Chapter 2: True Hero
A/N: Here's another chapter featuring Leo. I thought it would be cool to delve into his reaction to April's disappearance and how he met Maddie since Holding Out for a Hero was told in her perspective. So here you go. Thanks to all of those who have read and reviewed thus far. Your kind words have been great.
Disclaimer: TMNT and all related characters belong to Nickelodeon. I only own the plot and Madison.
Leo had always wanted to be a hero like Captain Ryan. He would watch "Space Heroes" every day and try to emulate his cartoon idol. His brothers never understood his fascination with the show or the character, but to Leo, Captain Ryan was great. He did things not many would dare to do, and Leo admired that about him. Ever since being made leader of his clan, Leo tried his best to do what Captain Ryan would do, though Splinter often told him that he had to be his own leader and not try to be like everyone else. Leo didn't understand why Splinter felt that way about Captain Ryan, but Leo ignored him and did things his own way sometimes. The biggest thing he wanted to do was to be able to protect his family and friends.
And yet he had failed when April disappeared.
He had vowed to protect her, but he hadn't walked her home when she declined. He should have been more forceful and insisted on walking her home, but he had given in to her stubborn nature and had let her walk home herself.
Some hero he was. Captain Ryan would have never done that. He could picture Captain Ryan looking at him with a stern look on his face. "You're a horrible leader, Cadet Leonardo," he would scold. "You let a helpless girl walk all alone and didn't protect her. You are not a true hero!" Thinking of that made Leo's heart ache for it was true.
He was jumping the rooftops and searching for April when he heard someone in distress. His instinct was to ignore it because he probably wouldn't be able to save them anyway, but a voice in his head urged him to check it out. He found a girl who was probably his age being harassed by Purple Dragons. Leo leapt in and defended her, scaring off the gang members. He braced himself for her to scream and run from him, but she didn't.
Instead, she thanked him and began talking to him about "Space Heroes." He was fascinated that she liked the show as much as he did, and it wasn't long before they began a spirited conversation about the show. It made Leo feel good to know that she liked his favorite show and that she wasn't bothered by his appearance.
After he escorted her home, Leo smiled to himself. He was lucky he had found Madison and hoped that they would have a tight bond. And as Leo made his way home, he knew that he really was a hero who could do the right thing when the situation called for it. He still felt guilty about April and what had happened, but by befriending Madison and saving her, maybe he was making up for that failure.
Splinter was waiting up for him when he got home. "How was your run, my son?" he asked.
"It was fine, Sensei," Leo answered. "I didn't find any leads on April, but I did make a new friend."
"And will she keep your identity a secret?"
"I think she will, Sensei," Leo replied. "I'm going to bed now. Good night."
"Good night, Leonardo," Splinter answered.
As Leo settled into bed, he looked up at the poster of Captain Ryan that hung above his bed. He knew Captain Ryan would be proud of him for what he'd done today and he could picture Captain Ryan saying to him, "Good job, Cadet Leonardo. You have truly proven yourself as a hero." With that last thought in his head, Leo fell asleep with a smile on his face.
A/N: And another chapter is done. Yep, it was short, but it was supposed to be as some of these chapters will be like that. It just depends on how long I can carry them out or how long I want them to be. Feel free to leave a review and have a shelltastic day.