Destiny Breaker

Meelog ran through the Whispering Woods, turning herself visible once more as Catra fell off. The transformed jungle cat turned around and checked on her partner, mewling to comfort her as tears ran down Catra's face.

"This can't be happening. Not again. Not again!" Catra punched the ground in rage.

Meelog rubbed herself on Catra's back, trying to help her cheer up. She could sense her sadness and she wanted to help her feel better.

But Catra wasn't having it. She pushed Meelog back as tears ran down her face. She couldn't breathe, her throat was sore and her hands had tightened so much that she was almost bleeding. Catra was at her lowest point. She had just learned that her friend had betrayed her and Izuku, that she was never meant to be She-Ra, and now she had lost Izuku because of some twisted computer program. She was in such a state that she barely noticed her head band falling off of her.

Meelog licked Catra's tears away, helping her to stop crying.

"Thanks girl," Catra pressed her forehead on Meelog's, causing a connection to be established.

Catra's eyes widened as Meelog shared all her new experiences with her in the span of a minute. Her mind was open to her new feline friend as she herself shared everything that she had lived and experienced. It was for the briefest of moments, but Catra and Meelog had a full conversation that nearly blew her mind. She jumped back with a gasp.

"Did we just have a conversation?" Catra asked.

Meelog mewled in response. She snatched the headband from the floor before giving it to Catra.

"Izuku got me this thing for the first year we were back in the Crimson Waste," Catra said. "He was always trying to look out for me even when he knew I could handle it. And now I can't do anything. I don't have the sword nor was I ever destined to be the She-Ra everyone wanted." Catra looked at her reflection on the headband as one more tear drop landed on it.

She remembered when she got it.


-Flashback-

Catra was looking at the moons in the sky as night grew dark with stars. She hugged her knees to her chest, feeling that she was missing something. She couldn't help but remember the day it was and how alone it now felt.

"Hey, Catra. Dinner is almost ready." Izuku approached Catra with a smile. "We're having stewed snake meat, your favorite."

"Yeah, great." Catra looked down.

"Is everything alright?" Izuku sat down next to her.

"I miss her, Izuku. I miss Adora," Catra admitted. "Why couldn't she come with us? Why didn't they all come when we told them?!" Catra buried her face in her knees, not wanting to let Izuku see her sad.

"It's been a year alright. I miss them too. Adora, Lonnie, Rogelio, Kyle." Izuku hugged Catra with one arm. "I miss them too. But they made their choice."

"So, they're destined to be soldiers for the Horde and just tossed at Hordak's problems?" Catra asked.

Izuku didn't know how to reply. He wanted to help Catra as much as he could. But he didn't have any answers that could help her.

"There is no such thing as destiny, Catra," Toshinori said from behind, getting the attention of both kids. "We are all free to make our own choices and sometimes lack of information can lead to poor ones, but those actions and their consequences are ours to face."

"Master Toshinori, what does that mean?" Izuku asked.

"Yeah, dad, what are you saying?" Catra added.

Toshinori looked up at the star-filled sky as he remembered a time of his life before his seclusion.

"One time, a good friend of mine gazed into the future using a spell. He saw something horrible happening, he saw his wife dying on the battlefield. And he did everything in his power to prevent it." Toshinori explained. "The battle arrived, his knowledge of that battle clouded his judgment. His wife suggested a plan to break through the defenses with their squad. But he made a different choice, believing that the only way to save his wife was by sending her away. The battle continued, and we won. But when the dust settled, it showed that my friend's wife had been killed by a destroyed Horde tank."

"But that wasn't his fault, he couldn't have known." Izuku and Catra got up.

"That's the problem, he thought he knew. By sending his wife away in such a dangerous moment, he set the scene for the vision to come true." Toshinori sat down in front of the fire. "Had he trusted his wife and her plan, then maybe things would've been different."

"So what you're saying is that we can only do what we can but then things are out of our hands?" Catra asked.

"Yes. As soon as you think you know how something will happen, you will do everything to stop it. But that only leads you to that very same conclusion." Toshinori stirred the stew. "Fate can only bind you if you let it. Do what is necessary, not what is written."

Izuku and Catra looked at each other, wondering what they should do. They didn't know much about destinies or fates. Shadow Weaver had made it clear that she didn't expect much from them. But now they were free to do as they could and wanted. However, that also brought about fear of their consequences.

Izuku remembered that he had gotten something for Catra's birthday. He wasn't sure if it was really her birthday, but it was the day they had both met.

"Hey, Catra. I got you something." Izuku pulled out a red headband as Catra's eyes were glued to the piece of red metal. "I saw it and I thought it would look good on you."

"I LOVE IT!" Catra hugged Izuku before putting on the headband. "It's so cool! Thanks Izuku, you're the best!"

Izuku smiled. If he could bring a smile to his friend then he would be happy with himself.

"Don't worry, Catra. From now on, we make our own destinies." Izuku smiled.


-Present-

Catra wiped a tear from her eyes at her memory. She wanted to be with Izuku at that moment and hug him forever.

"What can I do now? I don't have the sword, I'm just me," Catra said. "I was never supposed to be She-Ra in the first place. It wasn't my destiny."

Meelog let out a low grunt, reminding Catra of her memory.

Catra looked at her before back at her headband. Her tears were gone and now she looked at it with determination. She pulled herself up.

"Well so what?! So I'm not the She-Ra that computer bitch or the First Ones wanted. But I am the She-Ra that my friends have. Sword or no sword, I'm getting my man back!" Catra declared. "I make my own choices and so does he!"

Meelog roared in agreement with Catra.

Just then they saw movement coming from the Beacon.

"They're heading to Brightmoon. Let's go, we gotta warn everyone else." Catra hopped on Meelog before they rode towards the castle.


Meanwhile, back at Brightmoon, Glimmer was laying under the Moonstone as Castaspella took a look at her curse with her magic. The princess was being looked after by both her mother and Bow as her aunt kept looking and understanding the elements of the curse itself. She had her eyes closed and was feeling the energy inside her swirling like a current.

"This thing is a nasty curse, Glimmer. Did you happen to see what was used to curse you?" Castaspella asked, spinning her magic glyph.

"A red crystal with a black staff," Bow replied. "She took the shot that was meant to hit me."

"Yeah, that's the one." Glimmer opened one of her eyes.

"Looks like a powerful seal. These can be broken with a seal breaker." Castaspella scratched her chin.

"Can you make one?" Angella asked.

"Well, there are two ways of breaking one of these curses. The first would be to overpower the curse, supercharging Glimmer should do the trick." Castaspella snapped her fingers.

"That's good." Bow cheered.

"But if we don't know the limits of Glimmer's body then she could become overwhelmed, and she could end up bed ridden," Castaspella pointed out. "And in the worst case, her powers would be stunted and require healing sessions with regularity."

"That's bad," Bow replied.

"And the less dangerous option?" Angella asked.

"That one requires much more time and would involve forming a special exorcism spell that will transfer the curse into another object." Castaspella pulled out an empty scroll.

"That's good," Bow said.

"But I would need to get an imprint of the curse." Castaspella turned to Bow. "That's bad."

"Why?" Glimmer asked.

"If I don't figure it out correctly, you will be cursed forever." Castaspella explained.

"Do it," Angella ordered.

Just then they heard a loud roar coming from behind them. They turned around to see Catra on top of Meelog landing before them.

"Oh my gosh, a magical battle cat? Those are supposed to be legends!" Castaspella gushed in excitement.

"Catra?!" Glimmer jumped up from her resting position. "Where have you been? Where is Izuku?"

"What is going on?" Queen Angella asked.

Just as Catra got off of Meelog a loud crackle of lightning split the sky. They turned to see a large thunder cloud approaching the castle with energy lightning.

"We have a lot to talk about," Catra sighed. "This is Meelog by the way."

Meelog mewled in response as a salute.


Not far from the Whispering Woods, Adora's task force was being led by Muscular along with a good number of their armed forces. With the small window made by Modulok's attack, Hordak had decided to press on the advantage. Which was all the maniacal musclehead that was Muscular needed to agree to babysit the kids in this mission. But it wasn't anything reassuring for the young members of the task force.

"The Whispering Woods are coming in sight, sir." Kyle observed the scanner. "We should be getting to the entrance point in less than half an hour."

"Then tell those weaklings to pick up the pace! I wanna see the faces of those prissy princesses and weaklings when they see our forces destroying their little castle!" Muscular laughed, crushing the headrest of Kyle's seat. "Full speed ahead!"

Lonnie rolled her eyes at the brute's orders. She had only agreed to go on this mission because it was the best way to get to where Adora's last signal came from. Looking at the rest of her team, she could tell that they were all tense. The last thing she heard from her friend and leader wasn't a good sign, and that made her twitchy for action. If they could split up from Muscular's probable failure of a mission, they could find their friend before she was captured or worse.

Lonnie and her friends all shared a knowing nod. They were all in on the plan and were going to pull it off even if it killed them.

"Contact in less than fifteen minutes, Muscular." Lonnie looked up with the periscope.

However, just as they were about to get into the Whispering Woods, a lightning bolt cut the Horde army off. The tanks stopped in their tracks, much to Muscular's annoyance.

"What the hell was that?!" Muscular snarled. "Get your butts back into gear!"

"Um, Muscular, the storm above us is growing," Scorpia said.

"She's right, sir. Rogelio just looked at the charts and that bolt alone could've fried a tank with ease," Kyle pointed out.

"I don't care! Get us moving!" Muscular demanded.

Just then they detected movement ahead of them. The tank's equipment showed two figures walking towards them. Everyone turned to see who or what it was, believing that it was a special team picked by the Alliance.

"Something is coming, sir!" Kyle said.

"I can see that, runt! Tell me something I don't know!" Muscular snapped tearing Kyle's seat before turning it into crumbled metal.

Kyle started to look around for something to tell Muscular before he became another destroyed piece of the tank.

Scorpia got next to Muscular, looking at Lonnie before gesturing to her stinger. She wasn't a fan of violence, and much less of betrayal, but Scorpia had to admit that Muscular had to be taken down a notch or two.

Lonnie shook her head. As much as she liked where Scorpia's mind was going, she knew that if they weren't careful, they'd be killed right then and there.

"There's movement up ahead!" Kyle pointed at the screen.

Muscular watched as he saw two figures step out of the magical trees. A sinister smile spread through his face as he recognised one of the figures. He had been waiting for this chance for a long time and he was going to get even with the bastard. His fingers crushed the controls, causing Kyle to roll out of the way.

"Yes! He's here! Open the hatch, order all the tanks to fire at my command!" Muscular walked out of the tank.

"Wait! Where are you going, captain?" Lonnie asked as Muscular climbed out.

Lonnie would normally be jumping out of joy if the man she wanted to get away from was walking away from her and her friends. But this wasn't what she was expecting. She turned to the screen as Kyle was helped to his feet by Rogelio. Lonnie and her friends looked at what was being shown and their jaws nearly dropped to the floor.

The transformed Izuku and Adora had stepped out of the Whispering Woods with ethereal white auras around their bodies. Their glowing eyes made them look like they had turned into something more than just people. But behind that mask of power there was a struggle for who was at the reins.

"Whoa!" Kyle said. "Izuku has bulked up!"

"But he didn't have all that last time we saw him," Scorpia mentioned.

However, Lonnie couldn't talk. Her mind was taking in the fact that Izuku was now completely ripped. She was always surrounded by wannabe gladiators from the Horde pit but she couldn't help but feel like this was the first time seeing muscles. Her eyes drifted slightly, catching sight of Izuku's companion. She quickly got out of her hormone-driven arousal as she recognized the woman.

"Oh my god, that's ADORA!" Lonnie pointed to the screen.

"Wow, her hair looks amazing," Scorpia gushed out. "It really sparkles."

Outside the tank, Muscular was looking at the recently appeared enemy. His body was now bulging and turning into his raging form. His sinister sneer was fueled with a lust for battle and a desire for revenge. His fists cracked as he got closer to his opponents.

"Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged here," Muscular chuckled. "The green runt from the Snow Ball and lookie here, if it isn't Shadow Weaver's pet. Sporting the enemy colors, I see. This is really going to be a great day. I get to crush the Alliance's new lap dog and take my revenge on that bitch!"

Izuku and Adora didn't even twitch at his claims.

"Oh, what's the matter? No retort or speech?" Muscular asked in a mocking tone. "Maybe when I'm through putting you in the ground, I will march into Brightmoon and make every single one of those princesses cry for mercy as I take my time."

For the briefest of moments, Izuku's eyes flickered as green electricity crackled around his body. He appeared before Muscular, gritting his teeth like a wild man as his fist reeled back. Before Muscular could react, Izuku decked the large man in the face, shattering his teeth and sending him back into one of the tanks. He let out a savage roar before charging after Muscular.

Adora, for her part, turned her eyes at the group before her. She charged at the incoming soldiers, swinging her sword with the precision and skill of a trained swordswoman. She sliced the armor and the weapons with ease, showing no emotion like the killing machine the Horde had wanted her to become. She turned to see one of the tanks heading towards her. Lifting her sword above her, she swung the blade in a vertical angle, sending a wave of pure energy at the tank, cutting it in half. Spotting another tank coming her way, Adora jumped high in the air, bringing down her sword at the top of the tank, leaving it a wreck of its former self. She kicked one of the pieces, smashing it against another incoming tank.

"Adora!"

Adora turned her head, spotting Lonnie and the rest of her taskforce running towards her.

"G-Guys?" Adora asked, her eyes blinking slightly.

"What happened to you?" Scorpia asked. "How did you get the sword and turn into She-Ra? I mean, you look amazing, but."

"Let's get you out of here, girl!" Lonnie said, reaching out for Adora's hand.

She looked at it and made an attempt to reach it but a blast from an incoming tank snapped her back into the battle. She ducked under the shot before it could strike her. She frowned at the tank before swinging her sword at the ground, splitting it with an energy wave along with the tank. Adora then charged at the soldiers, flicking and tossing them away like they were mere toys.

"I don't think this is the best moment to talk to her." Kyle ducked under the shots.

"Just what happened between her last call and now?!" Loonie asked.

Rogelio growled, expressing his own opinion.

"Um, guys, I think Rogelio is suggesting we get out of here and ask questions later!" Scorpia picked up her friends before running into the Whispering Woods where they would be relatively safe.

Back in the fight between Izuku and Muscular, Izuku landed on top of Muscular, crushing the tank under them and creating a large crack in the ground. He unleashed a barrage of punches upon the Force Captain. Each punch he threw at the large monster was like he was letting out all his pent up rage. Izuku was not thinking, he was letting out everything that life had thrown at him. As his fists connected with Muscular, he felt the ground giving out under them.

"Someone get this monster off of me!" Muscular let out.

A tank shot at Izuku, forcing him to jump back.

Izuku landed away from his target before realizing that he was surrounded by the other tanks.

"FIRE!" Muscular commanded, bleeding from his wounds.

All the tanks opened fire on Izuku, covering him in thick lasers and ammunition. He stood still taking on all the attacks as if he were a statue. He grunted in anger as he heard Muscular laugh through all the tank fire. He narrowed his eyes before charging at one of the tanks, holding up his arms as a form of defense. Pushing through all the laser blasts, he crushed the cannon with one hand before picking up the rest of the machine with the other. Letting out a savage roar, he tossed the tank at another tank.

Izuku turned his sights on the other tanks. He jumped at one of them, splitting it in half with one hand. He heard someone approaching him from behind. Turning his head only to see Muscular punching him in the face. But all that did was anger him. Izuku snatched Muscular's arm, pulling him in for a punch across the face. His body moved faster than Muscular could've predicted. Izuku grabbed Muscular by the head, dragging him through the ground before slamming him against the tanks and the soldiers that hadn't gotten away from him.

Muscular wasn't able to react. He was nothing more than a barely breathing ragdoll. His body was being slammed against the ground and the metal of the tanks. His ribs had been broken by the raw power behind Izuku's onslaught.

Izuku spun Muscular's unconscious body like he would during a hammer throw. Letting out a savage roar, he tossed the Horde Force Captain towards the horizon. But he wasn't done with that. With green sparks crackling around his body, he jumped high in the air, catching up with Muscular's flying form. Izuku let out another savage roar as he delivered a green overpowered punch to Muscular's chest.

There was a sonic boom, with the wind changing directions by the wrath of pure savage brute strength. The blow was so strong that Muscular was sent flying in the direction of the punch, and far from the Whispering Woods.

Izuku landed like a rock in the ground with a loud thump. He was so strong and super charged by the transformation that landing from such a height was no different than taking a step on a stair. He grunted, turning back to rejoin Adora on their path to Brightmoon.

"You have done well." Light Hope's voice popped up in the minds of Izuku and Adora. "The Horde would've made our acquisition of the Moonstone from Brightmoon difficult. They will have to be dealt with eventually in a more thorough manner. But for the time being, we shall focus on the runestones and ensuring the planet is balanced before wiping off any opposition to the new First Ones Empire."

Izuku snapped at her comment. He slammed his fists in the ground, sending a powerful shock wave through it, leaving cracks around him. Izuku slammed his head as though he could shut up Light Hope as easily as shutting down an alarm inside his head. He hated having that voice in his head. Izuku turned to the sky, letting out a defiant roar meant more for a beast than anything resembling a man. In a way, he was trying to defy the heavens that tried to bind him to a destiny he didn't want.

"It would seem that the one known as Izuku is still fighting my control," Light Hope pointed out. "She-Ra, keep him under constant surveillance. If he continues resisting, blast him again. It is your destiny to bring about the return of my creators, your progenitors."

She-Ra turned in the direction of Brightmoon. She was so focused on the goal that she was not going to be stopped by anything. Adora was always driven by the standards of what others expected of her. The only difference now was that she was a tall woman with a legendary sword by her side.

As they walked back on their path, Lonnie, Scorpia, Kyle and Rogelio popped their heads out of their hiding spot.

"What was that?" Kyle asked.

"It sounded like they were talking to someone, or listening to someone." Scorpia shrugged. "I have no idea. It just looked like Izuku was very angry at something. Should we go report this?"

"And tell Hordak and Shadow Weaver that Adora turned into the legendary warrior She-Ra and Izuku became a large hulkish savage that tore apart Muscular like it was nothing?" Lonnie asked.

"By the way, how did you know that was Adora?" Scorpia asked.

Lonnie pulled out a detector.

"She still has her communicator. Plus, last I checked, Catra didn't lose all her fur and tail all of a sudden and turned blonde." Lonnie looked at the detector. "Let's follow them."

"Well, we're already here, so why not?" Kyle said, shrugging off.


Back in Brightmoon, Catra had just finished explaining the situation to Queen Angella, Glimmer, Bow, Netossa, Spinnerella, Entrapta, and Perfuma. And she wasn't one to blame them for their shocked and sad faces. She could see that none of them were hoping to hear this kind of news; one of their heroes and friend had been captured and turned into a hulking brute, she had lost She-Ra's sword, which was then used to turn Adora into a puppet and the traditional She-Ra, and they were now on their way here to enact Light Hope's plan to bring back the First Ones' Empire. Catra couldn't help but feel like they were all in the dumps based on their faces.

"Oh my gosh! Izuku is a First One! And their technology is still working after all these centuries?!" Entrapta asked, jumping up and down like a lovesick puppy. "This is amazing!"

Well, almost everyone.

"Entrapta," Glimmer groaned.

Entrapta quickly read the room, coming to her senses.

"Oh right, I mean, it is terrible that an advanced and probably, most likely, genocidal AI is currently controlling Izuku and is heading this way to take over the Moonstone," Entrapta corrected herself. "There must be something we can do."

"What does this Light Hope aim to achieve by taking the Moonstone?" Queen Angella asked. "Only the Brightmoon royal family has had access to it for generations."

"That isn't necessarily true, according to some of the old legends, She-Ra could connect with the runestones all over Etheria." Castaspella pointed out.

"We saw Catra do that with the Sea Gate, and if Adora is currently She-Ra then she could do the same." Glimmer looked at Catra.

"Oh this is very bad. They have Izuku and She-Ra," Perfuma worried. "What could we possibly do to stop them?"

"No force is unstoppable. We're talking about two warriors, not two hundred," Netossa said, pulling out the map. "Thanks to Catra we know where they are coming from and what their plan is. As we are, we can hold on for a fight against them. If we keep the defenses on the Eastern front we can slow them down for an air strike from our archers."

"Um, if I may, from what we've seen we might not be enough." Entrapta popped from behind Netossa with her data pad. "Izuku, on his own, is capable of battling Horde bots and tanks as well as strong warriors. But now he has become supercharged by the sword's influence. And to be honest, your long range weapons aren't all that good."

Netossa wanted to argue, but her wife placed a hand on her shoulder.

"She's not wrong, honey. We could hold them off but we could use some help," Spinnerella suggested. "I could send a call to the other princesses."

"Do it." Queen Angella nodded.

"I can create a wall of vegetation and trees as another layer of defense." Perfuma offered.

"That'll do greatly, Perfuma. But what about Izuku and Adora? How do we stop them?" Glimmer asked.

All eyes were on Catra as though she was the master strategist of the Alliance. She couldn't help but understand as Netossa and Izuku often went on as the brains of the operation. She tried to look at anything that might've been important back at the Beacon. She then remembered how She-Ra's sword transformed Izuku in the first place and how he snapped at Light Hope.

"The sword is the key." Catra pointed to the image of the sword. "If we can get it away from Adora, we can break the control Light Hope has on Izuku."

"Makes sense, Light Hope is using two different focuses to keep control over two different people. If the first one is broken then the second one will be no longer affected." Entrapta pointed out.

"Are you sure?" Bow asked.

"I'm open to better suggestions," Catra shrugged.

"From what she's told us, it seems to be the best plan," Castaspella said.

"Then that's what we do. We keep them back, pinning them down and away from the Moonstone before separating Adora from Izuku and then her from the sword." Glimmer instructed. "Aunt Cass, can you help me and my mom guard the Moonstone with some spells."

"I know one or two that will have two legendary warriors spinning their heads." Castaspella smiled.

"Wait, Glimmer, you are in no condition for a battle." Queen Angella argued.

"Mom, I won't hide when my home is being attacked by some crazy hologram the First Ones left behind!" Glimmer stood her ground. "I may not be at my best, but it's better than nothing."

"Hey, I don't have my sword and Izuku is coming to attack us, we need all hands on deck, your majesty." Catra defended her friend.

The queen didn't have anything to defend her point. She wanted to protect her daughter, but sadly, she no longer had a proper way to do so. All she could do now was help her and her new friends to defend their home. She saw so much of her husband in her daughter that it frightened her to the bones. She knew it was the kind of fear every parent has faced when their children grow up. She'd be worried about what kind of man Glimmer fell in love with next.

"You will need armor and a weapon." Queen Angella sighed.

"Yes, your majesty," Glimmer smiled.

Queen Angella turned to her loyal friends and allies for what could be the last time. She hoped that she could ensure victory, but she knew better than to jinx their luck at that moment. She however, decided to impart some words of wisdom upon this hour.

"Friends, this might be the most dangerous battle we have ever faced. However, we cannot lose hope, not only because our cause and freedom stands on the edge of a knife, but because the soul of one of our own is at risk. We will stand and protect our home just like we have done before," Queen Angella said. "Today we stand for our alliance and all those that we defend. Now let's show this Light Hope what we're made of!"

Everyone nodded in agreement with a shared encouraging sentiment.


With the meeting done, all the members of the Alliance stationed in Brightmoon set out to make preparations. Following the plan that they had put together, the Alliance's headquarters got ready for a dangerous attack coming towards them. The soldiers prepared themselves, pulling up their weapons and sharpening them while other soldiers armed the defenses of the castle with the aid of Entrapta.

The tech savvy princess had brought some of her experiments to help with the defenses, a couple of energy shields meant to put up a barrier between the castle and the incoming attackers. As Entrapta put in the information on her pad, she explained to some of the soldiers how to use the shields before showing off her other experiments and creations. While she inputted the information on her pad and moved around with her hair, Entrapta found herself thinking of what would happen to her friends. She hadn't always been a good or even adequate people person, but Izuku and Catra had been more than welcoming to her. It made her think if there was something more helping her focus. She shook her head as she got back to work as it was not time to daydream.


On the edge of the forest, Perfuma was using her control over plant life to aid in the defenses. She created a thick wall of plants, along with flowers and poison ivy for good measure. But as she created the wall, she remembered the advice that Izuku had given her back when they first met. Her passive attitude had helped her people, but now she couldn't hold onto it for the future. She needed to know how to throw a punch. If she had done that back when the Horde were attacking the Whispering Woods, then none of this would've happened. She wiped her sweat off her brow before creating a large plant fist.


Back amongst the soldiers, Castaspella was coordinating with Netossa as she organized the defenses of the castle. Castaspella enhanced some of the weapons with some minor stunning spells, hoping that they would be enough to hold back the incoming attack. She turned to Bow and asked if she could add some flare to his arrows.


Netossa was joined by her wife as they both shared a worried look. The messages had been sent to the other princesses but even if they had received them, they could take time getting to Brightmoon, and the two lovers knew it. Netossa and Spinnerella shared a kiss, reassuring each other that they would be alright. They had survived many battles and years of conflict with the Horde to give up now. Besides, they had a friend to save.


Inside the castle, Glimmer was putting on a purple suit of armor and matching gauntlets and bracelets. She hadn't had a reason to wear armor before, but now she knew the weight that all soldiers had to carry. Her eyes turned to a wall of weapons that her father had once used. She didn't know what to pick or what would be best for her limited skills.

Just then, Glimmer's mother walked up to her with a sad smile. She knelt down and offered her daughter a weapon.

Glimmer picked it up from her mother's hand. She held a long purple staff with a circular blade at one end of it with the symbol of Brightmoon. Glimmer looked at her mother with a will to live up to her mother's legacy. She hugged her as a way of reassuring her mother that she would be careful.


Down in Izuku and Catra's room, Catra was looking at the few things that Izuku and her had. She picked up an old picture that had been taken when they first got to Brightmoon. The picture showed Izuku, Catra, Glimmer, and Bow all smiling and laughing in front of the camera before the picture was taken. Catra then looked at the other pictures of their group with the other princesses and friends they had made. She tightened her fist, silently swearing that she would get her friend back.

Meelog rubbed her head against Catra's side, reminding her that she was there.

"Don't worry, girl. We'll get him back." Catra scratched Meelog's head.

Just then a loud crackle of thunder signaled the end of their preparation period.

"Right on time," Catra said, pulling out her old whip.


The soldiers and guards got their weapons ready as the lightning crackled above them. The shields were activated and the long distance weapons were prepared for the worst.

"Everyone, get ready, they're coming!" Netossa ordered, creating two net orbs in her hands.

Queen Angella flew out of the castle with Glimmer next to her as they stood ready to protect the Moonstone.

Perfuma stood next to Entrapta, hoping that the wall she had created was enough.

Catra rode into the battlefield on top of Meelog as Bow prepared his first arrow.

"Get ready," Catra said, narrowing her eyes at what was about to break.

Then they heard it, a loud punch, landing on the plant wall. It came again and again, like a loud knocking on the door of the castle itself. With every punch, the wall shook like a mighty oak resisting against the raging winds of a hurricane. The knocking grew louder and louder until the wall was punched through by a large fist.

The soldiers flinched in shock as Izuku tore an opening in the wall.

Izuku stepped out, stomping like an angry force of nature. He stared at the castle of Brightmoon with glowing green eyes before landing on the army that stood before him. Gritting his teeth, he tried to take a step back but Light Hope did everything to push him onwards.

Adora joined him on the field, giving the opposition a dead look. Part of her was amazed that she was finally at the heart of the Alliance, the heart of the enemy forces. But another part of her couldn't help but feel like this was wrong.

"Let go Adora, this is the first step on your destiny of bringing back balance to Etheria." Light Hope's voice echoed in Izuku and Adora's minds.

Izuku tightened his fists, trying to stop his body from moving.

Meelog let out a roar, snapping Izuku and Adora from their thoughts and Light Hope's words.

"Now!" Queen Angella commanded.

The Brightmoon forces opened fire upon the two empowered warriors. Their arrows flew at the controlled heroes, exploding upon touching the warriors. The soldiers of the Alliance knew that their attacks would barely make a dent on the supercharged legendary warriors, but it was all part of the plan. They stopped firing as they moved on to the next phase of it as a thick wall of smoke obscured their sight.

Perfuma slammed her hands on the ground. Her control over the plantlife came into play, as vines sprang to life from behind and underneath Izuku and Catra. She commanded the vines, wrapping around Izuku and Adora's arms and legs like snakes coiling around their prey.

"They're being pinned down, keep going!" Entrapta said through the radio.

Netossa jumped in, tossing her own nets to pin down Izuku and Adora. She pressed on as Izuku struggled against the restraints around his arms and legs pulling him down. She wrapped her nets around his waist, pulling him to his knees.

Adora let out a defiant roar, snapping her sword arm free. She tried to swing her sword at Perfuma, but she was knocked away from the plant princess by a powerful cyclone.

Spinnerella joined in. She sprung into the air, bringing a large tornado down on Adora.

"Catra, do it now!" Spinnerella pinned down Adora with her winds.

"That's our cue, girl!" Catra and Meelog charged through the madness.

Catra and Meelog rode through the smoke and the vines. They disappeared in the middle of the battlefield with Meelog's power, becoming invisible to any and all that might spot them. They clung down to the ground as they approached Adora's pinned body. The winds were not making it easy for them to move freely, but for the two cats to get close enough to grab the sword, it worked to their advantage. Though it was difficult, they had to try.

Catra dug her claws into the ground as she stretched out her arm to grab the sword. As she fought to hold on to the ground, her hand got close to the sword. She backed away quickly, avoiding a swipe from Adora's sword.

"Are you kidding me?! Even pinned down, you're too stubborn to stop struggling?!" Catra ducked under another swing of Adora's sword hand. "If only you were like this with common sense?!"

Catra caught Adora's hand, digging her claws into her hand. She grabbed hold of her with both hands, wrestling for control of the Sword of Protection. As Catra's claws dug into her former best friend's hand, she did everything in her power to make sure that she got the sword away from Adora. She tugged and pulled the sword away from Adora's grasp, who appeared to have glued the sword to her hand.

Meelog helped Catra pull the sword away, using her teeth to pull Catra back.

Catra felt the sword slowly slipping out of Adora's hand.

"Almost there," Catra struggled.

"Adora!"

Catra looked away from Adora, spotting the origin of the voice. Her eyes landed on Lonnie, Scorpia, Kyle and Rogelio poking out of the hole that Izuku had made.

"What the hell are you guys doing here?!" Catra got distracted long enough for Adora to throw Catra off of her, freeing her hand.

Adora swung her blade down towards Catra's head.

However, before the blade could connect with Catra's head, Perfuma lifted her arm upwards in the form of a fist. Her plants sprung to life, transforming into a large plant fist, punching Adora away from Catra.

Spinnerella flew back as Adora was sent flying past her.

"Wow, flower princess had it in her after all." Catra gasped.

"Whoa, you really sent her all the way up," Entrapta said in amazement.

"I didn't know I had that in me!" Perfuma gasped.

Adora landed with a loud thump not far from where Izuku was being restrained. She pulled herself up with a savage growl. With a quick slice, she freed Izuku, who started rampaging.

"First defense, pin them down!" Netossa created a net dome around Izuku and Adora.

Izuku landed a devastating blow on the dome, shattering it with one strike. He chased after Netossa, throwing punches and kicks like a wild beast. He was then blasted from above by the defenses of the castle. Lifting his arms up, he defended himself as Adora ran in with her sword reeled back.

Adora sent a magic wave to the shields. Her attack caused the shields to shake and crackle as she then rushed to fight the soldiers and the princesses. She continued slashing and sending the soldiers flying with rage and power. She was then met with a powerful blast from the queen herself.

Izuku clapped his hands together, sending the thunderous blast of a sonic boom against the soldiers. He was met with a large wave of plants, pulling him back. Using his super strength, he broke through the plants with a barrage of punches tearing the plants to shreds. He jumped high in the air, stomping on the shields that Entrapta had brought.

"Izuku, please don't destroy my babies!" Entrapta begged.

"We gotta help them!" Catra getting on Meelog.

Catra rode after Izuku and Adora, picking up Netossa and Bow on their way after them. She jumped along with Netossa while Bow and Meelog rode after Adora.

"We've got to get that sword!" Netossa fired a large net immobilizing Adora.

"You don't have to tell me twice!" Catra pounced on top of Adora.

Catra wrapped her arms around Adora, pulling her down with her weight. She was then followed by Netossa pulling down on her nets. She held onto her like a tick, trying to knock Adora out of her balance, but it was like riding a wild bull after wearing an all red jumpsuit. Catra reached out to the sword once more as Netossa pulled Adora down.

"Adora, command the magic by my will." Light Hope commanded.

Adora freed her sword arm, slamming it into the ground. She let out a painful scream as First Ones circuitry spread through the ground.

The energy started to turn the ground into large spiders made out of earth and energy.

The spiders emerged and started attacking the soldiers, pushing them back with savage anger. They were slowly taking the ground and attacking the shields that separated the castle and them.

"Spiders?!" Netossa gasped. "She can summon spiders?!"

"This is all Light Hope's doing!" Catra elbowed Adora's head. "She's using you, Adora, fight back! Even if I have to beat that into you!" She elbowed her again and again, only irritating her.

Adora grabbed hold of Catra, tossing her off her back.


Izuku punched the last soldier out of his way before jumping towards the Moonstone. He landed with a heavy thud before spotting Glimmer, Castaspella and Queen Angella. He walked towards them, frowning and gritting his teeth as though each step took more and more out of his willpower.

"Izuku, snap out of it!" Glimmer held up her staff. "Don't let her control you!"

But her words were not doing enough.

"I'm sorry, Izuku. But maybe this will snap you out of it!" Angella fired a sparkling blast of magic from her hands at Izuku.

Izuku was pushed back by the blast, but not enough to knock him over. He punched the blast, giving himself some space. Punching the attack over and over, he made his way towards them.

"Any day now, Castaspella!" Queen Angella commented, straining herself with all the magic that she was expelling. So much so that she was increasing the amount of magic she was blasting.

"Sorry in advance for this, Izuku!" Castaspella drew two magic glyphs with her magic.

Castaspella threw the two glyphs on top of Izuku's head, activating her spell.

Izuku's body became heavy. Really heavy. He was forced to one knee while the magic held him in place. Letting out a savage roar, his body was screaming from all the punishment he was enduring the onslaught against him. His body tightened as he was bombarded with all the new weight that he had to endure. He wanted to let it go, but Light Hope's control forced him back to his feet. Like a mountain waking up from its eternal slumber, he took a heavy step that cracked the ground under his feet.

"He's still moving?!" Castaspella gasped. "He's got the equivalent of over 200 times the force of gravity on him. Just how much power is coursing through him?!"

"Be impressed later," Angella sighed.

Glimmer jumped in.

"Glimmer!" Angella gasped as Glimmer swung her staff behind Izuku's knee.

Glimmer then slammed her staff behind his head, hoping to knock him back. She spun her staff, striking him in his joints and extremities, just like she had seen Catra do in the past. Panting and sweating, Glimmer struck him one last time in the stomach. She didn't want to hurt him but he was not stopping.

"Izuku, please, come back to us!" Glimmer panted in fatigue and desperation. "This isn't you!"

Izuku glared at Glimmer. He caught her last attack with his hand, tossing the staff away. He reeled back his arm. He was about to strike. But he bit his own hand, stopping himself.

"Get away!" Izuku grumbled trying to hold back.

"Castaspella, send him flying!" Queen Angella stopped her blasting.

"Glimmer, get back!" Castaspella switched her glyphs colors.

Izuku started floating into the air, feeling lighter than a feather. He tried to reach for the ground as Glimmer jumped back. Thrashing around in the air as though fighting an invisible foe, he growled at his new circumstances. He tried to punch his way back to the ground only for Angella and Castaspella to tackle him away.

"Glimmer, protect the Moonstone!" Angella instructed her daughter as she and her sister-in-law pulled Izuku into the clouds.

"Mom! Aunt Cass!" Glimmer cried out in worry.


Back on the battlefield, Adora sliced her way past the forcefield as her spiders wrapped around the soldiers. She was unbothered and unstoppable in her pursuit. The vines and blasts that were meant to take down and stop her barely made a dent in her stride. She effortlessly swung the Sword of Protection to open her path, leaving the battle in the hands of the spiders.

"She's going for the runestone!" Bow shot one of the spiders while Meelog slashed another one with her claws.

"We noticed! But we're getting slaughtered down here!" Catra stabbed another spider in the face before using her whip to trip another one.

"Where are our reinforcements?!" Netossa asked as her wife and Perfuma pushed back the growing number of spiders.

"They should be here," Entrapta ducked under the swipe of a spider leg before punching it away with her hair. "But I don't think it'll matter. We're being overwhelmed. I had expected some form of geokinesis but this is not what I was hoping for."

"You were expecting this?" Perfuma asked.

"Well, according to the code I've decrypted, this isn't far from what some of the First Ones were able to do with their tech and magic." Entrapta ducked as Perfuma sent another plant fist to squash a spider.

"Yeah, but how do we stop it?!" Catra snapped, kicking another spider away.

"They need some form of AI controlling them," Entrapta replied. "If we cut their communication then we could probably stop the spiders."

Catra turned to see Adora making her way to the Moonstone. Narrowing her eyes, Catra could now add another reason to get the sword.

"I gotta get up there and take my sword back," Catra said.

"We'll cover you!" Bow fired another arrow at another one of the spiders.

"Go! Get our friend back before it's too late!" Spinnerella added, lifting a spider before throwing it.

Catra nodded as she ran towards the Moonstone. Like a cat rushing after its prey, she jumped and climbed up the castle walls after Adora. She avoided the spiders, even managing to blind and slash at two of them. She reached the top as Glimmer stood between Adora and the Moonstone.

"Glimmer!" Catra called out as Glimmer held up her staff, blocking Adora's strikes.

Glimmer was being pushed back as she held her position. She looked at Adora with a determined glare. She didn't hate the transformed Adora. She hated who was making her do those things.

"Adora, listen to me, you have to fight this!" Glimmer blocked another sword strike. "This isn't you. You don't have to listen to Light Hope."

Catra pounced on Adora, pulling her back.

"You should listen to Sparkles, Adora! She's wiser than all of us!" Catra flipped Adora away before landing next to Glimmer.

Adora growled at the two princesses that stood before her.

"Adora, aim the sword to the Moonstone, we shall end this and start the return of the First Ones." Light Hope commanded.

Adora lifted the sword firing a blast to the Moonstone. Her blast struck, causing lightning to shoot out of the runestone and into the sky.

"No!" Glimmer jumped at Adora with Catra by her side.

They shorted out whatever it was that Light Hope wanted, but it wasn't enough.

Catra wrestled the sword out of Adora's hands, but it seemed like it was easier said than done. She was then aided by Glimmer choking Adora with her staff. Catra used this chance to spin the sword downwards. Pushing it down as if it were the legendary sword in the stone, she stuck the sword down, immobilizing it before giving Adora a smug smile. Catra reeled back her head, giving Adora a headbutt so strong that it broke her headband.

Adora was knocked out, leaving Glimmer and Catra panting.

"We did it!" Glimmer cheered.

But their celebration was all too soon.

"This has done nothing to stop what is to come." Light Hope appeared in a light from the Sword of Protection. "This is a minor setback. As long as Adora is She-Ra, this will not stop. The destiny of the First Ones shall return once more." As Light Hope spoke, the spiders continued on their onslaught, cornering the remains of the Brightmoon soldiers and princesses down below.

With a heavy and thunderous thump, Izuku landed behind Catra and Glimmer, dropping Angella and Castaspella. He slowly walked towards Catra and Glimmer, only stopping when he noticed Catra's broken headband.

"He-Man, retrieve the sword and fulfill your destiny, as the father of the new First Ones Empire." Light Hope pointed to the sword.

"That's not his name!" Glimmer snapped. "His name is Izuku. He's our friend and he doesn't take orders from some ancient ghost in a machine!"

"He is a First One as is Adora, the real She-Ra. Cast aside your stubbornness and face your defeat with honor." Light Hope's eyes flickered.

Catra just stared as she walked towards the Sword of Protection.

"If you really think that destiny is something unavoidable, then you are an idiot. Even now Izuku is fighting your control, and since you're spread too much without someone to guide your orders, you can feel it," Catra said as Light Hope frowned. "He will never let you turn him into a puppet for someone else's ambitions. He would rather die than let you hurt others." Catra grabbed the handle of the Sword of Protection.

"Release the sword this instant! You are not She-Ra!" Light Hope snapped in fury. "You are not a First One!"

"You're right, I'm not a First One. And I'm not the She-Ra that you or they would've wanted," Catra replied. "But I am the one this world needs! Just as I know that Izuku would have a few things to say about your idea of destiny."

Izuku jumped towards Catra and Glimmer. His fist reeled back as though to bring about the last punch of the fight.

Catra and Glimmer prepared for the worst, but they didn't close their eyes.

But the worst never came.

Izuku's hand grabbed hold of the Sword of Protection.

"T-Thanks for not giving up on me, girls." Izuku smiled as his eyes returned to normal.

"Hey, I just got you to be my man, I wasn't gonna let some flat hologram take you from me," Catra replied.

"Izuku! You are a First One, your destiny-!" Light Hope snapped.

"My destiny is mine to write!" Izuku and Catra pulled out the Sword of Protection from where it lay. "I'll take your so-called future and smash it to pieces!"

"For the Honor of Grayskull!" Catra called out, transforming into her own version of She-Ra, getting a restored headband.


Back down on the battlefield, the spiders prepared for their final attack. However, before they could land a blow, a massive tidal wave swept the spiders away as a large ice pillar lifted the wounded and tired soldiers from where they stood.

The cavalry had arrived in the form of Mermista and Frosta.

Mermista sailed in on a small sailboat, accompanied by Loyax and Sea Hawk.

"For the Alliance!" Mermista called out, brandishing her trident.

"For the Alliance!" Loyax drew out his sword like the old knight that he was.

"Adventure!" Sea Hawk added, pulling out a lit torch only to have Loyax smack it out of his hand.

Frosta shot out ice spikes at the remaining spiders as the soldiers got their second wind.

"Do not give them an inch!" Frosta called out. "You will not hurt my friends!"

"Have at thee, fiends!" Loyax jumped in, slashing the spiders away.

The battle had turned in the favor of the Alliance. With the arrival of Mermista, Frosta, Loyax and Sea Hawk, they were able to destroy the remaining spiders with swift and combined might. They combined their powers to land destructive blows to the spiders, breaking them down to nothing more than scrap meant for the ground.


Back at the top of the castle, Izuku and Catra joined hands, giving Light Hope one last defiant look. They focused their power into the sword, firing it through the hologram and making it dissipate with one final scream. Their pure energy split the large thunderstorm above them, undoing whatever the corrupt computer program had in mind. They kept going, unleashing all the energy the sword had focused back into the world, creating a rain of light.

The power went back into the Moonstone and the other runestones, causing them to shine brighter than they ever have before. This affected all the princesses with connections to their respective runestones.

Glimmer and her mother shone brightly, as the princess broke free from her curse. She teleported a few times to make sure that she was better.

The members of the Alliance cheered for their victory. However, unbeknownst to them, Adora and her taskforce had gotten away from Brightmoon.


As night came, there was a ceremony to honor the heroes that had saved the Alliance and maybe more.

"For services performed far beyond the call of duty, I, Queen Angella, knight you, Loyax of Salineas, Defender of the Sea Gate, knight of Brightmoon." Queen Angella knighted Loyax. "You may rise."

Loyax rose to the cheer and claps of the people.

The friends and princesses stood together, feeling like they had just taken a step forward against both the Horde and Light Hope's actions. Though now they were left with some questions and thoughts about where to go from then on out.

Bow was talking with Sea Hawk as Loyax did his best to ensure that his friends didn't indulge too much.

Castaspella spoke to Netossa and Spinnerella about something that made them giggle.

Glimmer and her mother laughed as she gave her permission to study under her aunt.

Mermista, Entrapta, Frosta and Perfuma all shared a toast and battle tales.

Meanwhile, Izuku and Catra stood at the balcony, looking at the stars.

"So, how was it?" Catra asked.

"Too much power in my opinion," Izuku replied, now back in his normal body. "It seems like Meelog is enjoying her new home." He pointed at Meelog as she rubbed her head against Catra.

"Yeah, she earned a lot of fish." Catra scratched Meelog's ears. "So, how does it feel to be a First One?"

"It feels like I'm still me. But no matter what happens, we will write our own destinies," Izuku said.

"We do have time." Catra kissed his cheek. "And we've got a few friends to reward."


Meanwhile, back at the Frightzone, Hordak was furious. He smashed his work table, snarling like a wild beast.

"I am surrounded by traitors and fools! We have lost enough battles," Hordak paced. "But my work must continue. The war goes on. Prepare Project Rebirth!"

All his computers lit up with different schematics and markings of the First Ones. Hordak looked at his many screens, ensuring that his plans started to be put into motion. He narrowed his eyes at the images of She-Ra that appeared before him.

"I will ensure that your memory is wiped from the rest of the world for what you've done, Mara," Hordak said. "I will avenge you, my masters. And rule in your name."