Act I: Turning Darkness to Light; Chapter III: The Colour of Sky
The Horde Cadets are revealed to their trauma while The Queens seek to help them, but discontent within the government grows, and The Horde learns something that could turn the tide of their war
She-Ra's Apartments, Royal Palace, Halfmoon, Beneath The Whispering Woods
Catra was partially curled up on the bed. She had snapped at anyone who dared to make too much noise. Adora needed her sleep. She needed it more than she would ever let herself have. Kyle had continued his research of everything he could get his hands. The Healer had even given him more books. The thin blonde boy rose from his pile of books, one held close.
"Hey listen to this." Catra didn't say a word, but she could see the way Rogelio's lips curled upwards. She saw Lonnie roll her eyes. "It says here Halfmoon was not only the first recorded kingdom, or queendom, on Etheria but that its inhabitants, The Magicats are the oldest known race."
"Wonderful Kyle, I'm so happy you've discovered nothing useful about our situation." Lonnie stood and marched towards the boy. She got into his face and grabbed his book. "How about instead of reading the history of the people who have locked us up, you focus on trying to learn something to help us escape!"
"How do you expect me to do that?" Kyle growled back at Lonnie. Her eyes widened. "You think they're just gonna give me information like that?"
"I-"
"Just leave it be Lon! None of us are here by choice!" Catra snapped up, her claws out and pupils shrank to slits.
"Really?" Lonnie turned on the brunette. "Seems like you should be happy, finally found your people haven't you?"
Rogelio's growls cut Catra off. The Magicat had barely opened her mouth before The Reptilian stepped in between them. Lonnie huffed and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Kyle, you need to be finding us a way out of here. If we don't get back soon Shadow Weaver-"
"Who gives a flying fuck!" Catra shot up. Her eyes glued to Lonnie. "It's Shadow Weaver's fault Adora is like this. It's Shadow Weaver's fault we are out here in the first place!"
"You always blame Shadow Weaver!"
"Would you both stop arguing!" Kyle trudged forward between the two. "Everytime, everytime anything happens. Good or bad, you two are at each other's throats. Can we all just focus on helping Adora and figuring out what is going on? Is that really too much to ask?"
Catra huffed and sat back onto the bed. She curled around Adora. Was this what her life was supposed to be? A constant struggle with Adora being her main comfort? Or was there something more for her?
"Catra, what do you mean that Shadow Weaver is the reason Adora is like this?" Kyle had closed in on the bed, but even he did not dare to climb onto it. Catra was very territorial.
Catra's lips parted as the doors opened and in swept The Queen. Her hair hung around her glimmering faceguard, which left her injured eye on full display. Still there was no doubt that she was a force to reckoned with. Queen C'yra was dressed in pants with a skirt that hung past her knees. She had a tight top on that covered her left arm, but left the other free.
"I hear you all are going stir crazy in here. I promise I will have it all arranged for you to leave shortly. There's no need for you to be clawing at the walls." She smiled, but was met by only flat expressions. Her smile slowly fell. "Right, that… that was a joke, because Magicats have claws…"
None of the Horde Cadets deigned her with an answer. Catra, however smirked at The Queen's awkwardness. C'yra caught the action, and returned a small one of her own. She stepped further in, her back now open for any of them to get behind her.
"Seeing as how yesterday Catra managed to walk through the castle, I figured it'd be best if I came down and spoke with you all."
"When are we getting out of here?" Lonnie crossed her arms over her chest. C'yra raised an eyebrow at the cornrowed haired girl. "What?"
"Why so eager to leave young one? If my guess is right this is probably the most downtime you've had, why not make the most of it?"
"What! You mean sit around listening to Kyle spout facts about ancient people and times that have no bearing on the here and now?" C'yra paused and faced Lonnie fully.
"You believe that the past has no bearing on today? Allow me then to educate you about something I doubt The Horde cared to teach you about." C'yra motioned them all forward, and held up her palm. Fire flickered and sprang to life in between her fingers. She narrowed her eyes on Lonnie. "Lonnie. The past can dictate the present more than you might care to admit. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. We Magicats know this better than most others. We learned this lesson the hard way."
The fire exploded outward into the shape of a circle, rough burning lines drew the continents borders. Bursts shot off to make odd rectangular ships around the circle. With each burst the ships came closer.
"Long before we were born, any of us, there were The First Ones. The very first settlers of Etheria. They came from a planet far from here, and they found us Magicats, Lizardfolk, and many more here. They sought to control us. To conquer us." Fires burned across the continents as figures wreathed in flames smashed into each other and disappeared into sparks. "A war was waged, and we were losing. Then came a new figure. A woman who turned the tide against The First Ones. This woman, a Magicat from known Royal blood, was The Princess of Power."
A sword made of fire appeared on the battlefield, and soon the cat-like figures pushed back the others. C'yra's other hand waved out and the whole of the image flattened before it rose into a beautiful city.
"The Princess of Power sacrificed herself, but ended the war. Now. Long after the latest of this great line of warriors disappeared. Long after the last of the First Ones fled Etheria. Long after we Magicats thought our days of war were over. Then came The Horde." The fire that formed the city, reformed into Hordak's shouting face, then faded to The Horde's Bat Wings. "We had thought we had learned from history. We thought we could avoid such conflict as another planetary war again. Hordak shattered that belief in less than a few years. Only shortly after all of you were born Hordak attacked us. Unprovoked."
Figures in Horde armour made of fire marched into the city that had reformed as C'yra added her second hand to the illusion. The dance of fire, sparks, and embers had Catra's full attention. Her hand clasped around Adora's from where she sat on the bed.
"Hordak and Shadow Weaver launched a full scale invasion, while Force Commander Vultak wiped every settlement he came across off the map. I fought Hordak. I fought for my friends, for my home, and for my family." With each word, depictions rose in the flames. "It was not enough. Hordak and I nearly killed each other, but my family was ripped apart, my home was destroyed, and my friends lost. Not even five years after his arrival Hordak had done what the entirety of The First Ones could not."
C'yra clapped her hands together and the room darkened as the flames of her show burst into sparks and went out. Only her single glowing eye lit the room beside Catra's pair. "Now history repeats itself as you all find yourselves in my care and the moons align to show us a new way forward."
Lonnie looked ready to scoff before Kyle placed a hand in front of her mouth and cut her off.
"What do you mean history repeats itself. Do you mean there is going to be another Princess of Power? That you believe Hordak will suffer the same fate as The First Ones?" C'yra let a dangerous curl come over her lips, it bared the tips of her fangs.
"The First Ones lost everything when they failed to capture Etheria, they just didn't know it yet. Now Hordak has lost a squad of Cadets. Sometimes the most insignificant seeming of things, bears the greatest load." C'yra paused and looked at each of them. "I think that's enough history for today. There is something else I need to speak to you all about."
Each of the Cadets stared her down. It was eerie, the way they seemed to be at attention, without actively being stock still and straight backed.
"My healer, he has suggested that Adora has suffered mystical and mental abuse at the hands of Shadow Weaver…" Kyle and Rogelio both looked at Catra. C'yra bit the inside of her mouth; she could rip The Witch apart later. "He believes that the rest of you might be in a similar situation."
Lonnie growled and threw her weight past the guards and marched out into the hall. Catra curled herself closer to Adora and her fur ruffled up entirely. Neither Kyle or Rogelio looked all that much better as the two cast sidelong glances at each other and their other teammates. C'yra nodded to herself. She'd expected as much honestly. Moons she wished just something about all of this could have been easy. She ducked free of the room, no sense in risking raising their ire anymore. She grabbed one of the guards and whispered into their ear. Catra had proven that they were skilled enough to evade the guards. She didn't want something to happen to Lonnie while here under her care. The guard nodded and walked off. C'yra would have to reevaluate her approach.
She made it to her apartments. C'yra was more than prepared to take a break. However a single look at the Paperwork that crowded her desk ripped that idea up. The doors creaked and C'yra glanced over her shoulder. In a flowing red and gold dress, face guard off, was Mel'ody. C'yra's lips curled upwards.
"You know you probably could have broached that subject better." Mel'ody stalked forward slowly, C'yra let her lips turn downwards. They met and C'yra curled into the woman.
"I told them about Halfmoon's more recent history. I told them those who do not learn from it…"
"Really?" Mel'ody pulled away, her eyebrow up, as she gazed at her wife. C'yra raised an eyebrow in answer. Mel'ody huffed out a chuckle. She framed C'yra's face between her hands. "Darling, that's a great speech for when L'ucille does something she's not supposed to, or when you want someone to really hammer the importance of what's going on. For telling people they may have suffered abuse? Well…"
"I am The Queen." C'yra pulled herself up, but the facade was broken by the smile that tugged at the corner of her lips. "If I say-"
"Oh shut it!" Mel'ody beat her tail softly against C'yra's back. "You may be the Queen, but I am The Queen's wife. I think that gives me just a bit more sway. Wouldn't you say?"
C'yra nodded her head against Mel'ody's shoulder. The Queen tugged her wife closer. Her daughter was so close, and yet so far away.
"Could you try?"
"Of course, but I think you need to speak with Da'reth while I do that." C'yra paused. "Do I need to know your side of it first?"
Mel'ody shook her head and headed for the doors.
"I think you'll understand my point after you finish talking to Da'reth." With that Mel'ody passed through the doors and C'yra was left in the empty room. Yet somehow, for the first time in a long time, she didn't feel alone.
Captain of The Royal Guard's Office, Royal Palace, Halfmoon
The large black furred Magicat growled as he pulled another sheet closer to him. His command of The Ranger Corps had been easy. Now Queen C'yra's actions were hampering their ease of operations. Dismissing three of his soldiers… A growl escaped from between his lips as the light from the doorway faded and his golden eyes rose and locked onto none other than The Queen herself. He dropped his work and fell to a knee beside the desk. Their last interaction hadn't gone well, it'd be better to try and make amends. There might still be a chance he could convince her to get rid of The Cadets.
"Captain. I hear there was an incident between yourself and Cadet Catra." He barely kept his lips flat and his snarl internal.
"It was nothing, My Queen, just a misunderstanding. Queen Consort Mel'ody misconstrued my inflections. I promise I had nothing but the best of intentions." Queen C'yra's brows furrowed as her gaze bore into him.
"Interesting. I had a conversation with a pair of guards who you were with at the time. Their testimonies… were enlightening. I believe you were quoted as saying; 'Horde are not allowed to wander the palace. I should make certain you are returned to your room.'"
Da'reth's chest halted as he stared at Queen C'yra. Her tone was sharp. Her tail lashed. Her eye formed a slit. Her fingers flexed and her claws shot out. Da'reth barely held in the growl that built inside his chest. To challenge The Queen would not end well.
"You know as well as I do there are few Magicat Kittens who could have survived The Horde. Ours is one of them. Why fight this? Why growl and hiss and snarl and claw?" Queen C'yra narrowed her eye on Da'reth. He did not incline his head, and his lips remained shut. "Answer me!"
"Because even if she was our daughter… She is Horde now, and ours no longer." Da'reth met Queen C'yra's gaze. There was water pooled in the corners of both their eyes. He held her attention, but her fur had settled and her claws had retracted. "We did not raise her. If she is C'yra III, Crown Princess of Halfmoon… it doesn't matter that is no longer the life she can have."
"She can have whatever life I deem to give her. She could have everything she was ever supposed to have. All that need be done is to care for her, to believe that something beautiful has come from this hellish war. She needs us to try." Da'reth dropped his eyes from her.
"She is not my daughter. My daughter died the day Crescent City fell." Da'reth didn't catch how C'yra's shoulders fell, the way her entire posture slackened. He didn't see the tears that trailed silently down her face.
"Then I guess there is no chance that the man I fell in love with still remains…" C'yra turned on her heel and stopped in the doorway, her good eye looked over her shoulder. The man who had once been so much to her, still wouldn't look at her. She'd never believed the stories that losing a child could destroy the parent's relationship. "You are no longer allowed to interact with The Horde Cadets in any manner. Lieutenant Ar'ini will be taking over those responsibilities…"
"My Queen-"
"Thank you Captain Da'reth. I believe that it would be best for both of us to stop. To not talk before one of us says something we can't take back." C'yra fought to control the way her voice weighed down with her slowly shedding tears. C'yra left the room, she did not dare to look back. Da'reth wasn't going to be coming home, her Da'reth was still out there somewhere, among The Ruins of Crescent City.
She-Ra's Apartments, Royal Palace, Halfmoon, Beneath The Whispering Woods
Mel'ody paused and looked into the room. Ar'ini was right behind her. The black and gold armoured Magicat had forgone their spear for a sword on their belt. Mel'ody raised an eyebrow as she caught sight of the four occupants. Catra was still curled up on the bed. Her tail rested over the legs of the sleeping blonde. Adora for her part had still failed to move at all.
Kyle leaned against a chair, the green skinned Lizardfolk. Rogelio looked at ease. His clawed fingers slowly twirled a lock of Kyle's hair while he listened to Kyle whisper about the book. Lonnie was missing. That wasn't much of a surprise, C'yra had warned her the other girl had run off.
Catra's ear twitched and her single golden eye settled on Mel'ody. It was cursory, not predatory, but still something settled on Mel'ody's fur that felt off. Like Catra still hadn't decided if she was ally or enemy. Mel'ody stepped to the centre of the room. Ar'ini stayed inside the doorway.
"So… brave enough to talk to me alone, but need a guard for the rest of us?" Catra's eyes were now fully on her. Mel'ody cocked an eyebrow at the younger Magicat.
"Actually Ar'ini is here because there are a few things I need gathered. It seems somehow it's slipped our attention to give you some food and new clothes, as well as offer you all a chance to wash up. Ar'ini will be getting the clothes while I wait here." Mel'ody motioned to one of the doors the cadets had tried earlier, but found it didn't lead outside. "You can wash up in there. I'll be here waiting if you'd prefer, or I can go and get some clothes for you."
"I'm not leaving Adora alone." Catra met Mel'ody's eyes. The older Magicat nodded.
"If you'd like I can wait here while you bathe. Or you and the other three can take turns."
"You're just going to give us food and clothes… I thought we were prisoners?" Kyle looked at Mel'ody. She turned her attention to Kyle.
"Well of course we'd give you clothes and food. You're just Kittens… teenagers." She paused as most of them stared at her. Their eyes were wide, and something like disbelief shone there. She glanced back at Ar'ini. The guard's normally carefully held composure… his facial muscles were pulled taunt. His tail was somehow restrained and failed to even flick. She knew her fur had ruffled, and her willpower was currently sunk into maintaining her eyes from transforming into slits. She also fought with the cool power of magic that now writhed beneath her skin like an unruly sea. Its freezing waves threatening to ice over her fur. "Yes. You will receive food and clothes. You are also not necessarily prisoners. You are guests who cannot leave the palace. Though soon we hope that might change."
"We?" Catra's ears were up as she did not fail to try and pin Mel'ody with her gaze. Honestly if looks could set her ablaze. "Who exactly are you?"
"I'm Queen Consort Mel'ody. Queen C'yra's wife." The humans and lizardfolk could have heard a pin drop as everyone's breath stopped at once. Ar'ini shot her a dirty look, Mel'ody didn't dare to acknowledge him. This moment could be a make or break for Catra. So that was who had her attention. Kyle and Rogelio stared at the two Magicat women. Neither felt like they could move an inch. The room felt simultaneously freezing cold and unbearably hot all at once.
"You're a Queen of Halfmoon?" Catra slowly rolled off the bed, her near lazy movements held practised stretches that warmed her muscles quickly. She stepped between Adora and Mel'ody. Mel'ody tucked her arms behind her back and stilled her tail. Scents began to fill the air as Catra's ire grew. Mel'ody kept her expression schooled and nodded.
"Who else do you think can command Da'reth? Who else do you think could spend time with any of you without escort?" The white furred Magicat felt the corner of her lips curl upwards. "I mean, who would so openly court The Queen's wrath by say, sneaking one of her guests away to gaze out upon the city of Halfmoon from the turrets of the old temple?"
Catra narrowed her eyes on Mel'ody. The tension in the girl's shoulders fell a fraction or two. Her fingers started to loosen. Her stance straightened out of bent knees and Catra stopped releasing scents.
"Why should I trust you?"
"Because if I had wanted to hurt you Catra I would have. I have no illusions over what Shadow Weaver may or may not have done to any of you. I am more than well aware what power can do to even the most kind hearted of mages. Had I wanted to hurt any of you I could have done it without even entering this room. Without risking myself."
"And what if that's just another part of the ruse?" Kyle and Rogelio nodded in time with Catra's words. The pair had begun to move ever closer to the young Magicat kitten. Closing ranks. She paused, it worked once. "Well then I guess you'll just have to trust me, and see if I'm worth it."
Hallways, Royal Palace, Halfmoon
Lonnie huffed out a breath as she stalked down the halls. This place felt like a maze. Though that might be because it was made for Cat people who no doubt had better vision, sense of smell, and sense of hearing than a human like her. This was all insane. Just randomly, like by some cosmic fuck you, she was stranded alongside all four of her squadmates in the home of the one squadmate who seemed to have decided to completely give up on anything in The Horde. On top of that her squad leader, a soon to be promoted Force Captain, mind you, was apparently not human and possibly a fucking Princess to boot. But it still gets better. She's being tailed by a guard who really thinks they are a lot sneakier than they are. Either that or they are severely underestimating her. Either way, time to ditch the tail. Lonnie shot down a hallway to her left. Rushed past a few workers and servants, took a right, then hung a left. She shot out into the open air of the caverns. A courtyard separated whatever building she'd just left with another that looked closer to the exit. She ran for it.
Lonnie was inside and two halls in before the guard following had made it into the building. She chose a room and slipped inside. There was a table and chairs on the far side, and a few lockers. A grumble passed through Lonnie's lips. She stuffed herself inside one of the lockers.
The door opened. Voices loudly entered the room followed by the padding of feet. Lonnie peered out as she caught sight of a number of Magicats. At least three wore the bronze outlined colours. There was some kind of teal, purple, and even pink. Behind all of them was a final figure. The largest of them clad in black and gold. This was the same person who'd attacked them in the woods.
Barely any light reflected off his midnight fur. His piercing yellowed gaze openly glared at the other three occupants. Lonnie did her best to hold her breath. This could be very bad.
"She-Ra? Here? There hasn't been a She-Ra in a thousand years right?" The purple clad Magicat with grey and white fur turned to look at the others. Their green eyes were wide. If Lonnie was right the poor old cat seemed afraid.
"A thousand years? Probably more. All the more reason to believe this is another fake. C'yra wants her daughter back so badly she'll do anything to keep whatever stray enters the caverns. We've seen it before-"
"Hold your tongue. Speak as you will about this fake, but do not dare to speak untoward your Queen." Each of the Magicats looked at the midnight furred brother in his black and gold armour. The interrupted one in teal looked to the one in pink.
"Perhaps its best if you don't speak either Da'reth. Not unless you plan on arresting us for this treason." Huffed the pink and bronze clothed Magicat. "Or have you forgotten that this was your idea."
"I am well aware, but what I do is for the protection of The Queen. It isn't true, and she will only hurt herself if she lets the girl in." A few murmurs that Lonnie couldn't catch passed between the four.
"So we are in agreement, this 'She-Ra' is a fake and The Magicat is not who The Queen believes her to be. But what exactly do we do about it?" The pink clad one hissed.
"We finish this. We'll save dealing with the political ramifications later. For now I'll find someone in the city willing and able. Shouldn't be hard, not as if anyone here has any love for The Horde." The teal clad Magicat went wide eyed.
"You can't be serious, these are children." They waved their arm back towards the direction Lonnie had run from. She clenched her teeth and her knuckles went white. Those were her friends, her family.
"And you knew what might come of this, so silence yourself and retire to your home. But if you hold true to your oath, if you wish for the best for Halfmoon, remain." The teal robed Magicat didn't move. The pink clad one nodded. "I will find someone willing. The two of you will arrange according to the details I send to you. Da'reth you have only to do nothing, is that understood?"
"Yes." Breathed out the massive Magicat.
"Then this meeting has ended, and no others are any the wiser." They left and Lonnie waited, her breath slow and quiet before finally she figured they were gone. The Horde cadet stepped into the hallway, and bounced against a small form.
She looked down to find a heterochromatic young Magicat girl. Her fur was a very light brown with dark stripes on her arms. She was clad in a gold trimmed red cloak. Her icy blue eye and amber gold one pinned Lonnie in a way that prickled at the back of her mind.
"Hi! Are you one of our guests?" Lonnie shot a look to her left and right. There was no sign of any guards, or the traitorous slime that had threatened her family. She felt a tug on her shirt and looked back down to the smiling girl. "I asked if you are one of the guests."
"Yeah, I'm one of the guests." Lonnie batted the girl's hand away. She stepped around and went to her right. She was pretty sure the way she had charged in. "Now I've got to get back."
"Well you're going the wrong way." The girl had her hands behind her back with an eyebrow raised and Lonnie narrowed her gaze. The corner of the girl's lips was pulled up, and her tail shifted back and forth ever so slightly.
"Oh I am, am I?" Lonnie watched the girl as chuckles built in her throat.
"Yep!" She turned, her back put to Lonnie as she glanced over her shoulder with a single golden eye. "You should follow me unless you want to walk straight into the guards."
A pent up breath blasted from Lonnie's mouth and her hands curled into fists. She did fall in behind the girl though. The young Magicat led her through the hallways, every once in a while one of those eyes would peak back to stare at her. Lonnie narrowed her gaze on the girl, but she just laughed. This little girl didn't care at all about who, or more accurately what, Lonnie was.
"So where did you come from? Are you from Above?" The Magicat girl spun so she walked backwards and could watch Lonnie. The Horde Cadet startled, the silence for the last few minutes had eased her mind and she'd lost sight of her surroundings. She grit her teeth and stared the girl down. "I'm from The Horde."
Surprisingly the girl didn't falter. She kept up her pace, her eyes still on Lonnie as they walked. Her ears twisted every once in a while as she cocked her head. Lonnie couldn't place why it was so familiar, but she chocked it up knowing Catra and Magicats having similar mannerisms.
"The Horde… Mom says they are the bad guys, that they attacked us and hurt us for no reason." Lonnie bit down on her tongue as the urge to spew vitriol at this little girl. She didn't need to defend The Horde, not from the likes of these people.
"The Horde isn't all evil." That's the only thing Lonnie could say, anything more and she'd probably curse, swear, or say the wrong thing.
"Of course. There's no such thing as pure evil!" The little girl stopped in front of a slightly more ornate seeming door. Lonnie looked down at her, the words rang in the brown haired girl's head. The image of Shadow Weaver came to her unbidden. She shook her head and refocused on the girl. "You should go through this door and back across the courtyard. Once you've done that the guards can redirect you back to your friends."
"Why did you help me?" Lonnie looked back, but the girl was gone. She rolled her eyes and stepped through the door. She now had vital knowledge, something she might be able to trade for her and her friends to leave this place.
Horde Command Post, Thaymor, Outskirts of The Whispering Woods
The lean muscled figure stalked over soot and rubble-covered ground. There was debris that belonged to houses and… sadly enough some of their armoured company. His gaunt white face with its sunken red eyes burned over the few remaining structures.
Each bore the holes of multiple tank shell strikes. Their doors had been busted down. Whatever food and provisions that had been stored were gathered for The Horde. A good chunk of the population was only a klick or two away, in the direction of The Fright Zone. They'd make good workers, and children would serve as perfect candidates for Horde Military Training. Lord Hordak would see no waste from this operation… but it had not been as successful as intended.
The metal clad warrior folded his wings close to his launch pack. His claws danced a tempo across a metal pole of the hastily built Operations Base before he swung back the fabric and entered. His scarlet eyes were alright with fury as his lips twisted and he locked eyes with the two Force Captains.
"Report!" Both women snapped to attention. The red shelled Scorpioni with her pincer to her forehead and tail perfectly straight up. The helmet she had worn was removed and held in her opposite pincer.
"Force Commander, Sir! Three tanks are out of action. One is damaged beyond repair, but mechanics tell me they can scavenge enough parts to get the other two up and running without issue. We'll be right on schedule to-
"Stop." Scorpia paused, her black eyes rested on Vultak. "I do not care how quickly they will return. The both of you will explain to me. Now. How The Princess and The Master Archer of The Rebellion stumbled upon our plans."
"Well… you see. It seemed more like they were just here. Ooh! Maybe they were trying to recruit Thaymor to The Rebellion, but then we showed up just in time to stop them from making that mistake!" Scorpia actually raised a pincer in the air and bounced on the balls of her feet. Vultak's face flattened.
"Force Captain Scorpia, begin oversight of the base. I want a full inspection and munitions check of every soldier, vehicle, and crate we have. Then make certain the armoured company is back to maximum possible strength."
"Sir, yes, Sir!" Vultak waved his hand.
"Force Captain." Scorpia stopped at the tent's flaps. She turned and looked towards Vultak.
"Yes, Sir?"
"Compile a report on your inspection, munitions check, and the tank repairs. Also begin formatting a report regarding the outcome of this battle. I will be holding the lost tank personally against you. The Armoured Company was under your command." Scorpia nodded. He waved his hand and The Scorpioni Princess disappeared from his sight.
His eyes narrowed as they rose to meet Octavia. The Octopod had dared not say a word. Smart, but that would not save her from his wrath.
"How could you let them escape!" He smashed his fist downward into the map. The tokens of Horde and Rebellion positions shuddered, a few toppled. He pointed a single claw right at her. "We had The Princess of Brightmoon and The Master Archer in our grasp. Your infantry let them slip away. The entire point of my diversionary attack was so that you could take this village with minimal losses. Instead I learn we have half our armour strength depleted and over a quarter of your infantry seriously wounded. This force was supposed to begin a march into the woods. How are we supposed to survive if we are not at full strength?"
Octavia's lips parted as she met Vultak's glare with one of her own. However he raised a hand before a sound escaped her.
"Do not answer. I know you will blame this blunder on Scorpia. I expect better from you. You were aware Force Captain Scorpia commanded our armour, you were given sufficient information and time to account for that. Instead we have suffered losses that we don't have the time to recoup given Force Leader Shadow Weaver's orders. Prepare a patrol. You will lead it into the woods while Force Captain Scorpia finishes her assigned work. Do not fail me again Force Captain Octavia." Vultak waved a hand to dismiss The Octopod, she quickly left his sight. This was insane. Thaymor had important supplies, but a single Cadet squad? It was a waste of his talent and time. Hordak should never have trusted an outsider with such power within The Horde. This mistake could cost them.
| Twelve Years Earlier |
Ruins of Crescent City, The Whispering Woods
C'yra glared at the stone and wood. Each piece had started to degrade, and the satins of nature had grown.
"My Queen. There is no sign of her. I promise we've searched everywhere here. It's best if we return to Halfmoon proper-"
"We will return when I choose!" C'yra spun on the guard. Their fur ruffled beneath their black and gold armour. She spun on the ball of her foot and trudged deeper into the city. She knew it, C'yra III lived. She would find her daughter. Her daughter was not dead. C'yra stopped as she came across the smoothed scars in the stone of one of the buildings. Her fingers brushed up against the four marks. Each line could be drawn on her skin, she wouldn't care. She needed to find her daughter. Little Cy was a fighter, she was the daughter of a Queen, she would survive. C'yra pushed further into the ruined square. There were stains. Green blood that had dried into a crusty mess, not far from a similar deep crimson, nearly maroon, mark. C'yra's lips pulled and her face twisted together, but she pushed further on.
Her guards followed, each with their ears and eyes on a swivel. This once a home. C'yra remembered how she had once walked through this very courtyard. If she could get back to the royal estate…
"My Queen there's another Horde Patrol coming this way."
"The Woods will turn them away." C'yra trudged forward. Everywhere she looked, ghosts of the past followed. She saw Magicats as they moved through the streets. The worst though was the sound of kittens. Each tiny mewl and shout stabbed into her heart. Heat built beneath her skin. Where was Da'reth when she needed him. He was supposed to…
A twig snapped and C'yra's ears shot up. She spun on the ball of her foot. Partially through the bush in Horde red was the armour of a Horde Officer. She didn't know how the patrol had made it into the city, but all she knew was that this was perfect. The heat beneath her skin exploded and fire roared to life upon her.
The Officer turned his mouth open, but claws and fire fell on him before even a single word could escape his lips. The other Horde Soldiers went wide eyed as their leader was pulled by burning hands back into the bush. They drew their blasters only for beams of light to erupt from around them. In seconds there was no more Horde Squad.
C'yra held The Officer against the ground. Her features were twisted into a snarl and her claws were buried in The Officer's arm. A hiss echoed from deep within her throat. She leaned close and put her lips right next to the dark skinned man's ear.
"Where are the kittens? Where have you taken our children!" A pained shout erupted from him as she dug her claws in.
"I… I don't know!" C'yra snarled. She reared back her other hand, claws fully extended.
"Where is my daughter or this will be the last day you ever see Horde Scum!"
"I don't know! I was just told to patrol the woods! I didn't even want to be here!" C'yra stopped. She watched the way he kept his eyes closed. How his free arm was raised to protect his head. How he shuddered. She lowered her strike, the heat simmered until her flames died. His eyes peeked out and she stared at him. She flexed her fingers and withdrew her claws from his arm.
"Runaway little soldier, run quickly, before I change my mind." He shot from the ground and was away before any of her guards could get a shot.
"My Queen, he'll tell The Horde we've survived." She shook her head and rose.
"No, The Woods won't allow that." She turned and started back towards the entrance to their underground home. "We should return."
| Present Day |
She-Ra's Apartments, Royal Palace, Halfmoon, Beneath The Whispering Woods
Catra's ears twisted as the door opened. She shot from the bathroom. Lonnie was led in by one of the black and gold armoured Magicats. Mel'ody turned and her eyes locked onto the brown haired girl.
"We found her, she had wandered out onto the grounds." Mel'ody waved her hand. The two guards nodded and turned on their heels. Slowly the woman rose and stopped before Lonnie. Catra felt her claws slide out on reflex. The only thing she could see was Shadow Weaver standing over Lonnie. Then Mel'ody lowered down and the image in Catra's mind broke.
Mel'ody let her lips curl upwards. She held out a hand to Lonnie. Not downturned, but sideways. Her eyes tracked up to the girl. After a bit of time Lonnie reached out and took her hand. Mel'ody nodded to the girl.
"I apologise but we seem to have neglected you and your compatriot's needs. There's a bathroom for you to wash up in, and food and some new clothes will arriving shortly. You can have whatever you like from what's brought, or nothing if that's what you desire." Lonnie's gaze narrowed on Mel'ody. But the girl returned the nod and headed for the bathroom.
"You didn't use all the water, right Catra?" Lonnie looked over at the young Magicat. Catra's fur stood on end and a hiss burst from her lips.
"The water is still warm." Catra's eyes went wide, she had meant to shoot back a witty remark. The Horde squad stopped short and all looked to Catra. She noticed them staring at her. "What are you looking at?"
Instantly everyone found a new place to look, but Kyle wasn't as subtle as he thought with the glances he kept throwing her way. Catra hissed at him. Kyle stopped looking. Catra shook herself and crawled back onto the bed. She curled back up, her head towards the exterior door. Her ear twitched as the water turned on in the bathroom.
Mel'ody cocked an eyebrow at them. She looked at Catra's half lazy posture, and purposeful positioning. Catra was the first thing anyone who entered the room would have to deal with. Rogelio was second, and not far away so he could close in from the opposite side as Catra. Kyle was closest to the back, roughly in line with Adora. She also noted that Rogelio was near the door to the bathroom.
As if knowing it was time to break up the silence Ar'ini appeared in the door with a box full of clothes. Mel'ody was certain that the other Magicat was guided by magic given how they always seemed to appear at the perfect time.
"Well once Lonnie is free of the bathroom I guess you will all get to choose clothes while Ar'ini gets all of us some food." Mel'ody took the box from the guard's hands and turned back to the room. All of them raised their eyebrows at her.
"What do you mean choose our clothes?" Kyle slowly lowered the book he'd been reading. Rogelio and Catra both looked at her like she'd grown a second head.
"This is a box of clothes, you get to pick what you want to wear…" Mel'ody cursed The Horde with all her heart as they all looked at eachother, confusion muddling their features. "Catra come here."
Slowly the young Magicat slides off the bed and pads, partially haltingly, to Mel'ody. She smiled and pulled out a top from the box. It was red and block cloth with some golden trim. There was a cut out near where her chest would be, as well as over her midriff. Catra took it and sniffed it. Her eyes widened as she ran her fingers over the fabric.
"Its soft… and it doesn't smell like someone else." Catra raised an eyebrow at Mel'ody, who furrowed her eyebrows at the young girl.
"Of course it doesn't smell like someone else, you'd be the first person to wear it." Mel'ody handed Catra a pair of shorts and some leggings. "Here change into them, and try these as well."
Kyle and Rogelio both walked up as Lonnie left the bathroom and Catra glanced at all the occupants. The Magicat girl disappeared into the bathroom. Mel'ody dug through the box and pulled out a white and red shirt and some black pants. She handed them to Kyle. Then she reached in and pulled out a sleeveless white vest and some red and grey pants for Rogelio.
"Try these, I had the tail hole sewn closed for Kyle, and widened for you Rogelio." Mel'ody leaned back into the box and pulled out a red and white shirt with short sleeves and a set of combat pants. She held them out towards Lonnie. "For you Lonnie, if any of you don't like what I gave you don't worry we can get you other clothes, and there's even some more in here if you want to look for yourselves."
"I still can't believe these are new." Kyle huffed. He had noticed how Catra had fled to the bathroom to change, and had decided to wait and inspect his new clothes in the meantime. They were well made, much better than anything The Horde had given them. Probably would last longer too.
"Why are you being so nice to your prisoners?" Lonnie turned her gaze from the new threads to Mel'ody. The Magicat Queen Consort cocked her head. She gathered a very frightening idea of what it would mean to be in Horde prison if what they were suggesting was true.
"I explained that you are guests here. We should be able allow you to move around more freely here soon. As for why we would be so nice… it is what we are supposed to do. It would not sit well with any of our kind to leave you improperly clothed and fed. As it would with most others. Such things are considered basic necessities and should be provided even if you are our prisoner."
"Seems like a waste of resources, but whatever." Lonnie's jaw dropped as Catra exited the bathroom. The top was form fitting and revealed more of Catra's fur than they usually saw, but the colour pattern was nicer than her old mixed reds and really stood out against her fur. She looked more put together, probably helped by the way Catra had pulled her mane back and made a ponytail using a red and gold band she'd found in the bundle of clothes. Mel'ody laughed as she caught sight of Catra.
"What?" The younger Magicat spun on The Queen Consort. Mel'ody held up a single finger. Her laughter died down. She noted the way Catra's fur was ruffled, how her eyes has shrunk to slits. Oh, laughing might have been a bad idea.
"It's just that the fabric you used to tie your hair back is meant to be a belt for the shorts Catra." A taillash followed Mel'ody's words, then another. Catra reached up to take it out. Mel'ody rushed forward and caught Catra's hands. "Don't, it looks nice. Honestly works better as a hair tie than it ever did as a belt."
Mel'ody hoped she didn't imagine the small curl to Catra's lips at her words. Lonnie huffed and pushed past them. A wave of the cornrowed girl's hand and both of the boys joined her.
The door creaked open and in came C'yra. Mel'ody smiled as she stood behind Catra. She offered a full view of the young Magicat to her wife. C'yra's gaze stopped on Catra, and a smile that neither she nor Catra could decipher split across her face. All while Mel'ody smirked behind the girl she was certain was her daughter by marriage.
"You-" A groan from the bed interrupted The Queen. Catra lept from Mel'ody's arms and used all four of her limbs to arrive at the bed. She stared at Adora who had shifted. Adora's eyes fluttered open, and Catra released a breath she didn't know she'd been holding since Adora had fallen down.
|Eleven Years and a Few Months Earlier|
Queen's Office, Temple of The Tiger's Eye, Beneath The Whispering Woods
C'yra's single good eye shot to the doors of her office which burst open. The snow furred Magicat mage, Mel'ody glared at her with crystalline orbs. The other woman's chest heaved and her fur was ruffled across her body. C'yra's gaze narrowed on the mage.
"I do believe that there are protocols, bursting in is not one of them." Mel'ody stomped forward, she was directly before C'yra just opposite her desk.
"I cannot begin to comprehend the loss you have suffered, but that does not give you the right to risk your life so carelessly, or the lives of the rest of us." C'yra's fur rose and her lips twisted into a snarl.
"Be careful Mage, remember to whom you are speaking." Heat pooled beneath C'yra's skin, but didn't burst outwards.
"I know exactly who I am speaking to, which is why I am here telling you that engaging a patrol of Horde soldiers was risky, letting one of them live even riskier. Right, of that there is little doubt, but it is a gamble that we might pay for with our lives." C'yra's claws dug into the wood.
"Do not dare to lecture me on right and wrong, risks and safeties. My daughter is out there. I will find her!" Mel'ody's face relaxed slightly.
"I have no doubt eventually you will find your daughter My Queen, but at what cost? Would you lay down the lives of every Magicat in Halfmoon?" Fire roared to life across C'yra's arms.
"Get out!" Mel'ody turned and left. The Guards closed the doors, and as the last light from The Tiger's Eye was blocked C'yra collapsed back into her chair. The fire died instantly, and she felt like someone had dumped cold water over her soul. Water pooled at the corners of her eyes. C'yra pulled her legs to her chest and her shoulders shuddered as she buried her face into her knees.
A/N;
I'm sorry I forgot to update this here!
I was planning a Halloween themed fic, that will have to wait until next year, and I don't know what fandom it will be.
I have no idea when people will see this chapter, or if they will. I hope everyone enjoyed reading and I'll see you in the next one. ChapterI III! I did it! I wrote another! So just so everyone is aware I should be getting back into a writing stint and I'm trying to write more regularly anyway. I hope people enjoy some of the OCs I've added to this, not a lot of Magicat characters in the reboot afterall. Hopefully we will see another of these and something else at the same time. I know that I don't know when exactly any of you will read this.
I apologise for not keeping to my update list below. I severely want to work on some of the other stories, but now that I've been commissioned for Imperial Academy and I really only feel the pull towards SaTSWC (Strong as The Steel We Carry) right now I feel like it would be a disservice to work on others.
For Time Itself, my main issue is just the time and effort it takes to get the book sections down. I thought that would be much easier than it was, but it is really hard. If that wasn't as difficult or I find a better way to go about it I will definitely have more chapters of it out and sooner. Just got work on streamlining the process for those sections of the book being read.
I hope everyone has enjoyed this! I'm sorry for the extra story down here in the notes!
-Six Out!
Update List:
- SatSWC Act I Turning Darkness to Light (You are Here)
- Time Itself
- Imperial Academy