That's how it starts... The fever... The rage... The feeling of powerlessness... That turns good men... Cruel...
~Alfred Pennyworth, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

My name is Leonardo, and I was the leader of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I may not have had much, but I had a family, and I had friends. It's interesting how we take the people we love for granted, until it's too late. If I'd known then what I know now, I'd have never let Twilight fall in love with me...

Years ago, I was 18 years old. Years prior, we killed The Shredder. People look at me and say that I'm a leader that thinks it's easy leading my team. For me, it's actually hard. Sometimes, there are nights where I need to clear my mind. Tonight was one of those nights. Plus I could have myself some pizza. I was outside on Henson Street, many thoughts running through my head. I ate a slice of pizza, thinking.

What I didn't know was that a young woman was walking around New York with her dog. Well, I guess I lost focus, and swallowed one of my pizza slices down the wrong pipe. I started coughing, choking on my pizza. I tried to swallow, but no dice. I was on my knees, choking and gagging. If I didn't get this pizza out of my throat, I was going to die! I couldn't believe it! I've fought the likes of Shredder and Kraang, and this is how I'm going to die? From choking on a pizza? Well, someone heard my gagging. "Are you okay?" The voice asked. It was the voice of a woman. I shook my head no. My face was turning blue.  "Okay, I'm going to perform the Heimlich Maneuver on you," she said as I got up, and she pressed her hands on my gut, and pressed on me several times. After a few attempts, it worked, the lodged pizza was out of my throat and I could breathe again.

"Feel better?" She asked. I turned around, and looked at the girl who saved my life. With her was her dog. She had dark blue hair, with purple and pink streaks, was in a ponytail, and she had violet eyes with glasses. She also wore a blue T-shirt and a purple skirt and purple flats. She was beautiful...

"You saved my life..." I said once I could breathe normally. "I'll take that as a yes," said the girl as she smiled and adjusted her glasses. "Wait... You're not going to freak out or run away because I'm a mutant?" I asked, looking at her. "Why would I?" She asked, "you shouldn't judge a book by its cover." I already liked her. "Thank you for saving my life," I said blushing. And I don't usually blush. "No problem," she bashfully said, "my name's Twilight Sparkle." I blushed and said, "Nice to meet you Twilight. I'm Leonardo." I shook her hand, which caused both of us to blush.

"Like the Renaissance painter?" Twilight asked, fascinated. I chuckled, nodding. Yep, from the moment I met Twilight, I instantly liked her. Her dog barked. "Oh, and this is my dog, Spike," she said. Spike happily wagged his tail. "He's cute," I said, "may I please pet him?" Twilight nodded, and I gently pet Spike on the head. He clearly liked the way I pet him. "Looks like he likes you," said Twilight as she giggled. After a few minutes, she picked him up. "Well, we better go. You take care of yourself Leo," she said as she smiled at me. "See ya round Twilight... You too Spike," I bashfully said. I never thought I'd immediately feel love at first sight, but I did. I went back home in the sewers.

"Did you enjoy being outside?" My brother Donatello asked. "Yeah," I said, still having that goofy grin on my face. I think my brother Raphael could tell, because he teasingly asked, "Didja meet a cute girl?" I tried to hide my bashfulness as I said, "No!" I then caved in and said, "...is it that obvious?" Our youngest brother, Michelangelo, chuckled and said, "Yep! What's she look like?" Donnie put his hand on my shoulder, and he could relate to what I was going through.