Happy weekend, my wonderful friends! 😊
This is one of my very favorite times of the week, when I post the next chapter of my fanfic!
It's time for Entrapta's friends to put their plan into action.
Previously in this episode:
Part One: Entrapta is fading, and She-Ra sends a desperate message.
Part Two: Bow, Catra, and General Juliet collaborate on a plan to bring all of the princesses together.
Now, it's time to call on one of Entrapta's most powerful allies for assistance!
I have decided to dedicate this chapter to @Rqkha , a new friend here whose favorite character Catra plays a prominent role, fueled by her will to do whatever she can for the one she loves and their mutual friends.
Please enjoy!
At the base of the spire by the entrance to the Chamber of the Heart, She-Ra drops to the ground from the branches above. As she lands, she collapses into a half-crouch, clearly fatigued near to exhaustion.
For a few moments, she closes her eyes and breathes heavily, recovering some of her strength. Her golden aura glows comfortingly in the night, and it gradually brightens.
She-Ra opens her eyes.
Then, she grasps her sword, stands up fully, and turns to enter the chamber.
Within the Heart Chamber, Wink and Glimmer huddle closely around Entrapta, who remains nestled in Hordak’s arms, sitting on the floor with their backs to the base of the central console.
Wink kneels, clutching Entrapta’s ankles, while Glimmer massages Entrapta’s arms.
Glimmer turns as She-Ra’s glow falls across them, a look of desperate worry in her eyes.
Glimmer: Adora, she’s so cold. [shaking her head] She’s so cold.
She-Ra frowns in concern. She raises her sword with both hands, and in a burst of energy it transforms and spreads out until she is holding a large golden blanket between her hands.
She-Ra: Then we’ll keep her warm.
She approaches and kneels down with the others. tenderly draping the blanket over Entrapta’s still body. Entrapta shivers slightly. She-Ra wraps the edges around her, placing a gentle hand on her forehead.
She reaches her other hand out to touch Glimmer’s shoulder. They meet each other’s eyes.
She-Ra: Don’t worry. Help will be here soon.
Time draws on painfully back in Bright Moon as Bow’s companions stand behind him, Netossa and Spinnerella on one side, Catra and General Juliet on the other, leaning over to watch the image on Bow’s tracker pad.
Bow sits at the table in the Council Chamber of Bright Moon, huddling over the screen in his hands. It currently displays a hovering purple sphere, which pulsates in time with the rhythm of an evenly-modulated female voice.
Darla: [calmly] I cannot leave Dryl, Bow.
Bow: [with controlled agitation] But why not?
Darla: [logically] Because Entrapta instructed me to remain here, replenishing my energy until she returns.
Bow: [pressing] But Entrapta is in trouble. We need your help. She needs your help!
Darla: Then I will await her instruction.
Bow: [emphatically] But she’s not able to give you instructions. That’s why we need you. To help her.
Darla: [kindly] I have appreciated working with you, Bow, and your technical skills are well above the average for an Etherian. However, Entrapta’s knowledge and skill surpasses your own. Therefore, I must rely on her guidance.
Bow pounds one palm on the table.
Bow: [with mounting frustration] Darla! Listen! You don’t understand! We need to reach Entrapta right away, and we can’t do that without your help.
Darla: I am anticipating her return, Bow. I will inform her of your interest in seeing her.
Bow: [protesting] That’s not what I meant!
Catra: [in exasperation] Here! Let me!
Catra swipes the tracker pad from Bow’s grasp and raises the screen to her eye level.
Catra: [with irritation] Listen, Darla! Entrapta is in trouble, and if you don’t come here right now, we might lose her!
Darla: [assuredly] Thank you, Catra. I will certainly assist Entrapta in any way I can.
Catra shifts her eyes to smirk at Bow.
Darla: [continuing] I am prepared to do so immediately upon receiving her request for help.
Catra’s expression turns to one of incredulous annoyance.
Darla: Until that time, I am required to rest and conserve my energy.
Catra snarls at the tracker pad.
Catra: You stupid -- !
Darla: Ending communication.
The tracker pad screen goes dark.
With gritted teeth, Catra squeezes the pad with both hands, and a couple of small cracks appear on the frame. She drops it on the table in front of Bow.
Netossa shakes her head.
Netossa: Now, that . . . that was painful to watch.
Catra: Try it again, Bow!
Bow: [shaking his head] It won’t work.
Catra: We don’t have a choice! We need to have Darla! We’ve got to try!
Bow pushes his chair back and stands up.
Bow: No. I know Darla. She won’t go against the instructions she got from Entrapta. No matter what we say. Buuuut . . .
He begins to pace across the floor, looking downward in concentration, one arm folded across his body and the other hand holding his chin.
Bow: [thinking it through] Darla wants to help. But she’ll only leave Dryl if Entrapta tells her to do so. Entrapta isn’t here. And we can’t convince her. Because none of us is Entrapta. Which means . . .
He stops suddenly, considering. Catra walks toward him, gesturing with her palm.
Catra: [impatiently] Which means we need Entrapta! How is that helpful?!!
Bow looks up, the glimmer of a smile on his face.
Bow: No! It means we need someone who Darla thinks is Entrapta to convince her to come!
Catra frowns at Bow’s evident confidence.
Catra: But why would Darla . . .
Catra’s eyes widen momentarily, and then she frowns again.
Catra: Ohhhh.
General Juliet steps forward.
General Juliet: Just a minute, Bow. You’re talking about Double Trouble.
Bow: Double Trouble could do it, General! They’re the only one who can.
General Juliet frowns sternly, hands on hips.
General Juliet: That person is an untested asset of Bright Moon. Only Queen Glimmer can make the decision to employ them.
Bow: [firmly] But Glimmer isn’t here, and we have no way of contacting her!
General Juliet sighs.
General Juliet: I am aware of that. [with evident frustration in her voice] Unfortunately, the Queen saw fit to leave before I could receive any instructions from her. In her absence, I am the one in command at Bright Moon. As such, I am reluctant to compound one problem with the addition of another. [she shakes her head] I’m not willing to take that risk.
Bow extends his arms to her in a pleading gesture.
Bow: But General, we don’t have much time, and there’s no other option!
Catra steps between them.
Catra: [with calm assurance] With respect, General, Bow is right. And when we last saw Queen Glimmer, she told us she was looking for an opportunity to have Double Trouble prove themself worthy of her trust. [pause] Isn’t this is the opportunity she was looking for?
The General takes in Catra’s unwavering gaze, then shifts her eyes to see Bow’s beseeching one.
Bow: [earnestly] Please.
Spinnerella and Netossa draw near, joining the group with hopeful expressions.
Finally, the General nods.
General Juliet: [with resolution] Very well. Then, let’s hurry.
