The Right Decision(Leonardo)

[Donatello]

(OCC: July 23rd, early evening. Donny and leo bonding bromance time! Also feel free to use the memory dialogue for when leo makes his announcement in gift of the ninja)

Donatello kept to himself, cornered, in his guest room for at least two days. Leonardo, his brother, announced that Donatello was his choice to succeed him as leader. Since the announcement, Donatello had accepted the task with humility and immediately went to work on how to lead properly. Now that he was front and center he had to help his family, and Donatello made a promise to him that he would support his family no matter what. Whether it be on the sidelines, in front of line or not in the line at all. He studied hard and did everything he could to become the leader he was chosen to be. Reading thousands of philosophers, self help books and legendary leaders of history.

He also, had his doubts and fears. Which was another reason why he was studying as hard as he was. While he wouldn't outright say, due to wanting to support leo's decision, he didn't feel worthy or able to be leader. For one thing, he never was good at being commanding. Another thing was that he never really good at making directions, unless it was to tell someone to grab a screwdriver for his next project. Which speaking of, he was a scientist, not a warrior at least not in the way his brother was. And last, but certainly not least, he didn't feel deserving to be leo's choice. Leo was his brother and Donny had failed to be there for him many times. When he was captured by malachite, when he was fighting in batltes Donny couldn't get to him like raph or mikey could. He had been absent in leo's journey throughout and also failed to save Leonardo from malachite's shadow. Sure he was there to save him from Bradley uppercrust, but that was ONE battle. Where was donny in other ones? Raphael or Michelangelo would've been, in Donny's opinion, a worthy choice. But no. Donny was picked. Why? He didn't deserve it. Not in the slightest. He had failed leo more times than splinter, raph and mikey did, why choose him? The memory of leo's announcement mocked him as he was thinking deeply while studying.

Leonardo sighed, taking a deep breath "I know this is going to upset you guys. But I really think this is what's best for everyone. I've thought about this for a while. But I feel like I've failed us as a team. So I decided I don't really want to be leader anymore"

Michelangelo was stunned, and he replied interestedly "Leo? Are you sure?"

Leonardo nodded "Yes mikey I'm sure"

Raphael, who was laying in wait got nervous and replied "So who's gonna be leader?"

Donatello asked also "Yeah leo who's it gonna be?"

Leonardo looked to max, who squeezed his hand, Leonardo smiled at him before nervously pointing to Donatello "It's Donny"

"What am I gonna do? Out of all of us, he chose me! Why did he choose me? I wasn't there for him like raph was. I'm not as supportive to all of us like mikey is. What the hell makes me so special?" Donny vented, thinking aloud as he was reading Leadership: For Dummies. He was frustrated because he felt so insecure and unworthy. He felt Leonardo made the wrong choice. He sniffed, wiping his tears "I'm just a stupid engineer, I can't lead like leo does. Why does he think I was so quiet and was first to support his decisions? Because I was bored?!" He angrily turned the pages, unknowing someone was hearing him. "I wasn't there for him at all yet he chooses me. I don't deserve this. I'm only good at science. I'm not strong enough, I'm not fast enough, I'm not brave enough. Hell I'm not even honorable enough. Why me out of them all?"

He then accidentally ripped a page on the book and he widened his eyes. He made a loud, noticeable scream "I can't even turn pages on a book right let alone lead! What the shell makes me worthy of being leader? I wasn't there as his brother and now he wants me to be there for all of them! How can I possibly succeed that? I'm gonna fail them all. I just know I will. I don't want to fail them, they need me!" Donny then angrily threw the book and collapsed on the bed, overwhelmed by the stress already. He hadn't even lead a mission yet. I'm freaking out already and I haven't even started being a leader yet. We haven't even fought yet. God damnit. Some leader I am Donny thought to himself. He then heartbrokenly replied "I'm not a good brother, how am I supposed to be a good leader?"

Suddenly without warning, he felt someone from above hug him from behind his back. His ninja senses kicked in and he looked up, but then noticed it was the one brother he was so worried about failing. He teared up and replied sadly "Go away leo. Please. Don't worry about me, I'm just being stupid"

[Leonardo]

Leonardo came out hearing Donny and hugged him.

"You're not stupid. You're one of the smartest people I know." said Leo.

He smiled at him.

"You can do this. It's okay to have doubts. Master Splinter and I will help you if you need it. I don't know if I'm cut out to be a leader. At least for now. Maybe someday but I know you'll be great at it. If you let yourself." said Leo.

He smiled at him. This war had messed with all of them. Bringing out insecurities and doubts about themselves they'd ignored for so long. And other s that were newer.

[Donatello]

Donny was somewhat comforted by leo's words. Maybe he didn't deserve this but at least leo was willing to say that he wasn't stupid. Maybe he wasn't stupid but he still felt like a bad brother and a bad choice. He wiped his tears, hugging his older brother back. He sighed, sad and somewhat unsure still. But he held his tongue for the moment, not wanting to ignore leo's praise.

He then listened as his brother told him that Donny CAN be a good leader, if he gave himself a chance. While leo's point was not entirely incorrect, Donny was beyond grateful leo was willing to help. The more help to be better the greater chance Donny wouldn't fail anyone. Plus he was aware splinter would help him too, splinter outright told him. Splinter also assured him that Donny was trying his best. While Donny had plenty of insecurities not fixed, he did appreciate his father believed him. His father's word was as good as gold to Donny. And to be quite frank, Donny felt secure about being there for splinter more than his brothers so he felt splinter's words were true.

That said, he adored his brothers. He was close and really good in his bonds with them. He also knew he was loved by them. As evidenced by leo's affection. Donny's insecurities spilled though as the advice simultaneously helped him and made the questions increase. If it was okay to have doubts, why didn't leo just stay leader? If he should let himself try why wouldn't leo give himself the chance he rightfully earned? But those questions didn't need to be answered, they already were. It just made Donny still feel like a tool. He replied, confessingly "Leo. I want to do the job you asked of me. It's not that I don't appreciate your trust in me. I just don't feel like I deserve it" And there it was. The main problem. He teared up again "I wasn't there for you for a lot of things leo. I wasn't there for you when you were freed from... you know. Malachite" He winced at the name, hating saying it as well as remembering it. He knew malachite was the main reason why leo was not leader for the moment. He sniffed more as he confessed his deeper feelings "You always say you failed me, but it was me who failed you. I should've been there. But I spent my time keeping the house safe for raph, mikey and sensei"

He then sniffed more, hugging leo tightly "I want to do the job. I just don't wanna fail you. Not again" He held leo close to him, refusing to let go "I don't want to lose you. I don't want to lead the others into a battle they can't win. I don't wanna lose them either" He shivered, the fear finally settling in "I just want us all to be safe"

[Leonardo]

Leo smiled.

"Well, I don't feel like I deserve it, Donny. You do. Splinter's our mentor and can help guide you but he can't go out on every mission. Raph his temper can get the better of him and times and Mikey likes to goof off to much sometimes. You're the perfect balance to help keep them in lien and smart enough to help keep the peace. I'd follow your lead anywhere Donny. I know you can do this." replied Leo.

Leo sighed.

"I'm glad you weren't. It was hard enough fighting against the others. You were the only one I didn't try to kill Donny. I know I wasn't in control but I still have nightmares of those fights. If I'd been quicker or they'd been slower they could have been seriously hurt or worse." said Leo.

Leo hugged Donny back as tightly as he could.

"You never failed me, Donny. Don't let your doubts hold you back." said Leo.

Leo shook his head.

"You can't worry about the future like that. Not to what ifs? It's easy to look back on past missions and think of how I could have done them better. But before the missions or during it you don't always have the luxury of plans. Or something goes wrong and you have to adapt." said Leo.

He grinned.

"If you want we could practice out some missions on the new holodeck thing. It reminds me a lot of when we were in the future with Cody." said Leo.