Codependency

Part 17 // Screw off, Sparkles

(The gash in my chest is healing! Anywho I really really wish I could draw humans. I want to doodle a scene from this fic so bad
And im retconning the portal happening because I don't want to write out queen Angella. Sorry for mentioning the portal that one time)

Adora sensed the very air around her change when they came within sight of the Frightzone's borders. The surrounding aura was thick like smoke with a suppressing feeling. Adora had to take shallow breaths as she got accustomed to the faint bitter tang and uncomfortable pressure in the air, much different than the clear, fresh breathing there was beyond the Horde's lands. The main gate loomed ahead of the two girls a short distance away, its shabby metal tops lined with very obvious snipers and watchers. They had clearly seen the two approaching a long time ago, but must have recognized Catra and chosen to let them come closer.

Catra had Adora's sword tucked under her arm, the other arm linked around Adora's elbow as she pulled her fake prisoner along. Adora had to concentrate on looking grim, which was not exactly hard, considering she wasn't truly on board with Catra's killing Hordak plan. Adora had tried to convince Catra briefly during their journey to let her help with the attack, but Catra was insistent that she no longer wanted to rely on Adora's help, just her company.
Now, Catra did not have to hide her smug glare as she watched a Horde soldier approaching them from the gate's main doorway. She was very proud of her catch, there was no need to pretend.

The soldier that approached was much taller than Catra and Adora, with a broad torso and shoulders and skin as pale grey as stone. He was recognizable by his helmet, which stood out- it was adorned with colossal broken teeth ripped from the heads of monsters the soldier had killed himself. He only wore a standard Horde chestplate for the rest of his armor, leaving his legs with no special protection beyond a regular pants garment.
This was General Ferros, one of the three top minions working for Hordak... still under Catra's rank, of course. Adora had met him in passing, usually as he observed the cadet youth battle assessments.

Now, Ferros towered over Catra and Adora as the two parties met about a three tanks length from the Horde wall. He seemed to hesitate, glowering down at Catra with a hint of uncertainty in his small eyes, as though he was not sure if her rank would hold after being missing in action for so many days. Catra had no reluctance, however, squaring up to glare right back at the General.

"General Ferros." Catra greeted him coldly, yanking Adora forward by her arm to stand in front of her. "Open the gate. I caught She-ra. Again."

General Ferros' protruding front fangs glinted as he spoke, a nasally rasp in his growl.
"Catra. You've been missing for days. Lord Hordak assumed you'd either died or joined the Rebels to find your... thing." His gaze shifted briefly to Adora.

Catra bared her fangs right back at him.
"I put out for a message to be sent to Hordak telling him where I'd gone. Did Kyle screw that up, too?"

Ferros' nostrils flared as he spoke in a deep, gravely tone.
"He was informed. He was not pleased at your insolence."

"Insolence?" Catra snapped, her grip becoming painfully tight on Adora's forearm.

"Your very hasty and unapproved mission has angered Lord Hordak. You should not have gone without waiting for-"

Catra let out a furious hiss, standing on her toes to glare right between the orc-like General's eyes.
"You do not talk to me that way. Open the wall so Hordak can tell me how he threw another tantrum himself, if he wants to."

Ferros' face contorted into a silent snarl, but his gaze was laced with a twisted curiosity, as though he might like to see Catra say that to Hordak's face and find out what happened next. If only to see this happen, or whether Catra's rank really meant something to him, Ferros had decided to lower the entrance to the main gate. Catra hurried Adora along, ignoring whispers and suspicious glances coming from the much lower ranked Horde grunts that occupied their stations at the gate.