At the royal palace General Jorgen Von Strangle reported to Queen Pacifica what had taken place. The queen was a very proud, regal, and beautiful woman with blonde hair down up in an elegant style accesoriesd by a black headpiece and elegant but fierce eyes that would give off an icy gaze. She wore a golden dress that was pulled together by a corset and brown lace, a cloak that was lined with white fur, black tights, and yellow high heels. Queen Pacifica was known to be very cold and cruel but she was also known to a heart of gold that cared deeply for hersubjects.
"I see so you failed to retrieve the jewel did you?" She said. "How disappointing."
"Forgive me your majesty but there were complications."
"What complications?"
"The jewel was embedded in the chest of a young lady who had poisonous skin."
"Embedded in a woman with poisonous skin? General Von Strangle do you think that your queen is a fool?"
"No of course not your majesty."
"Then why tell me such a ridiculous lie?"
"I speak the truth your majesty."
"You truly expect me to believe such an outlandish thing."
"I'm afraid he speaks the truth your majesty." A voice snickered.
Heads turned to see a short man with green skin and black hair enter the throne room.
"Who or what are you?" Pacifica asked. "And how did you get in here?"
"Just call me Zim, I am the leader of the group known as twilight."
"Why are you here?"
"I have come to inform you that you should avoid sending your troops after that girl."
"What do you know of that woman?" Jorgen asked.
"She's been a prime target of twilight for the longest time. You see my queen what you seek isn't just some rare, pretty, jewel. It is a dangerous monster, an abomination, a threat to your people. A threat which I must capture."
"What exactly are you saying?"
"That woman belongs to twilight so if you know what's good for you your majesty you and your boarish men will not meddle in affairs you don't understand."
"How dare you speak to the queen in a such a disrespectful manner!" Jorgen said drawing his sword. "Apologize on your knees you swine!"
"I don't apologize to anyone. I just came to give you warning."
Then before Jorgen had time to act Zim leapt out the window and disappeared into the shadows. Zim snickered to himself as he thought about his plan.
"The time had come sister. Time to fulfill your purpose."
...
Frida awoke to the sun shinning on her face which for her was very unusual since she was used to waking up in the dark. She got out of bed and went to the window, her eyes not straying from it until she heard the door to her room creak open. She turned to see Manny standing at the doorway.
"Good morning." He told her. "I hope you slept well."
"I did."
"Good also I hope you're hungry because I have come to escort you down to breakfast."
"Thanks but I don't think I can eat. I'll melt the sliver wear."
"That's okay we're having sandwiches so sliver wear is not needed."
He offered her his arm to usher her. She hesitated for a moment then hooked her arm with his and allowed him to escort her down stairs to the dinning table where Dipper was sitting. He pulled out a chair for Frida to set in then sat in the chair next to her. Timmy came in later carrying a tray with a plate of sandwhiches.
"Eat up." He said laying the tray on the table.
She took one sandwich off the plate and ate it. It was a cheese sandwich with toasted bread and butter. It was one of the most delicious things she had ever eaten. When she lived at her old home her "father" only allowed her to eat very bland and cold gruel along with extremely bitter roots and berries. He said that he couldn't risk filling her up with sugars, carbs, fats, and substances like that because they would make her sick. Or rather he claimed they would make her sick. After he had left her she began to run out of food and was heading toward starvation. In fact she might have starved to death if the royal army and Manny hadn't come across her.
"These sandwhiches are really delicious." She said. "You're a very good cook Timmy."
"You actually like my cooking?" He said smiling.
"Yes."
"No one's ever complimented my cooking before! You're like an angel in the flesh! Marry me!" He cheerfully went to hug her.
"If you touch me you'll melt." She warned causing him to back away nervously.
"Don't tell me you guys started breakfast without me."
A young man entered the dinning hall. He had red hair but wore a helmet and what appeared to be the suit of a noble.
"Frida this is Count Clarence Buttowski, call him Kick." Manny said. "He is a noble, a former war hero, and our informant for what goes on in twilight and the palace."
"Nice to meet you." He said. "So who's the girl?"
"This young lady is Frida, she's one of Professor Hendricks creations."
"She's his creation? You mean she's a homunculus?"
"Correct." Dipper said.
"And Professor Hendricks made her?"
"Yes."
"Weird from what I was told Professor Hendricks could never create a female homunculus. You sure he's the one who made her?"
"Professor Hendricks along with myself are the only scientists capable of creating them."
"Speaking of which have you heard anything about Professor Hendricks?" Manny asked Kick.
"Nothing so far. Why?"
"Because Frida is not just one of creations, she carries the horologium inside of her and that makes her a prime target for twilight. I'd like to know more about Professor Hendricks is planning and why twilight is after her."
"Whatever it is if twilight is involved it can't be good." Dipper said.
"I've got a meeting with General Von Strangle today so I'll see what I can pick up." Kick said.
"Good in the meantime why don't the rest of us go into town?"
"Good idea I'm running low on materials." Dipper said. "But we better not do anything to draw attention to ourselves. Remember I'm a wanted man."
The four of them got dressed, got into the car, and drove to town. Frida was impressed by all the buildings, shops, and monuments. She had never been to London before or anywhere else for that matter. It was amazing.
"Wow." She said.
"Like it huh?" Manny asked her.
"Yes. I've never been to a city before."
"In that case I'll show you around if you want." Timmy offered.
"Sorry Timmy but you promised you'd help me gather materials and spare parts remember?" Dipper said.
"Oh yeah, Aww man."
They parked the car by a store that sold glasses, test tubes, and other materials that Dipper needed. Dipper and Timmy got out of the car and went to the store.
"So I guess it's just you and me huh?" Manny asked. "So wanna make a date out of it?"
"A date? What's that?" She asked.
"You'll find out, come on I'll show you the busiest place in London."
He took her to the casino. The whole building was filled with men gambling, playing cards, and using slot machines, desperately trying to win money. There were also plenty of men drinking and flirting with women who were performers.
"Do you come here often?" Frida asked.
"Only when I need a good time though I prefer to steal money rather than gamble it away."
"So I've been wondering what do you know about my father?"
"Not that much. He used to be a brilliant scientist who worked with Dr. Emiliano Suarez on developing a substance that would increase crop growth in a terrible famine. They succeeded but something happened between the two and it resulted in Professor Hendricks well...Shall we say go off the deep end?"
"Is that all you know?"
"Pretty much but I'm curious. What was it like having him for a father?"
"It's complicated. He never let me leave the house."
"And why is that?"
"He said that it was because I was monster and that I destroy everything I touch so I was better off alone."
"He sounds harsh."
"But it's true. I mean I'm not really a human being. I don't even have a real heart."
"So? You're alive aren't you?"
"Yes."
"You have feelings don't you?"
"Yes."
"Okay then that makes you perfectly human. Just because you don't have a heart doesn't mean you don't feel or that you're not human."
"What do you know? You were born normal."
"Normal? Ha! No one's normal! That's just something people say because they don't want to admit to the fact that they're different from everybody else. If you ask me you're no different from the rest us."
"You really think that?"
"Of course I do and besides a heart doesn't really start beating until you find the person you love."
"Love?"
"Yes, you do know what love is right?"
"I've read about it in books. I think they're called romance novels. Love is when a man and woman feel something for each other right?"
"Yeah. You see when you fall in love with someone you're heart beats fast, you feel all warm and nervous, sometimes it even hurts but you like it and all you wanna do is touch that person. To hold them and feel their warmth."
"Manny."
"Yes?"
She walked closer to him but at the same time kept her distance.
"I want to touch you."
"Huh?" He said blushing.
"Earlier you said that you would grant me a wish. Well I wish to touch you, to know how your skin feels."
"Uh...That is one hell of a pick up line."
"Pick up line?"
"Nevermind. So if you don't mind me asking why do you want to touch me. I mean not that it bothers me or anything but why?"
She continued to get closer he slowly backed away while feeling more nervous.
"Because I feel like I know you."
"What?"
"I don't know why but ever since I saw you, I've felt like that we've met once before but I can't remember. I think that if I touch you I'll remember where we've met."
"Uh...I think I would remember meeting someone like you."
She got closer to him. Her blue eyes filled with wonder and confusion.
"Tell me when you look at me do you feel like you know me?" She asked.
"I...I...I mean...No. No I don't think so."
"You sure?"
"Yes now um could you back up a little you're making me nervous."
"Sorry." She backed away from him allowing him to release the breath he was holding.
"Okay as I said I'm positive that we've never met before but if that is your wish then I swear on my name Manny Rivera that I will grant your wish no matter what the cost."
Frida felt her heart skip a beat. This young man made her heart do and feel things that it had never done or felt before.
"Hang on." Manny said strenly.
"What?"
"We're not alone. We better go."
He gently took her hand and with great care he pulled her along as they hurried out of the casino and into an alleyway where they were ambushed by a group of men. Thinking fast Manny threw some cards, distracting them long enough for the two to sneak off. They started running with the men chasing after them.
"Who are those men?" She asked.
"They're with twilight. Keep running and don't look back."
They kept running until something jumped down and blocked their path. It was a young man, a very strong and muscular man with black hair and a tough exterior. He was dressed in military clothes which consisted of a yellow shirt, green jacket and trousers, a blue leather coat, and boots. He wore a belt that was loaded with weapons and in his hand he held two rifle guns.
When twilight came the man began shooting at them. Knocking each masked man out with just one shot. Once they were all out he turned his gaze toward Manny and Frida.
"Manny Rivera?" He said.
"I don't believe we've met pretty boy. What do you want with me?" Manny asked.
The man pointed his gun at him.
"These are just soft shells but they will hurt so don't move." He warned. "Give me the monster."
"I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about."
"Don't lie. I know for a matter of fact that you stole the monster which contains the horologium."
"Again I have no knowledge of what you're spewing. Sorry."
"Give me the monster or I'll be forced to shoot."
"Wait! Don't hurt him." Frida spoke up. "Why do you want me?"
"You mean you're the monster?"
"Yes."
He looked at her skeptically, unsure of weather or not she was telling the truth. Then suddenly they heard the sound of glass breaking and gas filled the area. Dipper and Timmy had seen what was happening and quickly threw one the gas projectors they made into the alleyway. The four of them quickly got into the car and made their escape.
"I wonder who that was." Manny said.
"His name is Steven Universe." Dipper said.
"You know him?"
"Not exactly. He used to be a vampire hunter and an agent of twilight."
"He's a vampire hunter?"
"The best in the buisness. Not to mention he's a top hitman and bodyguard. There never was a man who could handle a gun better than him but he quit about three years ago."
"Any idea why?"
"No one knows but rumors say he's had it in for twilight ever since he wuit. He's highly dangerous, very smart, and if I'm not mistaken he's right on our trail."
"Actually he's right in front of us!" Timmy pointed out.
Steven shot soft shells at the tires causing the car to loose control and flip over luckily none of them were hurt.
"Are you crazy?! You could've killed us!" Timmy said.
"Sorry but I had no other choice." Steven said. "You woman. Do you really carry the horologium inside of you?"
"Yes." She said.
"Then you'll make perfect bait."
"Bait? Bait for what?"
"Twilight's leader Zim. He's been after you for years and if he knows I have you I'll have him right where I want him. You're coming with me."
"Sorry I'm afraid I can't allow that." Manny said stepping between Steven and Frida.
"This doesn't concern you thief. Move aside."
"Newsflash gun boy you're not the only one who's got a bone to pick with twilight and also it would be very un gentleman like of me to just hand over a young lady to some trigger happy lunatic."
"I really don't want to shoot you but I will not let some common thief stand in my way."
"Common? Oh no sir I'm no common thief. I'm a gentleman thief and unlike common thieves I never get caught."
"I warned you."
He aimed his gun and a shot rang out but Manny wasn't hit. Instead the gun bloated and struck Steven's hand. He clutched it while seething in pain.
"The old clogged gun trick. Get's em every time." Manny chuckled.
"How did you do that?" Steven asked amazed.
"Simple I swiped a ball from the casino, then stuck some sticky puddy to it, and while you were making your threats I flicked it into your gun. Now then why don't we all head back to the mansion and while my friend who's a doctor fixes your hand we can all have a little chat about what this is really about hmm?"
Steven sighed.
"I underestimated you."
"A lot of people do that."
At the mansion Dipper bandaged Steven's hand while he began to explain himself.
"I've made it my goal to track down twilight's leader Zim and kill him." Steven said.
"And why is that?" Dipper asked. "Didn't you used to work for him?"
Steven clenched his fists.
"I did but that was a long time ago, I was once very loyal to twilight until they betrayed me in the most vile way imaginable."
"What did they do to you?"
"It doesn't matter what they did! All that matters is what they did, what Zim did was un forgivable and he has to pay for it."
"Steven we understand your pain. We all have suffered from twilight's cruel acts."
"Yeah they framed my god parents and had them arrested on false charges." Timmy said.
"God parents? What happened to your real parents?"
"They were legally declared too stupid to raise me."
"Oh."
"Twilight stole my parent's lives." Manny said.
"And they destroyed my greatest creation." Dipper added. "So we know what you're going through. You know you could help us."
"Help you? With what?"
"We're trying to figure out what twilight is up to. If we succeed then maybe we can finally put a stop to them."
"Sorry I work alone."
"Then you don't get the girl."
"Then I'll take her if I have to."
"Yeah that's not gonna happen." Manny said. "Not while I'm here."
"Or me." Timmy said cracking his knuckles.
"Or me." Dipper added. "If you want to use her you're going to have to work with us and if you try to take her then we're prepared to fight you to the death for her."
Steven thought for a moment. At first he thought that he could just shoot them and take Frida but then he remembered that he wasn't up against ordinary men. He was up against a thief who had managed to block his gun without him even knowing, a scientist who had managed to create life, and...Well he wasn't sure what Timmy was capable of. In all honesty to him he didn't look that smart but he didn't know what he was capable of.
"Fine but I have some terms that I go by."
"So do we." Manny said. "But I'm sure that we all can come to an agreement. So friends?"
He held out his hand, Steven shook it.
"For the time being friends."