She-Ra-tober Announcement Post
Fanfic #1: Rainbow
Fanfic #2: Tattoo
Fanfic #3: Evening
Fanfic #4: Purring
Fanfic #5: Leaf Pile
I hope you enjoy my Day 6 fanfic!
Sunset
Mara stood alone on a high outcropping clifftop -- a place of spectacular viewpoints. Here, more than anywhere else she knew of, across the whole face of Etheria, her vision could go farther, her thoughts deeper.
Turning to her left, she experienced a clear view of the site of operations, glowing brightly with power. It was always with a sense of curiosity mixed with nervous pride that she witnessed the constant activity of people and machines entering and leaving while the entire complex flickered, day and night, with violet, bluish-green, and white lights.
When she shifted her view to the right, she could admire the vast untouched horizon of this captivating planet, rich in beauty and mystery, clothed in lush woodlands and peaceful grasslands, and fed by clean waters of purest indigo and azure.
Somehow, standing here helped her to find a balance in her between-ness.
Between Eternia and Etheria.
Duty and calling.
Destiny and possibility.
When Mara felt pressured and worn, she often came here for solitude and contemplation, but especially at this time of day, when the sun of Etheria reached out to her with its most brilliant colors as it gradually descended below the edge of the world. She loved to follow its broad rays with her eyes, marveling at how they weaved through the clouds, lighting the sky in bright shimmery streaks of orangey-red, golden umber, and deep purple.
It brought her calm and clarity for her mind.
This time, her thoughts were on Light Hope.
Her teacher and mentor.
Her confidante.
Her friend.
"She will never be able to see the sunset," Mara whispered to herself.
Confined to the training chambers, Light Hope could never appreciate the wondrous beauty of Etheria.
Mara lowered her eyes sadly, and as she gazed at the ground, an idea unfolded in her mind.
She knelt down and touched the blooms that practically formed a carpet beneath her feet. Maybe she could bring the beauty of the sunset to Light Hope, in a way!
She began picking flowers for a very special bouquet, carefully choosing its colors: orange and red, gold and purple . . .
-----------------------
Many months later, and Mara's world was failing.
Her pride in her people and the work they were doing had turned into a sickened horror.
Her dream of a noble destiny had become a nightmare of deceit and manipulation.
And worst of all, she had lost her friend.
The tears streamed down as her hand hovered over the control that would activate the portal, pulling Etheria and its moons into the dimension of Despondos.
The moons would continue to give their energy and light to the planet in that place where no star could shine, and the universe would be protected from the world-destroying weapon of which she was a part.
Everyone would be safe, but in the moment before she inevitably pressed that control, when she mourned herself and the lonely eternity to which Etheria would be condemned, a final thought arose:
No one will ever see the sunset again.
------------------------
Many centuries later, and Etheria was reborn.
A desperate battle for freedom had been fought and won.
Hatred and unfeeling power had ultimately given way to love and peace.
Many who had once been enemies were now joined in friendship.
Adora held Catra's hand, and Catra held Adora's.
Together, they stood on the hilltop, sharing the warmth of newly-declared love and the glow of a sky burnished in unspeakably gorgeous streaming colors:
Orangey-red, golden umber, and deep purple.
Catra turned to look at Adora as if seeing her for the first time, and she smiled with the most brilliant wonder and affection.
Adora turned to meet her gaze with tears in her eyes and a slightly sad expression, even as she smiled.
"What?" asked Catra, with a little surprised giggle.
Adora shook her head, and smiled more, making a little scoffing sound.
"I don't know. I was just . . . thinking."
She turned back to watch the sky, then continued, "Just that . . . we won't ever see another sunset like this one again."
Catra pulled Adora closer, encircling her with her arms.
"Of course not, dummy. But we'll see other ones."
Catra's voice was soft and assuring.
"And we'll see them together."
