The letter is read,
Adora feels mislead,
and the camp are in dread.

S5 EP12.

~

When Adora woke up the next morning, she immediately went for a burning shower. Whilst the camp out didn't have working showers, Darla still did. And Adora needed to be clean - she felt dirty. Not from her hookup with Catra last night, no.

Well, yes.
but also no.

She loved that feeling. Sure, the orgasm was great, but the feeling of Catra's hands on her body in ways other than the desire to hurt her... it felt nice. Why did it feel nice? Adora wasn't sure. Liar. She knew why. She loved Catra - but she knew Catra didn't feel the same. She probably needed a release. Glimmer had told her that sometimes people just have sex for no reason other than release. After a stressful week, day, month, meeting, mission, whatever.

Adora scrubbed her hair, only slightly embarrassed when she pulled a twig and some leaves out of it. She scrubbed her body harshly until it grew raw. Only when she broke skin did she stop. Adora remained under the boiling hot of the water for several minutes after, simply existing. There was so much she had to work through... Adora swallowed thickly, flapping her hands nervously, feeling the panic attack creeping from the darkness of her mind. The blood pounded in her ears. Her heart thudded in her chest. Her hands shook. Her feet tingled. Her vision warped, as if she were looking through a fish-eye lens.

Adora shuddered. She had to... get away. The water continued burning her back, but Adora didn't register it. She lowered herself to her knees, feeling them quake dangerously under her weight. Tears burned her eyes as they left, stinging her red raw cheeks in their paths. She clutched the metallic bars of the shower, her hands wrapped so tightly around it that her nails dug into her palms. Breathing was hard. Really hard. As if she'd just run the 50-klick Galebreath Gauntlet.

She cried harder, her chest growing tight as bile rose in her throat.

"Your body statistics indicate that you are experiencing a panic attack, She-Ra. Would you like assistance?" Darla's voice rang in the room. Adora scratched at her chest, as if she could open it and force her lungs to accept more oxygen. Her vision began to grow splotchy at the edges. "If you do not acknowledge the message, I will be forced to alert for help as per my protocol," Adora could only wheeze for breath pitifully. "Your panic attack seems to be worsening. I have alerted for female help. Estimated time of arrival is twenty two seconds," Adora's head smacked against the metal walls, her neck unable to support it anymore.

The door slammed open. Somebody rushed in, but everything was a frantic blur of colours - nothing was solid enough to identify. "Adora, you're having a panic attack, ok?" The voice sounded vaguely familiar, but not enough to her panic addled brain. "I'm going to touch you, ok?" Adora jerked a nod, coherent enough to understand that. If she weren't in the shower, and naked, then the question probably wouldn't have been asked. But she was... and it was.

Her hand made contact with something clothed. "You feel that? Try and match my breathing," The voice said. Adora flexed her fingers, feeling the rise and fall of the persons chest. She tried to make her lungs cooperate, but they refused, insisting on staying too small for her body. She jerked her head. "Can't- I can't!" She gasped. "Ok, that's ok. We'll try something new," The voice kept her hand on taste chest. "Name me one thing you can taste," The voice said. Adora blinked frantically. "Come on, Adora. Name me one thing you can see," They said again. Adora's tongue felt too heavy for her mouth. "Um... my-my tongue," She stuttered. The voice hummed. "Ok. Now, two things you can hear," Adora's head began to grow fuzzy with the little amount of oxygen. "Water... you," She gasped out. "Good... now, three things you can feel," The voice sounded slightly clearer. Adora flexed her fingers and toes. "Um... metal... your sh-shirt and... um... water?" She tried. The voice hummed again. "Good. Four things you can smell?" The fuzz in her brain dissipated slightly. "Shampoo," she said. "Um... the- toilet cleaner... you and... a-uh-" She sniffed the air. "Uh... soap,"

Her heart seemed to stop breaking her chest cavity. "Great. Finally, five things you can see?" The voice asked. Adora shut her eyes softly, opening them slowly. "Shower... the toilet... me.... the- the door," She paused. Her vision cleared up enough to identify the voice. She glance down with a flush. "And you," She said timidly.

Spinnerella hummed softly. "Good," She gently put something soft into Adora's lap. Adora looked down, immediately wrapping the towel around her body. Adora tried to haul herself up, but shook dangerously. Spinnerella grabbed under her arms. "Steady. You've just had a panic attack... and a pretty bad one... you should wait a minute," Adora shook her head. "No. I- I need to get out of here," She insisted. Spinnerella released her grip. "Ok, ok. We can get out of here. But you have to sit down, ok? I don't want to bring you out of a panic attack, just for you to break a bone trying to walk, yeah?" She said gently. Adora glanced between her and the running water. "Ok," She said softly. With Spinnerella's help, Adora shuffled to her former bedroom, sitting on the bed in silence.

Spinnerella walked out and returned a few moments later. "I found these in one of the drawers," She handed some soft clothes over. "When I have a panic attack, and Netty for that matter, the last thing we feel like doing is talking and interacting with people. We just put on our pyjamas and sleep it off," Spinnerella shifted by the door. "I don't know if it's the same for you, but... yeah," Adora began to pull on the soft pyjamas, trembling violently. "Thank you... Spinny," she said softly. Spinnerella waved her hand. "Don't worry about it. Panic attacks are horrible when they come out of nowhere," She said.

Adora was quiet for a few beats. It was clear Spinnerella had something on her mind, but she thankfully chose not to pursue it.
Adora was grateful for the tact.

...

Later, when Adora had staved the remainder of the attack off and fed Violet, she rocked her gently as she tried to look for the letter she'd written just under two days ago. She was sure she left it under her pillow, where nobody could find it. Continuing to bounce Violet as she moved about, steadily growing more frantic, Adora left her room in disarray. "Oh god," She mumbled to herself. Violet twisted her head softly when she heard her mother's voice. "Where'd mommy put the letter, huh, Vi?" She mumbled again. Violet grumbled in her breath, twisting her head back into Adora's chest. The blonde shook her head softly, opting to sit on the bed and wait until Violet drifted off. She bounced her leg anxiously, though the motion seemed to only assist in lulling her daughter to sleep.

Violet's dummy fell out only ten minutes later, catching itself on the string Adora had attached to her armpit. Sighing softly as she stood, wincing when the Failsafe pounded painfully within her chest, Adora lowered Violet into her cot. She pulled her jacket on, only grimacing in slight pain when it rubbed against her red raw shoulders from the shower. She ventured out of the tent, beelining for Bow's. She pushed open the flap, pausing in her immediate questioning. "Hey, guys," She said instead. Spinnerella and Netossa smiled back. Bow didn't: his frown stood prominent. Adora scanned his face. "Did Shadow Weaver make your morning tea?" She tried for a joke. Netossa snorted, but Bow stayed frowning.

Adora quietened herself, somehow feeling on edge. Bow continued frowning for a few more moments. Adora glanced between him and the two wives nervously. "What's going on?" She asked. Bow sighed heavily, gesturing to a piece of paper. "I was hoping you could tell us the same," He said. He picked it up and brought it to his eyes.

"Bow," Adora's heart fell into her stomach. "You're gonna hate me when you read this, but I'll probably be dead, so it doesn't matter," Bow's voice cracked slightly. "This Failsafe is the only way we're gonna win against Prime... it's the only way to know that Vi won't be in his hands. Entrapta says the Failsafe is too strong for my "mortal" body, and that's why it hurts so much, that's why I'm so weak. She-Ra is the only thing keeping the Failsafe from completely killing me. I will stop Prime, and I will go to the Heart. I'll happily sacrifice myself if it means my daughter grows up happy and loved, not like I did," Bow continued. Adora's chin wobbled. "Stop it, Bow," She whispered.

Bow didn't. "So, in the event that I die, I'd like you to look after Violet. You'd raise her right. You have a good heart, and a good mind. That's what I want my daughter to grow up like - I want her to be as kind and forgiving as you, yet equally as brave and loyal. Something I can't help with. I'm not brave; I'm a coward. I'm scared, Bow. I'm scared the Heart won't work, that it'll kill me and Prime will still win. I debated running away again, this time taking Violet with me to another planet entirely. Maybe meet the Star Siblings. No baby should have to grow up in war... I say that as if that isn't what we had to do. But then I thought of all the other orphans out there, scared and alone, but having to fight in the war simply because they were unlucky," He paused. "Like I was,"

Adora launched towards him, but Bow simply stepped away. "If you don't wanna raise Vi, which I totally understand, give this letter to Netossa and Spinnerella next. They're like you: strong, brave and loyal. And if they don't (or you guys, if you're reading this) then ask Entrapta. There's several reasons why I don't want the rest of the alliance to look after her, and this is why. Glimmer: she's Queen. I'm not gonna force my daughter to take up a mantle that she's not even entitled to. Never mind the fact that Glim's kids will take over the throne, and Vi would just have to sit there and watch in her eyes, as they get preferential treatment. Mermista: self explanatory really. She lives in the sea - and can breathe under it. Violet can't, and it's not fair to subject Mermista to a life on land. Frosta: Way too young. Perfuma: I love Perfuma, and I do, but Violet needs to know how to fight, it's an essential life skill... one Perfuma doesn't believe in. And I can't rest knowing my daughter wouldn't know how to defend herself physically,"

Bow looked up briefly. Adora's eyes were streaming with tears. She'd written the letter in an emotional fit, to be fair. "If none of you at all wanna watch over Vi, can you see if George and Lance will? I know it's a huge ask, but it's worth a try. If they don't, try Razz. Razz is crazy as shit, but she means well. And she'd watch over Vi for me if nobody else wanted to. Sorry that you're having to read this now I'm dead, I was too cowardly to give it to you when I was alive. I'll see you on the other side,"

He folded the letter and put it on the table. Adora's hands shook by her side. "How did you get that?" She asked quietly. Bow hesitated. "Did-did you go through my stuff?" Adora asked quietly. Bow looked to Spinnerella. "We- Violet was crying. And... you were asleep," She said. "I found the letter," Netossa said quickly. "I was curious,"

Adora knew that was bullshit, but she didn't have the words to vocalise. She simply looked down. "Adora..." Bow finally spoke. "Do you really think you're gonna die?" Adora scoffed bitterly. The Failsafe, as if on cue, lit up a brilliant blue. Of course, it hurt. But she was already crying, so the tears of pain simply mixed with tears of frustration. "Of course I am, Bow!" She snapped. Bow's eyes widened. Adora laughed harshly. "You're a fucking idiot if you think I'm coming out of this," She hissed. She jabbed her chest angrily. "This, this fucking thing? It's killing me already," She spat. "That magic at the Heart killed me last time, Bow, did I tell you?" She began to grow hysterical. Bow's face grew slack, as did the two wives. "Yup. It killed me three times before I broke the sword, did you know?!" She began to pace, aggressively jabbing her own chest. "That magic wasn't even all of the Heart!" She yelled. "The real Heart?! I'll die, Bow," All anger left her body in a single motion, making her slightly lightheaded.

Adora leaned against the table, pinching the bridge of her nose. The tent was quiet for all of ten seconds. "Adora," Netossa began. "We're not gonna even talk about the Heart, ok? That's an issue for you and Bow," She continued. Adora raised her head. "We- why do you want us to watch after Violet if Bow can't? Surely there's better people? Any family you have?" Adora sighed heavily. "Nope. My family's on another planet, years away," She said. Netossa shifted on her feet. "And... you two, you love each other. I want Vi to grow up in a home where she's loved..." Adora said quietly. Somebody walked towards her. "We'd be honoured to watch over her," Spinnerella said with a smile. Adora's chest felt light - at least she knew if Bow didn't want to raise Vi, then somebody would.

The tent grew quiet again. Adora looked at her feet. Somebody sighed. "We'll uh... we'll give you two some privacy," Netossa said quietly. ​​​​​​​No, please- don't leave me to talk about this... Adora wanted to say. Yet, the words never came, and the wives left.

"Bow, I don't wanna talk about it," She said immediately. Bow sighed heavily, rubbing his head. "I know,, I know," He said. "I mean it, I don't wan-" She paused. "Wait, what?" Bow exhaled deeply. "I wanted to tell myself that you'd be ok with the Heart - that you'd come out of it," He paused. "Or at least be you again," He admitted. Adora crossed her arms, sitting on the table. She remained quiet. "But... I-I spoke with Entrapta, this morning. Shortly after I found the letter," He continued. Adora stayed quiet still. "And she said the likelihood of the She-Ra part of you surviving was something like negative 30 percent..." He inhaled shakily. "And the chances of you surviving what She-Ra couldn't..." He paused with a shaky exhale. Adora cleared her throat softly. "What is the chance, Bow? How low is it?" She asked quietly. Bow looked up with a soft sigh.

"Less than twenty percent,"

~

"Thanks for coming with me," Adora mumbled over the top of Violet's head. The infant twisted in outrage, babbling loudly. Bow and Entrapta smiled. "No problem, Adora," The latter said. "We didn't want you to this on your own," Bow said softly, touching her shoulder. "Yeah. And I like the child," Entrapta dangled some of her hair for Violet to grab and chew. Her hair tickled Violet's side, making the infant cackle loudly. Adora smiled, grabbing Violet's toes as well. She only shrieked louder. "Did you know, when babies laugh, it releases oxytocin?" Entrapta cackled herself, pulling her hair away. Adora shrugged. "I have no idea what that is," She said. Bow hummed in agreement. "Oxytocin is the pleasure hormone in our brains. Baby laughter has been scientifically proven to lift somebody's mood," Entrapta grinned. Violet continued laughing as she pulled on her toes. Adora felt the smile on her face stretch. "More so for the mother and father, of course," Entrapta paused. "Or, mother and mother, in her case," She paused again. "Or just mother, in Violet's case," She grinned.

Bow cleared his throat. Entrapta visibly hesitated. She turned, wrinkling her nose. "That was bad... wasn't it?" Adora glanced to Bow, who was already nodding. "Sorry... I'm still trying to understand situational cues, and what's appropriate when," Entrapta rubbed the back of her neck. Adora smiled softly, flapping her hand. "Don't worry about it," She reassured.

They walked for a few more minutes in silence, with the only sounds being Violet's sucking on somebody's finger, or the birds tweeting in the trees. "Do you even know where you're going, Adora?" Entrapta quizzed. Adora hummed, reaching out with her magic. The Failsafe tingled painfully in her chest... but then again, it always hurt her chest. "Yup. We're nearly there," She said.

Where was there, exactly?

"Here we are," Adora said a few minutes later. "Razz's house,"

...

Adora sat on the beanbag nursing Violet under her jacket while Bow handed over the bag he'd been carrying. It was full of formula's the nursery had given Adora, bottles, several baby clothes, a few toys and about a million dummies. "Mara, who is this man?" Razz asked suspiciously, narrowing her eyes. Adora shifted on the beanbag, dodging a right hook from her disgruntled daughter. "Razz, this is Bow. You've met him before," She said. "On Mara's ship," She glanced down to violet, wiping away a small trail of milk. Razz muttered underneath her breath. "I do not recognise him," She mumbled. Adora rolled her eyes softly. "Ok, everything is all hooked up. Razz is now ​​​​​​​completely hidden. I have masked the magical signal in case Prime was able to track it," Entrapta grinned as she walked in on her hair. Violet tilted her head at the voice, babbling in recognition. "Ah, hello Serenia! It is nice to see you again!" Razz bumbled by.

Adora shook her head softly. "How can you remember Serenia over Bow? You literally met him two months ago!" Adora exclaimed. Razz froze in her steps, eyes wide. She pointed. "Because I have never met this man in my life," Bow made a wounded sound. Entrapta simply giggled under the attention given to her by the crazy woman. Violet began babbling again, twisting her head to the voices. Adora lifted her away and placed her over her shoulder, patting her back softly. "Razz... are you sure you're ok watching Violet for me?" Adora asked. Razz hummed. "What, Mara?" Adora huffed softly. "I need to go to the Heart, Razz. And... I need you to look after Violet while I do it, ok?"

Razz dropped her broom when Adora said heart. "Adora... you cannot go to the Heart. You will die," Razz's eyes were wide, but her voice was soft. Adora smiled softly, lowering Vi into her lap, bouncing her softly. The treacherous little demon whined as she stared expectantly at Entrapta. The scientist gladly took her, saying random shit that meant nothing to Adora.

She turned to Razz, smiling weakly. She tapped her chest, biting back the grimace of pain when it thudded painfully. "I have this, Razz. It's ok," Razz came close, peering at it curiously. She looked up and down, then at Violet. "The Failsafe. Yes. Serenia said about this before," Razz walked away, muttering. "Yeah. It'll take the power of the Heart, and free it. Then I can kill Prime," Adora said firmly. "The Failsafe... it will work?" Razz turned to Entrapta. Adora nodded frantically over Razz's head. Entrapta hesitated. "Uh... yes... strange woman. It will work," Entrapta hesitated. Razz hummed. "Ok. If Serenia trusts it, I do too,"

Adora sighed softly, her heart feeling heavy in her chest. She stood up and took Violet out of Entrapta's arms, holding her tightly. Violet initially squirmed and grumbled, but eventually she settled in her mother's arms, snuggling into her neck. Adora sniffed softly, desperately tying to inhale the scent of her little girl. The hut was quiet, save for Razz bumbling around.

"Adora... we- we should go..." Bow was by her side. How did he get there so quickly? "It's getting late... and you need your rest to do this," Adora whined into Violet's blondey-red hair. She'd noticed that over the last month or so. Where Vi's hair was just dirty blonde, it now had streaks of Rey's bright red hair darted throughout. "Adora... we really need to go," Bow's hand was on her shoulder, squeezing gently. Adora pulled Violet in tighter. "The boy is right, Mara dearie," Razz gently put a wrinkled hand on her knee. "The Failsafe will require a lot of strength," Adora sniffed against the tears streaming from her face. "I know," She whispered, unashamed of her cracking voice.

"You're gonna have to physically take her from me," Adora raised her head briefly. "I- I can't let her go," She admitted. Bow turned away, his shoulders shaking suspiciously. Razz gently snaked her hands underneath Violet's arms, lifting her up. "I will look after your little girl, Adora," Razz cradled Violet in her arms, rocking her to sleep. Violet's eyes slipped closed, heavily influenced by the recent feed. "I promise she will be ok,"

Adora wiped her eyes with her sleeves, sighing shakily as she stood. She wrapped her arms around herself, exhaling heavily through her mouth. She took off her jacket, wrapping it tightly around Violet's shoulders. "Make sure she keeps this, Razz. Just... just in case it goes wrong," Violet snuggled into the jacket, recognising her mother's distinct smell. Razz pulled an arm of the jacket over Vi's belly. "Of course," She said gently. Adora stepped back, nodding to herself. "I'll be back, Razz," She smiled shakily, despite herself. Razz simply nodded. "Go on now, Mara. Otherwise you will never leave,"

With Bow and Entrapta's hands guiding her forwards, Adora left Razz's cottage, and her little girl, behind.

~

Adora stood alone in her tent. The absence of her daughter was strong, though Adora knew she was safer with Razz than with the alliance. Razz was crazy as fuck, but she could look after a baby with no problem. The alliance were determined to have a "last hurrah" of relaxation in the early hours of the morning. Bow's ukulele playing sounded softly in the fabric tent. Adora stared at her reflection in the mirror. Initially, it wasn't even her tent - it was Glimmer's. But Violet had seen the mirror and taken a liking to it, so the Queen let the mother and daughter stay there, while she took Adora's former tent.

She touched the Failsafe softly as it burned her chest. According to Entrapta, the reason it was hurting her was because of her own magic. The Failsafe wasn't designed for a normal body/She-Ra mix like hers. It was designed to be partially carried on the sword, as well as the hosts body. If Mara had taken on the Failsafe, she would've died. Her She-Ra wasn't strong enough for it. Christ, a thousand years of magic build up, and Adora's was barely strong enough to withstand it. Nevertheless, her She-Ra kept the Failsafe at bay, and thats all that mattered.

Adora pulled her hands away from her chest and grabbed her hair tie. She combed her fingers through her hair, somewhat missing the chunks of dried milk and drool from her daughter. She tied it up into its usual ponytail and secured her poof with a hair grip. She extended her right hand, willing the sword to appear. It flickered before her eyes like a glitch. It sent a wave of agony throughout her body as if she was playing with electricity.

She winced in pain, grabbing her wrist with her left hand to steady it. She forced all thoughts away and tried again. Her hand burned as she let it fall with a despondent sigh. Why was She-Ra doing this? Why was she causing Adora pain? Her eyes drifted to her chest, where the failsafe burned brightly. Was it the Failsafe? Would... would it stop her from being She-Ra?

Was the whole thing a ruse by Mara's rebels? Obviously, Adora was the only one strong enough to withstand the destructive energy, but... maybe it would obliterate She-Ra and the host? Maybe it needed two lives to be set free? Adora shook her head and squeezed her eyes tightly shut. "Come on She-Ra... I know you're in there," She mumbled, breathing deeply. Her hand still ached from the failed attempt at summoning the sword, but it was nice. She was used to pain; to it grounding her. If she was pain-free, then she wasn't doing a good job.

That's what Shadow Weaver had always said.
"If you're not hurting after a training session, you've not done a good enough job. Go again,"

So, if she was hurting, that meant Adora was doing good. She rolled her shoulders and took a steadying breath. "Come on, girl..." The familiar burn began in her eyes, settling into her bones with a painful announcement. She breathed through it, opening her eyes.

Before her stared back two glowing ice-blue irises. Adora took another deep breath, throwing her hand out and trying again.
The pain burned strong and hot throughout her nerves, sending each and every single one into overdrive. The glow faded as the burn retreated.

Adora smiled softly in the mirror. She-Ra smiled back. Adora absently touched the failsafe with a soft sigh. Deep down, she knew she wasn't coming back from this. She-Ra certainly wasn't, and it was looking increasingly unlikely that she would either.

...

"Bow, could you stop playing that thing?"
"Hey, I'm still learning!"
"Well, I like it,"

Adora, garnered in She-Ra, stood before the group, steeling her nerves. "Prime is getting closer every day to figuring out how to access the Heart of Etheria. If he succeeds, he could use it to destroy worlds, galaxies, maybe even the entire universe," She glanced at each member of the alliance. "The Failsafe is our only chance at stopping him. But Prime still has our friends. His hold over them grows stronger every day they're chipped," Her gaze lingered on Sea Hawk's a little too long. She knew he missed Mermista deeply. "If we don't free them then, we might lose them forever. Prime holds every advantage in this fight. He'll be ready for us. But we have a plan. Entrapta?" She turned to the scientist.

Entrapta nodded frantically, displaying her screens. "I finally succeeded in cracking Prime's signal pattern. If I get access to his Spire network, I could used it to broadcast a jamming frequency that would disable all of the chips on Etheria, freeing everyone at once!" She cackled. Adora nodded once. "I need you all to get Entrapta to the Spire and keep Prime's forces distracted while she jams the signal," She glanced down to her glowing chest again. "I'm gonna take the Failsafe to the Heart and destroy it, once and for all. We're going to make sure that Prime can never hurt anyone ever again. We're ending this today. For good," She said.

The group cheered. "Yeah!" Entrapta swung on her hair, gathering up Sea Hawk. "Ha-cha! Friendship!" He yelled. Perfuma squealed. "Friendship! Oh goodness!" Castaspella laughed loudly. Adora felt a smile breaking her face as her gaze moved to beyond her friend's heads. She gasped quietly as her eyes came across Shadow Weaver's lingering form. Adora felt She-Ra flicker, glitching painfully. Her breath caught in her lungs.

Weakness... she hissed to herself. Adora swallowed thickly, turning and speeding out of the hideaway they were in. She ran outside, skidding to a stop as She-Ra flickered painfully. She clutched at the Failsafe as it pounded painfully in her chest. She-Ra flickered once more, seeping away into hibernation again. Adora exhaled in pain.

She looked around at the dark forest. Stupidly, she was hoping to see a certain person loitering nearby, tail curled a tree trunk, hissing taunting remarks. But there was no such person: she'd disappeared several hours ago with Melog. Adora felt her face turn into a soft pout as she gnawed on her lip. "You weren't trying to sneak out without us, were you?" Bow asked. Adora remained staring at the forest, sighing heavily. "Any sign of Catra?" Glimmer asked. Adora shook her head softly. "No. She's not coming back," Adora might've gone a long time before she and Catra reunited as friends, but that didn't mean the sixteen years they had been friends was immediately wiped away.

"Are you sure you guys should come? We don't know what to expect from the Heart of Etheria.. it- it could be dangerous for you," Adora turned to face her... friend and... friendly acquaintance. Bow stepped forward. "There's no way we're letting you do this on your own. Whatever we find, we face it together," He put his hand on her shoulder. Glimmer stood to the side, smiling softly, but respecting that Adora wasn't ready for physical contact from her yet. Nevertheless, Adora smiled at them both. "For the honour of Grayskull!

~

"Warning. Planetary facilitator Light Hope protocol offline. Manual administrator access not recommended at this time,"

As she'd done her whole life, Adora ignored the warning. The Failsafe lit up as she approached the hologram. "We're friends of Mara. Show us where the Heart of Etheria is," The hologram glitched as it scanned Adora's eight foot, glamorous form. "Welcome, friends of Mara," It said. Behind the hologram, on the door, the She-Ra symbol lit up a brilliant blue. The wall groaned as it opened, the obvious lack of use making itself known. Adora's feet remained glued to the ground as she stared into the dark abyss of the room. A certain unease was apparent in her body - it knew she was going to die. Usually, Adora didn't have an issue with the unknown.

But right now?

Right now, she did.

She shivered against the cold blast of wind. Looking down, she realised Bow and Glimmer were holding her hands. Even they knew she was gonna die. Maybe not aware that they knew it, but they knew it. Much like how a cat knew you were pregnant, or had a terminal sickness, or when it went away to die.

She flashed a small smile at them before wriggling out of the grasp and marching forward into the cold hallway.

...

Adora ran her hand alongside the wall, feeling the ridges left by the First Ones in disguised code. Most of them warned about the dangers of the Heart, some others warned of the perils of the guardian (but they'd already defeated the guardian - back under Bright Moon) and a few lone runes wrote about the treachery of the Heart absolver would be punished. By who? Adora thought to herself. She was the last First One - the only one who could punish her was herself.

She glanced to her booted feet as she walked. "Are you scared?" Glimmer asked softly. Adora inhaled deeply, exhaling softly. She raised her head to meet the Queen's eyes. Her eyes were similar to Violet's, now Adora closely looked at her for the first time in several weeks. Violet. God. Her baby girl - an orphan at the tender age of three months. Like Adora was, funnily enough. She chuckled bitterly on the inside. Looks like history did repeat itself.

Realising Glimmer was waiting for an answer, Adora smiled softly. "No," She said firmly. Where to reassure herself or Glimmer, she didn't know. "I just really hope this works," She absently touched the Failsafe as she came to a stop. "It's okay, Adora. We'll be with you the whole way. When we get back, it'll be a whole new world," Bow rubbed her shoulder softly as best as he could. Bow was the tallest in the group, but Adora towered over his form in her She-Ra getup.

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha,"

Adora looked around, eyes wide. "Did you guys hear that?" She asked, spinning in a circle. "What?" Glimmer asked softly. Adora craned her ears.

​​​​​​​"Ha ha ha ha ha ha,"

Adora frowned. "Catra?" She ran by Glimmer and Bow, following the sound of Catra's echoing laughter. Adora skidded to a stop, barely catching herself on a wall. Lo and behold - Catra stood, back turned. For a minute, Adora wondered if she was seeing things - if it was her body's last hurrah. Then Catra turned, smirking in that Catra way that only she could do. "Hey, Adora," She said. The phrase ignited butterflies in her stomach, rushing up into her throat. Her body slumped in relief. "Catra, you came-"

"Adora!"

She turned in worry, taking her gaze off of Catra. Bow was jogging towards her form. Oh right. As She-Ra, her steps were a lot larger than Adora's, and Bow's by default. Something crackled by her ear. When she turned back to Catra, she was a young girl. Adora gasped in shock. Catra glitched into her outfit with Prime, then to her Horde days outfit, then to her current one. She reached out to cup Adora's face. She-Ra's form glitched away - but it didn't hurt. Adora shrunk to her normal form, gasping sharply but quietly when Catra cupped her face.

Sure, they hooked up two nights ago, but this was different. That hookup was built from years of frustration and anger and lust, but this- this was passion and... dare she say?... love? Catra pressed her head close to Adora's. She reached up to cup Catra's hands within her o-
-she glitched away. Adora tore her hands away, looking at them. The golden bands of She-Ra decorated her arms. It was a simulation... Catra hadn't come back... she was still roaming in the forest, far away from Adora. The blonde blinked as she stepped back, glancing down.

Maybe the visions were a last ditch attempt to kill the person going for the Heart. Much further, and Adora would've been a pancake on the ground. "You're going the wrong way. The trail is back there. You okay?" The sting of tears announced themselves painfully as Bow spoke. Adora clenched her fists tightly, squeezing her eyes shut even tighter. "We need to be careful. It looks like this place can still project memories," She took a steadying breath. "We can't let it distract us," She strode past Bow and Glimmer's confused forms, unable to meet their eyes. She-Ra flickered briefly, making her grab the wall for stability. She took another deep breath, forcing herself to be the neutral Force Captain that Shadow Weaver had beaten into her.

...

Adora rushed ahead, knowing she was on borrowed time with She-Ra. If the being was already fading, she needed to move quickly, otherwise the Failsafe would kill her before the Heart could. Then it'd all be for nothing. Bow and Glimmer continued shouting for her, running after her larger form. A She-Ra stride was as much as three Bow steps, four for Glimmer. A deliberately large She-Ra stride was easily five steps for Bow, meaning she was a good while in front.

Good.

She-Ra flickered again, but Adora pushed through the pain. She squeezed her eyes shut with a low whine. When she opened them, she was in the forest. She looked around, gasping when her eyes came upon a tangle of vines.

"Adora!" Bow shouted, finally reaching the forest with her. The Failsafe pounded painfully in her chest. Adora winced softly, bringing her hand to grasp it loosely. "Adora, are you okay?" Bow asked. He and Glimmer stood at the edge of the forest, close enough to see Adora, but far enough away to not overcrowd her. "What's going on?" Glimmer asked. Adora sighed at the sword, picking at her fingers. "I thought I knew. This place is responding to my memories. I think I'm doing this," She squeezed her fists tightly. "So, why here? And how do we get out?" Bow asked softly.

Adora glanced over at him briefly. "When I broke the Sword," She began. Adora began to walk towards the Sword of Protection. "I thought... I thought I could make my own destiny. But I can't. It was always going to end like this," She realised. "What do you mean, "end"?" Glimmer asked. "Adora!"

Adora stared at her imposing reflection. "I'm losing her," She admitted. She-Ra glitched. "I'm distracted and confused, and I'm scared," Her voice quivered. "And I can't be any of those things if this is going to work," Tears flowed from her eyes, burning her cheeks in their path. "I need to go the rest of the way by myself," Being alone was the last thing Adora wanted... or needed ​​​​​​​right now... but... if she didn't go on her own... Violet would be subject to the tortures of the Horde.

"Adora, no! You don't have to do this!" Bow was running at her, quickly. Knowing she'd be gone before he reached her, Adora turned with a shaky and unsteady smile. "I love you guys so much. I never could have done any of this without you," She inhaled shakily. "Thank you for being the best friends anyone could ask for," Adora glanced at the sword again, moving her gaze to say goodbye once more. "Adora!" Glimmer charged at her body, quickly out running Bow.

Adora reached for the sword, and wrapped her hand around it tightly.
Her world erupted into whiteness.

...

When she opened her eyes, Adora was overlooking the lush green forests of Etheria from a high cliffside. If she completes her mission successfully, Violet would have the endless expanse to explore, to make her own way in. Adora might not be around to watch her grow, but her friends would. Bow would watch her... and so would the alliance. Catra would eventually surface as well... hopefully...

To her side, somebody walked up. Adora glanced out of the corner of her eye. She gasped softly. Mara stood overlooking the forest as well, though her face held a deep frown. "I'm going to save Etheria, no matter what it takes. Your sacrifice won't be in vain. I promise," She said to the former She-Ra. Mara sighed softly. "But at what cost? I never wanted to die," Adora turned to face the warrior. "I sacrificed myself so you would never have to. Why are you doing this, Adora? You have a daughter, and you're the only She-Ra to have lived long enough to do it," Mara said. Adora glanced down briefly. "It's better this way. My friends will be safe- my ​​​​​​​daughter... would be safe. They'll be happy," She said. Mara touched her cheek. "And you? What do you want when this is all over?" ​​​​​​​When... not if.

"I... It doesn't matter. I'm She-Ra. This is what I'm supposed to do," Adora stuttered over her words, forcing them out of her throat. The expanse flickered with glitchy green code, breaking apart before her eyes. Both She-Ra's turned to frown. Mara glared as she turned back, taking Adora's hands within her own. Her glare softened to that of a concerned friend. Adora had seen a lot of that recently. "You're worth more than what you can gave to other people. You deserve love, too. You're so close, Adora. Don't give up yet," Mara pleaded.

The illusion flickered dangerously, tinting with Prime's horrible lime green. Adora stumbled back, nausea rolling in her stomach. "Mara?" Her voice cracked. "What's-?"

"Ah. Adora," Adora spun, glaring heavily. "So, this is where you've run to hide," Prime taunted.

...

Adora shook her head violently. "You're not here. You can't stop me," She clenched her fists tightly by her side, just waiting for the fucker to get close enough to hit. An Adora punch knocked you out. A She-Ra punch? Might very well kill you if she hit hard enough. Prime simply walked through her form, uncaring. "How strange. I must have fought her, must have known her face. But I have no memory of it," He conversed as if they were long-time friends.

Adora gasped in fright as something shrieked from the shadows. Her sword extended in her hands, parallel across her body, protecting her from the potential threat. She narrowed her eyes into the dark expanse. "I've seen so many like her over the years. One by one, all their faces have been lost to oblivion," Prime continued. He paused for a few moments. Something glitched behind, but Adora didn't turn to look. Everything in her body was screaming at her. DANGER! DANGER! DANGER!

"Just as yours will be," Prime finished with a smirk in his voice. Adora turned briefly, sword still held out in protection. The darkness shrieked again. Something shot out from the darkness, coming at her form. It moved too quickly for her to block, slicing deeply into her side. The pain was immediate. Adora usually prided herself on her pain tolerance. Jesus, she'd been through unmedicated childbirth and only shed a few tears when Violet actually came out. Or when she'd broken bones, she'd never cried.

But this?

This was... this was something else.

She could do nothing else but scream in agony, dropping to her knees. Her legs lost all strength, simply folding under themselves. She-Ra disappeared more painfully than usual, but it was nothing compared to the pain ​​​​​​​radiating from her side. She caged her side with her left hand, using her right hand to keep herself upright. She groaned against the pain, panting heavily.

"A parting gift from the First Ones," Prime's feet moved to her vision. "Their old security system. Capable of taking out even one as strong as She-Ra," Adora glanced up through tears of agony, gritting her teeth as she whined against the pain. You will never make it to the Heart, Adora," Unable to keep her head up any longer, Adora let it drop to her chest. "Your own people made sure of that," Prime continued to code. "Goodbye, my oldest enemy," His feet shimmered away.

The illusion broke down not too soon after, but it was only a blur of mushy colours to her eyes. The darkness shrieked again, finally revealing itself as a huge, green tentacled monster. The pain momentarily filtered to the back of her mind.

Well shit.