TMNT: The Next Generation

Closer

The day had finally come; Takato's best friend was coming to New York. Takato stood in front of his calendar, happier than ever that his best friend was coming. But he knew he couldn't see him. 

"He's coming here... Finally... After years..." Takato said, smiling. He then sat down on his bed and sighed. "But I won't be able to meet him... Or say anything to him... Cuz in a few days, I'm gonna be going into an arranged marriage..." he said, upset. 

Meanwhile, in Casaey's apartment, Paolo and Levina were starting to paint and draw on a piece of blank cardboard. "What are you two doing?" Raphael asked, now noticing them. "We're making a sign to welcome a friend of Takato's to New York," Paolo said without looking. "How come?" Raphael asked, confused as he sat down on the couch. "Takato can't say hello to his friend. So I figured that we could do it for him," Paolo said with a smile. "Of course, I totally agreed. And he probably doesn't have anywhere to stay, so we asked Uncle Casey if he could stay here," Levina said with a bright smile that only they could make. 

"Without asking us first..." Raphael said, upset. "Well, it is Casey's apartment. So why would we need to ask you guys?" Levina asked, confused and with attitude. "...Touché," Raphael said, looking out the window. "Thanks!" Levina said with her smile. 

Later, Takato's best friend was at the airport near baggage claim, looking for Takato. "I wonder where he is... Takato said he'll be here..." he said, a bit worried. He then spotted Paolo, Levina, Marcantonio, Plautilla, Titian, and Casey with the sign for him. Paolo then spotted Takato's best friend and started waving to him. Takato's best friend pointed to himself as if to ask, "Me?" and Paolo nodded. "I guess they're here for me..." he said. So Takato's best friend walked on over. 

When he got over to him, Paolo said, "Hi! You're Jax, right? Takato's friend?" "Yeah, I am. Where's Takato?" Jax asked, concerned. "He wasn't able to make it because of his mother," Paolo said. "Right. His situation..." Jax said, disappointed. 

"I'm Paolo by the way! This is Marcantonio, Titian, Plautilla, Levina, and my Uncle, Casey!" Paolo said, pointing to each member. "It's nice to meet you all. I assume you're all close to Takato?" Jax said with hope. "Just me. We'll explain everything," Paolo informed. "Do you have anywhere to stay?" Levina asked. "Not at the moment, no," Jax said. "You can stay at my apartment, then," Casey offered. "I don't know you guys, though," Jax said, not wanting to trust them right away. "Akari is staying with us for a bit," Paolo said. "Well I know Akari. And since Takato knows one of you, I guess I can stay..." Jax said, still not willing to trust them. "Splendid!" Casey said, knowing the perfect dinner to make. 

"By the way, just out of curiosity, how old is he?" Jax asked, pointing to Titian. "I'm fifteen. Marc's sixteen, Paolo's also fifteen, Plautilla's fourteen, and Levina's thirteen," Titian said, not knowing if he should smile. "Oh wow. Your heights don't match your ages," Jax said, surprised. "We know, and that's why we'll explain everything!" Levina said with a big smile. 

"You got all your bags?" Casey asked. "Yeah," Jax said. "Let's go, then!" Casey said. He and Titian then helped Jax with his bags. 

They got back to Casey's apartment, and all the adult turtles and Nightshade were wearing their brooches. "Hello, you must be Jax, Takato's friend," Leonardo said kindly. Jax looked around, saw everybody sprawled out around the apartment, and said, "How many people do you have in this apartment?!" "A lot. They've been working on getting the apartment next door. Except for April. Her apartment burned down, so she'll stay with me until it gets rebuilt," Casey said, saying a half-truth. "Thankfully, they're almost finished," April said, tired of hearing Casey's snores in the room next door.

"So who are the parents of who?" Jax asked. "My wife, brothers, and I are all the parents. We co-parented," Raphael explained. "So who are the biological parents?" Jax asked, confused. "This is getting a bit complicated," Spirit said, appearing out of nowhere. "More people?!" Jax exclaimed. "We're just friends," Percy reassured. "Oh," Jax said.