Previously, following the final battle against the Horde, our heroes gathered and parted, starting new journeys:
Then, morning dawned on land and sea, and people awoke with varying levels of success:
https://she-raandtheprincessesofpower.fandom.com/f/p/4400000000000036136
Next, Adora, Catra, and Swift Wind traversed the Whispering Woods, while Mermista enjoyed a surprise breakfast.
https://she-raandtheprincessesofpower.fandom.com/f/p/4400000000000036242
And now, the story continues, as Catra, Adora, and Swift Wind reunite with their friends at Bright Moon, while Sea Hawk and Mermista discuss the wonders of the ocean, and peril approaches.
I hope you enjoy!
The citadel at Bright Moon gleams in alabaster perfection, its spires, turrets, and balconies rising shining in the light of the mid-day sun. It is a breath-taking sight as the trio of Adora, Catra, and Swift Wind approach on the pathway. They hear a happy voice calling from on high across the expanse.
Glimmer: Hi!!!
Looking up, the travelers see Glimmer and Bow smiling and waving from the balcony. Glimmer grabs Bow, and in a tiny explosion of sparkles, they disappear, reappearing a moment later on the walkway in front of the castle, still a distance away from them. Glowing with happiness, Glimmer runs to greet them, dragging Bow along by the hand behind her. They stop several yards short, standing bright-eyed and expectant. Adora looks at Catra, who is wide-eyed, and smiles at her. Catra smiles back and then squeaks as Adora grabs her by the hand and pulls her along running and giggling to collide with their friends at the edge of the moat in a laughter-soaked group hug. Swift Wind leans his head in beside Adora’s.
Glimmer: [head on Adora’s shoulder] Ha-ha. You guys!
Adora: [holding Glimmer, then patting Swift Wind] Ahhhhhh.
Catra: [crushed against Bow] Ergh. Hey! Hahaha.
Bow: This. is. So good!
Swift Wind: The herd is back together!
They hold each other for a moment of blissful silence, then move apart gently. Glimmer stands up tall, formally straightening her cape, and turns to Catra.
Catra: Hey, Sparkles.
Glimmer: [imperiously] In my realm, you will kindly address me by my formal name!
Catra raises an eyebrow, uncertain about her tone.
Glimmer: [smiling] That’s Queen Sparkles to you!
She giggles, then puts her arms on Catra’s shoulders and pulls her into a quick embrace.
Glimmer: [warmly] Welcome to Bright Moon, Catra.
Catra: [softly] Thanks . . . your majesty.
They part, smiling.
Glimmer: [brightly] Ready for the tour?!
Adora: [glancing to Catra, who looks a little leery of this] Uh, how about if I take care of that?
Catra relaxes a little and smiles at Adora.
Glimmer: [slightly disappointed] Oh. Okay.
Bow catches Glimmer’s eye and nods, knowingly.
Bow: Yeah, why not? Glimmer and I can work on . . . reorganizing the armory!
Glimmer: Yeah. [more certain] Sure. [upbeat again] Well, join us later for lunch in the dining hall.
Adora: Absolutely.
Catra: [smiling] Of course.
Glimmer: [smiling again] Great! See you then.
Glimmer turns with Bow. They walk up alongside one of the Bright Moon guards, and Glimmer addresses her.
Glimmer: Oh. [gesturing back] This is the Lady Catra. She’s with Adora, and she is to be known as a good friend of Bright Moon.
Guard: [inclining toward her] Very good, your majesty. It will be so.
Catra: [softly, to Adora] Lady??
Adora: [quietly back, a little teasingly] You’re one of the family now.
Glimmer and Bow take another step arm in arm, and Glimmer looks back briefly to grin at them before they both disappear in a bright shower of sparkles. Catra flinches.
Catra: Wow. She does that a lot these days, doesn’t she?
Adora: [shrugging] Ehh. Queen’s prerogative.
Swift Wind: Soooooooo. I think I’ll go chat with the locals about stable conditions. Bye, Adora!
He leaps into the air and Catra frowns. Adora looks to her empathetically.
Adora: Just ignore him. He has moods.
Catra: Right.
They walk toward the entrance, which is flanked by two guards, cowled in their high helmets and flowing robes holding long staffs ending in moon-shaped blades. They bow to Adora and Catra as they enter. Emerging into the high hallway, Catra remarks.
Catra: Those are your soldiers? How do they fight like that? Also, security? [idly petting the air] They didn’t even blink when Melog walked by.
Adora: [smiling, casually] Okay, Melog’s invisible, to be fair, . . . and they don’t. Fight, I mean. They’re not really soldiers. They’re guards with the duty to protect Bright Moon. And anyway, the light of the Moon Stone shields the castle. If it comes to fighting, well . . . [smiling a little awkwardly] the princesses usually do that.
Catra: [smirking] Yeah, I’d kinda noticed.
She stops for a moment and looks around. The hallway is a brilliant white, sparkling, stretching up to an enormous vaulted ceiling with ornate arches, and extending far into the distance.
Catra: [impressed] Wow.
Adora: [cheerfully grabbing her arm] C’mon. Let’s start with the herbarium.
Catra: [puzzled] The what?
Adora: You’ll see.
Sea Hawk: [exhuberantly] The sea!!
Hanging from the very highest point of the main mast of his ship, holding on with one hand, only the tips of his toes touching the mast, Sea Hawk stares out to the distant waters in wide-eyed wondrous joy.
Sea Hawk: [calling below] Mermista! Do you see it?!!
Mermista stands on deck near the bow, leaning against the gunwale, alert, but bored.
Mermista: [non-plussed] Yeah, the sea. A little hard to miss.
Sea Hawk: [in his own world] The bounding swell, the rise and fall, the very heartbeat of the ocean! Infinite hues of jade and sapphire, cascading and tumbling in the rush and roar, the siren call of . . . Adventure!!!
He slides down the mast and hops lightly to the deck beside her, affecting a casual lean against the side of the ship.
Sea Hawk: And, also . . . are you feeling better?
Mermista: [smiling at him] Yeah. Thanks. The kelp actually helped a lot. [she looks away with the tiniest blush]
Sea Hawk: Ahh, The generous bounty of the sea. The delicacies of the deep. A cornucopia of delicious delights.
Mermista: So, like . . . have you actually tried kelp?
Sea Hawk: Why, yes.
Mermista: [curious] What did you think? I mean, be honest.
Sea Hawk: [smiling, unashamed] It’s terrible.
Mermista smiles and looks away again. Then she frowns and stares into the near distance.
Mermista: Uhhhhhh, what’s that?
Sea Hawk: [looking in a different direction] The sea!!!!
Mermista grabs the back of his neck with one hand and directs his gaze ahead of the ship.
Mermista: No. That!
They both now see where the ship is heading, toward a gigantic mass of swirling turbulent waters in the middle of an otherwise serene ocean.
Sea Hawk: [calmly] Hmm. I’m . . . not sure. But to these old sea dog’s eyes, it looks like it just might be . . . AD--!!
Mermista claps her other hand over his mouth.
Mermista: Could you not?!
He nods, and she releases him.
Mermista: So, whatever this whirlpool thing is, we’re heading right toward it, and that’s not good. You take care of the ship, and I’ll go check it out.
Sea Hawk: [a tiny bit concerned] Mermista?
Mermista: [turning to look him directly in the eye] Look, it’s okay. I’ve got this. Just keep the ship together, okay?
Sea Hawk: Okay.
She smiles at him briefly, then in a single motion turns and leaps overboard in a beautiful dive. Before she even reaches the water, her legs become a graceful mermaid tail. The moment she hits the waves, she begins swimming powerfully toward the whirlpool. Sea Hawk leaps energetically to the helm of the ship, beginning to turn her against the current.
