*From the depths of the underground, a hand shot up from the soil. With shacking fingers, they reached blindly for anything to grab a hold of. Desperate to escape, it clung to a near by vine, using it to tug themselves free.
What emerged was something known as a... writer.
A pitiful creature it was as it wiggled through the grass, momentarily freed from the demon known as Life. Soon the demon would find them, and drag it back with them, but for now the writer was free to do as they will.
With this precious time given to them, it snuck up to its strange device known as a, laptop. With this, it could complete its goal in peace.
For a long while now the writer had managed to write its Young justice fanfic without Life's detection, but that wasn't enough for them. There were still many things left to be written.
Taking the laptop into their hands, they gasped at the update notification.
Last Updated; Feb 14th, 2015. A whole year! How could this be so?
No...
No! It can't be too late! The writer can fix this! It can update!
And so it did...
But where did it last leave off?
Oh yes, it remembers now.
The van.
Had you asked Nicole how she thought she would die one day… she wouldn't know how to answer. She never thought it would be anything heroic or history book worthy, but something more simple. Perhaps a nasty wreck one day, or she passed away in her sleep from old age?
If she had her choice in how she would die, she would want it to be cool of course. Something people would be talking about for months! Like, "Hey, you remember that girl who self combusted after performing an arm stand dive off of the building while juggling?"
That would be the dream right there.
But of course, the simple death was most likely her way. She would never expect herself to suddenly leap in front of a car for a person she had only recently meant. Don't get her wrong, she wouldn't regret it, and at the time, it had been a split second decision.
It's just a death she wouldn't have given herself. She has never thought of herself as the hero type. That was more of Arinna's life style.
Yet here she was, kneeling on the ground, shielding a questionably helpless child from a speeding car.
And she called Arinna reckless. (Pot/kettle)
But this was one of the main reasons she wasn't good with Children. Sure they were cute and she actually found she got along quite well with them at certain times. It was everything else though that was the problem. The responsibility that came along with kids.
Or the possible death.
Either of those.
"Nicole." Nicole felt something tighten against her shirt, realizing that it was Elizabeth. Shutting her eyes, Nicole mentally apologized to Arinna. She had gotten all the way to their flippin' neighborhood, almost at their house, and she died. How messed up is that?
Arinna was going to kill her later when she found out. If she found out of course.
If these guys were crazy psychopaths as Elizabeth claimed, they probably wouldn't leave behind any evidence to what they have done. For all Nicole knows they might just jump their bodies off in the harbor.
Arinna would never know what happened.
Nicole felt her whole body shift at the horrible thought. She didn't want that. If she had to die here and now, she would want Arinna to know what happened. Regardless of how horrible or painful it might be, she would want Arinna to know
She would always prefer that than Arinna never knowing. Then Arinna always wondering, imagining what had occurred.
That has happened too many times for her to be put through that again.
The first time was when Arinna's Mother left without a word. At first everyone believed she had been taken or killed, until they realized she had packed up all her stuff.
No letter, no note, she was just gone. Leaving behind a home, husband, little 13 year old son and 8 year old daughter.
Then of course there was Vincent. He left one night to be a hero and protect those he cares about, but he never came back. They never even found his body, he was just, gone. That broke Arinna's heart.
She didn't want Arinna to think Nicole had just left her too.
She supposed at this point, she didn't have a choice. Just grit your teeth and except your fate Nicole.
Yeah, take it with your head held high. You didn't do a lot in your life, but at least your tried to help a little girl at the end of it. That had to be a good way to die, right?
…..
So can someone please explain to her why her organs haven't been splattered across the cement yet?
"Nicole!" it was the sudden voice that made her aware that the car hadn't hit them yet. Two large hands were shooting in front of her, the owner of these hands standing directly behind the two of them. Their legs were pressing against her back as I stared at the van stopped inches from her face.
"…Wha-" she took a shuddering breath, looking upward and the presence before her.
Leather skin that was jagged and pointy was above her, their face angle up. But there was no denying the long face and green skin.
"Leather…. Head…" she gasped.
Shifting his shoulder the teenage alligator stepped forward with the force of a bulldozer, forcing the car back. The man behind the wheel seemed to attempt to stop this from happening and slammed his foot on the gas, but that didn't seem to do much as the car continued to be pushed back.
The rubber of the tires screeched painfully against the road, causing black burn marks to follow the path of the van as it moved back.
"W-What happened?" Elizabeth asked quietly in her arms. Lifitng her small head, she looked from Nicole to their apparent savior. Her eyes widened in shock and awe as the bulking form shoved the car back with one final ounce of strength, practically tipping the entire thing over.
It was awesome.
Dumbstruck, the two girls flinched when the huffing form turned to them. As it began to move towards them, Nicole found herself struggling to breath. "H-How…"
Leather head shuffled closer, moving to get to his knees infront of them, "I-I'm sorry. D-Did I scare you again?" they asked nervously.
"…L-Leatherhead." she watery smile broke across her face. Her eyes trailed back to the slightly tipped van to the young alligator that had stopped it. Holy shi-
"Alligator." Elizabeth murmured suddenly. Oh yeah! Crap, Elizabeth was here.
"Are you alright?" he was cautiously kneeling next to them. Staring at him with wide eyes, Nicole nodded slowly.
"Y-Yeah." She stammered softly. Her fear for this creature was long since gone. Since his arrival all she felt was pure relief. She had never been so happy to see anyone in her life. "How did you-?" she pointed dumbly at the van than to herself. Why was he out here? How did he know they were in danger? How-
She couldn't breath. Before she knew it, she was throwing herself forward, wrapping her free arm around Leather Head's neck. He tensed up at the action, frozen in place as she dug her head into his shoulder. "Thank you…" she whispered.
She was certain she was a goner there a second ago. To think, out of everything, the person she's been treating like a flippin' monster for the past couple days would end up saving her life.
Leather Head was fumbling over his words, unsure of what to do since Nicole was still hugging him and he had some confused child pressed up against his stomach, squished between the awkward hug.
"M-Ms. Arinna told me you required assistance…" he stammered violently, "And she said you would be returning home soon with a guest. I checked the area to look for enemies and s-saw you..." Leatherhead answered softly.
Nicole nodded to herself, taking the situation in. Slowly pulling away from Leather head, her hand clasped tightly on his shoulder, she smiled. It was an honest smile, and she was grateful that it was. She was oh so grateful Leather Head was around.
Leather Head seemed flustered and smiled nervously back. "A-Are you hurt?"
"Some bruises, I'll live." She glanced down at Elizabeth. "What about you?" she asked. As she tore her eyes away from her savior to Elizabeth, Nicole suddenly remembered a sudden fact.
Leather Head was a mutant Alligator and she had just kind of squished this little kid between the two of them in a death hug.
…Whoops.
"Uh… Elizabeth." She laughed hesitantly. The young child looked up at her, mouth gaping and eyes wide. "This is… leather Head. One of the people I live with."
The child did not speak for a long time, only stared at the creature before her. Their gazes were locked for an almost awkward amount of time. From Elizabeth's intense staring, Leather Head shifted awkwardly, twiddling his thumbs together.
"….Are you real?" The child asked softly.
"Y-Yes." He nodded.
"And when you said your friends were odd…" She looked back up at Nicole.
"I really meant they were odd." Nicole chuckled.
Suddenly, before the conversation could continue, the door van was kicked open and a few of the Foot stumbled out. Leather Head rose at this, growling viciously at them.
They flinched, looking between each other frightfully, as if waiting for each other to react. Realizing neither of them would, the foot took a quick couple of steps back. As Leather Head stepped forward, the young Foot ninja jump, turning and booking it the other direction.
"Hah." Nicole laughed at the sight. Guard dogs got nothing on this guy. Waiting to make sure they were truly gone, Leather Head turned back to them. "We should get inside." Nicole glanced around. "It is very likely someone heard the commotion and it won't take long for people to get curious enough to figure out what is going on."
"Of course." Leather Head agreed. She didn't flinch as he lifted her from the ground, placing her on her feet. As soon as Nicole caught her balance Leather Head released her quickly and stepped back, as if worried she would freak out if he didn't.
With how she has been, it wasn't a surprise. She admits, seeing him tip a van over and stop it mid 50 MPH, yeah, that wasn't helping with her trust towards him, but he saved her.
So in truth, I should be more afraid of him now than I ever was before, but my heart just couldn't seem to make me feel it. Not fully anyway.
He could have easily let that van run her over but he didn't. He deserved some respect for that.
"Can you walk?" he asked.
"Banged up my knee a bit." She admits, "But I'm fine. Elizabeth?"
"I'm okay." She said quietly, eyes unable to look away from Leather head.
"Let's get inside then. Uh-" she paused, "Leather head, how exactly did you get out here without anyone noticing?"
"I climbed out the window and down the wall." He explained.
"Ah." She nodded. "Can you do that again to get back into the apartment?"
He nodded. Taking on last look at the area, he waved to them and scurried off. Waiting till he was gone, Nicole inched forward. "Come on Elizabeth, we're almost there."
Blinking, Elizabeth reached out, grabbing a hold of Nicole's shirt. She clung to it all the way up to the apartment front doors, hiding behind Nicole once they entered the foyer.
With a quick set of hand signals, Nicole motioned for the child to duck behind a near by plant. "Stay behind there until we leave. There are some stairs right behind that door. Go all the way up to the 4th floor, then wait right by the door. Don't go out into the hall until I come to get you." Confused, Elizabeth nodded without a word, ducking down. As soon as her head disappeared behind the plant, Agatha stepped out from her office.
"Nicole?" she asked. "You're home awfully late-" she trailed off at the sight of Nicole. "What happened?" she demanded, quick to the point.
"A scuffle on the way home." Nicole said calmly. "Tripped and hurt my knee, nothing that bad." She was lifting up her ripped open pant leg, wincing every time it would swing against the gash on her knee.
"Were you mugged?" Agatha was moving around the counter to help her.
"I think so?" she shrugged. "Didn't take my wallet. It was their fault for threatening this guns." She joked slyly, holding up her fists.
"Oh Nicole." Agatha huffed, "You have to be more careful." A gentle tone filled the older woman's voice. "Here, let me help you up to your room."
"I'd appreciate that Agatha." Nicole smiled as they got into the elevator. Nicole gave on last glance at the plant before the doors closed. She hated lying to Agatha like this, but it was better she not get involved.
Who knows what would happen if she did anyway.
"Did you contact the police at all?" Agatha asked within the elevator, pacing around her side of the room.
"Agatha." Nicole whined, "You know I hate getting the police involved in my business. They got enough to deal with in this crazy town as it is. I didn't get hurt." Agatha folded her arms, her eyes trailing down to Nicole's knee. "This was my own fault. I tripped. If my wallet had actually be stolen I would have called the police. The guy ran off after the first punch I gave." She was lying through gritted teeth, hoping Agatha didn't notice.
She probably did, but hopefully she wouldn't call her out on it. Agatha knew when to mind her own business, and honestly, Nicole wasn't in that bad of condition. Just a hurt knee that was actually from when she tripped on the ground, running from the Foot.
"If you say so." Agatha sighed. Stepping out of the elevator when they reached their floor, they moved to Nicole's room. "You know how to disinfect that, yes?" she inquired.
"I'm on my third year of med school and you think I don't know how to disinfect something?" Nicole chuckled dryly. "Not sure if I should take offense to that or not."
"I did not mean to insult you." Agatha shook her head, a playful smile pulling at her lips, "I simply worry for those who live within my building." She placed her hand on Nicole's shoulder.
"Aww, Agatha." Nicole gushed. "I appreciate that. I'm fine though, really. The only thing I have to worry about at this point is- well…" she trailed off as they reached her door. "How my room mate will react."
"Arinna." Agatha mused, "More of a worry wart then I, I assume?"
"Oh yeah, She is the queen of worrying." Nicole nodded. "Wish my luck. I'm about to enter a battle zone." She braced the door. "If I don't come back, tell my family, I love them."
Agatha saluted her, her expression grim but determined. "Of course Soldier."
"…." The two snickered at each other. "Bye Agatha. Thanks."
"Of course dear." Agatha nodded, moving back down the hall. Opening her door, Nicole began to close it, but kept it open just an inch to listen down the hall. Hearing the Elevator door open, she waited until it closed to peek out the door.
Agatha was no longer in the hall and she could see Elizabeth poking her head out from the emergency stair's door.
"Over here Elizabeth." Nicole motioned for her wildly. Seeing her, Elizabeth sprinted to the door, her steps as quiet as a mouse.
"Did I do good?" she asked quietly.
"You did awesome. Come on it." She glanced around, tugging Elizabeth in before closing the door.
"Nicole?" she heard Arinna running the second she closed the door. "Nicole!" Arinna slide around the corner, throwing herself into Nicole's arms. "Leather Head told me everything! Are you okay?!"
"Ah! Arinna." Nicole winced. "I'm fine! Just get off-" she shoved her friend off, limping a bit to catch her balance. "I just need to sit down."
"Oh my gosh your knee." Arinna covered her mouth. "I'll get the first aid kit-" she froze, only then noticing Elizabeth. "…." Eyes wide as saucers, Arinna blinked. "Uh… Hello." She waved awkwardly.
"H-Hi." Elizabeth said back.
"First Aid kit." Nicole grumbled.
"Right. Right." Arinna turned and disappeared down the hall. Limping into the living room. Nicole was grateful to see Michelle pulling up a chair for her.
"Honestly, and you say Arinna is the trouble magnet." She huffed. "Hypocritical if you ask me."
"Well I wasn't." Nicole countered, plopping down. She waved her hand back and forth, "Michelle, this is Elizabeth. Elizabeth, this is Michelle."
Michelle looked over the younger girl. From what Nicole could assume, both Leather Head and Arinna had already made her aware of the situation. "Hello darling." Michelle smiled. "Would you like something to drink?"
Elizabeth's head snapped to Nicole so fast, Nicole wasn't sure what she wanted. Realizing Elizabeth was practically asking permission with her eyes, she shrugged, "Go ahead kid."
"…" Elizabeth blushed. "C-Can I have… some juice?"
"What kind?" Michelle inquired.
Elizabeth fumbled, "Uh… um… a-apple juice?" Michelle chuckled, moving into the kitchen. Watching her, Nicole glanced around.
"Hey Michelle?" she called.
"Hmm?"
"Where is Leather Head?"
"In the closet." Michelle answered.
"Wha-" Nicole craned her head to look at the closet. "Leather head? Why are you in my closet?"
It cracked open an inch, the faint sight of golden eyes peeking out. "I-I don't wish to s-scare the girl."
"Uh… I think it is too late for that. She already saw you." Nicole frowned.
"B-But you fainted several times the first time you saw me." Leather head argued meekly.
"Wha- that doesn't count." She scoffed.
"Does too." Michelle pipped in, coming back into the conversation, a cup of juice in her hands. "Here you go." she handed it to Elizabeth, who took it gratefully.
"Thank you." Elizabeth said grateful. "B-But um… M-Mr. Alligator, I won't be afraid." She said, her voice as soft as a bell. "I think you were really cool…."
The door opened a tad more, and Leather Head stuck his head out. "Cool?" he asked, bewildered .
Elizabeth nodded, looking bashful. She didn't seem too comfortable around so many people, but Nicole assumed that to be shyness over being anti-social.
"Found it!" Arinna called, running in with the first aid kit in hand. Setting it down, Nicole got to work on disinfecting and bandaging her knee. When she was done, she placed a few bandages on the scratches that covered Elizabeth's arms.
After that, the group sat in a large silence as Nicole explained the full story, or, at least as much as she knew. The rest would be up for Elizabeth to fill in.
She seemed hesitant to share, and no one pushed her. The longer she sat there however, listening to the story of how they met Leather Head and the Baby turtles, who she was very surprised to met, she seemed more open to talk of her past.
She didn't remember much, being so young already, and sometimes she struggled to explain things for them to understand, but she did her best.
No one could begin to describe the feelings they felt as Elizabeth talked. She spoke of a man known as the Shredder. How this man was always there, but was not her Father. She remembered him, if only a little, and her Father was kind. She can't fully remember how she ended up with the Shredder, but she knows he is a bad man.
He would make her train, with weapons and other things. Before sunset to late into the night he would make her train in fighting and weaponary.
He did this to many children, pushing them past their physical limits. Elizabeth said she couldn't even count with her fingers how many times she was faced up against a grown adult male.
She had received many beatings and bruises from those fights until she had finally learned how to tactically take that man down. Despite that though, she was never strong enough to escape.
Two days ago however, on of the men who worked for this Shredder, and man known as Vader, helped her. Elizabeth said that he was her favorite out of all the men. He wasn't like the others. He was weird, and loud, and funny.
He was kind to her, bringing her treats and toys to play with. He patted her head when she did a good job.
Because of him she was able to escape. She doesn't know what happened to him after, but she hoped Shredder didn't learn of what he did. He would be in a lot of trouble if he did.
She couldn't even dream that he was safe, like she always did.
"Dream?" Michelle asked, speaking up for the first time since Elizabeth's story began. Arinna flinched at the question, so caught up in Elizabeth's story to notice anyone else in the room. It all sounded like a nightmare…. How could someone put a child through all of that?
"I would dream things would happen and they did." Elizabeth explained. "Like, today. I dreamed I would meet someone on the street, and I did. I met Nicole." She smiled suddenly.
"Does that happen a lot?" Arinna inquired.
"Sometimes." The small child nodded.
Leaving that odd occurance for another time, Arinna sat next to Elizabeth, Sebastian in her arms. "Elizabeth, do you know where your family is now?"
"Family?' Elizabeth asked.
"You're um… Mother and Father." Arinna answered. Elizabeth blinked once, then twice.
"My Papa is gone." She frowned. "A mama…" she trailed off, as if the word sounded foreign to her. "I've never had one of those. What is that like?"
Arinna retracted back, a pained look crossing her face. "A mom is… well she um…" she struggled to answer. "Someone who takes care of your. Who protects you against bad things. She is someone you can talk to and learn from."
Elizabeth listened, nodding every once and a while as she sipped her juice. Suddenly, she smiled, "Like Nicole?"
Nicole spit her drink out as soon as she took a sip, choking, "W-What?" she gagged.
Elizabeth flinched at the large reaction, growing nervous, "S-Sorry."
'No, no…" Nicole trailed off. "Just um…" she cleared her throat, "Trust me when I say, I am not the mother you would want Elizabeth. Just trust me on that."
Elizabeth glanced at her, silent.
"Well," Arinna smiled, "Elizabeth, I am glad I got to meet you."
'M-Me too." She smiled back.
0000-00000
The next few days were filled with Nicole often peeking out the window and being thorough on the security they had in the house. She couldn't be positive that the Foot had seen or not where they lived, or whether or not they saw her face.
She had to be sure Elizabeth was safe, and there was no way to figure out if she was.
Would this, uh- Shredder, really put that much into getting her back?
"Coffee?" Arinna tapped Nicole's shoulder to catch her attention. Half paying attention, Nicole nodded. She moved to sit at the table, patting Picaso's and Sebastian's heads as they passed. They were sitting in their high chairs and squeaking at her.
"How are you feeling?" Arinna inquired, handing her friend a coffee cup.
"Fine. You?"
"Good." They paused to listen to Leather Head and Elizabeth playing checkers in the living room. She fit in perfectly, that little 5 year old. It was like she has always been here.
She always wanted to help with the chores, and got along with the babies and Leather Head so well. One wouldn't be able to tell she's only been here for a few days.
Nicole wasn't sure how she would bring Elizabeth up with Agatha, but for now, she didn't have to worry about it.
"So…" Arinna said, "What's the plan?"
"Plan?" she asked.
"By this point, you are usually insisting we kick out whatever new guest I've managed to bring in. So, is it because you like her, or because you brought her home this time that you aren't jumping on the ball to kick Elizabeth out?" Arinna asked playfully.
Nicole scowled, knowing this question would pop up eventually. "Are you saying we should?"
"Not at all. I love her. She is so sweet." Arinna cooed. "But, usually you are telling me we can't invite anyone else to stay with us."
Nicole pursed her lips, "Arinna, you are always telling me to relax and just let things happen, so I am." Nicole took a sip of her coffee.
"So you aren't worrying about this at all?" Arinna mused.
"Nope. Elizabeth is great, she isn't a mutant that people will try to take pictures of and experiment on. Nothing can go wrong with this."
"…You sure? Cause within this conversation, you have glanced out the window at least 20 times. I think someone might be getting a little paranoid."
Nicole felt her anger crack, "Well… bleh to you Arinna. You didn't see those guys. They were pajama wearing Ninjas. Flippin' Ninjas. Excuse me for being a little more… self aware, then usual." She sighed.
Arinna smiled, nodding, "Yes, I suppose you are right. Everything something new to worry about just pops up. For Elizabeth we got this Toaster guy-"
"Shredder." Nicole corrected.
"Right, Shredder, and his Foot ninjas. Which is weird."
"Right?" Nicole scoffed.
"Then of course there is Elizabeth being a child." Arinna said.
Nicole was confused, "What does that have to do with anything?"
Arinna frowned, "For a person practicing medicine, I would think you had the brains to figure out that child services might become an issue at some point."
"Oohhh." Nicole winced, "Right. What would they do?"
"They might try to take her away." Arinna sighed.
"Like hell I would let them do that." Nicole narrowed her eyes. Arinna was shocked to see such a protective growl come forth from her friend's throat. It made her smile. "Even if they do, we could just adopt her."
"Adoption is a tough process. They have to do back ground checks, they'll stop by at random. Normally, I say it wouldn't be a problem, but we aren't exactly living alone." Arinna added.
"Oh… right. Plus, they will want to know how she ended up alone. Her telling them that she was forced into a sense of slavery by a man that sounds like a kitchen tool might not fly well with them." Nicole grumbled, glaring at the ceiling. "How about this? We forget child services and just say Elizabeth is my niece that is staying with me for… y'know, forever."
"Does you brother have any children?" Arinna inquired.
"No."
"Don't you think people who know that might get confused?" Arinna raised an eye brow.
"Technicalities. You know I'm not sociable and the only friend I have that knows my brother is you. Agatha doesn't even really know I have a brother." She grinned.
"You are really insistent on this, aren't you?" Arinna smiled.
"…Am not."
"Yes you are." The two jumped when Michelle walked into the kitchen, a Cheshire grin on her face.
"Ever heard of knocking?" Nicole demanded.
"Knock knock." Michelle says sarcastically.
"Who's there?" Nicole says. Michelle blinks, not expecting her to take in seriously.
"Uh… Iva?"
"Iva who?" Nicole seemed pleased with the turn of the conversation. Arinna on the other hand, look horrified, desperately motioning for Michelle to not finish the sentence.
"I have a soar hand from knocking." Michelle finished, shocked when Nicole suddenly burst into a fit of giggles. She hadn't expected her to like the joke so much.
"Michelle…" Arinna whispered in dread, "What have you done? You've awoken the beast! Do you know how long it too me to get her past this.
"Hey. Hey Michelle." Nicole shifted her seat like an excited child, "Where does the sheep go to get his hair cut?"
"No…" Arinna groaned.
"Uh… where?' Michelle inquired.
"The baaa baaa shop." Nicole snorted. Picasso and Sebastian were staring at her, confused to why she was making sheep noises.
"…Haha." She laughed awkwardly. "That was a good one Nicole."
"Wait, wait, I got another. What do you call a deer with no eyes?"
"…I do not know Nicole. What?" Michelle slowly frowned, sensing the dread Arinna mentioned earlier.
"No eye deer." Nicole through her head back with a fit of laughter "Oh! Oh! This one is a really good one. What do you call cheese that's not yours?"
"…" Neither of the girls spoke.
"It's Nacho cheese! Hahahahaha!"
"I am starting to see what you meant Arinna." Michelle said.
"I tried to warn you." Arinna rose to her feet. "I'm going to leave before this gets worse." Scooping up Picasso and Sebastian, she shuffled out of the room.
"Oh-hoho." Nicole whipped a tear from her eye. "Can't beat those classic jokes."
"….Right." Michelle said through gritted teeth, sitting down. "Those aside, how is your knee?"
"Yeah, I'm good." She paused, smirking, "I just knee-ded, a break."
"I am really regretting coming to see you today." Michelle sighed.
"Nicole the pun master can not be tamed!" Nicole chanted. As she laughed, Michelle groaned, making herself a quick piece of toast. When it was finished with, she glanced at Elizabeth and Leather Head.
"How is she doing?"
"She is getting along with Leather Head great." Nicole says, "Had a few nightmares, but that is probably to be expected. A little jumpy sometimes too. Took my legs out yesterday because she thought I snuck up on her."
"Ooh." Michelle winced.
"Yeah, wasn't fun. She turned into a bawling mess after that, apologizing for hours. Even woke me up in the middle of the night to say it again."
"She is sweet."
"Yeah. Things would be a lot better if we knew what the Foot planned to do after this. I want to hope Leather Head scared them off for good, but who knows. Just because they might know where she is doesn't mean they won't come looking for her."
Michelle lowered her head at that, nodding. "Yeah, I understand the feeling."
Nicole was shocked, "You do?"
"I mean-" Michelle panicked. "I feel as though I understand what it must feel like. The fear I mean. No one would want to be chased by bad people." She covered for herself quickly. Nicole took note of that, wondering what secrets Michelle still hid from them.
But a secret is a secret for a reason. Sometimes it is just painful to talk about the past.
"Okay then." She finished her coffee, "For now, we're leaving things as they are."
"So, you are keeping her?" Michelle inquired.
"…Yeah." She nodded.
"Are you positive? You are usually so against Arinna bringing home things she finds on the street."
"I'm against her bringing home Mutants, because she has brought home a lot and they could mean danger. This is different." Nicole said quickly, trying to get out of the topic.
"UH-huh." Michelle smirked. "Cause a girl being chased by a giant group of ninja's isn't dangerous at all."
"Take your sass Michelle, and stick it back in your pocket." The other glared.
She giggled, "Well, I am glad either way. Elizabeth is a sweet girl."
"She is." Nicole agreed.
"What will you do if those people from before come after her again?" Michelle frowned, looking worried. Nicole narrowed her eyes, glancing at the window.
"Then I'll beat them up." She answered simply.
"I do not believe you can-" Michelle began to say, but cut herself at the determined and dark look Nicole was giving her.
"I won't let this girl be taken away again Michelle. They'll have to kill me before I let that happen."
"Nicole…" Michelle grinned, "That sounded almost Fatherly."
"…Fatherly?" Nicole questioned, a sour tone in her voice. "What do you mean by that?"
"Well, you seem to dislike being called Mother, so I figured being a Father figure might please you instead." She said innocently. "Just a thought though."
"I will throw this cup at you Michelle." Nicole lifted it high.
Michelle broke into a sprint for the door, "The great woman of Britain makes her daring escape!"
"While the angry America woman chases her with a vengeful rage!" Nicole leapt over the table in hot pursuit.
"No running in the apartment!" Arinna screamed at them.
That thing at the beginning of the chapter on writers, I felt like flippin' smeagol as I wrote that. XD
Anyway, yes, it is true. I've updated. And I will continue to try and update.
For now, I end this chapter with this. THE ELIZABETH ARC IS DONE.
But don't think everything is over. We all know Shredder doesn't like to be made a fool of.
The Foot will return, as will a blast for Elizabeth's past. You can't believe that she just told them everything now, do you? No, even a 5 year old has their secrets.
Speaking of secrets, Michelle has some of her own, doesn't she?
Yes, secrets and lies, what all great stories are filled with. But! We must move onto our next ARC! All the while getting to know our characters a bit more.
The Arc is titled...
Jake Brookfield