Michelangelo had stashed his uniform and was currently enjoying his short lived freedom. Outside the lair there was just so much more space. There was usually more than enough space to move while training, but lately the air felt a little heavier there. It felt like it had been going on for ages even though it had been less than a week.

Not too long ago all four turtles had been more relaxed, racing each other across the city. Their rhythm was off right now, so for the moment Mikey was happy to be alone.

"Michelangelo, Turtle Titan and Battle Nexus Champion surveys the city," he narrated dramatically. "Citizens have no fear, for villains do not dare to tread as long as I'm around!" His face broke out into a wide grin as he peered into the night.

And then a scream cut through the darkness, echoing up from the alleys below.

"Aw, shell," he groaned, flipping off the roof to check out the trouble.

I took a deep breathe and jumped.

Jumping like this was much harder than before. Whereas the first time was an accidental overshoot, this time I had to consciously run to the edge of the building and leap into empty air. I had stood there for a couple of minutes, trying to give myself a pep talk until I resigned myself to the fact that thinking about it wasn't helping. I just had to do it.

It was terrifying. It was exhilarating. I landed without falling this time, although I was definitely unsteady on my feet. My hesitation was much shorter for the next jump and I even felt a slight sense of control of how I moved through the air.

I stopped to catch my breath again. This was more tiring than I would have imagined. I was also feeling incredibly excited. It felt like I was flying. I was tempted to continue on just because the feeling was so incredible. It made me feel free. I couldn't contain my smile, nor the joyful laugh that bubbled out of me and into the night. Although that very first jump had been just a little terrifying, I had never been afraid of heights and now was feeling more comfortable than ever. I sat on the wall circling the rooftop edge and dangled my feet out into the dark empty air, closed my eyes, and just listened to the familiar sounds of the city.

I should be heading back though, if only to reassure Christina that I was still alive. My former elation was fading when I thought of how worried my friend had looked. There was an easy way down that wasn't too far.

It was slightly strange to be looking up at the skyscrapers around me instead of being able to see all of New York below my feet. Footsteps were quickly approaching me from behind and I turned to see a woman sprinting towards and then past me, clutching her purse to her chest. Her sharp gasps for air didn't cover her breathy sobbing.

On edge now, I cautiously moved in the direction she had run from. I damned my curiosity even as I continued to slowly move forward. I took a couple steps into the dark alley. It was impossible to see further, but I could hear the sounds of a fight. I was racked with a moment if indecision. Maybe I could help, but honestly I had no training or experience whatsoever.

I had taken a single step back when I felt a shiver run up my spine. A callused hand roughly grabbed my shoulder and spun me around. The man before me was almost a foot taller than me, not including his spiked blue hair. I felt profoundly uncomfortable as he ran his eyes up and down my entire body.

"You're with that freak, ain't cha," he sneered, shoving me further into the alleyway and raising the wooden bat he held in his other hand.

My heart was in my throat. I backed away until my back met the wall and the thug continued to advance. I knew I was cornered and I had two options. I could wait to be attacked or I could take the initiative and fight. I lunged forwards, dodging to the side enough that the swinging bat glanced off my shoulder instead of my face, and pushed.

My attacker flew backwards until he hit the opposite wall with a thud. He groaned as he slid to the ground, bat falling limply from his grasp. I stared at my gloved hands, distracted for a moment. I had read the facts, heard the history, and already experienced what I could only refer to as superpowers and it still took me a moment to come to terms with things every time something new happened.

I blame the shock of the event for my distraction instead of the sheer idiocy involved in losing focus in the middle of a brawl. I was caught unawares by an arm hooking around my waist and throwing me into the side of a metal dumpster. I managed to protect my head as I skidded across the pavement, although my right ankle caught the edge of the dumpster a funny way.

I must have recovered more quickly than expected because when I stood I only saw a man's back as he stomped away from me. I grabbed the closest thing I could find to use as a weapon. I saw the glint of a knife as he snuck up behind another figure and prepared to strike. I swung the wooden plank as hard as I could and he went down. The figure in front of me moved with incredible speed and grace as he dispatched of his final two opponents. He turned sharply towards the noise, weapons raised.

He lowered them slowly when he saw me. Blue eyes glanced between the wooden plank I still held, the unconscious man at my feet, and the dagger that lay right next to said man. It only took him a moment to put the pieces together. "Woah, thanks dudette!"

I was speechless. Standing before me was Cowabunga Carl minus the oversized head. I had already seen the martial arts and techniques used that were done much too quickly and skillfully for someone in a bulky costume. Finally, I honed in on his arm. Blood welled up from a long cut.

I took a second to brush my hair out of my face as I processed this information. Sweat had caused the hairs that had come loose from my ponytail to stick to my face.

Michelangelo still stood with a smile on his face that was not quite as big as the one painted onto his Cowabunga Carl disguise, but it was twice as cheerful. I smiled back reflexively, if a bit shyly.

Well, at least it was nice to put a face to the voice.

A little shorter than the last chapter, but I'm very happy with it :)

GUYS. I've gotten 3 more favorites and 5 more alerts for the last 2 chapters but no reviews. I'm still kind of nervous about my writing, so feedback is appreciated.

And have a lovely Friday everyone! :)