Work Text:
Once again, April was trapped. But this time, the Turtles weren’t coming. They were all stuck on another planet. She was beginning to wonder why Shredder had even kidnapped her this time.
He didn’t seem to be doing anything at all in this abandoned warehouse, other than pacing around and muttering to himself. The warehouse was drafty, and April shivered as a chill ran down her spine.
Shredder turned around.
“What’s wrong, Ms. O’Neil?” he asked. “Cold?”
“Oh, no. I’m just shaking from excitement, because I love spending time with you.”
April rolled her eyes.
“Of course I’m cold!” she snarled. “Not that you care.”
“Well, what do you want? A blanket or something?” Shredder asked.
“Like you’d give me one.”
Shredder took off his cape and draped it over her.
“There.”
Without another word, he walked away. Over the sound of Shredder’s footsteps, April could hear a cough reverberating through his mask. Shortly after he was out of sight, there was a thud. Then, it was silent. Shredder did not bother April again.
After what felt like hours, Splinter came alone to rescue April and chewed through the ropes to free her. She giggled as his whiskers brushed against her skin, tickling her. On their way out, they passed Shredder who was sprawled out on the ground and breathing erratically.
“Did you… did you do that?” April asked Splinter.
“No,” Splinter said. “But we’d best hurry.”
Outside, it was warm, but raining. April and Splinter quickly took shelter under an awning.
“Great. Just great,” she muttered. “This is nowhere near my home!”
She turned to Splinter with a pleading look in her eyes.
“Do you think we could get the Turtles to pick us up?”
“Perhaps,” Splinter said. “But I have been having trouble reaching them.”
“Oh… you, too?”
“Yes. That is why I came alone.”
“So… what did happen to Shredder anyways?”
“He is quite ill. And judging by his scent, it has spread all throughout his body. He likely does not have much longer to live.”
“You can smell all that?”
“Yes,” Splinter. “As a rat, I have a highly developed sense of smell.”
“I see,” April said. “Do you think that anyone will help him?”
“Doubtful,” Splinter said. “Unless you wanted to?”
“I don’t know! I mean, no. Not really. It’s just… well… I know it’s like to be that sick. It was awful. But at least I had good friends like you to help me get through it.”
She paused and thought for a few seconds.
“Then again, I guess that’s because I’m not evil like him.”
Splinter didn’t reply.
“Hey!” April continued. “If we don’t have to deal with Shredder trying to take over the world anymore, we’ll have a lot more time to spend together without worrying about him.”
“I suppose so,” Splinter said.
They were both silent for a while before April spoke again.
“Do you think that I should…” she started. “That I should…?”
Splinter tilted his head.
“… call a cab?”