A/N: So here's the second chapter. Real quick before I go get started on chapter three I wanted to answer some questions. One- for the canon of this version of Vader I will be using a blend of both legends and current canon. Second- this really isn't a question per se but I did want to clarify. This Vader is post redemption. I will explain how he survived but that'll come later. While Vader is redeemed, he will still have some holdovers from his sith days.

Now that's out of the way I hope you enjoy the new chapter. Expect a new chapter around thanksgiving. May the Force be with you all.

Their bed was exactly as Catra had left it. Made with the same military precision that had been beaten into her head for as long as she could remember. The metal frame that held up the top bed was cold to the touch, the ladder dusty from unuse. She never used the top bunk, preferring instead to join Adora whenever possible.

Catra sat down at the end of the bed, crossing her legs as she did so. She had spent every night here while Adora slept beside her. Curled up next to Adora, it had felt safe, secure. The drawings they had made of each other were still at the head of the bed. The flames inside Catra flared at the sight of them. They bathed her in an unseen warmth as they tried to comfort her.

She blew out a breath as she let the flames grow and fill her once more. Following the directions Vader had given her, as well as the guidance from the flames, she reached the state she had found in the woods.

The Fright Zone felt very different from the Whispering Woods. She had noticed it as soon as she entered the city. And now that she was focusing on it she could tell the difference. The metal itself didn't give off the same feeling as the many trees did. There was no life here. Instead, echoes of those that lived floated around her.

Lonnie, complaining about something Kyle had said.

Rogelio, brooding in each corner of the room.

Adora, laughing with Catra.

Catra crying.

But there was something else, deeper than any of those lingering imprints. Fear seemed to be embedded into the very foundation of the Fright Zone. It set Catra's fur on end, and caused her tail to whip around behind her. She had never felt this uneasy in the Fright Zone before. It had been her home, their home. But now?

As Catra let her senses die down, she began to open her eyes. A man sat across from her, drenched in an otherworldly blue glow. He wore robes that were even more battered and worn than he was. Neatly parted white hair and a trimmed white beard was the only thing that indicated he cared about his appearance. A warm smile adorned his face, his blue eyes twinkling with mischief.

He was also transparent.

Catra screamed and jumped up, hitting her head on the top bunk. She stumbled out of the bed rubbing the newly forming bruise.

"Catra," A low harsh voice called out. Catra spun, coming face to face with Shadow Weaver. The eyes of the mask Weaver constantly wore were narrowed in annoyance.

"What do you want," Catra spat out even as she turned away from Shadow Weaver and back to the bed. The man was gone, with no sign that anyone had been there.

"Impertinent as always," Shadow Weaver grabbed Catra's arm, forcefully spinning her around. "It would serve you better to show more respect," The eyes on her mask narrowed even further, till nothing but thin slits remained. "Especially after your spectacular failure in the simple task I gave you."

Catra ripped her arm from Shadow Weaver's grasp. "You were the one that didn't tell us that there could be princesses there."

"Your job was to bring back Adora," Shadow Weaver reached out grasping Catra's chin, pulling her head up sharply. "And instead your squad was razed, your war machines destroyed, and Adora is still not here."

The flame in Catra's chest roared in fury. She gritted her teeth and tore herself away from the grip on her chin. "Newsflash, old lady, if Adora wanted to be here, she would be. But she's gone, defected." Catra pointed at Shadow Weaver, the flames in her chest pushing to be let loose. "And I'm beginning to think she had the right idea."

"Lies," Shadow Weaver hissed the word out. The lights above them broke as the sorceress flexed her magic, inky blackness surrounding them.

Catra's fear spiked as the light from the room was cut off. She raised her arm and the flames responded. A great blast of force caught Shadow Weaver and sent her flying across the room. She smacked against the opposing bunk beds and crumpled to the ground groaning in pain.

"Run," A male voice whispered in Catra's ear, getting ahead of the swirling thoughts that threatened to paralyze her.

She ran.

Dashing out of the room before Shadow Weaver recovered, Catra tore down the hall. Her heart beat wildly in her chest, even as the flames sang in triumph. Her feet pounded against the metal floor. She had never felt so alive.

As she turned a corner, she didn't notice the figure standing there. She smacked into Lonnie, sending them both to the ground in a tangle of limbs.

"What the hell, Catra," Lonnie shoved the cat girl off of her. Standing, she brushed herself off as her eyes narrowed into a glare. "Why don't you watch where you're going?"

Scrambling to her feet, Catra's eyes narrowed, her ears flat against her head. "I don't have time for this," She tried to force her way past the larger girl but Lonnie held her ground.

"Nuh-uh, you're not getting away that easily."

"Catra!" Shadow Weaver's shrill yell echoed down the hallway. Catra's arm lashed out catching Lonnie in the gut and doubling her over. She was quickly vaulted over, as Catra continued her mad dash away from Shadow Weaver.

Pain lanced through her before she made it to the end of the hallway. Red lightning danced around her, holding in place as Shadow Weaver stalked towards her.

"Insolent child," The eyes on Shadow Weaver's mask had narrowed to slits. "How dare you strike at me." Catra tried to struggle free as she was spun around to face the sorceress. "You will answer to Lord Hordak."

Catra's eyes widened. She had never seen Lord Hordak. No one had except Shadow Weaver. There were stories of course. People would catch glimpses of Hordak and tell tales of his appearance. Covered in metal, glowing red eyes. It all painted a terrifying picture that Catra had no interest in seeing for herself.

She tried to stoke the flames in her chest, to push them out and break free as she had done while in Vader's grip, but she found the task much harder than before. Weaver's red lightning lick across her body, sending spikes of pain coursing through her. It made it difficult to concentrate on what she needed to do.

She continued to struggle even as Shadow Weaver marched through the complex, holding Catra aloft and in front of her. They entered Hordak's throne room. A single light illuminated the throne sitting on top of a set of stairs. The rest of the room was cast in shadow.

They passed the throne, heading deeper into Hordak's sanctum. Shadow Weaver kept her hold on Catra even as she bowed low, and spoke.

"Lord Hordak," Her voice was oily and sweet. Even without the flame telling her Catra could tell this was something she only did to try and placate and deceive Hordak. "I have something that requires your attention."

A silhouette moved in the darkness. The clanging and whirring of machinery reached Catra's ears, and a red glow illuminated a small portion of the room. Two red eyes appeared and moved towards them. Slowly revealing the form of Hordak.

Catra was unimpressed.

While Hordak did cut an intimidating figure, it was nothing in comparison to Vader. Sure the red eyes were creepy, but they weren't as intense as Vader's un-responsive mask. And sure Hordak was taller than Catra, but that was already a low bar to clear. She was sure that Vader would even tower over Hordak.

Beyond all that though, Vader had seemed to affect the world around him. Hordak did not seem to have that kind of effect. The darkness did not cling to him as it had Vader.

"What seems to be the issue?" Hordak's voice was low and gravely.

Catra was thrown to the floor, the red lightning disappearing from around her. She greadly sucked in air, her lungs finally under her control once more. The flames in her chest sparked again before flowing out and soothing her limbs.

"This cadet," Shadow Weaver's voice was once again filled with contempt as she spoke. "Was given a simple task of returning force captain Adora to the horde. Instead, we suffered a humiliating defeat, and when I came to confront her she struck at me."

"Is this true, cadet?" Hordak turned his head towards Catra as he spoke, a sneer on his face.

Catra struggled to her feet. The constant pain of the red lightning having taken a small toll. She glared up at Hordak. "Why should I bother? You'll just take her side anyway."

Hordak's sneer grew, his red eyes flashing. Instead of responding, however, he turned back to Shadow Weaver. "So you mean to tell me that you are still down a force captain?"

Shadow Weaver seemed to mentally backpedal, "I… yes Lord Hordak, but I assure you I will bring Adora back-"

"No," Hordak interrupted with a slash of his arm. "You have wasted enough time and resources on a single person. It is time to move on." He clasped his arms behind his back and started pacing. "You will name another force captain, and we will resume our normal operations."

"My Lord, Adora was the only viable option."

Hordak's harsh voice interrupted, "Then find another. I do not have time to correct your mistakes, Shadow Weaver." His head tilted back towards Catra. "As for this one, dispose of her. I have no use for those that will turn on their superior officers." He waved his hand dismissively at her before turning back to Weaver.

Catra's eyes widened. This wasn't good. Shadow Weaver had always threatened to dispose of her, but it was always just the threat. She would hang it over Catra's head to keep her in line. To keep Adora in line. This time, however, it was an order. And she was sure Hordak would see it through.

Catra started inching away from the two of them. Her head swiveled around as she looked for a way out. The only entrance she had seen was the one Weaver had dragged her through. It was the best option she had at the moment. She gathered the flames in her chest again, preparing for the mad dash that was about to come.

"My Lord, I hardly think that will be necessary," Shadow Weaver blustered, hands raising. "I'm sure with a little, punishment-"

Catra took another step back.

"You have raised her as your ward, if your conditioning has not worked so far, I fail to see why you think more would have different results." Hordak had stepped up fully to Shadow Weaver. "Quite frankly, I question why I agree with our arrangement."

Catra's foot caught on a piece of metal piping. The clanging of metal sounded out in the small chamber as various pipes and bits of electronics fell around her. Both Hordak and Shadow Weaver had turned towards her, staring at the cringing catgirl. There was a moment of silence.

Catra unleashed the flames once again, catching both Shadow Weaver and Hordak in their wake. The pair was pushed back by the force unleashed, with the machinery around them flying through the air as well. Catra bolted away from the chaos she caused.

She barely heard the bellowed, "Get her!" as she dived down the steps narrowly dodging the bolt of black magic. Tucking herself into a roll, Catra was quickly on her feet again. As she reached the doorway, the flames in her chest spoke a warning to her.

She leaped forward, arm outstretched. Her claws caught the doorframe, her momentum sent her swinging around the door. Another bolt of black magic zoomed past her as she caught her footing again and kept running.

She heard Shadow Weaver's voice call out, ordering her capture. She heard the heavy boot of horde soldiers stomping after her. She ignored it all as she kept up her speed, the flames offering her directions as she made her way through the complex.

The flames sang once more as she found herself on top of a wall. The whispering woods stretched out beneath her. Somehow she had found herself on the very edge of the Fright Zone. Slowing to a walk Catra made her way along the top of the wall.

A voice called out to her, "Hey, uh, Catra right?"

Catra spun, claws out, ready to pounce. A woman stood behind her. Dressed in the horde officer uniform. She had pincers for hands and a long scorpion tail that curled up behind her. A shock of white hair sat on top of her head.

"Leave me alone," Catra growled out. She turned back to the edge of the wall. The flames in her chest still sung to her. But they offered little direction that made sense.

"Uh, listen, I don't know what's going on," the lady wrung her claws together as she slowly approached Catra. "But I'm sure we can talk this out."

"Pretty sure we can't," Catra looked down, leaning out over the edge of the wall. "Considering Lord Hordak ordered my disposal." Not that Catra really wanted to be here anymore, but the lady didn't need to know that.

The lady laughed nervously, waving her arms around in what was supposed to be a calming manner. It only caused Catra more distress. "Hordak's just a little intense, it was probably just a misunderstanding."

The flat look Catra gave her caused the lady to wilt just a bit. "Yeah, and I'm sure if I just waltzed back in there, Hordak would serve me tea and cookies, and apologize for being a little intense."

"Well, ok maybe that's a little bit optimistic-"

The hoot of an owl interrupted them, drawing their attention to a green and white bird sitting on the edge of the wall between them.

It hadn't been there before.

It was staring directly at Catra.

It hooted again before spreading its wings, taking to the air with barely a flap. It circled Catra's head once before diving over the wall and into the darkness of the woods. The flames whispered to her to follow.

"What was that?" The lady asked leaning over the wall herself to try and get another look at the bird.

Catra, however, ignored her as she stared down at the woods the bird had disappeared into. She felt the flames comfort her, telling her she would be safe. Her ear twitched, as the same male voice from before whispered to her, "Trust in the Force."

That was what Vader had called it. Her flames, no, the Force, sang in recognition, before wrapping around her. Cocooning Catra in warmth and safety.

Catra spun back to the lady, "Hey, what's your name?"

The lady seemed taken aback for a moment, still processing the randomly appearing bird. "Uh, Scorpia."

Catra nodded, she could work with this, "Right, Scorpia, can you do me a favor." As she spoke Catra climbed up onto the small ledge that kept people from just falling over the edge of the wall. She knew what she had to do, but Adora could never find out. Not yet anyways. Catra could hear the stomping boots of soldiers. She didn't have much time.

"Sure, just come down from there, and I can do... whatever you want," Scorpia was obviously panicking now. Her arms were out, once again trying to placate Catra.

"Nope, I gotta do this," Catra turned, standing above Scorpia now. The wind caught her hair as she stepped back to the edge of the wall.

"No one has to do anything," Scorpia's voice was high pitched and shrill now, and she dared to take a step closer to Catra. "Just step down, and we can talk this out." Catra met Scorpia gaze with what she was sure was a wild look. The rest of the Horde had caught up to them at this point. With Shadow Weaver at their head.

"Don't tell Adora," Catra let herself fall back. Scorpia lunged forward, claws reaching for the falling cat-girl. But she wasn't fast enough.

Catra fell and was consumed by the darkness of the woods. The last thing she heard was Shadow Weaver's scream of rage.