I OWN NOTHING
Okay, to the start of a new adventure!
-0-
Hordak was many things. Ruthless, imposing, and meticulous. Nothing he did would be associated with recklessness or nepotism. If he gave someone a chance, they had to prove themselves or risk losing his respect.
"Tell me then, everything you said is correct?" he asked Catra, Scorpia, Adora, and the Munchkin trio as they stood in his throne room.
His back was turned to them with his hands folded behind his back. As usual, he met them in front of the swords he had collected and gathered in his dozens of battles. Each one a memory of an opponent who made it to his doorstep and then fell to him. He cherished every victory, for he was Hordak. Staring at Hope's Peak and remembering the day that he had faced King. To face such a dignified warrior stirred a feeling that could be said to equal happiness in his mind.
There was no such thing as an authority or anything other than he. There had only ever been Hordak. There would only ever be Hordak. Memories of a long-lost armada trapped within the unknowable darkness. Dreams of conquest hushed out like the fading embers of a fire. These were but memories in the span of his millennia old mind. And now, he was here. His thoughts returned to the present that he lived in and chased away the ghosts of his proudest victories.
Adora stood straight when giving her response, "Yes, Lord Hordak. Shadow Weaver tried to gather and manipulate the Forest Gale, Princess Glimmer, and Castaspella, the Spell Singer."
The small smirk of pleasure that recalling his battle with the legendary warrior died away quickly as he was reminded of his traitorous second in command. His silence was deafening to the five, Catra swallowing back her terror as she stepped up to defend her friends- friend. She course corrected with a forcible twitch. It was for Adora, not Scorpia or the others at all.
"I see. So, the failure was partially the result of her and your own unfortunate circumstances."
Catra saw an opening and went for it like a lunging beast, "That's correct, Lord Hordak! We were almost killed by her, and we barely made it back!"
"That's right, Shadow Weaver trapped us in her spell too," Adora went with it and backed up Catra who let her tail wave in excitement.
Adora was always with her and had her back. She took that pleasure with her and kept the goofy wiggly smile off of her face as best as she could.
Digesting the extent of the witch's betrayal brought venom to his next words, "You also failed because of the ever-growing strength of a folk hero. The Forest Gale. Is that correct?"
Kyle, realizing it was his turn to speak, swallowed and begged for strength internally, "Y-yes! Yes Lord Hordak! He developed a new technique! He based it off something called the Cast-Iron Sword!"
Stepping back, Kyle stood in front of Lonnie who reached out and gripped his hand comfortingly; the dark-skinned girl gave him a reassuring nod.
"And that Glimmer, she came up with a new technique she called the Phantom Step!" Catra told him further.
Hordak let one brow arch. That was certainly something impressive. He recalled King Micah using a technique he had labeled similarly. It had been Hordak's near defeat as he had found no discernable way to counter the immaterialism and prediction. And yet he had still won once he had adjusted to its speed and precision.
Taking the time to relish in another memory, Hordak told the group a story to give them a small lesson, "Did you know, my young captains, that I once killed a folk hero? He was a strong man, even by my standards. I admired his tenacity and the simplicity of his technique. He called himself the Forest Hurricane. He, like the Gale, used the Whispering Blade. He made the trees sing like a choir and the leaves fly like a storm of arrows. I was impressed by him and took his sword."
A metal blade with an ornate guard resembling a leaf was located close to Hope's Peak.
Hordak did not turn but continued speaking after he took sustenance from the memory, "He called his sword the Rippling Eyes. And here, the Trident Blade of King Poseidon, the Crystal of Atlantis. The sword of a legendary mage-king, the Ancient Wisdom. These, a pair of blades called White Yang and Black Yin. The Deus Ex Calibur. Sword after sword and their wielders who fell. I am a warrior, and I will remain one before a general until the day I perish in battle against a worthy foe."
Finally, he turned to face them.
"Amazing stories, sir!" Scorpia saluted him with one claw, then shakily asked, "So you're not… going to punish us, Lord Hordak…sir?"
"No," He sighed at her questions and then looked at them with something close to mercy, "You did not disappoint me. Alone in an enemy environment, trapped with several Princess and talented warriors, being guided by a traitor into fool's errand, and engulfed in her sorcery. You did well to come back alive and with this information regarding the folk hero's growth. I am not displeased. But you will do better in your next assignment."
"We will, Lord Hordak!" all six soldiers said/hissed in determination.
Nodding in approval of their spirit, their leader continued, "There is an illusionist I seek to recruit into the Horde, someone whose species allows them to be anyone and anything they want on a whim. Even their true face can become whatever they desire. You will go out to find this trickster and bring them back, willingly."
"An illusionist who can be anything they want…?" Scorpia gasped which threw Catra and Adora for a loop- "You don't mean The Twin Faced? The Twin Faced is a legendary spy! Every time they have emerged they have managed to make off with incredible loot and information! I thought they were a myth!"
Hordak opened a small case that he had prepared for this mission ahead of time and unveiled a pair of goggles that had spiral designs to them, "Yes. They are real. Take these, the illusionist has many tricks and spells with which to hide their identity. But this, this is a creation of science and strength. It will force them into your vision."
He handed them to Adora who swallowed at the task and second chance they had been given, "Thank you, my lord."
Giving her a brief nod of acknowledgement, their leader instructed them simply and to the point, "Recruit the Illusionist, bring them back here, and then set them to task Force Captain Catra, Adora, Scorpia."
One ear twitching, Catra pointed at herself with a shaky claw, "Wait, do you mean…"
The cat girl went quiet when her boss gave her a badge, "Your promotion was close at hand, Catra. I believed you were worthy of this after the last successful operation and your reports. Once I had time to analyze your work and the margin of error you have worked with. You three will work together as a unit with the… privates below you as subordinate. Do you understand this responsibility?"
She nodded rapidly even while her body was close to vibrating, "Yessir!"
Facing them sternly, the man sent them off with a few words, "Good. Now go. You will know the illusionist when you see them, their known cover name is…"
-0-
"Step right up, step right up~! One and all, for the most fantastic stage show you will ever see~! Performing for you all is the one, the only… DOUBLE TROUBLE~! Oof! That crowd, you're killing them DT~! Don't think about actual murder, that's icky."
A marvelously flamboyant voice called out to an empty theatre, the long abandoned and decaying seats leaving only row upon row of empty chairs. Smoke seemed to cloyingly choke the air, covering it in a thick layer of mysterious pink clouds. The air shimmered and a crowd of faceless people clapped as a phantom audience. The figure who stood on the stage bowing to the crowd was certainly the very depiction of an odd one.
A vain, slender, reptilian being with light green skin, sharp teeth, and a long tail stemming from the base of their spine. Long blond hair reached the waist with the sides shaven. Slanted, almond-shaped eyes with dark green sclera, yellow irises and slit pupils glinted in delight. Their nose is small with slits for nostrils, and long, pointy ears. They wore a black leotard with pointed shoulders and a high collar, sporting long, black gloves which covered their pinkies and ring fingers. The outfit had a large cut-out exposing the back and sides with a strap just above the tail and matching pants underneath with black, high-heeled, thigh-high boots.
Gripping a cane with a toothy grin, they bowed to the crowd which went wild, drinking in their radiant faces brought a grin out of the theatrical critter, "Thank you~! Thank you! One and all…" Their voice which had been somewhat flamboyant became husky and gained an air of feminine strength, "But the show will not end so soon. Tis only the first act after all!"
Somehow disappearing with a crack of their tail, the figure was now among the crowd with a doppelganger still on stage and bowing. Miraculously, Double Trouble had changed their outfit, wearing a green evening ball gown with a noticeable bust line that pressed tightly against the clothes along with a shapely backside to grant that perfect hourglass figure, and having their hair put into a long braid. Lipstick adorned the lips, colored a nice deep purple to give them a noticeable pout. Fanning 'herself' while she sighed as if in a faint.
"Double Trouble is so dreamy and beautiful! The crème de le crème of all theater goers! And much more well known than any other bard or singer! Why I, Fantastique Feminine, could never even hope to be as gorgeous and perfect as they! With all of my curves, I am inferior to their superior form!"
Clapping their hands, this more feminine Double Trouble disappeared again with another crack of the tail. Then, a spotlight shone across the theater, landing upon a mysterious masked figure with a hand dramatically posed upon their mask. Fingers splayed across its surface with the other hand clenched into a dramatic claw. This mask had an elegant design evocative of a butterfly, colored gold and only covering one side of the face. Double Trouble's eye was exposed on the side that wasn't masked. Somehow yet again 'his' clothes had been changed along with their body type.
Now much more masculine with a bulkier body contained within a fine suit and cape, pants included, this mysterious rogue spoke with a deep resonating voice, "The legendary Double Trouble? Surely even I, Mega Macho, could not even hope to match their immense prowess. Why, all my muscles are weak against their mastery over words and senses."
Another crack, and once more Double Trouble stood alone upon the stage in their leotard, "Thank you, thank you! You're all so kind~!"
Holding both hands out, the masculine and feminine versions of themselves emerged next to the performer. Awash with the pleasure of success, the trio bowed. The crowd rose and clapped energetically, with the sound faintly echoing across the theatre as if performed by phantoms. With a snap of their fingers, Double Trouble grinned when the entire theatre faded into nothing but an empty building.
"That was a good rehearsal, darlings," the needlessly fabulous lizard told their copies. "But the real deal needs a break."
Opening a door that had emerged from the smoke covered room, the illusionist walked into what could only be described as a parlor. Filled with various tools, props, outfits, and instruments of all types. And kept upon a golden rack was their only true pleasure: a smoking pipe, their favorite pipe no less. There was also a wanted poster of none other than Naruto on a wall, hand-drawn to depict him smirking cockily. Several darts were embedded into it after the reptilian performer nailed it to the circular board.
Double Trouble didn't just hate people, they despised anyone bold enough to steal their spotlight. News articles about the Forest Gale's latest victories occupied the floor. One after the other, stories of how he faced an army of Horde soldiers since he was young. Praises for how he protected a forest from pollution like some environmentalist propaganda. Adoration for defending a library of all things. Loving paragraphs about that spiky-haired hero protecting one of the new and forgettable rebel groups from getting crushed. It was so dull and optimistic…
With a groan, Double Trouble narrowed their eyes at the offending picture, "Darling, you're lucky to be so cute it's hard to stay mad at that face." Gripping a dart from a box with their tail, the theatrical reptile nailed the drawing of the blond between the eyes, "Because I really can't stand competition."
Taking a drag from their pipe, the illusionist leaned on a large sofa, puffing out a ring of smoke in contented peace, "Good to know we're not the only ones who have it against the pest."
Inhaling more smoke, the reptilian diva spoke up, "Darling, that comment was aimed at you. You're too cute thinking you and your pals can sneak up on me."
"Huh, not bad," said Catra as she snuck out of the shadows. Placing a hand on her hip, she examined the new potential partner of her group, "I've come here for your services."
"Oh sweetie, you're adorable, but not my type," Double Trouble quipped with a smarmy smirk.
"And I've got my standards too high for you to even dream of reaching," Catra shot back with a glare.
"Enough," Adora said as she entered the room. "We agreed to be diplomatic."
"We're going to pay for someone who hates the Forest Gale to help us capture that pincushion," Catra pointed out.
"Well, well, well," Double Trouble's ears perked up, flapping slightly at the mention of the folk hero. "Do my ears deceive me or are you paying me for taking out competition?"
Adora, ever the voice of reason, nodded, "To get to him, we have tried to face him head on, to strike him with superior tech, larger numbers, and even stealth tactics. He's both too lucky and too stubborn to fall."
"Darling, you haven't tried the unseen approach until you really get under the skin you want to play, and the flesh of your prey, mhmhmhm," the chameleon snickered with delight, smoke puffing out of their nostrils. "But being good at something means I can capitalize on it, and I will. After all, who likes sharing the profits of hard-earned work to everyone for nothing in return?"
"Clients can still demand a demonstration, right?" Catra pointed out.
"Little known fact," Double Trouble stood up, arms crossed, and stroking their chin with their scaly tail. "It's not so much a demonstration as a quality freebie for those unable to appreciate art to see true beauty."
Shimmering black and green lights engulfed the chameleon. Soon, their body was replaced by none other than Kyle's in his standard uniform. Unlike the real deal, the copy had Double Trouble's sassy smirk and took a deep drag of the pipe. Letting out a delighted giggle, nearly jittery at their awe, the shapeshifter turned into Scorpia. Seeing the Amazonian woman wink at them in a rather revealing, red bikini with little to hold it but thin strings had the two girls blushing. The duo would mentally agree not to tell their fellow captain about it, but the sassy lizard was happy with their little performance.
"Good enough on looks," Catra said.
"And also on spotting our backup," Adora added.
"It's Scorpia, though, she'd have been spotted easily," the cat girl hummed, rubbing her chin.
"Kyle's still a little wet behind the ears as well," the blonde captain agreed with a nod.
Groaning, Double Trouble returned to their original form, "Oh, if you think this is all I can do, you've seen nothing about art in your life. Just do yourselves a favor and drop the antagonizing. Trying to criticize me is a sign you know nothing about quality, sweeties."
Catra decided to keep being smarmy, "Talk is cheap."
"There's a lot of money to be made in capturing the Forest Gale alive, Double Trouble," Adora told the scaly performer. "But there's more in getting information about a thorn in our side which can be found right at his next destination. We're offering quite a job here."
Catra, being herself, had to rub salt into the wound, "And we must make sure you don't… underperform."
Giggling darkly at the two, the performer smirked, "Fine, you didn't have to get me so fired up, but may I ask for a little favor?"
"What is it?" Adora asked.
The smile the shapeshifter gave them had the two Horde girls on guard, "Well, should I capture this Forest Gale of yours, I may have to let out a little steam since he's… taken a lot of the spotlight from me."
Double Trouble shuddered at the mere mention of their rightful dose of attention being robbed, which didn't impress Catra, "Fine, you can rough him up a bit, but no killing or lasting harm. We have plans for him."
"Dully noted, darling," the illusionist cracked their tail, opening a door to the theater. "Let's get going, your friends shouldn't be kept from seeing this little number of mine."
"You can't be serious…" Adora grimaced.
"Business and pleasure can go hand in hand," the performer entered the stage, opening their arms to the four soldiers. "Now, ladies and gentlemen hidden among my audience, please bring up your hands and pincers for a round of the applause you know is deserving of this next act. Enjoy the dance, the thrill and the demise of our common enemy!"
"Are you… for real?" Kyle asked upon exiting his hiding spot behind a seat. "Can you be trusted?"
"Oh, I can be whatever you want me to be, sweetie," Double Trouble sauntered to the skinny blond, petrifying him when the shapeshifter's tail flicked on the cadet's chin to get a blush from the jittery youth. "Man, woman, and any species. I can turn into them if you want a little demonstration. Just don't cry if I make you shiver with… a little… antici… pation!"
Lonnie decided to defend her friend by swatting aside the tail, "Hands off him, harlot harlequin!"
"Harsh words, but I can respect when a lady has a good claim on a man," Double Trouble snickered. "It's a matter of how good that hold is."
"Hey!" Lonnie was about to attack, but the illusionist flipped backwards, landing on a seat with a smug smile.
Rogelio hissed at the smirking performer, which Scorpia took as her cue to talk, "What Rogelio said."
"Fine, I'll use all this wasted potential with our target," Double Trouble stated with a giddy tone, which turned dark and sadistic right after. "So, do you know where he is?"
"Recovering," Adora told him as she approached the group. "But, knowing him, not for long."
"Who knows?" Catra shrugged right behind her best friend. "Maybe he's enjoying quality time with Pinky. He kind of earned it."
"Gossip, do tell," the reptilian diva practically demanded. "Give me ammo…"
Catra grinned, liking the possibilities, "Oh, this is quite a story…"
-0-
"How is he?" Castaspella walked into the infirmary, looking at the single bed in a small room. It had similar commodities to Bright Moon's guest rooms, but much smaller, with a curtain around the bed, and one small window instead of a balcony, "Glimmer…"
Her niece was seated on a sofa next to the bed where Naruto was still sleeping on, flushing as she held his hand, "Ah, auntie, I…"
"I know you're worried sick about him, but you should rest as well," Castaspella told the pink-haired girl.
Blushing brightly, the princess looked away, "I would, but thankfully the healers here can keep Entrapta away, and I'd rather not have her try to, um, help me…"
"With the confession, right?" the high sorceress smirked knowingly.
"You promised not to talk about it…" the plump girl pouted adorably, puffy cheeks and all.
"But I never get to see you, and now I've got quite the news to hold onto," Castaspella giggled with an airy laugh, but then winked. "Worry not, though, I won't tell your mother unless you're ready."
"Thanks," the princess sighed deeply, ruffling her hair. "It's just… there's so much to do now. We let those Horde soldiers go, but where they go from now… It could come back to bite us."
"Feeling empathy towards an enemy is not a weakness, and you weren't a fool for doing what you did," the woman told the sparkling girl. "We were outnumbered, had Naruto to worry about, and no way to keep them all locked before the guards and other sorcerers could've woken up. Fighting them could have endangered your new boyfriend."
"Auntie!"
"Sorry, you needed to think of something more positive," the leader of Mystacor beamed.
Groaning, Glimmer buried her face on the mattress next to Naruto's hand, "Please, can I have a little time to myself? It's been rough and… I just want to keep him company."
"And talk about the-" Glimmer's pouty glare had Castaspella giggle and concede. "Fine, fine, I had enough fun out of teasing my adorable niece. I'll be back for supper."
"Thanks…" the girl beamed, waiting for her to be gone before closing the curtains. "Okay, she's out."
"Finally," Naruto sat up on his bed… and was immediately pinned down when Glimmer leapt on top of him and started to hungrily kiss him.
Both highly hormonal teens sat up, Glimmer wrapping her legs around her bodyguard's waist while her arms went around his shoulders. Placing a hand on the back of his head, the princess furiously made out with her no longer secret crush. Naruto wasn't idle either. His hands were inexperienced, but he wanted his princess in far too many ways he wasn't sure how to express. Holding her close with one arm around her waist and the other cupping her cheek, he nonetheless returned the affection by tasting her lips.
Oxygen was required, though, "How… How was that, hero?"
"Woah…" he mumbled in awe, dazed. "It still feels surreal to kiss someone."
"Do you, uh, need a moment or-"
"No, no, no! I… I like this, it's just…" he chuckled awkwardly, the first time Glimmer had ever seen him meek and it was doing things to her she never thought possible. Still, she had seen what kind of backstory her new boyfriend had, and so she listened, "Yami or whatever he was, he was and is me, and… getting all that thrown my way because of you is… A weight's off my shoulders, and it feels… weird."
"A good weird, I hope," she cupped his cheeks with a soft smile.
"Yeah, I'd say it is…" he breathed out and held her closer. "I still can't believe I'm in… in this with someone…"
Glimmer empathetically leaned on him to let him know it was real, "Listen, you may not have had any proper interactions, but we can fix that, alright?"
"Should we really keep this a secret?" he questioned her.
"With Entrapta around, definitely," Glimmer pointed out. "Also, you've seen my aunt's teasing… Imagine worse quips from my mother."
"I can imagine her wanting to kick me to the curb for taking your first real kiss," he replied.
"Oh, we can deal with that later," the happy princess told him before pulling him in for another kiss… and pinning him down.
"Whoa…" he gasped, the flustered look on his face causing Glimmer to get jittery when she paused her searing lip lock to look him in the eye.
"Heh, who's cute now when teased?" she quipped.
Grinning back, he pulled her down for another kiss, getting her to squeak, "I'd say it's still you." He replied when briefly pausing between more kisses which had her shake, "You're not getting rid of my jabs at you. It's so adorable to see you blush, and you're ridiculously cute already."
"You better believe I'll find your buttons," the quivering princess challenged him with a pout that caused him to chuckle.
Both paused and pressed their foreheads, sharing a laugh and the simple yet delightful experience of having someone next to them, "I… never really had any experience like this." Naruto admitted, "Like, what am I supposed to do?"
Fake-thinking to herself, Glimmer smiled impishly, "Spending time with together while getting to know each other?"
"Never really did anything like that either," he replied.
"Let's say we're equally clueless when it comes to dating," she told him while resting her body on his, her warmth and plump figure feeling comfortable on his body. She fought back a shiver when he hugged her, "So, you know I love Snow Crows, my family drama, and so on. What about you?"
"I only know I was orphaned, the people of my village treated me like trash for no reason without even telling me why, and that there's no way I'm returning to my world," he answered with a smirk. Then he let out a heavy sigh, "I don't even know who my parents were, just that they died when I was born. The same day a demon attacked our village and got defeated by the previous chief, the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze. If anything, I just think the other villagers wanted someone to blame for what happened and I was it, like somehow being born in that day made everything bad happen."
"And do you truly believe that?" the princess asked in disbelief.
Frowning, the blond groaned, "Years of being with those guys and no clue where I came from-"
"Stop it," Glimmer pulled his face to meet her gaze with her own. "If you think there's anything bad about your birth, remember you're here. You… are the most incredible idiot I've met, and I'm thankful for it. Got it? Nothing else, no harbinger of bad luck or whatever you think you are."
Unable to handle such encouragement, Naruto tried to think of a response, but couldn't come with anything but the sincerest one, "Thanks, you're… you're pretty great at times."
"Better believe it, you dork," she quipped before kissing him again.
The two kept exchanging information about each other with smiles, and a weight off a certain swordsman's heart, "You are not getting more than one Snow Crow a day on my watch."
"Like you could stop me," the princess retorted with a smug smirk. "All I need to defeat the great Forest Gale is a kiss."
"Good luck on that, Glimmy," her bodyguard and boyfriend snickered before kissing again.
Next to the entrance to the room, Castaspella smirked to herself, "You're not one who can hide secrets easily, Glimmer. Hmhmhm… Still, good on you for finding someone you can share so much with."
Giggling to herself, the woman left her niece and the girl's new boyfriend to enjoy their time together, knowing they were too green to push things past heated make-out sessions.
-0-
It was in Bright Moon that the ruler of the land was sitting on her throne with a contemplative gaze when she heard one of the soldiers call out to her. The soldier was a minotaur woman with a beefy body, swinging the doors open with one hand as Naruto and Glimmer walked in. For a moment, the towering, winged woman could swear she caught a glimpse at shared smiles from the two. Part of her felt like she was truly seeing her younger self with her husband in that instance. Returning her attention to the matter at hand, she put the idea on the back of her mind for later.
"Announcing Princess Glimmer and the Forest Gale, my queen," the soldier woman bowed before leaving.
"Who are we going after now? What exotic place and food are we going to explore?" Naruto asked her with a carefree smirk until she stared at him long enough to make him cough and look to the side, "Right. Sorry. Where is our next destination, Queen Angella?"
Queen Angella turned to face the new arrivals after her time gazing at a mural of her husband, murmuring half to herself, "He's grown a little too comfortable with me, but that is also good, is it not, Micah…?" She folded her hands and shook her head, "Ahem. You will be visiting Princess Frosta, the youngest of all princesses after she took the throne. Visiting her lands will be a great ordeal for the two of you, because it is in fact quite difficult to make it to her realm through the hazardous blizzards and snowstorms that accost it. Which is why you'll be given an escort to help you find your way to her domain safely."
"Escort as in… someone will be at our side?" Glimmer asked her mother, wondering which princesses they would be traveling with today.
Angella turned her head, indicating for the two to look to the side.
Who else but Entrapta was there and excitedly talking to both, "Greeeetttiiiings! I'll be with you from now on! Please remember that I don't sleep until I've accomplished at least 14 hours of research time and inventions per day, and that I need copious amounts of sugar and caffeine!"
It seemed that at long last the two had found their third permanent party member to travel with. Behind her were two guests that Naruto had not expected to see, Mermista and his own princess, Perfuma.
Perfuma begun to speak to him in great excitement and joy, "Naruto! It is a pleasure to see you again, I bring great news from the Whispering Woods and I-"
Then she was rudely interrupted by Mermista, who waved her hand around, "Yeah, yeah, we all know. We're all excited to see you too, Naru. But can we, like, hurry this along? Frosta's a little precocious brat. Having to spend any more time within her freezing realm than necessary will seriously not be fun for any of us."
Naruto looked annoyed at Mermista's words and muttered to Glimmer who was already forcing a smile to her face, "Wish Netossa and Spinnerella were here instead…"
She stifled a chuckle that made her smile genuine. And that was the exact moment when everyone knew. Literally every single female in the room, with the exception of Entrapta, got the hint. Perfuma had to contain an airy giggle at the sight of her fellow princess and the folk hero exchanging glances. Mermista frowned slightly in jealousy at the sight of something so mushy. The queen herself was…
"Ahem," Angella shook her head from thoughts regarding several boys and girls running through the castle halls to greet her and affectionately calling her granny. "I requested the aid of these princesses at their own behest. Princess Frosta is a young princess who has recently been crowned and her kingdom and ancestors are known for their old-fashioned ways."
"So, she's a stickler for rules," Naruto summed up. Rubbing the back of his head, he let out a groan, "Great, and you know me…"
"Oh, I do know you and Glimmer…" Angella told him with a seemingly collected expression. Then, she realized her wording, "Your way with words gets through to others, so there's no doubt in my mind you will get through to her. Regarding my daughter, she's gotten the approval of other princesses. You complement each other in… more ways than one."
"Huh?" Glimmer felt herself blush, thinking her mother meant something far too romantic for it to come from her.
"Eh, the queen means that if the kid is too stubborn for your diplomacy, your hero bodyguard can, like, tear her a new one," Mermista elaborated in her own crude way.
Perfuma felt her eyelid twitch, "Wording, please. There's no need for violence with possible allies."
"Doesn't mean we can't knock some sense into her," Mermista argued.
"Fascinating," Entrapta got between the two princesses, causing the freckled hippie and the salty mermaid to jolt from her sudden appearance. "Is this what they call sarcastic comebacks? Social interactions between new candidates may prove vital for the project."
"What are you talking about?" Perfuma politely asked, taking a step back while Mermista scoffed and walked away.
And the two taller princesses were brought into a hug by the short-stack scientist, "It is a program for ensuring the evolution of this world through the blending of our own DNA and that of-"
"Stop, none of that!" Glimmer chastised her, getting right up on Entrapta's face. "Seriously, can you not talk about… that?! Naruto's not a guinea pig to be… you know!"
"Dare I ask?" Mermista grumbled.
"No, don't, please don't," Naruto actually pleaded as the embarrassment and seeing his – and he couldn't believe he was saying it – girlfriend defend him.
Entrapta didn't have an inner voice, though, "But the Naruto Uzumaki Breeding Project would mean the betterment of our society! Just think of the future with princesses able to naturally channel magic from Etheria like you do with your Chakra! Imagine the prowess to control plants made even more natural with that ability and the way the water itself would have more life thanks to your genes!"
Both Naruto and Glimmer slapped their own faces while the two other princesses blushed brightly. For a moment, Perfuma pictured a dashing youth tending to their forest accompanied by a tall, whiskered man. The sea princess didn't fare any better. Mermista grimaced when picturing a small version of herself with far more innocence and majestic golden hair sparring with a bare chested…
"Enough!" everyone turned to Queen Angella, Entrapta shrinking from the mother's glare. "Princess Entrapta, do not repeat this idea in public!"
"Noted," the tiny engineer giggled nervously as she actually wrote that on her notepad.
"Sorry about that," Glimmer grunted with her eyes shielded by her hand.
"It's alright, I do understand that Princess Entrapta is even more, um, direct than rumors claimed," Perfuma tried to giggle to show there was no problem.
Mermista had to rain on the parade, "Please, just keep her, like, five yards away from me at all times."
-TBC-
And that's my rap!
The stage is set, and you better believe it was an intentional pun! So, Double Trouble's gender remains a mystery since the whole shapeshifter bit makes me think they just choose what to be on a whim. Like I can see this sassy and overly fabulous lizard messing with someone by being a woman and then turning into a man for a quick laugh.
But, yes, I can be quite cheesy when it comes to romantic fluff, and after what happened in the last chapter I pretty much threw my hands into the air and said, "Screw it."
Canon Naruto needs a hug, the part in the previous chapter in which Sarutobi left him that allowance says quite a lot, and we know how people treated him. However, Glimmer's equally inept when it comes to interactions given her status as a princess and her limited number of friends. Also, the war which keeps her busy.
Either that or I've become a fangirl "shipping" these two.
On a more serious note, I planned on making this a shorter story than the Netflix show because the plot points are more in place to get where they're needed sooner. Just know that after Frosta's arc the finale will be close by with a couple more arcs after it. Maybe more, but we'll have to wait and see how it develops and how long the chapters get.
Swordslinger out!
