Six teenagers, of various species and dimensions, sit at the kitchen table, mouths watering and stomachs quaking at the sight of Michelangelo setting two round discs before them.
Kala watches as Mikey places a steamy gooey, savory-smelling, triangular slice of foodstuff in front of her. The others don't wait as they devour their own portions in sloppy satisfaction. She nods, takes a deep breath and removes her dioxide mask. She takes a bite... it is the most delicious thing she has ever eaten. Mikey and the rest smile at the young, beautiful Neutrino as she hums in delight, nibbling away at the Italian delicacy.
Between bites Kala looks up as a large, tall, impressive-looking being comes into the kitchen and makes himself a plate of, what Mikey calls, pizza. The stern, hairy man and Kala look at each other a moment. The Turtles and April share smiles of calm normality with their Sensei, Master Splinter. He shrugs, not sensing any 'red flags', takes a bite of his pizza and exits.
Soon after the dishes are cleared, April leads Kala to the guestroom where the two ladies are bunking for the night. April makes her flimsy hammock as comfortable as she can and tumbles into it, knowing Kala will be more suited to the bed. It's been another wildly strange day for her and her friends and April is finally alone with Kala long enough to get to know her. It's the polite thing to do anyway.
April shifts in the hammock, making it swing slightly. "So, Kala…"
Kala hears the redhead address her. She gets up from the bed and walks over to her and hands her the other walkie-talkie translator.
"Oh right, sorry." April puts on the headset. "I was just going to say, that I hope you're comfortable and that whatever you need, the guys and me are more than happy to help."
Kala sits up, bouncing on the bed slightly and smiles. "My comfort level is one that is very acceptable. And the help that you and ones that you call guys is greatly appreciated." Kala frowns. Not wanting to think about how helpless she actually is she changes the subject. "I have noticed that the guys you call guys and you who is April are not similar in the way that you look."
"I'm human." Sort of anyway, she thinks to herself. "Donnie and his brothers were mutated." April says.
"I request that you elaborate on the word 'mutated'."
"Well, they were turtles, normal little animals. Then, they were changed with strange, glowing ooze made by the Kraang. The Turtles saved me one day and became my friends… They saved my father too but now… he has been mutated as well." April looks down and wills her lip to stop quivering.
Kala nods in understanding. "You have lost those who are members of your family because of them who are Kraang as well."
April looks down at the cracked concrete floor. "My father is still out there somewhere, alone and scared… They took my mother away before I ever got to know her."
"My parents who are my mother and father were taken from me as well. I hope that they still have each other." The two girls share a look of hopeful sadness. "The guys who are turtles and who are also your friends, they fight the Kraang who are trying to take over this city?"
"Yes. And not just the Kraang, but the Foot Clan, the Purple Dragons and any other dangerous mutant they come across… The Turtles are amazing ninjas." April trails off.
"Brave Warriors." Kala echoes.
April watches as Kala settles in the narrow bed. She feels bad for the lost fighter pilot and has no doubt Donatello and the others will do everything they can to get her back home.
An excited knock comes from the door and Mikey skitters in. He gives a stack of comic books drawn by his favorite artists to Kala so she can learn their English AND have fun at the same time. He wishes her a good night and leaves. Kala leafs through the colorful graphics, seemingly amused.
A few minutes later someone bashes on the door and Raphael saunters in. He gives Kala a week-old sports section of the Sunday paper, so she can learn English by reading about Earth's greatest games. He mumbles a 'g-nite' and leaves. She folds and unfolds the white paper and black lettering in her hands.
Sometime later, a soft rap is heard at the door and Leonardo hesitantly steps in. He quickly gives Kala his favorite novel, 'The Tale of Two Cities', so she can learn English by enjoying one of Earth's greatest classics. He bows and wishes her a good evening then leaves. She handles the heavy tome carefully in her hands, tracing the indented gold lettering with her fingers.
April does a good job by ignoring all the fuss her friends make over their visitor... emphasis on 'visitor', as in, one who will be leaving soon! She stares at the alien girl... she's speeding through the myriad of reading paraphernalia like a super computer.
She's not that great, April huffs.
She rolls her eyes and pulls her earphones back on, attempting to fall asleep to her favorite jams... But rhythmic tapping hits the door and Donatello finally waltzes in. He hands Kala his tablet and headphones so she can listen to audio books; the dictionary and, his favorite book, 'Darwin's Evolution'. April coyly lifts her earphones from one ear. He doesn't say good night to her, at least not in English. He clears his throat and concentrates as he slowly babbles what could only be a Neutrino 'good night'. Kala smiles and returns his departing words, in a much too friendly way, if you ask April. Kala giggles and Donnie blushes and April shoves her head phones back on and shuts her eyes tightly.
Donnie wishes April sweet dreams as he's leaving the room, but she doesn't hear him.
...
The next morning April awakens early. She did not have a restful sleep. The hammock had made her back sore and her music blazing in her ears all night had given her a headache. She flips out of her swinging bed, almost falling to the floor. She looks at Kala, who's sitting up in the bed, asleep; Donatello's tablet and earphones are clutched in her arms.
April goes to the bathroom and dresses quickly for school. She grabs her backpack and quietly leaves.
...
Michelangelo had gotten up much earlier than he usually does. He's in and out of the bathroom, fresh and ready for day two with his new, super-cool friend. As he's about to knock on the guestroom door. Kala emerges. She looks like something has drained her battery. Her skin is a light yellow and her once vibrantly orange feathers of hair are limp and pale. She ghosts by the chipper turtle without acknowledging him. She trudges into the bathroom and slams the door. Mikey, being worried, follows her and calls out. "Uh, Kala, you ok, dudette?"
An intense white light floods through the cracks of the bathroom door... then the toilet flushes and water starts to run. Kala comes out, her former vibrancy returned, and gives Michelangelo a big, bright, blue-toothed smile. "Good morning, Mikey!"
"Hey, morning! Whoa! You learned our language over night?" He questions.
"Hi guys!" Donatello walks up beside them. He yawns and scratches his head. He tries to hand Kala his translator walkie-talkie but she politely declines.
"It is quite alright, Donatello. I can understand you now." She grins.
"Astounding! H-how did you..."
"Well, your... English... is quite rudimentary. You have very little characters in your alphabet. My Neutronian tongue has approximately one-hundred twenty-three characters. And the readings you've given me were very helpful and entertaining. Thank you, both." Kala touches her forehead to each of the Turtles in thanks. Both turtles blush slightly.
"Erm, anytime, Kala." Donnie replies sheepishly. " Say, is April up yet? I came to walk her to school."
"April was not in the room when I awoke." Kala says.
"I saw her hop over the turnstiles when I got up, Bro. Guess she left early." Mikey offers.
"Huh, oh well, she probably wanted some extra time to study... or maybe stop by her apartment before school." The deflated teen shrugs. "I'm going to the lab before practice, Mikey. I'm sure you can keep Kala company before then."
"Absolutely, Kala, my Pal-a! I'll make you a bowl of my favorite cereal, Sugar Blizzard Choco-Rocks, and then we can play some video games!"
"Video games?" She asks.
"Video games?" Donnie chides.
"It's never too early for m'games! C'mon Kala!" Mikey grabs Kala's hand, leading her to the sunken living room area.
Donnie notices the Neutrino's face turn red as his little brother pulls her along. He sighs and heads toward his lab, hoping to spend some time with April once she comes back from school.
...
Kala ohs and ahs while watching the Turtles train. Their Sensei barks at them, instructs them with complete authority. She sees them pair off and spar. The strength and agility they display are nothing compared to Mikey's unrealistic video games. Sure, she had fun playing them, she wished she had such things when growing up. And the 'Choco Rocks' cereal... well... as delectable as they were, the 'Sugar Blizzard' part of her breakfast makes her nerves tingle with over flowing energy. Even now, she's nearly bouncing on her knees, wanting to run around the dojo. It doesn't sound like such a bad idea. She stands, jogs over to a corner and starts to stretch. Still in the sweats and tee she wore to bed, she feels uninhibited and moves gracefully.
Raphael turns his attention away from Mikey and Don's fight and looks at Kala as she bends her spine and kicks her legs. He's never seen a warm up look so hot. He shakes his head in disbelief at what his thoughts were thinking! That didn't stop him from walking over to her, smiling his rare smile. "Hey Kala? You doin' some type of Neutrino calisthenics?"
"We call it Boombow" She says between controlled breaths. "It is what my fellow comrades and I do to prepare for battle against the Kraang. Even though our physical engagements with the Kraang are few, it is always good to be prepared... Just like your Earthino hockey player, Emelio McChang."
He does a double-take. "You, you read the sports articles I gave ya?"
"Of course." She stops her lunges for a moment and faces the red-banded turtle. "McChang had practiced with his teammates The New York Ice Chips the entire season and had never joined them in any of the games. But when it came down to the final match, he was the one they called on. He helped them win the tournament. He was always prepared and so was ready when it was his time."
He looks as her as she speaks. He thumbed the crack in his shell, almost cutting himself. "Uh, well, yeah. I guess that's a good way to look at it." Raphael knew McChang was a horrible goalie; he was the team's last resort. He won the game by catching the puck in his teeth... but she didn't need to know that. "How about you show me some of your moves, and if you want I can teach you a special move you can pass on to your comrades?" he asks her.
She gasps in delight. "From such a fierce warrior as you, it would be an honor." She bows.
During the next half hour Raphael and Kala partake in some light sparring. It was cordial at first, Raphael not wanting to engage Kala too forcefully. Although Kala is not very strong, she is very hard to target. Her evasive senses are almost telepathic and it takes a while for Raph to be able to land a controlled punch. And even though Raphael is clearly holding back his power with his attacks, Kala loses her balance at times when he does tag her. She can try a million times but may never have enough muscle to bring Raphael down.
"You move pretty quick, Kala. I missed half of what you were doing. Your hands were a blur." Raphael says between breaths.
"I may be quick but you are very powerful. If I am ever unfortunate enough to be in battle with one as mighty as you, it's probably best I run away!" Kala pants.
"Maybe not." He chuckles. "Are you ready to learn a three-step close combat move to disable a Kraang bot? No weapons needed."
"Yes! Please instruct me."
They go through each motion. Step one, kick their gun away. Step two, spin behind the enemy while cinching their arms behind them. Step three, flip over your enemy twisting and ripping their evil robot arms from their sockets. Raphael is, of course, showing off and his brothers give him knowing looks. Raphael of course, ignores them. The move had been a bit advanced for Kala but just like her language encoding skills, she completes the move with stunning accuracy after only a few tries.
Michelangelo and his other two brothers had been watching Raphael and Kala the entire time they were sparring. Unlike his brothers, Mikey's stifles his huffs and mumblings under his breath, when Raphael says or does something to make himself look cool in front of Kala. It's too bad he's trying so hard for nothing. Kala would never go for a macho-head like Raph! And Kala doesn't seem to notice or mind anyway. The jealous parade in Mikey's head fades swiftly as his attention focuses on Kala. She's so fast and elegant. He loves watching her. At one point she catches him staring at her and she gives him a friendly smile that shoots straight through his shell.
Kala bows to her sinister instructor, grateful for the new skill and the opportunity to exert some energy. "Thank you, Raphael. I will not forget what you have taught me." She presses her warm forehead to his. She turns and heads out toward the bathroom. As she leaves, Mikey sees a hint of sadness wash over her face.
Donnie wrinkles his mouth at Raphael's flushed cheeks. "Don't breathe too much into it Raph. That's just the way Neutrinos say 'thank you'. She's done it to all of us."
"Not me." Leonardo says with a laugh with relief.
"Well, you got to want to do something nice for her... but you still don't trust her do you?" Mikey asks.
"I... it's not that I don't trust her. I'm sure you've all noticed me avoiding her since she arrived, but it's not about trust." Leo sags.
"What's the problem then?" Donnie asks.
"I'd… just feel better once we fix her ship and get her home."
"So, you just don't like her?" Raph asks.
"No. She's fine, it's just... you heard her story. She's fighting a rebellion against our common enemy. Not just fighting, but leading! Her people have been at war with them much longer than we have. And now she's here alone, she's lost her team. She's living my biggest fear... I don't know how to help her."
His brothers look at him with understanding... Two of his brothers do. Raph punches him in the arm. "You're a bonehead, Leo! She ain't lonely, or helpless. She got us 'til we find a way to get her back."
"I dunno, Raph." Mikey says. "She looked a little sad when she left... Leo, maybe you could help her by telling her how you overcome your fears as our Fearless Leader."
"Hmm. I didn't overcome them all, Mikey... but it's worth a try. I'll talk to her later. For now, I'm going to see Splinter."
"Okay, Leo." Donnie waves him off. "Mikey, Raph, why don't you come help me in the garage. We have to get Kala's cruiser shipshape!"
"Sure, alright." Raph says.
"Cool! You want my help in the garage? Can I use your blowtorch?" Mikey sings.
"You have the most important job." Donnie says as he wraps an arm around his eager baby brother. "You get to hand me my blowtorch so I can use it."
"What do you wan me to do?" Raph asks incredulously.
"I need you to hold the fire extinguisher incase Mikey sets the garage on fire while he's handing me my blowtorch... and you get to lift the heavy stuff as well." Donnie grins.
"Sounds like tons of fun." Raphael smirks.
The three brothers move out and start their work on the black, stealthy, war cruiser.
...
Leo kneels in the quiet ambiance of Master Splinter's room. Seated respectfully before his sensei, Leo recalls the events of the past twenty-four hours that led a teenage warrior from another dimension to their subterranean doorstep.
Splinter absently runs a hand along the length of his thin beard, quietly listening and absorbing is eldest son's words. "I see now why you chose to wait so long to tell me about our new visitor. As I saw her sit among you yesterday, I immediately felt a strong aura about her. She is very brave, and driven by the needs of her people. She is a leader. Yet unlike you, she is, perhaps, a bit hardened by her journey… this troubles you…"
Leo sighs. "Yes, sensei… For whatever reason she's with us now, I don't see the logic. Being stranded with us is time wasted. As a leader, I think I know what her biggest concern is; getting back to her fellow freedom fighters. There's nothing I can say or do to ease her worries. She doesn't know where they are, and they don't even know if she's still…"
Splinter nods in understanding. "My son, it seems as though you are portraying your fears into her situation."
"I know but…" He looks up to his master with shaky eyes. "What if it's me someday? What if one day I find myself alone, unable to get to my brothers just when they need me the most? I look at Kala and I get chills. I look at her and easily see myself in her predicament. I don't know how to speak to that fear."
Splinter reaches out and places a warm hand on his pupil's shoulder. "Leonardo, do not think what I am about to say is cruel… you have a wonderful opportunity to take advantage of Kala's situation."
Leonardo shakes his head. "What do you mean?"
"Stop pitying her and quit giving rise to your fears. Instead of avoiding the pain of what could happen someday… I suggest you embrace the time Kala is here and walk beside her. Feel what she feels, whether anger, numbness, or tears. Become acquainted with the emotions of loneliness, failure, and helplessness. By doing so you will know what to expect should this ever happen to you. Maybe you will show her that she is not as alone as she once thought. Maybe she will remember that there is always hope. And maybe she will show you how a leader heals and moves forward."
…
After Kala had showered and rested, she peeks her head into the garage where Donatello is welding away at the hull of her ship. He douses his torch and removes his protective mask, "Eureka! It is finished!" He calls out triumphantly.
"Already?" Kala says.
He looks over at her and smiles his adorable, gapped smile. "Hey, Kala. What's up?"
She looks up at the ceiling and sees nothing of interest. Donnie laughs. "No, 'what's up' means... how are your doing? What is the update on how your day is going?"
"Oh." She hums. "I am feeling very well." She glances at the dials on her wrist. "My life support gauge tells me that my supplies are full, I should have had to recharge antees ago.""
"I have a theory on that." Donnie jumps down from his scaffolding and goes to wash his hands in the sink. "Since you breathe a compound that is directly opposite of what we breath, your machine has a direct contact with our oxygen, breaking it up easily into what you need to survive."
"I see… What I breathe and what Earthinos breathe is not that different but is deadly one to another. It is uncanny how too much or too little of something can be bad for you."
"Yeah, we are such delicate creatures." Donnie muses.
"Not you. You are so smart and possess much ingenuity."
"Oh, gee." He rubs the back of his neck with an awkward hand.
"I am sure your brothers agree... where are your brothers?"
Donatello rolls his eyes as he dries his hands on an old towel. "I had to send Mikey and Raphael away for a while."
"Why?"
"They are about as helpful as a porcupine at a balloon convention." The image he tries to paint goes flat when he sees the blank stare on Kala's face. "Never mind. I sent them to the city dump for a few items I've been needing." He turns and rolls away the scaffolding from the hovering cruiser.
"It is ready to fly?" Kala asks.
"Yes, I think it's OK. The wing was easy to fix and your suit is repaired as well. He turns to her. "Are you thinking of taking it for a test run?"
She grins. "Only if you agree to come with me."
…
A/N: Thank you for reading so far. Any comments are appreciated!