The Art of the Thief

Part One

Chapter One

It is important to realize that there is no such thing as a burglar-proof home or a car that cannot be broken into and stolen. Or a lock that cannot be picked, drilled or bypassed. There is no security system that cannot be broached. Impenetrable defenses take their places up there with the Easter Bunny.Ifsomeone is dedicated enough, skilled enough and has the proper tools,theywillget in, no matter what measures someone takes to prevent it.

At least that was what Monet had been taught about this. She had been a thief for a few years now; well maybe more than a few years. She had her brother's intellectual mind to make a plan, and her own silent "twinkle-toe" ability to move without a sound --- like the ninja he was training her to be.

There were no plans tonight, at least not that she knew of. So she sat alone on the roof of the abandoned church that she and her brother resided in. There was not much wind and the moon was full. It cast a light on her that made her a little bit sad. Her yellow-green skin contrasting with her vibrant orange hair. It had once been strawberry-blonde, but now it was orange. Titian said it was a side effect from the mutation – he had lost his own hair afterwards.

Monet held her knees close to her chest. Even though she knew what she was doing was right, she couldn't help but feel like it was wrong. "This must be what Robin Hood felt like." She mumbled softly as a pollution cloud went overhead blocking out a bit of the moonlight. She stood up and then slowly made her way back inside the church, enjoying the cool night air for a moment longer. She then went inside the church. She knew there were plans for tomorrow; she should probably rest.

"A'ight fearless leader. You brought us up here. Now whatta we gonna do?" Raphael crossed his arms impatiently. A dark green turtle with a red bandana, he had an aura of stern anger and fighting about him. This was in contrast to another greenish turtle next to him.

This turtle had an orange bandana and a lighthearted boyish attitude. "What do you think dude? It's the same stuff we do like, everynight." This was Michelangelo. He sighed like he didn't want to be there. "We should hurry this up dude, I like, got a high score to beat on my game."

"Which game Mikey?" Asked a turtle with a purple bandana; this was Donatello.

"All of them dude!" Mikey smiled. His smile was the portrait of a carefree glow.

"As much as I would love to talk about your video game prowess Mikey, we have some work to do." The fearless leader spoke. His bandana was blue. He was Leonardo. He was the unofficial leader of his brothers, and together they protected New York City and were known simply as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

"Then let's do it bro!" Mikey continued to flaunt his grin.

The turtles began their nightly training. Hoping from rooftop to rooftop, play fighting with each other. This was the life! They enjoyed it until Mikey caught a glimpse of orange. Was that his bandana tail? Or was that hair? It came from nearby. "Hey dudes! Did anyone else see that?" Mikey stopped moving and looked around. This was a weird roof, kind of like an abandoned building. There were old crates and a storehouse…he could have seen anything.

"See what?" Donatello asked.

"Donnie…you're kidding right? It was like a bright orange streak down that way!" He pointed at some crates.

"It was your bandana tail ya dumbass." Raph said.

Mikey accepted this reluctantly and they continued along the rooftop. After they were gone, something came to life from the shadows. It was massive. About 6'7" in stature and dark green skin on a brown shell, it was masculine and stood with a glare on his face. This was Titian.

He had his arms wrapped around a yellow-green bundle. It was Monet. Her orange haired ponytail bound against his plastron. One of Titian's large hands covered her mouth and the other held her waist. Clearly…he did not want her to move.

Titian removed his hands and Monet took a curious step forward. "Who were they?" She asked. She had never seen other turtles before. Most of the other experiments had failed….

"I don't know. But we should steer clear." Titian said.

"But why?" Monet looked up at her older brother with curiosity. "They look like us…maybe they are nice."

"Are you assuming?" Titian looked down to her with a stern glared.

"Yes…but what's wrong with that?"

"Do know what happens when you assume Monet?" Titian still glared. "You make an ass out of you and me." Titian strode past her. "Let's get back to work….you still have some errands to run tonight…last night was a freebie, but tonight you have to work."

"Okay…" Monet looked off curiously into the direction those turtles had taken.