Sooooooo... I had a chat with a few friends and they told me that I should go ahead and post the original. I decided to make a few changes so that way it would be a little less confusing. But of course, I couldn't have done this without Sunny Lighter. Thanks, dudette. I really appreciate it. Seriously, if you don't know who this author is, then here's my advice: Check her out because you won't regret it. Her story, Same Difference, has gotta be one of the best TMNT fanfics that I have ever read and I enjoyed each and every chapter there is to read. In fact, this story was inspired because of her. Anyway, before we start, here are a few things.

1. The guys are human... for now.

2. Karai isn't who you think she'll be...

3. There will be a few ocs, but I'll try to make them as unique and fun as I can.

4. Familiar faces from other incarnations shall make cameos... and some may even have a part in this story.

5. Their birthday is September 29th. I mean, that WAS their premiere date, wasn't it?

Right. Moving on.

Disclaimer: Last time I checked, my name wasn't Kevin... or Peter... and I'm pretty sure I'd know if I were working with Nickelodeon, so... these characters aren't mine.

Chapter 1- The Beginning Of It All

(Leo's pov...)

Breath in...

Breath out...

Breath in...

Breath o-

"What would happen if I ruptured the power cell?"

"The whole place would go up with us in it!"

...

"Go!"

I clenched my eyes tightly. Come on Leonardo, focus!

Breath in...

Breath out...

Breath i-

"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

"Get away from my brother!"

...

"Hurry Mikey!"

Oh come on, really? Why couldn't you go away! My teeth gritted slightly in frustration.

Breath in...

Breath o-

"With the world at stake, the only importance is that you complete your mission..."

"Yes sensei."

"...No matter what you have to sacrifice... or who."

...

"Get out of here now!"

...

"Dude you can't do this!"

...

"Leonardo!"

"Would you please stop!" I couldn't take this anymore. Why wouldn't they just disappear already? Permanently?

"Stop what, my son?"

Every part of me froze. I hadn't said that out loud, had I? Glancing up, I noticed my sensei staring at me in a curious manner. Well, that answered my question.

"Nothing, sensei." it was better if he didn't know of my problem. It would fade away sooner or later... I hope.

Sensei stared at me for a little longer, before he closed his eyes shut and began to pace with his arms folded behind his back. I inwardly groaned. That was the first sign for an upcoming lecture. He tread across the carpet gracefully, stroking his goatee as he did so. I sat crisscrossed, waiting for him to speak. But only, he didn't speak.

Without warning, he charged at me.

I yelped a little in surprise, and quickly deflected his staff with one of my katana blades. "Sensei? W-what are you doing?"

Instead of answering me, my teacher gave me a quick jab to my side. It was hard, but not to the point to cause any harm. It did throw me off guard, however.

"Ah! Sensei!"

In my moment of distraction, I didn't see the low sweep of a wooden stick until my back kissed the floor below. I groaned slightly. My landing was a little rough. Emphasis on little. I flinched lightly when there was a sudden pressure on my chest. I looked up, and noticed my current position.

Sensei had me pinned to the ground with his right foot on my chest. His emerald colored staff pointed right in my face. The expression on his face was unreadable at first... and then, a light smile dusted his lips. In the next moment, the staff was gone and a gentle hand waited for me to take it. I'm pretty sure I stared like an idiot.

"Wha- but you were- and I was- huh?"

Sensei chuckled.

"Do not act so surprised, my son. A simple test was in order." he crouched down and took my hand. Slowly, he pulled and helped me up until my feet were firmly on the ground once more. When I could stand on my own again, only one word formed in my mouth.

"Why?"

"Because," sensei started as he placed his staff on the ground, "you were distracted. In order to fight, one mustn't let their mind- how you would say- 'float in the clouds.' They must expect the unexpected, and in which this case, you failed to complete." he finished, stroking his goatee again.

I... failed? I lowered my head in slight shame. If I were completely focused, then I wouldn't have fallen so easily. "Sorry, Master Splinter."

I felt a warm hand on my shoulder, and when I looked up, my eyes met his warm brown ones.

He smiled. "Do not worry, Leonardo. It takes time and patience to master such a skill. You are still young."

Time and patience? I... I've worked on that since day one. Shouldn't... shouldn't I have mastered that at this point? I kept my thoughts to myself. I didn't want to sound rude and disrespectful. I gave him a weak smile instead. "Hai sensei."

Master Splinter's smile fell slightly. "Hmm, you are troubled, are you not?"

I sighed. I should've seen this coming. "Was it that obvious?" he nodded.

"Indeed. Your eyes cast a deep anxiousness. That, and your movements were a little slow during the test." I nodded. No matter how hard I tried, Splinter could always sense whenever I had a problem. Well, I guess that could happen to any teacher if their student was their child and they lived together for 8 years. Master Splinter walked towards the center of the room and sat. He gestured for me to come over, and I followed his order until I was seated next to him.

"Now tell me, Leonardo. What troubles you at this very moment?" he asked, glancing my way. Once again, I sighed. There was no way I was getting out of this.

"It... it was the flashes again, sensei." I quietly admitted. "They just keep coming... and they won't go away! I've had these random images and voices in my head since my 14th birthday. I'm turning 15 soon, Master Splinter. Why won't they fade away?" I felt the way I sounded. Hopeless. Were these.. 'visions' never going to disappear? This was the 8th time they've appeared, and it was only a Wednesday for Pete's sake!

Master Splinter hummed in thought. "This is very unsettling news indeed... especially since they've remained in your mind for almost a year now. But... I don't think this is a bad thing."

Not a bad thing? How were they not a bad thing? "I don't understand, sensei."

The teacher didn't speak for a minute. And then... "Leonardo... Do you remember last month's brief session of the Renaissance era? The artists? Michelangelo? Donatello? Raphael? Leonardo da Vin-? "

The room suddenly grew blurry, and I had to clench my mouth shut to keep myself from crying out. Leonardo. I don't know why but sometimes when I heard it, my vision would blur, and there would be a dizzying amount of pain. I knew what sensei was talking about, though. I remember that day. I was in the dojo practicing my katas when Master Splinter had wanted to review a short session of one of his favorite eras in history: The renaissance era. Let's just say... I blacked out after he mentioned Leonardo and a few other names one too many times. I only wish I knew why my own name would cause me so much pain when I merely thought about it? It didn't make any sense! A hand on my left shoulder brought me out of my thoughts.

I looked up to see Splinter's concerned eyes. He looked away for a second, and muttered something quietly in Japanese. I managed to hear it though.

"Tadashii yappari. (Just as I thought)" What did he mean by that?

"My son, perhaps it is best if you collected a little fresh air?" he suggested, after he checked my forehead. I smiled a little. Yeah. Maybe some fresh air would help clear my mind... even if New York didn't exactly have the most cleanest air.

"Sure sensei."

"That's excellent."

The new voice caused both Master Splinter and I to look towards the other side of the room. Leaning against the entrance to the dojo in a relaxed way was a woman in a grey turtleneck, thin khaki slacks, and a pair of black flats: in other words, my mother. I smiled.

"Mother, how was the first day at work?" I asked, standing to my feet. I offered a hand, and helped Master Splinter up as well.

She smiled. "It went well. I managed to serve 19 tables and get on the boss's good side on the first day. How great is that?"

"Amazing." I said, giving her a quick side hug. My mother was a waitress, and she was pretty good at her job. Okay, that was an understatement. She was awesome at her job. Before the move, she was one of the best waitresses back in our old city. Now, she's a waitress at a Japanese restaurant. I hope she can succeed here in New York too.

"That is wonderful, Shen." Sensei said, smiling softly. Mother beamed but it didn't last for long when her eyes landed on me. Her expression shifted to one of worry.

"But enough about me. I stepped in here a few minutes ago, and I couldn't help but overhear a little of the end of your conversation." her eyes darted to ground, and she chuckled a little nervously. "Um, I'm sorry for the little intrusion."

"You are fine, my love." Splinter said, lightly waving it off. "May you continue?"

"Oh, right." mother frowned when she looked my way. "Leonardo, honey.. are you alright?"

I nodded. "I'm fine, mother. I guess I'm just a little preoccupied with my thoughts."

She didn't look convinced, but she didn't press either. "Well, if you say so." Her expression brightened some. "I do think Yoshi is right, though. You should go outside. You haven't left the house publicly since we've moved. After all, you may never know what surprises may come your way."

I rose an eyebrow. Was she hinting that I may find something?

I shrugged it off with a nod. "Sure. I'll be back in a few hours."

Splinter smiled. "Very well. We will resume your training tonight. Good luck, my son."

"Thanks father." I returned his smile. Biologically, Master Splinter wasn't my father by blood. Neither was my mother. But that was a tale for another time.

I turned about to leave when..

"Oh, and don't forget to call every once in a while, okay?" Mother said, pointing towards her phone. I rolled my eyes, but smiled nonetheless.

"I won't."

One step was all I managed before..

"Don't talk to strangers!"

I groaned. Mother... I'm 14. I know that. "Yes mother."

This time I took two steps before I was interrupted again.

"Look both ways before crossing the street!"

"Mother! This is just like our old home. I should know!"

Mother sighed. "Alright. Have fun, Captain."

I smiled a little at my mother's childhood nickname for me. I gave a salute and left the dojo. Honestly, she could be such a mother hen. Sensei said I acted the same way sometimes, but that wasn't true... was it?

Oh, I guess you're a little confused, huh? Sorry. Moving to a new state can be a little disorienting. My name is Hamato Leonardo, and I'm the only child of Hamato Yoshi and Tang Shen... or so I thought. Who knew the day I finally decided to explore the city... would also be the start to gaining new additions to our small family?

*shakes hands for effect* Tadaaaaa! So? Any thoughts? There's not much to say except that I hope you enjoyed the 1st chapter. Again, I gotta give my thanks to Sunny Lighter for the help. Anyway, catch'a later, readers!