Heroes in the Half-Shell!
Chapter 7: Meeting the Vigilante…or Vigilantes Part 1
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! Back again! As you guys know in this chapter is when April is knocked out, leaving her friend, Sally, in the mercy of these strangers. But don't worry! They'll all become friends at the end. (Did I give away the ending or something?)
Anyway, first thing, I don't know if I told you guys but...my little niece, who is now 2 years old, is going to be a big sister! Yep! The next addition is coming very soon at the end of February! We cannot wait for my new little nephew or another niece! I have no doubt that my niece is going to be a great big sister!
I also forgot to tell you guys that in the second week of the year, I was tested positive for COVID.
Yeah.
It was not fun. I had sore muscles, flu-like symptoms and major headache. I thought that I was going to die from like everybody including those who are fit and healthy. But no. I'm here and alive. So, I've been good now. Got my doses and back at work which explains why I haven't had the chance to write, rewrite, update, upload ANY of my stories (And among other things).
I got some ideas for my other fanfic called "HITHS: Chronicles". The title says it all. I have come up with a number of stories or "episodes" that happens to our heroes. I will be working on them while I work on this one and others. I got some good ideas and I could use some help (especially with Donnie's technobabble and Mikey's pop culture list). The first episode would have them searching for a new home whilst staying at the girl's place. I am also adding some familiar faces from past series and some new faces. Some of them are remakes of past episodes/comics in the franchise and also from the game that will work well with this series. I was also going to have a certain croc and a certain king if you get my drift. Put a Halloween and Xmas episode into the bunch. New friends and enemies alike will be added too. Can't wait to show you guys! And whilst I am uploading this chapter, the first episode is underway. It might take a slow process but I will get there eventually.
Also, early this year, I lost my great uncle to kidney failure. I knew him almost all my life and he was lucky enough to meet his great grandniece (my niece) before we lost him. And my heart goes to the lives that we have lost this year. To Betty, to Bob, to Gilbert, and of course, to the victims of the shooting in Buffalo and the elementary school in Texas.
No words. No words to this.
My niece is now in daycare. If Australia didn't have a gun laws since the 1996 Port Arthur Mass Shooting and the shooter target her daycare,…my family and I would be devastated. Wake up, America. How many more lives would have to be taken for you to get it? (Based on the quote from The Hate U Give movie. Great flick.) And I wonder since then, how many more mass shootings have happened?
Sorry about that. I'm just…a little emotional right now. Those kids…
Now, here comes Sally's point of view when she meets the heroes in the half-shell.
(The rooftops, Manhattan, NY - 7:15pm)
What do I do? What do I do? WHAT…DO…I…DO?!
That is what is racing through the teenage mind of the known Miss Sally Hope.
Just a few seconds ago, her guardian, the hotshot news reporter, Miss April O'Neil, whose eyes rolled into the back of her head and then, her legs gave out and took a tumble onto the cold concrete floor of the small skyscraper, thus knocking herself out. For those who are asking: What caused her to faint like that? The answer: it was what came before them that causes to lose her conscious.
The frighten teen didn't catch her friend in time. She was now kneeling down on her knees on the right side of the reporter, gripping the collar of her bright yellow jacket and starts to shake her.
"April? April? Wake up! C-can you hear me? Wake up!" With no response, she lightly slaps on the side of the young woman's face. She is breathing. That's good. But still not waking. "Come on, April, wake up! Wake u—"
"Did you have to do that, Mikey?"
Sally stops shaking and hitting her friend. It took the sudden voice to snap her back to reality. Fear and panic are running through her veins. Have they been since they been down at the subway. Sally then began to retracing her steps. The streets packed with screaming civilians. Their curiosity got the better of them. Travel down to the Lion's Den and got captured in their trap. Cornered like rats by the Foot, nearly executed on the spot, then saved by whatever forces that went like the wind, and chase them down to the roofto—
Her hands are trembling at full terror. Her breathing has rapidly increased. Her pale skins now tingle with fear. She knows these signs too well. A panic attack was here. And what does she do when it occurs? Well, she goes into her routine.
Eyes closed. Suck in the city air through the noses and out through the mouth. Inhale again. Exhale out once more. And think of your happy place.
Her mother and father, smiling at their little girl. To be here to see how much their own flesh and blood as a grown up.
Enjoying her own hobbies. Taking photos of her fine city of New York from the active streets of Times Square to the swaying tree of the quiet part of Central Park, watching her favourite cartoons and anime
Her best friend - and current guardian - April O'Neil. Her best friend. The sister from another mister. The hotshot reporter working for Channel 6, trying to work on the biggest story, regarding on the Foot Clan. Very obsessed of getting a new angle.
Which brings to right now.
Sally's eyes are squeeze more tightly. Her heart and breathing are racing faster than Bolt himself. Still in panic mode.
Still why? Didn't her usual routine worked? The breathing exercise? Going to her happy place? Well, not when she and her snoozing friend is surrounded by four large beings.
Make that...four large, green beings.
Yep. She now wishes she was the one knocked out and not shitting her pants right now.
Never before and never the one to pray to the God upstairs, Sally was definitely making up for lost time as she mentally begging with all her might. Never in their life or any average humans like the two girls would end up like this.
Just great. April sure picked a great time to lose conscious. After witnessing what they encountered so far tonight, only the older human couldn't just handle it all and was down for the count. Almost getting gunned down by the Foot was traumatic enough. Sally would have fainted too, but after reading so much manga, comics, fanfics, watching monsters movies over the years and having a great imagination growing up, by some miracle she has managed to hold it all in together.
Ever since her adult friend has taken up this career, they both knew the risks that came with it. And Sal doesn't mind a little action and excitement in her daily life. Ever since she was a curious little kid, she dare to try and learn new things. Explore the unknown.
So,…everything that she knew about her distinguished city of New York – anything that she can handle – just went flying out through the window.
Thanks to them. These,…if she is not mistaken,….turtles.
And NO – not small, four-legged, sluggish creatures that fits into the palm of your hand depending on their sizes. They are large, very tall, two-legged, very fast, clothed creatures – who are carrying around different weapons. Or are they tortoises maybe? They are known to be much bigger than their reptilian comrade.
As much as she wants this entire event to all be a dream, she was still in reality with no signs of escaping with April in tow. Now, it was they were a couple of timed mouses and they were giant hawks – waiting in the wings to feast on their dinner. Opening her eyes up, she sees her friend. Still down for the count. Why hasn't she woken up yet? Did she hit her head badly? Would she be bleeding internally? If so, where's the nearest hospital? But there
Why haven't these giant…creatures attacked her just yet?
Maybe…maybe they mean no harm.
Oh! Wouldn't that be nice. And…they got weapons on them. And they are just waiting for the right moment to use to strike them down? That has to be it! Then again, she has read the books like To Kill a Mockingbird. Maybe she shouldn't judge them based on how they look. Well, she did get a good look for a few seconds. Maybe if she takes another look again, it could ease some tension in her system.
"I-I-I didn't mean to, Leo." Sally's eyes are still tight shut but doesn't block her ears out. They pick up the conversation as her eyebrows scrunched up. Mikey? The one who scared the crap out of me and made April fainted? First, there was Donnie, then Raph, and now Mikey? So, who's the last one? There is one more. Or maybe there are many more hiding in the shadows. "I mean, c'mon! First time meeting hot chicks like them is a first for us." Sally's eyes begin to open up. She does take notes on his tone. They came off...innocent and cheerful. Like a hamster maybe? The sensitive one continues to speak. "Gotta approach ourselves; give them kindness, flowers. You know,…the whole trust package, bra." Well, got the fourth name…and Bra?
Another spoke up and it was coming from behind her. "Wh-what about before when you said to kill them with kindness?" This one had a nasal voice to it. Sounds like a nerd or something. Almost like that Leonard guy from TBBT show.
"Figures of speech, bro."
"Yeah, I don't think that would help."
The one who spoke was just to Sally's right. That is where she is turning her head to. Couldn't help but she was very inquisitive for a teenager. For the second time, she is really getting a good, long look of the beings before her. Two of them at least. Three fingers. Two toes. Big shell. All green. With a color-coded look. They sure don't look like the Foot. They're not dressed in black. One of them puts its orange mask back on as it approaches another of their own.
They haven't noticed the girl looking at them as the chatter continues. "And yah blaming me? Raph went all dark and moody on them. I was trying to, you know, ease the tension."
Ease the tension? I don't think it helped, buddy. Guess judging by his tone, he sounds very sincere. Wanting to reproach her again. Maybe...maybe they do mean well which no sane person would say. But…it doesn't hurt to try.
"Umm,...hi..."
The two giants stopped their conversation and direct their attention on the conscious human before them. Sally was shocked. She then realised that she uttered those words that escape through her lips. Looks like her mouth had a mind of its own. And so did her hand that is a wave motion.
She also stopped herself to grasp something.
She is talking to…a giant…talking…turtle…tortoise…whatever they are…like they are actual beings!
The one who spooked them pictures a smile to her. "Oh! Hey, cute girl looking at me!" He elbows the turtle beside him and gives a small wave to the speechless teen but the one with the twin sticks pulls the curious figure back, giving the human before them the space. She does nothing. Just stares at them. She spoke to them and gave them a wave.
Yep, it is official. Sally is sort-of awake and very much dreaming away. Seeing them before doesn't feel like a nightmare to her. Or was it?
"I'm dead, am I?" she blurts it out. Maybe she did die. She just didn't realise it.
The orange one gives her funny look. "Uhhh,…I don't think you are. Your pretty face is still here, right?" The blue one next to him shakes his head in discomfiture.
Anxious, she gives a very overwrought smile and nods to the strange creature who just answered her. "Oh, so I'm not…dead." She looks down at her slumbering friend right beside her. Fortunately, the two turtles are now at a safe distance from the scared teenager, hoping to ease her anxiety. What about the other ones?
One of them, apparently, couldn't wait any longer. And this certain being is not a big fan of patience.
The others weren't attentive when one of own grabbed the scared human. And she certainly wasn't prepared for herself when the giant turtle roughly grabs her by her green jacket and yanks her up to her feet. "Hey!" He spins her around to face him while still holding her coat.
The blue one was disconcerted. "Raph, wait!" He knew his friend was intolerance, but he was taken back when the red one grabbed the scared human by surprise.
"I said it before, and I'll say it again. Give ME the—"
And the giant turtle with the red mask himself wasn't prepared when Sally sucker-punches the mutant square in the face!
Taking what appears to be a painful hit, the large turtle in the red bandana takes a step back from the impact. Covering the mark with his hands where Sally landed her punch, he had to release the teen from his grip to use his hands after she made contact. His face was now stinging in agony. But the giant reptile was not the only one that was hurt. The human teenager winches in pain as she grabs hold of her punching hand. She takes a good look at it. Despite wearing woollen gloves, she can still feel the stinging. What is the turtle with the bandana's face made of? Bricks?
The three turtles were startled by this. They usually get whacked in the face but not like this. Still terrified, Sally keeps her dukes up just in cases the menace decided to pull something else up his sleeves.
Which it is weird to him that nobody even bothered to stop the human herself. Only the two youngsters tried their very best to suck their lips or hold their mouth with their hands in from laughing but they did smile. If one peep of their laughing gets out would be the last time that they ever do in his presence. Never in their lives have they ever seen someone laid a punch on their extreme brother. This was a first for him and bonus point for her being a human.
Usually in their group if somebody hits him, he will do whatever he can do to repay them. To them, it means that they all should run for the hills as fast as they can.
Pulling his hand away from his face, he checked if he is snorting out blood from his nose. Nothing. The toughest turtle in the book now was starting to get a bit ticked off. He couldn't believe that he let a weak human to hit him that easily, other than exposing them when her friend took a picture of them. With the flash on. And she did pull a mean right-hook.
"Ok, you just got lucky that time, but now I'm rea—" Sally goes in for another punch. Her fist once again collides his face. Taking in the pain for the second time, he covers his face with his hand once more. "Oh! C'MON!" Why is she doing this?
The red turtle was just about to blow a fuse with this mischievous girl standing before him. But she wasn't smiling at this. Not because she was tough. He looked at her eyes. They say: petrified. And he – and his brothers - took her and her friend by surprise. And the way that her fists are position in front of her with her eyes locked onto his threatening ones. Not to mention that she pulled a mean right hook. She keeps her dukes up despite sucking in more pain from the throws.
And why isn't anyone stopping her? Cause they are pretty much savouring this moment of a lone human going head-to-toe with a large mutant who is built for battle. And that she can hold her own that they find very impressive.
The large turtle himself takes a deep breath and soothes his fury down. Maybe this time he should calm down for her, but it was never up his alley. At least he can try. His eyes start to soften a bit. Removing his hands from a part of his handsome face of his that was surprisingly starting to turn purple, he looks at her once more. Maybe once she has been reassured and got it out of her system. "Alright, so we're getting past the scared par—" Sally socks another one to the face.
The red-faced turtle grabs his stinging face once more with his right hand. Guess not. His face starts to turn a little red, almost in the same shade of his mask.
Sally goes in for the fourth time…but her attacker managed to grab the punch as his hand swallows her little hand in his giant green grasp. The young teen herself lets out a startled gasp as the turtle mercilessly looks down on her. His hand that is enveloping hers has a rough texture.
"Ok. So far, we're kid: 3 and Raph: 0,…" he then tightens his grip on her hand; terrifying her even more, "…but that's gonna even up real quick if you don't keep your hands to yourself!"
Before the turtle who called himself Raph can deal with some real damage, another one of them steps in. The one who has two swords in his grasp. He steps in between them and pushes the turtle that is a bit taller than he is. "Raph! I said, Back off!"
The guy's name Raph looks at his friend, giving off a growl for a second but he does release the girl's fist from his grip, shoving her back a step. As much as he wants to lay his rage out on the blue turtle, it was better to do later.
The shortest one all chuckles and said, "Dude! She went Mayweather on your shell!"
The tallest one slides over to the orange fellow. "Looks like Raphie is starting to be like Canelo by the looks of this fight." They both snicked at their older friend's attempt. But the red turtle just ignores them as his face was still tingling from the hits that the human has pulled on him. He breaks away from the group, mumbling some profanity.
The blue one keeps a firm eye on his brother, making sure to keep his distance away from the humans. Just to ease the tension on…this whole situation. As the eldest of the team, he should be the one doing the talking. Not him. He doesn't need to bring in the bad cop into this scenario. Two of his brothers (and himself to whom he can't admit) has already made one out cold and has now already got her young friend terrified.
Rubbing her sore hand, Sally quickly shuffles back to her unconscious friend to check for any motion. She then turns to the one with the sharp weapons in his green hands. The one who told the red figure to stand down.
Sally took a few seconds to study each of them. She gets a good look of the first turtle or tortoise or whatever before her. He was the one who jumped off the water tower and landed on the broken ledge.
Wearing around his eyes is a blue mask that has some-kind of white writing that she can't make out. Draped in front of his chest are small bits of wood that stringed together by thin wool which makes up as an armour or chest plates. He has soft shoulder pads which one of them has a few tapes stuck on it.
Unlike his friend here, he almost has his entire legs covered up. Wrapped around his calf are white sports tapes and on his feet are worn-out runners that looked stitched down in the middle of his big toe. Draped around his waist is a skirt of some-sorts where the fabrics is split into three sections with another large brown rag covering his backside. There are also pieces of cardboard that have been stapled onto the blue material.
He also has some arm-bracers. A small one strapped around his right hand with two bumps & it is placed on his back hand and a larger one on his left with no bumps. There are also brown wrapping or shorts underneath the skirt. Sling around his reptile body and resting on his right shoulder was a large brown belt strap that is holding two black tubes that are securely placed on the back. Must be where he holds his swords – his weapons. On the strap just close to his right shoulder pad was a blue pin with the initial "NYC" in white. It looks that he appears to dress up as a samurai from Federal Japan.
On his…shell is also writing but in the shade of the same colour as his mask. He has tattoos on him. On his left arm is small armband with a couple of small turtles lined up in the middle and another line just above it. Located on his upper right arm, hiding underneath the shoulder pad is the same turtle design but there was only one and it was much larger. There is also small band going around his right wrist. And on the same forearm looks to be a…pizza cutter. That's…a bit strange. Cool design though.
She then eyes the objects in his hands. The two katanas secured in his grip. They look real. Too real. She can be easily cut down just by looking at it. Seeing where her eyes are directed, the blue mask-wearing reptile looks down. His chosen weapons were still in his grip. The sharp blades were pointing at her. Intimidating before the kneeling girl, ready to strike her down. She thinks he and his friends are ready to kill them.
Let's try to prove her wrong.
Hoping to gain their trust and not to intimidate her, he then began to lift his weapons up. Just as he was doing that, the edgy girl quickly brought her hands out and hold them to the side. He stops halfway. From the creature's point of view, her hands are covering a portion of her friend's face and upper body while watching with him and his colleagues with caution. Her breathing is fast and shallow. Shoulders tensed up; her glasses are fogging up from her frantic breathing. Her eyes are wide, and her face doesn't picture the word calm.
The young girl was shielding her friend from any danger or threat. Like them. Trying her hardest to be brave. To protect her friend.
Well, he and the others can't blame them for that.
He resumes moving his swords back into their gauntlets located on his shell. Once they are secured, he brings his hands down in front with his flat palms out and in the open. He and the others – they mean no harm to her and her friend.
He continues to observe her. And so did his brothers. The orange one watches his friend and copy the same thing. He too doesn't want to hurt the pretty thing before him.
For them, this was their first time coming face-to-face with actual human beings in their lives. Not counting the ones that they just took down in the subway. And there was one other figure in the group who is currently not here. And if that figure ever finds out about this,…
Judging from them, the girls don't appear to be fighters. And judging from the clothes and the face structure, the one who is awake could be around their ages, give or take a year or two. Unlike her friend who is laying out cold on the hard ground.
Was it from the attack on the Foot? Could they have come from the subway too? Taken by the Foot and witnessed the whole thing? Their whole 'saving innocents from the terrorist clan'? Or was it because of the way of what he and his friends are? And followed them to the rooftops? Maybe they didn't mean to take a photo of them as they could be just as curious as they are. Sally needs to know some things. She and her friend went through a lot tonight. They have come to get some answers. And they are not leaving until they get some. And it appears he and his friends demands some answers as well. Her hands are still in protective mode, she looks at the blue guy with the swords. Maybe this…guy is a lot friendly than his friend? Or not? One way to find our causes here comes her first question. "You're not one of them. Are you?"
The blue one shakes his head. "No, we're not, miss," he answered the first question. That's explains why they delivered such a beatdown on them. But that was just start of it.
The blue turtle pressed on. "And you'll have to forgive Raph." He must be referring to the red one with broken sunglasses on his head. They both looked at the chosen turtle in topic. She noticed a toothpick in his mouth that he is gnawing away. "He needs to learn how to talk to people…without using his fists."
The threatening reptile with the red rag on his head, sneers at his brother talking to the fierce teen herself. He might be able to personally deal with the girl later without the observation from his big brother. The turtle in the samurai gear turns back to Sally who slowly puts her fists down.
Her breathing was now audible while her vision is now locking onto the turtle before her. She did not blink or breaking her eye contact on him. His eyes appeared to be a lot genuine than the brute's ones but still has a sense of austere to it.
But her ragged breathing was not getting her anywhere. The blue turtle takes noticed of it. "What about you? Are you ok, madam?" He holds up a hand to where his, I suppose, his heart might be. "I'm sorry if we scared you or anything—"
Sally was stunned of that comment. "Wait, what? You're sorry?" He's…apologising. He nods in returns.
She was now surprised of his tone and posture. Dropping her hands, she drops her guard. Unlike the giant before, he has taken a few steps back, giving her the space that she needs and is giving a strange but some-what positive vibe. Looking back there have been a few monsters in shows and movies that are scary on the outside but gentle on the inside. Like the Beast in Beauty and the Beast. Is it possible there is one in real life now? Sally doesn't feel any discomfort coming from him.
"No, no. I uh…I just uh,…I just to…" She then starts to stand up but stays a close range of her friend. Her eyes are once again shut. Closing her hands and placing them close to her mouth like she is praying, she takes another deep breath. "I'm sorry." The teen herself took a mental pause. Did she…apologised to the tall green guy before her? Well, he did apologise to her first. So,… guess she did. She opens her eyes up again and looks at the turtle with the swords. "I…we...we didn't mean to…follow you guys…from the subway." She places a hand on her chest. "Scared? No…no. More like very…very overwhelmed, I guess. After…what happened…at the subway,…" she moves her hands from her face and gestures one of them to the previous location, "…and now, here." She returns one of them and place them over where her heart is. Just one minute ago, her breathing was so straggling that it was almost hurting her lungs, but, thanks to her techniques, she was now breathing at a steady rate. "But…I'm ok now."
So,…they were at the subway. Captured by the Foot. That would explain it. He nodded, crossing his arms over. "Ok?"
Sally nods back. "Yeah, I'm ok now." Great, she's repeating herself again.
Her heart is still pacing to the beat, her breathing is not straggling. And the colour to her skin was brought back. And sweat was dripping down on her face as she wipes them off with her gloves. She is not dreaming and not living. This has got to be one of the weirdest things that has ever happened to her in her life. Questions are now overloading her mind and was hoping to get them all answered before the night is over and to get to the bottom of this. Be like her hotshot reporter like her friend here. Hopefully when she comes to, she will be able to ease the tension.
Sally takes a couple deep breath, looks at each of them, before speaking again. She rubs her right hand behind her head. "So,…you all got names, Tortoise Boys?" Or maybe they don't have names at all. Only one maybe, like Goliath and his clan in Gargoyles. Maybe it is like that?
"Tortoise Boys?" The familiar voice was brought to her the guy in the red on her left. He is pretty much up to his limit with her. "I swear, if she gonna call us that, I'm gonn—"
But stops himself when he gets a stern look from his eldest. The threatening reptile decided to give up, giving off a defeated sign, and walks away.
Just before the blue turtle can answer the question, the smallest of them steps forward, placing a hand on "Allow me, bro. I would be honoured to ease the lady's tension by taking the reins for a moment."
His friends just simple rolled their eyes, but they let him proceed. They know he is the extrovert and more assertive than the four of them.
He coughs melodramatically a few times before he begins. "Presenting the boy in blue himself: Leonardo. We call him Leo for short. Fearless Leader…" he dramatical swings his hands to present his brother, very similar to the meme of the Men in Black star to his wife, "…in the house." Shaking his head at his goofy sibling's introduction, the one known as Leonardo unfurls his arms, places a flat hand over his curled fist and bows slightly forward while keeping a tight eye contact on her.
Leonardo, huh? That's…an interesting name. Sally doesn't know if she is surprised at the name or not? Is he a big fan of the actor or the artist? Better ask him later. If there is going to be a later.
He points towards the one with the fancy head-gear. "This here is Donatello. Or Donnie, if you prefer. Brainy of the bunch and duz machines 24/7."
"And uh,…" the tallest but the thinnest one of all takes a step closer to the human but at a respectable distance, "…to be more precise, we're turtles." Sally looks at the tall reptile that continues to speak, passing his small pole from one three-fingered hand to the other. "You see, I-It is true that we are both in the Chelonian family, but us turtles are known to dwell mostly in the water while the tortoises are capable living on the land. Not to mention that their shells are heavier than ours with a fe—"
The presenter himself manages to get him to stop talking by covering up his mouth. "Save it the next lecture, Bill Nye the Science Guy. I ain't done yet." Taken aback by this, this causes Donnie to stop talking and gives off a "Kermit the Frog" expression by the looks of it. Sally does give a small chuckle as she observes his whole attire.
Holding a short stick in his hand, the third one didn't come out like the other three. It's like he is more wary than his comrades. Just resting in front of his purple mask, the turtle was adjusting a pair of tortoise shell glasses with tape wrapped around in the middle is what you would see any nerd wearing. Resting on his forehead, he also has a pair of tech goggles with attachable microphone, something Sally would see what a Black-Ops solider would wear on special missions.
Both a Go-Pro and a security camera are mounted on his back which if Sally can see from where she is standing has a fan bolted onto the backpack. Along on the front straps are a bunch of wires and a power board where a few AC plugs were lodged in. It looks like he is carrying a portable computer on his bac—shell.
He has one black silicone glove on his left hand where there is a small wrist-controller mounted on it and on his right arm is a faded brown arm guard but no glove. Purple thin fabrics are wrapped around his upper right arm and a shoulder pad resting on his left shoulder. On his elbow is a pair of black elbow pads.
Strapped around his waist with a few belt pockets are four grey flaps which are sowed down with blue glass screens that act up like a skirt, very similar to what the blue turtle is wearing. There looked almost appeared to be small set of solar panels. Guess it would explain a lot since he has all these gadgets on him and needs the energy to power his gear other than to plug in.
A pair of light purple plastic knee-pads is placed on his knees and his feet were fully covered up with light purple plastic boots, a few light brown straps wrapped around his left calf and a leg bracer is covering his right front calf. There was a hole on the shoe where his left big toe would be.
Judging by the equipment that he is carrying, he appears to know a thing or two about tech. Even without the backpack on, she doesn't think that he has something written on his shell nor a single tattoo on any of his arms.
"And then, we come to the most handsome, the most talented, the…charming façade of all. Angelo. Michelangelo. You can call me Mikey, sweetheart."
The teenager herself takes a good look at Mr. Mikey himself.
His colourful bandana tails are draped down to his chest. Hanging around his neck is a pair of different colours puka shell bead necklace with a pair of shades clipped on to one of them. What is different from the first two turtles is that he is wearing pants. More specifically, wetsuit pants which one of the legs is shorter than the other one. A grey tattered hoodie was tied around his waist and two belts that are clicked into another are criss-crossing in front of his chest and on his back or shell. Wrapped around his left wrist is a bead chain bracelet.
He also has a pair of scratched skater knee pads that are snugged on his knees and one soft elbow pad placed on his right elbow. A few wrappings or tapes are seen in various parts of his pants. On his feet is a pair of worn-out FILA sneakers which has the front cut open for his feet. His eyes have the same shade of blue as the other one but lighter and more child-like. Wrapped around his hands and his open-skinned calf are white sports tape as Sally can see that some holes on the wetsuit pants are starting to rip. He is also sporting a pair of knuckle bracers over his makeshift boxer gloves.
On his upper left arm close to where his shoulder blade is a tattoo that is somewhat a turtle but much larger and darker than the one on the other's turtle's arm. On his chest is a painted "M" in black. And resting in his tight bind of his sweater is a pair of wooden sticks that are bind together by a small chain. Since she has seen Naruto, they looked appear to be nunchakus. Or nunchunks to some. Looks deadly. It also has black writing on it. The drawing on the back of his shell has multiple colours of yellow, orange, and pink. And resting on his shell in a large strap is what appears to be a metal board with small wheels on it. It looks to be a skateboard of some-sorts. This giant turtle…is a skater? Like Tony Hawk?
His face was a bit chubby than the blue one but with the most goofiest smile on his face. She can tell he does indeed hold a gentle soul. Sheepish, he places a hand behind his head. "And, uh…sorry for the whole…mask stitch. We…don't have much practise on humans." Without warning, he gently takes the human's hand and holds it up near his face. "We didn't want to scare you with what the gross thing that my brother that he has called a face."
Sally does give a smirk at that remark. They're brothers? Sure act like it. Only his green fingers make contact with her bare fingers. Most of it was covered by either her woolly gloves or his cotton mitt. She carefully watches him pressing his lips on her exposed knuckles. The skin of his mouth making contact has the different texture than his hand which it is almost like the hand of the red turtle of a bull. It was different. Smooth.
If she was still scared out of her own wits, she would retract hand back and slap him the living daylight out of him or what she did to his friend; punch him squared in the jaws. But she doesn't. Almost entranced by his move but quickly snaps out of it. The young turtle himself seems a bit of a sweetheart…for a turtle.
"Uh,…thanks,…Mikey, is it?" The one called Mikey nods his head. "Ok, first of all,…I'm the kind of girl who values…personal space, so…"
Catching her drift, the orange turtle known as Mikey respectful release his gentle grip on her hand and, holding his hands up, moves a few steps back, granting her wish. "My mistake, girl."
She smiles back. She does find him…quite charming, just like he said. And a very gentle soul.
This only leaves one more left. The one is who is…not quite open than his friends.
"And that,…" Mikey gestures to the reptile with the red mask who is standing right behind her, "…is Raphael. Gremlins under his bed call him Raph."
He was the first large reptile that she and April saw. And the first one for her and April to see and speak to them. Not to mention the first one that Sally almost caused him to black out from those punches that she pulled on him. Instead of going up unto her face like last time, he remains a fair distance away from her, one arm to the side. Guess the blue one was keeping a close eye on him. But he does produce a sneer at his little friend's comment. His Sais were slid back into their holds. Although he did pull them out at first confrontation, he didn't use his weapons on them. On his back, from what the girl could slightly see, is plastered with a few duck tapes and red writing on it. There was also some more writing but in a different shade with the words "Mikey was here". Out of all the turtles here, the one with the red bandana is barefooted. True, it was wrapped around in some rages but she can actually see the toenails on the guy.
And holding high in his hand was a lanyard. With April's keycard attached to it.
"And her friend's name is April O'Neil," he said before looking at his comrades with their visitors in tow.
Sally was very alarmed. He got April's keycard! He must have taken it off when she is not looking. "Hey! Give that back, Shrek's rejected cousin!"
She quickly rushes up to the great beast himself, and snatches the object out of the large reptile's hand. Raph was taken aback of that Shrek comment as the tiny human hurries back to her friend. First, the hits, and now, the name calling. Some nerve she's got. Raphael was ready to explode and ready to strangle this joker before him.
But instead, he quickly reverts it back to his resilient persona. Not because his brother is in the same space as he is, but he is better than that. Raph crosses his arms and keeps a sharp eye on the teen. At the moment, he is not in the forgiving mood. As for his brothers, it was pretty astonished to see someone who can touch a nerve on their brother.
Donnie adjusted his glasses. The name that his red comrade uttered sounded familiar. Then, his brain clocked in a nanosecond. "April O'Neil? As in…Channel 6 News Reporter, April O'Neil?"
Stops walking, Sally turns to the talking turtle with the glasses. "No, it's…it's April Savana." She irritably looks back to Raphael, pointing her finger at him. "You read it wrong." The red ninja sneers at her. Liar.
That would explain the unexpected photo snap. She is April O'Neil. They saw here multiple times on the news but more as a Lifestyle Reporter, not a serious journalist. The youngsters of the team do harbour an admiration for her, especially the little one. He is grinning from ear to ear in a goofy matter. Any reporter would take physical evidence of the chosen topic to prove it. Like the Foot Clan, for instance. Which is why they need to get that photo from her. No-one can't know about them. Unfortunately, she is out; leaving her friend in the way. If they were both knocked out, that wouldn't be a problem. They can easily go through the device and erase it, covering their tracks. Somehow, they need to convince the other human. So far, they have answered most of her questions and judging how this session is going, it is not over yet.
Kneeling down on her guardian's side, Sally lifts her head, slips the lanyard back over it and rest it back on her chest like it was never taken off.
Judging from their clothing and the equipment on them, it looks like something that they fished out from the dump or something. Maybe that's where they came from. Maybe not. Their masks are in a different style too. They have different styles of tattoo, writing on their shells, carry weapons around and they fought against the Foot like Bruce Lee just came back from the dead. If they are not from…up there, then…where did they come from? Sally doesn't know whether she should ask that question. For some weird reason, she doesn't want to scare them off. Come to think about it, even since they first appeared, Sally doesn't find this strange or peculiar at all. It has a sense of familiarity to it. Yet she can talk to them like any other human being and them vice versa. Still, she needs to know more about them so she can fill her unconscious friend later on.
"So,…judging from the masks and weapons,…and this is coming from a girl who watches and reads way too many anime and manga but…ninjas?
"Ding-ding-ding-ding! Give the babe a PRIZE!" screamed the hyperactive reptile.
"And we're mutants," the nasally with the fancy head-gear added.
Whipping her head to the purple one, her eyes have gone from the size of a small grape to largest rockmelons. "M-mutants? Like X-Men mutants?"
"Affirmative! But uh,…without the…super powers." the one with the glasses looks at the smallest one with disappointment, nodding away. Growing up reading comic book, he dreams of having special abilities.
"Look,…" Sally tilts her head up to the source of the voice. It was blue turtle. Leo, was it? "…right now, we just want to de-"
But the curious orange turtle has something to ask the girl for himself as he butts in causing her to jolt in surprise. "Hey. How come you didn't faint like your hot friend here?"
"Mikey!"
The little chubby turtle turned to his brother who has a big stern look on his face. It took a moment to realised that he just butted into the conversation. He sheepish chucked. "Oh! Sorry. My bad."
The orange dude stands up whilst holding his hands up. He then shuffles aside to let his brother step forward. "You're pretty, babe." The three other ninja turtles rolled their eyes at the fourth member of the brunch. Childish.
But that was a good question that he asked. She looks down at her friend and back to him. "Well,…I would,…at first, but…I guess…not." And it is all thanks to many years of watching cartoon & anime and reading comics and manga ever since she can crawl. Meeting these guys… was nothing. Because she has spent a good deal of learning who these guys are. Like the whole, you know,…'walk a mile in their shoes' kind-of-deal? "But…honesty…this is a lot, coming from a group of…ninja turtle mutants? Or mutant ninja turtles?
The one with the blue mask and swords was about to speak but the orange turtle beat himself to it. Again. "We're teenagers. About fifteen." But becomes lost, placing his hand on his chin, lost in thought. "Or…was it thirteen." He must have lost track between the leap years. Who came up with that?
Donnie – the purple with the high-tech – rolled his eyes. "We've counted the years, Mike. It's fifteen."
The marron turtle arms crossed over, rolled his eyes in annoyance as he scoffs. The azure ninja was getting a bit frustrated as he pinches the bridge of his noses. His younger siblings are clearly drawing the girl away from the important matters. Not to mention they are giving so much of themselves away to a stranger that they just met!
Wait a sec. Sally stopped for second to retrace back to the green guy's answer, facing him with a surprised look. "Teenagers?! Really?!" The orange dumbly nodded at this like that term meant nothing.
Did she hear that right? She's a little over 5 feet. They are 6-foot. And they are adolescences. Probably at the same age as her?
It is amazing that she didn't faint like her friend here. She holds up her hands in astonishment. "I'm sorry. There's no way. You guys have to be aliens, right? If not,…who is your dad? The Rock?!"
The bright one's face just lit up when the mention of the name of the wrestler/actor. "DUDE!" He turns to the rest of his family. "How awesome would that be?!"
The one with the swor—Leo, she thinks, draws his attention to the youngest as his arms are crossed. "I think we are fine with the one we got."
Donnie pushes his glasses up from falling. "And a big fat no on the alien part." He parts his arms far to the sides. "We born and bred here." Mikey, follow his friend's suit, crosses his arms over, acting like a part of a rap group, getting ready for battle – The 8 Mile style.
For the first time in Sally's life,…this is very unreal. It's something that you cannot make this up. No matter how much detail the story can get.
The blue one was about to pop a vein with more secrets spilled tonight. Enough was enough. Time for the leader to step up. "Guys!" His yell causes the other two to look at the eldest. They both took a step back to let him go forward. The leader kneels down so he is at head level as the human before him but keeps a safe distance between the two of them. "Look. We just need to delete that photo of us, ok? We can't be known to others. Leave no trace behind."
Sally was gobsmacked at this request. "You want…us…to get rid…of the photo?" He gave her his answer with a nod. She becomes a bit sombre but offended. "I mean-Whoa, hold on! Look. I-I'm not…we're not…gonna tell anyone if that is what you guys are thinking. And i-if we did tell…anyone,…whose is gonna believe us?"
She looks at each of the four reptiles before her. The four examples that stand here before her who, took on the most dangerous group in the city. Possibly the whole world. "I mean,… you guys… you guys are heroes."
They are heroes.
They don't wear skin-tight suits or have mechanic suits. They don't fly or have laser shooting out of their eyes but they do fight like any other heroes and they just took down the most dangerous criminal gang on the face of the planet since the Nazi. And she and the others would be very grateful to see them in the flesh.
The bright colour turtle's eyes lit up when he heard that special word. "She's right, bro! We saved them. The people of New York would love to see the heroes who kicked the butts the Foot."
The blue turtle feels like he just aged 50 years in just a few minutes. "Unless she and her friend got photos and videos to expose us. It would…endanger us."
"And no doubt we would end up in a science lab to be dissected," the purple guy said, mentally agreeing with the leader. Partly agreeing with him but would love the recognition from the public.
Not to mention that she and her friend, who is still knocked out, their lives would also be in danger if they get tangled with the Foot again. It is too risky.
The little green guy with the skateboard grabs the one with the blades by the shoulder. "Hey. Iron man did the same thing. And he turned out A-OK with the rest of the Avengers." Huge fans of the franchise, he always dreams that he and his fam would live like Earth's Mightiest Heroes and be known to the world as the greatest heroes ever and would not fear them for what they are.
The lean one with the glasses comes up to them. "But…if you remember watching the recent films, he does indeed suffer rest-less sleep and panic attacks causes him to develop PTSD while having multiple enemies attacking him from different angles at every chance," he explains while adjusting his specs. "Especially the ones from outer space."
The one name "Mikey" nodded. "That we can handle."
The purple one is not impressed at this argument. "And of course, it's all based on a fictional world that came from the comic book. Nothing like this is real."
"Uh,…we're real, Einstein."
The lone human speaks up. "Seriously? You guys don't want anyone to know you four?" The Turtles all looked at her. "For real?"
Leonardo nodded. "Exactly, miss…."
"S-sally. Sally Hope." She did ask for their names and it would be fair for hers in return.
"Ok. Sally, we prefer to keep ourserves…a secret. It's better that no-one knows who we are. We have the whole…uh…'strike hard, fade away, into the shadows' kind-of-deal."
Getting a bit peeved off, the stubborn teen crosses her arms over. "Yeah, well, causes I didn't think that a group of 20 scared New Yorkers from the subway tonight would forget a couple of shadows saved their lives from the Foot."
Mikey looks at his elder brother; clasping his hands together and pleading to him. She does bring a good point. Those who were in the subway whom witnessed the event would live to tell the tale to their friends and family. The night that they nearly lost their lives to the monsters. But Leo doesn't budge. His piercing blue eyes were pleading to her; begging her to compile.
The more this conversation is dragged, the more Sally was getting the gist of it. Guess either they don't trust us or really don't want anyone to know. She tightly closes her eyes and takes a deep breath before letting out a sharp exhale. Guess that leaves her with no other choice.
What seems like an eternity, she finally opens her eyes. "Ok. Ok, I'll…I'll delete the photo."
The blue ninja gives out a sign of relief which he was surprised. But on the other hand, they have come to an agreement. They saved her and the others' lives and she erase any evidence of him and his comrades.
She then starts to search for it. Which pocket did she put it? Her jacket's? Pant's pockets? Right or left cheek? "But, hey,…as soon as she wakes up,…" she points to the turtle with the swords, "…you're gonna have to answer to her." She then points back to her. "Not me."
He replies with a nod.
Man. April is going to hate me for this. Biggest story of the century and she is going to wipe it off the face of the planet. She manages to find her friend's device in the small slot inside one of her jacket's pockets. Pressing the button on the side. The screen lights up. But her face drops to a frustrated look.
"And I would love to do that…if I knew what the password on her stupid phone is?" Would it kill her at least tell her friend the passcode in case of…situation like this?
A green hand wrapped in the silicone glove was raised. "Uh…mine if…I take a crack…at it?" Donatello asked. "I have just installed an app that allows me to hack into any devices on the planet from the first Mac to the latest Samsung."
Would she hand over her friend's device? She and April have just met them. Well, they did shock April, causing her faint and Sally here breaking the ice. It is a bit too soon to share things with them? Well, they did tell them who and what they are. She shared her name. And she did promise to take care of their only proof of existence.
Honestly, Sally doesn't know April's password. It would take only her three tries to guess the password. If failed, it would lock her out. She could wake her up to get the password but she will have to explain why. What choice does she have?
After much thought, she holds the phone out to him. "Knock yourself out." Donatello reaches his hand out but Sally quickly retracts it. "Just the photo."
Donnie uses his other finger to cross over his heart. Promising to return the device back to her without any trouble. She finally hands him her guardian's device into his grasp. He gets to work as he plugs a cable into the phone slot. How long will it take? Enough for April to wake up from her beauty sleep.
While the techie himself gets to work, this leaves only one in tow who has another solution for their little problem.
"Or…we could just break the phone. Problem solved for everyone." That comment could only belong to one person. The one with the mean attitude.
Turning to the source, Sally sneered her eyes at him. He still here. "Wow. Looks whose ass is still talking, Fernada." She takes a few steps towards him. "Guess you still haven't learnt your lesson yet."
Raphael scoffs. Is this how she wants to play? "You know you got pretty lucky, kid. This time, I ain't gonna hold back."
Seeing his younger brother getting all riled up, Leo lifts his head up and groans in annoyance. "Oh, boy."
Sally shakes her hands and feet out, shaking the blood in her systems. "Well, I did give my hands a workout. Time to give my feet a couple of wacks in your special place." No-one bother to ask where she is talking about.
The red reptile clenches his large fists and gritted his teeth. "Leo, she starting to get on my nerves. I'm ready to hit her."
Before his friend explodes, Leo lightly pushes up to his brother's side. "Hold on, Raph. There will be no more blood spilling tonight." They have already dealt with enough damage to their foes. The girl before them seems cool and she did comply with their request. But she doesn't stop with the insults.
The feisty teen puts her hand out to the side, accepting the challenge. "It's a gift, Tough Guy. Come get some."
Raph cracks his knuckles. "Well,…" he points his right finger at his face, "this handsome mug didn't feel a thing." Then how come there's a nice purple hue around his nose?
Sally scrunches up her sleeves, ready for the rematch of the century "Fourth times the charm, Franklin."
The others were pretty very impressed with the human. One who is around their age and is almost as gutless as they are.
"Ohh! First, she goes a few rounds with Raph. And now, she disses on him! I think I'm in love!" the orange surfer-turtle cooed, comically placing his hands over where his heart is.
"And we thought Raph was the only one tough as nails around here!" Donnie sassily commented. He has managed to get into the Gallery and found the chosen pic. He deletes the pic, goes to the trash, and empties it. Mission accomplishes!
Shuffling noise at Sally's feet were made, thus interrupting the conversation. The teens all looked to the source. It was coming from a pair of brown high boots that is owned by the snooping reporter herself.
At a split-second, Sally drops to her knees once more and comes to her friend's side. "April? April!" She gently places her hand on her forearm; gently shaking her, hoping to wake up her.
A breath escaped through April's lips. And her head just tilted to the side. Sally gives out a sign of relief. She was coming to. April is not dead. Thank god!
Raphael is the only turtle who doesn't surround the humans like his brothers does. But he does come up behind his techie brother as the brute himself takes the device out of his hand. The young human herself doesn't see this as her pleading eyes are locked on the older one resting before them.
They could have just taken the phone and leave them in the first place, leaving a small mystery behind them but no! 3 out of 4. The old Turtle Luck working true to form. He would be the first one to high-tail out of here if things go south.
Donnie comes up crouches down to Sally's right. "Um…c-c-can I…" he politely speaks up, causing Sally to look up to see him, "…can I check for her…vital signs? You know? To…see if she's…ok?" He grabs hole of his goggles, ready to help in any possible way. Leonardo moves to her left as he observes them. Only Raph and Mikey stay right behind them.
It's true that she still doesn't know if April is ok. Maybe something has happened to her internally and she doesn't know what to do. She is not a doctor. Right now, her options are very limited. Sally's eyes dart to each of the green man before her. These turtles…I don't think they want to hurt us. So, guess she'll have to go with her guts.
The girl nods. "S-sure. I just need to…"
Sally looks around her. She sees something flying in the right. A ragged old blanket hanging on the ledge captures her attention. Looks soft. Hope it does feel the same way.
She points to the fabric from afar. "Can someone get that…" Mikey looks at where she is pointing at. He quickly sees what she looking at.
"I'm on it!" Mikey gleefully yelps whilst giving a salute and wasted no time to fulfill the mission. When a lovely lady is in need of aid, Sir Mikey is on the move! The red turtle rolled his eyes in exasperation. His little idiot brother has only met the first humans ever and he throwing himself at them.
Just like the Flash, Mikey has already returned with the blanket. "Right here." Sally directs it to the chosen spot just behind the older human with the yellow jacket. Once placed on the ground, the teen herself lift her unconscious friend's chest and shift her weight onto the fabric. She was struggling a bit with the mass of her guardian. The others around were ready to assist her.
"I got it," she assures them. There were at times that she can handle things without the need of others. Story of her life. "I got it."
Holding the back of her head, she carefully lays her down. It may not be the comfiest mattress fit for Snow White but it'll serve for a moment. Once she has been settled, Sally keeps a kneeling position in front of her as the others surrounded her. Granting her permission, Donatello draws his goggles over his glasses and switches his systems on as he starts to examine her.
This is weird though. Not that she has just met giant turtles who saved her and April from the Foot, but, it's more like when she met Sacks a while ago, she got a slight feeling or hunch inside of her that something was not right with the gentleman. But when she meets these turtles,…it's different.
Can she really trust them? Well, they did save her, April and those people in the subway. From the Foot. Whom they just hate as much as they do.
Right now, she just hopes that April would not be more frightened than she was before when she comes to. The five teenagers look on to see the older women opening her eyes. That is when Donnie switches on his headlight.
The Turtles have finally met the first human in their lives. It is time to meet the next one in:
Heroes in the Half-Shell: Meeting the Vigilante…or Vigilantes Part 2
Author's Notes: Another chapter down, many more to go!
Was this any good? I am a little rusty from not writing for a long time. I don't know if this chapter made any sense at all. I'm trying very hard to get back into it after a HUGE break like...how many years has it been now? Still got COVID on my brain. Or I could be slacking off a lot. Maybe because of what's happening with what's going on in the world or my life at the moment. I should probably write a bit everyday. That way, I will keep track of it. Yeah, I should probably do that.
Plus, I got RotTMNT on my brain at the moment after seeing what appears to be the greatest TMNT movie EVER! BRING ON SEASON 3 (and the rest of Season 2, people!)! I'm gonna upload my Rise version too and also my long-awaited 2k3 series on my profile. You know what I'm talking about.
While writing this chapter, I also remember watching the behind the scenes where Raph (I think it was him) was holding April's keycard so I might as well add it since I think that's how they learnt her name. It pisses me off that they took or/re-do so much of the film especially mostly with the Turtles (And also, of how I learnt of the treatment that they actors were given during filming.) Not happy. If someone like Alan Ritchson (Raph) (who has now experience with being director/producer/writer while acting) or maybe the Russo Brothers or Kevin and Peter, this film would have been a bit/lot better or something. Sorry to rant again. (Although, I think the third one, beside the 2023 movie, is in the works if I have heard.)
I'm also doing driving lessons and have booked my test in November so if I passed this, I have the freedom to drive anywhere - work, Macca's run, dancing, drama, maybe to another state. Pretty cool, right? And overdue for my full license.
That's it for me. Take care!
Until we meet again,
TheDragonLord2912