Hi guys! The wedding was absolutely wonderful and I am truly happily married. I am very glad to be back with a new chapter for you. So this is both a transition chapter and the first chapter of my reimagination of "Epidemic!" Probably not the best chapter out there. This is more of a filler chapter. But you'll get a glimpse of what Wilbur and Lily did in the summer and how their first days of school went. But, I pray you'll enjoy this chapter!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything related to "TMNT" nor "Meet the Robinsons". I own Karena, Lilianna, Ryan, Venus, and Athena.


June 12, 2039 – Todayland, North Montana, USA

WILBUR'S POV

"Oh, Wilbur! You didn't have to!"

"Oh, come on, Karr! You know I love you to the moon and back."

I pulled my girlfriend in for a kiss, and then I drove the blue Time Machine into the garage. After I parked, I grabbed Karena, carried her bridal style, and jumped out of the time machine.

"Umm, Wilbur, is someone in your family having company?"

I turned my head towards her in confusion.

"What? What are you talking about?"

Karena pointed to the car next to the time machine. I put her down and rubbed my neck. I knew it didn't belong to any of us, and I knew it was not Donatello's rental. The car was dark blue, and I was more confused than before as I scratched my black head.

"Did any of us get a new car?" I asked out loud.

"Happy Birthday, little buddy!"

I felt someone hugging me from behind. I looked down to see gold limbs belonging to Carl, the only being in the house who would call me 'little buddy.'

"Okay, Carl, that's enough," I said, struggling to be released. "And besides, my birthday was a month ago. Unless somehow someone altered the timelines and I now have two birthdays."

Karena giggled at that.

"Well, your parents forgot to give you something," Carl explained with a smile.

"Happy Birthday, sweetie."

Carl let me go, and Karena and I turned around to see my parents walking into the garage.

"Thanks, but like I told Carl, my birthday was last month."

"We couldn't pull this surprise off until you and Karena went to New York," Dad explained.

"Wait, are you saying…?"

I trailed off, walking over to the navy blue flying car. I traced the hood, and then I opened it. I hopped in. On the passenger seat was a note. I started reading it.

"Wilbur, we're sorry you're just now receiving your birthday present. The car was Karena's idea, and the entire family pitched in to buy it for you. We wanted to surprise you while you were in New York with the Turtles. This will come in handy as you will be very busy heading into your last years of high school and then off to college. We love you very much. Happy Birthday. Mom & Dad."

I was crying when I finished reading the note.

"Wilbur, are you okay?" Karena asked.

I wiped my tears away, turned toward Karena, Carl, and my parents, and put a smile on my face.

"Thank you all so much."

"Just be careful while you drive," Dad replied. "That is all I'm asking from you."

"Now that's a promise I can keep," I said with a wink. "Karena, you wanna go for a drive with me?"

"I'd love to, but I have to go to work. You go and have fun!"

I let out a sigh, my smile disappearing.

"Wilbur, what's wrong?" Karena asked.

"You know who would love to take a drive?" I asked, and Karena gave me a curious look. "Lily. She loves exploring places. I don't doubt she'd do that once she has her own car."


North Hampton, New York, USA

LILIANNA'S POV

I turned on the portable speaker my dad made and gave me for my birthday, and then I searched for a song called Gypsy on my T-Phone. I set the phone and the speaker down on a tree stump. I was all alone in the middle of the woods, wearing an emerald green dress with thick straps and the skirt down to my knees. My long copper-red hair was down and full of curls, and I wore a green headband to match the dress.

I pushed play on the song, and I seductively walked back to my starting position right on the beat. When the oboe started to play, I started to dance. Remembering everything I had learned so far rom the Irish dancing videos I had been watching the last two weeks, as well as the ninjutsu skills I had attained all my life, I twirled lightly on my toes and moved my arms like the wind was guiding me. I pretended to be Morrighan the Temptress, dancing the way she danced with the squirrels, birds, and deer as my audience. I had combined the two performances Gillian Norris did as Morrighan on the "Lord of the Dance" and "Feet of Flames" movies. I felt very light throughout the three minutes of dancing, and there were times I felt like I was flying, especially when I made a leap of faith.

I finished dancing to the song by placing my hands over my head and then dropping them to my sides in a dramatic fashion. When the song started to play again, I twirled and leapt over to the tree stump to stop the music. I searched my T-Phone and found the very song Uncle Leo and Auntie Karai danced to on their Wedding Day: Fiery Nights. I did the same seductive walk after I pushed play. The dancing I did to this song when the saxophone started to play was similar to Gillian Norris' dancing on "Lord of the Dance." I kicked my right leg high in the air and dropped it back down to the ground. I pulled my arms back as I walked forward on the beat, and then I thrust both my body and my hands in front of me. I crisscrossed my hands, and then I brought them back to frame my face. I kicked my left leg up and down, crossing it in front of my right leg. After a few beats, I repeated this with my right leg. I did this one more time on the left leg, and then I did some footwork, doing the same dancing I did with the song Gypsy. The difference was that I added the twirling moves Gillian did on "Feet of Flames." At some point in the first half of the song, I even made a few steps on a free and back-flipped off it.

I continued to dance seductively and lightly until I sensed my father's presence. Right on the beat where the music key changed, I walked back to my T-Phone and turned the music off. My father, Donatello Hamato, now had my undivided attention.

"What's up, Dad?"

"Where did you learn to dance like that?" Dad asked with a half-smile.

"I've been watching videos and taking lessons on YouTube," I answered with a smile. "I can't believe I didn't know of this until now."

"Is that why your hair is in curls?"

"Yes. You've brought out the Japanese side of me, Dad. Now I'm learning about my Irish side."

"Personally, I prefer your hair straightened, but it's your hair."

"Dad, I know you didn't come out here to the woods to compliment me on my hair and my dancing. Did I blow off chores again?"

"Yes!" Dad answered, now with anger in his voice. "And may I ask why you blew them off?"

"Well, you wanted me to resume my old life, so I did," I explained, putting my curly hair in a hair tie. "I used to run off into the woods, so I did."

"Okay, Lily, the difference is you had always done your chores before running off and exercising. Today, I noticed your room wasn't clean and the dishes weren't done. And this is not the first time, nor was this the second time."

My dad let out a frustrated sigh.

"Go back to the house and do your chores, please. If you run into the woods again without doing your chores, you're going to be grounded."

"Dad, I'm not ten anymore. I don't need to be treated like a little kid."

My dad took a deep breath, held it, and then let it out. I saw a stern expression on his face. I had a glare on my face, fully aware that I had been blowing my chores off ever since I returned to New York.

"Okay, first of all, that was rude and uncalled for," Dad sternly told me, putting his hands on his hips. "You may not be a small child anymore, but you are still my daughter who will not be an adult for another three years. Second of all, I don't know where your attitude is coming from, but I do not appreciate you talking back to me. You've been doing this for days, so now you need to knock it off. Third, if you don't want to be treated like a kid, then stop talking back to me and do as you are told. Be responsible for your thoughts and your actions. If you say or do the wrong thing, you will pay for it at the end. Is that understood?"

I continued to glare at my dad and did a firm nod. My dad let out another sigh, his anger washing away.

"Lily, I've always treated you like you were older because you are a smart girl. You inherited your genius from me and you inherited your psychic powers from your mom. I have never expected less from you. But your reactions lately have been getting ridiculous. Now, please go back to the house and do your chores. Then we'll go to the lair afterwards."

I let out a sigh, my own anger washing over me.

"Yes, sir."


APRIL'S POV

I drove my motorcycle on this warm summer day with a smile on my face. I had another successful shift at Channel 6 News, and I was more than excited to train with my family in the lair today. When I reached the secret entrance, I pushed the button on a remote my husband gave me. The entrance opened up, and I rode into the sewers. I continued to ride, enjoying every moment with laughter. Then, I parked my motorcycle outside the garage next to the Party Wagon my husband drove.

I got off, took my helmet off, and walked around to the entrance. I found my nieces and nephew watching Crognard the Barbarian on the television. My smile turned into a concerned frown, as my daughter was not among them.

"Hey, guys," I greeted them.

"Hi, Aunt April," the three children greeted me, their eyes still glued to the television.

"Rough day, huh?"

"Yeah, Uncle Donnie and Lily came in and Lily just stormed off," Athena, Michelangelo's daughter, explained.

"Lily stormed off?" I repeated. "That's not like her. Do you know where she is?"

"Probably either Uncle Donnie's lab or his bedroom," Ryan answered.

"Thank you."

I turned left and walked into Donnie's lab. I found my husband working on the Shellraiser.

"Hey, Donnie," I greeted him.

"Hey, April," he replied, not taking his eyes off the vehicle.

"Gee, is everyone gloomy today?" I asked. "Athena told me Lily stormed off."

"Lily won't talk to me," Donnie replied with ice in his voice. "She was quiet the entire trip."

I now carried a look of surprise on my face.

"That's not like our little girl," I replied with sadness in my voice. "What happened?"

"Why don't you ask your daughter?"

"My daughter? D, she's just as much your daughter as she is mine."

"Right now, she's your daughter. Right now, I'm just Donatello."

I let out a sigh.

"Donnie, what's wrong? You're important too, you know."

Donatello quickly turned around, carrying a stern expression on his face.

"Lilianna blew off her chores again. And guess what she told me? That she doesn't need to be treated like a little kid!"

He grunted in anger.

"I am fully aware that she is not a little girl anymore, but it doesn't mean she can act like one. I am tired of this, April. Why can't life be normal again?"

I let out a sigh.

"Life hasn't been normal for any of us since she's been kidnapped," I told him, putting my hand on his shoulder. "Let me try talking to her. Let me see if I can get into her mind a little."

"Please, because I feel like giving up."

Donnie turned his head to his left. I placed my right hand on his left cheek and turned his amber eyes back towards my blue ones.

"D, don't ever give up on the people you love. Thank you for never giving up on me. Please don't give up on our daughter. She's a teenager. She's probably going through a phase. I'll figure out what is going on."

I planted a kiss on his lips, and he returned it. I left the lab and went his old room. I knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" Lily asked.

"It's Mom. May I come in?"

The door opened to reveal my daughter wearing curls in her hair. I smiled. She was so beautiful.

"You look pretty today," I complimented her. "Bringing out your Irish side?"

"Yeah, I'm trying to," Lily replied.

"How are you doing?"

"I'm fine. I just need to be alone for a bit."

I sensed something was off with her answer as she walked back to the bed and sat on it. I sat down with her.

"Dad told me about what happened. What's your side of the story?"

"Well, Dad keeps talking to me about how happy he is that life is finally back to normal now that I'm back in New York for good," Lily explained. "At first, I did do my chores, and then I ran into the woods to exercise, like I always have. One day, I decided that chores could wait, and I just took off running. Dad caught me in the woods. He told me that it was not like me to do that and that I wasn't going to be punished. Mom, I still feel like a child."

"So you kept on disobeying your father by blowing off your chores?" I asked. "That's not being responsible and accountable, Lily."

"Oh, and then there's this whole talk about how I'm the new leader of the Hamato Clan and that I need to be more responsible," Lily continued with ice in her voice. "Mom, I've been the leader for two weeks, and I hate it!"

My heart sank.

"Maybe Ryan was right all along," Lily said angrily. "Maybe being leader isn't for me. I've been so stressed ever since I came back, because now I'm trying to be this perfect child for you, Dad, and Uncle Leo. It's not FAIR!"

Lily started to cry, and I frowned.

"Lily, come here."

I put my right arm around my daughter and pulled her into my chest.

"I'm so sorry you feel stressed," I soothed her. "Lily, no one is ever perfect. Not even your dad, and not even Uncle Leo. Your uncle tried so hard to be perfect when he first became leader. Do you know what he did?"

I felt Lily shaking her head.

"He would watch Space Heroes every day and mimic Captain Ryan all the time. He thought he needed to be like someone else to be the perfect leader. But one day, the Kraang came to try to invade our world. Master Splinter gave Uncle Leo some advice about sacrifice, and he didn't need Captain Ryan to inspire him to sacrifice himself to finish the mission. Uncle Leo followed his heart. He put the world's needs over his own, and that's why he was a very effective leader. He wasn't perfect, but he always thought of the best plans that would help everyone in the long run."

I paused, stroking her red hair.

"Daddy and I never asked you to be perfect, Lilianna. We love you just the way you are, our imperfect girl. You're a teenager now. And there will be times when you will feel pressured to be perfect. But if the entire world was perfect, then the world would be a very boring place to live in, wouldn't it?"

Lily glanced up at me with glassy eyes.

"The only one who tells you to be perfect is you. Lily, just be yourself. Be yourself, and you too, will be an effective leader."

Lily wiped her tears away.

"I'll talk to your father about what you've told me, okay?"

"Mom, no. I need to do that. This is my problem. But could you come and talk with us?"

"I can do that," I answered with a smile.

I followed Lily out of the bedroom, and then I led her to the lab.

"Hey, Donnie," I greeted my husband again.

"Hey, April," he replied, not taking his eyes off the Shellraiser. "How's Lily doing?"

"I'll be fine, Dad," she answered.

Donatello stopped what he was doing, took off his welding mask, and turned towards us with concern on his face.

"May we talk, Dad?" Lily asked, walking towards him.

"Sure. What's on your mind?"

Lily let out a sigh.

"I wanted to say I'm sorry I blew off chores all this time. Ever since we got back to New York and my being pledged as the new leader, I've been stressed."

"Stressed?" Donnie replied with worry in his voice. "How come?"

"Ever since you gave me the talk about being more responsible because I'm the leader of the clan, I've felt that I needed to be absolutely perfect. That I have to be perfect for you, for Mom, for Uncle Leo, and for all my cousins."

Lily broke down and sobbed, putting her head in her hands. Donnie now had a compassionate frown on his face.

"Oh, Lily, come here."

Donnie held his arms out. Lily walked over to him, and he held her in his arms as she sobbed into his plastron.

"Hey, shh, it's okay," Donnie soothed her, rubbing her back. "Daddy's got you."

I continued to watch them bond before they broke the hug. Donnie caressed Lily's right cheek with his left hand and let out a soft laugh.

"Lily, I am so sorry. The thought of you being perfect was not what I was expecting you to get out of that conversation. We were both angry. You had broken a promise you had made the first time and I grounded you because of that."

"I hate being the oldest cousin, Dad," Lily replied through tears. "And I hate being the leader."

"So did Uncle Leo, honey," Donnie said, now with a smile on his face. "You will have bad days sometimes, and that is okay. Those bad days help us become who we will be. And they also show that you are not perfect, and you never will be. I mean, look at me! There are days where I felt that I needed to be a human and to fix my teeth to marry your mom. I felt that I needed to be the perfect engineer and have every possible solution for Uncle Leo's missions. But let me teach you one important phrase: Do or do not. There is no try."

Lily let out a sarcastic laugh.

"You laugh now, but listen," Donnie continued. "If the word try ever enters your mind, then you are immediately doubting yourself. You are trying so hard to be the perfect leader, and here you are doubting yourself and saying you hate it. And I have a feeling you are telling yourself to be perfect. You are going to fall short every time because we are all imperfect beings. Only Jesus is perfect. So, instead of trying to be the perfect leader, just be a good, respectful leader. And you already are, Lily."

Our daughter looked up at him, again with glassy eyes.

"Look at all you've accomplished this past year," Donnie encouraged her with a confident grin. "You never gave up finding us, and there was no trying involved. You always knew you were going to be reunited with us after you escaped the Magician's grasp. You adapted, and you completed your vision quest, again with no trying involved. You had the guts to drive a flying car by yourself all the way to Los Angeles from Todayland, saved Karena's life, and activated a plan that benefited everybody in the family. And there was no trying involved. You were not trying to be an effective leader in Los Angeles. You were an effective leader, and that is why you have been pledged the leader of the Hamato Clan today. You are a leader, Lily. You do not have to try to be perfect, because perfection doesn't exist. Trust me, I've struggled with it for years. But then your mom accepted my marriage proposal and I just stopped trying to be perfect, because your mom accepted me for my imperfections. And you, Lilianna Mae, are our imperfect girl, and we would boldly lay down our lives for you. If you believe you can do something, then just do it. And that is why your mom and I decided to let you go back to Todayland for school."

Lily let out a gasp.

"Really?" She finally spoke.

"Really. It was clear that you enjoyed it there, and your mom is right. Your life will never go back to normal. I thought being back here for good would be good for you, but I am just now realizing how much Todayland has become a part of your life. If you believe your life is in Todayland, then that is where you should be. But promise me you'll never forget that we are your home."

"I promise, Daddy."

Lily hugged her father, breaking into tears again. This time, I approached them and joined in the hug.

"We love you so much, Lily," I told her.

"I love you too."

"If you ever get stressed, please talk to me or Dad. We are here for you no matter what."

I felt our daughter nodding her head on our chests, and we continued hugging for some time before heading for the dojo for a sparring session.


August 22, 2039 - Todayland, North Montana, USA

WILBUR'S POV

"Drama doesn't follow me, it rides on my back. I may be ugly, but they sure love to stare."

I groggily turned off my alarm and then groaned in disbelief as I got out of bed. Summer vacation was now over. A new school year, for me, starts in one hour, and I was dreading it.

I walked into my levitation platform and waited for it to lower me down to the bottom floor. I got into my closest and picked out the outfit I always wore on a first day of school: blue jeans, a dark blue T-shirt with an upside-down lightning bolt, a pair of white socks, and my black sneakers. After I got changed out of my blue pajamas, I combed my cowlick and sprayed it so it would stay still all day.

I pulled out my phone and turned on the camera. I looked at myself on the screen, and I smiled with content. Suddenly, the phone rang, and my girlfriend's face appeared on the screen. I could never say no to her calls, so I answered it.

"Hello?"

"Good morning, Wilbur."

"Good morning, Karr. How are you?"

"Well, I'm just about ready for my philosophy class. What about you?"

"I am and I'm not at the same time."

"Oh? Are you anxious?"

"Yeah, I am anxious. It's not just the first day of school that's gotten me down in the dumps. It's also the first day of school that I won't be meeting Lily there. We've become two peas in a pod, you know? And this time, she's staying in New York so her dad can teach her."

"I miss Lily and Donnie too, Wilbur. Actually, I'm taking Donnie's physics class this year, so at least I'll be hearing from him a few times a week."

"Now you've got me curious: what was Don like as a teacher? Was he everything you imagined him to be?"

"I was actually worried that people would drop out of his classes just because of his appearance. But Donnie was the most inspiring teacher I've ever had. If I wasn't inspired to be a teacher before, he's definitely motivated me to keep going on that path. He had a different piece of advice for every student and was always attentive to their needs. Who knows? Maybe you'll have Donnie as a professor someday. Are you still thinking of going to Todayland University?"

"Yes, I am. I would be amazed if Don is still a professor there by then."

"Donatello is only 42. He's got a long way to go still. And he's been teaching for over twenty years."

"I cannot imagine being in one place for twenty years," I replied, shaking my head as I walked out of my room and headed for the dining room.

"Well, if I was Donnie, I'd say the reason why staying there for twenty years is straightforward. He's got a family: a wife and a daughter, as well as three brothers, their wives, and their children."

There was a pause as I made the turn to continue to the dining room.

"Say, Wilbur, are you doing anything tonight?"

"No. Why?"

"I was wondering if you wanted to do something after my philosophy class tonight."

"I'm down," I answered with a smile. "What time?"

"How about five?"

"Five sounds good. Hey, I gotta go. I'm about to have breakfast."

"Okay, Wilbur. Just remember to relax, make good choices, and just have a good first day. It's a new year. I love you."

"I love you too, Karr. I'll see you tonight."

I hung up the phone and greeted my mom in the dining room.

"Good morning, sweetie," Mom greeted me with a smile.

"Morning, Mom," I replied, sitting down with peach pancakes in front of me. "Thanks for breakfast."

"You're welcome. Are you excited about the new school year?"

"I just wish Lily was here," I answered, taking a bite of my pancakes.

"We all wish Lily was able to stay here," Mom replied, sharing a comforting smile. "Lily seemed so happy here."

"You know, when Lily and I walked out of school for the final time a few months ago, she looked depressed. I think she wanted to stay after looking forward to being home for so long."

"Life is a very interesting experience, Wilbur. Something unexpected happens, and it changed your life in a way you never thought of. My miracle was you. I never thought I would be able to have you after so many years of trying to have a kid. You were truly the best thing to ever happen to me, and I would never change it for anything."

"I'm not sure being kidnapped was the best thing that's happened to Lily," I replied, my smile going away.

"Of course not. No one wants to be separated from their family. Honey, we did the best we could do for Lily, even finding a way for her to continue going to school here with her dad staying here with her. But her family is in New York, which is where she needs to be."

"Right, Mom."

I finished my pancakes and got up to prepare myself for my first day of school.

"I gotta go. It's a long walk from here."

"Wilbur, honey, you have your own car now, remember?"

I smacked my forehead, forgetting that my parents gave me a car for my sixteenth birthday.

"Right! My car."

I laughed sheepishly.

"I should... go back to my room to get my keys."

I took the travel tube back to my room to grab my keys from the desk. Once I got them, I took the travel tube to the garage and unlocked my navy blue flying car. I hopped in, turned the car on, and took off for Todayland High School. Deciding that I wanted to listen to a little music before getting there, I turned on the radio.

"Breaking news in the Land of Today. Twenty-one-year-old Jeanette Roland has been reported missing by her family in Calgary, North Montana. She was last seen driving to her first day of classes at Todayland University last week and has not been seen since. She is five feet seven inches and 135 pounds with brown hair. She was last seen wearing a purple dress. If you see her, please report to Todayland USA. Now, back to our classic 80s station."

I was concerned. Breaking news never happen in Todayland, especially a missing persons case. Hoping for once that the authorities would be able to find Jeanette, I drove on to school. I parked my car in the parking lot in the back of the school, grabbed my backpack, and walked inside around the band room and towards the cafeteria.

Before I could take the stairs to get to my locker on the second floor, I caught a quick glimpse in the spot where Lily and I would meet every morning. Before I could mourn her presence, I noticed someone in our spot. Curiosity kicked in, and I walked into the cafeteria instead. I walked to our spot to see who was in our spot. She had long red hair in curls and wore a purple blouse, black pants, and black ballet flats. I took a seat across from her to look at her eyes, and they were blue. I let out an inaudible gasp: I was sitting across from Lilianna Hamato.

"Lily?"

She looked up from her breakfast and looked at me. She put a kind smile on her face.

"Wilbur."

We both stood up and hugged each other.

"Lily, what are you doing here?" I asked with a smile. "I thought you were staying in New York."

"I am," Lily replied with a wink. "I took the Kraang portal to get here."

"So you're here to visit?"

"Not just to visit, Wilbur. My parents are letting me attend school here."

"Donatello is letting you go to school here?" I asked with suspicious surprise.

"You're surprised? It was not an easy decision for my dad to make."

Lily's smile disappeared, and she let out a sigh.

"It's been a tough summer. You know how I was initiated as the leader of the clan?"

I nodded.

"I felt like I needed to be perfect. It started out like it was before I was kidnapped: I was doing my chores and then running into the woods like I always had. One day, I decided out of stress that chores could wait, and I ran. My dad caught me and told me I was going to be grounded if I just ran off again."

"Why were you stressed?" I asked.

"Because I'm the leader of my clan, I have to lead my cousins on our patrol every night. I have to worry that every single patrol is going to be successful and that no one gets hurt. And on most nights, Ryan would judge me on my abilities as a leader. It was stressing me out so much that I just blew off my chores and argued with my dad."

"Is not being here another piece of the puzzle?"

"Yes. I talked to my dad about it. At first, he wasn't on board with it. He was so concerned about my being stressed out because of my busy schedule. It wasn't until I told him I was stressed out from being a perfect leader that he realized that I needed to try new things. And thus, I am here."

"So how are you feeling now?" I asked, putting a smile back on my face. "Do you feel stressed right now?"

"I feel nervous, Wilbur," Lily answered, biting her lip. "My dad is extremely worried that my schedule here will not work out. I am nervous because he may be right."

"Don't knock it until you try it, princess," I replied.

Lily chuckled.

"Do or do not, Wilbur. There is no try."

It was my turn to laugh.

"What's with the Yoda quote?"

"It's something my dad taught me," Lily explained. "If your mind is set on trying, then you are doubting yourself. My mindset as a leader has gotten better, thanks to the talk both my parents gave me."

"Huh, I've never thought of it that way."

"Oh, and then I watched the Star Wars: Rebels episode where that applies. My dad truly is a wise being."

"It's amazing how your dad went from being a genius with very little experience to being a professor at a university with loads of wisdom to share."

"I'm still in disbelief, months later, that my dad's teenage self was with me in spirit during my vision quest. He was just as wise as my dad is now."

The first bell rang. It was now eight o'clock.

"I have band first," I told my friend. "Which one's yours?"

"Pre-Calculus."

"Wait, weren't you in Geometry last year?"

"I advanced to Algebra Two last semester, remember?"

I smacked my head.

"Sorry. I've got first day jitters."

Lily just stared into my brown eyes. It took me a moment to see that she was reading my mind.

"I see you're worried about a missing persons case. Are you wanting to intervene?"

I glanced down.

"For once, no."

"What's wrong, Wilbur?" Lily asked with compassion in her voice.

I let out a sigh and gave my best friend a smile, appreciating her efforts to understand me.

"I don't understand it. Just three years ago, I was all about having adventures on the time machine. Now, I find out someone's missing, and I find myself not caring. Something is wrong with me, Lily. I just hate that it bothers me so much."

"Life changes us in mysterious ways," Lily replied. "Tell me, what did you want to be when you grow up?"

"Oh goodness!" I laughed and rubbed my neck. "I always imagined myself being either Captain Time Travel or being an agent of the Time Continuum Task Force."

"Be careful trying to say that around my dad," Lily warned me. "He hates time travel."

"I never imagined Donatello Hamato hating anything relating to science."

"He's almost lost my mom because of time travel. And if my mom had disappeared-"

"Then you wouldn't be here," I finished her sentence. "I understand. I don't know who I want to be in the future. I never really thought about it. And this is the year I'm supposed to think about it. I have the ACT to look forward to."

"The ACT?" Lily asked with a confused look on her face.

"The American College Test. It supposedly tests your knowledge to determine your readiness for college. All juniors have to take this test."

Another bell rang. It was now eight-ten.

"We gotta go," I said out loud with determination.

"Agreed," Lily replied, giving me a smirk. "I'll see you at lunch."


KARENA'S POV

My only classes on Mondays were a three-hour philosophy class and a three-hour Zoom physics class with Donnie as my teacher. My philosophy class felt like a drag. We did more than the usual run-through of the syllabus and the icebreaker activity. We also had an intense lesson in logic that I was told was 'common sense.' To my disbelief, I was the only one who understood the lesson, and the rest of the class was full of questions by the other students.

My physics class, on the other hand, was more enlightening. The class was online only on Mondays, and Donatello did his class live with his lab in the background. He also did a run-through of the syllabus, but he put more detail into it that made me look forward to taking his class again. For the icebreaker activity, Donnie asked me a random question: if you could study abroad anywhere in the world, where would you go? I had explained that I would travel to France for its rich history and unique culture. The mutant turtle then asked me to ask another student another random question, and we continued this until the last student asked the professor a question, which I absolutely loved. Donatello was asked what weapon he would choose if he did not fight with his bo staff. After some pondering, Donnie explained that he would fight with the katana blades because his daughter inspired him every day to be a wiser father. Unfortunately for me, I also had an assignment to do in that class, and I had a shorter deadline. Unlike my philosophy assignment that was due the following week, my physics assignment was due Thursday night to give Donnie enough time to grade the assignment before the next class.

That class finished at four o'clock. I shut my laptop off and left it at the kitchen table. I went to my room to try to find an outfit to wear on my date tonight.

"Good afternoon, Miss Edwards," Lizzy, the robot companion Cornelius built, greeted me.

"Good afternoon, Lizzy. How are you?"

"I do not have feelings, Miss Edwards," Lizzy replied. "But I can try to understand."

"Please call me Karena, Lizzy," I said with a smile on my face. "I am aware that you are a robot and you were not designed to have feelings. But you are my companion, and I am allowing you to share your feelings with me if you have any. So, how was your day?"

"It was a quiet day, Karena. I cleaned your apartment for you."

"I see that. Thank you for doing that. Well, I finished my physics class and now I have to get ready for a date."

"What is a date, Karena?"

"A date is when you go out with a person you have feelings for and you get to know more about him or her. My date's name is Wilbur. We've been dating for over a year now."

"Are you talking about Wilbur Robinson?" Lizzy asked.

"Yes, that's the guy. Tell me, Lizzy. Are you good with finding a dress for me?"

"Yes, I can find a dress for you. Shall I go shopping for you?"

I let out a laugh.

"It's just a date at Futureburgers, Lizzy. Nothing too fancy. Just find me something from my closet, please."

"Yes, ma'am."

While Lizzy looked in the closet, I heard my phone ring. Once I saw Wilbur's picture on the screen, I answered.

"Hello?"

"Hey Karr, I may be a little late for our date."

"Late?" I replied in confusion. "You're never late for our dates. Is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine on my end. I'll explain later. I should be there no later than five-thirty."

"Well, okay. I love you."

"I love you too."

We hung up. My mind wandered off, trying to come up with various possibilities of why Wilbur would be late. The only possibility I could come up with was that something happened at school. I knew there were times that Wilbur would be tardy to class, and he had to stay after school once as punishment. But I doubted he would stay for two hours.

"How is this dress?"

I looked up to see Lizzy carrying out a turquoise dress with dark blue swirls on it. There were no sleeves on the tea dress; the sleeves were replaced with two spaghetti straps.

"This is actually perfect," I answered with a smile. "Could you see if there's a blue sweater in the closet, please?"

While Lizzy searched for the sweater, I changed clothes. I took off the yellow dress that Donatello's daughter got me for my birthday and put on the turquoise dress Lizzy gave me. Then I put silver heels on my feet.

"Is this the sweater?"

I looked up, and put a bigger smile on my face.

"Yes, Lizzy, that is the sweater."

Lizzy gave the sweater to me, and I did not hesitate to put it on. I said good-bye to Lizzy and drove to Futureburgers to meet Wilbur there. Knowing what Wilbur likes to eat, I went ahead and ordered for both of us and paid for the food. It did not take Wilbur much longer to show up. I found him waiting in line to order food. I chuckled, took my phone out, and called him.

"Hey Karr. What's up?"

"Wilbur, I'm already seated at a table. You can come over unless you want to wait for our food. I ordered already."

"Did you order a cheeseburger with no tomato, medium fry, and medium chocolate shake?"

"Yes. Our order number is 152."

"Karr, you are the most amazing woman I've ever known. I'll wait for the food then."

We hung up again. It did not take Wilbur too much longer to grab our food and greet me at the table. To my delight, he matched me, wearing a plaid white and blue shirt with blue jeans.

"Thank you for waiting," my boyfriend said with a smile on his face.

"Thank you for grabbing our food," I replied.

"You didn't have to pay for it though. That's my job."

"You do not have a job, Mr. Robinson," I said in a playful tone. "And besides, it's nice to provide the money once in a while."

"Correction: I do not have a job yet," Wilbur replied, winking at me. "While waiting for the food, the manager walked up to me and told me he wants to interview me on Wednesday after school."

"You applied for a job here?" I asked with delight. "That's wonderful! I hope you get it!"

"Me too. I love my family. Don't get me wrong. And I love that they have provided financial means to take care of me. But I'm sixteen now, and I have a car. I'd like to make my own money so that when the time comes for us to get married, I want to do at least some providing for you. I don't want to be one of those people who takes advantage of their rich father."

"I don't blame you at all. In fact, you getting a job shows character. Was that why you were late?"

"No. I applied last night. Actually, the reason for my being late is a pleasant one. Guess who I saw at school today?"

I paused, waiting for his answer.

"Lily."

My smile went away, and I put a look of surprise on my face.

"Not Lilianna Hamato?"

"Yes!" Wilbur replied with glee.

"How is that possible?" I asked, now with confusion in my voice. "I just got out of a class with her dad, who is clearly in his lab in North Hampton."

"Lily took a Kraang portal to get here to attend classes," Wilbur explained. "After school, she asked for my help with her homework while she went to cheerleading practice. Her dad's afraid that her schedule here and in New York is going to stress her out. So, I suggested that I'd bookmark where to find the answers in her homework, and she can do the work from there, maybe cut her homework time in half. And we share a few classes together, so it's kind of helping me out too."

"Huh. That's not a bad idea. Helping someone else out without cheating."

"Yeah. Lily's had a stressful summer with her being the leader of her family's clan. I just want to make life easier for her if I can."

"Hey, whatever works!"

"Yeah."

Wilbur's smile disappeared.

"Something's been bothering me too. I listened to the news this morning. There's a Todayland University student who went missing."

"What?!" I asked, choking on my water.

"Are you okay?" Wilbur asked in alarm as I tried hard not to hack myself to death.

"Yeah!" I answered hoarsely, quickly taking a sip of my water. "I'll be okay. Which student?"

"Jeanette Roland. Do you know her?"

"No, I'm afraid I don't. Is there a kidnapper in the city?"

"Not that I know of," Wilbur answered. "She was last seen driving out of her home. She may have been abducted on the way. But the thing that bothers me the most is that I just... didn't care. Lily noticed this too."

"That's not like you. You always want to intervene. You did when Lily found her way here."

"Karena, the last time I intervened in an actual crime, I got punished for messing up the timelines," Wilbur explained. "I don't want to make the same mistake again."

"So now you're scared?"

"No!" Wilbur shot back.

"Yep, you're scared."

"You're not Lilianna Hamato."

"No, but the way you answered just now? Yeah, you're scared. Maybe ask Lily to help you? She's a kunoichi and she's been a victim of abduction. She may be able to provide some insight."

"Maybe," Wilbur replied, biting his lip before eating his burger. "Do you wanna know what the sad part is? I'm a junior. I have to take the ACT test at some point. I don't even know what I want to do after high school. As a kid, I wanted to be involved in time travel, but now? I'm not so sure."

"Well, your fascination with time travel tells me that you love history, and that is your best class. Maybe look in that direction? A wise man said that you only love your job when you are passionate about it."

"I guess that makes sense."

Wilbur smiled.

"Thanks, Karr."

"Anytime."

I let out a sigh.

"I hope this kidnapping doesn't become an abduction spree."


LILIANNA'S POV

My first day of sophomore year quickly flew by. It was wonderful seeing Wilbur and my friends again. Even James was surprised with seeing me after I assured him a relationship wouldn't work out. Unfortunately for me, a relationship still would not work due to my duties in New York.

I had my first cheer practice after school, which went until 5:30 Central Time. After it was over, I took the portal back to the lair where time jumped an hour. I had arrived just in time for dinner. Athena made her special lasagna with a three-cheese sauce, jalapeños, and pepperoni. After being content with my meal, I spent an hour doing homework and then another hour practicing the art of ninjutsu with my family, minus Auntie Karai, who was busy overlooking the Foot Clan.

Then, I led my cousins on our daily night patrol. While Athena and I could blend in on the streets, people were still freaking out at Ryan and Venus' appearances. Ryan was born with Uncle Leonardo's turtle physiology and Auntie Karai's scaly skin. Venus is a perfect blend of Uncle Raphael and Auntie Mona. She inherited Auntie Mona's salamandrian physiology along with Uncle Raphael's turtle shell. Ryan was born the next January and Mona was born the following year in August.

I remembered the stories of their births well as I led my cousins on patrol. Ryan was born at our home because Auntie Karai was very pregnant when she and Uncle Leo and the rest of the family visited us for Christmas. Due to her condition, she and Uncle Leo had to stay. My dad had monitored her closely until she went into labor on New Year's Day. Auntie Karai tried birthing in the same method my mom tried with me. I remembered my dad panicking with angst when she was crying in extreme pain. I remembered my dad carrying Auntie Karai down the stairs and outside to his lab. My mom had carried me and followed my dad, and we had witnessed my dad, while being even more afraid than he was at my own birth, performing an emergency surgery to save Auntie Karai and Ryan's lives. Thanks to this experience, he was able to save Auntie Mona and Venus' lives in the lair.

"Lily?"

I saw a hand waving in front of me. I realized then that I was walking instead of running. I turned to my left to see Venus looking at me with concern on her face.

"Are you okay?" Venus, wearing her baby blue mask, asked.

"Yeah. I was just remembering when I first met you and Ryan... how my dad saved your lives when your moms were in danger of dying from birthing you both."

"What about your mom?"

I let out a sigh.

"I could say my mom was lucky. She didn't need my dad to intervene in my birth."

"You don't have a shell, like Athena. Yet, your dad had to do surgery on Auntie Renet too."

"I wonder if my mom being part-Kraang has something to do with it," I pondered out loud, but shook my head, not wanting to dive deeper into this hypothesis. "Let's keep going. We still have lots of the city to cover."

The four of us ran and jumped across various rooftops in our patrol. During the patrol, my mind wandered to Wilbur. I wondered if he was truly happy with his lack of adventure. If his mistakes had cost him the ability to take risks that may make his life better. Then I wondered if I was going to survive this school year.

"Wait, what's that sound?" Ryan asked.

We stopped running and stood still. I cautiously snuck around the corner of the chimney on the roof and witnessed a man breaking into a store. I frowned, realizing that Wilbur was right: despite the world being a better place, there was still crime lurking about.

"Ninja stealth, guys," I whispered to my cousins. "Let's move."

We moved closer to the store to catch this thief off guard.

"Ryan, Venus, you two hang back," I whispered. "You look like actual mutants, so you would scare him off."

"Isn't that the idea?" Venus asked. "To scare him to not steal anything again?"

"That's not how that works," Ryan replied.

"And besides, Lily, our fathers were still able to stop crime no matter their appearance," Athena chimed in. "Remember Uncle Raph's stories about the Purple Dragons? They never cared about appearances. Sure, they were scared when they first saw our fathers, but after that, they didn't care. They just wanted to steal stuff again and again."

"Alright, point taken," I replied. "But if we keep talking, then this guy will run free. Let's catch him in the act."

We silently walked in the store. I caught a glimpse of the man hijacking an antique plate. Using my psychic powers, I moved the plate away from him.

"What the?" the man exclaimed with surprise.

I remained hidden, as did my cousins. I watched as the man looked around to see if anyone was there. While he was looking, I telekinetically put the plate back on its stand. The man tried to take the plate again, and again, I moved the plate away. The man shuddered with fear in his voice.

"The store is haunted!" the man yelled.

"Now!" I whispered to my cousins.

Ryan and Venus blocked the door so that the man could not get out. The man screamed in horror.

"MONSTERS!"

Athena used an arrow to distract the man further, and then I used my bo staff to knock him out.

"Venus, handcuffs!" I yelled. "Athena, sound the alarm!"

After Venus placed the handcuffs on the robber and Athena set off the alarm, Ryan threw a smoke bomb down on the ground, and we quickly got out of the store and ran back to the lair.