It's a long day here in St. Freya High School. Well, for people like Rose, an Asian living inside New York City seems to adjust a lot. She's been working, living and studying here in New York City. She grew up and adapted their environment here. Although she doesn't have that much friends, she's glad that there are people who is friendly and kind to her despite being an Asian decent. Other people tend to get rough on her, getting racist remarks or sometimes, being racist unintentionally like mistaking her to a Chinese or Japanese. But to much people, she's half-Korean and half-America. She spoke both Korean and English fluently. Though her Korean accent is pretty song, but through her living in a foreign land improve her accent drastically.
Why did she end up studying in New York City? Her father, a Korean soldier and also a Chemical Engineer died during the infamous terrorist attack back in 1997. He got shot in the head by one of the terrorist. The South Korean government took care of of them. Her mom decided that they would need to get back in New York City. Her homeland. The Bronx, New York. Her mother believed that they have a chance to survive in her home country more than in South Korea. Language Barrier must've taken a huge toll for her to work in South Korea. Even though her mother can understand Korean language, she also has a little bit problem from her late husband's family. Rose's grandparents from her father's side isn't really fond of her mother, afterall, her mom is a foreigner and her father's family believe they shouldn't get married. But thankfully, her mother got the opportunity to go back on her home country and took a job opportunity there. She is now working in New York Botanical Garden as a part-time GreenSchool Educator and also a Laboratory Technician. She earned a lot for these jobs that pays their bill.
Aside from that, Rose is also a part-time painter and a digital artist, most of her our clients comes to her mostly in valentine's day where couples approached her to draw their loved ones, that's how she is earning her own money. She used her talent for arts to earn. But to much Mrs. Park pleased, she is glad that she have raised a well-mannered and loving daughter. Being a solo parent is harder than anything. By the time Rose got into high school, Mrs. Park sent Rose into one of the most prestigious high schools in New York City. An all-girls high school St. Freya, since it is far to their place, Mrs. Park agreed to let Rose rent an apartment near her school with the help of an old friend's daughter, April O'Neil. So Far, so good. Rose is on her last year of high school. She'll be graduating soon, either Rose wanted to go college or not. It doesn't matter for Mrs. Park as long as her daughter is happy on whatever she do, she will support her daughter no matter what.
Despite of all the good things Mrs. Park displays to her daughter, deep within a dark secret she holds dearly to her heart. Something that she doesn't want Rose to found out, but knew infact, she'll eventually will find out. That is her powers and its potential.
Another quick history lesson, back when Mrs. Park was pregnant with Rose, she was extremely sick. Her illness has passed down to her daughter. The doctor told the pregnant woman that her daughter's brain died inside her, however Rose's heart is still beating. To which made the interracial couple got dismayed, heartbroken and depressed. But not to the husband, being a chemical engineer, he used that advantage to create drugs or medicine to save the lives of his wife and his daughter. After several months of attempts, the last ounce of chemical, h finally found a cure to tend to his wife's illnesses. That cure had saved Rose's life. However, that cure has it's toll.
Rose may had another chance to live a beautiful life, but on this drug, she had gain a tremendous power. A psionic power, the older Rose gets, the powerful it grows. And Mrs. Park is afraid when Rose grows up, her power might give her a huge impact on her. That's why she is always trying to keep Rose to live as normal life as possible. Forbid her on using her power even though she could control it well. The more power she exerted to her bodylimit, the more she strained thus causing her nose to bleed and her skin turned pale. This makes Rose anemic.
I think I've already get enough of introduction on Rose, anyways, back to the reality. It's a long day for the South Korean decent in St. Freya, it's her last year of high school. She doesn't know if she would like to continue to go to College and pursue fine arts or would rather continue on doing a lot of paintings and digital arts. But either way, she will always ger supported by her mom.
Since St. Freya wasn't too far, Rose took a subway to commute. She's also going to meet her roommate April O'Neil, a good friend of her family. Rose wonder why April is acting so weird these days. Talking about the weird 'vigilantes' here in New York City. How they were able to stop the Footnote criminal activities. And according to her, April saw the attempted robbery of Footnote in Brooklyn to which Rose became so worried about her might get hurt. Unlike Rose can protect herself to these people but wouldn't also risk on exposing her abilities as her mother wouldn't allow her to use it. Although she loves her mother, she also wish sometimes that she would allow her mother to use her abilities to catch criminals. But she understand her mother. A solo parent. And solo parenting is not a joke.
You know what's another weird thing happening to Rose? She always have a dream. A dream of a giant turtle. A humanoid turtle. And it felt real. The giant turtle looks real and she met him face to face. He's wearing eyeglasses, and she played with that turtle. But for some reason, a giant turtle. Does it exist? And if it is, where is he? What is he doing? Why after that night, they didn't meet again? Or maybe her imagination is just playing against her mind. She even have a sketch of that turtle she met in her dreams. It's not just a detailed dream, but that dream. She often dreamed it every night.
Once the trained stopped, she got up to her seat and walked out of the train. As she was walking, a group of men in black, covering their faces with black mask have pointed a gun to her, more and more of them came out and shouted at the passengers to get down. Shoved them all to the floor, Rose did as she was told. Hands on her head, and the thing thay she hates the most whenever things like this happens. She could hear each and every heartbeat of anyone inside the area. Their thoughts are everywhere, she can read them all at once, her head is spinning. Her anxiety kicks in. She could feel an energy fuming on her. Her breathe goes rapid.
I want to live! Please don't kill me!
I have children! I have a son and daughter. Spare me!
I don't wanna die!
Please
Please
Please help me!
Help me!
"L-leave me a-alone." Rose whimpered. Her palms on her ears.
"Miss, are you okay?" One of the hostage passengers looked at her with worried face. But the young Asian girl couldn't hear anything as she is too distracted. Blood is already drpping on her nose. Her skin is turning pale again.
"Please help! She's hyperventilating!" He cried out but only to be ignored and be shoved down with a gun on his head.
"You better not move or you'll die." One of the footclan soldier threatened the hostage.
"She's anemic! You motherfucker!" The hostage frowned at the foot soldier.
"Be quiet!" The foot soldier scolded.
--
"Eric Sacks was so inspiring." April said looking at the window as she is mesmerized on the man she admired so much. Eric Sacks as she had mentioned. She attended the conference and met him there.
"I know this is a story that matters."
Vern, her cameraman who seems infatuated to the stunning reporter driving the channel 6 car property, stuck on the heavy traffic in New York City. He shrugged and commented.
"That's a good one. I should chase that down."
Moments later, people started running. Since they're heading out on the opposite direction, it didn't go unnotice to the pair.
"What's going on?" Vern asked completely confused on the events happening. This also has the same reaction to the female reporter, April. She wonders what's happening. As a reporter, this is a good opportunity as this is going to be or probably one of her story she could tell to the company. Without anymore hesitation, April got out on Channel 6 car, running to the direction where people are running. Asking strangers about why are they running and what's going on. Ignoring the calls from Vern.
She followed where it the people came running for. Not caring the danger it might be. But deep inside her guts telling her that things are probably some foot related crime. Once the people are gone, she saw foot soldiers making their way down the stairs, not noticing her presence. April hid behind a metal pillar, she took out her phone to check if only to be dismayed on how low the battery is. A gun shot and screamed can be heard. Before coming out on her hiding place, she scanned around if there's footclan soldiers around. When she's sure there was no one around, she made her way to the tap card machine and jumped over it. Then she hid again to another metal pillar and peek. When she got out, a foot soldier jumped on her and hold her by her hair. April groaned tried to fight back. Since this is a bigger guy, she can't do anything but to obey him. And might be a good opportunity to gather more information. Not just the foot clan but also to the vigilantes who are fighting back the footnote. They walked downstairs to where the other hostages are, April was shocked to see her roommate, and friend Rose shovered on the floor, she was about to run up to her only to be pushed down on the floor beside an old lady.
"Nobody move!"
Seeing Rose in such situation, she looks pale and weak, and blood is dripping down on her nose.
Foot soldiers planted bombs beside the hostages and do whatever they're doing anything that is not good and illegal. Shouting here and there, pointing guns to the hostages.
"ROSE!" April shouted. Rose who is already lost on what's happening has gone back to reality. She look on the person who called her nickname, beside the old lady who is also beside her is the female reporter whom she shared apartment too, she is also her closest friend as of this moment. Her rapid breathing stopped once she saw April. She no longer alone. The old woman beside April and her, looked at Rose with so much worried and hand her a handkerchief so she could wipe out the blood on her nose.
"Stay strong child, we can get this through."
"We will get you to the hospital once we get out of here." Said the guy who helped Rose.
"Rose, are you okay? Did they hurt you?" Rose was about to answer when the Asian female footclan start calling out.
"We know you're out there!" Rose could tell how this wicked this woman is. She could take her on, but knowing her state right now. Her anemic is kicking her on and she's too scared to use it, she might hurt someone and also, there's so many people around here. She will expose herself to them and they might get afraid. Especially April O'Neil. Her only one true friend.
"If you don't come out! We will start executing the hostages!" The woman threatened. Then the foot soldiers cocked his gun out to them. Ready to shoot anytime.
April, being a stubborn individual, took out her phone. The old woman beside her noticed this and tried to stop her.
"Don't!" Afraid that if April got caught, the wicked woman will kill them. But as mentioned, stubborn.
April tried to be as sneaky as possible and took a picture. The people near April --Rose, the old woman and the man beside Rose, heard the flash. Rose looked at the reporter with a worried face and fear is painted across Rose's face.
Karai, heard it as well, cocked her gun and pointed on April.
"YOU!" She called out to April. "STAND UP!"
Oh my god! April! Rose focused her light blue energy behind her, ready to strike. She is ready to blast the woman when they heard voices.
"ALL ABOARD!"
The Japanese woman shouted in her language, then the whole areas light gone out. Then a train passedby quick. April tried to capture the images she could see but the area is too dark to her lighting.
Rose observed and counted the figure. She counted it to be four figures of man or a man with shell. She doesn't know what it is. Whatever it is or whoever they are. She senses that they'll be safe with them. She could hear the heavy foot running towards the foot soldier. A figure ran up to the Japanese woman and slammed her on the wall knocking her out. The others are now fighting back the foot soldiers. Rose saw one of the foot trying to get on one of the 'saviors' back to stabbed him, she reactes quickly and used her light blue energy to blast on the footnote soldier. The vigilante looked at her, Rose was taken a back by his hazel eyes. She couldn't figure out his appearance other than his eyes. And the purple colored mask. The guy has a bo staff and used it to fought the enemies around.
"Like a shadow bruh!"
Once the trained meets the end trail, the lights turned on again, and the four persons who saved them disappeared.
April grabbed Rose's hand who's still on her St. Freya's uniform. She's anxious on how short her skirt is but still followed wherever April is going.
"Wait, April, we don't know these people." Rose told the reporter.
"Ssshhh. They might see us." She hushed the young asian student and proceeded to follow the voices.
April lifted down the stairs so they can climbed out. Both girls are running upstairs to where the voices, coming from. Cheering and whooping on such achievement they have.
"Great elbow, Donnie!"
"Oh yeah! That's what I'm talking about!" As the two girls nearing above, the shouting and cheering voices of the so-called 'shadows of the night' are getting louder to their ears meaning they're getting nearer.
"This is out city! These are our streets!"
"You mess with us, you step into wu whoo tang!"
Once the two girls are now on the top of the stairs, reaching the ladder, April gestured to Rose that she will just take a look at them. Rose shook her head saying 'No.' But April insisted.
"Ooh, yeah! Did you see that guy's jaw connect with the concrete?"
Roae didn't argue anymore and let April do what she wants to do. April climbed up the ladder leaving Rose down. Rose couldn't do anything but to scanned the area to see if there's anyone followed them or not.
"He'll be drinking out of sippy cup for months"
he must be so proud of it. Rose thought.
"Ah that's what I'm talking about, brothers. Just like a shadows in the night, completely unseen."
April took out her phone and took a picture to which Rose got froze again and face palmed.
"April, the flash!" Rose scolded the reporter in a whisper tone. Staying quiet as possible. April was also frozen on her spot as the four vigilantes froze on their spot as well.
"What was that?" Whispered by one of them.
"It's a camera flash." Answered the other.
"We know it's a camera flash."
"Who's behind that camera flash?"
"By my calculations, it's a girl."
Anxious Rose and doesn't know what to do, she closed her eyes and focused to the voices she's hearing. Rose never the day that she has to used her abilities to something like this. She focused the energy to her mind and find the voices. Inside her mind, she saw four. But not four persons, they were four talking giant turtles and they are whispering something, not until she heard one of them said...
"Now we gotta kill her."
Rose opened her eyes and focuses the energy like she did on the subway. Light blue particles of energy surrounded her palms. Using the energy, she elevated herself, then refocused her energy to her palm and striked the four turtles surrounding to her unconscious friend.
They grunted as the energy knocked them down. Rose gathered the energy to her body and landed infront of the unconscious April protecting her to the possible threat infront of her.
"Stay away from her!" Even with a threatening words, Rose couldn't come up with an intimidating face and intimidating tone. She's a soft spoken person and can hardly get angry. When the four turtles regained their strength from the strong blast they got shot up.
"Woah, Miss. We're not trying to hurt her." The one with the blue bandana. Rose could tell that these creatures are now contemplating.
"Leo! I don't think this is a good idea." The turtle with red bandana said.
Leo, that's his name, huh.
"Rose?" Rose looked at the turtle who called her nickname. Confused. She turned to looked at the tall turtle. The slimmest one and probably tallest out of the four gian turtles.
"She's so gorgeous. I couldn't take my eyes off of her." The turtle with an orange mask couldn't helped but to compliment how stunningly beautiful the young Asian girl infront of them. She has the softest face, her porcelain skin is like it hasn't seen a sun, with a good body proportion. That Donnie could admit. The last time he saw Rose, she is indeed a very cute kid back then. Right now, seeing his childhood best friend, she has grown into such beautiful lady.
"It's been a long time, since we last saw each other." Donnie said looking into her brown beautiful slanted eyes. Rose casted her body again into a thicker energy giving warning to the purple colored masked turtle.
"I don't know you." Even in her threatening state, Rose will always be soft spoken person. That's something Donnie love about her. But saying that Rose doesn't know him, it makes his heart sad as his childhood bestfriend couldn't remember him.
Why's that? And how did he became friends with Rose? It's a long story to take.
"Wait, Donnie, you know her?" Leo asked his younger brother.
"Yes. She's a mutant like us. But a different one." Donnie answered. Leo knew it is more than that. The way Donnie reacted on thw first time seeing her. Leo could tell that there's deeper story behind that action.
"Oohh. Never knew you're a man of culture, bruuh." Mikey, the youngest brother, teased on him.
"That's not like that, Mikey." Donnie's face turned red scolding his only younger brother.
"Guys, we're talking infront of her." Raph, the biggest turtle and the second oldest turtle scolded his two younger brothers.
Donnie and Rose exchange glances to each other. But to Rose, an image of her dreams came into her mind. And the young boy on her dreams seems to fit on Donnie.
"But I... somehow..." Rose started. Her hands that is wrapped with thick light blue energy, has become thinner. Which means Rose has calm down.
"Had a dream. I saw a young boy, the figures accurately described you." She said turning to Donnie.
Donnie was about to say something but didn't get a chance too as Rose ignited her body again with light blue energy, but it ignited down as Rose could feel her limit, she started to feel nausea, experience a light headache. Donnie step up. "Uhm. Rose." He called, to which Rose responded.
"Your nose..." He gestured to her saying there's a problem. "It's bleeding." Rose felt the thick liquid coming out from her nose. She used her fingger to wiped. Donnie came up to her and a handkerchief on his three finggered hand and helped Rose. He instantly used his goggles to scanned Rose's health.
Her blood pressure is so low. So does her temperature. Oh no.
"She's so pale." Mikey commented. Leo also came up to the Asian girl. The light energy on Rose's body is now gone.
"Let her lied down first." Donnie assisted Rose to walked beside the unconconscious April who is now waking up.
"Is she anemic or something?" Raph asked.
"Probably yeah, she's been showing signs and symptoms of an anemic person." Donnie answered.
"Will she be okay?" Leo asked hovering as well.
"For some reason, it's better to take her to the hospital." Donnie said as he is trying to fanning on the weakened Rose.
"I'm fine. Check April first." Rose told Donnie hesistated at first but eventully obeyed. Even on your state, Rose. You're still selfless. Using his gadget, scanning the reporter who is not conscious.
"Breathing steady. Blood pressure stabilizing." Donnie checking April's vital signs.
"Why are we still here playing doctor?" Raph asked. By the tone of his voice can tell how impatient he is. They know for a fact they are still not allowed to go above grounds as a direct order from their master.
"She may have a head injury." Leo answered Raph.
"Uh. Correction. She's a hot chick who may have a head injury which makes it-our civic duty to-"
"Ma'am. Ma'am." Donnie called out. Snapping his fingger infront of the reporter.
"Can you hear me? Do you know what city you are in?"
"Have you seen that video where a cat plays chopstick with a chopsticks?" Mikey laughed as he narrated that video he watched before they gone to save them in the subway.
"Can we focus here?" Leo told his younger brothers as things aren't looking too good for them.
"Guys, please come on, give her some air." Donnie scolded them.
The light in Donnie's goggles shoned on April's face kind of blinding her. April turned to look beside her is Rose lying beside her on her weak state. She was about to nudge her but was stopped by Donnie.
"Don't. Let her rest for a bit. She's too weak to move."
"What happened to her?" April asked.
"She used too much of her power, until she reached her limit." Donnie answered the female reporter.
"Power? What do you mean?"
"Yeah she got superpower, bruh. She's like Scarler Witch from Avengers." Mikey said.
"And Jean Grey from X-men. Pretty cool."
"What are you?" April asked the four humanoid turtles.
"Well, uh miss. We're ninjas."
"We're mutants, like your friend here."
"Rose is a mutant?" April asked or rather be, confused. Like the informations aren't catching up to her brain.
"Well, technically, we're turtles. And yes she's a mutant." Donnie said 'technically'.
"Oh and we're teenagers, but we can have still have adult conversation."
"Wait wait wait..." April still processing the information she has gathering on her mind.
"So... You're Ninja..."
"Mutant..."
"Turtle... Teenagers?"
"Well, if you put it on that way, it sounds ridiculous." Donnie corrected.
"See, she's looking at us like we're freaks!" Raph grunted as he is already frustrated to the situation they are in.
"I bet that's why you took a picture of us. Wasn't is? To show your friends?" Mikey jumped down and said. "Bro, that's a good thing, maybe she got hot friends, like the asian chick."
"You know St. Freya's uniform kinda reminds me of an anime who has super cute face and super short skirts." Mikey sighed and turned his teasing to Donnie. "I still can't believe that Donnie is really a man of culture, should I bring a cops now?"
"Mikey!" Donnie scolded his younger brother. Then proceeded to calm Rose down. Who is now conscious but still her body is fragile and weak.
"Is April okay?" Rose asked the turtle infront of her. "Yeah, she's fine. I'm more worried about you. You should go see a doctor or someone specialist." Donnie said.
"I'll be fine. Thank you." Rose said. Thanking the turtle who helped her.
"Donnie, that's your name right?" Donnie softly looked at the pretty Asian girl. His one knee knelt adjusting to the sitting Asian girl on the pile of garbage.
"Why do I feel like I've met you before?" Rose asked the turtle. Donnie wanted to answer her however, it is not the right time to tell her about their past.
"Will you be okay?" Donnie instead answering her, he rather asked her since she's still weak and is unable to walk. Rose nodded confirming that she'll be okay.
Raph took out April's phone and taunted it infront of her. April's breath hitched as she saw Raph waving it infront of her face.
"Looking for this?"
"Don't break it." April begged shaking his head lightly. "No no no please."
"How many times do I have to tell you that we don't break things. We fix them." Leo snatched the phone on Raph's hand and handed it to April.
"Donnie already wiped the phone, genius. Problem solved. Moving on."
"And who put you in charge?" Raph retaliated to which Leo answered the same amount of sterness. "You know who did."
"Ooh tension. It's been like 30 whole minutes since you guys had this arguement." They were about to say something however Donnie steps in and announced to his brothers that they needed to get out of here.
"Leonardo, if we want to make it home before, Master. We gotta hustle."
Donnie helped Rose to get back up on her feet. Rose tried to talk but almost stumbled, good thing that Donnie held her close. April turned to her friend and help her as well.
"Leonardo." Rose heard April whispered. Leo turned to the two girls who are now holding each other. More like April helping Rose on her feet.
"Do not say a word about this to anyone." Even without Rose using her telepathy, she could sense the sterness and seriousness to this Leonardo person.
"If you do, we will find you. Both. April O'Neil. Rossuain Park." Both girls stayed silent. Too tired to talk back.
"Care to take Rose to the hospital?" April nodded. "Good."
"We're on the move Raphael."
"Raphael." April whispered again. Rose could sense that April knows something.
"Yeah. We'll find you, Park. O'Neil." Mikey said. Before Mikey could jumped off the rooftop, he turned back and goofed. "I'm sorry, that came across super creepy. Okay? But we will find you." Then afterwards, Mikey jumped off the rooftop and joined with his brothers.
"I was on fire bro! Did you see me back there talking to a two girls!"
"SHUT UP! MIKEY!" Mikey's older brothers-- Leo, Raph and Donnie shouted at their youngest brother.
April left Rose's side and took a photo of them. Too bad that sill won't give Bernadette a tangible proof to her story.
Once April took their picture, she turned her attention to Rose who's limping.
"You have a lot of explaining to do."