Chapter Text
Adora grunted in frustration as her swing once again found nothing but air. Air that Catra had occupied just a moment ago. She didn't want to seriously hurt her, but she was a Force Captain for the evil Horde. She had to be stopped.
If that meant... subduing her, then so be it. She had no idea what she'd do with Catra afterwards. She... didn't want to think about it for now.
Thankfully, battling Catra didn't leave much room for such wondering. But as her eyes roamed over the raging battlefield around her, her former friend was nowhere in sight. At least, for the moment. She knew that would change eventually.
However, there were plenty of other threats to occupy her attention in the meantime. Horde soldiers outnumbered their forces five to one. There were about ten or so tall drones littered about the battlefield that she could see. She knew there were most likely plenty more of the smaller ones scuttling around. A line of tanks could be heard in the distance, steadily getting louder and louder.
Adora was standing in the eye of the storm. She had a moment of peace to spare, and the Rebellion needed something to tip the scales in their favor.
They needed She-Ra.
Catching her breath, she steeled her resolve and raised her sword above her head. Already she could feel newfound strength pour into her. The runestone in the hilt was pulsating with energy, silently anticipating what would come next. It was quickly becoming routine, but she wasn't complaining. It was just the refreshing rush she needed right now. In such a state, it wasn't hard to find the confidence she needed to infuse her voice with for the final part of the transformation.
"For the honor of Graysku--"
Things after that moved too quickly for her to process at first.
A familiar voice cried out, "I don't think so!" and the force of a pouncing body nearly pushed her forward to the ground. It would have if a familiar warmth didn't envelope her and lift her body off the ground like it was made of air.
A new tingling sensation traveled throughout her skin. She couldn't force her eyes open to check, but she felt the She-Ra transformation do itself. That was weird on its own, considering she had to at least help it along, but there was something else. Her boots felt different, as did her forearm bracers and... well, pretty much everything else. Her skirt was shorter, but the shorts underneath were no longer shorts. Her circlet reached just past her ears. Her hair felt just a bit coarser, and part of it separated on both sides of her neck to lie in front. Even her eyes felt different, once she was finally allowed to open them.
When she did, she found a paused battle. Fighters from both sides took an unspoken truce to stare at the floating woman glowing like a rising sun. All of them stared at her with either awe or surprise plain as day on their faces.
Part of her simply felt confusion. They'd all seen or at least heard of She-Ra by now. She must've at least looked recognizable enough.
The other part was immensely freaking out. She wasn't supposed to be here. How the hell could she see this? This couldn't be possible. There was no way. Despite herself, she felt fear at the mountain of unknowns towering over her. She tried her hardest to push it down. She wasn't supposed to be afraid anymore. She'd promised herself long ago. She had to calm down.
That other part didn't feel like Adora. Those thoughts felt alien in her head. But a new one of her own was quick to occupy the space.
Wait, where's Catra?
Despite the chaotic feelings swirling through her, a warmth bubbled in her chest for a moment. It felt like an inaudible chuckle. A new thought popped into her head, but it felt more... personal this time. And definitely more recognizable.
Hey, Adora.
What? ...No. No. This couldn't be possible. Her mind struggled to process the implications of the situation. There was no way this could be happening. She had to be hallucinating, or dreaming somehow.
She'd already went down that road. This would have to be one hell of a lucid dream. Somehow, she really doubted that was the case.
Her attention was suddenly wrenched back to the real world. Far back in the crowd, she could spy a Horde soldier picking up their gun and aiming it right at her-- them?-- her. She could also see how their hands shook ever so slightly, but not enough to throw off their aim. They'd approximately hit her in the chest. Maybe the head, if they were lucky.
Part of Catra wanted to let them take the shot. Who knows? It might force them apart, and wound She-Ra in the process. It'd be a win-win for her.
...Or they'd wound both of them. Or worse.
Do you want to test that theory? Or do you want to live?
She mulled it over, but they didn't have a lot of time to ponder. Adora itched to move out the way, shield herself somehow, but her body didn't move an inch. Not even a pinky finger would budge despite her mental efforts. As she heard the blast set off, she wondered how it was possible.
Then it dawned on her.
Catra, please. I can't do anything without you.
...Sucks, doesn't it? The mental voice somehow expressed the long-hidden bitterness in her quite well.
Adora kept trying in vain, knowing the shot would likely hit her. She tried her best to mentally prepare herself for whatever would happen after that.
Then, right as the bullet was about to contact, She-Ra's new form moved. She held up one of her new clawed bracers to intercept the bullet quick as a flash. Her body finally drifted down to meet the ground. But she didn't focus on that for now. Instead, she glared at the soldier who fired the shot.
When she stepped forward, the still-stunned Horde soldiers between her and her target parted for her. If the poor person was shaking before, they were quivering like a leaf in a thunderstorm. She got up to them in no time.
"I have to say," she said, in a bit harsher and huskier voice than usual. Of course that changed in this weird new transformation too. "I admire your initiative, cadet. That was a real ballsy move."
Why are you complimenting them? They could have hurt you. Maybe killed you.
I'm getting to that part, Adora. Just go along with it.
And why should I do that?
Because I can call off the attack, including the tanks wrecking the housing district. I can buy us time to figure this situation out. I know you don't have much reason to, but please. Just... trust me. At least for now.
Now it was Adora's turn to mull things over. But no matter how she tried, she couldn't see a better option than this. They needed answers, and those wouldn't be found in the middle of a battle like this. Not while innocent people were in danger.
So when the plan popped into her head, Adora reluctantly went along with it.
She moved so quickly it would have been missed with a blink. She grabbed the soldier by the chestpiece and lifted them up off their feet. It was like lifting a toothpick. Despite herself, Catra found herself admiring She-Ra's strength. It was impressive... when it was helping her.
"But let me make one thing perfectly clear," she growled. "Even in a weird and new situation like this, never ever attack your Force Captain. I won't be so kind next time, and I doubt any of the others will be either." She narrowed her eyes. "Have I made myself clear, cadet?"
They couldn't nod faster. "O-Of course... Force Captain Catra. I understand."
She smirked in self-satisfaction. "Good." She let go, letting the cadet fall about a foot down to the ground. They quickly scrambled to their feet. "Then tell Lord Hordak," it took everything in Adora not to gag at saying that name. "that I was... incapacitated and we were forced into a tactical retreat."
A soldier in the crowd started to speak. "But Force Captain Catra--"
She whirled around in the direction of the voice. The closest soldiers jerked back at her glowering gaze. "Did I stutter?!" She demanded, her voice carrying a degree of power neither had experienced before. "Call off the attack, the battle's over! And never question my orders again! Now get out of here!"
The Horde soldiers scrambled about, picking up their weapons and heading out. Some spoke into comms to call off the tanks. Others gathered the drones to head out in groups. Within five minutes, there was no trace of the Horde save the damage left behind. The two of them silently observed their surroundings.
...You felt that too, right?
Yeah. Is that... how being She-Ra normally feels?
Not to that degree. Light Hope better answer for this.
...Who?
You'll see.
The Rebellion's warriors watched as the new She-Ra started her long trek to the First One's temple.
None dared to stop her.