Heroes in the Half-Shell

Chapter 2 – The Vigilante

Disclaimer:I do not repeat DO NOT own TMNT and crew in any way cause they belong to Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird (Only knows as the Greatest Guys on Earth!). Other characters like a certain OC that happen in these fanfic rightfully belongs to me and only ME!

Announcement from our writer: Hey guys! Well, here is the first chapter like I promise. I got a few followers down which will be mention in a sec. I will still be doing my other stories, I promise. My big one – The Saint's Hope – is going to be done, if I use my time wisely, three years tops. That's all I know. I swear!

(Updating: Hey guys. This is one of the chapters that I am updating. Had some trouble with my laptop and getting the motivation to start writing but no worries, I am here! I'm just fixing up

From the reviews/PMs that I got, I will answer them:

To Sydney (Guest)

DO CONTINUE THIS PLEASE

I WILL! THANKS!

And thanks for M-Preg Angel and Hellman76 for adding me and the story to their favourites. Love to have fans to come around all the time.

Here comes the second chapter.

(The docks, Manhattan, NY – 7:30am)

The bright sun has already rise up in the distance; shinning the city of New York on this clear, new day.

The honks and sirens of cars, buses and trucks were bustling through the crazy streets of the Big Apple. There were many people who are up this early time of the day for their daily dose of work, school and/or play. Early bird. First worm.

It may seem like a picture of calm when you take a good look at it, but in the air is not a vibrant one but more tension and not very peaceful.

New York City has always been in danger. From both within and out of the shadows.

Right now is one of the most rarest time in the city to be at peace. A growing darkness has now been overshadowing the city on edge for many years. And it has always been like that. Nothing or no-one has the guts or might to put a stop to it. Places like the dangerous streets or underground tunnels or abandoned warehouses would be the ideal locations where, like roaches, have been overtaken by a mysterious force that almost has a gripping control of the entire city. If they succeed,…the whole world would be a doorstop away.

And in one of these certain places has grabbed the attention of two particular ladies. Both of them have woken up very early to get the jump on things by heading all the way to the docks. Once the word of a huge activity that has happened down at the harbours has gone out, they wasted no time to check it out. Hopefully to get a huge story out of this.

One has a notepad and pen. The other has a video camera. And they were both racing after the man that the eldest of the duo wanted to get a few words from him. The youngest has started to film the interview.

The older woman of the duo was wearing her signature yellow leather jacket with a purple zipped-up hoodie and a grey shirt underneath it. She has a pair of dark blue jeans and a pair of high ankle boots. Winter has come & gone, and it is still a bit chilly which would explain the extra layers. She has long, dark auburn with no bangs and green painted fingernails. April O'Neil is at the age of 24 and is a full-time reporter for Channel 6 News which explains the lanyard around her neck with the key card attached to it. It is her first year on the job after spending her 4 collage years getting her degree in journalism.

Her youngest companion with her is at the age of 15 is wearing a dark purple beanie over her shoulder-length light brown hair with bangs going to the right and a pair of black glasses. They're not prescription but the ones you can buy at Target. Underneath her long-sleeve cargo jacket is a dark blue top with a picture of a Yin-Yang in white outline, a pair of light Demin shorts and black high-knee socks. Covering her hands are a pair of fingerless sleeve gloves with stripes on the forearm section and a pattern of a skull-shape on the backhand. On her feet are a pair of pink High-Tops and her fingernails are too painted with a shade of white.

She has been living with her best friend for nearly a year now. Before that, she used to live with April's mother and older sister. Where they lived was a bit cramped but after scoring the job as a news reporter, the teen herself went over to live with her current guardian. Before living with April's mother, she used to live with her father in Brooklyn. But he was then sent away for an important trip and he couldn't bring his daughter with him which has to be one of the hardest decisions that he has ever had to make. That was two years ago is when she last saw him. Sally Hope too has a lanyard but is working as an internship at the news station. And as soon as she and April are done with what's happening at the docks, she needs to head to school. Not a big fan.

The reason why these girls know each other is both their dads were college roommates many years ago. Involved in the same study as each other and have scored the opportunity to work in the Big Apple. Many years ago, they were both involved in an immense project that would change the world as one of the former employees quoted. Everything was going so great…

…that is until a fire changed its plans.

Only April's father paid the heavy price as he was in the lab when it happened. The young girl herself was eight years old. Sally was born a few months after that Big Disaster. So, the teen herself never had the chance to meet her friend's father that she has heard tales about. And Dr. Hope has acted as a father's figure over the girls since then. To this day, April still can't get over her father's death. It is not easy to lose someone at such a young age. And if it was Sally's father instead,…she would never knew her own father.

"Mr. Rivetti!" the reporter herself calls out to the supervisor himself. She and her friend were trying to get his attention while all he wants to do is get back to work. Something big that has happened and it needs to be taken care of. "Mr. Rivetti. Mr. Rivetti, please."

They have finally caught up with the head Dock Worker who slows down to talk. He knows that they are not going to leave him be. He might as well tell them.

"You two are the most persistent humans I've ever met in my life, I swear," he admits. But he doesn't stop walking which causes April and Sally to walk backward. The reporter gets ready to write down her notes while the teenager has already aim the camera now recording at Mr. Rivetti, in case April forgets to write any important info. "Look, I already told the cops everything, all right?" By the sound of his tone, he really needs to get to work.

"But maybe there's a detail you could've forgotten to share with the police," April fussed. Her pen and paper were ready and Sal's camera was already rolling.

"Sweetheart, you don't forget something like that." Mr. Rivetti has a pretty clear recollection of the previous events which…he would like to forgot as it shakes him to the core. "Ten guys storm in here – broad daylight – force us to the ground at gunpoint." He then points to one of the cargo not too far from them. "And these are restricted chemicals." As he mentions the last words, Sally whips her camera to the shipment. It was blocked off thanks to the police tape earlier. She brings the camera right back to the interviewee. "Benzyl cyanide and some deaminating agents, too. You don't buy this stuff, even on the black market." In other words, they are very hard to get a hold of them and for obvious reasons, the crew behind the attack, have a very specific interest on obtaining these…chemicals. The question remains…why?

He should know that every reporter would have this information and be done with it but April was staying and wanted more. And so was her friend.

"Wait, you said deaminating agents, those are used in genetic research," the young woman explained.

Mr. Rivetti's expression pictures a frustrated but intrigued look. This girl has done her research. She is persisted. He has stopped walking, giving the chance for April to flip a paper over and press onwards. "Is there anybody else that's trafficking these sort of chemicals besides you?"

"There's one other high-security facility along this waterfront," Mr. Rivetti answered before looking at the other direction to see a singular vehicle in the lot. It is not one of his own. It must belong to them and their friend. "But they don't move nearly as much cargo as we do."

Coming from where April and Sally ran from was their much-older driver. Wearing his sunnies, a black jacket with a light grey top underneath, a pair of blue jeans and big brown boots was April's cameraman - Vern Fenwick. For the past year of knowing the two women, Vern has acted like not just a co-worker but also a good friend to them. For Sally, he was like a cool uncle to her in his opinion while for April…well, he is always trying to personally win over his attractive female colleague for himself, even making corny jokes just to get her attention. The teenager of the group can easily see through his anaemic affections for her roommate.

With his sunnies on & his lanyard around his neck and looking at his watch, he was just waiting patiently beside the Channel 6 News van. The girls – mostly April – have dragged him to the docks to get a possible report on the notorious gang that have invaded the area and stolen the substances. But since this story has not been authorised by their boss, they have to hurry to their actual report.

And the big boss herself is not going to be too happy if one of her reporters and cameramen doesn't show up to the designated area at the appointed time - a minute or more - she will be handing over a couple of pink slips to them before they can walk through the front door.

Vern walks a foot towards the interviewer, the interviewee and the young camerawomen. "O'Neil! Hope! We're live in 30 minutes! Come on!" To prove his point, he taps his finger on his wristwatch, indicating them that they need to speed up.

Annoyed, Sally drops her arm to the side with her camera strapped to her right. "Uhh, now?" She turns to her friend who was just as frustrated as she was and gives her a shrug. "Looks like we gotta jet, April."

But April doesn't want to leave. Not when she was getting a new direction on her story. "Uh…" she looks back Mr. Rivetti who was just about to leave. "No, no, no, I'll be right back. Please don't go anywhere. I'll be right back," the reporter avowed as she and Sally both rushed back to Vern.

As they get closer to him, they can note the annoyance on their friend's face. "Come on, you two are killing me." Vern is the kind of person who hates to joke around when they are on the job.

"Like to cut into our good time, eh, Vern?" Sally kindly retorted. The story was getting a bit interested and Vern has cut the session short.

"I'm working," April bleated.

Vern points to the interviewee. "That's a paying job?"

April rolled her eyes. "No…" But she wishes.

"…because we have an actual paying job," the older person of the group added. He opens the driver's door. "Look, you don't think that every crime reporter in this city has been trying to work this Foot Clan story?"

On every news channel, there is always a Foot Clan story. It has always been happening for many years now. Every crime reporter as Vern would say, have been trying to find the truth behind the terrorist group. Including April and Sally.

"We know that, but there is a new angle on this, and I am this close to getting it," April breathlessly states as giving the small hand gesture of the exact term. She then points the same hand to her interviewee. " I just need a couple of more…"

…and Mr. Rivetta has left.

April signs in defeat and drops her hand. Great. So much of getting the story of the century.

Recognizing her friend's exasperation, Sally turns her camera off and places a hand the lady's shoulder. "Maybe next time." April turns to her friend. She nods in agreement. Next time.

"Let's just stick to what we're good at," Vern reassures them, but they gloomily (mostly April) walk away to the other side of the van. The man once again cheers them up. "Let's stick to what we're good at. We're good at it."

He has always tried to find the decent side to their awesome job. But April doesn't agree so. He hops into his driver seat and closes the door behind him. Sally opens the passenger's door, leaving it open, and hops in first. The gloomy reporter is right behind her.

"And you know what I'm good at? Cranking out to some tunes!" He was hoping to turn some music to lighten up the dim mood.

Sally rolls her eyes. "I swear to God, Vern. If you start singing that song from Lego Movie,…I'm gonna jump ship!"

As predicated, they made to the site with 20 minutes to spare. Plus, getting something to eat on the way here didn't waste any time at all unlike the major story that April and Sally are trying uncover. At least Vern didn't play that corny song from an animation movie that just came out early this year for the girl's sake. Mostly Sally.

At the site of today's report was in the heart of the Big Apple as April is interviewing a special guest today who is unveiling an exhibition. The site is also barricade by metal fences so that way, nobody would move past in front of April as she does her report or come any closer to any of the gear that are set up or lying around for his, her or their opportunity to pinch it. But they are allowed to watch the scene. Lights and equipment were set up all over the place. April also brought a change of clothes for this particular interview. She is wearing a purple long-sleeve fitness top with a black jacket, leggings and a pair of runners. It was her workout gear that she got changed on the way here as she will be needing it for her report.

With his glasses off and chewing on a piece of gum, Vern has the large video camera resting on his shoulder while Sally was standing right behind him with camera with a zoom lens attachment. On many occasions, April has always let the teenage intern to stay and take a few photos for work and for her IG before she heads for school. She has been doing this since she lived with April's family. Her social media entitled of all the interesting things that are happening in New York, plus getting a few shots of her hard-working friend.

"In five, four…" Vern then uses his free hand to finishing counting down the remaining numbers. That way, the viewers at home would not hear his voices. Instead, there is upbeat music playing in the background as a selection of people exercising on trampolines with a few holding dumbbells in their hands.

Despite not getting the big story she is aiming for, April decided to put on a smile. Just for her small appearance. She is holding her mic to her mouth, waiting for que. "Hey, guys, this is April O'Neil from Channel 6 News and I am here in beautiful New York City on the first day of spring. And you know what that means. It is time to shed that pesky winter weight. And here with me today is celebrity fitness trainer Harley Pasternak," the reporter introduces herself and her guest, placing her hand on his shoulder. "Hi, Harley." She holds the mic to him.

"Good morning, April," he replies. Interviewing celebrities was part of April's daily life and Sally was lucky enough to be part of it. She can't wait to show her followers the photos of a superstar that she just met.

The fitness guru pressed on as Vern gets a bit closer. Sally remained where she is standing. "Twenty years I've studied the animal kingdom. There are fat pigs, there are fat cows. There are no fat birds." Well, there is Big Bird but let's not go into that.

He then directs April to one of the free trampolines for her to try the trial. "All right, I want you to visualize a sexy seagull." Vern moves a bit away for them to pass. Now on the mini trampoline, April straps some weights for her ankles, while still holding her mic. "So we're going to squat down and flap your wings. Right over there. Full extension."

April is now jumping up and down, just like how everyone else and how Harley instructed her to do. Vern even flapped his free hand to do so. Sally is taking more photos of the demonstration around her. Harley now stops the demonstration but everyone else keeps on going as he continues the lecture. "Picture you're leaving the cold north and you're flying. You're migrating."

This segment went on for about 10 minutes. Give or take.

Once that piece was finally done, April leaves to go to the lavatories to get changed back into her usual attire, but leaves her favourite jacket on the camera stand. Sitting on the edge of the open van was the photographer herself. Looking through the dozens of pics that she has taken and figuring out which ones would post on Channel 6 IG before she heads out. Her glasses were about to fall off from the lack of friction so she pushes them back onto her face with her index finger. Vern, sunglasses back on, was packing up the camera and equipment before heading back to the office.

A few minutes past by when the star reporter herself has finally returned as she grabs her jacket from the stand. "Four years of journalism school so that I can do that," she complains. All the hard work that she put through to get a fantastic job. But this…this is not what she had in mind. She then puts one arm through the first sleeve of her jacket. "Four years of my life, guys. It's embarrassing." On camera, she may have put on a friendly face. But off camera, the same look has come back when she couldn't get her story this morning. Sullen. She wants to do something bigger. Something better, rather than small news pieces that will get her nowhere. How is she going to prove herself to the world?

Looking up from her device in her hand, Sally can tell not on her face but also her voice that is pained. She feels it too. Their morning today wasn't very fulfilling. "Don't let this morning get to you, April. You'll get another chance." April turns to her and shares a gratifying smile at her and to whom she returns it to before looking down at her device once more. She finds it very sweet for her young roommate to encourage her when she is, as they say, down at dumps.

And now, it was Vern's turn. He does notice her frustration tone for a while now. Guess it was time for one of his pep talks and maybe something to actually cheer her up. He finishes placing the stand inside the van, takes his sunnies off and clips them onto his lanyard.

"Look, O'Neil, I get it,…" he turns to face her and Sally, but mostly looking at April, "…you want to be a serious journalist. I see you sniffing around the newsroom for the big stories. But it's okay to just give people something a little lighter. A little…little froth."

Sally looks up from her camera and she and April looked at him funny. What is he getting at?

"Froth?" they both spoke. April begins to smile a bit but Sally raises an eyebrow.

Vern lingers on. "You know, how, when you get a coffee, it's just, like, coffee, then they put a little froth on it. It's kind of nice."

"Vern, that's foam," April corrected him. Sally nods in the background.

Vern nodded. "Yes, foam, froth, you get the point. It's just…it's nice, it tastes good, it's candy."

Sally rolls her eyes. Seriously. Just what is he getting at? Is this his way of trying to ask her out? Vern still goes on. "You ever heard the expression, 'Never take candy from a baby?' It's because even babies love candy!" April smiley nods away despite getting a portion of the whole meaning behind his words. "It's nice. And you're giving people something they like that's good and nice. They look at you and they see, Wow, there's a nice…there's…candy—"

"Vern?"

The adults both turned to the teenager. She has put away her camera in her backpack. "Just take a deep breath and spit it out before you kill yourself," Sally advises him.

Annoyed that he was interrupted, Vern opens his mouth but hesitates a little. Finally, he did what he was told and takes a nice breath in and…

"The point is, I think that…you should be rewarded, not punishing yourself. Okay?" Vern sneak a look to Sally. The girl gives him the thumbs-up. Much better. He turns back to April and points at her. "And I'm…I'm prepared to reward you. I say that we go to my buddy's old restaurant downtown. It's very vibey…"

"We just ate on the way over here," April pointed out before she walks away. She has her own mode of transportation. Her bike is parked next to the van with her own helmet.

It is true that they got meals on the way but Vern was hoping to have the chance to spend more time with April a little bit more. Just only the two of them while the little one is away. "No, I know we just I'm not saying for a full meal, we're just gonna eat appeteasers…"

But April has already got her helmet on, all ready to move out. "I got to go finish that interview. I'll see you at the office, Vern." Before she hops onto her bike…

"Oh, and Sal,…" The teenager has already hoped out of the van when she looks at April. "You gotta go to school. You promises your dad, remember?"

Letting out a frustrated groan, Sally's current guardian doesn't have to remind her twice. But it is true. Before her father left for his trip, Sally did promise that she would get her grades up, get a good education and find a steady job.

Rolling her eyes, she gives in. She hates to disappoint her dad and break her promise to him while he is on his trip. "Fine." She hoisted her bag over her shoulder. "See ya, Vern." She holds her fist out for Vern to return a fist bump to her. With that, she walks off, hoping to catch the closest bus that will take her to her school.

"See ya, kiddo." He then turns to April who starts to ride off. "And I will see you at the office!" He gives off a scoffs before putting his sunnies on. Perfect. He tried his chances to close to April and blew him off. Will he ever get his shot?

With today's report done and Sally off to school, April has no reason to stay behind as she rides her only transportation away from the site. Like she said to her roommate and Vern, she is heading back to the docks to finish her interview. She continues to ride through the busy streets of Manhattan.

So, this is what her life is going to be? Making puff pieces on a daily basis and not getting the big stories that would change everyday lives forever. All she needs is one story – one story – to make it big. At least she is making enough dough to support both herself and her teenage friend. But money is not what she has on her mind. She is now thinking what is the real truth behind the Foot attack at the docks. Why did they steal chemical that is, as she said before, used for genetic research? It boggles the mind.

Riding alongside the river, she takes a quick look to the right to get a good view of the giant green lady of Liberty herself before her eyes were back on the road. No longer riding in the busy streets of the Big Apple, she finds herself getting closer to the docks.

"I just wanted to follow up, Mr. Rivetti."

It was getting dark when she has called her interviewee from this morning. When she reached the same docks, he wasn't there. And it was a good thing that she has researched his number just in case. But he wasn't too pleased about it. Kneeling down with her back up against the board, April puts her headphones in to make this a private call. Her bike was parked right next to her.

"Are you kidding me? How did you get my number?"

She can tell that he wasn't jubilant as she was Skyping him. But she can't spare any details as she only wants answers to her own report.

"If I could just ask one more question,…" April implored the head Dock Worker.

Seeing that he just rolled his eyes, Mr. Rivetti was on the brink of hanging up. "Listen, I already told you everything I know about this crime, everything."

April was getting a bit desperate. "Wait, wait, wait…"

The caller signs in defeat. She is not going to let this up. "Okay, you wanna know anything else, you go back down to the docks and you see my guy Stan. He'll tell you anything else you need to know, okay?"

Finally. April was one step closer to getting her story. Hopefully this 'Stan' guy would be a bit more approachable than Mr. Rivetti is.

"And hey, do me a favor. Lose my number, all right?"

And that is the one favor that April did not do before heading back to the docks.

Night-time has already fallen on the Big Apple.

It took most of the afternoon and into the night for the young reporter to get back to the docks. Normally it would take her 30 minutes or less to get there by car. But she has chosen her bike to get to her location. It was only a few hours ago that she has called her young roommate to order dinner for herself just for tonight as she doesn't know when she is coming home. The forecast has changed from sunny sky to a light drizzle. Parts of the docks are illuminating with lights all over the harbour, only showing a few small spaces shrouded in darkness. Some of the machinery is still operating this time of the night.

Despite getting wet, the young reporter was getting close to her destination. April was riding on the pathway next to an easy street. Things do attend to be quiet at this hour.

Not for long.

Located at a shadowy part of the docks, away from the public eye and lights, they began to operate in the shadows. A cargo door swings open, exposing the inside by moving beams of lights. The ones who opened the doors were getting drenched but didn't care as long as they focused on their mission.

Flashlights attached to their firearm aims inside, swaying all around, in case there were any observers.

Their goal: Take what they need. no witnesses.

One of the operative steps in front. Her black hair is tied up in a high ponytail with the back part of her hair dyed red and shaved. Her short bangs had the same red under the layers with a section of hair on each side of her face that reaches down to her chin. Her piercing eyes have a darker shade of black eyeshadow. Concealing her body is a long-sleeve black top with a number of belts strapped on tight with a special gun rack on her right. Wrapped around her neck is a chunky dirty mixture of brown-grey cotton scarf. She has a pair of black jeans with her tanto resting in its gauntlet that is strapped around her right leg. Wrapped around her waist is a different but smaller scarf with the same pattern. She is also wearing a pair of black boots that she can kick anyone ass with it. She has black painted fingernails which complete the whole set of her entire attire.

Lieutenant Karai of the Foot Clan is in charge of this mission.

She eyes the label on the containers inside the chosen cargo. She looks to her soldiers. "Good." She leaves the load before a number of her men pilled in to retrieve the items.

"It's clear. Let's open it up."

Nitro Ethane for molecular biology. That is what they are retrieving. But for what? Well, it is part of the organic compound; a member of a large class of gaseous, liquid, or solid chemical compounds whose molecules contain carbon. But for what purpose?

The soldiers have all concealed themselves. Just like their leader, they are wearing a long-sleeve black top with a number of belts strapped on tight, a mixed brown-grey scarf around their necks except for their waist is a utility belt with a gun rack, black pants and a pair of black army boots. Wrapped around their hands are dirty white sports taps from the hundreds of heists that they all pulled off. Some of them have blood in them. Their faces are pretty much hidden by a black ski mask and over the cotton mask is a kind-of kabuki-style masks that conceal one's identity. So, no-one knows who is really under the façade. They also have black make-up around their eyes just in case. Their signature weapons are the military guns that are top of the range. They look more like something out of Call of Duty or any Tom Clancy's games.

The large metal cans of the confined chemicals are wrapped into a pack of four in plastic casings. They are big but somewhat unstable enough for each soldier to carry carefully from the cargo to the back of the three black armour cars. Their headlights were radiating as well, giving a better light source for the operation without giving them away. Only a few remained on armed, in case of any intruders.

Orders were sounded in the air by a number of soldiers. "Container's good. Move on the next one."

"Move it out! Get those to the trucks now!"

More canisters were uploading into the trucks and not a single sound that would quickly alert the authorises. Only those close by…

Riding alongside the gated fence, April was getting closer to the docks. She hopes to find this guy named 'Stan' that would help her in her own report to make it to the big time.

CLANG!

The young reporter whips her head to right when the sound was made but faces the front again. Followed by same sound again, she turns her head once. A metal fence was on her right.

"Move out, next point! Go, go, go."

The voice was faint. But it does grab the young woman's attention. April hits the breaks on her bike, coming to a complete stop. As close as she is to the wired fence, she grabs hold of it and leans up against it but she doesn't get off her bike. Her phone was already pulled out from her pocket. It was a habit of her since she is a dependable news reporter.

Right now, she is in the deepest part of the dock where it is pitch-black. All except for a few lights activate. And it doesn't appear to be after night workers.

Trouble.

And when there is trouble, it could only mean one thing.

The Foot Clan.

Just the break that she was looking for. More yelling was made as April looks down at her cell phone.

Her first thought was to call Sally and tell her to get her butt down to the docks with a camera. But she can't at the moment. The adult knows that she would interrupt her homework session and would ditch it the second she calls her in. So, she decided to go for the second option.

Quickly going through her speed dial, she hits the 002. April places the phone as the line rings.

"Channel 6."

"Chris," she softly replies. "Chris, it's April. I'm down at the docks."

Chris, who was on two phones at the time, was occupied with the rush hour at the busy news station.

"We're in the middle of the evening brief, O'Neil. Whatever you got can wait for tomorrow."

"No, no, I need a camera cr—"

But Chris has already slammed the phone down, ending the call.

A dialling tone was made when the call got disconnected. Unsatisfied, April removes the phone from her ear. Great. So much for getting help. This news can't wait until tomorrow. It is happening right now.

She would have still called Sally, but she would be mad that she didn't call the enthusiastic teen first. Better not to mention this to her when she brings it up. April puts her phone away in the pocket of her jacket.

She cannot miss this chance. If she does, who knows when something like this will come around. But in order to do that, she needs to get closer. Hopping onto her bike, April continues to ride around the area. Thunder was now sounded in the distance and the rain continues to pour down.

The lightning may be loud but the voices were even louder as she gets closer.

"2-3-2, clear!"

April hits the brakes again and stops up next to the fence. This time, she gets off her bike and drops it to the ground. The wired fence before her was covered up by black tarp, unable for April to see through the material. Lucky for her, she goes to an opening where two tarps meet, creating a small gap for the young women to let her entire head to look through.

From what she learned from her interview, the chemicals used for genetic research were brought and stored in these parts of the docks. Guess the Foot have come back for more. But why do they need it for? So many theories were building up inside April's mind. Maybe once she gets a bit closer, she will know.

From her gap, she gets a better view of the cargo bay. Maybe not better but closer. From her view, she sees a few of them, walking around in front of a pair of headlights.

"That one's loaded."

"Get it out of my way."

"Copy that."

It is the Foot! She knew it.

The question is how many of them are there? How many trucks were there? What kind of chemicals are they collecting? Why are they collecting them?

She needs to know. The whole city needs to know.

Rather than call for more help, she will get the proof herself. It's a good thing that she pulled out her phone when she got off her bike. She lifted her cell phone sideways and holds it against the fence so the camera would see what she sees through the gap.

She turns the camera on. Beeping was made and the words 'LOW LIGHT" was flashing on the screen. Not to mention the view was a bit darker.

April lets out an exasperated sign. "Damn it." The lightning is bad from here. She needs to get closer. It may be a risky move but what choice does she have? She needs this story and this story could actually open doors for her.

Shoving her phone back into her pocket, April looks up. She may be wearing the fashion boots that are not suitable for roughen it but the fence was not that too tall to climb over. She doesn't mind if they get a little bit dirty. Grabbing hold of the wired barrier, she starts to ascent.

The soldiers were still at it. They have already filled up one truck and have now moved on to the second. By their calculations, it would only take 1 enormous cargo to fill up three large trucks.

A couple of soldiers are inside the cargo, passing the containers one-by-one to their team member. Keeping up this rate, they would be finished in no-time. They can actually make their deadline, just like all of the operations that they pulled off in the past.

"Unit two, area three, move!"

Unbeknownst to them, there was someone already here. And it was not the snooping reporter herself.

CLANK!

That sudden noise caught one Foot soldier's attention and lets out a gasp. He, along with a few more, were on guard. Only he was close enough to hear the sound and he was all alone. Securing his weapon in his hold, the soldier aims upwards.

The source must have come up there. With his gun and the light, he scans the area. But…he sees nothing. The cargos were stacked on top of each other, it was complete darkness. He can't see anything.

And that is what the intruder wants.

The scene was getting intense by the minute. His heart was racing, his short breathing was increasing and his sweat were now running down on his cloaked skin. But he shouldn't be worried. For many years, he was trained in the Foot. For so long, he was trained for any missions such as this one.

He was ready for anything.

But not for him.

At the split second, something drops down from above, grabs the lone soldier and slams him into the side of a near-by cargo. Out cold in no second flat.

Not too far, two more soldiers both heard the commotion but one-by-one, were pulled back. They too were knocked-out.

Close to the main group, one of the soldiers spotted a figure that was hopping…from one container to another.

"I've got movement!" he alerted everyone. This caused all the operators to arm themselves. Karai places her grip on her handgun. Her hair was drenched but she was in high alert. Everyone is.

The shadow foe drops down. She sees him. He was now right behind one of the large containers.

"Keep your eyes over here!"

The Foot soldiers lifted their guns up and all approached the cargo.

"Weapons free!"

Ready to pounce on the intruder, their fingers were on the trigger. As they get closer to the target, the cargo itself was now scaping across the concrete ground.

Wait a minute. A large, 4.0 tonne, metal shipping container is moving on its own? Was it from this…strange figure? Is he moving it…on his…own?

"Hold position!"

The army staggered backward. Astonished, they kept their focus on the moving object whilst looking for their mysterious adversary.

After climbing over the fence, April was reassured that no-one has spotted her just yet. They were too busy dealing with…whatever just came to crash their party. She can hear it as she gets closer. Taking her helmet off and drops it to the ground, the bold, young reporter looks behind and in front just in case if anyone spotted her. Her yellow jacket and long locks were drenched and the top portion of her head will soon follow afterwards. The loud noises of moving objects and weapons clashing were getting closer with every step that she makes. And don't worry, she'll come back for her headgear. After she gets her story.

But more importantly,…who is there…with the Foot?

A loud grunting noise was made before the giant shipping container was then lifted off the ground…and goes flying a few metres across! The force itself sends a number of Foot soldiers flying off their feet and a few landed into the river. One of them ducked for cover while some went over the trucks.

Whoever this guy, he appears to be stronger than he looks. This guy leaping on buildings like Spider-man but has the strength of Superman himself!

Normally they can handle any cops in New York, but this guy…this thing was not anything that they have seen before. And it was starting to be too much for them.

As the leader of the operation, Karai was in charge of making the shots. "Retreat! Retreat!"

Everyone in black didn't question their lieutenant. They did what she commanded. Every soldier, including the ones who have just woken up, all escaped into the black vehicles.

"Move, move, move!"

"Get out of here!"

The tires skidded their tires on the surface as all three cars zoomed out of the park. They only managed to escape with a few canisters, leaving a great deal behind in the cargo. All thanks to the little ambush tonight.

April was now the only human remained on the scene. She peers over the corner of the shipping container with her back up against. The reporter also ducked for cover as each of the cars comes zooming past her but it didn't bother to stop or notice her. They were too busy fleeing for their lives.

So much was running through her mind. Just…what happened? Why were they running away now? Who were they fighting against that made them retreat?

The trucks have all left the docks. With the Foot gone, it would now be safe for April to come out. But what if…whoever or whatever that scared them away…is still out there? April would have to take that risk. It comes with her current job. But the young news reporter didn't get any photo evidences of any of the criminals' activity.

Panting very hard, April hears an unusual sound. Her eyes then darts over to the moved shipping container…and to a moving figure.

Form her visual, what appears to be a large bulky man. It swings up from a large lamp, smashing the light out and lands on the roof. He stands up straight, twirling what appears to be a small weapon in one hand and another in the other.

And he appears to be looking at April.

Who…is…THAT?

April was officially stunned. Was this the guy – that one guy – who single handling defeated the Foot? All…by…himself?

April came here to find something about the Foot, but now,…she has come for something …bigger.

This…this could be it! Her big story! She has actually proof of what could be the biggest buzz of all time!

But she needs evidence in order to do that. Digging her hand into her pocket, April pulls out her phone. She only takes her eyes off the mysterious hero for one second as she quickly turns the phone camera on. With her camera ready, she was ready to get actual proof. The excited reporter lifts and aims her phone at the saviour from the shadows – the city's shiny hope of defeating the terrorist themselves…

April then holds down the button to take a picture of…nothing but a busted dock lamp.

He's…gone?

April looks down at the taken photo. He was right there. Just a second ago.

How did he move so fast? The hero himself…no, the Vigilante himself…was gone without a trace.

Looking up from her phone, April hopes that this Vigilante left something behind.

With the coast is clear, April cautiously removes herself from her hiding spot and walks into the open. She then examines the scene of the crime. Doors from the single shipping container remains open, tire tracks were marked on the concrete ground and…a spray-can still pouring substances.

The Foot doesn't carry spray-cans around. Does it belong to…him?

April continues to look around, trying to find more evidence. But…there was nothing. No traces of clothing or any weapons or anything! There was nothing that is worth showing to anyone.

Well,…maybe this black marking on the side of the used container.

Eyeing that peculiar design, April quickly rushes over to the tagged shipping. Looking behind her to see if anyone was still around, April walks up to it and comes only a foot away.

It appears the symbol looks…Japanese oriental in black with some parts in red. It was not blood.

And…it looks like it has been recently painted. Did he do this? Was it his calling card or something? When did he have time to do this? He must've been pretty fast.

The panting reporter holds the phone up in front and starts taking shots with the flash on. Taking a few more pictures, April quickly looks up a few times to where she spotted the shadowy character. Maybe he is still around? Or maybe he has left already?

Well, April can actually confirm one thing. New York City has a Vigilante. And he is hiding…from the shadows.

After capturing enough photos, April decided to head straight for home. The paint from the symbols begins to melt away from the wet weather.

I have got to tell Sal about this!

(April and Sally's apartment, Manhattan, NY – 9:47pm)

After a gruelling hour of finishing the last of her homework, Sally was free to kick back and relax. Right now, she was working on her social media post on IG.

Picking out the best photos, she posted on the Channel 6 page (and then hers) on April's report on the fitness session with Harley Pasternak. She was getting a number of likes and comments from her followers. A few of them were from school. Some were impressed but there were others who felt a bit jealous that she got a chance to meet a celebrity in the flesh.

Having followers is one thing, having real friends is another. Sally doesn't really have any close friends to talk to or hang out. She was much of a loner. She likes it. But it doesn't hurt to have a close friendship with her roommate and their colleague at work. There was another face in the old neighbourhood that she grew up in. She hasn't seen this guy in over two years since she has moved to the O'Neil's. She hopes to catch up with him in person and not through the internet. Well, last time she heard from him, he is still working on the police force and that was a few weeks ago.

No longer wearing her casual clothes, she was decked down into her lounging gear with a grey oversized jumper that shows off her right shoulder, black baggy shorts, a pair of pink slipper boots and her black glasses. Her short brown hair was long enough for her tied it up into small pigtails.

The tapping of her keyboard on her laptop was now mixed with the sound of rattling keys were made outside of her door, and they were now jiggling into the keyhole.

Speaking of whom…

Frantically, April swings the front door open and heads to the one place that her teenage roommate would be. Her heart has not stopped racing since she left the docks. She couldn't hide what she has seen tonight. She was about to lose it.

"Sal. Sal!"

Finishing up her post, Sally closes her laptop down and puts on the coffee table in front of her. "Hey, I just finished my homework and I got some pizza for you if you're hung—"

But April doesn't have time to eat. She quickly drops her bag on the floor and her helmet on the small comfy chair before turning her attention on her friend. She will probably hate her for this but would be very interested on what she has to say.

"You have no idea what I just went through. I am freaking out," she rapidly stated. Her clothes were a bit wet and her hair was some-what matted. Seeing the look of anxious on her friend's face, the teenager gives her roommate the full attention. April was having a mild panic attack as she is prepared to give her the news. "I saw a Foot Clan attack."

Just as she predicted, Sally was mad.

"WHAT?" The teenager shots straight up. She can't believe that April went ahead with the Foot Clan story behind her back. She though they were supposed to be a team. The enraged teen points her finger at her guardian. "You witness a Foot Clan attack and you didn't bother to bring me? "

Pussed-off at that respond, April sneers her eyes at her fuming friend. "Thanks for your concern. I was terrified," she sarcastically fires back.

Realizing what she said and how she said, Sally takes it back as she looks on from livid to remorse, holding her hands up. "Sorry. Sorry. Didn't mean to yell at you." The teen calms down. She didn't mean to lash out. She hates to be left out. Technically, April had no idea that the Foot was going to show up. She ain't psychic. It was a hunch to go to the location where an attack might happen. With that apology out of the way, Sally was now intrigued. "Are you okay? And what happened?"

The reporter takes a deep breath and presses onward. "I was riding my bike by the docks. It was night, it's dark already and there are Foot Clan soldiers everywhere." Sally was nodded along with April's events as she pressed on. "Then out of nowhere, there was this guy fighting back against them. And he…He left behind this symbol. And I know that I've seen it before. I can't remember where. But there is someone…fighting back against the Foot Clan. There is a Vigilante in this city. And no one knows, but I do." April's smile grows a bit more all thanks to this excitement that happened tonight. Still captivated, the teenager was hanging onto every word that she is saying. Mostly about this guy who is indeed fighting against the toughest criminal organisation. Anybody would be nuts to go up against them. "I know. And now I have my story. There is no more froth and foam for me."

As April has come to the conclusion, she relaxed her shoulders and was taking a nice few short breath. The young reporter was glad to get it out of her system. If it was anyone, they would not believe any part of her news. They would think it might part of a prank or something. But Sally…she was not just some people. Judging her friend by the way her posture is and how fast she was talking, she knows that April would not make up something like that. She did see witness something huge.

The teen was, at first, slightly angry at April for not bringing her along to any Foot-related activities. But she would have loved to see the action. Even if she did have to miss any math questions for homework. But there was something Sally wants to know.

"That's great, April! Sounds like a huge story right there! So, quick question: Does this froth and foam have any photos or anything at all?" she wonders.

That is when April's brain clicked and digs her hand into her pocket. She nodded so fast. "Y-yeah! I did get a few photos of the symbol." She throws her phone to her friend.

"Awesome!" Sally catches the phone and presses the button. She looks to the screen, pleased that April has got some actual proof even without her friend's help…but her smile drops.

And so does April's. "What is it?" There was definitely something wrong. Did she lose the pictures? She couldn't have lost them. She took a couple before she left the docks in the rain. But did the water from the rain went into it, short-circuit the phone and lost it? Maybe her thumb was over the lens again?

The stunned teenager looks up back to April, and then to the phone again, and finally, back to April. She then opened her mouth…

"What's your password again?"

Or April didn't bother to give her the password or open the phone for her.

"Oh, sorry!" The older woman goes over to her friend to type the password in and shows her photo. Seeing the marked symbol, Sally believes her friend every bit. April can be sure of one thing.

This could be the biggest story of the century!

And thus, the story continues. April saw the mysterious Vigilante who single-handle took down the Foot and left without a trace. What will happen next? Find out more later in:

Heroes in the Half-Shell: Enter the Shredder

Author's Notes: Hey guys! Another chapter done and dusted. A little change as well. I do hope this chapter helped since it has been a while. I'm a little rusty, so, forgive me.

If you guys remember when I uploaded these on , there are a few chapters shorter and a couple long one as well. Same thing will happen in the sequel.

Speaking of, I have been thinking about writing some adventures that will take place between the first and second movie if that is alright with you guys. I got some great ideas adding a few more mutants, bad guys from past shows, comics and many more. I'll get these on paper very soon, so, please bear with me. No matter how long it takes. But what kind of adventure would you guys like to see? Shoot me an idea!

I did say that I'll be uploading these weekly and I promise I will. I do have other things going on and I will try my very best.

So, don't forget to add or follow me or the story to your favourites. Don't forget to review or PM me if you like to comment or ask me anything. Take care you guys for the rest of the week.

Until we meet again,

The DragonLord2912/JOP_TheDL2912