Part 4
By the time they reached the Fright Zone, Adora knew that everyone was thoroughly wrung out. She herself felt ready to go over on the spot, but she pressed on despite herself. She didn't dare give up or slow down. She could only imagine the pressure she was putting on poor Melog, but forced that concern aside. For the time being, Catra was the only thing that mattered.
They'd taken breaks whenever they hit a river or stream to drink from it and there was no denying it had been a definite life saver. Especially the rivers and streams they didn't even remember. They'd realised pretty early on that they must have been there many centuries ago, just stripped away by the Horde as they eviscerated the land bit-by-bit. They'd made the discovery that they'd been restored when Bow didn't see one in the darkness and fell face-first into it. It was the first time Adora had been able to laugh since the entire journey began. As the sun came up, she'd begun to get a true picture of the damage the Horde had done all those centuries ago. To see them restored as they were was almost surreal. It was then that they'd realised they'd actually crossed into what had once been the Fright Zone. It was unrecognisable and blended in perfectly with the rest of the forest.
Once they'd come to that realisation, Adora had been able to get her bearings and lead the group forward, recognising more and more territory from rusted and overgrown landmarks that had been colonised by the new growth from the magic of Ethiria being released again. Despite the change in appearance, the layout of the territory was roughly the same. The only difference was that the environmental hazards had changed from being heavy machines and half-corroded pipes running across the ground to tree roots, vines and streams that hadn't existed the last time they were there. It was much easier going and they quickly reached the place everyone was both anticipating and dreading all at once.
The main compound loomed large over the rest of the now abandoned territory. Even with the vines all over it and the gigantic flowers growing out of every tower, window and turret, the very presence of the building brought all the memories flooding back and made Adora have to suppress a shiver. It made her want to vomit, but she forced herself closer.
They were almost to the entrance when Adora jumped a mile as Glimmer's hand touched her shoulder. She whirled to face her, unable to hide a flash of wild panic in her eyes before quickly concealing it. It wasn't quick enough and she knew it from the way Glimmer's expression shifted to be much more gentle.
"Hey. Don't worry. We've got your back." Bow nodded as he readied his bow and drew and arrow from his quiver. In that moment, it was the best thing they could have done. She didn't doubt them. She believed them entirely. They had her back. That was the only thing she could have asked for in that moment. With a nod of thanks and the discovery she didn't trust herself to speak, she stepped inside and began to navigate the halls. There was tension in every step as Glimmer and Bow shadowed her. The more they walked, the more Adora began to believe they weren't going to see anyone there. That didn't ease her tension, though. The living soldiers that had been betrayed and left for dead by Horde Prime now resided at Bright Moon and Shadow Weaver was dead. That didn't stop the ghosts from walking the halls freely. The chill that crept over them all wasn't one of physical temperature, but one of fear.
It took far longer than it should have to get to the medical centre. The lights were out and the sunlight through the window was limited at best. Even with all the magic of Ethiria back, the Fright Zone still found a way to make something dark. But they made it eventually and wasted no time in heading to the bank of medical capsules on the far wall. Bow and Adora ripped the vines that covered them away with their bare hands while Glimmer teleported away. Just as they'd planned, they knew she was going to get Entrapta, so they kept working regardless of her being gone. By the time she got back, all ten capsules were completely uncovered.
"Sorry it took so long!" Glimmer was panting raggedly as she sat down on the floor and took some deep breaths while Entrapta wasted no time in hurrying over and beginning to look the capsules over. "She was harder to track down than I expected."
"Ooh, this is looking promising!" Entrapta called over, much to Adora's relief. She'd gone over and sat by Melog who'd tipped Catra onto the floor and was now licking her face. She was clearly taking a turn for the worst. Her skin was incredibly hot to the touch and she was sweating profusely. "Okay, these things have a standard backup battery in case of a power cut. I see at least two that look functional and the rest of these pods have enough spare parts to get one working."
"Okay, well just hurry!" Adora had given up on trying not to panic. "Catra isn't doing well!" If Entrapta registered the sense of urgency, she didn't show it as she came to life disassembling the medical capsules and transplanting parts. Meanwhile, Adora flipped Catra over and pressed her forehead to the cold stone floor to try and cool her down. It wasn't ideal, but it was the best they had. Unfortunately, it quickly became apparent to them all that things were ready to take a turn for the worse.
"We've got problems." Entrapta slid up her welding mask and turned to her friends, her whole posture sullen. "I spoke too soon. The capsule is functional and it could get the chip out. Maybe it could even do something to help with her infection. Unfortunately, the only drug it has available is adrenaline."
"What?" Adora's mind raced, remembering the time she'd gone there to have a broken arm repaired after a failed lesson from Catra on how to move more like her. "Is there no numbing spray? These things should have numbing spray!"
"It's depleted." Entrapta told her. "Plus, all the reservoirs are shattered. The capsule can do it, but it'll be probably the worst thing she's ever been through. Definitely worse than when I took the chip off her. If she even makes it, she'll remember it for the rest of her life. Not to mention the fact that the shock to her system could actually do just as much damage as it fixes." Adora paused, running through their options. There was no way they could put Catra through that. Something like this needed pain relief. It wasn't optional. But at the same time, there was no way they could avoid putting Catra through it if they wanted her to live.
"Do... Do it... Adora." They looked over in shock to see Catra attempting to sit up. Adora shot a scathing glare into her girlfriend's eyes as tears threatened to fill her own.
"What if you die?" She knew how pointless the question was as soon as she asked it. If they did nothing, Catra was dead anyway. It was all or nothing and she wanted to go out trying to do something. She nodded, feeling the resignation punching her in the gut. "Okay." She turned to Bow and Glimmer, unable to stop the tears she'd been holding back for so long from breaking loose. "Help me get her in there." They looked to each other, seeming unsure for the first time since they'd left.
"Adora..." Bow slung his arrow as he knelt down next to her. "Look, I want Catra to get better as much as you, but are you sure you want to put her through that?"
"No." Adora said without hesitation. "But Catra is and it's her choice. Now help me get her in there. If you don't want to watch, Glimmer can get you out faster than you can blink. I'm staying with her." They nodded and grabbed Catra's legs while Adora got her under the arms. Entrapta readied the capsule as they carried her over. "You're not supposed to be sweeping the floor with her!" Adora snapped. "Pick her feet up!"
"Her feet aren't the problem!" Bow retorted. "She doesn't look any different! How did she get heavier? Is it the alien metal?"
"All that Bright Moon food seems to agree with her a bit too much." Entrapta observed. "Why not do what I do? Tiny food! It really tightens up a stomach." Suddenly the pieces clicked together in Adora's head. She saw her chance and took it.
"It's not the food. It's not being able to work it off. Listen, I need to talk to you when this is over. Okay?" They nodded as they finished securing Catra and the safeguard restraints clicked into place. Entrapta activated it while Bow and Glimmer teleported outside. Adora spotted a hole in the side and waited until the scanner had finished before sliding her fingers through it to just barely touch Catra's hand. It wasn't much but it was something. That was enough for them.
"Scanning target. Subject condition critical. Foreign object detected. High blood toxicity detected. Critical fever detected. Damage to cervical vertebrae detected. Initiating treatment cycle. Error: Damage detected. Anaesthetic depleted. Pain relief unavailable. Continue?"
"Yes!" Catra gasped out, every muscle in her body visibly tense as she awaited what was coming. Adora's heart thudded in her chest. If she'd had the time or the chemicals, she would have made a batch of improvised chloroform and knocked her out before putting her in there. As it was, the cards were dealt. Now she would have to play them.
"Treatment cycle initiated." Catra screamed out as the machine got to work on her neck. Her right hand smashed free of the restraint and gripped Adora's hand for all it was worth. Adora tried to hide her pained grimace and focus on Catra's face. If she squeezed any harder, she could swear her fingers were going to break.
The machine kept digging into Catra's neck and Catra kept screaming. The pitch was getting more and more desperate and Adora could see the heart monitor flashing red in warning. In that moment, it was as if some part of her conscious thought shut down. She couldn't listen to this anymore. Without thinking about it, she raised her hand, her sword appearing in her grip.
"For the honour of Greyskull!" She closed her eyes, feeling the familiar warmth of her armour materialising on her from seemingly out of nowhere. As her grip tightened on Catra's hand, she focused on her and the energy she was giving off. She felt the magic inside her pulse as it connected to Catra's energy. The pain the other girl was feeling was so intense, even the power of She-Ra couldn't hope to nullify something like it completely. With that in mind, she did the only thing she could. She used her magic to open a bridge between the two of them, sharing the pain equally.
The sheer force of it so suddenly almost made her black out on the spot. She was in awe at how Catra had stayed conscious. Even in She-Ra form, it was easily enough to drop Adora to her knees and feel like throwing up. Her screams joined Catra's, only Catra sounded quieter now. She wasn't sure if that was because they were now splitting the pain between them or because the shockwaves of agony that threatened to tip her into unconsciousness were making everything sound really far away.
Just as quickly as it began, the pain suddenly ended. Adora collapsed to the ground, her transformation fading. The capsule carried on, administering adrenaline to combat the blood toxicity and infection since that was all it had. Once that was done, the doors opened and the restraints released. Catra fell out face-first and landed heavily on top of Adora, knocking the breath out of her. The blonde warrior picked herself up and turned Catra over to rest in her lap, watching her carefully for any signs of life. She took her hand and scrutinised every inch of her to spot any sign of movement at all. It must have only been seconds, but it felt to her like an eternity. Eventually, she saw Catra take a breath. It was quickly followed by another as it fell into a steady rhythm. Entrapta carefully looked her over too, her limited medical knowledge being tested to the full without Emily to run another scan.
"I think she'll be okay." Adora didn't begrudge her the note of uncertainty in her voice. It had been far more brutal than either of them anticipated. "She'll sleep for a while, though."
"Good." Adora nodded as Entrapta helped her to lift the unconscious girl. "Let her sleep it off. I need to have a serious talk with Bow and Glimmer. Can I leave her with you?" Entrapta nodded and set about running over to the back of the room and tearing down the Horde banner that was hanging there. "What are you doing?" Adora asked, perplexed.
"Building a stretcher, dummy!" Entrapta shrugged like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "It'll make carrying her easier. I just need to find two long pieces of metal they won't mind me taking."
"There's no one here to mind it." Adora sighed, part of her remembering when she'd fought with the Horde and how the base had seemed alive with activity. While she was glad the war was over, she also hated to see the place she grew up in sitting in waste-down like it was. That was when an idea struck her. "Ooh, try the sleeping quarters! You can dismantle the bunk beds."
"Nice!" Entrapta darted out of the room like a tornado on a cavalry charge. She'd had a great idea and it pleased Adora to know Catra was being left in good hands, right up until she realised those hands had just gone out of the room along with the rest of Entrapta. She buried her face in her hands and shrieked like a banshee out of frustration before a strange feeling registered on her cheek like she was being sponged by aliens. It turned out that was more or less what was happening as Melog de-cloaked and licked her face again before nuzzling up to her. She scratched him behind the mane and he rolled over to let her scratch his belly. She obliged before finally standing up to go.
"Watch over Catra. Entrapta should be back soon." Melog cocked his head to the side, staring up at her before lying down again and resting his head on Catra's stomach. Adora turned and walked to the doors, stepping through and leaning herself up against the outside wall before sliding down it and resting her head against her knees as she hugged them to her chest. With no idea where the sudden wave of emotion was coming from, she burst into a fit of relieved sobs. In an instant, she felt Bow and Glimmer's hands on her back as they crouched down on each side of her and hugged her close.
"Adora..." Bow began, sounding unsure of what to say.
"She should be okay." Adora told them. As she did, she felt a chill pass over her from Bow's direction. "Wait a minute..." She lifted her head and glared at him, the tears running down her face making her eyes hurt in the cold air. "You actually thought she was going to die, didn't you?"
"No!" Bow protested. "I just... I was going to say that she was one of the bravest and most determined people I ever knew."
"What the hell is this past-tense bullcrap?" Adora heard her voice rising several octaves. She noticed Bow had begun to sweat profusely, obviously realising he'd totally misread the situation. In that moment, Glimmer decided to jump to his rescue.
"She's going to be okay! That's great!" Adora found herself suddenly constricted by Glimmer's embrace, her arms so conveniently pinned at her sides and unable to move. Now she couldn't punch Bow. Something told her Glimmer's hug had an ulterior motive. It was unsurprising. Still, she didn't have time for it.
"Listen, guys..." Now that it came time to say it, she wasn't sure how. Bow and Glimmer had taken her in at Bright Moon when she's had nowhere else to go. To say she wanted to leave... It felt too much like she was abandoning them.
"You and Catra are looking to leave." Glimmer said it with a level of certainty that stunned Adora. She was totally unable to hide it, not that she felt she needed to. Glimmer was her friend. She deserved to know, but Adora had never even dreamed that she did. "What? Did you think me blind? Catra hates the crowded halls and hardly ever leaves your room. Bright Moon just isn't the right environment for her. I knew when she came to live there that she wasn't going to stay forever. I came to terms with it already, although I'm not going to sit here and say we'll be thrilled to see you going. Speaking of, where are you looking to go?"
"Elberon." Adora replied. "Catra wants to help the people rebuild it to make up for all she did with the Horde. I think she needs this and I love that she's serious about wanting to put things right. I won't deny it to her. Plus, I've never seen her relax like she did at what's left of Elberon. I think it might just be the place we can settle down." Adora expected Glimmer to be angry. To feel hurt for wanting to to leave after all they'd done for her. Instead, Glimmer erupted into a smile.
"Good for you. I'll put the word out. You and Catra will take the people of Elberon back home and rebuild. You can set out two weeks from the day of our return. That'll give Elberon's wounded as much time to heal as possible. You'll have to carry a lot less of them that way. I'll even send some of Bright Moon's engineers to assist you. There's one condition though." Adora looked up at her, curiosity filling her eyes.
"Name it."
"When Elberon gets rebuilt, they'll undoubtedly go and throw a party to celebrate. Now you and Bow got to attend the one they threw when you saved them, but I'd only just become queen and was stuck in the palace. So..."
"Okay, you can come!" Adora laughed, digging Glimmer in the ribs with her elbow. The shift in their weight pulled both girls over and suddenly all three of them were laughing so hard it hurt. In that moment, Adora realised that Catra was right. It didn't matter how far apart she got from Bow and Glimmer, they'd been through so much together that they would always carry a part of each other with them. They were the Best Friend Squad. Time apart was never going to change that. It was more than a self-assured title like Horde Prime had. This was a bond that ran deeper than friendship and maybe even deeper than family. But it didn't matter exactly what it was, only that it was theirs. It kept them together. Even when their backs were against the wall, that was something they could always treasure.