Gracefully Broken

Chapter 1: Adora Dies...?

Catra sat on the floor of the Forge with no intention of ever getting up again. Everything hurt but she did not care. She had lost. Double Trouble had totally exposed her and they had assured her defeat at the hands of the Rebellion. Catra looked down at the ground sadly. She hated to admit it, but Double Trouble was right. Her heart had never been in this fight. She had never wanted to be the villain. All she wanted – all she had ever wanted – was Adora.

Catra sighed and looked over at where Hordak lay unconscious and trapped under debris. She gave a tiny smirk. At least she beat him. If anyone deserved a taste of his own medicine, it was him. As she began to reminisce about the numerous times Hordak had hurt her, Glimmer suddenly materialized in front of her. Catra did not move and simply stared at her before looking down again. It was happening. The Rebellion had won, just as Double Trouble had said, and now they had come for her. At least it was the queen bringing her in. She could not cope with Adora right now, and she had little to no respect for any of the other princesses.

A long moment passed where no one spoke nor moved. The silence grew increasingly unnerving, and Catra finally looked back up at Glimmer. She was surprised to see her crying silently – her face bright red with tears rolling down her cheeks. She was staring hard at Catra, clenching her magic staff in her hand as she did so. It looked like she wanted to kill her, but was willing herself not to. Catra, believing there was nothing she deserved more, said:

"What are you waiting for? Do it." Glimmer gasped in response, prompting Catra to continue:

"Looks like we're both alone, Sparkles." Glimmer frowned and wiped the tears from her eyes before exclaiming:

"What? No – I'm not going to kill you!" Catra gave a small chuckle:

"Why not? I thought you wanted to win." Glimmer groaned in frustration, but, much to Catra's surprise, that groan turned to a sob, and Glimmer suddenly collapsed on the floor - hugging herself as she cried. Catra raised an eyebrow and hesitantly moved forward, putting a hand on Glimmer's shoulder. She sighed:

"Hey, I get it. I thought winning would be different too." Catra was not sure where this sudden display of sympathy came from. There was definitely no love lost between them. Maybe Double Trouble's lecture had brought out a softer side in her? Who knew? Glimmer then surprised her again by taking her hand and desperately pleading:

"No, you don't understand! Adora is dying! She went to Beast Island to rescue Entrapta and got hit by some kind of death ray! Bow and Swift Wind somehow managed to get her back to Brightmoon before I left, but nothing we've done has helped! At the moment, Shadow Weaver's magic is all that's keeping her alive!" Catra's eyes had grown wide in horror as Glimmer spoke, but had narrowed once again at the mention of Shadow Weaver. She scoffed:

"Oh, she'll be fine. Shadow Weaver won't give up on her. Adora was always her favourite." Glimmer glared at Catra before yelling:

"Did you not hear what I said? Adora is dying!" Catra rolled her eyes and pulled her hand away:

"Yes, I heard you. Poor old Adora – it's not like she's almost been killed before." Catra gave a wry chuckle before going silent once more. While she could not deny her feelings for Adora, and the very real concern she had for her wellbeing, Catra was really not sure how to convey that to Glimmer, and was doubtful she would believe her if she did. The two sat in silence for a long time before Glimmer's tracker pad began to ring. She pulled it out and answered it. Catra recognized Bow on the screen.

"Glimmer! Have you found her yet?" Glimmer gave a tearful nod and murmured:

"Mmhmm." Catra's eyes went wide as Bow continued:

"Well, have you talked to her? Can you bring her back here? Adora's getting worse and now she's screaming for her!" Catra was then able to make out faint cries in the background. They were cries of pain, and they were cries of her name. Catra immediately reached out and grabbed the tracker pad. Glimmer did not stop her. She almost yelled at Bow: