Supreme Emperor Zanramon looked at his shackled prisoner before him in the control room, his amber eyes blazing. She was flanked by his second-in-command, Zorin, and her ex, Zorg. Although Leia was petrified, she masked her emotions and waited for Zanramon to speak. "Princess," Zanramon said. "I have a proposition. Refuse it and I will blast your planet to smithereens and you'll never see your family again. Do as I ask and you will be released unharmed and so will your planet and family."

"What is it?" sixteen-year-old Leia asked.

Zanramon tapped a few buttons on his monitor and said, "These are the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. During a war with them, they wiped out several of my men and I want them eradicated."

Leia's jaw dropped in surprise when she looked at the screen. Four muscular turtles, each with a different colored bandana and wielding weapons. The red-masked and green eyed-eyed one caught her eye and she deemed him cute, but dismissing her thought, she said, "There are mutant turtles on Earth? I thought they only existed on my planet."

Captain Zak spoke from beside Zanramon and said, "Yes. They were the product of an ooze called Mutagen and they've been a thorn in our butts. Constantly derailing our plans and they have something of ours. A special necklace that belongs to our Emperor. His mother gave it to him on her deathbed. We want you to retrieve it and give it to us."

"All right," Leia said. "Seems easy enough. What else?"

"Befriend them and we'll kidnap you and you'll tell them you need their help defending your planet. After all, the Turtleoids aren't warriors. They'll come to your rescue and we'll dispose of them."

"Okay," Leia said. "Piece of cake."

"Don't get too close to the shell backs," Zorg warned. "They'll tell you we're the enemy and get you to side with them. They attack us. Not the other way around. Don't fall in love with them and remember what's at stake."

"I get it, Zorg. You will also leave my planet alone, right, Emperor?"

"Yes. No more attacks," Zanramon lied.

"'Then untie me and let's shake on the deal," Leia said.

Zanramon's men untied her and after they shook hands, Zanramon said, "We'll give you a special phone to contact us and we'll drop you off in the sewers. It smells, is disgusting and damp, but it's where they live."

"Swell," Leia said, wrinkling her snout in disgust. "I've seen those on my intergalactic TV and they look gross, but it's temporary, so I'll deal with it."

Zanramon handed her a phone and said, "These Turtles are manipulative. Be careful."

"Relax," Leia said, pocketing the phone in her blue kimono, as she was led to the spacecraft destined for Earth "We'll soon have what we both want. I promise."

XXX

Seated in the spacecraft, Zorg, who was next to her, whispered, "I never wanted you captured, Leia, but they threatened to harm my little brother if I didn't assist them. Maybe when your mission's complete, we could… rekindle things."

"Drop dead," Leia said coolly and studied her hands. "I could never trust you again. Not ever. Tell me about these Turtles. Their personalities."

"I hope you will," Zorg said, and heaved a sad sigh. "Leonardo's sixteen and is the oldest and is called Leo. He's the leader and is a perfectionist in every way and loves meditating. They're trained ninjas."

"Sounds boring. Next."

"Donatello's the brains and likes building machines. They call him Donnie for short."

"A nerd then. Fun," Leia said sarcastically.

"Michelangelo or Mikey, as he prefers, is the prankster and is always laughing."

"Sounds irritating."

"And then there's Raphael. He's the loner, the rebel, the muscle of the team."

"Now he sounds interesting."

"Oh really?" Zorg asked jealously.

"To befriend and use in the mission. Last thing I want is another failed romance or to fail my mission. My planet's counting on me."

"Ah, right. Raphael also has a sarcastic sense of humor and is always angry."

"Why?"

"Maybe he doesn't like what he sees in the mirror," Zorg quipped. "They are pretty ugly."

"I'm a turtle too," Leia said indignantly, her blue eyes flashing.

"Yes, but you're beautiful with your soft sea green skin and dreamy blue eyes. They're just….revolting. And Raphael cusses too."

"Interesting. I always did like the bad boys. Hence us. But this time, Raphael's only part of the mission."

"Keep it that way."

"I plan on it, although he's pretty cute," she said, knowing it would rile Zorg. He huffed and looked out of the window.

"You should also know they have mating seasons and it's coming up to it," Zorg said a few minutes later.

"Wonderful. It'll be helpful in my mission."

"So you will sleep with him?" Zorg demanded.

"If I have to. I'll do whatever it takes to ensure my mission's a success. You ever spoken to the Turtles?"

"Just in combat. Well, one time, Raphael helped me when I was losing oxygen and we shared an oxygen mask, until his team arrived. Then we went our separate ways."

"Zanramon said they were bad," Leia said, looking at him in disbelief. "And he helped you and let you go?"

"Yes."

"Is your emperor lying? Are the Turtles really bad?"

"Does it damn well matter, Leia? It's still about saving your planet. Who cares if the Turtles die in the crossfire?"

"No, you're right, but I'd have thought you'd feel indebted to Raphael."

"It was a once-off. We're still enemies and you need to remember your mission. We may have dated, but I won't let that affect my mission."

"Which is?"

"To ensure you carry out yours. If you don't, I'll have to annihilate you and your planet. I don't want to, but I have no choice, so see you do it."

Leia swallowed thickly, tears prickling her eyes and said, "Don't worry. I won't fail."

"Good. You're too way too young to die."

Leia looked out of the window and thought, I can do it. I have to. For my family and planet. Nothing else matters but them.

XXX

Hours later, Leia wandered the sewers, where Zorg and the others had deposited her, and thought wearily, where the hell are these Turtles? I'm so tired. All I want to do is sleep.

XXX

Meanwhile, back at the lair, a restless Mikey was unable to sleep. He'd tried for hours, and now, glancing at the digital clock on his dresser that read three a.m., he decided to give up and go for a walk in the sewers. Throwing on his gear and weapons, he stealthily made his way past his brothers' bedrooms, trying not to wake them.

When Mikey entered the lounge, a male voice rumbled, "Goin' somewhere, Mikey?"

Mikey looked up and saw Raphael on the couch, the TV tuned to a replay of the Sox's latest game, and said, "Can't sleep. Going for a walk. Want to come?"

"Nah," Raphael said. "Make sure yer back for traininin'. Leo will rip ya a new hole if ya don't."

"I'll be back way before then and anyway," Mikey said, a twinkle in his blue eyes, "Karai stayed over last night and I'm positive Leo will be too tired for training."

"The perks of havin' a mate," Raphael said miserably.

"Cheer up, dude. She'll come along."

"That's what everyone keeps tellin' me."

"So believe it, dude. I'll see you later."

XXXX

Mikey left the lair and walked a few miles. Then, suddenly, up ahead, he saw a figure. "Who goes there?" he asked, wielding his weapons.

"It's only me," Leia said, as Mikey approached her. "I mean no harm."

Mikey blinked in surprise when he saw a turtle and not just a turtle, but a female turtle staring back at him and said suspiciously, "Who are you and where do you come from? Are you an experiment of Baxter's?"

"Huh? My name's Leia and I don't know any Baxter. I'm from the Planet of the Turtletoids. My spaceship landed on Earth and people screamed and called me a freak when they saw me. Frightened, I climbed down here and have been here ever since." He looks like one of the Turtles, Leia thought. Terrific.

"You poor thing," Mikey said, and clucked his tongue sympathetically. "Don't worry. You're safe now. Where is your spaceship?"

"The humans probably blew it up. I'm so scared," Leia said, choking back a sob, tears running down her cheeks. "Being away from my family. Wait. You're a turtle just like me. How is that possible?"

"It's a long story. Don't cry. Please. You're safe now. Why don't you come home with me?" Mikey asked, putting his weapons away. "And I'll make you something to drink and we can talk. And then my bros and I will help you get back to your planet."

"I'd hate to be a bother."

"You're not, dudette," Mikey said and smiled. "My bros will be happy to help. Come along. Our place isn't far."

"Thank you so much," Leia said gratefully, and thought, tears always work. No guy likes a damsel in distress.

She's extremely cute, Mikey thought, as he and Leia headed towards the lair. And she'd be perfect for Raph!