Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Okay, so this is my first story on this site and I’m still trying to figure out how it works so bare with me. In order for me to get a gathering of how chapters work and adding chapters to fics work I’m making this authors note be the first chapter of this fic. I might delete this chapter later on (if I can, I have no idea) but we’ll see. Anyway, I binged all of She-ra in a couple days cuz I was so hopelessly hooked and once I was done I was craving more. So, I hunted down fanfictions. I can’t tell you how many I read, but it seems I’m running out of good ones that tickle my fancy. So, I’m taking matters into my own hands. I don’t know where this story will go nor do I know how well I’ll be able to motivate myself to keep it going. Honestly, it depends on if it gets any kind of grasp here on Archive. Obviously, people won’t read it right away so I’m going to try to force myself at least a handful of chapters on my own will, but whether or not it goes further than that depends on if people read it and if those people reading it like it. I think it’s important to note that Catra is my favorite character. Hands down. So, it’s going to be a Catra main character fic more or less. We’ll see what it transforms into. Anyway, I think that’s enough talking for now, I have to go write an actual chapter lol. See y’all on the flip side.

Chapter Text

Bringing magic back to the universe? That was a bit ambitious considering everything that had just happened. Catra didn’t know if she was excited or entirely terrified.

The sounds of Adora talking to her friends beside her turned into a dull buzz in the back of her head as she contemplated her next move.

What was Catra going to do now?

Where was Catra going to go?

She was suddenly very aware that she was surrounded by her formal enemies. Catra wanted no ill will towards them, she was tired of fighting, but did they feel the same? She suspected the only ally she had within the next mile or so was Scorpia, and she knew she screwed that up real badly.

There was a sudden chirp in her head as a voice spoke up. “ Am I not an ally? ”

Spooked, fur standing up, Catra jumped into a sitting position. She immediately calmed down when her gaze was met by Melog.

Catra sighed, letting them rub their forehead against her outstretched palm. “Hi, buddy. Yes, you are. Don’t worry.”

Bow sat up next, his face as if he was seeing Melog for the first time. “I don’t think I’ll get used to that.”

“What?” Catra’s ears flattened back. She expected him to say something along the lines of “ You being here” but he didn’t get the chance.

“Only hearing half the conversation between you and Melog.” Glimmer replied, sitting up.

“ I am sure they’ll get used to it. ” Melog groaned. “ Statistically, it is not probable for it to remain an issue for very long. ”

Catra felt a little light as she sighed, her body deflating a little bit of stress. She shook her head and laughed to herself.

“What did they say?” Adora asked, joining them in a sitting position of her own.

“They said you’ll get used to it.” Catra said, accompanied by an approving meow from Melog. They shrunk to the size of a simple house cat and layer across Catra’s lap, a small purr igniting in their chest.

Catra’s ears perked up at the feeling up Adora’s hand on the small of her back. She looked at her, met by the dumb, dopey grin of hers and warmth blossoms in Catra’s chest. Glimmer and Bow’s smiles as well bring some kind of happiness she was expecting.

Maybe I have more allies than I thought, she thinks.

Their attention was suddenly brought to the rise of coming footsteps. The group turned to meet three Salineas soldiers and one Brightmoon guard. They eyed at Catra for a moment before turning their attention to Glimmer.

“Your Majesty,” the guard said. “We’re rounding up all current or previous enemy personnel for processing and questioning.”

“Okay?” Glimmer stood. “So the clones. Under who’s orders?”

“Princess Mermista.” One of the Salineas soldiers answered. “Our forces as well as the forces of The Kingdom of Snow are bringing them to a few tents in the clearing down the hill.”

“Are you holding them prisoner?” Bow asked, standing. Adora and Catra also stood.

“Princess Perfuma insisted not to use that term, but..” the Brightmoon guard tensed. “Per Princess Mermista’s orders, yes. As of now, every personnel of the other side of the war is being held for processing.”

“That’s not right.” Adora straightened. “The clones weren’t following orders, they were forced by their slaved minds. They need counseling not questioning.”

“Their loyalties may still lie with Prime. It’s in our best interests to at least see what they have to say.”

Glimmer sighed by nodded. “Fine. But do not treat them unfairly. They all deserve a second chance. A second life.”

One of the Salineas soldiers scowled before pointing at Catra. “ All enemy personnel. That includes her.”

Catra’s ears folded back, flicking lightly at the loud distress from Adora and the others.

“She’s not an enemy!” Adora exclaimed. “We wouldn’t have won without her! None of us would be alive without her! ”

“Adora..”

“She’s been on our side for the past week, helping us rescue our friends and save Etheria! The other princesses know this!”

“Adora, please..”

“It’s Princess Mermista’s orders. She specifically requested the Horde Commander be taken in for questioning.”

“She’s not with the Horde anymore!” Adora roared.

“ Adora !” Catra cried. Melog paced by her side, their usual size again. Their mane flickered nervously as they stared down the Salineas soldiers, as if daring them to make an unwarranted move.

The anger in Adora’s expression dissipated almost immediately when she looked to her. “It’s okay.” She said. “I deserve this. I’ll go willingly.”

The three others and Melog both looked at her shocked. They watched as she let the soldier bind her wrists.

“Catra, no.” Adora pleaded. “This is wrong.”

She shook her head in disagreement. “No. It’s not.”

Glimmer stepped forward, glaring daggers into the Salineas soldiers. The Brightmoon guard, Glimmers guard , looked away nervously. “You may take her with the others, I will have a word with your ruler.”

The soldiers began to take her but stopped as Melog followed. Their mane a deep purple. “That will not follow.” A soldier.

“ They,” Catra angrily corrected. “Will go where they please.”

“We will have to subdue it if it does not reframe from following us.”

“What’s wrong with Melog accompanying her for now?” Bow said, a hint of annoyance and anger surprisingly laced in his tone.

Catra’s ears flatted when a flicker of red sprouted from Melog’s mane. She didn’t know if it was her anger or Melog’s but she couldn’t let them make a scene.

“It’s okay.” She told them. “You stay here with Adora. I’ll be fine.”

“I do not trust them.” They growled. “I will come with you to be sure you are safe.”

She shook her head. “Look at you. You’re pacing. You need to stay here or you’ll get yourself hurt.”

“No. I will hurt them, not the other way around. Only if they do something I do not agree with.”

“You don’t agree with this, Melog.” Catra sighed. She was acutely aware of everyone paying close attention to the conversation. Or, as Glimmer put it, half the conversation.

“I do not. I want to hurt them very badly.” To prove their point they do not attempt to hide the change of color in their mane. A bright red flares to life like fire, they barely manage to choke back a roar.

“See.” Catra shook her head. “Exactly my point. Stay.”

Melog’s expression suddenly changed. Either because they’d realized they’d lost the argument or because they reflected Catra’s unnerving calm demeanor. She wasn’t sure which.

Melog’s mane turned back to their nervous purple at sat down. “I will stay with Adora.” They said. Catra wondered if that was also a reflection of her feelings. Her want to stay with Adora herself.

The three friends watched as Catra was escorted away. Adora was both proud and angry with her. They’d said nothing about their feelings since their last kiss, didn’t have time, but it felt like she’d just willingly left her. After everything? The selfish part of her was furious and wanted to punch her square in the face for leading her on just to do this, but the reasonable, and arguably the correct , side of her knew her anger was misplaced.

“Come on.” She said. “We need to talk to Mermista.”

-

Down the hill was a surprising scene of disarray. Tents were set up every which way, some small and some massive, but it was the people running around that cause Catra’s ears to ache. What surprised her the most was the gathering of the clones. She realized her “escort” was only as formal as it was because she was accompanied by Queen Glimmer, She-Ra, and the Royal Archer, or whatever they call him.

Everyone else wasn’t so lucky. Salineas and Kingdom of Snow soldiers were rounding up clones and ex-Horde soldiers like they were cattle. Pushing and shoving them, threatening them into submission. Entrapta suddenly caught Catra’s attention.

She was surrounded by soldiers all holding her to her place as she shouted, roared with anger. An emotion Catra didn’t know she was capable of. On the ends of her ponytails, being pulled away from her, was Hordak and Wrong-Hordak.

Wrong-Hordak was obviously both confused and frightened asking “Why, brothers? Why am I being detained?”

Hordak, on the other hand, knew exactly why he was being detained. He knew just as well as Catra did, and excepted it all the same as well. “Entrapta, let go!” He shouted back at the Princess. The grip her hair had on his and Wrong-Hordaks wastes didn’t budge. “Let go!” He called again. “Before they treat you as an enemy as well, you must let go!”

“Wildcat!” A voice called.

Catra spun around to find Scorpia chasing after her. “Scorpia?” She exclaimed, trying and very closely failing to conceal a tear from coming.

Scorpia was stopped by a couple Salineas soldiers. “What’s happening?” She called. “Why are you being arrested?”

Before Catra could respond the Salineas soldier behind her shoved her hard, almost making her fall over. Taking the message, she carried on without another word. She could still hear Scorpia call out to her and protest with the guards around her. “Do not hurt her!” She shouted, angrily.

Why? She wondered. After everything I’ve done, she’s still trying to protect me… I don’t deserve that.

By the time she got to the largest tent, structurally supported with large columns of ice, she could still hear everything around her. Her sensitive ears didn’t let her block out the sounds of her friends.

Scorpia, still arguing angrily with a few soldiers. Perfuma beside her trying to calm her down as well as understand what the soldiers are telling her. “Why are you being so rough?” Was just one thing asked.

Hordak apologizing before ripping Entrapta’s hair from himself. Wrong-Hordak crying in fear of what awaited them. He didn’t understand what was happening or why. Entrapta pushing and pulling at the soldiers around her, choking back a sob as well when her grip on Wrong-Hordak finally slipped and her two clone friends were taken from her.

She could hear Glimmer shouting and questioning soldiers around her. She’d gathered a few of her own men and Catra feared a fight would break out. That was the last thing she wanted. We’d just beat the bad guys, right? Why fight each other.

I am the bad guy.

In the back of it all was Bows voice. He was quietly consoling Adora.

In the front of it all was the bristling sound of chaos on the tent in front of her. The uproar of raging clones, shouting their loyalty to Horde Prime, as they were subdued or even beaten. The angry grunts and huffs of more tame clones. Catra didn’t know if where their loyalties stood, but they were smart enough not to make a scene over it. Her heart felt heavy as she found herself unable to block out the muffled cries of clones who were more scared and confused than anything else.

Suddenly, one sound blocked out the rest.

Mermista’s angry groan.

Chapter Text

     Catra was met with a scowl as Mermista emerged from the other side of the tent opening. Just a glimpse into the rushing chaos of white and green on the other side was all Catra could get of the inside. Mermista, unchipped and her mind free of control, was no less intimidating than when she was.

     Ears flat and tail limp, Catra couldn’t even force herself to look the princess in the eyes. Instead, she stared at the ground.

     Stupid, she thought, when did I get so weak. Can’t even look a dumb princess in the eyes.

     More Salineas soldiers came out of the large tent and stood to Mermista’s sides. To Catra, it felt like her fate was sealed. She’d be chained up and locked away. Probably in the deepest pit on Etheria with no one around, save for maybe Hordak. Not that either of them would last long, Catra suspected a very short fuse before they tried to kill each other given the chance.

     “Mermista!” A voice called.

     Catra’s eyes shot up and turned to find Adora marching her way over, Melog in tow.

     “Adora, please,” Catra begged. “Don’t cause a scene.”

     Mermista rolled her eyes, but gave her attention to Adora nonetheless. She didn’t say anything yet, and to Catra, that wasn’t a good sign. From her experience, all of the princesses were pretty talkative. What’s got the mermaid’s tongue in a knot?

     “You can’t take her into custody.” Adora said flatly. Melog brushed against Catra’s thigh, ignoring the shooing of one of the soldiers. “She’s been nothing but loyal to us and helpful to the cause. She was vital to the Rebellions victory!”

     She shouldn’t be here, Catra thought, though she was caught off guard by the change of tone of her other inner voice. Why would she come to the defense of something like you? The voice wasn’t Catra’s..

     Catra caught sight of everyone else she didn’t want involved rushing over to get involved. Glimmer, Bow, and Scorpia. She desperately shook her head and bound hands trying to tell them not to come. Scorpia’s determined glare said nothing but “ I’m coming over and helping whether you like it or not.” It nearly broke her heart.

     Why would even she help you?

     What?

     You threatened her. Pushed her away.

     Stop. I apologized.

     Then why don’t you feel better? Because you know what you’ve done should never be forgiven. You treated her like she was nothing more than a constant pinch in your side. A nuisance.

     Catra shook her head, suddenly feeling dizzy. The voice in her head wasn’t her own. But- Who- Why?

     You belong in a cage, animal.

     Oh..

     Shadow Weaver.

     “Catra has done some bad things,” Adora stated, breaking Catra from her mind. “but we were at war. She did what she thought was best, just as we did. We cannot treat her like the enemy. The war is over!”

     “Why’re you defending her?” Mermista finally spoke.

     “What?” Adora said, looking over at Bow and Glimmer when they found her sides.

     “She’s your friend.” Mermista continued. “More than that even. I will not let your personal feelings hinder the justice I seek to serve.”

     “No!” Adora exclaimed. “That’s not the only reason! I don’t love every horde soldier, or Prime’s clones, but they were all following orders! You cannot hold prisoners of war after the war! That’s wrong!”

     “They did so much to us!” Mermista roared, her fist clenched at her side. “Salineas, my home, is on the brink of complete collapse because of the Horde! Because of her!”

     Catra winced. Her ears were so low she was surprised she could still hear with such clarity, and her tail nervously wrapped around her own leg. She hadn’t done that since-…

     Since I gave you what you deserved. The witch spoke again.

     “And not just Salineas!” Mermista continued. “So many other villages and towns either occupied or burned to the ground because of them! Orders or not they killed people, Adora!”

     “And we didn’t?” Adora challenged. “We killed just as many as they did. I killed people. Mermista, I know you did too. We all did, one way or another. The war is over, please, let us just walk away from it..”

     “Like it never happened?! I lost my father! Glimmer and Perfuma lost their mothers! King Micah was thought to have been lost-“

     Honestly, everything drowned out for a moment. Catra decided to ignore Mermista and Adora’s back and forth. She watched Bow and Glimmer give each other glances, as well as spare a few towards Adora. Catra wondered, for a moment, why they weren’t saying anything. Glimmer had seemed pretty upset earlier. Then, it dawned on Catra as to why they kept quiet.

     If they said anything, they’d be defending Catra, and why on Etheria would they do that? Even with how upset Glimmer had been earlier, the Queen and likely Catra’s greatest ally on this matter, probably thought otherwise about Catra joining the team. If this was her chance to get rid of her Catra couldn’t blame her for jumping at it. She suspected Glimmer didn’t outright turn against her in the argument because she didn’t want to upset Adora.

     To be fair, Catra acknowledged that she didn’t actually know what the duo were thinking. She could, however, tell they were in sync. It reminded her of what she and Adora once had. The ability to say so much in just a glance, the other understanding without a hiccup. Did they still have that? They’d done almost nothing but bicker and fight since Catra joined the Rebellion, and now maybe she’d never get the chance to find out if they still had that kind of connection.

     She couldn’t bring herself to stop the fighting. She wanted to but she didn’t think she was worth this much. Maybe Catra just liked hearing Adora fight for her. Although, Adora was fighting for the other Horde soldiers as well. Catra could get behind that, full swing. She didn’t want the Horde soldiers to be arrested and imprisoned. Especially not for following orders she gave them.

     Scorpia’s voice was suddenly the topic of Catra’s attention. “Mermista…” she said, quietly. “What of Entrapta and I?”

     To that, Mermista didn’t say anything. Her eyes widened for a moment before she caught herself and looked away. “What about you?” She grunted.

     “We were in the Horde too. ‘Trapta and I, we are equally as guilty. She built machines against the Rebellion, I was a Force Captain and Catra’s right hand until..” Until she left you. Like we all do. Scorpia sighed and shook her head. “I was half the leading command. Why’s she guilty and we’re not? Why do you welcome us in open arms?”

     Mermista was at a loss of words. She sputtered and quit, then tried again a few more times. “You’re-.. because you’re-“

     “Because we’re princesses?” Scorpia finished, sad eyes and a disappointing frown on her face. Catra had been on the other end of that look before. Remembering it now made her shiver. Made her cold.

     “What? No, it’s because-“

     “Because Entrapta helped to save Glimmer? Because I had helped you before? Last I heard, Glimmer wouldn’t be back if it weren’t for Catra. Last I heard, none of us, even this planet, would be alive if it weren’t for Catra..”

     Catra, and everyone else, stared at the tall Scorpioni. No one said anything. Catra’s heart ached so bad she wanted to clench her chest. She hadn’t realized she started to breath so hard until after Adora connected eyes with her, brows furrowing with concern.

     “Catra?” She started. Before she could say more, or Catra could respond, it was as if something snapped in Mermista and she roared with anger and disbelief.

     It’s all your fault. Shadow Weaver spoke again. It was you who ordered those raids. The conquering of Salineas. Take the fall for the others. Be the scapegoat, like the good little animal you are.

     A tight sting in Catra’s skull invoked a small whimper as she grimaced. Taking a quick glance she concluded no one noticed. They’re far to enthralled with the Princess’ argument. In fact, more and more people started to gather. Micah was rushing forwards, the look on his face looking as if he means to stop it all together.

     Catra contemplated what the voice said. It scared her that she didn’t disagree with what she’d said. Perhaps the witch was onto something. If Catra gave herself willingly to Mermista maybe she could convince her to let the others go. Have a trial to see who was still loyal to the Horde’s cause and to imprison those with questionable intentions, but let the others live a life they were never offered before.

     “Why are you so insistent on forgetting everything she and the Horde did to us?!” She reeled on Scorpia. “Oh, I know, because you were on the other side. You did help ruin us over and over again. Arrest them as well!” She cried. Another uproar spouted in disbelief and chaos bled through it all over again.

     With an angry twirl of Glimmers wrist Brightmoon guards and soldiers immediately pointed their spears at the Salineas soldiers who stepped forward to follow their Princess’ orders. Scorpia holding an arm protectively in front of Entrapta who’d joined the crowd moments before. Scorpia’s face was distorted with the different emotions fighting for dominance. Fear, disappointment, sadness, even anger.

     Catra felt a pinch of sympathy. Not for Scorpia, but for Mermista. She’d be making a mistake putting Scorpia and Entrapta in a hole. The two of them are assets and friends Catra took for granted way to hard. They shouldn’t make the same mistake, they’d be missing out.

     “Mermista, I will not allow you to arrest them.” Glimmer said. “They’re our allies and have earned their place here. As did Catra.”

     “Oh, I’m sure they earned their places in the Horde too.” Mermista countered. “Must I remind you what Catra did to rise to second in command of the Horde army !?”

     “ENOUGH!” Catra roared. Her ears fell back the moment every pair of eyes was on her again.

     “P-please,” She said. Adora’s eyes widened, staring at her. They were brimmed red, on the verge of tears. Mermista quieted her rant, her eyes red as well, though Catra couldn’t tell if from tears or rage. The soldiers surrounding the party stopped as well, the rising odds of a fight breaking out freezing for the time being. “If you wouldn’t mind, your Highness, I’d like to make a proposal.”

     Melog shot a look at her, their mane becoming a desperate maroon. Not anger, or anxiety, but a mix between the too. Catra took a deep breath, and let it out slowly, Melog watching the rise and fall of her chest. The color of their mane changed to their neutral color blue.

     “You are terribly calm, Catra..” They said. “ That worries me.”

     Catra cocked her head to the side and sighed. She watched with endearment at the magical creature she some how bonded with. Maybe they’d let Melog come with me , she thought. Then, her expression became grim. No… that’s stupid. They deserve to be free. I won’t let them rot in a hole with me. Finally, she looked to Mermista. She bore straight into her eyes like she was so scared to do before.

     Catra felt good all of a sudden. She felt a surge of that confidence she had spent her whole childhood building around her rise again. She couldn’t help but comfort herself with that sly grin Catra learned to hide behind.

     “If it’s someone to blame you want than I am all you need.”

     “Catra, what-“ Adora started but Catra continued, letting Adora’s objection drown into the background.

     “I ordered all those attacks. The raids, the pillaging. The marches and claiming of territory. Salineas. Those were all me. Not even Hordak was responsible. He just strode behind my plans. My orders. 97% of all Horde personnel were born and raised in the Fright Zone or other Horde settlements across Etheria. The other 3%, well…” Catra sighed, her ear flicking. “They were like me. Abandoned by their parents and taken by the Horde. Nobody was given a real chance at life. A real option. They only knew what they were taught. Adora… and Scorpia were the only defectors the Horde ever had in the past 23 years. I’ve seen the records.”

     The crowd was quiet. Micah had arrived moments ago but decided not to engage in the conversation. Instead, he listened to what the feline had to say. Even the horse with wings didn’t speak. Since Catra was with the Rebellion she didn’t know it for being able to be quiet.

     “I don’t care what you do with Hordak, or the clones, but leave the Horde soldiers out of this. They deserve a proper trial. A proper chance. Please.. give them the ability to live a life they were hidden from.”

     With her ears down low, she bowed to mimic their posture. “If it means they are treated fairly, I will gladly take the fall of your anger, the Rebellions anger, and be the scapegoat.”

Chapter Text

     With the war with both the Etherian Horde and the real Horde over, there was a lot still to be done. Politics to be mushed over. Things were moving quickly. To quickly for Adora’s liking but, to be fair, the rush of things were the least of her distastes from the last couple of days. Plus it was almost enough to distract her. Almost.
    She sat crisscrossed on the top of a carriage, her elbow on her knee and chin in her palm. Melog laid at her back, their long birth curling around her. They were quiet, brushing against Adora lovingly, though they lacked the purr that normally accompanied the alien feline. In its place, Melog whined and whimpered quietly to themself. The two of them bounced with the cart as horses pulled it along the bumpy dirt roads. Glimmer and Bow sat at the front manning the steeds, whispering to one another.

     Surrounding them there were hundreds more carriages and skiffs, and even more people marching along side them, the parade stretched across the roads so far Adora couldn’t see the start in front or the end behind her. Half of the long and thick line of people was the collective body of the Alliance. Soldiers and knights. Sailors and the navy, separated from their ships. Servants and volunteers. The princesses too of course.
     Some have trickled off already, heading home. Back to their villages or kingdoms. Although, since all the princesses and leaders were headed back to Brightmoon for some much needed political discourse, the bulk of their armies were still in the parade. There wasn’t any hope of the group disbanding or diminishing until after the princesses headed home to their respective territories and kingdoms.
     Of course, then there was the other half of the parade who wasn’t the Alliance. Prisoners of war. The Etherian Horde was scattered across Etheria since the Alliance had to immediately respond to Horde Prime’s forces when they’d defeated them first, but there was still a few hundred under the Alliance’s thumbs. Most were held in carriages, though some were forced to march. All handcuffed.
     In the middle of the parade was an ocean of white and green. The Prime clones handcuffed and chained to each other, marching along in a fine line. These were the docile ones. The clones who’d created riots and uprisings were either killed in the process of restraining them “by accident” or were locked up in carriages. The ones forced to march with heavy restrains bound to them were ridden with despair. Most haven’t stopped crying since they’d left. Without Horde Prime, the backbone of their hive mind, many of them were scared. The sudden change of their everyday mental lives messed them up in ways no one in the Alliance had expected or understood.
     A part of Adora regretted killing Prime, for their sakes, but the feeling never lasted long.
     Wrong-Hordak was solid proof that the clones were people just like everyone else, but shackled to a will that wasn’t theirs. Now, they’re in shackles again. Suffering for the crimes of a dictator. A tyrant. At least, for now. Adora was committed to saving their lives from the rest of the Alliance.
     Then, there were the “special” cases. Catra and Hordak.
     The latter was in the carriage in front of Adora and her friends. He was chained tight, since his kind are much stronger than your average Joe, and kept under constant watch of four guards sharing the room with him. Even chained he was still shackled at his wrists and his ankles. A lot of effort was put into making sure he wasn’t a threat. Although, he never resisted and never argued. He even seemed far to eager to suffer any punishments the Alliance were to have for him. Even with all the hate Adora had for the warlord, it didn’t sit right with her.
     The sinking feeling in her gut for Hordak was nothing in comparison for the rage for what they did to her feline friend. 
     Catra was in the carriage in front of Hordak’s, two away from Adora. She could see the roof of the damn thing from where she sat. This was the closest Glimmer could manage to get without being stopped by the surrounding guards of the carriages. Despite being queen, there were limits to what she could and couldn’t do. For example, play favorites for a prisoner with hundreds of soldiers from other kingdoms around.
     Inside the carriage, Catra’s wrists and ankles were bound. While Hordak was chained and shackled like a normal prisoner, it seemed like Catra was specifically bound in a way to undermine her. They’d even shoved her hands into metal cylinders and forced her into metal boots to stop her from using her claws. Even her tail was strapped to her back by a belt and a few pieces of cloth. Then they’d muzzled her. They fucking muzzled her. 
     Adora gritted her teeth in anger any time she thought about it. Which was the whole time since they’d left. Her jaw was starting to hurt but it took everything in her power not to freak out. Not to turn into She-ra, break Catra out, and take on a whole fucking army for treating her this way. It infuriated her. Catra wasn’t just being treated unfairly as a war criminal for a war that has ended, but she was being treated like a wild animal. Catra willingly turned herself in and they have the audacity to do this.
    A part of Adora was also mad at Catra for that. It was such a selfish feeling. She knew Catra just wanted it all to stop, so she offered herself as the scapegoat. Everything would be thrown behind them so long as Catra got all the punishment. Closure for Princesses who were more deeply hurt than others. Adora couldn’t stop the memory replaying in her eyes.
     The memory of Catra being taken away. She’d put up a good confident front, but the flicks and twitches of her tail and ears told Adora more than what she’d already guessed. After years of knowing her, Adora could read Catra’s cat-like mannerisms like a spreadsheet. She was scared.
     And alone, surrounded by soldiers who probably hated her.
     Adora speculated that’s why the guards of both prisoner carriages were of Brightmoon. They were under extremely strict orders by Glimmer and her dad not to harm them or let them be harmed. Frosta and Mermista, particularly Mermista, weren’t to be trusted near them. In turn, their soldiers weren’t allowed around them, let alone to man the carriages.
     Scorpia and Entrapta were also forced to stay away. 
     No one expected Scorpia to do anything, but she’d shown where her opinions stand about the matter. Many didn’t want her near Catra, in fear of her making a rash move, so she was kept away.
     Entrapta was the bigger issue. For the reasons she didn’t understand the Alliances choices, and that her own data completely contradicted their choices, she blatantly threatened to break out Catra, Hordak, and Wrong-Hordak if they didn’t let them go. Adora couldn’t tell if Entrapta didn’t understand the shit that would put her in or if she didn’t care. A part of her respected the smaller princess for that. Entrapta wasn’t scared of being treated like the enemy if she believed what she was doing was right. She was the enemy once before, what about being one again be any different to her?
     The only way the Alliance was able to calm her down was to allow her to accompany Wrong-Hordak. Scorpia had been a huge help as well, with calming the princess, that is. She accompanied the Horde clone as well.
     By the time the parade was nearing Brightmoon, the large group was starting to disperse. Volunteers were going home, soldiers from other kingdoms went out in search of places to stay, and most of the soldiers were taking the prisoners to Factive Field.
     The large grass plane was used for many different purposes. The most common two were training grounds for Brightmoon soldiers and as a normal park for civilians. It had few large trees to shade the park’s audiences and a small playground in the corner closest to the kingdom. Surrounding the far corners was a fence, blockading the park from the whispering woods. The outskirts of it anyway, none of the bigger beasts of the woods ever came this close to Brightmoon. Glimmer had said it was the kingdoms magic or something.
     Since Brightmoon didn’t have a prison, or holding cells of any kind, it was decided to set up tents and house the prisoners in the field. There just weren’t enough spare rooms on the castle to keep them all there. It had been suggested, by Adora, to take Catra (and Hordak) to the castle but it was immediately shut down by Mermista, Frosta, and even Nettossa.
     Nettossa’s involvement in the argument of keeping Catra out of the castle was what really convinced Adora of how little a chance there was of winning everyone over. At one point, Adora thought Nettossa had grown used to Catra. She didn’t like her, but Catra did help save Spinnarella and she’d thought it had sealed the deal for Nettossa. Clearly, if hadn’t. Adora realized that no one was actually taking Adora’s side. No one but Scorpia, Entrapta , and Bow. They were the only ones who seemed to agree that treating all of the clones and ex-Horde soldiers like prisoners was wrong. Even Glimmer seemed to be on the iffy side. Adora suspected she only put up the fight she did because she’s Adora’s friend.
     Scorpia was especially fighting for their releases. As princess of the Fright Zone she was determined to house the used-to-be-Horde. She didn’t expect anywhere else to openly accept them, at least not right away. In regaining her birthright to rule over the lands of the Fright Zone she could give the Horde soldiers a second chance at life. A normal life, and one without the fear of others taking their rage of war out on them. Scorpia wasn’t able to gain much ground on that before they’d set out. Micah insured her that it would be discussed in Brightmoon.
    Adora watched Catra’s carriage veer off, leading the other prisoners and soldiers to the Field. Melog was standing, staring out. Their gaze followed Catra’s carriage til it was out of sight, washed away in the wave of skiffs and other carriages. Their mane was a dark swirling purple. Adora started to recognize that shade as their anxiety or nervousness. Though, still, she didn’t know if it was Melogs or Catras. The occasional flickers of red was definitely Melogs, Adora understood their anger.
     “It’ll be alright, Adora.” Bow said from the front of the carriage. “We’re the good guys, remember? Mermista and the others will see reason.”
     “And if they don’t?” 
     “They will.” Bow looked up at her with a smile, but it seemed forced. Adora could tell he was uncertain himself, but put on a brave face for Adora. After all, he wouldn’t be the one losing a best friend. Or even a lover.
     Stars, Adora groaned into her palm, trying to let her frustration keep her from breaking down and crying. They didn’t even have time to discuss what they were. They kissed, that makes them lovers right? There was not a sliver of doubt in Adora’s mind that she loved Catra. The first time they kissed, with the Heart of Etheria about to destroy their world buzzing above them, and it was like it didn’t even matter. All she knew was that Catra, her best friend for almost her whole life, was there. With her. Hers. For that one moment and she couldn’t bare not having any more. So… she pulled it together and saved the goddamn universe.
     And this is what she gets for doing so. This is what Catra gets for helping Adora get her shit together. If it wasn’t for her they’d likely all be dead. Damn these dumb officials. 
     Their carriage was one of many to finally stop in the courtyard of the castle. The princesses and their entourages spilled from their vehicles, quickly making their ways into the castle.
    After the few days of travel no meeting would be held today. Much to Adora’s distaste. She wanted this over and done with.
     “Everyone’s meeting in the war room first thing tomorrow morning.” Micah assured her.
     Adora, Glimmer, and Bow followed him through the halls. Soldiers and servants hurried about the castle, all preparing for miscellaneous things Adora didn’t care enough to fret over. “King Micah,” Adora started “if you don’t mind me asking, what’re your thoughts on the matter? Of the prisoners?”
     The older man glanced over at her unsure. He sighed, looking down at his and ran his hand through his loose locks. “I’m not to sure. The clones had no choice. Even if they did they were brainwashed. I doubt anyone will be able to make a reasonable excuse to put them all behind bars.”
     Adora and company walked in silence, nodding their heads. When she looked up at him to continue he nodded his head. “The Horde soldiers, the Horde that was here before Prime, might be a different story. They were not under control like the clones.”
     “But,” Adora shook her head. “They were just as well brainwashed too! Most soldiers were born and raised in the Horde, taught to fight against the Alliance. We had no idea what the truth was, we couldn’t have!”
     “I understand that, Adora. I do. It’s just…” he nervously rubbed the back of his neck, looking around at the walls and floor. Anywhere but at her. “The people need something to happen. They need someone to take the fall. They will not settle for forgive and forget. As much as I’d like to put it all behind us, it won’t sit well with the people of Brightmoon. Or any of the kingdoms.”
     “But it’s wrong!” Adora exclaimed. 
     “Adora please.” Micah pleaded quietly. “We’re all pretty tired. We’ll settle this matter in the morning.
     She grunted angrily but nodded. Micah took his leave, leaving the three best friends by themselves. 
     “It’ll be okay, Adora.” Bow rubbed her shoulder in assurance.
     “Thanks, Bow, but…” she was going to argue but instead she figured it was time to go to bed. It was nearing sundown and the quicker she went to sleep the quicker morning came. “I think I’m going to head to sleep. I need to find Melog first. Make sure they’re not doing something rash.”
     “Who’s going to keep you from doing something rash?” Glimmer poked. It was meant to be funny but Adora wasn’t up for jokes. Especially when she really wanted to do something rash.
     “Goodnight guys.”
-
     With all this junk on Catra she was heavy, clumsy, and unbalanced. It was a complete embarrassment every time she stumbled and her “escorts” had to help her. The damned metal boots hugged her feet and claws too tight it almost hurt. Her hands were sweaty and stiff, the metal around them leaving no room at all for comfort. The chain or her ankle shackles was so short she basically had to penguin walk across the field to her tent. Worst of all, her tail was tightly strapped to her waist. It left her completely unbalanced and it felt like something of her being was missing.
     She followed two Brightmoon guards, two more flanking her. All around her massive tents were being set up, soldiers of every kingdom mucking about. Clones and Horde soldiers were being dumped into finished tents, Catra could only speculate how they were being treated.
     Despite how badly Catra was being treated, the fucking muzzled her, she suspected it could be worse. She was sure many soldier who hated her wanted to take a crack at her but feared the wrath of She-Ra. Catra couldn’t help but smile whenever she thought of Adora being possessive over her. It made her feel soft and with all this rough circumstances around her, soft was an appreciated feeling.
     They’d finally made it to a small tent with guards posted at its entrance. When they pushed her inside she was surprised to see Hordak there. He was sitting on the ground chained to a metal pose at his back. Another pole was stabbed into the ground in front of him on the other side of the tent. Her seat, she suspected.
     Sure enough the guard pulled her over to it and wrapped a chain around her waist and the pole. Hordak’s arms were shackled behind his back but Catra’s was in front of her. The guards didn’t seem to want to risk taking them off just to put them behind her. Not that Catra would do anything.
     When they finished she sat on the ground as they left the tent. Her ears flicked naturally when she focused her hearing on the chatter outside.
     “The Queen wants no one near them.” One of her escorts told the guards outside. “No princesses and no other personnel. You are not allowed inside either. The only exceptions are the Queen herself, the King, and me. I will be back later to feed them. See that they are secured.”
     The guards saluted and shouted their compliance before the escorts walked off. Catra huffed and leaned against the pole. Some sleep wouldn’t be so bad but there was so much noise outside. It was even louder than the original uproar days ago. The parade here was loud as well, with the talking and the horses and the carriages and the skiffs, but at least she had been put inside one. It offered little blockage from the noise but some was better than none. She’d even managed some sleep. 
     Now, however, she doubted she’d be able to hear much of her own thoughts. The servants running around outside shouting and soldiers barking orders. She could hear skiffs and machines as well. Through it all she could still hear the whimpers and sobs of many of the horde clones. It sickened her to listen to them.
     Out of all the things they did to secure Catra they couldn’t have given her something to block the sound? Ear clamps or something. They’d already done everything in their power to render her useless and yet they managed to undermine her advanced sense of hearing. Dumb fools.
     It was then she focused on Hordak instead of the rumble outside. He made no movement and stared at the ground behind his lap. His ears drooped low, similar to Catra’s own. The similarity caught her off guard. She expected hatred for the warlord but not arrived. Instead, she only remembered his suffering she saw on Hordes ship. And the fact that she could recognize him in the sea of clones. So many clones.
      A blinding image of green flashes in her mind and she had to look away from him. She clenched her eyes shut and gritted her teeth. The memory of her time on the ship threatened to pull her over an edge. An edge she didn’t want to cross in front of Hordak. She will not break down.
     Oh, but breaking is what weak things do, is it not? A familiar voice said in her ears. You are weak Catra. Never forget it’s okay for you to breakdown..
     Tears started to form in her eyes and suddenly everything was to overwhelming. If it wasn’t the past the sight of Hordak pushed through her mind it was her current situation. It was the idea of living Adora and never being able to be with her. It was the way Glimmer had looked when she stopped defending her. It was the way Bow’s expression shifted into the least hopeful look she’d ever seen on him. It was knowing the world she helped to save hated her. It was the fear everyone hated her.
     She couldn’t stop it. She sniffled and choked on a sob, tears running down her face. She growled angrily and wrenched her neck to the side, hiding herself the best she can when Hordak looked up at the sound.
     Stupid girl, the witch sang again. Do not cry. This is where you belong. You know it.
     Catra’s pulled her knees to her chest and hid herself behind them from Hordak’s prying gaze. She couldn’t bare look at his green piercing eyes to figure out what his expression was.
     Instead, she let the witch berate her and belittle her existence. Eventually, she ignored the guard coming in to feed them and sobbed into her knees.

Chapter Text

     Sleep didn’t make its way to Adora like she’d hoped it would. Hours were spent tossing and turning, throwing her blanket and pillow around til they eventually fell off her cot. She was left laying in the middle of nothing but sweat from her unwavering nerves.

     If she could just fall asleep the morning would come faster and this whole thing could be over with. The world seemed to want her to suffer in her own thoughts. Drown in them. The anxiety. The anger.
     She could only imagine what Catra was feeling.
     Was it fair for Adora to feel so tortured? When her best friend was suffering so much more? Growling quietly to herself she punched the hard surface of her cot. She was half tempted to go back to the crystal beacon to train, but without Light Hope she didn’t know if she even could. Didn’t want to make a late night trip for something that’s not guaranteed.
     She had also failed to find Melog before heading to bed. Considering the lack of alarms she assumed they didn’t break Catra out of confinement. Not yet at least.
     Honestly, Adora wanted nothing more than to break her out herself. She wished she could at least see her. To talk to her. To tell Catra that she’s got it all under control and everything would be fine.
     After everything Adora gave to The Rebellion, to Etheria, she felt like she deserved her happy ending. She felt like she deserved to finally have something for herself, something she didn’t have to give her heart and soul for the sake of others.
     Adora felt like her happy ending was ripped from her grasp and sealed away. Locked up in some tent in the middle of a prison camp. Alone. 
     She was expecting a hell of a day tomorrow and yet she couldn’t bring herself to sleep. She debated climbing the castle to the highest roof she could find, like she and Catra had back in the Horde, until she felt the cot beside her dip. She looked over to be met face to face with Melog.
     “Oh.” Adora startled. “Hello.”
     The magical cat creature meowed in response before flopping onto its belly, still staring at her. They lowered their chin to the edge of the cot directly by Adora’s face.
     “What?”
     Melog meowed again in response.
     Adora huffed, irritated already. “Y’know… it’s pretty inconvenient that you can talk but choose to only talk to Catra.” Their blue mane flashed purple for such a quick moment Adora wasn’t sure if it even happened. “Although… I’m really glad you talk to her.”
     Melog’s head tilted to the side. They meowed again, probably prompting her to elaborate.
     Adora turned over onto her side so her whole body faced Melog. “Catra. I’m glad she has someone like you to talk to. I think… I think having you with her makes her feel safer. If she doesn’t feel safe, well, I doubt I have to tell you how hostile she can be.”
     The magic feline lifted its head from the bed to shake it side to side like they disagreed.
     Adora sighed, closing her eyes. “No. You’re right. That’s not why I’m glad she has you. The truth is, she’s never had anybody close to her besides me and Shadow Weaver. She and Lonnie never got along, none of us understood Rogelio really, and though Kyle was nice the two of them were prey and predator. I think you were the first positive presence in her life for a long time. I think… I think Scorpia and Entrapta got close, but...” Adora stopped. She thought about Catra’s friends quietly, Melog patiently waiting for her.
      “It’s just… you understand her.” She said to the cat. “I.. I don’t know what I’m saying anymore.” Adora didn’t notice at first, but Melog had been purring. Strong and loud, the whole cot vibrated against their maw. It reminded her of Catra. She felt her eyes grow heavy, her body sinking into her cot more, seeking the vibration of the purr.
      “I want to help her.” Adora said with half lidded eyes. “But I don’t know how. I love her so much, but I don’t know what to do.”
     Melog shrunk in size, closer to something like a large house cat, and crawled into Adora’s embrace. She smiled, her body warming with their body heat. The purr now against her chest was relaxing and familiar. She didn’t know if all cats, if magic cats and magicats alike, purred the same but she was certain Melog’s purr was the same as Catra’s. She’s had years of feeling Catra’s purr against her chest, she was certain this was the same.
     “I don’t know what to do, but I’ll do what I can.” Adora concluded, her eyes fully shut now. “I can’t let you one up me.” She chuckled. “Thank you, Melog.”
     The cat licked her chin prompting another smile but it quickly sank as she started to drift into sleep.
     “Just… don’t leave her.” 
     She was just falling asleep so it may have been her imagination or the late night delirium, but she could have sworn she heard Melog respond.
     “Of course.”
     Their head tucked into her chest and neck, just under her chin, and decided they’d sleep as well.
- 
     Adora’s head snapped up to the sound of banging at her door. “Y-yeah? Yeah!?” She sat up fully as the her bedroom door swung open, Bow cautiously stepping in.
     He may have said something but Adora was busy fixing herself. Her hair was everywhere and her cheek was wet from drool. She was fairly certain she’d fallen asleep with Melog but the magical cat wasn’t anywhere to be seen in the room.
     “Adora?”
     “Hm? Yeah?” She said furiously fixing her hair.
     “The meeting, Adora. It’s about to start.”
     “Meeting?”
     Bow’s eyes widened, pleading. He slowly nodded his head raising his hands up. “Yeah, the… you know..” he brought his hands to the top of his head making cat ears.
     “The meeting!!” Adora jumped to her feet almost tripping over her own ankle as she pushed passed Bow. “Oh, the stars! I’ve never slept in before in my life, let alone almost missing a meeting!! And this one no less! Fuck!” She barreled through the halls, letting Bow close her bedroom door and struggle to catch up. She must have been more tired than she thought.
     “Well, it has been a pretty stressful few days.” Bow said by her side, choosing to ignore her choice of word. 
     “I shouldn’t have slept so long. I could have missed it if you didn’t come get me.” She rubbed her eyes, hoping most of the evidence of her sleeping in would be gone by the time she made it to the War Room. Despite the ache in her body and the wildness of her hair she was very much awake now. She doubted she’d be able to go back to sleep if she wanted to.
     “That’s what friends are for, right?” Bow rubbed the back of his neck.
     The War Room door was in view now after the last corner. “Is everyone there already?” She asked.
     “Mostly.” Bow replied. “I was expecting you to have been there when I had arrived but when you weren’t I went to find you. You weren’t the last when I left so there might still be some people to wait for.”
     Adora hoped so. She didn’t need her being the last to show up for such an important meeting weighing on her the whole time. Catra wasn’t the only topic they’d be discussing today, but honestly the only one Adora really gave a shit about.
      Just as they made it to the doors Bow grabbed her wrist from behind, prompting her to stop and turn to him. “Can we talk for a second first?”
     Adora’s anxiety was peeking already, the look on Bow’s face nearly shattered the dam she’d built the last few days. “Sure.” She said.
     Bow rubbed his arm nervously. That was definitely a bad sign. “It’s just.. it’s about Catra.”
      The dam threatens to break still. “Oh. Okay.”
     “You should be warned that not a lot of people in that room will side with you.”
     Adora was worried about that.
     “Ultimately, we’d have to convince Glimmer and her father. Their opinions weigh the most.” Bow said. “I honestly doubt we could sway the others easily. Perfuma might give Catra the benefit of the doubt, but Frosta and Mermista won’t be so easy. Nettossa and Spinerella might be easier to convince. Our best allies are Scorpia and Entrapta. If we play our cards right, we may be able to win a vote if it comes to one.”
     Adora stood and stared at him in disbelief. “We?” She repeated his term.
     He looked confused at first but she was greeted with a warm gaze and a kind smile. He placed his hands over her shoulders and squeezed comfortably. “No matter what happens in there, Adora, no matter what’s said and who says what, I’m with you.”
     The dam broke, but it wasn’t for any reasons she’d been dreading before. Tears sprung in her eyes and fell before she could stop them. Scared to say anything she just furiously nodded her head, agreeing with anything and everything Bow had to say. She wiped her eyes with her forearm, managing to choke out a weak “Thank you.”
     Bow pulled her in for a hug then. She decided to take this moment to sob into his shoulder, hoping it would help her keep her cool during the meeting. “I’m scared, Bow.”
     She felt him nod against her ear. “I know. I am too, but we’ll figure this out. It won’t be easy, but everything’s going to be fine.”
     They stayed like that for a minute or so before footsteps behind them took their attention. Scorpia and King Micah walked down the hall deep in conversation. It looked intense before they could hear anything they were saying. Scorpia was passionate about whatever she was talking about and Micah seemed eager to listen. After a second and they got closer Adora noticed Entrapta following in tow. 
     “Let’s go.” Adora said, wiping at her face. Bow nodded and the two of them entered the room before the others made it to the door.
      They would’ve definitely been last if Micah and company weren’t. Everyone else was in the War Room.
      Mermista and Frosta sat together but they didn’t talk to anyone. The both of them appeared to be somewhere between bored and angry that the meeting hasn’t started yet. Seahawk stood beside but just behind Mermista’s chair whilst he chatted enthusiastically with Perfuma who sat to Mermista’s right.
     Glimmer sat at the head of the table, where her mom sat, and chatted with hushed voices to her aunt Casta and Spinnerella who stood by their side. Nettossa sat in her seat waiting for her wife to join her. 
     The two of them took their seats, Bow closest to Glimmer and Adora to his left. Micah, Scorpia, and Entrapta joined them seconds after.
     All the chatter stopped once Micah took his seat. They waited in silence for Scorpia and Entrapta to sit. When Scorpia realized there actually wasn’t a seat for her, since she had only recently been added to their team, she decided to stand by Entrapta, between her and Nettossa.
     “Right.” Micah cleared his throat. He stood up, awkwardly swiping at his coat despite no dust in sight. “I want to start by apologizing for my absence as king. My daughter, Glimmer, is your queen, and I had been more than willing to properly and formally step down from my active position as king, but she requested that I kept my authority. To, how you say, aid her in decisions and offer advice and guidance. I am still your king, but most importantly, I am one of you.”
     “It’s good to have you back, your highness.” Spinnerella bowed. The others followed suit. Micah scratched the back of his neck and sat down.
     “Ah, thank you.”
     “Thank you, dad.” Glimmer says before sighing, loudly, like she’d been holding her breath. “We have a number of things we have to talk about today, and we may not get through them all. I’d like to stop the meeting as soon as things get to heated which…” she steals a glance at Adora, one that doesn’t go unnoticed. “I know will inevitably happen. So.. I think we should hit one of the bigger political issues first.”
     Micah holds his hand out towards Scorpia. “Princess Scorpia is one of us, and the territory of The Fright Zone is rightfully her claim. Both Glimmer and myself want to give it back to her.”
     “Thank you.” Scorpia smiled and bowed her head. “Both of you.”
     “Are there anyone who rejects this?” Glimmer asks, scanning the room.
     Surprisingly, no one had anything to say. They all just nodded their heads in agreement.
     “Oh. Well, good.” Micah smiled but it dropped when he scratched his chin in thought. “I guess, I should hand it off to Scorpia for this next part.”
     All eyes were on the scorpion princess now. Her claws her held behind her back and she had a nervous smile on her face. Her tail hanging low behind her.
     It shocked Adora to see that nervous energy suddenly drop.
     Scorpia’s demeanor flicked like a switch. Her tail propped up and her nervous smile was replaced by a determined crunch of her brows. “The citizens of the Fright Zone.” She started. “They’re all soldiers. Even mechanics and scientists were expected to fight and most likely have. It’s no doubt all of them have shot at people of the Rebellion. No doubt most have killed people. Your people. However… that was war, and that war is over. The citizens of the Fright Zone are now, and rightfully always were, my citizens. My responsibility. I will fight for them all to be given fair judgements and a fair chance at living a life they can lead themselves, not being trapped in a prison for crimes they were ordered to commit.”
     “This again? You want us to just let them all go?” Mermista growled. “Give them a slap on the wrist and forget about everything?”
     “No. More notable soldiers, like Force Captains, will be evaluated in a fair court. Look at what they’ve done. Look at what they were ordered to do. Look at what they ordered others to do. The Horde kept records of everything. But, for the majority of soldiers, yes. A slap on the wrist would be… most fair. I think.”
      “Fair!?” Mermista stood up from her chair. She and Scorpia were pretty close, Frosta the only princess between them. Sea Hawk subtly repositioned himself to stand between them as well. “It’s fair to have those murderers and bandits walk free of charge?”
     “I killed many people as well.” Scorpia said flatly. The nervous kettle of friendly smiles and bear hugs that was Scorpia was gone in this moment. Whoever that was, whatever version of Scorpia Adora had grown to be familiar with must have been left in yesterday. “I’ve killed dozens of Rebellion soldiers. With these..” she held her claws in front of her. “And with this..” she positioned her stinger in front of her as well. “And I know you’ve killed Horde soldiers.”
     “Of course I have! They were attacking our people, what else was I-“
     “And they were just following orders!” Scorpia shouted back. “I was just following orders. You want to know what happened to a soldier who failed to follow orders? They were either killed on the spot, sent to Shadow Weaver never to return, or sent to Beast Island or the Waste, also never to return.”
      Mermista’s eyes widened with shock. She held her fist close to her chest like she needed something to grasp but had nothing at hand but the feeling of her breath. “I-“
     “You don’t understand what The Horde was like.” Scorpia looked at Adora with sad eyes, but Adora didn’t really know what she was talking about. “Adora, you-… I know you didn’t see that side of what we were. Catra had mentioned how Shadow Weaver would keep you pretty sheltered from all that but.. she saw some of it. More as a Force Captain. Even more when she was second in command. I saw most of it all the time. As a Force Captain I was expected to perform to the best of my abilities and punish those in my squad who didn’t meet the same standards. The amount of people I’ve had to-… the amount of kids I’ve had to send to Hordak or to Shadow Weaver..”
      Adora couldn’t look at her, or anyone, anymore. Instead she stared at her fingers scratching at the table edge. Catra’s mention had stung at her eyes and she wasn’t even the topic yet. How could she expect herself to get through that conversation coherently?
     “My point is..” Scorpia sighed, making direct eye contact with Mermista. “Those people deserve an actual life. You can’t just throw them all in a cell. I will look after them. There will be loyalists that need to be arrested and prosecuted, yes, but not all of them deserve a cot in a 5x5. Please. Mermista. Let me take this burden, on myself, and please, let me give them a life other than war.”
     The two princesses were locked in a war of themselves, the weapons only consisting of their gazes and wills. Mermista still had a scowl and her eyes still bore hatred, but her brows weren’t so furious. They were even hesitant.
     Scorpia’s resolve hadn’t even faltered a little. 
     Everyone else in the room were quiet. A tense and heated silence rang in Adora’s ears.
     “I think it’s fair.” Spinnerella spoke up. Every head snapped to her attention. Where Adora may have cracked under the sudden pressure, Spinny only offered a kind, if not sad, smile. “The people of the Horde were raised from birth to be a soldier. To conquer us. From what we know from Adora and Scorpia, nature is stronger than nurture. Not all of them are as evil as we thought they were.”
     “Not every Horde soldier wants us dead.” Netossa concluded. She slightly nodded her head as she thought it over. She sighed before rolling her head around her shoulders before halting to stare at the ceiling. “I support Princess Scorpia’s proposal.”
     “As do I.” Spinnerella agreed.
     Frosta crossed her arms and leaned back in her seat. She spared a quick shy glance to Scorpia standing beside her and sighed. “I do as well.”
     In quick succession everyone around the table agreed. Even Mermista sat down, crossed her arms, and growled her approval.
     Scorpia sighed in relief, deflating like a balloon. Adora watched in awe as her switch flipped again and the awkward and so kind hearted Scorpia returned. She scratched the back of her neck and chuckled awkwardly. “Oh. Oh, good. That’s a relief. Thank you guys. Really. I’ll take care of it all.”
      Micah smiled and nodded his head. “Of course. We look forward to seeing what you make of the Fright Zone. And of course, we will aid you in anyway we can.”
     “Oh, yes!” Perfuma piped up, her hands excitedly clapping. “I already plan to have myself and some workers of Plumeria come and make the place a little less… hm, polluted.”
     Adora could see the blush spread over Scorpia’s face despite being on opposite sides of the table. “Oh, thank you so much! I’d love that a lot actually.”
     “I think the next two topics would be one in the same..” Micah sighed. He looked across the table at Entrapta, and nodded his head encouragingly. “Princess Entrapta. Your proposal?”
     The princess rubbed his fingers across the edge of her welding mask. Adora thought she’d pull it over her face, a tell she’s always had that she was nervous, but instead she took it off entirely and placed in on the table. She stood up, her eyes closed, and took a deep breath before opening her eyes and speaking.
     “I want to take the majority of clones to Dryl. My kingdom has always been low on population but high on security from both my machines, the few organic guards loyal from my father, and the natural landscape the kingdom resides. There is plenty of room for a surplus of homeless clones. They need counseling and rehabilitation, my data concludes the best places for those are Dryl and Plumeria. I would very much like to take them.”
     “So you can experiment on them?” Mermista rolled her eyes.
     “To study them, yes, but also…” she looked down at her mask. “I’ve seen the way you all look at them. I’ve heard how you all talk about them. I have it all recorded. The data. It shows they will not be safe under anyone else’s watch than my own. I can give them homes. Jobs. My data shows they’re all fantastic workers, Horde Primes ships and machines were all clone built! After counseling and weeding out the ones loyal to Prime, I’m sure the clones could be huge assets! For rebuilding!”
      “You want to rule a kingdom of clones?” Frosta asked.
     “I have many native citizens though.. I’d understand if they’d all want to leave if you let me take the clones.” Entrapta says.
     Bow speaks up. “There is a lot to be done about the clones. Most of them are scared and confused. I think it’s best we do a lot of the counseling here, and recognize the hostile ones as soon as we can. We shouldn’t move them any more than we have to before they’ve calmed down.”
     Entrapta sighs and looks away.
     “But I agree with you.”
     Her attention snaps back to Bows. He offers a kind smile. “If anyone is capable of understanding them, and giving them what they need, both as a species but as a new and recovering population, it’s you.”
     “Oh, Bow!” Entrapta squeals affectionately as her hair reaches across the table and nabs Bow from his seat, pulling him in for a hug. “Thank you!”
     “I think it’s a good idea as well.” Adora finally spoke. “The clones deserve a chance at a second life just as much as the Horde soldiers do. Wrong-Hordak has proven not every clone is Prime.” She thought for a moment before looking towards Micah. “You said the next topic would be two in one?”
     He nodded and gestured back at Entrapta. She put Bow down and hugged her arm with her other hand. “I-… I mean all the clones. Including Hordak.”
      At this, it wasn’t even only Mermista who exclaimed in both confusion and anger.
     “What, are you crazy?” Nettossa scoffed. “Hordak’s not going anywhere.”
     “Hordak would be lucky enough if we decided not to execute him.” Mermista growled to which Entrapta cringed into herself.
      “I just-“
     “If there’s anywhere Hordak should be going it’s with me to the Kingdom of Snow.” Frosta said standing up. “He can rot and freeze til he’s an ice cube in my dungeons!”
     “But I don’t think he’s-“
     “Aye!” Sea Hawk pumped his fist. “The slimy bastard ought to be bound in the frozen tundra for his crimes!”
     Adora watched with pity as tears started to pool on the corners of Entrapta’s eyes. The purple haired princess hugged herself tighter as the others continued to shout merciless ideas of what they should really do with Hordak.
     “Hey!” Adora shouted, finally having enough of their blatant disregard of Entrapta. In the end she figured it was her fist slamming in the table that really got their attention, she hadn’t even realized she moved her arm until she followed their gazes.
     “I don’t like Hordak any more than you guys, but..” she sighed and looked to Entrapta. “You guys should at least hear her out.”
     Perfuma nodded, placing her hand over Frosta’s shoulder, urging her to sit down. “Yes, I agree. What do you have in mind, Entrapta? I hope you know we cannot offer Hordak the same slap on the wrist as we will for most of the Horde. If we’re to evaluate Force Captains then we need to take into account that Hordak started all of this.”
      Entrapta nodded, wiping a stray tear as if fell over her cheek. “Yes. I hadn’t expected anyone to let him walk without a scratch. I just… I know he won’t be the same as he was. I can’t defend him, I can only offer the data I have. He’s on our side now. He’s the only one of his kind who was capable of resisting Prime’s mind control and he saved me from him. Hordak would be an incredible asset to us. For rebuilding. For technological progress. He and I did so much together.

.”
     “For the Horde.” Frosta murmured, earning a stiff glare from Scorpia.
      Entrapta’s head hung low. “Yes. And I’d like to continue working with him. And-.. and he’s my friend.”
     “I agree with Entrapta.” The people around the table gasped as their attentions were from to Glimmer.
     “What?” Mermista exclaimed.
     “I think Entrapta and Hordak working together could mean a lot of great things for Etheria. For our kingdoms. Our people. Not just weapons or security, but who truly knows what the two of them could create. Hordak built the entirety of the Fright Zone himself. Designed everything. We’ve known that for years. He created technologies we could have never imaged existed. I think we should let Hordak work for us.”
     Glimmer had left the table stunned. Even Adora was shocked. Micah lifted his hand and cleared his throat.
      “However,” he started. “He will not be free. Glimmer and I believe that if he were to be stationed in Entrapta’s lab, unable to leave unless granted permission from warranted authority, and if he’s working to create technology for us it would be as sufficient punishment as throwing him in a cell. The only different being that we permit him having a friend.” He said this while nodding his head towards Entrapta, a small smile on his face.
     “But, your majesty…” Nettossa slightly rose her hand. “He sent you to Beast Island. He-“
     “I believe that as a mercy.” The king interrupted her. “He could have killed me. I know he very well could have. I was badly hurt, and far too tired to perform magic… but he didn’t. Beast Island was a death sentence, yes, but the chance to live was given nonetheless.” He sighed again, rubbing his hand over his beard. “But I want to be clear. He will not be free. He’d be under… mm, ‘house arrest’ I guess you could call it.”
      Mermista rolled her eyes and slumped heavily on the back of her seat, arms crossed. “Can’t argue with the king and queen.”
     Glimmer shot her an icy glare, one Mermista challenged to Adora’s surprise.
     Glimmer cleared her throat. “Yes. Ultimately, as you may all know, it’s up to me and my father. If I’m being honest with you, the only reason we’re having a discussion at all is because we care to hear your opinions on the matter. Give you all chances to change our minds on decisions that have already been decided.”
     Adora’s brow curved up at that. Already decided? That would mean Catra’s fate is already sealed. Did Glimmer decide to lock her away? To kill her? There would be nothing she’d be able to do about it.”
      “We want to be transparent with you all and as understanding as we possibly can.” Glimmer continued. “We just finished a war against an invading force, I do not want to start this new era of peace whilst fighting amongst ourselves. So please… be understanding of us and our decisions.”
      Glimmer folded her arms over the table and sighed. “Since our decision is already made I think it’s best I tell you our conclusion on the next topic as I bring it up.” She took a deep breath again before letting it out. She clocked eyes on Adora and it was like the world stopped spinning.
     “Catra is pardoned of all charges.”