A/N: whelp, looks like i am putting these up in order! durp...i've given the chapters labels to help make this fic less confusing. sorry, if it is confusing though. :( if you find any spelling errors or grammar mistakes please let me know. :)

Chapter 3: Entering the lair

Blindfolded and cold, April wondered just where Leo was taking her. He said something about his brother taking a look at her and that, to be safe, he was going to blindfold her.

He had taken her to central park and, after placing a blue handkerchief over her eyes, started to lead her about. She knew he was taking the scenic route, going in circles to confuse her and make sure she wouldn't find her way back. She was finding herself more and more glad that she could feel his emotions. It was the only thing that made, what would have been, a worrying situation, ok.

He led her about for a few more minutes, then had her stand still while he… moved something? She could hear the sound of metal grinding against more metal and cement. Then, when the noise stopped, he pulled her over a few more feet.

"Ok… this part might be a bit…hm… can you climb with your eyes closed?"

"…why?" she didn't like the way that sounded.

"This time of the day Donnie, my brother, is at his lab and unfortunately… it's not at street level."

"Not… street level?" Where is he taking me?! She shouted internally.

"Yep. Not street level. You'll need to climb down the ladder in front of you." Both the sound of his voice and the emotions he was emitting were telling her the same thing; he felt bad about forcing her to climb blindfolded but still found the situation amusing. He's a bit of a troll, isn't he?

"…How far down?" she asked wearily.

"Not too far… About one story deep. I'll help you get onto the ladder." He had her crouch down, then lead her hands to the ladder. Once she had her hands on it, she was able to slowly shift the rest of her body onto it and began climbing down.

Above her head she heard the sound of metal scrapping about again and then the sound of Leo's feet clanking against the ladder.

"Almost there, the ground is about five steps below you." His voice rang out around her. Once her foot touched ground she took a step back to make room for him.

"Uhg… what is that smell?" April pinched her nose, a feeling of dread washing over her. "Where are we? Please tell me we're not in the sewers."

"OK." Leo's voice and emotions quivered with Amusement.

"Great. Just great. Why in the world does your brother have a lab in the sewers?" Leo gently grabbed her hand and started leading her again.

"It's… a long story." Uncertainty, fear, unease. He still wasn't certain about trusting her.

"You said you came across mutagen when you were little, right? Does… it have to do with that?" April felt his emotions intensify for a moment then immediately calm down.

Bingo… she thought.

"…yeah." Was the only reply he gave. The rest of the trip was spent in silence.

Leo's nervousness grew with each step and the feeling of apprehension also began to grow in him. April furrowed her brows in thought. Is he going to get in trouble for bringing me to the lab?

(_)(_)(_)

About ten minutes had passed before Leo stopped and spoke again.

"We're here." He said as he removed the blindfold.

Light hit April's eye full force and she squinted against it as she blinked them open. It wasn't long before her eyes adjusted and she found herself staring at a subway entrance. She raised an eyebrow as she looked around. The tracks were old and obviously unused, and the walls looked like they could fall at any minute.

On the wall right of the entrance was a skateboard rack, filled with 3 skateboards, a pair of roller blades, and old Razer scooter. On the left side of the entrance was a closed garage door covered in graffiti of trees covered with pink flowers, which looked like it belonged on an old Japanese art scroll.

April blinked, rubbed her eyes and blinked again.

"Why is there a garage door down here? With… Sakura trees?"

Leo chuckled as he walked up the curved steps and into the subway.

"My youngest brother thought the place needed a brighter atmosphere." He shrugged. "Plus my father and sister love Sakura blossoms." He motioned for her to follow and she walked up the 3 steps into… a not so subway-like subway station.

Directly in front of her, in the middle of the 'room' was an area that was lower than the floor. Old couches lined the front, back, and left side of the floor-alcove (Was that the right word for it?) and on the left was an old flat screen TV while the middle was layered with comic books, text books, and a couple of bean bags. There was even someone sleeping on the middle couch, covered head to toe with an orange Gudetama no-sew blanket.

She stared a bit wide eye at the room before her.

"I'm not sure what I was expecting but this wasn't it… I thought you said lab?" she looked at Leo.

He gave her a bemused look that mirrored his emotions. Looks like his nerves have calmed down a little…

"I did say lab." He pointed to their left at a set of double doors. "Remember the garage? That's his lab." He turned and walked towards the closed doors, which had cartoony explosions painted all over them with the words 'beware', 'danger', 'don't touch anything Mikey!' and 'bewarb' on it.

April gulped nervously as she followed Leo. Not sure what to expect.

A/N: just to make things clear the turtle's sister is a canon character. if your interested in seeing character bios and art for this AU please check out my tumblr account or deviant art account. i am know as DigiAndromeda there. (both links should be on my profile page... hopefully.)