Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The room was pitch black.

The first thing people noticed was- they were definitely not where they were moments ago. To some, it could have possibly been Glimmer's teleportation, but there were no sparkles and it definitely wasn't a place they recognized. 

The second thing was that they were all in chairs, and after moving a bit it seemed like there were walls separating them- not that they could see them.

And then the third was when someone finally decided to say something.

"...Hello?" 

It was Adora's voice, which definitely surprised some. However, before she could say anything else, a voice came through the darkness.

"...Is it working," the voice- it sounded like a girl, was hushed, "I think it's working... wow, this is cool- I can't believe it!" She squealed before clearing her throat. "Right, everyone, you are all here for a reason- and that reason is really just my entertainment."

"Uh... excuse me?" Adora still seemed to be the only one talking, for reasons understandable. Catra was obviously frustrated- but if she was with princesses, she definitely couldn't blow her cover. Especially since Adora seemed really nearby. Glimmer and Adora had just fought- she realized that she had just escaped with Mara's ship to rescue Entrapta. Others just didn't really know what to say.

The voice continued muttering, only some of it comprehensible. "How do I... wait is it... still not sure... aha!"

Suddenly, the room was illuminated with a bright light, and most shielded their eyes until they could see what it was. There was a bright screen in front of them- almost like a cinema, though none of them had ever gone to one of those before. On the screen was a girl who looked slightly younger than them with brown, middle-length hair. She was dressed in relatively simple clothes, though it was in a style that none of them recognized, and seemed to be sitting in front of a desk, nearly radiating with excitement.

Entrapta opened her mouth to squeal and Glimmer tried to say something, but no voice came out.

"Right," the girl sighed, "Now, you can't move or speak right now- but that's just because I don't want you to kill each other and I also want to explain everything first." She grinned, scanning the room. "Alright. I come from a different reality- a reality in which you guys are just a tv show. You probably don't know what a tv show is- that's alright. Anyway, I brought you all here to watch this tv show, named She-Ra and the Princesses of Power." She clicked something on the keyboard in front of her, and a sort of poster popped up right beside her on the screen- showing most of the characters in the room with She-Ra in the front.

"All of you most likely know each other- some of you are friends and some of you are enemies- that's why you can't get out of your chair, seeing as I really don't want violence right now." She took another breath, keeping her eyes focused around the room. "However, in case you don't know yet- I'll be introducing you each and why you're sitting where you are. Good? Good."

The light that came from the screen for some reason hadn't illuminated the other people around them, but it started in the front - now everyone could see Adora right in the center of the light.

"Obviously, we've got our protagonist," said the girl, eyes once again filled with excitement, "Adora, a.k.a. She-Ra! You all know her- anyways, moving on. The front row has the Best Friend Squad, so obviously, next, we have Glimmer and Bow." Two more lights were turned on, showing Glimmer on Adora's right, and Bow next to her. It seemed a bit awkward, but the girl-voice kept talking.

"And we know that you're hitting a bit of a rough patch right now- I chose the moment in the series that probably will have the most tension between all of you! Just because I'd like that- so we'll be starting a while back and then continuing so you get some spoilers of the future. In fact, we're gonna have our first spoiler..." she lowered her voice ominously, though it seemed no one (except for perhaps Bow) was impressed. She cleared her throat. "The last member of the Best Friend Squad... Catra!!"

The last light was shone in the front, and now the whole row was seen by everyone. Catra herself shielded her eyes, scowling. She was shocked, of course, and was definitely confused when the girl- did she have a name? -had first mentioned the 'Best Friend Squad', but there must have been some sort of mistake. Pretty much everyone had gasped- though they could only hear the people that were able to be seen (Adora, Glimmer, and Bow).

Catra sputtered, finally realizing that her voice was once again working. "Wh- you -"

It seemed the others felt the same way.

"How could she-" started Glimmer, but the girl spoke over her.

"Now, now," she smirked, "obviously, as I said, this is a spoiler. It'll be happening in the future. But Catra- yeah, you switch sides and all that jazz, cool isn't it?"

"NO-"

"Moving on," the girl interrupted, looking thoughtful for a moment, "Oh, and you should probably be able to call me something. Well, I actually do have a name- but just call me Lady Noire for now. It's from another show that I like but sounds good anyway- so, the second row! I'm gonna introduce them all at the same time- so we have Mermista, Frosta, Perfuma, Entrapta, and Scorpia- our princesses!"

The second row, with seats slightly smaller than the first, was lit up, and the everyone turned to look at them. Catra's eyes bulged at the sight of Entrapta, ducking down in her seat. Some looked slightly suspicious at the former Horde members, but the girl- Lady Noire was moving on too quickly for them to say anything.

"Obviously, I'll be introducing where we are in the plot in a moment- but we need to continue the introductions right now. The third row has some side characters: some good, some bad, some morally grey- wait, pretty much everyone here is morally grey- you've all done some good and bad stuff. Anyway," she pulled out her remote again, "Swiftwind- you have a chair now! Next to you, we've got Shadow Weaver," the girl narrowed her eyes a bit, but continued, "Spinerella and Netossa, and Sea Hawk."

Once again, the third row was lit up, but Lady Noire was on a roll. "In the fourth row, it's pretty much the same- we have Hordak," many people gasped at the sight of the villain, "then Double Trouble, Huntara, Castaspella, and- ooh major spoiler here, King Micah!"

The name caused even more gasps than anyone before- even Hordak- though Micah himself didn't seem that surprised, looking around in wonder and attempting to touch the invisible barriers.

"Dad-"

"Micah-"

"Moving on, moving on, I'll make more complete introductions later. Fifth row: We have Lonnie, Rogelio, and the wonderful, fabulous, highly underappreciated Kyle!" The three were lit up first, Kyle looking more confused than anyone at his introduction.

Well, all of the introductions had left everyone in pure shock.

Lady Noire took her remote again, clicking something that everyone quickly realized took away their function to speak.

"Now," she said with a smile, "I'm giving you a brief introduction to the show. Of course, you will be allowed to talk during it since your reactions are really the only reason I'm doing this- but I'll allow you to ask questions if you click the small button on the side of your chair- NOT YET!" Immediately, nearly everyone had clicked their button. They quickly retracted their hands. 

"So, the show we'll be watching is called She-Ra and the Princesses of Power," the same poster from earlier showed up, "It'll start back when Adora was still in the Horde- when she first finds the sword. It will continue throughout present time until the defeat of Horde Prime."

"Some of you will not be introduced until later in the series- some characters I didn't include simply because I couldn't. Like, for example, Mara and Light Hope are pretty big characters- but Light Hope, well her programming was pretty strong, and, well, Mara's dead. So's Angella- so I couldn't bring them back for this. However-" she saw Glimmer's hopeful look, "-that does mean some characters you thought were dead are alive! A.k.a. Micah."

She cleared her throat again, "One great thing about the series is you pretty much get both sides of everything- and as I said earlier, nearly everyone gets a redemption arc! That includes you, Catra," she winked. Catra glowered. "Yeah, but anyway," Lady Noire continued, "you get different perspectives of everything- so you'll have a few minutes of Adora being a little stupid while running around with her sword and then a few minutes of Catra having a mental breakdown or something."

Everyone looked at the two, who both seemed embarrassed for different reasons.

"Then moving on, I'm briefly just going to say where I brought you all here from - just because it'll make a lot of things make sense." She turned back to the crowd. "I took all of the Princess Alliance, Double Trouble, Shadow Weaver, and Scorpia from Bright Moon. Catra, Hordak, Lonnie, Rogelio, and Kyle came from the Fright Zone. Castaspella was in Mystacore and Huntara was in Crimson Waste. And Micah and Entrapta were taken from Beast Island." The last seemed to bring the most shock, while Catra and Scorpia only grimaced. However, it seemed that the two were happier than almost anyone else- Entrapta was looking around the room with fascination, already tinkering on her chair.

"Okay," Lady Noire took a deep breath, "Now, if you have questions, you may press your button."

It seemed like everyone pressed it at once.

Lady Noire sighed, and squinted at her screen. "Right- Catra, you were first."

Now that Catra had been called on, she seemed to be blank for a moment. Finally, she spoke. "W-what are you even talking about? Why am I sitting here- why am I -"

Lady Noire grinned.

"Well, you may have been the villain for four and half out of five seasons, but really, you're like- almost everyone's favorite character."

Catra faltered.

"Honestly, this show will help a lot of you get perspective!" said Lady Noire cheerfully, "Obviously, Catra here's done a lot of bad things- but you wouldn't have won without her. She's also basically the only reason that the Horde was pretty close to winning, so... Next!"

Catra seemed like she wanted to say more, but Glimmer had been unmuted.

"Wh-" like Catra, she seemed to falter for a moment, "How is my dad..."

"Ohhh, so your dad was technically never dead," Lady Noire summarized, "He was sent to Beast Island and survived all this time. I didn't really want to give you that spoiler, but I thought it'd probably be nice for him to see your adventures and everything... so I brought him here anyway." Not giving Glimmer a chance to respond, Lady Noire called, "Next!"

She squinted again and began scrolling with her mouse. "Ok, so Shadow Weaver- I'm not gonna answer your questions; you may have gotten a redemption arc but you're still one of my least favorite characters. Entrapta- I literally love you so much but I'm afraid that I can't explain how I got this to work, did you have a question that is not about the system?"

Entrapta perked up, but slumped after a moment and shook her head.

Lady Noire chuckled, but continued to scroll. "And Hordak, my guess is that you're gonna ask about Entrapta?" She allowed him to unmute, but it seemed like he paused and nodded. "Well, I'm not gonna give any more spoilers than necessary, but she never betrayed you."

Hordak's glare quickly turned to Catra, but she didn't look back.

It seemed that she had done a relatively decent job of describing everything, so Lady Noire leaned back and clicked another button on the remote.

"Well then, let's begin. The Sword, Part 1."

Chapter Text

"So, we're gonna watch the intro first, because it's amazing," said Lady Noire, and before they could say anything, music began to come through the speakers.

'We're on the edge of greatness...'

Some of the characters jumped when seeing themselves on screen, though they weren't all there.

'We must be strong...'

"Okay," Lady Noire's face was on the screen again. "I'm not going to interrupt the show, even though that's what I usually do- but if you have a very important question, you can click the button, and I'll answer it at the end of the episode. I'm, unfortunately, not going to show the intro every episode unless it changes- simply because of time reasons. Now, let's begin. You're allowed to comment whatever you want- but don't interrupt too much! Okay, see you after the episode!"

Within the second, the screen turned black, and then it flashed to show the Etheria countryside, zooming into a green-ish room: the Fright Zone.

Adora's eyes widened and she glanced to Glimmer and Bow to watch their reactions.

Adora is punching a bag with a picture of an 'evil' princess as a message comes over the intercom.

"Is that..." Glimmer trailed off.

"Uh-yeah."

Adora stands next to Lonnie, Rogelio, and Kyle.

Adora: Psst. Anyone seen Catra?

Lonnie mumbled.

Adora: Not again.

Commander: Your mission is to defeat the Queen of the Princesses and liberate Bright Moon in Lord Hordak's name. Where's Catra?

Adora: She will be here. I promise.

Commander: Mm-hmm. The Whispering Woods is full of princesses.  Vicious, violent instigators. They will take you out if given the chance. Don't give it to them. Good luck, recruits.

Glimmer scoffed, "We do not -"

"Obviously we know that now," sighed Adora.

They head into a training arena. They fight and Catra watches from above. Kyle gets hit and Adora takes out the robot. She leaps off and flops onto the floor face-down. Catra strides past her and pushes the crackling robot into the floor. Adora raises her head and Catra points at the red symbol beneath her. Adora falls in.

Catra: Hey, Adora. How's it hanging?

Catra grimaced at their past selves.

"Wait..." said Frosta, "You and Catra used to be friends?"

"You- you didn't know that?"

"Well, I don't know," Frosta rolled her eyes, "It seemed like you hated each other."

Adora sent a hopeful glance towards Catra, but she only scowled. 

Adora: Catra. Did you really show up late and let us do all the hard parts? That is low, even for you.

Catra: Aw. You know nothing's too low for me. Now come on, you look stupid hanging down there.

Adora glanced over to Catra, but she avoided looking back at her.

Catra: You should've seen your face. You were like, 'Aah, no! Betrayal.'

"Foreshadowing...?" wondered Bow.

Adora: Come on, Catra. We're senior cadets now. I can't believe you're still pulling such childish, immature-- Is that a mouse?!

Catra: What!? Where!?

Adora laughed.

Adora: Are you ever going to not fall for that?

Mermista rolled her eyes, "Uh, why didn't we use Catra's apparent fear of mice in battle?" Catra spun her head around to glare at Mermista, and Adora giggled. "I don't know," she said vaguely, "I can't believe I forgot about that!"

"Yeah, well it was a good thing you did," Catra muttered, crossing her arms and slumping in her seat.

Catra: I don't know. Are you ever going to let it go? That was one time.

Adora: I know, but for some reason, it's always funny.

Shadow Weaver entered.

Shadow Weaver: Adora.

Adora: Shadow Weaver.

Shadow Weaver: You have done well. You've completed your training course in record time.

Adora: Uh, well, that wasn't just me. You know, Catra did, too.

Shadow Weaver: Ah, yes. How someone as unmotivated as you completed the course in that time, I'll never know.

Catra: Always serving up those pep talks, huh, Shadow Weaver?

Perfuma frowned, and glanced behind her to where Shadow Weaver was sitting, seemingly ignorant. She opened her mouth to say something, but closed it; it was obvious they didn't know that much about Catra.

Shadow Weaver: Silence. Do not be flippant with me, cadet.

Catra: Sorry Shadow Weaver.

Shadow Weaver: Adora, walk with me.

Adora looks at Catra and she shrugs.

Shadow Weaver: Adora.

She runs after Shadow Weaver. The scene changes. Shadow Weaver offers Adora the role as force captain.

Adora: Shadow Weaver, with respect, they've been training hard for this, too. And Catra, all she wants is to get out there and prove herself.

Catra straightened up in her seat again, muttering under her breath, "Well, I did prove myself to her..."

Adora looked at her with concerned eyes. She had nearly forgotten how Catra acted before the whole Rebellion.

The scene changed to Bright Moon.

Glimmer's felt tears in her eyes as she saw her mother again, most of the rebellion looking at the screen with soft smiles. Micah still wasn't sure whether this was an illusion- but he smiled at the sight of his wife as well.

Glimmer and Angella fight over Glimmer being reckless. The scene changes back to the Fright Zone.

Bow and Adora chuckle. Glimmer wiped her tears.

"I miss her."

Adora gazes over the dark city. She pulls the badge from her pocket and pins it to her jacket. Catra leaps on her.

Catra: What'd she say? Hey, what's this?

Adora: Hey! Give it back.

Catra swipes the badge.

Catra: No way. You've been promoted?

Adora: Well, kind of. I mean, yeah, I guess. Heh. But it's not a big deal.

Catra: Are you kidding? That is awesome. We're gonna see the world and conquer it. Adora, I need to blow something up. 

Bow's eyes widened, and it looked like he was itching to comment on how cute Catra was being. Catra only slumped further in her seat, keeping her eyes off of anyone else.

Adora: Umm..

Catra: What?

Adora: Shadow Weaver says you're not coming.

Catra: What? My time was just as good as yours today. What is her problem with me?

Adora: I mean, you are kind of disrespectful.

Catra: Why should I respect her? She's just bitter that she doesn't have any real power that doesn't come from Hordak and everyone knows it.

Shadow Weaver scoffed and muttered something under her breath.

Catra: I guess it sure must be easy being a people pleaser like you.

Adora: I am not a pe-- Catra, wait. 

She sighs. Catra scurries off. Adora frowns, then chases after her.

Catra sits alone on a rooftop. Adora propels over the side of the structure and joins her.

Adora: Look, I'm sorry. I didn't even think you wanted to be a Force Captain.

Catra: I don't. Here, take your stupid badge.

Adora frowned, "I... I really am sorry..." she trailed off. "I didn't think you wanted -"

"I didn't," said Catra shortly. "Not then."

Adora looked at her with a confused face, but the unsaid question of, 'Why now?' died at her lips.

Adora: Come on, Catra. This is what I have been working for my entire life. I was hoping you could be, I don't know, happy for me.

Catra: Ugh, whatever. It's not like I even care. I just wanna get out of this dump at some point before I die of boredom. I wonder what's even outside the Fright Zone anyway.

Adora: Why don't we go find out?

Adora holds up a key. The scene changes and they are flying on a stolen skiff. 

Adora had a nostalgic gaze on her face, while Catra only tried not to think about it.

"You know," said Glimmer quietly, "we always assumed your life in the Horde was terrible. But..."

"Most of it was," responded Adora, not looking away from the screen where they were flying the skiff, "Not all of it though."

They begin screaming and trying to take over the skiff. They stop at the edge of a dark forest.

Catra: What is it?

Adora: I think this must be the Whispering Woods. They say there are strange, old monsters in there, an- and the trees move when you're not looking. Every Horde squadron they've sent in there has never come out again.

Catra: Let's go in.

Adora: Wait, what?!

Catra: Woo-hoo!

Catra takes the control and they enter the woods. They veer around the winding trunks of towering trees.

Adora: Catra, slow down! Catra, tree! Tree!

Adora takes control and they fly up. A vine catches her neck and she falls backwards.

Catra: Adora!

Adora falls and crashes face first on the ground.

A few people yelped as Adora fell, Adora herself grimacing. 

"Wh- did you just leave her in the forest?!" shouted Bow, covering his eyes.

"Of course not," Catra snapped, "I went back for her. I'm not a monster."

"Well..."

A small glowing white orb floats over Adora. She rouses. There's whispering.

Adora: Catra? Huh?

A spotlight shines on a sword, entangled in vines in a clearing.

"The sword..."

Adora stands and walks towards it. She touches the handle and a light shines. There's a flashing light.

Light Hope: Balance must be restored. Etheria must seek a hero.

Adora scowled.

A baby cries before they hear another voice. Adora's eyes open.

Catra: Hey, Adora? Adora!

Adora: Catra? What happened?

Catra: You fell out of the skiff after you drove it into a tree.

Adora: No, you drove it into a tree.

Catra: Ah, up for debate.

"Catra definitely drove the skiff into the tree."

"I did not!"

"We all saw it Catra," Adora teased, "It was definitely you.

Catra: Come on, let's go.

Adora: Wait. Where is it? Where'd it go?

Catra: What?

Adora: Ther- There was a sword. It was right here. I tried to touch it, but it got really bright.

Catra: Are you brain damaged? Don't be brain-damaged. Oh, Shadow Weaver's gonna kill me.

Adora: I'm not brain-damaged. It was here, I saw it.

Catra: Well, there's nothing here now. So, come on, let's go.

Catra pulls Adora by her ponytail and they return to the skiff. Catra drives out of the forest and Adora glances back at the empty clearing.

They're back in Bright Moon. Glimmer is writing in her diary and an arrow flies into the room. We see Bow outside of the castle. Bow and Glimmer shout at each other until Glimmer teleports him into her room.

Glimmer complains about her mom to Bow.

Bow: That doesn't make any sense. Everyone here is a princess. I'm, like, the only one who's not a princess.

Glimmer: Tell that to my mom.

Bow: Anyway, your mom might have a point. Only reason you got out of there is because of your teleportation powers, and, let's face it, they don't always work that well.

Glimmer: Looking for support here, Bow!

Bow: I'm just saying, if you wanna prove yourself, it's gonna take more than running recklessly into any old battle. Luckily, I've got just the thing. Check this out. I detected a piece of First Ones tech in the Whispering Woods. A pretty powerful one, too, by the size of these readings. If you find this one and bring it back, your mom is bound to be impressed.

Glimmer: Did you forget I'm grounded?

Angella knocks on the door and Glimmer teleports Bow out. Angella and Glimmer argue until she returns to Bow.

Glimmer: I'm in.

Glimmer sighed as the scene changed. It seemed like there was going to be a lot of her mother, which made her both happy and sad at the same time- though it also reminded her of how much they had argued.

The scene changed to the Fright Zone with Catra sleeping at the edge of Adora's bed.

"Aww," said Perfuma, her eyes basically forming hearts, "Did you guys really share a bed?"

Glimmer snorted and turned to the two- one who was looking the other way so that they couldn't see her face and one only watching with a soft smile. 

"It makes sense why you couldn't sleep alone," Glimmer giggled, and Bow nodded.

A voice calls out for Adora.

Adora jolts up and looks around. She smiles at Catra sleeping, then gently eases herself out of bed. Catra opens one eye as she walks away. Adora exits the room and Catra appears.

Catra and Adora argue about going back to the sword, but Adora ends up going alone.

The scene changes back to Bow and Glimmer, who are in the whispering woods.

Adora enters the forest.

Adora: What are you doing out here, Adora? Catra's right, this is crazy. There's no sword, you just got hit on the head a little too hard. You should just go back home and forget about all of this.

She spots the glowing light and approaches. Moments later, Adora separates dense bushes and spots the sword in the clearing.

Glimmer: Bow, just let me lead the way, okay?

Bow: The light came from the edge of the forest.

Glimmer: Yes, you saw the light. It's this way.

Bow: The trackpad says otherwise.

Glimmer: It's this way--

Glimmer spies Adora. All three of them gasp.

Glimmer: Horde soldier!

"So," Mermista drawled, "this is how you met?"

They chuckled awkwardly.

They all yell and fight, Glimmer teleporting and Adora using the sword. Glimmer tosses the sword to Bow. Glimmer jumps on Adora's back. She flings her off, then spins a weapon.

Adora: Get off. Stand down. I don't wanna hurt you.

Glimmer: Since when do Horde soldiers not want to hurt anyone?

"Well, not all of us do," Scorpia said quietly, "Actually, most of us don't- I think."

The three Horde soldiers in the back nodded in agreement.

Adora reaches for the sword and a light appears. 

Light Hope: Hello, Adora.

Adora: Who are you? What's going on?

Light Hope: My name is Light Hope. I have been waiting a long time for you, but I could not reach you until you forged your connection with the sword.

Adora: You sent the sword?

Light Hope: The sword is meant for you. Etheria has need of you, Adora. Will you answer its call? Will you fight for the honor of Grayskull?

Adora: What are you talking about? What-- What is-- What's Grayskull? You're not making any sense! I don't understand!

Light Hope: You will.

Adora: Wait!

Light Hope vanishes and Adora is blown backward. She opens her eyes and her wrists are bound.

Catra snorted. "You got kidnapped that easily?"

"I- it was the sword's fault!"

Bow: Hey! She's awake.

Adora: What happened?

Glimmer: Quiet, Horde spy, I ask the questions. How did you make it this far into the Whispering Woods?

Adora: I just walked in. And I'm not a spy.

Glimmer: Sure, sure.

They argue for a bit and the scene changes to them walking along in the forest.

Glimmer teleports herself and Adora turns to Bow.

Adora: You know she's a princess, right? How can you follow her? Princesses are a dangerous threat to everyone on Etheria.

"Wow, blunt."

Bow: Is that what Hordak told you?

Adora: Well I thought it was just common knowledge. They're violent instigators who don't even know how to control their powers.

Adora could feel basically all of the princesses' eyes on her, and chuckled awkwardly. "That's what I thought before... I... uh... well... y'know..."

After hearing Glimmer shouting, they run to her. She stands before the ruins of a forest dwelling. 

Adora: What happened to this place?

Glimmer: Don't play dumb with me. I bet you were part of the raiding party that did this.

Adora: What are you talking about? The Horde didn't do this.

Glimmer drags Adora to a Horde robot crashed on the ground.

Glimmer: Oh yeah? You're a heartless destroyer, just like all the rest of your people.

This time it was Glimmer with the stares, and she reluctantly said, "Well... not everyone, I guess."

"Yeah, we're not all that bad!" Scorpia said cheerfully.

Adora: I'm not a destroyer. Hordak says we're doing what's best for Etheria. We're trying to make things better. More orderly.

Glimmer: This is what's best for Etheria? Ever since The Horde got here, they've been poisoning our land, burning our cities, destroying everything in their path. And you're a part of it! How's that for orderly?

Hordak scowled.

Glimmer strides angrily ahead and Adora blinks.

Adora: This doesn't make any sense. The Horde would never do something like this.

Bow: Did you really not know any of this? I mean, your army is called the Evil Horde.

Adora: Who calls us that?

A few people giggled.

Bow: ...Everybody!

Adora: The Horde rescued me when I was a baby and gave me a home. They're my family. You-- you don't know them like I do.

Bow: Maybe you don't know them like you think you do.

Catra narrowed her eyes.

Glimmer: There's something out there! Something big.

Bow: How big?

A giant insect-like creature pops out of the earth.

Bow: So, pretty big then.

It extends six-clawed legs.

Bow: Watch out!

They all fight the insect as Adora escapes, grabbing the sword.

Adora: Hey, bug brain! Come on, Magic Sword. Oh, where's a blinding flash of light when you need one? 

The beast charges toward her and she fumbles the sword. Adora picks it up and lifts it above her head. A flashing beam of light radiates from the blade.

Light Hope: Adora. Adora. Adora.

Light Hope: Will you fight for the honor of Grayskull?

[Echoing]: .. honor of Grayskull?

Adora: For the honor of Grayskull!

Glimmer and Bow shield their eyes as the light glows around them. The beast kneels. Adora has transformed into She-Ra. The screen turns black.

"...Wow."

"So, that's how you turned into She-Ra for the first time?" asked Frosta excitedly.

"Pretty much," said Adora, just as the screen lit up again, revealing the brunette girl from earlier- Lady Noire.

"Sooo... how'd you like it?" she asked with a grin. A few people responded, mainly the side characters, though they all still seemed a bit wary. "Well," Lady Noire continued, "That was just the first part of 'The Sword', so it'll be continued in the next episode. Anyway, we're going to move on quickly since these two episodes are supposed to be combined- so let's begin: The Sword: Part 2!"

Chapter Text

The screen flashed again and Lady Noire was nowhere to be seen. A few people settled into their seats now that it didn't seem like they were going to be leaving, just as the screen lit up again, showing 'The Sword: Part 2.'

A white light flashes and She-Ra stands before the bug-like creature. The creature kneels and Glimmer and Bow watch nearby.

Bow: Glimmer?

Glimmer: Yeah, I see her, Bow.

Bow: Okay. I wanted to make sure it wasn't just me.

Adora looks at her swords and screams. She morphs back into Adora and  Glimmer teleports forward and tugs on the sword.

Glimmer: Stay where you are!

Adora: What did you do to me?

Glimmer: What do you mean what did 'I' do to you?

Adora: I didn't know being a princess was contagious!

"...It's not -"

"I know that!"

Bow: Okay, okay, everyone, calm down! Wanna tell us how you did that?

Adora: I didn't do anything. All I did was pick up the sword, and then, whoosh, I'm in a tiara!

Glimmer: I don't care how she did it. We just have to make sure she never does it again!

Adora chuckled, "You should be glad that I did it again -"

"Yeah, yeah," Glimmer mumbled with a frown before giggling.

Glimmer has the sword. The creature rises and stabs the ground with its front talons. Bow takes the sword and runs to Adora.

Bow: Do it again! Do it again!

Glimmer: Bow!

"Bow!"

Bow: Do what you did before.

Adora: I don't know what I did before!

Glimmer: No time. We have to go.

They run through the forest as they're being chased and fall off a cliff. They follow a path to a triangular structure and run and get inside as Adora reads the password.

The scene changes to a dark hallway where Glimmer lights an orb. They argue about Adora being able to read First Ones writing.

Adora: Okay, well I didn't save you. I just wanted to get the sword, okay?

Bow: Are you sure it's not because you secretly like us?

Adora: Wh--? I don't like you. You're my captors.

"You totally like us."

"We- of course I do now."

The scene changes and they're walking through the forest. Glimmer attempts to use the sword.

Adora snorted. "You tried to be She-Ra-"

"Shut up!"

Glimmer and Bow explain the First Ones to Adora. They try to find a way out of the building.

Bow: Maybe there's a magic word. Ooh, what's the First Ones' word for "lights"?

Adora: I don't know. I'm not magic.

"Uh- you are magic -"

Adora huffed, "If we're going to point out everything wrong that I've said here, we're gonna miss the entire show!"

"...Fair point."

Glimmer: Obviously. Everyone, stand back.

Bow: Uh, Glimmer? Maybe you should take it easy. We're a long way from Bright Moon. It'll be awhile until you can recharge.

Glimmer: Bow!

"You have to recharge your powers?" snarked Catra.

Adora: You have to recharge your powers?

Catra scowled.

Glimmer: Can we not talk about this in front of the Horde soldier? Now, stand back.

Glimmer tosses a shiny light ball into the air, revealing an image of She-Ra.

Adora says the password, 'She-Ra', and the talk with Light Hope, who only repeats the same sentence over and over again.

Light Hope: Administrator not detected. Lockdown initiated.

A series of doors slam shut around them and the rock structure begins to crumble. Adora tries to get the sword or a password, but Glimmer is stubborn and teleports them out.

"Now, I know that I should have just given you the sword," she grumbled.

Glimmer is unconscious as they freefall through the sky. Bow shoots an arrow and they land on a web.

Bow: Glimmer? Glimmer!

Glimmer: Did it work?

Bow: Yeah, it worked. Barely. Are you alright?

Glimmer: I'm fine. I think I used too much power getting us out of there.

Bow: I don't know who could've predicted that... Oh, right. Me.

"You know, a lot of problems wouldn't have happened if you just listened to me..." said Bow with a smirk, and the girls only looked the other way.

Glimmer: Why are you still here?

Adora: What?

Glimmer: Bow and I are hardly a crack security team. You could've escaped at any time. Why didn't you?

"You're right," said Catra as she rolled her eyes, "You do have a a terrible security team -"

"Hey!"

"...It's true."

Adora: I just-- I wanna figure out what's happening to me, and if I go back to the Fright Zone, then I'll never know. I never knew where I came from or who my family was. Shadow Weaver said it didn't matter who I was before, that-- that I was nothing before Hordak took me in. There's always been a part of me that I don't know anything about an-- and all of this, it feels familiar somehow. I don't know how else to explain it.

A few people looked at her with sympathy.

Glimmer looks at the badge on Adora's jacket and scowls. Bow puts his hand on her shoulders.

Bow: Glimmer's mom knows more about First Ones' tech than anyone. She'll know what's going on with you and the sword for sure. So, if you want your questions answered, stick with us?

Bow extends his hand.

Glimmer: Let's go. There should be a village a few miles from here. They'll be able to give us a ride back to Bight Moon. We've wasted too much time already.

"Thaymor," Adora sighed.

The scene changes to the Fright Zone where Catra is with Shadow Weaver.

Shadow Weaver: For the last time, where is Adora?

Catra: For the last time, I don't know. You think I keep her on a leash?

Shadow Weaver: I know you're lying. You two are close. She would never depart without telling you.

Catra: Then I guess she let us both down, huh?

Adora tried to look at Catra, but she still refused to look back.

Shadow Weaver: Have it your way. I already know where she is. We've been tracking her.

"You were tracking me?!"

Shadow Weaver didn't answer.

Catra: Uh, then why did you ask me?

Shadow Weaver: Because you are going to bring her back.

Catra: I don't think so. 

Shadow Weaver zaps Catra with electricity.

Nearly everyone gasped, but Catra hid her flinch.

Shadow Weaver: Your insolence will not protect her. You will do as I ask.

Catra: Oh, yeah? Or what?

Shadow Weaver: Or you will suffer the consequences in her place.

"What?!"

"Why would you do that??"

"It wasn't Catra's fault that I ran away -"

"Please," Shadow Weaver drawled, "she deserved it with her incompetence -"

The scene changed, and Catra hadn't said anything.

Just outside the village, Bow and Glimmer change Adora to make her not look like a Horde Soldier.

They enter the village.

Adora: What is this?

Bow: It's a festival. Like a big party. You don't have parties in the Fright Zone? 

"Uh... no."

"HOW COULD YOU NOT HAVE PARTIES?" Perfuma gasped.

Adora: Oh, right, parties. I mean, yeah, pfft, of course. I, uh-- I don't know what that is.

Bow: Ah! 

Glimmer: Did you even hear me? I said, in and out! 

Bow: She has never been to a party before, Glimmer! This is serious.

"It really is," Perfuma sniffed.

Bow and Glimmer lead Adora around the party. Eventually, she's hiding behind a tree as she spots a horse.

Adora: What is that? 

Bow: That would be a horse.

"Wait..." said Swift Wind, sitting higher in his seat, "Is that... me?"

Adora chuckled, "Yeah, I think so."

They go and meet the horse, but smoke comes and people begin screaming nearby.

Adora: What's going on? 

They run back, and Adora gapes as fires blaze from the village dwellings.

Glimmer: It's the Horde!

They hide in a hut.

Bow: Why are they here? The people of Thaymor aren't a threat.

Adora: Wait. Did you say Thaymor? This can't be Thaymor.

Glimmer: Did you know something about this? 

Adora: No. I mean, yes. But there's a mistake. Thaymor's supposed to be a heavily fortified rebel fortress, not a civilian town!

Glimmer: Do you really think that matters to them? 

Adora leaves, saying she's going to stop the Horde. She stops in front of a tank.

Catra spares a glance at Adora before looking ahead stiffly. They knew what would happen next.

Adora: Stop! 

Catra exits.

Catra: Adora! 

Adora: Catra? 

Catra: They let me drive a tank. Believe it? 

Adora: Catra, I don't understand. What are you doing here? 

Catra: Uh, duh, we came to find you. 'Cover for me, Catra. No one will even  know I'm gone.' Seriously, did you just get immediately captured right after you snuck out--?

"It seems that way," Frosta commented.

Catra: What are you wearing? 

Adora: Uh...

She rips the flower from her hair.

The scene changes to Bow and Glimmer battling for a moment. It returns to Catra and Adora.

Adora: There's no time. We have to put a stop to this.

Catra: What? Why?

Adora: Because this is a civilian town. Look around! These aren't insurgents. They're innocent people.

Catra: Yeah, sure. Innocent people who kidnapped a Horde officer. Now come on, let's get you back to the Fright Zone. Shadow Weaver is freaking out. It'd be funny if she weren't such a terrible person.

Adora: Catra, no. I can't go back. Not until the Horde leaves this town alone. You have to help me.

Catra: What are you saying?

Both girls try not to look at the screen.

Adora: I’m saying, this is wrong. They've been lying to us, manipulating us. Hordak, Shadow Weaver, all of them.

Catra: Duh! Did ya just figure that out? Manipulation is Shadow Weaver's whole thing. She's been messing with our heads since we were kids.

"Wait, so you knew the whole time??" Glimmer nearly shouted, "And you just let it happen?!"

Adora: How could you possibly be okay with that?

"Of course," Catra scoffed, "I'm not dumb -"

Catra: Because, it doesn't matter what they do. The two of us look out for each other. And soon we'll be calling the shot s. Now, can we go home already?

Adora: I'm not going home, Catra. I can't. Not after everything I've seen. Come with me. You don't have to go back there. We can fix this.

Adora takes Catra's hand. She pulls away.

Catra: Are you kidding? You've known these people for, what, a couple of hours? And now you're just gonna throw everything away for them? Ugh. What happened to you?

Adora: I don't know. But I have to do something. I'm sorry, Catra.

Catra zaps her with electricity.

The audience gasps.

The scene changes to Bow and Glimmer.

Glimmer: There's nothing we can do, Bow. You're almost out of arrows and I'm almost out of magic.

Bow: You can't say that. You're Glimmer. You throw yourself into every fight, no matter how hopeless.

Glimmer: You're right. We need Adora.

Bow: We do? Didn't she just sell us out to the Horde?

Glimmer: I don't think she did. We need to find her. I think she can help us. Just trust me. Okay?

Bow and Glimmer hop on the horse.

The scene changes to where Catra stands over Adora.

Catra: Oh, man. That was a lot stronger than I thought. Are you okay?

Adora: Catra! 

Catra: I'm sorry! It was a reflex.

Adora: Why are you doing this?

Catra: Because you left me. And if I don't bring you back, Shadow Weaver’s gonna have my head.

A few people sent sympathetic glances towards her.

Catra: So, enough with your weird little identity crisis and let's go home already. Or do I need to zap you again?

She screams as Glimmer and Bow arrive on horseback.

Bow fights Catra and Glimmer teleports Adora out. Glimmer gives back the sword and Adora transforms into She-Ra. The scene returns to Bow and Catra, but the Horde is attacked by She-Ra. The Horde retreats.

Adora: Catra...

Catra steps back into the dust with her eyes narrowed.

Glimmer, Bow, and Adora celebrate.

Adora: I did it. I turned against the Horde. I turned against the Horde! Why did I do that? I can't go back now. Where am I supposed to go?

Glimmer: Hey, hey. It's okay. You're with us now. C’mon, let's go home.

Adora smiles and takes Glimmer's hand. They walk off with their arms around each other. Bow grins.

Bow: Best-friends squad!

The horse follows them.

Bow: Wait, whose horse was this?

The screen turns black and Lady Noire is back on the screen.

Swift Wind huffed, "I am no one's horse but my own! Wait- does that make sense -"

"And that is the beginning of She-Ra!" Lady Noire exclaimed, glancing around the cinema. "Now, I didn't answer any questions last time- so any questions?"

"Yeah-" said Catra sharply, "Why are we watching this?"

"Huh, I could have sworn I already answered that," said Lady Noire thoughtfully, "but it's for my entertainment! And also it's very interesting to get your reactions." Catra only rolled her eyes.

"Anyway, we've got five seasons and fifty-two episodes, so we should probably move on..." Lady Noire trailed off. "The next episode is called Razz! Are you ready?"

She didn't really give them a chance to respond as she pulled out her remote again and the next episode began to play on the screen.

Chapter Text

Bow: Hey, we made it.

Adora: Whoa.

Glimmer: Welcome to Bright Moon.

They see the Bright Moon castle. Glimmer tells Bow to show Adora the back way, and the scene changes to them climbing up the back of the castle. Soon, it returns to Glimmer, who is with Angella. Angella lectures her before Glimmer faints, and the scene changes again to Glimmer waking up from recharging.

Everyone remained quiet during the scenes with Angella: Bow and Adora felt like they should say something, but didn't know what. Catra tried to ignore the guilt in her stomach. Micah was slowly coming to the realization of it not being a hallucination, but was enjoying seeing his daughter (even if she was constantly in danger) and his wife.

Bow and Adora talk until Glimmer teleports into the room, telling Adora to transform into She-Ra. Adora tries for a while to transform.

"...How many times are you gonna say, 'for the honor of grayskull'?"

"I'll get there eventually... I think."

Adora: For the honor of Grayskull!

The sword begins firing at random and hits Horsey.

Adora: Horsey, no!

Horsey transforms into Swift Wind.

Adora: Okay…

Swift Wind: [panicked neighing]

Adora: Horsey, it’s okay!

Swift Wind runs off into the village.

"Ugh," Swift Wind grumbled, "I can't believe you used to call me 'Horsey'."

A couple people chuckled.

Swift Wind creates a gust with his wings that blows Adora’s robe off of her shoulders, and then flies away in panic. The crowd begins muttering about the Horde Soldier, and soon Adora is being chased through the village.

The scene changes back to Bright Moon, where they are alerted of the Horde Soldier. Bow tells Glimmer that Adora is gone, and Angella turns to the two angrily.

The scene changes to the Fright Zone. 

Lonnie: I’m telling you. This new princess is no joke. She wiped the floor with our whole recon squad. Twelve feet tall at least! Took out every one of our machines with nothing but a sword.

"Hehe.. actually, it's 8 ft, but I'll take the compliment."

Woman: Did you actually see her?

Lonnie: No. And it’s a good thing, too. We were lucky to get out of there alive.

Catra: Oh, please. She’s like every other princess: all sparkle, no substance. She caught us off-guard. That is all.

Lonnie: Sure. You were the only one who saw her up close, and you didn’t even land a hit on her. What? Did you freeze up?

Catra narrowed her eyes.

Catra: You think I’m scared of some princess? I could take her out whenever I want. I know her secret.

Lonnie: Oh yeah? And what’s that?

Catra: Hmm. Like I’d tell you.

Lonnie: Easy, Catra. Adora’s not here to protect you anymore.

"Catra..."

"I did just fine without Adora," Catra spat, "In fact, I did better." It seemed like it was more to herself than the others, but the scene had changed once again.

Adora is in the forest, still struggling to get the sword to work. After a few tries, Madame Razz appears, humming to herself.

Razz: Hm? Did you hear something? Yes, I did, too. Who’s there?!

Adora: I, uh, didn’t mean to intrude. Um, but have you seen a flying horse around here?

Razz: Oh, Mara, dearie! Is that you? About time you got here. Come on now, there’s no time to waste. Let’s get going.

Adora: Uh, you were waiting for me?

"Um... are we supposed to know who she is?" questioned Mermista, and it seemed like nearly everyone else agreed.

"She's Madame Razz," said Adora, "She- uh, well, I honestly don't know who she is- just that she's really old and used to know Mara and seems to always appear when I need help."

It looked like that answer just made some people more confused.

Razz: We made plans to go berry-picking today.

Adora: Look, I’m sorry, but I think you’ve mistaken me for someone else. I don’t know who you are.

Razz: No, you don’t know Madame Razz, do you? You’re not quite the same. This is the wrong time for my Mara, isn’t it? Now you’ve got the sword, instead.

Adora: Wait, what?

Razz: Ah! Well, never mind. You’re here now, and there’s still berries to be picked.

The scene changes again to further in the Whispering Woods. Adora and Razz are walking together. They see a First Ones' structure.

Catra's eyes widened with recognition. Entrapta looked even more excited than she had the whole time- which was saying a lot, seeing as she was very fascinated with the whole thing.

"Woah," she gasped, reminding the other princesses of her presence, "Is that ALL First Ones' tech??"

"Oh.. yes, it is."

Catra was about to speak up, reminding Entrapta that it was where she had sent her, but then decided to stay quiet - Entrapta and her were not friends anymore.

Razz climbs up the structure to pick berries, but falls down after pressing something at the top. A light flashes from the top of the ruin, and stars appear in the sky.

Adora: Stars?

Razz: Oh, we used to come here to look at the stars. Do you remember, Mara? They’re all gone now. What happened to the stars?

Adora: I’ve seen them before. I know all of this somehow.

Brief visions of Adora’s memories flash across the screen. The visions subside, and Adora grips her head. Razz eats one of her berries, unfazed.

Adora: What is this? What’s happening to me?

Razz remains silent and eats another berry.

Adora: Look, I know you brought me here for a reason. If you know something about the sword, about me, you need to tell me!

Razz: I brought you here to pick berries, and your basket’s still empty. So, come on, silly.

Adora: Whoa!

Razz grabs her by the arm and drags her off.

"...She's still really confusing."

"I know."

The scene changes back to the Fright Zone barracks, showing Catra as she flops down onto the bed and glances over at a drawing of her and Adora on the wall.

Catra's eyes widens and she shrinks in her seat.

Catra grunts and slashes the drawing, sobbing quietly.

"Catra..."

She looks down at her pillow before she begins shouting and crying hysterically, tearing the pillow to shreds.

Nearly everyone was looking at the chair where Catra sat with sad eyes, but her gaze remained stoic. Adora attempted to say something, but no words came out of her mouth.

Shadow Weaver enters.

Shadow Weaver: Catra!

Catra scrambled out of the bed.

Catra: What do you want?

Shadow Weaver: Impertinent as always, I see. With such a grand failure under your belt, it would benefit you to show more respect, cadet.

"Why did she always..." Scorpia trailed off.

Catra: I did exactly what you told me to do. You are the one who didn’t warn us there would be princesses there.

Shadow Weaver: I have you a simple task: bring back Adora. Instead, your squadron is ravaged, your war machines destroyed, and Adora is still missing.

Catra: News flash, old lady: if Adora wanted to come home, she'd be here right now. Adora's gone. She defected. And I’m starting to think she had the right idea.

Adora gasped.

Catra: So maybe it’s you who should be showing a little more respect to me.

Shadow Weaver: Lies!

The lights shatter.

Shadow Weaver: I am out of patience to address your incompetence and your insubordination, cadet. You will answer to a higher power, Lord Hordak himself.

"Why would you always blame Catra?!" Adora finally spoke up, and Catra's head snapped around. "She was right! I didn't want to come back- and it wasn't her fault!"

Shadow Weaver didn't answer.

The scene changes to the Whispering Woods. Adora and Razz were talking while walking until they reached an empty field filled with abandoned Horde war machines.

Razz: No one is going to make this easy for you, dearie. Stop waiting for someone to tell you what the right thing to do is.

Razz: You’re a smart girl. What do you think?

Adora: I think…this is wrong.

Swift Wind is neighing.

Adora: Horsey.

Razz: Huh?

The Scene changes to Swift Wind being tied down by a group of Horde soldiers.

Adora: For the honor of Grayskull.

Adora transforms into She-Ra. She saves Swift Wind and fights the Horde soldiers. She is hit by a laser and collapses suddenly.

Razz: Mara, dear! Razzle Dazzle!

She throws down her berries and creates a smokescreen.

The scene changes to Adora being awakened by Swift Wind.

Razz: Swift Wind and I have been talking while you were asleep. He thanks you for coming to his rescue.

Adora: Swift Wind?

Razz: That’s what he prefers to be called. Also, he wanted me to make sure that you know that “Horsey” was a stupid name.

Swift Wind nodded his agreement.

Adora says that she will go back to Bright Moon, and they say good-bye to Razz.

Razz: Who was that girl?

"What?" said Mermista, slamming her hand on the arm of her chair, "How does she not know- this lady is being so confusing?!"

Adora only chuckled.

Adora rides Swift Wind back to Bright Moon. The scene changes to the Bright Moon castle.

Angella: How could you possibly think this was acceptable?!

Glimmer: Mom, you don’t understand! You’re not listening!

Angella: You’ve shown remarkably poor judgment! Allowing a Horde soldier into Bright Moon without telling me?

A golden light floods the room as She-Ra enters.

Angella: It can’t be.

Glimmer: I was trying to tell you. Mom, meet—

Angella: She-Ra.

She-Ra: Your Majesty, I’ve come to pledge myself to the Rebellion. But first, there’s something you should know.

She-Ra transforms into Adora.

Woman: She’s a Horde Soldier.

Adora gets introduced to Angella and pledges her allegiance to the Rebellion.

Glimmer: Welcome to Bright Moon!

Bow: But for real this time.

"Oh, I remember that day," said Glimmer tearfully, and the others smiled as well, until the scene changed again.

It shows Hordak's lair as Shadow Weaver drags Catra in.

Catra scowls at all of these scenes- they all show her weaknesses.

Shadow Weaver: Lord Hordak. [throws Catra onto the ground] Kneel! I gave her charge of a simple mission: to return Force Captain Adora to the Fright Zone. Instead, our forces suffered a humiliating defeat.

Hordak: Then you mean to tell me that you’re still down a Force Captain?

Shadow Weaver: Yes, my lord. But rest assured, nothing will stop us from finding Adora and bringing her back.

Hordak: No. You will elect another Force Captain and resume normal operations.

Shadow Weaver: But, my lord, Adora is the only viable candidate.

Hordak: You have Catra. Was she not your ward, as well?

Shadow Weaver: Catra has been nothing but a disappointment to me.

"Why?"

Hordak: If you have failed to condition her properly, you have no one but yourself to blame.

Shadow Weaver: But, my lord—

"I stand by what I said," grunted Hordak, making a few people jump - most had forgotten that he was there.

Hordak: Enough. I have made my decision. Rise, Force Captain Catra.

Hordak gives Catra a Force Captain badge. Catra takes the badge skeptically.

Catra looks down at the badge and smirks. The scene turns to black and Lady Noire returns.

"And another episode done!!" she exclaimed, once again scanning the crowd. "We've now got She-Ra Adora and Force Captain Catra," she smirked, "And it's just as I said wasn't it? A perfect example of one moment - Adora doing dumb stuff - and another moment - Catra having a mental breakdown."

Catra growled.

"Don't worry, Catra! The next episode will be a bit more fun - I think... Anyway, let's meet the Rebellion officially, and enter Perfuma!"

Perfuma sat up and her eyes gleamed. She had mostly been in thought of the 'do I hate Catra or do I feel sorry for her' argument in her brain the whole time, and still hadn't come to a complete decision.

"So, get ready for the next episode: Flowers for She-Ra."

Chapter Text

Glimmer: This is awesome! I can't believe Mom agreed to let you stay in Bright Moon!

[Guards whispering]: I don't trust her...

Adora: Yeah, awesome.

Glimmer: Okay. You've seen the dining hall, the throne room, the portrait hall. So, the last stop on our grand tour is... your new room! Ta-da!

It has a cathedral ceiling and canopy bed.

Adora gasped.

Glimmer: It's pretty standard. You've got your vanity, the bathroom, crystals, bell pull, tea nook, more crystals, bed, desk, and of course, the waterfall.

Adora: Is the waterfall for showering?

Glimmer: Ha! Good one, Adora. "Waterfall for showering." 

"I-uh, I still don't know what the... waterfall is for?"

Glimmer and Bow turn to her in shock.

Lonnie scoffs in the back, "You were living with this the whole time?! We should have defected earlier..."

"Wait- you defected??"

Glimmer: I'm right down the hall if you need anything. Night.

Adora: Wait--

"Well... we were sort of in the process of escaping when we got sucked here."

"Huh."

Adora: Okay. This is different than the Fright Zone, but I'm sure I'll get the hang of this in no time.

She sinks into the bed.

Adora: [Grunts] Help.

Adora tries to climb out of the cushions in the circular canopy bed. She punches a pillow.

Adora: [Grunting] Come on, get flatter!

It rips.

Adora: No! Go back in! Go back in!

Feathers explode from the cushion and she exits the room.

Adora: Glimmer? Glimmer? I think I killed the bed. [Shrieks] [Normal voice] Ma'am! I mean, Your Majesty. Sir!

Catra began to giggle before fully laughing. A few others chuckled.

"You 'killed a bed'-"

"Oh, shut up," said Adora playfully, eyes softening.

Adora bows on one leg and salutes. She wipes feathers from her face.

Adora: So uh, what are you doing up?

Angella: When I feel the cares of the day weighing upon me, I come here.

Adora: Who is that?

Angella: King Micah. My husband. He built the Rebellion with me. And he was one of the first casualties of The Horde.

"What..."

Adora: Sorry. I didn't know.

"I'm not... dead though," said Micah softly. Glimmer tried to turn around in her seat to look at him, but he seemed to far in the back to see clearly.

"W-we thought..."

Angella: Adora. My daughter believes you can help us. Glimmer has vouched for you despite your background. And because I greatly love my daughter, I am willing to give you a chance. Do not disappoint her.

She walks away. The scene changes.

Glimmer wakes in her suspended bed. She shrieks when she sees Adora asleep beside her. She falls to the floor.

Adora: [Gasps] Glimmer! Are you okay?

Glimmer: What are you doing in here?

Adora: I'm sorry! I couldn't sleep in my room. I've never slept without any other people around before. And then I ran into your mom, I think she doesn't like me.

Glimmer: What? My mom loves you.

Adora: Yeah, sure. She loves She-Ra.

Glimmer: Mom can be... a little intense, heh. But, our weekly meeting with the Rebellion Generals is today and you're invited. She wouldn't have invited you if she didn't like you.

Adora unconsciously wiped her tears.

Later, Adora, Glimmer, and Bow enter the meeting room. The walls are covered with paintings.

Glimmer: Come on. Meeting's about to start.

Adora: Uh, the chairs are still empty.

Glimmer: Those are for the other Etherian Princesses, but... none of them have been active members since I was a kid. The Rebellion had a big defeat years ago, and most of the old Princesses gave up. Now all the kingdoms keep to themselves, and the new Princesses do the same.

Bow: Other than Spinnerella and Netossa. Hey, guys! [Whispers] We're not really sure what they do.

"Oh, come on!" Netossa groaned, "It's literally in our names -"

"I know now!" said Bow quickly, "You're Netossa- you toss nets, I got it. And Spinerally does windy stuff."

Netossa huffed and muttered something else under her breath, but seemed mostly satisfied.

Adora sits, and the others gasp.

Adora: What? What? I don't understand.

Angella: This is not your chair.

Glimmer: Sorry! First day. Won't happen again!

Adora: [Whispers] What did I do?

Glimmer: [Whispers] You sat in my dad's chair.

Adora: [Whispers] Oh... Oh. I'm sorry.

"It's alright," comments Micah, making Adora flush in embarrassment.

They talk about Plumeria and Glimmer suggests fighting the Horde, but Angella quickly shuts the idea down.

Adora: You should send me, Glimmer, and Bow to lead the relief mission. You can send me as She-Ra. I'll make sure everyone gets there safely and protect Bow and Glimmer if the Horde attacks. I promise, I won't disappoint you.

Angella: Very well. You will deliver food and supplies to Plumeria, and under no circumstances will you engage the Horde. You leave at dawn.

"Ooh!" squealed Perfumia, "This is where I come in, isn't it?"

Glimmer chuckles, "Yeah, I think so."

The scene changes to the Fright Zone where Kyle, Lonnie, and Rogelio are training.

Kyle: I give up! I give up!

Kyle looked awkwardly on the ground.

Lonnie: Quit playing around, Kyle! Where's Catra? She's supposed to be here.

Catra: Not anymore, cadet Lonnie.

Lonnie: Why aren't you dressed?

Catra: Oh, Lonnie, Lonnie... sweet, dumb, Lonnie.

Catra shows her badge.

Lonnie: They made you Force Captain?

Kyle: Congrats, Catra! 

Catra: Hordak knows a good thing when he sees it. Now that I'm in charge, Shadow Weaver won't be the only one...Uh...

Shadow Weaver appears behind Catra and she salutes. Shadow Weaver points and she and Catra meet in a locker room.

Catra: What do ya need, Shadow Weaver? Ooh, are you giving me my first mission?

Shadow Weaver: You will explain how you lost Force Captain Adora.

Catra: Ugh, I've told you everything I know about Adora!

Shadow Weaver: I know you're lying. You have to be lying. What happened to Adora? What did you do?

Catra: What did I do? She left us! She left me! You ever think Adora's not as loyal as you thought?

Shadow Weaver: I will learn the truth, Catra, even if I have to drag it from your--

Shadow Weaver's headband glows red and she hunches over. She shoves Catra and hurries off.

Meanwhile, Glimmer and Bow arrive in Plumeria. Trees are barren and withered. Adora arrives as She-Ra and they go to meet Perfuma. They all get excited to see Sh-Ra.

Perfuma: Look! The universe has heard our pleas and sent the legendary She-Ra to help us save our home.

She introduces the others to Plumeria. She explains what's happening with the runestone, but rushes them off to show them the celebration.

The scene changes back to Shadow Weaver, who is in her chamber. She puts her hands on the Black Garnet. A red symbol on her forehead glows.

"What's even going on -"

Hordak: Shadow Weaver.

Shadow Weaver: Lord Hordak!

Hordak: You have disobeyed my orders.

Shadow Weaver: I've done no such thing, Lord Hordak. My will is your will.

Catra smirked.

Hordak: Then explain to me why you've requisitioned more troops to look for one missing soldier. A soldier I ordered you to give up on.

Shadow Weaver: Finding Adora is crucial to the Horde's mission—

Hordak: Our mission is to kill the Whispering Woods so we can march on Bright Moon. Our mission is to destroy the princesses and their ridiculous rebellion. You are distracted, Shadow Weaver. Our ground troops demand your full attention. The siege on Plumeria has carried on for too long. You will give the order to increase power until victory is achieved. And never forget, I gave you your magical power and at my slightest whim, I can take it away. Understand?

"Wait... so Hordak gave Shadow Weaver her magic?"

"Not all of it," drawled Shadow Weaver, "I took the magic of the Black Garnet."

Shadow Weaver: Of course, Lord Hordak.

The scene changes back to Plumeria. They are all crowding around She-Ra.

She-Ra: What stories?

Perfuma: The stories we've been telling for thousands of years. She-Ra, the warrior who tamed the beasts of Beast Island with a single word.

Adora glanced down, shifting awkwardly.

Bow: That's nothing. What about the time She-Ra defeated a squad of Horde soldiers on a flying horse? Or the time she saved Thaymor from a legion of Horde soldiers? Or the time she borrowed my toothbrush and used it to defeat an army of Horde soldiers.

She-Ra: Uh, Bow, that's not true.

"I'm sorry about that, by the way. I shouldn't've -"

"It's fine, really."

They try to get She-Ra to heal their lands, but She-Ra doesn't know how.

She-Ra: Soon isn't good enough! These people expect me to save their land. I thought I was better as She-Ra, but I'm useless no matter what form I take.

"You're not useless!" said both Glimmer and Perfuma. Perfuma continued, "I shouldn't have forced you to be She-Ra when you were just learning... I didn't know, Adora."

Adora smiled. "Thanks, Perfuma."

Another explosion shakes the Earth. There's an explosion nearby.

Perfuma: She-Ra! Come quickly! Something absolutely terrible has happened!

The Heart Blossom tree withers and pink leaves drift to the ground.

Perfuma: The Heart-Blossom is dying. Please, She-Ra, heal our land.

She-Ra steps forward. Bow gives a thumbs up and she puts her hand on the tree and closes her eyes. Golden light shines. Vines creep up the trunk and leaves fall. She-Ra morphs back to Adora.

Adora: Sorry. I don't know how to heal.

The citizens argue about She-Ra. 

Adora: Wait! There might be another way. I know the Horde. I think they're using one of their machines to poison your land. If we wanna save your home, we have to stop them! 

The citizens don't listen and plan to evacuate. Glimmer, Bow, and Adora start a plan.

They sneak in the camp, wearing Horde uniforms.

Adora: Okay, we need to find the machine. Every Horde camp is laid out the same. Guard duty's in half-hour shifts, so we walk in when the shift changes in three, two, one.

"Huh," Catra muttered, "She actually used her brain."

Adora rolled her eyes, but she had a small smile. This would be their first victory.

Adora enters the base. Tubes filled with green liquid bubble and smoke.

Glimmer: You were right. The Horde is poisoning the land.

A Horde soldier catches them, and Adora gives the wrong password. They run away.

The scene changes back to the Plumerian Citizens. It shows a note that Perfuma reads.

Perfuma: "We've gone to the Horde camp to find the weapon killing your trees. If we don't make it, I wanted to say I'm sorry. I couldn't be the hero you wanted. -Adora."

Perfuma looks at the smoke.

Perfuma: She's still trying, even though we were so negative. Glimmer was right. This is our home, we can't let her do this alone! Everyone, She-Ra and our friends from Bright Moon are risking their lives to protect us from the Horde. We need to help them! Get the warchimes, we march!

A few members of the Princess Alliance cheer.

Adora, Glimmer, and Bow run as Horde soldiers shoot at them. They hide behind barrels. More soldiers surround them wielding laser guns.

Perfuma rides in on a bed of vines.

Perfuma: I've always said the universe will repay the Horde one day. Well, I guess that day is today!

Perfuma, Bow, Glimmer, and Adora fight the Horde.

She-Ra zaps the tank and green light floods the base and seeps into the earth outside the camp. It runs up the Heart Blossom tree and into Perfuma's body. A flower blooms in Perfuma's hand and she twirls around. The Heart Blossom tree erupts with pink blossoms.

Perfuma gasps, then laughs. Plants and flowers grow around the camp and the Horde soldiers. They run off and Perfuma hugs She-Ra. The Horde retreats.

Glimmer offers for Perfuma to join the Princess Alliance.

Perfuma: Hey, everyone! Look at us. We're mighty rebels now.

The scene changes back to the Fright Zone. C atra visits Shadow Weaver.

Catra: Force Captain Catra reporting for--

Shadow Weaver: This was brought to me by retreating soldiers, retreating because their camp was attacked by Adora and She-Ra. Pathetic, you're still trying to protect her. Did you think you could keep the truth from me?

Catra: It's just a phase, she's confused. I'll bring her back in, I swear.

Catra and Adora shifted in their seats.

Shadow Weaver: Oh, yes, you will. Because until I tell you otherwise, that is your mission. And to ensure success, no matter where Adora goes, no matter how long it takes, my shadow spies will find her.

Catra gasps.

"Well, you did end up doing that, didn't you?" said Castaspella annoyedly.

Shadow Weaver: Find her and bring her home.

The scene changes to Bright Moon. Adora enters a room to find Glimmer and Bow.

Adora: What is this?

Glimmer: Since you've never slept in a room by yourself before, Bow and I thought we'd throw you a sleepover, then you won't feel so alone.

"Aww, that's so sweet!"

Bow: We even got you a new bed.

She eyes a single cot.

Adora: It's wonderful.

Glimmer and Adora start laughing and throwing pillows.

Bow: Aw! Best Friend Squad is having a pillow fight!

Adora: Yeah, we're not calling ourselves that.

"Well..."

Glimmer: I prefer "The Glimmer Group.”

Bow: Nah. We're the Best Friend Squad.

The screen turned to black.

"Aaand we're back! You're totally called the Best Friend Squad," Lady Noire said as her face filled the screen once again. "How'd you like it?"

A few murmurs filled the cinema, but Mermista groaned.

"Are we gonna keep having to watch the Horde?" She had been pulled from her mourning of Salineas.

"Well, yeah," said Lady Noire cheerfully, "the story's mainly about Catra and Adora- and seeing as Catra is mainly in the Horde, you get a lot of that stuff. But anyway, Mermista- Salineas might have just fallen but you get to see it now!"

Mermista narrowed her eyes, but sat straighter nonetheless.

"Get ready for the next episode, The Sea Gate."

Chapter Text

The scene opens on the Bright Moon Council room. Spinerella, Netossa, a guard, Glimmer, Adora, and Bow are seated around a table. Angella sits on a fancy chair higher than all the rest.

Glimmer: Mom-- Uh, eugh, your majesty. You should let me, Bow, and Adora continue our princess recruitment mission. If we can form a new Princess Alliance, The Rebellion would actually stand a chance for once.

Angella and glimmer argue about joining forces with Mermista.

Glimmer: Don't worry, Mom. With She-Ra, we can conquer anything.

Adora: And, uh, we're also gonna need a boat.

Catra snorted.

Glimmer: With She-Ra and a boat, we can conquer anything.

Bow: Aaaaand an experienced sea captain.

"That would be me!" said Sea Hawk proudly, but faltered after a moment, "It is me, isn't it?"

"Of course it is!" said Bow excitedly.

Angella agrees to let them how to Salineas.

We see many flying boats outside a building on a cliff. Bow, Adora, and Glimmer enter. Various Etherians are cheering, drinking, making deals, playing cards.

Bow: This is so cool. Seaworthy is just like I imagined it. Everyone here looks like a real pirate!

Glimmer: Focus, Bow. We're just here to find a sea captain.

Bow: No pirates?

Glimmer: No pirates.

"I am a pirate!"

They go up to ask for a sea captain. A lady points to Sea Hawk, who is arm-wrestling in the corner.

Sea Hawk: I won. Drinks all around. Put it on my friend here's tab.

The trio approach him nervously.

Glimmer: Uh, hiii. We were told you're a sea captain?

Sea Hawk: I am the one and only Sea Hawk.

Sea Hawk jumps up onto the table.

Sea Hawk: Has my reputation preceded me?

Bow: Your name is Sea Hawk? That's the coolest name I've ever heard!

"It is, isn't it?" Sea Hawk chuckled.

Glimmer, Adora, and Sea Hawk talk about his qualifications.

"Pfft, you actually believe all that?" said Mermista. 

"Well..."

Sea Hawk gives them a fee, and Glimmer gasps.

Glimmer: We'll just find ANOTHER sea captain.

Sea Hawk: Good luck with that. You won't find another soul who knows the treacherous route to Salineas as well as I do. I brave it often to visit my close personal friend, Princess Mermista.

Glimmer: You know her?

Sea Hawk: Uh do I?

"No, you DON'T!"

"Um... well, he does -"

"NO, HE DOES NOT!"

"But, Mermista-"

Mermista groaned and flopped down in her chair.

Adora laughs, slamming her hand down on the table. She sits down and holds her other arm up.

Adora: Okay, well, here's the deal. We go one round, winner takes all. You win, we leave you alone. I win, you take us to Salineas. At no cost.

Sea Hawk: That's a terrible deal. But I am undefeated at arm wrestling. Let me show you how it's done, lassie.

They arm wrestle as Sea Hawk brags, but Adora wins.

Sea Hawk:  Well, truth be told, I let you win so as to, ahem, boost your confidence. I've been wanting to go to Salineas anyway. Come on, kids, with me! Forward to adventure!

A shadow spy looms watching on the balcony above, magical energy hissing as it disperses itself to follow them. It transitions back to the Fright Zone.

Catra grimaced.

Inside the Black Garnet chamber, Shadow Weaver stands with Catra at her magical reflecting pool.

Shadow Weaver: Adora is in Seaworthy. I'm giving you one more chance to bring her back.

"You just- SPIED ON HER LIKE THAT??"

"It was necessary."

Catra: Uh...didn't Hordak just order to you to stop going after Adora?

Shadow Weaver: And who is going to tell him? You?

Catra: Fine. About time you started treating me like a Force Captain anyway. I'll bring her back.

Shadow Weaver: Not so faaast. You won't be going alone. You'll be joined by Force Captain Scorpia.

"Ooh!"

Scorpia: ...KITTY! [Picks up Catra and she groans] Just so you know, I'm a hugger.

Scorpia hugs Catra, and Catra squeaks and grunts, struggling to get away, finally leaping out of her hold.

Catra: Is this some kind of joke?!

Shadow Weaver: Scorpia will see that you are...kept in line.

Catra: Ugh. Okay, whatever. You're at least giving me a vehicle, right?

Shadow Weaver: Something like that.

The scene changes to a Horde ship. Catra nauseously looks over the edge of the ship as the ships' metal creaks and the waves whoosh in its wake.

Catra: [nervously] No...not--

Scorpia: BOATS! Oh, I just love boats, don't you? [Wind blows] Wind in your hair, [Catra groans slightly] ocean on every side, miles and miles from the nearest dry land...[Catra groans slightly louder at Scorpia's increased volume] watery death awaiting at the slightest mishap... Man...[water licks up near where Catra leans against the railing and she shrieks and falls backward, righting herself again shortly] that's what I call living.

Catra: [nauseated] Yeah, I'm really gonna need you to shut up...

"Are you- seasick??" Glimmer giggled, and Catra only huffed.

Scorpia: [concerned] Aw, are you seasick?

Catra huffs a groan and scrapes her claws through the metal railing; Catra then grunts when Scorpia picks her up

Scorpia: Now, just focus on me, okay? It'll help.

Catra: [grunting as she struggles to get away] Put me down! [she pushes out of Scorpia's arms to land on the ship again; she begins to angrily stride away, Scorpia in tow] What is wrong with you?

Scorpia looked down to the floor. Catra shifted in her seat.

They notice Lonnie, Kyle, and Rogelio standing nearby.

Catra: What are you looking at?

Lonnie runs away while Rogelio lifts Kyle and follows.

Catra: Get back to doing boat things.

"Yeah, that was really helpful," Lonnie scoffed.

The scene changes to Sea Hawk's ship.

Sea Hawk: Welcome aboard The Dragon's Daughter...III.

Adora: What happened to The Dragon's Daughters I and II?

Sea Hawk: Tragically, they went down in flames...

Bow: How did that happen?

Sea Hawk: I set them on fire. ADVENTURE!

"You set a boat on fire?"

"Several, in fact!"

Adora: [to Glimmer, quietly] Are we sure about this guy?

Glimmer: He just needs to get us there.

Sea Hawk slumped slightly, and Adora quickly spoke up.

"That was before you became our friend!"

Sea Hawk begins talking about helping on the ship, and all of the others impress him. He starts to sing a shanty.

Sea Hawk sang along with the screen.

Time passes and the Glimmer notices that they're off the path of the map. Sea Hawk announces the Serpent of the Sea. Adora quickly transforms into She-Ra and takes care of the monster.

"That... was quick."

Adora smiled proudly.

The scene changes to the Horde ship, stalled near the Sea Gate. Catra walks to the top of the ship, looking down on Kyle who is using a telescope to spy ahead.

Catra: [surprising Kyle to whimper] Why have we stopped?

Kyle: The Sea Gate is blocking our path. ...There's no way past, Force Captain Catra.

Catra: What?!

She leaps down on top of Kyle's shoulders, grabbing the telescope and propelling herself off him, making him grunt and fall over; Catra lands on the bow railing and looks out with the telescope as it beeps into focus of the Sea Gate; agitated.

"How... did you do that?"

Catra only rolled her eyes.

Catra: Oh, Shadow Weaver didn't bother to mention that there was a massive gate blocking the way to Seaworthy?

"Wait, you didn't know about the Sea Gate?" asked Glimmer.

"Well, I obviously do now," Catra huffed.

Scorpia: Wait, didn't you learn about the Salineas Sea Gate in Force Captain Orientation?

Catra: There's a Force Captain Orientation?!

Scorpia: Oho, yes there is!

Catra groans; Lonnie and Rogelio laugh at Kyle in the background as Kyle vocalizes a pout; Catra stands and lashes her tail.

Catra: All hands on deck! We're finding a way through that gate.

Scorpia: Oo, impressive Captain yell.

The scene changes to just on the other side of the Sea Gate where the Dragon's Daughter III has docked.

Bow: ...Where is everyone?

Wind blows as they look on at the empty city.

Sea Hawk: Hmm...very odd, indeed. If I know the princess Mermista--and I-I do--something's amiss.

Salineas Guard: [yelling from far away, echoing] Halt! Halt! Halt, I say! [runs and pants towards the crew; with effort] ...Halt... [finally reaches them and stops to catch breath; out of breath] ...What's your business in Salineas?

Glimmer: We've come to speak with Princess Mermista--

Sea Hawk: [shouldering Glimmer out of the way; smugly] Tell her Sea Hawk is with them, she'll be excited to see me.

"I was not."

The scene changes to the Salineas throne room.

Mermista: Ew, who let him back in here?

Glimmer: My name is Glimmer of Bright Moon. We've never met, but our parents fought in the Rebellion together.

Mermista: Oh, yeah... I remember hearing about the old Princess Alliance. My dad said it was a total disaster.

Sea Hawk tries to get her attention, but Mermista talks about the gate being broken.

Mermista: Yeah, I know, right? It figures that I would inherit a kingdom that's crumbling, but it's totally fine--I'm...handling it. It's just kind of inconvenient because the Horde won't stop attacking us...

Mermista sunk lower in her seat and groaned loudly, thinking about how the Horde had finally won the kingdom.

Sea Hawk: We have a rich and complicated past.

Mermista: If by that you mean you got us kicked out of the Dolphin Social for challenging the doorman to a duel, then sure.

Sea Hawk: ...I don't recall doing that.

Mermista: And that time that you set our gondola on fire in the Tunnel of Love? 

"Wait... you went on a gondola in a 'Tunnel of Love?"

"Irrelevant.

Adora sees a mural in First Ones' writing and offers to try to fix the Gate. Mermista agrees to help the Princess Alliance if they can help Salineas, but tells Sea Hawk to leave. The scene changes to a rock floating just near the edge of the Sea Gate. The gate hums and makes glitching noises; spouts of water seep through the Gate, splashing on the other side; Glimmer, Bow, Adora, and Mermista walk up to the gap separating them from the gate.

Mermista: I really hope you know what you're doing.

Adora: [half-nervously] Uh...yeah, totally. [chuckles nervously] I got this... For the Honor...of Grayskull!

Adora transforms into She-Ra.

Mermista: Wow. Okay. That's...different.

She-Ra points her sword towards the Gate and it begins to glow. They let She-Ra concentrate and Glimmer looks back to see Sea Hawk untying the docked ship from the shore. She teleports over to right behind him.

Glimmer: Are you leaving without us?

Sea Hawk: It's for the best. I'm only getting in your way... [sighs] It's time for old Sea Hawk to be where he belongs: ...Alone. [sighs lightly again, walking to the side of the ship] It wasn't always like this. Where I'm from, I had friends...a crew. Every day an adventure more daring than the last. [half-chuckles] The fact that I kept setting my boats on fire was considered charming. [slight chuckle; then contemplative and introspective] But here, I can't even get anyone to take me seriously.

Glimmer: [stepping next to him] Yeah...I know a little about that. I can't get anyone to take me seriously either.

"Aww you two were bonding!"

Sea Hawk: You? But you're a princess....

Glimmer: Try being the daughter of an immortal queen, when your powers are [whispers frustratedly, hands glowing magically] "sparkles."

"By the way... what is your power?"

"I-" Glimmer faltered and lowered her voice, "it's sparkles- but also teleportation!"

Catra snorted.

The scene changes back to Mermista, She-Ra, and Bow, but the Horde ship sails into view.

Bow: It's the Horde!

Glimmer: What?!

On the Horde ship, Scorpia grunts as she presses down on a lever, charging a cannon with a thrum; a laser blast fires out and hits the Gate, creating a hole; She-Ra is zapped with electricity as the Gate is hit, making her shout in pain and stop charging the Gate; the barrel of the cannon hisses with discharged smoke as Catra notices the Rebellion crew and looks through her telescope at She-Ra, still electrified.

Catra: Keep us going full-speed. I've got something more important to do. 

She-Ra tells the others to take care of the Horde, and Mermista jumps into the ocean. The Horde ship sails closer. Bow fires a rope arrow at the ship and then to Kyle. Lonnie charges at Bow but misses. Bow's arrow explodes goo over Scorpia's cannon.

Scorpia: Oh, come on.

They continue fighting and Scorpia throws Bow over the edge of the ship.

"I am so sorry!" said Scorpia immediately, and Bow only shrugged it off.

Sea Hawk catches Bow and they swing onto the Dragon's Daughter III.

Glimmer: Bow! Are you all right?

Bow: That was... AMAZING!

Sea Hawk: Thank you for noticing, Bow. It was amazing.

The Horde ship's laser fires again as the ship races toward the Gate.

Sea Hawk: Nothing's slowing them down. What do we do?

Glimmer: I think I have a plan. But no one is allowed to tell my mom about this. Sea Hawk, I need your help. I need you to do what you do best.

Sea Hawk: What?

Glimmer: Set your ship on fire.

Sea Hawk: Yes!

"That's your plan?" questioned Frosta.

"It worked!!"

Back on the Horde ship, they fire another laser at the Gate. It zaps through She-Ra just as Catra lands on the sword.

Catra: Wow. You know, the tiara actually gets stupider the more I look at it.

She-Ra: Catra... How did you find me?

She cries out in pain when a cannon blast hits the gate and she is shocked again; she quickly starts charging the gate again.

Catra: Did you think it would be that easy to escape the Horde? I mean, I always knew you were kinda dumb, but... [her claw tinks as she pokes She-Ra's tiara, making her grunt slightly] come on.

She-Ra: What's your plan, insult me until I decide to rejoin the Horde?

"Like that would work," commented Glimmer.

Catra: I don't think Shadow Weaver is planning to give you much of a choice. But, yeah, something like that.

Catra swipes at She-Ra and leaps off the sword.

Catra: [tauntingly] Check it out. Looks like with you gone, I got your promotion.

She gestures at Force Captain badge.

She-Ra: Congratulations.

Catra: Seems like only yesterday this was the thing you wanted most in the world. And now you're--[groans disgustedly, gesturing at She-Ra's body] ugh. Come on, Adora, hasn't this all gone on long enough?

She-Ra: I told you before, Catra. I'm not. Going. Back.

The scene was slightly awkward for the rest of the audience to watch after knowing about Catra and Adora's history, and about Shadow Weaver. No one said anything.

Catra and She-Ra fight while She-Ra continues to try to fix the gate.

Catra:  This is what you left me for? Dress-up games and a light show? And your new friends are nowhere to be seen. When did you get so weak?

A geyser of water bursts up and splashes Catra, screaming, off the rock; Bow, riding on Mermista's back in the ocean, cheers and then they both dive under the water, suddenly bursting back up again as Mermista transforms her tail back into legs and lands with Bow on the rock next to She-Ra.

She-Ra: Thanks.

Mermista: Yeah, whatever, don't mention it.

Meanwhile, the Gate hums, losing energy; on the Horde ship, Lonnie and Kyle man the cannon, and Scorpia looks on. The Dragon's Daughter III skirts quickly around the Horde ship, then doubles back, heading straight at the Horde ship. Glimmer teleports them off the Dragon's Daughter III just as the ship combusts.

Lonnie: What the heck?!

"Huh... it did work."

The Rebellion crew stand on the shore just outside the Sea Gate.

Mermista: Huh, what do you know, you actually fixed it.

Adora: It's beautiful.

Mermista offers another ship to Sea Hawk and agrees to join the Rebellion.

The crew cheers Mermista as Glimmer hugs her and Adora puts an arm on her shoulders, while Sea Hawk says: Excelsior! Huzzah!

Mermista: Wow, okay, calm down.

Glimmer: You won't regret this, I promise.

Bow and Sea Hawk start to sing a shanty together about the Best Friends Squad and the screen fades to black.

"Alright, another episode done!" Lady Noire appeared. "How'd you like it?"

"It was... fine -"

"Absolutely incredible!" Sea Hawk burst out, "Obviously it was, with me and my -"

"Okk great," Lady Noire cut him off, "This episode introduced three new main characters, but the next will only have one - you're probably a bit confused right now, all of you, about Entrapta and everything that's happened with the Horde... but she'll be joining the Princess Alliance in the next episode! System Failure."

Chapter Text

The screen shows Dryl during a thunderstorm. Kitchen staff are running around making miniature cupcakes. They put the cupcakes on a robot which moves through the maze to Entrapta's lab.

Entrapta: A pig.  So cute.

Entrapta sips the drink and the robot powers done.

Entrapta: Log.  Day 103. 104? No, definitely 103. First Ones' artifact number 58 has yielded a treasure trove of intact code. If I can successfully translate it, it could hold the secrets of the First Ones.

The First Ones' artifact spreads red roots through the area and commands her robots.

Entrapta: Fascinating, my roots seem to be responding to the code. This is remarkable. Could this be my biggest step yet in making ancient and modern technology truly compatible?

"That's the one that made me go..." Adora trailed off.

"I believe it is."

Entrapta: Edit to log, I am now going to run.

The scene changes to Glimmer, Adora, and Bow. Glimmer and Bow explain Entrapta's importance to the Rebellion and Bow shows off his sonic arrows.

Bow: I bet Entrapta will like my arrows.

"Yes, I did," said Entrapta, focusing on the tech rather than the actual people, "They were very fascinating- and definitely helped with the sound-activated robots! I'll have to look into some more with..." she trailed off, unaware of her presence still making them slightly uncomfortable - the Rebellion for her betrayal, and Scorpia and Catra for their own mistakes. Hordak simply focused on the show, but couldn't help but think of possible scenarios for Entrapta not to betray them.

She-Ra clears a rockslide just as lightning strikes.

Glimmer: Something's wrong.  The castle's distress beacon is lit.  They must be under attack.

She-Ra: There's been no reports of the Horde in this area.

Bow: No, be careful!

A trap on the ground opens, and they fall through it.

Bow: Okay, we need to be careful. Entrapta has traps set up all over her castle. They're supposed to be really cool.

"Yes, they helped with invaders and also made it easier for me to move around through vents and using robots," said Entrapta conversationally, "I wonder how it's doing now... I haven't been there in ages."

The comment, though Entrapta didn't think much of it, caused an awkward silence, mixed with confusion.

Random person from sewer: They're coming. Get out of the square.

She-Ra: Who's coming?  Is it the Horde?

Glimmer: I'm thinking we should probably move away from whatever is making that sound.

Robots emerge and they begin to fight them.

Bow: Looks like one of Entrapta's designs. Why would it attack us?

A few of the princesses grumbled - the revelation of Entrapta working with the Horde had meant many of Entrapta's designs attacking them.

She-Ra: Alright, stand back.

Bow: Careful, it could be a-

Glimmer and She-Ra fall down a trap.

Bow: Glimmer! Adora!

Hands from the shadows take Bow. The screen shows Glimmer and She-Ra again. Glimmer attempts to teleport them out, but an ominous form approaches.

Entrapta: Princesses! I'm saved!

Glimmer: Princess Entrapta? I mean, so good to see you. I hope you don't mind, but we sort of let ourselves in.

She-Ra: And then we let ourselves out of your cage, trap thing.

Entrapta: Welcome to Dryl! Things are usually really fun around here, but right now it's all kind of teensy bit deadly.

"A teensy bit?" Mermista repeated.

The scene transitions to Bow being held inside the castle. He is saved by the bakers from earlier. They offer him some food and explain what's happening with the robots. Bow pulls out his tracker pad in an attempt to find Glimmer and She-Ra, but the heat signals aren't them, only more robots.

The scene changes again to Entrapta, Glimmer, and She-Ra.

Entrapta: You're lucky I found you. I designed the castle as a labyrinth. I'm the only one who can navigate it.

Glimmer: Which means you can help us find our friend?

Entrapta: Absolutely.

Entrapta leads them around the castle, even if it seems like she's slightly lost. A giant cleaner robot pursues them, and She-Ra seems to hear something that the others can't.

Entrapta: Bot 329 is attempting to communicate.

Entrapta's hair gets caught in the bot.

Entrapta: Oh no, bad bot.

She-Ra: Princess!

She-Ra defeats the bot, but her sword gets infected.

"Woah..."

She-Ra transforms back into Adora, and the scene returns to Bow and the kitchen staff preparing for an attack in the kitchen. They manage to defeat the bots. Entrapta is observing Adora, who is still unconscious, and Glimmer tries to convince her to get rid of the project.

Entrapta: Destroy it? But the experiment isn't complete!

Glimmer: I think we can safely say that this experiment is a failure!

Entrapta: But what if it's not- no, you're right, it's a failure.

"Wait- didn't we destroy it, though?" questioned Glimmer, "I remember that- but then it was back when we were in the mountains fighting Catra -"

"Yeah..." Entrapta said bashfully, "it wasn't completely destroyed. I was planning to experiment more with it, but then Catra decided to use it and- well, it didn't end well."

Catra avoided looking at them.

Adora woke up under the effects of the disc.

Adora: Glimmer, there's two of you.  That's nice.

Glimmer: How are you feeling?

Adora: Just peachy.  Why are we whispering?

"And- uh, what's wrong with her?"

Adora chuckled awkwardly and scratched her neck, "I don't really know?"

Glimmer: Sound activates the robots.

Adora: What ROBOTS?

Glimmer: The ones that are attacking us.

Adora: Oh, those robots.  Okay, I'm going to take a nap now.

They continue whispering as they make their way to Entrapta's lab.

Entrapta: Oh, we're here.  I mean, uh, of course we're here.  We were never lost.

Entrapta gets shocked by door panel.

Entrapta: Wow, the door is infected too, it won't let us in. That is so smart. And awful. We're all going to die.

"That's blunt."

Glimmer: It's okay, I've got this one. I'll just teleport into the lab.

Entrapta: Ooo, teleportation. How does that work? Tell me everything.

Glimmer: Sure, but maybe later, when we're not, like, facing a robot uprising.

Entrapta: It's a date.

"A what?"

"I... don't think we ever got around to that..."

"Yeah, we didn't!" said Entrapta, her hair rubbing her chin as she thought about it, "Because then you got captured by the Horde- and then I was left at the Horde when we went to rescue you- and then I went to Beast Island- can you still tell me about the teleportation?"

"Uh... of course."

Glimmer: I'll be right back.

Glimmer teleports into the room, but promptly gets attacked by robots. She returns and the scene changes back to Bow and the kitchen staff in the hallway.

Soda Pop: Please don't say it's more bots.

Bow: No, that's Glimmer teleporting.  I know where Glimmer and Adora are.  Uh oh, that's not good. We have to do something, we have to save them.

The kitchen staff are reluctant to stop the robots and help Glimmer and Adora, but Bow tries to convince them.

Bow: I'm a master archer who's out of arrows, but that never stopped me either. You each have a skill that only you can do, even if it doesn't come from some magical jewel.  You say you're just ordinary people, I say you're warriors of the Rebellion!

Baker: To the Rebellion!

"That... was actually a really good pep talk."

"Thank you!"

Scene transition to Glimmer, Entrapta and Adora surrounded by robots. 

Entrapta: Incredible development, the bots seem to be working together.

Glimmer: Right now, I think that's a bad thing.  We need to find another way into the lab.

Entrapta: The air duct, we can use that. I don't suppose you have any other magical powers that could be useful right now?

Glimmer: I don't have enough energy to teleport us all.  Not without leaving someone's legs behind.

Entrapta: I'll give up one of mine if you give up one of yours!

"I don't think it was necessarily an offer..."

"It wasn't," sighed Glimmer.

Bow and the kitchen staff attack and save Adora, Glimmer, and Entrapta.

Glimmer: It's Bow!

Adora: Yay, there's a rainbow!

Lonnie snorted along with a few others who laughed. "Can we have loopy Adora all the time?"

"Hey!"

Bow: Okay, where's the disc?

The disc is covered in red roots.

Entrapta: How fascinating.  It has completely protected itself.

Bow: We have to find a way to turn it off.

Adora: Hey, guys, I've found the bots.

Glimmer: Adora!

Glimmer teleports and saves Adora, who screams. The kitchen staff distracts the robots and gets the princesses while Bow and Entrapta work on turning off the disc. Entrapta takes out the plug, but the disc isn't turning off.

Entrapta: [laughs] It's running on its own power now! That's it. We need to get outta here and burn this place to the ground. Experiment officially failed.

Bow: Wait, I have an idea. Now's your chance, sonic arrow! I believe in you!

"There's no way that'll actually work -"

Bow fires the sonic arrow at the disc and destroys it.

"What was that? Huh?" said Bow proudly.

Adora: Where am I?  What's happening?

Entrapta: Thanks, former tall one, and companions, for saving our lives. I would be honored to join your Rebellion and provide you with weapons.

"That didn't age well, did it?" Double Trouble spoke up- it seemed whenever someone spoke for the first time, they completely forgot that they were there. DT smirked.

Bow: Thanks, guys. You saved us all back there.  The Rebellion needs regular people now more than ever.

Scene transition to outside of Dryl as Glimmer, Bow and Adora walk home.

Adora: If you hadn't come, the bots would have gotten us for sure.  And, I didn't know that She-Ra could get sick like that.  What if it happens again?

"It did, didn't it?"

Bow: It won't.  We destroyed that evil, She-Ra hating disc.

Adora sighed, sparing a glance at Catra, "Yeah, it did."

Adora destroys a rock on the way home, and the scene changes back to Entrapta's lab.

Entrapta: Log. Day 105. 104?  Eh. The last experiment hit a few bumps, but it was not a total failure. I made some important discoveries. The disc is way more powerful than I ever imagined. With a few adjustments, I'm sure the next experiment will be a success.

Entrapta repairs the shattered disc. The screen turns to black.

Entrapta sighed, fiddling with her hair, "Now I know I probably shouldn't have fixed it..."

"Heyyy everyone!" Lady Noire once again appeared on the screen. "Another episode done- and enter Entrapta! You're like my favorite character- or second, right next to Catra," she said cheerfully.

Mermista raised an eyebrow, "Are you like, a fan of the Horde?"

"Whaaat?!" said Lady Noire, "Of course not! Don't worry, you and Adora are like my third and fourth... anyway -"

"Uh- what about us?" huffed Glimmer.

"Well -"

"Or me? After all, I am the best -" started Swift Wind, but Lady Noire cut him off.

"Alright, you're all amazing characters- I literally love all of you," she lowered her voice and muttered, "except Shadow Weaver," and then continued, "But let's go on. The next episode will be called In the Shadows of Mystacor. I'm guessing you can figure out what it's about."

Chapter Text

At night, two moons hang in the sky over Etheria. In the forest, Adora is asleep on the ground beside Bow and Glimmer. She tosses and turns.

Shadow Weaver's disembodied voice: Adora

Adora bolts up and looks around, then strides towards the forest. She gasps.

"Ugh," groaned Glimmer, "I remember this."

Adora seemed to share her sentiment as she slumped in her seat.

The next morning, Bow wakes up aside Glimmer.

Bow: Good morning Glimmer.

Glimmer: Noooo. It's too early. Five more minutes.

Bow: But it's a beautiful morning.

Glimmer: Today's cancelled. Go back to bed.

Glimmer covers her head as Bow watches her.

"Are you guys, like, dating?"

"What?!"

"No!"

Mermista rolled her eyes and leaned on her elbow, "Well, it sure seems like it."

Glimmer: I can feel you staring at me. Why is it the one who snores is always the first one to fall asleep?

Bow: What? I don't snore. Adora, do I snore? Adora?

Glimmer teleports them and they bump into Adora.

Adora's gaze is fixed on the forest.

Bow: What are we looking at?

Adora: I don't know. I heard a noise in the woods last night. And I thought I saw something.

Glimmer: Adora, did you get any sleep at all?

Adora: Someone has to stand guard.

Glimmer: Okay, I know you're on edge because of what happened with Entrapta's infected robots, but it's all over now. You've got to relax. You need a vacation. Which is why we're going to Mystacor.

"Ooh!" Castaspella perked up, "This is where I meet Adora, isn't it?"

Glimmer explains what Mystacor is.

Bow: You'll love it Adora. Plus you won't have to worry about evil things in the woods. Mystacor is protected by an invisibility spell, so evil can't find it.

"Well, it sure did," Adora muttered. Shadow Weaver feigned ignorance.

Glimmer: It's the safest and most peaceful place in all of Etheria. We'll have you relaxing in no time.

Adora: You know I've never relaxed in my life, right?

"True statement," Catra chuckled without thinking. Adora's head whipped around and Catra quickly looked the other way with a frown.

A shadowy figure with one red eye slithers out from behind a bush and follows them. It hisses.

The scene changes to the Fright Zone. Shadow Weaver presses her hands on a glowing red gem. Catra appears behind her.

Catra: Shadow Weaver, you wanted to see me?

Shadow Weaver: Ah. Force Captain. How kind of you to join me.

Catra: What's up with you? You're being spookier than usual.

A few people chuckled.

Shadow Weaver: My shadow spies have found Adora. She's on her way to Mystacor with her new friends. Mystacor. This is going to be too easy.

Micah's eyes narrowed.

Catra (groans): Another Adora mission. Fine. When do I leave?

Shadow Weaver: The only place you're headed is outside my door to stand guard. I'm going to use my magic to go after Adora myself. You will see that I am not disturbed. Clearly, no one else can be trusted to bring her back to the Horde, least of all you. Now go.

Catra scowls.

"What was even the point of bringing her there then??"

"I have no clue."

Shadow Weaver: I said, go!

Catra scurries off, and peers back into Shadow Weaver's room. Shadow Weaver's arms crackle with electricity.

Shadow Weaver: From the farthest reaches of Etheria, I command you, be as one!

A red diamond shape circles in a cauldron and a dark figure rises up to the ceiling. Catra gapes and Shadow Weaver turns and slams the door shut. The Shadow Spy screeches.

"That is creepy," Frosta commented.

Bow, Glimmer, and Adora hike to the edge of a cliff. Glimmer and Bow jump down from the cliff, and Adora hesitantly follows.

"You just jumped off a cliff after them?"

Adora looked like she was about to argue it, but faltered. "I- well, yeah, I did."

The shadow follows. Adora spies the shadow and falls.

Adora: I thought I saw-- (sighs) I'm just stressed.

Glimmer: Hang in there Adora. Next stop, Mystacor.

The three friends ride forward on the mountain. Adora looks back as the shadow snakes around the rock behind them. Soon after, they reach a castle perched on top of a steep cliff.

Glimmer: Just so you know, my aunt Casta can be a lot. But don't worry, I know how to handle her.

"Excuse me??"

Glimmer looked at the ground and chuckled awkwardly.

They see Castaspella and she greets everyone. Glimmer introduces Adora. They approach the castle and Adora's eyes widen. Castaspella offers a tour and Glimmer denies it, but Adora accepts.

Soon after, they enter a room with a glass ceiling. Castaspella and Glimmer argue about seeing the Eclipse Ceremony, but Adora spots a shadow spy and runs off after it.

Castaspella: Well, someone is enthusiastic.

She scans the hallway and the others join her.

Castaspella: Ah, yes. The hall of sorcerers. These are the Great Ones that led Mystacor through the ages. This is my Micah, my brother. We trained in these very walls together. Glimmer looks just like him you know.

Glimmer: He had a beard.

"That doesn't mean you can't look like me -"

"Well, it's not really realistic, is it?" Glimmer laughed.

Adora: Wait, Glimmer's dad was your brother?

Bow: Adora, do you know what aunt means?

Adora: No. I was just hoping somebody would eventually explain.

"How do you not know what an aunt means??" Perfuma gasped.

"Wel... most Horde soldiers are orphans..."

"Oh."

Glimmer: Auntie, we're going to avenge my dad and make sure the Horde never hurts anyone else. Mom believes in us, and in She-Ra.

Castaspella: Well, if your mother believes, who am I not to? She's an angelic being after all, and I'm just a common sorceress.

Glimmer: Ugh. Please, not this again.

Castaspella: She never writes to me you know. I send letters, but do I ever get a reply?

Castaspella sighed and looked down at the ground.

Adora eyes a veiled statue.

Adora: What happened to her?

The people who knew of Light Spinner glanced at Shadow Weaver, but she didn't make any motion of noticing.

Castaspella: Light Spinner. A scar on Mystacor's past. She sought power and control above all else, and she was cast out. Although, some say she never really left. That she's only biding her time, waiting to exact her revenge. But those are only children's tales, of course.

"Not really," Glimmer sighed.

"But she's Shadow Weaver, isn't she?" Micah commented, his gaze hardening. A few people nodded, while some were surprised.

Castaspella: Anyway, on with the tour. Are you hungry? I've had the dinning room redone since the last time you were here, Glimmer.

Adora studies Light Spinner and a shadow runs up the opposite wall.

The Shadow spy hisses and Adora gasps.

Glimmer: Okay. Aunt Casta's gone to fix us a big dinner and now it's finally beach time!

Adora has her fists cocked.

Bow: You okay?

Glimmer: It's worse than we thought. You need warm sand and calming waves, stat.

"We should have investigated it," Glimmer sighed. Bow nodded in agreement.

Glimmer and Bow lead Adora out, as a shadow figure rises up behind them, then vanishes.

The scene switches to the Fright Zone

Shadow Weaver: It's time for something more.

Shadow Weaver appears in the palace.

"Fascinating," whispered Entrapta in awe, "How did you manage to do that -"

"They're illusions," Adora said shortly. "Shadow illusions.

The shadow spy appears around the halls of Mystacor. The scene switches to Mystacor's beach.

Adora: So, we just, like, lie here?

Glimmer: Absolutely. Letting your cares melt away. Didn't you do something like this to relax in the Horde?

Adora: Uh, no. We hit things.

"Seriously?"

"Yup."

Adora attempts to rest, but it doesn't work. Glimmer shows her to the steam grotto.

The grotto is filled with crystal-blue pools. They all change into their bathing suits and go into the steaming pool.

"You just... bathe together?" asked Lonnie incredulously.

"Of course," Glimmer said.

Black smoke envelopes them.

Shadow Weaver's disembodied voice: Adora.

Adora leaps out of the pool and grips the sword. She turns to face the shadow.

"Why did you just have the sword with you??"

"I was cautious!"

Glimmer: Adora!

Adora: Shadow Weaver's here. I saw her!

Bow: Adora, there's no one else here. You brought your sword in here? Are you ok? What happened?

Adora: Shadow Weaver was here. In the grotto. And she was in in the sorcerers hall too. I saw her shadow on the floor.

Glimmer: What are you talking about? Who is Shadow Weaver?

Adora: Shadow Weaver raised me in the Horde. She taught me how to read and tie my boots and how to subvert the enemy and be victorious in battle.

Glimmer: OK. Sure, mom stuff.

The Horde members who had been raised by her all shifted in their seats. 

Adora: No, commanding officer stuff...and mom stuff.

Glimmer: Adora, she isn't here. She was never here. It's not possible.

Adora: But you don't know what she's capable of.

Bow: Sounds like this Shadow Weaver really did a number on you growing up.

Catra scoffed and muttered something under her breath, folding her arms. Adora looked at her worriedly. 

Shadow Weaver didn't move.

Bow offers to go somewhere else, but Adora just chooses to remain alone. They leave.

Glimmer (whispering): Adora has finally lost it. Did you see her in there? I think she's going nuts.

Adora overhears.

"What?? We never said that -"

"I know," said Adora grimly, resisting the urge to look back at Shadow Weaver.

Adora: I'm not crazy. I'm, I'm not crazy.

She runs outside and her friends are gone. The scene switches to the Hall of Sorcerers where Adora studies Light Spinner. A shadow spy knocks her over and she transforms into She-Ra.

Catra's voice: Hey, Adora.

She-Ra: Catra, where are you? How did you find me here?

She looks around.

Catra's voice (laughing): Nope. Getting colder.

"I wasn't there," Catra gritted her teeth, narrowing her eyes at the screen.

She-Ra: Whatever you're doing, I won't let you get away with it. Did Shadow Weaver send you?

Catra's voice: What do you think? Shadow Weaver controls us both. She always has.

Catra chuckled grimly.

She-Ra chases Catra and enters the domed room, where she hears Hordak's voice.

Hordak's voice: You will lead them all, every Etherian, to their complete and utter annihilation. Nothing will be left of Bright Moon but smoking ruins. Your new friends buried beneath.

"You know that's not true -"

"I know."

She swings her sword at Hordak and smashes the mirrors. The lunar crystals shatter as Castaspella runs in.

Castaspella (gasps): What have you done? This is the kind of person you hang around with?

"I apologize, Adora," said Castaspella, "I didn't know -"

"It's fine," Adora looked back, though it was too dark to see her clearly, "It was just- it was Shadow Weaver, but it turned out... alright."

Adora leaves with Bow and the shadow spy follows. The scene changes to Adora's room in Mystacor.

Adora lies in bed. She looks out the skylight at the moons of Etheria. Then she leans over on her side.

Adora: Glimmer. Look, I'm really sorry about--

Glimmer: Save it, Adora. How could you do this? I thought you were supposed to be our friend.

Glimmer gasped, "I never said that -"

"I know," Adora repeated, "It was Shadow Weaver." 

Glimmer turned around to glare at Shadow Weaver, who still didn't seem to react at all.

Glimmer: You know what? Maybe you should just go.

Glimmer leaves. Adora hangs her head. In the hall, Glimmer morphs into a Shadow Spy.

A few people gasped, even if they already knew it.

"Why would you do that?" Perfuma turned around to Shadow Weaver, though it seemed like more of a rhetorical question.

The scene changes to Bow, Glimmer, and Castaspella. Castaspella draws a shape in the air. Bow and Glimmer watch.

Glimmer: Is Adora coming?

Bow: I didn't want to wake her up. She needs to sleep.

Castaspella looks up as the moon passes over the sky. Beams of light shine down on the gems of Lunarium. A Shadow Spy appears and Castaspella startles. The shadow spy erupts. The gems cloud over and the room darkens. Castaspella uses her arms to hold off the darkness as shadows fill the room. Bow and Glimmer gape. A Shadow Spy rises up. It hisses.

The scene changes to the grounds outside of Mystacor. Adora is walking away and she turns around to the citizens screaming. Shadow spy Bow is running out, saying the protection spell is failing.

Bow: Everything that's about to happen is your fault, Adora. You're to blame.

Adora reaches out to see Bow is a shadow spy. She turns around and runs back inside to find Castaspella, Bow, and Glimmer sprawled lifeless on the floor. Shadow Weaver faces her.

Nobody said anything as they watched Shadow Weaver and Adora fight.

Shadow Weaver: The eclipse is nearly over Adora. When it is, the shield will be down. The Horde will conquer Mystacor and bring you home to me.

The shadows surround her.

Adora: No, I'll stop you.

Shadow Weaver: Why? To help these people? Who are they to you? They don't understand you. Just as they did not understand me when I walked among them as Light Spinner.

Adora: What?

Shadow Weaver: They feared my dark power. They'll never accept you. Not like I do.

Adora: No, no! You're wrong. For the honor of Grayskull!

The blue gem on her sword flickers. It blinks weakly.

Shadow Weaver: You know deep down what I say is true. You are the ambitious, cutthroat, ruthless warrior I raised you to be.

Adora: No.

She drops the sword and falls to her knees.

Shadow Weaver: The Princesses don't care about you. They want to use you for your strength. Return now to the Fright Zone. Rule by my side.

Adora scoffed.

Adora: These are my friends. They've been kind to me. Something you never were.

Catra muttered, "Yeah, right." Adora turned to her, but hadn't heard what she said.

Shadow Weaver: I prepared you for greatness!

Adora: But you never loved me. You just played twisted mind games. I'm none of the things you say I am. I'm not like you. You are bitter and cruel, and you're the one who used me! This is who I am. You hurt my friends, so now you're gonna pay!

Shadow Weaver (evil laugh): It's too late. The eclipse will be over in moments. Mystacor will fall and it will be your fault.

Adora grabs her sword and blasts Shadow Weaver with a beam of light.

"Yeah, go Adora!" shouted Frosta, forgetting that they were only watching a show and that it had already happened. Netossa and Spinerella chuckled behind her, but cheered as well.

Adora defeats Shadow Weaver. Shadow Weaver is knocked backwards. The gem on her headband fades. Castaspella, Bow, and Glimmer wake as circles of light cover the floor and spread up to the ceiling. Mystacor is shielded in a glowing forcefield.

Glimmer: Adora, are you okay?

Adora: I'm okay. Yeah, I think I'm finally okay. She's gone.

Bow: I'm so sorry we didn't believe you! We've been bad friends.

Adora: No! You're not. This is what Shadow Weaver does. She manipulates people, she pushes them apart. But it's never going to work on me again.

Catra sunk slower in her seat.

Adora: I'm sorry, it's my fault she was here. I endangered Mystacor.

Castaspella: Nonsense, you saved Mystacor. Glimmer has chosen her friends well. I'll knit you a sweater. What size are you in the shoulders?

The friends embrace. The scene switches to the beach on Mystacor, where Adora is finally able to rest.

Then, they see the Fright Zone.

Catra looks into Shadow Weaver's room.

Catra: Hello? Shadow Weaver?

Shadow Weaver is lifeless on the floor and Catra smirks.

"Wha-"

Catra: You've been going about this the wrong way, old woman. If you wanna take down Adora, you have to go for the heart.

Catra gazes at an image of Bow and the screen turns to black.

Adora scowled and Catra folded her arms. Bow narrowed his eyes, but didn't say anything. Glimmer sunk in her seat, sighing. She didn't know what to think about Shadow Weaver anymore.

"Hellooo~" Lady Noire showed up once again, "So, how many people are on the 'I hate Shadow Weaver' train, because I'm definitely there." Shadow Weaver glared, but quite a few people raised their hands. "Come on, Catra," she said, looking at her, "We all know you're on it- you're basically the person she hurt the most!"

Catra scowled.

"Anyway, moving on- can anyone guess what's next??"

"Princess Prom," said Glimmer grimly.

Lady Noire grinned.

"Yup! So, let's start the next episode: Princess Prom."

Chapter Text

Adora: Uh, hey, guys, I got an invite to the All Princess Ball, Winter Wonderland. Do you know what this is?

Bow and Glimmer: Princess Prom! Princess Prom! Princess Prom! We are going to Princess Prom!

"Wow, you're excited," Mermista drawled.

Adora: Okay, you've gone crazy, got it. I'll just come back later.

Bow: The ball is a meeting for all the princesses of Etheria.

Glimmer: And a giant party! Dancing, food, fancy dresses.

Adora: Dancing?

Glimmer: It only happens once a decade. I've been waiting years for this!

Adora: Uh, I'm only a princess sometimes, so are you sure I should even go?

Glimmer: Of course! Every princess is invited! That includes you!

Bow: Oh yeah. It's all in the invite.

Bow unravels a long scroll and Adora picks it up.

Adora: Okay. "Rules for greeting the hostess. Expected curtsy depth? Proper stair descending etiquette"?

Bow: The ball has been going on for centuries. There's a lot of really old etiquette stuff you gotta do before you can party.

Glimmer: But it's gonna be so fun! And Princess Frosta is hosting it this year in the Kingdom of Snows! Her magic is incredibly powerful. She'd be a huge get for The Rebellion!

"Aww thanks Glimmer!"

"Of course!"

Glimmer: Don't worry! I'll be with you and so will Bow since he's going as my plus one!

Bow: Uh actually--

Glimmer: Together, the three of us can handle anything.

Bow: About that...

Glimmer: It's the best friend squad in action! Right Bow?

Bow: I'm going with Perfuma.

Glimmer: What!?

"Oh, I'm sorry Glimmer -"

"It's fine Perfuma," said Glimmer stiffly, remembering her actions during Princess Prom, "I shouldn't have reacted as terribly as I did..."

The scene changes to the Fright Zone with Catra and Scorpia.

Catra: I'm sick of this. Shadow Weaver failed to get Adora and if Hordak finds out she'll take us down with her. She's obsessed. We need to think big picture. It's time for someone new to take over. Me. So, you in?

Scorpia: I'm hanging out in your room! 

Catra: Unfortunately, you're the only one I can trust around here.

Scorpia: Because we're best friends.

Catra and Scorpia both grimaced.

Catra: Stop being so you and help me think. I have the beginning of a plan, but it's not enough. I need to capture Adora so Shadow Weaver doesn't demote me. I need to impress Hordak so he'll make me the new Shadow Weaver. How do I do both?

"Huh," said Catra with a smirk, "I only ended up doing one but it worked out pretty well."

Bow and Glimmer both glared at her. Entrapta frowned softly.

Scorpia: Why don't you try something at the All-Princess Ball? Every princess is gonna be there, so Adora probably will be too. Ooh! This year's theme is Winter Wonderland.

Catra: How did you get your claws on this?

Scorpia: They sent it to me. I'm a princess.

Catra: You're a princess!?

Scorpia: Yeah, you know. The Horde crash landed in my family's kingdom. We let them stay. My family gave Hordak our runestone, the Black Garnet.

"That's... wow."

Scorpia only nodded sadly.

Catra: You're a princess?

Scorpia: Oh man, I thought everyone knew. I mean, it's covered in Force Captain Orientation.

Catra: I'm beginning to think I shouldn't have skipped that. Okay, so you're a princess, and you're going to a princess ball.

Scorpia: Oh no. I'm not going. No. No one liked my family, even before we joined The Horde. I never really fit with the other princesses. I made them uncomfortable and they don't like that. They don't like me.

Catra: And that's exactly why you have to go! How dare they pretend they're better just because you're different! How dare they abandon people just because they don't fit into their perfect little lives!

Scorpia: Yeah!

Catra: How dare they take best friends and turn them into giant sword ladies who run off with people clearly inferior to you?

"That was... specific..."

"Shut up."

Scorpia: You're telling my whole life with your words.

Catra: It's time to show those princesses a thing or two! You're going, I'm coming as your plus one and we'll make this a night no one will ever forget!

Scorpia: Super Pal Duo is going to prom!

"You made a name for yourselves too??" Bow turned around with wide eyes. Scorpia nodded.

The scene returned to the Best Friend Squad.

Bow: She asked and I said yes. I didn't think it would be a big deal.

Glimmer: It's not. It's fine. I'm just surprised. When did you two even talk about it?

Bow: Oh, she was super slick.

The scene changes to the battle in Plumeria.

Perfuma: Wanna go to the ball with me?

Bow: Okay!

They resume fighting.

"...That was slick?"

The scene returns to Bright Moon.

Glimmer: That's super slick?

Bow: I thought it'd be fun. And Perfuma's cool.

"Thank you!"

Glimmer: Yeah, she's fine. But we always go to events together. We have our whole routine. We wear matching outfits, we share inside jokes and then we eat ice cream afterwards. It's our thing.

"Not gonna lie," Mermista said, eyeing the two in the front, "That really sounds like you're dating."

"We're NOT!"

"We're not!"

Bow: Well, there's nothing wrong with a new thing. Look, I gotta get ready. We'll hang out with you guys there.

Bow walks away.

Glimmer: But I liked our old thing.

"I'm sorry, Glimmer -"

"No, I shouldn't have acted so rash."

Adora: Glimmer! Good. No time to waste!

Adora takes Glimmer into her bedroom, the walls are covered with charts.

Adora: I've been studying the invite. I think advance prep will be key to success. So, I've divided the rules into base parts. Dance rules, etiquette rules, rules for greeting the hostess. 

"Seriously?"

"Oh my god, Mermista, do you have to comment on everything??"

"Well, you're making a battle plan for a PARTY- I have to make this somewhat entertaining."

Glimmer huffed.

Adora: I then broke down the ballroom into quadrants and I'm familiarizing myself with targets. Ask me anything.

Glimmer: Princess Frosta.

Adora: Ruler of The Kingdom of Snows, it's her first time hosting the ball, has the biggest kingdom outside of Bright Moon, neutral in the fight against the Horde. Allies with the Star Sisters who are friends with Mermista, but not Sweet Bee who is dating Peekablue as you can tell by the string. Up means friends, down means frenemies. And also, I made an obstacle course! I'm feeling good! I'm prepared for any and all possible scenarios. I am so ready for this Ball.

"Weren't you surprised when you first saw me?" asked Frosta skeptically. Adora chuckled awkwardly. "Yeahhh... I wasn't ready for everything."

Glimmer: Great! What are you wearing?

Adora: I was just gonna go as She-Ra. I mean, she has better hair.

Glimmer: Well, you can't go as She-Ra. They have a strict no weapons rule. Neutral ground and all. So, you'll have to leave your sword at the door.

Adora: Ugh, how are there still more parts to this invite?

Glimmer: You know what this means?

Adora: That clothes aren't important and I should keep studying?

Glimmer: It's makeover time!!

Glimmer winds Adora's hair into a bun and fastens it with a gold pin. She offers a pink dress, then fetches a purple one. When she turns around, Adora is studying the charts. Meanwhile, Catra wears a suit and Scorpia, a ball gown. They laugh.

Catra and Scorpia looked at the ground, not wanting to say anything.

Bow dawns a tuxedo and rips off the bottom.

"Do you do that to every shirt you own?"

"Uh... pretty much."

Glimmer dresses Adora in pink and returns the gold pin to her hair. Adora removes it and uses it to tack a chart on the wall. Scorpia tries another gown. Bow meets Perfuma and gives her a necklace. She conjures a garland around his neck, then changes it to a subtle flower pin. He takes her hand. Catra taps her foot impatiently. Scorpia poses in a black form-fitted gown. Catra smiles and extends her hand. Adora wears a red dress and Glimmer puts the pin in her hair. Later, guests approach the Kingdom of Snows.

Adora checks her sword.

Adora: You gotta be careful and don't just lean it somewhere and don't keep it with the other swords or it might get confused!

Glimmer: Adora, c'mon!

They head inside.

Adora: Whoa. Heh. It's big.

Glimmer: The ball is one of our most ancient traditions. A princess' first ball is a huge rite if passage. Plus, the Kingdom of Snows is really big.

Adora: Which is why we need Frosta. If she joins us, all the other princesses are sure to follow.

"Wasn't I... the last princess to join?"

"Uh, yeah, you were, hehe."

They approach Frosta's throne. Adora bows and Glimmer curtsies.

Adora: Hold for one, two and three.

Frosta giggled.

Adora: That's Frosta? But she's like, 10!

Frosta: I'm eleven and three quarters.

"Sorry, Frosta..."

Glimmer: Revered hostess, we come into your hall under the ancient rules of hospitality, bringing greetings from Bright Moon. And She-Ra, the legendary warrior.

Frosta: You are welcome in the Kingdom of Snows under the ancient rules of hospitality. Leave conflict at the door and please enjoy the ball.

"Wow, I was really stiff," Frosta commented.

Adora: Couldn't have mentioned that she was a little kid?

Glimmer: You did all that research. I assumed you knew. You know what? It's fine. There's plenty of time still to win her over. Now come on, let's rock this ball

Adora: Oh! There's Entrapta! Heh.

Entrapta slides down an icy pole.

Entrapta: Adora! Glimmer! Are you here to watch the social experiment too?

"Social experiment?"

Adora: Social experiment?

Entrapta: Different groups are thrown together and forced to mingle. Hierarchies form and break. It's the perfect place to observe behavior. And they have tiny food!

Food is stuffed in her pouch.

Entrapta: Where's Bow? I wanna show him my new recorder.

Glimmer: He's coming later.

Entrapta: Why didn't he come with you? Aren't you two friends?

Bow and Glimmer looked aside awkwardly. Entrapta watched them confusedly.

Glimmer: Why would you think we're not?

Entrapta: There he is! Bow!

Bow enters, Perfuma in his arm. Glimmer glances.

Glimmer: They're matching. That's our best friend thing!

Entrapta: Feelings seem to be getting hurt.

Mermista and Sea Hawk appear while Glimmer watches Bow and Perfuma.

Bow and Perfuma approach and Adora waves.

Adora: Hey--

Glimmer: [Laughs] That's so funny, Adora! What a funny inside joke the two of us just came up with!

"Uh, Glimmer? Seriously -"

"It was stupid, I know! Okay, I get it- I acted really weirdly and I'm sorry!"

"...it's alright, Glimmer."

Perfuma: The She-Ra, Glimmer. It's great to see you.

Bow: Perfuma was just telling me about a winged horse that ate all the apples in Plumeria and then flew away. Sound familiar?

"Oh, that's like me!" Swift Wind shouted, flapping his wings.

Glimmer talks with Perfuma and Bow while Adora eats. She says that she's going to smooth things over with Frosta.

Adora tries to convince Frosta to join the rebellion, but she denies.

Meanwhile, Glimmer watches Bow and Perfuma from a balcony. Adora arrives next to her sulkily.

Glimmer: Where have you been?

Adora: I told you, winning over Frosta. Actually, scratch that, failing to win over Frosta.

Adora turns to Glimmer.

Adora: Are you okay? Why does it bother you so much?

"Uh, because you obviously act like you're dating -"

"Will you STOP, Mermista?!"

Mermista only smirked.

Glimmer: It doesn't! Bow can hang out with whoever he wants. I just [groans] I never had that many friends, okay? It's always been just me and Bow. But now, what if he likes his new friends better than me? What if everyone does?

Bow frowned and turned to Glimmer, ready to deny it, but she was only smiling and nodded comfortingly.

Adora: That's not gonna happen, Glimmer. Trust me, Bow isn't the type to leave his old friends behind and neither am...

Adora startles as Scorpia and Catra arrive at the ball arm and arm.

Adora: ...I.

"Oh, really?" muttered Catra sarcastically, "Because that seems exactly like the type you are."

"I've told you, Catra," said Adora impatiently, "I didn't want to leave you- I wanted to leave the Horde!"

"That doesn't change the fact you did it."

Adora opened her mouth to say more, but Catra only turned away stubbornly. She sighed.

They bow before the princess.

Adora: Revered hostess, you can't let them in. They're from the Horde.

Catra: Revered hostess, Princess Scorpia was invited as per the rules of this ball. Rules which I personally have the upmost respect for.

"Ugh!" Frosta groaned, "I should have listened to Adora!"

Catra scowled.

Frosta and Adora argue, and the guards take Adora away.

Catra: Really, Adora? I'm shocked. We're not breaking any rules. Didn't you read the invite?

"You were so smug about the whole thing too," Glimmer grumbled. She already hated this episode. 

Catra rolled her eyes.

Adora: I know you're plotting something. From now until the second the ball ends, I'll be watching. Wherever the two of you go, I go.

Catra smirks.

Catra: Suit yourself. Have fun following us!

Adora: Glimmer, you get Scorpia, I'll take Catra.

Adora runs swiftly through the crowd and glares as Catra takes food from a tray and pops it in her mouth. Adora peers from behind a guest and Catra drops something in a trash bin.

Everyone gasped.

Adora digs through the garbage and finds a note reading, "Hi Adora".

"Oh- that was actually smart," Mermista remarked. Glimmer looked like she wished she had the power to keep her muted.

She turns, and guests stare. Adora spots Entrapta on the balcony. Catra approaches her.

Meanwhile, Glimmer stands at the buffet as Scorpia gorges on food.

Scorpia: Mm. Mm. Wow, that is good. Oh what is-- I don't even know what's in this. What? Sir? Garcon? What's in this?

Glimmer: Bow! Wait up!

"You know, I was actually surprised you stopped following me so quickly -"

"Okay, I get it!" Glimmer shouted, "I did a lot of stupid things here- can we stop pointing them all out?!"

Bow and Glimmer argue, and Bow leaves to find his cummerbund. Glimmer frowns, then whirls around to find Scorpia gone. She gasps. 

Adora runs up the stairs and Entrapta perches on the balcony railing. Catra creeps up behind her.

Entrapta: Princess Prom, hour two... 37 minutes...

Adora: Don't touch her!

Entrapta screams and Catra catches her.

"You were working with the Horde all the way back then?!" Mermista raged, and Entrapta sunk down a bit further, not meeting their eyes.

"Not exactly," she stated, "I didn't know Catra was part of the Horde back then- she brought snacks!"

Entrapta: You're right. This is a much better vantage point for my observations. Hi Adora. Have you met my new assistant? She brought snacks.

Catra: She stole my food then asked me to spy on people with her. Is this what love feels like?

"Ooh," Mermista commented, "Does this place have popcorn?" No one answered, so she only rolled her eyes and continued to pay attention.

Adora glares, then takes Entrapta by the arm.

Adora: Entrapta, she's from the Horde.

Entrapta stares blankly.

Adora: The people the Rebellion are fighting. The Rebellion you're a part of!

Entrapta: Oh. Well, in that case we should keep a better eye on her 'cause she just walked away.

Catra chuckled.

Adora looks around and groans.

Bow heads out, shivering. He spots Scorpia with a red gem. She sets it on the wall and hurries off. Bow steps closer and spots smoke wafting from the gem.

Bow: Is that a-- [Gasps] Oh no! Princess Scorpia is planting heat bombs! We have to stop her!

The guards stare. Scorpia appears with Adora's sword.

"Oh right," Kyle commented, "That's us, isn't it?"

Lonnie and Rogelio nodded.

Bow: What are you doing? Let me go! Let--

Scorpia stung him with her tail.

"I am SO sorry, by the way- I'm honestly sorry for this whole thing and I can't believe -"

"It's fine, Scorpia," said Bow and Perfuma nodded in agreement. "We know you're a good person deep down! You were just in a very toxic friendship that led you to believe you were doing the right things!"

Adora glanced to Catra, who was focusing incredibly hard on the screen.

The scene returns to the ballroom. Adora follows Catra. The lights dim.

Frosta: It is my solemn duty as hostess to now announce, it is time for the first dance of the Ball.

Adora is pushes onto the dance floor and spotlights shine down. Adora stands under a spotlight, and Catra extends her hand. Adora grimaces, then presses her hand to Catra's.

Catra: I don't know about you, but I am having a blast.

Adora: Whatever it is you're planning, it won't work.

Adora narrowed her eyes at the screen.

Catra: You sure?

Adora twirls to Glimmer.

Glimmer: [Sobs] I got into a fight with Bow and he won't wanna be friends with me anymore and I don't know where Scorpia is!

Adora: What? Glimmer don't--

Perfuma: Have you seen Bow? He went to get his cummerbund, but that was a while ago, right about the same time that Horde princess left.

Adora: Wait, do you mean Scorpia?

Adora: Glimmer, when did you last see Bow?

Glimmer: A while ago. Isn't he with Perfuma?

Adora: No. Perfuma says he's been gone this entire time.

Catra returns.

Catra: Maybe my plan won't work. But then again, maybe it already has.

She dips Adora.

"So, like, you're ex-best friends but are you also ex-girlfriends?"

"WHAT?!"

"NO!"

Mermista rolled her eyes as the two sputtered, blushing furiously, "Well, it looks like it."

Catra: Say, where's your friend, Bow?

Adora flies and Catra and knocks her to the ground.

Adora: [Shouts] What did you do to him!?

Catra: [Laughs] Nothing permanent.

"Oh, this isn't gonna end well," Bow muttered.

She hoists Catra by her suit jacket.

Adora: Tell me what you did with him right--

Adora is trapped in ice and Frosta glares.

Adora: [Grunting] Revered hostess, she's got--

Frosta: Princess Ball is a ceremony of unity. Violence is strictly forbidden.

Frosta groaned.

Adora: You don't understand.

"That... probably wasn't the best way to phrase it."

Frosta: I understand perfectly. As hostess, in accordance with the rules set down over the centuries, I hereby revoke your invitation. You are to leave my kingdom and never, ever--

Crowd gasps and shouts

Heat bombs explode on the walls and guests scatter.

Adora: Glimmer! Catra has Bow. You have to find him now!

Glimmer teleports.

Adora: Catra. What did you do?

Catra: I did nothing. Scorpia, Lonnie, and Kyle on the other hand were very busy. It was fun distracting you though.

"Ugh!" Adora was gripping her chair, glaring at the screen. Catra had to refrain from laughing. Even with all that had happened after it, the night had been somewhat fun for her.

Adora: This isn't a game! People are gonna get hurt!

Catra: It's never been a game to me. I'm after something bigger, and no one is going to stop me.

A pillar of ice crashes onto Adora's ice cage and Catra flees. Adora frees herself and Glimmer appears outside.

Glimmer: Bow? Bow! Where are you? 

Lonnie and Kyle drag him off.

Glimmer fights both Lonnie and Kyle and turns Bow over, but is stung by Scorpia.

"I'm sorry -"

"It's fine."

Frosta runs through the crumbling castle with her guards. She stops in front of a crystal overhead radiating light. Frosta extends her arms to the crystal and shuts her eyes. Beams of blue light radiate from the points of the crystal and the castle begins to repair itself. Chunks of ice meld together. Adora chases Catra down a hallway and they reach a dead end.

Adora: Ha. Trapped.

Catra: You wish.

Catra hops on a floating chunk of ice and rises. Adora fixes her with a steely glare and leaps on another chunk of ice. They ascend to an icy cliff and Catra hurls Adora to the ground. Adora lunges and Catra steps out of the way. She kicks Adora in the back and stands on the edge of the cliff as the castle comes back together. Adora leaps and Catra ducks out of the way. She attacks Adora with her elbow and Adora moves aside. Catra flies of the edge, wide-eyed. Adora grabs her.

"You're sure you're not exes?"

"MERMISTA!"

"What?"

"We never dated!"

"That's ridiculous!"

"Sure, sure," Mermista scoffed. "Except you looked like you were about to kiss there."

"MERMISTA!!!"

The castle jostles them. They fall off the side and plummet through the air. Adora removes her hair pin and sticks it through the ice. She grabs Catra's hand. They dangle from the side.

Adora: Hang on! I can get us out of this!

"You were still trying to save her?"

"W-well..." Adora trailed off.

Catra: Oh, Adora. I don't want you to.

Catra lets go.

Adora: [Gasps] Catra! [Gasps]

Everyone watched the screen in anticipation - they obviously knew Catra was still alive, but it was a shock.

Moments later, a Horde ship appears in the clouds. Catra and her crew have Bow and Glimmer. Catra puts her arm around them.

Catra: [Laughs] See you later, princess.

They fly away as Adora dangles from the icy cliff. The screen turns to black.

"Well, that was interesting," Lady Noire said as soon as her face appeared. "We've got our first Catradora shipper too!"

Mermista raised an eyebrow. Catra and Adora looked at her in shock.

"It annoys Catra and Catra destroyed Salineas, so I'll keep commenting on it," Mermista said, shrugging it off.

"Can't you- i don't know- mute her?!" Catra shouted, shaking in anger.

Lady Noire grinned. "Well, see, i could- but unfortunately for you, I, too, am a Catradora shipper. So I quite enjoy Mermista's comments."

"WHAT?!"

"You're practically soulmates but anyway," Lady Noire continued, "you asked for popcorn didn't you?" She clicked her remote and they were all given popcorn, including herself. "I honestly can't believe I forgot about that! We'll be moving on to the next episode with a very contradictory title, the first Princess Alliance mission and also the beginning of the Entrapta mystery: No Princess Left Behind!"

Chapter Text

Catra has She-Ra's sword.

Catra (laughing): Check this thing out. You've got to admit, Shadow Weaver, in a single mission, I inflicted more damage on the Rebellion than anyone else. I succeeded where even you failed.

"But... wasn't that Shadow Weaver's mission?" Hordak muttered to himself.

Lord Hordak appears on a screen.

Hordak: Shadow Weaver.

Shadow Weaver: My Lord.

Hordak: I commend you on the capture of the Princess of Bright Moon. Queen Angella has been given until the mornings moonrise to surrender herself to our forces.

Shadow Weaver: Thank-you, Lord Hordak. I thought you would be please with my work.

"Wait- so Shadow Weaver just took the credit for kidnapping me?!"

"And... the failed mission, that was your work then, Catra?" Hordak narrowed his eyes at her. She could feel his gaze and scoffed. 

"The mission would have succeeded if I wanted it to- but I didn't want it to. It worked out better in the end anyway."

A few people were confused. Scorpia spared a glance at Entrapta, who was still watching the show with fascination, seemingly forgetting what was going to happen in that episode.

Hordak: You have proven your worth to me. Today.

Catra (scoffs): Your worth? I'm the one who brought back the Princess of Bright Moon. Not you.

Shadow Weaver: You're under my command, Force Captain. Therefore anything you manage to do right is credited to me.

Catra: So, I do all the work and you get the glory?

Shadow Weaver: Sometimes that just the way of things.

Shadow Weaver takes the sword and Catra storms out. Meanwhile, Glimmer is in an electrified cage.

"Wha-" Micah gasped.

Glimmer winced.

Shadow Weaver: Welcome to the Fright Zone, Princess.

The scene switches to Bright Moon.

Adora enters Angella's chamber. She talks about the options of surrendering and getting Glimmer. Adora promises to bring Glimmer back.

Adora bows and leaves the room. Angella hangs her head as the door slides closed. Adora covers her face. Flowers drift through the air. Mermista, Perfuma, Sea Hawk, and Entrapta wait in the hallway.

Adora: Huh? What are you all doing here?

Mermista: We're the Princess Alliance. And the Horde took one of our own.

Perfuma: We're ready for our first mission.

Adora: Let's go get our friends back.

"Is Sea Hawk a member of the Princess Alliance or something?"

"He's our ride," Mermista gritted out, but Bow interrupted, "Well, he's like an honorary member, right? Like me- and Swift Wind -"

"Hey! I am no honorary member, I am She-Ra's loyal steed -"

"Yeah, yeah."

The scene switches to the Fright Zone's prison.

Kyle carries a tray up an elevator into a cell. Bow is inside.

Kyle: Dinner rations, prisoner.

He opens the slot and it closes on his arms.

Kyle: Ow!

Kyle drops the tray.

A few people laughed.

Bow: Hey, what's your name?

Kyle: Me? You're talking to me?

Bow: Sure. Is that all right?

Kyle: Uh, I guess, but no one ever talks to me. I'm Kyle.

"That's... really sad."

"No, not really," said Kyle, "it's better now anyway."

Bow: Hey, Kyle, I'm Bow. Can you do me a favor? Can you tell me where they're holding the princess?

Kyle: Princess?

Bow: She's my best friend. No one will let me talk to her or even tell me if she's okay.

"Oh, Bow..."

Kyle: I'm sure she's fine. Maybe. Or she's not. I don't know.

Bow: Do you know where she is?

Kyle: No, that kind of information is classified. They wouldn't tell me.

Bow: You have to help me get a message to her.

Kyle: I, uh. I better be leaving now.

Bow: No, wait.

Kyle: I like your shirt!

Bow: Kyle!

Kyle disappears on an elevator and Bow slumps on the floor.

"I like your shirt?" Lonnie snorted. Rogelio grunted (in a laughter sort of way), and Kyle blushed.

The scene switches to Glimmer's room

Adora: Okay. This is the Horde prison. Glimmer and Bow are being held inside. Entrapta, this perfume bottle is you. Perfuma, you're the nail polish. Mermista, lipstick.

"That makes no sense..."

Mermista: Ew. Do you know what that stuff is made of? I'll be this knife.

Entrapta: I feel like Perfuma should be the perfume bottle. That makes the most logical sense.

Perfuma: Maybe I could be a flower.

Sea Hawk: Could I be this miniature painted model of Bow?

Adora: No! Those represent Bow and Glimmer. And this one's mine. Bow made them for us.

Catra snorted, "Seriously?"

Bow and Glimmer glared.

Adora explains the plan and the scene switches to the Fright Zone sewer. Mermista shrieks.

"Ughh," Mermista groaned, "That was the absolute worst. I am never doing that again."

The scene switches to Fright Zone scrapyard.

Adora: Mermista should be in place now.

Perfuma: Adora's signal.

Entrapta: Fright Zone log, day one. I can barely contain my excitement! Hahaha. Hmm, the Horde's using an outdated wiring system. It really would work so much better if I just consolidated these conduits and re-routed the current here...

Perfuma: Entrapta? Now would be a good time for those lights.

Entrapta: Oh, right.

She snaps the wires.

Horde guard: What happened?

Adora: We go on three. Ready? One...

Sea Hawk: Forward!

"Oh my god, Sea Hawk, seriously??" Mermista groaned, putting her face in her hands.

Sea Hawk: I got excited.

Sea Hawk: Where's Mermista?

Adora: She must've gotten held up. Come on, we need to secure the guards.

Perfuma: Entrapta? Entrapta?

Entrapta: The subject appears to be harvesting scrap components, possibly for reuse. Fascinating.

Perfuma: Entrapta? We're supposed to meet with the others.

Entrapta: I know, I was waiting for you.

Perfuma: Oh, how very considerate. Let's go.

"Are you... frustrated?"

"I-uh, yes, I was."

"Oh."

Scorpia: Halt! Who are you?

Sea Hawk: Me? I'm the inspector. I'm here to inspect all the things.

Scorpia flushed. Catra groaned. "Please don't tell me you actually fell for that."

"I-uh-"

Scorpia: Inspector? Inspector, of course! I must have forgotten you were coming. We're long overdue for an inspection, I do have to admit it, but I can assure you we are up to code.

Adora: Wha...? How did this happen? We had a plan.

Entrapta: Actually you kind of lost me at the perfume bottle.

"Ugh. I'm glad I wasn't a part of this mission."

"Frosta- y'know, I agree," muttered Netossa.

Adora: Where have you two been?

Perfuma: I tried to get here sooner but harmonious teamwork with Entrapta can be...a challenge.

"I'm.. sorry."

The princesses looked like they didn't know how to respond.

Adora: This isn't a game. It's the Horde. Glimmer and Bow are being held captive in this building and now Sea Hawk is gone.

Perfuma: Okay. All right, everyone calm down. Maybe we could try a simple breathing exercise. Deep calming breaths, hmmmm.

Adora: Come on, we're going in.

Mermista: Could you not?

Adora: Huh? What happened to you?

Mermista: Uh, the sewer happened to me.

Adora: We can't waste any more time. Bow and Glimmer need us.

Mermista: Uh, can I get a thank-you?

"Thank you."

Adora: Thank-you.

Doors clang closed, Horde soldiers talk in the background.

Adora: We need to get to an information port. I'll hack into the data base and identify the cell block Glimmer and Bow are being held in.

Mermista: Hey, where's the geeky princess?

Perfuma: (coughs) Okay, she is really putting a crimp in my harmony! (sobs)

"Oh," Entrapta frowned, and Perfuma sputtered, not exactly knowing what to say.

Adora: Don't worry. We'll find Entrapta and Sea Hawk and we'll rescue Glimmer and Bow.

Mermista: I don't know, that sounds like a lot. But you know me, I'm totally up for anything.

The scene changes to another part of the Fright Zone.

Entrapta: Fright Zone log, day one continued. Keypads appear in every corridor and are capable of giving status updates on multiple systems.

A bot beeps as it passes by.

Entrapta: Wow. Hello there little guy. 

"Emily!"

The scene switches to the Black Garnet Chamber.

Glimmer yells.

Shadow Weaver: I should warn you Princess. Any attempt to teleport through these restraints will only cause you pain. It seems my Black Garnet and your powers don't mix. Besides, your mother will be here soon.

Glimmer: I know all about you and your mind games, Shadow Weaver. Adora told me, so save it! And, by the way, she's not a fan.

"I'm not either," Micah muttered, glaring at the screen and Shadow Weaver.

Shadow Weaver: But I'm not playing games. What I said about Queen Angella is true. She's coming to surrender herself in exchange for your safety. Oh, it's such a shame, the toll this rebellion has taken on your family. First, you lose your father...

Glimmer sighed, leaning back into her chair. It was all quite confusing.

Glimmer: She-Ra will stop you!

Shadow Weaver: There is no She-Ra! We have the sword. Not Adora. There will be no one left to stop the Horde. In a few hours Bright Moon will fall and Etheria will be ours to rule.

Glimmer grunts, her magic thrums.

Shadow Weaver: Oh, tsk-tsk. Careful now. It would be a shame if we had no princess to exchange for the Queen.

"You know, I'm confused at why she changed sides..." said Frosta. They didn't notice Catra shifting in her seat, narrowing her eyes at the ground.

The scene changes to Scorpia and Sea Hawk

Sea Hawk: Well, you Horde types run a tight ship, I must say. Everything seems up to code. Yes indeed, entirely up to code. You pass with flying colors. Now, unless you have something else for me to inspect, I should get home to my inspector children.

Scorpia: You know, you look familiar.

Sea Hawk (gulps): Perhaps you've seen me, in your dreams?

"I'm, uh, not attracted to guys... you know that, right?"

"Oh," Sea Hawk chuckled awkwardly, "Well, I know it now. Usually, that works though."

"Usually?"

Scorpia: No, that's not it. Princess Prom. That's where I know you from. I knew it would come to me. You were with that mermaid.

Sea Hawk: She has a name you know! I mean, no, that wasn't me.

Scorpia: You're with the Rebellion.

Sea Hawk: Now, as a scrupulous inspector, threats (clears throat) normally wouldn't work on me. But in this case, uh, perhaps we can reach a compromise? (computer terminal beeps) "Duck?"

Scorpia: Oh, where?

Sea Hawk: Oh! Duck!

Scorpia yells.

Entrapta: Hi.

Sea Hawk: Oh! That was a top-notch rescue.

Entrapta: To be honest I wasn't sure which one of you I was gonna hit.

"Wow... that was... interesting?"

The scene switches to Adora and her team.

Adora: Okay, I found Bow's cell, but I can't find Glimmer in here anywhere. They must be holding her somewhere else. This isn't good. 

The door opens and Emily comes out.

Perfuma: What should we do?

Mermista: I'm not going back in the sewer.

Entrapta: It's okay. This is my new friend, Emily. I reprogrammed her.

Perfuma: Where have you been?

Entrapta: Where have you been?

"You're... frustrated again, aren't you? I'm not usually good at noticing that."

Perfuma didn't know how to answer, only looking at Entrapta's somber expression.

Adora: It doesn't matter. We're all together. Let's finish this. Bow's cell is in section B, level 20. We'll get him out first then figure out where Glimmer is. Entrapta, can you get us up there?

Entrapta: Yes! I can. I mean, maybe. I don't know. I'm definitely gonna try. (laughs) This is gonna be fun!

The scene switches back to Kyle and Bow.

Kyle: Bow. Bow!

Bow: Kyle?

Kyle: I'm supposed to be in the barracks. Lonnie made me cover her latrine duty.

Bow: What's going on?

Kyle: I found out where your friend is being kept. Shadow Weaver has her in the Black Garnet chamber.

"You were... defecting."

"I- huh, I was."

Bow: Oh, that sounds bad.

"It is."

Kyle: Yeah, it's pretty bad. But she's alive, at least. Shadow Weaver is planning to ransom her in exchange for Queen.

Bow: Why are you telling me this?

Kyle: I don't know. I guess, because your the first person who's ever listened to me.

Bow: I mean, I'm being held prisoner, so... I don't know that I have a choice, but sure!

"That's.. not very nice."

"Yeah- I'm sorry for that," said Bow, squinting to look behind him, "I was just so stressed about Glimmer, I don't think I noticed -"

"It's alright," said Kyle with a smile, "I'm glad I helped at least a little."

The scene switches back to Adora and her team. Lonnie gasps as she sees them. Machines whir and they all scream. Perfuma falls off, but catches herself with plants.

Adora: Hang on!

Lonnie: You think you can just come back here?

Adora and Lonnie fight.

"I'm sorry, Lonnie -"

"It's fine."

Adora: I need to save my friends.

Lonnie: We were your friends.

Rogelio roars. Mermista and Entrapta scream and an alarm blares.

Perfuma: Adora, are you all right?

Adora: Thanks to you.

Sea Hawk: Great hit Perfuma.

The scene switches back to Kyle and Bow.

Kyle: No one's ever, ever asked for my help before. People here don't think I can do anything right.

Bow: Um-hm. That seems tough.

"Wow, I acted like a jerk -"

"It's alright."

Kyle: Why am I telling you this? I shouldn't even be here. I'm going to get into so much trouble if I get caught.

Bow: No! Wait, I mean (laughs) we're just talking. How much trouble could you get in for talking?

"A lot."

Kyle (scoffs): Oh, you'd be surprised. I get in trouble for everything around here.

Bow: That doesn't seem fair.

Kyle: I know! But then I thought how brave you are for wanting to save your friend. And maybe, if I helped you, you could be my friend too.

Bow: Uh, sure, friends, definitely. We can be friends. (chuckles nervously)

"Well- we can be friends now!" Bow offered, obviously still feeling a bit guilty. Kyle smiled and nodded.

They defeat Lonnie and Rogelio.

Sea Hawk: Bow! We're here to save you.

Bow: Adora!

Adora: Bow! Bow, where's Glimmer?

Bow: Shadow Weaver has her in the Black Garnet chamber. Adora, what are we gonna do?

An alarm blares and Entrapta is able to open the doors.

Adora: This vent system leads to where you can steal a skiff. Each chamber needs to be sealed and purged before you can move on to the next one. The doors will only stay open for a few seconds, so keep up the pace.

Bow: Adora, what are you doing?

Adora: Don't worry about me. I'm gonna buy you some time and find Glimmer. Meet you there, okay?

Bow: Adora!

The doors slam shut.

"You sacrificed yourself?!"

"Not really, I mean- yeah, sorta."

Adora: I surrender, take me to see Shadow Weaver.

The door opens and Adora is taken to the Black Garnet chamber.

Adora: Glimmer, I'm here. Don't worry everything will be okay. I'll save you. What have you done to her?

Shadow Weaver: Leave us. Report to the Force Captain barracks and pack your things. Now that Adora is back, there's no need for you there.

Catra: Seriously? After everything I've done for you, it's still her you want?

"That's low," Mermista commented, "Like- honestly, I don't even get why Catra's staying there."

Catra shifted in her seat.

Shadow Weaver: I said go!

Adora: Shadow Weaver, I'll stay here with you willingly, but you have to let Glimmer go first.

Shadow Weaver: You are correct Adora. You shall stay willingly, because I am going to wipe your mind. You'll have no memory of She-Ra or the time you spent with the Rebellion.

"You... can do that?"

"That's horrible!" Perfuma gasped, along with others who agreed with her.

Shadow Weaver: Everything will be as it once was. As for the Princess, once I'm done, you'll be happy to have her as your prisoner.

Glimmer: No! Adora!

The scene switches to Bow and crew

Bow: We need to go back for Glimmer and Adora.

Perfuma: We need to do what Adora said. They'll make it out and we'll be ready with the skiff. No princess will be left behind.

Perfuma grimaced.

The scene switches back to Black Garnet Chamber. Shadow Weaver is wiping her memory but Glimmer is able to teleport out.

"I just don't get... how could you trust her after what she did?" Adora looked to Glimmer, who was watching the memory horrified.

"I-I don't know- I just..." she trailed off.

Glimmer defeats Shadow Weaver.

Glimmer: Adora, are you okay? Do you know who I am?

Adora: Glimmer.

The scene switches back to Bow and crew

Sea Hawk: We made it. This way to the vehicle bay.

Emily beeps with her chord stuck.

Entrapta: Wait. Emily!

Perfuma: Entrapta! No!

The doors clang shut and there's an explosion inside.

Tears formed in some of the princesses' eyes. "W-we thought you were dead!"

Entrapta looked at the screen with wide eyes.

"You... didn't abandon me?"

"Of course not! We thought- we thought we couldn't -"

"Oh please," Catra scoffed, "She's got fire-proof hair and you really think a few zaps could kill her?"

Perfuma slumped, but it was obvious that they were all a bit uncomfortable at Catra's comment. Scorpia looked between the two- she had left the Horde for Entrapta, but she didn't know exactly what to do.

The scene switches to Glimmer and Adora, and Glimmer can't teleport. They're running out as they hear a scraping noise behind them.

Catra paled.

Catra walks up and holds the sword in front of them. 

Everyone gasped.

She turned the sword around.

Adora: Catra. What are you doing?

Catra: Take it. This is not because I like you.

"You... were defecting?"

Catra scoffed, "Hardly. I said it, didn't I? The mission would have succeeded if I wanted it to."

"But, the Horde -"

"The Horde didn't matter," Catra said through gritted teeth, "It never mattered."

Adora: Catra, I...

Catra: Just get out of here.

Adora: For the honor of Grayskull!

The scene turns to the boat with the princesses.

Bow: There they are.

Glimmer laughs.

Bow: Glimmer.

She-Ra: Wait, where's Entrapta?

Bow: Entrapta didn't make it.

She-Ra: What do you mean?

Mermista: She's gone.

She-Ra: Well, then, we have to go back for her.

Bow: No, she's... She's really gone.

Adora sobs and the screen turns black.

It seemed like, even with all the comments throughout the episode, they didn't know what to say now. Soon, though, Lady Noire's face once again appeared on the screen.

"Well, that was an action-packed episode, wasn't it!" she grinned, "The next one will be continuing right when this one ended- so if you don't have anything to say, let's just move on: The Beacon."

Chapter Text

Sea Hawk guides a skiff into the forest. Adora, Perfuma, Glimmer, Bow and Mermista hang their heads glumly.

Adora: How could I let this happen? 

Bow: Adora, it’s not your fault. 

Adora: It IS my fault. Entrapta’s gone because of my plan. 

Entrapta fiddled with her hair as she glanced to the ground.

The Princess Alliance breaks apart. Perfuma clutches her knees to her chest and Glimmer frowns. Sea Hawk drives off. Soon after Mermista rides away to her castle and turns with her trident, as a protective forcefield closes around her. She is enveloped in a swirl of water and disappears. Perfuma erects the statue to Entrapta and covers it with flowers. Her eyes brim with tears and she begins to sob.

"I- I'm sorry," Entrapta frowned. Some of the others had tears in their eyes.

"It's not y-your fault!"

Princess Frosta uses her ice powers, she raises her hands into the air and spears of ice conceal her snowy mountain whole. Sometime later, Adora, Bow, and Glimmer trudge along on the bridge towards Bright Moon castle.

Angella: Oh, Glimmer! 

Angella hugs her.

Glimmer wiped her eyes.

Glimmer: Mom, I’m fine, cut it out! 

Angella: I will not cut it out. I’ve been beside myself with worry. You usually teleport out of my embraces. What’s going on? 

Glimmer: Nothing, I just need to recharge. That’s all. 

Glimmer sighed, "I shouldn't have tried to keep it from her..."

Angella tries to figure out what happened, but Glimmer cuts the others off.

Angella: This conversation isn’t over! 

Glimmer strides off, dragging the other two with her. Glimmer glitches.

Adora: It’s happening more often. 

They try to convince Glimmer to talk with Angella, but she refuses. The scene changes to the Fright Zone.

Hordak: Not only did you lose the princess known as Glimmer, but I’ve learned that you’ve known Adora was She-Ra all along. 

Shadow Weaver: Now you see why I felt it was so important to bring her back. 

Hordak: All you did was invite attack from an enemy combatant with detailed knowledge of our operations. If I had known, I never would have agreed to your foolish plan. 

Catra [Quietly]: [Chuckles] Yeah, bad plan. 

Hordak grunted and narrowed his eyes.

Scorpia [Also quietly]: Wasn’t it your—? [Catra elbows Scorpia] Oh! 

Magenta eyes glow in a vent behind them.

"Is that..."

The scene changes back to Bright Moon. Glimmer lies in the Moonstone Chamber and Bow looms over her.

Glimmer: I can feel you watching me. 

Bow: I am not. 

Adora is fighting the air.

Glimmer: See, I told you. Just needed to re—

She glitches again. Angella arrives but Glimmer rushes her out.

Angella: Is everything all right? Glimmer? Glimmer, do not walk away from me. I just wanted to talk. 

Glimmer sighed and buried her face in her hands.

They're back in the Fright Zone.

Catra: Boy, Hordak really let Shadow Weaver have it. Did you see the look on her face? 

Scorpia: Yes. [Chuckles] Well, I mean, I think. It’s kinda hard to tell with the mask and all. 

They hear a robot beeping. It follows them down the hall and they turn around. Then the two continue on.

Catra: Serves her right. If she wants to take credit for my plans, she can take the blame, too. 

"Well... it is logical..."

"Did you just agree with Catra??"

Adora sputtered, "No- I just said- uh- no!"

Magenta eyes glow in a vent and Catra stops.

"That's Entrapta isn't it?" said Perfuma worriedly. Scorpia nodded, but no one answered.

Scorpia: -Oh! What is it? 

Catra sniffs the wall.

Scorpia: Yeah. Yeah, that’s— That’s concrete. 

Catra sniffs the floor and soon swipes the cover off the grate.

"Are you like- actually a cat?" said Bow curiously. Catra's head snapped around.

"No," she said sarcastically, "I just wear a fake tail and cat ears because it's fun."

"You're a magicat, though, aren't you?" said Castaspella, and Catra looked around in surprise.

"I... I'm not sure."

Entrapta falls out.

Entrapta, whilst waving: Hii- 

Catra sighs.

The scene changes back to Bright Moon.

Glimmer: Maybe it’s like a cold. I’ve never been sick before. Having an immortal mother has some advantages. What do you do when you have a cold? 

"You've never been sick before??" asked Kyle, eyes wide, "I used to get a cold every week when I was a kid -"

Rogelio grunt-laughed. Lonnie chuckled. "And Rogelio had to hide you out to make sure Shadow Weaver didn't find you.

"Well, I mean- no, we're technically immortal, so..."

Adora: Remain out of sight. 

"Yup."

Adora: What? Display of physical weakness are strongly discouraged in the Horde. And they’re right. I haven’t been training enough, and look what happened! 

"Why are you punching a lamp?"

"I don't know!"

Glimmer says that she'll get rest. She tries to get to her bed, but she glitches again.

Adora: Look, you got sick because of whatever dark magic Shadow Weaver made with the black garnet. Maybe the sword can heal you.

Glimmer: This is a great idea. She-Ra will fix me, and then everything will be back to normal. Mm-hmm. How hard can it be? 

Bow argues against it.

"I agree with Bow," Micah commented, reminding the others of his presence. Bow beamed.

Bow groans while Adora transforms. The scene returns to the Fright Zone where Entrapta is shackled to the wall.

Glimmer gasped, "So you did hurt Entrapta -"

"No, we didn't," said Scorpia quickly, "Just watch."

Entrapta tries to free herself with her hair when Catra and Scorpia enter the room.

Catra: Prisoner. 

Scorpia: That’s Entrapta. 

Catra: I know her name, I was just.. Ugh, never mind. Lord Hordak himself tasked me with your interrogation. So, there’s no use resisting. 

"I don't remember giving you those orders," Hordak muttered, but no one seemed to hear him.

"You were very bad at that, by the way," Entrapta commented, "The interrogation bit."

Catra scowled.

Entrapta smiles as she opens a shackle. And Catra zaps the wall beside her.

Catra: I don’t care what it takes. I’m going to drag the Rebellion’s plans out of you.

Entrapta, pushing Catra away with her hair whilst grabbing the tazer: -Ooh! What’s that? 

Catra: What? Hey! 

Entrapta fires Catra’s weapon at the ceiling.

"Oh, yeah, you suck at that," said Mermista, grinning.

Catra groaned and sunk in her seat.

Scorpia, protecting Catra: Catra! Oh! Oh, oh, there you go. 

Entrapta: Fascinating. 

Catra, snatching the weapon back: Give it back! 

Entrapta: -Oh, I like that thing. Can I have it? 

Catra: -No. And stop. I’m interrogating you. 

"And doing a very bad job at it~"

"Will you just SHUT UP, Mermista?!"

"Let me think.. no."

Entrapta: Well, okay, then. What do you want to know? 

Catra: Why were you hiding out in the Fright Zone? 

Entrapta: I was waiting for my friends to get back. They had trouble finding me before. So, I figured I’d make it easier for them and just stay put right here. 

"We should have come back," Perfuma sobbed. 

Catra, softly whilst approaching Entrapta: They left you. 

Entrapta: No, no, they’re my friends, they’ll be back. 

Entrapta releases herself from the shackles and goes up to Scorpia.

Entrapta: Say, your tail secretes some kind of paralyzing agent, right? Do you think I could have a sample, to study? 

Scorpia: Hey, you can’t just touch another woman’s tail without asking! 

"I apologize, Scorpia -"

"No, no, it's fine."

Catra strokes Entrapta’s hair.

"What are you doing -"

Catra, softly: Some friends. They left you, and they’re not coming back. Isn’t that just like Adora? She left me behind, too. Like I was nothing. 

"No, I didn't -"

Scorpia: And me. I mean, I didn’t want to go, but she could’ve at least asked. 

"-Wh- Scorpia?!" Adora was incredibly frustrated. Scorpia gave an awkward grin.

Catra, softly: Adora got her precious Bow and Glimmer back. All these princesses care about is people who are just like them. But you’re not like them, are you? 

"You're MANIPULATING HER!"

"I was telling her the truth."

"It wasn't the truth -"

"Well, it was perfectly in character for you," Catra glowered at Adora, and she faltered.

Entrapta, whilst hanging her head low: Fright Zone log, hour 45. Is that right? I don’t know if that’s right, it was hard to tell in the walls. Hour 45, that’s— That’s too many hours. This angry feline person seems to be correct. They’re not coming back for me. 

Entrapta’s eyes brim with tears.

Catra: You wouldn’t have to pretend to be something you’re not with the Horde. Think of what you could accomplish here. What we could accomplish, together. 

Catra shifted in her seat.

Entrapta: I’ve made more progress on my work in secret here than I did in a whole non-secret life out there. They should see. Horde technology gives me SO MUCH to work with. Emily’s the most advanced bot I’ve ever built. 

"No, Entrapta, you can't -"

"It's already happened, remember?" said Glimmer grimly.

Entrapta grimaced.

Catra: Wait, who’s Emily? 

Entrapta: Oh! How rude, allow me to introduce you.

Entrapta claps her hands and a hole blasts through the wall, revealing Emily.

Catra and Scorpia gape at the hole in the wall.

Catra: Those princesses have no idea who they’ve left behind. 

The scene changes to Bright Moon. She-Ra presses her sword against her face, she then flies it through the air.

She-Ra: The.. Eternia.. Heal! [Stretched] Heal.. Glimmer. 

"That... is incredibly stupid."

"I know."

Bow: Who’s ready to stop messing around with sharp objects? Hey, look, I am! 

"I like that kid," said Micah, chuckling.

"Why does everyone in my family say that?!"

"Because we like him, dear," said Castaspella. Bow only grinned.

Glimmer, to She-Ra: Maybe if you point it at me? 

Bow: Or, unpopular opinion, don’t point a sword directly at our friend. 

She-Ra: It’s fine, I got this. 

Glimmer: Maybe it’s like a motion? Like a jabbing motion? Or a strike. 

Bow: Do you want to get hit with a sword?! 

"Bow does seem correct here," said Perfuma. Glimmer groaned.

The sword glows, but Glimmer glitches again. Adora hurls the sword in frustration.

Bow, voice cracking: Sword safety! 

The scene returns to the Fright Zone. Entrapta and Emily the robot are shackled to the wall and Scorpia sets bricks in the hole. Catra paces back and forth in front of them.

Scorpia: Honestly, I don’t think anybody’s gonna notice. 

Entrapta: Sorry again. About the wall. 

Catra, softly: -Don’t worry about it. 

Entrapta, confused: -You’re not mad? People usually get mad. 

"We're sorry," said Perfuma again.

Catra, in her normal voice: Are you kidding? I’m impressed. You rebuilt that robot, I mean, Emily, all on your own? While living in the vents? 

Entrapta, releasing herself from the shackles: Sure did. Not only that, but she’s better than ever. Stronger, increased weapons capabilities, and affectionate, too. Who knows how much more powerful she could be if I just had access to a little First Ones tech. You don’t have any here, do you? 

Catra: -First what? 

Entrapta explains First Ones' tech to Catra as the wall crumbles near Scorpia again.

Entrapta: I’ve triangulated the signal to somewhere in the Whispering Woods. The whole shifting landscape thing makes for a complicated variable, but I’ve created a map that’s accurate within two quadrants. 

Adora gasped, "That's why you were..."

Entrapta hands Catra a tablet and Catra pokes at the blurry screen in frustration whilst grunting. Entrapta taps the panel with her and a map appears. Catra smiles and confers with Scorpia.

Catra: I’m not sure if we can trust her yet. But if she’s telling the truth, this could give us a huge advantage over the Rebellion. Hordak will finally see how much more valuable I am than Shadow Weaver. 

Entrapta frowned, and Scorpia glanced between her and Catra, not knowing what to do.

Scorpia: I bet he’ll promote you to.. to.. What comes after Force Captain? 

"Second in Command," Catra muttered under her breath..

Catra: Keep an eye on Entrapta while I go see if this pans out. 

Entrapta, tapping Catra on the shoulder with her hair, her voice becoming softer as the sentence goes on: I hope it does, I wanna build something bbbiiigggg. 

Entrapta has freed herself and Catra frowns.

Entrapta: Oh, sorry, my bad. 

Entrapta eyes the restraints

Entrapta: Which hair part was in which thingy? 

Mermista snorted.

The scene changes to Bright Moon.

She-Ra: What good am I if I can’t even heal one princess? 

"You're plenty good, Adora!"

Adora chuckled, "Thanks."

Angella knocks on the door. Glimmer gasps and the knocking continues.

Glimmer: Everybody, just act normal. 

Glimmer opens the door to find Angella on the other side.

Glimmer: Mom, we’re busy. 

Angella tells Glimmer to join her for dinner. As soon as she closes the door, Glimmer glitches again.

She-Ra: That’s it. I can’t stay here and be useless. Bow is right. I don’t know how to use my powers. 

Bow: I didn’t say that. Or not that exactly. 

She-Ra: The Horde has a lot of things wrong. Okay, pretty much everything. But one thing they are right about is training. And how can I train if I don’t know anything about She-Ra? I’m going to go somewhere so I can learn. And then I’m gonna fix you, Glimmer. 

Adora explains the beacon, and leaps out of the window to go to it.

Adora and Catra shifted in their seats, knowing what was going to come soon.

In the Fright Zone, Catra packs the map in her bag.

Shadow Weaver: Going somewhere? 

Catra: Like I’d tell you. I’ve got a lead on something big, and I’m not about to let you take all the credit again. Not that it worked out so great for you last time. 

Catra notices how bad Shadow Weaver is doing.

Catra: Don’t worry about that thing with Hordak. I’ve got loads of experience being yelled at. Mostly by you, actually. You get used to it. 

Catra is about to leave when her arm gets grabbed by Shadow Weaver.

Shadow Weaver: I will not get used to mediocrity like you. And I certainly don’t need your pity.

"B-but she was just comforting her," Perfuma sputtered, confusion shown on her face.

Shadow Weaver:  I was hard on you, I won’t deny it.  And I won’t apologize.  I just wanted to prepare you for the world.  I wanted you to be strong.

Catra:  Yeah, well, congratulations.  I’m plenty strong now.  And I don’t need you.

"Wow."

Back in Bright Moon, Bow sits with Glimmer in her room.

Bow:  Listen, Glimmer, I appreciate you trying, but you can’t protect me anymore.  We have to tell your mom.

Glimmer: We’re not telling anybody’s mom!  And, what do you mean, protect you?

Bow: Isn’t it obvious?  This is all my fault.  If I hadn’t gone to Princess Prom with Perfuma, then we wouldn’t have been separated, and then I wouldn’t have gotten kidnapped, and you wouldn’t be sick.  See?  All my fault!

"That's crazy."

Glimmer: That’s crazy.  This is obviously my fault!  I let myself get distracted.  I shouldn’t’ve been so weird about you hanging out with someone else.  I’m sorry, Bow.

Bow: You can’t be sorry when I’m tryin’ to be sorry.

Glimmer:  Yeah, but your sorry is wrong, and mine is right.  Ya know what?  Let’s just hug.

"Awww," Scorpia cooed, and both Bow and Glimmer giggled.

Glimmer glitches and she tries to get out of the dinner, but Bow crosses his arms. The scene switches to Adora in the forest.

She walks around in circles and passes the same stone twice. Drawing her sword, she marks the stone with an “X”.

Glimmer has now joined Angella, alone in the dining hall.  The table is set beautifully for two.

Glimmer:  Well, you know, not much to talk about.

Angella:  Not much to talk about?  You were kidnapped!  And you lost a friend when you escaped.  And . . .

Glimmer: I get it, Mom!  I failed!

Angella:  That’s not what I’m . . .

Suddenly, Glimmer glitches strongly and painfully, crying out as her body is enveloped in bursts of pink energy.  Her mother looks on in deep concern and rushes to hold her as she collapses and comes out of it.

Angella:  Stop!  Make it stop!  Glimmer, what’s happening to you?!  What aren’t you telling me?!

Glimmer pushes her away and stands up.

Glimmer: Don’t yell at me!  I know I messed everything up, okay?!  I know, I’m a big disappointment!

"What..."

Angella:  What are you talking about?

Glimmer: (sobbing) Entrapta died trying to rescue me, and the Princess Alliance is over, and Shadow Weaver did something to my powers!  I’m sorry I couldn’t be perfect like you!  You have no idea what it’s like to be such a screw-up!!

Angella: (with a sudden dark frown)  I don’t know how you feel?  I got your father killed!

Micah and Castaspella's eyes widened, even with the knowledge that Micah was alive.

"Oh, Angella..."

There is a terrible pause, Angella’s fists clinched, Glimmer mirroring her wide stare of shock.  Angella relaxes a little, speaking more softly, with remorse.

Angella:  I ordered the battle that your father perished in.  (Turning away)  I’ve never forgiven myself.

Glimmer:  I - I didn’t know that.

Angella: (turning back to her)  Yes, well . . . you never talk to me.  Why didn’t you tell me you were sick?

"I should've," Glimmer muttered turning to face her chair.

Glimmer and Angella make up and they hug.

Several people had tears in their eyes.

Deep within the forest, She-Ra is determined, following her instincts in search of the beacon.

Catra faces the edge of the Whispering Woods in the moonlight, sensing something.  She grunts resolutely and enters the woods. 

"Oh!" Perfuma gasped, "They're going to the same place, aren't they?"

Adora and Catra didn't answer.

"Well, probably," said Mermista boredly, "It would make for a good plot point."

"You know these are our lives, not one of your stories -"

"Well, it's been turned into a tv show, which we're watching, so I'd say it's a good story."

Perfuma huffed, but watched with excitement.

She-Ra makes her way, one way, then another.

Catra studies her tracker pad, but the display is only static, useless.

She-Ra enters a clearing, with a familiar stone in the center, marked by an “X.”  In rage, she smashes it with her sword, and cries out to the night.

Catra, lost in the woods, trips over a root.  Standing again, she throws her useless tracker pad against a tree and growls.

Catra:  I should’ve known better than to trust a princess!

"Princesses are very trustworthy!"

There is strange whispering in the forest.  Glowing motes in the air.  Catra shudders, disturbed.

She-Ra continues to plead with whatever spirits surround her.

She-Ra:  Just let me fix this, please!  I - I can’t let anyone else get hurt.

Looking around, there is no answer.  She sighs, transforming back to Adora, throwing her sword to the ground.

Adora:  Fine.  You win.  You want me to be weak?  Well.  I am.  And I’m afraid.  Because, I - I’m no good at any of this.

Adora looked at the ground awkwardly.

She crumples to the ground in defeat.  Then, she becomes aware of the whispering voice, and she looks around.  From between the trees, there is a light.  Hope.  She stands and walks toward it.  Parting the leaves, the beacon tower is revealed before her, dark and powerful.  She begins walking towards it, almost entranced.

Catra, still struggling through the forest, has become completely exasperated.

Catra:  Augh!  I’ll never find this “magical tech!”  If it even exists in the first place!

But, suddenly, she sees a light in the near distance, and the figure entering it.

Catra:  On second thought . . .

She leaps into a tree, climbs to a high branch in moments, where she can look down upon Adora, approaching the awesome structure.  A cruel smile crosses her lips.

Catra:  Hey, Adora.

The screen turns to black.

"Ooh! I was right!" Perfuma squealed, while both Adora and Catra were growing more uncomfortable by the second.

"By the way," Mermista drawled, "What's your thing with saying, 'Hey, Adora', like - is it a catchphrase or something?"

"Wh-" Catra sputtered, but Lady Noire had appeared on the screen.

"And there we go! I'm sure you're all very excited for the next episode," it was said slightly sarcastically, as Adora shifted in her seat and Catra scowled. "You could pretty much guess that Adora and Catra were going to meet up- well, the next one will be all about them!" she paused, "Well, technically the whole series is about them but y'know what I mean."

The crowd watched in anticipation, but Lady Noire continued speaking. "Quick thing for Adora and Catra to know- the memories Light Hope showed were purposefully there to drive you further apart," she grinned as their eyes widened, "but hopefully it'll work the other way around now? I'm not sure, really- but it'd be nice for the Catra redemption here to come earlier than it does in the original series... anyway. The next episode is called 'Promise'."

Chapter Text

The screen shows the Whispering Woods, outside of the Crystal Castle. Catra climbs a nearby tree; Adora stands in front of the entrance, it lights up and whirs as it thuds open; Catra grunts as she leaps in before it can close; the hallway inside lights up and makes digital/first ones tech noises.

Adora: [Yelling, echoing] Hello? [Draws sword] I carry the sword of She-Ra, and I've come here for help. Is anyone there?

Hologram: Greetings, administrator. What is your query?

Adora: Oh. I need your help to heal my friend. She's been cursed, and I-I don't know how to save her. The legends say that She-Ra could heal people using this sword. How do I do that?

Hologram: What is your query?

Adora: Not this again. [Scoffs] ...For the honor of Grayskull!

Adora transforms into She-Ra.

She-Ra: How about now?

Hologram: Administrator detected. Welcome, She-Ra.

She-Ra: One more time. What can you tell me about this sword?

Hologram: Subject: The Sword of Protection. Classification: portable Runestone keyed exclusively to Administrator: She-Ra, Princess of Power.

She-Ra: How can I use the sword to heal my friend?

Hologram: Query not recognized.

"Ugh," a few people groaned, and Mermista complained, "Are we gonna have to listen to the stupid hologram again?"

"Hey! Well- yeah, but only for a bit, I think."

She-Ra continues to question the hologram. She asks about Light Hope.

Hologram: Yes, Light Hope is here. She has been waiting for you.

She-Ra: Can I talk to her?

Hologram: You will meet her soon enough. But first, you must let go.

"Let go?"

She-Ra: What's that supposed to mean?

Hologram: You are not ready yet. You must let go.

She-Ra: Let go of what?

Catra steals the First Ones' tech; the pedestal it was on lights up and pings with energy. She-Ra turns and grunts, firing a barely missed magical blast at Catra.

Catra: [Yelling] Hey! Watch it!

She-Ra: Catra? What are you doing here?

"Oh, this is going to get good," Mermista chuckled, tossing another piece of popcorn in her mouth.

Hologram: [Thrums with different energy, turning red] Unauthorized presence detected. Security protocol activated.

The Holograms disappears, the room turns the same red and thrums with a low energy. The doors to the room slam closed one by one; She-Ra grunts as she grabs Catra's hand (who gasps in alarm) and pulls her as they run for a door; spiders from inside it screech; both girls gasp.

Catra: [alarmed, enunciating] What are those?

She-Ra: Also not good!

Doors continue to slam shut; the girls run and pant as for a door as the spiders screech and follow; the door closes before they reach it, but She-Ra grunts as she lifts and holds it up. She-Ra drops the door and it slams as Spider legs rip through the cracks left in it. The girls run into a new hallway, panting, as the lights shut off one by one; spiders peer from the darkness and screech; She-Ra and Catra look at each other and cry out in alarm as they bolt in the opposite direction.

Catra: What's going on? Why are those things trying to kill us?

"Oh, I don't know, maybe because you broke in?" Glimmer shouted at the screen, rolling her eyes.

"Yeah, you did the same thing, Sparkles," Catra scowled.

She-Ra: They're trying to kill you. This place sees you as an invader.

Catra: Well, can't you tell them to stop?

She-Ra: [incredulously, frustrated] No, I can't tell them to stop! Clearly nothing in here is listening to me!

They pant as they run around a corner to a dead-end, She-Ra slides to a stop; the spiders round the corner. She-Ra slices the wall and ceiling, causing shards of the ceiling to rain down on the spiders as they screech. She pulls Catra close and quickly transforms the sword into a shield to protect them overhead from the rubble as it falls.

Adora: You shouldn't be here, Catra. Those things aren't going to stop until they get you, and as long as I'm protecting you, they'll see me as a threat, too.

Catra: [annoyed] Uh, good thing I didn't ask you to protect me.

"Seriously? Adora's trying to help -" Bow started, but Catra cut him off with a scowl.

Adora: Wait, you know, what-- Okay. Why are you here, anyway? I mean, how did you even find this place?

Catra: It sent up a beam of light a mile high. It wasn't hard.

Adora: ...Does Shadow Weaver know you're here?

Catra: [imaginatively mirthful] I'd say Shadow Weaver's got bigger problems right now. [pauses, then distrustful] Why are you looking at me like that? Wait. Nooo... I know what this is about. [groans] Ugh, I knew you'd be weird about me letting you escape. I told you it's not because I like you.

"It's totally because you like her."

"Mermista -"

"What? Even the Lady Noire girl says so- and she's the reason we're all here."

Catra flushed and turned around, still frowning. Adora ignored them.

Adora: I mean, I didn't--I didn't say anything.

Catra: Anyway, what are you doing here? [angrily] Where are your new best friends? I thought you guys did everything together.

Adora: [angrily, accusingly] Oh, my friends? You mean the ones you kidnapped and held for ransom? The ones you let Shadow Weaver imprison and curse?

Catra: [casual, disinterested tone] Yeah, obviously. What other friends would I be talking about?

"Wow... you couldn't have a little sympathy?"

Adora: ...Come on. Those things will be back any minute, we need to get out of here.

Catra: Well, we don't need to go together. You do your weird little magic quest thing, I'll find my own way out.

Catra looks back and forth between the rubble behind them and the only other way down the hall; as Adora walks forward, she sighs exasperatedly and follows. Montage of them walking through the castle; waterfalls rush and their footsteps echo; they finally stop at a wall with First Ones' writing on it. Adora opens it. They walk forwards into an infinitely dark room; Adora draws her sword and its Runestone casts a light. They go to a red light which flashes, revealing them in a room in the Horde base at the Fright Zone.

"What did you do?!" Glimmer shouted immediately, along with a few other princesses, however, they soon realized it wasn't Catra.

Catra: Whoa, whoa! I have no idea what's going on. There's no way we can actually be in the Fright Zone!

"How fascinating..." Entrapta muttered.

Adora: [accusingly] So what is this, another Shadow Weaver mind trick?!

Catra: I doubt it. Now let--[with effort, pushing Adora's arm away]--go of me!

Catra walks away; Adora looks around and sees the room glitch a little; Catra steps around a corner and spots a guard.

Catra: Hey, you! Guard. ...Uh, hello? [waves arm in front of their face, then attempts to poke their helmet when her finger phases through the simulation with a digital glitching noise; starts laughing and yells out] Hey, Adora! This isn't real! ...Adora? [a different tone of voice, almost scared as the scene changes to Adora standing elsewhere] Adora?!

Adora: [alarmed] Catra?

Adora looks to see a younger, maybe 5-7 year old Catra standing next to her.

Nearly everyone gasped.

"How... cute!" Bow cooed, glancing at Catra, "Why didn't we know you two were literally the cutest little children?"

"Hey! We are not -"

"We are pretty cute," Adora said teasingly, and Catra only huffed and turned around again.

Young Catra: [calls out] Adora!

She runs glitching through Present Adora's legs. Adora looks where she went and sees a younger version of herself looking at Young Catra's face.

Present Catra: [walking up behind] Hey, Adora? There's a--

Present Adora: [shushes] Shh.

Young Catra: [sniffles and grunts] Does it look broken to you?! [sniffs a few times]

"Aww-"

"Shut up."

Young Adora: [incredulous, almost laughingly] It's not broken, you're fine!

Young Catra: [looks at her hand where she touched her nose and shrieks] I'm bleeding!

Young Adora: You're not bleeding! And why would you try and pick a fight with Octavia anyway?

"Wh- is that how she got her eyepatch?" asked Scorpia in shock. Her question was quickly answered on the screen.

Young Catra: I didn't do anything, all I did was exist near her. ...And scratch her on the eyeball. And call her a dumbface.

Young Adora: [scoffs] Catra--

Young Catra: What?! She has a dumb face!

Young Adora: [lowers voice in a disarming, complying way; offers her hand] Where is she?

Young Catra takes Young Adora's hand and leads them to a different room, pointing down at Octavia.

Young Adora: Hey, Octavia!

Octavia looks up and grunts an acknowledgement.

Young Adora: You're a dumbface!

"Wh-"

Octavia roars angrily, stomping up the ramp to chase the kids.The kids run away holding hands and laughing.

"Wow... you two were really good friends," Perfuma commented gently, though it seemed to only separate them further.

The scene changes as they pass behind a pillar, and it's now Present Adora and Catra holding hands and laughing as they come to a stop; they both realize and Catra rips her hand away with a scoffing hiss.

Perfuma slumped.

Catra: [exasperated] What was that?!

Adora: It must have been some kind of simulation. It's tapping into our memories. Why, I have no idea...

"I'm confused," said Frosta, "I thought Lady Noire said it was meant to turn you against each other- these are pretty happy."

"Yeah!" Perfuma agreed, "You look so happy together... why..."

Neither of them answered.

Catra: [groans] Ugh, this place is so weird. How can you deal with all of this magic stuff?

Adora: [annoyed] I'm only dealing with it because I need to figure out how to heal Glimmer after someone got her cursed.

Catra: [angrily] What do you want? An apology? [shoves Adora, causing her to grunt] You're not getting one.

Adora and the others looked at Catra. She felt their eyes on her, and she only scoffed.

"You think you're getting one now? Tough luck."

They continue to walk forward.

Adora: [genuinely] ...Can I ask you something?

Catra: [sighs bordering on a groan] Can I stop you?

Both gasp as they almost step off the side of a gaping hole in the floor, rocks crumbling.

Adora: ...Why did you help me escape after Shadow Weaver captured us?

A few people perked up, obviously wanting to know the answer themselves.

Catra: [fatigued, disinterested] Not this again.

They both climb onto a fallen pillar spanning the hole in the floor.

Adora: It's the one thing I can't figure out. You didn't have to do that. You could've gotten caught...why risk it? [Rock on the edge crumbles beneath her; yelps] Whoa, whoa, whoa--!

Adora shrieks as she falls backward; Catra grabs her hand, holding her up.

Catra: Did you really think I'd just let Shadow Weaver erase your memory like that?

"You... still cared -"

"No. I didn't."

Adora: I dunno. Probably.

Adora grunts as Catra pulls her up.

Catra: Yeah, well, you never did have too much faith in me.

Adora: [sighs; lightly] Can you blame me?

Catra: [half-chuckles] Not really.

Catra's tail brushes against Adora's hand as she walks away; Adora runs to catch up and they continue walking.

Catra: It wasn't all bad growing up in the Fright Zone, was it? I mean, you still have some good memories, right?

Adora: Of course I do. But it doesn't change the fact that the Horde is evil. I had no choice. I couldn't go back. ...Hey. I miss you, too.

"Aww..."

Catra: Wha--? [scoffs] I don't miss you. [kicks at Adora, causing her to yelp in surprise] Get over yourself!

Adora: Not until you admit you like me!

Adora gives Catra a noogie and Catra grunts; Catra pushes Adora away and Adora laughs.

Catra: I don't like you!

Still laughing, Adora backs into a wall that she phases through, and she yelps in surprise as she falls backward onto a panel that buzzes and lights up, making every other panel surrounding it light up. They are suddenly standing in a dark room with hexagon-shaped panels all over the floor.

Another Young Catra, this time seemingly pre-teen, runs through Present Catra, brandishing a staff and yelling as she charges; she and a Young pre-teen Adora cross staves, they crackle with electricity, and they both grunt and shout as they fight.

"Wh- is this also in the Horde?" Frosta asked. Nobody answered, though Adora nodded vaguely in the front.

Young Catra pokes at Young Adora's forehead with a claw and Young Adora strains to see it while Young Catra laughs; Young Adora goes for a swipe and Young Catra dodges, stamping Young Adora's staff out of her hands; Young Catra brings her own staff down for a hit, but Young Adora catches it and throws Young Catra off to the side, landing with a thump on the ground.

Young Catra: Oww!

Young Adora: You okay?

Young Catra swipes Young Adora's feet out from under her and they continue to fight shouting and grunting, Young Adora now on the ground.

Perfuma gasped, "That's cheating!"

"No, it isn't," Catra scoffed.

Young Lonnie comes in from behind and swipes down at Young Catra while Young Adora rolls out of the way.

"Huh," Lonnie wondered, "why would this Light Hope person show you guys this?"

"I don't know," Adora muttered. 

Young Lonnie and Young Catra struggle, and finally Young Catra pokes at Young Lonnie's breastplate which buzzes her out; Young Catra pants with fatigue as Young Adora comes back in and knocks her staff out of her hands, hitting and buzzing her out.

Training Handler: And there's our winner.

"Wooh! Go Adora!" Bow shouted. Adora chuckled, though it was strained.

"Y'know this was like- when I was a teen, right?"

"Oh- well, good job!"

The simulation's darkness fades away as the rest of their squad and the Training Handler come into view; Young Adora offers her hand to help Young Catra up; Young Catra grumbles, but takes the hand anyway.

Training Handler: Good work, cadet. I like your focus. This win will definitely be reported back to Lord Hordak.

Young Catra: [walking up to Lonnie, upset] What was that? Way to gang up on me!

Young Lonnie: You were fighting dirty. I was just leveling the field.

"Two wrongs don't make a right," Perfuma said, though it was obvious she was debating the rights and wrongs in the game herself.

Catra shakes and growls in anger as Adora walks up and places a hand on Catra's shoulder.

Young Adora: Hey, you were awesome! [concerned] Did I hurt you?

Young Catra: [feigning impervious] No, I'm fine. You're just lucky I let you win.

"Let Adora win?" Glimmer scoffed, "Adora totally deserved it -"

"Uh- Glimmer, this is still from when we were teens, remember?"

"Oh. Right, but still..."

Young Adora: [smugly, holding out the syllable] Right...

Young Catra: I'm serious! [scoffs] If I came in first, people might expect me to actually start doing stuff around here. Trust me, second place suits me just fine.

Young Adora: Yeah, okay. Come on, let's go cool down.

Young Catra: In a minute, I'll meet you there.

Young Adora: Hey, guys, wait up!

Young Adora goes over to the rest of the squad, laughing as they comment on how cool it all was. Young Catra leaves to go the locker room; she grunts as she tosses aside her breastplate; she begins to clench her teeth and hold back sobs at a sink with a mirror.

Adora gasped silently. She glanced over to Catra, who was only scowling at the screen and leaning on the arm rest.

"Catra -"

"Don't."

Young Catra looks up and sees Present Catra in the reflection, at which she shrieks and is Present Catra once more; the room glitches and the mirror and room hum in red light.

Disembodied Hologram voice: Unauthorized presence detected. Security protocol activated.

"Ugh, more of the spiders?"

A spider bot climbs out of the mirror and Catra falls backward, grunting; she screams; Present Adora hears this in the other room, and the rest of the past squad glitches away as she runs toward Catra.

"This is quite fascinating," Entrapta murmured, "I'll have to visit the tower myself when this is over."

Adora: Catra? [yells with concern] Catra!

Catra is in the process of being dragged away by a spider bot, wrapped in goo; she yelps, muffled, when she sees Adora. Adora rushes to grab Catra's arm as she is pulled away; both grunt in effort of holding on/pulling back; they start to lose their grip and Catra grunts in distress; Catra shrieks as they aren't able to keep hold and she is pulled through.

Adora: [rushing the mirror and banging on it] Catra! [seeing Catra being pulled away, she grunts in despair]

Catra, being pulled away down a hall in the Crystal Castle, struggles against goo, grunting in effort.

Catra: [muffled] Adora!

Nobody said anything as they watched the fight scene.

Looking back at the empty hallway, then wiggling and straining against the goo, she cries out in anguish. Catra sheds tears of frustration, then elongates her claws with a metalllic shing; she grunts as she busts out of the goo and rips it apart; the spider bot squeaks and spits more goo at Catra, which she dodges and begins to fight the spider, grunting; it roars as she breaks its eyes and rips out cables, electricity zapping out; she does this a few times and then jumps off the spider as it collapses, zapping with electricity. Catra chuckles with confidence, beginning to step toward the spider to finish it, but Adora jumps up and grunts while impaling the bot with the sword.

Adora: [panting] Are you okay?

Catra: [as Adora takes a piece of goo off her shoulder; angrily] I had it.

Adora: Sure you did, we need to make sure we stay together from now on.

Catra: Will you stop telling me what to do?!

Adora grimaced. Now having heard it twice from Glimmer and Catra, she tried to stop- but it was just instinct to take the lead.

Catra swats Adora's arm off her shoulder.

Catra: [angrily] I'm sick of this stupid place. Let's just get out of here.

Catra grunts as she jumps across a few gaps in the floor.

Adora: [in disbelief] What is your problem? I was just trying to save you.

Catra: For the last time, I don't need you to save me. I've been doing just fine on my own. No thanks to you.

"So... that was what Light Hope wanted?" Mermista said, "Cause it's pretty anticlimactic."

"No," Adora said quietly, not offering any other explanation.

Adora: [grabbing Catra's arm] Catra, wait. ...I'm sorry for leaving. I couldn't go back to the Fright Zone, not after I saw what the Horde was really doing. I never wanted to leave you. ...You could come with me! You-you-you could join the rebellion! I know you're not a bad person, Catra. You don't belong with the Horde.

"Seriously?" Glimmer muttered.

A wind blows as a door opens in the Fright Zone.

Catra: [crosses her arms; tiredly] Let's just get this over with.

Young Catra, about 5-7, runs past Present Adora and Catra; she grunts as she leaps and swings across cables hanging from the ceiling, landing nearby, laughing a bit; Young Adora hangs from cables behind her.

"Aww- right, sorry," Bow cleared his throat awkwardly.

Young Adora: Catra, wait up! [grunts and swings herself]

Young Catra: What's it like being the world's slowest person?

Young Adora grunts, missing and crashing into a trash heap. Both young versions run and laugh, Adora chasing after Catra; suddenly Young Catra stops and stares, Young Adora pulls at her hair, then stops, noticing.

They stare at the Black Garnet chamber.

"That's the Black Garnet Chamber, isn't it?" Entrapta said. A few people looked curious as they didn't answer. Shadow Weaver remained stoic as ever.

Young Catra: [gasps] It's open.

Young Adora: We're definitely not allowed in there. 

Young Adora looks at Young Catra with a smile, then runs toward the room laughing; Catra follows, half chuckling; Present Adora and Present Catra stand watching.

"This... isn't going to end well, is it?" asked Scorpia. Neither Catra nor Adora answered, but Mermista looked even more interested.

"Probably not," she said, "That's why Light Hope shows the memories, right?"

Present Adora: You don't have to go in there.

"Yeah, it's definitely not going to end well."

Catra walks in, Adora follows. The young versions are in awe of the chamber, gasping; Young Catra gets closer to the Black Garnet.

Young Catra: [in awe] Wow...

She touches it, and it delivers a shock as she shrieks in pain.

Young Adora: [nervously] Ma-maybe we should get out of here.

"Yeah," Perfuma muttered nervously, more to herself than anyone else.

They hear Shadow Weaver groaning from the hallway and run to hide; Shadow Weaver comes in and touches the Garnet, electricity zapping around her hand; she seems to sigh in relief, going over to her scrying table, where she takes off her mask with a click as it unhinges.

Everyone watched in silence, not bothering to comment anymore.

Young Adora gasps in shock at the sight; Shadow Weaver whips turns around and also gasps in shock at the two children; Young Catra gasps as they start to run away.

Shadow Weaver: [screams angrily] Get out!

Young Adora cries out in alarm as dark magic encloses the exit.

Shadow Weaver: Catra... [Young Adora turns to see Young Catra's form enveloped in a paralyzing, zapping magic] ...you stay.

Young Catra grunts as she is forced to stand.

A few people gasped, but didn't say anything.

Shadow Weaver: What do you think you're doing in here?

Shadow Weaver makes Young Catra turn, feet squeaking on the floor as she does so without picking up her feet; Shadow Weaver clicks her mask back in place.

Catra: [fearfully] We were just playing.

Shadow Weaver: [hatefully] Insolent child. I've come to expect such disgraceful behavior from you. But I will not allow you to drag Adora down as well.

"Wh- she's just a child!" Perfuma sputtered quietly.

Adora: [pleading] Shadow Weaver, it wasn't her fault, it was my idea, too!

Shadow Weaver: [hatefully, still talking to Catra] You have never been anything more than a nuisance to me! I've kept you around this long because Adora was fond of you, but if you ever do anything to jeopardize her future, I will dispose of you myself. [slowly, enunciating] Do you understand?

"How could you say such a thing?!" Perfuma seemed to finally speak up as no one else did. She had spent much of the time considering whether Catra was possibly misunderstood, and she still wasn't completely sold, but she did know that this wasn't acceptable. "She's- what, 6 in that? That's abuse -"

"I have my reasons -"

"No! That's just completely unacceptable from a parental figure- you can't- you shouldn't -"

"Just shut up," Catra finally snapped, "I don't need your pity. I'm fine."

Young Adora: [runs between them, throwing her arms out to protect Young Catra; pleading] Please stop!

"What?? Catra, if we knew more about your childhood, maybe it would explain your actions," Perfuma's voice softened as if she were talking to a child, "Especially with how you treat your friends -"

"How I live my life is NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!"

"But, Catra -" Adora tried to interrupt, but it only seemed to make Catra more angry.

The dark magic dissipates back into Shadow Weaver's cloak as she groans and moves back toward the Garnet; Young Adora and Young Catra share a look before Young Adora runs over to Shadow Weaver.

Young Adora: She didn't mean to!

"It's none of yours either!"

Shadow Weaver: [placidly, attempting to soothe] Adora, you must do a better job of keeping her under control. [Shadow Weaver finally lets Young Catra out of the paralyzing magic and Young Catra grunts as she falls to the ground] Do not let something like this happen again. [she pats Young Adora's head as Young Catra looks on]

As the scene changed, they quieted down, though it was obvious that the conversation was not over.

Young Adora and Catra are walking down a hall in the Fright Zone, just after this incident; they walk past a pillar and become Present Adora and Catra again.

Catra: [grunts, swatting Adora's arm off her shoulder; angrily] You always need to play the hero, don't you?

Adora: [angrily] I was only trying to protect you.

Catra: [yells, angrily] You never protected me! Not in any way that would put you on Shadow Weaver's bad side.

Scene transitions to Young Adora and Catra in the same place.

Young Catra: [angrily, accusingly] Admit it. You love being her favorite!

Adora grimaced again. The arguments just were too similar.

Young Adora: [upset] That's not true!

Young Catra: Oh, yeah? [glitches back to Present Catra (and Adora)] When you left, who do you think took the fall for you? [prods at Adora's chest] Who was protecting me then?

Adora: You don't have to let Shadow Weaver treat you like that anymore. You can leave--[glitches back to Young Adora and Catra]--just like I did!

Young Catra: Oh, because I need to follow you everywhere you go?!

Everyone watched the argument silently.

Young Adora: [frustratedly] I didn't mean it that way.

They glitch back to Present Adora and Catra.

Catra: [angrily, haltingly] I don't. Want. To leave. What don't you understand about that? I'm not afraid of Shadow Weaver anymore, and I'm a better Force Captain than you would've ever been.

[glitches back to Young Adora and Catra]

Young Adora: [quietly, in disbelief] You always said you didn't care about things like that...

Young Catra: [cries out, tears falling] Well, I was lying, obviously!

A few people gasped, though no one said anything after the way Catra reacted last time.

They glitch back to Present Adora and Catra; Catra begins to walk away.

Adora: [runs after and grabs onto Catra's shoulder] Catra, just wait!

Catra: [removes and holds Adora's arm above their heads] Why do you think I gave the sword back to you in the Fright Zone? I didn't want you to come back, Adora!

There were more gasps. 

Adora blinked back tears.

Catra releases Adora's arm, walking away as Adora stands in shocked disbelief; the room glitches and spider bots screech behind Adora as she gasps.

Adora: [draws the sword; shouting] For the honor of--[grunts as spider bot goo shoots the sword out of her grasp and knocks her to the ground] Huh?

The Fright Zone simulation is glitching as Catra grunts, running past a bunch of glitching memories.

Young Lonnie: You were fighting dirty.

Shadow Weaver: Insolent child.

Adora: I'm sorry, Catra--

Catra: [shouts haltingly as she swipes at holograms] Let. Me. OUT OF HERE!

Catra groans as she falls to the ground on all fours; she hears a crying noise, stands and turns, finding a younger Catra, maybe 5 or younger, crying and hiding her face in a blanket on their bunk in the Fright Zone.

Young Adora: [peers from around a doorway] ...Catra?

Young Catra continues to sob as Young Adora walks to her; Young Adora peels back the cover from Young Catra's face, and Young Catra hisses.

Young Adora: [reassuringly] Catra, it's okay, it's just me. [sits next to her as Young Catra wipes away tears] It doesn't matter what they do to us, you know? You look out for me, and I look out for you. Nothing really bad can happen as long as we have each other.

Young Catra and Present Catra: You promise?

A few people in the crowd now had tears in their eyes from the scene.

Young Adora: I promise.

Young Catra clings onto Young Adora for a few moments.

Young Adora: [slightly chuckling]...Come on, let's go back out.

They stand and walk away; Young Catra stops before following Young Adora the rest of the way, and stares up at Present Catra for a long moment, then follows; Catra gets a determined look on her face as the room around her glitches back to darkness.

The scene changes to another part of the Crystal Castle. Adora grunts as she fights the spider bots, destroying an eye and ripping a piece off and tossing it away; she runs to strain to remove her sword from where it's stuck by the goo overlooking a chasm. Adora shouts as spider goo traps her from behind and a spider lifts her over the chasm.

Adora: Stop it, I'm not your enemy. Light Hope... Just let me talk to Light Hope!

She grunts as she shoves off the spider's leg with her feet, causing her to fall; she shouts, but swings the goo around her arms to latch onto a rock along the chasm wall; the spider sparks and screeches before metal crashing nearby is heard; Catra grunts as she destroys all the spiders.

"Oh no..."

Adora: [hopeful] Catra?

Catra: [holding the sword, rubs a finger along its side] Hey, Adora.

Adora: [pleading] Catra, help me, please...

Catra: [contemplatively unhurried] This thing wouldn't work for me if I tried, would it? It only works for you. Then again, you're special. That's what Shadow Weaver always said.

Adora: [angrily] Catra...what are you doing?

Catra: Ah, you know? It all makes sense now. You've always been the one holding me back. You wanted me to think I needed you. You wanted me to feel weak. Every hero needs a sidekick, right?

"That's- that's not true..." Adora muttered quietly, "That's not true," she said louder, "You know that, right?"

Catra looked at her numbly, raising an eyebrow.

"It's not true," Adora repeated.

Adora: [desperately] Catra, no, that's not how it was...

"I never wanted you to be my sidekick- I never wanted you to be less than me! Our plans were always that we'd be equal- that we'd be a team, not just one in charge." 

Everyone glanced back and forth from the argument on screen to what Adora was saying in the cinema.

Catra: [laughs humorlessly] The sad thing is, I've spent all this time hoping you'd come back to the Horde, when really you leaving was the best thing that ever happened to me. [lowers sword near the goo holding Adora up] I am so much stronger than anyone [cuts a few strands of the goo] ever thought.

Adora grunts, losing one hand holding onto the goo.

Catra looked like she was going to respond, but faltered.

"I... I still don't think you're a bad person, Catra- not really -"

"Oh yeah? Really?" Catra said sarcastically, "You don't think I'm a bad person? That's funny. Really hilarious."

Catra: [contemplatively] I wonder what I could've been if I'd gotten rid of you sooner...

Catra cuts the last of the goo holding Adora up; Adora shrieks as she falls, catching a rock handhold on the way down.

"It's-It's not -"

Adora: [breathing heavily; desperately] I-I'm sorry! I never meant to make you feel like you were second best! Please don't do this!

The light in the room glitches away making room for darkness; Catra looks at the sword, then tosses it into the chasm; it clangs on the way down, Adora gasps lightly.

"Just shut up," Catra seemed to have made up her mind, "I've finally shown you how much stronger, how much smarter I am, more than anyone thought, and now you want me on your side. Well, I'm not going to fall for it. I might've- maybe- two years ago, but not now."

Catra: Bye, Adora. I really am going to miss you.

The room continues to disappear.

Adora: [shouts desperately] Catra! Catra, no! [pants and breaths heavily, beginning to tear up]

Light Hope: Adora.

Light Hope: [haltingly] You must. Let. Go.

Adora sobs lightly as tears fall; she lets her hand slip from the rock.

There were more gasps from the audience, but nobody was quite sure whether they were from what happened in the tv show or what Catra had said. Adora looked like she still wanted to convince her, but she didn't know what to say.

The scene switches to Entrapta's lab in the Fright Zone. Entrapta works on Emily, her tools zapping. Scorpia is talking to Entrapta about Catra when she arrives. Catra gives Entrapta the data crystal.

Scorpia: [happily] Oh, man, I knew Catra could do it. [Catra goes to leave] It's like I was telling you, [enunciating] she is the best friend ever.

Scorpia grimaced. Catra returned to glowering at the screen.

Catra: ...Just keep it down. I'm going to bed.

The door slides shut behind her. The screen faded to black.

Nobody said anything, still in shock from what was definitely the hardest episode to get through so far, until Lady Noire appeared on the screen. She sighed, "Darn, I was actually really hoping for an early Catra redemption- guess it didn't work that well."

Catra scowled. "Why do you keep saying that?" she said through gritted teeth.

"Because your redemption is like- the best thing ever!" Lady Noire said with a smile, "I mean- it's super dramatic in the actual show, but honestly it's just so much more fun when you're a part of the Best Friend Squad." She hesitated for a moment. "And it would also be super awkward if you aren't redeemed in here by the time you get redeemed in the show. It's this big thing where you get a sort of redemption, then two episodes later you're like, un-redeemed, but then in the next episode you actually get redeemed and join the Rebellion...yeah."

"...what?"

"Catra joins the Rebellion?" Adora asked faintly, a small smile on her face. Catra narrowed her eyes.

"Of course! Your-uh, teamwork- yeah, teamwork, and-uh, friendship saves the world! Pretty cool, eh?"

"No!"

"Meh..."

"It's alright, though," said Lady Noire, "I'm sure you'll get redeemed eventually. I mean, we already got part of your story out there so... now it's just a whole bunch of more abandonment and betrayal and then you'll get through this! But we've still got four more seasons, so let's move on. The next episode is called Light Hope."

Chapter Text

The scene starts with Adora falling down in the Crystal Castle. Disembodied voices of Adora's memories play around her.

Light Hope: Hello, Adora.

Shadow Weaver: Adora...

[Glimmer and Bow laughing]

Catra: Every hero needs a sidekick...right?

Adora: For the honor...of Grayskull!

Entrapta: I just need a little more time!

Adora screams, then again in surprise at new scenery.

"Wow... that was dramatic," Mermista commented, though it was obvious that there was still tension in the room.

Light Hope: Hello, Adora. [Adora shrieks] You've come at last.

"So... that's Light Hope?"

Adora only nodded.

Adora: Light Hope... I can't believe I'm really seeing you. I mean, I've seen you [chuckles nervously] in my brain, I think. But this is real! [chuckles nervously again] Is this real? Wait, am I dead? I fell...I'm sorry, I'm freaking out. [clears throat] I'm Adora.

Light Hope: Yes, I know. I have been waiting for you since you were an infant, but I could not reach you. And I could not protect you from the Horde. I watched you grow up from afar.

"That's creepy."

Adora: Wow, that's--that's kind of creepy, honestly.

Light Hope: Creepy? Yes. I have been called this before. I chose this form so as not to alarm you, but if it does not suit you, I will choose another.

The scene changes to Glimmer's room in the Bright Moon castle.

Glimmer: But shouldn't she be [glitches and grunts] back by now? She said she was gonna [glitches and grunts] get training to [glitches and grunts] fix me! How long is that going to take--[runs into chair, chair squeaks across floor] OW! [sharp intake of breath] And what kind of monster puts a chair here?!

"That's your room -"

"I know that!"

Guard: Princess? There's, uh, something here to see you.

Glimmer: Don't you mean someone?

Guard: No. I mean something.

"I am not a 'something'," Swift Wind huffed.

Swift Wind clops and whinnies down the hallway.

Bow: Our horse!

Swift Wind: I am my own horse. Call me [in a deeper, more regal voice] Swift Wind!

Glimmer and Bow are in awe of Swift Wind.

Swift Wind: [blusters] --Great! I think Adora needs our help. Since Adora transformed me, I've been able to feel where she is at all times. It's like instinct. But now I feel a pull, as if I'm being summoned to her side. As part of Adora's herd, I need your help. Will you come?

Glimmer glitches but they still choose to go to Adora. Angella opens the door, but she lets them go.

The scene changes to Entrapta's lab in the Fright Zone.

Catra: Okay, I--what is going on here?

Entrapta: [busts through a vent with her hair] Catra! You got my note.

Catra: The one you dropped on my head from the air vent that says, 'Come to my lab'?

Entrapta: Yes, that's the one. I've made great strides in analyzing the data from the First Ones data crystal you brought me... Look!

Catra: Where did all of this come from?

Entrapta: Oh, you know. Here and there...rooms...

"Wait- you went in our rooms?" Lonnie said, eyeing Entrapta suspiciously.

"Possibly, but it was for science!"

"...Right..."

Catra: Were there people in these rooms?

Entrapta: Well, not when I went back to take the stuff.

Catra: [chuckles] You definitely belong here with us.

Catra shifted in her seat.

Entrapta fits the crystal into a slot, machines whir to life.

Entrapta: Look at these readings. It's incredible, this seems to confirm my theories about the techno-organic nature of First Ones machinery resulting in thaumaturlogical compatibility between magic and science! [laughs maniacally]

"...What does that mean -"

Catra: I'm going to need you to try again, but this time, talk like a normal person.

Entrapta: Scorpia seems like she understands.

Scorpia is scribbling on a notepad.

Catra: Scorpia is drawing stick figures holding hands.

Scorpia: I call it 'Super Pal Trio'! This is me, this is Catra, and I think it's clear, come on. I mean, I'm a bit of an artist.

"That looks great!" Perfuma encouraged, sending a soft smile towards Scorpia. She blushed.

Entrapta: [slowly and enunciating syllables] I looked at the rock, which is a crys-tal, and used math...wait, do I have to explain math to you?

Catra: [groans exasperatedly] Yes or no, did the crystal give you enough data to upgrade our weapons?

Entrapta: Weapons? HA! This is so much bigger than weapons. This could change everything. Etheria's not just a planet. Whatever the First Ones did to it, it went deep.

"The Heart of Etheria," Adora muttered.

Catra: And what does that mean?

Entrapta: You're asking me about my theories? I've waited years for someone to ask me about my theories! Hang on, I made a model!

Catra grunts as she and Scorpia are pulled offscreen by Entrapta.

The scene changes back to the Crystal Castle. Light Hope introduces herself to Adora.

Light Hope: You are She-Ra, Etheria's champion, appointed by the First Ones to protect and unite our planet. There have been many before you, but the line was broken. [Adora gasps when the hologram She-Ra disappears] You are the first She-Ra in a thousand years.

"That's... uh, Mara, right?" Frosta questioned. 

"Yeah."

The scene changes back to Entrapta.

Entrapta: Behold! Etheria. The First Ones didn't just settle on the surface of Etheria, their technology runs throughout the planet's core. This whole planet it's--it's all First Ones' tech.

Scene Transition back to the Crystal Castle.

Light Hope: Everything on Etheria is connected. The princesses are granted power over the elements through their Runestones. As She-Ra, it is your duty to bring the princesses together. Only then can balance be restored to Etheria.

"But that's what we need to do, isn't it?" Glimmer said frustratedly, glancing at Adora, "That's the only way -"

"No, it isn't. It'll destroy the Horde but it'll also destroy the entire world!"

Glimmer sunk in her seat.

"So my theories were all correct," Entrapta muttered to herself, eyes wide.

Scene Transition back to the Fright Zone.

Catra: And what are these supposed to be?

Entrapta: Runestones. From the data I've managed to extract, they regulate the planet through the princesses. They're directly connected to each other and to the planet's power grid in a delicate balance.

Catra: Which means?

Entrapta: Which means they're our best access point to hack the planet.

"Uh- yeah, that's not a good idea," Mermista drawled.

Scene Transition back to the Crystal Castle.

Light Hope: When the princesses and their elements are in balance, Etheria functions as it should. [Adora gasps as Light Hope projects atrocities the Horde has committed] But the Horde is destroying us in their quest for power. There is no predicting what they will do next.

Scene Transition back to the Fright Zone.

Catra: Hack the planet?

Entrapta: Hypothetically, but it's not so simple. There's only a handful of Runestones in the whole world.

Scorpia: Runestone? You mean like the Black Garnet? 'Cause [chuckles] we have the Black Garnet.

Entrapta: The Black Garnet? You have a Runestone? The Fright Zone has a Runestone?

"Wait- but aren't you a princess?" Kyle asked, looking at Entrapta, "Shouldn't you have a- what's it called- Runestone thing too?"

"No, those only belong to the elemental princesses! Most princesses don't actually have Runestones, or Scorpia, for example, isn't connected to her Runestone."

Scorpia: Uh, duh. It was my family's. But when the Horde landed, we gave it to Hordak, who then gave it to Shadow Weaver, who--you know, you tell a friend, he tells a friend, it's like, it's kind of one of those things.

Scorpia grunts when Entrapta latches onto her.

Entrapta: [manically, yelling] Where is it?! Can I see it, can I touch it?!

Catra: Okay, calm down. What exactly are you planning on doing to the Black Garnet?

Entrapta: If we hack the Runestone grid, we could boost the Garnet's power and use it for...well, anything. As a power source, as--

Catra: A weapon?

"So Entrapta really was the one who hacked the Black Garnet?" Perfuma murmured. She glanced over to Entrapta, who was only looking at the screen. 

Entrapta: Potentially! But if it's like my other experiments, the results will be explosive.

Scorpia: I don't think Shadow Weaver will like that.

Catra: Scorpia's right. Shadow Weaver won't like it. ...So, I will absolutely get you the Black Garnet. Leave it all to me.

Shadow Weaver muttered something under her breath; no one heard it, but it was obviously something about how terrible Catra was. 

Hordak's Imp skitters across the ventilation above their heads, crawls up to Hordak's throne.

Hordak: What do you have for me, little spy?

Imp: [opens mouth, a recording of Entrapta is replayed]: Catra! I've made great strides in analyzing the data from the First Ones data crystal you brought me... Look!

Catra scowled at the imp, knowing what trouble it caused her later. Still, it was helpful for that one project.

The scene changes to Crystal Castle.

Adora: This is all super good information, um, and I can't wait to hear more [chuckles nervously] just one thing, though--

Light Hope: Is there something you do not understand? I can start again from the beginning, if you would like. [Adora shakes her hands and groans negatively, Light Hope disappears then reappears where she stood initially in the room] I am Light Hope, Etheria's facilitator--

"Ugh, not again!"

Adora: Can we skip to the part about my powers? I need to learn how to heal my friend.

Light Hope: Her connection with her Runestone was disrupted.

Adora: Can I fix it?

Light Hope: You will be able to do many incredible things...with training.

Adora: Great. So, uh, how long will this training take--like a day, or--

Light Hope: Years.

"Years?!"

Adora: Years?! Glimmer doesn't have years. She's hurt because of me, I messed up. I got Glimmer and Bow captured, and Entrapta--it's my fault! ...I have to fix it.

"It wasn't your fault, Adora," Perfuma said.

Light Hope: Yes, your mission is to fix the planet.

Adora: My mission is to help my friends. That's why I came here.

Light Hope: You are She-Ra. Your purpose is to protect all of Etheria. You cannot help only your friends.

Adora: Why can't I do both?

Light Hope: Adora, you do not yet realize the power you have. [hand glitches as she 'touches' Adora's shoulder] You are distracted by your attachments. There was one before you who could not let go. Her name was Mara. Mara was the last She-Ra before you. She struggled with a power that she could not control. Until it became too much for her mind.

Adora: ...She snapped?

Light Hope: She was compromised. She gave in to fear and faulty reasoning. Her desperate actions led to devastation. Mara stranded us in the empty dimension of Despandos. She broke the She-Ra line. She nearly destroyed us.

"Wait- I thought Mara was good -"

"She is," Adora said immediately, "Light Hope- her programming- she's wrong."

Light Hope: ...Adora. I have waited here for a thousand years alone. I did not know if I would ever see another She-Ra. You must stay here and train. Learn to be the She-Ra that Mara could not be.

Adora: I will. I will do whatever you want. I'll come back, and train, and learn about everything. But I have to heal Glimmer first. I can save the planet and save her.

Adora gasps as Light Hope summons holograms of Adora's most regretted memories.

[Glimmer shouting in distress as she fights through Shadow Weaver's restraints in E9]

Catra: Adora? [backing away into the smoke at the assault on Thaymor in E2]

Entrapta: I just need a little more time--I just need a little more time! [typing into a keypad shortly before her 'demise' in E9]

Light Hope: You feel guilt at these memories. It is as you said, your friends are endangered by your presence. It is better to let go now.

"Y'know," Mermista commented as she tossed her last piece of popcorn in her mouth, "She's nearly as manipulative as Shadow Weaver. I don't like her."

Adora hesitated, but didn't say anything. Shadow Weaver didn't seem to react, though she rarely reacted to anything in the show.

The scene changes to the Black Garnet chamber in the Fright Zone. Entrapta and Scorpia are welding and placing metal panels.

Catra: Alright, hurry it up, those machines aren't going to hook up themselves.

Shadow Weaver: [angrily] They won't be hooked up at all.

"Uh oh..."

Scorpia: [losing her voice] Shadow Weaver! Uh--[clears throat]--We just, uh--

Shadow Weaver: [shouts, echoing] Silence! Did you really think you could invade my inner sanctum without me noticing? I never thought you were so bold as to openly rebel, but it will be my pleasure to put you back in your place!

Scorpia and Entrapta whimper in fear, Emily beeps.

Catra: Oh, Shadow Weaver. I can do whatever I want with this hunk of rock.

Shadow Weaver: [chuckles] Absurd, by whose authority?

Hordak: By mine.

Hordak pops up on a screen behind them, then all around the room.

"Oooh dramatic," Double Trouble drawled, "I like it."

Shadow Weaver: [surprised, respectfully] Lord Hordak! I don't understand.

Hordak: Catra and Entrapta have been working on a way to meld this strange First Ones tech with our machines to weaponize it. I found out...[scratches Imp's chin, Imp squeaks happily]...and was intrigued. I gave Force Captain Catra and her team my blessing to go ahead. ...So, understand, Shadow Weaver. I am displeased with your interruption.

Shadow Weaver: [desperate, angrily] My Lord, you're really going to let this--this princess tinker with my Runestone?!

Hordak: Her tinkering has increased the firepower of every weapon she's touched. So yes, she gets to tinker with whatever she wants. Including the Black Garnet, which is mine to give or take, as I see fit.

"Thank you, Hordak!" Entrapta said, oblivious to the tension growing in the room.

Shadow Weaver: You can't... You can't do this! I alone have learned how to draw power from it, a feat no sorceress has done before! I have unlocked its potential!

Hordak: And you wasted it on parlor tricks. Force Captain Catra, proceed. The Garnet is yours.

Catra: Yes, Lord Hordak.

Shadow Weaver: [exploding with shadowy magic in anger] NO!

Catra leaps out of the way of magic grunting, Scorpia groans as glass breaks all around them. The Black Garnet whirs with magical energy and bolts of lightning as Shadow Weaver charges up. After seeing Shadow Weaver generate a sphere of magic around herself, Scorpia grunts and lunges for her. Shadow Weaver yells, throwing binding magic on both Scorpia and Entrapta as Entrapta screams. Catra grunts as she dodges every magical blast.

A few people gasped, though no one else said anything.

Shadow Weaver: That's right, run away. It's the only thing you've ever been good at! [Pieces of the metal infrastructure in the room impale the ground where Catra stood] You have always been a disappointment. You've learned nothing from me!

Catra: Oh, no. I've learned everything from you. How to predict when you'll strike, how to dodge, how to resist. You thought you were punishing me all these years? Wrong. You were training me for this day!

Catra grunts as she claws at and breaks the piece of Runestone in Shadow Weaver's mask.

Shadow Weaver: [distraught, screaming] NO!

"Ooh," Double Trouble chuckled, "even more dramatic."

The magic dissipates; Scorpia groans in relief as she is let free, Entrapta embraces Emily as she beeps.

Shadow Weaver: [desperately, fiddling with the pieces of the Runestone on the floor] Come back...Come back to me! Come back to me!

Catra: Scorpia, restrain the sorceress. [the pieces of the Runestone clatter on the ground] We won't have to worry about her any longer. Entrapta, if you would.

Entrapta: Alright, everyone. Let's get weird.

The Black Garnet whirs with energy and builds up electrical magic around itself. The shadows in the room collect at the Runestone as it continues to whir louder; the sconces in the room shatter, Entrapta gasps; a raw blast of energy shoots up through the roof of the chamber into the sky, creating lightning.

"I remember this," Huntara grumbled, "That was Princess Entrapta?"

The people next to her nodded.

The scene changes to the Whispering Woods. Swift Wind is talking to the Glimmer and Bow as a giant bug emerges, but then runs away.

Swift Wind: [nervously] I feel something. We should run. ...No. We have to get Adora. Adora, then run.

The scene changes back to the Fright Zone.

Entrapta: Amazing! The Garnet is siphoning energy at a near exponential rate. Yet the output is still building...!

Catra: What does that mean?

Entrapta: It means things are getting interesting.

"Uhh, you mean things are getting dangerous?" Mermista scoffed.

The scene changes back to the Whispering Woods. It's snowing. There's a sudden explosion of cold wind.

Glimmer: What's happening?!

Swift Wind: The bad thing!

The crew makes their way to the front of the Crystal Castle, pounding on the side and grunting. Swift Wind's horn glows with magic, he touches the castle, and the door rumbles open. The castle glows red. They make their way to the main room.

Spider robots chitter and squeal nearby, both Glimmer and Bow scream.

The scene changes to the Crystal Castle in Adora's mind. Adora gasps when the room around her glitches.

"Woah," Entrapta gasped, "Is this inside Adora's mind?"

"Uh- yeah, I think it is."

Light Hope: [Distorted, pitch shifting randomly] The Horde is hurting us. Balance Etheria.

Adora: [desperately, panicking] Light Hope? Light Hope, come back! I don't--I don't know what to do.

Swift Wind: [disembodied, hauntingly] Adoraa...[normally] Adora!

Adora: Our horse?

"I am no one's horse!"

Swift Wind: Once again, I'm no one's horse. I'm Swift Wind.

Adora: [shocked] You can talk?

Swift Wind: Yes, I can talk.

Adora: [still shocked] You can talk?

"Ugh! Is this going to happen every time you see Swift Wind?" Mermista groaned.

"No, they got used to it after a while."

Swift Wind: I can see now why you're friends with Bow and Glimmer. They need your help, which is why I'm here. So....which way's the exit?

Adora: I don't know. Light Hope disappeared and I-I don't know if I should go back.

Swift Wind: What do you mean?

Adora: Light Hope said if I leave here, I'll make things worse. She's right. Everyone will be better off if I just stay far away from them. It's-It's for the greater good.

"That's stupid."

Swift Wind: [deadpans] Well, that's just stupid.

Adora: [incredulous] What? No, it's not.

Swift Wind: Adora, I've had the ability to form complex thought for like...a week, and even I know you can't help anyone by hiding. Where would all the horses I freed from their barns be if I just sat in a pasture and moped?

Adora: [scoffing] I am not moping...

"You are moping."

Adora: I'm not! I hurt people, I ruined my friends' lives!

Swift Wind: If that's true, then why are Bow and Glimmer here trying to rescue you?

Hologram of Bow and Glimmer fighting off the spiders and holding Adora in reality.

Swift Wind: Bow and Glimmer are risking their lives. Not because you're She-Ra, but because you're their friend. What good is all your power if you don't use it to help the people that you love?

Adora: ...I'm not Mara. I'm not the She-Ras of the past. I didn't do this to fulfill some destiny. I became She-Ra to help others. My attachments, my friends, are a part of who I am.

"Woohoo! Go Adora!" Perfuma cheered.

Swift Wind: So. Are you staying? Or going?

Glimmer: [yelling in happiness] Adora! You're back!

Bow: [Voice cracking, shouting] Adora! Spiders!

Adora: For the honor...of Grayskull!

She transforms into She-Ra and stabs the spiders. The door to the castle opens and they charge out into the blizzard, Swift Wind neighing and She-Ra cutting their path through the forest; a tree falling causes everyone to gasp.

She-Ra: Now, Swifty!

Swift Wind huffed, clearly not happy with the nickname.

Swift Wind: Hold on!

Everyone shouts as Swift Wind ascends past the clouds.

Bow: Guys, look!

Glimmer: It's not just the woods...it's...

Adora: It's the entire world.

Entrapta's eyes widened.

The scene changes to the Fright Zone. Lightning strikes frequently near the building housing the Black Garnet and the energy erupting from it.

Scorpia: Wow...[gasps, fearful] What do you think it's doing?

Catra: I don't know. But I can work with this.

The screen fades to black.

"Well," Lady Noire appeared, "That was.. not gonna lie, that was sort of a boring episode. I don't really like Light Hope. However, the next episode is the last episode of season 1!"

"Can I get a refill of popcorn?" Mermista drawled.

"Of course!" said Lady Noire cheerfully, "Anyways, not much to say here, get ready for... the Battle of Bright Moon!"

Chapter Text

Episode begins with a storm that covers everything in blue ice. Glimmer, Adora as She-Ra, and Bow fly in on the back of Swift Wind. Music is very dramatic. Adora looks back at the Fright Zone, which is covered in red lightning.

Adora: It's coming from the Fright Zone! Whatever's happening, the Horde is causing it!

Bow: The Whispering Woods are freezing over! What'll we do?

Glimmer glitches and falls forward, Bow catches her.

Glimmer: We have to get home! We have to make sure everyone at Bright Moon is okay.

Lightning strikes, the scene changes to where Catra watches the storm from her perch.

Scorpia: Catra! You've gotta see this! Tidal waves, Fire Storms, Earthquakes.. maaaan, Etheria's really taking this hard. I mean-- Yay for us but also wow.

Entrapta: [Spinning in her chair, talking to her recorder] The experiment has been more effective than I could ever have dreamed, this proves my hypothesis correct!

"How can you.. just be okay with that?" Perfuma asked quietly, glancing at Entrapta, who still had a blank look on her face.

Entrapta: With the Black Garnet functioning at two hundred percent power the precarious equilibrium that governs all of Etheria's natural functions has been thrown into complete chaos! No doubt as a result of the other elemental runestones-- ey!

Catra stops her chair with her foot.

Catra: [Recorder in hand] Translate.

Entrapta: [Annoyed, she trivializes] By making the Black Garnet more powerful, we've sapped power from the other princesses Runestones, upsetting the balance and making the weather go screwy. It's all in my notes if you'd like to--

Catra: Woa woa woa woa wait! What was that you just said about making the other princesses less powerful?

Glimmer scoffed, "Of course that's the only thing you think about."

Catra rolled her eyes.

Entrapta: Well the Elemental princesses, that is. You don't have to worry about me and Scorpia. I don't have a runestone and Scorpia doesn't appear to have any connection to the Black Garnet anymore-- if she ever did.

Scorpia: Huh? Somebody say my name?

Catra: And how would we make an effect like that... Permanent?

Catra taps on a light connected to the Black Garnet with her claw.

Entrapta: Well, I'd have to run more tests to know for sure but--

Catra shatters the green light, the rest of the machines' green lights go out. The red light on top gets brighter.

Entrapta: Or yeah, that should work too.

Everyone gasped.

Catra: Get a strike team together, we're going to Bright Moon.

Scorpia: Bright Moon? Why?

Catra: Because, we're going to take out Bright Moon's Runestone, and with the Whispering Woods frozen over... there's nothing stopping us.

"Oh no..."

Pans to a magical window showing Bright Moon and their Runestone. The scene then switches to Queen Angella with the Moonstone, looking pretty glum in the gray of the sky. She recharges the stone and herself and sends a beacon into the sky for Glimmer and the team to see in the shadowy storm. Glimmer and the squad scream and hold on for dear life as they try to navigate the storm. 

Glimmer: [staring at a beacon of light] That's Bright Moon! It's the distress beacon.

They land. Glimmer runs to Angella.

Glimmer: Mom! [hugs] What's going on?

Angella: [calmly] The elements are out of harmony. The Moonstone is using all its power to counteract the growing cloud of darkness.... but it's not enough. It's taking nearly all my strength just to keep my connection with it.

Micah looked more concerned than before. He still wasn't completely sure if this was real, but he did know that Angella wasn't there, and that there must have been a reason for it.

She-Ra turns into Adora.

Adora: That cloud is coming from the Fright Zone

Bow: So what's our plan? We do have a plan.. right? Guys?

Adora: [watching the woods break apart, frozen] The woods are frozen over. There's nothing left to shield Bright Moon from the Horde. We have to prepare for an attack.

Catra seemed like she was going to make a remark, but faltered. She had been unusually quiet since her outburst at the end of Promise.

The scene changes to the war room.

Bow: our scouts have reported sighting the entire Horde Army in the woods, moving towards us at top speed.

Angella: We must protect Bright Moon at all costs. If the moonstone is destroyed, there will be nothing left to stop the darkness.

Bow: Someone must've seen the distress beacon by now, why hasn't anyone come?

Adora: The Alliance is broken and other princesses have their own kingdoms to protect. [defeated] No one's coming Bow.

"Hey, we came!" Frosta grumbled.

Guard: Someone's come!

Bow: [excited] Is it the princesses?

The guard moves to the right, showing Netassa and Spinnerella.

Bow: [Deflated] Oh. [fake enthusiasm] Spinnerella and Netossa ha ha, thanks for coming guys...

"Uh, you know that we are princesses too, right?" Netossa scoffed. Bow chuckled awkwardly.

Netossa explains her name. Angella tries to convince Glimmer not to fight, and Adora agrees.

Bow: Adora, not even She-Ra can take on an army of Horde soldiers ALL on her own.

Adora: [distraught] Than what good is she?

Bow looks hurt, Adora walks away.

"Adora!" Perfuma scolded, "You're worth more than just She-Ra. Y-you're our friend!"

"Thanks."

Bow and Glimmer glance at one another. Adora stares up at the Moonstone.

Glimmer: Adora... are you okay?

Adora: Catra will be leading the Horde when they attack. I have to face her. I can't let her hurt anyone else.

Catra scowled.

Glimmer: What happened to you in that first one's temple?

Adora: I saw Catra in there. I thought I could get through to her, but all I did was push her farther to the side of evil. Light Hope said that I'd endanger my friends by coming back and she was right. Everything that's happening now is my fault...

"Nah," Mermista said, "it's obviously all Catra's fault."

Catra looked like she was going to defend herself, but shrugged. "Yeah," she muttered, looking at the ground. 

The others looked at her in shock.

Glimmer: You've got this. And we've got your back.

The squad embraces one another in a tri-hug.

Glimmer: Now come on, the Horde will be here soon. We have to be ready.

They walk back into the castle. Glimmer pushes open two doors, her friends stand there in awe.

Glimmer: Welcome to the Bright Moon armory! Well it's not really but I've been sneaking weapons and stashing them in here for months!

"Wh- you just made your own armory??" Micah asked with eyes wide open.

Angella gives Glimmer Micah's staff and Adora transforms into She-Ra. The team hurries outside, in their battle clothes, and sees the Horde down by the water. Adora, looking overwhelmed, is comforted by her friends. The Horde Tanks begin firing green balls of energy at the runestone.

Adora: Defend the Castle.

Adora leaps up and slices the energy ball in half, landing in the water below. She swipes her sword through the water and the water propels back and pushes the tanks back toward the forest. She slices off the top and tosses the hatch to the ground, but looking down, notices a bit late that they've been rigged to explode. She's hurdled back into the water by the explosion but manages to find her way to her feet before being assaulted by skiffs shooting lasers.

"This is going to be interesting," Double Trouble drawled, leaning back into their seat and eating some popcorn.

Glimmer: Adora! [Sees the moonstone dim, Glitches] She-Ra needs our help.

Angella: Go to her. I'll keep the Moonstone lit in the darkness away from the battlefield as long as I can.

A few people's eyes got watery as Angella protected Bright Moon.

Bow and Glimmer take off, Angella heads to the stone and nurtures it's fading light, causing the stone to release a wave of blue light that knocks all their enemies to the ground. She-Ra faces down a still powered skiff, running her sword down its side as it runs past her. The person jumps from the machine just before it crashes. Spider machines that shoot lasers come from the forest, it's shot from an unknown person and falls to the ground. She-Ra looks up and see's Glimmer and Bow overhead on Swiftwind, laughing. Glimmer jumps down from Swift Wind and stabs the butt of her Staff into a Spider machine, jumping away before it explodes. Bow fires arrows from the back of Swift Wind, taking out another Spider Machine. She-Ra throws her sword at a Spider machine, crippling another. She then retrieves her sword and hearing a machine fire, looks back in time to see part of the castle be destroyed by a blast. Finding the machine, she turns her sword into a shield and intercepts another blast, refracting the beam and causing her to be knocked back into the water. Breathless, she turns to look at the Moonstone and is caught unaware by a green blast, which knocks her to the ground and causes her to lose her shield in the water. In clear pain and without a weapon, she searches the water for her shield, vision dimming, looks up to see Catra watching her from atop a tank.

Everyone stayed quiet during the fight scenes, most people finally reaching out for their popcorn.

Catra: Hey Adora.

Adora: Catra [She grinds out] Surprised to see me?

Catra: Not really, I figured it wouldn't be that easy to get rid of you.

"Uh- so then what was the point of dropping her off that cliff?"

Catra didn't answer.

Adora growls and runs at Catra, slamming her fists into the Tank Catra had been standing on, crushing it. Catra flips easily onto a floating rock, unamused.

Catra: You know, I'm actually glad you did make it out of there alive....

"Aww-"

Catra: because now.. [her claws come out] I can take you out myself.

"Oh," Perfuma trailed off.

Catra leaps from the rock, claws at the ready, and slashes straight for us. Meanwhile, Bow and Swiftwind are working with Glimmer, who is knocking out Horde soldiers with her Staff.

Scorpia: Well isn't that nice? You've accessorized! Not that it's going to help you!

"I'm so sorry -"

"Scorpia, you've already apologized. It's fine."

Spinnerella flies down between them and blows Scorpia away with her wind powers. Netossa tosses a net-ball at Scorpia, netting her and her gang.

Netassa: Boom! Nets!

"Lovely nets, darling."

Adora and Catra continue their fight. Adora swings her sword and Catra jumps out of range, Adora swings her fist, Catra leaps out of range, Adora kicks and Catra is already way out of reach. Adora punches at Catra, but her fist hits the wall where Catra had been, Catra having evaded her again. Catra laughs as Adora swings again and misses. Adora punches, and punches and punches, but Catra slips by her over and over again. But this time, Catra swings up and manages to connect. Angry, Adora punches, but Catra has already jumped beyond her reach.

Catra: Tired already? I thought punching was supposed to be like-- the one thing you're good at.

Adora throws a pebble at her which hits her between the eyes.

Adora: And I thought you were supposed to be quicker.

"Seriously? A tiny rock?"

Adora jumps up at her and Catra screams in panic as Adora swings her fists again. Catra jumps away, but she's pushed to the edge of a cliff. Adora swings again, but Catra jumps down, somersaults and lands on a floating stone below. Before she can get a break, she looks up and sees Adora jumping after her. Adora pulverizes the stone, causing them both to fall to the ground, albeit on their feet.

Adora: Give it up Catra, there's no way you win this.

Catra: [Sneers] I already made it a lot further than anyone thought I would.

Catra kicks up a large stone, causing Adora to block with her forearm and lose sight of her. Using this advantage, Catra climbs up on the rocks and uses the leverage to push off and swipe at Adora, she misses, as Adora swings her fist forward, however Catra uses this opportunity to flip onto Adora's back and run her claws down her shoulder blades.

Catra: You on the other hand, you're not looking so good.

Adora grimaced, though no one said anything while watching the fight.

Adora reaches back and grabs Catra's arm, holding her to her as she slams her back into the rock wall so hard the wall crumbles. Adora then falls forward and swings back at Catra, but catra jumps away before she can connect. Catra laughs.

Adora: This isn't over!

Catra: OF COURSE it's not over!

Catra lands on Adora's back, pushing her to the ground, and scrapes her claws across her cheek, causing Adora to scream in pain.

Catra: It won't be over until Bright Moon is destroyed and the rebellion falls. It won't be OVER until darkness covers Etheria forever. And it won't be over until I see the looks on your friends' faces when they find out you failed. That you were too WEAK to save them!

Glimmer and Bow gasped quietly.

Something snaps in Adora, she lights up and carves a large boulder from the ground and throws it into the floating rock Catra had been perching on. Catra falls, but manages to hold onto the side of a cliff, dangling by four fingers. Adora reaches down, grabs her by her shirt, pulls her up and slams her into a stone wall.

Adora: Enough! You've lost Catra.

Catra: [Smiling] You sure about that?

Adora glances to her left. A multitude of tanks fire at Bright Moon, Spiders, and skiffs aiming for the moonstone, which is barely lit by Queen Angella. Adora watches as the forcefield generated by Angella shatters, the Queen too weak to hold it together, The Lasers reach the Moonstone and Angella hastily builds a forcefield around herself, forcing her energy into the stone.

"Ooh, it really wasn't looking good before we showed up," Frosta grimaced.

Catra: What? Did you really think this was about you?

Catra jumps from Adora's grip, pushing Adora to the ground in her daze.

Catra: That Runestone is your last defense.... isn't it? HAHAHAHA! Have fun!

Glimmer knocks lasers away, but there are too many. A wave of Gold light bursts from the Moonstone.

Glimmer: NO! [looking back at the stone, she Glitches]

Queen Angella screams, funneling all her strength into keeping the runestone lit. She looks back and sees a Spider heading towards her, but she knows if she stops the stone will go dark.

"Angella!" Micah gasped.

On the ground, Glimmer fights to reach her mother, but is intercepted by Scorpia.

Scorpia: So where were we? Oh yeah, I was about to punch you!

"I'm- right, I'm not-uh apologizing, sorry, oh wait! sorry-ah-"

"It's fine, Scorpia."

Adora fights the Horde in the water, kicking and punching and throwing them over her shoulder.

Adora: Where's my shield? {She searches the water]

"Come on, Adora, you can do it!"

"Uh- you know this already happened? You were there, Perfuma!"

"I know that...I was just being encouraging."

Before she can find it, she's roped by an electrical cord manned by a Horde soldier. Another follows suit. Until she's ropes on four sides by electrifying cordage, forcing her to her knees. She screams. Bow nocks a random soldier out with his bow and, looking down, he notices Adora's shield in the water.

Bow: uuh ohh. [He hears Adora's screams and finds her bound by the electrocuting ropes, pulled tight by four Horde soldiers.]

"Yeah, go Bow!"

Angella is at her breaking point. she seems to not have anything left. A spider fires at her and she manages to avoid being hit. She looks back and sees the spider nearly upon her. She holds the stone with one hand and fires back at the spider, but it merely stuns it. Fearing she hasn't any more power, she forms a shield around herself and focuses on the stone. The Shield is too weak, and when the spider fires, it slams her into the walls of the platform. Unconscious, the stone goes dark. Glimmer, mid battle with Scorpia, sees the light go out. She gasps in horror as the stone is fired upon once more and red lightning surrounds it. Angry, she glitches.

Micah looked too worried to say anything.

Scorpia: Huu, pretty!

Back in the Fright Zone, Entrapta is with the Black Garnet. She pushes down her welders mask and watches the stone with a sad face. Adora is still tied up and on her knees. She sees Catra approach her, eyes dimming.

Catra: Now, it's over.

Adora falls forward, exhaustion and pain winning. Catra turns back to the Moonstone, now dead in the sky.

"Now that was dramatic. Well done, kitten," Double Trouble smirked. 

Catra scowled.

Glimmer, glitching, fights back Scorpia and somehow activates her staff with the power of the Glitch, using the power to push Scorpia off the staircase they'd been fighting on and into the water below.

Swift Wind: Come on!

An unconscious Angella is about to be obliterated by a Spider. Glimmer sees from above, and jumps from Swift Wind into the spider, damaging it enough for swift-wind to kick off the platform. Adora looks up, bound and on her knees, at Catra, vision doubled. Suddenly, the wind picks up and pushes Catra and the Horde Soldiers away. Netossa, Spinnerella, and Bow appear in a gust of wind, courtesy of Spinnerella.

Bow: Adora? Adora!

Netossa throws a net ball at Catra, but instead of capturing Catra, it actually forms a shield around her and her comrades. Bow struggles to help Adora.

Once again, everyone stayed quiet.

Bow: Come on, [pushes the cords off of her] Don't give up yet. Please! We can still fix this, right? [Hands her her shield] Please tell me we can fix this.

Adora looks at herself in her reflection, feeling defeated. She watches as Catra and the Horde prepare for another barrage of laser fire, the castle is in ruins, the stone is black.

Adora: ah.. I.. I am sorry, [ominous, sad, whispery music]

Bow: it's okay, [Hugs her]

"Uh- you forgot about us?" Mermista drawled.

Spinnerella, Netassa, Bow and Adora all embrace, waiting for the end. Catra and the Horde prepare to fire. But suddenly, Adora's gemstone begins to glow, and water begins to float. Miraculous music begins to play and a torrential wave comes barreling in manned by none other than Mermista.

"There we are."

Sea Hawk: ADVENTURE! [tries to light boat on fire, gets drenched]

"Don't do that."

Mermista: Don't do that.

Sea Hawk: Sorry.

The wave grows, arcing over Adora's head. Mermista focuses and raises her arms, forming a cave-like structure over her friends as she forces the wave toward the Horde. She pushes the Horde away and deboards her ship in a flow of magical water, accompanied by Sea Hawk.

Adora: Mermista! Sea Hawk! You Came!

Mermista: Yea- sorry it so long, the sea kiiiinda sucked today.

"How did it take you so long to come, though?" Glimmer wondered.

"It was Sea Hawk's fault."

Catra, waterlogged, coughs and looks back at her men, half drowned.

Catra: Come on, GET UP!

Vines wrap around the still moving Horde, pulling them toward the ground and pinning them to trees. They bind the tanks and weave around Catra, flower petals fall from the sky. A vine-riding Perfuma comes from the depths of the forest, covering the trees with pink flowers in her wake.

Perfuma: I saw the distress beacon are you all okay?

"Yeah! Woohoo!" Perfuma cheered.

Adora looks to her friends, and they all prepare to fight once more, their morale restored by the princesses. Adora herself glows brightly. Catra breaks her vines and frees herself, watching Adora's strange glow. Then she leaps into a Tank and aims for the Moonstone, firing directly at it. The beam slams into the platform's single column, shattering it and causing it to tip with Queen Angella and Glimmer still atop it.

Adora: No!

Then it's frozen, and reinforced by ice. Catra's hands are covered in frost. She looks up to see glaciers of ice slam up from the ground, forming a wall between the Horde and Adora and her friends. In skates Frosta on a narrow slide of ice. She flips to the ground.

Frosta: I hope I'm not too late.

Adora glows.

Adora: No! You're right on time!

Adora turns to Catra, who growls, but Adora closes her eyes, still glowing, turns her shield back into a sword and swings it over her head.

Adora: FOR ETHERIA!

The stone in her sword lights, she lights and glows even brighter than before, nearly blinding everyone and whiting out the screen. Glimmer is seen shielding her eyes from the light.

Angella: Glimmer?

Glimmer: [Runs to her mom's arms] MOM!

She-Ra's light snakes past Glimmer and into the stone, giving it light once more, and rejuvenating queen Angella. The stone shakes and bursts with a blinding gold light that forces all the darkness away. The light reaches all kingdoms, restoring all runestones to their natural strength and completely darkening the Black Garnet. Queen Angella, now restored, heals Glimmer's glitching, giving her back her ability to teleport, much to her delight.

The audience that was part of the Rebellion cheered.

Glimmer then teleports away, whilst Queen Angella cultivates the Stone. Everybody breaks away and begins to fight. Suddenly, Adora looks down at the Runestone in her sword, and Glimmer and Bow touch it. Glimmer glows pink, Bow's chest piece glows red.

"Wait... how are you glowing if you're not a princess?"

"Uh- I don't know..."

Everyone joins, and equally they glow their respective colors, except Sea Hawk, who's just there for moral support is seems. Catra growls, but before she can do anything, Adora raises her sword and a rainbow of power cascades from her friends, washing all Horde from Bright Moon. Everyone cheers.

Sea Hawk: ADVENTURE!

Mermista groaned, "You ruin everything when saying that!"

"But it's moral support, dearest!"

Catra and Scorpia are seen escaping via skiff.

The princesses all cheer, Queen Angella comes down to share in the victory. Glimmer runs to her and hugs her, and Angella beckons the rest of the squad to join their celebratory hugs. Bow drags Adora in and they all embrace, even Swift Wind.

Micah smiled softly at the screen now that the stress was over.

Angella: Thank you.

Adora powers down to her normal self, tears in her eyes, still caught between her two friends.

"Is the episode over -"

The scene changes to Catra back in the Fright Zone facing Hordak.

"Oh."

Hordak: Force Captain, it seems your experiment has failed.

Entrapta: ON THE CONTRARY! The experiment was a huge success, I know more about first one's tech than ever, this is just the beginning.

Catra: I got us closer to conquering Bright Moon than anyone ever has, not to mention the Whispering Woods is still in ruins. Etheria is ours for the taking.

Hordak stands.

Hordak: Very Well, force captain Catra.... you will have other chances to prove your worth to me... As my second in command.

"Oh."

Catra glances at the two girls behind her, and smiles, narrowing her eyes. The scene fades to black.

"Now, the episode is over," Lady Noire appeared, "pretty eventful, wasn't it?"

A few people murmured responses.

"I'd give it, like- a six out of ten, just because there were like- no plot twists except for Entrapta," Mermista commented, "I mean, it was all Catra this and Adora that but the ending battle wasn't even that big of a deal- and Catra got a promotion which she didn't deserve so -"

"Hey!"

"-for characters, I'd give myself a 10/10, She-ra an 8/10, Catra a -5/10 -"

"Thanks, Mermista," Lady Noire was laughing on screen, "Don't worry, the next seasons will be even more action packed, and more characters too! Anyway, we should probably get started on that- the next episode is called The Frozen Forest!"

Chapter Text

The scene opens in the Whispering Woods with the Princess Alliance fighting Horde robots.

Glimmer: Thanks for dropping in.

Frosta: [laughing] Dropping in, because you dropped him from the sky. Good one.

Scene change to inside a darkened area in the wood, with destroyed bots on the ground

She-Ra grunting and shouting while destroying bots.

Catra: Oh, cute. You can turn your sword into stuff.

"Wh- I don't remember this?"

Adora chuckled awkwardly, "That's 'cause- well, it's not you..."

Catra: Hey, Adora.

She-Ra: (transforms sword again from cup into some type of wind instrument) 

Catra: Did you mean to do that? If you did, it's a terrible weapon.

She-Ra: Is not.

"What do you mean by that?" Catra asked skeptically.

Scene changes to outside in the Whispering Woods.

Frosta annoys Glimmer some more and the scene changes back into the She-Ra/Catra fight in the cave.

Catra: What are you waiting for? You gonna play me a song on that thing?

She-Ra: (Swings the wind instrument at Catra but stops inches away from her)

Catra: I knew you couldn't do it.

All at once, Catra and all of the surroundings dissolve in static, revealing the interior of the Crystal Castle.  She-Ra becomes Adora.  The holographic Light Hope appears beside her.

Adora: Did you have to make her so mean?

"Oh."

Light Hope: The simulation is designed for total accuracy. Is the one you call Catra not mean?

Catra snorted.

Adora: No. She is.

Light Hope: There. There. (Attempts to pat Adora on the head but her hand just goes through)

Scene change to outside in the Whispering Woods after the battle.

Perfuma: The poor woods. They'll never be able to regrow if the bots keep attacking.

"I'm... I'm sorry," Entrapta said quietly. She had stayed silent since seeing the effects of hacking the Black Garnet, and still wasn't quite sure what to do, "I didn't- I didn't think that it would be this bad..." she trailed off. Some looked close to forgiving her, though obviously, not everyone was interested in her apology.

Frosta: (Destroys bot that Bow was inspecting)

Bow: Hey! I was looking at that.

Frosta: (smugly) You're welcome.

"Oh! Sorry Bow," Frosta chuckled. 

"It's fine."

Scene changes back into The Crystal Castle.

Adora: I've been training for a month and I haven't gotten any better.

Light Hope: This performance was, in fact, worse.

Adora huffed.

Light Hope: Please disregard. My human inspiration protocol is still in the beta stage. Should I smile more? (smiles)

Adora: No, no. It's not you. I wanna be the best She-Ra, I wanna protect the planet. But Catra, she's just in my head.

Catra shifted in her seat.

Light Hope: She has access to your mainframe?

Adora: She isn't actually in my head. When you grow up with someone, they know how to push your buttons.

Light Hope: I can relate. I also have buttons.

Mermista snorted, "Y'know, she's got an interesting sense of humor."

"I don't think she means to be funny," Adora rolled her eyes, "Honestly, it's annoying when you're actually there. She takes everything literally."

Light Hope: You have come a long way, but there is still much to do. You must learn to master your emotions, or you are destined to repeat the mistakes of the last She-Ra.

Adora: No pressure, huh?

Light Hope: There is quite a bit of pressure. Was that not clear?

"See?"

Adora: Yeah, no, I got it. So much pressure.

Light Hope: Very well. You must learn by doing.

A new hologram materializes with an enormous spider monster threatening Adora.  She gasps in surprise, then stands determinedly as she draws her sword -- which immediately transforms into a large fork.  She grunts in frustration, then brandishes the fork and leaps to the attack as the creature roars.

Scene changes to the Fright Zone. Horde cadets Lonnie, Kyle, and Rogelio are engaged in their own training session, under Catra’s supervision.  Lonnie and Rogelio defeat two small bots, holographically disguised as princesses, while a larger bot appears bearing the likeness of a menacing She-Ra.  Kyle panics and falls down, cowering with his hands over his head as the bot fires on him repeatedly.

"Ugh," Mermista groaned, "More of the Horde?"

"Hey, we're main characters too," Lonnie said and Rogelio grunted in agreement.

"No- you're a side character, you only got like one second in the intro," Mermista argued.

Kyle: No. Oh, no. (falls down allowing the bot to hit him)

[robot powering down]

"You're a side character then too!"

"No, I'm seated in the second row!"

"Guys," Adora interrupted, "It shows the Horde because of Catra, doesn't it?" she paused, "but I'm the main character."

"Uh- so are we!" Glimmer said, "Bow and I have more time than Catra in the intro, don't we?"

"Um- I think we do?"

"No, I've got the mini fight scene with Adora which makes me the main villain," Catra said boredly, "Everyone knows that the villain is the main character."

"Is not!" Adora huffed, "I was the first one in the intro -"

"Actually, wasn't that me?" Swift Wind said, "I'm pretty sure I was the first one in the intro- that makes me the main character!"

"Uh- bringing it back to me," Mermista drawled, "I was the first princess so that makes me the main one."

"No, I was definitely the first princess," Glimmer said.

"Excuse you but the show is called She-Ra," Adora said. "And I'm She-Ra. I'm the main character, end of discussion."

"Wow, when did you get so arrogant?" Catra scoffed.

"I am not arrogant!"

"Oh yeah, 'cause 'I'm the main character' isn't an arrogant statement -"

"It's just the truth!"

The simulation ends revealing Catra in the background.

Catra: Who can tell me what Kyle did wrong?

"How about we focus on the show?" Perfuma said pleasantly.

"Yeah, listen to Perfuma!" Adora said.

"You were the one starting it-"

"No, it was Mermista!"

"It definitely wasn't me, it was Lonnie."

"No, it wasn't-"

"EVERYONE QUIET!"

Lonnie: Where do you start?

Catra: She-Ra is too strong to defeat with force alone. But she's slow and easily manipulated.

"Gee, thanks."

Simulation restarts and the bot powers back up.

Kyle: Not again.

But Catra outmaneuvers the bot, landing on it’s head and ripping out its central processor, almost effortlessly.  She tosses the wrecked component to the floor. 

Catra: Fix this. Then go again.

Catra leaves them to it.  As she makes her way down the hallways, guards step aside respectfully to make way for her.  She smiles with a smug confidence, relishing her growing power and the respect it earns her. She enters Entrapta’s “holding cell” and finds it completely transformed.

Catra: Huh? What is all this junk?

Entrapta: Isn't it wonderful? The stuff from my castle arrived.

Catra shrieks with momentary startle at a small rodent-like robot under her foot.

Catra: Yeah. Wonderful. What's the report from the woods?

Entrapta: Oh! I just received a transmission from one of my bots.

Entrapta shifted in her seat.

She and Scorpia settle themselves comfortably on a sofa before the large screen, a tray of small treats between them.  The footage shows bots being summarily wrecked by the princesses in the Whispering Woods.  They offer a scintillating commentary.

Entrapta: Oh, wow, it just fell apart with one hit there, didn’t it.  I could definitely make some improvements.

Catra: It doesn't matter. We'll just send more bots, and more after that.  They'll be so busy defending their precious trees, we'll conquer the planet before they know what's happened.

Entrapta reaches out with one of her hair appendages and displays a crystal for Catra, markings of First Ones tech evident on its surface.

Entrapta: I have an even better idea.

"Oh no."

Scene change to Swift Wind bearing Adora back to Bright Moon from the Crystal Castle. As they ride over the forest, Adora giggles with joy. When they land, they meet with Glimmer and Bow.

Glimmer: You should've seen it. With the Moonstone super-charged, I've been so much more powerful. I took out, like, at least five bots.

Glimmer sighed.

Bow: Just like the day before, and the day before that.

Glimmer: So? What are we supposed to do? Not fight? We have to protect the woods. The Horde is going to keep taking ground until it regrows.

Bow: I know, but how long can we keep this up? Did you learn anything from Light Hope?

Adora: Uh... Getting way better at transforming my sword. Look.

Bow: A pitcher. [chuckles awkwardly]

"Wow."

Bow: That's so useful.

Glimmer: We can picnic once the woods regrow.

Frosta: We should turn it into a dagger. See me take out that bot with daggers?

Glimmer: Where did you come from?

Frosta: I've been here the whole time.

Frosta grimaced, "Sorry if I was annoying you..."

"It's fine Frosta," Glimmer said awkwardly.

Adora: [Shrugs I don't know]

Glimmer: Well, we have to go. We have an important meeting.

Frosta: The war council? I'm heading there, too. Better hurry, you're gonna be late.

Bow: Do we have a new addition to the Best Friends Squad?

Glimmer: Shut up. Ugh.

"Hey, didn't Lady Noire introduce the first row as the Best Friend Squad?" Swift Wind interrupted, "Shouldn't I be up there?"

"Maybe she mixed up our seats," Catra muttered, crossing her arms.

"But~" Adora said, "She also said that you were going to join the Rebellion soo~"

"So she's obviously wrong."

"Ugh."

"Yeah, I can't see Catra as a member of the Rebellion," Glimmer said suspiciously, eyeing Catra.

"But so far all of this has been accurate," Bow trailed off.

They arrive in the Council Chamber, where they meet with Queen Angella, her General Juliet, Castaspella, Swift Wind, and the other Princesses:  Mermista, Perfuma, Netossa, and Spinerella.

Perfuma: [to Mermista] Sorry, heh, I think that's my chair.

Mermista: Yeah, don't you find it helpful to shift perspectives sometimes?

Glimmer: Aunt Casta! You made it.

Castaspella: I wouldn't miss it, dearest. The first war room of the new alliance. How exciting.

Angella: Yes.  It’s a shame you couldn't be at the battle where the alliance was formed. 

Castaspella: I knew you'd bring that up again.

Castaspella sighed.

Angella: We have a great deal to discuss.  Everyone.  Please take your seats. Swift Wind, what news do you bring from your scouting in the west?

Swift Wind: The Horde has gained more territory in the west.  But with the help of Netossa and Spinnerella, our forces have managed to re-capture Thaymor. Again.

Netossa and Spinerella happily bump fists.

Swift Wind: Also, why don't I get a chair? If everyone else has a chair, I want a chair.

"Ha. I've got a chair now... except I still don't have one in the war room, can you get on that -"

"Yes, Swift Wind," Glimmer huffed, "We'll get you a chair."

Angella: A chair. Of course. I will see to it. Commander Glimmer, how goes the situation in the Whispering Woods?

Glimmer: I'm happy to report that we are handling bots, and protecting the woods while it regrows.  Which it is doing.  Very.  Slowly.

Perfuma: Maybe it's time we stop fighting and start healing.  My powers aren't strong enough to regrow the entire woods on my own, but when we princesses worked together in harmony during the battle of Bright Moon, our powers grew.  We should try to recapture that energy.  Maybe we should hold hands and think healing thoughts.

Mermista groans and cringes as Perfuma holds her hand and begins to hum.

Bow: If I may, Your Majesty.  We can't go on like this.  We're defeating the bots, but more keep coming.  While we're using our resources to hold our borders, the Horde hasn't had to deploy a single soldier.

Adora: Typical Catra!

Catra snorted.

Bow: I've only been able to recover pieces, [enunciating, pointedly looking toward Glimmer and Frosta] seeing as we have never not completely demolished one of these things.  But if we could capture a whole bot, I might be able to program a kill switch.  We could wipe them all out without draining our forces.

Angella: An excellent idea, Bow. This could turn the tide for us.  Glimmer, you will take your patrol out, and capture a bot for Bow to study and carry out his plan.

Glimmer rises proudly and starts moves to exit the chamber, but Frosta grabs her arm.

Frosta: Commander, I have some ideas to improve our efficiency. First, we should all have code names. I'd like to be Frostbite. And you could be Sparklebomb. Second--

Glimmer: (interrupting) Oh, uh, Frosta.  I need you toooo . . . stay back and help Spinnerella and Netossa guard the castle!  Great. Thanks!

Glimmer teleports away, to Frosta’s frustration.

"Hehe, sorry Frosta."

Inside Hordak's chamber in the Fright Zone, Scorpia displays a map of Horde encampments while Catra narrates.

Catra: With the woods frozen and the princesses distracted by the bots, we've been able to gain significant new ground.

Hordak: You have not disappointed me, Force Captain.  Clearly, I was wise to promote you.

Hordak's eyes narrowed.

Catra sees past Hordak’s chair, where Entrapta is eagerly scuttling back and forth, scrounging around the equipment.

Entrapta: (In the background) I'm just gonna borrow this. Oh, what is that?

Catra: Uh, yes. We've kept the princesses distracted, but we could be doing more. We should be working to take them out, once and for all. Isn't that right, Entrapta? Entrapta!

Entrapta: Oh, right. May I introduce Emily's Kid Sister. EKS for short. With First Ones tech at its core, this little beauty has enough power to rival a princess.

Entrapta's eyes widened with affection, but she also shifted in her seat. Most of the audience glanced at her for a moment.

After patting it affectionately, she uses a hand blaster to melt a hole in one of its legs.  After a moment, the metal just grows back, whole again.  Entrapta smiles proudly.

Hordak: Impressive indeed. And you can make more of these?

Entrapta: Yes! I mean, no. I mean, I could.  But I only had enough First Ones tech to make four.

Catra: But I know where we can get more.

On the edge of the Whispering Woods, Glimmer is leading her mission with Bow and the princesses. Frosta pops up.

Glimmer: Frosta! [sighs]  You're supposed to be defending the castle with Netossa and Spinnerella.

Frosta: I know I ignored orders, but, no offense, those orders were wrong.  You need me here.

Frosta sighed, "I shouldn't have done that, I know."

"It's fine, Frosta- we learned from that experience.

The heroes make their way farther into the woods.  Hiding behind foliage at the edge of a clearing, they observe one of Entrapta’s new, larger robots, scuttling on its three spiky legs, thoroughly and efficiently scanning the woods around it with the turreted electronic eye atop its half-dome body.  Bow eyes it with some trepidation. Adora impulsively springs out and attacks the bot, leaping onto its flat upper surface and impaling it with her sword . It shuts down.  She taps its turret, and it is still.

Adora: It's still just a Horde bot. We know how to handle--

She is interrupted as the bot suddenly restarts and throws her violently off.  Her friends hurry up to her, as she shakes herself out of her daze. The bot approaches and towers above them.  Glimmer teleports over it, and with a battle-cry, slams her staff into its “face.” The Bot reaches up with one of its legs, grabs Glimmer in a pincer, and tosses her into the woods. Adora transforms to She-Ra, and rushes at it, deflecting its energy bolts back at it and relentlessly smashing it with her sword.  The bot tosses her a distance away, and as she recovers, it flips over, runs at her and smashes down, trapping her on the ground.  It then begins to emit a loud alarm sound that echoes through the woods.  After a few moments, She-Ra breaks free by kicking the bot high overhead.  It lands heavily, its legs shattering.  She stands, smiling proudly, facing the others.  Bow looks stricken.

She-Ra: What?  We'll capture another bot. That one had it coming.  

Bow looks nervous, eyes wide, pointing behind her.

She-Ra: Yeesh. I'm sorry I destroyed it.

Catra snorted.

Bow and Glimmer point, and She-Ra turns around to see what they see.  The robot is repairing itself, actually growing a new limb before their eyes, as they all gasp. Three more identical robots suddenly appear, crawling over the hill to surround them.  Clearly, they have responded to the first robot’s call. Adora reacts by channeling more power into her sword, which glows brightly and transforms -- into an umbrella.  She-Ra is stares in astonishment, then groans and sags in defeat. As the nearest bot approaches them, Frosta suddenly jumps out of nowhere on to the bot and smashes it with her ice-gauntleted fists.

Glimmer: [In concern] Frosta! Do you even listen when people tell you things?

Frosta: [Yelling] What?

"Sorry..."

"How about," Glimmer said with a sigh, "We stop apologizing for anything that's happened in the past if we've already apologized for it in real life. You've apologized, Frosta, Scorpia's apologized, and so have I. Let's just watch the show."

Frosta nodded.

The bot picks up Frosta and throws her off a cliff.