On the eve of their nineteenth birthday, before the clock strikes midnight, the turtles gather in the dojo as students for the final time.

Splinter stands beneath the tree, hands folded over his emerald staff. Despite the late hour, Destiny, Sarina, April, Casey, Taylor, and Annalise observe from the sidelines. The turtles wait their turn. Each of them wears black belts and black wrappings around their hands and feet.

One by one, the turtles come forward to demonstrate their skills as individuals. Each brother moves with purpose, their bodies strong yet graceful, powerful. As each one finishes their demonstration, they take their place at the other side of the dojo, kneeling as they await their next turn.

As Michelangelo lands his final backflip, nunchucks aimed, Splinter motions for him and his brothers to kneel before him. Leonardo, Raphael, and Donatello rise to their feet, joining their youngest brother on the mat.

Splinter reaches for the first of four sleek boxes and sets it before him.

"Leonardo."

Leonardo bows forward as Splinter opens the box, revealing a new set of katanas: black handles with a guard shaped like the crest of the Hamato clan. Leonardo's hands flex against the floor, visibly biting back the smile growing behind his eyes.

"The katana is a noble blade with a rich history. These ones have been in the Hamato clan for generations. Many leaders have wielded them and now, you shall join them."

Leonardo tenderly removes the first blade from the box. They're slimmer than the ones he's grown accustomed to, beautiful in their simplicity but no less deadly, and he pops it from its sheath to let the metal glint in the light.

"Arigatou gozaimasu," Leonardo says with another low bow.

"Return to your brothers a master."

He does so. Splinter reaches for the second box.

"Raphael."

Raphael takes his place, bowing deeply, and Splinter reveals a new pair of sai, the handles wrapped in the same black material as Leonardo's katanas. There's a small etching of the Hamato crest at the base.

"The sai is a defensive weapon, built for those unafraid to get in close, to protect their comrades," Splinter says. "Raphael, you are a protector, and I know these weapons will serve you well."

"Arigatou gozaimasu," Raphael murmurs, taking the sai from their box.

"Return to your brothers a master."

Raphael returns. Splinter brings forth the third.

"Donatello."

Donatello moves forward, bowing, and Splinter reveals a small cylinder of black metal emblazoned with a silver Hamato crest, about half the size of a regular bō. For a second, confusion passes Donatello's face, but Splinter nods and motions to the box.

"The bō is only as strong and clever as its user," Splinter says. A tiny smile breaks through his professional mask. "But this one has a slight upgrade, fitting for someone of your skills."

"Arigatou gozaimasu," Donatello says.

He takes the cylinder from the box and stands. At the smallest command from his grip, the cylinder extends, revealing a wooden staff reinforced with stripes of black metal throughout. Donatello spins it once, eyes wide, and shifts his thumb. A naginata blade pops from one end, sleek and sharp as it points to the ceiling.

"Woah...awesome," Donatello says softly as a grin spreads across his face.

"Return to your brothers a master."

Donatello retracts the staff as he bows. As he returns to his brothers, Splinter's gaze falls on Michelangelo, his youngest, staying surprisingly still despite the clear excitement lighting up his face.

Splinter smiles softly. "Michelangelo."

Michelangelo hurries forward, head held high, and he kneels before his father as he brings out the final box. Inside, a pair of black nunchaku, the chain shiny and new, the Hamato crest stamped on the bottom of each handle.

"The nunchaku requires keen awareness of your body and the world around you to tame their wild nature," Splinter says. Michelangelo's eyes widen a little. "They are perfect for you, Michelangelo, just as they were so long ago."

Michelangelo's eyes get dewy even as he bows. "Arigatou gozaimasu, sensei," he whispers.

"Return to your brothers a master."

With all four of them together again, new weapons in hand, Splinter steps forward.

"It has been my greatest pride to teach you, my sons, and flourish within the art of ninjutsu. My hope is that, even as masters, you can continue to grow and to someday pass on your wisdom to the next generation. Above all, I pray that you never stop learning, changing, as you become men."

All four of them bow at the waist, reverent, and Splinter rests his fist in his palm as he too bows to his sons. For a moment the silence lingers.

Michelangelo breaks from the line first, throwing his arms around Splinter's middle in a tight hug. Splinter's ears tuck back as he smiles, returning the embrace, and the others follow, surrounding their father in a group hug.

----------

"You look really good in black, you know that?"

Leonardo puts his hands on his hips as he puffs up a little. "You're not so bad yourself."

Destiny smirks, grabbing him by the strap across his plastron and dragging him in for a long kiss. He accepts it readily, stealing more when she starts to pull back. She giggles against him, tail wagging.

"Master Leonardo," she murmurs, planting a kiss on the corner of his mouth.

"Des, we're not alone, y'know," he responds, keeping his voice low, secretive.

"Let's hope they're focused elsewhere, hm?"

Luckily, they're correct. Sarina cups Donatello's face in her hands, unable to stop smiling at him and him unable to resist returning it.

"I do hope you like the staff," she says. "Splinter requested my help in manufacturing it."

"It's fantastic, darling. You really do improve everything about my life."

She drags her hands down his plastron, batting her eyelashes. "Everything?"

His heart skips a beat and he swallows. "E-Everything."

"I do adore how I can still make you blush, Donatello." His cheeks darken even as she leans up to steal a kiss. She brings his ear to her lips. "I would offer you a special birthday gift, but I have left that ball in your hypothetical court."

He almost blacks out for a second, swallowing hard, and she giggles.

"Master Raphael, teach me your ways, oh, master—"

"Alright, that's already getting old," Raphael growls, throwing a weak punch Taylor's way.

She catches his fist, kissing his knuckles. "Aw, en serio? Cojo."

She smirks and throws a punch towards his face that he deftly blocks, setting off a mini sparring session as the two of them dart and dance around the dojo floor, throwing punches, barely kicking each other, Taylor goading him in Spanish as her eyes glint.

"Man, I need you guys to stop getting older and cooler," Annalise sighs. "High school feels so...lame."

"You'll be out of there before you know it! Junior year lays ahead, cupcake!" Michelangelo says. His eyes glint. "Do you guys do prom? Could I go to your prom?"

She blinks. "You know...you could. The guys from the photography club are really interested in meeting you."

His eyes seem to sparkle. "Oh man, that'd be suh-weet! I can't wait!"

He scoops her into a tight hug, smothering her face in kisses, and she squeals with glee. "Mikey, that tickles!" He grins as he releases her and she catches her breath, still smiling. "Only you would be more excited about prom than becoming a freakin' ninjutsu master."

"Eh, wrong," he says, imitating a buzzer. "I'm excited for everything all the time, especially if it involves you."

She flushes to her ears. "Ohmygod, stawp, I'm blushinggg," she whines, half-joking as she claps her hands over her cheeks.

Casey and April watch their friends as they lean against the dojo wall. Casey sighs, slinging his arm over April's shoulder, and she tucks her head against him.

"I wish I could be a master of something," he says. He pumps his fist. "Master of destruction. Master of kicking butt. Master of—"

"You could get a master's degree," April suggests.

He flaps his lips. "Please. If they ever offer a course in international bounty hunting, sign me up."

"I'll do just that. Promise."

He looks at her. "Think you'll ever become a ninjutsu master?"

She purses her lips, tilting her head to and fro. "I mean, for the turtles...this is the closest they can get to a career. I'm glad I can fight, but I'm probably going to focus on more human things, you know?"

He wiggles his eyebrows. "What kinda human things? Can I join?"

She lightly punches his stomach. "Get through high school and then we'll talk."

"Aw, but that'll take forever." He grins, eyes glinting with amusement.

"You're impossible, Jones."