Glimmer startled out of the half-sleep she had fallen into while waiting for the time Scorpia had given her. A loud insistent banging came from outside her cell, loud enough to rattle the pipes above. She rubbed the tiredness from her eyes, grumbling under her breath as she stood and looked at what was causing the noise.

Scorpia stood on the other side of the green force field, eyes wide and hair frazzled. Once Glimmer locked eyes with her, the horde soldier deactivated the force field. "Come on, there's been a change of plans."

"What? Why? What's going on?" Glimmer asked as she stepped out onto the small walkway outside her cell. The cell block was empty, save for whatever prisoners were still there. Even the central tower which controlled the bridges connecting everything was empty. "Ok, this is kinda creepy."

A loud rumble shook the surrounding building, disturbing the layers of dirt and rust into fluttering down. "Something landed on our outskirts and started attacking everything. I have no idea what it is, but everyone's been called to deal with it." Scorpia said as she jerked her head to the side before walking back onto the bridge. "We've got to get going now, 'cause I don't think we'll have a better opportunity after this."

The bridge lifted as Glimmer stepped onto it. She held up the remote for her manacles. "What about these?"

"Leave them on, for now, I think," Scorpia winced at her own words.

"You think? I thought you-" Another rumble shook the room, causing the lights to flicker. "Jeeze, it's almost like Adora got loose."

"It's not Adora-"

Before Scorpia could elaborate, the entire tower shook as something impacted it from the outside. The building creaked and groaned, but thankfully stood firm. Glimmer cried out and fell to her knees, grasping at the metal floor of the bridge as her natural magic flared wildly. A cold and dark presence brushed against her, roaring in defiance and anger.

The feeling waned enough to allow Glimmer to gasp for breath. She struggled to her feet, ignoring the way the world tilted around her. "What... What was that?"

"Might have been a tank, a large pipe," Scorpia said as she reached out to help. "Don't worry, this place is built tough."

"No, not-"

"That was Vader," a voice said from above them. Another bridge descended across from them. Lonnie stood upon it, black magic pooling in her hands. "I'm surprised the rebellion would allow someone like that in their ranks." She leaned her head back and closed her eyes as if basking in the cold furnace around them. "I know you felt it too, princess."

"Ah, oh, Lonnie, I was just-," Scorpia said, stammering with every word.

Lonnie's head snapped forward to glare at the woman. "Shut it, traitor. I was only here for the prisoner, but now..." A grin spread across her face. "I guess I get the both of you. After this, I will probably be up for a promotion."

Glimmer growled, igniting her own power. Sparkly purple magic surrounded her fists. "You're gonna have to fight us first."

"That's the plan, princess. Don't worry though, I'll go easy on you," Lonnie said, pooling her black oily magic in her hand as smoke poured from her eyes. "Least until your friends-" A sparkly fist interrupted her, smashing into her face with enough force to send her toppling her back.

"Shut up and fight, bitch."

The fermented pungent smell of the sewers invaded Catra's nose, giving her a headache as she lead the group deeper into the darkness. Her lightsaber provided light for them, illuminating the slimy black walls surrounding them. She didn't want to think about the bits of red that peeked out from whatever was coloring the walls. Nor did she want to think about the fact that the ground squished beneath her feet when the floor should have been solid stone. Yes, it was better if she didn't think about those things.

The presence of the Frightzone also pressed in around her. It was worse since the last time she was here. Fear still permeated every inch of the area, an unending scream, unheard and forgotten. Now there was something else underneath the foundations of the city itself. A cloying well of nothing that pulsed like a heartbeat, begging to be released.

Catra pushed down the rising unpleasantness as she trudged forwards. Right now, she had Adora to worry about. Nothing else mattered. She could always ask Vader about the feeling she got from the Frightzone later.

Or try her best to forget, which honestly sounded better at the moment.

"How much longer?" Mermista asked. She had taken position behind Catra to use her powers effectively by keeping the runoff from the various pipes from hitting the group.

"Five minutes longer than the last time you asked," Catra shot back. She looked up, monitoring the inlets above them. A few of them were big enough for a single person, but that wasn't what she was looking for.

Someone behind her made a loud retching noise (she suspected bow) as they turned a corner. More slimy walls greeted them, extending down into a wall of black. Mermista let out another long drawn-out groan. "Really? How big are these sewers, anyway?"

Catra spun, teeth bared with a growl, when Perfuma stepped between the two of them. "Please, we're here for Adora and Glimmer. Can we keep that in mind?"

Both their glares intensified as they weighed the pros and cons of continuing and risking Perfuma's wrath. Bow popped up breathing heavily, his face pale. "Can we keep moving? I'm pretty sure my stomach is empty now, but I still feel like-" His cheeks puffed up and ducked back down to dry heave some more. "Alright Crop-top, we don't have that much further to go," Catra said as Perfuma moved to pat Bow on the back. "We should reach the kitchens soon."

Bow nodded his head, and after a moment, stood to gesture down the tunnel. "Let's just... Keep moving. The sooner we're out of here, the better."

"Not gonna argue with you there." The lightsaber came up again, its blue light barely making a dent in the darkness. "I never enjoyed coming down here. Always preferred the rooftops."

"I can see that," Perfuma said as she sidled up to Catra as they started moving again. "Have you had time to climb some trees in the Whispering Woods? I know a couple of them are taller than most of the buildings here."

Catra couldn't help the purr that started deep in her chest, or the way her ears perked up and her tail started twitching. She kept her gaze forward, refusing to look at Perfuma for fear of the princess catching sight of her widened pupils. "Ah no, haven't really gotten a chance yet." A complete lie, but she didn't need to know that.

The look Perfuma gave her was equal parts disbelieving and knowing. "Well, maybe once this is over, I can show some of the taller trees."

"Aren't you guys in the middle of a war?"

"That doesn't mean we can't make time for friends."

The purr died as suddenly as it started, smothered by memories of others using those words and then taking it back when it suited them, often leaving Catra alone. "Let's get one thing straight." Catra spun and shoved a finger into Perfuma's face. "We are not friends. I'm here for Adora, none else. So once this mission is over, you go back to your kingdom and I go back to my forest, got it?"

Perfuma backed up a step and brought her arms up to clasp them above her chest. "I was only trying to-"

"Don't care. I've gone my whole life on my own." Catra turned back around. "That's not changing soon."

"Uh yeah, I'm gonna call bullshit on that." Mermista held a hand, using her fingers to count off as she spoke. "Vader, your teacher and a dude willing to throw himself out of a ship for you, and Adora, who you seem attached enough to go on an improvised rescue mission for."

"I'm still not sure what Vader's deal is. And as for Adora," Catra's grip tightened around her lightsaber. "She doesn't want me. She proved that when she left. This," she gestured vaguely around her. "Is just me keeping up my end of a promise."

"You can't believe she doesn't care about you," Bow said.

"Doesn't matter what I believe, she already left once. I have no reason to think she won't do it again."

"So what, one chance, and you're done?" Mermista shoved her way in front of Catra. "Pretty sure Adora doesn't think that way, so why do you?"

Anger bubbled in Catra's chest, causing her flames to flare and spit. The surrounding wall creaked and groaned as she fought to reign in the swirling emotions around her. "And what do you know about Adora? Were you there when she trained herself on a sprained knee and had to cover for her when she couldn't walk? Were you there when we divided our rations cause one of us had lost food privileges that week? Did you-" She stopped herself before she could say anything else, but the damage was already done. A look of dawning comprehension passed over Bow and Perfuma while a smug smirk came from Mermista.

"And you just proved my point kit-cat," she said.

Catra growled and spun away. "Whatever, we're wasting time." She marched forward into the darkness, not waiting for the other to follow. The quicker they got this done, the quicker she left this whole mess behind. "And don't call me that ever again."

Catra pulled Bow up from the large grate, taking care not to brush him up against the still glowing edges left over from her lightsaber. The kitchen was deserted, abandoned utensils strewn across the gray metal surfaces, smoke curling out of the many ovens as they charbroiled whatever had been in them. Her ears swiveled, staying alert for any sound as she steadied Bow on his feet.

"Get the others up. I'm going to check the door," she said. Bow gave her a salute that turned into a wave halfway through as he bent down to help the princesses.

She made her way past the large sink, still piled high with dishes, to the side door for the staff to enter and exit. A quick tap of a button opened the door, revealing an empty hallway. A few pinpoints of light shined through the force, though nowhere near what Catra would have expected. Why weren't there more patrols nearby? Even with Vader providing his distraction, he couldn't have caused enough destruction to warrant this response, could he?

The walls shuddered around her, followed by another burst of power through the force. Catra closed her eyes, blowing out a deep breath as she shuttered out Vader's presence, dulling it down to a dull roar in the background.

"Sounds like your Master is having fun," Mermista said from behind her.

"Stick close. The kitchens aren't far from the cell block." Catra stepped into the hallway, barely sparing a glance to make sure the others followed.

"Right, let's go rescue your girlfriend, kit-cat."

Catra's cheeks heated at Mermista's words. She was both thankful that her fur kept her blush from being seen, and hated the fact that it did nothing to cool her down. She glared over her shoulder at the smirking princess. "Stop calling me kit-cat."

"So you aren't even going to deny the girlfriend thing?"

Instead of answering, Catra stalked away from the group and turned a corner, nearly running into a Horde soldier clad in their black and green armor. giving Catra time to react first. Her lightsaber smacked into her palm and ignited. In a flash her lightsaber came up, burning through the stun baton the soldiers held. Then, with a twist of her wrist, she brought the blade down through the man's chest.

He collapsed with a gurgle, his armor clattering against the metal walls and floor as he fell. Three more soldiers were behind him, their batons already raised and ready to fire. Catra ducked as two bolts screeched over her head, singeing her hair and leaving behind an acrid scent. She flicked up her lightsaber, catching the third bolt and sending it back at the soldier.

As that soldier fell in a flurry of sparks, Catra darted forward. She leaped into the air and grabbed the wall with her claws, using the extra leverage to vault over the last two soldiers. A quick spin and a flash of blue sent them tumbling to the ground, smoke curling up from their burned backs.

Mermista stood at the corner, blobs of water surrounding her fist as she stared, openmouthed, at the carnage Catra had unleashed. "Alright, I take back the fighting comment," she said with a low whistle. "You don't play around, do you kit-cat?"

"You're not going to stop calling me kit-cat, are you?" Catra asked.

Mermista grinned and shook her head. "Nope."

Catra spun on her heel and walked away. She lead them to the prison cells, being more careful to avoid patrols. As they approached the cell block, the sounds of crunching metal and blasts of energy, reminiscent of Shadow Weaver's magic, reached them.

Bow darted forward through a door, raising his voice to be heard over the noise. "Glimmer!"

"Dammit Crop-top wait!" Catra yelled, rushing in after him.

The central tower rose above them, the green metal blackened in spots and entire chunks torn out of it leaving piles of debris on the floor. There was a twang as Bow, having pulled his bow off his back, unleashed an arrow at a figure covered in black smoke. The figure turned, catching the arrow in its shoulder. With a cry of pain, it stumbled back; the smoke dissipating enough for Catra to tell who it was.

Lonnie glared down at them, a hand curling around the arrow lodged in her. A burst of purple glitter was all the warning she got as Glimmer teleported close enough to land a hard punch with a glowing fist. Lonnie toppled over the edge of the bridge, landing with a meaty thwack on the floor below, unmoving.

Glimmer's whole body heaved with every breath as she stood on the bridge gathering herself. Red burns covered her body, highlighted by the singed edges of her torn and tattered dress.

"Glimmer!" Bow shouted again. The princess looked over. Her eyes widened as a bright smile spread across her bruised face.

"Bow!" With another burst of purple magic, she teleported down, landing on Bow to wrap him in a tight hug. "You're here. You actually came for me."

"Course we did," Bow said, his voice just above a whisper as he buried his head in her hair. "We don't leave people behind, remember?"

The words sent a sharp pang of longing through Catra. Would her reunion be the same? Could she be that lucky? She turned away from the pair, fighting back the images her imagination conjured. It wasn't fair, or maybe it was. This was just how her life would be, watching from the sideline as others got what they wanted. Did she even know what she wanted?

Debris around them rumbled and shook, going unnoticed by most of the group, when Mermista popped up behind Catra and spoke. "Not to rain on this… Lovely moment, but how did you get free? I doubt your cell was just left open."

Catra snorted and glanced behind her. "You'd be surprised, greenie."

Mermista's face flashed with something between amusement and annoyance at Catra. The princess opened her mouth to respond but was interrupted when Glimmer gasped and jumped away from Bow.

"Scorpia!" she yelled as she ran around the massive pillar that dominated the center of the cell block. Bow mouthed the name at Mermista even as they both made to follow Glimmer.

The name tickled something in the back of Catra's head. She remembered the shock of silver hair on the woman from when she lept from the wall all those months ago. Hadn't that lady introduced herself as Scorpia when Catra had asked?

The answer to that question made itself known as they came around the bend of the tower. A bulky figure was lying on the ground, limbs strewn in every which way. Pieces of the bridge lay scattered on the surrounding ground, black scoring along their surfaces. Burns wrapped around her middle and up to her head, leaving behind a small patch of white hair stuck up oddly, like a flag of surrender.

Catra slipped in the force as Glimmer slid across the floor to cradle Scorpia's head. She felt the bright light that was the Horde Soldier as it flickered, like a candle in a light breeze.

"Let me help," Perfuma said as she shouldered her way between Mermista and Catra. She knelt down beside Scorpia and held out her hands over the burns. Flat, slimy leaves of a plant Catra had never seen before spread across Scorpia's torso and up to her head.

As the leaves spread, Scorpia stirred, her eyes fluttering open to stare hazily at the group. "Wha- What happened?" She turned her body as she tried to sit up and groaned in pain.

Perfuma gently pushed her back down. "Stay still. You're hurt pretty bad."

Scorpia's unfocused gaze landed on Perfuma. "Are... Are you an angel?" That got Perfuma blushing and stammering away, while Mermista groaned from behind Catra, drawing Scorpia's attention to them. Her eyes cleared more before she gasped. "Wait, you... You're..."

"Not dead," Catra said.

"But I saw..."

"Me, jump off a wall?" Catra nodded. "Yeah, that happened. I survived. Now lets-"

"Wait," Glimmer interrupted, her eyes narrowing as she looked at Catra for seemingly the first time. "Weren't you at Thaymor?"

Catra let her head fall into her hands as she groaned. "We don't have time for this." She looked up and around before focusing on Glimmer. "Where's Adora? Why is she not here?"

"Shadow Weaver has her," Scorpia answered. "In the Garnet chamber."

That wasn't ideal. The Garnet Chamber was Shadow's domain. No one except for her or those she needed something from were allowed in there. Catra almost wished Hordak had Adora. That would make the situation more straightforward. Instead, she would have to face Shadow Weaver again.

"Catra?"

Her name startled her. She looked up from the floor she'd been staring at, trying to see who'd called her name. The entire group was looking at her, even Scorpia, who looked uncomfortable just holding her head up.

"What?" she asked, her eyes darting between them. Her ears twitched when something splashed next to her foot. A spot of dark red blood stained the floor, the sight of it enough for Catra to finally feel the wetness between her fingers. Her claws had dug into her palms without her notice, something that hadn't happened since she was a kid.

Bow's brow furrowed as he glanced between the floor and Catra's hand. "Are you-"

"I'm fine." Catra spun on her heel away from the group. "We need to go-"

A warning blared out in her mind just before Bow called out. Catra ducked underneath the bolt of black magic just in time. The smell of burnt hair filled her nostrils once again as she grabbed a piece of the broken bridge with the force. A quick pull sent it careening into the path of the second blast of magic. It tore apart the metal piece, sending chunks in every direction as black smoke billowed out, covering the area.

Catra threw an arm up to cover her face as the sudden shrapnel rained down around her. Green vines spread out of the corner of her eye, covering both Perfuma and Scorpia. The other three spread out in front of the plant dome, settling into fighting stances.

As the smoke cleared, Lonnie marched forward. Her shoulder was empty of the arrow that Bow had shot at her, leaving behind a ragged, smoking wound and a limp arm. Black flames curled up her other arm, which was pointed at Catra.

"Been waiting for you," Lonnie said, her voice tired and raspy. Her scowl grew as she began circling. "You're looking good for a dead girl."

"Can't say the same for you," Catra said, matching Lonnie's circling. "I doubt that much smoke is a good thing."

"You don't know-"

Catra burst out into a cackle that quickly died down. "Really? You think I don't know? How many times did Shadow Weaver use that magic against me? I know exactly what I'm talking about, chimney stack." She let her lightsaber fall into her grip, keeping her hand hidden underneath her clock. "Though I gotta wonder... How's it feel, being the weakest one of our old group?"

The look on Lonnie's face was equal part confused and indignant. "What?"

"Well," Catra rested her thumb on the switch of her lightsaber as she turned her body sideways. "She never gave Adora that power. You'd think she would be a prime candidate for that kind of power-up." She tilted her head as if in thought. "Never gave it to me either, despite me being number two in all our training. Though I will admit some bias on Weaver's part. She never wanted to give me power."

"I earned this."

"Yeah, you did." Catra nodded. "By being the worst out of the three of us."

That was enough to get Lonnie to attack. She threw her arm forward, magic flying out of it. Catra ignited her lightsaber and brought it in front of her. Blue plasma met black flames in an explosion of sparks that sent both of them flying back. Catra skidded across the floor for a second before digging her claws into the metal to flip herself upright. Lonnie crumpled against the tower, groaning as she struggled back to her feet.

Catra brought her lightsaber back up, ready to leap and strike as needed, only to find it turned off. She thumbed the switch, but the handle only emitted a few sparks, nothing else. Panic rose in her mind as she tried the switch a few more times, each press more frantic than the last.

A yell of rage alerted her to Lonnie's next attack. Catra dodged back without thinking, narrowly missing the punch. With a shove from the force, she threw Lonnie back. Her heels dug into the floor to keep her standing. It didn't buy her as much time as she would have liked. Catra found herself on the back foot, dodging and blocking as fast as she could. Left, right, knee. Every strike came at her in rapid succession.

Then Glimmer teleported behind her, shouting, "Duck!" with barely anytime for Catra to do so before punching Lonnie in the face. Catra rolled away, letting the two girls go at it once more. She thumbed her lightsaber switch again to the backdrop of purple and black magic clashing. The blue blade sprung to life, causing Catra to growl. Of course, it would work now, and not when she needed it.

Glimmer slammed against the wall, leaving behind a dent as she collapsed to the floor. Black flames roared into existence, circling around Catra and Lonnie to cut them off from the others. "You're not getting away that easily," Lonnie said as she wiped at the ichor-like blood from her nose.

Wasn't even running." Catra brought the lightsaber in front of her once again, slipping into the ready stance Vader had drilled into over the last few months. The situation was just nostalgic enough for Catra to feel comfortable poking at Lonnie again. "Ready to be reminded why you're number three?"

"I already beat Adora's ass," Lonnie said. "So you shouldn't be too difficult."

The flames in Catra's chest roared higher than ever before. How dare Lonnie hurt Adora. Her Adora. The flooring creaked around her as her heart thumped in her ear. Her lightsaber was forgotten as she acted on instinct. She needed to make Lonnie pay.

With a screech, she ripped the floor under Lonnie up while she threw her black bolt. Her shot went wide, the magic dissipating in the flames as she tumbled to the ground. Catra did not give her any time to recover tearing up more of the floor to fling at her.

Lonnie scrambled back, missing the first chunk of metal by inches. She wasn't so lucky the second time. The floor slammed into her, sending her spiraling away. She hit the tower and crumpled to the ground.

Catra's heavy breathing drew in the smoke from the flames as they died down. She marched forward, extending a hand in front of her to drag Lonnie up with the force. Every part of her screamed to end this. To tighten the grip around Lonnie's throat to make sure she'd never hurt Adora again. It would be so easy.

And she would be just like Shadow Weaver.

Lonnie fell back down to the floor, gasping as she clutched at her throat. Catra stared down at her before turning her lightsaber off and clipping it to her belt. "We're done here. Don't follow us."

"We're not done. Nowhere close." Lonnie surged forward, magic now polling in both hands as she rushed at Catra.

She sidestepped the attack. Her lightsaber smacked into her hand and ignited. With a lazy flick, the beam severed Lonnie's arm first, followed shortly by one of her legs. Lonnie screamed as she collapse, her lost limbs dropping to the floor behind her.

"I said we're done." Catra turned her lightsaber off again.

Lonnie glared up at Catra, her jaw tightening as she held back whatever noise of pain she would have made. Catra knelt down beside her and grabbed her head, holding it up to look down at her. "And you're still number three." With that, she slammed Lonnie's head into the ground, rendering her unconscious.

A/N I hate writing fight scenes. I hate em, ya hear! So it turns out I am going to split the Frightzone rescue up. Probably into three parts, with the Shadow weaver confrontation taking place in the next chapter. Don't know when that'll happen. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners has given me new inspiration for one of the other fics I've been working on. Plus I got another chapter for my Arcane fic really close to being done. We'll see how the next few weeks go who knows? Anyway, feel free to leave comments and kudos, and I'll see y'all in the future.