Always Be There

One Thing After Another

Donatello and Casey Jones hung out in the lab, nervously waiting for April to arrive at the lair. It was only a week since everything was explained to him, and he knew they understood he was still admittedly scared. He couldn't help it, he just didn't trust her that much after the incident over a month ago. What if she was lying about being back to normal? What if she lied about her powers glitching out? What if—

"Hey, hey, yo Gap Tooth. It's gonna be okay, I promise. She just came to talk about the situation to us. There ain't nothing to worry about, I promise." Jones spoke, gently patting the turtle's shoulder and giving it a reassuring squeeze.
Donnie nodded, muttering a small raspy apology and looking at the floor.
The others walked in, spreading out within the lab with a surprisingly calm April in tow.
"Hey, Donnie!" The girl smiled, waving as she walked into the lab.
"H- hi—" He rasped, eyes glued to the floor nervously as he picked at his hand.
"How've you been? I've heard you've been healing pretty well." She asked, using a slightly quieter tone.
"Y- yea- h—" The turtle nodded slightly.

"Donatello, it is alright to be nervous, but please hear her out. She would like to apologize to you. Perhaps you two may have some alone time to talk things out." Splinter walked up to the teens, stroking his beard.
"S- sorry sen- nsei—" He instantly replied. "I- I guess w- e can do th- that—"
The rat man nodded, turning and taking his leave. The three clad brothers followed.
Casey turned to Donnie and smiled. "Yo, if you want me to head back over, just holler at me, K?"
The turtle nodded, watching as the boy gave a thumbs up and left.
April smiled and waved goodbye to him, watching as the lab door shut without a response.

April suddenly snapped her head back to its original position, glaring at Donnie with a devilish grin. "Hello, Donatello. Long time no see, Hm?"
The terrapin froze up in horror, locking eyes with the entity.
"I should have finished you off when I got the chance. But, I suppose this will be more fun." She began stepping towards the now shaking turtle, grinning wider as he fell backwards and scrambled to the wall.
He winced once his shell touched the wall, his breathing increasing in speed by the second.
"Good. Be afraid." She stopped directly in front of him, leaning down to just above his eye level. "You won't tell anyone about me, because you don't wanna risk your precious Casey getting hurt again."
The turtle nodded, visibly trembling as he attempted to hold back tears.

"Wonderful, that just makes it all the easier, now doesn't it?" It didn't wait for a response before continuing. "Y'know, you've only seen a fraction of what I can do. You wanna see a cool trick I know?"
Donnie just shook his head slightly, pulling his knees and arms close.
"Aww, well that's too bad. I'll show you anyway." The entity smiled, kneeling down and pressing a hand on his head.
He flinched, squeezing his eyes shut as tears began to fall uncontrollably. He suddenly felt something clamp around his neck, yet didn't feel any added weight. He gulped, opening his eyes and looking down  to see what it was. He saw a glowing blue chain attached to whatever it was that was on his neck, with the entity holding the other side.

"Just a simple magic trick. You are now stuck with me so long as I hold my power. Okay, pest? I basically hold your entire life in my hands. Even without holding the chain. I can control what happens to you, and only I can." She squeezed the chain links, causing the entire chain to disappear in a small blue mist. Then smiled again, touching the mystic contraption he couldn't see and making it disappear.
He froze in place, unknowing of what to do.
"Wouldn't want the others knowing, now would I?" She stood, face abruptly switching to a look of worry as she sprints to the lab door.

"Guys, Donnie- he's crying—" She explained, stepping aside so everyone could enter.
Casey sprinted to the curled up turtle, crouching beside him and pulling him into a hug. "Shhh, shh, it's okay. Don't worry you're okay."
"What happened, April?" Splinter questioned.
"I- I don't know. I was apologizing and he just suddenly broke down crying. I apologize sensei—"
"It is quite alright, I'm sure he just wasn't ready. Let us leave, so as to not crowd him."
April nodded, following the other four out and leaving Jones and Donnie.