Chapter 54: Departing in a New York Minute
Channel 6 was on with Ruby during the afternoon news cast. "Lastly, we have an on-air interview as our senior anchorwoman, April O'Neil, has someone who was involved in a crisis about two weeks ago," Ruby started. "Heck, our own station was the backdrop to it, not to mention it happened to be a former member." She turned to another desk. "Is that the story, April?" At that desk was April with Ash wearing his black t-shirt with the orange stripe across the chest.
"It is," April confirmed as the camera was trained on her. "Clayton Kellerman, a controversial talk show host for Channel 6's program, 'On Trial,' did the unthinkable as he forced Pokémon Trainer Ash Ketchum onto his show with the help of former chief, Burne Thompson, and former anchorman, Vernon Fenwick. However, he was rescued by NYPD and FBI agents who had tabs on Thompson as he awaits his own trial on numerous charges. Now, that would be where the story ends, but Ash, with his partner, Brock Harrison, and a few others were able to lure Kellerman into his studio where he confessed to the attempted bombing of the Babies & Children's Hospital on Broadway. Kellerman has been hit with his own list of charges. If convicted, he faces life in prison. I have Ash at the desk with me about the incident." The camera panned out to show Ash. Brock, Irma and Pikachu stayed behind the camera.
"Thanks for having me on, April," Ash greeted.
"Take me back to when you were forced onto Kellerman's show," April requested.
"I had been recovering from saving Buffy Shellhammer who was kidnapped by Shredder when I came up to get some fresh air. That's when I was struck in the neck by a tranquilizer dart and knocked out. Before I knew it, I was in Kellerman's studio. I realized that I was drugged since I saw it happen before. Burne and Vernon were the ones who held me in the studio and unable to escape."
"Did Clayton ask you any questions while you were with him?"
"If he did, the audience that was in there was so loud that I didn't hear much. I lost it there, I got into a shouting match… and then the agents came in to rescue me."
"They must have said something offensive to you."
"I wouldn't really say something, more like some things, especially your tenure on this network."
"Right… but it turned out the story wasn't done."
"Right, helping with the Turtles, we learned that someone had placed bombs at the hospital you brought up. We did learn that Kellerman's willing to risk the lives of sick and injured children. While the Turtles dealt with the bombs, we came into contact with Kellerman. I offered a conversation with a few friends under some drapes while Clayton bragged about his action. Believe me when I say that I wanted to beat him up for the attack on the kids."
"I don't blame you. Anyone that deranged isn't a good feeling. After you sprung the trap, the viewers seemed to want a piece of him, right?" The question made Ash raise his arms in defense.
"Hey, I didn't tell those viewers to come down to Channel 6 and beat the living daylights out of him!" The station had a laugh.
"Trust us, Ash," Ruby eased as the camera had a quick shot to her. "No one's accusing you of that." After a minute to calm down, the camera focused back on April and Ash.
"But now, I hear that you and Brock are going to move on," April briefed.
"Yeah," Ash confirmed. "Soon enough, Brock, Pikachu and I'll be leaving Manhattan."
"Well, it's a shame that you'll be leaving us. Maybe you have a departing message for the people at home who've accepted you as a friend?" The request made Ash giggle nervously.
"I don't really prepare messages, but all I can say is that the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are still fighting to protect you guys… and that you believe in Turtle Power." Humored, April stifled a giggle of her own.
"Thank you, Ash… and I hope that you'll still fight to protect those you love as well." Ash nodded as April turned back to the main desk. "Back to you, Ruby."
"Thank you, April," Ruby praised as the camera was back on her. "And I wish I had a chance to spend time you for more interviews, Ash." She turned to the camera. "That will do it for the 12 o'clock news. For April O'Neil and Ash Ketchum, I'm Ruby Joules." The camera turned off before everyone gathered. At the Lair, the Turtles and Splinter saw the interview.
"I'm no legal expert," Michelangelo spoke up. "But wouldn't the interview be dismissed by the court system?" The other Turtles looked a little baffled.
"What do you mean?" wondered Leonardo.
"I'm thinking that he believes the interview will help dismiss charges against those three," Donatello believed.
"They don't have a chance," Raphael scoffed. "There's plenty of other evidence that the interview here is just a formality." Splinter looked to be asleep. His students became curious.
"Master?" voiced Leonardo. Splinter looked to the Turtles.
"My apologies, my sons," he muttered. "When you told us that the portal for their home would be opened soon, I fear that we may say goodbye to them for good."
"Oh, don't say that, Master," Michelangelo doubted. "As long as Donatello keeps the Trans-Dimensional Portal running properly, we can visit them at anytime." Splinter smiled to the remark.
"Your enthusiasm is boundless, Michelangelo," he remarked.
"But Master Splinter's right," Raphael spoke up. "After all, we did have a lot of fun with Ash, Brock and their Pokémon." The other Turtles knew Raphael's point.
"We helped them train after they were misplaced no thanks to Team Rocket and Shredder," Leonardo added.
"Not to mention how much fun we had making pizzas," Michelangelo offered.
"And shared their wisdom with us," Donatello pointed out. Mona Lisa also joined.
"And if not for Ash," she spoke up. "I'd still feel out of place after what Filch did to me. No one would accept me after that moment."
"Why would we do that, dudette?" smiled Michelangelo. "We mutants need to stick together."
"Yeah…" agreed Mona Lisa. At Central Park, Ash and Brock released their Pokémon to let out some free time. Irma had joined as well.
"Are you sure that you want to join us, Irma?" asked Ash.
"Trust me, Ash," Irma promised. "As much as April and I are best friends, she's been supporting me with this decision." Swellow landed on Irma's arm. "It also helps that I'm intrigued by these guys."
"Hey, we don't mind the extra company," Brock accepted.
"And I can go home with the boyfriend I have," Irma hinted as she turned to Brock. He blushed at the notion. Ash thought to Buffy and her predicament. "Let me guess: Buffy?" Ash nodded.
"I can't help but want her to come with me back to the Pokémon World with the rest of us," he admitted. "She was kind, understanding… but I don't think we'll be able to do so." Brock and Irma knew the ordeal.
"You could only wish to bring her away from the estate," Brock realized. "At least Zach and Walt are coming along." Ash sighed, knowing that one boy who admired May would join. Swellow turned his head after hearing a rustling.
("Company!") he squawked. Hearing the Swallow Pokémon, everyone turned to the bird.
"Swellow, what is it?" asked Irma. They saw where Swellow's head was and turned.
"So, you're leaving Manhattan," an old man voiced. "That was from the interview from this afternoon." Appearing was Donald Lofty. Irma, the Trainers and Pikachu were surprised to see Lofty joining them.
"MR. LOFTY!" they gasped with Pikachu running up to be held. Lofty allowed Pikachu onto his shoulder as Ash and Irma came forward.
"I overheard some of the discussion going on with your departure," Lofty began. "I am willing to help out if there is a possible need." Irma patted Ash's arm with her own.
"You see, Shellhammer Chemicals appointed Buffy as the new CEO after her grandfather passed away," Ash informed. "However, she never wanted any part of the family company. She was forced into it. She wanted freedom like any kid." Lofty cupped his chin in thought.
"Shellhammer Chemicals…" he repeated. "It's funny… I happened to know Buffy's grandfather, Arthur. He helped me when I was beginning my business."
"So, you know about the Shellhammer business?" interested Irma.
"And the Shellhammer family to boot," Lofty answered. "Though, I find it humbling that you were able to reach and show Buffy a fun time." Ash seemed taken aback by Lofty's study.
"How did you know about that?" he wondered.
"Your fuzzy friend here," Lofty smiled as he petted Pikachu. "I can tell how he was smiling when you brought her up, like he wants to tell me all that you did with her that made her time enjoyable." Brock giggled to the thought.
"Guess all of the years alive got you this ability to detect, huh?" he joked.
"I don't hold any secrets, my boys," Lofty smiled. "Now, to you… I do believe someone like little Buffy is far too young to be CEO of the family business. However, I may have an idea." Ash seemed interested. A couple of hours later, Ash and Pikachu scaled around the Shellhammer estate. Buffy was face-down on her bed, frustrated with the ordeal with her family.
"Why!?" she yelled. "It sucks! I don't want to go to another business meeting!" She turned herself over. "All of these business deals, these negotiations… what's next, I'm invited to Saudi Arabia? I'd rather have Ash be with me than go on some lame trip." Suddenly, a tapping at her window. Hopeful, Buffy turned around. Once again, Ash and Pikachu bypassed the security systems. Overjoyed, Buffy opened the window and pulled the two inside. She hugged Pikachu while also giving Ash a longing kiss. "I got to stop making these wishes. You show up when I call for you."
"Oh, really?" awed Ash. "I'm glad I came to help you out. So, I take it you saw the news, right?"
"No… What's going on?"
"Donatello finished creating the Trans-Dimensional Portal from the blueprints we stole from Shredder. Brock is getting Zach and Walt since they're interested in joining." This made Buffy upset.
"You're going back?" She bowed her head, crying on the brink. "I wish I could go with you."
"That's why we came." The response made Buffy pause.
"Huh?"
"Yeah, we came to invite you to join us back to the Pokémon World." The news seemed too good for Buffy to believe.
"Oh, I wish I could join!" Her smile dropped. "But I can't… I'm stuck in this until I die."
"Actually, someone is providing you clearance. Are you familiar with Lofty Enterprises?"
"Who doesn't? Lofty Enterprises has a lot of manufacturing business over the country. I also know about Donald being friends with Grandpa... so much so, I think of him as another grandpa"
"Well, right now, Lofty is talking it over with your dad to merge his business with Shellhammer Chemicals and take over operations until his grandson graduates from college."
"Hold on… Donald Lofty is giving me a chance to be free?" The question made Ash and Pikachu nod. Her smile was back while tears left her closed eyes. "I knew you'd come through! I was also right about Grandpa Donald!"
"Yeah, so I'll let you get dressed and then we can bail out of here."
"And do a little shopping." The giggles came after. Ash and Pikachu excused themselves before Buffy changed. She reverted to her outfit she wore on their date to Coney Island. She leaped onto the tree before looking back to her room, the light shut off for good. "Goodbye, father. Your daughter is on a new voyage." She boarded Ash's back before they left with Pikachu on her shoulder. An hour later, they exited a clothing boutique. "Hey, nothing wrong with new clothes for the journey to the Pokémon World."
"I didn't say anything to the sort."
("Probably didn't want to,") Pikachu nagged.
"By the way," Buffy started as she eyed a giant sleeping bag. "Did you pick that up to sleep together back in your world? For that, I'd rather have that at a hotel or someplace room controlled and quiet."
"I was thinking of sleeping with any Pokémon that want to snuggle with us," Ash opted.
"That makes a little more sense..." started Buffy when they found the news van on the street.
"April must be on assignment," Ash guessed. They saw Pete, Irma, Brock with a group of people. As usual, April was in front of the camera with a young auburn-haired man filming.
"With the FBI having the information of where the Technodrome is located," April reported. Pete saw Pikachu and motioned him over. "All hands will be on deck in how to reign in the infamous Shredder." Pete handed Pikachu a folded paper with Channel 6's emblem on it. Pikachu realized what the ordeal was and ran out to April with it. "This is April O'Neil, Channel-" When she saw Pikachu with the letter offered to her, she paused and knelt to retrieve it, believing that it's news related. "Oh, this just in: Channel 6's senior reporter April O'Neil has been… nominated for a special award by the National Newscasters Bureau's own? What?" That's when Pete stepped up to April while Pikachu retreated to Ash. "Pete?"
"It's been a while, but I feel like it's the best time for it," Pete started as the camera was re-positioned. "April, I may have been assigned to work at Channel 6 through the bureaus, but it may have been the best decision I found myself in. We've been working since Shredder started attacking, and I felt that I needed to make sure you were safe. However, the more I worked with you, the more my heart began to beat that I wanted to see the lengths we'd go. I wanted to make sure you were taken care of when you were first terminated. Never in my life that I'd find the one woman who's smart, instinctive, brave and cunning that I'm surprised no one else thought of you… but I want to change that." He pulled the jewel box from his jacket and knelt to her. "April O'Neil…" He opened the box, showing her the ring. In the Lair, the proposal was broadcasted and shown. Raphael gasped and spat soda to the side while Michelangelo had a brief choke on some pizza.
"Whoa, Agent Rockman's proposing to April!" realized Leonardo. April gasped, shocked at such a ring and that she was being proposed.
"Will you marry me?" asked Pete. The thought of the FBI agent who moonlighted as her station's camera proposing to her, April couldn't believe the situation. Still, he was around her all of the time. Her hands covered her exasperated lips. Finally, she leaped onto Pete, arms wide open. She wrapped her arms and crying with a glee.
"YES!" she cried. "Yes, Peter!" The crowd cheered as April helped Pete to his feet. He removed the ring from the case before slipping it on April's finger. She looked to the ring before the proposer. They had their first kiss together. Finally, she turned to the camera while Ruby at the desk back at the station applauded the upcoming couple.
"Oh, that rarely happens on the air!" she joked. "A proposal, let alone to one of our own." After the kiss, Pete gave the microphone back to April.
"This is April O'Neil, Channel 6 News," she finished… somewhat. "And I'm off the market, boys." The Turtles laughed to April's retort.
"There's her zinger!" joked Raphael.
"I can bet that we're so happy that April is engaged," Leonardo spoke. "At least it's not Vernon, and don't get me started about Shredder." Michelangelo irked to the thought of April and Shredder together while Raphael and Donatello pelted Leonardo with the couch cushions.
"Bro, what world do you live in for that to happen?" he gawked. "I mean, I have some wild thoughts from time to time, but even that's the furthest from my little mind."
"Michelangelo, you don't need to downgrade yourself like that, okay?" nagged Raphael. "Besides, it's what Ash told us when we were training after he brought the blueprints to bring them all home." That's when Michelangelo had an idea.
"I know!" he voiced. "I can call up Vinnie's for Ash and Brock to take home to their friends!" The other Turtles liked the idea.
"And Zach and Walt are willing to go with them back to their world!" remembered Donatello. "Michelangelo, take care of the pizza order! Leonardo, call up Zach and have him and Walt pick it up before coming down here!"
"And what about you?" asked Raphael.
"I'll get the machine warmed up so that it's ready to take them home," Donatello answered. In a few moments, Ash and Brock would be going home and leaving the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to deal with the crime in New York City.
TO BE CONTINUED...