The work of saving the world does not end even when you die

As many hugs as necessary to heal

— And there I was, in all my splendor, standing in front of that horrible monster, protecting my idiot brother — the narrator's only arm moves as if brandishing a sword — I couldn't back down, I had to fight — Mikey looked at the biggest one with wide eyes and deep concentration — I had to protect the front until help arrived and the wounded were taken out — the warrior's stance adjusts to the rhythm of the story — Dee unconscious on the floor, Angelo fighting several enemies at once, the wounded huddled against the walls, everything depended on me — Mikey stifles a scream imagining the situation, April, at his side, hides a giggle behind her hand — the beast lunged at me, I raised both swords ready to face it or die, the horrible being opened its jaws and I only managed to raise my right arm to protect my head from its fangs, I buried my sword in its head until it stopped writhing and fell dead at my feet, of course, it took my arm — he raises the stump — but I beat that horrible zombie train — the older one bows and Mikey stands up applauding him.

— Azul! You are quite a hero — he exclaims excitedly, Leon just smiles at the younger man's enthusiasm.

—That's me — she answers, receiving a cup of tea from Angelo's hands, at whom she smiles with deep affection.

— Zero self-care and a lot of predisposition to theatrics — says the mystical warrior sitting next to his older brother.

— I don't know what you're talking about — the eldest says before taking a sip from his cup. The eldest orange one shakes his head, accustomed to the eccentric ways of his immediate eldest brother — Haven't you told the young ones about our glorious adventures? — the blue one leans his back on his little brother and Angelo rests his cheek on blue's head smiling. Both April and Michelangelo smiled sweetly at the sight.

— No, not yet — Angelo answers — it's not easy to talk about it... — Leon leaves his cup on the table and looks for his little brother's hand to shake it.

— I know, but now we are together again — there is calm in the older one's voice — we deserve to be admired — he winks at the younger ones who laugh at the older one's nonsense.

For both April and Mikey, it's fun to see the differences between the older blue and his always stoic and serious leader. They knew that Leonardo was capable of having fun and also had his playful side, but this Leo seemed much freer to show that trait.

The sound of several voices approaching made everyone turn to the entrance of the lair, apparently the others were returning and, from the sound of their voices, they were returning triumphantly.

The first to appear were Raphael and Casey, who were helping a wounded Leonardo over the turnstiles. Behind them Karai was looking around the lair with curiosity, immediately behind her Von Ryan was floating thanks to the thrusters of his battle shell and talking animatedly with a huge, really huge, unknown turtle.

The stifled gasp that escaped Orange's lips and the sob emitted by Blue was all the information the children needed to know who the newcomer was.

— Rapha! — Angelo's shout caught the attention of everyone who, with emotion, watched as the brothers who stayed in the lair ran to the huge arms of the red mutant. He waited for them with open arms and held them tightly against his chest, purring. Long sobs and incomprehensible words emerged from the tangle of arms and, at some point, Von Ryan was dragged into the tearful mess being held and pressed against the bodies of his brothers. The purple one did not struggle or try to escape, he simply let himself be carried away by the joy of being back with the people he loved the most, he put his arms around his little brothers and rested his head on Raph's broad chest and closed his eyes allowing the sound of his brothers' hearts to take away the pain that covered his limbs since the day he lost the oldest.