A/N: Hey guys, another full-able chapter for ya, and gonna be honest!
...this might be the worst chapter I wrote XO Reason being? Because I'm out of my medication today for my ADHD, and because of that, I was feeling drowsy all day long. For those wondering why I didn't just take a break, it's because if I get in the habit of not writing, then I'll never write again X/ same issue I had with my RWBY fic for awhile, so I kinda have to.
I call this my worst cause I overly felt some parts of it were forced or rushed in some character interaction. But another reason I didn't let it keep me from posting is because, in all honesty, I often think half of my chapters are gonna end up bad, and when I get positive feedback out of it, it proves me wrong XP
So yeah, keep in mind, this is my writing when I'm out of it. If it ends up good, great! If not, I'll probably take it down to rewrite bits and pieces here and there. Otherwise, hope you all enjoy!
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"I feel like everyone is staring." Scorpia commented as she walked down the stairs with Adora.
"Oh let them stare. It's not like their opinion matters anyway. " The Blond Force Captain replied holding her green package.
This was it. The Princess Prom! The center stage and location for all of Adora's planning. All the princesses and kingdoms gathered under one roof for a night of celebration, one that's held every ten years! She could not begin to describe how long she worked the previous night for this day, or all the preparations that came with it.
One of which was Shadow Weaver herself.
There was no end to the number of troubles she kept bringing up, the issues she pointed out with Adora attending the Ball like this, even with Scorpia. She tried reasoning to Adora all the cons to this little endeavor, doing her best to avoid drawing any attention to all of her past manipulations, and how dangerous it would be. It took a lot of coaxing to convince her that she would be fine with Scorpia, as well as having all her training under her belt to keep herself safe.
The Ball itself was also the very first Ball Adora had ever attended, much less the very first party Adora had ever attended, and she had to say, it was beautiful! Lights glistened and sparkled off the various icy structures, the moon lighting played a gigantic part in presentation outside of this place, and everyone around her was someone new to meet, someone new to make potential alliances with!
This place was going to be a blast!
Making their way up the stairs to the throne, the two proudly curtsied respectfully, Adora giving off more of a bow given the contents in her hand.
"Revered Hostess, I-"
"Stop!" The two turned around at the shout of panic coming from Catra, one of two people Adora was looking forward to meeting her again, as well as Glimmer who she was less than happy to meet again. Just as she got to the top of the stairs, she was instantly cut off by two guards blocking her path, both of them using their spears to form an X in front of her. Despite her past annoyances, Princess Frosta waved her hand, allowing them to step up to Adora and Scorpia. "You can't let them be here, they're from the Horde!"
Oh, sure, typical. Of course that would be the angle she would play at. "The Hordes evil", "you can't trust those monsters", she was getting tired of hearing it at this point. Smiling to the host of the party, she bowed. "Revered Hostess, Princess Scorpia was invited, as per the rules of the Ball. I feel it would be most ungrateful if she kicked us out just because of her prejudices with us."
"Prejudice?" Catra repeated dumbfounded. "Who's talking about prejudices here-"
"Princess Catra." Frosta interrupted. "The rules state clearly that all princesses and their chosen guests are welcome."
"But they're up to something!" Catra claimed, eyeing the package in Adora's hand. She quickly shot a finger at it as she hissed. "Why don't you explain that for starters!" With a small grumble, Adora shook her head away as she took another step forward.
"Revered Hostess, Princess Frosta, I've come baring a gift for you." She said taking a knee in respect as one of the guards took the package.
"A... gift?" Frosta questioned, eyeing the package with inner curiosity as it was placed on her lap.
"Y-Yeah..." Standing up again, Adora had a small blush on her face as she shifted her eyes away. "This is... kind of my first party. I've never been to one before, so I stayed up all night studying about them. I have to admit, I was a little embarrassed when I found out it wasn't that kind of party, so... I apologize. But I hope you like it."
"Oh gosh, you're gonna make me hurl..." Catra groaned rolling her eyes.
Eyeing the strange package again, Princess Frosta calmly pulled at the ribbon tied over the strange package, removing the top of the lid as she pulled out whatever it contained. Holding it out, the numerous people were greeted at the sight of a strange, pocket-sized, globe in her hand attached to a wooden base. Inside of it were numerous white specs that slowly danced around the structure inside of it, the orb filled entirely with water. In the center of the strange object was an exact replica of Princess Frosta's palace, glittering in the light just like the real palace itself did.
"It's a snowglobe." Adora explained. "I'm sure you might have plenty of those around here, but I made it myself. It took me seven hours to make it from scratch, so-
"Tch, really Adora?" Catra shot back with a snide grin, crossing her arms. "A present? That's your best opening? Why don't you bribe the kid with some candy while you're at it? I'm sure she'll-"
"I like it." Frosta replied firmly, earning a smile from Adora.
"Are you serious?!"
"Yes. It's nice. I can tell a lot of quality and detail went into the present. At the very least, it's the thought that counts." She gave a somewhat bowful nod to the blonde guest. "I appreciate your generosity. Thank you." With another smile, Adora gave another small bow to the princess as she placed the globe in her winter dress pocket.
Grumbling at the sickening display, and how quickly she appeared to have won the princess over, compared to her at least, Catra marched her way over to her friend as she dug her claws through the sash around the dress, pulling out an all too familiar red head band. "Ha! Then what do you call this?" She asked pointing to the head band accusingly.
This was the exact same head band that started this trouble back in Salineas, the very one Adora wore to become that strange creature of darkness, both inside and out! It had the same coloring to it, the same red jewel adorned in it's center, and just holding it was enough to give her an off feeling about it. She would love to see her try to talk her way out of this, to explain why she brought such a dangerous item, one made by Shadow Weaver at that, to the ball!
"It's called a sweat band!" Adora said blushing again. "Excuse me for being a little nervous," she yelped, pulling the band back from Catra's hand and stuffing it in her dress, "about being out to a party for the first time in my life!"
...Ok that actually explained a little too much to Catra's case.
She was more surprised by how detailed and legitimate her explanation was, as if she rehearsed this line word for word in this event. Knowing her teacher, she probably did. It did nothing to calm the anger in Catra's mind though as she grabbed the collar of her dress. "Ok, I don't know what you're up to with this kid, but there is no way I'm letting you stay here-"
"That's enough!" The smaller princess yelled firmly with a stern look. "You look at me and see a child, but I've worked to hard to gain respect, only to throw it away because you have a history with two of my guests."
"What? That's not-"
"Silence!" She shouted again as two guards grabbed Catra's arms. "For centuries, the All-Princess Ball has been neutral ground. I will not dishonor that legacy. Scorpia is a princess. Princesses get a plus ones. They stay."
"But-"
"And I believe I already warned you," she continued, "that you had two strikes already, and what would happen if you threatened any of my guests. Guards, get her out of my palace, immediately."
"What? No!" Catra yelled as she pulled back. It proved in vain as several more guards entered the struggle, overpowering the magicat as she tried to throw them off without the use of her claws. It would've been worse if she injured anyone in her attempts to convince the younger princess. "Get off of me!"
"Wait!" Adora called out, catching everyone's attention as she turned towards the smaller princess again. "Revered Hostess, please, give her one more chance. I swear she's not herself today, and I wasn't feeling threatened in the slightest. Give her one more chance. Please?"
There was a small silence that filled the area as the guards and princesses looked to one another. Catra was a little surprised to see Adora trying to defend her so dearly after the last time she saw her, considering it almost ended with her losing her head, and Glimmer was more anxious about what would happen if Catra was thrown out. It didn't matter at this point if they had a bad relationship with Frosta, if Catra got thrown out in front of hundreds of people, there was no telling the amount of backlash that would've transpired.
"...Very well." With the wave of her hand again, Frosta's guard released their hold on Catra, the girl grumbling as she rubbed her sore arms. "But this is your last warning. Got it?"
"Thank you, your highness." With another bow, Adora turned away as she walked back towards the stairs. Right as she was about to pass Catra, she paused as she placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "We need to talk." She whispered with a small concerned look in her eyes, walking passed her with Scorpia trailing along.
"Catra!" Glimmer called out as she rushed to her friend's side. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine..." She grumbled, watching as Adora made her way through one of the curtained archways of the ball, leading to an outside balcony. Scorpia, meanwhile, seemed to be mingling with others at the Kelp Bar, unaware as she was a few people away from an embarrassed Mermista who still had her face in her hands as Sea Hawk continued his life's story. "I'll deal with her, you keep an eye out for the scorpion lady." She didn't even give Glimmer a chance to agree or devise a plan a she immediately chased after Adora.
This was Adora. Her best friend. Her only friend. After the events of Salineas her mind had been racing from time to time with the wonder of what happened to her friend. She was nothing like Catra remembered, not when she wore the headband. She was vicious, cruel, insane, took great pleasure in the pain she caused Catra and the thrill it gave her to fight. She couldn't tell if it was all the headband or something Shadow Weaver did to Adora through her various manipulations.
On top of that, she was alone with Shadow Weaver. For all Catra knew she could've been tortured or punished by Shadow Weaver on a constant basis to make Adora the person she saw in Salineas! Shadow Weaver did comment about how Adora became closer with the woman ever since she ended up leaving her. For all she knew Shadow Weaver could've spun the biggest lie to turn Adora against her, to make her feel unwanted or something!
Making her way up the stairs, brushing passed the sparkling light blue curtains, she saw her. There, Adora, standing at the edge of the balcony as she looked over the railing, facing the night sky.
Adora admired a lot of things about this night. Being the first party she's ever been to, the numerous people she got to meet tonight, seeing so many smiling faces all gathered in a single location. There was no telling how many of these faces were genuine and how many of them hid their evil hearts to the rest of the world. She would need to sort that out for herself, determine who she could trust and who were the enemy, and at the end of it all, who was most likely to join the Horde.
It was a time consuming process, one that she had plenty of time for.
"Adora..." She turned around to be greeted by Catra as she walked over.
"Catra..." She greeted in turn.
What was about to transpire here? Can't hadn't a clue as she approached the girl on the balcony. Being the first time in weeks they've met each other, given how badly their last encounter ended, there were any number of ways this night could go.
"Adora-"
"I'm sorry." Adora apologized. Catra was frozen with shock, standing just a foot away from the girl who gave an expression filled with sorrow.
"You... you are...?" Catra questioned, walking to her left as she leaned on the railing.
"Yes, I am." She assured. "I don't know what I was thinking, I was being stupid!"
"Adora, it... It's okay."
"No, it's not! I wasn't thinking straight before. The way we argued with each other, the way I hurt you?" She shook her head in frustration. "We shouldn't be fighting each other like this, we never should have!" The words alone lifted Catra's heart a little. With just a few sentences, Adora said practically everything Catra wanted to here.
Here she was, apologizing for everything she's done! She's admitting her mistake, she knew that she was on the wrong side, it was all perfect! With Adora's head in the right direction now, she could move her over to her side, the right side! At the very least a far better side than the Horde, that's for sure.
They wouldn't have to take obnoxious orders from people who used them, they wouldn't have to worry about each other constantly if they were fighting on the same side, it was all too perfect! They would fight side by side, they could bring down the Horde and Shadow Weaver together, and they wouldn't have to worry about hurting each other as much! Best off all, if they both fought on the same side, they could both share a glorious kingdom together. Heck, if they play their cards right, they might even be able to get two kingdoms out of it!
"Adora, I swear, it's okay." She smiled as she rubbed her shoulder. "If you really mean it, it's all in the past now!"
"R... Really?" She almost let out a sniffle as she spoke.
"Yes, really! You'll see, the Rebellion's a lot better than you're thinking! They gave me my own personal room, the meals are all cooked, we could be leading our own soldiers in the Rebellion-"
"What?" All the pain and frustration from earlier was devoid from Adora's face, her friend giving off a look of confusion at the unexpected reaction. "What are you talking about? I'm not joining the Rebellion!"
"Huh?" She wasn't? "But you just said you were sorry about all the fighting before."
"Yeah, about Salineas, about how I almost killed you. I never said anything about joining them." She clarified.
"Then... Why did you just mention working on the same side?" A part of her felt like she knew the answer despite not being prepared for it.
"Why do you think? I'm talking about going back to the Horde!" Wasn't it obvious to her? The Horde was the driving force behind Etheria, the army that was trying to unify all of Etheria as one compared to the evils that compelled the princesses. Why would she think she'd ever want to join the Rebellion? Oh, wait, that's right. "You need to come back home with us, Catra. We need to get you fixed."
"Fixed? Adoraaaaa..." Catra moaned in irritation. She had to slide her head to the railing, banging against it a few times, just to get rid of the stress building up in her. She didn't consider how much crazier this might make her look. "How many times do I have to tell you I'm not under anyone's control?"
"It doesn't matter how many times you tell me," she replied, pressing a palm against her head to get her to stop, "I know you're not yourself."
"But I am myself, Adora. This is what I want, I don't want to go back to the Horde!"
"You only think that because of what they did to you! Shadow Weaver can break the spell they have over you, I swear."
"Adora...uggghhhh..." The two looked away from each other as they tried to think.
What were either of them supposed to do? Both of them felt they were on the right side and both of them felt like the other was on the wrong. Friends since childhood, people who grew up alongside each other as far back as they could remember. Neither of them wanted the other to leave without them tonight, and they couldn't risk making a scene here.
It's not like Catra couldn't understand what Adora was coming from. After she left there were so many things Shadow Weaver did to manipulate her, trying to convince her that Catra wasn't in control of herself. She didn't need an understanding of whatever Shadow Weaver meant by fixing her; if it came from Shadow Weaver, it couldn't be good!
And Adora, what was she supposed to do? She once knew Catra as the sweet and sensitive friend she was as a child. Even after whatever caused her to change her personality like that she still knew her to have a sensitive heart. She was kind when she was with her, she might not have shown it when she was with others but she did care about others a lot more than she let on. She was a good person, no matter what sort of exterior she had.
Both of them were in pain with themselves, and for each other.
...
"Mm. Mm. Wow, this is good!" Scorpia commented as she continued to gorge herself with the numerous entrees.
Glimmer was having a hard time getting a good read on her target. For the last few minutes the Scorpion Princess was doing nothing but trying meal after meal, piece after piece, of the delicious food this place had to offer. She didn't need to worry about manners herself, seeing how she already was on good terms with the Revered Hostess herself, Princess Frosta, and the fact it was, naturally, a party to begin with.
What exactly was their evil plan here? Was she going to launch some sneak attack on the hapless guests of the party, or were they just going to eat the horderves all night long and starve everyone to death? At the rate it was going, Glimmer actually started to wonder if it was the latter.
"Mm! What is- I don't even know this food!" Scorpia hummed as she savored every tasty bite.
It was during that time that she saw Bow again, mingling with another set of guests as she told the same joke he said to the last couple he met. Seeing how Scorpia was still flavoring every piece of food the party had to offer at the Kelp Bar, Glimmer took the opportunity to, cautiously, approach Bow, keeping an eye on the girl as she neared him.
"Bow, wait up!" She said, catching his attention.
"Oh hey, Glimmer. What's up?" He was curious how she was doing since the party began.
"There's something I need to tell you." She remembered everything Catra told her about being greedy earlier and how it looked selfish to someone like her. With that in mind, she prepared what she hoped to be a heartfelt apology. "I know things have been weird between us have been weird all night." She went on as Bow grew a smile on his face. "So, I wanted to say-"
"It's all right. I accept your-"
"-I forgive you." They both spoke at the same time, catching each other by surprise by the other's reaction. One with a face of worry while the other one held a small scowl over their face.
"You forgive me?" He stared with a look of irritation in his eye. "Glimmer, I'm allowed to hang out with other people."
"Y-Yes, I agree!" She nodded holding his hand. "You have your own life, you can make your own choices. I'm okay with it now!"
"You're okay with it?" The boiling expression going through his mind only got worse. "What do you mean you're okay with it now? I don't need your permission or your satisfaction to choose who I hang out with."
"I-I know that, I was just saying!" She tried to soothe him, stroking his hand gently. "I'm okay with whoever you want to hang out, just as long as we're still friends."
"Stop saying it like that!" He yelled a little, pulling his hands away.
"L-Look, I know I'm saying it wrong, it's not what I meant. I just... I'm worried about everyone leaving me, like we're not going to be friends anymore if you're friends with someone else. First we're friends, and then you're friends with someone else, and then we're not friends anymore."
"Is that what this is?" While he didn't ignore the frustration he was building, his expression softened. "Glimmer, you have me, Catra, and the Rebellion behind you."
"That's what I'm talking about! First it used to be just the two of us, and now... now everything is changing. I don't want you to leave me behind."
"No one is going to leave you behind." He shook his head at how foolish he was finding her to be. "I wanted to hang out with you and Catra, and Perfuma tonight, but you're the one who keeps being weird and leaving." She frowned at that. "I know change is scary, Glimmer, but you don't get to take it out on me just because you feel uncomfortable right now. And you don't get to judge who I can and can't hang out with."
"I-I-I wasn't, I was just... I..."
"Save it." He cut off, practically ordering her. "I don't want to hear anymore about it tonight. I'm going to get my cummberbund, because it's freezing around here. Why don't you try and cool off or something, and we'll talk tomorrow, okay?" Without even looking her in the eye, he took off, leaving Glimmer to stoke in her own sadness.
What was wrong with her? First she was too paranoid about everything pushed Catra away with all the preparations, then she pushed, or at least ruined her chances, of getting a proper audience with Princess Frosta by begging and pleading in front of a child, and finally, she acted like she was in charge of who Bow was allowed and not allowed to be friends with! Everything about this entire night was turning into a disaster!
And who was she most upset with?
Herself.
She was the Princess of Bright Moon, daughter of an immortal, angelic, Queen. She wasn't like this, she didn't care usually who her friends were friends with or not! All of this... all this craziness... it was all her own fault. Because Catra was right. She was being selfish for a change. Maybe she was always selfish and just didn't realize it till today? Was this how everyone saw her? Did everyone think of her as some selfish brat?
What kind of friend was she? She wasn't one! She was just a selfish girl who had tears running down her face because she got sidetracked from Scorpia because she wasn't feeling the way she wanted to.
That's when she suddenly remembered her target. Looking back quickly, she breathed a sigh of relief as she saw she was still there, apparently having an arm wrestling match with a familiar Princess of Salineas.
"I'm gonna make you pay for damaging my front door!" Mermista threatened as she stood arm-to-arm with Scorpia, barely feeling the crushing grip in her claws.
"I was doing you a favor by blasting that eyesore!" Scorpia grinned back, determined to bring the mighty mermaid's hand down.
"Mermista, my deeear~" Sea Hawk continued to sing from behind as Mermista blushed.
"There's little she feeears~"
"As long as I'm heeere~"
"To bring her some cheeer~!"
"...How about if I lose I let you take him with you?" She offered, pointing back to the man who's been an embarrassment to her all night as he sang words of questionable encouragement. She didn't even bat a wink as she felt Glimmer tapping her on the shoulder to get her attention.
"Hey, do you mind keeping an eye on her for me for a minute?" She requested.
"Ngggh, trust me, we're not going anywhere!" She assured as her face tightened. She had to admit, this Scorpion girl was definitely a worthy arm-wrestler, but there was no way she was going to let her claim victory tonight after what she did!
With her preoccupied, Glimmer took a breath of relief as she made her way through the party guests. Perhaps this was a chance to check up on Catra herself, and possibly chat with the only person she considered a friend...
...
The night sky was filling with the sparkles of wonder and the glitter of stars as the evening shifted more towards the night. By now a few of the guests were leaving the party while many still came in late at the last minute. So many people, so many potential relationships, and so many wonders they had to offer.
None of it intrigued Adora or Catra, though, as the two stared off into space, trying to figure out what to say to the other after this momentary silence.
"...Do you remember when we were kids, how we would always talk about going out and seeing the world?" Adora asked looking up to the stars.
"Yeah..." Catra mumbled leaning on her own arm on the railing, glancing at the sky too. "We used to talk about it nonstop. It would always be "destroy an evil princess here", "rescue that damsel in distress there", and everything."
"Heh... I think our funniest dream was blasting off into space one day to see if any of the moons were made of cheese."
"Well cheese, I wonder who's idea that was?" Catra smirked.
"Hey, cut me some slack, I was six. And remember the first time we tried to steal a skiff?" She asked with a curious smile. "When we were nine?"
"Haha, yeah." She chuckled in a mellow voice. "I remember we had no idea how to pilot the skiff ourselves."
"And when we started it up, we both ended up falling out-"
"And crashed the skiff into another one." They both said in unison, laughing all the same. The smile they shared in that moment quickly faded just as fast as they looked over the balcony.
"We got quite a scolding for that one, huh?"
"Yeah... scolding..." Catra mumbled. She didn't want to mention how her scolding was more along the lines of a physical punishment in comparison to hers. It wouldn't matter anyway if Adora thought she was under the princess's control.
"Why can't we go back to those days?" Adora gently placed her hand on Catra's own over the railing, looking at her with a pained look in her eye.
"Adora..."
"I want to go back to the way things were. We were happier back then, we were a family! You, me, Lonnie, Kyle, Rogelio. We had a whole bunch of fun back then."
"Oh yeah, fun." Catra grimaced. "Such fun games like playing dodgeball with everyone vs me, seeing how long they could stuff me in a weapons locker till someone let me out."
"Catra, come on, they were kids, that was years ago. They stopped picking on you after awhile."
"Yeah, cause I threatened them if they didn't!" She argued. "Everyone was nice to you because you were you, I had to earn my keep."
"And you did. You proved to everyone you were a part of the Horde, you gained everyone's respect."
"Oh, yeah, sure I did. I'm sure you had nothing to do with it." With a small hiss she pulled her hand away as she walked a couple feet from her, crossing her arms as she turned away.
"I didn't!" The blonde Force Captain yelled back as she approached her. "You really did earn their respect, Catra, don't act like they didn't warm up to you!"
"So I'm just supposed to forget everything they did to me? I do that enough as it is with the people I know, I can't forgive them for what they did."
"Then don't, Catra!" Adora pulled her back as she took her hands. "Just move on from it, and come back with me. Please?" Adora's face teared up as she requested this.
"Mmh..." How was she supposed to find the right words to say?
She wouldn't believe anything she had to say that sounded like an argument to the alternative and anything positive she had to say about the Rebellion was immediately shot down, all because Adora thought Catra was under the princesses control. And without any magic for her to use, there was no way to prove otherwise.
The bigger problem was how she was supposed to turn down Adora's pleading. She was the one person she didn't want to hurt in this world, at least not like the rest of them. She was always there for the both of them more so than Catra herself was, and she at least deserved the gratification she was hoping to get out of Catra. She deserved to hear Catra say "Yes", to hear her say she would come back to the Horde with her.
And Catra couldn't bring herself to give that to her.
"What exactly are you planning here, Adora?" She needed to give her something else to think about, something that could turn this conversation around. At the question, she watched as Adora's face hardened a little, turning away from her as she leaned over the balcony again.
"...Nothing you should worry about." She revealed, shooting a look of concern to her soon after. "Not if you come back with me."
"So you are up to something?!" Why couldn't she just get a moment's peace here? Why couldn't she meet up with Adora again after so long without there being trouble?
"Like I said, it'll be fine, you don't have to worry about it. Just come home with me, okay?"
"How do you expect me not to worry about it if you're up to something?" She stammered. "Does it involve the Ball? Are you planning something against the Rebellion? ...Are you planning to do something to Glimmer?"
"Ugh, of course you would mention her." Adora's disdain for the girl was almost too obvious for her as she leaned her arm against the railing.
"And what's that supposed to mean?"
"What do you think? She's the evil princess who's controlling you right now, she's the one who's separating us!"
"Pffft, yeah, I'm sure she's gonna *sparkle* us to death while she's at it." Catra joked, twiddling her fingers playfully.
"I'm serious, Catra!"
"Glimmer didn't do anything to me, Adora. She's harmless, I swear."
"That's the other thing that keeps bothering me. Why do you always defend her? I thought you said she isn't your friend?"
"She's not my friend, okay? She just helps me from time to time, but that doesn't make us friends."
There was something strange in that tone that didn't settle right with Adora. The way she claimed she just helps her while not actually being friends? It felt a bit... troubling... to her. "So, what? It's that whole "scratch your back and you scratch her" philosophy you used to have? Or is it some new "you scratch my back and I'm friends with you for life" philosophy?"
"I told you she's not my friend!" Catra repeated with a small growl in her throat.
"Oh, right, of course. I mean you wouldn't be with her or the Rebellion if you didn't consider her a friend, right? You just eat together, sleep together, fight alongside each other, but that definitely doesn't make you friends-"
"SHE'S NOT MY FRIEND!" Catra yelled, nearly making Adora jump. "I don't even like her, ok? Or that stupid arrow guy for that matter! I don't like either of them, okay?! They're just a means to an end for me, okay? All I want out of this is the stupid kingdom they promised me, that's all there is to it!"
"...Wow..." Adora didn't know what to say about this. Was this still part of the Princess's control, some sort of lie that kicks in, or Catra actually being herself for a change? Adora couldn't tell anymore, there was an infinite number of possibilities behind all of this, a hundred different things their magic could've done to her.
"Ahem..." A familiar voice coughed out, causing Catra's ears and expression to droop slowly as she and Adora turned back to the princess in question. There, they saw an angered look on Glimmer's face, one filled with outer rage and inner sadness, a small frown hiding under the look of contempt as she held a tray with several drinks on it.
Timing could not have been worse for the three of them.
"Speak of the evil..." Adora muttered, feeling a salty bitterness in her mouth from looking at the evil princess. She turned herself away from the princess as she gazed out to the stars again, all while Catra's entire face dropped from the awkward feeling overwhelming her right now.
"P-Pinky... I-"
"Save it, Catra." Glimmer cut off as she stood right of Adora, placing her between herself and Catra. "I'm just here to meet your friend, that's all." She explained her reasoning for being here as she gave a small smile to the other. "So, you must be Adora, huh?" She asked, offering her a small serving of punch. "It's nice to meet you."
The air around Adora intensified as she stared coldly at the girl, Glimmer doing her best to keep her composure until Adora turned away again. Feeling like an answer was never going to come to her, Glimmer swirled the drink in her cup as she came up with a new strategy. "So... Catra says you were her only friend through most of her life. What was that like growing up?" Again, her smile was met with nothing but a cold, hard, stare as Adora looked to her. "I'm sure you've got some... funny stories? Maybe a nice memory of the two of you?"
There were no words Adora had for this girl. This. This was the person she hated the most in her life, possibly the only person she hated so deeply in her life. She was responsible for all the bad things that have happened to her, her friend Catra, for all the things the Rebellion has done next only to her mother, Queen Angella. The people who sabotage the Horde, the leaders willing to use civilian lives to protect their own dark secrets, the very people that would turn best friends against each other.
She didn't care how innocent she looked, she didn't bother looking into her eyes directly, not wanting to be tricked into some sort of darker magic. Her goal was the destruction of people like this. Plagues of Etheria, scum of the planet, defilers of all that sought Unity. She was pure evil.
"...Is there any question I can ask you that will make you stop glaring at me?" She asked, feeling a coldness spread over her.
"Hmph," Adora grunted as she swiped the beverage from Glimmer's hand, "you think you're so clever, don't you?"
"I'm... sorry?"
"I don't know what you did to her," she made Glimmer jump as she grabbed the collar of her dress, "but you and your evil tricks aren't going to fool me!"
"Hey, cool it, Adora." Catra interrupted, pulling her threatening hand away from Glimmer. At this, Catra and Adora glared silently at each other, both feeling a small steam of anger welling up inside of them, all while Glimmer looked to the two friends guiltily.
"I know you're not in control right now, Catra, so I'm not going to even bother with you right now." She shot her gaze from her to the smaller princess instead. "And as for you, I'll be watching you, got it? I'm not going anywhere until you leave the party. I'm not going to fall for any of your tricks, any of your wicked spells, and I'm especially not going to consume any of your poison drinks!" With a proud grin, she poured the contents of the container over the balcony, having bested the princess in one of her many wicked schemes!
"Ah!" The three blinked as they heard a sudden gruffy yelp from under them. Peering over the side, Adora's face switched from rage to anxiety as she saw the pour victim of her dumpage. "Hey! Adora!"
"S-Sorry!" She apologized back. With a last shot of anger to Glimmer, she shook her head, finally turning away and leaving this conversation behind her.
With her friend disappearing behind the curtain, Catra sighed. Leaning over the balcony again, she uncaringly grabbed another of the drinks, not even making a face as she casually poured its contents over the balcony, resulting in yet another yell from the previous victim. "Adora did it."
"Huff..." Sighing, Glimmer set the tray on the ledge as she took her own drink, refusing to take a sip as she just swirled it back and forth in her cup. "I'm sorry if I messed something up between you two."
"Eh, you didn't mess up much." Catra mumbled, rubbing between her eyes. "Look, about what I said a minute ago-"
"Forget it, forget it." Still depressed as before, there wasn't much sadness that could be added to her heart. "You said it yourself, time and again, how we're not friends, remember?"
"Heh, you're finally picking up on that, huh?" She joked a little, stretching her arms out with a satisfied smile on her face.
"...Catra?" She spoke quietly, adding curiosity to Catra's attention. "Why can't we ever be friends?"
"Huh? What brought this up?"
"Just... just tell me why, okay?" There was a small sniffling in her voice that Catra wasn't ready to put up with.
"Pinky, it doesn't matter if we're not friends or not, okay? I'm not leaving the Rebellion, I'll still fight with you guys, everything's fine."
"Then why can't you just say we're friends then?" Her voice cracked a little as she gave a pained yet hurtful look to her. "Everytime, every single day, it's always the same thing with you. You say we're not friends, that we just work together, and it doesn't mean anything to you. Fine. I'll accept that, okay? But why do you act like nothing ever changes? I mean, don't you feel anything? Doesn't some part of you feel different after all the time me, you, and Bow spent together? Doesn't that mean something to you-"
"NO! It doesn't, Pinky!" Catra shouted angrily. She was tired of this conversation in the first ten seconds. She was tired of having a third fight with Adora resulting in her leaving again. She was tired of this stupid ball and everything it had to offer. But most of all, she was tired of hearing about this friendship garbage over and over again.
"I don't know how many times I can tell you that I don't want anything to do with you, or being friends with you. You know what my other friends are like? Because I sure don't! I didn't get anyone I could trust growing up except for Adora, I didn't have anyone to keep me safe from my nightmares, except for Adora. She was the only person in my life who ever gave an ounce of care about me. Without her, I'd probably be dead! And you think I need or even want friends? I got plenty, thank you very much!" She finally huffed, drowning out every breath she has as she panted.
"C-Catra..." Glimmer's eyes started to fill with tears as she panted.
"Oh, come ooooon!" Why couldn't she leave her alone right now? She had enough stress with Adora being here, thinking Catra's been brainwashed, and the fact they're definitely up to something. She didn't need Glimmer's crying to stress her out too-!
*tug*
Catra blinked. Looking down slowly as ever, she was met with the rather strange sight of Glimmer, pressing her head into her chest as she wrapped around her in a tight hug.
"...P... Pinky? What are you doing?"
"Catra, I'm," she sniffled, "I'm sorry." Leaning her head up, Catra saw the strange look of sadness filling up in her eyes. But they weren't tears for herself, not that she could feel. It almost felt like... they were for her.
"Sorry? ...About what?"
"About everything!" She sobbed. "I always thought you didn't want friends because you thought one was all you needed, but that wasn't the case, was it? You don't want friends because you can't trust any friends, can you?"
"I..." The look on Catra's face as she paused confirmed it.
"You spent your entire life on your own, too scared to make friends because you don't know what would happen if you did, because you were too afraid of what pain it would bring. You're afraid of what will happen if you have any more friends and you don't trust them enough to not leave you. To live your whole life with that fear, unable to trust anyone, even yourself... It's one of the saddest things I've heard..."
"..." Catra didn't know what to say. Was she feeling sorry for her pity for her? Was she trying to drive Catra insane or something here? To drive her off the deep end, maybe even over the balcony itself? She didn't know anymore. She didn't want all this mushy stuff filling her mind unneededly, she didn't want anyone else reading into her personal life like this!
All she did was push Glimmer away with her arms, walking a few steps away from her with an irritated scowl as she shoved her hands in her pockets. "I'm going back inside. Go bug someone else for a change, will ya?" With her last comment said, she walked away, leaving the princess to her lonesome.
She found herself alone again, with just the sky to look down on her as everyone else left her. Frowning, she turned her back back to the balcony, looking into her own drink with misty eyes.
Everyone she talked to ended up mad at her today. Everyone she tried to cheer up or gain some sort of support from wanted nothing to do with her anymore. Everything about this whole day started with her and was ending with her, and it was one of the emptiest holes she ever felt in her heart.
"Why does everyone hate me right now..." She asked herself as a single tear rolled down her cheek, dripping into he reflective pools of her drink.
It was at that same time that another girl, one by the name of Adora, peeked out from the curtains she hid behind. The princess was alone, the party guests were still mingling with one another. Catra had yet to return to her willingly. There was nothing to hold her back or stall her at this point. With a quick check of her surroundings, she pulled out a small inner earpiece from her dress's sash, placing it in her right earlobe as everything fell into place.
"Catra isn't coming with us. Everyone move on to phase two." She ordered pressing into her ear.
"The cat's not coming? Gee, I wonder why..." A familiar voice of static sarcastically spoke.
"Keep it down, Lonnie, you're going to blow our cover." Another voice spoke out.
"I'd be more inclined to if someone wasn't going around spilling drinks on me!"
"Enough!" Adora ordered in a small grumble. "I repeat, everyone is to move on to phase 2. NOW."
"You got it, Force Captain Adora." The voice as followed by a small clicking sound.
"I still say we'd be better off targeting both, but whatever." Lonnie chuckled as her mic turned off.
Adora took one last look at the Princess outside before walking over to the ledge of the staircase, looking over the numerous party guests with a grin.
"Now it's time to get this party started..."
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A/N: The following feels have been brought to you by Alcohol! Remember kids- if you don't feel any emotions, you're off to a good start!
Lol, lame joke aside, really hope this chapter came out better than I anticipated (and considering I anticipate bad, it's hard to say X/). At the least, we are nearing the end of what I consider my favorite episode *sigh* and i predict maybe 2 parts if not 1 really long part next chapter.
Hope you all enjoyed! Leave a like, fave, follow, and review if you enjoyed and hope to see you soon!