Step 1: Babysit

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Leo sat with his knees up to his chest, arms cross at the top, and bottom lip pushed out as he watched Master Splinter's show play on the wall. He was mad because he wasn't allowed to go up top with Master Splinter, Donnie, and Raph for scavenging.

He growled and threw his hands down to his side to see Donnie packing up his little backpack with some trinkets and a tracker and Raph gloating to their dad on how happy he was he was the leader.

Leo wanted to be the leader.

He was really mad when Splinter said Raph was the one taking charge since he was bigger and older. Leo was faster, and had better one liners considering he was only eight. He looked over again and saw and saw Raph walk away and took his chance. He bounced from the couch and ran straight to Splinter who was taking another bite from a block of cheese.

Splinter was slightly taken back from little blue running up to him so quickly.

"What is it?" He asked with a full mouth.

"I wanna go." Leo said simple and sweet. Splinter took a moment and swallowed his piece of cheese.

"No." he said before walking away. Leo rolled his eyes and ran towards his dad.

"But why? Donnie goes with you every time and Raph is too big to hide." Leo tried to protest.

"Donatello is smart and can keep track of where we've been and Raphael can fight if needed." Splinter explained.

"I can fight! I've been practicing! Watch!" Leo tried to show off when a kata he had been attempting to master.

"The answer is still no Leonardo." Splinter responded, sucking down a cup of milk.

"But I wanna show I can be a great leader. Better than Raph." He pouted once again, crossing his arms across his chest. Splinter stopped slurping at his cup and turned the young turtle.

"You are not ready to be a leader. You have much to learn. Raphael by proxy will be but you, you must earn that title. And it will not be earned by a bringing home food." Splinter said.

"Then how? I want to prove to you I can do anything!" He said with optimism. Splinter hummed, looking around and smiled. He pointed at the table, where the youngest was drawing his latest picture, humming a tune to himself as he painted the colors across the paper. Leo dropped dropped his jaw.

"You, are going to babysit." Splinter said simply as he started to walk to the front where Donnie and Raph were waiting for him.

"What?! What kind of job is that?" He protested, hearing the snickering from Donnie and Raph.

"As a leader, you must learn how to take care of your teammates. You will be taking care of Mikey while we are away." Splinter said.

"Wooo Look at Nanny Leo!" Raph Taunted, getting a high three to Donnie. Leo growled and bunched his fists ready to pounce but was stopped by Splinter.

"Prove to me you can do this. Yes?" Splinter suggested. Leo pierced his lips, and nodded in agreement. Splinter smiled and walked away to the front door.

Leo watched with sad eyes as Splinter and his two other brothers left the lair. He huffed and walked back over to the table where Mikey was engrossed in his picture. Leo watched the skill of his youngest brother in the arts, drawing himself his favorite superhero, and was impressed but was still irritated that this was the job he was given. There was no way he would become a leader with a babysitting gig. Leo sat there and pondered over what he can do to convince Master Splinter he was meant to be a leader. He scratched the top of his head, feeling the fabric from his mask as he thought.

It finally hit him. Master Splinter has been wanting the sequel to the Japanese comedy movie he watches every night. Leo knew what he needed to do. He would go to the local movie store and pick up and bring it to him, convincing him that he should be leader. It was for sure to work.

He got so excited he bounced out of his seat and started to pack a small bag to head up.

"Leo?" A small voice caught his attention. He looked over to see Mikey staring at him in confusion. "What are you doing?" He asked. Leo knew he couldn't leave Mikey alone. He rummaged around to look for another bag and when he did he tossed it to his little brother.

"We're going up top. Lets go!"

They were only about a mile away from the lair till they made it to the manhole that Leo remember would lead right next to the old video store which he for a fact would still have the movie.

"Leo are you sure we can be out here? Wer'e gonna get in trouble." Mikey said in a whisper, looking around the dark sewer tunnel.

"Yeah Mikey were getting something that will make Master Splinter happy. So happy he might let us eat ice cream for dinner for a week." Leo said as he started up the ladder to top side. Mikey smiled at the idea of eating ice cream for dinner since it was his favorite meal. As he started to reach for the ladder, he heard a strange noise.

Leo made his way up to the top of the ladder and tried with all his might to move the manhole, not being prepared for the weight of it.

"Mikey, hurry up so you can help me with this." He called. When he received no response, he looked down to see Mikey wasn't on the ladder.

"Mikey?" He called again, sliding down the side of the rails till his feet hit the bottom. He skimmed to see that in the bit of dimness he was given, his baby brother was nowhere in sight.

"Mikey!"

A/N: Just a little story of Leo's rise to a future leader (: based on the 2018 version. Hope you all enjoyed so far! Leave comments and reviews! Till next time!

-F