So obviously the chapter's title is a reference to one of my favorite episodes of The Simpsons but 'The Mysterious Voyage of Mikey' really does sum up what the affected turtle goes through in the Soul's Trilogy and I felt it's about time I brought April and Casey into the story.
Finally upon reaching the lair, seems Splinter already knew what happened, or at the very least he knew SOMETHING had happened and he had called April and Casey to be much needed backup, obviously the two intellectual rogues were not happy that with them was a not only a Vigilante, but he was essentually one of those 'Dumb Jocks' both of them hated so much in high school and he basically went around beating up criminals with sports equipment, Riddler was thinking how he wished at the moment it was Batman instead at least he wouldn't have to listen to this Brooklyn accented lug...And seems like before their blindfolds would come off, that lug was going to be with them, as the Rat Mutant grilled them to make sure they wouldn't try anything funny while they were in 'The Lair' which is what these creature's called their nest.
Leo, Raph and Casey carried the two rogues into Splinter's room where they would their little talk, Don and April would tend to Mikey and ask Vanessa any more questions about what happened.
"So..." Don said trying to keep calm "What exactly happened?"
Vanessa was trying not to panic, but already she was fearing she was forgetting some important detail, her long spider legs trembled and then finally they gave out and she was laying on her belly on the floor.
"So Mikey and I were just minding our own business after you guys left, when suddenly the room became really cold and filled with fog, then a skull headed bird was flying above us and said some freaky words..."
"What were those freaky words?" Don asked
Vanessa clutched her head and began wobbling back and forth "I know I've already forgotten some of it..." She moaned " said something about 'Flesh of my flesh' and 'My mission and heart's delight' really creepy like he's in love or something."
Don and Aplril exchanged glances, the situation was getting more alarming by the minute.
"...And then the birds just dove into Mikey's chest and then Mikey was out cold!" Vanessa exclaimed
Meanwhile in the nightmare he was currently trapped within, Mikey was tired of calling for his Father huddled in the cold against the pillar, when suddenly he saw the dark silloette of some flying creatures against the milky white moon.
Then the skull headed crow appeared above him again
"YO! TOAD-BOY!" It cawed harshly "Allow me to introduce myself..."
Back in the waking world, Splinter explained to the two Rogues the depths of the seriousness of the situation, really showed the leval of desperation as Splinter was willing to tell this to two criminals even if they were almost completely naked and at their mercy.
"At first I feared that Animus was after Vanessa because she was a human who had been transformed into a Mutant, but it seems we have been the target the entire time, my only question is why now, why did Animus not take an interest in us sooner...It is my belief that Animus is causing this 'Goop' as you call it to leak out of the Astral Realm of Dreams and into the World of the Waking to create more Mutants so he can increase his power..."
Back in Mikey's dream, the Skull Headed Bird gave a very confusing speech he didn't really understand the only thing he even remotely understood was the bit at the end where the Bird who called itself Desolation said
"I've got a message from the Big Cheese Sweetums and I quote 'Wise Up, Grow Up, Give At Least Pick a Species' End Quote"
Mikey just cocked his head and said "Huh?"
So it seems Mikey again being the Chosen Turtle might end up being a benefit as I have him act in character for Mikey instead of the Vangue interchangable Turtle of Zulli's story here Mikey displays the 'Too Dumb to Fool' where Leo and Don might get distracted by Desolation's Words and Raph would just try to fight not realizing you can't punch a spirit