Chapter 16: From the Flowers to the Seas
--- One Day Later, Plumeria ---
It really has been one day since Adora joined the rebellion and in that short amount of time, barely anybody trusted her besides the squad. Which, to say the least, didn't exactly make her feel the most welcome but that was to be expected.
It also didn't help that she bumped into the queen last night trying to find Glimmer after 'killing' her bed, who was very to the point with her about not trusting her but trusted Glimmer's choice to bring her abord because she cared for her daughter and her word far more.
And that was before Adora was introduced to her new room. With a bed that she was pretty sure almost consumed her in its fluffy-ness. Then after the queen talk, Adora couldn't get any sleep as she was so used to sleeping with her fellow cadets in the barracks.
And sharing a bed with Cat- Nevermind…
So, she snuck into Glimmer's room and climbed into her bed (Which was hanging from the ceiling?) and slept. Unbeknownst to the princess, who woke up with quite the surprise at her bedside. After a thorough explanation and apology from Adora, the two headed to the war room for the weekly meeting.
In said meeting, members of the rebellion convened and discussed the next matters of action to be taken. The general had brought to everyone's attention on current matters concerning the nature kingdom Plumeria and it's request for Brightmoon aid. As it bordered on the frontlines of Horde occupied territory.
Angella was just going to send supplies and medical need, but Glimmer wanted to lead the mission. She also added on how they could convince Perfuma, the princess there, to join the rebellion and rebuild the princess alliance.
The queen refused this at first. Her reasoning being that the last princess alliance failed miserably and were now more focused on defending their own lands and people. Glimmer really pushed for her chance to try.
Adora volunteered to go with them to Plumeria on this mission. She wanted to prove herself completely that the Brightmoon could trust her and not just She-Ra. Unable to deter them for long, the queen sent the four out.
On the terms that this was only a supply mission. Give aid to the people and absolutely no engaging the Horde.
Now here they were. Adora, as She-Ra, telling the satyr and other populace of Plumeria that they had arrived with supplies. Glimmer was urging her to go on with her statement. "Uh, um, *Ahem* And we are here to help you in your time of need. Uh, everything you need is in the cart behind us… yeah…" The people watched on, hopeful and happy that She-Ra was before them.
"Ok, if I knew Adora was this bad with giving statements, I would have just done it…" Glimmer couldn't believe her ears. It was so forced and Adora was barely keeping a consistent sentence together. You would think with being She-Ra it would also give a bit of a speech boost or something.
"You have to admit, she's really trying." Bow mentioned, holding a child up that ran into him. Arms and legs waving with glee. "Yeah, your right. What do you think, 'zuku. Izuku?" Glimmer looked around the forming crowed to see Izuku, pen and notebook in hand, asking the residents questions about… pretty much anything if she had to guess.
This was his first time in another kingdom, so he was probably in a research frenzy. Well, at least he's having a good time. Unlike Adora who looked really confused as she was now covered in flower wreaths and holding a baby someone gave to her. Go She-Ra.
Adora's attention was taken as she noticed a billow of smoke coming over the tree line not to far from where they were. Before she could ask what that was, the princess of Plumeria approached, a warm smile and a cheery hum to her.
"Welcome, visitors of Brightmoon! Thank you for answering our aid." With a wave of her hand all four had received flower crowns grown from seemingly nowhere upon their heads. Bow was the most excited about the crowns.
She was wearing a long gown of pale red and pink flowers with green making the other colours pop. Back length dirty blonde hair made up in curls with a flower crown stopping her hair from getting into her eyes. Perfuma took She-Ra's hand and turned to her people.
"Everyone! Gather round! The She-Ra has arrived!" The gathered people cheered, and celebration began. Adora had no idea what was going on.
A rumble echoed through the square where they resided and Adora looked towards the bellowing smokestack again. Having gotten larger since they got here. Perfuma stepped in front of her view. Smile ever present. Adora cleared her throat and asked the flower princess a question. "How do you know She-Ra so well? If you don't mind me asking that is."
Perfuma turned to a large tree branch covered by a veil of petals and moved them aside to reveal a carving of She-Ra defending the people from monsters of unknown origin in the trunk of the large tree Adora stood in front of.
"1000 years ago, A fiendish monster named the manti-saur invaded our home and corrupted the land, it was She-Ra that protected us and healed our forests with her power. And once again the universe has answered our call!"
"Come! We must celebrate your arrival." Perfuma exuded good emotions and feelings and she was loved by her people. "Bring out the gifts and celebratory chimes!"
The squad was taken to an open space filled with both people and decorations. Lines of flowers and lights hung from the branches of the petal trees around them, colourful rugs and tents took a majority of the space while there was a center space for celebration.
Music and dance took hold throughout the square, Adora was the center of attention, getting a plethora of gifts and the same baby from before. Still confused as ever. She listened as her friends were telling the people around them about her strength and exploits, limited they may be. Izuku was still asking questions, this time revolving around how they seem to commune with nature.
After a time of gift giving and wanting to see the problem, Perfuma led Adora and the rest of the squad to the center of the kingdom where a gargantuan tree stood strong, its roots outstretched to every corner of Plumeria, Perfuma explained. But something was wrong, she could feel it.
Nestled deep in the base of the tree sat Plumeria's Runestone. The Heart-blossom. The rose tinted amber-esqe stone looked like the tree grew over it, its power pulsing through the great tree. That was then they noticed some of the life around the Runestone was decaying or dead. The jubilant colours taken away and turned into a sickening grey.
Another rumble and the Runestone ached. The decay spread further and the crowns around the squads' heads decayed into nothing and blew away into the wind. "What happened?" Bow asked. The flower princess sadly turned to the tree and its colourless roots.
"The Heart-blossom is poisoned by some sort of blight and no matter what I do I can't help it or stop it. It's gotten worse everyday ever since the Horde came and…" Perfuma tried to create a flower in her hand, but as soon it was grown, it withered and died. "If it dies, the forest dies, and I lose my powers…"
Perfuma calmed herself and turned to the golden warrior before her. "But now that you're here, you can use your power to help us. Like in the legend!" She clasped her hands together in hope while other townsfolk begin to fill the space surrounding the tree. Adora stepped back to the squad's side. "Right. Healing. That is something I do… Would you mind if I take my friends… over here to discuss our next move."
She pushed along the other three. " I know what I'm doing!" The squad retreated into a tree line far and deep enough that no one could Adora go "I have no idea what I'm doing! I don't know how to heal!"
"The stories say you have healing powers." Izuku brought up.
"They also said I fought the manti-saur. I don't even know what that is!"
Glimmer, Izuku and Bow tried their best to calm their friend about their current situation. "Adora, it'll be ok. We just need to figure out how to use more of your power in a different way." Glimmer explained to the blonde. Adora nodded along.
"Yeah. Yeah, your right! I just need to focus my power… How do I do that?" The princess shrugged. "I don't know. Think healing thoughts?"
With no better idea's so far, Adora shut her eyes and started to focus. All three watched their fourth begin to glow brightly and fire off a wave of rainbow light from her hand towards a tree. Adora slowly peeped one eye open. "Did I do it?" The squad looked to the tree now having a sizable chunk blown out from its side.
"You punched a tree. Kind of the opposite of healing." Bow said. Adora shook her head and tried again at another tree. Her form began to glow, and she fired another blast from her sword, this time hitting a small lizard. It fell from the tree it was crawling on to a stump below as its form began to change. Its once blue scales had turned white, and it now had rainbow wings and a horn. Adora slumped.
Bow pointed to the transformed lizard, baffled. "Is that what happened to our horse?" Adora kicked down a tree with a single blow in frustration. Seeing as they weren't getting anywhere fast, Glimmer turned to their resident sorcerer to see if he knew any healing spells. He didn't know however, pointing out that he didn't bring his spell tome with him for reference.
"We both know you memorized it front to back to a T. There must be something." Glimmer pointed right back.
Izuku was at a loss for words knowing she was absolutely right. "…Ok, you got me there. But even if it had any healing spells, none of them would be strong enough to slow down whatever is happening, let alone heal a Runestone. I barely understand the Moonstone back home." Nothing… Back to square one.
Another rumble, much louder this time. And a cry of horror. The squad ran back to the Heart Blossom grove. Pefuma's face was filled with worry before they returned and dashes to She-Ra's side. "Thank goodness you have returned! The Heart Blossom…" The squad looked to the mighty oak and stone nestled at its roots in horror.
The tree's leaves were withered and gray while the Runestone had lost almost all of its luster and sickening green lesions cracked upon its surface. It was dying and getting worse by the minute. "Please, She-Ra. Heal our lands. Please." The flower princess pleaded. The three looked to their fourth wondering what she would do.
Adora took in a deep breath and walked towards the ailing stone. Placing her hand upon it, she focused all she could into the stone. Her form began to glow, and she tried her hardest to heal what was done. Nothing was happening as the lesions started to creep from the stone itself into its tree and roots.
Her concentration was fading, and she grew weaker. Finally, she released her hand from the stone and reverted back to her normal form due to exhaustion. With her true form revealed to the populace, they couldn't believe their eyes. Including Perfuma.
Whispers of confusion ran through the crowd as Adora turned to them, guilt and sorrow on her face. "I'm sorry. I don't know how to heal." One of the members of the crowd stepped forward and demanded where She-Ra was and who was standing in front of them. "My name is Adora. I was chosen to wield the sword of She-Ra, but I haven't been doing this for long and I don't really understand how it works yet."
"She's just some girl!" Another member of the crowd shouted, aghast at the revelation.
"I didn't mean to lie! I am She-Ra, I-I'm… I'm just… not the same She-Ra…"
"You mean… you can't save us?"
The earth shook once more, and the smoke seen from the horizon was now a large bellow of grey into the sky. The tree shook as well as more of the sickly lesions creeped even further throughout the tree. Adora didn't know what to do. So much was happening. The Runestone was dying, the people were losing all hope and embracing one another alongside cries of sorrow.
Think, Adora! Think!
She had to make it up to them. To give them the slightest bit of hope. Even if it meant nothing. "Wait! There might be another way. The Horde might be using one of their machines to poison your land. If we can come together, we can stop them."
"You're not the She-Ra from the stories. You were supposed to save us…" She knew that. She knew that better then anybody. Trying to be someone else she wasn't. Perfuma stepped forward to ease her shaken people. Saying that the universe will make the Horde pay for their deeds and how they could rebuild somewhere else.
"You can't expect her to do everything!" Both looked back to the sorcerer walking to Adora's side. Glimmer and Bow by him as well. "I don't understand how you can expect one person to fix everything for you and not even try to save yourselves."
It sounded like it was from personal experience.
"Izuku's right, at least Adora is trying!" Glimmer stated. They really believed in her… "I couldn't do anything for years and looked up to someone who I thought was the greatest person ever. Only to realize they couldn't care any less about me. So, I decided I would help people be better and be better myself." The green haired sorcerer continued on. "You all have the potential to be your own heroes. Why don't you at least try to be?"
Perfuma, saddened, started to speak again. "We're not fighters like you… We can't cast spells or shoot arrows or… be strong. All I can do is make flowers and roots… The Horde are too strong and if She-Ra can't help us, no one can." The flower princess took to the side of her people and turned back to the group.
"I have to make sure our people are safe. We leave today. I'm sorry." Perfuma led her people from the poisoned tree and the group in complete silence. Adora fell to her knees in shame. The other three sat beside her and tried to comfort her.
"I'm so sorry you guys. I just wanted to help but all I've done is- disappoint an entire kingdom and after you said so many amazing things about me…" Bow was the first to say something.
"We just wanted everyone to know how much of an amazing person you really are. I can't believe I was actually being terrible when I wanted to be supportive!" He really couldn't.
Glimmer was next with a hopeful smile. "Adora, She-Ra isn't the reason we like you. We like you because, you're our friend and I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say that." Adora looked to the friends beside her as they all agreed with the princess. They really did believe in her.
Another rumble echoed out and the group turned to the rising smoke. And in that moment, Adora had a plan. She stood up determined to do what she could. The group stood as well, knowing full well what was going to happen. "You have a plan, don't you?"
"Yeah, I think I do."
---
"You really have outdone yourself this time, 'zuku. These look identical to what the soldiers wear." Adora looked to the armor they were all wearing. It was standard solider armor all right, but that wasn't the draw. It was that these were illusions pasted over their regular clothes to look like the armor.
Frankly, it was much easier then waiting for a patrol that all had the exact measurements they had and stealing the uniforms from their unconscious bodies. Best part was that it hid their weapons as well.
Izuku walked back and finished creating his armor with the last bit being the gauntlet. "Thanks. Having fought them for awhile, you tend to pick up a thing or two." Izuku put on the face obscuring helmet and went on to explain the illusion.
It wouldn't last forever so they had a time limit to get in, figure out what was poisoning the Runestone, and destroy or disable it. Next, they couldn't be touched by anyone or else it would go right through the illusion and dispel it. But the beauty of Adora's plan won't involve physical contact with the stationed guards.
Adora looked out from their hiding spot at the tree line to the nearby Horde camp, waiting for their opening to walk in. After seeing a gap in the patrol routes, she signaled the others to move ahead. Quickly moving behind an angled piece of scrap metal wall. Now this close to the camp, the blonde explained how this would work.
"Alright, we need to find the machine creating the toxin. Every camp is mapped and set the same way for ease of use and set up. The guards move in half-hour shifts, so we walk in during a shift change in 3, 2, 1."
"Shift change." The four, now disguised completely, stood in front of a larger complex then the others around the camp. It also helped it looked like some of the strange lesions from the toxin were bleeding into the soil from the building as well and the guards stationed at the door were more then happy to go take a break from standing around doing sweet F.A.
So far, so good. Izuku stood at the entrance while the others walked inside. They found the machine they were looking for and stared in shock. A massive injector was pumping a bubbling, pale green toxin directly into one of the large, exposed roots of the Heart Blossom tree.
Now they just had to destroy it, without unleashing the vile toxin onto them or accidentally pumping more into the root. She could figure this out, they had time, no one would be suspicious of a guard being at his post. At least, if they didn't ask for a code check.
"Code check. Show your credentials." Izuku was outside standing guard with a fake uniform. There's no way he had a clearance code or knew any valid ones. "I-I uh, seem to have left it in my…" Izuku patted around his fake armor looking for something that wasn't there. "…Regular clothes?" The solider questioning him was immeaditly suspicious.
"Well, you clearly weren't alone. Why is the injector door open?" Uh oh. The guard pushed past the hidden sorcerer and found the others. "Hey! Clearance code, let's hear it. Now!" They grabbed a stun baton from their belt. "Pfft, Of course, we have it. Password five-echo-niner. So, you can carry on."
"...We haven't used that code in months! Who are you?!" Of course, they got a paranoid guard. Said guard ignited their weapon and raised the alarm. "Hands where I can se-" With one placed chop, the grunt dropped to the floor with Izuku, his helmet removed, standing behind them.
"Adora, what do we do?" Bow asked, disguises beginning to fade from all of them.
"Start running!"
--- Meanwhile ---
"The Brightmoon guys left." A messenger handed the flower princess a note from them.
Perfuma grabbed the note from one of the Plumerians and started to read it. "We've gone to the Horde camp to find what has been killing your trees. If we don't come back, I just wanted to say I'm sorry…"
"…I couldn't be the hero you wanted me to be. Adora." She looked to the rising smoke, thinking how they're still risking their lives to help. While they just gave up. "You have the potential to be your own heroes… They're still trying! Even when we were so negative!"
"Glimmer was right! This is our home; we can't let her do this alone." Perfuma gathered her people to the Heart grove and began to speak. "She-Ra and our friends from Brightmoon are risking their lives to protect us from the Horde! They need our help. Get the war chimes, we march!"
The people cheered and readied to assist wherever they could.
--- Back to the Action ---
The gang were ducking and weaving from the dozens of laser blasts being fired at them, trying their best to take out as many as they could as they ran. Thankfully Bow had his weapon so he was using more hit and run tactics then just running.
They then ducked behind a bunker to catch their breath from all of the ducking as Izuku was starting to get really tired from all of the barriers he was creating. Glimmer on the other hand was burning through her magic quickly as she tried to fight a few groups on her own with Bow for support to ease the odds.
"Alright… How are we doing?" Bow was almost out of arrows and Izuku was running out of magic to create cover for them. Only able to cast basic projectiles at the moment. Glimmer was ready to keep going, she just needed to catch her breath.
Although, they wouldn't get that time as the squad was surrounded by armed grunts with a wall at their backs. Adora was close to trying to transform then and there as the others got ready for the showdown until a rustic horn rang out from just outside one of the walls that surrounded the camp.
Massive light green vines curled on the top of the wall pulled it down then a large wave of the same vines poured into the camp. Perfuma riding on top of the wave, arms spread wide. The Plumerians rushed in shortly after wielding sticks, blankets, pots, and other distractive implements.
"For the She-Ra!" They cried.
With that second wind, the four rushed back into the fray. As the chaos ensued in the Horde forces now having to deal with not just them and a large group but also a princess riding a wave of entangling vines throwing them away like ragdolls, Adora ran to a hidden section of camp and raised her sword and said the phrase.
After a moment, the Horde now had to deal with the overwhelming force of She-Ra. Finally, something she knew she could do as She-Ra. Fight. Crashing through the wall to the main building with the injector housed inside, knocking away a few grunts on the way, Adora jumped on top of the injector and stabbed her sword into it.
"For Etheria!" As the sliver blade pierced the top, her form began to glow with power to compensate the electric back lash the malfunctioning machine was creating. A ghostly, blue aura started to run over the blade, over the machine, to the root below and out of the camp towards the Heart Blossom.
Back at the grove, the lesions that covered the stone sealed and colour returned to it and the dying land surrounding it began to regrow. Perfuma could feel the stone return to life as its power coursed through her once again. With a twirl of delight from the flower princess, the lesions cracking along the surface of the grey wastes started to grow waves of flowers and life.
Plant life began to grow around them as large tendrils with beautiful blooms twirled around the buildings and bunkers surrounding the camp and the grunt's weapons got choked with the sudden apparel of flowers and life growing around them in droves.
Now seeing that the very ground itself was unsafe and against them, the Horde retreated in bulk as the grey and dark colours were filled with life once again. Perfuma kindly waved the retreating forces goodbye and turned to hug She-Ra in thanks. "Thank you so much! You inspired us to save ourselves. How can we ever repay you."
Glimmer stepped forward. "You can join the rebellion and help me rebuild the princess alliance." The flower princess was a little hesitant saying that the last one kind of blew up and didn't go well. Glimmer quickly retorted. "Yeah, for our parents. But we have a chance to make it better. We're clearly stronger together and imagine if all of the princesses came together to fight against a common foe."
"…Will I get to hit more people with flowers?"
"Absolutely."
"Then you have a deal!" She gladly took Glimmer's hand with both of hers then turned to address her people the good news. "Look at us, everyone! We're mighty rebels!" The formed populace cheered on, for the rebellion and for the She-Ra.
--- Return to Brightmoon, Adora's Room ---
After today, all Adora wanted to do was crash for the rest of the day. What she didn't expect was her friends being already there when she opened the door. She also noticed there was now a simple one-person bed where the old extravagant one was.
"I know what its like to sleep in one of those. Not the most comfortable thing, so we got you a brand new one, very simple and so much more comfortable." Izuku said, setting his sleep bag up as the others did the same thing. "And since you aren't used to sleeping alone, we decided to throw…A sleepover!" Glimmer exclaimed.
Adora walked over to her new bed, took a seat, and fell back onto it. "I love it." She looked up to her friends with Bow about to say something. "And we can do this tomorrow too since Glimmer's grounded for ignoring orders."
"For one week! That's three less then usual. And mom said she would think about my plan about bring more princesses into the rebellion~" She may never be the perfect hero everyone wanted, and you know what? Adora was ok with that. Adora then noticed Izuku scribbling something into a beat-up notebook. Glimmer also noticed this and tried to get his attention.
"Hey, 'zuku, whatca doin?" Nothing or at least nothing as far as what she heard. Adora really couldn't tell because Izuku was mumbling some strange gibberish as he wrote. She then turned to Bow. "Is this normal?" She asked the archer who had familiar smile on his face, as if this was a normal thing.
He shrugged "All the time. You should've seen him when he got a real close look at the Moonstone or when we visited Mysticor for the first time. Theories and questions for days." Glimmer poked him in the cheek and that brought him back from wherever he was. Izuku looked back to the group of friends with a nervous look. "S-Sorry, I-I've just been working on something."
Glimmer asked again what he was up to and Izuku got up and sat back down just at the foot of Adora's bed while the other two gathered round. "I've been working on designing a hero costume for U.A and I need to have this sent in a few days. I just need to figure a way to apply certain spells with it." Costume? U.A? "Really? What you got so far?" Glimmer leaned over the sorcerer's shoulder to peer into the notebook while Bow was on the other side of him.
"You're designing a costume and you didn't ask me?! Best Friend Squad meeting! Now!" Bow overacted and went on pointing out some of the flaws in the suit's current design while at the same time, complementing the function of what Izuku had so far.
Glimmer offered some advice of her own to make it look both functional and cool looking. She even brought up maybe adding a bird or animal aesthetic to it.
Adora's mind was filled with questions on what was going on. There was more to Brightmoon's sorcerer then anyone minded to tell her. But for whatever reason, the question at the top of the list was…
"Are we really called the Best Friend Squad? That's not what we're called, right?"
An awkward silence took hold of the room before Bow turned back to the group.
"Soooo… Do you want to tell her or should I?"
"I feel like you would lessen the blow." Glimmer finished.
Oh. It was.
Adora shook her head and joined in the group design project to take her mind off of the name, adding some of her own ideas and thoughts to Izuku's hero costume design. Then they had a pillow fight and afterwards, Adora had a first good nights sleep on her new bed with the gang in their sleeping bags.
--- The next Morning ---
Wow, that was a lot more comfortable than she was expecting. Adora arose from bed and stretched out. She removed the covers and started to get up. She quietly looked around the floor to her sleeping friends. Glimmer and Bow were still sound asleep and a featureless ghost laying in Izuku's sleeping ba-
What.
"AAAAAHHHHHH! GLIMMER!" The princess and the archer immeaditly shot up from bed to their friend screaming to her holding her sword towards Izuku's sleeping bag. "G-Glimmer! I think something took Izuku last night a-a-and he turned into that!"
"Adora, calm down. This is just what he looks like when he sleeps." Glimmer tiredly stated. "So, put down the sword before you accidently stab him." Adora glanced back and forth between the princess and the sleeping apparition.
"But what if it isn't! What if it's like the story of the soul robbing princess! How she leaves only a faint trace of her victims while they sleep and-"
"Adora. Sword. Down. Now." It was too early to deal with this right now. "You can ask him when he get's up in a few minutes." Adora looked back to the featureless apparition, its chest moving up and down against the sleeping bag as if it was breathing. Glimmer stretched out and started getting ready for the day.
Adora slowly put away her sword and a streak of light quickly ran over the apparition's form. It becoming more like Izuku as it passed over him. After a moment, the sorcerer arose, rubbing his eyes and yawning before taking a look to his surroundings. "Oh, everyone's up. …Why are you pointing your sword at me?"
"Do remember dealing with any soul stealing people in haunting dresses?" Adora questioned the confused sorcerer. He then looked over to Glimmer and Bow.
"…N-No…? Did we forget to-"
"YES. Yes, we did." Izuku scratched his cheek nervously while Glimmer groggily facepalmed. Bow chuckled at the situation as Adora was a little embarrassed with herself. All four got ready and dressed and Izuku explained why or what happened while he slept afterwards.
He really went into detail with her to be honest. "So, you're from another… planet."
"Yes."
"And you didn't get your soul stolen by a princess while you slept."
"No. I don't even know any princess who could ever do that anyway. Past or present."
"And to sum it up, you've been jumping back and forth between your world, Earth, and Etheria for… ten years?"
"Pretty much, yeah." Oh ok.
"I didn't believe him either at first, but he really didn't know how to speak Etherian and talked about a 'village' no one knew about so I kind of just put two and two together." Glimmer spoke her two sense. "And now? Well, we're practically inseparable." The princess put the sorcerer into a headlock and giggled. Adora really had to catch up apparently.
"Ok, that answers that but, what about this 'U.A' stuff. And hero costumes? You already have an outfit, why do you need two?" Adora questioned again. Really trying to wrap her head around this.
"Oh boy, good luck." Bow smirked and pulled up some chairs for the group. They were going to be here for awhile. Not that he disliked hearing about Earth. He always loved hearing about the culture of others. It was just Izuku had the tendency to talk really quickly at certain points and sometimes in Japanese.
The sorcerer took in a deep breath, getting ready to talk his pants off with his explanation to the sword-bearer.
But we'll just move on from that explanation.
--- One Week and a Half later, Port-town of Seaworthy ---
After some convincing with the queen on how to bolster Brightmoon's defenses, Glimmer suggested they try to contact the sea princess Mermista of Salineas. Her point being that any force wanting to approach Brightmoon by sea would have to pass the Salineas Sea Gate, a stone archway with a powerful magical barrier blocking access from open sea to the city and to other port towns like Seaworthy.
If they could cut the seas off from the Horde, it would be a huge boost to rebellion numbers and morale. On the plus side, getting Mermista to join the reforming princess alliance seemed like a win-win to her. All they had to do was get a boat and a competent captain to take them there.
And what better place to get a captain then a sea-side tavern! Walking into the shady bar, their sight was taken with the large amount of shady people that populated it. This place was filled with murderers, thieves, and cutthroats for sure. Any of them could know how to sail.
Bow was excited because he might get to meet a real pirate or pirate crew which Glimmer shot down and he "Arrrr "'ed sadly. Izuku and Adora were really cautious having just seen someone grab a table and beat their card opponent with it and seeing several barfights on some of the upper floors above them. The patrons or bartender not minding or bothering to intervene.
Not wasting time, Glimmer walked over to the bar and questioned the rather menacing, tattooed bartender. They turned to face Glimmer having gotten their attention. "You wouldn't happen to know a captain that could take us to Salineas, would you?" the half-snake like bartender grunted and pointed to one of the booths at the other side of the tavern before going back to make more drinks.
The gang made their way to the seemingly crowded booth where a very 'intense' arm wrestling match was taking place. Just as they arrived, the fish man at the open side of the table lost and his audience boo'd in disappointment. The challenged however let out a boisterous laugh as the group left the table with a grumble.
"Another round for everyone! Put it on my friend here's tab." The overconfident voice boasted and kicked his feet up onto the table as the squad finally met their captain. The sailor noticed them approach his table with a quirked eyebrow and a twirl of his mustache. "Oho? What brings this daring bunch to Ol' Seahawk, hmm?" Glimmer pulled up a seat while the others stood behind her.
"Your name is Seahawk? So cool." Bow was really into the sailor before them. Izuku was wondering how many more strangely related names he was going to hear during his time in Etheria.
"Well, we're looking for a sea captain that can takes to Salineas. We're holding applications for the position." The princess explained. "So, do you have what it takes?"
The man known as Seahawk scoffed at the insinuation. "Do I have- I am the one and only Seahawk! I am sure you have heard of my great reputation." The captain sat up to better talk to the group. Adora was not buying it however, never hearing of him.
"Just because you have sea in your name doesn't tell us much about your qualifications or if you know how to use a ship."
Seahawk stood up and leaned against the table. "My qualifications?" He chuckled "I have wrestled the wandering seal storks of lookout reef. Sailed the cruelest of seas and it's farthest reaches with nary a chip in my bow or tare in my sail! My shanties are considered so alluring, sirens fling to the deep themselves for me and their sound!"
"And yes, my mustache is naturally shiny~." The sailor finished with a wink and his mustache glistening in the light. Was this guy really going to take them to Salineas? Bow was so taken with his mustache that he immeaditly told the sailor he was hired. Glimmer shot that down with a soft elbow to his gut. "Friends, please. What makes you think you can afford me?"
Glimmer assured that money was no object. Seahawk pulled a small piece of paper from a chest window on his shirt and handed it to the princess. She careful grabbed the folded note, nervous on what could the price possibly be. Opening it up only confirmed her suspicions that money might actually be an object.
The glittering princess got up from her seat, figuring they would find a much cheaper and less annoying captain somewhere else. The sailor wished them good luck on finding anyone else who knows the route as good as he does. Offhandedly mentioning that he made the trip many times visiting princess Mermista. That got Glimmer's attention, stopping mid leave.
He knew Mermista? That was… convenient. Just as the princess was about to renegotiate, Adora took center and took a seat. "Here's a new deal for ya." She placed her arm onto the table with a thud and brought back up, elbow still touching the wood. "Winner takes all, if you win, we leave you alone, but if I win, you take us to Salineas."
"At no cost." Seahawk's eyes widened at the challenge from the blonde before him.
"That is a horrible deal. But I have you know that I am undefeated at arm wrestling." He brought his arm down to the table and grabbed hold of Adora's hand. "Let me show you how a champion does things." The contest began with both fairly still in the game, the rest of the gang just watching on.
Bow was cheering for Adora. Glimmer on the other hand thought this was the dumbest thing ever. The greenette wasn't sure how to feel. But a chance at a free ride did sound good. The sailor taunted how he bested a terrosaur with arms the size of logs in a two weeklong arm-wrestling match. The match was set right after though with Adora slamming her opponent's hand against the table.
The blonde cheered and high fived the archer beside her at her victory. Seahawk sat there, looking at his hand before coming back to the moment. "wElL, *Ahem* I let yOu win tO*Ahem* to boost your confidence. I've been meaning to go anyway." Seahawk slid over the table and joined the group, bringing the green sorcerer in close. "Come friends! To ADVENTURE!" He proclaimed pointing to the distance.
Unknown to them, someone was watching them from the darkest corners.
--- Shadow Weaver's Chamber, The Fright Zone---
Ah, there you are. All she had to do was wait and her shadows found Adora already. Some disgusting corner of the world called Seaworthy. No matter, she will come back. Willingly or kicking and screaming. Until the sorceress made a clean slate that is. But who to send?
The cat will do. "Adora is in Seaworthy, heading for Salineas. I am giving you one last chance to bring her back." The masked sorceress told her unfortunateward. She will never understand why Hordak dismissed Adora so quickly. She was perfect. Now she had to deal with the insubordinate pet. Who, unfortunately…
…Could talk back. "Didn't Hordak just order you to stop going after Adora?" Insufferable pest that she was. Shadow weaver glanced over her shoulder, not giving Catra the time of day.
"And who is going to tell him? You?" The sorceress spat. The 'force captain' rolled her eyes and turned towards the door, saying she would bring her back. "Not so fast~. You won't be going alone. You will be joined by force captain Scorpia." Heavy footsteps echoed closer to Catra as the large force captain marched in. Catra had to look up to see the woman before her.
Pointed red carapace ran all the way from her shoulders to her massive pincers for arms. A similarly plated scorpion tail swished back and forth with poised momentum, ready to strike at any given moment. The beast side of her would intimidating enough but the added muscle and size only double that feeling. A force captain badge shined on her customized unform.
"Oh! Kitty!"
"Huh?"
What she wasn't expecting was to be pulled into a hug by the scorpion-kin. Catra was completely put off by the sudden cheery attitude she was getting. Catra had to squirm her way out of the scorpion's death grip. "Is this some sort of sick joke!?" The magicat couldn't believe the one eighty she got hit with.
"Force captain Scorpia will keep you in line while you are out." Scorpia grinned widely and well meaningly. Catra could absolutely tell that Shadow Weaver was getting some sick kick out of this. Even with the mask. Whatever, shake it off.
"You know what? Fine. Am I at least getting a transport?"
Catra heard the smirk in the sorceress's voice. "Something like that…"
---
Next time Catra saw that manipulating asshole, it's going to be a massacre!
Of all the things to give her, out of all of the transports to get where she needed to go, why did it have to be a-
"Boats! I love boats, don't you? The wind in your hair. Ocean on every side. Miles and miles from the nearest dry land. Watery death awaiting us at the slightest mishap. Now that, that's called living."
Why? Why did she get the dumbest captain alive? Water cascaded off of the boat towards Catra who reflexively jumped back before being splashed then returned to her edge, just waiting to throw up. "Just… just shut up…" Catra murmured. Scorpia was actually worried for her health asking if she got seasick frequently.
Catra dug her claws into the ship with a delirious look to her. Scorpia scooped her up into a bridal carry. "It's ok, just focus on me. You'll feel better in no time." Was she trying to soothe her? Screw. That. And that stupid smile. She pushed against the fellow captain's face and jumped off her to freedom back on the floor of the ship.
The crew saw the strange exchange and just stared. Catra straightened up and order them to do 'boat things' She didn't know what exactly, she just needed them somewhere else while she tried to get back on track.
--- Back to the BFS ---
"You have to admit, Bow's been really working hard on his violin skills on the side." Izuku mentioned, having just sat though one of Seahawk's shanties. This one being about how he was the greatest friend and sailor to sail the seas. The shanty being called "Seahawk, I am, I am." Glimmer couldn't wait to get to Salineas.
"If I hear one more shanty about how to look out a telescope, I'm going to tape his mouth shut."
"I mean… there not that bad, right? At least Bow is having fun." Glimmer scowled at the sorcerer for even speaking those words. Izuku slapped his mouth shut and went back to watching out the stern of the ship. Glimmer teleported back up to the crow's nest, looking out to the sea and the map Seahawk gave her.
Well, took from him, becoming the crew's lookout after finding out that this is their captain's third ship. Having, apparently, set them on fire himself for the sake of adventure. That didn't sit well with the princess. Not to mention they were somehow way off course and heading straight for a ship graveyard. That can't be good. She looked down back to the ship to find Adora and Seahawk having another arm wrestle on the deck.
Teleporting back down to the deck, Glimmer asked if anyone had noticed they were off course or even cared for that matter. That was until the boat shook from something barreling against it. Everyone lost their footing slightly, wondering what could've done that. Their captain put his foot down on the table. "Aha! We're here!" The boat shook again, and everyone fell over.
Looking over the edge of the ship to the pearly blue below them, something really big was swimming around them. It surfaced and dived back into the ocean, causing the ship to jump up from the water and creak before coming back down with a splash. "Ah, the serpent of the sea. I know it would be in these waters." Wait, did he…?
"You brought us here ON PURPOSE!?" Glimmer couldn't believe it. This was supposed to be a simple mission, not a joyride.
"You see, I don't just give transport. I also give you a tale to tell your friends. Come along crew, time for a harrowing adventure!" The serpent surfaced again, revealing its slithery form to the crew. It was more of an oversized leech then a serpent if the horrifying maw made of serrated teeth where a regular head would be didn't give that idea. The beast roared, ready to chow down.
"For the Honor of Greyskull!" She-ra ran across the opposite side of the deck after checking on Izuku who wandered back to the group behind her. "Watch thiiiiis!" The golden princess leapt at the beast, jumping on to it's face and slashed at its teeth. The beast submerged, Adora in tow. Bubbles occasionally popped to the surface then Adora emerged as well. "Ok. I think a got it- No wait, hold on." She was dragged back down.
The rest just watched on, Seahawk asking if this was a normal thing that happened. Bow and Izuku said it took some getting used to but jumping at a sea monster was new for sure. Glimmer however was not having any of it. She turned and glared at their captain. "Let me get this straight, you directed us away into sea monster just so you could, what, show off?"
"That was the plan before your tall friend there stole my thunder!" Unbelievable.
"Do you know how much- can you even- I need this mission to go well or my mom will never give me another one!" She took in an aggravated breath to calm herself from doing anything rash. "Just… get us to Salineas, you've wasted enough of our time."
Adora emerged again, no longer as She-Ra. "Ok! I got it this time!"
"Adora, get in the boat!"
---
After a fairly quiet trip, they had arrived at their destination. The sea kingdom of Salineas. Izuku was ecstatic being able to visit yet another new kingdom. He kept it contained just enough to get a full view of the kingdom they found themselves in. As soon as they hit shore, the crew got off, pleased to finally touch dry land again.
Izuku started taking everything to memory as soon as he touched the dock. Eager to record it when he got home. Salineas was amazing. From its stone towers, their roofs in the shape of conch shells, it's homes in a similar state, canals ran from the main port to the rest of the city to the other end which he would have to guess is where the sea gate is.
Or if he turned his head a little to the left, he could see it in all of its majesty. What he did notice is that the place was barren. Not a soul to be seen. Everyone else had also noticed the entire kingdom was empty. Where was everyone? That was then a lone watchmen shouted to them and ran down from his lookout to where they docked. He asked what business they had in Salineas, a little out of breath from running all this way.
Glimmer stepped forward and said they wished to speak with the princess. Seahawk butted in saying that the princess would be ecstatic to see him, having such a long and arduous relationship.
"Ew. Who let him back in…" Mermista droned. The exact opposite of ecstatic. They group arrived at the Sea Palace's throne room where the princess sat with a very bored, very annoyed expression. Seahawk strode forth and went down on one knee, proclaiming how he missed the princess day and night since he left.
Mermista pushed that aside and asked who the others were. Glimmer introduced herself, them never having met but their parents fought in the rebellion. "Oh yeeaaaah, I remember. My dad told me the old alliance was a complete disaster…" Like Glimmer needed a reminder of that…
Seahawk butted in again, complementing the princess on her beauty having become greater since the last time they met. She cut off the sailor wanting to talk to her new friend Glitter and asked the one guard, who was also her butler, to get everyone snacks. Everyone except Seahawk.
Bow asked why her guard was also her butler. Seahawk jumped to her side as soon as the guard/butler left. She did her best to ignore him. "I'm a little short on staff with everyone having fled because the gate is falling apart or whatever."
"WHAT?!" The squad shouted in shock. Mermista got up from her throne and walked over to waterfall.
"I know right? Figures I would inherit a crumbling kingdom but whatever, I'm handling it. It's just kind of hard to do with the Horde attacking us everyday." Waving her trident to the falls, its flow ceased showing in the distance the aforementioned gate.
Izuku had noticed some murals depicting the gate as they entered the throne room. From the pictures, it was supposed to be lit up like the night sky back on Earth. From the view he saw from the window however, it looked faded and diminished.
As Glimmer told her they were here because of the Horde and that Mermista should join the new alliance, Izuku went to inspect the mural again, hoping to get some information. As much as he looked to the mural for clues, he was no where closer to figuring out why the gate was failing.
Until he noticed the familiar lines and shapes that crafted the written language of the First Ones. And he knew one person who could translate, albeit basically. He looked over his shoulder to the group, seeing Mermista trying her hardest to not throw her former boyfriend out the window.
Apparently, he had set their gondola on fire in the tunnel of love. Izuku had to admit, Seahawk knew what he liked. He was about to ask Adora to come over, but she was on the other side of him which gave him a good surprise. Both looked to the mural. "Can you translate?"
"Uh, who are those guys again?" The sea princess asked in complete monotone. Adora read the writing to the best of her ability while the other two joined them. From what she could understand, it was something to do with a connection between the Runestone and the gate itself. The gate itself being made by the precursor race.
Is that why the gate was diminishing? Because it was losing whatever connection that was being made? It was better then nothing. Glimmer turned back to the sea princess, having taken back her seat at the throne. "If we can fix your gate, will you at least consider joining us? Please?" Mermista groaned in indifference.
"I don't' know… fine… I guess… But he has to go." Motioning to the sailor plastered against her throne. Said sailor stood up, wondering where he could possibly go. Bow comforted him and told to go be by the boat and that they would take care of the gate.
After some tricky platforming, the central star of the gate being much higher than the ground level and the only way to access it being levitating stone platforms, the four plus the sea princess inspected the weakening gate. The sea princess was skeptical that this, whatever they were doing, would work.
Up until Adora transformed which took Mermista off guard a little. Her tone shifting slightly before returning to the indifferent sound. She-Ra pointed her sword to the central point and focused. Power flowed through the blade into a concentrated beam of blue light directly with the star. The gate started to turn to lively blue from it's faded red. Spreading slowly outward from the star.
This was going to take awhile. Since the gate was partially see through, the glittering princess noticed their captain about to leave, having untied the ship and getting ready to set off. Glimmer teleported to the captain to give him an earful while leaving the others with Adora on gate duty.
The silence wouldn't last as in the distance, a Horde frigate primed its main cannon to fire on the gate. The laser directly impacted the gate, creating a massive hole in the gate and causing a surge of feedback to the golden princess who screamed in pain. Glimmer was on the other side with Seahawk who had been convinced he was important and was sailing to a hidden exit to the open sea where the frigate was.
Izuku was preparing some spells just in case while Mermista and Bow leapt to the closing in Horde vessel. The princess's lower half transforming to be more aquatic as it turned into a fish tail.
Mer-maid, Mer-mista. He really had to guess these names better.
Adora had to get this done or else Salineas was done for. The greenette stayed behind just in case any unknown grunts snuck up on the distracted princess.
"Well, well, well. Another no name loser, Adora? I thought you were better then that." Some sort of feline beast-kin had snuck up on the both of them and she knew Adora? She was clearly the one in charge and he could feel the venom in the cat's words.
"Catra. What are you doing here?" So Adora knew her as well. Learning something new everyday. Catra looked from the distracted warrior to the sorcerer. Staring him down and pronouncing her claws. Izuku stood between her and her prize.
"Out of the way, mop-head. The princess is mine." The cat growled. You've fought battalions of drones and grunts, Izuku. They're training couldn't be all that great. Then again, if Adora knew her, then it would be safe to assume that they were training partners. That would mean-
She was going to be a problem. Izuku primed his spells and readied for an uphill battle. Mismatch coloured eyes stared at him, poised with killing intent. She shrugged with a smile. "Fine." The magicat crouched down. "Your funeral." Catra dashed with insane speed and closed the distance between them. Claws out to draw blood.
---
Bow was doing his best with trying to disrupt the cannon as he slid down tearing the sail as he descended. The crew aboard didn't much like that as the archer had pinned one of their number to a wall as the other charged at him, igniting their baton.
Using the golden weapon as more of a countering blade then a bow, his opponent and he were evenly matched. Bow pushed back his assailant and let loosed an arrow into the sky while they dove at him, pinning him. However, he wasn't aiming for them.
The loose arrow flew and fell back down right into the firing mechanism of the energy cannon, making it short circuit and its gunner back away. The archer headbutted his opponent to get them off, causing them to stumble back from the recoil. Then a torrent of water whisked them off the boat into the water below.
Mermista was swimming nearby making the frigate rock back and forth with columns of water before swimming closer to try and assist. While Bow was congratulating the princess the gunner from before, which he now saw as a large scorpion woman, grabbed him by the scruff of his armour with one pincer and picked him up as if he weighed nothing.
"Wow, your big…" The Horde captain flung Bow off the deck to fall into the exposed turbine engine of the frigate. Before he was chopped up into mush, Seahawk swung in and rescued Bow. Both swung to the Dragon's Daughter III (The name of the ship) and landed on the deck with Mermista joining them and Glimmer steering.
"That was… Awesome!" Bow got his pirate adventure after all. Seahawk was more then happy to take the praise. The frigate however remained on its course for the gate and the cannon was firing again. Mermista couldn't flip it, it was too heavy. And the captain would probably expect another boarding this time.
That was when Glimmer had an idea. "I have a plan, but no one tell my mom about this. Seahawk, I need your help. I need you to do what you do best."
"What?"
The princess grinned. "Set. Your ship. On fire!"
The sailor's expression exploded with delight. "Yes!"
---
"You know, when I heard I would be against the sorcerer who gave our troops a thrashing a few days ago, I was expecting more of a challenge." Catra taunted with slashes from her claws.
"Do you… ever… shut… up…?" Izuku was getting exhausted having to block both himself and Adora. This Catra knew what she was doing and how to fight, barely breaking a sweat with her movements and strikes.
Good thing he set up those barriers before hand, otherwise he would be bleeding out on the ground, his throat slashed. Those claws were no joke, cutting through whatever created weapon he had on stand by like paper.
He's never fought someone so in control of the situation, how exactly to move and where to strike for the killing blow. The villain's back home were sloppy or didn't understand the full potential of their power or underestimated their opponent. He had to guess he was lucky for the most part.
Catra on the other hand was a whole other level. She would be a real villain he would have to fight.
She knew how a fight should work and how to end it as quickly as possible. Her speed spoke for her. But he knew she was playing with him. If he didn't have prep time, he would be dead.
He wasn't fighting to win though, just to buy Adora more time until the gate was fixed. Just a little lon-
Catra was quick on the draw again, hitting Izuku with a palm strike upwards into the jaw, collapsing from the hardened and unexpected attack. The magicat sauntered over to her foe and taunted him again. Wondering where all that bravado was before. Izuku slowly picked himself up as Catra smirked while Adora watched in horror.
"Catra, don't! if you even-"
"Or what princess? Gonna hit me with a sparkle bomb? Shoot a goo arrow at me? Oh! Better yet are you actually going to throw a punch? That would be fun to see." Izuku managed to get back on to his feet.
"Don't listen to her, y-your almost done!" Just a little more time.
"I think I'm about done with you." The magicat kicked the beaten sorcerer straight in the chest, causing him to fall off the platform they were on.
"NO!" Adora wanted to dive after the sorcerer, but the gate was almost complete and no matter what she did, she couldn't move. Not without lack of trying.
"Man, I really thought that was going to be a problem. 'Beware Catra, the rebels have a powerful magic caster on their side'. That's the most bullshit I've heard in awhile. Still funny." Catra… "Aww~ What's wrong? Upset I gave one of your 'friends' the big boot?"
"…I'm not going back, Catra. Nothing you do can change my mind." The smirk on the cat's face left her and was replaced with an angered frown. She brought her claws against the princess's chin and pulled back quickly, leaving an oozing scratch on her cheek which sealed quickly due to the magic flowing through Adora.
"A few weeks go by and suddenly you replace me with, what? A walking glitter bomb, a toothpick launcher, and a mumbling light show? Pathetic." Catra kicked Adora in the back of the knee, making her kneel as the cat pulled back on her hair and leaned in close.
"Your pathetic. I can't believe you got so weak."
"She's stronger than you think!"
Catra looked over only to get a green gauntlet straight in the cheek with a crack, launching her off the platform to and falling to the water below. Adora looked over to see Izuku drenched in sweat with large constructs of light covering his fore-arms. "Izuku! How did you get back so fast?"
Izuku dropped to his knees in exhaustion as the gauntlets faded and a small ring of light faded from around his wrist. "I-I uh… casted a blink spell…as…as I was falling and…" The sorcerer caught his breath finally. "And teleported back up."
"You can teleport?" That would've been nice to know. Having another major teleporter would be nice.
"Not exactly." Izuku slowly got back up and looked to the frigate down below. "The frigate still on it's way. I think I can- Wait… is that?"
"ADVENTURE!" Seahawk and Glimmer shouted as the latter teleported both off the ship. Seahawk's ship was on fire and on direct collision course with the frigate. The crew dove off from the ship to the water below as the fire boat was too close to do anything about.
The ship impacted directly with the frigate, and it was consumed in ball of fire and wrecked scrap as it started to sink. With the cannon down completely, one final pulse of magic was poured into the gate and growing holes sealed and the gate illuminated with power.
Scorpia on piece of scrap metal, paddled to the floating cat and gently grabbed her unform and started paddling back to safer dry land. Catra looked up to the celebrating rebels with contempt and annoyance as she was pulled away.
---
All looked up to the completed gate in wonder. It really did look like the night sky. Mermista was almost, kind of impressed. Though you wouldn't catch that with her voice. It really was beautiful. The princess also, hesitantly, gave one of her own ships to replace Seahawk's vessel. It brought a teer to the sailor's eye.
"Don't set this one on fire."
"No promises!" The captain turned to face the sea princess with renewed conviction and a request. She really didn't want to know what it was, but she humored. His request was that she considering joining the alliance. Saying with Glimmer at the helm of this mighty vessel, no foe would stand in their way.
"Ok, I'm in." Wow, that was a lot quicker than she thought. "The Horde almost destroyed my home. I want to stop them. Plus, the blonde one can turn into eight-foot-tall lady with a sword, and I want her on my side." Adora would take the complement.
Glimmer hugged her and Mermista was a little weirded out by the sudden contact. Telling her to take it down a notch. While she did do that, Bow and Seahawk had other plans. As the duo started singing another shanty together while everyone else just watched.
~The Best Friend Squad on the seas~
~We subdued the threat! The threat with ease!~
~We sail the world come near or far!~
~We're best friends. We are, we are!~
~We're best friends. We are, we are!!~