Dedicated to all TMNT fans, and anyone who's ever had a dream...

The sky was blue, and such a vivid shade, it almost hurt to look at it. The sun wasn't visible from this angle, but its heat seemed to spread out over the land, warming everything it touched. Enormous golden pillars rose up in the distance, their tops stretching high above all living creatures, and disappearing into puffy white cotton clouds. The grass that covered the ground was lush and green, supporting patches of brightly colored flowers that filled the air with their sweet, enticing aroma. There were trees everywhere--some that seemed to rise for miles, others much shorter in comparison and filled with fruit. The air was so fresh and clean, it had an almost dizzying nature to it. Rooftops depicting decor from various lands and countries spread out as far as the eye could see, fading like a mist into the distance.

I rose to my feet slowly, in awe of my new surroundings. I glanced down at the grass beneath my feet, realizing that I was wearing my kneepads. A quick check confirmed that all of my gear--mask, pads and weapons--was in place. Only moments before, I'd been sitting in front of the television in the buff with Raph watching Monty Python movies. Suddenly, a gust of wind had flooded the living room, ruffling the magazines on the coffee table. It gave me the chills. Raphael jumped up, shouting something incoherent. I opened my mouth to say something, but before I could respond, nauseating dizziness overcame me, and I blacked out. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself here. But I wasn't alone. As I gazed at the beauty of this place, I noticed that my brothers were nearby. They, too, were dressed in full gear. They rose slowly and cautiously, Leo standing guard in front of the rest of us, his katana drawn.

Is this a dream...?

My answer would soon come.

"What is it?" Donatello asked, his voice low but steady.

"I don't know." Leo admitted.

"Maybe Renet is playing tricks on us again." I suggested. It seemed a relatively obvious explanation.

"I don't know. Did anyone see Renet before we got here?"

"No." Raph commented. "There was just this gust of wind, and then...blackness."

All nodded in agreement. So we'd experienced the same thing.

"Maybe we're in the astral realm?" Don offered.

Leo shook his head quickly. "No. That was my first guess, but this place has a different feel. It doesn't have the same mental connection that I experience in the astral plane. This is more physical, tangible. Almost as if...we're really standing on solid earth."

"Uhhh...Leo, I hate to break up your train of thought, but...someone's coming this way."

Leo's sight followed the trail Don's pointing finger indicated. Raph and I looked too. There definitely was someone approaching--more like a dozen or so someones.

Leo lowered his sword just a little, his eyes set in concentration. His fingers still gripped the handle tightly, and I could tell he was mentally preparing himself to fight if need be. But he remained calm, his body relaxed enough to show whoever was approaching that we meant no harm.

Quickly they came closer, a group of beings that held me in complete and utter awe. I'd always enjoyed a good fantasy book, but this was too much. An enormous man (who could have probably taken Casey easily), towered over us. Rippling muscles covered a body so hard, it appeared to be made out of solid rock. There was a horned helmet on his head, and his body was draped in a fur cloak. He wore tall boots, laced up to just under his knees, and gripped a large hammer defensively. I had the oddest feeling of deja vu as I looked at him. Didn't I know him from somewhere? He said nothing, eyeing Leonardo in silence.

A woman stepped up to his right, tall, lean and dressed in armor. She wielded a shield and a long pointy spear. There was a skeptical look in her eyes that told me she could be dangerous if necessary, yet there was an air about her that hinted kindness. Again, I felt as though I had seen her someplace before. She was beautiful, but I couldn't quite place her.

Behind them came others. I was excited to see a winged horse with a shiny golden horn protruding from the middle of its head. I could only assume it was some sort of mixture of unicorn and pegasus. How many times had I fantasized as a kid that I would actually get to ride one someday? I still wasn't sure if these beings were friend or foe though, and they seemed just as wary of us as we did of them.

I spotted a cherub next. He was a short little guy with curly golden hair and a cluster of arrows resting on his back. He held a bow in his hand, but not in a threatening manner. In fact, the longer I looked at him, the cuter and more innocent he became. Suddenly, I was reminded of the stories and folklore that Splinter used to read to me before bed when I was a child. What was the name of that sneaky little guy that liked to make people fall in love? Oh yeah...Cupid. But that was just a story.

Something caught the corner of my eye, a group of flying things that hovered to my left. Thinking they were bugs, I was about to shoo them away. Luckily, I got a good look before I did so. My jaw nearly dropped to the floor. It was a group of fairies that floated on the wind nearby. They were so close, I could hear the flutter of their wings and feel the faintest of breezes from their movement on my face. I couldn't help but giggle. It tickled.

Leonardo held his sword in front of his chest, eyeing these creatures warily. They stared back at us with questioning eyes. I spared a glance at Raphael. I could tell he didn't like this one bit.

"What is this place?" He asked.

There was no answer.

"Didn't you hear me? I said where the hell are we?"

"Raph..." Leo warned.

Raphael grew silent, but the look in his eyes was almost deadly. He was afraid, I could tell, though I'd never call him on it. I liked my head too much.

"Why have you come here?" The warrior woman asked.

"Now wait just a minute--" Raph began, but Leo interrupted him.

"We were hoping you could tell us that."

"You mean you don't know?" The big man looked concerned. His voice was deep and low and rumbled like thunder.

"No." Donatello commented. "My first guess was that this was an intoxicant induced side effect of--"

Raphael shot him a glance.

"But then I remembered...I don't drink."

No, but Raph and I do...boy, this would make one hell of a drunken episode...

"Perhaps you have stumbled upon this land by accident." The woman went on. "If that is the case, I ask that you humbly leave from whence you came."

"Ummm...we'd love to do just that, but there's one problem. We don't know how we got here."

The man shook his head sympathetically. "I was afraid of that."

What did it mean though? Why were they all looking at us that way? Raphael was getting more and more anxious by the minute. I could tell it was a real struggle for him not to explode over our situation. As for me, I was quite enjoying it. Fresh air, beautiful scenery. It wasn't often we got a chance to get out like this.

Leonardo began questioning our strange new acquaintances, while Don and I diverted our attention to the surrounding landscape. While it was true that we could be in a potentially dangerous situation, the fact was, we were trapped here until we figured out a way home, and we might as well enjoy it while we could. Raphael saw it differently, however. Though I did notice his eyes dart around a few times in curiosity.

Finally, as if out of nowhere, a man appeared in the midst of our small gathering. He was tall, thin, and very familiar. His body was draped in long dark robes, and on his head was a pointed hat, giving him the appearance of a wizard. He had a long white beard and clutched a staff in one hand. An owl sat calmly on his shoulder as he addressed us. The others took a small step back to allow him room.

"Greetings, friends. It is good to see you again."

"Whoa...did you just say...again?"

The beings of the place cast him a curious glance as well.

"Yes, Michaelangelo. Do you not remember your visit here?"

This guy was seriously wigging me out.

Leonardo thought for a moment. "There is something oddly familiar about this place, but I don't remember ever stepping foot here before."

"Yeah," Don added. "Like deja vu."

"Just who the heck are you, and what is this place?" Raphael demanded again.

The wizard just looked at him emotionlessly and nodded toward an enormous pillar.

"Come. I will explain."

"Mike?"

He just sat there, motionless, staring at the wall as if it would open up and swallow him. She laid a hand gently on his knee, trying to wake him from his silent stupor. He jumped and pulled away, his eyes wide.

She swallowed, returning the fearful stare.

He's...shaking...

"Are you okay?"

He didn't say anything, but that look in his eyes... She was really starting to worry now.

"Mike?"

"I...yeah...yeah..." he breathed. "I'm okay."

She wasn't sure she believed that.

"Can we...do something?" He asked suddenly.

"Ummm...sure. What do you want to do?"

"I dunno. Anything. I just...I need a little breather."

She nodded in understanding. She knew that whatever this story was leading to, it must be very hard for him. It was unlike Michaelangelo to get so worked up about anything. At least...the Michaelangelo she knew.

"How about if I give you a tour?" She smiled, attempting to break the tension. It seemed to work for the time being.

Mike took a breath, and his face lit up with a smile. "Yeah, I'd like that."

She stood up, offering him an outstretched hand. He took it slowly, almost as if he was afraid to for a brief moment. The leathery texture felt cool in her palm. How wild it was to actually be holding his hand! And it felt so solid!

"Well...you've already seen the living room." She led him into the den.

He allowed his eyes to wander around as she led him. It was a decent sized room with a fireplace, a bookcase, and a piano. There were pictures everywhere. Obviously she was into preserving memories. That was definitely a good thing.

He strolled up to the large photograph that hung in a frame over the couch. It was a picture of her in a wedding gown, standing next to what he could only assume was the groom.

"So that's your husband?"

"Yep. His name is Anthony."

"You're married?" He feigned disappointment. "Aw, darn..."

She couldn't help but giggle. That was definitely the Mikey she knew. What a flirt.

"Yeah, well, if truth be known, he's a lot like you."

That thought seemed to make his face light up in humorous curiosity, but he said nothing further. He made his way around the room, finally stopping at the sliding glass door, where two furry creatures came running up when they spotted him.

"Cool, you have dogs!"

"Yeah. This is Bubba..." She pointed to a fluffy red chow. He looked almost like a bear. "And the small one is Gizmo." He'd never seen such a funny looking dog. It had long fur, and really big ears. Sure was a cute little fellow though.

"I must warn you," she pulled open the door just a crack. "Gizmo will attack you to death with affection, and Bubba...well...he doesn't do well with new people. He'll probably bark at you a lot and run away when you try to pet him. Don't worry about it though. He does that with everyone until he gets to know you."

"Heh heh...sounds like Raph!"

She slid the door open the rest of the way, and in they came. Gizmo acted just as she'd expected, jumping up on Mike's legs like a lunatic. He laughed and scooped him up into his arms.

"Hello there, boy. You sure are cute."

Gizmo attacked his cheek with licks.

"He sure seems to like me, eh?"

She smiled. "Don't say I didn't warn you..."

Bubba shocked her to say the least.

Instead of barking like crazy and avoiding Mike at all costs, he actually approached him. His stance was wary and cautious, but his eyes were filled with curiosity. Mike stretched out his hand, waiting patiently for Bubba to come to him.

"Wow...I don't believe it." She said softly. "I've never seen him so eager to make a new friend."

"It's a gift." Mike joked.

"Since you like animals so much, come on, I'll show you the others."

He smiled as he set Gizmo back on the floor. "There's more?"

She led him down the hall, and into a room with a computer table and an enormous cage. On top of the cage was a four and a half-foot long iguana.

"This is Lucky." She said. "She's really friendly."

"Hi, Lucky." Mike stroked her back gently. Her skin was scaly, a lot like his. He couldn't help but smile. "A sister reptile..."

"Come here, I want to show you something."

Mike followed her to the computer and sat down in the chair.

"This is my computer. It's where I do a lot of my fanfic writing and webpage design."

She's a writer...like me...

"I answer a lot of my emails at work, but I do some of that here too."

"A computer nut like Donnie." He joked.

"Yeah, only, I have one specific reason for going online." She looked him in the eyes, feeling her face grow flushed. "I write and read and talk about...you."

He nodded, looking at the screen with widening eyes. Swallowing, he asked, "Can I see?"

She grabbed the mouse and clicked to open the internet connection. Once Internet Explorer was up and running, she typed in the URL of her homepage. As the screen came to life, Mike gasped. A large title--"Dawnatello's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Homepage" sat at the top of the screen against a black background. Directly beneath it was a quote, and a drawing of him and his brothers and Splinter.

"That's...us."

"Yeah." She said quietly, watching as a thousand different emotions seemed to play across his face at once.

"I have another website too. I work on it with another one of your fans, Phishtar."

He nodded. He remembered the name.

"...Ummm...this one is dedicated solely to you."

She typed in the link, and up it came, a big picture set against another black background--a drawing of him...a sexy drawing of him.

He scooted the chair back, and got up, turning his back to the computer.

"Mike...?" She asked in concern. "Mike, I'm sorry if I offended you, I--"

"No. I...I'm sorry." He said apologetically. "I just...all of this...it's weirding me out."

She nodded. "I know. It's okay. It's weirding me out too."

She led him to the guestroom next. She was a little leery to after his reaction to her websites, but she knew she couldn't forgive herself if she didn't show him. She stood before the closed door, studying him carefully.

"This could be shocking. Are you ready?"

He nodded. "Ready as I'll ever be."

She opened the door, and he was instantly flooded with Turtle memorabilia. Miniature images of him and his brothers filled shelves, the dresser top, and makeshift display cases. Posters hung from the walls, covering up most of the white paint. There were even turtle sheets on the bed! He ran a hand over his face absent-mindedly, feeling his heart begin to race in his chest.

"So..." He said softly. "I guess all of this is real after all."

"I'm sorry, Mike. I shouldn't have--"

"No...I mean, this is really cool. Really. I can't believe that you're so--wow..."

The idea was still so incomprehensible. He actually had fans--people he'd never met who practically worshiped him. It was a little unsettling, yet he told himself he could get used to this.

"These are some of my drawings." Nervousness flooded her as he studied the portfolio that was propped up on the desk. There were several drawings--some in color, some black and white, and even one that looked like it was done on the computer and printed out--but all of them were of him and his brothers and Splinter.

A writer and an artist...

"These are really good."

She blushed. "Thanks."

"I really mean that." He looked at her sincerely.

"I know."

"Oh neat, a turtle!"

She was wondering how long it would take him to spot it.

"May I?" He indicated toward the tank.

"Sure."

He slid the lid back and lifted the turtle, cradling it carefully in his hands, his fingers resting against the slight indentation in its plastron. "A boy I see. What's his name?"

She glanced down at the floor, feeling sudden embarrassment wash over her. "Michaelangelo."

He stared at her.

"I named him after you."

"I can't believe this..." He gasped. "This is like major deja vu. I remember this happening. It's so...creepy!"

She watched sympathetically as he thumbed through some of her comics.

"God, this is weird. You've gotta know everything about me just from reading through these pages. It's a weird feeling, ya know? I hardly know you, yet..."

"Mike, you can ask me anything. I want you to know me. I want us to be friends."

"Friends..." He looked at her with this bewildered look on his face, his mouth turning up into an excited smile. "Yeah, I'd really like that. Don't get many friends looking like I do."

She smiled. "If only you knew..."

His expression turned serious again. "I...I just really want to thank you, Dawn, for everything you've done...everything I know you're about to do. It...it really means a lot to me."

She felt her heart leap into her throat. "I would do anything for you, Mike. Anything."

They stared at one another for a moment, the bonds of friendship already forming in their minds. Suddenly, Mike closed his eyes, his face tightening up in pain.

"Mike?" Dawn was on her knees and by his side in an instant.

"Arrrgghh!" He cried out in pain, fingers clutching his arms, digging into the grooves of his plastron.

"Mike, are you okay? What's happening?"

Seconds passed, but they seemed like an eternity. His body slowly relaxed a little, though he was still breathing raggedly. He opened his eyes slowly, traces of pain still racking his body.

"I'm okay...for now." He managed. "But...it's starting."