Ninja Mutant Turtle Teenagers in New York

Our Origins

{A/N: Photo above is Tara's ninja suit}
Tara's POV:

In all these years, I never did ask for the full story of how the brothers came to be who they are now. To finally hear it is a true honor in my eyes.

Splinter: "Listen closely, April. I don't remember a time before living in that laboratory. That fateful night started like any other. Sacks gave us our injections, your father made sure our vital signs were strong, and you, as always, provided us with a special treat. After the brothers went to sleep, I heard loud voices. There was the smell of smoke, and alarms sounded. Your father had discovered the truth behind the man he was working for. He set fire to the lab. His last breath was taken trying to destroy Shredder's plan. I was terrified. But then you appeared and ushered us to safety. I never had a voice then, but I thank you now, April."

I stiffen at the mention of Shredder. I've heard Splinter mention his name to warn us of the dangers above, but I never knew I had him to thank for my newfound family.

Splinter: "We wandered the sewers until I found this place. It was then that the mutagen that was injected into our blood began to change us in miraculous ways. I saw how your father loved you, and I knew I had to show that same love to the turtles. I became their father, and they became my sons. Like all children, they were drawn to the distractions of popular culture. And I knew one day they would want to explore the world above. They would be ridiculed. They would need to learn to protect themselves, both mentally and physically. And then, I found a way. First, I would teach myself the ancient art of ninjitsu. The brothers followed my lead, accelerating at a wondrous rate. Their gift was also their passion. They lived, breathed, and dreamed all things martial arts. Then, they were ready."

I remember that day. Leo was so proud of himself to be named team leader, as I'd predicted all those years ago.

Splinter: "Everything they are, and everything that they've become, was made possible by the bravery that you displayed on that fateful night."

April: "I was just a little girl."

Splinter: "And you gave us freedom where others would've kept us in cages."

Leo: "Wait a minute, Dad. All these years, you told us we were rescued from the fire by a great guardian spirit. A Hogo-sha."

Splinter: "That's right.-*gestures to April*-And, this is the Hogo-sha."

April: "What?"

The five of us say nothing, bowing in respect, when Mikey jabs at his relationship status with her.

Mikey: "My girlfriend's totally the Hogo-sha.-*gets nudged by Raph*-Ow."

April: *Gestures to me* "Wait, how does she know about you?"

I step forward with a serious look.

Me: "Eight years ago, I fell through a maintenance hatch after running away from what used to be my home. I met the brothers; Splinter welcomed me into their home and allowed me to train alongside the four of them."

April: "Why did you run away?"

Me: "Not important."

April: "Fine, why did you bring me here?"

Splinter: "To find out who you told of our existence."

April: "Nobody that believed me except Eric Sacks."

Splinter: "Sacks. Just as I feared. Sacks is not a friend. His soul has been poisoned by the influence of a dark master—the Shredder. Shredder practically raised Sacks in Japan. He's like a father to him. Sacks will do anything for his master."

Raph: "Wait, wait. Sacks & Shredder? So, why aren't we out there hunting them down?"

Splinter: "Because, Raphael, the Shredder is a skilled warrior whose cruelty is overreaching. And you are just teenagers. The mutagen in your blood is of great value to them. Now that Sacks has confirmation that you are alive, I fear they will bring the fight to us."

April pulls a card out of her jacket and looks at it fearfully.

April: "Oh, no."

Then, Donnie's security system goes off, alerting us of the Foot Clan's presence. After all these years, I never thought I'd have to face this challenge. It's the one thing I've been trying to hold off for as long as possible. But now, I must protect myself and those I care most about from him.

Donnie: "We got two breaches: Fan room, weapons wall."

Leo: "Mikey, flank right. Donnie, Tara, on me. We gotta go! Go, go!"

I hear a high-pitched ticking from the other side of the wall. My eyes widen in fear as I yell out a warning for everyone.

Me: "Get down!"

An explosion goes off, sending all of us onto the ground on our sides. Splinter leaps into action with a group of Foot soldiers, successfully holding them off while we deal with the rest of the damage control.

Donnie: "They've got tranq darts."

Leo: "Well, don't let 'em hit your skin."

We fight off one Foot soldier after another while I simultaneously lead April to safer ground.

Me: "Tara."

April: "April."

Me: "So I've heard."

I rope a trio of soldiers with my kusarigama, pull them towards me, and kick them over to the ground. Leo glances at me to make sure I'm ok. Once he's satisfied, he returns his focus to the ongoing fight.

April: "Nice. So, you and Leo?"

Me: "Yeah, thanks. Follow me. I'll hold them off."

Donnie: "We got a breach in the fan room."

Leo: "Raph, get to the fan room."

Raph: "Why are you always telling me what to do?!"

Me: "Just go, Raph!"

Raph walks off to the fan room with a growl.

April: "Angry much?"

Me: "Sister, I could tell you stories."

Suddenly, I'm surrounded by Foot soldiers.

Me: "Mikey, a little help?"

Mikey: "I got this."

Mikey skateboards over to us, knocking out two soldiers in the process.

Mikey: "April, come with me. I got a safe place for you to hide. And if you get thirsty, I got a secret stash of Orange Crush behind the fridge. Don't tell Raph."

I nod for April to follow him before returning to the rest of the soldiers. Once that's done, I turn to the hole in the wall to see my worst fears come alive.

Splinter: "Shredder."

Shredder glances to me, then Splinter, then back to me.

Shredder: "After all these years, I've finally found you."

He slowly stalks towards me, placing a hand under my chin to Leo's discontent.

Shredder: "Hello, my daughter."

Donnie, Leo, Mikey, & April: "Daughter?!"

TO BE CONTINUED