"...what that means, Miss O'Neil, is everything is well in hand"
"What do you know about an organization, known as The Foot Clan?"
"There is no evidence to link such a name to these incidents"

Jennifer closed her eyes and shook her head, growing annoyed at the interview, as well as the stubbornness of the police chief. Giving a yawn, the Asian girl walked to the fridge to grab a jug of orange juice, and poured herself a glass.

"Are you denying an organization, known as 'The Foot' exists?"
"I'm not denying anything. You're putting words into my mouth..."

"How do you feel about going out for a walk?", she asked Charlotte. "Find any trace of this organization, and take it to the police? Maybe then, he'll feel more convinced and pressured to actually do something, instead of sitting down".

"Sounds good to me. These guys aren't going to help, we might as well." Charlie replied as she got up to take care of her dishes. She then got to thinking about the guy who stopped her last night and if he was part of it. No, he couldn't be. He wouldn't have left her bracelet behind if he was with them.

She sighed softly before glancing at her roommate. "Do you think we'll ever have a normal life being what we are?" She asked

Jennifer was unaware of the very thoughts that were running through Charlotte's mind. However, even if she didn't know that she was, the black-haired girl had her thoughts on what her friend had informed to her. Drinking her orange juice, she wondered if they could approach Miss O'Neil on the issue, and give her a leverage on getting the police chief to understand the impending situation. Maybe they could get favored, in order to pay their rent.

"Maybe we can get that hope back for the city, if we solve the mystery behind this 'Foot Clan'. I vote April for mayor, afterwards", Jennifer smiled, before proceeding to fix her hair, and washing out her glass. "I can't be too sure. We could, but only if we don't expose ourselves too much", they were going to walk out in broad daylight, after all.

"Fair point." Charlie sighed softly before looking at her. "Well, I'm ready to go if you are." She said before heading towards door.

Once outside she stayed close to Jen, not wanting to get lost nor have her bracelet accidentally taken off when walking past people. "You'd think they'd be more alert when walking around with a threat on the streets."

After taking the time to change into fresh clothes, Jennifer took lead out into the streets. All the time, she felt herself being the bodyguard in these situations, especially since the circumstances of Charlotte's mutation was more delicate than her own. Her comment made her look around at the people walking passed and around them. "It's like the security of this place just decreases more after each passing day", she agreed, shortly before catching sight of April O'Neil walking out of City Hall. "It's April. Come on", the Asian said, having to follow the woman, hoping to catch her in the train station that she was just entering.

At the same time, they were unaware of being followed themselves.

Charlie nodded in agreement as she followed her friend, her instincts on high alert. She couldn't figure out why, perhaps because of her mutation that wasn't as easy to conceal as Jen's. She looked up upon hearing Jen spot April, running after her. She just hoped they could get her before she got onto a train herself.

"It's too quiet." She noticed as they descended the stairs into the underground world below. She didn't like it at all, her fight or flight response kicking into high gear.

April was able to get down the stairs, but by the time she was able to enter the station, the train had already left. "Oh, great! Just great", she groaned. Can the day get any worse from there? First, she can't seem to convince anybody about what's really happening around the city; the next, she misses her train home.

Jennifer ran down the stairs as fast as she could, hoping to God that Miss O'Neil didn't disappear. Thankfully, she didn't, since she seemed to be the only one in the station, by the time she and Charlie descended the stairs. "April! Miss O'Neil?", Jennifer called to her, panting by the time they were able to reach the woman. "Hi? Can I help you?", she asked the girls. "We've seen your news report. All of them, in fact, and we believe you. There's something wrong in this city, and we figured we could help you convince the chief", the Asian teen explained, by the time, she composed herself. "We can get proof, that this Foot Clan exists".

"How can you do that?", April asked, crossing her arms, although on the inside, she was curious. "Research, videos, photographs. Anything to show that there is a criminal organization in the works; that there is something shady residing here", Jennifer continued, giving the best she could offer. The woman seemed to be deep in thought. Here were two teenaged strangers, miraculously showing up out of the blue, saying that they believe her. How can she be sure that they don't work for the enemy?

Then, there was a sudden presence nearby -- a group of individuals in black jumpsuits. "We've been waiting for you, Miss O'Neil", the leader said. "Your mouth may yet bring you much trouble yet I deliver a message", he slapped the woman's face, who let out a pained grunt. "Shut it", Jennifer sheathed her blade, and stood in between the men and April.

"Hey! Uncalled for!" Charlie exclaimed, getting between them and April as she raised her fists. A snarl appeared on her lips as she glared at the men. The odds were against them as they were greatly outnumbered. She glanced at April as she pulled out a sai. "Know how to use that thing?" She asked.

With the strange object she had managed to pick up last night, April hoped that using such a thing would be able to give her some leverage in situations like this. But, before she could do anything, it was kicked out of her hand, and clattered to the ground nearby. Jennifer took a deep breath, and sheathed her sword back into her waist, until she launched a high kick, which apparently caught them off guard, as one of their own fell onto the asphalt. "Make your move. I dare you", the Asian teen warned, as the men looked at each other, with April herself looking surprised.

As if on cue, another group appeared behind the three females. April gasped at the extra numbers of these strange individuals, shortly she was hit, knocked unconscious. Jennifer didn't know what to expect now, as they were drastically outnumbered by at least ten or fifteen of these individuals. She dealt with lesser groups; no more than five. It was now a stand off for the two teens, until a yell from the far side of the station sounded.

Wherever it came from, the source was fast, launching into the fray. Jennifer didn't know how to react -- it was an individual in a trench coat -- a green individual, wielding two sais, and wearing a mask - a red one. He knocked at least three members at once, before three more. The Asian teen didn't question it; he seemed to be defending, and that meant he was at least on their side. Wasting no time, she took hold of the nearest to her, and flipped them over. It was chaotic; movements going so fast, a non-practitioner wouldn't noticed who was performing them.

"April!" Charlie exclaimed as she was knocked out before punching the one who harmed April. She quickly punched and kicked at the enemies, blinking in surprise at the trench coated person who appeared; the same one from last night. What were they doing here? It didn't matter, they were at least helping.

"Ahh!" She exclaimed as one of the ninjas grabbed her arm and flipped her, her bracelet coming off in the process. She landed on the ground with a plop, her tail smacking the floor loudly. She was defenseless. "Jen!"

Managing to strike a punch to one of her assailants, Jennifer kicked the bracelet that was on the ground, towards Charlotte, hoping that by the time she transforms, she could get Miss O'Neil out of this mess. By the time the stranger managed to knock down the last one (unaware of Charlie's transformation yet again), he quickly put his sais away, and lifted the unconscious April, bridal-style, by the time a train passed through. "This way!", he told them, having to jump into the tunnel, and walk quickly besides the train tracks.

Taking Charlie's hand, Jennifer wasted no time in following the stranger. If he knew a place where they would be safe from whoever attacked them, and possibly found out their intentions of exposing them, then the girls had to lay low. They weren't safe anymore.

Charlie quickly put her bracelet on, getting up as her legs returned. She hoped that he didn't see anything, but when he walked off with April it was clear he didn't. That or he didn't care. She looked at Jen as they followed him down the tunnel, a little unsure about all of this. Maybe she was just paranoid.

She blinked in surprise as he lead them to an open area that appeared to be his home under the city. Pizza boxes laid in a few places, a pinball machine, a couch with pillows, what looked like a dinning room not too far off. It was modest but homey. "Hey, Leo! Raph's back!" A male voice called out, causing Charlie to flinch.

Did they really have a choice in sticking around? Could they even trust this individual with an unconscious April O'Neil? They had to at least make sure that she was going to be alright, since, one: They defended her, and two: Why put her life at risk, and leave her to her fate, if they didn't know who, or what, saved them? Charlotte wasn't the only one in complete surprise that there was a shelter down here; a rather roomy one, at that. Did he live here? Was anyone else here?

The call that echoed from the very sanctuary confirmed that he wasn't alone. Going a little further in, albeit cautiously, they came to see three other individuals, who fell under the same classification as the one who rescued them. The one called "Raph" laid April down on the couch, before removing his trench coat, and hanging up his hat. The other three approached out of caution yet curiosity. At the same time, they looked at the two females, who followed behind their brother. "Who are they?", another male voice said. It came from the one wearing a purple mask. "That's the news lady!", he said, pointing out of surprise towards the unconscious woman.

"They got jumped in the subway. I had to bring them here", Raph explained.

"They're turtles." Charlie realized upon watching them, she turned to the one called Raph and blinked a few times. "You're the one who stopped me from jumping off the bridge, aren't you?" She asked before the turtle in blue looked at them then to his brother.

"Splinter isn't going to like this. We're supposed to be a secret, remember? Never seen?" He pointed out.

Jennifer stared in surprise at what she was seeing. They were turtles? Well, of course, they were; it only took her a few seconds of blinking to realize it. She even looked at Raph and blinked, as well. This was the same individual she saw that night? Was he following them? Watching? "I thought she was gonna hurt herself", he said to the blue one; his Brooklyn accent thick in his voice. "It's not like I'd put myself in high-exposure. I was just trying to...", he stopped talking, having to feel somewhat embarrassed, and sighed in frustration.

"What is going on in here?", a hushed yet soft voice said, and Jennifer looked over to see a brown rat. "I had no choice, Master. They got jumped by those guys, and I had to", he tried to explain himself in the presence of his father. 'Master?', Jennifer thought, before coming further into the room, and sitting down on the ground, watching these individuals. "Bring water, cold washcloth, pillow", he instructed to them, resulting them to not be hesitate on doing what he said. Just who were these people?

"I wasn't going to hurt myself. I was just..." Charlie said before trailing off with a sigh. She looked at Jen before figuring it would be alright to show them. Who were they going to tell anyway? Being humanoid turtles they couldn't really go outside without a disguise. She took a deep breath before sitting down then removing her bracelet, her legs turning back into a tail.

"I was going for a swim." She said softly.

Jennifer was unsure, at first, when her friend decided to reveal her mutation. But, at the same time, she was impressed by how brave she was, in showing such a thing. Normally, they would keep their differences to themselves, and show such a thing to a person, no matter who they were. But then, instead of expressing shock and disgust, the four turtles and the bipedal rat were silent, and remained remarkably calm, as if it wasn't new to them, although Raph did seem rather entranced by the colors. "Hmm", the rodent hummed. "Take heart, child", he said softly. "You will not find judgement here".

The Asian was surprised by how wise and kind this individual was. It was like a father reassuring his child, reminding her too much of her own family. Taking a deep breath, Jennifer spoke again. "They called you 'Master'. What does that mean?", she asked. "It means, that I am the light in shadow; a guide to the lost; a forgiver, and an opener to all things -- Splinter", he responded, as patient as he said this, Jennifer somehow felt herself at ease.

Turning to look at the unconscious woman, 'Splinter' placed a gentle hand on her face, which caused April to stir. However, instead of remaining calm, like her rescuers, she completely wigged out. "Oh my god! I'm dreaming; I must be dreaming! Okay, okay, those guys in the black pajamas, they jumped me. Two girls were with me, and that rat...I saw you in the parking lot; that explains you! And you guys, um, I have no idea where you came from!", clearly, she was hysterical. "If you will please just sit down and calm yourself, I will tell you where we came from, Miss O'Neil", it was just occurred to Jennifer that she wanted to know how they came to be.

Charlie blinked in surprise as they didn't freak out nor call her any names. It was a first for her, especially having to keep it a secret for so long. She gave Splinter a little smile before deciding it would be polite to introduce herself and Jen. "I'm Charlie, this is my friend, Jennifer." She said before looking over as April awoke.

Upon hearing her scream, she quickly put her bracelet back on, not wanting to startle her anymore than she already was. She hid a snicker as April asked herself why she never dreamed of Harrison Ford.

As Charlie introduced themselves, Jen gave a nod in greeting, although remained close to her friend.

"For fifteen years now, we have lived here, below. Before that time, I was a pet of my master Yoshi, mimicking his movements from my cage, and learning the secret art of ninja", Jennifer listened attentively, as he began to explain their upbringing.

"When we were forced to come to New York, I found myself for the first time without a home, wandering the sewers, scavenging for whatever I could find. And then, one day, I came upon a shattered glass jar, and four baby turtles...."

"That was us!", the orange-bandannaed turtle interrupted. "Shut up", the others told him, hushing him, making Jennifer give a chuckle.

"The little ones were crawling into a strange glowing ooze from a broken canister nearby. I gathered them up in an old coffee can, and when I awoke the next morning, I received a shock, for they had doubled in size. I, too, was growing, particularly in intellect, and I was amazed at how intelligent they seemed. But nothing could have prepared me for what happened next -- one of them spoke. From then, more words followed, and I began their training, teaching them all that I had learned from my master".

Jennifer was amazed at the possibilities, beginning to wonder if this was fate; that they would come across others, who've also been exposed to the strange substance that transformed her and Charlotte.

"And soon, I gave them all names: Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and...Raphael".

He glanced at each turtle, as he pointed out their names. Jennifer looked at them all, and the realization dawned on her.
"We're not alone, after all, Charlie".

"We came across the same ooze as well. We're different like you." She said, a little smile on her face. "We thought we were the only ones. This changes everything."

She glanced over at Raphael, nervously scratching the back of her neck. "I uh...I'm sorry I called you a jerk. I was just upset and surprised someone was stopping me from jumping. It never happened before."