Author's Note: FINALLY! First, I'm so sorry for the two month delay. Finishing the spring semester, I was swamped with work and final papers. Now, I finished my first year of my master's! YIKES. Now, I can focus on going to work and writing more! This chapter is a bit shorter, since I was rushing to update since it's been so long. The next one should be relatively soon, and that one will be longer! Second, OH MY GOODNESS. I want to thank you all so so SO much for those who reviewed, favorited, followed, and read the story so far. Your support, and comments, easily gave me the inspiration to keep going! I love hearing your thoughts, so please feel free to message me or review! Thank you for your patience, and I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: Song quote from "Right Here" by Ashes Remain.

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A Turtle & His Sisyphus

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"I can see every tear you've cried, like an ocean in your eyes. All of the pain and scars that left you cold."

...

/./././././././././././././././././././

He knew he sealed his fate.

The numbness was almost comforting, feeling the all too familiar sensations slowly grey his mind.

Standing above the edge of the building, his grip tightened underneath the metal glove.

He was lucky he had the mask. He couldn't let him see him cry. His body trembled, knowing what he must do. What he had to do. He prayed for forgiveness, he prayed for some kind of powerful salvation to save him.

But there was no one. Just him. Footprints echoed behind him, familiar voices call out. Was this real? Or not?

It didn't matter. They were here. And he had a job to do. Who would he choose, what would it mean? His clock is ticking. Soon enough, it will be over. Maybe, he gave them enough time. Maybe.

Don't look in the eye, just do it. Don't listen to their voices, just do it.

"Forgive me," The monotone voice prayed silently before striking at the forces behind him.

This would be the end, one way or the other.

/./././././././././././././././././././

Holidays were my always my favorite days. They were days we were able to celebrate something special, even for a little while, together as a family. Of course I'd count April Fools, even if my brothers totally deny it. But, the best ones were our birthdays.

When we were younger, Master Splinter let us pick days we'd like to celebrate. Leo got to pick first, then Raph, and Donnie and lastly the best turtle! Leo picked January, Raph was March, and Don picked September.

I knew I wanted it to be April, right after April Fools day so I got double the fun. It wasn't until after I picked the day that the rest of my bro's quickly regretted not picking the month. I was so excited, and for years after. For me, just being around my family and having fun mattered the most—so why not have that back to back?

Well, the older I got, the more my pranks improved—as well as my brothers' blackmailing skills to take away my birthday present.

It was my tenth birthday, and I was prepared for a full on attack. I planned out my strategies, I knew where to infiltrate. It wasn't until Donnie teased that I had "the coolest present" waiting. Well, you can imagine how fast my white flag went up.

The next day, I woke up with nothing. Wait let me rewind here. Sensei got me a new pair of nunchucks—did I mention I dropped my first pair into the sewers? Yeah, gross. But, it was still cool. Usually, the three pitched together present since we didn't have money or anything like that. Usually it was something we made, or something we found if we got lucky. Anyway, my bro's showed up empty handed when it was celebration time.

And let's just say, ten-year-old-me freaked out. Like, hysterical crying running into my room freaking out. Yeah, mega embarrassing. But it still hurt!

That year, I asked Sensei to show me how to sew a blanket for Donnie since he used to end up sleeping on his desk with a book—spoiler alert, he totally still has it even though he said it totally looked like it should be a rug. Side note, that's exactly the purpose of my present now. Yeah, not cool.

For Raph, I originally wanted to get him these really cool roller blades. But, Sensei said that wasn't possible. So, instead, when I was out with Splinter—I found these really cool, old brass knuckles. Splinter told me I shouldn't give him that, to maybe instead make a card and give him an old board game we found. So, I did. But I totally snuck those brass knuckles back to the lair, and put them under Raph's pillow with a note. He thought they were cool—in his huffy, "trying to be cool" kind of way.

Leo was tricky, cause' all he ever wanted to do was train—like barely any hobbies unless we forced him to pick one up. Huh, some things really don't change. Anyway, that year I was lucky enough to find these really cool, old, marital arts book that someone threw away. It was kind of lame, but Leo didn't think so. That's what counted.

Just some backstory into why I was freaking out when none of my brothers gave me anything. So, my ten-year-old self did the only rational thing my mind could think of—if my family didn't want to give me something, then I'll go out and find my own present!

Huh, Leo always did joke how sometimes I had Raph's temper if I was pushed hard enough.

So, I grabbed my cool neon green flashlight and all the motivation I had pent up inside and snuck out of the lair. Our older lair was easier to sneak out than the one we have now—probably for Sensei's benefit. Anyway, I remembered where Sensei and I used to find a pile of junk from topside so I figured I'd head there hoping there was a cool comic or something.

Emphasis on 'thought'. I got lost. Mega lost. I felt like I was wandering around for hours. It started to rain really hard, hearing the echoes of the thunder shake the tunnels. Then the absolute worst thing could have happened—worse than the Foot, or Shredder being at the end of the tunnel.

My flashlight died.

Yeah, that's probably when I regretted going off on my own.

So, I did the next rational thing my mind could thing of. First, I cried because I was scared. It was bad enough I had a really bad fear of the dark, but sometimes I could have sworn that's how my nightmares started. Then, I tried calling out my family. No one answered. So I ran. Sensei always said if I thought someone was with me, I should run. Don't stop running until you're safe, he'd say. So that's what I did—I didn't stop running. I didn't look back, I kept going. And going. It was cold. I felt alone.

There was no light left—only darkness ahead. I was alone. I made a mistake, and it cost me my family. My body shook, my breath hitched, my heart raced.

Then I realized…

It's happening again.

/././././././././././././././././././

"The city's fate is inevitable. However, your family's, on the other hand, is negotiable. Tell me, what will you do to save your little family?"Bishop placed a disgust emphasis on the word family. A sly, hellish grin stretching form ear to ear.

"Leave them out of this." Michelangelo didn't hesitate; his breath never shook as his eyes pierced. There was no question when it came to his family. For the majority of his life, he was the one hearing those words. It didn't matter how powerless he felt. Speaking the worse gave him a rise, wondering briefly if this is what his older brothers felt like. His voice lowered, his gaze never faltering. "You already got me. Isn't that enough?"

"We will see," Bishop mused, shrugging his shoulders. He paused for a moment before leaning in slightly closer. He chuckled darkly, as he amused twistedly, "Perhaps I don't need a drug after all to get you to obey. You are quite theatrical, after all. I wonder how well you can preform."

Mikey tensed up, leaning back against his bedpost. Man, the creep factor is through the roof. Reflecting Bishop's shrug, Mikey forced a chuckle. "Uh, okay. Wow. Just…Wow, you're seriously getting way too-."

"Do not disrespect me."

His joke was cut off with a brute force that made his head spin. Almost quite literally, to Mikey's understanding, as his head hit the wall hard. His vision blurred, as struggled to pull himself up. His voice slurred, piecing together his own mind, "Ow. Ugh, that was a little unnecessary I didn't-!"

He felt the cold leather gloves wrap around his throat, clearing his attention back to his capturer. Bishop snarled, squeezing tighter, "You're lucky you're still part of the plan, otherwise you would have been disposed of weeks ago. I spent too much money, and time, on perfecting the virus. I will not waste the opportunity because of you. Don't bother to fight back. If you do, then I will end you and your family. And the deal is off." Releasing his grip, he took a step back.

"Virus?" Mikey coughed, "A deal? Fine, I'm listening."

"Good. Now, all you need to now is this," Bishop reached for his pocket, pulling out an all too familiar device.

"My cell?"

"Yes, this is how you will contact your family under my direction. You will only have this to write what I tell you to write."

"Okay," Mikey hesitantly took his phone. "Still waiting for your evil twist to come in."

"You see," Bishop's lips twisted into a sick smile, "I'm going to make you a deal. Simple, really. This whole city will fall before me, then the world. I didn't go underground for years without a true calling, or without the right help. A virus. You see, using your blood analysis, and the rat's—I was able to finalize the mutation of the virus. The whole city will...Well, their minds will be lost. Practically soulless. It will be beautiful."

"That's sick!" Mikey snarled, "You can't take away their humanity! Thoughts, feelings—you can't just take that away with some stupid, cliché, weird zombie virus!"

"You're correct. But, I can minimize their capability. Paralyzing the part of the brain that feels, thinks. It worked to the point where Kito had no desire, or memory, to breath. It can kill, it can submit. And it was your final blood analysis that completed the process. Now, I'm not without some compassion. After all, you were such a huge help. The Shredder would have you dead if he was here, but I will not kill you. Not yet. If you cooperate with me, I will not submit your family and friends to the virus."

"So, they're alive?" Michelangelo said softly, feeling the first sense of hope that he did since he got here. They were okay, Leo, Don, Raph, Sensei—they got out. They were alive.

"For now. How you keep them away is where you come in. I'm well aware of your brother's infiltration in my drug deal—The Nightwatcher?"

A guard entered the doorway, carrying pieces of armor. Dropping them on the floor in front of Michelangelo's bed. It didn't take him long enough to piece together whose it belonged to. His heart sank, "No- NO! You said they were safe-! You said-!"

"I meant what I said. What matters, is your cooperation. Now, I'm offering you a chance to safe your little family. You have to break them, completely. I will make it seem like you broke out of here, giving you an opportunity to distance yourself. Then, you will wait for them to arrive. When they do, you will attack."

"Attack…? But why would I-?"

"You will inject one of your brothers with this sedative," Bishop reached into his other pocket, pulling out a bright green sedative. "This will paralyze their bodies, even stopping the heart for a few moments. It will appear that you have killed them. It will only last for a few minutes, giving you a chance to flee."

"I-I can't! I won't hurt-!"

"I thought you'd say that," Bishop mused. "The withdrawal effects are pretty nasty, I've read. Even though your body is recovering, you will still relapse. I found a way to trigger that for you, clever, hm? That's why I chipped you. If you disobey me, you will receive an electric shock that will worsen your symptoms after every one. You will let them see it is you, you will betray them, and then return to me. They will be alive, and you will remain here to continue to enhance the virus."

"They'll figure it out, they'll come back-!"

"And if they do. You kill them."

"You promised they'd be safe-!"

"I said I will not subject them to the virus. It is up to you to keep them away. If they get in my way, I will—or should I say, you will do what it takes. If you want, I can help. I can take away all your feelings, and thoughts, like a puppet. That way, you won't feel anything when you leave your family."

Michelangelo's eyes were drawn back to the Nightwatcher's armor. His mind replaying the last few moments he could remember. Everything was for nothing. He should have never convinced Don to let him go, how could he think he was clear enough to go fight? Everything didn't matter anymore. Betray his family? After watching what happened to Leo and Don—if they're even okay. I promise, I won't be a liability anymore. I'll figure this out myself, and I won't bring you guys down with me.

"No." His voice matured, his gaze meeting his. "I'll do it. Myself."

/./././././././././././././././././././././

It's almost time. Raphael kept repeating over and over in his head as he twirled his sai around impatiently. Anything to drown out the arguing. He trusted in Leo, more than anyone, but his mind still couldn't wrap around why he needed to consult with Karai. Now he was stuck in one of the smaller conference rooms with her. He sat on the edge of the room, staring out the tall window building. Splinter remained in the infirmary, hoping to mediate to reach Mikey—as distant as he felt. Leo was standing beside Don, updating her on their information.

Half of it made sense to him; she had numbers and tactical advantage. If Bishop were planning something bigger, they'd need the backup. Yet, something ticked him off so much to ask her for help. They've infiltrated Shredder's headquarters all the way to the freakin' top floor, they fought in the Battle Nexus, they became dragons to fight off the demonic Shredder—and yet, Raphael couldn't help but feel so helpless in the situation. Only a few more hours until nightfall, then he'll be giving Bishop all the hell he deserves. That was, unless a certain 'someone' stops him.

She was standing in front of Donatello, her voice struggling to remain calm, "So, you're telling me he's known our location for weeks?"

Donatello sighed, frustrated. "If Bishop was able to call using Mikey's shellcell, then yes, he most likely knows how long we've been here. But, look, that's not the point. Right now, we're focusing on getting to where Mikey is. He's south, near the east-end docks right now—if we wait-!"

"The true question is if he is alone." Karai turned over to Leonardo, crossing her arms she sighed. "I was supposed to have a meeting with Bishop, but I suppose then our plan needs some reconsideration."

"Plan?" Donnie echoed, "What plan? You two had a plan?"

Leonardo sighed, as he rubbed his template. "Look, that was before we received Mikey's, or Bishop's, messages. I was going to go in as bait, letting them think Karai captured me. The rest of you guys would infiltrate from behind, giving me time to go in and get Mikey. But if he's out, somehow, that's out the window. Or it's Bishop, using his phone to reach us. We are not splitting up again-."

"Or he probably knows that," Raphael mused, shooting his head over to him. "I mean, he's practically makin' it loud and clear he's baiting us—knowing we're taking a risk either way. If we split, we chance gettin' him and Mikey. Or-."

"Or it's actually Mikey," Donnie cut off, worryingly looking down on his phone. "But it's not him, he wouldn't talk like that—making him breaking out himself and alone even more uneasy. Or, he's been drugged enough to…Ugh, even if Mikey broke himself out and got caught, Bishop is either with him telling him what to say or locking him up somewhere. Either way, we're-."

"So, why don't we call and find out?" Raphael jumped to his feet; rushing over to Donnie he snatched the phone.

"Raphael!" Leonardo instinctively reached out to his younger brother, not realizing the strength of his metallic limb as he grabbed his wrist. Just as Raphael grimace, Leo pulled back. "Sorry. Look, we have no idea what could even happen. If you call, we risk giving away our location if he has it already-."

"And?" Raphael impatiently groaned, crossing his arms. "Look, this is going down one way or another, right? If he's plannin' something we gotta act now, right?"

"And what would calling accomplish? You think you can just ask him what his huge mastermind plan is, if Mikey is with him or-?!"

Suddenly, everyone's eyes shot to Leonardo as the phone began ringing in his hand.

Raphael smirked smugly, shrugging, "Or he can just do it himself."

Donnie quickly grabbed the phone, plugging it into his laptop. "I can try to trace his location, and have it recorded. Looks like we're playing devil's advocate after all… "

With a short nod, Leonardo hesitantly answered the call. He hesitated for a moment, unsure of who or what to even say it to. "…Hello?"

A desperate voice cried out. An all too familiar voice that he thought he'd never hear again. "Leo? Leo! You gotta help me-!"

"Mikey!" Leonardo couldn't help the smile that stretched across his face. Hearing the sound of wind and the huffing, his enthusiasm quickly diminished. "Mikey, where are you? Are you okay? How did you-?"

"Whoa! Whoa! One question at a time, dude! I'm fine, I'm trying to get some distance from the manic!"

Something's wrong. Leonardo looked over at Raphael who had a similar reaction—uncertain, and concerned. Karai stood on the far side of the room, allowing the family to unfold the situation themselves. She watched Leonardo carefully, waiting. Donnie's eyes never left his computer screen, quickly whispering to Leo, "He's moving. Closer to the river. We have to move now if we're going to reach him fast enough. Keep him talking, I'm checking for other heat signatures near him."

Leonardo couldn't fight the dull twist in his stomach. He knew something wasn't right. Leo knew it was risky, but he had to know if he was truly safe. "Listen, Mikey, I need you to meet us in one of our zones. Can you do that?" As they got older, they set up areas throughout city they marked as 'safe zones'. Places like junkyards, warehouses, hidden sewer entrances—placing if they needed a placed to say hidden, they'd be safe, knowing eventually they will find each other's locations. Leo just hoped it was worth the risk.

"Uh, can't right now!"

Raphael stepped beside Leo, worryingly looking from Don's computer screen to Leo. "He's right near one. Why isn't he just going there? He knows how to get there, what the hell is he-?"

"He's luring us." Donnie said as-matter-of-fact, his voice lowering as he pointed to his screen. "I'm not getting a heat signature, just like before. I'll try security cameras."

"L-Leo?! Dude, please, I'm really freaking out right now-! Where are you? Are you coming?" His youngest brother sounded so desperate, how else could Leo think it was a trap? If Bishop is making him, what happens if we don't go?

"Mikey, I need you to listen to me. We're trying to get to you." Leonardo quickly responded, his voice becoming more cautious. "You remember where the zone is, and you know Don's code to access the gate—get there, seal it behind you and we'll be right there. Is Bishop following you?"

"Yes-! I-I mean, no, I…I don't know! He's gone! I barely got out of there, I don't think—I can't get there, Leo—AH!" His voice suddenly cried out in pain, hearing something fall the line suddenly went dead.

"Mikey? Mikey! Damn it," Leonardo slammed the phone down on the desk. "He didn't remember the zone, or maybe even where he was. What if…What if he's still drugged?"

"I have something that will help if that's the case but—Leo, if we don't go now something worse may happen." Donnie shot up from his seat, reaching for his bo staff. "We have to go."

"Donatello is correct." Splinter entered the room, slowly. His weakened frame looked so exhausted, Leonardo figured from meditation. "My sons, I am greatly concerned. Michelangelo is actively blocking me."

"He's what?" Raphael shot; rushing over to Splinter he assisted him closer to a chair. "Wait a minute—How can he-? Why would he-?"

"Michelangelo's mind is usually free, his spiritual connection was always the easiest to connect to. Even though he struggled with meditation, his connection to the spiritual plain was always advanced. But, this isn't an outside force or influence. Michelangelo is preventing me from entering his feelings, thoughts, and insight."

"Why would he do that…" Donnie echoed, unable to mask his own defeat. "I-I didn't think the drug could—but if it's not the drug. If it's spiritual how could Bishop get enough power to?"

"Or it's Mikey who's doing it, just Mikey. He could have been…" Leonardo stated grimly, unable to finish his own thought. He didn't have to. The hopeless expression of his whole family filled in the gap. "We don't know what Mikey went through. Regardless, we'll bring him home."

"My men will be nearby," Karai cut in, stepping closer. "I still believe Bishop has ulterior motives than just your family. They will attempt to retrieve information; some will remain near your location just in case."

"And yourself?"

"I believe your friend, April O'Neil has access to Goldburg's information. I will reach out to her and Mr. Jones for their assistance to access his work." Immediately noticing the conflicting expression, Karai's voice soften. "Leonardo, if I wanted your friends assassinated it would have been done. What Bishop is working with is bigger than that, or us for that matter. I will not jeopardize the lives of my men, and their families for a vendetta. You can have my word on that."

Leonardo looked back over to the others, knowing after their recent argument how they'd feel. Donnie was almost out the door, for the first time in weeks his eyes were piercing and dark. He was itching for a fight, and to bring Mikey home. Raphael wasn't too far behind, impatiently watching his discussion. Giving a short nod, Raphael didn't need to say no more.

"Alright. You know our frequency stay in contact. And for Master Splinter…."

"He may remain here, under protection."

"Thank you." Leonardo gave a quick nod before rushing over to his team. Before he took a step, Splinter grabbed his arm.

"My son, I fear there is something more sinister at play. Stay together, no matter what."

"I understand. We'll bring him home, Sensei, I promise." Reuniting with his younger brothers, Leonardo lead them rushing out. Hoping there was some luck left to bring this nightmare to an end…

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