The Strange Princess from Eternia

 

Synopsis:   An AU version of Xiaolin Showdown.   In this version the Xiaolin Warriors have won, and Jack has joined their side.   They are still friends, Wuya has since been exorcised and no longer tormenting Jack.   Jack lives a phenomenally successful life and is teaching students how to become robotic engineers.   He has since been able to craft a working stargate, and it pulls a curious geeky princess in from another planet, called Etheria to that of Earth. 

 

 

Chapter 1—Something More

                Entrapta was idly walking about, looking at items that caught her interest.    Ever since Hoard Prime had been defeated, she had found a place in Queen Glimmer’s castle and had found herself running through Shadow Weaver’s gardens with Emily just as she had before.   Shadow Weaver didn’t find their playtime enjoyable.   In fact, she found it obnoxious.

                ‘I wasn’t’ looking where I was going !’, she said, apologizing.   Scorpia and Perfuma took care of any damage that Entrapta caused unwillingly.   She was getting better about getting wrapped up in diversionary activities with her bot, but ever since the peace that encompassed Etheria, she had gotten a little bored.   Of course, looking at First One’s tech had been interesting, but there had to be more outside of Eternia.    She had read books about that kind of theory before, but she had never really put much thought into it.    She was getting tired for the evening and decided to head back to bed.

                ‘Maybe tomorrow, I can go back into the woods and visit Madame Razz.’, she thought to herself.  Madame Razz was eccentric and seeing that the independent witch was by herself most of the time, Entrapta felt she could use some company.    Stretching and yawning, Entrapta found her quarters, filled to the brim with all kinds of tech that kept her busy.   The white noise of her gadgets helped her sleep at night.   

 

Chapter 2—Fascinating

                That next morning, Entrapta awoke to a resplendent breakfast provided by Glimmer’s entourage.

                ‘Thank you so kindly.   You haven’t forgotten how much I adore omelets !’, she said, gulping down some tropical fruit cocktail that awakened and refreshed her.    She hopped on Emily’s back as the bot carried her into the forest to visit Madame Razz.    She was baking apple pies and the aroma of delicious apples mixed in with cinnamon, making her mouth water.   

                ‘Hey, Razz !’, she said as she poked her head in.

                ‘Oh, good !  You’re just in time for pie, dearie !  I even made my own old-fashioned ice cream to go with it.  Have some !’, Razz said, serving her.    Entrapta went on about something she was postulating about.   Razz perked up.

                ‘Oh, dearie, I’ve known this forever.  We aren’t alone in our galaxy.   There are in fact other worlds.   Hoard Prime proved this long ago, since Adora isn’t Eternian.’, she said.  

                ‘That was the only incident though.  I have so longed to breech other galaxies, other worlds.’, Eternia said, becoming starry eyed.   She hated to admit it, but her brilliant mind was becoming bored with the peace and quiet that had surrounded Eternia after Horde Prime’s defeat.

                ‘No, I comprehend your situation perfectly well, Entrapta.’, she said, as she took her finished plate from her and washed the residue of gooeyness from it.    In the distance, Entrapta could see a light and she had a feeling that this was inexorably drawing her nearer to it.  

                ‘If I don’t return, it’s because I stayed.   Hopefully, they’ll understand this, but I left a note explaining my reasons.’, Entrapta thought to herself.   Upon seeing the Stargate, Entrapta’s magenta eyes grew wider, and she gasped in amazement.  

                ‘The theories are right !  If indeed this is a stargate to another universe, I will be making first contact with the inhabitants there.’, she mused.   Bravely, she sat foot into the other world, her boot hitting the familiar marbled floor of a laboratory.   Around her were robots armed to the teeth with lasers and other deterrents, but as soon as she tried to escape, the gate between worlds was sealed off.

 

Chapter 3—The Mad Scientist

                ‘Who are you ?  How did you get into my laboratory ?’, the young man with goggles and a robotic spider backpack questioned.   In the light, the ginger haired steampunk scientist looked as if he had just emerged from a horror science fiction slasher film.   

                ‘I’m Entrapta.   I entered through this stargate here…’, she said, removing her welder’s mask.   Once Jack lifted up his goggles, he saw how gorgeous Entrapta was and felt smitten.  His heart had been hurting since Kimiko’s wedding to Raymundo, but it wasn’t up to him to alter the past.   It was a fixed point in history and nothing he could do would change that.  

                ‘That was my design.  It took me a few tries to get all the calculations right.’, Jack said.   Jack introduced himself and offered his hand, which Entrapta shook, but she was much more entranced by the massive amounts of technology he had in his laboratory, whether droids, bots, communicators, or hovercraft.  

                ‘I can only imagine.   So, Earth !  I’ve heard much about it.’, Entrapta began.  

                ‘You want me to show you around ?  It’s only a small portion, but I’d be glad to escort you.’, Jack said, offering his arm.   Entrapta gladly took the invitation, but she had to admit that she felt butterflies stirring in her heart as Jack showed her around and introduced her to his friends.  

 

Chapter 4—No Turning Back

                The more Entrapta learned about Earth, the more she liked it.  Although she had grown so much on Eternia, she felt she was better suited for life, especially if she could learn from Jack.

                ‘Can I contact the others and let them know I’m fine ?  It’s doubtful they’ll need my help should any crisis arise.’, Entrapta said, feeling the words sounded a bit selfish.    She had never felt so strongly about someone else other than Hordac, but he had never been more than a friend to her.   

                ‘You can, but it would be risky.   Much of what I am doing is experimental.’, Jack explained.   Entrapta placed her hands atop his and lovingly squeezed them.  

                ‘You won’t know unless you try, Jack.  That’s what science is all about.’, she encouraged him.   Emboldened, he shielded himself with his goggles and welding gloves, ready for whatever the Stargate might throw back in his wake. 

                Right on cue, the others had gone looking for Entrapta, and they found her, but it seemed that the stargate had prevented her from ever returning.   It was as if the Earth decided to keep a hold on her, and it was obvious that Jack had gotten her caught up in his deep, brown eyes and rakish smile.   He was fascinating when it came to conversations, and they laughed over the same nerdy, obscure references that no one else understood.    Even if she didn’t know where this blossoming romance was heading, she wanted to explore and experiment with Jack. 

                ‘Entrapta !  We were worried sick !’, Scorpia began.  

                ‘Yeah, like, we were looking everywhere for you, literally.’, Mermista added.   Seahawk added a forceful nod of agreement to concur with his now lovely, wedded wife.  

                ‘I couldn’t help myself.  Besides, I’ve befriended Jack and we have much in common.’, Entrapta began.

                ‘It wasn’t my intention to keep her here, but there’s no entry any longer.   The stargate has sealed her here on Earth.   Please forgive me.’, Jack said, with a regretful tone.

                ‘There is another who learned from her…’, Glimmer said.   A young mechanically dressed girl who favored Bo more than Glimmer stuck her head out for a moment and peeped,

                ‘Auntie Entrapta, are you staying in this strange world forever ?’, the young technical girl questioned. 

                ‘Oh, Della, I wish I could stay there with you, but you’re far smarter than I could ever be.  Promise me something…’ Entrapta said, trying not to become emotional.

                ‘What’s that, Auntie ?’, Della questioned, curiously.

                ‘Watch over Hordac, keep him company.’, Entrapta said.   Adora and the others understood nothing could be done, but at least a communication portal could be opened from time to time between the worlds. 

                ‘I’ll work on a way to open this stargate, Auntie.  Someday.   Then we can cross worlds.’, Della vowed.

                ‘I know without a doubt you will, darling.   Never stop learning or trying.’, Entrapta said before the stargate had been closed.    Entrapta’s eyes filled with tears, but Jack comforted her.

                ‘I am sorry I cannot figure out a way to keep the gate open.’, Jack lamented.

                ‘It’s not all bad, Jack.  Just the fact that you built this is incredible enough.’, Entrapta said. 

Boldly, Jack drew Entrapta into his arms and locked lips with the geek princess so much that her entire body went limp.   

                ‘What was that for ?’, she questioned, innocently.

                ‘Oh, just for the fact that I love you, and it’s been difficult keeping my hands off you.’, Jack confessed.   Entrapta turned beet red and lowered her gaze for a moment.  

                ‘I suppose it’s no secret that I feel the same way for you too.’, she said, meeting his gaze and kissing him back with additional fervor.   As they made out, his robotic arms climbed to the top of his mansion, right at an overlook where he kept his favorite telescope.    From there, the two watched the stars until Entrapta fell asleep in Jack’s arms.   Being the gentleman he was, he lent her one of his blankets as she slept in his hammock, and he slept in his bed.  

 

Chapter 5—American Gothic Wedding

                A year had passed, and Jack had decided to take Entrapta to one of his favorite themed restaurants.   It was a monster themed pizza joint that showed old B movies as well as new ones and played MST3K films that fit in with the motif.   They enjoyed showing a lot of old 80s and 90s cartoons and the owners had tons of priceless collectables that were featured in the Guinness Book of Records.                 

Although it was a touristy stop, business was slower than usual, but the food was always top notch.  

                Jack stroked Entrapta’s hand lovingly, gazing into her eyes blissfully. 

                ‘No one has ever understood me on a level like you have, Enny.’, he said, affectionately.   She tittered, blushing again, noticing the pleasant rush of dopamine simple hand holding afforded.

                ‘I can calculate many things, Jack, but I’m at a loss what you’re up to today.’, she said, honestly, chortling a little bit.

                ‘We’ve known each other a year and I wanted to ask you if you would be my lab partner eternally.’, Jack said.   From a homemade jointed and welded electronic box that had the rudimentary function of ambulation, the bejeweled tiny bot waddled its way up to Entrapta and opened up, playing a medley of Entrapta’s favorite songs from Earth.  

                ‘You went to such lengths to prove your devotion to me.  I can’t imagine how long this little beauty took to craft.’, she said, immensely impressed.    She didn’t need to consider Jack’s proposition.  

                ‘I accept !  Forever is a long time, but together, it’ll go by like a blink.’, Entrapta said, warmly.   She took Jack’s hands into hers and the two kissed gently.    The box had met its function and shut itself down as Jack took the ring and placed it on Entrapta’s finger.    

There had been a live band playing at Frankie’s and Jack requested they played I Will Love You Always Forever before leaving them and their servers a hefty tip for the evening.    In the back of his mind, Jack wondered if he could ever get the stargate up and running before the wedding occurred long enough to allow their realms to be connected.    It was risky, something he had never contemplated doing, but Entrapta deserved to have reunions with her best friends, and Jack wanted to meet them all for himself, since she spoke so highly of them.  

It was a joint effort between Jack on the Earth side of the stargate and Della from the other, but the two managed to connect to each other during the wedding.   Della had learned crystal energy would allow her to open a bridge between worlds whenever she had wanted.  The moonstone had lent its power to that, so its functionality was proving to be multifaceted.

Jack was dressed handsomely in a pinstripe tuxedo, complete with a blood-red tie.   His hair was slicked back with brilliantine, and he smelled lightly of musk.   At the altar, he rocked back and forth in his steel-toed, black-chained boots, waiting for Entrapta to waltz down the aisle.   When Mendelssohn’s march began, he held his breath for a moment and released it once he met her magenta-eyed gaze. 

Entrapta was dressed in a gorgeous lilac gown with a crown of lilacs in her hair, her bridal train flowing behind her.   Her gossamer gown puffier than cumulonimbus clouds on a sultry afternoon.  

Everyone was delighted at seeing Entrapta receiving the happy ending she had desired.  

                ‘Auntie Entrapta !’, Della shouted, hugging her favorite person from the side, and bounding about.   

                ‘Hey, little mechanic !’, she said, affectionately tousling the little girl’s hair.   It was truly remarkable how much Della resembled Bo over Glimmer, but the best of their personalities was encapsulated in their daughter.   

                ‘We can see each other whenever we like !   Maybe sometime, you and Uncle Jack can come over to our side, visit a while.’, she suggested.    Jack had overheard Della’s proposition and moved in, meeting the youngster’s gaze.

                ‘That is an ingenious idea.  Enny has told me so much about you, your mom, your dad.  Everybody !’, Jack said.   Around him, the princesses of power were palling around, getting to know him and Adora stood happily, hand in hand, with Catra, her wife.   

‘Then it’s settled.   Who knows ?  We may need a tech geek like you someday, should evil besiege us.’, Glimmer said, giving the man genius a playful wink.   Jack felt emboldened.   He had always felt useful being a Xiaolin Warrior although there was no need for them on Earth.    However, they and their progeny were always prepared at a moment’s notice should evil ever arise again.    

 

Epilogue

Jack had never envisioned himself as a dad before.   In the back of his mind, it was something he had always wondered about but never thought would occur.    Racing around were little Jack Adam Junior and his sister, Xiandra.    The two kept the lovebirds occupied but they enjoyed being part of Earth and seeing Eternia.    There was no telling where JJ or Xiandra would go or what they would do, but what was known is that they were loved by everyone who met them, and the cosmos was their oyster.

 

The End