Chapter 10: Lost and Found
A/N: So, here we are at the final chapter of this story. I want to thank everyone who has stuck with this story since the beginning. Your kind words and encouragement have been greatly appreciated and have fueled me to continue with this story. I hope that you have enjoyed reading this story as much as I have enjoyed writing it. Enjoy the last chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own the TMNT or any other characters associated with them. They are the property of Nickelodeon. I do own The Hamato Sisters and the plot of the story.
The New York sky was bright with stars, but they weren't visible because of light pollution. Cars passed by on the streets, their inhabitants anxious to reach whatever destination they planned on seeking. While others were relaxed in their apartments, trying to shake the stresses of the day, ten forms were jumping the rooftops on their way to their home.
As soon as Splinter surmised that the alley was clear, he motioned for his sons and daughters to come down. Then Leonardo lifted the manhole cover and led the way into the sewers. They chose to enter this way because it was less distinct than entering via the warehouse. As they made their way through the sewers, Splinter was on alert. He could sense that something wasn't right and was anxious to get home.
They were getting closer to the Lair, and Splinter's uneasiness increased. Suddenly, all his fur stood up, and he let out a gasp. He held up a hand to stop his children from coming any farther.
"What's wrong, Sensei?" Leo asked.
"Someone has been here," Splinter replied. "Get out your weapons and tread carefully."
The Turtles got out their weapons and held them in a battle stance as they approached. The girls came behind them, a look of worry in each of their eyes. All of them gasped as they beheld the ruins of what had once been their home. The beams that had supported the ceiling were severed, littering the floor and barring their way. Whatever else they could see was wrecked beyond repair.
"Who could have done this?" Kaia whimpered.
The answer to her question was draped over one of the beams. Leonardo picked up the black cloth and revealed the familiar Foot symbol. Raphael gave a growl of anger. He wanted to punch something, but there was nothing left to hit.
"Do you think we can lift these beams?" Leo asked Don.
"We can try, but it would be too dangerous now," replied Don. "I think we should wait and maybe ask Casey and Leatherhead to help. It would be easier to have extra hands to help us."
"Where will we stay?" asked Kaylee.
"I'm sure April will give us a place to stay," said Lisa. "I'll call her." She pulled out her shell cell and dialed April's number. The redhead was a little upset at being woken up at the early hour, but her attitude changed once Lisa explained the situation to her.
"Of course, you can stay here," she said. "Is there anything else I can do?"
"Not at the moment," said Lisa. "But if we think of anything, we'll let you know." She hung up and relayed the news to everyone else.
"Whoo Hoo!" cheered Mikey. "It'll be like old times. We can watch movies, roast marshmallows, and tell scary ghost stories."
"Mikey, aren't you sad that our home's destroyed?" Kaylee asked him.
"Yeah, it sucks, but I know there's another home out there for us," Mikey replied. "When the mousers attacked our first Lair, Master Splinter found this one for us. I'm sure he'll find us another home."
"I am sure we will all find a decent home, Michelangelo," Splinter corrected him. "For now, I think we should go to Miss O'Neil's so we do not keep her waiting."
April welcomed them into her home, a look of sympathy on her face. "I'm so sorry about your home," she said. "You're welcome to stay here as long as you like."
"We are deeply sorry for our intrusion, Miss O'Neil," Splinter told her. "I hope that we will not overstay our welcome."
"It's fine, Master Splinter," April replied. "I'll go get you some bedding."
"You don't need to, April," Leo said. "We have what we need here." He gestured to his knapsack.
"Oh, that's good," April said with a smile. "Then just make yourselves at home. I'll see you in the morning. Well, in daylight anyway since it is morning."
Everyone wished her goodnight and set up their sleeping bags. But not everyone drifted off to sleep. One member of the family was too restless as he tossed and turned, trying to get comfortable. He got out of his sleeping bag and went to the window. As he looked out at the apartment buildings surrounding April's, he was angry that they were denied a home because of the Foot. Opening the window, he started to leave when a voice stopped him.
"Going somewhere, Raph?" it said.
Raph whirled around, annoyed that someone had interrupted him. "Stay out of this, Leo," he said.
"I'm not gonna let you get yourself killed," Leo stated, folding his arms over his chest.
"I don't need a baby-sitter, Leo," growled Raph. "I can handle myself."
"I know that, but this isn't right," replied Leo.
"So, you want me to just sit here and let the Foot get away with destroying our home?" asked Raph.
"If we are to succeed against our foes we need to act as a team, not as rash individuals," explained Leo.
"Where'd you hear that?"
"It's what Splinter told me before I went on my training run three years ago," answered Leo. "He thought I was going to scout the Lair alone."
Raph was surprised that Splinter would suspect Leo of doing that. "Were you?" he asked.
"No, I wasn't," replied Leo. "But I know what he was trying to say. I just don't want you to end up like I did three years ago."
The anger left Raph's face at Leo's words. "Bro, I wasn't gonna go do anything to the Foot," he said. "I was just gonna do some patrolling."
"Raph, you know I don't believe you," said Leo with a smile. "Look, I know you're upset, but you shouldn't do this alone. I learned a good lesson three years ago."
"What's that?"
"You can be a good ninja on your own, but you can't defeat the enemy without some help," he said.
Raph sighed. "Yeah, I guess you're right," he said. Then he smiled. "You want to go out?"
Leo laughed. "Sure," he said. "I bet I can beat you to that rooftop over there."
Raph punched his brother playfully on the shoulder. "Yeah, right," he said. "I bet I can beat you. And, Leo?"
"Yeah?"
"If you mention this conversation to anyone, I"ll beat the shell out of you."
Leo smiled, knowing his brother didn't mean it. That was just the way he was. "My lips are sealed," he said. "Race you!" And he sprinted off with Raph following at his heels, glad to have some company this night.
22222
"Ouch! Watch it, Mikey!" chastised Leo as he got hit with one of Mikey's nun chucks.
"Sorry, Leo," apologized Mikey. "I just wish we had a bigger room to practice in."
"I agree that Miss O'Neil's basement is fairly small, but it is the only place we have," said Splinter. "We must make use of what we have and be thankful that there is a place to practice."
"I get all that, Sensei, but why can't we just go to the farmhouse and practice in the barn?" asked Raph.
"Casey's mom is staying there for a few weeks," answered Don.
"Maybe we could try to rent an apartment," suggested Destiny.
"You need a security deposit and first month's rent up front to do that," pointed out Lisa. "There's no way that'll happen."
"And with ten of us, we couldn't rent an apartment big enough," added Mariel. "Plus, with five of us not being human it would be impossible to hide where no one could see."
"What about Leatherhead?" suggested Kaia. "Would he be able to have us stay?"
"No, he has too much stuff in his lab," replied Don. "Plus, he has Professor Honeycutt staying with him, too." Then his eyes lit up. "But maybe he CAN help us out."
"How?" inquired Kaylee.
"He can explore the sewers and see if there's a place for us to stay," answered Don.
"Good idea!" exclaimed Mikey. "He's pretty good at finding things in the sewers. Call him up, Donnie."
So Don called Leatherhead and explained the situation to him. The crocodile was very sympathetic and said that he was happy to assist them. He promised to report to Don if he found anything significant. But before he could hang up, Professor Honeycutt interjected that he remembered seeing an abandoned pumping station down in the sewers.
"Really?" gasped Don. "Where is it?"
"Well, I don't remember the exact location of it, but I do know that it is far from your old home," replied Professor Honeycutt. "That way, no enemies would be able to track you down."
"Thanks, Professor," said Don. "You're a life saver. We'll check it out tonight."
"Glad to be of service, Donatello," said the Professor. "I hope you find what you are looking for. Goodbye for now."
"'Bye, and thanks again," said Don. After he hung up, he reported to the others what the Professor had told him and was greeted with cheers. The girls wanted to check it out right away, but Splinter reminded them that it was still daylight and that the search would have to wait until evening.
"What's going on, guys?" asked April as she came out of her room.
"We think we've found a new home," replied Don and told her the good news.
"That's wonderful!" exclaimed April. "I'm so happy for you. Do you need help moving in?"
"Sure, we could use all the help we can get," said Don. "First we have to check the place out to make sure it's safe. Then we'll have to salvage whatever's available from our old Lair and bring it to the new one."
April put a hand on his shoulder. "I'll help in any way I can," she said.
He smiled at her. "Thanks, April," he replied. "You're a good friend."
Her heart lifted at his words. She was glad to be a friend to them and to aid them in their time of need. After all, they had aided her many times and hadn't asked for anything in return. It was time for her to return the favor.
That evening, the Hamato family set out in search of the abandoned pumping station. Once they found it, they opened the door cautiously and stepped into the massive structure. It was even bigger than their old Lair. Immediately, they began exploring the place and seeing what use it would be for them. Mikey claimed his room and stated that no one could come in without his permission. The others found their rooms and saw that the girls could even have separate rooms instead of sharing with the Turtles. They also found an adequate space for a dojo, and Donatello was ecstatic when he saw the workspace that would be his laboratory. Yes, things were definitely looking up.
It was hard to go back to their old home and to see the devastation the Foot had caused, but it had to be done. What items could be recovered and used were brought back, while items that were destroyed beyond repair were left alone. They had to make frequent trips because they couldn't carry everything in one load. Leatherhead, Professor Honeycutt, April, and Casey aided them during the moving process, which helped a great deal. The friends also procured items they knew the family would need in their home. Needless to say, the Hamato family was grateful for all of the help they received.
It took some time to make the pumping station feel like home, but they managed to do it. Once it was finished they had a housewarming party with all of their friends. Everyone was laughing and happy as they danced and ate the food that had been provided. Leonardo noticed that Kaia was sitting on the floor away from everyone.
"What's wrong, Kaia?" he asked her.
"Nothing," replied Kaia. "I was just thinking about everything we've been through. It seems like yesterday that we were in an orphanage with only ourselves to rely on. Now we have a family and a place to call our own. I guess you were right when you said that support is the best thing to have. I can't deny that I'm sad about our old home, but I'm happy to have what I didn't have before."
"We're a family, Kaia," said Leo. "No matter what happens we have each other."
"Forever," said Kaia. Then she took Leo's hand, and they joined the celebration of a new home and of family.
The End
A/N: And so this story has come to a close. I decided to have the Lair attacked in this story later on because season four hadn't happened while I was writing this at first, so I wanted a bit of a transition. This is basically my own universe anyway, so I wanted to change things up a bit. And the reason I didn't have Karai and the Foot waiting for them when they got home was because I didn't want to do another fight scene so soon after the battle to rescue Kaia. I just thought it would be too much of a hassle for me, so I skipped that part. While this story may be over, it isn't the end of my characters. I'm going to make two other stories that will be a part of the Forever Family series, so you'll be seeing these characters again along with some other adventures and new characters. So stay tuned for that. Feel free to leave a review after you've finished reading, and, as always, have a shell-tastic day.