We feel the evil coming…

Coming back from the Kingdom of Snow wasn't easy... Not that anyone would dare to stop them, not even that son of bitch Chancellor would try something so stupid. No, this was about something completely different. When she set out on this journey, her only concern was her origins, that she had somehow ended up here from outside of Etheria. But it didn't really matter... At least that's what she tried to tell herself. But now... First Lonnie's attack using a weapon of unknown origin, then the discovery of another dark chapter in Etheria's history, then Adora bringing news about Queen Angela, and now this... She couldn't believe how quickly the joy of victory could turn into the bitterness of defeat. Could they have prevented this? She doubted this. "It all started long before this that adventure. The Shadow Weaver's sisters and the Chancellor have been developing this plot for long time... They have been weaving their dark web for months. How typical of this lousy family. ' She thought bitterly. She wasn't sure if Lonnie had any part in this plot. Back when they were cadets, Lonnie was always the one who accused her of foul play and cunning. She doubted that her former friend had changed so much. But did it even matter? She looked at Frosta, who was sitting fastened in a chair and staring blankly into space. Earlier, she cried for a while and asked if she had really failed her kingdom, now she was just silent, deep in despair, which was even worse. They tried to comfort her down, but they couldn't, because what they could do was that her own government didn't want her. She had no idea what the common people of the kingdom thought of their ruler. She had never visited this kingdom, it was stupid to admit it, but she didn't like the cold, especially the fact that her tail was freezing. "This is one of our many negligences. In their complacency, they took it for granted that everyone wanted them to rule or were happy with the situation on Etheria. When I come back and the wedding is over, we will have to take a trip around Etheria and find out what the mood is on the planet. Maybe if we had done this earlier, Frosta would still be the ruler of her kingdom now." She clenched her fists in anger, because it was Lonnie's fault and what she preached. It was because of her that Frosta lost her home overnight. The former cadet's anger towards her has unleashed something she can no longer control, which could lead to the disintegration of all of Etheri. "Isn't shea bit like me? I almost destroyed an entire planet because my anger blinded me so much. I'm no better than you, Lonnie, but you're no better than me either."

When they landed near Netossa's court, the ruler of Armoria took Frosta with her. Before her friend left the deck, she asked her.

„ Are you sure you don't want to come with us to Brightmoon? Glimmer will be happy to have you visit. Besides, victory day is coming soon and we'll need you at our wedding."

Tears appeared in the Ice Princess's eyes again.

„NO! Glimmer can't see me now! I failed her! She lost entire kingdom because of me! I'm just a stupid little Frosta that even my own people don't want."

Adora stood next to her and smiled as she said.

„Now rest with Shogi , because it was a difficult trip, but you must come to our wedding, because who better to take care of the guests' safety. You will do it best, because you are the bravest of all princesses.

She nodded half-heartedly and petted Shogi , who was mewling pitifully.

„Yes, if I'm needed, I'll come, but I don't know if it's a good idea."

They left her with Spinnerela, who come with Quickling and Greypaw to greet the Ice Princess. Netossa also stayed there, reluctantly handing over the family treasure to Entrapta to use with the express order that she should make no improvements, modifications or corrections. The inventor was to take them to Brightmoon, and then return to the united kingdom, from where she would drive away in her automated Skimmer, which in turn would give them back on their Wedding Day... Or not. It would be good for the former ruler of Dryl to have her own means of transport to visit them and not be tied to her castle. With similar thoughts, she approached Entrapta sitting in the cockpit and spoke in a serious voice.

„Listen. When I get back to the castle, I'll talk to Glimmer and arrange for... all three of you to come to the wedding."

Entrapta looked at her in surprise.

„But we have already received an invitation to the wedding."

She was about to explain to her friend that the invitation almost certainly didn't mention Hordak, but she thought better of it and just hugged her tightly.

They reached Brightmoon at night, so Entrapta would probably have to stay here until morning to sleep. The three of them went out to the castle landing field, where there was surprising confusion. They waited for a few moments for Glimmer, to see her running towards them with Bow. She frowned, feeling a twinge of anxiety. Sparkle didn't like running around the palace when she didn't have to, and she absolutely always teleported to them when they arrived in Brightmoon after a long absence and gave them a hug. You knew from her friends' stories that, apart from her time in space before the Heart's destruction, the last time something like this had happened was when she escaped from Shadow Weaver's captivity when she was somehow cursed. Adora thought the same thing as she became very tense.

„Catra! Adora! It's great that you're here! And you too, Entrapta! You will definitely come in handy here! Come with me!„ Glimmer spoke so fast that her words blurred into one string and she turned on her heel and was already running back, but she stopped her while talking.

„Sparkle, we also have important news... I think you should listen it." she said carefully. Entrapta looked between her and the queen.

„Whatever you have to tell me, it can wait. There's someone here you should meet." Glimmer gestured excitedly. She sighed. Perhaps an ambassador must have arrived from one of the previously unknown planets conquered by Prime. There were so many of them that no one, except perhaps the mad Tyrant, could count them. Melog's tail wagged slightly greenish yellow due to anxiety and confusion. She took a deep breath and said.

„Whoever this person is, they can wait." she started, but Adora interrupted.

„Glimmer, your Mom... She's alive... but." her fiancée lowered her eyes. The Queen stared at them for a long moment, as if she didn't understand what they were saying, and then she blinked, her eyes widening in a mixture of disbelief and delight. Only now did she notice that Glimmer had a black eye and a bite mark on her hand. Who was she training with?

„Is she here with you?" the ruler of Brightmoon asked hopefully, and Melog sniffed the bite and suddenly felt an urgency from him, as if he really wanted to go to where Sparkle had come from.

„No, she's not here. Oh Glimmer, I'm so sorry." Adora said and looked down. Glimmer closed her eyes and shook her head.

„Then we can wait a little longer. She is here. Her name is Eti and… You have to see her." there was so much excitement and concern in Glimmer's voice that she was scared herself, and Melog nudged her urgently with his head.

„Is Eti here? That's great! I was telling Catra about her and her friends. We met on Icarus . She knows your mom… or person who she has become... „ Adora hesitated, Glimmer looked at her carefully, and Bow asked.

„But have you seen her face?"

Adora nodded cautiously.

„Well, yes... although not entirely, because she was wearing a mask on her face... I guess she had a terrible accident, she probably lost her hand during it, and... this hand is an artifact of the First Ones „ said the heroine of the universe and Entrapta shook his hair, and fires lit up in her eyes or pure joy.

„Artifact of the First Ones! Lead the way!" exclaimed the Inventor and almost started running on her own. Her anxiety grew as she remembered a dream...

„You didn't say she didn't have a hand." she whispered, and Melog glowed blue.

„So you didn't see her face...„ Glimmer said quietly, and she felt a shiver run down her spine.

„Her face." she understood why Melog was rushing her so much and she started running on all fours.

„This is definitely a bad idea." Rosie tried to say, but she still had no gloves, and Eti was kidnapped by the queen, so there was no one to translate what she said.

„Stop waving those paws, just be useful for something and hold the other side." Itel said with a furious expression and pointed to a large metal object that they had pulled out of a hidden compartment on the ship.

Escaping from the castle wasn't as difficult as they expected, although at first itel wanted to look for the cat girl, but Alatar talked her out of it, saying that they wouldn't be able to fight the entire guard, although Lilka was convinced that they could handle it without any problems.

"I'm an orc, I can deal with even a hundred of these guards myself, and you take fifty each and we'll manage somehow." the red-haired girl explained. They didn't argue with her.

To be honest, she wasn't sure whether the technomancer's words had convinced the elf or whether she had simply come up with a new, better plan. which she began to put into practice as soon as they reached the ship. She led them to a hidden part of the ship where they hid many things that made her worry. After a while, she chose an oblong and very heavy object with a nuclear threat symbol on the lid. The four of them managed to carry him aboard and then rested, but only for a moment as Itel urged them on. Toshi flew around scared, looking for his lady and when he didn't find her, he started rubbing against the others for comfort, but no one had the time or inclination to take care of the blue fox right now, so he lay down on the couch, squealing sadly. She tried to reason with itel but due to her rush, she didn't put on her gloves. Fortunately, Mr. Ilemshaw came to her with rescue.

„Since I know most of the basic languages, including Absalomian Sign Language, let me help with translation. Miss Rosie says your plan isn't very good, and she's right, no matter what it is, because using nuclear weapons is never a good idea." Said the representative of a race unknown to her in a metallic voice. Itel clenched her jaw angrily.

„ It's her fault! Eti got trapped because of that deaf idiot and now we have to save her!" she summoned the moonblade and threatened the camera

„Personally, I think that the current situation you are in is the result of you deciding to do a very unwise thing, but you are unlikely to remedy it by doing another unwise thing out of emotion... And what are you actually going to do? "asked Mr. Ilemshaw. Itel hesitated, as if she was just now trying to put her plan into words.

„I'm going to threaten to detonate this warhead if they don't release Eti." she said with weakening conviction. When she finished, the entire room went dark and Miss Daisy appeared in the ship, followed by Ireanis and Wrongdak .

„This is the most ridiculous rescue plan I have ever heard of, believe it or not, in my long life."

These were happy moments spent together with the woman she loved. But all happy things come to an end. At first she didn't understand what the fish-like alien was talking about, the idea of nuclear weapons wasn't something she had heard about before coming to the Pact Worlds, but when she saw the horror in Asindesa's eyes, she finally understood what it meant and jumped to her feet.

„I'm sorry, dearest, but I have to go... As you heard, something unforeseeable happened... „ she started hastily explaining to the Hell Knight who was looking at her not cleary understanding what was happening.

„Nuclear weapons? Where ... why?" She asked slowly regaining her composure. She placed her hand on the blade of the sword, and the tenacity she remembered from Krannor Rill flashed in her eyes .

„I haven't the slightest idea, but I have to act anyway." she said, and Asindesa kissed her on the lips.

„ Look after yourself,. Meanwhile, I'll go to the castle and see what I can do." said the Hell Knight with concern in her voice. She smiled at her and stepped into the cold darkness.

She arrived on the ship just in time to learn about Itel's plan and comment on it. The elf summoned her blade and looked at her hostilely.

"It's none of your business," she pointed her weapon at her. She sighed and said.

„As far as I know, a nuclear explosion is the business of anyone who may be caught in its radius, but besides that, your captain entrusted me with the task of taking care of you, which, I must admit with a heavy heart, I was unable to cope with. Now, please, take a deep breath and tell me what happened." she tried to talk to them, just like she talked to Adora. It must have worked, because although Itel continued to grit her teeth angrily, Alatar began to tell her about the recent events. When he finished, she felt relieved. It could have been a lot worse. Actually, nothing bad happened at all, maybe it would even be better if they met Catra under controlled conditions. "Even when I, the woman who harmed this planet so much, was imprisoned, they provided me conditions that most of the inhabitants of the galaxy could dream of" she thought, although at the same time she knew that she couldn't tell her wards anything, because then she would have to explain how she knew how to treat prisoners on Etheria. Fortunately, Wrongdak came with the help. The clone smiled, since he learned the truth about her he did it less often, and said in a warm tone.

„I know Glimmer. She is brave and strong, but she won't do anything to Eti. I can vouch for that."

The kids looked at each other confused, but relaxed, even Itel. She smiled at them and said.

„Mr. Wrongdak speaks wisely. Hasty actions can only lead to an escalation of the situation, which will only worsen the situation in which Eti finds herself. It would be best if we wait until the morning, rest, cool down. Mr. Wrongdak will take you to the palace, given his relationship with the ruler, it shouldn't be difficult for him to obtain an audience with her, and you will politely apologize to the queen and ask for Eti's release." she said, and the clone looked at her suspiciously. Well, she was risking a lot, because the clone could have handed her over to the authorities with impunity, but it was still the safest option. The situation seemed to be calming down when suddenly she heard Mr. Ilemshaw's voice, in which, despite the metallic sound, she heard pure fear.

„I detected a message coming from orbit. A ship has arrived in Etheria , with Lord Admiral Antares on board"

She felt a chill run down her spine. Everyone except Wrongdak, Emily, and Rosie looked extremely terrified.

„Okay, we have to improvise. – she said and rubbed her face with her hand. "Focus, don't let yourself get distracted... How I hate improvising"

Eti took a few deep breaths and looked around. She had a strange feeling that she was in a bedroom. There was a four-poster bed, lots of pillows, shooting targets, more pillows, a waterfall, and some more pillows. If she weren't so angry and... terrified, she would have found this place unsettling... and her eyes hurt from how colorful it was. She had spent the last half hour screaming, threatening, and punching the magical barrier to no avail until her hair stood straight from the feedback. She didn't want to stay here, she hated being locked in, with no way out. When she didn't have a name yet, only a number, she was imprisoned, watched without a moment of privacy, without the right to decide about herself in any matters. She would never allow to be treated like that again, even if she had to bite her veins. The hag and her guy left her with one of the clones, Brother of Wrongdak, who was dressed in a guard's outfit and had long hair hanging down his back. He didn't take his eyes off her and tried to look as serious as possible. She rested her head on her shoulder and thought. She didn't met any other clones apart from Wrongdak, and she wasn't sure how similar he was to the other clones, but they were all identical, at least at first, and they had only gained freedom a few years ago... Before that, they were servants of a mad tyrant who demanded absolute obedience from them. She doubted they had changed much in that time. She looked at the top, there was a vent. She would smile very broadly if she could. She put her arms around her and said.

„I demand to speak to my lawyer."

The clone looked at her in surprise.

„ Are you demanding? To speak? With a lawyer?" He spoke each word separately, clearly confused

„Is Etheria a place where the basic rights of all sentient beings are respected?" She asked in a cold voice.

„Of course." He assured her.

„So I'm asking you to bring me my lawyer, without it I can't defend myself. It was enough of a violation of my rights that your Queen neither brought any charges against me nor informed me of my rights. Of course, such practices are not common in the Galaxy. In places where authoritarian, or even worse, totalitarian, governments prevail, as in Prime's Empire, they are of course not respected, and the fate of each citizen depends only on the will of the ruling tyrant. I assume that Etheria is one of such places, and you are just a helpless cog in a system of oppression that obediently follows every order yo6receives. „ she said in a calm, dispassionate voice, keeping her eyes on the clone. She knew she had hit a nerve. For this purpose, she used the knowledge about the minds of thinking beings, which Jantar drilled into her soul, so that she could better fulfill her destiny. She hated it, even though she was really good at it, but she had no intention of staying here any longer. The clone finally asked after much thought.

„But where can I get a lawyer at this time, it's the middle of the night and I don't even know where to look for him.

She sighed with false irritation and said as if she was explaining to an ignorant but quite nice young person.

„To be honest, it's none of my business, but I don't want to stay here any longer, but from what I know, Swiftwind , your She-Ra's steed, has the qualifications of a lawyer, he told me about it yesterday. You'll definitely find it around town. He lives in a big tent."

He nodded and ran out of the room. She did better than I expected. With any luck, the guy will be looking for a tent for perhaps an hour. She's gained a lot of time. Bina would be proud of her. First she decided to contact her friends. To her surprise, no one was blocking communication here.

„Hi how are you?" she asked.

„Eti. It's so good to hear from you. Are you OK?„ the elf asked with a breaking voice.

„ The Queen took me to her bedroom and the King sprayed me with something damn sticky. But apart from that, everything's fine.

„I'LL FUCKING MURDER THEM ALL!" Itel roared…

She think she chose the wrong words...

For a moment, hard to understand words and screams could be heard on the other side, and then Alatar spoke.

„Think sometimes about what you are saying, Eti. Itel almost attacked Miss Daisy with the Knife... Actually, not almost."

„Okay, sorry...„ she said quite embarrassed "The Hag wasn't very good at spells, almost as bad as Ireanis, I think it was because of how the sparkling paw hit her. She's great, isn't she? And then Strzała, her guy, hit me with an arrow that covered me with something sticky... That's it. – She explained, hoping that she managed to calm her friend down.

„It's not that important, Eti." there was something in Alatar's voice that made her ears perk up. "We have a bigger problem. The Lord Admiral is here."

In fact, it was not true that she did not feel fear. She simply felt it less strongly and towards other things. And now she felt terrified like never before in her short life.