"Sophie?" Fitz asks, breaking the long silence that had held as the trio walked back to Bright Moon. Biana had mostly filled that time trying not to cry and/or run back to Maruca, so she welcomes the distraction of the others' conversation. "How did you plan on telling Edaline about Biana? She'll be happy about She-Ra, but maybe a bit less thrilled about the Neverseen soldier part."
"Ex-Neverseen soldier," she corrects, quietly.
"Right. Sorry."
Sophie stops in their tracks. "Oh. I... didn't think of that."
"She's gonna hate me," Biana groans.
Waving a dismissive hand, Sophie says "Don't worry. I'm sure it'll be fine. Just... maybe we should introduce you in She-Ra form?"
"One problem. I don't exactly know how to summon She-Ra." Until earlier today, she had no idea that part of her even exists. And now Sophie's mother liking her relies on her being able to figure it out, and fast. This is not good. This is very not good. All she wants to do is not disappoint people, and leaving the Neverseen will definitely let Vespera down, not to mention Maruca, so she would rather not mess this up with Queen Edaline too.
"I'm sure you'll figure it out- how hard can it be? You just hold up the sword and look cool and say the magic words."
"I guess." She gives the sword in her hands an inquisitive look. "For the honor of the moonlark?"
Nothing happens.
Helpfully, Fitz offers "You have to sound more confident! Show that sword who's boss!"
"For the honor of the moonlark!"
Once again, nothing happens.
"I'm sure it's fine! How about you practice out here while I go get yelled at by my mom? Great, good luck."
True to their word, the moment Sophie walks into Havenfield, Edaline storms up to them, screaming "Sophay! What in Eternalia were you thinking? I ground you and expect you to stay in your room for at least one night, but no, you go running off to ancients-know-where, leaving only the most vague note in existence and giving me a heart attack. Explain yourself!"
"Sorry, Mom," Sophie says, shuffling their feet.
"That is not an explanation."
They take a deep breath. "So, Fitz found this really cool piece of Ancients' technology in the wandering woods, and we went to go investigate, but while we were out there, we found something even better- you'll love this, I promise." Judging by Edaline's raised eyebrow, she does not believe their promise. They reach up to tug out an eyelash. "I know I scared you, but this is really good, I'm telling you."
"Alright. Show me."
Twisting their fingers together, Sophie admits "It might take a little while... in the meantime, breakfast?"
The look Edaline gives them proves full well that they are not off the hook. They hope Biana's ready soon.
Biana is not ready, nor will she be soon. She's tried yelling "for the honor of the moonlark" in every voice she can think of, every accent and pitch and heart-wrenching imitation of Maruca. It seems like even the horse, who she has taken to calling Horsey in her complaints, is judging her failure. Not surprising. "Come on, Horsey, help me!" Biana yells. "Sword? Work? For the honor of the moonlark!?" The frustration in her voice seems to have achieved something, because the sword sparkles, and then bright light fires at Horsey. Who neighs, rearing back as it grows... wings. Rainbow wings. And a horn.
Is this normal for Havenfield?
When Horsey begins running in a panic, it becomes clear that no, this is not normal for Havenfield. Biana follows, trying her best to ignore the shocked gasps of the other Bright Moon citizens. Especially when they all notice the white eye, the Neverseen insignia, on the back of her shirt. They know who she is, but they don't, not quite- because they don't know she left. They just see an enemy, and there's shouting, and she just wants it to stop.
Horsey forgotten, Biana runs to the Wanderling Woods. Doesn't stop until she stumbles upon a little cottage with an old woman outside, wearing a dress of pink and purple and red and orange. When she sees Biana, her face lights up. "Jolie!"
"...who's Jolie? Who are you?"
The woman laughs. "Jolie, don't tell me you don't remember Doctor Livvy!"
She opens her mouth, closes it, and opens it again. "I'm sorry, I think you have me confused with someone else."
Livvy's face falls. "Oh. I suppose I do. It's not the right time for Jolie, she's from the past. Or the future? I don't know. But you... you also have the sword."
"Lot of good it's doing me," Biana mutters, glaring.
"Come, pick berries with me."
"I- what?" Livvy's off before she can stop her, and Biana still hasn't gotten any answers. So, she follows. "Is that... an Ancients' ruin?"
Livvy nods. "Alluvaterre. It has good berries!"
And she's... climbing. Climbing up this scarily tall structure. Of course.
"Doctor Livvy? I don't think this is a good idea..."
"Nonsense!" The words are barely out of her mouth when she falls, and Biana dives to catch her. She's expecting Livvy to be shaken, or something, but she jumps to her feet and dusts off her dress. "Thank you, Jolie. Follow me." Against her better judgement, Biana obeys. "Look," Livvy orders, clearing a tree branch out of her view. Ae sees broken houses and Neverseen weapons.
Not quite realizing she's saying, or even thinking the words, Biana whispers "This is wrong."
Livvy nods. "You're a lot like Jolie. Kind, and brave. But scared."
"I'm not scared," Biana insists, knowing full well it sounds like a lie. Mostly because it is.
"Of course you're scared! You asked the first crazy old lesbian in the woods for advice!"
Her reply dies in her throat, replaced with a cry of "Horsey!" as Biana sees the horse tied up by cloaked Neverseen soldiers. "For the honor of the moonlark!" This time, it works, and Biana is She-Ra again. There's barely time to marvel at it before she runs off to save Horsey. It makes her sick, that just yesterday she was willingly a part of something so awful. But now she knows the truth, and she's not going back. Biana screams and thrusts the sword and one soldier, than another.
Livvy jumps into the battle. This seems like a bad idea, but Biana is too busy to point this out. It seems like Doctor Livvy can hold her own, though, as she yells "Doctor Lesbian power!" and rainbow sparkles erupt around her. A soldier flies backwards, and finally, they retreat. Biana leans forward, panting, and Livvy smiles at her. "It looks like you know what to do."
Maybe she does. Biana looks at Horsey. "Could I get a ride back to Havenfield?" She doesn't say home. Messed up as it is, the Neverseen base is still her home. Maruca is still her home.
Barely holding back sobs, Maruca scratches out the little drawing of her and Biana, the B+M on the side of her bed. That was a lie. They don't go together anymore, Biana plus Maruca. They aren't a unit. They aren't anything, except now they're soldiers on opposite sides of the battlefield because Biana left. And Maruca hates her. Worse, Maruca might still love her. But Biana left, and Maruca just has a gaping hole where a girl used to be.
"Maruca." Vespera's voice is cold, in sharp contrast to this burning rage. "Pull yourself together. You have failed at your assignment, and I demand an explanation. Where. Is. Biana."
"Biana left!" Her scream slices through the air.
For once, Vespera is silent.
"Biana left, she's our enemy now. And that might have been the right decision!"
She doesn't mean it- how could leaving Maruca have been the right decision?- but Vespera looks like she's been slapped. "I am bringing you to see Lord Brant!" she hisses. The walk is silent, Maruca fighting back hot tears because she won't cry over a traitor like Biana, especially not in front of Vespera, especially not in front of Brant. Once they arrive, she stays silent as Vespera explains the situation.
"It seems to me that you are short one force captain," Brant says finally.
"Yes, my lord, but we should have Biana back shortly, despite that one's failure-"
"No. We won't waste any more time on her. Appoint this girl instead."
The first thing that comes out of her mouth for a long time is a near inaudible "I-"
"Rise, force captain Maruca."
Maruca is still frustratingly on her mind as Horsey sweeps into the throne room of Havenfield. Queen Edaline, midway through lecturing Sophie about inviting Neverseen soldiers into the kingdom, cuts herself off. "Wha- She-Ra?"
"That's what Fitz and I were trying to tell you!" Sophie says. They smile at her.
She can't quite return it, knowing the people here might not be quite so excited about She-Ra if they knew it was Biana holding the sword. Still, Edaline's warm smile seems more welcoming than Vespera's icy stares, so this isn't the most terrifying authority figure she's ever had to approach. "Your majesty," she says, "I've come to pledge myself to the Black Swan, but you should know that..." her voice trails off, and she lets the facade slip to reveal Biana. "I know the Neverseen does horrible things, and that's why I left them. I want to fight, if you'll let me."
Queen Edaline considers her for a long, terrifying moment. Then finally, she says "Rise, She-Ra. Protector of Eternalia."
