You were from Japan, a place filled with rich history, culture, and traditions. But now you were in New York, thousands of miles from home, eager to explore and learn more about this bustling city. Your parents had allowed you to venture out on your own tonight, knowing you were old enough to navigate the city and enjoy some freedom. You had learned English quickly, and it felt like a second skin now, though you sometimes still found yourself marveling at the city’s energy—everything was so new, so different, yet exhilarating.

As you walked through the streets, taking in the sights and sounds of the neon lights and city noise, your mind wandered. You passed by small cafes, street vendors, and busy intersections where people hurried along, oblivious to each other. Then, something caught your eye—a figure in the distance, standing under the glow of a streetlight.

There she was. Her.

A beautiful turtle mutant—was she a pond slider, perhaps? You couldn’t help but stare. She had a sky-blue mask with yellow stripes that ran across her eyes like a stunning, bold design. Her eyes, an intense green, caught the light in such a way that they seemed to shimmer as she looked around, surveying her surroundings. She was injured, you could tell. Bandages wrapped around her arms and legs, almost like a badge of honor from past battles. Her black and white kneepads only added to her fierce appearance, but it wasn’t just her tough look that struck you. It was her presence—powerful, composed, yet somehow graceful.

Her shell was marked with green designs, intricate patterns that almost seemed to move with the rhythm of her movements. And she had a Tessen—a traditional folding fan that served as a weapon. You couldn’t help but marvel at how it looked so effortlessly integrated into her overall persona. She looked incredible.

You couldn’t move, not at first. There was something about her that made your heart skip a beat, something familiar about her. Then, she turned her head, and her green eyes met yours.