Cast the Darkness Away for Freedom
Castaspella is leading the group to one special room as the start of the tour while still holding onto Jack's arm for her own reason, this got Adora to feel jealous not that she would have any feelings for Jack even though she never felt these kinds of emotions toward him, but that is growing.
"Hey, have you notice how your aunt is being very close to Jack?" Bow asked whispering to Glimmer.
"I've been staring at them for the past minutes since we started this tour, and I'm feeling a little bit weird from this." Glimmer answered.
"He did save your aunt's life from that accident lightning bolt." Bow recalled.
"Bow, if you're gonna suggest what I think you're gonna say then I don't want to hear it." Glimmer wanted to drop the subject.
"Well, I think Jack would be a great uncle for you." Bow teased earning a glare from Glimmer.
"So, Castaspella, where are you taking us first for the tour?" Adora asked.
"Oh, you're going to love this room since today is that time of the month!" Castaspella excited.
"Is it a celebration of something important?" Jack asked curious.
"You could say that." Castaspella said and winks at Jack which surprises him a little.
"Oh, we're here!" Castaspella pointed at the door, and she let's go of Jack's arm to make her way to the door.
"Right this way." Castaspella said as she opens the door.
"How nice, it's usually the men who does the door opening for the ladies." Jack complimented as they walk inside.
"Well, that definitely confirms your fear theory." Bow teased again with a finger tapping on Glimmer's cheek.
"Please stop that." Glimmer softly smacked the finger away.
The group enters a large room with crystal lenses all around on the walls and they see five large ones at the center of the ceiling with a hole letting the sunlight in, Adora and Jack are amazes to see a room full of crystals that seems like a special thing.
"The lunar lenses. We use them in the monthly ceremonies to renew Mystacor's magic defenses and keep us shielded from the outside world." Castaspella explained.
"Has Mystacor interact with the outside world?" Jack asked.
"Not as much as you think, we tend to keep ourselves keep from the many conflicts in the world, except for few who wishes to go against the peaceful solitary of our home." Castaspella answered.
"Is there any chance we can see this ceremony of yours?" Adora asked, being interested in this.
"You're in luck. The Eclipse Ceremony is tonight. You two will come, won't you?" Castaspella asked while glancing at Jack.
"Aunt Casta, I've seen the ceremony dozens of times. And we're all really tired from travelling. Maybe we'll skip it this time?" Glimmer asked as she really wants to get started on the relaxing.
"Nonsense. Your friends Adora and Jack hasn't seen it, and it's quite a sight to behold for a newcomer." Castaspella promised as she taps on Adora's nose.
"That does sound exciting." Jack commented.
"See, now it's like you don't want to spent time with you aunt during this visit." Castaspella said slightly sad.
"Of course. But we also really wanted to show Adora and Jack the beach." Glimmer stated the reason they're here.
"Well, if the beach is the only reason you're here, I really shouldn't keep you, should I? I certainly don't want to waste your time." Castaspella said feeling a little hurt from her niece.
"For shame, Glimmer. You better than to push away family when they are about you the most." Jack acted as he turns around with his arms cross, causing Glimmer to exclaim.
"Auntie, I didn't mean it that way." Glimmer said.
Jack turns to see Adora looking around smiling as she is liking the room that seems to relax her though he spotted something on the reflecting of one crystal, he saw a black smokey thing and quickly turns his head to see that as it quickly leaves the room.
Jack acted fast leaping towards the spot and pull out his sword to slash the black substance like the ones in the forest, but he barely got an attack on the creature.
"Well, someone is enthusiastic." Castaspella surprised which got Jack's attention.
"Enthusiastic with his sword out?" Bow confused.
"Forgive me, I only raise my sword whenever I sense danger is near." Jack said as he put his sword away.
"Danger? Are you sure it was something serious because we have been protecting ourselves from any outside threats for years." Castaspella asked concern.
"Not to worry, it was probably just my imagination and just a rat coming by." Jack assured.
"A rat? I thought they were cleared out last week, I'll have to talk with the ground's keeper about this." Castaspella recalled the job of clearing out any rats was done.
"So, may we continue the tour in that direction?" Jack pointed the way.
"Of course, you're going to love this hall." Castaspella smiled as she grabs Jack's arm and the group move along into the new hallway.
"Jack, was it really a rat?" Adora asked whispering.
"We'll talk later, just enjoy the tour for now." Jack said with a confident smile.
They enter a certain hallway where statues of people are placed on the right side as the craving shows these people are of great importance and perhaps were years and years ago.
"Ah, yes. The hall of sorcerers. These are the Great Ones that led Mystacor through the ages." Castaspella explained and they stop in front of one statue.
"This is my Micah, my brother. We trained in these very walls together. Glimmer looks just like him you know." Castaspella smiled at Glimmer seeing her brother in her.
"He had a bread." Glimmer pointed out.
"I'm sure she meant your bravery." Jack said.
"Yeah, bravest princess of Bright Moon." Bow chuckled making Glimmer smile and blushing a little.
"Wait, Glimmer's dad was your brother?" Adora asked shock.
"Adora, do you know what aunt means?" Bow asked the confuse Princess of Power.
"No. I was just hoping somebody would eventually explain." Adora admitted.
"An aunt means they are the siblings or other relatives of one or both parents, being related to the family from one generation to another." Jack explained what he can tell Adora for her to understand.
"Good to know." Adora said.
Both Glimmer and Castaspella are now looking sad of looking at the statue of Micah as the aunt looks back on the memories of her older brother, all the time they would spend either on training or other fun things they done until that fateful day when Micah lost his life in battle. Then Glimmer broke the silence with determination in her eyes.
"Auntie, we're going to avenge my dad and make sure the Horde never hurts anyone else. Mom believes in us, in Jack and in She-Ra." Glimmer said strongly.
"Well, if your mother believes, who am I not to? She's an angelic being after all, and I'm just a common sorceress." Castaspella said looking annoyed and hurt.
"Ugh. Please, not this again." Glimmer exclaimed.
"Does that also mean you two don't get along?" Jack asked.
"Oh no, we get along great. It she never writes to me you know. I send letters, but do I ever get a reply?" Castaspella asked, feeling like Angella is pushing her away.
"I'm sure she would have reply to your letters when she is not busy with her duty as queen of an entire kingdom." Jack assured to calm down lovely ruler of Mystacor.
"But what about on break? Surely, she must've gotten the time." Castaspella complained.
Adora then notice one statue that looks rather darker than the other statues and holding a black star-like jewel, and she can feel that this one is not one of the good sorcerers.
"What happened to her?" Adora asked getting Castaspella to see the statue.
"Light Spinner. A scar on Mystacor's past. She sought power and control above all else, and she was cast out. Although, some say she never really left. That she's only biding her time, waiting to exact her revenge. But those are only children's tales, of course." Castaspella explained.
"Same thing was with She-Ra, and now here she is." Jack pointed out making Castaspella laugh.
"Quite the young man with words." Castaspella said.
"Are you hungry? I've had the dining room redone since the last time you were here, Glimmer." Castaspella said as she walks away with Glimmer and Bow.
Adora looks at the state again as she is getting a strange feeling that she has seen this woman before though can't put her finger on it, and it's kind of scaring her as well. Jack on the other hand glances at the statue feeling like there is something going on here, a shadow is creeping from the statue though quickly hides again when Jack looks down at the floor.
Then Glimmer teleported back to them with Bow.
"Okay. Aunt Casta's gone to fix us a big dinner and now it's finally beach time!" Glimmer excited.
"Great, because I think Adora needs us to comfort her now." Jack stated as he places a hand on Adora's shoulder making her blush.
"Well, yeah, that is what you guys are here for, and why we're here." Adora stuttered.
"Then there's no time left to waste!" Bow said as he grabs Adora's arm pulling her away as they make their way to the beach.
Jack turns back at the Light Spinner statue one last time for a few seconds before turning away and walking with the others.
Then a shadow creature came out from hiding behind the statue and look in the direction where the group is heading.
(With Shadow Weaver)
"Damn that boy!" Shadow Weaver cursed as she looks at her cauldron.
"He is more than I expected if he isn't allowing me to get close to Adora. Very well, guess I'll have to get ride of him first." Shadow Weaver decided as she channels some more of her dark magic.
(The Hall of Sorcerers)
The Shadow Spy raise up from the floor forming into a slight female figure though still the same dark creature with one red eye as it hisses.
(Mystacor Beach)
Glimmer and Bow spread out the towels on the beach as Jack look onward seeing this place reminds him of the beach times, he had fun with his family and friends.
"So, we just, like, lie here?" Adora asked.
"Absolutely. Letting your cares melt away. Didn't you do something like this to relax in the Horde?" Glimmer asked.
"Uh, no. We hit things." Adora answered, not seeing the whole point of this.
"Well, this is so much better. Right Bow?" Glimmer asked, only to find that Bow is already asleep.
"Just try it." Glimmer said as she lays down.
Jack did the same setting his sword aside, Adora soon follow laying on the towel trying to relax and now think about any sort of combat things like she was taught back at the Fright Zone, but she seems to struggle with the relaxing part as she made some little sounds.
"This isn't working for you, is it?" Glimmer asked.
"No, can I move now?" Adora asked as she sat up.
"Then how about we do something can also help lessen our stress, like talking." Jack suggested.
"Talking, what do you mean?" Adora confused.
"You know, talk about things that stresses a person and make them feel at ease. It always helps."
Jack explained.
"So Adora, why don't we talk about what is making your stress like that statue back in the hall, did it remind you of anyone?" Jack asked.
Adora knew that Jack is trying to help her, and she wanted to say there is nothing wrong with her though knew better than to underestimate his sharp instincts, plus she always does feel calm whenever he is around her. She took a deep breath and decided to do this talking like he suggested.
"When I saw the statue, the one called Light Spinner, she reminded me of Shadow Weaver." Adora revealed her worries.
"Someone you know in the Horde?" Glimmer asked.
"Yeah, she's the woman who found me as a baby and took me in. Shadow Weaver raised me in the Horde. She taught me how to read and tie my boots and how to subvert the enemy and be victorious in battle." Adora explained.
"Ok, sure, mom stuff." Glimmer commented.
"No, commanding officer stuff...and mom stuff." Adora shrugged.
"I think it's more of the commanding office than a mom as she seems to be the one manipulating you the most into being a puppet to destroy." Jack stated.
"That's… actually spot on." Adora sighed.
"Shadow Weaver seem to focus most of her attention on me, training me into the soldier for the Horde and would often tell me I'm special than the rest." Adora mentioned.
"Like you being She-Ra special?" Jack asked.
"I'm pretty sure she never knew about that nor mention anything about She-Ra, but it looks like I proven her right about the special part." Adora said.
"Then how do you feel about her now? The woman who would adore you for years as a cover for her lies just to make you into an obedient dog for her to use however she wants and sounds to me like she never showed any love to you at all." Jack stroked his chin.
"Oh, that would make her the worst mom of the year." Glimmer commented.
"You know what? I think you two are right." Adora said realizing everything about Shadow Weaver right now.
"She never loved me. She just played twisted mind games, always trying to make me believe that I am ambitious, cutthroat, ruthless warrior in her own imagine." Adora mentioned.
"But you are nothing like that, right?" Jack asked smiling.
"Right! She's bitter and cruel, and she's the one who used me!" Adora said standing up and holding up her sword.
"This is who I am. If she hurt my friends, then I'm going to make her pay!" Adora determined strongly and her sword glow, then her sword transformed into a shield.
"Whoa, that's new." Adora surprised.
"I think that means you're embracing more of yourself that you unlock a new ability." Jack guessed.
"So, how do you feel now?" Jack asked.
"I feel… I feel great, like there is this big weight that has been banish from my shoulder and now I feel light as a feather!" Adora answered smiling.
"Oh, I'm so glad for you, Adora! I knew coming here was a great idea." Glimmer smiled.
"Well then, I hope you're ready to experience more of Mystacor because I sure like to see more of the relaxing spots." Jack grinned.
"You know what? I think I am." Adora smiled.
"In that case, Bow, wake up." Glimmer clapped her hands.
"What?" Bow shot himself awake upon his name being called on.
"Great news, Adora is finally cure from her worries and she can turn her sword into a shield." Glimmer gestured at the shield.
"Awesome to both of them!" Bow amazed.
"And we're going to take them to the Steam Grotto!" Glimmer added with her eyes sparkling of excitement.
"Whoo! Steam grotto." Bow shouted cheerfully.
(Steam Grotto Room)
Everyone made their way into the Steam Grotto room, which to Jack is a hot spring room like the ones he used to go with his family during vacation times and had the time of his life even though he was doing most in nothing.
"These pools are full of magical healing minerals. The sorcerers use them to cleanse themselves of worry and fear before big ceremonies or spells. Now, just clear your mind. Breathe deeply. Focus on the warmth on your skin. Let your body go perfectly..." Glimmer explained as she and Bow starts to daze of the relaxation.
"Man, this is so much better than the showers in the Fright Zone." Adora sighed smiling.
"Glad to see you're enjoying yourself. I'll be over at another bath if you need me." Jack said before walking away.
Jack step into one bath letting the warm water sink into his skin and the warmth calming his soul as he can sense this is so much more than the hot spring back home.
"My mom would definitely go for this relaxation." Jack chuckled.
"Then maybe you should bring her next time." Castaspella said, walking up to Jack and stepping in while wearing only a towel over her body.
"C-C-Castaspella! What are you doing here?" Jack asked shock.
"I needed some relaxing time as well, just happen to spot you here." Castaspella answered as she moves closer onto Jack.
"I hope you don't mind sharing." Castaspella smiled.
"No, no, I'm totally fine with this." Jack stuttered with his face turning red, and instinctually wrap one arm around her waist.
But Jack will soon realize the relaxation will not last long as a certain darkness is lurking around within the foggy steam from the baths.
KO a new chapter is done and hope you all enjoy it!
As you all read, Jack was able to help Adora find more confident in herself to be her own person and realize how much of a bitch Shadow Weaver is earlier in this episode, but that doesn't mean Shadow Weaver isn't backing down as now she is going to try get the jump on Jack.
KO comment, favorite, and follow through of how this story will go!