Heroes in the Half-Shell

Chapter 15 – Learning the Truth

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 the writer: Hey guys. Here at home, we are getting a skylight, so its pretty noisy here.

I was thinking that once I've finished this one and start up the sequel, I will go back to the 'once-a-week-upload' like I have in the past so I can do my research, write the chapter and pace myself rather than do it all in one go. I think I prefer that. That way, I will focus on other things in my life, like work and such. Man, I do wish you get paid to write fanfics. We would be all rich if we do that.

Here comes another short chapter. Cause the next one will be a long but good one.

(Sacks' Estate, outside of New York – 7:09am)

…with a deep sinister secret.

Sacks has not left the same room since he delivered the special announcement to his master. Many years ago, they thought that they have lost everything in the fire. Everything that they worked so hard to achieve to go all up in flames.

That is...until Miss April O'Neil has come out of the shadows and lit up their world. The test subjects did survive the blaze because April was the one who saved them 15 years ago. And now,...they can finally finish what they have started all those years ago.

But like Sacks said, the creatures are "powerful" and "won't be easy to capture" after they have dealt with their men on a few occasions which would clearly explain why. Just a few minutes ago, Karai has just radio in saying that the location of the Turtles has just been discovered: underground in the sewers at the heart of New York City. Now, it was time to suit up and head out for battle. And Sacks has a little surprise for his sensei in which he would be very pleased with.

The businessman leads him to the far corner of the dark room. "Fortunately, our engineers have been making great progress in refining the robotics in your armour." As an expert in that particular field, Sacks would have to guess that it would prove very useful to his master for his upcoming battle. He looks over his shoulder to see him. "We're taking it to the next level,..." He turns his head forward as his gets closer to his work for his father. "...bridging the gap between ancient tradition...and modern warfare."

Eric finally halts in front of his masterpiece. Shinning down on a lone light just resting close to the weapon stands was another man-made weapon itself. A tall steel man-shape armour stands before him; a silver Samurai outfit with gold outline that has been passed down from generation to generation all the way to the founder the of the ninja clan himself. Sharp and durable, the metallic beast remains on the spot, not moving an inch on the hard ground, like admiring a great piece of art. For some time ago, rust begins to settle in but with great care and a few modifications as Sacks has put it, they have created something unstoppable. Even more powerful than the creatures themselves.

It is not the armour appearance that would shake fears into the souls of his opponents, it is what's on the inside that they should dread. Still cloaked in the dark, Shredder finally comes to a halt. Looking at his "weapon", the news that his son has brought was not the only thing that he is pleased of.

"(Tonight, I dine on turtle soup.)"

Sacks can only mentally nodded or laughed at his father's joke. These Turtles will never see this coming or experience like this in their short lives.

(The Sewers, Manhattan, NY - 7:10am)

Despite learning the whole story from her former pet rat, there was something else that April needs to know.

"Why did you bring us here?" she asked. Was it because they (mostly April) who spilled the secret to a few people that they know?

"To find out who you two told of our existence." Yep. That was it. And the girls are certainly in trouble.

These creatures wanted to be kept as a secret from the public until the time is right, and he personally doesn't want the daughters of the two scientists to take the fall.

Giving a little elbow nudge into April's arm, Sally looked a little grave. "Tell him." Say the word and the girls will be sliced and diced for their breakfasts.

Guess there was no use hiding. She had to tell someone. Truthfully, she would go absolutely nuts if she doesn't get it out of her systems. And by the looks of it, Splinter and the Turtles need to know.

"Nobody that believed us,...except for Eric Sacks."

By hearing his name, Splinter's rodent heart just dropped. No...they didn't... The old rat lets out a gasp as he rolls up to his feet. "Sacks..." he utters, moving a bit closer to where his sons are. "Just as I feared." He couldn't just believe it. Out of all the people in the world, he would have to be the last person to know the truth.

As the only quiet human around here, Sally was too curious. "Umm,...not to judge or anything but...what have you got against Sacks?" April raised an eyebrow at her young friend. She's the one to talk. The teenager has doubts about the scientists himself as the dealings with the company that her father and April's used to work for years ago. And he is a hero to the whole city. So,...what is the rat's reason?

Splinter turns to face them. They have absolutely no idea, do they? By telling them what need to be said, it would break their hearts. Mostly April who admires him. They were brought down here to know the whole story, now...they too will learn the whole truth as well. Splinter might regret this but it's better to tell it rather than hide it from a couple of gentle souls.

"Sacks...is not a friend," he begins. "His soul has been poisoned by the influence of a dark master."

Dark master... April was the only one staring to show pain to her faces. Even Sally has a meaningful look. No...don't tell me...

Splinter knows what they are thinking, preparing to say it with a much harsher tone. "The Shredder."

Tears were welling up in April's eyes. Agony was building inside of her. It was like losing a valuable friend or family member in your life just like how she lost her father many years ago. Like the ideal person that you look up to, only to be filled with lies. Sally's face pictures more of a furious look. Her guts never failed her. She knew it. Splinter looked away, can't bearing to see the hurt looks on their faces. He comes a bit closer to his children. "Shredder practically raised Sacks in Japan. He's like a father to him. Sacks will do anything for his master."

The girls thought back to yesterday morning at Sacks Estate. Until a local sensei took me under his wing. And he saved me.

It wasn't very clear...until now. His backstory, the artifices in his home, and why, in Sally's case, her father has spoken only a few words about Sacks. It all makes sense now.

Eric Sacks was working for the Shredder. This whole time.

The old friend of their fathers is no hero. Never one to begin with. He was a fraud. A criminal working against the greater good for the Shredder's own selfish gain. And April... she felt like a fool. She trusted him and he played her. Not just her but the entire city, of course. Despite this, deep down, she wanted it to be all a dream - a fabricated lie - but no matter how hard she tries to repress it, only honesty was said in Splinter's tone. A rat would never lie to his former owner now that he can talk and has saw everything.

Looking slightly at the ground, all black, Sally's suspicion about Sacks was almost head on. She had a feeling that there was some ugly secret that the most powerful man in New York was hiding. This was much bigger than she expected. She couldn't believe her own family, April's and the whole city had faith in him.

As the only turtle who remained silent since their guests were brought here, Raphael was too shock of this news. He and his brothers always thought that it was only bad guy, pulling the strings but there are more that the city has to face.

"Wait, wait. Sacks and Shredder?" The richest and powerful man with a strong trust in the public and the vile martial artist working together to gain a tight grip on both the city and the underworld. It does not sound like a good combination. Only Donatello and Leonardo moved out of the way to let their already fuming brother to move. "So, why aren't we out there hunting them down?" He now has a sudden urge to go out there and stop Sacks.

But Splinter approaches his son, stopping him. He has a very good reason why he would not dare to let any of his sons go. "Because, Raphael, the Shredder is a skilled warrior whose cruelty is ever-reaching! And you are just teenagers."

He does bring a good point. The Turtles and Splinter have only been training for nearly 10 years. The Shredder has been fighting for all his life. Great. They can handle one human easily enough but dealing with an evil warlord is not exactly a walk in the park. Plus, as a father to four boys, Splinter would never forgive himself if any of his children are…taken away from him. From this world. Forever.

While Splinter is busy explaining to his sons, Sally noticed the upsetting look on her friend's face. It was not her fault for trusting someone like Sacks in the first place. Going with her cores, the teenager slides her hand and gently places it over O'Neil's. April sees this. Sally was trying to comfort her friend. Touched by this, April squeezes the gesture in return. At least she still has a good friend when she needs it.

Not getting the permission that he wanted, Raph rolls his head upward while letting out an intense growl to it. As a fighter, Leo understands his pain. He too wants to go out there to stop not only Shredder but Sacks as well. The city has already been suffered enough. But if his father said that Shredder is too advance for him, his brothers or his sensei, they would be no escape if they enter the lion's den. It would be a death's wish. He moves closer to Splinter, taking up his brother's previous spot.

But that wasn't the bad news.

"The mutagen in your blood is of great value to them," the rat explains the purpose of the same project that Sacks and Shredder tried to create. In other words, the four Turtles are vital enough for their master plan. And they won't stop until all four of them are capture. Splinter turns back to the regretful humans but the guilt train doesn't stop there. "Now that Sacks has confirmation that you are alive,..." The girls then catch on what he meant. Releasing her friend's hand, Sally let's April's hand to dig inside her jacket's pocket and pulls out that was given to them by their former ally. His business card. "...I fear they will bring the fight to us."

And the girls are leading the Foot right to them. Horror was formed on their faces as they both looked at the business card.

April shakes her head. "Oh, no."

What have we done?

What have they done? One of the biggest scenes and chapters is coming up NEXT in:

Heroes in the Half-Shell: The Ambush.

Author's Notes: Hey guys! It won't be long until we finish up this story and move on to our next project! It will not only be the sequel but also the chronicles that comes between the first and second movie, my TSH one, my Rise fanfic and also, drawing up my OC too! I got a lot to do!

If you have the time, check out Like Father Like Son by eternalglitch on AO3. Us Rise fans are lovin' it!

Bye now!

Until we meet again,

The DragonLord2912