I really like this! I like your focus on the optimism and innocence of their world instead of just goofiness, and Don's desire to preserve that for its Leonardo, even though he knows the other turtle need to know what they are dealing with. I like that Leonardo is every inch the leader that 2003 Leo is and that Donnie is treating him with respect because he knows he's earned it. And I love that Leonardo may be naive but he is determined that they will win, because he has that much faith in his fellow turtles and he will not allow anything to happen to them if he can help it. Makes me wish there were more "Today we are all brothers" moments in the movie. A moment like this would have been wonderful to have, but at least I can read it here and mentally slide it in place. Thank you for this!

I enjoyed reading this story. It's well-written and I like the angle you chose for the culture shock, how you showed that 1987 Leonardo is still a Leonardo (if that makes sense :D) along with the insight into Don's thoughts. I enjoyed Turtles Forever, but they went really far in the 'these turtles are childish and unable to take anything seriously' direction.
Thanks for sharing it!

Wow. This was one of the purest stories I have ever read. I love how you've written both characters! Leonardo especially!

This is wonderful! You really have their characters down. I too was disappointed by the flanderization in "Turtles Forever," though I did still enjoy it

I think your version is much more faithful to the characters and explains the logic of their worlds well! It actually makes me wonder...was the exposure to the 2003 world and its logic what affected the 87 Turtles world to produce the "Red Sky" era. It's an interesting concept!

... *Screams* IM GONNA KILL DAT STOOPID LITTLE PINK SLUG ALIEN WITH MY HAMMER!

Thanks for writing such a lovely moment between two unlikely characters! To be honest, Turtles Forever felt a little shallow to me - your story is like what could have been :)

LOVE IT! :D

When Turtles Forever was made into a movie, they must have made it from like a child's story or something. The real 1987 series, maybe at first thought things were silly, but they took most of their battles seriously. And there was NEVER mutant food or mutated bowling balls ever seen in the series, it was only mutated animals and humans. And aliens.

So really, their world wasn't all goofy. Though most new villains that popped up were often doing the stupidest things. All the '87 series can be found on Youtube too as far as I know.

Yes, even I have a bit more understanding of the '87 turtles' world too.

I like it so much.

This was ADORABLE and really well done. I wish more people (or maybe just you) would write more in the TF universe...hint hint. :) Thanks for this one!

Ohh how I wish the movie had a scene like this. This was beyond awesome, thanks for writing it.

I know I didn't give a full "review" when giving my two cents on '87 Leo - I wanted to save it for when you posted it, so here goes! You really did a great job with this! I really appreciate this little extra scene, shining a more positive light on '87 Leo and even making '03 Don seem less abrasive to the goofier group of Turtles in the process. I especially like how he is happy a universe like the 1987 cartoon exists, despite them getting on his nerves sometimes - it really seems to fit with his character in the 2003 show (from the 30 odd episodes I've seen, anyway). And I loved him noticing the constants - Leo's determination to be a good leader and protect the others, his "fearless" character, and, of course, his little crush on a female ninja of questionable values. The part where he was blushing over Lotus was super cute, by the way. :)

There may be a lot of things that bug me about Turtles Forever, but I really think you did an excellent job writing this little piece to align both with how the real '87 Leo would act and with his portrayal in the movie itself. I really wish there were more TF fics like this out there. :) Great job!

Wow, this is amazing! The first story I've read that focusses on the time those Turtles were in the 1987 Dimension during the movie.

I 100% agree with you about how the writers are portraying the 1987 Turtles as idiots, but that's good for my own story since I can edit the reason why to it, like how I did for why the 80's Raphael does not have a temper and breaks the fourth wall all the time.

Anyway, just curious, can you tell me where you found the cover art?

This was awesome. I loved the conversation and how Leonardo pretty much said that while he wasn't afraid of Shredder, he still wouldn't be reckless and would know when to attack and when not to attack. Yeah, I didn't like how they handled the original Turtles either, but it was still a fun movie nonetheless. I liked the crossover from The Manhattan Project a bit better, though I do like TF for its own things. And, yeah, I remember Lotus Blossom. She was in two episodes and Leo really did like her. Nicely done on this. I'll be looking out for more stories from you.

The Bubbly One,
Shell

I don't know these universes all that well, but 2003 sounds way too dark for my liking, even though that is reportedly how the source material is. I remember the 1987 Turtles and have fond nostalgia for them, though it's a little too light now. I think 2012 strikes a nice balance. It does probably lean more toward the lighter side, but it does have its dark moments.

Anyway, this was a very enjoyable fic. Leo has always been my favorite Turtle, and I really empathized with his horror at hearing how much torture Don and his brothers went through. His heart must have been breaking for them.

Whatever happened with Lotus? Was she just in one episode?

Thanks for sharing this. Despite not being familiar with these universes, the dialog was great and the emotion palpable. Great job.