Leo muttered, "I still don't get it." Sullenly, he finished sweeping the pile of dirt into a dustpan. "That, that, girl defeats Karai and saves Raph's butt. Then, she just shows up one day and is greeted as a hero. So what? We fight Karai all the time it's just so... so... unfair."

Master Splinter stood at the entrance to the dojo, watching his sons interact with the new houseguest.

Donnatello and MichaelAngelo seemed to be getting along with the girl just fine. Leonardo, however, was a different story.

The 'fearless leader' continued sweeping up the mess. Which, by the way, he had no part in making. Three gruelling hours later, Leo was out of patience. Throwing down the cleaning supplies, the oldest turtle stormed into the kitchen.

Raph glanced up, startled. "Yo, Leo! What's up, bro?"

Leo glared at him angrily.

"Who. Is. She." The normally calm leader gritted out.

The girl hopped off the counter. "I'm Lily, also known as Li."

Leo pushed her back against the counter. "No. Who are you? Where are you from? How do you know Raph?"

The girl smiled. "I am Lily, oldest adopted daughter of Xever. I'm from NYC, same as you. As for how I met Raph, well, that's a whole 'nother story."

Leo narrowed his eyes. "Tell it."

Raph jumped forward, shoving his oldest brother away from the girl. "Back off, Leo,"

He warned through gritted teeth. Li placed her hand on Raph's shoulder. "Hold up, hot-head. He has a point. We should tell them."

Donnie spoke up. "Tell us what, exactly?"

Li took a deep breath. "I will tell you how I met Raph, and why I'm here. My story begins six months ago, when I was running from the Kraang."

The girl ran, glancing fearfully over her shoulder. Several Kraang bots were right on her tail. Gasping for breath, turned the corner sharply and ducked into an alley.

Parked at the end of the alley was a flashy LeMans, with a white paint job sporting blue and yellow accents, not to mention screaming double 38s. Without a second thought, she ducked behind it.

The Kraang continued past the alley, still searching. Li slumped against the car, blowing out a sigh of relief. To her surprise, the car rolled forward slightly, dumping her on the ground.

Li pushed herself up, wondering why the car didn't have its parking brakes on.

Glancing up, she saw something of far more importance. Karai- and the Shredder's daughter looked none too happy.

The girl jumped to her feet. In a matter of seconds, she and Karai were locked in battle.

Li had long, slender dual throwing spikes, and Karai was carrying her signature sword. The clashing blades and grunts of the battling girls drew the Kraangs attention to the alleyway.

Karai promptly fled, leaving Li exhausted, wounded, and very weak. Li struggled upright, determined to fight to the end.

Suddenly, the car pulled forward, then spun 90 degrees, its side now facing her. The door swung open- but the LeMans was empty.

Behind Li, the Kraang lasers began powering up. Without a second thought, she ducked into the vehicle, the door swinging closed on its own. The seatbelt clicked in place around her of its own accord, the car shifted into gear, and, quite unexpectedly, Lily MacIntyre, adopted daughter of Xever, was in a high-speed chase- in a car that drove itself, no less.

Behind them, the Kraang were following, in the van they used for pursuit and kidnapping innocent humans. Not that Li was innocent; she had foiled the Kraang's plots way too many times. And tonight had looked to be the last of her- until the LeMans took over.

She settled back, determined to enjoy the furious ride. After a time, the Kraang abandoned the chase, but still the car continued its headlong course.

Li had just managed to convince herself of the normality of the situation- because everyone knows that a high-speed chase in a car that can go upwards of 280 mph. is nothing out of the ordinary- when a voice spoke up, effectually terrifying her all over again.

"Nice day for a drive, isn't it?"

Li froze in shock.

"Well?" The voice asked again.

"What's up? You can talk, right?"

Li finally managed a tiny "Yes."

"Oh, that's good." The voice went on.

"Anyway, you can call me Smoke. Optimus will have my Spark if I tell you my full name. You?"

Li stammered out, "Me?"

"Yeah, you."

"Uh... Li."

"Nice name."

The voice responded, with a hint of a smirk.

"We're here." The driverless car pulled into an abandoned parking garage, driving around and up up to the top level.

"Where's here?" Li finally ventured.

The car door swung open, and the girl exited hesitantly.

The car appeared to unfold, and in its place stood a giagantic figure.

The monster smiled down at her, blue eyes glowing in the night.