The next year passed by in a blur, but for some reason the day was dragging on for Cassi. She and the boys were nineteen today, and she was moving into an apartment of her own. Although she wasn't being much help, Chris was helping her pack. Cassi had finished her courses at the university, but Chris had two years left and the thought of a new roommate wasn't pleasant for her.

"Hey Cassi, you got a letter." Christy said as she handed Cassi an envelope addressed to her. After reading the return address, she felt her hands tingling with excitement as she tore it open. She pulled out the letter and began to read.

Dear Miss Cassidy O'Neil,

I recently had the pleasure of seeing you perform at a local restaurant. A few associates of mine and myself loved your voice. If you are interested, we would like to sign you to a recording deal with our record label.

Onstage you mentioned a band that wasn't able to join you. We would like to request a performance by them and you. If you could please contact me when you have the chance, my number is below.

"So, what does it say?" Christy asked curiously.

"It's only junk mail." Cassi replied and returned to her packing. She scrunched up the letter and stuck it in her pocket. Her friend gave her a suspicious look, but Cassi pretended not to notice and continued with her packing.

---

Later on, once she had taken all her things to her apartment, Cassi couldn't climb down a manhole fast enough. The potent smell that hit her nose only bothered her a little; Her mind was elsewhere. This was the day she would finally get to see the boys, her closest friends and 'family', again! Her spirits soared as she ran through the murky tunnels. Cassi finally reached the opening and she dialled the access code and watched the doors open. After too long, she was finally home again.

Cassi looked around the quiet home. It was empty. Looking around more, she discovered that the boys weren't in their rooms. She headed into her old part and gazed at her surroundings. It was empty too, or so it seemed. As she walked by her music studio, she could hear the faint sound of music. Cassi turned the doorknob slowly so it wouldn't make any noise, opened the door and slipped in.

The four boys were playing instruments. Leo was playing bass, Raph was playing guitar, Mike was playing drums and Don was playing keyboard. No one had noticed Cassi. They sound fantastic, Cassi thought to herself. This might just work out. When they had finished, they were all startled to hear someone applauding them.

"You guys are great!" Cassi said walking over to them. Mike screamed.

"I-it's C-C-Cassi's g-ghost!" he stuttered.

"Calm down Mikey! I'm no ghost, I'm alive!" She said laughing.

"But how?" Don asked.

"Simply, I faked my death." She grinned mischievously. "It was a lot easier than you guys may think."

"Ya little worm! Do ya really think ya can just march back in here and back into our lives after being 'dead' for two years?" Raph snapped at her.

"Raphael!"

"Oh knock it off, Leo, it's true!"

"Stop it, Raph."

"She broke yer heart and ruined our lives! Did ya forget about that little detail?"

"No," Leo replied, giving Raph a cold stare, "I remember, but I decided to let it go. I've already forgiven her for it."

"You've forgiven her? Did she put one'f her little mind spells on ya or somethin'?"

"No, Raph, I didn't," Cassi replied calmly, "he forgave me. It surprised me as well. Honestly, I don't deserve for any of you to forgive me, as much as I want you too."

"I'll never forgive ya for that." Raph spat.

"I understand, Raph. I just wish you'd stop hating me." Cassi said quietly. "You don't need to like me, just don't hate me and wish I had really died." Before anyone could say anything else on this subject, Cassi brightened into a smile. "Leo, do you have my necklace? I really, really want to be a turtle again!"

Leo gave Raph a look of hurt -which just made Raph snort and look away. In his opinion, Leo was way too protective of the brat - and then tossed her the necklace. There was a crystal in the glass chamber now. She caught it and fastened it around her neck. Instantly, her hair turned back into her bandanna and she returned to her 'normal' turtle self. The letter she had in her pocket dropped to the floor. She bent down to pick it up, but Mike beat her to it. All four read it.

"You're getting a recording contract?" Leo asked in disbelief.

"This happens on TV all the time! She'll become a super star and forget all about her family and friends!"

"No, Mike, listen. I -" Cassi tried to explain, but Raph cut her off.

"So where's this band of yours?"

"I'm looking at them!" Cassi beamed. "I've gotten everything worked out. You guys in?" The boys were stunned. For a few moments, no one spoke. Finally, Don broke the silence.

"Cassi, we're not able to change to a human like you can! There's no way we could do a recording, let alone performances!" He pointed out, wondering if Cassi had flipped.

"No, Don, I'm not insane. Like I said, I have everything worked out." She walked over to a bookshelf in the room. From behind it, she pulled out a poster, than held it up for the four to read.

"Shell Shock?" Mikey asked, reading the poster.

"I get it! If we do performances, we go as we are. The audience will think we're in costume." Leo looked at Cassi to see if he was right.

"Exactly!" She nodded, and then peeled a plastic bag off the back of the poster. In the bag were four green circles. Engraved on each was the initial of one of the boys. Cassi set the poster down, and took one of the circles out. "This," She began to explain, "is my latest invention. It's a holograph projector, and it'll make you guys look human." She tossed the one in her hand to Don. "Stick the flat side on your arm, and push down on the red switch." She instructed.

"Hey! It attached itself to my arm!" he yelped after he had hit the switch.

Cassi nodded. "If you press that switch again, it'll come off, but don't yet. This time, press the blue switch."

Don pressed the blue switch. The whole circle glowed brightly. It glowed so bright that everyone had to shield their eyes. When the light had turned off, they looked up. Cassi grinned, and the other three gasped. Don just stared down at his hands.

"Dude," Mike couldn't believe his eyes, "your hair is purple!" So it was. Don looked like an average nineteen year old from Japanese decent, except he was 5'6, and, as Mike had said, jet-black hair with purple coloured spikes. Cassi had programmed in a simple outfit; a purple t-shirt and jeans. He looked over his shoulder.

"My shell is gone!" he half shouted, half asked. Cassi laughed.

"Actually, it's still there. The projector unstablizes it, so if someone were to bump into you, they wouldn't feel it. Your clothing would also feel real if someone were to brush up against you." Cassi said while handing the others theirs.

"This is amazing!" Don marvelled as he shut it down.

"So will you do it?" Cassi asked hopefully.

"You're a nut, Cassi." Raph told her.

"We're in!" Mike said enthusiastically.