"Now my sons, focus."

They sat in a circle of five, eyes closed, legs crossed. Incense was burning and the room was dimly lit.

"Uhhh what are we focusing on exactly?"

"Shh!"

"What Leo?"

"We are focusing Michelangelo on clearing our minds, tapping into our inner senses so we can track if danger is close."

"Yeah, therefore it should be the easiest for you considering there's nothing in that head of yours to clear!

"Dude, Raphael harsh!"

Splinter sighed as the four teenagers bickered among themselves, getting his turtles to actually sit and meditate, instead of sitting in front of the television, could be like pulling teeth.

"Quiet all of you!" He said in that booming voice only a father could do. "You must learn to temper yourselves. A ninja needs to be able to not just work physically, but mentally. You must learn to feel danger before it could strike."

His students sighed.

"But we are not like you sensei." Donatello said. "You are able to sense things before they strike. I don't know how we can obtain such a skill."

"Practice my pupil." Splinter. "It is like your physical training. One cannot just stop just because they have learned or mastered the skill. It is about repetition and refinement."

He saw their frustrated faces and smiled. He himself had been young once too and knew how upsetting it could be when you were being taught something that was thought impossible.

"You will learn." He said. "But you must work on your patience. You cannot let outside forces affect your stance."

He figured it was time for a break and tea when suddenly his own senses shuddered. He put his hand to his head trying to get a track on it. All too familiar, trouble was brewing. He opened his eyes to see his students looking at him worriedly.

"You okay Master Splinter?" Raphael asked.

Splinter nodded.

"Yes Raphael." He said. "But I have a terrible feeling of danger lurking."

"Is it Shredder?" Leonardo asked.

"I don't know." Splinter said.

"I bet it has to do with the new science center opening up!" Donatello said. "April just did a report on it. They are showing some high tech medical equipment that I would not be surprised Shredder or Krang would try to manipulate into some kind of weapon of destruction."

"Then that is where we will start!" Leonardo said. "Let's go!"

"Aw man, why do the bad dudes always strike just when April's show is going to come on!" Michelangelo whined.

"We'll tape it!" Raphael said pulling his brother along. "Come on!"

Splinter watched them race out of the sewer entrance and head to the surface. He then went back to his room to sit and focus. The large rat had a keen knack for keeping track of his students through his meditation and could tell if one or all was in trouble or hurt even when they were not in his presence. Like any father he worried about his sons, but he believed in them nonetheless.


She sat under the bright lights of the large mirror where a makeup artist applied lipstick and powder to her face.

"I hope under eye concealer is going to be used." She thought. As she had predicted she had not been able to fall back to sleep that evening after her dream and then the university had her running ragged. She had to send her TA up into the seats at least three times during her first lecture of the day because two students had been completely asleep on their desks and one decided that having his Walkman up at full volume was more important than the sound of her voice discussing how overpopulation can effect society.

Her second lecture had her on edge because one student approached her and argued the test grade she received was unfair and that the questions asked were too complicated to give a proper answer. Mind you, the answers were in the textbook, required readings and lecture notes, and she encouraged opinion when backed up by evidence. Nonetheless this young woman set off a powder keg of annoyed students and the exasperated professor found herself assigning extra credit to those interested to ease the tension.

The third lecture of the day after lunch was a smaller class, her graduate class, and did not give her any trouble. She was glad to be spared. She understood that her students came from all walks of life and all learned in different ways and did not try to stick to one type of teaching technique once she got a feel for the students in her class. However, she also wanted them to learn to research and look further than just basic memorization. She couldn't please them all of course.

The faculty meeting was nothing special. The discussion mainly focused on the upcoming PhD dissertations scheduled for the next few weeks and who would be the committee members for each one. There was also talk on the up and coming conference in Tokyo regarding sociology and how it will play into the coming century. She found she was one of the professors asked to attend the conference.

So needless to say, she was a bit tired as she was being readied for her discussion. She really was not in the mood for confrontation. Unfortunately the guest she would be discussing her opinions with was a well known pied piper of controversy. His name was Gordon Turnbull, "The Bull" as he was known and he loved to prey on those who feared change and difference. He got them going with his boisterous mannerisms, his loud, booming voice, and scoffed at opposition of his point of views. He had dabbled in politics, but after scandal of him and "hush hush" money with crime lords back in the day arose, he escaped the political arena and dove into entertainment, hosting his own radio show that had a large enough following to bring him into tonight's "Face the Issues" broadcast.

She was ushered to the table where April O'Neil was sitting nearby reviewing her notes.

"Ah Dr. Graham." April said with a smile and extending her hand when she approached. "So glad you agreed to be on the program."

Dr. Natalie Graham smiled and warmly shook the hand of the redhead in the yellow jumpsuit.

"Pleasure is mine." She said. "And I do appreciate the invitation Ms. O'Neil. I'll do my best to explain to the public that their fright of this "mutants" are unfounded now that we seem to see what their true intentions are."

"Their true intentions is that they are a menace and should be captured and studied!"

Both women rolled their eyes as "The Bull" stomped forward.

April once again extended her greetings, but all she received was a grunt and a meaty, somewhat sweaty grip lacking hand. The same was given to Natalie.

"Heh, you woman romanticize everything." He said. "You don't know the danger these monsters will wreak on the country if we continue to let them roam. It's time an end was put to it!"

Both April and Natalie glared as people were being ushered into the audience. The show was about to begin.

The music played, the audience clapped, and the cameras were rolling.

"Good evening and welcome to "Face the Issues, I am your host April O'Neil and our discussion tonight is one that has been on everyone's mind. Who are the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and do they pose a threat to humankind or is this the beginning of change for the better in the stopping crime and expanding tolerance."

She turned to her guests.

"My guests tonight are Dr. Natalie Graham, professor of sociology and history at City University and Graham Turnbull, host of the political and social popular radio show "Truth and Bull. Welcome to the both of you."

Natalie nodded politely while again Turnbull grunted.

The second April asked if both saw the Turtles as a threat or hero, "The Bull" was off and running his mouth off. Calling the turtles every horrible name that did not require a censor beep and how they make a laughing stock out of the hardworking law enforcement. The audience was grabbing it up.

Natalie, however, as much as she was seething on the inside, remained her composure until finally the large man winded himself out. Even during the commercial break she kept her silence, sipping her glass of water as the stylist adjusted Natalie's makeup and gave her brown hair a quick brush and hairspray. When the cameras rolled again and after April reiterated the show and Gordon Turnbull's exclamations, she turned to Natalie.

So Dr. Graham, a rebuttal?"

Natalie took a breath and adjusted her thin framed glasses.

"Thank you Ms. O'Neil." She said then she turned to Turnbull. "Mr. Turnbull, let me ask you a simple question if I may? Is it because of how these Turtles look that rub you wrong?"

"Absolutely!" He yelled. "No normal human being is also part reptile that can walk and talk."

"I see." Natalie said. "But what we are learning is that genetics may have played a part in this so-called mutation of these four creatures. Does that mean that how they are made automatically labels them as dangerous?"

"I've seen these creatures Dr. Graham!" He said. "Anything that looks and acts like that is a freakish abomination. They need to be in a lab, not out on our streets scaring our good citizens."

"Ah." Natalie said. "So does that mean that when a child is born with Down Syndrome, a condition where the child is born with an extra chromosome formed altering the look and mental state of the child, should be ostracized and locked in a lab for study?"

Turnbull tried to speak, but Natalie continued.

"And does that mean Mr. Turnbull, that a soldier who has come back after losing a leg or legs, an arm, or their face mutilated due to wounds, does that mean he or she should be locked away?"

The man's face turned red.

"Does that also mean that we agree that what were deemed the mistakes of the past were not really mistakes? Like the horror that was African American slavery in the 19th century, the destruction of many walks of human life in the Holocaust, the forced subordination of women, and I can go on, but does that mean we actually are saying that what was deemed as wrong are actually right?"

"You don't get it Graham!" Turnbull said angrily. "We are not talking about humans, we are talking about walking, fighting, talking Turtle men! How many people do you know have a shell for a back!"

"And how many people do you know were born with birth defects or just big noses, small hands, baldness?"

"So what you are saying Dr. Graham is that these Turtles are not below human kind." April interjected. That the bottom line is they just look different from humans, but their behavior trumps their looks?"

Natalie smiled.

"Exactly." She said. "One's true intentions is shown by their actions. Okay, they are turtles who have taken a human form. But all they have done is try to protect, not harm. The world is changing Ms. O'Neil and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are not the only ones out there as we are beginning to see. It is as the old adage goes, it is not what is on the outside that counts, it's what's on the inside. I, for one, cannot be a professor to my students if I refuse to accept one student based on physical appearance. I cannot discriminate against my students based on their looks, it is not only wrong, it is immoral.

"Oh and I am sure you would welcome these turtles into your classroom with no problem?" Turnbull growled. "You talk righteous, but what if the situation presented itself. Would you hold the same views then if you had one of those creatures sitting right in front of you."

Natalie glared.

"If those creatures you refer to would like to be a student of mine, they would be more than welcome! My teaching methods are focused on the student's abilities, not how they look. Though I would also hope they too would follow proper admissions standards! They obviously have intelligence and I would like them to be accepted based on academic capabilities just like any other student who submits an application. They have extra-curricular activities covered in my opinion!"

The audience chuckled.

Now Turnbull was mad. The audience was supposed to be in his hands, not hers.

"This discussion is completely pointless, you can obviously see this professor is just one of the many "fans" of these freaks! Her opinion is skewed because she has a thing for them."

"Now Mr. Turnbull.." April started, but Natalie turned to her.

"It's alright Ms. O'Neil, I'd like to respond to that remark."

She turned to "The Bull" and looked him straight in the eyes.

"My opinions Mr. Turnbull are based on fact and historical evidence. For centuries human kind has enslaved, massacred, ridiculed, and denied due to the slightest differences in a person or people. But that has slowly changed over time. Instead of spitting at soldiers coming home practically deformed, we honor them. Instead of looking at disabilities as a disgrace, we see the life of the being as precious and worth a long, happy life. The Special Olympics is one such example. We open churches, mosques, temples, hold public cultural festivals, have ethnic restaurants, accepting same sex couples.."

"Your point doctor?" Turnbull interrupted.

Natalie sighed with hidden frustration.

"My point is, difference is always going to exist. Change is always going to happen no matter how hard we fight it. It is time that we stopped focusing on the idiosyncrasies of living beings and start accepting them for who they are. These Ninja Turtles have more than proven themselves and it is time we stopped the discrimination against them just because they do not look like us. I think they have proven themselves enough and deserve to be accepted."

"Acceptance is given where it is due and these freaks do not deserve it!" Turnbull yelled. " Trust me, these creatures will turn on a dime if given the opportunity and I for one refuse to have rose colored glasses covering my eyes and I am sure the audience here and those watching tonight feel the same. We must prepare ourselves."

"Well we are running out of time." April said feeling a bit winded and equally annoyed as Natalie at the large man. "Dr. Graham, is there anything you would like to conclude before we end tonight."

Natalie looked up at the audience with hard eyes.

"All I want to say is that hate is something that has ruled many masses and cost the lives of others. If we have not yet learned from the past, then I fear that the the social movements we and those before us worked so hard for were for nothing. If we cannot accept those who have proven they only want to do good based only on their appearance, then we have essentially failed in our fight for equality on all ends."

And with that the show ended.

Natalie sat up from the table, relieved it was over.

"That was a great interview Dr. Graham." April said approaching her.

"Seems to me like you both live in fairy tales." Turnbull said to the women. "How you can support these disgusting beasts shows us why women are useless at leading. Anyone who chooses to play hero and you begin to drool and acquiesce."

"And I can't agree more!" Another voice yelled and Natalie sneered. In walked Vernon Fenwick with all his pompous falseness.

"Mr. Turnbull, may I be the first to say what a fine job you did on tonight's broadcast!" He said. "Those turtles are a menace, but apparently Ms. O'Neil and Ms. Graham do not see reason. These women never do!"

Natalie didn't hold back on this one.

"I would prefer Mr. Fenwick, if you would address me as Dr. Graham." She said sternly.

Vernon sneered.

"Oh well excuuuseee me DOCTOR." He said with a sniff. "I didn't realize you were so sensitive, then again, I am not surprised." He and Turnbull snickered.

"If I may give two pieces of advice Mr. Fenwick." She said. "I have seen your work. Please do yourself a favor and stop embarrassing yourself on camera. Your constant stuttering and conspiracy stirring are enough to induce migraines."

April and her friend Irma Langinstein who had just appeared beside her both gasped.

"I BEG YOUR PARDON!?" Vernon screeched.

"And one more thing." She said putting her hand on his shoulder. "I beg of you, please never procreate. Society has more than enough depraved wing nuts running around."

She then gave him a pat and walked away with April and Irma at her heels.

"Why that nasty little.." Vernon started. But Turnbull interrupted him.

"Just let her go." He said. "She is just a meaningless urchin. She'll get hers one day, just you wait."


"That was amazing!" Irma exclaimed as she caught up to Natalie. "I'm Irma by the way."

"I agree, I have never seen anyone actually put Vernon in his place." April said. "Well except the Chief anyway."

"So tell me, you really believe in the turtles?" Irma asked her eyes glowing behind her large pink glasses and her pony tail bouncing. "So many people don't."

Natalie smiled.

"I think there are more supporters than there are enemies. They are just afraid to admit it due to what others will think of them."

"They are good guys!" April said. "It's like you said, people are just uncomfortable about how they look."

Suddenly, a sound came from her side pocket. It was her turtle-com. She saw both Dr. Graham and Irma looking at her

"Oh uh, I just remembered something." She said nervously. "If you'll excuse me!"

She hurried away.

"What was that about?" Natalie asked.

Irma knew but was never going to tell.

"Beats me." She said nonchalantly. "Hey would you like a tour of the studio? I mean you only saw one of the broadcast rooms."

Natalie wasn't buying it, but she had to find out. She knew April O'Neil had a connection with the Turtles, she just needed to know how to break past their wall of secrecy.

"Actually could you point me in the direction of the ladies room." She said. "It was pretty warm on that set and I drank quite a bit of water during the commercial breaks."

"Oh yeah sure!" Irma said. "It's right down the hall to the left."

"Same direction April went. Perfect!"

"Thanks!" Natalie said. "It was nice meeting you Irma!"

Irma waved as Natalie walked quickly down the hall in that direction. She slowed her steps though when she heard April's voice and hid behind a corner when saw the reporter. Her back was turned.

"WOW, what a story!" She heard April exclaim. "But what would Shredder want with robotic surgical equipment!"

"In all honesty, April, I don't want to know." A voice said from the device she was holding. "But we lost them as quickly as we saw them!"

Natalie tried to pinpoint the voice on the device but it didn't sound familiar.

"Well I gotta get down to the Metro Science Center and report this!" She said. "This is huge!"

"Okay, but be careful!"

"You know I will Leonardo!" She said.

Natalie's eyes widened.

"Leonardo?" She thought. Her mind immediately turned to a little being dressed in blue attempting to hold a sword almost as big as he was.

"I'll meet you guys at the lair afterwards!" April said. "See ya soon!"

She closed the turtle-com and began running in the opposite direction. Natalie quickly snapped out of her thought found an alcove to hide herself in before April could see her.

"I gotta get Irma!" April said aloud as she ran past the hidden Natalie.

Natalie trailed April as quietly as a mouse. She watched from a doorway as April reiterated to Irma what was going on. The two raced out to the back of the building where a Channel 6 news van sat. The women got in and drove off. She thought she was too late when a cab approached! Natalie hailed it and thanked her lucky stars when it stopped for her.

"Metro Science Center!" She said to the driver. "And there will be an extra twenty for you if you get there quickly."

No dollar amount in the world would stop Dr. Natalie Graham from her mission.