Chapter 8: Mindfulness
The Warrior Monk
"Scorpia seems to have remained in the Fright Zone. Obviously our surveillance is spotty at the moment, but we haven't heard or seen anything from her since she travelled there. If we're going to capture her, this is our best opportunity. I can't imagine Horde Prime will let her stay there forever."
"Fright Zone?" asked Chris.
Victoria glared at Chris, who dismissively ignored her gaze. "I just want to make sure I have my geography right, that's all."
"Yes, Fright Zone," said Bow. "It's the Horde's old headquarters."
"Me, Catra and Scorpia grew up there," added Adora. "It's not a very nice place."
"It's been abandoned since Hordak was taken down, and all of the inhabitants have fled," Bow continued. "There's still shelter and some working technology there, so I could see it being a natural place for someone who isn't scared of the Horde to lie low."
"Scorpia really is the sentimental type, going home like that," said Perfuma, wringing her hands nervously even as she smiled.
"This isn't sentimentality," said Catra, scratching Melog behind the ears. "No one is sentimental about the Fright Zone. Not even Hordak."
Victoria saw Entrapta's hair droop, limply falling to the ground.
"Always so negative," retorted Perfuma, crossing her arms and huffing.
"I don't think it really matters one way or the other," said Bow. "She's in the Fright Zone, and we need to rescue her."
"I'm ready to save her mind," said Entrapta, her hair stiffening again as she stood up on two hair-leg things.
"Abilities?" asked Miss Militia. "We didn't discuss those much."
"Shooting red lightning, basically," said Adora. "Don't worry, it doesn't move as fast as normal lightning. Dodge and you'll be fine."
"That is easier said than done. She's also an absolutely lethal hugger," said Catra, making Sveta chuckle. "Don't assume she can't hurt you without firing a bolt. Her stinger can also paralyze anyone with a prick, and it's fast. She is the nicest person I've ever met, and her fighting with all that kindness removed… is scary."
"She saved me by holding off an entire lounge of people who were chipped," added Perfuma. "Catra is - actually - right. She was strong and good-hearted, but now she is just strong." Her voice wavered slightly, and swallowed a sob.
"Do you know the whereabouts of the others?" asked Tattletale.
"Not exactly," said Bow. "Mermista disappeared into the ocean more or less as soon as she was chipped, and Spinnerella was last seen being beamed up onto one of Horde Prime's ships. Micah is still in Mystacor."
"If I may," asked Dinah, tipping her head to Adora.
Adora nodded.
"I believe you are quite likely to encounter Spinarella and Mermista in the Fright Zone if you head there to face Scorpia."
"A trap then," said Catra.
"Possibly. Or a coincidence brought about by circumstance. If Horde Prime is as devoted to unlocking the potential of the Heart of Etheria as you claim, what better place to send his troops than somewhere he knows there is an unguarded Runestone?"
Dinah seemed more at ease than Victoria had seen her before, her nervous fidgeting from earlier and her desperate pleading from when she and Nieves had visited the Wardens replaced with an aura of calmness, undisturbed by the breezes of emotion around her.
We're listening to her and she is happy with that. When she can move everyone like a chess piece, she's content.
She enjoys being cryptic as much as ever too.
"He needs She-ra to unlock the Heart," said Catra. "He said so himself. Right, Glimmer?"
"I thought so too," said Glimmer, her gaze lowered. "But, apparently there might be another way."
"I hope that you all understand the urgency," said Dinah, her blindfolded gaze lingering on Catra.
Victoria was irritated at Dinah's refusal to explain the particulars of Etheria, Runestones, Hearts and who-knew what else, even as her curiosity was piqued.
I'll have to ask about it soon. Not right now, in this group. But I'm not keeping myself in the dark about this.
"Are the odds better if we send more people to rescue them?" asked Rain.
"I don't think I need to use my power to give you an answer to that query," said Dinah patronizingly.
Victoria patted Rain on the shoulder. "It's an important question. You never know what a single ignored question could conceal unless you answer it, and I think that's true for you Thinkers more than anyone."
Dinah frowned. Tattletale grinned from cheek to cheek.
"So, why don't you brief everyone on the threats these Princesses pose?" Miss Militia cut in.
"I think I can take point on this," said Netossa, grinning. She held a book open in one hand and a mechanical writing utensil in the other. "If we're going to come up with an effective battle strategy, we will need to work as a team. And in order to work as a team, we're going to need to have the best handle on each other we possibly can. We've only got a few hours, so I'll need everything quickly. I think I'm going to need each of your powers, described in great detail, and also your biggest weaknesses."
Netossa turned to Tattletale.
"Definitely not," Tattletale growled.
"Oh come on, do you have crippling self-doubt? An unhealthy arrogance? Or just a weakness to fire?"
Victoria nodded along with each question.
"I am not going to tell you any of that," snapped Tattletale, "and you can live without it."
"Hey, is that a drawing of me?" asked Bow, peeking at the book from behind Netossa.
"Yes. A handy visual aid of your weakness. Snipping your bowstring, if you can't tell."
"Why do you have that on paper?"
"First, I'll have you know that I have every one of your weaknesses written down, not just yours. And you should be thanking me right now," said Netossa. "I'm the only one who has contingency plans set up for this moment."
"If I might interject," said Chevalier. Victoria swore she could hear him holding back a laugh, something she had never heard before. "I understand why some of us may be reluctant to divulge the full extent of our powers, especially our weaknesses. However, it is in our best interests to be sure we can work as a team. Our plan of attack relies on it. We should ensure we're familiar with each other."
"Of course," said Tattletale, looking like she had been forcibly fed a rock.
"You do seem to be the best prepared for this," said Chevalier to Netossa. "I'm glad to have your help in formulating this plan."
"I'm getting my wife back, and I'm going to show you why I always win," said Netossa, clenching her fist. "I can't wait."
…
"I'm surprised they are being so loose with these secrets," said Tattletale.
"You're probably a part of the reason for that," Victoria said, taking a sip of water from her thermos.
"The entire thing is a pretty big break from normal procedure," said Tattletale. "Normally the Wardens would already have established a cordon around the portal and started biological analysis after establishing communication with the natives with dedicated specialists, but the portal being on Shin and Dinah bossing everyone around seems to have put that by the wayside. I'm not complaining."
"I do wish they would explain more about this planet to us. They're not exactly being clear, even if they also aren't hiding secrets."
"I think I have about half of it figured out anyway," said Tattletale. "Since Chevalier and Dinah seem aware of the futility of keeping things under wraps, I think you can get a pretty clear explanation from one of the Etherians without much pushback. I'd recommend Bow, by the way. Go pry his mind a little bit once we're a little more dispersed."
"Thanks. Some answers will be nice."
Victoria looked at Tattletale, who was calmly adjusting her mask.
"Aren't you worried about how long we might be stuck over here?"
"I'd like to see the kids again, but I think Imp has it handled for now. Tactfully, Lookout being with us is probably on a good thing on that front. Assuming Dinah is truthful about keeping her off the front lines."
"That's a major assumption."
"She seems honest to me. Well, honest about that. Shifty when taken as a whole."
"It's still just one more thing to worry about."
"I'm sure the Heartbroken could multiply that more than a few times if she weren't here."
"This is serious," said Victoria.
"I'm just saying that the distance might be good. We can keep Kenzie under our eye, around friends, without the powder kegs in arms' reach."
Tattletale twisted open silver foil containing some crackers that Shin had shipped through the portal. Victoria suspected that Shin had gone out of its way to send the blandest and toughest food they could, but Tattletale bit down without hesitation.
"The entire reason the Wardens have me here after I was supposed to be benched is because Breakthrough and I know more about the Shardspace than anyone else, and they think there's a connection here between the Simurgh and Teacher's damn numbers. Maybe I'm thinking too much, but I'm not sure anything that could take us there again, or expose her to how it works, is good."
"I think we're somewhat far afield of that now, if it makes you feel better."
"Ooh, better," said Victoria with as little energy as possible. "This Heart of Etheria looming over our heads, complete with an alien planet inhabited by English-speaking humans who seem to have powers without Shards."
"It won't open up traumatic memories for Lookout though, which is what we are worried about."
"Do you want more rocks for that glass house of yours?"
Tattletale's brow furrowed, and she put a cracker in her mouth, chewing it with unnecessary vigor.
"I think if anyone can handle being yanked from one thing to another, it's us," she said, ignoring Victoria's jab.
"You can't do that forever."
"No, you can't," said Tattletale. "But we have to do it now. And you know it. You're not going to stop when so much is hanging in the balance. That's heroism for you. Your choice."
"I can't tell if you're mocking me or not."
"I don't care how you see it. But you are a damn hero."
"I'd like to be able to take that as a compliment."
"We're not friends, and I'm not here to make you feel good about yourself." Tattletale smiled despite herself. "I'm on board with avoiding the most destructive spiral that comes from pushing yourself too hard. I'm just not going to decouple it from heroism."
Victoria took another sip of water rather than respond, an awkward silence stretching momentarily.
"I'm going to check on Lookout again."
"Excellent. I can inconvenience Kid Cassandra."
"Not that I mind, but you do seem to have it out for her."
"You've learned enough about me for one day. Maybe that can come later."
Victoria deposited her thermos on the ground, lifted herself gently from the floor of the cave and flew over to Kenzie, who was playing rock-paper-scissors with Adora. A holographic overlay projected from a small cube on the ground next to Kenzie placed lifelike images of the objects in front of their hands.
Kenzie placed a rock as Adora formed a scissors with her pointer and middle fingers.
"You need to stop always playing scissors," said Kenzie. "Oh, hi, Antares."
She bounded over to Victoria, picking up the cube, which couldn't have been larger than one of her thumbnails.
"I just want to make sure you're ready for this," Victoria said, kneeling on the floor and brushing some dust off of Kenzie's dress.
"Of course I am. Entrapta's technology is a little odd, but once she showed the ropes, making the adjustments was easier than I would have thought. We have surveillance prepared. I can't complain about having extra time to make some new friends."
I honestly wish I could be more happy about that.
At least she didn't have to be overworked for her contributions to be useful, even if she barely has had the opportunity to sleep.
"Working with Entrapta is a little strange," Kenzie admitted. "Normally, when Tinkers are working on their technology, it's like the rest of the world vanishes. She is sort of like that. She dives freely into data and technology, but she doesn't have the same focus. But I was able to keep her on task." Kenzie stood a little straighter and puffed up her chest.
"Look at you," said Victoria. "Hug?"
Excitedly, Kenzie wrapped her arms tight around Victoria.
"Go enjoy yourself for a little while. While we have the time."
Kenzie nodded, but turned around to see Adora occupied. Shadow Weaver, who had stayed silent as the plan to attack the Fright Zone had been laid out, was speaking with her.
"You said it is fixed. If you and Castaspella can't find anything unusual, I don't care."
"Adora, I can't make you do what I want, but you are making a grave mistake."
Adora tore her eyes from Shadow Weaver to see Kenzie watching her. "I'd rather get back to something more important," she said.
Shadow Weaver lifted her hand as though to grab Adora by the shoulder, but snapped it back to her side like a striking snake and stomped away in a huff.
"Sorry about that," Adora said. "Shadow Weaver still hasn't gotten used to people being able to refuse anything she wants."
"She isn't coming along anyway, so I take it that's one less issue to worry about," said Victoria. "Does she normally butt heads like that on missions?"
"She doesn't usually go on them. Actually the one time she did she was basically indispensable. But she has to have her way. Do you know how it is? I bet you know how it is."
"Sure do," said Victoria glumly as Kenzie and Adora threw down their hands. Two scissors.
"Good luck, Lookout," said Victoria, as Kenzie raised her hand for another match.
Victoria flew over to where Chevalier was standing, nearer to the entrance to the cave. He was consulting with Legend, who looked diminutive next to Chevalier's towering stature without his flight.
"Antares, is there something I can help you with?" asked Chevalier.
Victoria gave Legend a look of polite concern. "I'm wondering about the effects of the drug. If Amar-"
"It shouldn't be much longer, as long as Luis isn't lying about the stuff Amar used," said Legend, interrupting her. It was as uncharacteristic of him as his silence during the strategizing had been, but Victoria quieted herself without objection. Even if she weren't on as thin ice with the Wardens as she was, she knew that being stripped of power must have felt even more devastating for someone as strong as him than it would have for most capes. "I won't be near full strength in time for our trip to the Fright Zone, but I won't be helpless either."
"Miss Militia will be staying at a distance to coordinate our operations," added Chevalier.
A chilled breeze whipped through the air from the portal, and Legend shivered as it met him.
"I probably shouldn't tell you," said Legend, "but when we were talking with Queen Glimmer and this She-ra, she was opposed to letting you join the expedition. She seems to have taken Defiant's side in this and wants you in a strictly advisory capacity."
"And we're not going through with that."
"Of course not," said Legend. He gave a sardonic smile. "Truthfully, I just wonder if she can't quite be trusted to handle you Brockton Bay kids, much less the Undersiders."
Victoria didn't know how to respond to that, and decided to move the conversation along. "I actually came over here to ask about evacuation efforts and Contessa's travel to Cheit."
"We haven't heard a word from Contessa," said Chevalier, "although we do have utmost confidence she's managing. Even once she has extracted Teacher, the Simurgh's influence may make her leery about participating here, although she will no doubt be invaluable. The evacuation is continuing. Some of the most stubborn remaining citizens are being left to their own devices, but the longer timetable has been a godsend."
"I'm happy to hear," said Victoria. She considered asking about Damsel, but decided against it for the moment. Chevalier was cordial with her, and had listened to her ideas, but his attitude was still chilly enough that she could sense some disapproval.
"I've just about finished the last adjustments," Victoria heard Entrapta shout. The Princess was closing a hatch on the robot she called Emily.
"I guess we're getting ready to go," said Legend.
Tattletale approached Victoria, her steps brisk and energetic. "Well, hero, I wonder what weird stuff we're going to see next."
"Are flying horses weird where you come from?" asked Bow, looking up from his techpad.
"Very," responded Tattletale.
"Then you're about to see some weird stuff very soon."
A Watchful Being
The portal only opened momentarily, but it was sufficient for the bridge to collapse, the Simurgh pulling its center downwards into the River of Abraham.
The woman called Contessa, still malnourished and scrawny from captivity, guided by others where her gaze could not pierce, approached the river from one end, towards the vain palace of worship where the Benefactor waited in chains.
As an obstacle, it was only an inconvenience for her. But it would delay her enough. She would not interfere on Etheria until it was too late.