A/N: She-ra and the Princess of power were made by J. Michael Straczynski and Larry DiTillio, I only take credit for my own added character's and storylines. Similarly, any references will be attributed to their original creators when they pop up.

Recommended story: Don't Go by Annacharlier

Just after save the cat. A short, fluffy one-shot that I consider canon. Consisting on Catra coping with the effects of having been placed with the chip as well as her own actions starting to catch up with her.

BTW, I also have an A03 account where I'm also publishing, if you prefer reading it there~.
Enjoy!

Chapter 5 ~ Fragile Snowflake

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Content Warning! Implied depression, BPD, suicidal thoughts and other similar themes (if you squint you eyes). If any of the above is something you are not comfortable with, then you might want to skip this fic.

There's also LGBT, but what are you doing here if that's a surprise?

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Angela smiles, watching her daughter laugh as she pulls both Adora's and Bow's arms, disappearing in a shining glow, moving through the castle as she prepares to travel.

She smiles as the remaining members leave, striking a conversation or two with some as the room slowly empties. Some military discussions, some more peaceful in nature. But she smiles, waiting until the last leaves and closes the door.

Left to her thoughts, she stretches her wings and arms, staring out of the large window as her eyes dart towards her family's land and let out an aggravated breath.

It's funny, she thinks tiredly, I haven't smiled in years, but I do it daily.

After all, almost all her loved ones were dead. At this point, one of the few things that still brought her joy was her daughter.

"Your majesty." A voice whispers by her side. "I wish not to question your order. But is it wise to send the princess on a mission before we know why they've become so... cautious in their engagement?"

Angela's smile slips, letting out a tired sigh as her gaze momentarily flickers. They hadn't been prepared for the sudden careful planning the Horde had started to display. Not that long ago their attack's were both relentless and overwhelming, but they tired easily and left openings to push back. Now it was structured attacks, probing the borders with fluid ease between attacks. There was, however, uncertainty and even inexperience. Enough, at least, that she found herself wondering- "We can't let a lack of intel cripple our offensive, Juliet. We know this more than most."

Her oldest friend shifts uncomfortably, eyes darting out of the window as they follow her gaze. "I agree." She whispers softly. "But you and I know that Shadow Weaver isn't one to pull her punches. And with these counteroffensive's that's literally how to describe them. Their probing and pulling, seeing how we react. Before they just tried to overwhelm us with numbers." She swallows thickly, eyes meeting her own. "And with the recent battle of Brightmoon, it wouldn't be a stretch to assume-"

"Yes." She cuts in with a grimace. Another friend she'd lost, Angela thinks, mourning for what had become of Light Spinner. "But with our numbers thinned, we are no longer capable of supporting our main forces... and I wish for Glimmer to gain more experience in the... less idealistic missions."

"Ah." Juliet sends her a sympathetic glance. "So the scouting mission is to buy time to prepare?"

"Yes." She nods bitterly. "She's seen death before, but they were soldiers she barely knew, not friends or comrades. And definitely not a loved one." Shifting uncomfortably, her gaze flickers towards the map. "Once she returns, I'll assign her to... a more volatile mission. It's unlikely she'll lose either Bow or Adora, but... perhaps some soldier under her care? Perhaps even someone she's grown to call a friend. The sooner she stops seeing the war as some calling of benevolence for heroes, and realises how many suffer for it, the sooner I can start teaching her the less pleasant side of ruling."

She feels revulsion grow under her skin, the urge to vomit grow as she gazes at the small chess pieces that decorate the map.

And she wonders.

(Micah jumps at the resounding explosion, head snapping from the blondette as they both reach for their weapon. Conversation forgotten as they-

"Glacea! You little piece of-" Angela's snarling voice echoes through the field, throwing another explosion as said princess runs towards them.

"Hide me!" The pre-teen begs as she ducks behind him.

"-eh?" Micah squeaks, eyes widening as his eyes dart towards-

"Micah!" She hisses. "You were part of this!?" The pinkette -former, he notes as he regards her green hair- hisses, eyes flashing dangerously. Her finger twitches as another magical circle -an explosive one, he observes unsurprised- forms in her palm.

His other friend slowly walks away.

"Eh?" He echoes, panic filling his gut.

An explosion echoes through the field.)

Juliet reaches out for her hand, interlacing their fingers with gentle grace.

"It's okay." She whispers softly. "She'll thank you. One day, she'll understand."

Angella smiles bitterly. Understand? She thinks. How could she understand me when I don't even recognise myself.

"That was everything for today?" She asks instead, pretending to study the map as she forces herself to forget.

"Yes." Her friend's smile turns sharp and vicious. "I informed Princess Jasper that you were far too preoccupied with the war effort to possibly meet him."

Angella smiles fondly. "In that case, I might find myself preoccupied in my room. It has been a while since I last had the chance to read for myself." She responds. "Thank you. I honestly might have done something I half regretted if I spoke to him today."

That worm would have never been allowed in her mother's realm. In better times, he wouldn't have been allowed in her's either. Unfortunately, he was cunning, and she really did need his financial aid. Between the alliance's fall and her own depression at losing them, it took her far too long to reform and rule her kingdom. By the time she truly became confident in the rule of her kingdom, he'd already dug his filthy claws deep. Sending one last glance towards the unfriendly map, she lets out an exhausted sigh.

"Juliet?" She calls, not particularly caring whether her friend listens or not. "If we do ever reach the point where we lose this war, remind me to brutally- er, deliver him to the next world."

It goes to show how much either has slept when her knight cracks a smile, their hands remaining interlaced in gentle comfort.

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"Scorpia. Good, you're here." Catra greets, opening another box as she searches for anything that would bring her warmth.

"Ah- Yes! Yes, I am!"

Catra hums, deciding not to call on her weirdness as she searched the box. Mostly for herself, since she'd be calling her out most of the day and she really hasn't got the time. "Right. So Entrapta brought all this junk from her lab. Help me find a space heater or something? Since we apparently live here now."

"Sure thing!" Scoria smiles, opening one of the boxes next to her. "So... I've been thinking. And I know you've been really busy and super focused on your career. But.. would you... ever want to... you know, like... hang out... with me?"

Catra sends her an unimpressed glance. "What are you talking about?" She lifts her hand in a displaying manner to emphasize her point. "We are hanging out now. Right now."

"Yes. Totally... But, ah, what I mean was like outside office hours you know...pfft, I don't know, hang out and… maybe get something to eat? ...Just the two of us?" Catra blinks bewilderedly. I thought we were hanging out, she ponders, trying to make sense of what's going through Scorpia's head. Is it food? I know she likes cooking, so is this another trio -or duo in this case?- idea?

As Catra tries to make sense of the woman, Scorpia lets out an awkward laugh, leaning on a pile of boxes with a hopeful smile.

And promptly falls as all the content settles through the floor.

Catra groans, staring at the mess and already knowing she'll have her whole day occupied. She doesn't look hurt, at least, so I won't be doing all the work alone. Not that it's comforting, since Scropias clumsiness will probably... make it...

For an instant, Catra's entire body tenses, eyes sharpening as the hair at the back of her neck stands. And then she blinks unsure as to the sudden reaction, flattening the fur on her tail before she wearily picks up the... triangle-shaped star with her claws. It's not quite the accurate description of the object, more complex and isometric, but it was close enough of a description right now. A frown sketches her features because it... feels weird. Nothing comes to mind on how to describe it, but even with her fingerless gloves, it touches her fur in the wrong way and somehow that irks her in more ways than simply being uncomfortable.

"Ahh! Careful with that!" Entrapta panics, gently caressing it when Catra hands it over bewilderedly. "I think it's a rare First one artefact. I've been meaning to study it but I haven't got a chance yet. The last time I deployed it ended up infecting my robots with some sort of murder virus!"

"...You brought a murder virus in the middle of a snowy wasteland, but not a blanket?

"Oh, it does other things too!" Entrapta smiles as if it's a reasonable idea. "For example, when it infected She-ra she lost her powers. Also, she got very... floppy."

"A She-ra off-switch?" Catra mutters, a smile slowly growing as she stares at the crimson not quite triangle in Entrapta's hands. "Well, why didn't you say anything before?"

Not a moment later, alarms blare throughout the room as Entrapta yelps, dropping the star back into Catra's hand. She marvels at Entrapta's idea of being careful as she places it in the pocket of her coat, frowning as she walks towards her.

"The drilling bots are gone?" Entrapta mutters, frowning at her screen as she furiously types. Scowling in what Catra assumes is offence, she rushes outside as she leans next to the railing of the canyons bridge.

"Eh? Wait, they just disappeared into thin air? Just like that?" Scorpia askes alarm, chasing after them in worry.

"Maybe there is scientific truth to the disappearances rumours." Entrapta offers unhappily, glancing down towards the shadowed pit.

"Truth or not, those were all minus one of the robots we brought." Catra points out, blinking when Entrapta's pet makes an alarming sound from what Catra assumes is the com. I knew Entrapta agreed to leave it on the ship too easily. "So you better figure out how we get them back online before my ears freeze off."

"...I suppose I'll-"

"You're not going down there." She denies it with a frown.

"Or... I could try to get the last recorded data!"

"Just make sure you get something. I had to pull enough strings without us coming back empty-handed." Catra mutters.

"A scientist never returns empty-handed. There's always data!"

"Yeah, so you've said. Repeatedly." Letting out an exasperated sigh, she sends her a fond glance. "Now if only-"

"Catra!" A familiar voice calls. Closing her eyes, Catra's jaw tightens because of course. She stops, forcing out a calming breath. "It's been a while."

"Hey, Adora." Catra masks a lazy grin, crossing her arms as she leans on the railing.

"You're pretty far from the frontline. Shadow Weaver keeping you from the action?" Catra hums, her growing anger replaced by momentary amusement. Well, she thinks, if nothing else, the rebellion's information network is as bad as ours. Not that it's particularly comforting, since their network is non-existent, but better both then just hers. "We're here to take back this land. It's time for you to go back to the Fright Zone."

And just like that, her anger returns with a grin on her face and adrenaline through her veins. "You want me out?" Her eyes sharpen. "Make me."

"My pleasure."

In a single, simple movement, Catra jumps back, feet balanced on the railing as She-ra's sword slams into the floor.

I need to isolate her, she thinks as her gaze flickers to meet Scorpia's. The large woman nods, no exchange of words passing their lips as Catra starts running off the bridge.

Not a moment later, she twists her body at her waist, her hand reaches for the snow and throws it towards She-ra's face.

It doesn't hit, -not that she expected it to- but it does give her a moment to shift her weight to her hands, using them to balance herself as the back of her foot attempts to slam into her shoulder.

It's blocked, but Catra doesn't waste the moment and jumps on top of the sword, and again as she dodges another attempted slash as her claw aims for her arm, narrowly missing as... did it just change shape?

Blinking dumbly, she barely manages to avoid the next strike from a golden pole using a rather complicated twist mid-air, landing on a wall shaped piece of ice.

It's always been strange, fighting with She-ra. Because She-ra fought nothing like Adora. Not with her new, shapeshifting golden staff, and even less with a large sword she had little to no skill using. And She-Ra couldn't quite fight Catra the way she used to, being significantly taller and heavier, causing her movements too slow and telegraphing.

I should have brought a staff, she thinks mildly irritated, snapping her head back as she ducks another blow. I should also not let my thoughts wander.

It only gets weirder, her staff shifting into a rope and trapping her legs in a swift moment.

"Don't move." She-Ra threatens, blade returned as it aims to her throat.

"Oh? You finally going to kill me now?" She smirks lethargically. It only grows when the edge of the sword slowly lowers away from her neck. "You know, as much as I do enjoy our fights, this is getting as old as it is cold. Let's try something new, yeah?"

Giving her no chance to react, she pulls out her new toy and slams it onto the hilt of the sword.

Her smirk falls as a shockwave emits from the sword, flinching back when her hand flares with pain. She hears a faint scream as she's thrown back, cradling her injured hand as she slams into the snow.

"Catra! What did you-?"

Whatever sparkles has to say is beyond her as She-Ra let's out a snarl, slamming her sword into the snow where she stood a moment ago.

Letting out a low moan, she forces herself up, walking back towards cover as she watches red coloured veins growing on the large woman's arms.

"You said she'd be powerless!" Catra hisses at Entrapta, leaning on one of the frozen walls for support.

"She will be." Entrapta counters, examining her arm with worry as her eyes dart towards the infighting. "Eventually... I think."

"...Actually, this is rather therapeutic." Catra hums, a smile slowly forming on her lips as she watches her once friend slam the sword into the ground with enough force to form a crater.

Her smile grows as the crater starts to spread, bringing the entire edge of the cliff down with the princesses. "Huh." She rolls her shoulder, tilting her head as she ponders whether or not She-ra has gotten some form of physical enhancement. "Entrapta, how long does this last?"

Whatever Entrapta was about to answer is replaced with a squeak when the rampaging woman charges towards them, slamming the blade into the ground fast enough that Catra barely evades. "Get back." She warns, staring at the newly formed crater.

It's enough to break through her skull, she realises with growing panic, ducking another blow as she attempts to create distance.

She can't help but wonder if it's an enhancement or a lack of affection that gives her the level of brutality, grabbing her foot mid-jump before she throws her towards the floor. Hard. "Okay. I preferred this when it wasn't me getting-" Her thoughts freeze as Adora raises her sword, red eyes gleaming with amusement and her smirk wide and bloodthirsty.

She's scared, she realises. A shiver running down her spine as she hears the low distorted chuckling. Fear is never something that she's directly linked to Adora before. She doesn't quite understand why it feels like a betrayal now that she does.

"Adora?" Her voice cracks, a trickle of blood running down her forehead, more falling down her arm as it starts to scarlet the snow below. She's shaking, something wet falling from her eyes as something shatters inside her. "Adora, ple-?"

Her grin grows to a disturbing size, blade falling down to slices through her neck.

But it doesn't hit.

"Don't touch her!" Scorpia snarls, throwing herself at She-ra, far beyond her usual level of strength as both women are thrown into the snow.

Momentarily closing her eyes, she lets out a shaky breath as she rubs her neck.

"Oh! I understand now!" Entrapta exclaims as she examines Adora's state. "The sword was what was infected, not Adora herself. Huh, guess she really is organic matter after all. If it's anything like last time, she'll experience an inebriated behaviour and won't possess any recollection of the events. She's more or less heavily... drunk... Catra?"

"S-Something got into my eyes?" Catra snaps, rubbing them desperately as she forces herself up.

"Catra! Are you okay?"

"Yeah... thanks for the assist, Scorpia." She forces her body to loosen, smirking victoriously as she ignores everything rattling around inside her brain. "Looks like you mine again, Adora. Really not a good track record, the number of times the rebellion gets themselves captured." Looking upwards, she smiles at Scorpia, her hands shaking in her pocket as something aches in her chest. "Let's take her back inside, yeah? I've got snow everywhere."

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"Pretty please?"

Catra looks towards the ceiling as she let out a resigned sigh. "Entrapta. The rebellion will try to get She-ra back as soon as they get the chance. the longer we stay, the more chances they have of succeeding." Not that Catra was expecting to win this argument. Convincing Entrapta to not science was about as likely as Shadow Waver being nice. Still, she should at least try to convince the older woman before relenting.

"I just need to know what destroyed the bots! All other relevant data has already been stored. It shouldn't take longer than an hour, honest!"

"...Fine, but one hour, no more." It'd be another three, she just knew it.

"Yes! You're the best Catra!" The woman cheers. "Emily! You heard her! Prepare the vessels engines as I finish collecting the data."

Catra-

-blinks.

Her head snaps towards Entrapta with growing incredulity on her features. "What."

"What, what?"

"I mean," Her voice firms, "why is it being left in charge of the ship."

"Er... we left her in the vessel, Catra."

"Your robot isn't capable of that, Entrapta." Catra reminds her with shrinking patience.

"Oh, that! Don't worry. I've been upgrading her software. It's A-okay."

"Even so." Catra insists, crossing her arms with a huff. "There's a difference between combat upgrading and being aware of how to pilot around icebergs."

Entrapta stops, and for a moment she can't help but wonder if she's said something wrong. Before she can decide, Entrapta tilts her head slightly as she peers at her, expression crinkling with bewilderment. "Don't be silly, Catra. Just because Emilys a robot doesn't mean she isn't sentient!"

"I-, that-," Entrapta grins, leaving the room with a merry hum, the door gently closing behind her as Catra can only stare. "what?" A robot was quite literally defined as non-sentient. Entrapta's toy was not sentient.

Letting out a soft groan, she allows herself a moment to breathe before nodding, turning the other door, wondering if she-

"Big bug! Catch me!" A voice cheers in delight.

"Huh?" Scoria squeaks, falling on the floor with enough force to make Catra flinch. An intoxicated Adora lays happily on top of the woman, humming to herself without a care in the world.

"What?" Catra eye twitches.

"Hey! It's Catra!" Adora stands, taking a step forward before tripping on Scorpia, promptly falling on the floor with a slam.

It takes Catra an actual moment to process what's occurred. Blinking slowly as her eyes dart between the two individuals before she snorts.

"Aww, a little bit clumsy, are we?" Catra smirks, watching Adora flopped next to the wall, far too amused with viewing pretty, perfect Adora making a fool of herself. "How does it feel? Knowing you being dragged back to the Horde under my command?" Catra held Adora's chin, smirking as she stared at the woman's drowsy eyes. "I'll even give you a nice cell as I conquer Etheria." Which, actually-

...Catra hadn't actually stopped and thought about it, but... did she want to conquer Etheria? All her reason's had, at one point or another, become invalidated. After all, what was the point of... well... proving her point when she'd already cemented her authority? That she'd always been as talented and skilled as Adora had. That she was just as good a leader, a strategist and tactician. That maybe she was even better?

That she deserved to be loved.

Why did you become the commander?

Distracted by her own line of thought, she's too slow to note Adora's sudden movement as she threw herself towards her. Spine tensing as she desperately tries, and fails, to dodge.

But there was no blow, no punch, body tackle, not even a headbutting.

No. Adora was kissing her.

Not a lip kiss, thank Hordak. It was awkwardly on her cheeks, slobbery at that. Similar to the ones they'd always given before...well, everything.

Catra recoils back, falling on her back as Adora lands on top of her. She could only stare, something significant in her brain... frizzling, an image of one of Entrapta's failed robots spinning in circles, sparks exiting its head at the forefront of her mind.

"Catra!" Adora cheers, making no attempt to lift herself as she lazed above with a smile on her lips.

"...What."

"Catra, do you... need any help?" Scorpia asks, lifting herself with a grimace as she stares concernedly.

"...No." She slowly shakes her head, brain struggling to compute as she tries to think. "Scorpia, would you mind checking the cameras with Entrapta? The sooner we finish here the better, yeah?"

For an instant, something unreadable flashes through Scorpia's expression as she stares at Adora, quickly masked with a smile as she nodded mechanically. Deciding it was a judge of Adora's threat, Catra brushes it off as she gazes expectantly. "Sure thing, Wildcat! You know where to find us if you need any help."

Catra waits until the door closes with a soft 'thud', head flopping down back onto the floor as she finally allows herself to groan. "...Get off me. You're too heavy for this."

"I!" She declares, finger pointing to the sky. "Am not fat!" Adora giggled, leaning into her as she was pulled into an unwilling hug.

"Right." Catra snorts. "The princesses have been fattening you up, there's barely any muscle left."

Adora gasps, staring at her wide-eyed before she looked down at her on -still, admittedly, very muscle built- arms. And then blinked, turning back to look at her as she tightened her hug. "Not fat."

"So you've said." Catra sighs, budging towards the wall as she awkwardly moves the woman. "Not fat, then."

"Play with my hair?" Adora asks hopefully.

"I- What? I'm not playing with your hair!"

"But why!? You always play with my hair! I'll play with your hair after- m'promise!"

Catra flinches, eyes narrowing as she opens her mouth to point out that she very much didn't, but Adora had already yawned, burying her face in Catra's shoulder.

"What in Hordak's name..." Catra mutters to herself, fingers gently going through Adora's hair as far too many things that she cared to count twisted inside her.

It's okay, she prays, Entrapta said she wouldn't remember this, it's okay. It's okay.

It isn't. But it is. It's like she's back in the past, only it's worse than the crystal temple because Adora is functioning at a subconscious level, and it hurts.

Because Catra has been desperately trying to hold everything together, barely stopping it from falling apart, and now she's-

She doesn't know.

She just-

...

No. She's lying to herself now. She knows exactly what the problem is.

She's always known. It's not about old habits dying hard.

Thing is, Catra still cares for Adora.

And even more, she hates her for making her still care. That she sees Adora and still has hope that Adora will regret leaving. That whenever she sees Adora something she hates starts to warm in her chest.

Something wet falls down her cheeks.

She easily ignores it.

It's fine, she thinks with desperate hope, one more time, and I can finally move on.

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So most importantly, a big thank you to Sathroe and Hubris Plus who kindly gave me some, and with some I mean many, correction's as well as pointers. I will endeavour to 'Death to parentheses', promise!

So I ended up dividing the original chapter, since it was already getting close to five thousand with a fair amount left to right. But from here we'll start derailing, so that's that soon to start!

There isn't much else to be said in this chapter, since everything I wanted to say is for the next chapter.

If you feel that I should have written something differently (such as personality and/or display's of different states of mentality), please leave a comment! Any advice is welcome!

Thoughts? Anything you particularly enjoy?

Anyways, Ill See you next time! Ciao!

~ Sapphire and Emeralds