Michelangelo cackled loudly as he jumped over Rahzar's shoulder, hit his spiky head with his fist and leapt off him before the dog-mutant could even register what was happening. Rahzar growled and tried to grapple for Mikey's feet, but the orange-banded turtle danced his way out of his grasp and laughed again. "Come on, Rahzar!" he mocked in a sing-song voice. "Are you that slow?"

Rahzar's angry howl momentarily distracted Leonardo, Raphael and Donatello from their own fights. Each turned as much as they dared to watch their youngest brother maneuver his way around the rooftop, jumping here and cartwheeling there. Mikey had always been the fastest of them all, his nimble body giving him speed that only their Sensei could match.

It struck Leo that there was no fear on Mikey's face. Raph saw that there was no feebleness in the swipes of his nunchakus and Don noted that there was no foolishness in his movements. Mikey was fighting like a true ninja, a powerful one, a force to be reckoned with, and it made the older Turtles wonder what could have caused such an improvement in Mikey's fighting skills.

They didn't know that Mikey, for all that he was easily distracted, was also observant. Mikey, whom had lived his life following his brothers' lead, was drawing his skills from their own spirit, their best qualities, and made them his own.

He drew his courage from Leonardo's unwavering resilience to do the right thing.

He drew his strength from Raphael's solid will to protect their family.

He drew his cleverness from Donatello's unquestionable wisdom to find answers.

He is Michelangelo, and he is the most carefree of all the Ninja Turtles. But with that cheeriness, he also learn to live by the virtues of his older brothers.