Heroes in the Half-Shell

Chapter 4 – Eric Sacks

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: Another short chapter, here we go! Not much to say since we are still on lockdown. Oh! Yeah, I forgot to mention. My dad recently had his back surgery so I have to take care of the animals on the farm, mostly his chickens. In other words, I wake up early in the morning to check on them, fill their water and feed, collect the eggs, etc. And if I am not working at my other job, it gives me the time to do my free-time, like fixing up my stories! Awesome, right? Anyway, let's get this show on the road, shall we?

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

To ChelleNorlund

Wow! I hope April & Sally will meet the turtles. Because that guy that they saw, it was really Raphael, because I recognized his sais when he was holding them in his hands while putting them into his belt. If April & Sally see the turtles, I bet they will get along just fine.
Keep up the good work, I hope you will update soon.
Thanks,
ChelleNorlund.
PS: Raphael is my favorite Ninja Turtle. :-)

Yeah, we all know that was Raphael that April saw in the movie and this FanFic. You can tell from his weapons.
Yeas, they will. Just like April, Sally will become friends with them.
Thanks!
P.S. Mine is Leonardo :)

To erica phoenix16

Aw, come on! You can't make me wait for three year to late about the fate of Sally's mom! :(

For this story? Noooo no no no no no! Not gonna happen! You ain't gonna suffer. Cause...you will find out right now!

And thanks for ChelleNorlund for adding me and the story to their favourites. Love to have fans to come around all the time.

It is time for the next chapter. Here we go!

(Sacks' Tower, Manhattan, NY – 6:30pm)

Despite making a fool of herself by showing her boss and colleagues with her friend's help with would be her biggest story of all time that contains little-to-no evidence, April was granted permission from Thompson to allow her and her team of choice to attend an exclusive event. Vern and Sally was chosen to act as her cameraman and photographer.

It was going to be hosted by a particular figure that the young reporter herself knew personally. Someone whom she hasn't seen for many years now.

Since this event is black-tie, April is wearing sleeve-less black V-neck dress with a pair of black high-heels. Sally too decided to dress-up. Wearing a short-sleeve lacey black dress that stops at the knees with a nice, dress black jacket over the top, a silver belt around her waist, and a pair of black slippers. She ditches the beanie, still keeps her glasses on and has her hair all straighten out. Vern is the only one not dressing up. He worn what he had on yesterday.

Located on the bottom floor of the company, this special event was all booked out as all the stars of the Big Apple are all here. Even the police force are all attending to which they have signed a contact with the important businessman himself to help combat against the trepidation threat. The teen photographer herself was thrilled to be here to take more shots for Instagram.

A spotlight in the celling and a few small lamps are focusing on a small podium just located on the medium-sized stage. The MC speaks through the mic and that is when the entire audience is cued to applaud.

"Ladies and gentleman, please join me in welcoming the NYPD's top benefactor – Eric Sacks."

The older man was wearing the same suit that he had on during his live broadcast this morning. Or maybe it was a different suit. For many years now, his company – Sacks Industries - has worked its work from the ground to the top and now, he was doing a great contribute to the city that he dearly loves.

As the crowd continues to clap, Sacks looks over to the table that is closest to the stage. He gives a bit of a chuckle and points to them. It would seem that he was returning some kind of gesture to someone in the front row. Cameras were flashing, including the one from a certain news channel whom she was getting a few nice photos for work.

The applauding was coming to a close as Sacks was ready to give his speech. He holds his hands out. "Please, please. Please," he spoke through the mic for the crowd in the far corner of the building to hear him. "Sit down, sit down."

Everyone did as they were told. They all took their seats and focus their attention on the generous man who is making a great change to the community of New York. The cameras continue to capture more shots and the video cameras keeps on rolling to record this speech. The room is now silent as Sacks begins to talk.

"I have to say,...it's wonderful to see so many people out here tonight, especially in a neighbourhood so hard hit by the Foot's crime wave." Around the same area are a number of important companies, that are just lying about in the open where they too are targets for the Foot Clan to pinch.

For the first time and never before he has revealed this to the public, Sacks decided that tonight that he would share the origin of how his company took it first steps. "Years ago, my life was touched by tragedy." His voice was starting to break but reverts back to his sturdy tone. His backstory may have been one not to remember but it was easy to share the pain rather than keep it all bottle it up inside. "I was a young scientist working with a world-class team on cutting-edge research."

Not only he, but a few people in the same room have or had a parent who was involved on that same team many years ago. And they were the reporter herself and the young photographer as well. And then that is when the story gets deeper. "And our laboratory was attacked, set fire to, robbed, by the cowards that call themselves the Foot Clan. Several of my employees..." the businessman takes a pause, replaying the tragic event that is playing inside his mind before getting back to reality, "...lost their lives that day."

The photographer herself has taken a small break from a few shots as she looks to her friend standing beside her. Both their fathers were part of this important team. Only Sally's father survived the incident 15 years ago. April's dad did not.

Sally was born a few months after the incident and was not there to experience it. It almost like those who were born sometime after 9/11. They were not here to witness or understand the pain to those who were there but they do feel agony and terror in a different way.

If the young teenager's father was in Dr. O'Neil's place instead, Sally would have never grown up without a father would the pain of not having her parents or any blood/immediate relatives around. She would only know him through photos, videos and stories from others around her.

April only knew hers for the first eight years of her life. It was not easy for someone at a young age to lose a close family member. And she knows that Sacks would carry around the same kind of pain. He does indeed think of the girls' dads as close friends of his. Maybe brothers. She continues to watch the marvellous man that she knew from her childhood delivering a pledged speech for a bright future.

The reporter herself may have been lost in her mind because of that memory, but she does remember how to breathe as she takes one. "And it is in their honour, in their memory,...that Sacks Industries, whether through Sacks Biomed, Sacks Robotics or Sacks Construction, will remain committed to keep the city of New York – our city,...safe."

This causes the satisfied crowd to applaud again. They are all touched by his speech so far but Sacks wasn't finished yet.

"So whenever someone takes flame to the city,...I will be there to put the fire out. And that's a promise. Thank you. Thank you."

His big speech was concluded by another round of a standing ovation as the guests all stand up. Sacks has done his job for the night. He stands in his spot for a bit before giving a bow as he walks away from the podium, giving a wave and off the stage. The cameras were still taking pictures and the video cameras were just recording the final seconds. Now, everyone can get back to dinner, but unfortunately, Sacks couldn't remain here for a bite to eat as he has somewhere to go. But not before having a little reunion. With the busy businessman about to head for the exit with his bodyguard at his side, April decided to make her move.

Walking around the cameraman, April grabs the teen's attention. "C'mon," she utters. Not wasting a second to meet someone who knows her dad too, Sally picks up her camera bag and hurries up to April.

Only Vern remained behind as the female reporter and the intern breaks away from him and heads towards Sacks. He watches them go as he began to hit the record button to end the tape and pack the equipment up.

As he walks through the crowd, Sacks was greeted with a few words of acknowledgment as well as shaking their hands in return. "Great work, sir. Very inspirational."

April thought so too as she and Sally finally catches up to him. "Mr. Sacks?" She quickly caught his hand. This causes the entrepreneur to stop walking and faces the two young girls themselves. Thinking that they would like to get a few words with him, he would not have time. But once he knows who they are, he would be glad that he was halted. "April O'Neil. You worked for my father."

A smile brightens up on the older man's face. He couldn't believe who was standing before him. For many years, he would have never thought to be greeted by a familiar face. It has been 15 long years since they last saw each other.

"Oh!" he gasped. It was certainly a blast from the past. He gently takes the women's hand and holds it in his grasp, welcoming an old friend into his life. He shakes his head. He would have never the little girl, the daughter of a former colleague of his, who spends hours after school to grow up into such a beautiful figure. "I can't believe it. I haven't seen you since..."

"...since his funeral," she finished his sentence and ending it with nodding on a bluely tone. "It was a long time ago."

Sacks sympathy nodded. "Yeah." April's father was one of the employees that he lost in that same fire many years ago.

He understands what it must have felt when someone loses the one person that they looked up to and care for indefinite. He then looks over the young women shoulder. His eyes are then locked onto a figure right behind.

"Who's your friend?" he wonders. April looks over to her right to see Sally with her camera in her hand. He looks at her eyes and smile. They look like...

The youngster decided to introduce herself. She holds out her hand. "Sally Hope. You remember my dad, Jonathon, right?"

Surprised of the news, Sacks' eyes went a bit wider. Of course! He now remembers. The reporter's father was not the only person in this very room whom used to work with Sacks. The difference is that he was not killed in the fire on that faithful night.

"Oh, yes, I do!" he exclaims, shaking her hand. "Very glad to finally meet you. How's your father?"

As soon as the hands made contact, a slight shiver went down on Sally's back and a tingle in her mind but she keeps on smiling. That's weird.

Snapping out it in a split second, Sally nodded, releasing his hand. "He's good. He, um,..he's on a trip at the moment." For about three years now.

"And your mother? Serenity? How is she? I would love to see her again."

The young photographer's smile just dropped. He doesn't know. "She,...um ...she died...when I was only a baby. Childbirth. Long time ago."

Sacks reverts back to his sympathy tone. "Oh. I see. I'm so sorry." Serenity Hope. Not just close with her father but he knows her mother very well. The last time he saw her was when she was heavily pregnant with the child. He does admire her beauty and selfless persona.

"It's ok."

April decided to butt in and wanted to say something to Sacks before he leaves. "Mr. Sacks,.." Sacks turns his attention back to the young woman. "...I just wanted to tell you that your words really resonated with me, and I hope to one day contribute to the city in the way that you do." And she means it. Other than her late father, she looks up to Eric Sacks as a great hero for the good citizens of New York and possibly, the whole world.

And he has been paying attention as he has seen her not just in person but through media and the mic in her hand as he takes her hands once again. "Well, it looks like you're doing a pretty good job. Channel 6, very impressive, April." He still remembers her at the age of 8 – walking around the lab with a video camera in her hand, recording any footage of the top project that the gentlemen were busy working together. It went for many months before the great tragedy happened. Who knew the thing that she loved doing during her time in her father's workplace would lead to her dream job now that she is all grown up?

April gives a lightly chuckle. "Um..." she looks down to her hands, still in Sacks' grasp, then up, and then down again. "...thank you. It's, uh..." she looks up once more, "...It isn't exactly everything I anticipated it would be." Ever since she has got this job, she always wanted to do something big. Was this not what she has in mind?

"As long as you are true to yourself,...your father will always be proud of you," he said.

April was truly touched by his words. Yes, he would.

This small reunion went on until Sacks' bodyguard comes up to his boss's side. "Mr. Sacks, we have to be uptown at 7:00," he confirmed into his ear. April breaks eye contact from the tycoon himself and looks onto the guard.

Sacks gives out a sign while nodding. If he does not leave anytime soon, he will be late for his next appointment. But he was glad to see an old friend and to meet a new one. "I'll see you on TV."

April nods back. She has finished what she needs to say to Sacks. No reason to keep him around for now. Sacks looks at the youngest with April. "It was very nice meeting you." Sally nods back. Releasing her from his grip, Sacks resumes his leave, leaving April and Sally by themselves.

At least there was another person in the room would believe in the newsperson herself. Maybe when they met up again, she can tell her biggest story when Sacks has time.

As he walks away from the pair, Sally quickly and quietly inhale and exhales a breath. Her skin went a bit pale. She looks down at her right hand that she used to shake Sacks'. Her hand was warm. His were cold. But not at the touch or the temperature of the room. It was something else. She wonders why.

Did she have a hunch or something? A gut feeling? Woman's intuition maybe? Her mind begins to wonder. This has never happened before. She hides the mild anxiety look on her face before turning to April with a smile. "He's seems nice."

April smiles and nods. "Yeah, he is." She didn't notice the colourless look on her face as she walks back to Vern whom was ready to move out. Sally was right behind, hoping to shake it off for the time being.

(The streets, Manhattan, NY – 7:08pm)

Horns were going off the place in the delayed traffic. The cameraman, the reporter and her assistant were piled in the Channel 6 van. They were now caught in the traffic for a few minutes now and in a few minutes more, they will start to move a bit. At least it was a quiet night. There was no need to be in a rush to get back to the office. Vern, took his jacket off earlier, was in the driver's seat, hoping to take the girls home as there was nothing to do after the event at Sacks' tower.

No longer are the girls in their beautiful dresses as they have returned back into their usual attires. April had what she has on yesterday while Sally had almost the same thing on except she has white top with the dragon picture on instead of the blue shirt with the yin-yang symbol on it like today.

With the driver's eyes glued to the busy street, Sally was sitting in the middle while flicking through the recent photos in her camera, looking at the nice shots that she took. April was busy looking out the window in the passenger's seat. She was thinking about the little reunion that she had with the one person, other than her father, which she looks up to.

"Eric Sacks was so inspiring," she spoke up. "I know this is a story that actually matters."

Vern looks at her and back to the road. He knows exactly what she is talking about. And so does Sally whom looks up from her camera. Only the latter was on her side with the whole Vigilante piece.

Vern looks to his partner. "The superhero one?" he looks back to the road, wondering when the traffic will actually move for them. If nothing happens in the next few minutes, he will have to find another route back home. "That's a good idea. I should chase that down."

Rolling her eyes at his ignorance, Sally slides her device back into the camera case, zips it tight and leaves it on the floor of the van. "Yeah, we could go find him. Who knows, he might be closer than we think."

In a few minutes he will be.

Piling out of the street on the right before them were a number of panicking citizens. Their screaming and their running have caught the attention of everyone within the lane. Including a news crew as well.

Confused, Vern darts his eyes at the frighten people whom are dashing in front of the halt traffic. "Where's everybody going?"

Although he wasn't mindful as the two other people in the van, he does watch the whole scene unfold in front of them. April and Sally all took a good look at this.

Distress has filled the area now as onlookers either watch or run amongst with the scared crowd. More screaming and shouting was sounded in the air. Looks like something dangerous was about to go down. And they need to check it out.

The girls both looked to each other. A nod was made between them. They need to know. April looks out of her open window to see if there is anybody coming her way. When the coast is clear, she swings the door open.

The sound of the passenger's seat opens up has alerted Vern. Looking over to his right, he sees the reporter hopping out of the van, thus having a mini panic attack. "O'Neil! Where are you going?"

April didn't respond. She wants to know what is happening. And so did Sally. She was the second one who dares to leave the vehicle and the cameraman all by himself. "Sally! April!" he called out. But his yells were drown out by the commotion outside the vehicle. The teenager shuts the door and follows her friend who was trying to get someone's attention about the whole commotion.

"Hey. Hey! What are you running from? Wait, wait!" But no-one even stops for a second for the reporter to say what is going on or utter one word. They were too busy running the other way, and she and Sally are going the other way.

As they come around the corner, the two girls have found out where the crowd were all coming from. More than twenty people were escaping from the train station.

But why? Why all these people are in a state of panic? What is happening in the train station that causing them to leave? And what could be the cause of all this?

(Unknown location, Manhattan, NY – 7:08pm)

"Shots fired, Broadway and Centre Street."

A dispatch was made over the small speakers. A number of computers screen, some big and some small, are bolted down to a connection of steel beams and are in a curved angle. Each are showing different surveillances of train stations all over the city, including the one that is occupied with danger. Some were close to where they live. Normally, people would have seen a post like this one on a cop show, right? Well, you might be right and wrong at the same time.

One: it isn't the police station. And two: it is underground. And being underground was the perfect place for a number of unsuspected figures to roam around.

There were only four of them. All cloaked in the shadows, they continue to watch the whole scene unfold. One of them is station at the computer centre. This was his area that they are all circled around. After viewing the whole scene that is happening live, he is ready to give a quick update.

"Surveillance uplinks are showing heavy, heavy Foot Clan activity at the Broad Street platform," he confirmed.

One screen shows civilians running upwards on the stairs, leading them to the surface while only a few captures the whole underground station in sight. The Foot Clan soldiers are taking a number of innocent people from within the shadows and holding them at gun-point. With the weapons in the masked militaries' hands, the people would not dare to move a muscle.

They all continue to watch the show. They have a slight idea on why this is happening. The Foot are after them. They are trying to lure them out for what they did to them last night. And they are not happy.

And it was all thanks to the beefy-looking one. "They're taking hostage, dudes."

Like everyone in the entire city, they too are not such a huge fan of the notorious crime group as well. At first, no-one to this day would have the guts to stand up against them. Apparently, one of them did. And now, the Foot wants to get even. And their way to get even is somewhat a bit extreme.

Right beside him was known to be the most concern out of all them. "But...you know we're not supposed to go above ground." To them, that was the major rule. The one rule he does not like to disobey. And they have a very good reason on why they are not supposed to go out in the open.

Plus, he wasn't too pleased when he found out of what his...friend tried to pull on last night. He was younger than him but older than the other two and the most reckless one of them all. The eldest of the group here was the mature one and was supposed to be in charge of his team. How can he let this happen? If father ever finds out about this,...

He turns to his worried comrade. "We've done this before. We started something, we gotta finish it."

And the Foot were not going to rest until they have been found and make them pay for the damage that they have caused. Not to mention that the more lives that are in danger, the worst that the situation will get if it continues.

The last one was the one to speak up as he is watching another screen. "This is insane..."

The eldest nods in agreement. I know! So many lives are in stake. The Foot are everywhere. And there seems to be no cops in si—

"That cat is playing Chopsticks with chopsticks!"

Rather than watch the danger on the live feed, the last member of the team was watching an internet hit – The Keyboard Cat. Did anyone of them mention that he was baby of the family? Guess not. He was known to get distracted at things like this.

The leader rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Don't be an idiot." He does so by lightly hitting a button, changing that screen from the video on YouTube to the another surveillance.

"Aw," the youngest groans. Guess the fun is over and the action is just getting started.

And like what his brother said, we started something, we gotta finish it. They simply can't just sweep this under the rug. It needs to be dealt with – swiftly and silently. That is what they have been training for. And they need to do it without getting any innocent citizens getting in the way of the crossfire. And without being seen.

Guess there was no other option.

"Okay. Let's rock 'n' roll, boys!" he commands. The rebel gestures a side fist bump to his big brother in which he then returns.

Grabbing two Katana blades, a pair of Nunchakus, a Bo Staff and finally a pair of Sais, it was time to move out.

Guess our heroes in the shadows are ready to move out. Guess we will see them in action very soon in the next chapter of:

Heroes in the Half-Shell: Rumble in the Subway

Author's Notes: Hey, everyone! Another one done! Forgive me if this chapter didn't make any sense at all. I was busy at home and my job at the local supermarket cause of the pandemic and I haven't had the chance to rewrite this chapter. I did change it a little if you guys have read it before. I think my writer's block is starting to come back! (NOOOO!)

First off, I wanna give my condolences to a friend of my sister from high school who died this week from her battle with cancer. It was a shock to her as they haven't seen each other in so long because of the lockdown. I did meet her a few times in the past and she was a lovely girl. It sucks so much to lose someone to cancer like when I lost my nana to cancer back in 2014. My heart goes to the family and love ones.

Second, my hearts go to America on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. So many lives were lost and the whole world has changed. I live in Australia was only a little girl when this happened but I wasn't aware of it until I was a little bit older. My sister was nearly two-months old when this happened. Never forget.

Guess there is nothing much to say. Everyone is not having such a great time with the whole lockdown, deaths and such going on in the world. If you know someone who is in trouble or if it is you, don't be afraid to speak out or to reach out to someone. Help them get by and take care of them or yourself. And don't forget to review or PM me on what you think of this chapter and/or the story so far, add me or the story to your favourites.

Until we meet again,

The DragonLord2912/JOP_TheDL2912