Brotherly Blunders

Second to None

Leonardo lay on his bed staring up at the ceiling. Now that the Krang invasion had been taken care of, things were pretty calm. But their recent encounter with the Mighty Mutanimals had gotten him thinking.

Slash had Leatherhead as his second-in-command, in case anything happened to him.

It was a good idea, Leonardo had to admit. Especially after he'd been out for three months, it seemed as though having a second-in-command would not only help ease his responsibility as a leader, but prepare his brothers in case anything should happen to him.

Yes, it was a good idea. With a nod of finality, Leonardo rose and headed for the dojo. After telling Master Splinter his thoughts, he waited for his master's reaction.

Splinter nodded in affirmative. "I see what you are suggesting, my son. I think it is a very good idea indeed."

"But Sensei, who should I choose?"

"That is up to you, my son. You are the leader." The rat answered evenly, though if it were up to him...he knew who he'd choose.

Leonardo nodded. "But how will I know I've made the right decision?"

Master Splinter smiled. "The same way I did, my son. You will know."

Leo smiled back and bowed. Then he left the dojo to seek out his brothers.

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He found Donnie and Mikey in the lab. "Hey, I need to talk to you."

They both looked up at him, inquiringly. "What's up Leo?" Don asked.

"I just had a talk with Master Splinter."

The two younger turtles sat down, sensing this was an important conversation.

After a brief moment, Leonardo continued. "We've decided it would be a decent precaution for me to choose a second-in-command."

Donatello's eyes lit up. "Can I be the second-in-command?"

For a long while, Leo considered. Finally he spoke. "Alright Don. I hope you know what you're getting yourself in for." He said with a smile.

Don returned the smile. "I am. I can do this."

Michelangelo was frowning discreetly. For some reason the only thought that entered his head was: 'Raph's not gonna like this.'

"Mikey!" Leo yelled, and Mikey pulled out of his thoughts.

"Yeah?"

"You okay?" Leo asked.

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine." Mikey answered with a fake smile. For some reason that one thought repeated like a mantra in his head.

Raph's not gonna like this.

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"Leonardo, why did you choose Donatello?" Splinter asked, his dark brown eyes gazing inquiringly at his eldest son.

"He asked Sensei." Leo replied, as though it should have been obvious.

Master Splinter frowned. "I am surprised that Raphael did not object."

"Oh, well he wasn't there. He was out with Casey." Leonardo stated matter-of-factly.

Sensei looked stunned for a moment. Then his face hardened. His brown eyes narrowed. "Leonardo, that was most unwise."

Dark blue eyes blinked slowly at him. "Why Sensei?"

"If you are going to offer such a position to your brothers, you should have ensured that each of them had an equal chance. Now you have no way of knowing whether or not you have made the right decision."