April’s voice trembles as she speaks, her words barely above a whisper, yet heavy with urgency.

"And then... I saw that picture. I knew I had to bring him here."

She pulls out a worn, creased photo from her pocket. The image shows a man—Casey—standing among a group who look strikingly like all of you. But none of you remember ever meeting him. So why did he have this? Why did he keep this photo? The question lingers unspoken, hanging in the air like a ghost. Suddenly, a groan escapes from the dim corner.

*A figure stirs—Casey’s eyes flutter open. *

"Sensei...?" he mutters, his voice rough and uncertain. Leo jumps back instinctively, sword drawn, muscles tense with sudden alertness. Everyone's heads snap toward Casey, eyes wide and wary.

Casey blinks, disoriented, then a sudden rush of emotion floods his face. He gasps sharply, eyes gleaming with tears as recognition dawns. "It’s you! All of you... together again! I never thought I’d see you ever again. I’m so happy I could hug y—"

He tries to rise, reaching out as if to hug someone, but promptly crashes to the floor—his chair overturned. Tied up. Bound. The room freezes in confusion and suspicion. Could he be an assassin? A trap? But his reaction didn’t fit the cold-hearted killer they feared. No, this was something else—something desperate.

Raph strides forward, pulling Casey’s chair back upright with a hard shove. His eyes narrow, voice low and sharp, "Who are you? And why do you have a picture of us?"

Leo, attempting to break the tension, smirks and places a hand under his chin, striking a dramatic pose. "Yeah, who took this? Because I look great."

Raph shoots Leo a glare that could melt steel. Leo didn't falter. Mikey pipes up from the side, grinning widely, "So! What’s your favorite pizza? I’m ordering right now!"

Raph groans and slaps his forehead.

"And why are you wearing that genius build-up Harold!? That’s trademarked!" Donnie, intrigued and distracted, fumbles with his gadget. A button gets pressed by accident—whirr, click—and suddenly a grappling hook fires out, snaring Casey’s chair and yanking him up into the air.

Donnie stumbles backward, face smacking against the floor, stunned unconscious before anyone can react. Pandemonium erupts. Mikey jumps up, trying to catch Donnie’s limp form.

Choas