You know that saying, "All is fair in love and war?" Well, it's just not true. Sometimes, you have to sacrifice something you love for war, sometimes you have to sacrifice yourself for the ones you love. Either way, you lose.

I don't think that's very fair.

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Leonardo walked around the dojo, his lips pursed slightly, something obviously bothering the blue-clad turtle. He crossed his arms, his sapphire eyes churning.

"We can't sit around here, waiting for something to happen." Leo muttered to himself, his voice deep with determination. "We're not gonna sit back and let them slowly regain strength. We've got to keep up patrols."

He turned, making his way out of the dojo and into the living room, where the lair was buzzing with activity.

Raphael and Monica sat side-by-side, Monica and Raphael sat together as they watched the news, searching for an subtle signs of their enemies. Donatello was no where to be seen, no doubt experimenting with chemicals and tinkering around with his different weapons and technologies. Michelangelo and Shelby were gathered around the pinball machine as they watched Tyler excel closer and closer to their scores. Master Splinter sat adjacent from Raph and Monica on the couch, reading a newspaper peacefully, though his ears swiveled back and forth, listening to the reporter on the TV.

Leo took a deep breath, making his way to the living room, before speaking in a firm voice. "Team, I've decided that we've stood by in the sidelines long enough."

Raph turned to him, surprised at first, before a mischievous grin replaced the initial emotion. "Finally! I'm getting sick of sitting around on my shell." He explained.

"Some fresh air would be nice. It gets too stiff in this sewer after a while." Monica agreed.

"Awh, come on, Leo! The Kraang have been gone for years and no one's seen or heard from the Shredder since our last big fight. We can chillax a little longer!" Mikey argued, his baby blue eyes wide with disappointment.

"I think Leo's got the right idea, Mikey." Shelby said to the orange-clad turtle. "We shouldn't sit here and wait for them to get out of control. If we continue patrols, then we can stop a problem before it starts."

"I agree as well, Shelby." Splinter added from his spot on the couch, nodding to his eldest son. "Your decision is a wise one, Leonardo. We must not let our guard down when our enemies still roam; seen or not."

Leo nodded, biting back a smile at his father's compliment. "I'll go get Donnie. Rest up, 'cause we move out tonight." Leo directed, nodding to the group.

"Aye-aye, Captain Leo." Tyler teased as his leader left the room. "Now, back to kicking your shells in pinball."

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The sky was a dark violet, the light pollution of the city not allowing it to become completely black, while also hiding the majority of the stars. In fact, the only thing really noticeable in the sky was the moon glowing bright.

The streets were still alive down below, with tourists walking the streets and cabs rolling down the payment. However, the crowds were much thinner than in the day, most residents settling down for the night.

On the roof top of a butchering factory, the four turtles and their allies were stationed in silence. Well, for the most part. Mikey and Tyler played rock-paper-scissors with each other, while Monica was huddled back the roof's furnace, trying to stay warm. Shelby guiltily stood off to the side, away from her friend so her icy temperature wouldn't bother her too much. The other three turtles peered off the sides of the building, their eyes white as they watched with intensity.

Tyler paused, glancing around at the group, before scoffing sarcastically. "Yeah, because this is so much more productive than pinball."

"Can it, Ty." Monica mumbled.

"Don't worry, team, any minute now, we'll have to leap into action." Leo reassured them, his voice certain.

"Leo, have you ever thought that maybe we beat them so hard into submission, that they're done fighting us?" Raph smirked, cracking his knuckles.

"Um, guys? I think you should take a look at this." Donnie interrupted, distracting his two older brothers. They glanced over at the intelligent terrapin, their facial expressions changing instantly from assurance to that of worry.

"What is it?" Leo asked, heading towards Donnie. Raph followed, and Mikey, Ty, and Monica weren't far behind, all trying to peer over the edge of the building.

Donnie didn't have to say a word. Disappearing into a black van was a few Foot Clan soldiers. The engine reeved, and it took off into the street.

"Follow that van!" Leo exclaimed, taking off in that direction, jumping off the initial rooftop and landing gracefully on the other one. His brothers and Tyler followed, along with Monica, though she was 10 times more clumsy. Shelby watched them go, glancing down nervously at the street below, a thin layer of frost forming at her feet as her stomach flipped.

"Ah, shell." She cursed, before taking off tentatively after her family.

They skirted the rooftops, trying to keep up with the van through twists and turns on the streets. Several times, they had to deploy grappling hooks and cross a street, risking being seen every time. Luckily, it was dark enough for anyone that saw them to brush it off easily.

"We're almost there!" Leo urged his team, who were by now winded from the chase. They were closing in on the van, and needed to push themselves only a few feet further before they could jump onto the van's roof.

Suddenly, a blinding light flashed on the rooftops, dazzling the group and causing them to stutter to a stop, shielding their eyes from the growing intensity. It seemed to be some sort of portal, a door of light.

After a few moments, a girl step through it, and it closed as she landed on the ground, a wide smile of her face. Her eyes were a warm brown, her hair covered by a silver helmet of a seemingly alien design. She wore a navy blue leotard with glowing blue buttons, and a lighter cape fluttered behind her.

"Hello, Mutant Warriors!" She greeted, holding onto a golden scepter that had a time-glass on the top of the staff, held by a red hand with sharp black claws.

"Ugh," Raph grumbled, burying his face in his palm, "not this loon again."