Princess, Princess

Chapter 2 - Promises

Art Credits: Kaifu_ato

A/N : Might be a fear trigger warning. This chapter alternates between the past and the future. A memory will start and end with a  ♡ 

"Sooooo... Now what?" Catra asked the blonde. 

Adora shrugged, "I'm not exactly sure. I've never actually rescued a princess before." 

"What? So you're a rookie?" 

Adora turned back to the magicat. "Would you rather me leave you in the tower? You would've never been able to see the world!"  Catra rolled her eyes and yelled back, "At least there I was-" 

"Safe." She trailed as black and green magic surrounded them. 

"Little sister.. Why have you left your tower?" An eerie masculine voice called.

Adora quickly pulled a épée - thin sword- out her scabbard and pointed it forward. "Who goes there?!" 

The voice ignored the question, sending the dark magic closer to Catra. "So very stupid of you. You cannot live by yourself."  He paused. "Did you really think you could escape me?"

"Who are you? Show yourself!!!" Adora yelled, clutching the reigns on her steed in anger. Catra stayed silent in fear as she hugged Adora's waist tightly. 

A figure walked into their view, ignoring the magic and smoke before them. "Stupid little Catra. You're not pure. You are weak. You are too small. You are too stupid." The voice said as they got closer. 

Eventually he got past the smoke and the duo could see him perfectly. Adora swiftly hopped off her steed and held her épée to his neck. He ignored it. "Go back to your tower, little sister." 

He inched closer to Catra as Adora shielded her. 

"After all, you might get ... hurt."  Suddenly, a huge monster surrounded them. 

"Huh?" Adora muttered as the beast's tongue wrapped around her sword, before flinging her forward. Catra cried as it growled in her face.  The man stared at her again as he got closer and twirled her hair. "It is okay Catra. I forgive you. Just go back to the tower." His expression softened. "Everyone has a place in Horde Prime's empire. Even those who have disobeyed me. " 

Catra shook her head with tears in her eyes. 

Horde Prime glared, "This is your only warning. I'd rather not kill you and your new friend, Catra. But if I have to..." He began to walk away, with the monster following behind. "I will."

And with that, he was gone. 

"This was a bad idea! I wish to go back!" Catra cried. Adora looked to Catra. "Back to the tower? Why?" 

"The truth is, there's a reason none of the other princes were able to rescue me.." She looked down slightly as Adora stared intriguingly . "I sabotaged them."

Adora couldn't help but gasp, " But why?" 

If the brunette was being honest, she was scared. She remembered every time a prince would help her, using a ladder or some stupid invention they had made. She remembered always cutting the ropes or pushing down the ladders. So why was Adora different?

"You heard what he said. And he means it. I thought the tower was the only place for me" She looked up again with hope in eyes. "But then you came. And you somehow were able to make me want to escape." Adora felt her cheeks burning. 

"But now- I am just scared. " 

Adora held the magicat's hands in hers. "I'll protect you Catra! I've got a sword! A noble unicorn steed! And a bitchin' hair style!"