Chapter 62: One Dimensional
Leo gazed at his counterpart as he went through another kata. He was definitely graceful and looked like he had been through a lot in his life.
"So, what do you do for a hobby?" Leo asked.
Leonardo turned around. "What do you mean?" he asked.
"Do you have a hobby that you use to amuse yourself?" Leo asked.
"This is my hobby," Leonardo told his younger counterpart.
"Are you serious?" Leo gasped. "Don't you have a TV show you watch or something?"
"No, I don't," Leonardo responded. "I take it that you do?"
"Yeah, it's called Space Heroes and it's so awesome," Leo gushed. "You want to watch an episode with me?"
Leonardo sighed. "I suppose so," he said.
As the show progressed, Leo looked at his counterpart to gauge his reaction, but the teenager didn't react with any sort of excitement or act like he liked the show in any way. When it was over, Leo asked, "So, what did you think?"
"I think this show is a big waste of time and not something you should be indulging in," Leonardo sniffed. "You'll end up like Mikey with his comic book obsession. As leaders, we can't afford distractions in life. You need to get rid of this notion of being like Captain Ryan and focus on protecting your family."
"I do protect my family, but I should be allowed to have a hobby like anybody else. Leading the team and training aren't all there is to life, you know."
"You wouldn't say that if you would have had to nearly lose your family like I did," Leonardo countered.
"I have faced that, and I overcame it on my own," Leo replied. "You had to seek guidance from an old man with a bad flatulence problem."
Leonardo bristled. "Says the Turtle who cried like a little bitch about his leg healing," he countered. "You were really getting insufferable, you know."
"I was in a coma for three months!" Leo shouted. "How long were you out?"
"Only a day," Leonardo answered. "Okay, I see your point."
"I don't think having a hobby would make you weak, Leonardo," Leo said. "You need to find balance and find something you enjoy. That's what my sensei taught me and why he never discouraged me from liking Space Heroes. You shouldn't be so one dimensional."
"Okay, but what do you suggest?" Leonardo asked.
"How about calligraphy?" Leo suggested. "Sensei taught it to me and it's really cool."
"Hey, that sounds like a good idea," said Leonardo. "Would you care to teach me?"
Leo nodded. "Sure," he replied.
And with that, Hamato Leonardo became more than just a leader obsessed with ninja training. He became skilled at calligraphy and excelled at it every day. His brothers and father were surprised by this but they liked the new Leonardo.
"Thanks, Leo," Leonardo whispered.
But Leo had left the dimension and had gone back to his own. He had done a good thing, and he knew Splinter would be proud of him for doing it. He had turned someone from being one dimensional to having balance, and that was the best thing he would be proud of.
"So much for people saying I'm boring," Leo said. "I'm so glad I'm not like that guy. I like having balance in my life and having a hobby. Being one dimensional is something I will strive never to be."
And he kept that promise.
A/N: This little drabble has been in my head for some time. I have to admit that 2003 Leonardo was a bit one dimensional at times and had no hobby outside of training, so I figured that Nick Leo would help him to see that having a hobby isn't a bad thing to have. I will always say that Nickelodeon Leonardo is the best Leo ever and I stand by that statement. Feel free to leave a review and have a shelltastic day.
Disclaimer: TMNT and all related characters are property of Nickelodeon. I only own the plot and nothing more. And in case you missed it, Leo is the best Turtle ever!