Heroes in the Half-Shell

Chapter 5 – Rumble in the Subway

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! Sorry for the lateness. Got filled up because of work at my job and at home with the animals. At least. I am getting paid! Getting this amount of dough, I will be one step closer to getting my PS5 that I put my name down for! I didn't get it last year cause I was still deciding which version I should get. I should have done this earlier…

Anyway, let's get on with the reviews and then, the story, shall we?

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

To XxWolfLord95xX

What if Sally was connected to one of the turtles, when she was little and she ends up with him by the end of the movie? Which one of the brothers is it?

In any of my TMNT FanFics, she will end up with someone. It could be either one of the Turtles or someone else. Thanks for the question, but I ain't spilling. It will ruin the suspense!

To erica phoenix16

Thanks for revealing what happened to Sally's mom. :)

No problem. I don't want to leave you guys hanging for SO many years now!

And thanks for XxWolfLord95xX, TMNTGirland xXSweet Little BumblebeeXx for adding me and the story to their favourites. Love to have fans to come around all the time.

With another one down, there is plenty more to go!

(Broad Street platform, Manhattan, NY – 7:09pm)

The screaming from the pedestrians and the beeping from the busy traffic filled the air as fear has taken the streets.

Just like rats, the frighten New Yorkers are scurrying up the stairs and escaping the subway. For what is happening down there was beyond scary. Even for the courageous men serving in the army would not stay down there for even a second.

After leaving Vern all alone in the Channel 6 van, April and Sally have both barges their way through the packed crowd whom are fleeing in terror. As the scared civilians are going one way, the two girls have dared themselves to go the other way.

They were all petrified. Well, so were the girls. But that didn't stop them from turning around and go the other way. Whatever is happening in the Broad Street platform, they need to know. And they have a gut feeling that something of big is going down in there.

Pushing themselves through, they finally reached the entrance of the underground train station. Pretty much all the stairs were flooded with escapees as April and Sally did their very best to squeeze past them as they make their way down the stairs. They have to put their backs up against the wall and railing in order to get pass. A few civilians did manage to ram into them but they just kept on going. No-one bothers to call out for the girls to turn back. They have no idea what kind of trouble they are in for. The crowd begins to diminish when they finally got to the bottom of the stairs. April halts at the corner, causing her friend to come to a stop.

"RUN!" cried out a scared woman who was running with her friend. She was referencing to them, of course. But they simply ignored the warning.

"GET OUT!"

Not going to happen. They have come this far, might as well to stick around.

Only a few more passed them. April and Sally only look back to see a last few were running up the stairs until they were the only ones left in this ghost town. The older woman was peering around the corner to get a good visual on what the cause of this trepidation. Placing her hands on her guardian's shoulders, Sally manages to get a look in front. They were not alone.

"Go, go!"

In their sight, they don't appear to be wearing causal clothing. And they are not running out to the exit as they descended down the stairs to the lower levels. Not to mention that they were dressed in black, mixed colour scarfs around their necks, dirty bandages wrapped around their hands, wearing grey human-like masks, and they are carrying around a military gun in their grasp.

It's the Foot Clan.

Both of their hearts are racing. But mostly from the youngster. Only April has seen them up close, Sally hasn't. She is finally getting her chance to see them up close and personal. And now, she wishes she took her camera with her. At least, they both have their phones because they were about to get actual proof of the infamous crime gang of the Big Apple.

If they survive.

The place was now dead silent. But not abandoned. They would surely still get caught even if they make the tiniest sound.

But it would seem that they are the only ones left on the floor. It was just the reporter and her assistant - all alone.

April only tilts her head back a little. "Sal." Very wavered that she brought her along, she wanted to get the teen out of here. Her roommate, her best friend, her little sister – all into the mix. She made a promise to Sally's father. If anything happened to her…

Knowing what her friend was going to say, Sally pats a few taps on the woman's back. "I'm not going anywhere. Ride or die," she quotes the words from their favourite cop movie featuring Will Smith and Martin Laurence. But she quickly scrunches her face up when she heard what came out her mouth and the look of dread on her guardian's face. "Sorry. Poor choice of words."

April's panic look does decrease but doesn't disappear. Yep, they might die tonight if anything goes wrong but April can't help to admire the young one's fearless character. Something that rubbed off of her. And she knows what she means. Sally would never leave her side. Ever.

Only a few seconds has passed since the soldiers have disappeared down the stairs. Guess most of the action is happening below deck. They can't stay in the same spot forever. Wanting to get closer to the action, April takes the first steps away from the stairs and keeps pressing forward. Sally was right behind her. Moving from the bottom of the stair to the first pillar, the sound of April's clicking boots and Sally's squeaking Converse were composed in the silent station. The reporter was the first to duck behind it and her assistant did the same as she sits behind her. Deep breathing were added in the air as the two girls lean their heads to the side.

BANG!

They flinched at the sudden muffled crack that was coming from the level below. They reverted back behind the pillar; in case they were spotted. The sound was pretty loud from a fair distance for them to hear. Their hearts were racing faster than Usain Bolt and sweat is now dripping from their skins.

A slight clanging sound of the shell was made just a second after the round went off. More screaming and wimping were heard by the young women. Sounds like there are more people down there. Must be the shell that was used in that gun shot, along with a few more screaming and wimping. There must more people down there. And they were trapped.

"If you want to live, do it! Go on!"

A faint command was sliced in the air. The Foot Clan soldiers are threatening innocent people. Well, what did you expect from a terrorist group carrying around firearms in a public place? The question is why are they doing this?

Sliding straight up with the help of the pillar, April nervously looks down. How did they get themselves into this mess? If so, how will she and Sal get out of this one? Will they get out in one-piece or will the woman's family in Albany get the knock on the door by the police?

Guess there is no turning back now. They are deep in the lion's den now.

Sally too stands up with no help at all as April removes herself from the pillar and walks over to the turnstiles. Normally, you would have to pay to get through. But in a situation like this, they have another way. Placing her hands on the metal boxes beside, April kicks her feet up and jumps over it. Sally then procced to do the same thing.

Walking away from the barriers, they approached another pillar. Only a few more left and they will be at the stairs. With each step closer to their destination, their hearts are on fire now. But so far, they have not been spotted by anyone or any Foot Clan member. Their breathing does not start slowing down as they don't know what kind of danger will strike them.

April finally removes herself from the support and heads to the next flight of stairs. Sally does the same…until she was yank back by unsuspected arm!

"Hey!" she cried out. April whips around to see her worst nightmare. It was the Foot!

The solider himself locks his arm around the teen's neck with the other grasping hold of her head; securing her. Whoever has got her was careful not to snap her neck completely.

"Sally!" April rushes over to help her friend. Big mistake.

Another Foot Clan solider comes up behind up and catches her in a trap as well. Where did he come? The two militaries are both holding the girls in the same grasp. The teenager struggles to free herself from the Foot's grip but it proved to be no avail. April too tries to pry herself off her capturer but fails to do so. They don't have the skills or the advantage to free themselves. It was no use.

They were not fighters. But they were. Skilled in hand-to-hand combat, they would not hesitant to take someone's life if they were ordered to.

April was sure of one thing. There is definitely no turning back.

"Just stay down!"

"Get over here!"

"Keep moving!"

Multiple shouts were sounded by a number of Foot soldiers in the dreaded subway. They were made when the news reporter and her young associate were coming down the stairs with two Foot whom have them in their clutches.

They spotted them sneaking into the subway during their operation. And now,…they are going to pay the price.

They finally get to the bottom of the long stairs to see the horror show before them. Both platforms were now occupied by them as a number of scared and innocent individuals were held against their will.

"Keep your hands where I can see them!"

Everyone who is not dressed in black (unless there were Emo or Goth) and wearing the same mask on, did as they were told. They didn't fight back as the malevolent group were all armed and ready to pull the trigger. They are not fighters. They are not warriors. The Foot are.

Two more have joined the fray by holding more prisoners by the neck and the other by the wrist from the behind. That way, they won't escape. April was taken in first with Sally right behind her. With them being hostage, there was nothing that they can't do.

Sally now regrets and wishes that she has taken up self-defence as an after-school activity but they won't do much good since the Foot are all armed. And there were about 20 people on the same floor. They were all not bulletproof. A shot or two can take anyone down. Permanently.

All they can do now…is pray for help.

April and Sally took a good look around. Horror and fright are written all over the New Yorkers' faces. A few of them had their backs up against the wall. Some were up against the metal pillars and the rest were hunched down on their sides on the marble floor. Only a few were forcedly moved by the extremists themselves.

"Move to the side."

The other side of the platform was filled too but not as much people as the current side is. And all of them at gunpoint. Even the slightest movement or disobey could be very fatal for the detainees. April and Sally tried to squirm their way out of the Foot's grips but no dice.

This could be curtains for them.

But they didn't just brought guns to the party. Pulling out a small box from their utility belt pockets, each of the Foot placed and secured them tightly on the wall before pressing a small button on them. Charging noise were made now that they have been activated.

"They're bombs…" one civilian alerted. This raises everyone's panic level a little bit more. Especially to those who are close range to them.

"Shut up!" barked one of the soldiers. A few more were placed on the walls and pillars. Only a small portion can blow the place sky-high.

April and Sally pass by a Foot aiming his gun at his captive whilst in his grip. "On the ground!" he shouted, pushing him up against the pillar and down to the cold floor by force.

And now, it was their turn as they were both violently pushed to the ground. April was the first to hit the ground while Sally moved past her and was shoved in front of her.

"Ow!" she yelped. The forced shove almost sends them to the edge of the track but the monsters would not care who gets hurt or killed. As they made impact, some bruises on the body and head will later formed on them. No doubt that the Foot have ice packs for them or anyone that got hurt because of them. Sally felted the slight change on her head. She looks over her head to find where her beanie went off to. Seeing how close to the edge that they are, the headwear was resting on the painted line.

Now that his hands are free, the soldiers have armed themselves once more. "Nobody move!" one of them ordered to the new addition. They leave them to their shivering and goes off to another section of the subway as ordered.

As soon as the Foot left, Sally reaches her hand forward, quickly grabs her headwear and places it back on her head. Thankfully, her glasses didn't fall off.

April looks up and gets a good look at the soldiers and the people before them. Those who are not part of the Foot are far from safe. They know that this is dangerous situation that they have gotten themselves into. Right now, everyone did what they were told to do. Even if they tried to escape, they would all meet their same fate. Impaled by bullets or blown to smithereens.

She does notice a different soldier in the pack. The one with the black tied-up hair with red dye on the back and no mask on. She must the one in charge. April wonders if she too were at the docks. Guess she is.

The hostages were now on the edge of why they were now held against their will. Only a few manage to get away. Some went or have to leave the love ones behind, unknowingly leaving them their fate. Only the Lieutenant and her men know why.

Sally placed her hand on her guardian's free hand, snapping her focus on the scary woman with the gun in the distance. "You OK?"

Terrified, April nodded, squeezing her friend's tight. She was trying to be brave for her young friend's sake. But she knows – they both know that they were petrified. Afraid. In a few moments, they would be on Death's Doorsteps.

April wants to capture the event unfolding. If she can manage to live-stream or take any photo without giving herself and/or Sal away. She looks to her friend for permission. Sally gives a nod but not before giving one more squeeze, thus releasing her hand from her grip.

Karai walks and surveys the room. More shouting are coming from her troop. With this amount of people, – big or small – she was hoping this would be enough to try to lure the Vigilantes out from his hiding hole. They are the ones who caused her mission from yesterday to be a failure. It does not please her boss. Her master. Thus, it does not please her too.

And what better way to lure the rat out than using live bait. Don't expect someone to dress the drag and do the hula. Now that the trap has been set, it is time to play the waiting game. But Karai was not a patience woman.

Silence peaks in the air. The beeping from the bombs is still hot. Karai stops walking around the platform and halts on the spot. She looks to her left. Where is he? Why won't you show your face, coward?

Maybe some taunting would be sufficed. "We know you're out there!" No response.

She whips her head to the right. Any fool who dares to jump in and be the hero would be eliminated on the spot by any of her men. Or by her. "If you don't surrender, we start executing hostages!"

The hairs on everyone's neck spikes up. That's what they are here. They are going to kill them. But who is she speaking to? They don't know.

Maybe…maybe someone who is coming to save them? Power Rangers? The Avengers? Justice League, maybe? Either someone from the comics or the boys in blue, they don't want to die. Everyone has got their loves one at home and their whole lives before them. And now, it was going to be cut short.

The Foot were too eager to deal with some damage in the house. They all aimed their weapons at the frightened people. Some were holding someone dear to them tight as it might be their last day on Earth. "Get your head down! Don't move!"

Karai continue to observe the area. Her hand was on her weapon. Where are you, Vigilante? Do you not care for these simpletons? Whether they are a no-show or not, blood will be drawn tonight.

The whistle from a train was heard in the distance. What's even weirder is that ever since they have come down here, not a single train has not passed through here. Maybe the Foot have somehow hacked into the system and rerouted their course into another station. That way, they would not be distracted or have their plans halted.

"Don't make me tell you again! Not a word!" The soldiers continued to bark at the vulnerable.

Reaching inside her yellow jacket with her right hand, April O'Neil pulls out her phone. The caution adolescent was still on the lookout to make sure that no-one is watching them. While looking on the other side of the platform, she sees April in the corner of her eyes as the reporter opens up the camera on her phone with a swipe.

Getting either a picture or a clip would be a risky move, but as the reporter and the photography of Channel 6, they need to record the action for the world to see and if anything happens to them.

"Don't look at me!" shouted another soldier.

April lift her phone up and aims it at Karai & a few of her men.

Wait. Did she remember to put the phone on slie—

CLICK.

Sally's shoulder tensed up at the noise. Too late.

Hearing the abrupt sound in the quietness, Karai turns to the source. It only took a split second to see something different from the picture. There was someone…on the ground…with a camera in her hands. Big mistake.

She grabs hold of her handgun, cocks it and aims it at them.

"YOU!"

At the same time, April and Sally takes her eyes off the former's phone and looks up at Karai. She has already spotted them with their device. And now, she aims her device at them. They were told not to do anything if they want to live. Sweat was now breaking through their skins. They have been caught. The much older woman immensely walks towards them, aiming her loaded gun at her targets, ready to shoot them down like dogs.

"STAND UP!"

April and Sally both apprehensive now. The gun is aiming at the older figure of the duo. If April doesn't comply, the bullets from the gunwoman herself will be sent flying into the body of the strongminded correspondent.

But not tonight.

The magnets of the lone on-coming train scraps against the rails as the vehicle gets closer and closer to the preferred station. But it was not slowing down.

"ALL ABOARD!"

A sudden yell was screeched in the distance that causes Karai to stop walking and turns her head away from her targets and at the source.

Everyone on the platform – good and evil alike – all heard it. Karai's gun was still aiming at April. Sally whips her head to where the source came from. She sees headlights in the distance. Is that a train… A scream in the distant was followed afterwards. Was it made by one of her own men? Or was it…

Karai's eyes went in full horror. It's him! The Lieutenant screams something in Japanese. Nobody had time to translate her. That is when the overhead lights of the platform went out. The place was now concealed in the dark with a few light emitting. Was it the NYPD? Have they come to save them and to put a stop to the Foot? Whoever shouted from before and killed the lights doesn't sound like them.

The whistle of the on-coming train was heard. Sally watches it as it closely approaches the platform. And, if her eyes are playing tricks on her, there is something on top. "April!" she yells to get her attention. The older woman too looks up at the impending vehicle on their right. But it doesn't appear to be slowing down. Why is that?

The reporter still has her phone up high and hits the record button. Good thing too. Casue what they are about to witness was something…unbelievable.

Before anyone can react, the train zooms right past them…

…and a large being with long sticks in each hand jumps off the moving cart and lands on the platform. The figure has caught the girls' eyes before he takes sprint towards the armed Lieutenant.

"On your 12! Come on!" Karai pulls the trigger and bullets went flying as she shoots at the on-coming foe. Still walking and fully aware of the Vigilante who finally shows his face, Karai continues to fight. Unlike last night, she is not afraid.

Then…how come he is still moving? No matter how many bullets that she unleashes, he was not going down. It would take a single shot to make a giant like him to go falling onto his knees. Why isn't this happening?

She didn't have time to think when another one of them takes her by surprise and slams into the Lieutenant; sending her flying into the hard tiled wall. She lets out a yelp while she was soaring in the air and hits hard on the tile wall, cracking a number of tiles off the structure. The Foot Soldier herself lands on the ground with a thud and was now out cold. Luckily, none of the hostages were affected from the impact.

A chuckle was made mostly by the one who rammed into her who has two chain-like weapons in his hands.

Wait. There was one and now…TWO?

"WHOOO-WEEE!"

Another dropped down on the same train, holding two smaller sticks in his grasp, and charges at one of the Foot soldiers.

There're…THREE?

He was then followed by a fourth one appears to be holding a large stick. He too joined the third guy in the brawl.

FOUR?!

Everyone in the subway were now astonished. Despite not getting a clear view on their faces, they couldn't believe what is happening.

There is someone or somebodies…fighting back against the tarnished criminal gang. And those on the one platform are all witnessing this incredible moment. One minute before, they were at the end of their ropes and the next, they were being rescued.

One at a time, the Foot soldiers were then fling across the room and collided against the wall. It was all happening so fast that nobody had the time to blink. If they did, they would miss a heck of a show. One of them was doing chanting as he lands a successful hit. The numbers of ruthless soldiers were dropping like flies.

With the reporter on her phone, she was tapping it every second of it. They have not blinked since this scuffle began. April holds it up, hoping to get a good angle on the action. And she was hoping that she has enough storage on her phone. One of these…large fighters grabs hold of the screaming Foot and throws him into the moving train, smashing the windows.

"That's right!"

Another Foot not too far was shot up by the one with the long stick that…spring up…making it longer? His impact destroys one of the overhead lights, emitting sparks. That Foot soldier then falls onto his fallen comrades.

Karai has already come to. She looks up to see another of her operation going downhill. Distress was shown on her face. She couldn't believe what is happening. Last night at the docks, there was only one guy. And now,…there are more. He has brought friends.

"Like a shadow, bra," one of these cloaked warriors spoke. Bra?

The one close to her with the two long sticks that seated on his huge back, was right now duking it out with one of the last few Foot. His opponent wasn't able to keep up with his attacks as he continues to endure the hard blows to the chest and face.

"How you like that?" he jested before giving a kick to one more on his left.

The last Foot member was kicked multiple times in the chest by a much larger one. With one more swift motion, the last soldier slides across the ground and ends the ride when his back was met with the stairs.

The only ones left standing were the four fighters. All four cloaked in the shadows. All four now victorious of the battle. And all four of them are heading for the emergency exit, covered in yellow tarp.

"Let's go! Let's move!"

As soon as the train leaves the station, so do these four beings that disappeared into the large material.

For the entire battle, April O'Neil and Sally Hope did not take their eyes off the mysterious figures for even a second. Everyone else was either looking at the unconscious Foot or at the moved tarp not just too far from them.

Everyone is very much alive. They were all saved. Their lives were all spared from the Foot by these four…incredible heroes. They are heroes. But just who are they? And how did they have the guts to go up against the extremist group themselves?

Now the danger was over, everyone in the station wasted no time to head for the nearest exit. Some only stayed behind, including the two girls. Not taking their eyes off the tarp, April and Sally both quickly stand up and rushed over to the emergency exit where only a few gathered around it.

"They went up that way!"

"Did you see that?"

Nobody here tonight would be able to sleep tonight after what they have just witnessed. And they don't think that their friends would be able to believe this tale.

"Here, here. They climbed up here!"

A few were pointing at the hidden entrance, fenced by a few wooden barriers. April and Sally halted just only a few feet away from it. They were just astonished as everyone else in the subway at the moment. They couldn't believe it. And all of it just happened in such a short time.

"Right here."

"Some kind of freak!" A freak? What kind of freak is it?

"There were a couple of them! Like a…whoo! Right past me!"

April exactly knew who it is. It was the Vigilante. Possible the same one that she saw last night at the Brooklyn docks. If so…he was not alone.

"They saved us."

They did save them. Whoever they are… they are heroes. Came out of nowhere and stopped the Foot from harming innocent civilians.

It was official. April was going to get her story. And she better hurry or else it would be too late and she would miss her only chance.

Looking to her right to see the speechless teenager, April doesn't know whether she regrets it or not for bringing a child with her. But now, she doesn't. Miss Hope missed out on coming last night. Looks like she will get her chance to see the Vigilante up close. If they get a move on. April then looks behind to the same stairs that everyone is taking to the exit. Giving a few taps the shoulder of the teenager, snapping her out of it. Sally sees April making a break for it to the stairs. Knowing that this story could be big for her friend, the feisty teenager was already on it. She quickly tails her friend and heads for the steps.

The only ones who stayed behind are the villains. They were at the moment knocked-out and all tied up. They were all seated like it was the Last Supper by DaVinci himself. The heroes have indeed left a present for the cops once they show up.

Sirens were still wailing by the time that the cops have arrived to their destination. The NYPD all spotted a number of people pouring out through the gateway from the underground subway, a few are screaming in panic and a few of them were trying to catch their breath. They have come to the right place. A few cars all parked right outside and the cops all poured out of the vehicle, ready to infiltrate the place.

April and Sally were the last few people to exit the subway but were trying their very best to push past through the rushing crowd. More like the reporter wants to find the Vigilantes as soon as possible so she can finally have a huge story on the heroes that battled against the Foot Clan soldiers and saved many lives. Sally wished she did indeed bring her camera so she could have recorded the whole epic showdown.

"Go, go, go!" They both rushed up the stairs to spot the cops entering the building. Armed with their firearms and shields, the cops, along with the SWAT team have all entered the station. "Let's go. Guys! Both sides!" cried out the SWAT team leader.

Instead merging with the rest of the crowd, April and Sally broke away from them. Not too far from where they have just exit and rushing past a few parked cars in the middle of the road, they both see the same yellow tarp. It appears to be covered where a manhole is and was located underneath a fire escape. The same manhole cover that came from the subway below.

"Yeah, that's what I'm talking about!"

"You see that? I smoke that dude!"

The girls both looked up. Right beside them was a seven-story building with the fire escape that goes all the way up to the top. And there were voices on the rooftop. And they sound…familiar. It's them!

It was it.

It was time to see what the heroes of the city look like.

In order to get to the rooftops, they have to clear an entrance on the fire escape. They grabbed hold of the steel ladder and folded it down. Once the ends are placed on the concrete ground, April was the first to start ascending with her friend right behind. As they continue to climb closer to the rooftops, the voices are becoming clearer.

"Yeah, boys, bring it in."

"That was amazing. You were incredible!"

"Great elbow, Donnie."

Donnie? One of them is named Donnie? Not much of a superhero name. But other than that, wonder what the others are called?

And it sounds like that there are only four of them? And there were only four beings who took the Foot down with ease. Adrenaline was going through their veins as the two bold lasses have nearly reached the top floor of the building. They stopped to catch their breath with the small metal ladder bolted to the wall before them. And they are very close as the strange voices grew closer.

"Oh yeah! That's what I'm talking about. This is our city! These are our streets!"

"You mess with us, you step into the Wu-WHOO-Tang!"

Man! Whoever these guys are, they really want to take back the streets from Foot if they caused them a lot of pain.

All they have to do was climb the ladder and they will have a clear view of the ones who saved them and everyone else in the subway tonight. And April will finally have her story. But only one person can climb the ladder at a time. Which is why Sally is letting her enthusiastic friend to go first. April grabs hold of the bar and starts climbing. But as quietly as she can be without giving her and her friend away.

"Ooh, yeah! Did you see that guy's jaw connect with the concrete?"

Judging by the sound of their tone and that comment, these guys must hate the Foot so much.

"He'll be drinking out of a Sippy cup for months!"

April has stops ascending as she grabs hold of the last bar on the ladder. As an experience journalist, she doesn't want to get spotted. Slowly as she can, she peers over the edge of the wall and sees what appear to be, from where she is standing, is four large beings. Only a few meters away from her.

Only the three of them come together in a small huddle while the fourth one is by himself on another ledge not too far from them. He has two large stick-like weapons in his hands and he appears to be shaking his feet one at a time.

April has finally got a look on the heroes. Even if they are concealed in the dark.

Judging from their appearance, they look pretty dangerous. They so easily took the Foot. Imagine what they would do to her and the other female with her. They are willing to risk it.

And now for the proof…

"Ah, that's what I'm talking about, brothers. Like shadows in the night. Completely unseen," said the one with the deeper tone. They were all proud of what they have accomplished tonight. The Foot have messed with the innocent, they mess with the meanest, the most baddiest team that have made their debut. And they are going to keep doing it until the Foot have been wiped off the face of the planet!

The three of them lifted their hands high in the air and…

CLICK.

A flash and a sound were made. This causes the heroes to freeze up like statues. Make that completely seen. It like they were just playing Musical Statues and someone has just hit the pause button. Only two of them were in the middle of a high-five. Their hands are still touching while the third addition was only a foot-length away from contact. The fourth one was still standing in his spot, holding out his two long sticks.

They did not move their heads nor their eyes. They were not alone. Whoever made that flash has now exposed them to the outside world. How will they explain this to the other member of the family?

April was staring at the hidden heroes as she grasps onto the ledge of the building rather than the ladder with one hand. In her other is her phone and it is pointing toward at them. The only sound that was overheard by them was the young reporter's heavy breathing. She was the one who made the flash and the sound that her device produced.

From what the reporter is seeing, they don't appear to be…human.

Both their heads and bodies are in a funny shape. Not to mention that they looked a lot taller than she and Sally like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson or Shaq. And their bodies have a rounded structure with extra baggage on their back. One of them appears to be wearing another backpack with it. April can't quite make it out with them still in the dark but thanks to the flash, she will get a bright visual on them through her phone once she gets down and back to the comfort of her own home.

Unbeknownst to her, the four figures are indeed aware of the extra company in their presence as soon as the flash from the camera was made. There was also one more person in the scene that April almost completely forgot. But she hasn't been spotted by them as she was out of their sight.

"April?" Sally's voice breaks the still silence. "April? Do you see them? What do they look like?"

She didn't look down at her friend. Or speak an answer. The dark figures remain still but they did see that they have company. But what kind of dangers does she proposed? Was she like a hawk and they were the family of mice that the bird preys on for its dinner? Or was it the other way around?

It mostly likely for them be the hawks in this bunch as April was now shaking like a twig. Seeing how skilled that they are for bringing the Foot Clan with ease, she can easily imagine what would happen to her and Sally if they stick around for a few more minutes.

Sooner or later, something is bound to happen. One of them is curious about the sudden burst of light that shine on them.

"What was that?" whisper the first one. He was the one who is standing over the other two but not the fourth one.

"It's a camera flash," replied the nasally character. Unlike his brethren, he was wearing some-kind of headgear on with the extra backpack.

"We know it's a camera flash." The eldest of his friends was already eyeing the intruder by the fire escape.

"Who's behind the camera flash?" demanded the deeper voice. Getting spotted by a human is the last thing on his mind. One of them did manage to get a decent observation on their spy. But they don't know about the other spy hidden away. April slowly draws her phone away into her pocket. She has been compromised.

"By my calculations, it's a girl." Which it is very weird since his back was towards her and he can't twist his neck around to look. Yep. She has been spotted.

"Now we got to kill her…" the youngest debated. April's eyes went wide.

"What?" shrieked the one with the headset resting on his head. Since when does killing strangers is on their files?

"…with kindness!" Maybe that could work?

Slowly, their hands start to descent to their respective side. And at the same time, April starts to climb down. She and Sally need to get out of here. "Give her some flowers, earn her trust…"

With her friend descending down the ladder brings confusion to the youngest's face. "What's going on?"

April was only a few steps down. "We gotta go. NOW!" she quietly shrieks.

One of them looks to where the girl is, only to see that she is gone but the footsteps of someone climbing down the steel ladder was made. She has taken a photo of them and now, their little snooper is getting away. Not on his watch.

"I got this." He pulls out a long chain from his belt.

Seeing this, the oldest was now alarmed. "Raph, no, no, no! Come on!"

Nobody even bother to stop him. They all watched him throwing his chain over the edge of the building.

April's escape attempt was halted when that long chain wraps and secures around the reporter. Oh no… Without warning, the young woman was yank off the ladder and goes flying onto the rooftops, squeaking a yell. Reaching the top, she falls down a short distance giving a small thud on the stone ground. The chain around the women was loosen and then, slithers away into the darkness.

"APRIL!" the teenager gives off a scream. What she was expecting was her friend descending down the ladder so they can escape with actually proof of the ones who stopped the Foot in the subway. But instead, she was suddenly capture at the last second and was taken in a blink of an eye. Are they going to kill her? Eat her? For following them up to the roof and getting a shot of them. Was she next?

Not unless she gets April and herself out of here.

Petrified for her guardian, Sally was already climbing up the ladder. Stepping up on the last few bars, the teenager looks over the ledge. Just a few meters away from the ladder but slightly to the left, lays the reporter on her side, clutching to her sore wrist. She has just landed poorly on her arm and is feeling a slight chafe from the tight grip of the chain around her chest.

"April!" Her roommate climbs the rest of the ladder, hops over the ledge and rushes to her friend's side. She gently grabs April by her arms and pulls her up. "April, are you ok? What pulled ya?" More like who pulled her.

After she sits the adult up, they both look around. Just only a second ago, there were four beings on the rooftop – the ones that April saw, and now there was not one thing moving and breathing but the girls. They were all alone.

So,…where did they go?

Did they escape after they dragged April off the ladder or—

Not wanting to hide any longer, one of them jumps out from the shadows and lands in front of the girls with a huge thump. Bending at the knees, he straightens his back.

Startled, the girls look to the front and…that is when their eyes were not playing tricks.

Did April hit her head when she was brought to the roof by force, thus getting a concussion? And that she is now seeing…a large green thing…right in front of them?

She didn't hit her head hard enough. And she wasn't dreaming. And neither was Sally. She was seeing it too.

"Give me the camera."

Rather than screaming, they spoke nothing. More like that they were too speechless to do anything. Now, they wished that they were dreaming. Or dead.

"Ooh, look, he's doing his Batman voice," voiced a different figure in the background as his voice got deeper at the end.

The two girls draw their eyes to the ground to see his…two-toed…green…feet.

The green legs before them are both wrapped around in brown worn-out straps and ragged marron calf warmers that are button together. Draped around his waist are a few large belts with different cloths that looks like that they have been sewed on. A number of small belts were hanged out in front of him including two small hoops where the girls while the rags were wrapped around the backside.

A large leather strap was sling over his shoulder and around his back. There was also a Leatherman securely in the hold of the larger strap located on his chest.

A few more of the red/marron light torn fabric is wrapped around his hands, thighs, knees, and his bulging biceps. Judging from his structure, he must have worked out. A lot.

Wrapped around a great portion of his head was a faded red bandana with eye slots that resembles a do-rag. It looks to be tattered with a few strands resting on his shoulders and looked to have a few ripped holes in a number of places. On his bandana is writing in the colour of white which it is placed on top of his head that really stands out. Resting on his bandana is a pair of rusted sunglasses which still has lens on.

Located across his lip on the right side is a noticeable scar and he carries a small toothpick in his mouth. Located on his right arm was another symbol blended into his skin. Looks to be a tattoo on the green skin.

On one of the waist belts are two small leather loops where not just his appearance is making the girls' spine shaking but what he is carrying. Two sharp bladed weapons. It is a good thing that Sally read and watches a lot of manga and anime because she has slight feeling of what the name of those tools that he carries around.

The Sais.

He has already pulled out one of them to be more threatening than before. Beside the whole barbarian look, they are not human. They looked far from anything human. From what they know, humans don't have shells on their backs. And it was not the clothes and the Sais that frighten them, it's what he is.

He was a turtle. A giant, muscle-bound, talking turtle.

A voice broke out into the scene. "Oh, they're so hot; I can feel my shell tightening." Clearly sounds like he was fascinated of the girls. If they weren't petrified, they would be a little grossed out.

The interrogator whips his head to his left and eyes his green irises at someone behind him. "We can hear you!" he snarls. He does not like to be episodic. Especially when he is trying to squirm a few humans to get what he wants. And he wants the lady's phone.

Ever since this giant reptile appeared, April and Sally have not taken their eyes off of him. Not even for a split second. At her side, the teenager helped her friend up to her feet. They have seen too much. They need to get out of here.

The green warrior turns his attention back on them as he pulls out the second weapon from his belt straps. The two humans were now already on their feet but they are not looking away.

Trying to put a brave face on, they were deeply terrified on the inside. Never have they been this scared in their entire life. Sally was clutching onto the sleeve of April's yellow jacket but the adult can actually feel the girl's nails digging into the fabric and almost into her skin.

This…could be it for them. April will never get the biggest story of all time and Sally will never hit her adult life which it is only a few more years around the corner.

"If you don't give me the camera, I'm gonna—"

"ENOUGH!"

Coming out from his hiding spot was another large figure, this time with two large sticks in his grasp. He does a mighty leap off the water tower, performs a few somersaults over their heads and lands on the building ledge just right behind them. When his feet make contact with the brick structure, it breaks off a few debris off it. He lands in a kneeling stance before straightening up as well.

It was another turtle. But he has the colour blue instead of red. And instead of a do-rag, it was just like a mask. Hiding underneath the mask is a faded scar that goes from the right side of his forehead to his right cheek but it is curved closely to the nose. And he wasn't carrying two long sticks in his hands. It was two swords.

"Back off, Raph," he sternly advised his friend. Guess the turtle in red was scaring the living daylights out of the nice girls instead of the opposite. That is why he decided to step in.

Putting his Sais away, the one called Raph lets out a scoff before holding up his hands in defeat. He takes a step and turns away to faces the other member about the reference from before.

"I only saw Batman once!" he countered.

No longer that the girls have their eyes on the first attacker that now his friend has just shown up. Their breathing and heart rate has also increased dramatically. They thought there was only one of these…strange creatures. Now, there was another.

This was getting weirder by the second. The girls were already freaked out by the first one. At least this one doesn't seem…threatening as the first one. Or maybe he is.

"Ladies, hello. I apologize," he said in a much of a gentler tone. At least he seems pretty polite. Or maybe it's all an act. Keeping an eagle eye on them, he hops off the platform to be on the same level but he is still towering over the two humans with his blue eyes. "My colleague here forgot to say please." He then starts to move toward them. Slowly. "So,…would you please hand over the camera?"

Maybe…not.

There's gotta be another way off the building, right? And that is what the girls are trying to do. Not breaking their eye contact on the large turtle wielding a pair of giant swords, they simultaneously start to walk backward. Not before stopping by another figure. But this time, it was a different one.

The girls then spin around when the thud was made. Another turtle has made the scene and he appear to be a bit shorter than the first two. And wearing a bright mask instead.

April gives out a gasp and Sally says "Holy sh—"

The small figure holds up his hands. "No, no, no, no. Whoa, whoa. Chill. It's just a mask."

He then points to his face. Oh. So,…the whole thing is a giant costume. NO biggie. But he was not referring to the green part. Only the orange cloth that is wrapped around his head. He dips his head forward and places his hand where the large knot is.

"See? Don't freak out." He then unties the fabric and holds it up eye level, revealing his clear, green face to them. "Right?"

The girls were still freaking out. Both internally and externally.

"T-they…they…" gasping the teenager. She was trying her very best not to lose conscious or throw up as April, on the other hand, was now hyperventilating.

But the young adult, scared out of her wits, couldn't take much more of this. Her eyes rolled backwards as she begins to lean towards the right. Sally sees the young women in her vision as she was tipping onto the side instead.

"APRIL!"

The teenager didn't have the strength to catch her falling friend. April's body comes crashing down onto the rooftop and darkness clouds her entire vision.

"Oh, I think that went well." The fourth and final member broke out from the shadows.

Well, what do you expect for four giant turtles to meet humans for the first time in their lives?

Guess April and Sally have come face-to-face will the heroes of the story. They will…officially meet them in:

Heroes in the Half-Shell: Meeting the Vigilante…or Vigilantes Part 1

Author's Notes: Hey! Again, sorry for the lateness. More changes to the chapter. Took a bit longer than expected. Plus, I was rewatching TMNT 2k3 show for my TSH fanfic that I am getting back into it. And again, sorry if this chapter does not make any sense at all.

With the lockdown, I am hoping to see my brother and his family when they come down when there is a chance. Maybe before Christmas or something. Fingers crossed!

So, most of you already know that the next chapter will be split off into two. One is where Sally will meet the Turtles first while April is knocked out and then, April will meet them. The next one will be uploaded a little bit longer instead as I am going to rewrite it (Maybe a little or maybe a lot.)

So, don't forget to review, PM me, add me or the story to your favourites!

Until we meet again,

The DragonLord2912/JOP_TheDL2912