I do not own the TMNT characters or themes

Chapter one; It Can't Last Forever.

A dark, brooding silhouette crouched on the elaborate moldings. City lights reflected dully in the visor of the figure's helmet as it scanned the streets below for signs of trouble. This city was all he really knew, and he would protect it. He was the Nightwatcher. He would take every scumbag that came across his path and ensure said scum was off the streets for at least a night or two. By the time the Nightwatcher was done any creep who even thought of pulling some lowlife stunt and robbing or attacking an innocent would pay.

"Listen to me," Came the Nightwatcher's muffled voice, "I'm starting to sound like Mikey." The Nightwatcher stood. The leather of his clothing creaked and provided an almost comforting level of resistance. He turned and moved across the roof to the fire escape. It had been a quiet night so far, only some minor dark alley type jerks. Probably a good time to head home. Maybe if he went home now he could grab enough sleep to get up and train with his brothers.

Raphael felt a knotting in his gut at the thought. Leo was home now. Sure, they had more or less worked out their issues, but sooner or later Leo was going to 'suggest' Raph stop running around …what was the phrase he had used? Right 'Dressed up like it's Halloween every night!' Really, there wasn't a problem with that. Raph had known it was coming sooner or later, but he had kind of wanted the 'Nightwatcher' to go out with a bang, something real big. Maybe it was just a childish hope, like Mikey and his superhero obsession.

Speaking of brothers, Raph was planning to make a 'bargain' with Leo when Fearless finally told Raph to hang up the suit. Leo was so predictable; the conversation was already well scripted in Raph's mind.

"I dunno Leo…" He'd say after a healthy bit of arguing.

"Raph, it's for the good of the team." Leo would probably use that phrase several times, thinking he was arguing his brother down.

"Fine! I'll do it, but on one condition!"

"What condition?" Raph could almost hear the exasperation in Leo's voice; trust the hothead to make things difficult.

"Don't tell Mikey or Donnie, alright?" Not too much to ask for. Leo would probably pretend to consider for a minute, trying to hide how relieved he was that Raph wasn't going to be such a pain in the shell about it. They'd probably shake on it or something corny like that.

But enough of that, the Nightwatcher wasn't going to be around forever and there was no way Raph was going to spend his last few nights brooding about retirement. By now he had reached the ground and was pulling his bike out. Oh yes, his bike was a thing of beauty, probably the one thing he would miss the most. Maybe if he gave the thing to Casey the bonehead would let him ride it from time to time. He threw a leg over the machine and started her up. The bike almost jumped to life, eager to please and even more eager to go fast. Raph let a chuckle loose as he revved the engine and headed out onto the street.

It was good to be the Nightwatcher!

…

As the Nightwatcher's bike roared past another figure stood proudly on another building watching as the vigilante tore off. This figure did not brood and held about him a sort of power and strength, the very picture of a defender of the people.

This figure took careful note of the direction the Nightwatcher had gone off in and followed soon after. As this new person leaped from the building a cape billowed out behind as he seemed to soar with elegant grace in the direction that the motorcycle had taken.

Who is this second figure? Tune in next week (just click the next chapter) to find out in the next exciting chapter of Nightwatcher; Blaze of Glory! (queue dramatic theme music.)