Disclaimer: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and all related characters belong to Nickelodeon.

Warning: Undetailed violence.

Summary: The Madness of the Symbol has struck again, affecting one turtle in such a way that he is trapped and cut off from everyone and everything he loves. How do you cope when no one even knows you are lost? NOT a death fic! Thoughts, comments and concrit welcomed.

Creepy but gorgeous cover created by the awesome Sampsonknight over on Deviant Art.

– Snatched –

Ch 5

I get it, because you've murdered the other Mikeys but this time, I'm still here... Mikey watched numbly as Doppelmike took out plates and his brothers started filing into the kitchen.

'And it makes no difference because I'll be here regardless until this body dies and when it does, I'll simply move on to the next world, the next body, while you remain here to die with it.' Doppelmike pulled the first of the ready sandwiches from the grill and placed it on a plate. He quickly handed it to Leo to go take to their sensei.

'Face it Mikey, your situation is hopeless and the sooner you accept this, the easier you will find things.'

Mikey scowled, he knew exactly what Doppelmike was up to. He was trying to make him as miserable as he was. Well, Mikey was pretty miserable alright, who wouldn't be but it wasn't in his nature to dwell on misery. Besides, despite what Doppelmike thought, his situation was actually looking up.

He had a secret that Doppelmike knew nothing about. Actually, he had two of them. One would give him great amusement when the right time came and the other would actually help him. By reflex, Mikey kicked backwards and suddenly the sound of a sharp intake of breath accompanied by the brief absence of light caught his attention. Mikey looked up curiously as Donnie's concerned voice came through loud and clear via Doppelmike's hearing.

"Mikey, what's wrong?"

He heard a slow out-take of breath before Doppelmike answered dismissively, "Just a sudden headache but it's faded now, bro."

"Maybe I should check you over in the infirmary," Donnie suggested, clearly unwilling to let the issue go as easily as Doppelmike seemed to want.

"No, I'm fine now, really Donnie," Doppelmike insisted with a smile but Donnie didn't look convinced and Mikey felt a pang, wishing that concern was directed at him rather than some body thief that everyone thought was him.

"Look, I promise if it happens again I'll come see you, okay?" Doppelmike compromised.

Mikey didn't hear Donnie's reply; he was too busy thinking. He was pretty certain that Doppelmike couldn't see into his thoughts and memories, nor could he feel his emotions, though it was obvious he could at least feel Mikey's presence. In fact, Mikey had no idea just how much Doppelmike actually knew of what happened in this place but as he stared down at his intangible hands in front of him, he knew he had to be careful. Mikey couldn't risk Doppelmike finding out what he was learning to do, not until he was confident in his new ability and that meant confining his practise to when Doppelmike slept or was preoccupied with training. Mikey flexed his ghostly fingers, thinking about the coincidence of his reflexive kick and the sudden accompanying headache and he smiled.

Make that three secrets.

-:-

For the first time in over two weeks, all four turtles went out on patrol together that night as a team. Leo, Raph and Donnie had gone with each other a few times while Doppelmike was grounded and of course Raph escaped the lair with Casey more frequently during that time but tonight, Mikey could see the mood was bright and his brothers had an easy camaraderie going on. Leo wasn't uptight, Raph was in a good mood, as far as Raph's moods went that is and Donnie seemed relieved, happy even, to get out into the relatively fresh air to stretch his legs. Doppelmike, at Mikey's frequent reminders, kept a smile on his face and let loose with the occasional whoop of joy or good natured taunts at Raph for being slower than the sleeping hare.

Mikey's heart ached with the realisation that no one missed him, that no one even knew he was missing and yet, he was right there in front of them. He could hear and see them through the body snatcher's senses and while to a certain extent, he could influence Doppelmike's actions, the dangerous thief only allowed it when it served to his advantage. The family meditation session he'd enjoyed only yesterday felt like a lifetime ago to Mikey and with a small, badly hidden sniffle, he suddenly realised he never even took the chance to tell his father and brothers that he loved them.

As the small ninja team protected the night with quick strikes at evil, Mikey's thoughts drifted to so many of his regrets, pranks gone too far, words intended to elicit a laugh but instead hurting or angering and it dawned on him that his family was actually happier, perhaps even... better off with Doppelmike in his place.

Not only did Doppelmike annoy his brothers far less but he focused more on training, took things more seriously and to Mikey's abject horror, Doppelmike was a better cook. Raph had unintentionally rubbed it in at dinner when he asked if Doppelmike had been taking cooking lessons recently because his food had improved drastically of late and Leo and Donnie had added their own noises of agreement. To say Mikey himself was insulted was an understatement. After all, he was the best cook in the family by far; he poured his love for the act into every meal he prepared.

Mikey sniffed indignantly. Well of course the evil body snatcher would be so much better at practically everything, he had more than forty lifetimes of experience up his proverbial sleeve. The only reason no one else had noticed such a drastic change across the board, was that Doppelmike was holding back when around anyone else so as to not draw too much attention to himself.

Over the last two and a half weeks since this all began, things had been slightly strained between his brothers and only two people knew the real reason why. One wouldn't talk and the other couldn't but to Mikey's chagrin, he'd inadvertently 'fixed' things the day before and everyone else but him had been happy ever since.

Suddenly something caught the corner of his eye and startled out of his reverie, Mikey blurted out, What was that?

'What was what?' Doppelmike asked curiously as he stopped running to look around.

Mikey scowled to himself, that was something else he'd been noticing more frequently. Doppelmike seemed to have some sort of small blind spot to his left which Mikey felt was weird since he didn't and it was his body Doppelmike was inhabiting. I saw something odd to your left.

Doppelmike turned, peering intently into the darkness of the night where Mikey pointed out. "I don't see anything," he muttered.

It was there, dude. Go back a few steps to look again, Mikey insisted.

By now Leo noticed Doppelmike was no longer keeping pace. "Mikey, is something wrong?"

"I'm not sure, Leo," Doppelmike replied in confusion. "I thought I saw something out of place but I can't see anything now."

Leo, Raph and Donnie began making their way towards Doppelmike as Leo called softly back, "What did it look like?"

Doppelmike hesitated, 'That's a good question, Mikey.'

I'm not sure. We moved past too fast but it wasn't quite right, like a wrong shadow or something.

Doppelmike repeated the answer and Leo and Raph changed directions for a closer look. Donnie stopped, reaching into his ever present duffel for his night vision goggles but suddenly gave a small cry and slumped bonelessly to the ground.

At the sound, Mikey felt his blood run cold and when Doppelmike turned to look, he screamed at what he saw, DONNIE!

Doppelmike's eyes immediately swept the area, taking in the sight of dozens of Foot ninja converging on them from the shadows of every direction. A pleased chuckle escaped Doppelmike's lips as he grinned in delight over finding those who worked for his enemy so soon and he ran forward to meet them.

NO! Mikey yelled frantically. Don't leave Donnie! He's helpless!

'I can do more good by taking them down,' Doppelmike snarled inwardly as he dodged a flying shuriken from the right.

Not by leaving Donnie, you can't! Mikey cried out desperately. Leo and Raph are too far away! There's too many of them and they're going for Donnie so GET BACK THERE and HELP him! NOW!

The view was dizzying to Mikey as Doppelmike moved, dodging, flipping and striking the enemy with his whirling nunchaku and for a moment, he wondered why he saw everything like a badly filmed action scene instead of smoothly like he would have from his own eyes. 'Donnie would be able to explain it...' Mikey swallowed. Doppelmike showed no sign of returning to his brother's side, in fact, he was still moving further away. If you don't go back to my brother and protect him, I'll make you suffer! he threatened angrily.

Doppelmike laughed aloud, not caring as he used lethal force on those that dared to come near. "And what can you do besides talk me to death?" he sneered dismissively at Mikey's threat.

I'll find a way! Mikey snarled back; he didn't want to explain when he hadn't had time to really practise affecting his environment. But you better believe me, I will!

Doppelmike glanced back towards the unconscious Donatello to see two Foot lifting him off the ground to carry him away. 'If I let them take him, I can follow them back to Shredder,' he schemed thoughtfully to Mikey's mounting horror.

You've got the rest of my life for your stupid, pointless revenge! Mikey spat furiously. Now help him or find a way to give me back my body so I can help him!

Doppelmike angrily slammed the end of a 'chuck into the front of a ninja's throat, already turning as the ninja dropped. "Not a chance in hell of that happening, Michelangelo!"

Doppelmike seamlessly performed a fast, high spin kick to another's head and Mikey cringed at the loud crunch. The blood thirst of his body snatcher suddenly made him grateful he couldn't sleep any more; he definitely didn't need those images plaguing his sleeping mind, especially knowing they were delivered by his own body but out of his control. He shuddered and strained to see Donnie at the edges of Doppelmike's peripheral vision. Hurry up, he begged fearfully, before they make off with him.

"Ugh! Fine but you're seriously cramping my style you know," Doppelmike finally acquiesced. He reached into his belt and pulled out two shuriken, immediately loosing them at the carotid arteries of the turtlenappers.

Mikey winced at the sight of Donnie being unceremoniously dropped when the two hapless Foot clutched uselessly at their throats before falling mere moments later. He breathed in relief but hoped his unconscious brother hadn't been hurt further from the unprotected fall. Get to him! I know you're in a fight but if you get any chance, check what's wrong with him, Mikey half demanded, half pleaded.

Doppelmike only grunted in reply but made his way over, fending off attackers with fast, lethal strikes the whole while.

You could just knock them out, you know, Mikey pointed out accusingly after a particularly vicious attack in which Doppelmike gutted a ninja with his own sword.

"They would only come back later!" Doppelmike snapped as if Mikey was an idiot. 'I've done as you asked and protected your brother! Now shut up and let me concentrate!'

Mikey scowled but agreed. As the bloody fight continued, he did his best to keep an eye on his fallen brother. He was terrified over what might have happened, of what might still happen but the movements were too fast and Donnie was only barely in his peripheral vision much of the time, if at all. He wished so much he could be there himself; he didn't trust Doppelmike to safeguard his brother. After all the body snatcher had already proved he cared more about his stupid revenge than their family and he was terrified that Doppelmike might try to leave again but there was nothing he could do. When Donnie's helpless form left his sight again, Mikey decided to focus his attention to Doppelmike's weaker, left side instead and that's when he saw it.

DUCK!

Doppelmike neatly dropped and spun on his shell to take out two nearby Foot as a hail of shuriken passed directly through the space he had occupied mere moments before. While he spun, he easily picked up on the trajectory of the attack and as he leapt back to his feet, he instantly threw a kunai in return. He was rewarded with a thunk and a cry of pain from what should have been a silent ninja. Doppelmike immediately followed through with a thrown tanto, snatched from the ground in a smooth motion. 'Thanks for the warning', he breathed in relief.

Don't thank me! I didn't do it for your sake, I did it for Donnie's! Mikey retorted, still angry about earlier. I really couldn't care less what happens to you but if you get my body killed, you'll just murder or torment another me and Donnie would be left defenceless.

Doppelmike smirked; Mikey could tell by the way his vision seemed to crinkle up slightly at the edges. 'And there I thought that you didn't hate me.'

I don't but I definitely don't like you either! Mikey snapped. Just... just stop talking to me unless you have to. I'm too angry right now and I hate feeling this way!

'Your wish is my command,' Doppelmike mocked as he concentrated on fighting off the dwindling numbers.

Mikey grit his teeth at the unfamiliar feeling coursing through him and his worry over Donatello but he still kept his sight on the left, just in case.

Eventually the fighting stopped and Mikey felt ill at the sight of so much blood and gore surrounding him. He was ninja so the sight of some didn't phase him but this... this was excessive and completely unnecessary. If he'd been capable of the act, he knew he would have been hurling up his dinner right now.

"Mikey!" Raph's agitated voice yelled and Doppelmike turned to see him and Leo running their way. "Is Don okay?"

Doppelmike looked down at Donnie laying in the widening pool of blood. "Yeah, he's still breathing!" he called back. He crouched down for a closer look, then plucked a small dart from Donnie's neck. As Raph and Leo arrived he held up the dart, "He got hit by this as it started. I'm guessing it wasn't poison because they tried to carry him away."

Leo's jaw clenched tightly as he snatched the projectile from Doppelmike's grasp and Mikey chortled in delight.

Dude, you are in so much trouble right now!

'What do you mean?' Doppelmike asked in confusion. 'I saved your brother.'

Our brother! Sort of... In all the ways that matter anyway. Not that you deserve him! Mikey corrected in irritation before suddenly laughing again. Leo's got that look on his face. He probably saw what you tried to do with Donnie. Either that or it's about your massacre. Hopefully even both! Mikey added brightly before his voice hardened once more.

Either way, Doppeldude, I'm so glad I'm not in your shoes right now!

'You still have to put up with the consequences too!'

Mikey waved his ghostly hand dismissively, No biggie! It's not going to be directed at me and considering how boring it is being stuck in here, I could do with some entertainment and watching you squirm will keep me amused for days!

-:-

The three conscious turtles quickly carried Donnie home and to everyone's relief, the latter started to come around right as they reached the lair. Donnie was extremely groggy but coherent as he demanded to know what happened. Once Raph laid him out on a bed in the infirmary and Splinter arrived, Leonardo explained.

"Do you still have the dart?" Donnie asked curiously.

"Of course."

Leo handed it over and Donnie went to get up.

"Where the shell do ya think you're goin'?" Raph asked testily as he held Donatello down.

"To test whatever this was dipped in, of course," Donnie replied with a small amount of lingering confusion. "There might be side effects or unseen consequences and I need to know sooner rather than later."

Splinter nodded, "Very well, my son." He turned immediately to Raph. "Raphael, stay close to your brother while he sets his tests up and then make sure he gets back to bed safely while he waits for the results."

"Yes, Sensei," Raph replied with a curt nod, allowing Donnie up from the bed.

Splinter turned and raised furry eyebrows to Leonardo, "Was there something further you needed to say?"

Leo shook his head once, his gaze hard. "Nothing that can't be talked through between Michelangelo and I."

-:-

As Doppelmike went to bed that night, Mikey was still laughing his shell off. Oh man, you were twitching so badly through that lecture! You're lucky Leo seemed to believe you only got separated from Donnie or he would have really ripped into you!

'I was under the impression he did really rip into me,' Doppelmike retorted, annoyed at the continuing laughter at his expense.

Well, yeah, he did but that was only over the unnecessary lethal force. If Leo believed you'd actually tried to abandon our brother, you'd also be hearing about it from Raph and Master Splinter too! Mikey pointed out. Still, you're stuck in the lair again for another week.

'Which means, so are you.'

Big whoop! I'm already stuck in some place far worse already! Mikey shot back. You know, you really should consider the time share idea.

'Will you stop harping on about that already?' Doppelmike asked sharply. 'It's not going to happen!'

No, I won't. I'm putting up with way too much for someone of my tender years already, Mikey countered. Least you could do is compromise.

'We don't even know if it is possible.'

Then let's find out, Mikey said eagerly before whining, Come on~

Doppelmike climbed out of bed and turned off the radio. 'Enjoy the night without your precious background noise!'

Then I hope you'll have fun with me carrying on about it all night!

'Then enjoy the nothingness instead!' Doppelmike snapped furiously and he shunted Mikey down into the dark, soundless recesses of his mind, cutting his host off from life for the second time in two days.

-:-

to be continued