CH:5 Lava Bath

Fear sets in as we run for our lives, listening to the bridge start to crumble into the lava lake below. "We are almost there! Just push yourselves a little harder!" yells Leo, full of hope and determination.

I glance over my shoulder only to increase my panic as I notice the beginning of the bridge start to give in, and crumble towards us. With all the increased force and weight from the collapsed archway and gate, not to mention the violent tremors. It's simply to much to hope it could hold together. 'Good thing Leo never looked back. In fact I wish I didn't!' I screamed in my mind as I ran as hard as my weakened body would let me.

"Why did they make this bridge so long?!" screamed an exhausted Mikey.

"Shut up, Mikey!" growled Raph.

"Keep going!" squeaked Donny, full of panic.

As the bridge starts catching up, crumbling towards us, I start to realize that I'm going to have to reveal my ability and I'm immediately filled with dread. 'What if they think I'm a freak because of what I can do? What if they become afraid of me?!' Then I think of Raph and chuckle a bit. 'Yeah like he would ever admit to being afraid of anything! But what about the others?' at that thought, worry started to take hold in my gut.

"We are so close guys! Just a little further!" Hollered Leo bursting with confidence.

Just as I'm debating if I really need to use my last resort, I notice that the lava splashing sounds were getting even louder. I made another mistake by glancing over my shoulder again. Only to see the horror of my home crumbling into the lava lake in large chunks, causing huge lava splashes that looks like it's in slow motion.

At the emotional shock of having everything I've ever known being destroyed in such a violent manner, I lost all control and my power came rushing forth like a tidal wave. My horns started glowing purple as my body and hair started glowing white. My feet elevated off the ground as I stopped running, basking in this long forgotten feeling. The force that erupted from me shattered what is left of the bridge and sent the turtles flying forward since I am a bit behind them. They landed on the ground hard with Mikey asking "Did anyone get the number of that bus?" As Raph just groans in discomfort.

"What was that light?" wondered Donny.

"YING!!" yelled Leo full of panic.

They all look back at me as my glow was starting to fade while I'm losing consciousness, beginning to plummet toward the lava for a nice warm bath. Thankfully Mikey is quick to react on instinct and with his extended nunchuck chain he whipped it towards me. Wrapping around my waist and pulling my limp body back to solid ground. As I pass out with a loud thump on the ground, the last thing I hear is Mikey asking "Can we keep her?!"

...

'It feels like I'm moving' I wonder to myself as I as I slowly wake up from over exhaustion. As I sit up I rub my pounding head and look around. I'm sitting on the floor of what I think is a tank? "What in the name of the stars happened?" I mumble mostly to myself.

"Yeah, we would like to know that aswell." Growled Raph beside me.

"Not the time, Raph!" Snapped Leo from the front of the vehicle as he yanked on the wheel to swerve around a boulder that just fell in front of the vehicle. Making me slide into Mikey on the oppositeside of Raph.

"Don't worry Ying, we got cha!" Mikey says with a wink. I would giggle if I wasn't I so confused by everything.

"Where am I? What is this thing? Where are you taking me?" I couldn't help but ask as my mind felt like it's going to burst from confusion.

"This is my Turtle Drill." Donny proudly states from behind me with a snort and a nerdy chuckle.

"And we are bringing you back to our layer since you don't have a home anymore!" Said a very excited Mikey.

I heave a big sigh at the thought of my home crumbling into the lava lake as a single tear runs down my cheek. But then a thrill of excitement runs through me as I realize that I'll be living with the turtles. 'Finally I won't be alone! No longer will I be shunned for expressing myself! Or feared because of what I can do. In fact, they welcome it all with open arms!' I couldn't help but smile at this thought.

Just then Leo yanks the wheel again and sends me sliding into Raph. 'Oh great I'm going to tick him off again.' I thought but to my surprise he looks down at me with warm gold eyes and asks, "Are you okay?"

I stammer out a "Y-yeah" and blush like crazy as those golden pools suck me in.

"Good, Umm... anyways, uh, thanks for saving my shell earlier form that boulder." Raph said as fast as he could which makes me giggle.

In a overly dramatic mocking manner, Donny gasps and says in shock, "Did Raph just say thank you?!" Earning him a glare from Raphael.

Leo is starting to get rather annoyed and yells, "Really not the time for flirting guys!" as he yanks the wheel again sending me for another slide.

'Screw this!' I thought as I dig my black gem-like claws into the metal floor stopping my slid in an instant with a rock-on-metal scrapping sound. Looking down I noticed that most of my cloths were in tatters. 'Well it's not like they were durable.' I sigh to myself looking at my bare waist and legs. 'After all it was just a very thin white material made into pants and a tank top. It's not like I had anyone to dress up for when I was all alone.'

To distract myself from the thought of being practically naked in a confined space with four stronge men, I try to focus on what's going on through the windshield. My eyes widen as I see the walls of the tunnel crumbling in all around us while boulders fall from the ceiling.

"Start up the drill, Donny!" Hollered Leo sounding a bit panicked.

"On it!" Donny shouted back. "Uh, w-we have a problem, boss! N-not enough power!" Donny stammers out in panic.

Realizing I'm our only chance out of here, without even thinking about repercussions, I quickly whip my head towards Donny and ask, "Where is your power source?!"

Donny points at were I'm sitting "Directly under you." He stats slightly confused.

"Then an extra power source is coming right up! Get ready Donny!" I excitedly shout with a grin as I have never felt so free to use my abilities. I start to glow again but not as nearly as bright as before since I have full control over my ability again. I push my power through my claws into this metal beast, causing it to surge forward. "I can't hold it for to long!" I warn as I feel my consciousness start to slip. 'It would have been a better idea to let myself rest between uses but life seldomly works in our favor.' I inwardly grumble to myself knowing full well that I'm going to pass out again form over exhaustion.

"That's amazing! We are fully charged!" Donny hollered full of surprise and wonder.

"The drill Donny?!" Reminded Leo.

"Oh, right!" Donny says with a snort.

With my eyes closed, I weave side to side a bit before I collapse on the floor just before the drill hits the wall, chewing our way to freedom.

...