Where Do We Go From Here?

by Kitatanya

[Season 5 Spoiler Alert] Now that the war is finally over and the dust has begun to settle, things on Etheria will undoubtedly begin to change. Is happiness finally on the horizon or is there a new darkness brewing, waiting for the perfect time to strike? This story is not just a fluffy read, so new readers beware. [ON HOLD DUE TO HEALTH REASONS]

34. Chapter 34

Where Do We Go From Here?

Kitatanya

Chapter 34

A/N: Thank you so much for your support! You guys are awesome!

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Adora had never thought to feel so very at peace, sitting on the floor in the corner in a room full of clones. Catra was all but curled against her, watching them all from her arms. It was affecting her mate even more than herself and flooding their shared mind with wonder even greater than her own from this new place in their bond that they were enjoying now. It was just a tug short of that distant place of shared comprehension and the intimacy of that tiny little distance made them happier and more content all the more. Melog's eyes were shining where they had lain their head on their paws beside them and they both knew it wasn't just their own wonder and awe, but Melog's own too.

Dak and Ramel's words held each of those clones and themselves captivated where they sat on the floor before them. Ramel had been sitting too, listening to Dak speak, but Dak had drawn him into his speech by asking him questions about his short time among the soldiers and people of Etheria to supplement his words. Ramel's conviction and his strength as he spoke, had seemed to move Dak and each of those clones as much as they had always moved them and now they were almost conversing with each other as much as they spoke to their brothers before them. There was an immediate friendship between them and it was as evident in their words as their shared love for this planet and the hope they had for their future here. It was a profound thing to witness this new friendship bloom before their very eyes and it was having an effect on those captivated clones that was even greater than their own.

She and her mate had found that debriefing them hadn't been necessary; though they spoken when they had to in light of some of what they had learned. Dak had been speaking to all of them and asking them questions the same as Ramel and Ramel had done the same when he'd risen to stand by Dak to join him. Each of them had shared as earnestly as Ramel had first shared with them and it had pained them to see and to hear how very afraid they all had been to try to defect like Ramel had done. They almost all had had the thoughts before, though that first gunner they'd spared admitted that his anger and the adrenaline of battle had held him under its sway until that moment they'd noticed him drop his gun.

He had apologized openly to Ramel, for firing against him and Ramel's immediate understanding and forgiveness in light of his own past, had shaken that gunner and that fierce happiness had returned to him in a wave of tears. The brothers closest him had reached to him as if on instinct, offering comfort even as Ramel and Dak did too with their words and already, she could see them all and that oneness of a people that she'd wanted so badly to be true. It was like watching them all be reborn as people right before their very eyes and it was a profound and awing thing to witness.

Not everything they'd learned however, was as wondering as the rest. Many of the clones, like Ramel, did not know the intricacies of Blood's evil plan. He seemed to be playing things very close to his chest and did not trust his brothers with much knowledge beyond ordering them to move. It was reminiscent of the secret planning of their ambush and seeing this new evidence of the cunning of their enemy filled them with fury and dread in equal measure. Their messenger to Glimmer had indeed been captured and the fact that the Alliance had moved on the farming settlement to defend it had been the reason for the change in Blood's orders.

Even more alarming was the fact that even though the Spire Network had been jammed, Blood's forces still had access to communications through the technology of the First Ones that had been implemented into the vehicles they manned. Ramel had never set foot inside one and had ridden on one only twice, so he had not known, but one clone spoke in depth about it. They both wanted to see if they could get him to Entrapta and Hordak to share his knowledge and the few vehicles still standing outside needed to be studied too. Melog had connected them to Mermista and she had set up a guard around them and all they were waiting on was for Glimmer to return to tell her these alarming facts and to decide what to do.

And also between them, was that dread for whatever secret was between Frosta and Glimmer and Bow. Frosta had always been closest to Glimmer out of all of them, for all that each of them wanted desperately to protect their youngest friend and loved her fiercely. Frosta didn't always speak now, because something had changed in her during the time they had lain weak. Now she watched, always with those intelligent eyes, during their meetings and even conversations like Catra still liked to do at times.

It was something they hadn't really registered, or even spared thought of before, and they realized for all that they loved her, Frosta had taken a bit of a background place among the grouping of friends now that she no longer spoke or acted as freely and as outspokenly as she had before. Frosta was growing, just like each of them, and only now were they seeing the maturity she'd been displaying, for all that her age had made her often seem like a child to them before now. It made them realize in each other, that they had not taken that maturity into consideration before and it was something they vowed to rectify in the very near future.

So too in this time, had Adora felt Catra's thoughts of healing their people and she knew with all she was that her mate was right and Catra had purred as she'd felt her pride even as she'd sent her own back for her thinking of Dak. Only the presence of the clones had stilled their hunger for each other then. Almost right afterwards, they'd both had the thought they wanted to go find Lonnie, Rogelio, and Kyle before they slept tonight and spend time with them and thank them for caring so much for Ramel. And there was still a meeting to be had once Glimmer, Bow, and Frosta returned with the people of the city and there was so much they needed to talk to them about too. The thought had made them desperately want to give in to the exhaustion that was trying to tug them down even now.

But for now, until Glimmer returned, right here was where they wanted to be, watching these clones learn and grow into a people in this ethereal moment of wonder and respite. They could already tell which ones wanted to follow Ramel and which wanted to go with Dak. Not a single one seemed to have even considered not joining their forces and helping their people and their home. They'd spoken it and Dak had backed them with a gentle vehemence, but just like the Enlightened and Dak and Ramel, these clones knew honor.

It was strange to see that all of them shared that sense of honor, in light of the fact they'd all been created by Horde Prime in his evil, even if there had been evidence of it abundant before now. Thinking of Prime though, they realized that for all he had been evil, he had been just as full of his own twisted honor and their faith in their creator had been worshipful and loyal in that same childlike way they were showing towards this new and lighter side of life. Hordak had displayed it too, in his own profound and twisted way in the past and over again in the wondering way he had in the moments he'd interacted with all of them and especially those few moments they'd gotten to spend with him that night in Chrytsalyis.

Thinking of him made them miss him and suddenly, they wanted Hordak to meet Ramel too in the future. Hordak had met Dak and the other clones under him and they were cordial to one another at best, but they wanted desperately now for him to meet Ramel and to see him being so special in the way they'd come to love. Something in them told them that Hordak would like him and the thought of it had Catra purring above her and pressing closer, even as her arms were tightening around her mate.

Ramel and Dak and the clones had heard the sound and all of them looked their way. Ramel was beaming at them with that childlike and wondering smile and Dak was sending them that familiar and exuberant and happy smile like child that was his own. And now, each of those clones smiled too, echoing those childlike expressions in different degrees of warmth and openness. Seeing it spread through them like that, moved them in ways both deep and profound. This was awing and it was humbling and it was right, just as right as everything between them and their love for their home and their people and their love for life itself. It was almost painful in its intensity and there was a pang of grief ringing within it too, for not seeing this before. Some of those clones they'd slain in in those moments of righteous fury, could have been clones just like this. It was a vow, a promise to join the flames of righteous devotion between them, that they would never again let their fury take away this clarity that Ramel had given them, just by being who he was.

Melog let out a low chuff, pulling them from their thoughts. 'Our young queen has returned.' As they spoke the words, they were rising to walk towards the door and the two of them looked to see Glimmer looking even more exhausted than she had before, but smiling happily nonetheless and waving at them through the window of it.

Before they rose, they pulled along the bond to that place of close conversation, just wanting to stay connected for a little while longer if they could, but preparing for action just in case. By the time they settled and started to get up, Melog had broken the rune on the door and Glimmer was entering. She murmured a thanks to Melog as they returned to stand beside them, before looking to Dak and Ramel and the clones, all of whom were rising too. There was a respect in all of their eyes as they lined up to face her without a word, standing on either side of Ramel and Dak. In a burst of affection and no small amount of prideful amazement, she saw they'd lined in those groups they'd pegged from before of which clones wanted to remain with each of them.

"How are things going?" She asked Dak softly.

He took a step forward, smiling his exuberant smile, and nodded his head in a bow to her before he spoke. "Things are going very well, my Queen. Our brothers all wish to join us and to help our people and to help our home!" He was bursting with it, all but blushing he was so happy, and all of the clones and Ramel were looking to him with wonder and happiness too.

Glimmer's smile in response was dazzling, full of a poignant hope and love and regret and pride that sparkled in a glistening array in her lavender eyes that was almost tearful. "I can't tell you how happy that makes me to hear." The words rang with all of that emotion, but then suddenly, her expression grew more serious as she looked to each clone in turn. "But I want each of you to know, you don't have to help us if you don't want to. I can't ask any of you to help us fight this war. Etheria is your home now and now that you're here among us, you're our people too. I never demand anything from my people and all I ask from them is for their own well-being and safety. If you want to stand down, I will personally take you to a place where you can be as safe from this war as I can guarantee." She was standing tall as she made the promise, eyes flashing with the strength of her conviction and the steel of her imperial station. Glimmer was stepping forward and displaying that Queenly aura now more often with this vengeance and it made she and Catra so proud for her each time they saw it.

But just as they'd shown it already to them, now each of those clones was burning with that fierce glint of honor and their own pride in what they wanted. As they exchanged glances those tiny gentle lines they'd drawn between following Ramel and following Dak disappeared, even as they stayed standing where they were. Then, they looked again to the one they'd chosen to follow and Ramel and Dak were seeing it as clearly as she and Catra and Melog and Glimmer. They'd made their choice and they were standing behind it with honor.

Glimmer let out a wondering laugh as Ramel and Dak both smiled their different, but no less wonderful smiles. "I see." She said, her voice even more soft than before, but full of meaning nonetheless. "Then I suppose it's time to let you all get settled where you'd like to be. But first..." Then, she reached into her pocket, withdrawing a charm that sparkled a dark yellow that was almost gold, similar to the one Dak wore around his neck. "I made a quick stop back in Chrytsalyis before I came here and I got this for you, Ramel." She said, stepping forward to hold it out to him, her voice ringing with something strong and profound. "Later, when there's time, I'd like to hold a ceremony and to give you a true token of it to make it official, but with this charm I'm granting you the title of Ambassador to your new brothers here and any of your brothers we manage to save in the future." Adora was stunned to stillness and felt Catra's wondering surge fizzle out the moment hers did and they watched through a veil of shock as Ramel's expression transformed into one of so much wonder as he gazed at Glimmer. She smiled at him, full of pride. "This station I give you is a big responsibility, but it's also a token of how much I and all of us respect the words you say and how much we appreciate how very much they help us. Take it, Ramel, and wear it with the honor that moved us all."

She stayed looking at him, but the both of them got the sense that Glimmer had spoken to their friends about it and she was saying it to them as much as she was to Ramel. The knowledge of it blasted the shock from both their minds and she felt Catra's wonder soaring right alongside their own with a rush of love and happiness and awe at what this meant as they reached for the bond between them to hold it like they were each other; just needing to be closer as they rode out this wonderful storm. As an Ambassador, Ramel would have a station among his people and theirs that no one could dispute. No soldier or person could deny his right to be where he wanted now. And with it, his words could reach more than just they and their friends and the soldiers they'd seen moved by his agony and his grief and his honor and his truth on that field of battle and after. His words had made a difference that was profound and now, he could keep making a difference in his awing and amazing way with a brand-new influence.

Suddenly, like another surge of hope and wonder, they saw in new definition their hope for Etheria, with the clones living alongside their people in peace when the war was through. They wanted his words to be able to reach more of his brothers and help them to see the truth Dak had tried to make them see before, like he had all of his brothers standing there beside them. His message could truly turn the tide like Glimmer had said that the alliance with the Enlightened and these new clones joining their forces would do. And realizing let them see that Glimmer had seen it and spoken of it with the others, without even needing to see the wonder they'd seen in these clones and it almost made them dizzy with love for her all at once.

Glimmer was a good Queen, a strong ruler, and even if she'd made mistakes in the past and grieved for them still, they saw her looking forward too, past the flames of war and destruction and her pain and weariness just like them. They knew what Glimmer as seeing was a version of peace like theirs, because it was what they'd all wanted in the beginning. Blood's betrayal had broken Glimmer in its own way, just like it had broken them, but she was still standing and fighting, and had helped to save them both from their own brokenness with Melog and their friends through all of their own despair at the war and the new destruction and loss of life here on their home. And seeing her looking forward like this, making these important decisions that moved veritable mountains in their way, was nothing short amazing; just like she'd seen and seized the opportunity with the Enlightened in a matter of seconds earlier today. And especially in the light of what they'd told her yesterday and how shaken she had been? They almost felt like they'd break in an entirely new wat from how much they were feeling in this moment.

All they could do was cling to each other and watch as a flicker of comprehension crackled through Ramel's stunned wonder, filling his eyes with so much hope and awe and pride to join all that wonder that it was again almost painful to witness. Slowly, as he if he was moving through a fog, he held out his hand for that little golden charm. But Glimmer shook her head and smiled all the brighter, taking the cord and spreading it between her hands.

A deep respect now joined all that emotion in his eyes and he knelt in front of her and let her gently slip that cord around his neck. "Rise and stand before me, Ambassador Ramel." The words were almost a tangible force of imperial honor and pride.

Ramel rose from the floor in a fluid motion, standing straighter and taller before her than he'd ever done before. His strong stance and the fire in his eyes reminded them so very much of Hordak and it brought a surge of wondering tears to their eyes. Again, came the thought even stronger than before, that they wanted them to meet. "I will wear this token and this new station with every single mote of honor and respect and gratitude in my soul." Ramel's voice was surging with emotion. "Thank you, my Queen, for granting me this."

Again, Glimmer shook her head with a smile. "No. Thank you, Ramel." Then she flashed a smile brilliant smile at Dak, who looked like he would set fire at any moment with so many emotions at once that neither of them could name them all. "Just like Dak has shown us all a part of the dream you both share for your bothers and I made him my General in gratitude and respect for it, now I give you the same as my Ambassador. Together, in your separate ways, you can help me to make this planet as much a haven to your brothers as I wish for it to be for my people. And together with you both and with the other leaders of Etheria, we will make our home better by truly allowing the people of Etheria to see your brothers in the way we now do, so that we can all live and work together in peace for a new and brighter future. That is my dream for our future."

She looked along that line of clones then, all still frozen with wonder and with awe. "All of you stand as witness to this new step into the future of our home and I welcome you all as full citizens of the Alliance with every right that my people share. Do not hesitate to ask for anything you need. Don't fear to speak your minds and to ask questions. Walk among your new people and learn from them and let them learn from you at the same time. Today again, we've made history here in front of all of you and I'd like each and every one of you to attend the ceremony in Brightmoon as my guests of honor when we introduce your Brother Ramel as the Ambassador for your people in the near future."

All of them murmured their gratitude and thanks, voices soft and wondering, but full of respect and hope and pride nonetheless. Glimmer nodded sharply, still all but beaming with fierce happiness and a pride of her own. "Now. All of you must be tired. I've requisitioned a building for you where you can rest. Ramel? Dak? would you like to be with them for a little longer?" She asked, looking between the two of them. They nodded at once, both beaming at her again. "Then take up each other's hands and take mine and I'll take you all there now." She flashed she and Catra a smile then and her eyes sparkled as she saw the expressions on their faces.

Dak took her hand and the brother's nearest him at once and like a chain, they linked. At Ramel's side, the others were linking hands too, but Ramel hesitated, not taking either offered hand. "There is one thing I would like to do before I depart." The words were full of respectful askance.

Glimmer nodded and Ramel immediately turned to step around Dak's brothers towards the three of them, his expression full of an acute need and love and just a tiny little note of fear that they realized he'd been hiding until the others couldn't see it. As they saw that fear, they realized that for all he'd been moved by Glimmer's offer of his new station and had accepted it with pride, he was afraid of it too and he wanted to be near them now, more than ever. Hearts wrenching, they all but darted towards him and they drew him away from the others as far as they could. He was trembling again, shaking as much as they were themselves as they caught him up in a fierce hug as he hugged them too. Melog wound about them, purring that loving, healing and gentle purring, holding the three of them steady in their own special way.

"Don't be afraid, Ramel." They murmured softly into his shoulders, so that only he could hear them over Melog's thunderous purring. "You're going to be amazing and we know it."

"Do you truly believe it to be so?" His voice was very small and afraid.

The sound of it twisted their hearts further so that it was all they could do to hold in their building tears as they replied. "We believe in you, Ramel." They said, the words firm, but still soft enough not to carry. "We have faith in you. We've told you so many times over the past two days, how much we appreciated your words and the person that you are. I know it seems like everything is happening so very fast, and it really is. But it's because you're special and everyone else sees it just like we do." He was crying now, sobbing softly and they pulled away just enough to cup his cheeks with on of each of their hands, brushing his falling tears away and smiling softly as he blinked them away enough to look at them. "We knew you were special the moment we healed you and we've thanked the stars so many times now for bringing you into our life. We needed you, Ramel, just as much as your brothers and Etheria need you. And you are going to do an amazing job and we know it."

His tears were fully slowing now and all of his fear was washed away by a tide of wonder and a stronger love than they'd ever seen before in his eyes and a part of them realized he'd been hiding the strength of what he felt for them, because he'd been afraid to show it before. He wasn't afraid now and he was again standing tall and proud and strong before them. "I will not let you down. I will carry this new responsibility with the same respect I carry my new name in your honor. I am Ramel and I will strive to do my new duty to my home with all I have." And just like every time he spoke like this, the words were like an oath of honor and pride, but now and all the more wonderous, there was a love there to match it.

The tears that swelled in their eyes now, were a different kind of tear, but they held them back all the same so they could smile at him and let all of their love show too. "We love you, Ramel."

Melog let out a low rumbling chuff through their purring to wordlessly echo the words as they spoke them aloud to him for the very first time, because they loved Ramel too, just as much as they did. He blinked, surprise widening his eyes for a fraction of a moment, before his expression crumbled and he dissolved more completely into tears than he had since they had first met him. But even as it tore them further to see them, they knew these were happy ones and they could no longer fight their own.

"I love you too, my Saviors Three." He was hugging them suddenly more tightly than he'd ever hugged them before as he sobbed those words and the both of them were sobbing too as they hugged him back just as tightly. Melog stopped their winding, squeezing around their bodies as tightly as they could. Their thunderous purring surged ever higher, holding them safe and loved in these happy tears.

They head a sparkle of magic and knew Glimmer had taken the others to let them have this moment with him in privacy and they loved her even more for it. Just like their own love for each other kept spiraling ever higher, so it seemed the love in them for others just kept spiraling higher too. They knew it was going to tear them to pieces when they had to leave all of these special people behind when they left after this war finally came to an end. But even over all of that surging and tearing grief and this love in their hearts almost as painful in its intensity, was wonder.

Always, always there was wonder at how very lucky they were in the face of the horrors that lay in their future. Lucky to have each other and lucky to have Melog and lucky enough to have their friends and their loved ones and all of these bonds between them, a blinding wondering mess of love and of life and of promise. Their destiny might take them far away and might leave these blinding bonds a wash of tears through the stars, but where they went was to make sure that even in their tears, this home, these people, this planet that held their hearts as truly as they held each other's, would always and forever more be safe from darkness.

They were tired, exhausted, weary, but they were not done. In each other, in this promise, in these blinding, blazing flames that never stopped, they had the power. And all that power was, was the power of love.

As that storm of tears finally began to still, they heard another tinkling burst and knew that Glimmer had returned. It was time to let Ramel go, so that he could go and do his duty, just like them. They pulled away, trying to be strong for him and for each other and saw Ramel trying to do the same. In his eyes, reflected a goodbye, but they knew it wasn't a goodbye, not now, and wanted him to know it was so.

"We're not leaving you, Ramel. We're still going to be here. And any time you need us even when we're apart, now you have this charm." They smiled down at Melog and saw a fierce happiness and a pride in their eyes. "You can always contact Melog and we can be together wherever we are." Then they blinked at looked to Glimmer and saw where she was leaning against the counter of the shop, watching them with so much wonder and happiness and love in her tired eyes that it made them smile all the harder. "He can contact Melog through it, right?" They asked, feeling a little silly they'd made the promise without really knowing anything about the charms.

Glimmer blinked and let out a soft, wavering laugh as Ramel turned to send her a curious and beseeching look. "Yes." The word was almost breathless. "I added that rune myself before I gave it to him." She pushed away from the counter and paused for a moment as something flashed through her eyes. Then, she seemed to think of something as stepped towards them. "Did you hear me explaining how to use it earlier?" She asked Ramel softly.

He sent her a sheepish grin and tucked his head with an embarrassed blush in that adorable and familiar gesture. "Apologies, my Queen, but I did not. I was caught up in the happiness of speaking to my brothers." He admitted softly.

"It's alright." There was gentle reassurance in the almost laughing words. "Here." She reached for the charm and lifted it from his chest so that they could all see it. "I'll give you a quick lesson and you can ask Dak for more details after you've all rested, okay?" She asked, looking up at him. He nodded fervently. "This indentation you see here is what activates the charm." She pressed it and it lit up in that sparkling array of runes they'd seen before.

Ramel gasped and looked to it in wonder, the exact same way all of the Enlightened clones had before. "Magic." He beamed then, looking to them as he said the word like he had the very fist time they'd met him.

They were squeezing each other tighter as a rush of giddiness coursed through their minds. His beaming smile brightened even further at the happiness they knew was plain on their faces. Glimmer looked over and let out another soft laugh. "Yes. Magic." She said it almost the same way he had. "This rune you can use to contact Melog." She pointed to a tiny blue one, almost hidden near the base and her face grew suddenly serious again. "This is one of the only charms that has this rune and it's a secret, so tell no one." His eyes went wide at her firm tone and he nodded fervently again. Glimmer smiled at his earnestness, but remained serious. "When you press it, you'll be able to speak directly to them, but you wont be able to see or hear them unless they draw a rune on their end. But just because you can't hear them, they will be able to let Adora and Catra know what you need and they can contact you when they can. Okay?"

Ramel nodded again. "I understand, my Queen." Then he looked to Melog. "I know that I have never spoken freely with you, my Silent Savior, but I promise to treat this rune with respect and will only use it in times of need."

Melog shook their head, a fondness in their eyes and then looked to them. 'Tell our ward that he may use that rune as freely as he wishes, because he is a part of all of our hearts.' The way they spoke the words let them know they wished they had drawn their communication rune on the walls here so that they could tell him themselves.

For all that Melog preferred to live in silence of others outside of moments of emergency or importance, Ramel was special to them, just like Castaspella was, for all that they loved their other friends too. The knowledge and their tone sent a lance of tender love for Melog and a little dose of regret that they preferred that silence. But that was who Melog was and they loved them, even in spite of that regret. Melog felt it and their expression was tender too, both with their own and for with their love for their understanding.

Feeling heavy with it, they looked back to Ramel. "Melog wants you to know that you can contact us any time, Ramel. Even if it's just to talk." Their voices were firm, but gentle. "And so long as we're near you, you can come to us any time. Promise us you will?"

The smile he sent them then was an entirely new wondering smile, because now, he expressed all of that love for him that he'd been hiding right along with it. "This promise I will keep." He spoke with love and a ringing echo of that promise.

"Good." The word was almost a wondering laugh. "Now go and be with your brothers. We'll talk to you later."

He nodded and looked to Glimmer, who was looking between the four of them again with that tired expression of wonder and love. Then she dropped the charm gently onto his chest and held out her hand to him. He took it and a moment later, they were gone in a sparkling burst of her power.

As they disappeared, their exhaustion seemed to sweep up over them like a wave of phenomenal proportions. With a mutual thought and a burst of love through that tired fog, they let go the bond they'd barely realized they'd still been clinging to all this time to be in that place of close conversation once more. As they did so, they were already turning, drawing each other close.

Adora buried her face in Catra's shoulder as her mate nuzzled into her neck. All she wanted in this moment was to go curl up in their tent or in a bed or even right here on this very floor and just sleep and she knew that was all Catra wanted too. Melog wound about them, purring, holding them steady again as they drooped. The tense line of their body, let her know that Melog was reigning in a sudden urge to chastise them for pushing themselves and it made her smile. She felt Catra's gentle amusement ringing back to her at almost the same time.

Just knowing that Melog loved them so much, gave them both a little more energy and let them stand a little straighter, even as they didn't part from their embrace. Melog let out a chuff that sounded like a mix of annoyance and amusement and they both laughed softly at the sound. 'You are being silly again, my precious ones.' Melog all but growled the words, but underneath that chiding tone, there was laughter and love.

"We know." She spoke the words the moment Catra did and it made them both laugh all over again. She pulled back then, just wanting to look at her mate and see that laughter for all it was and Catra's laughing, tired eyes were reflecting the thought, even as a surge of love rippled through their bond between them.

Another sparkling burst announced Glimmer's return and they looked over in just enough time to see her stumble and almost fall. Instantly, concern crackled through their minds in a desperate burst, pushing away all of that love and exhaustion. Melog was already there, holding her up as they darted for her.

"Glimmer!" She cried, reaching for her.

Glimmer steadied herself and held up a hand before Adora could draw her into her arms. "I'm okay." She murmured, but her tone was breathless and her eyes were still dazed and she was suddenly sweating and shivering.

Adora left her hands on her shoulders and heard Catra let out a low growl at her side. "You're not." Her mate all but snarled the words, but she knew her mate was only angry because of the concern she could feel crackling from her that matched her own.

Adora heard her stomping away and a few moments later she returned with a stool that had been near the low counter of the shop. Melog carefully moved from behind their friend as Catra placed the stool behind her. Gently, Adora guided her onto it and each of them took one of her hands as she knelt before her.

"Glimmer, please." Adora begged. "Tell us what's wrong!"

She shook her head sharply and then winced and Adora felt her heart stop as she saw her eyes all but spinning in her head as she wavered on the stool. A sudden flash of clarity in them as her sweaty cheeks paled was the only warning Adora had and she barely managed to scoot away before Glimmer curled over and began retching, spilling her stomach's contents onto the floor in front of her. Every hair on Catra's body was standing on end and she felt terror rippling between their minds as her mate moved to wrap an arm around Glimmer's shoulders, holding her up on the stool while she retched. All Adora could do was hold tightly to her clammy hand as she watched Glimmer all but collapse in her mate's arms as the retching finally stopped. Her mind seemed to have been reduced to nothing but terrified static.

"Call for one of our mages!" Catra cried then to Melog. At once, they were darting for one of the walls.

"No!" Glimmer forced the word out and then coughed. She swallowed hard and took a ragged breath, sitting up as much as she could with a desperate expression on her face. "No healers." Her voice was rough and breathless from her retching and utter exhaustion and lingering dizziness Adora could see in her eyes. "I just need to get back to Bow." She took another deep breath, trying again to steady herself further, even as she was still shivering. "Just let me rest for a minute before I teleport again. I should have waited longer between trips."

Catra looked up to her, desperation in her eyes and echoing with the dread and terror and concern through their bond that was rippling and crackling through her own static. "Take her." She murmured.

Those words and rippling emotions from her mate, let Adora move to do so at once, but her own mind was still nothing but terrified static as she wrapped both arms around her trembling friend, just wanting to hold her close. She couldn't think any further than that. Just that she desperately wanted Glimmer to be okay. She felt Catra trying to reassure her through the bond, but it was like that reassurance was eaten away by the static as soon as it had come even as she knew her mate was now just as worried for her as she was for Glimmer. She could feel distantly that a part of her wanted to fight free of this static, but she couldn't. Everything was only this and she could only hold Glimmer close and want her to be okay.

She saw her mate reappear with a bucket and cloths from somewhere and watched Catra kneel down to begin cleaning up the evidence of Glimmer's sickness with a grim expression of desperation. She wanted to help her, but again, all was static, and the thought seemed to begone almost before it fully formed. She felt Melog pressing against her legs, purring, trying to steady her, but she couldn't be steady right now.

Glimmer was one of her closest friends and she couldn't bear the thought of losing her. She was sick. She was sick and there was nothing she could do but hold her close.

And then, suddenly, like a blade to cut through the static, she wanted She-Ra. She wanted her magic to heal Glimmer. She reached for the bond and sent that desperate burst to Catra and she felt her mate rising, reaching for them, as she reached for their bond too.

With a tug, they were one and they cried their words of power. "For the honor of Greyskull!"

Even as they were changing, they were already pulling from that magic, calling up every ounce of energy they had left into a wave of healing to pour into Glimmer. But as they did so, they felt a flicker of knowledge from her shining spirit that told them that this magic could make Glimmer feel better in this moment, but she could not take this affliction away and the effort would leave them with almost nothing left. They raged at her, angrier than they had ever been, but She-Ra did not react to that anger, except to try to sooth them. They got the sense that She-Ra was amused and felt a rush of mothering pride that confused them, before her spirit was gone, leaving their bodies shifting back in a rush of even more acute exhaustion as she went.

Now, they were sagging into Glimmer as Glimmer was wrapping her arms about them, trying desperately to hold them up to keep them from falling to the floor. "Adora! Catra! What have you done?!" She was all but screaming the words and they felt her trying to guide their bodies away from the sick still on the floor. And suddenly, strange but familiar arms were winding about them too, helping her to lift them up just enough to move them to the side, and distantly they knew that it was Melog in their humanoid form. Gently, they laid their bodies out side by side and they felt a fog of darkness trying to take them over all at once.

Desperately, they fought against it, because they knew they could not rest. They had to tell Glimmer that she was not healed and they desperately needed to know what was wrong with their friend. It took every ounce of what they had left not to succumb to that fog and to blink open their eyes to see them both staring down at them. There were tears in Glimmer's eyes and though Melog could not actually tear, they saw them crying in their own way and seeing that pain and worry and fear in them both lent them another burst of desperate strength.

"We're okay." The words were a breathless waver of sound. The acute relief that spread across their faces then was almost painful to see, but they pushed it down and away, because they had to tell Glimmer. "She-Ra's power. It couldn't take away your sick." Their words were still breathless, but they were trying desperately to gather themselves more as they saw surprise and then more pain and sadness flash through her eyes.

Suddenly, Melog was growling at them and even if it was not the same sound as they made in their preferred form, they knew it all the same, and the bristling of their aura let them know Melog was fighting against a sudden burst of rage. 'You are both fools!' They shouted. This was the angriest they'd ever heard them speak in either form and they were frozen with a sudden terror as they continued to shout. 'Her sickness is not something you can take away! If you had but stopped to ask, I would have told you this! You act without thought and you put yourselves at risk! You were all but drained already and you did not have the energy and would not have been able to heal her now even if she could be healed!' They were panting from the force of their shouting, but that growling still did not still entirely.

Then, they saw Glimmer reach out and put a tentative hand on their shoulder. Melog's head snapped up to look at her, but the pained look on her face stilled their rage. "Can we please go to Bow?" She pleaded. "I need him." The words were acutely desperate.

Melog's expression morphed into one of pain and gentle understanding and they nodded at once. Terror surged in them even more at the thought of Glimmer using more energy while she was still sick, but her magic coursed over them and they were falling in that space of magical transport before they could voice their denial. When the world returned around them again, they were in a smallish room, with exposed wooden beams on the ceiling and flickering oil lamps on the white-washed walls. Glimmer wavered above them and they tried to reach for her at once, but Melog was already steadying her before they could try to force their tired limbs into action. They held her as she sat fully on the floor and then stood at once to walk to a nearby wall.

They knew Melog was drawing the rune so that they could speak and all they could do was lie there and fight against their exhaustion as they watched Glimmer taking deep, steadying breaths to push away her resurgent dizziness and a sudden burst of tears. They knew she saw the desperate question in their eyes. "I don't understand why this is happening to me. It's been happening on and off for days now, but this is the worst it's ever been. I just don't understand!" The way she said the words sounded like a plea to the cosmos for answers. "I was fine earlier, but it keeps getting worse and worse every time it happens. I don't know what to do!" The words broke on a sob and she squeezed her eyes shut against tears.

Terror and dread and pain for Glimmer surged through them, but they were still all but helpless as they felt a subtle rush of magic as Melog's rune sealed onto the wall. An instant later they felt another that let them know they'd returned to their preferred form. 'I will explain it to you, my young queen, and I swear to you that all is well.' Melog's voice was infinitely gentle as they came to nuzzle her cheek, purring the softest of purrs as they did so.

Relief filled them at the words, because if Melog said that she was fine, then they believed them utterly. The rush of it almost stole the last of their strength, but they hung on with all they had, because they wanted to know what was wrong with their friend all the same. Glimmer's tears slowed and she hiccupped around a sob as she blinked open her eyes too look at Melog in surprise.

'Know that what I say is the truth.' They murmured, still in that infinitely kind way. 'But be still for a moment longer while I go to collect your arrow. He should be here for this news.' And then, Melog glowered down at them. 'Watch these silly fools so that they do no more harm to themselves while I am away.' The words were a growl.

Glimmer let out a surprised laugh that was almost a sob. "As if any of us could stop them when they put their minds to something." She joked, her voice cracking with her lingering tears. Melog chuffed a growling laugh and then was gone in a flicker of magic. The tearful look Glimmer sent them then was equal parts loving and exasperated. "Melog is right you know. You're both fools for trying to heal me when you were so tired already. But… thank you for trying." A few more tears escaped as she murmured the words and the sight of them brought tears to their own eyes.

They wanted to comfort her and to tell her that they would sacrifice almost anything to see her safe, because they loved her and wanted to apologize for their failed attempt at making her better, even if they trusted Melog when they said that all was well. Feeling all of this gave them the strength to make another desperate attempt to push their exhaustion away and, finally, they found that they could move again. Unable to properly coordinate both of their bodies at once through the lingering fog of it, they tugged along the bond to be in that distant place of instant communication. It let them still be one mind, because neither of them could bear to part from each other right now, but apart enough to be able to truly feel the separation of their bodies.

As they settled there, Catra was already trying to sit up. She reached for her mate, helping her to rise first and as soon as Catra was steady, she helped her to sit up too. They leaned against one another for support as they moved to be able to face Glimmer.

She was watching them with a bittersweet mix of love and pain and sadness. "We love you, Glimmer." They said together, trying to express everything the felt in those breathless words.

Glimmer was reaching for them as they reached for her and all three of them dissolved into tears. Glimmer was shaking even harder than they were and they held her tightly between them, wanting her to be safe and whole and to know that they loved her. It was only a moment later they heard the heavy footsteps of someone running down the hallway towards the room.

They knew it was Bow, even before the door flew open with so much force it slammed against the wall behind it. "Glimmer!" He all but screamed her name in a frantic shout.

And Glimmer was snatching away from them, sobbing even harder as she turned. "Bow!" Her cry was just as frantic and she was already fumbling to try to stand.

He didn't give her the chance, running at her so quickly when that when he dropped, he slid into her on his knees, catching her up in a fierce embrace. She was hugging him back just as fiercely even as her body rocked with the force of him sliding into her. "What happened?" Bow sobbed the question. "I thought you were coming straight back here!"

"I'm sorry!" Glimmer sobbed back. "I should have let you come with me. I was an idiot! I didn't think it would get so bad so quickly." But even as she forced out the words, she was trying to still her sobs, soothing her hands over his back in an attempt to comfort him. " But Melog says I'm fine! They said they're going to explain what's wrong. Okay?" Her tearful voice was full of reassurance.

Bow made a small sound under his breath that was almost a moan as he shook his head against her shoulder. "I'm just so glad you're here and you're safe. That's all I care about right now." He sobbed. And at the sound of those words, Glimmer was crying harder all over again and clinging to him once more.

She and Catra had been all but frozen, watching helplessly in the face of their friends' pain, and it was only then they saw that Melog had shut the door and was again in their humanoid form drawing a rune on the door to grant them all privacy for whatever they had to tell Glimmer and Bow. A fraction of a moment later, they realized that maybe they should leave. Their worry for Glimmer did not exceed their friends' right to privacy.

But even as they thought it, they knew they'd never be able to walk out of this room right now without help. They looked to Melog wanting to ask them what they should do and they immediately shot them a sharp look as they shifted back that answered their question with a firm finality; they were going nowhere until they rested a little. Still, they wanted to offer their friends whatever privacy they could and tried to move away from them at least a little. With a growl they sensed was a barely restrained snarl, Melog was there, flopping promptly down behind them to stop their attempts to move. Their body was rigid as they curled around them, prompting them to lean back against them. Resigning themselves to it, they did as Melog asked and felt them relax a little as they did so.

Then, Melog looked to Glimmer and Bow. 'Be still, my friends.' Their tone was a little rough with their lingering anger towards she and Catra, but it was still gentle and kind in spite of it.'Be calm. It is true what I have told our young queen. All is indeed well.' As they spoke the words, the rest of their anger faded and they felt a flicker of relief between them as Melog relaxed fully and began to purr.

Slowly, very slowly, as if it hurt them to do so, Glimmer and Bow pulled apart. Bow then sat back at once and pulled Glimmer into his lap, holding her tightly and possessively against him as he looked to Melog. The expression on his face was one they'd never quite seen before and the fierce steel in his dark eyes made them balk even as it was directed at Melog.

"Tell us what's wrong with her." He demanded, sounding more imperial than they'd ever heard him sound. And all at once, they realized they were in the presence of their future King.

She felt Catra see Melog nod a bow to him in respect before they spoke and they knew Melog saw it too and was pleased by it. 'This news I have to tell you is a good news, my King.' Their voice was still gentle and kind, but there was a happiness now to their words. 'The reason for your Queen's sickness is a wonder and a joy even as the stress of her station leaves her so very sick in the wake of it. If circumstances were different, this sickness might not have come so soon and would not be so very debilitating as it is now.' And then she felt Catra see Melog smile their version of a smile and look directly into Glimmer's eyes. 'You are with child.' The words rang profoundly joyous and wonderous as Melog's purring surged higher.

She and Catra gasped at the same moment Glimmer did. Bow's jaw dropped in shock and all of that imperial fire was gone in an instant. Glimmer was frozen, staring at Melog like she'd seen a ghost for a long moment, but then, she began to tremble again. As they saw the full realization of what Melog had said enter her lavender eyes in a rush of wonder and awe and fierce happiness, she and Catra felt at once the acute need to leave. This moment, this wonderful, glorious, and amazing moment, should have been all for their friends to enjoy alone in private. They felt it even more acutely as Glimmer found the strength to turn in Bow's arms and they looked down and away as she cupped his still stunned face in her hands with an exuberant and dazzling smile. Catra 's ears flipped down, pressing into her head and they did their best to tune out Glimmer's joyous murmuring words to Bow.

Melog let out a low sigh and shifted behind them. With no small amount of renewed shock, they saw a snaking coil of purple scales come to quickly curl about their waists. It wound over and around them, holding them firmly and they felt themselves being lifted gently, but promptly into the air. As Melog gently deposited them onto the back of their new and stunning form, turning to help settle them, they saw it was that of snakelike creature with an androgynous, humanoid upper body and the long tendrils of aura hanging down from their head like thick locks of hair wavered like snakes of their own as they slithered with them towards the door in quick, but fluid motions.

They last thing they registered before Melog opened it, were the sounds of their friends' joyous and wondering laughter and now that they were no longer intruding, they could just be joyful for them again. Adora was winding her arms about Catra's waist as her mate was leaning back into her and squeezing her arms all the tighter about her own body, holding her back, and all they could feel was wonder for the new life Glimmer and Bow had created together. Their own promise and that shining hope and longing for their future filled them in a flaming and white-hot inferno of love. Then, they were surging with a rush of love and gratitude and awe for Melog all at once as they shut the door silently behind them with a flick of their scaly tail, cutting off the loving celebration of their friends in that special moment that was all for them.

"Thank you, Melog." They murmured the words, letting every ounce of it fill them as they began slithering fluidly down the hallway.

They let out a sound that reminded them of Rogelio's rumbling purring even as they recognized it as Melog's for all that it was new. 'You are still fools, the both of you, and I am angry with you still.' Their almost cutting, hissing voice was new again, but again it was uniquely Melog all the same.'But this wonder and this happiness you feel and the truth in your hearts makes me unable to hold to that anger very tightly.' And now that hissing voice was a little more gentle. 'You were right in knowing that that moment was a moment for them to have in peace and feeling that wise understanding from you makes it even harder still. But do not think I shall forget your foolishness any time soon. You will now rest and I will see to it that there is food abundant for you when you awaken, for again, my silly ones, you have forgotten to eat this day.' And then they made a low sound that they recognized as embarrassed. 'And I shall be chiding myself the entire time for being a fool myself and forgetting to remind you.' They hissed a laugh and the sound of it made them laugh softly too.

As that loving laughter faded, their exhaustion was suddenly surging back in a heavy rush. She was slumping into Catra as Catra was slumping forward onto the warm and smooth scales of Melog's undulating tail. They tried to push it away, just enough not to succumb until they reached whatever destination Melog was taking them towards.

'Do not fight your slumber, my silly, precious ones.' Melog murmured in a soft hiss. 'I will handle all. When morning comes, there is very much still to be done. So, sleep for now and regain the strength you need while you have this chance to do so. All for now is good and well and there is time enough for all things.'

Melog's words had begun to drift away from them already and not even the swirling thoughts of their duty could push that dark fog of sleep away a moment longer. They were limp across Melog's slithering form, but they knew Melog would never let them fall. They were safe and they were loved and they were together and that was all that mattered right now in that quiet place their thoughts had stilled.

0o0o0o0o0o0

And there we go! Thank you so much for reading! I hope that you and enjoyed and I hope to see you along as we head on towards the future!

Until next time, loves! Stay safe and read on! Ja!