It's time for the conclusion of this episode, my friends.
I hope it will warm your heart and give you a lift as you start your weekend. 😌
First, the recap for Episode 76:
Part One: She-Ra, unable to bring Entrapta back from oblivion by herself, calls the princesses to join her.
Part Two: Catra brings the message, and together with Bow, General Juliet, and the princesses, they formulate a plan to bring everyone together with Darla's help.
Part Three: Unfortunately, Darla will not make a move without direction from Entrapta.
Part Four: They seek Double Trouble's assistance to convince Darla.
Part Five (1 ): Double Trouble manages to convince Darla that they are Entrapta, and (2) then Bow and the others from Bright Moon embark on their mission.
Part Six: The princesses of Etheria come together in the Valley of the Heart.
Part Seven: They meet up with She-Ra, Glimmer, Hordak, Wink, and the fading Entrapta.
Part Eight: Combining their strength and love for their friend, they meet Entrapta in the darkest place of her mind.
I am dedicating this final chapter of the episode to my friend Alex ( @DontYouGetitILuvYou ). Thank you, Alex, for being supportive of me and my creativity! 😊
Thank you, everyone for being here and sharing this story with me.
And don’t ever forget the most important part of magic . . . 😉
The fellowship of princesses and their friends form a closely-bonded circle, gathered on the green field of the Valley of the Heart. Embraced in the full light of morning, they kneel in stillness around their fallen friend, eyes closed, their heads bowed in vigil.
Miraculously, their bodies glow, each with a unique aura. Together their colors -- magenta, purple, violet, teal, blue, green, red, and gold -- flow to Entrapta and rise from her, mingling with the sunshine in rainbow waves like incense smoke.
And suddenly the little princess in their care begins to stir.
The rainbow glows fade away, and the princesses surrounding Entrapta open their eyes, watching with tense expectation.
Her eyelids flutter, and she murmurs, as if emerging from a dream.
Entrapta: [softly] I . . . I’m not . . .
After a moment, her eyes open fully, and she focuses on the face above her. She smiles and lifts her head a little.
Entrapta: [weakly] Ho- . . . Hordak. [pause] You came for me. You’re here.
She lets her head fall back against Swift Wind’s side, and suddenly she is looking up at another friendly face, though inverted as he leans over her from behind.
Entrapta: [with a surge of joy] And Wink! You’re okay!!
Wink nods, smiling.
Wink: [overcome with emotion] Oh . . . yes!
Entrapta turns her head to suddenly find Swift Wind’s nose close to her face. He smiles at her guilelessly. She squints at him, puzzled.
Entrapta: You’re here, too?!
Entrapta lifts her head and manages to raise up on her elbows, seemingly strengthened, to take a look around herself. Then she blinks her eyes, mouth slightly open in startled wonder at all of the faces smiling back at her.
For a moment, they all sit and kneel and stand in breathtaking stillness, but their expressions are alive with a dancing joy!
Entrapta’s gaze rests on Glimmer, who beams at her, squeezing Bow’s hand against her shoulder; then it moves to Netossa and Spinnerella, clasping one another’s hands in joyous relief.
Sea Hawk kneels down beside Mermista, who is smiling again, though her face is streaked with tears.
Frosta grins triumphantly, Scorpia’s eyes are wide with awe-filled delight, and Perfuma, glowing with happiness, has a gentle arm around each of them.
Finally, Entrapta sees Catra, holding Adora from behind, who nods to her, an uncharacteristic empathy in her eyes. And Adora, who gives her a knowing look of encouragement and compassion.
Entrapta stares at her, frowning slightly.
Entrapta: [puzzled] You’re . . . all here. Why are you all here?
Adora sits up straight and leans toward Entrapta.
Entrapta looks her innocently in the eyes, repeating her question.
Entrapta: [sincerely] Why, Adora?
Adora: [without hesitation] Because you’re our friend. And . . . [she grins] . . . you needed back-up.
And Adora gives Entapta a quick wink.
Entrapta frowns deeper and shakes her head.
Entrapta: But . . . I was . . . terrible to you! I . . . I tried to activate the Heart . . .
Adora shakes her head with a look of sympathy, but Entrapta can’t meet her eyes.
Entrapta: [in a trembling voice] I . . . hurt my friends.
Adora: [deliberately] You did what you thought you had to. Because of the Runestone. And the First One’s tech. [pause] We don’t blame you. [she sighs] All of us have felt what that power is like.
Entrapta sees the nods from the other princesses. She turns back to Adora, who touches her arm comfortingly
Adora: But it’s all over now. [with admiration] Because of you.
Entrapta looks down to where Adora’s hand touches her arm. She raises her own hand shakily, hesitates, and then puts her hand on Adora’s, lifting and squeezing it. She grits her teeth and squints her eyes tightly shut, as she directs her emotions into the power of her hold on Adora’s hand. Adora matches her grip, squeezing hard.
After a moment, Entrapta opens her eyes and smiles at Adora, and a couple of tears flow from her eyes.
Entrapta: Thank you.
Adora nods in understanding. They release hands.
Entrapta sits fully upright with some effort. She turns toward Glimmer with a fragile expression.
Entrapta: I messed up your magic. I’m . . . I’m really sorry.
Glimmer lets go of Bow’s hand and sits up on her knees, spreading her hands apart in a generous gesture.
Glimmer: [gently] Entrapta. [reassuringly] We can cope with having to give up our magic.
She smiles and shakes her head as she looks Entrapta in the eyes.
Glimmer: But we would never give up on you.
There is a chorus of agreement.
Bow: Of course not.
Scorpia: That’s right!
Perfuma: Not ever.
Frosta: Yeah!
A beautiful smile blooms on Entrapta’s face, like the new dawn around her.
She wipes a tear from her eye with the back of a glove, and then she slowly begins to stand up. Hordak rises with her, providing a steadying hold on her arm.
All of her friends stand and step back slightly, giving her space.
Entrapta wobbles for a moment but then stands firm as Hordak tentatively lets go of her arm.
She frowns and shakes her head experimentally. Then she looks downward at her hair, splaying loosely over the ground. Sorrowfully, she picks up a thick lock, examining the limp strands in her hand.
Entrapta: [looking at her hair] I guess I’m having to give up something, too.
She begins to stroke the strands gently as she speaks.
Entrapta: [sadly] I didn’t know what would happen to me if I broke the Runestone inside me. Now I know.
A tiny smile returns.
Entrapta: [with confidence] But it was worth it.
Entrapta raises her eyes, giving the princesses a hopeful look.
Entrapta: [happily] All of you, . . . my friends, . . . you made it worth it!
She looks around herself shyly, the love and support surrounding her reflecting in her eyes. Then she takes a deep breath, letting out a sigh as her shoulders slump and her gaze falls to the earth.
Entrapta: Right now, though, [frowning in consideration] I think I’m tired. [pause] And hungry.
She looks up to Hordak and smiles.
Hordak returns a smile of sympathetic relief.
Hordak: [offering an arm] Come. We will prepare . . . some tiny food.
Entrapta grins, and gratefully takes his arm. She turns to her other side.
Entrapta: [joyfully] Haha! Come on, Wink!
Wink helpfully gathers up the trailing ends of Entrapta’s hair in his arms, joyfully taking his place beside Entrapta. Hordak nods approvingly, then turns to the others.
Hordak: [humbly] I am . . . grateful to you all. My brothers and I will care for Entrapta as she recovers.
As the three of them begin the long walk back to Hordak’s village, there is a momentary lull. Then the others in the gathering gradually break the silence, moving slightly apart in twos and threes. They meander in the general direction of Darla, their ship, as they carry on their quiet conversations, released from tension and concern.
Adora and Catra walk together in silence, smiling at the ground.
But then Adora suddenly halts, placing a hand on Catra’s shoulder. Her girlfriend stops with her, turning toward her and raising an eyebrow quizzically.
Catra: What?
Adora: [lovingly] I’m just so glad you’re here.
Catra smirks.
Catra: Of course I am, dummy.
She playfully nudges her shoulder against Adora’s.
Catra: [mock-accusingly] Even when you disappear on me. [softly, affectionately] Where else would I be?
For a moment, Adora frowns, but Catra takes her hand and gives it a firm squeeze.
Catra: [gently] C’mon. Lets go home.
Adora smiles a weary grin for Catra.
Adora: [with a contented sigh] Yeah. Home.
Far away in the heart of the Whispering Woods, an old woman gazes across the clearing just outside her simple hovel. As the light of morning flows over the contours of the trees, bark and leaf alike shimmer brilliantly in myriad hues of violet and green.
And sparkling golden flecks rise and flow through the air like currents of stardust.
Madame Razz’s ancient features crease into a wonderful smile of satisfaction.
She holds her rustic broom close to her as a good friend.
Razz: [with enthusiasm] Oh, Broom! Look and see!
She frowns, pointing accusingly upward at a fanciful face-like formation in the clouds.
Razz: [scolding] You, too Loo-kee! I know you’re peeking!
Once again smiling, she spreads her arms, embracing the sparkling vista all around.
Razz: [with deep joy] Ze magic is alive! It is finally free again! A new beginning! For Etheria. [with tender affection] And for my Mara.
Madame Razz’s eyes twinkle with the spark of infinite vision, beyond time and space.
Razz: [with anticipation] Just. Wait. And. See!
(End of Episode 76)
COMING SOON:
Episode 77: First Things First
(The final episode of my Season Seven fanfic!)
