"What?" April green orbs danced with curiousness. Wondering what else that was of upmost important to discussed. Max's head was hung low taking advantage of using her hair as a curtain to hide behind, not wanting to be seen but willing to keep an open ear. Normally she would hide behind her hoody but that unfornately was chopped off to be used as temporarily bandage. Both sisters eagerly waiting for the giant rat to proceed with his explanation.
"We have never revealed ourselves to the upper world. You both have placed us in great danger!" Master Splinter had put much emphasis on the word danger putting forth his concern for the wellbeing of his family. "But Master Splinter, they were in trouble and we helped them." Leo looked at his father, doubts were starting slowly creep into mind feeling that his father was not exactly thrilled that they had done the right. "Yeah, aren't you always teaching us to do the right thing?" Raph had his arm crossed as he spoke out in confusion. "As you grow older, you will learn that there are many ways to "do the right thing". Master Splinter let out a soft sigh with his eyes staring down his lap. "But there is no going back. I'm afraid to find myself at your mercy." His eyes briefly locked to Aprils before bowing his head down and closing them awaiting for the answer to come. Max slowly lifted her head, everything was all up to her and April they literally had them at the palm of their hands their lives could either be destroyed entirely or remain the same.
Max didn't hold any intention of bringing them down in fact all she wanted was to forget about them and leave here not because she was afraid of them but because all this was much more trouble than it's worth. Her life had already taken a sudden turn for the worse there was no need to maximize its massive broken piece even further, this wasn't going to fix anything it was going to make her life more harder than it already was. It's be worse if she grows attached to them, maybe not today but somewhere in the future they'll probably get captured so there was no point to risk for her heart to be broken further. Max wasn't keen on sticking around so if they wished for her to forget about them and never see them again then that was fine by Max she would be more then glad to forget about all this.
"Oh, I wouldn't never tell anybody and neither would Max. I mean who would even believe us?" April wasn't a heartless monster she could never do such a thing to them. She would abide to their word and not tell a single soul not that anyone would believe them any way. "She's got a point."Don added in.
Max simply shrugged her shoulders she really didn't care all she wanted was to go back home and act like all this was a big stupid dream. They all good go on with their live and pretend that none of this ever happened that's all she was really asking for! Was that too much to ask?
" Seriously I promise...We promise. Right, Max?" April gently nudged her sister whose only response was a simple nod. Master Splinter abruptly stood walking over to April and Max kneeling in front of them to better meet them to eye level. Max merely glanced at him before hiding her face once more sitting further back into the cushion she didn't care if it made seem suspicious to others.
"I believe you." Master Splinter said after a few moments of intensely staring into April's eyes as he though could see inside her soul or something like that. "Is this another lesson, Master Splinter? How to sense the truth?" Of course Leo would ask something like that, Max once again sneaked a glanced at Master Splinter who in turn made eye contact which made Max hide her face once more. "No this is called trusting your gut." Master Splinter replied.
"So if we're keeping you're secret... What exactly is it? Who are you people...turtles..whatever." Max kept quiet mentally scolding her sister for actually being interested. Wasn't t the whole point of this was just to keep quiet? The less they knew the better! They could just leave right now and never meet them ever again and go back to their lives. But no April just had to ask didn't she.
Master Splinter went onto explain how they became to be, the memories he carried of when he was well a normal rat. How he went from an ordinary rat to well a giant talking rat who apparently has four giant talking turtles as sons. Oh which also included a blind man, a boy walking with four turtles and a car that was about to hit the blind man but was saved by a another boy which somehow resulted in the boy dropping the baby turtles.
That itself wasn't the best part it also included some sort of ooze that had mutating effects that made them who they are today which resulted from that accident. Bonus their named after renaissance artist though it wasn't like she hadn't figured that one out already.
This literally sounded like a story from a comic book she once read, except well this was actually real and now she was a part of it even though she didn't want to be.
"TURTLE FOREVER!" They all shouted in unison like they were some sort ninja team from those 80s cartoon she used to watch with her dad.
Max sighed digging her self further into the couch tugging down her sleeves, wishing she had her hoody still intact. Raphael suddenly just had to sit on the empty spot right next to her causing Max to sit closer to her sister to put at least some space between them. Just because she agreed to keep their secret it didn't mean they were going to be the best of friends. None of this meant anything nor will it ever will she agreed to keep their secret nothing more and nothing less. This changes nothing.
"So we have remained in secret and that is our story." Master Splinter oh so graciously concluded. "But how did you know martial art?"
"April please stop asking unnecessary questions he is a giant talking rat that's all you need to know." Max mentally slapped her forehead not wanting to hear another origin story which Master Splinter was kind enough not to explain further. Max sighed in relief now was the perfect chance to leave and never turn back. That is until someone turned on the tv.
"Hey guys! Look at this!" Max followed the voice revealing it to be Michelangelo who just had to point out the current events in New York. Max pressed her lips into a thin line of course that good for nothing scientist was using his little mousers for the greater bad. It was just a waste for someone like him to turn out to be such a bad guy robbing banks and into a murder considering he did want them dead. "So anybody wanna take a wild guess who did this?" If Max hadn't been a mute she would've replied with an equal sarcastic reply.
All this has Baxter Stockman written all over it, the obvious prints left behind the robberies, the giant holes left behind, all that was just a big sign saying "It was us the Mousers! The brilliant inventions created buy the most intelligent man in the world; BAXTER STOCKMAN!"
Everything connected, the conversation with that man? Yeah all this was starting to fit into place like a 20 piece puzzle. For being a villain he was sure bad at covering his dirty little tracks. April made known that information finally connecting two and two together and telling the others.
"What you know about this Stockman guy?" Rapheal asked.
April was no longer sitting but standing near the tv giving Max the opportunity to sit closer to the edge and farther away from Rapheal.
"He's a genius but also nuts. I used to work with him but when I got suspicious he turned the mousers on me and Max! Luckily we ran into you guys." April explained.
"He destroyed our old lair..."Leo pointed out. "Must've been one of his Mouser test runs."April added in.
"But that was our home..." Michelangelo said with clear sadness that it made Max's heart slightly tug.
"Now he's graduated to banks!" Donatello made a point now he's planing to further make use of his Mousers and it is not for New York's rat problem.
"Then what we waiting for! I say we shut down Mouser center permanently!" Rapheal flashed out his sai making his statement loud and clear.
"I just love those action movie lines! You right those yourself?" Which Michelangelo took right out of Max's mouth ...well mind.
"It won't be easy Stockmantronics is rigged with the latest up to the minute security tech." April explained.
"Bring it on! Allow me to introduce you to our very own secret weapon...the techno turtle himself Donatello! Take a bow Don!" Max let out a sigh at this point they were already getting themselves more involved then needed. She supposed it could be solved easily as Michelangelo had clearly pointed out Donatello knew more about tech then she was aware of.
Max droned out their voices completely already her mind was scouring for various options concerning by passing the extremely profound security system. There were multiple methods that just might work especially since not only does Stockman believe her and April to be dead but he also isn't expecting four ninja turtles. Besides they were in a sewer for crying out loud they could definitely use that to their advantage to further expand their chances April knows where the security was. That would only makes things much easier at that point.
"Right then that should work! You could lead us the way and we'll dismantle the security with ease!"
"Alright then Max you can stay here and-" Max abruptly stood on her feet shaking her head no before April could even finish her sentence. She had to admit the sudden movement made her feel slightly dizzy not to mention a small throbbing began to take place. However she didn't let it shown the least she needed was for her sister to be overly protective and definitely not allow her to accompany them.
"Max this is far too dangerous. It's best you stay here where your safe and away from harm." April continued, "Your lucky you didn't get any serious injuries the first time around. I'm not risking it, Max please just listen I don't want you getting hurt. Trust me it's for the best."
Max bite her bottom lip still not thrilled with her decision at all. Max knew she could handle herself just fine there was no need to leave her here and besides Max was well versed with anything technological it'd be dumb not to have her there.
"Max, staying here is the best option. Your wounds are not to be taken lightly, you can trust my sons will bring April back safely." Splinter just had to say some thing didn't he?
That was how it pretty much went April made her swear to stay inside their home until she returned making sure her promise didn't include loop holes Max could find. April gave Max a small kiss on her forehead and said I'll be back before you know it. With a few reassurances thrown by her way, the turtles telling her that April will return and so would they. Their efforts would not be in vain but that wasn't what Max was worried about.
Max wasn't too keen on staying alone in their home not when a giant talking rat was all she had for company, not when she had to wait like a wife waiting for her soldier to return home, not when she could be doing something. But they were gone before she could even press the matter further now she was left behind with. A. Giant. Talking. Rat. How pleasant.
Max didn't bother to look his way she not caring if it was rude or not, it wasn't like he saved her life or anything as far as she was concerned they were strangers. Just like she was taught as child stranger danger. Don't speak to people you don't know. So there was no need for conversation. It wasn't like she could speak even if she wanted to anyways so sat there in complete silence with her eyes closed wishing she could be home.
Master Splinter sensing the child's obvious discomfort, made no attempts to initiate contact he simply watched her movements. So far she wasn't as easily readable as her older sister, Max seemed to be on more ground, more alert but there was this looming sadness that hung over her head. He could tell she has been through harsh difficulties than a child should be put through. Loosing ones family was some thing that left a horrible scar on Max and he could easily read just how much it had shattered the poor girl. As much as he wanted to help the girl he needed her trust first, Max first needed to make the first step to recovery it won't be easy but time will heal the scar. Surely it won't ride of it completely but it will heal. He was well aware of the pain and suffering in loosing a loved one, but as time went by and with his sons at his side the pain eased itself until the memories were no longer painful to recall. Someday Max will see that until then he would wait until the time came. Splinter watched as Max small frame leaned against the edge of the couch, her eyes closing as her breath slowed into a soft rhythm. Once he was sure she was asleep he slipped into a deep mediation.
Max eyes grew heavy with exhaustion, there really wasn't much else she could do so she allowed herself to fall into a deep slumber. She might as well rest up while she feel like it considering how hard it is for Max to sleep at night. Max rested her self into a more comfortable position as soon enough she fast asleep. Her dream went with out say darkness was all she could recall grateful for once that her dream didn't revolve around the accident. Still in the darkness it was like she was watching a movie slowly the dark began turned into fog that drifted away watching as the four turtles and her sister sneaked into the lab. She watched the battle, watched as April and Donatello struggled to stop the Mousers everything felt surreal yet she could almost feel their emotions. Feel the slight fear and anxiousness through each and every one of them and she tried to speak nothing came out.
Max didn't understand any of it especially not when the images slowly drifted to memory of the accident that when things turned for the worst. So much for dreaming a dreamless sleep.
"Max!" She felt a slight shove her mind unable to process what was real or not. April voice echoed through repeating her name over and over until she awoke with a start. Different pairs of eyes looked at her with concern, April stood over her asking her what wrong but she never replied. No it wasn't some thing she could explain not in a million years.