Heroes Aren't Born…
Etheria was a bastion of multiple wonders. A land rich in magic and wonder fit for a fantasy world of old. All its kingdoms lived in harmony with one another with their royal families keeping the balance of power. The princesses that were gifted the power of their own Runestones kept the peace while respecting the boundaries of their neighbors. Regardless of background, all were welcomed and lived in harmony with one another. All in all, it was a time of prosperity and peace for the world of Etheria and all who lived in it.
…Until the Horde arrived.
A dark banner of red blood soaked wings crossed through Etheria like a plague, plunging the world into a long war that many thought would never come. Cities were conquered and people were enslaved. The Black Garnet was captured and thus the Horde's stronghold was born in what is now known as the Frightzone.
The war had taken the lives of many and the alliance the princesses had was broken by the fall of King Micah.
Now all that people can hope for is that a hero will rise to vanquish the darkness and restore balance to the world.
Inside the deep bowels of the Frightzone, the large machine-spreading citadel of the Horde where magic was all but a forgotten lie, a young group of new 'recruits' were being trained. The Horde had left many orphans and loyal subjects that had given their children willingly to serve Hordak, the leader of the Horde.
The group consisted of just a few young cadets getting through an obstacle course while under the supervision of one of the more experienced commanders and soldiers. They were all eight years of age, but they were a diverse group. And amongst them, there was a young frail looking boy with green hair, green eyes and lots of freckles named Izuku. He was not what someone would call a model cadet in terms of physical, but he was smart and crafty when it came down to it. He wore a red uniform with black pants and matching red shoes, just like every other cadet in the Horde ranks. Which was a pity since he didn't like the color
"Move it cadets! The princesses will not show you mercy and they will not wait for you to get back on your feet!" the commander barked.
Izuku stiffened up as he picked up the pace of his sprint. He ducked under the swinging sandbags as they came towards him. He jumped on the raised platforms one at a time, nearly slipping on one. Panting and sweating, he saw how the other cadets were struggling but making it through the course. His eyes landed on his friends that were fighting for the lead.
The first one was a young cat girl with light brown fur, and a thick mane of hair on top with a tail the same color as her fur. She had one yellow eye and one blue which matched her mischievous smile and troublemaking attitude. This was Catra.
The second one was a human girl with a blond pony-tail and blue eyes. She had a determined look on her face as a small claw scratch scar under her left eye healing. This was Adora, the golden protege that they all aspired to be like.
Just then the two girls noticed Izuku lagging behind. They stopped, letting the other cadets pass them.
"Come on, Izuku! You don't want to let Adora take all the credit again!" Catra called out.
"You can do it!" Adora added, ignoring Catra's remark.
Izuku wiped the sweat from his brow and ran once more. He was determined not to lose this time. He met up with Catra and Adora as they ran as a trio. He jumped over the obstacles along with them, catching up with the rest of the recruits as they made it to the finishing line.
The buzzer rang as the cadets all crossed the finish line.
"Oh yeah, I won this time!" one of the cadets cheered in excitement. "In your face Catra and Adora!"
The owner of the voice was another human girl with tanned skin and braided brown hair that ended up in a ponytail. She had light green eyes and the fighting nature of a gladiator looking for her next challenge. This was Lonnie.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, Lonnie," Catra taunted, blowing the brown girl a raspberry while Adora helped Izuku catch his breath. "You won once after how many losses, Adora?"
"I don't know, should I keep count?" Adora asked as Izuku took in a breath.
"378 victories to both Catra and Adora combined to only a handful to Lonnie's victories," Izuku muttered. "But you're getting better."
This prompted Lonnie to blush in embarrassment and the other recruits to laugh at her expense. She glared daggers at Izuku for revealing her loss score.
"You're lucky you're cute, Izuku," Lonnie grumbled, causing all the kids to laugh at the scene.
Izuku knew that life in the Fright Zone wasn't the best. There was a better chance at getting killed than there was to live a full life, but these moments of joy were precious. He laughed along with the rest of the kids that could laugh like kids.
"What is so funny?"
A dark and demeaning voice silenced all the laughter.
The shadows around the young cadets seemed to come to life, circling around the children.
Izuku's blood ran cold as he knew who was coming towards them. He felt Catra's hand reach for something as her claws shrunk down. He slowly turned his head and saw her, the closest thing the Horde orphanage had to a caretaker. Or as Izuku and many others thought of her, the shadow witch.
She was surrounded in shadows as her long black-as-night hair floated in the air. Her face was covered by a burgundy and black mask with only two white eyes. She wore a long dress with long fingerless gloves that revealed her claw-like gray fingers. This was Shadow Weaver, the second in command of the Horde and 'caretaker' of the orphanage.
"I asked you all a question," Shadow Weaver said.
None of the kids answered right away.
"Do not make me repeat myself." Shadow Weaver threatened.
Even the high-ranking members of the Horde were afraid of the shadow witch.
Izuku couldn't even look her in the eye.
"It-it was nothing, Shadow Weaver. Just a celebration for finishing the drill in one piece," Adora said, with some resemblance of valor. "We're sorry."
Shadow Weaver narrowed her eyes before turning to the commander.
"Commander," Shadow Weaver called, causing the Horde commander to stiffen up. "In what position did the cadets come in?"
"Um, Cadets Lonnie and Rogelio came in first and second respectively, followed by Mai, Thombson, Lucy, Stuart, Ron, Mark-," the commander listed off.
"And who came in last?" Shadow Weaver asked.
"That would be Cadets Adora, Catra and Izuku, ma'am," the commander answered.
Shadow Weaver turned to face the three children. She dismissed everyone but the three last winners of the race.
The three kids wanted to huddle together but their bodies were paralyzed in fear.
"Adora, this is a surprise. I seem to recall you always striving to come in first place," Shadow Weaver said, circling the three children like a shark hunting its prey. "You do not seem injured. Were you not motivated today? Or are these drills just not cutting it anymore? Maybe I should increase the difficulty for the next drill. Well, what is your reasoning, Adora?" She asked, causing Adora to look down.
Adora knew she had to answer or things could get bad for everyone else.
"I-," Adora began, only for Izuku to move between her and Shadow Weaver.
"It's not Adora's fault! Catra and her were waiting for me," Izuku said, taking the blame for their placement. "Please, don't be angry!"
"Hey, wait, I'm the one that started calling you to pick up the pace," Catra said. "If anything-!"
"Silence!" Shadow Weaver snapped, lifting Izuku and Catra with her shadow magic. "You two dare to speak out of turn. I know that there was no way that Adora would finish in such a place if it weren't for you two. It seems you've forgotten that you two are still around because Adora is fond of you two. But if your weakness or insubordination ever threatens Adora's future, I will dispose of you two myself." She said with venomous words that would've put down a giant snake.
Izuku and Catra couldn't speak or do anything but stare into the dark abyss that was Shadow Weaver's soul. They had seen what was behind the mask and they knew better than to expect kindness or a bluff from her. This was their life and one wrong move could cost them dearly.
Izuku briefly heard Catra choking up in fear.
Just then the door to the training room opened up and a soldier came in.
"Master Shadow Weaver, Lord Shigaraki wishes to speak to you," the soldier said.
Shadow Weaver dropped Izuku and Catra before turning to Adora.
"Adora, make sure that they don't lag behind," Shadow Weaver said, fixing Adora's hair as Izuku helped Catra, comforting her. "Take them to the barracks, make sure that those two get half a ration."
"Yes, ma'am," the soldier replied as Shadow Weaver left the room. "Come on kids. We better get some distance between us and her."
Adora nodded as Izuku and Catra helped each other up.
The soldier accompanied the three kids back to the barracks, making sure that they were alright as best as he could.
"You three should watch your step around Shadow Weaver, she isn't one for idle threats," the soldier said.
"We know," Catra said, rubbing her arm. "Urg, I just wish we could get out of here and away from her and this place."
"Don't worry Catra, soon we will be on the field and helping bring peace to this world," Adora said, trying to cheer her friends.
"Assuming Shadow Weaver doesn't dispose of us before then," Izuku muttered. "Maybe she's right, maybe I am too weak for the Horde. I'll never become a hero."
"Hey, that's enough of that," the soldier said.
"We know, we know," Izuku said in an almost robotic voice. "No weakness before anyone."
The soldier grabbed Izuku's shoulder, stopping him.
"I mean, enough beating yourself up. So, you had a rough day and the second in command of the Horde did threaten you," the soldier said, taking off his helmet, revealing the face of a young man with flowing blue hair and fair skin with matching blue eyes. "But that doesn't mean you can't improve. You have a good head kid, use it. That's worked for me so far. And so you might be a bit of a rule breaker, but that's how you can think outside the box and figure out a different route." He explained, getting up the spirits of Izuku and Catra.
Izuku didn't know what to say. This was the first time someone had complimented him and made him feel better about himself that wasn't one of the cadets.
"Thanks, um…" Izuku began.
"Oboro. But my friends call me Loud Cloud," Oboro replied, putting back his helmet. "All you gotta do is be true to yourself, that's how I live my life." He said before handing Izuku and Catra two protein bars.
Izuku, Catra and Adora watched Oboro walk away with smiles on their faces. They looked at each other and settled on being better for the next drill and living true to themselves.
The days passed and Izuku and Catra had done a lot of improving according to their instructors.
Izuku started coming up with strategies to better navigate the Fright Zone. He had memorized the patterns of the drones and knew when to move to pass undetected. He had helped come up with plans to stop the enemy and take them by surprise.
Izuku, Catra and Adora tied several ropes according to Izuku's plan before bringing attention to where they came from. The three cadets watched as their opponents were caught in their snares and pulled up into the air.
The three friends shared a high five at winning.
Catra followed Oboro's advice just like Izuku had. She had learned how to use her ferocity when she needed to and found openings against her opponents. With a little help from Izuku, she quickly became a dangerous hand-to-hand fighter and became proficient with the stun batons that the Horde handed out.
Catra climbed up one of the many constructions of the Fright Zone, using her cat-like reflexes to jump and move from beam to beam with ease. Her eyes became fixated on the patrols as they made their rounds. She smiled as she saw what they were getting. With a quick drop, she landed silently behind them. Tossing a rusted piece of metal, she snuck around the guards and snatched something from behind them.
Catra returned to the barracks with Izuku and Adora to reveal what she stole.
A pouch containing within it a large, juicy-looking apple.
It was a treat unlike any the three had tasted. And they were all for each other, no matter what.
The three friends stood side by side for their next examination. They were ready to get to the next part and become part of the next part of their training.
"Alright, maggots, you may be small but by the time your teens hit you, you'll be part of the great Horde army and will be deployed to serve our supreme leader against the forces of the evil princesses and their wild magic," the commander recounted. "Which means from now on, you will give it your all and then beyond that! Understood?"
"Yes, commander!"
"Your exam will be tomorrow morning; dismissed!" The commander said, leaving the cadets to their own devices.
Izuku, Catra and Adora went off on their own for their free time. They were smiling as they walked through the halls.
"Can you guys believe it?" Catra asked, jumping onto one of the crates. "One more test and we will be one step away from being soldiers. Soon, we'll be running this place."
"You really think so, Catra?" Izuku asked.
"Yeah, that's a pretty high aspiration," Adora laughed. "Who are you and what did you do with the Catra we know?" She asked, causing them to laugh.
"I'm serious, you guys," Catra said, dropping down to be with her friends. "With Izuku's brains, my roguish skills and, I dunno, Adora's poofy hair and forehead, we could be sitting in Hordak's throne in no time."
Izuku wasn't sure what to say. He could only smile at the sight of his friend being so pumped at the idea. The thought of all three of them being the leaders of the Horde was a nice one, if he had to admit it. But his thoughts were interrupted by the sound of marching feet.
The three friends peaked their heads out of the corridor and saw that Oboro's squad had returned. But they were all in pretty bad shape. Their armor was scratched, scorched and bruised, and whatever vehicles they still had were more akin to the usual wrecks at the junkyard.
"Whoa, those guys look messed up," Catra winced.
"Shadow Weaver says that's sometimes normal. We should go," Adora said, pulling Catra away.
But Izuku kept his eyes on the squad. He had to make sure that Oboro was alright. He snuck down to the hangar, keeping his head down while hiding behind the supply boxes. He peaked out to see if he could recognize any faces from the soldiers who removed their helmets. His eyes took in the looks of shock, despair and utter terror. He'd seen that face many times in the mirror whenever Shadow Weaver punished him for messing up. A part of him told him that there had to be a reason behind all of this, but another part of him told him that this was how the Horde operated.
"Force Captain Muscular, Shigaraki," Shadow Weaver called out, making Izuku hide once more.
Izuku peaked an eye out and his pupils shrank in fear. Standing only a few feet from him were two of the most terrifying beings he'd ever seen.
Force Captain Muscular was a tall hulking man with visible muscle fibers that made him look like he was some kind of monster. What little armor he wore was covered in blood, some old, some new. His face, although it looked like one of a man's, would've been more fitting on a rabid animal. His red eyes, short blond hair and maniacal grin sealed the look of a monster.
And right next to Muscular was a figure that could only be described as some type of ghoul or specter. Shigaraki had pale skin with scratches and scars covering his face, with white messy hair, and red eyes of madness. He wore a long black cloak with severed hands on his arms and shoulders. He looked bored as Shadow Weaver walked towards them like the witch that she was.
"I take it your excursion to Ulma village was successful?" Shadow Weaver asked.
"Ha ha ha ha ha ha! Those weaklings didn't last one bit!" Muscular cackled like a mad man. "I barely got time to cut loose, I think I killed some of my troops that got in the way!" He added, causing the soldiers to shudder at the memory and Izuku to cover his mouth.
"You have to be this annoying, Muscular? You keep that up and I'll turn you to ashes," Shigaraki groaned. "But yeah, we dealt with that village as you instructed master. Their resources are ours."
"Excellent, Shigaraki. I expected nothing from my student. You did make sure to hold back right?" Shadow Weaver asked.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, although, I did turn this annoying soldier to dust," Shigaraki mentioned, as if it wasn't that big of a deal. "What was his name? Obi? Obo-something."
"Oboro! The whiney punk thought to question our orders, and paid the price," Muscular laughed. "The look on his face when that village came into view was priceless! I think we even recorded it!" He added, pulling up a hologram that showed the whole mission.
Izuku heard and saw everything, even the part where Oboro stood between some villagers and his own troops. His eyes filled with tears and horror as he saw Shadow Weavers' student grab Oboro's face and disintegrate it. The only person that had been good to him and his friends was dead and all because the Horde was nothing like they claimed to be. Izuku nearly let out a cry and took out running, but his legs wouldn't move. He waited there until he heard the steps of both Muscular and Shigaraki following Shadow Weaver away.
Izuku sat there, alone. He thought about the words Oboro had told him and what they meant. He couldn't let his friends get hurt by those monsters. He couldn't follow the Horde like a blind dog. He needed to save as many people as he could. Running as quietly as he could, Izuku took off to tell all his friends what he'd heard and seen.
Catra and Adora were looking for Izuku around the kid's barracks with worry.
"Where is he? Since when is he so good at hiding?" Catra asked.
"I don't know, one minute he was there and the other he was gone," Adora replied. "I hope he didn't run into Shadow Weaver."
"If she hurt him, I'll scratch out her eyes," Catra growled, baring her claws.
Just then, Izuku came running towards them.
"Izuku!" Catra and Adora both called out, going after their friend.
"Catra, Adora!" Izuku called out as the two girls reached him. "We need to leave."
"What? Are you okay?" Adora asked.
"Have you been crying? Did Shadow Weaver do something to you?" Catra asked.
"No, but she will. We need to leave now," Izuku said.
"Yeah, lights out is about to begin soon," Adora noticed.
"No, I mean out of the Fright Zone. Far from the Horde, Shadow Weaver, and Hordak," Izuku explained. "We've been lied to our whole lives. The Horde isn't fighting a great evil, they are the great evil."
"What?" Catra asked.
"Izuku, you're not making sense. The Horde took us in and have been taking care of us," Adora countered. "They are trying to bring peace to Etheria. Oboro can tell you-"
"Oboro is dead! They killed him!" Izuku said with tears in his eyes.
Catra went silent at that statement. She'd heard of deserters getting killed, but never a loyal soldier. But somewhere deep inside her, she knew that Izuku was telling the truth.
"That-that can't be right," Catra muttered.
"We need to tell the others, we need to leave tonight," Izuku said, pulling both Catra and Adora with him.
The two girls knew that this was the most determined and scared Izuku had ever been. Whatever he saw and heard must've been scarring to say the least.
Izuku, Catra and Adora returned to the barracks where Izuku told everyone that they had to leave the Fright Zone. He told them about what he heard from the conversation between the high ranking members of the Horde. But his words didn't reach the reactions that he had hoped.
Many of the cadets didn't listen to him or were too tired from the day's drills to actually pay attention. Others thought that he was just making it up to not appear to be weak or as part of some prank. While the oldest cadets just thought Izuku was trying to get them all in trouble.
"Please, you guys have to believe me!" Izuku pleaded, hoping that they would hear him out.
"Buzz off, runt," a cadet said.
"Yeah, you think we were born yesterday?" another cadet said.
"We are fighting for the Horde because of the greatness of our home," another cadet added. "If you are too much of a coward to do so, then do us all a favor and get lost."
"You think just because you're friends with Shadow Weaver's pet, you can order us around, get real," a fourth cadet said, pushing Izuku to the ground, causing Catra to hiss in his defense.
Izuku didn't know what to say. He felt so small and helpless. He balled his fists in frustration as the other cadets left the three friends to their own devices.
"Are you okay, Izuku?" Adora asked, helping him to his feet.
"No. We need to leave. If we stay here, we'll be killed or worse," Izuku warned.
"But… what if you're wrong, Izuku?" Adora asked, getting weird looks from Izuku and Catra. "I mean, the places the Horde has reached are now living in peace and harmony. The people that we fight use magic to warp nature to their desires. Maybe you just misheard things, Izuku."
Izuku looked down in sadness but for the first time in his young life, his sadness was turned to anger.
"No, I didn't mishear anything," Izuku snapped. "You're just repeating what Shadow Weaver and everyone else in the Horde has told us. We've never seen what's outside the Fright Zone. Maybe we are in the wrong."
"Izuku's got a point," Catra said. "I think we should do it. We should leave, at least the three of us."
"What?" Adora questioned. "Catra, you can't be serious?"
"Shadow Weaver has been very clear that she doesn't want us, so at least this way it's our call," Catra said before turning to Izuku. "How do we leave?"
Izuku looked at Adora, hoping that she would come to her senses. But he knew he couldn't force her. They needed to leave the Fright Zone, and he had to think of a plan.
"We'll wait until everyone is asleep and move out through the western quarter, the security is light there since there are some repairs being made to the sewage system," Izuku explained. "We'll cross the bridge and keep heading West."
As Izuku explained the plan, Adora felt conflicted by her friends. She wanted to believe her friends but it went against everything she was taught by the Horde. She just didn't know what to do.
The hours passed as all the lights were off within the Fright Zone, the perfect chance for an escape.
Izuku and Catra ducked behind a corner as the patrol passed them. They both had backpacks filled with supplies and water. They raided the kitchen after making an escape plan, taking as many as the gray and brown bars that they could carry, knowing that it would be their only meal for a long time.
"Where is Adora?" Izuku whispered.
"I don't know," Catra said, looking out for their friend. "You don't think she's staying here, do you? I mean, she can't be that dumb, right?"
Izuku could tell that Catra was worried that their friend wanted to stay behind. He was also having that fear, and a part of him wanted to go and get Adora before it was too late. But the more rational part that was being fueled by a child's fears told him that if they didn't leave now or were discovered, then they would not get out alive or at all.
"Don't worry, Adora won't just stay behind like that. We need to give her a few more minutes," Izuku said, giving Catra his best comforting smile. "W-we have time."
That seemed to do the trick as Catra hugged Izuku, nearly digging her claws into him for comfort.
They just needed to be patient and their friend would come.
"They're this way! Find those two brats!"
A loud voice made their blood run cold. Izuku and Catra looked out and saw a group of soldiers coming towards their hiding spot with Shadow Weaver at the head.
Izuku and Catra were trapped. If they didn't move, they'd be found and captured. And knowing Shadow Weaver was personally looking for them, it made their odds that much dimmer. They couldn't wait for Adora.
"We gotta go," Catra whispered as they both ran towards the bridge.
They ran as quickly as their young legs could take them. The shouts of the soldiers and Shadow Weaver's presence fueled them with adrenaline as they crossed the territory. They climbed over the leftover pieces of construction as torch lights illuminated the darkness. Using whatever shadows and darkness they had was all they could do to keep hidden. But they didn't stop. They were running and making more noise than they had expected at first. The two runaways didn't want to get caught in a dark place with Shadow Weaver on their trail.
"This way," Izuku pointed.
Catra easily climbed the construction pieces, and helped Izuku up.
"Come on, we're almost there," Catra whispered, as the bridge was only a few feet away.
Just then a light illuminated Izuku.
"There they are!"
Izuku and Catra ran at the sight of the incoming soldiers. Their torchlights were making it hard to tell if Shadow Weaver was with them or not, but they didn't risk it. Their eyes looked forward to the old rusty bridge.
"That's the bridge?" Catra asked, looking at its poor condition.
"What do you think they're fixing apart from the other structures?" Izuku asked back. "Let's go!"
Izuku and Catra kept running, getting to the bridge just like planned. But the rusty old bridge tumbled and swayed with each step they took. They held onto the handles, trying to keep themselves steady, but that was the least of their problems. The tiles under their feet were shaky at best and the soldiers were getting closer.
Izuku slowly took step after step, feeling the metal bending ever so slightly under his weight. He saw Catra was just a couple steps away from him and they were almost to the middle of the bridge. But then the floor gave up under Catra, making Izuku grab her.
"Are you okay?" Izuku asked.
"Yeah, thanks," Catra replied.
"Izuku, Catra," Shadow Weaver called, getting their attention from the other side of the bridge. "I must say that this is a surprise, though I always knew you'd pull some ridiculous stunt. An escape attempt was not what I'd expected. What do you think you'll accomplish by doing this? There is nothing out there for either of you, so I'll make you a deal. Come back willingly and I promise to make your punishment only leave a few scars. And maybe a few years later, you will see the light of day once more."
Izuku and Catra held each other tightly. They knew that Shadow Weaver was not going to hold to her word. They turned around to see that three soldiers were blocking their only escape route.
"Or, you can try something foolish and I'll be able to get rid of your weakening influence once and for all," Shadow Weaver threatened as a black flame appeared in her hand.
Izuku felt how Catra was shaking next to him. He was terrified, but he couldn't show fear. His ears then picked up the sound of flowing water underneath them. From the corner of his eye, he spotted a quick, flowing river underneath the bridge. He glared back at the shadow witch as the fear turned into courage.
"...I won't let you," Izuku muttered.
"What was that?" Shadow Weaver asked.
"I. Said. I WON'T LET YOU HURT US ANYMORE!" Izuku shouted, louder than he'd ever shouted before, giving the witch a defiant glare.
To everyone that knew Izuku, this was a moment that was worth remembering. The meek green haired boy had defied the only being that was second to the leader of the Horde. For lack of a better term, the church mouse had roared like a lion.
Shadow Weaver glared back in rage at the act of defiance. She fired a shadow blast at both Izuku and Catra. But before her attack could end them, Izuku pulled Catra over the side.
They had jumped, holding onto each other, into the dark waters of the river.
Shadow Weaver and the soldiers looked down at the waters, unable to see anything so much as a trace of the two children.
"Tell Lord Hordak that the two deserters have been dealt with," Shadow Weaver ordered. "Now, back to your posts."
"Yes, ma'am!" the soldiers said as Shadow Weaver left the area without giving the river a second look.
Miles away from the bridge, Izuku and Catra broke through the surface of the water, coughing for air. They held each other as the fast flowing water pulled them through the sewers and away from the Fright Zone. The sewer system of the Fright Zone was a long-reaching maze of twists and turns, and if they got separated they would never see each other again. Izuku and Catra coughed as they fought to stay afloat and breath in air before being pulled down by the currents.
"This is the worst plan ever!" Catra coughed. "I hate the water!" She cried out, clinging to Izuku like a common house cat during a bath.
"It's gonna get a lot worse!" Izuku said. "Take a deep breath!"
Izuku and Catra breathed in, getting ready for what would happen next.
The waters tossed and turned them over as they tried to stay together. They were jerked and pulled to different sides. They looked up and saw that the sewer was going to do loops in the air. They screamed as they tried to hang onto something and get out of the sewers but whenever they got close to a wall or a handle they were unable to grab it. They were submerged once more as they were plunged into the waves once more.
"Catra!" Izuku called out, pulling her out of the water.
"Hang on!" Catra said, digging her claws into Izuku as she hated the water.
Izuku winced in pain as her claws dug into him. But he knew that he had to endure it. If he pushed her back, then they would never find each other.
They turned to see a bright light ahead of them, the end of the tunnel. The two kids screamed as water burst out of the sewer pipe.
Izuku and Catra landed harshly on the hard rocky ground. Half of their supplies were now useless mush and they had no idea how far they were from the only place that had ever called a home. But they were out of the Fright Zone, that much they did know.
"Where-where are we?" Catra coughed.
"I-I don't know," Izuku replied, looking up just as the sun was rising on the horizon. "Catra, look."
Catra got up, helping Izuku to his feet. She turned to see the faint green glow that was followed by a bright yellow light.
"Whoa, it's so bright," Catra commented, covering her eyes.
"It's beautiful," Izuku gasped as the light stretched through the land.
The morning light made all the rocks and sand before the two kids look like glowing red glass. It was a smooth beauty that left them speechless and in awe at how much color they could see. It was truly mesmerizing.
"So, where do we go now?" Catra asked.
"We could try going to the horizon," Izuku suggested.
"Seems like the only place we've got," Catra said, holding Izuku's hand. "Let's go." She added as they began walking into the lands of crimson colored glass and their new adventure.