Chapter 25: Nerds

"Uhm, Jenna?" Arna said hesitantly with a raised finger, she was attempting to peer over a pile of books that surrounded a very pleasant nerd who was reading and writing a table by themselves about two stories up in the library.

Raph had his arms crossed unpleasantly as he was not interested in the fact of nerds and bookworms, and Mikey like always was dumbfounded and still amazed out by the interior of the building.

"Yeah!?" Jenna remarked somewhat loudly as she perked herself up to look at who was calling her from behind the pile of books, Mikey immediately fell back frightened by her sudden shout and her appearance.

Jenna was a somewhat thin croc like mutant with very unique clothing and gear, just like your typical researcher that wore all kinds of nerdy and researching tools.

She wore some odd reading glasses that made her eyes look squinty and evil looking, this somewhat frightened the small group, though it frightened Mikey the most apparently.

"Oh sorry." Jenna said, removing the glasses from her eyes. "Can I help you?" She added confusingly.

Arna gave a small subtle sigh, "We're here hoping you could help us find someone, two as a matter of fact."

Jenna raised an eyebrow somewhat sternly, Arna heard that Jenna requested difficult requirements when it came to information in regards to finding someone. It was late and Jenna wasn't entirely intrigued at the moment as she was currently overwhelmed and busy with the pile of books all around her.

"Elder Marwin sent us." Raph angrily remarked. Jenna glared at Raph and checked him over, as a matter of fact, she looked them all over and didn't seem interested.

"Come back here in the morning and I'll talk, doesn't matter what time." Jenna remarked sternly as she lowered herself back under the books, putting her glasses back on. They clearly weren't going to get anywhere now, not until morning it seemed.

Raph was about to start a public tantrum and throw a fit at Jenna, he was being very impatient since they arrived here. Arna had to grab and drag him to prevent him from doing so, she didn't want to start any drama or cause any damage that could ruin the possibility to come back and get answers if she wouldn't give them now, plus, they needed the rest.

After a while of walking back and having to drag Mikey along considering he wanted to do more games, they finally arrived back at the Motel. Arna couldn't help but too smile widely when they opened the door to the room, April, Leo and Donnie were all passed out on the couch together, and Casey didn't seem like he'd woken up at all as he still continued to snore away on the floor.

"Seems the bed is mine now!" Mikey laughed happily as he jumped onto it, Raph only kicked him off with a smirk on his face. "Knock it off!" Arna growled lowly at the two fighting over the bed spot, she didn't want to wake the others.

"You two just share it, it's a large bed." Arna said sternly as the two sat down on the bed and immediately stopped, Arna would sleep on the ground like Casey, she was a fox afterall and could easily curl up and make herself comfortable.

After a while, the two brothers fell asleep together on the bed. Arna was curled up on the floor against the wall and she perked her head slightly and glanced around at everyone, Jogo let out a tiny meow.

She instantly reacted to Jogo's small meow and directed her look towards it, Jogo was curled up on Leo's lap and staring directly at Arna with her head and ears perked.

Arna only smiled as she also seemed to notice a small smile on Jogo's little feline face. "You're happy too, huh." Arna remarked softly, Jogo rested herself back down after what Arna said and went back to sleep.

Letting out a small sigh, Arna rested herself back down as well. They both had nothing, no one for a while, and the sudden appearance of this small group of teenagers and encountering them sure did make her happy as they immediately accepted her assistance to this day.

She had people to care about again, people to interact with, people to call, friends. Both Arna and Jogo were happy to have met the turtles and humans that day, though she was sad as well, they were currently trying to find a way back home, and she would help with that all the way through, she didn't have anything important or left to do anyway.

Sunrise was approaching, Casey was the first to wake up as he tiredly let out a large yawn and looked around at everyone who was still passed out. "Weird… I'm normally the last to wake up… or Mikey." Casey mumbled lowly, everyone was clearly exhausted, either not getting enough sleep, or was up late last night.

Mikey suddenly let out a frightened yelp and fell off the side of the bed with a large thud, which spooked Arna awake as she immediately jumped frightened and looked around worriedly. "What?! What was that!?" She whimpered hesitantly and then relaxed realizing the situation.

Leo jumped frighteningly awake as well, as it practically sounded like something crashing loudly through the ground. Leo's sudden jump, spooked both Jogo and April awake, though April didn't react much as she only slightly lifted her head and glanced over in Mikey's direction.

Mikey shot upward with wide eyes, "Sorry! I had a weird dream…" Mikey exclaimed hesitantly, but also innocently as he didn't mean to wake just about all of them up.

Donnie and Raph slept through it like babies as they both were still passed out snoring away, Jogo stretched letting out a large yawn herself.

Leo had a somewhat tight grip on April's shoulder as his one arm was around her, she practically used him as a pillow somewhat while Donnie used April as a pillow himself.

April removed her arm around Donnie as it felt numb a bit too and directed her attention to Leo who clearly was in pain because of his injuries, he had immediately slumped over and grasped his side, this told her the pain had surely returned after Marol's little power help had faded fully now.

"It's ok Mikey, it happens." Arna remarked as stretched, they all could see the sunlight slowly coming through the window, which meant they all were able to sleep throughout the night.

"Now that you two are awake, best I tell you." Arna added as she directed her attention to Leo and April.

Leo glanced up somewhat painfully, he was starting to take April's word for it, maybe he did need to rest, the pain felt worse than before that it was starting to become somewhat unbearable, though he endured it. He wasn't going to be idly sitting and resting away when only god knows if Xen is dead or not, she was considered family for what she has done to help and aid them, let alone accept their help, she honestly wouldn't have been able to do it alone.

Now that Leo thought it over, there really was no rush to find a way back home, to earth. There was nothing left there for them, their home, destroyed, Splinter, dead.

"We found Jenna at the public library in downtown, she wants us to meet her today back there, doesn't matter when she says." Arna explained as she also directed her attention at Casey.

"Library? Wicked!" Casey said with excitement, only to have Arna walk up to him sternly and smack him upside the head. "Not everything is wicked here." Arna growled seriously at him.

"Leo… you really should-" April began, only to be cut off by him. "I'm fine." Leo growled weakly, April instantly gave him a serious stern look and tightened her grip on him to grasp his attention, "No you're not." she growled at him, being serious like an angry mother.

Leo's grip on her shoulder loosened, he had a gentle concerned look in his eyes as he looked at her directly and that made her immediately feel bad for becoming aggressive, though he knew she was just being protective over his well being.

"We find Xen, then we rest." Leo remarked as he removed his arm around her and slumped back down, April also lost everything back on earth, there was nothing there for her anymore either, same with Casey.

April developed a sad look on her face, she quickly realized what he was getting at and thinking now, the clearness that there was no rush after finding Xen.

Letting out a small sigh, April stood up with a stretch. "Alright then, wake these two up and let's go." April said with an unamused look on her face. "Are you sure?" Arna questioned her, "It's only just beginning to be morning." She added.

April could tell Arna was probably referring to the fact Jenna might not be there this early, either way, they would be there waiting when she did arrive if she was or wasn't. "Who knows, she probably goes there early and leaves late at night. Plus, we'll be there waiting for her if she isn't." April stated seriously.

Arna sighed but nodded in agreement, "Mikey, you're waking up Raph." Arna smirked at him, she wasn't going to, plus he was the on who woke just about everyone up as is. "Whaaatt…!?" Mikey sobbed as he frighteningly looked at Raph who was snoring peacefully away on the bed still.

April turned to face Leo who looked up at her with a semi surprised look, he didn't think she would accept what he said so quickly and would only disapprove and argue with him more, trying to persuade him

She knew he clearly was not going to rest, let alone take it easy, arguing was going to get nowhere if she resulted towards it and being negative and she immediately already realized this, so she had no choice but to just accept it, she offered her hand out to help him up.

"Until we find Xen, right. Until then, at least let me assist you." April somewhat implored with a gentle look on her face and a small smile.

Jogo had already jumped off Leo's lap with another stretch as she landed on the floor softly without a sound, she trotted her way towards the door and waited patiently to leave.

Leo with a contented look only smiled with a small sigh, accepting her offer. She reflected Splinter very well, she wasn't just full of surprises but also resonated optimism and tried to keep them all in high spirits with her words. They all were in the same boat, they all had lost everything and maybe here was the best place to start something new, it seemed he would have to accept the past and move on after all and move on, but first they had to find Xen.

"Aww, Casey you do it!" Mikey sobbed seriously. "What, no way man!" Casey growled as he hid behind Arna who didn't entirely care at all, "You two are such babies." Arna sarcastically stated.

April woke up Donnie pretty easily and told him about the situation and plans, Mikey let out a large scream as he was thrown across the room by Raph when he managed to wake him up, though it was like waking up an angry bear.

Arna had a somewhat frightened expression as she watched Mikey get thrown, "This is normal…?" Arna questioned hesitantly, knowing why the two were so afraid now.

No one replied, everyone only had an unamused expression on their faces and that's all she needed as it was remarked towards a yes. Mikey stood up with a hand behind his head and sobbed, "It's usually me or Leo that wakes him up when we have to." Mikey softly sobbed.

Arna glanced at Donnie who seemed to sit out the most usually, and got less attention sometimes. Donnie noticed this and only gave her a confused look, "And what about you?" Arna questioned him as she pointed.

Donnie tilted his head confusingly, "Uhh, I'm usually the second to last to wake up… April and Leo are the early birds. Sometimes it varies with me and Mikey to wake up last."

Arna only slumped her finger down, she wasn't entirely referring to the sleep pattern of who woke up first or last, more so why he got less attention, though, so did Casey and Mikey. Arna realized they were more like the odd one's out, like a, B team.

Arna didn't correct him or herself and just stayed silent, Raph let out a yawn and stood up. "We are going or what?" Raph growled questionably.

That was their que, now that everyone was awake, it was go time. They didn't have to worry about too much activity in the streets at this early time of day, everyone was pretty much asleep and the festival was only active when it started to get dark.

The Library was always open, twenty-four seven. Arna was the one to pay and give back the keys to the clerk for renting out the room for the night before they all headed out and left for the library.

Surprisingly enough, Arna was right about the streets being less active as they all walked towards downtown, Mikey was somewhat disappointed there were no active game stands during the morning, not even one.

Once they all approached the Library, everyone but Arna, Leo, Raph and Mikey were amazed at the sight of the building, how large it was, like a castle that amazed Raph and Mikey when they first saw it. Leo didn't care, he was never too fond of famous castle looking places, let alone any fancy place, something he got used to for living in the sewers his whole life.

Arna became surprised when they entered the building, getting a better view of where Jenna last was during the night, April was right about her being here early and leaving late at night. Jenna was sitting in the exact same spot, still piled up with books, studying and reading away.

"Jenna." Arna remarked sternly to get her attention as the group stood in front of her and her pile. Jenna perked her head up over the pile with a somewhat unamused expression on her face as she recognized the voice quickly.

"Welcome back!" Jenna remarked as she removed her glasses with a small smirk on her face, this confused everyone, though her studying them with her eyes confused them even more, more creeped them out.

"So, are you going to help us find who we're looking for? You said you would talk." Arna questioned her hesitantly. Jenna only had a small smirk on her face, "Sure, but it'll cost you."

Arna tilted her head slightly and raised an eye, "How much?" Jenna glanced at her then at Donnie, "You two must be the nerds of the group." Both Arna and Donnie glanced at each other then back at Jenna with confused expressions.

Mikey giggled a bit, "Who's the strongest of us then?" He questioned, realising this Jenna seemed to guess or know their current positions.

Jenna raised an eye, "You should know that, I shouldn't have to answer that for you." She stated seriously. Everyone instantly had eyes on Leo, Leo immediately widened his eyes and hesitated, "Seriously?! Again?!"

Jenna laughed, "No no no, not just him." She pointed at both Leo and April, this made everyone confused except Arna and Leo who instantly had a stern look on his face. "They don't know, do they." Jenna smirked.

"Leo, what does she mean?" Raph growled seriously, wanting answers. Leo only glared and stared down Jenna seriously, so much for keeping April's powers a secret for a while until she could learn to control and use it. He didn't want to fear or worry the others, let alone put April at risk.

"April has psychotic abilities." Leo remarked angrily, not taking his angry eyes off Jenna who only smirked. "Woah, you mean?!" Casey began, "Telekinesis and Telepathy." Leo added sternly.

"That's wicked!" Casey shouted excitedly, "Oh for the love of-" Arna began but only stopped herself with an annoyed sigh.

"Why didn't you tell us beforehand?" Donnie questioned sadly, he didn't like being left in the dark. "We didn't want to worry or scare you guys… and I figured you guys would fear me…" April remarked sadly as she looked down.

"You don't know how to control it…" Donnie added, April nodded. Donnie only smiled, "Why would you think that." April glanced up at him in confusement.

It wasn't just Leo who wanted to keep it a secret, but she did as well, in fact she asked him too as well as Arna. It wasn't that she just didn't want to scare the others, but she feared accidentally hurting them if she ended up losing control at some point. And Donnie seemed to understand this immediately with the gentle smile he gave her of understandment and appeal.

"April, just like Leo and Arna, we accept who you are. Whether you have powers or not, you're family after all, and our sister." Donnie stated with a smile on his face, April knew he tended to start talking randomly and babble, but he wasn't wrong as he seemed very serious with what he just said, not only that. Raph also agreed and so did the others as they all had smiles on their faces and directed at her.

April directed her sorrowful happy expression at Leo who was peering at her with a gentle and ease look, "You knew…" April sobbed lightly, he knew they would accept her whether she had dangerous powers or not, it was herself they cared about, not her powers, but he still chose to keep it secret for her despite knowing it.

Even if April thought of herself as someone weak and pathetic, it still didn't change the fact she still helped them through some of the toughest times to this point right now.

Leo gave a subtle sigh as he directed a continued stern look at Jenna who still continued to smirk throughout the whole thing, "How did you even know?" Leo growled, he wasn't happy at all.

"Trust me boy, I know everything. I know about Dragor, I know about your friend Xen that you're trying to find, not knowing if she's dead or alive. I know about your powers, April. I know you're injured, Leo." Jenna stated, leaving them all in amazement except Leo who was beginning to become pissed, though he held back.

Jenna chuckled lightly "Now, You two must search for a jewelry piece, it's a necklace, made out of pure gold and has an owl symbol on it. Somewhere in this library, or out in the festival, you will find it. The other's can help you, sure, but you're the smart one's, no?"

Jenna was clearly directing her attention at Arna and Donnie, she had an amused look on her face that creeped them out. "We have all the time, right?" Donnie questioned her, hoping they weren't on some kind of timer and then having to end up at a dead end with no information or directions.

"Sure, but unless you wanna help him, I suggest you hurry." Jenna stated with a returned smirk on her face, "Him?" Arna questioned confusingly. Everyone instantly directed their attention at Leo, he suddenly wailed painfully and collapsed onto his knees and arm, using his free one and grasping his side tightly as he cried.

"Leo!" April immediately was already down with him as she hugged him to comfort him, "Damn you!" Raph growled angrily, he knew already that Jenna was causing Leo's pain with his two broken ribs.

Mikey and Casey had to hold back Raph with how pissed he became and wanted to attack Jenna instantly. Jenna had a grin on her face, "I wonder how long he can endure it. Here's your hint, around every corner, someone is watching."

Arna worriedly glanced down at Leo behind her, he was trying hard to endure and bare with the overwhelming and excruciating pain that Jenna was most likely causing him with magic, she heard rumors, Jenna was very powerful with magic and she tended to enjoy games just as much as she did studying and learning.

With their luck, whatever she was doing to Leo, it was most likely killing him, not just causing immense pain. Arna knew then and there she and Donnie had no choice but to play this unforgivable game of hers, not just for Leo's sake, but to also find Xen.