The Beacon's Shadow

Glimmer groaned in pain, stirring in her bed as the curse wrecked her body. She felt like she had been plugged into a faulty outlet. She tried to get down to the floor only to miss her steps and fall. She grumbled under her breath about her decision to choose a hanging bed all those years ago. Using the little energy she had, she pushed herself back to her feet.

"I gotta get some exercise, teleporting really made me miss leg and arm day," Glimmer approached the door when she heard movement on the other side.

"Angella, I came as soon as I heard."

"Aunt Cass?" Glimmer whispered, opening the door ever so slightly to see into the crack.

"What are you doing here, Castaspella?" Queen Angella asked.

"Um, my niece was cursed by one of Shadow Weaver's cronies?" Castaspella threw her arms up. "Of course I'm gonna rush here! Angella, isn't it about time we let go of this childish disdain for each other?"

"Not when you are sending my daughter magic lesson scrolls behind my back." Angella made the scrolls appear in her hand.

"I thought she told you." Castaspella apologized, holding her hands up. "She has a right to learn magic since you seem to be against her learning anything other than her inherited magical powers."

"Do you realize how dangerous it would be if she started to learn magic?" Angella snapped. "What if Shigaraki finds out about her? What do you think will happen when he realizes who she is?"

"Shigaraki?" Glimmer asked herself. "How does my mom know that walking corpse?"

"What do you think will happen if he realizes who she is and doesn't know how to protect herself?" Castaspella countered. "Do you think I want your daughter, my niece, to be at the mercy of that… that monster? I want her to know how to defend herself. She's so much like my brother and you know it."

"Which is why I want to protect her. And I've done a rotten job about it," Angella sighed. "She got hurt because I sent her on that mission. If I had been by her side then this wouldn't have happened."

"Accidents happen, Angella. I'm sure that we can fix this," Castaspella replied with Angella nodding. "Now, let's go look at our patient."

Glimmer rushed back to her bed, now with a mind full of questions.


Izuku and Catra made their way through the thick foliage of the Whispering Woods. It had been two to three hours since they left the castle in search of Madame Razz and the mysterious ruins that resembled an ancient beacon. Izuku was trying to map out their route in hopes of learning how to get back once they had found the Beacon, while Catra tried to get her bearings.

"How is it so hard to find a tall ruined tower in the middle of the damn forest?!" Catra punched a tree.

"We're too low to see where we're going properly," Izuku pointed out. "Let's head over the treetops." Izuku picked up Catra before jumping to the top of the trees.

They passed through the leaves, getting a fresh hit of the night air. They looked at the top of the trees while they searched for the missing tower. As pleasant as the night air was for them, their enjoyment was cut short once their eyes landed on something a few clicks from where they hovered.

"There!" Catra pointed.

Izuku turned, spotting the Beacon tower that they were looking for. He smiled as they started to fall back down to the ground. Using the power of One For All, he sent a kick to the ground, creating a powerful blast of air, pushing him forward. Izuku jumped towards the Beacon, carrying Catra in a bridal style all the way.

"You know, if we weren't on a mission to learn more about She-Ra and her powers, this would be pretty romantic," Catra commented, trying to tease Izuku a bit.

"Um, maybe. Honestly, I'm worried about Glimmer." Izuku blushed, jumping up into the air. "Sorry if that sounds like I'm not paying enough attention to you."

"Don't worry, Izuku." Catra kissed Izuku on the cheek. "I actually wanted to tell you that Glimmer wants to have sex with us. She's kinda fallen for us."

"Wait what?!" Izuku misstepped and crashed down at the entrance of the Beacon.

Izuku and Catra groaned as they pulled themselves up from the ground. Izuku looked at Catra as her words registered completely in his mind.

"G-Glimmer is in love with us?" Izuku asked, reeling from Catra's words.

"Y-yeah. I probably could've waited for a better moment to tell you that." Catra helped Izuku up. "Sorry, but I thought you should know. Though, I thought it was obvious with all the times she's been checking us out."

"I'm sorry I'm dense." Izuku rubbed the back of his head.

"That's one of the things I find cute about you." Catra kissed Izuku on the lips. "After this we can talk with Glimmer about it and after we cure her, of course."

Izuku nodded. Although he showed that he understood what Catra had said, his mind started going through all the times the other princesses had shown interest. He remembered how Glimmer and the other princesses were all giving him bedroom eyes. He had never been around that many women that looked at him like that and he was starting to see it. He blushed at the idea that all of them thought of him as attractive, but he wasn't sure if they liked him for who he was or for the power he wielded. Shaking his head, he managed to get his head out of those thoughts.

"Let's head inside and find answers about She-Ra's powers." Izuku and Catra walked towards the entrance, but they weren't the only ones.


Not far from the Beacon, Adora was trying to keep radio communication with her team. She had survived being thrown by the vines and was covered with scratches and leaves after walking for miles. She kept her hand on her communicator as she tried to find her way out of the nightmare forest.

"Lonnie, please tell me Kyle's got my signal," Adora panted.

"Not yet, it's like the forest is blocking his instruments from tracking you," Lonnie replied from the other side of the radio. "Kyle, you sure that thing is working?!... He says 'yes.'"

"Alright, just stay with me. This place is even creepier at night." Adora spotted something up ahead. "I see something up ahead. Some sort of building. I can use it as a landmark, maybe climb it to see how far I am from the edge of the forest."

Adora, however, was only met with static. She looked at the Beacon, wondering if it was some kind of antenna that was blocking all the signals. She could hear a strange noise coming from it. At first, her head hurt from the noise, but as she grew closer, the pain dimmed until it became a pleasant melody that made her feel better than she had ever felt in her whole life. Like being called by a siren singing her song, she walked towards it, being enamored by the sight before her. She felt like something was calling her. Her eyes landed on the entrance, catching a glimpse of Izuku and Catra walking inside.

"Izuku? Catra?" Adora hid. "Is this where they got their powers? I gotta get a closer look." She pulled out her busted electric baton, hoping it would be enough.


Izuku and Catra came upon the entrance of the Beacon.

"I think it needs a password, or a magic word to open up," Catra said.

"Oh, r-right. Eternia." Izuku spoke the password, causing the First One's writing to light up, opening the door. "It's very useful to read these things."

As Izuku and Catra walked inside the depths of the Beacon, Adora's eyes lit up in awe and confusion. She rushed to the entrance and as she got close enough, she found herself understanding the writing on the door and on the walls. Before she could question how the strange writing was readable to her, she snuck inside the Beacon. She followed behind her former friends as they were in awe of the insides of the ancient tower.

The room they found themselves in was bright and ancient, with crystals and panels around them with First Ones writing on the walls, the room made anything Entrapta had built look like childsplay. The metal parts of the walls and the circuitry were so well kept that they looked new as they stretched deep into the seemingly endless ceiling. Everything was bright and in almost pristine conditions despite the long time of it being in disuse. The floor was so clean and crystal that anyone that looked down could see their own reflection. It felt like they were walking on mirrors. All the sparkling lights were awe-inspiring for how closely they looked like tiny stars.

"Wow, these guys really wanted to compensate for something, didn't they, Izuku?" Catra chuckled, but she didn't hear her lover reply to her joke. "Izuku?" Catra shook Izuku, knocking him from his stupor.

"Huh, what?" Izuku asked.

"Are you okay?" Catra asked.

"That strange sound, like a melodic tune." Izuku looked around for the source of the music. "Don't you hear it?"

Catra placed her hand on her ear, looking for a melody to listen to. But she only shook her head at the lack of noise.

Not far from Izuku and Catra, Adora's eyes widened as she also heard that strange noise playing. She couldn't tell why but both she and Izuku could hear and read the remaining scriptures of the First Ones. She would have to look for answers before anything else happened.

"Nevermind that stuff, let's find someone or something to get answers," Catra said. "This place is giving me the creeps. Who runs this place?"

"Unidentified beings detected. Identify yourselves."

Catra jumped into Izuku's arms as what appeared to be a person appeared before the two heroes of The Alliance.

A hologram appeared before the two. The picture showed a tall blue woman covered in robes and a dress that looked like it was part of a circuit board. Her arms were slender and almost delicate like glass while her lips looked plump, like they had just been highlighted by her makeup. But what sold the look of the hologram not being human was the eyes. They were completely white with an almost unnatural glow to them.

"Um, hello," Izuku greeted, slightly freaked out by the sudden apparition.

"Unidentified beings detected. Identify yourselves or be expelled." the hologram repeated in a cold voice.

"Um, try the password again," Catra whispered.

"Okay. Eternia!" Izuku called out, hoping that the hologram would give them what they needed.

"Password accepted. Please, designate an administrator." The hologram calmed down.

Izuku and Catra looked at each other. Neither of them knew what the hologram was asking for. What they wouldn't give to have someone like Bow or Entrapta by their side at that moment. They looked around, hoping to find out something, a clue of what they could tell the hologram to get information. As the hologram got uncomfortably close to them, they knew that if they didn't say something, then they would be kicked out or would have to face the wrath of whatever they had for security.

Izuku spotted a mural which showed the traditional image of She-Ra.

"Catra, turn into She-Ra!" Izuku strongly suggested.

"Oh right, I probably should've done this earlier." Catra drew out the Sword of Protection. "For the Honor of Grayskull!"

Catra transformed into her She-Ra form, standing proud and intimidating against the hologram. She held out the sword, making it glow with power.

"She-Ra is here, and she would like to know a few things." Catra hung the sword on her shoulder with a smile.

The hologram observed the sword and then back to Catra with its lifeless glowing eyes.

"Energy signature of the designated She-Ra recognized, but with conflicting data. Administrator not recognized. Choose an administrator," the hologram coldly replied.

Catra growled at the hologram's response. She snarled in annoyance.

"Well, I'm all you got, so me! I am the administrator and so is Izuku," Catra said. "Now, tell me how this stupid sword is meant to heal our friend!" Catra stomped, causing cracks on the floor.

The hologram blinked slightly as a sound of static echoed in the room.

"That can't be good." Izuku tensed up.

The room started blaring with a red flashing alarm echoing between the walls. The hologram turned red as it glared at the intruders.

"Imminent danger detected, activating security measures!" the hologram dictated in its cold voice. "All three intruders must be purged from the Beacon."

"Oh shoot, we need to-Wait, did she say three?!" Catra asked just as a large shadow came down from above.

They looked up to see a large black robotic spider with red glowing eyes coming down towards them. Before they could jump out of the way, Izuku and Catra felt something pull them from the back of their necks, away from the large monster. Shocked and confused by what had just happened, the heroes of the Alliance were surprised to see Adora of all people standing between them and the spider.

"Adora?!" Izuku and Catra asked in unison.

"Get back!" Adora swung her electric baton at the spider, trying to keep it back.

Adora jumped back, dodging the sharp legs of the spider as she held the baton at the ready. She jumped forward, striking the eyes of the spider. As the spider roared in rage, she saw her chance. Adora plunged her baton into the mouth of the spider, shocking it from the inside. Leaving the spider in an electrocuted state, she turned back and pulled Izuku and Catra towards one of the passages.

"What the heck was that thing?!" Adora asked.

"You're asking us?!" Catra countered. "We should be asking what you're doing here?!"

"I followed you here thinking this place was a communications tower! I don't know, maybe I hoped I could radio for help!" Adora ran, trying to call her team through her communicator. "Lonnie, Kyle, Scorpia, anyone there?! I need an extraction from my location!"

However, she only got static from her communicator.

"We need to keep running, I think we've got company coming from behind!" Izuku spotted more spiders running after them. "This way!" Izuku pulled Catra and Adora into one of the hallways.

As they entered the hallway, they saw the spiders crashing onto each other trying to get to them. The ones that launched themselves at them were met with Izuku and Catra taking the initiative. Izuku kicked one of the spiders across the face before punching another one, crushing it. Catra jumped ahead, slicing apart two of the spiders with her sword before grabbing hold of another spider, slamming it into the ground.

Izuku and Catra looked up to see more spiders coming their way. Using the narrow and small hallway to their advantage, the two friends used this chance to deliver a double punch to the spiders. As their fists connected with the large robotic spiders, they felt how the thick exoskeleton of the large beast collapsed under their combined might. Their punch sent the robot spider back, clogging the entrance.

"That should keep those spiders out," Izuku said.

"Yeah, just our luck that the First Ones chose killer eight-legged freaks as guard dogs." Catra turned, glaring at Adora. "Alright, Adora, answers. Now. What are you doing here?"

"Last time we saw you, you were being flung into the Whispering Woods." Izuku and Catra walked towards Adora.

"Yeah, I've been looking for a way out ever since. I heard a noise coming from this place and then I saw you two. Guess we're trapped here now," Adora explained.

"Yeah, this could not get any worse." Catra sighed. "Could it?"

The three old friends heard something cracking under their feet. They looked down to see the floor giving way.

"I think the universe is telling us not to taunt it anymore!" Izuku screamed as they all fell through the floor and deeper into the belly of the beast.

They looked up, spotting someone looking down at them from the destroyed hallway before being engulfed by the darkness.

The being looking at them resembled the first hologram, only that this one had sharp blue eyes and a more regal dress and a pair of earrings. She narrowed her eyes at the darkness.

"They have arrived, after so long. Deploy the probes. Get rid of the interloper," she instructed. "The mission of the First Ones must be completed."

Izuku, Catra and Adora fell into the darkness for what felt like a lifetime. They screamed into the void, trying to make sense of where they were falling towards. They scrambled in the darkness, only managing to catch hold of each other once or twice. But just as they were about to give up and accept their fates, bright red flashes engulfed them mid-fall. They didn't know what they were but the lights appeared as quickly as they disappeared. But before they could question what had happened, the three friends landed on something hard.

"Ow," Izuku groaned in pain. "Why am I always the one at the bottom?"

"If it helps, you can always be on top in bed," Catra groaned, getting off of Izuku.

"Wha-What did you say?" Adora asked, confused as to what she heard.

Izuku and Catra blushed in the darkness, realizing what they had just said. They were thankful that she couldn't see their faces at that moment. The last thing they wanted was to explain to Adora that they had been sleeping together and started a relationship.

"Nevermind. Let's find what we came for and get out of this nightmare factory." Catra used her sword like a glow stick to light their way.

"Let's keep our eyes open for anything that might be a trap or another monster," Izuku added, as some dim lights turned on, revealing where they had landed. They had landed in another hallway with a roof over their heads and everything "This place is getting stranger by the minute."

"Why were you two here in the first place?" Adora asked as they walked away from the hallway.

"We're looking for a way to cure one of our friends," Izuku involuntarily mentioned, getting an elbow from Catra.

"Princesses get sick? I thought they spread diseases with their magic, not get sick." Adora raised an eyebrow.

"Nope! Add another lie the Horde told you while growing up." Catra rolled her eyes. "If you must know, that strange monster that clearly took delight in destruction shot our friend with some kind of curse and now we're trying to figure out how to cure her."

"Modulok did that?" Adora asked. "Sorry. Honestly, he gives me the creeps. It's as though he is always taking pleasure in breaking things down."

"Oh, so the clearly evil-looking monster with claws and bug eyes might have evil intent?" Catra detransformed into her normal form. "What do you say, Izuku?"

"Well, he did seem very eager to kill the Whispering Woods." Izuku motioned to the strange entrance before them. "I think this might be the exit."

The trio entered the room and they were met with an all too familiar location. The Frightzone barracks.

"What is this?" Izuku asked.

"We-we're back in the barracks?" Adora asked.

"Speaking of stuff of nightmares, here is one!" Catra spotted three soldiers coming towards them. "Out of our way if you know what's good for you."

However, the soldiers didn't even react to Catra's threat. They just continued on their way.

"Um, why are they still walking?" Catra asked.

"Soldiers, this is Force Captain Adora," Adora said. "How long has there been a line between the Frightzone and the Whispering Woods?"

But the soldiers didn't reply to Adora's question.

"Are they ignoring me?" Adora asked, causing Catra to chuckle.

"They don't seem to see or acknowledge us." Izuku waved his hand before the soldiers, only for it to pass through them.

The trio jumped back in fear as the soldiers continued on.

"They're-they're holograms!" Izuku called out.

"Oh great, another surprise from the great and mighty First Ones." Catra snarled. "Let's keep moving before something else comes out."

The trio continued walking until they heard something coming towards them. They didn't know if they should've gotten ready to fight. But they got into their fighting poses out of habit and many years of practice. They narrowed their eyes as their ears picked up the sound of crying.

"Who could be crying in the Frightzone?" Adora asked.

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe anyone that was forced to grow up here?" Catra suggested.

"Quiet, please. It's getting closer." Izuku tightened his fists before the crying came from around the corner.

Before their eyes came out a small skinny Izuku, balling his eyes out. He was covered in bruises. He ran to one of the metal boxes, before hiding behind one.

"What is this?" Izuku asked, watching his past self cry his eyes out.

"Izuku!" A young Adora called out.

"He's here!" A young Catra pointed before they made their way to where the young Izuku was. "What happened? Who did this to you?!"

"Octavia." Izuku sobbed. "She was picking on one of the kids and then she took it out on me when I stood between them."

"Why did you do that?" Adora asked.

"It didn't feel right. She said that if I'm lucky, I'll make for good fish food." Izuku wiped the tears from his face.

"It's okay, we can figure this out." Adora said, calming down Izuku.

"Yeah, we'll claw out that dumb fish's face!" Catra said. "Wait here!"

The young Catra took off before the young Izuku and Adora ran after her, trying to stop her.

"I remember this. I went there to pay Octavia back." Catra remembered.

The trio followed their younger counterparts just in time to see young Catra jump at a Force Captain's face.

She was a tall woman with green scales and tentacles for hair. She had sharp yellow eyes (now one eye) and sharp teeth. She cried out in pain as Catra scratched her face. Her name was Octavia.

Young Izuku and Adora pulled Catra off of Octavia before taking off in retreat.

"Bye, you dumb face!" Adora called out as they ran off.

The three kids ran in the opposite direction as Octavia roared in wrath at the kids. They laughed at their apparent revenge against the one that hurt their friend.

"That'll show her what happens when you pick on one of us!" Catra called out.

"Yeah, we stick together! Remember, Izuku!" Adora looked at Izuku.

The young green-haired boy blinked away the tears from his face. He could feel a warmth in his chest, helping him push past the pain that coursed through him. As one of the few happy times in his childhood, he smiled at the only few people he could call friends. Izuku wanted to be with them and be happy. He smiled as they then began to laugh.

"One For All…" the three young friends said together.


"And All For One!" Izuku, Catra and Adora said together as they ran out of the room, holding hands just like their past selves.

They looked around to see that they were now in a completely different room. Strangely enough, they found themselves in an empty room with a large hole in the ground and a large downed crystal acting as a bridge between them and the next hallway. The room was illuminated by red lights and looked more run down than the top room.

"Well, at least we know where the next room is." Catra saw her hand being held by Adora's. "This way." She pulled Izuku with her as Adora looked at her hand and the recesses of what she felt.

The trio climbed up the fallen crystal column not talking about what they had just seen in the last room. However, they each took one glance back at the room before walking towards the other room's entrance. They didn't want to admit it, but the whole thing they saw shook them. It wasn't just the fact that they saw their past selves act out a memory for them like a sideshow attraction, but the fact that it brought happy memories of their childhood. Fighting the urge to wear the rose-tinted glasses of nostalgia, the trio fought to smile at how much fun it was running around the Fright Zone with each other and getting into trouble with each other. It seemed like a better and simpler time for them to be in. A time when war and conflict and troubles were always far away from them made them almost wish to be back then.

"That was a fun memory, wasn't it?" Adora commented.

"Yeah, we would always pull those stunts." Catra smiled. "If anyone messed with Izuku or me, we'd always gang up and beat them up for what they did."

"Feels like lifetimes ago. But, why did we just relive that?" Izuku asked, earning curious eyebrows from Catra and Adora. "Why would the ruins make us see that after they tried to kill us with giant spiders?"

"Clearly to knock us off balance. Classic counter enemy strategy," Adora replied. "Keep the enemy in a state of shifting mood and they'll do whatever you want."

"Wow, thanks for the reminder that the Evil Horde is Evil." Catra jumped down from the column on the other side.

"Who calls us-AAAHHH?!" Adora slipped only to be caught by Izuku and Catra. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Izuku helped her back to her feet. "Let's find a way out."

Just then, a pair of spiders jumped out from the tunnel, shooting webs at Izuku and Adora, wrapping them with them.

"Izuku! Adora!" Catra charged at them only for her sword to become entangled by another spider's webs.

Catra dug her heels on the floor, pulling her sword back. She couldn't hold onto the sword with all the strength of the spider's web. She jumped to the side, avoiding another spider's slash.

"Why do I feel like these things don't like me?!" Catra snapped, ducking under another swipe.

"Catra, hang on!" Izuku channeled All For All, breaking free from the webs.

Izuku zoomed past the spiders, kicking the first spider away from Catra. He rolled in the air before delivering another kick to the spider's face, sending it into the dark pit. Turning around, he delivered a punch to the second spider's thorax, cracking it into pieces and freeing the sword.

Catra used her new chance to free her sword before jumping in to save Adora. With a single slash, she cut through the webbing with one clean slice. She spun around, cutting the spider across the face. As it cried out in pain, Catra reached out for Adora's hand.

"Come on!" Catra pulled Adora up as they then ran away from the spiders.

The trio ran into the next room, knocking back the last spider with the aid of Izuku's fist.

"I think we lost them," Izuku said.

"Yeah, but how much do you bet that they are right behind us?" Adora asked.

"It reminds me of the time dad made us run through that little gully a few years back. Those sand snakes were not happy!" Catra laughed.

"Yeah, well, we did steal their prey from them in the middle of their hunt. And then you threw a rock at one of them." Izuku retorted, looking back to see if the spiders were after them.

"And you broke the fangs of the other head with a single punch to the jaw. Fun times!" Catra jumped down into the next room.

Adora listened to her friends talk about their past adventures with a keen ear. She could tell that they enjoyed their adventures out of the Fright Zone, without her. In a way, she was jealous that she wasn't there with them.

"What kind of madness have you two been going through for the last few years?!" Adora snapped.

"Oh, quite a bit of it, I guess," Izuku replied.

"You probably would've been in them if you had escaped with us. You know, like we planned?" Catra added. "Instead you chose to stay with the Horde, who everyone knows is evil from the get go! I mean, just look at their generals and their leaders! And don't even get me started with Shadow Weaver."

Adora's fist tightened up. She hated Catra's smug and condescending tone whenever she spoke about her friends and the war they were fighting for. She had seen the many bodies of hurt soldiers that fell in battles against the Alliance. She had seen records of how princess magic had destroyed homes and families. And she had experienced the dangers of unruly behavior from soldiers and warriors of the Alliance. Catra's attitude and hatred of authority was always a problem that she had dealt with, but they were no longer kids.

"Do you have to insult everyone and everything, Catra? Not everyone in the Horde has bad intentions," Adora defended. "You'd know that if you had stayed with us. But don't worry, I don't hold you being kidnapped by princesses against you. I know you weren't in control of the situation."

"Are you serious?" Catra snapped. "You still think we were kidnapped?!"

"I mean, what other explanation is there?" Adora asked.

"Adora. We left by our own choice." Izuku stepped between Catra and Adora, fearing another fight. "Shadow Weaver lied to you. Manipulation is her game and she plays it with everyone."

"But why would she lie about you two being taken? You say that she's this evil manipulator but you've shown me no proof." Adora pressed on.

"Are you blind or is that head too thick to see it?!" Catra growled. "She has been playing you ever since we were children. She even took it easy on you to keep you on a leash."

"You're wrong! She never took it easy on me! I was just another soldier!" Adora stepped into the other room, only to see another memory.


Izuku, Catra, and Adora found themselves in another scene when they were little. They saw their past selves running through a hallway, jumping from one box to the next one. Izuku was lagging behind the two girls with Catra and Adora racing each other for first place. As the two girls ran ahead, all three laughed, enjoying their free time like kids that they were. They weren't doing this for training, nor were they doing this for The Horde. They were playing because they were children with hopes and dreams and an insatiable appetite for adventure.

Ever the competitor, Catra jumped at one of the hanging cables, using them to swing ahead as Adora ran faster on the floor. Neither girl was willing to give an inch without making the other sweat for it.

Izuku was pretty much behind them, pushing his body to keep up with his two friends. He just wanted to be part of the fun, he didn't care that he was last. Smiling all the way, he was able to catch up with Catra and Adora. He opened his eyes, noticing the unfamiliar place that they had raced to.

"Hey, guys! Wait up!" Izuku called out, tripping as he ran.

"Izuku!" Adora called out, causing Catra and herself to stop. "Are you okay?"

"Need a hand?" Catra offered.

"Thank you." Izuku took her hand. "Where are we? I don't recognize this place."

However, the older and more scarred versions of the children knew all too well where they were.

Izuku and Catra stiffened up as they looked at the memory. They held hands, trying to calm themselves as they didn't need to see to know what would happen.

"Please, please turn around and go," Izuku muttered.

Adora looked at the memory, watching the younger versions looking around.

"Hey, there's a door there." Adora pointed.

"Maybe someone can tell us how to get back," Izuku said.

"Or we can end up walking into someone in the bathroom, but better safe than sorry." Catra shrugged.

The three children walked up to the door, opening it with combined strength. They were greeted with a dark room with only one thing in the middle. Before the trio of young friends was a large black crystal spike coming out of the ground, like a thorn out of a flower stem. Izuku, Catra and Adora walked in deeper, fueled by their child-like curiosity and the weirdness of the place they had stumbled into.

"What is this place?" Catra asked.

"I don't see anything other than this crystal." Izuku pointed to the crystal, poking the crystal, only to be shocked by a red bolt. "OW!"

Catra snickered at Izuku's slight shock.

Adora's eyes widened as she looked around. Bit by bit she started to put things together and realized where they had entered. Her eyes grew wide with fear and shock.

"Oh no. We gotta go," Adora said. "This is the Black Garnet. No one is supposed to be here!"

But before they could run, the three friends heard someone groaning in pain. They then saw the clawed hand of a shadowy silhouette clawing its way through the hallway. They quickly hid on the dark side of the door as the owner of the hand made her way towards the room. They silently shook in fear as Shadow Weaver herself clawed her way into the room.

The shadow witch panted as though she was out of air and unable to take another step. But through her mask, she was dead set on making it to the Black Garnet. Her eyes narrowed as her skin itched and her body started to feel the painful thirst that wrecked her body. She was in so much pain that she didn't notice Izuku, Catra and Adora slowly moving out of the room. Her mask fell off, leaving her scarred face out in the open.

At the sound of the mask dropping, Izuku and Catra looked back. They saw as Shadow Weaver slammed her forehead into the Black Garnet, causing the runestone to crackle with power. Their eyes widened as the red lightning was absorbed into Shadow Weaver's body as she inhaled it like a breath of fresh air.

Izuku and Catra couldn't take their eyes off of their mother figure and sometimes tormentor as she performed her dark ritual.

"We gotta go." Adora said, causing Izuku and Catra to gasp.

But their gasp wasn't ignored or unnoticed.

Shadow Weaver turned around, holding a hand over her face to hide her scarred visage. Her yellow eyes looked at the children. But her crossed eye slits focused on Izuku and Catra. There was only one message that she was sending towards them: hatred.

Izuku, Catra and Adora turned around and ran for their lives. Their bodies were filled with fear and adrenaline as they ran away from the secret room. Their heartbeats were going so fast that they feared they would burst from their chests. Izuku, Catra and Adora didn't dare look back at the sight of Shadow Weaver's angry face.

Suddenly the three sets of footsteps became one.

Adora turned around, seeing Izuku and Catra paralyzed by black auras with red electric sparks.

"Where do you think you two are going?" Shadow Weaver snarled, picking up her mask as she forced both children to turn around like puppets on the strings of a sadistic puppeteer. "You think you two can break into my sacred room and flee without dealing with the consequences? Don't believe you two will be getting out of here scott free."

Shadow Weaver tightened her hold, zapping and choking both Izuku and Catra. She lifted them up from the floor until they were up to her eyes.

"You miserable, insolent children. You think I haven't seen you two skulking around corners and observing stuff that is none of your business. I've come to expect you two to be nothing but worthless," Shadow Weaver spat out, causing Izuku and Catra's eyes to widen in shock. "But I will not allow you two to drag Adora down to your level. There is an ancient word that suits you two: Deku. Meaning worthless. I've only kept you two around this long because Adora was fond of you. However, if either of you two ever jeopardize her future, I will dispose of you two myself!"

Izuku and Catra weren't able to look away from the vicious venomous words of Shadow Weaver. The amount of terror that they were feeling was unlike anything that they had felt before. They knew that her words were no idle threats. They looked at each other for the faintest of moments, seeing the fear in their eyes.

Izuku tried to reach Catra's hand to calm her, but the energy surrounding him kept him in place. He tried to force a smile out, but he was so terrified that he fought to keep it.

"Perhaps a demonstration should be in order," Shadow Weaver said.

However, before she could cause any more emotional and physical scars, Adora jumped between them.

"Please, Shadow Weaver, stop! It was an accident!" Adora pleaded. "It was my fault, I told them to go inside. If anyone should be punished, it should be me."

Shadow Weaver looked down at Adora before looking at Izuku and Catra once more. She smiled under her mask as she could use this for her own benefit. Dropping both Izuku and Catra to the floor, Shadow Weaver let out a pleased sigh.

"Very well, Adora. I shall spare the rod, this time." Shadow Weaver fixed Adora's hair. "Just remember that their actions have consequences. You need to be there and make sure that they don't make any mistakes."

Izuku and Catra held each other as they looked at the interaction between Adora and Shadow Weaver.

"Take them away and out of my sight." Shadow Weaver turned around as Izuku and Catra were carried out of the room.


As soon as the trio were out of the room, they were also back in the present. They wiped themselves out of their stupor.

"Just another soldier, right?" Catra asked.

"You think I wanted special treatment? I did what I had to to protect you," Adora replied.

"No one told you to take care of us like we were unable to defend ourselves." Izuku added. "Shadow Weaver had you pegged with that from day one. She's been playing on your guilt to turn you into what she wants. She doesn't care about you or anyone else. She just wants to use you for your power."

Adora was in shock at what they were saying; she didn't know what to say. Just then a series of webs clung to her, pulling her up and away from her friends.

"Adora!" Izuku and Catra shouted, jumping towards her.

The two friends ran after the spider, but another two spiders cut them off.


As her friends fought against the spiders, Adora tried to free herself from the webs. She snatched a sharp crystal from the floor. She started cutting herself free from the spider's web. Rolling to one of the other passages, she entered another room. She pressed herself against the front of the door, hiding from the spider. Waiting for the spiders to move on, Adora kept her ear to the side of the door. She let out a sigh when she heard the spider crawling away.

"I gotta find Izuku and Catra and get out of here," Adora whispered.

"I love you, Izuku~."

Adora turned around at the sound of Catra's voice. She found herself in a very recent memory. Her eyes were met with a bedroom, one far more regal and better looking than anything she had seen in the Frightzone.

"What is this place? I don't remember this," Adora whispered.

She heard strange noises coming from the bed, making her curious as to what this memory was about. She reached out, pulling the curtain to the side slowly. Her senses were all struck at the same time by what was happening before her. Adora's eyes went wide. Her ears were filled with moans and gasps of pleasure. Her nose was filled with the pheromones being released. Her skin heated up from the sight. And her mouth became filled with saliva.

Adora was being given a front row seat to Izuku and Catra's first time.

"I love you, Catra~," Izuku moaned, thrusting into her.

"More, give me more of your love, Izuku~," Catra gasped as her breasts bounced wildly.

Adora wanted to look away and run out of the room. But some strange desire to see what would happen next glued her to the spot. Her hands went down to her lower lips as she bit her lower lip. Adora hated to admit it, but after seeing Izuku and Catra at the Snow Ball, she had pleased herself deep into the night. And the sight before her was making her even more excited.

"We should've left sooner~!" Izuku moaned, sucking Catra's breasts. "I should've listened to you a long time ago."

"Yes, my love, too bad Adora was not one easily fooled~." Catra wrapped her legs around Izuku's hips. "We could've had so much fun with her. But that just means more for us. Once we learned that the Alliance was in the right, all we had to do was convince her." She giggled.

Their words knocked Adora out of her excited state. She paid attention to their words as they continued in their love making.

"Yeah, but then you convinced me that she was only gonna get in our way. Without the sword that was meant for her, she is just another woman." Izuku kissed Catra's neck.

"Together we can run wild and free like we always wanted." Catra bit Izuku's shoulder.

"You were always the chaotic one~." Izuku thrusted harder into Catra.

"And you know to love me for it~!" Catra moaned, looking at Adora dead in the eyes before smirking an evil grin. "Enjoying the show?"

Adora jumped back in shock. She ran out of the room, making sure that she left the room behind. Her mind raced as more mini-Izukus and Catras appeared before her, saying things that spoke about her. She pressed her hands onto her ears, trying to shut them up. Adora was so focused on not listening to what her friends said that she tripped. She groaned as Catra's words echoed inside her mind.

"This is a trick, it can't be real," she muttered.

"It is, Adora."

Adora looked up to see a hologram just like the one at the entrance, only this one seemed more conscious.

"You must let go, and assume your real destiny," she said.

"I-I don't understand." Adora stood up.

"Your destiny has been stolen from you, reclaim it. Bring peace to all Etheria." The hologram approached her like a ghost of some prophetic dream. "Find the sword and bring it to me and save those that are your true friends. Adora, she cannot corrupt it any further."

Adora ran around the hologram in a desperate attempt to get away from her. Her mind was a mess, and she couldn't tell what was real and what was part of this place's nightmare sequence. Pieces and bits of her past started to connect as she tried to get more distance between her and the nightmares. Adora wanted to find sense in what she had heard and what she had been told. And perhaps, a small part of her feared what Izuku and Catra were being shown as well.


Back with Izuku and Catra, they had just finished destroying the last spider. They were covered in scratches and bruises, panting like they'd been running a marathon.

"That's the last of them," Izuku said. "Why haven't you transformed into She-Ra all this time?"

"I honestly forgot. But, I don't know, something feels wrong about using the sword in this place." Catra looked at the sword before sheathing it. "Let's get Adora before she becomes some monster's food."

"This way!" Izuku picked up Catra, jumping after the spider.

They continued running at high speeds in the direction the spider took Adora. However, they were met with a room of another memory. Izuku and Catra found themselves inside their barracks in the Fright zone.

"Arg! What is it now?!" Catra asked. "What is it with this place and showing us our memories?!"

"Yeah. Why is it doing that?" Izuku asked.

"How about we figure it out after we get out of here?! … Again!" Catra snapped.

"Think about it. This place could've sent hordes of spiders to overwhelm us but instead of that, this place has us look back on our past memories. Someone has to be pulling the strings," Izuku rationalized.

"But who? Isn't this place abandoned?" Catra asked, before she picked up on the sound of someone coming towards them.

They turned to see young Adora pacing around in the barracks muttering something to herself.

"This is wrong. This is wrong. This is so wrong. Izuku must've made a mistake. Misheard something. I've… I've got to stop them before they make a terrible mistake," Adora muttered.

"Stop who, Adora?"

Adora flinched, looking back to see Shadow Weaver walking up from behind.

"Why are you here, muttering to yourself?" Shadow Weaver knelt before Adora, caressing her cheek. "Is something wrong?"

"When did this happen?" Catra asked.

"I think this is back when we left." Izuku guessed.

"I… I… I don't know. My friends. Th-They said that the Horde is evil." Adora looked away, not being able to look her in the eyes. "But that can't be right. We are supposed to bring order and prosperity to Etheria. Magic is what has been causing chaos. Right?"

Shadow Weaver caressed Adora's cheek.

"Of course, my child. We are here to save the world and tame its wild magic." Shadow Weaver smiled under her mask. "The Horde has big aspirations for you and those like you to do what is necessary. I can assure you that if you tell me who put this doubt in your mind, I can make them understand the error of their ways."

Izuku and Catra's eyes widened in fear and shock at what was being said. They looked at the young projection of Adora, pleading with the recording that it wouldn't answer.

"Adora…" Izuku muttered.

"Don't do it. Please, not you." Catra dropped to her knees.

"Adora, tell me who is the one that has confused you." Shadow Weaver lifted Adora's head, looking her dead in the eyes.

Adora tried to look away. But she couldn't. She wasn't strong enough to go against Shadow Weaver. Her eyes watered with tears.

"Izuku and Adora." Adora confessed. "They said that they were going to run away. Please, don't hurt them. They are confused. I'm sure that they'll understand if you talk to them."

Izuku and Catra could tell that Shadow Weaver was smiling behind her mask.

"Don't worry, Adora. You just leave everything to me." Shadow Weaver stood back up.

The room went black, leaving Izuku and Catra alone and shell shocked from what they had just seen.


Adora bursted into the room, panting like crazy. But neither Izuku nor Catra reacted to her arrival.

"Izuku, Catra, we have to leave immediately!" Adora shook her friends but neither reacted. "What's wrong? Are you hurt?"

Catra silently got back up to her feet.

"Did you believe her?" Catra asked.

"What? What are you talking about?" Adora asked.

"Did you believe what she told you? What that bitch promised you." Catra tightened her hand.

Adora turned to her friend, noting the serious tone of her voice.

"Answer me, Adora." Catra snarled.

"No. Of course not-" Adora replied, earning a punch to the face from Catra.

"Catra!" Izuku snapped out of his stupor, getting between her and Adora.

"How could you?! You were our friend! You were one of us and you sold us out!" Catra snapped, with tears in her eyes.

Adora didn't know what was happening. She could only imagine that what the hologram was saying was true. The sword was poisoning and corrupting her friend. She spat out the blood that she tasted in her mouth as she looked at both Izuku and Adora. Her mind started to make connections about how much magic was unbalanced and what it had done to her friends.

"Catra, please, calm down." Izuku begged, holding Catra in a hug. "It's this place, it wants us against each other. Please, I'm begging you."

Catra buried her face into Izuku's chest, letting out all the betrayal she felt. Her eyes turned into water works as she clung to him as her rock.

Adora saw her chance, snatching the sword from Catra.

"It's over, Catra!" Adora held the sword in her hands.

"Adora, what are you doing?!" Izuku snapped.

"Give me back my sword!" Catra roared in rage.

"No! This thing has been doing something to you. I'm not letting you or anyone near it again!" Adora lifted the sword over her head.

However, as soon as Adora lifted the Sword of Protection, it started to shine.

Everyone looked at the sword as markings spread through Adora's arms.

"Adora!" Izuku and Catra reached for their friend only to be pushed back by a powerful energy wave.

The illusion and light of the room turned off, revealing the real room around them.

Adora was consumed by the light, evelopping her like a cocoon.

"At last, the true She-Ra has returned." The hologram appeared.

"What the hell are you talking about? What are you?!" Catra snapped.

"You're the one that's been doing this, aren't you?!" Izuku channeled One For All through his body.

"My name is Light Hope. I was created by the First Ones as a contingency to preserve and protect their empire should they fall. I was also meant to be She-Ra's handler." Light Hope approached the transforming Adora. "She is the weapon that helped spread the empire through Etheria. But due to a foolish rebellion by the last She-Ra, all was lost and left in ruins. But I will bring us back to our full glory as the sword is finally right in the hands of one of its own."

Izuku and Catra looked at each other in shock as the transformation finished.

Adora now stood as the She-Ra of all the murals, with a white dress, a red cape and a long mane of golden hair.

"What are you saying?" Catra asked.

"Adora, as you call her, is a First One. Perhaps one of their last descendants." Light Hope turned as Adora walked next to her. "As are you, Izuku."

Izuku was taken aback by those words. He didn't know how to reply to the words of the hologram.

Catra however, got between him and them.

"So what? It doesn't change who Izuku is." Catra showed off her claws. "I don't care what your plan is, but we're taking Adora and my sword back."

"You are mistaken. You are not the owner of the Sword of Protection. You are not She-Ra. You were nothing more than a placeholder until the true She-Ra could take her place. As for Izuku, he has a duty to his people." Light Hope turned to Izuku. "You and Adora are the Adam and Eve of the new First Ones. We shall begin by balancing the planet and stomping all opposition."

"That's not happening!" Izuku jumped past Catra, reeling back his fist. "We're taking our friend and we'll leave this place together!"

"So emotional," Light Hope said.

Izuku let out his punch only to be caught by Adora's hand like it was nothing. He was then sent back against the wall with a punch to the face.

"Izuku!" Catra charged at Adora, kicking her in the face before going in for a follow-up punch.

Catra winced in pain at the feeling of punching steel. She rolled out of the way of the sword, dodging the attack by scant inches. She jumped back to her feet as Izuku got back up. She swiped at Adora, hoping to wake her up. But her attacks were blocked by the golden bracelets on her wrists. She then grabbed hold of Adora's wrist, jumping on her back before putting her in a headlock.

"Adora, snap out of it!" Catra held her back.

Izuku joined in, landing a blow on Adora's stomach with One For All. Ducking under the sword, he tried to restrain her. He was doing everything in his power to not hurt Adora but he also found it hard given her new strength.

"Adora, please! We're your friends!" Izuku pleaded.

The light from Adora's eyes briefly dimmed out, letting her blue eyes through. Only for Adora to shake it off, headbutting Catra in the face and freeing herself. She grabbed Izuku's arm before using him as a blunt instrument to smack Catra away.

Izuku and Catra crashed against the wall once more as Adora walked towards them with the sword drawn.

"Do not resist, Izuku. You must fulfill your destiny." Light Hope appeared. "You and Adora will bring about an end to all these wild and unpredictable lesser beings. It is your duty to return the First Ones to glory and ensure their reign once more."

"You mean, bring back an empire that ruled and enslaved others as you put it? I don't think so." Izuku got back up. "You turned Adora into a puppet. I won't let you hurt or manipulate anyone else!"

"Then you must be made to see things from our way." Light Hope turned to Adora. "You know what to do."

Adora lifted the sword, aiming it at Izuku as bright light focused on the tip. But just before she could fire, a loud jungle cat roar caught her by surprise.

Meelog appeared from behind Adora, dropping her to the ground. The transformed cat bit down on Adora's leg, tossing her away. She let out a loud roar as her mane and eyes turned red in rage.

"Meelog!" Catra ran to her cat's side. "I missed you so much!"

Meelog licked Catra's face before moving on to Izuku's face.

"I missed you too, Meelog." Izuku chuckled.

Adora got back up, causing Meelog to snarl at her. And she wasn't alone. Adora was soon joined by many spiders and Light Hope herself.

"We need to leave." Izuku said.

Izuku placed Catra on top of Meelog much to her displeasure.

"Hey, get on!" Catra said.

"I'll make an opening for you!" Izuku was coated in a green aura. "Follow behind me!"

"Stop!" Light Hope commanded.

Izuku rushed forward, punching and kicking each spider as they jumped at them. Using One For All, he destroyed the spiders, making a pathway for Catra and Meelog to run through and away from any other danger. Fueled by anger at Light Hope and Shadow Weaver for what they had done to them, he became blinded with determination. When the last spider was nothing but broken bits, Izuku found himself face-to-face with the mind controlled Adora. He caught her in a stand still, giving Meelog the chance to get away with Catra.

"Izuku come with us!" Catra called out, reaching out for her friend and lover.

However, before Izuku could join her, Adora's sword blasted him in the chest. Izuku screamed in pain as his body began to transform by the Sword of Protection's power. His body grew in size and muscles, ripping apart his clothes and making new armored ones around him. His hair grew long and savage like that of a barbarian. His eyes turned bright green, glowing with raw power coming out of them.

The light subsided, revealing the new Izuku, standing a head taller than Adora in her new She-Ra form. He now wore armored black pants with iron-protected shins and belt, a double strapped harness on his chest with the symbol of She-Ra on it, and a pair of golden armored gauntlets with spikes. Izuku let out a savage roar of power, sending vibrations through the entire Beacon.

"Izuku! No!" Catra cried out as Meelog used her magic to disappear from sight.

Light Hope approached the newly transformed Izuku as he grunted in her presence.

"Interesting. It would seem you've gained more power than expected." Light Hope was then split in two by Izuku's fist shattering the floor. "Savage, but useful. Your new appearance resembles that of an ancient folklore hero of the First Ones known as He-Man. While She-Ra expanded the First Ones Empire, He-Man started it. Now it will begin again, starting with the Moonstone, Brightmoon, their forces and all that stand between us."