Ninja Mutant Turtle Teenagers in New York

Eight Years Later

Tara's POV:

I awake and turn, expecting to see a loving smile from my boyfriend of one year. But, to my surprise, the left side of the bed is empty. I know they snuck out late last night, but I didn't think they'd be out this late. Wait a minute, snuck out, not back by now...Oh, boy. I rise to stand, get dressed, and head off to the hashi. As expected, Splinter stands before all four turtles as they each face their challenge. I walk to stand beside Splinter with a sly grin.

Me: "How long have they been at it?"

Splinter: "11 hours."

Me: "Anyone break yet?"

Raph: "I ain't breaking if Donnie ain't breaking."

I scoff while walking towards Raph as he focuses on the knitting needles in his hand.

Me: "Let's sneak out' he says."

Donnie: "Experiencing intense nausea, but not breaking."

I walk over to Donnie with a smug grin as he balances wobbly while playing ping pong with himself.

Me: "It's statistically improbable that we'll get caught."

I walk over to Mikey as he smiles with pride.

Mikey: "Guys, I'm in the zone. There is literally nothing that could break me right now."

That's when Splinter tosses a pizza box onto the table in the middle of the room. Mikey's arms wobble at the sight, as planned by Splinter and me the last time the team ended up here.

Mikey: "Starting to break."

Splinter: "Of course, you've all tasted the five-cheese pizza. But this, cheesemongers have speculated of its existence for centuries."

Me: "Da Vinci's original masterpiece. We submit to you-"

Splinter: "Novantanove Formaggi!"

Me: "The 99-cheese pizza."

Splinter opens the box to reveal a cheesy culinary delight.

Mikey: "It's not possible."

Donnie: "Mikey, it's a trap. A pizza with that variety of cheese is a culinary impossibility."

Splinter: "Shall we list the ingredients?"

Mikey: "No."

Splinter grabs a slice of pizza and stalks toward Mikey, holding it out in temptation.

Splinter: "Cheddar."

Mikey: "Leo."

Me: "Provolone."

Leo: "Mikey, don't you do it!"

Splinter: "Asiago."

Donnie: "Keep it together."

Me: "Formaggio."

Mikey: "I don't even know what that is."

Splinter: "Mozarella, of course."

Mikey: "All right, all right, all right! We left the lair because the Foot were taking hostages, and we kicked some serious butt, and there was this girl named April O'Neil who took our picture. But we took care of it."

Raph: "Idiot."

Splinter dons a worried look.

Splinter: "Oh, no, my worst fears have been realized."

Leo: "Don't worry about it. Donnie erased the picture. We're not in danger."

Splinter: "No, it's April O'Neil who is in danger. Find the girl. Bring her here."

Donnie "But Sensei, you said to not go above-"

Splinter: "Find the girl!"

Mikey: "Find the girl."

Me: "Hai, Sensei."

{Time skip}

After Donnie managed to track her down technologically and what might be their last trip above the sewers, the guys brought April home with a bag over her head.

Me: *whispered* "Really?"

Leo: "We can't risk anyone but you knowing the way to and from the lair, angel."

Surprise! Leo's the boyfriend of one year I mentioned earlier. But, back to business, as usual.

Mikey: "Aw, yeah. Welcome to my crib, girl."

April: "Where are we?"

Donnie: "Our Fortress of Solitude."

Mikey: "Our Hogwarts."

Donnie: "Our Xavier Academy."

Mikey: "Our next generation state-of-the-art Wonder-dome!"

April: *sniffs* "Ugh, Are we in the sewer?"

Mikey: "No."

Donnie: "Technically, yes."

Mikey: "Yeah, it's a sewer."

Raph takes the bag off her head, and she turns to me in surprise.

April: "You're human."

Me: "Boy, nothing gets past you, does it?"

Splinter: "You brought us here, April."

We all turn to see Splinter standing before us.

April: "Splinter?"

Donnie: "How does she know his name?"

Leo: *to Raph* "Did you tell her his name?"

Donnie: "Maybe she's clairvoyant."

Mikey: "Maybe she's a Jedi."

Splinter: "Come closer."

April slowly walks towards Splinter.

Splinter: "It's been a long time. Hmm, you always did have your father's eyes."

April: "I don't understand."

Splinter: "Don't be afraid. All will be made clear."

TO BE CONTINUED