Where Do We Go From Here?
Kitatanya
Chapter 33
A/N: Thank you for your support! You guys are awesome!
Read on, loves!
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Catra was drooping into Adora as Adora was drooping into her when they pulled apart along the bond. As much as they wanted to remain connected, right now their work had to come first. They knew that Glimmer had begun to issue orders while they'd been lost in that tide and they needed to help their friends and do their duty before they could rest. Underneath all of those thoughts and rushing and surging emotions, had come that swirl of memories and thoughts from when they'd been apart in the battle and this time apart as they did their duties would let them process each other's. For as much as their thoughts had been mostly in unison, some of those thoughts had not been and she worried for her mate as much as she felt Adora worrying for her.
Most of the soldiers seemed to have left the field of battle, headed somewhere among the still standing buildings of the city. The ones that had remained were doing the grim task of collecting bodies. Gentling the corpses young and old. Clone and Etherian alike were treated the same gentle respect as they were loaded onto wagons. The death that surrounded them hurt them both and even as they parted completely, she could feel it from Adora all the same. It was there in the tired lines in her face, rippling in little broken fractals beneath the drive of determination and hope there in her blazing blue eyes as they pressed their foreheads together. All she wanted in this moment, was to hold her close and hide away, but she couldn't do that any more than her mate could, because she felt this pain too and knew it was as evident to Adora as her own was to her. This embrace they needed, just as they'd needed to be one before, and even as it was their right, their duty was their responsibility and neither could ignore the call.
She'd realized that neither of them had even asked where the dead in Chrytsalyis had been taken and wondered with a soul-sick part of her if there would be memorials placed in each of these besieged places to honor these lost lives. She'd never had the thought before, because before she'd looked to death as necessary. It was a fact of life and the inevitable end for all of them one day. But ever since feeling that connection to her people in the crystal city, a part of her that she hadn't even realized until that storm of memories, had been mulling it over and she knew that Adora had felt it and was now thinking about it too. Adora had never thought of memorials before either, but it was something they now wanted to bring up to Glimmer when they had time.
The Enlightened clones had rocked them both and that new understanding for them that Adora felt was something she agreed with, even as she had not felt the same as her mate in those moments. She did not trust them, not like Adora did, but feeling how proud She-Ra had been of her mate for trying to understand made her feel a fault that she knew she would have to work on in herself. She had made herself and Adora a promise that she would reflect on it when she had time.
Ramel's amazing acts had wondered and awed them and they both wanted to be with him now and their amazing friends. Especially Rogelio, for being so willing to risk everything for this clone they'd only just met. Yes, Ramel was special and the way he spoke and the strength in him moved the ones around him like a force all on its own, but their friends truly cared for him and Rogelio's act had proved that and so had their support of Ramel after. It made her wish there was time to spend with them, something they could do for them, but there were more important things that had to be done right now. It had been another promise that they would try to make a little time later when they could.
They had to part from this embrace. They had to go join their other friends and ask them about their plans for the future and their own thoughts and plans needed to be discussed too. She could hear them all talking a short distance away, leaving them to this moment and she was grateful. She could hear Glimmer speaking to Dak on her crystal and knew that he'd be arriving soon with his people to help with the injured in this city. She was ordering him to have the more seriously wounded who still needed treatment to Mystacor and had a sudden thought that neither she or Adora had thought before and felt more than a little stupid.
They could heal. They'd healed Ramel and each other. It took energy, energy she knew after this battle that neither of them still had, but maybe, just maybe when they rested, they could help with that part too. It made her feel just a little better and a little more weary all at once, because it would just be another draining task they took upon themselves on top of everything they still had to do. But at the same time, if they could do it, she knew it was the right thing to do and knew Adora would agree when she told her when there was time.
She knew Adora saw the new thought and was curious at once, but all she did was give her a tired and reassuring smile. "I promise we will talk about it once we get some other things done." She murmured softly.
Adora's curiosity faded at once into love and understanding and she loved her mate even more for her patience. "Okay."
Then, her eyelids fluttered shut and Catra watched as her expression faded back into exhaustion. Her heart gave a lurch of affection and concern to see it, but Adora took a deep breath and let it out slow and Catra knew she was pushing down and away all of those memories they hadn't really had a chance to process yet and all of their new emotions down and away to focus on the here and now like they both had to. Catra felt the fire in her even before those blazing eyes opened once more.
The strength she saw there and the love she felt for Adora surged into a soaring rush all at once. "I love you so much, Adora." She murmured.
That fire there was joined again by love and the fierce universe in Adora's eyes stole her breath. "I love you too, Catra. More than anything."
And they were kissing again, holding each other close as that eternal hunger swelled inside her, reflected by Adora's body, the lips against hers, and by the frenetic pounding of her heart in her chest to match her own. It was one last kiss to ignite again that blazing and blinding promise of one, that would give them the strength they needed to see this done. When they parted, it was an almost electrifying storm in her mate's eyes and they were smiling, strong, ready to face anything once more.
Melog was there now, winding around them now as they purred thunderously, reminding them in their own special way that even if this promise gave the strength and let them be steady, they were there too and always would be. She and Adora turned and kneeled down at once and Melog stopped their winding to lay their head over their joined shoulders as their arms tangled about their neck. It was again a mirror of their oneness, even as they were two now, this embrace and she knew that Melog could feel the strength of Adora's love just as much as she could even without the bond that connected them.
Then Melog let out a low, determined growl that echoed the fire in their hearts as they pulled away. 'Let us finish this day of triumph and see these tasks done.' And Melog's fiercely glinting eyes and their special version of a smile, were yet another echo in this bonded promise between the three that was just as powerful to them all as they devoted promise of one between she and her mate.
She saw Glimmer glance their way as they parted and the relief and love and pride in her tired eyes made her smile shoot even bigger. Each of their friends looked over too at Glimmer's smile and all of them mirrored that same mix in some degree. For all that they were all different people, their friends loved them all the same and she knew that they respected and loved Melog, even as they usually did as Melog had asked of them and pretended they were not there in the discussions and conversations like before they had known them as a person. In a way, Catra wished they didn't, but Melog preferred it that way and that was their choice so she pushed the thought away like she had before.
"So, what's the plan?" Adora asked as they drew up on their friends.
Glimmer nodded, getting serious again. "Dak and the rest of the mages should be here in a few hours to help with the injured. Bow, Frosta and I need to go find whoever is in charge to discuss where we're taking them and…" She sighed a hint of frustration entering her tone as she shot a grieving look at the bodies being loaded onto the wagons. "I'll also need their go ahead for a lot of things if I don't want to seem pushy so I can't really say much else until then. It sucks, but I don't want to step on any toes if I don't have to. For now, I'm just having the injured taken to the town square-" She pointed into the undamaged portion of the city to the south-west. "-and we're going to use some of the tents to make sunscreens so that they can be comfortable until we have a facility to use. In the meantime, you guys can just take it easy with the rest of the forces if you want while we go after the people. Besides finding whoever is in charge, I want to make sure they know the battle is over and reassure them-"
Catra had to fight not to roll her eyes as she tuned Glimmer out, leaning a little heavier into her mate. She could never seem to escape politics even in the middle of a war. Adora sent her a slightly chastising glance and she stuck her tongue out at her. She was never going to like them and didn't want to. When she looked back to their friends, she saw Bow directing a chastising glance at her too, but there was affection in his tired eyes to match it. She stuck her tongue out at him too and grinned when he had to fight a chuckle. She felt Adora trying not to laugh and to remain focused and it made her grin even more, before she controlled her expression again.
"Sounds good." Adora spoke a moment later and she tuned back in. "Before you go though, Catra and I would like to debrief the new clones and if Dak has time, I'd like for him to be with us. And Ramel, if that's alright too. We think they deserve a choice on the life they lead under us and I think having them there will help reassure them." She looked to where Ramel was still speaking softly to all of them as she said it and Catra followed her gaze.
The new clones were looking to him with rapt attention. Their childlike expression in the face of Ramel's gentle gaze made her smile. He was special and she thanked every hidden star in the sky that they'd met him, regardless of the circumstances that had brought him into their life. She could feel that same swelling of love and affection from Adora even without being connected by the bond and couldn't resist squeezing her tighter. Adora squeezed her back too as she looked back to her. The tender and amazed look in her tired eyes, made Catra want to kiss her, but she refrained. If she kissed Adora now, she wasn't sure she'd be able to stop and Adora's expression shifted into a slightly smug smirk as she caught the thought in her eyes. That only made the urge to kiss her swell even stronger and she knew her mate had done it on purpose. She glared at her playfully and then looked to their friends.
Glimmer was looking at them with a fierce sort of pride and no small amount of wonder. "I think that's a spectacular idea. In fact, for that, I will risk steeping on some toes. Pick any of the smaller shops or buildings to gather them in and I'll find you once when we get back." She looked to Melog then. "Would you mind warding it to make sure no one overhears what they have to say?" Melog nodded sharply. "Thank you."
"I think we'll go help with the injured if that's alright." Perfuma said tentatively, looking up at Scorpia now in question.
"Sounds good to me." The tall princess agreed instantly. They exchanged a loving smile full of meaning and then as one, looked to Glimmer.
"If that's what you guys want, then go for it." She smiled softly at them. They turned and began walking in the direction she'd pointed.
"I'll hang around near the soldiers in case any of them needs you for anything." Mermista offered, fiddling with the charm around her neck. "Any idea where I should tell them to set up?"
Glimmer frowned. "Not really. You can make that call."
Mermista shrugged and stalked away with a wave. "I'll let you know where to find us."
Glimmer looked back to them again, pulling her crystal from her pocket again. Catra watched as she drew a rune on it with one finger. "I didn't know you could call out on those things." She murmured, more than a little curious.
She and Adora hadn't even taken the time to ask about them before now. There was just so much they had to do, that it was hard to keep everything straight in her mind. It made her even more tired for a moment, but she controlled it and didn't let it show. Adora's fingers tighten on her waist and she knew her mate felt it, for all that she hid it from their friends.
Glimmer flashed her a grin that stilled her wandering thoughts with affection. "I had mine special ordered. Benefits of a Queen." Catra snorted at the same moment Adora let out a giggle at her lofty tone.
Bow chuckled too and drew Glimmer against him as she finished the rune. A moment later, Dak's face appeared on the crystal. "Brothers!" He cried and Catra could not help a small laugh at the familiar greeting and shared a happy smile with Adora. She had not realized how much she'd missed him until that moment and her mate's sparkling eyes echoed the sentiment. "Preparations are well underway." He reported happily. "Is there something else you require?"
"Yes." Glimmer replied with an affectionate smile. "And I think you're going to like it. We got some new recruits today. Some of your brothers."
Dak was instantly beaming, amazement in his eyes. "This is wonderful news!" He cried. "And you wish for me to meet with them and share in the wonder that is being one here on our home?" He all but squeaked with excitement.
Glimmer's smile shot wider and Bow, Frosta were smiling just as hard. "If you think your people can do without you for a little while, then yes, I do. And there's also someone else we would like for you to meet too. A very special person that we think you're going like a lot." She shot that smile at she and Adora then and Catra could not help a little trill of happiness at the thought of Ramel finally getting to meet Dak. Adora's arm tightened around her at the sound and Catra glanced up to see her all but bursting with love and happiness too.
When she looked back to the crystal, she saw Dak's delighted eyes now sparkling with curiosity. "I cannot wait!" Someone cleared their throat from behind him. "Excuse me, brothers." Dak glanced back at them and whoever it was murmured something she couldn't quite make out. Dak seemed all the more delighted and excited as he looked back to them. "It seems our preparations are complete! We shall be arriving very shortly."
"Alright. Adora and Catra will be here to meet you. I'll be back in the city later. Okay?"
Dak nodded, still beaming. "Thank you for this wonderful opportunity, my brothers!" The words were almost a cheer as the crystal went dark.
Glimmer was shaking her head with a soft laugh. "Did you ever think that the random clone you and Entrapta accidentally brought into our lives would be this important to us and to our home?" She asked, looking up at Bow at her side.
Bow laughed too and slipped an arm about her shoulders. "Not a chance. But I can never thank Entrapta enough for convincing me to keep him." He joked.
They exchanged a loving and happy glance and then Glimmer looked down to Frosta. "Ready for the next step in your training?" Catra was instantly confused. Training?
The ice princess' happy expression dissolved into a tender one and Catra was further confused as tears swam in her eyes for the briefest of moments, before she gathered herself with a very familiar strong set to her jaw. "Ready."
Pain flashed in Glimmer's eyes before she reached for Frosta's hand. Bow was frowning now, looking more than a little defensive as he squeezed Glimmer tighter. She looked to them and her expression shifted for a moment, a strange flash of emotion in her eyes. "See you guys later." The words were heavy with a foreboding meaning she couldn't quite interpret as they disappeared in a sparkling burst of Glimmer's magic.
"Okay, what?" Adora huffed the words and Catra looked up to see her frowning in confusion and no small amount of trepidation.
Catra could only shake her head as her mate looked to her. "No idea. But I don't like it either." She replied.
They didn't have time to say more before a huge circle of purplish magic flared to life a short distance away, sending a ripple of disturbed energy to move the air around them. She looked over just in time to see a few mages and large grouping of clones appear with a smallish wagon and a few carts laden with supplies. She saw Dak among them, looking serious as he began issuing orders even before the rune had dissipated. As they all turned to head towards the direction Scorpia and Perfuma had disappeared, he glanced around and his eyes spotted the grouping of clones. His expression shifted into one of awe and great happiness and she knew with a part of her that it was because he was happy to see them there. He tore his eyes from the grouping and she saw him searching for them and Adora raised a hand in a wave as they started towards him.
The moment Dak saw them, his expression was again that exuberant one he always wore when greeting any of their friends. "Brothers!" He cried as he rushed towards them. "I have arrived for this monumental occasion! Where shall we take our new brothers?"
She looked up at her mate and saw Adora now scanning the buildings nearby. She pointed and Catra followed her gaze to a small, almost cottage looking shop that stuck out from most of the rest. For some reason, the cozy aesthetic of it pleased her. "There?"
She smiled up at her. "Perfect." She purred.
Adora was beaming as she looked back to Dak. "Let's introduce you to our special someone and then we'll head over together with your brothers." Her mate didn't even try to check the delighted excitement as she spoke.
Dak nodded and she had to fight against laughter as he tried to reign in his great happiness enough to look a measure more serious. Melog let out and amused chuff and nuzzled into her side for a moment. 'I will go and begin the warding so that there is no delay.' Before they could stalk away, Catra ran her claws gently along their spine, letting herself fill with her gratitude for them for a long moment.
Melog arced into her touch with a happy shiver and was purring as they stalked away towards the little shop and she and Adora turned as one towards the grouping and Ramel. It was only then that she noticed that Lonnie, Rogelio, and Kyle had disappeared and she suddenly hoped with all that she was they were getting some time to spend with each other in the light of what could have happened.
Ramel looked over at them as they approached and his gentle smile shifted to that unabashed child-like wondering smile to see them there. She felt her heart skip a happy beat and barely stifled another purr of happiness. Adora was almost trembling against her and she knew her mate was doing everything she could not to rush forward and hug him. And then, an instant later, she decided there was no reason for them to hold back. In fact, there were more than enough reasons not to check themselves at all.
She felt Adora start with surprise for a fraction of a moment as she reached out to tug Ramel towards them, but when she wrapped her free arm around him, she felt her mate's arm winding about hers. This time, Ramel didn't even hesitate to hug them back just as fiercely as they were hugging him and he was trembling just as much as they were.
"You were amazing, Ramel." Adora murmured.
She felt him shake his head. "I did only what was right." But the soft denial was full of happiness, affection, and deep respect.
At that, Catra pulled away and sent him a frown. "Even if it was right, don't you ever risk yourself like that again!" She chided softly as Adora pulled back, frowning at him too.
He winced slightly and the smile he sent between them was more than a little sheepish. "I was not thinking clearly, so I acted without thought." As he spoke the words, a hint of that agonized grief from the battle filled his eyes.
Adora lifted her hand to his shoulder. "I'm glad you did it, Ramel, because you helped us to see the right way forward again, just like you did before." She told him fervently. "But please remember to keep yourself safe."
He was gazing at them now again with that mix of wonder, awe, and his growing love for them all at once. "I promise to heed your words." And then, she was utterly surprised to see a hint of mischief in his eyes and his smile shifted into a familiar smirk she recognized was an echo of her own. "When I am capable of thinking clearly that is."
It was the very first joke they had ever heard him make and seeing him doing it in an echo of her, sent a part of her reeling. Adora let out an almost inaudibly high squeak and was suddenly hugging him so tightly to them, she thought her mate would squeeze the both of them to death. She knew her mate was all but swooning in that giddy place now and couldn't fight a breathless laugh at her adorable silliness and the rush of love she felt for her as she squeezed them both back too. She knew when Adora pulled back, it was only by the mightiest of efforts, because she knew as well as Catra did that what they needed to do now was very important.
Adora's eyes were sparkling with so many emotions at once that Catra decided to speak for her so that her mate could bask for just a tiny instance longer. "Ramel. There's someone here that we'd like to introduce to you." She turned enough in Adora's arm to look back at Dak, who was watching them all with an amazing amount of wonder and awe and she saw him understanding Ramel's character and why they'd wanted them to meet with a burst of fondness towards him. "This is General Dak." She gestured towards him as she looked back up at Ramel.
Ramel's eyes went wide with shock and his jaw dropped as he looked to Dak. Dak was smiling now and standing straighter at his expression as he stepped closer. "It is an honor to meet you, Brother Ramel." He spoke with respect and an immediate fondness.
Ramel stared at him for a moment longer, before his spine snapped straight as he turned to face him fully. The sudden wondering happiness and awe and fierce resect in his eyes was almost painfully acute to witness and she squeezed Adora as Adora was squeezing her too. "The honor is mine, Brother Dak!" He said the words like he was having to force himself to speak through all of those surging emotions and, trembling, he bent at once into a low half-bow, crossing an arm over his chest as he did so.
She instantly wanted to have him rise and she knew Adora wanted the same, but when she looked to Dak, her mate was looking too, because Ramel needed his approval right now more than he needed theirs. And Dak did not disappoint in the least. "Do not bow, my brother." He was already moving to lay a hand on Ramel's trembling shoulder as he spoke the firm, yet gentle words. He waited until Ramel looked up in surprise before he smiled. "We are brothers and so are equals here on this planet of Etheria." He spoke the words with great conviction. Then, he glanced away from Ramel to the other clones who had been watching all of this with curiosity and wonder. "All of us deserve the same respect and opportunities as anyone else here and those we bow to are our Liberating leaders, who have given us this opportunity to live here on their home." He gestured to them as he spoke the words.
Adora spoke almost before he'd finished the words. "Not to us." She said firmly. "Because we're Etherians just like you." She looked to Dak and let him see how serious she was with the words and Catra mirrored her an instant later.
Dak was surprised and let it show as he glanced between the two of them. Then he smiled and glanced back at Ramel. "I think it would benefit us both to have a conversation, Brother Ramel, when there is time." From the way he spoke it, she knew Dak understood that he was the reason for Adora's words.
She hadn't remembered Dak being so insightful herself, but she could see the change that educating his brothers and trying to lead them on a path of good and light had brought in him now, in a way she hadn't before. He was still the exuberant Wrong Hordak she remembered in ways, but now he was Dak and he was as strong in his own way now as any of them. Even if his fear had left him unable to stand up to Blood before, she knew why; Blood's resemblance to Horde Prime had nearly broken herself after all. She was glad Adora had wanted him here, for that thought had been all hers in that surging storm. She'd agreed with it in a fraction of an instant, but she might not have thought it for herself. Adora's heart was always true and she knew it would never cease to amaze her.
Then, Dak looked back to them as Ramel finally fully rose from his bow with a new respect in his eyes. "Shall we retire to discuss the future of our new brothers?" Dak asked them softly.
"Yes." Adora spoke the word happily. "Follow us. Melog is waiting and they've warded a building so we can have privacy to talk about things." She beamed at Ramel, who beamed a smile back and then looked to the other clones. "We have a lot to talk to you all about."
Every single one of those clones stood a little straighter at those meaningful words and the wonder and awe in their eyes was filled with curiosity and respect in equal measure. In a flash, she realized on of those clones was the gunner who had been the very first clone they'd spared in that moment of clarity and there was a hint of something fierce and happy in him that pleased her to see. She glanced up at her mate as they started walking and Adora glanced down only a moment later. That gorgeously fierce happiness and pride and strength in her tired eyes, made Catra want to kiss her mate all over again.
What they were doing now was right. This new way of looking at these clones felt like the very best thing they could do for the future of their home and for the universe. This new understanding that Ramel had helped them to have for their enemies, would make them stronger than ever and they both knew it. Wherever these clones now went, whatever they decided, Etheria was all the richer for having them now here. It was again a proof that sparing the clones had been the right choice before this war, for all that Blood and his closest brothers had betrayed them.
He would pay for his crimes and the evil blood of his followers would whet and stain their home and seal its future of peace in a flood of victory. It was a ruthless thought, but it was as true as any other and that edge now in Adora's eyes was just another part of what she loved about her mate, because it was a part of this blazing promise between them, even without being connected through the soul-bond that had helped forge it. It had started before it and it would burn forever in both their hearts for as long as there was still magic and life and power and love to keep them beating on. And every step they took, whether it be shaky or strong, would always and forever more be taken as one.
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And there we go! Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed and I hope you continue to do so as we head off towards the future!
Until next time, loves! Stay safe and read on! Ja!