Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Everything hurt.

Hell, even her bones seemed to ache with the electrical sting that only magic could leave behind. Only this time, it wasn't only the pain left behind from the magic or the welts she was sure was littering her body.

No, what hurt even worse than that was her heart because, no matter how she looked at it. Adora had left her., left her here without so much as a thought about what the consequences would be once that Shadow Weaver discovered her absence.

Why didn't she let me come with her? Did she really think that she would save me from anything by making me stay behind? She should know by now that any time she screws up... I end up paying for it!

The thought made her stomach turn.

What if that was the only thing that she was to Adora? What if the only thing that the blonde had seen her as was some kind of whipping girl?

Had their friendship really meant nothing to her?

Catra felt like crying at that thought—although she wouldn't—No, she couldn't do anything to make Shadow Weaver think that she was finally broken.

That she had finally gotten to her.

No, she wasn't weak and she would rather die than let anyone think that.

It was with that thought that the half-feline staggered to her feet, panting from the pain.

This is the worse she's ever done...and that's saying something...guess she was afraid to actually kill me without a cause but she wanted to make me wish that she had . Catra thought as she glanced around the dimly lit room, seeing no sign of anyone or anyone.

Looks like the bitch had better things to do than make sure I stayed in a re-education chamber.

She thought as she slowly made her way back toward the barracks, knowing that the infirmary would be useless.

I shouldn't have stuck around....I should have left while I still had a chance. I shouldn't have.....

Catra froze when that particular thought hit her.

Who says I can't leave? If Adora could just abandon everyone here when everyone loved her....Then what is keeping me here?

It's not like anyone would miss me anyway.

Catra could take the pain.

She knew that. She knew that she was stronger than what people believed she was...She had to be.

But yet if this was true, then why was it that with every jar of the skiff her whole body seemed to spasm?

Hell, even the wind against her fur hurt and she didn't even want to know the condition that her body was in for it to hurt this much.

Come on, you are better than this. You've dealt with this shit your whole life! You can take anything that is thrown at you! What is a beating? You've had worse.

She told herself mentally, although she wasn't quite so sure that this was the truth.

Sure, she had been beaten pretty badly before but she feared that anything worse than this would have killed her.

She wasn't sure how long she drove but she soon found herself outside of the Whispering Wood—and definitely not in Bright-Moon.

Well, this is as good of a place as any to rest....Shadow Weaver and the others wouldn't dream of a traitorous Cadet running to the middle of Nowhere. They would try to infer-trait Bright-Moon first. She thought as she slowly dismounted the Riff, wincing as the movement irritated her injuries even further.

She glanced around then, sniffing at the air in case there was anyone else nearby, hoping that there wasn't since she really didn't feel like putting up with a pity party or being forced to talk to anyone at all at the moment.

All she really wanted was some sleep.

Maybe when I wake up I'll be able to figure out where to go from here. I am absolutely not going to go deal with those prissy princesses. Adora can take them and that big, glowing sword and shove it up her ass.

She thought as she got comfortable the best she could on the ground.

Chapter Text

Catra awoke with a start, an uneasy feeling settling in the pit of her stomach. The same uneasy feeling that Catra had felt the night that Adora had left to find that damned sword.

But what could it be? Surely there weren't any weird weapons with glowing princess powers in the area.

However, as she stiffly got to her feet and slowly began to walk around, both to try to get the stiffness out of her body but also to try to figure out where exactly she was. However, as she walked around she suddenly found the ground shift under her and suddenly she felt all the pain from the previous night return as she found herself tumbling through some kind of hole.

Great...My two options were getting beat to death or dying in a pit somewhere.

She thought as she slowly got to her feet, wincing when she felt her ankle protest against the movements.

She didn't know how long that she was walking until she began aware of the feeling of something watching her from the shadows—although when she looked she didn't see anything—but the longer she walked, the stronger that sensation became.

Okay, this place is freaky.

She thought as she glanced around once again and felt her heart nearly stop as she came face to face with a huge beast with glowing green eyes.

She tried to take a swipe at the creature, only to find herself bowled over by the creature, whose eyes narrowed slightly as it sniffed at her.

At any other time Catra would have tried to at least outsmart the thing—However in the condition that she was in, she froze.

That was until the creature spoke.

“A horde soldier alone? Now I have seen everything.”

Catra was still in shock when she saw more of these creatures—Including one who stood slightly taller than most of them who wore a strange purple mask over its face.

“Let's bring her back to the city....She's covered in blood and I can see that her clothing is ripped. I know this isn't the work of any of the surrounding kingdoms. Even the traitors weren't this bad.” The one with the mask spoke, her tone of voice reminding Catra slightly of Hordak's—although the other cat-like creatures didn't seem to fear her.

“Your majesty, are you sure? I mean she is obviously from the Horde....”

One of the creatures began only to earn a growl.

“Tell me, what is one injured teenager going to do to a whole kingdom of warriors? I doubt she could even run if she wanted to with those wounds. We'll figure out everything later...as of right now we better be getting back...The hunters have probably already returned.”

“Ow! Shit! What are you trying to do? Kill me? Why didn't the demon-beasts do that before they brought me here!” Catra exclaimed as she felt something that felt like fire being pressed against the torn skin on her back, earning a chuckle from the woman standing behind her.

“Demon-Beasts? Well, that is new. Then again...I bet you don't even know where you are or what you are. Do you kid?”

The response caused Catra to freeze.

That was true. Catra had certainly noticed that these people—or most of them—looked similar to her.

She had never seen anyone like her before and now that she thought about it, there wasn't supposed to be anything in this area either.

“Yeah well, I've never seen a huge ass cat the size of a damn horse!” Catra retorted only to yelp again as more of the solution was applied to the wounds.

“I'm sure Queen C'yra will explain everything in due time. Right now you probably should just worry about taking care of these wounds so they don't infect Although you have to be pretty strong since you made it this far out here with these kinds of injuries I don't know, most would be in bed for weeks.”

Meanwhile, in another part of the underground City, a magicat with a pattern similar to that of a tiger sat behind a desk, blue eyes focusing on a crystal orb in front of him.

“It is true that it is a possibility...talk about this being a huge screw you by Hordak.” he said, earning a sigh from the red-haired female sitting next to him.

“What do you think we should do Tora? I mean...She was raised in the Horde. But you saw that the the cuts on her back were similar to those of the whips used in the mining camps. Seems like she needs a lot more than medical attention. Who knows how messed up she is by whatever those monsters have done to her.”

Chapter Text

To say that her head was spinning would have been an understatement. No, she was utterly confused.

Why hadn't any of their classes ever mentioned the kingdom that had fallen? Why hadn't she learned about the fact that the Fright Zone was located where another kingdom had once stood?

She was sure she would have remembered something about it if they had covered it—even-though she had usually blackmailed Kyle into doing anything remotely like book work that they had.

But now that she lay on the overstuffed bed her mind seemed to echo these questions on repeat.

Was this where she had come from?

Was that why that she had never seen anyone else who had looked like her? Because they had been forced into hiding in the fear of death from the Horde?

She really didn't want to think about it.

She was half asleep when she heard the sound of something slamming into the door of the section she had been given.

Who the hell could that be? I thought they said that I would be left alone to rest?

Catra thought as she got up and headed toward the door, however when she opened it she found herself blinded by a spray of some kind of liquid followed by laughter and a young female voice saying

“Take that Horde Soldier!”

Catra couldn't help but growl as she tried to wipe the burning liquid out of her eyes, however, the next thing that she noticed was a loud, feminine voice calling out

“Raiona! What are you doing? Are you trying to blind the girl? All of you go home and don't think your parents won't hear about this!”

When Catra finally got her vision back she found herself not only in the presence of one of the strange warrior race but it was obvious by the clothing that she wore that this woman standing in front of her was one of the rulers.

“Are you alright?” the woman questioned as she narrowed her eyes at Catra, nose wrinkling slightly at the scent of the liquid as she added under her breath “I'm gonna kill that girl.”

“Yeah, I'm fine. Although next time I see that little brat I swear...” Catra began, earning a chuckle as the queen handed her a handkerchief.

“Don't blame you...that was salt water although I can swear that she isn't usually that big of a brat.” she retorted before she added “now that is out of the way, I am called Queen C'yra the third of the royal family of D'riluth and I would like to talk to you about what ended with you being here to start with.”

Catra sighed as she heard this and nodded.

“guess I can't really say no, can I? What do you want to know?” Catra responded, turning to head back inside and motioning for the woman to follow her.

“First, I want to know how you ended up so banged up.” C'yra asked, earning a sigh.

“Because I was the weakest link in the whole unit?” Catra retorted as she took a seat, not sure how else to explain that since she obviously didn't want to tell this woman—whom she had just met—anything too personal about herself.

“Alright...and why did you come this direction?”

C'yra questioned, wincing at how accusing she sounded in that moment.

“Look, lady. I'm not going to rat you out to Hordak or whatever the hell you think I am going to do. I wanted to get as far away from Bright-Moon and the Fright Zone that I possibly could. I don't even know what you are...Or where I am. I mean, I was told that the Horde drove you underground and destroyed your kingdom but that was all that I know....It's not like I came here searching for anything!”

Catra practically yelled, flinching back as she saw the woman's eyes narrow although C'yra didn't react and instead said.

“I see...Then you will have no arguments about coming to meet with my husband who wishes to speak with you as well. If you have nothing to hide, then you have nothing to fear.”

Catra wasn't sure what she expected when she was lead into the biggest section on the underground kingdom—that she had learned had been dubbed Half-Moon—however, whatever it was, it wasn't a tiger-furred half-feline sitting in a wheelchair.

This was the king? How is that possible?

She wondered, knowing how this sort of thing was treated in the Fright-Zone, which obviously wasn't the case here.

“You're the king?”

She couldn't keep the words from spilling out of her mouth, the disbelief practically painting her tone although to her surprise he just smirked over at her before he retorted:

“and you're the Horde soldier that everyone in the compound is talking about.”

A heavy silence passed over them for some time before Cyra finally spoke.

“Speaking of Horde soldiers...Did Raiona come back here? Brat decided it was a smart move to spray salt water in Catra's face.” she stated, earning a groan from Tora.

“so that is what she was going on about.....Spirits. You can handle that mess....I'll talk with Catra, was it?”

Tora could tell that this teen was nervous, which he assumed was because of his position—plus he was sure that her never interacting with someone in a wheelchair before probably didn't help with the awkwardness.

“why I wanted to speak with you myself is because you are dressed as a soldier and not a slave, yet was obviously treated like one. I remember how the Magi-cat prisoners were treated after the fall of D'riluth. Luckily most escaped and remained undetected for all these years....although it left its mark.” Tora stated, taking note of her confused look.

“Is that what happened to you?” Catra couldn't help but ask, earning a nod.

“Yes, C'yra was held captive at one of the Camps...Her mask stolen and she was injured so she was practically powerless. I was one of the ones who went to free her...The fight was hard but we managed to get our people free...But many were killed and injured in the scuffle. I don't remember what happened but I do know that it was a captain or something. He was the former king of the Crimson kingdom and while fighting him I was slammed back into a rock.”

Catra wasn't sure what to say to that, especially since she didn't know where the Crimson Kingdom even was. However, before either of them could say anything both of them could hear shouting from the top level of the bunker.

“They're the one who killed the true heir and it was their fault Dad can't walk! How can you just welcome one of them in like that?”

Catra heard Tora sigh and could swear she saw a sparkle of green energy dance around him.

“Please ignore that....Our family has a personal history with the Horde and obviously children can't think with logic.” he muttered, shaking his head “Why don't we go out somewhere and leave them to whatever that argument is?”

Chapter Text

Catra sighed as she glanced over at Tora, who didn't seem the lease bit phased by the whispers around them. How can he be so calm? She wondered, sticking her hands into the pockets of the jacket she had been given.

“So what was all of that about back there? I mean your kid seemed to be going ballistic.” she questioned, hoping to make conversation however she instantly regretted that as she saw his expression drop slightly.

“five years before Raiona was born, we had another child although briefly because shortly after she was born, the horde attacked and captured our kingdom....Including C'yra and the baby. It always haunted me that we were nearly powerless against that tyrant and his crew of scum.” Tora answered, only to feel a hand rest on his shoulder.

“No disrespect but not everyone in the Horde are that bad. Most just want to survive.” she stated, earning a sigh.

“I am sure that for some that is true.” Tora began, glancing over at her before sighing “I didn't mean to imply...” He began, obviously struggling although Catra just nodded.

“Yeah, they've put you through shit. I get it, but a lot of them are just there because that was all they know...They raise kids to be soldiers. Kids that never know any kindness outside of that of their unit and even that isn't available to everyone.” Catra answered, watching as his fur bristled.

“I didn't know that was what they did with the children they took...We always assumed...” the king trailed off, eyes widening slightly.

“Was there anyone else of your species within the Fright-Zone?” he asked, earning a shrug.

“None I saw...Maybe if there had been I wouldn't have been treated like some kind of freak. Why?” Catra replied, ear twitching slightly as she turned her complete attention to him, arching a brow.

“Nothing...it's not important.” Tora answered, although the teenaged Magi-cat just scoffed.

“Obviously it is if you get all wide-eyed about it. Besides everyone has been looking at me weird since I came here and I have a feeling it's not just because I am a horde soldier.”

Catra responded, earning a sigh.

“I can't be for sure about anything but....” Tora began to try to explain however he was cut off by a rock that came sailing toward them, only to be blasted away by a well-aimed blast of magic from the king.

“Let's go....we will finish this talk in private.”

Catra remained quiet as she was walking alongside him, lost in thought.

“This mask that Hordak gave me...Was this the one taken from C'yra?” She asked, removing the object from her head and glancing down at it.

“Yes...However, I want to see if you have connected to the enchantment put upon that mask.” Tora answered, and Catra could feel her ears prick up at that.

“Wait you're saying that I could possibly have a connection to that kind of power? What exactly can a Magi-cat do?” she questioned, unable to not be excited at the idea of doing something new for once.

“The Magi-Cats are a warrior race who sometimes use magic and cunning as well as melee know-how and if you can connect to the magic in that mask you will be even stronger than you already are....that is if you have the determination to work for it.” Tora answered with a chuckle before he added: “Come, I'll take you to the Clerics training chambers and try to talk you through it.”

Cyra sighed when she saw her husband's closest friend, Anu walk into the room.

“Tora wants you to come to the training chambers....There is something that you have got to see.”

Cyra glanced toward the stairs before sighing once again.

“Can you at least keep Raiona here? I don't need her causing any more of a scene.” she responded, earning a nod.

Cyra wasn't sure what she was going to find however it wasn't that the teenage girl standing there panting hard and coated in sweat.

“Cyra...she can use the power.....Not well....But she managed to make a small orb.” Tora said, his voice shaking as he turned his head toward his wife.

“Spirits.”

Chapter Text

“This isn't fair and you know it! She's a Horde soldier! Why don't you try to explain that to my parents? They'll listen to you!” Raiona growled to the guard that stood inside her room, earning an eye roll from the young woman.

“I'm paid to protect you from abuse, not your own stupidity and I'm pretty sure that spraying someone invited here by the queen with hot salt water and getting grounded doesn't signify abuse.” The guard retorted, earning a hiss from the pre-teen who flopped back onto the bed.

“You're the worst bodyguard ever, Praelia!”

The guard bit her lip to keep from snickering at the bratty tone.

“Yeah well, you certainly don't make my job easy Princess.”

Rainoa glared over at Praelia at that before tossing a pillow at her.

“says the one who only became a guard because my parents pitied you because you were orphaned during the fall of D'riluth!”

Praelia growled at that, bluish-green eyes narrowing as she turned toward the girl.

“You know what little miss bad man? Protect your own damned self.” she growled before leaving the room, storming past the old, one armed man sitting on the sofa.

“where are you going?” He asked, earning a huff.

“Away from that brat before I end up smacking the shit out of her.” Praelia retorted “If I had talked to anyone like that I'd have been seeing stars.”

Anu sighed at that and moved to put his hand on her shoulder.

“Yes but you must remember that wasn't the only reasons you were hit and that was before anyone found out about it...and before you started your cleric training. Do you remember how you behaved at that age? Would you wish that kind of feeling on anyone?” He questioned, earning a sigh as the young woman visibly deflated.

“No, I wouldn't....Ugh...I'm going out. Tell C'yra I'll be back after I stop contemplating high treason.” Praleia responded earning a laugh.

“I highly doubt that either Tora or C'yra would charge you with treason if you lost your temper. After all, you usually put up with that girl's foolishness.” Anu responded, earning a shrug.

“Yeah well....She's a kid....and...Ugh....I'm going out....Tell C'yra that I'll be back before nightfall.”

“Okay, can someone tell me what the hell is going on? Catra demanded after listening to the monarch's whispering in what had to be another language.

What in the world is going on? I thought they were weird before but now....Ugh....Is everyone outside the Fright Zone brain damaged or something?

“Catra...What you just did....Not just anyone can do it.” C'yra began, her voice shaking as though suddenly she was nervous—or frightened.

“that much I gathered, but so what? I mean...I of all people managed to do it. So it can't be that special.” Catra responded, taking notice of how the two adults glanced over at each other once again “Am I missing something here?”

Tora wheeled himself forward then, blue eyes narrowing slightly as he seemed to be thinking about something.

“Remember what I told you before we came in here? I told you that the mask had once belonged to C'yra and that if you could connect to it then you would have great power...”

“Whoa, hold up.....What aren't you saying?” Catra demanded, earning a sigh.

“I—I'm not sure how to even answer that.” C'yra responded and even Tora—who had been explaining a lot of things to Catra until now—seemed at a loss for words.

They stood there for some time, no one was sure what to say until finally, Catra spoke up.

“Just spit it out....You two are hiding something and I had enough of that shit back in the Fright Zone.” Catra bitterly said, crossing her arms over her chest as she regarded the pair.

Why is my fur standing on end like this? I know something is up but what? What are they hiding? Probably nothing good if this feeling is anything to go by. She thought although something about the looks on their face told her that whatever it was that they weren't saying was bothering them as well.

“Catra...Remember what I told you about....” Tora began, earning a sigh from Catra.

“Do you guys ever not speak in riddles? I swear you're worse than one of Shadow Weaver's spell books!” She stated just as there was a loud bang from outside the building.

“What in the universe was that?” Tora commented even though he looked relieved at the distraction.

“I have two guessed and one would be your youngest daughter.” C'yra responded, earning a groan from Tora.

“When she does things like this she's you're daughter!”

Out of curiosity Catra followed the adults out of the room although her eyes instantly widened when she saw the girl who had attacked her—who looked like a paler version of C'yra—and a boy a few years older than herself engaged in some kind of sparring match, magic blasts seeming to come from every angle.

Raiona! Amur! What in the name of the other world are you two doing! Raiona! You're supposed to be inside and where is Praelia? She is supposed to be keeping an eye on you!” C'yra demanded, effectively halting the fight.

“Praelia ran off again.” the preteen retorted, earning a look from her mother.

“More like you probably sent her on a wild goose chase or something! You and I will be talking about this later!” C'yra retorted earning a glare.

“Why am I always in trouble when the fucking Horde Soldier is basically welcomed here after everything that they did!” the princess snarled, earning a sigh as C'yra sent an apologetic look to Catra before answering.

“Because you behave as uncivilized as a barbarian and evidently as heartless as Hordak himself. Tell me, Raiona, what would you have done if you found someone bleeding and unable to walk properly? Would you have locked them away? Have them executed?”

That effectively seemed to shut the younger Magi-cat up and when she didn't get an answer, C'yra continued.

“What is the creed that is taught to all of our kind? Pietas, Misericordia, et Honor. This is why I will not train you under the influence of the Runestone....Because until you can understand the meaning of each of those terms you are not worthy to wield that kind of power because you would end up abusing it.”

Catra was amazed by how C'yra spoke to the girl. There was no trace of anger in her tone nor was there ridicule. So unlike anyone in the Fright Zone that was sure.

“You don't know that! You don't trust me with anything! I bet you only had me because the damned Heir was taken! You never gave a damn about me!”

and with that the preteen bolted off, earning a sigh from C'yra.

“Too bad the heir was taken because I'm pretty sure that you wouldn't act like this if she wasn't.” the queen muttered, sighing as Tora reached over and took her hand.

“Jeez...what has crawled up her ass today? I don't think I've ever heard her talk to you like that?” the white-tiger like Magi-cat questioned, earning a sigh from Tora.

“Raiona does it enough....although I don't think she means any of what she says. It has to be difficult for her....being cooped up like she is with guards always watching.” Tora answered before glancing over at Catra.

“Amur can you show Catra around? I need to speak to Aderes and Eamon about something....and I'm pretty sure that C'yra wishes to speak to Anu on the same topic. Have her back at our place before dinner....and don't let any harm come to her.”

Catra glanced over at the Magi-cat in question, noticing how he smirked toward her before he added

“Okay, but I promised the guys I'd go fishing with them tonight and since I have the night off from my duties I figured the fresh air wouldn't hurt....I mean I can shift now.” Amur answered, earning a quizzical look from C'yra.

“and you think I'm letting you go to the surface why?” she questioned, earning a sigh.

“because I am seventeen and I have been on hunting parties before? Plus three of us who are going are either on the sentry or a cleric so it's not like we won't be safe!” Amur answered, calmly and C'yra nodded.

“I still want to brief them before you leave...I lost too many people to the Horde....I don't want my nephew added to that list.” C'yra answered in a low voice and with that, she turned and walked back the way she came without another word.

“Catra...Wear this....It has our insignia on the back and it'll show other's you're under our protection....No one will bother you as long as you wear this.” Tora said, removing his jacket and handing it to her.

Catra wasn't sure what to make of this gesture—although she knew better than to argue with him since he was the king and she had no desire to end up inside a cell or worse.

“Thanks but I can handle anything.” She responded, earning a smirk.

“I'm sure but give an old man some peace of mind will you? What kind of person would I be if I let our guest get beat up by a mob or something of the sort?”

“What's wrong with you?”

Adora glanced up to see Glimmer standing in the doorway and wondered briefly how long she had been standing there.

“When did you...” She began, only to get cut off by the shorter girl who popped herself over to the window seat.

“You're worrying about what that cat person said back there, aren't you? I mean she attacked a village! You saw that! There is no way someone like that could really care about anyone!” Glimmer stated, earning a sigh from the blonde who pulled her knee's to her chest.

“I don't know Glimmer, Catra's always been a lot of things but she's not emotionless...not like you think anyway. She runs on autopilot....always doing things first and thinking about them later. Maybe I shouldn't have just left her like that...I mean.....Shadow Weaver had ways to get under your skin and force you to confess anything. Who knows what happened to her when she got back.” Adora responded, earning a sigh.

“Who knows if anything did? I mean doesn't the Horde need all the soldiers they can get?” Glimmer retorted “Besides, what good will it do to worry about it? I mean, there's no way we can just storm into the fright zone and check things out. You know? That would be a death wish!”

“Yeah, but I can't help but worry. We were best friends since we were little kids....She was actually the first friend I made when I entered the Cadet's ward for the first time.” Adora's voice faltered as she remembered that day, remembered how Lonnie and everyone else had told her to ignore Catra—who they said ate mice and was rabid—and how when she first spoke to Catra the other girl seemed almost overjoyed by the sudden attention.

“Wow...How old were you guys when you first started training then?” Glimmer questioned, eyes growing wide at the implication of those words.

“Those of us without parents either stay in a separate unit or with a superior officer who teaches us basic survival skills and such until we're old enough for the real stuff. I was kept in the same unit as Shadow Weaver—Hordak's second in command until I was six and could enter the academy.”

Adora's simple tone caught Glimmer as off guard as the information did.

“That's really screwed up...I mean you were little more than a toddler! When I was six I was still struggling to color inside the lines.” Glimmer commented, earning a shrug as Adora stood up

“That's just how things were in the Horde. I didn't think that the Fright zone was that bad until you and Bow showed me how different everything was outside of Hordak's rule.”

Chapter Text

“Why didn't the healers just use their abilities to heal you? I mean that way it would be a lot easier to move around.” Amur asked as he helped Catra up onto a rocky crevice outside of the underground city.

“Magic did this. Do you honestly think I want magic around me right now?”

Catra retorted, panting slightly as she allowed him to pull her up.

“Ouch....Okay, I saw the shape your clothes were in when you were brought in. How does magic do that?” Amur asked, instantly regretting asking that when he saw how her ears drooped at the question.

“Try being frozen in place and forced to endure beams of energy hitting you. Some cutting into your skin and no matter what you couldn't do anything to defend yourself.” Catra answered as she over at the strange city, which seemed to be built up of crystal and mineral.

“Well you know, you have magic inside of you too right? All magi-cats do in one way or another. C'yra can get wicked strong if she wants to. Tora is a geomancer which means he sees visions using Earth Manipulating magic.” Amur explained, earning a scoff.

“Yeah well, it can stay inside me for all I care. I don't need some kind of fancy power up like Shadow Weaver got from that stupid Black Garnet.” Catra retorted before adding “Why did you bring me up here anyway?”

Amur smirked before he glanced over at her.

“Because this is the best view in the whole place during the solstice festival and since Raiona is grounded for whatever dumb thing she did this time...I figured it would be a good way to introduce you to the culture.” He reasoned simply as he took a seat at the edge of the rock.

“Not to sound stupid but what the heck is a festival?” Catra retorted, taking a seat beside him.

Amur felt his eyes grow wide at her question. After all, how could she not know what a festival was? But she didn't seem like she was trying to make a fool of him.

“Like a huge Party...um....We celebrate certain holidays with huge public parties full of games, food and everything else. Tomorrow there is going to be a huge feast which is why me and my friends are going out fishing tonight since the Horde is less likely to just come wondering through a dead zone for any reason that late.” Amur tried to answer, earning a shrug.

“Guess I just have to find out....Is that why everything here looks like a rainbow threw up on it?” Catra quipped, motioning toward a streamer that had been put up nearby.

“Uh yeah...although the minerals are always colorful.”

“I don't know how you could welcome her here even if that is true! I mean honestly, she works for the Horde and....” C'yra's majordomo—a cougar like Magi-cat called Nahuel said in disgust only to earn a glare from both the royals.

“If it is true then you have no say in the matter, then do you? After all, you are just a mage from the concolor clan.” Tora stated, earning a snarl in response.

“oh, so you think you are so much better because you are from the ever so powerful Valmere Clan? If you're so powerful then why are you stuck in that chair?” Nahuel retorted.

“Shut up! I could have you in chains for that!” C'yra practically roared, her voice bouncing off the walls and alerting the guards that stood around outside the door.

“Problem?” one of the guards questioned, hand on her sword although C'yra just shook her head.

“No, I am just about to be one councilman less.” the queen retorted, shooting a look toward the other man before adding “Do any of the rest of you share his opinions about the girl?”

“Well if she does prove to be the bearer of the blood of the Azmer clan then we can't really have any say in the matter as she will be the blood heir. However, I do suggest that we all use extreme caution around the girl for the time being since we do not know her full intention or if she still holds any loyalty to Hordak.”

an old woman was the first to answer, earning a nod from C'yra.

“I agree Bira. Trust must be earned besides given after all. I do not think the child has any ill intentions but as long as no one is cruel I don't see the harm in having caution toward her.” C'yra answered, noticing how her husband glared her way as she said those words—but chose to ignore it.

“I had blood taken for testing...Surely there will be an answer soon enough. However, there is something peculiar that I heard from C'yra and Tora....The girl can summon the freeze fire and that is enough proof for me because no one has ever been able to use that enchantment who didn't have Azmer blood running through them.” Anu said, causing yet another roar of whispers to echo through the room.

Catra wasn't sure what it was that she was seeing as she watched a man make shapes using his magic, which seemed to dance along the group of children who seemed amazed by whatever it was he was talking about.

She never thought that Magic could ever be used in such a way. After all, wasn't Magic a form of Power? Wasn't this considered a waste of energy and power? She wondered as she stood back, watching this ritual of sorts—that was until the glowing illusion of a horse came to a stop in front of her, rearing before sprouting wings and flying.

Turning her attention to the man and arching a brow, she saw that he was smiling.

“You seemed entranced.” he said simply as he continued to put on a puppet show of sorts using the illusions.

“What is the point of what you're doing?” Catra replied earning a chuckle.

“Entertainment. Sit down....Perhaps even I can hold your attention.” he retorted, motioning with his free hand toward the group of kids.

“Ugh...No thanks....I'm no child.” she responded, practically sneering although Amur's hand on her shoulder kept her from turning away.

“Stories aren't just for children, Catra. Go ahead and stay if you want, no one is going to judge you for it.” he said, earning a scoff.

“You can act like a toddler if you want, I'm going to go find something to do that isn't a waste of time.” Catra retorted, shrugging away from him and walking off.

That was until she heard someone say

“How about you tell the story about how Catullus conquered our lands with only the help of his three most trusted friends and the sword of Panthera?”

Now that caught Catra's attention, after all, how could four people conquer anything?

She tried to ignore the smirk on Amur's face as she wordlessly took a seat beside him.

“Thought you said that stories were for cubs?” he teased, earning a hiss.

“Shut up.”

“You basically gave them the right to discriminate on your daughter! Don't you pretend for a second that you don't believe that she is!” Tora said as soon as he and C'yra were alone.

“What would you have had me do? They are unnerved by the fact that a horde soldier is here in Half-Moon and for good reason! So many people were lost to that band of tyrants...or have you forgotten that your own brother was killed right in front of you and your sister in law was worked to death in the labor camps during my time in the same camp?” C'yra retorted, sighing as she turned to him

“Tora, all that they want is to exercise caution until we can be sure that the girl has pure intentions. It's not like they want to have her publicly executed or something like that. If things get too bad I will address it but until then....let things play out naturally.” C'yra began, earning a sigh.

“I just don't want her to think that there is no safety anywhere. She is being brave despite how unnerved she is however when that emotional dam breaks....all seven layers of hell is going to break loose and woe be on whoever is the target of that.” Tora said, trying not to sound too judgmental despite his own personal feelings on the subject.

“I know....I can smell the nervousness rolling off of her and I assure you that if she needs help, I will do my best to help her. However there are some things I have to do as the ruler of these people...even if I don't want to do them and one is allowing her to earn the trust of the people.” C'yra said tiredly before adding:

“now if you will excuse me I need to go find a certain member of our guard and see what the hell happened for her to leave Raiona unprotected....although I have a feeling it is our kit to blame for that particular mess.”

“Good luck, you're going to need it.”

Chapter Text

Catra found herself more confused as the evening went on and without Amur to explain things to her. Why was this sort of thing a tradition? Wasn't it a waste of resources? She wondered, sniffing of something that smelled way too much like the brown ration bars from the Fright Zone for comfort.

Okay, now I really don't want to know what they put inside those things. She thought just as she was about to ask about the so-called food, she heard the sound of laughter coming from down one of the corridors.

What the world is that? She wondered as she followed the sound, only to find a group of children—one she recognized as the brat that had attacked her earlier—running some kind of obstacle course that had been built over what seemed to be an underground lake.

“What's wrong Horde Soldier? Never seen a game before?” A female close to Catra's own age jeered, earning a smirk.

“Even if I hadn't I could still kick your ass at this!” Catra retorted, only to hear a more familiar voice speak out.

“I think you should leave her alone Onya....She is injured and shouldn't get her bandages wet.”

Turning toward the speaker, Catra saw the same healer that had treated her earlier.

“You think that really matters? I've had worse than this and still trained!” Catra retorted defensively although the woman just nodded.

“I am sure you have but I'm also surprised you haven't died from an infection yet if that is the case.” The healer retorted before adding “but do what you want...I don't understand why you didn't let us heal you completely, to begin with.”

Catra hissed at that comment before she turned toward the course.

“I do whatever the hell I want when I want and I don't do magic bullshit.” She retorted before walking away, only to get cut off by a very familiar figure.

“Hey, traitor...Why don't you take on someone who has trained endlessly since they were old enough to walk!” Raiona stated and Catra really had to resist the urge to laugh in her face.

“So you think the training here prepares you for anything? Let's see what you have, runt. Just don't run crying to the queen when I kick your ass.” Catra responded.

“You wish.”

Catra could feel every inch of her skin complaining at the sudden rush of movement as she bolted toward the challenge, easily keeping up with the younger girl.

This should be easy enough...We had to risk actual injury of the floor falling out from under us into a pit a few meters deep. If the worse thing she has had to fall into was a lake then that isn't real training.

Catra thought as she dodged what she hoped was a half ass attempt to knock her off the log.

“Gotta do better than that, brat.” she stated teasingly, ducking just in time to dodge an energy ball. “Remember I grew up in the Fright Zone...I'm made of tougher stuff than you princesses.”

C'yra walked in just in time to see Raiona shaking water off while Catra was laughing at whatever she was saying.

I swear I am going to have to put a leash on that girl

she thought as she glanced over at one of the spectators

“What did I miss?”

The man in question just laughed and shook his head “Your daughter seems to have taken the Horde Soldier as a rival....although when they mentioned that you had given refuge to a horde's man I was expecting someone older than that shrimp of a girl up there.” he retorted, motioning toward Catra.

“Yes well, Chalar sometimes things aren't always what people expect. Catra was badly injured when the hunting party found her...and frightened. Why would I leave a kid out there when we are constantly preaching compassion?” C'yra answered, earning a chuckle.

“Not everyone will be so welcoming....Not after everything we lost but no one has seemed to insult the girl besides your daughter....although I have to say the one called Catra seems to have a colorful vocabulary herself.”

C'yra just chuckled at that.

“I just hope that doesn't rub off on Raiona. Spirits know that girl already tests my patience enough.”

Chalar just smirked at that.

“I remember when you were a kid...You never did anything your mother told you either....No matter how she punished you. Perhaps the girl is just bored? When we were her age we were playing games outside in the fields or climbing trees and annoying the birds.” he answered, expression hardening as he added “I wish we were still the mighty race we were....Then we could wipe Hordak off the damned map and then be free again.”

C'yra sighed and nodded.

“I know but what choice do we have? It's not like in the fairy tales where a hero finds a magical sword and suddenly can slay a thousand enemies at once. Hell, even the so-called alliance failed when it came down to it. No thanks to Thorell....If he hadn't betrayed us then maybe we would have stood a chance.”

Later that night while sitting alone atop one of the buildings, Catra thought over the events of the day. About how weird everything seemed to be. Why were they so secretive suddenly after she had made that damn magic ball appear?

Her tail twitched irritably as she tried to think of whatever reason that it could have been because, besides some paranoid looks and a few whispers—as well as being called 'Horde Soldier' by some of the cats, no one seemed to really care that much that she was there.

And yet there C'yra and Tora—the latter who acted as though Catra was a land mine waiting for any reason to explode.

Then again, it could have been because he was confined to a wheelchair and couldn't defend himself, couldn't it?

For some reason, Catra really didn't think that was it. After all, he had blasted that rock away from her.

Sighing she lay backward on the cool stone, letting the temperature soothe the burn that seemed to linger in her back despite the medicine that had been reapplied in the infirmary.

Maybe I should let them heal me....It's not like I actually deserve this kind of pain .... but then again I'm not a wimp and....

Sighing she sat back up, turning her attention to where C'yra was currently showing off with some kind of sword that seemed to crackle with the same magical electricity that had came from the black garnet.

That thing can't be a rune stone, can it? She wondered before removing the mask that she had worn since she had been ranked up as a junior cadet.

I wonder why this thing reacts to me if it's powers won't react to just anyone. I mean Tora did say that....

Catra froze when the realization hit her and it felt as though her very soul had gone numb as she finally understood why they had been so secretive.

“No flippin' way.”

Catra said aloud to herself before she glanced back down at C'yra who was currently knelt in front of a group of kids, talking to them animatedly about something.

“There is no way.....But.....I....”

Closing her eyes she tried not to think about it.

After all, she had to be going crazy from blood-loss or something, right? Anyone in their right mind would have fought for something they cared about.

But what if they didn't care?

Catra wasn't sure if that thought hurt or angered her—however she knew that there was only one way to get answers and that was to demand it.

After all, asking hadn't got her anywhere.

“Why the fuck didn't you tell me what connection I had here?” She called out as she leaped down in front of C'yra, which earned the whispers from everyone around them.

“Catra...I...I wasn't sure if it would be a good time to bring it up....I....” the queen began, earning a scoff.

“A good time to bring it up? Don't you think that little bit of information would have been good to know after I made a frickin' energy ball? When I was confused as hell by why you let me keep a mask that had been yours?” Catra snarled, turning to walk away only to feel a hand on her shoulder.

Which she quickly grabbed and tossed off her—resulting in her claws ripping into the queen's skin.

“You know? One thing I really don't understand is how you could let them take an infant? Didn't you even try to see if it had somehow survived?” Catra said after a few minutes, whirling around to face C'yra who was nursing her bleeding arm while other people looked on—unsure what to do.

“Why didn't you even try?”

Catra hated how she sounded then, almost like a child which she most certainly wasn't.

Not after everything the Horde had thrown her way.

Not after being ridiculed and abused for every little thing she did.

Not after losing the only person she had ever really cared about.

“You know what? You seem to have done fine without me before so you can just go back to pretending like I didn't exist in the first place. No one is going to use me like I am some kind of object!”

With one final movement, Catra tossed the mask toward the woman before bolting toward the exit as fast as her sprained ankle would allow her.

“Do you want us to go after her?” A guard asked the queen of the magi-cats, eyeing the wound although everyone present knew not to get involved with the queen's affairs if not directly asked.

“No...She is confused and hurt....She doesn't understand the full story. I'll go talk to her.” C'yra answered simply, ears drooping as she knelt down and picked up the mask.

“Mom? What was she talking about a connection?” Raiona asked just as timidly as the guard as she came over and placed a hand on her mother's arm.

“There is a very high probability that she is the heir....Your sister.”

Catra was shaking from both the pain and the fact that she felt as though a tank was sitting square on her chest. She had to get out of there as quickly as possible before she ended up arrested—or worse. How could she had just attacked the monarch like that?

Not only had she hit her but she had drawn blood.

If they didn't want to kill her before, surely they would now.

“Catra.”

The sound of her name caused her to jolt upward, hissing in pain as the movement irritated her already throbbing back.

“Queen C'yra I...I'm....” She couldn't seem to get the words out as her throat felt as though it would close up and she began to shake.

“Catra...It's alright. I need you to focus on me right now alright? Don't think about anything, just try to notice my motions.” C'yra instructed, brow furrowing as she knelt in front of her and leaving the girl's mask on the ground.

Slowly—as not to startle her—C'yra rose a hand, gingerly laying it against a non-bandaged part of her back.

“Your back is bleeding again....but we'll take care of that later. Right now just focus on my hand okay? I am not going to hurt you in any way and if I do, tell me and I will stop.”

C'yra watched as the teenager's breathing finally evened out, although as she did so Catra became sick, although nothing came up.

“I'm not here to make you stay if you don't want but I do wish you would at least let us heal you first.” the queen said after a few minutes, her tone coming out almost a purr.

“Then why are you here? To dispatch me yourself?” Catra sneered, earning a sigh.

“No...I figured you would want to hear the whole truth about what happened during the fall of D'riluth.”

C'yra waited for a response and when she got none, she continued

“I was captured during that battle and was taken very pregnant and half blind to the slave camps. How I didn't miscarry I don't know....but I did give birth prematurely and was too weak to do anything about it when they came to take the child......We always assumed that they had it...you....Killed. Never in our wildest dreams did we imagine child soldiers being used by them. If we had known..”

C'yra trailed off as a knot formed in her throat and glanced down at the mask once again.

“I'm not going to try to convince you to come back or to believe me or whatever but I do want you to take this with you. Perhaps—whatever you decide—it's power will protect you from any harm.” She added, gingerly sliding the mask over the girl's hairline before standing

“But you're welcome in Half-moon whenever you want to come back.”

she had only gotten a few paces away before she heard Catra speak

“Why aren't you mad at me? I hit you! I cut you!”

The question earned a light chuckle from C'yra.

“Why be angry or punish someone for a simple flesh wound that they obviously didn't mean to do? Catra, I can't imagine how you must feel and a mere scratch that barely broke the skin isn't something to go up in arms about.”

Chapter Text

“This isn't a good idea C'yra. I mean you saw how nervous she was earlier with the healers.” Tora commented as he watched his wife's hands glow a brilliant magenta color.

“She's asleep so it shouldn't freak her out. Besides that, her ankle will never get better if she keeps walking on it and I can't stand seeing anyone in constant pain.” C'yra replied in a whisper, shooting the Tiger-like magi-cat a look before continuing her task.

“fine but if she wakes up, don't be surprised if she hates you for this.”

Darkness.

That is all that Catra could see as she glanced around, the familiar tentacles of licking about around her, threatening to consume her as bits of red static danced around the area providing only brief reprieve from the darkness.

She could feel her fur standing on end as she glanced around, trying to make sense of where exactly she was. Then it hit her—the smell of blood.

What the world? This can't be real...I was in half-moon....Wasn't I?

She thought as she glanced around, her eyes landing on the source of the metallic smell.

The mangaled form of the one person that she had ever given a damn about.

The person she knew that she should hate.

“This is your fault! She is dead because of you! It should have been you over her!”

Tora, who had been sitting by the couch, reading wasn't the least bit surprised when Catra jerked away, claws extended and looking for a fight.

“What the hell did you do to me? I told everyone I didn't need magic! All you idiots are the same aren't you?” Catra snarled, turning to face her father who just smirked and motioned with his head toward C'yra.

“Don't accuse me,cub. I'm not the stubborn one in this house.” he retorted, watching as she turned her full rage onto his wife.

Well it's not like I didn't warn her. He thought, turning his attention back to his book.

“Why am I not surprised? You royals think you're above all else! Well guess what, C'yra. I don't care what blood I have running through me....I actually know when to stop....What buttons not to press!” Catra growled before leaving, slamming the door so hard behind her that a framed painting fell off of the far wall.

“give her a few minutes and go talk to her...She will probably listen to reason if given time to cool off—and notice that she isn't in as much pain as before.” He stated “I think she was just as terrified as she was angry.”

C'yra nodded and sighed, sinking down onto the sofa that the teen had been sleeping on.

“Why would anyone be that afraid of a healing spell. I wasn't even touching her so there is no way that it could have hurt her.” C'yra questioned, earning a sigh.

“Perhaps you need to stop blocking out exactly how magic can be used if in the wrong hands. Remember that in the recent past that magic was used by our own people as a form of interrogation.” Tora reminded her before sighing.

“How about I go talk to her first? Perhaps I can at least convince her to hear you out.”

Catra sighed as she sat in the tunnels that lead to the compound, her mind still reeling with the memory of that dream.

Her fault .

The death had been her fault, the voice had said. But who's voice? Was it possible that Shadow Weaver had found her all the way here? Had she put the other Magi-Cat's in danger by coming here? She wondered.

Honestly she didn't want to see these people—who had fought so hard to survive—to be captured or slaughtered because of her own stupidity.

“I figured you would be on the surface...Not sitting here.”

Catra jolted from her thoughts when she heard the voice of the King of the magi-cat's coming from behind her.

“How did you even get out here...there's an incline and you....” She was going to say 'can't climb' but she didn't really want to make a ass of herself again so just trailed off, only to hear a chuckle.

“And I'm in a wheelchair. I am also a mage...I can levitate myself if I need to.” he answered as he came up beside her “You seemed pretty freaked out back there and I doubt it was just because of C'yra's healing spell.” he stated in his usual calm way and Catra flinched.

“Look if you are out here to tell me that I am being dramatic or whatever....” the teen began, tail lashing about as she turned to look at him, only to earn a sigh.

“No. You were frightened and even though C'yra just hated to see you in pain she was in the wrong to use magic on you without your permission. I think most couldn't understand why though...Even if magic was half the cause of those gashes on your flesh.” Tora replied, a ball of green light forming in his hand.

“Magic yields to the command of it's user. Not all magic is even defensive or offensive. It is is...Like this light spell.” he explained moving to put the orb near her.

Catra flinched slightly but relaxed when it didn't touch her.

“Don't worry. It won't hurt even if you did touch it. You need to at least lose some of the fear so that if someone uses magic around you, you won't stiffen.” he explained “You don't have to use or allow it to be used on yourself. But imagine if in battle you were to see an ally began to charge up and you froze.”

This caught Catra's attention. After all, he did have a point.

“Yeah well it's not easy when all your life you've been blasted by it, manipulated by it, and had shadow creatures invading your head. Speaking of Shadows...If by some chance Shadow Weaver tries to find me...would I be putting your people in danger?” Catra commented lowly, not daring to make eye contact with the man as she spoke.

“I'm sure it isn't. Just know that you are safe from all of that here...Even if she does try to find you the walls of this cavern is home to some of the strongest protective stones there are. Any Negative energies can not come here and as for my people. Last time I checked, they were your people too since you have just as much right to stay here as anyone.”

He responded gingerly as he place a hand on her shoulder but Catra couldn't help but flinch.

My people? Yeah right....If they had their way I'm sure they would have my head on a pike. She thought, not paying much attention to what Tora's hands were doing at that point since something about how he spoke made her want to trust him.

“I doubt that anyone but you and maybe C'yra wants me here. I mean....I was in the Horde.” she argued, hating how her voice came out sounding so meek for some reason.

“No one knows you Catra and we magi-cats have a motto that translates loosely into Loyalty, Compassion and Honor. Would it be compassion to judge an injured, frightened youth for thigs they have not done?”

Catra sighed as she walked into the royal's house, not looking forward to talking to C'yra since she had came very near to scratching her again.

“Don't worry, she's not going to be upset. Although I do wish that you would let us try to get to know you....The real you, not whoever you had to be in the Horde.” Tora stated, trying to hide his amusemet when he saw her quickly try to school her features to hide her nerves.

“Shut up and I am real! I am never not!” Catra retorted sharply, bristling at the suggestion although she deflated somewhat when he started laughing.

“Calm down bristle brush. It was a suggestion not an accusation.” he retorted, earning a huff.

“Ugh...Both you and C'yra are going to be a pain in my ass aren't you?” she grumbled, earning a chuckle.

“Maybe but I think I would worry more about Raiona being the ass.”

She smirked at that.

Okay so he doesn't act like he has a stick up his royal ass.

She thought before falling into step beside the wheelchair.

“I guess it wouldn't hurt anything to talk to C'yra would it? I mean she was just trying to help.”

Catra didn't like the idea of talking to the woman that she had attacked once and had almost let it happen again and because she was too weak to deal with her own fear.

But there was no hiding from C'yra if she was going to stay in Half-Moon and where else could she go? To Bright-Moon?

Catra would rather face an enraged Magi-Cat queen than face Adora, who had been so two-faced for years and just left her as if it was nothing.

As if the only thing Catra was good for was a distraction.

Before she could get too lost in that particular thought, she felt a hand touch her shoulder—which caused her to jump slightly.

“Relax. It's me and I think I owe you an apology.”

Catra relaxed when she heard that it was just C'yra's voice—ad she didn't sound the least bit annoyed.

“No, I get it. You preach pity or whatever. I just am not comfortable with magic, okay? I mean...I'm grateful for the help with my ankle but next time don't just do something like that...I could have hurt you and to even thought twice about it.” Catra responded, shrugging away from the hand on her shoulder before shifting uncomfortably.

“Compassion and pity are two different things Catra and although my intentions wasn't to scare you...it did and I am sorry. I just hate seeing anyone in so much pain and you definitely seemed to be in pain even in sleep and I thought that perhaps I could help.” C'yra responded, taking Catra off guard.

Since when does princesses or anyone with rank give a damn about anyone?

Catra thought, shifting uncomfortably as she found herself unsure what to say but she felt as though she had to say something.

“Yeah, I get it and I know I overreacted but I think that everything that happened with me has messed with my mind...anyway I guess we'd better get to bed because you have crap to do tomorrow and I haven't slept all that well in the last few days.”

She said eventually, only to feel the hand lightly squeeze her upper arm, careful of the bruises.

“If you need anything don't be afraid to call for one of us. I know you're used to dealing with stuff on your own but I just want you to know that you don't have to now. I know I have done nothing to earn your trust but I will help you if you feel you need it.” C'yra responded softly before pulling away.

Chapter Text

Catra groaned when she felt something tug at her tail.

“Don't you morons know the meaning of the word personal space?” She grumbled, opening on eye only to see that it was Raiona standing there, looking almost as irritated as Catra felt.

“My mom said to wake you up to come eat.” The preteen said matter-of-factually before turning on her heel and walking back into the dining area.

Catra just groaned and curled back up, throwing the blanket over herself so that it was also covering her head as well.

“Not hungry.”

She could hear nearly silent laughter coming from the other room but chose to ignore it.

That was until a sudden blast of cold air blasted the blanket off of her.

“Hey!”

“You can go back to sleep after you eat. Trust me, you'll like the food better when it's warm than if it's cold.” Tora's voice called from the kitchen, earning a hiss from Catra who begrudgingly got up.

“Ugh...I just knew you two were going to be a pain in the ass if I stayed.” she grumbled.

“Now we know why some animals eat their own children.” Raiona murmured, earning a look from C'yra that clearly told her to shut up.

“Oh shut up you uneducated peanut. Who asked you?” Catra responded before taking a seat at the table with a yawn.

She noticed how Tora rolled his eyes at this exchange although his expression didn't change from half asleep himself.

“Raiona, you have lessons today so I suggest you do more eating and less trying to stir up trouble.” he said, earning a groan from the preteen.

“Don't remind me! I have to help Maye today and the medical ward smells funny and I would rather train with you or Mom!” Raiona retorted, earning a chuckle from C'yra.

“Yes well I have things to do today and you need to learn how to control your magic before you actually learn how to use it in combat.” she stated “Tell you what, if you don't try to sneak out of class again I'll clear my schedule tomorrow and we'll do something together.”

Catra tuned out the rest of the conversation, having only two things on her mind: Food and bed.

If this is what family is like how is anyone sane? She wondered tiredly as she tried to eat the berry filled mush that definitely tasted better than it looked.

“That's what you always say! Then there's always a hunt or something that comes up!” Raiona responded, earning a snort from Catra who glanced over at her.

“Stop whining and be glad that she actually does train with you. Where I'm from only chance you got for private lessons is if you were the best of the best.” Catra commented, earning a growl from Raiona.

“Shut up! What do you know?”

the preteen retorted, earning a snort.

“More than you, obviously.”

Raiona was about to say something else however no sooner did she open her mouth did a piece of fruit levitate in it, effectively muffling whatever it was she was saying.

“Enough! I swear if I am going to have to put up with this constantly I'm moving into the training compounds.” Tora said with a sigh, sharing a look with C'yra who then cleared her throat.

“Anyway...Now that we've settled that little issue. Catra, after lunch today I want to ask you a few questions and then I want to see just how strong you are physically.” she said, earning a nod from the teen in question.

“Fine, at least that gives me time to sleep.” Catra responded, earning a chuckle from the queen.

“how did I know you were going to say that?”

“Why are you letting her even near the training chambers? I mean she can't be trusted!” Raiona demanded once Catra had slinked out of the room, obviously still half asleep.

“Raiona. You said yourself that you enjoyed competing with her yesterday. Don't you think that if she was going to cause harm that she would not have used you to try to get to me? Think about it, kitten. Now if you want to watch you can come along but don't interfere.” C'yra responded, earning a huff.

“Fine but only because I'm worried about you.”

C'yra rolled her eyes at this before smirking.

“You sure it's not because you're curious about her?”

Don't trust anyone. You never know anyone's mindset.

Catra had always figured that was a load of bull back when she had Adora but now, now—after everything that had happened—Catra wondered if perhaps this wasn't some kind of set up.

But if C'yra wanted her dead she would have killed her when she had attacked her, right?

Catra didn't know what to think.

Especailly not when she saw not only C'yra enter the room but a magi-cat guard in full regalia an an older man who used his only arm to lean onto a staff.

“Wait...She's the intruder? Master Nahuel made it sound like she was basically Cattalus reincarnated, not a scrawny weasel.” the guard stated and before Catra could say anything in response, C'yra had swatted the guard in back of the head.

“Nahuel's full of shit besides you should know better than to judge an opponent by their size because even the smallest person could be a threat if they knew how to use their size and weight to their advantage. Catra could very well kick your ass if she wanted to.” C'yra said, smirking slightly at the young woman's embarrassed expression.

“Right...Sorry.”

The lack of formality caught Catra by surprise.

Didn't they respect their own queen? Didn't they fear C'yra?

“So what are we doing again?” Catra questioned, feeling more and more like a fish out of water by the second.

“Simple...If you think your body can handle it since you are still very much hurt...I am curious to what the Horde taught you during your life there.” C'yra answered, handing her a blunt training sword.

Now that did take Catra by surprise.

“Wait....This thing is metal....Won't this...” She began, earning a chuckle from all three of the adults there.

“Do not worry about cutting her. The swords aren't sharpened.” the elderly man answered “besides I think you're old enough to know how to use one.”

Catra didn't know what to say to that so she just nodded.

C'yra smirked as she brought her sword down yet again, barely missing Catra's shoulder as the girl slipped out from beneath her.

“Getting a bit winded aren't you cub?” she teased, earning a growl.

“you wish.”

Catra's panted response caused her to let out a scoff although she didn't say anything else, after all they had been going at this for close to twelve minutes now and Catra had managed to keep up with her.

Although C'yra would admit that she was holding back a bit since Catra was obviously still hurting from the wounds on her body.

“Alright then...Here's the final test.” the queen knew that this was risky—that Catra could quite possibly end up hurting her if that was the teen's intentions. But this was the only way to know for sure about the girl's lineage without the results of that DNA testing that Maye had done.

Grabbing the sword from Catra's hands and tossing it to the side, C'yra unsheathed her own, it's black blade shimmering in the light which gave it an almost eerie appearance.

“here...I want you to come at me just as hard and fast as you did with the other one.” C'yra instructed, getting into a defensive position with her own blunt blade risen and ready to strike.

“Mom! You've lost your mind!” she heard Raiona exclaim, although C'yra knew that sometimes things like this couldn't be safe or easy.

For either party.

She watched as Catra examined the sword, her ears flattening sideways as she glanced up at her as if to see if she was serious or to.

“Catra, come at me with everything you have. Do not be afraid, I have seen far more battles than you and I'm sure that I can take on one injured cub if need be.” She assured, earning a sigh.

“Alright, crazy lady. Whatever you say.” Catra said before charging at her.

Okay Catra, focus on what you're doing so you don't end up lobbing someone's head off. You can do this. She told herself mentally as she rushed toward C'yra, doing her best to ignore the burning pain in her back and sides as she brought the sword down with everything she had.

Only to have it deflected.

“Good! Again!”

Catra could feel something strange as she did so, her fur seemingly standing on end just like it had the night that Adora had left or even the night she had fallen quiet literally into an underground city. But what could it mean.

This was just a sword. There was nothing magical about it. Not like Adora's.

But that feeling seemed to worsen as her blade crashed against the lion-like woman's and with each passing minute and the more difficult that the sparring match seemed to become, the feeling seemed to grow stronger.

She could feel this strange form of energy running from the sword, into her hands and then throughout her body.

Then she saw it.

An arc of energy surging through the blade, causing the red crystal at the base of the blade to glow an unusual crimson.

“Holy shit!” she yelped, nearly dropping the sword—and giving her mother the opening she needed to counter attack, knocking the teen a few meter's away where she landed on the floor.

Catra could only focus on the pain that surged through her back—and the fact that she heard footsteps approaching her.

“Well that wasn't what I expected.” C'yra's voice said and even through the moister that had gathered by reflex to the pain, Catra saw her raise her hand.

I should have kept my guard up! Whatever happens now... She told herself mentally, bracing herself for a blow that never came.

Instead she felt a burst of warmth—something she instantly recognized and growled despite the pain.

“What did I tell you about doing that?” she demanded, earning a snicker from the queen who stopped glowing,

“So you'd rather I let you bleed when it was my fault you were hurting?” C'yra questioned, holding a hand out toward Catra who found herself even more confused now.

“Yeah well, I was stupid enough to let my guard down.” Catra retorted, sitting up and slowly accepting the help up.

“Yeah well...at least you didn't drop the sword. When I first felt the charms put upon it I nearly chopped off my own foot by dropping the thing. Now come on, that's enough for today....I think you would benefit from private lessons for a while....until I figure out what job you would be good at.”

Chapter Text

Catra sighed as she removed her tattered uniform before glancing down at the dark colored tank top that she had put on earlier.

“Do you think that I can keep the belt at least? Like get rid of the insignia but...” Catra asked C'yra who smirked.

“I think I have a buckle somewhere from my days in the guard. I'll let you have it if I find it.” the queen responded, causing Catra to flinch when she put a hand on her shoulder. “Also Tora told me to tell you to keep that jacket...although he wants to know what color you want it.”

“Uh...Red.” Catra answered, earning a nod.

“Alright, will do. Need anything else while you organize everything?” the queen asked, earning a shrug.

“Not really.”

If she was to say that she was confused, that would have been an understatement because everything about this place and about these people confused her. Why hadn't C'yra tried to give her an incentive to pay attention? Most would have actually let at least one blow land, wouldn't they?

Why did everyone treat C'yra as an equal and not as a ruler when it was obvious that she was the ruler over all of them?

What had been up with C'yra's sword and it's strange energy signatures? Why had it begun to get all sparky during their battle? Did that mean anything? Was it because of her supposed royal blood?

Nothing about the magi-cats made any sense.

Heck, even the guard had been informal! Wasn't a monarch to be feared?

Sitting down onto the bed Catra tried to make sense of everything, falling back onto the bed—which threatened to swallow her—and letting the warmth of the plush covers beneath her consume her and lull her into a dreamless sleep.

“How could she do that Mom? I mean I thought only you could do it!” Raiona said as she helped Tora make dinner, earning a sigh from C'yra who motioned her over.

“You're not old enough to use an actual weapon, blunt or not. However, once you get older you will be old enough to use that kind of power too. I was just as surprised as you that she could use it without training to do so.” C'yra answered simply before turning toward her and smiling slightly “and before you start to complain about it...I got all my paperwork done for tomorrow and Anu promised to fill in for me so we have all day tomorrow to ourselves.”

C'yra watched in amusement at the look on her daughter's face upon hearing that.

I really need to start taking more time off...back when we had a council things were so much easier for everyone. She thought as she stood and sighed as an idea hit her.

“perhaps we will even go to the surface tomorrow....If Praelia and Catra can come with us...In case something happens.” C'yra said, earning a wide-eyed look.

“Wait really? I don't care if half of Half-Moon goes with us! I haven't been outside for more than a few minutes in my life!” Raiona exclaimed, nearly knocking C'yra over as she hugged her.

“Whoa...easy squirt...I think your father would kill us both if we broke the table again.” the queen laughed, earning a chuckle from both her daughter and husband.

“Rai, why don't you help me finish up here while your mother goes and tells Catra dinner is ready. Pretty sure that the girl passed out after the day she's had.” Tora suggested, causing C'yra to smirk as Raiona retorted

“You should have seen it! I never thought she could keep up with mom like that!”

Well, that seems to have brought Catra off of her shit list. Let's just hope all the drama is over. The queen couldn't help but think.

“really. Did she now? That makes you wonder how the kids were treated in the Fright Zone.” Tora questioned, turning his attention to C'yra.

“She did struggle but she is far better than any child should be.” C'yra answered, not even noticing that Catra had come downstairs and had heard everything they had said.

“It was hell...and speaking of hell, Why the hell is the king cooking?” Catra suppressed a yawn as she walked in.

“I happen to like cooking thank you very much....Plus I like giving Miv a break.” Tora retorted before adding “although his food is much better than mine.”

C'yra sat and watched in amusement as Tora tried to teach Catra how to play Cards although it was obvious that Catra didn't understand the point of learning—Which prompted teasing from Raiona.

“Rai, stop it. You didn't learn how to play overnight either.” C'yra reminded her, earning a dirty look from the preteen who stuck her tongue out at her.

“Oh shut up mom!”

C'yra only rolled her eyes at this and arched a brow at her.

“is that any way to talk to your mother?” C'yra responded, arching a brow although her youngest just scoffed.

“Oh, what are you going to do about it?” Raiona demanded, only to end up pinned—laughing—beneath a large lion-like cat.

“You really want to challenge me, little one?” C'yra's voice came out almost a growl as she leaned over the pre-teen, who just laughed and pushed the massive muzzle away from her.

“No fair!”

C'yra just growled playfully before leaning down and licking the girl.

“All is fair in love and war.”

She said before lightly headbutting the girl, a deep purr echoing around the room.

As the game went on, Catra found herself enjoying the antics of the family even if she didn't understand half of what was going on.

Why wasn't C'yra getting angry over the disrespect?

Why was Tora's magic—when aimed at either C'yra or Raiona—more of a plaything than a tool?

It made her head spin and she would have rather not think about it, lest she was even more confused than she already was.

“I wanted to ask earlier but I was still in shock. What was that sword doing when we were fighting?” Catra finally asked, trying to distract herself.

“The sword is enchanted and is rumored to be able to fell a hundred enemies in a single swing—although I personally think that is a load of crap.” C'yra responded, leaving the room briefly to retrieve the sword.

When she returned she removed it from the sheath

“Although there are very old, very powerful charms written upon the blade. However, I can only scratch the surface....My mother could make the thing blast energy from its hilt.” C'yra continued, a wry smile coming over her face at the memory.

“I get that but if it's that hard to do, how could I do it?” Catra asked, voice dipping low as she thought about the possibilities of that.

Wait...So she can do it too? Then what they said...Could it be possible that they aren't mistaken? Catra wondered, not really wanting to think about that fact—even if it could be true—after all,

“it reacts on need and emotion...if you have a strong will then it will react but you have to be very determined to achieve anything of the manner.” C'yra explained before adding “would you like for me to teach you?”

Catra debated about that, weighing her options before she nodded.

“Yeah, I need to get stronger.” Catra answered, tail flicking lightly as she glanced back down at her cards, cursing under her breath as she glared up at Tora.

“I swear you're cheating or something. There is no way that you can win so much without magic!” Catra snarled, earning an arched brow from the man who retorted.

“Maybe you're just bad at cards?”

he responded, earning a growl from the teen.

“You have to be cheating! You have to have been!” Catra growled, slamming a hand onto the table.

Before she even knew what was going on, the sounds of C'yra and Raiona's laughter caused her to glance down, only to see her fur had been tinged pink.

“What the hell? Tora! Change me back!” she demanded, blushing as she turned toward the tiger-like man, who was trying hard not to laugh.

“You might want to watch your tone toward me because maybe you will end up covered in polka-dots.” Tora retorted, dodging a plastic cup that was being tossed toward him by the temperamental teen.

“Try it and I'll roll you down a hill.” she threatened, earning an even wider smirk.

“You sure you wanna try it, little girl? Because remember, I am a mage and while I will never hurt you, I could easily turn you into a frog or something less threatening.” he responded, trying to sound threatening although he was obviously trying not to laugh.

Catra rolled her eyes with a huff.

“You're the worst, now change me back or I swear I will find a way to permanently dye your fur the worst shade of green imaginable!”

Chapter Text

Not with so many questions running through her head about the craziness that was the Royal family of Half-Moon.

Tora, for example, used his magic for tricks but they didn't cause harm and even if Cyra healed her without asking even that magic was used in the least painful ways.

Then there was how lighthearted they had been.

Cyra had playfully knocked her back onto a sofa the previous night, her paws velveted even though she was in beast form. 

Was this natural or was this just a princess thing?

She couldn't help but wonder as she watched the clock tick on the far side of the wall.

Would she be able to become as strong as Adora if she stayed here? Why did the sword power-up for her? Was it a good idea for her to use magic after magic had screwed up so much of her life already?

She really didn't want to deal with that problem at the moment.

But in one way she knew she had to.

"Ugh...Why does the universe hate me?" She mumbled, turning to bury her face into the pillow, just as a knock came at her door.

"Oi! Renegade! C'yra told me to get you up!"

A strange voice said, earning a hiss from the tan girl

"I have a name and tell Queen furball it's too early to function!" Catra called back only to hear a scoff from behind the door.

"Fine, you're funeral."

The next thing Catra heard was booming laughter followed by 

"Furball huh? Well isn't that the pot calling the kettle black?"

Catra half expected C'yra to come into the room and yell at her—but she didn't.

Not for another few minutes and when she finally came in, she looked anything but angry.

"Alright, I gave you five extra minutes...Now you probably should get up before your sister comes in here and demands you to get off your ass." Catra commented, pulling the covers off Catra and earning a hiss.

"Why do I have to go again? Just take your fancy sword with you and you should be fine."

Catra retorted sarcastically, lobbing a pillow at the woman who just deflected it right back into Catra's face.

"That's not why I wanted you to come. You obviously have never experienced anything outside the Horde and if your reaction to a healing spell was any indication, you could use a vacation." the queen retorted, smug as the teen glared at her.

"Fine but you have to teach me how to fight against magic....Even sparkly magical goddesses." Catra retorted before noticing C'yra's confused look.

"Never mind, it's just everyone has always seen me as the weak link and I know I'm anything but...I mean I could hold you off for the multiverse's sake! I want to be able to wipe the stupid smirk off their dumb faces." Catra explained, hating how weak she felt for telling the woman this.

She didn't need help, she could do it on her own and she knew it.

But she also knew that if she wanted to be able to stand up against Shadow Weaver and maybe even Hordak, she would need to be prepared for everything.

"I can teach you....it won't be easy but if you think you can handle it then I'll teach you every everything I know. All I ask is that you do not betray my trust."

The Queen's words took her by surprise as she hadn't expected C'yra to agree at all.

After all, why trust a horde soldier?

"I won't disappoint you."

Catra responded with a smirk.

Next time I'm in the Fright Zone, I'll be calling the shots

she thought as she slowly got off the bed.

To say that she felt like a fish out of water was a understatement.

After all why was she invited to come along when she was nothing more than an outsider—even if they did believe that she had connections to them. She knew nothing about whatever this even was and she also wasn't dumb enough to believe she was being taken along as extra muscle.

C'yra had her sword and a guard that was armed just as well so she could imagine that C'yra had lied to her about wanting extra help.

So why was she there?

Catra felt as though this should be a Raiona and C'yra thing since it was obvious to her that Raiona craved the extra attention from her mother and even if C'yra was—by whatever chance that the universe had thrown at her—her mother, Catra wasn't sure what that even entitled.

Was it like being the ward of a commanding officer?

Something about the way that C'yra had acted the previous night made her doubt that because Shadow Weaver had never acted in such a way toward anyone, even Adora—who had been her obvious favorite.

“Sooo...How did you end up here anyway?” The guard's voice cut her from her thoughts although Catra only could only shrug.

“I literally fell....and the hunting party found me.” Catra responded after a while, glancing over at the aforementioned queen who was currently explaining something to Raiona.

“Yeah, she's been known to just take in whatever troublemaker or renegade that needs her help.” the guard began, however no sooner than she did she found herself being shoved back against a tree by the shorter female.

“What does that supposed to mean?”

Catra found herself being pulled away from the other girl, a low growl coming from behind her.

“Watch yourself kitten...If she were to lay you out for a stunt like that I wouldn't have any choice but just to watch.” C'yra said, teeth slightly bared as she glanced at the guard and asked “Praelia, are you alright?”

Coughing a bit the guard nodded.

“Yes Ma'am...But perhaps you should explain what I meant to Catra since it seems like nothing I say sounds right to the girl.”

C'yra sighed at this but then nodded, letting go of the back of Catra's shirt.

“Go entertain Raiona for a few minutes...It won't take us long. Walk with me Catra.” she said with a sigh, glancing over at Catra who suddenly seemed to have lost all the fight in her.

Once they were a good distance away from the other two, C'yra turned toward the teenager, who flinched back slightly.

“She wasn't insulting you...She was only saying that this wasn't the first time that I had opened my home to someone that people thought was risky.” she began in a low, calm town as she reached out to place a hand on the girl's shoulder.

“You see, Praelia was a orphan after the war and in all the chaos....The older orphans tended to fall through the cracks. She was treated poorly by her makeshift guardian and had to result to thievery. She was brought before me as a teenager for judgment...However against the wishes of Nahuel and Cian, I refused to make an example of her and only looked deeper into her living conditions.”

“So what am I, some kind of charity case?” Catra retorted, pulling away only to earn a light flick to the back of the ear by the woman.

“Not at all. If I wanted to impress people I would have claimed to have captured you and held you captive. Not treat your wounds and give you a place to stay. I don't like seeing people hurt, especially kids because I can sympathize with how it feels.”

Catra scoffed at that and glared up at her.

“Oh yeah, sure. The prissy, glittery princess knows how it feels to be shit on!”

The teenager's words earned a sigh from the queen.

“The royal family has—Had—A separate set of rules and my mother was very relentless when enforcing them. While the pillars of being a ruler are Compassion, wisdom, and strength my mother seemed to forget that Compassion also extended to her own daughter so yes Catra, know how it feels to be shit on as you put it.”

Catra was at a loss for words at this before she finally spoke, turning toward her.

“I guess that it's not only Horde commanders that can be fucked up huh?” she said, voice barely above a whisper.

Way to shove your foot in your mouth Catra.

She told herself although she didn't have time to form a coherent sentence before C'yra lightly nudged her.

“Let's not dwell on the past too much, okay? It's tough sometimes but let's try to at least enjoy ourselves today.”

Catra followed her back to the others, although she wasn't sure if she could even enjoy the day out since there was just too much going on in her mind.

However as the day went on Catra found her curiosity getting the best of her—especially her supposedly brat of a sister was constantly jeering at her for one thing or another.

Is that normal behavior? Is this what all kids act like? Did I act like that when I was younger? Is that why Shadow Weaver hated me? What if this C'yra starts to hate me too when she starts training me? What if I'm not good enough? What if I just screw things up again?

She felt sick at those thoughts, especially as she watched Raiona spar with the older magi-cat, both laughing all the while.

No, that sword reacted with me...that sword had to sense something inside me. I have to be stronger than anyone has told me before...I have got to be, there is no other explanation for it! I can get stronger on my own and not even Lord Hordak will be able to stop me!

Chapter Text

I wish that there was some way I could get that girl to relax...Plus she is slower and seems to be dragging herself about. Did she get any sleep last night?

C'yra wondered as she watched Catra and Raiona clash once again.

Hell, has she slept at all these past few days?

“What's wrong? Scared?” Raiona was jeering “I thought someone from the Horde wouldn't be such a chicken!”

“Shut the hell up you little shit!”

The sudden sound of arguing broke C'yra from her thoughts as their blows seemed to increase in vigor and strength, although the woman couldn't help but fear that it was also nearing a real fight and that C'yra knew she couldn't tolerate.

Not unless she wanted to deal with it constantly—and over the dumbest things.

Yet she didn't do anything but watch for several minutes until Raiona aimed a cheap shot at Catra's face and that is when C'yra leaped in the middle, her sword drawn and catching both the wooden blades, cutting through the rods as if they were made of butter.

“Okay that is enough. I think you both need to cool out before you do something you'll regret. Rai, go see what your dad is doing and Catra, go take a nap. You look like you need it.” She ordered, sending each girl a glare as if to challenge them to argue.

“She started it!”

“Well you cussed me!”

C'yra really had to resist the urge of banging their heads together at that point.

“Girls! Stop it. Both of you obviously are too high strung but if either of you can manage to best me in battle I'll hear you out.” she announced with a smirk, knowing that this should be easy.

“You're on!”

Both said at once, earning a chuckle.

“Alright, you two better work together or both of you will get your butts kicked.”

C'yra had to keep from laughing as she dodged both girl's attacks—although it was slightly worrying that Catra seemed far slower than she had been before and upon closer inspection, her eyes seemed bloodshot.

She definitely is either sick or sleep deprived. C'yra noted, although she humored them until she finally managed to get an opening to shape-shift and easily pounced, pinning both of them under her.

“You two really need to focus....and guess what? I win so you two have to actually obey me for once.” C'yra growled low and playful.

“Mom! Get off! I'll go help Dad with his stupid medical stuff.” Raiona growled, although Catra just hissed.

“If I wanted walked on I'd just stayed in the fright zone!”

C'yra's response was to let Raiona up first, taking that time to nuzzle the moody teenager who was still trapped under her.

“Ugh! What the hell is wrong with everyone and being all touchy? Besides, I don't want to smell fish breath!” Catra snarled as she tried—and failed—to pull herself out from under the massive paw that was laying across her.

However this just seemed to amuse C'yra even more.

“If you keep insisting on being rude, I can keep insisting that I stay here.” the golden furred magi-cat retorted, earning a huff.

“You know, for a queen you are the biggest asshole ever.” the teen growled again, although she gave up fighting against the lion-like creature.

“Sure I am, kitten. Sure I am.”

Catra couldn't help but groan in disgust when she felt a lick run across her cheek.

“C'yra come on! Stop being gross and weird and let me up! I didn't mean to insult your kid!” She said, only to feel the massive creature sigh.

“Catra, this isn't about you and Raiona bickering like toddlers. Not really. I just want you two to start to learn how to work together and I want to know why you look like you haven't slept a wink in days.” the queen retorted, earning a quizzical look.

“Why do you care if I sleep or not?”

Catra couldn't keep herself from asking although she wasn't expecting a real answer—Or a nose to the face.

“because you are obviously not in top form and you're more irritable than usual and I know how I get when I can't sleep.” C'yra said, her voice still holding it's teasing even though Catra could also hear the concern in there.

“Fine, I can't sleep okay? Now can you let me up?”

C'yra complied and un-transformed, extending a hand to help the girl up once she had righted herself.

“Why is that? If there is anything I can do....”

Catra cut her off before she could continue.

“There isn't. I mean, you may be biologically my mom or whatever but that doesn't mean that you can help me with shit. It's my job to deal with my crap, okay?”

She winced at how harsh her own voice sounded, although C'yra just nodded.

“Catra, no matter what you where taught. Asking for help or needing others doesn't make you weak or stupid. Even I need support sometimes and that's okay. But I won't make you tell me anything but I do want you to at least try to get some sleep, alright?”

Catra could only nod at that before silently excusing herself from the training chambers.

C'yra woke up later that night to a strange sound coming from the air vent that lead into her room, prompting her to slowly walk over to the offending object and sniffing at it, only to arch a brow when she noticed the familiar scent.

However besides saying anything she slowly lifted the vent only to snicker when she saw what—or who—was responsible.

Why on earth would anyone sleep in a vent...and how is she not freezing? The air is blowing cold. She wondered, debating rather or not to reach out and waking the girl—or at least giving her a blanket.

But how would she react to this?

Should she do anything?

C'yra pondered on that for a moment before she finally decided just to grab her cloak off a chair where she had dis-guarded it earlier, tossing it into the vent so that if the teenager got cold, she could use it as a makeshift blanket—after all, Catra was managing to sleep.

C'yra noticed that the sudden motion earned what could only be called a mew from Catra, who instantly seemed to grab onto the warm fabric and curled up around it.

Okay, maybe I should help her just this once. Worse thing I'm going to get is clawed in the hand if she wakes up. She thought, reaching into the vent and gingerly pulling the fabric around the slender frame, only to earn a light head butt to the hand from the sleeping, purring teen who seemed to curl up even tighter now that she was completely protected from the cold.

“what was it?” Tora groggily asked once his wife came back to bed, earning a light chuckle.

“Catra hasn't been sleeping well....and now she's in the vents. I would wake her but I don't want a fight at this hour.”

her answer caused him to let out a short bark of laughter.

“Well I remember that time you ran away from home and found yourself sleeping in that...What was it? Pig troth?” he whispered, earning a halfhearted slap to the arm.

“Shut up you and go back to sleep before you wake the poor girl up.”

Catra awoke with a start, nearly falling out of the vent she had been using as a bed when she realized she was covered by the dark blue cloak that was her mother's.

Great...Just great...out of all the people who could have found me it had to be C'yra! She is never going to let me live it down and she probably is going to think I was going to try to assassinate her or something! She thought, just as she heard the door open on the bathroom that was located off one side of the room.

“Oh you're awake...You know if you have trouble sleeping you could always come in here and sleep with us...Or ask someone to bunk in your room until you get more familiar with the place.” the queen stated and Catra could feel the heat crawling into her face at the words.

“Psh. Who says I need someone to coddle me like some infant? I just saw a mouse in the vents and...” Catra began, trailing off when C'yra started laughing.

“A mouse Catra? Really, you expect me to believe that? I'm not going to judge you or anything. I just want you to be able to feel safe sleeping somewhere more comfortable beside the vents...Just seeing you in there hurt my back.” She responded and Catra could feel her face grow redder.

“Fine I'm not used to sleeping alone okay? I'm used to sleeping in a room full of other people and before she fucking left me....I used to share a bunk with my best friend and ever since she left...Well I can't really sleep because everything just seems so loud without her heart beat there next to me.” Catra spoke before she thought, only to hiss in embarrassment once she realized what she had said.

However to her surprise C'yra didn't laugh or ridicule her but instead just ran a hand through her hair.

“I know it's not the same but maybe I can help with that...At least with the used to hearing other's breathing and heart beat thing. I mean, if you ignore the snoring my beast form probably isn't the most quiet of things.”

Catra wanted to argue but the offer was so forigne that the words died in her throat.

“You don't have to...I mean...I can deal with it. I'm not some kid and I am not weak.” she retorted instead, earning a snort and eye roll from the queen.

“Who cares about that if it helps you sleep? I don't want you to end up passing out or something because you don't get enough rest....now come on. Miv has breakfast ready and I'm pretty sure he would nag for a month if we let it get cold.”

Chapter Text

C'yra's growled as she slammed open the door to the throne room, eyes narrowing as soon as they landed on Praelia and Raiona who were discussing sparring techniques.

"Have either of you seen my sword?" She practically growled in a tone that caused both the younger Magi-Cats to stiffen.

"Why would we have your sword? Neither of us can use it! Ask Catra, Maybe she hear something since she's been in the vents all week!" Raiona retorted with her own growl, earning a look from her mother.

"Unless you want to see the inside of your chambers for the next month, I would advise that you watch your mouth." Catra hissed before turning and heading back out the door.

Catra

She hadn't thought about her being a possibility or what that could mean for any of them.

Had Catra betrayed them after having stayed there for two weeks, healing and training under them? Had Nahuel been right all along?

The monarch couldn't help how her stomach clenched at the thought.

There was no way they could survive another attack.

Following the teenager's scent, C'yra traced the aforementioned girl to the training compound, only to have a hard time not to laugh at what she saw.

"Come on you dumb-ass piece of metal! Work!"

Deciding it best not to say anything, C'yra teleported herself unto the rafters, watching as the girl swung the blade wildly around without so much as a single arc of energy. This went on for some time with Catra muttering curses with every failed attempt to summon the ancient power.

so she wanted to train with it? If that was the case why break into my room instead of asking like a normal person? C'yra wondered as she stifled a snicker as the girl let out a snarl of frustration and stabbed the sword into the wall.

no wonder it won't work! She wields it like a ball bat!

"Perhaps you're trying too hard or perhaps the sword does not respond well to thieves." C'yra stated emotionlessly as she leaped down from her hiding spot and pulling the blade from the wall, watching in amusement when she could easily summon a large amount of electricity around the blade.

She didn't even pretend not to notice how the girl flinched.

"C'yra I..."

Catra began but the queen cut her off, arching a brow as she leaned on the blade.

"I'm sure you can explain how and why you broke into my room and stole one of the sacred treasures of our people. But I'm more curious about why you didn't just ask like a normal person." she said, trying not to show her irritation.

After all, if she became nervous or afraid then she was more likely to lie than if not.

"As if you would let me do something with this without breathing down my neck and I have yet figured out how to do anything!" Catra retorted, earning a scoff.

"Not my fault you zapped yourself twice and dropped it multiple times. You're trying too hard but if that's what you want...Well, train until you get it right I guess...need anything or want help you know where to find me...Just next time tell me what you're doing with my stuff besides breaking into my room." Cyra retorted, handing the sword back to her before leaving the room.

Once outside the woman sighed and shook her head.

\well that girl is most definitely stubborn...but perhaps if she learns a bit on her own it will mean more to her. she thought, snickering as she glanced back toward the door where she heard a loud curse come from inside.

"You okay?" Cyra called, unable to hold back her amusement.

"Shut up! I got this!"

C'yra had to bite her lip to keep from laughing aloud at the grunted response.

Sure it is kid, sure it is.

As soon as she walked back into the palace, Cyra turned toward Anu—who was playing chess with Tora—and smirked

"You may want to go make sure that Catra doesn't blow something...or herself...up."

For a looked up at that "so I take it you found the culprit." he chuckled, earning a sigh.

"Yes and I swear with the way Raiona and that girl both behave I'm going to be gray before my time!" She responded with a groan before sinking onto the over stuffed sofa.

“Hey, they wouldn't be your kids if they didn't pull stunts like this.” Tora laughed as Anu got to his feet.

“I'm getting too old for dealing with temperamental cubs. I already had to deal with you, the Cleric cadets and Amur. I think you should be the one to train Catra since you were the one who brought her here.”

“Me? Teach anyone? Ha! I'd end up just bowling her across the room Anu and you know it. I can't teach a kid combat skills...Look how I was taught. I wouldn't wish that on anyone, let alone a child!” C'yra retorted, earning a sigh.

“yes well...You don't have to always think of the past either.” the elderly man responded simply as he looked square into her eyes “even though it is said that if you leave the past you will find no way forward, it does not mean that you must linger on it. Learn from what happened but do not let it consume you, you will do well to remember that.”

With that Anu left the room, his cloak billowing behind him.

“Come on! Work already! You worked yesterday you stupid piece of...Ow!”

Anu snickered when he walked in to find the sword laying on the floor and Catra nursing a sore hand.

“Zapped you?” he guessed, earning a glare as the teenager kicked the discarded weapon toward him.

“Yeah well you prissy royals can keep your damn magical weapons and their sparkly powers. They only mean trouble anyway.” Catra retorted, her mind flashing back to the events in Thaymor that had resulted in her getting even further on her guardian's bad side.

“I don't know how a weapon could mean trouble...after all they are useless without a wielder.” Anu retorted, picking up the sword before adding “unless you know something that we do not.”

Catra just scoffed and sent a sideways glare at him.

“The only things I know is that if I don't get this right my so-called mother is going to kill me and that if stupid magic didn't exist I wouldn't have lost everything I had!”

As soon as she had said these words, her ears flattened.

Everything she had...

Everything that she didn't have....

Thanks to the magic that had turned Adora into She-Ra, she had lost everything and now she was lost...Lost and stuck in a place where everything was confusing.

“it was because of magic that I ended up half-dead in middle of spirits know where this place even is located because this is nothing but a waste land!” she snarled, not even noticing that her eyes were changing or that every inch of her fur was bristling in her anger.

“How is magic responsible for that?” Anu asked, arching a brow as he tried to make sense of what Catra was saying.

“Because it was because of magic that she left me!”

That was not the response that he was expecting at all. However before he could say or do anything else there was a sudden aura of orange energy surrounding the former horde soldier.

C'yra sighed as she leaned back in the hot spring, closing her eyes as she tried not to let Nahuel's constant complaints get to her. After all, despite her role requiring her to put her people first—she also wasn't going to let that cloud her judgment about letting Catra stay.

After all, if the Horde thought even for a moment that she had deserted them she would be killed if they found her and C'yra was in no way going to be responsible for the death of a child.

Even if she herself did not do the killing.

However no sooner had she laid back into the water, the door to her private chambers burst open.

“Your majesty, I beg forgiveness for the intrusion but something happened with the one that you call Catra.” a young servant said, almost tripping as she moved to bow.

“Spirits...That girl...” C'yra muttered as she stood up and grabbed a towel “What happened Kefira and stop just dropping to the floor like that before you hurt yourself. I swear I am not going to bite you or something.”

The younger magicat blushed at that and stammered out what C'yra assumed would have been an apology if it was comprehensible before she answered:

“She has changed my lady...Master Anu sent me to get you since he did not trust her to be alone since she kind of...Panicked.”

C'yra let out a groan at that and grabbed her clothes.

“First Naheul calls me into a meeting at the ass crack of dawn, then she breaks into my room and burrows my sword and now this....Am I ever going to get a break today?” the queen muttered, paying no mind to the teenager who shifted awkwardly by the door.

“Do you want me to go tell him you're coming?” Kefira asked, earning a smirk.

“Yeah...Do that before you hurt yourself...and stop being so formal all the time.” C'yra answered before heading toward the door, shifting into her own cat state and bolting out of the palace.

When she got to the training room however she froze at what she saw before shifting back to her human-like form.

Anu had a force shield up around Catra who was looking around the room with wide eyes and pinned ears. She was rushing around, barely able to walk on her new quartet of legs—let alone run—which she was trying to do.

“Catra! You need to calm down before you hurt yourself! You just need to calm down, focus and picture yourself in your regular state.” C'yra called, causing Catra to whirl around to face her—only to lose balance and fall.

Sighing C'yra walked over and forced Anu and his shield aside before laying a hand on Catra's muzzle, feeling the painting breaths coming from the large cat.

“What happened?” she asked, taking notice of how wet that C'yra face was and then glancing over at Anu who sighed.

“She was talking about something then it just changed...I have never seen someone just...transform on her own without being taught how.” he answered, earning a ghost of a smile from the queen.

“It is very rare but is has happened in the past now how did she get hurt?” she questioned, earning a sigh from him.

“she ran into the wall when she realized that she was more Cat than Catra....Pretty sure she dislocated something.” Anu answered, earning a chuckle from the queen who nodded.

“Of course she did...Go get some Nepeta and I'll try to get her to calm down enough to change back.”

Once they were left alone, C'yra sighed and lightly flicked Catra on the nose, earning a growl.

“Oh zip it...You can barely stand and I would easily be able to knock you on your ass....Now focus okay? Imagine how your regular body felt, the weight of your hair.” She instructed, laughing softly when Catra tried to bat at her hand—only to fall over.

“Keep doing that and you're going to end up hurting yourself far worse...Now focus okay? You transformed without help so changing back should be easy.”

It took several minutes before Catra finally changed back, groaning and grabbing hold of her left shoulder when she did so.

“I hate fricken magic.”

C'yra just chuckled as she knelt down in front of the girl, left hand glowing a pale yellow as she reached toward her—earning a flinch.

“Easy, I just want to make sure it's not broken. It won't hurt and as soon as I get my answer, I'll stop.”

“Fine, but if you don't I will hurt you. It was your dumb magic that caused this anyway.”

Chapter Text

Cyra wasn't sure how the pain-killing herb would effect Catra since it seemed to either make people of their species either very docile, very goofy or just all out in a world of their own. However, what she didn't expect was the random crying fit that had hit Catra about ten minutes after the medicine had finally kicked in.

And C'yra was clueless as to what to do.

After all, since when did Catra have an emotion besides pissed off or just out and out grumpy?

“Catra, what 's wrong?” she asked, hoping to whatever gods were out there that she didn't sound as stupid as she felt in that moment as she moved over to take a seat at the foot of the cot, only for the girl to flinch back as if expecting to be struck.

“Sorry...I didn't mean to show weakness it's just....”

what the hell is she talking about? What did they put her through out there? C'yra wondered, having to bite back the growl she felt forming in her chest at that implication of those words.

“You're not weak...Hell, you managed to transform without proper training and you obviously are a well-trained warrior if you could keep up with me. Crying doesn't make you weak, Catra.” she began, earning a hiss.

“Yes, it does! Why else would everyone say so?” Catra shouted in response, beginning to shake as she tried—and failed—to keep the tears at bay.

“Because they were either misinformed and wrong.” C'yra said as she reached over and began to gingerly stroke the teen's hair and ears, trying not to frighten her anymore as she added: “Who told you that Catra?”

“Shadow Weaver......Everyone...But Adora.”

Now that piqued her interest a bit because that was a name that C'yra hadn't heard in the weeks prior.

“Adora? Was she a friend of yours?” she asked, not expecting to hear the increase of sobs at the question.

“She was the only person I had and she just left me. She didn't care what Shadow Weaver did to me! She wouldn't listen to me! She wouldn't even let me come that night and all for a stupid, magical, damn sword!”

Catra answered, glaring up at her mother who was taken aback by that.

Left her because of a sword? Really? Why? What was so special about the sword? C'yra had to wonder as she moved farther onto the bed and timidly put an arm around Catra's shoulders, only for the girl to lean against her.

“What made a sword of all things so special? I mean I wouldn't abandon people I cared about because of my sword...as magical as it may be.” she eventually pressed, hoping to understand something more than what she was being told.

“It turned her into some kind of sparkly, eight foot, princess.” Catra muttered, her voice muffled from where she was nuzzling into the soft fabric of C'yra's cape.

Turned into a princess? Sparkly? Either she is really tripping or this is some kind of beyond nature shit. C'yra thought, brow furrowing as she glanced down at the distraught teen—who was obviously acting much more like a kitten than the mask of a battle trained soldier that Catra usually wore.

“Is that why you were so dead set on learning to use my sword? To keep up with this Adora?” C'yra questioned after just silently comforting her for a while.

“She was always better than me at everything! No matter what! I just want to....I want to be good at something! I am tired of being second best at everything!”

That answers a lot of questions I had since she came here and started training under Tora and I. C'yra thought as an idea hit her.

If her attitude is caused by self-esteem problems...I can probably help ease some of that.

“Catra, you are a talented fighter and you did something that no one in over fifty years has done...You transformed without training and that is very impressive.” she said honestly, allowing her words to come out as a purr as she nuzzled against the girl, who seemed to be falling even more under the influence of the tea that she had been given.

“R-Really?” Catra sniffled and it broke the queen's heart to see the rather harsh-spoken, egotistical teenager so upset and seemingly broken.

“Yes, Catra...I would never lie to you about anything.”

A heavy silence fell over the room then with C'yra wondering if there was anything she could do or say to actually make the girl feel any better—or how much Catra would remember of this conversation once the drug had worn off.

“So you aren't going to punish me for being weak?”

The question that broke the silence caught C'yra off guard. After all, why would she punish anyone for crying when they obviously had been hurt?

“Of course not...Why do you ask that?” the queen really didn't want to know the answer but she knew that she had to ask.

After all the only way she would understand Catra was to get some backstory.

“Shadow Weaver would have.”

“How is she?” Tora asked as he wheeled into the room, only to stop at the door when he saw that C'yra was curled up on the bed, tail flickering around as Catra—who was wide-eyed and obviously not feeling much at the moment—tried to catch it.

“She was cold...I offered to use my fur to keep her warm but I ended up entertaining an overgrown kitten.” C'yra retorted, letting out a huff as she allowed her tail to hit the teen in the face,

“And how much Nepeta did they give her? This can't be the same girl who threatened to pour her juice over Raiona's head this morning.” he joked as he watched them play.

“They gave her a full cup and it was strong so...Yeah. I think they should have measured her weight better.” C'yra retorted, chuckling a bit as Catra let out a yawn.

“Go to sleep girl...Maybe your arm won't hurt if you sleep it off....Besides, if we break the bed I swear Maye is going to kill both of us.”

Once the teen was sleeping, C'yra sighed and glanced over at Tora before letting out a breath.

“Tora, send Anuk to Bright-Moon and ask about this Princess called Adora. What Catra has told me is almost unbelievable and until she is willing to talk about her willingly while sober...I don't think we'll get any of the answers. But a magical sword turning a horde soldier into a golden warrior princess? In all your studies, did you ever hear of such a thing?” she said, earning an arched brow from her husband.

“Only one story is about a sword-wielding warrior Princess who was cloaked in a golden light and was gifted with a power beyond what anyone had known. It is said that she would return when the people of Etheria truly needed to be healed but it was only a legend. I'm surprised you haven't heard it.” Tora answered earning a scoff.

“I was never the one for fairy tails so what was this Golden warrior who could heal people?” C'yra retorted as she stretched, careful as to not jostle Catra awake.

“She was called She-Ra, the princess of power.....and if Catra isn't just talking gibberish....Then perhaps we can have some hope about this tyrant to finally be put down.”

Chapter Text

“It is too damn early to be doing anything.” Catra groaned as she sank onto the mat in front of Tora, who looked far too energetic—in Catra's oppinon anyway—for six in the morning.

“Yes, I am sure that C'yra would agree with you. Now have you seen Raiona? She usually isn't late.” he asked, earning a growl from the teen.

“What am I? Her Babysitter? I heard her leave her room this morning but that is it.” Catra responded, noticing how her father rolled his eyes at that.

“No, but I would like for you to go try to find her. The girl tries to be responsible but there is only so much responsibility you can ask of a kid without them feeling bogged down.” he answered, earning a huff.

“Fine, I'll go find her...But you owe me! I don't want to deal with her spoiled ego at this hour!”

Catra really didn't know why she was even doing this, after all, she didn't owe Tora anything. But still, the man was likable and for whatever reason—she assumed it was because he didn't try to force her to do anything she didn't want to—she didn't want to upset him.

But that didn't mean that she liked them! There was no way.

Glancing down at her arm—which was still in a sling—Catra remembered waking up curled up against the giant golden cat although she didn't know why C'yra had stayed with her, after all, it wasn't as if she was going to die or something.

But still, she couldn't deny that it felt nice to finally have someone to care enough to stay with her—even if she really didn't need it.

Sighing she lowered herself to the ground, sniffing at the pathway in hopes of picking up Raiona's scent only to end up having a sneezing fit as something that smelled overly sweet

“Oh wow, the stray sniffing for scraps now?” A male voice said, causing her to nearly trip as she stood up and whirled around, only to see Amur standing there, smug.

“What do you want?” Catra retorted, ears pinning back as she crossed her arms over her chest only to earn a snicker.

“I'm teasing but in all seriousness, what are you doing? Besides snorting pollen.” he retorted, earning a hiss.

“I was trying to find C'yra's brat. Tora is supposed to teach us some shit this morning and I'm early for once.” Catra retorted, turning away from him although Amur just started to laugh.

“You really know nothing about kids, do you? Raiona's probably hidden away on top of something, sulking. She saw how close you were with C'yra yesterday and she's not used to sharing what little time she gets with your mom with anyone.” he retorted, earning a groan.

“Why is everyone talking about that? I was high on...Whatever the hell that stuff was. Besides, I don't want nor need C'yra or anyone else for that matter. I'm fine on my own.”

She didn't notice the look that the older boy sent her when she said that, having already began to walk away.

“Do you really believe that? Everyone needs to have people they can trust and I swear C'yra and Tora aren't bad people and that's not just because they are my aunt and uncle.” Amur said, running to keep up with Catra, who hissed lightly.

“So what if I do? Don't even pretend that I wouldn't be in a cage somewhere or dead if I wasn't assumed to be the queen's kid!”

Catra was not in the mood for this, however, to her surprise Amur touched her shoulder.

“Catra, C'yra isn't like that. Here we have a saying: People make mistakes, but after all is said and done they also should be given a chance. I'm pretty sure you found your penance already...I mean you haven't turned us in to Hordak yet.” he said, smiling slightly when she shrugged away from him.

“Who says I won't?”

“Would you really condemn innocent people and children to death?”

The question made her pause as she thought about the implications of that.

Had she actually taken the lives of innocents?

She knew the Horde was bad but she had never really thought about that. At least not in the black and white way that Hordak taught.

“I already have...I attacked a village before I ended up here. I probably already have blood on my hands.” she admitted, earning a sigh.

“Good people can do bad things and bad people can do good. It's the terrible people who never experience sympathy, understanding or compassion.”

Amur's words seemed to echo in her thoughts as she continued on her way to search for the other girl.

“Why don't you go become a shrink?” she muttered before bolting off.

C'yra sighed as she sat in front of a desk—only half listening to what her adviser was saying about putting up new wards—when the door to the throne room burst open and Anuk—a cheetah-like Magi-cat burst in, panting.

“Back already?” she asked, arching a brow since he looked ready to be sick from running so hard.

“Had to Ma'am. I can confirm...what the girl said is true.....and not only that.....But it seems that the Horde is becoming more active lately.” he said, causing a dull roar of voices to fill the room.

But one stood out more than the others

“Where is that girl? Don't tell me you left her unguarded again, it's only a matter of time before she runs back to the Fright Zone like some kind of scalded dog.”

C'yra growled before turning toward Cain, the chief of police there.

'that girl happens to be attending lessons with Tora this morning now unless you wish to be dismissed, stop trying to fear monger.” she responded, trying to keep herself from breaking the air of professionalism that she adopted inside that particular room.

“I still say that you should have dispatched of her. She isn't anyone after all of the brainwashing that the Horde put her through.”

This time it was Nahuel who had spoken, earning a hiss from the elderly woman across the table from C'yra.

“She is a child! I don't care if she was part monkey or part ape, there is no excuse for the murder of a mere girl.”

“She's a murderer!”

“So was your son!”

C'yra could feel a headache coming on as she listened to the arguing.

This is going to be a long day....I sure as hell hope that Tora is having an easier time with the girls than I am here.

Tora watched as the younger magi-cats sparred, Catra moving almost like fluid as she dodged the blasts that Raiona sent her way.

“Good but you need to remember that fighting is about more than offensive maneuvers Raiona...Start countering Catra's attacks besides just dodging them.” he instructed, trying to hide his amusement at the strangled sound that came from his youngest daughter's throat.

“To be fair...I didn't expect the kid to be this good....She's actually on the same level as someone her age would be in the Fright Zone.” Catra stated, smirking a bit as she deflected a punch, using that moment to send the younger girl hurling into the padding along the wall.

“But I'm a long way ahead of that.”

Tora just rolled his eyes at the showboating and just nodded.

“yes, I am sure you are. Seeing how you managed to stab through the floor yesterday.” he quipped just as Raiona sent a blast toward Catra—One that struck it's target and caused her fur to stand on end.

“I am going to fricking kill you!” Catra yelled, only for Raiona to seemingly teleport out of the way and reappearing halfway across the room.

“Gotta catch me first!”

A vanishing spell? When did she learn to do that? Tora couldn't help but wonder as he watched the pair—making sure that they didn't get too rough.

“What's wrong Catra? Can't keep up? What kind of Magi-cat can't do actual magic?”

Tora watched as Catra's ears folded back at Raiona's words.

“One who doesn't need fancy powers in order to do anything productive!” Catra responded, voice low and dangerous—but not quite a growl.

The game of cat and mouse went on for some time—Catra growing even more irritated with every jeer that the younger girl sent her way.

Then to Tora's surprise, Catra suddenly pounced—her body shifting and growing within mid-air—knocking Raiona to the floor and sitting on her.

“Okay....Let her up and let me walk you through how to change back. Raiona has other lessons to get to and I would like to give you some private ones, Catra. That is if you want.”

This will be interesting, to say the least...she wants power but not magic....and if she is training in order to surpass She-Ra herself....Then she has her work cut out for her. Tora thought although he didn't say anything as he wheeled toward them, blue eyes narrowed slightly as he noticed the limp that Catra still had.

“You know your mother is going to kill both of us because you were overdoing it....It's best if we don't tell her.”

Chapter Text

“So what exactly do you want me to do old man? I am not learning magic if that is what you want.” Catra asked as she followed him deeper into the underground compound beneath the city although he just smirked.

“I want to teach you the opposite actually. Magic may be a good boost but it is no way a sure fire win against an enemy if that enemy knows what they are doing. You have been hurt by magic so I am going to teach you how never to fall pray to it again...That is if you trust me to help you.”

Catra was at a loss for words for a few minutes as she ran Tora's words through her mind. Could she trust him? Would he hurt her? From experience with all forms of magic she wanted to believe that she couldn't, however from her experiences with him she felt as though if anyone could help her, it was him.

Even if she hated to admit that, even to herself.

“What's in it for you?” she asked instead of answering his question, trying to appear much more intimidating that she really felt in that moment alone with the mage.

“Don't use your strength on innocents...That is my only request.”

His answer surprised her as she had assumed that he was about to request her to accept her position as heir or something along those lines.

Yet she couldn't sense deceit coming from him.

“that's it?” she couldn't keep the words from falling from her mouth, although he just laughed.

“Catra, not everyone out there is going to do things for selfish reasons.”

Catra watched as he wheeled himself off toward where ever their destination was, smirking slightly as she muttered:

“why do I want to believe that?”

Tora was careful about how much power he put behind the static blasts that he hurled toward the girl who—smirking—dodged them with relative ease.

“Is that the only thing you can do old man?” She jeered while back-flipping away from one blast, earning equally cocky grin from the tiger-striped Magi-cat.

“You're going to regret saying that, kitten.” he retorted before summoning a large amount of energy balls around the girl, trying to hit her although she was nearly as quick as he was.

However he did manage to hit her, causing her fur to stand on end from the static.

“Shouldn't that hurt?” Catra questioned, growling in slight annoyance as she licked at her fur, trying to get it to lay back down.

“No. It's training not a real fight. Maybe we will spar for real one day but not right now...Not until I am sure you can keep up with me.” Tora answered simply, chuckling a bit as he watched her crouch down and continue to try—and fail—to get her hair and fur to lay flat once again.

“I don't see how looking like a puffed up bird is any better!” Catra countered, glancing up at him when she heard him chuckle at her. “What?”

Tora just grinned wider and said “Oh nothing...Just the fact that you look adorable like that.”

“Oh shut up! Can't you de-static me?” Catra groaned, much to his amusement.

“Oh I can but do you trust me enough to let me that close to you with magic?”

Catra laughed aloud as she leaped up onto a small ledge of crystal that jutted from the wall of the training room, tail lashing as she glared down at Tora.

“Come on old man! We don't have all day!”

She knew that she shouldn't be enjoying this or so trusting of Tora but she just couldn't help it. Not now that she had not only saw him getting irritated—and how harmless his response to that was—and now that she had been actually touched by his magic, she knew that he wouldn't hit her to actually hurt her.

And that just made her want to throw herself into the training even more.

Especially since Tora wasn't jeering or making demands.

“Oh zip it already and focus on your training!” Tora retorted in a similar tone, sending a volley of energy balls toward her.

Catra managed to dodge for the most part, grabbing a shield off of one wall in order to block some of them.

“Good! Use your surroundings! If you have to, get creative!” her father instructed.

Get creative huh? Well luckily that I know how to do.

Catra took note how even the training felt like a game as it continued, both laughing a bit as they played their part. Catra hadn't expected some of the training to be agility based besides some kind of pseudo magic.

However before they were done, the door opened just as Catra dodged, ending with a yelp as the person struck stagged back against the door.

“I came in here to cool off, not get blasted in the face by a bunch of heathens!”

C'yra's voice caused Catra to freeze, her mind whirling with the thoughts of what the older magi-cat could possibly do to her in reatalliation.

However Tora just started to laugh.

“Sweetheart, I don't mean to be that guy but you may want to take a look at yourself!” he stated and it was only then that Catra dared to turn around, only to find herself biting back laughter as well because C'yra—who was very keen on keeping herself well groomed and hair cut short and out of her face—looked more like some kind of monkey than cat as every bit of her fur fluffed out.

“Ha ha, very funny you jerk....what are you two doing in here anyway? Catra should be resting.” C'yra retorted, ignoring her rather comical appearance as she walked over to the teenager in question, eyes narrowing a little as she glanced her over.

“How is your arm? If it hurts tell someone and you can stop, Tora and I will not become angry with you.” She said simply, a hand lightly brushing over the girl's ears as she walked past.

“No, I'm fine. I've been avoiding using it.' Catra answered, unsure to how to respond to the queen who just nodded.

“Good. Now while I de-fluff you can tell me how your training is going.”

Catra just stood there as C'yra took a seat on the floor, transforming so that she could do a better job of smoothing the fur down. However C'yra's expectant look told her that she needed to at least say something.

“Well....I only managed to get hit like five times. I mean, Tora isn't freezing me in place before he attacks and I can dodge if I have the time to think about it.” Catra answered, earning a nod from the large cat.

“It'll get harder as you train more with either of our training. You are obviously talented with agility so perhaps it would be best to focus on that at first.” C'yra stated with what Catra knew was a grin as she glanced between the teen and Tora.

“She is indeed a talented girl....Cunning as heck as well since she used the crystals to deflect some of the blasts at me.” Tora said and Catra couldn't help but wonder if she was hearing things.

Was he really praising her?

She asked herself as he rolled over to them.

“Yes...I've noticed as well in our own training sessions.” C'yra replied as she shifted back and placed a hand on Catra's shoulder—earning a slight squeak from the teen who still half-expected some form of punishment, especially when the queen continued:

“However I do want her to start taking days off because there is more to life than getting stronger. It isn't good to hang up on the past like this.”

Catra half expected this to be accompanied by a tightening grip or a cuff, not by a light bump from the taller, more muscular female.

“Tomorrow I want you to get to know the city, make some friends or something. Just get out of the house and stop working yourself into exhaustion.”

Catra could only nod although the fear was only being replaced by confusion.

Wasn't C'yra angry with her for not taking it easy like she was directed? Wasn't she angry about being hit with an attack?

She half wanted to ask the woman about it, however before she could she suddenly felt the queen nuzzle against her lightly—which caused her to stiffen and leap away.

“Ugh! Was that necessary?” she growled, blushing although both the adults just laughed.

“Yes because you looked like I was about to eat you or something. Had to break that tension somehow.”

Chapter Text

Why me?

That was the first thought that had entered Catra's mind the next morning when C'yra had ordered Raiona—who looked just as irritated by the suggestion—to take her around the city and introduce her to some people her own age.

And when Catra tried to argue, the scar-ridden queen sent her a look that put Shadow Weaver to shame.

“You need to focus on other things besides fighting all the time. This isn't like in the Fright Zone.” She had said and for the first time since being brought to Half-Moon, Catra wondered if maybe that wasn't true.

After all, Shadow Weaver and Hordak forced people to do stuff they didn't want to all of the time and that was exactly what C'yra was doing.

“There's a game today down in the cavern. She may enjoy that.” Raiona suggested, earning a thoughtful look from C'yra and a Scoff from Catra.

“Alright but I swear if I end up getting hit in the face or something, I will be on the hunt for all three of you!” Catra retorted, crossing her arms over her chest as she leveled the three of them with a look.

“Hey leave me out of this, if you wanted to help me work today I would let you but C'yra….” Tora began, holding both hands up as if in surrender.

“a slave driver? Yeah, I know. But I guess I'll let the runt show me around.”

“So what did you guys do in the Fright Zone for fun?” Raiona questioned as they walked towards the area outside of the underground city.

“horse around, obstacle courses, pranks…Normal kid stuff. We didn't have much so we made due.” Catra's answer actually took the younger Magi-cat by surprise.

“I figured you were stuck in like shooting camp or something.” Raiona retorted, earning a laugh.

“Kid, we couldn't even look at a blaster until we were thirteen and even then the ones we used was so powered down the only thing it could kill was a rat. Hordak wasn't that bad.” Catra answered before adding “how about you? Did you get stuck in etiquette classes?”

This time Raiona snickered.

“Etiquette classes, Really? Have you met our mother?”

Catra chuckled and shook her head.

“ Your mother.”

She corrected, earning a scoff.

“Whatever you say renegade. Come on, last one to the mouth of the cavern is a blowfish!”

Arching a brow at the remark, Catra thought to ask but instead shook her head and took off after the younger girl.

“Oh, you are totally on!”

Catra was not going to get shown up by a kid, so she pushed off with all fours as to start at full speed.

Hmm...so I don't have to worry about judgement here if I act on instinct for once. Let's see just what I can do. She thought, leaping over a stalagmite that Raiona dodged around.

“Gotta do better than that kid.” Catra jeered as she caught up “or do you want me to sit on you again?”

This got an rather amusing growl from the younger girl who casted a sideways glare toward the teen.

“Hey! You can transform, I can't! I can't help it you cheated!”

Catra just scoffed as she shouted “yeah yeah, whatever helps you sleep at night!”

It didn't take them long to reach the wider area of the tunnel where a group of Magi-cat of different ages had gathered.

“Oh so you convinced her to come. Good…We need another player for our team. I really don't want Mace back on my team any time soon. They are so annoying.” A tall female with a spotted pattern on her fur said, smirking toward Catra who bristled slightly.

“You only find Mace annoying because of your stupid crush on them.” Raiona retorted before adding “Catra, this is Shenya and the two guys are Kis and Orion. They are the three closest to your age so you're on their team.”

It didn't take Catra long to figure out how to play as the game was simple and unlike what she thought a game like that would be like, she didn't have to hold much back because everything about the game was rough and she found herself actually enjoying herself.

“Rai! Come on! Get the ball!” One of the kittens yelled, causing Catra to scoff.

“You runts honestly think you can take me on? Really?” She jeered in response as she rushed toward the goal, only to be tackled by her sister.

“You think you can pin me?” Catra laughed, glaring up at the girl in question before using her tail to bat the ball toward Shenya before flipping their positions so that she had pinned the eleven year old.

“Nope, looks like you fail again.”

Raiona growled as she tried to push the teenager off of her although she just deflated when she realized that Catra was heavier than she looked.

“Okay, point made….Now get your ass off me.”

Catra only laughed as she leaned in closer, tail flicking playfully as she responded:

“Aw, is that any way for a princess to talk? Can't you get out from under me?”

What happened next happened so fast that none of them would have seen it coming because suddenly Catra's whole body felt as though that fire was pouring through her veins instead of blood and she couldn't move.

What is happened? Has Shadow Weaver found me?

She felt like she couldn't breathe and her eyes instantly filled with water due to the pain.

“Uncle Cain! What the hell!” she heard Shenya snarl but with the feel of blood spurting into her nose, everything went black.

She woke up surrounded by warmth although she could hear the sound of magic blasts crackling around her and she really expected to see Shadow Weaver somewhere in the room when she looked up, although she only found C'yra sitting over her, a radiant blood orange glow surrounding both the Queen and her.

What is happening? She wondered but she didn't dare ask in fear of being sick as her stomach churned painfully.

“Oh thank the spirits you're okay! What did he do to you?” Raiona demanded and for the first time Catra noticed that she was surrounded by the other Magi-Cats as Tora was sending and deflecting blasts from a dark colored Magi-cat she didn't recognize.

“I...I don't know but...Everything hurts.” Catra confessed, coughing a little and to her horror she could taste blood.

“I know kitten...Rest. Let us worry about this mess for right now.” Cyra said, the glow around them becoming brighter as a drowsiness began to wash over her and the last thing that Catra heard before the darkness took her again was her mother's voice saying:

“I'll kill the bastard for this.”

Chapter Text

Catra awoke to find herself feeling the tingle of magic surrounding her, which caused her heart to jump into her throat.

That we until she managed to open her aching eyes to see that it was Tora leaned over her, a glowing hand passing over her body as sweat cloaked his short fur.

“You're awake? How are you feeling?” he panted and Catra could see that the man had been crying.

But why? Why had he been crying?

“Sore but….it doesn't hurt. What happened?” Catra asked, leaning into his hand when it passed over one of her ears.

“Blood magic...Magic that can control blood...usually the user's own.” He answered, his tone almost a snarl as he practically spit the name of the magic.

And this confused Catra even more.

Why was he angry?

But she wouldn't ask.

“I saw you fight...before I passed back out. I didn't think you were that strong.” She confessed, suddenly feeling tired again as he continued the healing spell.

“I may not be able to feel my legs Catra but that doesn't mean I won't fight hell and high water for the people I care about. Now relax and try to get some rest, I've healed most of the damage but you need time to get your strength back.”

Catra wanted to protest.

As a matter of fact everything inside her screamed for her to argue, to tell him not to use any more magic on her but something about his sweat soaked skin and red-rimmed eyes caused her to keep her mouth closed.

He had been worried about her and that realization hit her like a ton of bricks when it dawned on her. But why? She had only known him for a few weeks! He couldn't care about her.

Could he?

“Where's Cyra?” She asked instead, not wanting to linger on all the questions that was running through her head, but she instantly knew this was probably the wrong thing to ask because Tora flinched.

“She and Anu are currently speaking with the council and the generals. Cain will be put on trial for not only attacking a minor unprovoked and using forbidden magic but also with high treason. After you were stable no one could stop Cyra from going at him….although he was pretty much harmless after I got done with him.” Tora answered bluntly and Catra understood instantly why he had winced.

“She beat him….That isn't normal is it? For Magi-Cats at least?” Catra asked as she settled on the pillows and tried to relax under his touch.

“No, it's not. Not for your mother at least. No, this is the first time something has ever happened like this under your mother's rule. Your grandmother however ruled with an iron paw. Something your mother hated, even as a girl.”

Tora watched the girl flinch every time he moved the magic toward her face or head. He understood the fear, especially after the events of that day.

“Did you at least enjoy meeting others your age?” He dared ask after a few minutes of complete silence, only to earn a shrug.

“I guess. I mean it was okay up until the point that I couldn't move.” Catra answered before her eyes widened with sudden realization. “Where's Raiona? Is she alright?”

“Yes, Amur and Praelia took her and her friends to the elders to act as witnesses and as a means for them not to witness any more violence. Cain tried to make the claim you attacked Raiona….Although everyone else there said you were playing.” Tora said in a tone he hoped would reassure her, although by the way her ears flattened he had said the wrong thing.

“I had just pinned her. We were teasing each other and I decided to pounce on her. Next thing I knew, I couldn't move and could smell my own blood. Maybe it looked like I was going to hurt her or something but I swear I…..” Catra answered, earning a growl from Tora who pressed his nose against her temple.

“I believe you Catra. I notice how you act around her, even when she drives you crazy. You make sure not to be too rough. Magi-Cat Cubs play rough, mock fighting and all. It hasn't changed that much since I was a child and surely Cain remembers those games but he chose to be a liar and a coward today.”  

Another heavy silence passed over them, neither sure what to say or do at that.

Then Catra spoke.

“What was the Magi-Cats like originally? Before C'yra's rule?”

He understood that he wanted to know–needed too, almost. But that wasn't his story to tell because the one affected by it most hadn't been him but Cyra herself.

“I think your mother is the best to ask about that. The Royal Bloodlines were treated a lot harsher than mine.”

“Mom? Is Catra going to be okay? I mean I've never seen that much blood just come out of someone.” Raiona asked as she followed Cyra back toward their home, earning a sigh as the Queen moved to put an arm around her.

“Your father is a great healer and magician right? He'll make sure she's okay.” Cyra answered before sighing and adding “Rai, I know you saw what I did back there and I want you to know that I'll never…”

She was cut off by her youngest daughter squeezing her hand.

“I know Mom. You'll never hurt me, I know that.” Raiona assured with a purr as she leaned against her mother's side. That guy deserved getting beaten after doing that too her!”

C'yra sighed then and reached over and ruffled the girls hair.

“Understand this, I hate using such violence however there are times it's necessary. Now come on, who knows how Catra reacted if she woke up during the healing spell.”

“Go slow, you probably still have some internal bruising although I healed the worst of it.”

Catra was surprised when Tora came into the room next handed her a cup of something that smelled like meat and herbs.

“What is it?” She asked, nose wrinkling as she sniffed cautiously at liquid.

“Stew. You haven't eaten since breakfast and your body needs all the energy.” Tora replied smirking a bit before adding “I'm not going to poison you.”

Catra glared up at him at that before she stuck out her tongue.

“I know that you asshole. I literally have no idea what half the food you guys eat even is.” She retorted, earning a laugh.

“Asshole? Really? I'm so offended!”  he retorted, gripping his chest dramatically only to earn a snicker from Catra.

“Correction, you're a dramatic asshole.”

Cyra was ready for bed but she was too worked up over everything that had happened that day to be able to relax, at least until she knew that Catra was okay.

“Why don't you go on to bed? It's late.” She suggested to Raiona, only to earn a look.

“Not until I know Catra is okay, it's my fault she was even attacked in the first place. If I hadn't suggested she come with me…” the preteen began, only for the Queen to let out a soft growl.

“Stop. Rai, you weren't the one using blood magic and none of you kids knew that would happen. I'm sure that Catra understands that too.” Cyra stated her tone taking on a slightly harder tone as she forced the girl to look at her.

“Rai, I know you. You may have shot her with saline  but I know you would never do anything to endanger someone's life. Stop blaming yourself for what a grown ass man has done.” The Queen said before leaning down and licking the girl “ now come on, let's go see how your sister is doing.”

Chapter Text

Catra growled softly as she felt C'yra's magic scanning her, prompting her to lightly push the woman away.

“C'yra, chill. I'm fine! I swear, Tora checked and double checked me over!” Catra complained, only to earn a hint of a hiss from the woman.

“You are not fine you! I watched you almost die!” Cyra said but then paused and sighed “sorry...It's just.”

Catra arched a brow at the woman before letting out a sigh.

“Fine, just don't mess up my fur.”

The teen relented, earning a chuckle from Tora.

“You may as well so let your mother have her way because after how worried she was, she isn't gonna take no for an answer.” He said, watching as Catra deflated.

“Yeah, I figured. Even if she is being annoying!”

However Catra couldn't help but smile slightly as she listened to her parents bicker. This was the strangest feeling in the world for her but she didn't feel like commenting on it. After all, even Catra herself was tired and she couldn't imagine how Tora must have felt.

“Cyra, back there when Tora was fighting….What was it you was doing to me? I...I was in too much pain to care but I know it was magic but it didn't hurt.” Catra asked after things turned quiet.

“I had a protection spell over you….I didn't want that bastard to be able to try to use you to get to us. I lost you once, I was terrified to lose you again.” Cyra answered, her voice breaking a bit as she spoke.

And then it dawned on Catra why both Tora and Cyra had been so upset by what happened and for the first time since she had arrived, it put things into perspective for her.

If she had been devastated at losing a friend how much worse was it for them? They had lost a child.

“I should thank you for that...I was terrified….until I saw you.”  She confessed lowly as she not only began to understand not only them but recalled how afraid she had actually been.

“Oh Catra, I am so sorry we didn't get there sooner….that you had to endure such a thing.” Cyra's voice murmured close to her ear and Catra suddenly felt a light lick.

But she didn't pull away

I guess it wouldn't hurt to let them be all gross and mushy tonight. I mean I don't feel like fighting and they must have been just as scared as I was. She thought as she leaned back once more, closing her eyes as she tried to keep her mind from recalling everything that had happened that day.

How her whole body had burned.

How she had thought she was going to die. That Shadow Weaver had finally found her and was going to make due on her threats.

“Catra?”

Riaona's voice jarred her from her thoughts and caused her to crack open one eye just slightly.

“What do you want kid? Shouldn't you be in bed?”

Catra responded, sitting up slightly although one look at the younger girl told Catra all she needed to know and when Raiona lowered her gaze and didn't answer, Catra continued.

“Oh don't tell me you were worried too! I am fine, now it's late and I'm pretty sure that your mom is worrying enough about me that she doesn't need the extra worry about you collapsing from exhaustion.”  

She instantly regretted those word however when she saw everything about the eleven year old droop.

Jeez, what is up with this kid?

“You know what? Since Queen pain in the ass obviously isn't moving from here you may as Wells sleep in here for the night too.”

C'yra awoke to the sound of sniffling and was surprised by the sight of Catra curled into a tight ball, quivering and whimpering and C'yra wasn't sure how to go about helping her because on one hand she didn't want the girl to be trapped in whatever hell that she was in but she also didn't want to risk startling her if she woke her either.

“Please stop...I'm sorry.”

The whispered pleas broke C'yra's heart and made her wonder just what had been done to Catra inside the Fright Zone for all those years and that was when C'yra made the decision to risk having the girl freak out.

“Catra, sweetheart wake up. You're just having a nightmare.”

In any other circumstance C'yra would have never thought to call Catra anything that the girl deemed too mushy—she barely tolerated being called kitten—but this was different and even if it did get her an ear full, C'yra didn't care.

Catra awoke with a start, claws out and ready to attack however instead of finding Hordak and Shadow Weaver standing near her, she found herself on the large, round bed next to a concerned looking C'yra.

“You okay? Want to talk about it?” C'yra questioned as she ran a hand through Catra's mane, making sure to scratch at the backs of her ears in order to try to help her calm down.

“Yes and no. It was just a dream.” Catra replied, moving to pull away however the feel of something putting gentle pressure on her back stopped her and caused her to look around to see a large tailless, tiger like cat laying there.

“Tora? I didn't know he could still…” she began, earning a light smile from the Queen.

“He can't walk Catra but that doesn't mean he lost any of his powers. He didn't want to leave you alone tonight either.”

Now that was unexpected to Catra since Tora had already did so much.

“Why? I mean you were in here and Rai…” Catra began only to feel a large tongue run across her head, causing her to groan aloud.

“Tora! Ew! What the hell is up with that anyway?” She demanded, glaring a the large cat who seemed to be laughing now.

“It's just a sign of affection Catra. Just like this.” C'yra responded, as she reached over and rubbed one of her ears “Now you wanna tell us what that dream was about or should I go fix some tea?”

Catra knew there was no getting out of this so with one last glare toward Tora and a clawless swipe at C'yra's hand, she let out a huff.

“Fine I'll tell you what it was about. I was back in the Fright Zone facing down Shadow Weaver, okay?”

Her tail wrapped around her waist at that as she drew her knees to her chest.

“Unlike you two I didn't have anyone to look up to who actually gave a damn. Closest thing I had was Shadow Weaver and she hated me, no matter what I did. She was the one who sent me running from the Horde, the one who blamed me for Adora's mistakes, the one who told me I was nothing.”

Catra felt tears fill her eyes as she said this and hid her face in her arms before anyone could notice.

“You are not nothing Catra. You are strong, agile, smart...a lot of things.” Tora began and she could feel C'yra shift close to her on the bed.

“And you are wrong Catra, I do know how that feels. But I think that is a conversation for us to have in private….I don't want Raiona to learn the truth about her grandmother just yet.”

Chapter Text

Catra glanced down at the cup that C'yra put on the table in front of her. Just what we it that the Queen could be wanting to tell her? What was this about the former queen that C'yra wanted to keep from Raiona?

Her mind was a whirl of possibilities as she turned her attention toward the Queen who seemed to be lost in thought.

“What did you want to tell me?” She prompted after some silence, earning a sigh.

“You said that we wouldn't understand what happened to you but that can't be farther from the truth.” The Queen began, her fist clenching where it was resting on the table as she averted her eyes.

“You know I lost my sense of control after Cain was subdued and that was something I hoped to never show either you nor Raiona, although I think you understand it a bit more than Rai would. After all, I think we got the lion's share of traits from my mother's side.”

Catra watched as her mother stood, tail lashing around in unease as she began to pace about the room. Never before had she saw the strong, intimidating woman look so distressed and agitated.

“Catra, how much have you learned in your classes about our history?”

C'yra began after a few minutes, glancing toward Catra who just shrugged.

“Only that Queen C'yra the first was the one who brought the elite families together under her strength and wisdom.” Catra replied, watching as a humorless smirk came over the Queen's face.

“And have you learned the three pillars yet?”

What is she getting at with this? We never talk about my lessons because she knows Anu is teaching me. Catra wondered before answering a bit unsurely “that's the things that make a good ruler right? Strength, Wisdom and Compassion?”

She hoped she was right.

“Yes and take a notice that only the traits Strength and Wisdom are associated with the reign of my mother. That is because while having good intentions, she lacked the compassion needed to guide anyone through hardship…..Even her own offspring.”

Catra wasn't sure what to say at that. What could she say? That she was sorry that C'yra had went through that? What help would that do?

“I guess it's not only The Horde that produces assholes huh?” She responded, earning a dry chuckle.

“I guess no matter what side you're on there are good and bad parts to everyone.” C'yra responded as she returned to her seat before sighing “She was distant, cold. The Royal family was expected to not only be the pillar of strength and knowledge but also to make sure that only their strongest would become next in line.”

C'yra became quiet for a few minutes then, eyes squeezing shut as if she was trying hard to forget something—or to muster up the courage to continue.

“I was always second best, seemingly twenty steps behind my older brother. When he….died….She turned all of the bitterness toward me. I joined the military just to get away from her...and then I met Tora.”

Catra saw the slight gleam in her mother's eye when she mentioned Tora and allowed a ghost of a smile to come over her face—even if she hid it behind her tea glass.

“How did you two meet?” Catra asked after a few minutes, earning a light smile.

“Would you believe it if I said he turned my fur purple when he tried to aim the spell at his brother?”  C'yra retorted, earning a snicker.

“I bet you were pissed.” Catra said, earning a nod.

“Oh yes, I totally was. Back then I was quite the hothead. But when his asshole brother Taki started laughing I may or may not have swept his feet from under him and made him land his fancy ass into a mud puddle.”  C'yra laughed before turning somber again.

“My mother was furious that I wouldn't marry the man she had picked for me...the man from the lesser clan of Linea. A warrior. She challenged me to a duel to prove my worth and no matter what she had did to me, I didn't want to draw blood. She was my mother but in the end, I had to….for the sake of my freedom.”

“Your freedom?” Catra repeated, earning a sigh.

“Catra, I was the third in line for the throne. I had an older sister who died from some kind of illness and then a brother who died from…..from suicide. All my life I had to prove that I was worthy of my noble blood. I had to work so hard just to get her attention and I vowed I would never make any kids I had feel the way I did. I couldn't make friends, I could only train and study and if I dared disobey my mother had rather….harsh punishments. I had to fight for everything I ever had.”

Catra couldn't believe what she was hearing. How could a princess face so much? How could C'yra—who never had lost her temper on either Catra or Raiona—have been from such a harsh environment?

“Your mom did all that? You don't act like you had it that hard.” Catra asked only to earn a sigh from her mother who stood again and walked over to her and gently patted the girl's shoulder.

“Yes Catra, she did but I made a promise to myself that I would never treat anyone the way my mother treated me and that I would be better than she was. A better ruler, a better friend, a better everything. Just because the past is shit doesn't mean your future has to be too.”

Chapter Text

Raiona knew something was wrong when she work up to find Catra and C'yra missing. Had something happened during the night? Was Catra sick? Lightly nudging Tora awake.

“Daddy, wake up. Mom and Catra are gone.”

Tora let out a huff before he lifted himself up and transformed back into his humanoid form.

“Go check the kitchen, I'll be out soon.” He yawned, reaching over and ruffling her hair a bit before adding “I'm sure your Mama and Catra are fine.”

Raiona couldn't believe what she saw when she came downstairs only to find Catra and C'yra curled up together on the sofa, a single blanket draped around them.

“Dad? I think we should leave them alone….Evidently they had a rough night.”

Tora chuckled as he levitated himself down the stairs, landing beside of her.

“Yeah, let's go see if Miv has breakfast ready….Pretty sure if we wake either of them we'll get our heads bitten off.”

Catra awoke to something practically pinning her to the couch, causing her to panic briefly until she smelled the familiar musky floral scent that she came to associate with the Magi-cat queen.

“ugh...do you mind? You're squishing me.” she grumbled, feeling heat crawl into her face although the hefty built woman just seemed to draw her closer.

“Really? Am I?”  C'yra asked sleepily, headbutting the girl who growled and tried to push her away, only to end up letting out a grunt of frustration since she couldn't get the woman to budge.

“Yes! Now move! You're going to end up killing me! You are so annoying!” Catra grumbled, feeling C'yra practically vibrating with laughter as her tail also wrapped around her.

“Make me, kitten.”

Catra growled again, batting at the tail that had came dangerously close to her face.

“Ugh, stop calling me that! I'm not a little kid!” she snarled, earning a flick to the nose from the furry appendage.

“Again, Make me.”

Catra snarled at that and batted at her mother's tail again.

“Ugh! How can I make you? You're built like a literal tank! Like seriously I can barely budge you!”

C'yra laughed aloud at the response and lightly pinned the girl, a purr rumbling deep in chest as she leaned over and licked her.

“You know what I think? That you really don't hate this as much as you act like you do.”

Catra felt her face grow red at that statement and shoved the woman away the best she could.

“Yeah well you're crazy too! Who would like being pinned down, slobbered on and annoyed by someone they can't possibly fight back!” Catra responded before finally giving up and going limp “ugh...Can you please let me up? This is ridiculous.”

Adora sighed as she walked into the dining hall, freezIng in place when she saw a strange figure standing near Queen Angela. This figure had a tawny golden fur that covered his body and strange tear like markings around his eyes.

But other than that he looked oddly similar to Catra.

“Adora? Are you okay?” Glimmer asked, causing the blonde to jerk from her thoughts.

“Uh yeah, of course. But who is he? I mean he….well he looks like someone I know and…” Adora began, only to be cut off by Netossa who seemed almost as confused as Adora felt.

“He's a Magi-cat...a part of a nearly extinct warrior race that hide themselves by magic after their kingdom fell to the Horde. Though why one is here, I don't know.”

a nearly extinct warrior race.

their kingdom fell to the Horde.

The older girl's words seemed to echo in Adora's mind.

Catra would love to know this….she always wondered why she was the only one like herself in the Fright Zone. I just wish things didn't go south like they did.

She thought, only to jerk from her thoughts when Glimmer touched her arm.

“Adora is? are you okay?”

“Uh yeah….I'm fine. Just got lost in thought. Let's get some breakfast...We have that meeting today don't we?”

Adora is one that Glimmer wouldn't buy it but she didn't want to tell her she was thinking about the very person they had been fighting a few days ago. Glimmer just wouldn't understand why even after that , Adora was still worried about the half-feline.

Shadow Weaver wouldn't really kill her, would she?

Raiona laughed aloud as she pounced on her mother from behind as they stepped into the large canyon, the sunlight overhead beating down warmly on her fur.

“Besides the runt here being hyper, why are we even out here?” Catra asked as she followed along, trying to avoid being pulled into any of their roughhousing after her mother had practically pushed her off the couch that morning.

“We need to relax after the day we had yesterday and the hot springs are the best for that and if you don't want to get wet the sand stone around here hold heat and the sun is bright today.” C'yra explained with a yawn before adding “just don't start squabbling like two roosters okay? It's too early in the day for that.”

“I make no promises but while you enjoy the hot springs, I'm finding me a sunny spot.” Catra retorted with a smirk.

“Oh don't tell me you're afraid of water!” Raiona snickered, earning a swipe across the face with the older girl's tail, a playful gesture as the teenager walked away.

“What’s it to you? Don't you have anything else to do besides being an asshole?” Catra retorted nonchalantly with a crooked smile.

“girls, don't start. We're supposed to relax not bicker.” C'yra said, the same amusement in her tone as she bumped into Raiona.

“Who's starting anything? I'm looking forward to a nap!” Catra responded, earning a snicker from Raiona.

“You are so lazy!”

“Shut up welp.”

Catra curled up atop the jacket she had been given, tail flicking every once in a while as she dozed inside the warmth of the sun rays while she listened to Raiona and C'yra roughhousing in the springs beneath the ledge she had settled on.

“Are you still sure you don't want to join us?”

Raiona asked, earning a snort from Catra who only glanced their way.

“Positive. I don't wanna get wet and then turn into fluffy abomination.” the teen responded before laying back down, pausing only to lick at the back of her wrist and using the damp fur to scrub at the backs of her ears.

She didn't know how long she had been there, going in and out of consciousness when she suddenly felt something shaking her, causing her to groan and sit up.

“The hell?” She grumbled, rubbing sleep from her eyes.

“Sorry, we just was wondering if you wanted to come exploring the old mines with us. Your mom said it was okay with her.”

Catra sighed as she tried to remember this girl's name, debating rather or not she could trust her.

After all, hadn't it been her uncle that had attacked her the previous day.

“why should I trust you?” Catra found herself demanding, o ky to see the other girl deflate slightly before shrugging.

“Because I didn't know my uncle was a psychopath? Because I don't even speak to my dad or his family because he hit my mom? Look, I know Cain is an ass but not everyone is going to be like that. I can't even do magic!” Shenya retorted, catching Catra off guard.

“Wait what?”

Catra asked, earning a sigh.

“I'll explain everything if you'll just come along okay? I really just want to have another girl my age to talk.”

Chapter Text

"wow, this was a mine? really?"

Catra asked as she followed Shenya into the caverns, taking notice of the multitude of crystals shimmering on the walls that seemed to glow in a pulsating, multicolored light.

"yeah. your dad actually was one of the ones who was over the safety team operating here. this whole place is enchanted." Shenya responded and Catra could practically smell the nervousness coming from the other girl.

"Okay so we're in an enchanted mine, where magical crystals grow and you are sure you don't have magic?" Catra questioned, earning a sigh.

"I'm sure. I can make a ball of light but that is it. Nothing like the people on my dad's side of the family." Shenya answered, tail coiling around her waist as they walked.

"Who needs magic? I mean seriously all it is really is a crutch. People use magic when they don't have the body strength to do anything." Catra retorted, shoving her hands into her jacket pockets.

"So you think Tora is weak? Because he is a mage?" Shenya countered, ears pierced Ning back slightly however Catra rolled her eyes.

"Not the same thing. Tora is smart, that is his true strength really and if he infiltrated a Horde slave camp then he had to be a strong soldier. I mean people like Cain and Shadow Weaver who are always using magic like a coward."

she responded, earning a arched brow.

"do I even want to ask who or what a Shadow Weaver is?"


"not really."

They walked along in silence for some time before Shenya spoke again.

“I'm sorry about my uncle. If I had known about…” she had began, only to trail off when Catra shot her a look.

“Stop apologizing for shit you can't help. Like seriously, I've been here long enough to know that not all Magi-Cats like me but it's not like anyone except Cain has tried anything more than throw rotten vegetables at my head either.”

Catra retorted, earning a scoff.

“And that's awful enough! Why don't you tell your mom?”

Shenya responded, turning her full attention on Catra now.

“You think she doesn't worry enough? Besides she's busy and I've had much, much worst done to me.”

“Yeah well that still doesn't make it right.”

“Hey dad! Think you can teach me that thing today?” Raiona asked as she and C'yra entered their house, earning a quizzical look from the queen.

“Do i even want to ask what you want to teach her this time? Last time I ended up with glowing fur for a week.” C'yra retorted, trying to hide her amusement at the pair before she sighed and glanced at the clock.

“Well Catra's actually being social for once and you two are going to get up to some kind mischief I guess I better get that paperwork done.” she said, stretching however Raiona grabbed her arm.

“Mom, come on you said you were taking a break today. Why don't you join me and Dad?” The eleven year old suggested in a half whine, earning a sigh from her mother.

“Rai, you and Tora love playing around with magic which I am not very good at and I've spent nearly all day with you. Tell you what, give me a half hour to finish some stuff up and then I'll join you. Alright?” C'yra said, leaning down and ruffling the girl's hair, only to have her hand batted away.

“You always say that and you never do.” Raiona's voice wavered as she spoke.

C'yra knelt down then in front of the preteen, a hand coming to rest on the girl's shoulder.

“Rai. I'm sorry if it seems like that but I swear that is never my intentions at all. I…”

“Save it.” Raiona cut her off before bolting off.

“Am I really as bad as she says?” C'yra asked Tora after Raiona had left, earning a sigh from her husband.

“Let's see you take time out of your day to try to spend time with her, you always take meals with us despite being busy and you spent all morning playing around with her in the springs. You're not your mother C'yra. Give her time to calm down then go talk to her.” Tora answered, taking her hand.

“I know but I remember how I felt at that age and I wouldn't want anyone to feel like I did. Let alone our daughters.” the queen's voice shook slightly as she said this and she felt her stomach turn a the thought.

She remembered what it was like sitting alone in the dining hall with only the bravest servants for company. She remembered how it felt to try to make friends only to have her rank threw up in her face.

But Raiona had friends didn't she? She didn't feel so lonely right?

“Sweetheart, your parents shouldn't have had kids. You on the other hand actually take notice of what is going on with your kids. Stop over thinking things before you give yourself a migraine.” Tora tried to reassure her but C'yra wasn't sure if that was quite true.

“Tora, you remember what it was like in the palace! You always got the worst end of my mom's crap because…What if I....”'Cyra began only to be stopped by a squeeze of the hand.

“C'yra. I thought we agreed not to dwell on the past after we finally got together. Besides that want your fault. The elders in those days saw rank not people and you know that.”

“Mace you fucking idiot! I'm going to kill you!”

Catra tried not to laugh, she really did but seeing the puma like Magi-Cat chasing after the other almost black cat was almost too much.

Especially since Shenya was covered in some kind of sticky green mud.

“Gotta catch me first slowpoke!”

The way they bantered reminded her far too much of the trouble she and Adora would go at each other in the Fright Zone and no matter what she told herself, Catra couldn't deny that she missed that.

Missed the simple naivety of those days when there wasn't any Magi-Cats or She-ra.

When there wasn't any lies that had came into light.

No it was just them against the world.

“Etheria to Catra, are you alive in there?”

A tail tapping against her head called her from her thoughts–and to a concerned looking Orion.

“Huh, yeah sorry. Must have been an out of body experience.” Catra answered, quickly trying to school her features although the boy just snorted.

“Sure it was. Anyway while the love birds are doing their thing why don't we go climbing?”

Chapter Text

“How was your day?” C'yra asked when Catra walked in, fur slightly poofy and ears dropping.

“Fine until I fell into a freaking underground lake! Ugh...Can I borrow your sword? I need to blow off some steam and since I have nothing to hit that is the best option.” The teenager answered, earning a laugh from the queen.

“You know where it is.. Just don't zap yourself again.” C'yra retorted, earning a growl.

“Oh shut up.”

Catra was half way out of the room when she stopped, a thought entering her mind.

“And I'll be going to the surface... don't worry I'll take a guard with me.”

C'yra was about to argue but sighed and retorted “take Praelia with you. She could use a break from Raiona and she could probably spar with you if you want.”

Raiona growled as she threw another rock into the still surface of the lake before wiping at her eyes yet again.

“My stupid mom can be so clueless….Wisdom my ass!” She wanted aloud to no one, thankful to finally be outside and away from the guards and other Magi-Cats.

How can she act like she doesn't play favorites? She never trains with me or let's me even look in her study! Stupid Catra! Why is she so special? She was a Horde soldier for crying out loud!

“Whoa Shit! Okay I did not know it could do that!”

The sudden sound of Catra's voice caused Raiona to freeze before she let out an irritated growl.

“Great mom not only lets her get off with taking the sword but she let her bring the flipping thing outside!” She muttered to herself, however she had to admit that even she was curious about what Catra had done with the sword.

I can't let her know I'm out here. She'll just go rat em other to Mom for brownie points. she thought as she lowered herself onto her hands as well in order to sneak through the underbrush and toward the area where she could hear the familiar sizzle of  the swords magic.

Snap!

Catra felt her ears turn toward the sound in the bushes, just outside of her range of sight by she could smell it...the salty scent of tears dried on fur mixed with the citrus like scent that seemed to cling to only one Magi-Cat she knew of.

Raiona.

But if the kid was out here at dusk and crying no less Catra would leave her alone. After all, she didn't know her that well and besides what help could she be? The Horde taught not to show any weaknesses, not how to comfort a crying brat.

She tried to focus on her training as Praelia sat nearby, watching and sometimes giving pointers.

But the more she listened to the small sounds coming from the girl's hiding spot, the worst she felt for just ignoring her.

After all, she knew how screwed up being ignored when she was sick or hurt. Did she really want that for Raiona?

“Hey kid, you might wanna come out from back there before I accidentally send another lightning bolt over there.” She finally called out, only to be ignored–or so Catra thought but what happened next was so fast that Catra had a hard time registering what had happened.

Because in the next minute or so Raiona had leaped at her, knocking her to the ground however that wasn't the worst part.

No, that would be the sword reacting to Catra's shock...which is exactly what it did as a bolt of yellow electrical energy shot from the blade and hit Raiona, knocking her a good ten meters back.

Blinking away the daze that consumed her, Catra got to her feet and shook herself off.

Okay so the kid is pretty tough.

She thought as she turned toward where the girl lay, groaning.

"Geez, You okay kid?" She asked as she walked over and held out a hand to help her up only to earn a hiss from her sister who sat up and glared at her.

"Why would I need your help?So Mom can say how good you are at taking care of me? So you don't get yelled at for zapping me?" Raiona responded angerly before adding in a softer tone “as if she'd care anyway.” which caused Catra to let out a scoff.

"what? you think I...Look, C'yra is cool and everything but let me tell you something, if you think she doesn't give a damn about you then you're stupider than I thought." Catra responded with a sigh as she grabbed the girl by the shoulder and pulled her to her feet, eyes scanning her over for any injuries.

"what would you know? you're nothing but a Horde soldier!" Raiona snarled her response but got no reaction.

"maybe but I know damn well that how C'yra treats you isn't that of a second rate anything and don't even start about her letting me train with her....She is a soldier and I was raised as a soldier...If I was in the Horde I would be going on missions to kill people Raiona. Unlike you I didn't have the luxury of having people pull punches until I was ready. It was either learn to block and Dodge or get a mouthful of your own blood."

Catra stated instead although everything was starting to make a lot more sense now?

Spirits, is this what has been going on in this girl's head? Here I thought she hated me because I was from the Horde

She thought as she added

"Have you even talked to your mom about it?"


"what would that do? she'd just give me that talk about how she is busy with being a queen and..." Raiona began, only to be cut off by the teenager once again.

"Yeah she's busy but that doesn't mean she won't take the time to talk to you. Hell, if she took in a half dead horde soldier I know she'll listen to her daughter."

Raiona let out a hiss as she stood up and began to walk away only to find herself being grabbed by the tail and pulled back.

"hold up, We're not done here."

Catra felt pain in her arm as her sister sank he claws into her.

"Yeah because you were the Heir!"


Catra froze then.

oh she totally knew that feeling.

"Yeah and did she know this at first? No. She just saw someone covered in blood and wanted to help. That isn't what the Horde taught about royals at all and I honestly didn't know what to do. Your mom cares kid and if she can have sympathy for someone who could have stabbed her in the back, then I know she cares about something she helped make."



Raiona grew quiet at that as tears stung at her eyes.

"sometimes I doubt that. She doesn't want to even train with me." Raiona said, tail curling around her legs as she said this.

She wants to impress her mom...yet she feels like C'yra won't care. Jeez, when the hell did I turn into Kyle? I mean this is not any of my business so why do I want to help her? Catra thought before finally speaking

"because she is probably afraid she'll hurt you. C'yra is wicked strong and you're still just a kid. She plays around with you whenever possible and she tries to make time for you....The other night she and I talked for a long time and let me tell you something...She is terrified at the thought of hurting you in any way. Now if you want to train....I'll train with you but if you start whining because I hit you too hard it's done."


Catra couldn't help but snicker at the wide eyes surprise that wrote itself across Raiona's face.


"really? you will?"


"yes but only if you never make that face again. I mean I can't take you seriously when you do that...Cutsie crap."

“I'm going to go find Rai and try to get her to open up. I mean if I have been neglecting her I want to know how so I can make more time.” C'yra told Tora before leaving their home and easily following the scent of the girl to one of the hidden exits.

That girl knows she's not supposed to be out here. She thought however whatever lecture she planned on giving the girl about dangerous decisions flew out the window when she heard laughing and saw that Praelia had been tackled face first into the shallow lake by Raiona.

“Good job kid, you'll learn how to move stealthily in no time!”

Catra's praise caught C'yra's attention.

Wait is Catra training with Rai?

She couldn't help but wonder as she watched the soldier stand, knocking Raiona backward onto the ground with an oof.

“Well you definitely got me that time. But was the mud necessary?” Praelia questioned only to fuel the other girls laughter once again.

Deciding it was best to just watch them, C'yra quickly moved herself to a tree overlooking them and there she sat, crouched as if stalking prey.

She didn't know how long she had sat there but she knew it was getting close time for dinner when the trio finally took a break and Catra leaned up against the very tree C'yra was hidden in.

“You know Raiona, you're not too bad for a princess.” Catra said as she leaned back and closed her eyes.

“Thanks. I think. You know...I didn't want to like you. I mean not only were you a part of the group that nearly killed my mom and dad….” Raiona began in response but a flick of Catra's tail against her nose shut her up.

“Don't. I get it. The Horde is terrible and I intruded on your family.” Catra quipped, not even bothering to open her eyes as she curled her tail around the girl's lower back.

Everything was quiet for some time, the only sound being Praelia silently washing the mud out of her fur in the lake while the two sisters caught their breath.

However suddenly a twig snapped, causing Catra's eyes to shoot open only for her to find something odd looking sitting next to her.

Catra didn't even think as she leaped up, fur standing on end as a loud hiss ripped from her throat. Sending the creature hopping to the brush.

Then there was the brush of laughter coming from overhead.

“Catra, relax. It was just a rabbit!” Raiona said, trying and failing to hold back her own laughter at the scene.

“A what? Ugh stop laughing I wasn't scared I just didn't expect that…..thing to be there!” Catra snarled although this did little to do anything to stop the laughing.

Damn weird ass Etheria creatures! She thought, glaring up at what was obviously their mother in the leaves somewhere up above them.

Picking up a small pebble to through at the queen, Catra froze when she saw they not only did the rock leave her hand but a flickering, dimly glowing or did as well.

Chapter Text

C'yra arched a brow as she landed in front of the now Frozen in place teenager.

“Holy shit was that? When did I? What the heck was that? How did I even do that?” Catra stammered although the queen just rolled her eyes at that.

“Catra take a breath. It seems like your emotions and magic is connected.” The queen stated although she wasn't quite sure that Catra heard her.

“Mom? I think she's finally snapped.” Raiona snickered, earning a smirk.

Okay so either I deal with….whatever this is or I can use instinct to snap her out of it. C'yra thought, forming a small ball of light in one hand?

“I'll see if she has.”

She could see Raiona want to protest but before either Catra could realize what was going on or Raiona could say anything else she sent the orb just inside Catra's line of vision, causing the teen to stop mumbling and fluff up, watching it.

The queen had to bite her lip to keep from laughing—and snapping Catra out of it—as the teen eventfully pounced at it.

“Nope not lost it completely yet.” Raiona said, breaking the proverbial spell that the moving light had put on the teen, causing her to fluff up even more.

“Ugh I hate you both!”

C'yra just laughed aloud at that and ruffled the teen's mane, earning a hiss snarl as Catra ducked away from the gesture.

“I thought I hurt you asshole!” She snapped, earning a smirk.

“Takes more than a instinctual, half-assed blast to hurt me kid. Now come on I'm sure Miv has dinner almost ready.”

Tora knew something was wrong when Catra came into his study unannounced and sat crouched in one of the chairs farthest from him, tail wrapped around her legs tightly and her face buried in her arms.

“Wanna talk about it?” He asked, earning a muffled groan followed by a “no.”

“Okay, whatever you say cub. Did you and your mom get into a fight or something?” He asked earning another, sharper no in response.

Tora just shook his head then before returning his attention to his reading, giving her time to tell him on her own.

“I need you to teach me magic.”

The words were so muffled and so rushed that he was sure he was hearing things.

“Excuse me?”

The king couldn't help but say as he looked up from his book, after all he must have misunderstood Catra because she was afraid of magic and for good reason.

“I need you to teach me magic okay? M….C'yra was fooling around and made me mad and I...something happened and I thought I had hurt her. I need you to teach me magic so I can control it and not nearly blast people!”

Catra's answer caught him almost as off guard as the near slip did.

Did she manage to use magic without trying? I mean it would make sense because my brother and I both come from a very strong bloodline of magic wielders but still… he thought, but instead of saying anything he only wheeled his way over to her, placing a hand on her forearm.

“Okay. We'll start tomorrow okay? It's late and your mom would kill us if we skipped dinner. Wanna talk about what happened?” Tora kept his voice low as he reached up and gently tugged at one of the paler parts of the girl's hair, earning a ghost of a grin.

“No. C'yra and I talked about it on the way home. I didn't even hit her but I'm terrified that I'll become power crazy like Shadow Weaver. I mean magic basically corrupted her...I mean it had to since she acted like it was some kind of gift from the gods.” Catra answered with a sigh as her ears folded back

“I just know how bad it hurts to be hit with a full force magic blast. I don't want to do that to anyone, especially accidentally to someone that I….That I care about.”

Chapter Text

The crackling of energy was all around her, threatening to burn her as she glanced around the darkness, trying to figure out where she was.

“Adora!”

A voice echoed, causing Adora's heart to race.

This can't be! I was in Bright Moon! She wondered as she looked around, only to instantly grow sick at her stomach at want she saw. Because there, halfway across the dark room, hung Catra.

Her arms tied to a bean overhead and blood pooling on the green metal tile beneath her.

“Catra!”

She couldn't keep herself from exclaiming as she ran over to the other girl only to be met with a half dead stare.

“I told you this would happen if you didn't come back….I told you and yet you didn't listen….Why didn't you listen? Why did you leave me? Why won't you come back?

Adora is wanted to say something but found herself unable to.

Not before another current of red electricity jolted through the smaller built girl's body, causing her to spasm violently.

“You can still come back...You can end this. Please….Adora.”

Adora awoke to find that she was crying and that a strange mist was all about the room.

Shadow Weaver .

Was the first thought that she grabbed the sword of power from where it was propped up at the side of her bed.

“For the honor of grayskull!” She shouted, panic gripping her as her mind not only played back the images from the dream but the implications of what they could mean.

“Do you think that will stop me? Would you really choose these people you barely know over the life of your former best friend?”

Adora is had to suppress a shudder at the sound of the woman's voice that came from the strange mist.

“Will you really let her fall for where you had failed?”

Adora opened her mouth to respond however before she could even get out a sound the door burst open and the fog dispatched.

“Adora! What happened? Is everything alright?”

Glimmer demanded, teleporting over to the blonde who instantly untransformed and allowed the sword to drop from her grip.

“Shadow Weaver was here and I...I think she has done something to Catra.” Adora is answered, sinking back onto the bed as soon as tried not to break into sobs.

“Whoa, hold up. Who's Shadow Weaver and how could she get in? We have guards all over the place?” Glimmer asked, brow furrowing as she put a hand on Adora's shoulder.

“Shadow Weaver….was my commander...the one who practically raised me. I...have to make sure that Catra is okay. I mean….What if something terrible happens to her because of me? I couldn't forgive myself!”

Adora began, earning a sigh from Glimmer.

“Adora, I'm sure she's fine. I mean you probably just had a…” Glimmer began, earning a glare from the blonde.

“It wasn't Glimmer! That's a part of Shadow Weaver's power! She can get inside your head and manifest anywhere!” Adora said before sighing and getting to her feet.

“I need to get some air.”

“Come on old man! If I am going to be of any use against Shadow Weaver then I'm going to have to learn this! I mean I already read that book you lent me!” Catra complained as she followed her father out of his study.

“When you master the other defensive maneuvers then we'll talk about it. Putting up a mental shield is too advanced for you.” Tora replied, trying not to be too amused by the teen and her whining.

“Ugh come on! I can handle anything I mean I handled Shadow Weaver's punishments!” Catra argued, ears pinning back as she leered over at him, only to earn a light snort.

“And I'm not Shadow Weaver and I refuse to let a kid face that kind of mental torture without the proper preparation.” He answered just as C'yra walked in, seeing their conversation.

“Uh do I wanna know what you guys are bickering about?” She asked, earning a sigh from Tora.

“The kitten thinks she can do advanced magic after one lesson in control….Plus she supposedly read the book I gave her—which I doubt.” he retorted, earning a hiss from Catra.

“I did read it!”

“Then what is astral projection?”

“Uhh….isn't that….”

Rolling her eyes at them C'yra walked toward her room, really hoping the girls’ lies wouldn't earn her a smack upside the head by Tora.

“You two can fight that battle! I'm going to bed!”

“Adora?”

The sudden voice caused her to nearly jump out of her skin and she stumbled to bow to the monarch who just touched her shoulder.

“Adora, I thought I told you that you didn't have to be so formal all the time. Now what are you doing awake at this hour? Aren't you three going to head to Salineas tomorrow?” She asked, earning a sigh.

Adora is bit at her lip at the question before she sighed and glanced down.

“Shadow Weaver if following me….somehow...by magic. She was in my room tonight and made me see images of my best...my former best friend paying for my mistakes and….I just don't know what to do anymore Queen Angella. I mean, if I go back she'll be released but I'm not even sure if Shadow Weaver would do that.”

That's because you are weak.

Adora's mind spit at her however to her surprise Angella just sighed and placed a hand on her shoulder.

“If you were to try to rescue her you would only be leading yourself into their trap like an animal to the slaughter. If she is using this girl to get to you then there is still time to rally a rescue party if you must.” Angella explained before adding in an almost was tone “now, you need to get to bed before you end up falling overboard tomorrow.”

“If you think you can learn that advanced form of magic this quickly then you can come with me to Mysticor. It's where the original mages trained but it's a long way from here and the quickest way to get even near Mysticor drom is by boat. So gather up your things and go tell your mother were we're going. We leave tonight.” Tora said after a half hour of arguing with the stubborn teen, however before anyone could say—or do—anything C'yra spoke up.

“If you go, we will all go. I'm tired of these assholes here anyway and could use a vacation and I don't trust you lot not to blow something up on the ship”

Chapter Text

“Ugh are we to the port yet? I swear if i hurl I am going to do so on you!”

Tora smirked as he glanced over at C'yra who was laying in a hammock, seemingly asleep accept the knowing smile that ghosted her face.

“Shouldn't have been in such a rush to learn magic, Cub.” C'yra retorted before adding with a yawn and a stretch “but I'm glad you did. I missed the feeling of the sun on my fur.”

“Oh shut up! Why are you even here anyway? Don't you have a kingdom to run?” Catra snapped back, only to help as some sea water splashed her in the face.

“Anu has it covered and Amur has been wanting to learn how to pilot a boat since that is what his father did and I don't trust you, Raiona and Amur in an enclosed space for any amount of time.” C'yra responded before yawning again and opening one eye.

“Any reason you didn't want me to come?”

“Yeah, because you're a smart ass!”

Tora couldn't help but snicker at the exchange. Both he and C'yra knew that Catra wasn't ready and this just proved it.

“Well I think Felicity caught some fresh fish for lunch and there is nothing I love more than fresh sea caught tuna, don't you agree Catra?” C'yra said, ignoring the girl's barely suppressed gag at the comment.

“Yeah, I'm going to really need you to shut up.”

“Oh I'll shut up. I'm going to go down into the kitchens and get some fried tuna, and maybe some eel soup if she caught any. Are you sure you don't want to join me, Catra?” C'yra could barely keep the laughter from painting her voice as she saw the teenager lurched once again.

“Okay, you've made your point now shut up!”

Tora waited to see what C'yra would say to that since it was obvious that his wife was only baiting the girl due to her disrespectful tone

Should I step in before she makes the poor girl puke? He thought although he made no move to say anything as C'yra moved to put a hand on the girl's shoulder.

“Try that again and I might stop. Unless you want me to bring my lunch up here to eat it.” C'yra said, earning a growl as Catra shrugged away.

“Fine. Will you please stop talking about food?”

C'yra just chuckled and rubbed her back a bit.

“Better. Now why don't you go lie down for a while? I'll go make you some tea that will help your stomach.”

Catra just groaned and retorted

“Help with what? Make me expel my whole intestines?” She retorted, earning a sigh from C'yra who just nuzzled her lightly

“Certain herbs help motion sickness. Do you think I would honestly torture you like that?” The queen asked earning a groan

“Ugh no. You are just annoying as hell.” Catra responded, resting her head against her arms as she tried not to focus on the waves beneath them.

“Just a few more hours and we'll be there.” C'yra assured calmly and gentle.

Tora watched the exchange and couldn't help but smile slightly, seeing Catra come to trust C'yra enough to let the woman touch her was something he had expected to take longer than a few weeks.

I am so glad that she is getting comfortable with us now.

Adora is tried to hold back the sounds that threatened to come from her as her whole body ached from an electrical like energy that was shooting through her sword and into her. She could barely concentrate but she knew she had to, even though she could feel the ground shaking with the explosions that was happening  all around her.

But she couldn't help them–no matter how much she wanted to.

No,she knew that she needed to focus in the task at hand however she almost dropped her sword when she heard a voice saying:

“wait, that's She-Ra? You're the one who killed a cadet sent to retrieve Adora!”

The next blast nearly hit her–although it was followed by an explosion and a loud curse from Lonnie.

“We got this, you just focus on the gate!”

I didn't kill Catra! I didn't do anything to Catra! She chose not to stay with me! I mean I know I shouldn't have left her there that night….I know that now but I didn't want her to get blamed for anything I had done.

She thought as the images from the visions the previous night replayed in her mind.

Focus Adora! You'll end up screwing up and She-Ra's power isn't something to lose focus with!

She thought as she closed her eyes, trying to will away the tears that now pooled  in her eyes.

Catra? Did I really fail you? Did I do the very thing I have always tried not to do? She allowed herself to wonder as images of her—no, their—childhood flash through her mind.

What if Shadow Weaver did kill her? I'll never be able to forgive myself!

“Wake up sleeping ugly, we're here!”

Catra growled at Raiona before tossing a pillow at her before sitting up, the magic book that he had been reading—before falling asleep anyway— falling to the floor in the process.

“You're just jealous that you're not as cool as I am.” Catra retorted, groaning a bit as her stomach lurched “ugh...Please tell me that the rest of the way is by land.”

Raiona chuckled and shrugged “I think so? I mean I've never been to Mysticor either! Grandmother and Great Grandmother had ties with the sorcerers though and maybe Mom will finally teach me how to use some of the magic the royals can use!”

The eleven year old rambled, earning a sigh.

“Yeah, I doubt that.  Anyways, let's get off this watery death trap.”

Chapter Text

"she made her choice Adora. You said it yourself you asked her to stay." Glimmer said. earning a sigh from the blonde who pulled her knees up to her chest.

"But I should have brought her with me that night, Glimmer! she was my best friend and I just left her!" Adora is said bitterly as she wiped away the tears that we running down her face.

"do you know what it is like to have someone connected to you at the hip? to have someone you trusted with your life? that's how Catra and I were. Ever since I moved into the barracks with the other kids in my unit...We were together."


As she said this, Adora is couldn't help but think back to that first day in the barracks.

'okay calm down. This is the first step in becoming Force Captain. Ignore how nervous you are.’

Adora thought as she was ushered into the room by Shadow Weaver, only to suddenly find herself flat on her back on the floor with something heavy sitting on her chest.

“Hey Adora! So you finally got out from under her thumb huh? We have training in like an hour and a half! I can't wait to show you how strong I am now!”

She instantly recognized the voice to be that of Shadow Weaver's other student and just seeing that they were in the same unit caused her to smile.

“Catra! I didn't know you were in this unit! At least there is someone here I know!”

The half feline with ears that she would most definitely have to grow into just laughed, hopping off her hand extending a hand.

“We have to stick together, right? Now come on, I'll help you fix your bunk….You can have the one under mine. I would offer you the top but….Well I like to climb.”

“How would you feel if Bow suddenly seemed to care more about someone else rather than you?” Adora is asked suddenly, earning a wide eyed look from the pink haired girl.

“Okay, yeah. When you put it like that I guess I'd be pretty mad too.” The princess of Brightmoon answered, earning a nod as Arora fell backward onto the bed, her body still aching slightly from the days events.

“In the Horde, kids who were were brought there as infants were assigned a commander to instruct them and make them into warriors that the Horde needed. Catra and I were assigned Shadow Weaver.” Adora tried to explain.

“So like sisters?” Bow suggested only for the blonde to shake her head.

“No...There wasn't family structures in the Fright Zone. I mean some kids had parents but after a certain age they were expected to train like the rest of us. We were more like you and Bow, best friends but we also were kinda rivals. Especially as we got older.”

It hurt to talk about this. It hurt to think that her best friend of so many years could have been dead.

“One time she and I caught Shadow Weaver in the showers and ripped the bottom of her dress to shreds. She was so mad….but luckily for us Lonnie had been yelled at all day during training so Shadow Weaver blamed her and not Catra.” Adora recalled, a ghost of a smile coming over her face as she sat up, glancing out the window at the visible moon in the sky.

“I just can't help but be worried about her. I mean…Deep down I know she is a good person, no matter what she does. She just….she runs on her own emotions; reacts first and thinks later and if something has happened to her because of me….”

She trailed off, unable to continue without losing control of the tears that was suddenly in her eyes once again.

“Blah, Blah, fire manipulation blah.” Catra mumumbled, flipping through the book she had been told to read in order to find something that would prove to C'yra and Tora that she had read it and was ready to try her hand on—what she deemed—the only magic that would ever be useful.

Letting out a groan she glared out the window at the sound of laughter coming from outside where a group of children—including Raiona—were playing.

“Ugh, I wonder if there is a silencing spell or something in here so I can shut them the….” Catra trailed off as her eyes landed on something that made her ears stand on end.

“Now this is interesting….An ability to absorb energy directed at you. Too bad the horde didn't have classes on that . This is useful!”

She flicked her tail slightly as she turned the page, smirking as she read the section before smirking and closing her eyes.

“Tora said I needed to learn how to properly meditate and how to visualize my energy...Magic...Whatever the hell. Maybe if I learn how to actually manipulate some of that energy then I'll prove to him that I am ready. Who needs reading an dusty old book to learn how to fight?”

She muttered aloud, smirking as she snapped the book shut and slid off the overstuffed bed that would be hers for the next week or so.

Now I just need to figure out where a safe place to train is. If this place brought out my Grandmother's powers and my Dad even trained here with Anu then surely it will help me get strong too.

She thought as she headed down the hall, smirking slightly as another—darker—thought came to her mind.

Strong enough to finally show Adora that I am not some kind of second rate warrior! Just because she's some kind of glowing, Princess goddess or whatever doesn't mean she is better than me!

“Okay, hold up. You two did what for fun? Do you know how dangerous that was?” Bow practically squeaked although Adora just laughed and waved him off.

“Everyone did stuff like that in the Fright Zone. It was also a part of our training so it wasn't that big of a deal. Besides, the view from the top of the towers were so worth it. I mean we could see all the way to the Whispering Wood.” Adora said before sighing and closing her eyes.

She could remember sneaking out with Catra on warm, clear nights to watch the strange glowing particles from the trees of the wood float around on the air and make up stories about how she and Catra would both become force captains and see the whole world.

The memory now felt like poison in her veins.

“I still don't understand why they let kids use weapons like that, without supervision especially! I mean you could have shot that grappling hook through someone's leg or something!”

She could hear Bow saying but chose to ignore it.

“I'll tell you what. You help us recruit Princess Entrapta and I'll try to convince my mom to let us help your friend.” Glimmer suddenly spoke up, causing Adora to sit up, wide eyed.

“You really would do that for me? I mean, your mom will never agree!”

“You just let me worry about that. Now come on, we better get some sleep.”

Catra felt as though the fur on the palms of her hands was burning off as she tried to aim another blast of pure energy off of the floating isle, only for it to flicker out before it got there.

“Aw dang it!” She snarled, kicking a stone as far as she could send it.

“What's wrong kitten? Having trouble meeting your father's requirements?”

Turning around she glared at the woman who was sitting at the main top of the pillar overhead.

“Ugh. Don't you have anything better to do than spy on me? Or is that what mother's do?” Catra demanded, earning a laugh from the lion like cat who just dropped to the ground beside of her.

“Some do.” C'yra retorted with a crooked grin “and some are willing to help their kids train.”

As she added on the last part, the queen took a stance before sending a wave of energy into the sky.

Catra just stood, dumbstruck as what looked like snow began to fall from the cloud she had blasted.

“Okay...What the heck was that and How the hell did you change the weather?” Catra demanded, earning a light flick to the chest with her mother's tail.

“How about we start with the basics before going straight into a freeze fire?” C'yra suggested, earning a scoff.

“Freeze fire? Seriously? That is the dumbest name I have ever heard!” Catra retorted earning a snicker in response.

“Yes well….take that up with your great grandmother's ghost. I wouldn't have called it freeze fire either.”

“Guess what Dad! I learned how to make a solar blast today! A solar blast! Just like Uncle Taki! Do you think Amur would want to see?”

Tora chuckled as his youngest daughter asked that, leaning her head onto his shoulder from behind.

“Perhaps. Ask him. I bet you'll be just as good of a mage as he was.” Tora replied with a smile, just as a disheveled looking Catra walked into the room.

“She isn't the only person who's ready to go to the next level. You told me if I actually read your book and I learned enough control to use Freeze Fire then you would teach me whatever I wanted.” Catra announced as she barged into her parents bedroom, earning an arched brow from Tora.

“Really then what is the six subgroups of energy manipulation?” He responded earning a scoff.

“Light, dark, Fire, Water, Earth and Air. It can be broken down even farther too so that it covers wood, metal or even blood.” Catra said, forming a slightly flickery ball of energy in the palm of one hand.

Tora glanced over at C'yra who shrugged.

“Don't look at me. You're the one training her. Do whatever you want.” C'yra retorted, although she narrowed her eyes at Catra before adding “Although I think learning mind blocking is far too difficult for a teenager. Especially one like Catra.”

Tora was about to say something however Catra had whirled to face C'yra at that ears completely pinned.

“And what's that supposed to mean?” She snarled, claws extending however suddenly C'yra was right there in front of her, silently daring her to strike as she whispered

“I don't have Tora's powers but even I can see the sadness under there Catra. Do you really want to risk those skeletons falling out of the closet?”

Tora saw Catra flinch and although he knew C'yra would never hurt her, he wanted to step in.

However he also knew that would only set Catra off even farther.

“Yes I'm sure! I don't need anyone telling me what I can or can't do! I don't care what it takes as long as I get stronger!”

Chapter Text

“Remember Catra, we're here to support you. If it gets too much for you just tell me to stop and I will. Okay?” Tora asked as Catra took a seat in front of him.

He had given Catra four days to change her mind and yet she hadn't and even he couldn't be sure what he would dig up if she were to fail at blocking him.

“Catra, You know this could hurt you right? Mentally, emotionally, and physically.” C'yra said from the doorway, earning a scoff.

“You're just afraid I'll become just as powerful as you.” Catra sneered in response, earning a sigh.

“Think what you want but we're only worried about you.” C'yra responded, an rare edge to her tone as she leaned against the wall and crossed her arms.

“Whatever. Now are we going to do this or not?”

Catra retorted, causing Tora to sigh.

“Fine. But I want you to know that I only agreed to this because you're being so pushy.”

Tora motioned toward the couch then, closing his eyes briefly before rolling his way toward her.

“One last time I will ask, are you sure you want to do this?”

He questioned, earning a snarl.

“If I wasn't don't you think I would have come all this way? By boat no less!”

Tora sighed then and closed his eyes, a green glow coming around him before Catra let out a hiss and clutched at her head.

“Worthless girl! You'll be killed before you even get to be a senior cadet! Either that or you'll be exiled before you ever graduate!”

Shadow Weaver snarled, shoving her back against the wall of the training room as she walked out.

“I seriously don't understand why someone as talented as Adora would care about you.”

This can't be right! I wasn't in the Fright Zone! I was in mysticor. Was that a mind game? Was I seeing things or imagining….No. this has to be fake. Catra thought as she glanced around, only to see Lonnie and some of the other Cadets laughing at her.

“What's wrong loser? Did you honestly think that you'd pass this time?”

Lonnie called as Catra brushed past.

Closing her eyes Catra tried to block out what she had been told.

This can't be real!

She thought, feeling more and more panicked by the minute, like she had as a child whenever something went wrong.

She knew what could happen to her if she made Shadow Weaver too angry.

That thought made her stomach lurch and when she opened her eyes she found herself inside a pitch black room.

Shit! How did I get here?

She wondered as she closed her eyes, trying to block out everything around her—or the lack thereof. However it seemed like in no time at all, sharp pain ran across her body, causing her to cry out.

“Scream all you want, girl. No one is going to save you! If you really didn't want to be punished then you would have tried a lot harder in training!”

More pain accompanied the voice, causing her to scream once again.

“You know I always thought Kyle was useless but you're even worse than he is! He at least can listen!”

The pain increased until it felt as though Catra's whole body was on fire and she could feel the tiles cutting into her knees as she collapsed to the floor.

“You know. This fits perfectly. On your knees, in the dirt like the animal you are! I would have casted you out as soon as Hordak had lost interest in the orphans we collected if Adora didn't take an interest in you. But who am I to deny the best of the class, her pet?”

Pet?

Adora is don't see me as a pet...did she?

She is my friend, isn't she?

Suddenly she felt a hand roughly grab her by the arm, yanking her to her feet and shoving her toward the light that was the door.

“Now, you're going to do that exercise again until you get it right. Even if it takes you all night!”

“Tora, you have to stop!” C'yra growled as she noticed that the teenager in front of them seemed to be in physical pain.

“I can't C'yra! If I stop now without her pushing me out it could cause a lot of problems for her and I don't want to to do any more damage than that bitch in the Fright Zone did!” Tora said, snarling slightly as he squeezed his eyes shut.

“I am glad you can't see what her and I am. I could never treat a child like this.”

C'yra had been prepared to say something else however the words died on her lips because Tora rarely cursed and even when he did, it was never to insult someone else.

Just what are those two seeing? What is he seeing through her eyes?

She could feel blood soaking into her fur as she staggered into the barracks, finding Adora curled up in a tight ball on the bed.

Their bed.

One part of her wanted to wake Adora but another couldn't bare the thought of those concerned, blue eyes filling with tears.

No, she wouldn't worry the only person that gave a damn about her in this place. So with a hiss she leaped onto the top bunk, the sound causing the blonde to sit up.

“Catra! What happened? Oh Spirits! Catra you're bleeding!”

Catra tried to ignore the girl but as she curled up on her side, but the pain from her bruising ribs was too great.

“Ugh. I'm ten Adora, I can handle a bit of blood.” Catra retorted, earning a sigh.

“No one deserves this sort of thing Catra! No one deserves to be beat like a slave! I'm going to go talk to Shadow Weaver!”

With that Adora left, returning a half hour later and going to bed without a word.

Why didn't she say anything? She wasn't hurt….Shadow Weaver never punishes her.

C'yra growled as she listened to Catra whimper.

“This is as bad as what Cain did! Tradition be damned, this is why I didn't want either of our children learning magic! This isn't even fit for the treatment of war criminals!” She snarled at her husband, who was silently shaking.

“I know C'yra. It's almost over….I can feel it.” He responded, earning a sound that seemed like a muted roar.

“If you don't damn well kill her first!”

C'yra said, her ears pinning flat to her head as her tail lashed about behind her. Kneeling on the couch beside the teenager, C'yra put a hand on her knee before sighing and willing her tone to calm down.

“Catra, you need to fight this sweetheart. You need to find whatever willpower you have inside you to push all this negativity out.” She instructed, although she didn't have a clue if it would work or not.

“Come on you chicken! If you were a real soldier then you wouldn't give a damn! It's just a dare!”

Lonnie said, pushing her roughly toward Adora is, her looked more irritated than amused.

“Do you have to be so mean? I mean she said she didn't want to.” Adora retorted, earning a laugh.

“What are you a coward too now? I mean I know that hair-ball here was but you…” Lonnie began, only to freeze when—with a whispered apology—pressed her lips against Catra's.

Catra could feel her heart pounding in her ears at that before she shoved the blonde away.

“What the hell, this game is pointless. I'm going to go do something productive!” She snarled before dashing off, trying not to die for embarrassment.

Stupid Lonnie! Stupid crush on my stupid best friend! There is no way that Adora would ever like me anyway! I'm not good enough for her! I'm just some kind of second rate idiot!

Thirty minutes.

The whole ordeal lasted for an half hour before Tora could let the spell fade and by then he was quivering, tears threatening to burn his own eyes as he looked over at his wife, who was running a hand through Catra's hair, whispering to her.

I am going to find a way to kill that bitch myself for hurting you. He thought as he wheeled his way over to Catra, reaching out to touch her, only to find claws sinking into his arm.

“What, easy kitten. It's me.” He said, using his magic to gently pull her hand away from him although this only earned a hiss from the teen and caused his eyes to narrow.

“She's still stuck in those memories. C'yra….she's going to need you more than ever when she wakes up. You're the one she let's closest to her and trust me, she is not going to want magic around her for a while.” Tora said before pressing his injured hand to Catra's forehead, muttering under his breath which caused Catra to go limp.

Catra awoke with a start, feeling as though her heart had been twisted and broken into a million pieces. She remembered everything, everything just as strong as the days that it happened.

I wanted her to be proud of me...I wanted to prove I was strong. I was never worth anything to Shadow Weaver or Adora is…..I can't even complete training with Tora without becoming as weak as a damn infant!

She berated herself, drawing her knees to her chest as sobs began to shake her whole body.

I am useless! No wonder Adora is never noticed! No wonder Shadow Weaver….

The sound of the door opening with a snap caused her to nearly jump out of her skin.

“C'yra I…” she began, trying to straighten up, only to earn a concerned look.

“Catra! Oh Spirits, are you're alright?”

Catra was caught off guard by a pair of strong arms wrapping around her suddenly.

What the….isn't she mad? I failed!

“Your Majesty? What….” She began, although she found it really hard to concentrate suddenly because the urge to cry returned tenfold was she heard her mother suddenly purring.

“I'm sorry I was too weak! I'm sorry I failed!” Catra began only to hear a light growl from the woman.

“Listen to me cub, you're not weak nor did you fail. You put yourself through a literal hell tonight even though everyone was sure that you weren't ready. Right now you are hurting so much and I am sorry that I let you go through with that!”

C'yra said, her lips pressing against the top of the teens hair as she added softly

“There is nothing for you to be sorry for.”

Catra had expected to be scolded or punished for being weak or for lying but C'yra didn't seem to even care about any of that.

And that was new for her.

Any commanding officer would have, so why wasn't the magi-cat queen?

“You're not mad? I mean I….”

She couldn't bring herself to confess to anything else but a deep chuckle called her attention back to C'yra.

“Catra, I know you didn't learn anything you were told to. But you were too stubborn to listen and we had to let you learn on your own, even if we both were just a hurt just watching you in so much pain.”

The queen replied softly then sighed again and whispered

“You look confused. Want to tell me why?”

Catra bit her lip as she debated that. She didn't want to risk appearing weak and getting on anyone's bad side but she had no idea how she should feel or think now—or even if she could feel anything beside the weighing sadness that threatened to crush her—but C'yra deserved some kind of answer.

“Why aren't you mad? I mean any commander would have been furious!”

She asked only to feel C'yra sigh.

“Because I'm your mother, not a commander. Catra a commander is there to make you tough and strong for battle. A parent is there to teach you how to survive in the world and if that means letting you make mistakes and helping you through the consequences then so be it. Besides, why should I be angry and punish you when you obviously have been through hell tonight?”

Chapter Text

“Where's Catra? Shouldn't she be down here by now?”

Tora sighed and glanced over at Raiona before stabbing a fork into his sausage.

“She had a hard evening yesterday. She wants to eat in her room...Which is why your mother is not here either. I need to ask Castaspella some questions or else I would have stayed with them.” Tora replied before glancing across the room at Amur who was showing off some flashy spell that he had no name for.

“Why don't you convince your cousin to show you around the island today? I know you haven't saw everything and if you're lucky he may teach you something...Heaven knows he likes showing off for those girls.” He added, earning a snicker from his youngest.

“You just want me to keep him from getting it a fight with some guy over a girl right?” She retorted, earning a smirk.

“Bingo. I can't have him ruining the peaceful atmosphere of Mysticor because he can't control himself. Just promise me that you won't have a drama filled love life. I have a feeling both your sister and your cousin are going to need a kick in the right direction to even get in a stable relationship.”

Catra sat staring down at the plate in front of her. Her mind was still a whirl of thoughts from the previous night—both from the training exercise that she had forced and from the immense kindness that she had felt from both C'yra and Tora.

He stayed the night as well….Like when Cain attacked me. I wasn't even hurt this time and I failed his training…. Everything in Etheria is so weird.

She thought as her ears flicked toward the other end of the room where C'yra was rummaging through her bags for some reason.

“Do you think he would understand if I didn't want to continue training with him?”  

Catra asked, hating how frail her own voice sounded and knowing the answer would probably be no.

After all, this was her own damn fault and she knew it.

“To be honest, I'd be surprised if he didn't make you take a break in training after last night. I never seen him so angry or worried. Whatever Shadow Weaver did to you...Whatever he saw...It hurt him too Catra.”

C'yra's response caught her by surprise—and confused her even more.

“Uh...What do ya mean it hurt him?” She asked, earning a sigh.

“He may be less affectionate with you than he is with Raiona but that is because he knows you don't exactly trust us. He loves you just as much as he does her and frankly no one messes with our family and gets away with it.”

Love…

It was a word she didn't really understand. In the Fright Zone she had heard it.

“Loved to climb.”

“Loved to fight.”

“Loved to win.”

But what did the word mean? What did it mean to love someone? Had anyone ever loved her? Had she ever loved anyone?

It made her head and—toma fuller extent—her heart hurt to just think about that.

“I've been with you for what? A month now? Maybe a month and a half? How can you love me? I mean…I'm basically nothing to you.” She couldn't keep the words at bay and almost instantly she felt the bed sink under C'yra's weight.

“Catra. I don't know who or what has hurt you so much in the past that makes you feel like you are never enough for anyone but I assure you that despite the circumstances, you found your way into our hearts. I can't explain what love is or what makes you love someone but I can say this: Love, in all its forms is an exercise.” C'yra began, chuckling a little when Catra scoffed at that.

“Oh yeah, you build it up by doing crunches….Sure.”

Rolling her eyes the queen put a hand on the girl's shoulder.

“What I mean is that no matter if it is unconditional, sometimes showing or knowing how to show someone that you care about them is hard. Like some parents come across as overbearing because they worry their child is going to be hurt and couldn't bear that thought. Others show it through gifts because they don't know how to let themselves be soft.”

She began, pausing for a moment before adding

“And just like Tora and I. We argue and disagree but we have had to learn how to compromise our different views on things and talk things through. That's how any relationship works, no matter what kind.”

“What was that girl thinking! She is lucky that nightmares was all that happens to her!”

Tora winced, ears pinning down at the exclamation from the sorceress.

“I know, Castaspella...We tried to talk her out of it but that girl is too damn stubborn. She has been hurt so much that she is terrified it will happen again and we're powerless in helping her! She acts so hard and confident but underneath it all is just a scared little girl trying to figure out why the world sees her as a monster.”

Tora replied, watching as the woman's expression darkened.

“That's awful but how will learning about dark magic help her?” she asked, earning a sigh

“I need to know just what in the seven layers of hell those bastards did to her. I need to know the effects it would have on her….How I can help.”

Chapter Text

She had to be hearing things.

She had to be because there was no way that Adora would be even near the floating, hidden island.

Was there?

Her tail lashed about as she strained to listen to the muffled voices.

What is she doing here?

She wondered as she tried to gain any little bit of insight that she could on what was going on. However a hand touching her arm called her attention away from what was going on behind the wall—and caused her to nearly jump off her perch.

“Shit! Don't sneak up on me like that! What do you want?” She demanded in a hushed voice as she turned to see Tora sitting behind her.

“Sorry, I just wanted to see how you were doing and ask why in the multiverse were you spying on someone?” He asked, the corner of his lips quirking upward as he said this.

“Ugh...You are so annoying! It's none of your business!”

Tora just chuckled at that and shook his head.

“Castaspella told me she was expecting her niece today….and I'm going out on the like here and assuming the blonde with her is Adora?” He said, causing the younger cat's ears to perk up and slightly bristle.

“How did you know know?” She demanded—before it dawned on her “How much did you see?”

Tora couldn't help but burst into laughter at that.

“Relax, bristle brush. My lips are sealed...Although i get the feeling that this Lonnie was your competition?”

Catra felt her face grow hot at that and hissed in her father's direction.

“Ugh! Shut up old man!”

“I just can't stop thinking about Shadow Weaver, Catra and what that scorpion chick said! Not to mention these nightmares are getting worse by the day!”

Adora ranted as she leaned back onto the sand, earning a sigh from Glimmer, who looked as if she wanted to say something but didn't.

But there was nothing she could have said that would have made Adora feel any better.

“Maybe they are playing mind games. I mean this is the Horde we're talking about.” Bow said earning a sigh from Adora who flopped back onto the blanket.

“I hope that's all it is.”

Catra felt her ears twitch as she lay on the palace roof, sun soaking into her fur.

So little miss perfect actually can feel guilt.

Catra thought, tail flicking slightly as she closed her eyes.

Good, she let me take the brunt end of the deal every time she made a mistake! She should feel guilty.

She thought as she continued to listen in on her former best friend's conversation.

Great she not only replaced me but she replaced me with someone who looks like a literal cupcake! I mean seriously, Princess Light Show looks like she styled her hair after a cloud!

Catra was so lost in thought that she didn't hear anyone approach her, that was until she felt the dull static that was associated with magic-which caused her to sit bolt upright.

Only to see Raiona fall backward onto the tin with a Yelp.

“What the hell are you doing? Are you trying to get yourself killed?” Catra demanded, fur bristled and claws extended although she quickly lowered her hand.

“No I was just…..”

Catra didn't let her finish, having seen a strange glowing orb had fallen into the younger girl's lap when she had fell.

“What is this?” She demanded, using her tail to flick the object in question,which was obviously magical but to what extent, she wasn't sure.

“It's a smoke ball….Amur taught me how to make them so I would leave him alone.”

Catra sat back down. Tail wrapping around her waist as she thought about everything that was going on.

“That's one of those things that create fog when broken right? What would it take for me to convince you to lob that thing over near Princess Sparkler, the tall loser and crop top?” she asked. Corners of her mouth twitching inst what could have been called a sinister grin.

“Uh….Why would you want me to do that?” Raiona asked, earning a smirk.

“You know how to make illusions right? Tell ya what, when we get back to half moon I'll sneak some gems to the nearest village and get you anything you want. Just help me with something okay?”

Catra watched as Raiona slowly got up, eyes never leaving Catra as if afraid of what the older girl might do.

“And if I refuse?” She asked, earning a scoff as the older girl rolled her eyes.

“If you refuse then that's up to you. I'm forcing you to do anything. I just wanted to get those three idiots back and I need magic to do it. It's not like it'll hurt them.” Catra replied, expression melting into a more mischievous one as she playfully flicked her tail at the eleven year old.

“If you just wanted to play a prank on them….Then why don't you use your own magic?” Raiona asked, batting the appendage out of her personal space although the disgust that wrote itself across the sixteen-year-old's face answered that question for her.

“Before I say yes or no….What do you want me to do because I refuse to hurt anyone!”

Chapter Text

Catra wasn't sure what to do—or why she was feeling the way she was upon seeing Adora's face. After all, she had expected Fright, or maybe getting ready for a fight.

Not this.

No, she had expected Adora to draw her sword, transform into She-Ra or something. Anything but what happened when Adora saw her—or rather the illusion that Raiona cast of her—but all she saw was fear.

Fear and the salty smell of tears.

“Shadow Weaver! Whatever this is, stop! I won't come back! I know she's dead! Stop messing with my head!”

Dead? Had Shadow Weaver reached out to Adora? Using her to lure the blonde powerhouse back? No, there was no way. Adora was Shadow Weaver's favorite, there was no way she would actually do anything to hurt Adora!

Catra thought, a familiar feeling raising into her chest as she thought about how many times Adora had let her—and their friendship—down.

How many times Adora refused to stand up for her.

“Shadow Weaver didn't kill me Adora. You did when you left!” Catra found herself sneering, leaping into the fog, just out of reach of the blonde who's eyes widened.

“Catra! How?” Adora yelped as she staggered back, only to fall.

Catra ignored the question and took a single step forward.

“Don't you remember our promise, Adora? About always being there? Don't you remember watching as I was hauled out of the room by Shadow Weaver after you were the one who took that gun from the armory? You let her punish me in your place!”

Catra was almost screaming now—thankful that Raiona had convinced their cousin into keeping Adora's new friends out of the way and out of earshot.

However when Catra saw the wide eyes look that had planted itself across Adora's—now pale—face, she knew something was wrong.

“I would have never stood for that! If I screwed up I wouldn't have let you take the blame! Ever! I...I don't even remember her being harder on you than she was the rest of us...I mean any of us would be punished for disrespect!” Adora replied her eyes spilling over and the fear being replaced by a emotion Catra had never heard in Adora's voice.

“I came into the barracks covered in bruises! You left to talk to her but wouldn't even speak to me the next day! You never had magic shot into you! You never had an electrically charged whip take to you!”

Catra was close to tears herself as she recalled all those days when she had punished for what was—in retrospect—a simple beginner's mistake.

Why hadn't Shadow Weaver loved her?

Why wasn't she good enough?

Shadow Weaver had loved Adora and Catra knew she was just as strong—if not stronger.

A soft sob called her from her thoughts and she was surprised to see the usually perfect—and strong— girl in front of her struggling to control her tears.

“I didn't know okay? I didn't know! If I had I would have…..” Adora began Only for Catra to cut her off.

“What would you have done? You were the Horde's golden girl! Would you have stood up to Shadow Weaver? To force captain Octavia? No! you wouldn't and guess what Adora? at some point you would have been forced to treat me the same way they did! And you would! Hell, I bet you would have barely flinched if it was you laying the stripes across my back!"

Suddenly the illusions around them seemed to flicker and die out, leaving only Catra and Adora standing there on the beach, the distant sound of Bow and Glimmer fighting Amur's conjuring.

“Didn't you even think about me at all when you left? Didn't you think Shadow Weaver would have made me receive punishment in your place if I failed to bring you back?”

Catra couldn't help it, she had started to cry as well as her arms wrapped tightly around herself.

Adora froze when she heard these words come from her former friend's mouth.

"Did they....Did Shadow Weaver really beat you like that?" she asked although she was afraid to know the answer.

Catra glared but didn't respond, choosing instead to turn her back to Adora.

"Yeah, more than once. The worst one being the one i took after Thymor,  because of you. I could barely stand, Adora. Shadow Weaver probably would have killed me if Hordak wouldn't have been breathing down her neck for the unexplained death of a cadet."

Adora went silent then, unable to keep her tears at bay as she regarded the feline.
she wanted to apologise, to swear to Catra that she hadn't meant to get her in so much trouble however the words just would not come out.

She could barely think and then a hand pressed to her shoulder, causing her to look up only to find Catra standing over her, her expression emotionless except her ears which laid flat.

“You really didn't know any of this, huh?”

Adora wanted to ask how a ghost of all things was touching her but the sheer shock of seeing Catra again—after fearing she never would—caused her to do the complete opposite and hug the other girl.

“I'm so sorry! If I had known I would have let you come with me, I just didn't want to see you get hurt again.” She confessed, feeling a sigh come from the—now bristling—feline.

“Ugh….you've gone soft.”

Catra could sense something strange coming from inside the palace of Mysticor and instantly recognized the feeling.

“Amur!” She called loudly “take Rai inside and stay there! Use the roof so you aren't detected! Something's coming and it's not good! You'll need Tora's protection crystals!”

She called, pulling away from Arora who sent her a look that was a mixture of hurt and confused.

“Who's Amur and Rai?”

Sighing Catra shook her head before sniffing the air as the fog lifted.

“No time to catch up! Shadow Weaver must have sent a Shadow spy after you, I smell her here!”

Catra was surprised when Adora finally drew the sword.

“Catra if this is a trick from the Horde….” Adora began, earning a sigh from Catra who hated the doubt that she heard in Adora's voice.

She never really trusted me not to let her get hurt….always playing hero and having to shine in the limelight. She thought although she turned toward her.

“Look, I left the horde to find my own way and I'll be damned if I ever work under Shadow Weaver again, let alone a murderer like Hordak! Right now, I just need you to have faith in me for once, okay?”

Chapter Text

“You go meet her….Trust me when I say I'll be there….I just need to do something first!”

Adora hoped that Cares wasn't lying to her about any of this, that Catra wouldn't turn on her in the last minute. However if what she said had been true, Adora knew she deserved it of Catra did.

She had gotten her into even worse trouble than she would have if she he let her sneak out with her—even if they had been caught—but Catra had been punished in her place anyway and Adora couldn't help but wonder if she had ever been as close to the feline as she had thought.

Catra sighed as she slid through the window and into the room she had been given. Every part of her mind kept setting off an alarm, the familiar feeling of fear nearly freezing her in place but she had to do this.

She needed answers and something about Adora not remembering certain things didn't add up.

But Adora sucked at lying so there was no way that was possible—besides Adora wasn't the type.

Sighing Catra slowly made her way through the rooms her family was occupying, making careful movements as she whispered under her breath, being met with the sudden stop of voices a few minutes later.

I'll deal with the fallout later. Right how I just can't risk the horde knowing anything about the magi-cats.

She thought with a sigh before darting into the room where the—now sleeping Magi-Cats lay.

It didn't take her long to find what she was looking for, which was the ring her father wore.

I'd rather have them pissed than dead….besides they should know by now there isn't too much that is too low for me to do.

She thought as she grabbed the object, sliding it on before closing her eyes.

This is it….this is you chance to prove Shadow Weaver, Adora and everyone else you are strong! She mentally told herself before bolting out of the room, trying to shove her fear out of her mind for the time being.

Catra stayed in the shadows watching as Adora backed up and tried to transform only for the jewel on the sword to flash before going out.

Hmm...Seems like miss perfect isn't so perfect. Even her friends are useless against Shadow Weaver…..no surprise there.

She thought, brow furrowing as she watched the tentacles of shadow wrapped around the blonde.

“She waited for you, you know. She hoped that you would come….But I guess in the end she found out that you thought she was nothing but trash—just like everyone else did.”

Shadow Weaver's voice seemed to echo in the room and loop inside Catra's brain.

“You're right, I did hope she would come but I'm not some useless idiot who needs protecting!” she called, catching the magician off guard for long enough that Adora broke free.

“How did you get here?”

Catra just smirked, the anger and bitterness that had been inside her since she was young once again brushing beneath the surface and without thought, she found herself charging toward her former teacher, claws cutting through the shadows and directly at the illusion of Shadow Weaver.

“Wouldn't you like to know? Well guess what? You may have thought you were punishing me but all you were doing was training me to beat you!”

She snarled, claws making contact just as she was knocked back into the wall.

Adora felt sick as she watched the healers press a spell into Catra's head, earning a hiss from the feline who was glaring at them, fur bristling all over her body.

“It's a scratch for spirits sakes! She didn't even knock me out! I mean it would be hard to do anything with a scratch going over half your face.” Catra retorted, only to be ignored.

Adora wasn't sure what to say—especially since she wasn't so sure she knew Catra as well as she had previously thought.

“Thanks for the help back there.” She finally said although Catra just scoffed.

“Don't mention it….I couldn't just leave you hanging like that….speaking of which….here...That bitch can't follow you now. Shadow spies or not.”

Adora was surprised when Catra flicked a strange looking ring in her direction–one that looked as though it was carved from stone, not metal.

“Are you sure? Where did you even get this?”

She found herself asking, earning a sigh.

“Never mind, just put it on. It protects against any dark crap and I can tell you haven't had much sleep.” Catra responded, tail flicking in a random pattern just as someone else walked into the room.

“What is this I heard about a fight?”

Adora almost froze in shock when she saw a golden furred magi-cat standing in the doorway, her expression a mix of half-asleep and annoyed.

“Shit….That spell wasn't strong enough.” Catra muttered, causing Adora to wonder just what the hell was going on.

However the older magi-cat just snorted.

“No, it wasn't. although I have an idea to your reasons. However, I think we have a few things to...discuss...later.”

Catra groaned aloud at the silent threat in her mother's tone.

Oh great...she's going to tell me off right here in front of Adora. She thought as C'yra walked into the room.

“Wait...don't be mad at her, she...”

Adora began, only to earn a glance from the queen who just rolled her eyes and glanced toward Catra, who just sighed.

“Adora, don't. She won't hurt me.” Catra butted in, not wanting to hear her ex-best friend and mother arguing and even though Adora wanted to say something, the blonde kept her mouth shut and instead looked ready to intervene if things got bad.

“Queen C'yra...This is Adora, the girl I told you and Tora about. Shadow Weaver evidently followed her here and in order to protect everyone I had to make a decision and I don't care what you do to me.”

Catra continued, turning her attention to her mother although she was careful to keep her tone formal so that Adora couldn't see how relaxed she as with this woman, after all there was no need for any weird questions. She just hoped that C'yra would play along.

C'yra arched a brow and crossed her arms.

“Really now? You don't? So I guess I can do this without you flinching.” C'yra retorted, forming a ball of energy in one hand and approaching her.

Catra couldn't help but brace herself for whatever C'yra was planning although the woman let out a small grunt of satisfaction when she was close enough, causing Catra to look up.

“I see you're still afraid of magic yet could use it...and face it….in dire circumstance. I'm proud of you...Shoving your own thoughts aside like that.” Cyra surprised her by whispering, the glowing orb changing shape and floating over a few of the still unhealed bruises before the queen spoke again

“Your friend here is brave as well...Standing up for you in such a way. I am surprised that you two are from the Horde. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some Royal business to take care of now that I see that you didn't end up badly hurt.”

And with that, C'yra yawned and left the room, leaving Catra sitting on the bed, shaking her head.

“More like going to go take a nap….melodramatic pain in the ass.” Catra commented ss she got off the bed, knowing full well that C'yra could still hear her. Then she turned toward Adora and arched a brow.

“Okay, you look ready to attack...which would have been a bad idea because she would have probably taken that sword away from you and smacked you with it...Come on...Let's get out of here before that woman decides she isn't done showing off.”

“Evidently Catra gave the ring to Adora as a way to ward off Shadow Weaver. I wanted to mention her stealing but the little blonde looked ready to attack if I so much as raised my voice.” C'yra chuckled as she walked back into the rooms that Tora and she shared.

“Don't be too harsh on her, after all I remember a few cases where you did the same thing.” Tora responded, earning a confused look before his wife's eyes widened.

“Wait, are you talking about the seal I forged to free you?” She asked, earning a laugh.

“Bingo.”

C'yra's brow furrowed at that before she asked.

“Are you implying that...Catra and this girl...Adora…?” She began slowly, which only added to her husband's amusement.

“I am implying that Catra likes the girl, then yes. Don't tell me you actually care?” Tora responded, through his laughter only for C'yra to glare at him.

“Do I look like I give a damn if she likes a girl? I'm just surprised she even knows what that was...The horde screwed kids over and from the looks I was getting from Adora, no one was completely exempt. She actually expected me to harm Catra for fighting of all things...and Catra was hurt….who punishes a child when they are already hurting?”

C'yra retorted, tail lashing about as she thought of what such behaviors could mean.

“Shadow Weaver didn't care C'yra...and to be honest...the punishments even small children got was brutal. I mean your mother used physical punishments but they never bruised...at least not until you were a teen. She never brought blood out of you though. Imagine being eight and being beaten until blood came? Imagine how scared you would be.” Tora said. His ears pinning back and his voice coming out a near growl.

“Guys this is Catra. Catra, this is Bow and Glimmer.”

Catra tried not to roll her eyes at the awkward, wide eyes, looks she was getting from Adora's friends.

“Yeah the walking Sparkler and the Archer. We've met.”Catra retorted, earning a look from Adora which caused her to shrug.

“What? The walking cupcake over there blasted me in the face with glitter and gave me a headache.” She added, only to hear Adora mutter

“You are a headache. Just try to be nice.”

Catra couldn't help herself as she wrapped her tail around Adora's waist and leaned over a bit closer to say “You know me, I'm never nice.”

Chapter Text

“Are you sure that it's okay? I mean she seemed kinda…” Adora began after sitting in the pools for a while, earning a scoff from Catra who managed to open one eye, cutting her off.

“Kinda scary? Annoyed? Yeah, that's just C'yra when she first wakes up...and I did put a sleeping spell on her and her family to keep them away from the battle so of course she's annoyed.” Catra retorted, yawning as she glanced over at the other two in the tub.

“I think fairy floss and arrow has passed out on us.”

Adora—who had been about to say something else—paused mid sentence and glanced over at where Glimmer was laying against her, obviously asleep.

“Uh yeah...looks like it. Then again they stayed up with me these past few nights.”

Adora hated confessing this, especially since she had been a Horde soldier. But instead of poking Fun, Catra just sighed.

“I guess Shadow Weaver screwed with your head too, huh?”

Catra knew something was wrong when Adora didn't answer.

“What? I thought it was normal outside the Horde to talk about feelings?” She asked, trying to lighten the mood however it just caused Adora to sigh.

“She said you were dead Catra….I saw you trapped there... bleeding and I couldn't do anything about it.”

Catra groaned, leaning back into the water before glancing over at Adora.

“Honestly, I probably would have been if C'yra and her hunters hadn't found me and insisted I stay until I was well.” Catra confessed, chuckling slightly as she remember her near freak out at the sight of the large cats.

She wasn't even the least bit shocked when Adora spoke again, voice trembling.

“I should have came back when you asked...I should have…”

Catra was at a loss for words at that but shook her head.

“No. The horde was horrible and frankly if I hadn't had you, I would have tried to escape as a kid, even death would have been better than how I was treated every day. Hell, seems like you had it bad too...Besides it's better this way. You doing your thing, Me doing mine. This is better for us, although I still want to kick your ass.”

C'yra was surprised when she walked into the springs to find Catra with the other three teenagers. However, after what Tora had told her she really shouldn't be surprised.

“Oh great, who let you out of your cage?” Catra muttered as soon as she saw her, earning an elbow to the ribs from Adora but C'yra just rolled her eyes.

“Watch your attitude...unless you want to look like a drowned rat.” C'yra responded with a yawn before muttering “you're lucky that unlike Tora, this place bores me to insanity….had you said that to him, you'd probably been green for a month.”

It didn't take a genius to see that Adora was ready to jump in as support—or that Catra was doing her best to not die laughing at the look on the blonde's face.

Great…. She's basically showing off and nearly giving Blondie a panic attack in the process. Is this girl really the legendary Princess of power because right now, she acts more like Catra did.

She had to wonder, although she didn't even respond to that, sitting down in one of the pools with her back toward the teenagers.

only to feel something wet hit her a minute later, followed by Adora yelling at Catra.

“You just didn't.” She growled, trying to keep her body language or voice from giving away her own amusement at the teen's antics.

“What are you going to do about it? Old woman?”

Catra's response earned a light growl from C'yra who hurled the towel back into Catra's face, knocking her backward into the water and waking up the other two in the process.

“What the hell?”

C'yra recognized the girl who had teleported out of the way as soon as she saw her, causing her to smirk.

Catra staggered up and glared over at her then, as if challenging her for embarrassing her. C'yra just smirked and crossed her arms.

“what? Got something to say Cub?”

C'yra couldn't help but play along, after all this was a vacation for her.

She watched Catra fluff up, looking for something to say that wouldn't end with her falling back into the water–which was why she was irritated to begin with.

“Ugh...I hate you...You know that?”

“Sure you do.”

C'yra was about to start laughing when she heard the sound of wheels on tile, causing her to glance over to see Tora sitting in the doorway.

“Do you always bully teenagers C'yra?” He asked and that's when she let the laughter escape in a pair of huffs.

“Me bully her? Never. What are you doing down here?” She asked, earning a sigh.

“I had a projection sent to me by Anu. We need to head back tomorrow….I'll fill you in later.”

Catra wanted to ask, her irritation with her mother vanishing.

“What happened?” She asked, earning a sigh from Tora who shook his head.

“This is between C'yra and I...Just enjoy the rest of your break and leave the hard stuff up to us.” He answered before glancing toward C'yra once again.

“Oh come on! I can handle something besides clean up!” Catra complained, earning a shocked look from Adora who whispered

“What are you doing? You're going to get yourself in trouble!”

“Don't you try to play hero! I don't need you to protect me!” Catra found herself barking out, causing the rest of the room to go silent.

“I just don't want you to get hurt!”

Catra was about to say something else when a sudden splash of water hit her full in the face.

“Cool off before your mouth gets you into trouble.”

C'yra advised, her tone commanding but not anywhere near harsh as she glanced over at the obviously confused trip of teenagers.

“Oh shut up!”

Catra instantly froze when she felt the hand on her shoulder—even though deep down she knew that C'yra wasn't going to hit her—but she couldn't help but feel the familiar panic set in.

The next thing Catra knew was that Adora was glaring at C'yra—who was smirking.

“You think you can protect her? Last time I checked you didn't have your sword in here and I doubt you can take me on your own.”

Catra knew that C'yra was just being a jerk at this point and was challenging—or trying to intimidate—Adora.

“Adora, stop….C'yra lay off I….” She began, earning a soggy tail against her mouth in response.

“Stop. I'm not going to kill her...Heavens knows if I can deal with your attitude on a daily basis I can handle another former horde soldier….However I have to see this She-Ra transformation to truly believe it.”

Catra was about to say something about not lying about it when C'yra glanced down at her and added

“I'm not saying you are lying, I am saying I want to see this much power in one human.”

Chapter Text

“Rai! Cut it out! C'yra and your dad are counting on me to get all this crap put away before they get back from their meeting!” Catra growled, using her tail to lightly smack her younger sister in the face as she backed off the ladder.

“I'm bored! Ever since we got back from floating sky island you have been doing nothing but training with Mom or researching something with Dad! And when are you going to admit they are your parents too?”

The younger of the two retorted, earning a groan as Catra turned to her.

“Look, Tora decided I was going to help him organize this whole room because I stole that ring of his and gave it to Adora and I am almost done. Now besides that, he has been helping me figure some things out and since C'yra wants me to join the patrols, she is making sure I'm ready.” Catra answered, ignoring the last question completely.

“Okay, whatever. Just remember you promised you would train me!”

Catra snorted at that before turning and lightly flicking the preteen on the forehead.

“Yeah well no amount of training is gonna help if you don't practice. Now scoot and let me finish this.”

“We will not stoop to their level!”

C'yra practically roared as she stood up, slamming her hands onto the table in front of her.

“She's a part of the Crimson Waste Clan! She is of the same blood that almost killed you and Tora!” Nahuel snarled in response, earning a growl from Tora.

“But it was not her who did it! The only thing this soldier is guilty of is  being a high ranking official in the Horde! We are not to stoop to their level! We have not used such….Barbaric methods in fifty years!”

The king stated, teeth bared as he glared down the man who just snorted.

“You let that girl stay here….and now you wish to show mercy to something like that? You two idiots will be the death of us all! Your mother would…”

C'yra could taste blood filling her mouth as she bit her lip to keep from lashing out.

“My mother would have had your tongue for speaking to her in such a way now sit down and shut up! If you want her back so much then perhaps I should take a page out of her book!”

“Come back here you little rat! I swear if you get me in trouble i am going to tie your tail into a knot!” Catra threatened although she was trying to keep from laughing.

Well they did want me to spend more time with her….they never said we couldn't end up in a sparring match. She thought, however as they cut a corner near one of the buildings Catra's ears picked up because she could have sworn she heard a cry of pain.

“Whoa, Hey Raiona...Go get Peralia...I have a question.”

It didn't take long for her sister to return with the guard, who looked rather nervous suddenly.

“Okay, what the hell is this place and why is it that Queen Furball and Tora have been giving me a shit ton of busy work for the past two days? I know it's not because of that damned ring.” She demanded, earning a sigh from the white tabby.

“Catra I don't think…”

Catra growled at that before forcing out the words

“As your princess I demand to know what everyone is hiding!”

She watched as Peralia's face changed from unsure to defiant to something akin to fear.

“Fine...We managed to find a Horde solder washed up half dead on our shores…. Your parents have been trying to figure out what to do with her since.”

C'yra felt what little that was left of her patience snap when the door to the council chambers slammed open to reveal a livid Catra who ignored everyone and marched right in front of her, growling.

“What the hell? What happened to all that talk about pity, compassion or whatever you called it? So you only show mercy on those it would suit? Like say….Someone of your own damned race!”

The whole room went silent then as the teen practically screamed into C'yra's face.

“What the hell are you talking about girl?”

C'yra said, struggling not to snap back at the girl who obviously had a reason to be there since she looked almost as angry as Cyra felt.

“The horde soldier you have captive! I thought you said you were different form the Horde! Well what I saw was no different than what Shadow Weaver did to me!”

C'yra felt her mouth go dry at that—and at the emotion she could see shining in the girls eyes.

“What? Take me to see the captive….and Nahuel if I don't find you here when I get back…..You will wish my mother's line ended with her.”

Following Catra into the prison area caused C'yra to want to puke. More so due to technical smell of stale blood clinging to the air than anything. But then she froze by what she saw.

She is definitely from the Royal house of The Crimson Kingdom. She thought as the girl in front of her moved her arms the best she could in the shackles in an attempt to protect her head.

“I don't care what you do to me….I won't say anything!”

The voice was quivering and hoarse, obviously from crying and C'yra felt her anger grow.

She is terrified….Even my mother wouldn't have been this cruel! No, she would have used magic to extract information and then kept the girl locked away….not beaten. Not for Loyalty….

She felt a lot of things then. Extraction was painful and cruel in and of itself but this….This was beyond anything she had ever saw.

Even her mother hadn't  flogged anyone so hard they barely could breath without wincing.

“I see loyalty exists outside of expectation.” C'yra muttered in what she hoped was a neutral tone before using her magic to unlock the cage and walk in.

“Your Majesty! She….” She heard a guard began, only for him to yelp behind her as Catra growled.

“She's chained and bleeding you half wit! What do you think she can do?”

C'yra smirked then and shook her head.

Seems like Catra still thinks with her feelings and not her head…that is going to be that girl's downfall. The queen thought before sighing

“Catra, let go of him and go get Anu. I don't even want to know what those bastards did to her….and have Peralia and Amur place Captain Nahuel in a holding cell….I'll be wanting to have a word with him after I am done here.”

She waited until Catra had left until she turned to the prisoner once again.

“Stand up...I won't remove the mechanism from your tail but I'll do something about those chains.” C'yra ordered, trying to keep her voice soft because no faux bravery would hide the fact that the girl was trembling.

“Please don't.”

C'yra felt her heart break.

Just what had they said to the girl?

“I won't hurt you….This was never what I would have wanted. True Warriors do not stoop to the level of cruelty like those bastards did.”

Chapter Text

“What? You going to let another criminal escape? You already let that half breed bastard live! I am telling you now, this is all a plan and you'll be the first to die!”



C'yra didn't think—could not think—as she turned toward the cell that Cain was standing in, his lips twisted into a smug grin as he glared at her and that is when her mind went blank and she found herself standing beside a Shocked Anu as Cain's body crumpled to the ground on the far side of the cell.


“Wow...That was quite the punch.” The prisoner—whose name she didn't know—muttered before rubbing at the deep cut along one of their claws.


“Get her to medical...Stat. I have more than one bastard to hit.”

C'yra growled and to her surprise even Anu didn't question her.

C'yra could only see the deep lacerations on the younger woman's skin and how she smelt of nothing but fear, sweat and blood.

How can someone do that to a damned kid! I don't care if that was a horde soldier. Nahuel and everyone else on the council can kiss my ass for all I care…..I am tired of them treating me like I am some kind of inadequate…..

Her train of thought halted however when she saw Nahuel being shoved in front of her.

“What the hell was that?” She demanded, unable to control herself as she closed the distance between them.

Her teeth was barred and she was struggling not to just kick the hell out of him.

“What do you mean, we interrogated her! Not that it matters, there's more beast than human there anyway!” Nahuel responded, his expression remaining neutral as he stared up at her “no wonder your mother didn't want you to have the throne. You don't have the guts to do anything that would get your hands dirty.”

She felt something snap as her hand lashed out, leaving gashes across his face.

“Don't I? I know that my mother sure as hell would have never have tortured a child no matter what the reason! Interrogate yes but not with such force!” She snarled as she drew her hand back again, only for Amur to grab her arm.

“Aunt C, snap out of it. You'll kill him.” He said, earning a growl.

“Go to medical station and look what this bastard caused then tell me to snap out of it!” C'yra snapped as she turned her gaze back toward Nahuel and added:

“I am so tired of all of you coming into the council room, making demands and acting as though you own me! You, Cain and Pilli have always acted like I was some incompetent fool and I am tired of it. She may have had her input a few times but I damn sure don't need some sort of useless, Sniveling, washed up warrior trying to tell me how to run my own damn kingdom! I don't care if she is younger than I am! I sick of it!”

C'yra found herself ranting as she lowered her hand.

Amur is right...I can't kill him.

She thought as she closed her eyes, trying to relax a bit before she growled out

“Lock him up...I need to check on the bug soldier.”

Useless.

Sniveling.

Pathetic.

The words repeated in Catra's mind, causing her to freeze mid step.

Is she… . Is she talking about me? She couldn't help but wonder, after all wasn't that what Shadow Weaver had said? That she was useless? A Sniveling coward? A pathetic excuse of a warrior?

She didn't want to think about it or how she suddenly felt sick upon hearing those words coming from her mother's mouth.

I knew it! I knew it was too good to be true! Nothing will ever change! I'll never change!

She felt like she couldn't breath and she wasn't sure what she should do.

Should she confront C'yra? Should she leave Half-Moon?

Despite how she felt, she didn't have time to decide before she heard footsteps approaching from the direction of her mother's voice and the familiar chill of fear ran along her spine, causing her to look for any escape she could.

I have to get out of sight before she comes out here….last thing I need is for to get even madder at me!

She had managed to slide into a vent just before C'yra made her way around the corner.

I should have knew not to fall for it….not to trust her….why did I let her get in my head like that? Why did I think this would be different? Why did I dare to even fucking hope…..

Catra berated herself angrily unable to keep from shaking as she drew her knees to her chest, the knot in her throat threatening to choke her as she tried not to break down.

I guess I was the fool for thinking someone would actually want me.

Chapter Text

Tora sighed as he glanced over at Catra, who hadn't so much as spoken since she had came home and had instead buried her attention into the spell books.

“You okay Kitten?”

He asked, noticing how she flinched at the nickname before sighing.

“I'm fine. I just have a lot of shit to do since you and C'yra has appointed me the babysitter for the Amazonian six foot freak.” Catra snapped, not even looking up from the book that she had been looking through.

“Catra…That isn't fair and you know it. You were the one who took C'yra to her and put a stop to whatever cruelty that Nahuel and his men had planned. How would being stuck alone in a strange place make you feel after you had been mistreated for days?”

He said, earning a glare from the teen who just snapped the book shut and stood up, heading toward the door.

“Fine, I'll go babysit the idiot! I mean how do you trip over nothing?”” Catra's retort caused the man to sigh before levitating a heavy ring over the girl's tail, causing her to staggered slightly.

“hey!”

Tora just smirked slightly and crossed this arms.

“The device locked around her stinger throws her balance...and it is much heavier than the ring I put on you and on second thought...I want to meet her, bring her here. Perhaps we can resolve this whole thing without endangering ourselves.” He stated, earning a scoff.

“As if the Horde wouldn't pick apart her mind to figure anything out.” Catra responded, removing the offending ring and tossing it to the far side of the room.

“Perhaps however we do not know her intentions nor how dangerous she alone is.”

Catra wasn't surprised to find that the room was locked and full of windows, offering no privacy at all for the occupant inside but she couldn't help but feel another wave of disgust when she saw the multitude of bandages littering the taller girl’s body.

“Come on, the king wants to see you.” She said as she opened the door, only to see a flash of fear shoot through the other girl.

“Why? Haven't you done enough?” She asked bitterly, motioning to the bandages along her arms and body.

“Don't have me in middle of that! It was me who found you and risked serious trouble to get you out of there!” Catra snapped although she instantly regretted it when she saw the flinch it produces.

“Look,” she continued, pinching the bridge of her nose as if that would ward off the annoyance she felt “My….The king isn't like that. He wants to talk to you over lunch. Trust me when I say that whatever C'yra is going to do to the four people who hurt you isn't going to be mild. she was livid.”

“Uh yeah! Like she punched this one guy in one of the cells because he said she let 'the half breed’ live….Well he also had some insulting words in there but I'm not gonna go there because it's not fair, you know?oh, I'm Scorpia by the way!”

Catra really wished people came with a muted button at that moment.

“I'm Catra, now come on before Tora sends Peralia looking for me.”

Am I ready to see a reminder of the first war?

Tora tried to remain calm despite how nervous he was at meeting this person, this person who could have been the offspring of the very reasons he had both lost his daughter and had to learn to adapt to life without walking.

I shouldn't judge her….After all, C'yra said she wasn't too far from death . He reminded himself just as the door opened and in stumbled a platinum haired girl, who managed to knock a lamp over in the process.

“Oh shoot! Crap! Sorry! I will fix that!”

He had to keep a straight face as he saw the bulky female try—and fail—to catch the lamp, which shattered in her claws.

Well...She has to be the most...unique….of her bloodline. He thought as he waved his hand, levitating the pieces into a nearby trash bin.

“Don't worry about it. It was an old lamp. Sit….I'll have Miv bring some food up for us.” Tora said, arching a brow as he glanced over at Catra who had turned to walk off.

“Catra, you stay too. I know you haven't ate anything since breakfast.”