Histories of Today
Izuku, Catra, and the rest of the members of the Alliance sat at the War Room as Queen Angella and her generals showed the progress of the war. They all observed as red markings bearing the Horde symbol spread to different towns and villages along the borders of the major kingdoms.
"The Horde has been able to claim several towns and villages near the coastlines and the lower mountains," Netossa explained, pointing to the holographic map. "They have also increased their mining operations in the mountains and the Fright Zone."
"Didn't we already freed some of those areas?" Catra asked.
"We did, but it seems the Horde captured other towns and villages while we did," Queen Angella replied.
"It seems that for every town and village we save, another one falls." Glimmer observed. "But we're still pushing back the Horde, right?"
"If this keeps up we might reach a stalemate with the Horde. If we could take out some of their mining factories and their resources, we would be able to push them back." Izuku pointed to the mountain.
"That leads us to our next point, that mountain has no ore or any other known resource that the Horde would be interested in." Netossa zoomed in on the mountain. "And yet their machines are working there day and night."
"Then why dig there?" Catra asked.
"Some of the mountains have been known for housing lost First Ones' tech or temples. Which means that they could be in search of another piece of lost tech!" Entrapta hopped with her hair working as a spring like a child trying to get noticed.
The rest of the members of the Alliance didn't share Entrapta's sentiment for more First Ones' tech. However, they did agree on this being a bad thing if the Horde got their hands on it. News of the Icebreakers had already spread through the Alliance and the other kingdoms, making them all worried that the Horde would seek to control the power that Lighthope had briefly unleashed.
"What do we know about those mountains?" Catra asked.
"They're known as the Seer Peaks, sorcerers of old would sometimes go there to ask the Oracle for guidance." Queen Angella brought out a picture to the table, making Bow perk up at the queen's explanation.
"You think that the Horde is looking for this Oracle, your majesty?" Izuku asked.
"The Oracle is more a fantasy than an actual being, Izuku. And very little is known about it," Queen Angella replied.
"Um, Queen Angella, if I may." Bow pulled out his datapad. "The legends of the Oracle go back as far as the earliest First Ones' information many historians have on record. However, it is debated to this day if their name was a title given to a sorceress or priestess or the name of a ritual or device used to gaze into the future."
Bow showed pictures of old paintings through the holographic projector. The paintings showed a womanly figure being surrounded by robed figures that presented them with offerings and gifts. The paintings went from basic to very elaborate, with bright colors and sharp depictions.
"How does Bow know all this stuff?" Catra whispered into Glimmer's ear.
"No idea, he sometimes goes on historical rants like this one but I've never pushed for answers," Glimmer whispered back. "I think reading up on history is his hobby."
"Looks more than a hobby to me." Izuku took notes on what Bow was saying.
"The legends of the Oracle as well as the historical notes and investigations all point to temples all over Etheria. They don't go into detail as to what happened in those temples, but it was believed that it was a way to learn of everything happening around the world." Bow pointed to some of his notes. "But after what we've learned about the First Ones and She-Ra, I think I have a theory of what the Oracle might be."
"What do you think it might be?" Queen Angella asked.
"We've learned that the First Ones had a grip on Etheria and were able to communicate with each other through the antennas and the temples. What if that's what the Oracle is?" Bow suggested.
Everyone in the War Room looked at each other, processing what Bow had just explained. It was possible that the First Ones had a way to communicate with each other over vast expanses of distance. But to have full knowledge of what was going on all over the world was another terrifying thought all together.
"Bow, are you saying that the Horde is trying to get the Oracle running again?" Glimmer asked.
"It is possible. Why else would they get people mining that place if there's nothing of value?" Bow asked.
"With that kind of knowledge, they'd be one step ahead of the Alliance and be able to counteract us at every turn." Izuku pointed out.
"If that's the case, we have to look into this before the Horde gets their hands on the Oracle. Glimmer, you, Bow, Izuku and Catra will go to Seer Mountain and find out what you can." Queen Angella ordered. "If you get an opening or reason that the Horde are close to using the Oracle, destroy it."
"Wha-? I mean, if we must." Bow nodded in defeat.
"Yes, your majesty." Izuku bowed.
"One wrecked Horde operation coming right up." Catra twirled her sword in her hand before putting it on her back.
"We won't let you down, mom." Glimmer saluted her mom.
As the team walked out of the War Room, Izuku took notice of Bow's focus on the historical information about the Oracle. He'd been in Brightmoon's library several times going up against Netossa in another game of strategy, and during that time, he'd read several books on the history of Etheria. But not that many books spoke of or even mentioned the Oracle. This made him realize that he didn't know much about his friend Bow or how his relationship with Glimmer might be affecting him. Izuku had to make things right before the situation became worse.
Izuku walked up to Catra and Glimmer as they woke up Melog.
"That's right, girl. You're coming with us." Catra scratched Melog's chin, causing the mystical cat to purr in delight.
"You two are way too close, you know that right?" Glimmer pointed out, raising her eyebrow at how easily both Catra and Meelog connected and interacted with each other.
"What can I say, we're both pretty cool cats." Catra shrugged as Melog nuzzled against her cheek. "It kinda comes with the territory."
"Excuse me, Glimmer, I need to speak to you." Izuku pulled Glimmer to the side with Catra and Melog following behind them with curiosity.
Izuku waited until they were inside Glimmer's room, making sure they were alone and not being eavesdropped by anyone passing by. He would've thought that he was being paranoid, but after having all the princesses peek on his first time with Catra, sometimes barging into their shared room, and having the other princesses looking for a taste of them, he thought that he had to be extra careful. After making sure the corridor was empty, he closed the door behind him, turning to Glimmer and Catra.
"Alright, um, Glimmer." Izuku struggled to find the right words. "I-um, I need to ask you something that might be a bit touchy."
"Izuku, you've seen me naked, I've had sex with you and Catra more than once, and I'm pretty open to you two forming a harem out of the other princesses as long as they're the ones that throw the first flower." Glimmer winked at Izuku.
"That's great to know, but I'm pretty sure that's not what Izuku wants to talk about," Catra said. "Right, my studly Greenie?"
Izuku swallowed the blush that his face and body were going through. He had only now come to realize that their harem was much bigger than what he had ever thought possible. But that led him back to the question that he wanted to ask Glimmer.
"That… That's not it. Glimmer, what is your relationship with Bow?" Izuku asked. "I know you two are friends and you've known each other for a long time. What I'm trying to say is, do you think he has feelings for you?"
"What?!" Catra and Glimmer snapped in confusion.
"I mean, we've known each other for a long time, but he doesn't like to talk about his past." Glimmer crossed her arms, looking away. "I've always assumed that he must have his reasons not to talk about it. But as far as romance and attempting to, um…"
"Sweep you off your feet? Giving you the eyes?" Catra suggested. "Making you wish you were naked in bed?"
Glimmer glared at Catra while blushing. She was not a big fan of teasing, despite all the passion she had for both the green knight and the cat girl. There was a time and a place for such things and that wasn't it.
"...Yeah, those. Not really." Glimmer commented. "I don't think he's suddenly gone shy about the topic, but he's never brought it up. Why do you ask, Izuku?"
"I just thought that maybe we should talk to Bow about our relationship. He is our friend," Izuku said.
"But he could tell the queen and then it's our heads, Izuku!" Catra snapped. "And I can think of several sexy people who'd prefer our heads being where they are supposed to be."
The three friends and lovers looked at each other as they faced this problem. They felt guilty of not sharing the news of their relationship with Bow after being friends for what felt like a lifetime. They were leaving him in the dark for no apparent good reason while he was always trying to support them and cheer them on. But the possibility that he could accidentally tell the queen or mention it in passing was an all too palpable fear they all shared.
Neither Izuku nor Catra had forgotten the simple yet clear threat that Queen Angella had made to them, specifically Izuku, their first night. They had yet to see the Queen go all out on the battlefield, but the stories they had heard and the short display during the Battle For Brightmoon had given them a good idea of where she might be in terms of power.
"Maybe if we tell him to keep it a secret from the Queen-" Izuku began, only for Bow to knock on the door.
"Glimmer, you in here?" Bow entered the room. "I just finished packing and thought we should-Oh. Izuku, Catra, you two are already here. What's going on?"
Like children caught trying to steal from the cookie jar, Izuku, Catra and Glimmer instinctively thought of different excuses to cover their asses.
"We were just, um, wondering for a," Izuku muttered.
"Looking for a makeover!" Catra snapped.
"Special training!" Glimmer added.
Bow raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"Um, what?" Bow asked.
"Yeah, like you heard, Bow. We were looking for a makeover for our new special training routine." Glimmer threw a few punches forward. "Izuku and Catra were offering to teach me and the other princesses some fighting moves in case we need them." She smiled innocently.
"Oh, really? That's awesome, can I join?" Bow asked with stars in his eyes. "Wait, why would you want to keep it a secret from the queen? It sounds very straight forward. She might be all for it. Maybe she could show you guys a few moves?"
"OH HELL NO!" Glimmer snapped.
Glimmer blushed. She didn't know what came over her, but as soon as Bow mentioned her mother showing her and her lovers some moves, she just snapped.
"I-I-I'm sorry, Bow. It's just that we want to… surprise my mom, that's all." Glimmer held up her hands in defense of her actions.
Bow narrowed his eyes. He then gasped as if a light had lit up in his mind.
"I knew it! I know what you've been talking about!" Bow pointed accusingly at the trio. "And now I'm sure the other princesses are involved in this!"
Izuku, Catra and Glimmer wanted to get swallowed by the earth. If Bow had put together their relationship in a second, then they were had.
"You three, and the other princesses, are planning a surprise birthday party for the queen!" Bow cheered. "That's an awesome idea! I can help with the cake, the decorations or maybe help out with the gift wrapping! Wait, why didn't you want to tell me?"
"Um," Catra said confused.
"W-Well, remember the last time it was my mom's party? You kinda went overboard, Bow." Glimmer scratched the back of her head. "Sorry."
"It's alright, Glimmer. I understand." Bow jumped up in cheer. "We'll talk about it after the mission. To adventure!" Bow rushed out of the room, leaving the secret lovers in a state of confusion.
"Um, is your mom's birthday soon?" Izuku asked.
"It's in a month, actually." Glimmer sighed.
"Well, we'll have plenty of time to plan the party and tell Bow what's really going on." Catra groaned. "On that note, we should probably tell him about it after the mission and in a secluded place."
Melog mewled in agreement.
The Best Friend Squad traveled to the Seer Mountains after gathering their supplies. It hadn't been a long ride thanks to Melog and Entrapta's newest carriage that was pulled by the mythical cat, much to her dismay. After a few hours of travel through the Whispering Woods, they arrived at the edge of the forest and where the mountains stood tall. They watched from the forest's edge as Melog shook off the cart's reins, using binoculars to see what the Horde was doing and what they could expect of their mission.
From the edge of the forest, they could see the tall ivory peaks that made up Seer Mountains. The tops were colored bright baby blue that turned bright gold the lower they went to the bottom of the mountains. With the rays of the sun shining down at the streaks of blue as they turned to red then to gold, it made it look like the sun was turning the blue lines into gold. The mystical air that the mountains had was felt from far away, like lonely giant fingers reaching up to the skies, plucking out the hidden knowledge of the sun, the moon and the stars.
But at the very foot of the Seer Mountains lay a large Horde mining operation. Large machines scooped and dug at the ground, clearing the way to the entrance of the temple underneath the mountain. Soldiers were working on pulling apart the large rocks that were blocking the entrance, but every single time they moved one bit of stone, it took the strength of ten soldiers to move the next one and then the next one.
As they continued to move the large stones, the machines meant to hold up the stones broke down. The soldiers ran out in fear from the falling rocks. It seemed like for every stone they moved another one was held up that was twice as heavy.
"Get back in there! Hordak wants this stupid dungeon under our control before the week is over!" Shigaraki snarled from his spot before the machinery. "Of all the things that old bastard told me to do, he had to saddle me with digging up this old dump." Shigaraki scratched his neck, getting angsty and viciously frustrated.
Back at the edge of the forest, Izuku and the rest of the Best Friend Squad were unsure on how to move ahead.
"We need to get into the temple and get whatever the Horde is after before they do." Glimmer put down her binoculars.
"If they're after the Oracle, then we'll need to make sure that they can't use it," Bow said.
"Or simply turn Shigaraki's machinery into something that can't be salvaged. If we can scare them or distract them away from the temple, we can get in and find out what the temple has inside." Izuku scratched his chin, thinking of what they should do.
"Well, we might not have anything to worry about in terms of distraction or sabotage." Catra pointed to where Shigaraki was pacing. "Shigaraki looks like he's about to turn the next guy that comes up to him to dust. All we gotta do is tick him off enough and he'll be a goner."
Glimmer narrowed her eyes at the dark sorcerer through her binoculars. She frowned at the sight of him as she remembered how he'd tried to kill her and her friends before. But now her distaste for the man had increased after she had learned of his past with her father and aunt. A part of her wanted to send him flying with a powerful blast of magic for all that he'd done for Shadow Weaver and the Horde. Her hand shook as the magic circled around it.
Izuku noticed her reaction, taking hold of Glimmer's hand.
"It's okay, Glimmer." Izuku calmed her down.
"Yeah, we'll find a way in and a way to make his day completely miserable, Sparkles." Catra punched her palm. "That's a promise."
"The Best Friend Squad isn't going down without a fight." Bow pulled out his bow.
Glimmer couldn't help but feel thankful to have such caring friends and lovers on her side. She didn't know what she'd done to deserve them. Which in turn made her feel more guilty that they were keeping that secret from Bow. She looked at him, knowing that they had to come clean and tell him their situation. But for now the mission had to come first.
"Alright, I've got an idea. We'll cause a distraction with the machines, using some of my trick arrows, we'll make them go nuts. That way the soldiers and Shigaraki will go towards the machine and try to put a stop to it." Bow explained, drawing the map using one of his arrows. "While the soldiers are busy, we go to the temple and look around inside for anything that might still be working. We take it or destroy it to keep it out of the Horde's hands."
"Sounds like a good plan, Bow." Izuku nodded. "Let's go."
"Just let me put on my dancing shoes." Catra pulled out her sword. "For the Honor of Grayskull!"
Shagaraki was losing patience faster than water from a canteen in the desert with a thirsty man.
"What is the problem with this stupid temple?" Shigaraki hissed as an officer came forth.
"Sir, we can't keep going," the soldier said.
"...Why?" Shigaraki slowly looked at the soldier.
"We're running out of parts to lift the stones at the entrance." The soldier explained. "We've already used the spare pieces and the lifter that Lord Modulock gave us, but it seems like each time we get a stone up another heavier one is behind it."
Shigaraki looked at the soldier with disdain. His fingers got itchy as the bones in his arm cracked like if they were waking up from rigor mortis. His only visible red eye glared at the soldier as his arm lifted itself like it was being pulled by an invisible string of death. He pressed all but one of his fingers on the soldier's chest.
"What was that? I didn't quite hear you." Shigaraki moved his last finger near the soldier's chest like a cat playing with its food.
The soldier wanted to run, but he knew better than to try his luck with whatever Shadow Weaver's apprentice might pull. He gulped as he tried to keep a straight face.
"...W-we'll get back to work." The soldier gulped.
"Better. Now, get lost." Shigaraki smirked, taking his hand away from the soldier's chest.
As the soldier fled, fearing for his life at the prospect of being turned to dust, Izuku, Catra, Glimmer and Bow rode on top of Melog. Using Melog's powers of invisibility, they passed unnoticed and unseen by the soldiers and Shigaraki himself. They spotted the biggest machines as it scooped large rocks from the mountain.
Bow drew an arrow from his quiver, aiming it at the control panel. He fired the arrow, hitting it square on the target, releasing a thick green goo that made sparks come out from the controls.
The machine went crazy as the sparks from the controls blinded the soldier that was working it. The rocks that were being dug by the machine fell down to the ground, forcing the soldiers to scream and run from the rolling boulders coming their way. The machine started slamming itself against everything else around it, causing pandemonium.
"What the hell is going on?!" Shigaraki snapped.
Another arrow flew from Bow's hand landing on the controls of another machine, making it go crazy. As they moved to another machine they did the same once more, causing as much chaos as they could to make the soldiers panic.
Shigaraki could only groan and growl in frustration as all the fancy machines that Modulock had built. As much as he liked to cause chaos for those that pissed him off and watch them run like headless chickens, he was by no means a fan of misery falling upon him like this. His lower eyelid twitched as he wished that he could turn something, anything into dust.
Amidst the chaos, the Best Friend Squad rushed to the very entrance as the final machines held up the stones.
"This is it," Catra said. "Let's go."
"Wait." Izuku pointed to the machines as they struggled to hold up the weight. "These stones weren't meant to be held like this. There must be another way inside."
"If it's a First Ones then shouldn't there be any writing somewhere?" Bow suggested in a whisper.
Glimmer looked around in hopes of spotting something that resembled First Ones' writing. Her eyes landed on some markings on top of the temple's entrance.
"Up there!" She pointed.
The Best Friend Squad looked up and saw the First Ones' markings. They were worn and barely readable, but just enough.
Izuku narrowed his eyes, spotting what it said.
"It says that the only way in is to lift the weights ahead while letting the weight from the past drop." Izuku read out loud.
"What does that mean?" Catra asked.
"I think it means that we have to lift one stone at a time before dropping down the one behind. This must've been done by the First Ones to keep the secrets safe." Bow theorized.
"Good thing none of us skipped arm or leg day," Glimmer chuckled.
"Catra and I will take turns lifting the stones that are still down, Glimmer, you and Bow will provide cover." Izuku instructed. "We won't be invisible when we do this."
"You got it! Best Friend Squad, forward!" Bow yelled in smugness.
Catra groaned as Melog rolled its eyes.
"Why didn't you choose a cooler team name than that one?" Catra groaned, annoyed.
"Well, no one offered any other ideas." Bow shrugged as Izuku and Catra got off of Melog.
"He's not wrong, Catra." Izuku summoned his green aura around his body.
Izuku and Catra rushed to the next stone slab as Bow and Glimmer kept an eye out for any Horde soldier turning to look at them. Together they lifted the large stone slab, grunting and struggling to pull it up. Even with their combined strength, the weight of the stone slab was proving to be far greater than what Izuku and Catra expected. However, through effort and teamwork, they managed to pull it up over their heads.
"Clear." Izuku grunted.
"How did people lift these in the first place?" Catra growled.
"Good, let's move on to the next one." Glimmer turned around, as the machines creaked and strained against the weight.
The Alliance members looked up in dread as they realized what was about to happen.
Izuku shot forward, pushing his body to its limits to lift the next stone slab before them. He lifted it up over his head as the team moved on to the next one. His eyes landed on the next slab of stone before noting that there was no way to lift it without dropping the past one.
"We won't be able to keep all of them up." Glimmer noted.
"Catra drop the slab you're holding," Izuku said.
"What? Then we'll be trapped." Catra countered just as the first slab at the entrance fell down followed by the next one. "Then again it's better than nothing!"
Catra pushed the stone slab high over her head before running back to the slab Izuku was holding up. She picked up the stone slab with the aid of Melog, lifting it over their heads. She waited for Izuku to do the same before they went on to the next slab.
"You're doing great, just a little further!" Bow said as the third stone slab fell down. "But we may want to hurry!"
However, Catra noticed something strange as she lifted her second slab of stone. She wasn't grunting as much and it wasn't harder to lift the stone slabs.
"Hey, Izuku, you feel that?" Catra asked.
"Yeah, they don't feel as heavy any more." Izuku pointed out, lifting the next slab. "This must be how the sorcerers and the First Ones used to enter the temple."
"Kinda complicated for no reason, but I see what it means." Glimmer grumbled as the remaining slabs fell down. "We gotta keep going!"
Izuku lifted the last massive stone slab, revealing the inside of the temple as Catra, Glimmer, Bow and Melog jumped inside. He jumped after them, letting the last of the slabs fall down.
Catra reverted back to her normal form as she and Izuku panted.
"That was way too heavy," Catra said.
"At least the Horde won't be able to catch up to us any time soon." Izuku helped Catra get back to her feet with the help of Melog.
"Guys, check this place out." Bow turned on the light from his datapad, illuminating the temple.
The inside of the temple was covered in crystals with carvings of ancient sorcerers and sorceresses carrying on the work of the First Ones. Pillars of stone stretched from the ground to the top of the ceiling as a large pyramid stood at the center of the inner mountain. The top of the pyramid shun bright with a blue tip at the very top of the structure.
"Whoa, now this is something else." Glimmer looked at the pyramid. "This has Mystacor written all over it."
"According to my pad's readings, the carbon dating on some of these stones is almost as old if not older than Mystacor." Bow held up his datapad as it scanned the temple. "There seems to be energy going into the top of the pyramid before us."
"Time to give it a closer look then." Izuku walked ahead of the group before being followed by them.
As they walked into the pyramid, they failed to notice a familiar flash of pale blue light flashing behind them.
Inside the pyramid, everything looked exactly like the inside of the Beacon. Lots of crystals and platforms with cables connecting to circles with ancient runes and First Ones writing on them. But time and nature had taken its course, leaving the inside of the temple covered in dust and some roots from the outside that had dug their way inside. The equipment had not been maintained and was now no more than dusty relics hanging together by a miracle.
Two of the four members of the Best Friend Squad were amazed with what they were looking at, but the remaining two were on edge.
"This is amazing! This place looks almost looks like it could be dusted off and set back to work." Bow kept analyzing with his pad. "Entrapta is going to go nuts about it."
"I can see how the old sorcerers came here to seek answers. But the magic is faint but I can still feel it." Glimmer summoned a ball of glimmering light.
"Don't get cocky or distracted, Sparkles. The last time we were inside one of these ruins, things didn't go so well for us." Catra looked around for any signs of movement or any large spiders.
"We need to find what we're looking for and then get out of here. I don't want to think of what Hordak would do if he gets his hands on this kind of technology." Izuku spotted two tunnels before them. "It looks like there are two paths to follow."
"Am I the only one that thinks splitting up is a bad idea?" Glimmer asked.
"No, but we don't know the layout of this pyramid. Splitting up might be the best way to find where we need to go." Bow surmised. "So, who wants to go with who?"
Izuku, Catra and Glimmer looked at each other, wondering what to do. One of them would have to go with Bow and that might lead to some very uncomfortable conversation points. This day could not get any worse or awkward for the three quarters of the team.
Outside the mountain, Shigaraki was at his wits end. First the machines went crazy and his soldiers were sent running. And now the progress that they had made to reach the damn temple was all gone. He felt like chuckling at the bad luck that he'd been suffering from. His mind jerked back to his time at Mystacor and how he was almost always outshined by Micah and his sister.
"S-sir, we, um, found something on the machines. They appear to have been sabotaged, sir." A brave soldier slowly walked away from Shigaraki as he grew even more deranged.
Shigaraki's hands bubbled with dark magic as some chuckles escaped his mouth.
"Sabotaged, you said?" Shigaraki asked.
"Y-yes, sir." The soldier continued backing away in fear.
"Sabotage is a form of cheating, isn't it?" Shigaraki asked.
"...um, yes?" The soldier didn't know how to answer.
Shigaraki turned to the entrance to the mountain with a sick grin on his face. He was done being toyed and screwed over by cheaters. He wanted to make those that did that disappear, and now his path was being blocked by cheaters.
"I am done with cheaters!" Shigaraki slammed his hands on the slabs of stone. "To hell with Hordak and Modulock wanting this place in one piece! I'll destroy everything that I don't like! Starting with all the cheaters!"
The decay spread fast from Shigaraki's hands and into the stone before him. His power worked best on organic beings and matter, but they didn't hold back when he put his mind to it. As he unleashed his magic upon the stone, the circuitry on the slabs lit up, attempting to push him back. But this only made Shigaraki put more power into his advance. His power started to form cracks through the stone as the magic spread from his hands into his arms and further into the stones. He felt the sting of his power affecting him, but he didn't care. With a crazed grin stretching across his face, Shigaraki watched with mad glee as the magic and whatever other defenses of the temple crumbled before him one piece at a time.
Back inside the temple, Izuku and Bow were walking down one of the paths to the deeper parts of the pyramid.
"Thanks for choosing to come with me, Izuku," Bow said. "I think we dudes don't hang out as much."
"Y-Yeah, hang out." Izuku scratched the back of his head as he remembered why he offered himself.
Izuku had assumed that he was the best choice to work with Bow as he had more control of his words and emotions. If Catra had been left alone with Bow, she would've gotten sick of his overly happy attitude and just snapped at him and told him that she and Izuku were having sex with Glimmer. If Glimmer had been left alone with Bow, she would've been thrown into a guilt trip and just blurted out that she was having a relationship with Izuku and Catra.
If Izuku had to hazard a guess, the situation he was in was the best. Assuming that his own guilt didn't get to him before. He did feel guilty that they were keeping secrets from their friend, but he also didn't know how to explain it to him. He was in that tight spot and now he didn't have Catra or Glimmer with him to back him up.
"So, what do you think we'll find here, Bow?" Izuku asked.
"Well, according to some of the historical studies of this temple and the few resources that the legends have given, we might either find some old runestone that holds the knowledge of all that's happening in Etheria or a place to perform a ritual to get that information." Bow theorized. "Do you see anything that could tell us more?"
Izuku looked around, inspecting anything that could work as a written mark. But even with the light from Bow's pad, he couldn't see much of anything in terms of writing. It made Izuku wonder what could be in the temple that would require such an elaborate way to enter. Just then he stepped on a tile, causing it to sink.
"What was that?" Bow asked.
Izuku and Bow heard mechanisms moving behind them, making them turn their heads.
From the ceiling behind them came out three laser turret blasters.
"Move!" Izuku grabbed Bow, jumping away from the lasers that were being rained down upon them.
Using One For All, Izuku dodged and ducked under the lasers like a rabbit fleeing from a hunter's arrows. He kept running through the passage until he spotted a large crystal that had fallen from the ceiling. He jumped to one of the left walls, spinning then to behind the crystal, getting some much needed cover.
"We gotta take that thing down!" Bow pulled out one of his arrows as the lasers focused fire on the crystal and the rest of the cave.
Izuku picked up a broken piece of the crystal, throwing it out to distract the turret.
As the laser turret shot the crystal piece, Bow jumped out and fired his arrow. He struck the turret, knocking it off its mount, taking it out of commission.
Bow let out a sigh of relief, putting his hand on the wall next to him, only to accidentally press another switch.
"Oh come on!" Bow snapped as the walls opened up.
Izuku grabbed hold of Bow once more, running out as flames engulfed the hallway. His eyes looked around for any way of stopping this as the heat of the flames nipped at his heels. He should've known that this place would be filled with traps. Using the super speed that One For All granted him, he ran out of the burning part of the hallway with only a few slightly burnt hairs.
However, as soon as they were out of that part of the path, another trap was triggered. The floor opened up to reveal a large pit of sharp crystal spikes with the corpses of past adventurers scattered underneath them.
Izuku and Bow let out a frightened scream as the spikes got closer to them.
In a desperate attempt, Izuku pulled up his legs into his chest before throwing a powerful stomp kick against the ground below them. His attack unleashed a blast of compressed air, propelling Izuku and Bow away from the spiked pit below them.
They landed away from the pit, rolling to a stop.
"This place is filled with traps!" Bow snapped.
"Which means that we've got to be more careful. I just hope Catra and Glimmer are okay." Izuku pulled himself up.
"Yeah, I'm also worried about our friends," Bow said. "But we can trust that they'll be alright."
"Yeah." Izuku scratched the back of his neck, figuring that this could be as good a time as any. "Bow, you've been friends with Glimmer for the longest time, right?"
"Yup, many wonderful years and counting." Bow replied, puffing his chest in pride.
"And you'd support whoever she'd choose as a 'partner', right?" Izuku asked.
"Of course, but don't worry, I don't think Catra is her type. You don't have anything to worry about." Bow smiled.
"I know, she's seeing us." Izuku confessed, making Bow's eyes widen. "And Mermista and Perfuma, so far. But I think that Catra and Mermista want to expand the group, or I guess 'harem' is the right definition at this point." Izuku winced, seeing Bow's eyes grow wider and his mouth hanging open like that of a fish.
"What?!" Bow exclaimed.
"We don't want to keep it a secret like this, but it's not exactly easy or something that you can just talk about in the open," Izuku tried to excuse their actions.
"I can't believe that Glimmer's got a harem!" Bow said in shock. "So many things make sense now!"
"Wait, what?" Izuku reacted. "You think that we're part of Glimmer's-?"
"The secret chats, the calls to action, the secrecy in some of the meetings. My gosh, if the queen finds out, she'll be grounded for life!" Bow shook Izuku.
"Um, Bow, actually, she's part of mine and Catra's harem." Izuku admitted with a wince. "And we were keeping it secret because the queen would kill us if she found out."
Bow stopped shaking Izuku as his look of bewilderment returned to his face.
"Oh… that also makes sense…" Bow released Izuku and started walking away like he was under some kind of spell.
Izuku just stared at Bow as they walked into the next part of the path to the Oracle. He couldn't tell if Bow was upset or simply getting his brain back in order after what he'd just heard. Now all he had to do was make sure that Bow didn't accidentally trigger any of the remaining traps by accident.
"I hope Catra and Glimmer are having a better time on their end than I am." Izuku sighed, chasing after his friend and companion.
Catra, Glimmer and Melog screamed in terror as a large rolling boulder chased after them like a hungry beast. The two girls were galloping on top of Melog as they hoped to get away from the rolling boulder. They had just survived a hall full of shooting darts, a hall of confusing mirrors that made them go in circles and now they were running from an out of control rolling stone.
"Why is there a large boulder inside a pyramid temple?!" Glimmer snapped, spotting the locked exit before them.
"For the Honor of Grayskull!" Catra transformed into She-Ra.
She swung her sword down, slicing the locked door in two.
Catra, Glimmer and Melog jumped through the door just as the large rolling boulder was caught in the small arch of the door. They waited for a second to pick up their breath as they glared at the boulder.
"Have I mentioned how much I hate First Ones' temples?" Catra asked. "Because even the ones that are falling apart seem to hate us."
"I'm starting to share that feeling." Glimmer grunted as Melog mewled in agreement. "Let's just find the Oracle and get out of here before something else tries to kill us."
Catra, Glimmer and Melog continued walking through the hallway until they came upon the end of the path and the entrance to another room. The room had a single clear blue pool with a skylight centered in the middle of the room. It was dimly lit anywhere but the center of the room, and very humid, with a layer of watery mist on each step and cranny of the room. The stairs led down to the pool as two large statues carved from the pyramid itself held up the ceiling like two titans lifting the heavens.
"Whoa, okay, this is cool." Catra swung her sword over her shoulder.
"Be careful, this place must have something of value to see everywhere at once." Glimmer's fists glowed up with magic. "And after all those traps, there's bound to be one last guardian at least."
"Y-Y-You should n-n-not be here."
A cold digital voice echoed in the room.
Catra and Melog growled at the sound of the voice. They knew it all too well. After all, it belonged to one of the many people that Catra in particular wanted to rip apart the most. She looked directly at the center of the pool where a flickering blue hologram began to come into existence.
"Why don't you step into the light, Lighthope." Catra transformed her sword into a spear, aiming the blade at the flickering image.
The pool began to ripple and shift as the flickering image started to take shape. The flickering image became stable before the eyes of the two princesses and the mystical cat, forming Lighthope.
"A-as I-I said, you should not be h-here, Fake She-Ra." Lighthope stated in her cold synthetic voice.
"I should've known that you'd be around here being a peeping tom." Catra growled. "Now me and Izuku are busting this place up just to spite you."
"So this is how the Oracle used to work. Lighthope was one of the programs that the First Ones used to keep track of Etheria," Glimmer said.
"Co-Correct Princess of Brightmoon. This is the main information recollection facility the First Ones created when their empire was just beginning," Lighthope explained. "Once Adora and Izuku fulfill their purpose, the records here will ensure the rise of a new era for the First Ones. Yet, even after so long, it is still functioning despite the actions of the past She-Ra."
"Oh, I haven't done anything to this place, yet." Catra narrowed her eyes at Lighthope.
"I was not referring to you."
Catra and Glimmer took a second to look at each other, wondering if they had heard the hologram correctly. They both knew that Lighthope was prone to lie and manipulate others to bring back the First Ones, but a name came to mind. A name that had been popping up from time to time, almost as a form of warning while also as the one that brought the end to the First Ones and their empire. But they had to be sure that it was the same person before jumping to conclusions.
"You're talking about Mara, aren't you?" Glimmer asked.
Lighthope looked at Glimmer with something in her glowing holographic eyes. She glared at Glimmer with an emotion no one thought she was capable of: anger. The hologram kept a burning glare on Glimmer that made the two girls realize that they'd hit the nail on the head. Lighthope could only glare, biting back her desire to curse the name of the one that sent her creators down the dark ages and made the empire they had built crumble to dust. However, her rage was not lost on the two members of the Alliance.
The two girls now knew that whatever they could learn about Mara would be of great use if they were up against repurposed First Ones tech. Which meant that they had to move carefully and squeeze whatever they could from the hologram before she made its next move.
"So, someone did make your so-called great civilization collapse," Catra said. "I guess she used to wield the Sword of Protection before yours truly. I bet she was a pretty good swordswoman if she was capable of taking you guys down."
"Her actions were not glorious and her skills with the Sword of Protection were only allowed to grow to their expected parameters." Lighthope sneered. "She was the one that lost track of her mission and became irrational and compromised her role as She-Ra."
"Something tells me that you're not a big fan of her or the whole way that she put your old bosses to bed." Glimmer smirked. "Besides, if your treatment of Izuku and Adora was anything to go by, I can only assume her job sucked."
Back with Izuku and Bow, the heir of One For All had been trying to get his friend to walk in a straight line while avoiding any and all traps. After he told Bow about his relationship with Glimmer and the other princesses, the archer had been going on as if he was stuck on autopilot. They had already avoided the remaining traps, but the blank face on Bow's face was all that concerned Izuku.
"Bow, come on, please talk to me," Izuku said. "I know it's shocking to learn that your friend is now in a relationship of a harem nature. But if you'd please talk to me."
"How could I haven't noticed it before?!" Bow cried out. "The way you looked at each other. The way she likes to hold you. The looks. Oh by Etheria, the looks! And you say that she's agreed to the other princesses?! Who else is in on this?! Mermista? Perfuma? Netossa and Spinnerella?!"
"Um, well, yes on Mermista and Perfuma, but that's as far as we've gone." Izuku held up his hands in defense.
"Oh, good. I don't think my heart could take any more surprises." Bow sighed in relief.
Just then, an explosion sent Izuku and Bow flying forward.
As they landed just ahead of where they stood, the hallway was filled with black smoke that would clog someone's lungs.
Izuku and Bow slowly got back up as a sick laughter filled the very dark smoke that was now covering the hallway. They looked up and saw none other than Shigaraki surrounded by a few of his soldiers, the ones that were brave enough to join him into the temple.
"Looks like I found my cheaters, hoping to come here and get a leg up on us without a fight?" Shigaraki smirked as his soldiers aimed their weapons at Izuku and Bow.
"More like keeping you from getting this power for the Horde." Izuku's body became encased with One For All's green aura as Bow pulled out his bow and arrow.
Shigaraki laughed as he slammed his hand on the floor causing the ground before him to crumble away.
Seeing the danger before them, Izuku grabbed Bow and ran away from the scene. He knew that a confrontation between them and Shigaraki in such an enclosed passage would lead to ruin. If the mad man continued on his attack, he and Bow would die after being turned to ashes by Shigaraki's decaying magic.
There was also another thing that Izuku figured out when he saw the madman use his power inside the pyramid.
"Is he crazy?! If he unleashes that kind of power inside the pyramid-!" Bow snapped.
"He'll bury us and everyone else alive!" Izuku kept running at top speeds as the decay magic chased after them. "We need to get Catra and Glimmer and get out of here!"
"If we leave now, they'll try to use what's left of the pyramid to help the Horde." Bow fired an arrow at the Horde.
The arrow struck Shigaraki in the chest, releasing a thick and heavy net.
Shigaraki growled at Bow for his interference, grabbing hold of the net, dissolving it with his magic.
"You won't get away that easily!" Shigaraki enveloped his body in magic, floating after Izuku and Bow like a specter from the dead.
"We don't have much of a choice, I think!" Izuku ran faster, spotting the entrance of the room at the center of it all.
Back inside, Catra and Glimmer didn't stop glaring at Lighthope as Melog growled at the hologram.
"Well, catching up and learning about Mara was fun and all, but I think we'll just proceed to tear this place apart along with you." Catra spun her spear as it charged with magical power.
"Do you believe that I will allow you to tarnish the legacy of my creators and She-Ra like you've had?" Lighthope's eyes glowed. "Activating defensive measures."
Large spider-like monsters filled the room just like they had back in the Beacon. They pounced on the intruders like starving predators hunting their natural prey.
However, the spiders were met with more than a little resistance.
Catra jumped after the first spider, jamming her spear through the beast's torso. She swung the beast at another large spider, sending it back. Turning around while spinning her spear over her head, adding energy and speed to her movements before charging at two more spiders. With wild and powerful strikes, she smacked two of the spiders away from her before splitting up the third one down the middle with her blade.
Melog jumped into the fight, roaring like a wild jungle cat. She tackled the first spider, pinning it on the floor before biting into it, tearing apart its throat. She jumped over another spider's incoming attack, sinking her claws against the beast's back. Her claws scratched and slashed at the large spider's back before cutting off its legs. Melog turned invisible as she ran between the legs of the large spiders, slashing at them with her claws.
Glimmer used her magic to blast and stunt any spiders that came her way. She summoned a large glyph shield, blocking the large spider's webs. She teleported away from the spiders before blasting them away with a levitation spell.
"AAHH! What are these things?!" Glimmer blasted one of the spiders with a sparkling blast of magic.
"The First Ones' version of guard dogs. Only with extra eyes and legs!" Catra transformed her spear into a shield, swatting away one of the spiders as Melog pounced on another one. "Trust me, they hate everything that isn't Lighthope."
"Could this possibly get any worse?" Glimmer taunted fate as she blinded another spider with a blast.
Just then, Izuku and Bow bursted into the room, kicking a large spider away.
"Well, they aren't possibly going to make the situation worse." Catra stabbed one of the spiders in the face.
Izuku and Bow skidded to a halt right before the spiders.
"Looks like we missed all the fun," Bow said.
"Izuku, I see that you have finally come to fulfill your destiny." Lighthope said, getting Izuku and Bow's attention.
Izuku and Bow turned around to see Lighthope looking at them like a scientist would a test subject, more specifically, Izuku.
"Great, you're here too. As if things weren't bad enough," Izuku growled.
The entrance to the room was then blown up as Shigaraki stepped into the room with a few of his forces still standing.
"Well, well, well, so this is what it's all been leading up to. The final boss and the treasure right behind them." Shigaraki cracked his fingers as his magic coursed through his hands.
Izuku, Catra, Glimmer, Bow and Melog re-grouped together as they stood between Lighthope's spiders, the Oracle and Shigaraki and his soldiers.
"So, you guys had to deal with Shigaraki and traps too?" Catra asked.
"Among other things." Izuku channeled One For All through his body. "Let's take them down and destroy this place."
"Best thing I've heard all day!" Glimmer agreed.
"Let me see if I can download some of the information this place has in storage. And then, we'll have a long talk!" Bow added.
Catra, Glimmer and Melog looked at Izuku with confusion.
"Yeah, he knows." Izuku looked away in embarrassment.
The girls didn't have time to react to what Izuku had just said.
The group was attacked on all fronts, by Lighthope's giant spiders, the Horde soldiers and Shigaraki himself. They split up to take down as many of their opponents as they could before being overwhelmed.
Bow plugged his datapad on the pool underneath the hologram. He pressed and activated several commands on it.
"What do you think you're doing?" Lighthope asked.
"Making sure that all that's important isn't left for the Horde to use." Bow downloaded the information onto his datapad. "And hopefully, keep you from keeping tabs on my friends."
"This is not meant for the likes of you." Lighthope sneered.
"Well, Izuku said I could have it, so I'm taking his word over yours." Bow replied. "Come on, download faster. Oh Entrapta how I wished that you were here!" Bow ducked, dodging one of the Horde shots.
Meanwhile, the remaining members of the Best Friend Squad were doing their best to give Bow the time he needed.
Izuku and Catra worked together taking out the spiders with their combined might. Their punches sent the spiders flying as they wrecked the room. Izuku landed a roundhouse kick on one of the spiders, sending it flying directly at the incoming spiders, shattering them with one devastating blow. Catra sliced through the spiders with her sword, using the power it was channeling to slice through them and the machines with ease.
Glimmer and Melog teleported around the Horde soldiers, knocking them out with the use of Melog's invisibility and Glimmer's magic. They jumped and pounced on the soldiers, knocking them away from the fight. Glimmer blasted the soldiers with a powerful sparkling blast at the soldiers, knocking off their weapons before Melog sent them packing with a mighty roar.
"Good girl." Glimmer patted, Melog's head.
"You will not get another easy escape like last time, glitter." Shigaraki stepped up to the princess.
Glimmer narrowed her eyes at the undead-looking sorcerer coming towards them.
"Melog, get Izuku and Catra. I'll hold him off," Glimmer said as Melog turned invisible.
"Ha ha ha, you think you can use your teleportation and your sparkling blasts to get the better of me?" Shigaraki mocked. "You princesses are all the same. Some bit of power and you think you can walk all over others. Well, I'll be sure to send you to the great beyond with a humbling lesson!" Shigaraki lunged at Glimmer like a zombie starving for flesh.
Glimmer teleported away from his attack.
Shigaraki turned around, swiping at mid-air with a darkened hand.
"Huh?!" Shigaraki snarled, noticing Glimmer reappearing behind him.
Glimmer summoned her magical glyph in her hands, blasting Shigaraki in the face.
"You really think I'd attack you from the back?" Glimmer asked. "Only a coward uses those tricks. You should fight more like a sorcerer than a rabid animal. Even Melog has more manners than you."
Shigaraki slammed his hands on the ground, summoning a dark, shadowy snake to attack Glimmer. But the princess of Brightmoon summoned her own spell, she blocked the shadow snake with a large glowing shield of glimmering light. As Shigaraki attacked her with sharp shadow spikes, Glimmer teleported herself behind Shigaraki. He turned just in time to see Glimmer casting a levitation spell on him, sending him backwards.
"Castaspella sends her regards!" Glimmer panted.
Shigaraki unleashed a blast of magic, breaking free of the spell.
"Castaspella? You know that reject magician's apprentice? How?!" Shigaraki snapped, focusing on Glimmer's face. "You. You're Micah's brat! Oh, I'm going to gut you slowly, now-!" Shigaraki was cut off by a punch to the face followed up by a kick to the stomach that broke half of his ribs.
Shigaraki slammed against the wall of the room, shattering it to pieces.
Izuku, Catra and Melog stood between Shigaraki and Glimmer, glaring at the mad sorcerer like he'd just earned the number one spot on their list.
"You won't harm her, because we're here!" Izuku glared at Shigaraki.
"Yeah, stay away from our girl!" Catra added with her eyes and sword glowing brightly.
Glimmer couldn't help but blush brightly.
Shigaraki pulled himself up and out of the wall, panting as his body fought the desire to lay down in pain. Through his undead-like eyes, he glared at everyone that was before him. But just as he was about to unleash another spell of pure death and destruction, a goo-filled arrow covered his face. He cursed with muffled words as he fought to pull off the green goop that was on his face.
Izuku, Catra, Glimmer and Melog turned to see Bow with his bow.
"What? You guys did almost all the heavy lifting." Bow shrugged as a ding came from his datapad. "Oh, download is done. We should get out of here before Shigaraki gets the ooze off of his face."
"Let's do one thing before that," Izuku said, gesturing to the pool where Lighthope was still floating like a ghost.
"Oh, I am all for it, Izuku!" Catra smirked.
Izuku and Catra charged at the pool with one intention in mind. As Lighthope blinked out with a glare, Izuku reeled back his right arm back as Catra held her sword high over her head. They struck down at the pool together, breaking it apart with their mighty blow. Their attack created cracks through the floor and the entire room, breaking whatever was still standing.
The room began to collapse around the heroes as Shigaraki managed to finally pull off the goo from his face. He tried to attack the heroes, but they were then blinked out of the pyramid by Glimmer, taking with them all that the room had. Filled with rage and anger at being cheated, Shigaraki let out an angry bellow. He brought down his hands on the floor, unleashing the full power of his decaying magic.
Far from the Seer Mountains, the team were talking about something that they had put off for long enough.
"So, you're okay with me, with us, being in this relationship?" Izuku asked.
"Oh yeah, I mean, who am I to say no to love," Bow replied grinning.
"I'm so sorry, Bow. I should've told you. You're my best friend." Glimmer apologized.
"Hey, it's alright. I mean, I get why you would've wanted to keep it hidden." Bow scratched the back of his head. "Your mom can be very scary."
"Don't remind me." Izuku muttered. "Did you learn anything from the Oracle room, Bow?"
"Not sure, I'll have to give it a look later." Bow looked at his datapad. "But we've got another thing to deal with. Are we really not throwing Queen Angella a surprise birthday party?"
Izuku, Catra, Glimmer and Melog almost lost their balance at Bow's comment. They did have an amazing friend in him.