Finally, the first new chapter to be added in years. Hope you guys enjoy, and as always, I only own the OCs.

"Told ya."

Casper flashed his sister an obscene gesture from his position on the floor. Alex returned it in kind, holding the fire extinguisher in her other hand.

"We're gonna get shut down if this keeps happening. Not that watching you guys go up in flames isn't funny."

"I'm just happy you finally learned to use the damn extinguisher instead of just throwing it at us. Help me up." When she tried to, Casper slipped in the white foam and brought her down with him. After the rest of the kitchen staff finished laughing at them, they finally managed to get to the restrooms and wash up.

"Hey," He stopped her as she walked out of the bathroom, goop still stuck to her hair. After helping her get the last of it out he motioned for her stay.

"Are you alright? You've been quiet lately."

She shrugged. "I'm okay, just a little tired getting ready for some tests."

"You don't get quiet when you're tired; you get even more hyper. What's up?"

Alex gave him a half hearted smile. "You're worrying too much again Cas. I'm alright. You just worry about the idiots in there burnin' down the place." Before he could protest this answer she turned and walked away, waving him towards the kitchen.

With a sigh he gave up for the time being and walked back into the mess they were supposed to be cleaning. Instead, his cousins Matt and Hannah were leaning against the counter watching Alex's tv.

"I thought I told her to take that thing out of here." He stalked over and turned it off. "And you two, clean that stuff up before anyone else slips in it."

They grumbled but got back to work, wondering how Casper managed to sound so bossy all the time. He leaned against the counter, thinking for a moment that he could really use some aspirin.

Then he smelled it.

Turning his head from side to side he sniffed the air. "Hey, you guys turned that burner off, right?"

"Umm…."

Whether she wanted to admit it or not, Alex was worried. The last time she had seen Mikey was after having lunch with his family. He had called her the next morning only to say that he would have to cancel their plans for that day, and hung up before she could ask any more questions. After not hearing from him for about four days she called his shell cell; he didn't pick up, a fact that made her uneasy. She tried to tell herself that he was busy doing whatever ninja turtles do, but it didn't help when she replayed the last thing she had said to him in her mind.

"You guys be careful, ok? I know you're gonna try and do something tonight."

Two days after she called he finally got back to her, sounding exhausted. When she tried to ask what had happened, all he would tell her was that they found a whole bunch of the creatures and to be extra careful. This left Alex feeling confused and worried, as he had already mentioned finding more than one of those things. She wondered just how many others they had discovered.

Since that conservation they had spoken twice, and for only a few moments each time. The first was when she called to "just make sure you're still breathing", and the second time he had literally dropped in on her one night as she was locking up the kitchen. Donatello had been with him, as they were starting patrol in a few minutes. They had stayed long enough to say hello and for Mikey to drop off some comics for Alex to read to Misha.

"Least I can do for him, since I haven't been around too much lately." He smiled, though it was smaller than his usual grins.

"Yeah, my heart's breaking over here." Alex tried to joke. "Hey, but seriously man, let me know when you guys have like 5 minutes to talk. I'd kinda like to know about the monsters invading the city."

"Considering how often that actually happens, I don't think you really do." Donnie, who had already been staying back, finally nudged his brother, who turned to leave as well.

"Alex, is someone there?" She heard Casper as he walked towards the kitchen. She turned the tv up but remained with her back to him.

"Nah, just the tv."

"Funny, you say that a lot, but I could have sworn I heard you talking, too. Having conversations with the tv now?"

"Bite me."

"Hey, when was the last time you talked to Robby?"

"How's that any of your business?" She finally turned around and tried to walk past him, bumping into him harder than she had meant. Reaching her bedroom, she slumped down onto the floor next to her bed. She was too dirty to lay down in it, but at the moment she didn't feel like dragging herself to the shower. Taking her cellphone out her pocket, she pulled up her text messages.

The truth was Robby had tried to message her several time recently. Feeling mentally fatigued, partially from Mikey and partially from school, she hadn't sent him more than a few responses. But right now, tired and worried, she needed her best friend. The thing was, she wasn't entirely sure it was the best of ideas; while she had always been able to talk to him about anything, the subject of mutant turtles was new territory for them. And, most importantly, she was certain that Mikey and his family wouldn't appreciate her blabbing to people about them.

Biting her lip, she almost hit dial before she turned the screen off and tossed the phone away. Even if she could gloss over some of the more incriminating details (i.e: crime fighting turtles and monsters invading New York), she didn't feel right sharing things that weren't hers to share. All she could do was sigh, thinking that if things didn't settle down soon she was gonna develop stomach ulcers.


The harpy's warning aside, Leo and Raph were more determined than ever to find the creatures, especially after discovering just how many had come to call the city home. Donatello had made one of the most impressive messes ever compiling cross references of different winged creatures in mythology, though he was still unsuccessful in finding anything that come close to matching was they had witnessed. Even Mikey had pitched in with the research, though his actual contribution was debatable.

They all felt tense in the days following the attack; dealing with one harpy had been bad enough, and the knowledge that their numbers seemed to increase every time they appeared did not help matters. Both Mikey and Donnie had begun to feel uneasy since their late night meeting with them, largely because they sympathized with their desire to be left alone. Leo, as always, was burdened with the need to protect his family and the city, and Raph was still hellbent on repaying them for the new scars that littered his arms. As such, they were conflicted as to whether or not continue to search for the harpies, and if they did, what should be done from there.

All four of the turtles had decided to stay together on patrol the next week, but only Donnie had gone with Mikey to say hello to Alex. Leo now more than ever believed that their friendship should be put on hold until the current issue was resolved. Raphael had never said more than a handful of words to Alex to begin with and felt no desire to change that anytime soon.

That night's patrol yielded three attempted break-ins, a couple of thwarted assault, and the rescuing of one severely intoxicated individual from almost walking off a roof. But for the first time in weeks, none of the harpies' feathers were found. In fact, no trace of them had been discovered since that night they had been warned to abandon their pursuit. In addition to this, the rate of people going missing had slowed considerably. Mikey had tried to insist that this was a good thing, but his brothers pointed out that it seemed odd that it stopped at the same time the harpies disappeared.

"Err," He turned to Donnie, "any mention of bird ladies eating people in your books?"

"Do you really want an answer to that?"

"Nope, I'm good."

"What can you tell us?" Leo was sitting at the kitchen table with one of his brother's books, trying to take notes.

"Loads of stuff, not really sure if any of it is relevant. Harpies, sirens, Stymphalian Birds, and countless other mythological creatures share some characteristics with these guys. Still having trouble narrowing down anything for certain."

"I thought sirens were supposed to be hot?"

"Mikey-"

"Because those things are pretty freaky."

"Please focus."

"Like, seriously wet your pants-"

Smack

"Thank you, Master Splinter."

"My sons," Their sensei surveyed his tired pupils. "I think it would benefit all of you to sleep for a while; tired minds do not see solutions clearly."

"Me? Obviously you've underestimated my stamina. Couple energy drinks and I'll be good as new. Don't think for a second that I'm letting them have all that exciting research to themselves!"

Donatello's fears regarding Mikey unique brand of "helping" were soon laid to rest, because within an hour he was passed out and snoring loudly on the couch, a book discarded on the floor. Raphael had laid his head down on the table and fallen asleep almost instantly. Leonardo was still trying valiantly to keep reading, but Donnie noticed that he had been staring at the same page for about 20 minutes.

Donatello smiled at Mikey, but couldn't help feeling annoyed at how careless he was with books. Picking it up, he was about to return it to the shelf when something in it caught his eye. Settling down again with it in his lap, the genius reached for another book and began to scribble notes rapidly.


Emma always found it amusing that her eyesight, sharp enough to see in total darkness, would be counted as one of her greatest weaknesses. Bright light sent stabbing pain through her skull, and even the older harpies shied away into the darkness.

That night no moon lit up the skies, so she saw even better as she soared above the waters. She was circling around the island again. The wind rushed against her face as she tucked her wings closer to her body. The sensations were bracing and made every nerve in her body feel alive.

She was about to rise higher when a slight rustling above made her tense. Before she could react, something slammed into her. With a shrill shriek she tried to turn and confront whatever it was, but it had managed to wrap its arms around her. They descended rapidly; before impact it released her and pulled up. Emma was unable to correct herself in time, though her fall was broken somewhat by tree branches. Regardless, her breath was knocked from her once she reached the forest floor. She laid there wheezing and struggling to breathe while the older harpy silently alighted on the roof of a decaying building.

"Sloppy." She said, apparently not concerned at the blood dripping from the girl's side and forehead. "You never even heard me coming until it was too late."

"I didn't realize we would be practicing tonight." Emma finally managed to choke out. "Are you trying to kill me, Helena?!"

Helena snorted, her nose crinkling some. "I'm sorry; I didn't realize that your enemies would be kind enough to announce themselves prior to attacking. Also, if I wanted you dead, you would not be sitting there wasting my time."

Emma hissed at her, but struggled to stand. Every intake of air felt like being stabbed in her side; she had at least one broken rib now. Cuts and lacerations healed quickly on her; the bleeding had already stopped and the pain had begun to fade. However, as a fledgling, her recovery speed was still nowhere quick as an elder like Helena. It would be a week before a bone would completely mend itself, a fact that her teacher apparently found inadequate for stopping their lesson.

"In the air. Now that you know I'm coming, I expect a better counterattack. For heaven's sake," Emma leaned against a tree, trying not to lose her balance again from the pain. "What now? It's no wonder those freaks had no trouble immobilizing you. If you had any usefulness at all-"

"Helena."

Another shape seemed to have materialized in the gloom. Helena stiffed as she turned around and spotted the newest addition. Medea was sitting in another tree, one leg casually swinging below the branch.

"I think Emma has earned a break. Or would you prefer to keep going until she starts coughing up blood? Will you be satisfied then?"

Helena did not answer, but merely nodded her head in Emma's direction. After she had hobbled off, the two harpies remained in silence for some time, the sound of the wind in the trees all around them.

"Your job is to train them, Helena, not kill them." Medea's voice was quiet, yet something lurked dangerously behind them.

"I apologize. It won't happen again."

Nothing for said for a few beats, then "What is troubling you? This behavior disturbs me."

Helena hesitated for a moment. Medea leapt from her perch and came to rest next to her. Now her voice was gentler. "Talk to me, Helena."

"I am concerned."

"About?"

"About what has happened, and what may happened next. You entrusted me with the education of the fledglings long ago, though you have never been clear why they had need for such education. Yet when that need arose, my training was apparently useless, because Emma very nearly-"

Medea shushed her, placing her hand on the other's shoulder. "Peace, my daughter. I know what I am doing. Your efforts were not in vain; it is one matter to practice a skill with one's teacher, and another to apply it in the heat of the moment. Emma is alive, yes? And this is due to you, Helena. Never for a moment think that I am not aware of this."

"What is to come is another matter. I have protected and sheltered all of you for some time now. But I cannot continue to do this if you doubt me." Her stare was unwavering, and Helena had to look away.

"I never meant to imply-"

"It is only natural for you to worry. But I worry more than anyone, for you and all your sisters. Trust me when I say that I do nothing without good cause. Which is why I have sought you out tonight."

"The ones who attacked Emma are annoying variables in our plans, ones I would have preferred to not have to deal with. But they may prove to be useful to us yet, and I would rather have an ally than an enemy. Heaven knows I have plenty of those." The last part was quieter, so much that Helena almost didn't hear it.

"You've shadowed them before, correct?"

"Somewhat. Why?"

"I'll explain as we go along. For now, return to the others. I'm sure you can find another student in need of teaching tonight. Please try not to break any more of my things."


The next morning Mikey stumbled into the kitchen to find his family deep in conversation. Donatello had several pieces of paper strewn all over the table and 3 different books open on top of them.

"All of them," He said, pointing excitedly from book to book, "reference one specific book when talking about a certain creature, a sort of winged demi-god-"

"What creature?" Leo learned over his shoulder, frowning at the papers. On closer inspection, Mikey saw that instead of any recognizable alphabet, the passages were written with strange looking characters. The scattered notes were the genius' labored translations; one glyph in particular was written and circled several times.

"I don't know; while all of them refer to same beings-I think-the name changes sometimes."

"What makes you think it's our monster?"

"Grey skin, blood red eyes, bad attitude, and some other stuff. It's the closest description I've seen in a while."

"Go Don!" Mikey jumped on his brother's back.

"Don't celebrate yet. Whatever it is, its arrival is almost never something good. These things are either protectors of something or agents of vengeance. Depends of which version you read. At any rate, identifying the creatures was the first step. From here, we can find out more about what it wants, or maybe even its weaknesses."

"Who knows?" Mikey got off Donnie and clapped him on the back. "Maybe Big Bird really does come in peace and just wants to be left alone."

"I'm not ready to go quite that far yet." Even Leo looked pleased now. "But Don's right, this is a huge breakthrough."

"Sooooo, since this was probably the work of my awesome assistant skills, I guess this is a good time to discuss my wages, huh Donnie boy?"

Donatello swung good at him, unable to hold back the smile that appeared.

Mikey called Alex later on, inviting her over to celebrate their discovery. She showed up to the lair that evening for the first time since she had met the rest of the turtles. She was in a good mood, attributing it to finally finishing the last exams she would ever take in high school. Her graduation ceremony would be held later that week, and after that she would be free to enjoy her last summer before college.

Seeing Donnie's work, she immediately asked him about what it was all about, and he was only too happy to oblige. He never seem to grow tired talking about his newest project, and Alex was beyond fascinated with what he showed her. She even talked about old Persian myths she had learned from her mother, wondering aloud if there would be a subtle way to ask her about them without mentioning her companions.

"So, what are you going to do for summer vacation?" Donatello asked as he leaned against the table.

"I don't have any set plans yet. Either Robby's gonna come here or I'm gonna visit him, we haven't decided yet. And next month one of my cousins is getting married, so that'll be fun. Ya know," She grinned now. "if ya wear those trench coats and wait 'till everyone's been drinkin', no one would notice if ya crashed the reception."

"Don't make promises you can't keep." Mikey nudged Donnie. "But, hey, maybe it would be fun after all. Who knows, Leo and Raph might even crack a smile for once…"

At this, Leonardo interjected and reminded them that it was almost time for patrol. They all agreed to walk Alex home since it was late before they left. As she peddled home, she could feel their watchful presence from the roof above even though she couldn't see them. Smiling up at the building, she waved slightly before walking inside, feeling a little better after seeing them calmer than before.

"What are the chances we could actually crash that wedding?" Mikey twirled his weapons as he spoke. "I mean, you heard Alex, there's gonna be some big time drinking going on, so maybe-"

"No." There wasn't an ounce of humor as Raph and Leo spoke in unison. Donnie laughed at his brothers, opening his mouth to speak. He was interrupted by a high, piercing shriek that echoed in the distance. All of them froze as they recognized the sound; after a moment Leo drew his katana and soundlessly took off in the direction of the scream, followed closely by the others.