#Adora finally gets her chance to shine

[antispopausandstuff]

thoughts on this post?

i mean, i agree that adora's protectiveness was a result of her trauma.

but "catra as the protector, adora's light in shining armor"? really? 💀

even in the final season, adora had to constantly protect catra from the CONSEQUENCES OF HER OWN ACTIONS and defend her in front of the princesses. while all catra did was whine about adora not paying enough attention to her and abandoning adora when she needed love and support.

also do you agree that catra is masc/butch? because i always saw her as femme. maybe not the pink, bubbly kind but more of a dark femme vibe. wearing a suit ONCE does not make her butch 😭

.

should go without saying, y'all, but don't harass this person if you happen to know who they are, please and thanks!

to start, this is a side tangent, but Adora does not have a martyr complex, but an Atlas complex. similar origins, but different results.

the martyr complex is described as: "a psychological pattern where individuals repeatedly prioritize the needs of others above their own, often to their detriment, while simultaneously expecting recognition or praise for their sacrifices".

the Atlas complex is described as: "a psychological concept describing a feeling of having to carry the weight of the world on one's shoulders, often stemming from childhood experiences of taking on responsibility".

obviously, Adora does not suffer from martyrdom.

anyway, moving on!

while it's ironic this person is talking about mischaracterization of Catra and Adora, when they clearly are doing the same thing, it's not the first time and it definitely won't be the last.

however, i think this is the first time i've seen an SPOP fan be actively annoyed that Catra is more or less baby-ified. first time for everything, i guess.

first off, one should not be solely dependent on another to be able to take proper care of themselves, physically and mentally. it's extremely unhealthy, isolating, and counterproductive. so, right off the bat, OP is already putting them in a shipping dynamic lens while simultaneously being annoyed at others for doing so just because it's not how they do it. at least, that's what i'm seeing.

second off, Catra hates being protected? not really. the only reason Catra would hate that is if Adora wasn't in the position she wants her to be, i.e, in the Horde as a Force Captain.

it's only when she's on her own, when Adora leaves, that Catra actively goes for independence. not because there was no chance otherwise, but because Adora isn't her doll anymore and she has to pick up the slack. Catra becoming a Force Captain instead was incredibly forced and to justify further drama.

basically, if Adora is on her side, Catra is all for being protected. if not, then that's when she's angry and throwing accusations.

third off, yeah, the knight in shining armor comment is laughable. for four seasons ( and beyond ), we've seen Catra go full sadist on Adora. dragging, shoving, mauling, mocking, degrading, and overall just being a complete piece of shit to Adora for *checks notes* leaving an abusive fascist military and asking her to come with.

and if that's not enough, she actively shits on Adora to other characters, too. so, even if fans wanna argue it's purely for battle ( like that makes it any better ), that's straight up not true.

even in s5, this is a problem, because Catra's unnecessarily distant and callous with Adora ( and Scorpia, but nobody cares about that, i guess ), but she's never properly called out for it. it's just Adora being sensitive and unrealistic, even though she literally almost died lol!

Catra protecting the BFS from Melog was weird, forced, and insulting, since she kept just being a dick to the people who saved her life, but whatever. sure. that's one moment, though.

as for the Failsafe, that was barely even protecting. Catra's been watching Shadow Weaver, yet doesn't say anything to Adora until she's about to get in. totally doesn't look like a show-off case. and, up until that point, Adora is the one comforting and reassuring her.

when it's not possible to throw Shadow Weaver into the fire, Catra suddenly doesn't have any other alternative solutions. so much for her being the "smartest" of the BFS. it doesn't even cross her mind to try it out herself. probably wouldn't have worked, but it would at least show that Catra cared enough to try.

otherwise, this "knight in shining armor" nonsense doesn't apply anywhere else. Adora is the one constantly trying to make Catra feel better, safer, and away from anything that could harm her. she's protecting her from the Princesses, when they have every single right to throw her ass into a fighting ring, she's comforting Catra when she gets nausea from Glimmer's teleporting, she's reasoning with Catra that all they have is Shadow Weaver's plan, etc., etc., etc.

it's Adora catering to Catra at almost every single turn, when Catra should be bending over backwards at the fact she's been given an undeserving second chance.

( btw, it annoys me that Catra suddenly has an issue with water and teleportation in s5 to make her more "cat-like" // baby-ified. )

like, she is nowhere near the protector the fandom thinks she is, let alone one at all.

and, finally, i didn't think too heavily on it, buuut...

she does have a similar "style" to Catwoman. sleek, form-fitting clothing with cleavage and other exposure ( like the thigh highs? i think that's what they are? ). if people consider Catwoman feminine, which she is, then, yeah, Catra is, too.

which is funny, 'cause she ( and the show ) bashes on femininity for no reason other than just because.

i personally don't hc Adora as masc // butch and more of an open wardrobe kinda person, and i don't know where OP is getting that the fandom doesn't largely view her as the feminine one, anyway? like, there's exceptions, obviously, but the fandom is obsessed with Adora being in that white dress.

anyway, yes, someone wearing a suit once doesn't automatically make them butch, just like someone wearing a dress once doesn't automatically make them femme.

( lol at the "inherent nurturing and protectiveness" comment )

[manic-sapphic]

yeah, maybe catra spent the last few years too prideful and stubborn to admit that w adora was always where she wanted to be - and after so little time spent back by adora's side, it was breaking her fucking heart all over, knowing her chance at having time w adora was going away again, and in a way she's powerless to change far more than before. she can't choose to sacrifice herself for adora again like in corridors. if the failsafe kills adora -

then that's that. adora's gone for good.

but in the end, i think catra realizes, when adora went away before - the time lost was all cause she refused to choose staying w adora out of her learned pride & conditioned perception of herself as inferior - but regardless, catra gets now - where adora decides to go isn't up to her; it's never been her choice to make - & not even adora's, in a lotta ways -

but where catra goes has never been a decision anyone but her can make - she can stay w adora & fight beside her or run away & fight against her. and choosing to stay with adora doesn't make her a sidekick; it's immature and self-centered to see it that way. i think of the promise episode..

"oh, cause i need to follow you where ever you go?"

catra, hush. pick your words a bit better. adora only ever wanted you to come with her; she never implied anything about following. i don't see and never have seen the two of them as a super hero & sidekick team. they're equally bad bitches and they try n make up for any need the other has to just feel safe, content, & cared for.

"you look out for me, and i look out for you."

and, well, catra's not ever fucking making the mistake of choosing not to stay right beside that silly sweet adora dummy ever, eeeever again.

BUT duuude tho - the way adora cries a bit but says nothing - doesn't attempt even once to try n convince catra to go, to push her to leave and get somewhere safe - i just can't help but figure catra staying with her is exactly what adora wanted, but never would've asked for in a million years. she would've felt too selfish just tryna form the question in her head.

but in spite of that, when catra states it unequivocally and clearly adds w confidence - "no matter what happens" - adora can't argue. she can't insist. much like catra hasn't really been able to do for quite a while now - adora can't fake it anymore. she's just too tired and she finally has to recognize she wants someone to take care of her, too - just like she's felt compelled to do for everyone else for so long. and in this moment, i feel like she's finally wordlessly admitting to catra, not only does she want her to be the one to take care of her - she needs her to be. & she's needed it since the promise -

but since even then, her head was so consumed with the instinct to care without ever seeking care.. to take responsibility, to sacrifice her needs and put the needs of literally everyone else first -

(for those out there that find this to be an admirable quality that makes them love adora and hate catra... omfg.. hilarious. because it's a trait born of adora's trauma, just like pretty much everything catra did that made people dislike her, and it's a super unhealthy way to live one's life)

it's kinda interesting if you consider that catra's initial spiral into resentment & anger hinged so much on feeling she was watching adora's "shadow weaver always said you were special" moment happen in a way that made catra feel entirely obsolete; and on top of that, made adora seem to disappear from her life. catra cringed at the shine of the first she-ra. and i maintain it's partly cause she fucking saw that it wasn't really adora anymore, if you ask me.

the only point to catra existing that ever meant anything to her? adora. however you wanna describe or portray their relationship, idfc - the fact remains - even as enemies, catra's always considered her life in terms of adora. it makes her think she has to compartmentalize adora as an enemy for some time, sure -

but the reason it only lasts a few years? lol c'mon, does anyone really need to wonder?

:)

cause the glow of adora as true she-ra -- seeing adora meld with her magic just at the thought of her lil kitty wanting to go home with her?

catra's eyes don't narrow, overwhelmed by the sheen - they widen. she's consumed with the glow.

& returns the favor. cause somehow, catra straight up delves deep into the abyss currently consuming adora & pretty much says - "fuck no. plsss wake up - you can't just die like this, not before you ever get a chance to live your own fcking life, good god dude - i get now why you couldn't before, but this time, please - STAY."

these gurls literally got so much love for each other that catra is able to straight up force open an entryway into adora's fading subconscious (which seems to be the only part of her that's still alive) - just by talking to her - barely above a whisper there in the heart, but in adora's mind, she's screaming at her.

the desperate, hopeful sentiments uttered, urging adora to keep going - to push through this and come out the other side alive - to please refuse to give up on herself the same way adora refused to give up on catra in save the cat.. "c'mon catra.. you're not done, not yet..." -- those words are just so much stronger when they're heard from adora's sweet tsundere kitty..

it's sooo loud to adora when catra is the one expressing it - cause she's finally freaking realized, catra's the one she most needs to hear it from. knowing catra feels that way about her is something she's never really had, and vice versa ofc, even in the horde. honestly, probably partly because they grew up in the horde.

it wasn't the kind of thing they were taught to say or even acknowledge feeling - but hearing catra beg her to just stay alive - and then hearing why catra so desperately needs her to - adora's made certain that it really is true -

she does deserve love, and there's someone whose love she's realized she wants - and they're holding her, telling her she has it & always has. and suddenly staying isn't a hope, isn't a plea - it's an inevitability. adora ain't going nowhere.

i can't help always picturing a laughable lil moment these days when i watch the finale; something like adora hearing catra yell that she loves her in her strange subconsciousness & quick w it as hell, opening her eyes in the heart and smiling -

"i was boutta die, but tbh i can't die without telling you: lol, i knew it. and hey.. i love you too :)"

[amar-bell]

THE GOLDEN ROSE Chapter 2

“Are you sure you don’t want me to come along?” Adora asked for the tenth time that day. “Yes Adora. Yes I’m sure.” Adora crossed her arms over her chest and pouted at her sister. “But what if something happens to you? You might never come back and I’ll never know what happened to you..” Mara moved up to her and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Good. Then you won’t come after me and end up dying like an idiot.” That made Adora give her a death glare and look away, pushing Mara away from her. 

Mara sighed, rubbing her arm awkwardly. “Adora..” Her sister didn’t acknowledge her. “Just take care of yourself okay? I should be back in a week..” Once again, no response.

Suddenly, Mara’s face lit up with a smile. “Hey.. You remember those really pretty white roses mom used to bring back after her trip to that village every time?” Adora’s face lit up with joy as well. “Yeah! I do! They lasted for years!” “I’ll bring back one for you. Deal?” Adora hugged her tightly. “Deal. Love you!” “Love you too sis..” 

Adora walked her sister to her cart, attached to the only horse they owned, Swift Wind. Being the only horse they had, he was Adora’s favorite. Adora would trust her life with that horse, and so it made her feel a bit better that he was going with Mara.

“Take care of her, okay?” She said to him with a smile. Mara rolled her eyes at that. “He will, now that you’ve told him..” She leaned down and gave Adora one final kiss on the forehead. “Bye blondie..” Adora stepped away as Mara started to ride the cart, waving at her. “Bye!”

~ Rain was pouring down from the clouds in a heavy haze, it was making visibility quite difficult, a sentiment shared by Swift Wind, who let out an irritated huff at being forced to walk through this rain. 

It was making Mara quite upset. The one chance she got to finally make life for herself and Adora better was constantly being thwarted. She would never get such a chance again for another year or so. Another year of worrying about money.

Mara couldn’t let that happen. Determined, she pressed on. She needed to do this. For her sister.

The rain did eventually slow down into a calming rhythm, and Mara was able to keep going quite smoothly. That gave her hope that maybe, just maybe, she could make it through this. 

���We should be there in about an hour’s time, Swifty..” She said affectionately to the horse. Swift Wind huffed in response, and Mara rolled her eyes. He could be quite stubborn sometimes, but she would be too if she was being forced to ride in the rain.

Suddenly, Mara heard a menacing snarl, one that made her stop her cart and look around. It was pitch darkness, and with the rain, she wasn’t able to see anything. Shaking, she picked up her flashlight and shined it in the forest in an attempt to search for what made that sound.

She didn’t see anything. 

She got down from the cart and continued to look around, Swift Wind let out a low whine for that. “I won’t go too far, Swifty.. I promise.” She said to him, looking around the forest.

Yet another growl could be heard, this time from behind her, panicked, Mara turned back, shining her flashlight in the area. What she saw made her blood run cold.

Wolves.

~

“It’s raining. You used to love watching the rain. Are you sure you don’t want to join us?” The princess continued to stare at the fire blankly. “No. I’m good. You can go and do so, though, go and have some fun.”

Angella sighed, pushing the tea cart forward to be closer to the princess. “Come on.. You’ve been brooding for the last three years.” She looked over at the rose in its glass case. “You don’t have much time left.. At least enjoy the last few months of your life.. That’s what your mothers would have wanted.” 

“You don’t know what my mothers want.” The princess hissed at Angella. “They’re gone. Long gone. I don’t want to hear them mentioned ever again!” She got up, anger clear on her face as she towered over the tea seat. “Am I clear?” Angella simply looked to the floor. “Yes your majesty..”

A feather duster gracefully floated into the room, landing on the tea set with a dramatic flourish. The princess rolled her eyes. “I saw something which might interest you, princess.” At that, she raised her eyebrow. “Oh really? Do tell.” “I saw someone arrive at your palace, right now.” That made the princess’s ears flatten against her head. “Who was it?” “A young woman.”

-

[jeeperso]

Fate/She-Ra

a little proof of concept ficlet. Not sure if it’ll continue, but I just wanted it out there

The Holy Grail War

A centuries old ritual where seven mages each called forth one of the world's greatest heroes to be their Servant, to fight each other to the death on their behalf. only when the war has a single victor, would the Holy Grail reveal itself to the surviving Master and Servant, to grant each of their deepest wishes, no matter how impossible or miraculous.

This was the world Shirou Emiya found himself thrust into. Not just tonight, when one of these servants, Lancer, tried to kill him twice, but apparently his entire life. It was the previous Holy Grail War that caused the great Fuyuki Fire a decade ago, the same fire from which Shirou was the only survivor. To save others as he was saved that terrible night was his fondest wish, to say nothing of keeping another such tragedy from happening in the first place.

It was with this noble intent that he held out his hand in friendship to his own Servant, Saber, the tiny woman hiding under his raincoat, the one in royal blue and shining armor as her shining green eyes blinked at him in confusion.

"Saber, are we not supposed to shake hands?" he asked.

A beat, and she finally returned the action.

"That is not the case, I was merely suprised by this sudden action. I shall swear to you once more here. So long as you possess your command seals, I shall be your trusted blade."

"I don't really get the situation too well," Shirou nodded, "but yes please."

that was when a slight cough of attention reminded Shirou that he and Saber were not alone. There was the girl in the red coat, her black hair done up in elegant twin-tails, her clear blue eyesslightly twitched in irration. Rin Tohsaka, the smartest and most popular girl in their school, and as shirou'd learned earlier that night, a secret magus and master in the war herself, her servant a red-garbed man called Archer

"Well," Rin finally said, "I'm glad you two are getting along, but this is where you and I part ways as enemies, Emiya."

"But, you helped me this far?"

"Only because you were dragged into this without a clue. Back there with the fake priest was your chance to back out, and now you're a master of your own choice."

"I know, but I'm not going to be your enemy, Tohsaka."

Rin could only facepalm at Shirou's naivete.

"If a foe is easy to slay," Archer said, materializing out of thin air, casting a contemptuous glance in Shirou's direction, "then we ought to do so."

"You don't have to tell me," Rin huffed.

"then why don't you?" her servant asked, "or are you still taking pity on this boy?"

"O-Of course not!" Rin shouted, "I-it's just... I owe him, y'know."

Shirou smiled inwardly. for all her bluster, it was clear to him that Rin was indeed a good person.

but, Just as Archer was muttering something about difficulty, a new voice rang out.

"Hey! Shirou!" exclaimed another girl, a foreigner in a dark suit with dark blonde hair and bright blue eyes, looking and sounding like a happy drunk as she staggered forward.

"Hey Master," the drunk asked, nearly toppling over to look behind her, but kept her balance with a clumsy spin. "Which one's Shirou, again?"

Shirou only realized he'd raised his hand at the sound of Rin, Saber and Archer face-palming simultaneously, and a little girl's giggle from behind the drunk.

Shirou felt a chill as he recognized the drunk's master, a very young girl in purple coat and hat, with sivler-white hair and red eyes that sparkled with childish malice. this same child had taunted him in passing only two nights ago, telling him he'd not much time left.

"Onii-chan's silly, isn't he, Berserker?" the girl said. at this, both Saber and Archer tensed

"I'unno," Berserker lazily shrugged, "how's he with boats n fire?."

"I think we can find out soon enough, now hush," the girl said, turning her attention to Rin

"Forgive my servants and mine lack of manners, Tohsaka, allow me to introduce myself. I am Illysvial Von Einsbern."

Rin stiffened, realizing the danger

"Alongside the tohsaka and Makiri," she quickly tried to explain to Shirou, "the Einsbern were one of the founding families of the Holy Grail War, under the tutelage of Keischer Zeltrech."

"Those... were words," Shirou muttered as it flew over his head.

"On the subject of words," Illyasviel said, "Berserker, you know what to say."

"I do?" Brserker said, before her brain caught up and she thrust her right hand skyward, "Oh, right...

"FOR THE HONOR OF GRAYSKULL!"

less than an instant later, a bright light erupted about Berserker, shining like the dawn, before being wreathed in arcs of crimson lightning. when it faded, Berserker's true state was revealed.

A towering, amazonian juggernaut stood before them, with flowing ash blond hair and pallid skin. clad in sleeveless dark tights and hip cape trimmed in radiant gold, while in her right hand, she held a sword of unearthly beauty and craftmanship. Unmistakeably as much a hero of legend as the other three Servants Shirou had seen that night, but at the same time wrong, her arms and sword covered in ominously glowing red veins, with just as hellish a glare coming from her scowling gaze.

"Kill them," Illyasviel said in an almost casual tone.

Berserker gave a wordless roar as she leapt forward, before a screaming rain of red bolts struck her, causing an explosion that not only knocked her off course to the nearby riverbank, but kept falling, cratering the ground under her.

Shirou only had time to realize two things in the next instant. that the sudden attack was Archers, and it had absolutely no effect on Berserker, and now only Saber duelling her invisible sword against Berserker's corrupted own was the only reason he was still alive.

taking an instinctive (and uncharacteristicly self-preserving) step back, Shirou stole a glance at Rin, mutting in awe that in addition to her obvious raw power, Berserker had skill to match Saber, implying their duel would quickly favor the giantess if nothing was done

but before Shirou could even act selflessly without thinking...

"Hey Adora," a new voice called playfully at almost normal volume, but easily cut through the clashing chorus of the duel, as Berserker whipped her head around to glare with her bloodshot eyes at the newcomer as she broke away from Saber. Masters and Servants alike followed suit at the newcomers.

perched atop a lamp-post was another woman, clad in red, smirking at Berserker with mismatched blue and yellow cats' eyes, while an equally catlike tail swayed behind her. the catgirl then dropped down to the sidewalk, drawing attention to her own master, whose purple eyes were just as wide in shock as Shirou's and Rin's.

"Sakura," Shirou could only gasp as the catgirl picked up the purplenette in a bridal carry and ran away with unnatural speed, pursued by Berserker, and she in turn pursued by Saber.

And as fast as merely mortal legs could carry himself, shirou joined the chase as well

[ruffiorocks]

Trying to understand Catra

Just re-watching season 1 episode 11 and this one really does give you an insight into why Catra is the way she is.

The first time you watch the childhood memories of Catra and Adora you just see Adora looking out for Catra (at least I did) but then this time round now that I've seen the final season I'm seeing more in this episode.

Those memories aren't just Adora looking out for Catra, yeah sure is being a best friend to her, but that's not all that's happening. The pickles Catra gets into are only ever resolved because Adora is there to help or speak up for her.

The training memory shows that Catra, despite being treated like garbage and not having much of a connection with anyone but Adora is actually really good at combat, she shines here, but she just can't outshine Adora. But she doesn't act bitter about it to Adora's face, she's supportive and then goes to let out her frustrations in the changing room.

The worst one is the scene where Catra and Adora go into the black garnet chamber and get caught by Shadow Weaver. Shadow Weaver doesn't think for a second to blame Adora or use magic on her or threaten her. It's automatically Catra's fault. Shadow Weaver threatens a little child. She actually tells Catra she will "dispose of her" herself if she hinders Adora's future in any way. She tell her that she only tolerates Catra because Adora is fond of her. That is quite horrific when you really think about it! Does Shadow Weaver hold any of the other orphans or cadets to these standards? Or is it just a personal vendetta against one child? Catra is told her place in the Horde, heck her very life is all dependent on her being in Adora's good graces. Catra can't shine now even if she truly wanted to, because of the risk it presents.

Shadow Weaver tell Adora she has to keep better control of Catra. Catra is there listening to this and it comes across as though Adora is her "keeper" . She is effectively Adora's "pet" so it's no wonder she lashes out.

When the memory ends Adora tells Catra she could come and join the rebellion and then she gets irritated that Catra doesn't just leave Shadow Weaver. But it's not the same for Catra as it was for Adora. I don't really like going into abuse themes, but if I don't someone will mention it. So here goes, we didn't see Adora being abused by Shadow Weaver, she is the golden girl, everyone likes her and even when she does something wrong it's blamed on Catra. Heck it reminds me of the old practice of having a "whipping boy" you can't punish royalty so you punish their servant in the hope they behave themselves.

Catra on the other hand is shown to be abused by Shadow Weaver, it's not as easy for someone to walk away from their abuser. It's all Catra knows and as we've seen, Catra has a bit of Stockholm syndrome where Shadow Weaver is concerned. She still wants her approval, she tells her not to worry when Hordak is mad and even when Shadow Weaver is locked up, Catra can't help but keep going to visit her. She's even heart broken when Shadow Weaver leaves, and who does she go to? Straight to Adora.

When Adora leaves the only thing Shadow Weaver cares about is getting her back and once again blaming Catra for something that Adora chose to do. Hordak on the other hand doesnt care about getting Adora back and he gives Catra something that she has never had before, he gives her chance to shine! He SEES her! Even when Adora goes to rescue Glimmer and Bow Shadow Weaver is ecstatic because she can erase Adora's mind and she tells Catra she's no longer relevant because Adora is back. It does explain why Catra let's Adora go and why she tells Adora this, Catra doesn't want and can't stand the idea of going back to being just "Adora's Pet".

Her relationship with Scorpia is a harsh one. But Scorpia isn't the cute, innocent little baby she's presented as. Scorpia willingly works for the Horde, she has no problem joining Catra in her missions to take the rebellion out. It's Scorpia that plants the heat bombs at the Princess Prom and uses her tail to sting Bow and Glimmer so they can be kidnapped. We just don't like to see her that way because she's funny, and sweet and likes to give warm hugs.

We can see moments where Catra enjoys being with Scorpia, where she's almost allowing herself to be real friends with her. But then she's pulled back and resorts to her defence mechanism of being an ass. Scorpia wants to protect her, hug her, take care of her, BUT that is exactly what Adora did. To me, even though Catra's behaviour isn't right, it's her not wanting to create that kind of a bond again because losing Adora was too much for her but at the same time it kind of freed her. She also doesn't want to become reliant on someone having to protect her all the time because thats what she's had to live with her entire life. What if Scorpia decides to leave like Adora did? It's a vicious , unhealthy cycle. She's also so obsessed with getting her job done and shining because now she can, she has Hordaks approval, she's taken her abusers place and suddenly has all this power and it goes to her head because what happens if she fails? She even gets rid of Entrapta because Entrapta won't let her proceed with the plan to open the portal, Catra is of course totally in the wrong but she's so far down the path she can't let go anymore. Sure she causes a lot of damage, but later on Glimmer causes a major issue when she trusts Shadow Weaver and messes with the Heart of Etheria because she's gone to far down a path she shouldn't have gone as well.

These memories, the one where Adora tells her nothing can just them as long as they have eachother is clearly something Catra had to rely on her whole life. Then suddenly Adora and that promise were gone. Catra had to be Adora's obedient pet the whole time they were in the Fright Zone, but that also means she had to believe the things Adora did and make sure she proved it, and that's a belief in the Horde.

People like to talk about the brain washing Hordak went through with Horde Prime. But what about the brain washing the orphans and cadets went through in the Fright Zone? Lonnie, Kyle, Regalio? They all happily fought for the Horde and took joy in taking down towns in season 4.

We always see Catra being both nice and an ass to Adora throughout the series. But to me it shows the conflict in Catra. She loves Adora, but part of her know she's Adora's pet and she rebels against this and takes it out on Adora, but the other part loves Adora and can't bear to be away from her. Adora doesn't understand it because all she sees is herself being treated very well and always saving Catra. She doesn't see what Catra really goes through, even though she knows that she's treated bad. Adora then gets a destiny, a life changing field trip and a bunch of new friends, then she just leaves and expects Catra to leave with her. But Catra doesn't have the same experience as Adora, all she sees is her best friend/The only reason she's still alive abandoning everything they were both dedicated to.

At the end of the episode Catra makes a choice, she can either wallow and want Adora back, or let go of Adora and move on. Catra tells Adora what living in her shadow is like and Adora is acting like it's the first time she has ever considered how everything affected Catra, she apologises but to Catra it's to late.

Scorpia tells Entrapta that Catra is the best friend ever, and you can see Catra stop for a second but we don't see her face. You can tell this comment has stopped her in her tracks, perhaps she does want to be a best friend again on her own merit, but she just won't allow herself to go down that road again. But this is ultimately the thing that causes her to lose everything.

Anyway, rant over, I'm glad it all ended happily 😊

[mimdecisive]

I’m stalling on my fic rn so I had to consider: in a Mara lives AU, what’s her relationship with Finn? so here’s some hcs, ft. DT and Scorpia apparently.

Adora and Mara develop a close relationship after Mara is saved, bc they both have an experience in common that no one else can really understand -- being She-Ra.

To the point Adora thinks Mara is the closest thing to a sister she’ll have, and Mara basically takes on the role of older sister bc I do love found family and I’m very consistent.

Mara is there when Finn is born, and one of the first people outside the Best Friends Squad to hold them.

Scorpia wishes she could hold them but they’re so delicate, and she’s so terrified and suddenly very aware of her pincers. Perfuma holds them in her place, letting Scorpia coo over the baby up-close.

Mara cries a little, because baby Finn is so precious and she knows this, this life is what she was fighting to protect. This is why she pulled Etheria into Despondos.

Light Hope tries to be supportive, but she doesn’t know anything about babies except that they don’t remember things. (A note she has saved.)

“Explain. Babies do not remember things, why are you throwing it a birthday party?” 

Light Hope becomes very overprotective, because all she knows about babies is that they’re fragile. (And don’t remember things, and do not understand danger.)

Adora and Light Hope’s relationship is still kind of rocky. Adora is hurt that Light Hope brought her through that portal, and then lied to her about it. But at the same time, she wouldn’t have met Catra or had Finn if she had stayed in space. Horde Prime might’ve ever wiped her out.

It’s a conflicting set of emotions, so Adora just visits the punching bag and copes.

Mara babysits, being one of the go-tos aside from Bow and Glimmer. Glimmer likes entertaining Finn with magic.

Perfuma and Scorpia are also a good option, despite Scorpia’s pincers and anxiety whenever the baby is near her. 

DT, Sea Hawk and Entrapta have both been banned before they had the chance to babysitter.

DT eventually gets their chance anyway. They left Kyle in charge of babysitting but something Kyle-like happened, like he hit his head on the doorway and got knocked out.

Catra and Adora return later to find DT holding a calm, sleeping Finn and being like, ‘wow you must have really thought I was bad with children to leave them with KYLE before me.’

from then on, DT finally gets their chance to shine as the babysitter bc they don’t like being left out, and also they’re the godparent so how dare you.

Finn starts calling Mara and Light Hope, ‘Auntie Mara’ and ‘Auntie Telegram’, respectively.

They don’t know what a telegram is at this point but the word sounds similar enough to ‘hologram’ that they don’t care, because that’s what people call Light Hope.

Mara takes them to the Etherian equivalent of a park or something. Family-friendly activities. 

Finn goes through a phase where they really take to Light Hope, when they’re like 5 or something. Everything she says makes little sense, but she has endless patience to explain it to them.

Finn learns a lot of bigger words, which they would later use when they got into theatre. 

Perfuma tries several times to teach them about plants, but tragically they never really resonate with any of her lessons.

One day, Scorpia teaches them about Cacti and they listen because Scorpia is really entertaining. She’s all like, “And look at this little spiky one! I mean, they’re all kinda spiky. But this one’s really showing it, y’know? I know they’re plants and can’t technically feel, but I like to think it means this one is the happiest, and it’s expressing itself.”

Perfuma tries not to be upset but knowing Finn has taken up Cacti feels like an attack on her, specifically, and like Finn doesn’t like her.

Catra has to have a take with her about it. anyways back to Mara.

Mara takes them through the whispering woods a lot and talks about magic, things she’s learned about Etheria and sometimes takes them to visit Razz. 

Finn loves Razz. She makes absolutely zero sense, and Finn thinks it’d make a good character for a play. If they ever learn to shapeshift like DT, they’re just going to impersonate her and wander around Etheria hitting people with brooms.

Mara and Light Hope tells them about constellations, together. Mara recaps it in a way Finn would understand, and tells them some of her favourite stories behind the constellations.

By the age Finn actually knows the difference between a telegram and a hologram they still teasingly call Light Hope the former, even when Auntie shortens to Aunt.

Finn regularly steals Enchanta to do mischief with Double Trouble. Enchanta, being a bastard, wholeheartedly accepts every time.

[lovelylapins]

it’s a habit

so... guess who finished she-ra haha

ko-fi

also on ao3

Catra thinks about Adora way more than she should. Way more than anyone should, if she’s being honest. She thinks about her in the same way she thinks about breathing or putting one foot in front of the other as she walks; so often and so used to it she thinks of it as less of a habit and more of a reflex as time goes by.

Of course, she’d never admit it, not even when it becomes clear to everyone else. She can’t. Speaking it into existence would be letting her win, letting her have one more thing handed over.

So, Catra sucks it up. She hisses and growls and lets her nails attack the walls, leaving deep scratches everywhere she goes. Lines that, over time, seem like they’ve always been there. She walks around with a chip in her shoulder, a chip that’s as big on the hole she’s left in the universe. Catra walks around like she owns the place, and maybe she does, but it still doesn’t hide the fact someone’s on her mind, someone she hasn’t been able to get her hands on completely.

Adora. Her dumb face. That stupid puffed up bit of hair that she always perfected first thing in the morning, usually with a toothbrush peeking out of her mouth and almost always with Lonnie yelling for her to get away from the sink so the rest of them could get ready. Those big blue eyes, which always seemed to shine a bit more whenever she was in combat.

Those eyes, that had never looked so cold when the distance between them was too much.

It’s hard to forget about her, to break out of the pattern and leave the memories where they belonged – in the past and away from sight. But Catra can’t help it after all. It’s her way of coping, her own form of therapy that’s better and stronger and so much more powerful than anything else someone could offer her, that’ll become truer the more she repeats it to herself.

Or it would have, anyways.

With time, everything slowly changes. Her greatest weakness, a flaw by any other name, finally begins to shift into something else. Adora finally begins to shift, new and old feelings coming together to take over the pain and heartbreak that Catra had long since convinced herself were good enough reasons to act out and attack and try in vain to get her revenge, whatever that may be.

Catra’s not really sure if she even had an idea of what she ever really wanted throughout it all, other than one person, other than her.

Adora had that effect though. She was able to unite people from all over, to gather under one shared cause and fight to freedom, to sacrifice all she could if only it led to another day of freedom for others. Anyone around her for too long could get entranced by it all, swept in by the stories told by others and wooed by everything else that made up Adora. Get even closer, and it didn’t seem so outlandish to think that someone could fall in love.

That was maybe the hardest part of it all for Catra to try and ignore, to bury down under it all.

It’s not until everything changes and Catra’s gone from the opposing side to by Adora’s side, Etheria restored to its old glory and the universe relieved of Prime’s reign, that she’s learnt to embrace it, to allow her heart to open up and rest on her sleeve for the world to see. Gain peace of mind in ways she never expected, in her body curling up against someone else’s at night once more and waking up next to warmth in the morning, looking into the blonde hair and blue eyes she had long committed to memory. To spend nights outside and curled at the base of a tree, staring up into the night sky and smiling up at it, not in malice but solace.

It’s wonderful. Strange and new and exciting all at once, it was more than enough to drown anyone unable to adapt. A while ago Catra herself wouldn’t have stood a chance, sinking in amidst the change and losing herself to the depths of it all with a mind too preoccupied with thoughts of revenge and pain and Adora to do anything else.

Now however, it was different. The thoughts and memories of before didn’t seem so troubling now, no longer a sign of weakness and in desperate need of being erased. No, instead they’re a reminder to Catra of not only what it took to save the world, but what it took to save themselves, destroying the Heart while giving each other theirs.

Love, Catra thinks. Nothing more, nothing less.

There’s another reminder of that as well, sitting right next to her and holding on tightly to her hand, eyes alit and mouth moving quickly as she spoke on about an old mission to the others. She’s everything to Catra, as necessary to her as an intake of breath and yet, in the same moment, still not enough.

It was Adora, after all. There was no one like her.

[turtletotem]

Burn Me Down - a Catradora fanmix

Fifteen-song Spotify playlist for giving you Catradora feels, presented in roughly chronological order for their relationship. Fairly Catra-centric because of my brain.

Songs and their relevance under the cut!

1. Ashes (Braden Barrie)—Catra's POV of Adora leaving

Wish I had known back then That when you told me That this was goodbye I'd never see you again

I know the stars still shine And the moon still glows But my heart still beats for you And I wonder why you gave up this time Maybe I just wasn't enough for you

2. Someone You Loved (Lewis Capaldi)—More Catra, particularly when she tears the bed up

Now the day bleeds into nightfall And you're not here to get me through it all I let my guard down and then you pulled the rug I was getting kinda used to being someone you loved

I'm going under and this time I fear there's no one to turn to This all or nothing way of loving got me sleeping without you

3. The Horror and the Wild (The Amazing Devil)—Catra's growing anger at Adora and maybe also at Shadow Weaver

Think of all the horrors that I Promised you I'd bring I promise you, they'll sing of every time You passed your fingers through my hair and called me child

4. Bad Blood (Bastille)—"You promise?" "I promise."

We were young and drinking in the park There was nowhere else to go And you said you always had my back Oh but how were we to know That these are the days that bind you together, forever And these little things define you forever, forever ... If we're only ever looking back We will drive ourselves insane As the friendship goes resentment grows We will walk our different ways But those are the days that bind us together, forever And those little things define us forever, forever

5. Don't Make Me (Malinda)—Back when Catra and Adora still didn't want to fight each other.

Don't make me be the bad guy Don't make me be the bad guy Despite all of my foresight I keep hoping I'll be right about you But you were the psycho So what do I know? (I know) Tell me you're the bad guy No, don't make me be the bad guy

6. Circles – Minor Key Version (Chase Holfelder)—They can't just turn their backs on each other, no matter how they try. I like the minor-key version here for a more tragic tone.

We couldn't turn around 'Til we were upside down I'll be the bad guy now No, I ain't too proud … Seasons change and our love went cold Feed the flame 'cause we can't let go Run away, but we're running in circles Run away, run away

7. Until the Day I Die (Story of the Year)—Post-portal, when things get… very bad between them.

My hands are at your throat And I think I hate you We made the same mistakes Mistakes like friends do

My hands are at your throat And I think I hate you But still we'll say, "Remember when" Just like we always do Just like we always do

Until the day I die I'll spill my heart for you, for you

8. The Beauty and the Tragedy (Trading Yesterday)—Oh the repressed feelings

Watch your step, love is broken I am every tear you cry Save your breath, your heart has spoken You already have my life For I am finding out that love Will kill and save me Taking the dreams that made me up And tearing them away But the same love will take this heart That's barely beating Fill it with hope beyond the stars Only love

9. Broken Inside (Broken Iris)—Emo song for emo season-4 Catra and her slow-spiraling breakdown. [WARNING: There’s a scream at the end of the song for some reason.]

Until the end of me You'll be the death of me I dare you to cross the line again Because deep down inside there's something that waits to be Broken inside Feeling alive Forced to defy Who casts me aside I'm waiting to be Broken inside Losing my mind Gasping for life Crashing through times That drive me to find The darkness behind Will never run dry But I'll still stand

10. Wrong Direction (Hailee Steinfeld)—Adora POV

I don't hate you No, I couldn't if I wanted to I just hate all the hurt that you put me through And that I blame myself for letting you Did you know I already knew?

Couldn't even see you through the smoke Lookin' back, I probably should have known But I just wanted to believe that you were out sleepin' alone Love me with your worst intentions Didn't even stop to question Every time you burned me down Don't know how, for a moment it felt like heaven

And it's so gut-wrenching Falling in the wrong direction

11. Fairly Local (Twenty One Pilots)—Catra's heel-face turn in "Corridors"!!! Credit to @yesbpdcatra for pointing out the amazing Catra-ness of this song.

I'm evil to the core What I shouldn't do I will They say I'm emotional What I wanna save I'll kill Is that who I truly am? I truly don't have a chance Tomorrow I'll keep a beat And repeat yesterday's dance … I'm not evil to the core What I shouldn't do I will fight I know I'm emotional What I wanna save I will try I know who I truly am I truly do have a chance Tomorrow I'll switch the beat To avoid yesterday's dance

12. If You Need Me (Julia Michaels)—Adora POV, especially deciding to go back for Catra after she saved Glimmer.

Have I spent too much time on what we used to be? Am I making up details in the memories? Have I got too caught up on the you and me thing? Well, I'm hoping not 'cause I loved what we got Out of sight, don't mean out of mind Not in your space, but you're still in mine Hope you don't think I could leave you like that

13. Vow (TENDER)—Catra, trying to change and be better.

I'm gonna need you tonight Walkin' miles in the moonlight Got myself into the wrong fight So, show me where To make amends

14. Control (Zoe Wees)—Catra recovering—from Prime, from Shadow Weaver, from everything—with Adora to help her.

Sometimes I still think it's coming but I know it's not Tryin' to breathe in and then out but the air gets caught 'Cause even though I'm older now and I know how to shake off the past I wouldn't have made it if I didn't have you holding my hand

15. Marry Me (Train)—The sweet, gauzy, sappy fairytale-ending song they deserve.

Together can never be close enough for me To feel like I am close enough to you You wear white and I'll wear out the words I love you And you're beautiful Now that the wait is over And love has finally shown her my way Marry me Today and every day

[lillotte17]

Words to Fill Space

Whelp, I’m not going to finish this since the literal creator of the show sort of pulled the rug out from under me. (bless) But I liked what I got down, so I figured I might as well toss it out into the void. 

~

Catra knew who was on the other side of the door before it even finished opening. After all, she had hardly given her a moment to herself since rescuing her. Not that Catra minded the abundance of attention, exactly.

She didn't know how she felt about it, if she was being honest.

Any of it.

When she had been trapped on Prime's ship, some tiny quaking voice inside her had hoped against hope that Adora would come for her. That her inherent need to play the hero would override all the anger and resentment she must hold for her now. That a single shining thread of the promise they had made to take care of each other was still binding them to one another across the vast reaches of space and time, bitter words and bloodied hands.

Catra had hoped, but she hadn't really thought it would happen.

And yet, Adora was here, standing her the doorway with what seemed to be an armful of blankets and pillows, grinning from ear to ear like an idiot. 

She wasn't sure what feeling the image instilled in her, but it was more than a little overwhelming. Everything that involved Adora seemed to be like that. Too big. Too bright. Heart hammering behind her ribs.

"What do you want this time?" Catra grumbled, curling into herself on the thin mattress at the center of the room, hiding her face in the crook of her arm, "I apologized to Entrapta, and I played nice with your friends at dinner, what else do I have to do before you let me get some sleep?"

"I remembered that you get cold easily," Adora explained, not at all put off by the less than cordial greeting, "The ship only has a few bedrooms, but we found a bunch of extra blankets and things in storage, and I figured you might want some of it."

So saying, she tossed a blanket at Catra's head, burying her face in soft stifling fabric. Catra hissed, flailing at the unexpected darkness for a moment before managing to tug herself free. Adora snorted.

"Gee thanks," Catra snarled, "Now can I go to sleep?"

"Well, sure, but…um," Adora began, suddenly looking a bit sheepish.

"Yes, what else do you want?" Catra heaved a sigh, rolling onto her back and flinging an arm over her face.

"There aren't enough bedrooms to go around," Adora admitted, "The rest of us all agreed to double up, but we knew that you were still having a hard time adjusting to being around everyone so… It seemed like I was probably the best choice to send in here with you? After all, it's not like we've never shared a room before…"

Catra moved her arm just enough to take a long look at Adora's face. There was something unbearably soft about it. Uncertainty dancing along the fringes of hope. The dim lighting painting her pale blue eyes the color of storm clouds. Her mouth teetering on the edge of a smile.

"That was a long time ago," Catra reminded her, shifting her gaze away.

"It wasn't that long ago…" Adora insisted quietly, "We don't… You don't have to talk to me or anything. I'm just going to bed down on the floor."

"Do whatever you want," Catra replied with a huff, "It's your ship anyway. It's not like I could kick you out even if I wanted to."

"…do you want to?" Adora wondered.

"…no."

The mumbled admission was apparently enough consent for Adora to move fully into the room and start arranging her makeshift bedding in one corner, tucked up against the wall.

After a minute or two of shuffling around, Adora seemed to settle. The only sound in the room afterwards was the faint sound of even breaths. She smelled a little different than Catra remembered -probably some kind of fancy princess soap as opposed to the regulation bars the Horde passed out- but beneath all that, she was the same. A light honest scent, with the faintest tang of sweat. The smell of safety and trust, and home.

For the first time in ages, Catra felt something inside her unclench, just slightly.

"Do you ever wonder what would have happened…if you had let me come with you when you went back for the sword?" Carta asked, her voice low, and her eyes fix firmly on the ceiling.

The was a long stretch of silence, and for a moment she thought Adora might have already fallen asleep.

"Not anymore," Adora replied, soft and remorseful, "I used to, back at the beginning of all this. I drove myself crazy trying to think of what I could have done differently that would have made you change your mind and leave with me. How I could fix things between us so we could be friends again. But then…"

"Then I opened the portal," Catra guessed, sounding bitter, although mostly at herself, "And you gave up on me."

"I never gave up on you!" Adora insisted, sitting up from her pile of blankets to fix her with an intense look, "You just… You wouldn't let me help you! You wouldn't listen to anything I had to say! You kept hurting me, and my friends, and everyone around you, and then trying to push the blame somewhere else when things went wrong. We grew up together, I know you better than anyone else in the whole world. I always knew you could be better than that. I've seen you be better than that! But it's not like I could just punch you into being a good person, you know? I tried! A lot! You had to want it for yourself first. What else was I supposed to do for you, Catra?"

"I…I don't know," Catra whispered the admission into the dark. She felt her heart sinking in her chest. The same bleak helplessness that had been dogging her for months stealing back into her thoughts. Despair and shame and regret. Knowing that, once again, no matter how hard she worked for it, no matter how far she stretched out her hand, the things she wanted were still beyond her grasp.

"It…It's never going to be the same, is it?" she asked thickly, choking down all the other things she wanted to say. Not even having the words for half of them. "Between you and me?"

"…Probably not," Adora sighed.

Catra made a quiet strangled sound, biting back tears. She was so sick of crying. Sick of losing and being lost. Being left. But she didn't have it in her to lash out anymore.    

Her ears twitched at the sound of shifting blankets and bare feet padding across the room.

Adora sat at the foot of her bed, her expression uncharacteristically hard to make out. Catra sat up and stared back at her, trying to mask her own upset. After a few moments of contemplation, Adora finally reached out and touched her hand. Brief and gentle. Comforting.

"We can't go back to the way things were before," she said, "But maybe that's for the best. I don't think either of us were as good at being friends as we thought we were. The Horde wasn't really a great place to learn anything that didn't involve hitting things and yelling. We both made mistakes. We both hurt each other. Unintentionally, and…less than unintentionally, too. I don't want us to be like that again."

"I…understand," Carta replied. Her shoulders were shaking. Adora covered them with her hands, warm and steadying.

"But maybe, we can make something better?" Adora suggested, the corners of her mouth twitching upwards.  

"Better?" Catra repeated dumbly, momentarily at a loss.

"Yeah. Better." Adora confirmed, a full-blown smile blooming across her face this time, crinkling the corners of her eyes. The low-lit crystals in the room seemed to all agree to pool their light withing her gaze at once, making her eyes shine like starlight.

Catra almost wanted to cover them with her hands. She felt like Adora could melt her from the inside out with those eyes. Even without She-Ra's powers.

"I'm…not sure I know how to do that," she admitted instead, trying not to let out a very telling sniffle.

"Me neither," Adora huffed in wry amusement, "But I'm willing to try if you are."

"And you really think all your princess friends in the Rebellion are just going to accept that?" Catra wondered, disbelieving, "Accept me? Like nothing happened?"  

"Well…probably not at first," Adora conceded, "You did send an awful lot of bots and soldiers to shoot us. But they accepted Scorpia, and they forgave Entrapta, why should you be any different?"

"I've done a lot worse things than either of them," Catra pointed out.

"Alright, that's fair," Adora sighed, "But there's no way you've done worse things than Shadow Weaver, and she's part of the Rebellion now. I mean, nobody likes her or trusts her at all, but she's still there. Nobody tortured her, or suggested sending her off to Beast Island or something. The Rebellion isn't like the Horde; people who make mistakes can have a chance to fix them. It'll be hard, and I can't promise that all of them will like you, or decide to forgive you for what you did, but I know they'll at least give you a chance to try and make things right."

"Shadow Weaver never flipped a switch that nearly ripped the entire planet apart," Catra scoffed.

"No, you're right," Adora agreed, rolling her eyes, "She just spent twenty years or so helping Hordak manipulate orphans into destroying their own planet just to get back at the Sorcerer's Guild for throwing her out. She also poisoned Plumeria, tortured Glimmer, tried to wipe my mind, and almost destroyed Mystacor. And I mean…that's not even getting into everything she did to both of us while we were growing up."

"You don't have to try and make excuses," Catra said, looking away, "Shadow Weaver wasn't half as good at running the Horde as I was. I'm not sure if that says something impressive about me, or pathetic about her, but I don't think any kind of comparison between us is flattering. I'm not exactly proud that I was better at being awful than she was."

"You aren't?" Adora blinked.

"I know, right?" Catra chuckled dryly, "It surprised me, too."

Adora snorted. She caught her gaze again, and the air settled in silence between them for a few heartbeats. Not in anger or frustration or resentment, but something almost comfortable. Almost like friends.

Almost.

Adora smiled at her again, soft this time.

"You know, there is one huge thing you did that Shadow Weaver didn't," she said.

"Oh yeah?" Catra drawled, trying to act nonchalant, but feeling a touch apprehensive despite herself.

"Yeah," Adora continued, her smile curling up into more of a grin, "You said you were sorry."

[hispydamy618]

She-Ra and the Princesses of Power x Spaceling: Glitch in Space

Summary: After opening the portal, it tears a hole across the dimensions giving an entrance for the New York heroes: Utopix Jones, Georgine Wilson, Gabriel Rodriguez, Oliver Schmidt and Makena Jones, to fall right through. Together, they'll need to recreate the disaster that brought them to Etheria alongside the Princess' Rebellion in order to go back home and fix what was broken... but not before defeating the obstacles on the way.

Disclaimer: Contains spoilers for She-Ra’s season 3 finale and Spaceling’s issue 10-12 events.

(Thank you so much to @catlliecal​ for co-writing this with me!)

Masterlist: Chapter 1 (you’re here!) // Chapter 2 // Chapter 3 // Chapter 4 // Chapter 5 // Chapter 6 // Chapter 7

Word Count: 3.2k 

Check Spaceling out!

Chapter 1: And We Must Be Brave

Sunrise in Ethernia was always a sight to behold, bringing out the beauty of the land. Even the Horde infested Fright Zone looked nice at this time of day. The Kingdom of Snows sparkled like a diamond, the rays of the sun making the ice shine. The flowers in Plumeria reach up to soak in the light, opening up their petals and showing off their color. Salinaes' waters began to twinkle in the light as they kept hitting the city walls. Shadows stretched over Dryl, the sun showing off the kingdom's grand architecture. The hidden kingdom of Mystacor danced in the sky, floating in place as the sun came up and passed them. None of these places compared to Bright Moon at sunrise. every nook and cranny came alive with energy and life, glimmering with hope for all to see. 

Which did not include Adora, who was currently fast asleep. 

She began squirming around, trying to grab something without waking up. Unfortunately, she squirmed around too much and fell out of her bed and onto the floor.

"Urg..." Adora regretfully opened up her eyes, groaning and moaning as she tried to get a sense of her surroundings. Hadn't she gotten over the whole 'falling out of the very tall bed thing' already? According to today, apparently not.

"Oh, I didn't think it could get worse..." she slowly stood up and began stretching, trying to lessen the aches running up and down her. That last fight with Catra really put her through the ringer, even putting aside the whole realty-crumbling-as-far-as-the-eye-can-see fact. Falling onto the floor only aggravated those pains. A hot bath was certainly in order, especially if the First Ones wanted to go over more physical combat skills with She-Ra later on.

Adora let out a huge yawn before she felt her a couple of her bones pop. Going back to sleep now was pointless since the sun was up. She'd only get a few more moments before Bow came in telling her not to sleep the day away, followed up by Glimmer teleporting onto her bed and yanking the sheets off.

"Morning, Adora."

"Morning, Glimmer. Good to see you– what are you doing in here?"

Adora rubbed her eyes to make sure she wasn't imagining things. There Glimmer was, sitting on the window seat, looking over Bright Moon.

"Oh, you know," Glimmer shrugged. "Just... thinking."

"What kind of thinking?" Adora plopped down on the other side of the window seat.

"Just normal thinking about normal stuff."

"Right, normal thinking. Not processing-what-just-happened thinking."

"Totally not that!" Glimmer's voice cracked on the last word.The two sat in silence, watching what remained of the sunrise.

"You know," Adora began, "if you wanna talk about it, I'm here to listen."

"Not really," Glimmer pulled her legs to her chest.

"You sure?" Adora asked, trying to push the envelope as much as she could.

"I'm sure... I don't wanna think about it unless I have to."

"Got it..." Adora clicked her tongue. She shuffled around a little, the air heavy with unspoken words. It's not like Adora could blame Glimmer. Even if Angelica was alive, she was sealed away. Sure, Etheria was safe from being ripped apart by space-time itself, but nothing felt right. It had barely been a day and the lack of one prominent face was already very noticeable. While Adora had never had a good mother, she couldn't help but think about how heartbroken Glimmer must be.

Hopefully she would open up soon.

And yet, dozens of dimensions away, another planet dealt with a less disastrous situation. Most specifically at New York... on a young girl's house. Makena's.

"Make yourselves at home!" Makena smiled at her two guests, Georgine and Utopix, while trying to unlock the door. 

"Oh, this'll be fun!" Utopix excitedly waited by Georgine's side, who kept him close at all times. It hadn't been weeks since she decided to confess her love to him by printing her lips on his... yet she decided to protect him with such ferocity and valor. 

"Why, hello!" Gabriel greeted the two lovebirds, leaning near Oliver's grumpy self.

"Hello, guys!" Utopix immediately reacted at his interaction by happily waving at him, unlike Georgine who glanced away at the discomfort of noticing Oliver there. Not that she cared, but she'd rather not deal with it right now.

"Oh, shoot..." she spoke out like a curse. 

Hours have passed and Georgine had explained the uncomfortable situation that Utopix and her had to face earlier that week: a doppelgänger barging in her house and intimidating Utopix... letting him know of his existence. 

"A doppelgänger?" Makena asked in concern.

"Yeah... We saw him a few days ago," Georgine replied, keeping her head low.

"What did he look like?" Makena added another question as she handed her a pencil and a blank piece of paper for her to sketch the stranger's face. She knew that such ability was one of Georgine's skills, so it'd be easy for her to try and replicate the unwanted individual's features. It wasn't that hard to remember it either. She had checked Uto's, as she called him, video log to understand what had happened that night. 

"Kinda like Uto, but his hair was..." Georgine allowed the pencil to do the work for her.

After she was done sketching, she allowed her body to rest against the chair she was sitting on. Makena's hand rested on Georgine's shoulders as she contemplated the illustration. 

"Oh." Makena didn't know what else to expect. The illustration looked quite like Utopix, just a tad bit different.

"Every good villain needs a name!" Gabriel interfered into their conversation as he prepared a chess board to keep Oliver entertained. "What about 'Otu'?" Gabriel's imagination run wild as the doppelgänger-needs-to-kill-the-hero situation was placed upon him. It bothered Georgine at times, but for once she'd let it pass.

"I guess so..." she said, holding the illustration near her face. "Takara must have sent him to take us off guard." Georgine assumed. "'Otu' managed to turn off Sabrina..." she added.

"That's awful..." Makena's concern instantly invaded her once more. "I-Is she okay? Oliver can fix her!!"

"Enlighten me," Georgine held Sabrina's... body up which was covered by a blanket which easily slipped off.

Oliver immediately analyzed the problem and decided to reveal his diagnosis. "If she's turned off, then she'll eventually turn back on. We can't force it." 

Utopix's curiosity jumped at his words. "How do you know that?" It's not that he was amused that a foreigner knew basic Sardkenofian technology. It was the fact that he quickly came to a conclusion without hesitating... why? Oliver nearly stuttered, his head trying to come up with an excuse to satisfy the robot's curiosity.

"Checkmate!" Gabriel shouted; easily winning the chess game that Oliver barely paid attention to. 

"Let's just get to fight practice already." Georgine merely seemed to suggest.

Once they were all at the bluntly painted basement, Georgine began wrapping some sport tape around her knuckles. 

"Tsk... Mine is a lot better," Oliver commented on Makena's basement, as if there was supposed to be something more than just that.

"Lil' brat." Georgine shook her head as a mere reaction. "Either way, just watch and learn for now."

Makena giggled at their interaction, attracting her sweet kitten Smokey who simply posed by her. "Aww, Smokey..." she caressed him, attempting to make him sleepy.

But miles above the sky, that intimidating doppelgänger was being submitted to horrid punishment. His skin barely holding itself together after the many punches and slaps that Takara exposed him to. His target of destroying Utopix Alle Jones had been consumed by the slightest feeling in his non-existent heart. But he hadn't shown any sign of it when he paid him a visit, so what was really going on?

"I gave you a target and you failed miserably, 36." Takara angrily spoke to "Otu", a.k.a. as Experiment 36, merely giving the idea that she had tried this sort-of thing before. "Hit it." Takara ordered Blu, her other henchman, to activate the oh-so-painful electricity that ran across Otu's body mercilessly. "I hope that you don't disappoint me again," her voice delivering a statement and a threat.

"Ma'am... It seems that the squad has moved location." Blu pointed out as he observed the main screen.

"Where are they right now?"

"Ameritania Hotel."

"Okay, 36." Takara glanced at him, who was trying his best to recover from such treatment. "This'll be your chance to prove that you're not useless," she said, assigning him his next mission. "Make sure Uto suffers." Her usage of Georgine's nickname for Utopix in Otu's ears made him tremble, fully engaging into his armor.

The gang, unbothered by any of the events that had happened during that week, decided to sneak in one of the bedrooms at Ameritania Hotel, one of the most prestigious hotels in New York. They didn't complain... Georgine had done some very sketchy in the past: breaking into cars of her friends' exes, graffiting a bully's garage door, among other things.

"How come that they let us in?" Utopix watched the rain slipping down the window's glass.

"The receptionist's a friend of mine." Georgine replied, as if their presence wasn't a problem that could said person fired.

"Oh, that's cool!" Utopix united to the unbothered feeling that the others were in. 

"So, why are we here exactly?"

"You kidding? Free food!" Gabriel cheered up, as Oliver was munching on a couple of chips from a big bowl.

Suddenly, a lightning stroke in the sky, catching Utopix's attention but also making him flinch. Georgine found it adorable. She'd assume that Sardkenof had a climate similar to Earth's, but it seemed that he was mostly bothered by the sound than anything else. 

"It happens when it rains," she simply commented on it, placing a hand on his shoulder for reassurance.

"Well, it's horrible..." Utopix caressed his other arm in discomfort, despite feeling Georgine's.

"It doesn't have to be if you don't want it to." Georgine's fingers gently brushed his hand, meaning to intertwine said fingers with his. 

"You look so adorable together!" Makena's head popped from underneath the sheets she was hiding in. 

"Oh, shut up. We were too." Georgine objected, recalling the time that they used to share said feelings back in their youth.

"Earthlings date the same gender?" Utopix learned something new from their culture, to say the least.

"Yeah, but some are picky about it." Georgine added to said information.

But their heartfelt moment was interrupted by a blurry dark maroon sight from the other side of the window. "Uh, guys... Is that who I think it is?" Gabriel commented on it.

"Oh no..." Georgine instinctively placed her arm in front of Utopix, despite the other not having entered the building yet.

How horrid was it for Utopix to be able to contemplate Otu's smirk from afar, letting him know that something was going to be wrong, that something was going to happen. Either to him, or his new friends. As if called by a cue, Utopix's arms were wrapped around Georgine's chest to stop her from any sudden movement. 

"Goddamn it. It's that punk again!" Georgine leaned against the window, bringing Utopix forward with her. 

Makena's motherly nature kicked in. "Georgie, language!"

Takara thought that she had them all under her grasp, that she'd finally be crowned victorious after many weeks of wanting to eliminate what was, supposedly, left of the Jones family. But not just yet. Before Oliver could create any plan of defense, a big blast of lightning had hit the sky once again, making Utopix flinch yet again and refuge on Georgine's strong arms. 

And suddenly... silence. 

The gang took a better look at the sky from the window. Four of them knew what New York's weather was like, and it clearly wasn't like that. Seconds later, a minuscule purple light appeared on the center of gray cloudy sky, obliterating every piece of darkness 'round every corner in seconds. 

"What in the name of the sweet heck is that!?" Gabriel shouted in both fear and excitement. 

Oliver quickly jumped to a conclusion. Again. "It's a wormhole... A portal! Get out of here! Now!" He pressed a button on his smart watch; equipping Makena, Gabriel and Georgine with special gear that they had grabbed beforehand.

Georgine immediately scooped Utopix in her arms, running downstairs and to the hotel's entrance. As they joined the sea of people evacuating the hotel, the bright light shone brighter, vacuuming everything on its way. Cars, signs, trees... even people.

"Makena!" Georgine shouted in desperation, witnessing how her friends were lifted up into the sky and disappearing into the hole in the sky. Her feet meant to stick to the ground to the best of her ability, but a fire hydrant had prevented her from doing so. 

"W-Where are we going!?" Utopix's eyes were closed, his hands gripped onto Georgine's back whenever he felt their weight being lighted. His eyes shredding tears, fearing what might happen next. 

"Just... close your eyes." Georgine, out of options, embraced him closely as their bodies entered the purple-esque portal.

Otu observed in shock, until a dreadful voice in his communicator snapped him back to reality. "Well!? What are you waiting for, 36? Follow them!" Takara demanded from him, meaning to sacrifice him if it meant that the others had been obliterated by whatever there was in that portal. Hesitantly, but firmly, Otu rocketed from the roof he was standing on and onto the remaining waves of the terrifying portal. 

And just like that, the portal was closed. As if someone had pulled a switch and turned it off... or more likely, a sword.

The tan-haired girl had waited for a light... a soft voice that'd wake her up saying 'Welcome to Heaven', or anything at all. Instead, her eyes had opened to a soft colored sky. Gentle chirps and water waves made her realize that she was somewhere else. A pair of blinks helped her double-vision adjust to a strange one-eyed creature that shouted once it notice that she was conscious to which she yelled and slapped it off, making it run off to the purple-tainted trees. "W-What is...?" her hands felt the sharp glass around her but also alerted her of something else. "Utopix... Uto! UTO!"

"G-Georgie!" Utopix's frighted voice cried out from one of the trees, holding onto one of its branches for dear life. "H-Help..."

"It's okay, baby. Just let go," her arms were open-wide to catch him in case he fell.

Utopix's eyes widened at the idea and immediately shook his head in disapproval. "H-Hmm!"

"It's okay, sweetie. I'll catch you, I promise." 

"G-Georg-AH!!" 

Without any more words escaping from his mouth, the branch decided to break. Thankfully, his loved one had catch him perfectly, avoiding any accidents. "Are you okay, lovely?" Her emerald eyes stared into his with an expression of I-told-you-so, nearly smirking at his reaction. 

"D-Don't do that..." 

"Do what? Hmm?" Her nose ran up his sensitive neck, occasionally peppering it with gentle kisses, making him giggle as a soft tone of green appeared on his cheeks. 

"Utopix? Georgine?" Oliver grunted as he massaged his head from the rough landing. "W-What? Where are we?"

"OLIVER!" Gabriel ran up to him, hugging his sides, not wanting to let go. "I thought you were dead! I thought I was dead!"

"What the- uh! Let go of me!"

"Never!"

Georgine snickered at their somewhat-sweet reunion, placing Utopix to a side as she helped Makena get up from the strangely colored grass. "Are you okay?"

"Y-Yes... Where are we?"

"I have no idea," she clenched her fists as she observed the unntreathening space. "We better get moving." 

Once again, Georgine scooped Utopix from the ground, keeping him close to her warm chest. "Sorry, I should've asked."

"N-No. It's okay. I-I like it."

Her voice lowly hummed, turning into a chuckle. Her face leaned once again near his, planting a kiss on his triangle-painted cheek. Once she started walking, the others followed closed by... not noticing who had followed them.

"36. State your location," Takara's face appeared on Otu's wrist communicator.

"Unknown." Otu quietly spoke. Probably one of the few times he was allowed to do so.

"If you survived, then that means they did too! Follow them and wait for instructions. Is that clear?" 

Otu took a deep breath. Despite being born a few days ago, his opinion of Takara had quickly worsened with time. "Yes." He immediately ended their interaction, making sure to go unnoticed  as he sneaked around the shadows of the forest.

Eventually, the five individuals reached the entrance of the gorgeous golden castle, unsure of what to expect. "Halt there!" General Juliet stopped them from going any further. "What is your business in Bright Moon?"

"Bright Moon?" Georgine concluded that that's where they have ended up at.

"We just want to know what's going on," Makena kindly asked. "I don't think we're supposed to be here."

"Think!?" The guard seemed to nearly fly away when she flinched. "What is that even supposed to-?" 

"Calm down, general." A shadowy figure approached the entrance, but didn't seem to change any of its appearance once it stepped into the light... Shadow Weaver. "I'll take it from here. You go fetch... Princess Glimmer." The general left after letting out a long sigh and doing as she was told. "I don't take orders from you. I shall look for Bow who can look for Glimmer with more ease." Shadow Weaver rolled her eyes upon her statement.

Georgine's trust pattern was instantly altered upon Shadow Weaver's attitude. The way she spoke, the manner of her walking, how her hair swung around like a sharpen knife... she had seen it all before. Her hands gently gripped Utopix's thigh and arm... once he felt it, he looked up at her, then at Shadow Weaver. A similar pattern had fallen onto him as well... oh, brother. 

"I apologize for the unfelt welcoming, though I must ask... what brings you here so unexpectedly?" her dark eyes narrowed at that last word."I think we'll wait for the princess' arrival to discuss that matter," Georgine refrained from answering the question. Her hands kept Utopix even closer to her than ever.

"Very well, then. I suggest you wait in the throne room unless you wanna be seen by... unexpected guests." Shadow Weaver turned around, leaving them to their amusement. 

Unexpected guests? Georgine then considered that there might have been something else in that region even worse than her... Not liked she trusted the other's jurisdiction, but she'd want to avoid any casualties for Utopix's sake, so she entered the palace after the others had gone in.

"Oh. My. Gosh." Bow nearly jumped on his toes as General Juliet gave him the news. "New people!? L-Like- what? Horde soldiers? Princesses?" he then gasped as an epiphany hit him. "What if they're here from a broken dimension and want to take our souls!?"

"Bow! Just go find the princess, please! Once we know what's going on with... them, I'll decide what to do."

"Okay!" he then stopped his tracks and turned around to see her. "...why are you making me get Glimmer and not you?"

"Just GO!" Juliet seemed to nearly spit fire at him.

After Bow finally snapped from his fanboying illusions, he breathed deeply before entering Glimmer's room, noticing Adora and Glimmer standing near each other... and rightfully so. 

"Uh, guys...  there's some people here that I think you may want to meet."

[hellofromthe-otter-slide]

Even in Another Life

Hey, everyone! How are we all feeling about the last season in a week? Excited? Pumped? Full of dread? 

Yeah, same.

Anyway, here’s what I wrote for the @catradorabigbang. You guys should totally go read everyone else’s amazing fics, and see the wonderful art, because everyone put so much work into this.

My artist is @existentialcatra, and my guys, the artwork she made for my fic is absolutely amazing, so be sure to pop in and let her know how much you like it.

Enjoy!

Read on AO3.

~

Adora doesn’t know what she expects from Half Moon. After the failed invasion, the Horde still didn’t know very much about the isolated city, and the cadets only learned what the Horde could’ve done better before the Magicats closed their city to anyone without Magicat blood.

As Glimmer and Bow lead her safely through the wards, she definitely doesn’t expect a bustling city as big as Bright Moon. The city is so untouched and unfazed that it’s like the war isn’t even going on past their wards.

Two guards cross their spears to stop them from coming further into the city, and Adora stops just short of bumping into Bow.

“State your purpose,” one guard says, her voice authoritative, but Glimmer and Bow don’t falter.

“I’m Princess Glimmer of Bright Moon,” Glimmer says, trying hard to match the guard’s tone, “I’m here with my Royal Archer and She-Ra to meet with Queen C’yra and Princess Catra.”

“Inform the Queen that her visitors have arrived,” the same guard orders to one of the others behind them.

Adora watches the Magicat pull a device from his belt and talk into it. She’s never seen anything like it, not even among all of the advanced technology the Horde created. The communication seems to be almost instantaneous, and within moments, he says, “The queen has asked us to bring the visitors to the palace.”

The two guards pull their spears back and another guard motioned for them to follow.

He leads them through the main square, and Glimmer and Bow chat excitedly on either side of Adora.

“I can’t believe we’re one of the first people in years to be allowed into Half Moon!” Bow whispers, but based on the twitch of the guard’s ears, Adora can tell that he’s listening in, “I’ve heard rumors that the Magicats are more advanced than anyone on Etheria, even Dryl.”

“Nobody tell Entrapta we were here then,” Glimmer says, ���We might lose her in the Alliance if she learns she wasn’t invited.”

Bow nudges Adora, “What do you think?”

“It’s, uh,” Adora doesn’t know the word she’s looking for. She doesn’t want to say what she actually thinks, because it involves what she learned from the Horde, and knowing that the guard is listening, she doesn’t want to lose anyone for the Alliance because of her previous affiliation.

In her short time with the Rebellion, she’s learned to hide how she was raised.

“It’s busier than I expected,” Adora finally settles on, her hands moving restlessly because she doesn’t exactly know what to do with them.

“It’s amazing!” Glimmer responds, grabbing onto Adora’s arm in excitement.

The palace sits overlooking the square, and the guard bows to a woman standing at the top of the stairs.

“Your guests, Queen C’yra,” the guard says, presenting Bow, Glimmer, and Adora.

The first thing Adora notices about Queen C’yra is how she holds herself differently than Queen Angella. Where Queen Angella is silent power and regality, Queen C’yra holds herself like a warrior, and Adora notes the scars over exposed fur and a battle-worn sword hanging from the queen’s belt.

Glimmer and Bow bow, and Adora sinks into a rushed, awkward bow as well.

“Thank you for opening your city to us, Queen C’yra,” Glimmer says in her formal voice, “We appreciate the trust you put into us.”

Queen C’yra smirks. “You should be thanking your mother, Princess Glimmer,” she says, her voice far less formal, “She’s the only one outside of the Magicats who knows how to evade the Whispers Woods’ magic that keeps us safe.”

“Well, thank you for not attacking us upon entry,” Bow jokes with an easy smile.

“There’s still time, Royal Archer,” C’yra retorts, and she sends a wink his way.

Then C’yra’s gaze falls on Adora and the hilt of the Sword of Protection peeking over Adora’s shoulder.

“And the mighty She-Ra, I presume,” C’yra says, gesturing to Adora.

Adora feels weird being referred to by her princess alter ego. It’s only been about a month since Adora learned of her destiny, and while she’s helped Perfuma protect Plumeria and strengthened Sealineas’ gates, she still doesn’t feel like she deserves the reputation that comes with the title of She-Ra.

“My name is Adora, ma’am,” Adora says, fighting every urge to salute her.

C’yra’s eyebrows raise, and Adora sees a small smile on her lips. “There’s no need to call me ma’am.”

Adora shrinks into herself a bit, “I’m sorry.” She bites her tongue to stop the “ma’am” from slipping out again.

“And there’s no need to be sorry.” Adora watches C’yra soften just a bit, and she wonders what she’s done to warrant it.

“As you know,” Glimmer says to move the conversation away from introductions and Adora’s embarrassment, “We’re here to talk to Princess Catra about joining our new Princess Alliance.”

C’yra laughs, “If you can find my daughter, you can discuss whatever you like with her.”

Glimmer, Bow, and Adora share a confused look, and C’yra smirks.

“Catra has never enjoyed feeling trapped within the city,” C’yra explains, “Felix and I are lucky if we can find her throughout the day. She spends a lot of time hiding out in the Whispering Woods.”

“Shouldn’t she stay inside the wards?” Bow asks.

“It is not my job as queen to trap anyone within the city, let alone my own daughter,” C’yra’s formal voice hides something underneath, and Adora can’t quite figure out what, “Like all Magicats, Catra is free to come and go as she pleases, and she prefers the Woods.”

Adora sees Glimmer slump just so, and Adora hates seeing her so dejected, so she asks, “Would it be possible to try and find her?”

“You can try,” C’yra says, “She likes high places, so you’re not going to find her anywhere near the forest floor.”

“Thank you, Queen C’yra,” Glimmer says with a wide smile.

C’yra nods, “I’ll inform the guards that you are allowed to roam the city and surrounding area unsupervised.”

C’yra leaves them on the steps of the palace, and Bow turns to them quickly.

“How are we supposed to find Catra?”

“We track her,” Adora says simply, and Glimmer and Bow look at her in disbelief.

“Everyone leaves a trace,” Adora justifies her response, “Even Magicat princesses who know their surroundings well.”

“Where do we even start?” Glimmers asks.

“The patch of Whispering Woods closest to the palace,” Adora says like it’s obvious, “She’s more likely to stay somewhere close, both out of comfort and safety.”

“Alright then,” Bow wraps an arm around Adora and Glimmer, “Let’s go find a princess!”

~*~

The Whispering Woods surrounding Half Moon is just as confusing to Adora as the Whispering Woods everywhere else. She almost expects that weird woman who taught her to use the sword to pop up out of nowhere, but as far as she can tell, it’s only the three of them.

Adora trails behind Bow and Glimmer, and she looks around herself as Bow tries to direct them on his tracker. They’re talking about where to go and which way Princess Catra might have gone, but all Adora can focus on is the feeling of eyes following their movement and the soft rustling of leaves that seems to follow them.

She swears she sees a flash of orange amongst all the green, and she starts slowing down to let Bow and Glimmer pull ahead.

She stops in front of one of the thicker tree with low, sturdy branches and looks up.

She doesn’t expect to see one blue and one golden eye shining in the shadows of the leaves.

“Princess Catra?”

There’s some rustling, and then a girl about her age stretches out along one of the lower branches, her tail swaying almost lazily.

“You’re a lot more observant than your friends,” Catra comments, watching Bow and Glimmer continue on ahead without realizing Adora stopped.

“I thought you would be harder to find,” Adora says, “Queen C’yra made it seem like we had no chance.”

“I let you find me,” Catra scoffs, “My mother told me that She-Ra would be coming to visit today, and I can’t deny that you piqued my interest.”

“How did you know I was She-Ra?”

“Process of elimination,” Catra looks up to watch Glimmer and Bow look around themselves, “I know Sparkles is the Princess of Bright Moon, and based on the name, I figured the archer couldn’t be. Therefore, the great and powerful She-Ra, lost to Etheria for a thousand years, has to be you.”

Adora doesn’t respond. It’s easy logic, and the way Catra explained it made it sound like she expected Adora to figure it out herself.

Catra is still watching Bow and Glimmer as she says, “I can’t say I’m surprised that you’re the brains of the operation.”

As if they can tell they’re being talked about, Bow and Glimmer look between each other and then back where they expect Adora to be. They look around themselves until they see Adora further back among the trees.

Adora points up into the tree in explanation, and Glimmer teleports her and Bow over.

“Why didn’t you tell us you stopped?” Glimmer asks worriedly.

“I found Princess Catra.”

“Again,” Catra says, her voice slightly annoyed, “I let you find me.”

Bow looks up and smiles, “Hi, we’re here to talk to you about—”

“The Princess Alliance,” Catra interrupts him, “Yeah, I know. Even in isolation, word gets around.”

Bow doesn’t seem fazed, but Adora can feel Glimmer’s frustration radiating off of her in waves.

“I’ve heard you already snagged Mermista,” Catra smirks, “How did you even manage that?”

“I turn into an eight-foot-tall princess with a sword,” Adora says, “And I fixed her gate.”

“And Entrapta?” Catra asks, curiosity finally getting the best of her.

“We saved her from a virus she created!” Bow says excitedly, “I got to test my sonic arrow. It was awesome!”

Glimmer glares at him, and he awkwardly correctly, “Awesomely awful.”

“That virus infected Adora too, Bow.”

Adora wishes she could remember what happened at Dryl. She remembers getting there and Bow lecturing her about the negatives of only using force, and she remembers what happened after the infection bled from She-Ra’s sword, but everything in between is hazy.

Glimmer tried filling in the details, but even still, Adora’s head can’t wrap itself around all of the information.

“It’s fine,” Adora says, “From what you guys tell me, his arrow was pretty awesome.”

Bow lights up again, “It was more than awesome. Entrapta used her hair to pull us away and I had one chance to—”

Glimmer covers his mouth with her hand. “We’re not here to relive your heroic actions again,” Glimmer says, “We’re here to convince Princess Catra to join the Alliance.”

“Right,” Bow says with a nod once Glimmer removes her hand, “So,” he looks up at Catra shaded in the tree, “Will you join?”

“From what I hear, you’ve gotten every member of your Alliance through some depth of gratitude,” Catra says, “That means I have no reason to join. Half Moon doesn’t need the assistance of She-Ra for any reason. The wards are still strong, the Magicats thrive, and I owe the Rebellion nothing.”

Catra swings down the last few branches to stand before Adora, Glimmer, and Bow, and Adora remarks that she’s far less intimidating up close. In the shade of the trees, Catra has an air of mystery about her. Adora could only really see her glowing eyes and the sway of her tail, but now that Catra’s standing right in front of her, she realizes something.

She’s just like them, kids affected by the war that’s surrounded them since birth.

“What did the Rebellion ever do to you?” Glimmer asks angrily, “We’ve done nothing but fight the Horde and try to protect Etheria.”

“If you have to ask, you’re not worth my explanation.”

Catra starts to walk away, and Adora can tell Glimmer is about to go after her with heated words, so she steps in front of Glimmer and puts her hands on Glimmer’s shoulders in what she hopes is a comforting way.

“Maybe we shouldn’t get angry at the princess we’re trying to recruit,” Adora suggests with a small smile, and she sees Bow nod his head in agreement.

“I don’t think there’s much more we can say to convince her,” Bow adds on, looking dejected.

“Wait,” Adora says quickly, an idea popping into her head, “I think I’ve got something.”

She squeezes Glimmer’s shoulders real fast before leaving Bow and Glimmer behind to catch up to Catra.

She’s lucky Catra decided to walk the path as opposed to the trees, and when she sees her further ahead, she yells, “Wait!”

Catra keeps walking.

“Princess Catra!” Adora tries again.

Catra sighs and turns around. “Nothing you say will make me want to join.”

“I know you love Half Moon,” Adora says, “But I also know that you feel trapped within the wards.”

Catra’s expression goes from unimpressed to angry. “Who do you think—”

“I know what that’s like,” Adora says before Catra’s anger builds exponentially, “I know what it’s like to feel suffocated in a place you love so much. I know what it’s like to want freedom.”

“You’re talking about the Horde.”

It isn’t a question, but it feels like an accusation, and Adora feels uncomfortable in the uniform she can’t seem to change out of.

“It was my home,” Adora admits, “Or I thought it was.”

“That home attacked my people and drove us into hiding.”

“I didn’t know what the Horde was like,” Adora tries defending herself, “They told us that everything we did was for the good of Etheria.”

Catra laughs, and it comes off like a scoff. “How does nearly obliterating an entire race of people seem good?”

“I didn’t know, okay?” Adora clenches her fists. “They didn’t tell me anything, because I wasn’t ever meant to know until I was so indoctrinated that I didn’t know any better.”

“That’s not an excuse.”

“I know!” Adora snaps, “I know, but before Glimmer and Bow found me in the Whispering Woods, the Horde was the only thing I had. I’ve been there since I was a baby.”

“So, what’s so persuasive that it can take you from your home in a day?”

“They told us Thaymor was a base for the Rebellion. My first mission as Force Captain was supposed to be its destruction, but I got there with Bow and Glimmer, and it was this small village of civilians having a celebration,” Adora takes a deep breath and looks out over the woods, “Even as Bow and Glimmer’s hostage, I still became Thaymor’s destruction, all because the Horde couldn’t let me go.”

All because Shadow Weaver couldn’t let me go.

“And it wasn’t just seeing Thaymor and how I was lied to,” Adora adds, “The Horde is destructive and abusive, even to the soldiers that power it. When you’re seen as one of the best, it doesn’t make that abuse go away. Leaving just became a lot easier in that moment.”

Adora’s never admitted that before, never said out loud anything to suggest what Shadow Weaver put her through, and she’s sure she sees Catra soften just so, sympathy breaking through her angry exterior.

Catra has every right to be angry with her, with this manifestation of everything she’s been raised to hate, but that unexpected sympathy and understanding makes Adora wonder if she actually broke through.

Their silence pushes into uncomfortable, the ambient sounds of the Whispering Woods rustling and murmuring around them. Adora wonders whether she’s lost any chance at Catra joining the Alliance, but if Catra doesn’t want to join, why didn’t she just leave Adora standing alone on the path?

Catra sighs and crosses her arms, “So, becoming a member of the Princess Alliance is supposed to give me my freedom.”

Adora nods.

“That doesn’t change the fact that I still owe the Rebellion nothing.”

“You wouldn’t tell Glimmer why.”

“Because she should already know,” Catra hisses.

“Will you tell me?” Adora asks, “I have no reason to know.”

Adora is almost certain that Catra won’t tell her, but just as the silence creeps into uncomfortable, Catra finally says, “When the Horde attacked Half Moon, we asked the Rebellion for aid and received none. We only survived because the Whispering Woods created the wards that shrouded us from Hordak’s forces.”

Adora remembers learning about the failed invasion of Half Moon. She read about how Hordak was practically guaranteed a victory, but when they reached the point of the woods where Half Moon was meant to be, there was nothing there.

It was like the entire city disappeared.

“I’m sorry,” Adora responds, and she isn’t sure if she’s apologizing for the Rebellion’s failure to act or the Horde’s attempted invasion.

All she knows is that sorry feels right in that moment.

“What can we do to get you to join?” Adora asks.

“Nothing,” Catra answers, “I want nothing to do with the Rebellion. The Magicats will not sacrifice themselves for the people who would’ve let them die.”

Adora knows she’s lost. “I understand,” she says, because she does.

She knows how hard it is to fight for something you aren’t sure you believe in.

Catra’s eyes go wide, like she’s never heard that from anyone before. “You understand?”

“I do,” Adora smiles, “I just hope you’ll change your mind someday.”

“Unlikely.”

“Alright, well,” Adora turns to leave, “I’ll just get back to my friends then.”

“Wait.”

Adora turns back around.

Catra sighs, “You should come back to Half Moon.”

Adora is sure she looks confused, and Catra rolls her eyes.

“It is against Magicat custom to send guests from the city without a meal,” she explains, “I’m just following tradition.”

“I’ll go get Bow and Glimmer then.”

~*~

C’yra and Catra stand on the steps watching Bow, Glimmer, and Adora walk through the main square to leave, and Catra can practically feel her mother’s gaze piercing into her.

“Yes?” Catra says with an edge to her voice.

“They asked you to be a part of their reformed Princess Alliance.”

Catra nods, “And I declined.”

C’yra sighs, “Catra—”

“Be honest,” Catra says, cutting off whatever C’yra was going to say, “If you were in my position, would you have said yes?”

“They have She-Ra now.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“Well, kitten,” C’yra turns to go into the palace, “I’m not the one in your position, now am I?”

“They didn’t help us,” Catra follows C’yra through the grand doors, “Why should we help them?”

“You and Glimmer used to be friends.”

Catra scoffs, “We were three, and you haven’t seen Angella since she last visited ten years ago.”

They make their way through hallways past guards and palace staff, each one bowing at them as they pass, and Catra nods to each one in acknowledgement.

“Angella came with excuses,” C’yra says, “And I was not ready to accept them,”

Catra knows that story all too well. Her parents have never hidden anything from her, so when she asked why Angella stopped coming, C’yra explained everything.

How Half Moon practically begged for reinforcements, but no one ever arrived.

How Mystacor advised against sending aid.

How the Rebellion viewed the Magicats as dispensable.

“So, I’m just supposed to accept them now?”

“No, Catra,” C’yra opens the door to the throne room and leads Catra back to her office, “You’re supposed to form your own opinions with the new information given to us now.”

Catra sits across from her mother and slumps into her chair. “I’m supposed to join because they have She-Ra now.”

C’yra smirks, “You two already seemed to enjoy each other’s presence.”

Catra knows her mother is right. There was something about Adora’s confession in the woods, about her missing the place she thought was home, that made Catra want to know more.

She blames it on Felix and all of the books he read to her growing up. It gave her this hunger for knowledge that her and her father share, and while he finds it invigorating, Catra almost finds it grating. Not only does she want to learn more about She-Ra and determine myth from reality; she also wants to learn about Adora and her tie to this destiny that seemingly grabbed her out of nowhere.

“Shut up,” Catra retorts, hoping it’ll drop the subject, but she knows C’yra better than that.

Her mother will never back down.

“I’m pretty sure I saw you smile at her,” C’yra taunts, “Who knew all it took to get you to smile was the return of She-Ra.”

“Her name is Adora,” Catra says, and she immediately realizes it’s the wrong thing to say to end this conversation.

C’yra has that smile on her face like when she realizes her opening to win a spar, and Catra is up and out of her chair before C’yra can say anything.

“I’m going to the library.”

“See you at dinner, kitten,” C’yra calls after her, and she closes the doors to her mother’s lighthearted laughter.

~*~

A few days after their visit to Half Moon, a letter arrives in the mail addressed to the newly formed Princess Alliance.

“I’ve decided to give your group a chance,” it reads, “Don’t mess it up.”

It’s signed by Catra, Princess of Half Moon, her family’s coat of arms beside her name.

“I wonder what convinced her,” Bow says, putting the letter down.

“Doesn’t matter,” Glimmer says excitedly, “We got another princess!”

As Bow and Glimmer celebrate, Adora grabs the letter and smiles down at Catra’s messy signature.

~*~

After Shadow Weaver’s attempted manipulation of Adora at Mystacor, she still isn’t certain the shadows around her are harmless. She was able to get a few moments of peace after defeating her old commander, but the peace and clarity she gained doesn’t last long.

She still hears Shadow Weaver’s manipulation, still feels the shadows on her skin. The ghost of Shadow Weaver’s hand sears itself into her cheek, and she closes her eyes to try and forget her touch.

No matter how many times the Rebellion wins against the Horde, no matter how far away she gets from the Fright Zone, Adora’s afraid she’ll never leave Shadow Weaver’s grip.

That’s how she finds herself alone in Bright Moon’s training grounds, the Sword of Protection leaned against a training dummy as she runs through old Horde training exercises with a staff. They’re easy and familiar, and they help her mind stay blank and focused.

She doesn’t snap out of her focus until she hears someone come up behind her, and she swings without a second thought.

Catra evades the attack easily, and as she pulls herself up from her crouch, she brushes herself off.

“Hello to you too,” Catra says sarcastically, “I wasn’t aware being attacked was Bright Moon’s custom for welcoming Alliance members.”

“You shouldn’t have snuck up on me like that.”

Catra head tilts just so, and her brows come together in confusion. “I don’t think calling your name a few times counts as sneaking up on you.”

Adora isn’t sure how she missed that. Was she really so deep in her head that she didn’t notice?

You need to focus, a voice in her head, a voice that sounds suspiciously like Shadow Weaver, whispers, She could’ve been an enemy. She could’ve killed you easily.

“Are you okay?” Catra asks, her voice sounding concerned.

“I’m fine,” Adora lies, and before Catra can question her, she asks, “Am I late to the meeting?”

Catra lets her lie go, but Adora can feel that she’s choosing her actions and words carefully.

“You’re not late,” Catra assures her, “I’m early.”

“From what Glimmer tells me, you’re not well known for being punctual.”

Catra laughs, and it’s short and squeaky, and Adora has a fleeting thought that that laugh is probably the cutest thing she’s ever heard.

A voice that sounds like Shadow Weaver whispers, Relationships are a waste of your time. You can’t focus if you’ve tied yourself to someone else.

“We were so little,” Catra says through her laughter, “I’m surprised she even remembers that.”

Adora smiles, and it feels fake, and she’s sure Catra notices. Adora turns away so that she can’t give anything away.

Keep your emotions close to yourself, she remembers, Emotions are easily manipulated against you. If your enemy knows how you feel, they know how they can destroy you.

Catra’s not my enemy, Adora thinks, Catra is an ally. She thinks it over and over again to fight against the Horde’s training and Shadow Weaver’s manipulation sewed into every fiber of her being.

“You’re not a bad fighter,” Catra says, and Adora still has her back turned, but she can imagine Catra’s cocky smirk, “Your form is very precise.”

Adora sheaths the Sword of Protection and turns. “I was top of my class.”

“I’m one of the best warriors among the Magicats.” Adora hears a small twinge of challenge in Catra’s voice, and she knows she’s going to rise up to the bait.

“Weapon of choice?” Adora asks, then notices a sword on Catra’s belt.

“This is ceremonial,” Catra explains, “I’m proficient, but it’s not my choice.”

“So, what is?”

“A staff,” Catra crosses her arms and smirks, “I’m faster than I am strong, and I can’t put much power behind a sword. Staffs allow evasive movement and they’re versatile.” She points to the sword on Adora’s back. “I’m assuming She-Ra’s sword is your choice.”

“Actually, no,” Adora admits, “I was trained primarily with a staff as well. I only use the sword because it’s expected of me.”

Catra smiles, “I think we have enough time before the meeting.”

Adora understands what Catra’s implying. “The staffs are stored in that shed over there.”

“Rules?” Catra asks, moving past her to grab a staff while Adora readies herself.

“First to disarm and pin wins?”

Catra sets her ceremonial sword beside the Sword of Protection. “It’s on.”

They fall into stance, and then their spar begins.

They’re careful of each other at first, trying to figure the other out and determine the best way to attack.

Adora knows that Catra is fast and nimble. She’s fast enough to have easily evaded Adora’s attack from earlier, and she spends most days among the treetops of the Whispering Woods. Even from their brief meeting right outside of Half Moon, she knows what to look out for.

She wonders how Catra is assessing her. Catra does a few testing jabs, and Adora dodges them easily enough, but Catra finds a weak spot fairly early on.

Catra jabs, and Adora almost isn’t fast enough to hit Catra’s staff with her own to stop the attack.

“Shut up,” she says quickly, and Catra smirks.

“I didn’t say anything, She-Ra,” Catra taunts, and she finally moves in for her first move, pairing jabs and sweeps to try and best Adora.

Catra’s style is so much different than everyone Adora sparred with in the Horde. Her movements are fluid, and she doesn’t focus on strength. She’s trying to tire Adora out instead of overpowering her, but Catra leaves the smallest opening that allows Adora to unleash a few attacks of her own.

Catra stumbles, and Adora smirks. “Were you not expecting that, Princess?”

Catra bristles at the title and she blows a stray piece of her mane from her face.

“I’ve been fighting Magicats for too long,” she falls back into stance, and Adora breathes out a laugh, “I’ve gotten too used to sparring Lysander.”

“Who’s Lysander?” Adora asks, blocking a sweep towards her knees.

“A friend,” Catra rolls out of the way as Adora brings her staff down, “He’s the son of one of my mother’s friends, so we grew up together.”

“Is he a good fighter?”

Catra tries to disarm Adora, but it doesn’t work. “I’m better.”

They fall silent after that, both too focused to say anything more than taunts.

It’s been so long since Adora has sparred, and Catra is the ideal opponent. As she thinks about her next move, she realizes that she hasn’t thought about the shadows or manipulation since they started. Her mind has been completely clear from anything other than her next attacks and blocking.

She doesn’t want to lose, but she finds herself thinking that she doesn’t mind if Catra bests her.

It’s so against the Horde’s teaching, and Adora doesn’t care.

Catra disarms her, and Adora falls into a better stance to fight without a weapon. She uses her forearms to block hits, and she grabs the end of the staff in the next move and disarms Catra.

Adora throws the staff away so that they’re doing hand-to-hand combat.

“That was a good move,” Catra admits, her stance changing just so.

“Thank you,” Adora throws a few punches and Catra aims for her knees.

Adora is about to throw another punch when she hears someone calling her name, and just as she turns, she feels her knees give out and then Catra is on top of her, pinning her to the ground.

Catra smiles wide and victorious. “I bested the great and mighty She-Ra.”

“That’s not fair,” Adora tries unpinning herself, “Someone said my name. I got distracted.”

Catra puts her finger against Adora’s forehead. “I don’t believe that’s my fault.”

Adora stops fighting and just looks up at Catra, and she sees Catra’s smile go from victorious to soft.

“Are you feeling better?” Catra asks, and Adora doesn’t try denying the storm that was her head earlier.

She just nods and says, “Yeah.”

Someone says Adora’s name again, and when Adora looks to the entrance of the training grounds, she sees Glimmer and Bow coming through, looking around.

“I think we might be late to the meeting,” Catra stage-whispers as she gets off of Adora.

Normally Adora would mind being late. The very idea of it would set her thoughts spinning, and she would have to try and get a handle on her breathing.

Right now, though, with Catra’s hand in hers as Catra helps her up, Adora couldn’t care less that she’s late. Her mind is clear, her emotions are settled, and she feels safe for the moment.

Glimmer and Bow notice them, and Glimmer teleports them right in front of Catra and Adora.

“There you are!” Glimmer says, “The meeting was meant to start ten minutes ago.”

“You’re usually ten minutes early,” Bow says with a warm smile.

“I distracted her,” Catra says, clipping her sword back to her belt, “It was my fault.”

“Well, come on!” Glimmer grabs onto Bow and Adora, and Adora puts her hand on Catra’s shoulder, “Everyone else is waiting on us.”

~*~

Later, as the meeting comes to an end, Adora catches Catra just before she leaves.

“I want a rematch,” she says, “You only won because Glimmer and Bow distracted me.”

“Name the time and place,” Catra says with her confident smirk, “I’ll be happy to kick your ass again.”

Adora smirks too, “You’re on.”

~*~

Adora enters the Kingdom of Snows anxious and uncomfortable. She doesn’t have She-Ra’s sword, and she just has this feeling in her gut that something is going to go wrong.

On top of all that, Glimmer had her wear this dress, and Adora has never felt more exposed and uncomfortable. She wants to be back in her usual clothes, but they apparently aren’t appropriate for Princess Prom.

There’s a lot that isn’t appropriate for Princess Prom, and there are rules she has to follow, and Adora lists them off in her head as they wait to greet Frosta.

Curtsy must be held for at least three seconds.

There must be no fighting.

Greeting must be kept to under a minute.

And then they make it up to the front, and Adora bows while Glimmer curtsies, and Adora come up from the bow and completely embarrasses herself.

She tries correcting her mistake, and Frosta denies her offer to join the Rebellion, and Adora finds herself on the second floor overlooking the dancefloor when Catra finds her.

“You look miserable,” Catra says, leaning back against the balcony.

Adora slumps forward. “I failed to get on Frosta’s good side,” she mumbles, and when she looks over at Catra, she says, “I didn’t know I could wear a suit.”

“Did Glimmer put you in that?”

Adora nods.

“You look uncomfortable.”

Adora pushes away from the balcony and collapses onto a nearby couch. “Why are there so many rules?”

“They’re formalities,” Catra says, sitting down beside her, “And Frosta cares about formalities because it’s the first time she’s hosting.”

“Has Half Moon ever hosted?”

“Back when my mother was princess,” Catra smiles, “According to her, every second of it was actual torture.”

“You can tell Queen C’yra that this prom isn’t much different.”

Catra laughs her squeaky little laugh that Adora’s so fond of. “Where’s the rest of the Best Friend Squad?”

Adora sighs and slumps further. “Bow is with Perfuma,” she says, “And Glimmer is upset because Bow is with Perfuma.”

“So, you’re directly in the middle of it.”

“I just don’t get it,” Adora confesses, “Glimmer told me that she’s used to it being just her and Bow, so him branching out makes her feel jealous, but I just don’t understand.”

Catra quirks her head just so. “What don’t you understand?”

“All of it?” Adora picks herself up a bit, “I’ve had squad mates, but I’ve never really had friends, so maybe I just don’t understand how to have friends.”

Catra rolls her eyes. “I think you understand how to have friends just fine.”

Adora crosses her arms. “I obviously don’t. Glimmer is upset, and I don’t know what to do to make it better.”

“You can’t,” Catra says simply, “It isn’t your thing to fix. Glimmer and Bow need to sort it out themselves.”

“But Glimmer’s upset.”

“And I’m sure Bow is too, but you can’t fix their problems for them.”

Adora stops herself from saying, But I want to. She isn’t sure Catra would understand that deep down, even though Adora knows this isn’t her fault, there’s still a voice in her head that insists that she has to fix it.

She’s saved from having to say anything else by someone draping themselves over the back of the couch. “Catra,” the newcomer whines, “I’m bored.”

Adora looks up and sees a Magicat, his tail swaying just so and his claws pulling slightly at the ends of Catra’s mane. She swats him away, but he just keeps annoying her.

“It is not my job to entertain you,” Catra hisses, swiping at his hands.

“I’m only here because her Majesty insisted.” The way he says the words drips with humor and sarcasm that mirrors Catra’s own. “Her Highness can’t go anywhere without a royal guard.”

“I can handle myself,” Catra says, grabbing his wrist and twisting back.

He crumbles just so, but he recovers pretty quickly when Catra lets go.

And then he notices Adora sitting there watching them.

“Oh,” he says with a smile, “I didn’t realize you had company, kitty.”

Catra punches him, and Adora almost looks around to make sure one of Frosta’s guards didn’t notice.

“This is Adora,” Catra introduces them, “Adora, this is Lysander.”

Adora puts out her hand to shake, a custom she’s become more and more comfortable with the longer she lives in Bright Moon. “The childhood friend, right?”

Lysander’s smile turns into a smirk. “So,” he draws out, shaking Adora’s hand while looking over at Catra, “I’m a part of your conversations outside of Half Moon’s wards?”

“Once,” Catra emphasizes, “I mentioned you once, and it was to mention how bad of a fighter you are.”

Lysander puts his hand over his heart like he just got shot, and he falls onto the couch, draping himself over Catra and Adora’s lap. “You wound me, Princess,” he says dramatically, “My heart is so broken that I may not survive the journey back. Tell my parents that it was a noble death.”

Adora hides a laugh, and Catra rolls her eyes before shoving Lysander off of them. He falls to the floor in a heap, and he doesn’t seem angry when he pulls himself back up.

“Did you mention how good I am at magic though?” he asks, brushing off his formalwear.

“You have magic?” Adora has never heard any mention of anyone having magic outside of the sorcerers of Mystacor and the magic that the princesses harness from their runestone.

“Yeah,” Lysander says like it’s common knowledge, “There’s a whole class of mages among the Magicats,” then he turns to Catra, “Do they really not know this?”

Adora turns to Catra too, and she’s pinching the bridge of her nose, her eyes clamped shut.

“No, idiot,” she growls out, “Almost all knowledge of Half Moon and the Magicats was lost when we hid ourselves away.”

“We haven’t been gone long enough for people to forget us,” Lysander insists.

“It’s not like they deemed us important enough to learn about before,” Catra says, scoffing slightly, “It wouldn’t surprise me if Mystacor hid it. They like being the only magic-wielders outside of the princesses.”

Adora’s trying to catch up, but it’s hard to wrap something this new around her head.

“The Magicats have sorcerers,” she says, more of a statement than asking clarification.

“We’re called mages, but yes,” Lysander answers, “There’s a select few among us who are able to use magic outside of the royal line.” He says it with a hint of pride in his voice, and Adora guesses that he is proud to be one of the few who can.

“Where do you get your magic from?”

Lysander smiles, “Magic is abundant in Etheria. You just need to know how to harness it.”

Adora doesn’t get a chance to ask anymore questions before she sees Glimmer coming towards her, unshed tears in her eyes.

She’s already getting up from the couch before Glimmer reaches them, and she grabs onto Glimmer’s arm before saying to Catra, “I’ll find you later, okay?” She hopes Catra understands her silent, I want more answers.

Catra nods, “I’ll see you later.”

Adora takes Glimmer where she hopes no one can see them, but she has a good view of the dancefloor beneath them.

She’s comforting Glimmer and assuring her that Bow would never leave her behind when she sees someone she’s only ever met in passing.

Glimmer notices Adora’s lack of attention and follows Adora’s line of sight.

“Who are they?” Glimmer asks, brushing away a few stray tears.

“Force Captain Scorpia,” and then Adora sees who Scorpia has on her arm, “And Lonnie.”

“How did the Horde get in here?” Glimmer asks, “This is only open to princesses.”

“I heard a rumor back in the Horde that Scorpia was a princess,” Adora tells her, “Apparently their family gave Hordak the Black Garnet without a fight.”

“That’s who she is?” Glimmer glares down at the two Horde soldiers, “My mom told me about that. Hordak wouldn’t have gained power so quickly if they hadn’t surrendered.”

“We need to tell Frosta,” Adora decides, “They have to have something planned.”

Telling Frosta does not go as planned. Adora ends up on her back as the Kingdom of Snows guards force her and Glimmer back, and Lonnie smiles at Adora like they’ve already won.

“This is neutral ground!” Frosta proclaims, “Princess Scorpia and her guest are allowed as per the rules. Is that understood?”

“But—” Adora tries but is cut off by Frosta’s glare.

“I said, is that understood?” Frosta asks again, her voice full of power despite her age.

Adora nods, but she glares at Lonnie when Frosta turns.

“I’ll follow Lonnie,” Adora whispers to Glimmer, “You watch Scorpia.”

They split, and Adora watches Lonnie act seemingly normal. Adora isn’t fooled, though. She knows that Shadow Weaver sent them here, and she knows they have something planned.

Catra finds her looking over the balcony again, though this time her attention is on the person Adora is watching intently.

“You’re never going to get Frosta to join the Alliance if you keep going against the rules,” Catra says, her eyes watching Lonnie too.

“I know they’re up to something,” Adora insists, “They wouldn’t be here otherwise.”

“This seems personal,” Catra remarks, “Someone from your old life?”

“An old squad member,” Adora admits, “We were never close, though. Everyone else on my squad were close with one another, but none of them liked me.”

“How come?”

Adora doesn’t want to answer. Answering would be admitting things she’s tried not to think about since Glimmer and Bow brought her back to Bright Moon. It would dredge up every thought and memory she’s been tamping down so deeply she’s not even sure they happened at all.

She’s saved from answering when she sees Lonnie look up at her and place something in the trash, and Adora is sure it’s some kind of bomb or something filled with knockout gas. She runs to go down the steps, but just then, Frosta announces the dance, and there’s no way she can avoid this.

She ends up in the middle of the dancefloor trying to spot Lonnie, but then the music starts, and Catra is right beside her offering her hand.

“She’s just over my shoulder,” Catra says softly, “Follow my lead and keep an eye on her.”

Adora takes Catra’s hands and mechanically goes through the steps Glimmer taught her, but she loses Lonnie just as she changes partners.

Then Glimmer says she upset Bow and lost Scorpia.

Then Perfuma asks her if she’s seen Bow.

Then Adora asks Glimmer when she last saw Bow, and Glimmer doesn’t have an answer.

And then Lonnie is there with a smirk in place.

“Well, if it isn’t Shadow Weaver’s favorite?” she says, her voice dripping with malice, “It’s good to see you since you abandoned us, Adora.”

Adora looks over Lonnie’s shoulder and sees Lysander just behind Catra, his hand on her shoulder to stop her from breaking custom and attacking Lonnie.

“Why are you here, Lonnie?” Adora asks, refusing to take the bait.

“I’m just enjoying myself,” Lonnie says, and Adora knows it’s clearly a lie, “Scorpia got the invite, and Shadow Weaver couldn’t resist. Anything to get you back, right?”

“Where’s Bow?” Adora asks, “I know you have him.”

“You should really be asking where Scorpia is.”

And the bombs go off, rocking the Kingdom of Snows and sending everyone sprawling. Lonnie pushes herself up quickly, and Adora is quick to follow her.

Their fight is short, and Adora realizes halfway through when Lonnie smiles and jumps from the cliff that this is all just a distraction. Adora tries to catch her, just narrowly missing, but then a ship rises from the clouds, and Adora sees Bow and Glimmer tied up, Rogelio, Kyle, and Lonnie surrounding them.

There’s a glint of blue, and Adora sees the Sword of Protection wobbling in Kyle’s hands.

There’s no way she could make a jump to the ship.

She’s lost Glimmer and Bow and She-Ra.

“It looks like we won, Adora,” Lonnie calls as the ship lifts into the sky and leaves for the Fright Zone.

~*~

Adora leaves her meeting with Angella, and just as she’s about to sink to her knees, her thoughts repeating You lost them, you lost them, you lost them, she notices flowers filling the hall.

When she follows the drift, she sees Mermista, Perfuma, Entrapta, Sea Hawk, and Catra sat in one of Bright Moon’s windows.

“What are you all doing here?”

“We’re the Princess Alliance,” Mermista says, “And the Horde took one of our own.”

“We can’t just let them think they can win that easily,” Catra adds.

“We’re ready for our first mission!” Perfuma tacks on at the end, her excitement beating back Adora’s hopelessness.

For the first time since Bow and Glimmer were taken, Adora actually thinks there’s a chance.

“Let’s go get our friends back.”

~*~

It’s in the middle of the fight against Lonnie, Rogelio, Kyle, and the other guards placed in the jail quadrant when Adora looks over and sees Catra facing off against multiple guards with stun batons.

Nothing is out of the ordinary until suddenly, there’s multiples of Catra, and Adora wonders if Catra is moving so fast that she’s seeing quick glimpses of her, or if she really has duplicated herself.

She doesn’t get much more of a chance to think about it before Lonnie comes at her, her attacks strong and relentless.

~*~

Catra catches Adora and Glimmer right as they stumble outside of the Black Garnet room, the Sword of Protection slung across her back.

“I told you to go,” Adora says, slumping into Catra’s hold, her brain feeling fuzzy and loose, like her memories and feelings and thoughts can’t connect together in any way.

“I wasn’t leaving you here when both of you are weak,” Catra says, “They still had She-Ra’s sword, and I wasn’t just going to let you sacrifice yourself.”

“Where did you find it?” Adora picks herself up, a hand going up to her temple where a dull throb echoes underneath everything.

Catra grabs Glimmer’s arm and puts it over her shoulders. “One of the Force Captains just gave it to me. Scorpia, I think? She told me to take it and get out.”

“The Fright Zone will be going into lockdown,” Adora holds out her hands for the sword, “Our only way to get out is for me to break us out.”

“Are you sure you’re feeling okay enough to do that?”

“It’s our only choice.”

Catra gives Adora the sword. “I’ve got Glimmer. Let’s get out of here.”

~*~

Adora, Glimmer, and Catra just barely make it back to the skiff, and Adora looks around and realizes they’re on person short.

“Where’s Entrapta?”

Everyone besides Glimmer and Catra looks up at Adora with regret and sadness.

Bow and Mermista say that she didn’t make it, that she’s gone.

The chamber purged with Entrapta still in it.

Adora sinks to her knees, She-Ra melting away so that she’s just herself.

I saved Bow and Glimmer and lost Entrapta, Adora thinks, an emptiness draining her of anything she might be feeling, I just keep losing people.

~*~

The Princess Alliance falls apart once they return to Bright Moon, and Adora doesn’t blame them. She’s proven to be a terrible She-Ra and an awful leader.

Of course, she would ruin the Princess Alliance too.

She’s in a corner of Bright Moon’s gardens, staring blankly ahead at the statue to Entrapta that Perfuma constructed from vines after they returned.

“It’s not your fault.”

Adora turns to see Catra standing a few feet away.

“I thought you left when the rest of the Alliance did.”

Catra comes over and stands beside Adora’s bench. “They’re afraid,” she says, looking out at Entrapta’s statue as well, “The war has been something distant and avoidable for a lot of them until now, so losing someone is a harsh reality they weren’t ready to accept.”

“You sound like you’ve already accepted it.”

“The Horde almost attacked my home,” Catra says, her voice even, “My mother and father were willing to risk themselves in order to keep it safe.”

“They didn’t have to, though. The Whispering Woods kept you safe.”

“The Horde’s attempt to raze Half Moon to the ground was not the first time the Magicats saw battle against them,” Catra says, her voice soft, “My mother was a part of the first Princess Alliance, and Magicats fought in the battle where King Micah died.” She pauses, takes a deep breath, and says, “When my mother thought the Magicats would have to fight the Horde on her own, she and Felix sat me down and told me how much they loved me, even if they would never see me again.”

The reality of Catra’s words sinks deep into Adora.

“They were preparing to die,” Adora whispers, and Catra nods.

“You understand the cost of war because you were raised with the Horde’s propaganda,” Catra’s voice is steady as she says it, but she doesn’t look down at Adora at all, “Glimmer understands because she lost her father in battle. I understand because my parents and my people prepared themselves for annihilation. The other princesses haven’t had anything like that before this mission.”

“I still failed,” Adora drops her head into her hands, “I let Bow and Glimmer be taken in the first place, and now Entrapta’s—” Adora chokes on the word dead and says, “—gone, and now Glimmer’s glitching, and I visited She-Ra’s temple to try and learn how to heal her, but Light Hope just kept insisting that I need to let go, and—” Her voice drops before she can confess the last bit.

And I haven’t been sleeping, Adora thinks, Every time I fall asleep, I’m back in Shadow Weaver’s chamber, her hands on my face, but this time, Glimmer doesn’t free herself. This time I lose my memories of Bright Moon and Glimmer and Bow and the entire Princess Alliance. This time I go back to being the Horde’s perfect soldier.

“Hey,” Catra grabs one of Adora’s wrists to get her attention, “You’re putting too much on yourself.”

“It’s my fault,” Adora insists, “I have to fix it.”

“You can’t fix everything all at once.”

Adora pulls her wrist from Catra’s grip, “You don’t understand.”

“Fine,” Adora watches Catra’s tail flicking angrily, “I thought I would come out here and try to help, but you obviously don’t know how to ask someone else for help, so have fun repairing everything yourself.”

Catra goes to leave, but Adora jumps off of the bench and grabs Catra’s wrist.

Catra stops and turns.

“I’m sorry.”

“You should be.”

Adora sighs, “I’m not used to anyone offering to help.”

“What about Bow and Glimmer?”

“Of course, they offer. I meant before,” Adora lets go of Catra, “Asking for help was a sign of weakness in the Horde. I guess Bright Moon hasn’t rung that one out of me.”

Catra crosses her arms. “A few months really isn’t enough time to break old habits.”

Adora nods. “I think you might be the only person to acknowledge that.”

Catra seems to soften a bit at that. “The Magicats believe that asking for help is actually a sign of strength,” she explains, “It shows wisdom to realize you can’t do it alone and trust in those around you in allowing their assistance.”

“It just feels like I’m not enough,” Adora admits softly, “I wasn’t enough to keep the Princess Alliance together, I wasn’t enough to save Entrapta, and now, I’m not enough to heal Glimmer.”

“You’re focusing on too many problems at once,” Catra goes back and sits on the bench, patting the seat to invite Adora to join her, “Even She-Ra needs to take things one step at a time.”

Adora sits beside her. “I don’t even know where to start.”

“Start by realizing there are some things out of your control,” Catra says, “The Princess Alliance dissolving is not your fault, and you weren’t even there to help Entrapta. If it’s anyone’s fault, it’s the other’s fault for not pulling her out in time.”

“But—”

“Nope,” Catra clamps her hand over Adora’s mouth, “We’re not discussing blame anymore. I don’t want to hear it.”

Catra keeps her hand over Adora’s mouth to make sure that Adora isn’t going to dissolve into guilt as soon as she gets the chance.

“Bow and Glimmer don’t blame you,” Catra says softly, and Adora notices that all of Catra’s edge, every bit of sarcastic wit and unaffectedness, are gone, “The Princess Alliance may seem like they blame you, but really they blame themselves.”

Adora has noticed over the few months since Catra joined the Princess Alliance that she’s the only one who ever gets to see Catra like this. Catra puts on an unaffected manner for the most part, and even when her and Mermista get on a role, it’s sarcasm and dry humor.

She saw a hint of it once when Catra listened to Entrapta detail her latest science experiment, but this softness, this caring, this breaking down of walls, Catra only ever shows it to her, and Adora isn’t sure why.

“Nothing is completely your fault, Adora,” Catra says, taking her hand away and settling back into the bench.

There are a few moments of silence where Adora wonders what to say, and Catra doesn’t say anything else. Catra’s giving her the chance to gather her thoughts as she looks out over the garden, her ears turning to each noise.

When Adora is finally able to speak again, all of the blame and guilt is the last thing on her mind for the first time since they came home.

All she can think of is one thing.

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Go ahead,” Catra says, her attention pulled away from some bugs bouncing from flower to flower.

“In the fight in the prison,” Adora says, “There were multiple of you.”

Catra smirks, “That’s not a question.”

“Okay. Why were there multiples of you?”

Catra crosses her legs on the bench. “Half Moon has a runestone,” she says, “As princess, it gives me the ability to create illusions.”

“So, you could make anything?”

“Yup,” Catra pops the p on the end, “The multiples in battle just help because it confuses the enemy. They don’t know which of me to target.”

“You never mentioned.”

“Half Moon is a bit secretive about our runestone. It’s the reason Hordak wanted to take Half Moon in the first place.”

“Why are they so secretive?”

“Well,” Catra looks down and around like she’s trying to figure out how to phrase what she’s thinking, “Our runestone is a bit different than the other runestones. The royal line isn’t the only ones who gain magic from it. In a way, it powers all of the Magicats. That’s why we have mages among us.”

“They draw their magic from the stone?”

Catra nods, “Not as much as C’yra and me, but enough to be proficient.”

“And Hordak wanted the stone to harness that special magic.”

“According to C’yra, it was that former sorceress who led the charge,” Catra crinkles her nose a bit, “Apparently taking the runestone from the royal family who occupied the Fright Zone wasn’t enough. She wanted ours to give magic to their soldiers.”

Adora freezes at the mention of Shadow Weaver, and it’s like she can feel the ghost of Shadow Weaver’s hands one either side of her face, lightning crackling and trying to push deep into her memories.

“Hey,” Catra reaches out for her, “Are you—”

“Don’t,” Adora pulls away and scoots as far away from Catra as she can.

“I don’t know what I did.”

“Nothing,” Adora says a little too harshly. Her hands clench into fists in her lap, and she closes her eyes, fighting off memories.

“What can I do?”

“I—” Adora takes a shaky breath, “I don’t know.”

“Okay,” she hears Catra get up and move in front of her, “Okay, let’s try breathing. Deep breath in.”

Adora’s breaths are getting shakier and harder to control.

“Come on,” Catra says, soft but urgent, “Deep breath in.”

Adora takes a deep breath in.

“Hold it.”

She does.

“Deep breath out.”

She releases it.

Catra walks her through a few cycles of that until Adora opens her eyes, feeling a bit calmer.

“There’s obviously something else going on,” Catra says in that blunt way Adora’s grown used to.

“It’s hard to explain,” Adora breathes out, because it is. How is she supposed to explain years of manipulation that Shadow Weaver played off as love and care for her beloved protégé? How does she explain it without sounding ungrateful and awful?

“Something happened in the Fright Zone,” Catra says, “Before I found you and Glimmer.”

Adora nods.

“What happened, Adora?”

Adora laughs, and it’s humorless. “That woman you mentioned,” she says, “Who wanted your runestone. Her name used to be Light Spinner, but it’s Shadow Weaver now.”

Catra tilts her head curiously.

“She’s the one who raised me,” Adora whispers, “She was my commanding officer.”

Catra pulls herself back up so that she’s sitting beside Adora on the bench, making sure to keep enough distance so that Adora doesn’t feel crowded.

“Everything she did growing up,” Adora’s voice feels empty, “How she raised me, it was to make me the Horde’s perfect soldier. I was going to take over for Hordak someday. I was going to lead the Horde to victory over Etheria.”

Catra stays silent, and Adora starts picking her the skin around her nails as something to focus on.

“I didn’t realize all of the manipulation until I got to Bright Moon,” Adora confesses softly, “I didn’t realize everything she did wasn’t meant to make me better for me. It was meant to make me better for her. All of my success was meant to boost her up and show Hordak just how good she is.

“But she cut me off from my squad. She made me believe that I needed to be a leader while they needed to learn how to be led, and they hated me for it. I was isolated and alone, and I thought that’s what had to be done. A good leader didn’t need friends. A good leader needed good soldiers to command.”

Adora takes a deep breath and looks out across the gardens. “I was willing to give myself back to Shadow Weaver to save Glimmer, and she almost completely wiped my memory of everything that’s happened since I got to Bright Moon. She almost wiped Bow and Glimmer, Angella, the Princess Alliance,” Adora pauses for a moment and looks over at Catra, “You.”

Catra’s smile is softer than Adora’s ever seen it.

“It just,” Adora sighs, “It drew up some bad memories of the same thing happening as a kid, and all of the nightmares I had when I first got here are coming back, so it’s hard to sleep.”

A beat of silence, then Catra says, “That is really fucked up, Adora.”

And Adora laughs, because it’s not the response she was expecting. She’s so used to Bow and Glimmer’s soft affirmations that Adora’s safe here at Bright Moon, that Shadow Weaver can’t get to her here, that Catra’s blunt honestly is refreshing and new.

“Yeah,” Adora says through her laughter, “I guess it is.”

Their laughter dies away, and when Adora looks at Catra, Catra’s looking right back at her, her mismatched eyes open and honest.

“If you ever need to get away,” Catra says, “Half Moon is probably the safest place on Etheria. You’re one of four non-Magicats who know how to evade the wards.”

“Do you ever wish the wards never went up?” Adora asks tentatively, “Do you wish you weren’t trapped within Half Moon’s borders?”

“Yes and no,” Catra looks away to the Whispering Woods in the distance, “I know that if the wards didn’t go up, the Magicats would have been slaughtered. Even with our skilled warriors and mages, the Horde outnumbered us significantly. The Whispering Woods did it to protect us.”

“That doesn’t tell me how you feel.”

“I wasn’t meant to be trapped in a city,” Catra sighs and leans her head back on the bench, “C’yra says I’m like her in that respect. When she was my age, she traveled Etheria, and when I was a kid, that’s all I wanted too, but then the invasion almost happened, and the wards kept us in, and I couldn’t travel safely without fear of being kidnapped by Hordak.”

Her head tilts so she’s looking at Adora. “The Princess Alliance was really my first chance to get out and do what I wanted to do.”

“Why didn’t you leave with the rest?” Adora asks, “When we first met, you told me that Half Moon didn’t owe the Rebellion and that you didn’t want to be a part of an Alliance that didn’t help the Magicats when they needed it most.”

“I’m going back to Half Moon,” Catra says with a bit of regret in her voice, “The others weren’t wrong. The Horde is getting stronger, and I need to ensure the safety of my people, especially with the possibility that Shadow Weaver might’ve figured out how to get through the wards while she had Glimmer.”

Adora looks down, but Catra quickly raises her head with a finger gently under her chin.

“I’m not leaving because I think you failed,” Catra promises her, “And I’m not leaving because I think the Princess Alliance failed. I’m still here for you, but I have the Magicats to think about too, and I can’t let my people down.”

Adora nods, and Catra runs her thumb gently along Adora’s jaw.

“I see now that while the Rebellion let us down, not all of its members are awful,” Catra says with a soft smirk.

“Did you just admit you like being around me?” Adora asks with her own smirk.

“I admit nothing,” Catra runs her thumb up and over Adora’s cheek before getting up, “I do need to get back to Half Moon, but I’m just a letter away.”

“Tell Lysander hi for me.”

Catra rolls her eyes, “I see you’ve fallen for his charm too.”

Adora laughs, “I know you care about him.”

Catra turns around and walks a few steps backwards, “It’s only because he’s practically family.”

“Sure,” Adora waves, “I’ll see you later.”

“Bye, Adora.”

Adora watches Catra leave the garden and disappear into the Whispering Woods, her form melting easily into the shade of the trees.

~*~

Catra stands at the edge of Half Moon with C’yra and Felix, watching the wards flicker and start to fade as the Whispering Woods freezes over.

“What do we do?” Catra asks, “If the wards dissolve, Half Moon is vulnerable again.”

“We’ll get the mages to hold it,” Felix suggests, “With their combined power, they should be able to keep us hidden enough.”

The ground rumbles with the sound of tanks, and Catra can see them in the distance, the heavy machinery knocking over trees and foot soldiers surveying the area around them.

“We should send a few warriors out,” C’yra says, “We can pick off some soldiers before they make it to Bright Moon.”

“They’ll need to stay to the trees,” Catra adds, “The Horde soldiers won’t think to look up.”

C’yra nods.

“Your Highness,” Percy runs up behind them, a message in his hand, “This just arrived from Bright Moon.”

Catra takes it and reads it quickly, and when C’yra nudges her shoulder, she looks to the sky to see a bright purple light reaching up through the clouds.

“That’s a distress beacon,” Felix says, “Bright Moon is asking for help.”

C’yra turns to Catra before Catra has a chance to say anything. “You need to go, kitten.”

“I’m not leaving Half Moon when the wards are malfunctioning. You need me here to keep Half Moon safe.”

“We can handle this, Catra,” Felix says with a soft smile and a hand on Catra’s shoulder, “The likelihood that the Horde will turn their sights on us is slim. We’ll take out the soldiers we can and keep our people safe.”

“Right now, the Princess Alliance needs you,” C’yra runs her thumb over the tufts right under Catra’s ear, “Adora needs your help.”

Catra looks between her parents before nodding. “Stay safe.”

“You too,” Felix and C’yra say together, and they pull Catra into a quick hug before they nudge her outside of the wards into the withering Whispering Woods.

~*~

Adora feels confident that they can fend off the attack until the tanks part and Shadow Weaver comes out of a sea of soldiers.

“Oh, Adora,” she says, her voice so sickly sweet, “You’ve really strayed too far.”

Adora raises the Sword of Protection, “Of course you’re behind this.”

“Bright Moon will fall, and you will be mine again.”

And then Adora is flooded by shadows. She tries fighting, but they just keep coming. When she cuts down one, two more appear in their place, and Shadow Weaver’s taunts provide their own form of attack as Adora tries to focus.

One attack kicks She-Ra’s sword from Adora’s hand, and she barely gets a chance to panic before Shadow Weaver uses the loss to her advantage.

Even when Adora believes she’s won, Shadow Weaver pinned to Bright Moon’s cliffs, Shadow Weaver lets out a dry, sardonic laugh and says, “Adora, you really should know better.”

When Adora looks up to Bright Moon’s moonstone, she watches Angella go down, leaving the runestone open to the Horde’s attacks.

Adora can’t make it to Angella in time. Without her sword, she’s helpless, and four Horde soldiers are able to subdue her with their stun batons.

She falls to the shallow waters, screaming as electricity runs through her.

Through blurry vision, she watches Shadow Weaver comes up to her, and she slumps against Shadow Weaver’s hand as Shadow Weaver cups her face.

“Finally, you have failed,” Shadow Weaver pushes a piece of hair from Adora’s face, and then she pulls her hand away, and without the support to keep herself up, Adora slumps to the water.

“Finally, Bright Moon has fallen, and you will be mine again.”

Adora hears Shadow Weaver muffled through the water, and she closes her eyes and accepts that this is it.

She’s spent months thinking that she could leave the Horde and never go back. She’s spent months believing she could be a part of the Rebellion and destroy the thing that took her in and beat her down until she was almost nothing.

I thought I could win, Adora thinks, I thought I could be more than what they made me.

She feels a breeze, and then Shadow Weaver and the soldiers are blown away from her, and she hears Bow assure her that everything is alright, that all hope isn’t lost.

“We can still fix this, right?” Bow asks, his voice desperate, “Please, tell me we can still fix this.”

Adora looks down into the stone of her shield, and she’s greeted with She-Ra, only she’s far more beaten and battered than Adora has ever seen her.

Then she looks up to the tanks all aimed at her or the moonstone, and Shadow Weaver leading the charge with her shadows surrounding her.

And Adora apologizes, and Bow tells her it’s okay before hugging her, Netossa and Spinnerella joining in, and even though Adora knows that they have lost, that she’s failed, it’s a small comfort.

But then the sea rises around them and crashes down on the tanks and soldiers on the shore, and vines imbed themselves in whatever tanks are leftover, and Adora sees something quick and orange taking out Horde soldiers as it comes out of the woods.

As each member of the Princess Alliance comes to Bright Moon’s aid, Adora feels She-Ra’s power growing, and in turn it gives all of the other princesses a boost.

They all work together to take out the remaining tanks and soldiers, and from her spot on Swift Wind, Adora watches Catra use her illusions to draw fire to distract them from Bow’s arrows.

They become so powerful that each of them starts to glow, and Adora looks behind her to see Catra’s glowing a bright orange between Frosta’s icy blue and Perfuma’s green.

With one wave of magic, the Horde forces that came to Bright Moon are defeated, and all of the princesses start celebrating. Adora watches Frosta jump up and hug Perfuma, and she smiles as Sea Hawk pulls Catra between him and Mermista, Catra’s glare not even fazing him as he lifts an arm and yells, “Adventure!”

Adora catches a glimpse of Shadow Weaver disappearing into the Whispering Woods on a skiff, her hair limp and her shadows nowhere to be found, and for some reason she feels pain and regret, but it’s wiped away for the time being as Angella motions for Adora to join her hug with Glimmer.

Bow shoves her into the embrace, and Angella whispers, “Thank you,” and it’s enough to push aside her feelings for the moment, because right now, after the battle and facing off against Shadow Weaver, Adora feels safe encased in Angella’s wings surrounded by her best friends.

~*~

After all of the celebrations and recounting the coolest moments of the battle, Catra finds Adora alone in her room.

Adora is on her bed facing the balcony looking towards the still-frozen Whispering Woods.

“Glimmer said I’d probably find you here,” Catra says as a greeting as she closes the door.

“I guess I was all partied out,” Adora comments, refusing to look back at Catra.

Catra sits on the bed and then flops back so that she’s looking up at the canopy above Adora’s bed. “My gods, this thing is hard as a rock,” she shifts, trying to find anywhere that’s even slightly comfortable, but nothing seems to help, “Do you really sleep on this?”

Adora looks down at Catra twisting and turning, “I grew up sleeping in barracks. It’s the only way I could feel comfortable here.”

“If I had escaped from the Horde, I would’ve insisted on the fluffiest bed Bright Moon had,” Catra finally finds a position comfortable enough, “I would want to sink so deep into it that I wouldn’t be able to leave without someone else’s help.”

“Is that what your bed is like back in Half Moon?”

Catra snorts, “C’yra would not tolerate that nonsense. My bed is more comfortable than this, but it’s nothing extravagant.”

Adora smiles, “You should ask Glimmer to take a bed back with you.”

“I’ll be sure to bring it up the next time I see her.”

They fall silent, Catra looking up at Adora, and Adora looks out of her balcony window again.

“You came,” Adora whispers, and Catra isn’t sure if she’s supposed to hear it.

“Of course, I came,” Catra says, sitting up so she can look out of the balcony too.

“What about Half Moon?” Adora asks, “What about the Magicats?”

“They’re safe,” Catra promises, just as much for herself as for Adora, “My mother sent word when she saw the Horde soldiers retreating.”

“Nobody was hurt?”

“No one,” Catra smirks, “The warriors even took out a fair amount of foot soldiers from the trees before they could even make it to Bright Moon.”

Adora nods. “That’s good.”

Catra notices something off about Adora. Unlike everyone else, with their celebrating and enjoying their victory, Adora’s subdued. Throughout the party, Catra saw her smile slip when she didn’t think anyone was watching her, and the smile she wore whenever Glimmer or Bow turned her way felt fake.

“I didn’t think you would come,” Adora admits, “I didn’t think anyone would come.”

“I wasn’t lying when I said I would still be here for you, even if I’m in Half Moon.”

“Why?”

Catra’s brows come together in confusion. “Why what?”

“Why me?” Adora asks, “What’s so special about me that makes you care?”

“You’re so dumb.”

“Hey!” Adora turns to hit Catra, but Catra catches her wrist before she can.

“You are,” Catra says through squeaky laughter, “That’s such an unbelievably dumb question.”

“How?”

“Because Adora,” Catra tilts her head and smiles, “It seems impossible to believe that you can’t see just how amazing you are.”

That sentence sends a pleasant warmth through Adora, and it’s something she’s so used to when she’s around Catra. It seems like every nice thing, every assurance Catra gives her, makes her feel warm and safe and buzzing.

“She-Ra is amazing,” Adora says, “I’m not.”

“Okay, that might be the dumbest thing you’ve ever said.”

“Stop calling me dumb!”

Adora shoves Catra gently before wrestling her down to the bed. Catra tries using her speed, but Adora already has the advantage, and she pins Catra down to the bed with ease.

“You know,” Catra says sarcastically, “This bed is even more uncomfortable like this.”

“You’re just upset because it only took me a few minutes to pin you this time.”

“You had an unfair advantage, and you’re using your bed like a torture device.”

Adora laughs, and it’s her first real laugh since before the Battle of Bright Moon.

Catra smiles.

“You’re still dumb, though,” Catra says, and Adora takes the bait.

“Why am I dumb?”

“Because,” Catra says with an eye roll, “You think that She-Ra is the only amazing thing about you, when in reality, She-Ra doesn’t even make the top ten.”

“How?” Adora asks in disbelief, “She’s a super strong warrior princess and I’m just me.”

“I like just you,” Catra says, her tail coming up to brush against Adora’s side, “Just Adora is passionate and determined and caring beyond belief. She-Ra is an extension of that, not the other way around.”

Adora doesn’t know what to say. Nobody has ever said anything like that to her, not even Bow and Glimmer, and she’s just not used to someone appreciating her, just her, just plain old Adora.

Catra pulls one of her wrists from Adora’s soft grip so that she can run her fingers lightly over Adora’s jaw. “I like learning about you,” Catra’s voice is so soft as she speaks, “Every part of you, and you’re one of the few people who take the time to learn about me,” Catra laughs softly, “I don’t know why, but I’ve liked just Adora since you were the one who noticed me up in the trees.”

When Catra says “like,” it has more weight than Adora is used to. It feels as though it means something different, and it makes Adora feel emotions she isn’t sure she has the words to describe.

“I’m not sure I understand,” Adora breathes out.

“That’s okay,” Catra’s thumb brushes along Adora’s lower lip, “I’m guessing you didn’t have many confessions of feelings in the Horde.”

Confession of feelings, Adora thinks, What feelings?

Sure, she feels a certain way around Catra, and sure, it’s nothing like how she feels around Glimmer and Bow or anyone else in the Princess Alliance.

“When I tell I like you,” Catra says, and Adora wonders if Catra can just sense her confusion, “It means that I like you more than friends.”

More than friends isn’t a phrase Adora understands.

She doesn’t voice her misunderstanding this time though.

“Have you ever been kissed, Adora?”

Adora shrugs, “Once or twice.”

The Horde never endorsed anything close to relationships, but they didn’t discourage it either, and Adora remembers a few experimental kisses stolen in the locker rooms after everyone left and in the barracks in the dead of night.

“Can I kiss you?” Catra asks, soft and quiet but sure of herself.

Adora swallows around a lump in her throat and nods, and Catra pulls her down to the bed with the lapels of her jacket.

The first thing she notes is that Catra is softer than she expects. Adora expects her lips to be chapped and the fur that covers her body to be rough, but as she sinks further into the kiss and cups Catra’s face, it’s like every part of Catra is soft and pliant underneath her.

Catra’s hands go back and pull Adora’s hair from her ponytail, and as blonde hair falls over Adora’s shoulder, Adora feels Catra’s nails at the base of her skull and she hums.

Catra does it again, and Adora feels Catra’s lips quirk up into a smile against her own.

Adora pulls back, her breathing heavy, and Catra smiles up at her so bright and open.

It’s unlike anything Adora has ever seen.

“I think I like you too,” Adora breathes out, her lips pulling up into a smile.

Admitting that feels dangerous, and Adora can hear the small, weak chants of, Never show how you feel, but with Catra, nothing is as dangerous as it seems. Her feelings aren’t dangerous in Catra’s hands, because Catra opened up to her first. Catra took the step and made herself vulnerable, and Adora met her halfway.

I’m safe here, Adora thinks, I’m safe in Bright Moon. I’m safe with Glimmer and Bow, and I’m safe with Catra. My feelings are safe with Catra.

“I’m happy you’re smiling again,” Catra pushes a few stray pieces of hair from Adora’s face, “You seemed so empty earlier.”

And Adora was. Without the distraction of the Alliance and celebrations and everything going around her, it allowed her to sink into the pit of almost losing. Every word Shadow Weaver said during their fight, every taunt she used to break Adora down, returned with a vengeance, and Adora was doing everything she could to keep them at bay.

Having Catra here doesn’t automatically fix it, but Catra offered Adora a rope and hoisted her out of those thoughts for the time being.

“I’m better,” Adora leans down to kiss Catra, but stops just short.

Is this something I’m allowed to do now?

Catra leans up the rest of the way and gives her a short peck.

Yes, Adora thinks with a smile, it is.

“I know I can’t magically make it better,” Catra says, “But I am happy I could help.”

“I’m really happy you decided to join the Princess Alliance.”

Catra laughs, “You know, I never thought I would be admitting this, but I am too.”

“I won’t tell anyone that you like being here,” Adora promises, kissing along Catra’s jaw.

“You better not,” Catra flips them, and Adora’s head falls to her pillows, her hair billowing out, “If you do, I am not legally responsible for the disappearance of She-Ra.”

“Your secret is safe with me.”

Adora pulls Catra down to her, and their kiss is soft and sweet, and she wonders if the outside world could pause, just for a moment, so that they can stay right here with nothing to interrupt them.

~*~

The next morning, Bow slowly cracks open the door to Adora’s room and pops his head inside.

“Adora?” he calls softly, and when he doesn’t get an answer, he turns to the bed to see Catra sprawled out on top of Adora, the both of them sound asleep.

He closes the door as quietly as he can and turns to Glimmer.

“Catra’s in there,” he says with barely contained excitement, “They’re all cuddled up together.”

Glimmer smiles wide, “That’s too cute!” She tries to keep it to a whisper, but her voice bounces off down the hall, and both her and Bow wince and wait for movement on the other side of Adora’s door.

It stays silent.

“Come on,” Bow says, “Let’s let Adora sleep in for once.”

[toooldforfandom-liveblogs]

She-Ra and the Princesses of Power S02E04 - Roll With It

Huh. Interesting title. There have been some changes in the lives of some of the main characters so maybe it's about how they are reacting to them. Catra with being effectively demoted after Entrapta managed to catch Hordrak's attention, or maybe Glimmer with everything that has happened? Although I guess Adora is the one who hasn't really dealt yet with everything that's been happening to her so it could be her way of postponing doing that.

I don’t know, so let’s do this!

I thought Glimmer was usually the leader in these missions, interesting. Is Adora's training with Light Hope taking effect?

Welp, I guess Bow is dead now.

Wait, wait, what? Why are they taking it so seriously like they'd actually let Bow die?

It has to be a dream, right? But who's? She-Ra was the leader so it'd make sense if it was her having stress nightmares.

...oh, they are playing a RPG. Okay then, nevermind all that tragic stuff.

Also, why don't figures that look like that exist?

Look at that! It's so cute! It's like a She-Ra amiibo! Or a Nendoroid maybe?

Are they actually using a tabletop rpg to plan out their missions? Because that's awesome. And weird. How would an observation check work in real life?

I mean, they can't count on having rainbow powers so there'll always be some improvisation.

I'm dying at the show's suddenly getting out the sad strings for this joke.

It's either going to be Kyle or Scorpia, right?

Also, Adora is really showing some cracks under the pressure. I understand her being serious about it but her attitude seems a bit beyond that.

there you go

Oh Scorpia, I missed you.

I mean, Scorpia is a Force Captain. How does the horde's hierarchy work anyway? Catra is also a Force Captain but in charge of... everything below Hordrak?

We should all strive to be as positive as Scorpia.

So far I've been kinda joking about Scorpia having a crush not really believing it'd go beyond some insinuation and jokes but there aren't a lot of other ways to interpret that line. Poor Scorpia, they are really setting her up to get horribly disappointed and/or hurt at some point, huh?

Anyway, what's Catra doing? Preparing for the season finale?

That slow blink is such a perfect reaction image, even though it only works in context.

This is extremely cute and now everything I want is for Scorpia to be happy.

I can't remember if the lizard guy has a name, but he looks like he regrets waking up that morning.

I just realized that the episode title is probably about Adora accepting that she can't plan everything in advance.

This is the coolest and most unexpected thing I have seen this week. Wow. It kinda feels like a direct reference to something but I'm not sure what, but it does have the feel of the 80s, especially with all that purple neon aesthetic.

And Kyle's pompadour is the absolute best and he'd gain the instant respect and love of everyone in the Horde if he managed to get that haircut.

I really missed Glimmer. She may not have the most strategic or realistic of plans but damn she's going to look awesome while executing it and isn't that the most important goal of all?

Actually, they need to change reality to make Glimmer's plan viable because now I want to watch that show.

"Fee Fi Fo Fugh so annoying"

There's absolutely no way Glimmer would have resisted using her powers long enough to make this the first time they detect them.

Wow, soldiers. Can't wait to not see them during the attack.

This episode could kill everyone by the end and I'd still walk away thinking it was awesome just because of these scenes.

Catra did capture Glimmer and then completely bamboozled them when they captured her so... it kinda makes sense that Glimmer sees her as some slick and sophisticated super villain.

Noooo, don't interrupt that line.

After seeing the awesomeness of Glimmer's imagination, I want to see what Bow's plan.

Rooting for the villains here.

"mom?"

One more thing to crush Scorpia's heart when it inevitably gets destroyed.

I hope someday the Horde will become accessible to everyone, including those with claws for hands.

"Scorpia fails to do something with her claws" is the one joke in She-Ra that feels weirdly cruel.

Mermista flexing her kingdom's budget with her custom articulated Revoltech figure vs Bow's nendoroids.

Yessssss

The biggest lore drop so far, Glimmer watched anime when she was a kid, Bow watched 80s cartoons.

OH MY GOD

Those are the original costumes, right? Poor, poor Mermista.

This is absolutely amazing.

Yup, still amazing.

Isn't that the reason why all the characters have the same body in the original show? They are really having fun with this episode.

Undertale, 2015

Adora's rage counter.

...I mean, how do you argue with that?

This episode keeps getting better and better.

Bow's nod is just * chef's kiss *

SEA-RA

Oooh, this is going to be good.

I hesitate to mention a specific site because I have no idea where kids post OCs and self-insert fics these days but, wherever it is, Frosta is 100% there.

The best part is that Mermista keeps being the only who likes Frosta's edgy OC.

Yeah, she's definitely posting that OC fanart everywhere.

oh my god this episode

Scorpia is going to take their OCs seriously, isn't she?

This is reaaally not going to help fight the Horde's "the princesses are evil and can't control their powers" propaganda.

How is it possible for the episode to keep outdoing itself.

Another example of the princesses' disregard for the lives of the innocent. That child had a family!

There's always a lower place on the totem pole.

Wow, perfectly accurate. I had no idea Perfuma understood Catra so deeply.

Catra is rocking those sunglasses.

I have nothing to write, this screenshot is perfect as-is.

Everyone writing their awesome self-insert fics while Adora writes angst and hurt/comfort.

This episode has been absolutely amazing so far but I was waiting for Adora to explode at some point. I'm glad she's finally telling them about the pressure she's feeling.

That went from hilarious to sad to heartwarming in like 60 seconds.

...the tower is going to be empty, isn't it?

Unexpectedly cute.

THANK YOU

oh my god, I'm speechless at everything that's going on

I just found out your name, Rogelio! You can't die now!

welp, rip.

It looks like no one told Scorpia how Glimmer escaped Shadow Weaver.

I can't tell if Scorpia didn't meant to kill Glimmer so she threw her where she was safe or if she did it on accident.

aw, they were waiting for her

It's the hair, main, the hair. This wouldn't have happened if he had a pompadour.

What an amazing episode to come back to, even though I ended up watching it in pieces (I watched a bit in March before the hiatus). Somehow it managed to get better every time I pressed play.

I don't really have a lot to say because the episode was mostly comedy but almost every joke landed for me. I'm just a tiny bit worried about what an episode so funny means for the season since Adora's explosion wasn't as big of a downer as it could have been. Was this the breather before it all goes to pot?

In any case, I'm glad Adora opened up at least a bit, that I got to hear Glimmer doing an "oh ho ho" laugh and that everyone got their chance to shine with their roleplaying abilities.

Until next time!

[patreon - discord]

[queenofthelanternfish]

Disclaimer: Tumblr sucks, but this chapter doesn’t. Honestly my favorite chapter so far, no joke. I will be the one posting my gf @anesther’s fics in order to have them in the tags, so hopefully you all can read and enjoy as well!

-

AN: Gonna have my girlfriend upload my stuff now and then because tumblr really, really hates giving my posts a chance in the tags. It took me all day, with wrist pain and being busy, but I got it up dang it.

Title: Interfaces

Characters: Entrapta, Hordak, features Glimmer and Adora

Pairing: Entrapdak

Rating: T (for some sensuality)

Read on AO3 for the love of god.

                                                          Spa Day

“Welcome to Mystacore!” Glimmer says, arm stretching out in a grand sweeping motion. “Well, Mystacore Number Two. We haven’t thought of a name yet.”

Hordak stares at the pink and purple valances strewn around the building, hedges and trees neatly trimmed. The first thing he thinks is that the place smells sickeningly sweet, almost cloying. The paradise remained primarily in the clouds, though a small group of people had decided to head earthbound to create a sector that was adjacent to Bright Moon. Glimmer, being the niece of Castaspella, had been more than excited to overlook the project. And even more excited to bring people who had yet to experience the beauty and zen of Mystacorian performance.

“We finally got the renovations complete for the soaking tubs,” Glimmer continues. “It took a while to find underground hot springs, but we managed to get it together. There is also a new area we’re trying out where we give out massages.”

Entrapta looks around, curious. She approaches a smooth marble column, sliding her hand down its surface, “How long has this been going on?”

“Once Horde Prime was defeated, I wanted to bring calm to Etheria, and nothing says peace like Mystacore! My dad also wanted to spend more time in Mystacore and Bright Moon, so we compromised by bringing him a little piece of home from each place.”

“Wow, you’ve really outdone yourself, Glimmer,” Adora states.

“Thank you, but it wasn’t just me. My aunt helped a lot to put it together— Where’s Entrapta?”

Adora and she look at Hordak, who keeps his usual frown.

“She always does that,” Adora sighs.

“Okay, should we look for her?” Glimmer asks.

“She will arrive when she likes,” Hordak says, walking forward, leaving them behind.

“Right, of course,” Glimmer agrees, transporting next to him. “I can lead you to one of our relaxation facilities.”

Adora shouts, “I’m going to head to a different room!”

Glimmer waves goodbye, keeping pace with Hordak.

Hordak doesn’t protest as she points out the various needs that can be taken care of. The defeat of Horde Prime led to an odd but solid relationship with Queen Glimmer. In the years since, there hasn’t been a single battle between his kind and the Etherians, who have adopted the former in a truce that is proving to be positive. With Horde Prime’s technology, and the reemergence of Etheria to the rest of the universe, there have been advancements toward space travel and forming alliances with neighboring planets. His brothers have taken quite well to Etherian life, and he had noted several of them waiting in the foyer, and even aided in the construction of Mystacore Number Two.

She really should name it better.

“Here we are,” Glimmer announces. Opening polished double doors, she reveals several massage tables, freshly changed with clean linen. The room is artificially lit, with large sources of it coming from a tall ceiling. “This is the aromatherapy room, if you’d like to begin here.”

Hordak scans the area, hesitating.

“Not a big fan of smells?”

“It’s not that, there’s merely a lot of them.”

Glimmer gestures toward a table, “Would you like to give it a try?”

“...I’m not sure…”

“Well, that’s okay!” Glimmer tells him. “We have plenty of other rooms for you to try out.”

Hordak is led through another set of doors. This hallway shines soft lavender with hibiscus accents. He doesn’t even step into the room before his nose wrinkles in disgust.

Glimmer takes one look and opts to head down to the left, “Why don’t we go this way?”

“What was in that room?”

“Our manicure and pedicure salon. I thought maybe that would be good, considering how long your claws can get.”

“I take care of that myself.”

“Oh, well, I guess that makes sense, since they look really, um… sharp?”

Hordak looks at his hands, “They don’t grow longer than this.”

“I see. Well, manicures are out!” Glimmer looks up at him, “Would you like to see our electrolysis treatment?”

Hordak raises a brow at her.

“Heh, right, stupid question. Let’s keep going, shall we?”

                                                              -

“Entrapta? Where’d you go?” Adora asks. There has got to be an easier way to keep track of someone who isn’t even five feet tall, has hair that extends 20 feet when she likes, and is brightly colored purple. “Are you in the vents? I don’t even know how that could be—there aren’t any.”

Adora walks along the pilasters, letting her mind wander as she searches. It’s been a good while since Horde Prime was beaten. While everyone seems to have moved on, she can’t help but be a little wary when Hordak makes his presence known. She doesn’t hate him, but she, as Bow had eloquently put it once, ‘has major trust issues.’

She doesn’t think he will go against them, and the rest of his kind have settled into Etherian life very well. Their acclimation has been nothing short of surprising.

Maybe she needs to look at it as the simple fact that there isn’t anything to worry about. That there isn’t a reason for her to access She-Ra.

She can be Adora.

“What are you doing?”

“Agh!” she yelps, jumping away.

Entrapta lowers herself from the ceiling, “You started spacing out.”

“What? I was looking for you.”

“You were, but then you were just standing here for a few minutes. Did you find something interesting on the floor?” Entrapta asks, pushing her aside to look at the spot. “Hmm, doesn’t seem to have anything.”

“There isn’t anything on the floor. I was just looking for you.”

“That’s nice of you! Would you happen to know how they manage to get the pipes threaded into the walls? I’ve been trying to find a way to note how this place is structured, but I haven’t found an entrance.”

“I’m not sure where that would be either,” Adora replies.

“That’s okay! I’m sure I can find one—or make one without compromising the integrity of the building.”

“Entrapta, can I ask you something?”

“What?”

“How has Hordak been taking to Etherian life?”

“Oh, he’s been great! He’s had a lot more free time with me to work on all kinds of new inventions! He’s been putting together this new kind of robot with me, but I can’t tell you too much about it!” Entrapta shifts close, whispering. “It’s a secret!”

“What kind of robot?” Adora asks, anxiety forming.

“Can’t tell you! Hordak and I are going to be working on it a while longer, and it’s going to be so cool!”

Before Adora can say anything, Entrapta looks up at the ceiling, “Oh, I think that might be a good spot to try for an opening.”

In one movement, she ascends, leaving Adora confused.

What kind of robot?

It’s probably not anything.

Adora sighs, wondering if she’s being paranoid. That’s not something she’s been able to fully shake off. Maybe she should find Glimmer. She’s bound to be done with Hordak by now.

                                                                 -

Hordak has never been more stressed in his entire life.

“You have to relax.”

“I… I don’t think I can,” Hordak says, trying not to shake.

“I promise if you relax, you won’t be feeling, uh, whatever it is you’re feeling.”

“Is this supposed to be how it works?”

“Yes, acupuncture is supposed to be like this. Although, it would help if you relax.”

“I don’t believe telling me to relax over and over is going to make that happen,” Hordak hisses. With an irritated grunt, he stands up from the lounging chair. He turns to the acupuncturist, “Get these off me at once!”

Glimmer groans, “Hordak, I promise if you just let things be, you wouldn’t be upset!”

She has been trying all day to be a good host. This was supposed to be a calm afternoon, but he seems so resistant. Absolutely stubborn! She had an easier time with Adora, and she had been going a little nuts. But Hordak has a determination to be as unreasonable as possible when it comes to treatment.

Frowning, she walks up to him, “We went to a lot of places already—the deep tissue massage, hot stone massage, facials, scrubs. You just don’t seem to care for anything.”

Hordak opens his jaw, moving it up and down, side to side. Patting his cheeks, he looks at her, “Well, you’ve had me go around everywhere, and there is simply nothing I want.”

“There’s always a place people can go to let their hair down. Ooh, do you want a hair wash?”

“No, again, I do that myself,” Hordak says.

Glimmer shakes her head, “Of course. You do everything yourself.”

He suddenly lets out a sharp hiss, pain shooting up his arm.

She looks at his fingers, the rest covered by a robe, “Are you okay?”

“It’s nothing. Just a nerve…” Hordak holds up a hand. “Don’t try to throw me in the wayward arms of a masseuse. I would simply like to rest.”

Glimmer’s brows furrow in thought. Perhaps she has been looking at this all wrong. There were so many new additions to Mystacore’s already impressive spa treatments, that she had been excited to unveil them all to Hordak and Entrapta—even if the latter has been gone this entire time—that she didn’t stop to consider that she might have been pushing him into something he doesn’t care for. Over the past few years, she learned he’s someone who doesn’t need or desire a lot, especially if they’re material possessions or experiences. “You know, I have one last room for you, and I think this one will click.”

Hordak sighs deeply, more exhausted than when he arrived. He nods, “Very well. Lead the way.”

Hopeful about this one, Glimmer allows him to pass through a singular door. The hallway gleams silver and blue, the temperature a little cooler by a few degrees. Hordak smells nothing out of the ordinary. His ears twitch at the sound of running water, and he catches the scent of it before coming to a room full of steam.

Hordak looks around the vicinity, the fog obscuring his vision to a good enough amount to ensure privacy, even if wearing clothes designed for soaking were available.

Glimmer smiles at him, “Here is the sauna-including-soaking-tubs! I wasn’t sure whether to bring you here because it doesn’t seem like something you’d be into. And people are usually around, but I think this could work.”

He dips his hand into nearby water, clear where the water doesn’t froth from the small waterfall; the heat radiates from his fingers upward.

“This will do,” Hordak says.

“Yes!” Glimmer shouts, enthused.

He looks at her, smirking, “It only took you all day to find something suitable.”

“Well, you’re one tough customer. But I think you’ll enjoy it here. And no one’s around. I’ll grab you something to change into.”

Soon, Hordak is dressed in breathable clothes, and Glimmer takes her leave.

Slipping into the hot water, Hordak allows a contented sigh to leave his lips. He sinks down into the water until its surface touches his chin. The sensation is akin to pleasure. The liquid moves about his muscles, steam shifting in front of his eyes when he breathes. His head tips forward, circulation steadily increasing. The numbness in his arm begins to recede, heat blissfully wrapping around his limbs.

Hordak submerges completely under the water, eyes closing lightly. There is no air, yet he can breathe. There is no sound, yet there is thrumming in his ears. The warmth permeates through, and a stirring reminiscent of serenity blooms in his chest, in his mind. He curls in on himself, the closest to childhood quiet he will understand.

Emerging from the water, droplets moving down his frame, Hordak’s shoulders droop, a lazy smile on his face. Relaxed.

“Hi!” Entrapta says, coming down.

“Hello,” Hordak replies, easing further. Wearing similar attire, she glides into the water, swimming up to him. She allows her hair to be loose, free from its pigtails, its natural weight drags it down to the bottom, fanning out under the water. Swimming up to his side, she places her arms on his shoulder. “Did you have fun exploring?”

“I did! I was following you every now and then, it wasn’t hard to do that, but I did try to find an opening into the building to look through its pipes, wires, pumps. It was all very interesting!”

“Did you succeed?”

“No! I had to make an opening myself. It’s very discreet, they’ll never knooow,” Entrapta says in a hushed tone.

“I know. You’re very good at being sneaky,” Hordak says, smiling at her.

“Adora was talking to me about you,” Entrapta tells him, leaning upon his shoulder.

“Oh? Why is that?” Hordak asks, resting against the stone. “I think she believes you’re not to be trusted still,” Entrapta informs. Pushing up on him, she brushes a dark blue tendril from his forehead. “I would’ve explained it to her, but I didn’t find it necessary.”

“A wise choice. It cannot be helped. Adora has no reason to extend any sort of olive branch in my direction, even if it has been a couple of years.”

Entrapta flicks some water with her fingers, “She will eventually come around.”

“That’s up to her. And even then, I don’t need to be accepted by everyone during the remainder of my time here.”

“Glimmer is pretty sweet to you!”

“Yes, she is,” Hordak says. He formed an odd kinship with her after the Rebellion regained control of Etheria. “She treats me well.”

“Hey! Look!” Entrapta shouts. Sinking down til her mouth is under, she blows air with her mouth, bubbles rising and popping at the top.

Hordak lowers himself to the water at the same level. And blows bubbles in turn.

Entrapta laughs in manic glee, splashing him as she claps her hands. Hordak shoves water in her direction, making her chortle harder. She squeals when he breaks into a wide, red grin, chasing her around the tub’s perimeter. Grabbing her, Entrapta flops against him, “Oh no, you caught me!”

He nips her ear, breathing onto it, “I did indeed.” He trails his mouth down her neck, making her gasp. Pressing it gently along her throat, he feels her body arch into him. Her arms wrap around his shoulders, moaning into him.

He withdraws, lightly kissing her cheek, “You have to wait.”

“Ooh, you’re such a tease!” Entrapta says, clinging to him. “You’re going to make me wait until we’re back at the lair.”

“Of course. I highly doubt we want anyone rushing in here when I make you scream.”

Entrapta laughs, looking up at him, “But think of the thrill of being caught!”

“Maybe next time. When we go to Glimmer’s castle.”

Their cackles ring around them, echoing above the water.

                                                              -

Glimmer shudders.

Adora looks at her, “What is it?”

“I don’t know. Got a weird feeling outta nowhere.”

“Probably nothing,” Adora says, continuing to eat her meal.

“Yeah, likely nothing.”

                                                              -

Entrapta looks at Glimmer, “Thank you for having us!”

Glimmer nods at the couple, “No problem! Thank you for choosing Mystacore Number Two for all your spa needs!”

“You really should change the name,” Entrapta says.

“And perhaps hire a concierge,” Hordak adds.

“We had one. But we had to fire them for taking up too much time relaxing instead of working.”

“Who was it?”

“Double Trouble.”

“Ah,” Entrapta and Hordak say simultaneously.

“Well, thanks for having us!” Entrapta says.

“Entrapta, hang on,” Adora walks over. “Can we talk over there, for a minute?”

“Sure,” She agrees.

Heading off a few feet, Adora begins, “I wanted to ask how you were doing, but you left really quickly.”

“I’m doing wonderful! Everything has been going smoothly at the lair.”

“What was the robot you mentioned?”

Entrapta waves a hand, “Silly, I told you I can’t talk about it just yet.”

“Not even a hint?” Adora pleads.

Entrapta gives her a gracious smile, patting her head with a lock of purple, “If it makes you feel better, it’s nothing you need to be worried about.”

“I’m not worried.”

“You’re quite a paranoid person, you know that?”

“I’m not that paranoid.”

Entrapta grins at her, “It’s not a bad thing, Adora! When we’re done, I’ll have you look at it!”

Adora sighs. She smiles back, “Alright. I’ll wait until then.”

Glimmer watches them interact for a moment before turning to Hordak, “Did you enjoy your soak?”

“I did,” Hordak answers. He clears his throat. “Thank you.”

“Sure! It’s what spa people do.”

“No, I mean, thank you… for taking the time to help me…”

Glimmer, touched, smiles at him, “Aww, you’re welcome. I’m glad you had fun!”

“Yes, I did enjoy myself,” Hordak admits.

Grinning at this accomplishment, she finds Adora walking back toward her, and Entrapta to Hordak. Bidding goodbyes, she waves at them as they leave.

“Hordak’s changed a lot, huh?” Glimmer says, breaking the silence.

“Yeah, I guess he has.”

Glimmer looks at Adora, “He actually thanked me for a good time! I feel like I can take on any customer!”

“You know you’re a queen, not a spa-day-host-person, right?” Adora asks, smirking at her.

“I can be both,” she declares, before heading inside.

Adora nods. Maybe she does need to be more considerate about the changes people have made. She had forgiven Catra, and there had been much more bad blood between them. If her friends say that Hordak is alright, then she’ll trust them instead of her doubts.

Maybe a soak will alleviate her head from all this thinking.

[haemosexuality]

Why doesn't Catra leave the horde?

I've been questioning this after s3 dropped, and I wanted to write ab it.

There were 4 times where she was asked to leave:

When Adora left

after Adora apologized in the promise

When Scorpia and her were in the Crimson Waste

In the alternate reality

1-She grew up with Adora. They've always had plans of ruling the Horde. Its what both of them believed the other wanted. Catra stayed there, putting up with the abuse her entire life because she believed that she and Adora would rule the horde, together. She'd have the chance of proving she wasn't weak, and she would be Adora's equal. She was working on it her entire life. Adora was the most important thing, and she'd put up with anything for her. She looked out for Adora, and Adora looked out for her, and theyd be together forever.

And then, Adora left her, because she (in Catra's perspective) met some strangers and found out that boohoo the horde is evil or whatever (Catra was hurt by the horde in front of Adora all her life and Adora only figured out they're evil now? Did she not care, did the think I deserved it? Was I not enough? Am I not innocent?). She was willing to throw everything they had worked for, and everything Catra had suffered and put up with to be able to reach this goal, away. She just, decided to leave. And was also willing to leave Catra, their home together, their life together, their plans together. She ignored their promise to look out for each other until they were on top. That's why Catra didn't leave with her here.

2-At that point, she was heartbroken and angry and hurt and feeling betrayed but she still believed Adora would come back. She still wanted her to come back. She believed it was all a phase, and while that didnt happen, she worked to prove herself to Shadow Weaver as force captain, worked on getting to the top (probably so that when Adora would come back, theyd follow through with their plan). Then, No Princess Left Behind happened- she realized that Shadow Weaver was willing to give everything Catra had gained to Adora, despite everything she had done. She gave the sword back to Adora, so she wouldnt lose her position (and in that way she could fuck shadow weaver over with hordak, since the blame would be on her).

But, to the point: Promise. Having all these painful memories thrown at her like that? It clicked something for catra. Before that, I think she was more hurt than angry- you can see by the way shes like, "you still have good memories, right?" and how she wanted adora back. But after seeing how Adora never stood up to shadow weaver, how the others always saw her as inferior to Adora, how Adora herself saw catra as inferior (because all the manipulation of shadow weaver)? After seeing adora playing the hero over and over and over again? She snapped. She was so, so angry at adora. For leaving. For never doing shit. For being the golden child while she was the pet. She realized that as long as Adora and her were together, even if it were outside of the Horde, she would be in her shadow. She realized she has always been in her shadow, and with her gone, now that she betrayed catra and left her behind, Catra could finally, finally shine. And get her revenge on everyone, on adora and Shadow Weaver and on everyone that called her weak. She would follow their plan alone, and prove that she is capable.

3-when Scorpia proposed for them to stay at the crimson waste, her first instinct is to get angry. She thinks, "this cant be happening again", but as you can see here, Scorpia was putting Catra first. She wanted to do it for her, and because she was genuinely happy there. And you can see in the way she reacts, that she considered it. But, there were three reasons why she didn't (at first)

she was still so hurt and angry at Adora, she had to get her revenge. She had to take Adora down. All her love for adora turned to hate, and she was obsessed.

She had to prove herself to hordak, to get some validation in her life, she fucking craved to have some power after all the abuse she suffered.

The horde is all she ever knew. She grew up there. She doesnt know anything outside of it. She's scared of change.

Then, after that, she realized that Shadow Weaver left her for Adora, and then she truly, royally snapped. She just wanted to fucking burn everyone to the ground, to win, to defeat adora, to get her fucking revenge and to die.

4- She was angry and hurt, and then suddenly, she had a perfect life. Shadow weaver loved her, Adora was with her and they were equals, they were going to rule the horde together. Then Adora shattered Catra's perfect life, she ruined everything. And while I do think that in that moment, she realized the real reason adora left the horde in season 1, she still left. And was leaving again. She put being the hero over catra's happiness, even tho catra put adora over everything her entire life. And all the anger came back stronger.

She didnt want adora to leave even understanding why she did so, she didnt want adora to "not leave her behind again". She didnt want to stay in the horde because she oh loved there so much, but because, adora leaving over and over just meant that she chose something over catra over and over and why could she just choose her? Why cant you just stay? Their life was perfect there!

This got me thinking for a while before I really got it. When I first heard her saying "why cant you just stay?", I was really confused. Why did catra want to stay in the horde so much? But it isnt about the horde-it's about Adora putting Catra first, like catra always did. Catra was so happy there, she just wanted to stay, why couldnt adora choose to stay with her?

Thats why she says she's "never going to go [with adora]", too. Because everytime Adora leaves, she proves catra is her second choice.

And yes, that might seem like a shitty way of thinking, but this is only because Catra suffered her entire life because of adora (in her view, tho it wasnt adora's fault, its shadow weaver's), and put up with it, because of Adora. so, seeing Adora straight up toss her aside like that? it hurts. It breaks her.

[azkadelia-the-werewolf]

It’s almost two months since SPOP officially ended, but who cares? The fandom is alive, so here I go with another fanfic. Just some fluff with a tiiiiny amount of smug at the end! Full text below or you can read it at Ao3

“The war is over and life is slowly getting back to normal. Weapons are exchanged for musical instruments, the battlefield for the ballroom, but it is not that easy to accept the new state of things.“

https://archiveofourown.org/works/25154713

The bright hall is filled with music, laughter, friendly conversations, and peace. After everything that happened in the past few months, it looks almost unrealistic...and still it's perfectly true. The war is over and no more enemy is visible on the horizon. At least for now.

Catra should be happy. She is happy, but her sins are not forgotten. Not by her, not by the others.

Catra does her best trying to show that she has changed. She is quite good at that.

But sometimes it's just too much.

Too many people, too many thoughts, too many questions and attention. Catra is not a coward, but there are situations when the better option is just to run. To excuse herself and disappear until Adora notices her absence.

There is no need to ruin this lovely evening for her. Even She-Ra deserves to relax.

The fresh night air provides long-awaited relief and comfort, finally allowing to breathe out. To feel how this suffocating pressure crawls away from her chest.

Lights from the hall aren't much, but they provide a comfortable, calm, dim-lighted atmosphere on the balcony, where Catra decides to find her peace. Even the distant music after a few more moments doesn't seem so annoying or disturbing.

Catra's clouded mind is slowly returning to normal when she realizes she is not alone anymore.

"Mrrrow?"

Did she really think she can stay on her own for long? If it is not Adora, then Melog will follow her like a shadow. That... isn't really unwelcome. Maybe she wants some company after all.

"Hey, I'm fine."

Catra gently smiles, patting her companion's head and receiving a purr. What she isn't ready to hear is oh too familiar voice.

"I'm glad to hear that."

Pointed ears immediately droop to the head as Catra turns around to see Adora only several steps behind her. She doesn't seem sad or disappointed, but there is plenty of concern in those beautiful blue eyes.

Catra feels a ping of pain in her heart. She just wants Adora to relax and to have fun, but instead, she ruined everything. Again.

"How did you find me?"

She is a good actress and despite she promised Adora not to lie to her anymore, sometimes it's just for the best to keep some thoughts to herself. Why stress her even more, when Catra will be fine so soon?

"Melog brought me here."

Heterochromic  eyes shifted to the innocent-looking Melog and Adora could swear Catra hissed silently dissatisfied, but not angry "Traitor." However, she lets it be and just comes closer.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Adora leans on the railing, averting her eyes from Catra, towards the shining river. This time blonde hair is free from the regular ponytail, now shaking in the night wind. When pause from Catra rests longer than anticipated, Adora looks back to her and cannot hold back a smug smile.

"Did you see something interesting? I don't want to say you're staring, but you totally are."

Being caught red-handed, Catra panics and just averts the eyes. Despite her blushing cheeks she still adorably meows: "Sh-shut up!"

Well, sometimes it's still hard to admit her own feelings. But she is trying and it's the most important thing.

Adora quietly laughs and bumps Catra's shoulder with her own in reconciliation.

"Sorry, sorry. But still, do you want to talk about it?"

Adora doesn't know what "it" is. That won't stop her though.

However, Catra just shakes her head and smiles back.

"No, that's fine. For real."

Maybe it is something in her eyes, or her posture, or even in her genuine voice, but this time Adora trusts her and doesn't push for the true answer.

The silence between the two is calm and comfortable, but Catra still feels that something is wrong. Her ear twitches when she hears a new melody and then a sudden decision is made.

"Dance with me."

Adora blinks in surprise, staring at the outstretched hand. Didn't Catra run away because she was tired of all this fancy stuff? Even if it is true, now her beloved one seems pretty sure about what she is doing.

"Like... right here? On the balcony?"

Catra smirks, still not willing to withdraw her hand.

"Why not? It's pretty big, we can hear the music here and it's not that dark. Don't worry, I promise not to bite you even if you step on my feet!"

With a smile of her own, Adora accepts the offer but has no chance to answer verbally. She is pulled towards the Catra's body and in the next moment she feels a gloved hand on her waist, then that she is forced to slightly lean down and a hot whisper: "Not until you ask me for it."

[horde-princess]

glimmadora

glimmadora!!! 😭🙌💖

When I started shipping them: theyve always had a lowkey girlfriends vibe but tbh it was seeing all the fan art about them, it was soo cute and just kinda grew on me over time 😌💕 

My thoughts: pre-season 4 i was luke warm ig like i thought they were pure and supportive but there wasnt a lot to rly dig into you know? but THEN season 4 hit and everyone was trashing glimmer for the way she treated adora but personally i was EATING IT UPPP like the drama was magnificent ...  i dont mean for catradora to hijack this answer (its kind of inevitable since glimmer functions as catra’s foil) but one of the best things about their relationship is how glimmer is helping adora learn how to love people without being so controlling... and then theres the whole thing with adora wanting to be glimmer’s knight in shining armor which has caused her a lot of anxiety. like she-ra was the reason her and glimmer became friends so it’s hard for adora to separate being her friend and being her hero, much like adora protecting catra as a kid. and it will be amazing when they make up bc adora is no longer she-ra and itll give glimmer a chance to tell her (yet again) that she loves her for who she is 😭😭 i gotta shut up before i write a whole essay about this

What makes me happy about them: just!!!! how much theyve been through together, they love each other so much and they WILL get through this 😤💘💘💘💘

What makes me sad about them: i said a lot of it above.. but one other thing is how adora’s tendency to be overprotective clashes in a huge way with glimmer’s own trauma. like growing up feeling this immense responsibility yet she had no freedom to act on it, and now that she finally DOES have that freedom, adora is kind of holding her back.. it’s both different from and very similar to catra’s grudge against adora and i can’t even put into words how genius this show is omfg

Things done in fanfic that annoys me / things I look for: fluff only they’re my comfort ship kjdfkl 

My wishlist: hmm i hope their reconciliation next season gets a satisfying arc and its not just glossed over but i have total faith itll be done right 😌💘

Who I’d be comfortable them ending up with, if not each other: catradora, glow, glitra ... yea

My happily ever after for them: !!!!!!!!!!! i want them to best friends forever ruling etheria together protecting the universe kicking ass and taking names!! 💘💪✨ and raising their families and taking care of each other and growing old together and lkjdklfj dkl;jlkfdjldk k;f k