Happy weekend, everyone! 😊
Thanks for being here for the ongoing story.
So far in Ep 72: Waking to Trouble:
Lance and George greet Bow in the morning in Part One.
Catra helps Adora to talk through her worries in Part Two.
Entrapta's experiment is a morning adventure for her friends in Part Three!
A dramatic awakening with Bright Moon guards in Part Four.
Double Trouble begins making things interesting in Part Five!
So, this week, even though this may be confusing for them, I would like to dedicate this chapter to some new friends on the wiki: Blue ( @Blueforu ) and Deez ( @.dEeZ~nurTzs ).
Welcome, and I know dropping into the middle of the fanfic is strange, but I know you like the characters in this chapter! 😁
There are a few unfamiliar names in this chapter for familiar characters, including Wink (Wrong Hordak's new name), Lucinda (Entrapta's robotic vehicle that she retrieved from Beast Island), and Matilda (Entrapta's name for the First Ones system A.I.).
And if you want to find out what the heck is going on, including why the princesses lost their magic and how Entrapta discovered the reason, I would invite you to follow links to the rest of this story (as well as many other great stories from members of the community!) in the Fan Fiction Archive.
(That link is also always available under "Community" on the menu above.)
Now that everyone is awake, the troubles must be over, right?
Dream on! 😆
Entrapta stares wide-eyed at a tiny bluish pastry held between two spindly strands from either side of her hair. She hums intensely to herself, her eyes nearly crossing with concentration, as she gingerly places the circular morsel to rest atop another pinkish one of similar shape. She slowly lets go and sighs with contentment.
Entrapta: Ahhh!
A sudden wider view reveals a stack of tiny foods balanced on the plate before her and rising to a height of several feet in the air! Entrapta clasps her hands together in joy. Wink leans in, first staring in surprise, then beaming.
Entrapta: [delightedly] Hahaha!
She reaches down with her hair to scoop up a few more pastries from a couple of trays that have been placed on the table near her. Popping one of them into her mouth, then one into Wink’s, she proceeds to add the others to her food-tower while humming to herself.
In the family dining room of Bright Moon Castle, a small gathering graces the long rectangular table. Queen Glimmer sits at the head with Adora and Catra sitting close together on her right side, Entrapta and Wink with their spread of tiny foods (occupying the space of four place settings) on her left side.
Entrapta’s companions stare at her progress silently while chewing their own foods with slow deliberation.
Adora and Catra share a glance, and Catra frowns, giving Adora a prompting nod.
Adora focuses on Entrapta again.
Adora: [pointedly] Entrapta?
Entrapta: [curiously, through her food] Mmm?
Adora takes a deep breath.
Adora: [with slight hesitation] I’m . . . I’m concerned about your plan . . . to bring back the princesses’ magic . . . What, exactly, are you going to do?
Entrapta looks up mid-stacking, her eyes wide with mild surprise. She swallows a last bit of pastry.
Entrapta: Oh. Didn’t I tell you?
Her three friends shake their heads, their expressions blank.
Entrapta: [matter-of-factly] I’m going to restart the First One’s system. I thought you knew.
Adora frowns, with a nervous light in her eyes.
Catra glances furtively at Adora, her eyes narrowing.
Glimmer’s mouth drops open in concern.
Glimmer: But . . .
Adora: [quickly] But that could be dangerous, right? Isn’t that what caused all the trouble before?
Glimmer: [supportive] Right!
Entrapta greets their worried looks with a winning smile.
As she speaks, Netossa and Spinnerella walk through the doorway of the room, arm in arm, with pleasant expressions, looking fresh for the day. They pause a few steps into the room.
Entrapta: [confidently] Oh, there’s nothing to worry about. The unstable conditions before were the result of damage to the active system of the Heart of Etheria. The power imbalances that resulted then created a feedback loop. But now that the energy has been released, and the system has rested, it can be reset and the energy-flow restored!
Adora: But . . . why do it?!?
A sudden voice chimes in from near the entrance to the dining room
Netossa: [firmly, but curiously] Why not?
All eyes turn toward Netossa and Spinnerella as they approach the table and take their seats near Entrapta’s and Wink’s lay-out of tiny food stacks.
Netossa: [deliberately] If there is even a chance . . .
She halts as a waiter inclines toward her and her wife, proferring miniature pastries from a tray. Netossa immediately holds up her hand and presses lightly against the edge of the tray.
Netossa: [to the waiter] Uh, no . . . thanks . . . we’ve already eaten.
Spinnerella’s eyes light up with a joyful smile as she reaches over Netossa’s arm to take one of the diminutive breakfast hors d’oeuvres from the dish. She daintily takes a bite.
Spinnerella: [grinning] Mmmm!
The waiter smiles at her reaction and nudges the tray a little closer to Netossa.
Netossa looks at her wife’s obvious delight, and Spinnerella winks at her.
Netossa sighs and picks up a pastry, holding it away from her and gesturing with it in her hand as she turns back to address Adora and the others.
Netossa: [continuing] So what I’m saying is, if there is a chance that we can get our magic back . . . I think we should take it. Why not?
Adora leans forward toward Netossa, her hand held out in an appealing gesture.
Adora: [reasonably] I’m just saying that maybe there’s another way.
Entrapta chimes in helpfully.
Entrapta: [with cheerful assurance] Oh, but there isn’t! All the data supports the conclusion that the princesses’ access to Etherian magic is directly dependent on the integrity and proper functioning of the First One’s system.
Adora glances at Catra, who frowns at her with concern.
Adora stands up with her hands on the table, addressing Entrapta directly.
Adora: [her tone more intense, mildly pleading] But, it’s possible, isn’t it, that the magic could be accessed directly. That the princesses have some other connection to Etherian magic that doesn’t require restarting the system?
Entrapta pauses and cocks her head to one side, considering. A stray tendril separates from the bulk of her hair and massages her chin in contemplation.
Entrapta: [frowning] Weeell . . . it’s an interesting hypothesis.
She leans toward Adora curiously, pulling a small paper tablet and a pen from her overalls.
Entrapta: [eagerly] Do you have any data to share?!
Adora frowns, looking a little self-conscious.
Adora: Well, I . . . uh . . .
She glances at Catra, whose eyes widen, frowning. Catra nods meaningfully.
Adora: [turning back to Entrapta] Actually . . . no . . . I don’t, really.
Catra’s mouth opens slightly, with an almost betrayed expression.
Catra: [barely stifling herself] Bu . . . !
Entrapta: [disappointed] Oh. That’s too bad.
She withdraws the tablet and pen, tucking them back into her overalls. She hesitates, her gaze shifting upward as she cocks her head again.
Entrapta: [tentatively] I suppose I could design an experiment . . .
For a moment, there is the spark of curiosity in her eyes. Wink perks up, too!
Adora smiles and begins to relax a little.
And suddenly, Entrapta comes out of her reverie.
Entrapta: [brightly] . . . but it really isn’t necessary! I already know how to restore the magic by a scientifically sound procedure!
Adora’s frown returns.
A hand touches Adora’s hand, and she looks over to see Glimmer, standing beside her, hands on the table, with her fingers touching Adora’s as she gives her a supportive look.
Glimmer turns to Entrapta.
Glimmer: [pressing a little] Entrapta. Are you absolutely sure that this plan is safe? Are you sure that it will work?
Entrapta jumps to her feet with enthusiasm.
Entrapta: Yes!!
She slaps her hands on the table before her, causing her tiny pastry tower to collapse in a chaotic heap.
As she speaks, her eyes are alight in the throes of scientific awe!
Entrapta: [with passion] More than a thousand years ago when the First Ones began to build their global system for mining the magic of Etheria, they released viral particles that became permanently bonded with every living creature throughout the entire planet!!
Adora listens and watches her with a certain measure of horror. The fear in her eyes is only just visible.
Entrapta: [gesturing grandly, her hair fizzing and waving with excitement] It was the surest way of giving them absolute control of the magic!
In her enthusiasm, Entrapta jumps onto the table and begins pacing slowly between the platters of food, making her way to the end of the table before turning back toward the princesses. In this moment, she looks suddenly massive as she spreads her arms and hair tentacles widely!
Entrapta: [lowering her voice slightly, with an edge of wonder] Magic is part of the biological essence of Etheria. So the only way for the First Ones to tap into the magic of the planet was through biological channels! Their tech became bonded to the princesses on a genetic level, so that it would be passed down to every generation that followed, thus allowing the princesses to access the magic and channel it for the Heart of Etheria! Hee-hee-hee!!
As she giggles, Entrapta walks back toward her friends. Suddenly she drops down to the table, sitting cross-legged, her face in her hands, and her hair settles down in gentle flowing waves.
Now, sitting right before the princesses, she speaks calmly.
Entrapta: Now that Matilda and I have worked together on the system, I understand how it functions! Getting it running again will be easy. And if we keep it going on an idling power level, there shouldn’t be aaaany more problems with it! Ever again!
Glimmer nods to her.
Glimmer: And if you do that, then . . . all of the princesses’ magical abilities will return?
Entrapta: Yep! It will be just like before!
Glimmer: Well, then . . .
She takes a glance at Spinnerella and Netossa, who look at each other, then back at Glimmer, smiling and nodding.
Glimmer looks to Adora, whose brow is furrowed but smiles convincingly at Glimmer. And Catra, whose expression is a look of intensity directed at Adora.
Glimmer looks at Entrapta again, and Wink leans in, giving a smile and a wink her way.
Glimmer: Okay. That’s good enough for me.
Entrapta leaps to her feet.
Entrapta: Great!!
She hops off the table and starts scampering to the door, followed by Wink, who takes her lead by vaulting the table.
Entrapta: I’ll go get my stuff, and then Lucinda will take us back to the Valley of the Heart!
Adora turns and runs after her.
Adora: Entrapta! Wait!
Entrapta turns, her excitement tinged with curiosity.
Entrapta: What?
Catra appears by Adora’s side, her arms folded.
Adora: I just thought . . . maybe I should go with you. For back-up. Like before.
Entrapta grins at her, her eyes momentarily closing as she pats Adora affectionately on the head with a thick strand of hair.
Entrapta: That’s awfully sweet! But, we don’t need you!
Adora looks a little crestfallen.
Entrapta: Like I said before, the mission is easy! If I need any help, I’ve got Wink! And if I need a lot of help, we’ve got Hordak and his brothers.
Entrapta frowns and purses her lips.
Entrapta: [quieter, with slight regret] Also, I’ve got more equipment this time. Aaaand Bow told me Lucinda’s cockpit was too crowded for more than two people when we used it before.
Adora: [puzzled] But, Darla? There’s plenty of space.
Entrapta’s brow wrinkles in concern.
Entrapta: [regretfully] Darla had a rough time on our last trip. She’s resting in Dryl. That’s why Lucinda brought us.
Adora: Oh.
Entrapta brightens up a little, looking Adora in the eyes.
Entrapta: Hey! You could gather more data for your theory about the magic while I’m pursuing my theory! Then we could swap information when Wink and I get back!
Adora smiles at Entrapta’s excitement.
Adora: Sure.
Entrapta: [with a little squeal] It’s a date! Well, bye, Adora!
She turns and runs out of the room with Wink in tow, hair in hand.
Adora turns back toward Catra with a slightly guilty expression.
A waiter’s platter momentarily slides between them, and they both wave it away dismissively.
The waiter shrugs and heads back toward the door to the kitchen.
He pauses briefly just before leaving, glancing back from the corner of his eye to watch Adora and Catra return to the table.
Then he turns, and with his back to the other occupants of the room, his eyes suddenly blink in an unusual sideways motion. And for the briefest fraction of a second, they are no longer human -- but reptilian yellow with a slit for a pupil.
The waiter smiles and exits the room.