Chapter Text
Chapter One
Bum-bum, bum-bum, bum-bum, Catra's heart was thudding in her chest. Her breath was ragged and her lungs ached, but she couldn't stop running. Skiffs rushed passed her, full of inexperienced cadets who stood no chance against Catra. At least, that's what she hoped. She heard the familiar noise of a tank charging up, ready to fire. Catra slid under a fallen tree, avoiding the shot just barely. Her confidence was faltering. There was no way Hordak was going to let Catra get away, not after what happened with Shadow Weaver, and not without a fight. But Catra had experience with the Whispering Woods, unlike the rest of the horde, Catra knew where to hide.
She was wary to go into the First One’s ruin that she visited months prior, but she knew she had no other choice. Her legs were aching and she couldn’t outrun the skiffs behind her. If she didn't do something quick, she would be surrounded. Catra scaled a tree, looking around for Horde soldiers in the open area. Once she felt safe, she jumped down onto the grass.
“Not so fast, Catra.” Said a voice from behind her. Catra felt a weapon against her back.
“I'm not gonna let you defect too. You tryna join Adora and her little princesses?” She quickly recognized Lonnie’s bitter voice. Great, someone with a vendetta against me, she thought.
“I don’t have a choice.” Catra spat out. She barely managed to escape after they chained her up. Scorpia is the real reason she got out of there alive, but Catra wasn't about to admit that. Though, she had decided to be nicer to her, if she ever sees her again.
“Wow, you sound just like her.” Pain shot down Catra’s spine as Lonnie zapped her. She fell to the ground and looked up at her, recalling a similar scene in her head. “Why are you doing this?” Adora said, struggling to get up. “Because you left me!” Catra shouted, her voice breaking. Catra flinched at the recollection.
“Hordak’s gonna be real happy with me when he finds out I caught you all by myself.” Lonnie chuckled and zapped her a second time.
“You don't understand,” she struggled to say, “Hordak is going to send me to Beast Island.”
“Beast Island? That's real?” Catra nodded solemnly. She saw Lonnie’s eyes change into a more sympathetic glance. Gross, the last thing she needed was someone's pity. Catra started to stand, but Lonnie pointed the weapon at her once again.
“How do I know you aren't lying? You always were pretty good at that.” She said, but there was some doubt in her voice. Catra grew anxious, knowing that more and more Horde soldiers were edging closer. She didn't have a lot of time.
“Hordak knows I lost Shadow Weaver. You didn't think he would let me off with a warning, did you?” Lonnie looked down, thinking over Catra’s words. She sighed.
“Get out of here. I better not see you on the other side of the war. I won't be as merciful then.” Catra scoffed. As if she would ever join the rebellion. Even if she wanted to, they would never trust her. Catra walked forward, terrified of what lies in front of her. She recalled the memories she was forced to relive and the monsters she faced. Ultimately, she decided anything was better than out here. Catra mumbled the word she heard Adora say before she followed her inside months ago.
“Eternia.” The doors opened at the bitter reiteration. Catra looked behind her, but Lonnie was long gone. She heard a few voices in the distance. As long as she stayed out of the view of that strange robot thing, she will be fine.
She reluctantly walked in, hiding behind a pillar. She heard the hologram say something, but she couldn't quite catch it.
“She-ra? Adora? Have you come to resume your training?” Catra heard it say. It seemed more advanced than the last time she was here. Before it would just say, “ What is your query?” She wondered what had changed. Maybe the Rebellion has its own Entrapta. Nah, she thought. Entrapta can’t be replaced, it’s probably because of some weird magic shit.
Catra saw a beam of light scan the room, looking for intruders like herself. She stayed perfectly still and silent, holding her breath. Soon, the lights turned off and the hologram went away. Her body relaxed, but she didn't move away from her hiding place. It wasn't long until her exhaustion got the best of her, eyes closing as she drifted into a peaceful sleep.