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The squeaks and groans of the Fright Zone went on as Adora awoke; she was one of the few kids in her age group, and she was the youngest too. That meant no one to play with and no one to talk to.
She got up quickly and made her bed up, something everyone did. If they were to forget or sleep in, that would lead to punishment, something Adora was never subjected to, since Shadow Weaver gave her passes most of the time. Which she never understood, because why would she get to go unpunished for something another kid did?
Adora came to The Horde as a baby, Shadow Weaver luckily took her in, and instead of being put with the rest of the orphans, she was set to become a soldier. There was something called “princesses” that they had to fight, they were evil and that was not right. So, she made it her mission to get them. And she would do whatever it took.
As Shadow Weaver came into the barracks to inspect the tidiness of their bunks, Adora stood as still as possible, and as she came over to her own bunk, she held her breath, awaiting inspection.
“Good work, Adora.” Shadow Weaver said, and Adora held her face expressionless, not showing her excitement.
The threatening woman made her way back to the entrance, her hands folded in front of her. “I want you all to get dressed and come to the cafeteria in ten minutes. You do not want to be late.” She said, stressing her words loud and clear. The kids all nodded and stood still until she left, then relaxed when she did.
“Ah, she sucks.” A boy said next to her, then he turned to speak with his friend, the two of them leaving the room together, laughing at a joke Adora knew nothing about.
Adora sighed and looked around the room, which was now empty. She sat on her bed and fought back tears. It wasn’t fair, how did everyone get friends but her? Was it because she was a hard worker? Because she was the best even though she was the youngest?
The blonde hopped off the bunk and walked out of the door, heading towards the locker rooms. As she went, she saw soldiers walking on her way there, she gave them salutes.
That was what she was meant to do. Shadow Weaver said she was special—that she was meant for greatness, that she—
Adora stopped walking when she saw something, or was it someone? Who was walking, or rather, being dragged by... Shadow Weaver? Adora quickly hid behind some pipes, which was probably not the best hiding spot, but it was the only one she could find in the limited amount of time.
“You’re going straight to the orphanage. Even your family didn’t want you, you’re a mangy mutt. So disgusting, you even smell like… applesauce.” The woman groaned, holding onto the… Adora could see who it was better now. It was a girl! Like her! Adora squinted her eyes to see better, as she could tell, the girl had huge hair and a tail. Her hair covered her whole face!
Shadow Weaver led them down the hallway, and the girl was struggling, obviously making it harder for Shadow Weaver to get her down the hall. “Ugh! Stop making this harder! This is where you belong.” She said, her voice strained.
The girl hissed and ran away on all fours, ungripping herself from the woman’s sharp hold on her shirt. She got pretty far, making it all the way to where Adora was, then she stopped, loudly sniffing, her tail moving slowly.
Adora’s eyes widened as she got closer, close enough that they made eye contact, the girl finding her. The cat-like girl froze, propelling back in surprise, her fur standing on end. Adora didn’t know what to do, she wasn’t even supposed to be there.
But she had to do it, the girl was scared and Adora had to help her. She couldn’t remember coming to the Fright Zone, but she knew it had to be scary. So, she moved from the pipe, getting closer to the girl.
“It’s okay, I’m not gonna hurt you. See?” She said, holding her hands up, letting the other girl know she was safe. All she did was tilt her head, her ears rising. But it wasn’t for her—no, Shadow Weaver came back, getting ready to get the girl. Then she saw Adora and stopped.
“Adora, you are supposed to be in the cafeteria right now, what are you doing here?” She asked, staring intently at Adora.
All she could do was stare, not knowing how to answer. “I—”
“Did this mutt attack you?” She asked pointing down at the girl, and Adora immediately shook her head.
“No! She didn’t. She didn’t do anything.” She defended, watching the girl’s fur return to normal.
“Hmm,” Shadow Weaver hummed, tapping her finger tips together. “Well, go on. I’ll give you a pass this time.” She acknowledged, patting Adora’s head. Then, she held onto the girl’s shirt and began to drag her, taking them the other way.
“Wait! I mean, can you stop?” She said, making the woman stop, her eyebrow raised. She fumbled with her words, just letting them fall out of her mouth. “Can she stay? I mean, in my bunk?” Adora asked the woman.
And she got a stare, then she looked down to the girl, thinking it over. “If I say yes, I will not be responsible for it, you have to take care of it by yourself, I will not be doing anything, understood?” She said, each word making Adora happier.
“Yes! Uh, I mean, yes ma’am!” She said, nodding and dancing in place. The woman before her sighed, relinquishing her grip on the girl’s shirt, then wiped her hand on her dress, looking away from them both.
“Now go on, I don’t want it in my sight anymore.” She said, turning her back to them and walking away, and Adora took that as a sign to get closer to who she just became responsible for.
She got closer to the girl, her spectacular blue and yellow eyes staring into her own blue ones. As she stepped closer, the other girl didn’t move, not even her tail.
“Hi, I’m Adora, what’s your name?” She said, kneeling in front of the girl, since it was easier considering how she was still on all fours.
When she got no answer, she frowned, scratching her head. How was this going to work? She tried again, “what’s your name?” Instead of an answer, the girl’s ear flicked, a sign of… nothing. “Ugh! You’re supposed to be my friend, okay? How is that gonna happen if you can’t talk?” She said, a little hopeless. Then, she got an idea.
“Let’s get you washed up, you really do smell like applesauce.” She said, sniffing the air and smiling. Holding the girl’s hand slowly, she helped her up so that they could walk. So far so good, she was actually following Adora.
“Okay, you only scratched me,” she counted the visible scars on her body, “ten times on the way here. That’s good!”
Adora put her finger in her chin, observing Catra’s old clothes. “You can’t wear these, they’re barely on! Let’s see what I have for you, sit.” She said, pointing to the bench in the middle of the room. But the girl just stared, not doing anything.
“Sit. Sit down.” The blonde instructed, pointing harder to the bench, but all the other girl did was tilt her head, confused. Adora sighed, then she guided Catra over to the bench. She felt like barking a command out would be stupid, so she just decided to do it herself.
She sat down on the bench then spoke. “Sit. See?” She did it again, making sure the girl got it. Then, by some miracle she did it. And Adora rejoiced. “Oh! You did it! Ahhh!” She said, giggling. The cat girl observed her reaction and did it again, this time speaking.
“S’it,” she said, which was close enough. Adora hadn’t been talking that long either, so this was alright.
“You said it too! Wow! You’re so smart!” Adora said, smiling. This got the girl to try it too, a small smile making its way across her face.
“Sit.” She said, sitting down next to her, kicking her feet. The girl’s tail moved and watched Adora, focusing. Then, she did it again, “sit.” Perfect.
Adora moved to hug her, or at least what she thought a hug was like, she had never really had one before—just seen others do it.
“Hug.”
The girl copied her, hugging her back and repeating the word, “Hug.”
Changed and clean, the two girls headed to the cafeteria, Adora knew when she last ate, but she didn’t know how long it had been for her new friend.
“Hmm, there should be some left, let’s see.” Adora dragged her along, the two holding hands as they got in the serving line, Adora picking up two trays. She whispered to Catra, a smile on her face. “They only give out ration bars, but I think you’ll like them.” Then she added, “I like the grey ones.”
So, the two girls headed through the line and awaited their packaged meal. The girl waited patiently behind Adora, still silent and observant. There were still some left, thankfully, so Adora got two packs for them, she also got some water for them too.
“Now, let’s sit so we can eat, then we can teach you more words!” Adora said, leading them over to a table, deserted and empty. Perfect.
She sat on the uncomfortable plastic seat that the Fright Zone had to offer, and waited for the cat girl to follow suit, she did and smiled as she did. “Sit,” she said, remembering the impromptu lesson from earlier. Adora nodded, then smiled at her proudly.
“Okay, we have the brown and the grey kind. But since you’re my new friend, you can have the grey today. We don’t eat again until dinner, so you have to eat all of it.” Adora said. While the other girl looked like she was listening, Adora knew none of it was getting to her.
The blonde opened the packs of food, inwardly groaning at her choice to eat the brown kind. But as she held the food out to her friend, the feeling went away; she immediately scarfed it down, shocking Adora to the core. Her sharp nails and pointy teeth weren’t just for show after all.
“Hmm, you kind of look like a cat.” Adora said, giggling at the words, the girl stopped eating, instead staring at Adora inquisitively. The blonde shrugged her shoulders, “I mean, you have those ears, and a tail, and those teeth! You look just like a cat!” She said, pointing to all of her features.
The girl looked confused, observing her body like she had never seen it before.
Then, an idea struck Adora. It might have been the best idea she had ever come up with.
“Catra…” she said, her eyes wide. That was it! That’s her name. “Because I’m Adora and you look like a cat, so… Cat-ra! I mashed my name and cat together.” She explained, and the girl fell into more bewilderment.
Adora sighed, she put her hand out, slowly, and touched Catra’s chest. “Catra,” then she touched her own chest, “Adora.” She explained it a few more times, Catra joining in, touching her own chest and Adora’s.
“ ‘Dora… Catra.” She said, quietly, her tail swishing behind her. Adora nodded, excited. “Yes! But it’s Adora,” She giggled, not caring. Her best friend said her name!
“Oh, Catra. We’re going to be best friends forever.” She said, pulling the girl into another hug, squeezing her tight. Catra responded with, “friend, hug.” Which was a lot, and it made Adora never want to let her go.
Ever since then, they had been inseparable, Adora teaching her new friend words everyday. She also taught her basic things, like how to read and write. Well, Adora was still a beginner in those sorts of things, but in the span of a few years, Catra was right on track, maybe even on the same level as Adora.
“Hey, Catra. What are you doing?” She asked, knowing where the girl was despite her thinking that her hiding spots were the best.
“Ugh, how did you know?” Catra groaned, hopping down from a structure and landing soundly, a smile on her face. Adora shrugged, “I’m just great like that,” she said, dripping confidence. Catra rolled her eyes and walked ahead, down the hallway, Adora following.
“We have to get to class soon, there’s a test today.” Adora said, catching up to Catra, but the girl just laughed. “I’m not going to that, they’re just going to make fun of me.” She said, her voice losing its spunk.
Adora stopped walking, concerned. “Really? Since when?” Catra looked over her shoulder,but continued walking. “Whatever, just forget I told you about it.” She said, dismissing her. But Adora wasn’t going to let it go.
“Hey, come back! What happened!” Adora said, chasing after the now running girl. “No! Leave me alone!” She said, now at a full sprint, Adora chasing her down the hallway. She was going the wrong way, they were going to be late, and Shadow Weaver would not like it at all.
“Catra come back, please!” She pleaded, not able to keep up with the girl, who was going further than Adora could see.
She came to a halt, giving up on the chase. Catra would find her when she was ready to see her again. Hopefully, before she was noticeably gone.
So, Adora headed to class, glum and tired. Without Catra, it was bound to be boring and uneventful. The cat girl always made it fun, they made jokes and sat next to each other, but supposedly something had been going on, unbeknownst to Adora.
When she got inside the class, the other kids were working. Her newest friend, Lonnie, looked up and smiled at her and Adora smiled back then went up to the front of the class, waiting to be addressed by commander Cobalt. He was prickly—in nature and physical appearance, but Adora was good at being charming, she could work her way out of being late.
She stood still in front of his desk and saluted, he eyed her, looking up and down, then relieved her. “Where’s Catra?” He asked, raising an eyebrow. Adora’s eyes widened slightly, then she recovered it just as quickly.
“She’ll be here, sir.” She said, hoping it was true. The test was important, it made sure they were promoted to the training stage, the next phase in their journey to becoming cadets—maybe even force captains! It was important.
He nodded curtly and handed a test to Adora, she took it gratefully and headed to a seat, sitting next to Lonnie. And of course Adora had studied, she probably knew it front to back. As she got to work, filing in the multiple choice and free response, her brain wouldn’t stop thinking about Catra. About how she was upset and Adora could do nothing to help.
When she flipped to the back, she was surprised to see it blank. Huh, she finished? Adora looked around the class, it was filled with kids leagues older than her, maybe 11 or 12. Why were they so slow at it? As she raised her hand to alert the commander, an idea popped in her head.
“I’m done with my test,” she said, hearing a collective groan at her words. The commander sighed and waved her over, pointing to a spot on the table.
Adora smiled and looked over to Lonnie, who was tapping her pencil on her chin, uncertain of her answers. When Adora came up to the desk, she put down her paper and asked her commander a question.
“Can I use the restroom?” She asked, trying to seem like it was urgent. He rolled his eyes and pointed out, towards the door. “Go, and make sure you don’t take too long.”
“Thank you, commander sir!” she said, straight faced. She couldn’t afford herself the victory yet. When she got outside the class, that’s when she did a little victory dance. Then, she set off with her plan.
The truth was that she wasn’t going to the bathroom, she was going to find Catra. It had been too long and it was time for Adora to go to her.
As she walked the halls of the Fright Zone, hearing grunts and gurgles of the pipes and machinery, she thought about where Catra really was. Was she gone? Did Shadow Weaver find her? Was she moved to the orphanage? It was really concerning.
“Adora!” She heard, seeing her best friend running to her, a stressed look on her face. She seemed to be holding her hand out and her nose was twitching, but not in the cute way, in the “ouch-I-just-got-punched” kind of way.
“I was walking the halls, as one does, and Octavia punched me in the face! It was crazy, she must’ve had it out for me.” Catra said while walking up to Adora. Adora highly doubted that. Why would Octavia mess with Catra in the first place?
She held onto Catra’s arm as she came got closer, supporting her through her meltdown. “Does it look broken to you?” Catra asked, sniffling, her blue and yellow eyes teary. Catra was referring to her nose, which seemed fine, maybe it was a little bruised, but nothing too bad.
“It’s not broken. You’re fine.” She reassured her, holding onto her wrist as she moved her head around and squeezed her eyes shut. Adora was annoyed now, nothing was wrong with her, and she did this after running away from her?
Then, the girl in front of her screamed and got out of her grip. “Ah! I’m bleeding!” She said, shaking her hands in a panic. But Adora held through, grasping her wrist again.
“You’re not bleeding. And why would you try to pick a fight with Octavia anyway?” She knew that had to be the reason. Why else?
But Catra didn’t admit to it. Of course she didn’t. When was it in her nature to admit to anything?
“I didn’t do anything. All I did was exist near her.”
Sure.
“And scratch her on the eyeball.” Huh?, Adora thought.
“And call her a dumb face.” Wow, how original. Catra really was something.
“Uh, Catra—” she groaned, putting her hands on her hips.
“—what? She has a dumb face.” Catra retorted, crossing her arms and looking over to the side, defensively. Adora had to admit it, the cephalopodic woman did have a dumb face.
But, despite it being ridiculous, Adora still walked with Catra back to where Octavia was. She was in a back corner somewhere, her leg leaned against the sickly green wall and she had an eye patch over her eye. Adora wasn’t scared of anything, so she held on the railing in front of her and yelled, “Hey, Octavia! You’re a dumb face!”
The squid-like woman erupted in rage, a growl gurgling from her mouth, then chased them both. Catra, being as quick witted as she was, found a spot for them to hide, and the two of them hid until Octavia got tired and gave up on them.
In the dark, Adora relied on Catra to get them out from wherever they were. Maybe it was like a closet or a tight nook? She couldn’t tell. Stupid regular eyes.
“She’s gone.” Catra said, chuckling behind her palm at the ridiculous situation they were in. Adora did too, her cheeks starting to hurt from laughter.
Then, it was silent. Slight breaths could be heard, but that was it. Adora didn’t know what to say and she was still a little confused from earlier, so she decided to ask.
“Catra, why did you run away today?” She asked, talking to the air because she still couldn’t see Catra. The other girl sighed, “Adora, I don’t want to talk about it, okay? I’m fine now. We can head to class or whatever.” She said, avoiding the topic completely.
If she wanted to go to class, it must’ve been bad, really bad.
“Please, Catra. You know I’m only here to help you.” She admitted, hearing shuffling in front of her.
“Ugh. You have to promise not to go telling everyone about it, okay?” Catra said, her voice almost a whisper.
“I promise.”
Catra inhaled and let out a long breath, her voice moving in the small space. Or was it big? She didn’t know.
“It’s not really anyone specific. It’s not Lonnie, if that’s what you were thinking. It’s just— they don’t like me. I was not even supposed to be a recruit in the first place. I was supposed to be thrown away—tossed with the other orphans.” She said, her voice full of emotion.
She continued, Adora not interrupting her words. “So, it feels like they’re- like they’re judging me- I. They burnt my tail the other day and—wait a minute. Why am I telling you this? Let’s just go… you wouldn’t understand.” Catra said, turning away and opening a door, pressing on the touch pad to open it. Adora furrowed her brows and grabbed Catra’s wrist.
“Yes I do, Catra. I know what you’re going through, but when I went through it. It was alone, you have me.” She said, trying to comfort the girl. And Catra huffed, looking down at her hand on her wrist.
“Can we not talk about this anymore? I’m over it.” Catra said, after not speaking for a while. And Adora had to accept it, whether she liked it or not.
“Sure…let’s see if they’re still in the class.”
“So, how did you think your first training went?” Adora asked, excited at the experience she just had. This meant that they were a step closer to being force captains and running things.
Catra shrugged and took her breast plate off, then hung it on the rack where they went. She faces Adora and looks her up and down. “It wasn’t a big deal, but you seemed to enjoy it.” She said, a cocky grin on her face. Adora did the same, hanging the breastplate up and removing the rest of the training gear. She scoffed and tightened her ponytail.
“Sure, you say it wasn’t a big deal, but saw you fighting those princesses pretty hard.” Adora said, watching Catra’s face screw up as she was caught in a lie.
“No I was not! That was all you!” Catra defended, tackling Adora to the nasty, downright disgusting locker room floor, both girls giggling ridiculously as they wrestled. They did have a few spectators, Lonnie and the two newest cadets, Kyle and Rogelio. Kyle was a little blonde boy with a face full of cystic acne and Rogelio was… a tall lizard boy, who spoke amicably even though no one could understand him. Maybe Adora was the only one who couldn’t understand him.
Anyways, Catra and Adora continued to wrestle over completely nothing and their audience just laughed, side eyeing the two.
Lonnie fixed her locs in the mirror of her locker and addressed the two of them, clearing her throat. “Ahem, we already did all the fighting out there, but if you two want to keep play fighting, I’ll be happy to tell Shadow Weaver that you don’t take this seriously.” She said, smirking teasingly.
Catra stilled on top of Adora, the light and cheery expression on her face changing quickly to one of disgust. The cat girl got off of Adora and approached Lonnie, a scowl on her face and a hand in her hip.
“Hey! What’s your problem with me? You’ve been like this for years and you never wanted to tell me face to face.” Catra said, holding her arms up in question.
The other girl smirked. Then a squeaky voice made it through, “Uh, Lonnie, I don’t think you should—”
“—Shut it Kyle, this has been brewing for a while, and I want to see if Catra can dish what she says.” Lonnie said to Kyle, who quickly moved behind the girl and to Rogelio, hiding behind him.
“My problem is that you aren’t letting Adora breathe. You’re constantly with each other, and you let her pick your battles for you. I bet you both use the bathroom together too. You guys already cuddle each other. I bet the only reason you made it this far is because of her.” Lonnie said, getting closer and closer to Catra, emerald green eyes blazing with years of pent up anger.
“Ugh! Shut up!” Catra said, leaping on Lonnie and wrestling her. Not the fun way she and Adora did, but a full on brawl. Adora came in between them and broke them apart, pure anger written over her face.
“Stop it guys! We’re friends. And friends don’t do this, okay?” She said, looking to both of the girls who were grumbling on the floor. Catra rolled her eyes, “whatever,” she scoffed, refusing Adora’s hand when she put it out.
Adora frowned when she saw that yet again, Catra was leaving. She left the locker room fast, only the flick of her tail evidence of her being there in the first place. Lonnie kissed her teeth after receiving help from Rogelio, the boy helping her up with a hand.
“Catra is so bad news. Adora, I don’t even know why you think we can all be friends? She hated me when I first came to the Fright Zone, and she still does.” Lonnie said, crossing her arms. Adora bit her lip, and watched the door, ignoring Lonnie. Catra had to come back.
“—you might as well give up on her, it’s not like she’s gonna change—“
“Lonnie, I’m not giving up on anyone, okay? I won’t leave anyone behind. We made a promise, and I’m sticking to that, so I’m going to go find her.” She said resolutely, turning on her heel and spread walking out of the room.