"But we won!"
She kissed her beloved on the cheek, and she snored sweetly and tried to hug her, although it wasn't easy sitting in the Silverwing seat, so she moved closer to her. She could smell her scent mixed with her own, she didn't know a more beautiful scent, it was something that people with a weaker sense of smell couldn't understand. Despite the grim news, they made love that night. Adora was so eager for her touch and kisses that, despite her exhaustion, as soon as they rested after the first time, she initiated a second, and then a third... And then, in the moment of greatest elation, they toppled the tent. Then they lay naked and cuddled together for a good two-quarters of an hour, giggling like idiotic teenagers and listening to hear if the other members of the expedition had heard anything. When they figured everyone was asleep, they quietly put on their tent and put it back together again. They were sure they didn't wake up anyone until the morning... Then, when they sat down for breakfast together, Lance and George tried very hard not to look at them and talk about the weather, but Netossa was watching them, grinning. But it was Entrapta who spoke first.
"Did you feel the tremors at night? It was so strange. I had no idea that this region was seismically active."
She choked on her tea with butter and Adora had to pat her on the back. But that wasn't the end, because then Frosta spoke.
"The legends of the Kingdom of Snow tell of two stone giants who, on the darkest night, "wrestle" so much that the earth shakes." she said with an absolutely innocent face. Well, sometimes they forgot that Frosta was almost the same age as them when Adora found the sword. Melog also began to rub himself against her girlfriend, because he wanted to add his scent to that of his companion. She felt herself blushing, and Adora was beet red.
"You guys are horrible. Really horrible." she said with her face hidden behind the cup. When everyone laughed, she snorted, but she wasn't offended. Then her beloved embraced her in front of everyone and kissed her, and then they laughed too.
The way back was more difficult than towards the City. Everyone, including Adora , was exhausted and Netossa's Hand was still sore. In addition, her fiancée did not take any equipment with her for a high-mountain expedition in such cold. She didn't even have warm clothes, she left a backpack with food on Icarus , which she took with her when she went on a trip to the wilderness of that planet, although she didn't say why she went there. They did not tell others about the dark news her fiancée had brought with her. Glimmer should hear this before everyone else. No one noticed their mood, except Georgie, who slowed down and asked Adora ...
- Did something happen... Where you came from. You know you can tell us anything.
Her fiancée grimaced painfully, adjusted the blanket she had wrapped herself in during the hike and said.
- Yes, but Glimmer should hear about it first because... it concerns her first and foremost.
- I know you want to help, but there's nothing that can be done in this case... Only Glimmer and Mikach can decide what to do next. – she added, smiling sadly at Bow's father and hugging her girlfriend.
She herself had no idea what they could do yet. She was glad that Glimmer's mother was alive... But she was terrified of what had happened to her. She had no idea what had happened to her over the years, but it certainly hadn't been good. She barely knew her at all, but she knew she wouldn't become a pirate, under any circumstances. She knew all too well what suffering and injustice could do to someone. What a dark path such cruelties can lead. She got off it herself with great difficulty, but many people, including Adora and Glimmer, still bore the scars of what she had done... Wherever Angela ended up, it must have been a terrible place.
That's why she was going to postpone telling her the truth about herself, about what she had learned about herself. It wasn't that important, after all, she was still Catra, a child of the Fright Zone and a resident, where she was from made absolutely no difference. Her companions looked at her questioningly, but she answered them in the negative, shaking her head. Eventually, Netossa talked her out of it as Adora followed suit.
- And did you tell her? – she asked in a much too loud whisper. She looked around and replied in a similar tone.
- Now is not a good time to make such a confession. Something happened there on Icarus ... I can't say anything yet, but things got terribly complicated. – she sighed and added. – It's nothing that threatens all of Etheri or your family. No new evil has emerged from the shadows, we are past that. – She smiled sadly, and the ruler of Armoria sighed.
- It was a difficult week. I didn't think we would have so many adventures, damn, there were more of them than during the months of the war. And to think that the only thing that worried me at the beginning was whether you are pregnant. – said the former general, and then she heard Adora scream.
"What's it mean you are pregnant?"
"It's starting again." She thought, hiding her face in her hands.
"I'm not pregnant, none of us are, although I can't vouch for Shogi , I'm also afraid that there is another Alice inside Alice , with another Alice inside. I wouldn't have come up with this idea without discussing all this with you." she felt herself blushing. Adora walked up to her and kissed her.
"Don't worry, honey, I understand everything. I know you would definitely make the right decision, darling."
She felt tears welling up in her eyes.
"Because I just ate a piece of weird food and what Glimmer has been eating lately and… there were a few other things…" she sniffed and Melog began to rub against her comfortingly, all blue.
:Wait, Glimmer ear... a weird food? – Netossa asked, her eyes wide. "Oh," she covered her mouth with her hands. She didn't understand what she meant, but it didn't matter to her now. All that mattered now was Adora's closeness and warmth. She couldn't imagine losing her, having someone take her away from her. She was willing to burn the entire world to prevent this, and she wouldn't regret it.
The final stage of the road to Silverwing passed in a much more pleasant atmosphere. Frosta radiated joy, even though at the end of the journey she fell asleep on Shogi's back . It was her first great adventure and she had the right to feel proud, after all, she was the one who practically saved them, or at least she helped a lot. She will definitely constantly tell them all, especially Glimmer, about this trip and well, she deserves it. The others seemed happy too. Lance and George talked about their new discoveries the whole way, happy and excited as if they had become a good twenty years younger. Netossa smiled full of joyful triumph, but at the same time it was clear that she wanted to return to her peaceful family life. Even Entrapta, for whom desolate places without researchable technology were certainly not very interesting, made some discoveries here and watched Shogi with fascination, because of which Melog became jealous. They were also in this mood, despite the bad news Adora brought.
When they reached the vehicles, Frosta, who was nodding off, decided to continue riding on top of Shogi , who wrapped his tentacle-like straps around her. So they had one additional vehicle, but Adora decided that she wanted me to go with her in one vehicle, so Netossa went alone and Entrapta went with Bow's dads . During Lunch, while they were eating smoked meat pancakes, Adora took her aside and began to tell her about the events on Icarus.
"At first I had a dream. A stupid nightmare, or so I thought, but now I don't know." said her fiancée in an uncertain voice. When she heard this, she flattened her ears because she remembered that dream with a dark city and a girl with two-colored eyes. Adora swallowed and continued.
"And when I woke up, I killed the clock again... But then I had a public speech and there was this Ivory Claw. She... and she accused me of everything we went through being planned, that we had been working with Horde Prime from the very beginning. And then... I ran away and decided to go on a solo trip to think everything over. I rested for some time and then these kids found me... Itel, Rosie and Eti. They were nice and funny but... they came from outside the empire, they never knew Horde Prime ..."
"That's... wonderful... It's good to hear that someone out there was able to have a normal, happy childhood." she said, although she felt a twinge of uncertainty. Glimmer was very afraid of what might lurk beyond the borders of the empire. The first people Adora met seemed nice, but she remembered what happened with Glimmer's mom.
Adora hesitated and said in a serious voice
"Rosie was very happy and joyful, but the others... They lost their world... Kesler... the Swarm destroyed it. I don't know exactly what it is, but it's terrifying and powerful.
She felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. She heard both of these names in her dream... It couldn't just be a coincidence. Maybe she "heard" everything when she was chipped. Even if they hadn't heard of Horde Prime , he might have heard of their world.
"And then they took me to the rest of their friends who came across Scorpia and Perfuma and oh ..." Adora made a face as if she had just remembered something. " Entrapta, I have something to tell you." she said to the inventor, who tried to cut a piece of Shogi's fur , but he escaped with hair that was as prehensile as hers.
"Yes?" asked the purple-haired woman who was next to her in two bounds.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier, but when I was on Icarus, I met Wrong Hordak and Emily. They both are fine! – said her fiancée, smiling cheerfully for the first time since yesterday's conversation. Entrapta jumped happily and wrapped her arms and hair around Adora .
"Oh, that's wonderful! How is he? Does Emily remember to apply rust remover regularly? Did they make new friends?!" she said in an excited voice. Adora nodded.
"Yes, very many, a bit unusual ones, and I think they are flying here to Etheria, they will be at the Victory Day celebrations." now Adora became serious again "I met someone else there. Lady Cala Grayskull . She comes from a planet called Carurystal and claims that her ancestor was Mara. She was... amazing, but then..." she gave her a significant look, but fortunately Entrapta was interested in something else and did some calculations for a moment, until she finally spoke.
"Assuming that at least a thousand years have passed, there could have been as many as forty generations, so although we do not know the potential lifespan of the First Ones or their descendants, at least theoretically, Lady Cala has... a very small fraction of Mara's blood." the purple-haired woman explained .
"Yeah, she said something like that, without all the scientific terms. She also travels with Wrong Hordak, and she'll probably be coming to Etheria soon, so you'll probably all meet her." Adora said, scratching her head and smiling with an effort. Entrapta looked up from her Datapad and tilted her head.
"Did something happen? You are usually much more energetic and smile much more. Catra also looks exhausted and very stressed despite the... relaxing activity tonight..." she looked at them and they both started to blush. But they must have looked very exhausted. If even Entrapta noticed that something was wrong, it means that everyone would see it.
"You know, this is quite a personal topic to talk about..." she said, flattening her ears.
"Why? This usually works great. I checked on Hordak. You know how he always gets stressed when something goes wrong. But after sex he is always nice and relaxed." Entrapta xplained
They both stiffened with very stupid expressions.
"I don't want to live with such knowledge in my head!" Adora moaned.
"These images will probably never disappear... " she said in a dead voice.
"Hmmm, I once constructed a memory recovery device. She helped Hordak a lot, but to erase the memory... Hmmm." the inventor moved aside, engaged in another topic. They looked at each other and laughed happily, but after a while she added.
"I think I lost a bet."
"What bet?" Adora asked.
"You see, I made a bet with Glimmer and Bow about Entrapta and Hordak doing it and..." she hid her face in her hands. – I think I'll have to sing at our wedding.
They laughed again.
Netossa had to admit that the dressing created by Shogi had worked wonders, but her hand still hurt after prolonged exercise, so she decided to hand over the ruders to Entrapta and went to see what the others were up to. Catra gently stroked Adora's head, who was sleeping and snoring loudly. Lance and George showed each other photos taken of the remnants of the Elder Things, glowing with youthful energy. Oh, she guessed it's going to happen so much "things" between the shelves of their library. Frosta was sitting in her chair with a concentrated expression, tinkering with something, and her new friend was now holding almost dog head in her lap. Melog, in turn, had his head under his mistress's arm. Suddenly, the ruler of the Kingdom of Snow screamed loudly.
"Ready!" she unfastened the seatbelts and then ran to Adora and Catra. The blonde-haired warrior looked around with panicked eyes until her girlfriend calmed her down. Frosta smiled broadly and spoke
"It was supposed to be a gift from me for your wedding, but since we had an adventure together, I can give it to you now." and she handed Adora a bone necklace decorated with various symbols important to the culture of the inhabitants of her kingdom, and she handed Catra a flute made of black wood. – "I did it all myself. It took me some time, but everything worked out."
"Is beautiful." said Adora, immediately putting on the gift. Catra looked at the flute with a smile and then took the mouthpiece into her mouth. And she started playing. She didn't expect that they taught such things in the Horde, although no one would expect dancing lessons either, and Catra and Adora put on quite a show at that ball... Well, no one knew what the dark sorceress could have thought of. Only this melody was strange, shrill and irritating. It hurt not only the ears, but also the heart and even the soul itself. There was something so alien about her. Was this music taught in the Horde? Was Shadow Weaver happy when listen this melody? With dark bitch everything is possible. Only Adora was also staring at her fiancée, amazed, or even shocked. And Catra didn't stop playing. It was as if she had fallen into a trance. Everyone looked at her with growing disbelief, even Entrapta looked out from the cockpit. Melog also looked confused and flattened his ears. Finally, Adora gave her a sharp nudge. Catra looked around in confusion, as if she had just woken up.
"Honey, you're fine?" Adora said with concern in her voice, hugging her girlfriend. Catra looked at the flute, flinched as if she were afraid of it, and let it fall from her hands.
"Yes... everything, I just remembered something." she smiled with an effort.
"You know, if it's not the right gift, I'll think of something else." Frosta said with guilt in her voice, but Catra and Adora hugged her.
"It's great, I just had a dream recently in which I heard this melody..." said the cat-like girl, trying to be cheerful.
She loved adventures, but in her opinion, the best part of them was the moment when you came home to rest and then reminisce with friends. During this trip, she met two new people. True, it will be difficult to talk to Shogi, at least for now, and Nightgale will now live with Lonnie, but they will meet again someday. Maybe Nightgale will even convince Lonnie to make peace with Adora, Catra and Glimmer and they will all celebrate Victory Day together. Yes, she had to prepare for the celebrations, because she would be the main bodyguard. He needs to rest and train... Although it is not known who could attack them now. They'll definitely get along with Lonnie soon, and Horde Ultimate and the Brothers are too afraid of all of them.
She was looking forward to the celebrations. There will be music, good food, lots of sweets and guests from Other Worlds... Maybe she will meet Empress Eridani and finally find out what it is about being emperor that the Chancellor keeps encouraging her to accept this title. When they landed at the airport, she was the first to leave. It wasn't the biggest port on Etheria, there was only one ship here now, a strange one, I think it was from the Aquarius. She was the first to exit Netossa's vehicle and rode on her new mount friend towards her palace. She waved to the people she passed, most of whom looked at her in surprise and didn't wave back. Well, they were probably surprised to see Shogi, whose eyes wandered around his body to better see the people he passed. Well, She was sure they'll get used to him soon, he was such a sweetheart after all. She wanted to be the first in the castle to bring her friends the key to the armory. After all, that was the main reason for this trip, and I'm sure everyone would be happy, and then Glimmer would praise her. The ride didn't take long, Shogi was very fast after all, she couldn't wait to race against Swiftwind.
She reached the icy walls of her palace and dismounted from her steed and walked towards her abode as the guards stared at her with terribly stupid expressions. She walked proudly, but then the guards suddenly blocked her path with blades. She stopped in surprise and tried to move on, but the guards were persistent.
"What do you do?" she asked, confused. "Let me in!" she exclaimed, feeling growing anxiety. After all, she just wanted to enter her castle. The guards looked at each other as if wondering which of them should tell her something. Finally, the captain of the guard she knew as the Blue Walrus came. He looked at her apologetically, then said.
"We received orders that we are not allowed to let Frosta into the national ice palace. You were deprived of power by the will of the tribal council and the chancellor. Please wait here for the Chancellor to tell you the resolutions of the Republic of Snow government... I'm sorry, but there's not much I can do except bring you something warm to drink. Some sweets or snack..." she had the impression that he wanted to tell her something else between the words, but she couldn't catch what.
"Some sweets or a snack?" she said quietly in an dull voice. This did not make sense! How could they deprive her of power... Not let her into her castle... it makes no sense! "I want to talk to the chancellor! Let me explain it all. If this is a joke, it's completely unfunny."
The guards looked ashamed… That was what scared her the most. They didn't even have the courage to look her in the eye. Blue Walrus sighed and went to the palace. She paced back and forth nervously, glaring at the guards, who looked scared. That's good... Then she heard Adora's cheerful voice behind her
"Are we waiting for something?"
She felt her heart stop in her chest. She forgot about her friends. She turned to them, they had just come on foot. She forced a carefree smile and said cheerfully.
"No, nothing happened, just minor problems with the sewage system!"
Adora frowned and nodded slowly, but Catra and Netossa exchanged worried glances. Melog nudged her comfortingly with his muzzle, and Shogi rubbed against her side. Finally, the palace gates opened and the chancellor stood there. He was dressed in a beautiful and expensive fur coat from some creature not found on Etheria . "When did he buy them?" she wondered. Immediately after that, she saw something that made her blush with anger. Around his neck he wore a medallion made of bluestone. It was an ancient symbol of power worn by the princesses of the kingdom of Snow since... forever! By what right did he appropriate it…
"What... What does that mean!" she shouted furiously and felt that everything around her was covered with frost.
The Chancellor smiled triumphantly as he stood at the gate of the outer wall and said.
"Miss Frosta! You. my dear, by the will of the people of the Republic of Snow, were deprived of your title and the privileges associated with it. All your property passes into the hands of the people. Please surrender voluntarily and you will be taken to a designated house where you will remain under house arrest until a decision is made about the fate of you and your runestone.
"But why? What have I done?" She asked, holding back tears with difficulty. "Chancellor, you are my friend..."
The Chancellor raised his head proudly and said, almost shouting at her.
"First of all, from now on, Comrade Chancellor and I have never been your friend, only a subordinate. Now to answer your question. You did a lot and at the same time absolutely nothing. You embroiled our country in a war and, driven by personal sympathies, concluded an alliance against the interests of your subjects. And you stand by him, even though the so-called Queen Glimmer has brought the Galactic Horde here, and now she is playing the great leader of the universe, forgetting about her own planet. And your last whim has overflowed the cup of bitterness."
"What whim? You… You liar and cheater!" she shouted. She felt tears streaming down her face.
"You gave away the treasures of your country to foreign people connected with the queen." he pointed at the confused Lance and George. "You took two people there with you who were the leaders of the Horde." he pointed at Catra and Entrapta , who was wagging her tail furiously and looking at them with surprise. Without consulting anyone. In the name of childish desires, you abandoned your responsibilities. We need an ice queen with a heart as cold as winter itself, not a spoiled brat seeking the approval of the kingdom's enemies! You are not fit to be a ruler. You let us all down"
Then she screamed.
She had to admit that making love with Catra had helped her de-stress a bit, and now she had almost forgotten about the events on Icarus . It can wait, she wanted to spend this moment with her beloved one. They were together, that's when they were the strongest, unstoppable. They can handle anything and help Glimmer get through even the worst hardships.
Then Catra started playing. She didn't know that her fiancée was so musical, but she was happy that she had found a new talent, even if the melody she played was so eerie. Catra, however, seemed scared afterwards, but she didn't want to say why, she only said that she would explain everything soon. She agreed to give her time, but not too much, she had learned from Bow not to let others keep their worries in their own hearts, because it only makes everything worse...
And then they were witnesses... She didn't know what the princess' dismissal was called, perhaps deprincessship ? She had no idea that something like this was even possible. She could only feel her anger rising at how cruelly this man had treated the ice princess, but her anger was nothing compared to Catra's fury, which she growled.
"The fucking Shadow Weaver family."
Netossa nodded and added.
"As soon as I find her, I'll beat her like that..."
She didn't understand what she was talking about, but when she heard Catra swearing, she looked at her with surprise, but then she pursed her lips and was about to defend her young friend when she screamed. Suddenly the air became icy cold, and a blue-white glow began to radiate from Frosta. The tundra around them froze, frost appeared on all of their cheeks. Breathing became downright painful. In addition, Shogi took on his true form, the monstrous Shogoth.
"I'll calm down Frosta , you stop Shogi as She-Ra, otherwise he'll eat that bastard. Entrapta, call for some help, Netossa, make a net and you " she turned to Bow's fathers "Just stay away from all this."
She nodded to her fiancée. And she screamed...
"For the Honor of the Grayskull." and she felt power flowing through her. Multi-colored light flashed and she became She- Ra'a, towering over everyone in her height. She transformed at the right moment because that idiot chancellor only intended to make the situation worse because he said it with contempt.
"And you just proved to everyone that you are not fit to be ruler. You can't even control your own power! And you brought us a monster here."
Frosta screamed again, and Shogoth lunged at the Chancellor. She stood in front of him, shielding the annoying man, while Melog pushed him to the ground and growled menacingly. Instead of a sword, she now had a wide shield.
"Shogi, look at me. I know you're mad because this guy hurt your friend, but it's really not worth eating him. You'll only complicate everything, and you'll probably get indigestion and all." she explained and then the monster calmed down a bit.
Meanwhile, Catra sat down next to Frost and said.
"Frosta, Frosta… the Terrible Ice Bane!"
The ice princess turned to the cat girl and said.
"How can he do that! We fought Horde Prime, Hordak , and even you…. We risked our lives for them. For all of Etheria. After all, we won... We won in the end. Why does he want to arrest me! We were the good guys, right?" her glow dimmed and the youngest of their alliance began to sob. Catra knelt down next to her and hugged her.
"Everything will be fine... We'll manage somehow... Glimmer will definitely think of something. We will take you to her…
"NO! I can't face her now. I failed her. I failed you all..."
The Chancellor stood up when Melog release him.
"You will all be arrested..." the man began, but Catra looked at him with her cat-like, two-colored eyes as menacingly as she hadn't done since the war.
"Listen to me, you son of a bitch... I don't know much about Etherian law, but I'm pretty sure you can't arrest someone without a reason. And if you want to arrest us, you have stand against the most warrior of princesses, a long-time Rebel general, a brilliant weapons specialist, two ancient beasts, a slayer of Horde Prime, and me, a Shadow Weaver ward and, believe me, i'm the scariest one out of all of them.
It's probably only now that the Chancellor realized what he had gotten himself into. He turned pale and swallowed loudly, looking nervously from side to side.
"Okay, you can leave, but don't you dare come back here again." he threatened, but his voice was breaking.
"But we dare to come back. You can be sure of that." Catra said, smiling evilly.