Chapter 14: Babbling Homeless Guys and Squirrelanoids

A/N: Yep, here's the next chapter. This will take place during the next episode. So how does Tony factor into this? Well, you'll find out. Thanks to those who have read and reviewed thus far. You guys are awesome.

Disclaimer: TMNT is owned by Nickelodeon. I only own the plot.

I was supposed to work the night shift, though I was going to be taking orders at the shop instead of delivering as I always did. Vinnie said there was a shortage and he needed help. He did ask me about Uncle Gino, but I just said that he'd disappeared and couldn't be found. I knew that troubled him and that the police might get involved with it, but there was nothing I could do about that. It was during my shift that something really weird happened. Granted, I was used to weird by now, and we often had our share of weird customers lately, but this one took the cake.

A homeless guy came running into the shop babbling up a storm. "Squirrels!" he yelled. "Mutant squirrels, mutant turtles and a rat! The world is coming to an end!"

"What the hell is he talkin' about?" Vinnie asked me.

"I have no clue," I answered even though I had a fair idea. The guys were involved with this, and I was going to get answers once I got back to the Lair. The homeless guy continued babbling a bit before he ran out of the shop and into the street. Yep, the guys definitely had some explaining to do.

After my shift was over I headed and went to the alley next to the shop where I was supposed to meet one of the Turtles. This time it was Leo who was there waiting for me.

"Hey, you'll never believe the day I just had," I told him. "Some homeless guy was babbling about mutant squirrels, mutant turtles, and rats. Do you happen to know anything about that?"

"Did he have a black beard?" Leo asked me.

"Yeah, he did," I replied. "What's going on?"

Leo explained about how they had to take him home after the mutant squirrel entered his stomach and how Don had to study him. Then he told us about their little adventure and how the squirrels turned into squirrelanoids (I had a feeling Mikey had named them that).

"Okay, so what happened after they were flushed?" I asked.

"We don't know, but Mikey thinks they'll come back," he replied. "I'm just glad we had the idea to pick you up. I don't want anything to happen to you now."

"Yeah, as if anything hasn't already happened to me," I joked.

Leo didn't respond and escorted me to the Lair, keeping alert and having his katanas out. He seemed tense until we got to the Lair and then relaxed once we were at the entrance. This really must have freaked him out.

Mikey greeted me. "Tony, dude, you'll never believe what happened to us," he said.

"I already know," I said. "Leo told me. Good job for saving the day, Mikey."

"Ah, it was nothing," he said. "But I have a feeling they'll be back."

"Well, if they do come back, you'll be ready for them," I reassured him. "The thing that clued me in though was when the homeless guy came in and started babbling about mutant squirrels, rats and turtles."

"Was there anything else he said?" Splinter asked me.

I shook my head. "No, he just babbled a bit and left."

"I see," Splinter mused. "Well, I am sure no one will believe a homeless man."

"No, but they may believe it when they see other mutants walking around," Leo pointed out.

"That is true, but there is not much you can do for tonight," Splinter said. "You must continue your mission tomorrow night and see if you can get any other canisters. This is definitely a grave situation."

"Hey, Tony, have you heard from April lately?" Donnie asked me.

"Nope, she hasn't called me," I answered. "I think she's still mad."

"Donnie, get over her already," Raph grumbled. "The key is to let her come to you, so just give her some space."

Don was ready to retort, but Splinter stopped him with a look. "Your brother is right, Donatello," he said. "You must give April some time. She will come around in her own way."

"Hai, Sensei," Donnie said softly.

"I suggest you all go to bed," Splinter ordered. "This has been a difficult night for all of us."

I was grateful for his suggestion and decided to take the spare room until Mikey asked if I could stay with him again. I agreed and went to his room where he told me more about the adventure and how scared he'd been when the squirrelanoid had almost dragged him down the drain.

"Wow, that had to be hard for you," I said. "It's a good thing the others were there."

"Yeah, that's for sure," he said. "I just want company right now and don't want to be alone. You don't think that's weird, do you?"

"No way," I said. "I'd probably want company too if I went through what you did. It'll be okay though, Mikey. You're safe now. Just try and get some sleep, okay?"

"Yeah, okay," he said. I waited until he closed his eyes and fell asleep before drifting off to sleep myself. Poor Mikey! First April rejected them and then he almost got killed. I just hoped this whole thing would end without any serious injuries or casualties in the process.

A/N: So, that's the end of that chapter. A bit short but there wasn't much else I could do with this one. I'm not sure when the next one will be up, but it'll probably be after the next new episode airs, which should be next week. I want to try and wait for two episodes to air so that I can get out two chapters so you're not waiting too long, but we'll see how things go and how Nickelodeon handles it. Can't wait for the next episode though since it's Leo centered, and you know how much of a Leo fan I am and how I adore those types of episodes. In the meantime feel free to leave a review and have a shelltastic day.