Oh come on, you didn't think I would end it there, did you… ;)

But this is the final Chapter of 'The Walls We Build' series.

Enjoy

The Destiny We Forge

Epilogue:

"April?" Splinter's voice called to her as he, Bishop and Zira made their way through the crowd of mindless ninja and rebel street fighters that had filed from Shredder's building to get to a safe distance in the overgrown city of Hell's Kitchen.

"Master Splinter," The woman finally answered him and he turned to find April and Casey pushing through the gang.

"Have they returned?" He asked immediately, upon reaching her, only to be interrupted when the ninja all around them started dropping like flies.

"What the hell?" Casey demanded and quickly moved to check one, insuring the man was still alive.

"This is it," Zira added then, causing everyone to look at her, as she pulled out the cell phone Donnie had given her, "This is what Donnie said would happen, they're being freed."

"What about the Barron's army?" Bishop asked then.

"Yes, them too," She responded as she looked at the phone, which showed her that her brothers base was officially under siege, his army was gone, his technology was being destroyed – he had nowhere to run.

However, their high spirits were dashed when an explosion suddenly rocked the very earth beneath their feet, causing everyone to duck in attempt to escape the noise, only to look around as the building they had just escaped from, crumbled under the fire.

"No!" April cried as she realized the turtles were still inside, but, before she could try to go back in, Casey pulled her back, leaving them all to watch helplessly at the structure continued to collapse.

…

The fires weren't even out yet by the time the group converged on the rubble and started digging in an attempt to locate their friends. But after several minute of continued dead ends, their hope was beginning to wane.

"April?" Casey said kindly, when he noticed her off to the side, clearly trying to stop herself from crying so she could help with the search, only to turn and throw herself at Casey as he approached in an attempt to comfort her.

However, just as he was about to say some encouraging words a new voice called from over the ruckus.

"Over here."

"It's Mikey," Another called once he was finally able to make out who it was and within moments a number of people had dug their way over to the man's location and proceeded to carefully push away debris, bricks and concrete until finally the turtle underneath could be reached.

"Michelangelo?" Splinter asked worriedly; as he brought his youngest son into his arms and attempted to wake him, "Please, my son, open your eyes," He begged, but the turtle continued to remain unconscious as April checked him over, thankfully discovering that he was in fact still alive, but – unresponsive.

"Mikey?" She whispered as she gently held his face, trying to figure out what was wrong.

"Hey," Someone else called from a mound of concrete on their left. "We found another one," He added and several people quickly went to help dig him out, revealing it was Leo this time.

"Is he okay?" April asked as she worked to move down a small mountain and rushed over to check on him, only to find that he was as motionless as his brother.

"Over here," Another person sounded off after a short time, "It's Raph," They added and everyone quickly converged on the area, leaving the two injured turtles to be gently moved from the rubble where anyone with medical experience quickly offered their assistance.

Eventually, Raph was brought over as well, but no one failed to notice the deep gash across the left side of his face that had clearly been caused by a blade. However, with a hint of fear, April soon came to the realization that the wound wasn't healing like it normally should have.

"We got him," Someone else called out a minute later when they finally located Donnie and carefully carried him over as well.

Though they had all received injuries, their shells had thankfully protected them through most of the explosion and the following collapse. However, they still would not regain consciousness.

"I don't get it – why aren't they waking up?" April asked in distress as she continued to search for the meaning.

"I understand," Zira put in then, causing everyone to look at her, "That's what Donnie's program was meant to do, release – everyone," She explained waving a hand around at Shredder's ninja, who were all still unconscious as well, "The nano-bots have been destroyed," She went on quietly as she looked back at Donnie worriedly, "They're free."

…

It seemed that Zira had been right in the end, for after a few days, the people that had been under Shredder's or the Barron's control, woke to realize they could finally move their own bodies once more.

Those that could, were reintroduced back into society, with Officer Frank's help, however, some, like Hun, were condoned off and arrested for crimes against the people, but even as things began to return to normal, or at least as normal as they got, no one failed to notice that the turtles were the only ones that did not recover.

Unfortunately, with the loss of the nano-bots their wounds did not heal like they once did, and their bodies seemed to suffer for it. Not able to cope with the sudden inability to repair the damage.

Though Casey's gang had thankfully managed to get to them in time to stop the bleeding and save their lives, they had still received injuries that would now take time to recover from.

Both of Mikey's legs were broken in different places, as well as Raph's collar bone and several ribs, and while Donnie had received a bad head injury and a broken wrist, Leo's arm had nearly been crushed in the collapse and a wound to his chest was proving to be difficult to repair.

But it wasn't just the injuries they needed to account for, as the doctors had no idea what kind of internal damage the turtles had endured from the battle or the building falling on them. Yet, all the same, they were kept in the best of care, waiting for the day they finally opened their eyes.

…

(2 weeks later)

"Mikey?" April asked hopefully as she joined Splinter at their bedside, after having been informed that the youngest was starting to stir.

"Come now, my son," The ninja master added kindly, "You have slept long enough."

"Sorry if I don't agree, Sensei," Michelangelo proclaimed, before finally opening his eyes to look up at his father, who smiled upon seeing their color just as bright and full of life as they had always been.

"Are you alright?" April asked as she sat down to fuss over him a bit, "Are you in any pain?"

"Yeah," He answered simply, causing her to smile sadly, before moving to give him another dose of morphine, which took effect immediately, as he suddenly started smiling at everyone.

"Hi," He told his father lovingly, causing the man to carefully lay a hand over his.

"Hello, my son," He answered, "How are you feeling?"

"Hungry," He proclaimed seriously, leaving them all to laugh lightly, before taking notice of the way he was looking about the room.

"They are here," Splinter announced, moving slightly so he could see his brothers, "They are alive," He added, causing the turtle to sigh in relief.

"Okay, now – seriously," He started again in a slightly slurred tone as he moved to sit up, "What is it with us and explosions?" He finally asked, "That's like the – what – third in a month?" He complained sternly as April moved his pillow so he could rest his back against the headboard of the bed.

"Someone up there must really hate us," A new voice suddenly agreed, causing them all to look around and find Raph opening his eyes as well.

"It figures you would all wake up at the same time," April announced as she moved to check on him, making sure he didn't move his upper body or aggravate his injuries.

"Hey, bro," Mikey answered with a smile in his direction; however, the grin quickly disappeared when Raph turned his head enough that he could see the left side of his face and the bandages that covered it.

"Don't look at me in that tone a voice," Raph countered, before he could comment, "I'd much rather loose an eye than a brother."

Mikey tried to comment on that, however, he found he couldn't really make the words come out. But, thankfully for him, his need to answer was rendered void when a new voice entered the conversation.

"I'm starting to wish I had stayed home and raised apples," Donnie put in, causing his brothers to look in his direction as the turtle moved to push himself into a sitting position.

"Don't even think about it," Zira warned as she reached out to push him back down, after staying with him the entire time he had been unconscious, the last thing she wanted was for him to get up and hurt himself all over again.

"There is no need to push yourself, my son; your brothers are well cared for," Splinter informed him, knowing full well that it was his medical training that was forcing Donnie to get up before he was ready.

"He's right, Don, just stay down," Leo responded then, making everyone jump slightly and they turned to find him looking up at the ceiling with a tense air about him, which caused Splinter to get up and walk to his side.

"Are you alright?" He asked gently and Leo nodded, "You seem – distant?" He added truthfully and the turtle took in a breath before talking again.

"I'm glad we're alive," He admitted simply, "But – but I can't help but wonder – if we survived – what about Shredder?"

"Leonardo," Splinter stated sternly, but kindly, as he reached out to lay a hand on his uninjured shoulder, "His body was found," He added, causing all four of them to look at their father in shock.

"He's –" Mikey tried to begin, but the words got stuck in his throat.

"Yes," Splinter answered simply, which seemed to be almost too much for his sons to comprehend, as they just continued to look at him in astonishment, before finally the words sank in and their posture relented allowing them to absorb it.

"We did it?" Donnie asked, before a smile formed on his face and he leaned back into his pillow to place a hand over his eyes, trying to keep himself from completely losing it.

"Yes, my sons," Splinter answered, "Your mission was successful," He added as they all looked at him again as he smiled, "You are free."

…

(Three months later)

It took several weeks for the turtles to finally get back on their feet, forced to endure some rigorous therapy to recover their strength and mobility, and though there were a few scars to adjust to and some internal struggles to work out, after a while, things had nearly returned to normal.

For the first time since coming back to New York, they were able to really take in the city and even participate in some of the common mutant cultures in the area, they even found a designer clothes store that specialized in the many different formed and comforts of mutants.

After spending their whole lives tying to adjust to human clothing, this was truly something to behold and take advantage of. However, it was the people they truly found most enjoyable.

In their childhood they would have never imagined they would see New York so peaceful. Humans and mutants alike, living together, walking the same streets, talking the same words, as though there were no differences between, which was something they quickly found they wanted to protect, which was how they decided that they wanted to stay.

However, not everyone was on board.

"Leaving?" Donnie asked in slight shock, distractedly turning from his work as Zira smiled at him.

"Yeah," She responded, "I need move my people somewhere safe, where my brother can't reach them."

"Right," He admitted, knowing that it was very likely that the Barron had escaped their attack, while they were concentrating on Shredder. Though they had hoped to get him as well; they knew from the beginning that their only purpose for going to his base was to free his prisoners and his army.

"Wait a minute," Raph suddenly butted into the conversation as he stood up from the chair Donnie had him sitting in to glare at her, "Ya can't just leave," He added sternly, despite his brother's insistence that he sit back down.

"Aw! I knew you would miss me," She joked with a grin, reaching out to pat his check lovingly, causing him to pull away.

"Not likely," He countered dryly, "What about the chain?"

"If it was going to bother us, it would have done so when Zira was on the moon," Donnie pointed out truthfully, causing his brother to close his mouth as he realized the truth of that.

"Yeah – well –" He proclaimed in an attempt to find a way to keep the argument going, but it seemed his mind wouldn't allow for it.

"Don't worry, Red, I'll come visit," Zira added kindly, leaving him to snarl once again.

"Please, don't," He requested, causing her and Donnie to laugh, before his brother stood up and pushed him back down into the chair then turned back to Zira.

"Then, I guess this is goodbye," He stated respectfully as he held out his hand and she casually placed hers in it, "For now," He added with a smile, which she returned, before suddenly throwing her arms around his neck, causing him to freeze momentarily, before returning it.

"Thank you, Donnie," She spoke into his ear, so only he could hear, "If I only ever have one friend in this life, I'm glad it was you," She stated genuinely, leaving him to momentarily hug her tighter, before parting ways again.

"Yeah, yeah," Raph mumbled dryly as he leveled his chin into his hand, "Ya think ya two could do that somewhere else, yu're drippin' syrup on my foot," He droned sourly, causing Zira to smile at him.

"Why can't I ever stay mad at you?" She asked sarcastically, leaving him to scoff.

"I'm sure we can work somethin' out," He countered, making her laugh, before she leaned down to kiss him on the check, causing the turtle to shun away like she'd just poisoned him.

"Stay in touch," Zira added with a wave as she walked back toward the door and finally disappeared around the corner, leaving Donnie to look after her for a moment before turning back to his brother.

"Come on, Raph," Donnie proclaimed with a raised eye-ridge at his antics, as he proceeded to wipe his face with the back of his hand, "We're a little old to be worrying about cooties, don't ya think?" He added dryly as he sat back in his chair then reached out to grab his head and bring it down to his level so he could study his eye again.

"She's an alien, we don't know what she's got." He countered truthfully, but didn't move as Donnie carefully removed the last of the bandages and the pad that had been taped over the wound, causing him to hiss.

"So, how's it look?" Raph added, fidgeting slightly as his brother gently cleaned the injury and sighed, "That bad, huh?" He responded himself.

"I wish I could say there's something I can do, but –" Donnie tried sadly, only to be interrupted.

"Come on, man, ya act like it's the end a the world," Raph countered simply, "The way I see it, this'll help me focus on one thing at a time," He added with a smile, which his brother did not return.

"You're taking this surprisingly – well," Donnie proclaimed, raising an eye-ridge at him questionably.

"Are ya kiddin'?" He stated with a laugh, "Look at us Donnie, we fought Shredder, we took him down and lived ta tell the tale. I consider an eye a small price to pay for that," He exclaimed seriously, before smiling again as his brother finally sighed in acceptance, "And besides –" He added smugly as he leaned back in his chair, "I think it makes me look tough, don't you?"

"Actually, I think it makes you look like you got your ass kicked," Donnie countered as he casually put his equipment away, leaving his brother to glare at him, before getting up to trap him in a head lock in order to exact his revenge.

…

(A few days later)

In the end, it wasn't too hard to locate a home in the city, as people were more than happy to have their saviors living among them, which was how the turtles eventually commandeered an underground subway station that wasn't in use.

Hidden and out of the way, it was the perfect spot for a family of ninja and they quickly swore to bring it back to life and make it their own. However, all work and no play tended to grate on their nerves, so they often found themselves patrolling the city on a regular basis; to ensure its safety.

But this night, they found themselves heading across the river, to check on something that had been bothering them for a while.

"This is it," Donnie suddenly informed them as they walked across a field of rubble and his brothers turned to him with shocked expressions, before looking around at the debris that had once been a building.

"Are you sure?" Leo asked quietly and Donnie nodded as he checked his gantlet again.

"Yeah, this was the Lab," He stated calmly, "This was where we were born."

"Huh," Mikey exclaimed after a few minutes of silence passed between them, "I remember it being taller."

"Really?" Raph muttered around a laugh, "I remember it actually bein' a building."

"How long ago do you think it was destroyed?" Leo asked next and Donnie shock his head.

"Hard to say, at least several years," He guessed as he picked up a piece of concrete to check it over, before dropping it again.

"Do you think everyone got out?" Raph asked.

"I'm sensing very little blood," He answered as he ran a scan for the substance, "If there were people inside when it went down, we'd been seeing a lot more."

"So, it really is over," Mikey exclaimed, before moving to sit on the edge of a large slab of concrete, "You think this means we can finally have a normal life?" He added absentmindedly.

"Doubt it," Donnie answered with a little laugh.

"Yeah – not that having Raph as a brother could ever be considered normal," The youngest responded with a smile, causing said sibling to turn to him with a glare and raised his hand in clear indication of hitting him.

But as the little twit winced in preparation, he became slightly surprised when the small pain didn't come, and instead, Raph just dropped his arm over his shoulders and pulled him in for a noogie, causing the smaller turtle to complain loudly as his other brothers laughed at his misfortune.

"Splinter always did say 'being normal is vastly overrated'," Leo added as he took a step to the side, so he wasn't in the way, while the two proceeded to tussle across the rubble field, causing Donnie to laugh lightly himself, before looking up as something caught his attention and smiled.

"Hey," He called toward his distracted siblings and they quickly stopped in order to see it for themselves; which quickly ended their squabble, as they got up to stand once more together as one. Having finally come full circle, they watched the sun rise over the horizon, singling the start of a new day and a new life.

I'm not gonna lie, I cried when I wrote that last line.

I can't believe I've finally finished it. XD

I hope you've all enjoyed the ride, I know I have.