Hello guys! I'm happy to be back again with a new chapter! This was one of the chapters I was most excited to write to be honest and I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Special Thanks To: gima2618, Silverfox22, A Souring Daydream, mirellarivas99, twilight8377, TheMaskedTimelord, Viate, lenail125, and Mikey!

To gima2618: I was too! Haha, I'm glad that you agree with me. I wanted those two to get to talk to each other so bad! Enjoy! :D

To Silverfox22: I agree! Since I've had the story in mind I couldn't wait for the Mike and Mikey scene! It will be emotional to say the least...I hope you enjoy it! Thanks for reviewing! :)

To A Souring Daydream: Haha, thank you for everything you said! I'm glad you're into the story! I hope you enjoy! :D

To mirellarivas99: Thanks! I'm happy you reviewed. Please enjoy the chapter! I didn't really leave a cliffhanger this time... ;)

To twilight8377: I'm sorry to leave with such a cliffhanger, haha! I hope you still enjoyed the chapter too and that you enjoy this one. Thanks for reviewing! :D

To TheMaskedTimelord: Haha, you think there's intense emotion now, just wait until this chapter. I'm the writer and I was tearing up, but that might just be because of my overactive imagination, haha! Thanks for your compliments! :)

To Viate: Aww, thank you! Your review brought a smile to my face! I'm sorry you had that stressful week at the University; as you might know I'm in University too so I understand completely! Good luck! :D I'm happy that you love it and I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as I did!

To lenail125: Thank you! I agree with everything you said. I'm sure everything will be alright! ;)

To Mikey: Thanks for reviewing! I certainly will continue just at my own pace so I don't over-pressure myself! :)

Thanks to everyone that reviewed! It made my day! WARNINGS: Slightly disturbing/graphic fight scene (you'll know what I'm talking about!) and highly emotional situations/moments!

Third Point of View:

Micah watched as Mikey smiled even brighter at him, his eyes closing for a moment as if he might explode in happiness. Micah rose an anxious eyebrow, feeling alarmed and confused. Mikey was…. dead. And he's seeing Mikey.

Mouth dropping in slow horror, Mike whispered, "I'm dead?"

Mikey's eyes flew open and he noticed how the little guy suddenly looked horrified. He couldn't blame the kid because he was just hit in the head majorly hard with a pipe of all things! He'd looked shocked, confused, and now horrified. Now that Mikey thinks about it, he felt stupid that he didn't see the kid making that connection so quick.

So, he quickly put on another bright smile, "No, no, no, Mike! Hah, it's weird calling you that because that was sometimes my nickname too! I like Mikey better though!"

Something in Mikey's voice made Mike calm down and he smiled timidly, "Y-Yeah…. I've heard that. Uh, I've always liked to be called Mike..."

"Cause it's an awesome name!" Mikey beamed happily and Mike blinked up at the turtle, staring at him because he literally couldn't help it. He hadn't heard much about the turtle but from what he did know he just couldn't wrap his head around the fact that he was actually talking to Mikey! Nor that the turtle seemed so happy...

"Yeah…" He trailed off after he realized he had been rudely staring, "But, um, you said I'm not dead? But I'm talking to you….and your…."

"Dead," Mikey said simply, but still smiling. Mike was shocked that he didn't seem sad, angry, or anything! It was as if he accepted that he was dead and that was okay…Mikey noticed Mike's inner turmoil and chuckled, "Of course I know I'm dead! I'm…well I guess I can't say I'm "okay" with it because is anyone really okay with being dead? Blah, anyways, it's been almost ten years now? I've adjusted."

He seemed slightly amused. His face still the brightest thing in the...room? Or wherever they were!

"I…I see," Mike said slowly, blinking owlishly not fully understanding, "But…I still don't understand…I'm not dead?"

Mikey sobered up when he saw how utterly lost and confused the poor boy was. He took another step closer to Mike before getting on his knees comfortably in front of him. Mike watched Mikey silently, hoping that Donnie's brother knew what in the world was going on. People that were alive didn't talk to people that were dead…right?

"You're not dead, I promise," Mikey smiled before sighing slowly, "You did get hit in the head really hard and right now you're unconscious…probably a grade II concussion? I don't know, Donnie will know though."

Mike suddenly smiled at the mention of Donnie and Mikey's eyes widened a little at that before they softened and he grinned, "Anyways, it's kinda hard to explain but you've heard about meditation from Sensei…I mean Master Splinter and Leo, right?"

"Uh-huh," Mike nodded, remembering how he thought meditation would be hard for him because he can't stand things being quiet for very long. Mikey grinned again, as if understanding his thoughts.

"Well in a sense, I reached out to you on the spiritual plane. To be honest, I really didn't expect to actually get to see you," Mikey babbled his face becoming brighter with excitement, "I mean, I nearly exploded to pieces when I heard that you're me reincarnated! I've tried reaching out to my family too but it hasn't worked yet!"

Mike's eyes grew wide but he giggled at Mikey's contagious excitement. Without realizing both had shifted so they were sitting Indian style, leaning towards each other. A sudden thought occurred to Mike, "Wait, so you knew all that about the...? How?!"

"Oh, that's easy. I've been keeping watch over my family since I died…" Mikey replied, smiling in a tenser way, "I…didn't like how things were going before you came. I was so excited when I saw Donnie opening up to you! He easily freaks out now, you know?"

"He does?" Mike's eyes grew wider and Mikey nodded, his eyes darting to the side before he shook his head, "I didn't know that…Donnie seems to only get sad when I remind him of you…"

Mikey frowned at the way Mike's eyes darkened, "You can't help that! To be honest, I was so surprised by how much you're like me…but I was jealous at how good you are at following instructions in the dojo. I get so distracted!"

Mike blushed, remembering the "un-Mikeyish" thing he had done in the dojo when learning about nin-get-su, "I mainly w-wanted to impress Leo and Raph…"

"I know," Mikey replied before sighing, "Man, I was so bummed out when I saw how Leo and Raph were treating you, but I also understand. They're both just big softies, 'specially Raphie."

Mike frowned thoughtfully and it got peacefully quiet for a moment before he looked up at Mikey, only to blush a little when Mikey was already staring at him, "Um, so you searched for my spirit on the spiritual plane? That's how we're talking?" He didn't really know what that even meant.

"Basically…. cool, right?" Mikey grinned and Mike laughed a little, feeling confused but deciding to just agree with the orange-masked turtle, "Anyways, I just wanted to meet you once before you wake up or I disappear."

Suddenly it was like cold water was dumped on Mike. Right, this was temporary…he'd wake up cause he's not dead, thank God, but that also means that Mikey will disappear again.

"What's that face for?" Mikey smiled softly as he placed his hand on Micah's head, "I'm happy now knowing that you're gonna be with my bros. I'm definitely at peace now."

Mike's eyes widened and watered at the same time as he looked at Mikey, "Really? You don't care that I'm the one with them now and not you?"

Mikey's smile didn't change, "Of course not! You need them and they need you. Of course, I can't wait for the day that I'll see them again but you make sure to tell them that better be awhile! I'll just be watching over them until then!"

Both Mikey and Mike giggled at that before Mike grinned up at Mikey, "Okay! I don't want any of them to get hurt or…. die…. but I'm happy to know that you're not mad at me!"

"Nope! It'd really do no good to be mad anyways," Mikey shrugged as he looked up, "Just promise me, since I can't look out for them, that you'll do it in my place from now on?"

"I promise! I'll do my best to make sure Leo, Raph, and Donnie are safe and happy!" Mike beamed, happy at how the sudden turn in his day was going. Man, the others weren't going to believe him when they find out he talked to Mikey!

"I can't stay on the spiritual plane long, but can you do me a few extra favors?" Mikey asked, almost in a pleading way as his eyes seemed to sparkle with feeling. Mike shifted closer to him after noticing the change in Mikey. He didn't want him to go yet!

"Anything!" Mike promised, hesitantly reaching out and place his small hand on Mikey's arm. He was surprised at the same slightly cold scaly feeling he felt whenever he touched the other Turtles. He could feel him?

"Throughout the years, my family has visited me or asked me…questions," Mikey explained, finally looked a bit remorseful and sad at the reminder that he could never answer them or reassure them, "Tell Master Splinter that when he asked me those two questions last year on the anniversary of my death…the answer is yes and I'm now in peace together with Teng Shen."

"Okay," Mike nodded, eager to help but feeling confused at whoever Teng Shen was.

"And tell Leo that I appreciate him coming to talk to me often and that when he asked me about the day I died tell him the answer is not even once," Mikey instructed, looking very serious in a way that Mike knew didn't look right on even his own face, "Tell Raphie that he's always doing a great job at protecting Donnie and Leo; that the answer to his question is because I couldn't live in a world where he isn't there to tease. He'll know what question I'm talking about."

Mike was staring at him in awe and felt the emotions of love and compassion rolling off him in waves. It made him want to cry and he'd only known Mikey for almost 5 minutes!

"Um, sorry it's so much but lastly…. could you tell Donnie how much I love him? That he wasn't just my brother, but my best friend! It wasn't his fault at all that he couldn't save me, nobody could. He's the only one that didn't really visit me but I understood. He hardly talked out loud to me either because he didn't believe in that sorta thing…but this one time he did. He asked me something. Tell him the answer is yes, of course I knew."

When Mikey finally finished he could feel the flickers in his spirit. He felt sad, he didn't want to leave but he knew he had to. Mike watched him with wide eyes, they were tearing up. Mikey smiled softly. He really was sensitive to people's feelings just like he had been, "Please take care of them. Make sure they know that the world is still a beautiful place and that life should be enjoyed; that they should laugh and smile more…. but then again, I know you will do it. You're me!"

Mike closed his eyes and laughed, feeling tiny tears rolling down his cheeks. He continued to laugh and wipe the tears away, "Yeah! I'm glad that I was…ren-car-nated as you, Mikey!"

But when Mike opened his eyes, Mikey was nowhere to be seen.

With Leo

Leonardo stared silently out the lab doors, waiting for his father to return from making him some tomato soup with crackers. He thought about what his father had told him before offering to make him some soup since he was hungry.

Micah was Mikey's reincarnation? That was the thing that he and his family felt they were missing whenever they were shocked about something Mike said or did. He was like that because he was Mikey in a previous life. However much that Leo knows about reincarnation, he didn't think that Mike would have those feelings. He knew that what Mike was experiencing when he felt like he knew something was most likely dejavu.

Despite his confusion, Leo felt like crying. He felt like it but he wasn't going to actually cry. The fact that Mike was his baby brother reincarnated made him feel as if he almost had a second chance to be a good big brother to his baby brother. He knew that it must be a ludicrous idea and that Raph would totally make fun of him for even thinking that way, but that's honestly how he felt.

Plus, Micah said it himself that he felt his dad would have been like Leo. Seeing the boy look at him so admirably used to make him want to cringe but now it made him feel really warm. He wanted to see Mike right away….

So why hasn't Donnie and Mike come to see him yet? Why aren't the others back? Surely Master Splinter wasn't keeping something from him? He'd never do that! Leo frowned thoughtfully, looking up at the ceiling.

This terrible feeling he had wasn't going away. It probably wouldn't until he talked to Donnie. Leo moved slowly, sitting up in the cot before stopping when he head throbbed slightly. The medicine his Sensei made him take took away most of the pain, thankfully, but the knot of his forehead still felt like it was stinging almost. Leo ground his teeth together and forced himself to stand, holding onto the cot.

Once he was stable he walked, slowly at first, to the lab doors. When he reached his goal he smirked, feeling proud that managed to do that without his Sensei's help. When he glanced up to look out the doors, he frowned to see no one in the main part of the lair. It's been little over half an hour. Why weren't Donnie and Mike in pit if not in the lab? Sensei told him that they were in Donnie's room…

Leo sighed and walked out of the lab, no longer stumbling. His forehead hurt every time he made any expression and he cringed slightly but felt relieved when he finally made it to Donnie's door. Now he'd get some answers and finally get to see Mike! He knocked on the door and patiently waited for his brother to call out to him but it was silent for a few moments. Leo blinked hard once at the door before knocking louder, "Donnie, it's me, I'm coming in, okay?"

There was no answer and Leo frowned, turning the handle and pushing the door open. Immediately Leo let out a small gasp, his eyes going wide as he took in the dark empty room. He stood there staring at it blankly before it registered what was going on. He ground his teeth together so hard he could of swore he heard a small cracking noise.

"…. Leonardo….?"

The blue masked turtle turned slowly towards the sound of his father's voice and Splinter's eyes widened when he saw his son standing in front of Donatello's room. 'Oh no…' Splinter thought with deep trepidation.

"They left to get Raph without me," Leo said in a blank voice, his darkened eyes staring at his father. Normally Leo wasn't one to get mad, especially at his Sensei, but he couldn't believe that his brother would leave without checking on him or even telling him what was going on. And why would his Sensei so boldly lie to his face?

The aging rat felt himself starting to sweat when he realized how upset and angry his normally calm son was; all that emotion was directed to him for the first time ever. Leonardo kept his unnerving stare at him, waiting for an explanation.

"My son, it isn't how you are imagining," Splinter replied softly, hoping to calm his son down. However, he didn't realize the inner turmoil that Leo was going through. Anxious and angry questions alike were running through his head. He could barely concentrate on a single thought, "I had to lie to you, Leonardo. I am sorry for that- "

"Why did you lie to me?" Leo asked, his nonexistent brows drawing together. Splinter sighed and took a couple of steps closer to his eldest son, "I can't believe Donnie would just leave without telling me or checking on me. Why did you lie?"

"You are in no condition to fight and if you knew then you'd want to charge after Donatello," Splinter began and froze when he saw Leo get angry again, he put a hand up to stop whatever his son was about to say, "As it is, the moment you woke up everyone had to leave, my son. It was important!"

Something in Splinter's voice made Leo refrain from lashing out, "Did they get new information on Raph?"

"I'm afraid not," Splinter shook his head and sighed, "But Micah took the situation rather…. hard. For whatever reason, he left the lair on his own while everyone was falling asleep."

This had the expression on Leo's face vanishing instantly. Immediately in its place was shock and horror, his mouth parted, "W-What? Micah left the lair by himself?! Without Donnie?!"

"Yes," Splinter calmed when he saw the anger vanish from his son's face, "That is not all. Shadow discovered Micah leaving and followed him. Leatherhead followed her shortly after. An hour later we were all awoken by Donatello, who was frantic because he had received a call for help from Leatherhead stating that they found where Raphael was being held and needed assistance. That is why they left in a hurry and why they were so loud they woke you."

Leo frowned heavily and looked up guiltily at his father, "Sensei, I-I'm sorry for acting so angrily towards you…"

"I understand, my son," Splinter sighed, coming closer to place a hand on his eldest's shoulder, "Donatello and I were both worried about you. There wasn't enough time to explain to you and even if there were…your head injury would only hinder you in battle."

"I know…." Leo ducked his head, frowning impossibly more as he felt self-hatred, "If I weren't so distracted that I got hit then I'd be there to help Donnie and Mike right now."

"It is not your fault, Leonardo," His father warned sternly, "Donatello will be fine because all of our friends are with him. He'll bring Micah and Raphael back with him."

"I wish I could share your positivity, Father," Leo smiled sadly and it caused a painful sting in Splinter's chest. Leo's eyes were slightly mystified, "I just don't want anything to happen to them. I couldn't save Mikey…and I'm scared I won't be able to save them when the time comes for it."

Splinter's breath hitched and he shook his head, clearing his throat, "Do not despair, Leonardo. I hate to see you so unhappy. I also grieve for Michelangelo but we cannot change what happened. I always did believe in fate, no matter how unfortunate it can sometimes be…. let us rejoice that he has been reincarnated into Micah."

Leo's throat went tight and he nodded, hiding his face when he felt stray tears roll down his cheeks. He batted them away and smiled warmly at his father, "I agree…to think he was actually reincarnated. It's like he's always going to still be here, right, Sensei?"

Splinter's eyes widened but then he returned the warm smile, "Absolutely, my son. Now, let's get to the pit and eat together as we wait for the rest of our family to return."

"Hai, Sensei," Leo nodded, his smile dropping at the idea of having to wait for his family to return. Was this how Sensei felt when he had to wait for he and his brothers to return?

With Raph and the others…

"Mike! Mike!" Donnie was screaming, shaking the poor boy's shoulder while April pressed her blue cardigan closer to the side of Mike's head. It was bleeding from a tear on his scalp. It was alarming enough that April knew that it would need stitches, but it wasn't deep enough to cause too much concern. What she, and no doubt Donatello, was concerned about the most was how hard he was hit in the head. He'd have one hell of a concussion.

Leatherhead had already killed three of the Purple Dragons and Raphael was keeping any Purple Dragons or Fong away from Donnie, Mike, April, and Shadow. A while ago, when they heard Donnie and Raph scream, Casey, Slash, Dr. Rockwell, and Pete rushed in before freezing in shock as they took in the events.

Now Slash was right alongside Leatherhead, not even caring if he was killing any of the dragons. Casey immediately raced to April's side and helped Raph guard them. Poor Shadow was sobbing and hid her face in her Mom's back, too afraid to look at the blood that was on her Mom's cardigan. She kept shoving her face back into April's white tank top.

Donnie turned frantically, practically crazed with hysteria, towards April, who's eyes widened when she the state poor Donatello was in. It wasn't like Raphael was any better, but he was more composed, "A-April, we h-have t-to get Mike i-in t-the S-Shellraiser!"

"Is he okay to be moved?" April asked in concern before flinching when another loud pitched scream filled the air, close to them.

"P-P-Please, i-i-it w-was j-just a job!" She turned to see Fong being pushed to the ground in front of Raphael by Slash, who looked unrepentant and furious. April then noticed how the others were gathered around Slash and that the other Purple Dragons were either dead or incapacitated.

"I don't give a fuck! I told ya, didn't I? If ya even thought about hurtin' tha tyke…" Raph grabbed the dagger that he'd gotten from Slash earlier in the fight while Pete turned away. Casey turned around and held both April and Shadow before using his hands to cover Shadow's ears.

April was thankful because her hands were preoccupied and as she looked up, moments before Fong's violent death, she saw Donnie staring at Raph and Fong without a hint of remorse, just cold rage. Her eyes widened and she didn't even see as Raph continued, "…I'd kill ya…" and proceeded to jam the dagger in Fong's throat.

It was quiet for a few moments and Donnie, whose hysteria and worry came back, turned to finally answer April's question from earlier, as if what just happened didn't happen, "Yes, h-he can be moved. Let's h-hurry!"

She could tell he was so close to losing it, so she nodded and tied the sleeves of her cardigan around Mike's head and then shifted aside when Leatherhead came to pick Micah up. Donnie protested but realized he was shaking too much to properly hold Micah. The others were walking out under Slash's orders and Casey guided Shadow and April away.

"Let's go, Donnie," Raph said softly as he grabbed Donnie's wrist lightly. Donnie nodded mutely and let Raph pull him away from the awful scene, "Sorry ya had ta see me like that a second ago. I…I just needed ta kill him…"

"It's fine, Raph. If you didn't do it I was gonna do it," Donnie replied simply, without stuttering, and Raph looked over at his brother in shock but Donnie had already moved on to worrying about Mike again, "Let's get Mike home, Raph!"

"Yeah, c'mon," Raph shook his head and jogged after April, noticing her worried expression as she looked at the both of them. They both ignored it for now as they climbed into the Shellraiser after the others. Both Leatherhead and Slash climbed to hold onto the sides and the roof of the Shellraiser.

It took off without any words being exchanged. Casey was holding on tight to Shadow, who was still softly crying, traumatized by what had happened. She hadn't seen the murder, but she knew that horrible things had happened. What scared her the most was the blood on her new friend.

Back at the lair…

"Sensei…" Leo murmured as they sat together watching the news. Leo had finished most of the tomato soup his Father had made for him and they decided to watch TV together to pass the time. It made Leo's head hurt but he mainly thought about the current state of things to pass the time instead.

"Leonardo, what is it?" Splinter turned to his son when he noticed he looked exceptionally worried suddenly, "What's wrong?"

"Just now…I felt a jolt of fear…. like something's wrong," Leo admitted, looking frantically at his Father, "Should we call? Should we do something?"

His own anxiety rising, Splinter shook his head and placed a hand on his son's shoulder, tightening it there, "Do not panic, Leonardo. You are very anxious. You haven't been away from your brothers as they went on a mission before. We should have faith."

"I'm trying, Sensei…but…but something's wrong. I just know it," Leo explained, his eye ridges drawing together as he frowned anxiously at the ground. He hated the pain returning to his head and the fact that it was because of that pain that he couldn't be out there with his brother.

Splinter sighed, "Leonardo…." He opened his mouth to say more but both he and Leonardo jumped when they heard the loud roar of the Shellraiser's engine. Leo was up before Splinter could react and was running towards the lab without a second thought. Splinter frowned and grabbed for his cane to hurry after his son.

Leo entered the lab just as Leatherhead rushed into the lab through the garage entrance. Leo's eyes widened and he froze when he saw Micah in LH's arms, a bloodied blue shirt wrapped around his head, "Mike!"

"Leo?!" Leo turned and was met with the two frantic stares of both of his brothers. If they could, Leo's eyes would have widened even more.

"Raph!" Leo leapt without warning, nearly slamming into his red banded brother, who stumbled to straighten them up. Donnie rushed past them for the moment, his attention focused on LH and Mike, whom had just been laid on his examination table.

"L-Leo! What- "Raph paused when he felt Leo's arms trembling around his neck. He sighed, apparently Donnie wasn't the only one overly worrying, "I'm sorry, Leo."

Leo slowly withdrew his hug as the others entered the lab and began moving around and about. Splinter watched everything with wide eyes but stood silent, afraid to be in the way. Leo looked confused at Raph, "Why are you sorry? I'm the one that's- "

"No, don't even go there," Raph placed a hand on Leo's mouth, glaring at him, "To be honest, I couldn't have really dodged that dart and ya couldn't have gotten to me fast enough because they're a buncha cowards! Don't ya even dare…"

Leo suddenly felt half of his weight had been lifted. He nodded, his head throbbing. He cringed and held his forehead. Raph looked worried, "Leo…ya okay?"

"Y-Yeah, the pain meds are wearing off," Leo explained as Raph's eyes widened. Leo ignored this and turned to Donnie before pausing when he noticed Donnie and Dr. Rockwell looking at Mike's bloody head, "What the hell happened to Mike, Raph?"

Raph wasn't surprised to see the sudden anger in Leo's eyes, "Fong is what happened, Fearless. That coward took him hostage in front of all of us and then you'll never believe…. tha Tyke pushed Fong's arm away from his neck, even when he had a knife ta his throat! It hurt his hands though…but he headbutted him! Fong got pissed and swung around, hittin' Tyke in tha head with his pipe."

"Did you kill him?" Leo asked seriously and his eyes widened again when Raph looked over at him with dark eyes, answering his question, "Are you okay?"

Raph scoffed as they watched Donnie work, "Better now that we took tha trash out."

Casey suddenly laughed at what Raph said, making the two turtles jump, "Sorry, I just wasn't expecting ya to say it like that." Raph rolled his eyes and Leo shook his head.

Donnie looked over at them and said, "Can everyone but Dr. Rockwell please leave? I cannot concentrate with everyone's conversations!" Dr. Rockwell felt himself break out in a sweat after seeing Donnie looking so void of emotions.

Leo and Raph stared at him in shock but decided that it was best to let Donnie do what he could. They were just in the way. If he'd need them they'd be there. Splinter sighed and nodded, "Let us go in the other room. We need to reassure Shadow."

Donnie sighed in relief as they left him alone with Dr. Rockwell. Leatherhead had looked reluctant to leave, but was dragged out by Slash. Donnie stared down at Mike's wound and felt his stomach lurch. It would probably need only a few stitches and wasn't deep thank God. Most of the bleeding had stopped in the first 15 minutes which was a good sign.

Dr. Rockwell turned to him, "I put aside a tray for you to clean and stitch the cut to his head, Donatello. I'll tend to his hands."

Donnie blinked, remembering that Mike's hands had been cut, "Do they require stitches?"

"No, they don't," Dr. Rockwell answered with relief, "They may just be annoying to him when he awakes. They are just clean cuts that have long since stopped bleeding. They are on his left fingers and right palm diagonally from where he pushed Fong's hand away from his neck."

"I see," Donnie looked down at Mike's face with pride, "You did well, Mike. Please hang on while I help you. Don't die on me…"

Dr. Rockwell stared at him and then looked away sadly, continuing with his part. Donatello washed the wound on Mike's head before applying anti-septic. After being sure the wound was clean, Donnie began the stitches. He realized that Mike's head was already bruising an ugly red and blackening color. He cringed. Mike would be in some pain for a while as he healed.

"Here's the roll of bandages," Dr. Rockwell said softly as Donnie broke out of his thoughts, "I've finished with his hands. They're cleaned and wrapped up."

Donnie finally smiled, feeling slightly calmer as he took the roll of bandages. He'd just finished stitching Mike's head wound. It'd only needed 7 stitches total, "Thanks for your help, Dr. Rockwell."

"Of course," Dr. Rockwell smiled in a relieved way, "The others are consoling Shadow. I'll go retrieve your family now."

"Okay," Donnie nodded, sighing tiredly as Dr. Rockwell floated away. Donnie just finished wrapping the bandage around Mike's head when his brothers entered the lair with Splinter walking behind them, "How…how's Shadow?"

"Slightly better," Raph sighed and shrugged at the same time, "Can't say I blame her. Thankfully Casey kept her from seein' too much."

"How's Mike?" Leo asked slowly and Donnie took in the bruises on his brother's knee and the bandage around his head. He frowned.

"He's gonna be in some real pain and a grade 3 concussion so he'll probably be fussy…but I think that he'll be okay. I'm about to scan his head to make sure he doesn't have any brain bleeds…" Donnie explained before looking to Leo, "How is your head and knee?"

"My knee is just really bruised and aches sometimes but it's my head that pounds when I don't take medicine. I'm fine…just one shell of a knot on my forehead," Leo scowled and Raph almost grinned when it looked like Leo was pouting.

Donnie nodded and then turned to Raph, who barely looked like he had any injury. He had bruises, mainly around his face and sides, "How about you, Raph?"

Raph blinked, "Oh, I'm just peachy…they decided ta use me as a punchin' bag but I feel fine. Just a lil' sore is all."

"I'll hold you to that," Donnie muttered, scanning his brother over. There were really any cuts just bruises that littered his body. Donnie frowned, feeling angry but was brought out of it by Splinter.

"I am happy that you are all returned safely," He smiled in a relieved way, "Now we can heal and begin to question current events. For now, I want you all to rest."

"Hai, Sensei," They replied respectfully before Donnie turned to get ready to scan Mike's head.

"Did you already give Mike some pain medication?" Leo asked Donnie suddenly, looking at Mikey with worry. Donnie nodded slightly.

"I'm not sure when he'll wake up…so I gave him some before I bandaged his head," Donnie explained as the others listened silently. Donnie set up the machine and while he was waiting for it to start he remembered something. He turned to Leo, "I'm sorry that I had to leave right when you woke up, Leo."

Leo frowned as he saw the guilt and shame in Donnie's eyes, he shook his head, "I understand why you did it, Don. Don't feel guilty. You're all home and that's all that matters."

"Gee, getting' sentimental on us again, are ya mother hen?" Raph commented just to see Donnie smile a little in amusement. Leo rolled his eyes and Splinter smiled fondly. The machine gave a beep and Donnie immediately began to work on scanning Mike's brain.

They watched this silently before Leo looked at Raph curiously, "Hey Raph…did you hear about Mike….?"

Raph looked at Leo quickly, feeling confused, "Huh? Are you high or somethin'? What do ya mean?" Splinter quickly realized what Leonardo was leading up to.

Leo was quick to fill him in on Leatherhead's first assumption of Mike being Mikey's reincarnation. Splinter joined in and they both explained why they believe Mikey was reincarnated as Micah. Raph was speechless.

"Wha…are ya for real? I don't really know what ta say," Raph blinked, his green eyes wide as he looked at Mike before looking back at Leo, "So that's the feelin' we all had….and that's why Mike is…. wow…"

"It certainly explains a lot," Splinter smiled as Donnie finished the machine and raced to his laptop.

"So…it's basically almost like Mikey's here with us again?" Raph voiced aloud and even Donnie looked over at him with wide eyes, "What?"

"I never thought of it that way…" Donnie whispered to himself but then shook his head and began typing away again, trying to bring up the scans.

Leo chuckled before looking back at Raph, "I said almost the exact same thing. That's what it feels like right? But it's important that we realize he's not actually Mikey."

"Of course he's not. No one could ever be Mikey," Raph frowned, raising an eye ridge before looking at Mike, "But…he comes pretty darn close."

Leo and Master Splinter shared a bemused glance before Splinter turned back to Raphael, "You are usually not one to so easily believe in spiritual things."

Raph blushed, "Well…it's not wrong, right? We all had that same feeling…plus that kid is not Mikey but he's every bit like him."

"That's a redundant statement," Donnie suddenly commented across the room and they all stared at him before laughing. It was such an old Donnie thing to say.

"Ya know what I was tryin' ta say," Raph smirked before blinking when Donnie's eyes widened at the computer screen, "What's wrong?"

"Oh, thank God!" Donnie suddenly beamed and his brothers were relieved to see him smiling instead of frowning, "It's practically a miracle but there's no brain bleed."

Raph, Leo, and Splinter sighed in relief before exchanging grins. Donnie headed back to Mike's side and grinned over at his family. Mike would be okay, in pain, but okay!

"I'll step out and tell the others- "Splinter began but froze when a barely audible whimper echoed in the lab. His sons also froze but Donnie looked down, noticing how Mike's eyes were darting slightly under his eyelids, his face cringed with pain. The pain medications should be taking affect in a few minutes if they haven't already.

"Mike?" Donnie asked quietly, not trusting his voice. He looked up at a flabbergasted Leo and Raph, "Can you dim the lights? They'll hurt his head."

"They hurt my head too," Leo grumbled before doing what his brother asked. Raph snickered but felt excited that the tyke was waking up. Everyone crowded around the examination table as Mike continued to groan and cringe.

"C'mon, tyke, open yer eyes," Raph encouraged and Mike's eyes opened a sliver. Leo let out a huge breath of relief.

"Mike?" Donnie questioned softly. Mike's eyes opened until they were half lidded. Donnie immediately noticed what he already knew, Mike's eyes were not dilating properly, a sign of a concussion.

Suddenly a little more awareness flooded Mike, "D-Donnie?"

Everyone let out a little cheer, which surprised Mike. His eyes opened fully now and he cringed, almost crying at the throbbing in his head. Leo noticed and frowned sympathetically, "Sorry, Mike."

"I gave you medicine, it should work soon," Donnie soothed as he rubbed Mike's cheek. Mike nodded, closing his eyes to stop the tears from flowing, "Do you remember what happened?"

Mike thought about it and opened his eyes, "Uh…. huh…n-not…. not really."

"That's normal for a grade two or three concussion," Donnie assured but was looking at his family. Mike frowned, trying to remember.

"Fong hit ya hard on the head with his pipe," Raph explained in a simple tone and Mike's eyes widened as he remembered bits and pieces of what happened. Raph stopped Mike from moving after noticing that he was cringing in pain again, "Don't move, tyke."

"It's okay. You'll remember it all soon," Leo replied comfortingly and Splinter smiled at his sons reassuring Mike. Mike wanted to nod but knew he couldn't. Donnie frowned and held Mike's hand, letting him squeeze it to feel better. Mike looked up at the circle of faces he'd come to love as much as his Mom and smiled.

Wait…. his eyes nearly bulged out of his head when he remembered, "OH!" It was laughable that even Splinter startled at his shout. It hurt his head and he cringed another moment but tried to ignore the pain to talk, "You won't believe it!"

"Huh?" Raph replied stupidly, his green eyes still wide as they stared down at the kid.

"What is it?" Donnie asked anxiously, absentmindedly squeezing Mike's hand. Mike took a breath to wait for the pain to go away and the others watched him in confusion.

"When that scary dragon…uh, Fong? When he hit me, I woke up and everything was black, like seriously! I thought I died but then I…. I saw Mikey, dudes!" Mike cried, wiling them to believe him.

Four sets of eyes widened at his words and Splinter also froze in shock at Mike's words. Raph and Donnie both shared a look of shock.

"Mike…. there's no way you could have seen Mikey," Leo said he tried not to let his pain show on his face, "He's dead….and you weren't dead you were just unconscious."

Mike frowned stubbornly but hated that Leo looked in pain, "I-I'm not lying. He talked to me!"

Raph scowled, feeling annoyed and Donnie frowned, feeling sad, "That's impossible, Mike. You can't talk to people who are gone."

"But I did! He said he reached out to my spirit on the…uh, spirit plane?" Mike tried to explain and hoped he was remembering that right. Leo and Splinter both gasped, their eyes going even wider. Donnie and Raph seemed surprised by their brother and dad's reactions.

Leo turned to Splinter uncertainly, "Sensei...i-is that possible?"

"I have not known anyone to do it before and trust me, I have tried to contact Michelangelo's spirit, but I could not do it…maybe the differences were in the situation? I am unsure…" Splinter confessed, looking confused and still shocked.

"I dunno either, but it's true! We talked! He really wanted me to tell you guys stuff," Mike continued shyly towards the end. The others turned their wide eyes on him.

"This is a load of bull," Raph muttered and it went unargued. Mike ignored that because he just wanted to fulfill Mikey's wish.

"He said you all asked him questions after he died," Mike explained and this had Raph freezing. Mike turned to Splinter, "Um...if I'm remembering right…he said you asked him a question two years ago? He said the answer is yes and he's in peace together with Teng Shen…."

The Turtles gasped and looked towards Splinter whose eyes were filling with tears quickly as he stared at Micah. Leo frowned uncertainly, there was absolutely no way that Micah knew who TEng Shen was...so he actually heard it from... "Sensei…w-what did you ask him?"

"I…" Splinter cleared his throat, on the verge of crying. His throat felt tight and he was radiating with feeling, "Two years ago on the anniversary of my youngest son's death…I asked if he had moved on in peace…."

Leo's eyes widened and he looked at Mike in shock. So…that was…he actually, "You…you actually….it was really…. Mikey?"

Mike nodded seriously and Leo's eyes filled with tears. Mike frowned and went on because he knew this wasn't going to be easy. Raph and Donnie were still standing frozen to the spot, unable to believe what they were hearing, "Leo…he told me to tell you thanks for visiting him all the time. He said you asked him about the night he died and that the answer was not even once."

Leo leaned back his wide eyes shining with tears and his mouth trembling. Splinter, who was still struggling to contain his own emotions, turned to him, "W-What did you ask Michelangelo, my son?"

"I…. oh my God…. I asked him if he blamed me for his death or if he hated me because of how I treated him that night…." Leo answered quietly before turning and walking a couple of steps away to compose himself. Splinter turned to Mike, who was frowning worriedly at him and Leo.

"I am very grateful for you to do this for us. To be able to hear Michelangelo's words through you is utterly a blessing," Splinter smiled warmly, his eyes still wet. Mike blushed and nodded, before turning to Raph and Donnie, who were still staring at him.

"You can't be serious…. I…" Raph choked when Mike looked at him and suddenly couldn't say anymore. How could he deny that Mike had actually spoken to the spirit of his dead brother?

"Raph…um, he told me to tell you that you're always doing a great job at protecting Leo and Donnie," Mike started and Raph gasped. Donnie broke out of his shock and looked at Raph with his wide brown eyes. Leo turned, his face trailing tears and looked at Raph in shock as well, "He said that the answer to your question is because he couldn't live in a world where you're not there to tease…or something like that."

Raph suddenly hid his eyes and chuckled wetly, "Chucklehead…"

"W…What did you ask him, Raph?" Donnie asked breathlessly while Leo and Splinter watched in awe. Raph took a shaky breath and looked at Donnie.

"I asked him why he didn't just let me die that night…." Raph responded with a thick voice, it being clear that he was trying not to cry either, which was unusual for the red banded turtle.

Feeling both anxious, shocked, and excited, Donnie turned to Mike, who was already staring at him, "W…What did Mikey have to say to me?" His heart was pounding in his chest.

Mike suddenly smiled and looked down shyly, "He…He said to tell you how much he loves you and that you're his best friend not just a brother….um…he also said you only ever talked out loud to him once and that you asked something…."

"Y-Yeah?" Donnie prompted, his face already wet with tears. He knew what question Mikey had been referring to. Raph, though struggling with his own strong emotions, saw how Donnie trembled and wrapped an arm around him as Leo got closer since he was more composed.

"He said the answer was yes, of course he knew," Mike smiled easily, happy to have remembered everything. Though with meeting Mikey, which is something he'd never thought possible, he was sure not even a concussion would make him forget that.

Donnie immediately began crying, hiding his face in his hands. Raph and Leo exchanged a worried look and Splinter simply smiled, knowing that these questions that were answered would bring his sons great peace. It had already done wonders to him to know that Michelangelo now rests in peace with his beloved Teng Shen.

Mike frowned but cringed when he moved his head at all. The pain was not as bad now and he felt kinda…. tired but floaty, like he could do anything! He watched the Turtle brothers hold each other and just let Donnie cry. Raph looked like he was trying desperately not to cry nor smile too much. Leo was smiling in a very relieved way.

When Donnie finally calmed down he stared at Mike with such affection it made his throat tighten and his eyes widen. He couldn't help but wonder, "Um, Donnie…. what did you ask Mikey?"

Donnie chuckled wetly and gave him a watery smile as his brothers finally let him go but didn't move away, "I asked Mikey… 'Did you actually know how much I loved you when you were alive?'" Mike's eyes flooded with tears all of a sudden.

"Of course, he did!" Mike blubbered and Leo looked amused that now Mike was crying as if….as if it was Mikey getting all emotional. Leo chuckled.

"Thanks so much, Mike," Donnie smiled warmly, wiping his face as he walked to lean over Mike and give him a soft hug, "You have no idea, even if it was weird and totally impossible, how much this helped my brothers and I!"

Mike was still crying a little bit and it was hurting his head but he also smiled at them all, "I'm so happy that I could help for once!"

Raph, Leo, Splinter, and Donnie all smiled down at him as he finally broke down and cried. He cried because of his pain but mostly because of theirs. They had gotten emotional and cried a bit, sure, but he felt like he should cry more on their behalf.

This was so great to write because the poor Turtles and even Splinter needed that closure! Which is why Mikey tried so hard to reach out to someone to be heard! There's no mistaking that Mike is now a Hamato, right? Just wait until everyone outside of the lab finds out what went on inside the lab!

STAY AWESOME GUYS! :D