#Mike was so right to leave in the comics and Leo was still defending the rat the way splinter designed him to

[neverheroes]

Leonardo was just a manipulated gifted kid. His role, beliefs and values were all groomed into shape by Splinter. One version was too many for that to be true in but it’s not just this.

It’s controversial opinion time…

That time in 2012 when he asked to be leader because Splinter had already taught him to want it. That time in 2012 when Splinter told him being a leader made him responsible for everything that happens and outright blamed only him for their failures (he withdrew them from a fight because they were outnumbered and he was scared for his brothers), and literally beat him to the floor. “Was that a fair fight? … Did I win?” not in the dojo, not a training session, in their kitchen. The way Splinter talks to him about sacrifices needing to be made, the way Leonardo hears ~if anyone dies out there it had better be you~. His self-sacrificing nature was seeded.

Some desperate emotionally and physically abused kid with the world on his shoulders, convinced that if anything ever happens to his brothers he’s the only one to blame. A kid whose ego is fed by crumbs of praise from the “dad” he idolises. It would be hard for him to know what qualities were even his own, and who would know when you’re leeched on to become an instrument, a weapon to be pointed.

It’s the Shredder parallel. If you don’t know the original origin; Yoshi (owner of rat Splinter) and Nagi had the same love interest. She chose Yoshi and they ran away to NYC. Nagi chases them and murders her (heinous). Yoshi murders Nagi. Saki is 7 years old and Nagi’s younger brother. The foot clan raises Saki to be a killing machine hellbent on enacting revenge for his brother. Saki builds the foot presence in NYC from the age of 15. Shredder was a prodigy, and a vulnerable grieving child in need of family and acceptance who was manipulated into becoming a villain.

Some Leonardo and Splinter relationships are really fucking messed up.

forever a 2007 leo apologist and 07 splinter hater 😔