A/N: If you guys are confused about the chapter title, Mikey's currently going by the name Ronin. He's not Shadow anymore, but he's not Mikey, either. He's rather...in between.

Eh, it'll be explained later.

Chapter One: Ronin

"We need to talk."

I don't know how I remembered the way here, but here I am, and they're all staring at me like they've seen a ghost. I cross my arms over my plastron uncertainly. My gaze travels from face to weary face.

"We need to talk," I say again.

From the couch, Nisshoku starts to speak. There's a certain hopefulness in her eyes - one that I quickly dash.

"Not you. I just...I can't."

My voice was almost gentle, but she still jerks as if she's been slapped; her gold eyes water and she blinks, looking down at the floor. "Oh. I...I'll just...um..."

Leonardo places a hand on her shoulder and squeezes, but directs his words to me. "We'll go to the kitchen," he says quietly. The others nod and follow him into said room. I run a finger across my wrist, feeling the raised scar underneath, and trail after them.

It looks like a council of war. The three turtles are sitting around the table, waiting for me, but I can't bring myself to sit with them. It's just not right, somehow.

I lean against the counter and fix Leonardo with cool blue eyes. "I wasn't going to come, but Leatherhead told me that I should. He said you would probably be interested to hear what I have to say."

"Which is what?" Donatello asks, leaning forward ever so slightly.

"Your Michelangelo has spoken to me."

Shock and disbelief and hope all ripple through the air, burning in my nostrils. Leonardo's breath catches in his throat and he reaches over to squeeze Raphael's wrist. Donatello swallows and blinks back tears.

"How?" Raphael demands. Ever the cynic.

"He came to me in a dream, through the astral plain. We had a lengthy conversation that has left me with little doubt that...that..."

I can't say it. Pride and fear keep the words from passing my lips.

And then, for a moment, bright orange and blue flash in my mind. His voice echoes in my ears.

"You have to remember who you were - who I am. You have to beat the mind control, Shadow. The brain worm is eating at everything that makes you you. It won't stop until you remember."

I double over, grabbing at my head as if it would ease the agony lancing through my skull. The serum that still courses through my veins is fighting to hold on - and it feels like I'm being ripped apart.

The three brothers are at my side in an instant but I hold a hand out at them. "Don't," I grind out. "Just..."

I can't even finish the sentence. After a few more minutes that stretch into eternity I manage to straighten up and release the death-grip I had on my head. I shakily wipe the sweat from my forehead and release a long breath.

"I need your help."