Adora looked into Mara's eyes, and she knew that this wasn't the same person she had grown to love over the last few days.

It had been a long time since Adora felt nervous to hold her sword in her hands. A slight tremble came from her palms, but it was barely noticeable. Her mind was screaming at her to not do this. Do not fight Mara.

But at the same time, there was no other choice available. Something had happened, and Mara tried to kill Bow. She tried to kill Adora's best friend. She was a threat. She had turned from friend to foe in the blink of an eye. Adora hated the fact that she was used to this.

"Please… I don't want to do this," Adora cried out as she lowered her sword slightly. "I know you don't either, Mara. I know you're still there. Come back… We don't have to fight…"

It almost felt wrong to say. After all, Bow was bleeding out because of her. But Adora knew she'd never do that willingly. She refused to believe Mara would ever turn on them. Adora pleaded, and she waited for the light to return to Mara's eyes.

But it never came.

Adora gritted her teeth, held her sword tight, and focused her thoughts on the task at hand. It was hard to focus on anything. Her mind was racing with so many theories as to why any of this was happening. Whose fault was it? Why was she doing this? Is Bow going to die? Is she going to die? Adora felt nervous, confused and miserable.

"Please…" Adora muttered one last time. A last chance. A last hope.

Mara charged forward, ready to kill Adora.

Immediately, Adora had to raise her sword to block Mara's furious swings. The loud clangs of their dance echoed throughout the halls as Mara landed three swings in, before Adora parried the fourth and sent Mara stumbling forward, slightly off balance.

Adora could've taken the opportunity to strike Mara from behind, but her arms refused to move. She had no intention of hurting this woman she had grown so close to, especially when it seemed like Mara wasn't even in control of her own actions.

Mara recovered her balance and let out a growl, a sound Adora had never heard come from her before. She jabbed her sword towards Adora's heart, aiming to stab her. Adora dodged to the left, but Mara quickly recovered, spinning and bringing the sword down on Adora.

Adora had to block yet again, holding back Mara's immense strength with her own. Whilst she was distracted by holding back Mara's sword, the former She-Ra took the chance to grab Adora by the scruff of her jacket and toss her towards one end of the hall.

Adora rolled against the ground as she was thrown by Mara. She looked to see that Mara was tossing her in the direction of a balcony, where a long drop awaited her. Adora quickly stood up, panting as Mara walked towards her.

Neither of them had transformed into She-Ra yet. Adora still did not want to hurt her. She wanted to find some way to take down Mara without causing her pain. There was little room to do that, but Adora still believed in a chance.

At the same time, she was surprised Mara had not turned into She-Ra herself. She did say she would never want to transform. Perhaps that part of her was still there? That desire to be a normal person?

Suddenly, Mara pointed the sword towards Adora. The latter gasped and barely had time to transform her weapon into a shield as a large beam of energy was fired at Adora from Mara's sword. It hit the shield and scattered off into different directions, destroying parts of the roof and the walls.

Soon enough, the beam ceased, but Adora quickly felt a rope twist around her ankle. She had a second to process the fact that Mara had transformed her weapon into a whip, before Adora was suddenly yanked towards Mara.

As Adora was pulled towards Mara, she suddenly felt Mara's hand around her throat when she was within range. She looked down to see Mara was choking her, trying to kill her. Her face was full of rage as she gritted her teeth and glared at Adora. Her hand squeezed tighter as she attempted to crush Adora's neck.

The light was still absent from her eyes.

Adora was only choked for a few seconds before she managed to get a leg up, kicking at Mara's face and using the momentum to jump backwards away from Mara. The previous She-Ra grunted from the kick in the face, before charging at Adora again with an enraged cry, transforming her whip back into a sword.

A barrage of swings hit Adora before she could catch her breath. Adora just barely managed to block each of them with her shield, and as soon as the window of opportunity presented itself, Adora threw her body weight against Mara and bumped her into the ground, putting some distance between them.

Adora hadn't even attempted to swing at Mara. She panted as she got some breathing room and small amount of time to think. Somehow, Felinia had to be behind this. Whether intentional or not, Mara had no reason to go berserk and try to kill Bow. Her personality had done a complete radical change, almost like she was chipped by Horde Prime.

Felinia's extreme emotions could control her clones. Earlier that day, her terror of being tackled to the ground by Catra caused Mara and Angella to scream out in horror. But Adora wondered why Felinia would be out to kill Bow or any of them.

As Adora thought about Felinia, she suddenly remembered that the last time she saw Felinia just earlier, she was asking Catra to have a talk in private.

"Felinia's with Catra…" Adora whispered to herself. If Felinia had used Mara to try and kill Bow, what does that mean for Catra? Is Catra okay? Adora's eyes went wide at the thought of Catra's safety.

That second of vulnerability was enough for Mara to charge at Adora, wrapping her arms around Adora's waist and tackling her towards the balcony. Adora felt her back hit the edge of the balcony, and looked over to see the long, long drop below. She can't die now. She had to know if Catra was okay or not.

Adora put a hand on Mara's face, pushing her away to try and break her grip. She refused to use her weapon still. Mara used every bit of strength she could to try and flip Adora over the balcony edge, but Adora resisted with all her might.

Not until Catra was okay. Adora refused to die until Catra was safe.

"Please, Mara! Please snap out of this!" Adora begged, continuing to push Mara away. "Catra might be in danger! We can save her! We can save Bow! I know this isn't you! Please, Mara!"

She looked into Mara's eyes. She hoped for a change. She hoped for anything to change. She hoped for Catra to be okay. She hoped for Bow to be okay. Adora didn't want to lose anyone. She had to live to save Bow. To save Catra. To save Mara.

"PLEASE!" Adora screamed at Mara, just wanting a response.

Nothing came.

But the few seconds of weakness as Adora begged were enough for Mara to slightly overpower Adora, and successfully push her over the edge of the balcony, and towards the long drop below.

Adrenaline rushed through Glimmer's veins as Bow's blood covered her clothes.

She made her way to the throne room, using her body weight to hold up Bow and drag him. She didn't want to risk teleportation with him in such a critical state. Besides, she was looking for someone who might be able to help.

"Mom!" Glimmer called out as she tried to look for Angella. Mara may have gone berserk, but Glimmer held onto a shred of hope that maybe Angella was still on their side. In the back of her mind, she had a feeling that wouldn't be the case. But she had to see for herself.

Bow was still breathing, but it was growing weaker over time. "Dammit, stay here! You can't leave me!" Glimmer cried to him, knowing her voice was falling on deaf ears. She had to hold back the tears as she screamed again. "MOM!"

Just then, Glimmer heard footsteps behind her, and quickly turned around to see the person she was looking for. Angella approached her, completely alone. The light of the moon behind her covered her in darkness, but Glimmer could not smile upon seeing her. She had no idea if Angella was trustworthy or not.

"Mara… She's turned. I don't know what happened, but she's stabbed Bow. He might not have long left!" Glimmer cried out. His red, wet blood soaked half of her clothes, but she didn't care. She approached Angella slowly. "You can help… right?"

In Glimmer's mind, there may have been a chance that at that moment, Angella would've done everything in her power to save Bow. She would've fought Mara and maybe even won. In some other time, Angella would still be Glimmer's mother. She'd protect her daughter, no matter the cost.

This was not the time.

Angella raised a hand, aiming it at Glimmer, and charged up an energy beam.

Glimmer didn't even feel really betrayed. She knew this was coming. She knew she was dumb to think otherwise. She just wanted her mom back. It still hurt. She looked at Angella, and saw a faint outline of her face.

She looked at Glimmer with pure hatred. Her eyes were devoid of light.

Glimmer dodged to the side as Angella fired a single blast, blowing up bits of the room as Glimmer dodged just in time. It was immensely difficult with Bow in her arms. She didn't want to take the risk in teleporting, but she knew she was running out of options.

Angella charged up another shot, and fired a continuous beam that Glimmer attempted to outrun. It would've been a futile effort, and it came close to incinerating Glimmer and Bow. Soon enough, Glimmer took the risk and held Bow close, before teleporting outside of Bright Moon, landing on the edge of the Whispering Woods.

"Bow!" Glimmer cried out, immediately checking him to see if the teleportation had done anything. His breathing was still there, and when she pressed an ear to his chest, she heard his heartbeat. The same heartbeat when they cuddled together just last night.

Immediately, the moment was cut as Glimmer looked up to see Angella launch into the air, spreading her wings and flying up. She quickly spotted Glimmer and Bow, and flew down to the ground, standing before them.

"Mom… Please don't do this…" Glimmer begged, holding Bow close. "He's going to die… We have to save him…"

Angella looked at Glimmer and Bow. Slowly, she brought up two hands. A small amount of hesitation preceded Angella charging up a large beam.

Glimmer knew there was no getting to her. She knew that Angella was going to kill them. So, in a second of thought, Glimmer laid Bow down and stood before him, holding out both hands and forming a magical shield.

Angella fired the beam, and it smashed against Glimmer's shield in a spectacular light show.

Almost instantly, the shield started to grow weak from Angella's immensely large blast. Glimmer felt her feet slide back a tad, her arms burning from having to hold the shield. She let out a cry of pain as the shield slowly began to give away.

Glimmer came to the realization that she was going to die.

She was going to be killed by her own mother. Glimmer looked over her shoulder at Bow. His eyes were shut, and his breath was weak. She knew that if she had to die, she had to do it protecting him. There was no other choice.

And so, Glimmer pushed forward, hoping to take most of the blast so that Bow won't get hit. She felt her throat tighten and her eyes well up, but she felt determined to save Bow, no matter the cost. She stood.

Glimmer prepared to die for the man she loved.

"You've got one of them? What… What do you mean?" Catra asked her sister.

"It means I've done what had to be done," Felinia replied, her cold eyes staring into Catra's frightened ones. "I know you'll hate for me it. I'm prepared to face the consequences. But one day, we'll both know this is the right choice."

Soon enough, Catra heard the cry of Glimmer's voice, screaming out Bow's name. "Mara… Mara was with them…" Catra's voice went hoarse. "You…"

"He's the first victim, unfortunately," Felinia sighed sadly. "I hope it's quick. What they did to you was cruel, but I don't like making people suffer."

Catra's eyes stared at Felinia. Her confusion was still there. Her shock was still there. But Catra's body was soon overcome with one emotion: pure and utter rage.

She stormed towards Felinia, and grabbed her sister by the shirt, smashing her against the wall. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" Catra screamed in her face.

"I did what I had to! I did what was right! I'm trying to save my sister, dammit!" Felinia screamed back. "They have to die, Catra! I can't let them control you anymore!"

"When did I ask for this?! What could've possibly made you think this?!" Catra asked as her voice choked up in a mixture of grief and anger.

"Do you think I enjoy doing this?!" Felinia's eyes slowly welled with tears. "I loved them too, Catra! I could see that they made you happy! But what they're doing to you is sick, and what you're feeling isn't true happiness! I know this is going to hurt for both of us, but there's no other choice here!"

Catra panted for a few seconds, her body shaking with anger as she stared at her older sister. In a fit of rage, Catra immediately extended her claws and swung them at Felinia. Before she could make the hit, she felt Felinia's foot smash her in the stomach, sending Catra flying back a few feet.

"I don't want to fight you!" Felinia cried out. "Never in my life did I ever dream about hurting you after I gave you to the Horde! I agonized over this for days! But I have to think in the long term here. Nothing adds up. You're not the real Catra, but I know you're still there, trapped in your own body. I have to save you. I have to save you. Dammit, I have to save you!"

"Felinia…" Catra gritted her teeth, slowly standing to her feet. "Make this stop… Or I am going to make you suffer."

"You don't mean that," Felinia shook her head.

"Try me."

Felinia's eyes widened as she stared at Catra's enraged face. She knew in that moment that a fight was the only way to break Catra free. She readied herself, but soon enough, they were interrupted.

"PLEASE!" Adora's voice cried out in the distance. Catra's head instantly shot towards that direction, and she looked out the window to see, just below her, Mara holding Adora over a balcony.

"Adora!" Catra cried out. She looked back to Felinia for a few seconds, hesitating between saving the one she loves, or fighting the one who was controlling all this. But soon enough, the decision was made for her, as Mara suddenly threw Adora over the balcony. "NO!" Catra screamed, and without a split second of hesitation, she jumped through the window, smashing it and diving towards the woman she loves.

In hindsight, it wasn't the smartest idea to jump out a window and make a long drop for Adora. It's not like Catra could do much. But her mind screamed at her to save the one she loves, and so, she jumped. Catra straightened her body, falling quickly and, when she was in reach, wrapping her arms around Adora.

"C… Catra?!" Adora cried, realizing who was holding onto her. They both fell, but the shock of Catra suddenly grabbing her was enough for Adora to turn her weapon back into a sword and stab it into a nearby wall.

Immediately, Adora felt like her arm would be torn out of its socket. She cried out in pain, but held on, her bicep tensing as she slowed her and Catra's descent a considerable amount. When they hit the ground, all they felt was tingles from their feet.

"Adora, what happened?! Are you alright?!" Catra asked frantically, immediately checking Adora for any major injuries. She noticed a few bruises from Mara's hits.

"I could ask the same of you!" Adora said in return. They soon both realized neither of them was critically injured. "Mara, she… she's stabbed Bow…"

"What?!" Catra yelled.

"I think we can still save him, but we have to be quick!" Adora spoke, but soon enough, their talk was cut short as a large beam of light was fired near the edge of the Whispering Woods. The two women turned to see the blast being directed at Glimmer, who was only just managing to hold it off with a magical shield.

Adora and Catra immediately made their way over, and once they were within range, Adora raised her sword, firing a beam at Angella. It wasn't strong enough to kill her, but it was enough for Angella to notice and be forced to use her other hand to block the blast.

This weakened her beam against Glimmer, and Adora put more strength into her blast, forcing Angella to block it with two hands. This freed up Glimmer, who did not hesitate for grab Bow and make a run into the woods.

"Adora, let's go!" Catra cried, and Adora immediately ceased her attack against Angella, making a break for the woods. She fully expected Angella to give chase, but to her surprise, the former queen of Bright Moon stood still and watched them run.

She knew they'd be back.

Adora and Catra ran deep into the woods and caught up with Glimmer and Bow. They were all nearly out of breath, and the moment of calmness was very brief before Glimmer lowered Bow to the ground. "We have to save him," Glimmer spoke.

"Oh crap…" Catra's eyes widened upon seeing the stab wound. Her mind raced with thoughts of Felinia. She did this. She tried to kill Bow.

Adora got on her knees and put her hands over Bow's wound. "You can save him, right? Please tell me you can save him!" Glimmer cried, finally letting a tear run loose down her cheek as she yelled at Adora.

Adora looked up to see tears slowly begin to stream down Glimmer's cheeks. Her voice wavered and her throat tightened as she held Bow close. Adora looked back down at the wound, and her body gave off a gold glow as she pressed her hands gently against the wound. Over the course of a few seconds, Bow's wound began to seal back up as Adora used her healing powers.

Eventually, the only trace of the wound was a light scar and blood coating his and Glimmer's body. "He'll be okay, but he's going to feel that for a while. He needs some rest," Adora spoke, but Glimmer didn't hear a word as she immediately held Bow close.

"I'm so sorry… I'm so sorry, Bow… It should've been me…" Glimmer cried, burying her finger in Bow's hair as she hugged him. The situation finally collapsed on Glimmer. She had let Bright Moon fall to Felinia. She had let Bow nearly die. She nearly let herself get killed by Angella.

Glimmer felt like a complete and utter failure. She sobbed into Bow's shoulder as she hugged him.

Adora looked over to Catra, who simply had a distraught look, her eyes wide. Catra tried to piece together the signs. She was trying to figure out what had led to all of this. What caused Felinia to think the Alliance was controlling her. Catra fell back, sitting on the grass and bringing her knees up to her chest in quiet shock.

Catra felt completely lost, and completely miserable.

Adora herself was simply in grief. She saw nothing but a thirst for blood in Mara's empty eyes. Once again, Mara had been used by outside forces to do something she never wanted to do. Mara had been fooled and forced to destroy. She was given a second chance at life, and it ended the same way.

Adora felt tears stain her cheeks, and she quickly tried to rub them away. She tried to be strong, but she knew it was all crashing down. She gritted her teeth and felt sobs come. Painful, agonizing sobs that exploded from the pit of her stomach and squeezed her heart in agony.

Everything had changed. They knew they had failed. The ones they grew to love and trust had turned on them and tried to kill them.

Bright Moon had fallen.