Author's Note: Hey, everybody. Behold, my cartoon x-over parody spoof to Disney's animated classic, The Lion King (1994), that tells the story of Nancy (from Fancy Nancy) who just can't wait to be queen and searches for her destiny in the Circle of Life.
In honor of The Lion King's 30th anniversary, here's my cast of characters who play the TLK characters, along with a few changes or two to the story. You might notice some references here and there. Anyway, here's the cast.
CAST:
*Lunafreya Nox Fleuret (Final Fantasy XV) as Adult Nancy (Simba)
*Nancy Clancy (Fancy Nancy) as Young Nancy (Young Simba)
*Ventus (Kingdom Hearts series) as himself (Nala)
*Prince James (Sofia the First) as Young Ven (Young Nala)
*Louie (Ducktales (2017)) as himself (Timon)
*Michelangelo (TMNT (2012)) as himself (Pumbaa)
*Claire Clancy (Fancy Nancy) as The Queen (King Mufasa)
*Doug Clancy (Fancy Nancy) as The King (Queen Sarabi)
*Ono (The Lion Guard) as himself (Zazu)
*Valka (How to Train Your Dragon) as herself (Rafiki)
*Mother Gothel (Tangled) as Lady Gothel (Scar)
*The Gross Sisters (The Proud Family) as themselves (Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed)
*Leonard and the Minion Pigs (The Angry Birds Movie) as themselves (The Hyneas)
*Jojo Clancy (Fancy Nancy) as herself
*Lady (Devil May Cry series) as Adult Jojo
*Frenchy (Fancy Nancy) as himself
*Miriam (Prince of Egypt) as herself
I know it's crazy, right? So, I hope you and everyone enjoy it.
Listen well, friends and children, to the story of a fallen queen, the lie of a traitor, and the transition from a young girl to a full-grown woman. It is the story of Nancy, born to rule and become something more significant. It is a story of faith, destiny, and a coming-of-age tale.
As the morning sun rose over the plains of a beautiful landscape, the rays of sunlight fell on a fantastic sight: a vast herd of people thundering across the kingdom. They were all headed for a single destination.
The sun rose from bakers, blacksmiths, and families until a giant castle basked in the warmth of the early light. The people headed toward the royal palace, where they gathered to celebrate the birth of the King and Queen's newborn child.
This palace was home to the royal family, King Doug and Queen Claire; the majordomo, Ono; the youngest child, Jojo; and their dog, Frenchy.
This morning, all the people in the kingdom gathered at the palace to celebrate the heir's birth to its throne, Nancy.
The royal family welcomed Prince Ven and his family as they were escorted to meet the princess. They decided that one day, Ven and Nancy would marry.
Moments later, Queen Claire and King Doug stood proudly atop the palace's balcony. A great mystic woman named Valka stepped forward with little Nancy in her arms. She was invited to present the newborn to the entire kingdom. She lifted Nancy high in the air as a ray of sunlight lit the newborn's face, illuminating her for the whole kingdom to see.
One by one, the citizens and guests bowed before Nancy, the girl who would become the future Queen one day.
And that's how everyone in the kingdom had come to honor Nancy.
Well, all except...one.
Lady Gothel, the King and Queen's advisor, didn't attend the celebration. She had stayed behind in her lair to sulk or be moodily silent. As the ceremony ended, Lady Gothel stared through a telescope at the kingdom below them, spying on some big-buffed, handsome gentlemen.
"Life's not fair, is it?" Lady Gothel said. "While some are born to rule and feast, others spend their lives in the darkness, begging for scraps or something more. I shall never be ruler the way I see it, and you shall never see the light of another day."
Suddenly, Ono's voice echoed throughout Lady Gothel's lair just as the King and Queen's majordomo appeared, startling Lady Gothel.
"The queen approaches!" Ono exclaimed. "This is no drill. Her Majesty has requested an audience. Upon her entrance, you will rise and genuflect."
Lady Gothel was annoyed. "In English, please?"
"I'm here to announce that Queen Claire's on her way, so you better have a good excuse for missing the ceremony this morning."
While Lady Gothel was distracted by Ono, the hunky gentlemen went their separate ways as she complained. "Now look, Ono, you've made me miss my show."
"As I said, you will answer Claire for missing the ceremony this morning! But you'll lose more when the Queen gets through with you."
"Ooohhh, I'm shaking in fear," said Lady Gothel, then she scoffed as she looked down at the kingdom. "As if! I answer to no one!"
"What was that?" a voice boomed out and blocked her view.
Lady Gothel looked up to see Queen Claire appear in front of her. "Well, well. Now look who decided to come down to mingle with the commoners."
"My husband and I didn't see you at Nancy's presentation," Queen Claire said.
"That was today?" Lady Gothel said. "Oh, I feel simply awful. It must've slipped my mind. I meant no disrespect toward you or your husband, and I greatly respect you both..."
"Well, as slippery as your mind is, you should've been the first to congratulate them," Ono said. "Like you wanted to assume the throne."
"It's what I always wanted – until the kiddo arrived," Lady Gothel snorted.
"That 'kiddo' is my daughter and your future Queen," Queen Claire corrected. "So, don't turn your back on me!"
"Perhaps you should do the same," Lady Gothel said, turning away.
"Is that a threat?" Queen Claire asked, narrowing her eyes.
"I wouldn't even dream of it," Lady Gothel replied.
"A wise choice," Ono said. "Wait, why not?"
"As far as anyone is concerned, I've got the big share," Lady Gothel said. "But when it comes to compassion or whatever, I'm afraid your Queen Claire here will always rule."
"Not always," Queen Claire corrected her. "It'll be Nancy who will be your queen."
"Then long live the queen," Lady Gothel said as Queen Claire and Ono left her lair.
"There's always one in every family, and they manage to ruin the fun on special occasions," Ono sighed. He despised disorder, as well as despised Lady Gothel because she's messy, or maybe it's because of his loyalty.
"What am I gonna do with her?" the Queen said with sympathy.
As the years passed, Nancy grew into a healthy, playful young girl like her sister, Jojo.
Early one morning, Nancy and Jojo were curled up in bed, sound asleep, when their mother and Frenchy carefully stepped in as Queen Claire gently nudged her daughter.
"Nancy," Queen Claire whispered to her daughter, but she spoke a little louder, and there was no answer. "Nancy, you got to get up."
"Nancy, the sky awakes, so Mommy's awakes," Jojo said to her sister, murmuring as Nancy turned over in her sleep.
"Before me, Jojo, she's your mom," Nancy grumbled.
But then, Frenchy hopped onto the bed and licked Nancy's face as she laughed and sleepily opened her eyes.
"Come on, Nancy," Queen Claire pleaded. "I promised."
Nancy stretched and yawned. "I'm up, Mom."
Nancy and her mother were on the rooftop, looking at the rising sun as the Queen pointed at the yellow beams stretched across the lands.
"Look out to the horizon," Queen Claire told Nancy. "Pass the plains or over these lands. Everything the light touches is our kingdom."
Nancy was impressed.
"A king and queen's time as rulers rise and fall like that sun," Queen Claire continued. "One day, Nancy, the sun will set on your dad's and mine here and rise with you as the new ruler."
"And this will all be mine?" Nancy gasped in amazement but then had second thoughts. "But it belongs to no one."
"Exactly," Queen Claire said. "It is to protect and a great responsibility."
"But what about the shadowy parts?" Nancy asked as she noticed some dark spots on the land.
"That's beyond the borders," Queen Claire said. "You mustn't go there, Nancy."
"I thought so," Nancy replied.
"There's more to being a ruler than getting your way all the time," Queen Claire explained. "Everything you see exists together in a delicate balance. As a ruler, you need to understand that balance and preserve it. It is a way of life."
Nancy listened thoughtfully to all that her mother told her. But Nancy didn't think she would be a good ruler like her parents.
She ran into Lady Gothel throughout the palace, who now looked down at Nancy. "Oh, it's you."
"Guess what? I'm going to be Queen!" Nancy replied. "My mom showed me the whole kingdom - and said I'm going to rule it all someday."
Lady Gothel, who saw Nancy's excitement, formed a plan as she began to ask Nancy, "So, your mother showed you the whole kingdom? Including what's beyond the border?"
"Well, no," Nancy answered. "She said I mustn't go there."
"And she's right!" Lady Gothel said. "It's far too dangerous. Only the bravest go there. But I'm sure you'd have found out sooner or later. Just do me a favor, will you? Promise me you will not visit that dreadful place."
"Okay," Nancy nodded.
"Remember, it's our little secret," Lady Gothel replied. In her mind, Nancy didn't see her evil trap, but she was intrigued by this somehow challenging task.
Moments later, Prince Ven visited Nancy and Jojo with his father and found the two sisters in their room.
"Hey, Nancy! Jojo!" Ven called out to the girls. "I just heard about this great place."
Nancy and Jojo knew that Ven was always ready for an adventure.
"Dad, can we go with Ven?" Jojo asked their father.
"All right," King Doug replied, "as long as Ono goes with you."
A while later, Nancy, Jojo, and Ven were with Ono. As they did, Prince Ven whispered to the girls that they were going to a hill with an epic view of the entire kingdom, and Nancy recalled that the palace's rooftop had the same idea.
When Ono noticed Ven and Nancy acting so friendly, he fluttered above the three and said to Jojo, "Look at those two. One tiny seed of romance will soon blossom the whole kingdom. How nice to see the future Queen with her future King. I could molt, but you know, with them being married."
"Married?" asked Jojo.
"One day, they will be married - to each other!" Ono translated.
"WHAT?!" Jojo looked shocked. "That's crazy talk! No way! I thought they were friends!"
"Sorry, but those two don't have a choice," Ono told Jojo as he looked at Nancy and Ven. "It's all been settled by your parents and his parents."
"We'll see," Jojo replied, pouting.
"When I'm queen," Nancy said. "That'll be the first thing to do."
"Well, that's why you'll embrace your position and the royal traditions someday," Ono replied, suddenly breaking into song about all the beautiful duties of the Queen.
Nancy laughed. Even inspired by Ono's words, she realized her mother was right: She would be a great queen. No, not just a fancy queen – the fanciest Queen.
But even as they enjoyed themselves, a band of green-colored pigs followed their journey.
Nancy, Jojo, Ven, and Ono went along peacefully when they finally reached their destination...until one green pig emerged and snatched Jojo. Ono saw this and tried to warn Nancy and Ven, but a split second later, another green pig grinned and swatted Ono with a big stick.
"OW!" cried Ono.
When Nancy and Ven saw the pig hitting Ono, they were surprised. Gleefully, the pig laughed and scampered away.
But just as the two kids were about to go after it, they heard Jojo cry, "Hey, let go of me!"
They looked and saw another pig holding Jojo upside down by her feet.
"Get your piggy hands off of my sister!" Nancy shouted.
But the green pigs just laughed more as a few came out to tease them. Then, they threw some fruit at Nancy and Ven, hitting them in the face.
"Here's some pig necessities!" laughed the pig.
Nancy was wiping herself and Ven off when she heard her sister cry again, "Nancy! Please help me! Nancy, they're carrying me away!"
Nancy wasn't sure what to do, so she turned to an unconscious Ono to wake him up. When Ono woke up, however, he saw no sign of Jojo.
"All right," Ono said. "What happened? Where's Jojo?"
"They ambushed us," Nancy answered. "Lots of them. Ven and I tried to jab with the left, and then to the right, and then..."
"Oh, for the last time, what happened to Jojo?" Ono interrupted.
"We just told you," Prince Ven answered. "Those mangy green piggies carried her off."
"Beyond the borders!" cried Ono. "Oh, I hate to think what will happen when she meets that king of theirs!"
As Nancy and the others spoke, the pigs raced through the borders with Jojo as their captive. They finally came to a temple ruin where their ruler, a giant bearded pig named Leonard Mudbeard, lived.
The King of the Green Pigs laughed when he addressed Jojo. "Greetings from our little piggy kingdom!" he shouted.
"What do you want me for?" Jojo asked.
"Oh, word has grabbed my piggy ear that you have a sister," Leonard said.
Jojo calmed down a bit. "I sure do," she said.
"Well, that's good," answered Leonard. "Because you are bait to lure your sibling and her little friends to my little trap! In the meantime, enjoy the fun. I sentenced you all to a whole hour of crazy partying." He laughed with glee as all the pigs danced.
While that was happening, Nancy, Ven, and Ono finally reached the ruins themselves and were now hidden from sight. They listened carefully to Leonard Mudbeard.
"Wait for a second," Ven muttered. "That guy's their king?"
"What should we do?" Nancy asked.
"Here's what we'll do," answered Ono. "While you create a distraction, I'll rescue Jojo."
Two cute pigs sidled to the dancing pigs a few minutes later. It was Nancy and Ven in disguise!
These newcomers took the green pigs to the dance floor. They didn't even notice Ono creeping along, trying to get near Jojo.
But as the singing and dancing became more frenzied, someone's hand had pulled off Nancy and Ven's costumes.
"It's that Nancy kid!" yelled one of the pigs.
Ono tried to save them, but it was too late. The Gross Sisters – Nubia, the middle child, and leader; Gina, the smallest, always had her hand out; and Olei, the muscle and silent type – surrounded them.
"Well, well. We got ourselves a group of trespassers," Nubia said to her companions.
"And quite by accident, I assure you," Ono explained.
"Just let us go, sir!" Nancy agreed. "You're making a mistake - a big mistake! You'll start a war with my parents if you do this!"
"Oh, that's just ancient history," Leonard said, unimpressed by Nancy's threat. "But this little game will end here!"
Suddenly, a battle of tug-of-war began. Like Ono, Nancy could give out warnings all she wanted, and they would attack her - even if it meant war.
"Run!" Nancy and Ono shouted in unison to Jojo and Ven.
Ven had Jojo one minute, and the pigs snatched her away the next minute. But Nancy grabbed her sister and ran toward Ono.
As the Gross Sisters reached out to grab the kids, they nearly caused the whole temple to rumble and shake. King Leonard and the pigs tried to hold it, but it was too late. The whole thing came tumbling down on the pigs, scattering them in all directions. Leonard cried, "No! My palace!"
The battle was over, but Olei, being the muscle she is, had already grabbed the kids and Ono as Leonard stared at them and said threateningly, "Get them outta here!"
Then, Leonard looked at Nancy and said to her, "You've been warned, kid."
And with that, Olei used all her strength to throw Nancy, Jojo, Prince Ven, and Ono far away. The kids then landed in soft grass, even though Ono was the only one who landed safely with some help from his feathered wings. They were all back to where they were.
"Now that's what I call a piggy party," Ono said as he led the kids back home.
No one noticed that Lady Gothel was watching from the shadows.
Night had fallen upon the kingdom by the time they got back home. With a goodnight kiss to Prince Ven, Nancy, Jojo, and Ono returned to the royal palace, where Frenchy and their parents waited.
A moment later, Jojo was fast asleep on the bed. At the same time, Ono tried to lecture the King and Queen after explaining his and the kids' adventures.
"I'm telling you, Your Majesty. Nancy and Jojo both have the weirdest ability to almost get into trouble," Ono said. "And their influence wasn't exactly..."
"Shhh," The King shushed Ono. "You're going to wake little Jojo. She just had a big day, you know."
"Yeah," Queen Claire agreed. "A crazy performance. Associated with those troubling green pigs. I hope Nancy learned something from that experience."
"Don't be too hard on her," Ono urged. "I once remember a headstrong child who always gets into trouble. And she achieved some prominence, likewise."
"You know me too well, Ono," Queen Claire smiled.
Jojo listened to what her parents said as she fell asleep. She knew she couldn't rule the kingdom, but she loved her sister very much.
The Queen saw Nancy staring at the starry sky. She stood silently on her room's balcony, feeling terrible about what had happened.
Hearing footsteps, Nancy saw her mother looking down at her. Finally, she spoke, "I heard about what happened today. You were trying to help Ono put Jojo and Ven out of danger. You could've been killed today."
"I didn't mean for it to-" Nancy explained.
"I know you didn't," The Queen replied sadly. "You learned what was at stake, and it would've jeopardized the future of our kingdom. I'm just telling you this because I love you and don't want to lose you. I don't know what to do if something happens to you. One day, your father and I won't be here, and I would be grateful if you could carry on in our place. You're the heir to the throne, and we love you and Jojo."
Nancy nodded as Queen Claire continued, "Promise me that you two will always be together. All right"
"All right," Nancy said with a nod.
"Nancy, let me tell you something your grandparents told me," The Queen replied, directing Nancy's attention to the stars. "Look at the stars. The great rulers and monarchs of the past looked down on us from those stars. So, whenever you feel alone, remember that those rulers will always be up there to guide you – and so will I."
Meanwhile, not so far away, the green pigs and the Gross Sisters were cleaning up the mess while King Leonard Mudbeard sat on his throne.
"Look at us, boss. No wonder we ain't getting no respect," Nubia said to her boss. "If it weren't for those royals, we'd be running the joint."
"I don't need you to tell me that," Leonard replied. "Next time I see that kid or the royal family, I'll teach them a lesson they will NEVER forget!"
Just then, a voice appeared. "Or perhaps you want to stop complaining and think for a moment?"
Lady Gothel emerged from the shadows as Leonard, the pigs, and the Gross Sisters looked at her, and they didn't flinch.
"No need for such reactions," Lady Gothel reassured as she tossed a bag full of gold for the Gross Sisters and another bag full of food, including the eggs. "I was the one who practically gift-wrapped those kids for you, and yet they came back alive. But I was going to offer you something worth your while."
That had Leonard intrigued as he asked, confused. "What could you possibly offer us? You're acting like you're one of us, our pal."
The Gross Sisters and Leonard stared at her as Lady Gothel continued, "A place where everything the light touches is yours, and that's not even the best part."
"What exactly is the best part?" Leonard asked behind her.
"It comes with the revenge on little Nancy."
King Leonard Mudbeard and his pigs were all ears, as did the Gross Sisters.
"But it wasn't exactly like they were alone or something," Nubia scratched her head. "What're we supposed to do? Get rid of them?"
Lady Gothel smiled as she answered, "Precisely."
She then told them about her new plan. This time, Nancy would not escape, and neither would Queen Claire. With their help, she could take the throne and get rid of the two once and for all.
"What do you need from us?" King Leonard asked as the pigs cheered in excitement.
"Two words," Lady Gothel answered with an evil smile. "Be prepared."
The following day, Nancy yawned and went to the palace gardens. To Nancy's surprise, Lady Gothel was outside her lair as though she'd been waiting for her.
Catching the princess's eyes, Lady Gothel put her plan and herself into action as she gestured for Nancy to explore with her.
"Wait here," Lady Gothel told Nancy. "Your mother has a marvelous surprise for you."
"Oh, what is it?" Nancy asked.
"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise, right?"
"If you did, I'd act surprised," Nancy said.
"Oh ho, you are such a naughty girl," Lady Gothel laughed. "Now…you stay put. You don't want to end up in another mess like you and Jojo did with the pigs and the Gross Sisters."
"You know about that?" Nancy asked.
"Nancy, everyone knows about it," Lady Gothel replied.
"Hey, Lady Gothel, will I like the surprise?" Nancy asked excitedly.
"Nancy, it's to die for," said Lady Gothel, giving Nancy another look.
While Nancy waited patiently for her mother's surprise, Lady Gothel quietly crept away. She signaled the Gross Sisters and some pigs to play their part – to destroy the dam that unleashes a vast, full-on water flood.
Unaware of this, Nancy lifted her head to see if something exploded on the horizon, and her eyes grew wide.
A giant flood of water appeared toward her and the little animals. She was at the gorge where the massive surge was heading to make matters worse.
Nancy and the animals turned and ran for their life. They all climbed on a tree to avoid drowning but struggled to hold on.
"Nancy!" squawked Ono as he flew above her. He had seen what was happening and led Queen Claire to her. "Your mother is on the way! Hold on!"
"Hurry!" screamed Nancy.
At that moment, while Nancy nearly grabbed on, she heard her mother. "I'm coming, Nancy. Hold on!"
Queen Claire hurried to save her daughter using all her strength and skills. She grabbed Nancy with her hand and carried her to safety through the rough waters. But a wave knocked Claire down just as she put Nancy on a ledge. Her body was tired of swimming through the flood as Queen Claire struggled to climb safely to the top.
Queen Claire looked around for Nancy as she tried to call out to her daughter. "Nancy! Don't worry. I'll go get help."
But before she could do anything else, Queen Claire felt the sharp point of a dagger against her as she screamed in pain.
"Long live the queen," a voice hissed.
It was Lady Gothel who didn't move to help her. And then, like a fly to swat, she knocked her down into the flood while Queen Claire's eyes widened with terror.
Nancy, who had heard her mother's voice but didn't see her, saw her mother plummet to her death. "Noooo!"
As the flood ended and the animals were gone to safety, Nancy saw her mother lying on the ground and raced to her mother's side. "Mother? Mom, come on," Nancy pleaded as she nudged her mother. "You got to wake up."
Nancy continued to nudge her mother again, but she remained motionless.
"Help!" Nancy screamed. "Somebody! Anybody! Help..."
But her pleas were unanswered. She was truly alone.
Nancy settled down by her mother's side, almost in tears, and cried. She closed her eyes in shame.
Just then, the shadowed figure of Lady Gothel put her hand on Nancy's head. "Nancy, what have you done?"
Nancy backed away as her voice broke into tears. "There was a flood of water... Mom tried to save me. It was an accident. I didn't mean for it to happen."
"Oh, of course, you didn't," Lady Gothel said gently to Nancy. "No one ever means for these things to happen." Then, her voice grew cold. "But the Queen is dead. And if it weren't for you, she'd still be alive."
Nancy stared at Gothel's eyes of iciness, horrified. That was the only word Nancy hadn't even thought about until this moment – her mother was dead.
Lady Gothel continued. "Your mother had such great hopes for you. Gave you so many chances and choices, yet…this is how you repay her."
"I didn't know...," Nancy said, sobbing. "I didn't know..."
Lady Gothel gasped. "What will your father think, not to mention your little sister? A daughter who causes her mother's death. A girl who kills a queen."
Nancy looked up at Lady Gothel. "What am I gonna do?"
"Run away, Nancy," Lady Gothel answered, leaning in close to her. "Run. Run away, Nancy. Run away and never return!"
Confused and heartbroken, Nancy fled as Lady Gothel told her to do. At the same time, a smirking Gothel turned to the Gross Sisters, telling them to follow Nancy and get rid of her once and for all.
Once Nancy realized she was being chased, she desperately tried to escape. But the green pigs also went after her, too. As Nancy ran further away in the distance, they all watched her.
"Oh, well. That kid is as good as dead out there anyway," Nubia said. "No little girl could survive that fall."
Meanwhile, Lady Gothel returned to the kingdom, pretending to mourn Nancy and the Queen's loss. "Queen Claire's death is a tragedy," she began. "The wife of the greatest ruler the kingdom had ever known. To lose a friend - is such a deep personal loss. And poor little Nancy, who had barely begun to live. A child whose blood held our future. It was too much to endure. So, it is with a heavy heart...that I assume the throne."
Suddenly, everyone turned to see green pigs, bandits, and the Gross Sisters surrounding them as Lady Gothel announced, "Queen Claire and Nancy are gone, which means I am your queen. Though I must admit... I cannot bear this burden alone, and I will need some 'help' to ensure the safety of the kingdom. And so, from the ashes of this tragedy, we shall welcome the dawning of a new era! The era of Gothel, a great and glorious future."
Jojo watched the whole thing with Ono and Frenchy from above. Tears filled her eyes, and her heart broke anew. Poor Jojo had lost her big sister.
Lady Gothel had finally planned the whole thing as she smiled in satisfaction. She had tricked Nancy into exile and promised the pigs and the Gross Sisters the kingdom. She also demoted King Doug and gave the power to Leonard Mudbeard.
Everything was going perfectly for Gothel while everyone suffered.
Valka grieved for Claire and Nancy, too. She knew the terrible fate that awaited the kingdom under Gothel's vicious rule. She watched from afar and shook her head at the sight.
Far from home, Nancy was alone at the edge of a vast deserted wasteland for many days and nights. Hot and tired, she batted through a massive sandstorm, collapsed on the ground, and closed her eyes because she could go no farther.
Moments later, a herd of sheep found Nancy and carried her when a wisecracking ninja turtle named Michelangelo stumbled upon her. His trusty friend, Louie Duck, a quick-witted, fast-talking duck, approached slowly.
Louie let out a scream. "It's a human kid! Run!"
"Wait, Louie," Mikey peered down at Nancy. "It's just a little girl. Look at her, she's so cute and all alone. Can we keep her?"
"Mikey, are you serious?" Louie said. "We're talking about a human girl, kid. She gets BIGGER!"
"Maybe if she's big and strong and gets to know us better, she'll be on our side," Michelangelo suggested. "I mean, we can't turn our backs on the little girl."
"That's the craziest thing I ever heard," snorted Louie. Then, his eyes widened. "Having a nice kid like her around might not be such a bad idea."
Michelangelo began to hop around in glee and looked down at Nancy. "So, we're keeping her?"
"Of course, we can keep her!" said Louie. "I mean, come on, who's the brains of this outfit? Wait 'til Miriam hears about this!"
Michelangelo danced happily. "We're going to name her Fred!"
Louie looked at Michelangelo with an unamused face. "That's a boy's name."
Later, Nancy slowly opened her eyes and blinked. To her surprise, she looked at a green jacket-wearing duck and a teenage mutant ninja turtle. They, in turn, were looking down at her. Louie seemed nervous, but Michelangelo looked happy to see her.
"You okay, kid?" Louie asked.
"I... I guess so," Nancy answered as she felt much better.
"You nearly died," said Michelangelo. "Oh, I'm Mikey and this is Louie. We're the guys who saved your life. Risked everything. Following a herd of fluffy sheep. Flocks of them. Flocks. Oh, did I mention that we saved your life?"
"Thank you," Nancy said as she started to walk away.
"Hey, where are you going?" Louie asked.
"Nowhere," Nancy answered sadly.
Louie turned to Michelangelo. "Geez, is it just me or does she look blue?"
"I say orange as my mask," Michelangelo answered.
"No, I meant she's depressed," Louie replied as he and Michelangelo then ran after Nancy as Louie began to ask her, "So, how are you, in about as few words as possible? Where are you from?"
"It doesn't matter," Nancy said, sounding bitter. "I ran away, and I can't go back."
To his surprise, Michelangelo seemed surprised by Nancy's answer. "Whoa. How bleak is that? 'It doesn't even matter'?"
Louie sighed in dismay. "Like I don't have enough that I'm dealing with, right now? Now, her problems are our problems?"
"But we can help her. We're in a position to help her."
Louie turned to Nancy for confirmation. "Soooo, you're an outcast? That's great! So, are we!"
Michelangelo asked Nancy as well, "What'd you do, little fella?"
"Something terrible," Nancy said. "But it's just too painful to talk about it."
"Oh, good," Louie said. "Because we don't want to hear about it."
"Come on, Louie," Michelangelo nudged Louie as he then turned to Nancy with a question. "Well, look, kid. We've all made mistakes. Uh, is there anything we can do?"
"Not unless you can change the past," Nancy said because all she could think about now was what had happened - her mother's lifeless body and she could imagine the look of sadness on her father's, sister's, Ono's, Frenchy's, and Prince Ven's faces.
"You know, little dudette," Michelangelo said to Nancy. "In times like this, my buddy Louie here always says, 'You got to put your behind in your past." Then, he pondered for a second in confusion. "Uhhh, or was it 'Let it go?'"
"No, no, no! That's not what I meant, but whatever," Louie pointed out as he then looked at Nancy. "Look, if I'm being honest, you can't change the past because it already happened." Then he added something, "But you know what you can change? The future. That's our specialty."
"You can change the future?" Nancy asked, intrigued. "How can you change something that hasn't even happened?"
"Well," Louie advised. "Well, to change the future, you got to put your past behind you. Look, kid, sometimes bad things happen, and you can't do anything about it. Want to know why?"
"Well...," Nancy pondered, trying to find an answer.
"I'll tell 'ya!" Louie answered for her. "When the world turns its back on you, you turn your back on the world."
"And only embrace what's next," Michelangelo pressed on.
"And turn the 'What' into 'So, what'" Louie finished.
Nancy looked confused. Louie and Michelangelo explain what Nancy had to do as an outcast, including leaving the past behind, embracing her future, and forgetting any wrongs. But Nancy thought about the way of life her mother had described to her. How everything's connected, nothing is forgotten, and everything that's important.
This was the very opposite of what the duo had just said.
"Well, that's not what I was taught," Nancy said in confusion.
"Then maybe you need a new lesson," Louie suggested. "Repeat after me, kid. Hakuna Matata."
"What?" Nancy asked, even more confused.
"Hakuna Matata. Most people get a bigger reaction when we say it the first time," Michelangelo explained.
"And some people start clapping immediately," Louie added.
"Hakuna Matata. It means no worries. It's our motto!"
"What's a motto?" Nancy asked.
"It's another word for catchphrase," Louie explained. "Anyway, those two little words will solve all your problems and change your life forever."
Nancy's mind began to race. The boys were right. Nancy couldn't change the past, and what happened just happened. But maybe she could make her future better, even if it meant living out here and not in the kingdom that she once called home.
Nancy might never be a future queen, but she could be something else.
A moment later, when Louie and Michelangelo took her to their humble, paradisaical home of the outcast community, Nancy was given a clean bath and clothes.
As Nancy wrapped herself in a large towel, a woman's voice boomed, "Let me through! Let me through! I want to see her!"
A dark-eyed, black-haired young woman came in and hugged Nancy. It was Miriam, one of the outcasts in charge.
"Oh, you are most welcome! I'm Miriam," Miriam said as she lifted Nancy off her feet. "You shouldn't be a stranger in this land. The boys told me all about you, so tonight, you shall be an honored guest."
Then, Miriam threw a warm blanket over Nancy and left.
The other outcasts joined a feast filled with food and other delicacies that night. As Miriam stood up, Nancy sat with Louie and Michelangelo, wearing white dresses with ruffled hems.
"Everyone," Miriam spoke up, addressing the chattering guests. "Let us give thanks for this bountiful food. And let us also give thanks for the presence of this young girl whom we honored here tonight."
As everyone applauded, Nancy said quietly, "Please, Miriam, I wish you wouldn't... I've done nothing in my life that's worth honoring."
Miriam reassured Nancy, "First, you fled your homeland in exile. Then, you were taught to let go of your past. You think that's nothing?" Miriam then offered her reply. "It seems you don't know what's worthy of honor. Not only can you let go of the past, but you must also look at your life through the eyes of heaven."
"We're telling 'ya, kid," Louie chimed in, "this is the great life. No rules. No responsibilities. And best of all, no worries."
"Right," Nancy nodded and smiled.
"Louie and Mikey told me how you lived in your homeland," Miriam said. "You'll find quite a change if you stay with us! We have something more precious than a palace – freedom."
Louie and Michelangelo's carefree attitude and Miriam's warm kindness cheered Nancy up.
Soon, musicians began to invite everyone with a wild, provoking tune and led everyone, including Nancy, outside where a big bonfire stood. They were whirling around in a circle, dancing to the beat of drums, pipes, and strings.
There was love and laughter, a kind of happiness ever after.
From that day on, Nancy stayed with the other outcasts, no longer a stranger in a strange land but a valued member.