I enjoyed the season 2 final far too much! It was so good - most definitely my favorite episodes of any Ninja Turtles cartoon.

I'm the youngest in my family, so while I can't really relate to Leo's position I can only imagine the responsibility and worry that comes along with being the oldest and the leader of your brothers. I used to be very annoyed by Leo but as I grew older and began to understand him more I grew to like him a lot. I think Leo has to take on a huge load that he doesn't have anyone he can share tat with because he constantly needs to be the rock and foundation holding his brothers together.

Well, I hope you enjoy this. :) Please, feel free to R&R...

I may or may not make this more than a one shot. I'm really not sure yet. I'm still working on my Bones fanfiction which at the moment comes first. But if I'm every inspired I might add to this.

The Shredder's powerful kick to his plastron sent Leonardo flying back slamming his shell into a wall. The back of his head slammed against the hard surface and sent colors flashing in front of his eyes and searing pain racing through his head. Leonardo dropped to the ground pressing his forehead against the cold cement ground as he tried to handle the pain.

"You turtles are so weak," Shredder said beneath his helmet. He strode up to Leonardo and pushing him over, planted his foot on Leonardo's chest.

Feeble from the fight, Leonardo tried to lift himself from the Shredder's heavy weight but it was futile. He glared up at the Shredder with more hate and disgust than he had ever felt for anyone in his entire life.

"You have been a long over due pestilence, it's time you're taking care of once and for all…" Shredder lifted his hand over his head, his razor sharp blades gleaming in the dim overcast light.

Leonardo's heart raced and pounding painfully against this ribs. Shredder swiftly brought his hand down and the icy cold blades pierced through Leonardo's chest.

Leo's breath caught as he sprung forward and clutched his chest. He slowly looked down at his shaky hand and saw no blood. Glancing around the room, he saw his brothers peacefully sleeping in April's old house and the TV playing a random sitcom. Evidently they had all fallen asleep watching TV.

Swinging his feet over the side of the couch he rested his head in the palm of his hands and gathered his breath. This was the sixth nightmare you had since his duel with the Shredder. Each one had the same inevitable ending - his death. He restrained from sharing these dreams with his brothers. As the leader, Leo had to be sure he was always at the top of his game and since he injuries were taking long enough to heal they really didn't have time to worry about his silly dreams. Not to mentioned they had enough to worry about with Splinter missing and all.

The tight ball of anxiety that had knotted itself in Leo's chest slowly began to untie, but he was still left with some anxious residue everyday. Taking a deep breath, he reclined on the couch and glanced at Raphael.

Raphael - though he would never admit it, he envied his brothers fearless attitude. Sure they named Leo "fearless leader' but it was a sarcastic nickname. Raphael somehow always managed to pick himself up and push on. Why wasn't he the leader?

It was the greatest honor in the world when Master Splinter dubbed him the leader but Leonardo had been sorely ignorant of the responsibility and burden that followed the role. At first, he had assumed that he would just continue being a big brother but with more authority. When the reality kicked in, it was almost worse than his defeat with Shredder.

The constant fear for his brothers and idea he possibly made a mistake putting their lives at risk constantly weighed on him every mission. He would become explosively angry when his brother ridiculed him for his mistakes but it was only because he was so scared. He never showed them this anger though - he had to be the strong, big brother.

Leo stood up with some difficulty and limped outside and sat down on the front porch. The chilly breeze of the midnight air was refreshing and relaxing. Closing his eyes, Leo reminisced on his nightmare then shoved it back into the innermost part of his consciousness. There wasn't time to deal with it. He had to be the leader his brothers expected of him and nothing less.

He had to be perfect.