Raphael speeds by Spike's right elbow and stabs two robots through the head with his sais.
Another gun lands at Spike's feet, and she bends down and starts firing, careful to get the robots and not the turtles.
She freezes when she hears a voice behind her.
"Spike?"
Spike spins and looks down at April. "Yeah?"
April sits up. "What happ-" she glances around. "Spike? Is Sacks-" she puts a hand to her forehead. "Ouch. Are the boys okay?"
Spike nods. "Uh-huh."
April looks up. "We were supposed to catch that movie a week ago, weren't we?"
Spike stares. "Yeah. Who told you that?"
"You did…last week."
Spike drops to her knees in front of April and searches her face.
April shakes her head. "Dad…..no wait the fire…" she glances at Spike. "The docks? You said we saw…Terminator….got fired…."
Donatello's voice rings out. "They closed the portal themselves! They're retreating!"
He lands next to Spike and frowns. "Is she okay?"
April looks up. "Donnie! Did you finish patching Spike up?"
Donatello gives her an odd look. "What?"
"After the Shredder. Is she okay? And Vern? He got shot….Raphael's shell?" April glances at Spike. "It cracked, didn't it?"
Spike grabs her shoulders. "April how do you know that?"
"I was just thinking….you and Donnie got captured, didn't you? They tracked you to the lair…my head hurts," April says. She shakes her head.
Donatello glances at Spike. "Something triggered it." He kneels down next to April and pats her head. "April, you gotta relax."
April doesn't hear him.
She's unconscious.
~Trouble Strikes Again~
April blinks her eyes open and focuses on the shape sitting next to her. "Spike?"
"April!" Spike shuts her book and looks at her. "How are you feeling?"
"Better. My head hurts, but….." her eyes widen. "I remember!"
Spike glances around to make sure the room is empty before bending down and wrapping April in a hug. "Thank goodness." Spike sniffles.
"Are you crying?" April asks.
"No," Spike pulls back shortly. She rubs at her nose. "No I'm not." She stands. "Guys, she's awake!"
April realizes she's on the couch in the lair.
Michelangelo barrels in with a wide grin on his face. He plunks down next to April. "You okay, Angel?"
"April," Spike corrects him. Michelangelo shrugs.
Leonardo pats April's shoulder. "Glad you're up."
"And remembering," Donatello adds.
April grins. "Yeah."
Raphael nods. "Good to have you back."
Splinter watches as April sits up. "What triggered your memories?"
April frowns. "I don't know. I opened my eyes, and there were the back of Spike's legs. She was fighting." She closes her eyes then opens them. "Maybe it reminded me of the first time we met the turtles," she gestures. She glances at Spike. "So thanks for being overprotective."
Spike nods. "Let's get you home."
~Trouble Strikes Again~
The next day, Spike stands in front of Splinter. "I've made my decision, Master Splinter. Yes, I'm willing to commit to training."
Splinter nods. "I must ask….why?"
Spike looks steadily at him. "So I am a more efficient fighter. If I am to become a valuable member of this team, I need to excel. No more accidents."
Splinter smiles and shakes his head. "Those are good reasons, child."
Spike plays with the singed end of her ponytail. "There's something I gotta take care of first."
~Trouble Strikes Again~
Donatello steadies the scissors and Michelangelo positions the plastic bag. "Are you sure you want me to-" Donatello starts.
"Go ahead," Spike says.
Donatello sighs and cuts just above the ponytail.
A big clump of hair falls into the bag. April shakes her head.
Michelangelo zips up the bag. "Do you want this back?"
April grabs the bag. "Yes."
Spike runs a hand through her hair. "Better."
Leonardo nods. "Y'know, I remember hearing that cutting your hair is a symbol of change in the Eastern area."
"I know." Spike shakes her shorter hair out. "Whaddya think?"
April shakes her head again. "I miss your hair already."
Michelangelo shrugs. "You look different."
Donatello nods. "But not bad."
"It's good," Leonardo assures her.
Raphael doesn't say anything for a minute. He shrugs. "S'okay. You sure you can keep up with the training?"
Spike shakes her head. "I gotta. I'm determined to see this through."
"I got one word of advice," Leonardo declares. He leans over. "Don't get sent to the hashi. For any reason."
Spike looks at him warily. "Okay."
They walk home that night, Spike with a lighter head, and April with the bag containing Spike's hair.
Spike calls her sentimental and goes to bed.
I gotta train tomorrow, she thinks. I sure hope I'm up for it.
There we go! Thank you for reading, and please leave a review!
