Leonardo

Leonardo (Scenesys ID: 1468)
Quote
"Like Master Splinter said, it's not the weapon that's important, it's the Ninja wielding it." "In this life, we only have each other. If one of us goes down, we all go down. So focus."
Profile
Full Name:	Leonardo Hamato
Gender:	Male
Species:	Turtle
Theme:	IDW (FC)
Occupation:	Ninja Turtle
Citizenship:	United States of America
Residence:	Brooklyn, New York City
Education:	Homeschooled
Status:	Dropped
Groups:	Turtle Family, Street Level-OOC, Martial Arts-OOC
Other Information
Apparent Age:	18	Actual Age:	18
Date of Birth	30 October 2008	Actor:
Height:	162.5 cm	Weight:	79.5 kg
Hair Color:	Bald	Eye Color:	Blue
Theme Song:	{{{Song}}}

Profile

Leonardo, the oldest of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, is also considered the leader of the group. Known for his prowess with the katana, which he typically uses a pair of, he is usually more serious than the rest, often calm, cool, and collected, and a fine strategist. He's a bit of a teacher's pet when it comes to his relationship with Splinter, but he may be the hardest-working of the four brothers, sinking extensive time into his training and learning so he can be the best ninja he's capable of. He gets along well with his brothers, but there are occasional conflicts when it comes to listening to him. There is definitely a sibling rivalry with Raphael.

Leo is careful to guard their secrets, wary about letting the world above see or know too much about them, but also understanding that there are others like them out there one way or another. In this, there is the possibility to make friends and allies, but also more foes that extend beyond the issues they've had with The Shredder, his Foot Clan, and any associates of his. Above all else, he is loyal to his immediate family and fiercely protective of them.

Sheet

Description

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Leonardo, one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, is differentiated from his brothers in two primary ways: the dual katana typically strapped across his shell, and the blue of the headband that wraps around his head to tie off in back, with cutouts for blue eyes. Completely hairless, his skin color is a rich emerald green and while he is relatively short of stature at a little over five feet tall, his body is fit, muscled, and clearly athletic. His expression leans more toward the serious and focused side, even if his eyes give way to a more youthful, energetic nature. Of note, his hands only have two thicker fingers along with the thumb, his feet just two main toes.

The back of his shell is marked by a variety of nicks and cuts from past encounters with danger, but there is little evidence of scarring elsewhere. Padded leather helps protect elbows and knees along with bracers edged in blue that wrap around forearms and lower legs. A leather karate-style belt lined with a variety of pouches connects to a diagonal strap across his torso that continues across his back, allowing the katanas to be kept at the ready.

History

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Leonardo's life, like those of his brothers, began as just one of a few ordinary turtles. He shared a tank at a pet store with the rest, and while his nature was an inquisitive one as far as turtles go, there was little that changed from one day to the next. They were fed, they looked cute, they were occasionally picked up, but that was about it.

Then came a day that altered the future of the four turtles forever. They were bought by someone, but an incident on the way to their new home led to them tumbling out of the container they were being transported in, falling down a grate into the sewers. There, they crawled about in a transformative ooze that had leaked out of a broken canister that also fell down with them, a mutagen that altered their bodies, made them humanoid, bigger than ordinary turtles, allowed them to speak.

As fate would have it, their lives became intertwined with another who was altered by the ooze, a rat named Splinter, who ended up their Master, their Sensei, their Father. They all lived in an abandoned, hidden subway tunnel beneath New York City, accessible via the sewers. Skilled in the art of ninjutsu, Splinter sought to teach them all he knew in preparing these turtles to become ninja. They learned various martial arts, stealth, spying, and strategies for combat, and once he deemed them ready, Splinter gifted each with a weapon and headband differentiating one from the other. Leonardo became adept with dual katana and took the color blue.

For most of their adolescent lives they were forbidden from making contact with the world above, though they lived in full awareness of it through things like television, newspapers, and pizza delivery. This was, to hear it from Master Splinter, for their own safety, but eventually the time would come for them to venture forth into the world and put their training to use. Splinter could only hope and pray they would act responsibly, with maturity, limiting sightings and using the shadows to their benefit. How naïve. Leonardo, a natural leader, was sure to have his hands full. Since then, they've had some encounters with people both good and bad, including a no-good ninja known as The Shredder, and so far the Turtles have managed to live up to the expectations placed on them by their Sensei and Father.

Personality

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At his core, Leonardo is the spitting image of the do-good hero, the Boy Scout, and he is the leader of the rambunctious band of turtle brothers. This may be more due to his willingness to take on that responsibility than anything else, because there have been times he's made mistakes and second-guessed himself when things don't go as planned. However, he always seeks to do the right and just thing, often resulting in the potential danger as a secondary consideration. If someone is truly in need of help, the directive to remain out of sight will be put on hold, though the proliferation of other visibly altered "people" in the world has left him wondering how much longer they should remain completely hidden.

The most serious of the four, the majority of his time spent under Splinter's tutelage involved rigorous, disciplined training he poured all of himself into, seeking to master everything thrown at him, whether it was a weapon to learn, a fighting technique, different strategies, or meditation. After all, a true ninja must be a master of not just the body, but the mind as well.

His family is everything to him, and there is no length Leonardo won't go to in order to keep the group safe and whole. It troubles him when this harmony is disrupted, but he is very loyal toward and protective of Michelangelo, Donatello, and even Raphael, who he often clashes with due to a sibling rivalry they have. He is their big brother, but also a bit of a fanatic when it comes to pleasing Master Splinter. Much of the way he carries himself is done to seek Splinter's approval.

Honor, respect, and hard work makes up the core of Leonardo's being, and while he is a perfectionist he understands it's extremely difficult to actually be perfect. That won't stop him from trying, but his youth and lack of greater overall experience along with the trouble he frequently gets into with his brothers tends to complicate matters more often than not. Failing at something or coming up short just means a need to do better next time. Fortunately, as time has gone by he's taken advantage of the opportunity to learn from past mistakes, thus lessening the probability of repeating them.

Abilities

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ATHLETICISM
Mainly as a "gift" from the mutagen that created the Turtles, Leonardo's athletic abilities are, well, on par with that of a ninja's, perhaps even a little beyond what's typical. He's ridiculously fast and stronger than the average peak human, resulting in him being capable of fluid attacks, effortless flips and rolls, and deft maneuvers to get both in and out of striking range. These abilities have been honed by hours upon hours of demanding training with Master Splinter and his brothers, who he's sparred with countless times.

PROTECTIVE SHELL
Leonardo's rock-hard shell can take a beating and keep on ticking, up to a point. A core part of any turtle's anatomy, it serves as built-in armor and makes an effective blunt-force object as well. The numerous nicks and cuts across the back of Leo's shell is a testament to its overall durability, but time and serious enough attacks do bring the possibility of it cracking and breaking, which would be rather bad. Little-known secret: it's also great for breakdancing with.

TURTLE

Like his brothers, Leonardo is a natural in aquatic environments. He can hold his breath with ease for up to four hours and push himself a little beyond that with proper preparation, which is great for stealth or hiding. Swimming is second nature to him and he can see perfectly fine. Drowning? Not likely.

Skills

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KATANA
Leonardo's weapon of choice. He has received extensive training in using either a single katana or dual blades, his norm, both offensively and defensively. While the fine edge of the katana blade is not built for excessive defense, there are few peers when it comes to quick, deep cuts, making the weapon as deadly as it gets so long as his opponent is not sufficiently protected by the right kind of armor. Being capable of killing does not mean Leo prefers it. In fact, he seeks ways to disarm or disable an opponent first. Going beyond that is reserved as a last resort.

LEADERSHIP
Due to Leonardo's personality, he is something of a natural leader. Michelangelo is often too immature and fun-loving for it. Donatello doesn't seem to want it and he's often busier dabbling in his inventions. Raphael has wanted it, but he can be too hotheaded and stubborn. Leonardo, as the most grounded, sensible, and calm brother, was willing to take on the role when the Turtles needed one to lead them. While it hasn't come without its issues, namely in the form of occasional in-fighting with Raphael or second-guessing himself, by and large Leo is accepted and looked to as the one to make the big decisions when needed. Having Master Splinter's blessing might just be the key to keeping everyone in line and on the same path.

MARTIAL ARTS
Leonardo has been trained in a variety of martial arts, from basic karate or judo to more dangerous disciplines like Muay Thai or Krav Maga. In the case of the latter, it may fall outside Leonardo's usual style of attack, but knowing it also helps in being able to defend against it. He is adept with or without weapons, and while he favors the katana he has been trained in the use of the other styles his brothers prefer along with the use of things like shuriken, short blades, smoke bombs, and so on.

NINJUTSU
A special enough discipline in its own right, this is the core of the ninja itself. The fighting techniques are primarily in other areas, but unconventional warfare, espionage, stealth, and spying all combine to make a trained ninja deadly if necessary, but extremely valuable overall. Part of Leonardo's training, especially as a leader, involves knowing how and when to use these abilities, all thanks to what he has learned from Splinter.

POP CULTURE

Time spent living in the abandoned subway tunnel the Turtles call home with Master Splinter can lead to boredom fast, but during free time they have outside their training, they have found ways to keep themselves occupied. Television, newspapers, video games, magazines, books, even Netflix, one of the greatest gifts to Turtlekind. You name it, and Leonardo has immersed himself in it. This has left him knowledgeable in a lot of worthless stuff, but it sure comes in handy when looking for just the right thing to say.

Resources

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HOME SWEET LAIR
Being "born" in the sewers of New York City ranks pretty low on the list of glamorous origins, but that is the hand fate dealt to the Turtles and Master Splinter. The old rat found an equally old, abandoned subway tunnel from a time long since forgotten, and he turned it into the best and only home the Turtles have ever known. It has all they could want or need: a dojo, a gym, a living area with TV and numerous video games, a mini library, a lab area, a work area for Donatello to do his thing, a kitchen even if their primary focus is pizza, and the best part? It's well-hidden. Taking the right paths through the sewers just to get to the hidden entrance, it's impossible to accidentally stumble upon and the paths through the sewers are second nature to the Turtles by now.

TURTLE FAMILY

Along with Master Splinter, their Sensei and Father, everything the Turtles are centers on their bond as brothers. No matter how much they might bicker with each other for one reason or another, they always, eventually iron things out in the end, even if that might mean an aggressive sparring session to beat some sense into each other. All right, this is more a Leo/Raph thing, but it is still a thing. That said, there is no length Leonardo won't go to in order to keep his family safe and whole. It's all he has, all they have. Over time this bubble may expand to include certain topsiders, but this remains to be seen. Trust must be earned instead of freely given.

Weaknesses

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FOOT CLAN
By themselves, these street-level ninja wannabes have been little more than an annoying nuisance for the Turtles to deal with. Most of them have rudimentary training that gets them by against most targets, but it only becomes a danger to the Turtles when they have a big numbers advantage over Leonardo and his brothers. They do provide, at times, a focus for them to let their frustrations out on, but the true threat is a ninja known as The Shredder. As the leader of the Foot Clan, he has crossed paths with the Turtles before and proven to be a formidable, lethal foe. Facing them one at a time, he possesses the skill to defeat them with ease. In their first encounter, only Leonardo managed to land an attack before he was taken down and on the verge of being killed by their opponent. To defeat The Shredder, it takes the brothers working together at their best, as a single unit.

HARD ON HIMSELF
Leonardo is idealistic, with visions of what a perfect world might look like when the reality he and the Turtles live in is anything but that. A protective leader who seeks to do right, this not only leads to occasional conflict with his brothers when he tries to keep them on what he believes is the right path, it comes with the potential to be exploited by those who would take advantage of them or do them harm. This is compounded by an overall lack of experience topside beyond what they've gleaned through various media sources compared to others of a similar age, though each step out of the sewers brings more knowledge with it along with the growing question of how much they should involve themselves in. Leo tries his best to be a responsible leader, setting a good example for his brothers, but each failure, whenever it happens, can send him into a period of self-doubt and second-guessing.

INEXPERIENCED
While there have been occasional forays topside, prior to that the entire lives the Turtles knew was confined to places beneath the streets of New York City. Leonardo and the others kept up on current events and then some by staying tuned in to news and other forms of entertainment through the television and more, but it also left them with a somewhat false idea of what the real world is really like. They're already the equivalent of teenagers, curious about everything that's out there. Add in the fact they never got to actually develop experience by living among others, and it's a recipe for comedy here, disaster there. As they've grown older, more trips to the surface have followed and they've begun to learn more about what's up there. The balance Leo and the others find going forward, mainly in how hidden to remain and how much to involve themselves in things, is up to them to determine.

KILLING?
Leonardo predominantly believes there is always a way to avoid having to kill. He takes special care to keep this in mind given the weapon he prefers. The katana is capable of easily opening someone up with a killing blow, which is why he's practiced so much to hone his abilities with it in order to deploy precise strikes whenever possible. When it comes to things that are not alive, such as robots or machines, it's easier to attack with what would be lethal strikes, but when it comes to living beings his preference is to disarm or disable above all else. Is he capable of killing? Absolutely. Will he? The simple answer is only if he has no other choice. An adversary like The Shredder may leave him feeling like he has to go for the kill in order to stay alive, but that is an exception to the rule. (OOC: as always, this is something that would be looked at on a case-by-case basis in an IC situation, but I expect him to be reluctant to kill even when it comes to generic NPCs.)

NOT ON THE BOOKS
None of the Turtles have official identities. There are no Social Security numbers, no birth certificates that can be found in any hospital, and the names they've taken do not really exist beyond just saying that's who they are. For Leonardo and the others, this cuts them off from many resources available to the average citizen. Though they've developed a few tricks to game the system to their advantage along the way for some essential wants and needs, none are guaranteed to last.

OBVIOUSLY A TURTLE

Leonardo and his brothers are humanoid turtles, and their Father is a big rat that talks. There's no way around this plain fact. Even with mutants in existence, they will never blend in with most topsiders, and there's really only so far the old trenchcoat and hat disguise can go. While they may be a source of fascination and interest to some, there is just as strong a probability of being met with fear and revulsion. Splinter didn't teach them to employ stealth and be ready to disappear into the shadows at a moment's notice just to hear his wise old rat self speak.

Logs

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Title	Date	Scene Summary
Walking on Sunshine	January 26th, 2020	Second encounter with those hunting Pippi, and the gang's all here.
Better Living Through Meditation	January 13th, 2020	With certain things leaving him feeling off, Raphael finally approaches Leonardo to seek help with meditating.
Pizza Time in Old Brooklyn	December 28th, 2019	Carlo, the new owner of Angelo's Pizza, meets a couple of interesting customers - Pippi and Alopex! Leonardo skulks in the shadows!
Decorating the Lair	December 24th, 2019	The Turtles and their allies set up a Christmas Tree in the lair.
The Cold Road to Mastering Ninjitsu	December 18th, 2019	It all started with a hunt, with a snowball... and ends with Leonardo experiencing what a 'headruffle' feels like from Pippi. It's just not the same when you ruffle your own head.
Reaching Out	December 3rd, 2019	Daredevil and Leonardo meet. Plans are discussed and moves towards alliance are made.
City Fall: For the Masses	December 3rd, 2019	The Turtle Team and the Shadow find out about the Foot's next play.
Spa-r Day	December 1st, 2019	Leonardo and Pippi spar in the Lair's Dojo with Pippi's new gauntlets, 'Trial and Error'. Leonardo tests Pippi's skill, control, and speed but might bite off more than he can chew when an unexpected memory resurfaces. And then they have slurpees.
A Turtle and a Dragon Meet	November 19th, 2019	Leonardo seeks out Richard Dragon. The conversation might be as exhausting as actual sparring.
Not Your Uncle's Monkey...Not Like We Have An Uncle Anyway	November 19th, 2019	Leonardo and Raphael patrol and plan on pizza, but they are surprised to meet a chimp who seems to know about them.
Purse Snatcher!	November 4th, 2019	Pippi and Leo chase down a purse snatcher, Leo has to make a couple quick choices, and gets to quote kid's shows for Pippi's amusement.
All Dogs go to Heaven, but can they Meditate	October 21st, 2019	Pippi makes a mess of Leonardo's leaf-raking. He then attempts to teach her about meditation, with Alopex there to help.
Turtle Trip 4: Even The Normal Things Are Abnormal	October 20th, 2019	Raph seeks meditation help from Leo. Donnie can't resist his urges in more ways than one. Mikey is Mikey. Pippi struggles with a squirrel. Alopex makes a campfire. Nemean can still hunt. April and Vanessa visit, bringing food and...Halloween costumes? Three words: Salt and Pupper.
Turtle Trip 1	October 6th, 2019	Leo and Donnie start to settle in on the first day of the vacation, but they can't escape some heavier topics quite yet.
Turtle Trip 2: Doggin' It	October 6th, 2019	Later in the night, Leonardo looks in on Pippi. It's her first time away from the big city.
Road Jitters	October 5th, 2019	Planning for vacation, Leo, Alopex and Pippi cover some basics, talk a little shop.
Rooftop Roaming	October 4th, 2019	Leonardo and Vorpal catch up before a trip.
April in October	October 3rd, 2019	Leonardo comes to April's place to give her a rundown on recent events, as she does with him in return. They swap some stories, some vitamin waters, and he gets some keys to a sweet farm in the middle of no where.
Downtime Below	September 29th, 2019	Leo zones out, and a group descision is made to take a break. Pippi worries about going to a farm.
Relation Revelation	September 15th, 2019	Leonardo meets a very catty relative of April's.
The Nightwatcher Strikes	September 9th, 2019	The Nightwatcher is caught in a bad situation, which he only makes worse!
Fire Burns Bight Within Ruby Delight	September 9th, 2019	June has a bad night as she gets tracked down, but the hunter soon becomes the hunted.
After Alley Aftermath: Homecoming	September 9th, 2019	After encountering an armored vigilante (Nightwatcher), Leo and Pippi prepare to go out and retrieve Raphael, whom they suspect was injured. Raphael arrives home, explaining that he encountered Nightwatcher earlier, and was, indeed, injured in the fight -- AND lost his hat. Raphael's secret is safe -- for now.
City Fall: A Calculated Contaminant	August 26th, 2019	Venandi is sent on her first big mission. To locate and steal a vial for Shredder. Little does she realize that Leonardo and Pippi are on partrol in the area...
Suspected Difficulty	August 24th, 2019	Leonado determines, on a hunch, why Pippi always seems to forget what her chores are. Offering to help results in a slightly more aggressive response than expected!
Shut your mouth, Leo	August 13th, 2019	Robins, Scoobies, and Turtles, oh my
City Fall: Remembering the Truth, Part 2	August 7th, 2019	Nemean's memories are explored further as sites of greater importance are returned to. A breakthrough follows as Leonardo brings in further help. (backdated to 8/7/19)
City Fall: Remembering the Truth, Part 1	August 6th, 2019	With Splinter having begun the healing process for Nemean, Leonardo starts his role in breaking further through. (backdated to 8/6/19)
After the Rescue	July 30th, 2019	Pippi comes to after encountering The Shredder and more importantly, Nemean's first steps of recovery. Alopex finds Pippi more canny than she lets on, and Pippi worries about the recovery of Cody, his mutation and place in the world... and the additional stresses on Leonardo.
Into the Lion's Den	July 29th, 2019	Nemean is faced with a choice. Stay with Shredder, or go with the Turtles.
A Bat, a Rat, and a Turtle Walk Into an Abandoned Building...	July 27th, 2019	Splinter and Leonardo have a clandestine meeting with Damian.
Topside Training time	July 22nd, 2019	Summary needed
Fridge Notes	July 15th, 2019	After Pippi left a note about someone she spoke with, Leonardo and Alopex discuss it with her before Donatello crashes the party.
City Fall: Turtles and an Assassin in Gotham	July 9th, 2019	The Purple Dragons hold a recruitment drive in Gotham City. A disguised Damian crashes it. So do the turtles.
They Hide Below: Snatch and Grab	July 1st, 2019	The Turtles, Crystal, Conner, Joseph Miller and Cyclops stop creepy robot spiders from dragging mutants into the sewers!
Turtle Family Matters	June 30th, 2019	Donatello queations Leonardo's tendency to do things on his own lately. Pippi overhears.
City Fall: Zoo Aftermath	June 29th, 2019	Alopex and Pippi learn of what happened between Leonardo and Nemean
City Fall: Lion in Wait	June 28th, 2019	The Bronx Zoo is the scene of a fight between Leonardo and Nemean in which Leo tries to get the lion to listen to reason
City Fall: Meeting in the Middle	June 25th, 2019	Both needing time to themselves, Leonardo and Karai cross paths. Conflict follows.
City Fall: A Time For Learning	June 24th, 2019	With bad things going on, Leonardo and Pippi have their first real talk.
City Fall: A Meeting of Mutant Minds	June 16th, 2019	The Turtle Lair gets a little more crowded.
What are we doing up on a rooftop	June 11th, 2019	Mutants, Turtles, and Vampires, oh my!
City Fall: Raiding the Docks	June 9th, 2019	A group gathers to put a stop to a shipment destined for Shredder's hands. A surprise is found.
Learn to be an Idiot, My Son	June 6th, 2019	Splinter decides it's time to introduce Leonardo to the astral plane. He also directs Leo to try to be more like Michelangelo in certain ways. (Backdated to early June)
Slow And Steady Wins The Race	June 4th, 2019	April lets Vanessa shelter during a troubled stretch. Leonardo pays a surprise visit.
From The Field of Weeds	June 2nd, 2019	Splinter and Leonardo have a talk.
A Clandestine Meeting	May 28th, 2019	The one where Leonardo meets up with FBI Agent Cody Garrett in secret
A Seemingly Random Encounter	May 22nd, 2019	Leonardo and Alopex are looking for each other. The turtle finds the fox first.
City Fall: The Lost Daughter	May 6th, 2019	The turtles go rescue April, finding Shredder, Koya, and Bludgeon. Alopex makes a decision. Cody gets involved. (Takes place closer to "City Fall: A Family Call")
City Fall: A Family Call	April 26th, 2019	Koya makes her debut, and April is kidnapped despite Leo's best efforts.
April Delivers	April 22nd, 2019	April drops by with some food for the turtles and more talk is had about current events.
A Punishing Discussion	April 16th, 2019	Leo and Donnie talk about Punisher's plans. Includes brief Splinter cameo.
City Fall: The Smoke Shop	April 8th, 2019	Leo and April try to find out who have been the mysterious guardians of Mutant Town.
City Fall: Recon at the Warehouse	April 2nd, 2019	Punisher and Leo stake out the Foot headquarters, and discuss how to proceed to get more information.
A chance encounter with Turtles.	March 31st, 2019	Summary needed
Turtles and Trouble	March 26th, 2019	Punisher meets the Turtles in an abandoned subway station. An accord... might be reached?
Shadow Ninja Turtles	March 25th, 2019	Leonardo and Michelangelo pull sentry duty topside, where they encounter a small amount of trouble.
Turtle Time in the Lair	March 24th, 2019	Three of the brothers discuss - surprise - pizza!
My foot for the Foot	March 18th, 2019	Mikey comes back to the lair after engaging the Foot Clan... and hams up to Leo while trying to give info
After the Firing	March 7th, 2018	Summary needed

Cutscenes

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To Refresh Character's Log List Click Here. Then hit the resulting button to dump the old cached list.

Title	Date	Scene Summary
The Price of Leadership	June 23rd, 2019	Summary needed
By Candlelight	June 2nd, 2019	Summary needed
A Brotherly Discussion About A Matter	May 23rd, 2019	Summary Needed Relevant Logs: https://www.unitedheroesmush.com/index.php?title=7425/City_Fall:_The_Lost_Daughter https://www.unitedheroesmush.com/index.php?title=7594/A_Seemingly_Random_Encounter

Gallery

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