I OWN NOTHING

Please, do know I am not a good writer. Decent, maybe. So, please, try to keep your expectations low as I work things out.

-0-

"Alright, you don't have a dungeon but you have an armory?" Catra asked inside said room, checking some of the weapons on display.

Glimmer, seated on the ground with her back against a wall and her body still unable to move properly, answered, "Before the Horde came to this world our biggest threats were the creatures of the forest. What were we going to do with a giant carnivorous beetle in a cell? Get it to play cards with us?"

Before the two could argue more, Adora turned to Catra with a sassy smirk, "Rubbing off on her, aren't you?" then she looked from a neat arrangement of different sabers, broadswords and daggers at their adorable Amazon, "How are things on your side, Scorpia?"

"Oh, they're still waiting for us," Scorpia said beside the door, smiling innocently despite Queen Angella's hatred being palpable through the gate. "I can't believe they agreed to let us get the sword for Glimmer... Can I call you Sparkles?" the scorpion woman asked childishly with starry eyes.

"No," the princess replied flatly. "Just grab the sword, leave me here, and please do not let me see you again unless it's on the battlefield."

"Oh, but you're a ball of sunshine and fun, Pinky!" Catra told her with a mocking hurt expression, the back of her hand to her forehead for dramatic points. Then, she smirked cruelly to the petite plump girl, "We're going to have so much joy together at the Fright Zone."

"That wasn't part of the deal!" Glimmer snapped.

"We did want the sword to lessen our punishment," Adora said before letting out a miserable sigh. "However, the one who took Naruto will have him face the consequences of this. So, to make sure he isn't in any problem, you're coming with us."

"Consider yourself the sacrifice which ends the war," Catra added. Then, she growled, "And a good way to get back to Shadow Weaver and force something out of her."

Glimmer looked at the two girls frantically searching for the sword, then decided to play it smart, "This Shadow Weaver you're talking about... She is that boy's mistress, right?"

"It's none of your business, Pinky," Catra snarled at her, baring her teeth. Looking to the side, she groaned to Adora, "Any luck yet?"

"Either they put it in some secret compartment or in another room..." the rookie captain informed her. Then, she corrected herself, "No, wait, she wouldn't risk her daughter... Would she?"

"Can't you just, I don't know, sense it?" the cat girl wiggled her fingers up for the ponytailed girl to see. Giving a runt, she vented some of her anger grabbing one of the weapons, "I'm taking this to use against the bitch if she so much as touches a hair on him."

While they continued searching, Scorpia turned to the shortest girl in the room, "So, are you comfortable? Need me to adjust your cape?"

"Uh, no," Glimmer replied with a confused expression. "Why are you still following them? Aren't they traitors to Hordak? What about your loyalty?"

Ruffling the princess' pink hair gently with a claw, Scorpia beamed, "Yeah, my kin pride themselves in that! However, true friendship like theirs is something beyond mere respect and servitude! It'd be like being a traitor to something far more deeply engraved into my heart! Also, he's adorable!"

Seeing the large woman squeal, Glimmer blinked in astonishment, "Are you serious? After everything he's done?"

"I have a thing for cuties, especially when they got goals like his..." Scorpia's smile fell down slightly. She sat beside Glimmer, pulling her knees to her enormous breasts, "I always stood out, never accepted due to, well..." she lifted her claws and tail, her grin a sadder one. "Seeing such fire in his for the dream he spoke of... I want to see it happen, even more than I want to help Hordak..."

"You know, compared to Hordak..." Glimmer looked at Adora and Catra, "I can see why they'd follow him to the ends of the world."

Scorpia positively beamed, squealing in delight, "Oh, are you crushing on him!?"

"No!" Glimmer glowed bright red at the implication. "That guy's the lesser of two evils, that is all I'm saying!"

"Oh, but he kissed you!" Scorpia pointed out with her claws up, poking them together with a growing blush. "My grandfather said the only ones allowed to kiss me are the powerful and worthy. Meaning, the fact a princess like you was smooched by him proves he's husband and king material, right? Because a princess must only kiss a future king."

Feeling her right eyelid twitch, the pink-haired girl groaned, "No, never, just trust me when I say never." Sighing loudly, she wished she could move to bury her face into her fingers, "Ugh, worst part of that is, he... He wasn't a bad kisser... Ugh, I wish I could've slapped him when he-"

"Oh, trust me, you wouldn't have been able to," Catra said offhandedly while passing by, pulling a chest out of the way to get to another behind it. Wiping her brow, she explained herself, "He never did any physical training and is as weak if not weaker than the lowest of the low. However, he does know where to touch a girl." Then, she smirked naughtily, "Certainly rubs a girl in the right-"

"Catra, I need no memories resurfacing..." Adora grunted, rubbing her face with a hand.

In her other hand, the blonde captain held something which made the cat girl widen her smile, "Finally, you got the stupid pain in the ass. Now we can get out."

Hefting the sword on her shoulder, Adora reminded her of their current situation, "We need a plan first. Plenty of soldiers and the queen are outside wanting out heads with no trial in mind."

Catra grinned slyly, "Fine, but once this is over and our hides are sufficiently out of Shadow Weaver's hands, we should redo last full moon."

The cat girl smirked wider when the blonde looked off to the side with red over her cheeks, "Uh, agreed... I can make preparations for, um, such a thing..."

-0-

At the Fright Zone, Naruto wasn't really enjoying himself.

"Lie down, boy, rest easy as my hands work on your aching body..." Shadow Weaver cooed sinisterly.

Long, sharp nails trailed on his lean but not too skinny body. Naruto felt the woman's hands go up and down his form. Looking at her, he could make out a smile behind the veil covering her mature and still beautiful gray face. Shadow Weaver relished on the sensation of his sun-kissed skin on her own. Rubbing up and down his smaller figure, she was enraptured by what she felt. There was a sense of euphoria to having him under her thumb literally and figuratively. Everything about him was absolute perfection in the witch's eye.

"Mistress, what are you-" he gritted his teeth once she got rougher.

"Silence, you've given me enough trouble!" she hissed, grabbing Naruto's neck. Then, she moaned in bliss and kept going, "Let me see your growth as a man."

Wrapped in a deep darkness that clung to his body, sinking deeper and deeper into an abyss from which he saw no escape, Naruto felt his consciousness fade in and out like the blinking of a light. Shadow Weaver's fingers enflamed his nerves with their delicate touch, but nothing solid was truly committed to by either of them. All the while, he breathed sharply at the sensation of their magic energy intertwining like many times before. And it brought a slight smile to her face which he noticed throughout their ritual.

It was so rare to see her smile, and in a manner that actually convinced him she was sincere. The smile became twisted by the slackening nature of pleasure from being in charge. Shadows poured around the two, surrounding them in a black curtain. Holding him close to her body, Shadow Weaver with her hair falling down and sealing his vision, she kept exploring his body and every scar on his hands. All he could see was her face giving him a look that was as close to loving as she was capable of.

The world seared white, and when they pulled apart sweat poured from their bodies and faces. Naruto sat on the side of the bed, panting as he held his face. Shadow Weaver turned to face him, letting him see that her old scars began to crack. Naruto pressed a hand against her cheek, healing light extending from it and undoing the curse that seared her flesh. It was a comforting warmth that gave the witch a reason to be as loving as she could to the boy. Oh, how she desired to fully turn him into a perfect, subservient student.

Shadow Weaver extended out a hand to press against his cheek, "What is it, mistress?"

Giving a small chuckle, she answered with a heavy breath, "…thank you." Naruto looked up at her rare gratitude, "You do a lot for me, my Naruto. I appreciate how much you try to heal me."

He looked to the side, a little bashful at her words of praise, "It's fine…" his face was twisted back to her as her face was now healed.

"Now, we need to be ready," she said as he got up and wordlessly put his clothes on with but a mere spell. "It appears your body hasn't really changed after your interaction with that Runestone. Perhaps you've seen something. Rare glimpses of the past, events which are happening in the present or, with luck, some of the countless possibilities of the future?"

"Because all Runestones and the magic of Etheria are connected, right?" he asked and waved a hand, recreating the world he lived in and the magical stones around it as light constructs. "I'm starting to think your idea has some holes I'm dying to poke in, mistress." He popped the fake planet like a balloon by poking it with a finger, then with another wave showed images of She-Ra's sword and the Black Garnet, "For starters, what if anyone without a direct connection to these mystical rocks touches them? I believe we know that part."

Looking at the witch with a small smirk, he tried to be brave but could feel the exhaustion from his escape and magical check-up start to take its toll on him, "Yes, we do." Shadow Weaver confirmed with a flat, cool tone, "And yet, you've learned that to form a connection princesses must have formed a link before. Almost as if, and this is a theory, you can use both inner and outer magic by channeling into you."

"Beg pardon?" he asked, but the witch swatted aside his light constructs to show her own, creating a magical replica of the Black Garnet made of light.

"For instance, our Runestone hasn't had a princess to claim it since Lord Hordak acquired it," she started. "Neither does that sword. And yet, the one in Bright Moon is in use."

"Meaning what exactly?" he stood his ground, trying to be nonchalant.

Futile, for Shadow Weaver made him stiffen by holding his chin in her thumb and index finger, "You are beyond special, boy. Both of us know you couldn't be more different than everyone here. After all, it is you, a child who was taken among countless others, whose magic has kept me alive and brimming with youthful power. It's because of you I am always at my prime. And yet, no magic can replicate that. Why?"

Deciding not to beat around the bush, the boy put on an aloof smile and rubbed the back of his head, "I'd love to get that piece of information as well as any clue about my past you could have." Naruto didn't dare break eye contact, Shadow Weaver exploited any and all weaknesses, "Like, how did I get here? Also, why are Adora and I so special to you?"

Gazing into his deep blue eyes, the witch smiled under her veil, "Sweet child, the two of you share a fate which I freed you from, a destiny woven by far worse than nightmares."

Forcing a chuckle to remain calm and collected, but failing due to the wariness in his eyes, the boy said, "You still didn't answer my other question."

"I did, my dear boy," she stated. "Abilities like yours are usually meant for one thing and one thing only. Lord Hordak is helping you achieve that purpose for his own goals."

"So, I was made to be a living tool," he asked, then chortled through his nose. Giving her a confident smirk, he hooked a thumb to his face, "Figures that'd be your answer, but I'm looking for the truth. Even if that ends up being what you just told me, I'm creating my own future here and now." Tapping his temple with a finger, he widened his grin, "Sucks making me this smart, doesn't it?"

"Be grateful it is I who gave you the means to be more than an object," the witch whispered softly, cupping his cheeks before planting a kiss on his forehead. "I shall make you and Adora fulfill your true power and bring an end to this war once and for all."

Blushing slightly, the boy forced his smile to remain in place, "I will, but Lord Hordak is waiting, isn't he?"

Indeed, he was.

Naruto walked up to the man in the same room he was brought in as a newborn along Adora, and he hadn't changed, "Shadow Weaver's pupil..." he hissed, petting a blue imp on his lap. Said creature giggled when the whiskered sorcerer approached the Horde's master, its yellow eyes looking in interest at the boy while its devil tail and bat wings perked up, "I need not repeat why you are here."

Placing his hands behind his back, the blond did his best to keep a pleasant grin, "I know you want me to get to the point."

"Enlighten me about why you lost two Force Captains in your latest endeavor," the man hissed darkly and stood to his full height, towering over the boy. "Explain why the loss of resources and valuable members of this army are worth your safe return and dangerous stunts, boy. Otherwise, I shall make you an example for everyone to see what happens for such dangerous indiscipline."

"Allow me to show you, then," Naruto kept an even tone and waved a hand to create a complex image. "I present you Bright Moon's Runestone, and a map of its interior." Raising both palms and then pulling them apart, he opened the castle like a model building, "I've got the throne room and the altar of their Runestone from the entrance. However, we couldn't find a proper back-entrance or any secret passages before we were caught and had to escape." Clasping his hands, he kept his grin as the map collapsed, "Thankfully, the mistress took me back before I-"

"Do you believe information can excuse your actions?" Hordak cut him off coldly. "No, it can't. You're attempting to save your own flesh with what little you could carry with you as an excuse. What you did and the reason why do not matter, child. Understand this, no matter how good you think you are, it is your mistakes which shape the Horde most. And yours was to risk your life, that of your comrades and everything that could have befallen the Fright Zone with your capture."

Sweating slightly since the man had a point, Naruto decided to step up his game, "It's better to do something than nothing." Giving the alien man a calm, relaxed smile, the boy continued, "Better to risk something for the sake of moving forward and win not a battle, but the whole war. Every mistake I made, make and will make are mine to own, yes. However, I'm always learning from them, and you'll see me grow stronger with each one. Until I achieve my goal, there's no way I'll ever stop, and you can believe it."

Hordak turned around to face a monitor, his clawed hands folding behind his back at Naruto's words, "You've got a glib tongue, child. You seem to be able to talk your way out of any situation. I'll acquiesce for now. I expect results, not just pretty words. Your responsibility is to rescue this wayward group, bring them home, and evade capture by." He turned around once more, his expression dire, "Do I make myself clear?"

Naruto saluted him, "Affirmative, sir. You've made yourself crystal clear."

Hordak turned again, his expression one of silent frustration, "You are given authority to gather your own search party. However, do make sure you display the potential Shadow Weaver mentioned. Next time we see each other, show me your results with your own two hands. I will not respect anyone who doesn't earn what they are after."

Naruto bowed and walked out, "Consider it done."

Leaving the leader of the Horde to his thoughts, he couldn't help but cast a little magical circle around his ear when the man's back was turned, "Shadow over the moon. Hmph." Hordak clenched his fist, looking at a symbol that flashed atop a computer screen, a swirling set of rings.

As the room sealed shut into darkness, Naruto heard a female voice whispering in the room, "Lord Hordak, we need to talk about his potential."

He walked away, sighing to himself as he moved a hand through his hair, "Just what I need, mistress, having you tell him how to use me." He muttered to himself, sighing exhaustedly.

A certain voice in his head made itself known, "Keep playing this game too long and I'll become your last resort, which we both know won't end pretty for you."

"Is that concern I hear from you?" Naruto chortled to the fox. "Worry not, I've got so many questions to make and I'm not dying before someone explains this mess..." Making his way in the soldiers' locker room, the sorcerer met his troops, "Kyle, Rogelio, Lonnie..."

Naruto greeted the three Senior Cadets with a military salute, "Whiskers," the buff girl nodded at him.

"Catra told you that nickname, didn't she?" the blond accused knowingly, pointing his saluting hand at her.

"Adora, actually," Kyle informed him. "Just to, and I quote, have ammo against your bad jokes, puns and quips."

"Oh, please try, I'll keep delivering comedic gold," the boy boasted, then sighed. Clasping his hands behind his back, he paced back and forth in front of them, "Well, you three are my only acquaintances for this mission, so I thought I'd get you informed about things first. The girls, plus cute Force Captain Scorpia are trapped in Bright Moon. We are supposed to rescue them either covert or loud and clear."

"Are you serious!?" Lonnie asked in shock.

Lifting a finger once he stopped before all three, Naruto held it up for dramatic purposes, "No, I wish, but it's like this." Creating a circle, he created a picture of Glimmer and the sword, "We were found by a princess upon discovering this weird sword. Said weapon and our targets are now in her and the queen's clutches. Only I managed to get out alive thanks to Shadow Weaver, and that was a last resort move which can't be repeated soon. Thus, we'll go to the Whispering Woods, find our three loveable girls deep in it, and take them and the sword back here."

"So, why are you giving us these details?" Kyle asked, poking the light sword curiously. "What's with this weapon?"

Dispelling the images, Naruto waved his hand around to conjure a new one of Hordak with soldiers bowing to him, "I know for a fact you aren't like most mindless soldiers, you care for your peers to some degree." He smiled as the image showed all three of the cadets before him holding hands with a flick of the wrist, "As for the sword, it's shrouded in mystery but may belong to a goddess. Consider it a necessary bonus."

"What makes it necessary?" Lonnie narrowed her eyes when making her question. "It sounds like a fairy tale."

"It's the key to some questions I need answered," he replied and created a picture of the sword in his hand. "It affected Adora's head and zapped me upon touching it. Thus, I want to know its secrets."

Rogelio growled something which Naruto didn't quite get, so he turned to Kyle for translation, "He asks if that's the only reason."

Exhausted mentally more than physically, Naruto shrugged with a distraught expression, "Like I said, it's as big a question to me as it is to you at this point. Be my guest to drop any theories you got on me. It'll be a lot better than guessing and theorizing blindly as I am now." Giving them a grin, he turned to lead the charge, "Anyway... what did Catra call you?" he paused and snapped his fingers slowly until his face brightened in realization at the memory, "Oh yeah, the munchkin trio, you're coming with me."

The only sign Lonnie gave of disliking the name was her jaw clenching. Rogelio snarled. Kyle seemed like he was too afraid to care. Naruto chuckled to himself inwardly, focusing on his immediate goal. Saving Catra, Adora, and Scorpia. The trio followed him towards a transport ship getting refueled. It was time to hitch a ride.

-0-

Locked in a hallway, with a door that had been blocked by several shorn off pillars, the trio of Horde soldiers plus their captive were sitting in place, wondering what'd happen next.

"Breach the door! Get it open! Now!" the official commander of Bright Moon's armies commanded with a chop of her hand.

"We're coming, General Sunder!" The men and women at her side complied via bashing the door with a battering ram, heaving and pushing as she placed a hand on her sword.

General Sunder was a tall, fit woman with dark skin, pointy ears, deep brown hair, black eyes and a scar across the bridge of her nose. She exposed her biceps and didn't possess the large white robe other soldiers did. Of course, she was no slouch and kept a cutlass with a crescent moon sword on her at all times. Observing the brave people who protected Bright Moon, she drew out her curved blade with a frown.

"Princess Glimmer! Princess Glimmer!" She called out, trying to talk through the door. Dead silence awaited her, even though she strained her ears and senses to detect anything beyond it. She didn't know if Glimmer was dead or not, but she'd have the intruders' heads if a single hair or thread was out of place on Glimmer's body.

"Okay, what now?" Adora asked, looking at the sword in her hands.

"We use it to bust heads, and escape." Catra said, sliding off of a pillar she had been stretching up against. The way she moved generated a sibilant and sensual motion, her mouth cracking when she let loose a long yawn. Much like an actual cat.

Scorpia's eyes seemed to turn into a pair of stars, "Aw..." Her tail snapped up and shook around in excitement, the noise it made gave off a similar sound to a rattle.

Catra snickered behind her hand, "What, are you part snake, too? Should we call you Vypra?" she asked the buff woman with a snide tone, to which Scorpia tapped her claws together with a slight blush.

Adora looked at Catra via a sideway glance, "Catra, c'mon. Let her have this."

"Sorry, it does that when I'm excited." Scorpia confessed. Holding her claws apart, her tail kept rattling and focusing attention to it, "Tail, c'mon! Work with me!" She grabbed it and held the appendage in her claws, the shaking subduing only after she clutched for a second or two.

Glimmer, seeing a chance to drive a wedge between the group spoke up, "Are you three actually Horde soldiers? You act more like princesses."

Catra's brows furrowed dangerously, one of her mismatched eyes locking onto the dark-skinned girl with a sharp glint, "You don't know what you're talking about." She responded gruffly, her voice to the point and armed with a hint of danger as she displayed her clawed hand to the princess, fingernails accentuating her words, "Say something like that again, and I'll rip your face off."

Scorpia cleared her throat noisily, forcing their attention onto her, "Well, she's not wrong. You know…I'm a princess…Kind of."

Adora patted her shoulder, giving her some comfort as she looked self-conscious about that fact, "Don't worry about it, Scorpia." Then, she turned her attention to the captive girl, "Mind telling me, Shimmer?"

"Glimmer." The girl auto-corrected her snappishly but restrained her glare since she was at their mercy.

"Whatever, Dimmer." Catra said with a shrug, "How does the sword work? It has some connection with Adora and obviously has some great power."

"How should I know?! They didn't teach us Magical Sword 101!" she exclaimed to Catra who slashed a pillar in response, frightening the girl since the claws severed the rock in deep furrows.

"Wrong answer! Spill it!" she menaced Glimmer with her claws again.

"Catra!" Adora called out, grabbing the cat girl's shoulder. "She didn't know of this thing until today, so calm down."

"Or she's faking it!" the feline warrior snarled to her best friend. "Chances are she's the rightful wielder and is pulling a fast one on us!"

"Are you serious?" both Catra's not-so-secret crush and hostage asked in unison, the latter more hopeful than the former.

"Please, think on it, our dork told us you're not the true owner," Catra argued. "Which means someone is messing with his head and yours through that thing."

"If she was the one, she'd be giving me visions or headaches by now," Adora retorted flatly. Lifting the blade, she narrowed her eyes, "All this She-Ra talk, though... I'm not sure how much I buy into it. I mean, this sword chose me and warned me about Naruto, too. Meaning it doesn't want to go to this She-Ra he talks about."

"Ugh, that makes...no sense," Catra snarled, her teeth bared in anger and her claws flexed to grip the air.

Suddenly, Scorpia had a rare moment of brilliance, "Are there like two owners of the sword?" involuntary brilliance, but still. "Maybe this She-Ra doesn't like sharing it."

"Even better, we have a random wench trying to mind-control Naruto and a sword trying to brainwash Adora," Catra hissed in sarcasm.

"At least we have a clue who this She-Ra is," Adora said and turned to the captive princess. "Your mother knew her name. Care to talk?"

Glimmer had already processed everything, "Protector of Etheria, mythical figure of great power and benevolence, and also owner of that sword if all you said is to be believed." She looked as confused and tired as anyone would, but her intrigue grew, "Where did you find it?"

"In the middle of nowhere inside your forest," Adora answered frankly. "Do you know how she lost it or..."

"She hasn't been seen or heard of since countless years," the girl answered honestly. "In all seriousness, the fact you have her sword could mean you're... I don't know, related to her?"

"Didn't Naruto mention she was a goddess?" Scorpia pointed out. "Does that mean you're..."

Revelations like that had a heavy impact, "I'm not..." Adora breathed heavily as she held her head with a dizzy expression. "No, no way, I bleed like everyone else! I can't-"

Cutting her off, the blade's gem glowed blindingly. It burnt the girls' eyes for a brief moment. Catra tried to peek into the radiance, barely making out how Adora held up the weapon. Blank, dead eyes stared into a void of mystery. Whatever had the girl's blue eyes entranced had her move forward. Once the light died down, the ponytailed girl lowered the blade with empty eyes.

"Adora!" Catra called out to her, shaking her friend's shoulders.

"I...I was told where to go," Adora mumbled groggily, holding her head with a hand. "I need to see this."

"Wait, what did the sword tell you?!" Glimmer asked in shock and worry, though not as much as Catra.

"Are you absolutely sure it's no trick?" the cat girl hissed. "If that thing does anything to harm you, I'm getting rid of it! Hordak can get as mad as he wants for our failure, but-"

"It'll be fine..." Adora said emptily and moved forward. "...Scorpia, follow my lead..."

Outside, the guards heard a large crashing sound and broke through the door right afterwards, "Princess Glimmer!" shouted the general once every soldier ran into the room.

Before them was a giant hole where a wall used to be, leading to a large fall into the water, "Now!" Adora shouted as she and the others slipped past them, running down the hallway.

"Nice plan!" Catra commended her as all three Horde soldiers raced forward, Glimmer still in Scorpia's pincers. "Let's do our best to find our ships or any way out and towards the-"

"This way!" Adora cut her off, grabbing her hand to jump out a window.

"What are you- Ah!" the feline soldier yelped and clutched onto her friend.

Scorpia fretted where she was, bouncing on her feet in worry and fear, "Oh boy, that's a mighty long drop..."

Unluckily for her, there were reasons to want to jump, "Release my daughter, at once."

Gulping at the sight of the queen, the beefy young woman turned and leapt off, "Wait for me!"

-0-

Back at the entrance to the Whispering Woods, Naruto stood on a simple flying ship which Kyle piloted.

"So, quick question, I'm not the only one wanting to pose, am I?" the blond asked standing on the nose of the ship, aiming a finger forward. After a pause, he looked back, "Come on, guys don't leave me hanging in this awkward but still cool stance of dominance and-"

"Ugh, can you shut up or does it kill you?" Lonnie grunted, trying not to claw off her face as she slid her hands down its tired surface.

"Sorry, it helps me in situations of high stress, as well as those of low stress and many more in between them," he gave her a playful grin.

"Really?" Kyle asked, looking hopeful to get some advice on that. "How does it work? Like, do I just say what's on my mind? Um... Uh... Oh! I am so glad I took those flying lessons and-"

Rogelio hissed with an irritated expression, holding the skinny boy's shoulders, and Lonnie mimicked him, "Please, do not become like him, Kyle! One blabbermouth is enough!"

"What does that make Catra, then?" Kyle asked with a quirked eyebrow, getting Naruto to laugh out loud.

"Hahahaha, oh boy, I'm so using that next time she tells me I talk too much," the whiskered sorcerer chortled at the end.

Rogelio glared at him, "Grrraaaaaahhh... Hisssaaahhh!"

Shrugging, Naruto stopped his daring posing and sat down, crossing his legs, "Sorry, I will need a translation there." He didn't flinch from the harsher glare the lizard gave him.

"He said you ought to keep quiet since this area's dangerous," Kyle replied.

"Why?" the spellcaster asked, looking down at the trees below them. "We're flying way over any dangerous giant bug and we can land once we're close enough to-"

"STOP WHERE YOU ARE!" all four turned to look where the voice came from.

Lonnie tensed up and grabbed a stun baton from her hip, "Let me guess... It's that pair's turn to guard this area, isn't it?"

"Yeah..." Kyle and Rogelio said nervously, though the latter groaned out his response.

Powerful and authoritative, the one who called to them shouted closer, "I said..." and landed on the ship, "Stop!"

It was an oddly attractive dark-skinned woman who stood taller than him. Her hair was a fluffy blue mane with the left side shaved down. Over her sizeable breasts was a metal breastplate and there were matching gauntlets for her arms with blue stars. On her shoulders was a puffy white shawl. She wore metal greaves with blue stars and blue leggings which hugged her toned and meaty backside. Her body had plenty of lean muscle, an indication that she spent a lot of time fighting out in the wilds.

And there was another next to her, who floated down onto the ship, "Surrender now before there is trouble."

In contrast to the first athletic woman, the newcomer was a kinder visage of love and acceptance. Possessing breasts which could give Scorpia's some competition and a caboose larger than Glimmer's, her body fat gave her a chubby figure which was just made to add beauty. Her outfit was a full-body suit, with violet, pink, and purple highlights matching her long purple hair kept in a ponytail. With her light purple skin and the face anyone would associate with a loving older sister, Naruto had to make a quip.

"I believe the problem is you may steal my heart," he smirked and cupped his chest with both hands and a smile so cheesy it was obviously acted.

It had an effect he didn't expect, "Back off, blondie, she's taken!" yelled the blue one.

"Hey, I was talking about you too," he replied, but didn't hide an expression so smarmy it made the two girls glare heatedly at him.

"Our leader, everybody," Lonnie muttered flatly.

Suddenly, "Catch!" Naruto yelled, distracting and shocking everyone at the sudden change.

"Whoa!" Kyle yelped and managed to get a bizarre object his fellow blond threw at him, Bow's pad.

"Guys, I'll deal with the princesses and meet you near the castle!" Naruto said and saluted them with a devil may care smirk. "Take care."

"Whatever you're planning won't-" the blue girl snapped but was cut off when Naruto snapped his fingers.

A force field emerged around the munchkin trio, getting surprised replies from the cadets as they floated inside it safely, "Use that device to track Adora and I'll see you soon!" the blond said as he lifted and threw his hands forward, rocketing the sphere into the forest's depths. "Don't worry, you'll survive... Just expect some bruises."

"WHAT!?" his three allies yelled in anger, and terror in Kyle's case, before they hugged each other and crashed through trees unharmed.

"Just kidding!" he laughed, then started to sweat nervously while the other Horde soldiers sailed through the air, letting him realize what he had done. He turned to the two with him still on the ship, "And now... Uh... I'm afraid to ask, but do any of you know how to pilot a ship?"

The purple woman had a look of horrified realization, "Oh my goodness, you're the sorcerer Angella warned us about!"

Soon, the ship started a nosedive, making all three lose their balance and fall on the ship's floor, "Yup, Angie was right! He is insane and dangerous!" the blue princess exclaimed, and then got madder when the boy slid next to them and held onto the two, "Are you trying to be a pain even in death!?"

"Believe me, you'll know when I'm trying!" the blond playfully told her.

Smiling nervously due to knowing what would happen, Naruto created a circle on the floor around him as best he could against the G-force, then slapped his hand on it. A second force field was created, protecting all three as they crash-landed into the forest. Everything came to a violent halt while the ship bounced first, crashed against trees, and flipped. The sorcerer deeply thanked his mistress for the teachings in defense once the ship stopped upside down with all three floating. However, the experience wasn't all that pleasant from such sudden movements.

Blue, as Naruto temporarily dubbed her, spoke up first, "Oh...I think I'm going to hurl..."

He wasn't doing any better, "Please, don't, I'm on a bit of an empty stomach myself..."

"Wait..." Purple – Naruto told himself to find better nicknames later – started, "Horde soldier, did you save us?"

Smirking softly, he tried to be suave, "Told you, didn't I? I may have fallen for you al-ow!"

"Taken, so keep your mitts to yourself!" Blue snarled after finding a proper enough ankle to quite literally kick his butt.

"Oh, I'm also talking about you," he retorted.

Both princesses narrowed their eyes, "Please, let us go."

"Do you promise not to hit me, blast me with magic or attempt to capture good, little me?" he asked hopefully. "It's kind of the only reason I am not dispelling this force field."

Blue pinched the bridge of her nose, but gave a grunt in the end, "Sure... I'll regret it later and want to kick your ass harder, but... Grr... Let's call it a truce. For now!"

"Thank you kindly," Naruto said and dispelled the magical bubble. All three fell down, but a quick circle from him and magical purple wind slowed down their fall, "So, no attacking me, right?"

Blue was raring, "Oh, you bet your-"

"No," Purple told her companion. "Netossa... I know you want to, but this sorcerer is definitely unique... He had prepared that force field for his comrades first, his only intention is to find a friend of his, and there's no apparent malice in him. Dare I say it, this may be the first kind enemy we've faced."

"He could possibly be trying to get our guard down for backstabbing!" Netossa – Naruto promised to find a proper nickname – roared. "Spinnerella, listen to yourself! He's Horde! They care nothing about us unless it's ways to take our lands, resources and, most importantly, people!"

"Fine, fine, I know how this goes," Naruto said with a playful smile, then sat cross-legged and put up his wrists. "You can tie me up and take me to Queen Angella, we have some catching up to do."

"What makes you think we won't take you out as the threat you are?" Netossa asked with a glare.

Spinnerella – who Naruto was debating whether or not to taunt due to how kind she was – spoke softly, "Horde soldier, your name is Naru, right?"

"Naruto, although you could call me that," he winked, and was immediately trapped in a net. "Ooohhh... Netossa, now that makes sense."

"I should've aimed for the mouth," the blue princess groaned. Then, she turned to her companion, "Babe, you know he will try to trick us, escape and make a mess."

"I know, sweetie," Spinnerella whispered, then winked. "Which is why if he tries anything, I'll unleash everything on him extra hard for him."

"Oh, now I recall why I love you," the blue princess smiled.

"Just so you know, ladies," Naruto started with a laidback grin. "You mentioned that the queen told you about me, right? Meaning, she's possibly had chance to call you and tell you about the little stunt I pulled at her castle. In short, my friends are missing and she's hunting them down. Unfortunately for her..." he smirked impishly, "...they got Blinky- err, Glimmer."

"Oh you asked for it!" Netossa cracked her knuckles, but Spinnerella stopped her.

"What are you plotting?" Spinnerella asked, making him stand up with her wind magic. "Speak now before I actually get rough."

Naruto widened his smile and shrugged as best he could with a net pinning his arms to the sides, "Or we can talk at Bright Moon's throne room, discuss why you need me to find my friends, and make sure you do so before the three I sent forward don't get there first."

It was clear to the two, he was a crafty one.

-TBC-

And that's my rap!

Next, threeway search!

Swordslinger out!