Chapter ten:

Donnie looks at the coffins that were built for Raph and Leo. He can't yet bring himself to look inside of them where the twos bodies lay. He can feel Mikey practically snuggled into his side seeking comfort, even though Donnie feels like he can hardly move.

Casey is the one managing out words even with the hurt and grief clear in his tone. "We want to thank you all for coming in this hard time."

The rebellion stay quiet with their heads bowed. They all made it out alive making only Leo and Raph the casualties. They clearly can tell just how much these two turtles meant to those they look to as leaders.

"Shredder may have made them do some terrible things with his mind control. And we had hoped to be able to save them from his forced control over them." Casey takes a breath barely holding in tears; even though Mikey is already crying like a waterfall and even some of Donnies tears escape. "Though at least we can rest easy knowing that they won't be forced into anything they don't want ever again. I hope that they have found peace with the rest of their family that has perished in this fight to free the city." He slightly glances away as if unable to look at the coffins anymore. "We will remember them for how they worked hard to try to protect this city. Instead of all the evil Shredder made them do. They truly looked out for the city they loved so much. Always making sure to never kill when they were in control of their own bodies. They were also the best brothers and friends that one could have ever asked for. And I swear that here and now I will make sure that the bastard pays for what he's caused. As well as for what he made them do. I refuse to let their deaths be in vain." He takes another breath closing his one good eye. "Thank you for listening."

Eyes turn to Donnie and Mikey to let them speak before anyone else.

Donnie decides that he has to go first.

Mikey is in no condition to be the first right now.

"I know Shredder made everyone afraid of them. I wish that the real them could have been known instead. They were amazing turtles. I'll always remember every moment with them. The good and the bad." Donnie tries to force a smile at his memories though finds that he can't right now. His heart aches and he feels like crying until he can't anymore. He manages to keep it together for now at least... Even if just barely... "We had so many fun and frustrating moments together. I suppose as brothers do. I wish I could have had more time with them before they died. As who they were before rather than what they were forced to be." He takes a breath before continuing. "I'm going to miss them a lot. And I'll do my best to make them proud." He finishes and wonders if Mikey is going to be able to say anything.

There is silence for a moment.

Finally Mikey manages up enough courage to step out of hiding. He still stays by Donnie though as if being by him gives him comfort. He sniffles before he begins to speak. "They were amazing turtles. I can't imagine growing up without them in my life. I at least can be glad for all that they have taught me. Even though I wish I had paid a bit more attention than I did." He closes his wet eyes letting out a breath.

Donnie puts an arm around his shoulders to show his support.

Mikey continues as he feels Donnie's support to do so. "There was so many good times with them. They really looked out for me like big brothers should. I will miss them so much! I swear to never let their memory fade." He turns snuggling into Donnies embrace as he sniffles.

With the three now having spoken the rebellion gets a few words in as well.

"We may not have truly gotten to know you two. I wish we did get to know the real you though. You sound like really awesome turtles to have in one's lives. Hopefully your afterlife will peaceful."

"May the higher spirits of the afterlife, whatever you believe is out there, have mercy and understanding for you. You didn't deserve to die without being able to fix what that bastard made you do. Despite that you're gone now we will learn of good stories of you and spread them. Let that be your memory rather than what he did."

"I wish I had brothers like you. You sound like you truly would have looked out for me when I needed someone there. I wish I had gotten to know you as your true selves. Thank you for at least trying to help even if you ended up in such a bad situation."

Donnie can't help a smile as he hears each member of the rebellion share heartwarming words. He finds that it really has touched his heart. He glances to the sky hoping that Leo and Raph can hear all of this. He wants them to know that they aren't just looked at for what they did under mind control. He closes his eyes as a breeze passes by. He feels a tear fall down his cheek swearing the breeze held a soothing feeling in it. He thinks it might be a message from the spirit world which makes him feel a little better.

Once everyone was done sharing their words the rebellion members who can help do so.

Raph and Leo are buried in the prepared graves.

Once it's done the group stays for a bit longer.

"Anyone who wants to can go back to rest." Casey tells the other rebellion members. He turns back to the graves to mourn quietly for a bit.

Slowly the rebellion departs until it is just Mikey, Donnie and Casey left.

Donnie glances to Mikey who turns his head away sadly. He frowns in worry only to give his mate a nuzzle on the head to help assure him.

Mikey makes a small sad chirp to Donnie who lets out a soothing churr.

Casey watches the two for a few moments then turns back to the graves. He settles down and tries to see if he can go to the spirit world right now. He thinks that it is worth a shot. He wants to know if Leo and Raph even remember what had happened while they were mind controlled. He peeks open an eye when he feels a chill in the air. He shifts up to his feet as fog rolls in then Splinter emerges from it.

"I'm sorry that Raphael and Leonardo are not with me right now. I know you wanted to talk to them." Splinter apologizes as he stops in front of Casey.

"How are they doing?" Casey asks as he is unsure what Leo and Raph have told Splinter about what they maybe remember.

"They are safe with me and April. The spirit world knows it wasn't them doing what they did. Thus we're not cast to any place like Hell as humans put it. They were allowed in with the other good spirits." Splinters words do soothe Casey a little. His expression remains serious. "You want to know if they even know what they did. Am I wrong?"

Casey blinks at Splinter in worry. "Is that why they aren't here with you?" He questions and Splinter closes his eyes.

"They do remember." Splinters words make Casey's heart sink. He opens his eyes with a soothing look. "Though I assured them that they were not in control. Thus could not be to blame for it all. They do understand that. They just need a moment to settle in the spirit realm before seeing anyone."

"I understand." Casey nods as it does give him some relief. "Could you tell them that we also don't blame them and that we also forgive them?"

Splinter smiles to Casey. "They know. I did bring them to hear the words of you and the others." He gets a smile from the human. "They went back after it was done." He places an assuring hand on Casey's shoulder. "They will visit you and if possible Donnie and Mikey too. Just give them a little bit first."

"We will. Thank you so much Sensei." Casey dips his head and with Splinter letting go of his shoulder. He closes his eyes only to open them in the real world. He glances to Donnie and Mikey as they are both looking at him.

"Did you reach them?" Donnie asks so Casey shares what Splinter told him.

The two are quiet after hearing this from Casey.

Mikey is the first to speak after a few moments of quiet have passed. "Well. At least they know that we don't blame them. Well wait for them to be ready to come to us in spirit form."

Donnie nods his head in agreement.

Casey gets up after noticing Mikey hide a yawn. "Come on. Let's go back and get some rest." He suggests and the two follow him to go to what is their current home.

Over the next few days the rebellion works on preparing for another attack.

Casey is out checking on everything only to turn as someone runs over to him.

"You have to see this! Shredder had it posted all over the city!" The rebellion member hands the paper he was holding up over to Casey.

Casey looks it over spotting the Footclan symbol in red on a black paper with white writing.

To the survivors and the rebellion.

I invite you to a final showdown. Tonight at seven thirty. I will await your arrival. If you don't show up I will consider this a declaration of surrender. If that is so then I will bomb the sewers until we flush you out. You're lucky I'm giving you this chance as I would rather take you down myself. We'll see what your response will be. And as a final note don't think that because you stopped my new assassins doesn't mean you'll win this.

Your city ruler Shredder.

Casey has an idea why Shredder wants to get this done. He doesn't doubt the enemy is planning to expand his reign to other cities. He crumples the paper in his one hand. "We will fight." He promises before turning calling out for an emergency meeting. He heads to the stage made so he can address them all. He stands before them once they've all gathered.

Even Mikey and Donnie have come over wondering what is going on.

"We are heading out tonight!" Casey declares raising the hand with the crumpled paper. "Shredder has officially declared a war. If we do not show up we will be surrendering and he will bomb the city." His words make the rebellion look more ready to do this than before. "We will show him how wrong he was to think we'd give in so easily! And this time we are going to take him down!"

The rebellion call out in agreement to this raising a fist in the air to show their support.

Mikey and Donnie nod their approval to this.

Casey feels great seeing how he is rallying so many people, even two of the turtles he secretly has looked up, into storming into war against an enemy to save the city. He finds his head raises a little with his pride in his chest swelling.

Shredder won't stand a chance.