CHAPTER 7: Preparation.
April paced around the lair in elation, the excitement of being allowed to officially go on a patrol with the turtles. Sure she had done her own sleuthing and "patrolling" if you wanted to be official about it. And sure most of the time she was doing something revolving around the Kraang or the Foots plans, the brothers would show up, but this was the first time that she was allowed to officially go on patol. This was finally her time to really partake in this whole situation they had found themselves in. While she has gone through being kidnapped, fighting with mutants and being stalked and almost killed or dragged off against her will by elite ninjas, she for the most part felt outmatched and helpless.
This was something that April O'Neil hated feeling, like a helpless, unhelpful girl getting in the way. Since her mother's passing when she was around the age of eight, her father had always treated her as though she was a rare jewel that could break from the wind hitting it the wrong way. Sure she did her best to get her father to recognize that she was far more capable than he was allowing her to be, but all in all she was both his little girl and all he had left of her mother. With everything that has occurred since that fateful night almost a year or so ago now, April has definitely proved time and time again that she is far more capable than originally let on, even if her best-friend had to save her a few times.
April stopped pacing excitedly around the pit of the lair once hearing the sliding of the door to the dojo, turning to greet the group ninjas with an excited smile, rocking back and forth on her feet.
April: Hey guys! Are we about ready to head out for the night? Do we have a route picked out or a mission?!
April dropped down into a defensive stance, her excitement getting the better of her as Leonardo let out a small chuckle at her enthusiasm, shaking his head. Raphael gives her a bit of a sassy scoff, using the handle of his sai to gesture at her.
Raphael: And uh…what's with the getup?
April looked down to her crime fighting outfit she had put together from the stuff she had brought with her. Sure it wasn't something she would usually wear but she liked this option better than her signature bright yellow t-shirt and jean shorts. April took her own sassy stance, gesturing to her black on black on black tight athletic outfit.
April: For someone who doesn't wear clothing, you sure are a bit of a fashion police. What would you have me wear?
Raphael: I don't have an issue with the outfit for the most part. Just curious about that part.
Raphael spun his sai around in a blur of silver, pointing to the scrap of yellow fabric tied around her waist which hung down to her mid thigh. April looked from the makeshift belt back to the four turtles looking at her for some kind of answer. She felt her cheek's get a bit hot as she started to play with her fingers nervously.
April: Well I mean..you all have a color…I kinda have a color. I don't know, I guess I wanted to fit in?
April flashed a shy smile to the group, trying to gauge the reaction from the ninjas. Michelangelo breaking the silence, leaving the group to envelop April into a hug, picking her up off the ground with his strength.
Mikey: Awww April, that's so cute! You're like the fifth lil member of the fam!
April laughed, awkwardly patting Mikey on the shell as he held her up, Leonardo clearing his throat to attempt to bring order to the chaos.
Leo: That's true. April, starting today you will be participating in patrols with us….under a few conditions
April looked at Leo and sighed. Of course there were going to be conditions, there were always conditions when April was involved with something. While she was far more fragile than her turtle mutant counterparts, she wasn't hopeless when it came to combat and if anything she had proven that today. Michelangelo put April down on the ground with a little playful pat on the head, dashing back to join his brothers.
April: Alright I'll bite, what are these "conditions"?
She almost wished she hadn't taken the bait as Leonardo and Donatello took over the conversation, attempting to take an authoritarian position between the two of them over how she conducts herself while they are all out on ninja business.
Leonardo: First and foremost is that you understand that if something is too dangerous for you, you do not engage. If we tell you to get back you get back.
April fought with herself to not roll her eyes at the absolute ridiculousness of this condition.
Hello, earth to Leo. That's like the most obvious thing…
Although, being on a team with Raphael and Michelangelo, this may not appear as obvious.
Leonardo: If we end up splitting up while on patrol, you'll be expected to have your T-Phone for us to contact you, or track you if something goes wrong.
Donatello: Honestly though this is a rule that applied to all of us so uh..don't think of this as overstepping or anything
April nodded, following along with the logic, gesturing with her hands for them to keep going. A huff exited from her mouth as the final condition was listed, looking to Donatello with a slightly annoyed expression. Leonardo picking up on this and explaining the thought process a bit more.
Leonardo: Finally, you'll be paired up with Donatello while you're getting the ropes regarding crossing rooftops and traversing the city as we do. This is primarily to again keep you safe, but also as the family medic, if there is a complication, you can be assisted as soon as possible.
April looked to Donatello who was sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck, fully aware at how April hated with a passion being treated as though she was helpless. Although she cared for her best-friend-now-romantic-interest-but-not-quite-boyfriend, everyone knew he had a bit of a tendency to be a bit too overprotective when it came to her. April sighed and nodded, looking at Leo with a bit of a sly smirk.
April: Alright oh so fearless leader, consider your conditions met. However, I expect to be considered a part of the group.
Leonardo: Of course you are, just wanted to have some ramification considering you're not as experienced as us…
Raphael: You can say that again..
April shot Raphael a look with a bit of a huff, crossing her arms and preparing to protest, feeling Donatello physically pull her back, Leonardo attempting to stand in a heroic way to deliver the final touches on that night's game plan.
Leonardo: Right! That being said, considering this being April's first true patrol with us, we'll be doing a loop tonight to watch for the classics: Purple Dragon activity, maybe some Kraang droid bust ups.
April felt the excitement of that night's plans returning to her again with the itinerary fully laid out before them. Mikey coming up next to her and grabbing her shoulder in excitement, the two of them feeding off of one another's energy.
Mikey: Oh this is going to be so good! Are you ready for this April?
April: You know I am Mikey!
April looked between the four ninjas and excitedly ran towards the turnstiles, hopping over them as they had done about a hundred times before her, turning to see the brothers, running alongside her, ready to finally embark.