So I made this chapter a little more interesting. Lily continues to progress in her pregnancy. We have some surprises in store for her and for the Turtles. We have a baby shower and we have a mock trial.

I will probably write another chapter here before attempting to write another story for "Hanashi" because I'm really excited to write the next chapter. I will say that things go... quite differently with Lily than she and Donnie had planned.

But hey, enjoy this chapter with quite the surprise for Lily!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything related to "TMNT," "Meet the Robinsons," "Toy Story," "Criminal Case," "Lord of the Rings," nor "Justice League: Unlimited." I only own Lilianna, James, Ryan, Justine, Isamu, Venus, Athena, Skyler, Anna, Jasper and Karena.


December 24, 2049 - New York City, New York, USA

DONATELLO'S POV

Lily and I took a little break from Christmas festivities and took the portal back to my lab in New York City. I gave her a prenatal exam as she reached twenty weeks of pregnancy. I was smiling the entire time, encouraged by her progress.

"Your baby is growing well, Lily Mae. How are you feeling?"

"I feel wonderful," Lily answered, returning the smile.

"No back pain?"

"No. The tai chi is helping a lot with my posture and my strength."

"Auntie Mona is a wonderful teacher. You know, I can't believe she didn't do what Leo and Karai did and open up a school."

"Auntie Mona wanted to be home with Venus and the rest of us. You can't blame her for that."

I kept on smiling.

"I'm not. After all, I stayed home with you when you were born. But anyway, no itchy skin?"

"I do, but Anna made a cream for me."

"Anna makes creams... Anna is a woman of talent, just like you."

"Anna learned a lot from her mother. She worked at the Houses of Healing before joining the Citadel Guard."

"How's your sleep?"

"Fine."

"What about constipation? Any symptoms there?"

"No. James always makes sure I drink lots of water."

"Good! I'm glad. Now, I'm going to conduct an exam on the ultrasound and see how your baby is doing."

Lily lied down on the cot and she lifted her blue dress up, revealing her bare baby bump. I squirted some blue gel on her abdomen and rubbed the dobbler over it. I turned on the machine and immediately heard the baby's heartbeat.

"Oh my goodness!" Lily gasped in awe. "I'll never tire of hearing that. It's so beautiful!"

"Isn't it?" I replied as I examined the baby.

"Oh!" Lily exclaimed as I watched the baby kick.

We laughed. But suddenly, my smile faded away.

"Lily, would you look at the ultrasound for a moment?"

Lily turned to the machine.

"The back looks different, like there's a shell there."

"And that's not all," I replied. "Do you see how there's three toes on the baby's foot? And three fingers on the baby's hand?"

"Yes! What does this mean?"

I turned off the ultrasound machine and frowned, gazing back in my daughter's blue eyes.

"Lily, you're expecting a baby mutant turtle."


December 31, 2049 - Pacific Bay, California, USA

LILIANNA'S POV

I kept staring at the ultrasound picture my dad printed off for me a week ago. I had never felt so stressed in my life, nor have I felt so scared. What was I going to do?

I heard knocking on the door, bringing me back to reality.

"Hey, Lily," James greeted me. "Anna and Jasper are downstairs ready to celebrate."

"That's wonderful. Just wonderful."

James' smile faded away.

"Alright, Lily, I know that look. Something's wrong."

I glanced at him with a look of stubbornness.

"What look? I don't have a look."

"You're an expectant mother, Lily. You've already mastered the look."

"James, you've always read me like a book. Come sit down. There's something I gotta tell you."

James closed the door and sat on the floor across from me. I gazed at the play area before my eyes returned to him.

"My father examined me last week since it was my twenty-week mark and he found something that's got me so terrified I'm not even sure I'll survive childbirth."

James put both his hands on my shoulders.

"Lily, you are the strongest woman I know. You will survive childbirth. I have faith in your father to help you deliver our baby. Speaking of which, what did he find out?"

I let out a huge sigh.

"Our baby is a mutant turtle. My... dad's already scheduled the C-section for May 9th."

I sighed again, this time with tears threatening to come out.

"James... what am I gonna do?"

"Has your dad noticed anything else that we need to know about?"

"No. Dad says the baby is growing normally the way a baby should."

"Well, did he say there were any other complications?"

"No, just that the baby could get stuck in the birth canal... like it did Justine's!"

I started crying.

"That's why he scheduled the C-section! He didn't want to lose me the same way he almost lost Karai and Justine! This was why I didn't want to be pregnant in the first place!"

"Hey, hey! Lily, listen to me. I've known you since high school. I knew you never meant to say those words. Maybe you didn't want kids when we were teens, and it made sense back then. But now..."

My husband let out a sigh.

"Lily, I remember your tears when you returned from Isamu's birth. You had cried almost everyday because you regretted those words of not wanting children. You cried because deep down, you wanted to become a mother. And now, you are a mother, regardless of the complications. Pregnancy is a risky thing. But it's always worth the risk because our baby will be in our arms with a smile on her face."

I continued crying as I embraced him, the tears falling on his shoulder.

"Lily, you do what you think is best for our baby. Do what you think is best for us. Do what you think is best for you."

I nodded, and then we heard knocking.

"James, are you okay in there? It's Jasper."

We both chuckled.

"We'd better get down to the party before Jasper and Anna miss us too much," James suggested.

I wiped my tears and took his hand. The four of us closed out a very memorable year and walked into a new one with even more exciting adventures to look forward to.


January 7, 2050 - San Diego, California, USA

ANNA'S POV

"Is there anything I could have done differently?" Lily asked as I washed the dishes.

"No. Lily, you were born of a turtle-human hybrid and an alien-human hybrid. And besides, I think you are doing the best things possible to take care of yourself and your child. The tai chi. The sparring without contact. Reading. Relaxing when you need to. Lily, Donnie said the baby was growing well and asides from the whole mutant-turtle thing, you said you felt great. I'd say don't change anything."

"Well, so far you're the only one. Even my dad is now encouraging me to rest. Uncle Raph told me to take it easy."

Lily paused, realizing what she said.

"Actually, Mona Lisa encouraged me to keep going with the tai chi. Karai just sat there and rested. She did what her husband told her to do."

"And what did your husband tell you to do?"

"James told me to keep doing what I've been doing, just like you and Auntie Mona."

Lily growled, burying her head in her hands.

"I'm just frustrated at this whole thing. This pregnancy was going so well until this whole thing."

I stopped doing the dishes and locked my green eyes with Lily's blue ones.

"Lilianna Mae Hamato, your pregnancy is still going well and don't you dare let your doubts tell you otherwise. You just need to take it day by day, like you have been doing all your life. Your baby is healthy, and that's what matters. In my vision, you delivered your baby without any fear and the baby was healthy. I have to believe it will happen for you when it's time."

We hugged.

"Listen to your husband, Lily. And listen to your father. They're both very wise men because they're in your life."

I felt Lily nod, and then I felt her baby kick.

"See, that, right there?" I continued. "That's a sign your baby's healthy. Enjoy that for the next four months."

Lily giggled, caressing her baby bump as she felt another kick. Suddenly, I saw a vision.

"Anna? Anna, look at me!"

My eyes locked with hers and she let out a gasp.

"Baxter Stockman escaped his jail cell!" she exclaimed with horror.

"We need to go tell the others!"


January 14, 2050 - Todayland, North Montana, USA

DONATELLO'S POV

And just like that, we were all on patrol searching for Baxter Stockman again. Only this time, we came prepared.

I created an invention that would track Stockman no matter what, and I, too, had found out Stockman escaped as a result of that invention. And through Bishop, we learned he had help.

Mona Lisa and Venus stationed up in Alaska in case Stockman returned there. Raphael, since he worked for the police department, remained in New York and patrolled there with Mikey, Renet, and Athena, who all had jobs in the city. April also remained in New York, but she returned to the farmhouse for the time being.

Anna patrolled Southern California on Lily's behalf, as the latter was pregnant and was told not to go in patrols. Instead, Lily continued tai chi on her own in case Stockman would find her. I had every ounce of faith that Lily would defend herself in whatever way she could. That was her talent.

Leo and Karai stationed themselves in Oklahoma on Justine's behalf and would patrol with Sheriff Woody every day and every night. Ryan and Justine remained in Todayland, as their lives were there now.

I, too, remained in Todayland and I was going to stay with the Robinsons until Stockman was found again. Ryan and I would patrol every night. During the day, while I taught my students, I built something similar to Wilbur's timeline monitor, only mine tracks the Ten Dimensions. I had kept in contact with the Utrom High Council as they offered to help us find Stockman.

My T-Phone rang.

"Donatello?"

"Donnie, it's Raph. I found out how Dexter Stockboy broke out. He transformed into a housefly and melted the bars in the window. That's how he got out."

"No help from anyone named Kraang?"

"Krang, singular A, helped Stockman escape the prison grounds. But didn't Lily tell him to stay in prison?"

"Hmm, I'm not sure. She told him to tell the truth to the judge. That's all I can remember."

"You might want to find out. Otherwise, Lily's gonna be training herself to be a Jedi."

"I'm pretty sure in the Star Wars dimension, Lily already is a Jedi. She has telekinesis and has learned to wield a double-saber."


January 21, 2050 - Pacific Bay, California, USA

LILIANNA'S POV

My father came to Pacific Bay through his inter-dimensional portal to examine me and my baby.

"Any problems since last month? I mean, since the whole Stockman thing?"

I let out a sigh.

"No. I feel fine. The baby's been moving like crazy, though! It's been keeping me up at night."

"Do you still get some sleep?"

"Yes. But it's not easy with school and this whole thing with Stockman."

I paused, and I suddenly felt angry.

"But I'm so frustrated! I can't go on patrol because I'm having a baby. I'm doing tai chi by myself while everyone else goes on patrol. I feel so helpless and all because of this pregnancy!"

I slammed my fist on the table.

"I thought with Stockman back in prison, life would go back to being easy and then I find out I'm having a baby and it's the most joyous thing I've ever gone through. And then Stockman escaped prison and here I am sitting here with nothing but tai chi. I want to be out there, dammit! I have to be out there doing something!"

"Hey!" Dad snapped at me. "Watch your language!"

I then started crying.

"I'm sorry."

We hugged.

"No, I'm sorry," Dad replied with compassion. "Snapping at you wasn't the answer. I understand how frustrating this is for you. But I do have some encouraging news."

I sniffed and gazed into his amber brown eyes before he continued.

"Your baby is growing wonderfully because the weight and height are just right. And you, you look wonderful. You're practically glowing. Pregnancy suits you well."

I smiled through my tears.

"Lily, you are doing exactly what you need to do and that is something you should be proud of. I know it's been hard. But time passes quickly. Your baby will be here before you know it, and all the waiting will be worth it. I would say, just be patient, continue your tai chi because it's exercise and because it's actually made you happier."

Dad's smile suddenly faded away and I immediately knew what he was thinking of.

"You came to ask me about my powers on Stockman."

"Yes. Did your... truth-telling ability go farther than Stockman going to court?"

"No, and I didn't realize it until I saw Anna's vision of Stockman escaping his cell. My powers only went as far as him telling the truth at court and him serving a longer sentence. I should have asked you to create some kind of retro-mutagen for him."

"Sweetheart, if it doesn't work on Karai, it won't work on Stockman. He found a way around it. Beyond the courtroom, Lily, it was his own choice. You did nothing wrong. Prison is a chance for folks to change their ways and you gave him that. That was the right thing to do. All we can do now is hope we can catch him in whatever act he's got planned."

"Please call me if you need me. I want to help."

Dad put his hands on my shoulders.

"The only thing I want you to do right now is take care of yourself and the baby. I don't want you to do what your mother did with Yoshi."

"What do you mean?"

It was my dad's turn to sigh.

"We thought there was going to be a resurgence of the Shredder and your mom refused to sit still. She patrolled with us to disprove these allegations of the Shredder coming back. The Shredder never returned and we lost Yoshi because your mother worked so hard her body could not handle it. We lost Yoshi the next day."

I cried again. I now realized why my uncles were insistent that I take it easy.

"I need to talk to Leo. Where is he?"

"He's still in Oklahoma. We're all staying put in our temporary posts until Stockman is found again."


January 28, 2050 - Elkhorn, Oklahoma, USA

LEONARDO'S POV

Karai and I actually had an easy time in Elkhorn the past couple weeks. Because the residents used to be toys, we were easily welcomed. Woody and Bo offered us Justine's old bedroom and her cat Chloe often slept with us.

We patrolled with the sheriff every morning and then we patrolled with Deputy Slink every night. We had not heard from anyone on Stockman's whereabouts since the new year started.

I decided to make a phone call.

"Donatello."

"Hey, D. It's Leo. Have you found anything on your tracker?"

"No. One minute he's in Dimension X and the next he's in a place we cannot trace!"

"What would he be doing in Dimension X?"

"Probably assisting Kraang Subprime, or the other way around."

"Alright, well, keep looking, Donnie."

We hung up and my next call went to Raph.

"Hamato."

"Raph, any updates on Stockman's escape?"

"I looked at the security footage and Stockman was alone when he escaped."

"I thought he had help?"

"He did, outside the prison. Krang found him and took him to another dimension. Bishop's been tracking Krang and Shredder from Earth-Two."

"Earth-Two? You mean the Shredder and Krang who tried to come to our dimension and tried to destroy our world?"

"Bingo. Which is weird. You'd think Shredder would be dead by now."

"He was in his thirties in 1987. And it's 2050 now."

"That's 63 years ago. So he's in his nineties now."

"The Japanese have been known to live longer than the Americans. Maybe Shredder returned to Japan at some point."

"No, I just texted Karena.That Shredder never returned to Japan. He's been in Dimension X for a long time and Krang found him."

"So you think our Stockman is working with their Shredder?"

"Could be."

"Wait a minute, why did you text Karena?"

"Because Karena was from a world that knew everything that happened to us and our counterparts."

"We've been asking the wrong person for help. We need Karena."

"How can Karena be of help to us? And she has two kids. Who's going to take care of them?"

I smirked, coming up with an idea.

"Maybe Karena doesn't need to go anywhere."

Suddenly, a portal opened and Lily emerged.

"Raph, I gotta go. Lily's here."

"What? What is she doing--"

I hung up.

"Hi, Uncle Leo," Lily greeted me.

"Lily, what are you doing here?" I asked with a concerned glance. "You're supposed to stay home."

"I needed to come see you. And I need to apologize."

"Apologize? What for?"

"I doubted you," Lily explained, caressing her baby bump. "I got mad at you because you had told Karai to not exercise at all and then you told me the same thing. That's why I hadn't spoken to you in a while. But last week, my dad explained what happened to Yoshi and now I understand your position."

I smiled.

"No, Lilianna. I was wrong. You have proven me wrong again. Your father's been telling me how you've been doing and I've never seen you so happy, even against the odds. What you've been doing is clearly working out for you and you've taught me to be open-minded. It took me a long time to figure this out because I always thought my way was the best way. I hope you can forgive me."

"Of course, I forgive you."

We shared a hug and I suddenly felt her child kick.

"That's a strong kick!" I told her with a laugh. "I firmly stand by my beliefs that you're having a boy."

Lily laughed merrily.

"I guess we'll find out sooner than we think," she replied. "Only fifteen weeks to go."

My phone suddenly rang and I answered it.

"Moshi-moshi," I greeted my caller.

"Leonardo, it's Mona. Venus and I have been overpowered and we're stuck here. We have no way home!"

"Uncle Leo, send Anna," Lily suggested. "She can withstand the cold."


February 4, 2050 - San Diego, California, USA

ANNA'S POV

"Thank you for taking care of us, Anna."

"Anytime," I replied to the mother-daughter duo. "I'm sorry you've been stuck up there for a while."

"San Diego is such a beautiful city," Venus said with a smile. "I'd come back again if I could."

"How is your schooling going?" Mona Lisa asked.

"I'm almost done," I answered with a grin. "I'm doing my research on this huge mock trial that I have to pass before I can graduate."

"What is a mock trial?"

"It's what it sounds like. You take a trial that has already happened and you pretty much turn it into a play. In my case, I play the lawyer."

"That sounds intriguing," Venus replied. "I wonder if we can do something like that in New York."

A light bulb went off in my mind.

"That's actually a good idea, Venus!" I replied with enthusiasm. "This would be the perfect way for us to learn about Stockman and what he plans to do."


New York City, New York, USA

DONATELLO'S POV

"A mock trial, huh?" I asked with intrigue. "That's a good idea!"

"We'll have it right here in the dojo," Leo replied. "Now obviously, Anna's going to be the lawyer."

"But who's lawyer?" Mikey asked. "Anna?"

"I'd be the prosecution," Anna answered.

"So we need a lawyer to defend Stockman," Leo suggested."

"I'd do it," Lily replied. "But I'd be more of a psychologist in this case."

"I agree," I said.

"Then I'll do it," April chimed in. "I'll be the defendant's lawyer. But who'll be the defendant?"

"I'll do it," Mikey answered.

"He is quite an actor," Athena affirmed. "But now we need Anna to represent someone. Who will that be?"

"That'll be me," Raph answered. "It was the police who arrested him, after all. Now who'll be the judge?"

"I'll be the judge," Leo replied. "And now we need a bailiff."

"I'll do it," Venus volunteered.

"Then I guess the rest of us will be the jury."

"Wait!" Anna exclaimed. "We need witnesses."

"That is a good point," I chimed in. "What are we thinking about for those?"

"We already have Lilianna as the psychologist," Leo explained. "What about Stockman's mother?"

"I'll do it!" Athena eagerly volunteered.

"And then perhaps someone Stockman has harmed?"

"I'll do it," I replied. "April's given me a pretty good summary of what happened when Stockman tried to mutate an entire army of bugs for Shredder."

"Would three witnesses be enough, Anna?" Leo asked.

"Yes, that's perfect."

"Now when is a good time to have this mock trial?"

"Why not spring break?" Lily suggested.

"That starts on March 21st," Anna answered. "That's perfect! Because then my mock trial is just a couple weeks later. But now, do we have enough people to be the jury?"

"Raise your hand if you do not have a role," Leo called out.

Karai, Ryan, Justine, Mona Lisa, James, and Skyler raised their hands.

"That's only half a jury," Anna said. "Where do we get the other six?"

"Wilbur and Karena are part of the clan also," Leo suggested. "We'll ask them for help."

"Then we have Shinigami and Casey," Mikey chimed in. "That's ten."

"Hmm... we need two volunteers. Any suggestions?"

"I can have Jasper and Jessi volunteer also," Anna answered. "Jessi should be home for spring break as well."

"Then it's settled!" Leo replied enthusiastically. "Our mock trial will be March 25th so Lily will be able to make it."

"Wait!" April yelled. "Before we adjourn, Mona, Venus, what happened in Alaska?"

"We stood guard at Stockman's lab," Mona Lisa explained. "The Stockman trio barged in, but Kraang Subprime and Krang also came and took everything, including our portals."

"Well, I guess Alaska is out of the question," Lily replied, rolling her eyes.

"So we're going back to patrolling all over the country?" Athena asked.

"I'm afraid so," I answered with a frown. "Because the worst thing that happened in that fight is Stockman found my tracker. I can't track him anymore."

We all sighed in defeat.


February 11, 2050 - Pacific Bay, California, USA

LILIANNA'S POV

I had decided to dedicate today to myself after a busy week of looking over my family's notes on Stockman to prepare for the mock trial.

I went out shopping to get new maternity clothes. After I paid for them, I couldn't help but put one of my new dresses on. It immediately became my favorite dress. It was a pink dress with fluffy bell sleeves and an empire waist band. The dress had plenty of room for my baby to grow up until the due date. And the best part was, I felt free to move.

I went to the Ocean Shore district and then to the beach to do my tai chi exercises. Unfortunately, Mona Lisa had not been here to teach me, nor was anyone else available to help me learn. So, I was alone. And I was okay. Auntie Mona had taught me enough for me to learn new exercises on my own.

I used the waves and the wind to my advantage, freely moving my arms and legs with them. I had a smile on my face the entire time, and somehow, I knew my baby was smiling, too. I had felt my baby move with me as if he wanted to learn tai chi as well. I wondered if my baby would be psychic as well, just like my mother wondered about me. When I finished, I closed my eyes and slowly caressed my bump, wondering if I could read my baby's thoughts. I read one thought: I love you, Mama.

I smiled, leaving one hand on the bottom of my bump and placing the other on my heart, feeling thankful in the moment. Then I decided it was time to head home.

I drove home to the mountains in my flying car and entered the house through the kitchen. To my surprise, it was dark.

"James?" I called out. "Are you home?"

"I'm in the dining room," he answered.

I walked in and couldn't believe my eyes. James had prepared a candlelit dinner. There were two steak dinners on the table with two glasses, which I hoped wasn't alcoholic due to my pregnancy.

"What is all this?" I asked, tears coming to my eyes in pleasant surprise.

"Our Valentine's dinner," he answered with a smile.

I laughed.

"Valentine's dinner? Valentine's Day isn't until Monday!"

"I know. But you've been busy with preparing for the mock trial, writing your dissertation, and growing our baby. Plus, you've been kicking butt this entire time."

I laughed harder and then I gasped when the baby kicked me hard.

"You okay?" James asked with laughter.

"Yeah! I think our baby agrees with you! Now what were you going to say?"

"Well, with all that going on, I figured you deserve something special for Valentine's Day, even if it's a few days early."

I walked up to him and we touched our foreheads. Our hands went to my soccer ball-sized baby bump and we felt the baby kick again.

"I already have something special, thanks to you," I whispered to my husband. "Getting to experience this pregnancy with you, and then raising a child together."

"Donnie tells me you're doing really well despite the odds. I'm proud of you."

We smiled at each other and then we kissed.

"Well, let's eat," he suggested.

I sat down and smelled the drink. It was cream soda. I sighed in contentment, and our baby smiled in the womb as we ate our delicious Valentine's Day dinner.


February 18, 2050 - Todayland, North Montana, USA

DONATELLO'S POV

Lily took the portal to Todayland this time for her exam, which was easy to do in my office after I finished teaching for the day. I continued to be encouraged by her progress. While April had been terrified at how her pregnancy would go, Lily was all smiles the entire time, even after the news of her baby being a humanoid turtle.

"Lily Mae, welcome to the third trimester! Just twelve weeks left. How do you feel?"

"I feel incredible," she answered with her gap-toothed grin. "And I know my baby's healthy."

"Oh? And how do you know?"

"I can read my baby's thoughts. And not only that, but I can tell he's happy. His kicks are strong and somehow, I can see him smile."

"Him?" I repeated with a grin of my own. "How do you know your baby is a boy?"

"I don't. But lately, I've been imagining myself having a boy. James and I already came up with names for our baby but it's a surprise."

We paused, smiling at each other. I could tell Lily was looking forward to having her child in her arms. She felt the same way I did when April was pregnant.

"Well, as always, your baby is growing exactly the way a baby should," I explained. "And so are you. Are you feeling any pain anywhere?"

"Just minor back pain. But when I do tai chi, I'm fine."

"The tai chi is doing wonders for you. Have you thought of becoming a teacher? You seem to master it very quickly."

Lily cracked up laughing.

"Dad, I'm already an assistant profiler and I'm still writing my dissertation which won't be done for another year. And I'm having a baby. I'm not going to have time to become a teacher!"

"Lily, it's only an hour a week!" I encouraged her. "It might be good for you. Especially to guide expectant and new mothers. You make enough to open a business, do you not?"

"I need a license to practice, first. But you really think I should go for it?"

"Absolutely! Russell told me how you did as a professor last year and he had nothing but good things to say. If you can handle teaching behavior profiling for a year, then you can teach tai chi for one hour a week."

Lily paused with a curious smile on her face.

"I'll talk to James about it. Now, anything I need to know about the baby?"

"Well, your baby's going to be changing positions to where the head is down towards your pelvis. So you may start to feel all the kicking up here from now on."

I rubbed the top of her baby bump to emphasize my point, and I felt the baby kick my hand.

"Wow! You weren't kidding about the baby's kicks! That's a strong one! Speaking of kicks, I'd like you to start counting kicks, movements, jerking, et cetera. You should be feeling ten of those within two hours."

"Okay."

"Are you having any other symptoms, like sensitive skin?"

"No," Lily answered. "Anna's still making her cream for me, and it's different depending on the stage of pregnancy I'm in."

"How does Anna do it? She should start a business, too."

"She'll probably start a business as a lawyer."

"That's a good point. But do you have any questions for me?"

My red-haired daughter frowned.

"How's the search for Stockman going?

Then I frowned.

"Not good. We're all scattered across the country again and we can't find him. Karena's not finding Stockman in the Ten Dimensions and Wilbur continues to tell us Stockman did not go back in time."

"Wait, Karena's in on this? How?"

"Karena came from a different world and would access to things we wouldn't know about. I trusted her with Donatello's dimensionizer."

"You mean your dimensionizer?"

"No, my counterpart."

"Ah. Wait, who went to Earth-Two?"

"Uncle Mikey. The two Michelangelos get along great, so Uncle Mikey is invited back often. Unfortunately, when Karena does say she found Stockman in one of those dimensions, we investigate and Stockman's already gone."

"So what's the next plan?" Lily asked. "Just keep searching and searching until we find him again? That's going to take too long. I don't think Stockman's in the country."

I let out a sigh, knowing she was right.

"Let's regroup in New York next week," I suggested. "We'd be better off searching the Ten Dimensions."


February 25, 2050 - New York City, New York, USA

LEONARDO'S POV

"Thank you for coming, everyone. First, I want to hear from all of you. How have your searches gone?"

"Nothing in Todayland and nothing in the surrounding states," Ryan answered, holding Isamu in his lap.

"Not much to report in the states surrounding Oklahoma, either," Karai chimed in.

"I rode my water stallion all along the Pacific Coast," Anna explained with a frown. "I could not spot him with my foresight. He wasn't in Hawaii, Alaska, or Mexico."

I saw Lily widen her eyes with surprise.

"You rode your stallion all the way to Mexico?"

"Lily, Mexico isn't that far from San Diego. It's only an hour-long ride. Heck, I could go all the way to Argentina if I could."

"Any other progress?" I asked.

I was met with silence.

"Well, Donnie, you mentioned you had a suggestion?"

"Yes. After talking with Lily about our search for Stockman, we need to either search around the globe or search the Ten Dimensions."

"THE GLOBE?" everyone asked in dismay.

"We can't do that!" Raph replied furiously. "It pains me to say this, Donnie, but we all have jobs or school!"

"What other choice do we have?" I asked.

"Search the Ten Dimensions, first," Karena suggested. "Wilbur can take the Time Machine around the globe if he needs to."

"Karena, I can't," Wilbur replied. "It's a waste of resources. The only way I can travel globally is by going back in time."

"Some of us can travel around the globe," Mona Lisa chimed in. "I do not have a job and I'd be willing to go see the world."

"I'll go with you," Venus replied.

"What about your business?" Donnie asked.

"I'll keep an eye on it," Athena volunteered. "I can teach during the day and sell flowers at night. Venus has been training me the last couple years."

"Wilbur, I can talk to Amy on your behalf about traveling around the world," Renet chimed in. "The last thing we need is Stockman to get a hold of time-traveling technology and messing up the timelines. Wherever in the world he is, he needs to be stopped. And I promise you'll be home on the weekends. Maybe we can talk about paying you extra."

"What do you think, Karr?"

"I don't think we have a choice," Karena answered her husband. "Wilbur, you have to go."

Wilbur let out a sigh before nodding.

"Karai and I can travel the globe as well," I chimed in.

"Me too," Lily spoke up.

"Lily, no!" Donnie exclaimed in horror.

"I can at least travel the world at night," she explained. "I'd have to get permission from Superman and Batman, but I can use my credentials from the Justice League to search the world at night. The Javelin is an amazing ship."

Lily turned towards her father.

"Dad, I promise, if I find Stockman, I will call you first. I will not try to get involved."

Donnie bit his tongue, and then he gave her a firm nod.

"It sounds like we need to make you a new outfit to hide your pregnancy," April suggested. "We'll make it happen."

"Just be careful, Lilianna," I warned the expectant mother. "You are now just eleven weeks away from labor and delivery."

"Uncle Leo, I promise, I'll be fine."


March 4, 2050 - Todayland, North Montana, USA

LILIANNA'S POV

"Well, here you go, Lily," Tallulah said, handing me a long black dress.

"That's it?" I asked. "That's all you can come up with?"

"Just try it on," Justine encouraged me. "I promise it's better than it looks."

I took the dress into the dressing room with me. I gazed down at the dress, let out a sigh, and slightly caressed my bump. I hadn't transformed into Aumanil ever since we captured Baxter Stockman in my father's lab back in August. And today, I was thirty weeks pregnant. I wasn't sure if I could do the spin this time.

I closed my eyes, trying to read the thoughts of my child again, and one flashed across my mind: You can do it, Mama.

I let out another sigh, spread my right arm out, and I spun carefully to my right. The sun shone around me and just like that, I was out of my pink dress and in my black dress.

"She did it," I heard my mom say in awe.

I examined myself in the mirror. My black dress had two straps over my shoulders and an empire waistline, and over the dress was a black cloak. I turned to the side of the mirror and noticed my baby bump, despite it growing more, was barely visible. The cloak hid it very well. I noticed there were two slits, one on each side of the dress to help me move. I wore black flats to make my feet comfortable. Lastly, the top half of my red hair was tied up while the rest of it remained loose.

I opened the door and revealed myself to my mother, my cousin-in-law, and Tallulah.

"Dang!" Justine exclaimed. "That looks better than I thought it would."

"I can't even tell you're pregnant in that!" Mom said, still in awe. "Great job, girls! But Lily, did you get clearance from the Justice League?"

"Yes, I did," I answered. "Superman was wary. I had to promise him that they'd assist in looking for Stockman, too. Mareena's coming with me. In fact, she's meeting me here in Todayland so we can patrol in Europe."

Mom put her hands on my shoulders.

"I want you to promise me to be careful, Lilianna Mae," she sternly told me.

"Mom, I promise I'll be fine. I won't be alone and I already promised Dad I'd call if I find Stockman."

We hugged each other tightly as I felt a kick from my baby.

"Your baby is telling you to be careful, too."

"I know, Mom. I can read the baby's thoughts."

"Good luck, Aumanil," Justine encouraged me.

I firmly nodded at her, and I went out the back door and out of the city to do my first international patrol since my pregnancy began.


March 11, 2050 - Paris, France

Mareena and I stood at the top of the Eiffel Tower in what was the early hours of the morning. The sun had already risen, which meant our patrol was just about to end. We could not find Stockman in France. We decided to spend this time to catch up.

"I can't believe you're having a baby," Mareena told me with a huge smile.

"In just nine weeks," I replied, caressing my big bump. "He's been kicking me a lot."

"He? It's a boy?"

I laughed and nodded excitedly.

"I can read my baby's thoughts and I know for sure my baby's a boy. But no one else knows, except maybe my dad, since he's my doctor."

"You are very lucky to have a dad who cares about you."

"So are you! I met your father and he is an honorable man, willing to sacrifice his life for his family."

"He did lose his hand to save my brother, after all."

I chuckled.

"We'd all do the same thing for each other."

We smiled at each other.

"Do you have a name for your son?" Mareena asked.

I grinned excitedly.

"I do, but I can't tell you. It's a surprise."

"Well, whatever it is, I'm sure he would be proud of the name you'll give him."

"I think so, too."

"May I see your bump?"

"Sure!"

I pulled my dress back against my bump and Mareena gasped with delight as I grinned.

"Your bump is so beautiful, Lily!" she exclaimed, rubbing her hand on my very-swollen midsection. "This is one lucky baby."

"I think I'm the lucky one to be his mother."

"May I take your picture? I mean, how often do you get to be on the Eiffel Tower?"

I smiled, realizing she had a point. It was also not often that I get to be pregnant for nine months. I nodded, and Mareena took the picture.

"How's everything going at the zoo in San Diego?" I asked.

"It's absolutely wonderful!" Mareena answered. "I get to interact with the dolphins every day. It's a dream come true."

"I should introduce you to my friend Anna some time. She attends a law school in San Diego and she has a big love for animals. But I don't think she's ever seen a dolphin before."

"I like her already!"

We laughed and spent a little more time in Paris. Then she dropped me off at home just in time for bed.


March 18, 2050 - Pacific Bay, California, USA

DONATELLO'S POV

April and I both traveled to Pacific Bay for Lily's exam. I could not do an ultrasound due to the machine being in New York, but I was thorough in examining her baby.

"Well, the good news is that the baby is head down," I told my daughter. "The baby's put on a lot of weight and is now four pounds. You've done well, Lily."

"Thank you, Father. But is there a reason why Mom is here?"

My parents glanced at each other before my dad started to explain.

"You're gonna want to start watching out for Braxton Hick contractions. April, do you want to tell Lily what they feel like?"

"A Braxton Hicks contraction is a practice contraction," Mom explained. "It's the body's way of preparing you for labor. It's normally not painful and only lasts a short time. The contraction starts at the top of your uterus and then goes downward towards your pelvis. And these are irregular and not constant."

"So if contractions are constant, then it's the real thing?" Lily asked.

"Yes. If you have a contraction that is about 30 seconds long but then you get another one that is a minute long, then it's not labor. But if you get a contraction that is 30 seconds long, and then another one comes after, say, eight minutes, and it's also 30 seconds long, and it takes another eight minutes for the next contraction, then it'll be time."

"Are those contractions painful?"

"Not really, at first. When I first got into labor with you, I thought it was Braxton Hicks contractions. And then they slowly started feeling like menstrual cramps. And then the more labor progresses, the more painful and stronger the contractions will become."

"Now keep in mind, Lily, that there is another way to determine whether your contractions are Braxton Hicks or the real thing," I chimed in. "Say you're lying down when you feel a contraction. If you immediately change positions or stand up, the contraction will stop and it's a practice contraction. A labor contraction will not stop no matter what."

"Okay."

"Now, how are you feeling?" I asked.

"A little more tired than normal. But then again, I'm having trouble sleeping at night. The baby keeps me up with kicking and squirming. I find myself using the bathroom more often, too."

"Are you bleeding at all?" April asked.

"No."

"I'm glad you mentioned that, A," I replied. "Because before labor begins, you'll experience some bleeding because the mucus plug will be gone. But we'll talk about that in a few weeks."

"And Lily, I want to warn you of something," April chimed in. "When your baby is born, you'll be up most of the night because the baby will not have a sleep cycle and that's what your body is preparing you for. Slowly, over time, the baby will sleep on the schedule as you."

Lily nodded, taking in our advice.

"Thank you, both."

"Alright, let's head to the Robinsons' house," I announced suddenly.

"Why?"

"Leo called for another meeting," April explained.

I eagerly nodded and mouthed thank you.

"He probably wants another update on Stockman," Lily guessed. "Well, let's go."

I helped Lily up, grabbing her hand and pulling her up.

"Dad, I'm not that pregnant yet."

"No, but you will be very quickly. Might as well start getting used to it."


Todayland, North Montana, USA

LILIANNA'S POV

"SURPRISE!"

I gasped loudly at the sight that beheld me in the Robinsons' dining room. Every single member of the Robinson family and the Hamato clan was here. By the French doors was a banner that said, Welcome, Baby! There were both blue and pink balloons and streamers since to the majority of the clan and Robinson family, the gender was unknown. There was a small table full of presents in front of the door underneath the banner. Of course, on the table, was dinner, snacks, and pink and blue sodas.

"Oh my goodness!" I exclaimed, still in surprise. "I can't believe you all did this for me!"

"It was all Anna," Franny simply explained. "She did most of the party planning. The rest of us offered to help."

I turned towards the woman who could be my twin sister, walked towards her and hugged her.

"Thank you," I whispered in her ear.

"It was my pleasure, Lily," Anna whispered back. "I had my duties as a godmother."

Anna glanced around before whispering again.

"His godmother."

We giggled before I realized she knew I was having a son. She winked at me, telling me she would not reveal the gender tonight.

"Alright, everyone!" Anna announced. "Let's grab some dinner and snacks and then we can start on the games we've got planned for you!"

I absolutely loved dinner. Carl and Lucille had prepared some chicken wings and sweet potato fries with lots of dipping sauces to choose from. There also was a variety of snacks to choose from. Athena baked blue and pink sugar cookies in the shape of rubber ducks. Venus made white chocolate balls coated with milk chocolate and with blue or pink sprinkles. And Renet made a tray of fruits and brought a chocolate fountain for us to dip the fruit in.

"So, Wilbur, where did your search take you this week?" Franny asked her son.

"Egypt. It's amazing the difference between Ancient Egypt from thousands of years ago and what it is today."

"I've never been to Egypt before," I replied. "What's your favorite part about it?"

"It's always been the pyramids," Wilbur answered with a grin. "No modern civilization is going to change my mind."

"I take it Egypt has been your favorite trip so far?" Renet asked.

"Yep! Lily, you've done some traveling yourself, which is impressive because you're pregnant. What was your favorite place so far?"

"Paris," I answered, remembering the early morning Mareena and I spent there. "Just seeing the sun rising above the city and the trees while you're watching on the Eiffel Tower. It's one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen."

"You always were a sunrise person," Mom replied. "You always looked forward to a new day. Then again, I'm not surprised. You were born at the brink of dawn, after all."

"Speaking of which, let's begin our first game!" Anna announced. "This game is called Yum, Applesauce! We're going to separate into teams of two. Everyone, except for Lily, Carl, and maybe James, gets a poncho and a blindfold. Using a baby spoon, you are to feed each other a jar of applesauce."

I cracked up laughing as Carl and Anna distributed the supplies to every guest. I leaned in to whisper to my husband.

"This is going to be fun to watch."

"I'll take pictures," he replied with a wink.

"Oh, please do!"

"The team that successfully feeds each other the full jars of applesauce wins," Anna announced.

I glanced around the room. I noticed that couples were paired.

"No, no, no!" Anna objected. "Let's mix it up a little!"

James and I cracked up when Anna did her mixing, and I found out her strategy. She grouped everyone in alphabetical order, and it worked out really well. I laughed when I discovered Franny and Fritz were a team. But I wanted Anna to have fun, too.

"Anna, you and James go at it!" I encouraged her. "Carl and I will be the judges."

I took my phone out to take pictures while Anna and James put on their ponchos. I was surprised Anna was able to put on her own blindfold. Before we knew it, everyone was ready to go. I noticed there was one couple who ended up staying together: Raphael and Mona Lisa. I had wondered how Justine and Joe were going to do in this game.

"Everybody ready!" Carl announced. "Get set, GO!"

I heard lots of laughter as everyone attempted to feed each other. My parents, my uncles, my cousins, and Auntie Karai had it easy as they had learned to fight with their eyes closed. The Robinson family, on the other hand, struggled, especially Bud and Fritz, who were trying to feed Billie and Franny respectively. Venus and Wilbur seemed to really enjoy themselves, as did April and Athena. I enjoyed myself, walking around the room, taking pictures of everybody having a good time.

"And we have a winner!" Carl announced happily. "Karai and Karena!"

I squealed excitedly as I gazed in their direction. Karena and Karai shook each other's hands before hugging each other.

"You are quite the kunoichi yourself, Karena," Auntie Karai complimented her.

"When you have a baby and a preschooler in the same house, you can do anything," Karena explained with laughter. "It was fun feeding someone else for a change. You are a very good sport, Karai."

"So are you!"

I took their picture before we played the next game.

"The next game is called Pass the Dirty Diaper," Anna announced with laughter from the moms in the room. "And this time, the parents-to-be are playing, too. Now, I have collected a little playlist of Lily's favorite music and Carl will be playing it as the 'dirty diaper' gets passed around. If the music stops and you are holding the diaper, you're out. The last person sitting wins. Carl?"

Carl handed the 'dirty diaper' - covered in melted chocolate, to me.

"Ready, and go!" Carl shouted.

I exclaimed loudly as Christina Grimmie's Shrug started to play. I quickly passed the diaper to James and he passed it on to Wilbur. This was a great game to play as there were 28 of us in the room. Suddenly, the music stopped playing and the diaper had landed in Fritz's hands.

"You're out, Fritz!" Anna exclaimed with a big smile.

"Aw!" Petunia exclaimed. "I wanted to play some more!"

"Oh! I almost forgot! When you are out, head on over to the gift table to write a message and a bucket list item for Lily, James, and the baby."

This time, Superchick's Standing in the Rain played. Again, it took us quite a while until Carl stopped the music and the diaper landed in Uncle Raph's hands.

"Aw, sewer apples!" he exclaimed.

We cracked up laughing as Rachael Lampa's God Loves You started to play... and then it suddenly stopped in Athena's hands.

"Ah, man!" she exclaimed.

The game continued on with lots of laughter until it got down to the last two players: Uncle Mikey and myself. The last song to play was Christina Grimmie's Ugly. Uncle Mikey and I had such a blast passing the dirty diaper to each other. But after the chorus played for the first time, the music stopped, and the diaper was in my hands.

We all groaned and cheered at the same time. We groaned at my defeat and cheered at Michelangelo's victory.

The rest of the baby shower was more relaxing as I opened all of the gifts and read all the tips and bucket list items the two families provided for the three of us. The most precious gift I had received was a baby blanket that Justine knitted.

My heart felt full, and I sensed a smile on my son's face.


March 25, 2050 - New York City, New York, USA

ANNA'S POV

"All rise!" Venus yelled.

All of us stood up as Leonardo walked into the dojo and took his place.

"You may be seated," he announced, and all of us sat down. "Would the prosecution please present their opening statement?"

I walked forward, took a deep breath, and the words flew out of my mouth.

"Your Honor, I am here representing the New York City Police Department to press charges against Baxter Stockman. He has conducted dangerous experiments that caused property damage in the city. He has harmed innocent citizens with his... vomit when he was mutated into a housefly. And he has also threatened and mutated other innocent citizens in an attempt to create a bug army. He has willingly mutated a longtime overlord of New York City and experimented on both humans and mutants. And lastly, he has mutated himself back into a housefly after the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles changed him back to his human form and he is plotting to bring an overlord back from the dead by cloning. I push the motion that Baxter Stockman be sentenced to solitary confinement in a maximum security prison where he will never hurt an innocent human or mutant being ever again. Thank you."

I sat down and April, being the defense lawyer, walked forward.

"Your Honor, I represent the defendant Baxter Stockman. In contrast to my colleague's statement, I swear for him to enter a plea of guilt and have his sentence reduced. Baxter Stockman was a very lonely child who grew up in a desolate neighborhood in the city. He only had his mother and no friends. But he was raised a genius. He was able to successfully create the typical science fair volcano with real lava, and he was wrongly expelled for that as he was just a child. Because of that, it set him on the path of loneliness as he resorted to thieving. Because he was so lonely, he went in with the wrong crowd, and this crowd caused him to commit the crimes he is accused of. All of the crimes he has committed are not of his own doing, and he only did so to obey his master, working as a servant, having no say in the matter, and being threatened to die if he did not obey."

April sat down and the trial began. I stood up again, ready to call my first witness.

"I am ready to call up Donatello, the inventor of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles."

Donnie walked up and held his right hand up.

"Donatello Hamato, do you solemnly swear to tell the truth and only the truth?" Venus asked.

"Yes."

"Proceed."

Donnie sat in a chair next to Leo and I prepared to interview him.

"I will ask you a series of questions, Donatello," I proceeded my questioning. "Where were you and your brothers when you first encountered Baxter Stockman on October 20, 2012?"

Before he answered, I gave Karena a wink, thanking her for her help with the Turtles' history.

"My brothers and I were out exploring New York City by Chinatown," Donnie explained. "We were looking for a place to practice our skateboarding skills. When we found a spot, we found Baxter Stockman trying to break into a building with some kind of advanced tech, probably tech he invented. But it didn't work. We stopped him, threw him in the dumpster, and ran off when we heard the police coming."

"Why did you run from the police?" I asked.

"We were ninjas and we are mutants. Back then, humans would scream at the sight of us and the police, for sure, would have arrested us."

I continued asking Donatello questions about all that Stockman had done in the city until our most recent mission.

"Baxter Stockman attempted to steal from your lab, is that right?" I asked.

"Yes, ma'am. I do not know what he was trying to steal, but it had to be something valuable."

"Do you have any idea what he may have been after?"

"Probably a stash of retro-mutagen to try to bring the Shredder back to life," Donnie suggested.

"What do you mean by bringing the Shredder back to life?" I asked.

"One of our friends had a vision where she saw Baxter Stockman reviving the Shredder through a process called cloning, duplicating his DNA to give birth to another Shredder."

"Are you absolutely sure about this?" I asked. "Cloning is illegal."

"Baxter Stockman will stop at nothing to ensure Shredder's rebirth!" Donnie snapped and the entire room fell deathly silent.

"I have no more questions."

I sat back down and April got up to cross-interview her husband.

"Did Baxter Stockman have any friends during your first encounters with him?" April asked him.

"No, he seemed to be lonely," Donnie answered. "And when my brothers and I first saw the news report of him destroying T.C.R.I., we learned he was fired and he wanted revenge as a result. He must have been bullied a lot when he was in school."

"And what about his time as a mutant housefly?" April asked. "He was part of Shredder's Foot Clan. Did he feel like he was part of the clan?"

"Not at first. He kidnapped... April and tried to fuse his body with hers in a huge vat of mutagen. We foiled his plans, though. The more he did with attempting to cure Oroku Karai from her mutagen, the more he enjoyed his work in the Foot Clan and even saw the Shredder as his friend. I would have to say his most recent actions were because he has a deep desire to bring Shredder back, because the Shredder was his only friend until the end."

"I have no more questions."

April sat down and I stood back up, ready to call my next witness.

"I would like to call up Lilianna Hamato, M.S., profiler of the Pacific Bay Police Department."

Lily slowly stood up due to her condition and raised her right hand. She swore she would tell the truth and sat down on the chair.

"First of all, Ms. Hamato, congratulations on your pregnancy. When are you due?"

"I'm due on May 13th," Lily answered. "I am 33 weeks along."

"I pray you will have a safe labor and delivery."

"Thank you."

"Now, you are a profiler. Is that correct?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"What does a profiler do?"

"A profiler analyzes a person's psyche and connects it with criminal activity," Lily explained. "Something as simple as someone playing the guitar could be a key part of the investigation if, say, a criminal used guitar strings to commit a murder."

"That is very fascinating, and thank you for all you do. Now, can you help us piece together a psyche of Baxter Stockman?"

"Yes, I can. I have obtained notes from an interview that was conducted by April O'Neil of Channel 6 News when she interviewed his mother Matilda Stockman."

Lily went into the details of April's interview as well as analyzing everything Donatello had testified.

"As a result, I would say Baxter Stockman is suffering from an extreme case of loneliness along with a case of narcissism. Stockman wants to have friends, but at the same time, he desires praise for his work. His loneliness is a key motivator for bringing the Shredder, Oroku Saki, back to life."

"I have no more questions."

The mock trial continued with April's interview with 'Stockman' and then the jury went out to decide the verdict.

"Here you are, Your Honor," Wilbur said, handing a note to Leo.

"All rise!" Venus announced.

"Baxter Stockman, stay standing. Everyone else may be seated."

We all sat down.

"Baxter Stockman, this court finds you guilty of all your crimes committed in your past as well as the attempted theft from Donatello Hamato and the attempted resurrection of Oroku Saki. This court has decided to sentence you to life in solitary confinement in a maximum security prison."

Leo banged the gavel and we all cheered at a job well done.

"Well done, Anna," Leo commended me. "Your interview was very thorough. I believe you are ready for your true test in San Diego."

"Meanwhile, I think we learned something from all this," Lily chimed in, caressing her baby bump. "Dad, you mentioned that you believe Stockman may have been attempting to take retro-mutagen. Why is that?"

"Retro-mutagen creates life," Donnie explained. "It reverses mutations and gives someone hope they can have their life back. If anything, with the retro-mutagen, a person's life is better and healthier than they've ever been."

"Do you still have a stash of retro-mutagen, Donnie?" Raph asked.

"Yes, at..."

Donnie paused with a big gulp.

"At the farmhouse."