The New York Police Department returned from Sacks Tower with a resounding victory: the Foot Clan had been destroyed, and their leader, Shredder, was arrested.
Meanwhile, the crowd of curious onlookers buzzed with excitement, not only from the news of the Foot Clan's downfall but also from those who claimed to have seen Batman.
The sighting fueled even more fervent gossip among the city's residents.
Instead of heading back to the station immediately, George accompanied the turtles into the sewers.
There, they arrived at the dojo the turtles had called home since childhood—a humble yet vibrant space deep underground.
It was also where George met Splinter, the wise and imposing rat who had raised and trained the turtles.
Though initially apprehensive, George had a meaningful conversation with Splinter. By the end, his concerns were eased, and he left the dojo with the four turtles in tow.
Walking proudly into the New York Police Department, George thought of Eddie, who had been snapping photos at Sacks Tower.
Realizing the significance of the turtles' addition to the force, George decided the news had to be announced through a credible media outlet to ensure all New Yorkers understood the changes and the department's growing strength.
He immediately contacted the Daily Bugle.
Eddie, alongside Phil, rushed to the police department, documenting every step of the turtles' induction. He even secured an exclusive interview with the four turtles.
The next day, the news was everywhere: "Turtles Join the New York Police Department" became a sensational headline, easily overshadowing the lingering fallout of the Green Goblin incident.
The accompanying photo featured the four turtles in dynamic combat poses, their confidence and unique appearance drawing immediate attention.
The Daily Bugle also revealed a surprising nickname for the heroes, coined by the public: "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles."
While many New Yorkers were unfamiliar with the turtles, their striking image left an indelible mark.
Some drew comparisons to the recent Lizard incident, initially suspecting the turtles to be dangerous due to their appearance.
Official assurances, however, convinced the public otherwise.
Discussions erupted across the city. Media outlets sought out NYPD officers for their opinions, and almost all expressed support for the turtles joining the department.
Adding fuel to the fire, the Daily Bugle dropped another bombshell: The Turtles Are Batman's Sidekicks!
According to the report, Batman had not only appeared to assist in the mission but had also been training the turtles.
This revelation caused a frenzy online, with netizens debating the implications of Batman mentoring such unconventional allies.
While the public and the internet buzzed with speculation, the turtles themselves were unfazed. They were finally enjoying life in the open.
George went above and beyond to make their integration into the NYPD seamless.
He provided them with a dedicated office and even converted a sewer entrance near the department's parking lot into a private passage for them.
The turtles embraced their new roles and relished their newfound recognition.
As for Anton, he had already left for Los Angeles, attending the premiere of his much-anticipated cyborg movie. After an intense but short preparation period, the movie was finally set for release.
On Jim's suggestion, Anton sent an invitation to Tony Stark for the premiere. Whether Stark would show up, however, remained a mystery.
...
Outside the event venue, celebrities gathered in droves.
The grand premiere, meticulously prepared by Jim and his team, started on time.
Luxury cars stopped one by one at the end of the red carpet, and world-famous movie stars stepped out, waving at the media and audience with radiant smiles.
Cameras flashed incessantly as reporters clicked away, the sound of shutters filling the air.
According to the original plan, Harry Osborn was also supposed to attend the premiere and walk the red carpet.
However, with Norman Osborn's sudden disappearance, the internal power struggle at Oscorp had escalated into an intense battle.
As the center of this political vortex, Harry couldn't spare the time to attend but made sure to call Anton beforehand, wishing him a big box-office success.
Before ending the call, Harry hesitated for a moment, then asked a question he had been holding back.
"Anton, do you think my father is really dead?"
"It's hard to say," Anton replied cryptically.
Before hanging up, Anton didn't forget to wish Harry good luck.
Back to the premiere.
Once the celebrities had walked the red carpet, the final group to make their entrance was the main creative team.
Anton and his team strode briskly across the red carpet. As behind-the-scenes creators, they weren't particularly interested in lingering for long.
Still, Anton followed protocol, pausing in front of a massive poster to give a quick interview.
"Director Anton, what are your expectations for your new movie?"
"I heard Batman made another appearance in New York. Given the Daily Bugle's relationship with him, are there plans for an interview with Batman?"
"What kind of movie is Cyborg?"
Anton kept his responses brief.
"My expectations are high," he said. "As for Batman, there are no plans for an interview right now. And Cyborg is a great movie—watch it and see for yourself."
As soon as he wrapped up, Anton was about to enter the venue when his eyes caught an Audi pulling up at the end of the red carpet.
Since the creative team was supposed to be the last group to walk the red carpet, this unexpected arrival puzzled him.
Who would show up late, and with such flair?
Curious, Anton paused, his gaze fixed on the car. A portly figure stepped out from the driver's seat.
"It's Happy Hogan! Tony Stark's bodyguard!"
"Does that mean Tony Stark is in the car?"
One of the reporters recognized the driver instantly, sparking a frenzy.
"Tony Stark actually came to the premiere?"
"He hasn't made any public appearances since returning from Afghanistan. Why would he show up now?"
The reporters' murmurs turned into chaos as a crowd swarmed the Audi.
"Tony! What made you decide to attend this premiere?"
"Do you have any updates about Stark Industries? Are you really planning to shut down the arms manufacturing division?"
"There are rumors that Stark Industries internally claims you're unfit due to a concussion. Is that true?"
The press surrounded Tony Stark as soon as he stepped out, bombarding him with questions and camera flashes, turning him into the center of a media frenzy.
As someone who had lived in the spotlight since childhood, Tony Stark remained composed in the face of the chaotic crowd. He offered a casual remark:
"I'm here because someone invited me!"
When asked about Stark Industries, he added, "Sorry, I'm not answering any questions about Stark Industries at the moment."
Meanwhile, Happy Hogan, standing in front of Tony, was drenched in sweat as he tried his best to shield him from the swarm of reporters.
With great effort, he managed to carve out a path through the throng.
Only after they entered the venue did Happy finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Tony, standing just behind him, scanned the room. Spotting the person he was looking for, he smiled and called out:
"Anton, I heard that when Batman premiered, people were running around advertising that I was dead. They even claimed the movie was my posthumous work!"
"I've heard that too! Those people are truly despicable," Anton replied smoothly, his expression calm and unbothered.
Stepping forward, he shook hands with Tony and added with a smile, "But honestly, I didn't expect you to actually show up."
"After staying cooped up at home for so long, I figured it was time to get some fresh air," Tony said, his faint smile lingering as he studied Anton but chose not to press further.
With that, he moved to his seat, ready for the movie to begin.
….
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