THE BAD GUYS IN: raising princess

True Heart's Desire - Part 3

(Another request from AlicornNorth )

The morning sun shined over Los Angeles High as the sleek black car pulled up to the school entrance. The doors swung open, and out stepped Princess, looking effortlessly stylish in her bright pink turtleneck sweater, layered under a black denim romper dress. White stockings covered her legs, tucked neatly into brown boots. Soft dark pink eyeshadow accentuated her eyes, and her signature pink choker with a small bell added a touch of charm to her look.

As she slung her backpack over her shoulder, Mr. Snake leaned out of the car window, flicking his tongue. "Have a good day, kid," he said in his usual gruff tone, though there was a hint of warmth behind it.

"I will! See you guys later!" Princess waved before heading inside, blending into the sea of students.

But something felt... off.

Whispers followed her as she walked down the hallway. Students stole glances, their eyes flickering between her and their phones. Some just outright stared.

Her ears twitched. Why is everyone looking at me?

Spotting her friends gathered near their lockers, she quickly approached them. "Okay, what's going on? Why is everyone acting weird?"

Claudine exchanged glances with Laura and Kira before grabbing Princess's wrist. "You need to see this."

They pulled her into an empty classroom, shutting the door behind them. Claudine pulled out her phone, her face grim as she tapped on a video. "Look."

The screen lit up, showing a TikTok clip—Princess's voice echoed through the tiny speaker:

"I wish you weren't my dad."

Princess's blood ran cold. Her breath hitched as she watched herself say those words, her ears flattening against her head.

Then it hit her.

That was from the argument she had with Wolf. Someone had recorded it. Someone had posted it.

Her hands trembled.

A strangled scream tore from her throat, raw with anger and hurt. The sound was so loud that her friends had to cover their ears.

When she finally stopped, her chest heaved as she clutched her head, tugging at her ears in distress. "Who posted this?!"

Laura hesitated before answering. "Some TikTok user called CrimsonRage2006."

Princess's tail bristled. "If the guys see this..." Her voice cracked. "They'll think I see them as monsters. Like everyone else does."

Claudine placed a hand on her shoulder, her voice firm. "We'll figure this out. We'll get that video deleted."

Princess took a deep breath, determination burning in her eyes. She straightened up. "Okay, ladies. We need to find out who CrimsonRage2006 is. And I think I know just who to ask."

Zoey Del Viccho was at her locker, fixing her lip gloss when Princess and her squad approached her.

Without hesitation, Princess held up the phone, showing the TikTok profile. "Zoey, do you know who this is?"

Zoey's eyes flickered over the username, and a look of disgust crossed her face. "Ugh. Yeah, I know exactly who that is."

"Who?" Princess demanded.

Zoey crossed her arms. "Bowser Daimao. My ex."

The squad recoiled in horror.

"You dated that pig?!" Princess blurted.

Zoey groaned. "Yeah, I know, I know. It was a mistake, okay? But listen, if Bowser posted that, I guarantee I know where he is. He hangs out with the Jackal Brothers—Lewis, Mystery, and Viggo—at the old storage room behind the football field. If he's anywhere, he's there."

Princess clenched her fists. "Thanks, Zoey."

The old storage room loomed ahead, the faint thump of music vibrating through the walls. The girls peered through the dusty window, taking in the scene inside.

The place was decked out. A massive king cobra chair sat in the center like a throne, horror movie posters of Freaky plastered across the walls. A huge flat-screen TV glowed against the dim lights, with an L-shaped couch and Christmas lights giving the space a chaotic party vibe. Partybox LED speakers pulsed with the beat of Shell Shocked from the TMNT movie soundtrack.

Then, there was him.

Bowser Daimao lounged in his chair, a smug smirk on his face as he watched the Jackal Brothers: Lewis, Mystery, and Viggo—wrestle over a pizza like a pack of rabid hyenas.

But what made Princess's stomach twist was the framed photo of her sitting next to Bowser's chair.

Claudine gripped her bat. "Okay, let's do this."

Princess raised a hand. "Not until I say so."

The girls pressed closer, listening in.

Viggo, one of the Jackal Brothers, tore off a piece of pizza and looked at Bowser. "Hey, boss, you really think the Bad Guys' little girl is gonna come here after you posted that video?"

Bowser let out an obnoxious laugh. "Of course she will. I know how much she cares about her family. So, I posted the video of her saying 'I wish you weren't my dad.' She'll be begging me to delete it."

He leaned back, his smirk widening. "But I won't. Because that was all part of the plan. Sooner or later, she'll be mine."

Princess saw red.

Without a second thought, she ninja-kicked the door open. It slammed against the wall with a BANG.

The room fell silent.

Before Bowser could react, the squad stormed in.

Kira launched herself at Lewis, knocking him into the couch.

Claudine swung her bat at Mystery, sending him sprawling.

Laura landed a precise high kick on Viggo's jaw, making him yelp in pain.

Bowser tried to scramble up, but Princess was already there.

With a fierce glare, she grabbed him by the collar, yanking him forward. "You think you can mess with my family?!" she growled.

Bowser stammered, eyes darting around for an escape. "W-Wait! I—"

Princess didn't wait. She decked him, sending him crashing back into his throne.

With the Jackals groaning on the floor, the girls grabbed Bowser's phone. Princess pulled up the TikTok account, her fingers moving swiftly. Delete. Block. Report.

The video was gone.

As the squad dusted themselves off, Princess glared down at Bowser one last time. "If you ever pull something like this again, I won't be so nice next time."

With that, she turned on her heel, leading her squad out.

Behind them, Bowser groaned, clutching his jaw.

The lesson had been learned.

Princess and her friends walked out victorious.