Chapter 15

Swiftly, she teleported in and out of the cave, taking Catra with her. Now, they were in the center of the clearing. Glimmer immediately struck Catra with Micha's staff then used a few magic blasts to knock her off her feet. Adora ran up to Catra, shielding the Magicat's chest with her own.

"Glimmer, stop. This isn't you!"

Gimmer huffed and prepared another blast of magic. "You're wrong. I am Queen Glimmer of Brightmoon. I am strong, I am powerful and I will not allow my soldiers to defect so easily!" She ran and shoved Catra closer to the rocks. Adora snatched the spear out of Glimmer's hand, but the glow of magic made it hard to see. Now in hand to hand combat, Catra managed to hold her own. She kicked and dodged with ease.

Glimmer swung with magical blasts, hoping Catra would be struck by the rocks in mid-air, but she always managed to land on her feet. Glimmer was so developed in rage, she barely noticed her skinned knee or her magic. Midway through the fight, Glimmer's magic had turned from her usual bubblegum pink to a deep red.

Catra was about to dodge Glimmer again, when she spied a spacecraft in the distance. She turned around to look at it and Glimmer stopped in her tracks. Adora stood between the two of them, worried.

"They're back already? Where are the armies or battle machines?"

Glimmer shook her head. "Maybe it's some kind of diversion. I should contact the princesses, see if their kingdoms are in peril."

Just before Glimmer could teleport away, the ship landed, the door clattering open. Horde Prime emerged but did not see the trio right away. Catra took Adora's hand as he finally found them.

"Well, this sure is a sight for sore eyes."

Adora clipped the sword of her wrist and transformed. "What do you want Horde prime? Brightmoon is miles from here." Catra shivered at the sight of Horde Prime.

"Aww! I can tell you're still upset from last time. Maybe it wouldn't have happened if you looked after your pets a little better." He smiled.

Adora turned red. "Catra isn't my-

"Enough with the small talk! Glimmer insisted. Give me one good reason to not blast you into Despondos."

The smile faded from Horde Prime. He raised his hand and quickly slashed Adora's face, three clean strokes just below her right eye.

"If you do not join me, I will damage Etheria beyond repair."

Glimmer's eyes widened.

"Starvation, floods, wildfires, plagues. Just imagine it all."

Catra hissed as she examined Adora's wounds. "So you're planning a massacre, is that it?"

Horde Prime nodded. "That is unless I find a better use of my time. All you and Princess here have to do is get into my spaceship."

Adora gasped. "You're kidding. You just want to take away Etheria's best fighters."

"No. I'm taking the fighters that don't depend on some shiny gem to give them power. Catra and Glimmer come willingly, you will never have to see me or my armies again."

Adora pulled her friends into a huddle.

"This is ridiculous, he's bluffing."

Glimmer shook her head. "What if he isn't? We barely made it out of our last battle, getting him away from here is our safest bet."

"Catra?"

"I'm going. As long as you and the others are safe, I'll figure something out."

"Catra, no!"

Horde Prime squirmed between Glimmer and Catra. "Well, I see we're in agreement."

He tossed both girls in front of him. 

"Catra, Glimmer, promise me you'll be okay. Please tell me you'll come back!" Adora lost grip of Catra's arm and tried to keep up speed as Hordak hurried her friends onto the ship. 

As soon as the ship was in the air, Adora stared up to it. Catra managed to break out of Hordak's embrace for just a moment and mouthed a familiar phrase through the translucent window.

"I promise."