A/N: Well, for the first time in a long while, there's an update for this! The end is only a few chapters away...but it will not be a happy one for any of them. So stay tuned, read and review!

Chapter 13 – The Winter of Discontent – Part 1

The atmosphere in the Lair was thick with a myriad of emotions. Stoic resilience came from the Vigilante who wanted nothing to do with the Exile, acceptance and understanding from the Ambusher, curiosity from the Scientist and fear and anguish from the Sensei. He had been shocked when the Ninja had called and asked for everyone to be present for something he called "the worst thing to happen since the Incident"; and he wanted everyone to be there. The Sensei's first thought was that something had happened to one of his remaining sons or that one of his human allies had been killed. The Scientist had shown up with the Ambusher and the Vigilante had made a less than graceful entrance a few minutes later. Needless to say, everyone had been shocked when a futuristic looking motorcycle, ridden by the Exile with the Ninja hanging on, had raced into the Lair and stopped in the center.

The Exile – Raphael – dismounted and took off his helmet. Behind him, Michelangelo wobbled off and steadied himself on the side of the bike. To Splinter's eyes, his youngest son looked greener than usual and when he spoke his voice carried an undertone of nausea.

"I've called you all here for an announcement by our brother, Raphael. Estranged, yes – but still our brother. All of us have had some degree of contact with him over the past few years – whether by information, a flash in the dark or help after a debilitating injury. He has informed me that he wants to leave."

As predicted, the occupants in the room erupted into a mass of shouting and stunned denial. Raphael took all of the shouts in with a mixture of amazement and awe. This was the first time in a while that he had set foot inside the Lair and not outside it – as he had left the Scientist after his leg was torn off. He felt the shame of his past deed coming back to haunt him full force. It was funny in a way; fighting the monsters on the surface was something of a cathartic experience for him – something to make up for the grievous misdeed he had committed. Coming back to the Lair was akin to being a living solar eclipse – everything was shadowed over and his flaws were laid bare for all to see. He wanted to run or hide, but that wouldn't be like him. In a way, he was already running away from his family – he needed to leave and not come back for a long time. His mind was brought back into the present moment at Splinter's voice.

"Everyone, please calm down. Yes, this is a great shock to us but we must consider his wished. Raphael, can you please explain to us why you want to leave us?"

Raphael swallowed hard. How could he put into words the feeling he had, the knowing that something wasn't right and it wasn't in America. The feeling of wanting to know why Sydney was the only place to have pushed back the monsters while everywhere else was overrun. He opened his mouth and forced the words out, struggling with his feelings.

"I want…need to leave. I don't know where I'm going or if I will get there safely but I need to leave. There are other people out there that need help and it's selfish of me to be here. I don't know how I'm going to leave…but. I don't know. I have to."

Splinter twitched his nose and sighed as the air communicated with him. He knew this day would eventually come and he had prepared for it. Inhaling slowly, he walked to his son and placed a hand on his shoulder. Inwardly, he cried out as his son flinched at his caring touch and he swallowed the lump that had formed. He knew that for travel, his options were very limited. The seas were filled with Kraken, Leviathans and Megalodons had been sighted off the Arctic Circle. The air wasn't any better – Dragons, Griffins and various Pterosaurs had been seen flying about. If one were very lucky, they could possibly make it from Point A to Point B, but not vice-versa. There was one possibility but he was not sure his son would want to give it to him. His voice was soft and managed to cut through the air.

"My son, you must do what you think is right. Even when you committed your greatest sin you did what was right. You chose to tell the truth in front of your family and friends and to bear the weight of your actions alone. That took a great amount of courage and strength."

At that admission, everyone's eyes widened and shot to the lone figure in the centre of the room. In particular, Casey's mind raced back to the night of the confession. He had always thought that Splinter had forced Raph to explain everything, but to know that it was Raph himself who had wanted it. A pang of shame and sadness ripped into his gut as he remembered that he had said on that night.

"To me, you're no better than the monsters"

That wasn't true no matter how many times he wanted to convince himself of it. He wanted to say something – anything – but he couldn't. The merciless vigilante was speechless in front of his former best friend. Evidently his expression and feelings must have shown in his eyes as the Night Watchman nodded slightly in his direction. The Scientist was also reeling back from the admission. He would never have thought that his angry and impulsive brother would have it in him to willingly bear so many burdens. The guilt must have been continuously gnawing on him from the inside. And now, he wanted to leave? To leave would mean certain death at he jaws of many of the aerial or aquatic creatures that lay in wait between destinations. No vehicle could ever make it past those beasts…except one.

Slowly, he stepped forward into the centre of the room; nervously wringing his hands. Feeling all eyes on him, he swallowed hard and addressed his brother directly for the first time in years.

"I have something for you. Follow me."