Chapter Text
The sounds of New York City fill the air: the car honking, the clamor of civilians, the occasional dog barking. But up on the roof tops, there’s less noise, save for four sets of feet rushing along asphalt and the occasional bubble of laughter because being up there and running along without a care in the world is so freeing.
Well, there’s some care.
The one in blue, Leo, is ahead of the group, leading them along as he does. But he stops when he hears something odd. He pauses at the edge of one of the roofs, crouching down to get a better look and motioning for the others to do the same.
There’s a mugging in the alleyway below. Finally, after an hour of mindless patrolling, they might see some action.
The mugger brandishes a switchblade, approaching a tourist couple, free hand gesturing for the two to give up their possessions.
“Hand over the goods and no one gets hurt,” he growls.
“See, Todd? I told you, ‘let's not go through the shady back alley at 10pm,’ and now look what's happening,” one of the tourists huffs, glaring at his other.
“My phone said it was a shortcut!” Todd exaggeratedly shrugs.
“Shut up about your—” “Hand over the phone too.”
Leo nods to his brothers and they all leap down the fire escape, landing gently in a puddle below. It’s the clamor followed by the splash that alerts the humans to the presence of four humanoid figures.
“The only thing anyone's gonna be handing to you is your butt on a silver platter,” Raph says.
“That wasn't that good of a one-liner...” Donnie grumbles.
“I thought it was pretty good!” Mikey beams up at Raph.
“Priorities, guys,” Leo glances back at them, sighing.
The mugger makes a grab for the shopping bags and this doesn’t go unnoticed. He freezes at the sound of sharp blades – katanas – being drawn and unsheathed. The street lights glint off the cool steel.
“Don’t.” That’s the only warning Leo gives.
“Are those swords for real—” Todd barely is able to get his question out before getting rushed out the alley by his partner.
With less humans around, the four step out of the shadows. They’re turtles, humanoid turtles, and the mugger is at a loss for coherent words. He stammers, before finally getting something out.
“What are you?”
Leo adds a slight glare to his otherwise neutral expression. He points the business end of one of his swords at the mugger.
“An answer or you in one piece, your choice.”
The human is quick to make up his mind, high-tailing it out of the alley, carelessly dropping his switchblade on his way out. Swords are sheathed and the turtles begin their ascent up the fire escape, back to the rooftops.
Donnie lingers for a moment, grabbing, closing, and pocketing the knife before rejoining his brothers.
“Well that was boring,” Mikey whines.
“Y'went too easy on 'im,” Raph chimes in.
“Of course, says the guy who talks with his fists. If you can talk—” Leo is interrupted by Donnie.
“You intimidated.”
“—talk instead of fighting, that's a good idea. Donnie, talking was involved.”
Leo squints at Donnie, who relents with a sigh.
“Was it a good idea to let him see us?” Donnie muses.
“Ha! Who's gonna believe the guy?” Mikey reassures.
“Eh, point.”