Swift Wind

She-Ra-tober Announcement Post

Fanfic #1: Rainbow

Fanfic #2: Tattoo

Fanfic #3: Evening

Fanfic #4: Purring

Fanfic #5: Leaf Pile

Fanfic #6: Sunset

Fanfic #7: Warm

Fanfic #8: Abandoned

Fanfic #9: Workout

Fanfic #10: Embarrassing

Fanfic #11: Drunk

Fanfic #12: Future

Fanfic #13: Canoe

Fanfic #14: Sleep

Fanfic #15: Rope

Fanfic #16: Kiss

Fanfic #17: Robots

Fanfic #18: Aquarium

Fanfic #19: Grandparents

Fanfic #20: Suit

Fanfic #21: Heart of Etheria

Fanfic #22: Prisoner

Fanfic #23: Roman Empire

Fanfic #24: Cuddle

Fanfic #25: Music

Fanfic #26: Enemies

Fanfic #27: Cosplay

Fanfic #28: Haunted

Hopefully my Day 29 fanfic is the story you crave!

Mushrooms

High in the air, the birds were flitting around nervously in response to a bellowing voice drawing near.

They scattered as Swift Wind (with Bow astride his back) burst from a cloud, singing!

"Ohhhh, we're on a mission!

A very, very, very important mission.

Because Glimmer wants some mushrooms,

And they have to come from pretty far away,

'Cause that's a really normal kind of mission.

And it has to happen right now for some reason!"

Well it was true.

Earlier that day, in the middle of a meeting with General Juliet and a couple of the local officials of Bright Moon, Glimmer had suddenly called for Bow and informed him that she had a sudden overwhelming craving for some Erelandian mushrooms! Nothing else sounded appetizing!

She didn't say what kind she wanted, of course, because she couldn't remember their name.

Nevertheless, Bow was determined to fulfill his wife's request.

Swift Wind could not resist an adventure, and besides that, this time somebody actually had said, "Swift Wind!"

They landed just outside of the city gates of Erelandia, and Bow led the way to a specialty shop in the middle of town.

Along the way, the locals looked nervous and kept their distance, giving Swift Wind some odd looks.

"It's okay. I know the shopkeeper who works here," Bow assured Swift Wind with a smile. "She said she would always have a friendly face for me!"

The shopkeeper greeted him with an appalled look. "What? What are you doing here?" She glanced at Swift Wind and shook her head. "Bringing trouble with you again, I see!"

Swift Wind snorted and tossed his head.

Bow introduced Swift Wind and assured the Shopkeeper that their purpose was entirely normal this time.

"I just want to buy some mushrooms. Nothing abnormal."

She eyed him with suspicion. "Hmm. That's what you said last time! Just before your friends scared the whole town half to death! We don't want trouble here."

Swift Wind stepped forward, and lifting the Shopkeepers hand with his forehoof, he gave it a chivalrous kiss. "Dear madame, what a lovely shop you keep! We can't wait to make a purchase!" For extra charm, he waggled his eyebrows up and down.

If there is an expression that is a cross between flattered, surprised, amused and slightly horrified, then that's what was happening on the shopkeeper's face. "Wellllllll, I guess that's all right, then," she conceded. "Go ahead and look around." She turned back to some boxes she was filling with various fungi.

Swift Wind leaned toward Bow, and explained quietly and proudly, "That was a little trick I learned form Sea Hawk!"

Bow started checking out the wares on display inside the shop.

It was full of literally dozens (maybe a hundred?) different varieties of mushroom and fungus! They ranged in color from deep black, to grayish-green, to red, violet, blue, yellow and white! Some were wide and wrinkly, others spindly and delicate, some with very long stems, others connected in little knobby clumps. There were some as small as pinheads and at least one that looked to Bow like it would support his weight to stand on it!

Bow began to feel unnerved and overwhelmed by the selections available.

Finally he turned to the Shopkeeper in desperation.

"Um, excuse me, but . . . help" he implored her.

The shopkeeper turned around and rolled her eyes. "What do ya need?"

Bow explained how his wife was pregnant, and . . .

The shopkeeper held up her hands. "Say no more. I know just what she needs."

"What? What is it?!"

The shopkeeper smiled. "She's gonna need somethin' pretty strong to satisfy that kind of craving." Then she put a hand to her chin and considered. "To be safe, better go with some Boar-Back Pink. It's got a nice, strong flavor, but it's easy on the stomach."

Bow smiled in relief. "Great! I'll take a few pounds of that!"

"Hmm" The shopkeeper looked around frowning. She ambled over to a set of shelves and pushed a few boxes of mushrooms to the side, looking back deeper into her stock. "Mm." she grunted. Then she went back behind the counter and momentarily disappeared as she looked under the counter, then in a back room.

She came out again and shook her head. "I'm terribly sorry. We're fresh out of the Boar-Back."

Bow's head sagged. "Oh."

"But you can always pick some yourself."

Bow's head snapped up again. "Yes! How do I find that?"

"Well," explained the shopkeeper, "the lucky thing is it's easy to recognize. You'll know it right off the bat!"

"Perfect!"

"It grows on the back of the Mega-Boar that lives in the Whispering Woods near here."

"Wha-huh?"

The shopkeeper continued seriously. "Not real easy to catch, but . . ." She looked Bow up and down, then looked at Swift Wind. "I'm sure a couple o' healthy lads like yourselves can do it."

"You think?" asked Bow, unsure.

"Of course we can! We're healthy lads!" Swift Wind proclaimed.

"Well, I'd give ya even odds," concluded the shopkeeper. "Normally, it would be up to the Master Mushroomers, but today is their day off."

"Ah, don't bother them," said Swift Wind dismissively. He turned to Bow and nodded his head. "We've got this!"

Bow stared at him. "We, do?? Well, . . . okay, . . . I guess."

"Oh, good!" said the shopkeeper cheerfully. "You go and take care of that, and whatever you don't need for your wife, I'll be happy to buy off of you!"

So, it was decided.

The shopkeeper pointed them in the right direction, and off they went.

-----------

Several hours later, Bow and Swift Wind arrived back in Bright Moon.

Bow trudged into the Council Chamber just as Glimmer stood up to stretch and yawn. When she saw Bow, her eyes lit up, and she ran to embrace him.

Her words came all in a rush as they hugged. "Bow! It's been forever! Where have you been? I'm so glad you're back! Is everything all right?"

She stepped back and noticed how weary he looked and how dirty his clothes were. "Bow! What happened?!"

With a blank expression, he lifted a stuffed-full medium-sized bag and offered it to her.

"Mushrooms." he explained. "For you."

Glimmer smiled. "Oh, Bow. That was really sweet of you. But I couldn't possibly eat anything right now."

Bow raised an eyebrow and stared at her shocked. "Why not?"

Glimmer sighed. "Because I already ate dinner, and I'm just too full."

Bow watched Glimmer in stunned silence as she yawned again.

"Ah! And I'm also really tired right now!"

She put her hands on Bow's shoulders and went up on tip-toe to kiss his cheek. "I'm going to bed. Good night, Bow!"

Swift Wind poked his head in through the door, slouching and looking exhausted.

Glimmer walked past him with a "Good night, Swift Wind."

She disappeared in sparkles as she left the room.

Swift Wind took a few steps into the room and then just let himself collapse in a heap.

Bow staggered over and sat on the floor beside him.

He stared listlessly at the bag of mushrooms.

And he thought a happy thought about his baby to come.

Then he turned toward Swift Wind.

"So. You hungry?"

She-Ra-tober Announcement Post

Fanfic #1: Rainbow

Fanfic #2: Tattoo

Fanfic #3: Evening

Fanfic #4: Purring

Fanfic #5: Leaf Pile

Fanfic #6: Sunset

Fanfic #7: Warm

Fanfic #8: Abandoned

Fanfic #9: Workout

Fanfic #10: Embarrassing

Fanfic #11: Drunk

Fanfic #12: Future

Fanfic #13: Canoe

Fanfic #14: Sleep

Fanfic #15: Rope

Fanfic #16: Kiss

Fanfic #17: Robots

Fanfic #18: Aquarium

Fanfic #19: Grandparents

Fanfic #20: Suit

Fanfic #21: Heart of Etheria

Fanfic #22: Prisoner

Fanfic #23: Roman Empire

Fanfic #24: Cuddle

Day 25 fanfic, and it's time to jam out!

Music

The castle of Bright Moon held secrets.

Even Queen Glimmer didn't know them all.

In fact, she had just discovered a new one!

But she also knew Bow's favorite.

There was a way up the cliffside behind the castle that led to a formation from which (if you had a simple grappling arrow), you could swing across and land on a particular stretch of the castle roof.

From that part of the roof, you could reach a portion of the main spire that was scalable, and from there it was possible to clamber up to a ledge that formed the base of one of the massive wings of the spire.

That ledge was comfortable and quiet. An ideal spot for private contemplation, away from all of the typical activities associated with castle life.

Bow was thinking about the future when Glimmer appeared beside him in a brilliant flash of sparkles. He startled as she grabbed his arm.

"Bow, come on! I've gotta show you something!"

And they vanished together.

In a completely different part of the castle, Adora and Catra were wrestling together, grappling in an immobile tangle of interlocked limbs.

At that moment, the air around them exploded as Glimmer and Bow materialized beside them.

"Guys! You gotta come see this!" Glimmer squealed with excitement as she reached out to Adora's shoulder.

All four of them vanished together and immediately reappeared in one of the castle hallways in front of a closed set of double doors.

Catra and Adora rolled apart in a confused heap, and Catra groaned.

"Gah! Really, Sparkles?!" She sat up, scowling. "At least a little warning, maybe!"

Glimmer smiled sheepishly. "I'm sorry! I just got so excited, I-- Oo!"

Suddenly, Glimmer's expression changed, her eyes wide and smiling.

She looked at Bow. "It's the baby again!"

She touched her slightly swollen belly, then grabbed Bow's hand and placed it there. "Feel it? It always seems to happen after I've teleported a bunch!"

Bow looked at her belly and grinned. "Hey, yeah! That's so amazing!"

Adora had jumped to her feet and was looking on with interest.

"Oh. Can . . . can I?"

"Sure!" Glimmer grabbed Adora's hand, too, and placed it flat against herself.

Adora's mouth widened. "Oh, wow! I can feel it!" She turned to her girlfriend. "Catra!"

Catra stood with arms folded. "I don't really need to--"

Before she finished her sentence, Adora grabbed her arm and pressed Catra's hand onto Glimmer's belly.

Catra fell silent, and her eyes suddenly became very wide!

"Woah." She blinked a few times rapidly. "So, uh . . . so you brought us here so we could feel your stomach?"

Glimmer shook her head. "No. Let me show you."

She drew away from their hands and turned, taking grip of each of the door handles. "Welcome to . . . " She flung open the doors, and her friends looked with wonder at what lay beyond.

" . . . Bright Moon's treasury of music!"

Glimmer led her friends into a huge storage space. And it was filled with a generous array of musical instruments!

"I used to love this place when I was really little, but I forgot about it during the war" Glimmer explained. "I only found it again today!"

Bow walked over to a wall of stringed instruments and a variety of ornately carved musical bows! "This is sooo cool!" He picked up one of the instruments and a beautiful bow. "It's even cooler than the armory!"

Catra's ears perked up. "Armory?!" she snapped, turning to Adora. "You been holdin' out on me?"

Adora wasn't paying much attention to her. She picked up a golden instrument with a mouthpiece, a curved neck, and a large number of press-keys along its length.

"Wow! It's so shiny! What do you do with it?"

Glimmer beamed. "Oh, that's a saxophone: one of my favorites! You blow into the smaller end and use the keys to change the notes. Try it!"

She turned to the others and gestured toward the instruments. "Go ahead and try them!"

Adora blew into the saxophone and made a loud groaning honk that ended in a squeak. She blinked at it and smiled. "I love this!"

Glimmer tapped Catra's shoulder and pointed to a set of drums in the corner. "And you play those by hitting them with sticks," she explained enticingly.

Catra raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Oh, yeah?" She sauntered that direction.

Just then Swift Wind poked his head around the corner, with an intrigued expression. "Hey, guys. How's it goin'? Did somebody say Swift Wind?"

Glimmer had seated herself at a sort of piano. She looked up and urged Swift Wind, "Pick an instrument!"

Glimmer began to play with the piano, while Bow sawed on an upright bass, Adora created some interesting honking noises, and Catra began to bash skins with vigor!

Swift Wind nodded with understanding and found a large xylophone, which he began to play by tapping the notes with his front hooves.

"Hey!" Bow announced loudly, "We're the Best Friends Symphony!"

The cacophony that followed was joyfully raucous!

It spilled into the halls and corrupted the peaceful atmosphere of the castle.

In less than two minutes, General Juliet arrived on the scene accompanied by three of her Bright Moon guards.

"Your majesty!" she called into the room, "Is everything . . .?!"

Seeing what was occurring and noting the evident pleasure it was bringing the perpetrators, the General wisely withdrew.

Being sure to shut the doors tightly before she left.

She-Ra-tober Announcement Post

Fanfic #1: Rainbow

Fanfic #2: Tattoo

Fanfic #3: Evening

Fanfic #4: Purring

Fanfic #5: Leaf Pile

Fanfic #6: Sunset

Fanfic #7: Warm

Fanfic #8: Abandoned

Fanfic #9: Workout

Fanfic #10: Embarrassing

Fanfic #11: Drunk

Fanfic #12: Future

A fanfic for Day 13!

(I hope this floats your boat!)

Canoe

Adora sat on the shore of the little stream, resting her chin on one bent knee.

She gazed at the rippling waters and listened to its peaceful continuous murmur, and she smiled as she breathed deeply in the serenity.

She looked around herself, suddenly wondering where her companion had gotten to.

She frowned a little.

"Swifty?" she called, rising to her feet and turning around.

There was a rustling sound at the edge of the nearby woods, and suddenly the foliage parted to reveal Swift Wind's tail as he emerged from the trees backwards.

"Rut hirr, Adurra!" came his cheerful, but slightly muffled, reply.

Swift Wind's head was low to the ground because he was dragging something heavy with his teeth.

Adora watched curiously. The object was long and narrow -- perhaps twice Swift Wind's length and about his width -- and it seemed to be hollowed out from the top.

Oh. Now she could see exactly what it was.

Once the entire shape was revealed, Swift Wind let go of it and turned toward Adora proudly. "Look at this, Adora! I just found this super-snazzy whatcha-call-it lying in the woods!"

Adora smirked a little and shook her head. "You really don't know what it is, huh?"

Swift Wind tossed his head and snorted sensitively. "Don't be ridiculous, Adora! Of course I do!" He studied it a few moments, walking around to get a different angle. "It's aaaaaaaaaaaaaa . . . errrrm . . ." He cocked his head, then shot a quick glance to Adora. "Little hint?"" he suggested, speaking out of the corner of his mouth.

Adora smiled in amusement and affection. "It starts with a 'B'," she said helpfully.

Swift Wind nodded several times. "Right! Haha. Of course!"

Then he tossed the canoe across his shoulders and balanced it with his wings from underneath. "It's a basket!" he proclaimed, "Sure could hold a lot of apples with this baby!"

Adora shook her head.

Suddenly, Swift Wind was lying on his back, pushing the canoe up and down repeatedly with his hooves. "No, I got it! It's a barbell. Oh yeah! Feelin' the burn!"

Adora looked at him in disbelief. "Ah, . . . no."

The canoe and Swift Wind had switched places, and the horse was now lying on his back jammed with difficulty into the length of the canoe.

"It's a . . . very uncomfortable bathtub?" Swift Wind's voice sounded a bit strangled as he spoke.

"No, Swifty."

"A back scratcher!! Ahhhhhh!" Swift Wind had now turned the canoe upside down and was rubbing his back up and down against the sharp edge of its keel.

Adora tried to keep a straight face. "Nope."

Now Swift Wind was standing on top of it, attempting to keep all four hooves on the edge while taking tiny mincing steps. "Balance beam?!?! Whaa-owww-ahh!"

Adora hid her eyes with her hand, cringing.

There was a terrible scrabbling of hooves on wood, followed by a colossal crashing thump!

Adora parted her fingers a little to peek. "You okay?"

But her noble steed was already back on his feet, looking triumphantly down at the toppled canoe.

"Wait a minute! It's so obvious! Why didn't I see it before?"

Adora grinned. "Now you get it."

"Yes! It's been staring me in the face!" He pointed with one hoof. "Clearly, this is a perfect example of a jumbo-sized boomerang!"

Adora's grin faded.

And with that, Swift Wind clamped the end of the canoe in his teeth, swung back, and threw it with a mighty fling!

It landed heavily about three feet away, near the river.

He regarded it coolly. "Hmm. I think this boomerang is broken."

Adora walked over to the canoe and put her foot against it.

"Look. I'll just show you," she announced, and gave it a push.

It slipped into the stream and began floating slowly along.

"Huh." Swift Wind blinked his eyes. "It's a canoe. Does that start with a 'B'?"

Adora frowned. "Oh." She sounded slightly disappointed. "I was thinking 'boat'."

"Let's try it out!" Swift Wind suggested.

He took a leap and landed with a crunch as his hooves burst straight through the bed of the canoe.

Swift Wind looked downward, watching it slowly sink.

"I guess it did start with a 'B' after all," he admitted, "'cause it's kind of a bust."

Adora waded in and laid her hand on his shoulder.

"But, you . . . you really are . . ."

"Brilliant?" he proposed. "Beautiful?" Then he hung his head. "Nah. You were probably thinking I'm just a 'buffoon.'"

Adora smiled, putting both arms around his neck and hugging him dearly.

"I was thinking you're my best friend."

And her best friend gave a whinny of happiness.

It's time.

It's time for a chapter that spans across Etheria, as all focus returns to the Valley of the Heart.

The place where the TV series ended and where this story began.

Episode 76 so far:

Part One: She-Ra's call blazes forth. Swift Wind and Catra bear its message.

Part Two: A plan takes shape. Through strategy, intellect, and passion.

Part Three: Friends hold vigil, while frustrated plans require daring measures.

Part Four: Where desperation meets drama!

Part Five (1 and 2): A princess-rescuing performance!

This week's chapter is rather special and unusual, as it is not one but a collection of scenes featuring different groups of characters.

I hope everyone reading this will find something that touches them and makes them smile! 😊

But my special dedication for this is to Kit ( @ArchduchessKittycat ), a friend and true treasure to this community and our wiki.

Enjoy, my lovelies!

An icy night wind howls through the mountains within the Kingdom of Snows. It whooshes and whistles across great sparkling sheets of ice, which vibrate in deep, chime-like tones into the air.

The castle citadel of the kingdom crowns the highest peak, reaching upward with its sharp, glassy spires that shine a deep violet-blue, glittering in the moonlight.

And suddenly, a brilliant white shape appears. Emerging from one of the high castle towers, it bolts through the air above the jagged landscape. Swift Wind remains true to his name, bearing Frosta away with him at all speed. Her eyes are bright with exhilarated determination as she flashes by, seated proudly astride her mighty steed!

Far away, on the coastline of the great eastern seas, the waters begin to sparkle, touched by thin copper strands of sunlight breaking the day. Beside a cliff-face of reddish-pink rock, the Dragon’s Daughter V hovers over the water while smaller ships drift slowly through a large archway carved into the rock. Mermista sits on the forward gunwale, one dangling leg swinging restlessly over the bow. She alternates her gaze between the dimly-glowing skies and the slow early morning traffic at the entrance to the friendly port of Seaworthy.

Sea Hawk stands beside her on the rim of the gunwale, hands on hips, facing squarely into the rising sun, his eyes closed, breathing deeply with a satisfied smile.

Suddenly, Mermista’s attention is riveted to the sky, and she points upward, thumping the back of her other hand sharply against the side of Sea Hawk’s leg.

Mermista: [loudly] Hey!

Sea Hawk startles violently, eyes snapping open. He flails his arms as he loses balance and begins to tip forward.

Sea Hawk: [in momentary panic] Eee-aiighhh!!!

Mermista frowns at him. Reaching up to grab the seat of his pants, she pulls sharply downward. Sea Hawk falls back, his feet sliding so that he suddenly plunks down and lands seated beside Mermista. He looks at her surprised.

Sea Hawk: [brightly] Oh. Hello, my dear!

Mermista rolls her eyes, shaking her head with a little smile. She nods in the direction that she had been pointing.

Mermista: It’s our ride, you goof.

With a low whine, Darla drops down from the sky to hover a little bit over the water. Her hatchway opens, and her ramp descends to touch the gently waving surface.

Mermista offers her hand to Sea Hawk with a grin.

Mermista: Come on!

Sea Hawk takes her hand, and they push off together, leaping joyfully from the gunwale to land in the water with a resounding splash.

A wave of gold is sweeping the tops of the trees over the Whispering Woods by the time Frosta and Swift Wind arrive in their flight into the warmer lands of Etheria. Morning brings its light, and flocks of birds rise to meet it.

Even the trees seem to sway and lean their bodies into the spill of sunshine now flowing over them.

Swift Wind stretches his wings to glide at ease for a minute, feeling the warming currents lift and aid him along on the journey.

He turns his head to smile at his little passenger, and Frosta pats his neck affectionately.

Turning her eyes toward the brilliant pinks and purples of sunrise, she lets loose a triumphant cry.

Frosta: Whooooo-yeaaahhh!!!

Darla sits on the plain outside the Peace Zone, her boarding ramp extended and humming with energy.

A hundred yards away, a vast gathering of people cheers as Scorpia and Perfuma run toward the huge spacecraft. Amongst the motley mix of people are tanned Plumerians dancing and leaping in joyful innocence, as well as battle-toughened soldiers pumping their fists and jumping in the air. Their rhythms now harmonize in a unity of spirit from close association and deepening understanding.

Many from the crowd run just behind their leaders to shower them with a generous supply of flower blossoms!

At the base of the ramp, Perfuma holds Scorpia back to turn for just a moment to wave and offer a humble bow to their people. Scorpia offers her own, slightly less graceful, but equally heartfelt, version. And as she straightens up, a flower bloom lands on her head, catching in her hair.

With a surprised smile, Scorpia touches the side of her head with a claw.

Perfuma sees this and giggles.

Suddenly, Darla begins to ascend, jarring the princesses in their footing.

Perfuma touches Scorpia’s shoulder, and they quickly turn to sprint up the ramp together, followed by a cry of fond farewell from their people below.

Swift Wind appears over the edge of the Plain of Heroes on descent into the Valley of the Heart. His radiance is dazzling in the morning brightness, diminished only slightly by the shadow of Horde Prime’s spire at the far end of the valley.

Frosta gazes in awe at the sight below as she sees for the first time the neat rows of interconnected buildings: smooth and white and perfectly formed.

They dive past the outskirts of Hordak’s village and plunge into the pool of darkness in the shadow of the valley.

Frosta gives a shout and points into the approaching distance.

Frosta: [excitedly] Swift Wind!! There they are!

A moment later, Frosta’s smile fades, and she frowns in mild disappointment.

Frosta: [softly] Aahh. I thought we’d beat them here.

Darla’s massive angular form stands well to one side of the broken entrance to the Chamber of the Heart, huddled where the ground is a bit smoother and the shadow a little deeper. Her ramp is extended, and a line of princesses is disembarking.

Leading them all is Catra, along with Bow, followed by Mermista with Sea Hawk, then Perfuma, Scorpia, and finally Netossa and Spinnerella.

Catra exhibits a steely determination, Bow a frowning resolve, and the rest varying degrees of hesitant concern and worried wonder.

At the foot of the ramp, they spread out into a loose gathering just as Swift Wind alights directly in front of them, near the entrance. Frosta hops off his shoulders and looks up at him.

Swift Wind raises his head and frowns in concentration.

Swift Wind: [to everyone and no one] Hold on! Give me a minute.

He tosses his head and turns slowly around, as if trying to tune a signal. Everyone steps back a little, giving him some room.

Finally, he stops and closes his eyes, his head pointed upward.

Swift Wind: I’m getting something.

His horn begins to glow.

In the silent darkness within the deactivated Chamber of the Heart, She-Ra’s soft light envelopes her friends as they surround Entrapta’s body. Hordak holds her close against himself, eyes closed and frowning with his chin lowered to nearly touch her forehead. He is slowly rocking her.

Entrapta, painfully still and wrapped in the blanket of She-Ra, takes one short ragged breath, then sighs into silence again.

Hordak’s brother Wink kneels at Entrapta’s feet, head downcast with a look of profound sorrow.

Glimmer sits on the floor at Entrapta’s side holding Entrapta’s hand in both of hers, slowly massaging the fingers and palm.

And She-Ra half-kneels with a comforting hand on Glimmer’s shoulder, with the attitude of a squire holding vigil.

Suddenly, the blue of She-Ra’s eyes brightens to a powerful glow, and she raises her head with an expression of clear focus.

Glimmer and Wink turn toward her with similar wondering looks.

Glimmer: [with an edge of awe] Adora . . .

Hordak lifts his head, opening his eyes.

She-Ra stands up and holds a hand out to him.

She-Ra: They’re here. Outside. Let me take her.

Hordak: [firmly] No.

She-Ra opens her mouth to protest, but Hordak rises to his feet, cradling Entrapta in his arms.

Hordak: I . . . will bear Entrapta. Lead us.

She-Ra closes her mouth and nods in agreement. She meets eyes with the others: first Wink, then Glimmer.

She-Ra: [with urgency] Follow me. Quickly.

Welcome back to my story! 😊

Episode 76 opened with Catra and Swift Wind receiving an urgent message from She-Ra as Bow rallies the princesses for action. (Part One)

This week, I am pleased to present you with a longer chapter as the princesses, unable to use magic, develop a plan, joining together on a mission to save their friends!

But first, I would like to dedicate this week's chapter to two new friends who have joined our beloved wiki: Goober ( @Goofylittlegoober ) and Jubilee ( @.extravagant-jubilee. ) 😄

Even though you probably haven't read my fanfic before, I am hoping there is something here you will like.

And if you want to check out what came before, you can find all of my Season Six and Season Seven as part of our Fan Fiction Archive!

And now, let's see what transpires upon the return of Catra and Swift Wind to Bright Moon!

Swift Wind and Catra enter the Council Chamber side by side. Catra’s expression is serious in contrast to her grinning and self-satisfied companion.

Bow smiles widely, throwing his arms apart, as if to embrace them.

Bow: You’re back!

Without a word, Catra moves quickly to the table, beside Juliet. She leans over the tracker pad, nodding with approval.

Catra: [all business-like] You’ve already contacted the other princesses. Good.

Bow’s smile fades as he looks around.

He returns to the table, standing on the other side of the tracker pad, and looks questioningly at Catra.

Bow: What happened? Where are Glimmer and Adora?

Catra looks up sternly.

Catra: Adora needs the princesses. We’ve gotta get them to the Chamber of the Heart.

Bow regards her with wondering eyes, as Swift Wind casually strides over.

Bow: She told you that?

Catra shakes her head briefly.

Catra: No. But she sent a signal. Like the beacon.

Swift Wind nods, his muzzle poking out from over the top of the chair back.

Swift Wind: That’s right! I felt her.

Catra: [pressing] And it’s urgent. We need to bring them right away.

Bow nods to her. He picks up the tracker pad, addressing the group.

Bow: Okay. You heard that. What can we do?

Mermista’s face appears on the monitor, eyes rolling heavenward.

Mermista: Uuuuuuuuuum. Not a lot. Without our magic.

She glances outward from the screen, shrugging.

Mermista: I mean, . . . Sea Hawk’s ship is fast, but like . . . ya got a few hours?

Bow wrinkles his brow.

Bow: Scorpia? What about you? Could you take your skiff?

Scorpia appears on the tracker pad screen, chuckling uncomfortably, and tapping her chin with her claw.

Scorpia: Heh-heh. Well, in theory, that would be [her face falls] . . . completely impossible.

Scorpia cocks her head and looks upward, considering.

Scorpia: [to herself] I’m not even sure where all the pieces are!

Bow: [clutching at straws] Frosta? What about you?

Frosta’s face wears a bland expression as she replies.

Frosta: Stuck at the top of a mountain, Bow. Remember?

Bow: [deflated] Oh. Right.

Catra throws both hands into the air in exasperation and leans in toward Bow’s face.

Catra: [irritated] Arrghh!! None of you are getting this! [emphatically] This needs to happen! We don’t have time to focus on what we can’t do! We’ve got to figure this out, and do it now!!

Swift Wind sticks his head up close between them, smiling.

Swift Wind: [smugly] I hear what you’re saying, and what you’re really trying to say is . . .

Suddenly, the magnificent steed steps backwards, creating space to unfurl his wings in a brilliant display of sparkling rainbow plumage!

Swift Wind: [triumphantly] Swift Wiiiind!

There is momentary silence, as Bow sets down the pad.

He stands up straight, folds his arms, and faces Swift Wind, unimpressed

Bow: Okay, Swift Wind. How many people can you carry at a time?

Swift Wind straightens up proudly.

Swift Wind: [confidently] How many do you need?!

Bow: Frosta, Perfuma, Mermista, Scorpia, Spinnerella, and Netossa

Swift Wind tilts his head and squints in a pondering way.

Swift Wind: [considering] Uhhhhhh, lemme see . . .

He picks up a hoof and looks at it for a moment. Then he sets it down and inspects his other fore-hoof. Next, he turns his head to glance at his own back.

He turns toward Catra, who is glaring at him.

Finally, he turns back toward Bow.

Swift Wind: [innocently] Mmmmm, what was that you said about Frosta?

Bow: [nodding] Fine. Go get Frosta. She’s the most remote and the most difficult to reach over land.

There is a sudden whoop from the tracker pad.

Frosta: [ecstatically] Yes!!

All eyes turn toward the screen.

Frosta: [slightly self-conscious] Uhh, good plan. G’bye!

Frosta beams and runs offscreen.

Swift Wind raises one hoof to his forelock in a salute to Bow.

Swift Wind: [dramatically] I will not fail you in this noble mission!

He turns and springs into the air, wheeling around and gliding out of the chamber.

Bow: [sighing] Well, that’s one down. Five to go.

Catra: No! We need to simplify. We’re looking for transportation for three locations to get to the Valley of the Heart. Bright Moon, the Fright Zone, and Salineas.

Scorpia raises a claw on the tracker pad.

Scorpia: [lightly] Uh, it’s actually the Peace Zone now. Just . . . saying.

Catra: [snapping at the pad] Whatever. [raising her eyes to everyone in the room] Now, think, people! What have we got?!

Another voice arises from the tracker pad.

Mermista: Uuuuuuuuum, wasn’t there this super-fast ship that Entrapta and Adora had? The one that could go into space and travel, like, a zillion miles an hour?

Catra and Bow stare at each other wide-eyed as they listen.

Mermista: [from the tracker pad] Yeah, whatever happened to that? ‘Cause, that would come in clutch right now.

Catra and Bow: [together] Darla!

Mermista’s face frowns on the tracker pad monitor.

Mermista: Who?

Bow beams and does a little jump in the air.

Bow: [energized] Yes! If we could get help from Darla, we might be able to get all of the princesses together within minutes!

General Juliet steps in and quickly slides the tracker pad to one side.

General Juliet: If I may, master archer.

Bow nods, and she activates a control on the table, causing a pink holographic wire-frame relief image of landscape terrain to emerge from the surface of the table.

General Juliet: You’ll need a strategy, [looking toward Catra] as I understand that time is of the essence.

Catra nods and steps aside to give the General plenty of space.

Netossa and Spinnerella circle closer to the other side of the table so that they can easily see the area in question.

General Juliet: What is the current location of the ship?

Catra: Entrapta said she was “resting” in Dryl.

General Juliet points to a highland location somewhat north and west of the symbol for Bright Moon.

General Juliet: Here, then.

Catra: How far away is that?

General Juliet: About an hour and a half by foot.

Catra opens her mouth to protest, but Bow raises a reassuring hand.

Bow: [quickly] But, Entrapta gave us Darla’s frequency! if I can contact her remotely, then she could be here in a couple of minutes.

Catra nods.

Catra: That’s good. Then what?

General Juilet draws a line through the air to a location with a crescent moon icon above it.

General Juliet: From Bright Moon . . .

She moves her finger north halfway up the map toward a coastline location in an inlet.

General Juliet: To Salineas.

Then, in a wide sweep, she moves her arm to point toward the western side of the map.

General Juliet: Then the Peace Zone.

Catra steps forward and interrupts, pointing and drawing a large circle around the area where the General is pointing.

Catra: [sternly] The Peace Zone is huge. Scorpia, where exactly are you?

Scorpia’s voice emerges from the tracker pad.

Scorpia: [cheerfully] Oh, we’re easy to find. Perfuma and I have made a big camp with our people on the eastern border. We’ll be ready for you!

Catra: Good. Then stay put.

General Julilet makes a final motion of her arm, drawing a line part of the way back toward Bright Moon and pointing to a feature with a C-shaped cliff face.

General Juliet: Finally, the Valley of the Heart.

She looks up and meets Bow’s eyes with a little frown.

General Juliet: It’s quite a distance.

Bow reaches up and rubs the back of his neck, contemplating the map anxiously.

Bow: The problem is Salineas. It takes us in a completely different direction from everything else!

Suddenly the tracker pad vibrates with Mermista’s voice.

Mermista: [perturbed] Ex-cuse me! Could you not?!

Bow grabs the tracker pad and watches as the monitor image blurs away from Mermista’s scowling face and sweeps over to Sea Hawk’s bright-eyed grin.

Sea Hawk: [to Bow] Bow! Mermista and I are already out on the sea! We will alter our course and make for Seaworthy! There, we shall rendezvous!

Bow shakes his head vigorously at the tracker pad.

Bow: No! That’ll take too long. It’s too far by ship from Salineas!

The monitor blurs again as there is an apparent struggle for control of the pad.

Mermista’s voice: [from offscreen] It’s -- I’ll take that!

The image resolves on Mermista, who stares out with a bland look.

Mermista: it’s really not, though, Bow.

Bow: [perplexed] But Sea Hawk . . . when we . . .

Mermista raises an eyebrow, looking out from the screen.

Mermista: Hold on. Lemme guess. He took you on the ad-ven-tur-ous route from Sea Worthy to Salineas, right?

Bow: Uhhh . . .

Mermista: [nodding from the pad] Yeah. There’s a quicker way. We’ll be there by the time you’re ready with . . . [with an awkward expression] Darla, I guess?

Bow nods and smiles at Mermista.

Bow: Great! Okay. I’m gonna end this call, and then we’ll contact Darla. We’ll come for you all soon! Mermista first. Then Scorpia and Perfuma. Everybody be ready!

Scorpia and Perfuma appear on the tracker pad screen.

Perfuma: [serenely] We’ll be ready for you. We will be centered and calm.

Scorpia: Good luck, Bow!

The image switches to Mermista’s face.

Mermista: Yeah, we’ll be ready, too. We’ll be . . . you know, . . . us.

Sea Hawk’s face appears from the side of the frame.

Sea Hawk: [enthusiastically] Adventure!!

Mermista: [shaking her head] Really? [to Bow] Okay, ‘bye.

Bow thumbs a control, and the screen goes dark.

Catra watches him closely as he adjusts the controls.

Bow: Okay. Now for Darla.

Dear readers, gentle friends. 😊

We are nearing the conclusion of my story.

But don't worry! There will be a few more months of posts for you to enjoy before it's over!

This episode was a special challenge to write.

I've been imagining it for such a long time!

I hope you will like it.

The story in review:

In Season Six, even as the heroes of Etheria found their ways back home and began new adventures, a new unrest was already stirring. Some old enemies finally made peace, and courageous rescues were undertaken. As worldwide devastation loomed, a call was made for unity, and the nature of a catastrophic threat was finally unveiled.

Embarking on a mission to save their world, the princesses returned to their kingdoms, where through obstacle and deadly peril, their courage and faith in one another saw them through terrible odds to win in the end . . . but at a cost.

In Season Seven, the princesses begin to cope with the loss of their magic, inspiring them to seek solutions in the Whispering Woods and in many other places. Connections are made with old friends and foes, and incredible answers are found. Despite forebodings and some emotional events, a plan is undertaken to restore the magic, but in an awful turn of events, things go terribly wrong, and only a heart-breaking sacrifice can set things right.

It's so hard to know who to dedicate my chapters to because I have so many wonderful, supportive friends here!

But this one is for my friend Edie ( @Hello I'd like to buy your BRIGHTEST fairy lights ), a wonderful writer in her own right! 😁

Now, it's time to learn what Adora has to do if she is to save her friend's life, and to find out what the others are doing to help.

Here we go!

EPISODE 76: The True Heart

Swaddled in the night and overseen by the glow of a thousand stars, the spire tower stretches high into the sky from the Valley of the Heart.

Remnant of war, transformed by love and magic, it stands as a symbol of struggle and the power of hope, reflecting a pale glow from the starlight and the moons overhead.

But there is a brighter glow and a greater hope at work.

From a distance it appears as a ball of light flitting from branch to branch as it swiftly ascends the tree-covered tower.

Up close, it is the warrior princess She-Ra, glowing in her strength and scaling the spire in powerful leaps and swings.

Unbreakable determination flashes in her sapphire eyes, as she reaches for each branch and jumps to another in a zig-zag vertical climb.

Without pausing to rest, her legendary athletics quickly bring her to the very peak of the tower, where she lands on a small platform that creates the point of the structure.

Planting her feet firmly, she stops to catch her breath and then reaches over her shoulder to draw her sword from behind her back. Gripping it solidly and with a steely resolve, she raises the sword before her and braces herself as the air around it seems to ignite.

A brilliant aura bursts forth, surrounding She-Ra and the sword in a white-hot light. Then, with a mighty battle-cry, She-Ra raises her sword overhead, thrusting the point upward in an explosive beam of pure energy that cracks the sky!

Still far away, Swift Wind wings rapidly through the air toward the Valley of the Heart, with Catra astride his back. Their expressions bear the same intensity of will for their mission.

Suddenly, Swift Wind rears back with a startled whinny as a wave of light sweeps over them, whitewashing the entire landscape below and ahead, and casting their surprised faces in a ghostly pallor.

With a little shriek of surprise, Catra tenses her thighs and fiercely grasps at Swift Wind’s mane as she strives to maintain her balance.

After a moment, the light diminishes slightly, but continues to burn as a pillar of luminescence in the distance.

Swift Wind rights himself, hovering momentarily, his eyes widened in anxiety, while Catra glances downward at the crystal hanging at her hip.

It is brilliantly glowing.

Catra smiles, looking back up toward the pillar of light.

Catra: [murmuring to herself] That’s my girl.

Swift Wind: It’s Adora! She needs me! She needs me now!

And with that, Swift Wind launches himself forward, beating his wings at a furious tempo.

Catra grabs his neck hard, pulling his attention away.

Catra: [firmly] Swift Wind! Wait!

Swift Wind pulls up short, tossing his head against Catra’s grip.

Swift Wind: But it’s Adora! She needs my help!

Catra: No! Listen!

She gestures toward the light.

Catra: This is something more! It’s like the beacon. [with conviction] Adora is calling the princesses! She’s gonna need everyone’s help.

Swift Wind lifts his head, as if he is listening to a far-off call. His horn begins to glow with a soft golden light. Suddenly, he relaxes in Catra’s grip, and she loosens her grasp.

Swift Wind: [wonderingly] Yeah. You’re right.

Catra smiles at him.

Catra: Come on. We have to tell them.

Swift Wind nods, a new light of purpose in his eyes.

Spreading his wings, he wheels around and takes off in the direction of Bright Moon.

In the Council Chamber of Bright Moon, an evening meeting is in session.

The participants surround its great central table, neglecting the ornate, high-backed chairs in their restless tension.

Bow stands near the queen’s chair, focusing on the glowing tracker pad in his hands, while to one side, General Juliet stands respectfully at the ready, helm in place, hands behind her back.

On Bow’s other side, Netossa stands with her arms folded, while Spinnerella hovers slightly behind her with a hand on Netossa’s shoulder, looking toward the tracker pad with interest.

On the tracker pad, Frosta’s face fills the screen with a slightly bewildered frown.

Frosta: [hesitantly] So, . . . you’re saying that Entrapta did betray us, or she didn’t?

Bow shakes his head.

Bow: [with conviction] No. Absolutely not. Entrapta didn’t betray anyone.

Frosta: But you just said that she activated the Heart. Didn’t you?

Bow hesitates.

Bow: [frowning] Well, I’m not sure exactly what happened. She said she was going to, but it was something she was fighting against. It sounded like the Heart of Etheria was controlling her.

Spinnerella and Netossa exchange concerned looks.

Bow: [with more assurance] In any case, it seems like she must have found a way to stop it. Because, . . . now the Moon Stone is dark.

Frosta: [from the pad, sadly] So is the Fractal Flake.

Netossa lifts her hand and regards it coolly.

Netossa: Our magic is gone again, too.

Spinnerella smiles sympathetically at her wife, patting her shoulder consolingly.

The tracker pad screen shifts to Mermista.

Mermista: [wryly] Yeah. After coming back for, like, two seconds. What was that all about?

Bow looks up at General Juliet and then toward Netossa and Spinnerella.

Bow: [seriously] I think that was the Heart of Etheria. Trying to use you.

Netossa’s eyes widen in worry, and she raises her hand to touch Spinnerella’s as it grips her shoulder more forcefully. They share a troubled glance and then turn their attention to Bow. He sets the tracker pad down and leans over it with both hands on the table.

Bow: [emphatically] Entrapta’s whole goal was to bring back the magic for the princesses. But it went wrong. So, she had to do something desperate. And now . . . [frowning deeply] I’m worried about her.

Suddenly, Scorpia’s encouraging face appears on the monitor.

Scorpia: What about Glimmer? And Adora?

Bow shakes his head. He sits down, resting his head on his hand.

Bow: I’m worried about them, too. They teleported while the magic was still working. I’m hoping they were able to reach Entrapta, but . . .

Spinnerella steps near enough to lay an encouraging hand on Bow’s shoulder.

Bow: [with helpless concern] I just don’t know.

He looks up briefly to acknowledge Spinnerella’s support, then back down at the tracker pad.

Bow: Catra and Swift Wind went after them. That was a while ago. Since then, I’ve tried calling Entrapta, but . . . nothing. She couldn’t answer me.

After a moment’s silence, he continues.

Bow: That’s why I’ve called you all. Frosta, Mermista, Scorpia. I haven’t been able to reach Perfuma yet. But . . .

On the tracker pad, Scorpia’s face appears.

Scorpia: Oh! I should have said! Perfuma’s with me!

The image jiggles as Scorpia reaches outside the frame, drawing Perfuma into the picture beside her. Perfuma smiles outward at Bow.

Perfuma: We’re together.

Perfuma and Scorpia look at each other and grin.

Scorpia: Yeah, we are.

Perfuma looks out toward Bow again.

Perfuma: What do you need us to do, Bow?

But, before Bow can answer, a voice from behind causes him to stand up and turn around, along with everyone else in the room, toward the entrance to the chamber.

Swift Wind: [confidently] Someone did say, “Swift Wind,” right?

Hey there, ma peeps! 🐥😊

My fanfic is heading toward another climax in the near future.

So, you may look forward to plenty of excitement and tension!

To recap Episode 75 so far:

What is giving Catra a disturbing feeling, and what terrible force attacks Adora? (Part One)

Why is everyone in such a good mood around Bright Moon? (Part Two)

Has the Best Friends Squad truly been betrayed by a friend? (Part Three)

Can Entrapta overcome the darkness within herself? (Part Four)

And what desperate measure causes Glimmer and Adora to leave the ones they love? (Part Five)

I am dedicating this chapter to Alex ( @DontYouGetitILuvYou ), a fine friend and good soul. 😁

This one is for those who will rage with Adora and weep with Catra.

The chapter is a little shorter than some, but I hope you will find it exciting.

I promise you much more in the coming weeks.

On with the show, my friends!

In the solitude of the Heart Chamber, Entrapta smiles slightly in the soft white glow. She slowly withdraws a lock of her hair from a control on the panel before her.

Entrapta: It’s done.

Outside under the starry night sky, a flash of bright pink sparkles explodes into existence a few feet above the ground, directly in front of the entrance to the Chamber of the Heart. Glimmer and the brilliantly glowing She-Ra solidify, landing firmly on their feet, their stances tensed for action.

She-Ra’s sword is already drawn back. She launches herself forward to smash through the door with a powerful swing.

She-Ra: [raging] Rrrrrrr-AUGGHHH!!

On impact, there is a colossal flash of white light, and She-Ra is knocked backwards, her blow completely repelled! The force is enough to knock her and Glimmer off their feet! With evident surprise, they land heavily on the ground, stunned.

Inside the Chamber of the Heart, Entrapta continues narrating into her recorder.

Entrapta: [with a sigh] I’ve locked all of the security protocols into their hybernation state. Now nothing can get into this complex or interfere with my work.

Entrapta frowns in sudden determination.

Entrapta: [speaking rapidly] Not until I disable the systems! Which I am doing now!

Entrapta leaps at the controls, both hands working furiously, and her hair suddenly agitates around her in waves of desperation!

As she furiously manipulates the controls before her, there is a terrible, screeching whine, as if a vast mechanism is clashing within itself.

The liquid white and rainbow-colored lights swirling above her take on a flame-red sheen, and the ambient light of the room suddenly dims around her.

At the outdoor entrance to the chamber, She-Ra is back on her feet, forcefully throwing her body against the metal doors, which glow and buzz and crackle at every impact, as if a force field is resisting her. Every time she lands, she leaps again, repeatedly smashing against the barrier, her teeth gritted in single-minded focus.

Glimmer stands beside her wheeling her arms as she fires glowing balls of energy in a ceaseless barrage.

The sound of the attacks and the resistance from the shielding rise to a piercing shriek, and then -- it is as if a plug is pulled.

The pitch of the shriek plummets to a fading low whine and vanishes.

In that same moment, Glimmer’s sparkles wink out, and the glow leaves She-Ra.

Glimmer: [deflated] Unnnggh.

Adora: [as if struck] Oouagh!

Adora and Glimmer collapse to the ground, their energy spent.

Bright Moon Castle shines stolidly into the night, her towers overlooked by a deep purple sky sparkling with stars.

Within, Catra kneels on the floor of the room she shares with Adora, her forehead pressed against the hard floor. Fists balled, she pounds the floor in frustration as angry tears flow.

Catra: [mournfully] No! No! [her voice breaking] Adora!

Bow hangs his head, staring listlessly at the dead screen of the tracker pad that dips toward the floor in his hands.

Suddenly, his attention is caught by a flickering light from the corner of his eye.

He lifts his head and turns toward the wavering glow in wonder.

Bow: [mildly alarmed] Catra?

He begins walking toward the balcony.

Catra lifts her head, eyes widened in curiosity, the tears still streaming.

She sees the strange flicker of the light and stands up.

Suddenly, she sprints to the archway leading out to the balcony.

Pushing past Bow, she arrives at the railing of the balcony and looks out toward the Moonstone.

It’s glow is wavering, struggling to maintain its luminescence.

Catra touches the crystal hanging from her hip and glances downward. The gem is flickering white light in an identical pattern with the Moonstone.

She frowns decisively.

Lifting her head, she calls out loudly, her voice slightly rough from emotion.

Catra: Swift Wiiiind!!

Bow pauses several feet behind her, eyes wide.

A moment later, a large white figure ascends toward the balcony on rainbow wings, calling as he comes.

Swift Wind: [proudly] Did somebody say, “Swift Wind!”??

Catra growls at him, the echo of a sob still in her voice.

Catra: Yes!! I did, you idiot! Come on!!

Without further hesitation, Catra springs from the balcony, reaching out and landing astride Swift Wind’s back, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck and her face by his ear.

Catra: [urgently] Let’s go!

As Swift Wind wheels around away from the castle, Bow runs to the balcony edge, holding up a hand.

Bow: Wait!

Catra calls back over her shoulder.

Catra: I’m going to help! And I’ll bring them back!

Bow stands helplessly as they rapidly make their way toward the sky over the cliffs.

Turning his attention to the Moonstone, Bow watches its light dim further, until it fades completely.

He frowns and looks down at his tracker pad.

Gripping it with renewed inspiration, he begins thumbing the controls as he turns and walks back inside the castle.

(click for full ^^)

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@BrianSturgill I gift you ✨Swiftwind✨! Thank you so much for not only being so lovely but so welcoming and opening in this Wiki page. You and the rest of the She ra Wiki crew really are amazing people and I thank you for your fanfiction and just making this Wiki so lively and welcoming.

Take this Swiftwind as my gift to you, to all of you really. Thank you 💛

Hello, my dears! 😊

This weeks chapter will be nice, with characters coming together again who have been apart. But some of them have some explaining to do! 🤨

But before we get into that, it's time for a recap of the current episode!

Previously in Episode 71:

Part One: Darla, Entrapta, and Wink battle a ginormous tree in space, desperate to bring back information for the sake of every princess of Etheria!

Part Two: Scorpia and Perfuma work together for the recovery of the Peace Zone!

Part Three: Glimmer discovers a secret within the untamed magic in Mystacor!

I would like to dedicate my chapter this week to a wonderful new friend and kind reader of my fanfic, May ( @.+*Twilght Wings*+. ) 😁

May, I think you will enjoy this one! I hope so!

We are returning now to the place where (in the words of Double Trouble in my fan fiction) drama truly lives! 😆

Welcome back to Bright Moon, my friends!!

Bright Moon Castle glows softly in the early evening as the last haze of sunlight colors the far distant edge of the sky a deep auburn rose.

Over this peaceful scene, the glorious Swift Wind glides gently downward toward the great entrance facing the Moon Stone.

He announces his arrival in song.

Swift Wind: [dramatically] Swiiiift Wiiiiind! It’s a wooonderful Swiiiiift Wiiind!

Silhouetted in the Moon Stone’s soft white light, he bears Glimmer and Catra into the brightly-lit interior of the Throne Room and lands with stately grace.

As Glimmer and Catra dismount, three of the castle guards rush into the room, staves at the ready. Seeing Glimmer, they assume an attitude of attention, then execute bows in unison. Glimmer nods in approval.

Catra looks around, ears twitching in alertness.

Swift Wind: [loudly, to the guards] Hey! Where’s Adora?

Catra: [pointedly] Is she here?

The central guard bows to Catra.

Guard: [formally] Yes, my lady.

Glimmer steps forward, hands on hips.

Glimmer: Then, take us to her, please.

All three of the guards bow to Glimmer.

Guard: At once, your majesty.

They follow the guards out into the broad hallway. The guard in command pauses with a nod to the other two, who immediately take positions on either side of the Throne Room entrance. Then she turns, and leads Glimmer and her friends down the main corridor.

Partway down the hallway, recognizable voices are heard, which become clearer as they near the entrance to the Council Chamber.

Voice of Adora: [insistent] -- at any time! It’s too much of a risk! These precautions will assure --

Voice of General Juliet: [firmly] With respect, Adora, that is for the Queen to decide.

At that moment, Glimmer enters the room, along with Catra and Swift Wind.

They find Adora and General Juliet standing facing each other with severe expressions, their hands pressing the surface of the table, upon which are a couple of parchment documents. Their heads turn in unison, Juliet’s eyebrows raised and Adora’s eyes startled and wide. General Juliet straightens her posture.

Glimmer: [brightly] Hi, there!

Adora: [surprised] Glimmer!

General Juliet: [respectfully] Your majesty.

Glimmer: [formally] General.

Catra: [with happy relief] Adora.

Adora: [excitedly] Catra!

Swift Wind: [proudly] Swift Wind! Did someone say my name?

Adora walks over to them laying one arm over Catra’s shoulders, one hand on Swift Wind’s neck, and catching Glimmer in the middle.

Adora: It’s so good to see you guys!

Catra puts her arms around Adora’s waist, while Glimmer wraps one arm around Adora’s back and one around Catra’s. Swift Wind tilts his head down to nuzzle Adora’s face, while briefly stretching his wing to encircle Glimmer and Catra.

Glimmer: [sing-songy] Weee’re baack!

Adora: [turning her head to nuzzle Swift Wind’s face] Swiftie!

Swift Wind makes a pleased whinnying sound.

Catra: [to Adora, softly] I missed you.

Adora: [quietly to Catra] Missed you, too.

They all step back from the embrace, and Adora looks at them with a pleased but curious smile.

Adora: Why did you all leave?

Glimmer raises an eyebrow.

Glimmer: Tell ya in a minute. But first . . . [pointedly innocent] what was it I was supposed to decide?

Adora takes a step back, looking slightly awkward and putting a hand to the back of her neck.

Adora: Oh, ahhh . . .

She glances at Catra, who narrows her eyes.

Adora: [quickly] It’s nothing, really! It can wait.

Catra smiles a little at Adora’s discomfort.

Catra: [suspiciously] Uhhh, huh.

Glimmer steps forward, following Adora as she backs away.

Glimmer: Ohhh. Are you sure?

Adora: Yeah!

She looks downward, noticing the brace on Glimmer’s leg.

Adora: [evasively] Oh, wow! Your leg! How are you doing with it? Is it still hurting?

Adora looks at her innocently, smiling. Glimmer grins back.

Glimmer: [with relief] Oh, it feels soooo much better! And Bow did an amazing job with the brace! I hardly feel it now.

Adora: [enthusiastically] Oh, good! That’s good. ‘Cause . . . [softly, genuinely, looking Glimmer in the eye] . . . I was worried about you.

Glimmer looks at her gratefully, with affection.

Glimmer: Thank you, Adora. That means a lot.

Adora smiles at her. There is a brief awkward pause, while Swift Wind paws the ground a bit.

Swift Wind: [bored] Sooo . . .

Adora: [quickly] So!

Glimmer: [directly] So, how were things around here? Any trouble while I was gone?

Adora: [chuckling nervously]: Trouble. Heh-heh-heh.

Adora tosses a quick glance toward General Juliet, who has been standing nearby with arms folded. She steps forward.

General Juliet: Your majesty, we captured an intruder in the castle.

Glimmer: What?!

Adora: [guiltily] Oh, yeah. That happened.

Glimmer: [concerned] What intruder?

General Juliet: It was Double Trouble again. We’ve taken them into custody.

Catra: [softly, with intensity] What?

Glancing at Catra, Adora sees that her eyes are like smoldering daggers.

Adora: Yeah. But it’s okay!

Glimmer tilts her head forward and sighs, touching her wrinkled brow.

Glimmer: [groaning] Ugghh! Double Trouble is a headache I did not want to have to deal with.

Adora: [reassuringly] It’ll be fine! The situation with Double Trouble is tooootally under control.

Catra grits her teeth, her eyes narrowed, her hands fists.

General Juliet: [to Glimmer] I have arranged for there to be two guards with them at all times, always awake, always alert, with alternating shift changes. This person will not be a problem.

Catra addresses General Juliet.

Catra: You say they’re confined right now.

General Juliet: [turning toward Catra] Yes.

Catra: Good.

She turns on her heel and starts for the door.

Catra: [ominously] I’ll be back.

There is a quiet, but disturbing shinging sound.

Adora leaps forward, and Glimmer turns quickly to reach toward Catra.

Adora: Catra! No!

Glimmer: Catra!

Glimmer and Adora each grab one of Catra’s wrists, holding her back. Catra pulls against them for a moment.

Catra: [frustated] Erggh!

Glimmer: Catra, please! This is not how we roll! Just let me talk with them, okay!

All at once Catra stops pulling. Her head drops, and she takes a deep breath. Her claws sheathe again. Glimmer and Adora look at each other with concern, then release Catra’s wrists. Catra clenches her fists, sighs deeply, and then lets her hands relax. She turns to face them, looking first at Glimmer and then Adora. She nods, then looks back at Glimmer.

Catra: [conceding] Okay. Fine.

Glimmer turns back to General Juliet.

Glimmer: Do we know what they’re doing here? What they want?

General Juliet shrugs.

General Juliet: They say they want to make some kind of deal with you. They acted like they wanted a job and a place to stay.

Glimmer: [wrinkling her face] A job?

General Juliet: That’s what they said.

Catra steps up close to them, frowning, her ear twitching.

Glimmer: [to Juliet] Well, what I really wanna know is --

Catra puts her hand out and interrupts.

Catra: [sharply] Shhh!

Glimmer halts mid-sentence, looking curiously at Catra.

Catra: Listen. There’s something outside.

Everyone freezes for a moment, cocking their heads.

Within a second, a faint thumping, booming sound becomes audible. Rhythmic. Like giant footsteps.

Everyone looks at each other with worry and wonder.

The guards look tense. General Juliet’s hand hovers by her sword.

Catra: [earnestly] It’s coming closer.

Swift Wind steps up beside Glimmer.

Swift Wind: [confidently] I’ll go check it out!

Adora: [quickly] Wait.

All at once, Swift Wind leaps into the air, sweeping over their heads, causing them to duck as he flaps his wings around.

Adora: [annoyed] Swiftie! What did we say about flying inside the castle?!

Swift Wind executes a gentle spiral glide overhead as he speaks.

Swift Wind: [confidently] Wait at least half an hour after a big meal!

Adora: That’s not what we said!!

Swift Wind: [ignoring her] I’ll take a quick look and be right back!

Glimmer: Hold on a second!

Adora: Swiftie!

Swift Wind quickly flies out of the Council Chamber and out into the hallway. There are a couple of surprised cries, and then the brief sound of a scuffle, like the great winged horse is smacking into a few of the walls.

Adora: [to Glimmer] Don’t worry. I’ll get him.

And she sprints out of the chamber. Glimmer reaches a hand after Adora, as if she could somehow catch her.

Glimmer: [troubled] Adora!

Catra: [calmly] Well, the noise has stopped.

Out in the hallway, Adora looks both ways, then lays her eyes on a pair of guards, who look decidedly shaken. They point toward one of the far ends of the hallway.

Adora nods, and runs to the end of the hallway, where a large open window looks out onto the night and the grounds below. She reaches the window and leans against the casement with both hands, searching the sky intently.

Adora: Hm.

Without warning, a fast-moving dark figure leaps over the edge of the window, colliding with Adora and knocking her onto her back!

The figure kneeling over her is dressed in overalls and wears a bug-like mask with huge glowing ovals for eyes. It’s Entrapta! She lifts up the shield of her mask and stares down at Adora with a grin.

Entrapta: Oh, hello, Adora! I’m glad I bumped into you! Can you take me to Glimmer? I need to see her, right now!

#1- Replacing She-Ra faces with Nerd Emojis

Random fact: This has the highest resolution/quality on this post.

Random fact: I, for no reason, photoshopped their faces by making it look like they have no facial features before putting on the nerd emojis.

Random fact: This has the lowest resolution/quality in this post.

Random fact: It took me five minutes to put all the nerd emojis on, and two minutes to make it low-quality.

Random fact: I was too lazy to cover Swift Wind’s entire face with a nerd emoji.

Honourable mention:

Random fact: katruh in a tuxedo

This meme is so flipping old ☠️