In the middle of New York City, on the roof of an old apartment building, a bright orange portal spat out two futuristic looking teenagers.
The boy looked off into the distance with wide eyes after making sure his footing would keep him safely on the building. The girl paused, taking everything in with her tear stained face.
For the teens, this was something out of a story they used to hear when they were kids. Tall buildings, bright lights, people. It was all new to them. No panicked screams or bloody streets.
The girl looked up, her eyes filled with wonder. Casey, look! The girl said, pointing up at the sky. The boy named Casey looked up at the sky just as amazed as the girl. An inky dark blue sky speckled with stars greeted them. Wow. Casey said. The girl nodded in agreement, her eyes glued on the twinkling stars above her.
Where even are we? Casey asked, flipping his technologically advanced mask over his face to scan the area.
I've never seen anything like this before. The girl said, wiping her tears, her sadness vanishing for the moment to be replaced with awe. I think it's New York City. She added, recalling stories her mother and four fathers had told her.
Athena, this isn't New York City. Casey said. The girl named Athena frowned, suddenly feeling defensive. It is, too! Athena shouted, seemingly offended that Casey didn't believe her.
That is highly unlikely. Casey said. He looked as if he was about to explain why it couldn't be New York when his technology finished scanning the area, effectively shutting him up as it proved Athena to be correct. He would have blamed it on faulty results but knew that could never be the case as all of his future tech had been designed by Donatello, the genius behind the resistance. His tech was never wrong. It would be an insult to the memory of him if Casey were to claim malfunctioning tech.
Athena noticed Casey's sudden quietness and turned to face him. Casey? She asked warily. I can't believe it! This really is New York! Casey shouted. Athena released a breath she didn't know she was holding and scowled at Casey. Don't scare me like that! Athena said. Sorry, Thea. Casey said, genuinely feeling guilty for not believing her and worrying her. Athena softened some. It's okay. She said.
Wait, if this is New York, does that mean that we actually went back in time? Athena asked, shock covering her face. Casey nodded. My scanners say it is 2022. Our family should be around our age. He said, seemingly having trouble processing that.
Family. Athena mumbled. Mom, Dad, Padre, Father, Papa, Aunt April, and Grandpa. They're alive here? Athena asked, hopefully, disbelief on her face. Casey nodded, his own realization coming to him. My mom. She's alive, too! Casey said, tears welling in his eyes. We have to find them! Athena said, standing up. Casey was about to agree when he remembered the whole reason they were even there in the first place. No. He said.
What? Athena asked, pausing, her grappling hook already in her hands. No. Casey repeated. We're here on a mission. The whole world is at stake. We don't have time for family. We have a job to do. We made a promise. I told Master Leonardo that I would find the key and stop the Kraang invasion. If we don't do this, then our family won't be alive to find. He explained.
Athena gazed off into the distance for a moment before speaking. You're right. She said softly. I promised Padre I would save the world, so I will do everything I can to keep that promise. The mission always comes first. Isn't that what he used to say? Athena asked, her face hardening to a resolve. Casey nodded. It is. He said. Do you have a plan? He asked, knowing full well that Athena had always been better at critical thinking than him.
Hand me that drawing. Athena said, pointing to the quick sketch of the key. Casey passed her the drawing. Athena analyzed it before flipping it over. Her eyes widened at the sight of the photo she was now looking at. Her family. They looked so young. Cuddled together for a group hug, Raph had his large arms wrapped around the entire group, Leo and Donnie squished in the middle looking mildly uncomfortable, and Mikey towards the front of the hug, pulling April into it. Athena smiled to herself, then frowned, realizing the photo didn't have her mother in it.
Um Casey, what was my father's opinion on time paradox events agian? Athena asked, slightly worried. Highly against them, why? Casey asked, confusion lacing his features. I might not exist. Athena said. What?! Casey asked, panicking slightly.
My mom hasn't met our family yet. Athena explained. Okay, she will eventually. Casey said, not seeing the problem. That's my point. She won't. My parents met during the apocalypse, remember? Athena asked. So? Casey asked. So, we are here to stop the apocalypse, which means my parents will never meet. Athena said. Casey's face was blank for a moment before things clicked, and he jumped up. Oh. Oh! Yeah, that's not good. He said.
Okay, new plan. Athena said. We find my mom and convince her we need her help, then bring her to the lair to meet our family and hopefully acquire their help to stop the Kraang. She said. Casey nodded slightly. I guess that makes sense. He said. I just hope we aren't too late. Athena said. Casey nodded in agreement.
The two teens took off into the streets of New York, ducking and pushing past people awkwardly. They had never seen so many people in one place before. Not that they hadn't seen any humans before, but when they did, table talk wasn't exactly the thing on everyone's mind. The teens had swapped human social stuff out with tactical conversations and plans to survive. The apocalypse meant that everyone was always on guard. Weapons were a lifeline, and brutal honesty was a highly noticeable practice. There was no time for fun in the future. So, with their very little social skills and highly determined attitudes, they practically pushed past people. The masses never seemed to clear, and Athena was getting frustrated. She glanced over at Casey, who was obviously overwhelmed by all the people, and then to a quiet looking alley before grabbing her grappling hook and Casey's arm, allowing her to pull them both into the alley.
We need to find another way to get to my mom. Athena said, ignoring Casey's distress. When in mission mode, the teens had been taught to focus on nothing else and bottle up their feelings until after the battle. Athena wanted nothing more than to comfort Casey, but she didn't, instead looking for an exit route that didn't involve thousands of people.
Noticing Casey was in no condition to follow her, Athena grabbed his arm and hauled them up onto a rooftop. She set Casey down gently, kicking his side, silently letting him know to get his stuff together and that she would help him with whatever it was later. It took a moment, but Casey was back on his feet.
Athena had a small pocket-sized device in her hand, surveying the area. We should go that way. She said.
Without waiting for Casey, she jumped across the building. Casey followed her, and the two teens made their way towards an apartment complex on the other side of town. Athena came to a stop on top of the building, Casey coming to a stop beside her.
What are we stopping for? Casey asked. This is it. My mom's apartment complex. Athena said, double checking the device.
Are you sure? Casey asked. What do you think? Athena asked snarkily. Okay, so now what? Casey asked. We break an entering. Athena said, heading for the fire escape. I'm sorry. What? Casey asked. We sneak in and talk to my mom. Athena explained. Casey frowned. We could just knock on the door. He suggested. Do you really think she would let us in? Athena asked. Casey sighed. Okay, we'll do it your way. He said, following her along the fire escape to a few floors down.
Athena paused at the window that let into her mom's apartment, giving Casey a silent gesture that let him know this was it. She pulled a pin from her hair, a small smirk on her face. She got to work, picking the lock of the window before slipping inside, an uncomfortable looking Casey following in after her.
Now, what? Casey asked. The lights are off, which means she isn't home. Get comfortable, Casey. We are going to wait for her. Athena said, flinging herself across the couch lazily. Casey sighed.
The future was already proving to be more difficult than expected. The teens could only hope that this side quest wouldn't keep them from completing their mission.
Only time would tell.