Well, hello, there, lovely readers! 😁

Today's chapter is destined to be a treat!

Previously in Episode 73:

Part One: Entrapta's enthusiasm is practically overshadowed by Hordak's brothers, as they give her and Wink a special tour of their village!

And for this week, the momentous meeting that was foreshadowed a mere four months ago!! 😅

This chapter is lovingly dedicated to our dear friend Wellington ( @WellingtonSmith ) and our dear friend Samantha ( @--sxmxntha-is-CHAOS-- ). They are summoned here by the presence of their favorite characters as they engage in a meeting of wills.

Buckle up!

This will be a bit of a longer ride this time.

Welcome back to Bright Moon for some royal trouble!

Hidden away within the solace and splendor of Bright Moon Castle, in a far-removed corner out of the public view, there is a cheerfully-lit bedroom. The lingering silence brooding there is tangibly painted with a subtle mixture of shifting thoughts and volatile emotions: . . . tense expectation, . . . playful confidence, . . . indifference, . . . fascination . . .

Suddenly the doors are thrown open from the outside, revealing Queen Glimmer in her regal glory. She enters swiftly, letting the doors shut softly behind her.

Glimmer’s expression is dark and imperious. An air of unyielding command accompanies her as she steps into the room, her gaze laser-focused on the form of Double Trouble, who relaxes at ease on the ornate lounge near the center, a sensuous smile curling their lips.

The two Bright Moon guards in attendance stand smartly with a nervous energy, as if they had only seconds before adjusted their cowled helmets and assumed their spear-straight stances at their posts. They bow to Glimmer as she approaches Double Trouble on the lounge.

Glimmer stops to within a few feet of Double Trouble, staring them down.

Without shifting her eyes away, she gestures to the guards on either side of her.

Glimmer: [with a calm, firm tone] Leave us.

Without a word, the guards bow again, make their ways quickly to the door, and exit, shutting the doors behind them.

There is a moment in which Double Trouble slowly lifts their legs from off of the arm of the lounge, sets their boots on the floor, and then crosses their left leg over their right, all in a fluid motion.

Double Trouble: So . . .

They lean toward Glimmer, straightening their posture and setting their hands on their knees.

Double Trouble: [quietly, with sparkle] Time for the showdown?

Glimmer’s eyes narrow, and she places her hands on her hips.

Glimmer: [directly] I know how you operate, Double Trouble. Pitting people against one another is what you do best. Well, I don’t have time for those tricks. So, it’s just you . . . and me.

Double Trouble’s grin widens. They lean back, extending their arms in a sinewy stretch.

Double Trouble: [with pleasure] Ohhhh . . . [pause] So it is a showdown!

They cock their head and raise an eyebrow with a smirk.

Double Trouble: [slowly, emphasizing] What weapons shall we choose?

Glimmer shakes her head slightly.

Glimmer: I’m not here to fight you.

She bends forward at the waist, bringing her face closer to Double Trouble’s.

Glimmer: [with emphasis] I don’t need to do that. So . . .

Straightening up, Glimmer grasps the edges of her cape, spreading it to her sides to show her clothing.

Glimmer: [confidently] No weapons.

Double Trouble rises slowly to their feet as they speak, stepping to one side. Glimmer releases her cape, and she turns with them as they start to circle.

Double Trouble: [with kind condescendence] Oh, Glimmer, dear. We both know that there are weapons other than swords and staves.

Glimmer: [smoothly] And if I were to choose, the one I would pick would put you at a disadvantage.

Double Trouble grins down at her.

Double Trouble: [curiously, with feigned innocence} And what would that be? Clever come-backs?

Glimmer: [smiling] No. The truth.

Double Trouble blinks at her, eyes wide. They take a step back, as if enduring a small blow.

Double Trouble: Ouch! [pause, with regained composure] But if that were the case, I would be very careful if I were you.

Double Trouble stops, and bends forward at the waist to stare eye to eye with Glimmer, hand on hip, a finger pointing at the queen’s chest.

Double Trouble: When it comes to the truth, you don’t have your spells anymore. And I have been . . . [pausing with a cool grin] . . . practicing.

Glimmer leans forward, raising on her toes, unintimidated, until she is nearly nose-to-nose with the shapeshifter.

Glimmer: [challenging] Then, try me. You came here with an offer. I’m listening.

Double Trouble straightens up and shifts their gaze, hands held behind their back. They begin walking slowly around Glimmer, grinning, and glancing at her sideways.

Double Trouble: We’ve done this before, darling. Under more . . . strained circumstances, I grant you. But surely you saw enough of my talents when we last worked together to realize how valuable I could be to you now!

Glimmer turns in place, keeping them in view.

Glimmer: [dismissively] I don’t really need a spy right now, Double Trouble. Nor do I have any jobs for you requiring sabotage or deceit.

Double Trouble stops circling and turns toward her, eyes widened indignantly. They place their fingertips to their chest.

Double Trouble: Sabotage and deceit! [gesturing with their palm] That’s typecasting, honey. And, frankly, it’s beneath you.

Double Trouble strikes a show-stopping pose, their hands extended outwards to their sides, as if they are gathering waves of glory!

Double Trouble: I am a performer, and there isn’t any role that I can’t play.

They tilt their head and wink at Glimmer.

Double Trouble: [mysteriously] Just use your imagination!

Double Trouble resumes circling Glimmer, but this time with extra energy, every step a dance.

Double Trouble: [with dramatic assurance] I am in a unique position to listen and observe. To be moved by the pulse of this kingdom and to act as both its mirror and its magnifying lens.

Glimmer is now having some difficulty keeping up with Double Trouble, not always certain which way to turn to best pay attention to them.

Finally, Double Trouble performs an elegant twirl, at the end of which they become suddenly quite still, with their smiling face directly in front of Glimmer’s again. Glimmer blinks in brief disorientation.

Double Trouble: [proudly] My art in the service of Bright Moon!

Glimmer frowns.

Glimmer: Doing what, exactly? What service?

Double Trouble faces Glimmer and executes a dramatic bow, spreading their arms wide and never takings their eyes off of her.

Double Trouble: Why, everything, darling!

Straightening up, they begin tallying on their fingers.

Double Trouble: I can inform and enlighten, entertain, and amuse . . .

Leaning forward, Double Trouble gently lays the back of their hand against the side of Glimmer’s cheek. As they brush their fingers down her face, her eyes seem mesmerized, lost in Double Trouble’s grinning gaze.

Double Trouble: [softly] I can soothe emotions, . . . or stir them!

Double Trouble’s fingertips end up cupping the tip of Glimmer’s chin. All at once, Glimmer frowns and grits her teeth in irritation, whipping her hand across her body to push their wrist away. At that moment, they each take a short step backwards, causing their hands to meet, and the motion is transformed into a partner dance turn, as Double Trouble twirls in her grasp.

They end the move with arms extended and hands clasped, leaning away from each other.

Double Trouble: [with satisfaction] Whatever the situation requires!

Glimmer throws their hand away from herself, and Double Trouble, drawing one arm around their body and extending the other up to the ceiling, pivots in place in a gorgeous pirouette on point.

Double Trouble: Taking my bows and then [fluttering gesture of their hands] fading into the wings to ovations that inevitably return . . .

They lift their hands in a gentle gesture toward Glimmer, palms up and open.

Double Trouble: [softly] . . . to you. [pause, eyes closed in humility] For the glory and peace . . . of the kingdom.

Glimmer stares at them, with a look conflicted between doubt and belief.

Standing by the lounge, Double Trouble gracefully seats themself again, arms wide, legs crossed.

Double Trouble: [matter-of-factly] You must admit -- no one else here can do all of that.

They gesture with a languid hand.

Double Trouble: [half-pitying] And for all your sparkle, or . . .

Double Trouble’s smile widens slightly as a momentary pained look flashes across Glimmer’s face, to be quickly replaced by a stern frown.

Double Trouble: [continuing] . . . perhaps I should say, . . . for all of Bright Moon’s glitter and shine, . . . it really does lack a little something, . . . and I can fill that gap.

Double Trouble shifts position, leaning forward, legs uncrossing, and placing one elbow on the arm of the lounge, to rest their chin on their knuckles. As they move, a creeping blackness spreads over their entire form, obscuring and remolding their appearance before withdrawing to reveal a dark imposing figure with flowing black hair, robed in maroon and wearing a scarlet face-mask. She speaks in smooth syllables colored with heavy dark tones.

Shadow Weaver/Trouble: I could be a trusted advisor to you.

Glimmer folds her arms and observes as Double Trouble’s form shifts again, this time becoming a handsome mustached rogue with a glint in his eye and a winning smile. He throws his arms behind his head in a relaxed manner, casually sliding down in his seat as he tosses his legs carelessly into the air. Losing his balance he rolls off the edge of the lounge with a slightly surprised expression, but then manages to deftly recover and leap semi-gracefully to his feet, chuckling with good humor.

Sea Hawk/Trouble: [lightly] Haha! I could be a clown, too!

Stepping lightly to one side, he strikes a heroic pose, hands on hips.

Sea Hawk/Trouble: [confidently] I can act as an encouraging voice to the people! Or . . .

He shrugs at Glimmer and grins.

Sea Hawk/Trouble: [in proud humility] With an instrument to play or a stage to dance, I can also provide light entertainment.

Stepping closer, Double Trouble transforms again, and Glimmer’s expression is troubled by the sympathetic eyes that stare back at her.

Catra/Trouble: [with apparent sincerity] I could just be a friend, too. I’m working on . . . trying to be better at that.

With the next transformation, Double Trouble steps forward and places a warm-hearted hand on Glimmer’s shoulder.

Adora/Trouble: [earnestly] If you needed a friend, or even a confidante, I’m willing to be that, too.

The face of the blonde girl frowns slightly, with a tiny smile of hope.

Glimmer finds herself smiling in spite of herself. She touches the hand on her shoulder, and the face of Adora brightens.

Adora/Trouble: [a bit vulnerable] And I could even be . . .

Double Trouble’s final transformation causes Glimmer to gasp.

Bow/Trouble: [gently] Your best friend. [shaking his head slowly] I’d be . . . whoever Bright Moon needs me to be, Glimmer. All I want is a place to be me. [pause] A beloved performer with an audience to dazzle. That’s all.

Glimmer’s gaze does not waver from the friendly face and the eyes that look so pleadingly at her. She frowns a little and finally shakes her head, squeezing the hand on her shoulder lightly. She speaks directly, without malice or anger.

Glimmer: [calmly] It’s all imitation, Double Trouble. Just distraction and illusion.

She gently removes the hand from her shoulder and puts it down by Double Trouble’s side, releasing it.

Glimmer: I’m afraid I’m not impressed.

The form of her boyfriend shifts as the darkness passes over it, and within two seconds, Double Trouble stands before her again in their neutral form.

They frown, and their mouth hangs slightly open.

Glimmer looks at them with an expression that shifts all at once to one of tender pity.

Glimmer: [slowly] Do you even know . . . who you are?

For a moment, Double Trouble seems taken aback. They blink at Glimmer.

Double Trouble: [hesitantly] I . . .

But then, in an instant, their attitude changes. Double Trouble takes a confident step backwards, smiling and gesturing widely.

Double Trouble: [with an impish giggle] Why, that’s why I’m here, darling!

Double Trouble indicates their surroundings broadly.

Double Trouble: This is Bright Moon! Center of Etheria! The place where lost souls always come to find out who they are!

As they stride back toward their lounge, they tick off items on their fingers, glancing heavenward, as if for inspiration.

Double Trouble: First there was the blonde hero. And then the dark sorceress! [clasping their hands in admiration] Followed by the muscled beauty with the tender heart and the fascinating performance style!

Double Trouble looks back toward Glimmer and catches her eye.

Double Trouble: [flirtatiously] I like that one!

With one long stride they are at their lounge, pivoting again to face the queen.

Double Trouble: [with mock-sympathy] Lastly came the poor half-drowned kitten, rescued by her girlfriend. [evenly] And for the finale? Me.

And on that note they gracefully sit, spreading their arms along the back of the lounge and crossing their legs.

Double Trouble: [pointedly] So, there you have it. As promised. The truth.

A confident smile comes to rest on Double Trouble’s face, and their voice oozes self-assuredness.

Double Trouble: Now. What do you say?

Glimmer walks directly in front of Double Trouble and closes her eyes a moment, taking a deep breath. When she opens her eyes, she regards them with a calm and resolute gaze.

Glimmer: I will consider your offer. You may stay.

She turns and begins walking toward the doors.

Double Trouble tilts their head and raises an eyebrow.

Double Trouble: Is that all?

Glimmer stops, a few feet from the doors, without turning.

Glimmer: For now.

She pivots on her foot to face them once again.

Glimmer: I’m giving you some of what you want. I’m giving you a place. I’m giving you freedom. You may move around the castle and its grounds. You may take part in the society of Bright Moon and meet its people.

She smiles ironically.

Glimmer: [pointedly] Just as you already have been doing.

Double Trouble grins sweetly, with gleaming pointed teeth.

Glimmer: But before I consider further taking on your service, you have to earn my trust. [pause] This is me giving you that chance. You will only get one.

Double Trouble nods, settling back further into the cushions.

Double Trouble: [confidently] Then we have a deal. And when the time comes . . . you know where to find me.

Glimmer nods back, then turns and steps to the door.

Double Trouble: [casually] Oh, one other thing. About my guards? My darling escorts? I find I’ve gotten used to them. May I . . . keep them? They really are quite sweet, you know.

Glimmer pauses and smiles to herself, without turning her head.

Glimmer: [sweetly, but with a pointed tone] As long as you’re nice to them!

With that, she opens the doors and leaves Double Trouble with a satisfied grin.