Night begins to fall. Perfect time for me to be out on the streets again. I leave April's apartment through the window, taking the fire escape - the same way I came in. Before I descend, I look out onto the city. The tall buildings begin to glow and the streets start to light up. New York is beautiful in the evening. The stars compete with the buildings' luminescence. The city is also lovely during the day, too. But sadly, daylight hours are not for my kind. Nightfall is the only time when mutants, and myself, find it safe to venture outside of our lair. It is only then that we have a lower chance of being spotted by humans. Yet sometimes that chance is worth the risk. The taste of the short lived freedom is worth it.

It's a shame we are not allowed to be out during the day. Maybe it's for the best. Bishop created these rules saying it's for our own good. Gosh, the city is more alive during the day! People are everywhere living their lives, crowded streets awake with chatter and activity. Humans of all kinds. I remember Donatello has explained to me that some humans can't accept things that are different. But luckily there are some who do, like April, Casey, and Karai. Perhaps one day, mutants will be accepted by society - and my friends and I can be free from Bishop's laws.

By the time I made it back to the Mutanimals lair, a large abandoned warehouse on the lower east side of Manhattan, it was fully dark outside. Carefully glancing at my surroundings one final time to ensure no humans saw me, I ducked inside.

Dr. Rockwell was checking up on Mondo Gecko, who was lying on an old rundown couch. Mondo was now wearing a cast on his right leg, after his quick loss to Slash in their one on one fight early this morning. Leatherhead was peering over the couch talking with Mondo.

Without looking up, Rockwell says to me, "Welcome back, Y'gythgba."

I walk up to Rockwell and the others. "Hello, Rockwell. How's Mondo Gecko?"

"He's fine." Rockwell answered, "He just needs to rest. He'll feel better in-"

"Nooooo!" Mondo whines, interrupting Rockwell as he grabs his arm. "I-I don't think... I'm gonna..." He coughs, "make it..."

Rockwell rolls his eyes as Mondo continues his over exaggerated performance.

"Mona Lisa," he coughs again, "these may be my last moments here... but maybe a kiss from a lovely lady like yourself will-"

"NO!" I said, giving him a serious glare.

Mondo jerks up from the couch, completely healthy, and shrugs, "Eh, worth a shot."

Leatherhead chuckles at Mondo as he pats him gently on the head.

"I can't believe you're still on this team after all this time," Rockwell mumbles to himself, loud enough for Mondo to hear him, as he packs up the medical supplies. Mondo turns to Rockwell with a shocked yet offended look. Rockwell then gets up and returns to his cluttered desk. It's amazing he gets anything done with so many computer screens and monitors crowding the desktop. Yet, he needs them to patrol the outside of the warehouse. A better security system I have yet to see.

"Oh good, you're back," a gravelly voice interrupts my thoughts. I turn to see my friend and leader, Slash. "How was your time with April?"

"Oh, it was very nice. I always enjoy her company."

"And no one saw you?"

"No, Slash. I was safe."

"Well, you did take a big risk going out," Slash reminded me. "You know we're not supposed to go out during the day."

"Like you're any better," Mondo said, still lying on the couch. "He left a little while after you did, Mona."

"I agree with Jason," Rockwell said. "Slash, I saw you sneak out." He sighs, "I don't understand why you all insist on going out during the day when you know there's rules."

Slash's eyes widened, knowing he had been caught.

"Well, why did you leave, Slash?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "It's not like you to disobey Bishop's rules."

Slash was silent, a look of embarrassed shock frozen on his face.

"He probably left to go woo that foxy fox again." Mondo Gecko laughs.

"Alopex and I are just friends!" Slash said annoyed, "And beside I wanted to discuss with her the topic of joining the Mighty Mutanimals."

"I thought Alopex already told you she's not interested in joining the team?" I asked, placing my hands on my hips as I smirked at Slash.

"You like her!" Mondo exclaims like a small child. "When will you just admit it?!"

Slash ignores Mondo's teasing and leaves the room, without adding another comment.

Leatherhead giggles at Mondo's over exaggeration, then looks at me. "Since training ended early today, Slash and I decided to have another session later tonight. Will you be joining us?"

I smile. "You know I always enjoy a good sparring session, Leatherhead, but I will have to decline for today."

Leatherhead continues, "Very well. We will be starting later, so if you change your mind and wish to join us, you can."

I nod and head off to my bedroom. Closing the door behind me, I survey my quarters. It is quite a small space, but it suits me. Slash has told me it used to belong to a former member of their team, but they don't ever talk about him. Raphael did tell me once that he knew him as "the world's most useless mutant".

Everyone was so welcoming and helpful, putting together my room when the Mutanimals offered for me to stay with them. April gave me some bedsheets and blankets for my bed that used to belong to her, lovely fabrics of a dark ruby color with a detailed pattern of pretty pink flowers. Although the pattern isn't my style and I often wear blue, pink has always been my favorite color. Leo gave me some Spaceheroes posters to decorate the walls. There are also photographs of my friends, my Commander, and of course of my beloved Raphael and I.

Shinigami helped with my closet, giving me many new options for Earth clothing. Like my favorite blue sweater I'm currently wearing. It's been so long since I've worn my original armor, but I still keep it in a second closet in my room - an arsenal of my armor and my weapons. Then finally there is my sword, mounted on the wall over my bed like a trophy. I haven't needed it in some time. No reason to carry a big plasma sword around when there are no criminals to fight. I still wear my wrist blasters from my old armor, just in case. Even when I'm not fighting, they do make a lovely accessory.

I lay down on my bed, looking up at the ceiling. My mind cluttered with thoughts of the Earth tradition, marriage. An entire ceremony is put together for a couple who wish to join lives, just because they love one another. It sounds so wonderful. Being married and sharing a life together as a husband and a wife.

Then I remember what Raphael and I talked about last night. We're already in each other's lives so maybe there's no point in getting married. Maybe it's best we stay the way we are...

Suddenly there was a knock on my door, "Mona?" Slash said from behind the door. I sat up from my bed, got up and walked to the door, opening it.

"Yes, Slash?"

"Hey, Mona," Slash said looking rather confused. "Um, I hate to bother you, but Bishop is here. He said he wants to talk to you."

Bishop? Why is he here? What could he want with me? Even Slash seems unsure of why the Utrom is here.

I leave my room, following Slash to where I see Bishop with the rest of the team. He stood there in his black suit, all seriousness and control. He was looking at my friends like how he always looks at mutants -- disgusted, like they are nothing more than low class citizens.

Slash and I join the Mutanimals. Bishop glares at me with that stern look always on his face. Never able to tell what he is thinking.

"Lieutenant Y'gythgba," his greeting cold, emotionless.

I hold my head up high, "Bishop. What brings you to Earth? Your update inspection for us isn't for another few weeks."

"I've actually come to talk to you," he said, "I was going over my files this afternoon and I found this. " He pulls out a hologram touch screen showing some written files. "This is the contract the Utrom council created for you as part of your stay on Earth. According to these terms, you've been given permission to stay on planet Earth," he continues, quoting from the contract, "as long as you are of use to this planet and its beings, such as assisting Earth in any cosmic threats, attacks, plagues, etc."

"Yes, I am aware," I said.

"Good, Lieutenant. Then, why are you still here?" Bishop asked.

My eyes widen. "W-what?"

"You and your Commander have agreed with the council and myself that you would remain on Earth to assist the planet if there were any future Insectoid, Triceraton, Kraang, or any intergalactic threat." His tone is sharp, curt.

"Bishop, there hasn't been any cosmic threats in a few years. This planet has been perfectly safe thanks to the Turtles."

"Exactly. As long as your presence had utility to be on this planet, then you were permitted to stay. However, as you agree, Lieutenant, this planet has been at peace for years now. I think it's safe to say that our agreement is no longer necessary, and neither is your presence."

I stayed silent. In a way, he's right. I mean, there hasn't been any serious problems on this planet in a while. Only a few crimes here and there, but nothing major. Is my presence even worth being here? As a warrior, I am no longer fulfilling my purpose on this planet. Do I even have a purpose?

Bishop continued, "According to the rules created by the EPF and I, only Earthlings are allowed on Earth, unless the non-earthling has an objective to stay. Since you have no importance here anymore, you will be escorted back to Salamandria by-"

"She's not going anywhere," Slash says, interrupting Bishop as he places his hand on my shoulder.

"Yeah!" Mondo Gecko proclaimed, stepping in front of me, puffing his chest out acting like a guard dog. "You may not think that she's important, but she is to us!"

"She's very useful, even if it is not for battle," Leatherhead added. "She's our friend. We'd hate to see her go."

Rockwell agreed. "And not just to us, but to Karai, Ms. O'Neil, and the Turtles."

"Especially Raphael," Slash added with a smile as he looked at me.

I shyly smiled at my friends. Their comments were so kind, it warmed my heart. They care about me and they want me to stay.

Bishop was having none of this sentimentality. He was obviously annoyed, glaring at me.

"I'm sorry, Bishop, but I am not leaving."

My body began to slightly shake. Just saying "no" to him is a death sentence.

Bishop stepped forward, pushing Mondo Gecko, who still stood in front of me, out of his way. He leaned close to the side of my face. I could feel his breath on my cheek.

"Isn't it a Salamandrian's sworn duty to fight for honor and glory?" he softly growled. "A life dedicated to battle. You're just wasting your life away with these mutants. You have no worth being here with them and being on this planet."

"I-I may not be needed for battle," I said strongly, trying to hide my worries, "but I'm needed by my friends on Earth, and that is what's important. I'm sure the rest of the council will understand..."

Bishop scoffs, stepping away from me. "Earth has made you weak."

"T-that's not true!" I said shaking, "Earth is my home-"

"You're not of Earth!" Bishop says angrily as he raises his voice to me. "You're just a guest who has ... overstayed their welcome."

I say nothing. I don't know if he's right or wrong. Should I be letting him say these things to me? Why am I not fighting back? Is he right?

Leatherhead places his hand on my shoulder to comfort me as he looks at Bishop and snarls. Mondo Gecko holds my arm and looks at me worriedly, as Rockwell looks at the Utrom with an angry glare.

Slash gazes directly at Bishop, "I think it's time you leave, Bishop."

Bishop stayed silent as he glared at us. He sighs with annoyance, fixing his tie. Finally, in a proper tone of voice, "Very well then, I'll go." He turns away from us and begins to walk to the exit.

Just before walking through the door, he stops dead in his tracks, and turns and looks over his shoulder. His cold eyes peered through his dark sunglasses and met mine from across the room, sending a chill up my spine.

"You can either leave this planet peacefully, or I'll remove you from this planet by force. Either way, I will get you off this planet." And with this vow still echoing in the room, he leaves, slamming the door behind him.

"That... was weird," Mondo Gecko commented once Bishop was gone.

"Hmm, I wonder what that was all really about..." Slash thought out loud to us.

"Don't look at me," Rockwell said. "I can never read his thoughts. His mind is like a steel trap."

"But whatever it was for," Leatherhead added, "It seemed as if he was trying to warn you, Mona Lisa."

"Or threaten me..." I added. "Why is he so desperate to get me to leave...?"

"Don't let him get to you, Mona," said Slash, trying to cheer me up. "He's always tried to scare us mutants. He pulls every insult at us just to bring us down like he did with you."

"Well, now you're really one of us freaks!" Mondo joked before Rockwell smacked his arm, silencing him. "OW!" he cried.

Slash was right. I shouldn't let this bother me, however I don't understand Bishop's sudden crude attitude. I knew from the beginning he was unhappy with my decision of staying on Earth, but he never took action. He told me that he'll get me off this planet, but why? Is there something planned or something soon to come? Did I do something wrong? Or is he right, I have no purpose anymore to be on Earth. Maybe I'm not needed anymore, but my friends say I am.

A Salamandrian's purpose is to fight.

I've haven't done that in so long. Am I even worth being called a Salamandrian warrior? What's my purpose?

I know Bishop. He's not going to let this slide. He'll do anything to get his way, he could hurt me, or worse, my friends. Maybe Bishop is right. Perhaps it's best I...

Must ignore these thoughts running through my head. I can't let this bother me right now. I need to clear my mind and do something to help me relax.

"Hey, Leatherhead!" I said, "On second thought, I would love to join you and Slash for a sparring session!"