The cries calling out to him, pleading for him to be alright and to wake up was the last thing Raphael heard. Making a promise to his wife that he will not leave her, he will not go down that easily after a cheap shot from their old enemy. All Raphael could see was darkness. A black silent void as he struggled to move, recollecting what happened. He could still picture that moment. His two oldest children, Irrilia and Thalos, on the ship growing frustrated, scared and confused about what they should do. His youngest son, Sal, shook with fear as Armaggon approached with his blaster, ready to aim and fire. Finally, his beloved wife Mona Lisa, injured and down after Armaggon struck her right in the gut, on the floor in agonizing pain.

"Uhh... run... kids..."

Raphael felt his heart begin to race from the fear as he remembered Armaggon lifting his gun at his son's face ready to fire. His wife, with the last ounce of strength she had left, ran back into battle. Suddenly in a flash, Raph grabbed his son and the gun fired.

Raphael tossed and turned, his heart banging through his chest, his body dripping in sweat as the nightmare replayed in his mind over and over again.

"Argh... N-No! SAL! MONA!!"

All of a sudden, it was over. Jerking up from where he layed, Raphael awakes. No longer on the planet of Thyrina H4, Raph found himself lying in a bed, wrapped in bandages. His location seemed familiar, being in a clean white polish room with glowing neon orange trim on the walls. Bringing Raph a sense of ease, he was instantly greeted by multiple familiar friendly faces.

"Woah! Woah! Slow down there, brother. You're still injured." Leonardo tells him, gently touching Raph's shoulder and helping him sit up on his bed more comfortable, "It's okay. You're safe now."

"Dude, rocking that pirate look!" Mikey smiles, leaning playfully on the side of Raph's bed near Leo.

Donnie approaches his brother on the other side, opposite to Leo, patting Raph's shoulder with a welcoming smile, "Hey Raph, it's good to see that you're conscious now. We were starting to get worried."

"...Guys?" Raph groaned, his head aching, "What are you doing here? Where are we?... WAIT! WH-WHERE ARE MY KIDS? MONA?? I GOTTA FIND THEM!"

Before Raphael could pull himself out of bed, he was faced with a hard smack to the face, forcing him back down onto the bed. Raph could recognize that smacking hand from anywhere.

"OW! Fugitoid?! What the hell was that for?!"

"Calm down, Raphael." The professor calmly tells him, but his tone was still stern, "You're on my ship, The Ulixes."

"Okay... I can see that, but how did I get here?"

"Raph, do you not remember what happened?" Leo asked, "You're battle with Armaggon?"

"Yeah, I remember that bastard hurting my wife and attacking my kids. He was gonna hurt Sal too. I ran in to save him, but then it all became a blur... What happened after I was knocked out?"

"I can clarify that," Another more older voice says, joining in on the conversation. The four turtle brothers and android look to see Sal Commander entering the room, "Irrilia is a clever young girl. She managed to send me a distress signal during the attack, but I was unable to get there in time to help. Luckily, Fugitoid was traveling in a neighboring galaxy, so I sent him to retrieve you and your family, while I went to Earth to get your brothers."

"Lucky you!" Fugitoid smiled, "If I showed up a minute too late you would've been a goner!"

Raph rolls his eye, "Yeah, that's great and all, but what about my family?! Are they alright?"

"Not to fret," Fugitoid tells the impatient Turtle calmly, "Your family is in good health, they are just in the other room. In fact, I'll go and tell them the good news that you're awake right now!"

Quickly, with his paperwork, Fugitoid exits the infirmary, leaving Raphael, his brothers, and the old Salamandrian commander alone to chat.

Sal Commander looks back at Raphael, known to stand tall and composed with pride, now standing with shame. With guilt in his one non mechanical eye he told the red turtle, "I thank the stars that the children are unharmed, but they are still very upset about what happened. They blame themselves for the situation... for what happened to you, but if anyone is to blame it's me..."

"Don't beat yourself up over this, Sal Dude," Mikey assures his friend, "No one expected Robo-Jaws to show his face, let alone still be alive!"

"Mikey's right, Sal Commander." Raph tells him, "This wasn't your fault."

The commander sighs, "Still, if I had not suggested that planet then you would still have your left eye. My deepest apologies, Turtle Warrior..."

Raph froze from Sal's words, confused by what he meant, "My... left eye?..."

"Bro! You don't remember getting shot in the face??"

"MIKEY!!" Leo and Donnie scream.

Raph's body shook. He does remember. Running towards his son to save him from Armaggon's blast, only for it to result in Raph taking the hit right to the face. He remembers the pain he felt, the screams from his wife and children as he laid on the ground, bleeding out and losing consciousness.

It couldn't be true what Mikey said. Raphael refused to believe it. Did he really lose his...

Panicked, Raph demands someone to hand him a mirror. Leo hands him one and Raph looks at himself for the first time since he woke up. Slowly, Raph lifted his hand, trembling as he touched the bandage covering his left eye. His right focused on his reflection, trying to process what he was seeing was real. Raph felt it, under the cloth of the bandage, the fresh markings of three stitches, shutting his eye for good.

It was true. Raphael's left eye was gone.

"That son of a bitch..." Raph grumbles under his breath.

"It's... hardly noticeable." Leo says, trying to cheer up his brother.

Mikey turns his head, "Hardly noticeable?! He looks like Sal Commander if he were a turtle! Uh, No offense Sal..."

The commander chuckles slightly, "It's alright, Michelangelo. To be honest a missing eye isn't that bad." he gently taps his red robotic eye, showing it off to Raphael, "You get a couple of upgrades."

"If you want, Raph, the professor and I can make a new eye for you, like they did for Sal Commander." Donnie suggests.

Raph's focus was locked on his reflection in the small mirror in his palms, looking at his injury now hiding under cloth and adhesive tape. Perhaps he could get a robotic eye, but Raphael knew that wasn't his style. A scar on the eye may be a much cooler look for the Turtle in red to pull off. However, a new left eye, or lack there of one, wasn't Raphael's concern right now.

"No, it's fine," he tells his brother, setting down the mirror, "I just want to see Mona Lisa and the kids. Let them know I'm alright."

"Fugitoid has been keeping them updated on your condition. Don't worry." Donnie assures him, "For now, I think it's best that you get some rest."

"Screw rest!" Raph growls, trying to get out of bed. He grunts in pain from his injuries, but that wasn't stopping him from trying to get up, "I want to see my family."

"Raph, listen to Donnie," Leo says, trying to get his brother to lay back down, "You were beaten up pretty badly. Not only did you lose an eye, but your shell was cracked loose. You need to rest!"

"And what about Mona?" Raph snaps, "She was in that fight too!"

"She's fine. Just a few cuts and bruises, no major injuries unlike you!" Donnie explains, quickly rushing in to help Leo keep Raph in bed, grabbing his other arm to hold him back, "Dammit Raph! You nearly died! How do you still have this much strength?!"

"Let go of me!" Raph demands, trying to fight his way out of his brothers' lock, "I need to see Mona!"

"Relax, bro!" Mikey says, swirling around in a spinning chair, being the only calm person in the room, "You don't have to worry about a thing. Your kids, Mona and the baby are totally fine!"

The three brothers suddenly stop their scuffle. Slowly they all turn their heads in unison, looking at Mikey in disbelief.

"...My kids, Mona and what?" Raph says, looking at his youngest brother puzzled, unsure if he heard him correctly.

"Oh, oops!" Mikey chuckles, embarrassed for the slip up, "I-I guess you didn't know that Mona is pregnant, huh?"

"She's... pregnant?!" Raph repeats, he couldn't believe what he heard.

"Michael..." Donnie says sternly, approaching his brother, arms crossed, "How do you know this?"

"Well... um, I may, or may not, have accidentally read Fugitoid's medical files on Mona... I'm sorry! But I got bored waiting for Raph to wake up so I found some paperwork and started reading them. I thought they were some kind of intergalactic magazine or something!"

Donnie facepalms himself, "I can't believe you sometimes..."

"So it's true?! My lieutenant is with child again?!" A smile finally grows on Sal Commander's face, "Well done, Raphael! Expanding that army of grandchildren, just as I requested!"

"A fourth kid..." Raph froze still, processing the confirmation of the news as his one good eye widened. Raphael thought losing an eye was the most shocking thing to learn after he woke up but this?! He truly couldn't believe it. The thought of having another child, four children. A family of six, seven counting Chompy. He felt his heart begin to race, both of mere shock, but mostly excitement.

"The one time you decided to read something that isn't your comic books and you chose that!" Leo says, shaking his head in disapproval.

"I thought Raph knew! And even if he didn't, he was gonna find out eventually!" Mikey pouts, before looking back at Raph, "Look at the bright side! You may have lost an eye, but you're having another baby! Congrats bro!"

"Another baby..." Raph's eye twitched, "I-I'm gonna ha-have another... baby..."

Suddenly, Raph falls back down to lay on the bed, fainting from the unexpected news he just received. It grew quiet as everyone looked at the fainted injured turtle.

Leo sighs with relief, placing his hands on his hips, "Well, at least NOW he's getting his rest."

⭑ ⭑ ⭑

A day has passed since the Hamato family were attacked by Armaggon. Mona Lisa along with her three children all patiently waited on Fugitoid's ship, trying to move on after the incident. Once the professor arrived on the planet of Thyrina H4, he quickly gathered the family and took them to safety. Raphael was taken to the infirmary of The Ulixes to have his wounds treated, meanwhile Fugitoid made sure Mona was fine as well, healing up her cuts and stitching them up. Once Mona Lisa and her children were checked and confirmed to be unharmed and healthy, the professor offered to take them all back to Earth, an offer Mona denied. The Hamato family came to an unanimous agreement that they refused to return home until all members were recovered. Fugitoid did not bother to insist otherwise, he understood and in truth did not want to separate a family, so he offered them a room on his ship to stay while they waited for Raphael to wake up. It was a small sleeping quarters, but big enough to hold the four of them, consisting of an in wall dresser, a bunk bed for them to sleep on and a little nightstand by the beds, holding up a single lamb brightly lighting up the room.

Sitting on the bottom bunk of the bed, resting her head up against the wall, Mona Lisa comforted Thalos and Irrilia who were each resting on opposite sides of her lap. The family worried, wondering if or when Raphael would wake up. Fugitoid had informed them that he would be alright and make a full recovery soon, but that wasn't enough. The family would not feel relieved until they knew he was awake, smiling at them all again.

"This is all our fault," Thalos says softly, breaking the long painful silence of the room, "We wanted to go camping..."

"This is no one's fault," Mona tells her son, caressing his head to calm his nerves, "Don't blame yourselves for yesterday's incident. We could not have known the danger that was lurking. All that matters now is that we are all safe."

Carefully, Irrilia lifts up her head to look up at her mother, "Is Dad going to be okay?"

Mona smiles, "No need to worry, my dear. Your father has a heart of fury and will not go down so easily..." As she comforts her children, Mona quickly then realizes something. Looking around, inspecting the room she asks, "Have either of you seen Sal?"

"He's hiding in the cupboard," Thalos tells his mom through a whisper, directing her to the drawer cupboard across the room.

Carefully, Mona removed her kids from resting on her lap, getting up from the bed. Irrilia and Thalos looked on as they watched their mother approach the dresser where their little brother was hiding. Through the little gap in the cubby's door, Mona could see her son's little toes peeking out. They curled as he heard her approach.

"G'throkka? Sweetheart? What's wrong?" Mona asks her son softly.

Mona hears her son sniff. She could assume he has been softly crying to himself this entire time, a realization that broke her heart. "Dad hates me..." Mona hears Sal faintly tell her through a whimper,

Mona's eyes widened, hurt from such an unthinkable lie her son convinced himself to believe. It made her fear what else her son convinced his mind to believe while he hid away, "That's not true, Sal. Why would you believe such a thing?"

"Cause it's all my fault!" he cries out through the door, "I almost got him killed! Dad hates me!!"

"No... Sal, please, don't say that. You are not to blame for what happened. No one is and your father is not going to be mad at you. Not one bit. He loves you."

Sal remained silent, closing the cubby door all the way, locking himself inside. Through the little door, she could hear her son's faint whimpers and tears continue.

"Sal, my son, plea-"

"Ah! Y'gythgba! Children!" A cheerful voice enters the room. Mona and her kids turn to see that Fugitoid has entered their quarters. Though the professor presented himself with a joyful smile, Mona and the kids would not return the same positive gaze.

"Oh, professor," Mona says, standing up to greet her old friend, "Is everything alright?"

"Everything's perfect. I actually came to bring good news! Raphael is awake and is recovering wonderfully."

"Dad is alright?!" Irrilia's eyes sparked from the news.

"Yeah!" Thalos cheers, "Did you hear that Sal?! Dad's fine!"

Sal remained silent, refusing to come out of his hiding spot.

"Thank the stars..." Mona sighs with relief, a smile finally appearing on her face.

"He'll be able to return home by the end of the week after I do some final medical test on him to make sure everything's in order. After that, Raphael must be on bedrest for the next six weeks. As long as he doesn't try to do anything ludicrous during that time, he'll be back on his feet before you know it! So make sure he doesn't get out of bed, no training or any other physical activities during that time, that includes no copulation. Oh! Which reminds me..." Fugitoid takes out his holographic tablet, tapping on the screen revealing some files as he looks them over, "I do have other news I wish to inform you about, Y'gythgba."

"Can this wait till later? The children wish to see their father."

"Trust me, you're going to want to hear this." he taps the screen a few more times, "I was looking over your files from earlier when you were in the infirmary being treated for your wounds, and I discovered something..."

"W-What is it?" Mona began to worry again. She can't handle any more bad news.

"You're with child!" Fugitoid smiles, "Congratulations, my dear!"

"WHAT!? I'M... I... I'm pregnant!?"

"AGAIN??" Irrilia and Thalos shout in disbelief.

The professor nods before going back to reading on his tablet, "According to my calculations, you're about two months along..."

He hands Mona Lisa his tablet, showing her the test results. He was telling the truth. She was pregnant. How could she not have known?! There were no signs. After three kids Mona thought she'd start picking up on it, know the signs, or at the very least her and Raph should have better self control by now, but it appears that is not the case. Despite the happy news, the feeling of delight for another bundle of joy wasn't the first thing to come across her mind.

Mona's body began to shake with worry. She was on the verge of panicking, "But... I-I was in that battle! Is-Is my baby alright?!"

"Of course! Do not worry, my dear. I understand your concern. Armaggon striking you in the stomach was a risk, a huge one in fact, but the child is still in good health. A true miracle! This should be no different from your previous pregnancies." Fugitoid assures her, taking her hands and giving her a comforting smile, helping his old friend calm down from her worries, "Now, how's I take you to see your husband? I'm sure he'd love to see you and hear the exciting news!"

"Just me? I'm sure the children would want to see-"

"Let go of me!" a loud voice shouts echoing from down the hall, "I need to see Mona!"

Fugitoid chuckles, "Something tells me he wants to see you first."

Mona Lisa lets out a relieved giggle. Even after just waking up her husband still had a fiery fury she could recognize from anywhere. Before heading out, Mona turns back to her children, seeing Thalos and Irrilia anxiously looking at their mother, "The both of you stay here, watch after Sal. I'm going to talk to your father."

"But we want to see dad now!" Irrilia protests.

"You will, my Starlight. Be patient. I'll just be a minute."

⭑ ⭑ ⭑

Raphael wasn't out for long after fainting from hearing the very unexpected big news. From his little brother, Mikey, of all people to find out his wife is pregnant. It took Raph a while to come back again, gaining consciousness and finding himself back in Fugitoid's infirmary on his spaceship. The bright white and orange room was now empty, quiet compared to last time when he first woke up immediately greeted by Leo, Donnie and Mikey. Raph could assume his brothers and Sal Commander left after he fainted, giving him the rest Leo and Donnie insisted he needed. Though the room appeared to be vacant, Raphael quickly realized he wasn't as alone as he originally thought.

The soft gentle touch and caress of his cheek caught Raph's attention, bringing him a sense of security. He turns to see a beautiful sight. Smiling back at him, on the brink of tears was his wife, Mona Lisa.

A cheeky smile grew on Raph's face, "Well, I must've died and gone to heaven cause I just spotted an angel!"

Through her tears, Mona giggles, leaping towards her husband. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she greets him with a loving passionate kiss. Raph quickly reacts, kissing her back as if he hadn't kissed her in a thousand years, wrapping his arms around her, holding her in a tight embrace.

"I'm so happy you're alright, my love." Mona whispers to him after they slowly parted from their kiss, "I was so scared that I lost you..."

He smiles, "I'm not leaving you anytime soon."

They return back to their kiss, holding one another and refusing to let go. Mona cupped his face as she pushed herself closer to him, but the unexpected action caused Raph to grunt, biting his bottom lip from the sudden joint of pain, "Argh! Fuck!"

"S-Sorry!" Mona panics, lifting herself off her husband, moving to sit on his bed side near him, "Are you alright?"

"Yeah..." Carefully, Raph checks his bandage to make sure no wounds have opened back up again. He snickers, "Damn... Armaggon really did a number on me, huh?"

"I feel that is an understatement, Raphael," Mona Lisa tells him, looking at him with worry, "You lost an eye..."

Mona Lisa and the children were informed of the loss of Raphael's eye shortly after being saved by Fugitoid and boarding his ship. Though he was able to stop the bleeding and heal his wound, Raphael's eye was something he could not save. Mona refused to hear the details for her and the kids sake, but the family had to process that for the rest of his days, Raphael would only have one eye. The guilt got to Mona, though in the end everyone made it out okay, she still felt she failed to protect the man she loves.

However, the knowledge of losing his eye seemed to have only bothered Mona Lisa, for Raph himself looked calm and accepted the fact it was gone. He looked at her with a relaxed composure and shrugged, "It's better than being dead. You and the kids are safe. That's all that matters. I just wish I could have returned the favor to that stupid robo shark."

"No need. I took care of him." her tone turned cold, "Armaggon will never harm us or anyone ever again..."

Raph looked at Mona, already knowing the answer to his question, "Did you...?"

She nods.

"Yeah! That's my girl! That son of bitch doesn't mess with the Hamato family!" Raph cheered with pride. His excitement was too much, causing him to once again grunt in pain, holding onto his stomach where the bandage was wrapped. Mona jumps from his reaction, taking action to help him. Carefully Mona slowly guides her husband to sit up properly, making sure he's comfortable. Now in a better position, Raph slowly felt the pain in his lower stomach fade away again as he relaxed back up against the pillows.

"Thanks, hun," Raph says, letting out a relaxed exhale. The room grew quiet as Raph sat back on his bed, resting on his pillows. Mona looked on, just happy to see her love was well and recovering. "How are the kids?" Raph asked her once he was relaxed.

"They're fine. Irrilia and Thalos were worried but once they heard you were alright they calmed down. Sal however is still shaken up by the whole thing..."

"And what about kid number four?"

Mona blinks, turning to look at Raph, unsure if she heard him correctly, "What?"

Raph says nothing, giving his wife a smile before obviously directing her attention to her belly with his eyes, hinting at what he obviously meant.

"Oh," Mona softly chuckles, "I guess the professor already told you?"

"No, Mikey did."

She sighs, "Of course..."

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine, and so is the baby. The professor informed me the baby is unharmed, safe and healthy."

"That's good." Raph says, relieved. He lays back as a grin grows on his face "I can't believe we're gonna have another kid..."

"It is certainly an unexpected surprise, but a happy one overall. I'm proud of our future little warrior. Their first battle and still standing strong." She smiles, looking down and placing a hand on her stomach, "This one without a doubt will become a strong warrior when they are grown."

The couple shared a heartfelt smile, a shed of hope for their little miracle. After the horror they faced, some good news was truly what Raphael and Mona Lisa needed, and though it was unexpected news they couldn't be happier about it. Another child. A fourth kid in the next generation of the Hamato family. A blessing they saw it as. The light of hope shining on them after being haunted in the darkness from the brutal battle.

In the growing silence of the room, Mona leaned towards Raph, gently touching his cheek. With her thumb, she softly stroked the bandage covering his eye. "Have you considered getting a new eye like my commander?" she asked, examining the bandage curiously.

"Yes, but I don't want one. I'll get used to working with one eye eventually. The only downside is I won't be able to admire my beautiful wife with both my eyes anymore," a cheeky grin appears on his face again, "Guess I'll just have to stare at her even longer to make up for it."

Mona giggles, even injured and stuck in bed he still manages to find ways to make her heart beat. In that moment Mona leaned down and gave her husband another loving but this time more gentle kiss, not wanting to bring pressure onto his still healing wounds again.

"So..." Raph says with a confident smirk once Mona pulls away from their kiss, their noses still touching, "Do I get my reward now?"

Mona scoffs in a playful manner, pushing herself away from her husband. She crosses her arms, giving him a stern look, "You're on bed rest, so you must remain in bed for the next six weeks so you can properly heal, so we won't be doing anything until you've fully recovered. Professor's orders."

"Oh come on! Six weeks?! What am I supposed to do during that time?!"

"I suggest you start by talking to G'throkka."

"I already did. He also recommended the robot eye." He crosses his arms, "I'm still not changing my mind."

"No, not my commander! Our son!"

"Why?"

"He blames himself for what happened to you. All our children do, but it has gotten to Sal the most... He keeps telling me that you now hate him, blaming himself for what happened to you."

"What?" He took a moment to process. He couldn't believe it. For his own son to think that way broke his heart, "That's ridiculous, I would never think that of him, let alone blame him for what happened."

"That's what I've been trying to tell him, but he refuses to listen to me, let alone look at anyone. He's convinced himself that you hate him." Gently, Mona takes her husband's hand, looking at him pleading worried eyes, "Please, my love. Talk to Sal. He needs to hear all of this from you."

Raph gazed into Mona's eyes, seeing the worry and sadness in her stare as she told him of the current condition of their son. Raph was heartbroken to hear the news, his own son believes he hates him for something that was out of his control. In truth Raph doesn't blame him for feeling that way for he was in a similar situation years ago. The difference between back then and now is that Raphael never had anyone to talk to about it, to assure him that everything will be okay. The person he lost was not there to assure him that in no way does he blame him for what happened. This time is different. Raphael knew Mona Lisa was right, his son needs him now more than ever.

"Okay, I'll talk to him."

⭑ ⭑ ⭑

While their mother was off to see their father in the infirmary, Irrilia, Thalos and Sal remained in the sleeping quarters of Fugitoid's ship. As much as the kids all wanted to go see their father, to see him well and smile at them again, the three children knew they had to wait. Let their mother see him first, to make sure he's alright before they can go.

In the meantime, Irrilia and Thalos made it their goal to try to get their little brother Sal to come out of his hiding spot in the cubby. Or at the very least have him say a single word to them, but to no avail...

"Sal~" Irrilia sings in an over expressive tone, dangling a comic book in between the tips of her fingers, "I got your favorite issue of The Four Fantastic Food Groups! If you want me to read it to you, you have to come out."

Nothing. Silence.

"Hey Sal!" Thalos joins in, holding out a plate in his palms, "I used Fugitoid's Think-A-Food Machine to make your favorite pizza! Come get it while it's hot!"

Still nothing. Another attempt failed.

"Wow... this must've really gotten to him..."

"You think?!" Irrilia snaps, "We nearly got Dad killed! I honestly don't blame Sal for reacting like this!" The young turtle-salamandrian girl then sighs in frustration, nearly on the brink of crying. In defeat Irrilia sits on the bed, resting her face in her palms as she mumbles aloud, "We're the worst kids ever..."

The room grew silent for the Hamato children, sinking in what had truly happened within the last 24 hours. Looks like all those desires to see their parents fight in a battle finally came and bit them in the butt. They got their wish, but with the price of nearly losing their father.

Irrilia and Thalos know that their mother assured them countless times that it's not their fault for what happened, but they won't feel at peace until they see their father and he tells them himself. Sal on the other hand, the two siblings are unsure. They worried for their little brother, scared he would never be the same again.

Suddenly they hear the slight noise of a small door creaking open, followed by a broken voice asking, "Is that true? Are... are we the worst?..."

Thalos and Irrilia jump, spotting Sal peeking his head out of his hiding spot. His eyes shook from hearing his big sister's words, on the verge of tears just as her.

"N-No! No we're not," Thalos assures him. He gets down to sit on his knees, opening up his arms, letting his little brother run into his embrace, "Irrilia is just being a Negative Nancy."

"Am not!" she growls before joining into her brothers' embrace, "I'm just upset, Sal. And scared. We all are, but remember what Mom told us. Dad is a strong warrior. He'll be okay."

"Yeah! Even Fugitoid said Dad will make a full recovery!" Thalos adds, giving his brother a hopeful smile. "Heh... kinda funny to think that this is the story we'll be telling years later to our future little brother or sister, how this is how we found out about them."

Irrilia lets out an embarrassed chuckle, "Yeah. Look at the bright side, Sal. You're gonna be a big brother!"

Sal buries his head into his big brother's chest as he mumbles, "I don't deserve to be a big brother..."

Irrilia and Thalos share a glance. The two siblings squeeze their little brother, hoping it will be enough to comfort him from all his worries and fears. As he whimpered in his brother's arms, Sal felt his sister gently rub his back to comfort him as she softly told him "Don't think that. Everything will be alright. I know that you'll be the best big brother ever!"

The three Hamato siblings held each other tight in their embrace as tears flowed down each of their faces, trying to hide the pain with a soft calm smile. They all knew it wasn't their fault but they all couldn't help but still cry. Knowing their father, and even their mother, nearly died in a battle all because they wanted to go camping. Though no words were spoken, Irrilia, Thalos and Sal all knew that when they see their father again, they will tackle him with hugs to show him how much they love him.

"Children?" A calm voice enters the room. The kids all break apart from their embrace, spotting their mother entering the quarters. Their mother smiles at the sight of all three of her children out to greet her, "Oh, Thalos, Irrilia! You got Sal to come out!"

"More like he came out himself," Thalos sniffs, whipping away his tears and giving his mom a smile. "We had a talk and things are a little better now."

Irrilia nods in agreement, "How's Dad?"

"Like his old self. He acts as if he hasn't just battled a ten foot tall cybernetic shark." Mona chuckles, placing her hands on her hips and letting out an exhale of relief, "I've been with your father for 17 years and yet he still amazes me with his warrior spirit."

"So we can go see Dad now?" Thalos asked.

Mona ignores the questions, instead turning to look at her youngest son, Sal, who was staring up at his mother curiously. "G'throkka," her voice soft and gentle, leaning down towards her youngest son, offering him her hand, "Come with me, your father wants to see you first."

⭑ ⭑ ⭑

Raphael grew nervous as he waited for his wife, Mona Lisa, to return with their youngest son, Sal, so he could talk to him about the incident. He's had talks with his kids before, the typical lecture of the "Do's and Don'ts", but something like this he did not feel prepared for. However, he knew it had to be done. His wife's encouragement was enough for him to know things will be alright. Raph didn't fully know what he was going to say, he's usually not good at these kinds of things. He's always been better at saying things on the spot than planning ahead. Winging it is his speciality. It's been that way since he was a boy himself. So Raph knew when they talk, everything will come out naturally.

At least, that's what he hopes.

It wasn't long before the sliding metal doors to his infirmary opened, seeing Mona Lisa enter with their son resting in her arms. Raph greeted them with a smile, but Sal refused to return it. Gripping tightly onto the cloth of his mother's top, Sal buried his face in his mom's chest.

Mona Lisa wasn't exaggerating when she told him Sal was convinced that he's mad at him. Seeing the nervousness, guilt and scared look in his son's eyes was all the proof Raphael needed, and it broke his heart. No child should ever feel this way, and no parent ever wants to see their children suffer with that mindset.

Sal grabbed on tighter to his mother, burying his head deeper into her shirt as Mona stepped closer to his father. Slowly Mona sat down near Raphael's bed, gently handing her son to be in Raph's arm. With a gentle kiss on her son's head, Mona left the infirmary without saying a word, leaving Sal and Raphael alone to talk.

The room was quiet, with Raph unsure how to start the conversation and Sal too nervous to speak. The two Hamato boys sat in silence, only hearing the pattern of their gentle breathing. Raph noticed his son fidgeting with his fingers, looking down, trying to hold back his tears. He was shaking. Raph knew exactly why his son refused to look at him, and it was not because Sal worries what his father will say to him, but what the young boy will see.

"Hey, Mini Me." Raph smiles softly, trying to let his son know right then and there that there are no negative feelings towards him at all, "How are you doing? Looking after your mama and siblings for me?"

Sal was silent for a moment, his eyes trying to look at anything else but his father, but the young boy knew he couldn't avoid what was right in front of him. Taking a deep breath, seeming to brace himself as he finally looked up at his father. The boy softly gasps, eyes widened, from the sight. In front of him, his father who he always knew and saw as a strong warrior, now bandaged, scarred and worst of all, missing an eye. Despite his condition, his father still had a tender look in his single bright green eye along with a warm smile. This caught the little boy off guard. He was sure his dad would be mad at him. Blame him for everything. After all, it's his fault he foolishly fell onto the battlefield and got caught in the crossfire. If that didn't happen, his dad would've been okay. His eye would still be...

Sal stares at the bandage that covered over his dad's missing eye, slowly reaching up towards it. He's reluctant for a moment before gently placing his palm over the patch. He can feel it, very slightly but Sal knows it's there. The switchings from the blast of Armaggon's gun. The reminder of his mistake was permanently marked on his father's face.

"I'm... I'm sorry..." his voice was quiet but Raph could hear the shakiness in the tone.

"For what? This?" Raph says, removing his son's hand from his face, holding it in his, "Don't be sorry. You had nothing to do with this. Armaggon did it. Remember?"

"But... I'm responsible..." Sal sadly sniffs, looking at his father on the brink of tears, "Are... are you mad at me?

"No, of course not. I would never be mad at you."

A tear ran down his cheek, "But I was the one who-"

"Sal, look at me." Raph tells his son, gently lifting up his chin to meet with his eyes, "Never in a million years would I ever think this was your fault. Armaggon was going to hurt you and I would not allow that to happen. Even if I knew I was gonna lose my eye, I'd still jump in to protect you."

"But what about mom?..." his eyes start to water, "She's... and I almost..."

"Ah, heard the news, huh? Sal, your mother is a strong woman, she's alright. You saw her yourself! And you showing how much you care just tells me that you're gonna be an amazing big brother!"

"That's what Irrilia and Thalos said," The boy continued to cry, trying to wipe away his tears, "But I still put you and mom in danger..."

"No, no you didn't..." Raph thinks for a moment, trying to find a way to help his son. It wasn't long before an old memory came to him. An event from his past that he often tries to forget, but for a situation like this it must be shared. In truth, Raphael has to let it out as well, holding it in for so long.

"You know, I was in a similar situation like yours when I was young."

The little hybrid boy looked at his father curiously, his eyes red from crying.

"I lost someone close to me, in a blink of an eye he was taken from me by our greatest enemy. It happened right in front of me and I couldn't do anything to stop it." Raph takes a deep breath as he remembers the traumatic night so many years ago, "I was injured from the fight, I couldn't move. Your Auntie April had to help me to stand up properly. Yet despite my circumstances and knowing I couldn't do anything, I still felt as if it was all my fault. How I was the one to blame for everything despite it being out of my control... The person I lost was your grandfather."

"Grandpa Splinter?" Sal asked.

Raph nodded.

Sal has only ever heard stories of his late grandfather, mostly from his Uncle Leo who talks of him so proudly. He's seen photos of him too, though he looked old, being a giant rat man, there was no doubt from what he heard that his grandpa was a wise, strong and skilled ninja master. However, the story of his passing was always a mystery to him, his siblings and cousin. Whenever the topic is brought up everyone goes silent. Sal has even tried asking his mom about his Grandpa Splinter, but she would tell him that is not a story she has a right to tell. To think, Sal would finally know the story of his grandfather's passing and to learn it was his father's greatest burden as well.

"If I'm honest, I sometimes still think that way, it haunts me and I felt in that moment that I was reliving it again..." his father tells him, his eyes beginning to tear up as well. "I was scared I was going to lose you, the same way I lost my father. I made my choice. So if losing my eye was the price I pay to keep you safe, then it was worth it." Raph looks at Sal, caressing his hand against his cheek, wiping away a tear with his thumb as he leans towards his son. Gently Raph rests his forehead against Sal's, closing his eyes and through the silence he tells him softly with a calm smile, "So please know that this was not and will never be your fault. I would do anything to keep you safe. You mean the world to me, my son. I love you so much. "

"I love you too, Dad!" The boy cries, jumping into his father's arms for a hug. In their embrace, Raphael and Sal cried, both of relief, sadness and love. The boy and his father were silent as they cried in each other's arms.

"You really mean what you said?" Sal's voice muffled through their hug.

"Huh?"

Sal pulls aways to look at his dad. Whipping away his tears he asks, "About how you think I'll be a great big brother."

Raph smiles with confidence, "I don't just think, I know! Your future little brother or sister is gonna be the luckiest kid in the whole galaxy to have a big brother like you!"

Sal giggles, "And I'm gonna get stronger for them! I'll be a big strong fighter like you and mom, so next time a stupid robo shark or any bad guy tries to harm our family, I'll be strong enough to kick their butt all on my own!"

"That's my boy!" Raph cheers, lifting Sal up in his arms and tossing him up and down as the two laugh together. Their smiles and laughter was all Sal and his father needed. Joy brought into their lives again after the terror they faced.

    As the father and son duo returned for another embrace, they were soon greeted with more smiling faces.

"DAD!!" The Irrilia and Thalos shout with joy from the sight of their father, quickly running towards him, climbing onto the bed and tackling him.

"Irrilia! Thalos! My little fighters! I missed you so much!" Raph cheered, attacking his daughter and son with a bear hug and kisses.

"I'm sorry, my love, but the children couldn't wait anymore. They wanted to see you." Mona says, entering the room and sitting down on the bed next to Raph.

"Don't be!" Raph smiles at his wife while refusing to let go of his three children from his grasp, "I'm so happy to see you all again!"

"We're so sorry dad!" Irrilia says, holding her father tightly.

"Next time we wanna go camping, can we just do it in our backyard?" Thalos suggests.

"I'd like that!" Sal jumps with excitement, "We can do it with our new little sister too!"

Suddenly the Hamato family all froze. Irrilia and Thalos look at their little brother confused while Mona and Raph share a curious glance at one another.

"Sister?" Irrilia and Thalos repeat confused.

"G'throkka, how do you know it's a girl?" Mona asked.

He shrugs, "I don't." Carefully Sal crawled across the bed to lay on his mother's lap, gently placing his head on her belly. A peaceful smile grows on his face, "I just have a feeling..."

"Well, regardless" Raph says, finally letting go of Irrilia and Thalos, letting them rest their heads on their father's shoulders while sitting on his lap, giving them a sense of safety and security in his loving embrace, "I'm glad you're all safe..."

Raphael then looks over at his wife. With a warmhearted smile, he gently places his hand over her stomach, "All of us."

Smiling back at her husband, Mona Lisa leaned towards Raphael. The couple share a tender kiss, much to their children's disgust before grouping their children together in a big family embrace.

Finally reunited after the terrors they faced, the Hamato family enjoyed the soothing silence while resting in the comfort of each other's arms. A sense of tranquility came over them all, both for the parents and their three children, knowing the horrors were finally over. This camping trip beyond the cosmos didn't go as planned for the Hamato family, but it made them all come back stronger together.