Chapter Text
A flash. Six versions of Leonardo fall at the same time into a windowless metal room. They get up, looking at each other, confused and in shock.
Leo 2023 (breathing heavily, eyes wide):
No… no no no! What is this place? They’re all… me! I’m trapped with FIVE versions of myself!
Leo 1987 (laughing enthusiastically, brushing himself off):
Holy shells! It’s like an exclusive Leo club! Radical! And I know what we need: pizza!
Leo 2007 (voice shaky, hand on his katana; his posture is more adult and firm):
This… this can’t be real. It has to be a trap!
(looks at the others with distrust, clearly more experienced and hardened than the rest)
Leo 2012 (trying to sound casual though excited):
This is like in Space Heroes, you know? When Captain Ryan clones himself to stop the alien invasion.
(pause, no one responds)
Really? No one? (whispering) …and I thought it would be cool to talk to myself…
Leo 2018 (jumping dramatically, making a flourish bow):
Trapped, no way out, probably about to die… but don’t worry, because I have a plan!
(draws his mystical sword dramatically, trying to open a portal… nothing happens. He waves it again. Still nothing. Frozen, awkward)
…Well… that was my plan.
(the others stare, some impressed, some incredulous)
Eh… at least admit you thought it might work for a second.
Leo 2003 (arms crossed, calm but eyebrow raised):
Listen. We don’t know who brought us here, but it’s definitely not good. Let’s stay calm, check the room, and—
Leo 2018 (raising a hand like in class, interrupting):
I vote that we do formal introductions first. “Hi, I’m Leo, I love being the main character… I mean, the best character, I like annoying my brothers, sacrificing myself to save the world and have the same trauma as everyone else in this room.” See? Ice broken!
Leo 2007 (looking straight at Leo 2018, dryly):
…Are you aware of how annoying you are?
Leo 2018 (with a dazzling smile):
Completely.
Leo 2023 (stepping back, voice cracking, vulnerable):
No… I can’t… This is too… cool! Best than my fanfics! But I just want to get back home as soon as possible, thanks. Or at least be somewhere safe where we can talk.
Leo 2012 (awkward, approaching Leo 2023, trying to sound reassuring):
Hey, um… I get scared too sometimes, but we’ll find a way out before we even find out if… well, if they’re here to try to kill us…
(realizes what he said, swallows nervously)
Not that they’re going to kill us… yet… I’m not helping.
Leo 1987 (placing a hand on 2012’s shoulder, beaming with optimism):
Relax, my versions! If we’re all together, nothing can stop us!
Leo 2003 (muttering, barely audible, sarcastic):
…Unless we kill each other first.
Leo 2018 (jumping from side to side, dramatic):
I propose we make a real plan. Normally, I could open a portal with my sword, or… invent a giant energy weapon…
Leo 2007 (frowning, serious and firm):
We don’t need your crazy ideas that fail within five seconds.
Leo 2018 (smiling, shrugging):
Come on, admit it! It was impressive for a second, wasn’t it?
Leo 2003 (arms crossed, looking at 2018 with forced patience):
We appreciate your help, but it’s useless. Better focus on examining the room and finding exits, without dramatics.
Leo 2023 (trembling, looking at 2007 and 2003 for support):
Yeah… I… I don’t know if I can handle so much excitement at once. This… is too much.
Leo 1987 (jumping cheerfully, trying to encourage):
Come on, guys! If we all put our energy together, we’ll definitely find the way out! And… it could even be fun!
Leo 2012 (looking at 1987, awkwardly):
Uh… yeah… fun… I guess… Though I still don’t understand how we even got here…
Leo 2007 (looking at everyone, taking a deep breath, trying to calm himself):
Listen. We need to get organized. We can’t let the chaos of… that showstopper stop us.
Leo 2018 (making a dramatic gesture, offended):
Hey! I’m just trying to keep morale up!
Leo 2023 (surprised, taking a deep breath):
Guys, there doesn’t seem to be any way out…
Leo 2012 (looking around):
There has to be one, there always is.
Leo 1987 (patting 2023 on the back):
There it is! That’s team spirit. Turtle power!
Leo 2018 (drawing his sword again, more cautiously):
Okay, okay… Plan B: if I see a ray of light or something weird, portal to the rescue!
Leo 2007 (sighing, looking at 2018 with exasperation):
And there it is… chaos on legs.
Leo 2003 (resigned, murmuring):
…If we survive this, it’ll be a miracle.