenly started to feel nervous, but with the help of his brothers' encouraging smiles, he took a deep a breath and walked towards the Great Wizard.
"Your wish was to receive a new brain, correct?" The Great Wizard asked.
"Y-Yes, Great Wizard…" Donnie answered nervously.
"First, I must say that you have been through so much loneliness during your time in the cornfield before you joined Michelangelo on his journey here…you have also feared that, without a brain, you would not be liked or do your job well as a scarecrow…" Master Splinter said sympathetically.
"T-That is true, Great Wizard…" Donnie confirmed sadly.
"Donatello, knowledge is not gained by just having a brain alone...it is gained by learning from your life's experiences. For example, you were able to plan Michelangelo's rescue with the use of observation and the equipment you had during that time, which was very smart of you…" The Great Wizard said wisely whilst placing a comforting hand on Donnie's shoulder.
"Also, knowledge is gained by learning from others and sharing their own experiences with one another, which is why schools and universities were built for the purpose of teaching and continuing to pass vital information onto the next generation…" He then added before he signalled Leatherhead to pass him the purple-coloured orb, which was glowing softly in his hands.
"Therefore, by the power vested in me…I, the Great Wizard, present you, Donatello the Scarecrow, with this Diploma!"
Shortly after the Great Wizard said that, the purple orb suddenly glowed brighter before it changed its shape to like a scroll with a purple-coloured ribbon wrapped and tied around the middle of it. The Great Wizard then passed the scroll to Donnie, who held it carefully before he felt a wave of energy flow through his body.
"Whoa…" Donnie breathed out whilst holding his sore head.
"Donnie, are you ok?" Mikey asked in concern.
"Antarctica is the only place in the world that does not have any plant life, and the Earth is not flat but round and its surface is covered with over 70% water…" Donnie suddenly blurted out a bunch of facts about certain things in the world, causing everyone around him to look at him with wide eyes and shocked expressions on their faces.
"Err, what?" Raph said, looking a bit dumfounded and confused.
"D-Did I just…Oh my-! I have a brain!" Donnie cried out before jumping around with joy.
"Alright, Donnie!" "Whoo-hoo!" Leo, Raph, and Mikey cheered.
"There is also something that Leatherhead would like to give to you, Donatello…" The Great Wizard suddenly announced.
"Oh? What is it?" Donnie questioned in surprise as he turned to Leatherhead, who smiled at him as he spoke.
"Donatello the Scarecrow, I would be honoured to teach you everything I know about Herbology, Weaponry, Alchemy, and all the things within the Land of Oz…As my new apprentice…"
The purple-banded scarecrow turtle looked at the big reptile in surprise and shock; throughout most of his life, he had spent it in a cornfield all alone and tied on a large pole, but now he was given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore and learn new things.
"I-I…I don't know what to say…Thank you, Leatherhead, I accept!" Donnie said before he rushed over to Leatherhead and gave him a grateful hug, which the large reptile happily accepted.
"Congratulations, Don!" Leo said with a proud smile.
"Yeah, you've earned it, bro!" Mikey said in agreement.
"Thanks, guys!" Donnie replied with a watery smile as he hurried over to his brothers and hugged them. Both the Great Wizard and Leatherhead smiled at the scene.
A moment later, the turtles released themselves from the hug and they heard the Great Wizard call out to Raph next.
"Raphael, please come forward…!"
Raph looked at the Great Wizard with nervous eyes for a moment before he was given a gentle nudge by Mikey, who gave him a smile and a thumbs-up to say that he would be fine. The tin turtle returned a smile to say thank you to the youngest turtle before he made his way towards the Great Wizard.
"Your wish is to receive a new heart, correct?" The Great Wizard questioned.
"Yeah…Dat's right, Great Wizard…" Raph confirmed calmly despite feeling a bit nervous on the inside.
"Before we discuss that further, I would first like to say that I am very sorry for the loss of your creator and father-figure…it was a terrible shame that he was not able to make a heart for you before he passed away…" The Great Wizard gave Raph his condolences with a sad look on his face.
"It is true that a heart is need to help keep the body alive and allow a person to feel emotions…However, a heart is more than just a physical object, it is also a spiritual one…"
"Huh? What da ya mean, Great Wizard?" Raph asked in confusion.
"You see, Raphael, a heart has the power to create strong bonds with other hearts that it meets…and it is also where your emotions and desires are stored and released within you…" The Great Wizard said before he signalled Leatherhead to reach into the box and take out a red-coloured orb, which was glowing strongly in his hands, and he carefully passed it over to the Great Wizard.
"So, by the power vested in me…I, the Great Wizard, give you, Raphael the Tin Turtle, your new heart!"
Shortly after the Great Wizard said that, the red orb suddenly glowed brighter in his hand and he immediately pushed it into Raph's chest. Raph instantly felt an intense pressure in his chest before an explosion-like pulse made him gasp and pass out onto the floor.
"Owww…" Raph moaned as he came around and the pain slowly started to ease in his chest.
"Raph! Raph, are you ok!?" He then heard Mikey cry out with worry next to him.
"U-Urgh…yeah…" Raph groaned his answer whilst being helped to sit up by Mikey.
"Ngh! W-What is this feelin'?" Raph questioned as he felt something hitting his chest multiple times.
Mikey immediately put his ear against Raph's chest and closed his eyes as he concentrated on what was inside the tin turtle's chest.
Then, a moment later, he heard it…
'Ba-dump, Ba-dump, Ba-dump, Ba-dump, Ba-dump, Ba-dump…'
"T-That's…your heart!" Mikey announced with a big smile, stunning Raph.
"Oh, my-…A heart! I finally have a heart!" Raph cried out joyfully as he placed both hands on his chest as if caressing his new heart before he felt something warm and wet roll down his cheeks.
Raph wiped one of cheeks and discovered that it wasn't oil coming out of his eyes like before, it was clear transparent liquid!
"Aww, Raphie…Those are tears of joy, right?" Mikey asked warmly whilst rubbing his red-banded brother's back.
"…Y-Yeah…They are…!" Raph answered in surprise before being hugged by Mikey.
"Alright, Raph!" "Way to go!" Leo and Donnie cheered as they too gave Raph a hug.
"There is something else that I wish to give to you, Raphael…" The Great Wizard said suddenly.
"Huh? What is it?" Raph asked, tilting his head to one side.
The Great Wizard took out an envelope from inside his robe and opened it to reveal a letter.
"The blacksmith within Emerald City was so impressed with your passion for armoury and weaponry, he has written you a letter to say that he is offering you a place in his workshop for you to learn and train into becoming a craftsman of the art yourself as his student!" The Great Wizard explained after reading its contents.
"Wha-? Seriously!?" Raph asked with widened eyes.
"Yes…" The Great Wizard answered with a nod before he asked him an important question.
"Do you want to accept his offer, Raphael?"
"Are ya kiddin' me!? Course I accept it! Thanks, Great Wizard…!" Raph answered greatly.
"Alright!" "Congratulations, bro!" The other turtles cheered before they gave him high-threes, making Leatherhead and Master Splinter smile again.
"Leonardo, please come forward…!" The Great Wizard called out after a moment of silence.
As soon as he heard his name next, Leo became anxious and body begun to shake slightly. Mikey immediately placed a hand on his shoulder and gave him a warm and supportive smile to say that he would be alright. Leo thanked him with a smile of his own before he slowly walked towards the Great Wizard and knelt down before him.
"You wish for some courage, correct?" The Great Wizard asked softly.
"Erm…Y-Yes, Great Wizard…" Leo answered shakily.
"You have been through terrible heartache and hardships for a long time…including the loss of your village and close friend…which resulted in you becoming afraid of everything around you…" Master Splinter said with a sympathetic look on his face.
Leo nodded and lowered his head slightly as his face saddened with tears developing in his eyes at the memory from a couple of weeks ago. He then felt a comforting hand on his shoulder, which belonged to the Great Wizard who continued speaking.
"However, you were able to overcome those fears and bravely fought against the Warlord Shredder with your companions by your side…True courage is gained by putting aside your fears in order to protect and save those you deeply care about…and you have done so on that fateful day…"
The Great Wizard said before he signalled Leatherhead to reach into the box once more and take out a blue-coloured orb, which was glowing majestically in his hands, and he carefully passed it over to the Great Wizard.
"So, by the power vested in me, I hereby present you with this honorary medal of courage!"
Shortly after saying that, the blue orb suddenly glowed more brightly and begun to change shape. Leo and the others watched in awe as it slowly turned into the form of a medal, the ribbon of which was blue in colour and the medal coin was made of gold with the sideways head of a lion imprinted on it.
As soon as the transformation had ended, the Great Wizard caught the medal and placed ribbon hoop over Leo's head.
Leo sat up straight, held the medal in his hands, and looked at it in awe. He had learned about the meaning of the lion before during his training; it was the symbol of one's courage and pride. This made him smile because it made him realise that he had the spirit of a lion, thanks to the experiences that he had gained in his adventure with his brothers.
"There is one more thing that I wish to give to you, Leonardo…" The Great Wizard said after breaking the silence.
"Oh, what is it?" Leo asked curiously before he watched as the Great Wizard took out another letter, opened it, and read its contents.
"The Elite Ninja Guard have written a message for you, and it says that they would like to offer you a place in their clan…" The Great Wizard explained.
"R-Really!?" Leo asked, his eyes widening in surprise.
"That is correct, young turtle warrior…"
A different voice answered Leo instead of the Great Wizard, and everyone looked by the doorway to see the Head of the Elite Guard standing there before he walked over to them and stood in front of a now nervous Leo.
"All the members of the Elite Guard have heard of your endeavours and the battle between your team and the Warlord Shredder, and after a long discussion, we believe that your experience and skills are just what we need to help strengthen our protection of both Emerald City and the Land of Oz!" The man explained before he put a calming hand on Leo's shoulder and asked him an important question.
"Would you like to join us, Leonardo?"
Leo was stunned. Throughout his whole life, he had always wanted to be a member of the Elite Ninja Guard, to a stage where he would train day and night every day in order to gain the skills needed to become one. However, his dream almost got destroyed by the Warlord Shredder ever since he attacked his village and killed everyone he loved, including his best friend Usagi, but it was thanks to his adventure with Mikey and his other brothers that had re-sparked that dream.
"I-I…Yes! I would be honoured to join you, sir!" Leo said greatly before he bowed his respects and thanks to the Head Ninja Guard.
"Congratulations, Leo…!" "Whoo-hoo!" "Well-deserved, bro!" His brothers cheered as they gathered around him.
"Thank you, everyone…I wouldn't have achieved this without all of you being there for me…!" Leo replied gratefully.
"It's what bros are for!" Mikey said kindly whilst giving Leo a sideways hug.
Whilst they celebrated, however, Raph witnessed Leatherhead closing the box that had the wishes in it, despite Mikey not getting his yet.
"Wait, hold on a minute…! We've got our wishes, but what about Mikey?" He questioned, causing everyone to pause and realise that he was right.
"I doubt that there's anything useful in that magic box for me to use to get back home, Raph…" Mikey theorised instantly with a sad smile.
"I'm afraid you are correct, my friend…I am sorry…" Leatherhead replied sadly with his head lowered.
"But…Surely there's something that can help him get back home…!" Donnie insisted desperately.
"Hmm…" The Great Wizard became thoughtful whilst wearing a serious look on his face.
"Great Wizard?" Leo said.
"…There is one alternative way to send Michelangelo back to his world…" The Great Wizard answered as he stroked his beard.
"Wha-? Really!?" Mikey asked in surprise.
"Yes…But first, I will need a little help from a good friend of mine…" The Great Wizard answered before he took out a small pink-coloured crystal flute from his pocket and played a couple of beautiful notes on it.
A moment later, everyone saw a glowing pink bubble enter through an open window and float down towards them. The bubble then disappeared and revealed Glinda, the Good Witch of the North!
"Glinda!" Mikey cried out happily before running over to her and giving her a hug, which Glinda greatly accepted.
"Hi there, Mikey! I'm so glad to see that you and your companions are safe and well!" The Good Witch of the North said after releasing Mikey from the hug.
"Heh! Well, it's thanks ta you dat we got outta dat poppy field alright…!" Raph reminded with a smirk as he, Leo, and Donnie approached Glinda and Mikey.
"Yes, thank you…!" "Thank you, Glinda!" Leo and Donnie said next.
"You are all most welcome…Any friends of Mikey's are friends of mine too…!" Glinda replied kindly.
"Ahem…Now that we are all present and accounted for, please come with me…" The Great Wizard suddenly said with a small smile before he walked towards a wall within the hidden room and pressed one of bricks to reveal a secret door, surprising the turtles.
"Whoa…Where does that door lead to, Great Wizard?" Mikey asked in awe.
"An underground chamber, where no-one else is allowed to go without my consent…" Master Splinter answered before he walked through the door.
The turtles looked at each other before they hastily walked towards the door to follow the Great Wizard into the unknown.
/
Underground chamber…
The group reached the bottom of the underground chamber, and they watched as he approached the middle of the floor and chanted a mysterious incantation.
Suddenly, the lines on the floor begun to glow and the circle-shaped stone in the centre slowly rose up to reveal a secret compartment. It was then that the turtles brothers noticed something inside a hollow compartment within the pillar.
The object they saw was a teacup on a saucer, both of which were beautifully decorated with pictures of nature's elements, and there was a rainbow-coloured liquid inside the teacup.
"What is that, Great Wizard?" Donnie asked curiously.
"This is the Tea of Elements…It was created by the Elemental Sages long ago to trick and banish those who would bring devastation to their world…" The Great Wizard explained before he saw Mikey frown and look away.
"But it can also be used to send lost travellers back home…" The Great Wizard immediately added to reassure Mikey that he wasn't one of the bad guys.
"So, you're saying that if I drink this tea…it will transport me back to New York?" Mikey questioned with hope building in his heart.
"That is correct, Michelangelo…" The Great Wizard answered with a nod.
The turtle brothers looked at each other with relieved and hopeful smiles after hearing that confirmation before they heard the Great Wizard suddenly continue on.
"However, once you drink it and return to your world, you will never be able to return here…"
"WHAT!?" The turtles shouted in unison with wide eyes, all in shock to what they just heard.
"B-But, then that means…" Leo said shakily.
"This will be the last amount of time we have with Mikey…!" Donnie finished Leo's sentence in a sad tone.
"No…" Raph said in despair.
"A-And there's really no other way?" Mikey asked anxiously.
"I wish there was, my child…but I am afraid there are no other known magic spells or items that can do the same abilities as the Tea of Elements…" The Great Wizard answered sadly whilst shaking his head.
Hearing that from the Great Wizard was devastating. The turtles had just started a joyful celebration after finally defeating the Warlord Shredder, and now their happiness was being taken away from them by the fact that Mikey would never return to the Land of Oz once he has drunk the magical tea.
Mikey thought about this long and hard. He really didn't want to leave with the possibility of never coming back again, but what other choice did he have? The Great Wizard himself had just told him that there were no alternative methods to send him back home, and he also couldn't bare the fact of not seeing his real brothers again. After taking a deep breath, Mikey finally made his decision.
"Well then…I guess this is it, you guys…" Mikey said sadly to his brothers, who were looking at him with surprised and shocked looks on their faces.
"Mikey…a-are you sure about this?" Leo asked shakily, not liking the idea of Mikey leaving so soon.
"Yeah…It's time for me to go, now that peace has been returned to Oz…" Mikey answered with a sad smile.
"Oh, Mikey…I'm going to miss you so much…!" Donnie said as he stepped forward first and gave Mikey a hug.
"I'll miss you too, Donnie…You take care of yourself and the others, ok? And I know that you and Leatherhead will also make a great team for when it comes to making things, especially with your smart brain!" Mikey replied warmly before rubbing Donnie's head after saying the last part of his sentence.
"I will…Thank you for everything, Mikey…" Donnie said with a nod before he started wiping the tears off his face.
Mikey then turned to Leatherhead, who was trying not to let his tears fall, and spoke to him in a soft tone.
"Look after him, ok?"
"I will, my friend…you have my word…" Leatherhead promised the young turtle with determination in his heart.
Mikey nodded as his response before he gave Leatherhead a hug, which the big reptile greatly accepted. After releasing him, he turned to Raph next.
"Hey, Raphie-Oof!" Mikey started speaking before he was suddenly cut off when he felt strong arms engulf him into a hug.
"Even though I've got a new heart, I feel dat it's already breakin'…" Raph whispered sadly.
"It's alright, Raph…Now that the Warlord Shredder's gone, I'm no longer needed here anymore…" Mikey replied whilst soothingly patting Raph's back.
"Dat ain't true! Dis place won't be da same without ya, bro…I'll miss ya…!" Raph immediately snapped back as he slightly tightened the hug.
"I'll miss you too, big guy…Stay strong and look after everyone for me, ok…?" Mikey said as he nuzzled Raph's shoulder.
Raph nodded before releasing Mikey and watched as he turned to Leo, who looked at him with tear-filled eyes.
"I wish you could stay with us, little brother…! I feel like I'm losing someone important to me all over again!" Leo said in a heartbroken tone. Seeing this, Mikey hurried towards him and engulfed him into a hug.
"Hey…That's not true, Leo…! You'll never lose me…" Mikey countered reassuringly before he pointed at Leo's chest and said, "Cos, like with Raph and Donnie, I'll always be right here with you!"
"Y-You're right…" Leo said quietly despite feeling sad still.
"Here…I want you to have this…" The young turtle then said as he handed out the satchel in front of Leo for him to take.
"The satchel I bought you…?" Leo questioned with a stunned look as he slowly reached and took the bag from Mikey.
"Yeah, I want you to keep it as a token of our friendship, as well as our brotherhood and unity…" Mikey answered with a nod before he developed a cheeky smirk and said, "And think of it as a good luck charm for all the future missions that you'll be doing as a new member of the Ninja Guard…!"
Leo looked at Mikey in amazement; he never knew that the satchel he bought for Mikey would turn into an important memento for him to keep and remember for all eternity.
"Thank you, Mikey…! I will treasure it always!" Leo said gratefully before giving Mikey one more hug.
"You're welcome, bro…Take care of yourself and the others for me, ok…?" Mikey said whilst nuzzling Leo's shoulder.
"Yes, I will…That's a promise!" Leo replied with determination in his voice as he slightly tightened the hug.
A moment later, Leo and Mikey released each other from the hug and Mikey was about to move on to the next person when he noticed that Klunk was looking at Leo and the other turtles with sad and caring eyes. It was then that Mikey remembered that the Klunk he had been travelling with throughout his adventure was from this world and not his own.
"Hey, Klunk? I've got a job for you…" Mikey said in a slightly serious tone.
"Meow?" Klunk meowed in curiosity.
"I need you to keep an eye on my big brothers for me after I'm gone…" Mikey instructed him as he looked at the three older turtles with a small smile.
Leo, Raph, and Donnie looked at each other in surprise when they heard that Mikey was asking Klunk to look after them once the youngest turtle leaves.
"C-Can you do that for me?" Mikey asked whilst trying his best not to cry.
"Meow!" Klunk meowed his answer whilst giving Mikey a cute little salute with his paw to say 'I accept! You can count on me!' before he nuzzled the young turtle's face and jumped onto Leo's shoulder, surprising him in the process.
"Thanks, lil' buddy…" Mikey said with a nod before he sniffled and wiped his tears away.
"Don't worry, Mikey; we'll take good care of him…" Leo reassured Mikey whilst stroking Klunk's chin, earning him a purr from the little cat in the process.
"I know you will…" Mikey replied as he smiled at them all before he turned to Glinda and spoke.
"Thank you for everything, Glinda…If it wasn't for your guidance, I don't know what would've happened to me if I lost my way through Oz…"
"Your welcome, Mikey…It was a pleasure to help you and have you here in Oz as a trusted friend and ally…!" Glinda replied warmly before she gave Mikey a hug, which Mikey accepted greatly.
After releasing Glinda from the hug, Mikey turned his attention to the Great Wizard and spoke.
"I-I'm ready now, Great Wizard…"
"Very well…" The Great Wizard replied before he took the teacup from the stand and passed it over to Mikey, who carefully held it in his hands and looked at the colourful liquid within it in awe since it was not only pretty to look at, but the cup was also surprisingly warm to the touch despite being kept in a secure room for hundreds of years.
"Before you drink it, Michelangelo…I would just like to thank you for saving the whole land of Oz from the evil Warlord Shredder's reign with your pure heart and bravery…We will never forget you, my son…" The Great Wizard added with a grateful smile.
"T-Thank you, Great Wizard…I'll never forget you and the others either…" Mikey replied with a watery smile and gave him a bow of respect like he would always do with Master Splinter back home.
"Remember, Mikey…Whilst you drink this tea, always tell yourself in your mind that there's no place like home…" Glinda instructed warmly.
Mikey nodded and took one last look at his brothers and Klunk, who all looked at him with sad smiles, before he refocused his attention back to the warm beverage in his hands.
'There's no place like home…There's no place like home…' Mikey chanted in his mind with closed eyes as he slowly drank the Tea of Elements until it was all gone.
Shortly after finishing, Mikey noticed that it had suddenly gone quiet around him, and when he opened his eyes he saw nothing but darkness from where he stood.
"Huh? Where…am I…?" The young turtle said in thought as he walked and looked around the area.
"Hello…? Is anyone there…?" He called out towards the darkness, but no reply came to him. He continued with this for another couple of minutes before he stopped to catch his breath after still receiving no responses to his call, making him feel scared in the process.
Just as he was about to give up and think that all was lost, however…
"Mikey…"
"Michelangelo…"
Two soft but familiar voices suddenly echoed around where Mikey was standing, causing him to jump and look around vigorously to try and figure out where the voices were coming from.
"Donnie? Leatherhead?" Mikey called out towards the empty darkness.
Just as he said those names, a glowing light was shining brightly from a far distance in front of Mikey.
With curiosity building in his heart and mind, Mikey started his walk towards the light, which was growing brighter and brighter as he got closer until it surrounded him completely.
/
Finally, this chapter's finished! Sorry for taking so long to finish it; it's been really busy down my end. All that's left to do now is finish the epilogue and this story will be completed at last. Thank you for your patience and I hope you like the chapter ;)