The Red Shadow (TMNT)

This New Body

Addy ran over to the guys so they could look her over. She was so ecstatic.

"Wow guys, I can't believe this, I'm like you all now!" she screamed in a high-pitched voice.

"Ha," smirked Donnie. "Looking like us doesn't make you like us, but you could be, if Raph continues to train with you."

"Pssh, whatever," she said waving him off. "One day I'll be able to kick your butt." "You're just a punk without all your little gadgets."

"Ooo, guess she showed you," laughed Raph. "Way to go babe, and he slapped her on the lower half of her shell."

"Thanks," she smiled. "So, what now?" "Back to the lair?"

"Yes, we need to escape before more Kraang droids show up," Leo ordered.

They all went out the way they came and got in the Shellraiser, and like always, Addy and Raph rode the stealth cycle.

"Not as much room as before," she laughed. "This shell takes up twice the room."

"Just means you get to hold me closer," he smiled and threw her the helmet.

"Smooth, Tiger...smooth," she laughed and they got on the bike and headed back to the lair.

"Hey I'm starving, can we get some burritos or something," Addy yelled from underneath the visor.

"Ha, have you already forgotten you're a giant turtle?" "We can't go out in the open like that." "I'll ask Donnie to order pizza when we get back; he knows all the connections."

Addy didn't say anything, but she just looked away and then laid her head on Raph's shell. She knew this was going to be a difficult life, and at times she was going to regret it, but she could never regret Raph. She could never forget how he saved her life, and that it was all worth it in the end.

Raph let go of one of the bike handles and patted Addy's head. "Don't worry, it'll get better, and I'll be here, so you have nothing to be afraid of." That reassured her, she smiled, and held on tighter, and Raph knew instantly that she felt better.

The rest of the gang made it back to the lair first, and Splinter greeted them at the door. "My sons, did you succeed in your mission?"

"Yes, Sensei," Leo said bowing. "Except we had some minor, uh, changes," he said, raising his eyes to Splinter.

"Oh?" Splinter said. "What kind of changes?"

"You'll find out soon master," interjected Donnie.

Raph and Addy got to the lair, but Raph stopped her before he opened the door.

He grabbed both of her hands and stepped back to look her up and down.

"Wow," he said, and she giggled. "I don't know how you got more beautiful, but somehow you did it." "Only someone as amazing as you could pull that off."

"Oh come on, you're exaggerating," she blushed.

He let go of her left hand and twirled her around with the other; slowly, to watch her as she turned. She looked like a ballerina; graceful and poised, not like Raph at all. He was bulky and thick, and not a graceful bone in his body.

"Come on, they'll start to worry if we don't go in," she laughed and pushed him playfully.

Raph opened the door and walked in, but waited for Addy until she was ready to show Splinter what had happened.

She eased in, her head slightly lowered, and her hands together in front of her stomach.

Splinter made no expression but a slight smile and nodded at Raph, and Raph understood. Whenever Sensei approved of his children he didn't show his emotions, but a slight smile, and in this, Raph knew Addy's transformation would lead to a harmonious future for their family.