Heroes in the Half-Shell

Chapter 17 – "Let's Go Save My Brothers"

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! I do hope you've enjoyed the last chapter. I forgot to tell you guys that my sister went on her trip to Vietnam for a few weeks with our cousin. They just got back and told us that they a great time. Loads of photos and stories to tell. Makes me more excited for my Japan trip next year!

As I write this chapter, I got more ideas for the Rise! Version that I can put on my social media. I let all of you know that will happen. I just gotta put it on paper.

It is now time for the aftermath. Let's go!

(On the backstreets of New York, Manhattan, NY – 7:30am)

From a joyful bright morning to a forlorn wet atmosphere. The rain was pouring down from the cloudy sky to bring a misty daybreak to the fair city. So much has happened in a mere of minutes. It could be happening either on the streets or your own backyard. Or in the back alley of the Big Apple.

There was a commotion going on in the dangerous section of the city. Only few would be brave enough to enter and live to tell a tale. No-one would dare to check out the area as it is currently occupied by a rather infamous group, dressed in black. Some arming their firearms at today's targets.

The entire alleyway has been blocked off from the public eye and has every single Foot member on duty at every corner. All armed with their rifles, they wanted to make sure that these certain beings won't escape.

"Keep moving!" shouted one of the soldier. One of them, armed with his rifle, aims at them while walking backward until he gets to the destination.

Walking in a straight line, these three creatures are a lot different from the dark company that surrounds them. Unlike them, the black soldiers don't have a huge shell on their backs and their skins are not a sicken green.

Against their will and grunting in pain from the electric poles, Leonardo, Donatello & Michelangelo all walked towards a large armoured trailer that is connected to one cream truck. Two black cars were parked on either ends of the alleyway.

Their hands and feet are blinded together by a small but durable bunch of chains to make sure that they don't escape. The voltage rods keep on zapping at them by two Foot, designated to be with a turtle each doesn't actually help either. Adding their soaking bodies from the rain to the electricity makes it a lot painful as it is a dangerous combination. With every shock that is thrown on them, they all winched and twitch at every strike. Painful groans come out of their mouths.

The oldest of them tries to act solid for his team. He was right in the middle in the line with the baby brother in the group right behind him and his shrewd brother before him. "Stay strong." He was trying to ease with each agony that strikes him and his brothers but they are proving very ineffective. The pain is too much for them to take. "Remember, pain's only in the mind."

It doesn't really help if they physically keep on attack them without mercy.

The double doors of the trailer open up for them as they get closer. They cannot avoid it. They have to go in. Otherwise, they will be getting more than the shock treatment.

The only dry place in the wet street would be the shady part of the sewers. That is where the two girls who witnessed the surprise attack downstairs and are still alive today. After the Foot were busy taking the Turtles down, April and Sally have managed to survive the blast from their hiding spot and followed the terrorist group up to the sewer hatch. The girls were carefully enough to stay quiet as they followed the soldiers in pursuit. The light rain was coming down through a number of drain pipes as it provided a great view for them to see and a place to hide in plain sight. Keeping their breathing shallow, they try so hard not to get spotted.

Hiding close to a grated gate, they both watched three of the bravest fighters that they have ever known, tied up like prisoners and heading into a metal trailer. Only one of them knows them personally. 15 years ago, they were once her pets. After the fire incident, the mutagen in their systems after it was injected causes them to grow into humanoid turtles. Mutant Turtles. Sounds like a catchy title with the words teenage and ninja added in.

Sally looks through the grate when someone shouts in Japanese dialogue. April eyes in her direction. They both can clearly see the woman that almost gun Sally down. And the thin red line on her right cheek. A rock wasn't the ideal weapon but it did help the teen in the time of need. Other than the mark on her face, she looks pretty furious. Karai watches the prizes for her master with a sharp eye as they are being forced into the trailer.

After the last one hops in, the metal doors close up behind them. The girls from their hiding spot both let out a longing breath. Guilt is running in their souls. It was all their fault. Mostly April. She was the one who exposed them to Sacks. Hearing his name…she couldn't believe that she and her father trusted the man. After working together on this…project.

Both the O'Neils and Sally's father were the victims in this whole mess. One is dead and the other is off the map. After discovering that the Turtles were her pets, the remorse runs even deeper into her soul. And now, thanks to the girls, they are now in the hands of the notorious criminal on the planet.

What can they do? Forget about it?

After what they have been through for the past few days, it is likely that the answer "no" does not come to mind.

They need to fix this. And fast. Knowing how dangerous the Foot are and their leader (plus, with the prodigious assistance from a deceived ally), it would take more than two humans to fix this.

Only three of the Turtles are taken. They don't see the fourth. Judging which one it is, it must be Raphael. He wasn't with his brothers when they were taken down by the Foot back in their home. He must be still there. Along with Splinter…

"Move along! Go!" The troops all deserted their spots and head of each vehicle.

"Troop, go!"

The engines are firing up. They were ready to move out. Back to…wherever they are going. To their HQ, possible. The whereabouts of their hideout is a mystery to everyone.

"Move! Move!"

And so did April and Sally as they moved away from their hiding spot. They decided to head back to the sewer home. Hopefully, the fourth member is not completely out of the fight. And hopefully he is not in the same state as the rat is.

The two black cars and the cream camo Jeep with a trailer in tow all droved out of the alleyway and into the busy streets. In the public view, they made it look like nothing out of the ordinary. With something extraordinary in their procession.

For 15 long years, this was well-fitted imperturbable underground home. Until a few moments ago, it was now reduced to rubble. A few parts within this caring home have fallen apart thanks to the huge density of a few TNT, courtesy of the Foot themselves. The only ones still left inside the now-hazard place was the rat itself; semi-buried in lots of huge concrete debris, caused by the explosion that was made in his home.

The other being…was not too far from here. The fourth green-skinned reptile himself was concealed in a huge rumble of concrete debris, caused by his latest move.

Opening his eyes, he sees total darkness from where he was laying down. Until he saw a few gaping lights in his sight and not the usual bright light. So, he wasn't dead. That's good.

Flexing his muscle, a bit, the weight of the solid wreckage was pushed on top of him. But it wasn't heavy enough to hold him down. Pushing his hand through the rubble, he grips onto the large bolder that he could grab onto. With one tug, Raphael finally breaks into fresh sewer air from his dusty cover. He stands up but doesn't shake off the dirt or cough the dust out of his lungs. A few bruises won't hold him down but this massive headache might stall him for a bit.

That is when his eyes catch on the structure around his home. It felt like WWI or II up here or someone has unleased Godzilla into his pad. Guess a lot has happened when he was knocked out. So…what exactly has happened after he was knocked out?

Well, the last thing that he remembered was duking it out with a few Foot Soldiers that invaded his home. His big bro Leo told he to get to the Fan Room. Foot Soldiers were pouring in through the entrance as he pushes the big fan forward. More of them were coming up behind him; firing darts at him. Raph charges towards them, knock one of them into the wall, causing a cave-in and—

That was it. Until he woke up. Taking one good look at its current state, he was very much pissed-off. These bozos have trashed his home.

Right now, the questions ran through his mind. How long was I out for? And…where are my brothers and Sensei?

Not one Foot was able to spot them returning to this ruined place. They have all probably left after retrieving only three of the Turtles. It was too dangerous to return now but both April and Sally wanted to make sure maybe one or two had survived both the brawl and the boom. Despite their first trip into the home without knowing the way, they sure know how to get back there with no difficulty.

As they get closer, the girls were carefully not to trip over any broken pieces of this hidden home when they entered another part of the sewer that they found. They both returned back to the centre of the area, where a great battle took place.

The reporter and her young roommate were now on the lookout for one large turtle, whom hopefully wasn't killed during the invasion of their home, and a furry rodent, whom was hurt pretty bad from his fight.

April comes to a stop which causes the teen to halt as well. The older woman's eyes have caught a familiar figure in just a short distance at them and so did young girl's. She and Sally have found one of them. The one whom is wears a yellow and black robe with his hair in a messy bun.

"Splinter," April whispered.

And he was buried in a massive pile of broken concrete. Most of them were even larger than his little body. Sharp broken pipes were sticking out of the small mountain but luckily none of them are touching the rat although they are at a pretty close range. A few pillars from the high runway have fallen into the heap but not on top of the rat which it is a relief for the girls. But there were still the boulders that are on top of him.

The girls both walk to the edge of the slope but April is the one who pressed forward. Walking around the edge, April hops down to be at the same level as the poor rodent within the rubble. Sally was not far behind her. The older woman gets closer to her former pet as she kneels down.

Sensing a presence near-by, the rat stirs from his comatose state. Through his fuzzy eyes, he sees two humans at close range. And they were not dressed in black. It was April. And Sally. They are alright. Shredder didn't hurt them or worse.

Seeing the rat fully awake, the guilt partly washed away from the girls' soul. But it wasn't enough that only three reptiles are taken away and the fourth is nowhere to be seen, in order for them to be at peace. Not after what she and Sally have done in the first place. Maybe she shouldn't have told Sacks about them. Maybe she shouldn't have told anyone about it. Kept them as a secret. But…she was a reporter. She couldn't help it. Sally didn't spoke a word about it. And she has doubt about Sacks until they both learn the whole truth. And plus, they were fighting back against the Foot. The whole world needs to know.

Carefully as she can, April grabs hold of the first small ones off the rat's fragile body. But there was a lot more to free him. A large rock is covering the lower half of Splinter is what hurting him the most and proves to be the biggest problem. And if it not removed any sooner or rolled in another fatal direction,-

Taking her chances, April grips both her hands on the large stone before her and tries to move it with all of his might. It was too heavy for the woman to do it all alone. Sally decided to help out. She quickly comes to her friend's side and she too grabs hold of the same rock.

With the strength of two humans, they have managed to lift the boulder off half a foot off the rat. Still not enough to free him.

Coming closer to the training room, Raph looks around his ruined home. Even since he left the destroyed Fan Room, he was trying to spot any of his brothers. And his father. But there was no-one. Where did they all go? Were they taken? Trapped under more wreckage in another part of their Lair? He'll have to find his answers in another section. Raph kicks a piece of metal just laying around in his path.

A metal clang in the distance. April and Sally stopped pulling and looked up. It was Raphael. They can tell from the red tattled do-rag on his head and the fact is that he was the only one who wasn't taken away by the Foot.

Walking some feet into the training room, he takes his eyes off the mess and looks ahead…causing him to a startled halt. His home is in a complete mess. But seeing a furry figure in the middle of it is the absolute reason what brings dread to his face and soul.

His father. His master. Lying in the mess. Frail and wounded. Almost lifeless…

What fears him the most (more than bugs) is seeing one or any of his family members dying before him. By the looks of it, it was coming true before his eyes. Without a second thought (which it is his nature in most cases), he rushes over to his injured father.

Raphael comes to the centre and pushes back the first large rock without trouble. April and Sally both stand up and moved away to give the Turtle some space. They can tell that he can easily lift the rocks with no help.

"Sensei."

Hearing the gruff voice, Splinter tilts his head to the right. Through his eyes is blurry but through his ears, the voice was unmissable. Can it be…

Desperately, Raph pushes a broken pillar away in his path. "Master."

His father's head was moving and his eyes were open. He is still with them. But not for long. Flinging off two more rocks, the pressure crushing Splinter was taken off him. The rat can breathe but not easy. He was still in a dazed.

Although he was very strong, Raphael took get caution to bend down and hook his arms under the old rat's legs and back. Raph looks up to the girls before them. They can help.

"Let's get him to the Needle Room," he told the girls.

The brute turtles pick up his tender master in a bridal carry and makes a U-Turn. They head over to where the wall of boom boxes is stack on top of each other.

There was still time to save him.

The rain has stopped but the clouds decided not break any connection to let any sunlight get through.

The cream tank car that is linked with the trailer is followed by two black vehicles. The street that they are driving on was cleared of any traffic.

No one bother to know who the trucks belong to. And that is why they didn't bother to call the police. They were too frightening to do so. Some didn't mind the trucks coming down the streets. Not out of the blue.

In the passage seat, Karai has located herself in the cream truck, carrying her three prisoners in the back. Her mission was a successfully, despite some interferences. No one bother to ask where she got the cut on her cheek. Putting on a threatening look at his soldiers, they decided to drop it. After training for so many years, she couldn't believe that she was easily taken down by a weak teenager. She was lucky that time. Next time, she won't be alive to count her lucky stars.

But she can deal with the fortunate teenager another time. Right now, she has the next stage of her mission to complete. The day was not over yet as they make their way to their next location.

Her phone was lightly pressed against her sore cheek, careful not to get any dry blood on the screen. "Package is secured. En route."

"We're carrying three specimens and will be arriving at the estate in approximately 40 minutes."

Plenty time for him and the others to set up and restart the project.

Located at his estate was a small basement lab. Lots of equipment that was used in the project many years ago are still here and some are brand news, including four large clear glass containment units were stored in the far right of his little workroom. Particularly for this part of the assignment.

Dressed out of his suit, he was wearing a black long-sleeved top with black pants. He doesn't want his perfect cover to be tainted as this current outfit fits. Only two different groups are here with him. Some of the Foot Soldiers, all lied up together. They were brought here for to protection for Sacks and to be on the lookout for any intruders that might be heading this way. Although Sacks doubts it but he has order some security just to make sure of it. Can't hurt to have a little backup.

All huddled around a workstation was a group of scientists. Judging by their uneasy look, it would seem that they were forced against their will or that they were brainwash into working for the most terrifying man on the planet. Or maybe a few of them didn't care and they were only here for the money.

Smiley wickedly, Sacks ends the call and takes the phone off his ear. He turns to the group of geniuses. "Prepare the containment units." A few only gave the nod. Others looked at each with discomfort when Sacks turns his back at them and approaches his soldiers. "Inside those turtles is the most precious compound on Earth – mutagen."

He turns back to his fellow scientists and points at them. "And we will drain every last ounce of blood to get it," he then turns back to his men, "…even if it kills them."

Sacks shows no remorse on his face about the consequences of what happens to the subjects. And he will definitely show none of it once he gets what he needs out of it.

Why they call this the Needle Room?

Well, they need some place where they do their tats. Boxes of tattoo needles, machine with inks and other items required for. And they are all located right there on the shelves.

Plus, it also stores a number of books, scrolls, jars of spices lined up neatly and a few tin boxes in different sizes. A large lamp hangs above the bookshelf but was now crooked thanks to the earthquake in here. There was something in the bookshelf that is need in a dire situation like this.

"Get the first aid kit!" Raph orders to the humans. "On the shelf!"

Sally was the one human whom is close to the left side of the room. Thus, she is the closest to getting it. The teenager rushes over to the crowded bookshelf. April remains on the turtle's side as she watches the rat in his grasp with great focus. Splinter's eyes were still shut. He doesn't look so good. The red turtle kneels down on one knee and rest his father on the wooden table; the only furniture that hasn't been destroyed in the ambush.

Seeing the red '+' within a white square on a grey tin box, she knew what it is. Sally pulls it out by the handle and quickly rushes back to the others.

"Hurry," Raph urges her in a haste. "Hurry."

The sooner that his father is fixed up, the better.

Sally places the box on the table beside the rat as she kneels on the wooden bench beside her friend who also kneels on the table.

Despite not being the best doctor in the house, Raph gets to work as he places his hand on his father's chest. There was a faint beat. Followed by another. He is still alive. The turtle needs to hurry. Pulling his robe back, Raph, April and Sally didn't swallow but their colour did drain a little.

A small line runs in the centre of his upper chest. Some red liquid was running through as the cut was fresh. The red turtle's angry is boiling up inside of him. But he shows great concern on his face. Shredder. He must have done this. Bastard gonna pay for this.

But…what can the turtle do?

April looks at Raph and back to the rat. She feels a great distress for the turtle. She knows what it is like to lose or almost lose a family member. She went through the same thing 15 years ago…with her own father. Raphael was about to lose his.

Raph almost felt like he was a helpless child deep down, seeing his father in such a fragile state. He wasn't with Splinter during the battle. He didn't do anything to protect his only parent. Where was the others? Did they protect him or did Splinter told them not to? Is this what could have happened…if he left? Like he said he would to his brothers? Leave his whole family behind as they would suffer the consequences? He had just a taste of it. And he didn't like it one bit. Major guiltiness was racking up inside of him.

Although his younger smarter brother has more medical experience that he does, Raph and the rest have learned basic first aid over the years just in case if Donnie was not around.

Cleaning up the wet substances, Raph places a patch over the wound. That is when Splinter opened his eyes. He tilts his head up a little to get a closer look at the figure before him. His vision becomes a bit clearer.

"Raphael?" Splinter squeaked. Was he dreaming? Or dead? If not both, his son wasn't either.

His heart was skipping a beat. His father is alright. "I'm here."

Raph should be leaping for joy but he is not. His father is badly hurt. Because of what Shredder did to him.

Splinter's eyes were not playing tricks on from before. It is his son. He is still here. His other children must have been taken away. By him.

His breathing was getting shallow by the second but the big rodent was hanging on tight. He doesn't have much time. What pains him the most is what he is about to say next. But there was no other way. If Splinter doesn't let him go, Raphael will be all alone. He would lose his father and his brothers all in the same day.

"You must save your brothers. Stop Shredder."

Getting a bit weaker, he drops his head softly on the ground. He was about to go dark.

Save my brothers? Will Raph do it? Just a few nights ago, he admits to his siblings that he was about to go out on his own – the first chance that he gets. But when will that happen for him? Or does he really mean it, to leave home?

If he is going to save the rest of his family, where should he start? He already knows who took them but the location remains a mystery to them. How will he find his brothers and in time?

"Sensei…"

A large beeping goes off as the turtle and the two human at the same time turned their heads to the source. It was much deeper and slower, very different from the alarm system of their home.

It was April's time to move. Raph and Sally watch the woman as she heads to where the noise is coming from. Bunch of wires, both thick and thin, were hanging down in front of the computer station. Sparks flew out of any broken lines. Some of the screens were malfunctioning at the moment because of the ruckus but one remains in tack and it was barley working. Pushing back the wires to get a clear view, she grabs the corners of the monitor. April sees the screen being magnified into a much closer look.

"What is it?" Sally loudly asked her friend. It was visual of a map. And the indictor is moving. Like a GPS.

"It's some kind of tracker," April replied, looking back at the two mutants and her friend. But who is it?

Raphael has a very clear idea. "It's Donatello!" There was only one brother who carries around a lot of technology more than an IT support does. He is practically wired into the system.

Relieved to know the whereabouts, Splinter gives the orders to his second-eldest whom looks back at him. "Go, Raphael." With that last say, the rat closes his eyes. He can now rest easy that he has now place his trust in his son to save his brothers. They are a team and they should not be broken.

Sally looks at him. "You ready, Raph?" the teenager asked the lone ninja.

Was he ready for this important mission? To rescue them? Leo would do the same thing if he was in his place. Now knows where his brothers will be, Raphael builds up loads of confidence inside.

Where his brothers are heading, that's where he would be.

"Let's go save my brothers."

The girls told him that Leo, Donnie and Mikey all surrendered their weapons in order to spare their father's life, which ultimately failed and Shredder ends them in his capture. Raph goes to where the three items were last placed. Jumping down into the wet drain; making a little splash, he lands near his fellow teammates' weapons.

First off, he bends down to grab Mikey's Dual Nunchunks and slides them into his belt. Before that, he also grabbed his baby brother's skate board. He figures the skater himself is going to need it. Next was Donnie's customise Bo-Staff. He clicks the button on the wooden weapon, causing it extend it back into its small size. He places the small stick just behind his shell but on the same belt as the chunks.

And last…was Leo's Dual Katana. His older brother was chosen to be put in charge of the team when Splinter is absent and the proud owner of the swords. Well, it's time to bring them back to Fearless Leader himself.

Raph bends down to grab the handles. He hauls them over his shoulder and slides them on his shell; just like how Leo stores his blades on his shell. Securing them thanks to his belt, Raph rolls his shoulder; cracking his neck in process. He was ready.

Hang on, bros. I'm coming.

While he was retrieving them, April and Sally took the time to examine the screen. Judging by the road that the Donnie's GPS was going, there were heading to Sacks' Estate. It was the same road that they took the first time around. Figures that the same guy who helps the Shredder would set up the Turtles' little prison as the luxury in his own home.

They left the computer station and head to where Raph is.

"We need a ride," April spoke.

Raph turns to face them. They can't drive? Well, that's going to be a problem. There doesn't seem to be a bus that takes them up to the snowy mountains or a taxi that they can take. Who would be sane enough to give them a ride to Sacks' Estate and keep quiet about the mutant here?

April and Sally both looked at each other, giving each other a nod. They know just the person. If he corporate.

Careless Whisper was playing in the background of the bachelor's pad of Vern Fenwick. It was the one song that a certain teenager would not like to listen in her spare time. She would rather scratch her cut nails on a blackboard than listen to this 80's torture. But Vern likes it uniqueness unlike the teen's taste in music that she listens to nowadays.

Speaking of Sally, Vern hasn't seen her or April since yesterday after he dropped them off back to their apartment. It was after the whole telling-their-boss-about-these-vigilante-turtles-but-ended-up-getting-fired scenario. He feels pretty bad for them and is willing to jump at any chance to help them; mostly on the financial part since he is still an employed man.

With his demin jeans and grey shirt on, he was fixing up a nice sandwich for his morning snack. Today was his day off so he wouldn't be looking for any excitement today.

That is until his phone goes off.

Vern looks at his active device that was left on the table by the time he squeezed mustard on his bread with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. Not an interesting combo but that's how he likes it. He gives his creation a little halt to take care of another task.

His phone keeps on ringing when Vern picks it up. He looks at his screen. Unknown Caller. Interesting. Who would be calling me?

It would be pretty rude to ignore it. He touches the green button and quickly places it against his ear. "Hello?"

As soon as Vern answered the call, Sally dreadfully can hear the familiar saxophone medley.

Oh, great. He's listening to George Michael. She doesn't hate the artist himself or the former bandmember of Wham. It's just the song that is performing in the background. The other songs are ok in her book. Just not that one. She needs to escape it and fast!

"Hey Vern! April wants to talk to you," she quickly answered. Sally holds the payphone over to her friend who was standing right beside her. April was taken off-guard by this gesture. She thought Sally was going to do the talking, not her.

"Wha—Why me?"

April anxiously shakes her head. Sally was not persisting that Vern wants a shot with her. The woman was catching onto his advances but was trying her best to shut them down every time in the gentlest way as possible. But in truth, Sally can't bear to have a nice conversation with the music in the bloody background.

The tired reporter decided to give-in. They were racing against the clock now. With every single minute that they waste, the more danger that the others will be in.

April takes the phone and places it on her ear. "Vern."

She cannot see him but he does pull the most obnoxious grin on his face. "O'Neil!" Plus, the tone of his voice. Hearing this makes April want to scratch her nails on the blackboard. Besides that, it has been a long night for the girls after what they have been through. They don't have time to get bitchy.

But April doesn't have time to stand around and have a causal conversation. "Look, Vern, we need you to meet us at Cortlandt Alley in 10 minutes, please."

"Wait, why?"

April doesn't have the time to answer every question that he throws at her. She is also afraid that this phone could be tapped by the Foot after they have found the place. If she spills any more info, they would be hunted down again. "We can't talk to you about it on the phone. Just promise you're gonna be there."

Vern wasn't exactly catching on what she meant. "What do you mean, you can't talk about…You girls called…" But a beep noise was made. Vern strangely takes his phone off his ear and looks at the screen. "…me."

She disconnects the phone before they could end a decent conversation. April has either ended the call or it was dropped. But hearing her voice brighten up his day.

Not leaving his previous task incomplete, Vern puts his phone down on the dining table and goes back to his kitchen board. He takes a knife and spreads the contents on the slice. So, O'Neil wants to meet with the Vernster, eh?

Putting the second bread on to complete his sandwich, he looks back at the phone. "All right. Want me to meet you right now?" the man is now speaking to himself. Vern turn away from the bench but not before leaning on the edge, ready for teatime. "I'll play your little game."

Guess he would get his shot after all. He takes his first bite of his meal. Once that his little snack is done, he would be on his way.

(Cortlandt Alley, Manhattan, NY – 8:10am)

Waiting with his van right outside of the black gate, Vern finds himself right on time with the same clothes on plus a black cotton jacket on. Before he left, he has taken the opportunity to grab something that would increase his chance to spend quality time with April but outside of work. And with Sally. When it was the two of them, Sally is often dragged along as he always thinks that she is the third wheel or something. Vern has nothing against the teenager. He thought that she could hang out with kids at her age. Then again, Vern has never seen Sally hanging out with any of her classmates. Guess she comes along because the two adults are the only company that she has now these days.

He managed to use the time to take his fedora hat that he personally brought for himself. Interesting fact, girls are tend to draw more closer towards man who wears fashionable hats. Wearing this kind of hat would bring another side to the ex-reporter and maybe score a nice meal. Without the company of the quirky teen herself.

Resting his back up against the Channel 6 van (he had to convince Thompson that he has to use it for work without being suspicion), Vern has put the hat on and was looking through the side mirror on the driver's seat. The cameraman himself was whistling to a nifty tune as he tries on the hat in different styles. To fashion critic, they would prefer socks with sandals over an old guy wearing a fedora any day.

He was trying to get into a comfortable position in order to impress the young woman. Vern tried putting his right foot on the car with hands to his side. Doesn't work. He then rests his elbow on the open window whilst his hand partly holds the hat. Yeah, maybe that cou—

"What's with the hat?"

Vern snaps out of his daydream of his dream date with April when the woman and the child came through the open black gate and walks around the vehicle. When they arrived, they both saw Vern looking ridiculous with a vintage hat on him. The girls may be in a hurry but they did take the time to crack a joke with him.

Ok, so hats don't peek her interest. Well, at least he tried. "What is with the…" he plays it cool by taking the silly hat off. He nervously laughs it off before casual throwing it inside the van. "I don't know, it's a buddy of mine's. It's a goof."

The girls were on the other side of the van. April opens the passenger's door while Sally stands outside. She decided to throw another shade at the fellow here. "Well, you can tell that buddy of yours that fedoras are so late 80's," the teen jokes back at Vern. She can tell that he brought that hat for his chance to woo April. Didn't work.

Vern didn't do anything to fight back. Instead, he just simply drops it. He did come to this exact address as he promised. Guess they want something or maybe just April want something from him, of course. "What do you guys want to do? You wanna head downtown?"

Speaking of which, they are need of a favour because Vern is the only one who can drive. And which is why April didn't discuss this on the phone.

"Give him the short version, April," Sally said. The door was still open and April was already in her seat.

April takes a long deep breath in. "Eric Sacks is working with the head of the Foot Clan. They just kidnapped the Vigilante Turtles to take them to the Sacks Estate." She also hits the dashboard to prove her point. "We need to go. Come on, Vern." Gratefully, the airbags didn't burst open due to her striking.

The girls were hoping for Vern to actually listen to them for once and take their word. But the look of doubtful on his face was not helping for them. Adding disbelieving nodding to it doesn't help either. "Right, right, right. The Turtles. I forgot."

Since they have told him that tale from yesterday, he was having doubts that the girls could pull a story like that. The problem is that he doesn't believe that they are real as he hasn't seen one in person. It was also starting to get a bit old now as they keep on stretching the truth. No wonder Thompson both fired them yesterday.

Vern pushes off the side to grab the handle and pull the car door open. "This is getting embarrassing." When the door is wide open for him, Vern slides onto his seat. "O'Neil,…" Vern closes the door behind him, "…we're both consenting adults. We're both very good-looking. You're better, probably. Uh-that's up for debate. But the point is,…" he looks at the girls, trying to get them on the same page, "…we don't need to make up excuses to hang out with each other."

The girl looked at him in shock. Vern still doesn't believe their story. And no doubt he didn't before.

"What?" April gasp, shaking her head.

He thinks this is an excuse to hang out with him? Making up a tale about the Turtles that April knew since she was a kid? He is certainly dead wrong! It's completely a different topic on what the girls are trying to do. They need Vern's help on a little task of their own; not to spend quality time with them.

But Vern presses on. "You want to spend more time with me. I get it. I would too. And Sal,…" He looks over to the fuming teenager behind April whom shaking her head in disbelief, "…you are free to join us if you want. Maybe bring someone over from school would add the company to the group who is at your age for once…"

But the enraged teenage was not having any of it. "Vern, we're not playing this little game of yours, alright?"

And so is April. "We need to get to Sacks Estate right now, Vern. Come on!" she desperately begged.

The tired journalist sinks into her seat. She prays to the man upstairs for anything that would convince him to change his mind about the situation that they have and get a move on. Anything!

Vern continues to play this little farce which continues to irritates the girls even more. "That's what I'm talking about, O'Neil. 'The Sacks Estate with the Vigilante…',"

Sally was ready to snap. "Vern!" she barks at him.

Vern stops his babble and faces the teenager. "What…"

Couldn't wait any longer, Raphael shots up in between the two adults from the rear of the van. His head pokes out from the back but not the way and turns to the disbelieving human in the driver's seat.

"DRIVE!"

Vern jumps back at the sight of the large turtle in front of him. If he didn't close the door behind him, he would have fallen out of his van. April and Sally did not jump by the Turtle's action like their friend did. They have pretty much got used to the reptile right about now and how they are on the time-budget here.

After his little order, the giant Turtle faces forward, looking out through the windshield. His breathing was very thin as he has all of his angry building up. It climbed up the ladder a little more thanks to Vern stalling for time. He needs to save it for the mission ahead of him.

Vern was now shaking in his seat. He didn't blink as he watches the giant turtle with a toothpick in his teeth before him with eyes much bigger than dinner plates. Guess it was time for a little intro.

And the teenager was more than happy to do so. "Oh, Vern! This is Raphael, one of the Vigilante Turtles that we have just mentioned." She looks at the angry reptile who slowly turns to the shock cameraman. He bears his teeth at him which makes him a little scared. "Raph,…" she points to her scared friend, "…this is Vern. He is gonna drive us to Sacks' Estate to save your brothers." The smug teenager drops her hand while stilling looking at him. "Anything you wanna say, Vern?" She was glad that Raph decided to butt in so they can get to the Sacks' Estate pronto.

The girls are right. This must be one of the Vigilante Turtles that they have been telling him about. They were not making this up. One of them is right here…in the fresh. It has the green skin and shell on no mistaken. He takes back every doubt that he threw at April and Sally.

The male human may be in shock but he does remember how to breath. Vern now recollects himself. "Yo-yo-you're a talking turtle," he stutters.

So, the jerk can speak. Guess the turtle got his tongue. Since he doesn't like to take up time, Raph decided to make small talk, looking back at the windshield. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm a talking turtle…" he looks back at Vern. "…and you're a human nerd." He looks back through the windshield. "Now that we got that one of the way, hit it."

The Talking Turtle looks to the girls and back to Vern before heading into the backseat again, trying to get comfortable the second time that he has been in the van.

April nods her head in the turtle's direction, hoping it was enough proof to Vern. Seeing one of the Turtles was proof enough for Vern to get comfortable into his own seat. His heart was now officially racing for the sudden surprise of the extra company that was tagged along. At least he didn't wet his pants because of it. And the girls certainly did enjoy that little show.

"I've never been accused of being a nerd before, but…" he shakily admits. Vern has his hand on the keys, ready to turn the car on… but not before holding his free hand up first. "I'm sorry." He stops for a second before eyeing and pointing to the back. "How did you get in…" Vern looks at the girls. "How did he get in the…" The owner of the Channel 6 van didn't hear the backdoor opened since he arrived into the alleyway. When and more importantly…how?

"He's a ninja," Sally answered that question for Vern as she jumps into the van and closes the door behind her. "Get used to it."

Vern was well-aware of the term as it did pop-up a few times in their conversations in the past. "Ok…a ninja," he nodded, trying his best to put his seatbelt on. "That…I can deal with."

He thinks he can deal with one? Well, he should prepare himself with when he sees three more.

Guess Vern has…officially met Raphael. And he will soon meet the others. But before all that happens, let's see what are the bad guys planning in:

Heroes in the Half-Shell: Eric's True Intention

Author's Notes: Hey guys! Another chapter done. I almost forgot. Not the next chapter but the one after that, I will it change especially the scene with April, Sally and Vern to make it more sense.

So, today is Remembrance Day. A day to honour the soldiers that fought and/or died in the line of duty. Also, my grandfather (Dad's father) passed away on this day many years ago. I wasn't close with as I am with my other grandfather. I do hop he is ok with both my nanas and everyone lese we lost along the way.

Take care of yourselves, guys, and have a fun weekend!

Until we meet again,

The DragonLord2912