I OWN NOTHING

After some comments from you guys, I have decided to exclude Bow. Frankly, it's for the best since his character of too goody-two-shoes is a mess. Case and point: Kyle wants to leave the Horde, and Bow doesn't even give him the time of day after that revelation. No kidding. Kyle would've worked for the good guys, but Bow is more focused worrying for Entrapta who just wants to mess with machinery.

-0-

"Are you sure you don't want an actual sword?" Glimmer's question as the two teens walked through the castle's halls didn't bother Naruto.

"Why do I need another?" he retorted and patted the wooden weapon sheathed at his hip, "This one's light, doesn't rust and is cheap to replace. Tell me what other sword does that."

"We could get you a magical one..." she suggested.

"Listen," he started with a firm yet hotblooded tone. "I'm not letting any tool do the job for me. What you see is what you get, a guy who is such a good swordsman even a stick in his hands will be better than any legendary weapon. Just think how cool it'll be for the history books! You've seen what I can do already, I could have a steel blade and it wouldn't change a thing, only that I'd have to take care of it a lot more."

"Fair enough," she conceded with a curious look. "So long as it gets the job done, I guess you don't need anything special."

"Speaking special, what's the occasion for your mom to call us this morning?" he looked at the large doors they were nearing.

"Breakfast?" she asked him, he stared at her, then at her rather pleasantly wide exterior.

"Teleporting lets you avoid cardio, huh?" he asked her sarcastically, which naturally turned her face a bright red.

"Hey!" she blurted out, but his cheeky grin told her she couldn't lie. "Well… I mean… kinda… yeah."

"Try avoiding sweets, go for stuff without flour and focus on light portions of meat," He advised her with a shrug. "Worked out for me."

She rubbed the side of her cheek in response, "I don't have that much for breakfast." She said self-consciously.

He chuckled in response, "Your waistline would like to ask how double portions are helping you out."

"Oh shush, you ate a whole boar just yesterday!" she fumed.

"And I burnt it off," he playfully reminded her by flexing an arm.

"Lucky you..." she huffed.

"It's not that bad, though," he smirked. "At least you got meat on your bones to make you quite cute."

Before Glimmer could retort with a bright red blush. The doors swung open, and they saw Queen Angela sitting at what else but the breakfast table. Food was being cleared out however, since the meal was in fact for the guards. The plump princess decided not to embarrass herself in front of her mother again. She'd get the blond, she swore it. But first, they needed to talk.

Queen Angella nodded at them with a smile, "Welcome, I hope you're hungry."

Glimmer cursed how her mother's tone made her hungry.

"Huh, not as extravagant as I expected," Naruto admitted.

He had expected tons of excessive sweets, fancy foods, rare juice, and a multitude of other luxuries. Instead, it was very basic stuff. Eggs, meat platters, bread platters, salads, fruit, normal juice, milk, and he eyed a bowl of rather savory breakfast stew with interest.

Queen Angella spoke with an utmost royal tone, sipping from a goblet filled with juice with a tired yet well-meaning smile, "You overestimate the luxuries I allow for myself and my castle. I could easily have what you might've imagined. But when my people suffer, I refuse to allow myself to bask in needless excessiveness while they yet starve outside. I assume that's what you want to talk to me about, yes?"

Naruto took a step back, worried, "Okay. Stop right there. They didn't tell me you could read minds." The monarch placed a hand in front of her face and laughed softly in response to his quip, to which he said bluntly, "So, is that why you called us? To deliver food?"

Angella nodded, "You are to deliver supplies for Princess Perfuma. Can I count on you?"

"Well, pretty much yes, I know of her," he said with a rub of his head. He then mumbled to himself, "Forced to at least acknowledge her anyway… by stubborn old man Bacchus."

"Understandable, you did live in her domain, so your first order of duty is to her and your own," the queen said with an understanding tone. "I hope you can honor her and her people by aiding them in this quest."

The boy scratched the side of his cheek, "You're making it really hard to say no to you, I hope you know that."

The queen's face turned into a more caring smile that still had some humor about it, "Oh, trust me. I wasn't always this diplomatic. My husband helped curb much of my, well, how do we say… impulsiveness. I was a princess before I became a queen."

"Huh," Naruto turned to Glimmer, who narrowed her eyes at him, daring him to say what he was implying.

Knowing what was going on, Angella looked pointedly at her daughter, "I do wish Glimmer took more after her father in terms of responsibility, rather than myself when I was her age."

Glimmer blushed at the obvious criticism, Naruto walking past her to get himself some of the food before it was taken away, "Well, I can agree on-"

"Stop," Queen Angella halted him, he turned in confusion before she pointed at a smaller table, one set for three.

There was fresh food put there, and only two glazed sweet-rolls, both looking very sugary and sweet, "I take it that's ours?" he walked over, grinning when he saw a bowl of the stew being put down. Queen Angela sat down at the head of the table, folding her hands pleasantly.

"Correct. You like the Edgeless Stew?" she asked him, making him blink.

"Edgeless what?"

"Edgeless Stew, a recipe thought up by my Captain of the Guard. She claimed it to be as edgeless as a dull blade, savory with no spices, a filling meal fit for any member of royalty or soldier." She explained to him as he focused on that while his hands busied themselves with dipping a bread crust into the stew.

"And what do you call the sugar-puff there?" he asked, grabbing one of them before Glimmer could. She puffed her cheeks up in response to his cheeky grin.

"The Snow Crow," she said with a sip of a fresh goblet. "It's a recipe from Princess Frosta's land. The sugar is said to be glazed several times until it resembles snow, upon the roll is dipped until the sugar hardens and forms a sugary shell. Then chilled until it has the consistency of ice but the softness of the roll is intact. Magic is involved to make sure the food is edible."

"Fancy names for food," his observation was without teeth, since he was digging in hungrily. "Not that I'm complaining."

"Putting that aside," Glimmer wanted to get to the matter at hand. "If Princess Perfuma is in need of supplies, perhaps this is the moment to gain her aid. After all, Naruto's sworn loyalty to her since he lived on her kingdom." She turned to the blond, hoping to have him back her up.

"Not really her, just the people of Oakley village," he retorted. "I'm my own master, but I recognize those I know I owe something to. They took care of me, I kept the Horde at bay. They praised me, I worked harder. Simple as that."

"At least you are honest," the monarch smiled softly. "Preparations will be done once you're finished with your meal."

"Just us?" Naruto asked as he looked around.

Queen Angella frowned sadly as she stirred her stew, "For diplomatic purposes, we can't mobilize our army to another kingdom unless we stir concern and conflict among others. A sad result from our failed attempt to face Hordak." Sighing deeply, she put down her spoon and placed her hands on her lap, "One of many losses was the trust built by my late husband among other kingdoms."

Growling at that, Naruto lost his appetite, "Blame the criminal, not the one who tried to stop the crime."

His words surprised mother and daughter; Glimmer felt slightly touched, "I feel the same way, and yet there was nothing we could do but... step down."

"You got me, and who's to say you ought to give up on the first failure?" he retorted angry not at her but the idea of how the Horde's actions brought such misery to others. "If Hordak's going to push you down, at least dare to get back up just to spite him." Growling, he clenched his fists, "Failure's not something you want in life, I get it better than anyone, but giving up is the worst failure of all."

Queen Angella could respect that, but had to be honest, "You talk with conviction, but the people who the war has affected won't take such words with as much passion as you."

"Who says we can't try?" Glimmer smiled at her mother.

"Enough," the woman didn't raise her voice, but her command was heard loud and clear. "I feel the same way you do, trust me." She clenched her hands on the table, "However, after that battle we cannot allow a second tragedy like last time. Too many people were taken from our lives, and many others are too broken to fight back."

"And what if we find someone who is willing?" Glimmer asked with hope, her mother pausing.

Rubbing her face, she decided to get up, "I shall be at my chambers, please report to me once you've delivered the supplies."

"Hey!" Naruto called at her, but she ignored him. Glimmer could only look down at the floor. "…Screw this." He snarled, walking off with his sword over his shoulders, "You need me for anything, I'll be training."

"Mind if I join you?" Glimmer asked him despondently.

"Do you know where I can let out some steam?" he asked and got a nod.

"It's a... private place for when I need some venting of my own," she admitted with a cute blush of embarrassment, to which he looked questioningly. "Sometimes I need to blast stuff when my mom and I get into a fight or strongly disagree."

Naruto nodded in understanding and motioned for her to guide him, but she didn't need to. Gently, she gripped his shoulder and teleported them. The two arrived at an empty field with a single dummy in place in the middle of the forest. The sword-wielding youth spun his blade around, then stabbed it into the earth. Glowing raw chakra lines emitted from the connection the wooden blade made with the earth as he formed a triangle with his index fingers and thumbs put together.

Glimmer was awed, "What the-"

"Whispering Sword: Six-Fold Swaying Branches!" The sword exploded up with a wave of force, the blond youth grabbing the sheath and whirling about.

Deflecting its erratic flying movements. Each whirl of the wooden sword brought with it a new tactic. From swaying side to side like a snake, lunging forward in a stab, waving about, hovering in place then spinning about. The technique was meant to coordinate the user's abilities to deflect and dodge multiple avenues of attack. Fittingly, it also made for an excellent battle technique with the chakra-charged blade moving in six different patterns depending on how much control he wanted.

"Is the sword moving on its own?" she asked in awe.

"No, it's moving to my beat!" he exclaimed and kept striking the blade, showing that its flying was a trick of the eye. In reality, he was making it bounce as if juggling it! "All these moves are based off the katas that old man Bacchus taught me!" he smirked and took his stance while the blade flew higher.

Glimmer knew only a little of how to use a blade, but had to speak, "You're really adept at the Mystic Swordplay techniques."

He frowned as he extended his arm and let the wooden blade fall into the sheath, "What? Old man Bacchus taught me this himself, he called it-"

She held up a hand, "He learnt a branch of those techniques. They were passed down chiefly from master to student and guarded with zealous secrecy. Naruto, you've learned the Whispering Sword style, fittingly focused on techniques and moves that relied on the forest and its advantages."

Lifting an eyebrow, he started in disbelief, "And you know this because..."

Pouting with a cute glare, she snapped, "Hey, I'm obligated to learn about how we fight!"

"Oh, right..." he scratched the back of his head as that made sense. "Sorry, you don't look sword-savvy since you rely on magic. So...what do you know?"

Sighing, she placed her hands on her hips and continued, "There are ten different styles. Each for a kingdom. The Howling Sword native to Princess Mermista's land, the Snatching Sword that Netossa's land has, the Biting Sword of Princess Frosta's domain, the Brilliant Sword of Mystacor, the Cast-Iron Sword from Princess Entrapta's realm, the Whispering Sword that I know, The Whirling Sword of Spinnerella's realm."

Counting with his fingers helped Naruto do the math, "Wait, there are some missing."

Putting a hand on her chest, she recalled some of the sad events on her world, "Two were sadly lost to the sands of time, and the last was said to be the Shining Blade that She-Ra herself had used in the ancient legends. Ten legendary styles in all. Each with their own branching sword paths and styles."

Realizing what that meant, Naruto put away the sword with a wooden clunk and sat down, "Legendary styles, huh?" he gained a smirk which surprised Glimmer, "Sounds like fun. I mastered this one with ease since I had a good teacher. Who says I can't find and master all of them and be this world's greatest swordsman!?"

His attitude surprised the pink princess, he was so hot-blooded! "Are you sure you listened!?" she was more surprised than anything.

"Hey, if I am stuck in this world, I want to earn a name for myself like I did back home." He smiled confidently, "Being a hero's cool, but being the one at the top suits me a lot better."

"You're... really something else." She commented as the two stood in silence.

Grabbing a handful of grass, and letting it float away in the air, he stared contemplatively at a cloud. Without a word, Glimmer sat down next to him, looking up at the sky with him. They let the movements of the clouds hide their thoughts and hearts to each other. Naruto seemed to make a decision, as he got up with a hop, brushing his clothes off.

"When do you want to head out?" he asked without warning, "If I want to be this world's greatest swordsman, I gotta help you princesses, right?"

Her face lit up like the morning sun, grinning widely, "As soon as you're ready to go!"

-0-

At the Fright Zone's dressing room, Catra had one question as she and her new captain prepared for their journey to the forest, "Are you really taking that?"

Adora looked at a simple steel one-handed broadsword attached to her hip, "I figured if the sword's chosen me, I may as well polish my swordplay." She pulled out the weapon and took some practiced swipes with ease. "I feel a lot more in control with this than any other weapon I've held." She looked at her feline comrade, "Do you think I should be worried?"

"I kind of do, and...don't?" Catra replied unsure with her arms crossed under her breasts, "Perhaps the sword tried to control you for that."

"Or it awakened something in me." Adora guessed.

Catra let out an amused snort, "You're saying a random magical sword anyone could've found in the middle of a forest is linked to you?"

Adora chuckled awkwardly, "Alright, you've made your point. Do you think that may have been an ancient instrument that princesses used to control others? Perhaps it was a failed prototype too dangerous for an average soldier of theirs to use and-" she was flicked on the forehead by her friend.

"And you're thinking too much into it." Catra smirked as Adora rubbed the spot she was hit. Then she got serious as she looked into the blonde's blue eyes, "Listen, if anything weird happens, you tell me. No more running around behind anyone's back – unless it is to mess with princesses – and no keeping magical sword issues from me, got it? Or do you want to be a princess' personal footstool?"

"Didn't you say I was overthinking it?" the ponytailed girl retorted.

Catra's ears flicked as she tried to explain herself, "Well, you are, but if anything like you feeling tempted into retrieving the sword from Hordak happens, you should tell me."

"Thanks." Adora smiled warmly.

Giving a catty smirk, Catra leaned back to puff up her chest, "See? I should be the captain if you're going to rely on me this much with this sword thing."

Adora giggled, "Oh yes, how would I survive without you?" she rhetorically asked.

"Just know that sword's not taking you from me." the feline warrior stated with a smug smirk, "You're Adora and you're not changing for an accursed princess artifact."

"Hi! Name's Force Captain Scorpia, nice to meet you both!" A female voice startled them, Catra's ears and tail jolted stiff and she spun about with wide eyes. A gigantic woman was running up to them, giving them both a wave with her scorpion claws. "Oh hey! You're going after the Forest Gale, aren't you?"

Her question was replied to with Adora's body getting on guard, "Um…well you see, we have been told to do so, but haven't gotten any orders to do anything yet…"

"Oh, that's even better! See, I have these papers that allow me to go out on mission to capture him!" Scorpia pulled out a sheet of papers from where else but her gigantic melons, showing them off with a grin that was too happy to get angry about. "If you come with me, we can totes bring him in! No questions about it!" she told the duo, nodding her head and crossing her arms under her enormous chest.

"So we have the same mission." Adora pointed out, but her friend was focused on another thing.

Catra stared long, hard, and enviously at the woman in front of her. "Some girls get all the luck…" she muttered bitterly, her feline tail laid flat against her side while her ears drooped.

Scorpia tilted her head in confusion, "So, uh, yeah? What do you think about that? It's a good idea, right? Right?" she asked them again.

Adora turned to her best friend and nudged her, "Y-yeah…I guess it's not that bad of a plan. What do you think Catra?"

Catra's ears went back to normal and she sighed, rubbing her arm with a weak grin, "I guess we can help her out. Maybe then I'll get the respect I'm due." She whispered the last bit to herself.

Scorpia was giddy like a little kid, "Don't worry, with my brawn, Catra's coolness and Captain Adora's skills we can capture the Forest Gale!"

Currently, said swordsman shuddered atop a cart beside Glimmer, "Ah, goosebumps!" he grimaced at the unpleasant feeling.

Looking at him curiously, the princess asked in slight worry, "You're not sick, are you?"

"No, it's like a chill up my spine." He answered and looked at their ride pulled by a couple horses, "Maybe we've been seated here too long. Also, shouldn't there be more people watching you?"

Glimmer frowned at his question, though she understood the concern, "Covert missions require not to draw attention, meaning no large numbers which the Horde could find. And that goes double when food for a kingdom we've been in good terms during a war is at stake."

Scratching the back of his head, the blond asked, "Still, what makes them not attack us?"

"For starters, I can teleport myself and the supplies to safety and have you as my guardian." She replied bluntly. "At the very least we should get there without too many problems."

"Don't you have other princesses to help you?" he asked and recalled what his master told him with his head tilted backwards and his eyes unfocused. "Let's see, old man Bacchus said their names were Net-something and Spinneret." He then ruffled his hair and sat straight, "Can't they do this while we go after the Horde?"

Glimmer narrowed her eyes at him, "One, their names are Netossa and Spinnerella. Two, they are lending us their guards and powers to keep a secure border against the Horde's advances. And three..." she let out a miserable sigh, "I'm not as powerful as them, so my duties usually revolve around aiding our allies."

"I see, so your mom would rather have us helping others while they keep an eye out for... Wait a sec." he blinked, "Aren't those two the same who have access to those legendary sword styles you mentioned?" he groaned with both hands on his face, "Dammit! I should've asked if any of those princesses was around! I'd be learning new moves a lot sooner!"

Glimmer took a deep breath when he lied flat on his back on top of the supplies, "At least you have something worth looking for on the way back."

Remaining where he was, comfortably splayed over the boxes, he looked at her from behind, trying hard not to stare too much at how her buttocks jiggled ever so nicely at every bump, "So..." he started and kept his focus on the back of her fluffy-haired head, "I can tell when something's eating someone, I've been there. Care to share?"

"If you've noticed, this is the kind of duty I have, but we could do more." Glimmer started, holding nothing back as passion invaded her body, bursting from her core. "All princesses have the power and charisma to work together and save this world. We should try, keep our lands safe because we were born here. We grew, laughed and cried with our families. And Hordak's trying to take it from us..."

Sitting up, he leaned forward with his elbows on his knees to look at her, "Why haven't you tried, then?"

"Because my dad failed!" she blurted angrily and it was the he noticed too late that tears had built up at the corner of her eyes, "Now everyone's afraid to try again! My mother doesn't want to lose me like how we lost him! Kingdoms around the world see him as an example of what happens if you dare to fight the Horde head-on! And...I..."

Hiccups put the blond tense, he never dealt with an emotional girl crying, "Oi, oi, oi, don't cry!" he snapped, wincing as she shut her eyes tightly for no more tears to flood out.

"Sorry..." she replied and handed him the reins, "I...I can say it's affected some as much as me, or perhaps even worse..."

"Like your mom?" he didn't guess.

"Yeah..." she breathed out raggedly.

"Not gonna lie...knowing who he was makes you lucky." He didn't hide anything, "And you've got your mom, too. Better than not knowing a damn thing."

"Oh..." she stopped her soft sobbing as she realized what he said, "I'm...sorry to hear-"

"Don't be, it's not like I've let that stop me from showing people I can make a name for myself." He beamed at her.

Taking in his words, Glimmer was unsure of whether to call him strong or...sad. Unusual as he was, at least she saw a glimpse of who he was. Such a life wasn't easy. Growing up without a father, she understood a good amount of pain, loneliness and yearning. Having her mother and thinking what it'd be to not have grown with her allowed her to understand she was lucky. Gratefulness to her parents welled up in her.

As they went on, Naruto pointed towards a humble inn bordering the forest, "This place looks like it might be good to get some information from. Either that or lunch." The place was set inside a large hollowed tree with doors, windows and a cozy look. Tables were set out with stumps as either chairs or said tables, and deer people as well as humans walked around.

Seeing the place had her realize that they had been on the road for close to three or four hours, their conversation and then their thoughts having occupied them to the point of losing track of time. Her stomach groaned, grumbling lowly and reminding her that she was starving. A blush crept on her face as she stopped their ride near the inn, trying to not look him in the eye.

"Y-yeah. Lunch sounds pretty good." She sucked on some spit, trying to curb her hunger until they got inside.

When he swung open the door, he stared inside then slammed it shut, "So, do you really want lunch now or would you rather wait?" He asked her simply.

She got confused and irritated, "What? Why?"

"Teleport inside and then come out to see why." She walked past him, giving him a confused glare before she did as the young swordsman told her.

He counted down the seconds before she teleported back out, her expression one of panic, "Yeah! Okay, I don't think we'll be getting lunch here!" The reason for her panic was seen from a window broken by a figure hurled through the glass, the innkeeper himself. Inside a bunch of Horde soldiers drank and partied led by three figures that had Naruto freeze to deal with. A cat girl, Scorpia, and a blonde.

The innkeeper, a deer man with round glasses and a goatee, stumbled up, groaning as glass fell from his body, before he realized who were the two in front of him. "Please! I beg you! You have to help! They said if I don't feed them, they'll burn down my inn with me inside!" Naruto looked at Glimmer who stared at the man, his bloodstained face, and the tears running down his face. The guy was an old deer man with the humble clothes of an innkeeper and a frail build. In essence, the kind of man who couldn't fight back.

"I know protecting you and this cart is our big priority, but…" he started seriously with a look of conviction and a hand resting on his sheathed wooden sword.

Glimmer swallowed, then her gaze turned resolute, "Naruto, he needs our help." She gave him the go ahead with that.

Rubbing the back of his head with a soft smirk, he finally felt at ease, "Alright, time to really get my blood pumping after such a boring long trip! But hey old man, you owe us free lunch, alright!? Seconds too!" he'd have asked that sooner or later, so he figured he'd do so before he actually let loose.

"Y-yes! Please! Anything you want!" the man pleaded; it was all Naruto needed.

Kicking the door open with a loud yell that left Glimmer's lower jaw hanging, he strolled inside as if he owned the place, "Yo!" he greeted them casually with a hot-blooded smirk.

-0-

On the inn's second floor, Adora flopped down on her bed with a frown, "Did you need to threaten the guy?"

Catra scoffed as she checked her claws, "Serves him right for trying to kick us out. Besides, he's loyal to that hippie princess."

"I'm asking because he could get someone to come here while we're resting." Adora countered heatedly.

"Can I ask something?" Scorpia asked on the other side of the room. The other two turned with inquisitive looks, "Can we put our beds together? I won't fit if this is the only size they have." She asked while her legs dangled off the edge, her arms hung from her sides, and her head rested on the headrest.

"We'll probably have to camp thanks to Catra not taking a more diplomatic approach." Adora huffed.

The cat girl crossed her arms, "Hello? The guy didn't want us here and would've ratted us out to any princess! It's better to intimidate him first and keep a leash on him."

"No need to scare him half to death with your claws, though." Adora argued.

"Listen, who could he get in the middle of nowhere?" Catra asked, "And with our troops here, it's not like we'd have trouble defending or getting out of this place."

The blonde captain had her reasons, "We're supposed to hunt down an enemy of the Horde, not vacation or call attention to us."

Letting a feral smirk out, Catra shrugged, "Relax, what better way to get him than make him come to us?"

"Oh, and in the meantime we can have a sleepover!" Scorpia cheered in glee, "I've...never had one."

"What-" Adora's question was interrupted by a loud crashing sound. Rushing to the stairs, the trio saw Naruto with his sword drawn out and taking his battle stance. Sword parallel to the grown, both hands gripping the handle next to his head, and the tip aimed forward. He spread his legs a bit further, making sure to keep his knees bent.

As they stood at the top of the stairs, one soldier rushed at him with a baton, "Die you little-" Promptly silencing him, Naruto swung his blade downwards and cut his enemy's weapon in two just as three more raced at him. With a smirk, he dashed forward and zigzagged. Everyone who looked at him would not realize he was swinging his blade until it was too late.

Once he stopped, all four soldiers were down with large gashes on their chests, sides, and shoulders, "Forget any crap about taking me one on one as if you had honor." he taunted them and swung his wooden sword singlehandedly to the side, "I'll take all you assholes on! Come on!"

Five more went at him at their top speed, all drawing out their own stun batons to zap him, but Adora knew, "Step away, he's-" her words died in her throat when Naruto spun around the first two, flipped over the next duo, and landed in front of the fifth with a grin. Once the armored Horde member swung his weapon, Naruto dashed back just as a sixth went to strike the back of his head.

And he missed, with his arm outstretched over the boy's head once the blond ducked, "Too easy!" he mocked the guy as he used the momentum of his ducking to spin around him, grab a spare baton from his hip, lean his back against his enemy's, and strike the soldier's back with it. Loud screams of pain echoed in the inn as the armored fighter got zapped and then fell limply on the floor.

"Are you...the Forest Gale?" Adora asked once she walked down the stairs.

He looked at the single-handed broadsword dangling from her hip, then sheathed his sword as he decided to get cheekier than usual; he shrugged and smirked at her, "What if I am? Are you here to try to take some title from me or am I supposed to know you?" he boldly stepped forward to show he was unafraid, "If you want a kiss, I'm warning you I prefer girls with meat on their hips."

"Oh, he's good," Catra commented with narrowed eyes, a smirk, and her crossed arms nearly bleeding from her claws enviously digging into her gripped biceps.

Keeping her composure, although frowning at his commentary, Adora decided to try diplomacy, "Let us talk." Sitting down at a small wooden stump, Adora stared intently at the blond young man who had proven to be such an intense fight for the Horde. Nearby soldiers took their distance while a shocked Glimmer could only stare.

"Alright, I'll start... I don't get it." The swordsman finally told her.

Adora had a guess about what he meant, "The reason we are doing this right now?" She asked Naruto, who silently stared at her. Gripping her knee tightly, Adora focused on him harder. "Why are we having this conversation?" She asked further, gritting her teeth, "I should be bringing you in. But no matter what I do…"

He ended her sentence with an assured smile, "You know I won't make it easy."

She saw it in her mind's eye, an attempt to draw her sword was met with his blade clashing against hers and deflecting it. Swinging her sword in an arc was met with his hand gripping her arm and shoving her back. A swing to the side added with a kick, and he was flipping over heard, his blade crashing down atop her weapon. Even flipping the table to slice through was met with their blades meeting.

"They say that people with a gift at swordplay think several moves ahead in a fight." She muttered to herself.

Naruto flashing her a grin, "One of the people who say that is my master, and he's always right when it comes to swordfights." He acknowledged her. "Part of being his disciple comes with the benefit of thinking a lot clearer than usual. You, on the other hand..." he smirked and used his thumb to push the blade two inches out of its sheath, "I can tell fighting you is going to be a blast!

Instantly, both got up, Adora gripping her sword and shouting, "Catra, stand back! Let me see how good this guy is!"

"A fair fight, huh?" he asked and didn't let go of his sword, "Fine, let's make a bet. I beat you, your troops and the cat and beefy ladies get out along you. I lose...well, I don't plan to."

"Naruto..." Glimmer was stunned at how gutsy he was.

Catra snarled, "Like we'd-"

"Deal!" Adora said as she finally drew her sword, holding it in an inexperienced yet natural fencing stance, "I can feel it, something about how you fight is calling out to me."

"Wait, Adora, are you serious!?" her friend asked.

"Deadly so!" Adora snapped, "Catra, I need to fight him! Every fiber of my being tells me to push myself against this boy!"

Putting up his stance once again, Naruto smiled with fire in his eyes and a small, eager smile, "Fine by me. I haven't had a chance to really test my swordplay with anyone. Can't be the number one swordsman here if I don't test myself against someone else."

Dead silence invaded the inn as the soldiers and the princess watched the two squaring off. Inching closer, they kept their eyes locked and slowly but surely accepted the other's moves in their minds. Ways to start a fight flashed before them, tempting each other to deliver the first swing. None dared to do so, knowing a misstep would be deadly. And yet, they couldn't hold on forever.

"Urya/Yah!" the blondes roared as they slid a foot forward and swiped at each other. Blades passed each other and nearly cut the other's stomach, the two fighters being smart enough to dash back. However, that little exchange allowed them to measure the other's reach and style. Meaning they could attack again, and Adora did so with a step forward and her sword swinging at Naruto's side!

"Woo, get him!" cheered an ecstatic Scorpia.

Blocking the strike, Naruto used both hands to easily push back Adora, who used his own strength to spin around and deliver another strike which he also pushed back. It was then that the pace was decided with a simple fact: one had experience, the other innate talent. Once her third failed strike was pushed back, Naruto swung warningly at her face, silently commanding and getting Adora to retreat with a step backwards. Leaning against a wall for support, the rookie swordswoman slid along it while Naruto remained in his stance and with his eyes focused on the mint-condition captain.

Keeping her sword aimed at him, Adora swallowed while he remained where he was...and attacked again, "Careful, Naruto!" Glimmer yelled moments before he swung upwards to deflect the girl's sword and got a hit. However, he didn't consider that the girls was tenacious and soon both stepped back. While a few strands of his hair fell to the floor, Adora groaned as she looked at her jacket's ripped left side. With no words needed to be said, she tore off her outfit, stabbed her broadsword on the ground, and rolled up her sleeves.

Returning to his stance, Naruto narrowed his eyes, "You know how swords work, right? Whoever gets the first hit practically wins."

"This isn't a tournament." She growled.

"That's why I'm warning you." He grinned, "Once I hit you a single time, you won't continue."

"Let's see if you can back up that mouth of yours." She told him and approached him...only to be shocked.

"Yeah, let's." he said as he sheathed his sword without letting go of the handle.

"What're you doing!?" Glimmer fretted.

"Don't worry, if she thinks she knows how to fight with swords, I'll teach her a lesson." He answered while pulling his sheathed sword from his belt. Adora stood opposite him, her sword's tip aimed at his whiskered face. Meanwhile, Naruto kept his hand on the handle ever since he put the blade in its wooden scabbard.

Part of Adora was nervous, but another analyzed him, "Is he crazy or an idiot!?" Catra burst in laughter, practically busting a gut with sadistic amusement. From her mind, the young swordswoman saw what her fellow blond would do. After seeing his moves, she knew what came from a mile away. Once he drew his sword, she'd duck under its swing and swiftly strike him on his right shoulder. It'd prevent from fighting any further without killing him. Thus, she could easily capture the guy to bring him to Hordak. It was perfect...

Until Naruto reversed his grip into an icepick hold, "Draw!" his yell and sudden change threw her off while all color drained from her face! Cutting his cheek didn't slow him down once the boy closed the distance. Adora stumbled backwards and dropped her sword to grip her left shoulder. Blood sipped from her fingers and coated the edge of the wooden sword that was inches from her face.

"You bastard!" Catra was the first to react as she leapt down and landed on all fours, baring her sharp teeth at Naruto.

In retaliation, the blond got into his stance once again, but a shout halted him, "Enough!" Adora called their attention as she moved to sit down. Gritting her teeth, she looked at the young swordsman and her best friend, "He won...fair and square. I am still alive, if wounded and with my pride hurt..." she let out a soft smile, "Forest Gale, you're...an incredible warrior."

Flicking off the blood with a wrist movement, he smirked, "Don't compliment me. If I have to, you'll be another notch on my sword. I don't like killing, enjoying the act is something you Horde bastards do. But I've got at least ten of your guys under my belt. I can make it thirteen if you push me now." He warned her, his eyes narrowing sharply.

Adora frowned in response, "Ten of our troops never made it back? I see." She said, her hand on her sword, wavering as Catra looked at her with bared teeth.

"Adora, c'mon! Give the word and we can tag and bag this jerkoff!" she didn't like what he was saying to Adora, especially more so since Adora looked more reluctant than she ever had before.

Scorpia sat down at a table and took a sip of a mug of hot cocoa, "You know, this stuff is really good! What's the recipe? I think that we should all just relax, sit down, and take a good long sip of this stuff! What do you say, Forest Gale?" the way she was able to defuse things brought sighs to everyone.

Glimmer stepped forward, locking eyes with the rest, "We'll accept your offer, so long as we can avoid unnecessary bloodshed." Her words were also meant to her bodyguard, who nodded.

Naruto sheathed his wooden sword and sat opposite Scorpia, trying not to stare at the sizable table cushions she had, "You're really dexterous with those. How do you-" he stopped when she opened a claw helpfully, revealing the taut inner muscles inside were rope tight, steel strong, and surprisingly flexible and springy when he poked it with a spoon that bounced off hard muscle.

"Pretty cool, right?" she asked him hopefully, "People underestimate my ability to grip stuff, but I manage! I can even write cursive and lemme tell you, that was a real chore to do! Calligraphy is a dying art."

"You don't say, this old geezer- my master sorry- taught me brushwork and I- WHAT THE HELL!" he just realized how natural it was to talk with Scorpia and snapped up pointing his finger at her. She cheerfully took another sip of her mug with an innocent expression, "Okay! You have to have magic because that felt way too normal!"

"Me? Magic? Oh no! I can't even do a rudimentary fireball! But I've got this baby here to do better than that." She said with a shrug, waving her tail about with a shake of her head, "Sit back down! C'mon! We were having a good chat! So, this old man and you were…?" she led him with a smile when he sat back down but slowed down once Glimmer approached them.

"Please leave." Glimmer told her warily, "If you want to show you Horde soldiers have honor, show it by following your terms."

Catra shuddered in rage, but Adora's hand placed on her shoulder halted any actions she would've taken, "We will...for now." The blonde said, "We'll meet again, Forest Gale."

"Make sure to hone your skills for the rematch." He cheekily told her.

Once they left, the feline warrior looked over her shoulder at the blond, "Don't worry, she won't see you next time." She growled under her breath.

Alone at last, Glimmer let out a sigh of relief, "That was too tense! How did you know they'd honor their word!?"

"That...Adora and her friend kinda reminded me of myself." He answered calmly at her nervous question, "Which is a bad thing here considering I'm a sore loser."

"For now they kept their word, but we can't stay here for long and now have them too close..." Glimmer fretted, "We'll need to find a way to shake them off our trail. No doubt they'll come after us, and they could get to Princess Perfuma and-"

"Actually..." the innkeeper cut her off, "I may have a solution for you."

Hopeful, Glimmer turned to him with a relieved smile, "Let's hear it."

"Before that, I haven't forgotten our deal, old man." Naruto told the deer man, "We do need some grub."

At that, Glimmer's stomach growled, making her blush and then glare when he smiled her way, "Let's eat..." she pouted and shut her eyes. However, she was relieved, 'At the very least he's a true warrior. I'm lucky to have him on my side.'

All in all, she appreciated her guardian, even if he was a tad obnoxious.

-0-

And that's my rap!

I think I've made it obvious that Glimmer has grown on me. Trust me, I've complained a lot about her potential not being used to the fullest, and I guess that's what motivates me to like her. Also, she is cute and a man of fine taste like me enjoys women with meat on their bones and child-bearing hips. Hey, I'm Mexican, it's in my blood and culture to like fat bottomed girls like in Freddie Mercury's song.

Beta's Notes: Hiya folks! This is The Lord Of Pages here again, as usual I've helped my big bro write this out. Most of the Scorpia dialogue was my doing, so any compliments or complaints I'll accept. I can't help it, Scorpia is an utter love to write for and I deeply enjoy putting her in scenes. Her friendly upbeat nature is appealing to me, and I enjoy her scenes since she's trying so damn hard. I'm sorta looking forward to the new season, so there's that too. Even though the show makes every attempt to not be marketed towards me, I still enjoy it even if it's only to gripe about it or get angry that Entrapta hasn't solved all of the problems yet. But this note is getting too long, so I'll cut it short. We hope you enjoy this chapter and look forward to the next! For now, this is The Lord Of Pages, so long, farewell, until we meet again!

Swordslinger out!