I opened the microwave just as it started to beep and grabbed the popcorn from inside. I tossed a piece into my mouth and walked over to where the boys were waiting. I handed Twilight the popcorn and sat in my rightful place beside Leo. What made me mad was the fact that Twilight wouldn't stop FLIRTING with Leo! She was perched on his other side, thanking me for the popcorn. I nodded at her.

Who does she think she is!? Just barging in here with a soggy backstory and trying to steal my boyfriend!? Look, I'm glad we're helping her. I just don't appreciate her rubbing on my boy like that.

I sighed and rested my head on Leo's chest. He wrapped an arm around me. I glanced at Twilight to see her fuming with jealousy. I smirked and turned my attention to the movie April picked out. "Friday the 13th". Hm. I thought April hated horror films. Eh, maybe she just picked it so she can CLING to Casey or Donnie the entire time. Ashen was seated quietly beside Raph on the floor, resting their backs against the foot of the couch, and Mikey was squeezed on the other side of Twilight.

The movie started. And, I'll admit, I was a LITTLE scared...a little. Eventually, I began getting tired, my eyes drooping, trying to stay awake. Then, Leo gently pushed me onto his lap, stroking my hair.

"Go to sleep, baby." He whispered. I shook my head no.

"I'm not tired." I murmured. He chuckled and kissed my cheek.

"Yes, you are. Just go to sleep."

I twisted around to see his face. "You promise you'll be here when I wake up?"

Leo lifted me up, laid down himself, and placed me beside him, his arm around my waist. He kissed the top of my head.

"Promise." He murmured.

"Good." I snuggled closer to him and closed my eyes, but before I went to sleep, I opened them a little just to look at Twilight's hilarious face!

**************

It was my dream that woke me up. I bolted upward, screaming and punching the air. The Turtles immediately ran to my side, Leo pushing to the front and wrapping his arms around me. I tried to stop the tears, but I couldn't, so I buried my face in Leo's plastron. My shoulders shook as I tried to silence my sobs. Leo rubbed my back and softly shushed me, trying to calm me down.

Finally, the embarrassing tears subsided, and I sat up straight.

"What's going on?"

"What happened to her?"

The two cat sisters entered the room. I growled. They're the last people I wanted to see.

"We have no idea." Raph responded, looking at me, worried. Leo stared into my eyes, concerned beyond what I was worth.

"I-it was nothing. Just a bad dream...a really, REALLY bad dream." I whispered, leaning into Leo.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" Donnie asked.

"Not really." I murmured, but I knew it wasn't really a question. Donnie wants to know if my nightmare means anything or not.

"But I will anyways." I took a deep breath. "It's all a big blur now, but the bits and pieces I can remember are...." I took another breath. "T.C.R.I. Inside, the Kraang have another world domination plan. This time, they use mutagen AND every other weapon they have. They bring my dad in..." I trailed off and looked away, trying to compose myself before continuing. "And they pulled him onto a lab table. They tried to experiment on him....and that's all I remember before waking up."

"What you experienced could have been...ah, never mind. It's stupid." Ashen said, folding her hands in front of her.

"No, no. What were you about to say?" Donnie gently pushed her shoulder. Ashen rubbed the back of her neck, blushing.

"I was gonna say a vision but..."

"Actually, there's a ninety-six point seven percent chance that you're right." Don said, curling his finger under his chin. Ashen's eyes lit up.

"Really?"

"No way..!" Mikey whispered, completely blown away. But then, anything can excite Mikey. It just has to be something he's never heard of that isn't full of science.

"We need to go to T.C.R.I and see what's actually going on with the Kraang." Raph stated, glaring at the floor. Leo stood up, causing me to come this close to falling off the couch.

"Raph's right." He turned to the cats. "Twilight, Ashen. You guys wanna come, too?"

The girls nodded vigorously, excited to be doing something, I guess. Leo nodded.

"Right then. Let's move."

***************

Outside of T.C.R.I, I lean over the edge of a nearby rooftop, trying to see past my usual line of vision.

"Looks like the coast is clear." Leo whispered. Then he pointed to our entry point, telling us to move. I jump in sync with the others, moving silently.

We break in easily. The Kraang are so distracted by whatever it is they're planning to be concerned about security. Stupid brain-blobs. You'd think being ancient aliens, they'd have the sense to at least guard from the roof.

We walk down the corridors, me and Leo in the front, Raph and Ashen taking up the rear. I shiver, glad that none of the Kraang seem to hear us. I'm also thankful that we didn't enter one of the human floors by mistake. How would I explain this to dad? I wonder if he misses me...

I bump into the back of Leo's shell and immediately recoil, holding my now throbbing nose. Leo looked behind him to make sure everyone was following, then spotted me glaring at him. He gave me a sheepish smile.

I beckoned for the others to form a line on either side of us, then pointed down at the Kraang, all gathered around a big computer in front of an even bigger tub of mutagen. I sucked in a breath so I wouldn't gasp as loud as I wanted to.

"Ready?" Leo whispered to me. I wasn't, but I nodded anyway, peeling my hand off my mouth. I pull out my Kodachi blade.

"Lookie!" Twilight whispered, holding a small reptile in front of my face. "A lizard!"

"Shh!" Donnie shushes her, pulling out his Bo Staff. I take the lizard from Twi and put it on my shoulder.

"NOW!" Leo shouts, and we all jump into battle. There's just one problem with my pounce though. My aim is off, and I plummet toward the bat of mutagen. I gasp, scream, and cover my eyes.

"NO!" I hear Leo yell before I hit the dangerous chemical. I begin to feel a burning sensation all over my body. It felt like acid! I dared not open my eyes. I felt something growing in my tailbone, and my eyes fly open as I twist around to see. My feet become like the Turtles' but a smaller oval shape with slightly pointed toes. It hurts. I want to scream. My nose and mouth merge, becoming that of a lizard's. I squeeze my eyes shut and press my hands against the glass. I summon my strength and jump out of the tank. I land.

"Oh. My. God." Leo's whisper makes me panic. I stand up.

I am a mutant lizard.