*Thanks to PamBowdenNichols for the idea!*
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Long ago, back when the Turtles could barely even talk...

Splinter sat on his knees on the floor of the lair's main room. He held the TV remote out in his hand, changing the channels to see what was on. His four little sons crawled about around him, feeling their way around along the floor and chewing on things.

Little Leonardo crawled up to Splinter and put his tiny green hands on top of his father's lap.

"Hello, Leonardo," Splinter looked down at the tiny turtle.

He picked his eldest son up and placed him on his lap. Leonardo squealed with delight, clapping his little green hands as he was lifted into the air and onto his father's lap.

Splinter chuckled and looked back up at the TV. He changed from channel to channel, looking at each show for a moment or two before moving on to the next. He kept browsing for quite a while until he found himself looking at a certain show.

In that show, a team of five people were charging forward, running toward a gigantic monster made of slime. They all held some kind of laser gun, and the man in the lead held his up, shooting a ray up at the monster.

Splinter shook his head. Youth today and their violent shows on television. He prepared to change the channel when suddenly Leonardo let out a little squeal of excitement and clapped his hands, kicking his legs excitedly. Splinter realized his son's blue eyes were glued to the screen.

"Oh," he said. "Do you like this show, Leonardo?"

Leo laughed a little baby laugh in response. He reached forward, as if trying to move, and Splinter placed his son back on the floor. The tiny turtle crawled across the lair floor until he was face-to-face with the TV screen. He stared in wonder at the show, laughing and clapping his hands.

"We did it, team!" in the screen, the lead man raised his laser gun in victory. "For we are...the Space Heroes!"

"Ah, so that is what this show is called," Splinter guessed. "I assume you enjoy this, Leonardo?"

Leo didn't answer. Instead, he made a choking noise, and a little sound sounded in his throat. It occurred to Splinter his son was trying to talk.

And he did.

He said his second word ever.

"Hee-ro," the little turtle said. "Hero."

"Very good, little one," Splinter smiled. "Very good."
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Fast-forward a few years later, where the Turtles are about six human years old...

"Daddy, what time is it?" Leonardo asked, sticking his head into his father's room.

"Leonardo," Splinter scolded gently. "What have I said about entering one's room? You must ask permission first."

"Oh! Sorry, Daddy," Leonardo said apologetically. "But what time is it?"

"Five o'clock," Splinter answered.

"Oh!" Leo exclaimed. "Space Heroes comes on right now!"

He turned and rushed out toward the main room of the lair. Splinter smiled at his eldest son's enthusiasm. He remembered the day the little turtle had discovered the show, back when he was only an infant. He absolutely loved that show, and something told him that his son would be loving that show for a long time.

Little Leo rushed out to the main room, climbed onto the couch, and grabbed the remote from the couch's armrest. He quickly turned the TV on and changed to channel 21-that was the channel Space Heroes came on every day.

His brothers-who had been playing around on the floor-looked up at him as he rushed in.

"What're you doing, Leo?" Mikey asked, looking up from playing with his teddy bear.

"It's five o'clock," Donnie pointed out matter-of-factly. "He's watching Space Heroes."

"You mean that stupid show for dorks?" Raph said. "Oooh, better not disturb that. I'm outta here."

He stood up and headed out toward the brothers' room. Donnie followed him, and Mikey followed him. Leo completely ignored them as they left. The TV had his undivided attention now.

His favorite episode was on-the one where the Team was kidnapped by the evil Doctor Megabrain, and Captain Ryan had to save them all. Leo watched in absolute fascination as Captain Ryan single-handedly saved his entire team from the clutched of Doctor Megabrain, and then they proceeded to save the galaxy.

Leo's brothers liked to make fun of him because he loved Space Heroes so much. Raph said it was a stupid show. But Leo didn't see what was so stupid about it. It was the best show ever. Raph just didn't know what he was talking about. He wasn't even giving it a chance.

Raph said that Space Heroes was for dorks and nerds. But as Leonardo sat in front of that TV, watching the Space Heroes save the galaxy from destruction once again, Leo couldn't possibly see why it was a nerdy show. It was full of action and adventure.

But the main reason why Leonardo loved the show so much was his very favorite character.

Captain Ryan.

Every day, Leo sat in front of the television, watching Captain Ryan lead his team to victory and save the universe time and time again. Captain Ryan was a true hero. He was big, brave and strong. Leo loved how he protected his team.

That was the kind of person he wanted to be.

One day, he promised himself, I'll grow up big and strong. I'll grow up big and strong so I can save everyone, so I can protect my brothers, and so I can protect Daddy, too. One day, I'm gonna be a leader.

Just like Captain Ryan.