Story Title: The Fire Within – Finding your true potential

TMNT Disclaimer: I do not own the turtles though I wish I did.

Summary: There is a fire within all of us. Whether you choose to use it for good or bad is another thing. Whether it's your master or your slave is completely up to you, you can let it control you or you can control you. With that fire you are unstoppable and you have the choice to awaken it or die without realizing your full potential.

A/N: This story was beta'd by Touch of Romance and takes some inspiration from 'Webs' by SaphirasMagic.

Have you ever felt the empowering feeling of walking down the streets of New York City and making it home safely? I have. You never truly felt that amazing, empowering feeling of walking down the streets of New York City alone.

Strangely, that was exactly what I was doing. The streets were dark and a pungent odor filled my nostrils. This is not what I expected of New York City at all. I was staying in an apartment separate from my parents in order to continue my schooling without their or anyone else's interfering. It gave me a feeling of independence that I could hardly describe.

I was trying to get to said apartment after a tiring day of high school. My best friend, April O'Neil, had just left to go hang out with some friends. I didn't understand why she couldn't take me with her. Completely lost in my thoughts, I didn't notice when a few Japanese men surrounded me. One of them gave a low whistle.

"What's a pretty girl like you doing out so late?" One of them, who seemed to be the leader, asked smugly.

"Trying to get home," I answered; slightly frightened though I tried to conceal it with a steady voice. Slowly but surely, the men started to close in on me. Then out of the blue, a voice pierced through the darkness.

"Get away from her!"

I looked to see who my rescuer was but instead found four… turtles.

The one in blue spoke suddenly, "Let's get 'em guys!" His voice was clear and deep. He was obviously the leader, judging from the way the other three waited for his word. As soon as the command issued from his lips, the three sprang into action. Their grace and agility was mesmerizing and I could not take my eyes off of them.

"Booyakasha!" One screamed; he wore an orange mask. And it seemed he was taking the battle the lightest of the four, all smiles and making fun of his opponent to the annoyance of the others. He also seemed to be the most graceful and agile. "Mikey, focus!" the leader shouted.

"What, bro?" Mikey replied.

"Focus on the fight."

It was clear they all had different fighting styles – unique for each. They all fought with a passion and unprecedented fury. Except for the one with the red mask: his fury practically radiated off his skin. I had noticed before that he was the most impatient in waiting for a fight. His eyes glinted in the moonlight.

The one with the purple mask was obviously the smartest. He was handling the bo stick like a master. In my shock and awe I must have zoned out and suddenly, the Japanese men vanished.

"Are you okay, miss?" The one I had identified as the leader asked.

"Y-Y-Yeah," I answered shakily. They looked like they were expecting something different. A scream from the way they cringed.

"Ya sure? Ya seem kind of shell-shocked?" The one in red asked.

What did he mean by that? I looked down and realized I was shaking. Black spots appeared in front of my eyes – which was weird because none of them had touched me. Then the black spots completely obstructed my vision and I fainted.