Younger Sisters.

She was always the little sister, even though she never felt like one. For as long as she could remember, she had the impression that she was smarter than most of the people around her. Midnight Mask thought she was smart to, but she could never focus and got easily distracted. She was always jealous and tried to prove to her Mother that she was better than them, even if she had to resort to cheating and manipulation. Storm Heart on the other hand has always been that polite and obedient daughter who always did everything to please their Mother. Of course, no matter what she did, their Mother was still dissatisfied. No one and nothing could make Whispering Mist satisfied, but Storm Heart didn't understand that. She always believed it was her fault for not trying hard enough. Just like Adora felt towards her. The thought was so sudden that she stumbled and would have fallen if Wrongdak hadn't held her up. Storm Heart stopped and turned to her, then asked with undisguised contempt.

„Are you trying to escape?" she tightened her hand on the handle of her glaive. In response, she shook her head and said.

„No... I just realized that you are very similar to someone extremely important in my life."

Storm Heart snorted in irritation and growled

„Really? So you had someone important in your life? Congratulations, now stop talking and come with me!

She looked at Storm Heart in surprise. In the past, she was the good one who tried to take care of her younger sisters and be a role model for them. They always took advantage of her honesty. However, she was always understanding towards them, and not only compared to their Mother... Compared to her, even the Devils of Hell seemed merciful. It happened, especially when they were little, that she took on their sins... Before they learned to hide their mistakes from Whispering Mist. Now she seemed furious with her. Was it because she left her home islands without permission and renounced the role of high priestess her mother had chosen for her? Yes, that made sense. Storm heart has always been very concerned about tradition and Spidermaidens's will . Unlike them, who more or less secretly mocked ancient customs and the mysticism that surrounded them. Only Midnight Mask didn't have the courage to break free from this vicious circle of superstitions and customs... Only she had the feeling that there was something else to it, something much more personal...

„I don't think even your sister don't likes you... She seems very dangerous...„ said Wrongdak in a low voice.

„She is very dangerous, but unlike my other sister... and me, she is trustworthy an honorable..."

She wasn't sure if it was wise to take the clone with her. She had no idea what was happening on the Isles during the occupation, but she was sure that her people put up fierce resistance. This could enrage the mad tyrant, who took revenge on those who dared to oppose him.

„Are the Mother and Midnight Mask healthy?" she asked, trying to hide the anxiety in her voice.

Her sister looked at her suspiciously, but answered.

„Our mother is better than ever before. Despite your betrayal, she became the ruler of the clans... Mainly due to the fact that most of the remaining clan heads were chipped during the occupation and after such a defeat, she was unworthy to lead the Faithfull As for our sister, you'll see her soon." she heard satisfaction in Storm Heart's voice.

"It complicates everything." She thought with a mixture of concern and irritation. Midnight Mask always had a rivalry with her, although she usually lost. She envied her not only her intellect , but also her great talent for magic. She tried to undermine her position at every opportunity and would stop at nothing to achieve her goal. If she was here, wow, it could mean trouble for her.

Storm Heart led them to a four-story building located on the outskirts of the city. Judging by the flying mons of the Yago clan, as well as the Flags of the Isles of Sorrow and the symbols of their goddess, it was most likely the embassy of their nation, although looking at the servants packing their belongings into several obviously overloaded skimmers, it will soon cease to serve this function. Storm Heart looked astonished.

„What is happening!" she asked in a confused voice. With some and very significant reluctance, one woman left the crowd. At first glance, she recognized her as her sister, Midnight Masks. She wore a black sword at her belt, which meant that, in accordance with their Mother's will, she became the Black Blade of the Clan, i.e. the commander of the clan's assassins and something like the head of intelligence and counterintelligence.

„We're going back home, soon it won't be safe for us here... But actually, it's good, we've already spent too much time in these foreign lands, where there is neither faith nor discipline, and people are like raindrops." she said the ending with such elation, as if she wanted to convince herself that defeat was actually victory. It was so typical of her.

„It can wait. Take a better look at who I managed to capture." Storm Heart said, pointing her Glaive blade at her. Midnight Mask clucked in annoyance and looked at her, and when she recognized her, her eyes widened and she grabbed the hilt of her sword.

„Light Spinner!„ Midnight Mask shouted. She sighed heavily when she heard her old name.

„Nobody calls me that anymore and you shouldn't do it either. As my former student said, Light Spinner died a long time ago...„ She said in a tired voice. She had absolutely no time for this discussion.

„You can't avoid answering for your actions with foreign bullshit." said Midnight Mask, not hiding her vindictive satisfaction. Storm Heart winced as she heard Midnight Mask she cursed , their mother did not tolerate "Dirty language", as she used to call swear words.

„Are you really so sure you can stop me?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. Midnight Mask was about to walk up to her and make some belligerent threats, but she stopped and tilted her head to the side as if she was listening. Storm Heart watched her expectantly, but also with concern.

„Let her go." Midnight Mask said in a dark voice.

„What are you saying, sister! After everything she's done to us, you want to let her go as if nothing happened! The eldest sister shouted indignantly. She shared her surprise. Midnight Mask would always jump at the opportunity to prove her superiority over her youngest sister. There was something strange here. Then she saw around the Black Blade's neck a necklace with a skull with chains embedded in its eyes. Maybe she wasn't very knowledgeable in theology, but even she could recognize the symbol of Zon-Kuthon , the god of darkness, suffering and envy, called the Lord of Midnight ... It must be admitted that this choice of patron suited her sister perfectly. But what would their Mother say when she learned that her daughter was a heretic and a high-ranking one at that, since apparently the god himself spoke to her directly... But why did Zon-Kuthon tell his servant to release her, risking unnecessary complications? She guessed the answer, but she didn't like it at all. Agreements between gods were not something that made the world better.

„You will do as I tell you! You must listen to me!" Midnight Mask growled . She was right, at least theoretically the Black Blade shared the highest position in the clan after its matriarch with the high priestess called the Light Weaver ...

Storm Heart, her anger and outrage boiling, walked up to the Black Blade and growled.

„Let's see what our Mother says about you letting her go!"

Midnight Mask was about to say something back, but she didn't allow further discussion, she really didn't have time for it, casting the spell she had been preparing for some time. Tendrils of shadow wrapped around the guards and servants, immobilizing them all. Only she and Wrongdak were free. She walked up to the sisters, smiled and turned off the holographic mask. Seeing her true face, both women let out strangled screams of horror.

„This is what your little sister has become. A monster who made a pact with unimaginable evil, but not the only one in this messed up family, although probably the greatest one. I do not want you to involve me in the small and pathetic affairs of my homeland, otherwise I will show you what true great power is. Although I have a vague feeling that you have already become involved in the game of players much more powerful than you can imagine, which will probably bring disaster to all of you, but honestly, it is no longer my concern, I only feel sorry for your subjects who will suffer in the process." she looked at Midnight Mask and said.

„I don't know what idiotic plan you came up with, but if you disappear from Brightmoon right after implementing it, you might as well just admit your guilt. If you could think, you would erase all traces leading to you and pretend to be innocent, but unfortunately, you are too stupid for that." she felt satisfaction seeing the hatred in the Black Blade's eyes and turned to Storm Heart.

„I don't know why you hate me, but know that this is the wrong path that the Others have led you to... „ She didn't finish because the Storm Guardian interrupted her.

"They banished Blue Weave because of you" she said bitterly, looking at her accusingly. She remembered Blue Weave. He was the captain of the ship that brought her to the mainland as she fled the islands. She then used forged papers, developing a skill that would come in handy many times later while serving in the Horde. She remembered that Blue Weave and Storm Heart were close… Oh no…

"I didn't think..." she began fearfully, but her eldest sister laughed bitterly.

„You never think about anyone but yourself. It was always like that... „ There was so much bitter truth in her sister's words that she fell silent for a moment. Then she said in a tired voice.

„Leave it all behind. You're the only one of us who isn't completely corupted. You have a chance to be happy. But you have to get away from it all. Leave the islands and find Blue Weave. He may be waiting for you there somewhere. Then you can go to the stars. The universe is immeasurable. You will easily find a place where you can live away from our thrice-cursed family."

She was about to leave when she remembered something.

„And one more thing. If any of you hurt any of my... daughters, know that I will find you and cause you so much pain that even the true ruler of Midnight Mask would tremble." she deliberately implied that she knew the truth about the Black Blade's little secret. Her sister pursed her lips and said.

„Do you mean all three of your daughters?" she laughed nastily, probably sure that she had surprised her, but she already knew the truth. She smiled at her sister just as nastily and spoke slowly.

„Yes, all three."

Wrongdak and Storm Heart looked at her in surprise, but she had no intention of explaining anything to them, she just turned her back on them and moved forward. Wrongdak ran after her and asked.

Is your third daughter Glimmer? She… „ didn't let him finish.

„Her name is Nightgale and she is a strong and wise young woman, but unfortunately very wronged. And I guess I should congratulate you, you have a niece."

The clone almost tripped as she did early on. He wanted to ask more questions, but then the alarm went off.

Tallstar was becoming less and less sure that they had made the right decision in joining the Lord Admiral's Fleet. On the surface everything was fine. They received pay, for the first time in their lives, and it was really big. They were given good food and could sleep wherever they wanted, although they preferred to do so on their ship, Honor. They didn't have to work much, they mainly transported officials and officers between ships, sometimes they carried goods or took part in reconnaissance missions. In fact, they were hanging out, probably for the first time in their lives. They received new, better equipment, and their prosthetics and ship were improved. In a word, live not die. Yet she felt anxiety growing, slowly turning into panic.

It probably started the moment they saw Lady Sorrowflame's true form. The very sight of her scarredthe city's inhabitants, but the subsequent show of force was terrifying. She single-handedly captured a citadel full of Horde soldiers that otherwise would have had to be besieged for weeks. Apparently none of the clones escaped alive, and Lady Sorrowflame didn't have a single scratch on her. She then tried to find out more about this woman... This creature, but it was difficult to find out anything specific. It was known that she had served the Lord Admiral's family for generations, although she looked to be forty years old, which was apparently quite typical for dragons. She was also a powerful necromancer, i.e. someone who uses magic to bring corpses to life and even summon the dead from the afterlife. Summons the dead! On Etheria they were told that magic was good, but what good could be in this necromancy? She also dealt with necrotechnics , i.e. combining bodies brought to life using dark magic with cybernetic implants, which was witnessed during the storming of the citadel. There were darker rumors, too. In hushed whispers, some claimed that Lady Sorrowflame herself was actually an undead, blood-drinking vampire. She didn't believe in the latter, it was too reminiscent of old horror movies from before the times of the Horde, which Starla was so afraid of.

But that wasn't all. The Lord Admiral and his past were also surrounded by a cloud of mystery. There wasn't much talk about his home planet, as if it wasn't a topic worth discussing. They only knew that there was a civil war there, which he lost and had to leave his home planet. Civil wars didn't sound good. Their uncle once told about them that in the old days there were civil wars on Icarus and they were especially bloody and brutal. Was that also the case here? They couldn't ask those who were serving at the time, most of them were senior officers serving on the planet Atrax, where the rest of the Fearless Armada and the Government in Exile were located... She also preferred to be careful when asking the members of the fleet, as she felt it was better not to draw too much attention to herself. excessive questioning. Lady Ka's subordinates were everywhere and listened to what was being said between the soldiers. Apparently some of the soldiers serving Veskarium knew more about Antares's past , but she wasn't sure how much she could trust what they said, because their country was an imperialist and militaristic dictatorship whose government had been hostile to Antares for years , although they weren't very keen on it anyway. conversations with strangers.

But it was the Lord Admiral's current actions that made her most anxious. Immediately after the clones were defeated, the provisional government called on the rebels to lay down their weapons, and most of them did so. Immediately afterwards, they received it back because they were conscripted into auxiliary troops. Recruitment of soldiers directly to the fleet also began. However, these new soldiers were usually incorporated into existing units serving in the fleet. The production of weapons also began, and in huge quantities. This was understandable, after all, they were facing a war with both of Horde Prime's heirs . It made sense, at least in theory. But then the provisional government gave the Lord Admiral the title of Lord Protector of Taurus, which gave him great powers, including command of the planet's military forces. A curfew and a law prohibiting the spread of symmetrical views, whatever that meant, were also introduced, thus limiting freedom of expression. Lor Admiral, however, was still very popular with the locals, especially among Florians. He was respected much more here than She-Ra . Glimmer and her friends waited too long and thus lost the Hearts of the people of Taurus.

She was glad that they were among the chosen few who would go to their friends' royal wedding. It seemed very nice of the Lord Admiral to honor the great holiday of his allies by sending such a large delegation. But then they found out that Catra was his daughter. That explained everything. Now she understood why he reacted so strangely when Starla showed him a photo of the heroine of Etheria, as well as the subsequent questions they were asked. This changed a lot. As soon as Starla found out about it, she cried with joy. It was too much like those stupid old romantic movies she loved so much. Even her brother seemed happy about this. But she remembered the words of that Shirren Girl Ashurk and the photo she showed them. It seemed that the Lord Admiral had another daughter, this Eti, a girl who traveled with Dilayla and Lady Cala. The aristocrat also came here, but no one saw the mercenary here. She felt much sadder about this than she expected. She grew fond of the warrior in the few hours they fought alongside each other. She decided not to tell the rest of the soldiers about that meeting, not before she talked about the matter privately with Catra. She also forbade her brother and sister to tell anyone about it. There wasn't a chance to talk to Catra yet, they only arrived a few hours before the wedding in the last group. She was also worried that her siblings would spill the beans. Starla was talkative, especially when she drank, and their brother became close to Commander Reese. According to what Starla told her, guys were getting really talkative in bed.

So now she was standing in the square next to the fountain, drinking light alcohol made from forest fruits, and with a gloomy and thoughtful face she was watching the choir of some small, six-armed furry creatures called Skittermanders who were singing some solemn song. Next to her, Starla was blissfully clinging to her new boyfriend, a red-haired soldier named Kay . He has served in the Dauntless Armada for over five years. He was a nice, if quite sad, young man. Apparently his planet was conquered or even destroyed as a result of the invasion of creatures called the Swarm. She didn't think there were more evil beings like Horde Prime in the universe, although when she asked the other soldiers, they laughed and said that Horde Prime was not in the least comparable to the Swarm... She should learn more about that too. Jewelstar smiled dreamily and wrote something down in his notebook. Commander Reese asked him to write down for him everything he saw at the Victory Day celebrations and wedding, as he himself was unfortunately busy commanding the fleets in the Lord Admiral's absence. Everyone looked so damn happy and content that she felt stupid for being lost in her dark thoughts. Maybe she should follow Starla's advice and seek some company, even just for one night. Suddenly she saw someone, the sight made her very happy.

„Dilayla!" she exclaimed at the sight of the tall warrior, who looked towards her with surprise, towards her and smiled with obvious relief. Why a relief? She ran to Dilayla and hugged her tightly.

„Good to see you!" she exclaimed, more delighted than she expected. Her worries and anxieties disappeared. Now she will be able to throw herself into the fun... They will be able to throw themselves into it together. However, the mercenary looked serious and worried. She was emaciated and pale, with several bruises and scratches on her face, as well as a bandage on her head. What happened to her? Was she fighting? With whom?!

„I'm glad to see you too and that nothing happened to you" she said tiredly and with obvious relief.

„What was supposed to happen? We didn't take part in the fighting... Unlike you."

Dilayla shook her head and said with complete seriousness.

„It is a long story. Listen, we need to meet with the Queen and Catra as soon as possible. Everyone is in danger!"

„Catra and Glimmer are dancing in the Hall for them, and Catra's father is there too... It's also a long story. I can notify my officer." she said, but the mercenary shook her head.

„No, don't tell him anything!„ Dilayla exclaimed. Before she could say anything, an alarm sounded.

Tirin watched with amazement as the red-haired girl argued with Frosta. Frosta didn't look like a princess at all, and she knew something about that, she was a princess herself after all...sort of. After all, all pure-blood Azlanti, and despite the contamination her blood was extremely pure, were like kings to lesser people. She didn't believe it, of course, but this princess was arguing with the redhead like two kids! It was so stupid! She was the same age as them and behaved much more maturely .

For several hours, Bina had been showing her around the city, telling her about it, although she quickly guessed that what the woman didn't read from the folder was something she made up. Moreover, both her accent and her style of demeanor indicated that she was not from here. Did she recognize that she was Azlanti ? She wasn't sure. When she was preparing for this mission, she didn't even consider that someone might guess her origins. In all these years, her pure Blood had never once brought her any good. Only hatred, whether from those who were oppressed by her nation or from her compatriots. Being an Azlanti comes not only with privileges but also with responsibilities, such as the duty to be the strongest, worthy of her divine origins

This place, this planet was really very beautiful, she could see it even despite the fear that chained her Heart. Yesterday, Mikah talked to her for some time, and then in the evening he introduced her to the guide who would accompany her during the festival. She didn't suspect anything then, she was glad that she had a guide who would show her around the city. She wouldn't have to wander under that terrifying open sky for so long. She spent the evening in a small room that Mikah had arranged for her. He must have been someone very respected here, since even on a day like this he was able to get a room for her, even if it was such a tight one. She didn't lie down in bed but on the floor, which caused some consternation for the room attendant, but it was more comfortable for her. She slept better in her armor than in any bed. Even on a safe ship, she rarely took it off, let alone on a strange and dangerous planet. There was usually no need to do this. This device cleaned her and collected what she excreted. She only had to take it off when it was necessary to check whether her skin was not attacked by countless fungi and parasites inhabiting her crippled body.

She didn't dare take off her oxygen mask to sleep, her lungs were too damaged for her to risk sleeping without it outside of an oxygen-enhanced environment, but for a while she lay there and breathed simply without assistance, enjoying the ability to breathe freely. The air was so clean here, she would say sweet if she could taste sweet. Any taste...

In the morning, Mikah was nowhere to be found, but Bina was already waiting for her. She ate breakfast, that is, drank her supplement, which confused Bina, as did everyone else, and then they went to explore the city together. Brightmoon was very pretty, although not very big, I think Wherever was even bigger than Etheri's capital. Bina showed her lots of places, monuments and parks, flooding her with information. She also asked her lots of questions, most of them innocent and insignificant, but she was well-versed enough in the nuances of politics to know when someone was trying to get the truth out of her. She gave perfunctory answers.

Bina even had tickets to the palace, where she was taken to the royal gardens. Her statue was there. The statue of Captain Moonshadow... Queen Angela... She looked completely different... She lacked the anger and bitterness she was now full of. Instead, she seemed to exude dignity and caring, and only a few people, including herself, knew that Scourge of Azlanti had such qualities. Seeing how beautiful and dignified she once was, she fully understood the enormity of the evil that had been done to her... What her own people had done to her... That's why she had to repair this evil, or at least do everything to make up for it.

Bina also took her to the victory museum where He was! The Queen's Sword...Or rather, its remains. It was signed as the Sword of Protection, She-Ra's Sword . When she asked Bina about him , she recited a fragment of the tourist brochure, which she had memorized perfectly. The story didn't say it was the Queen's sword, on the contrary, it said it was the sword of this She' Ray. She didn't know what to make of it, but she didn't want to ask too many questions so as not to reveal herself too interested, so instead she told the woman she was going to the bathroom. There she left several small spy drones, the remnants of a Gift given to Captain Moonshadow by a certain Doctor Sidonius while she was a prisoner of her nation. She also took a few photos of the museum and looked at the security, which was at the level of a large self-service store, i.e., from the point of view of real pirates, it was practically non-existent. Then they visited a few other places, and then she went to her room, and her guide, caretaker and most likely guard, went to take care of some of her own matters, which meant probably reporting to her superiors. As she rested in her room, she contacted her crew and told them what she had learned. Everyone, except the captain, was surprised at how well she did. She felt so proud of herself!

In the evening, Bina took her to celebrate. This time the woman was distracted and didn't pay much attention to what she was saying, had her superiors given her a scolding for not keeping an eye on her well enough? Did they find her drones? Although she doubted the latter, since they were really good at hiding, and even the locals weren't very familiar with the modern spy technology that had fooled the Azlanti, who were natural schemers, but you never knew...

While they were visiting, the broadcast of the wedding ceremony began. Then she saw this Glimmer... The Lady Captain's daughter. She was so beautiful and healthy, much more beautiful than in the photo, how wonderful she must have looked in real life. Both the not-quite-queen and Adora looked happy. Did they realize what happened to the rightful ruler? Maybe they didn't care, or maybe they took joy in knowing what a terrible fate had befallen her... No... This Glimmer couldn't be like that. She looked just like the sister she always wanted to have...

And then Bina saw someone in the crowd, apparently her wards, and she started shouting at them, and at the same time they were arguing with Princess Frosta... They mentioned some kind of break-in, but it seemed that it wasn't her comrades who were going to commit it. And then the alarm went off… Was it Captain Moonshadow? Have they been detected? She had no idea, but it was time for her to escape... Taking advantage of the fact that her guide was busy, she turned around and mingled with the scared crowd