It was a beautiful morning in Brightmoon and the Best Friend Squad was busy eating breakfast. Adora was shoveling the food into her mouth like some sort of wild beast to the mix of shock awe and disgust that Bow and Glimmer had gotten used to feeling when watching the ex-horde soldier devour her morning nourishment.
"The Horde hasn't made a move in a while.." Adora stares while swallowing a pancake without chewing. "They must be planning something big."
"All the more reason to strike soon" Glimmer exclaimed. "Who knows what evil scheme that heartless Hordak is planning? We need to go on the offensive before they get the chance to-"
"Enough both of you!" Shouted an exasperated Bow. "You both are still recovering from the rescue and Glimmer you are still glitching! No more plans of attack, let's just eat and go to the meeting Queen Angela scheduled us to attend after this."
The three teenagers finished their breakfast in peace before making their way to the war room. Angela was sitting in her chair with a serene smile on her face the likes of which Glimmer had only seen a handful of times in her life. Angela began the meeting her voice filled with joy.
"Today I have received wonderful news. The Kingdom of Halfmoon's missing princess has been found and brought home."
Glimmer gasped. " No way for real they found Cy-Ty!?"
"There was a missing princess?!" Shouted a bewildered Adora.
"Yes" Angela nodded "Over a decade ago Halfmoon was under siege by the Horde. While they were successful in repelling the assault, in the chaos the princess was separated from the royal family and presumed dead.."
The queen sighed remembering the brutal battle. "After the loss of their princess, Halfmoon withdrew from the princess alliance and closed its gates to all outsiders"
"But with the princess having found here way back home we may be able to have them join the alliance again!" Glimmer explained in glee right before her glitching acted up.
Angela looked to Glimmer with a pained expression but quickly alters to a more authoritative one. "In addition to the announcement of the princesses return, Queen Cyra II has requested our aid in acclimating her daughter in how to interact with other princesses. I wish to send the three of you to help in this matter."
"Absolutely!" Glimmer shouted. "I would be honored to help Little Cyra!" She was bouncing in excitement.
"You can count me in!" Added Bow. "I am always up for making new friends! Oh should we bring a welcoming gift?"
Both Glimmer and Bow we're ecstatic to aid this princess. There was clearly some connection between Brightmoon and Halfmoon but right now Adora was too busy panicking to really contemplate on it.
"You..you want me involved in teaching someone how to be a princess!?" Adora yelped in shock. "No offence your majesty but I am TERRIBLE at edicate! I still don't understand why you have so many spoons and forks or why I can't use that spoon for soup but I AM allowed to use it for cereal and-"
As Adora continued to spiral into a self deprecating mess the queen simply let out a small chuckle. "Worry not Adora I simply believe that it would not hurt for her to have someone to learn alongside, for her to see she is not alone in needing to learn what to do."
Adora blushed mid rant "O-oh right yeah that totally makes sense " she grinned fooling absolutely no one of her embarrassment.
"We can also use it as an opportunity to show the princess She-Ra that will DEFINITELY get them to consider rejoining" Bow explained.
Adora nodded at the explanation. It did make sense she WAS after all the strongest weapon in the Rebellion's arsenal; it was a smart tactic to provide a show of power to a potential ally. And if nothing else she was curious about this kingdom what did it look like? What were the people like? And one of her most important questions was how did the food taste?
"However there is another caveat to this mission." Angela stated. "Halfmoon is the most advanced kingdom in the use of healing magic. If anyone can help Glimmah with her glitching it would be Halfmoon's sorcerers."
Adora saw Glimmer's eyes brightened. Ever since the rescue she had tried all manner of things to repair the connection to the Moonstone but nothing had worked. Adora had even traveled to the First One's ruins to see if there were any clues on if She-ra could heal her but all Adora had found was a busted useless hologram. Now there was a chance to fix what was broken and the three began the trek to Halfmoon immediately after the meeting.
The Best Friend Squad marched through the Whispering Woods using an old map to guide them to the hidden kingdoms entrance. The journey had taken roughly 6 hours slowly moving through rocky and overgrown terrain on the path.
"So you're telling me there was a kingdom in the middle of the woods all this time and only NOW we are trying to recruit them?" Adora groaned as they continued the walk.
"It would not have mattered" Glimmer responded as she looked at the map to get them all situated. " The people of Halfmoon were devastated by the loss of Cyra III. Can you really blame them for wanting to make sure no other children were lost to the war?"
"You knew her." Said Adora. It was not a question but a statement.
"Yeah…." Glimmer sighed and smiled, remembering a gentle memory as they continued to walk. "Back before I had met Bow she was my only friend. We did everything together, we would play dress up, go running around the woods looking for monsters to fight, and would have sleepovers. Heh we even had stupid nicknames for eachother."
"But then…" Glimmer continued her face becoming more somber. " She just disappeared… she is the reason I'm so possessive of my friends, I-I don't want to lose you guys like I lost her!"
Bow out his hand on Glimmer's shoulder. "It's okay Glimmer, you won't lose us." He then looked to Adora. " Right?"
"Right!" Adora confirmed as she went in to give her friend a hug. "Soooo why 'Cy-Ty?"
"Her first name was Cyra and her middle name was Tygra so four year old me thought to combine them." Glimmer answered with a laugh. "I know it sounds stupid but it was our thing."
After a few more minutes of pestering Glimmer about Cyra the trio found themselves at a large stone structure in the shape of a Lion's head guarded by two feline humanoids.
"Halt! Who goes there and what is your business?" One of the guards bellowed.
Adora was frozen in shock looking at the cat people. They look just like Catra. She thought to herself completely forgetting her words when questioned by the guard but she was saved from looking too much like an idiot by Glimmer.
"I am princess Glimmer of Brightmoon with me are master archer Bow and She-ra princess of power. My mother asked us to come and speak with Queen Cyra in regards to her daughter." Glimmer explains.
The guards stood aside and tapped their weapons on the ground. Magic permeated the area as the stone lion head let out a roar revealing a large stone staircase downwards. From this staircase emerged another cat hybrid this one wearing heavy armor that was highly decorated.
"I am general Pumgatha, you will follow me to the Queen." The man stated not so much a request or order simply spoken as a fact.
The stone stairs went down further and further only the light emanating off the mounted torches on the stone walls allowed the three to see anything at all on their way down. The stairs gave way to the opening of a tunnel revealing on the other side a sprawling city swarmed with cat people as far as the eye could see.
"This is her homeland.. these are her people." Adora muttered to no one as thoughts of her former best friend rushed to her mind. All Adora could think about was how Catra would feel knowing about this place.
"Well obviously." Bow answered not realizing Adora was talking to herself. "I mean Halfmoon is the Magicat kingdom where else would a Magicat like her come from?"
"Magicat.." Adora smiled at the word. Catras species now had a name and it was beautiful.
The three were brought to the front of the palace where a regal magicat woman awaited them. Her fur was a bright yellow and her hair was dark brown held in place by her crown. Pumgatha bowed his head
"My queen the three envoys of Brightmoon have arrived to meet with you."
Cyra looked over the three and gave a gentle smile. "I Cyra D'rilluth II, queen of Halfmoon, welcome you to our kingdom."
Glimmer gave the ruler a big familiar grin and curtsy " it's nice to see you again Auntie Cy mom sent me to talk to you about Cy-"
Before the Brightmoon princess could finish her thought she was tackled to the ground by a golden ball of fluff resulting in a snort of laughter from her friends and the queen.
"New people! They smell funny! " The ball of fluff shouted revealing itself to be a young Magicat girl no more than 12 years old at the most her fur a bright blonde with an unruly mane of golden locks cascading down her head . The sound of large foot falls and panting echoed out of the castle interior
" I'm sorry Cy " A gruff yet jovial voice called. " She smelt new folks and well you know how she is." A large portly Magicat man exited the castle out of breath from most likely trying to chase down the energetic kitten, He was a large bulky man, his fur a dark tan and his gold hair slicked back.
Cyra simply laughed it off. "Sorry about that Glimmer, she is not used to new people entering our lands. Now Kiata, is this that anyway for a princess to act?" She gave the kit a mildly stern look.
Kiata puffed her cheeks and jumped off of the sparkly girl returning to her mother's side. "And what do you say?" The queen urged her daughter.
"I'm sorry for pouncing on you." Kiata grumbled annoyed.
"Its okay Its my fault for not remembering how pouncey magikittens can be." Glimmer .Smiled as she dusted herself off.
Adora looked at the adorable kitten with surprise. She reminded her so much of Catra when she was younger. It almost broke her heart to know that Catra could have been as happy as this child looked if not for the Horde.
"Aunt Cyra, it is great to see you again but we are actually here on business as you are aware.
Cyra nodded. "Yes of course right this way, oh she will be so thrilled and surprised to see you Glimmer I haven't even told her about sending for you."
"Would she even remember me?" Glimmer asked looking down. " It has been 12 years"
"She remembers," Cyra stated. "She didn't at first but in the weeks she has been here her memory has started to recover. She did not have an easy time these missing years."
"Then we will have to make up for all the lost time." Glimmer replied before looking at Adora and Bow. "Guys you are going to love her. She was so sweet and playful."
None of the three noticed the subtle wince from The royals at Glimmer's words as they continued into the castle.
The Best Friend Squad was led through the immaculate castle by the royal family. The three humans gushing at the mesmerizing artwork furnishing each room they were guided through until they reached a large antechamber were stood five statues of craftsmanship that would have put the rest of the Magicat artwork to shame if said art did not complement the statues in the way they did. The five statues each depicted a magicat as formed in varying degrees of armor and weapons.
Leondus gazed upon the statues with pride. " Behold the five founding tribes. All magicats can trace their ancestry back to one or more of the five." He stated as he walked over to each statue. The first had a well kemp wreath like mane and looked to be the most regal of the five. "The first king Lion-o of the Leios tribe, the bravest of all Magicats".
He moved onto the 2nd one. "Panthero the mighty of the Pantherex clan" this one had minimal features. The statue was bald but the muscles sculpted were bigger than the head. " He was the strongest of the five as well as the greatest inventor, a master of brains and brawn."
The next statue depicted a lean striped Magicat holding a whip. "Tygra the shadow founder of the Tigreni tribe and the mentor of the hunters and spies."
The 4th Magicat statue was of a spotted woman. "Cheetara the swift. Speediest Magicat of all time founder of the Cheetanna tribe as well as the regulator of our sports and competitions"
The final statue was of two identical magicats . "And lastly the Wiley twins Kit and Kat, their bloodline is known as the Wilders; they were the most innovative of the tribes finding creative solutions to the problems facing our kingdom."
Before the king could speak anymore on the subject Kiata let out a groan on the levels of Mermista and Glimmer. "Daaaaaad don't bore them to death with the history lesson! Besides do you REALLY want to keep sis waiting? She isn't exactly patient…" the young girl warned.
Leondus gulped at the realization and his fur went on end. "Um.. right we should probably just head on in sorry about the info dump history major and all." He just continued forward.
Adora and Glimmer took in a sigh of relief while Bow looked disappointed at the sudden end. He would be sure to have the king follow up on this.
Now in the throne room the envoys bowed their heads. And waited for the announcement. The royal family took their seats and guards began the fanfare. "Announcing Princess Cyra Tygra D'rilluth III."
"Greetings Princess Cyra III, I Glimmer of Brightmoon along with Bow master archer and She-Ra Princess of Power are happy to hear of your safe return. You may not fully remember me but we used to be close friends, because of this my mother has asked us to assist you in acclimating to royal life. I hope we will become good friends once more." With introductions and reintroductions finished the three rose their heads to the princess.
With one look at the princess Adora was frozen in place. Nothing she had planned for could have prepared her for the VERY familiar sky blue and regal gold eyes gazing back at her with an odd mix of smugness and shock. Then the princess spoke two words
"Heeey Adora…."
