Chapter 3

part 1

Five years later

He slashed his claws across the cluster of vines before him.

This place is insufferable he thought to himself annoyed. Though the place had a good amount of shelter the food was ridiculously low to the point where he sometimes wondered if he would die of starvation. Not only that but the place itself sounded as if it was talking,whispering. He could never get a moment of peace and in addition to his excellent hearing it made things worse. He wanted nothing more than to leave this cursed place but then he remembered why he was even here. Your people need you he told himself. Remember the prophecy. Almost as if on cue with his thoughts,the prophecy echoed through his mind.

When everything seems lost

Two of the same kind will cross

To fight and unite as one

To save a race that may be gone

She who is strong of mind

Who thinks she is the last of her kind

Will give survival to the next generation

Before they fall into great desperation

He remembered the hopeful gaze of everyone in the Council when Trout,an elder and healer,told them this prophecy. He had spent days trying to make sense of the bloody prophecy but he could only understand bits of it.

The two of the same kind will cross part he assumed was that he would meet someone like him. It was the closest guess he had anyway. To fight and unite as one and to save a race that may be gone he knew that this person and him would fight together and save his race.

He took a logical guess that the person was a girl from the second part of the prophecy which started with she. The third part of the second verse was what he couldn't grasp. Will give survival to the next generation. That could be an endless possibility of things.

"Maybe this person will do something that'll help us survive."Lightning,his best friend and commander of the Speed Crew,had said. "I know this person will do something. The question is what will this person do?"he had said. "It must be something big in order to save an entire race."his mother and queen,Kara,observed.

His father and king,Nightshade,rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "We already established that this person is undoubtedly a female. If you read the third part of the second verse carefully and think about it,then it leads to only one conclusion. Perhaps you have to take this girl as your mate."

He thought over what his father had said and told himself that it could be a possibility but there was still one problem.

"Even if I take this female as my mate how will that save our race? Her giving me a few sons or daughters cannot save an entire race."he told his father. "Perhaps this person isn't a normal female then."his father murmured more to himself. All of them waited for him to continue his thoughts out loud to them but he just turned to Lightning and said,"Get all the magicians to the dome. Storm,meet us there. You'll leave immediately."

After all the magicians were rounded up,they transported him to this place and now here he was. The rumbling of his stomach brought him back to the present. He grimaced in annoyance. Just the idea of having to look for food made him groan where it usually had the opposite effect.

If I have to go another day without food I might just become a vegetarian.

He sniffed the air around him and nearly whooped for joy when he caught the scent of a rabbit. He followed the scent and found not one but two rabbits,absentmindedly nibbling on some grass.

Containing his wave of joy,he crouched down to the ground and slowly stalked towards the rabbits. Once he was in striking,he lunged towards the rabbits,catching them in his paws,and killing them with a quick bite on their spine before they even knew what was happening. He tore a chunk of meat from one of them and sighed in bliss at the taste.

Even though it tasted like every other rabbit he'd ever eaten,he had gone the last three days without meat and that was enough to make the rabbit taste like heaven. He devoured the rabbits quickly,savoring the saltiness of the meat,then licked the blood off his lips.

Tiredness instantly flooded him and he yawned. Better find somewhere to sleep tonight he thought. He easily found a soft patch of grass with a cluster of trees hanging overhead and rocks forming a semi-circle around it,protecting him from any unwanted attention.

He walked over to the spot,trotted in a circle then laid down curled up as sleep took him away.

Adora buckled her belt across her waist,pulled her boots up and tied her long blonde hair into a high ponytail. She then put on her arm bands assigned only to her and made sure her chest piece was fixed before walking to one of the punching bags and landing a few punches.

She smiled to herself then put her visor over her eyes then headed out of the locker room to the training room. Lonnie,Rogelio and Kyle were already standing at attention while they waited for instructions but no Catra.

"Hey,have any of you seen Catra?"she whispered. "Nope."they all answered. "Uhg,not again." Adora sighed rolling her eyes. She wasn't surprised in the slightest. For years Catra had been slacking off such as not appearing to a training exercise or appearing late several times.

"At attention cadets,"their training supervisor,Scales,said. "Your simulation is about to begin." He stopped before them with a tablet in his hand and pressed something on it. A hologram of a forest with white glowing eyes appeared before them. "Your mission is to get through the Whispering Woods,which is highly secured and protected,and destroy their defenses. Is that clear?"he asked. "Yes sir!"they replied. "Good. With that said begin."

They turned and ran deeper into the training grounds,hoping over "tree branches" and other things. "Alright,what we're going to do first is-"Adora started but was cut off as a red laser shot at them,missing by a hair. "Horde bots!"Lonnie exclaimed. They all turned to see Horde bots appeared from the shadows.

Adora quickly thought of a plan.

"Everyone to me."she cried. Everyone ran back and gathered around Adora. "Here's the plan: Lonnie you take the bots on the right,Kyle and Rogelio you two take the ones on the left and i'll take the ones in front."she told them. They nodded then separated,rushing towards the horde bots.

Adora brandished her saber and lunged at one of the two Horde bots. It pointed its laser gun at her and shot. She moved smoothly out of its range then slashed her saber across one of its legs. The bot toppled over and fell hard to the ground just as it shot another laser. The laser shot over to the other bot and made contact dead center of it. The bot jerked while electricity supplied across it,the red lights flickered out of existence and then it fell to the ground just as Adora thrusted the saber through the other Horde bot. Electricity rippled across it and the red lights flickered a few times before finally fading away.

Adora looked at the two defeated Horde bots with a satisfied smile then looked over at the others. Lonnie was fighting the last Horde bot while Kyle and Rogelio just destroyed their last one. "Hang on Lonnie,we're coming!"Kyle shouted as he sprinted to her.

Adora looked at the Horde bot and saw that it noticed Kyle running towards it. It kept one of its laser guns on Lonnie then turned the other one to Kyle. "Kyle move out the way now!"Adora shouted to him. But it was too late. The bot shot a laser at Kyle who didn't dodge it on time and it hit him hard right in his chest piece,causing him to fall to the ground. Lonnie jumped high into the air and slashed her saber across the Horde bot,instantly destroying it.

All the kids took a moment to recompose their breathing as the adrenaline of the fight in them began to fade away. Once they got their breathing under control,they all ran to Kyle. He way laying on his back with a miserable look on his face and a red X was on his chest piece,indicating he was "dead". "Really Kyle?"Adora said exasperated as Lonnie remarked,"Bravo Kyle." Adora didn't want to be mean to Kyle but there were times when he could really make her wish he wasn't apart of their squad.

Kyle sighed.

"Yeah I know,I suck. Just go and finish the training already."Kyle said sadly. Rogelio looked at him for a moment before extending his hand to Kyle. He looked at it for a moment before accepting it. Adora couldn't help but watch the exchange between Kyle and Rogelio with a raised eyebrow. In the previous trainings,they'd learned that once your teammate was dead,he or she was no longer your concern.

"Cadet Kyle,get on the sidelines now!"Scales called out from somewhere within the training room. He nodded. "Good luck guys."he said to them then walked off. Lonnie and Rogelio then turned to Adora. "What's next?"Lonnie asked. "We press forward."Adora replied. They nodded then continued forward,watching their surroundings attentively. "It seems we're in the clear."Rogelio said after a long few moments of silence.

As if right on cue,an enormous horde bot appeared from out of nowhere.

"Oh you just had to open your scaly mouth,didn't you Rogelio."Lonnie grumbled,throwing her hands in the air. This bot was much longer than the previous ones they had fought,a more bright lime green with crest popping inward. It shot a laser at Rogelio and it hit him dead on the chest.

"Lonnie take the left!"Adora yelled as she sprinted towards the gigantic bot. Lonnie sprinted towards the bot,easily dodging lasers,then slashed her saber at one of its legs. It cut through the metal like butter as the bot tilted to the side slightly from the uneven weight. It turned its censor to Lonnie then raised a metal leg and stomped down to crush Lonnie. "Lonnie,move now!"Adora yelled as she fought and avoided becoming a pancake by the bot's surprisingly fast legs.

She jumped out of the way and turned to face the bot again but it raised it one of its legs again and kicked her hard. She flew off the ground and landed heavily on her back. The bot aimed one of its laser guns at Lonnie and shot. She hurriedly got up and dodged the first laser but couldn't dodge the second one as it came into contact with her chest piece. "Lonnie!"Adora cried out as she ran over to her teammate. "Don't worry about me Adora. Beat that horde bot!"Lonnie said.

Adora nodded fiercely then turned to face the bot and charged toward it. Lasers shot after her but she nimbly dodged them. Once she was in striking range of the bot,she put a tremendous burst of strength in her legs then leapt high into the air and landed right on the bot. It shot a laser at her but she quickly ducked then slashed her saber across the laser gun on the left,cutting it in half. The right one shot a laser at her but she dodged it once more then thrusted her saber into the laser gun,yanked it out and thrust it into the bot's head.

The bot fall down to the ground,red light on its head flickering rapidly while electricity rippled across it then a loud buzzing noise echoed from it. Adora turned and jumped off the bot a second before the head exploded. She landed heavily to her side and rolled on her stomach. A loud beep sounded in the training room as a trapdoor opened underneath the broken bot. It slowly started to fall through but then the legs all tangled into one,stopping it from going in.

Adora raised her head in time to see Catra walking past her towards the bot. She watched as Catra stopped before the bot,placed her foot on one of the bot's legs and pushed it,making the bot fall through the trapdoor. Adora slowly pushed herself to a sitting position and turned to see Catra looking at her,arms crossed over her chest and a small smirk on her face.

What is she thinking about now Adora thought.

Catra lifted her hand then pointed a finger in a downward motion. At first,Adora was only confused by what Catra did but soon realisation clicked in as she looked below her and saw she was sitting on a trapdoor. Before she could even move,a beep sounded and the trapdoor underneath her opened. "Ah!"she shouted as she fell through the trapdoor.

Using her quick thinking,she brandished her saber out in time as the tips caught on both walls,creating a pole to hold her from falling further in.

She looked up to see Catra leaning over the edge of the trapdoor,smiling mischievously down at her. "Hey Adora,how's it hanging?"she asked teasingly. "Catra,did you really show up late and let us do all the hard work. That is low even for you."Adora said. "Ah,you know nothing's too low for me."Catra replied then laughed. She then extended her hand to Adora. "Oh come on,you look stupid hanging down there."

Adora rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling at her best friend. She grabbed Catra's hand and Catra pulled her out the trapdoor. "Training exercise successfully completed."a voice said throughout the training room. "Great work cadets,"Scales said to them as they gathered around. "A few more training sessions and you four will be great soldiers." He turns and shot Catra a glare. "Five if one of you comes to training from now on."

Catra did her best to not roll her eyes at the jab.

Once he turned and left,the cadets walked to the locker room. Adora opened her locker and put all her horde training equipment into the locker as Catra went over to her and laughed. "You should've seen your face. You were like 'Ah no betrayal'."she said dramatically clutching on her locker and falling slowly to the ground. Adora watched with an annoyed expression but couldn't help the tiny smile that crossed her face.

She retrieved her belt and red jacket and closed the locker. "I can't believe you're still playing those childish,immature-is that a rat?"she cried,pointing above her. She saw Catra's tail and mane of fur bristle as she shot up. "What! Where?"she asked,eyes darting from side to side. Adora laughed at how easily Catra was fooled.

"Are you ever going to not fall for that?"she asked Catra teasingly. "I don't know,are you ever going to let it go?"Catra retorted looking at Adora annoyedly. "That was one time." "I know,but for some reason it's still funny."Adora said as Catra leaned against the locker beside her. "One day when you show a fear of something,I'm going to tease you mercilessly about it."Catra said with a devious smile.

"Good luck with that."Adora replied smugly as she grabbed Catra in a chokehold and vigorously rubbed her head with her knuckle,laughing. "Let go of me,you dork."Catra hissed,only half annoyed,while desperately trying to get out of Adora's iron grip but it was hopeless. Suddenly,the room became much darker than before and a shadow appeared before the two cadets.

"Adora."a cold,low voice sounded that could only belong to one person.

Shadow Weaver.

Both girls immediately stopped playing around. Adora straightened while Catra just leaned against the locker. "Shadow Weaver."Adora replied,giving her a salute. She nodded. "I have heard of your progress today. You have done well Adora."she praised. "Thank you Shadow Weaver."she replied. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Catra flattened her ears,one of the few indications that she was either upset or annoyed. "With all due respect,Catra also did an amazing job in training today."she added,wrapping an arm around Catra.

It wasn't a complete lie but it wasn't the complete truth either.

Well,it's not like Shadow Weaver has to know Adora told herself.

She could feel Catra's gaze on her but she didn't say anything. "According to what Scales told me,I highly doubt she did anything."Shadow Weaver replied coldly. Adora kept her composure calm and cool but on the inside, she was raging. Why does Shadow Weaver hate Catra so much? She had always asked herself that question even when she was younger. She hated the way Shadow Weaver always treated Catra. Like she was a nobody,a bother,worthless.

But no matter how much Adora hated how Catra was treated she had never acted upon it or talked to Shadow Weaver about it. And something tells me that she knows that Adora thought.

"Adora walk with me."Shadow Weaver's voice broke her thoughts as she turned and walked off. Adora took a step forward but then stopped and looked at Catra. Though she kept her head down,Adora could still see the sadness and hurt on her face. She gently squeezed Catra's shoulder in comfort. Catra looked up at Adora and let a small smile cross her face as she placed her hand on Adora's.

"Adora!"Shadow Weaver barked out. Adora gave Catra one last look then removed her arm and walked to Shadow Weaver. The two walked through the hallway in complete silence for the first few minutes before Shadow Weaver spoke.

"Lord Hordak has been watching your progress and he's extremely impressed." Excitement flooded through her. Everyone knew that being praised by Lord Hordak was one of the highest praise any Horde soldier could receive. "Lord Hordak has been watching me?"she asked in disbelief and happiness. "Oh yes. In fact,he said that he was so impressed that he,himself,said that you would make a fine candidate for a Force Captain."Shadow Weaver said. Adora couldn't help the huge grin that spread across her face.

"Lord Hordak said that about me?"she asked,her voice almost rising into a squeal. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. If Lord Hordak thinks I'd be a good Force Captain then that means….

"Oh yes. He sees great things about you."Shadow Weaver replied,pleased at Adora's reaction. "In fact,he's letting you have the honor of leading a squadron to the invasion of the rebel's fortress Thaymore."she added. At that Adora came to a halt in her walk. "Thaymore...That means we're finally seeing active duty?" "You're seeing active duty."Shadow Weaver said,emphasizing the word you're.

"But i'll be able to bring my team along right?"Adora asked,knowing how much the team would love to see an actual squadron in action. "Your team is not ready. They'll only slow you down."Shadow Weaver said sharply,continuing to walk. Adora,however,was anything if not determined as she hurriedly followed her mentor. "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."she said. "Then she should've worked harder to prove herself to me."Shadow Weaver replied coldly as she turned sharply back to Adora with her eyes narrowed.

Adora was baffled by what Shadow Weaver was saying. How could she say that her team wasn't ready? Granted,they weren't the best but that was to be expected and Adora thought that giving them a chance to see active duty would help them learn. Also,how could she say that Catra wasn't ready,that she needed to work harder to prove herself to Shadow Weaver when that was all she ever tried doing her whole life!

It was unfair and Adora knew it but,as usual,she didn't say or act upon it. "Adora,"Shadow Weaver said,cutting Adora's train of thought. "The other cadets will have a chance to prove themselves to me one day." Curling her hands in a circle motion,a dark ball of mist formed then disappeared showing the badge of an official Force Captain.

It was just about the size of Adora's hand with a green outline,yellow inside and the Horde's logo,a pair of dragon wings. "Now is your chance to prove yourself."Shadow Weaver said. Adora stared at the badge in disbelief and shock for a long moment then set her face in a determined expression and,hesitatingly,taking the badge from Shadow Weaver. As she stared at the badge,Shadow Weaver put her hand on her back and lead her to one of the big windows that showed the outside of the Fright Zone.

"Is this not you wanted since you were old enough to want anything?" Shadow Weaver said as she looked at Adora. She stared at the outside of the Fright Zone,her only home that kept being destroyed by those evil princesses or causing them to push back from expanding. This is what I always wanted. "Yes."Adora answered simply. "Then are you ready Adora?"Shadow Weaver asked.

She set her face into determination and turned to Shadow Weaver. "I'm ready."she replied fiercely.

Adora leaned over a balcony that overlooked most of the Fright Zone,staring at the Force Captain badge in her hand.

It finally happened she thought happily. I'm a Force Captain at last.

She clipped her badge on her jacket then turned to walk off when a large blur rushed towards her and landed on top of her,causing her to fall on her back heavily. It took her a second to realize that the blur was none other Catra. "What did she say?"she asked hurriedly. Then she caught sight of the badge on Adora's jacket. "Hey what's this?"she asked curiously.

She took the badge off Adora's jacket then quickly jumped off her. "Hey! Give it back!"Adora yelled trying to get the badge back but Catra kept dodging away. "No way! Adora,you've been promoted?!"Catra said in shock. "Yeah,though it's not really a big deal."Adora said dismissively,crossing her arms over her chest. "Are you kidding?"Catra said as she grabbed Adora's arms,baffled that Adora was not practically jumping with joy.

"That is awesome! We can take over the world and conquer it! Adora,I need to blow something up."she said happily. Adora felt a wave of happiness when she saw Catra's eyes dilate into big black orbs within her yellow and turquoise eyes. Then she remembered what Shadow Weaver had told her and instantly felt guilty. "Um…"she said. Catra looked at Adora's troubled face and knew something was wrong. "What?"she asked. "Shadow Weaver said that only I would be going. The rest of you would be staying here because 'you weren't ready'."Adora replied,not looking directly at Catra.

A long moment of complete,tense silence flooded between before Adora finally couldn't take it anymore and looked at Catra. She was simply staring at the floor,tail lashing back and forth and fists curled up.

Then she turned to Adora.

"Did you say anything?"she asked,her voice holding barely any expression though Adora caught the emotion of anger. "I told her that Kyle,Lonnie,Rogelio and you especially have trained hard for a chance like this."Adora replied. Catra scoffed. "Are you kidding me right now Adora?" "What do you mean?"Adora asked confused. "What kind of response is that?! You didn't even try to tell her off or that it was completely unfair!"Catra said angrily throwing her hands up in the air.

"Catra,I tried my best to get her to let you guys come with me."Adora replied defensively,her own anger starting to rise. "Ya,you really tried all right,"Catra sneered jumping on the railing of the balcony. "Sure must be easy being a people pleaser like you." "I am not a people ple-Hey!"Adora said but Catra turned around and leaped onto one of the higher levels of the Fright Zone.

"Catra wait!"she called out but Catra ignored her. She sighed,shaking her head,as she went to follow Catra. Why is Catra so stubborn? she asked herself not seeming to realise that she was smiling.

After about five minutes of climbing all the higher levels of the Fright Zone with a grappling hook Adora,at last,made it to the top of the Fright Zone. Panting,she reeled in her grappling hook.

Catra is so lucky she can just jump from one spot to another she thought slightly annoyed.

Once she caught her breath,Adora turned to see Catra sitting on the railing and walked over to her. She stayed behind Catra,took a deep breath then spoke. "Look I'm sorry. I didn't even think you wanted to be a Force Captain." "I don't. Here take your stupid bagde."Catra replied chucking the bagde behind her and Adora caught it.

"Besides,it's not like I care. I just want to get out of this dump at some point before I die of boredom. It's just...I even wonder what's outside the Fright Zone."Catra sighed as she laid across the railing.

"Why don't we go find out."Adora said mischievously as she held out a key for the Horde's battleships. Catra's eyes widened in shock then turned to Adora with a devious smile.

"I take it all back. You're officially awesome!"Catra cried out as they flew one of the battleships they had stolen out of the Fright Zone.

"I can't actually believe you stole a ship." "Borrowed. Please don't make me regret this."Adora replied. "I've always wanted to drive one of these things."Catra said. "Here give it."she said as she got up and pushed Adora out the way while grabbing the handle of the ship.

"Woah there Catra. You didn't come to our training session on how to drive these things so it could be a problem."Adora stated while she held Catra's arm. "Don't think this'll be a problem for future Adora and Catra."Catra replied then pushed the accelerator on the ship. "Catra hand over the ship!"Adora demanded. "No way Adora."Catra protested as she kept the handle from Adora's reach. As the two argued over the ship,neither seemed to realise that they were heading right into enemy territory until Adora looked up and yelled,"Catra,stop the ship!"

Startled but obeyed,Catra pulled the handle back forcing the ship to a full stop right before some woodland. The two girls stayed silent as they stared at the woods before them. "Where are we?"Catra asked in a hushed voice. Adora knew just by looking at the woods where they were. "This is the Whispering Woods."she said in dread.

"The what now?"Catra asked puzzled. "Are you kidding me?! Catra,you were there when we had the presentation about this place."Adora said frustrated. Catra shrugged. "I was there but most of what they said just slipped my mind." Adora rolled her eyes. "The Whispering Woods is the princesses' greatest defense against our troops. The trees move when you're not looking. Ever Horde squadron they've sent in there has never come out again."Adora told her,fear evident in her voice as she remembered the tales Shadow Weaver told all the cadets about this place.

Apparently,the tale had a different effect on Catra as she tightened her grip on the handle of the ship and said,"Let's go in." "Wait what-AH!"Adora yelled as Catra abruptly put her foot on the accelerator and dashed into the Whispering Woods. She clung tightly to the ship as Catra dodged trees and swerved around vines. "This is awesome!"Catra yelled happily "Come on Adora. Loosen up a bit."Catra said to Adora as she saw her holding onto the ship for dear life.

Adora looked ahead and saw a huge tree right in their path! "Catra!"Adora yelled. In a swift motion,she grabbed the handle and sharply turned the ship away from the tree and dodging other obstacles. Suddenly,a vine hooked around Adora's neck and,in the blink of an eye,she was thrown off the ship falling down to the ground. "Adora!"Catra shouted.

She collided with multiple branches as the ground rapidly rushed towards Adora.

Adora's eyes slowly fluttered open as she started to wake up. Pushing herself up,she checked herself to see if she had any broken bones or injuries but had none,other than a throbbing headache.

I swear,I'm going to kill Catra for her recklessness Adora thought to herself.

Suddenly,she noticed a bright blue glow appearing from before her.

She raised her head up to see a sword stuck in a tangle of vines. Curious but wary,she carefully approached the sword. Up close,she saw that it had a golden hilt with a turquoise gem inside it. The blade was light blue with some type of markings running down it.

"Cool."Adora whispered in awe. She stretched her hand towards the glowing sword and lightly touched it. Light exploded from the sword,blinding Adora then images started appeared rapidly before her. A large glowing planet,a bright,green land,a round stone,the very same sword she had just touched glowing brightly,a dark temple covered in vines,the sound of a baby crying as a tall and muscular woman with long,wavy,golden hair stood at the edge of a cliff.

Before the images faded away,a holographic woman appeared and softly whispered,"Adora." before the images faded away.

"Adora,Adora!" Eyes fluttering open,Adora woke up to the sight of Catra peering down at her worriedly. "Catra...w-what happened?"Adora asked her groggily. "You fell out of the ship when trying to avoid hitting the tree."Catra replied. "You mean the tree you nearly drove us into!"Adora retorted as she pushed Catra off her.

"You know I could've just left you here right?"Catra said as she brushed the dirt off her. "But you didn't."Adora replied with a sly grin. "Yeah,so you better remember that,"Catra replied. "And you seriously need to stop giving me heart attacks. You're making that whole 'I thought you were dead' thing is way too much of a habit."she added annoyedly.

"Aww,you were worried about me."Adora teased. "Yeah,yeah. It's only cause Shadow Weaver would kill me if I got you hurt or killed."Catra replied casually as she crept towards Adora and pressed her head softly against her shoulder.

"Sure."Adora replied as she extended her arm towards Catra and lightly scratched behind her ear,making Catra purr loudly.

Then Adora remembered the glowing sword,the images and the holographic woman who said her name.

"Catra where's the sword?"Adora asked as she abruptly shot up making Catra nearly fall face first into the ground. "The what?"Catra asked. "The sword! It was right here!"Adora repeated in a rush,looking around for it but saw only trees,bushes and vines. "Adora,I was here for the last two minutes and I didn't see a sword."Catra told her as she watched,confused,while Adora kept looking around.

"But it was right here,I saw it!"Adora protested. "Are you brain damaged,"Catra asked her as she cupped Adora's face and looked at her closely. "Please don't be brain damaged. God Shadow Weaver's going to kill me!"

"I'm not brain damaged! The sword was literally right here!"Adora said. "Well,it isn't here now so come on let's go."Catra said as she grabbed Adora's arm and went to pull her to where Catra landed the ship when her ear twitched. She stopped walking while her head turned to the canopy of trees above them. "Catra,why did yo-" "Ssh!"Catra ordered as she narrowed her eyes at the trees above.

"Adora,"she said after a moment of searching. "I want you to keep walking,stay silent and act normal...well as normal as you are."Catra whispered. Adora rolled her eyes at the remark but did as Catra said as they walked back towards the ship.

After a few seconds of walking,Catra suddenly turned and leaped into the air. Adora looked up to see Catra collided with some blur and tossed that blur away from her into a tree. Landing of her feet,she looked at the person she threw,claws brandished.

"Who the hell are you and wh-." She cut herself off as she stared at the person before them.

Adora gasped as she saw the person.

The person was a male with black fur and mane around his head,red stripes on his arms,golden eyes and a headpiece on his head. Other than the obvious differences,he looked exactly like Catra.

The cat-person eyes widened as he stared at them,particularly Catra. Either person moved nor spoke as they simply stared at one another in awe and wonder.

Then,slowly,Catra lowered herself down all fours and walked towards the cat-person. He simply watched her closely as she cautiously approached him. She stopped walking when they were a centimeter apart and simply stared at each other,seemingly having a silent conversation.

Up close,Catra was able to see the faint scar below the cat-person's left eye,the smear of blood under his bottom lip. As they continued to stare at one another only one thought ran through Catra's head.

I don't like this guy.

Author's note: Sorry I took so long to upload but this chapter took WAY longer than I planned. Just to inform you readers,in this story Adora and Catra's relationship is much more "healthy" in a way of speaking and Adora knows and understands the mistakes she does and Catra is able to manage her anger slightly better. Key word: SLIGHTLY! Hope you all enjoy the story so far.