#2018 leo is the hidden leonardo

[brightlotusmoon]

Offbeat_aries (SUPPORT ROTTMNT MOVIE!!!) on Twitter: "What's so funny about this scene is that Leo's dialogue was unscripted and they let Ben do whatever he wants and tries to remember the lines MSDFNHJEWSHD" / Twitter

https://twitter.com/FazbearLeonardo/status/1556859255302471680

I'm so happy people are seeing these things we saw years ago.

[v-albion]

Congrats on 5k @tangledinink!!! I adore your artstyle and all your AUs (plus your writing bc it was amazing)

I’ve wanted to make a fanart about the gemini au for a while and this seems to be the perfect time for it

Also didnt mean for Donnie to be subtly flipping off the camera but i noticed far too late ¯\(ツ)/¯

Click for better quality!

Bonus without the words under the cut:

[heybluez]

was rewatching rise and i noticed something that i thought was kinda interesting in the hidden city job. so yall remember this whole moment? the turtle adonis?

literally iconic. anyway.

while this episode really emphasized the super well known traits of adonis in greek mythology, such as his romanticism and beauty that leo was really wanting to portray, i also think it’s super interesting to note that adonis was originally a mortal being whose fame was gained through immortality and rebirth.

……

rise leo, in the movie, also had a chance at what could be considered a “rebirth” or renewal. pledged to die to save the world, but given a second chance by his family who refused to give up hope for him.

i’m sure that this wasn’t an intentional thing by the writers, but i do think in terms of his character it’s super interesting that out of all of the greek male gods to choose from, leo chooses to be adonis in that episode - knowing what we know as an audience of how he chooses to sacrifice himself in the movie and how he does, like adonis, gain a second chance as well. idk just something that’s been bouncing around my brain!!!

[leilanising-vault-of-knowledge]

Here it is (finally) the reference sheet for my au, "It's a Complicated Equation".

Plot

While this au is pretty similar to the original timelines, there are several noticable differences that sets it apart. Unlike other aus, events took place in such a way that the apocalypse never occurred. Meaning that the turtles were never traumatized, nor ever met Casey Jones.

Another difference is that Lou Jitsu never raised the children. Being a superstar for all his life, Lou Jitsu just didn't want or have what it took to be a parent. At a young age, the Turtle tots were just dumped somewhere in a rain soaked cardboard box, while Lou Jitsu set out to find new fortune and glory in the Hidden City.

(Still a work in progress. Im not going to give everything away just yet :3)

Character Bios

Donnie: Medical special needs child. Literally lost an arm in a fight or something, and now doesn't go on missions anymore with the bros. He does make inventions to help his siblings tho, and is actually best buddies with Kendra (they met at April's school when they were a lot younger, and ended up bonding over their shared favorite color, Purple, and their higher brain power. These two will literally kill for each other, lol). Even if he doesn't show it, Donnie actually wants to be hugged and/or loved and appreciated, he just doesn't know how to ask for it. He has a bad(?) habit of imprinting on parent aged adults. When he's attached to someone, he will do anything to make them like him.

Mikey: Sweet innocent child/master of psychological manipulation. Ever since he discovered his mystic powers, he has had a very good understanding and control over them. Donnie created him a pair of gloves to protect his hands while using his powers. They also limit and measure the amount of energy he is using, so that he doesn't use too much, or hurt himself. Lastly, they carry sedatives in the case that Mikey loses control and needs to be stopped. Mikey is loved by all his siblings. But he can be a real gremlin when he wants to, knowing that he can get away with it.

Leo: Due to the way this universe happened, the events leading up to the krang invasion happened in such a way that the key was lost, and never recovered. Meaning that Leo never had to really mature and take it leadership. Unlike many other poor Leonardos, Leo is able to be his carefree, joking, self-confident little self. He takes his big brother role seriously, being lovingly protective, and annoying, to his two little bros. Seriously though, he would do anything the protect the younger turtles of the group. If Mikey is hurt or sad, he's right there. If Donnie is getting picked on, he is more than willing to beat up who ever the jerk is. He loves his family with a passion.

Raph: When they were just children, Lou Jitsu ended up abandoning them, deciding the job of parenting was too much for a recently mutated actor. Besides, there was still glory to get in this new Hidden City. This forced Raph to take up the role of caretaker and parent at a very young age. He has successfully raised his three siblings all on his own, and although they still see him as their brother, the other turtles affectionately refer to him as 'Mama Raph'.

@tmntaucompetition

[sibillascribbles08]

There's a lot of mysteries surrounding Leo's life, and while he still lacked answers for some of them he gave up on pursuing them a while ago. At least until a night out with his best friend April results in a rescue mission into the Hidden City. And upon stumbling into the lab where he and his father were mutated, he discovers he apparently has three siblings when his father only ever mentioned one. Now motivated by this discovery–and some incredible magic weapons–Leo and April are determined to track these siblings down and reconnect with them. Unfortunately, they're all pretty comfy staying where they are, and where they are is on the side of the guys who basically want to destroy the world. And Leonardo may have to decide if he wants to save his siblings, or save the world.

Slapping a separate post up for the tag but ! After 80 years this is finally started

[direwombat]

long time no wip wednesday

tagged by various people over the past few weeks, but most recently by @ivymarquis to share some a piece of a wip!

been having a creative dry spell recently, so technically this is a super old piece of writing, but i'm returning to this character study of a fictional mafioso (portrayed by luca martinelli (of the old guard fame)) in FX's 2018 historical drama, Trust, which is about the kidnapping and ransom of John Paul Getty III. I defs recommend it if you haven't watched it. Brendan Fraser plays a cowboy who breaks the 4th wall and also Hillary Swank is in it and she's very good. this is super niche so no pressure to read if you don't want to. i'll go back to the regularly scheduled fc5 fic eventually.

Reggio Calabria, 1982

“I thought you were in Rome,” Leonardo says to Primo in lieu of a proper hello. 

You’re always in Rome, goes unsaid, and the exasperated flash of abject terror across poor Leo’s face makes silent questions of What happened? and Why are you here? louder than the blaring horns and ambient noise of the docks. Leonardo never was good at concealing his emotions. Wore his thoughts on his face like a book to be read.

Primo pulls a cigarette and lighter from his pockets. “Everything’s fine,” he says. Then, he lights the cigarette and brings it to his mouth to take a drag. “It’s good to see you too.”

It’s a gorgeous day in late May. The temperature lazes in the high twenties, and the sun shines like a motherfucker over the Port of Gioia Tauro. Just beyond the influx of ships, the waves of the Tyrrhenian Sea are capped with glittering diamonds, rich enough to fill a jewelry store a thousand times over. It’s picturesque and beautiful, something right off the shitty postcards that tourists buy.

If Primo were a more sentimental man, he might have missed it here. But the scenery wasn’t what brought him back to Calabria. The metaphorical diamonds he’s interested in lie not atop the lapping waves, but hidden within the freight and cargo of the metal monsters that came to berth in the harbor. 

His harbor. 

Well, his and Leonardo’s. 

Mostly Leonardo’s. 

The Nizzuto name isn’t anywhere to be found on the official paperwork, but the strings gently -- and other times not so gently -- being plucked and pulled in the shadows were moved by Primo’s skilled hands. 

Leonardo had wanted to go as legitimate as possible to allow his son a life that wasn’t blood, death, and violence. Primo, who knows no other way to live, doesn’t pretend to understand the reasoning behind Leo’s decision, but he does appreciate a good cover operation and knows an opportunity when he sees one. The best way to get away with illegal business is to hide it behind perfectly fair and good trade. 

Leo is still looking at him with an expression that’s waiting for a shoe to drop. From anyone else, the look would have been insulting. Doubting Primo’s abilities so boldly in front of him would get most people a broken jaw. But he’s known Leo long enough that it’s just fun to watch the old man stress himself out. 

Primo sniffs, raises a shoulder in a slight shrug. “There’s a shipment coming in today. I want to be there when it arrives.”

The sigh that escapes Leonardo is one of pure relief and Primo rolls his eyes behind his sunglasses as the tension immediately dissolves from the other man’s shoulders. “So you’re here on business, then,” Leonardo says. 

“Here on business,” Primo nods. 

“I see,” Leo says. There’s no mention that “business” means drugs and guns and other things illegally obtained to be sold on the streets and back alleys of Rome. No mention that the drugs and guns were bought illegally as well. Business is vague and nebulous, not to be talked about in public and only to be discussed behind closed doors, preferably with a bottle of wine, much like most other parts of Primo’s life. 

Leonardo lights his own cigarette and the two stand there in amicable, but somewhat awkward silence. He wants to say more; wants Primo to say more, but they both know that Primo has nothing else to say. He’s here on business. That’s all there is. They stand at arms length, never any closer, and watch the bustle of the dock workers and sailors as they haul cargo to and fro.

Eventually, Leo says, “You should come for dinner. Francesco has graduated from University. Business. He wishes to see you again.”

This catches Primo’s attention. It’s subtle: his head cocked to the side, a slight straightening of his spine. “Is he here?” Primo asks.

tagging: @marivenah, @florbelles, @statichvm, @fourlittleseedlings, @wrathfulrook, @harmonyowl, @carlosoliveiraa, @cassietrn, @poetikat, @confidentandgood, @strafethesesinners, @trench-rot, @miyabilicious, @simplegenius042, @g0dspeeed, @inafieldofdaisies, @josephslittledeputy, @aceghosts, @adelaidedrubman, @finding-comfort-in-rain, @socially-awkward-skeleton, @voidika, @strangefable, and anyone else wanting to share a wip! (taglist opt in/out)

[freestyle-crocodile-trashpile]

u can do rottmnt 2018 x male reader (separate headcanons) where reader has tried to demonstrate in all the ways that he really likes the turtle but the turtle always thinks the reader is just being nice and that the reader doesn't really love them and why because of this the reader starts to really think that the turtle doesn't like him then he starts to get really frustrated and sad then the turtle finds the reader crying a lot in a hidden corner and when the turtle asks what he hears the reader ends up getting annoyed and just yells "ME I LOVE YOU YOU IMBECIL!!!"

A/n:thank you for requesting

Summary: you do alot of things for the turtles to show you love them but they think your just being nice

Version:rise

Michelangelo

He didn't notice your signs that you like him

More than a friend to be more specific

He thought you were being nice

So he didn't think much about it

He loved everything you did for him

But even his brothers seen how much you like Mikey it when broke their hearts seeing your face when he said thank you and left

So Leo decided to say something

He told Mikey he needed to notice the signs and apologize to you

Mikey was confused mUntil he seen you crying in a corner

When he asked what was wrong You just go annoyed and yelled that you loved him

You told him how you weren't just being nice but instead trying to show him you like him a lot but he just didn't see it

He felt horrible so he made it up to you The Mikey way

He watched movies with you, made you laugh, and basically had a date with you

And at the end of the day you two were going to try it out See if you two wanted to be boyfriends

Leonardo

He knew you weren't just being nice but he didn't think you liked him

Yes he was suspicious but he thought you were trying to make it up to him since Mikey and Donnie do the same thing

So he never thought you liked him more than a friend

And because of this he didn't see how hurt you were when he would sometimes scoff

Donnie wanted to kick him out of his lab every time Leo talks about how you did something like daybreak one of his things and didn't come out about it

And he did and donnie also yelled at Leo about how badly he makes you feel

Of course Leo was confused he must thought that was an act

So he rushed to find you only to find you crying hidden away

Leo rushed over to you and asked what was wrong

He could hear how annoyed you were whe you yelled you loved him

Leo was shocked

He asked why you didn't just tell him

And you explained how he would just scoff and walk away So he had to explain why he did that

You two ended the night agreeing you two should try out being boyfriends before making it official

Raphael

Unlike his brothers he didn't walk away after you did something nice

He stayed their and enjoyed want you did for him and he showed it

But he couldn't see that you liked him even with the looks you give him

Everyone seen you were in love with raph but couldn't tell if you were sad about how he didn't notice so they didn't say anything

Until they told April then she told raph

She seen how hurt you were when raph didn't see how much you liked him so she stepped in

She told raph to look deeper when you did something nice for him

He still didn't notice your love for him

But he did see how hurt you got when he didn't how a certain reaction

So one day he decided to do something nice for you but he couldn't find you

He looked everywhere and unfortunately he found you crying

He quickly ran over to you to ask want happened just for you to tell him that you love him

You didn't really explain but he understood want you meant so he dragged you to the surprise he made you

And just like his brothers he decided to try out being boyfriends before anything went further

Donatella

He loved all the nice things you did for him

That he too gained feelings but did he say something? No

He just enjoyed all the nice things you did for him

As his family watched him enjoying the nice things while you got sad because he's not seeing the signs

So splinter told him how he was making you very upset and he needs to pay closer attention

And he did

Donnie seened how upset he made you but struggled to see how you liked him

So he tried doing nice things for you

Which worked kinda

You were still upset he didn't see how you liked him

When found you crying he panicked and rushed over there

He asked what happened or if someone hurt you

But you just told him how he's blind and can't see all your signs that you like him

Donnie was quiet mainly because he never thought his crush when like him back

So he hugged you which surprised him

And he told you he liked you back

You were glad and he was glad

Everyone was happy since they didn't have yo see Two hopeless romantics everyday

Well they did just not as bad

A/n: I hoped you enjoyed and sorry if some were longer than the other

[a-random-pillow]

Now I’m curious to see the dynamic between the Hidden City family and the Topside family, after seeing your memes.

I find it funny and interesting that the Hidden city turtles like to hang out with the B-Team more. Plus the fact that the Topside turtles are mad/jealous and saddened at the fact that they could have found the Hidden City if they kept looking. I’m really excited to know what their adventures in the hidden city is like.

I wonder if this also before or after the Hidden City fam have dealt with Big Mama. Since the hidden city has different ages, then it would be like this in the start of the 2012 series:

(Long names: Topside; Nicknames: Hidden City)

Leonardo, Rapheal, Donatello, and Michelangelo would be 15; while Raph would be 13, Donnie and Leon would be 12, and Mickey would be 11.

They all consider each other cousin but there are some notable dynamics.

2018 Donnie has kinda pushed 2012 Donatello out of his pacifist ways because making weapons is super fun.

2018 Mikey gets along surprisingly well with 2012 Rapheal, they sometimes go tagging just the two of them.

2012 Leonardo cannot stand 2018 Leo, like he loves his little cousin, but they need a buffer between them or there will be a fight.

2012 Michelangelo loves ridding around 2018Raph, most of 2018 Raph's brothers had outgrown the habit so it's nice to have a monkey on his back again.

The reason the Hidden City Turtles prefer the B-Team because

2012 Leonardo has trouble with the lack of structure in the Jitsu Draxum household and can get pretty bossy. He tries to lecture the younger Turtles when they don't act how he expects Hamatos to act.

2012 Rapheal is normally okay, but he argues for no real reason and gets worse when 2012Leonardo is around. He also tries to be the leader when 2012 Leonardo isn't around.

2012 Mikey fits perfectly in and is a great friend. He is the closest in age and never talks down to the Hidden City TMNT.

2012 Donnie is responsible but can be convinced to abandon his brain cells.

The Topside turtles already defeated Big Mama before the Cross Over starts. Lou and Draxum now run the Battle Nexus.

[insertcoolermonikerhere]

Sacrifices Have Repurcussions, You Know

Transdimensional Leo angst. I'm a sucker for it. And turtles are currently eating my braincells. I may as well make something useful out of it. Yes, it's only 2012 and 2018 but they're the ones I know most about...

text is under the cut for the TW.

TW; death

It's cold.

(It's so cold. There's snow on his skin and he can see the sweat rising off his body as steam.)

There's no wind in the prison dimension. But there's no sun, either. And the air is stale, and it's heavy in his lungs, settling like the dust around him in the poor parody of gravity this place has.

(The sun's hidden behind clouds, now. The air he's breathing is burning with cold as it tears past a crushed windpipe.)

He isn't...

He isn't making it out of this one. It's not a close call, it's not a last minute save.

It was a decision he hadn't realised he'd made when Casey first showed up.

(His attention was on Leo. He could drag him away from his brothers, and wasn't that something he could die for?)

He doesn't have the scrolls. He doesn't have the reverence his older brother might have had. He doesn't have the faith his father had.

But he's dying, and that counts for something.

His eyes aren't open, but he can see her all the same.

(His knee is burning. He can't kneel here forever.)

"Did I do alright?" He manages to croak with a trace of the smile he used to share with his brothers.

He's too far out of his body to feel anything right now, but he knows the back of her hand brushed fondly over his face.

"It seems we cannot escape fate, Leonardo," Karai murmurs, and Leo knows she's thinking of the centuries she spent locked away with the demon using her father's name.

Knows that she's thinking of Splinter's rejection of the Hamato legacy. That she's thinking Leo might be paying the price now.

(The universe isn't one to be cheated. He knows this. But still, he wishes for his father back. To tell him he's doing the right thing. But he's dead four times over, and Leo... Leo doesn't think he could handle another botched chance.

"Did I do it right, Sensei?" And he's not really asking anymore, because he knows Splinter wouldn't answer even he were here. That designation, of right and wrong, lies upon his own shoulders.

And Leo knows in his heart he isn't a good person. But maybe he did right by his family.)

She isn't answering his question.

"Was I good?"

She smiles, and it's sad, and Leo thinks it's unfair that he has to understand this when he hasn't even turned seventeen yet. When he's not sure he ever will.

"Your brothers, your sister, you father... they will live."

They will live.

And he knows that he didn't make the right choice—the right choice was staying with his family, the right choice would have gotten him to safety, too—but he made the best choice he could.

"Are you proud?" He whispers to her, a secret no one else will ever hear. Because it's something he needs to hear. And maybe this is an elaborate hallucination made up by his dying mind to comfort him in his last moments.

"As proud as I can be, Hamato Leonardo."

("Would you be proud?" Leo isn't sure he wants to know anymore, staring up at the shrine to a dead man finally in his grave and the women he burned with the first time it came calling his name.)

[all-things-fluff-and-stuff]

Fanfiction for ROTTMNT (2018)

Tl; Dr: I have way too many ideas all of a sudden and I don't know what to do with it, lmao.

—Fanfic recommendation (When Worlds Collide, the fic is indented and a summary is included): a Leochi fic (notable tags: angst and hurt/ comfort, friends to lovers)

—Also some wonderings I have for ROTTMNT since it relates to the ideas I have for my fic

I've been wanting to write a fanfiction for a long time now about the boys, but I didn't want to write an OC centered fic, simply because I know it would be hard for me to write about the boys in balance of my OC (it would get to "Why didn't I just write my own story?" very quickly).

Then when I read this fic:

When Worlds Collide (41362 words) by celestiangel Chapters: 11/? Fandom: Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Cartoon 2018), Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles (Cartoon) Usagi is given a simple task by Baron Draxum. Spy on the four Hamato siblings for him, gather information, feed it all back to Draxum. The only draw? Usagi has to pretend to fall in love with Leonardo. Chaos ensues.

(FWI: The fic already has so much pain. Leo fallin' hard and fast, despite warnings from his brother இ௰இ )

I thought it would be a fun idea for the turtles to visit Japan and meet Usagi and Co. from Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles. Then from there came a spiral of other ideas that went through my brain. I thought of so many ways for the boys go to Japan, who's going with them and why, maybe the boys have cloaking brooches and went on a field trip with April, or they won a trip to the Jupitar Jim convention in Japan.

I'm not sure if Splints would find it a good opportunity or not about having the turtles be in their families culture or not. I would imagine after season 1 he would be?

I'm also wondering about the cloaking brooches. Like, once April and the turtles found out about it, why didn't they start using it? I saw some ideas from fans, but I dunno. I think Splints has body dysphoria, so wouldn't it be better if he got one, if anything? Also also, wouldn't be good for the boys to go to school and make friends? Or is there a school for Yokai kids in the Hidden City? Why don't the boys hang out there more often and make Yokai friends?

Also also also, we couldn't get much info on the high council from when we heard about them at some point (I don't remember). I'm very curious to how the Hidden City works, and if there's one in New York, I'm betting it's in Japan, too. Maybe these hidden places are underneath major cities, so in Japan's case, it would be under Tokyo?

(Apparently the town where Samurai Rabbit takes place is called Neo-Edo?)

Anyways, there's a lot of planning and world building to do, wish me luck :)

[brightlotusmoon]

Imagine if at the end of the movie, Future-Leo popped out of Casey, revealing he did the same trick Karai did to April (yes, they have a tearful reunion) (followed by a huge 'WTF why didn't you help us') ('HEY! Travelling through time-space is VERY exhausting!')

PPFFFTTT BAHAHA I LOVE IT

Future Leon would absolutely do that.

He's descended from a long line of smartasses, after all.

[bigdvmnhero]

summary:

Leo scrubbed the grime out of his shell, thinking about how this sucked, but like a movie. How the flop was always darkest before the slay. And what if he did kind of deserve this anyway? The thorn became a seed became a flower. And the glass beads on his bracelet bled from blue to black.

The disaster twins come of age, try to build a life, and wear fun matching bracelets that are definitely not haunted by yokai brothers with bad blood.

word count: 2647

chapter 1: spin you until the groove's gone

All year they were reigning champions of Hidden City’s dance hall until Donnie went and took that from Leo, too. 

So he was being a little dramatic. 

But one day Donnie put on the cloaking brooch and badda bing badda boom—there he was, Mr. College Boy in the making, and can you imagine all the conferences I can legally attend now, Nardo?  There went Leo’s dance partner and his street cred. Two birds, one mystic-enhanced stone. Rumor had it there was a new duo coming for the Hamato legacy, but Leo would bet an arm and leg they didn’t have anything on Bootyyyshaker9000’s musicality and his own general MCE (Main Character Energy). It was a twin thing; there was no competing with the twin thing.

Leo kept telling that to himself, anyway. 

He was going to be the backbone of the family, even when most days Raph was off supporting Casey on her new career in vigilantism, or when Mikey started mystic training with Draxum, and finally when Donnie disappeared on weekends to go topside, exploding beakers and bunsen burners with friends, as one does. 

Leo wasn’t invited, which was super fine. Again: super fine. Cooping himself in a library had zero appeal next to the wealth of odd jobs at the Hidden City’s community board, which he often took in exchange for coin, but mostly medic lessons at the city clinic. 

If it felt a little like penance after the whole Kraang situation, nobody had to know.

But Donnie was late to movie night again, and Leo wanted to tell him how he stitched some yokai’s stomach closed today, which was  subaramazing. 

“Penetrating abdominal trauma,” Dr. Masamune explained, teaching him to work the needle with mystic thread; steady hands now, steady. What could college teach that Leo couldn’t? Would college ever let Donnie do something as badass as touching a real liver? There was no way. 

Then came the giggling in the living room; Donnie and April were back, and they just had the most exciting road trip, just a spur-of-the-moment thing with the boys, and Leo should’ve seen it, did he know how cute turtle hatchlings were? Donnie built them forcefield backpacks to fend off the birds looking for a late-night snack, everyone loved it, and what was Leo doing here, all alone in the lair?

“Leo?” Donnie’s blissed out, almost tipsy grin began to slide off his face—Lou Jitsu’s face, if he was sixteen and had a little extra forehead. “Uh, you there, pal?”

“Leo?” someone repeated, and the scene changed; it was Raph, cocking his head at Leo while his birthday candles burned, and right, it was their eighteenth birthday. The room pulled back into focus. Leo stared at his cake, and that was how he realized that two years had passed, and while he’d spent them in a sort of cryogenic sleep, his family hadn’t. 

Raph said his name again. He was flanked by Casey—when did they get matching tattoos?—and Mikey, two of his yokai friends floating around his head, chattering with Baron Draxum, who stood at a concerningly intimate distance to Splinter. And Donnie—

“Leonardo? Leader in blue? Unequal sibling?” Donnie called; on his lap was a DIY Atomic Lass chest plate, a gift from his college nerd friends that April helped organize. The bracelet Leo prepared felt flimsy now. It burned a shameful hole in his pocket. 

“Sorry, I know it’s not much—" Leo fixed the clasp around Donnie’s wrist, purple to his blue one, and dodged his eyes, "but you always said you wanted some funky matching bling. So. Tried to find the exact shade of your bandana but—”

“I love it,” Donnie said, fingering the glass beads with soft eyes. “Genuinely. Thank you, Leo. Got you something, too.”

It’s a jacket with a failsafe feature. 

“Probably a jacket with a secret failsafe,” Leo echoed. Surprise broke open on Donnie's face. It would hit them later, what was happening, but until then there were candles to blow, twins to dunk into birthday cakes—Donnie, obvi, Leo would keep his streak up or die trying.

There was an ending to this story that Leo could predict. They were careening towards it; by the doorstep of the kitchen, Leo froze with his armful of plates and listened to his family laugh and laugh like they could hear it coming too: the inevitable crash, the moment when Leo’s family stopped being all his—and where would that leave him?  

full story on ao3

[spideysoldier28]

So I don't really post on here but I kind of wanted to talk about the new TMNT show and film as I just recently finished it and it seems I'm starting to get back into the Turtles. So to start, when I first heard about the show I was excited about it as hey we're getting new TMNT content and u can NEVER have too much content of something u love! When I watched the first few episodes at the time I was very, I guess, put off by it. I grew up with the '03 turtles and my fav has and forever will be Leonardo. So in the 2018 show, I was shocked to find out Leo was not the fearless leader that we knew and suppose to love and the fact that he turned into Mikey 2.0. I love Mikey but Leo's suppose to be the cool, calm, and collected Turtle, not the one that runs off and does whatever he wants! I was also shocked to see how more mature Mikey was than Leo! Besides that, the portrayal of Splinter was terrible as he had no interest for his sons and the roll of Donnie became similar to Raph as he was kind of an a-hole and sarcastic all the time. I will also say April was a bit much. I mean definitely love the girl power and go get it attitude but at times my little bro and I would be like whoa she crazy. I will say it was interesting to see Raph step up to that leader roll and we could all see how much Raph cared for his family. I mean if ur already a die hard TMNT fan then u know Raph cares for his family deeply but often has a difficult time showing it. In this case it was different to see that his feelings weren't hidden and he was very open with his brothers.

Anyway, going to today, I recently started to rewatch the '03 Turtles on Paramount + and decided I would watch all of the TMNT content that came out over the last 30 years so that also meant 2018. I only saw the first few episodes at the time and hadn't watched all of it until now which I have to say I'm glad I did watch all of it as it was really good. I think my favorite is the last few episodes of season 2 as it felt more like the Turtles I grew up with and all of the content that we have seen of the TMNT so far. The film was also really good as it felt more like redemption for Leo considered how he has acted during the two seasons. While I couldn't help about think of all the issues that I stated above I'm kind of glad we got exposed to it bc things definitely did change. With Splinter he became a lot more caring to his sons, himself, and for the Hamato family as well. April was still April but I definitely love her way more than the 2012 April. With the guys, I have learned to love all of them even though they are very different from what I'm used and what Kevin and Peter created but it's good that's different. We as a society have to accept that there's going to be change and yeah u may not like it but it's going to happen. I'm also not saying everybody has to like it but just remember that it's there and others may like it so don't hate and be mean about it. I know I'm in a few FB TMNT groups and the new TMNT definitely gets a lot of hate which is pretty sad. Overall this new series and film is very different but it was a good different and being a student filmmaker I can only hope that someday I will also be able to make my own TMNT content preferably live action as we don't have much TMNT content through there and it would be fun to try it out. I can't help but feel like I have to end with something about Leonardo but I'm glad Ben Schwartz got to voice and bring this new Leo to life on this show. I can only hope Rise will get another season as clearly they definitely deserve it! Anyway sorry for the long post but ✌ & cowabunga!

[coconurt]

That was really it. His friend, his teacher, his everything was gone forever. Doomed to die separated from his family, trapped alone with a monster, just so the rest of them could live.

And it was all Casey's fault.

Something ahead of him caught his eye. A glint of silver, hidden among the rubble. His beloved weapon slipped from his grasp and clattered to the asphalt.

Leonardo's odachi.

~~~

Or: the aftermath of Leo's sacrifice.

[fluideli123]

Leo, Mikey, Sunita, and April all hang out in the Hidden City! <3

Rating:

Teen And Up Audiences

Archive Warning:

No Archive Warnings Apply

Category:

Gen

Fandoms:

Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Cartoon 2018)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - All Media Types

Relationship:

Donatello & Leonardo & Michelangelo & April O'Neil & Raphael & Splinter | Lou Jitsu

Characters:

Leonardo (TMNT)

Donatello (TMNT)

Michelangelo (TMNT)

Raphael (TMNT)

April O'Neil (TMNT)

Splinter | Lou Jitsu

Original Characters

Meat Sweats (TMNT)

Sunita (TMNT)

Señor Hueso (TMNT)

Mind Raph (TMNT)

Red Raph (TMNT)

Savage Raph (TMNT)

Additional Tags:

Angst with a Happy Ending

Family Feels

Family Fluff

Older Sibling April O'Neil (TMNT)

lesbian april o'neil

Leonardo Has Anxiety (TMNT)

Leonardo Has Chronic Insomnia (TMNT)

Autistic Donatello (TMNT)

Autistic Raphael (TMNT)

Dyslexic Raphael (TMNT)

Dyscalculic Raphael (TMNT)

Plural Raphael (TMNT)

Michelangelo Has ADHD (TMNT)

Michelangelo Has Intrusive Thoughts (TMNT)

Panic Attacks

Anxiety Attacks

Multiplicity/Plurality

Autism Spectrum

adhd spectrum

Neurodiversity

Self-Esteem Issues

Queer Themes

Childhood Memories

Childhood Trauma

Turtle Tots (TMNT)

Additional Warnings In Author's Note

Other Additional Tags to Be Added

Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence

Platonic Relationships

Brotherly Affection

Worldbuilding

Canon-Typical Violence

Symbolism

Internalized Homophobia

[beastenraged]

what it means to be the last

The Lady Crane, last of the crane yokai, finds what appears to be a full grown turtle mutant missing an arm on her doorstep.

Judging by the blue mask (and his red markings), it is supposed to be an older Leonardo.

She whistles to herself, bending over to carefully take that remaining arm, hook it around her shoulders. Best she can, she staggers into her living quarters with the far too heavy turtle on her back.

Once she's settled the still out of it mutant on a spare mat, the crane yokai sets about making tea.

There are still manners to follow, after all. Even with unexpected visitors from nowhere. A visitor with only pants on, no less!

-

Leonardo, last of four turtle brothers, wakes up. Impossibly, he wakes up.

His aches and pains in his shoulders (both of them, but mostly the stub) make him more than aware how alive he is. When he shouldn't be.

Because he threw himself in front of that Krang for a reason. Because with Mikey gone, opening that gate for Casey, Casey leaving this hell behind, there's no reason to keep standing.

"Oh, you're finally awake! How do you feel, Master Leonardo?"

He jerks, throwing himself upwards in a sitting position. Reaching for a sword that's no longer hanging off his shell.

Leo stares at the source of the voice. It's a yokai, bird-type. Wearing traditional Japanese clothing colored black to contrast with white feathers. The yokai stares back, holding...a teapot. Yeah, a teapot.

The strange part is how this yokai clearly knows him, well enough to call him by name, when Leo has no idea who they are in return.

"This is your actual...self, correct?" The yokai asks, settling the pot between them. "You are not aged up due to some mystical accident? And still Leonardo Hamato?"

Well, they seem to know his younger self, at least. He inclines his head.

"That's right."

He coughs, throat rough and tight.

The yokai bows their head towards him. "I am the Lady Crane, since you do not appear to know me. A pleasure to meet you, Master Leonardo."

She taps at the teapot. "Would you accept chai?"

This is...

"You're just gonna accept this? That I'm some fucked up version of the turtle you know." He pauses. Wait. "What year is it, anyway? Where the hell am I?"

The yokai turns her head so one black eye steadily examines him. "We are in the Hidden City, by the year..." She clucks her beak. "2018, by current human reckoning, I believe."

What, 2018?! He has to- he has to-

There's a hand, hidden within the wing pushing him back against the wall. Stopping him from getting up onto his feet before he's even fully realized it.

"Calm. Let us have tea first," this Lady Crane insists.

Alright. He stares at her. People weren't really much for manners when the world was ending, but before everyone realized how bad it was, Leo had dealt with some manners-crazed yokai.

Not a lot, and he had messed it up, being fuck-up he was at sixteen. But he knows this game. Barely.

Leo leans back against the wall. He nods. "Fine. Thank you, Lady Crane."

-

She knows the signs of a restless warrior when she sees one, as she pours out the chai into the two cups set out.

A warrior that thinks her actions are useless, nonsense.

Something has been lost, clearly, from the Leonardo she knows from the one tapping at a kneepad in front of her. Because the Leonardo she knows takes a pleasure in tea, and likes the little games such set-ups imply. Mostly as a chance to employ word games and pride himself on his own cleverness in such games.

This turtle is one who has spent too much time fighting, to remember what it is like to have a peace between it. A turtle that has no living brothers to claim peace for, judging by the masks on the katana she recovered.

(The orange is missing, but the fact that Leonardo is here and Michelangelo is not...well, the conclusion is easy to put together.)

She sips first. Waits for him to (reluctantly) sip from his own, to finish the swallow.

"How long have you been alone?"

The cup shatters, in his hand.

-

Shit. Shit. There's glass in his hand now.

Leo stares at the blood dripping from his fingers. More pain, little as it is, to make him very aware how alive he is.

Clawed fingers take his hand. Pinching out the shards.

He wants to pull away. He wants to lay down and never get up again.

(He wants to be dead already.)

Leo lets the yokai continue. Her words, as she starts to talk, are quiet.

"It is clear that Raphael and Donatello have been dead for some time, judging by your sword."

No, don't say this. Don't make him face this.

"Michelangelo I would guess is a far more recent death. Recent enough, severe enough, that you did not have a chance to recover anything for him."

"There wasn't anything left," he forces out.

The black eyes are steady on his face, as she takes out the glass without looking. She never misses her mark, operating entirely by touch.

He hates it.

"I see."

She removes her now bloodied hands. One hand holds the removed shards. Shards covered in his blood.

"How badly do you want me to kill you?"

-

Master Leonardo does not immediately respond. It is alright, it is expected for the crane.

Few expect her honesty, especially over tea where the most lies occur between parties.

"I have the strength to swiftly snap your neck with no pain," she continues. "A quick death. Or..."

The crane gestures to the pot. "I could add a draught of poison, a sleep that you will not wake from. It is up to you."

"Do you ask this from everyone who has tea with you?" Master Leonardo finally speaks. Tries for a crooked, broken smile. "Because you must not get a lot of visitors."

Ah, teasing. Some of the Leonardo she knows remains.

"The offer is honest. You..." She once again mentally catalogues his wounds. Wounds he has made absolutely no attempt to tend too.

And as a warrior at war, he should have attempted to fight her the minute she brought up the possibly of killing him. Or start worrying about poison in the tea.

Instead. Nothing. He does not move, does not worry.

Only accepts. Only waits.

"You are alone. You are the last of your kind."

("I am the last of the cranes.")

"You do not think you can make it without them. You have clearly tried to die once."

She watches him. Steady.

"Again, I ask: how badly do you want me to kill you?"