The Worst Leader

I don't own TMNT.

There are five dangerous faults that may affect a general.

Why he was thinking of the passage from the book The Art of War he was not sure, perhaps it was the debate going on among his sons while they were cooling down with light exercises in the dojo. The elderly gray rat clutched his walking stick and reentered the room after fetching himself a cup of tea.

"I think it's obvious dude," Mikey said while rolling his eyes.

"Guys, I'm not dead yet," Leo said, crossing his arms while glaring at his three younger brothers.

"We know Leo, you'll be around for a long time," Don said with an affectionate smile.

"Just face it guys, Fearless ain't going nowhere."

"That's anywhere, hothead," Don commented with his own eye roll.

"You want to start something brainiac?"

"Guys, break it up!" Leo said, putting himself between them.

Mikey slipped away from the others and near one of the tall weapon racks, twirling his nunchucks cautiously close to the supports.

Recklessness, which leads to destruction.

Don, Raph and Leo turned away from one another, continuing their exercises. Don closed his eyes and relaxed himself while he spun his bow. Raph chuckled and snuck up behind him silently before yelling andf thrusting his sai rapidly towards his younger brother.

"Yikes!" Don yelped, jumping back and Raph chuckled.

"Raphie!"

Cowardice, which leads to capture.

"Raph, stop that!" Leo ordered.

"Chill Fearless I wasn't gonna hurt him."

"What happens one day when you slip up and accidentally-"

"I ain't accidentally gonna do nothing Fearless!" Raph yelled, his hands curling into fists.

A hasty temper, which can be provoked by insults.

Leo lowered his eyes, "I'm just saying-"

"I ain't gonna be stupid like you were with Master Splinter!"

The eldest's eyes widened before they became shaded and he turned away from the others.

"Raph!" Mikey yelled, slapping his red masked older brother upside the head, adding a complete touch of situational irony to the scene.

Leo went quietly back to exercises.

A delicacy of honor, which is sensitive to shame.

"Mikey," Raph growled, raising his fist to deliver a good right jab to the younger turtle's jaw.

The youngest narrowed his eyes, he could handle the hothead. Beating Raph wasn't too hard. He was prepared for the upcoming strike when a leaf green hand grabbed the dark green one.

"Leave it Raph," Leo muttered as Don stepped forward and pulled Mikey out of range.

He could sense World War III brewing.

Over-Solicitude for his men, which exposes him to worry and trouble.

Splinter shook his head and spoke up, "Excellent job today my sons, you four are dismissed."

They bowed silently, not daring to glare at one another in the presence of their master.

"Actually," Splinter thought with a smile while he turned to look over his four sons, "I chose the worst leader for this team."

Michelangelo: Recklessness-1 Strike

Donatello: Cowardice-1 Strike

Raphael: A hasty temper.-1 Strike

Leonardo: A delicacy of honor & Over-Solicitude for his men-2 Strikes

I was just reading my newly acquired copy of The Art of War by Sun Tzu when the thought of this one-shot crossed my mind. I find it ironic in this sense, considering these traits, Leo should be the last one Splinter would choose to be the leader.

R&R

~Moonsetta