Okay, I never thought I would give you guys three chapters in one week. I guess this is my Christmas gift to you all. To those who've read this far, thank you, thank you, thank you for reading! I'm really praying this is better than my original story, and I pray you'll enjoy this chapter.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything related to "Meet the Robinsons" nor "TMNT." I only own Karena, Lilianna, Ryan, Venus, & Athena.
September 30, 2039 – Todayland, North Montana, USA
WILBUR'S POV
I woke up to a phone call the second morning in a row. This time, it was from Donatello. I stirred myself awake and answered the phone.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Wilbur, it's Donnie. May I speak to you in the high school gym at seven o'clock central time?"
"I guess," I answered groggily. "Is everything alright?"
"That depends on how well this conversation will go."
I gulped. I had the feeling I was in trouble. I kept thinking of the many things I would be in trouble for, and I was scared because the number one thought that would come to mind was my seeing his daughter in just her lingerie again.
"Alright. I'll see you at seven."
"Thank you very much."
Don hung up. I got up, already dreading my Friday morning. I turned on the radio.
"Breaking news from the Land of Today. Jeanette Roland, the first citizen to go missing, has been found by Todayland High School sophomore Lilianna Hamato. Jeanette has returned home to her family safely, but the whereabouts of the other seven citizens are at large. Stay tuned for another important news bulletin."
"At least there's no other bad news… yet."
I changed into my signature outfit, applied hair grease to my cowlick, and sent a text to my mom.
"Hi Mom, I won't be able to make it for breakfast again. Donatello wants to see me and I can't get out of it. I'll see you after school. I love you."
I let out a sigh, hating that I have to miss breakfast with my family for the second day in a row. I grabbed my keys and my backpack, and I made my way to the garage. I got in my flying car and drove to the high school. Donatello was right there at the door to greet me.
"Good morning, Wilbur," Don greeted me with a smile on his face.
"Good morning, Don. What is this about?"
"Follow me, please."
I followed the Turtle into what was Mr. Ashley's office, and I took a seat across from him.
"My family did some more investigating into the matter of the wasp last night," Don explained. "They searched the arboretum again after the hive had been destroyed, and they found this."
Don placed a piece of paper on the desk and pushed it to me. I picked it up and read it.
"Serve the Ant Queen. Now hiring bodyguards to protect the Queen from tyranny."
There was a huge ant-head in the middle of the page, which looked too familiar. It was a picture of Lizzy, the Ant Queen in the hive underneath Magma City when I messed up in 2037.
"Does it look familiar to you?" Don asked.
"Yes, it does," I answered. "I've never seen this flyer before, but I recognize the woman in this picture."
"Would anyone else be able to identify her?"
"I do not know."
"How do you mean?" Don asked me with a raised eyebrow.
"Do you remember when you were a teenager and had traveled to the year 2037 with Karena and your brothers?"
Donatello nodded.
"Before I met you guys, I was on a mission to find the Bowler Hat Guy for stealing one of the time machines. But I messed up. The first time I tried to find him at my dad's science fair in 2007, I had slammed the door open on a student named Stanley. His project fell on another student named Lizzy, who then fell and had her project ruined. Stanley and Lizzy blamed each other, and it changed the future. Todayland became Magma City, and instead of a mayor, there was an emperor, who was Stanley. Lizzy became the Ant Queen, waging war on Stanley and his robots. My dad was apparently a prisoner of Lizzy's, and he worked for Emperor Stanley in that timeline."
"Where did Emperor Stanley and the Ant Queen reside?" Don asked.
"Emperor Stanley resided in Magma Industries, which was where Robinson Industries is now. The Ant Queen lived 100 meters underground in her hive."
"Would you be able to confirm that she was hiring bodyguards to protect her from Emperor Stanley?"
"I can't exactly confirm it, but I remember a bodyguard helping me out. His name was Melvin. He hated his job and asked me to collect gold bugs for him to 'hatch' himself a replacement."
"Helping you out? What were you doing down in the hive?"
"What is this, an interrogation?" I asked angrily.
"Just. Answer. The questions," Donatello replied icily.
I let out a huff.
"I had borrowed my dad's prototype time machine, and when Carl prompted me to come back to Todayland, Lizzy's robo-ants had taken the time machine down to the hive. After obtaining havoc gloves from a warehouse, I burrowed down to the hive and had Melvin help me through all the security measures. But the Ant Queen threatened to kill me, so I had to defend myself and… hurt her."
I paused, biting my tongue.
"Am I being interrogated because I'm being suspected of murder?"
"No, the murder's been solved," Don answered. "We're back to investigating the parasitica wasp. We have found sources who have suggested that you would be the only one who would know of this hive. It is possible the hive that has been created in the arboretum is being transferred there."
"You seriously believe that I am responsible for this?!" I roared. "That is low, even coming from you, Donatello!"
He put his right hand on his chin.
"You must admit, your behavior is suspicious. You were the first to learn that Jeanette Roland went missing, and only you and Lily knew. Who's to say that you found the wasp, gave it a tour of the city and then a home—"
"SHUT UP!" I yelled. "I didn't even know there was a wasp in Todayland until Lily suggested it THREE DAYS AGO! Next time you interrogate me, bring Lilianna with you. I'd rather talk to her than talk to you. She knows me more than you do."
I got up and stormed out, not wanting to be interrogated any longer. I walked to the cafeteria, where I found Lily. I sat in my spot and put my head down.
"Wilbur, are you okay?" Lily, wearing a purple blouse and black pants, asked me with concern in her voice.
"Read my mind and tell me," I replied.
"Wilbur, what's wrong?" Lily asked me sternly.
"Your father interrogated me just now. He thinks I'm responsible for the wasp hive moving underground! He also thought I was responsible because I'm the first one to know about Jeanette."
Lily let out a sigh.
"Well, to be frank, I'm not too happy with my dad either. He told me not to spend time with you today because he was going to talk to you. I had no idea it was going to be an interrogation."
I looked up at her, realizing what she had just said.
"Wait a minute… you found the flyer about the Ant Queen?"
She bit her lip.
"Oops. I guess the cat's out of the bag. Wilbur, I can't just sit and do nothing, not since I was infected with the virus myself and since I read Jeanette's mind. So Karena and I investigated the arboretum last night. Karena was the one who suggested my dad interrogate you, even after she denied you would be involved."
I put a determined look on my face.
"You know what? Screw sitting around. I'm helping out. I'm now involved, thanks to your dad's false accusations."
"I'd talk to him for you, but I'm a little mad at him," Lily replied. "He interrogated me too."
"He did? Why?"
"He only interrogated me because I investigated the arboretum behind his back, and because I deliberately disobeyed him because I'm grounded."
I let out a dry chuckle.
"Fathers. You gotta love 'em."
Lily and I enjoyed each other's company, eating breakfast, and talking about our fathers before school got in session.
New York City, New York, USA
DONATELLO'S POV
After my interrogation with Wilbur, I used the portal to return to the lair. I walked into the dojo to see my oldest brother and his family in meditation.
"Come on in, Donnie," Leo encouraged me.
"I'm in," I replied with a smile, which quickly disappeared.
"Good morning, Donatello," Karai greeted me.
"Good morning, Karai. Good morning, Ryan."
"Morning," Ryan replied with a smirk.
"Is Raph around?" I asked.
"I take it we need to do another family meeting?" Leo asked.
"Yes, we do."
"I'll get them," Ryan volunteered. "But, are we waiting for Lily?"
"No, Lily should be heading to Robinson Industries. Besides, it's best to have this meeting without her this time. April should be down here any minute."
"April is here," my wife announced.
I turned around in surprise. I walked up to her and gave her a hug and a kiss.
"Well, good! As soon as Ryan gathers the family in here, we can get started."
It took Ryan no time at all to gather the family into the dojo. Mikey was generous and made us all breakfast pizzas to eat.
"Mikey, you never cease to amaze me with your cooking," Leo complimented him.
"Compliment me at my restaurant, Leo," Mikey replied with a big smile. "Athena will always help me in the kitchen."
"I'm just happy you all enjoy it," Athena said, looking up at her dad with fondness.
"So what's this meeting about, Donnie?" Raph asked, immediately going into detective mode.
"Karena and Lily did their own investigation at the arboretum in Todayland late last night," I explained. "Karena found a flyer regarding someone called the Ant Queen, and she was trying to hire bodyguards. Karena suggested I ask Wilbur about it, since he would be the only one to know anything about it."
"What did Wilbur say?" Raph asked. "Was it a valuable clue?"
"I'm not sure," I replied, putting my right hand on my chin. "He opened up to me regarding his mistakes with the time machine. His mistakes caused a change in history, and the Ant Queen was born as a result. Wilbur said she had resided 100 meters underground in her hive. Unfortunately, when I tried to get more information, he yelled at me to shut up."
"I'm going to hate saying this, Donnie, but I don't think we should rule Wilbur out yet," Leo suggested.
"I agree. I think he knows more than what he told me. I interrogated Lily also because she investigated without us knowing. While I'm not happy with her for disobeying me, I believe she was honest."
"What did she say?" Raph asked.
"She believed that because she has been Jeanette's mind and because she herself was infected with the virus, she knows what is going on in the minds of Jeanette's victims."
"And what of Jeanette?"
"Jeanette doesn't remember anything, and Lily confirmed it. I'm going to talk to her in a few minutes to see if she's telling the truth. Lily believes her, and Jeanette has requested her presence."
"I do agree with you, Leo, in that Wilbur is someone we need to watch," April chimed in. "I hardly know him, yet I think something is up. Lily, on the other hand, can help us out a lot with just her psychic powers. She's grown more powerful than I have."
"What do you mean?" Leo asked.
"Lily told me last night that she had been practicing her powers and she can now fly and single out one human voice from millions. Yesterday, she was able to enter an infected mind. Maybe Lily can use this to save everyone."
"Well, hopefully, Lily can help me out in a few minutes," I replied. "I gotta go."
"What do you want us to do in the meantime, Donnie?" Leo asked.
"Until we get another significant clue, all we can do is wait."
I opened the portal again and made my way to Robinson Industries.
Todayland, North Montana, USA
LILIANNA'S POV
After receiving the excused absence from my first class, I met Jeanette and my dad at Robinson Industries. I sat at the side of the table between my dad and Jeanette, who faced each other. Suddenly, another portal opened, and Uncle Raph came through.
"Hey guys, do you mind if I sit in on this interrogation?" he asked my dad, and then he saw me. "Lily? What are you doing here?"
"Jeanette has asked me to be here," I answered.
"Lily, I will need you to promise me that you will not defend Jeanette when she answers, okay?" Dad asked. "If I ever need your opinion, I will ask you."
"I solemnly swear to remain neutral," I said, raising my right hand.
"This isn't a television show, Lily," Uncle Raph told me. "There's no need to be that formal."
I put my hand down and cleared my throat.
"Alright Jeanette, would you please describe your day on August 15th, 2039?" Dad asked. "Please tell me what you were doing throughout your day."
"August 15th was the first day of school for students at Todayland University," Jeanette explained. "I live in an apartment in Calgary, which is about half an hour north of here. I spent my morning taking a shower, getting dressed and eating breakfast. My first class was at nine, so I left for the university at eight-twenty. But when I got to the classroom, there was this huge wasp in there! It started to chase me around. But when I got to the door, I felt a stabbing pain on my right leg. I turned around and the wasp had died. I then decided to explore the classroom, and the last thing I remember was finding an egg underneath the teacher's desk. Then everything went black until I woke up yesterday."
"You say the egg was under the teacher's desk?" Uncle Raph asked.
"Yes, sir... umm, what's your name?"
"I am Detective Raphael Hamato. I work for the New York Police Department. I'm in Todayland to investigate the parasitica epidemic with Donatello."
"Yes, Detective Hamato, the egg was under the teacher's desk. I doubt it's there now. It may have been moved by another infected person. Unfortunately, the only other person I remember biting was Lilianna. She somehow entered my mind and explored it. Maybe she can find the egg?"
I suddenly screamed, and I felt a migraine. I saw more images being brought to life in my mind. I saw the infected victims together, minus Jeanette and Penelope. I watched the egg hatch, and seven wasps had emerged. I watched with fear as all seven victims were liquified and eaten by the wasps. I screamed again, waking up from what felt like a nightmare.
"Lily Mae!" Dad yelled, shaking me awake with concern in his amber eyes. "Are you okay?"
"Dad, I know what happened in the arboretum," I said with fear in my voice. "I know why our family couldn't find anything there."
I turned towards Jeanette with tears in my blue eyes.
"You were fortunate to be here. Had you stayed in the arboretum, the wasp would have killed you."
"Are you telling me that... the other victims are gone?" Dad asked with sadness in his voice.
"Yes. The egg hatched, and several wasps were born. The only survivors were Jeanette and myself because we were cured and away from the arboretum. Penelope also survived because she's the new queen. I think... I think I was in her mind, and she witnessed this happening."
"This is all my fault," Jeanette cried. "I did this!"
"Jeanette, listen to me, you were not in your right mind," Dad assured her. "This was beyond your control. I promise you have nothing to worry about. You have helped us more than you know."
"Lily, when did this take place?" Uncle Raph asked.
"In the afternoon, just before the family reached their hideout."
"So let me get this straight: there are now seven wasps roaming about in Todayland?"
"Yes."
"We need to let Cornelius know ASAP!" Dad yelled.
"Let's bring the family here again and split them up like they did before," Uncle Raph suggested. "I'll make the call to Leo."
"And I'll call Cornelius," Dad replied, and then turned towards me and Jeanette. "You both are free to go. Thank you for being here."
My dad shook Jeanette's hand, and then he hugged me.
"I love you so much, Lily Mae," he whispered in my left ear. "Don't you ever forget that."
"I love you too, Daddy," I whispered back. "Be careful."
October 31, 2039 - Todayland, North Montana, USA
WILBUR'S POV
"Breaking news from the Land of Today."
"Please tell me it's good news," I pleaded as I drove to school.
"Todayland University sophomore Robert Woods and Todayland High School senior Christine Walker have been reported missing. The numbers have continued to climb. There are now 26 students from Todayland University and eight students from Todayland High School missing, along with three professors from Todayland University. Please continue to call us with more information about these missing people."
"If it wasn't an epidemic before, it sure is now."
Things had gotten worse since Jeanette Roland had been found and cured by Lily and Donatello respectively. Seven wasps had been hatched the night before I was interrogated, and as a result, 27 more people had fallen victim to the virus, either from the wasp stinging them or from Penelope biting them and creating a chain. The Hamato family had not been able to find any of the wasps, nor any of their victims, despite their best efforts. Unfortunately for me, Don and Raph both interrogated me regarding the hive that they were trying to find. Right now, I could not trust either of them.
Suddenly, my phone rang, and I discovered Karena calling me.
"Wilbur here."
"Hey, Wil. Are you busy?"
"I'm about to head to color guard tryouts. Why? Is there something going on?"
"Wilbur, they're closing down the university."
I was shocked.
"What?!"
"Cornelius decided that it was too risky for the students to try to attend classes on campus," Karena explained. "Now everything's going to be done online for at least the rest of the semester. We don't know what will happen in January."
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"No, but I'll live. Hopefully."
"Look on the bright side. At least you can still go to your job. You could even work full-time. Maybe start paying your loans back in advance while you don't have interest to pay."
"Maybe. Wait, how did you know about interest and school loans?"
"My dad was discussing it with me last night. I am a junior, so I have to start looking for colleges to apply to."
"Ah. I thought your dad was paying for your college?"
"He offered," I replied with a flat expression. "But I don't want to be that spoiled brat. I want to work for it. You inspire me."
"Aww, Wilbur!"
I felt Karena blushing on the other line.
"You made my day!"
"It's nothing," I replied, also while blushing. "I love you."
"I love you too, Wilbur. Break a leg in tryouts today!"
"Thanks, Karr. I'll do my best."
I hung up just as I approached the high school. I parked my flying car and reached the gym. But something was off about the sight. I found everybody huddled together in fright outside the gym doors.
"Uh, what's going on?" I asked in confusion.
"Shh!" Bonnie shushed me. "There's a ghost in the gym!"
"Are you for real?" I asked with a raised eyebrow. "Hold on a minute."
I set my stuff down and prepared myself to go into the gym, but I was held back by Mr. Samuels.
"Wilbur, wait. It could be dangerous. We've had eight students go missing already. I'd hate for you to be the next one."
"Trust me, sir. I'll be fine. I've handled worse things."
I ventured into the dark gymnasium. I took out my phone and turned the flashlight on.
"Hello?" I yelled out. "Is there anyone in here?"
I suddenly heard a snarl. I snapped, turned around, and turned the flashlight towards the noise. I found Penny standing there stiffly.
"Penny? What are you doing in the gym in the dark?"
"I'm just browsing, Wilbur," Penny answered, and I noticed her voice sounded off.
"Penny, are you alright? Something's not right. We need to get you to a doctor."
"I'm not sick!" Penny roared.
I let out a loud gasp, realizing her eyes were blackened. I also spotted bite marks on her left side of her neck.
"You got bitten!"
"And now, it's your turn!" Penny lashed out. "You'll help me watch the egg, and then the hatchling will feed on us! It will be glorious!"
"Okay, this freak show ends now!" I yelled, preparing to defend myself. "Phone, call Lily Hamato!"
"Calling Lily Hamato," my phone replied back.
Once the phone started to ring, I put it on speaker phone. Penny then attacked me, giving me a hard kick to the groin and knocking me off.
"Hi Wilbur!" Lily cheerfully said on the other line. "Do you need to see me early?"
"Yes, like now!" I shouted. "I'm in the gym. I'm fighting an infected victim of the wasp."
"What?! Oh my gosh, I'm coming! Don't go anywhere!"
"Where could I possibly go?" I snapped.
Lily hung up, and right now, I was left to fight Penny alone. Penny was not all that adventurous, but for being infected, she was a pretty good fighter. It did not take long for a pink portal to appear in the dark, and out came Lilianna with a flashlight.
"Lily, praise the Lord!" I cried. "Help!"
"Penny, it's me, Lily! I don't want to hurt you."
"But I want to hurt you!" Penny yelled at her.
Penny got off of me and lashed out at Lily. Lily came armed with her bo staff, and she used it to jab Penny in the stomach. Penny looked around, now realizing she was outnumbered.
"Where is the egg, Penny?" Lily asked. "Talk!"
I watched Lily place her hands on Penny's head, and I watched as she tried to read her mind. Penny screamed and hit Lily square on the head with her own. Penny then ran out of the gymnasium.
"No!" I yelled.
Before I could run outside to chase Penny, I heard Lily moaning in pain. After I turned on the gym lights, I hurried to her side.
"Lily, are you okay?" I asked.
"I... I think so," Lily answered hesitantly. "My head really hurts."
"Let me check to see if you got bitten."
I examined Lily's body, making sure that she didn't tempt me, and I blew a sigh of relief. There was not a single bite mark on her.
"Maybe you need to spend the next hour with your dad, just to be sure you won't get a concussion," I suggested. "That sounded like it hurt."
"It did hurt," Lily replied, letting out a sigh. "But Penny... what do we do?"
"Just focus on yourself for right now. A solution will arise in time. Meanwhile, I should let everyone know the gym is cleared for color guard tryouts."
I helped Lily stand up, and I assisted her in returning to New York through the portal. After Lily went home, I went back out to the hallway.
"It's okay," I told the group. "It's safe to go in."
"Wilbur, are you alright?" Mr. Samuels asked. "What happened?"
"Penny just became missing high school student number nine, Mr. Samuels," I answered with a grim expression, before spotting something on the ground. "Wait, I see something."
I used the scanner that I kept in my backpack to scan the substance, containing both blood and the mucus Don had found in both the university and the high school. I took out my phone and called my dad.
"Hi, Wilbur," Dad greeted me. "Did you forget something?"
"No, Dad. I need Carl to come to the high school gym right away. I just encountered another victim of the virus and she left some blood on the floor."
"I will get him over there."
I had a feeling things were about to get worse, once again.
North Hampton, New York, USA
LILIANNA'S POV
I returned home with my head in extreme pain. I knew first thing to check the barn to see if my dad was in there. I took the trek from the kitchen and across the yard to the barn. I frowned when I saw my dad burying his head in his arms at the table.
"Dad, are you okay?" I asked with a worried voice.
My dad slowly moved his head up, and he turned to face me with a frown.
"Lily, Cornelius is shutting down the university. The number of missing students continues to climb, and he doesn't want to risk the safety of the other students."
"Oh, no!"
"Yeah. It doesn't affect me because now everyone's going to finish their classes online, but I hate that it's come to this."
"Dad, you and Wilbur have held a grudge against each other for a month now. Isn't it time you two reconciled? The more I encounter the infected, the more sure I am that the hive is... well, in the hive. And only Wilbur knows where it is. And I have a feeling that if we don't head down there and stop this, those 27 people will die."
My dad pondered for a few minutes, and then he let out a sigh.
"Alright. We'll ask Wilbur for help."
I smiled, and then I was reminded of why I had walked into the barn in the first place.
"Is there anyway you can help me out first?" I asked. "My head really hurts."
"Migraine?"
"No. Wilbur called me early this morning. He had a run-in with an infected student and needed my help. This victim and I butted heads... literally."
My dad winced.
"Let me take an X-ray. Better safe than sorry. You may have a concussion."
I laid down on the cot while my dad turned on his X-ray machine. I watched as he hovered it over my head and took some pictures.
"Do you have a headache?" Dad asked.
"Yes."
"How bad is the pain?"
"I'd say the pain is an eight out of ten."
"Do you feel tired at all?"
"A little."
"Do you feel any nausea?"
"No."
"Do you feel dizzy?"
"No."
"Okay, Lily, do you hear anything other than my voice, like any ringing?"
I paused and listened. The barn was silent.
"No."
"Alright, now let me try something else. I'm going to shine a light in your face. Tell me if it is sensitive."
I watched my dad grabbing a flashlight, and he shined it onto my face. I groaned in pain.
"Did it hurt?" Dad asked.
"Yes, a lot."
"And I am seeing quite the bump on your forehead. Let me see the X-rays."
I painfully turned as my dad examined the pictures.
"Well, Lily, I'd say you have a mild concussion. I'm going to go ahead and call the school and let them know you won't be able to make it. I'd like you to rest, but I'd like you to stay awake too. Is that okay?"
I nodded. My dad helped me up and he assisted me back to the house. We found a note on the counter and my dad read it.
"I was going to stay to see you before leaving for work, but Lily was more important. I left some pancakes on the stove if you both would like some. Have a good day! I love you both. -April/Mom"
"I'll get you some pancakes, Lily," Dad told me with a smile. "Why don't you take a seat?"
"Thanks, Dad."
I wobbled into the dining room.
"Whoa, Lily!"
Just as I was about to fall on the floor, I felt my dad's strong arms helping me stand.
"I got you!"
"Thanks," I said breathlessly.
"Come on, Lily, let's get you upstairs and into bed."
"Dad, I thought-"
"I think it's best if you rested in your own bed today," Dad interrupted me, but with compassion in his voice. "I'd hate to see you fall and hurt yourself even more."
I nodded. My dad lifted me up into his arms and carried me up the stairs and into my bedroom. He laid me down on my bed and kissed me on my forehead where my bump was.
"Would you like anything on your pancakes?" Dad asked. "Syrup? Whipped Cream?"
"Could I have whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and chocolate chips, please?"
"How about whipped cream, peach syrup, and peaches?" Dad suggested. "The less sugar you have, the better."
I let out a sigh of defeat, but I also gave my dad a smile.
"Okay, Dad. That's peachy keen."
My dad facepalmed himself, and I laughed.
"Well, now I know you're going to be okay," Dad said, eventually letting out a laugh. "No one else could make that pun with a concussion. I'll be back."
I chuckled as my dad left my room and went down the stairs. I took out my phone to tell Wilbur I would not be returning to school today.
KARENA'S POV
"This is the worst Halloween ever," I told my boyfriend on his bed. "Not only did Todayland University shut down, but the Halloween Bash got canceled. That's usually a highlight of the year for the Robinsons."
"Even I'm bummed that it got canceled," Wilbur replied hanging his head down next to me. "And I'm not normally a fan of it. My mom always made me dress up like a penguin wearing a tuxedo."
"You gave me quite the scare last year with your zombie makeup."
"Oh, that alone was worth it," Wilbur said with a smirk.
We both chuckled.
"Do you know what else happened last Halloween?" I asked, and Wilbur looked at me with intrigue. "I met Lily for the first time."
Wilbur's smile turned into a look of confusion.
"I thought you met Lily at the orphanage."
"Officially, yes. But Lily, dressed up like her father, had approached me when I finished singing and even asked me if I knew her dad. I had no idea Donatello was her dad at the time."
"We both thought she was lost or a runaway," Wilbur replied. "But the one day I would never forget is when-"
"I already know what date that is, Wilbur," I interrupted him, not wanting to hear the story of Lily in her lingerie again.
"Someone's jealous!" Wilbur said in a singsong voice.
"Shush, you!"
I playfully pushed him in the shoulder and he pushed me back. We laughed and then relaxed.
"So how was tryouts this morning?" I asked.
"Well, we didn't start them until seven-thirty because I fought Penny and then I found a trail of blood and mucus on the floor. Carl came over and collected all of it."
"Who's Penny?"
"One of the juniors in the guard. She's got the virus and is now missing."
"Oh, no!"
"Yeah, I had to call Lily for help. I never saw her after that. She called me and told me she was staying home because she had a concussion from the fight. But anyway, I am one of the co-captains of the varsity squad. Mr. Samuels was very impressed with my tryout."
"Nice! Good for you!"
Wilbur's phone started to ring.
"Excuse me, I need to take this. It's Carl. Wilbur here."
"Hey, little buddy. Could you and Karena come to the lab?"
"We'll be right over."
Wilbur hung up.
"I heard," I spoke up. "Let's go."
Wilbur and I levitated down to the first floor and then took the short walk to the lab to greet Carl and Cornelius.
"What did you find about the substance we found in the gym?" Wilbur asked.
"The blood belonged to Penny Davis," Carl explained. "She must have been hit pretty hard."
"So was Lily. She stayed home in New York because she got a concussion from the fight."
"But, the mucus belonged to Penelope Cockerham," Cornelius chimed in. "Penelope must have been the one to bite Penny."
Suddenly, a pink portal appeared, and Donatello and his daughter walked through.
"Wilbur, could we talk?" Donnie asked.
"Umm, sure. Let's go to my room."
Donnie and Lily followed us to Wilbur's room, and we all sat on the orange cushions in his room.
"Wilbur, I want to say I'm sorry for getting you involved in the investigation," Donnie told him with a frown. "Me and my family have been trying so hard to find these wasps to prevent any more deaths, and I fear that we may have failed because we didn't ask for your help. Instead, we interrogated you and thought you were planning this all along. I hope you can forgive me and the family, and with that said, we'd like your help to find the hive."
I watched Wilbur's expression the entire time. He looked tense at first, but the more Donnie spoke, the more he relaxed. After a few moments, he finally spoke.
"I hate that you guys thought I was the bad guy, and to be honest, I hated myself for not trusting you, Don."
"I suppose I've earned that," Donnie replied. "Things have been tense on my end lately. Before this all began, Lily and I were fighting often, which April tells me is normal, as Lily is a teenager. She definitely inherited April's stubbornness."
"I'm right here," Lily chimed in.
"Don, what matters is stopping this epidemic and destroying those wasps," Wilbur said with a determined voice. "I'll be glad to help you. I hope to create a different kind of bash on Halloween."
"Normally, we'd be looking forward to Halloween," Donnie replied, shaking his head. "But not with all of these people missing."
"The bash got cancelled because of it," I chimed in.
"You're kidding!" Lily exclaimed. "Well, then all the more reason to investigate tonight. Wilbur, what can you tell us about the hive in Magma City? Where exactly was it located?"
"It was downtown," Wilbur answered. "I remember having to save a group of orphans from the lava, and I had to guide them through the havoc holes back to the ice cream parlor. I know the owner pretty well. The hive was behind his shop."
"Then that's our first stop," Donnie replied. "I'll call the family over."
LILIANNA'S POV
My dad and I had returned home momentarily to create more cures for the virus in his lab in the lair. While he did that, I gathered the family together to go wasp-hunting in downtown Todayland. This time, we were going to stick together.
Using the portals, we met Wilbur in downtown Todayland near Tallulah's dress shop.
"Alright, Wilbur, where are we heading?" Uncle Leo asked.
"This way."
We followed Wilbur to an ice cream parlor, which was quite crowded this time of night.
"Something is not right," Wilbur said in a hushed tone. "Lily, could you come with me?"
I nodded, following Wilbur to the back of the shop.
"All I see here are murals, Wilbur," I told him.
"You don't understand, Lily. The havoc hole that would take me down to the hive was right here. I wonder..."
I watched Wilbur as he shoved all the sand on the ground aside.
"Okay, is it just me, or should we be concerned that there is sand here?"
"This is dirt, first of all," Wilbur corrected me. "Secondly, yes. It's all concrete and blacktop here."
Wilbur uncovered what looked like a manhole cover, but it was a fancier version of one.
"Impossible!" Wilbur exclaimed with widened chocolate eyes. "When the timelines were corrected, this havoc hole should have disappeared with Magma City. How is it still here?"
"You don't suppose the wasp went back in time, do you?" I asked.
"I highly doubt that."
"Well, that flyer Karena found should have disappeared too, right?"
"Yes, it should have, because Lizzy is a veterinarian. My mom introduced me to her."
"So obviously, something in the past has not been fixed."
"Hey, Carl," Wilbur said, putting his left finger in his left ear. "I need you to look into the machine of possibilities. Lily's suggesting that someone may have gone back in time."
"Impossible!" I heard Carl reply. "I thought you fixed everything!"
"So did I. But Lily and I found the havoc hole cover that led to the Ant Queen's hive. Plus, Karena found a flyer of the Ant Queen's, advertising job opportunities. Neither of them should exist right now."
"Well, let me see..."
Wilbur and I waited a few more moments before the rest of my family showed up.
"What on earth?" Dad exclaimed. "You found the entrance to the hive!"
"Wilbur, this change in time wasn't your doing," Carl told him over the earpiece. "This one was affected by someone named Lord Vringath Dregg. Does that name ring a bell?"
The raven-haired teenager turned around and faced us.
"Does the name Lord Vringath Dregg ring a bell?"
My parents, uncles, and two of my aunts moaned with dread.
"Yes," Dad answered. "He was the lord of all insect life in the universe. He was originally from the planet Sectoid 1."
"It seems that Lord Dregg paid a visit to Todayland in June 2017," Carl explained. "While trying to conquer the planet, he assisted the Ant Queen and built the hive. And it looks like Donatello, Leonardo, Karai, and a creature named... G'Throkka... were his prisoners."
"Sal Commander!" Uncle Mikey yelled out. "Guys, do you remember that?"
"Yes, but I don't remember visiting Todayland," Dad answered.
"That's because Lord Dregg had left his ship at some point," Carl explained. "You must have been in New York. Oh, and did I mention that the name of the city was Regina in 2017? Regina was the capital of Saskatchewan before the name change in 2024."
"So Lord Dregg helped the Ant Queen build the hive?" Wilbur asked. "And no matter what happened here in Todayland, the hive still exists?"
"That's correct. There's nothing you could have done, Wilbur."
"Thanks, Carl."
Wilbur took his finger off the earpiece.
"Well, if I had known that this havoc hole still existed, I would have brought my havoc gloves with me."
"No worries, Wilbur," Dad replied with his gap-toothed grin. "We came prepared."
My dad and uncles smiled as they revealed their spelunking equipment.
"Cool!"
"The eight of us will go down to the hive to investigate," Uncle Leo revealed his plan. "Wilbur, you stay here with the kids and keep an eye out for anything suspicious."
"Got it."
"Let's move!"
Wilbur opened the cover, and then we watched my parents, aunts, and uncles spelunk down underground. Only Auntie Renet remained.
"Lily, us women will stay here. We will shout if something goes wrong."
"Good luck, Auntie Renet," I replied.
Athena ran up to her mother and hugged her.
"I love you, Mom."
"And I love you, sweetie," Auntie Renet said affectionately.
She spelunked down. The five of us were on our own.
"What do we do now, Lily?" Venus asked.
"We wait," I answered with a shrug.
"I feel like I should be down there with them," Wilbur replied. "Sure, I needed help the first time, but I have a photographic memory."
We all glanced at each other.
"Wilbur, I can levitate you down with my powers," I spoke after a few moments.
"You can do that?" he asked in astonishment.
"Yes, I know," I replied with a laugh. "I surprise myself a lot too. Now, be mentally ready to float on down."
I focused on Wilbur, held my hands out in front of me, and my powers were brought to life. I slowly lowered him down the chasm down to the bottom of the hive. I slowly ventured into his mind to make sure he made it down safely, and then I let him be.
WILBUR'S POV
I was greeted by the women of the family: April, Karai, Mona, and Renet when Lily safely levitated me down.
"Wilbur! What are you doing here?" April asked with surprise in her voice.
"Well, I know the hive more than anyone here," I explained. "And Lily agreed. Have the Turtles gone far?"
"No, they are two miles ahead of you," Mona Lisa answered.
"Thanks."
I turned on my flashlight and ran off, calling out each of the Turtles' names to see if anyone would pay attention and wait for me. Thankfully, there were no security measures that needed to be cracked. I attempted again to call out the Turtles, and this time, I heard noises ahead of me.
"Wait, who's calling us?" I heard Raph ask.
"It's me, Wilbur!" I yelled back.
"What the shell?!" Don yelled.
I finally caught up to them and caught my breath.
"Wilbur, what are you doing down here?" Don asked me. "It is dangerous for you to be down here!"
"Don, listen, I've been through more dangerous stuff than this. Heck, this hive was more dangerous than it is now! I mean, I had to deal with robot ants, and most of them were bigger than you! But the most important thing is, if this is the same hive as the hive I ventured through in Magma City, then you need me to navigate. And Lily agreed with me."
"What do you think, bro?" Mikey asked Leo.
"I agree," Leo answered. "We've never been down here before and we can easily get lost. Wilbur, if you say you know your way around, then we'll trust you to lead us."
We bowed to each other and exchanged smirks in confidence. I led the Turtles to the elevator that took us down one level. Then I had to navigate through the second floor.
"So how did you guys end up meeting Lord Dregg?" I asked out of curiosity. "And where is Sectoid 1?"
"My brothers and I, along with April and Casey, survived the annihilation of our planet by the Triceraton Empire back in 2015," Leo explained. "We met the Fugitoid, who helped us escape the planet. After going back six months in time, we traveled the cosmos, all around the universe to try to find the three pieces of the black hole generator that had destroyed our planet."
"Lord Dregg was one of the first aliens we had met," Don continued. "And trust me when I say he is one bug you do not want to cross. He had been hunting for us that entire journey, sending an outlaw named Armaggon to kill us and then attempting to kill us himself."
"Lord Dregg had declared a war on Salamandria after we returned to Earth," Raph chimed in. "Mona and Sal Commander had traveled to Earth to ask us for help them capture the Newtralizer, who was an outlaw from that planet. Lord Dregg invaded Earth, but Mikey managed to destroy his ship."
"We have not heard anything from Lord Dregg nor the Newtralizer since," Mikey finished with a big smile. "Booya... kasha."
"I still cannot believe this bug helped the Ant Queen build this hive in that timeline," I finally spoke as I led the team down the next elevator down to the next level.
"Wilbur, you said that you had travelled in time to 2007, right?" Don asked.
"Yeah."
"It's possible that Lord Dregg may have interfered while history was being changed. And because the events of our timeline never changed after that, it stayed as our worlds merged together when Karena moved here."
"And that interference was here to stay," I replied, realizing what Donatello was saying. "Well, would it be possible to blow this hive up once we end this epidemic?"
"No. If that happens, Todayland will be destroyed."
I bit my lip, now realizing the consequences of my city if we had gone with that idea.
"I understand. This way."
I led the Turtles to the last elevator needed to get down to what was the Ant Queen's throne room.
"Holy chalupa!" Don exclaimed.
We all snuck into the throne room with shock on our faces. Every victim that fell ill within the past month was present in the hive.
"How do we free them, Don?" I whispered to him.
"Here."
Don handed me and his brothers a syringe gun.
"The cure is in there," he explained. "And here are some more needles. There should be enough there for every single victim."
"What will you do, Don?" I asked.
"I'll go back up to the girls and have April and Lily work together to bring these people up to the surface. And guys? Be swift. We do not know if there is a wasp down here in the hive."
"Be careful, D," Mikey warned him before hugging him.
"Thanks, Mikey."
We watched Don run back to the elevator to head to the upper floors.
"Let's do this," Leo quietly prompted us.
The four of us snuck behind these victims and placed the needles in their necks. It took us about five minutes to cure all 27 people but they all went to sleep.
"Now how are the four of us going to carry 27 people out of here?" Raph whispered.
"We'll drag them to the elevator," Leo answered. "Hopefully no one will notice and Donnie will be able to help us."
The Turtles each dragged seven people to the elevator while I was able to drag the other six. After our first trip, Donatello had returned with Mona, who had proven to be the strongest of all the women. Mona was responsible for waking these people up and bringing them to the next elevator. According to Don, Mona would meet with Renet and Karai on the second level, and then Renet met April on the upper level. April and Lily would then work together to use their psychic powers to bring these people back up to the surface, and then Ryan, Venus, and Athena would help guide them to the monorail and bubble transport.
Just as we managed to drag the last three people onto the elevator, we heard a noise behind us in the throne room.
"Guys!" I shouted.
We all turned around to see the eggs hatching, and the room was suddenly full of wasps!
"RUN!" Leo shouted.
We quickly got into the elevator to head up to the level above us.
"Is this everyone?" Mona asked.
"Yeah, but the throne room is full of wasps!" Raph yelled in response.
"We need to leave NOW!" Don shouted. "If the wasps catch up, try to stand your ground!"
I tried my hardest to follow Donatello and Mona up to the next elevator.
"Renet, Karai, we have wasps trying to follow us!" Mona warned her.
"GO!" Don shouted. "Go tell April!"
The wasps had eventually caught up with us. Thankful for my instincts and my karate skills, I managed to evade all the wasps I had encountered. Otherwise, I kept moving forward. We eventually reached the next elevator to take us to the highest level, but someone was missing.
"Wait, someone got left behind!" I yelled.
"Raphael!" Mona yelled.
"We'll find him later!" Leo replied. "We need to get out of here!"
"Leo, no!" Mikey replied. "No turtle left behind! Raph said so. I'm going back!"
"MIKEY!" Don shouted.
"Guys, we need to go!" I yelled.
We ran towards April.
"April, Lily, we really need you to concentrate this time," I warned them. "We're being chased by a swarm of wasps!"
"You heard him, Lily!" April shouted. "Wilbur, go!"
"AAHH!"
I screamed at the pain I felt in my right arm.
"WILBUR!" I heard April and Don screaming.
I panted in pain and looked at the sting mark in my arm, but I didn't give in.
"I'll stay and hold them off," I told them. "GO!"
I put on my chargeball glove and fought off as many wasps as possible. I started to get tired, but I kept fighting on. I had eventually destroyed all the wasps before I felt a massive headache, and then everything went black.