Chapter 7

Splinter POV

I can't believe what's happening to my youngest son; he's in a coma again. This nightmare cannot be happening. Donatello had collapsed from shock. To see his little brother in such a state was too much for him. I gathered my smartest son into my arms and laid him on the sofa so that he could get some rest.

"Leonardo, Raphael, watch over Donatello." I instructed. "I will be in the in med lab with Michelangelo."

Upon entering the med lab, I immediately felt sick seeing my son so pale and lifeless. I am distraught by the fact that the cheeriest of my son, the one that always bring joy to our life, has lost his way. I pulled a chair near the bed and sat next to Michelangelo, gripping my son's hand tightly.

I sighed, "Oh, my son, why did you do this to yourself?"

I remembered the day I lost my wife and baby girl. The battle with my former friend Oroku Saki was one of the hardest battles I've ever fought in my life. But even though I gave it my all in the fight, I still lost my wife and daughter. A few months later, my pet turtles were mutated into humanoid baby turtles while I was mutated into a rat. I started a new life by adopting the four baby mutant turtles and taking a new name, Splinter.

Now, I'm scared of the prospect that I might lose my youngest son, Michelangelo. I won't be able to handle it if that happens, I just can't.

(If there's anyone out there, please help my son, please, we can't lose him.)

This family will fall apart without our light. I started to break down, praying for someone, anyone, to save my son.

-(Page Break)-

Mikey POV

I am alone in the darkness

I am scared, so scared

Fear is consuming me

But this is where I belong

Alone, where I won't bother my family

Alone, where I wouldn't make mistakes on missions

Break Donnie's machines

Hit Raph with water balloons

Disturb Leo during his meditation

I wouldn't see Father's disappointed face

Whenever I do something wrong

This is the place where I belong

In the Darkness

"You do not belong in this place; you need to go back to your family, little one." A sweet and warm voice whispered in my ear.

"Who are you?! You know nothing about me!" I shouted, "Besides, my family don't need me. I'm only...a…failure."

"But I do know about you, my sweet little baby, Michelangelo. And I am here to help you and guide you back home." The voice answered.

"My family would be better off without me. No one would be there to bother them with corny jokes and pranks every day. How would you know me anyway?! I've never seen or heard you in my life!" I retorted.

"I know you very well, my son. I saw how you got mutated, take your first step, say your first word and your training as a ninja. You make everyone around you smile and you can bring out the sun even on the darkest of days. I am the Hamato's angel guide, but you can call me Mother if you like."

A beautiful woman with long black hair stepped out of the shadows and approached me. She was wearing a kimono with blue, red, purple and orange colors splashed across it.

"My son, you do not belong here. You need to go." The woman said, enveloping me in hug.

"But mother, my family would be better off without me. No one needs me." I cried, clinging to the woman.

"I'm going to show you something, my son. Close your eyes." I nodded, obeying the order given.

After a few seconds passed, the woman instructed. "You can open your eyes now."

I slowly cracked my eyes open. I looked around and realized that I was in the med lab.

"But, how? I-I thought that I-"

The woman interrupted gently. "Listen to me, little one. You have been in a coma for a month."

"Coma?!" I thought that I was dead, but no, I was in a coma. Well, that's just great.

"Please open your mind and listen to your brothers and father, my son. You are a very strong turtle and I believe you can make yourself through this." The woman said before fading away, leaving me alone in the room.