Fate/Princesses of Power

Part 1

The dark sky shimmers with muted shades of purple and smaller planets orbit the planet, Etheria.

Beyond the flowery meadows of Etheria, rises the Fright Zone. Raised roadways and ghoulish robotic structures surround the city landscape.

Inside a locker room, Adora cinches the belt around her waist and dawns a pair of boots. She pulls her hair back in a ponytail and her armband glows. Adora boxes a punching bag and pauses to brush her teeth before kicking the punching bag.

She gargles and salutes at the mirror. The young girl smiles and began mimicking gunshots as she stared at the mirror. Adora began throwing a few punches and stops as she walks past the punching bag that has a picture of an evil figure.

She glanced back."Hey, princess, you looking at me?"

She turned around and lands a kick on the punching bag. Adora leers on the picture as footsteps were heard from behind her.

"Well, looks like someone's prepared."

Adora turns back and sees a young male with short blonde hair wearing a black coat with a red shirt underneath, black jeans and black shoes.

"Arthur, hey! What's up?"Adora greeted.

"Nothing much other than preparing myself for the next training session."Arthur said."Oh and here's your staff."

Arthur takes out a collapsable staff and tosses it at Adora, who catches it.

"Thanks."she said before looking at Arthur whose face looked like he was thinking of something."Hey."

Arthur looked at her."Hm?"

"You doing okay? Is there something that crosses your mind?"

"It's nothing, really."

"If this is about the training session, don't worry, you got this."Adora playfully punches his shoulder."You're like the most skilled student around here. Plus, keep that up and maybe you'll be Force Captain."

"I guess so."Arthur said with a little

"And that would make your father proud too. Don't you want that?"she added

Arthur nodded."Of course I do. Thanks for lightening me up, anyways. I appreciate it."

"Anytime, Arthur."Adora said.

Just then, a woman's voice is heard through the PA."All squadrons, report to training area immediately for evaluation."

"Let's not keep them waiting."Arthur said.

Adora nodded and the two of them head to the training area. Soon after, the two takes their place beside 3 more recruits. Adora takes a look around the area before looking at the other recruits.

"Psst."Adora whispered."Anyone seen Catra?"

Lonnie only mumbled in reply while the rest just shrugged and shook their head.

Arthur scoffed."Not again."

"When does she ever stop being absent on training?"Adora said.

A Blue Horde Member walks in and explains the simulation to them using a holographic presentation."At attention, cadets. Your simulation is about to begin. Here's your scenario. You'll be passing through the treacherous Whispering Woods to reach the heart of the rebel insurgency, Bright Moon."

The recruit beside Adora, Kyle, whimpers upon hearing this.

"Your mission is to defeat the Queen of the Princesses and liberate Bright Moon in Lord Hordak's name."The Horde Member takes a look around."Where's Catra?"

"She will be here. I promise."Adora told him.

"Mm-hmm."The Horde Member nodded."The Whispering Woods is full of princesses. Vicious, violent instigators. They will take you out if given the chance. Don't give it to them. Good luck, recruits."

The door before the recruits slid open and they entered the training room. Adora and Arthur uses their headgears and looked around the area.

No enemies were seen so far until they lif their heads up to see a two robots displaying as holographic princesses overhead. The robots notices them and fires a red beam at the recruits.

"Look out!"Arthur yelled.

They moved out of the way, dodging the laser shot. Kyle panics as he, Lonnie and Rogelio runs away, dodging the shots that were sent at them.

"Oh, no, no, no, no, no!"

On the other hand, Arthur and Adora took out their bombs at the robots which sticks on them before it eventually explodes, destroying the robots in the process

"Come on, this way!"Adora said.

The recruits followed their direction and continued their way through the training room as a feline figure watches them from above and leaps away.

Back down, the recruits continued running away until a laser shot is fired at Kyle, sending him back. Arthur, Adora, Lonnie and Rogelio stop at their tracks and went back to where Kyle is.

They knelt down to check on him. His suit began sizzling and as he opens his eyes, an X mark appears on his chestplate.

Kyle looked down."Aw, dang it."

"Seriously, Kyle?"Adora said.

"Bra-vo."Lonnie said sarcastically as she crosses her arms.

Rogelio just shook his head as a farm of response. Arthur sighed and helped him up. Kyle grunted as he was placed back up to his feet but then, he felt something was wrong.

He lifts his head up and gaps lightly. Arthur, Adora, Lonnie and Rogelio did too and sees a bunch of robots looking down at them.

"Seriously, Kyle?!"Lonnie exclaimed.

The robots then fired at them but the recruits quickly hold shields over their heads, protecting themselves from the attack.

"Run!"Arthur yelled.

The recruits nodded and ran away as the robots chased them down while Kyle just laid down on the floor. The remaining recruits continued running away from the robots until they arrived at an open area.

Adora smiled, thinking that they've made it until a beep sound is heard.

"Adora!"Arthur said.

Adora looked down to see red hexagons glowing under her feet and a robotic orb shoots up from the floor. The orb morphs into a four legged robot which then begins to attack them with a laser beam.

Arthur, Adora Lonnie and Rogelio quickly dodges the beam. After that, Adora takes out her staff while Arthur unsheathes his sword from its scabbard and the two rush towards the robot.

The robot aims its guns at its incoming targets and shoots at them. Adora and Arthur dodged the blast and continued surging forward.

"Like usual?"Adora asked him.

"Like usual."Arthur replied

As soon as they got near, Arthur cuts off the robots legs, while Adora gets on the upper part of the robot and bashes its head with her staff.

She smashes it over and over again until it sinks to the floor. Adora leaps off and flops onto the floor face-down. Arthur rushes over and helps her up.

"Nice job."Arthur said.

"Thanks."Adora said.

The two then turn their heads to see Catra striding past them. She stops right next to the robot and pushes the crackling robot into the floor. Catra faces her friends who gave her a look of annoyance. She smirks and points at the red symbol beneath them.

Before they could do anything, Arthur and Adora falls into the floor but uses their weapons to stop themselves from falling.

Catra chuckled and stares down at them."Hey, you two. How's it hangin'?"

"Catra. Did you really show up late and let us do all the hard parts? That is low, even for you."Adora said.

"And quite unfair too."Arthur said.

"Aw. You know nothing's too low for me."Catra laughed before stretching her arms out for them."Now come on, you two look stupid hanging down there."

Arthur and Adora both sighed as they were pulled out by Catra. After they were pulled out, the woman speaks over the PA.

"Training exercise successfully completed."

Later, Arthur, Adora and Catra are back in the locker room. Arthur and Adora put most of their gear on their lockers as Catra walks in, laughing.

"You two should've seen your faces. You were like, "Aah, no! Betrayal."Catra mocked.

Adora scoffed."Come on, Catra. We're senior cadets now. I can't believe you're still pulling such childish, immature-"

"Is that a mouse?"Arthur pointed at something.

Catra was then alarmed and her hair spiked up as she looks around."What!? Where!?"

Adora and Arthur laughed and Catra pouts at them.

"When are you ever going to not fall for that?"Adora said.

" I don't know. Are you ever going to let it go? That was one time."Catra said.

"It's true but for some reason it's always funny."Arthur said.

A voice is then heard."Adora."

The three turn their heads to see a sinister-looking woman with long sleek, black hair walking towards them.

Adora and Arthur saluted at her presence."Shadow Weaver."

"You and Arhur have both done well. You've completed your training course in record time."Shadow Weaver said.

"Uh, well, that wasn't just me and Arthur. You know, Catra did, too."Adora said.

"Ah, yes. How someone as unmotivated as you completed the course in that time, I'll never know."Shadow Weaver said in an almost nonchalant manner.

"Always serving up those pep talks, huh, Shadow Weaver?"Catra joked.

"Silence."Shadow Weaver said in a dark tone as her hair looms over her."Do not be flippant with me, cadet."

Catra looked away." Sorry, Shadow Weaver."

Shadow Weaver pulls her hair away and motions her finger."Adora, walk with me."

Adora looks at her friends."I'll see you guys later then?"

Catra shrugged.

"Sure. See you later, Adora."Arthur said.

"Oh and Arthur, your father is calling you."Shadow Weaver told the male.

"Of course. I'll be there right away."Arthur said.

Shadow Weaver nods and walks away as Adora followed her. Arthur went off to a different direction and walked away as Catra watches them leave.

After a while, Arthur walks to a throne room where he sees Hordak sitting on his throne.

Upon arrival, he knelt down at his presence.

"You called for me, father?"Arthur said.

"I have watched your performance today. You and Adora have done quite well."Hordak said.

"Thank you."Arthur said.

Hordak rose up and walks to his son."For years, I have trained you to become one of my most skilled soldiers. Ever since I had you, I saw the great potential that you hold. And now is the time to prove yourself."

Arthur lifts his head up to face his father. Meanwhile, Adora and Shadow Weaver were walking through the hallway.

" Lord Hordak has been watching you. He thinks you are a fine candidate for Force Captain."Shadow Weaver told her.

"Really? Force Captain? Lord Hordak said that about me?"Adora asked,

"Oh yes. He sees great promise in you. In fact, he has elected you the honor of leading a squadron in the invasion of the rebel Fortress of Thaymor."

Adora looked at her."Thaymor? You mean we're finally seeing active duty?"

"You are seeing active duty."Shadow Weaver said.

"But I'll be able to bring my team along, right?"Adora asked

"Your team is not ready. They'll only slow you down."Shadow Weaver answered.

"But what about Arthur?"

"Arthur is ready but he'll most likely work close with Lord Hordak."

"Shadow Weaver, with all due respect, they've been training hard for this, too. And Catra, all she wants is to get out there and prove herself."

"Then she should have worked harder to prove herself to me. This is what I raised you for, Adora. Now is your chance to prove yourself."

Shadow Weaver grabs something out from her pocket and hands out a Horde Force Captain Badge to Adora. She looks at in awe before taking it.

" I saw talent in you the moment I found you as an orphan child and took you in. Is this not what you've wanted since you were old enough to want anything?"Shadow Weaver asked her.

"Yes."Adora replied.

"With you at the forefront, we will crush the Bright Moon Rebellion once and for all. Do not disappoint me."

Shadow Weaver walks away while Adora gazes out the window. Back at the throne room, Hordak hands out a Horde Force Captain badge and Arthur looks at it in awe.

"Father, I..."Arthur said.

Hordok then clips the badge on his son's jacket."I am proud of you, my son. I look forward to your progress as Force Captain."

Arthur smiled a little and bowed."I will not let you down, father."

"I know you won't."Hordak said.

Somewhere, a white castle is perched on a mountain beside a blue lake. At the castle's entrance, Glimmer takes a look around and hears her mother calling.

"Send her in."Angella ordered.

Glimmer looks around nervously as two guards walked past her. She takes a deep breath before entering a royal hall and approaches the queen who is sitting on her throne.

She knelt down."Your Majesty."

" I'm told you disobeyed orders and led the Rebellion into a dangerous combat situation after you were ordered to retreat."Angella said.

Glimmer lifted her head up to look at her." I was trying to protect a village from falling into The Horde's grasp."

"You were reckless and put yourself and the other rebels in danger."

"Fighting is supposed to be dangerous! How are we going to hold our own against The Horde if we keep retreating? Pretty soon, we won't have anything left to defend."

Angella rose up from her throne and walked down the staircase."I'm growing tired of your back-talking, Commander Glimmer."

"Why did you even make me a commander if you won't let me fight?"

"That's enough! You're grounded!"Angella exclaimed as her wings rose up slightly.

Glimmer scoffed."Mom!"

"You heard me!"

" You never let me do anything!"

"We are not having this discussion tonight. You are embarrassing me in front of my royal court."

The guards looked at each other.

"Oh, I'm embarrassing you?"

"Go to your room!"Angella ordered, raising her voice.

"I'm going!"

Glimmer storms off as Angella watches her leave and sighed. Back at the Fright Zone, Arthur gazes over the dark city. He takes off the badge from his jacket and looks at it as thoughts started rushing through his mind.

His thoughts were soon cut short when he hears a voice calling out for him.

"Hey, Arthur!"It was Adora.

Arthur looks at her."Oh, hi. So, how was with Shadow Weaver?"

Adora takes out a Horde Force Captain badge which surprises Arthur but nonetheless, he was proud for her.

"Nice. You're officially Force Captain."Arthur congratulated.

"Heh, yeah, well, it's not a big of a deal. What about you?"Adora said.

Arthur shows her his own Horde Force Captain badge as well.

"No way! Congrats, Arthur!"Adora said.

Arthur smiled only a little."Thanks."

Adora leaned over the railing."But..I think this is probably the last time we'll be working together"

"Hm? Why do you say that?"he asked.

"Earlier, Shadow Weaver told me that I'll be the only one who's seeing active duty. Which means, I'll be leaving my team, you and Catra. And I guess the same goes for you right?"Adora asked him.

"Yeah..."Arthur said sadly as he gazes over the Fright Zone.

Adora looks at him with concern."Is everything alright? You're acting like that again. Are you sure there's nothing going on?"

Without having any choice, Arthur sighed and spoke.

"It's just that...I'm having these dreams recently. I couldn't tell exactly what it was but..it's like...it's telling me something but I don't know what it's trying to tell me. Every day, I...I feel like I have some sort of life outside the Fright Zone. I just can't seem to put things together."Arthur told her.

Adora was rather surprised upon hearing that. She didn't really know what to say but tries to.

"Hey, whatever it is, it's..just a nightmare, right? It's not like some sort of prophecy or a glimpse of the future, so you have nothing to worry about."Adora said.

"But...what if it's telling me something that I don't even know?"Arthur said."I'm not even sure if this is the life that I'm supposed to be living."

Adora puts her hands on his shoulder, easing him down a little bit.

"Calm down."Adora said softly."Look, I don't know where this is coming from but everything's going to be alright. Right now, you're probably living the best life. Heck, you're even Force Captain now. Who knows what stuff you'll be doing but I bet that you'll be doing great things as Force Captain. You got this, Arthur. I know you can."

Arthur looks at her and smiled."Thanks, Adora. I think that may have helped a bit."

"I'm glad I was able to help."Adora said.

Just then, Catra jumps down and lands on the railing next to them.

"Woah!"Adora exclaimed."Catra?"

"Finally I found you two."Catra said getting off the railing.

"What's up?"Arthur said.

"Nothing much."Catra said."So, what'd Shadow Weaver and Hordak say to you guys? Hey, what's this?"

She snatches Arthur and Adora's badges and jumps up to a pipe.

"Hey! Give it back!"Adora said.

Catra takes a good look at the badges and was surprised."No way. You guys have been promoted?"

"Well, yeah, kind of. It's no really that much of a big deal, anyways."Arthur said.

Catra jumped down."Are you kidding? That is awesome. We're gonna see the world and conquer it. Adora, Arthur, I need to blow something up."

She looks at them, starry eyed and lets out an excited purr.

"Umm..."Adora said.

"What? Is something wrong?"Catra asked.

"Shadow Weaver says you're not coming."Adora told her.

Catra was surprised."What? My time was just as good as yours today. What is her problem with me?"

"Well, to be fair, you are kind of disrespectful to her."Arthur said.

Catra scoffed."Why should I respect her? She's just bitter that she doesn't have any real power that doesn't come from Hordak and everyone knows it. I guess it sure must be easy being a people pleaser like you guys."

"What? We're not-"Adora stops mid sentence as Catra leapt away."Catra, wait!"

Arthur sighed."She never changes, does she?"

"Yep. She's always the same person as before. Come on, let's go after her."Adora said.

Arthur nodded and they walked away. On the rooftop, Catra was sitting alone as she gazes over the Fright Zone. Arthur and Adora climbed up and walked towards Catra.

"Look, we're sorry. I didn't even think you wanted to be a Force Captain."Adora said.

"I don't. Here,"Catra tosses them their bades."take your stupid badges."

Arthur and Adora both caught their bades and looked at Catra, sadly.

"Come on, Catra. This is something that we've been working for quite a while now. I was hoping that you would probably be...happy for us."Arthur said.

"Ugh, whatever. It's not like I even care. I just wanna get out of this dump at some point before I die of boredom."Catra said before looking at the distance." I wonder what's even outside the Fright Zone anyway."

Adora takes out a key."Why don't we go find out?"

Catra smirks upon seeing this while Arthur looks quite worried. After a while, the three of them rode on skiff and ventures out of the Fright Zone with Adora piloting the skiff.

" I take it all back. You're officially awesome. I can't believe you actually stole a skiff."Catra said.

"Borrowed. Please don't make me regret this."Adora said.

"You guys, I'm not sure if we're supposed to this but I'll probably get in trouble with my dad."Arthur said, worriedly.

"Don't worry. He won't even realize it once we get back."Catra said."I've always wanted to drive one of these things. Here, gimme."

She pushes Adora off and pilots the skiff, much to Arthur's worry.

"Um, guys, if you keep doing that, in a minute or two we'll be crash landing on something!"Arthur said.

As Adora and Catra were struggling, Arthur looks at the distance and gasps lightly. He quickly heads to the switch and pulls the breaks which stops the skiff at the edge of the dark forest.

He panted."You guys really need to keep your eyes on the road."

"Sorry about that."Adora said before looking at the forest.

Catra looked at her."What is it?"

"I think this must be the Whispering Woods. They say there are strange, old monsters in there, an- and the trees move when you're not looking. Every Horde squadron they've sent in there has never come out again."Adora told.

"Eh, who cares? Let's go in!"Catra said.

"Wait what?"Adora said, surprised.

Arthur tried to stop Catra."Probably not the best id-"

"Too late!"

Catra takes control of the skiff and they drove off into the woods. Arthur and Adora clung on the handles tightly as Catra veered around the winding trunks of towering trees.

The feline laughed as they went through trees faster and bursted out of one of the tree's leaves.

"Catra, slow down!"Adora said.

Arthur then notices something up ahead."Catra, tree! Tree!"

Catra takes notice of it and screamed. Adora rushes forward and takes control of the ship. She lifts the switch up, causing the ship to fly upward. They bumped into a few branches until a vine catches Adora's neck and she falls backwards.

"Adora!"Arthur cried.

Then, Arthur gets hit by a tree branch, causing him to fall off the skiff.

'Arthur!"Catra cried.

Arthur hits his back on one of the branches as he fell. He yelled loudly as he crashes face first on the ground. A few minutes later, he opened his eyes and groaned.

He got up weakly and looked around."Adora? Adora?"

"Over here!"Adora's voice called out.

Arthur heads over to the direction where he heard Adora's voice. He passed through some bushes and eventually he found Adora.

"Adora!"Arthur said."Oh, thank goodness. Are you okay? Did you hit your head?"

"I think I did but it doesn't really hurt."Adora said."What about you?"

"I'm fine. Although my back hurts a little."Arthur said rubbing his back."We should probably go find Catra. She's probably looking for us right now."

Just then, a light emits from their side. The two turn their heads and sees a sword that was entrapped by roots.

"Whoa...hey, Arthur?"Adora asked.

"I'm seeing it too."Arthur said.

"Just making sure I'm not seeing things. Come on, let's check it out."Adora said walking toward the Sword.

Arthur followed her and as they got close, they stared at the sword in awe.

"Cool."Adora said.

"I wonder what's it doing here."Arthur said.

Adora stretches her arm out and leans closer to the sword. As her hand touches the handle, Arthur and Adora winced their eyes when light shines from the sword.

Then, Adora starts seeing visions of Etheria, a land, a runestone, a sword, a ruin, an 8-foot tall woman, and a woman wearing a dark gown.

During the vision, she suddenly hears a baby crying a voice speaking something.

"Balance must be restored."The voice said."Etheria must seek a hero."

Another voice is then heard, calling out for Adora.

"Adora, Adora."

"Hey, Adora?"

Adora soon opens her eyes and sees Arthur and Catra looking at her with worried expressions on their faces.

"Adora!"Arthur said."Are you alright?"

"Yeah..I think so.."Adora said putting her hand on her head before letting out a gasp."Wait, the sword!"

"It was gone."Arthur told her.

"What?"Adora said.

"The moment you touched it, it just disappeared."Arthur said.

"But..how?"Adora asked.

"Okay, you guys are acting like two insane people right now."Catra then checks on them."Are you guys brain damaged? Please, don't be brain damaged. Oh, Shadow Weaver and Hordak's gonna kill me."

"No way. We're not brain damaged. I swore the sword was here and we saw it! Right, Athur?"Adora asked.

"I did..but..now's it's gone. I wonder why."Arthur said.

"Oh no, not you too, Arthur. Look, whatever you guys saw, that's the least of our worries now because it's already gone. So, come on, let's go."Catra said.

Catra drags them back to the skiff and pilots it as Adora glances back, wondering where the sword could've went.

Meanwhile in Bright Moon, Glimmer is writing something on her notebook while her younger brother, Gil was playing with a few plushies.

"So, how did it go with mom?"Gil asked her.

Glimmer sighed."I got grounded."

"Well, you deserved it."Gil said.

"How?"Glimmer asked again.

"Hmm, let's see. Ah that's right!"Gil sat up from his bed."You were stubborn and chose to fight the Horde instead of retreating, resulting the loss of probably...lots of our troops' lives."

Glimmer groaned."Ugh, why do you have to sound like mom?"

"Because she's right. You wouldn't think that she would ground you with no reason right?"Gil said

"Oh yeah? What would you do if you were in that situation?"Glimmer said.

"I would tell my men to retreat and get as many villagers out while I do the fighting."Gil said."Besides, my power is quite more useful than yours."

Glimmer growled upon hearing this."Why you...ugh!"

She slumped her back on her bed."I was hoping that I'd have some support from my little brother.

"I'm just saying. Look, if you really wanna prove yourself, it's gonna take more than running recklessly into any old battle."

The door to their room opens, and Arjuna and Bow steps into the room.

"Glimmer! Glimmer! Oh, man, you are not going to believe this!"Bow said excitedly.

"Hey, you guys!"Gil waved.

"Hi, Gil!"Bow said.

"Hi."Arjuna said.

"Where have you guys been?"Glimmer asked them.

"We've been searching around the Whispering Woods and check this out."Bow takes out a tablet and shows it to her."Me and Arjuna detected a piece of First Ones tech in the Whispering Woods. A pretty powerful one, too, by the size of these readings. If you find this one and bring it back, I bet your mom is bound to be impressed."

"That sounds nice but...I'm grounded."Glimmer said.

"Aw what? Why? Is it because of the siege on Elberon?"Bow asked.

" I was just trying to defend another one our villages from falling into The Horde's Clutches. She stationed me all the way out here because it's too remote to ever get attacked, but then it did, and it was my one chance to prove that I can do this. But she acts like I can't do anything because I'm just a princess."Glimmer grumbled as she teleports to her bed, which was on the top.

"That doesn't make any sense. Everyone here is a princess. Me, Arjuna, Gil are like, the only ones who're not a princess."Bow said.

Glimmer groaned."Tell that to my mom."

Bow looks around and picks up one of Glimmer's scattered clothes."Hey, where does this go?"

"Bottom drawer."Glimmer told him.

Bow nods and walked to her closet to put her clothes on the bottom drawer.

"You know, your mom may have a point. Only reason you got out of there is because of your teleportation powers, and, let's face it, they don't always work that well."Arjuna said.

"Aw, great. Not you guys too...how many more of these mom-like lectures am I going to listen today??"Glimmer groaned.

"Hey, we're only just trying to help you so you can get better. You don't want to keep getting grounded, do you?"Bow said.

"No.."Glimmer said.

A knock is heard on the door and Angella's voice is heard outside."Glimmer? Are you in there?"

"It's mom!"Gil gasped.

Glimmer jumped out of her bed and panicked a little."Uh..."

"Glimmer?"Angella called.

"Everything's fine, mom!"Glimmer said.

"Are you with your brother? Have Bow and Arjuna arrived home? I heard voices."

"No one else is in here. Can you please just leave me alone?"Glimmer yelled.

"I don't appreciate your tone right now, young lady."Angella said in a slightly serious tone.

"What tone?"

"That attitude of yours is never gonna help you know."

"Mom, you always tell me what to do-"

"You cannot act that way!"

"And that's not fair!"Glimmer yelled.

A sigh is heard from outside the door and Angella walked away. Glimmer sighed before looking at her friends.

"You know what, I'm in."Glimmer said.

Back in the Fright Zone, Arthur, Adora, Catra and the rest of the recruits are sleeping on their bunks in the Horde Barracks.

Arthur tosses and turns in his sleep. He grunted and a small bit of sweat trickled down on his face as he dreamt of something. In his dream, he hears a baby crying and sees flashes of a burning castle, knights charging in battle and lastly, a Horde symbol.

A voice then started calling out for him."Arthur? Arthur!"

He gasped and opened his eyes to see Adora looking at him, worriedly.

"Arthur!"Adora said.

"Adora?"Arthur said as he sat up from his bed.

"A nightmare again?"Adora asked him.

Arthur nodded in response."What about you? Why are you up?"

"I had a dream. I-I didn't know what it was about."Adora then looked around."Hey, let's get back to the woods. I want to see if the sword is still there."

"Okay. Let's go."Arthur said.

Arthur gets off his bunker and he and Adora walk away. Catra opens one eye as she watches them walk away before getting up from her bunker.

Arthur and Adora both exit the room and Catra manages to catch up with them.

"Psst! Hey, where are you two going?"Catra asked quietly.

"Back to the woods. There's something I need to figure out."Adora told her.

"What? You're not-"

Catra stops mid sentence when Adora covers her mouth and the three of them hid around the corner as a robot roams around the hallways.

"What is wrong with you two? You've been acting weird since we got back. Are you sure guys aren't not brain damaged?"Catra asked.

"Look Catra, I know me and Arthur something out there. It's ju- I just need to get another look. It feels important somehow."Adora told her.

"Sounds good. Let's go."Catra said, walking forward.

Arthur stops her."No. I think it's best if you stay here. Just cover for us okay? We'll be back soon. Let's go, Adora."

Adora nodded and the two ran away, leaving Catra alone.

"Adora! Arthur!"Catra called.

Meanwhile with Glimmer, Bow and Arjuna, the three of them roamed around the Whispering Woods as Bow looked at his tablet with a frustrated look on his face.

"Come on! Come on!"Bow said.

Glimmer was getting annoyed." Uh! Please tell me we're not lost!"

"No, this thing is just acting up. Looks like it's being overloaded by the tech's signal. We must be getting close!"Bow said., walking away.

Glimmer turns around and sees a light shining from a distance."Uhh... I think it's that way."

"What makes you say that?"Bow asked.

Glimmer pointed at the light which catches the brothers' attention.

"What do you think's over there?"Arjuna asked.

"I don't know. But we're going to find out."Bow said.

Meanwhile, Arthur and Adora are now at the Whispering Woods, passing through a few bushes as they tried to find the sword they saw earlier.

"Thee's no way that was just a hallucination, right? You and I both saw it."Arthur said.

"I know."Adora said."Do you remember where we last saw the sword?"

"I remember it was around here but.."Arthur looks over and sees a light shining from the distance."I think it's right there."

Adora sees it too and the two walked forward. They passed through a few bushes until they finally see the sword up close. Adora walked forward but stopped as they heard Bow and Glimmer's voices.

"Bow, just let me lead the way, okay?"Glimmer said.

"The light came from the edge of the forest."Bow said.

"Yes, you saw the light. It's this way."Glimmer retorted

"The trackpad says otherwise."Arjuna said.

The three of them came out of the bushes."It's this way-"

Glimmer turns her head and spots Arthur and Adora. Bow spots them too and he and Glimmer gasped. Arthur and Adora gasped as well.

"Horde Soldier!"Glimmer yelled.

"I see them!"Bow yelled.

Bow and Glimmer both yelled at Adora and Arthur. Arjuna sighed as he takes out his bow and two arrows and fires it at them.

Arthur and Adora gasps and runs away, dodging the arrows that were fired at them.

"Quit yelling and get them already!"Arjuna said.

Bow and Glimmer rushed forward as Adora and Arthur rushed to the sword. Arjuna fires another set of arrows at them and Arthur takes out his sword to deflect the arrows while Adora went to the sword.

As she got there, Glimmer teleports next to the sword and grabs it before Adora can get it. She runs away and tosses it to Bow.

"Bow, catch!"Glimmer yelled.

Bow drops his bow as he catches the sword and runs away from them. Arthur surges forward and deflects the arrows that Arjuna sent. Once he got close, Arthur swung his sword at him but Arjuna manages to dodge his attacks.

Arthur goes for another swing but Arjuna caught his arm and slams him to the ground before disarming him from his weapon.

Adora chases Bow down."Give me the sword!"

Glimmer teleports and lands on her back. She pulls on her hair, screaming as Adora struggles to get her off. Eventually, she manages to do so and tosses her to the ground.

Arthur gets up and takes out a pocket knife. Arjuna readies himself as Arthur surges forward and swings the knife at him multiple times. Arjuna kept dodging until he manages to find an opening.

Once Arthur was about to deliver another swing, Arjuna catches his arm before delivering a few blows at his gut and his knee. Arthur grunted in pain as Arjuna grabs him by the head and punches at the back of his neck, knocking him out.

Adora takes out a bola and throws it at Bow's feet, stopping him. With him down, Adora walks to the sword.

"Stand down. I don't wanna hurt you."Adora said.

Glimmer teleports in front of her."Since when do Horde soldiers not want to hurt anyone?"

The princess then explodes a glitter bomb at Adora's face and reaches for the sword. Before she could do anything, Adora tackles to the ground. Arjuna and Bow jumps on top of the women and they tussle on the ground. Adora reaches out and touches the sword. A light emanates from the weapon which sends them back

Suddenly, Adora looks around and sees that she is in a completely different place. She started feeling confused until a voice catches her attention.

"Hello, Adora."

Adora turns her head and sees the woman from her vision right in front of her.

She gets up."Who are you? What's going on?"

" My name is Light Hope."The woman introduced."I have been waiting a long time for you, but I could not reach you until you forged your connection with the sword."

"You sent the sword?"Adora asked, confused.

"The sword is meant for you. Etheria has need of you, Adora."Light Hope said, showing a projection of the sword."Will you answer its call? Will you fight for the honor of Grayskull?"

"What are you talking about? What-- What is-- What's Grayskull? You're not making any sense! I don't understand!"Adora said.

"You will."Light Hope said.

A beam of light appears behind her.

"Wait!"Adora cried.

Light Hope disappears and Adora opens her eyes. She groaned and looked around to see that she and Arthur have their wrists restrained in ropes.

"Adora?"Arthur said

Bow knelt down to check on them."Hey! They're awake."

"What happened?"Adora asked.

"Quiet, Horde spies, I ask the questions."Glimmer told them."How did you two make it this far into the Whispering Woods?"

"We just walked in. And we're not spies."Arthur said.

"Sure, sure. You just so happened to find yourself in the Whispering Woods, like you just so happened to try and steal our sword."Glimmer said.

"Your sword? We found it first."Adora told her.

"The Whispering Woods is under the Rebellion's protection. You were lucky to make it as far as you did. Come on, Bow. Let's get these spies." back to Bright Moon where she can be interrogated properly."Glimmer said, walking away before stopping."This is perfect. Not only do we First Ones tech for the rebellion, we've also captured a Horde spy. My mom's gonna be so impressed. Now come on, on your feet."

After a while, Glimmer, Bow, Arjuna and the hand-cuffed Arthur and Adora roamed around the woods with Glimmer holding the trackpad. A few minutes went by and they can't seem to get out of the Whispering Woods.

"You positive we're going the right way, Glimmer?"Bow asked.

" I know what I'm doing, Bow. Can you please just trust me for once?"Glimmer exclaimed as she continues walking away.

"You know I always trust you, but I'm starting to get a little freaked out. I mean, me and Arjuna pretty much grew up in these woods and we've never even seen this part of them. I've heard stories about weird stuff out here."Bow said, his voice almost sounded like he was scared.

"They aren't true, Bow. Those were just stories mom would tell to get you back to sleep."Arjuna told him.

"It's going to be fine, okay? Just let me figure this out."Glimmer said, teleporting away from them.

"Okay! Touchy."Bow looks at Arthur and Adora."Sorry about her. Usually she's really nice. Not much for talking, huh?"

"We prefer not to swap pleasantries with our captors."Arthur said.

"Fair. Suit yourself."Bow said.

Glimmer kept on teleporting, hoping to find a good signal while, Arthur, Adora, Arjuna and Bow walked through the woods.

"You know she's a princess, right? How can you follow her? Princesses are a dangerous threat to everyone on Etheria."Adora told Bow.

"Is that what Hordak told you?"Bow asked her.

"Well, to us, it's common knowledge. They're violent instigators who don't even know how to control their powers."Arthur said.

Glimmer lets out a loud groan and teleports away.

"You two have never met a princess, have you?"Arjuna said.

Adora huffed."Well, maybe not in person, but..."

Then, the hear Glimmer whimpering from afar. Wondering what it was, the four of them head to where Glimmer is and sees her standing before the ruins of a forest dwelling. Glimmer bends to pick up a cracked drawing of a young child, holding the hands of an adult.

"What happened to this place?"Arthur asked.

" Don't play dumb with me. I bet you two were part of the raiding party that did this."Glimmer exclaimed.

Adora was in disbelief."What are you talking about? The Horde didn't do this."

Glimmer didn't buy it and starts dragging Arthur and Adora to a Horde robot crashed on the ground.

"Oh yeah?"Glimmer pointed at the robot."You're a heartless destroyer, just like all the rest of your people."

"We're not destroyers? Hordak says we're doing what's best for Etheria. We're trying to make things better. More orderly."Adora looked at Arthur."Right, Arthur?"

"I...I don't know..."Arthur said.

"This is what's best for Etheria? Ever since The Horde got here, they've been poisoning our land, burning our cities, destroying everything in their path. And you're a part of it! How's that for orderly?"Glimmer said.

The princess angrily strides away while Adora blinks, not believing in everything that she's seeing right now.

"This doesn't make any sense. The Horde would never do something like this."Adora said.

"Did you really not know any of this? I mean, your army is called the Evil Horde."Bow said.

"Who calls us that?"Adora asked.

"Everybody."Arjuna said,

"The Horde rescued me when I was a baby and gave me..us a home."Adora looked at Arthur."You don't think your dad would do something like this, do you?"

Arthur hung his head down in thought.

"Wait, dad?"Bow then gasps as he realized."Don't tell me, you're Hordak's son!"

"His adopted son."Arthur corrected."Like her, I was found by the Horde when I was a baby. For years, Hordak has taken care of me and trained me to become one of the most skilled soldiers in the Horde. But...I've always had this feeling..a feeling that there's something he's not telling me."

"Maybe, or maybe not. But trust me, the Horde isn't what you guys think it is."Bow told them.

Glimmer lets out a loud shout and came running at them in panic."There's something out there. Something big."

"How big?"Bow asked.

Just then, the ground starts rumbling and an group of giant insect-like creatures pops out of the earth.

"So, pretty big then."Bow said.

Arjuna takes out his bow and shoots his arrows at the creatures, killing most of them. The creatures screech and crawls their way at them.

"Watch out!"Bow yelled.

Glimmer teleports out of the creature's way and leaps onto the head. She uses her magic and sends a blast of glitter at its face before landing back down on the ground. The creature roared and more started chasing them down

Adora stumbles back and gets her foot stuck in a crack. Arthur struggled and uses his teeth to break free from his hand cuffs. He dodges one of the creatures and snatches his sword which was confiscated by Bow.

"Hey!"Bow said.

Arthur takes his sword out and leaps at the creature's face. The creature roared as it tries to get Arthur off its face but he dug his blade deep into the creature's head, killing it.

A few started to head towards them and Bow shoots an arrow and a web cover's one of the creature's mouth. Arjuna sees this and fires his arrow at it, killing the creature.

Glimmer teleports back to the battlefield and throws a series of glitter bombs at the creature which had zero effect. The creature whacks her into a tree, making her grunt in pain.

It then tries to attack her again but Arjuna manages to kill it before it gets to her. Adora breaks free from the crack and sees Arthur, Arjuna, Bow and Glimmer fighting off the creatures.

She turn to her side and spots the sword laying on the ground. Adora picks it up and the sword crackles with electricity in Adora's hand.

A creature charges towards her and raises its sharp leg at her. Adora quickly lifts her sword above her head and clashes with the creature, resulting a flashing beam of light radiating from the blade.

Adora enters a vision where she hears Light Hope's voice and a baby crying.

"Adora. Adora. Adora."Light Hope called."Will you fight for the honor of Grayskull?"

"For the honor of Grayskull!"

Arthur, Arjuna, Bow and Glimmer turn their heads and shield their eyes as the light glows around them. After the light cleared out, the creatures backed away. Arthur was surprised as he sees a 8-foot tall warrior princess with flowing long hair.

"Adora?"Arthur said.

TO BE CONTINUED...