Aftermath

Back in the lair, Splinter and the other elders were waiting for their children and students to come home. Splinter and Ying were watching soap operas while Mei was doing some Tai Chi on the training mat. Meanwhile Yao was drinking some tea. April and Casey had set up the medical room just in case the heroes needed urgent care. And for sure the couple was worried. While the mutants were out, Casey and April took some time to get to know the Asian elders and more about the Four Stars and their purpose. Casey was particularly interested in meeting Jet the White Tiger. He was drinking a can of beer while talking to Yao.

"Say, this Jet dude sounds pretty badass." Complimented Casey "Wouldn't mind having him as my crime busting partner."

"Yes indeed. He may be full of pride and arrogance, but his heart is in the right place." Yao said. "I only pray he and the others are alright."

"Same thing with Raph and the turtles, man." Said Casey. "But they've been through this sort of shit before in the past so I wouldn't worry too much."

Just then, the doors to the lairs open and everyone came over to see the heroes arrive with victorious looks on their faces.

"My sons!" Splinter said. "I trust the mission went well?"

"It did, sensei." Leo replied. "The Triads in New York are finished."

"And Qin Lao is no more." Added Ben.

Everyone is surprised as well as happy.

"We couldn't be more relieved and proud." Said Ying.

"Come, you must tell us all about it after you get yourselves treatment for your minor injuries." Splinter said as he and the others walked to the kitchen. "We will prepare some tea and other beverages. April, please help my sons."

"Of course master splinter." April replied as she went over to escort the Turtles to the medical room.

The Four Stars meanwhile waited in the main living room.

"Ben, you got to tell us how you did it." Sam said.

"Yeah, must've been badass however you took out Qin!" Added Jet.

"If only I could have seen it, love." Maggie finished.

Ben held up his hands.

"Everyone please, let's all wait until everyone is at the table first. Then I will explain everything." Ben said.

After everyone got patched up with the help of Donnie and April, everybody gathered at the dinner table. Ben and Leo started off by explaining how they infiltrated the Triad headquarters in groups of two as it was easier to advance through the building that way.

"Excellent strategy. Divide and conquer." Said Splinter to which everyone nodded.

Ben then brought up how each group dealt with members of the Deathly Hazards. The heroes went around and explained how they did it.

"Not sure if Spike's even alive but if he is, he's one arm short from now on." Said Jet.

"Poison and Pathogen were a pain though." Donnie commented. "And if it wasn't for our healing techniques, we'd be dead."

"Too true, Donnie." Sam agreed. "And I got myself a new weapon as a keepsake."

Sam pulled out his new bow to show to the crowd Mei was amazed.

"A bow, my son?" Mei asked.

"Yes, mother." Answered Sam. "It helped me take down Pathogen. I used my chi to direct the arrows."

"Impressive, son. I remember when you'd always practice on a bow when you were younger. You may keep it. As long as you take care of it." Said Mei.

"Thank you mother." Sam replied.

"If only you guys saw how we toasted Vapor and Acid. Literally!" Mikey said. "At first he was overwhelming me with his smoke and knife, but then I shouted 'flame on' then burned Vapor to a crisp."

"I on the other hand stabbed Acid in the midsection after she melted one of my wings. But I spared her so she'd live in shame that a wounded enemy got the best of her." Maggie added.

"Serves her right." April commented and the others agreed.

"Ben and I had to deal with Bloodlust and Rot. It was a hard fought duel for me against the sadistic woman." Leo explained. "But eventually I managed to stab her in the heart and cut across her throat."

"Good riddance to that bitch." Said Raph.

"Meanwhile, I faced Rot alone." Explained Ben. "It was not easy, but I managed to freeze him solid then shatter him like glass. There's nothing left of him now."

They then explained the final confrontation against Qin Lao. They told how they got severely overpowered by the ancient crime lord yet managed to land some hits. Ben then explained how he was the one to finish him off.

"I was initially overwhelmed. But then I unlocked my inner power, and found the strength to bring down our nemesis. As I dealt the final blow, I watched as he turned to dust." Explained Ben, astonishing everyone.

"Badass man!" Said Jet.

"Ditto!" Added Raph.

Sam patted the dragons back while Maggie placed her talons on his hands and smiled at her boyfriend.

"Radical dude!" Mikey cheered.

"Way to save the day." Said Donnie.

"Well done fellow warrior." Leo congratulated.

Splinter smiled as did the other elders.

"Your father would be proud." Said the rat.

"And so will your uncle." Said Ying.

"I managed to recover the Water Scroll after my victory." Ben added as he took out the scroll and placed it on the table. "No one shall abuse its teachings ever again."

"Well said, Chen." Said Mei.

"Though, I also recovered this in the aftermath too." Ben said as he took out the silver ring.

Splinter was puzzled while the elders were shocked.

"It can't be!" Yao said.

"Is that what I think it is!?" Explained Mei.

"What? What's so special or scary about this ring here?" Asked Jet.

"What you found is the Ring of-." Ying said before she got interrupted by a ringing of her cellphone.

Ying excused herself to exit the kitchen to answer her phone.

Meanwhile the mutants looked at the ring as did the elders. It was until Splinter broke his silence.

"I am curious. What is this ring? I can sense something different about it. That it's no ordinary jewelry." Splinter said.

"You're correct, Splinter." Said Yao. "The ring isn't unlike any other and you eight were lucky Qin never used it."

"Why" asked Leo.

Before Yao had a chance to answer, Ying came back with a smile on her face.

"Chen, I have great news. Your uncle has awoken from his coma. He is recovering smoothly." Ying announced.

The news brought great happiness to Ben and he smiled wide.

Meanwhile, unknown to everyone, a group in hooded cloaks were watching them using a large sphere to project the scene. They were sitting at a large table with the sphere in the middle. The largest of them, one with red glowing eyes, spoke up.

"He has fulfilled his destiny." Said the figure who spoke with a mixture of English and Welsh accent.

"Ja. The Azure dragon has indeed defeated one of the three children of the emperor." Said another figure with grey glowing eyes who spoke with a German accent.

"But he has optained the Celestial Ring of the East!" Said a figure who had glowing yellow eyes an spoke with a feminine voice in a French accent. "One of three rings of the Dragons."

"Yes, but it is in safe hands. Yet we know not the status of the other two." Said the English figure.

"Yet we have to be vigilant for them at all times. For if even one falls into the wrong hands-." The German stated.

"We know, monsieur." The French interrupted. "Terrible things will befall the world."

Everyone looked at the turtles and Stars through the sphere.

"Shall we go to America and introduce ourselves to them, my lord?" The German asked.

"No, its not time yet. Besides, let them enjoy their victory. They have earned it." Said the mysterious English.

"Agreed, my lord." Replied the French figure.

So the heroes have came home and told their stories on the final battle.

But it seems the ring Ben brought home is more important than he could imagine.

And who were those mysterious hooded figures at the end? Are they friend or foe? That's a story for another day, I'm afraid. But for now, stay tuned for the last chapter or two!

This is MergingEmperor7, bowing out.