Well, hello, my friends! 😁
So, here we are again, and I can promise you something special this week, a longer chapter with some unexpected faces!
I will warmly dedicate this week's chapter once again to my great and good friend Samantha ( @--sxmxntha-is-CHAOS-- ). 😊
First, let's set the stage.
Previously in this episode (Ep 70: Part One), a prisoner in Bright Moon revealed very little about their intentions, but did a lot to capture the attention of their audience.
Now, at last, it may be the moment for answers to come to light!
But, be warned! Trouble is afoot!!
Enjoy, darlings!
The excruciating silence hanging over Bright Moon’s answer for a holding cell is suddenly broken by a cry of triumph, as Adora leaps to her feet, pointing at Double Trouble.
Adora: HA! You said, ‘magic’!
She tosses a confident glance toward General Juliet.
Adora: [conspiratorially] Now, we’re getting somewhere!
Adora turns her attention back to their captive. Double Trouble puts up their hands in a warding gesture and takes a small step backwards with a startled expression.
Adora: [intensely] Tell us what you know about the magic! What are you talking about?
Adora stares at Double Trouble with a confident smirk.
Behind her, General Juliet touches her forehead with her eyes closed and slowly shakes her head.
Double Trouble looks slightly bewildered, eyes glancing from one to the other of them.
Double Trouble: [guilelessly] Why . . . the magic of the theater, of course.
They cock their head and raise their eyebrow curiously.
Adora’s smirk fades.
Double Trouble: [sincerely] What kind of magic did you think I meant?
General Juliet sighs heavily, and Adora shoots an uncomfortable look at her.
Double Trouble takes this in, their eyes gradually brightening with a smile of dawning discovery. They straighten up and place a hand on their hip in a relaxed pose.
Double Trouble: [in realization] Ohhhhhh! [pause] Then it’s true! I heard rumors, but I thought they must be wildly exaggerated! So . . . Queen Glimmer really has lost her magic!! [delighted] Pl-ot twist!
With joyful abandon, Double Trouble does a little twirling dance, ending up in a graceful finale pose back beside the lounge. Adora and Juliet spin around to follow their antics.
Double Trouble: [ecstatic] I knew I made the right decision coming back here! So far, it’s been nothing but delicious drama and intrigue!
Adora holds up a hand.
Adora: [speaking quickly, a little put off] So, wait, wait. How long . . . exactly . . . have you been here in Bright Moon?
Double Trouble straightens up and puts a finger to their cheek in consideration.
Double Trouble: Hmm. It’s been a little while. [turning attention to Adora with a matter-of-fact gesture] Enough time to get a feeling for my audience, you understand. Before my big entrance!
General Juliet: [pressing] How long?
Double Trouble looks at her, blinking.
Double Trouble: [calmly] About five days.
Adora’s mouth drops open, and she frowns in irritation.
Adora: [shocked] Five? Days?!?
Double Trouble brightens up with a grin and sits on the arm of the lounge, crossing their legs and leaning forward, draping one arm over their thigh and gesturing with the other.
Double Trouble: [excitedly] I know! So much spectacle in less than a week!
Double Trouble leans back, putting their hands together and stretching their arms over their head closing their eyes in enjoyment of the happy memories.
Double Trouble: Oh, it was fun mingling in all the major do’s! [recounting] King Micah’s homecoming . . . [their eyes flip open and their arms drop to their lap] . . . Glimmer’s sweet attempt to abdicate the throne! In-tense meetings! Global fireworks! The post-apocalyptic celebration!!
They suddenly lean forward, their whole upper body springing upright with excitement.
Double Trouble: Ooo! And I brought you cookies and pillows for your little sleepover, too!
Suddenly quieter, their body relaxing, they narrow their eyes towards Adora, addressing her as if she’s a close friend.
Double Trouble: [with a more intimate tone] Personally speaking, I thought it was a big success!
General Juliet: [with weary impatience] Enough dancing around the issue! You’ve got something to say for yourself. Say. It.
Double Trouble flashes her a mildly disdainful look.
Double Trouble: It’s just a little prologue, honey.
General Juliet’s expression remains impassive.
Double Trouble: [seeing her expression] All right. Very well.
Double Trouble swings their legs over to the seat of the lounge and stands up, making it their stage.
Turning to face their audience, they execute a small but elegant bow and then clear their throat, their hands folded in front of them, almost as if about to pray.
Double Trouble: Picture, if you will, the end of a mighty conflict . . .
As they speak, their gestures amplify the grandness of the narrative scope, and their gaze ranges across the heavens.
Double Trouble: [continuing, with feeling] . . . one that raged throughout the stars and culminated on a small, but beautiful world of magic and mystery. For a brief time, all that power, that raw energy and passion . . . burned across the world and through the people inhabiting it, and it was bright! It was . . . magnificent and wild and . . . terrible! Until . . . one day, it burned out, and all became calm and peaceful.
Double Trouble suddenly turns toward their audience dramatically.
Double Trouble: [in mock surprise] Oh, but wait! You don’t have to imagine it! You were there.
Double Trouble bends forward at the waist, and, one by one, they meet the eyes of each one of their attentive audience.
Double Trouble: [speaking emphatically] You lived that story. You fought and struggled and made your ways through that story.
A momentary pause for dramatic effect.
Double Trouble: [quietly] As did I.
Another brief pause, as the guards look to each other for their responses, then back to the performer.
Double Trouble places one foot on the arm of the lounge in a heroic pose, raising their hands and following them with their eyes.
Double Trouble: We all must discover and create our own destinies! In the aftermath of momentous events . . . we reflect on our lives . . . and we see that life may be so easily spent . . . and lost, . . . to forces great and small. And time! [clenching their fists in an anguished gesture] Time, in its relentless course, will drag us on to a new destiny, whether we are willing, . . . [turning a hard look toward the audience] or merely its hapless prisoners.
Adora looks mildly skeptical, though simultaneously mesmerized and affected by the performance.
General Juliet quietly rolls her eyes.
Double Trouble turns to face their audience with a sober expression, standing poised and erect, their hands held at chest-height, fingertips lightly touching.
Double Trouble: [gently] And so, my dears, I used my time to do some soul-searching.
Suddenly, their eyes widen, blinking in wonderment.
Double Trouble: [with mild surprise] And it turns out I actually have one!
Adora scowls a little, while General Juliet looks on sternly.
With a light hop, Double Trouble alights to sit on the back of their lounge, crossing their legs. They lay one hand to touch the fabric of the lounge beside them, while putting the other one reflectively to their chin
Double Trouble: So, I asked myself, “Double Trouble . . . where do we go from here?” [throwing a brief glance to their captors, explaining] Existentially, that is, as well as physically.
Adora and General Juliet look at each other, and Juliet shakes her head again.
Double Trouble: [with feeling] As an artist, I must follow the bliss of my inner muse. But . . . as a person with soul . . . [their voice growing, their body stretching upright] with inner depth, with spirit and will, who has grown beyond small-time tricks and petty pageantry. . .
At this moment, Double Trouble leaps up again to emote across the stage!
Double Trouble: [with dramatic bravado] One who has participated in grand events! One who has set their mark in matters of historic weight, of importance, and impact . . . !
A pause, as Double Trouble freezes absolutely still, and a silence falls across the room. No one even breathes!
Double Trouble's eyes shift to their audience. They smile. And slowly turn to face them.
Double Trouble: [softly, with power] I choose . . . to make . . . a difference.
Bending at the waist, they look General Juliet in the eye.
Double Trouble: [incredulously] Return to the Crimson Waste?! [chuckling lightly] Pl-lease! That ship has sailed! [shaking their head] And, sadly, no matter how hard you may try, as the saying goes, . . .
Their eyes shift to meet Adora’s.
Double Trouble: [seriously, but with a mischievous glint] You can never go back home.
Adora frowns, looking slightly wounded.
Double Trouble straightens up again, looking upward in consideration.
Double Trouble: So! Where was I to go? Where to practice my art? Where to sharpen my skills? Where to give meaning to my performance? Purpose to my portrayals?
Double Trouble gestures to the right in a sweeping motion.
Double Trouble: When the theater of battle no longer craves my talents . . .
They gesture to the left in a similar motion.
Double Trouble: . . . and home no longer holds any comfort or inspiration for me . . .
After a brief pause, Double Trouble throws up their arms, looking joyfully upward!
Double Trouble: [with uninhibited thrill] And then, it came to me! Like a sparkling vision of a thousand stars across the infinite sky!!
Slowly, Double Trouble lowers their arms and gestures outward with a beaming wide-eyed grin.
Double Trouble: I have traveled the world. And there is one place where everything happens! The place where, more than anywhere else, in all of Etheria, drama truly lives!
Double Trouble places one hand relaxed on their hip, gesturing with the other.
Double Trouble: [confidently] That is the place where my flair for the nuances of performance, my keen insight into setting, theme, and character, and my understanding of tempo and narrative style would be fully appreciated . . . and also most valuable!
With a graceful, sensual motion, Double Trouble sinks down into the lounge, draping their arm over the side and folding one leg over the other in luxurious comfort.
Double Trouble: [at perfect ease] That place . . . is Bright Moon. So. Here I am.
There is an expectant hush, during which it becomes evident that Double Trouble’s monologue has reached its conclusion.
A single pair of hands begins to applaud, but General Juliet silences the guard with a quick, fierce glance.
She turns back to her grinning captive.
General Juliet: [blandly] So. What exactly were you expecting?
Adora: [interjecting] You think we’re just going to welcome you here?
Double Trouble inclines their head at Adora.
Double Trouble: I’m offering you my services, darling. For an extended engagement.
Adora: For a what?
Double Trouble: And, who knows? If it works out, . . . I might even make it permanent.
Adora: Uhhh, I don’t think so!
General Juliet steps forward.
General Juliet: You’re wasting your time. And ours. We’re not interested in your “services.”
Double Trouble: [with self-assurance] You will be.
Adora: [suspiciously] What is that supposed to mean?
Double Trouble regards her with a smirk.
Double Trouble: Only that no one, but no one . . . can do what I do.
At their words, a dark, oozing shadow seems to flow over Double Trouble’s skin, sparkling and glittering as their entire body grows and reshapes. As the shadow subsides, it reveals a huge, bulked-up, lavender-skinned woman with hard, but friendly features, a long flowing white ponytail, and pointed ears. She wears a chest binder and lightly-armored vest and shorts, revealing an impressively strong midriff. The woman grins with hands on hips and speaks to Adora in a deep, slightly growly voice.
Huntara/Trouble: [in a friendly tease] Ya wanna feel these muscles, Blondie? They’re real, ya know.
Adora looks at her uncomfortably.
The guards around her tense up a little at this display.
Seeing this, the woman throws her head back with a hearty guffaw.
Huntara/Trouble: A-HA-HA-HA! [catching an amused breath] O’ course . . .
And a new transformation occurs as the creeping ooze again covers Double Trouble’s body, their form diminishes, and within seconds, they have become a slightly-built, fair-haired young man with bright eyes and a kind face.
Kyle/Trouble: [insistent] Physical strength isn’t everything, you know! I can be loyal and kind, too! That counts for something.
Adora: [annoyed] That’s enough, Double Trouble.
The person who looks like Kyle frowns, then presses on, focusing on Adora.
Kyle/Trouble: [his voice pitching up with emotion] I have so much to offer here, if you would just give me a chance! I know I could be valuable to Bright Moon. And this time, I’m not asking for much in return. Freedom to create. A comfortable place to stay. A modest stipend for my work.
He searches their expressions, looking from Adora to General Juliet with eyes hungry for approval.
He is greeted only with silence and shaking heads.
The oozing shadow returns, covering Double Troubles body, reforming into someone new. The sparkles fade, and color returns.
And all at once, it’s Catra. Looking up at Adora with pleading eyes and a vulnerable expression.
Catra/Trouble: [gently] Come on, Adora. [frowning] Please. [she grits her teeth in a regretful expression] I know I’ve been bad, but . . . you know I can be good.
Adora winces at the sight, and her shifting expression shows a struggle between emotions as they wash over her: a mixture of anger, pain, sadness, and even sympathy. She turns her head and closes her eyes, holding up her hand, as if to ward off the vision.
Adora: [in a tense, soft voice] No. Just stop. It isn’t funny.
Catra effects a worried expression, and immediately transforms back into Double Trouble’s original form. They wear the same worried expression.
Double Trouble: [with a tinge of sincere regret] Oh, . . . I am sorry. I was simply lost in an improvisational flow. But . . . my offer still stands.
They turn back to General Juliet.
Double Trouble: [deliberately] My unique talents . . . in exchange for a place in Bright Moon.
General Juliet considers with a frown. She glances at Adora, who stands with arms folded, quietly shaking her head in response.
She sighs briefly, then turns back to Double Trouble.
General Juliet: [resolutely] You may stay here for now. [gesturing to the guards] You will be accompanied by my guards. You will go nowhere without my permission. You will not leave the grounds. Upon the Queen’s return, she will speak to you at her leisure, at which time, . . . you may present your offer, if she chooses to hear it.
Double Trouble leans back in the lounge and smiles.
Double Trouble: [with pleasure] I look forward to it!
General Juliet signals to her guards, and they draw close alongside Double Trouble. She turns to leave, and Adora turns with her.
Adora begins to follow her out the door, but she stops when Double Trouble calls out.
Double Trouble: Adora?
Her hand on the door, Adora turns to look back. Double Trouble sits on the edge of their seat, a tiny frown troubling their expression.
Double Trouble: Still hard feelings, huh? [wistfully] That’s really too bad. Because I guess you’ll be seeing me around.
But suddenly, they smile a little and lean back in their chair, again with all the confidence in the world.
Double Trouble: [with a hint of delight] On the other hand . . .
With a flow of blackness, their features and form alter once again, and a new persona completes their thought.
Glimmer/Trouble: [self-satisfied] Maybe you won’t! In fact . . . it’s probably better that way.
The face of Glimmer grins at Adora from her throne-like lounge, as Adora turns and exits, roughly shutting the door behind her.