Bow slowly felt his eyes open to the night sky, filled with beautiful stars.
He felt a cold breeze softly touch his skin, and he looked down to see that he was laying on grass. He quickly realized he was somewhere in the Whispering Woods, though he wasn't sure why.
He tried to sit up, but immediately felt a hand on his shoulder. "Careful," he heard Glimmer's voice whisper. He looked to his right to see the Queen of Bright Moon, looking up at him with a worried eyes.
"What happened…?" Bow asked, putting a hand over his stomach. But as soon as he asked that, he remembered the answer. He remembered the sword being driven through his stomach. The pain was numb in that moment thanks to the sudden rush of adrenaline, but it quickly became too much and everything went black.
He remembered thinking that he was going to die. He was afraid to lose everything he had worked so hard for. He was afraid to lose his friends. He was afraid to lose Glimmer.
"It's my fault…" Glimmer sighed, looking down at the floor as she kept a gentle hand on Bow's shoulder. "I should have seen this coming. I should have done a better job at protecting you. I should have…"
"Glimmer, no one here is to blame for this," Adora's voice spoke up, and Bow looked over to see his other best friend. "Mara and Angella have gone berserk, Bow. Mara tried to kill you and me."
"What?" Bow asked, genuinely not believing his ears. It felt like a few seconds ago that he was planning a sleepover with Mara.
"Felinia… She did this," Catra spoke up. She had her legs brought up to her chest and Adora's hand on her back.
"I don't understand. Isn't she your sister? Why would she try to hurt us like this when she knows it'll upset you?" Bow asked, trying to stand up, but feeling a sudden pain in his stomach.
"Careful! Adora healed you but it's still going to hurt," Glimmer explained to him as he sat back down. Bow hated being the weak one here. He didn't want to drag everyone else down.
"She is my sister. That's exactly why all this happened," Catra sighed, running a hand through her hair in frustration. "She seemed to think that you were all… controlling me or something. She wanted to save me."
"Why does she think we're controlling you? Can't she see that you're happy here?" Bow asked.
"She thinks it's similar to how Horde Prime chipped his enemies," Catra explained. "I'm… I'm such a bad person that me being happy with you all was something she couldn't comprehend. She must've heard so many stories about what I did in the Horde and just assumed I would always be like that. She must've assumed that I'd never change."
"Catra…" Adora rubbed circles around Catra's back with her hand, attempting to comfort her.
"I don't want any more of you to get hurt. I almost got you killed, Bow," Catra looked to him, her eyes stinging red. "Just… let me turn myself in. If she takes me away, all of this will be fixed."
"Is that… what you want?" Glimmer asked.
"No! But it's the only way out of this! She has two incredibly powerful people on her side and they're out to kill all of you!" Catra declared. "Let me go… You'll be better off without me."
"You know we can't do that, Catra. You worked so hard for happiness and we can't just let it get taken away," Adora consoled her, but Catra shook her head.
"You don't get it. If she kills you all, I'd never be able to live with myself. I can barely forgive myself for what I did in the Horde!" Catra gritted her teeth, trying her best to hold back tears, but at a futile effort. "I'm sick of hurting people…"
"No one has to die, Catra. Felinia caught us off guard but we'll be ready this time," Adora replied. Catra could barely respond through her sobs as she buried her face in her arms. Her body shaking with misery as Adora held her close.
"So Felinia's curse is what made Mara and Angella turn. They're not doing it out of their own free will," Bow concluded. "Maybe we can get the rest of the Alliance back here to help us? Mara and Angella are extremely powerful, we're going to need more people."
"We've got no reliable way of contacting them. They're too spread out," Glimmer replied. "Besides, we don't know when Felinia will send Angella and Mara after us. They let us go for now, but that might change. If we want to fight back and have the element of surprise, we need to do it sooner rather than later, with the people we have here."
"Fight back? Against Mara? Against Angella?" Adora asked, her arms still around Catra.
"I know how much it's going to hurt. Each of them are close to us. I don't want to hurt my own mother, but we don't have a choice," Glimmer shook her head. "They're not the real person, Adora. They're a hollow clone. We let them trick us into thinking otherwise."
Adora wanted to respond, but she knew there was no arguing against that. There was no choice. They had to fight those that they loved in order to take back Bright Moon. "I'll let everyone rest up and prepare for a while. But then we need to fight," Glimmer declared.
And so, everyone was left to their own thoughts for a short while. A time to process those they were about to fight, and the necessary actions they must take to protect Bright Moon and everyone's lives.
It was the calm before the storm, and the storm brought about the possibility of a fatal end.
"This is my fault. You know that, right?"
It had been a few minutes before Catra spoke up again. Her voice was weak and tired, and her eyes were still red and stinging. Adora sighed. "Catra… I already told Glimmer this. No one here is responsible for what's happened."
"You're wrong," Catra shook her head. "You're so wrong, Adora. The only reason Felinia doing this is because I'm such a monster. If I hadn't done such terrible things in the past… Maybe she would've accepted me. Maybe she wouldn't have hurt you all…"
"You can't let this get to your head, Catra. You weren't the one that made Mara stab Bow and try to kill me. You weren't the one that made Angella try to kill her own daughter. Felinia's way of thinking about this isn't right, and the fact she won't even listen to you is horrible," Adora spoke softly.
"I should've seen this coming… I shouldn't have let them hurt everyone… Mara hurt you and I let it happen… I should have just gone along with Felinia… I should have…"
But before Catra could finish, Adora wrapped her arms around her and held her close. She hugged Catra and ran her hand through Catra's hair, comforting the woman she loved. "I'm sorry, Adora… I keep getting people hurt… I keep screwing everything up…" Catra spoke in a hoarse voice.
"You haven't done anything wrong here," Adora replied. "Felinia should be listening to you. She should be understanding that you can change. She should be accepting of you. She should love you as her sister, no matter what. Felinia is in the wrong here. No matter what she says or does, she's wrong to convince you otherwise."
"She… She didn't say it was my fault actually," Catra said, holding onto Adora's arm. "She sees me as some… victim that she has to save. Like I can't even fight for myself."
"She doesn't know how strong you are. She doesn't know how much you fight. She has no clue just how bold you are," Adora whispered. "She may be your sister, but she doesn't know the woman I love more than anything."
"But… she's still my sister," Catra agonized. "She's my only family. I don't… I don't think it's right to hate her."
"No one is asking you to hate her. But just because she's family doesn't mean she gets to hurt you or the ones you love. She has no right to do this. You never asked to be saved. She assumed she knew what was right for you, and that's not okay. Her being family doesn't give her a free pass," Adora responded, looking Catra in the eyes as she spoke.
"You're probably right… I still feel like I should hate her for hurting everyone. But… I don't know if I can. I'm angry and upset, but… I don't despise her. Even in this twisted belief of hers, she's trying to save my life. I think she really cares about me," Catra said.
"I know she loves you. But sometimes love can be twisted. Felinia may have good intentions, but she's still hurting you and the people you care about without even talking to you. She needs to listen to you and understand you. She needs to understand that you're a better person now. And if she can't understand that…" Adora didn't want to finish the sentence, but both of them knew what she was trying to say.
"I… still want a sister in my life. I care about her. I just wish she could understand my side of things…" Catra, out of nowhere, suddenly let out a scoff. "This must be how you felt about me all those years, right?"
"I didn't want to bring it up, but…" Adora couldn't say no to her. She had definitely drawn comparisons between her experience and what Catra was going through.
"Still… You say I'm a better person now. I think that's because I was surrounded by the right people. And I realized that love wasn't a limited resource. So… if I can change, maybe Felinia can?" Catra asked.
"It's possible. But at the same time, it's something that has to be done on her part. She has to make the effort to understand and accept you as well. This shouldn't be an effort entirely on your behalf. If she's to change… she has to want it," Adora said.
"But she also needs the opportunity. She needs to see that there can be a good future for her if she were to reach out for it. I just… hope she sees that opportunity," Catra said, before letting out a sigh. "This… feels wrong. I mean, look how she hurt us. Does she even deserve forgiveness?"
"Forgiveness is an act of compassion, Catra. It's not done because someone deserves it. It's done because they need it," Adora said. "Felinia has been isolated for twenty years. She's gone so long without connection. Maybe she has trust issues. Maybe she's been hurt by a lot of people. She's gone through so much. It's… ultimately up to the both of you. Whether you're willing to give her the opportunity to change… and whether she's willing to trust you and take that opportunity."
Catra was silent for a while. She struggled with what to do. Felinia had hurt them dearly and might continue to do so. Catra knew this was something she needed to decide before she faced her sister. Does Felinia get to have a chance at change? Does she get to have a chance at a new life like Catra did?
"By the way…" Adora spoke up after a bit. "Was I imagining things, or did you jump out of a window for me when Mara threw me off the balcony?"
"Oh, I just knew you were going to bring this up," Catra sighed as Adora let out a slight chuckle. "I know it looks dumb in hindsight but I was scared out of my mind, okay?! I thought I was going to lose you!"
"Hey, I thought it was cute!" Adora smirked, running her hand through Catra's hair. "Besides… I do think you actually saved us."
"How?"
"Well, when Mara threw me off, I was just… stunned," Adora explained. "Everything felt like slow motion. Nothing made sense. I probably wouldn't have been able to process the fact I was falling if you didn't suddenly grab me. When I saw that you were falling with me, it made me realize that I had to do something to save both of us. You… snapped me out of a trance, to put it simply."
"So what you're saying is… You're dumb unless I'm around?" Catra asked.
"Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying," Adora chuckled as Catra snickered. Both women looked at each other and were finally able to smile for the first time in a while.
"Do you think we're going to be okay?" Catra asked.
"I don't know. But we'll have each other. Facing Mara, Angella and Felinia is going to be tough… But we won't be alone," Adora replied. She placed a gentle hand on Catra's cheek and stroked her softly with her thumb.
"I love you," Catra whispered. She meant every word, just like she always did.
"I love you too," Adora said. Finally, Catra leaned up and pressed her lips gently against Adora's, placing her hand over her girlfriend's. They shared their moment of passion and love.
They loved each other, and they never wanted to lose each other.
"How're you feeling?" Glimmer asked Bow as he laid on the ground, looking up at her.
"Been better, I guess," Bow answered, causing Glimmer to chuckle slightly. She held his hand in her own, stroking his palm with her thumb.
Glimmer was still just extremely relieved Bow was alive in the first place. The panic she felt from seeing him collapse to the ground with a hole in his stomach was enough to nearly drive her insane. She started thinking in that moment about all the things she should've said to him.
"I know those eyes," Bow suddenly spoke to Glimmer. "Those are your sad eyes. What's on your mind?"
"I just…" Glimmer sighed, hanging her head. "I fell for Felinia's trick… I let mom's presence get the better of me. I should've… I should've killed Angella when I had the chance. That wasn't the real her. It wasn't like I was losing anything…"
"Glimmer, you know how hard that would've been to do," Bow replied. "That is such a huge burden to place on yourself. It's unfair to think you'd have to do that."
"I'm the Queen of Bright Moon! I have to make the tough choices for all of us! Who else is going to do it?!" Glimmer cried, berating herself. "I'm weak. I'm a failure. I let Bright Moon fall… now I don't know if we'll be able to get it back. And I nearly let you die."
"Glimmer!" Bow suddenly spoke sternly, sending a shock through Glimmer's body as she looked up at him. "You can't blame yourself for everything. We're alive because of you. You saved me from Mara and Angella. I owe you my life."
"But you should've never even gotten hurt in the first place! Mara shouldn't even be here, she's… she's dead! And so is Angella! The fact that we let them get to our heads is… I should've taken action earlier," Glimmer said. "I just… I never want to see you hurt, Bow. I need to be the one who protects you."
"No," Bow shook his head, "we protect each other, okay? You're not going to take the burden for both of us. You already have so much on your shoulders… Let me carry some of it for you. We're in this together, and you can't take the blame for everything. Especially this. Felinia was the one who made Mara do what she did to me. Not you."
"You… I can't burden you with something I have to take responsibility for," Glimmer said.
"You're not. I'm asking to share the load with you. I want to help you, Glimmer. Just like you help me," Bow smiled. Glimmer looked at him, and her lips wobbled slightly as she tried to choke back her emotion.
"But now we have to fight Felinia… And after what happened, I'm… I'm scared, Bow," Glimmer spoke, a slight shudder in her voice. "I'm scared to lose you. I'd have no idea what I'd do if you were gone. I…"
Glimmer rested a hand on Bow's cheek. "I love you, Bow. I… I really, really love you."
Those words came from deep within Glimmer's heart. They were on the spot and out of nowhere. It was words Glimmer thought she'd never say, but in that moment, she didn't care about the embarrassment or the possibility of rejection. She only cared about him and his safety. She cared about opening her heart to him.
"I love you too," Bow replied.
It was like a shock to the senses. Glimmer never expected a response like that. They shared similar words back at the battle against Horde Prime, but it felt different back then. The way he spoke those words this time, it felt like something more.
"You… love me? As in… really love me?" Glimmer asked, and Bow nodded as he placed his hand over hers. "Even though I'm such a useless Queen, you still love me?"
"I already told you… You're not a useless Queen," Bow shook his head. "But even if you were the worst Queen in the world, I'd always love you. Because you're Glimmer. And you mean everything to me. You're not just a title. You're a person. And you're who I love more than anything."
Glimmer looked down at him, and words lost all meaning in those few seconds. She had confessed to him, and he accepted it. It was every dream of hers come true, and it still didn't feel real. She wanted to pinch herself, but at the same time, even if this was a dream, she never wanted to wake up.
Glimmer stroked his cheek, and slowly, she leaned down towards him. Her heart was controlling her body, and Bow saw that she was coming closer. And to her surprise, he leaned up slightly to meet her. Her heart raced faster than it ever has, but she didn't stop.
And eventually, she shared a kiss with him.
A spark of joy and love was ignited as their lips met for the first time. Glimmer always heard that first kisses are awkward, but for some reason, this felt genuine. It wasn't perfect, but it was theirs. And that was all she ever needed.
The kiss didn't last long as Bow had to lean back down, the pain in his side getting to him. Glimmer gently laid him down and smiled at him. "… Thank you."
"Anytime," Bow responded. The two of them smirked and exploded into gentle laughter. Their first kiss, and the words they spoke were so basic, like they had completed some transaction. They couldn't help but find humor in how bland those words were, but at the same time, they loved the fact that it was theirs.
Glimmer looked at Bow as he laughed. She loved hearing his chuckles. Seeing his smile. "I… actually did kind of need that. Thanks, for real. Are you going to be okay?"
"Yeah," Bow replied as he came down from his high of laughter, "I'll be alright with enough rest. Besides, I have nurse Glimmer with me."
"Oh please. I can barely look after myself," Glimmer scoffed. Eventually, her hand found Bow's, and their fingers intertwined. They held hands and looked into each other's eyes. They each felt like the other person had somehow grown more beautiful in that moment.
It was a surge of warmth that they both needed.
"So, here's what I'm thinking," Glimmer started as Catra, Adora and Bow gathered near her. Though, it was mostly everyone gathering around Bow as he rested. "We have to strike now before anything else happens. Our main goal is to take down Felinia."
"She's probably going to have Mara and Angella guarding her from everyone except Catra," Adora added.
"We could try just sending me. She won't hurt me and I can try talking her down," Catra offered, but Glimmer shook her head.
"There's too much unpredictability with that. I think the reason she hasn't sent Mara and Angella after us is because she doesn't want Catra getting caught into the crossfire. Once she has Catra, it's likely she'll send those two after us at full force," Glimmer said.
"So what are you proposing?" Bow asked.
"We need to create an opportunity to confront Felinia and take her down, and we need to make sure we're not being pressured by two incredibly powerful people whilst that's happening," Glimmer said. "Adora, your job is going to be fighting Mara. I figure the only person that can beat She-Ra is another She-Ra. Do you think you can handle that?"
"Mara caught me off guard last time. But I don't think she's going to turn into She-Ra. She mentioned never wanting to do that, so that might give me an advantage," Adora nodded.
"Good. Meanwhile, I'm going to be taking on mom… Angella. The Moonstone powers us both, so it's the only way towards a fair fight," Glimmer proposed.
"Glimmer, she's incredibly powerful. Are you sure you can handle that?" Bow asked.
"I'm not sure. But we're not necessarily trying to beat them. We're trying to create a distraction so that Felinia can be confronted. And Catra…" Glimmer looked up to her. "That's your job. Whilst Adora is fighting Mara and I'm taking on Angella, you need to go to any means necessary to get Felinia to stop. How do you feel about that?"
"I…" Catra sighed, raking her fingers through her hair. "I guess there's no other way, really. We can't all fight each person one at a time?"
Glimmer shook her head. "If we all tried to take on Mara, that'd give Angella a chance to take us by surprise, and vice versa. By distracting each of them, you'll have enough time to do what you need to do."
"Right…" Catra nodded. She soon felt Adora's hand hold her own, squeezing gently to comfort her. "I can try talking to her, but she seems to think I have no will of my own. I might have to fight her."
"Catra, we don't know that yet," Adora said. "If all goes well, Felinia should hopefully back down on her own."
"She tried to kill Bow. I say you should take her down by force. She deserves to be punished for that," Glimmer spoke harshly, with a hint of venom in her voice.
"I… I don't know. I feel like you're right, Glimmer. I should hate her, but… at the same time, I just want to give her a chance. But what if that's the wrong thing to do? What if I make another bad decision and get us all killed?" Catra asked, feeling her heart begin to race.
But soon enough, Adora placed a hand on her shoulder and gave her a bold smile. "I trust you. We trust you. Whatever you choose to do is up to you, and we know how strong you are. Do whatever feels right, Catra."
Catra looked at her girlfriend for a few seconds, and returned the smile. Slowly, she stood to her feet.
"What about me?" Bow asked.
"You need to rest. I'm sorry, but we can't risk you getting hurt," Glimmer shook her head.
"Glimmer, remember what I said," Bow spoke. "We help each other."
Glimmer looked down at him and thought for a few seconds. Eventually, she grabbed his hand and squeezed gently. "If we need you… if I need you… I'll let you know, okay?" Glimmer smiled. It wasn't exactly what Bow wanted, but it was the best he was going to get given his situation.
"Now…" Glimmer stood up, and the three women looked towards Bright Moon.
"Let's take back our kingdom."