Chapter 2

Adora and Catra waited until everyone was asleep before they decide to make their move.

Catra peeked her head through the door and looked around for any lurkers. When she saw none,she turned to Adora and gestured to follow. They silently tiptoed out their room into the hallway. Adora watched for anything or anyone that might be around while Catra used her superior hearing to listen for anything.

Five minutes later,still undetected,Catra stopped so abruptly that Adora nearly bumped into her. She looked over her shoulder and said,"We're here." Adora moved from behind Catra and looked into the room.

She immediately wished she had talked Catra out of her idea.

They were in front of Shadow Weaver's personal room. Adora remembered how Shadow Weaver drilled into their heads that this room was off limits and anyone who went inside would wish they hadn't. "Catra you didn't tell me that you wanted us to go into this room!"she exclaimed. "Obviously,otherwise you would've chickened out."Catra said casually.

"This is a bad idea Catra. We need to go back."Adora said urgently backing away. Catra turned and grabbed her hand. "Hey come on. Don't go chicken on me now." "Catra,this room is forbidden for a reason."Adora told her. Catra snorted. "Yeah a reason Shadow Weaver told us. Listen all we're going to do is go inside and take a look. Then we'll leave." Adora still didn't like the idea of going inside the room.

I mean it's forbidden for a reason.

"I don't know Catra…"she said. "Please."Catra begged her,lowering her ears and expanded her pupils making her cat face that she knew Adora couldn't resist. "Catra you know that that is so unfair."Adora groaned trying her best to look away but couldn't. "...Oh fine,we'll go in. But we take a look and that's it."Adora told her sternly.

Catra cheered happily. She took Adora's hand and pulled her into the room,just in case she decided to chicken out. What they saw in the room was nothing like they ever saw before. A huge dark pink crystal stood in the middle of the room,glowing dully. Beside it was a small stone pool of green glowing water. "Woah."Catra breath out as she stared at the crystal,amazed and curious.

Beside her,Adora had relaxed momentarily as,she too,stared at the crystal in amazement. In a daze,she walked over to the crystal circling it debateing whether or not to touch it.

Curiosity got the best of her.

She reached her hand towards the crystal and touched it with her index finger. Pink electrical sparks flew off the crystal,shocking Catra in the process. "Ow."she yelped removing her finger from the crystal. "Maybe we should leave now."Adora said nervously.

Just then,they heard a groan from a familiar voice.

Both turned their heads in unison and whispered,"Shadow Weaver!" They looked around the room for a hiding spot but unfortunately found none. "We're trapped!"Catra exclaimed. "Quick get behind the crystal."Adora said. They ran and hid quietly behind the crystal just as Shadoweaver stumbled into the room.

She groaned as she floated over to the crystal. Adora and Catra leaned their heads over the crystal just enough to see Shadow Weaver place her hand on the crystal. A few sparks sprouted but seemed to have no effect on her. She removed her hand with a sigh then placed it over her mask,removed it,placed it at the edge of the pool then bent over the pool of water.

Seeing Shadow Weaver remove her mask made Adora gasped in surprise way too loud. Catra wanted to smack her but couldn't as she saw Shadow Weaver turned her face towards them. Catra felt cold all over as she saw Shadoweaver's face. It was purely gray,large almost black veins were popping out and her eyes were yellow and bloodshot. "What are you doing in here! Get out!"she yelled.

"Run!"Catra yelled. They shot from behind the crystal and ran to the exit,though they never made it. Black shadows blocked the doorway and covered the entire room as Shadoweaver raised her palm up and a red glow appeared around Catra's body and freezing her in her tracks. "Catra you stay. What do you think you're doing here?"Shadoweaver asked forcing the feline to face her.

"I'm sorry Shadow Weaver. We were just playing."Catra replied nervously. "Insolent child!"Shadow Weaver said. "I've come to expect such disgraceful behaviour from you. But I will not allow you to drag Adora down as well." Adora could see even though Catra's back was to her that she was scared. "Shadoweaver it wasn't her fault,it was my idea too."Adora told her pleadingly but it fell on deaf ears.

"You have been nothing more than a nuisance to me,"Shadow Weaver continued to Catra. "I've kept you around this long because Adora was fond of you." She brought Catra closer to her with a flick of her finger. "But if you do anything to jeopardize her future,I will dispose of you myself. Do you understand?"

Catra was scared beyond words. If she could move she would most likely be trembling in fear.

Adora couldn't take it any longer.

She jumped in front of Catra,waving her arms as if to protect her from Shadow Weaver's words. "Please stop!"she exclaimed desperately. Shadow Weaver looked at them for a few moments longer before the shadows disappeared. She turned away from them while flicking her wrist. The red glow disappeared from Catra and she fell down on the ground.

The feline looked at Shadow Weaver,terrified,then ran out of the room. "Catra!"Adora exclaimed,going to chase after her. "Adora."Shadow Weaver called in a sweet voice. Adora winced but turned to face her. "Shadow Weaver,Catra didn't mean to do anything."she said. "You must do a better job at keeping her under control." She stretched her hand to Adora and placed a loose strand of her blonde hair behind her ear.

It took all Adora's self control not to shiver at the touch. "Do not let something like this happen again."She patted Adora lightly on her head before walking away. Adora turned away and walked from the room while looking for Catra.

After a near hour of looking for Catra in the halls,training room or even the vents near the ceiling,Adora decided to head back to her dorm.

Upon coming closer to her dorm,she heard sobbing and sniffling.

Quietly,she walked towards her dorm and peeked. The person had a blanket covering them so she couldn't see who it was. Then she noticed a long tanned tail sticking out from the blanket and knew who it was. "Catra?"she called softly.

Almost instantly the crying stopped but no reply came.

She walked over to bunk and removed the blanket to reveal Catra. Her ears flattened as she hissed at her. "Catra,it's ok it's just me."Adora told her. Catra wiped away her tears while Adora sat beside her. "It doesn't matter what they do to us. You know? You look out for me,I look out for you." When Catra didn't respond,Adora put her hand on her shoulder and gently turned her so they were facing each other,though Catra still didn't look her in the eye. "Nothing really bad can happen as long as we have each other."

Now Catra looked Adora in the eye,still watery but they held a hope as she said,"You promise?" "I promise."Adora replied firmly. Catra leaned her head against Adora's chest as Adora held her close. They stayed like that for so long until Adora finally said,"Come on, let's get some sleep." Catra nodded and they got into their bunk. Adora felt the lack of sleep beginning to overcome her when she heard Catra say,"Adora?"

"Yes Catra?"she replied,her speech somewhat slugging from lack of sleep. "Can I sleep beside you tonight?"Catra asked softly. Adora lifted her head and looked at Catra who looked scared,watching every single corner or dark space in the room. She felt sympathy for her best friend and couldn't refuse her. "Of course."Adora said scooting over to make room. Catra crawled over to the space beside Adora,walked into a circle then curled up and laid down against Adora,purring softly.

Adora looked over at Catra and smiled. She took her arm and wrapped it around Catra's waist,who purred louder now,and stayed like that as sleep finally took over.