Part 1: A Portal, a Doll and some Chicken Soup
Ahhh, summer, Lola thought, The birds are chirping, the sun is shining, the sky is an incredible shade of blue, not a cloud in sight. I love just sitting on my balchony, getting a tan. And I was needing a tan, too. The long winter has paid its toll, and made me look like a ghost. Finally the many hours of sunbathing had paid off. Now, she was a light brownish-yellow.
Lola stretched in her recliner, just enjoying the sun. This is heaven. She felt a little thirsty, though, so she put on her robe and went to fetch a drink of something.
Bzzzap.
What was that?
Zzzchoom.
And that?
Mroooomz.
Something weird is going on…
Lola turned, halfway down the stairs, and tip-toed back up, through
the hallway, peeked inside her room, and, seeing
nothing, tip-toed carefully towards the balcony door. Something was
definitely going on out there, anyway.
The sight that met her scared her, fascinated her, and made her wonder
if she was dreaming.
It looks like a…But it couldn’t be…
A shifting, blue form hang in midair in front of her. It covered almost
the entire balcony. A portal…Shit, it really is a
portal…I wonder where it leads...?
Lola took a step forward, her eyes not leaving the portal for one second.
She was so mezmerized that she forgot to pay attention to where she
was going, and as she let out a shriek, she tripped over the treshold and
fell helplessly into the blue void, grappling desperately for something
to hold on to.
Lola yelped out in surprise as she hit her recliner. It must’ve been
swallowed by the portal, too… But where was she?
She pulled her robe closer around her body, tucked her feet up under
herself, and gazed into the darkness that surrounded her. She couldn’t
see a thing, but she sensed and heard something or someone moving.
Suddenly, the light was switched on, and she was momentarily blinded. She rubbed her eyes in an attempt to improve her visibility and squinted at the figures before her. She almost passed out. Not by fear, but by the breathtaking surprise. They were the last ones she expected to see. She slowly got out of the chair and rose to her feet. It just can't be them...I must've fallen asleep...must be dreaming.
One of them were getting out of his bed, and the other three were standing in the doorway, one lowering his hand from the light switch. They looked at her with curiousity, suspicion and mild amusement.
”Am I dreaming?” She asked, not really expecting an answer. They noticed a weird accent in her language, and quickly decided that she wasn’t from New York. One of them shook his head at her question. They looked at her expectadly, and immediatly she realized she was invading their home. Her cheeks grew flushed and she kicked a little at the floor.
She looked up. ”Hey, I’m sorry for, um, disturbing you, but you see there was this portal, and…” She looked behind her, and stared at the empty space in shock. ”Shit, it’s gone…how am I gonna get home?”
But as she looked at them again, she was aware of that she didn’t really want to go home…not yet, anyway. She was too curious.
They all gazed back at this girl who didn’t seem afraid at all, only
surprised. Her smooth, brown hair was gathered in a ribbon at the back
of her head, with strands of it curling itself around her now smiling face.
The
color of her eyes was brown, almost orange, with just a hint of grey, and
they were shining with amusement and wonder as she looked them over.
She lifted her hand to her face, brushed away a lock of hair, revealing
a dimple on her left cheek, and slid her other hand down her slim waist,
resting it on one of her well-rounded hips.
”I can’t believe that it’s actually you guys,” she exclaimed.
”Huh?” They said simultaneously. What did she mean? They had never seen her before.
”Erhmm, you are the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, right?”
The turtles glanced at each other, considering the title she had adressed them with. It was actually quite fitting. One of them nodded after a while. ”Yes, I guess that would be us…”
Lola’s grin grew wider and she giggled softly. She held out a hand for
someone to take.
One of the turtles quickly took it, almost leaping to the spot in front
of her. He was very energetic. She shook his hand heartily. ”Lola S. Cubish,”
she introduced herself.
He was about to introduce himself, when she interrupted him. ”No, wait, let me guess,” she said, “You’re Mike, right?”
They weren’t wearing bandanas she could identify them by, but still, she knew Mike when she saw him.
His mouth fell open. What the...? “Yeah, but actually, my name is…” he began.
"Michaelangelo. Yeah, I know.” She had to giggle when she saw his surprised
expression.
”In fact,” she saw with a mischievious grin, ”I know all your
names…”
At this statement, the turtles glanced confused at each other, mumbling.
Lola narrowed her eyes in concentration and looked at them each in turn.
They certainly looked different than the cartoony, cliched version
of them in the movies, and of course much more realistic, but she
knew that if she tried, she was going to be able to tell them apart. She
started to slowly pace around the turtles, something they seemed a little
uncomfortable with, but especially one of them was really getting
annoyed.
“How do ya know who we are?” he suddenly demanded.
Lola stopped short and turned around to look at him. He shifted his
weight. Why was she staring at him?
“You’re Raph!” Lola suddenly cried. Before he could say or do another thing, she grabbed his hand and shook it. “You’re so cool,” she said, deciding it was best to get on his good side from the start. Besides, she really meant it.
Baffled, Raph didn't respond. Lola didn't seem to notice as she gave her attention to the two remaining turtles.
“Hmmm, you’re Don and Leo, but who is who…?” Lola mumbled.
Finally she decided. She held out her hand to one of the turtles. “Don?”
He gave a confused smile and a nod and shook her hand. She returned the smile and turned to the last turtle.
“And Leonardo,” she finished, while shaking his hand. She almost expected him to bow or something. He didn’t.
By now, Raph was tired of all the formalities, and he said so. “Y'know, isn’t it 'bout time we had an explanation?”
Lola sighed and sat down on her recliner again. “Let’s see...I’m from--well, I guess I’m not wrong in saying that I’m from another dimension. In this dimension you’re…to say it like it is…you’re cartoon characters.” She looked at them for a second as she let what she just had said sink in.
“What?” They said, again simultaneously.
“Did you just say that we’re toons?” Mike widened his eyes in surprise.
“Yeah, that, and you’re also in three movies. Only, umm, you’re not real, and the parts of you are played by these guys in giant turtle costumes…and of course, we shouldn't forget about the comic books! They're the best part! Mirage, Archie, Image and, uh...” Lola had a frown to match the turtles' when she heard her own explanation. Heck, I wouldn’t have believed this shit if I were them...
“And we’re suppos' to believe dat?” Naturally, Raph was sceptical, but she couldn’t blame him this time.
"Yeah," Leo agreed, "It sounds a little...weird,"
“Hey, it’s all I can say. It’s the truth.” Lola shrugged and shot them an apologetic look.
“Do you have any proof?” Don asked.
Lola thought until her head felt like it was going to burst. Proof, proof, proof...Don't I have anything with me? A magazine, a poster, anything...! I have to convince them I'm not lying...
"Wait a minute!" Lola cried out in excitement as she suddenly remembered something. She turned in the recliner and sat on her knees, digging with her hands under the seat, hoping what she was looking for was still there. It has been a very long time since-- there! Lola sighed in relief as her fingers met the fluffy fabric. She stifled a laugh. Raph is going to be so mad. But it's my only chance! Better get this over with...
"Ta-da!" She fanfared triumphantly as she held up the Raphael hand puppet. The turtles gazed at it in what seemed to be a state of shock. Raphael was most affected. It was really creepy to see a doll of himself.
Especially a doll who looks so very friendly, smiling and child-proof
at that, Raph thought.
He felt his face redden as he got over the first shock. He heard some
muffled sounds behind him, and suddenly Mike broke into a hearty laugh
that was really contagious. Soon, everybody was laughing.
"Hey...!" Raph said angrily and scowled around him.
Lola knew him too well, and decided it was time to stop laughing before something bad happened.
"Come on, guys, stop laughing...don't think there aren't hand puppets
of you, too!" Lola forced herself to be serious, and she looked at them
sternly.
Leo gave little coughs and wiped the tears of laughter from his eyes.
Don cleared his throat and looked up in the ceiling, still with a little
smile on his lips. Mike just stood there and grinned. Raph frowned at them,
and then at Lola.
Looks like I caught his bad side, after all...
"So..." she continued, "I take it you believe in me now?"
The turtles nodded slowly, but Raph just mumbled something. "Could I see that doll?" Don asked, now serious again, and Lola placed the doll in his hand.
"Hey, I know it's late, but do you wanna see the rest of the lair?" Mike suggested.
Lola smiled. YES! Of course! My brain is only about to burst with curiousity! That would be SO cool! She cleared her throat. "I'd love to."
When they were moving to leave the room, they suddenly heard Don's voice behind them. "Hey, you! Come back here, or I'll kick your butt!"
They all turned. What was he doing? Don stood there and was moving the
hand puppet
around, making it look like it was boxing. "Yeah, I meant you!" He
said again, this time with a hint of laughter in his voice.
Raph cursed. "You're dead meat, Donny!" He growled and started running
after a laughing Donatello. Lola just couldn't take it anymore, and she
doubled over in laughter.
The lair wasn't as she would have expected. She didn't know what to expect, really. She had ruled out the highly technological future version of the lair, with Don's gadgets spread all over the place and a squeaky clean kitchen. And she didn't think the place would look like a total dump, either. So what would it look like? At least it had brick walls. That was the only thing that always remained there in every version of the lair. Brick walls. She looked the place over with an oversized interest and curiousity. She felt like she was really snooping in other people's private buisiness, but she couldn't contain herself, she was just so fascinated. And everything seemed so unreal, like in a dream. I wonder if I'll wake up if I break anything...
She flipped through Mikey's comics and drawings, gazed in awe at some
of Don's inventions, and sniffed at the inscents in Leo's room while going
through his stack of books and weapons. She didn't, however, touch a single
thing of Raph's stuff.
She knew better than that. But she looked at it all the more. His stuff
included mostly weapons, weights, some disguises and a small stack of magazines.
And Raph was eyeing her suspiciously all the time. Leo looked a little
restless, too.
Finally, Lola looked at the time. Two-thirty in the morning. She realized she was keeping the turtles awake. I wonder what time it is at home...? She sat down on the old couch and smiled politely. "Hmmm. You know, I'm really sorry for being so nosy. It's just that...well, you're my heroes, and I'm so damn curious..."
Mikey smiled and stifled a yawn. "Heroes?" He gave a light chuckle.
Lola blushed. "Yeah...Um, maybe you guys wanna go to sleep now? I'll be more than happy to take the couch!" she offered.
"Oh no, by all means. I'll take the couch," Mike replied.
The turtles followed her to Mike's room to say good night, and she took the occasion to ask a question she had been dredding.
"Where is Splinter?" Oh, please! Don't let him be dead...!
Leo looked at her. "He's in his bed, sleeping, I guess...Why do you ask?"
Lola breathed out in relief. "Nothing. Just wondering," she assured them.
Leo frowned for a while, but then his face smoothed out again.
As they turned to go to bed, Lola pinched Mikey's arm. "Ow," Mikey cried, "what was that for?"
Lola grinned. "I just had to make sure you guys were real, that's all,"
Mike gave her a funny look and a half smile, and walked off to the coach.
Lola went into Mike's room and quietly closed the door after her. How I'm ever going to get to sleep is beyond me... She plopped down on the bed and pulled the sheets over her. They smelled kind of funny, a foreign, but pleasant smell. So, this is how turtles smell like... She giggled softly, and wondered if Mikey really had that stuffed panda bear from the first movie. Maybe a teddy is what I need to get to sleep?
She searched through the bed, but couldn't find it. Finally, she looked
under the bed, but there was nothing but dust. A lot of dust bunnies. Determined
to find it, she tip-toed carefully out in the living room to ask Mike.
If he even has a panda, that is...
He was lying on his plastron, snoring lightly, his mouth twitching slightly from time to time. In his arms he was clutching a big, fuzzy stuffed bear. It wasn't a panda, but nevertheless... Lola grinned at the sleeping turtle for a while. Right now, looking like this, it was hard to believe that he was capable of killing a dozen men.
Now I can't take his teddy from him, can I? Lola smiled
again and sneaked back into his room. As she laid down on the bed, her
head was filled to the brim with unanswered questions and thoughts. How
will I get home? Do I really want to leave?
I will have to, in the end...And what will Splinter say in the morning?
Will I ever get a chance to return their hospitality? Looks like
this is going to be another one of those sleepless nights...
When Lola awoke the next morning, her body was aching all over. She tried to sit up in bed, but her arms wouldn't allow it, they buckled under the pressure, and she fell back into the cushions. She sighed deeply, but that only caused her to cough violently. When she felt her nose starting to run, she pressed her hand against her boiling hot forehead in disgust.
"Oh, no! Don't let me get sick now!" she cried, and started to cough again, because her throat was so sore.
She heard footsteps outside the door, and a second later, Mikey popped his head in. Now he was wearing his orange bandana. "What's wrong, Lola?" he asked. Lola guiltily looked up at him. "I'b sigg," she whispered.
Mikey got a concerned look on his face and walked into the room, laying a hand on her forehead. "You're burning up," he nodded, "I guess the sewers aren't the best place for you to be right now."
The guilty look came back to her face. "Oh no, no, no!" She protested,
" I'll get well! Don't worry about me, it's probably nothing. I get sick
from just a gush of wind," she smiled weakly. She knew that the sewer stenches
weren't exactly helping her condition, but she didn't want to leave.
And besides, it was more the fact that she had been wandering around
barefoot in just a bikini and a robe in the sewers, that made her ill.
"I'm gonna get well," she said again, this time giving his hand a reassuring
squeeze, " I can't get sick when I've just met my heroes, you know."
Mikey still was a little confused about the way she seemed to just accept them all, even after the explanation she had given the night before. Heck, by the way she smiles at us and giggles all the time, it even seems like she thinks that we're cute...!
And now she was sick, and didn't even want to leave to get better. Frankly, it surprised him. She seemed so trusting. And on top it of all, she even thought it was HER fault that she got sick.
"Lola, everybody gets sick once in a while..." he tried to cheer her up.
"Yeah, I know," she admitted, "but why did I have to get sick now? I mean, it's not like you need anymore trouble...it's so unfair..." she pouted her lower lip.
Mikey started to laugh, and Lola frowned at him. "What?"
"No, it's nothing, really..."Mikey covered his mouth with his hand,
but couldn't stop giggling. "You...You just remind me of myself when you
sulk like that..." he giggled.
Lola opened her mouth. "Hey...!" but she wasn't mad, and she giggled too. She threw her pillow at him and he ducked it easily.
"I see you're getting better...!" He grinned.
"Oh, Mikey..." Lola rolled her eyes.
"You go to sleep, and I'll make you some chicken soup or something."
He threw her pillow back to the bed and went out the door in little jumps.
The turtles came into the kitchen when they smelled that something was cooking. Mikey stood there in his "Kiss the Chef" apron and stirred in a big pot with a wooden spoon.
"Whatcha makin'?" Raph asked.
"Witch’s brew," Mike said in a scary voice. Raph punched him playfully on his arm and smirked. Mike returned the gesture and then tasted the soup. "No, I'm making chicken soup for Looola," he chanted.
"Yuck, chicken soup?" Raph stuck out his tongue in disgust, "Oh, wait, doan tell me she's sick or sumthin'?"
"Lola's sick?" Leo and Don chimed in.
Mike shrugged, "Well, yeah, she's kinda...boiling up," he grinned sheepishly,
"I think she's got the flu."
"Oh, man," Raph grumbled, "Now we'll all get sick."
Mike grinned mischieviously. "Not if you try some of my lovely chicken soup..."
Raph made a grimace. "Not in your life."
Mike shrugged again, "Suit youself."
"I'll think I'll have some." Don found himself a bowl from the cubbard. " It's scientifically proved that warm beverages and soups, especially chicken soup, help cure the flu and the common cold..." he informed them.
"And it still tastes like shit," Raph said.
Leo sighed at Raph's comments and fetched a bowl.
"Well, I'm gonna have some, and we'd better get some for Splinter, too."
"Figures." Raph mumbled, barely audible.
Mike tasted the soup again. "It's juuust right," he smiled contentedly, "Come and get some, while it's still hot."
"You know, guys..." He said while they were filling their bowls, "It's kinda... refreshing to meet someone like Lola, don't you think?"
They stared at him curiously.
"I mean, we didn't even have to give her the old 'It All Started In The Sewers...' explanation...for once, someone else was doing the explaining, right?" he went on.
"I still think it's kinda fishy, her just showin' up like that...and we didn't see anythin' of that portal she was babbling 'bout." Raph crossed his arms over his chest.
"Aww, give it a rest. You're just mad about that doll...and if the doll wasn't proof enough--" Mike shook his head and started filling a bowl of soup for Lola.
Raph felt embarassed again, remembering Don's jokes and the doll from
the night before.
Bet she did that just to annoy me...!
"You're too trusting, Mike...that's your problem," he shot back.
"Well, then you are too damn paranoid! Being afraid of a girl who's sick and in bed," Mike picked up the bowl and started towards the door.
"You know wot I mean, Mike! She could be faking it, y'know! She could be a spy!" Raph yelled after him.
Leo nodded slowly. "You know, I hate to say this, but Raph may be right...she could be a spy...I suggest we should all be a little careful..."
Mike stopped and gave them both a strict look. "Would you keep it down? She might hear you! And spies just don't fall out of nowhere, sitting in recliners, wearing bikinies and carrying turtle dolls..." he whispered, "How would she get herself and a recliner in here without us noticing? I don't think so, " he grinned triumphantly.
"Yeah, he's got a point," Don said, "that's pretty much psysically impossible,"
Raph mumbled something under his breath and stomped off for his room. Mike carried the bowl in direction of his own room, where Lola had taken residence. When they were out of hearing range, Don grinned and looked at Leo.
"And this has been another cozy family moment with The Turtle Bunch..."
Leo just sighed and started to eat his soup.