Phoenix Call

Chapter 2: 15 Years Later

It was late, and one Amber Jennings was wrapping up her day at the store. Owning a small grocery store of her own was challenging, but after her late husbands tragic death a few years earlier, she had really thrown herself into her work. The result was a very friendly, and very successful cornerside store. Smiling, she grabbed her keys locked up before heading home. A short walk had her standing in front of her house. It wasn't small, but it wasn't huge either. She had a couple guest rooms for whenever April needed to crash, or when one of her employees was in a tight spot and needed a place to stay. Kicking off her work shoes, Amber flopped on the couch after grabbing a granola bar and glass of milk, and turned on the news.

Suddenly, a beating on the door woke Amber. I must have fallen alseep again. I wonder who it is at this time of night..?

Blearily making her way to the door, Amber pulled it open to reveal April, looking disheveled. Hazel eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed. "What's up kiddo? Come on in."

"Ok, oh my God, ok. Do you remember Project Renaissance?"

OoO

"So, you're telling me that you saved the test subjects, released them in the sewers of New York, and now they're walking, talking, mutant turtles dispensing vigilante justice to the Foot Clan?"

"Yes."

Amber frowned and put a hand to her head. "I told your dad that there might be unforseen side effects to using a human genome on animals."

"So you believe me?"

"I believe in the possibility, yes. But it seems so unlikely that out of all people in this huge city that you would be the one to run into them."

"If I could show them to you, would you believe me then?"

Hazel eyes softened. "Of course I would April. Now, I think it's time for some rest."

After hearing the door to the guest room April always took for herself close, Amber reached into her bookself and pulled out a simple black volume. Taking it into the kitchen, she made herself a cup of coffee and sat down at the island. Inside were all her notes from Project Renaissance, as well as copies of Dr. O'Neil's notes. Hazel eyes glittered as they danced across the pages, formulating the possibilities.

OoO

"Aw man, bro come on! That was my last orange crush!"

Mikey gave sad eyes to Raphael, which made the rebellious turtle smirk a little. But as tough as he was, he DID have a soft spot for his youngest brother.

"There's more behind the fridge. Don't tell anyone, it's our secret."

Mikey's baby blues were almost as wide as his smile as he dashed off, leaving a smirking Raph.

"Hey guys, come here. I got some background info on the O'Neil chick from last night. You'll want to see this."

Donnie and Leo looked up as Raph and Mikey entered the lab. "What did you find on the hot girl?"

"Her dad was some sort of scientist who worked with Sacks before he died in a fire. This is her address-" Donnie pointed to a small dot on one screen "But this is where she's been the past 36 hours." Donnie pointed to the blinking red dot that indicated the tracker he had placed in the woman's phone when he wiped the pictures she had taken of them.

"It's a residential neighborhood. Maybe she's chilling with a friend."

"Maybe. But we should still probably see if she told this friend about us. We'll leave as soon as it's dark."

OoO

Karai knelt in front of the throne of Shredder. "My daughter, what news have you brought me?"

"There is a female aquaintance of the turtles. They met on a rooftop last night."

"Find her. Bring her here alive, as bait. We will choose our battlefield by making our enemy come to us."

Karai bowed low. "Yes, Father."

OoO

"Hey, I'm going down to the basement to practice. You want to pack these notes up and come with?"

April nodded, shoving the Project Renaissance notes back into the simple black binder and following the older woman downstairs. Amber changed into a loose fitting tank top and work out capris while April deposited the binder in a corner before moving to sit in front of Amber.

Amber breathed deeply, letting her mind roam as she went through her normal kata positions. April's eyes drooped, feeling peaceful watching the familiar routine. Suddenly, the sound of shattering glass grabbed the attention of both women. Hazel eyes narrowed.

"April, stay behind me."

OoO

"We got Foot Clan activity, guys!"

Donnie's voice carried through the lair. Leo and Raph stopped mid-argument and quickly made their way to the lab. Mikey came in last, covered in flour.

"Mikey, no! Go wash that off before you come near my computer equipment!"

"What have you got, Don?"

Donnie turned back to the screen. "It looks like the Foot might be after that April girl. They've rallied at a point close to the house we've been watching, and appear to be breaking in."

Leo groaned. "They must have seen us talking to her on the roof."

"Or she's a Foot spy."

"I don't think they'd do this to one of their own. Guys, we gotta do something!"

"But Sensei would never -"

"We need to finish what we start. It should be dark enough, let's go."

OoO

When the turtles arrived, all was quiet. Too quiet. Silently, the turtles filed in through the same window the Foot had broken.

"Spread out. Look for anything that may be helpful."

Leo wandered into the living room. The bookshelf there had been destroyed, books laying everywhere like someone had been searching for something. "Hey Donnie, what do you make of this?"

"It looks like they were searching for something. Maybe whoever this friend of April's is has something they want."

"Guys," Mikey came in, looking like he was going to be ill, "There's a LOT of blood on the stairs leading to the basement."

That was all Raph needed to hear. He rushed down, looking for something to fight, but was brought up short by what he saw. There, in the middle of the bloody scene, was a middle aged woman with curly, golden-brown hair clutching a pair of sai not dissimilar to his own. It was clear she had been in a fight against overwhelming odds. Leo came down behind Raph.

"Donnie, get in here! She may still be alive!"

"Hey guys, check out what I found."

"What Mikey?"

Mikey had picked up a towel from a corner to help clean the woman up. Underneath was a simple black binder. He gave it to Leo. "Think this is what the Foot were after?"

"It could be. We'll look at it later. Donnie, how is she?"

Donnie hummed. "She's alive, but the Foot did a number on her. Nothing broken from what I can tell, but she has multiple lacerations that will need stitches."

"We should take her back to the lair until we can determine if she's a threat or not. If she is, we can take her on our own turf. If not, then it's not going to be safe for her up here with the Foot interested in her."

"Fair enough, but YOU get to be the one to explain this to Sensei."

OoO

Dark. Everything was dark, but Amber felt peaceful. She tried to remember what happened.

I was doing my katas, then...what?

"MIKEY!"

Ugh, who was yelling? And who was Mikey? Did I fall asleep watching tv again..?

"She needs rest, and I need to finish looking over these 'Project Renaissance' notes. It's fascinating! I think it may hold the answers to how we were born."

"Seriously?"

Project Renaissance...I remember that. So long ago though...I was looking through the old notes with April when...April!

OoO

Donnie glanced over the woman's vitals, noting the spike in heartrate. "Hey, I think she's waking up!"

Thr turtles gathered around their mysterious guest. Master Splinter had taken one look at her and locked himself away in meditation, saying she was not an enemy. It didn't escape Leo's notice, however, that the rat looked like he had seen a ghost. Who was this woman?