Difference Between The Appearance - Blog Posts

@jelly-belly326 I did it! I started posting Difference Between the Appearance on Ao3! Check it out here on tumblr or there on Ao3(if you haven’t already of course!)

Chapter 10 Part 2

After two weeks of training and a few arguments over this with Jennika, Karai could finally return to her mission. Eastman High stood before her as she walked towards it. The alley she was in cast a shadow to all those in it hiding her from the morning sunlight.

She had been waiting for this day for 2 weeks. And yet she still felt completely and utterly unprepared.

Crud.

What was she supposed to do? What would she even say to April? And even if Karai thought of something that wasn’t complete shit, would she even listen? Had she waited to long and lost her chance to fix this?

Karai felt it coming. Great timing.

She calmly pulled out her elixir and downed it. Against her piling fears, Karai stepped out and walked inward into the school. Breezing past the chaos of the hallways, making it to her locker was actually pretty easy. What wasn’t was holding her surprise to find April waiting right in front of it.

Oh shit.

Well at least I can’t put this off. Karai let out breath before continuing to the locker. She decided to get straight to the point. Dropping her bag she started the task of getting the supplies needed for her first 3 periods. She had already been taught most of this(other than American History) but it was still necessary for the facade. “Hey.”

April, not noticing Karai’s quick arrival, was startled at first before displaying a nervous smile. “Karai!”

Karai hummed in response pretending to be focusing on her task. This would hopefully give her enough time to think of the right words to say before apol-

“I’m sorry about making you upset.”

What?

The words that left her friends mouth shocked her. She didn’t mean to guilt trip her like that. At least not a big part of her. A small part still felt annoyed, and hurt, and . . . afraid. Afraid for Aprils safety as well as the friendship that came with it.

It was selfish and some of it happened because of ulterior motives. But April was still a fun person. Not in the annoying careless or petty way that most other people their age were. But the kind that actually made Karai genuinely laugh sometimes. Like it wasn’t all a facade.

She dreaded the thought of losing that.

April continued after a beat. “It’s really sweet that you’re trying to look out for me. Now I know that stuff makes you feel . . . uncomfortable, I guess? And I won’t dig and we don’t have to talk about it but . . .” She gripped the back of her neck with her hands giving a light massage to herself. A more solemn look was on her face. After a deep breath she finished. “I need you to understand that I can’t stop my research because of what may happen to me. My friends need my help. I can’t fight like they can so this is kinda my only way of helping them. I need to do this for them. I should do more but I can’t so I can’t stop doing the one thing I can to help.”

Karai was now giving her full attention to April. Locked closed as she leaned against it. Her arms were crossed so tightly across her chest that it hurt. The mild pain kept her grounded.

She was honestly surprised. April looked surprised at herself too. A flash of pride humbly blended in. Yeah she is definitely gonna use some of that for some kind of story.

But this meant that she was still writing about TCRI. April could get hurt. Be it at the cost of her pride, her profession, her hope . . . maybe even her life.

But Karai couldn’t help but admire her loyalty. Her risk of her safety for her friends. Something she herself had been taught was of the utmost importance for her entire rememorable life.

Karai let out a sigh. This girl owes me soo bad.

She guessed that she could buy some time for April. She was already misleading her father about the mutants. What harm could one human of all whom the entire foot is supposed to be fighting for do?

Karai would be a pretty big hypocrite if she didn’t anyway.

Karai let out a light chuckle, rewielding a smug look she hadn’t been able to for a pretty long time. “Nice job O’Neil. Apology excepted.”

April looked up, face brightening in surprise and naive relief. “Really?! So we’re cool now.” Her curls bobbed as she bounced on her heels.

“Hell yeah. Besides.” Karai hefted her backpack onto her back. “What you’re doing is pretty honorable. So if you wanna risk your life, it’s no one else’s job to look out for you.”

There was beat of silence. For a few moments Karai was worried that she said something wrong. But then April barked out in laughter. “Sorry!” She wheezed. “But did you get that from, like, Oprah? Or Keanu Reves? That was-Man. That was corny.”

“Not half as corny as your blue turtle friend.” Karai countered. Things were finally starting to return to normal.

“Hey! He’s not that corny. And I dunno it’s kinda sweet to me.”April played with her beanie with one hand, lower palm on her cheek. Karai could see the blush her friend was miserably failing to hide. Oh these two are definitely made for each other.

They continued back and forth down the hall until they made it to homeroom. Technically the sophomores and freshmen were supposed to have separate homerooms, but as most American schools do they ran out of money and willing teachers with experience. Besides, Karai was already joining 2 months before summer vacation. So Karai and April got the luxury of sharing one.

As per usual the teacher was paying no attention to the students talking simultaneously in a way that blended into familiarity. Karai looked around the classroom, seeing the expected different groups and cliques and . . . the four mutant turtles?! They were back in school already?!

Karai was trained so that she could look emotionless on the outside. But what was she supposed to about the inside?! Calm down. Calm down. You may recognize them but they probably won’t recognize you.

“Guys!” April shouted rushing towards the four in a big group hug. “April!”

They all crashed into each other, mindful enough not to draw attention but carelessly showing their affection. Karai could get a better view of each one now. The red and biggest one, the supposed hothead on the wrestling team. The purple and scrawniest one, the genius who almost moved up two grades despite having no academic experience. The blue and tall one, the worry wart with a very obvious crush on her best friend to everyone except surprisingly her. And the smallest and orange one who-

Oh shit! He knows ME!

Reality came crashing down. Karai forgot how carelessly she had exposed herself to the Foot’s previous captor. How he almost immediately called her out upon glancing.

April had broken the hug and turned to her hand still firmly on the orange turtle’s shoulder. “Oh! Karai I forgot to introduce you guys. You already know Leo.”

This could not be happening. Her dad was going to kill her for such an obvious mistake. April was going to hate her. Her panic just kept on rising internally. But externally the only thing showing was horrid, restricted pupils and a bead of sweat comically coming down from her forehead.

April continued going down the line of turtles. “This is Raph. Donnie. And Mikey.” While April looked back at Karai with a bright smile, the turtles seemed to share a look of suspicion.

No no no no no no.

“Hey do we know you from anywhere?” The blue on-Leo finally asked. Karai didn’t answer instead just quickly glancing at the orang-Mikey. She expected to see hatred and anger on his face. Fear for all of the pain he had been caused. But instead his face only seemed to be filled with . . . pity? Like he could see her panic. It was almost childish and calming.

But then his eyes narrowed and his head tilted slightly. “Yeah I know you.”

Oh crud. She forgot that children will always tell the bluntest of truths. It was coming she knew this was happening. It would all come crashing down an-

“You’re in my 4th period Art.”

What?

Karai looked up letting the tiniest flash of shock show on her face. She realized she was taking too long and quickly cleared her throat. “Oh-uh yeah I guess. Hi.” She spoke stiffly, readjusting herself.

Thank god. Er-I guess a mutant turtle.

The mood seemed to settle from there. April continued the conversation. “Guys this is Oroku Karai.” Her friend wrapped an arm around her shoulder so Karai sent a sarcastic smile her way.

The pur-Donnie spoke up. “Like anime?” His voice held a hint of excitement as it cracked.

“Oi, kotoba-dzukai ni ki o tsukero.” That got a chuckle out of him and it was easy enough for Karai to fake hers. “But seriously don’t compare people like that.”

“Oh yeah! Right! Sorry!”

“Geez Don.” The re-Raph pulled Donnie into a headlock. “You’re going to get a Leo chasm bigger than Leo’s.” Leo firmly smacked Raph on the back of the head whilst he noogied. Mikey laughed at his brother’s antics and then looked at Karai.

She didn’t know, it kind of felt instinctual, but he must have spotted her mouth out “thank you”. He winked in response causing Karai to roll her eyes.

This was selfish. She knew that she would eventually be betraying them. Eventually these funny moments would be seen as fake news. Eventually all of these fond memories would hurt April. But Karai was selfish. Downright snake like.

What the hell? Karai could pretend to enjoy being around mutants to enjoy this for now.

Previous Masterpost

ITS FINISHED!!! My dorky little Karai and her panic attacks. She’s not perfect and she’s kinda gonna lead them on but she just wants some friends. I tried showing a bit of their dynamics. They might come off a little like a-holes but that’s what teenagers are sometimes. I hope you guys like this. I will take a break before reposting this on Ao3(hopefully so that this chapter is reposted on the one year anniversary).

Cowabunga turtle fanz!

Chapter 10 Part 1

“For years, I have trained you.”

Her father began standing before his throne. Karai stood with her head bowed. She knew this was coming. But the shock and fear still found a way to creep into her.

“Perfected you. Raised you. Created a vision into what this clan could live up to.”

Her father’s cold voice became harsher and harsher as it rose on each word. He paced to the wall.

“And now . . .”

Her father punched the wall, immediately creating a spiderweb of cracks.

Shimata

Karai had never seen anything good happen when he was this filled with rage. She needed to think of something. Anything. Now.

“THIS IS HOW YOU REPAY ME?! BY SURRENDERING THE MISSION?! BY NOT ONLY LETTING THEM LIVE! BUT TO ALLOW THEM TO ESCAPE AS WELL. THOSE VILE RATCHET BARBARIC CHIKU-”

“There are more.”

A beat of silence followed Karai’s interruption.

“What?”

Oh shimata that actually worked. Keep Going!

“There are more mutants. Than the four terrapin creatures. From what I gathered they consider themselves a family. Cousins and siblings.”

Her father’s figure loosened from its original stature. Moving to have his arms crossed behind him, back facing Karai. “And? What importance does this have to your failure?”

Karai was fighting both her giddy relief and anxiety at this point. To massive beast clawing at the edges of her mask.

“So instead of raising alarm to all of the mutants by obtaining a small group, why not use my role more to our advantage? If I gathered enough information you could devise the perfect plan to obtain all of the mutants. TCRI will have so many mutants in reach that they are more than likely to leave the majority to your disposal.”

A long stretch of silence came before the two warriors. Karai was preparing herself for the worst. Any day could be the end so she had to be prepared.

“You have impressed me my daughter. You may proceed with the mission. I will contact TCRI.”

She let out a heavy breath of relief. That was close.

“But. You still disobeyed me. And therefore a punishment must be imposed to restore your honor.”

Karai hesitated before bowing once more. There was no point in fighting or begging for this to stop. She chose this path but she wouldn’t be foolish enough to leave it to head into the woods.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He really let his anger out with that.

Karai hissed as she covered a bruise forming on her cheek. This was the least of her problems. She had plenty of other injuries. Plus 2 weeks of being suspended from field work.

That meant no school. No kickboxing. No hanging out with April. . . Nevermind. That still wasn’t an option until she apologized. But hey. She only had to wait 2 weeks for that awkward conversation. Yaaay

Speaking of which, Karai might as well have put her mask back on before she walked into her shared room. But no she was too tired for that and could use a discussion with Jennika no matter how restricted the seriousness of the tone could be.

She was already half way to her bed before her sister noticed her arrival. She was fiddling with her guitar. A common sign that quite the show had happened while she was gone.

“You will not believe how low Lieutenant has fallen. I saw him sparring with like 2 newbies, straight of the street, and they beat his ass so go-”

Jennika stopped mid sentence as Karai dropped to sit on her bed. Her wide smile of mischief was swapped with a look of concern melting from rage to annoyance. Jenn threw done her guitar carelessly.

“Ano meinu no musuko.” Karai’s roommate grumbled as she dug around for their first aid kit. They always made sure to have one in case of training or . . . situations. Like this.

Karai didn’t need to handle another situation right now. Especially if it put Jennika in danger. “Hey. Don’t bring my grandmother into this.”

Jenn turned her head furiously. “Unless she was like you then I don’t give a shit.”

“And if she was?” Karai playfully countered.

“Then screw me. At least she probably wasn’t half as reckless with her body as you are with yours.” Jenn flicked her forehead. Karai didn’t mind. She managed to lighten the mood.

Instead of focusing on Jenn’s poor medical technique, she started to pick that the fabric of the mattress. It was soft and firm.

. . .

“Jenn.”

Her sister hummed in response.“Thanks for breaking the tension. Felt like I was bouta choke on it.”

That got a chuckle out of both of them.

“I . . . I need you to call me a different name. When we’re out doing missions.”

“Is this because of the talk that got you and dad into this whole situation?” Jenn dramatically jestured to her face at the last bit.

Karai was honestly a little shocked. Her sister was blunt to say the least. But not usually when it came to situations. One of the few topics where she kept her opinion to herself. Karai was used to and thankful for that.

It wasn’t much of a topic one would like to discuss.

“Can we not talk about it?”

“Who said we would?”

Karai really did try not to let the feelings show but somehow they snuck onto her face. Jenn seemed to notice, seeing by the way her face detensed. She let out a frustrated sigh.

“Whatever happened, all I know is the only reason you’re here is because whatever you did that upset him was important enough to you to make you do it and find excuse to get you out.” Jenn pressed her forehead against Karai’s. “As long as you’re still smart and careful enough to keep getting out alive enough to be fixable then I don’t need to ask anything.”

Karai smiled as she leaned into her sister. “Watashi?”

“Anata.”

They sat for a while. It was dangerous to have moments like this in public. Compassion can be used easily as a tool against you in a ninja clan. Especially one as prestige as the Foot. So they saved this for their room. When they needed a place and person to let the walls fall down.

Jenn broke the silence by getting up to pick up her guitar. “So.” She clapped on the word. “What do you want me to call you? On the field?”

Karai thought about that for a minute. Looking around the room before landing on her bed. An old ichimatsu doll rested in the corner. Supposedly from her mother. She remembered blurs of being quite attached to the thing. But could never hook onto the memory of how the silky hair had become stained from blood.

“How about Miwe?”

Jenn snorted as she flopped back on her bed, guitar in her lap. “Alright! I like it. You ready to hear about what happened while you were gone now, Miwe.”

Karai chuckled at the thought of such antics. “Sure. I’ve got time to kill.”

Previous Masterpost Next

ONE MORE PART AND WE’RE DONE WITH THIS STORY!!! Ah I had so much fun writing the sisters ever in the Foot (yes they are sisters and no they aren’t a ship). As well as sprinkling in a little lore. Stay tuned for the last part.

Cowabunga turtle fanz!

Chapter 9 Part 2

Mikey was too scared to wake up. His head pounded like the Liberty Bell, with a crack just as big. Every part of his body ached. He didn’t want to go through any more of it. He hated the thought of seeing Leo go through it. He hated himself for not having the strength to go through it with him and he-

His hands were at his sides. The chains were gone.

Or at least they felt they were gone.

Oh God did he DIE?!

No. That couldn’t be it. He could still feel the pain of his very battered body. Sadly that was “good” sign that he was alive. He could feel his slow huffs of breathe and . . . a mattress? Blankets?

Where was he? Last he remembered he was talking to . . . Leo? Was he really home?

Man my head hurts.

Why was he thinking so slow? He wasn’t slow. He was the fastest of his brothers. He couldn’t be slow.

But was he home?

It felt like he had to summon every ounce of strength in his body for Mikey to open his eyes. They were all crusty and ached badly. Right. Bruised. Again.

The roof of a pipe was above him. To his left were dozens of wrestling and hockey posters as well as sticky notes (Wait he recognized that handwriting). To his right was . . . Raph?

There, right next to him, with his head buried in arms crossed over the edge of the mattress, was Raph. Mikey was home. The joy flooded through him so quickly he almost felt like crying. Don’t cry! Just say something.

“Ra-ngh.” Shell his head hurt so bad. Merely thinking made him want to puke. So he hissed and clicked in annoyance and pain.

But that was enough to get Raph’s attention. “Mike.” He sounded a little confused as he woke up. But laying his eyes on his awake brother replaced the tiredness with excitement in mere seconds. “Mikey!”

Before Mikey could respond, Raph pulled his little brother into one of his signature hugs. It felt so good. Mikey forgot how good this felt. He wrapped his arms around his older brother and nuzzled his snout as far as it could go into the embrace. He never wanted it to end.

. . . until he did.

Raph rested his head on top Mikey’s and the moment of joy ended. Mikey pulled back harshly as the agony of his injury returned. “Oh shit! Sorry I forgot you’re still healing.” Raph moved his hands to awkwardly pat him on the shoulder.

Mikey let short groan as he gripped the back of his head. A thick cap of bandages were wrapped securely on the back of his skull. As he brought his hands in front of him he sat that they were speckled with bandaids. “Wha happnd.”

Mikey’s slogging brain was starting to make him run short on patience. Man this headache SUCKS.

“Well when we got you back, it got a little . . . chaotic to say the least.” Raph started out slowly, rechecking over the bandages that Mikey know realized were his handy work. “At first Donnie wanted to get you two to the hospital but Leo just started panicking. Going on and on about those assholes finding you again and it not being safe. And it’s so annoying cause-”

“Wait. Us two? Is Leo ok?! Did the-”

“Don’t worry. He’s fine.” Raph repositioned himself so that Mikey could see the oldest in his bed. Sound asleep. Safe. “A little banged up and bruised but fine. He was just being-” Raph stopped and thought for a moment before continuing. “Difficult. About sleeping before you could wake up.”

Mikey immediately understood. Leo’s anxiety was pretty bad sometimes during normal days. After something like this . . . Mikey felt like part of him found even more understanding for that now.

“You know he can’t help it, right?” That was probably pretty stupid. Raph was his twin. Of course he would know. What Mikey meant was to make sure he understood.

There was a moment of silence before Raph responded.

“Yeah. Yeah I know. It’s just-he needed his rest just as much as you did.” Just as he said that Mikey started to sway, barely being caught by Raph. “Scratch that. As much as you do.”

“What! Come on. I just woke up.” Mikey scrunched up his face into a very not fussy frownie face. With his arms crossed over his chest, he firmly leaned further into his older brother. He might be grumpy but his still missed his brothers.

Speaking of he was missing one. “Where’s Donnie?”

Raph seemed to be done with his inspection of Mikey’s bandages. “He’s on the phone with April in the den. They’re trying to figure out more about the-um y’know. The guys who attacked us.”

Mikey’s face melted at the thought of those people. In fact his whole body melted into Raph. His hands moved rhythmaticly up and down his arms over the many bandaids on them. Why did they do all of this? Why did it hurt so bad? Why am I still so scared?

“But they’re gone right?” Mikey could barely make out the sound of his own voice. He felt his throat close.

Suddenly his heart started pounding in his ears. The panic and shock smacked into his body. He could feel himself trembling as he squeezed his arms. His breathing was so quick and short it felt like it wasn’t there.

Air started fleeing from his grasp only to he replaced by a feeling of dread. It felt like the gentlest touch could break that glass cage he was in. Sending the broken shards into him.

“Mikey.”

Mikey yelped at the sudden sound. His body popped into his shell so fast Raph had to catch it before it fell. Keep it together. Stop falling apart. Why am I falling apart? It’s over now. Stop being so stupid.

The flashes of pain from his injuries in the usually secure space did nothing to help his panic. His breath was still way too quick. Everything was scream at him that he had to run. To hide. To-

Mikey felt a soft hand rubbing the top of his shell.

“It’s ok Mike. They’re all gone now. No one’s gonna hurt you.” Raph took a break, stopping his hand to rest on Mikey’s shell. “I’ll never let them do that to you again.”

Mikey popped his head back out of his shell. His other limbs followed in suit as he turned to Raph. “Really?”

Raph’s face morphed into his casual smugness. “Hell yeah. None of us will.”

Much to Mikey’s surprise he started laughing. “Man that was so corny.”

“Not half as corny as Leo though.”

Mikey couldn’t help the giggles that erupted. “No offense but I feel like that’s impossible.”

Raph joined in his laughter before a very groggy groan sounded from the other side of the room. “I have the subtle feeling that I have just been insulted.”

“Leo!”

“Mikey? Oh my god! Mikey!”

Leo seemed to speed across the room like his life depended on it. Mikey almost fell backwards by how hard his big brother slammed into him, wrapping him in a warm embrace. He squeezed back mindful of his injuries and the bruises on Leo’s arms. He felt tears slip from the corners of his eyes, while Leo’s landed on his head. “Thank God you’re ok.” His big brother whispered.

Mikey leaned further into the hug. “You too.” He whispered back.

After a few moments, heavy footsteps could be heard walking in from the den. The curtain opened to reveal a very groggy Donnie. Glasses croaked and coffee(that he probably shouldn’t have been having) in hand. “Guys. Try not to be so loud. We don’t wanna wake up Mi-”

“Hi Dee!” Mikey felt his full smile spread across his face for what felt like the first time in ages. It felt soo good.

The mug fell it the floor with a clunk. And suddenly Donnie was koala bear hugging Mikey. His immediate older brother’s shoulders rose and fell stiffly. Mumbles were muffled in the tight embrace but Mikey understood perfectly. “Missed you too Dee.”

Leo and Raph joined in and Mikey could finally enjoy the moment that he oh so desperately needed. Had it really only been- wait how long had it been? Whatever. He chose to ignore those thoughts and enjoy the moment. Answers would come in a bit.

Happiness like this needed to be cherished now.

After a while Donnie was the one to break the silence with his many many many questions. “How are you feeling? Do you feel warm? Cold maybe? Do you remember what happened? How many fingers am I holding up? When’s our birthday? Are you comfy?”

“Wow. Wait to ruin the moment Dee.” Mikey spoke through the hands smushing his cheeks.

“Sorry! It’s just-”

Mikey gave his brothers shell firm pats. “I know Dee. Don’t worry. I’m ok now.”

He truly was ok now that he was with his family. Well at least some of his family. “Where’s Dad?”

“Oh he went to a few stores with Scumbug.” Leo said rubbing the back of his neck. “They wanted to get you some medicine and stuff. It’s actually kinda good that he’s not here because he’s started acting a little different.”

Raph snorted. “Different is one way to say it.” Donnie broke into held back giggles whilst Mikey was non the wiser to whatever this whole situation was.

“What? What is he doing?”

Donnie took a break from his giggles for a moment. “He’s started speaking in Vermin for Scumbug.”

Mikey thought for a moment. Wait Vermin? As in- OH MI GOSH!

Mikey let out a short burst of laughter. “Whhahut?”

“You heard the turtle.” Raph chimed in wrapping arm around the younger’s shoulders. “Dad’s gone so head over heels for Scumbug that he’s speaking in clicks and squeaks.”

“Hey. I think it’s kind of endearing.” Donnie said.

“Says the guy whose best tutor in dating is Avatar the Last Airbender.”

Mikey laughed at his brothers’ antics as Donnie flicked Raph in the snout. A yawn escaped from the smallest turtle. And of course Leo immediately kicked into big brother mode. “Come on you two knock it off. Mikey needs his rest.”

“What?! I just woke up!”

“Yeah but your body is still healing.”

Raph chimed in. “Look in the mirror, Leo. So are you.”

That shut Leo up pretty quick. Raph was right judging by the bruises that covered the oldest, but they weren’t the only ones in need of some good RnR.

Raph had some pretty ghastly bags under his eyes and Donnie looked he just pulled 3 all-nighters in a row(Mikey should know since he was the only one who found out that he did it before). The youngest pondered on the situation for a moment before finding the perfect solution.

“Turtle pile?”

Leo and Donnie looked up in surprise before turning to their red cross, Raph. The fiery brother thought it over before answering(a rare move for the turtle). “As long as he’s on top and we’re mindful of his head then I’m down.”

“Diddo.” Donnie responded.

Soon enough they were all in their respective spots. Other than Leo and Mikey of course who got the rare luxury of the top. Donnie begrudgingly agreed to do the middle only because he didn’t want bottom, which was always Raph’s spot due to his size anyway. The youngest was safely tucked under Leo’s out stretched arm.

Whoever made this happen, thank you. Thank you so so much.

Previous Masterpost Next

FINALLY!!! THE FLUFF!!! Sorry for this being a tad bit long and dragged out but I’m saving the next to parts for a certain queen. Not gonna lie this chapter took a turn throughout the time I was writing it but I’m happy with how it turned out. Hope y’all like it(even though this is ending like a month too late).

Cowabunga turtle fanz!

Chapter 9 Part 1

Flashes of the fight flew past Leo’s eyes. Hands grabbing him. Arms locking him into place before the sharp pain his neck. Donnie and Raph’s faces as his head pounded before a numb shock.

RAPH! DONNIE!

Leo snapped his head up like a nutcracker slamming against another skull. Ow ow ow ow OW! Loud muffled voices were turned to his direction before something hit him back. OW!

Through his tight wince he opened his eyes. Whoever these people were, they put a duffel bag on his head. It made him feel stuffy and hot, feeling his own struggling breathes against his face.

He tried moving his arms but an arm around each of his own as well as a cold metal chain kept them in place behind him. Now normally this would be any easy feat to put a persons hands behind their back. But Leo was not normal and had shell. So he had to deal with the high discomfort of both chains and the edge of his shell. Greeaat.

Come on Leo! Think!

His legs were free. Maybe he could use that. He was, unfortunately to Raph’s liking, very bad on his feet but he was still a ninja.

Leo sucked in breath before trying to lock his legs in place. But his feet were just dragged against the harsh cement. And that hurt. Before he could try again, he was forced onto his knees, scrapping even more on the cement. A hand pushed down on the back of his shell as another yanked the duffel bag off his head.

There was no blinding light in face like they did in movies thank God but instead a darkness only shied away from by the moonlight.

Leo’s thought got cut short by a hands yanking his head back up. The face he was met with was one he would definitely avoid if he saw it at any other time. The face of some jerk who believed everyone should bow down or become some kind of zombie henchmen just by their presence. A manic smile crept up his face. “Well what do you know? The plan worked.”

What plan? I don’t have time for this I have to get back to Raph and Donnie and find-

“Leo?”

His little brother sounded so scared. But he was here. He was ok. Leo found him.

“Mikey?”

But his relief was quickly replaced by rage and his own fear looking at his brother’s body. Bruises in variety of sizes and color were almost everywhere. Blood trickled down the back of his neck and down his arms. None of those wounds managed to compare with the fear on his face. The fear caused by them.

Leo didn’t think through the swirling panic in his brain. Thrashing against the tight hold of the chains on his arms and hand on his face. “LET US GO!” He growled eyes screwed shut to avoid whatever could trigger him further on the outside.

Anxiety had quickly added itself to the storm in his brain. Lightning bolts of pain from struggles added to the pressure. He needed to get Mikey away from here now. His littlest brother was hurt and scared. He needed to be treated by at least Raph immediately. The injuries that peaked around from the back of his skull hinted that he had been slammed against the pillar behind him.

What if his shell was cracked? What if it was bleeding? What if-

Another sharp thwack of a spike bristled hand against Leo’s head broke him from his suffocating thoughts. The jerk in front of him forcefully grabbed his chin, yanking his head up to look at the cruel smile that formed. He was enjoying this. He was enjoying their pain and suffering like a tv show. “How about, no?”

As Leo face scrunched up in hatred, his captor broke into a cruel chuckle. “You two will be staying right here. That is until you’re ready for pick up.”

Through his anger, he shot a quick glance at his little brother. But who he saw didn’t look like Mikey. The orange banded turtle before him looked too stunned for that. Too lost. Too quiet. Too blinded by fear with no hope of optimism. But worst of all he looked too much like he had a month ago. When they were all healing and his little brother could barely hold it together.

Mikey was the one that made them feel better who built them back up when they got taken down. When Donnie got cyber bullied and it made him question himself Mikey talked him through it. When Raph got into big arguments with him Mikey talked to him in a way that made him listen for once. When Leo had a sensory overload Mikey was there with his breathing lessons and a favorite movie.

All of those times when they hadn’t felt like themselves, Mikey knew what to do. Almost like he knew them better than they did. But now Leo was looking at a turtle he wasn’t sure was the same.

Leo wanted to comfort him. To tell him it was gonna be ok. To take him home and make sure that he would be ok.

Sounds of vehicles in the distance stopped the conversation. “Ah. I guess you’ll be leaving sooner than I thought.”

No no no no no no No NO!

They couldn’t leave yet. Leo needed to find Raph and Donnie. He needed to tell them to stay away from here. He needed to get away from here. He needed to at least get Mikey out of here.

In the middle of his panic, Leo spotted a shadow moving above him. When he looked in the direction of the action, aka the giant whole in the ceiling, another shadow vaulted past. With … a glint of light reflecting off … something? Like glass?

Glasses! Donnie! Raph!

Leo must have let his excitement show because his captor turned to glare at where he was staring before swiftly returning it to the mutant. “What are you smiling about fre-?”

“GET THE SHELL AWAY FROM MY BROTHERS ASSHOLE!”

In a flash, Raph smashed his foot into his face, sending the criminal flying to the other side of the warehouse. After he made quick work of the two holding him in place his twin rushed to his side. “Leo!”

“Raph!” Leo excepted the embrace. Thank God. After a moment Raph pulled back unsheathing two swords, handing them off to him. Right. We still have a mission here. “Thanks.” Leo could hear Donnie in the background. He rose to his feet as he spoke. “You and Donnie fend the rest of these guys off. I’ll get Mikey. But when I give the signal we’re out here.”

“Got it.” Raph ran off to the fight as Leo turned to get to Mikey. Either his plan in action no one who was nearby needed anything more than a kick or a shove out of the way.

When Leo got to his little brother the weights on his chest felt like they were drop down his throat and into his stomach. Mikey hanging limp against the chains holding him up. He put a hand on his shoulder in an attempt to gently shake him awake, his voice dropping to a flat mutter. “Mike. Come on.”

Mikey groaned in response, hissing when Leo clenched the bruise forming on his shoulder too hard. Stepping back and taking a breath, Leo broke the chains in one swing. With Mikey detached from the pillar, he had a clear shot of the damage. It was cracked all spiraling to a whole in the center. Right where his head was. Coated with a thin layer of blood. The back of Mikey’s head looked like anyone could dent it with the smallest touch. But no one would probably ever wanna do that from the mere sight of it.

God Mikey. I’m so sorry.

Leo readjusted his little brother onto his back in a piggyback ride. “Raph! NOW!”

His twin stood beside Donnie as they both looked back with nod. Raph pulled a smoke bomb out of his pouch raising into the air. Leo raised his one as they smashed them down in unison and Pow!, they were gone.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On the rooftops Leo ran as fast as he could. He didn’t mind that he wasn’t thinking straight. He didn’t care that Donnie was mapping the way home (even though that was his job that he usually fought for). He was going to get Mikey home. Now.

Leo felt the arms around his shoulders tighten ever so slightly. His little brother murmured in a small voice. “Leo. Where are we going?”

Leo moved a hand to squeeze Mikey’s as he felt his brother fade again. “Home, Mikey. We’re going home.”

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Man I had an internal battle while fighting this. Our boy in orange gets to go home in celebration of Tales of the Tmnt being UNBELIEVABLY GREAT (that and we had to get to that part of the story). The last three parts coming up are definitely gonna be way more fun to write as I try to wrap this up before September(edit:spoilers I failed at that attempt). Hope y’all like this.

Cowabunga turtle fanz!

Chapter 8 Part 2

Shredder’s Private Dojo 7 Weeks Earlier

Karai’s tea felt warm on her lips. Her uncles recipe as she had been told. An aura of calm swept through her body like a spell.

That made sense. He always seemed magical in her memories. So full of life and joy. It brought the best out of many. Including her father.

But that man who used to smirk and laugh and tease with her uncle was not the same man across the chabudai in that moment. Not much proof was needed for this to be clear. Just by walking in the room he felt dark and cold like a forgotten corpse in the snow. Not many of Karais memories of her younger father were intact. Partly due to how long ago it was. Partly due to the fact that her parents went on missions frequently throughout her childhood. Partly due to the effects of her. . . “surgery”

But she could recall certain distinctions. His laughter. His smirks. His gentle yet firm arms as he carried the girl on his shoulder. Yet Karai could have been confusing him with her oji. That happened often. Sometimes when she tried to picture her father’s face without his helmet and mask all she could see was her oji.

Her train of thoughts along with the eerie silence of the room was broken by her sensei. “TCRI has located mutants within the city.”

What?

Mutants? The very demons who proved to be even more wretched than yokai and even oni by killing a quarter of the clan? Including her oji and . . .

mama.

“They have hired us to retrieve and deliver a specific 4. Turtles.” Her sensei rose from his seiza and moved slowly to the earthen walls of the dojo. A mural of a battle was painted on it. The face of the general was illuminated by the light of the surrounding rooms. Arms crossed behind his back he continued. “Their objective is to bring them back to their new stronghold alive and unharmed.”

Karai broke from her silence, letting one of her many questions slip out of her mouth. “What is wrong with their original stronghold?”

“Why do you think they want a specific 4 and not all of them? Yet.” Her sensei’s voice oozed with disgust and disappointed from her stupidity.

Wait. There are MORE!

“They are dangerous and skilled. Not to be taken lightly. Do you understand?”

Karai straightened at the cold remarks shaking her shock away as best as she could.

“Hai Sensei.”

Her father turned to her with a softer expression(at least from what she could guess).

“Which is why I will trust you with the mission.”

What?

Her father opened the door to the small balcony that viewed over the training rooms. She followed but made sure to keep a distance behind him. “You are to go undercover at the school the mutants are attending. Recover as much information as needed, report back to me as needed, and then.” In one fluent motion a kunai was thrown, barely missing Karai’s cheek as it flew and splintered itself into a wall. “Strike when the time is right.”

Karai thought over the proposal. Mutants were dangerous enough on their own from what she had been taught but trained warriors . . .

No. She had been training her whole life to avenge her clan. Her family. She couldn’t back down at the sight of a challenge.

“Hai Sensei.”

Shredder stayed seemingly frozen as he gazed onto the troops. That was her cue to leave. But as she started to he continued. “And one more thing.”

Karai’s eyes widened slightly. What? Did she miss something? A cue? A part of her mission?

“Ensure that there are as few survivors as possible. But of course leave no mess behind.”

“But our goal is to keep the mutants alive and unharmed.” Surprise and fear rushed in her body. Why was he being so cruel? Something’s wrong.

“I said their goal is to keep them alive and unharmed. I however have other plans.” His voice oozed with a substance like venom. Cold, dark, and insuring death upon those it landed on. Or in this case a deathly chill upon Karai. “But I am confident that you will be successful.” Another kunai was thrown this time slicing Karai’s cheek. She wanted to run but her muscles dared not move other than to allow a small gasp past her lips. “Correct, my daughter?”

Fear, as she had learned as a child was a very powerful thing. Flexible as nunchaku deadly as katana. But she had to remain the stronghold her father was determined to have her be. No matter what. ‘No exceptions, my daughter.’

“Hai Father.”

“Do not forget your place, child.”

. . .

“Hai Sensei.”

Somewhere in Harlem Present Day

What are you doing? Why are you holding back? Just KILL THEM.

Karai had her enemies trembling before her. Weakened and with no escape. The perfect opportunity to finish this.

So why couldn’t she do this. Why were her muscles held strained and taught? Messages from the inner thoughts in her brain were being sent to her body. But it refused to move like a rambunctious child.

You have one mission in your life. One. Just. Complete. It.

She was already in the perfect stance. Her weapon had been sharpened to a t. All she had to do was strike. Just. Strike.

Have you forgotten what they did to you? The foot? Your family? Complete the mission. Kill them.

Raph was so fucked.

His twin was gone. His youngest brother was gone. And the brother he did have with him was trembling next to him.

And what was the worst thing? He was helpless to protect any of them. Hell, he could barely catch his breath right now through the white hot pain of his own shell.

Why was this taking so long? Shouldn’t they be dead right now? He couldn’t hear Donnie screaming in agony?

Raph dared to pry his eyes open only to be met with their attackers amber ones. They were like some kind of cobra, piercing through the night and into his soul. Her eyes were wide in what he assumed to be cunning bloodlust. Her blade was raised so that one swift swing could slice Donnie’s head open like a can of tuna.

With the renewed fear Raph looked to his little brother. His nerdy sassy little brother. Who beat him at almost every video game he played. Who . . . had his arm stretched out infront of his body?

Was he really still trying to protect him? Cause he was pretty sure they were past that hope of someone making it out of this. They were both pretty royally fucked.

. . . Holy shit he’s trying to take the blow.

With that thought in mind, Raph squeezed Donnie’s shoulder harder and tried pushing his little brother back behind him. No way was he gonna take this blow. No damn way was Raph gonna let him do that while he could still protect the only brother he had left now.

Redirecting his gaze, he looked back up at there attacker with wide frightened eyes. Her eyes were sharp but her pupils remained unfocused as she looked the 2 turtles up and down. Weapon still raised.

And then her gaze . . . softened.

And then for a moment a wave of silence washed away the tension as eyes met eyes.

Breaking the silence, their attacker swiftly lowered her blade and muttered something under her breath (judging by the tone it sounded like a curse but the word itself was completely incoherent to Raph). She then spoke up. “The southern dock. Third warehouse down the row. Your associates are there. But you must leave now. TCRI is to retrieve them by midnight.”

Why the hell were they in a warehouse? How was TCRI involved with any of this? Why were these black market exchanges always at midnight?

Their attacker sheathed her weapon and took slow steps to the edge of the roof. Stopping briefly she turned her head slightly, one eye looking at them. “You may leave now. But this.” She paused before continuing. “Isn’t over.”

Raph was still processing all the information that had been dump on him like a waterfall. It took a few minutes before he could respond. “Thank-” When he looked up she was already gone.

Holy SHIT. What time is it?

Raph quickly yanked his phone from the pouch on his belt. Already 10:30?! They had to move now if what that random lady said was right. Without thinking Raph jumped to his feet and started off the roof to the dock.

But his younger brother nearly tripped him. Donnie was frozen in place, huffing air like it was evading him as fast as it had entered him.

“Donnie! Come on! We gotta go!”

He didn’t react to Raph was saying or doing but only flinched at the shouting. His breathing picking up speed.

Oh

Raph knew when his brothers were having these moments he needed to give them time and space. But they currently had zero time and the panic made him feel like they were loosing space for tension.

So Raph tried to find a middle ground by kneeling next to his brother. His arm firmly placed on his shoulder to ground the purple clad turtle. “D.”

This time Donnie looked up at Raph. Panic and confusion written all over his face. Raph didn’t really know what to do so he settled on trying to pull a Leo.“Come on. Let’s bring our brothers home.”

That seemed to readjust the young genius. “Right. Let’s go.”

After the elder of the two help the younger up, the ran back onto the rooftops once again. This time determined to bring their brothers home once for all.

Previous Masterpost Next

So yeah this chapter is a little long. But hopefully that’s a really good thing. Hope y’all enjoy this chapter and soak yourselves in the tiny bit of fluff and relief I gave you because you won’t be able to have that for a little bit. Again hope you guys like this chapter and my story because I’m tryna rap it up before Tottmnt(I probably won’t though). Cowabunga turtle fanz!

Chapter 8 Part 1

This would have been a perfect night.

Higher temperature with a cool breeze just light enough to be almost nonexistent. Jumbotrons from Time Square lighting the horizon as the usual chorus of the city blared.

This would have been one of those nights before the big battle that they would dream about. Where it would perfect to sit atop the rooftops and have a peaceful freedom filled night. Just 4 brothers and an amazing night.

“Dee you good?”

Raph’s call broke Donnie from his thoughts. Right. Find your brother then daydream.

“Yeah coming.”

Swiftly swinging to the Leo and Raph, Donnie remembered to put his thoughts together. Making a wall between emotions and the needed actions. Preventing one side from interfering with the other nice and orderly. Manageable. Controllable.

Oh who was he kidding? Nothing was in his control right now. It did anything but remain in control last night. And in every moment since then.

Focus

No need to have more worried faces resurface unless absolutely necessary.

Despite the conditions, an uneasy awkwardness had settled on the rooftop. Leo twitched his leg nervously(a bad stimming habit of his) as he looked down to the docks. Raph was completely silent, which brought both relief and concern to Donnie, as he watched his twin.

Donnie proceeded to move behind them, both an attempt to look at the docks below and push his lingering anxieties of strangers reappearing to attack to the side. The dock seemed to be clear. Nothing looked out of the ordinary or suggestive to their missing brother. What if this was just an empty lead? What if they were wasting another night looking in the wrong places?

He heard Leo bring up that TCRI may be involved. What if Mikey was already wherever they had retreated to?

…

What if he was hooked up to the machine?

Out of all of them, out of any of them, Mikey got the biggest dose of torment. So much so that he had to live off an IV for 48 hours and even then was insisted on staying at the hospital an extra night. When the adrenaline wore off he straight up passed out without so much as a weak call for Donnie. Thank God for the kindness that humans show to celebrities like they’d become.

After that night was the first time Mikey ever had sensory issues that hurt him. Before it was just the usual ‘this feels kinda weird’ or ‘I’m absolutely obsessed with this slime. Just feel it.’. He and Leo were the ones with that burden. Overstimulation and hypersensitivity were their crosses to carry. For three weeks anything that merely brushed up against the holes in Mikey’s shell caused him to completely breakdown. Yelps and inconsolable cries of pain that rang out.

Donnie knew how much Mikey loved to be comforted through his shell. And now he was barely capable of letting someone hug him. A Hug. And this is his brother Micheal-fricking-Angelo we’re talking about.

…

If all of that stress and pain could come from something that couldn’t have gone on for more than 3 hours of torture with his family to guide him through it, then what would more than 24 hours alone and tortured do?

He wouldn’t let that happen. Over his cold dead body. Donnie couldn’t let that happen.

“Hey! Hey Leo. Earth to Leo!” Leo turned to face them, his Batman face was on. But it didn’t take a genius to understand now was not the time for teasing. It didn’t have the usual goofy look anyway, just one of anxiety and nerves at their breaking point. “Sorry it’s just…confusing.”

“What is there to be confused about? There’s nothing there.” At least was being his usual self minus the heavy bags under his eyes.

Damn why did they take their surprise day off from school for granted. Donnies limbs felt like stale jello, dried out, stiff, and good for absolutely nothing.

But as angry as Don was with his oldest brother, he had a point. The news had made a pretty big deal about this attack. With dramatized descriptions of blood and gore at the scene of the crime. So where were the people. The only thing you could tell from the dock was that these “attackers” were pretty experienced. Like serial killer level of experience. No blood stains. No foot prints. No possible weapons. Nothing. Not even a sign that this wasn’t just a normal night at the docks.

That being said something felt wrong. What exactly Don had no idea but maybe-

Something reflected off of his glasses. Like a fork… or a metal blade.

His brothers must have seen it too because now they were all in fighting stance. Someone was here. And something told him that they weren’t here to chat.

Donnie twisted his bo staff nervously in his hands. Waiting for the attack to come. He and his brothers had been taught how to fight since they were 4. The first lesson in war is never let your enemy know your moves.

For few minutes nothing happened. Dread started to fade from the atmosphere. Don started to lower his weapon to let out a sigh of relief. Worst mistake of his life.

The guy came out of nowhere and kicked firmly in the abdomen. Away from his brothers. Away from his safety.

“Dee!”

Raph started to run over before being firmly knocked to the ground by another stranger. They both wore dark clothes and oni masks. Their masks covered their whole face with glowing markings and eyes that sheened against the dark night.

Leo barely caught the blades of a third stranger with his katana.

But right now Don had other things to worry about as his attacker pounced on top off him. Somehow he managed to use his bo to block them. Woah they’re strong. His muscles strained under the weight as he pushed back against them. Aaaaannd his glasses were slipping too. GREAT!

Somehow he managed to catch a glimpse of Leo’s attacker. She(Don didn’t usually assume gender but she looked like a she) had a similar color palette to her colleagues. Her initial mask only covered half of her face leaving her amber eyes exposed. Her dark hair highlighted with white was held up in a ponytail with two long pieces hanging down from behind her ears.

AH! RIGHT! RIGHT! STILL FIGHTING!

Donnie was starting to loose his grip and his patience. Using all his strength he gripped his bo and swung it and his attacker to the ground. Hopefully that will keep this bastard down for a while.

Turning to face his brothers, he saw that Leo was still locked in a one on one with Amber eyes. Raph had managed to get back up and start wrestling with his attackers. He started to head over to help his brother in red, their eyes meet for one moment before-“Donnie! Watch out !”

Leo came plunging into his plastron sending them both to the ground. Where he JUST GOT UP! Not again!

Raph was there when Don readjusted his glasses(his CRACKED glasses). Suddenly more attackers showed up looking almost identical to Don’s and Raph’s. Amber eyes stuck out like a sore thumb. Or at least she would have if she didn’t look so intertwined with the others.

Raph helped Don get to his feet quickly right before the fighting started again. It went on for a while like the fights they had when looking for Superfly but with much more skill and obvious challenge.

These guys kept coming one after the other. But the tensions started to die down. They were becoming easier and easier to knock back. Almost like-

like they were stalling.

Donnie looked up to find his brothers but only saw Raph. “RAPH! Where’s-”

Leo cried out before he could finish.

They both turned their heads to see him locked in between two of their attackers. They’d plunged the same device in the same spot as last night into Leo. Donnie’s breath hitched. No no no no no NO

“LEO!” Raph started rushing over to his twin bashing in the heads of anyone blocking his path. Donnie followed his lead as he watched Leo loose consciousness, eyelids slowly sliding closed.

His big brother was looking right at him. Silently pleading for help like Donnie had done to him countless times. His whole life he had looked up to Leo for help. And every time his brother came through. But for once in his life he couldn’t do the same for him.

Someone threw a smoke bomb where Leo was standing and just like that he was gone. Donnie’s big brother was gone. He lost two brothers within 24 hours. “NOOOO!”

They weren’t dead yet. There was still a chance to fix this.

Without a single clear thought in his mind, violent thrashes escaped from him. He could only keep pushing forward. He needed to get to his eldest brother. He COULDNT lose him too.

A yell tore through the air and Raphs throat. He was knocked onto his stomach curled over and jolting at every movement that affected his shell.

He’d been hurt by the machine too. Even if it was only for like 5 minutes it still affected Donnie’s brother in red. Unlike Mikey, Raph barely managed to try and cover it up for almost 2 weeks. They knew he was sensitive about feeling vulnerable but this was why he needed to tell people. So he could have someone to-literally-watch his back.

“RA-ack.” Someone hit Donnie on the back of the head right down infront of his only remaining brother. He was on his hands and knees. His head was swimming like a drunken man. During the whole car chase with Superfly, when they were driven off the highway, he landed on his head. This gave him some of the worst amount of pain a person like him could experience- a concussion. Of course he still wasn’t used to normal blows after a whole ass month of healing.

Shock filled his body and suddenly-

He couldn’t breath.

Panic and fear and memories swirling through his pounding head was making him lose control. He COULDNT not be in control. He needed control so he could fix this. Fix problems. Fix wounds. Fix himself. Fix fricking EVERYTHING.

Donnie crawled quickly to Raph ignoring the few remaining attackers leaving. His throat was burning. Through the blurs and cracks in his vision he shook Raph hurriedly. A loud yell echoed in his broken mind.

Donnie heard the horrifying shing of a blade being unsheathed. He turned to see Amber Eyes stand above him and Raph with her weapon raised to her waist.

Donnie cowered next Raph like a little kid. Like when he was a little kid and used to fear the dark and the same brother told him to man up. Like when TCRI was in the process of abducting them and he had already watched them knock out his other brothers.

Raph held a hand on his shoulder and Donnie curled over to it was the blade was raised to her head.

He clung to Raph’s hand as he waited for the blade

🎶Oops! I did it again!🎶

Yeah but no I’m serious. Oops sorry for the long wait (again) but man I have not been motivated to write this at all until like June apparently. Hope y’all like the cliffhanger. Cowabunga turtle fanz!

Previous Masterpost Next

Chapter 7 Part 2

“Karai! You came!”

Aprils face somehow brightened from the last time Karai had seen her. That or Karai was still forgetting that most normal humans lived normal lives.With normal families and simple pleasures. They didn’t usually have a reason to be as harsh as the Foot were.

But besides her expression you could probably guess that her life was a train wreck. Her hair was messy, clothes were wrinkled, and her beanie was slightly crooked on her head. Please don’t be doing what I think you’re doing.

“And why wouldn’t I meet up with the news-dork I call friend?” Karai fully entered the dark room, dropping her bag on the nearby chair. The smug look on her face automatically formed without warning nor awareness.

“Hey! I didn’t call you any names when you walked in the room.” April responded placing her hands on her hips in her signature jokingly sarcastic pose.

“You were about to though.” Karai crossed her arms across her chest, leaning over April(whom was slightly shorter) as she narrowed her eyes. “Weren’t you?”

“Mhm. But only cause you fall for it.”

“Oh ho ho. Is that so?”

April straightened up her back and also narrowed her eyes before continuing.

“Yep.” April smacked her lips on the p.

A moment of silence fell between the two before April’s laughter erupted followed by Karai’s chuckles. It was so hard to not smile in the reporter’s presence. Once you got close enough to her.

“Haha! Man I don’t know what that was.” Her laughter slowed as she wiped tears of joy away from beneath her glasses.

Karai wasn’t quite sure either but the comment still made her smile. She hummed as she looked around the dark room. Faint red light tinted every crevice and corner of the room including all of Aprils research. Several empty bulletin boards laid askew on the floor. Few hung on the walls covered in sloppily cut out photos and news articles. Nothing bad yet. Please don’t be doing what I said stop doing.

“What’s up?” April had texted her before but not like this. At least not without a reason. And last time it wasn’t exactly a . . . comfortable experience. For either of them.

April barely held in a squeal, her hair bouncing in time with her body. “Okay! So you know how I may or may not have been researching about TCRI after their whole out of the blue disappearance?”

Damn it

Karai let out a low sigh like the ones she had heard countless times from her father. God how she hated that thought. Her acting like her dad. Her head hung low with her eyes tightly shut. Her mouth was drawn so tight she thought the lightest touch would break it.

“April. . .”

“Well I just found a massive lead. So I traced back to where their usual supply ports were . . .”

April kept on rambling excitedly. Any other subject would have left Karai at least amused by her friend’s enthusiasm. But fear flooded her thoughts.

“April.”

This time her friend heard her. April turned revealing a look of small shock on her face. Karai’s face softened slightly. She couldn’t hurt her feelings. She knew how much April toils over this kind of crap. But she also couldn’t let her walk straight into becoming a target of a super powerful company with enough resources and intelligence to kidnap the president. Or even worse hire their closest partner to do things even worse than death to the unsuspecting teen.

Stuck between the controversy that was her entire life at this point, Karai settled on massaging her forehead and releasing yet another sigh(that’s definitely gonna get old). “Come on girl. We talked about this.”

“Oh! Right.” April looked down disappointment fading onto her face. She rubbed the back of her neck as the look fully set in. With a hint of guilt adding to both of the girls emotional weights.

Great! What have I done now? My last night with the first new friend you’ve made since Jennika and you ruined.

“Maybe . . . I took it as a strong suggestion.” She looked up at Karai guiltily but at least smiling now. Yet again that meant she was trying to get away with this and still wasn’t comprehending how strong of warning Karai had made.

Karai let out a long groan. “April.”

“Oh come on! What’s the worst thing that could happen if I expose a toxic company?! Whom of which hurt some of my closest friends!”

Great! Now she’s mad too.

If Karai could be honest she would read off the entire list of bad things that could be done to the news girl for exposing them. But alas she was not supposed to be Karai the kunochi and double agent. Right now she was Karai the normal teenager. And even as a normal teenager she could not hold back her anger.

“Look. I’m just trying to look out for you. Believe it or not exposing a super powerful group of psychopaths may not help you as much as you’d think.” Karai‘s’s gritted teeth made the comeback sharp and silent but luckily enough to get the point across.

“And I appreciate that! But sitting around doing nothing isn’t how you change things! And that company’s existence is definitely a change that needs to be made ASAP!” April’s volume only grew with her anger. “My friends really need this right now!”

“Who?! The mutant turtles?!” Karai blurted, at this point she didn’t care about temper. Her thoughts had been straining against the barriers in her mind for too long. Especially in front of someone she thought she could down those barriers upon feeling her presence. “Why do they matter in this argument?!”

“What is up with you?! And why are saying it like that?!” April backed away slightly as if she was the one being insulted.“Yes they’re mutant turtles! So what?! They’re my friends and they need help! I would do the same for you!”

Karai wanted to puke.

A deathly silence fe over the room. Adding to the choking thickness of the sea of shock and regret she had plunged under.

She never seriously thought about how much April connected with the turtles. How much she cared. And for her too. They had just become friends less than half a week ago and April cared enough to risk her safety for her. That hit the nail to the coffin.

What are you doing?! GET OUT BEFORE YOU BLOW YOUR COVER!!

Karai quickly snapped up, escaping the very unwanted thoughts zooming around her mind. She quickly grabbed her backpack and opened the door. Before she could step out April broke the silence.

“Karai, I-”

“Nevermind April. Just-.” She looked up for second. Probably the worst mistake in her life besides the day they died, as she saw Aprils look. She looked so shocked and confused. Somehow in the short amount of time Karai had spent with April she had gotten to know her very well. Well enough to know she would blame herself for . . . all of this instead of the one who took up a tone first. “-nevermind, ok.”

She slowly shut the door behind her. She didn’t want to leave like this. But what choice did she have. It was either fight with April and give the police a good lead on who to start looking to for answers or do the job she was meant to do without hesitation and good leads for the police. And hopefully April.

Just as the door almost fully closed Karai peered through the crevice one more time. “Sorry. Sayonara.”

Karai made it longer than she had expected. A total of 3 blocks before finding a good alleyway. From their tucked into the little corner she locked into a tight ball and slumped to the ground.

A moment of weakness was highly frowned upon by the foot but they couldn’t see her here. She could be a disappointment all she wanted without bothering anyone else here.

Get up.

Listening to the voices in her head Karai quickly wiped her eyes careful not to smudge the eyeliner. Her oni mask slipped over the bottom of her face. The cool metal brought a chill into her body. The rest of her armor was strapped on just as the troops stalking the target area signaled her.

Withdrawing her twin wakizashi she was ready to end this.

Nothing left for her to hesitate over.

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So yeah sorry this took like over a whole ass month to write but stuff got crazy and I got distracted. Hopefully the next few chapters will come quicker. In this chapter I kinda wanted to take from the perspective of being in the passive position of one of those two second arguments you have with your friends that creates a grudge for the rest of the day before forgiving and forgetting completely the next day. But obviously Karai ain’t gonna forget this little talk. (Quick fyi when reading this I am not trying to ship Karai and April. Any of what you might think is that is just April having a bi panic and Karai struggling to figure how to do a healthy relationship) Anywho hope you like it. Cowabunga turtle fanz!

sorry about the recent long wait between parts of Difference Between The Appearance but stuff has been crazy and I just it started on the final draft. Hope to post the next part sometime this week.

Chapter 7 Part 1

Ever since she was young, Karai knew what the real world was like.

She knew that no matter how many good things you do or how many people you save, the world will continue to be cruel. Age, gender, or race had nothing to do with it. The world was just cruel.

So she didn’t care about how extreme the Shredders training was. She didn’t care that they used living targets for physical exams. She didn’t care about lying to her sister about how much the bruises and scars on her body stung.

Karai knew it just didn’t matter. She knew she was selfish for lying towards someone who had been outright charitable to her, a completely strange and new girl.

So that’s why she let April get close to her. Out of greed and selfish longing. While Karai spied on Aprils closest friends and organized their abduction, the hidden warrior was leading her down a rabbit hole of lies and false emotion. There was nothing more to her actions than just creating an alibi. Right?

Then why did she openly feel things around April about the things she wouldn’t around anyone else. Except Jennika of course. Karai didn’t have a crush on her that’s for sure(it was painfully obvious that the blue turtle already covered that job). But some kind of bond was made between the red headed news girl and the silent ‘badass’(as April occasionally teased her as). That kind of trust and light heartedness was definitely like what she had with her sister.

In some ways the two were very similar. They both were very open about their emotions and passions. A gift to express opinion that Karai can only barely remember. But April probably didn’t know how to play rock songs off the top of her head or who Lita Ford was(a common topic her sister talked about when they had free time to imagine what future they may have after their father completed his plans). And Jennika probably had no clue how to write a newspaper or how to connect the dots to a giant undercover plot based on notes and a few pictures on a messy old school board.

“That’s actually kinda cool.” She had once said when April was showing some of her work.

A buzz from her phone broke Karai out of her trance as she hung on one of the pipes of a rooftop water tower above what appeared to be an abandoned factory. April had texted her saying: COME NOW BIG BREAK!!! The brisk night air and the blare of city lights begged her to stay for longer and enjoy the sight. It was the first time she had seen anything like it. Wait until I tell Jennika about this. But she had to go now if she was gonna help with the last few of the turtles. Which means back to oppressive training and no more actually getting to go out without fear of getting caught. So she wasn’t gonna miss out on her last chance to enjoy that little freedom.

Karai hooped down from the roof into a back alley before continuing to her and Aprils hangout spot on the sidewalk.

Normal cities were strange. They were much different than what she had been taught by her mentors. They were indeed chaotic but not with violence and gore decorated streets. They had a certain rhythm and style that left you in awe by the appeal. Jennika always said those old cronies were wrong. Now Karai could believe that.

Besides it’s not the rest of humanity that’s the problem it’s the mutants right? It’s not their fault that they had been tricked and manipulated. Right?

But something was strange about the mutants(other than their appearance obviously)that stuck to Karai.

They

Acted as if they were

Normal kids

Like April and Jennika. They could be cringy and emotional and sometimes even funny. They portrayed what seemed to be personalities and feelings? The thought of seeing the orange one, Mikey as they called him, in pain made Karai uncomfortable and squirm with sheer pity for hi-

NO no no. Stop. Stop that right now. Remember your training. They’re just trying to trick you. Their pitiful pain-filled heart aching faces are just an act. It’s not real. Besides even if it is-which it isn’t-it’s nothing compared to what they have done to your family. What they have done to you.

Karai huffed as she pushed those thoughts aside and walked briskly up the steps of Eastman High. Strange. Her senses seemed more heightened than usual. The smell of sweat and pen ink grew stronger than their usual stench. She was about to reach for the door until she looked down at her arm. Scales.

Kuso! Okay! Okay okay okay! Don’t panic! Remember your teachings . . . again.

Rushing to keep It at bay, Karai rushed for her bag and pulled out her elixir. Within seconds she had downed the drink and her scales slowly sunk back under her skin. Vanishing into no where. Where It belonged instead of inside of her body.

Echoes from her past rushed through her body. Her breathing was still in sharp panicked huffs and only grew shakier with the pain of her past. Noticing this Karai gripped the back of her neck and bent her head back. She attempted her breathing exercises as the fangs in her mouth shrunk away and her tongue no longer lingered of the surrounding smells.

Ochitsuke Karai. Just breath.

Finally shaking the last of It away, Karai opened the door to the school and finished her journey. By the time she made it to April’s “news room”, she took one final breath before opening the door.

Just Breathe. She doesn’t need to know. No one does.

And no one will.

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Hope y’all like this chapter. It’s not as progressive in the story than usual but at least you get a peak inside Karai’s mind. Since this wasn’t as progressive as usual I decided to leave a little Easter egg from The Strength in Weakness by @truths33k3r4 a personal favorite content creator of mine(hope you don’t mind that I did this). Sorry for not posting this sooner but it was kinda rough juggling that and art and school and family and- just everything. So I hope you like it.

Cowabunga turtle fanz!

Chapter 6 Part 2

Raph stopped.

Usually he didn’t let anyone interrupt him during a fight. But this wasn’t usual. Donnie had never yelled at him like that before. Sure Raph got on his brothers nerves and got into loud arguments but not like this.

His purple branded brother had never let anyone see him so openly upset before. Not since they were like 9. Usually he would just stay in the tent and wait until he was fully collected to let anyone see him. The only person who ever got to see Dee like this was Mikey.

But Raph couldn’t think about that. That brought emotions and ‘mushy’ feelings and those made him look weak. They made him feel weak. And Raph wasn’t weak. He couldn’t be.

“Dee-” Of course Leo would change the entire subject in 2 seconds. He had the better traits of a big brother. The ones people respected. Raph was just stuck with being a bully.

“No! You guys are gonna make him upset again!” Tear tracks laid deep on his face. He looked so tired and his voice was so strained it was a miracle he wasn’t sobbing. His look shocked Raph just as much as the words and voice coming out of his mouth.

“Wait. Who?” Raph tried not to look concerned but his change of aggression was an obvious give.

“Mikey!”

Both Leo and Raph froze looking back and forth from each other. Confusion and utter disbelief crossed their faces.

“. . . Dee”

“All you ever do is fight! And everyone around you has to deal with it!”

“Donnie”

“You just keep on going on and on and”

“Donnie!”

“What?! What do you want me to do?! What do you want me to feel?!”

“Mikey isn’t here.”

The truth was well known but it still stung to have to hear it. Raph had to close his eyes and hide tears that burned at the tips of his eyelids. No Stop that It won’t help.

Donnie’s expression softened after realizing his mistake. He eyes shot to the ground, tears running down his face.

Everyone froze in the choking silence of their room. The sound of their dad doing the dishes was faint and seemed to slip further and further away. No one knew what to do.

Leo turned to Raph for guidance. Why did he do that sometimes? How was Raph supposed to know what to do? But somehow he always knew what Leo was thinking or tried to tell him. Even without words they knew each other too well.

Donnie was the first one to break the ice this time. “I-I mean-what I was trying to say was-” Hiccups interrupted his warbled speech. But the current youngest turtle was interrupted by the sound of Leo’s phone buzzing.

The blue turtle quickly answered eager to break the silence and awkwardness of the situation. “Hey April. This isn’t really the best time right now.”

“Have you guys seen the news?” She sounded so excited and enthusiastic that it contradicted the old vibe of the room.

“Nooooo.” Leo looked at his brothers in confusion. Donnie wiped his tears and leaned in closer to hear the conversation.

“Well you’re gonna wanna see this!”

April sent Leo a link as they remained on call. He opened the link to see the headline blaze into view in the news website’s signature animation.

SHIPPING DOCK SECURITY GUARDS AT EAST HARLEM FOUND WOUNDED BY MYSTERIOUS FOOT FIGURES

2 security guards are rushed to the hospital after being found with lethal wounds. The only clue police are left with is a piece of ripped fabric from the attackers’ clothing.

“Scroll down and look at the picture!”

Leo did as told and gasped at the sight before him. The picture was badly lit but the red circle containing the emblem of a foot was clearly seen on the dark clothing.

“Is that it?! Is that what the emblem from your attackers looked like?!”

They couldn’t believe how easily this had just appeared. It was both horrifying and relieving to find their first point in the right direction.

“Holy fucking-”

“Oh my-”

“Yes! Yes! It is! April you’re a genius!”

The turtle brothers celebration was brief as they got ready and geared up. Raph was rushed more than he usually did. Hold on Mikey. We’re coming.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pain.

What a great way to wake yourself with. Mikey didn’t even have the strength to open his eyes for a while. But that didn’t matter in their eyes. They just kept on asking question after question until they rendered him useless.

At this point it was a good thing Mikey wasn’t dead. But that wasn’t quite comforting enough to fight the pain. He assumed he had two black eyes again(Great yet another reminder of the whole super duper fly fight).

He couldn’t take it anymore. He had to at least see what was going on. It took effort and he definitely had 2 black eyes but he did it. It was dark only the moonlight lit the large room. It looked like one of the old abandoned warehouses him and his brothers used to explore before rendering them boring. Back when they weren’t allowed to be a part of civilization and were forced to live in the sewers.

He was sitting with his legs crossed. Partially hovering over the ground because of the chains that pressed into his skin and kept his arms and shell tightly bound to the pillar behind him. Sharp movements made his head spin and his face distort in pain that followed.

“Look who decided to wake up.”

Mikey craned his neck up to see his captor. It was the same one from last night. 2 other figures stood guard lurking around the now confirmed warehouse.

“Good mornin” Whenever a situation was unexpected, Mikey usually saw comedy as a good ice breaker.

“So the freak thinks it’s funny.” It was easier to see that the people of the room were leaning against or sitting on old tables.

“Is that a bad thing?” He was using that tone where he was trying to be polite but it always was seen as rude by his dad and adults. Mikey probably shouldn’t have kept talking but the teenager had a bad habit of rambling in these situations.

The main person who was talking- whom of which Mikey found to be an older teenage boy- was obviously not amused. His expression was very similar to the expression of the milk lady, dull and obviously stuck up in themselves yet also threatening. Looking like at any moment he would pounce.

“I mean isn’t like laughter the best medicine? So what’s so bad about being funny?” Mikey shuffled in his uncomfortable position. Hoping that for some reason his struggle would release him from the figurative and literal chains of this moment. But that only made the tight literal chains more and more unbearable as blisters formed. He needed to get out of here.

His thoughts were interrupted when on of the other figures delivered a sharp blow to his stomach causing him to double over. At least as much as his restraints allowed. It felt like his guts were flipped inside out and then hit with a speeding highway vehicle. The older teen then waltzed over as Mikey groaned and gagged. He yanked Mikey’s chin up firmly only letting the turtle look at him and him alone. His face was scrunched up in pure hate and disgust the turtle.

“Now you listen to me smartass. I-”

“Enough!”

Towards Mikey’s right a fourth figure leapt in through a broken window. At closer glance Mikey found that they were a she. Her raven black hair shone in the moonlight with white streaks with repelled the light. She stood tall with authority and grace. The other 2 guards addressed her by bowing.

“Lieutenant, what did I say about beating the target?”

The Lieutenant growled before shoving Mikey’s face down and turning to face the girl. “Come on he was being a brat. Besides aren’t there 3 oth-”

“What did I say?” Raising her voice made even the Lieutenant flinch. Mikey could tell she was definitely the boss here(definitely super badass). The Lieutenant glared at Mikey, as if he had intentionally caused this, before turning and bowing. “Not to. You told me not to beat the freak. I apologize General.”

He recognized her voice from somewhere. He realized where when she set her backpack on the table.

“Hey aren’t you Aprils new friend?! What was your name? Oroku something? What the heck Oroku?!”

She was definitely pissed now but she kept her dull tone and hid her annoyance. “First of all it’s Oroku Karai. Second of all it’s Japanese so the last name is said first. And third of all if you know what’s best for you than you will keep your mouth shut.”

Mikey decided that he would do just that. Karai was definitely not someone to be messed with. At least she won’t let them hit me anymore.

“And as for you Lieutenant” Karai turned and marched in front of him and the Mikey’s other captors. “Yes we do need his three accomplices thanks to your incompetent job on the initial attack. But how do you expect us to find them if they’re aware of our initiatives?”

Mikey sat there not liking the sound of how this was going. His head still swam and left his thoughts loosely floating in a sea of confusion. Accomplices?

Karai was obviously growing impatient by the silence. Another thing he noticed was that she never really looked at him. And when she did and Mikey noticed, it was never for more than a second.

“I spoke with Master Shredder. He said that to draw them out we must use something that they want.”

Mikey could hardly keep in the shock of his realization. They aren’t talking about my brothers, are they?

“Well what do they want?” The Lieutenant was obviously not as smart as his leader.

“From my understanding they call each other brothers.” Shit. She really was just a toxic snake wasn’t she. And she was good too. But for some reason her expression broke into something softer. Something filled with guilt and pain.

The Lieutenant however hadn’t given Mikey the mercy of guilt. His face twisted into a cruel smirk as he turned to face Mikey’s fear filled face. No no no no no no. This can’t be happening.

“Then lets test that brotherly loyalty.” The Lieutenant continued staring with a sickening smile that put gasoline on Mikey’s fire of fear. “When do we leave to get their attention?”

“Troops were already sent this afternoon.” Karai continued with a full expression on her face. “They’ll bring back the targets when their job is finished.”

No no no no no no no.

“Now if you excuse me I have . . . business to attend to.” She marched out from the warehouse arms plastered behind her back. Once she left the Lieutenant slip back into his freedom without Karai overhead.

Mikey was stuck in the shock his captors cruel plan. Leo Raph Donnie. Please.

He hung his head low in defeat knowing that soon his brothers would have to go through the same pain he did.

Please be ok.

Finally back to this au. Have a Hoppy Easter and Cowabunga turtle fans.

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Chapter 6 Part 1

Leo nearly chirped when the sudden yet stern voice shot at him. But when he turned to see Raph, the act became much less surprising. His brother looked deadpanned at him sitting in his pipe. The room seemed barren apart from Raph’s gaze and Donnie’s zipped up tent. That meant their littler brother was still in there making Leo’s heart ache slightly at the thought of how he was processing this.

“Hey Nardo. I’m talking to you piss baby.” Raph was still shooting that look of pure hatred and annoyance. Leo only just noticed what his brother was clutching to his chest so tight you’d think it would have been strangled. Clunk. The giant stuffed monkey was dubbed that name mere moments after Mikey was given it as a gift. Splinter found the stuffy on one of his supply runs and decided to gift it to the restless toddlers for their birthday. Clunk went through multiple names before Mikey did what Mikey does and choose the best name of all. The turtles never knew why he always had a name for someone or something new or why the name chosen was always perfect. It just happened. And while the brothers did share clunk for quite some time it was Mikey who officially got to keep him in the end. Technically Raph should have according to the bet rules of their ninja star throwing contest but when Donnie and Leo woke up while the other two stayed sleeping Clunks arm was seen dangly of the side of Mikey’s bunk. But right now the vibrant neon blue and pink of the stuffy’s fur was smushed against Raph’s plastron.

“You know Mikey is gonna be real pissed when he finds out you used Clunk without permission. Right?”

“Great you spend your whole day avoiding us by going to school and now you call me the asshole here.” Raph was standing up now carelessly chucking Clunk to the floor.

“I never said that and I wasn’t avoiding you. I was filling in-”

“April? Yeah. I know you went to spend time with your crush instead of with us looking for Mikey.”

“Raph you don’t know what your talking about we were trying t”

“Trying to what? Find TCRI? Blame them for what happened?” Raph jabbed his finger into Leo’s shoulder chest as if to punctuate each of his sentences with even more confidence and stabbing pain.“You know you two aren’t Sherlock and Watson. You’re not slick. You’re not going to just dig up some big break through by surfing through the internet. You’re not gonna miraculously bring him back.”

They continued into a full out argument not noticing how loud the volume one Donnie’s headphones were. You could hear them even with his tent as a sound barrier.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They hated when Raph and Leo argued. Donnie did too. It was annoying and repetitive and never solved anything. Raph always challenged Leo over everything. Being the oldest, being leader, getting to choose what kind of ice cream they got. It was nonsensical to Donnie. But Mikey had a pure hatred for it. He hated seeing his brothers fight. And Donnie hated how upset the two knuckleheads made his little brother. Especially when Mikey tried and failed to solve the argument usually earning a shout at him to back.

So much so that one day when they were 8 Donnie came up with a game where they found something to either distract the upset baby brother or to calm down the heated older brothers. It was their tradition. Sure it came with the risk of getting wrapped up in the argument or only making things worse. And yeah sometimes it didn’t always work at first. But sometimes it helped and best of all it made Mikey happy. So happy that he made his smile that made Donnie think he must have the most unnaturally beautiful smile than anyone in the world. It was one of those things that made those rare happy moments when cheered his little brother up precious.

But Mikey wasn’t here. He was hurt and alone and scared and hurt and now Raph and Leo were fighting again. His breathing picked up as the headphones slid of his head. They were useless to blocking out the world now. Hands on the back of his neck trying to suppress the sobs sliding up his throat.

Too loud too loud too loud

The noise was too much the pressure was too much. Everything was TOO MUCH. Tears were searing hot flames as he felt their warmth on his face. Donnie couldn’t take this anymore. He tried to get up but yelped out forgetting his hand was still injured and bruised from the attack last night. The pain only filled his fear and fury even more.

Donnie unzipped the tent stepping out into the yelling his brothers continued. He tried to politely give them the death stare without hesitation but his attempts were still left ignored. Rage took over as he huffed out short winded breathes.

“WILL YOU TWO SHUT THE FUCK UP??!!!”

That’s all folks! Things are about to reach a good info dump place. Cowabunga turtle fanz!

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Chapter 5 Part 2

Leo and April just sat there.

In the pounding silence of the post school hours in Eastman High.

‘Their back. Somehow they did it again.’

Leo could only think, could only live in those long hours of having to hear his brothers screaming. He screamed too. The sharp zaps of the electrocuting cuffs that pinned him onto the awful machine meant to only cause pain and suffering suddenly became more and more reminiscent. He had always hated that feeling. Being held like that. Against your will. When the people in him and his brother’s favorite tv shows got captured or a criminal was arrested, he couldn’t help but feel the phantom pain that his thoughts created. None of that prepared Leo for the tight cuffs that made his hands go numb and so pale that they almost turned white.

She knew. That horrible old witch knew what pained she caused them. With her polished yellow suit and her horrifying eyes that looked like they could cut through men ten times easier than Leo’s katana. She had the power to control what they went through and instead of using it for good she made sure that night was a night none of the brothers would soon forget. And what was even worse, she could do all over again. TCRI had Mikey. And he was alone. That jar that made the ceiling look like it touched the sky was way too much for Mikey to live the rest of his life filling let alone with his brothers combined.

He needed to tell Raph and Donnie. Leo had to at least let them know. Even if they couldn’t help him, Leo had tell someone in is family. This was something he could never tell his dad. He was absolutely furious when he freed the turtle brothers from that building. And they’re pretty sure it was over them disobeying him. Mostly. Leo watched that katana blade as it sliced through the guards, causing blood to stain the blades.

“I have to go.”

Leo swiftly slung his backpack onto his shoulder and dashed to the door. Every second counts. April could barely stop him before he went too far.

“Wait!”

Leo paused and turned around. April was grabbing his arm. His look of determination and shear desperation made April realize he needed to do this. And his brothers needed the help. Her gaze softened as she moved to his hand loosening her grip.

“Tell your brothers I said Hi. A-And sorry for this whole situation.”

Leo calmed at her voice and put on his best performance as gentle strong leader/big brother. He couldn’t be scared. He wouldn’t. “Thanks.” He said calmly.

Then he dashed through the door and out of Aprils sight. She stood there at the door before starting her new research project on TCRI.

Moments later her news apps all seemed to ping at the same time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Leo made it to the entrance of the lair, he needed a quick second before embracing the chaos or rather lack there of in his home. ‘Just focus on helping them and finding Mikey before dad asks anything. At all.’

They loved their dad and he loved them but sometimes missions were better done when the turtles kept it to themselves. Especially if it was dangerous and involved them.

He stepped into the cool damp sewer room. Everything was exactly the way he left it. The living room empty. After the mutants were excepted into the world, all of their cousins had moved out and started their lives. They still visited but now they just had a chance to explore the world. And if the turtles knew anything it was the urge to finally see the world after being shunned by the race that ruled it; Humans.

The curtain to the boys room shut and for once not trying to hide their activity in attempts of creating a private area. And his dad was luckily in the kitchen. Not around to notice his return or ask any questions. Leo summoned all of his ninja stealth and reflexes as he quickly made his way to his room. Find his brothers, fill them in on the plan, figure out how to save Mikey.

He was almost there before he heard the soothing voice. “Going somewhere?”

And there he was behind the blue turtle. The father behind their upbringing. Leo stood completely still as he tried to cover his nerves as best as physically possible.

“Hiiiii Dad. What’s up?” Leo said in the most awkward and guilty voice he had unintentionally backed his words up with.

‘What. Was. THAT!?’

Splinter slowly walked over to his son, staring straight into his soul. Toe to toe. Leo was about a foot taller but that didn’t come into play under the amount of stress he felt.

‘Shit shit shit shit SHIT! I am so dead.’

Leo nearly flinched as his dad raised his hand. But instead of turning into an accusatory point, it cupped Leo’s cheek. Leo opened his eyes. When had he closed them? His father looked at him in complete sympathy and compassion. He sighed before looking back at his son.

“It’s hard. Isn’t it.” Splinter continued that look that screamed Open up. I’m here and I know you’re not ok. Tears formed in Leo’s eyes. Hadn’t he done enough crying for one lifetime? He slowly leaned deeper into his father’s hand clutching it with his own ensuring that the soft touch of the rat fur coated hand didn’t leave him.

“I’m so sorry you are going through this. None of you should be. But I need you to be a bit strong.” Splinters free hand was holding Leo’s other one now. “Raph is not listening to me. And you’re the only other person he might listen. He respects you.”

‘He what? Raph does what? He listens to me more than you?’

“N-no no it’s not your fault.” Leo could only whisper this out. Tears slid down more rapidly now.

“I know and it’s not yours either my son.”

Leo looked up into his dad’s eyes. He was practically beaming. How did he know Leo was thinking about that? How did his dad know that in the back of his mind Leo felt responsible for it? He didn’t even say anything like that. But for some reason that was some of the best news Leo had heard in what felt like forever. For once happy tears rolled down and graced Leo’s face. He felt so much better in the comfort and sincerity of those weirds. He weakly let out a small hiccup and a laugh of relief as he finally felt that weight being lifted of his chest.

“Thanks dad.” Leo rubbed his eyes as he nestled against his dad’s hand. He felt so safe. All of his brothers had a special connection to their dad in their own way. But Leo and Mikey had always been the most open. They had the most obvious signs. Listening to their dad and being the most openly worried as well as being the oldest and youngest. According to Donnie( who relied this info solely on physiological websites and studies online) the oldest children have always been the most trusted and the youngest were the most babied. But that didn’t matter all they knew was caring about the first person to love the turtle boys for who they were. Unconditionally.

“Just don’t forget that no matter what hurts you or our family.” Splinter moved his hands so that they were both holding his sons. “Because it is not. But the fact that you take your role as leader this seriously is admirable. And I am very proud.”

They stood there like that for a few moments in the bliss of their happiness. That was until Leo remembered why he had come back.

“Well I . . . I guess better check on Raph and D.” Leo rubbed his neck as he turned to the doorway of the brothers room.

“Yes yes. Just tell April I said hello.”

Leo whipped his head around only to see his father stroll back to the kitchen. His confusion shown on his face as his father only waved his tail teasingly behind him. Leo rolled his eyes as he let out a slight chuckle. He stepped into the four room as he gently pulled the curtain shut in an attempt of absolute privacy.

“What are you doing?”

Sorry for the long wait but as you could see from my last few posts I had a bit of difficulty with the last part. Cowabunga turtle fans!

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Chapter 5 Part 1

‘What the hell just happened?’

This day wasn’t supposed to be filled with so much fear and shock. It was supposed to be an a ok normal day at school with her friends. But April was here comforting Leo as he fell apart after what must have been hours of keeping himself together. It was one of the things April both loved and hated about him. How he tries so hard to protect the people he cares about but forgets to take care of himself.

She had to help them figure this out. There must be something they can find if the turtles and April combined their strengths. They’ve done it once and they can and will do it again.

But right now April needed to let Leo go through his process and let himself feel like this. The same thing happened to April when she lost older family members too. You just need to let them ride out this feeling until you can help them move on.

She pulled him into a hug as the turtle boy’s sobs continued. Slowly turning to sniffles. And then unsteady deep breathing. April sprinkled in a few reassuring words and rubbed Leo’s shell as she comforted one of her best friends.

Even though the turtles and April shared an equal bond, something about her and Leo’s was special. Leo understood her more than his brothers did. He understood what it was like to truly hate how people treated others for something that wasn’t their fault to begin with.

It hadn’t been that long before Leo realized what happened.

“Oh god!” He shook his head and tried to wipe away the tears that were still streaming down his face, breaking their hug.Leo tried not to croak when he talked. “I’m so sorry April! I don’t know why I did that! I just-”

April squeezed his shoulder. “Hey Hey Hey it’s ok. You’re gonna be ok.” She looked into his eyes and tried to help pull out the calm confident smart Leo that she knew could help and fix this. That she and his family believed in. Just like during Superfly’s attack. Leo stepped up and inspired them all to push through their limits and save New York City.

Leo felt his confidence come back slowly and steadily as he finally felt the first wave of relief since last night. He didn’t care if he was blushing. Well he did but it wasn’t the most important thing. Getting help and regaining his strength to help Mikey was important. Even so it still felt great to be reminded that even though one of his brothers was in danger he still wasn’t alone. None of them were. Leo would make sure of that. “Thanks April. I uh I needed that.”

“No problem.” April and Leo stood there smiling at each other for a few awkward minutes before she cleared her voice ready to start their search for the youngest turtle brother. “Now if you don’t mind I have a million questions about what happened and how we’re gonna fix this.”

“Wait you’re gonna help. But I didn’t even as-”

“Leo. It would be insane if I didn’t help you guys.”

Looks of determination spread across their faces. The duo was back together ready to solve this mystery.

“Alright. Let’s get started.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ After rushing through the school day and letting his brothers’ club mates know that they wouldn’t be able to come, Leo returned to the heart and soul of his and April’s research. The old school dark room. The very first room the turtles got to explore in an actual high school.

He told April everything about what happened. Though it wasn’t easy it didn’t exactly trigger him into another anxiety attack. How many had he had anyways? 3? 4?

‘Focus Leo. Finding Mikey is really important.’

“So let me get this straight.” April said this as she pointed to rough sketches she had created on the dry erase board. Notes were jotted down next to the doodles. “You and your brothers were attacked by several cloaked figures and they each had a foot sewn onto their clothing?”

Though it sounded ridiculous it was true.

“Yeah pretty much. We didn’t get much time to see them because of how fast they were. We tried to fight through them but. . .”

“Ok. Let’s not look at what happened let’s look at what we know. Are any of you guys hurt?” April needed Leo to stay with her. She didn’t know how many more panic attacks they could endure.

“Oh yeah. They fought really well. These guys weren’t your average New York street punks. It was like they were taught and trained like we were. But in a much less defensive way.” Leo thought back to Donnie’s hand. It was practically the color of his old bandanna. Raph’s nose had been bleeding along with his mouth and scratches that tore through his skin. Leo was left in a similar condition. Someone had definitely used a roundhouse kick on his hip.

“Yeesh these guys sound like they would NOT take no for an answer.” April grimaced as she thought about how badly those wounds would feel like.

“But that’s the thing. Who would want us? What do four teenage turtle mutants help someone do?” Plenty of weirdos had crossed the turtle brothers’ path. It wasn’t unusual for someone to treat them like freaks even though they did save New York and possibly the world. But he never saw someone truly hate them to the point of breaking the law and kidnapping them.

“And who would have the guts or the heart to hurt you guys? You saved the world! Sure you look a little different but what kind of psycho wouldn’t at least tolerate you guys. What kind of sick ill minded cold blooded son of a-” April’s ranting was dulled as Leo came to a realization.

‘Blood’

He was suddenly drawn back to the night right before Superfly’s big attack. When him and his brothers had failed to stop the giant bug man from taking the last piece of his twisted puzzle. When they had been driven off the side of a highway, knocked out, dragged, and hooked up to a horrible machine. A machine designed to become a vampire once turned on. Sucking the blood and life out of its victims- the mutant brothers.

‘“What I want is your blood. And there is only one way to get it.”’

“TCRI.” Leo whispered as the present slowly moved into his grasp.

April broke out of her rant and looked shocked at Leo. “What?”

“TCRI. That’s who would want us.” Leo spoke louder but still in a slow dazed state. “That’s who would want us. That’s who would and could hire trained warriors to hunt us down. They have Mikey.”

The two teenagers saturated in the fear stirring up their stomachs. Bending their minds over to fears will.

If Mikey was being taken for the reason Leo thought he was, their family of mutants, containing the mystery of the ooze in their DNA, was in deep shit now.

that’s another chapter for the collection

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Chapter 4 Part 2

Leo walked through the school.

Taking deep breaths and rethinking how he was going to break the news to April. She should understand right? And if anything she should be able to help. The two had recently been tracking the new streams of crimes as a side hobby from trying to find TCRI. Maybe that has something to do with this.

‘Or maybe I’m just being hopelessly optimistic again.’

Leo slumped a little as he stood right by the doorway to his homeroom. His back was figuratively and literally against the wall.

‘Man I could really use you right now Mikey.’

He felt a tear trying to protrude the wall he set up so perfectly to block his emotions. Nope. none of that.

He used his shoulder to wipe his eye readjusting his backpack and walked to the back of class. That where they usually sat and discussed things with April and helped each other with school at the beginning of the day. But mainly for April to have her annual info dump.

‘She was probably waiting their for us for a whi- WHOS THAT!’

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After 3 days of hanging out April had become great friends with Karai. Once you broke through the sarcastic teenagers gruff exterior she can become quite the fun friend. Turns out it also helps when the casual jerk tries to mess with you.

Just the other day Karai helped April out of a bit of a situation. The two friends were walking to class when they were confronted by everyone’s favorite loser Sid Goto. Him and his friends Tsoi and Fong came to together to create the purple dragons. Though they sound threatening it’s all just a front. They don’t usually do anything other than cause the occasional hallway fight only to get their buts wupped and sent to detention. When they tried to pick on the two girls, Karai sent their backs flying into the lockers and Sid’s face into the ground.

“Mark my words you two bitches are gonna pay for that.” He said spitting the blood that dripped from his nose and mouth. “Stand up.” Karai growled as she kicked him square in the face. “And make us.” She continued down the hall before turning her head around and continuing. “And by the way. Call my friend and I a bitch again and I’ll shove your foot up your own ass.”

So that was when April decided that she was a keeper. While she let the boys take a break from listening to her rants she spent time with Karai.

“Hi April.”

Leo spooked her when she heard his voice.“Oh sorry I didn’t know you were there.” She said embarrassed by her reaction. “Oh I guess I haven’t introduced you two. Leo this is Karai. She’s new here. Karai this is Leo. As you probably guessed he is a turtle mutant and a friend of mine.”

Much to April and Leo’s surprise, Karai kept the same dulled face and voice she must have been born wearing. “New York. What a town.” She replied.

Leo gawked at the strange new girl in surprise to her reaction. Usually in this scenario it was the other way around. But no this girl was different. And Leo didn’t know if he was making this up but something felt familiar about her. About her voice.

‘Remember you have a job to do and it’s not to try and intimidate April’s new friend.’

“Hey April. We kinda need to talk.” He said trying not to let his emotions take hold. But this time it wasn’t feelings of sadness or grief but rather embarrassment and shyness. Leo had always been interested in April ever since the night Raph threw a ninja star at her.

“Ok? Let’s talk.” April said confused. Her and the boys talked all the time. Speaking of where are the rest of Leo’s brothers?

“Privately.” Leo couldn’t blame her for not knowing but he was really antsy to get this over with. He was now squeezing her wrist hoping it would bring on a sense of urgency.

“Ok. Sorry Karai. But this is kinda personal I guess.” Though she was nervous and now realizing how quickly Leo needed her, she had to make sure she wasn’t ditching her other friend. April always held her friends and family first. Trying to help keep them together.

“No problem just make sure you help me in English. I do NOT need to hear about Ms Gord’s cats without you again.” Karai said.

April gave her a thumbs up and then let Leo rush her to the extra gym lockers. That was where they went for serious private talks. Stuff only April and Leo could talk about. Though it smelled like sweat and the death of a hundred high schoolers it was deemed private and sacred for the duo.

“All right. What’s going on? And while I’m asking questions where are your brothers?” April asked this with caution she could feel the turtles trembling as she gripped his shoulder knowing that was when she had to prepare for emotional support.

Leo knew this is what would have to happen. But for some twisted reason he still wasn’t prepared for this.

‘C’mon this is just like a needle. A small prick and then done. Just a small short sentence.’

“Last night we were on the rooftops and-” he could feel his voice turn to croaks as April squeezed harder. “It’s Mikey. He um- he’s- well-”

Leo couldn’t do this. He held this up inside for to long. No matter how much he wants to keep it all in his sobs escaped with ease. Tears streamed down his face. How could he act like this was fine. Everyone is scared and hurt and he can’t do anything. He’s so scared and alone.

“Hey it’s ok. Whatever happened he’s got you guys to take care of him.” April saw this coming from a mile away.

“But we CAN’T help him.” Leo sobbed

“Wait what do y-”

“April they took him!”

That may have been one of the longest things I had to write on tumblr. Hope you like it. 👍

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Chapter 4 Part 1

Last night was a blur.

Hours spent talking and arguing with their dad. Trying to stay up later and find out every possibility of what could have happened to Mikey. All just to be left back where it all started.

Leo stood there alone on the rooftop across from Eastman High. Raph had locked himself up in the bottom bunk. And Donnie. . . Leo could only hope that he would actually unfreeze from the numb gaze he kept since the night before.

That was when Leo came to a scary realization.

They had never been so separated before.

Sure now that the turtles all had their own separate friend groups and activities. But they had never all been alone. Usually they were always at least a phone call away.

But now Leo had to face the school day alone. And on top of that he was the only one who could and needed to ask for the help of their one true best friend. The one who stuck by the boys through thick and thin. The one they all shared but in completely separate ways.

Of course it was up to the eldest and most responsible brother to handle the heavy burden. Alone. With a life on the line.

Leo thought back to one of his earliest memories. He and Mikey were venturing out into the sewers racing to their usual swimming spot. They were probably about 4 or 5 years old then with Leo just an hour or two closer to aging up than his other brothers. Though they never talked about it until the boys started finding out that siblings had an age order Leo was always assumed to be the eldest. The mother hen. The boss of the brothers.

Even their dad would ask out of all of them for him to do the hardest and most important tasks. Like babysitting while he went to get supplies or making sure Mikey and Donnie wouldn’t get hurt. That pair was always assumed as the younger and delicate ones being smaller and having softer shells than Leo and Raph.

As the two ran, feeling the wind against their cheeks, their feet splashed in the little stream running through the tunnel. “Wait up Leo” Mikey giggled stumbling behind his brother. Eventually the tunnel met an end and Leo paused looking down from the tiny ledge to take a breath. This part of the sewer was his favorite. The lake-like body of water was perfect for swimming. It was like a private beach only known to the inhabitants of the sewers. The turtle tot breathed in and out slowly taking in the smell of salty water pouring in from the Hudson.

“Watch out!!” Mikey yelped as he slipped onto his back and continued sliding towards Leo at top speed. “Wha- oof” Leo managed to turn around right Mikey’s shell came slamming into his chest knocking them both off the side of the ledge.

“Eeugh. Mikey what the-“ Leo said rubbing his head as he looked around to see nothing on the little beach.

“Mikey. Mi-ike.” He called as he turned around to his little brother. He was tucked under the pipe entrance hugging his knees and whimpering and chirping every minute or so. Blood slowly dripped down from his knee. “Oh mi gosh! Mikey! Are you ok?”

Mikey shook his head. Tears glazed over his eyes. “My knee. I want papa.”

Their dad was on a scavenging errand trying to find things that would be helpful towards trying to survive down there. Leo was supposed to be keeping them in the lair. Not goofing around getting his brothers hurt. “It’s-It’s ok. It’s just a little scrap” Leo was stuttering like he always did when he was nervous.

But he couldn’t be right now because his brother needed him.

‘Cmon Leo you can do this. Your brother needs you.’

After a few deep breaths he continued to comfort Mikey. “It’s ok. You’re gonna be just fine.” Mikey looked at his brother. Fear didn’t fill his eyes just sincerity and love. His whimpers turned into sniffles and his eyes focused on his brother.

“Can you let me carry you? We can do a piggyback ride home if you can be strong enough for it.”.Leo had him at piggyback. Mikey raised his arms and immediately started gripping the air. Mikey loved to be carried especially by his older brothers since they would rarely do it. Leo giggled as he lifted his little brother onto his back.

“Hey Leo.” Mikey whispered. “Mm hm”. “I love you bro.”

Leo stared at his drama king of a brother. “You’re not dying.”. “I know!” Mikey answered annoyed. After a long period of silence, Mikey squeezed his brother just a tiny bit tighter. “I just wanna tell you that. Cause I mean it.”

Leo was kind of shocked by how serious his baby brother was being.

“Yeah I love you too. But everything’s gonna be ok. You’re strong.”

Leo blinked himself back to the present. He took a few deep breaths and made his way to homeroom.

“You’re strong”

So just a quick peak in and out of the brothers past.

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Chapter 3 Part 1

It was as if time had frozen.

Leo could hear his own heart as it beat faster and faster.

‘Where is Mikey? Is he ok? What’s gonna happen to him? Is he even alive? Why was he taken? Where was he taken? What is he going to tell dad? What’

“LEO!” He heard his twin yell as he snapped back to reality.

The blue turtle realized he was on his knees and clutched his chest as if he were being suffocated. He was panting and huffing trying not to merge back into the panic of his racing thoughts. Tears streamed down his face.

All while this was happening Raph was gripping his twins shoulders to help ground him knowing that if he let Leo go back into his nightmarish state then it would take forever to fight for him back. Donnie stood behind his older brothers in fear. If they were both already falling apart that means that this is really REALLY bad.

“Leo! Calm down! You’re freaking us all out over nothing!” Raph continued even though he knew what he said was mostly a lie meant to soothe his brother and keep their heads clear. Raph was never really good at “mushy” stuff like emotion and fear. “Mikey will be ok. We will find him.”

Though his voice was stern and strong Raph was just as scared(if not more so)as his brothers. All three brothers held the same thought as they could read each other's minds.

Where is Mikey?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

‘Where am I?’

His vision was blurry and his head throbbed. Three figures stood in front of him as two stood by his side gripping his arms and stopping him from doing anything other than moving where they guided him.

Mikey tried to move his hands to his head but something held them tightly together behind him. A muffled clinking of chains rung in his ears.

‘What’s happening? What’s on my hands? Where’s Donnie? And Raph? And’

Just then Mikey heard his eldest brother screaming his name.

“LEO!”

Hope you enjoyed this. Cya soon.

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Chapter 2 Part 2

Beads of sweat slipped down Mikey’s head. ‘What kind of sick joke was this? Why are they so scared? What’s wrong?’

“Guys?” He managed to say as his brothers stilled stared in terror. Donnie looked back and forth between the twins looking for a cue to do something. Anything. But nothing seemed for certain.

“M-Mike” Donnie managed to gasp trying to do anything to unfreeze this moment of horror for him and his brothers.

Just as Mikey stepped forward, the dark figure behind him pulled him back. They wrapped their arm around his chest in a headlock and grabbed a small device with the other. The figure plunged the device against Mikey’s neck causing him to scream in agony, pain, and fear. “Mikey!” His brothers shouted as they ran toward him. But they were stopped by more masked and cloaked figures coming from every direction.

As they fought valiantly to save their brother, a bright flash seemed to knockout their sense and force them onto their hands and knees.

Leo heard muffled voices behind him. He tried to make sense of them but all he could hear was the loud ringing and blurred sounds that embraced his world.All he could make out was this.

“W---on’t ha----me--or- -is jus---ake th --mal ne--nd--o!”

When Leo came to his senses ,all he could see was the empty rooftop containing only him, Raph, and Donnie. “What happened?” he groaned as he gripped his throbbing head. He looked to see Donnie struggling to find his glasses and immediately rushed to help after seeing his bruised hand. “Oh geez. Don are you ok?” He asked helping his little brother up as his mind slowly cleared.

Guys? Raph said still recovering from the flash.“Wait! where’s Mikey!!”

Sorry for taking so long to post after the cliffhanger but I guess I just left you an even bigger one

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Chapter 2 Part 1

A year ago if you had told Leo that he would one day be sitting with his brothers on a rooftop above his home city not to escape the confines of their fathers strict no going to their surface unless for errands rule but to talk about their day at high school,he would have called you crazy. But now it’s the new normal.

Even though him and his brothers had been going to school like normal teens for a couple of months now, it was still new and exciting everyday. They all had found new and cool ways to express themselves and finally got to find people who were interested in the same things they were.

And as his brothers continued talking about their day, Leo thought back on the crazy events that led them to this moment. Who knew fighting a giant mutant monster and saving the world was a key tool when trying to be accepted? And now that they managed to do the impossible;

‘What can stop us now?’ He thought.

Well sadly, soon he would find out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just then, Leo heard the sound of tampered footsteps briskly running behind. He whipped his head around aspecting it to be a joke made be his littlest brother mikey only to be met with the empty rooftops of lower manhattan. Unknowingly, the turtle boys heart rate elevated as his dread nearly consumed him.

That was until his twin Raph broke him out of his panic.

“Hey!Nardo!You good?”

Though he hated admitting it, Raphs twin senses always seemed to know when he needed to step in to help is slightly older brother.

And as always it was just the right thing to do the job.

“Yeah I just-. Something felt I dunno kinda off I guess,”

“What would feel off?,” Donnie questioned fixing his lopsided glasses.

“I heard footsteps,” Leo answered trying to calm himself down from the embarrassing react to the normal sounds of NYC.

“Leo, We’re in the most populated city’s on Earth.What do you expect?” Donnie said rolling his eyes at his easily spooked brother.

“Cmonn guys.Why should we be fighting over this?” Mikey pitched in, growing sick of his brothers’ constant arguments over the tiniest of things.

“We already beat an 100 foot tall monster and saved humanity all while still managing to be accepted as normal teenagers.”

As he continued his tiny speech, Mikey stood up and started backing up. How could he have known that this action would cause events that would spark the turtles next great and horrifying adventure.

“What could ruin that now?”

As he stared at his brothers’ faces, Mikey expected them to be filled with amazement and aw at his performance but was only met with faces of fear and dread.

Not too his knowing, a tall dark figure stood behind Mickey waiting until the moment of that fear and dread reached their victim to pounce.

Well I hope I filled you guys with fear for Mikey because I definitely did that to myself and I do not like being afraid and alone. Good night!

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Chapter 1 part 2

Almost immediately after class continued, whispers and guesses about who Karai was spread like wildfire. “ what’s going on with her hair?” “She looks like she walk straight out of hot topic.” “Oop! I guess being emo is back style.”

Despite the warm welcome the class had given the new girl or lack there of, April had mixed feelings. To her, Karai looked amazing. But also kind of scary and weirdly cool. ‘Wait why is my stomach churning. And why does my face feel so warm.Wait am I blushing?! At the new girl?! IN SCHOOL?!

Unbeknownst to April, class had ended and almost everyone had left to go to their next class. All except for the one and only Karai. “What?” April gasped as she realized how big of fool she just made of herself. “I said do you know where Room 23B is.” She replied in a sarcastic yet semi sincere tone. “Oh yeah. That’s actually my next class.” April responded.

Get a grip GIRL.We don’t need seem like a complete weirdo to someone on their first day of school.’ April thought to herself.

“Come on I’ll take you.” She continued gathering her books and heading to the door. “You don’t have to pity me because I’m the new girl.” Karai said with a dulled expression on her face as if she had seen this a million times over. “I’m thought you were cool and you asked for help so why not give it to you.” April snapped back playfully “Now come on we’re gonna be late.”“Huh. So some people here are actually cool.” Karai whispered to herself.

Wow that was a long chapter!(this was cringy and weird I am so sorry I didn’t correct it until now)Hope you guys like it.Bye

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Chapter 1 Part 1 It’s a normal day at Eastman high, April is in her homeroom waiting for class to start and talking with the turtles about the recent string of crimes that have been occurring recently. The bell rings and she heads to her separate classes, a little bummed that her info dump was interrupted by the school’s schedule.

While she sits and waits for class to end so she can finish her conversation with the turtles, someone knocks on the door of the classroom. The teacher stands up and opens the door. They then turn to class and explain that a new student will be joining their class today. Apparently this new student came from a prestigious and secretive academy. After a few formalities and unnecessary comments, the teacher introduces Oroku Karai. They new student then walks in and promptly places her stuff down on the assumed assigned seat. Her black hair dashed with streaks of white falls down her face as class continues. Her grungy clothes and style perfectly match the mysterious mood that lingers around her. April finds herself staring at the new student appalled by her looks. Of course plenty of new students have come and gone before but for some reason there was something about Karai that seemed different.

Welp.I hope I’m not overdoing this.

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