Disclaimer I do not own she-ra and the princesses of power and I am not making any money by writing this story. I hope everyone enjoys this chapter.
Thoughts will be in Italics
Bright Moon
The last few days had been odd for Adora as true to her word Shadow Weaver had managed to calm Glimmer down even managing to get Glimmer and Castaspella on speaking terms again even if everyone could feel how thick the air became with tension. She was glad at least to see Bow and Glimmer hanging out and having fun. It helped calm Adora's nerves that Glimmer wasn't spending as much time around Shadow Weaver anymore. I still don't even understand how Shadow Weaver managed to gain so much trust from Glimmer after everything she's done and what I've told her. Guess I really underestimated what she could do.
Adora also found herself spending more time in the archives going through the Rebellion's records of its war against the Horde. It was boring work, but it was better than spending time with Shadow Weaver in Adora's mind even if it cut out some of the time she could spend with Glimmer. The work while boring was also helpful as Adora compared the different methods of the various force captain tactics the Rebellion had faced and how the different the Horde tactics where in more recent attacks. The Horde had only recently started changing its operational style from what Adora could see most likely because of her actions as She-Ra and the princesses acting in unity again.
There is so much information here but none of it really helps me think of a battle plan…Wait what's this? Adora stopped for a moment as she reread some papers before diving back into a pile of papers. Why would the Horde send a declaration of surrender to Bright Moon for the kingdom to surrender? It talks about a trade of some sort but what did the Horde have that they thought they had leverage over Queen Angela at the time? Adora felt like she was swimming in records as she struggled to find an answer to the question burning inside of her. Why did the Horde think they could get Bright Moon to capitulate?
Adora happily found what she was looking for though it had resulted in a bookcase falling on her when she had climbed it, unable to find a ladder. Here it is, wait why does it have Queen Angela's seal on it? Unsure but curious Adora broke the seal opening the record and was surprised by what she learned. The Horde had captured Glimmer's dad, Bright Moon's king and Queen Angela's husband. No wonder they thought they could get Bright Moon to surrender without a fight by trying to leverage the life of the king. Unfortunate it looked like Angela had refused their offer of surrender though Adora could tell it had hurt from the tear stains on the paper she was reading.
Unfortunately, the records said nothing of what happened to the king after the refusal just that it was assumed that the Horde had just killed him. Adora remembered the times Glimmer had spoken about her dad and how sad it always made her and now with her mom gone and not even a body she could mourn over… A light bulb went off in Adora's mind as an idea began to form. Maybe I could try and find out what happened to Glimmer's dad. Even if I can only bring a body back Glimmer will at least have closure on everything. Adora felt elated believing her idea could help fix things with Glimmer only to freeze up in frustration as she realised her only source of information that could help with this idea was Shadow Weaver. Adora just let out an angry huff as she steeled her nerves to deal with her condescending old teacher as she carefully cleaned up the mess she had made and left to hopefully get something useful out of Shadow Weaver.
Finding her old teacher a few minutes later Adora was surprised but happy to see that she was alone. "Ah Adora to what do I owe this pleasant surprise? Is it too much to hope that you've buried the hatchet and put your petty misgivings about me behind you?"
Adora really wished Shadow Weaver didn't always wear her mask unable to judge or guess what Shadow Weaver was thinking and plan around that. She also hated how condescending she sounded making light everything she had put Adora through trying to make her into a perfect tool for her to use in her bid for power in the Horde. Adora felt a growing want to just punch Shadow Weaver in the face consequences be dammed. No, no calm down Adora she isn't worth it. Just remember this is all for Glimmer.
"No this isn't about your poor teaching and mothering methods, sorry. No, I'm here for some information you should have about Bright Moon's king." Adora was surprised when she saw Shadow Weaver tense up giving a rare look at the woman being surprised and unbalanced.
"Why do you want to know about Micah?" Shadow Weaver's voice had an edge to it toned with curiosity and caution.
"I want to know what happened to him. I know that the Horde captured him but what happened after? What did the Horde do with his body?" Adora hoped she had a good poker face as she tried to stay calm to hide how nervous she was from Shadow Weaver's gaze that was studying her.
Shadow Weaver stayed silent for a bit contemplating on how to answer Adora's question before deciding to humour her and give her what she wanted. "Body dear Adora, that is much too morbid a thought when Micah isn't dead as far as I know. Micah still had his uses to Hordak despite Queen Angela refusing his offer, so he dumped him where he dumps everyone that is too dangerous to keep in the Fright Zone dungeons but valuable enough to keep alive. He dropped him on Beast Island. I don't know what you hoped to gain from this question but that is all I know. I do ask that you refrain from asking me about Micah in the future though Adora, I prefer the past staying in the past.
Adora watched Shadow Weaver leave a bit confused as she had felt some actual sadness coming from Shadow Weaver, when she told her what had happened to the king. How does she even know Glimmer's dad well enough to talk about him with his name? No, no you got what you needed, think about Shadow Weaver having emotions and her past later.
Crystal Castle
The location of Beast Island had always been a rather tightly kept secret in the Horde even though it was used as way to scare cadets with stories of how dangerous the island was. While Adora had now idea where Beast Island was, she knew someone that might while not risking Shadow Weaver learning of her plan and maybe hijacking it to further improve her relationship and hold on Glimmer.
"Uh Light Hope by any chance do you know about an island called Beast Island." The AI seemed to stare down Adora before disappearing for a moment as it searched the data banks of the castle before reappearing.
"I have searched my data banks and have found no information pertaining to what you call Beast Island. Perhaps if you can give me something more to work with, I may be able to find what you are looking for as it may be under a different name in my data banks."
Adora took a moment to recall everything that had been told to scare her when she was still a cadet and relayed everything, she could think of that could be important. Light Hope froze up for a moment as it took in the information.
"From what you have told me I believe I know what you are referring to though the First Ones always referred to the land mass you know as Beast Island as the dump. It is where they threw away damaged or broken technology though they did start monitoring the island for a while before they left Etheria though my data on that is incomplete, so I am unsure of why they started monitoring the island. I have a data pad with the location of the island waiting for you."
"Thank you, Light Hope, you have no idea how much this helps." Adora was elated as she readied to call Bow and tell him about her plan, maybe also get Castaspella to help. A united front would work better than just her alone in this situation, also having people that King Micah would be familiar with would make getting him to co-operate much easier.
"I would recommend caution Adora. The island may have something on it that could corrupt or damage the sword. Only use the transformation if it is necessary as there is much risk with all the damaged and broken First One technology just lying about." Adora felt nervous and a bit scared as she recalled the virus Catra had used against her as she thought about the chances of running into something similar on Beast Island. "I'll be careful Light Hope plus I won't be going alone so I'll have others watching my back."
Bright Moon several days later
It had taken a while getting everything together in secret but so far everything was in order. Bow had been happy to help though he had been a bit apprehensive about keeping Glimmer in the dark though he had been bought on the idea of all the First One technology he could scavenge or things he could bring his dads for their research. Castaspella had been much easier to convince with Adora even learning that Micah was her brother with the mission lighting a fire in Castaspella that had seemed to be dulled since her fight with Glimmer.
"That's the last of the things you wanted Adora. Is there anything else you need for your trip to Salineas?"
"No that's everything Flutterina. Thank you for all your help with all of this in such a short time. Mermista just found something she needed some help investigating and we didn't have much time to get everything together. Oh, and please give Glimmer our best while we're away."
Flutterina nodded as she waved off Adora and her small crew wondering how dumb they thought she was with how easy it was to discover their true intentions. Beast Island huh, I can think of some people that would love to know about this and I can see a big bonus in my future. Finding a good hiding spot Flutterina activated her communicator sending a message to the Horde leader as the Rebellion traveling to his personal prison seemed like something he would like to be informed about immediate and Flutterina didn't like the idea of him hunting her down from not informing him if something went wrong.
Reading his reply Flutterina felt a bit confused as he told her he would inform Catra personally and she should go radio silent for a while as he didn't want to risk Shadow Weaver learning of her presence. Flutterina didn't really care all that much as she got paid either way.
Fright Zone
Hordak felt angry as he tried to think of a plan. If the Rebellion made it to Beast Island, then there was a big risk they could reunite with Entrapta and bring her back into the war turning her skills against the Horde in a more physical fashion than just betrayal. Beast Island is also full of old First One technology, who knows what the Rebellion could do with it if they managed to take control of the island territory.
It hurt Hordak as he knew what he needed to do to end this threat to himself and the Horde even if he really didn't want to do it. Opening a communicator, he sent a message to Catra and Demona the two closest in Beast Island and would be able to reach it the fastest as they had taken a ship to scout the border of the Horde's territory with Salineas while also being able to safely practice magic. "I have an important mission for you. I am forwarding you information on the prison Beast Island and its prisoners as I have recently gotten information that it could be compromised. You need to travel to the island and liquidate any surviving prisoners as they are a massive security risk for the Horde. Don't disappoint me."
His message sent Hordak hoped that Demona and Catra could complete the mission and that if they found Entrapta that they at least made things quick and painless. He would never admit it but another part of Hordak hoped that they couldn't find Entrapta. That the princess of Dryl would stay safe and escape. Most likely She-Ra will be making an appearance as the Rebellion would be sure to send their best in this sort of operation. I hope Catra can finally put an end to this nuisance and that Demona proves to be a worthy investment with the affect she should have on the Rebellion if they see her while on the island.
Hey readers sorry this update took a while. I had to scrap this chapter at least twice before I felt satisfied with my work. Hope you all enjoy this latest chapter. Don't forget to like and comment.
