Chapter Text
“What if we draw them in towards the village, then ambush them? We can flank their army on both sides,” Glimmer leaned over the table, dragging her fingertip across the map, signalling where Bright Moon’s forces would come in relative to the Horde army. “And surprise them.”
Bow looked over the chart, one hand cupping his chin, the other drumming a nervous beat on the table with his fingers. “Wouldn’t that endanger Thaymor? The villagers have just finished rebuilding from the first attack. Not to mention the mental toll, do we really want to risk putting them through that again?”
“The sightings of the Horde’s militia in Whispering Woods have been increasing in numbers everyday, and they’re too close to Thaymor for it to be a coincidence.” Glimmer insisted, “We need the element of surprise!”
“Can’t we just face them head on? We’re not alone anymore, not with the Princess Alliance back together.” Bow countered, “Plus, we have She-Ra!”
The princesses turned their heads towards Adora, who sat between Glimmer and Netossa.
Glimmer had called an emergency meeting after spotting yet another party of Horde soldiers in the Whispering Woods. It’s not unusual to encounter their troops while scouting the forest, but lately their appearances have increased, along with their numbers per sighting.
Queen Angella crossed her fingers over her lap, and looked at Adora cooly. “What do you think, Adora?”
Adora shrunk under the alliance’s attention. “Well, I, um, I think…”
She glanced between Bow and Glimmer, both looking at her earnestly. She sighed.
“I’m honestly not sure how much of a triumph card I’d be, with the Horde’s increasing advancements in technology and weapons…”
Everyone looked briefly at an empty seat near the end of the table, the seat where a certain violet-haired princess once sat.
“I don’t know if I can keep up with it.” Adora continued, “I’m still training with Light Hope, but at the rate of which the Horde is improving their weaponry, we might need to consider Glimmer’s plan.”
Angella nodded. “Thank-you for your honesty, Adora.”
Adora flinched when a sudden hand was placed on her shoulder.
“Hey, don’t beat yourself up, okay?” Netossa whispered to her. “We all have our limits.”
Adora gave a small smile and nodded, but when Netossa gave her shoulder a squeeze, she felt her body go stiff. It wasn’t until her fellow princess removed her hand that Adora was able to relax again.
________________________
Their footsteps were muffled between the leaves quivering in the wind and the wildlife calling to each other in harmonious music. No one would hear them coming, for sure, but seeing them?
Now that was another story.
“I just think you should wear something more...subtle.” Bow explained to Glimmer, who was walking right beside him.
“Excuse me?”
“You know, something that doesn’t shout, ‘I’m a princess!’ and maybe blends in more with our surroundings. Something more like…”
Bow turned to look back at Adora, who was trailing behind them. Her bright red jacket stuck out like a sore thumb among the blues and greens of the forest.
“Okay, nevermind.”
Glimmer scoffed. “I don’t know when I’ve ever come across to you as ‘subtle,’ Bow.”
“I’m just saying that while we’re out scouting, it might be a good idea if we disguise ourselves more. Y’know, like camouflage.”
“And dress up in boring greys like the Horde? No way! Besides…” Glimmer stopped and gestured to herself. “I’m told this outfit brings out my eyes.”
Bow groaned. “You’re not getting what I’m trying to… Oh hey, purple does compliment your eyes nicely.”
“Hey guys,” Adora called out, “Did you hear that?”
The trio stopped in their tracks, glancing between each other as they listen intently to the forest.
“I don’t hear anything.” Bow said.
“Yeah,” murmured Adora, “That’s the problem.”
The breeze had gone still. The insects’ chirping and birds’ singing were smothered by silence. For the forest to grow this still, there must be a presence that was much more significant than theirs.
“The Horde,” Glimmer whispered, “It must be.”
“I told you, you’re too sparkly!”
“Bow, hush!”
Adora swiveled her head, scanning the woods around them. “I think someone’s--”
SNAP! CRACK!
The sound of branches snapping like twigs was deafening against the tranquility of Whispering Woods. And it was heading right towards them.
A white head with a long, gleaming horn burst out from the underbrush. “HEY GUYS!”
“SHIT!” Bow practically leaped into Adora’s arms, clinging to her like a koala. Adora, with her arms full of Bow, resorted to raising her leg in a wobbly kung fu fashion as if that could protect them. Glimmer had already teleported behind the two, peaking over Adora’s shoulder as she gripped her staff. When they realized who they were looking at, their expressions fell in an unamused manner.
“Swift Wind!” Glimmer exclaimed, “Did you really have to sneak up on us like that?!”
“Yeah, we thought you were a Horde soldier!” added Bow, with his arms still wrapped around Adora’s neck.
Swift Wind pulled himself out of the undergrowth. “Well I heard that you guys were out scouting the woods without me! What if the Horde actually did appear! What would you do without your trusty steed, Adora?”
With those words, he dramatically flipped his bright orange mane.
Glimmer looked unimpressed. Adora was focused on Bow, becoming apprehensive with the boy’s bear hug.
“Uh, Bow?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you mind, uh, letting go?”
“Oh, right.” Bow said, “Of course.”
Adora gently placed her friend on the ground, and he released his hold on her.
“Don’t worry, Bow!” announced Swift Wind, “I’ll carry you as far as you want!”
Bow politely declined.
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Though the Horde’s invasion of Bright Moon seemed to overwhelm Adora and her friends’ endeavor to stop them, the sudden appearance of the Princess Rebellion was able to turn the tide of the battle and prevent the destruction of the Moonstone. After driving off the remaining Horde soldiers, the Kingdom of Bright Moon was left celebrating, with a feast and a party that lasted into the late night. The Moonstone shone over the palace, a bright reminder of their victory. All of the princesses stayed at Bright Moon to celebrate, all except for one.
Adora was alone in her room, absent of the celebration. Her encounter with Catra left her confused and hurt, and not just physically. Her stomach was twisted in painful knots, making her appetite non existent. Her mind was clouded with troubling thoughts and feelings, leaving her ability to socialize dilapidated at best. And her back, sticky with blood dyed her shirt a crimson color.
She sat on her bed, staring at the medical supplies she had gathered. The memory of the battle with Catra haunted her, and left her with little to no motivation to tend to her injuries.
The look Catra gave her on the battlefield...Adora couldn’t get the image out of her mind. The reflection of her mismatched eyes harmed her more than her sharp claws that raked across her back.
Hatred. That’s what she saw. Her ex-best friend, her ex… something, glaring at her with that fire in her eyes. It tore into Adora’s heart. She could wrap up the cuts in her skin, but the laceration inside her chest was unmendable.
Adora’s vision became fuzzy, and she wiped at her eyes. Her clothes are already stained with blood, they don’t need to be stained with tears, too.
Focus. She thought to herself. Eventually her absence would be noticed. She pulled her shirt over her head, wincing when the fabric rubbed painfully against her cuts. Adora picked up the disinfectant, before realizing she couldn’t reach behind her to apply it.
“Ah, crap.” She sighed. There was no way she’d attend the party while still bleeding.
A knocking at her door snapped her out of her thoughts.
“Wh-who is it?” Adora asked.
“It’s me.” Glimmer’s muffled voice sounded behind the door. “Glimmer. Can I come in?”
“Uh, don’t, I’m uh,” Adora looked at her bloody shirt on the floor. “I’m busy.”
“We haven’t seen you all night. We’re all worried about you. I’m worried about you.” Glimmer pleaded. “Please let me in, I want to help.”
Adora bit her lip, unsure what to do. In the Horde, you’re taught to hide your pain. Exposing it was a sign of weakness. She didn’t want anyone, especially Glimmer, to see her like this.
“Adora,” Glimmer’s voice softened, “You can trust me.”
Adora swallowed, and released a heavy breath through her nose.
“Alright.” she said. “Come on in.”
Glimmer slowly opened the door, slipping through the crack and shutting it behind her. The room was dark, with only the moon to illuminate the interior. It took a couple seconds for Glimmer’s eyes to adjust, but when they did, she saw Adora sitting on the bed, her arms wrapped around herself and her head turned away. The princess noticed that her friend was shirtless, and a soft blush crept onto her cheeks.
“Adora, are you alr--” Glimmer took a couple steps forward, and gasped. Her embarrassment quickly faded when she saw the deep, raw claw marks along Adora’s back, still oozing with blood.
“Oh my gosh,” Glimmer closed the distance between them, and sunk into the bed next to Adora. Adora still wouldn’t look at her.
“Adora… why didn’t you ask for help?”
“I don’t need it. I’m fine, I just…” Adora sighed. “I’m sorry. I’m just being stubborn.”
Glimmer delicately rested her fingers along her friend’s back, and Adora shrunk away from her touch.
“Don’t--don’t touch me.”
Glimmer pulled her hand away quickly, her eyebrows furrowed. Guilt started to scratch at Adora.
“You need help.” Glimmer stated, her voice thick with worry. “Let me help you.”
“I don’t…” Adora started, before swallowing the rest of her words. “ … you’re right. I’m sorry.” She handed Glimmer the disinfectant.
“Don’t be.” Glimmer soothed, “I understand. It’s going to be okay.”
She wet a cloth with the disinfectant. “This is going to hurt, alright?”
Adora nodded, preparing herself.
As gentle as she could, Glimmer began to dab the wound with the cloth. Adora flinched and hissed in pain, but did her best to stay still for Glimmer. As the princess wiped up the blood and cleaned the cuts, Adora muttered curses under her breath. Soon enough, the gashes were clean and already looking better.
“Alright, the worst part is over.” reassured Glimmer. “I’m going to put ointment on it to prevent infection now, alright?”
Adora gave her a weak smile while Glimmer squeezed some ointment onto her fingers, and tenderly started applying it to her back. Adora was rigid against her touch, but steadily started to relax against Glimmer’s hand.
Glimmer’s fingers felt nice, and almost tickled, as she applied the appointment. Adora breathed a sigh of relief.
“Thank-you.” She said quietly.
Glimmer hummed in acknowledgement. “Now,” She capped the ointment and reached for the bandages. “Lift your arms so I can wrap you up.”
Adora did, raising her arms above her head, grimacing as her skin stretched and her wounds ached. Glimmer took a moment to watch her friend, admiring her smooth and scarred skin. After a second or two (or three), Adora finally turned her head to look at the princess.
“Glimmer? What are you waiting for?”
“Oh,” Glimmer blushed, realizing that she had been staring. “Er, nothing!”
She wrapped the gauze around Adora’s chest, layering the bandage over the cuts until blood no longer seeped through. Glimmer secured the gauze with a knot, making sure it wasn’t too tight, and patted Adora’s back gently.
“Alright, you’re all set.” Glimmer said.
Adora turned around, fully facing her friend. The moonlight reflected in her blue eyes, and as beautiful as they were, Glimmer noted, they were also tinged with red.
“Oh, hon… were you crying?”
“Ah, shit.” Adora broke eye contact, and wiped her eyes again for good measure. “I’m sorry you had to see that.”
“You don’t have to be sorry.” Glimmer placed her hand over Adora’s. The blonde glanced at the princess, and then at their hands. But she didn’t pull away.
“You know you can talk to me, right? Me, and Bow, and anyone.” Glimmer resumed. “You’re family now.”
“I know,”
“Do you?”
“I’m scared.” Adora suddenly admitted, still looking at their hands.
“You don’t need to be. Not anymore. Not with us.” Glimmer spoke softly, and squeezed her hand.
Adora intertwined their fingers, and Glimmer noticed how calloused they were.
“Can you stay with me, for tonight?” Adora asked. Glimmer’s eyes widened in surprise.
“If-if you want to, I mean. You don’t have to. I’ll be ok--”
“Adora,” Glimmer interrupted her. “Of course I will.”
Adora smiled at her, so genuinely and sweetly that Glimmer couldn’t stop herself from grinning back.
Adora laid down on her side, facing away from Glimmer but curling her right arm over her shoulder so she could keep holding her hand. Glimmer rested beside her, her left arm wrapped around Adora letting their fingers remained intertwined.
“Is this okay?” Glimmer asked cautiously. “I know touching is usually out of your comfort zone.”
“It’s okay.” Adora replied, “Not if it’s with a close friend.”
Her voice became hushed, and Glimmer could barely hear her next words.
“Not if it’s you.”