A/N: Time to check in with Adora and see how her betrayal has gone over in Bright Moon!

Just a heads up, this chapter could be especially disturbing for people raised in religious subcultures, the military, or other environments with similar parenting philosophies. The flashback material isn't graphic or anything, but it is creepy and uncomfortable, and it could definitely be triggering.

CONTENT WARNING for emotional and implied physical child abuse.

Adora struts out of her latest simulated battle, detransforming and sheathing her sword as the last bot explodes behind her. "Pretty good, huh?"

"Indeed," concurs Light Hope. "Your performance has improved by thirty-two percent in three days. You are a fast learner, Adora."

"So I'm told," Adora smirks cheekily.

Something resembling a fond smile plays across the hologram's face, warming Adora's insides. "As I expected, your dedication is paying great dividends. I am glad you changed your mind and decided to stay here, focus on your duties as She-Ra."

Adora's smile starts to slip and she turns away to hide her face. Smiles have been hard to come by since she arrived. Part of why she's been training so much is it's one of the best ways to distract herself from her feelings of grief and loss.

Unfortunately Light Hope's mainframe can only handle so much training per day, and the Crystal Castle is depressingly desolate. So instead of moping about inside, Adora's been spending much of her time out in the woods. Running. Screaming. Longing. Climbing trees and scanning the horizon, caught between two places where she was happy. Places where she felt loved. Places she's no longer welcome.

Wiping her face of emotion, Adora turns and asks, "Hey, Light Hope, you think you could simulate a gym for me? Like the one back at the Horde?" Light Hope peers at her curiously and Adora attempts a casual posture. "What? They had a training grounds at Bright Moon but it just wasn't the same."

"Are these battle simulations not stimulating enough for you?" asks Light Hope. "I could dial up the difficulty."

Adora shakes her head. "It's not that. I like fighting as She-Ra. But I like training as Adora, too."

"There is no need," Light Hope says blankly. "The capabilities of your regular human form have no bearing on your battlefield performance."

"Assuming my sword doesn't get stolen again," grumbles Adora, only half joking. Light Hope merely blinks, thoroughly unamused. Quickly clearing her throat, Adora explains, "Besides, that's not the only reason I like to work out. It makes me feel better. Calmer. More confident."

Light Hope studies her a moment before relenting, "Peace of mind is an important quality for She-Ra's vessel to possess. If you believe it can help you achieve such a state, I will simulate this 'gym' for you."

Adora smiles with a sigh of relief. "Thanks, Light Hope."

"You are welcome, Adora. When would you like to-" Light Hope stops mid sentence, wearing much the same expression as Catra gets when her ears perk up suddenly. "Your steed has accessed the premises."

"What?"

"Your steed, Swift Wind," she repeats. "He's here."

The rumble of the door opening echoes down the corridor, followed by a cacophony of hoofsteps. Swift Wind bursts into the atrium with a flourish of his wings. "Hi, Adora!" he calls out, launching into a loop de loop.

Adora grins despite the ear-grating racket. This is the first friend she's seen in days. When he lands beside her she throws her arms around his neck.

"How did you find me?" she asks after a few seconds, pulling back to pet his fiery mane. "I didn't tell anyone where I was going."

"This was Bow and Glimmer's first guess." Apparently not noticing the way Adora's face falls, he adds, "Besides, as your noble steed, I can sense your location! It's how I found this place the first time."

Mouth twitching guiltily, Adora asks, "How are Bow and Glimmer?"

His eyes glint. "Why don't you ask them yourself, at the meeting?"

"Huh?"

"The weekly Princess Alliance meeting?" Swift Wind sasses her. "You know, the one you've attended every week for months?"

Adora's eyebrows shoot up. "Wait, I'm invited?"

"You're She-Ra, you're kind of an important person to keep in the loop," he says. "Queen Angella personally sent me to come fetch you."

"Angella." Adora laughs nervously. "Great."

"Adora, I was unaware you had cut ties with the Rebellion," remarks Light Hope.

"I haven't exactly, it's just…" Adora shifts uncomfortably at the hint of accusation in her tone. "I left without saying goodbye. I don't think anyone there is very happy with me right now."

Cocking his head, Swift Wind interjects, "Isn't it more that-"

"Swift Wind!" snaps Adora, slapping one hand onto each side of his snout.

She squeezes hard, holding it shut even as he protests, "Adurrr- ergh."

Light Hope's eyes narrow, the exaggerated expression fantastically creepy. "What are you not telling me, Adora?"

"Nothing!" Adora protests automatically, the impulse to lie to avoid unpleasant consequences stronger than any sense of logic. Too bad lying always makes things worse when it's this obvious. Sweating profusely, she scratches her flushing neck and laughs nervously. "It's embarrassing. But nothing important, really," she backpedals. Avoiding Light Hope's penetrating gaze, she nudges Swift Wind and turns to exit. "C'mon, let's go."

Once they're safely outside, Adora heaves a sigh of relief. Swift Wind neighs in invitation and she climbs aboard. "Let's get you to that meeting, princess!" he exclaims as he flares his wings and takes off.

Clutching his neck as they gain height, Adora swallows and asks, "Does everyone know?"

"That you're staying at the Crystal Castle?"

Adora rolls her eyes. "Do they all know why I left?"

"Ohhh. You mean how you got caught making out with Catra and sprung her from prison?" he says. "Yeah, I think pretty much the whole kingdom knows. The jail break part, anyway. It looks bad on the Royal Guard to have a prisoner escape, but if She-Ra helped…"

"Right," mutters Adora. "Awesome."

Far too soon, they're in Bright Moon and touching down on a large balcony near the war council room. Dismounting hesitantly, Adora suggests, "Should I transform?"

"Why?" asks Swift Wind.

Her mouth twitches as she glances at the open patio doors. "I feel like it was She-Ra they invited to the meeting. Not Adora." The tension in her stomach is leaking into her face, she can feel it, but suddenly she has a faceful of red mane as Swift Wind gently headbutts her cheek. Spitting out a mouthful of hair, she turns to see him wearing a fond, determined smile.

Nudging Adora with his shoulder, he assures her, "Adora or She-Ra, I'll be right by your side."

A genuine grin grows on Adora's face and her fingers subconsciously move to toy with his mane. "Thanks, Swifty."

Deciding to remain in her usual form, Adora approaches the doors with Swift Wind in tow. A couple soldiers are waiting by the entrance, and one steps forward as she crosses the threshold into the castle.

"Greetings, She-Ra," the guard welcomes her with a nod. "We're here to escort you to the meeting."

"Oh, that's okay," Adora brushes her off, turning for the council room. "I know the way." She's barely taken two steps before the other guard steps into her path, obstructing her progress.

"We have our orders, miss," the first guard says flatly.

Adora's eyes bulge. Orders? From one of the generals? From the queen herself?

"I knew this was a bad idea," Adora gripes. "Can we leave?"

Nudging her back with his snout, Swift Wind answers, "You have to face them sometime, don't you?"

"Ugh." Adora rolls her eyes but complies, marching to the council room flanked by guards, like some criminal. She tries not to think too hard about that.

Entering the large room to find the rest of the alliance already seated, Adora takes a deep breath and pastes on a friendly smile. "Hi, everyone," she greets them with an awkward little wave, hesitantly approaching the table.

No one answers. Most people in the room are wearing expressions ranging from wary glances to unabashed glares. Bow and Spinnerella both give Adora tight smiles while Perfuma titters nervously. Her timid wave is quickly slapped down by Mermista, who otherwise just looks bored.

"Adora," Queen Angella finally greets her. "Thank you for joining us."

Slipping into a vacant seat as unobtrusively as possible, Adora asks, "Am I late?"

"No, you're right on time. Swift Wind was expedient, as usual."

Adora's steed preens beside her. "Thank you, ma'am."

"General?" prompts Angella.

The pretty general with the cool hair steps forward and Adora does her best not to stare, directing her blush at the table. "First matter of business, there's been a strange development on the part of the Horde," the general informs them. "There's been no troop movement in the past week. No advances, no retreats."

"Isn't that a good thing?" asks Frosta.

"Perhaps, but it's highly suspicious," the general replies. "We fear they may be mustering troops in preparation for a larger assault."

Angella adds, "We entertained the thought that this may be because one of their more aggressive Force Captains was in our custody for a time, but she couldn't have been gone more than two days. Her disappearance doesn't account for an entire week of inactivity."

Shifting in his seat, Bow grimaces apologetically at Adora and then proposes, "What if she didn't go back?"

The already tense atmosphere turns suffocating. Sweat beads on Adora's brow as she does her best to avoid a roomful of curious and judgmental gazes. Queen Angella turns to her and calmly asks, "Adora, do you happen to know the whereabouts of Force Captain Catra?"

"Uh, as far as I know, she returned to the Fright Zone. I haven't seen her since she escaped."

"You mean since you let her go?" snarks Frosta.

"Yes, since I let her go," Adora concedes, rolling her eyes.

Glimmer snorts under her breath. "Didn't stick around, huh?"

Adora's eyes narrow and flash over to hers. "I didn't ask her to," she snaps, suddenly defensive. "It wasn't like that. I didn't want there to be strings."

"So she didn't even, like, promise not to attack Bright Moon in exchange or anything?" inquires Mermista.

"No," Adora confirms. "It was an act of goodwill. Diplomacy."

"That's one word for it," Netossa remarks under her breath.

"We're getting off track," states Angella. "We need to concentrate on the task at hand, not dissolve into petty bickering." Turning to the resident sorceress, she asks, "Casta, will the protection spell have the capacity to hold off a larger attack if it indeed comes?"

"In theory, yes," Casta answers haltingly. "But if Light Sp- if Shadow Weaver is able to repeat whatever she did, draw that much power from the Black Garnet again, there's no telling what she could do with it. She's powerful, she could easily whip up a counterspell."

Adora nods along with everyone else for a second until it suddenly clicks and her eyelids flutter. "Oh, actually, wait," she says. "Shadow Weaver's dead."

Glimmer's eyebrows shoot up. "What?"

"Where did you hear this?" demands Casta.

"From Catra, when she was here," says Adora.

"Uh, isn't she the one who led the attack and, like, broke the Moonstone tower?" snarks Mermista.

Throwing the sassy princess a look, Queen Angella rephrases, "What makes you think she's a reliable source, Adora?"

"It came up in conversation, it didn't feel like she was feeding me information," Adora answers honestly. "Besides, the way she was talking about it… look, we both have a lot of history with Shadow Weaver. The way she was acting, it didn't feel fake at all."

There's a few seconds of deafening silence as everyone but Adora seems to share some kind of collective moment, exchanging eye rolls and knowing glances. Adora tenses, wary of being mocked or left out. She knows those looks. Everyone in this room thinks she's a fucking idiot.

Finally Perfuma dares to speak up. "No offense, Adora, but you're not exactly impartial when it comes to Catra. I sensed a great disturbance in your energy whenever you were in close proximity during the battle."

Adora blushes so hard her ears go bright red. "Yeah, it's a little hard to fight my best friend, okay?" she deflects. Most of the room just stares at her blankly, but she does notice Glimmer wince. Pushing her guilt aside, she attempts to explain herself. "Look, I don't know for sure if it's the truth, but it could explain why the Horde's been at a standstill. Shadow Weaver was Hordak's second-in-command. If she's not around to run things, the whole place could fall apart, let alone them making any military progress."

"That's a good point, Adora," Bow praises her much too eagerly. Addressing Angella, he asks, "Do we have any spies in the Fright Zone who could confirm it?"

"Unfortunately not."

"We shouldn't need spies," interjects Casta. "I don't know about confirming the sorceress's death, but I can perform a spell to check on the Black Garnet's activity. If it's been sitting idle, that all but confirms it."

"Shadow Weaver's not the only one who can draw power from it," says Adora.

"Princess Scorpia has never been known to use the Black Garnet's powers," counters Casta. "It's been in the Horde's possession since before she was born, so we can assume she never learned how to use it."

"Not her." Looking around the room, Adora smirks bitterly. "You all might not believe this because Catra's apparently so full of lies, but she said Entrapta's alive and she's been tinkering with the Black Garnet."

Glimmer pales. "What?"

Eyes going huge, Bow throws an arm across Glimmer's chest and leans toward Adora. "Wait, was it her who…?"

He doesn't have to finish. Everyone knows what he's thinking. One of their own nearly destroyed the planet.

"I dunno," shrugs Adora. "Catra didn't say. But Shadow Weaver's never tried anything like that before and Entrapta's all about mixing magic and technology, so yeah, probably."

That statement hangs heavy in the air for a moment. Glimmer is all but vibrating in her chair, tiny hands clenching into fists, and finally she bursts out, "We have to do something, Mom! We have to save her."

"Glimmer, I am not authorizing another rescue mission to the Fright Zone, not after how the last one turned out," Angella answers wearily. "Especially not for someone who's working for them."

"They're probably forcing her to work for them! Torturing her or worse!"

"Catra said Entrapta wanted to tinker with it," Adora remarks offhandedly, barely even glancing at Glimmer. When Glimmer's dark laugh echoes through the room, Adora squirms in her seat. It sounds vaguely unhinged, a little like Catra when she's teetering on the edge of an angry meltdown.

"Oh, Catra says," Glimmer drawls mockingly. "Guess it must be true, then. Because why would a selfish, conniving traitor ever lie to you?!"

"If anyone's the traitor, it's me," mutters Adora.

Glimmer snorts under her breath. "Well, you're not wrong there."

"Glimmer, that's quite enough," Angella warns her.

The weak control Adora has over her anger is straining, bending… and when she meets Glimmer's fiery eyes, it breaks. She stands abruptly, chair scraping the floor as her hands splay on the table. "You know what? I've had enough of your shit, Glimmer. When I let Catra go, I was setting things right, doing what should have already been done."

"Seriously?" Glimmer's face crumples but continues to flush with anger. "After everything she's done, after what she did to us," she stresses, gesturing at Bow, "you expected us to just let her go?"

"You had no right to apprehend her," insists Adora.

"Like hell I didn't!" shouts Glimmer, pounding a fist on the table and hopping to her feet to mirror Adora. "She tried to sneak into the castle."

"She wasn't here to fight!"

"No, she was here to suck face."

They stare each other down, faces red and nostrils flaring dangerously. Glimmer's fist begins to glow, and Adora braces for a faceful of sparkles.

"...Awkward," mutters Mermista.

The comment breaks the tension and both of them whip their heads around, suddenly aware again of everyone observing the showdown. Bow's cringing dramatically and Angella has her eyes squeezed shut in exasperation, fingers digging into her temples.

"This meeting is over," she declares. "Everyone return to your quarters."

Glimmer protests, "But-"

"Now!" Angella orders sharply, fixing Glimmer with a terrifying evil eye.

Visibly fuming, Glimmer turns her glare from her mother to Adora before disappearing in an angry pink poof.

"Um, excuse me? Queen Angella?" Perfuma pipes up, waving to get her attention. "Weren't we going to discuss if we were all still needed here?"

"Yeah, it's been a couple weeks now and some of us have kingdoms to run, you know," adds Mermista.

Angella looks about ready to snap, but she manages to answer calmly. "We'll discuss that tomorrow, once everyone's had a chance to cool off."

"A'ight," says Mermista. "Later, then." She grabs Perfuma's arm and tugs her worried frenemy along as she exits.

When Adora turns to follow, Angella speaks again. "Adora, stay behind, please."

A bolt of anxiety shoots through Adora, making all her muscles go stiff. She's not looking at Angella, but she can just hear the disapproval, the shoe that's about to drop. What was she thinking? What possessed her to behave so poorly, to hijack an official meeting for some silly personal drama? Shadow Weaver would've bent her over the war table for that kind of insolence. She would've-

"I'll, um…" Swift Wind's nervous voice mercifully breaks Adora's thought spiral. "Do you want me to stay?"

Sighing heavily, Adora shakes her head. While she doesn't want to face this alone, she doesn't want any witnesses to her humiliation, either. Eyes on the table, she answers, "No, that's okay. I'll meet you at the patio."

Swift Wind's hoofsteps are fading when a warm hand comes to rest on her shoulder. "Adora?" Bow calls gently. Adora's eyes flick up to find him peering at her in concern. "You okay?"

"Sure," she mutters. "Considering."

Hesitating for just a second, Bow steps in and hugs Adora tightly. The gesture is shocking in the moment, even from Bow, and she barely manages to make her arms return the favor. As Bow lets go, he tells her, "I got your letter. I just want you to know I understand."

Adora's forehead crinkles. "You're not mad?"

"No," he answers, mouth twitching glumly. "Just sad. I wish you'd come back."

"Yeah, don't think that's gonna happen anytime soon," snorts Adora. "They're not exactly making me feel welcome here." Guilt niggles at her gut when his face falls farther, and she squeezes his shoulder. "Hey, maybe you could come visit me at the ruins."

His face brightens slightly. "Yeah?"

"Yeah." Adora barely even has to try to smile. "I'd like that. I miss you too."

"Adora," comes Angella's voice again.

Tensing up at the summons, Adora answers, "Coming!" Giving Bow a parting pat on the arm, she swivels and marches up to Angella, who's now standing beside her general. Clearing her throat awkwardly, Adora starts to salute but catches herself halfway, turning the gesture into a sweeping bow.

"At ease, Adora," sighs Angella.

At ease? Seriously? How could anyone possibly expect Adora to be at ease in this situation? Too late, she's realizing that transforming might have been a good idea. She's about to have her ass handed to her, and both these women tower over her, just like-

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty," Adora says stiffly, arms glued to her sides. "That was out of line and unprofessional. I apologize for being so disruptive and letting my temper get the best of me. It won't happen again."

"You just described my daughter in a nutshell, Adora," Angella remarks dryly. "That's not why I wished to speak with you."

Adora gulps, clasping her fingers together to keep them from fidgeting. The excessive warmth only makes her palms sweat more.

"I want you to know I appreciate your good intentions," begins Angella, "and I understand why you made the choice you did. But that does not change the fact that you defied me and betrayed the kingdom that put their trust in you. You promised your allegiance to us, not the Horde."

Adora squints. "Catra isn't-"

"I'm not finished," Angella interrupts, raising a hand to silence her. Adora's vision begins to blur and she bites her lip, avoiding eye contact. "I know what Catra means to you," Angella assures her. "I know you were saving a dear friend from an unsavory situation. But are you aware of what else you did?"

Adora doesn't respond. This seems like one of those questions she's not supposed to answer. This is confirmed when Angella's voice goes hard and she spells out, "You helped a high-ranking Horde officer escape our custody, giving her a lesson in all of Bright Moon's weaknesses in the process."

"Well, to be fair, I gave all of you a lesson in your weaknesses, too," Adora points out. Eyeing the general, she asks, "Why would you only leave one guard outside the cell of such a dangerous prisoner? Now you know better."

Angella's eyes narrow. "I am not in the mood for jokes nor back talk, young lady. I get enough of that from Glimmer, thank you very much."

"I'm not joking," says Adora, brow furrowing slightly. "I'm sure you've already made adjustments so it won't happen again." Snorting inwardly, she mutters, "Besides, you got rid of your biggest weakness. Me."

"You are not a weakness, Adora," sighs Angella. "Anything but. However, you have made yourself a liability," she states. "I hope you can understand why it may be difficult for the rebellion to trust your word or your judgment from now on."

"Yes, ma'am." Adora's eyes fall as she swallows thickly. "I understand."

"Do you?" demands the general, and Adora's head snaps up to meet her fiery gaze. It's the first time the woman has spoken in a while, but Adora has not missed the simmering anger in her expression. She gulps as the general continues, "How can you expect us to continue fighting by your side? You betrayed us. You lied to members of the Royal Guard and took one of them hostage. You made my soldiers look like dimwits."

Look like? Adora almost says. No, that would definitely be backtalk. Instead she stands as tall as she can in this form and answers, "You will continue to fight by my side because it's in your best interest. We have a common enemy. You don't have to trust me, or like me, but I'll be here when the Horde attacks, defending this castle with my life as I did before. If that's not enough to earn your trust, then so be it," sighs Adora, shrugging wearily.

The general shoots her a withering glare. "You have some nerve, young lady. Do you expect us to forget what you've done just because you're She-Ra?"

"No," Adora swiftly denies, giving her head a hard shake.

"But you expect us to excuse it. You think you can get away with anything because you're special, don't you?"

"I- I- I don't-" Adora stammers, suddenly overheating and short of breath.

"Don't you?!" the general barks, leaning in slightly.

A heavy feeling settles on Adora, crushing her lungs and tempting her to sink to the ground, to cover her ears and curl into herself. The general is still talking, but Adora can't distinguish any words, only her censuring tone and the primal fear it evokes in the core of her being.

Adora's hands fidgeted in her lap, stubby legs swinging off a bench outside Shadow Weaver's office. Not the Black Garnet Chamber, Adora had never seen the inside of it at that point. She figured out later in life that Shadow Weaver was more likely to call you there if she was planning for magic to be involved in one way or another, since she could easily recharge there. In retrospect, that explained why Catra got called there so often.

The sound of yelling from inside the office made Adora's shoulders clench and rise, one thumb incessantly scratching the skin of the other. It wasn't enough to distract from the noises, though, or the terror. Adora was next. Kyle had already left a whimpering mess some five minutes ago, and now it was Lonnie's turn to face the wrath of Weaver. Catra and Rogelio were off in some special "conditioning" class (whatever that was) that afternoon, so it'd just been the three of them on their little misadventure.

Adora's attempts to calm herself only became more futile when she heard the sound of a blow followed by a sharp yelp. Pulling her knees into her chest, Adora slapped her hands over her ears to muffle the continued yelling. She'd be fine. She'd be fine. Lonnie had a bit of a mouth on her, and she'd only seen Shadow Weaver slap cadets when they talked back to her. As long as she didn't talk back, she'd be fine. Unfortunately, she had a habit of doing so without meaning to.

The door opened and Adora froze, only realizing then that she'd begun rocking herself back and forth like some dumb baby. Thankfully Lonnie didn't seem to notice the display of weakness, teary eyes on the floor as she pulled the door shut behind her. When she looked up, Adora flinched at the angry red mark on her cheek and she scoffed.

"Don't worry, Adora," Lonnie muttered as she passed by. "You'll be fine."

Frowning down at her knees, Adora pulled them tighter into her body. Being favored by Shadow Weaver was both a blessing and a curse. She was usually spared the harshest punishments, but got grief for it from the others. Sometimes she wished she wasn't special. She couldn't tell if the others actually liked her or if they just tolerated her because she was Shadow Weaver's favorite.

The door flew open suddenly, making Adora startle and drop her knees. "Adora!" Shadow Weaver called from inside. "Come."

Adora slid off the bench and onto shaky legs, forcing them to move toward the danger, not away. If she ran, she'd only make it worse. She knew that from observing Catra's escape attempts. Even if she got away, she couldn't run forever. Better to get it over with.

Closing the door behind her, Adora gingerly approached Shadow Weaver's desk. She was aggressively scribbling notes on some kind of report, huffing to herself. Adora couldn't help tensing at the ominous body language, and she fully froze when Shadow Weaver looked up, locking her glowing eyes onto her. Oh, this was gonna be bad.

"Have I been too soft with you, Adora?" asked Shadow Weaver.

"Uh…" Unsure what answer her guardian was digging for, Adora tried, "No, Shadow Weaver?"

White eyes narrowing into slits, Shadow Weaver warned her, "Do not try my patience, young lady." Heart and lungs speeding up, Adora clasped her hands behind her back, wringing and pulling her fingers so hard they started to go numb. Still eviscerating Adora with her eyes, Shadow Weaver informed her, "Lonnie and Kyle both said it was your idea to steal the weapons from the simulation room."

Blinking bewilderedly, Adora protested, "We didn't steal th-"

A cold, tingly sensation cut her off mid sentence, freezing her lips and tongue in place. Adora glanced down to see a crackling red glow surrounding her lips. Shutting Adora's mouth with one motion of her fingers, Shadow Weaver scolded her, "No back talk, now."

Squirming in discomfort, Adora squinted at the sorceress. She wasn't even back talking, she was just trying to clear up the facts. Apparently Shadow Weaver didn't care to listen, only talk. "'Borrowing' is as good as stealing. You have all been told since day one that no weapons are to leave the armory or training areas without permission, have you not?"

Adora nodded, stinging eyes falling to her feet.

"Do you think the rules don't apply to you, Adora?"

She shook her head.

"So why, pray tell, did you decide to disobey clear, direct orders?" With a flick of Shadow Weaver's hand, the magic dissipated.

Shifting her aching jaw, Adora tried to come up with an explanation that would not be considered back talk. Shadow Weaver had unfrozen her lips, so she must be expecting some kind of answer. "I…" Adora gulped, blinking her eyes dry. Show no weakness. "I was playing Force Captain, like you told me to. Leading my squad on a mission."

"That's a pathetic excuse," snapped Shadow Weaver, eyes narrowing and glowing brighter. "You do not need real weapons to play some silly game. Are you stupid, or simply incapable of doing as you're told?"

"I'm sorry," whispered Adora, voice tight and threatening tears.

"I'm sure you are, dear girl. But we need to see to it that this doesn't happen again," said Shadow Weaver, floating out of her chair and rounding the desk. "Do not think that my fondness for you puts you above the rules. You will suffer the consequences of your disobedience, like anyone else."

Adora's heart jumped into her throat. "But-"

"But what, Adora?" boomed Shadow Weaver. Suddenly she was levitating with rage, towering even taller over the trembling child. "What made you think I would allow such flagrant disobedience from you? Because you're special?" Her mocking tone made Adora's eyes spill over. "No. I expect more of you, Adora. The others look up to you. They followed you and your terrible example, and they were punished as well. If you continue to misbehave, it will happen again. Do you want that for them?"

"No," whispered Adora.

The darkness faded from the air and Shadow Weaver sunk back to her usual terrifying height. "I should hope not," she remarked. Holding Adora's gaze, she patted the edge of the desk. "Come here."

Adora froze, heart suddenly pounding in her ears. Her lip quivered. "Sh-Shadow Weaver, please-"

"Enough," Shadow Weaver cut her off sharply, lifting a hand to silence her. "Good soldiers accept the consequences of their actions without theatrics. Are you a good soldier, Adora?"

"Yes, ma'am," stated Adora, automatically snapping into a straight posture.

Shadow Weaver extended a hand and Adora gulped as she motioned her forward. "Now, come."

Adora did as she was told.

A hand grips Adora's arm, squeezing tight enough to seize her attention. "Adora?"

Adora's eyes flutter and slowly manage to focus, finding Queen Angella's concerned face. "Adora?" she repeats. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah. Yes," Adora assures her, snapping back to attention. "Sorry, Your Majesty. I spaced out, I guess." Her eyes flick between Angella and the general, who's watching her with a peculiar expression. Adora stares right back at them, utterly confused until she feels tears dripping from her chin. Quickly wiping her cheeks, she addresses the general with a smile. "You were saying?"

The general looks a little thrown, but nevertheless replies, "I was explaining the new security limitations you'll be required to follow." When Adora nods, she continues, "You are only permitted in Castle Bright Moon in the presence of at least two guards. You are permitted in the kingdom off the castle grounds if you wish, but we won't be sparing any soldiers to escort you and guarantee your safety."

Memories of slicing through a tent and dodging arrows to escape a screaming mob play in Adora's head. "I'll pass," she mutters, eyes downcast.

"You deserve far worse," the general retorts. Her narrowing eyes inform Adora that she has said something inflammatory again, go figure. "You can thank Princess Glimmer for convincing us to allow you into the kingdom at all."

"Glimmer?" Adora blinks, a spark of hope flaring in her chest. "I didn't think she wanted to see me."

"She thinks you're valuable to the rebellion," the general corrects her.

Those words are a true gut punch, knocking the wind out of Adora and crumpling her face. Shoulders slumping, she looks to Angella for some kind of lifeline.

"Is all this really necessary, Your Majesty?" she asks, desperation seeping into her tone as she gestures at the guards waiting for her by the door. She came in determined to face the consequences of her actions with dignity, but the disappointment and distrust hurt far worse than any physical blow ever could. "It's just me, Adora."

"Don't push your luck," the general interjects. "If you wanted free run of the place you should have followed the rules."

Angella silences the general with a flick of her hand and meets Adora's gaze, her expression stony. "The Royal Guard determines necessary security measures for the palace. While I understand this situation was special and I personally don't doubt your dedication to the rebellion, my feelings are irrelevant. This kind of behavior cannot be tolerated, and there must be consequences." Her head tips slightly. "We are at war, Adora. You do understand that, right?"

"Yes, ma'am," answers Adora, fists clenching at her sides. She's not stupid. She's not. Why does everyone keep talking to her like she's stupid?

Nodding her approval, Angella declares, "I hope that in due time you will prove yourself to us again, She-Ra, Princess of Power."

The use of her formal title just about sends Adora into a tailspin, but she forces herself to stand tall and answer stoically, like a good soldier. "I will. And I understand. Thank you f-" Her voice cracks and she flinches, berating herself. No theatrics. Swallowing hard, she finishes, "Thank you for your hospitality. I'll see you next week."

Nodding in farewell, Adora pivots on her heel and marches out of the room, ignoring the guards who follow on her tail. Halfway to the patio, tears begin streaming down her flushed cheeks. She grits her teeth, trying and failing to control her breathing as her hands tremble with unspent emotion. Is this what it feels like to be Catra, betrayed by her friends and denounced by her superiors, angry at the whole damn world?

Well, to be fair, Adora's mostly angry with herself. She can't even withstand a well deserved lecture without dissolving into a puddle of tears. Shadow Weaver would be ashamed. Adora sure is. For all her efforts, she's a terrible soldier.

"Now now, there's no need to cry," Shadow Weaver scolded Adora, wiping a tear from her cheek. Adora couldn't help but recoil, and this did not go unnoticed. She was forced to meet Shadow Weaver's eyes when the sorceress tipped her jaw up with a finger, and Adora was surprised to find her gaze suddenly much softer.

"You know I do this because I care about you," she said, and Adora couldn't help but avert her eyes again. "Believe it or not, this is for your own good, Adora. You must learn to behave, there's no room for rebels in the Horde." Shadow Weaver brushed away another tear with her thumb, tenderly this time. "I only want the best for you, my child."

Adora forced her eyes back to Shadow Weaver and nodded. It made sense. She'd been bad, she had to learn her lesson.

"Are you going to follow the rules now?"

Adora sniffled and gulped, steadying her voice. "Yes, Shadow Weaver."

"Good girl." Shadow Weaver gave her cheek a soft pat and she tried not to cringe at the contact, gentle as it now was. "Dismissed."

A/N: I have an autistic Adora headcanon and it came out to play hard in this chapter tbh. Many thanks to sheraraven on Tumblr for beta reading this chapter and her second opinion on that aspect of Adora's characterization. I am on the spectrum too but know better than to assume my experiences speak for everyone.

Okay, so, an explanation. I waffled for a while on whether to confirm that Shadow Weaver used corporeal punishment on Adora or to just continue hinting at it, seeing as the evidence for it in canon is isn't concrete and it's rare to see in fanfics. But I finally decided to confirm it because a) the parenting philosophy I've written for Shadow Weaver in this fic lends itself to that, b) it's common in military and religious environments, and the Horde is (coded as) both, and c) the big one, Adora's remarks in 3x01 about only being special as long as she obeyed Shadow Weaver suggested that she didn't always get preferential treatment, and the way she said it had this note of bitterness in it that just... yeah. Adding that to the way I've written SW in the fic, it just felt like now and this flashback was the time and place to confirm it, the themes of this chapter presented an obvious opportunity.

Also, this new information might seem to contradict Adora's earlier remarks about having never being slapped, but there is definitely a difference between that and ritualized corporeal punishment. One is impulsive and driven by anger while the other is planned and very intentional, and they don't always come as a package with any given parent. I feel like that's an important distinction to make.