Okay-- I maaay be too busy right now to accept the full 30 day challenge of "TMNTember", but that doesn't mean I can't still participate a little in my own way. ;)
A few days ago, I began to theorize what it would look like if my SIW turtles ever got to meet alternate versions of themselves from the other TMNT universes. And that turned into my own mini version of a "TMNTember" challenge. :)
So- here's Day One~ SIW Leo meeting 2003 Leonardo.
For those who have read my story, "the Strength in Weakness", it's made clear that (like all other Leo's) , my version has the crippling burden of perfectionism. After growing up being a reckless, lazy, and manipulative kid, Leo chooses to throw himself in the opposite extreme as a teenager, aiming to be someone "worthy of his family" and "finally honoring his role as eldest". He sees the weight of leadership as a suitable punishment for his shameful past of manipulating his brothers and cheating in his assignments.
Everything comes to a screeching halt once Don and Raph are taken by scientists. And once again... Leonardo immediately shifts the blame back to himself. "If I hadn't allowed them to go..." "If I had been faster in responding to their alarm going off..." "If I had been BETTER..."
Now we turn to 2003 Leonardo. And, (SPOILER ALERT!), he has also gone through his own changes of heart throughout the series. In fact in a lot of ways, his and SIW's arcs are quite similar. Leonardo begins the series as a dutiful leader who still likes to have fun with his family. He fights with honor and a smile on his face cause he just loves to do what he does. But that all changes after a crippling blow from the Shredder, as well as a mission going horribly wrong and leaving he and his family heavily injured.
Because he blamed himself. And it is heartbreaking to watch his downward spiral until he lashes out at Splinter and is sent to the Ancient One for further training. Eventually Leonardo returns to his kind, caring, and honorable self much to the delight of his family and friends. <3 But the journey there was long and difficult.
So, if I were to theorize just what 2003 would say to SIW, it would be the same thing that Leonardo had to learn with the Ancient One- how he let go of all the pain and shame weighing him down for his past failures:
"You did the best you could."
And I believe SIW Leo would break down into tears after hearing such a powerful, healing truth, just like when his brothers had an intervention with him back in this chapter. But as a lot of us know, sometimes it takes more than one voice to penetrate the view of oneself. (Even hearing it from an alternate version of oneself XD).
... Over time, and with deep meditation in the truth of those words and what God says in His Word, Leo will heal too. <3 And maybe- just maybe- the burden of being leader and eldest won't always be so heavy.
~ Melissa
Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5
