A/N: Hoo boy, who else is stoked for season 3? I'm gonna need an excuse for Catra to wear a leather jacket now...

This is the comic relief chapter you all deserve, though there is still a lot of plot and emotional stuff going on. First, Adora and Light Hope throw down in a battle for the title of most socially awkward being on Etheria. Then it's time for more Superpal Trio shenanigans! My favorite thing!

Content warning for absolutely nothing. You are welcome.

Frozen branches creak in the nighttime breeze, casting moving shadows around Adora's feet as they inch forward. The sight makes a chill creep up her neck and a shudder spread down all her limbs. Her teeth chatter as she peers through the trees, trying to catch a glimpse of the Beacon. If only she could see in the dark, like Catra.

She is getting closer, she can feel it. Being She-Ra seems to give her some weird extra senses, an ability to perceive certain things. She can locate Swift Wind now, if she focuses hard enough. First Ones' ruins aren't quite the same, but she can swear she feels something…

Continuing to navigate slippery frozen logs and vines that snag at her ankles, Adora finally spies the stone behemoth. She heaves a sigh of relief and stomps through the last of the forest, crossing the clearing. The door set into the forest floor opens as she steps up to it, allowing her access to the entrance hall. Rubbing her arms in an attempt to salvage some heat, she follows the lines of glowing First One's script down to the large cavern.

At least she can see in here, even if it is just as cold as the outdoors. Scanning the cavern, she calls out into the expanse. "Light Hope?"

The hologram flickers into existence in front of her. "Adora, welcome back," Light Hope greets her warmly. By AI standards, anyway. "It is good to see you. I was starting to worry you would not return at all."

"Sorry, it's been a wacky week and a half," chuckles Adora, dumping her backpack against the wall. "Gosh, where would I even start?"

"Would you like me to scan your brain again?" asks Light Hope. "That would save you the trouble of relaying the story, and ensure the information is passed on with greater accuracy."

Adora shudders. "Please don't."

"Very well. Do you want to tell me where you have been, or skip straight to training? I am amenable to either."

"I've been in Bright Moon," offers Adora. "The Horde attacked right after I left here and I got a nasty injury defending the kingdom, was practically on bed rest for a week while I recovered. It's still not a hundred percent, but I don't think training will be a problem."

Light Hope's animated eyebrows quirk downwards. "Why were you fighting in your human form? Did you lose the sword?"

"No, I was She-Ra when it happened," says Adora.

"I see," muses Light Hope. Her thoughtful expression makes Adora's mouth go dry. "Wounds acquired in She-Ra form typically heal at exponential rates, the only exception being physical wounds that severely harm She-Ra's vessel - Adora, in this case - on an emotional level. It is one of She-Ra's few weaknesses."

Light Hope's unblinking eyes bore right through Adora, making her gulp and wring her fidgety fingers together. This feels like waiting outside the Black Garnet Chamber, knowing you're about to get chewed out. Finally Light Hope asks, "Am I correct to assume that you were injured by the one you call 'Catra'?"

Adora deflates with a sigh. "How did you know?"

"It takes a strong bond to cause such emotional devastation, as I understand. The only other being who could inflict such a wound is your maternal figure, and from what I know she typically does not engage in physical combat."

"Well, we don't have to worry about that one anymore," mutters Adora, eyes downcast. "She's dead."

"How fortuitous," remarks Light Hope. Adora's eyes flash up in a withering glare and she backtracks, "Forgive me, I had no intention to offend you. I only meant that it is advantageous to have one less person capable of causing you such injuries."

Dragging a hand down her face, Adora huffs, "I know what you meant, Light Hope."

Adding insult to injury, Light Hope observes, "It would seem that your attachments are still causing you trouble, as I predicted."

Glaring once again, Adora groans, "Can we skip the lecture?"

"Adora, I am concerned for you," insists Light Hope. "I am not giving you this advice to cause you pain, only to protect you and those you love."

"What do you know about love?" snorts Adora.

"Anecdotally, quite a lot. You are not the first She-Ra to be distracted by her attachments," Light Hope informs her. "I categorize love as romantic, platonic, or familial. Romantic is the most volatile, but also the most powerful, at least when it comes to clouding one's judgment. Your relationship with Force Captain Catra is of particular concern to me, because that love refuses to be constrained to one category or another. She, more than anyone else, is bound to be a distraction."

"Catra's not becoming a distraction for you, is she?"

The blood drains from Adora's head, her mouth slipping open in despair. Is Catra ever going to stop being her dirty little secret? Her jaw sets as she glowers up at her would-be mentor. It would be nice if tall magical ladies would stop telling her to forget about Catra like they know what's best for her. She'd love to tell Light Hope to shove it and get the fuck out of her head. Unfortunately, this shamelessly invasive AI is her only ally she is certain of at the moment, and this is the only place she's sure she's welcome.

"Being 'best friends' since you were toddlers has made your platonic love for her remarkably strong," continues Light Hope, apparently oblivious to Adora's distress. "There is a small familial component to it as well, perhaps attributable to your longstanding status as squadmates, or your shared maternal figure. Most troublesome, however, are your romantic feelings for her, particularly given her status as an enemy combatant."

Wincing at the painful truth, Adora holds up a hand. "Okay, you're being creepy again. Stop telling me who I'm in love with."

"Are you unaware of this, Adora?" asks Light Hope, sounding genuinely confused. "I would think it was quite obvious. The warm feelings she has always caused you have increased since puberty, and it seems you were more or less conscious of this. For instance, you would actively think of her when you wanted a pleasant distraction during training, or when you were attempting to relax and reset your mainframe."

Adora's forehead crinkles as she attempts to keep up. "You mean trying to sleep?"

"That too. I was referring, however, to resetting it with a rush of pleasant hormones-"

"Light Hope!" Adora's face and neck burn scarlet, her eyes wide as saucers. "That's - that's private!"

"Forgive me," says Light Hope. "My human protocol has very few specifications about privacy. As you know, I already have access to all your memories prior to your first visit here. But if you prefer, I could refrain from mentioning those incidents in the future."

"Y-yes, please!" stammers Adora. "No more talk of those incidents, unless you want your Princess of Power to die of embarrassment."

"Is it possible for humans to die of embarrassment?" Light Hope cocks her head to an unnatural degree that makes Adora cringe. "Please, explain to me how this works. I have no data on such a phenomenon." Adora groans. This is like talking to Entrapta, only worse. Perhaps mistaking her frustration for even more embarrassment, Light Hope assures her, "There is nothing to be ashamed of, Adora. It is perfectly normal human behavior. All the She-Ras who came before you did the same."

Adora facepalms. "Oh my gods, I did not need to know that." She wishes the floor would open up and swallow her whole. "Ugh, you said we weren't going to talk about this."

"Very well," concedes Light Hope. "If you are still unwilling to accept my advice, there is no point to continuing this conversation at this time. Shall we commence training instead?"

"I thought you'd never ask," sighs Adora.

She draws her sword, but as she starts to raise it Light Hope inquires, "How long do we have before you need to return to Bright Moon?"

"Oh. About that." Adora scratches her neck as its blush flares back up. "I left Bright Moon. I was hoping I could stay here with you, like you suggested. Spend more time training, maybe spread my time around Etheria a little better. The Horde doesn't only have its sights on Bright Moon."

Light Hope's mouth stretches in an overenthusiastic (and frankly rather creepy) smile. "I would be delighted to have you stay here, Adora," she says. "Perhaps you are making progress on your emotional attachments after all."

The truth weighs heavy on Adora's conscience, but she can't deal with another lecture right now. For now, Light Hope is pleased with her. With all the disapproval she's gotten from Shadow Weaver and Queen Angella in the last few months, that's a rare treat. Who can blame her for wanting it to last?

Adora laughs nervously, forcing a smile. "Yeah, I guess so."

***o***

It's early morning by the time Catra makes it back to the Fright Zone, her heavy limbs and eyelids slowing her progress. She hasn't slept in nearly twenty-four hours, save for a brief nap yesterday afternoon while Adora was off doing Adora things, and her bed is calling her. First, though, she decides to check in with Entrapta. The mad scientist doesn't seem to ever sleep, so hopefully she'll be awake and able to pass on the news of her safe return to Scorpia.

When the door to the lab slides open in front of her, she finds Scorpia already there, pacing around and rambling while Entrapta tinkers with her medic mini bot. "We have to go after her, Entrapta! What if they captured her? She could be hurt!"

Entrapta flips her mask up and smiles at Catra. "I think she's fine."

"If they've touched a hair on her head I will personally destroy Bright Moon with my bare claws!" rants Scorpia, smacking them together with purpose.

"I'm flattered, really," interjects Catra, "but there's no need."

Scorpia spins Catra's way and her face lights up at the sight. "Wildcat!" Bolting over, she scoops Catra up and squeezes her in a bone-crushing hug. "You're safe! Thank Hordak! Thank the gods!" Her beefy biceps bulge even tighter around Catra's ribs as she nuzzles her cheek against Catra's hair. "Oh, I'm just so glad this nightmare is over!"

"Scorpia…" Catra attempts to wriggle out of her grip, gasping for air. "Need… to breathe."

"Oh! Sorry!" Setting her down gently, Scorpia gives Catra a two-foot radius. Better than nothing, at least. "We were so worried! What happened to you?"

Catra scoffs. "More like 'what didn't happen to me.'"

"Sounds like someone had an adventure," remarks Entrapta, abandoning her workbench to join the conversation. Emily follows hot on her heels.

"You could say that," mutters Catra. Her eyes bulge and muscles tense when Entrapta steps in and throws her arms around her.

Giving her one solid squeeze, Entrapta releases Catra and steps back. She turns to Scorpia with a proud grin. "Like that, Scorpia?"

"Yes, that was excellent!" beams Scorpia. Catra rolls her eyes while they share a high five between pincer and hair.

Entrapta turns back to Catra, all but vibrating with excitement, and they both stare at her expectantly. Even Emily is listening closely, tipping her spherical body and leaning in.

"Well?!" Entrapta's shrill voice pierces the silence and Catra's eardrums, causing her to wince.

"Look, I'm tired," sighs Catra. "I don't want to get into it. I just wanted you guys to know I was safe."

Scorpia nudges her ribs affectionately. "And to see our faces, right?"

"Ugh, whatever," Catra grumbles, eyes falling as she suddenly feels herself fighting off a blush. What, did she seriously miss these boneheads that much? She only looks up when she feels Scorpia's meaty claw come to rest on her shoulder.

"Hey, look, you don't have to go into details," says Scorpia. "But I really wanna know, was the mission a success?"

"Define success," deadpans Catra.

"Did you talk to Adora?" Catra shoots her a warning look and Scorpia quickly backtracks, "You know, did you mess with her head?"

"Oh, hell yeah." Catra grins broadly. "Guess what, guys? I got She-Ra to run away from Bright Moon."

"You what?" Scorpia starts to step in, arms opening wide. Catra recoils, still recovering from the last bear hug, and Scorpia stops. Grinning sheepishly through her excitement, she settles for patting Catra on the head enthusiastically while bouncing on her toes. "Catra, you beautiful genius! How did you manage that?"

"Princess Glitterbutt got me captured, and Adora was so wracked with guilt she helped me escape." Catra gives a carefree shrug and airily remarks, "Now I guess she's on the lam."

"You don't know where she went?" asks Entrapta.

"Nah," Catra lies easily. "I have a few ideas, but she didn't really want to talk about it. She was so sad about leaving her dumb friends behind."

"I mean, I can understand that, even if they are dumb," muses Scorpia. "I know we all just met recently, but I wouldn't leave either of you behind, either."

"You may not want to make such promises, Scorpia," Entrapta warns her flatly. "Adora said no princess would be left behind when we came to rescue Bow and Glimmer, and that promise proved false." Head bowed, she murmurs, "I guess that was my fault, though. I'm the one who ran back into the purging chamber to save Emily. I just wish they'd cared enough to come back for me."

The bot raises one of her arms to pat Entrapta's shoulder, and Entrapta looks up with a sad smile, resting her palm on top of Emily's… hand? Foot?

Snorting under her breath, Catra remarks, "Yeah, well, Adora doesn't exactly have the best track record with these things." She reaches out to card her claws through a lock of purple hair, giving Entrapta a friendly smirk when she looks over. "I wouldn't take it personally, Trapta. That's just the way those princesses are."

Guilt niggles at Catra's stomach, wiping the smile from her face. Maybe she shouldn't be saying things like that after what Adora just did for her. At least Adora's trying to do better. Shouldn't she, too?

"Have to agree," Scorpia chimes in. "They never made me feel welcome. If you're too weird, you're expendable. That's how they work." She rests a pincer on Entrapta's shoulder, making earnest eye contact. "But you are anything but expendable, you got that?"

Slowly nodding, Entrapta looks up with a proud smile. "You're right. They thought they didn't need me, but I proved them wrong."

"You sure did," grins Scorpia. "It's like Catra said, you belong here with us." Her claws snap out and snag Emily and Catra, yanking them into a group hug around Entrapta. "Misfits unite!"

Groaning at the forced contact, Catra fights off another wave of guilt. She's the one who convinced Entrapta the princesses didn't value her and left her for dead. At the time she didn't know that they thought Entrapta was dead, but still...

Catra tightens her grip on Entrapta, debating the merits of divulging the truth. Entrapta's extremely valuable, and Scorpia is fond of her. If Catra's being perfectly honest, the hyperactive little nerd is growing on her too. Sighing as Scorpia finally releases them, she resolves to figure this out later, once her brain is fully functional again.

Flashing a smirk at her ragtag squad, she remarks, "Well, I can't say this hasn't been thrilling, but it's time for me to hit the sack. Been a long couple days."

"Okay, Wildcat," Scorpia replies with a smile so genuine it hurts Catra's heart a little. "You sleep tight, now."

"Yeah, yeah." Catra waves her off as she turns away. "Try not to blow up the compound while I'm sleeping, you two."

Traversing the hallways to her quarters, Catra snorts to herself. At least Wildcat is better than Kitty. She'll take that.

***o***

Warmth envelops Catra's feet, threatening to pull her back under as she slowly comes to. It's nice. Nothing like an afternoon moonbeam, but still. She yawns, stretching under the covers, and her features scrunch up as her feet encounter something solid but squishy. Her eyes flutter open in search of the obstacle and find Scorpia sitting on the edge of her bed, watching her intently.

"Afternoon, sleepy hea-"

"Ah!" Catra jumps and draws her legs back, crab walking up the bed to get some separation. "Scorpia, what the fuck? Get out of my room!"

"Nope," Scorpia refuses with a jolly grin. "You owe me details."

Catra blinks hard. "What?"

"You've had some sleep, and now Entrapta's not around to overhear. So spill," she demands, reaching out to thump Catra's feet through the covers. "What did Adora say when you told her?"

"Told her what?" groans Catra.

"That you wanted to kiss her!"

Suddenly Catra is very awake.

"Scorpia!" she hisses. "Shut up!"

The big lug clacks her claws together eagerly, eyes huge and bright. "I'm sorry, I'm just so excited!"

Rolling her eyes, Catra corrects her, "And it's used to want to kiss her, by the way."

"Sure, Catra," drawls Scorpia, and Catra levels a death glare right at her. It has absolutely no effect. "Come on, tell me! Please?"

Catra groans into her palms, seriously reconsidering her choice of allies. Slumping back against one of the iron bedposts, she admits, "Well, she was pretty shocked." Her eyebrows twitch with a caustic little snort. "Guess I did a good acting job, back in the day." Lying has never been difficult for her, but Adora is particularly easy to deceive. Always has been.

"Come on," whines Scorpia. "Give me details."

"Ugh." Catra wipes the sleep from her eyes. "Look, I don't remember what she said, we talked a bunch more before she broke me out and it's all kind of mixed up right now."

"Oh." A grin slowly forms on Scorpia's face. "Ohhhh. What did you guys talk about?"

"Scorpia, I swear to Hordak-"

"The time she kissed you in the locker room? The traumatic upbringing you shared under Shadow Weaver?"

A bitter laugh bursts past Catra's lips. "Shared? Please. Adora was sad Shadow Weaver died. Adora was a good little girl who stayed out of trouble, even if that meant letting me get walloped for no good reason. She didn't share in anything."

Scorpia's brow furrows. "Wait, you told her Shadow Weaver's dead?"

"Oh." Eyes flitting away, Catra nibbles on her lip. "Yeah. I did."

"That leaves us open to attacks by sorcerers, doesn't it?" Scorpia points out, speaking Catra's thoughts aloud. She's smarter than Catra gave her credit for.

"I mean, hypothetically," Catra shrugs, "but I don't even know if Adora told anyone else, she was so obsessed with getting me out once Sparkles got me locked up."

Scorpia nods pensively. "We should probably warn Hordak, just to be safe."

"No!" The panic in Catra's voice surprises her as much as Scorpia. Maybe it shouldn't, though, given the wrath she usually faces when she disappoints an authority figure. So far Hordak seems somewhat more reasonable than Shadow Weaver, but she's seen how angry he can get. It was funny when it was directed at Shadow Weaver, but…

Catra shakes her head resolutely. "No way. We can't let Hordak learn the truth. If we tell him Adora knows, he finds out I leaked intelligence to the enemy, and then it's all over for me."

"Okay, well what about Entrapta?" muses Scorpia. "She keeps saying how magic and technology are kind of the same thing. Maybe she can harness the Black Garnet's energy again, create some kind of protection spell."

Catra's head cocks to the side. "That's… actually a decent plan."

"Don't sound so surprised," Scorpia teases, but her smile is earnest. "I'm more than just a pretty face."

Catra snorts under her breath, tapping a claw against her chin in thought. "Okay. I'll try to come up with some other way the intelligence got leaked," she concludes. "He's bound to ask about the spell eventually. In the meantime, get your girlfriend working on a barrier for the Fright Zone."

"She's not my girlfriend!" protests Scorpia, cheeks instantly flushing as red as her exoskeleton.

Grinning wickedly, Catra chirps, "Oh, so you can give it, but you can't take it?"

"That's it, you're going down!" Scorpia swipes at air as Catra darts away, ricocheting off the wall to land behind her.

"Too slow!" Catra calls from the doorway. As the door slides open, the grin fades from her lips and she turns back. "Hey, Scorpia?"

Scorpia raises an eyebrow at the sudden change in demeanor, and Catra twitches her mouth gratefully. "Don't tell her why we need it, okay? She's bad with secrets."

Giving Catra a stalwart nod of assurance, Scorpia salutes crisply. "You got it, boss."

A/N: Watch me shamelessly steal as many Scorptra interactions from season 2 as possible because aw they are honestly adorable and season 2 made me a multishipper. I resent how little time Entrapta spent with them though, so I'm doing my best to make up for that. :)

EDIT: I probably won't update again before season 3 because a) OITNB, b) pre-season SPOP rewatch, c) I'm working on Joniss for now, and d) I want to wait and see if there's anything in season 3 I want to use for the next chapter/arc. This is sort of a transitional/setup chapter between arcs and it makes sense to write the whole next arc with the same canon content in mind. Thanks for your patience, I will hopefully get chapter 14 up not long after season 3 is dropped. I will still be picking at it in the meantime, I'm sure.