Fighting Rabbit Kingdom
Izuku and Catra walked side by side, smiling at each other. After their night of love and passion, the two old friends turned lovers couldn't stop wondering why it had taken them so long. Their eyes couldn't help but go back into each other's as they wanted to stay as close as two peas in a pod. They had already moved all of Catra's stuff into Izuku's room. Like any newly wed couple on their honeymoon, Izuku and Catra were as joined as they could be. However, as their new relationship status had them on a high cloud after what seemed like a lifetime of hardships, they could tell that something was odd with their friends.
As they walked towards the war room they noticed that Glimmer was blushing while looking away from them and the guards giggled as they passed them.
"Okay, what's going on?" Catra asked, looking back at the guards.
"I-I-I don't know what you mean, Catra." Glimmer chuckled, avoiding eye contact with both her and Izuku.
"Glimmer, are you alright? You've had a red face for a while now," Izuku commented.
Glimmer was now face to face with the man that had recently taken up permanent residence in both her heart and her mind. Her face lit up as she remembered the scene she and the other princesses witnessed the other day. But what really took the cake was that she had a very explicit dream about not just him but also the attractive teasing feline warrior with him. She honestly didn't know how long she could keep a straight face in front of them without blurting the truth out.
"Oh, look at the time, we better go!" Glimmer teleported herself and the other two to the war room where Queen Angella, Spinnerella, Netossa, Frosta, Mermista, Perfuma and Entrapta were waiting for them.
"Ah, Glimmer, Izuku, Catra, so good to see you all in much better health," Queen Angella said, before noticing the other female occupants of the room sporting red blushes, lovey dovey stares meant for school girls and embarrassed looks of desire. "We were just waiting for you three and Bow. He should be here shortly."
"S-so good to see you again, Izuku, and Catra too." Perfuma blushed.
"Looking good, boy scout. Kitty." Mermista winked.
"What?" Izuku asked.
"You, you look nice is what she means." Frosta jumped in. "I'm-I'm here too, by the way."
"Hello guys, we were wondering when you'd get here," Entrapta said. "Say, can I ask you a few questions? I want to know more about-"
"No you don't!" Netossa silenced Entrapta by covering her mouth.
"What's going on?" Catra asked.
"Nothing, sweetie, I mean, Catra," Spinnerella replied. "Just a bit in our own head."
Queen Angella, like the rest of the staff and princesses, was made aware of Izuku and Catra's night of passion. Although she couldn't tell them what not to do, given that they were grown ups and not her children, she did figure that she had to step up and be the adult in their lives. No matter how much she wished not to deal with it. But she assumed that it was better to nip this before it made the Alliance unable to properly work together.
As Catra and Glimmer sat down, the queen looked to Izuku.
"Izuku, I'd like to speak with you outside," Queen Angella sighed. "Privately."
Izuku paled slightly as he followed after the queen. He was led outside before the queen turned to the princesses in the room.
"All of you, clear the air before we start the meeting. I will not have school girls with pink shades giggling at a private joke." Queen Angella instructed with the authority of a queen.
All the women inside the room stiffened up, save for Catra, who was as lost as she was with the guards.
Queen Angella closed the door before letting out a tired sigh. She rubbed the bridge of her nose as she tried to understand how her council and new allies were now acting like that. She remembered that Izuku was in the hallway with her, looking at her with concern as well as some fear.
"Izuku," Queen Angella began, causing Izuku to stiffen up in fear. "I have noticed that you and Catra have become… closer as of late. And while I am very happy for you, there have been some… complications that have come up because of it."
"Is… is there something wrong?" Izuku asked, wondering if the Queen was against his relationship.
"No. Good heavens, no. But I hope you understand the implications of such a relationship," Queen Angella clarified. "You're both young and nature can be a fickle… bitch for all intents and purposes. Toshinori did explain what happens when you 'make love', right?"
Izuku went from afraid to defensive and then down to utterly shocked. He stood there as the Queen of Brightmoon, and head of the Alliance, was giving him the talk.
"No? Well, when two people love each other very very much, and they follow those feelings-" Queen Angella explained as Izuku turned red and frozen, hearing her explain what he and Catra had done in detail.
Back inside the war room, Catra noticed that all the princesses were avoiding her sight. And not being one to dance around the subject, she decided to pull the band aid.
"Alright, what's the damn joke? Why are you all blushing like that and avoiding looking at me like I was wearing nothing at all?" Catra asked.
Her question made the entire group of princesses to actually picture her naked and with Izuku behind her.
"Um, w-well you see, Catra, it's not that we don't want to tell you the joke," Spinnerella began.
"It's just not appropriate at the moment." Netossa finished.
"I say now that we're alone it's the best time to explain it," Mermista muttered.
Catra looked at Glimmer who was trying her best to not look at her. She snarled as if silently saying to spill the beans or else.
"Catra, can I ask you a few questions? It is really important for my research." Entrapta popped in front of Catra breaking her glare towards Glimmer.
"Um, yeah, sure," Catra shrugged.
"When you and Izuku were mating, what exactly did you feel was the most vital or satisfactory part of it?" Entrapta asked, causing everyone to stare at her in shock.
Catra's ears rang as Entrapta finished her question.
"... I'm sorry… what did you say?" Catra asked, hoping that she misheard the tech princess.
"I've been trying to ask the others but they don't want to talk about it. But I just want to know what was the 'best part' as Mermista put it." Entrapta clarified to which Mermista held back her laugh.
"You watched me and Izuku?!" Catra asked in rage as her fur stood on end.
"Yeah. We all-" Entrapta began.
"Entrapta!" Glimmer snapped, putting her hand over Entrapta's mouth. "Shut up."
Catra glared at the other princesses in a rage. She knew they were hiding something and if what Entrapta was saying was true, then they were all in on this. She slammed her hand, nails first, on the table, leaving scratch marks on the table. She was done playing games and was now out for blood and the truth.
"If none of you come out with it, I'll use you all for scratching posts," Catra threatened.
"Ooh, at least invite us dinner first, kitty~," Mermista said. "But yeah, what Entrapta just said is true. We kinda saw you and Izuku going at it like a couple of horny teenagers, completely unintentionally by the way."
Mermista's words made Catra's fury quell slightly. She looked at the other princesses on the table who were all blushing and looking away. Her eyes landed on Glimmer, who was the only one apart from Mermista to look at her.
"... Glimmer…" Catra said in a cold, ominous voice.
"Alright, alright we did but it was an accident!" Glimmer admitted. "We went to check up on you two, the door wasn't completely closed and we heard a few noises and then we peaked and we saw you… two… going at it…"
Catra's world turned silent as it was her own turn to blush madly in embarrassment. She had been observed by her friends as she had her intimate time with Izuku.
"Could someone hold my sword for a second?" Catra asked.
"Why?" Netossa asked with curiosity.
"So I can fall on it," Catra replied, covering her face in embarrassment.
"Oh Catra, please, don't be like that. It was a beautiful moment that must be treasured, and no need to be embarrassed about." Spinnerella rushed to comfort Catra. "It just happened to be witnessed by accident."
"Yes, it is all part of nature and love must be respected and shared," Perfuma added.
"At least this can't get much worse?" Catra groaned only for her to remember that the guards were also laughing at and giggling like school girls. "Who else knows?"
"Well…" Glimmer began.
"Oh my god, everyone knows." Catra was struck with the realization, wanting the earth to swallow her completely.
"I don't think Bow knows," Perfuma mentioned. "He stayed back in the Kingdom of Snows to clear things up."
Catra groaned in embarrassment. Things could not get any worse for her at that moment.
The door of the war room opened up, revealing a stumbling Izuku. His face was red like Catra's and his eyes were spinning like a pair of rotating plates. His conversation with the queen had made him wish that he had been born deaf.
"Alright, I hope the matter has been settled," Queen Angella said, sitting down as she noticed both Catra and Izuku looking like a pair of cherry tomatoes. "Now we may begin the meeting. I would like to thank the princesses of Salineas, Dryll, the Kingdom of Snows and Plumeria for staying with us before returning to their kingdom to formalize their allegiance to the Alliance."
The four princesses greeted the queen with a formal wave.
"I hope that your assistance will lead to the Horde's defeat and for a more prosperous future. Now we can begin with today's mission." Queen Angella pulled out a message in the form of a scroll. "According to the Red Riots' intel, the secretive Rabbit Kingdom is holding a tournament in search of new stronger warriors."
"Their warrior princess is very hard to get a hold of. And leads her people through a very strict warrior mentality." Netossa explained. "She is also the defender of the underground caverns that run all over the inner part of the main Etherian continent."
"My people had contact with them on a few occasions and despite their long fluffy white ears and rabbit feet, they are powerful warriors." Perfuma shared.
"Wow, sounds like they are all rabbits, Izuku would fit right in," Mermista muttered, winking at Izuku.
Izuku flinched slightly at that remark.
"Which is one of the reasons we need them as allies. This mission will require a team that will show that the Alliance is strong," the queen clarified.
"We would like to go!" Catra shot out, lifting her hand. "I-I mean, who better to show off strength than She-Ra and Izuku. We'll get this over in no time. And far from anyone here." she muttered the last part.
"I'll go, you need a general to show off more than just individual strength." Netossa stood up.
"I also volunteer!" Frosta lifted her hand, noticing that she was on the spot. "Um, my kingdom has had dealings with Princess Rumi in the past and she was a friend of my mom, I might be able to get her on our side."
"Sounds like a good idea, Princess Frosta. Glimmer, you will go there with Izuku, Catra, Netossa and Frosta as representatives of the Alliance," Queen Angella instructed. "I'd say avoid conflict, but I don't think that might be possible. Good luck to you five."
As Izuku and Catra followed Glimmer, Frosta and Netossa out of the room, they gave each other a look.
"So how was your torture?" Catra asked.
"The queen knows," Izuku admitted.
"They all know," Catra added.
"And she gave me the talk," Izuku recalled the dreaded details.
"Such a nice way to start our relationship." Catra dreaded.
"At least it couldn't get any worse," Izuku muttered.
In the depths of Hordak's sanctum, he was expressing his displeasure at the failure of Muscular's mission. He was sending black electric lightning at the downed Shadow Weaver and Muscular. His already beastial face was showing all his red sharp teeth at them.
"You had one simple mission and yet you come back defeated!" Hordak snapped, backhanding Muscular to the ground.
"It wasn't my fault, Lord Hordak. It was that brat with the green hair!" Muscular argued, only to receive a glare from Hordak. "I'll kill him for sure next time!"
"You! Shut up!" Hordak zapped Muscular out of the room before turning to Shadow Weaver. "And you! Your 'special task force' didn't do anything to aid in the attack! I have half a mind to send them to the front lines in my brand new mission plan called 'Imminent Suicide'!"
"My lord, please I beg you to reconsider-!" Shadow Weaver begged before Hordak blasted her once more.
"Silence!" Hordak snapped once more. "Now the Alliance is being aided by the Kingdom of Snows and it just proved to have a powerful member that can stand against one of my army's strongest! We need to even out the scales of power."
Hordak sat down on his throne, sighing after his little outburst. He was aware that he needed to do something before the Horde was seen as weak. And for that, he needed to destroy or dealt a devastating blow to the Alliance. If only his head scientist could finish his special project then it would be all the Alliance wrote. It was so frustrating to have all these options and yet not enough, in his opinion. He needed a show of strength and it had to be a big one.
That was when the leader of the Horde remembered something that his spies had told him. His row of teeth were covered by his lips until they became hidden by a thin red line of sinister malice.
"There might be a way for you to actually make up for this blunder," Hordak suggested. "Some of our spies have found out that the Rabbit Kingdom is holding one of its fighting tournaments. If your task force can land a devastating blow and gain access to the underground tunnels of her kingdom, I might be willing to overlook this failure."
Shadow Weaver got back up, holding her side while keeping her anger in check. She was no fool, but she also knew that she had to keep her wits about. She bowed in respect as she understood her position.
"As you command, Lord Hordak." Shadow Weaver retreated from the sanctum as Muscular limped behind her.
While Shadow Weaver was holding back her pain and walked out with her head held high, Muscular cursed under his breath. He cursed the brat that humiliated him by breaking his leg. He cursed Lord Hordak for punishing him like a dog that had bitten his master's hand. And he cursed Shadow Weaver's pet project for being unable or unwilling to help him. Bloodlust clouded his mind and he wanted to take it out on whatever and whoever got in his way. But with his busted leg, Muscular was going to have to stew in his own rage.
"One day, witch. One day." Muscular dented the wall next to him.
In another part of the Fright Zone, Adora and her friends were looking back at what had happened in their unsanctioned mission.
"I can't believe that Shadow Weaver sent Muscular to wreck things," Lonnie called out, leaning against the wall. "While we were still in there! Who sends that guy without announcing it?!"
"Yeah, we almost got shot and blasted off that mountain." Kyle chipped in.
"And we didn't even get to keep the yummy food they were serving," Scorpia commented, getting weird looks from Lonnie, Kyle and Rogelio. "I know it's not as important as a crazed battlemonger wrecking a party while we were in it, but the food was better than the gray protein bars that they give us. But at least we got to talk to Izuku, well Adora did, not me though. He seemed nice."
"And he sounded like quite the man~," Lonnie added, scratching the side of her head. "I would've liked to toss my hat in the ring for him."
Adora blushed at that comment before looking at her team with a look that said 'knock it off'.
"Keep our little excursion down before Shadow Weaver or anyone else hears about it," Adora instructed. "We have to keep it together or else we'll be court martialed, and that's if we're lucky."
"Um, are you sure they didn't already know about it?" Kyle chimed in. "I mean, how else could Force Captain Muscular have gotten so many soldiers so quickly?"
This made Adora pause for thought. Izuku's words resonated in her mind like a bell. She wondered if what he told her was true. If the Horde was actually using her and her friends to conquer people that were innocent that didn't hurt anyone. But all that she was taught and shown pointed to the opposite.
"Cadets." Shadow Weaver called out, getting the attention of everyone. "What are you doing in a Force Captain's quarters?"
Adora, Lonnie, Kyle, Rogelio and Scorpia stood in attention as the shadow witch drifted towards them like a specter in search of a new soul.
"We were just discussing strategy, Shadow Weaver," Adora explained. "I believed a private room would be more beneficial to our meeting than out in the open."
"Oh, then it is a good thing you have a mission. Report to Shigaraki for the briefing, now!" Shadow Weaver commanded. "But not you, Adora. We have things to discuss."
Adora gave her friends a nod before they left her room. She turned around to see the woman that had raised her as she remained with her back to her.
"Tell me, Adora, what were you hoping to achieve by going to the Kingdom of Snows without the proper reinforcements?" Shadow Weaver asked.
"I-I thought that it would be prudent to get information on the royal family and the layout of the land for future missions. Secrecy was paramount and thus a big presence would lead to our mission being disturbed." Adora defended her actions.
"And that included dressing up in this?" Shadow Weaver pulled out Adora's dress in one hand.
"It- It was a disguise, meant to blend in with the rest of the guests," Adora explained. "My team followed my orders, if there is a punishment, I'll take full responsibility."
"Oh don't misunderstand, Adora. I approve of your devious attempt of sneaking into enemy territory when they were at their most vulnerable, but I don't think you planned to dress up like a whore to strike them down." Shadow Weaver glared at the dress. "This wasn't your plan, was it? It was Lonnie's wasn't it?"
Adora looked away. She didn't want to give up Lonnie, but she couldn't lie to Shadow Weaver. Her best option was to stay silent.
"You believed that you could sweet talk those traitors into coming back, didn't you?" Shadow Weaver asked.
"I-," Adora began, only for Shadow Weaver to hold out her hand, stopping her.
"Adora, I fear that your fondness for your friends is giving you tunnel vision." Shadow Weaver turned around, facing Adora while still holding the dress. "While your determination and focus makes you one of our best warriors and captains. But if these distractions make you inefficient. Then something must be done." Shadow Weaver placed her hand on Adora's shoulder.
Adora's hand instinctively tightened into a fist.
"I won't fail this mission, Shadow Weaver." Adora swore.
"Then remember that we need a win. A clear reminder that the Horde is as strong as ever." Shadow Weaver burnt the dress with her magic before leaving Adora to her thoughts.
She almost dropped to her knees as she could feel a single tear dripping down the side of her face. Her hands touched the wet spot on her face before she looked at it. Adora didn't remember how long ago it was that she had shed tears. To her they were as foreign as a snowball in the middle of a desert or a single carrot in a candy shop. She only had one memory about the time she cried her last. And it was one that she was not going to repeat.
In the deep green fields of Etheria, Izuku, Catra, Netossa, Glimmer and Frosta were walking towards the hidden entrance of the Rabbit Kingdom. However, there was tension between all of them. They hadn't talked to each other the whole way to the kingdom.
"Okay, can we please talk now?" Netossa asked. "So we saw you two by accident, get over it." She blushed at the memory.
Neither Izuku nor Catra replied to Netossa's words. They were trying to get over it and find something to talk past it or forget it. But they could tell that there was something in the princesses that kept them thinking about what they saw.
Without any other alternative, Izuku spoke first.
"Um, okay. Is there something you can tell us about the Rabbit Kingdom?" Izuku asked.
"Finally." Glimmer whispered. "The Rabbit Kingdom, like its namesake, lives mostly underground through a series of tunnels all across the plains of Etheria. They are fierce warriors that live by the ancient legend of the Rabbit Prince; a mighty warrior by the name Prince El-ahrairah."
"El-ahairball?" Catra asked. "Sounds like a mouthful."
"Y-Yeah, I mean. Why the-the weird name?" Frosta asked with her face being a little red.
Izuku and Catra noticed this but kept on listening to the explanation of the new kingdom.
"If they live by the legend of a Prince Rabbit, how come they have a princess leading them?" Izuku asked. "I mean, not that there's anything wrong with that, but I am confused. That's all."
"It's cool, Greenie. They believe the strongest ones should lead, male or female members of what you could call the royal family are put to the test and trained to fight from an early age." Netossa said, looking for the entrance. "And whenever there is a tournament, they are challenged and if the challenger wins they give the reins to them. But they rarely lose. The current princess, Rumi, is one of the toughest cookies out there."
"Then we'll just talk to them and see if we can help her by using the tunnels to counteract the Horde's advances," Glimmer suggested.
Frosta collapsed on the ground, catching everyone's attention.
"Frosta!" The group jumped at Frosta, noticing her red face and sweat coming down her forehead.
"Too hot…" Frosta groaned as the others pulled off her thick coat.
"Why were you wearing such a thick coat in the middle of a warm day?" Catra asked as they revealed her more grown up body.
"I don't get out much from the Kingdom of Snows," Frosta groaned as Glimmer handed her a canteen. "This is the lightest coat I have."
"Then you need a wardrobe change since yesterday," Glimmer commented.
"Are you alright, Frosta?" Izuku asked as Netossa made a fan woven from her netting. "Can you tell me what you see?" He showed two fingers from his right hand.
Frosta looked at Izuku's face instead of his hand. She was almost mesmerized by his face with the light of the sun. She couldn't tell why, but she was liking the heat that her face was feeling at that moment. He was a light warmth that she hadn't felt in a long time since assuming the throne. Even when he first spoke to her, while respectful, he treated her like any other person and wasn't trying to pressure her into doing something that she didn't want to. She remembered seeing him fight to protect her kingdom and wanted nothing more than to touch the green-haired boy and be covered in that warmth.
"Handsome face," Frosta muttered.
Izuku flinched slightly, shocked by the words of the ice princess that came out of the blue.
"Oh, um, I think we should get her some shade," Izuku suggested, scratching the side of his head.
"Keep your clothes on, the entrance is right here." Netossa stomped on the ground three times.
A square of earth opened up before the group, showing them an entrance to the Rabbit Kingdom.
Catra however only rolled her eyes in annoyance.
"If this keeps up, I'm gonna have to put a penalty on all of you," Catra commented as she helped Izuku get Frosta into the Rabbit Kingdom.
"Halt!"
The team was met with the sight of three short armed warriors with long rabbit ears and legs. Although they were only about a head shorter than Izuku, the group could tell that they were stacked with muscles and weapons that could make them go for a run for their money. The guards looked like they were mean and could give as hard as they could take. But their long fluffy ears were not selling the full intimidating look that they were going for. And it was taking all of Catra's will not to laugh at the guards despite their combat stances.
"State your business!"
"Easy fellas, we're from Brightmoon," Netossa explained. "I'm general Netossa and with me come Princess Glimmer of Brightmoon, She-Ra, Izuku and Princess Frosta of the Kingdom of Snows."
The group all waved at the group while Izuku moved Frosta's hand since she was pretty out of it.
The two guards observed the group, making sure that they were who they claimed to be. They looked at Frosta more than the rest as she was from such a far away kingdom.
"You got any proof of who you are?" one of the guards asked.
"Here, let me." Catra pulled out her sword. "For the Honor of Grayskull!" she transformed before the two guards and unintentionally carried both Frost and Izuku on her shoulder like a warrior queen who had just picked her attendants for the night.
"Tall pretty cat lady," Frosta pointed out.
"You can say that again." Izuku shrugged.
"Now, take us to your princess!" Catra said in her most heroic voice.
The two guards snapped out of their stupor before hopping down the dugout tunnel, leading the group of heroes deeper into the Rabbit Kingdom burrow.
"Did you have to do that?" Glimmer asked.
"It saves us time," Catra shrugged as they followed the guards.
The group soon arrived at a large burrow filled with people of the Rabbit Kingdom. There were adults, old people and lots and lots of children running around the place eating carrots. The walls were filled with markings and paintings of ancient battles and rabbit warriors battling everything from large wolves, to hawks, foxes and even the Horde itself. The place might have had a Spartan look to it but it was flourishing with lots of future generations of small and fearless warriors.
"This way, the princess should be with the children."
"Follow us, and don't touch anything."
Izuku and the group shared a look with one another before shrugging. They didn't know what damage they could possibly do to the large communal room of the Rabbit Kingdom. The guards led them to a large wall that was filled with the most carvings and markings.
"Princess, representatives from Brightmoon have arrived."
"They wish to speak with you."
The princess turned around, standing high and mighty despite her smaller stature. She had long white hair with white rabbit ears, dark tanned skin with fierce red eyes. She wore a tight sleeveless white suit with purple leggings and iron rabbit-like shoes and white fighting gloves. She was like a stacked short-stacked amazonian warrior and the leader of the Rabbit Kingdom. This was Princess Rumi.
"Ah, Netossa, long time no see, you stringy broad," Rumi greeted, landing before the group. "It's cool you guys, I know her. Go check up on the entrance."
"Yes ma'am." Both guards rushed straight back to the entrance.
"So, what brings you here with the runt squad?" Rumi asked, looking at the group. "Who's the cat-girl and the two pipsqueaks she's carrying?"
Catra put down both Izuku and Frosta, giving the rabbit princess a growl.
"The name is Catra, bunny girl." Catra growled. "Also known as the new She-Ra. Hold your applause."
"No one is applauding." Glimmer groaned.
"Why would I applaud that? I bet I could take you all with ease," Rumi laughed.
Izuku stopped Catra from snapping at the princess, pushing her back slightly. He then looked at Frosta and how she needed to get lots of fluids in her.
"I'm sorry, but could we sit down for a bit. Our friend here is not used to the climate and needs to drink a lot of water." Izuku carried Frosta in a bridal style, which made her blush. "We come in peace as representatives of Brightmoon and the Princess Alliance."
"Relax, brat, I'm teasing you." Rumi led the group to the large mural. "You can rest up here and get your strength back. Let me guess, here for the tournament?"
"Yeah, we were hoping to earn your support and hopefully join our efforts to stop the Horde," Glimmer admitted.
"Well, you're gonna have to earn that at the tournament," Rumi replied.
Izuku and Catra couldn't help but think that that was the best option that they were gonna get. They helped Frosta drink up a lot of water as they observed the mural filled with carvings and marks.
"Excuse me, Princess Rumi, could you tell us what these carvings are about?" Izuku asked.
"Ah, I see that our old wall of warren legends has caught your eye," Rumi pointed out. "I can tell you that this here is the legend of our kingdom's birth and the legacy of El-ahrairah. Long ago, back when Etheria didn't have a name, Frith made the world, creating all the animals and the plants by spreading his droppings and rays down onto the land."
"Ew," Catra whispered at the idea that all living beings were born out of the sun's droppings.
"But he didn't stop there, he created all the stars in the night sky and brought warmth to all his children. He made the animals, the birds and, at first, he made them all the same. They all lived in peace and harmony and without any fort of conflict with one another." Rumi continued as the images began to move and change by the imagination of the listeners. "Amongst these was El-ahrairah, the prince of rabbits. A cunning and skillful warrior that had many friends and many brides. Soon enough he had many many children running the plains of the world, eating all the grass. They had to eat so much grass that there was scarcely anything left for everyone else."
The pictures showed all the little rabbits eating away mountains worth of grass as the other animals called to Frith for help.
"One day, Frith appeared to El-ahrairah and ordered him to control his people, or else. El-ahrairah however, replied with 'my people are the strongest in the earth', walking away like a boss." Rumi explained.
"I don't think that went well," Frosta commented, already feeling better.
"So Frith decided to get the better of El-ahrairah, but instead of killing him then and there, he devised a cunning plan. Frith gave each animal something different, a gift making them all unique. But when the time came for the fox, wolf, cat, hawk and weasel, he gave them a desire to seek out and slay the children of El-ahrairah." Rumi said as the pictures showed the different beasts attacking the rabbit kingdom's citizens. "They were known as the thousand enemies, the Elil. Enraged for his people's safety, El-ahrairah came out of his burrow to confront Frith. He claimed that his people were now condemned to lives of fear. But Frith instead told him that he had yet to give him and his people the gift that would give them a fighting chance. El-ahrairah replied with 'you can bless my ass for all I care'. And Frith did so. El-ahrairah's tail became white as snow to flash and confuse his enemies, his legs became long and strong to carry him long and hard to fight and flee if need be, his ears became long to hear any of the thousand enemies coming."
The images on the carving showed how all the rabbits gained their notorious attributes. They then showed them running, evading, tricking and some even fighting against their thousand enemies.
"Years passed and El-ahrairah led his people in a long and arduous journey through the land, remembering Frith's last words to him." Rumi pointed to the only written part of the carving.
'All the world will be your enemy, prince with a thousand enemies. And whenever they catch you, they will kill you'
'But first they must catch you. Digger, listener, runner, prince with a swift warning.'
'Be cunning and full of tricks, and your people will never be destroyed.'
The Brightmoon group looked with awe, feeling the weight of the tale settling on their shoulders. It was like being given a new set of clothes that were much higher quality than the ones they had previously worn. The story showed them that not only were the people of the Rabbit Kingdom serious about their knack for survival but their mythology was started by a figure that embodied living despite the many dangers in the world.
"Wow, that's a beautiful story, Princess Rumi," Glimmer complimented.
"It isn't when you look at it a lot. I like to think of it like a cautionary tale of where we come from and how we can't take anything for granted." Rumi clarified.
"You need to live, but live knowing that any day could be your last." Izuku stood up, remembering that that was the similar mindset that ruled the Crimson Waste. "You have the tools you need to survive, but if you don't know how to use them then they are worthless."
"Wow, the boy is more than just a cute face. I was beginning to wonder what you brought to the table," Rumi commented.
"Yeah, Izuku is an important member of the Alliance and so is Catra," Netossa said. "If you'd like we can talk more about them when after we discuss the possibility of an-"
"Princess Rumi! Someone's here!"
The group turned towards the entrance of the tunnel where the group had come through. There was a large cloud of smoke coming in, causing the group to jump in and fight whatever had come into the Rabbit Kingdom. However, they were greeted by Shigaraki, Adora, her task force and a few drones made by the Horde.
The robots that accompanied the Horde soldiers were round with three point legs coming out from their spherical bodies and had a single horizontal purple visor in the middle of their heads.
"Who the hell are you?! If you've come to get your asses kicked, then you've come to the right place!" Rumi threatened.
"I don't think so, bunny girl. We've come to claim this kingdom in the name of the Horde," Shigaraki explained in his dark, nearly graveyard dead tone. "Surrender or else, we'll turn you all to dust."
"Wanna try that with us here?" Catra stood before the Rabbit warriors, holding up her sword, aiming it at Shigaraki as Izuku stood by her side.
Adora's eyes widened at the sight of her friends. She hadn't expected them to run into her any time soon, especially not in such a delicate situation. If she didn't fight them then her other friends would suffer, but if she did then the situation between them would plummet. She knew that Shigaraki was not one to hold back his destructive impulses and if he did, there was a good chance that they'd be buried alive. She quickly looked around and saw all the depictions of battle and fighting. Her mind quickly reminded her of the Rabbit Kingdom's great fondness for battle and testing of one's limits.
"Princess Rumi, I am Force Captain Adora, am I free to assume that these princesses are here to seek an alliance with you?" Adora asked.
"You may," Rumi replied, not once dropping her guard.
"Well, we are here also to seek your allegiance," Adora commented.
"Are you serious?" Frosta snapped. "You and your goons have no honor! You attacked my kingdom and nearly killed many of my subjects!"
"Shut up, snowflake. You look like you should be put back in the freezer, so get lost!" Shigaraki snapped, causing Frosta to growl.
"Back off!" Glimmer stepped in.
Shigaraki glared at Glimmer, not liking her tone at all. But Adora got ahead of him, blocking him much to his displeasure.
"We hereby challenge the Brightmoon group to a five on five battle!" Adora stated, causing everyone to gasp in surprise. "Whoever wins three battles wins."
"What makes you think we'll agree to that?" Catra snapped, still in her She-Ra form. "I don't know if you noticed, Adora, but you're in no position to issue any challenge."
"Actually, she's within her rights within this kingdom." Rumi revealed, shocking Catra.
"Wait, what?!" Catra asked.
"In my kingdom you fight together and fight for what you want, kitty. You both have the right to challenge the other for an audience with me, I'll listen to whoever wins." Rumi jumped back as her soldiers moved the two groups to a large square battlefield. "The rules are simple: Five against five, whichever side that wins three of those fights wins. No weapons are allowed. You win by knocking your opponent out of bounds or knocking them out. You can't kill your opponent. No exceptions." She glared at Shigaraki.
The two groups turned to each other and discussed the situation.
"Well, what do you guys think? I say we kick them out and take them down outside," Catra suggested.
"But if we do that, we'll be seen as breaking the rules of the kingdom," Izuku countered. "That might make us look dishonorable before Princess Rumi."
"Izuku is right, like it or not we don't have much choice," Glimmer added.
"But we're at a bit of a disadvantage." Netossa gestured to Frosta. "How are you holding up, kid?"
"You good to fight, Frosta?" Izuku asked.
"Yeah, just don't ask me to go first," Frosta replied, with a challenging smile, showing that she was willing to fight.
Back with Shigaraki and Adora's squad, they also had their own conversation, but theirs was a little more along the lines of.
"Why the hell did you issue up that stupid challenge?! This is so annoying!" Shigaraki whined in annoyance.
"If I hadn't stepped in, you would've unleashed the bots and turned everything to dust." Adora snapped quietly. "If you'd done that then they would've gone to the Alliance and their forces would come after us."
"Also we would've been buried alive." Kyle chimed in before getting glared at by Shigaraki.
"I am in command of this mission, you and your mongrels will obey my orders and do as I say," Shigaraki snarled. "And I order you to kill these overgrown rodents and wannabe heroes and then bring this whole place down."
"Um, sorry to interrupt but." Scorpia raised her pincer. "Yeah, sorry to cut your whole thing there but I think we would all be better off at the chance of fighting than dying in a collapse."
Shigaraki didn't like the rising insubordination in this little team of his. He would wring the necks of every single one of the brats that his master had saddled him with. His hands were getting itchy and he wanted to turn everything that annoyed him into dust. Be it the brats of his master's pet project, the cat girl with the big sword, the green runt that had punched him, or, for some reason, the pink and purple girl that was with them. He didn't know why that girl irked him so much, but he did know that he felt something familiar about her. Shaking his head, Shigaraki turned to his team with anger.
"We aren't going to waste our time with some mini-game when we can put an end to these bastards in one fell swoop!" Shigaraki argued.
"Hey!" Netossa called out, getting the attention of the Horde task force. "Are we doing this or what?"
"If you back down from this challenge, which you issued, you'll be banished from the kingdom forever," Rumi added, putting out how serious challenges were in their kingdom.
Shigaraki gritted his teeth. He hated being ordered around by annoying mini-bosses. He started scratching his neck like a flea ridden dog. Glaring at Adora with hate-filled eyes, wordlessly saying that he would kill her if they lost.
"We are in." Adora stood with her taskforce.
"Alright then, get your fighters ready!" Rumi declared as both sides stood on opposite sides of the fighting arena. "Now, choose your first fighter and let loose, baby!"
The two groups looked at each other and chose who would be the first ones to take on the fight. From the side of Brightmoon went Netossa, who wanted to show off her combat skills and strength, while from the side of the Horde came Lonnie. Both women looked at each other, measuring each other as though they were trying to figure out what they would each do first. One thing was certain, Lonnie knew she was at a disadvantage against a princess with magic by her side, but she was gonna make it hurt.
"Time to take you down a few notches, princess." Lonnie assumed a combat stance, tightening her fists like two iron balls.
"Bring it on, girly," Netossa countered, spreading her body to fight back.
"Begin!" Rumi declared as the referee of the matches.
Lonnie lunged at Netossa like a wolf. She started by sending several wild punches and kicks towards the net princess. She managed to scratch Netossa's jacket and a few strands of her hair. But had yet to land a full blow on the veteran princess. As Lonnie's anger and more wolf-like snarls mounted, her hands moved faster as she quickly cut the distance between her and Netossa.
As the fight continued, Netossa kept looking behind her back, not at her friends but at the ring.
Lonnie wouldn't have it though.
"Come on, princess! Show me what you've got!" Lonnie demanded, sending more and more hits at her opponent.
However, Netossa used that to her advantage. She lowered her guard to create an opening. As Lonnie launched her fist to Netossa's face, the net princess snatched it in a tight hold around her wrist and forearm. In a quick and fluid motion, Netossa flipped Lonnie out of the ring and straight into Izuku's arms.
"Out of bounds!" Rumi declared. "The Brightmoon team wins the first round!"
"What the-whoa," Lonnie noticed how muscular and good looking Izuku looked as he held her. "Wow, you've really bulked up, Izuku."
"Um, are you alright, Lonnie?" Izuku asked as Lonnie rubbed his arms.
"I hate losing, but being held like this?" Lonnie asked. "I can live with it."
"Too bad you gotta skedaddle!" Catra pulled Lonnie off of him before sending her back to the Horde team.
"Was that necessary?" Glimmer asked.
"Yep," Catra told her. "At this rate I'll have to put a fence around Izuku to keep the others off of him at all times."
Glimmer wanted to argue against it but she knew that if she did then she'd show that she was interested in him. She grumbled silently, trying not to look at Izuku as they got ready for the second round. She should've been thinking clearly but her mind drifted back to Izuku and how despite his shy personality he always tried to stand up and protect others. Her heart wouldn't stop beating whenever she saw him and watched him do his thing. But now whenever she saw him, her face lit up and images of her being with him flashed in her mind.
"Glimmer!" Netossa snapped.
"W-what?! What's wrong?" Glimmer snapped out of her thoughts.
"The next fight is about to start, Izuku's up next." Catra explained. "They might as well throw in the towel."
"Oh sure, you send your best and highly unfairly advantaged fighters first, how is that an equal fight?" Shigaraki began, sending glances at the fighters.
"You got a problem?" Rumi asked.
"Yes, this man has the power to destroy tanks with his bare fists and has been capable of using dangerous power that could collapse the whole arena." Shigaraki argued. "If he gets to fight then we should be able to bring in an equally powerful warrior."
Rumi looked at Izuku and then back at Shigaraki, not buying that statement.
"What makes you think you've got any right to question who goes into battle?" Rumi asked.
"If you want the best possible outcome, we should fight on an even footing. And since they've got a more competent fighter and She-Ra on their side, I believe that we should be allowed to choose our next opponent." Shigaraki argued. "Afterall, we issued a formal fighting challenge, and his martial art is far too close to magic, as you'll see here." Shigaraki tossed a recording device to Rumi as it played a recording of Izuku shattering a tank with his bare hands.
"Wow, now that's interesting." Rumi looked at Izuku before tossing the recording away. "Fine, Izuku's fight is postponed," she declared, getting a sneaky smile from Shigaraki.
Glimmer noticed it and couldn't let it stand. She stepped up just as Catra was about to argue.
"I'll fight next then." Glimmer teleported to the field, crossing her arms. "What's your excuse for me to fight, Shigaraki? Or do you want me to point out that you can literally turn everything to ash just by touching it?"
Rumi sent a glare to Shigaraki, making sure that he didn't interfere with the rest of the tournament. Which seemed to do the trick.
"You sure you got this, Glimmer?" Izuku asked with worry.
"Yeah, these guys won't play around." Catra added.
Glimmer gave them a thumbs up and a self-assuring smile. She wasn't the strongest fighter, but she was still a princess and had to prove her skills.
"You're up, girl," Netossa said.
Glimmer looked up and saw that it was in fact her turn to fight. Her eyes locked with Scorpia who looked much taller and stronger than she'd looked before. For a moment there she thought of teleporting away at the sight of her, but she shook it off. She raised her fists like that of a boxer and put on the most fearless face she could put up.
"Okay, I know this is a bit off putting but you look so adorable right now," Scorpia pointed out. "I mean the sparkly hair, the angry face and the slightly glowing fists. It just makes you so adorable! I would love to look that cute."
"Um, thanks?" Glimmer replied.
"Okay, enough sweet talk, girls. Time to fight like women!" Rumi demanded. "Begin!"
Glimmer didn't waste any time and landed the first blow at Scorpia's stomach. But instead of her opponent recoiling in pain, her hand ached with it.
"Ow, ow, ow!" Glimmer groaned.
"Oh sorry, exoskeleton will do that," Scorpia apologized. "I wish I could take it off but it's kinda attached to me, kind of a pain to shower with let me tell you."
"Scorpia, focus!" Adora called out.
"Oh, right, right, my bad!" Scorpia apologized before throwing a punch at Glimmer.
Glimmer rolled away from the attack before dodging another pincer punch to the face. The teleporting princess started running around Scorpia, managing to trip her once or twice, but every time she threw a punch she either hurt herself or didn't do much damage to the scorpion princess. But Glimmer kept punching and landing blows on Scorpia. She didn't even know if she was denting the tall woman, but she kept going. Even when Scorpia managed to backhand her away, the young princess skidding to a halt before she could fall out of bounds.
"You're doing great, Glimmer!" Izuku cheered.
"Keep your guard up!" Catra added.
"Hit her in the side!" Netossa suggested, to very little success.
Meanwhile, on the side of the Horde, the taskforce decided to cheer their own friend.
"Don't give her a break, Scorpia!" Lonnie cheered.
Rogelio growled, giving her instructions on how to counter the smaller jabs and hits from the opponent. But his growls were mostly ignored because she didn't understand him.
"Yeah, sweep the leg! Sweep the leg!" Kyle cheered.
Shigaraki couldn't help but feel his throat burning with all the barf that was coming up his throat. The overly sweet and nauseating atmosphere he was looking at was making him fight to keep his stomach from vomiting. As much as he liked the sight of the pink and purple brat getting her ass handed to her, he needed to follow his mistress's plan.
While everyone was keeping their eyes glued to the fight, Shigaraki commanded the robots that they had brought to move. The bots all moved to different locations of the tunnels. They drilled themselves in the entrances like a couple of sinister mushrooms, waiting to release their deadly spores.
Shigaraki was tempted to just give the order, but at the moment, he needed to get away when no one was looking. But a part of him wanted to see how the fight would turn out. He wanted to see the brat that glared at him suffer. And from what he was seeing, she was.
Glimmer staggered with her fists held up, but with a few bruises and a face that was about ready to go to bed. She had gotten a few hits to the face and was only holding up because of sheer will and stubbornness. Glimmer kept her eyes on Scorpia as she got ready for the next punch.
Scorpia however was having second thoughts on landing another blow.
"Okay this is getting uncomfortable," Socrpia muttered, "Just fall down and let it go. This is really a lot meaner than I was expecting."
"Not while my friends need me to win!" Glimmer ducked between Scorpia's legs, pulling her down.
"Go Glimmer!" Izuku, Catra, and Frosta all cheered.
"She swept the legs!" Kyle shouted in amazement.
Glimmer jumped on top of Scorpia, elbow first. She knocked the air out of her opponent.
Glimmer stood back up in victory, unaware that Scorpia's stinger was stuck on her back. She then fell, completely paralyzed.
"Ow," Scorpia groaned before noticing the knocked out Glimmer with her stinger. "Oops. I-I did not mean to do that, I swear!"
"Glimmer!" Izuku and Catra rushed to their friend's side, checking up on her.
Izuku pressed his hand on her neck, feeling her pulse. He didn't know if Scorpia's stinger was poisonous but it seemed to have only made her a knocked out princess. He looked to Scorpia for answers as Catra placed Glimmer on his back. He could tell that she didn't intend to use her stinger but was just taken in by surprise.
"What did you do to her?" Catra asked.
"It was an accident, I swear! She fell on top of me and my stinger just did that on instinct," Scorpia apologized. "Don't worry, it's only a paralyzer, nothing too serious. She might get some hallucinations but that's it."
"Don't tell them that!" Shigaraki snapped.
"Guess there's not another way around it," Rumi sighed. "Glimmer is unable to battle, the Horde earns their first point. Now both sides are tied!"
The Horde taskforce cheered as Scorpia sheepishly accepted the words of encouragement from her friends. They had not only defeated a princess but they were one step closer to earning the allegiance of the Rabbit Kingdom.
On the other side, Glimmer was placed on a makeshift bed for her to rest up and let the stinger's poison leave her system. She could barely talk and was seeing stuff thanks to the poison. Her eyes couldn't help but look at Izuku and Catra as Frosta and Netossa checked up on her.
"How's she doing?" Netossa asked.
"I don't know," Izuku replied. "Scorpia said she would mostly just be paralyzed and nothing more."
"I think she's trying to say something?" Frosta said.
"Tell her to share it with us," Catra said, turning to face the Horde task force. "After I kick their ass. Hey, Adora! What do you say you pick on someone your own size?!"
Catra stepped up to the plate, demanding a fight with her old friend. She had dealt with Shigaraki's attempt at sidelining Izuku and putting them on a handicap of no powers. She stabbed the Sword of Protection on the edge of the battlefield as she glared at Adora. Catra was winning this fight and putting Shigaraki's stupid face in the ground. And nothing was going to get in her way.
"Guess it's my turn now." Adora stepped up to the field, not taking her eyes off of Catra.
They stood ready, like two gunslingers of the old west waiting for the clock to strike high noon. In a way, they had been looking for a chance to get down and fight once more. Not just because it was what they did when they were little, but because they both wanted to get a few things straightened out.
… With their fists.
"If both fighters are ready, then we can begin the third fight of this competition!" Rumi announced. "Begin!"
Catra and Adora charged at each other with determination in their eyes. They clashed against each other with a ferocity that could only be compared to heated rivals of a whole lifetime. Although a better description would be that of wild animals hoping to state dominance over the other. The flurry of punches that they were sending each other's way was almost akin to a storm of claws and fists.
Catra kicked Adora's side, making her skid to a halt before ducking another punch to the face. Punching back on her former friend, Catra sent a haymaker punch at Adora's forehead, forcing her back.
Adora countered by giving Catra a frontal kick which she blocked with her arms crossed. But the Force Captain didn't stop there, she jumped ahead, tackling Catra to the ground. Only for Catra to kick her off of her.
"This brings back memories, doesn't it, Catra?" Adora panted, rolling back to her feet.
"Yeah, not all of them good ones." Catra jumped, landing a spinning kick on Adora's forearm. "Most of them involve us looking over our shoulders whenever Shadow Weaver came out from the shadows to torture us!" Catra pulled Adora's head down, landing a knee to her face.
Adora recoiled in pain, not just the one of her face nearly being kneed by Catra. Her words made her think of Shadow Weaver's words. She grabbed onto Catra's arm, slamming her down on the floor. Before Catra could get back up, Adora pinned her down.
"Alright, so there were a few problems," Adora said, holding down Catra. "But there must've been something you missed or regretted leaving?!"
"Yeah, your stupid face!" Catra headbutted Adora off of her. "You think that if you follow Shadow Weaver's orders to the letter you'll make up for something or make everything right? Wake up, Adora! Shadow Weaver is just using you! And Hordak is no better!" Catra punched Adora's face, hoping that the pain would engrave her words into her thick skull.
And despite the look of the situation, it was working. Everything that Catra was saying was starting to take an effect on Adora. She could see that her old friend was speaking the hard truth. Adora was not some machine, she was not blind to what she had helped the Horde do. But her long standing programming and training was pushing her to fight against the words that Catra was punching into her. It was like two opposite forces were pulling at Adora's mind, trying to get her to submit to one or the other. Which is why, as Adora held up her arms, doing her best to block the attacks, she shot an angry glare at Catra.
Shigaraki snarled at the sight before him. Soon enough, Adora was going to screw the whole plan, he thought. Which meant that he would have to step up to the plate and make the kingdom go boom. He didn't bother himself with talking to the rest of his team as he slunk into the shadows while everyone was distracted. His thumb hovered over the detonation trigger as he figured that he would take out everyone that was annoying him in one fell swoop.
"A little more, Catra!" Netossa cheered. "You got her on the ropes!"
"Teach her not to wreck someone else's party!" Frosta added.
"Um, guys I don't think that was her doing." Izuku chimed in.
"Come on, Adora whoop her butt!" Lonnie cheered. "Avenge my dress!"
"Wasn't Shadow Weaver the one that destroyed it?" Kyle asked.
"Yeah, but Catra insulted it first!" Lonnie replied, turning to see that Shigaraki was missing. "Hey, where's Shigaraki?"
The rest of the Horde taskforce turned to see that the man was indeed missing. They looked around for him, wondering where he had gone. They spotted him walking into one of the tunnels, away from everyone and passing the activated bots.
"You don't think he would-?" Scorpia asked.
"This is Shigaraki we're talking about." Lonnie answered.
After a second of silence they all turned around just as Adora had knocked Catra off of herself.
"Adora!" Kyle called out, getting her attention.
The Force Captain looked at all the bots as they were. Her eyes widened at what it meant. If she said anything then there would be panic, but if she didn't then she and her team would die under the collapse. It was not hard to make a decision. She gave her team the order.
"Everyone, retreat!" Adora ordered much to the confusion of the others watching the fight.
"Wha-? Hey, where are you going?!" Catra snapped as the Horde taskforce all took off running.
Rumi's ears picked up a strange beeping noise, causing her to turn pale. Her ears helped her notice that there were several other beepings coming around the burrow. Her mind snapped at what it meant.
"Everyone! Out of the burrow! NOW!" Rumi ordered.
Shigaraki pressed the button.
The citizens of the Rabbit Kingdom and the group from Brightmoon looked at all the bombs going off. The explosions echoed through the burrow as cracks spread, breaking down all the walls and ceilings that held up the home of all the Rabbit Kingdom. Panic set in on all the burrows, throwing caution to the wind as everything began to collapse on the people. Large chunks of earth came down on the people as mountains of dust covered the ground and uprooted homes and fields of stored food.
Shigaraki laughed at the sight of the chaos.
All the citizens of the Rabbit Kingdom ran in panic as their world fell down around them.
"Catra!" Izuku tossed her the Sword of Protection. "We gotta take down the rocks!"
"Right behind you! For the Honor of Grayskull!" Catra called out, transforming amidst the destruction.
Izuku channeled One For All, jumping high into the air, pulling back his leg as he aimed for one of the biggest chunks of stone. He kicked the large rock, shattering it into smaller manageable pieces. He bounced from smaller rock to rock, smashing them every single one with his fists and kicks. Izuku looked at all the incoming falling stones, gritting his teeth at the amount that he would not be able to get to.
Catra jumped up with her sword turned into a shield, blocking the large rocks. She smacked several of them away, keeping the fleeing youngsters from being squashed. She snatched one of the large rocks, using her superstrength to toss it away. Turning her shield back into a sword, Catra sent a powerful magic slicing wave at the crumbling ground, clearing a path.
"Warriors! Smash the stones!" Rumi ordered.
Rumi and her royal guards jumped up and joined Izuku. Using their metal shoes and their coordination, they aided in the destruction of the large rocks coming down on their people. They were a well oiled machine, protecting their citizens.
Soon enough, Netossa created a large energy net with her magic. She flung it up into the ceiling, expanding it until it was a large capturing net. She blasted net after net after net, using them to hold the ceiling from collapsing as best as she could. Netossa's focus was so focused on the ceiling that she started to feel the whole weight of the ground above her.
"I'm not gonna be able to hold it!" Netossa grunted.
"Frosta! Freeze the ceiling!" Izuku instructed.
"What?" Frosta looked up, pulling Glimmer with her. " I've never done that."
"You gotta do something or else we're all doomed!" Catra added.
"Focus on the cracks! Fill them with ice!" Izuku suggested.
Frosta gave Glimmer to Izuku as she looked up to the cracking ceiling. Her hands glowed icy blue as her eyes narrowed at the ceiling. She took in a deep breath before firing at the ceiling. Her magic spread through the cracks, slowly freezing the ceiling little by little. Frosta continued to fire her magic, as sweat started flowing from her forehead.
"It's working!" Izuku said.
"Just a little more!" Netossa grunted, feeling the weight on her shoulders lessening.
"I don't think I can hold it much longer." Frosta got down on one knee, panting hard at the excess of the magic she was used to.
"You got this, Frosty." Catra encouraged. "You got this. We're right next to you!" Catra punched a falling rock before it could hurt Frosta.
"You're with me?" Frosta asked.
"Yeah, I mean the least we can do is have your back!" Catra replied, holding up her shield.
"You're part of the Alliance, Frosta. You're our friend now!" Izuku added.
Frosta didn't know why, but those words really struck something in her. She felt her power increasing, knowing that she wasn't alone holding the weight of the ceiling. She struggled to get up, as she got her second wind. Frosta shot out a powerful blast of ice towards the ceiling, channeling her magic through Netossa's nets. Her ice covered more of the ceiling, leaving the entire roof encased in a large ice-domed burrow.
The people of the Rabbit Kingdom looked in awe as their collapsing home became an ice-covered cave.
Frosta collapsed, being caught by Izuku and Catra.
"You did it, Frosty," Catra said. "Everyone's okay."
"Wow, that looks awesome," Frosta groaned.
"Yeah, you really saved the day, Frosta." Izuku cheered.
"We were awesome!" Frosta cheered, almost passing out from the excess of energy.
"Oh, here. Lean on me for a sec," Catra said, turning back to her normal form.
"Ouch, I think I can feel again," Glimmer groaned. "Hurray."
"Oh, Glimmer, are you okay? You were pretty knocked out back there," Izuku asked.
"Don't get too comfortable, Sparkles." Catra said. "Once you can walk, you're walking."
However, Glimmer only blushed as Izuku was carrying her on his back. She remembered the hallucinations that had played in her mind and was now shocked to have mumbled stuff about it. If she could barely look at Izuku and Catra in the eyes before, she couldn't even look at them now. She desperately just wanted a long bath after what she had seen.
Rumi looked at the remains of her burrow with a huff.
"Princess Rumi, we're sorry. We didn't mean to-" Netossa began.
"Nah, calm down, Nets. This wasn't your fault." Rumi picked up a piece with the carving of the Rabbit Prince on it. "We'll have to move and rebuild from there. The Alliance has our support should you need it. Also, kick that bastard's teeth in for me. No, better call me so that I can do that."
"You got it, Rumi." Netossa shook hands with Rumi.
In the depths of the Fright Zone, Shadow Weaver was singing the praises of both Adora and Shigaraki. Although, only one of them felt like they didn't earn them.
"Congratulations you two, your teamwork was most exceptional." Shadow Weaver paced. "The destruction of the Rabbit Kingdom's underground tunnels dealt a blow to the Alliance and has allowed our forces in the west to take several important towns and points."
"Yeah, too bad the Brightmoon brats survived. I should've added some of my magic to the boom." Shigaraki chuckled.
Adora glared at him, not liking that the man next to him tried to kill her and her friends. She wanted to call out but then Shigaraki spoke again.
"But I guess Adora was too caught up in playing with her old friends to see that it was our time to move," Shigaraki said.
"The plan was to get them as allies, not get another kingdom against us." Adora snapped.
"But they will not be able to join the battle until they make a new warren for themselves. For now the Rabbit Kingdom is not a threat to us and now all the leftover resources are ours." Hordak spoke, causing everyone, especially Adora to stiffen up by his presence. "You've done well, Force Captains. I expect that next time you see these princesses and their allies that you will not hesitate and end them. You're dismissed."
Everyone bowed to Hordak's command.
As Adora left, she couldn't help but give one last look at Hordak. She couldn't help but feel like she was now in a far more dangerous spot than what she had previously been on. And what was worse, her friends were also in danger. Adora would have to protect all of them, even if they didn't want her protection.