AN: I DO NOT OWN SHE-RA AND THE PRINCESSES OF POWER

Catra had a secret plan… she wanted to bring back Glimmer's mother in order to truly make it up to Glimmer. Catra had discussed it with Entrapta. She often traveled to the kingdom of Dryl. After weeks of research on portals (Catra had to go find some more first one's tech), an inquiry with Madame Razz (don't even ask), and tiny food, the two had come up with a safe plan. The basic idea was that if they opened another portal, the retired Queen would be able to come through. But this portal wasn't one to another place inside the universe, it was to outside time, out of 'reality'. Dangerous but Catra had to try. She wasn't going to let Adora take this one and risk herself.

The portal was ready after a few months. Entrapta had worked extensively to make it safe. The hard part was trying to go through the portal and look for Angela. Catra would handle that. She had a suit, everything needed. A metal rope connected her to Etheria and whatever was on the other side of the portal.

Today was the day Catra would do this. She still hadn't told anyone. She didn't want to bring hopes up in case this thing failed. And it would also pay to see the look on Sparkle's face when she sees her mother that's supposed to be trapped between realities. Catra smiled at the thought.

"Initiating portal trial 24, energy source appears to be providing enough strength to the framework of the machine. Power on," Entrapta recorded.

The machine seemed to glow as it opened a doorway.

"Energy recordings are stable, initiating matter transport," Entrapta said as she threw a rock attached to another chain and pulled it back after a few seconds. It came back. "Matter transport is a success, mission Retrieve Retired Queen, RRQ, is a launch."

Catra jumped into the portal to see… everything. Quite literally, it was as though they were all visions. Not exactly seen, but they were sensed. There was no light, sound or anything. But somehow, Catra could tell what and where everything was. She knew she had to hurry up or else when she came back, a decade may have passed on Etheria. She calls for the Queen, who appears next to her.

Angela smiled and looked at Catra. "Hello, Catra."

Catra returned the smile, but was still unsure whether the queen even knew of her change of sides. Catra grabbed the queen's hand and pulled the chain to its end, leading them back to Etheria. Both Catra and Angela tumble out of the portal and hear Entrapta exclaim.

Catra immediately stands up and greets the old Queen. "Your majesty."

Angela looks around as though she can't believe she's back. Meanwhile, Entrapta is rolling around on her levitating chair as she blurts out some science. Catra chuckles at the scene.

"It had been quite some time," Angela finally says.

Catra replies with a tense expression, "Welcome back."

Angella nods and smiles. "You don't have to be guilty, afterall, I did see your change of ways."

Catra relaxes. "Your majesty, I think you would like to meet everyone back at Brightmoon."

Angela smiles again, "Yes, I would."

Catra smugly smiles, thinking of Glimmer's expression when she sees this. "Your majesty, we may need a plan. I can't simply barge into the war room and yell 'Sparkles, your mom is back'."

Angela laughed. "You're right."

"I suggest we directly travel through land in Entrapta's specialized machine. It will take about a few hours. Then, I could explain to Spar- Glimmer what exactly happened and you could meet her!" Catra said enthusiastically. She had the I-wanna-blow-something-up look.

Angela nodded.

And so they traveled across the whispering woods to reach Brightmoon within a few hours. Catra had refused to tell Angela anything she asked, saying it would be better if she saw for herself. Long story short, the ride was boring.

Catra headed inside the castle when they reached. Angela was to stay there for some time.

Catra was immediately greeted by Adora who crushed her in her super strong hug. "Catra, you're back! I missed you!"

"Jeez, I was only gone for like, three days!" Catra said, laughing.

"Listen, I gotta go to the war room. You should come with," Catra said smugly.

They both raced like usual until they reached the war room. Only Glimmer and Bow were there.

"Greetings, your majesty," Catra said jokingly while bowing.

Glimmer laughed. "Hello, Supreme Advisor."

Catra smiled. "I've come to explain something."

Catra recounted her story of how she'd been trying to bring Angella back. Adora looked at her as though Catra was being kind. Bow looked at her over-emotionally. Glimmer was near tears of joy mixed with the sadness of her mom gone. Her eyes quite literally sparkled. Catra smiled at the scene, but the biggest surprise was yet to come. Angella planned to come flying from the window and into the room.

"Hey, Sparkles, turns out I actually succeeded," Catra said.

Even to say Glimmer was over excited was an understatement. She was looking at Catra in a way that immediately said thank you. And something else Catra wasn't accustomed to. Catra couldn't be sure. Glimmer ran forward and squeezed Catra in a hug.

"Ahh, there it is," Catra said, trying to return the hug.

At that moment, Angela did come flying through the window. All eyes were on Catra so no one took notice except Catra, who smiled smugly.

"Glimmah," Angela said in her accent, smiling.

Glimmer got up, eyes full of tears of joy only now. She ran up and immediately hugged her mother. "Mom,"

She said nothing more, yet that one word conveyed so much emotion, it was said with such love that no one had seen beforehand from Glimmer.

Angela returned the hug. Adora, Bow and Catra watched the scene.

"You've grown," Angela stated. Glimmer looked at her confused until she said, "As a person. When I was trapped, I could see glimpses of what was happening on Etheria."

Glimmer smiled. "I knew it! I knew it really was you when I was fighting a chipped dad!"

At the mention of Micah, Angela couldn't help but be surprised. "Micah… where is he?"

"He's currently at Mystacore." Glimmer replied. "He's decided on teaching me sorcery now that Shadow Weaver is gone."

Catra tried to hide it but she was still uncomfortable with that name. Angry at it. Her tail stopped moving happily and just froze. Angela took notice but didn't say anything as she thought Catra wouldn't want that.

Adora did notice too and whispered to her. "She's gone, don't worry."

Catra just nodded.

Glimmer and Bow were still oblivious.

"Your majesty," Bow greeted, overcoming his initial shock.

"Bow," Angela hugged him too. "And of course, Adora!"

Adora ran up to join the hug as Glimmer laughed at Bow's expression.

Catra looked at the scene happily.

Later in the day, Angela's return was announced by herself to Brightmoon. Everyone erupted with joy. She gave all the credits to Catra and Entrapta, and everyone cheered Catra on.

Catra couldn't help but say, "Alright Brightmoon, I got your previous Queen back from being trapped between realities, let's not make a big thing out of it."

Most people laughed and this time the crowd just cheered her harder. Catra rolled her eyes but she smiled happily. Once more, Adora felt her heart flutter.

The Best Friends Squad and Angela ate dinner at Glimmer's room. It had changed a lot, it was more organized for sure. There were books of sorcery and politics on some new book shelves.

"It's good to have you back, mom," Glimmer said.

Angela smiled.

They ate dinner in comfortable silence. It was only then Catra was truly able to forgive herself, all her wrongs were righted by her.