Chapter Text
Catra
The beginning of time was etched into every corner of the world, every inch drenched in the history written by the victors themselves, the side of the defeated forgotten by all but their own. Flipping through the pages of a book wouldn’t have delivered the entire truth - there was no better propaganda than education itself, be it for the right or wrong reasons. No weapon more powerful than the idiosyncrasies that pushed people into action with the simplest of tempting eláns.
Her curiosity had been muted by the passing of life before her eyes, tamed by golden touches and feathery beds with silks that reached all the way to the ivory marble below her feet. The ivy crawling up her walls gifted the room with a tint of a reality she rarely had access to but that she watched from afar from time to time when she could afford it.
Slowly, she let the soft pink, orange and purple rays of light rise out to meet her as sleep escaped past her lips in the form of a yawn and her arms stretching over her head, making the fabric of her shirt rise and display her stomach. Lazily, she turned to gaze out her window, smiling to herself as she saw the fluttering of wings past her window as angels got ready to start their day with whatever ubiquitous tasks they had been assigned.
Instinctively, her fingers came to her hair, combing through the long locks peacefully, as though she had all the time in the world - and she did. The laws of human nature did not apply to her or her kin. She pondered for a moment, thinking whether it would be a good day to wash it. The winds would probably be kind to her if she asked the right angel to make it so.
She rose, letting the length of her wings drag behind her as she approached the shoji screen that separated the rest of her bedroom from the assigned washroom. Shrugging off her clothes, she let them pool on the floor. Her hand came to rest atop the faucet, turning it to the right and letting the stream of hot water run until the tub filled completely.
Tentatively, she dipped a toe in and nodded to herself, deeming the water scorching hot enough. She sank, wings and all, and the water overflowed from the edge, running through marble until it couldn't reach further.
A pleasured sigh escaped her as she rubbed at her fur delicately, looking for any tangles or dust that may have accumulated from her last flight. Leaning forward slightly, she reached for the oils that rested on a table beside the tub, and let her hand hover over them as she wondered which one she should pick. She watched the herbs and flowers inside of them.
In the background, a small red vessel called to her in the back of her mind, an echo of a memory she couldn’t place but that poked at her nonetheless, and she gently grabbed it.
She marveled at the label written in delicate cursive, certainly not her own. Had this been a gift? She had no recall of ever being gifted such a thing. Then again, it could’ve been given to her centuries ago. Ingredients didn’t rot in their realm.
In a hypnotizing fashion, she watched the oil fall onto the water, the drops letting their emulsifier effect take charge. Instantly, the aroma reached her senses and she smiled, despite not knowing why.
Cinnamon and red tea.
She placed the red vessel back where it belonged and made small waves with the movement of her hands, letting the oil and water mix as much as possible. Her body relaxed against the ivory walls of the tub, and every inch of her began absorbing the healing factors of the oil.
The luxury she had been granted allowed her to enjoy such pleasures, for she knew not every angel in her realm had the privilege of waking up whenever they wanted or relaxing for as long as she did. They watched her for the extravaganza and the ostentatious overflowing richness, but rarely stopped to wonder just how much work she had to manage through.
Humming, she reached for her hair and a golden comb, and began untangling the rest of it. For quite a while now, it had felt wrong - as if she wasn’t the one meant to be touching her own hair. Like always, she simply filed it away at the back of her mind under the “unimportant” cabinet of thoughts and feelings.
She reached for a tonic once her hair was free of tangles and dumped a generous amount over her head. Her fingers began to massage every area of her head until soap suds rose, creating the illusion of a hat over her. She giggled as a bubble floated in front of her, reflecting her face in its iridescent surface.
With her claw, she popped it.
It wasn't long until she forced herself to depart her soapy haven, pushing herself up from the tub by the edges and letting the water fall from her body as she stepped out of it.
Her wings unfurled, spraying water everywhere, and she shook herself before grabbing a towel and concealing her feathers. She dried whatever was left with the cotton fabric and walked to her closet, opening it and gazing at the dozen copies of the same outfit she wore every day. Truthfully, she couldn’t complain. She had picked the design herself.
While she pushed the hangers with her clothes to the left, trying to decide playfully which suit she’d wear, she stumbled upon an old shirt. It was a simple, no nonsense piece of clothing but it made her feel sad. Something told her it wasn’t really hers - even though it was in her ward.
Huffing, she pushed it to the back of the closet, where she kept it because she couldn’t bring herself to throw it away. Frustrated, she reached for the first silk suit she found and began changing. She donned her accessories, rings and earrings, and stared at herself in the mirror.
She looked good. But she always did.
From the corner of her eye, she glanced at the heels they had given to her to match her outfit, but shook her head at them. They were beautiful, but so uncomfortable.
With one last look in the mirror and a smile to pump herself up, because Mara knew she needed it sometimes, she walked back to the bedroom area, her naked feet padding against the floor - the sound of her steps almost nonexistent.
And came face to face with Bow, who wore a smug grin on his face as he rested on her bed.
“You could’ve really told me you were here, you know?” She spoke, her nose wrinkling.
“Don’t act like you didn’t know I was here.” He teased, lifting his head from where he had propped it up with his palm. “Besides, you take forever bathing.”
Catra chuckled, shaking her head in amusement. “What are you doing here, anyway? I thought you had some poor idiots to force to fall in love.”
Bow raised an eyebrow playfully, a mischievous glint shining in his eyes.
“What makes you think you’re not my next mission?”
“Ha! As if!” She countered, saunting past him and reaching for her hairband on the bedside table. “Do I look like I have the time to fall in love?”
He frowns, pouting. “You never know...maybe.”
“I’m far too busy to care for a relationship, Bow. It wouldn’t be fair to them or me.” She reasoned sadly, thinking about the one angel who actually had the boldness to approach her besides Bow. White hair and black lips, and an untamable need to love.
As she pulled her hair up into a ponytail, she saw him roll his eyes. He was just as stubborn as her when he wanted to be. It was part of the reason they were such close friends. He had stayed when she had pushed everyone away.
Turning, with her hands on her hips, she stuck her tongue out at him then resumed working on her hair, careful not to hurt her ears.
“You look beautiful, Catra.” He commented, standing up and coming to situate himself beside her. “Don’t overthink it.”
She smiled at him gratefully, unable to voice just how much it had meant for her. “Thank you.”
“I’m always here for you, you know that, right?” He added, a concerned look in his gaze.
“I know, lover boy, scupid.”
“Hey! There’s no need to belittle what I do!” Bow argued good-naturedly. “Besides, you never know if you might be my next victim.”
“Whatever helps you sleep.” She rolled her eyes and put an arm over his shoulders. “So, shall we get on with our day?”
“Your call, boss.” He nodded.
There was no need to speak further. Throughout the years, they had cultivated a strong and powerful bond that required nothing more than a few gestures to understand each other. In a room full of divines and angels, celestial beings and demonic creatures, she would’ve been able to pick him out from a legion of thousands.
With his confirmation, she unfurled her wings, and flew to the window. “Let’s go.”
He followed, the pink of his feathers blending against the colours of dawn.
Flying was her favorite activity of all time besides ordering people around. It provided a nomadic sense of freedom she rarely had the pleasure of enjoying, one she feared because she knew the nature of her role would never allow her to bask in it. She was caged and chained despite being the angel with the most power in her realm.
It was the warmth of the sun caressing her fur and the skin underneath it, it was the wind rushing past the powerful muscles of her wings as she rose higher. It was a feeling she knew wouldn’t last long - her feet had to touch the floor eventually. So did she.
She shared a laugh with Bow as he made a trick and a funny face to amuse her, to cheer her up. No one knew her like he did. But even he didn’t know everything about her. There were things she kept from him, concealed in the darkness of her bedroom when there was nothing but the dying light of stars a million miles away to keep her company.
Like the lagoons she would rest beside at night, when the silk covers of her bed touched the floor as she thrashed and turned because she felt like there was something missing and she couldn’t, no matter how hard she tried, figure out what it was.
It felt as if a great portion of her life was lost in conversations and looks of pity and envy from others angels.
But she put on her bravest face, she smiled and she served. She helped anyone who needed it and reported to the only person above her. She sat on a throne made of gold and sunlight, and watched the world below the clouds, below the silver city they dwelled upon. Writing, filing, advising - filling the shoes of another woman was tiresome.
Once, she had tried to ask Mara about the shadow that plagued her mind, only for her concerns to be shrugged off with a you were young. Eventually, she had come to accept the gaping holes in her memory as a universal truth, believing that she wasn’t the only who didn’t remember the phantom that had played with her when she was nothing more than a kitten.
Finally, they reached the highest point of the silver city, where her throne sat atop every other structure to signify the power of her status, and the burden she carried with it. Uneasy was the head that wore a crown, that had been what Mara had told her when she had taken charge in her stead.
Nothing had seemed more ineradicable than her own thoughts.
So, she sat on her throne and waved goodbye as Bow flew away to find his next victims. He had taken a liking to making angels fall in love. She had tried to argue at first, saying it would distract them from their job, but it had proven the opposite effect. They were more efficient than ever and she couldn’t find it in her heart to tell Bow to stop.
Let him have fun for them both.
Her nails clicked against the gold material of the armrests as she drummed an imaginary rhythm. No one had come to ask her for help of guidance yet. There were no meetings with the heads of the different divisions, and someone had yet to deliver any paperwork to her.
Truth be told, it was a strangely peaceful day. Unused to it, she became restless, pushing herself up and pacing around her own throne with her hands clasped behind her back. She had half a mind to summon Bow or Scorpia to keep her entertained, but she refused to let herself be that selfish - there was a reason she had been chosen to lead.
“Enough, Catra, everything’s fine.” She whispered to herself as she looked up, finding entire galaxies gazing down at her. Beyond the sky, there was darkness glittering with stars and a million galaxies to create a reality of its own. “You’ll be okay. Someone has to come up here eventually.”
Instead of abiding by her own words, she summoned a musical angel. The angel was confused by her actions, since she had rejected their company in the past - claiming the melodies distracted her from her work.
“What should I play for you, your divinity?” The angel asked, tilting their head to the side with a warm and welcoming smile. “Perhaps a ballad or something more lighthearted?”
Catra had never been one to pay too much attention to music, that had been...whose role had it been?
Unwilling to ponder on it for long, she simply gestured with her hands at her surroundings. “Surprise me.”
Soon, a soft melody began filling the space silence had occupied, filling her head with cheer instead of a nostalgia for something she didn’t recognize. She forced herself to sit down once again, and indulged in the notes played. Long ago, she recalled the image of fingers dexterously playing a harp. Perhaps Bow or another angel? Perhaps even Mara herself.
With her eyes closed, and the sound of music, she was finally able to relax despite the oddity of the entire day. Hours passed, and the light of day became darker with each minute that slipped past her fingers. She had been unproductive all day and it bothered her. Normally, her days were filled with work - so much of it that she ended up going to bed late.
A sigh was about to slip past her lips when an angel crash landed before her. She stood quickly, rushing to her aid.
“Your divinity!” She panted, her pink eyes glinting with fear and desperation. “Something terrible has happened.”
Her heart skipped a beat. This had never happened. During her whole time as a ruler, nothing had ever gone truly wrong. Just what could’ve happened to cause terror upon a celestial being?
Steeling her expression and resolve into cold metal, she helped the angel up and grabbed her by the shoulders. Hoping her eyes didn’t convey her own fear, she questioned with a demanding voice that echoed through Heaven itself as the sun set and night settled, the stars long gone underneath the clouds of her throne.
“What happened?”
“Hell has broken loose.” The angel choked out through her tears and trembling voice. She hugged herself, with her head hung low. “Demons are causing havoc on Earth, they’re…”
Catra took a step closer to her and lifted her chin with her index and thumb, looking into her eyes with a fire only known to reside in the deepest parts of Hell.
Silence reigned for a minute, her breathing in sync with the chaos that surrounded her as more angels kept rising from the clouds.
And then, the trumpets of Heaven thundered through every realm.
Adora
Firestorms, sorrows, rivers of blood, screamings, immortal beings with deadly fangs floating all over the place, faces drowned in full terror, landscapes covered in pain, despair and dishonor, deviant acts committed over and over again, sins condemning souls for eternity, picture after picture running through her unconscious mind while she dared to surrender herself to slumber, until a familiar voice shouted her name, like it used to do a long time ago. That last memory that managed to interrupt her nightmares finally woke her up in an instant. She opened her eyes wide as the impulse traveled all over her body, making it shiver in one jump. Besides that last part, it’s the usual Friday for her.
Eventually, she got used to the nightmares of her past, Hell itself appearing over and over again, like a shadow following every single one of her moves, constantly reminding her of her curse, of her blessing, of the second chance that was given to her, and the one that took away her first one. Most of the time, she didn't care about them, in fact, she slept like a baby even when having them, they could go on and on until noon, her usual time to get up, without bothering her at all.
The true nightmares came from a time much more ancient than her brief lodgment on Hell, they weren't visions of the torments she could be commanding if she wanted to, but memories of her past, of joyful times, the cheerful remembrances, of tasteful feasts rather than beasts, a choir of laughs and happiness, ephemeral ataraxia and the cherry on top: the sound of her long lost lover. They all came from time to time to harrow her, pinching at the wounds that should have healed years ago, but they never did, they hurted just as the day she was cast out of heaven, thrown to her fate and stripped of her celestial privileges, forced to a live an eternal punishment for a sin she didn't commit.
Against all the voices that tell her to stay down, to enjoy the hard mattress a bit longer, to ignore all those memories that railed her mind, she pushed both arms beside her and got up in a trice shifting her legs to the side, letting them hang towards the floor as her palms rose to her face pressing hard enough on her eyes to fully awaken her from her thoughts. She blinked a couple of times, habituating her eyes to the darkness, the lack of light being a signal of the early time at which she has risen up.
“Screw it”, she growled, she closed her eyes once more and two ruby eyes emerged instead, her demon vision, which allowed her to see even in the darkest hours in a bloody shadow that gave her the chance to see the true form of imps, demons and beasts that infiltrated on Earth and walked among humans without them even noticing the evilness that surrounded them.
She usually chose not to use them, one, because they hurt like Heaven after a while, and two because humans were able to see them, she learned that the bad way on her firsts days on Earth, poor guy, now he rests with Beelzebub, he's not that bad actually, but still.
The ruddy view helped her beyond her body and mattress she slept on, there wasn't much more to it in her tiny room besides humidity and despair atmosphere. She didn't need luxury stuff, she knew where to get them or who to get it from in case she ever desired those kinds of unnecessary crap, but chose not to. She knew exactly the power she behold, the influence she could cause, she could bend the knee of the most powerful people on the planet, puppeteering them as she wished, she has strung her ties before, trying her hypothesis which cost greatly to many countries on her way.
But punishing corrupted, wicked people, using them as her personal servers didn’t satisfy her, even though she did have some fun while at it. Torturing them wasn't her job, nor her destiny, they would have a hell of an afterlife time later. She could always go visit them to witness it in person, she has used that same influence down there to gain some favors, but she'd rather not used them, not yet at least.
She didn't want to have any unfinished businesses anywhere, not on Earth, not in Hell and specially none in Heaven, which she had nothing to do with for a very long time. She was a wandering soul, that´s if she still had one, changing from city to city, from country to country, sowing chaos on her way as she tried, vainly, to finally find peace.
The only thing she has kept on with her on earth were her clothes, her motorcycle, and that weird ink humans stab on their skin. “Tattoos”, she whispered to herself while brushing her finger right past them. She got her first one on her first night on Earth, after betting with some humans who swore they would sell their soul to the devil if she didn't complain at her first tattoo ever, she wanted to have a little fun that night, first with the curious and admiring looks she received when they carved a baptismal cross on her forearm, because, you know, her first ink experience, and also because she wouldn't stop complaining about that celestial nonsense, or so those poor bastards thought.
They wanted to take advantage of what they thought was a drunk, blonde girl who had nothing left to lose, the last part was the only thing they were right about. Adora didn't flinch, didn't bother, nor cared when the needle crossed her skin, nothing more than the brush of a feather. In a matter of minutes they quickly realized they have been doomed, but the sweet summer childs could have never imagined how much they have. First rule: you shall never be playing games with the devil.
But tricks and naughtiness were children’s games, yeah, sure, molesting people and shuttering them, especially scaring them with her berserk form was a hell of a laugh, for a while, but it did not fulfill her, not by a close shot. She got up, locating the leather boots she left nearby, put on her shirt, that never failed to attract all kind of looks from people passing by, mainly because of the hip, chest and back windows in the middle of December at the Big Apple, with eternal fire burning inside of her, clothes are nothing more than an accessory at this point, a really provocative one, she just loved the attention.
She got the chains and her keys, locking them in her pocket, not like she would need any of those for the time being, she had no intention of returning to that place, she'd find a new one, she always has. Nor did she need the chains, a sight of her russet eyes can make the same, if not a better impression, but it gave her a sense of physical power, the reward of taking justice in her own hands, as if she had any moral value. Anyways, she had an appointment to attend and no track to be found. And so, she pulled off the lighter in her hidden pocket, threw it back at her as she closed the door and jumped on the motorcycle. A little fire has never killed anybody, that's why she left the gas open at the bottom of a building full of apartments as she rode her way to her driveway.
The image reflected on her mirror did make her laugh, her trademark was bigger than usual, plus she had to celebrate, she hasn't been reunited with her date in many months, not a good thing could come out of it, and she was, for the first time in a while, really excited about it.
She allowed herself to get lost on the moment while she rode her way to the agreed location, wind flowing by her ears as the streets passed by her like brush strokes of an ancient portrait, pure adrenaline fulfilling her senses until she arrived to a red light, she usually didn't stop at those, nothing could really hold her back, but she was curious about the car that stopped there. When she got closer she took a better glance at the passengers, a tiny old couple listening to calming songs on the radio, a weird picture to witness in such a chaotic city, she knew none of them would end up being honor guest at the festival of agony, which meant she most likely will never see them again, she wanted to make the moments last a little longer.
A voice on the radio warned that the classical music hour was over, now they would move on to another type of music, perfect for yoga time, whatever that meant. A few notes flew by, they were enough to pass through her ears, connected dots on her mind and gave a rumbling sensation on her heart, it was a piece of a harp, roughly played by a skilled human, which is kind of like being the tallest imp. The sound, the darkness of the night and the purr coming from her vehicle all summoned up the voice she heard in her dream, and the owner of which. She had to get away as fast as possible.
Scaring the couple on her way, gaining herself a pair of insults from them, that could easily just blend in the wind if she didn't have oversensitive powers. She ran away, almost railing all sorts of beings on the road. She had to focus on her destination, it was the only thing that mattered, the only goal she had left, the last distraction she could put her mind into before losing it completely.
As she approached the empty football field her heart finally decelerated its pulse as her mind eased its torment. The cold air was a refreshing touch for the anger that festered her inner flame, still, it was way too early for being outside, or anywhere but her sleep. She could only hope the sign she sent to Glimmer would be enough to let her know she was ready for their gathering.
A hand on her shoulder confirmed her suspicions, she turned around to observe the shorter figure covered in leather from head to toe, with sparkles of fire adorning her hair. A little whirlwind of ashes and smoke followed her, the remains of the place she just left and teleported from. She knew how to make an entrance, and she wouldn't miss the chance to prove it.
"Hey, cherry bomb," she teased as she threw an actual cherry to her, which Adora caught mid-air effortlessly, she turned to the fruit and then to Glimmer raising an eyebrow while dramatically setting a hand on her chest.
"Ouch, that slashes the injurious limit, comparing me to those mortal arseholes? You know, just because now I live in the human's world doesn't mean I'm weak enough to need food, don't you?" she complained, still pretending to be hurt.
"Cut the act, as if I haven't seen you stealing candy from babies before. Why did you eat it then?" She puffed. She got a point, but Adora wasn't going to give it to her so easily. "Why do we do anything? For the pleasure of it, of course."
They both share a smirk at the sound of the devil's anthem. But then Glimmer returned her attention to the dessert on her hand. "Eat it already then, take it as my lovely tribute considering the short notice. I know they used to be your favorites down there. Now for Hades’ sake, please tell me you're up so early in the morning because you just came from a wild night".
Wild nights, she thought, and a dark shadow covered her gaze as more memories reappeared on her turmoiled head, which didn't pass unnoticed to Glimmer. "Those again? It's been ages Adora, now it's time even you realize you have to get over them, screw those idiots. You're finally free… And your little spectacle from before was truly something, I'm impressed. Maybe you can finally consider my path of fun" she wondered as she laid down the hand that was previously touching her chin and extending it to her companion, who chose to ignore it causing annoyance on the first one.
"Why are we here anyways? You usually party at better places, as dark and trifling as this one, but at least the music is interesting, plus, the people are so easily manipulated." She shifted the weight on her legs as she crossed her arms around her chest, expectantly. Adora didn't need more indicators, she knew the vanal games wouldn't last forever anyway.
"Unless… you're planning other kinds of fun, alright, enough with the mystery number. Hit me." The previous smirk appeared right back on the younger one’s face, now wider and accompanied by a malicious laugh. "This, my dearest, will be the first place to witness the beginning of a new era," She announced while placing her arms towards the sky as she spinned on her feet causing glints of fire to show from beneath. "Picture this, you and me both know the souls that belong to Hell, right? Why do we only get the chance to torture them once they are death. Sure, punishing them for eternity is fun, but pits of lava and amputations can get anyone tired for a while, don't you think?"
Adora wasn't a fool, she knew what her friend meant by that, she has always known she was ambitious, but she doubted she had the guts to actually make the decision to act upon them. Regardless, she felt forced to ask. "What are you plotting this time?" The question the sparkly one has been waiting for since she arranged the meeting.
"I've talked to my closest torturers, demons, imps and beasts, you know how they all love me. We're planning on bringing Hell to Earth, to torment those souls in their daily life. I don't think they would mind, would they? They are damned either way, who says we can't have some fun while they have their trivial lifes, what do you think?"
That was a bold move, no one has ever tried it before, or risen up enough to even challenge the universal forces or go against the princes of Hell. Sure, there were evil beings walking around here and there, but nothing like a whole plan to dare the celestial rules and take action into our own hands. "Before you decide, take this into consideration, Adora: do you really want to keep wasting your days riding aimlessly? Does that really fulfill your needs? Does it pleasure you? Or do you know deep down you're meant for something bigger, greater? I think you want to take action into your own hands like me, together. What do you say?"
Her first instinct was to decline the offer, even though Glimmer was her best friend, or her only friend, actually, the plan was too risky, they'd be playing with forces against nature. But then again, they were both queerness of nature itself, two puzzle pieces that didn't fit in the heavenly board and were chucked out like they were waste, useless. Going against their functions, was in fact, their destiny. Plus, by having something as big as this project in her mind, she would be too occupied to even dare to think about a certain divine feline. By lifting the cherry with two fingers all the way to her mouth and eating it whole in a bite, she squeezed her hand and shook it, accepting her offer and her lead.
"Count me in."