The moment the Turtles docked the Sub outside the lair, Donnie dialed April on his T-Phone. With every unanswered ring, he became more anxious.

“Come on, April, come on, April …”

“Hey, Donnie!” he heard her voice say over the speaker.

Instant relief washed over him. “April! You’re okay!” He was so overjoyed that he yelled it through the sewers at the top of his lungs. “You hear that, guys? My sweet princess is alive!”

And with that, Donnie’s face turned bright red. “Did I mute that?” he asked her.

“Let’s just agree that you did,” April replied.

Normally, that would have mortified Donnie. But not today. His not-so-secret crush was coming home! He smiled. “You got it!”

A short while later, the Turtles and Master Splinter were gathered around April, listening to her recount her fight with Karai. “When her guard was down, I flipped her down the subway steps and bolted!”

Amazed by her story, and proud of her bravery, each of the Turtles cheered her on in their own way.

“That is awesome!” Donnie said, beaming.

“You rock!” Mikey complimented her.

“Kick-butt!” Raph agreed.

“Impressive, April. You used your training well,” Master Splinter said. “And you fulfilled the most important goal of the ninja—to come home alive.”

“Thank you, Sensei.” April bowed. “Looks like I can take care of myself after all.”

“Yes. And no.”

April gave her master a puzzled look. He was obviously proud of her, but his solemn tone indicated he was about to give her some bad news.

“Karai may have failed this time,” Splinter told her. “But if Shredder wants you, he will stop at nothing to find you. And with the Kraang after you as well, the wisest decision is for you to remain here, in the sewer, with us.”

April’s eyes widened. “What?!”

“That’s great!” Donnie blurted out—until he looked up at an obviously devastated April. He masked his excitement and mumbled, “I mean, that’s horrible … that your life as you know it is over … and I’ll shut up now.”

“I can’t stay down here!” April protested. “I mean, what about school? My friends? Everything?!”

“April, Master Splinter’s right,” Leo said, trying to reason with her. “Until we stop Shredder and the Kraang, this is the only place you’re safe.”

April stared down at the floor, deep in thought. Am I really about to give up my normal life?

She looked around the room at the faces of the mutants who wanted to help her. With her dad out of the picture, they were the closest thing she had to a family.

“So once we stop them, I can have my life back?” April asked.

“Yes,” Leo replied.

And with that, April made up her mind. She looked up at Master Splinter and the others with confidence—that same confidence she had gained when she had bested Karai. If she could do that, she could do anything.

Her eyes narrowed. She was ready for whatever challenges were ahead of her.

“Let’s get started.”