Adora has to battle her instincts on Shadow Weaver. Her motherly urges are screaming SHE'S BAD! But her scared little girl inside is whispering but she's our mom.

Set during S2 EP7.

Adora's morning sickness had tampered down somewhat since the Northern Reach, though it was still prominent. Instead of ruining her entire day now, it only had her head in the bowl until around 10am. Sometimes, if she ate the wrong thing, she'd be back in the bathroom praying for death for an hour as she puked, but nothing else.

It was nice. She was finally able to resume some of her normal duties: including, training. Catra was right in that respect. Whilst the belly bump wasn't something that'd go away with fitness, at least, not for another five or so months, she could certainly tone up her legs and build her muscles up more.

Did she mention that Shadow Weaver was at Brightmoon as well?
No.
Huh.
Well, she was.

And she'd woken Adora up from one of her rare sleeps to do it. Thankfully, it seemed the witch was too out of it to notice the swollen bump on Adora's front, and the blonde intended to keep it that way. Shadow Weaver was about a trust worthy as she was lightness and joy. Adora didn't want to risk even the slightest mention that she was going to have a baby: so she implemented a rule during a war meet.

"There's just one thing I wanna say to you all," She'd said, standing up slowly. Angella gestured with her hand. "Please, the floor is yours," Adora flashed a quick smile. "As you all know, Shadow Weaver is now in Brightmoon. That woman cannot be trusted. She is evil and manipulative. She will say what you want to hear to get what she wants. Don't let her," Adora sighed softly. "And on that note, I'd like to put a warning forward now," She began. The alliance and war leaders frowned. "I can't have her knowing about the baby," She said, gesturing to the bump. The alliance mumbled in appreciation. "And to ensure that doesn't happen, I'm saying this right now," She took a breath.

"If word gets to Shadow Weaver about my baby, and it'd only come from one of you, as only this room know… then I will leave the Rebellion and take She-Ra with me,"

The room erupted into shouts of anger and disagreements. Glimmer had slammed her palms onto the table, screaming at her. Bow had yelled against Glimmer's outburst, Mermista stared wide-eyed, Perfuma tried to calm everybody down, while Frosta and the other war generals mumbled about what they'd do if She-Ra left.

The only person who was silent was Angella.

Adora splayed her hands out, palms up. "Look, I'm sorry. I just can't risk her, or the Horde, getting ahold of my child and forcing them into the same abusive cycle I had to go through. I wouldn't even wish it on my worst enemy," She said over the anger. Adora sat as the alliance attacked her sentence. "If you're ready to leave the rebellion just like that, then why are you still here?" One of the war generals snapped. Adora's lip quivered as she thought of an appropriate response.

"Do you have children?" A voice asked.

The room hushed immediately. Adora turned with a furrowed brow as Angella faced the war general. The general hesitated. "No, but my partner does," Angella nodded. "Would they give their life for them?" She asked. The general shrugged. "Probably… yeah," Angella hummed. "Then your partner will understand better than everybody else in this room," She spread her hands. "A parent would give their life immediately if it meant the safety of their child. They would set the world alight if it meant their child came home,"

Adora followed Angella's soft stare to Glimmer, who sent a withering glance back. "I do not think what Adora is saying is a bad thing. It is not an unreasonable request. Me, personally? I would have the person exiled from Brightmoon in punishment, but I'm not Adora,"

Best not to mention Adora would also hunt the squealer down and break their legs.

Angella faced Adora. "You have my word that this alliance will not say a single thing to Shadow Weaver. Because they will be prohibited from stepping near her confinement," She flashed a small smile. "And if they do, they shall be banned from Brightmoon,"

Glimmer burst into Adora's room that night, much to the exhausted blonde's chagrin. She was peacefully admiring her naked baby bump in the mirror, feeling… warm… as she caressed it softly. She'd "popped" as Perfuma had put it, over the last two weeks. Her eighteen-week bump was very prominent now, and near impossible to hide unless she stood at a super specific angle. There was a POP behind her, followed by a shrill scream. "Oh my god!"

Adora scrambled to find clothing, settling for her blanket around her boobs and private area. Glimmer huffed. "You'd seriously leave us? Just like that?" She snapped. Bow stood to the side, sheepishly handing Adora the dressket Angella had gifted her. She pulled it on, releasing in the instant warmth it gave.

"To protect my baby? My child?" Adora clarified, putting her hair into a ponytail. "Yes. I would," She said, the most certain of any decision she'd ever made. Glimmer's face grew red as she puffed angrily. Bow hesitated. "We-we'd never endanger you, or your baby, Adora," He said. "It kinda hurts to think you think we would,"

Adora rolled her eyes. "You know I don't. It's not you, or even the alliance I was warning. It was the generals, of whom still don't trust me! I've been here nearly two years, damn it," She began to pace. Glimmer's huff stopped her before she could turn back. "They don't trust anyone… they're miserable fucks," She mumbled. Bow's snort made Adora turn. She put her hands on her hips, waiting for the moonstone princess to continue. "I just-would you really leave us?" She asked quietly. "Not you guys. I'd just stop fighting for the alliance. I'd move in with Razz or something," She snorted. Glimmer hummed. "So… you'd still be our friend?"

Adora scoffed. "Is that what you were worried about? Jesus, Glimmer, I'll always be your friend," She said. Glimmer smiled softly. Bow squealed in the corner. "Promise?"

Adora's stomach rolled as bile burned her throat. Nevertheless; she smiled back. "Promise,"

"I was wondering when you'd be back,"

Adora walked in from the shadows, squaring up to her childhood abuser. Shadow Weaver gasped, dropping her book. "Oh, Adora!" She moved to the barrier. Adora made sure she faced her head on, the best way of hiding her bump beneath her robe. Glimmer stepped in front, shielding her. "Listen up, lady! After all your kidnapping and mind-wiping, I am just looking for a reason to serve up a little payback," Shadow Weaver's white slits narrowed as Glimmer ignited her fist. "So, if you do anything to hurt Adora-"

Adora stepped in, placing her hand on Glimmer's shoulder. "Glimmer. I've got this," She smiled. Glimmer nodded as she sent a scathing look to Shadow Weaver. The witch sighed wistfully. "Look at you, my Adora," She crooned. Adora rolled her neck. "You snuck into Bright Moon. Why? That's the only reason we're speaking," She snapped. "To see you. You are the only one I can trust. I've missed you, my child," Shadow Weaver said. Adora rolled her eyes, folding her arms. "We're past that. Try again,"

Shadow Weaver chuckled. "Clever. You always were. From the moment I laid eyes on you, I know you were different. You were-"

"-special? No. What you always told me was that I didn't matter. I was special only as long as I obeyed you. Why are you here?" Adora interrupted. Shadow Weaver inhaled but broke down into a coughing fit. Shadows literally bled out of her form. Adora stepped back, shocked. "What? What's happening to you?"

The witch took a steadying breath. "It took all of my magical power to come to you. I am dying, Adora," She said. Adora shook her head, her heart turning cold. "You're lying,"

Glimmer spoke by her shoulder, quietly enough so Shadow Weaver didn't hear. "Adora. I don't think she is,"

Adora glanced back up, sighing softly. She raised her shoulder. "For the Honor of Grayskull!" The magic washed over her form, burning any clothing she'd previously had, replacing it with the skimpy shorts and sleeveless shirt. "I don't know why you're here, but I won't let you suffer like this. I'm going to heal you, Shadow Weaver, and then you will answer our questions. Do we have a deal?"

Glimmer grabbed her arm. "Adora, you don't know how to heal!" She argued. "I can figure it out. She'll die if I don't," Glimmer raised a brow. Adora sighed angrily. "Glimmer… I hate it… I hate her," Adora spat. Shadow Weaver's mask remained neutral, though she did scoff softly. Glimmer tutted. "But she's your mom," She blinked quickly upon Agora's withering glare. "Ok, the closest thing you had to a mom,"

Before Adora could say anything further: Shadow Weaver spoke. "Maybe I can help,"

Adora briefly considered it. "I was once a teacher of magic in Mystacor. I trained your father, Princess. I can help you control your magic, Adora but first... you must trust me," Adora puffed. "Fine, but in return, you trust me. Trust that I'm not stupid. Trust that I'll see right through your mind games. Stop lying for once and trust me with the truth,"

Shadow Weaver gave a single nod, gesturing forward with her pointy nails. Adora's warning bells from childhood immediately began screeching in her head, but she ignored them and pushed forward, desperatly hoping Shadow Weaver didn't notice the bump.

"You are a Princess, so, you have a Runestone. Yours dwells there, within your sword. With it, you channel the elemental magic of Etheria. Let it flow through the sword and into you. You must learn to concentrate. Focus your power," Shadow Weaver began. Adora held the sword tightly as she breathed through her nose. The sword hummed, but otherwise did nothing. Adora fell to her knees in anger, grunting as the impact shook her bones.

"I've tried this before. I can't get it to work. What do I do? Point the sword at you, or what?" She gestured angrily. Shadow Weaver remained calm as she continued. "Calm down. Your frustration will cause the energy you produce to become destructive, if you're not careful. There must be peace in your mind if you are to heal. Come closer and allow me to help you,"

Adora hesitated briefly. If Shadow Weaver didn't kow about her baby now, then she would the second Adora broke that barrier. More shadows bled out of the cracks in her mask as Shadow Weaver fell forward. Adora took a deep breath and stepped through the barrier.

She lowered to her knees, holding the sword. Shadow Weaver moved her hands. "You are afraid, but refuse to admit it. Afraid of your power, of it spiraling out of control. Let yourself feel it, then move past it," She explained. "You are greater than your fear,"

Adora took a steadying breath and focussed her energy into the sword. The fear almost blocked her, but a calming force combatted it strongly. Adora moved past the fear, channeling her will into healing her motherly figure. She extended her arms as a wave of power rushed over. Her eyes slipped shut as her energy slipped out of her body, falling into Shadow Weaver's failing one.

The doors swung open behind, but Adora ignored them. She breathed deeply, struggling to keep the energy flowing. It was taking a lot out of her, leaving her even more exhausted than usual. With a sharp gasp, she released the energy and stumbled out of the barrier. Some hands caught her as she fell to her knees. "Adora!" Glimmer gasped, holding her steady.

Shadow Weaver suddenly inhaled sharply, and Adora knew her secret was blown. Welp. So much for pissing off the alliance for this.

Adora was aware Angella was speaking to Glimmer, but her voice was too muted to pick up any coherentness. She tried to stand up, but her vision wavered dangerously. She fell to her knees again, unable to gain ground and passed out.

When Adora came to, she was still in the confinement cell, but this time, only Glimmer and Angella remained in the room with her. "Oh, you're awake. Good. Casta said it was an energy depletion, but we wanted to make sure," Adora groaned softly as she sat up, wincing against the pounding in her head. Glimmer leaned in close. "We've got a lot to catch you up on," She held Adora's arm tightly, easing the girl up right.

Adora frowned at Shadow Weaver. "Can I have a moment with her? Just us?" She asked softly. Angella opened her mouth to protest; but Glimmer scoffed instead. "Absolutely the fuck not," She snapped. Adora put on her best puppy face. "Please? Just ten minutes, that's all I need,"

It was bullshit. She needed less than five. But Glimmer would talk her down to five, and Adora would tap into her acting skills to agree despondently. As predicted, the princess huffed. "Mom?" She confided. Adora turned her puppy eyes to the Queen. Angella looked to the ceiling. "You get five minutes. No more," Adora smiled softly. "Thank you,"

The rulers left, leaving Adora in the company of her pseudo mom.

"What do you know?" Adora began, walking up to the barrier. Shadow Weaver hummed. "We have already done this dance, Adora," She said. Adora shook her head. "Not this one, this is new," She quipped. Shadow Weaver titled her head in acknowledgement. "Fine. I know you are hiding something, something nobody outside this room, bar the princess and her mother, know,"

Adora scoffed. "Well, you're wrong there. Because the-" She froze. "Ah, you are getting better," Shadow Weaver crooned. Adora growled softly. "I want to hate you so much…" She sneered.

Shadow Weaver tutted. "I'm gonna ask you once more. What do you know?" Adora snapped, pacing out of habit.

Upon the sharp, high gasp, Shadow Weaver let out, perhaps she was bluffing and didn't actually know… goddamn it.

"My Adora… you're expecting?" She crooned. Adora scoffed. "I really wish you couldn't tell," She said. Shadow Weaver gestured. "Well, you aren't exactly small anymore, are you? And you will only continue to grow in size until you give birth, at which point, my guess is, you shall be too exhausted to fight then. Certainly with a newborn, never mind freshly postpartum,"

Adora rolled her eyes. "And what would you know about that?" Shadow Weaver grunted as she sat. "Contrary to what you remember, you were pretty much born into the Horde. You arrived at only three months old, barely off the breast," She began. "Who do you think fed you, changed you, stayed up with you and put you to sleep until you were old enough to do it yourself?"

Adora frowned. "A babysitter, surely,"

Shadow Weaver tutted. "There were no babysitters then, child. The Horde weren't interested in taking in children younger than ten… at least not until you arrived. Babysitters began when you were two, when you were moved out of my care to learn basic life skills."

At this, Adora scoffed. "I don't remember a babysitter," She said. Shadow Weaver chuckled darkly. "You wouldn't. I removed the memory," She held a hand up to halt Adora's building protest. "Shortly after the others in your squad arrived, being Lonnie and… Catra... they were punished for crying at night by the on-charge baby sitter. You, even then, had a power unlike I'd ever seen before,"

Adora tapped her foot. "I'm waiting," She said. Shadow Weaver hesitated for a brief second. "When you saw the bruises the following day, you blinded the babysitter in an outburst of raw power," She said. Adora's stomach rolled. "I did what?" She whispered. Shadow Weaver picked up her book. "I wasn't all bad, was I? Hiding memories like that from you?" She sat and began to thumb through the pages.

"So be mindful of that if your unborn child is in a rage one day,"