Disclaimer: Only own the turtle tots & story idea. Nickelodeon owns everything TMNT. Enjoy!


A small turtle with a blue and yellow bandana sat peering from her hiding spot at the one currently practicing. She had sneakily followed him into the dojo and hidden where she couldn't be seen. She absolutely loved to watch him, as he was the most skilled of her brothers – granted he practiced his ninjitsu the most.

The one currently practicing was aware of his not-so-secret audience. He had sensed her excitement and had heard a soft giggle coming from above. There was only one turtle tot who would even think to hide in the pipes above. Giving a small smile, he continued his kata, pretending like she wasn't there.

Tiny gasps were heard every now and again when he would perform a spectacular move or land a flip with ease. He held the rapt attention of the littlest tot, who was usually a whirlwind of energy.

The little one leaned forward a bit, to see him better, and suddenly felt herself slipping off the pipe she sat upon. Giving a startled gasp, she grasped for something to grab onto, but her hands missed and suddenly she was falling. She braced herself for impact with the dojo floor, only it never came, as suddenly her big brother was there and she was landing perfectly in his arms.

Leonardo had noticed the change in her gasps and had moved quickly to catch his falling little sister. He caught her with ease and gave the astonished tot a warm smile. "Nice of you to drop in…"

"You caught me!" Lenni giggled delightedly. "I's thought I was gonna hits the floor."

He shook his head in amusement. "So, what were you doing up there, little ninja?"

"I's playin'," she told him. "I's a spy."

"Ah, you're a spy, are you?" He saw her nod. "And just what were you spying on?"

"You…" She gave him a shy smile.

"Did you like what you saw?"

"Uh-huh. You likes a superhero! You just needs a cape!"

"You've been hanging around Mikey too long. This team doesn't need capes."

"Buts you could be likes Turtle Titan then!" She gave an excited clap of her hands.

"Turtle Titan, huh?"

"Uh-huh. You fights just likes him!"

"Well, maybe he fights just like me." He bounced her in his arms a little, causing her to laugh heartedly. "Aren't you supposed to be in your room for quiet time?"

"I's got bored," Lenni shrugged innocently. "An' I's was quiet. Spies are super quiet, like ninjas!"

It was his turn to laugh now, as he shook his head a little. "You're something else, Kiddo."

"Will you plays with me?" She asked hopefully, as quiet time felt more like punishment to her rambunctious self.

"Well… Master Splinter did say it was quiet time…" He trailed off, as he suddenly tossed her into the air and caught her again. "But, sure, I'll play with you."

Lenni squealed as she was tossed and captured once more. "Again! Again Leo! Again!"

Leonardo laughed as he tossed her a couple more times, flipping her around a little bit, in order to entertain her. He was used to his sisters watching him practice, but the small one he was playing with, was the only one who ever insisted on spying on him. The other girls always sat where he could see them, while his baby sister would hide somewhere and peer at him in what she assumed was secret.

After playing with her for a little while, he soon heard the others emerging from their rooms, signalling that quiet time was now over. He kissed the side of her head. "Alright, Kiddo. I've got some things to do, so go play with your sisters, okay?"

"Aww… Okay," Lenni pouted as he set her down. He was always busy, but she enjoyed any time she managed to con him into playing with her. "Will you plays with me again later?"

"We'll see," he smiled ruffling her hair.

She returned his smile as she scurried out of the dojo, eager to find a new playmate. Upon reaching the den, one of her sisters called out to her immediately.

"Lenni! Come play superheroes with me!" Mily exclaimed upon spotting her. It was one of their most favourite games that they enjoyed playing.

"Okay!" Lenni agreed readily. "I's gonna be Nobody!"

"I'm Guardian Angel!" Mily said with a nod, as she struck a superhero pose.

"We needs capes!" Lenni insisted, and the two of them headed off to find something to use.

They returned moments later, each with a long towel tied around their necks, with the rest of it draped behind them like capes. The two tots immediately began racing around the lair, jumping and kicking the air and running across furniture.

"Quick! They're getting way!" Mily shouted, chasing after an imaginary foe. "Nobody! Go left!"

"I's comin' Guardian Angel!" Lenni shrieked excitedly, dodging to the left and running across a checkers board. "Catch him!"

"Lenni!" Danceingfae exclaimed as the game pieces were scattered. "Now we gotta start all over!"

"And I was winning!" Arista cried out upset she would now have to try again to beat her sister. "Thanks a lot!"

The two continued racing about, knocking into things and bumping into turtle tots who got in the way. They chased one another into the kitchen, crashing into Daydream who dropped the bowl of batter she'd been holding, as her and Michelangelo were baking.

"Out! Out!" Michelangelo shooed them. "Chase your bad guys elsewhere, Dudettes!"

When they returned to the living room, they were met with a shrill whistle and halted in their spots, glancing up at their father uneasily.

"My daughters, please settle down a little," Master Splinter told them. "You are causing too much chaos."

"Bad guys don't slows down for no one, Sensei," Lenni replied, hands on her hips. "They goes an' we follow."

"Unless you would like to follow them to your room, I suggest these bad guys of yours cause a little less mischief."

"Sorry, Sensei," Mily apologized. "We didn't mean to cause any trouble."

"May I recommend a quieter game?"

"Buts we wanna plays superheroes!" Lenni insisted, her face clouding over a little. "We wanna fights crime!"

Master Splinter eyed the two tots, one standing still with her hands on her hips and the other looking a little worried. "Perhaps then, you take your game into the dojo…"

"Really?" Mily said, her voice perking up. "We can play in there?"

"As long as you promise not to touch any weapons, I will permit you to play your game in there," he agreed, deciding it was best to let them wear off their energy.

"Promise!" Mily agreed easily.

Lenni gave him a sidelong glance as he raised his brows at her. "Okay…I's promise not to touch the weapons."

"Go, fight crime," Master Splinter encouraged, as he took a seat in his chair, having had promised to teach TMNTPunker how to play chess.

The two tots scurried off to the dojo, shouting playfully as they went, eager to catch the imaginary villains they were after. They darted around the dojo, climbing things and jumping and giggling maniacally like little kids do.

"We could really use Turtle Titan," Mily stated, as she cartwheeled after her foe. "There's so many bad guys today."

Lenni somersaulted over to her. "Yeah! We should gets Leo to play!"

"Leo? Why would we get Leo?" Mily asked, pausing her actions. "Mikey's Turtle Titan."

"Nuh-uh!" Lenni protested, standing once more. "Turtle Titan is Leo!"

"But Leo doesn't even like superheroes!" Mily argued. "Mikey pretends to be one all the time! He even plays superheroes with us!"

"Mikey told me it's not him, so it's not!" Lenni insisted, stamping her foot. "It's Leo, Mily!"

"An' how do you know that?"

"I know 'cause no one else fights as awesome!"

"Yes, they do! Mikey can if he wants too!"

"No! Only Leo can! I's know 'cause I's been watchin' him!"

Mily placed her hands on her hips. "Well, you're wrong! Leo would never play superheroes, so he can't be Turtle Titan!"

"YES, HE CAN!" Lenni roared, her face contorting in anger.

Crossing her arms over her chest, Mily looked down at her little sister. "It's Mikey."

"How do you know? Turtle Titan keeps who he is secrets!"

"Well, how do you know it's Leo?"

"I's just know!"

"Well, you're wrong!"

Lenni got into her angry stance then and immediately shoved her sister backwards. "I'S AM NOTS!"

Mily stumbled back a few steps, frowning. "Don't shove me! Just 'cause you're wrong doesn't mean you gotta be mean!"

The younger turtle became irritated, when she was shoved in return. Glaring at her sister, she breathed angrily through her nose. "It's Leo…"

The pink wearing girl was surprised when she was suddenly tackled to the floor and she quickly wrestled back, trying to defend herself. "It's Mikey!"

"You're wrong!"

"I'm right more than you!"

"You's an'…an' ass!" Lenni swore, as she began to swing wildly, landing a sold punch to her sister's face.

Mily crumbled beneath her, her eyes filling with tears as she let loose a wail. "MIKEY!" She struggled a little, trying to get out from under her sister. "You're mean, Lenni!"

"I's am nots!" She managed to hit her again, just as Michelangelo came racing into the dojo.

"What the shell is going on in here!?" Michelangelo exclaimed, as he found a mess of towels and entangled turtle tots. He quickly helped Mily up, shaking his head when he saw the bruise forming on her cheek.

"Lenni…" Leonardo trailed off in a threatening tone as he entered the room behind his brother.

"She's a liar!" Lenni insisted, as she turned to look at her brother in blue, flashing him an innocent smile. "Hiya Leo!"

"No, I'm not! She hit me!" Mily protested, a bruise already forming on her face.

"Why were you fighting?" Michelangelo asked, surprised since usually the two were pretty close.

"I told you! She's a liar!"

Mily pointed accusingly at her sister. "She's just mad 'cause I'm right. Turtle Titan is you, right, Mikey?"

"You're wrong! I's told you, that Mikey told me it wasn't him!"

"I think we better leave Lenni to have a talk with Leo…" Michelangelo scooped the older girl up. "Come on, let's get some ice for your face." As he carried her out of the dojo, he whispered, "I only said that because I don't want everyone to know it's actually me. Can you keep it a secret?"

Mily nodded vigorously. "I knew it," she whispered back. "Your secret's safe with me, Mikey."

"Asshole!" Lenni shouted after them, still angry with her sister.

"Lenni!" Leonardo said exasperatedly.

"What?" Lenni asked innocently as she turned to face him.

What did I tell you about using those words?"

"Nots too…" She flashed him a somewhat guilty smile.

"Did you really hit Mily just now?" He asked, crossing his arms. "Be honest, or you'll be doing flips for a week."

Lenni crossed her arms in return. "You're not the boss of me!"

"And all of her chores," he added. "Try me."

"I am not doin' her chores!" Lenni shouted, getting angry again. "You can't makes me!"

"Just be honest and you won't be. Honesty is one of the main foundations to being a ninja, and you want to be ninja like me, right?"

"I am ninja!"

"Ninjas are honest. So…why did you hit her?"

"She deserves it," Lenni replied, giving a snotty pose.

Leonardo pieced together what he had heard and suddenly understood. "Because you think I'm Turtle Titan and she thinks it's Mikey."

The turtle tot gave a brisk nod. "She's wrong, an' I's right."

"Look, even if I was Turtle Titan, that doesn't give you an excuse to go off and hit your sister because you think she's wrong."

"Yes, it does…" Lenni scowled. "She needed to be punishes! An' she shoved me too!"

Leonardo sighed. "Do you want flips and extra chores all week or not? Choose your next words very carefully…"

"I's won't do them… You can't makes me…." Lenni told him, arms still crossed and an upset look on her face. "Superheroes aren't s'pose to punishes their fans…"

Leonardo decided to try a different tactic. "You know what superheroes stand for, right? Truth, justice, honesty...they don't blame their problems on others. It's my job to tell you that and if I see injustice, I do need to make sure it doesn't happen again."

Lenni was silent for a long moment, unsure of how to proceed. "She made me mad…" She admitted, feeling a little bad for her actions. "I's wanna be a superhero too, Leo…"

"Then it's simple, you apologize to your sister and I won't have to punish you…as much."

"How about you don't punishes me at all?" Lenni suggested with a hopeful look.

Leonardo pointed to the doorway. "Apologize to Mily and we'll see. Don't make me have to get Master Splinter."

Lenni huffed, grumbling a bit as she exited the dojo and headed for the kitchen, ensuring to keep her distance from their father, just in case. "Mily?"

Mily is sitting in Michelangelo's lap, icing her bruised cheek. "Yes?" She answered with a frown.

"I'm sorry I's hit you…and for tackling you…an' shoving you…an' calling you a bad word…" Lenni apologized. "I's didn't mean it…"

Michelangelo nodded approvingly. "Solid apology."

Mily forgave her little sister easily. "Thanks, Lenni. It's okay. Turtle Titan isn't really Mikey." She winked covertly at her brother in orange. "So, you were right. I accept your apology though."

"I's knew it!" Lenni fist pumped with a triumphant smile. "YES!"

Leonardo entered the kitchen then, raising an eye ridge at the cheering tot. "Okay, Lenni, good work. I think ten flips is enough for today. Come on."

Lenni frowned up at him. "Why can't it be no flips? I's said sorry…"

"Come on, you can pretend you're a superhero while doing them," he prompted, really not wanting to have to involve their father.

"Superheroes don't gets punishes…" Lenni grumbled, as she turned and headed back for the dojo with her brother in blue following her.


Lenni was grumbling about having to go to bed, as she wanted to stay up and play; she also wanted to secretly watch her brother in blue some more. Alas, she had lost the bedtime battle and was currently pulling her blankets back to climb in next to her teddy bear. "I's wish we could plays superheroes longer… I's not sleepy yet."

"Sensei said we need our rest," Mily reminded her, as she climbed onto her bed. "Though, I wanted to play a little more too."

"Sensei's mean…"

"He's only mean 'cause you don't listen," Mily teased with a smile. "'Sides, he still let you cuddle with him…"

Lenni gave a small smile then, as she had been permitted to cuddle, despite having argued with him first. "Well, he's soft… I's like soft."

"Me too," Mily agreed, stifling a yawn. "Maybe next time we should be Silver Sentry an' someone else."

"Oooh! I's can be Batman!" Lenni enthused, standing on her bed, wrapping a small blanket around her. "Batman can join the Justice Force!"

"I can be Batgirl!" Mily said excitedly, also grabbing up a blanket and doing the same as her sister. "Or maybe I can be Supergirl!"

Lenni pulled the blanket over the lower half of her face, as she stood there. "I's am the terror that flaps in the night…."

"That's Darkwing Duck!" Mily giggled, jumping on her bed a little.

"Well, he can be part of the team too!" Lenni insisted with a nod, doing a little flip. "It will be awesome!"

Leonardo entered the room then, shaking his head, partly in amusement. "Aren't you two supposed to be in bed?"

"We're on the bed," Lenni replied with a smile as she bounced around. "Sensei didn't say we gots to lay down in them. He just said, goes to bed."

He chuckled softly, as he went and captured the littlest one while she was in mid-air. "Well, I'm telling you two little superheroes it's time to lay down in bed."

"Aww, Leo…" Mily whined, as her sister squealed upon being caught. "We never get to stay up late…"

"You do on occasion," Leonardo reminded her, as he laid the youngest tot down on her bed. "If you lay down now, I'll read you two a story."

Mily immediately plopped down on her bed. "We like stories!"

"I likes Pigs!" Lenni reminded him, referring to her Robert Munsch book.

"I like Something Good!" Mily added, as she hurried over to them with both books.

Leonardo nodded as he settled himself on the bed between the two girls. "Alright, we'll read two tonight."

"Yay!" They chorused, both snuggling into him, each holding onto their favourite stuffed animals.

He opened the first book and read it to them, enjoying their delighted giggles. It wasn't every day he got to read to them, as usually Michelangelo took care of that.

"Leo? Do you thinks Turtle Titan would ever lets us goes on an adventure withs him?" Lenni asked softly, as he paused between books. "I'd really likes too."

"Me too!" Mily nodded in agreement. "It would be so cool!"

"I think Turtle Titan would prefer little turtles to be in bed instead," Leonardo answered carefully. "He knows it's not safe for them to go with him just yet."

"Oh…" Mily said, a downcast look on her face. "Guess we gotta wait until we're older, huh?"

Leonardo smiled down at her. "Yes. But he will take you with him when the time is right."

Lenni didn't say anything, as she sat there thinking quietly. Listening in as the second story began, she devised a plan in her head.

When the girls were asleep, Leonardo placed Mily back in hers and tucked her in securely. He went back to the littlest one and tucked her in as well, ensuring she wasn't near the edge. Soon as he was certain they would be asleep for awhile, he quietly left the room, closing the door behind him.

A tiny turtle tot woke a couple hours later, hoping she hadn't slept so long her plan wouldn't work the way she intended. Sliding from her bed quietly, she snuck out of the bedroom and inched her way down the hall to see if her brothers were still there. Hearing their voices, she ducked into the bathroom to do her business, though she didn't bother to flush the toilet; she didn't want to alert anyone to the fact she was awake. Washing her hands with just a little water, she dried them off, and stealthily headed for the living room.

"I still can't believe you only gave the Runt ten flips for punching her," Raphael commented. "Sensei would have given her at least twenty."

Leonardo shrugged. "I was happier with the fact I got her to listen to reason. I thought for sure she was going to end up doing flips and extra chores all week."

"You just went soft 'cause she flattered you," Michelangelo laughed.

Rolling his eyes, Leonardo headed for the door. "Are you guys coming, or not?"

"Well, he didn't deny it," Donatello smirked as he followed his brothers.

The small ninja who had been hiding in the darkness of the hallway hurried after them, being extra careful not to alert anyone to her presence. She was determined to have her plan work out the way she hoped.

"Oh, come on Mikey, you give into her more than anyone," Leonardo reminded him as they headed for the manhole cover, unaware of the tot trailing them. "You give into all of them."

"Well, they're just so cute!" Mikey grinned. "Can you really blame me? I'm the fun one, remember?"

Shaking their heads, the four of them climbed the ladder and went topside, leaving the sewer lid open a little longer than usual, as they discussed their course of action for the night.

Seeing the manhole cover open, their little shadow quickly and quietly climbed up and managed to sneak out of the sewers. Hiding behind a couple trash cans, she watched as they suddenly realized the lid was off and replaced it.

"Why they goin' up?" Lenni wondered, as she watched them climb up the fire escape. She tried to follow, but was much too small to do so; grumbling, she hurried for the end of the alley, carefully peering out to see if it was safe, and if she could spot them. Seeing them roof jump, she quickly hurried off in the direction she saw them go, looking up once in awhile to ensure she hadn't lost them. "I's need to run faster!"

Doing her absolute best to keep up to her flying brothers, while also trying to avoid any danger topside, she was relieved when they landed in an alley not too far away. It appeared they had found someone in trouble and had descended from the rooftops to help the innocent soul currently cornered by the Purple Dragons.

Lenni gave a small excited squeal as she ducked into the shadows to watch the battle. She had never seen them battle before, except for in the dojo, so this was kind of exciting.

The guys fought the gang, while the innocent person ran off into the night to seek safety and shelter. No one was aware of their little audience member until Leonardo was snuck up on and a little voice suddenly rang out through the night.

"Turtle Titan! Looks out!"

Leonardo took out the guy trying to attack him from behind, while his brothers' heads all whipped around in the direction of the familiar childish voice.

Michelangelo managed to make it over to the little one first, scooping her up quickly and vacating the area. He knew his brothers wouldn't mind, since she was now their first priority.

"Mikey! I'm missing Turtle Titan fight!" Lenni exclaimed as she was carried away. "I's wanna sees him in action!"

"Girl, that's the last thing you need to worry about," he told her. "You are in so much trouble right now."

Lenni looked up at him in surprise – being in trouble hadn't occurred to her when she'd called out. She had just wanted to protect her hero from being hurt.

They were soon joined on the rooftop by their brothers, none of them looking too happy about being followed by the littlest ninja.

"What the shell are you doing here, Runt?" Raphael demanded, upon landing. "It's dangerous up here!"

"I's laugh in the face of scary," Lenni answered, sitting up taller in her brother's arms and puffing her chest out a bit.

"Really…?" Raphael replied, giving her a menacing look as he crossed his arms.

"Um…ha, ha…?" Lenni gave a timid smile, shrinking a little.

Leonardo shook his head. "Let's go home."

They were all in agreement as they roof jumped their way back to where they had ascended, and disappeared down into the sewers once more to get the wayward tot home.


"No. There's no way I'm wearing that costume, Mikey."

"Come on, Dude. What do you want me to do? She really thinks it's you."

"Pretend you're me then."

"What if she recognizes my voice?"

"Mikey, you're the master of impressions. Use that to your advantage."

Fine. I'll do it."

"Thank-you. We need to keep her from pulling anymore crazy topside adventures."

"Turtle Titan will try his best, but no promises, bro. She can be as stubborn as they come."

"I know, believe me. Trying to get her to do her flips and chores this week has been a battle I had tried so hard to avoid."

"Well, least you know who her hero is."

"Yeah, Turtle Titan."

Michelangelo shook his head. "Leo, it's you bro. She thinks you're Turtle Titan. Despite being the favourite, I'm not even in the equation. She doesn't believe anyone can fight as good as you can. Why do you think she spies on you? She wants to be just like you… Well, in the movement department, not the practicing one."

Leonardo is somewhat taken aback; he never thought it would be him. "No way, it can't possibly be me."

"Trust me, it is," Michelangelo nodded. "Do you not see the way her eyes glow when she spies on you or when she gets to play with you?"

"I just thought that was her having fun thinking I couldn't see her and yeah… She's a little kid, she likes to play; she plays with you too."

"Well, that's part of it," Michelangelo chuckled. "She likes to think she's a master spy. But it's also definitely because she idolizes you. You're the greatest ninja that ever lived and you are on a pedestal. Sure, I'm on one, just not quite as high when it comes to the crime fighting department."

"Okay, okay, I believe you. But I'm still not putting on that costume. Please just pretend you're me?"

"I said I would, no worries. We just gotta figure out how to get us both outta the lair at the same time. And how to get her alone, without anyone getting jealous that she got a visit from Turtle Titan."

Leonardo thinks for a moment. "Donnie, Raph, and Master Splinter take the girls out. I'll stay behind with Lenni on the pretense that she's grounded. Then I'll disappear and you show up; after you leave, I'll come back."

"That works," Michelangelo agreed, then chuckled. "Though she's probably going to throw a fit when everyone else gets to leave."

"She's still technically being punished for sneaking out the other night."

"We know that, but she's going to strongly protest. Have fun bro."

Leonardo sighed. "I hope this works."

Michelangelo winked. "It will. Or Turtle Titan may have to get mean, and none of us will want that."

Leonardo clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Thanks, bro."

"Anything to keep the Munchkin safe," he replied. "Now, let's get this plan in motion. I love the girl, but she's still angry I carried her away from seeing 'Turtle Titan' battle."


Two days later, the plan was in motion. Master Splinter, Raphael, and Donatello left the lair with eleven of the twelve girls.

"It's nots fair!" Lenni griped. "Is wanna goes too!"

"Sorry, you're still grounded," Leonardo said firmly.

She scowled up at him. "I's don't wanna be grounded no more, Leo! It's boring!"

"Well then you shouldn't have tried to sneak out. It's as simple as that."

"I's didn't tries. I's did sneaks out! You're just mad you weren't good 'nough ninja to catches me."

"But we did catch you, and it's a good thing we did. I don't know how to make you understand how dangerous that was."

"Only 'cause I told you to looks out," Lenni replied snottily. "I's a better ninja than you." She eyed the lair door, contemplating if she could make it past him and out into the sewers.

Leonardo shook his head "Don't even think about it…." He then realized that she did indeed watch out for them. "Hey," he said in a calmer voice. "Did we ever thank you for that?"

"No," Lenni frowned, arms crossed. "I's only found trouble."

"Well, that was very brave of you and you did tell us to watch out. I think that deserves a thank-you."

"Does that mean I gets to goes on a walk too?" Lenni asked hopefully.

"No, sorry. But you'll get your chance next time. Use this time for quiet reflection," he told her smirking a bit.

Lenni scowled. "I's hate quiet time!" She stomped her foot a little.

He chuckled a bit. "I was just kidding. You could train with me and I can help you be a better ninja."

"I's wanna play, Leo! I's tired of practice an' chores an' being in my room!"

"Maybe there's someone you could talk to about that, so you don't get in trouble like this again."

Lenni huffed angrily, and made like she was storming off, only to suddenly dart past him and race for the door.

Leonardo was quicker and beat her to the door and plucked her up by her shell. "Nice try."

Lenni gave a small growl and kicked, trying to get free. "You're no fun!"

"You're missing the entire point of being punished. If you try to run out, I'm just going to catch you."

"I's don't wanna be punishes no more!" Lenni exclaimed, her face clouding over.

Leonardo sighed. "I'm going to put you down, but don't try that again."

"I's not gonna…" Lenni whimpered, her frustration getting to her.

He set her on her feet gently. "I'm going to get you something to eat. I think that might help. Stay here, okay?"

"Okay…" Lenni pouted as she went and climbed up onto the couch, glancing at the TV longingly.

Leonardo disappeared and waited for Turtle Titan to show up. "Now Mikey," he whispered.

Michelangelo in full Turtle Titan garb suddenly walked into the living room, trying to disguise his voice as best he could. "Whoa, hey, I know you."

Lenni jumped up on the couch in excitement, her entire body trembling. "TURTLE TITAN!"

"Hi Lenni, something told me I needed to be here tonight. You okay? You look upset."

Lenni's eyes widen from the fact he knows her name. "I's gets in trouble…" She admitted, though her eyes are shining.

He smiled and sat so she could climb onto his lap. "Tell me what happened."

Lenni eagerly sat with him and explained what had happened earlier in the week. "An' they're still nots letting me do anything! I's bored!"

He chuckled. "So, you went topside looking for me?"

Lenni nodded. "Uh-huh. I's wanted to goes on an adventure with you!"

"That' very brave of you Lenni, and I would've loved to have you as my sidekick, but its too dangerous. You need to get bigger and train hard."

"But that's gonna takes forever!" Lenni protested. "I's wanna helps now."

"I'm sorry, it's the rules. It's a total bummer though, I agree. You want to be like me though, don't you?"

Lenni nodded eagerly. "Uh-huh! I's wanna fights the bad guys!

"Then you need to listen to your brothers and Sensei, and train hard. No more sneaking out of the lair, understand?"

"But what ifs I wanna goes too? I don't likes being alone…"

"You're not alone. You've got your sisters, and your brothers, and your Sensei, who care for you very much," he told her, then whispered, "Your brother Leo, he only punished you because…he was scared."

Lenni looked up at him surprised. "Really? Leo was scared?" She looked thoughtful for a moment. "Sensei must have been scared too 'cause I gots in trouble withs him too." She frowned. "I's was scared Leo was gonna gets hurt…"

"He was scared you were going to get hurt. He just wants to help you become a better ninja, so that he won't have to be scared, you understand?"

"So, no more goin' topside? I was good ats bein' sneaky. Ninjas are sneaky," Lenni sighed softly. "I was okay… You woulda saved me ifs I wasn't…"

"Yeah, but I can't always be there, so I need you to be super smart and responsible, okay? Make good choices," he winked at her.

Lenni couldn't help but giggle a little. "I's not good at that. I likes adventure!"

"Try for me, okay? Then you can be a great superhero like me."

"What ifs I don't?" Lenni wanted to know.

"I…can't have you as my sidekick. Sidekicks need to follow the rules."

Lenni sighed heavily. "I'll tries…" She enjoyed causing mischief, though hated the trouble it sometimes landed her.

"Good. Don't forget I'm proud of you, little ninja," he smiled as he gave her a hug. "I better go now, okay?"

Lenni beamed at him. "Can't you stays an' play withs me?"

"I wish I could, but I need to go fight crime. I'll see you around though!" He helped her down out of his lap and stood doing a heroic pose.

"Bye!" Lenni called out, the grin never leaving her face. She couldn't wait to tell everyone just who had showed up at the lair!

Turtle Titan Mikey jumped away and disappeared from sight, just as Leonardo reappeared with some pizza. "Sorry that took so long."

"LEO!" Lenni squealed, her eyes glowing bright. "YOU MISSES TURTLE TITAN!"

Leonardo gasped in mock surprise. "I did?! Wow, aren't you lucky?" He set the pizza down on the coffee table. "What did he say?

"I's can be his sidekick!" She exclaimed, jumping up and down a bit. "I's just gots to be bigger first."

He ruffled her hair as he sat down on the couch next to her. "That's great! Did he say anything about…following the rules?" He asked hopefully.

Lenni scowled a little. "He said I gots to follows them or I's can't be his sidekick."

"Well, he's right about that," Leonardo agreed. "And you want to be his sidekick, right?"

"Uh-huh!" Lenni nodded eagerly. "More than anything!"

"Then I guess you had better listen to what he told you and follow the rules."

"Rules are boring!"

"Rules keep you safe. We just want you to be safe, Kiddo."

Lenni moved and wrapped her arms about his neck as she stood next to him on the couch. "I's want you to be safe too," she told him sincerely.

He smiled softly as he wrapped an arm around her, planting a kiss to the side of her head. She was stubborn that was for sure, but she could also be super cute and sweet when she wanted to be. "I will do my best," he promised.

"You better or I's gonna punishes you…." She threatened softly.

"You will, huh?"

"Uh-huh. I's gonna makes you do flips an' chores an' stays in your room."

He couldn't help but chuckle when she listed off her punishments for him. "Well, I had best be safe then."

She pressed a kiss to his cheek, then flopped down next to him. "Okay, I's hungry now."

Shaking his head, he picked up a plate and put some pizza on it for her. "Here, enjoy."

Lenni sat with the plate in her lap, excited to eat as she had been hungry. She was surprised though when he turned the television on and gave him questioning look.

"One cartoon," he told her. "Then that's it, okay?"

"Okay!" Lenni grinned, her eyes looking at him in amazement. She couldn't believe he was bending the rules a little; it wasn't like him.

He gave her a warm smile as he settled on a show that he knew she'd enjoy. It wouldn't hurt to let her watch one cartoon after going a whole week without them. Picking up his own slice of pizza, he settled back on the couch to watch it with her.

Lenni sat quietly as she munched and watched the television. When she finished eating, she let him wipe her off with a napkin, then climbed into his lap to sit with him. "Leo?"

"Yeah?"

"You're Turtle Titan, right?"

He gave a soft laugh as he glanced down at her. "Maybe…" He winked, deciding to play along.

Her entire face lit up. "I's knew it was you! You're the best superhero!"

"Thanks Kiddo," he smiled as he hugged her close while they watched the end of her show. He hadn't realized fully that Michelangelo was right about him being her hero; it made him feel pretty honoured to have the title.


"Remember when we used to play superheroes all the time?" Mily asked.

"Yeah, and no one was allowed to be Turtle Titan," Daydream smirked. "Otherwise, fights would break out."

All eyes turned towards the youngest turtle, who rolled her eyes at them. "I was like four, guys. Gimme a break."

"I don't know…. Something tells me you would still go after us now," HexADecimal said. "I mean, you still don't like to share Mikey, so why would you share Turtle Titan?"

"Well, I am his sidekick," Lenni replied with a shrug.

"According to who?" Arista questioned. "I don't remember anything about that."

"Turtle Titan," Lenni answered. "He told me himself that day he came to the lair while everyone else was out and I was grounded for sneaking topside."

"Didn't he tell you that you had to be older, Munchkin?"

"Mikey, I am older and allowed topside now, so of course I am automatically his sidekick like promised."

"So that's how one gets to be a sidekick, huh?"

"Yup," Lenni nodded. "Tell me otherwise, and you're goin' down."

"There's the hothead we all know and love," Danceingfae laughed. "You hear that Mikey? Turtle Titan now has a sidekick."

Everyone began ribbing Michelangelo a little then, except for the smallest one; she shook her head in amusement. "Come on guys, we all know that Leo was Turtle Titan."

"Actually…" Ziptango began, though she saw her brother in orange shake his head. "You were always right about that Lenni."

"I know," Lenni stated. "No one fights as good as Leo, so it was pretty obvious."

Leonardo ruffled her hair, shaking his head. "Well, come on then sidekick, let's go on a training run."

"Just let me grab my cape!" Lenni replied with a grin, darting off to fetch what she needed.

"Why won't you just tell her?" Leonardo asked his brother once she had left the room. "Everyone else knows."

"And ruin the way she looks at you, bro? Never," Michelangelo told him. "Besides, I know you still get a kick out of it."

Leonardo just smiled as their baby sister returned with her weapons, a cape now draped over her shell. "Ready to go Turtle Illusioner?"

"You better believe it, Turtle Titan!" Lenni grinned. "Let's blow this popsicle stand!"

Leonardo chuckled as the two of them left the lair, the younger one's cape billowing behind her as they went. His brother was right, he was glad they had never told her the truth. It still warmed his heart to know she still thought he was the masked turtle after all these years. "Don't forget the rules!" He called out after her as she ran ahead.

"Rules are boring!" Lenni called back with a hearty laugh, recalling this almost exact conversation from years before. She was glad to be old enough to be his sidekick now; it was all she had ever wanted, despite giving him such a hard time for a few years. In her heart she knew, that Leonardo would always be her hero.