Chapter 6
Sealiness Burned.
Catra watched from the deck of the ship as she saw Horde Soldiers charge forward. Tanks and various Bots were rolling through the streets firing their cannons at local buildings and skyscrapers, turning them into rubble. Civilians were running as far as they could while the defenses were hardly able to keep up to the technological might of the Horde armies.
Months of planning and preparations, tricking the Princesses into bickering with one another, or going off on fools errands. All the while she gathered up the full strength of the Horde, gathering their resources for the main attack. Meanwhile Hordak prepared an advanced weapon that would manage to take down the seagate once and for all, opening up the seas of Etheria to their forces.
From up here she was able to survey the entire battle field. Rebel soldiers retreated en mass while her own troops continued to make advancements. Tanks began storming the beaches destroying anything that got in their way. Wave after wave of Horde soldiers continued to press into the city. Hordak himself was leading the charge. For the first time she had a inch of respect for her commander and partner in conquest, actually seeing him in the field instead hiding in that pathetic sanctum of his
As she continued to watch her communicator opened as one of the field commanders contacted her, "Force Captain Catra we're in position, what is our orders"
Catra smirked, "Move all our forces down there, no prisoners, no survivors"
Fire and explosions began to consume the city now, the sound of screams echoed, a once mighty Kingdom was now in flames, and it was all her doings. The sounds of screams were only overtaken by that of heavy blaster fire.
As Catra watched all she could at that moment was laugh, this was truly a great victory.
Darkness.
Catra eyes darted open now, as she looked around, she was back in her bed at the Eternian castle breathing heavily. Worse though, Adora wasn't there, she must have gone out again after what happened this afternoon. Her own mind working in mysterious ways.
Taking a deep breath she muttered to herself "I'm not that person anymore, I'm not that person anymore, I'm not that person anymore" a small trick that Perfuma had tried to teach her whenever these memories started infiltrating her mind.
Thankfully for Catra Melog was there as they ran to rescue jumping on them to make sure they were okay.
"Hey, hey...I'm okay" Catra took a deep breath, "Just...Just a bad dream….I think...I hope" sometimes she could never tell, so much had happened during that year of the war in particular. Did she order the deaths of civilians. It was hard to say, in her mind she probably did, they turned to Melog "Come on, let's go for a stroll"
If there was one thing Catra hadn't lost even with the war over was that she was good at sneaking around places. Having a magical therapy pet that turned her invisible also helped in that matter.
Ever since coming to Eternia something didn't sit well with her. First the fact they were here because of a voice. Then all of a sudden they met Adora's parents, a one in a million chance. All of this and more just did not sit well with Catra. Her inner cynicism, paranoia and skepticism for all things were ringing alarm bells and she wanted to do something about it. Though, she also really wanted to talk to someone about it. At least, that's what Adora probably would want her to do first.
Adora was with her brother Adam at the moment, and Catra didn't have much love for him so far. He seemed a bit arrogant, rude, and quite frankly something felt off about him. Though she could see some of the family resemblance, not just in look but he too had that dumbass idiot that Adora had. Only thing was that while Adora was a sticker for the rules, a goody goody through and through, Adam felt too lacking, in some ways like her but less messed up. Catra would have probably liked Adam if he didn't seem so smug all the time.
All of this though just felt off, it seemed wrong. Now all of a sudden Adora found a biological family, after what, months of not bothering to show up, years of not even looking for her. Sure Etheria was in another dimension and by the look of things this play didn't seem that advanced but still, it all felt weird to her. Weird and unnatural, and her gut always told her that was a bad thing. If these people were connected to the First One's then that had to be bad, something about all of this had to be bad.
Walking alongside Melog down the halls of the castle, he passed several guards and others looking for whatever room they stuck Glimmer in. She thought that maybe she'd be the best person to talk too. Being a royal meant she could get into their heads. The more she walked through the more she got nervous about all these soldiers, it was far more than back in Brightmoon and they had a lot more tech as well. She kept on walking for several more minutes until a door burst open, as someone sparkly and pink appeared.
"Oh, Sparkles" Catra muttered, Melog letting out a soft meow, "Didn't see yuh there, hey um...Have you seen Adora"
Glimmer shook her head, "No, I think I saw her with Adam though by the window, they looked like they were heading out"
Catra frowned, "Probably family bonding. Honestly does it count if they've known each other for a day. Ugh it's like when she met you all over again but less war"
"Oh don't tell me your jealous" Glimmer merely rolled her eyes and leaned against the wall, "First off, Adora is not going to leave you for these people, even if they are family by blood...which still have yet to prove remember…."
"True" Catra muttered.
"Second, your Catra,...Adora just got you back, she isn't gonna give that up. That's why she brought you and us. She's not going to drop everything and leave...not again"
"Easy for you to say, she left for you first time"
Glimmer sighed, "Yes; and while it did have many positives for me and objectively Etheria, I know for you it was...I mean" she saw Catra's mood sour "….things could have been different. But you're different right? You wouldn't just go back to Etheria without her, would you?"
"Of course I wouldn't! Catra snapped taking a moment to breath and regain herself, "I'd rather live on a new planet with her with a family who I know hates me then lose Adora again."
"See that's ….Hates you?" Glimmer asked, raising a eyebrow, "I don't think they hate you, they've only known you for a day"
"You hated me on site" Catra hugged herself, "And then hated me more because of well...all the stuff and you know….
"We were at war and I thought you were Horde Scum...Still are, but I no longer hate you" Glimmer assured her, giving a smug smile.
Catra chuckled, losing a bit of her edge "Right back at yuh sparkles...But you saw her so called parents, they gave me the eye, I don't think the...Complications of our story really came through".
"I'm sure they'll get it in time," Glimmer sighed, "Heck I'm still getting used to having Horde Clone's as royal guard, let alone being friends with you"
"Gee thanks" Catar snickered.
Glimmer gave her a slight punch on the chest, "You know what I mean Horde Scum, it's strange, I never thought I, we'd be in this position but here we are. On another planet, here to support Adora as she is learning about her origins and where she came from for the first time"
"Yeah….how things change" Catra snickered.
The two of them stood there just looking at each, a brief smile on both their faces. Catra and Glimmer's relationship was an odd one for sure. One reason is because of the portal incident Catra had caused Glimmer mom had to sacrifice herself to save her and Adora. On the other hand Catra had saved Glimmer, though mostly it was because of Adora from Prime's ship. Yet despite all that, and probably some still seeded resentment, Glimmer made the effort to befriend Catra, and she did so in they got to know one another they realized just how alike they were. Pig headed at times, determined to win no matter the cost. It was something both had to learn the hard way when the war was on. They also realized, just how much they wanted to look out for their best friends.
"I'm sure you're just overreacting a bit" Glimmer said, trying to give Catra a comforting smile, "Adora won't choose Etheria over this palace"
"I hope your right" Catra signed.
"Though honestly" Glimmer sighed, "I would be lying if I said I didn't worry about her choosing this place too"
Catra opened her mouth about to reply when suddenly she heard muttering coming from down the hall, as a few palace guards rushed pass them. With her sensitive ears Catra was able to pick up some of the words they were saying, and by the sound of their tone, they sounded worried.
"We got word from Man at Arms, somethings up"
"We'll send a division now," The soldier saluted before rushing off.
Catra ears twitched, "Hey...I'm gonna get going….See you later...Come on Melog"
Melog meowed as she followed her. The two turned invisible as they followed the guards trying to catch up to them.
Ever since they arrived Catra felt something was off. There were way too many guards here for the castle, and they all looked skittish. From when they first arrived she noticed that many guards were set around the outer perimeters of the palace. She was used to Brightmoon guards all over the place, they came and went all the time. Something was going on here and she wanted to find out what. Perhaps a little good old fashioned investigation was the key.
Catra was not about to let Adora fall into some sort of First One or Eternian or whoever the heck these people were trapped. For all she knew this was one big ruse and they were going to use her She-Ra powers for their own ends.
So thus she kept following, trying to keep up, only hit something large and bulky, causing the invisibility to wear off.
"Oh, Catra sorry" Scorpia held out her calw to help Catra up.
Catra looked up at Scorpia still with that positive smile of her, holding out a claw for her to take. Hesitantly she took it. Even after her forgiving her, she still felt that she didn't deserve Scorpia's friendship. Still she took the claw anyway.
"No problem," Catra helped her up, Melog meowed happily to see Scorpia.
"Hi Catra!" Entrapta popped up behind her as well, Emily rolling up a few feet away "Look at all this tech I managed to steal-I mean borrow….yeah...borrow... Me and Hordak are going to do some comparing and contrasting, maybe see if we can fuse it for...things" her eyes kept shifting back and forth as if expecting to be found out.
Catra rolled her eyes but smiled, "Nice, hey have you seen any soldiers passing by, I'm following them"
"Nope!" Entrapta replied, Emily letting out a 'beep boop' sound.
"Why are you following soldiers" Scorpia asked, looking nervous.
Catra sighed but kept a smile, "I was just um...I was-"
"Is everything okay" Scorpia frowned.
Again Catra felt a lump in her chest, how could she still be so concerned after every she did to her. Scorpia was sometimes just too good for this world sometimes. Made worse by the fact she was still nervous about this place. Deep don though she knew that Scorpia never had any will against her. If anything she probably didn't have a single bad bone in her body.
Yet Perfuma said that Catra should learn to be more open, so maybe asking her and maybe Entrapta for help might not be such a bad idea after all.
"I was, um, spying on some of those guards okay" Catra muttered.
Scorpia looked confused, "Why?"
"I think, look something weird is going on here, I don't know what but I can just feel it" Catra sneered looking around suspiciously, "Something is going on and those guards were gonna check in something like, it was attacked or something, I don't know, but Adora is out and I'm worried"
Scorpia beamed, "You are worried for Adora, that is ..Soooooo nobel"
"I concur that worrying for a friend is a good trait to have so I've been told" Entrapta nodded in agreement, "And coming from you that definitely indicates much change in your character"
"Gee thanks" Catra said looking down at them, Melog giving her a certain look, she knew what it meant and sighed looking back at them, "Can you um...Can you guys help me?"
"Sure!" Scorpia smiled without a second thought, "Anything for you! Ooooooh a Super Pal Trio mission, yes, I have been DYING for us to do something together again!"
Catra looked taken aback, "Uh, y-yeah, sure I guess, a Super Pal Trio mission"
Scorpia pulled Entrapta and Catra into a massive hug, "Hurray! The Super Pal Trio is back!"
"Will there be tech involved?" Entrapta asked.
"Maybe, I saw a few doors with computer locks on them" Catra interjected, trying to breathe through the tight hug.
Entrpata screamed with delight, "OKAY! I'M IN!"
"Great," Catra was losing air, "Scorpia...Need….Air…."
So the plan was symbol really, have Melog turn Catra, Scorpia and Entratpa invisible as they looked for royal guards who clearly were up to something and found out what it was. That couldn't be too hard right? Well apparently it made sense they had no idea how to get around Eternia's main castle, since they had never been here before and it was so large and hard to get around. Plus they had to make sure to not bump into any guards.
Catra tried using her sense of smell to find the guards from earlier, she was able to pick up on something. The trio together snuck through the various halls, down large corridors, trying to find something. Scorpia kept accidentally bumping into objects while Entrpata would always gawk and awe at the various tech she found when moving. It was moments like this taht reminded Catra of her horde missions and the same frustrations she had to deal with back then. Although now she tried to calm herself, remembering that they weren't here on orders they were her friends here to help. She wanted to be supportive and calm.
That was hard when Scorpia almost knocked over a base and tried to grab with her claws, clumsy putting it back on the pedestal.
"Whoops, sorry, sorry" Scorpia said as the four of them returned to being visible again
Catra rubbed her forehead and breathed, "It's okay, just be careful okay"
"Right"
They kept going, passing several more hallways and rooms. Always going from one hall to the other, yet no sign of those guards from earlier. Scorpia and Entrapta were trying to keep up as best they could but Catra was a bit too fast as she ran down the halls. Focusing all her energy on them, that when she did turn back she saw the two of them, they both looked incredibly exhausted.
A tinge of guilt came at her, they were still following her after all this time.
"Um...Thanks again" Catra said, worrying she was hurting her feelings for helping again, "For helping me, it means alot"
Scorpia smiled, "Hey, anything for my Wildcat!"
"Plus I might get hack into something" Entrapta said taking out her computer tablet, "I've been dying to get a good scan on these place computing processor, I bet it's not even up to code"
"Great great-" Catra mumbled as she tried to pick up the sent, "They have to be near by the couldn't have gotten far"
"Hey Wildcat?" Scorpia sounded nervous, "So I know you're worried about Adora, which hey is great and all-but um...why exactly again? Yo were still really vague".
Catra sighed and turned to face Scorpia looking serious, "Because this is a strange planet with strange people and for all I know they may wanna use Adora for some sort of twisted reason. After all they are connected to the First One's"
"I see, I see-" Scorpia nodded, "Makes sense to me"
"The possibilities are high given Adora's track record of running into trouble and being the pawn of someone's much large scheme" Entrapta said doing the calculations in her head, "So it's probably good to investigate given the circumstances, I wanna make sure these people are no threat to Hordak as well"
"Yeah see, wait what?" Catra blinked.
Entrapta nodded keeping her chipper demeanor though, "Oh yes, after dinner I can tell the social tension between Hordak and the Royals grew exponentially, and despite the King keeping his word not to harm Hordak, I want to make sure that this place is a safe space for him to be at the moment, before needing to take drastic actions"
"Such as?" Scorpia asked nervously.
"Building necessary combat armor, a plasma cannon, re- activating any old bots to use as self defense" Entrapta went on, "That sort of thing"
"Wait bots?" Catra asked.
Entrapta nodded, "Yeah, I brought a few on Darla just in case there deactivated, they were from the Fright Zone. In fact that's one thing we gotta do when we get back. A lot of bots are scattered around the place decatived, hate for them to activate and go into primary mode"
"What's that?" Scorpia asked.
"Oh you know, normally just attack anyone on site that sorta thing, thankfully of the Fright Zone is abounded then that should not happen, I took that out of Emily though when I first met her, it was messing with her systems, hence why she's so different from her brothers and sisters". Entrpata looked back at the bot and smiled patting it on the shell, "But that's what makes her special"
Catra and Scorpia looked nervous now and just slowly nodded. If they knew one thing was for sure she would defend Hordak come heck and high water.
"Okay," Catra rubbed her forehead, "Well I lost the trail, ugh there has to be something"
"Well why don't we go into Man at Arms private workshop and hack into his computer" Entrapta suggested.
"Um, Entrapta, why didn't you suggest that before?" Catra muttered.
Entrapta shrugged, "You didn't ask"
"Well I say we go" Scorpia beamed.
Catra let out a long annoyed sigh, "Sure, let's go"
Entrapta quickly led the way down more halls and passed some more guards and servants. Melog of course managed to cover them up with their magic until they headed into the back gardens of the Castle. There they saw a building separate from the rest of the castle. Thankfully no guards were around the area so it made the race there easy. No need to be too sneaky about it.
Catra though still kept her eyes open, invisible or not she didn't know if anyone had any heat seeking beams or something that could see through Melgo's magic. Plus Scorpia kept knocking over things with her tail accidentally and kept trying to put them back which always made Catra let out a soft annoyed grunt. Though she held back, not wanting to get made or anything.
Thankfully though they weren't caught and managed to make it, didn't seem like anything would stand in their way of getting inside. That was until they found the door locked.
"Of course" Catra sneered
"It's okay!" Entrapta cracked her fingers and got typing, "Nothing a little hacking won't solve"
She worked like lighting, using Emily to make her way through doors security, as they tried to get the door to open, punching in various codes and what not. Catra and Scorpia just watching in awe, it was scary how good she was at hacking things. Sometimes Catra wondered why Adora and the other princesses never tried to use Entrapta skills to hack the Fright Zone more back when she was still with them.
A question for another time perhaps.
Finally the doors burst open allowing the three to enter, once inside Melog removed the invisibility allowing them to see without worry
Looking around Catra and the others found themselves in a control room of some sorts. Various computer screens filled the area with maps and charts of all sorts. She explored the place trying to find anything that might be going on, although she didn't know exactly what she was looking for.
"Hey Entrapta?" Catra asked, "Can you find out anything about the First One's or something? Something linked to She-Ra"
"RIGHT!" Entrapta whooped to the computer and began typing the screens fizzled and projected one image after the other, "Well, nothing really on the First One's or anything really. BUT, there is a lot of movement with the Eternian military, lots of patrols around something called the Dark Hemisphere, all interested in one location called...Snake Mountain?"
"Snake Mountain?" Catra looked at the screen and examined it herself, a image appeared on screen. One of a large mountain in the shape of a snake, lava flowing through it's wide fanged moth. The surrounding area looked nothing but decay and misery. It made the Fright Zone seem almost pleasant.
Almost
Entrapta continued,"By the looks of it these are records of attacks on what looks like random villages and towns. These Eternians have a lot of outposts around this Dark Hemisphere place, almost like they wanna keep whatever's in there to stay. Clearly it's not working though"
"Why not?" Scorpia asked.
Entrapta continued to look at the maps again, Catra examining "Because whatever they want to keep in there keeps getting out and keeps attacking"
"Pfft, these Eternians need a better strategy then" Catra snickered.
"You were pretty good with al that organizing stuff back in the Horde" Scorpia said with a bit of pride in her voice, "Goodness knows I can't organize all those people if you asked me"
Catar frowned, "Yeah, uh, thanks um…." she coughed awkwardly, it was weird to be complimented for almost conquering a planet conquering army.
So there was definitely something going on here. Something involving a Snake Mountain. Meaning this planet was a danger zone. Worse Adora was out there somewhere with that king, and could be in trouble right now for all she knew.
Suddenly a small buzzing sound was heard, Catra thought it was a alarm only to see Entrpata pull out a computer pad.
"Oh, it's Hordak" Entrapta turned it on as Hordak's stoic face appeared, she waved cheerfully, "Hi Hordak"
"Entrapta" He said sounding concerned, "Where are you, I haven't been able to find out in this confusing palace"
"Oh I'm with Catra and Scorpia, we're on a mission, I'm hacking into the computer systems" Entrapta explained carefully.
Catra could see Hordak's eyes narrow, "I see, are you sure you are okay"
"Oh yes definitely" Entrapta said, "Don't worry no betrayal or drama has occurred although Catra may be jealous of Adora's new found family"
"What!"
"Well, as long as you are safe and having ...fun...just be careful Entrapta" Hordak said, his voice sincere.
Entrapta gave him a light smile, "I will" she waved goodbye before turning off the pad.
Catra was taken aback by how sincere Hordak was, he really did have a thing for Entrapta. Of course she should have seen it by all the times he mentioned her when the two of them were spending time planning the conquest of Etheria. Now seeing it thought in full force was definitely something, considering that this was not what she used to think Hordak was before She-Ra, before Prime, before everything really.
Now this.
"What no I love you" Catra snickered trying to gain a sense of composure.
Entrapta looked confused, "Oh we haven't' said that to each other yet"
"Wait really?" Scorpia looked shocked, "You don't say I love you to each other, how! Why! You guys are like...Totally in love with each other, I see it all the time."
"We don't see the need too, or at least he doesn't and I don't" Entrapta continued going back to the computer, "It just seems like strange emotions that don't really require saying. Love, it's just a word, actions speaking louder than words according to the philosophers I've been studying. Besides we know it, we don't need to psychologically reforce it. Right?"
"Sometimes that reinforcement is nice" Catra muttered.
Entrapta remained silent for a few seconds before Emily nudged her back to the screen, "Oh I found more data...yay!"
Catra and Scorpia turned to the screen as now images of various individuals popped up. The conversation about Entrpata and Hordaks use of the word 'love' could wait.. As the images appeared on screen Catra noticed that many of them looked like large thugs that she found back at the Crimson Waist, some even half beast than human. One in particular though seemed quite striking, a benign whose face was a floating skeleton head, covered only by a hood.
"Whose that?" Catra asked looking shaken by the image
Entrapta read it, "According to this that's Skeletor, he leads this group calling themselves the ...Evil Warriors"
"Oh they don't sound nice" Scorpia said, "Then again thinking back, Horde also doesn't sound like a nice name...Although strangely we never hoarded much"
Catra smirked, "Keep reading"
"That's all I've gotten so far, just that they are trying to conquer the planet" Entrapta typed a bit faster, "They don't seem to be much of a army, but more like just a large group of thugs and baddies, but they are quite persinstant by the files, they keep attacking what seems like every other week at this point.
Catra clenched her hands flexing her claws as she tried to stay calm. So not only haad they traveled to a planet where apparently Adora had this so-called 'famly' but now they were on a planet that was under attack constantly. Why couldn't for once, just once the two of them find peace instead of having to be thrown into something stupid or dangerous. She just wanted to live, she wanted Adora to live so they could have that family like in the dream, a perfect future. Catra felt herself starting to spiral .Suddenly she felt something touch her shoulder.
"Hey," Scorpia said smiling, "I'm sure Adora is gonna be okay"
Catra signed, looking up at Scorpia and to her surprise giving her a quick hug "I hope your right"
"Well you're about to find out the King's ship is back," Entrapta commented, "Think maybe he'll let me tinker with it"
Catra jumped as all three of them went back outside, they saw a giant transport ship start land in the middle of the courtyard. A few royal guards and staff came around to make sure that everything was okay. A churning sensation could be felt in Catra's chess as she rushed to make sure everything was okay.
"Adora!" She called out from the ship running to her to hold her quick.
She heard the sound of footsteps as Adora came out and hugged Catra tight for a moment.
"What happened?"
Adora stepped back looking a bit nervous, "Well um...I found out that this planet is well slightly...kinda...at war"
Catra signed, "Yeah….that's what I figured.
-000-
Well the secret was out and King Randor had decided to summon Adora and the rest of her friends to a bit of a meeting. Man at Arms, Teela and Adam were also there to help explain what was going on .Catra already felt paranoid now, this was it, the big reveal that something was up and that this whole place was nothing but a bad idea. Adora tried to ease her saying "everything would be explained" but all her friends should hear about this first. That didn't make things even better though. All these secrets were never a good sign, she just wanted to find out, make a judgment call and go home.
Now gathered in the main throne room, Catra just held Adora's hand the whole time, the others just seemed confused as to why they had been summoned. Hordak seemed the most unsure, always staying close to Entrpata as if he was worried that he was going to get hauled off or worse something would happen to her. Sometimes Catra wondered if he even cared about being carted away, at least if it meant not being able to see Entrpata again. Those sorts of thoughts made Catra a bit guilty about the whole Beast Island thing, but that was for another time.
"Okay, everyone" Adora gulped as she stood in front of her friends, Randor just listening behind along with Man at Arms, Catra saw Adam in the back leaning against the wall, he seemed annoyed, "Well...Um, I found out that Eternia is well...at war"
"What!" Glimmer groaned, rubbing her head, "Great, we got to space leaving a peaceful planet and enter one in war, well that's just our luck is it"
"It's not my fault is it?" Hordak raised his hand looking nervous, "My actions only effected Etheria if I'm correct"
"No Hordak, you and the Horde have nothing to do with this' Adora assured him taking a deep breath, "It's it's….Skeletor"
Everyone just stayed quite as the name continued to sink in.
Catra then just burst out laughing.
"Catra!" Adora shouted.
"I'm sorry" Catra wiped a tear, "It's just...The same is funny"
"Skele a what now?" Glimmer asked with a raised eyebrow
"Skeletor, and he is no laughing matter" Randor said, his voice stern as he turned to glare at Catra for a moment before continuing "Or Keldor as me and Man at Arms used to call him in days long past. For years he and his Evil Warriors have terrorized Eternia , always trying new ways to conquer this planet. Thankfully He-Man and the other Masters of the Universe have been able to stop him"
"Pfft, masters of the universe" Glimmer snickered, "We saved the universe, so…"
Bow gave her a soft jab in the ribs and a disapproving frown, "Not now"
Catra snickered, agreeing with Glimmer giving her a nudge on the shoulder.
"For years he's been trying to gain a mythical power of our former ruler known as the elders" Man at Arms explained, this caused Adora to look intrigued, "He believes this power he could control the entire planet once and for all"
"Yeah, but he hasn't because He-Man keeps stopping him" Adam said with a hint of bluster to him, "So long a we have He-Man I'm sure Eternia will be fine"
Teela rolled his eye, "Well yeah, because you're certainly a boat load of help"
"Hey, I help" Adam scoffed.
"By running off everytime"
"I mean I'm sure he was helping" Adora jumped in looking embarrassed, "But anyway, maybe we should focus on what's important"
"Yes I agree with Adora" Randor said, much to Adams dismay.
Adora began to explain what she saw. As they went to a nearby town and it was attacked by Skeletor and his so called 'Evil Warriors' not only that a hero named He-Man showed up and helped them only to vanish again like he would apparently normally do. She-Ra stayed to help out some of the town folks a bit before heading back to the Eternian castle.
As Catra listened in she felt her innards feel queasy wishing she could have been there and done something. Maybe even stopped Adora from going into battle without some back up even if she had this He-person to help them out.
"Point is!" Adora added, "Maybe, maybe we should help them, we took down Prime we might as well help them take down Skeletor too"
There it was, there was the suspicion that Catra had been dreading since they got here.
"Oh no" Catra stated glaring daggers now, "We just ended one war we aren't jumping into another"
"Catra-"
"Look, King, dad, whatever, I'm sure your people are dealing with a lot, but we have responsibilities on Etheria, and a war that we just finished, I should know, I caused some of the damage myself" Catra continued stating it matter a factly, "But my point is, I'm not risking Adora again just to fight another planets war"
"Catra!" Adora said a bit more firmly, "Can we at least discuss this"
"Discuss, Adora we just ended one war, one you almost-" Catra paused not wanting to think about too much, "Do you really want to risk yourself again"
"I-"
"Do YOU want too…." Catra said, almost yelling now, she didn't even care about the fact people were watching and it was getting awkward.
Adora bit her lip and sighed, "I," she turned to King Randor, "Let us think about this okay, I, I have to at least get
Catra groaned, rubbing her forehead, "Besides don't you guys have a massive army, just storm Snake place…
"Mountain" Teela corrected, "It's called Snake Mountain"
"Fine, Snake Mountain whatever!" Catra snapped, "Lay siege to it already and call it a day, I saw those files. Skeletor doesn't have an actual army more like a load of overly beef thugs. These people can handle him, sure he might be a side terror but again, he's probably just a nuisance nothing like a actual threat".
"A threat that's almost conquered Eternia many times" Man at Arms declared, "Honestly it wasn't for He-Man then we would be at a loss"
Catra rolled her eyes, "Well that just proves your own armies are too weak and helpless to do anything, where I come from we call that a weakness to be exploited"
Adora frowned.
"Because even we have the physical capacity Skeletor has magical powers beyond even our comprehension sometimes, even with He-Man's help it would still prove deadly" Man at Arms said giving Catra a stern look, "Beside's Snake Mountain is a hard to crack fortress, it could take months even years if he just stuck it out in there"
"I kinda understand" Glimmer pointed out, "I mean come on Catra there is a reason we didn't directly attack the Fright Zone directly and only went their for extraction mission, and had to pretty much dwindle you out near the end"
Hordak nodded, "I ensured that the Fright Zone could be self sustainable in case of any threat of siege for that reason"
"Plus even back in the day my moms told me Grandad made sure Horror Hall would be a tuff place to get into if not wanted" Scorpia chimed in, she hadn't said in anything in a while, "We'd fight to the last point"
"Are you three teaming up against me!" Catra looked shocked.
"More like just trying to not be rash" Glimmer responded.
"You...Rash!"
Glimmer rolled her eyes, "Yes, I'm aware of the irony in all of this, but I do have some things to say! Overall! I do actually agree with you Catra!"
"What!" Adora looked shocked, "But shouldn't we help them, come on, I'm She-Ra, isn't that my point to help people against evil and what not"
"I just think it's strange though" Glimmer said now, "You come here, and we find out there is a war happening here too! But Catra is right, we have responsibilities on Etheria, you have responsibilities on Etheria not only as She-Ra but to yourself. We need you Adora, but also...You need to not jump into another war so quickly after you finally got everything you could have wanted "
"Thank you Sparkles!" Catra said, Adora just looked flabbergasted "Finally, a princess making sense"
"Catra" Adora grunted again, "Look, okay, I saw this guy, I fought this guy, he was terrorizing a city, and he's apparently been terrorizing this planet for years, I can't just sit back and not do something"
"Yeah, you can actually" Catra stated bluntly, "You can because you can choose, no one is forcing you to do anything it's not anyone 'destiny' and you even said this place has a hero, so they can do the hard work, not you"
"Guys, help me out here"
Bow and Glimmer both seemed unsure, Scorpia and Perfuma gave little grunts and looked down while Entrpta and Hordak seemed to be busy with their own thing at the moment and weren't really paying attention to the whole situation.
"Oh sorry," Entrapta grinned, "So um, are we staying or not there is a lot of interesting tech here"
Hordak gave a light cough, "Though I do think we should take this, Skeletor...strange name...into account, he does seem like a threat. Despite the lack of a clearly structured army. Shadow Weaver proved the dangers of trusting magic".
"You agree with these chumps!" Catra pointed to Randor and Man at Arms.
Hordak shrugged, "I am merely taking into considering my own desires for conquest of Eternia, even if his forces are limited if he has the will he will try"
"Please, like you ever had the will" Catra sneered back at him, "By the time I took charge you were pretty much tired of it all already"
Entrpata nodded, "It's true, you never really had much actual desire to take over the planet outside of pleasing Horde Prime and even then it seemed very limited by the time we became lab partners"
"Decades of conquest can tire anyone" Hordak commented.
"So what, we just wait for Skeletor to get tired and retire" Adam suggested.
"If it's a wise strategy" Hordak replied.
Catra slapped her head, "Sarcasm Hordak, sarcasm!" Finally Catra realized what he was saying and gawked, "Wait? You want to help"
"Not personally," Hordak replied, looking stoic as ever "But I do think our safety should be considered, like you said they have protectors, not like they need our help. But the possibilities of this Skeletor coming to Etheria are still high. If Prime has taught me anything is that a conquering thirst is never quenched".
"But they do need our help, She-Ra's magic and maybe this He-Man might be able to end this for good" Adora argued.
Catra rolled her eyes, "So what we go to this what was it called, Snake Mountain barge in and attack full force"
"Um…." Adora bit her lip, "Maybe, sure like Man at Arms said they have magic, but with my magic and He-Man's magic...I think he has magic, I don't really know him, we might be unstoppable plus you guys are here...So more team for the win!"
"Again! What is with you, I thought you were more a strategist than this" Catra growled.
"Yeah," Glimmer added, "Didn't you make a whole chart and diagram for Princess Prom"
"That's not the point!" Adora argued.
"No I think the point is you wanna help people you just met with no plan or strategy" Catra restored back.
"I have to agree with Catra" Hordak interjected looking back up from Entrapta's pad, "Despite my many qualms with her, she was a master strategist during the war"
Catra groaned and folded her arms in annoyance but she was partly happy by the fact that in a weird way Hordak was standing up for her side at least. Even if it wasn't in the most flattering way. Still, maybe the fact all these people knew that diving into another conflict so soon after the last one ended was the best idea.
"I uh…" Adora looked frustrated.
"Look," Hordak stepped a bit closer to Adora now everyone a bit surprised by his sudden interest in the conversation, "I think what you should asses from the situation is simply, can you trust these people"
Adora blinked and slowly opened her mouth to respond, "I, I want to..."
"But can you?" Hordak said before walking back to Entrapta again, "That is a question we should all be asking here...After all, trust, is probably the most valuable thing I have ever experienced on Etheria. Don't take it lightly" he turned to Catra for a moment before looking back at Entprata and smiling
Catra shivered, she knew that look. She had betrayed Hordak trust, a whole year of lying about Entrpata betraying him. He didn't take it quite well. After thinking about it , Catra realized that Hordak valued trust above many things. Strange for someone like him perhaps but then again, he was definitely not all that he appeared to be.
"Look, guys I-" Adora tried to talk
Catra mind came back to her as she got angry again "Come on Adora, who are you trying to please, these people say there your family but they aren't"
"I know that…" Adora said looking guilty, "But they could be"
Catra's eyes widened only for her to shrink into herself a bit. Even Glimmer and Bow looked a bit taken aback.
"You've only known these people for a day, Adora," Glimmer said.
"I knew you for a day and I left everything when I realized the Horde was bad" Adora added.
"Yeah, and look what that got us" Catra argued.
"That's why I want you guys to come along with me and help"
"Okay, hold on!" Bow interjected now, though tension was rising, "We've had a big day, I think we all need to just rest up and think"
"Fine!" Catra walked out, sounding upset, she didn't even wanna look at Adora who was probably wanting to go after her, but right now, she needed space.
Taking a deep breath she leaned up against the wall her ears perked up as she heard King Randor speak.
"Your lover seems quite agitated a lot of the time" He said.
Catra blushed, lover, that was an odd word.
Adora then spoke, "Look Da-, King Randor...Dad King Randor...Sorry….Anyway, Catra just is suspicious, we haven't had a lot of reason to trust strangers a lot of the time"
"Understandable" King Randor said, his voice sounding stern, "I have no reason to trust any of your friends either I'm afraid"
"Or me," Adora added.
Catra smirked, "Tell him"
"True…
"I have to agree with the King" Catra heard Man at Arms now speak, "Your special companion does seem to know alot about conquering, as well as that Hordak character"
"That was a long time ago" Adora pointed out, "And like I said we resolved our issues"
"So what, we should resolve our issues with Skeletor" Adam snickered, "Oh yeah let's all be friends, that's how it works"
Adora growled, "Look, in some cases that actually IS how it works, maybe not in this case but in my case it did" Catra heard Adora sigh now, she wanted to go in and tell them what's what but Catra felt that it would only make things worse "Look, Catra can be a great leader, make she can take down Skeletor, she pretty lead to the Horde to conquer Etheria...I mean...Not a good thing...But hey, she could do it"
"I'm afraid I can not Adora" Randor spoke up louder now, "I'm not about to to give my army over to a stranger, one as you said, nearly conquered a planet"
"She changed," Adora suggested.
"I'm sure she had, but as you say, I do not know the fully story, and until I know I can trust her and any of your friends for that reason...I cannot in good reason, I will trust you though"
"Let me guess because I'm your daughter"
"...Yes"
Adora sighed and began to walk out.
Catra wanted to speak but Adora just walked past her needing to be alone with her own thoughts right now, and in all honesty she did as well.
Right now though, Catra just wanted to nap.
-000-
Catra sat in the middle of the command station in the Fright Zone, dozens of monitors blinking in on and off as images of troop advancements continued to pour in by the hour. Hordak seemed to be making good progress on the coast the last time she made contact with him, the entire coast seemed to falling on schedule, while the rest of the Horde army began to advance in the mid area through the Whispering Woods. The images of the tanks rolling through the trees were up on every screen and monitor.
Re-adjusting her mask Catra smirked as she was happy to see all her progress finally coming to fruition. Soon the Horde armies would sweep over all of Etheria as every single Princesses Kingdom would fall before them. It would be her legacy, a victory for all time. Nothing would stand in her way, and she would show everyone who underestimated her how wrong they really were.
While she gazed at mintor of a Horde patrol knocking down doors in a neighborhood in the town of Elderndia a message was coming from Force Captain, Mosquitoes 4th battalion "Force Captain Mosquitor to Fright Zone command comin in" he said in a husky voice, "Force Captain Mosquitory to Fright Zone commander come in over".
"Force Captain Mosquitor this Force Captain Catra," She said in a very professional tone, as thus to assume her authority as second in command of all Horde Forces. Although in reality she was the true power behind all of this
"We have taken the village but they refuse to give us the location of the Princesses, how do we proceed?" Mosquitor asked.
Catra clenched her fist and glared at him, "They are no longer valuable to us then, burn the village and eliminate the population before pressing on"
"With pleasure"
Suddenly the sound of blaster fire began to ring true as the screams could be heard. Catra just watched the homes of the villages begin to burn, while others ran for their lives as Horde Soldiers continued to chase them down. The fire continued to spread, large and larger. Until….
"NO!"
As Nighttime went on and Catra spent most of her time just going around the castle invisible with Melog who kept an eye on her the entire time. She was still a bit upset at the idea of Adora once again wanting to charge in and help people. Wasn't even because she was against helping people, or anything, she had long realized that it was good to help others and not be selfish. But she just didn't trust these people, For all she knew this was all part of a grand manipulation scheme to once again use She-Ra as a weapon. As far as Catra was concerned she was not going to let that happen.
Continuing to walk down the hall,she always kept her eye out for something that seemed suspicious or weird.
That thing came though not from anyone in Eternia but from Glimmer who was walking down the halls looking a bit nervous herself. She seemed almost uneasy, like she was expecting someone to pounce. Catra smirked knowing this would be the perfect opportunity to pounce her. So thus she snuck up behind her. Slowly, ever so slowly, and until finally.
"BO!" Catra yelled causing Glimmer to jump and fall flat on her face causing Catra to just laugh and laugh.
Glimmer got up hearing Catra cackle and sneered, "Not funny!"
"No, it was hilarious! HA HA!"
"Horde Scum," Glimmer muttered before getting off, "So, what are you doing up"
Catra snickered, "Could ask you the same thing sparkles…" A moment of pause as she realized something was almost sad in her face, "Can't sleep either huh"
"I-um…" Glimmer bit her lip and sighed, "Yeah, I've been thinking what you said, and what Adora said, on how she left everything after knowing us for a day, and granted that was a very chaotic day for everyone"
"Tell me about it" Catra muttered, folding her arms and shivering.
"It's just...I thought, what if Adora did that to us too, just left to join this new Eternian family and...I think...I think I got you" Glimmer said, sounding surprised.
"Got me?"
"How you felt, why you felt resentment" Glimmer said sounding almost methodical, "I mean I still have Bow and I don't think I would have done some the things you did"
Catra grunted at that.
"But!" Glimmer continued, "I think I understand why you are upset and honestly...I'm nervous too"
"Yeah," Catra sighed her ears drooping, Melgo rubbing her cheek against her knee, "Look, it's not like...It's not like before were I didn't care about people, I mean, I, do want to help them but...I...I don't trust these people, and joining up with them in a day just seems wrong. It felt wrong even when Adora joined up with the Rebellion. Guess she was just lucky you and Arrow Boy are two of the biggest and nicest saps in Etheria"
"Thanks" Glimmer chuckled.
Catra laughed, "Don't mention it Sparkles, but these people, I don't trust them"
"Yeah, me neither I…
"Someone's coming!" Catra said, hearing a sound.
Melog turning them both invisible allows for Catra and Glimmer to stand against the wall and watch. There they saw Adora of all people following Adam who seemed a bit miffed as the two of the walked down the hall at a quick pace.
"What do you want to show me?" Adora asked, looking nervous.
Adam shushed her, "Something important but it has to be a secret okay"
Catra eyes narrowed, "I'm following don't stop me"
"Oh believe me, I'm right behind you" Glimmer growled, she looked mad.
The two of them using Melog followed Adora and Adam down the corridors of the grand hall and down some flights of stairs until they were pretty near the edge of the palace. The walk seemed to take several minutes but it was still dark outside. Catra just continued to watch the two of them in silence, they didn't say much, which meant that everyone seemed a bit on edge.
"Okay," Adam finally said as he and Adora stopped near a wall at the end of the castle, both sitting on grass, "So, about today"
"Yeah, we're were you" Adora asked.
Adam sighed, "I...You know He-Man now yeah?"
"Yeah?"
"I-I know where he is".
"You do?" Adora asked looking shocked, "Where is he"
"Here?"
Adora looked around, "I don't see him"
Adam then drew his sword Catra was ready to pounce but by the time she could Adam shouted, "BY THE POWER OF GRAYSKULL!"
Light began to flash blinding everyone for a few seconds as very deep voice began to speak
"I HAVE THE POWER!"
As the flash died down Catra saw to her shock Adam being replaced by a bulking large guy with a belt and just pants.
"H-He Man!" Adora gasped, "A-Adam your He-He Man!"
"Yes" He-Man shushed her, "But it has to remain a secret okay"
"Well, sorry but that might be a bit harder" Catra then revealed herself to them now causing both Adora and He-Man to quickly jump towards her gaze
Glimmer gave an awkward wave as now the two of them were outed.
Adora gasped seeing them now revealed, "Glimmer...Catra!"
"Hey Adora"