Archive of Our Own ^beta

The hallways were empty. Everyone else was still in the showers and getting changed from training.

But not Catra. She just couldn’t right now. It was obvious she had to let off some steam first. Something she often did after training.

Luckily for her, a new punching bag was just set up.

There 12th new punching bag to be exact.

And soon they would have to make it 13.

All the pent up anger and frustration could be let out in a matter of minutes whenever she used the punching bag.

Punching. Kicking. Scratching.

It was the perfect way to let it all out after another hard day.

By the time she was done, the poor punching bag was reduced to nothing but a pile a pummeled shreds.

Catra panted heavily, sweat glistening on her face as she made her way over to the small sink nearby to splash some water on herself.

True. She never liked water. And she never will. But it helped snap the feline out of her fatigued state after 2 hours of training and more energy being spent in managing her emotions.

She sighed heavily. Leaning her forehead against the wall taking full advantage of the peace and quiet.

Unfortunately, that doesn’t last long.

”Damn! What’s your problem with destroying these punching bags!?” Catra heard a voice behind her say. “What the hell did they ever do to you!?”

Catra reluctantly turned around to find Lonnie standing behind her, arms crossed and smiling playfully.

”Leave me alone. I’m tired.” Catra grumbled.

”We’re all tired. You’re not the only one who had to train for 2 hours straight with no breaks.”

”Oh come on Lonnie leave her alone. You know you wanna rest to.” Catra heard another voice say as she looked over her shoulder to find Kyle entering the room with Rogelio’s arm wrapped around him.

”Yeah Yeah whatever. I don’t believe this! What’s with all this extra training for!? They already know we’re good fighters why are they doing this to us.”

”Beats me.” Catra sighed. “But I’m not surprised, those guys love finding new ways to torture us for no reason.”

”I don’t think that’s it.” Kyle says. “I overheard heard one of the guards say The Freight Zone is close to finally taking down the rebellion. I guess all this extra training is to prepare us for when the final battle comes.”

Rogelio nods and grunts, clearly in agreement with what his boyfriend is saying.

”Really? Wow.” Lonnie says with a slightly stunned look on her face. “The war could actually be over soon? I… don’t know how to feel about that to be honest.”

”What do you mean?” Kyle asks.

”I don’t know. I mean, I know I should probably be happy because our side is winning. But at the same time, winning means…” Her voice trails off, clearly not wanting to finish her sentence.

Unfortunately, Kyle finishes it for her.

”Winning means Lord Adora will rule Etheria.”

Just her name alone is enough to send a shiver of disgust down Catra’s spine. That woman terrifies Catra in every way imaginable.

A ruthless leader with no respect for her people; fully willing to slaughter anyone who dares to stand in her way.

Is most certainly not above lying and manipulation to get what she wants.

And worst of all, Lord Adora is completely and utterly obsessed with her and only her.

How had it come to this?

It wasn’t always like this.

Adora used to be nice, funny, and caring.

They used to be close.

They used to be friends.

Until the Horde corrupted her.

Catra used to have feelings for the blonde. Strong feelings. And it was clear those feelings were reciprocated.

But as they got older and Adora spent more time with Shadow Weaver and Hordak, she began to… change. And certainly not for the better.

She became… colder towards people. Not toward Catra however, just… everyone else.

And when Catra began hanging out with a soldier named Scorpia, Adora would do everything in her power to keep them apart whenever she saw them together.

Catra almost instantly noticed Adora’s new strange and erratic behavior and called it into question multiple times, but every time it was the same thing:

”I just don’t understand why you’re acting like this! Scorpia’s a nice girl why are you always so mean to her?!”

“Because she’s way too clingy and desperate! Don’t you see the way she always hangs around you?! We haven’t had any time together in days and it’s all her fault!”

”Adora we see each other all the time! Me and Scorpia only hang out during training and at dinner sometimes!”

”Exactly! WE used to have dinner together! Everyday! And now every time I see you you’re always with her!”

”Adora come on! I only had dinner with her one time!”

”That’s one time too many! Why are you even hanging out with that girl?! She’s not fit to be a soldier! She’s weak!”

”Just because she’s nice doesn’t mean she’s weak! You know what? If you met her 3 weeks ago I bet you two would’ve been friends, but lately you’ve been acting so different and you won’t tell me why! Did I do something?”

”Oh no Catra… believe me it’s not you, it’s never you. It’s her!”

”But why!? What has she ever done to you to make you be so cruel to her!?”

”Don’t you see the way she looks at you? The way she smiles and laughs at everything you say and do? The way she always wants you to be her partner during training when she knows you always partner up with me!? Open your eyes Catra! She has feelings for you and I won’t stand for it!”

”Feelings? Oh come on Adora that ridiculous! She doesn’t have a crush on me she’s just a nice person.”

”Yes she does! I know it!”

”Well even if she did why are making such a big deal out of it?!”

”BECAUSE SHE DOESN’T DESERVE YOU! She’s not cut out to be here! She’s way too nice. She doesn’t even like fighting, and worst of all she’s a princess! The very people we are trying to destroy! She’s trying to take you away from me! Shadow Weaver was right! She’s a disgrace to The Freight Zone! You don’t need her! What you need is to stay away from her on focus on what really matters: You and I taking over Etheria just like we always wanted.”

Ever since that day Catra’s feelings for Adora started to fade away and eventually were gone completely.

Adora’s feelings however, only grew more and more with each passing day.

Catra tried to distance herself from her but it was no use, she couldn’t get away from Adora no matter how hard she tried.

She followed Catra everywhere she went, memorized her schedule so she knew exactly where she was at all times, and threatened Scorpia relentlessly for even attempting to talk to Catra.

It was exhausting but unfortunately, there was nothing she could do; Adora was always a big deal in Horde so nobody did anything to stop her no matter how much Catra begged.

Adora was right about one thing however.

Scorpia did in fact have a crush on Catra.

And after getting to know the Horde Princess better and hanging out with her more often, Catra found herself having feelings for her too.

For Scorpia, from the moment she first laid eyes on Catra she fell for her. She was beautiful, smart, sassy, and an amazing fighter. She never really had friends but she knew right then and there she wanted to hang out with this girl.

When Scorpia first introduced herself to Catra she was far from calm and collected. After completing embarrassing herself in front of the cool feline, Scorpia was worried she messed up her chances.

However, Catra found it absolutely adorable.

”Hi! Sorry-um… you don’t know me but my names Scorpia! I-I um saw you fighting earlier in training today and you’re really talented! And pretty! And also really really cool! Crap! I’m rambling! Oh shoot! Sorry for the language! I promise I’m not usually like this but-“

She was quickly cut off by the sound of Catra laughing.

”Hey! Don’t worry! It’s fine! I don’t think I’ve seen you around her before. Are you a new recruit?”

”Oh! Umm not exactly. I’ve lived here my whole life I’ve just… never really been near the training base until now.”

”Oh! Wow! That’s interesting! You said your name was Scorpia, right?”

”Yep! That’s me!”

”Nice. I’m Catra.”

”Nice to meet you! I love your name! It’s so pretty! I guess it makes sense though since you’re a Cat you would obviously be named Catra! Oh but no offense! Catra’s still a really pretty name I just meant-“

”You don’t get out much do you?”

”Umm no not really.”

”Yeah I kinda figured.” Catra said with a laugh. “C’mon! Let me show you around the training base.”

”Oh ok! Thanks!”

From there Catra and Scorpia became fast friends no matter how hard Adora tried to rip them apart.

Adora would always be beating Scorpia up in training for getting too close to Catra, but Catra was always there to intervene to prevent her friend from getting roughed up.

They were always there for each other. Whether Scorpia had a tough time during training, or when Shadow Weaver was getting on Catra’s case just for existing they would always be there.

After a while both girls soon realized their feelings for each and had no clue what to do.

But finally, after ages of keeping it to herself Scorpia finally confessed her feelings to her Wildcat.

”Catra? Could you stay for a little while longer? I really need to talk to you?”

”Oh yeah sure! What’s up Scorpia?”

”Listen… I’ve been struggling with how to say this for weeks and I just can’t take it anymore! I need to tell you something really important right now before I explode!”

”Woah hey! Relax. You know you can talk to me about anything, right?”

”I know. Listen Catra I… I like you. Like I really really like you. I think I’ve liked you since I first saw you but just didn’t realize it at that time. But now I do and I need to get it off my chest. Catra, I adore everything about you. I love your strength, your perseverance, how you always know what to say! You’re the most amazing person I’ve ever met and I love spending time with you. I love being with you. And I was so scared of ruining our friendship with you because you don’t feel the same. But I had to be honest with you. Catra, I’ve had feelings for you for over 2 years and I can’t keep it a secret anymore. I don’t care if Adora murders me in my sleep for telling you this I just needed to let you know!”

Catra just stared at her, stunned at what she just said.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity Catra spoke.

”Scorpia, for the moment you came up and talked to me I knew you were different from everyone else here. You are the kindest, compassionate, and most loving soul I have ever met. God, we’ve both been acting like idiots for years! I have a crush on you too dummy! I have for a long time.”

”You do?” Scorpia responded hopefully.

”Yes! Scorpia I’ve been wanting to ask you this for years! Will you go out with me? Will you be my girlfriend?”

”Yes! Absolutely!” She exclaimed pulling her new girlfriend into a tight hug.

”Ack! Scorpia! Too tight!”

”Oh! I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to! I would never-“

”Alright! Alright! I forgive you! Now shut up and kiss me princess.”

And with that they pulled each other into their first kiss. It was sweet and chaste, conveying all there emotions and feelings into it, arms wrapped around each other, never wanting to let go.

As Catra, Lonnie, and Rogelio stand in the hallway it would mark 3 years since that fateful day.

”Ah shit, sorry Catra. I didn’t mean to say her name out loud, I know how you feel about her.”

”It’s fine Kyle, don’t worry about it.”

”Relax, Adora will never get her hands on Catra as long as Scorpion girl is around.”

”Hey watch it Lonnie that’s my fiancé you’re talking about.”

Scorpia proposed to Catra almost a year ago and it was the greatest moment of their lives.

Catra immediately accepted and a gold ring was placed around her finger as a symbol of their love.

However, they couldn’t exactly shout how in love they were to the world.

The girls only revealed their engagement to Lonnie, Kyle, and Rogelio trying to keep a secret for as long as they possibly can.

Adora lost her mind when she found out Catra and Scorpia were dating. They didn’t wanna know how in the world she would react to their engagement and they never wanted to find out.

In that moment, Scorpia walked in pulling Catra out of her thoughts.

”Hey guys! Hey Wildcat, what’s going on in here?” Scorpia asked as she wrapped her arm around Catra while placing a soft kiss on her cheek.

”Nothing much babe, just hanging around and talking.”

“Are you ok? You look tired.”

”Probably because I am.”

”Well we did train a lot today, come on let’s go to the barracks and rest, we both need it.”

”No Scorpia it’s fine I-“

”Nope! Not up for debate sweetheart!”

And with that she scoped Catra up in her arms and proceeded to carry her out of the room.

“Scorpia! Put me down! Stop it!” Catra whined.

”Sorry, but I refuse to let my Wildcat overwork herself and not get proper rest!”

”Yeah! Take a catnap Catra!”

”Shut up Lonnie!”

After a couple minutes, the girls were in there room as Scorpia plopped Catra on the bed, the Wildcat had a scowl on her face, obviously displeased with her wife-to-be.

”Was carrying me out bridal style really necessary?”

”Just practicing babe.”

”I think you’ve had enough practice! What if someone saw us?!”

”No one saw us Catra, we’re always careful you know what.”

”Ugh! I’m so sick of all this sneaking around! It’s getting exhausting!”

Scorpia laid down next to her fiancé, pulling her close to her as they cuddled in bed.

”Catra, I promise everything is going to be ok. We’re going to stop this crazy training, get married, leave this place to have a fresh start, and spend the rest of our lives together just like we wanted.” Scorpia whispered reassuringly.

”Scorpia, that all sounds great… perfect even but you know that’s not possible. Once Adora wins the war there’s no where we could go that we’d ever be safe from her!”

”Who says she’s gonna win?”

”Everyone, all of those princess kingdoms have been getting destroyed thanks to her. Adora is one battle away from conquering everything!”

”Wildcat listen, I don’t care if we have to go to another galaxy! I will personally make sure that if Adora wins this war she’ll never see us again!”

”How can you be so sure of that?”

Scorpia planted a soft kiss on Catra’s forehead, desperately trying to calm her nerves.

”I just know. Because as long as I have you I can do anything.”

”You’re such a sap.” Catra chuckled.

”Only for you.”

”I love you.”

”I love you too.”

They both laid there in each other’s arms as they eventually drifted off to sleep, and in that moment everything was perfect.

And then that moment ended.

All was calm when a sudden loud bang on the door startled both of them awake.

”What the-! Huh?” Catra mumbled sleepily.

Scorpia scrambled out of bed to open the door, whoever it was it must have been important.

However, she would open the door to find 4 large Horde guards standing there.

”Ummm what’s going on?” Scorpia asked, clearly confused.

”Cadet Catra, Lord Adora requests your presence immediately.” One of the guards announced.

Catra’s blood ran cold at that statement. Her face turning pale with fear.

Scorpia sensing her distress, immediately ran over to Catra, holding her and whispering reassuring words in her ear.

After a couple moments Scorpia turns to the guards.

”Alright we’re coming.”

”Unfortunately Force Captain Scorpia, you are needed else where at this time and Lord Adora demanded that Cadet Catra is to come alone.”

”What?!” They both shrieked in unison.

”She can’t do that! Whatever she has to say in front of me she can say in front of Scorpia! I refuse to be left alone with that woman no matter you say!”

”Exactly!” Scorpia agrees holding Catra protectively. “Either we both come or neither of us come!”

”She figured you both may say that. Seize them!”

And with that two guards grabbed Catra, pining her down quickly and with ease whilst the other two guards handled Scorpia.

”Hey! Stop!” Scorpia grunts. “Let her go!”

”Take Cadet Catra to Lord Adora at once!”

”No! NO! Scorpia!”

”Catra! Let her go! You can’t do this! STOP!”

The 2 guards brought Catra to Hordak’s old throne room where Adora was now sitting decked out in her uniform, the moment her eyes laid on Catra she saw a wild look in them, one of obsession, evil, madness.

The guards shoved Catra down to her knees in front of Adora and stood beside there Lord awaiting further instructions.

”Thank you gentleman you may leave now, I’d like a word alone with my cadet.” Adora said with a twisted smile.

”Yes ma’am.” And with that they left.

Catra wanted to move. No. She wanted to run. She wanted to bolt out of there, find Scorpia, and run away never looking back.

But she was paralyzed with fear. She couldn’t move. She couldn’t run.

And even if she did run she knew Adora would never stop looking for her.

Adora slowly rose up from her throne approaching her.

Oh god please no.

”A-Adora please.”

She cupped Catra’s face in almost a loving way, but the slight grip she had on her cheek reminded Catra of the Horde Lord’s true possessive nature.

”Hey Catra.” She whispered madness and insanity dripping from her voice.

“What do you want Adora?”

She chuckled as if it were a rhetorical question.

”You of course.”

”Well I am NOT yours to have and I never will be!” Catra declared finding some courage.

Adora eyes narrowed for a second, showing nothing but rage, but quickly going back to that menacing look.

”Oh Catra… you know as well as I do that I will not let you go so easily.”

”Adora please! This has to stop! What do you possibly see in me that makes you so obsessed?! You have everything you ever wanted! You rule this fucking place! You got power here and everyone is under your little finger! What do you need me for?!”

Adora just looks down at her as smiles and she begins running her fingers through Catra’s hair.

“But Catra… don’t you see? You give me something that nobody else can.”

”Stop messing around Adora.” Catra growls.

“Who’s messing around Catra? I think it’s pretty clear what I want from you.”

”UGH Fuck off Adora! You can’t just live with this delusion that I’m meant to be yours and no one else’s! It’s sick! You’re sick! I loved you once but that was a long time ago when you were actually a good person! This has to stop! You can’t just try and force someone to love you!”

“Sure I can. You thought it would be different when I took charge right? I know you’ve never been fond of change but trust me, things are going to be different now I promise.”

”What are you talking about?”

Adora pulled closer forcing Catra into her arms as she began kissing her neck.

”I waited years to take my revenge on Hordak and Shadow Weaver for everything they did to do you. And now they’re finally out of the picture and I’m so close to ruling Etheria and once I do, I want you by my side, with me, as my second in command, my queen, my everything.”

”What…?”

Adora’s hands proceed to travel down to Catra’s shoulders, now places kisses on her cheek.

”Just you and me. No one will stop us. Etheria will be ours, we’ll have everything we ever wanted.”

”You mean everything you’ve ever wanted. I told you I’m done with that ‘ruling the word’ fantasy that’s not what I want anymore!”

”It was everything you wanted before Scorpia came into the picture and ruined everything! But don’t worry, I’m not gonna let that happen again.”

”What do you mean by that?! Where is she?! Where’s Scorpia?! What have you done with her?!”

”Oh don’t worry my love, she’s safe and sound in another room with some of my guards. And she’ll continue to stay safe as long as you behave yourself.”

A chill ran down Catra’s spine as she understood Adora’s implication: Do what I say or your Fiancé dies.

”You really thought I didn’t know about your little ‘engagement’ didn’t you? You should know better by now darling that I’m always watching.”

”Adora please- I’m begging you don’t hurt her! I-I’ll give you whatever you want I promise!”

Adora laughed, and laughed, maniacally.

Insane.

“Oh Catra… I only want you.”

”N-No No! You don’t want me! I-I’m a lot of trouble! I have a bad temper, I lash out, I’m always getting into some kind of trouble y-you don’t wanna have to deal with that!”

”Oh Catra, you’re so cute. That’s only because Scorpia doesn’t know how to take care of you. She doesn’t know how to protect you. You’ve been through so much, and I know how hard it’s been for you. But once you and I are married and you’re my queen I won’t let anything happen to you again.”

She wanted scream

Marry her!? Her marry Adora!? She couldn’t be serious!

But the look on her face said otherwise. In Adora’s sick, twisted, demented, and corrupt mind:

She meant every single word.

”Marry you!? You’re insane! There is no fucking way I will ever-“

”Oh but you will my love.” Adora growled in her ear.

Do what I say or your Fiancé dies.

“You will.”

Adora pulled Catra back into her arms, kissing her all over as Catra just shuddered with disgust and fear.

”I’ve waited so long to be with you. You’re mine. I’m yours. My mind. My heart. My soul. Everything I am or ever will be belongs to you and only you.”

”Adora, please. You’ve got to understand that things have changed since we were kids. You’ve changed and so have I. You have to understand… we’re not meant for each other! I’m in love with Scorpia! I want to marry her! I want to spend the rest of my life with her! What I used to feel for you, it was a long time ago. You have to move on.”

Adora grabbed Catra’s face and forced it closer, her horrified eyes having to stare into her furious ones.

”Don’t you get it?! I can’t! I can’t move on! I love you Catra! We were meant to together! And I will do everything in my power to make sure you never leave me again!”

Catra’s entire body was shaking uncontrollably, her heart was pounding, her head was spinning.

This can’t be real. This has to be some sort of nightmare! Please! I can’t marry her!

Do what I say or your Fiancé dies.

“And I can’t let Scorpia die.” Catra thought to herself.

Adora had that insane look back in her eyes, as if what just happened in the last 5 minutes never happened at all.

”So Catra, my love, my life, will you marry me? Will you be my second in command, my queen, and my everything?”

Do what I say or your Fiancé dies.

Catra took a deep breath and blinked back tears, prepared to sacrifice her freedom for the one she truly loves.

”I’m so sorry Scorpia.”

”Yes Adora, I’ll marry you.”

In an instant, Adora took Catra in her arms, hugging her tightly as if she’d disappear.

”I love you so much Catra. Nothing will ever hurt you again. Nothing will ever make you leave me again.”

Catra chocked back on her sobs, hardly believing this was her life now.

Adora took her hands and used them to cup Catra’s face once more forcing her new fiancé to look her in the eyes.

”Say it.” Adora demanded in a cold tone. “Say those 3 words that I’ve been dying to hear since I was 5 years old.”

I took everything in Catra not to break down sobbing. But she couldn’t. She had to do this.

For Scorpia.

”I love you.”