CHAPTER 17: The Adherence of Willpower

I hope everyone is doing okay after the last chapter. I will admit I had to tone it back a bit, but I hope I didn't lose anyone from that chapter to this one! I swear we will be getting back to April soon, but for now here's everyone's favorite nunchuk turtle!

Michelangelo peeked inside the lab, admittedly he had not slept well the previous night. Could anyone blame him? There was a huge drama filled fight, then April went missing and Donatello had a breakdown. Now they had some mysterious bird sitting in the middle of the lab and that was really what Michelangelo wanted to see. Seeing the common form of his older brother laying asleep at his computer, Mikey slowly slid into the lab and across the floor. Squatting on the ground next to his passed out brother, popping up for only a moment with a fleece yellow blanket April had brought over months ago, gently draping it across his brother's sleeping shoulders before returning his attention to his true intentions.

With a small, silent jump, Michelangelo was kneeling by the table with the bird, who was still sleeping in the same spot they had brought it to a few hours before. For Mikey, another being in the house was a special occasion, whether it was Casey or April. Having someone new around to talk to or to vibe with was big for Michelangelo. Checking over the food and water that he had left as an offering to the bird the previous night, letting out a quiet whisper "booyakasha", his hands rushing to his mouth and looking over at Donnie who hadn't even budged a little.

Mikey sighed softly, relaxing a bit before turning back to the bird, who was looking back at him now wide awake. Mikey looked at the bird for a moment, moving slowly to try not to frighten them, the bird appearing to not really care about his presence. Slipping back down to be eye level with the new resident, whispering quietly with their guest.

Mikey: 'morning lil dude. See you've been snackin' and sippin' on that good stuff. I was thinkin' of names for ya, but I totally can't decide dude. I was thinkin' OranBird, but I dig lil' Orad too…

Mikey looked at the bird with big eyes, blinking a few times with a childlike smile. The bird simply looked back, cocking its head to the side which Mikey opted to copy. The bird cood, fluffing itself up which Mikey also attempted to copy and not pulling it off very well. What happened next caused Michelangelo to fall back, crashing his shell into a few metal containers, staring at the bird in bewilderment, too occupied to notice the groggy and confused Donatello in the background.

?: Well personally I enjoy the name Cynthia but your names aren't terrible either.

Mikey: Woah! I didn't know you could talk!

Donatello: Huh? What..why, April?! Oh…MIKEY!

Mikey: Cynthia is your name? That's a pretty cool name! Shh Donnie I'm talking to Cynthia!

Donatello stood there, looking angrily at Mikey and then to the bird sitting on the desk still, who was looking at Donatello now. All he could offer this little brother was an exhausted, stressed out groan, pinching his eyes shut and rubbing his eyes. Michelangelo couldn't care less at this moment though, meeting a talking bird was definitely something on his bucket-list. Donatello couldn't help but look in awe at the bird who displayed her skills again.

Cynthia: Really dear, you're quite the busy-body. I am sure that pretty young red-head would prefer you to rest in an appropriate accommodation.

Mikey: I know right? He is always sleepin' at his desk and skipping meals!

Donatello: Wa-Wait…I am losing it now aren't I…I finally cracked from the stress! Ha..ha ha ha! Oh this is wonderful!

Donatello paced around his lab for a moment, Mikey watched concerned for Donatello for a moment before he seemed to snap out of that moment, turning back to Cynthia who was sipping away at the water Mikey had brought her before.

Donatello:...wait, you said 'pretty little red-head' didn't you?

Cynthia:..mh I did dear. Quite a sweet young woman.

Donatello: S-So you saw her yesterday?

Cynthia: Oh quite my dear! I must say she was quite brave if I do say so. She came crashing in and rescued us all from the clasps of those menacing machines.

Donatello stood there for a moment before bolting out of the room in long, focused strides, leaving Mikey and his new found friend in the room who was happily picking at a little bit of cheese that Raphael had suggested they offer to the bird last night. Donatello returned swiftly, a deeply annoyed Raphael and a groggy Leonardo in tow behind him, setting them up before the table and gesturing to Cynthia.

Raphael: Oh good fuck this again, Donnie I swear to all that is holy…

Donnie: ah ah ah shh shh shh just listen…okay…Cynthia…if you could please explain again…

Cynthia:...

Raphael:...Donnie, you're fucking dead meat…

Donnie: N-NO! Hold on I swear this bird was just speaking, right Mikey?

Mikey: Totally dude, her name is Cynthia.

Raphael: Donnie, I am gonna be blunt, I don't believe you and will sucker punch you in 10.25 seconds.

Cynthia: Oh ho ho! I am simply teasing my good boy! No need to become violent.

Raphael already had his arm cocked back ready to beat Donatello, turning alongside Leo in shock at the fact that this bird did indeed speak. Leonardo leaning forward into the table, Michelangelo sitting proudly as Cynthia turned to speak to him again.

Cynthia: I say, these other three gentlemen are quite brutish are they not?

Mikey: I gotta agree with you dude, they're wild.

Leo: Oh my god that bird just spoke..

Raphael: Well I'll be damned that bird really did just speak!

Donatello: Yes, Yes the bird has and can speak! But more importantly, she said she saw April the other day!

Leonardo and Raphael looked to one another before looking back to Cynthia who was now sitting on Michelangelo's hand. He was pointing to the photo's along the wall beside them and explaining who and where the various photos were with sly but witty commentary from Cynthia. Mikey looked back to his brothers and set her back on the table.

Cynthia: Ahem. Yes, I did see the young woman who you call April. It was near the location you all swept me up from a few hours prior. Although I would have loved to speak, by that point I hadn't had anything to drink nor eat in a few days. You must forgive me for being so rude.

Leo: But if you don't mind my asking ma'am, how is it that you're able to talk?

Cynthia looked at Leo, giving him a sad expression, lifting her left wing and showing a small section of her feathers that appeared to have been forcefully removed. Michelangelo looked at the exposed area of feathers, offering a kind remark that made Cynthia coo in amusement.

Mikey: Aw not to worry dude, you'll regrow those sooner or later.

Cynthia: oh ho ho aren't you an enjoyable tot. However, where we were kept..I can not explain it well I am afraid but other animals like myself were gathered by these humans and kept in those metal boxes. We were brought and distributed around to different buildings…each time they would administer this…thing, it was bright in color..like grass! They would test us, some lived, some were taken elsewhere, some..some didn't return..

Cynthia lowered her head in solace from recalling her past, clearly upset by retelling everything to them. Raising her head to look back at the four humanoid turtles who loomed over the bird, hopping forward and speaking to Michelangelo.

Cynthia: I have a proposition for you young man. I will take you to the building you seem to be looking for this evening. In return, I wish for you to set me off in the direction of the east tonight. I do not expect to live the life I had before but I expect to attempt a level of normality.

Mikey: Of course dude. I promise we'll get you where you need to be.

Mikey looked at Cynthia and then to his brothers who were offering her the same level of appreciation for her explanation of what had happened to her as he was. Donatello crouched down to her level and offered her a heartfelt nod of appreciation. Leo was already going into leader mode, however without his mask on it didn't feel as official as it usually would have.

Leo: Now, we'll need to plan accordingly for tonight. If April is wrapped up in all this, that means by association we are as well. We'll figure this out and bring justice!

Raphael offered a groan in disapproval to his older brother's lame one-liners as Donatello approached Cynthia with a few more questions.