Full summary: Two years after the incident with Winters, the turtles' lives have returned to normal, or at least their version of it. However, life for them was never meant to be easy for long. A new threat arises from a ancient race of beings, led by a creature known to humans only through myth. The threat of its conquest is very real, and the turtles are left trying to stop the demise of mankind, while trying to maintain their own humanity at the same time.

This is actually a story that I began years ago but had to take time off from due to life getting hectic. I've always regretted not finishing it, so I've decided to jump back into it. First, however, I read through what I had and edited the story and wrapped up the most recent chapter I had been working on. I'm excited to see where this will go and hope you guys enjoy the story!

I own nothing. Not the cover image, not the movies, not the comics, not the cartoons, or anything else except for the OC's in the story.

Mikey cautiously peeked around the corner; the dim light was a mixed blessing, hiding not only him but histarget as well. The light at the end of the hall indicated where his opponent lay in wait, scheming his next diabolical plot.

Silently, he advanced until he was just outside the door frame. From here he could listen to the ongoing conversation.

"Tonight? Yes, of course. In fact, this should make the entire situation so much easier."

Suspicious indeed, the orange clad turtle thought.

"No, it won't be a problem at all. The four of them have no idea about your plan. Hmm? Very well. I shall see you soon."

Panic set in when he heard the phone being turned off, followed by unsteady footsteps towards his direction. Thankfully, all those years of intense training enabled him to disappear into the shadows instantly.

He turned, and, just as he had planned, ran right into an immovable object that seemed to have materialized behind him.

"Boo!"

Mikey's reaction was not an impressive feat to behold; with a shriek he attempted to turn and flee midair. As his feet made contact with the group once more, he slammed into another person. He fell face first into the ground, nearly bringing Splinter down with him.

While Raph was busy bent over laughing, his father sighed and looked down at his youngest son. "Michaelangelo, you know how I feel about you listening in on my phone calls."

Mikey leapt to his feet, his injuries forgotten. "The urgency of the situation demanded immediate action, sensei. Risks had to be taken, rules had to be broken."

"Oh, and what was so urgent that it required you to spy on me?"

"Donnie said you told him not to order pizza tonight!" He exclaimed, genuine panic evident on his face. "It's Thursday, the one day of the week we absolutely-positively-without a doubt always order pizza! We haven't not ordered it on Thursday in years!"

"What about last week?" His brother broke in. "We didn' have it then."

Mikey didn't miss a beat, "No, you and Leo didn't. Don and I went and got some when we were supposed to be out on patrol-".

"At any rate, Michaelangelo," Splinter stepped between the brothers. "April has invited us to eat dinner in her home. I do not think it will harm you to eat a real meal for a change."

"Yeah, we're startin' to worry you've forgotten how to use a fork, Mikey." Raph tossed over his shoulder as he walked away. "Well, you guys have fun tryin' ta teach him how to eat at a table again."

"Raphael, I expect you to be present as well."

The red banded turtle stopped in his tracks just before he could escape, grumbling indistinctly.

A few hours later they were all climbing into the apartment via the window. April greeted them happily, looking a little flustered. The brothers chalked it up to having not felt well for the past few days; the last time they had seen her, she had thrown up promptly after eating breakfast, and declared afterwards all she wanted to do was sleep.

"Hope you guys are hungry. We ordered takeout from this great restaurant a couple of blocks from here."

"Yeah, it's pretty great for a Greek joint. Usually I don't go for that stuff." Casey added from his spot against the counters.

"I told you, genius, it's not Greek. The place is Persian."

"Whatever, I still don't see the difference." This caused April to launch into a familiar rant about the differences between the two cuisines. Even two years after the incidence with Winters, they seemed incapable of even preparing a meal without screaming at each other. The thing was, they actually seemed to do so with affection, if it were possible to find such an emotion thrown amongst insults and raised voices.

Finally, after her rant was over, they all sat down to eat. Donatello seemed genuinely interested in the dishes, while Mikey poked at something that looked suspiciously liked dead purple alien skin, even after April's repeated assurance that the eggplant was harmless.

Throughout the whole meal Casey and April both seem a little nervous, though they never stopped smiling at each other. After everyone had eaten a fair amount, April spoke up.

"I hope you guys enjoyed dinner. Casey and I wanted it to be a little more special than usual, because we have some important news."

"Important enough that pizza had to be sacrificed?" Mikey made no effort to lower his voice, though Splinter made no move to discipline him further than a firm shush.

"I think so," April said, not bothered by his remark. "The thing is, we finally figured out why I've been feeling so lousy lately."

While the rest of the family seemed to be catching on, Mikey simply tilted his head to the side. "You've been infected with a previously undiscovered space parasite and get to be a part of a scientific investigation of its origins?"

This time Splinter corrected Mikey, not even looking up from his food as his cane made contact with his skull.

"Well, when you think about it, he's not that far off…." Casey pondered, finally getting on April's last nerve.

"Can't you morons keep your traps shut long enough for me to tell you the wonderful news about how I'm pregnant?!" She punctuated her remark by slamming her fist on the table.

For a few beats, no one spoke, blinked, or even breathed. The silence was broken by Mikey choking on the water he had been drinking during her outburst, which snapped everyone else out of their confusion. With a shout Raph leaped out his chair to slap Casey on his back. Donnie got up to hug April and tell her congratulations, laughing the whole time. Leo and Splinter hung back with huge smiles on their faces, while Mikey recovered and rushed forward to crush April in his signature embrace.

The rest of the evening was filled with celebration, laughter, and, to Mikey's complete jubilation, cake. When the time came to depart, they each took turns hugging April one last time, who looked tired but happy. Upon returning to the lair, each brother retired to their activities, with Mikey claiming the couch.

Before Leo could lecture him about binging on Sci-Fi marathons again, an amber alert flashed on the screen, showing a picture of a missing girl from East Harlem. She had been missing since that morning, having apparently been taken from her bed that night. Judging by the picture, the girl couldn't have been older than 12.

"How terrible." Splinter remarked, having been observing from the shadows. "There truly is nothing more horrifying for a parent than to face losing a child."


Somewhere far on the other side of the city, a small figure sat crying in an abandoned building. Another being approached her, stooping to embrace the weeping child.

"Shhhh, it's alright." It stroked her hair soothingly. "I'm here, I'll always be here. No one will hurt you now."

The girl's tears slowed for a moment, and she looked into the creature's face. "Just like you promised? You don't care what's happening to me?"

A smile crept onto the other's face, "Of course not. I understand more than anyone what you're going through. Don't worry, I'm not going to abandon you, not like everyone else. Do you understand?"

The child paused for a moment, before settling into her arms with a sniffle. "Yes, I do, Medea."