Thank you all so much for taking the time to view this story! I am currently obsessed with TMNT, so of course I'd want to write a story. : ] . I enjoy challenging myself with love stories that involve characters who it might be difficult to see in a romantic relationship, and Mikey is definitely one of those characters. This will be taking place in the 2012 universe several episodes before the end of Season 2. In other words, Casey Jones [ugh] will be in this story, along with Irma and a few other familiar characters. [In case you were wondering, Donnie is my favorite, not Mikey.]
Also, for those of you who are unfamiliar with my stories, I like to include the title of music tracks that you can listen to while reading this story so you can almost feel the emotion of the scene. I've made a playlist on youtube titled out of Her Shell, so you don't have to search each song up. [bloodytearz22 is my sn.] I will be putting a [+] symbol at the end of a paragraph when the music has finished its scene. Please enjoy, and thank you all so much!
Out of Her Shell
Chapter 1: Night Watchers
New York City: founded in 1624 and currently home to around eight million people.
Millions of tourists flock to the world-renowned city every year, taking in the illustrious sights that leave so many stunned and breathless. Broadway shows that run day and night, the verdant fields and relaxing atmosphere of Central Park, the 305 foot Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, China Town, the Empire State Building, and even the mouthwatering flavor of New York's specialty pizza were only a few focal points of the diverse city that never slept.
However, like other populous cities, the crime rate wasn't scarce. Pick pockets, petty thieves, muggers, and gang members that obscured themselves within the shadows looking for unsuspecting victims plagued the streets and blended in with alleyways. For a while, they were the only threats, and ones that the police force had been doing a rather efficient job at keeping under control.
Unfortunately, in one of the back parts of the city, problems that were more massive than anybody dared to dream were running rampant.
Within not even a year, citizens had been forced to escape from immense rats, aggressive yellow goo in a canister, and even space crafts that could turn invisible, not to mention spherical domes that would drift down from what appeared to be a mother ship just to abduct anybody within reach to take back to the unknown.
What most people didn't know were that the threats that transpired on an almost daily basis were vanquished every time by four teenagers trained in the art of Ninjutsu.
Well, four mutant turtle teenagers, to be exact.
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They sprinted on the roof tops, just as they did every night, vaulting from one building top to the other as they inconspicuously camoflauged into the night to avert the eyes of any onlookers that roamed the streets below. Five figures hurdled over narrow alley ways; four of them flawlessly made the process look like an art form as they raced in sync with each other, flipping and leaping over gaps like they were mere cracks in the sidewalk. Whoops of elation and enthusiasm suffused the air as the silhouettes brandished their skills, coaxing each other on and relishing in the challenge of outdoing each other in parkour speed and tricks.
One, however, was having some difficulty.
"Can't you guys, I don't know, slow down or something?!" April huffed out as she nearly careened over the ledge of a roof top, her slender legs aching from rushing nonstop, and her breath coming out in little gasps. She hunched over to place her hands on her knees so she could abate her pounding heart and give herself a chance to catch her breath. Sweat beaded itself upon her forehead and caused her clothes to cling onto her body, reminding her that she most definitely would need a shower as soon as she returned home.
"Not much longer April, I promise. We're almost there," Donatello gently assured her with a gap-toothed smiled before peering down at the contraption that resembled a Gameboy, held securely in his right three-fingered hand.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
Only mere moments before, the Mutagen Locator had abruptly proceeded to go off while the group was out doing their nightly patrol. The purple-masked terrapin always toted the device on him, usually with secure in the belt strap wrapped around his plastron. The meager machine hadn't been active for quite a while, so they were all rather taken aback when it unexpectedly starting going off to signal that a mutagen canister was close by.
Unfortunately, it meant a great deal of running for April, who was nowhere as fit as the Ninja brothers were. While her training with Master Splinter had whipped her into better shape, she was still unable to perform certain physical feats like her mutated friends.
"I thought you wanted to go on a 'real mission' ", Raph mocked, earning an icy glare from their freckled Kunoich.
"That doesn't mean I want to have a heart attack in the middle of one!"
Leo placed a hand on April's shoulder and comfortingly smiled. "Don't worry; things will get easier after the proper amount of training." The way he simpered like a child with a new toy made her contemplate that maybe he took pleasure in pushing his body through hours of physical torment a bit too much.
Raph's jade eyes trailed over to the youngest of the brothers, who had bounded onto a billboard that loomed over their heads, and then proceeded to turn himself around so he hung upside down off a narrow platform with a goofy grin on his face. "Yeah, if he can do it then so can you. Isn't that right Mikey?"
"Yup!" The freckled turtle beamed proudly before realization dawned on him. "Hey!"
"Shh! It's getting louder!" Donnie hissed while he gradually stepped forward and analyzed their location. The beeping had started to excel in speed, and it was only until he stood directly beneath Mikey that the device went ballistic. He gazed up, expecting to see a glow from one of the canisters through the slender gaps of the metal platform, but didn't notice anything unusual. "Hey Mikey, see if you can spot a canister up there."
Swinging himself upright, the orange-masked turtle gave a thumbs-up. "Will do!" He eagerly glimpsed around for the bottled ooze, checking the platform and even peeking behind the board itself until his gaze finally shifted up.
"Ah-ha!" he cried out triumphantly as he saw the canister balancing off the top of the board. "Leave it to me bros! I've got it!"
"He says that now…" Raph muttered beneath his breath with a head shake while the others merely observed Mikey expertly scale up the side of the broad sign.
Halfway up, the lime green turtle audibly perceived an annoying buzzing sound that focused mainly on the right side of his head. He slapped his cheek, wincing from the sharp sting of his hand.
"What are you doing?" Leo called up with a brow raised and arms crossed. "We don't have all night."
"Sorry dude, just a bug!" Mikey shouted back before he boosted himself over the top ledge and hesitantly jaunted over to the canister. He hoisted it up and displayed it over his head proudly. "Ta-dah! You can always depend on Mikey!"
Donnie sighed with relief as he placed the Mutagen Locator back into his belt. "Great, now how about you come back down before you drop it?"
"Don't worry D! I've got this!" As soon as the words left Mikey's mouth, his head was once again overcome by the aggravating buzzing noise. Forgetting that he was balancing himself on top of a constricted board, he slapped his face once more, causing him to knock himself off balance and dangle off the side. The canister slipped out of his hold and landed onto the platform below, where it shattered into several pieces and provided a way for the ooze to drip onto the roof top.
The atmosphere was silent for not even two seconds before steam erupted from the sides of Donnie's head as his eyes narrowed and morphed into torpid ember flames. "SERIOUSLY MIKEY?! SERIOUSLY?!"
April hesitantly stepped forward, well aware of the anger and irritation that encompassed the group. "Hey, it was an accident Donnie. Don't be too hard on him."
"Well, I wouldn't have dropped it if wasn't for that stupid fly!" Mikey defended while dramatically throwing his hands up. "I had it, but then that buzzing just got to me and I couldn't take it anymore! All I heard was buzzing! Buzz buzz buzz!" His eyes suddenly widened and his left lower eyelid twitched as the obnoxious sound once more filled his head. "There is it again! Ahh!" Uncaring for his safety anymore, he dropped down to the roof and placed his hands over the sides of his face as he curled into a ball. "Make it stop!"
"What are you talking about? There's nothing there!" Raph growled out, only to be silenced as April placed a hand up and set the other one on her temple. She closed her eyes and lowered her eyebrows in concentration.
"No, wait." Her eyes flew open and she gazed around in confusion. "I hear it too."
Knowing that April's intuition was usually never off, the other brothers paused and listened closely. Gradually, a buzzing sound that started off quietly grew louder and louder until it was voluminously audible. The puddle of dripping, glowing ooze began to morph into a massive and recognizable shape while the group watched with an expression of disgust evident on their faces.
They were ogling up at a monstrous fly that concealed almost the entire billboard.
"Way to go Mikey, way to go," Raph sarcastically complimented as he pulled his twin Sais out and expertly spun them around until the sharp ends were both pointed at the giant insect hovering dangerously above them.
"Talk later; fight now!" Leo commanded as he, Donnie, Mikey and April also rapidly yanked out their weapons. "Just squish the bug!"
[Music: Transformers- Scorponok]
The fly's wings flapped so hastily that they moved in a blur as it lifted itself off the billboard and floated over the battle-ready ninjas, its beady eyes studying all of them curiously while an unpleasant buzzing sound shuddered off of its body.
April shouted as she flicked her wrist and propelled her Tessen, aiming her iron fan at the wings to try and cut them off. Unfortunately, the fly was rather agile and easily dodged her attack.
"Booyakasha!" Mikey vaulted up towards the bug's face while spinning his Nunchaku like helicopter blades. The insect promptly backed up and boosted itself even higher into the air so it was out of Mikey's reach. Its mouth shortly opened and saliva dripped down, burning little pit holes upon the roof's surface as the acidic liquid made contact.
April wrinkled her nose in disgust. "Gross! This is like Baxter Fly all over again!" She shuddered as she recalled how the thin hairy arms had enveloped around her body and as it hauled her off to his little hideout. She had stared at the repulsive bug as he spit acid onto a candy bar and nauseatingly slurped it up like he was drinking soda through a straw. Being the daughter of a scientist, she knew it was a natural way for flies to consume their food, but it didn't make the whole progress any less disgusting.
"Hoo-ya!" Donnie spun his Bo staff quickly as he upsurged himself towards the fly and attempted to smack his staff against the side of the creature's skull. With an irked buzz it backed away once more prior to hastening its speed, and zoomed down towards the purple-masked turtle. Before it could even dribble more acid down, a fan whipped through the air and directly hit near the fly's eye, causing the creature to stop and shake its stunned head in surprise.
"Yes! I got it!" April excitedly whooped out as she caught her fan and spun around.
"Heh, that was pretty cool…" the tallest turtle murmured, a love-struck gleam in his eyes and dreamy smile on his face.
"Here's an idea; let's stop with the goo goo eyes and kick that thing's butt!" Raph snapped as he charged forward and ascended up to slash into the fly's stomach. The hefty insect seemed to have different plans though, as it took off away from the group and towards another area of buildings. The modest party trailed closely behind, with Mikey trying to distract himself.
"Fly swatter! We need a fly swatter! I can't hear you; I said we need a fly swa-"
"Now's not the time Mikey!" the leader in blue yelled as they advanced over roof tops to keep up with the colossal aphid.
"And I thought we were done running," the Kunoichi-in-training grumbled as she endeavored to overlook her protesting muscles and maintain a steady pace with the brothers. Luckily Donatello noticed her falling behind and immediately went back for her.
"Hurry, get on my back!" he offered. "No offense, but you can't match our speed yet. We'll go much faster this way."
"No offense taken," April huffed out gratefully as she clambered onto Donnie's back. Usually she'd be aggravated over the notion that she couldn't take care of herself while out training with her friends, but she knew Donnie was right and didn't want to slow them down, so she allowed herself to take the breath she needed and relax for a minute.
Pleased that she wasn't arguing with him, the tall turtle placed his Bo staff behind the back of April's legs to prevent her from sliding off as he hastened his pace to catch up with the others.
With yells and groans of frustration the Turtles jabbed and swiped their weapons at the gnat only to miss as the fly continually eluded each encounter.
Raph dropped down to one of the roof tops below and clenched his Sais tightly, a glower of impatience carved onto his face. "This is ridiculous! Just how fast is this thing?!"
"Well, on average most flies only go about five to seven miles an hour, but when they feel threatened that speed can get up to fifteen miles an hour. Since it's gotten larger, I can only assume the speed has also increased due to the fact that its wings are just as powerful, if not even more so," Donnie explained as he halted next to Raph. The red-masked turtle could only nudge the familiar annoyance he felt with his brainy brother's vast amount of knowledge to the side and process the information he'd been given in hopes that maybe he could somehow determine a way to take the bothersome pest down.
Leo had also slowed down to assess the situation, his lips twisting in thought. He scrutinized Mikey slinging his Nunchakus towards the fly's legs, only to blunder and somersault down.
"Man, Buzz Head is just too quick!" Mikey whined as he landed near Leo without taking his eyes off the insect.
April peered at Mikey from her spot on Donnie's back and simpered. "Buzz Head?"
"Well yeah. He has a head, and buzzing sounds come from it, so-"
Raph was so fed up with the chaotic situation that he felt like snapping something in half. "We get the idea!"
The blue-masked leader focused on the wings and then Mikey, who seemed oblivious to his brother staring. An idea swiftly dawned on him. "Hey Donnie, would water help bring this thing down?"
The intelligent turtle lowered April to her feet and viewed the roof behind him where Mikey and Leo both stood with transfixed expressions on their faces. He rubbed his chin with his thumb as the gears in his head began turning. "Well, water would definitely cause the wings to slow down, which would give us a huge advantage and allow us to strike."
"Good. Then that's what we'll do. Mikey, you up for some water balloon throwing?" Leo asked with a mischievous smirk.
The freckled turtle smiled widely and threw his hands up. "Yeah boy! Dr. Prankenstein is back in the house!" He whipped out an egg and threw it down, releasing a cloud of purple smoke. When the fog dissipated, Mikey was gone.
"So what now? Do we just stand up here with our thumbs up our noses while Dr. Doofus goes and does whatever?" Raph crossed his bulging arms, lips drawn up into a frown.
"Now, we distract."
The hot-headed turtle rolled his eyes but followed orders nonetheless. He raised his Sais up and rapidly clanged the tips together. The fly paused in its flying course and tilted its head quizzically towards the metallic sound.
"That's right! Come and get it!" he bellowed as he began racing around in a circle, continuing to clang his weapons and draw the pest closer to him.
"I guess we should help, huh?" April hoisted her Tessen over her head and whipped the iron fan, prior to dashing forward towards the bug as her weapon clonked it on the head and prepared to return to its master. She caught it with ease and jogged away while Donnie pulled out his Bo staff and jabbed it at the flying monster.
"Oh Buzz Head!" This time Leo was the one clanging his weapons together as he joined in the taunting of their enemy. He stuck his tongue out and took off running with their enemy in hot pursuit.
Annoyed buzzing expanded through the air as the fly heatedly beat its two wings together and stuck its front legs out to grab at Leo. Fortunately, the leader had keen reflexes and managed to fend off the attempted grab. He rolled off to the side and allowed Donnie, April and Raph to tag team with their name calling, which ended up proving to be almost too much for the insect. It froze in place and strove to twist its head in every direction, unsure of who to go for first.
"What the heck is Mikey doing?" Raph grunted, his patience rapidly growing thin. He could only provoke an enemy for so long before he became bored and craved action. Unfortunately for him, their current foe was quick, which created a challenge when it came to landing a blow.
And if Raph couldn't hit something, he usually ended up becoming irate.
"Booyakasha!"
The aphid twisted its head up too late to notice Mikey declining through the air with an armful of water balloons. He hurled the water-filled plastic down onto the fly's wings, causing the creature to lose control and crash onto the roof they were all currently assembled on. Donnie and April propelled themselves to the side while Leo cleanly sliced the fly's head off in one swift movement. The body twitched for only a second before the legs stopped moving altogether. April turned her head to the side to avoid the wave of sudden nausea she felt upon seeing crimson drops of blood dripping from the fly's headless body while Donnie soothingly rubbed her back, as he knew she had a strong connectivity to most creatures.
[+]
Mikey strutted towards his brothers with a large grin on his freckled face. "Way to go guys! High-three!" He held his fingers up, expecting to feel the palms slap against his hand, but instead continued to touch nothing but the night air. He blinked in confusion when he noticed the peeved glares his brothers were giving him, and hesitantly dropped his hand. "Uh, guys?"
"What the heck is wrong with you?!" Raph barked as he stomped over to the light-green turtle, who instantaneously appeared very uneasy. "Do you enjoy screwing up all the time?!"
Perceiving Mikey's wince at the sharp words, April decided to step in and try to calm the hot-headed Ninja down. "Hey, ease up Raph. It was an accident."
"That's all he creates are accidents; accidents and messes that we are always stuck cleaning up! This isn't a game! Grow up!" At the last two words Raph jabbed his finger against the middle of Mikey's plastron and stomped off.
Leo's gaze softened as he saw the crestfallen look his younger brother made. However, he knew Raph had a point, and Mikey needed to understand that he had to act more carefully. He took a deep breath to think rationally so he could put his words in a way that made sense. "Look, Mikey-"
"Don't bother. I get it. I'm just a screw-up." The youngest turtle pushed past his friends, his brows furrowed together and eyes narrowed down. He propelled past Leo, not even bothering to make eye contact with his leader. When he marched past April, his eyes met hers only briefly, but it was enough to see the pity in her eyes, and that stung a little. He didn't bother looking at Donnie because he already knew the genius of the group was probably angry at losing another ooze canister and that wasn't something he needed to be reminded of. His brothers didn't bother to stop him as he took off running, and he wasn't sure to feel relieved or hurt that they weren't trying to go after him.
He escalated over alley ways with his eyes straight ahead, like he was strolling on a path he'd sauntered on so many times that he could walk with his eyes closed and still know where he was going. When he had progressed far enough, he paused to inhale a deep breath and stare up at the full moon lingering above his head.
He felt upset, both at himself and his brothers. The emotion wasn't one he experienced often, thankfully, but when he did it usually hit him hard.
"Raph's right; I do always screw up." He frowned, uncaring of the fact that he was talking out loud to himself and nobody was around to listen. Gradually, he bent down and draped his arms over his legs so that his hands rested just above his ankles, warily observing the city below him.
Couples out on late-night strolls held hands, teenagers goofed off with their friends, a pizza boy rode by on his motor bike, and cars polluted the streets with their head lights. A strange thought filled his head as he sustainably beheld the people living their lives, unaware of the mutant that sat above their heads.
"I wonder if it's possible somebody out there could ever understand me." He frowned and drummed his fingers against his legs, only to stop when he heard a soft meow. He gazed to his right and regarded a runty orange cat perched on the ledge next to him, its head tilted to the side as it eyed the giant turtle curiously.
"Aww! Kitty!" Mikey cooed as he reached a hand over to pet the feline. The cat, however, seemed rather terrified, and hissed before it bolted off. He regarded his rather large hands and sighed. "I guess I am just different." He suddenly blinked and stood up, a smile on his face. "Wait! I have Ice Cream Kitty! Ice Cream Kitty understands me!" With a whoop of satisfaction he climbed down the side of the building and lifted the nearest manhole cover to prepare his descent into the sewers. Before he dropped down, he peered up at the moon one more time.
"Maybe somebody besides Ice Cream Kitty won't find me so strange," he thought to himself. The speculation lasted a mere moment before he once again felt excitement at seeing his frozen friend, and descended into the dark hole.