[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/CRteBS6.png?1[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/pEzUoR2.png?1[/img][/center]
An early chill laced the air of Empire State University as April O'Neil trudged towards what she assumed would be outright rejection.

"No," Professor Fenwick shook his head without looking up form the papers he was grading. To April O'Neil he looked like a large, predatory bird hunched over a kill. His beak of a nose did the trick, though his unkempt hair helped give him a look of a vulture. His eyes were always intelligent. too much so, if April was being honest. His writing class was her hardest, even if she thought it was one of her best skills. Fenwick was the kind of professor that just assumed no student could live up to his standards.

Fenwick also happened to be the faculty editor of the ESU student news organization, and the bane of April's existence.

[color=f7976a]"Professor, there are multiple eye-witness reports!"[/color] she protested. [color=f7976a]"None of the main publications have even toughed this, and you're not even going to let me do some digging? This could be huge."[/color]

"We're a student publication, Ms. O'Neil," the professor droned. "We're not the New York Times or Gotham Gazette. We write about things that affect student life-"

[color=f7976a]"Having killer ninjas in New York doesn't affect student life?"[/color] April interrupted.

The teacher held his hand up, "Not as much as faculty changes, school administrative policy, and the like. Sports! Our football team is nationally ranked for the first time in recent memory. Write about that."

She rolled her eyes hard at the condescension, [color=f7976a]"Fluff and garbage. That's all that is. Professor I want to report on the [i]real[/i] news."[/color]

"And you'll have plenty of opportunities for that in the future, when you graduate," Fenwick finally looked up at the young, redheaded girl who was currently staring daggers into him. "But I'm not going to authorize you to investigate dangerous criminals whether they're real or not. I'm not having a student killed on my watch. That's my final word on the matter. Now go home and proofread your paper that's due tomorrow."

With nothing more than a grumble, April turned and headed back towards her apartment.
[hr]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/J7eZeoY.png?1[/img][/center]
The steel of Leonardo's blade sang against its scabbard he checked the edge of the blade. It was as sharp as always, and he placed it back into its holder with care. His father had always told them to treat their weapons with reverence. They could be used to take the lives of their enemies, meaning they were not toys. They were to be respected, as was the idea of taking a life. Leo had never done that, obviously. But if Splinter was right about what they were up against, it meant that he may have to sooner rather than later.

[color=ed1c24]"You ready for this, bro?"[/color] Raph asked as he wrapped his knuckles up. [color=ed1c24]"All this time training. All this time preparing. We're finally going to crack some skulls."[/color]

[color=0054a6]"You're not gonna be a liability out there are you?"[/color] Leo furrowed his brow. [color=0054a6]"I'll leave you like a redshirt. Don't think I won't."[/color]

Raph laughed and smacked his brother on the shoulder, [color=ed1c24]"Bro you are such a nerd. But I love you. Don't worry, I'll only attack with the go ahead of Space Fleet."[/color]

[color=0054a6]"It's Star Fleet, but I appreciate the attempt,"[/color] Leo chuckled. 

[color=f7941d]"Hopefully the Force will be with us!"[/color] Mikey smiled broadly as he twirled his nunchuks. 

Donnie sighed, [color=92278f]"Wrong sci fi property, Mike."[/color]

[color=f7941d]"Whatever, let's go out on the town boys!"[/color]

[color=0054a6]"Form up, Mikey,"[/color] Leo nodded to his younger brother. The three other Turtles came up around their elder brother. For all their differences, for all the things their family had been through, even the loss of Artie, had led to this. He knew Raph was ready. He knew Mikey might have some trouble focusing, but he was one of the most creative fighters Leo had ever seen. And for all Donatello's doubts about the path their father had set them on, Leo knew that deep down Donnie would fight with his family to the last.

[color=0054a6]"Guys, the day we've been waiting for has finally come,"[/color] he looked each of them in the eye in turn. [color=0054a6]"We're going to the surface. For real this time. To use all the training we've had for damn near our entire lives. And we're going to make sure that no one threatens the people above without hearing from us. Not the Hand. Not the Foot. Not the Shredder. I don't care if the goddamn devil shows up, we're taking that bastard down."[/color]

[color=ed1c24]"Hell yea,"[/color] Raph nodded in agreement.

[color=0054a6]"Now rememebr. We are ninja. We strike hard. Defend. Protect. Then fade into the night. Now let's go kick some shell."[/color]
[hr]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/pEzUoR2.png?1[/img][/center]
[color=8882be]"He said no, April,"[/color] Irma Langenstein sighed as she pushed her thick rimmed glasses up her nose. [color=8882be]"I don't know why you're so obsessed with this anyway."[/color]

Irma was a great friend, but April had never found her to be all that ambitious. She wanted to go to the party her boyfriend had invited them to. April would normally be in for that, but she was on a mission.

[color=f7976a]"Irma, if I'm ever going to be a great reporter, I'm not going to do it covering college football and quality changes at the dining halls,"[/color] April protested as she grabbed her camera and put her hair up. [color=f7976a]"It's time I stop asking for permission and start asking for forgiveness."[/color]

[color=8493ca]"Oh girl that is so cliche,"[/color] Irma rolled her eyes.

[color=f7976a]"I know, shut up,"[/color] April stuck her tongue out at her. [color=f7976a]"Don't wait up."[/color]