Escaping Corruption (Seasons 1-3)

S3- Moonstrikes and daggers

Just their luck.

They've teleported into a sand tornado.

Catra screams as she's almost pulled off the ground.

Puca grabs her.

She cries out.

He's gritting his teeth, eyes narrowed. Hair going wild.

He pulls his dagger from his pocket, and she freezes as best she can as he brings it to the back of her neck.

She closes her eyes, bracing herself to be murdered. But instead, she feels nothing.

She opens her eyes again.

Just in time to feel Puca wrap an arm around her, keeping her grounded.

"P-powers, goddess!" He barks out.

She frowns. Then she realises what he's saying, and focuses hard.

And a sentinel in the distance, on an Elisian watch tower, sees a bright explosion in the distance.

The next moment, the scent of ozone is sickening. And the silence is impenetrable.

~~~~~

Catra and Puca awake entangled, on a sandy beach on the island of Aeaea.

It's warm. But not too hot.

"Woah..." Catra mutters, looking around her.

Then she feels it. A weight gone.

It's freaky.

She stumbles too her feet and rushes into the cottage to stare in a mirror.

Her hair.

Puca had cut it. To keep it out of her eyes.

Now it was sliced roughly between her shoulders and chin. Choppy.

She freezes.

Oh Moros, it will be so weird wearing her headpiece later. If she survives long enough to wear it again.

"Oi, little goddess."

Puca leans in the door, eyeing her with an unimpressed expression.

"Where are we?"

"Aeaea. It's mine."

She grins smugly.

He rolls his eyes.

"I'll be on my way-"

"Heh...about that..."

Puca's eyes narrow.

"What do you mean, little goddess?" He sounds malicious.

She cringes.

"When I used my powers to get us both out it may have...bounded your soul to me? Because of the amount of power I needed..."

Puca is silent. Frozen. Blank-faced.

"You did what."

"Heh...."

~~~~~~

Aeris' corpse, which had been stolen back from Aziphiya lies limp in the small rowboat, on top of a flower arrangement containing roses, wisteria, and violets.

Her head had been sewn back on. And she'd been dressed in a gorgeous frock, and wrapped in her hunters cloak.

All the other members of the Hunt had carved animals into the sides of the rowboat. And the old High Hunter had left his bear claw necklace over her chest. To signify the Huntress she would've become if she hadn't died so young.

C'yra had placed a tiara on her head. And Amato and Lyric has performed a series of her favourite songs.

Maverick put on a light show.

Finally, the time came for speeches to be made.

Atticus went first. And signed his whole speech.

Amato gasped when he made one thing clear.

He would've married her if she'd made it.

Following him, was the High Hunter. Who admitted he admired the young woman's courage and dedication.

Next was Lyric. Who spoke nothing but adoration for her baby sister.

Then was Maverick. Who bawled so hard he had to be guided off stage.

And then Amato. Who trembled and shook as he spoke his final goodbye to his youngest.

Then, at last, C'yra. Who had already lost so much.

She was strong. But collapsed in the end.

Then, as the clock struck midnight. Everyone lined up along the river.

The river was illuminated by glowing silver lanterns. And on either side of the bank, blue hibiscus and white roses gleam with glittery silver markings painted on them.

Finally, the rowboat was pushed into the river.

The calm current is just powerful enough to carry it out to sea.

C'yra openly weeps.

It's a painful sight, watching Aeris fade into the distance for the last time.

The hunters and huntresses bow. And in every corner of Purrsia, people bow in the name of the dead princess.

The rowboat is stopped just before it goes out of sight, and Amato wades in to kiss her hand and put her stuffed toy rabbit from her childhood in with her.

"Goodbye, sweetheart...fuck..." He stumbles back, crying."

Then, the High Hunter pushes it the rest of the way.

And that's it.