"Michelangelo."

Ocean blue eyes snap open with a quiet gasp. Mikey's heart pounds as he stares at the wooden wall next to his bed, the light from the porch streaming into the dark loft area. Frowning, the seafoam green turtle rolls over and glances around, trying to see just who called his name. When the quiet breathing of his family greets him, Mikey scrubs a hand down his face. Someone DID call his name, right? He could have sworn that he heard a voice but he can't remember whose it was.

Maybe he's more tired than he thought he would be.

The feeling of unease rolls over him the longer he glances around at the shadows scattered around the loft. Huffing out a quiet breath, Mikey shakes his head and pushes the feeling aside as he fishes out his ShellCell from under his pillow. Squinting, the screen illuminates his face as he taps the screen to check the time.

2:21 a.m.

Groaning, Mikey shoves his face into his cool pillow. He's only been in bed for little over an hour. They managed to watch a total of four full movies before everyone started getting sleepy and they bid each other a 'good night'. He wanted to stay up a little longer to watch one more movie but his big brothers put a kibosh on that, stating that he'd end up sick if he stayed down there by himself.

Mikey rolls his eyes.

Geez. Come out of the basement with some chills and your bros suddenly think you're gonna end up with pneumonia. Yeesh.

Huffing, he shuffles around in his bed and pulls his quilt closer to his chin. He pauses when he breathes out again and notices a small cloud float away. Shell! Is it really that cold? Sitting up, Mikey rubs his eyes as he glances out the window. He grins as large white flakes float by the glass, collecting on the roof.

"Nice! Looks like Don was right about the snow!" Mikey presses closer to the glass only to shiver as his blanket falls into his lap. "Guess the heater broke. Or turned off somehow."

Pursing his lips, Mikey glances from his blanket over to where Donnie sleeps. He can see the soft rise and fall of his sleeping brother's form. A quick debate of whether or not he should wake his slumbering brother snaps through his mind before he shoves it away. It would be a waste of time if he woke Donnie only to find out that the heater is merely turned off and then both of them would be wide awake. The two insomniac turtles.

Because THAT wouldn't call for a Leo lecture if he found out, Mikey thinks dryly as he shoves his blanket further down, instantly shivering as his bare legs meet the cold night air. If the heater is broken, then I'll wake Donnie. But I'm a big turtle. I can turn the heat up on a thermostat.

A smile forms on Mikey's lips as he spots his orange-covered feet. He wiggles his toes before fully standing. He pauses as he shoots his slumbering family a look. His father's emerald shoulder peeks out from under his blanket and rises and falls slowly with each calm breath he takes. The only bad thing about sleeping in the same room as his ninja family, he never knows just how light they are currently sleeping. Sure, they've been up here before and almost all the times that they've been here have been fun and stress-free, there have been a few times that have been scary. And with how on edge his father had been all day, Mikey wouldn't put it passed him to not actually be sleeping but in some weird meditative state that allows him to know the moment one of his sons gets out of bed.

But, so far so good. Nobody has moved or even shifted and he can still hear Raph snoring softly off in the far corner. Tip-toing as quietly as possible, Mikey keeps a close watch on the forms of his father and eldest brother, the two lightest sleepers. He pauses at the top of the stairs, holding his breath as he hears someone shift. However, when no one calls out to him, Mikey relaxes and continues his descent.

While they do make slight noise, Mikey can't help but be grateful for the tiny rubber grippies on his feet. He can just imagine himself slipping the rest of the way down the stairs and waking the entire house with just how slick these fuzzy socks would be against the wood of the steps.

A triumphant grin spreads across a freckled face and Mikey sends a look back up at the loft.

Ha! Take that! Only the skill of the Battle Nexus Champion can sneak passed a ninja master not once, but TWICE! And I'll be back in bed before Father even notices me gone.

Grin still in place, Mikey mentally hums the Mission Impossible theme to himself as he creeps toward the thermostat. He lifts his hand to turn the dial up, frowning when he sees that it's at 65 degrees. 65! Shell. No wonder it's so cold in here! Mikey's eyes narrow.

Wait. Didn't Donnie turn the heat up before we headed to bed? And 65 shouldn't be cold enough for me to see my breath…

CREAK.

Mikey's eyes widen as he freezes with his hand on the thermostat. That was a floorboard. And not the one he is standing on. Shrinking further into the shadows, he presses his shoulder against the wall and scans the main floor of the farmhouse. The thermostat is located in the space between the bathroom and the master bedroom. But that sound came from somewhere behind him.

Swallowing thickly, Mikey shakes his head and releases a trembling breath. Honestly, that noise could have been anything! The farmhouse is super old, built back in the mid-18th century by a great-great-great something grandpa of Casey's according to Mama Jones. So, for all Mikey knows, it could have just been the house settling. Or even a raccoon or squirrel up in the attic.

Heh, wouldn't that be funny? Mikey thinks as he turns his attention back to the thermostat and clicks it back up to 75. He waits for the sound of the heater kicking in as he presses his shell against the wall. Me getting scared by a raccoon in the attic? Maybe it's a ninja raccoon and that's what Sensei was doing up there. He was give the raccoon lessons.

Mikey tilts his head and frowns as he realizes that the hum of the heater is still missing. Usually, it kicks in instantly and is anything BUT quiet. Which can only mean one of two things. Either the heater is broken-broken or it just needs the breaker to be flipped. Mikey purses his lips. He knows how to do one of those two things. But, there's a problem with him flipping the breaker.

The heater is located in the basement.

And if it's this cold up here that I can see my breath, I can just imagine how cold it is down in the basement, Mikey thinks, tucking his hands further into his sweatshirt sleeves.

And the fact that his father banned him from the basement.

Not that I really want to go back down there anytime soon, Mikey thinks, shuffling in place. He tenses when he suddenly hears movement to his right. He frowns in confusion when he hears what sounds like a muffled curse and the sound of a door open. The beam of a flashlight exits the room first before a familiar silhouette emerges.

"Stupid fuckin' heater," a voice grouses and Mikey sags as Casey exits the master bedroom. "I swear dat thin' never stays— Jesus fuckin' Christ!"

Mikey smiles at the blackette as Casey clutches the front of his white sleeping shirt, snickering as the human mutters curses at him.

"Morning, Casey! Fancy meeting you here."

"Dammit, Mikey! I was all ready ta clock ya! What da shell are ya doing in da shadows?"

Mikey fiddles with his sleeves while peeking up at the scowling blackette.

"Um. Well, I woke up and noticed how cold it was so I came down to turn the heater back on but it hasn't kicked on yet."

The blackette's scowl deepens as he walks up to the thermostat. Mikey slips to the side to give him more room.

"It was at 65 so I dumped it up to 75 but nothing has happened yet. I was just debating whether to go wake Donnie to see if the heater was broken."

Casey sighs and runs a hand down his face. Tired ice blue eyes flicker over to the slightly shivering turtle.

"I'm pretty sure dat we just need to kick da heater back on. Ma likes ta wait as long as possible before turnin' da blasted thing on and usually it needs us to flip da switch once or twice before it's good ta go." Casey sighs as he starts for the basement. "But I woulda thought with her knowing dat you guys were comin' up with us dat she would have tested the bloomin' thing."

Mikey follows the blackette, not really keen on being alone right now.

"Well, maybe she just forgot," Mikey whispers, wetting his lips nervously as Casey opens the basement door to reveal an inky blackness. "I…I mean, it wasn't until about two days ago that they were predicting snow. Up until then it wasn't supposed to get below 60 degrees, remember?"

Mikey hesitates at the top of the stairs as Casey starts to descend further into the darkness, ignoring the switch as he swivels the beam of light around.

"Dat don't matter right now," Casey grumbles. "We need ta get dat heat on so dat ya four don't freeze and get sick on us. C'mon Mikey, I'm gonna need ya ta come hold da flashlight fer me."

Air catches in the seafoam green turtle's throat as Casey turns toward him, already halfway down the stairs. Mikey wads up the ends of his sleeves in his hands as he shuffles in place.

"D-Down there?"

Casey lifts a black eyebrow in question.

"Uh, yeah? Down here. It's where da heater is." Casey scans the younger male. "Dere's nothin' ta be scared of, Mikey. Besides, I'll be down here with ya. But I'm gonna need both hands ta get da panel off. And, well, I ain't gonna lie, it's a pain in da ass ta do dis alone. So, I would appreciate da help." A crooked smile forms on the blackette's face. "I'll get April ta make ya some cinnamon apple pancakes in da morning if ya do dis fer me."

Oooo, bringing out the bribery. Master move, Casey Jones.

Mikey bites his bottom lip as he thinks it over. While he is technically banned from the basement, upstairs isn't any warmer right now and he IS the only other person awake to help Casey. And it would just waste time going to wake one of his brothers to take his place just to hold a flashlight for Casey. And cinnamon apple pancakes DO sound pretty good right now.

And there's nothing saying that Chichi will find out, Mikey thinks as he stiffly descends the stairs earning himself a smile from the older male. Casey and I will be in and out of the basement before anyone will notice.

His hands twitch at his sides.

And it IS April's turn for breakfast, Mikey thinks as his eyes flicker around in the darkness.

He forces himself to relax as Casey wraps a warm arm around his shoulders and the two of them start forward. Like upstairs, their breath is visible and Mikey tries to tug his sweatshirt further down to cover his legs as he shivers. He jumps when something suddenly shifts and Casey mutters out a curse.

"Damn. Stupid fuckin' boxes. I told Ma we need ta clean up down here," Casey grumbles as he passes the flashlight to Mikey and moves behind him, warm hands on his sweatshirt covered shoulders. "We're gonna walk like dis till we get here. Like shell am I gonna let ya trip over some damn boxes and get hurt down here."

That pulls an amused smile to Mikey's face even as he eyes the darkness nervously.

"Considering that YOU were the one to trip and nearly face plant, I don't really think this is for my benefit, Case-man."

"Yeah, yeah," Casey grumbles, nudging Mikey forward. "Well, not everyone is used ta walking around in da dark like you and yer bros. Now march. I want ta get a few more hours of shut eye and I know dat yer wanting some as well."

Nodding with a snicker, Mikey allows Casey to steer him along. His breathing hitching the closer they get to washer and dryer and he has to make a conscious effort to not start trembling. He's already having a hard time controlling his shivers and he knows that, while not fully awake, if he starts shaking too hard Casey is gonna change his mind and send him back upstairs. And the thought of his friend being down here alone makes Mikey's stomach twist unpleasantly.

"Dere it is," Casey says pulling Mikey from his thoughts. Mikey's eyes widen as he realizes that the heater is located vicinity that he thought he saw Master Splinter.

It was just your mind playing tricks on you, Mikey thinks as the two of them pass by the exact spot. Mikey forces his eyes forward. Chichi was obviously upstairs and that's where he is right now. Nice and warm in his bed. And Casey is down here with you. You're gonna be fine.

"Okay, Mike," Casey says as they reach the heater. "Just hold da flashlight right dere while I take da panel off ta reach da switch. Stupid mice tried making a nest inside it, just had ta add an extra layer of inconvenience ta dis whole process."

"S-Sure, d-dude," Mikey states, trying to keep from having his teeth chattering together. "Just do what ya gotta d-do."

Casey throws him a look over his shoulder, frowning when Mikey tries to smile at him.

"Mike, if yer gettin' too cold, I ain't gonna force ya ta stay down here. I don't want ya gettin' sick…"

Mikey shakes his head, free hand clutching and unclutching inside of his sweatshirt sleeve. He's a big turtle. And besides, he's made it this far, he's gonna stick it out.

Mikey smiles at the blackette.

"I'm o-o-okay at the moment, C-Casey. Honest! I…I don't think g-going upstairs will do m-much anyways. Let's j-j-just get the heater on then we b-both can go up."

He also really doesn't want to walk back through the basement alone and in the dark. The only light switch is back at the top of the stairs and there is only one tiny window that sits above the washer and dryer that allows light in. And it's really not doing much for them down here.

A concerned look crosses the older male's face as he scans the small turtle.

"If yer sure…"

Mikey nods, keeping his smile in place until Casey looks back to the heater. As he works to get the panel off, Mikey chews on his bottom lip. The slimy feeling that he always gets when standing in a dark place for too long is slowly creeping down his spine. And it's not helping that he has his back facing the rest of the basement. He doesn't dare move though, afraid that Casey is just going to force him upstairs if he thinks that Mikey's shifting due to the cold. Like shell he's going to leave his friend down here to deal with this heater on his own. Everything is fine. There is nobody standing behind him. His eyes widen as the back of his neck prickles and Mikey holds his breath as his heart jackhammers in his chest.

There's nothing there. Casey and I are the only ones down here. There's nothing there. Casey and I are the only ones down here.

"Michelangelo. Come to your chichi, little one."

His father's voice whispers in his ear, freezing air brushing his cheek. Mikey's mouth dries as his mind races. What is Master Splinter doing up? And why didn't they notice him? Mikey gasps when clawed fingers grasp at the back of his hoodie and Mikey whips around, the touch not feeling like his father at all.

As he moves, a high pitched ringing fills his ears and his vision blurs. Confusion fills Mikey as he catches sight of a maroon robe as he pitches sideways. He sees a slim clawed hand reaching out for him but he swears that instead of pink skin that the hand is white and decaying with exposed muscle and bones. The scent of something rotten and dead fills Mikey's nose as he hits the cement floor, his leg twisting in an odd angle and his head bouncing off of something. As he lays there, his stomach rolls and his mouth to water unpleasantly.

His body shivers as he lies there on the dust basement floor and he can't tell what he hit his head on only that a dull pain blooms across his skull. What is his father doing in the basement? Mikey forces himself to focus on the area where he thought he saw Master Splinter, but when he blinks sluggishly, the maroon robe is gone but the smell of something rotting remains.

Confused, Mikey feels himself being rolled over and a panicked Casey is hovering above him. He can only guess that the blackette is speaking to him but his head feels like it's full of cotton and the ringing has yet to stop. He feels strangely numb but he can tell that Casey is touching his face, the faint feeling of pressure moving along his skin. What he's not sure about is why Casey is pulling off his shirt and wrapping it around his head.

Strong arms slide under his neck and knees and he's leaning against a warm bare Casey chest as the older male starts moving. Mikey's eyes sluggishly shift over to the darkness where he saw the maroon robe of his father. Nothing but boxes and covered furniture can be made out in the darkness. A noise of confusion escapes the seafoam turtle.

Where'd he go?

Vibrations against his cheek tells the young turtle that Casey is talking again. But he still sounds like he's underwater and garbled so it's hard for him to follow along. Mikey manages to blink sluggishly again as he's placed onto something soft. He glances up at the blackette as he grabs the dark green blanket from earlier and wraps Mikey up in it, mouth never stopping.

"-ya warmed up. Dere we go. Now stay here while I go get Don and we'll fix ya up nice and good, Mike. Don't ya worry. Now ya sit tight, all right? I'll be right back with yer bros, okay?"

Casey doesn't wait for Mikey to answer before he's already rushing off. Mikey swallows thickly, glad to finally be able to hear again but hating how his stomach won't stop rolling.

Breathing harshly through his nose, Mikey leans forward. His jaw clenches at the movement, hating how jerky and disjointed he feels. He presses the heel of his hand to his forehead as a sharp pain shoots through his skull.

Shell. Did he split his head open when he fell? Is that why Casey wrapped his shirt around his head?

Wrinkling his snout, Mikey lifts his head and glances toward the basement. His stomach drops. The door is still wide open with an empty void staring back. Mikey's heart pounds in his chest as he stares at it. His eye ridges furrow the longer he looks at, half expecting to see someone emerge from the shadows. He swears that the darkness is slowly creeping further and further out of the basement. As if long fingers are wiggling and searching around at this area it's normally not allowed near. And Mikey's 'Tiger Instincts' are telling him that isn't right nor is it a good thing.

Gotta close the door.

Detangling himself from the blanket, Mikey staggers to his feet, swaying slightly as he hisses when he puts pressure on his left leg. He must have landed on it on his way down as well. Shell. He's just walking chaos isn't he?

Pressing his hand to his head, Mikey slowly limps his way over to the door. His hands are clammy from the nausea rolling in his gut. And there is a shooting pain running up and down his leg with each step but he knows that he needs to keep going. If he doesn't close this door then the darkness will get in and it will hurt more than just him. And like shell is Mikey going to let anything hurt his family. Not when he can stop it.

Breathing harshly, Mikey reaches the top of the stairs and he grasps the door, ready to close it. Bile rises in his throat but he manages to swallow it back. He refuses to vomit. He doesn't want to make a mess of the floor.

"Michelangelo."

Mikey freezes as a familiar voice calls out to him and looks down into the basement. There, at the base of the stairs, is his father. Splinter stares up at him with his hands folded behind his back, strangely illuminated compared to the darkness of the basement. Mikey's hand trembles against the wood of the door as he stares down at his father.

"Chichi?"

"You have forgotten something, Watashi no nikkō."

"I…I have?"

Splinter nods as Mikey tries his best to remember what he could have forgotten. He has his sweatshirt and his fuzzy soaks. What else is he missing? A soft chuckle emits from the basement, the sound causing the orange-cladded turtle to shiver. The mutant rat smiles, as if amused by his youngest's confusion, and brings one of his hands out from behind him. Mikey blinks as he tries to focus on what his father is offering him.

In his grasp is Casey's flashlight.

"Yes, little one. You have. Do you not need your flashlight? I know how much you do not like the dark."

Mikey's chest rises and falls quickly, uncertainty warring alongside his heart as muddled thoughts scatter around in his brain. He really does hate the dark. And it's been so dark everywhere. But…But there is a reason Casey brought him back upstairs. And he really doesn't want to go back into the basement.

But why don't I want to go into the basement again? Mikey thinks sluggishly, leaning against the basement door as he presses the heel of his hand to his forehead.

"Michelangelo," Splinter's soft voice cuts through Mikey's racing thoughts. "Will you not come down and take your flashlight? Would you leave your poor old father down here in the cold basement waiting? Do you not trust your own father?"

Guilt stabs Mikey in the gut as an upset look crosses his father's face. Horror washes over the small turtle as his father starts to lower his hand, his ears drooping a little. Panicking, Mikey clings to the door as he tries to straighten.

"Of course, I trust you, Chichi!"

Splinter tilts his head, his smile widening as he holds the flashlight out further.

"I believe you, my son. So, come down to me and take your flashlight, Watashi no nikkō. Nothing will harm you as long as I am here."

Mouth twitching, Mikey slowly nods and starts shuffling forward. Everything in his gut is screaming not to go, but he can't figure out why. It's his father! Chichi would never hurt him. And once he has his flashlight, he and Chichi can close the basement door together to keep the darkness away.

Splinter's smile morphs into a grin at the small turtle's movement.

"That is a good boy, Michelangelo. Come to me. Come down into the basement and we shall chase the darkness away together."

Mikey nods, his head feeling oddly heavy and stuffy. Lethargically, he starts stepping across the threshold.

"Very good, little one. C'mon to Chichi."

Numbly, Mikey starts to step down. However, right before his foot can touch the wood of the first step, a warm hand from behind him yanks him back. Stumbling, Mikey gasps as he starts to fall backwards, his stomach swooping unpleasantly. Warm arms wrap around his waist, keeping him upright while tugging him close.

"Don't worry, little brother," Leo's tenor voice mumbles into his ear. "I've got you."

Mikey tilts his head back with wide eyes just as he hears the door to the basement slam shut. Jumping, he looks straight ahead as his heart leaps into his throat. Only to find his father standing proud on the other side of the door, anger radiating from him.

Mikey blinks.

"C-C-Chichi?"

"You are all right, Michelangelo. We are here."

Confusion fills the younger mutant. Of course, his father is here. They were just talking! Mikey frowns. Now that he's thinking about it. He didn't hear his father come up the stairs. So…how'd he get up here so quickly to shut the door?

Mikey lolls his head toward his father.

"How'd you get out of the basement so quickly, Chichi?"

Splinter slowly turns toward his youngest, ears flickering as he studies his son. His youngest is shivering and the white shirt wrapped around his head has a bright red patch on it where Casey stated that his head scrapped a piece of furniture during his fall. His concern spikes as a minute shiver courses through his youngest's body causing his eldest to tug him further into his lap. Leo lifts his head, eyes wide as he stares up at his father. A deep frown mars Splinter's face as approaches two of his children. Splinter meets his eldest son's confused and unsure gaze for a moment before refocusing on his smallest child. He presses a palm against his overly confused child, hazelnut eyes taking in the wide and slightly unfocused ocean eyes. Visions of his dream from the night prior flash before his eyes and his gut twists painfully. However, unlike in his dream, his son is awake. Injured and confused, but at least among the living.

Poor choice of words, Yoshi, Splinter thinks with a wince.

"Michelangelo, my son, what are you talking about?" Splinter asks softly. "I was never in the basement."

Mikey frowns at him as he leans into his father's touch, soaking in the warmth.

"But you were! You wanted me to come down and grab the flashlight I dropped. You said it'd keep the darkness away." Mikey's eyes start to burn as he reaches out for his father, his fingers grasping the emerald sleeves of his father's sleeping robes. "And…And I trust you, Chichi. Honest! I was gonna come down to get it from you! But…But I fell or something. But I didn't mean to! I love you! I was gonna go down!"

A bewildered look crosses Splinter's face as he gathers his distraught son into his arms, rocking the both of them gently. He presses his lips to a portion of the seafoam green turtle's head that is still white and rubs Mikey's shell.

"Shh. Shh. You are all right, Watashi no nikkō. There is no need to get upset." Splinter shifts the two of them until they can both sit on the couch. Mikey climbs further into his father's lap and the older mutant lets him as he grabs the discarded blanket that Raph holds out for him. "Michelangelo, shh. You are all right, little one. You fell and hit your head and it is making you very confused right now." He wraps the shivering turtle with the blanket. "Now, tell me why you think that I asked you to grab the flashlight from the basement."

Sniffling, Mikey pulls back and scrubs at his face as his father watches him with concerned hazelnut eyes. He studies the older male as his father uses his thumb to wipe his cheeks.

"You…You were trying to give me the flashlight. You were standing at the base of the stairs. I was talking to you!" Mikey curls into himself, whispering; "You said we'd chase the darkness away together."

Alarm flashes across Splinter's face and he glances up. Concern radiates from his other 3 sons and Casey looks just as lost as he did when he woke them all up. Pressing his snout against his youngest's chilled temple, Splinter beckons for his eldest to approach.

"I promise you, Michelangelo, that I will always be there to chase away the darkness. No matter how old you get or even if I am no longer on this plane, I shall be there to help you drive back the darkness. Understand?" Splinter mutters softly and Mikey nods weakly against his shoulder. "Good. Now, I am going to give you to Leonardo so that Donatello can check you over while Mr. Jones and myself go downstairs and get the heater working once more."

Strong fingers dig into his robe and wide, unfocused blue eyes stare up at him and Splinter fears that his youngest will pass out with how pale he has gotten.

"No! Chichi, you guys can't go into the basement! If you do, then the darkness will get you!" The seafoam body in his arms trembles and curls closer to the older mutant. "I don't want the darkness to take you away."

Splinter's heart nearly shatters at the whispered confession. He holds Mikey closer, warring with himself on what to do. He knows that he needs to go down and check the basement with Casey. But how can he when his youngest, his baby, is so distraught and frightened and confused in his arms, begging him not to? Splinter rocks the two of them, humming softly as he thinks of a solution. He glances up when Leo kneels in front of him, his eldest sparing him a brief glance before reaching out to press his hands to Mikey's shell. The youngest flinches at the touch but his eldest brother is unbothered as he starts rubbing circles on the carapace.

"Mikey, Otōto," Leo calls out softly. "Nothing downstairs is going to take Father from us."

"Yeah!" Raph pipes up from his spot on the arm of the couch. "Nothin' down in dat basement is strong enough ta beat Sensei. He's just too tough. And we all know dat Casey makes a great grunt man."

"Hey!"

A wet giggle escapes the small turtle and he peeks out from where he's buried his face in his father's chest. Leo rolls his eyes before focusing on his youngest brother. Chestnut brown meets ocean blue and Leo's face softens.

"What Raph is trying to say is that Father won't be down there alone. He'll have Casey with him and together they'll be able to get the heater working while also protecting each other. So, why don't you come to me and let Father go downstairs. The two of us will sit right here on the couch and wait for Father to come back up while Donnie checks your head and knee. Sound good?"

Mikey worries his bottom lip, trying his best to think over his brother's suggestion. But his brain stills feels so foggy but he knows that he can trust what Leo says. He's his big brother and leader for a reason. He always has a plan. Always knows what to say. Makes everything better.

After a beat, he slowly nods and twists in his father's grasp to reach out for his blue-cladded brother. Leo smiles as he easily plucks his brother from their father's lap. He holds Mikey close as Splinter swiftly stands and allows the two to take his spot. Hazelnut brown meets chestnut brown before he reaches down and smooths a slim hand over his injured son's head.

"Mr. Jones and I will not be long. Just remain here with your older brothers." Splinter straightens and glances over at the blackette. "Are you ready, Mr. Jones?"

Casey jumps before nodding.

"Oh, uh, yeah. Sure thing, Master Splinter. I already got da panel off of da heater, so all I need ya ta do is hold da…." Casey pauses, shooting the youngest a look. "Da flashlight."

Splinter follows his gaze, frowning as Leo meets his gaze while rocking the youngest and whispering softly to him. Donnie appears, first aid bag in hand with a now wide awake April, her hair standing up everywhere. Her green eyes flicker over to Splinter and Casey as she rounds the couch to squat in front of Mikey as Donnie sits beside him. Splinter shakes his head causing April to nod in understanding before turning her attention back to the youngest of the group, rubbing his shell.

"Come, Mr. Jones," Splinter says, leading the way to the basement.

Casey nods and reaches the door before the older male. He hesitates for a moment but when Splinter reaches him, he pulls it open. Splinter's eyes narrow as the two peer down into the basement. The heavy energy that he felt earlier trying to lure his youngest back into its depths is gone but there is residual energy lingering in the air. Placing a hand on the unnerved blackette's shoulder, Splinter cautiously makes his way down, the stairs only creaking when Casey follows behind him. Splinter's lips thin as his breath clouds before him.

Michelangelo should not have come down here in the first place, Splinter thinks as he reaches the landing. He can't even be mad at his youngest either. Casey explained what happened as he rushed to wake Donnie. And how can he be upset when Mikey is upstairs, curled up in his eldest brother's lap with a head wound that is making him dazed and confused? Not that anyone can stay upset at Michelangelo for very long.

A hand catches Splinter's elbow, dragging him from his thoughts. Pausing, he glances back at Casey. The blackette, however isn't looking at him. He is staring off to his right. Splinter follows his gaze and spots something illuminating off in the darkness.

"Dat's da flashlight," Casey says, voice barely above a whisper. "But fer some reason, it's over by da drain. Dat ain't where I left it."

Unease builds in the once-human's gut as he and Casey make their way over to the resting flashlight. Splinter eyes the covered furniture as they pass, his ears twitching for any unusual noises. Nothing appears out of place but the foreboding from last night's dream is slowly clawing its way back into his chest as he and Casey stop a few steps away from the flashlight. Casey leans closer to Splinter.

"Dat flashlight shouldn't be on," he whispers and the mutant rat narrows his eyes. "Da batteries popped out and I kicked dem inta a little pile before picking Mike up and gettin' him upstairs." His icy blue eyes are wide. "And dere's too much crap in da way fer it ta have rolled over here. If anythin', da light should be further back if it did roll."

Splinter nods before sticking his arm out when Casey makes to move closer. The older male shakes his head, motioning for the blackette to stay put as he creeps closer. Splinter's emerald robs swirl at his feet as he moves. Once he reaches the flashlight, his eyebrows furrow as he spots a massive crack down the middle of the glass. Curiosity fills Splinter as the strong urge to follow the beam of light hits him. His hazelnut eyes drift over to the drain. Something maroon sticks out of the hole in the cement. Something maroon and very familiar.

Heart pounding, Splinter stands and approaches the drain.

"Master Splinter?" Casey called out softly as the ninja master squats down. "Do ya see somethin'?"

Instead of answering, Splinter cautiously reaches out, grasping the wet fabric. He holds his breath as he starts to lift, the fabric heavy and water-logged. A voice in the back of his mind warns of the possibility of a hand coming up and grabbing him but he shoves it away. He doesn't sense any immediate danger, just the lingering presence of one.

Not that makes me feel any better about this situation, Splinter thinks bitterly as he finally pulls the entire piece of fabric out of the drain.

Casey gasps behind him.

"Isn't….Isn't dat yer robe dat ya were wearin' earlier?"

Pursing his lips, Splinter nods.

"It is indeed. How it got down here, I do not know," Splinter states, face darkening. "But this is quite concerning. Whatever or whoever took my robe obviously did so to use it to confuse Michelangelo in his current confused and injured state."

Casey's eyebrows scrunch together and a troubled look shadows his face as Splinter grabs the flashlight as well and rejoins him.

"But…Why Mikey? He hasn't done anythin'!"

"I do not know," Splinter says, voice hard and his hands tighten around the flashlight and robe. "But I intend to put a stop to it before this goes any farther."