I OWN NOTHING

Glad to see you all are finally on board with this fic and the main idea that while powerful Naruto can be a dork.

-0-

After the initial explosion, Catra took her cue, "Hop!" using her feline flexibility, she rolled backwards and moved her shoulders in a way only cats could move their joints. "Finally!" Yanking a hand free, she goes to help Adora with a quick swipe which cuts the ropes around her like hot butter.

Once freed, the two friends face the incoming guards, Adora grabbing onto a spear after sidestepping a stab, shoulder-tackling the enemy and then kneeing the woman away. With her new weapon, she twirled it, expertly dominating the use of staves and batons made life easier. Deflecting a strike from another guard, she clashed against her in a stalemate, pushing the armored woman back. Until Catra arrived. The cat girl, quick and nimble as any feline, first jumped to the nearest guard for a quick to the face. Using the poor soldier woman as a step, she launched herself over to another for the same, and repeated the strike to save one of her two not-so-secret crushes. Adora looked as three soldiers were down, while the woman Adora had just disarmed was groggy.

Seeing Catra smirk, the blonde frowned, "This isn't a competition, so don't say you got more points. Let's save Naruto and get some answers."

"Fine, I'll keep count, though," the cat girl informed her.

Scorpia also took her cue to break free, "Um, so, is he really going to be safe?"

"He's the cause of those explosions, no doubt," Adora declared.

It got a sigh of relief from the larger captain, "Good, let's save him, then!" she then, casually and with little effort, broke through her chains by flexing her arms up.

"You could've done that the entire time!?" Adora, Catra, and the remaining guards asked in shock.

"Yeah, I just didn't want my friends to get hurt, so I played along!" Scorpia beamed, then put on a smirk which worried the soldiers. "Now, please, let us see our cute friend."

Rearing a claw back, she stomped forward and punched. The result was immediate, five guards flew out through the doors to the room, alerting the ones on watch and opening the way for the Horde girls. It drew their attention to Scorpia walking out with a friendly smile and her pincers up in a boxing stance, a sadistically smirking Catra flexing her claws, and a stoic Adora with her recently stolen spear ready.

Acting like the captain she recently became, Adora spoke to her allies with a cold, professional tone, "Alright, Scorpia intimidates them as she charges through, Catra disorients them with her hit-and-run tactics, and I confuse them taking a closer approach."

Both girls nodded and the halls became a battle zone. As for the cute friend the beefiest girl mentioned, Naruto leaned on a wall, supporting himself with a hand on it. Looking at his other hand's nails boringly, he turned to the people in the hall he walked into. Pillars of sturdy stone shot out as soon as they neared him. After placing his hand with a magical circle, every female guard was caught by a giant rocky hand. Every single one looked like a doll held in place, squirming to break free. Being an ass after the day he had felt so sweet.

"Comfy?" he casually rubbed his nails against his chest as if polishing them. "Mind telling me where this Runestone of yours is?"

"Typical Horde soldier, caring more about your own gain than even your friends!" one of the tall ladies snarled.

"Please, I know two of those three way better than I should," he snickered. "I could tell you where some embarrassing birthmarks are on one or where other the loves to be scratched to purr. Trust me when I say they'll be here in no time." Making a new circle, he placed it under the woman dangling in front of him, "This is a truth spell. Feel free to tell me where it is..."

"Down the hallway to your right, it's-"

"None of your business!" Naruto had come to realize that voice meant trouble.

Quickly, he turned and cast off his truth spell to create a shield, stopping Glimmer's magical pink bolt of energy, "Ah, Princess..." He took in the sight of her in her regular outfit, "I wish I had a good line but asking if you'd like a good night kiss would repeat a good joke more than needed."

"Good, because the next joke will be your face once I'm done with it!" the princess roared out.

Dispelling his shield, he smiled, "I'll say I wish I could've seen you in your pajamas. I bet they're cute."

Observing the girl carefully, he twirled around with exaggerated motions of his arms, dancing like he used to in his more laidback sparring sessions with cadets or soldiers, "Up you go!" he brought up both arms as he danced toward the girl, and caused her to yelp when a pillar shot from the ground and nearly nailed her on the chin, "Oh, so close."

Glimmer disappeared in a flash of pink, then reappeared right beside him, "Close enough for you!?" she snapped and shot a heavily charged bolt.

Ducking quickly, the boy hunched over and smiled with his hand placed on her gut, "Yes." He smirked when her shot made a hole on the wall beside him, and his spell made her clothes glow, "Sit."

Yelping first, the plump girl watched her cape move and wrap around her body, "What the!?" she was forced on her knees, her generous rump resting on her heels, then gulped when he squatted in front of her.

Patting her back with a friendly smile, he chuckled, "Like it? It's like my usual element manipulation spells." He leaned in close, making Glimmer's cheeks burn... she hated to admit it, but he was handsome, "Be the nicest girl and keep quiet. This spell won't hurt you, but it'll keep you from moving around even if you teleport."

"I can still fight, you know!?" the princess snarled.

"By dropping yourself on me?" he gave her a cheeky, smug grin while she squirmed to break free to no avail.

"Why you little... Just you wait!" Glimmer jumped in place to the whiskered sorcerer's amusement.

"Did I hit a nerve?" Naruto knew he did, and his smile said he loved every second of it. Creating a new circle, he held his palm forward to Glimmer, "Now then, Truth Spell Time. Tell me where your Runestone is as well as what lingerie you're wearing."

"Y-You dirty perv... grr..." Glimmer ground her teeth, but it was to no avail. "Behind the throne room you can see the Runestone. It's easier to either teleport or fly to it from there. As for my undergarments-"

"Enough!" Naruto had a fraction of a second to react to yet another bolt of pink energy, too little to do anything but yelp and get launched to a wall. Queen Angella had arrived, followed by her personal guards, and she was livid, "Do you know no shame!? I should've known dealing with you was a waste of time as well as a danger to everyone! Now I'll rectify that mistake!"

"Are you unhurt, Princess Glimmer?" one of the guards asked the girl, who beamed.

Free from the spells, Glimmer stood up and flexed her fingers, "Yes, and you can't believe how glad I am to see you!"

"As am I..." Naruto gritted his teeth as he peeled himself off the wall. Coughing, he held his side, right where he was pelted, "Alright, cough, I know I'm not a proper soldier. Even rookies have a better physique than me. You know, I've been saying it's because my mistress wants to control me easier that way. Like declawing and defanging a dangerous animal..."

"Freeze!" the guards yelled as they closed in on the boy, spears aimed at him.

"Wait," Angella approached him, ready for battle. "What are you rambling about, Horde soldier?" the queen asked, weary and with her daughter at her side.

Beaming, Naruto dusted himself and looked up at the two, placing his hands on his hips to push up his chest in pride, "It means you must be very weak, Your Majesty." He then chortled, tilting his head back as he fought an urge to let out boisterous laughter, "Come on! I'm physically weak and pathetic! And yet that shot didn't knock me out!? Hah! I should be able to take you down easily!"

Angella felt a vein pop on her forehead, "Fair enough..." large balls of pink energy the size of pumpkins appeared on her palms, "I won't hold back, then."

Confidently smirking, Naruto slammed down a hand, "Good!" Large bolts of magic flew at the whiskered sorcerer just when a magical circle appeared under his palm, "Bye!"

Cracks appeared on the ground seconds before it collapsed, folding itself on its way down to the floor below. All guards were quick to get out of the way to avoid falling in. Glimmer watched the boy slide down like a kid at a park in disbelief. Angella gritted her teeth when the boy let himself fall, folded his arms on his chest, and went down. Upon reaching the lower floor, the blond touched the end of his stone slide. Right when the two pink rulers were about to give chase, he created a new circle and swung his hands up, returning the ground and ceiling back to normal.

"You won't get away with this!" Angella roared just before the hole fully closed.

Letting out a weak, nervous chuckle, the blond mage wiped his brow, "Oh, I am soooo glad the mistress taught me earth and mineral manipulation right at the start." Looking around, he was even gladder to see a cleared coast, "No guards, boy, am I in luck... So, what will ruin it?"

"Don't move a muscle," said Bow with an arrow aimed at the back of Naruto's head.

"I should've guessed it'd be you if not Blinky," the sorcerer stated with his hands up. "How did you sneak past me?"

"You were too busy sighing with relief to pay attention to me walking right behind you," Bow informed him politely.

"Fair enough, stealth is not my forte since I love..." the blond took a step back with a malicious grin, "...to show off." Pressing the back of his neck against the arrow, Naruto made the archer fly back once the hexagonal shield he had placed on that spot popped up, expanded, and smacked the taller boy on the face! "Little tip, never trust a guy full of tricks, hostage."

"What do you mean host-" the broad-shouldered lad's question was interrupted by magical chains which were wrapped tightly around him. "Aw man..."

"Okay, how about a little tour of the place?" Naruto rubbed his hands and moved forward with a merry skip to his step. "Come along, teach me a thing or two about this place and its history."

"Uh, well, I am a historian..." Bow admitted while the chains forced him to follow his kidnapper, who placed his hands behind his back. "Ahem, over here you see the hall to the throne room. To your left you'll see a mural of King Micah, Queen Angella's husband who fell at the hand of the Horde and Glimmer's father. Resistance leader and the man who led the Alliance against Hordak."

"He rocks the beard," Naruto commented and the tour continued.

"He was a great man I and many others looked up to before... before our defeat," Bow said melancholically.

"Really?" the blond grew intrigued, "Do continue, the man's worthy of being remembered, right? I'd like to know how he got that love."

"Seriously?" hearing a Horde soldier claim such a thing would throw any Resistance member off.

"We have some time until we get where we need to be," Naruto reminded him with a casual wave. "Besides, ruling with love and respect sounds better than using fear to gain power."

"Alright!" the archer was surprised, yet also happy to know even an enemy could respect the fallen king. "Ahem, he started as a young pupil at Mystacor, where he..."

-0-

In another hall filled with unconscious or half-conscious but badly bruised warrior women, the femme fatale trio looked for answers.

"Let's get to the point," Adora hefted her new spear on a shoulder and placed a foot on a kneeling guard's shoulder. Leaning forward, she snarled, "Naruto, brighter eyes and hair than me. Where is he?"

"I-I don't know!" the guard yelled.

"Do you?" Catra questioned with a snicker. Shrugging, she walked to Adora's side and leaned on her, "My friend here is out of patience, and once she is..."

"All I know is that he's been moving around using magic to manipulate walls, floors and ceilings!" the poor woman cried on the verge of tears.

"Dammit, he's obviously trying to avoid us," Adora grunted.

"We do know where he's headed, though," Catra reminded her, then placed her own foot on the guard's other shoulder. "Where's the Runestone?"

"I'll..." gulping, the woman looked up. "I'll die before I tell you!"

"Aren't you a good, loyal little pet?" Catra cooed, leaning down to pinch the woman's cheek. "Scorpia, do your thing."

After a swift sting, the guard was down, and the scorpion woman had a question, "That's the sixth one who won't tell us about that gem. Maybe I should try to be the bad interrogator."

Adora couldn't get mad despite the frustration, "No, even as the good interrogator you're too pure to frighten them," Scorpia really was that cute. "Any luck sensing him? If he's been moving this castle, one of you should pick something up."

"I'm afraid he's too far to sense any vibrations," Scorpia admitted shyly.

"And his smell is all over the place thanks to how much he's been moving around," Catra added with a pout and crossed arms. "Ugh, why does everything here have to be so big!?"

"At least we still got each other!" Scorpia beamed at her declaration and pulled each girl into a one-armed hug against her sides and galactic breasts. "We can make things better; you'll see!"

"Somehow, this just makes matters worse..." Catra mumbled under her breath with low self-esteem, looking down at her A-cups.

"MOM!" all three Horde girls turned to see Glimmer and Angella walk through a hall, the queen growing impatient while her daughter followed her closely, "Come on, you need me! I've got experience fighting the guy and he's got Bow! If you let me join, we can take him down before he reaches-"

"No!" the queen put her foot down, turning to her guards. "As queen, and for your safety as princess of Bright Moon, I'm placing you under surveillance in your quarters right this instant! Guards!"

"Sorry," the armed women said as they placed a hand on the girl's shoulders.

However, the queen was not heartless, for she kneeled to hold her child's cheeks and place a loving kiss on her forehead, "I'll be back, Glimmer. Please, stay safe."

Angella left soon after, Glimmer sighing as she and two guards walked down the other way, "You too, mom..."

Once they turned, they saw three guards standing stiff at attention, "What are you doing!?" one yelled with Glimmer frowning sadly between her and the other. "You've heard the queen. We are to safely escort the Princess to her room. Secure the perimeter and make sure no one gets in or out!"

"Yes, ma'am!" all three guards shouted in unison, standing way too stiffly.

"Wait..." Glimmer blinked. "Do I know you?"

One of the two petite guards chuckled awkwardly, "We're new! Just got recruited today, yes!" she smiled way too brightly.

Another petite one with a darker complexion spoke up next, "Yeah- I mean, yes, Your Highness. We, uh, are about as lost as you after trying to find the dork- I mean, prisoner."

The beefiest and tallest kept her hands behind her back, "Um, so, any idea where Naruto is? Or the Runestone?"

"Imbeciles!" their superior snarled. "What part of taking the princess to her chambers to protect her do you not understand!?"

"Y-Yes ma'am! Sorry, ma'am!" all three barked as one.

However, the inquisitive princess looked into the eyes of one's mask, then gasped, "It's- mmm!"

In a blur, the guards beside her were swiftly knocked out cold by Scorpia's right hook while Catra and Adora clamped their hands on the princess' mouth and pulled her to a corner away from any other eyes! That, combined with a quick sting from Scorpia's tail, made sure Glimmer couldn't fight or move. Let alone teleport. Once her body froze up and collapsed in the other two girls' arms, she knew she was done.

"Alright, didn't expect that to work..." Adora admitted as she took off the Bright Moon helmet for a brief breather.

"Yeah, now we got a bargaining chip and some payback," Catra smirked at the paralyzed princess.

"Careful, she won't stay like that permanently," Scorpia warned her before carrying the pink girl in a bridal carry. "Huh, so soft and squishy..."

Fortunately for Glimmer, she had some motor functions left, "Grr, once the effects wear off, you better-"

"No, you better," Catra cut her off. "Now, tell us where our doofus is or I'm shredding that silly outfit of yours to parade you around in your underwear. Bonus points if you tell us where the sword is at, too, or I'll also remove your undergarments for all to see you in your birthday suit."

Scorpia giggled nervously, holding Glimmer protectively, "Little extreme there, don't you think? I mean, sure, she's the enemy, but a girl should only bare herself for the right person, right?"

"It's a threat, and it's up to her to make sure it's not a promise for me to keep!" Catra growled like the feline she was.

"When did my life get so crazy?" Glimmer asked herself in pure disbelief.

Adora answered with a blank expression, "Again, you should've put a gag on Naruto and Catra when you had the chance."

"Your friend's a traitor to your cause," Glimmer retorted.

"Silence," Adora immediately grew mad. "We don't know for sure, so we're-"

"What do you mean not sure!?" the princess exclaimed. "He's obviously trying to get power for himself!"

"Shut up!" Adora yelled back, "Do you even know him!?"

Glimmer grew just as furious, "No, but even if he's annoying and has done nothing but antagonize me, I'm not letting you kill him!"

"What...?" all three Horde girls asked in shock, feeling as if a bucket of cold water was dumped on them.

"Y-You heard me..." Glimmer was baffled by the reaction, she expected them to pop a vein in anger. "He may be my enemy, but letting you end his life-"

"Oh, I get it, you want information out of him!" Adora accused her. "Well, you aren't taking our friend from us again!"

"Friend?" Glimmer felt even more confusion. "Aren't you supposed to, you know, eliminate threats to you like spies or traitors?"

"No, well, yes, but...he's our friend!" Adora clutched her head. "Ugh, I just want to know what is in his head for once!"

"Then tell me," Glimmer decided to make an uncomfortable question, "What if Hordak wants him dead?"

"I..." gulping first, Adora looked at Catra, then at Scorpia, and finally at Glimmer as she steeled herself. "I wouldn't let Lord Hordak touch a single hair on him... Not when Naruto could change the world for the best. I know he's a goof, a complete and utter jester. However, I know he can be an instrument of good. He... He is the man I know will make this world a better place..."

"Even if he betrays others?" Glimmer further questioned.

Catra stood up, a fire in her eyes, "Bring anyone you want to face him, and I'll bring down those who are too much for him!"

Glimmer could tell the two really loved him, and, despite all odds, she felt compelled to do something really stupid, "Fine then..." looking at Scorpia, who had been silent all along, she nodded, "I'll let you all see if he's as good a guy as you say he is."

"Same," Scorpia closed her eyes as she struggled for words. "I... I do have a code to follow, loyalty is what my kin holds in the highest regard..." Sighing, she looked at the others and gave them a forced smile. "So, I'm going to need to see the kind of man he is and let you make your choice. However, once that happens, I-"

"It's okay," Adora smiled at the Amazonian beauty. "Let's see where this goes, then we can make our choice."

Nodding with a more relaxed expression, Scorpia grinned, "Y-Yeah, let's save our cute little buddy!"

"Not my buddy," Glimmer corrected her.

-0-

"Dude, that's something only a queen or princess can use," Bow told Naruto as the two stood in front of the Runestone. "Are you sure you know what you're doing?"

"Not at all," the blond said at the top of the gigantic pillar, watching the large oval blue gem float before him. Pulling off one glove, he revealed his hand was coated in brutal scars from cuts, burns and stitches both old and new, "However, it's a risk worth taking."

"Whoa..." was all Bow could say upon seeing the other boy's fingers.

"Pleasant too look it is not," Naruto agreed clenching and unclenching heavily mutilated fingers. Chortling through his nose, he looked at the gem, "My mistress obsessed herself with power. Runestones are one of if not the best way to gain it in this world. Of course, not everyone's equal..." he looked at his palm where a large burn mark eliminated his fingertips and most flesh, "If we were, we'd be easy to replace."

"Whatever you're doing is not going to work!" Bow warned him. "I told you, it won't accept you! So, why!? Why go through all of this despite knowing that!?"

Turning his head to look at the archer, the sorcerer gave a friendly, laidback grin and closed his eyes, "Because knowing something is better than understanding nothing." Placing his naked, scarred hand against the stone's smooth surface, he prepared himself for the worst, "Huh?" but it didn't come.

"No...way..." Bow gaped at the sight.

Not far off, Queen Angella let out a moan and doubled over, her guards rushing to tend to her, "What is... what is happening?"

On their way to the pillar, the odd group of four paused once the princess glowed, "Ah!" she gasped, shuddering in Scorpia's arms.

"Hey, are you okay!?" the large Amazonian asked worriedly.

Panting as if exhausted, Glimmer closed her eyes with a tired expression, "Y-Yes, but something's off..."

"Grr..." the growl of pain came from the blonde captain.

"Adora!?" Catra kneeled beside her best girl friend who grabbed her own head and hunched over in pain.

"Ah, hah... My head... I-I can see Naruto... He's..."

"Done," the blond said with a puzzled expression, then looked at his hand. It was still heavily scarred, but it felt different, "Bow, right? That's your name, isn't it?"

"Yes..." the archer said in confusion.

"I could heal my hand, erase all memories these scars bring, but I do not to remind myself of a promise I made to some friends," holding it up near the Runestone, he smiled. "And yet, today, the very moment my fingers touched this gem, I felt... alive, I'd say. It's as if the pain was never there. Like these scars never existed..."

"Um, I'm afraid I can't provide any information on that," Bow told him.

"Hehehe, see? This trip was worth it, then," the blond chuckled with a beaming smile, then extended his arms to the sides. "Something about these gems can accept or reject me! Who knows, maybe me kissing a princess is the way to tap into the magic without getting fried. Hahahaha!" he held his face with his ungloved hand, laughing merrily before sighing in relief. "It means... It means... Well, who cares!?"

"Huh!?" the captive gaped further.

Placing his hands behind his head, the sorcerer snickered some more, "Sorry, I'm so happy to see there's more to things than something hating me. And, perhaps, this is one of the reasons I'm in this world beside a mistake." Walking to the Runestone, he smiled at it and waved energetically, "Thank you, you beautiful shiny boulder! I'll make sure to polish you some day once I get the chance!"

"You will not lay a finger on it!" Queen Angella roared, having finally arrived.

"Too late, I already got some answers," Naruto told her with a heavily scarred finger pointed at her. Then, he opened his arms with a big smile, "I don't know what I'm doing here! But you know what!? I'm too happy to care! I finally got a better idea of why I'm here other than Hordak needing a new servant!"

"You're insane!" how else could the queen react?

"I feel more alive than ever before!" Naruto stated with a proud, loud voice and took a step forward.

Next, his face met the floor, "What...just happened?" Bow asked, the chains around his arms vanishing.

Angella blinked incredulously but approached the blond carefully, her guards ready, "Is he..." one asked nervously. When the queen turned to her and motioned to get closer, she gulped but did as told, "He's alive, but..." upon turning his face, she blinked in confusion, "...is he sleeping?"

-0-

"Nobody panic... What am I doing here?"

In a bizarre turn of events, Naruto walked through a village he had never seen before. Towering buildings, plenty of people in eccentric clothes, and no sign of the Horde around. Everyone also seemed to go about their daily lives. Most strangely, nobody seemed to acknowledge the existence of the boy who just appeared out of nowhere. At least, until a new presence made themselves known.

"Naruto...?" asked a petite redhead, a woman whose hair reached her knees with the most loving, concerned eyes he had ever seen.

"Do I know you...?" he asked with his body tense and his hands up ready to cast a spell.

"You..." the woman approached him, turmoil in her violet eyes. "You... YOU IDIOT!"

Receiving a solid slap was the last thing he expected, "Ow!" stepping back with wide eyes, he looked at her in bewilderment, "Sheesh, lady, what is your problem? I tend to say at least one bad joke before I deserve the old smack to the face!"

"You absolute fool!" the woman balled her hands to her eyes, crying, "I'm so happy and yet also so mad you're here! Ugh, I wanted to hug you, see you turn into a fine man, but..." she glared and stomped to him, her finger poking his chest while her tear-filled eyes burnt into his soul, "You also...did...did it! And you did it with two girls without protection!"

Blushing, Naruto stood back, "Wait, how'd you know that? Also, it wasn't like Adora or I had a choice. Catra was in heat and..." his brain kicked in as he blinked in dumbfounded realization, "Why am I even explaining myself? Who are you? Also, tell me why my sex life earns me your five fingers across the face."

Rubbing her face with both hands, the woman walked in circles around him, "Don't backtalk me, mister!" she walked to him again, her finger to his face. "Argh, you're lucky you didn't get them pregnant! What the Hell were you even thinking!?"

"Hey, I had a very strong cat girl ripping off my clothes with no intention of listening to me," the blond retorted with heat on his cheeks. "Also, Adora tried to help but Catra was too much for her as well."

"Oh no, young man, you don't get off that easy!" the woman grabbed him by the lapels of his jacket. "I saw you about to cast that chain spell of yours to tie up Catra-chan! Adora-chan didn't need to be there! You could have stopped it but instead decided to let Catra-chan ride you because you wanted her to!"

"What's with that chan stuff?" he questioned.

And was promptly shaken in the woman's deceivingly strong hands, "Confess your sins now before I actually get mad!"

Looking off to the side, Naruto grinned with a light blush, "Alright, guilty as charged... But come on, can you blame me? Even Adora didn't resist much after Catra latched onto her-"

"Naruto..." said a new voice as a man with a wild spiky mane of golden hair approached him, rubbing his face. The redhead let go of the boy so the man could talk, "I have fought in wars, dealt with horrors beyond a man's limits during my youth and bloody trials through my life. None of that compares to what you three did and how deeply it scarred me."

"Hey, I still got some bite and scratch marks on me from that time," Naruto countered.

"Still..." the man started with a light blush. "Despite having no physical training at all in your life, I'm surprised you managed to leave those two completely spent. Guess your Uzumaki stamina is- Gk!"

Elbow to the gut, courtesy of the redhead, "Don't continue that train of thought..." the woman warned him.

"Okay, so, back on track..." Naruto moved his hands from one side to the other as if he carried a box. "Who are you two?"

"We're here to make sure you don't break the seal keeping the fox at bay," the man told him firmly. "Otherwise you'd-"

"Die?" Naruto cut him off, then shrugged. "You're a bit late. Kurama told me about it."

"The fact a giant demon fox chose to talk to you should be a warning sign," the other blond told him sternly. "Do you even know what could've happened if you believed his every word?"

"We made a deal that has benefitted me a lot," Naruto replied with a carefree shrug. "He told me about my past, things I wasn't aware enough to understand as a toddler. Warned me of Shadow Weaver's attempts to drain all his power and how that failed. Explained in detail how Hordak nearly brainwashed me."

"So, you trust him?" the man asked.

"I told him I'd set him free without killing myself, so long as I become a powerful enough sorcerer to take Hordak out," the blond chortled. "And take the whole pie, but details."

"You shouldn't let your guard down..." the redhead whispered. "The fox isn't trying to control you, but he can affect you if you're not careful."

Naruto sighed and placed his hands in his pants pockets, "He did admit he wanted to, but as I kept learning magic, he saw the possibilities of a better way out." Ruffling his hair, he looked at the two right in the eye and made a crucial observation, "Could you at least tell me why you keep avoiding telling me your names and how you know me? It was funny the first time, it won't be funny another."

"It's a long story, and one we're still trying to pull together," the man told him before giving him a warning. "Hordak brought you here by mistake, but someone more powerful forced him to."

"It's an old legend from my clan," the woman elaborated. "A goddess who came from the stars to prepare us for a battle against a plague from the darkness of the night. However, due to the Horde's numbers, she had to go into hiding until she could find a man worthy of her blessings."

"You're kidding me, aren't you?" he asked in disbelief. "Aren't gods supposed to want purity?"

Violet eyes looked down sadly, the redhead sighing, "It was you or no one, for our world has already fallen to her enemies," she looked him in the eye and clasped his scarred hands in hers. "Naruto, you're doing well not trusting Hordak, but to truly save yourself and everyone, to be the ruler you wish to become, you need to find the goddess. The sword you touched belongs to her, and you must find its rightful owner. Not Adora, but the true mistress, a woman who will save this world."

"Who...?" he asked in confusion.

"She-Ra," the man said. "Now wake up before it is too late. Find her, bring her back, and restore balance to all worlds."

"Wait!" Naruto shouted, reaching for them. "Tell me who you are!"

Extending his hand was useless, for the experience ended.

-0-

Angella was mad, even madder when Naruto finally woke up, "Stand down and he shall not be harmed."

Naruto groaned, finding himself in a kneeling position with pink energy covering his body, "Release him or the same cannot be said about Pinky!" Catra's voice further awakened the blond.

"Um, what did I miss?" he asked when he noticed Scorpia holding a limp Glimmer, Adora placing a spear near the girl's neck, and Catra hissing a couple feet away from the queen.

"What do you think!?" Angella, Catra, Adora and Glimmer snapped together in perfect sync. The pink, still paralyzed princess asked, "Is this really who you were talking about moments ago?"

"It's complicated," Adora felt her cheeks grow hot.

"Can we talk or are we past that point?" Naruto asked while squirming to break free. "If so, hey, Your Majesty, I got a question."

"I'm not in the mood for your jesting," she warned him.

"Plain and simple, do you know a She-Ra?" he decided to not beat around the bush. And the result was instantaneous from the non-Horde part, "Um, what'd I do? Is her name taboo?"

All the guards, the queen, the princess and the archer who had an arrow aimed at the boy were silent with mixtures of confusion, shock and questioning, "How did you know that name?" Angella finally asked. Her eyes narrowed into slits, "How did you come across that name?"

"Okay, I touched your Runestone and-"

"You did what!?" Adora asked in horror. "Naruto, you could've been killed after what happened when you touched my sword!"

"Different time, way different reaction," the sorcerer said flatly. "I don't know what made your giant rock even more special than it is, but I saw a dream. Two people talked about this goddess called She-Ra, told a rather vague story about her, and asked me to find her." Then, he turned to the queen, "And it seems I ought to find her so she can take it from my friend Adora's hands."

"You're lying!" Angella snapped, looking ready to strike.

"Wait, mom, he didn't know anything about the sword, First Ones or even mention or hint at the idea of She-Ra!" Glimmer stopped her. "Hey, you jerk, did you really get that from touching our Runestone? Also, if you get hurt touching others and the sword, why didn't it hurt you?"

"Maybe..." Bow started, looking at the large gem, then at the blond. "It's because you and the queen have already created a link with it?"

Blinking, Naruto thought back on his experiences, "Well, the sword hasn't found She-Ra and I'm sure as Hell my mistress doesn't create good bonds even with rocks."

"Silence," queen Angella snarled coldly. "Your story is far too convenient to be anything but another ruse of yours."

"Way I see it, you're halfway right," he grinned cheekily at the statuesque woman. "I want the world – or at the very least the Fright Zone – all to myself, to rule it with everyone loving and respecting me. Finding a goddess who could overthrow Hordak and declare I'm worthy of a throne of my own sounds perfect."

"Naruto..." Adora felt her eyes shift and needed to focus them on her friend. "Why are you saying that? You know Lord Hordak can and will kill you if you ever-"

"Because it's always his glory, not ours!" Naruto snapped, then planted a foot forward to force himself up despite his bindings, shocking Angella. "Every battle is to make sure he is happy at the cost of our lives! All our allies, friends, hopes, dreams, past, present, future... It's all for him to take and cement HIS empire! And if we're out of line, we have to fear him!?"

Scorpia tensed up, "We owe it to him, it's our duty after the life he gave us!"

"A life under his rule and conditions!" Naruto shouted, finally mad. "Do you want to know why I always wanted to rule over the Fright Zone and overthrow the guy!? It's so we all can have our own lives to live! Not ruled by anger to enemies we're told to hate, not kept leashed by fear, not tricked by fake stories to obey someone who stole our lives! Everyone will have a chance to choose and say if I'm a good leader! They will not have to cower or dedicate their lives to fight for me! I will earn that with my own power and their choice alone!"

Despite his adrenaline rush, the young sorcerer's physical strength didn't help him break free from the magic chaining him, and he was once again down on his knees. Panting raggedly, he looked up. Adora had her hand to her mouth, eyes wide like saucers. Scorpia looked ready to tear up, turning her head at uneven beats as she processed his words. Queen Angella gaped, unable to believe she'd see someone with such kind of ambition in her life. Glimmer and Bow could only look in awe, questioning if the goofball from before was the same guy before them.

Catra, on the other hand, smirked at him, "And that's why I will fight at your side, you big dork."

He smirked, "Thanks, now... can I be set free to talk for a bit? I'm-"

Going home.

His breath came out in a chilled mist, the shadows around him growing. Below him he saw his own shadow distort into an ominous shape. Shadow Weaver's own.

Two red eyes opened and he gasped in aggravation, "No, not now! Shadow Weaver, why!?" He said, trying to resist the control he was under. The shadows writhed and coiled around him, shades latching onto him until the darkness became an engulfing tide of abyssal energy. A fountainhead of phantasms that belched out black mist

Blackest night, darkest dawn, through a chasm, and back again.

Scorpia looked at the manifestation of dark magic, and for a brief second felt utter terror, as did Catra and Adora, "Naruto!" the three cried in horror.

From where she stood in the Fright Zone with the Black Garnet, Shadow Weaver tightened her fist, further casting her wicked spell of weaved darkness. Shadows raced to form a dark orb around Naruto and enshell him in a protective cocoon. It began to sink into the black abyss, disappearing inch by inch until he had been fully taken away. Coughing, Naruto shivered uncontrollably as the black syrupy darkness dripped off of him, liquid shadow covering his entire body while his mentor menaced in front of him.

Her malefic appearance was offlaid by the fact that she immediately begun to check over him, muttering sharply, "Be grateful that I saved you this time. Adora and the others will have to find their way back to the Fright Zone by themselves. I could only transport one of you on short notice, and I chose the physically weakest of you all."

"Why...?" Naruto actually held his tongue, the rude response he wanted to say dying on his lips as Shadow Weaver reached out and toyed with his cheeks.

Rubbing his whisker-like birthmarks gently yet with a dominant touch as she leaned forward, she answered, "We will have to teach you more than just the spells you know if you wish to be more useful to them…and enact your precious plans of taking over the Horde. Dear Naruto…" she whispered that last part so sinisterly it couldn't help but contain suggestive undertones.

"Yes, yes…sure…" he said, frustrated as he didn't want his friends to be left behind.

Especially Catra and Adora.

However, Shadow Weaver took note of his resentment inched closer, "Little dearest Naruto… You are my student, my treasured apprentice. Everything you've worked for, desired and studied for… I've been behind. Your power is immense. A power I will cultivate until you and I can undo this affliction. Permanently."

She peeled away from him, folding her hands before her back while he rose up, shaking off of the last of the dripping darkness, "Right…and I'll be waiting for that day…mistress." He said to himself, looking at the Black Garnet thoughtfully. He reached for it for a second, then reconsidered it and clenched his fist, "You three, come home safe."

Walking away, he held both hands tightly, wringing them and hoping that the trio would get back safely.

Back at the palace, during the distraction, Catra flipped towards Queen Angella. Her leg arched around in an aerial roundhouse the woman only barely managed to fly away from, surprised when Catra rebounded off of a pillar and got atop Scorpia's back. Adora threw her spear at the Queen as another distraction. It left her without a weapon, but she had no choice, they needed to make a quick getaway.

It bounced off of a heavenly pink energy barrier the woman threw up, but by then she realized what they were doing, they had thoroughly kidnapped Glimmer and were racing off of with her. Catra twisted her head back to give the queen a cold grin. Riding atop Scorpia's back, the cat girl's hand reached out to begin caressing Glimmer's cheek. It told Angella what'd happen if she came after them.

"Horde cowards! Give me back my daughter!"

Catra snickered behind her palm before she extended it to help lift up Adora, "Not until we get some compensation for our troubles!"

It was a testament to Scorpia's absurd physical strength that she could carry all three women without a problem, "Can we get some snacks along the way!?" the buff woman asked.

"Let's focus, please!" Adora pleaded, feeling an incoming migraine.

-TBC-

And that's my rap!

Keeping things simple, here's a summary:

1. Shadow Weaver still plans to overthrow Hordak and gain power using Naruto and Adora with the former aware yet still seen as a peon and the latter fully unaware and seen as a daughter to mold. The original looked for easy ways to gain more magic, after all. I do know some of you lovers of mature ladies want her to enjoy youthful energy, but you've yet to convince me.

2. Naruto's an apprentice to Shadow Weaver, remember that as a reason he isn't fighting back or outright blasting her. However, as you saw with him using fire, he's learning in his own way.

3. Minato and Kushina are here to build up something I had planned for the previous version but that won't have the Naruto-verse characters just pop in. This story is centered on the She-Ra world.

4. Yes, Naruto, Catra and Adora aren't virgins. May as well abuse the M-rating while I can with the many loopholes it provides. Just know Catra's flexible and Adora is quite competitive. One of you - can't recall now - suggested that Naruto could use sex with Shadow Weaver to improve his stamina. I decided to use people in his age group.

Next chapter, Adora, Catra, Scorpia and Glimmer will have odd "bonding" times while Naruto will have to deal with his actions in front of Hordak.

Swordslinger out!