Chapter Text
She-Ra’s ship, named Darla by Dryl’s Princess Entrapa, is hovering over a desolate planet. Inside Darla, the Best Friend Squad is trying to make a decision on where they should go next. They have been to dozens of planets in the past two months, stopping occasionally on Etheria to check in. Horde Prime was defeated almost six months ago, now. There is still a lot to do on Etheria. There is a lot to do everywhere.
“Look, we have done learned a lot about other planet near us. We even managed to bring some magic back to a few places. All I am saying is we take a break and focus on Etheria for awhile,” Catra says in exasperation, “We do not need to help everyone.”
“We know, Catra,” Adora sighs, resting her head on the table. “It is hard knowing that there are so many planets that Horde Prime destroyed. We were safe from Prime for so long because Mara pulled us into Despondos. I feel like I - we - have to do this.”
“Catra is right, Adora,” Glimmer says sadly, “We are running out of resources. We can’t just keep running around the galaxy trying to help everyone else. We need to be home for awhile.”
“What if we didn’t have to do it by ourselves?” Entrapa interrupts excitedly.
“What do you mean, Entrapta?” Glimmer sighs.
“I have been releasing space bots every time we have gone into space. They are all over the galaxy at this point, searching for other planets with life! Maybe we can find a place that Horde Prime didn’t reach!”
“Huh, that could be possible.” Bow says carefully, looking over at Adora, “At least we wouldn’t go from empty planet to empty planet. Entrapta’s bots could find out what is going on for us.”
“Fine, I guess that works for now,” Adora sighs in defeat.
“Great! Should I set course for Etheria then?”
“Yes! Let’s go home!” Glimmer cheers.
“Hang on. We should wait for Adora to decide.” Bow says as Adora gets up and walks out of the kitchen, her emotions pulling her in every direction. It doesn’t feel right to just go give up and leave. There are so many planets, so many people to try and help. To try and restore magic and life back to them. It doesn’t feel right to be going back home, where magic is overflowing and the people are happy, free.
“Hey Adora,” Catra says softly behind Adora, wrapping her arms around her. Adora sighs and leans back into Catra’s embrace.
“Hi.”
“I know you don’t want to give up. We aren’t giving up. Remember, we need to look out for ourselves, too, if we want to help others.” Adora nods, leaning more into Catra’s embrace. Catra knows when to stop talking and to just let Adora relax. Adora leans her head onto Catra’s shoulder and looks right at Catra, smiling.
“You just want me all to yourself, don’t you?” Adora teases.
“Maybe I do,” Catra shoots back, “And so do the rest of our friends. It is time to take a break, Adora.”
“I know it is. I just. It goes against everything else inside of me.”
“But?”
“But it is time. It is time to go home. I want a break. I want to be at home with you.” Adora turns around, presses her head to Catra’s head and leans in for a kiss.
“So, what’s the verdict? Are we finally going home?” Bow’s voice booms over the intercom. Adora and Catra stay connected, used to these interruptions by now.
“We are going home,” Adora responds and kisses Catra.
***
They land without much fanfare. Entrapta sent a message to the rest of the Princess Alliance that they were coming home. The princesses planned to meet for brunch the following morning to discuss the Best Friend Squad’s latest mission in space and how the recovery effort in Etheria was going. Catra has already packed up her and Adora’s bags. She drags Adora off the ship with their bags in tow.
“See you tomorrow, Sparkles, Arrow Bow and Geek Princess,” Catra calls back to their friends, laughing. Adora does not respond. She still is not sure if she made the right decision. She feels like she needs to be everywhere at once. Catra squeezes Adora’s hand, smiling softly at Adora. She knows what Adora is thinking. Adora needs to relax, to be with the ones she loves, to be home.
They are outside their room. They haven’t been back home in over two months. The last time they were on Etheria, they went straight to Scorpia’s new kingdom to help with relief efforts. As fancy and elaborate the Bright Moon palace is, it has become home. It is the place where Adora and Catra can close the door and just be. Be together. Be alone. Be themselves, without any worries or fears. Adora sighs in relief, twists the handle open and leads Catra into their room.
“Welcome home, princess,” Catra says softly.
“Aw, my own welcoming committee. I love it,” Adora giggles, pulling Catra close and kissing her. They remain together, kissing and holding each other. They also have not had a real moment alone together, besides passionate and way too short kisses in over a month. Glimmer and Bow and Entrapa would always have something to discuss, some new planet that they thought was discovered. Some new people to try and help. Now, they were finally alone.
“I’ve missed this,” Catra sighs as she leads Adora to their bed.
“Me too,” Adora agrees, “But. Please don’t hate me. I am so tired.”
“Oh, me too. I meant that I missed our bed,” Catra laughs lightly, “What did you think I meant?”
“Nothing!” Adora says too quickly, blushing.
“There is plenty of time for that, my love. For now, let’s go to bed.” Adora and Catra strip down to the undershirts and shorts, fling the covers off the bed and meet in the middle, holding each other tightly. Catra is rubbing Adora’s shoulders, purring. Adora is out within minutes, Catra not too far behind her.
The next morning, Catra and Adora make quick work of waking up, but not before taking some time together, kissing and relaxing in the warm sunshine and magic sparkling all around them. All too soon, it is time for them to get up to meet with the Princess Alliance.
“Do we have to go?” Adora whines.
“Yes, we need to report in on what we learned, and also learn what is happening on Etheria. Also, the princesses just love She-Ra.”
“Ha-ha. You do, too.”
“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t.”
“You don’t seem to mind her when we are alone.”
“CATRA! ADORA!” Scorpia yells at them from the other end of the hall. Catra rolls her eyes, smiling.
“Scorpia! How are you?!” Adora yells back happily.
“Wait right there! I need to get Perfuma!”
“Nothing has changed, has it?” Catra says, taking comfort in being home with her friends, with Adora by her side.
***
“We found some planets that had life, but they are struggling so much. Horde Prime has destroyed so much of their lives, their homes, and their families. They tried to rise up against Horde Prime, only to have even more of their life ruined. It was – it was sickening,” Adora says to the Princess Alliance, “There was not much we could do. She-Ra was able to help in some places, but not all of them. A lot of these places need the basic necessities, shelter, food, and clothes. We were not prepared for that. Restoring magic to the universe is a nice idea, but it isn’t enough yet. That was hard to realize.”
“Also, we are still trying to figure out just how big the universe is,” Entrapta states seriously “I have been sending out my space bots all over. They are taking pictures and sending them back to my lab in Dryl. Hordak and Wrongdak have been collecting them ever since we left two months ago. The bots will help us figure out what else is out there.”
“Not just what else is out there,” Bow continues, “But also if there is possibly another planet that was not completely invaded by Horde Prime. Maybe, maybe there is another planet out there that could help, that would help.”
“That is a really big if,” Mermista sighs dramatically.
“It is better than us wasting all of our time and resources looking for the planet,” Catra responds quickly, “At least the bots can do the heavy lifting for us and we can be back here, where it matters.” Adora sighs quietly, knowing that Catra is right. They need to be home.
“We are home now,” Glimmer says with finality, “What is happening on Etheria?”
“The Fright Zone is thriving,” Scorpia says joyously, “We are a safe haven for all former Horde soldiers and clones! Lonnie, Kyle and Rogelio have really been helping make people feel at home. Wrongdak comes down from Dryl once a week to help his former clone brothers out. We do need some help with more home and business construction, though.”
“My people in Plumeria are helping out in the Fright Zone as much as we can. We have even taken in our own refugees! Our drum and meditation circles grow in numbers every day!” Perfuma responds happily. She looks over at Mermista and remembers what else she needs to say, “We do also need help with construction of new homes. There are so many people now. People have come out of hiding from, well, everywhere!”
“The same has happened in Salineas,” Mermista chimes in, “My people feel safe now but our infrastructure fell apart when everyone fled. My people are trying their best, but we could use some help.”
“The Kingdom of Snows will need some structural support, not much, but some. There are advantages to be covered in ice. We are also helping where we can,” Frosta smiles at everyone.
“What about Dryl?” Entrapta asks.
“Hordak and Wrongdak have been managing it well,” Micah starts, “It will help for you to return, though. Your citizens are eager for their princess to be back home. They have missed you.” Entrapta’s eyes fill with tears.
“Great! I cannot wait to return...return home!”
“Mystacor is helping where we can,” Casta adds, “However we were also hit hard when Horde Prime invaded. Still to this day, the best place for us all to gather is here, in Bright Moon. Prime seemed to have made this a place for his clones to rest. It is rather odd.”
“Regardless of what Prime did, at least we have a home base,” Micah states. “We need to come up with a plan on where to send She-Ra, Catra, Bow and Glimmer to help rebuild Etheria.”
“I should stay close to Bright Moon to rule,” Glimmer responds, “It makes sense for me to be close so I can help in Plumeria.”
“You need someone with you,” Perfuma says, “I spend my days between Plumeria and the Fright Zone.”
“Bow will be with me, right Bow?” Glimmer asks and Bow nods happily.
“Catra and I can fly on Swift Wind wherever we are needed the most,” Adora chimes in, “The only thing I ask is to be able to return home to Bright Moon most nights.”
“With Swift Wind taking you where you need to go, I think this can be managed,” Micah smiles at Adora and Catra, “Being home is important, I know.”
“Alright! We have a plan!” Bow cheers, “Let’s get to work! As soon as we finish brunch!”
***
And work they did. Glimmer and Bow provided the relief that Plumeria needed. They helped build new homes, with the occasional help from She-Ra and Catra. Adora and Catra went from Mystacor to the Crimson Waste to the Kingdom of Snows to Salineas, helping and bonding with the other princesses and Etherians everywhere. They do make it home most nights, along with Glimmer and Bow.
Entrapta returns to Dryl where she works a bit more to connect with her people. She makes the castle easier to navigate by painting arrows and signs on where places are in the castle. Hordak and Wrongdak help Entrapta navigate the endless pictures from her space bots, capturing images of wrecked planets, of lost and confused people across the galaxy. There are so many images to sort through everyday. There are days where it feels hopeless, that they will never find another place that is untouched by Horde Prime. It goes on like this for at least three months, until one day...
“Why. Why does this planet look so green?” Wrongdak asks in awe.
“What are you saying, Wrongdak?” Entrapta inquires, leaning over one of her bots, not really paying attention.
“This image, this planet, it is as green as Etheria. What does that mean?”
“What? A green planet?!” Hordak asks loudly.
“Yes, brother! A green planet!” Hordak walks over to Wrondak’s computer and studies the image on the screen. Sure enough, it is green, green as far as the eye can see. There is life here.
“Entrapta, you need to see this.”
“I can’t! I need to recalibrate this bot before space travel! I want to launc—hey! Careful!” Hordak is pulling Entrapta away from her bot to the Wrongdak’s screen.
“What. What is this?!” Entrapta squeals.
“It is what we have been waiting for,” Hordak replies, actually smiling.
***
“So, wait, Entrapta called the Princess Alliance meeting,” Catra says in disbelief, “Entrapta.”
“Yes, that is all I know.” Adora replies as she pulls her hair back into her ponytail.
“You should leave it down. It looks way hotter down,” Catra states, smirking over at her girlfriend. Adora blushes and continues to pull her hair back.
“Why do you taunt me?!”
“Because only you get to see me with my hair down,” Adora smiles at Catra and winks.
“I see how it is. It is on.”
“Oh, yeah, sure it is.” Adora teases. Catra stalks over to Adora, grabbing Adora at her hips, leaning in for the kiss when a pop begins to echo in the air.
“What are you guys doing? You are going to be late for Entrapta’s first ever hosted Princess Alliance meeting!” Glimmer says bossily, not even fazed by Adora and Catra.
“We are coming!” Adora practically shouts as Catra giggles.
“Hurry up! Everyone is waiting for you two!” Glimmer vanishes in a poof of sparkles. Catra rolls her eyes and pulls Adora out the door to the war room where everyone is waiting.
“There you are! Now we can get started!” Entrapta exclaims, “Take a seat! We have much to discuss!”
“What is all of this about Entrapta?” Glimmer asks. Entrapta powers up the war room table and an image hovers over the table, displaying a green, vibrant planet.
“We found a living planet!! It appears to be completely untouched by Horde Prime!! It is alive and green and beautiful!! I have had my bot closest to the planet fall in line with the planet’s orbit around the sun. Even better, too, cause this planet is in our galaxy!! It is on the other side of the sun, not too far from here! We could make it there in no time at all and see if the people living there are friendly or not! There are clear signs of life on the planet. Maybe these people could help us help the rest of the universe! Maybe they overcame Prime at one point or maybe they were ignored by Prime for some reason! There are many theories to explore with this new planet!!”
“Whoa, Entrapta, slow down,” Catra begins, “We don’t know anything about this planet. If it is inhabited, the people there may not even be friendly.”
“There is no way to find out until we go to the planet! Isn’t this what we were looking for? Didn’t we want to find a planet that wasn’t destroyed by Horde Prime? I am confused.” Entrapta stares around the table at the other princesses. No one speaks for a long moment, unsure what to say.
“Entrapta, the recovery is going really well. Also, we got back from our last mission three months ago. We didn’t think that your bots would find any other living planet, let alone one so soon.” Adora finally says.
“But, but this is what we wanted. We wanted to find another planet, new people to help?” Entrapa stammers as she starts to tear up.
“Why do we have to leave Etheria? Why can’t we just stay here? We don’t know anything about this new planet. What if the only reason they survived Horde Prime is because they are just as terrible as he was?” Catra declares.
“I don’t think that is the case. This planet is teeming with energy and life. If they were as bad as Horde Prime, the plant would have been destroyed and we wouldn’t even be having this conversation!” Entrapta insists.
“This is truly amazing, Entrapta,” Bow responds, “I think we need to come up with a plan for going and exploring this new planet. This is what we agreed we would do.”
“Whoa, wait,” Adora says quickly, “That was just a passing idea. So much of what we have seen is not all that good. Catra is right, we don’t know anything about this new planet. Who knows what we would be going into?”
“It would be a diplomatic, exploration based mission, just like all of our other missions in space were. That is why we all go together,” Glimmer replies, gesturing to her self, Bow, Catra and Adora.
“We clearly are not deciding this now,” Catra growls in frustration.
“Why not? We should decide this now,” Bow responds, “The Kingdom of Snows and Salineas have been rebuilt and the Fright Zone is really beginning to thrive. Now is the time to decide what the Princess Alliance will do next. We have learned more about Etheria’s magic everyday. Now is an ideal time to go back out into the universe, see what else is out there and if anyone else could help.”
“I agree with Bow,” Perfuma says happily, “If there is another planet out there that is friendly and could help, then we should pursue it.”
“Of course you agree. You think everything is sunshine and rainbows,” Catra mutters. Only Adora hears what Catra says and smirks slightly in agreement.
“That is two votes to continue Etheria’s diplomatic and exploratory space mission. Who else agrees?” Glimmer asks the rest of the Princess Alliance. Everyone raises their hand, everyone except for Adora and Catra. Glimmer studies them carefully, thinking carefully.
“Entrapta, do you have anything else for the alliance?” Glimmer inquires. Entrapta shakes her head, “I hereby adjourn the meeting. As is custom, everyone is invited to stay for dinner.” Glimmer stands up quickly and leading Bow out of the war room. Everyone else is talking excitedly about space and the new planet. Adora and Catra stay in their seats, waiting for everyone else to leave. Scorpia and Perfuma are the last to leave. Scorpia looks over at Catra who is refusing to make eye contact.
“We’ll see you guys at dinner right?” Perfuma asks softly.
“Maybe,” Adora says quickly, also not looking at the pair.
“Perfuma, we should go.” Scorpia says, tugging on Perfuma gently. They leave and the door closes with a thud. Catra’s resolves breaks the second the door closes. She is crying, feeling her heart spilt open in front of her.
“Catra,” Adora pulls Catra’s chair away from the table, leans down and pulls Catra into a tight hug, “Catra, it’s ok. I’m here.” Catra continues to cry, unable to speak for several minutes. Once Catra calms down, she and Adora are sitting on the floor, holding each other tightly.
“Catra, what is going on?”
“I don’t know. Our initial mission in space was fun. It was fun to get away for a little bit from the chaos of rebuilding on Etheria. But when we came back. Adora, we got into a routine. We would go all over Etheria, working in the other kingdoms, and then we would come back here, to Bright Moon, together. I knew what to expect everyday. It is so...so...”
“Peaceful?” Adora says gently.
“Yeah. It is so peaceful here. Space. Space is terrifying. A new planet is terrifying. What if something happens to you because we just had to go explore?”
“Oh, Catra. I completely understand. We grew up under a military regime, were separated for three years and have finally made our way back to each other. The war that defined our lives is over. We should just be able to be together.”
“But?”
“How do you know there is a but?”
“There is always a but with you.”
“Catra,” Adora sighs deeply and continues, “The First Ones, my ancestors, tried to conquer and weaponize planets. Horde Prime controlled and destroyed even more planets. We have an opportunity to try and help these other planets recover, to rebuild, and to restore magic to the universe. If this new planet could even be somewhat helpful, then it is worth going out there to investigate.”
“There’s the but.” Catra pulls away from Adora and buries her head in her hands.
“I’m not done, Catra,” Adora comes closer to Catra, removing her hands from her head and looking at her lovingly, “Oh Catra. I remembered what you kept saying to me. ‘Why does it always have to be you?’ It isn’t just me anymore. I am never going anywhere alone again. I want you to always come with me. You watch out for me and I watch out for you.”
Catra’s heart skips a beat, her breath catches in her throat as more tears start to fall. She knows the next words. Adora is smiling that damn smile at Catra, waiting for Catra to say it.
“You promise?” Catra replies, crying even more now.
“I promise.” Adora gently wipes the tears from Catra’s eyes. Adora kisses Catra, bringing them closer. Catra always feels so light and giddy whenever Adora kisses her, but especially right now, as the kiss deepens. They break the kiss, feeling light headed. Adora giggles, lifting Catra onto her lap as Catra begins to purr.
“Is there anything else about our impending space mission that is freaking you out?”
“No, no that’s abo --,” Catra stops as she suddenly remembers what she had been working on in secret, with help from the rest of the Alliance, for the past three months. Oh, yeah, that is part of why she was upset about leaving Etheria so soon.
“What is it?” Adora asks curiously.
“Come with me.” Catra gets out of Adora’s lap and pulls them both to their feet. Catra leads them out of the war room, down the long halls, and out of the palace. Adora looks at Catra quizzically. It isn’t like Catra to be secretive with her, not anymore. Adora is trying to remain calm, but she doesn’t know what is going on and it confuses Adora. Usually she can figure out what Catra is thinking, what Catra wants. Everything is confusing right now, why they are out of the castle, why Catra got upset. Adora is so deep in thought that she does not realize that Catra has led them into the Whispering Woods, to a clearing with a small, white and yellow house.
Catra looks over at Adora who is still lost in thought, still unaware of where they are.
“Hey Adora,” Catra says quietly. Adora looks over at Catra, smiles and then looks around.
“Catra? Why are we in the Whispering Woods?”
“Adora, welcome home.”
“Wh-what is this?”
“This is our new home. What – what do you think?”
“Catra,” Adora breathes in disbelief, “Catra, this, this is amazing!! When? How?”
“Pretty much everyone in the Alliance has been helping me with this. The wood is all recycled from the forest. Perfuma made sure of that. Entrapta helped make sure it was wired with all the right tech. Mermista and Frosta made the water features out back. Sparkles did the interior design and Bow made the storage for our weapons. Oh, and of course Swift Wind insisted on an open stable so he can come and go as he pleases. “
“Everyone did this?”
“Even me. I designed it, with help from Entrapta and Perfuma. Do – do you like it?”
“I love it. Catra, this is amazing. I love it so much. I love you so much.” Adora kisses Catra passionately.
“Wait,” Adora stops suddenly, “This is our home, right?”
“Oh, Adora, you are such an idiot.” Catra teases, pulling Adora back in for another kiss.
“Ok, how’s this for a plan?” Adora pulls away once more. Catra sighs, waiting for Adora to finish talking.
Adora laughs and continues, “We wait a month. Give Entrapta’s bot more time to learn more about the planet. Give us time to be here, in our new home, together. Would that work for you?” Catra nods, smiling widely. She takes Adora’s hand and leads them into their new home.
***
The month flies by all too quickly. In almost no time, Adora, Catra, Glimmer and Bow are finishing packing up Darla. They are leaving soon, waiting for the final go-ahead from Entrapta. Glimmer is hugging her dad goodbye. The rest of the Princess Alliance is also there to say goodbye.
“Ok, Darla is all ready to go!!” Entrapta exclaims.
“Alright, I have my tracker pad set to keep track of Etherian time. Entrapta thinks it will take us five days to get to this new planet. We won’t be on the new planet for longer than two weeks of Etherian time.” Bow says to the princesses.
“That is great! That will give you plenty of time to determine if the people are friendly! And if there is magic there!” Perfuma replies.
“Yeah, go have fun on your space mission and figure out how to help the rest of the universe. We got it handled here.” Mermista says dryly and smiles quickly at the departing group. There is a flurry of hugs, kisses, and see-you-later’s. Then, just like that, the Best Friends Squad is preparing for takeoff.
“I wonder what is going to happen. Who we might meet?” Adora asks so softly that only Catra hears her. Catra smiles and takes Adora’s hand.
“Who knows, but we are doing it together.”