Cast A Shadow

5

     "So, hold on, where have you two been this whole time?" Bow was the first one to speak. Shadow Weaver continued to walk closer to the group of young adults, so I followed, a semi-guilty look on my face. I felt bad for leaving them by themselves, but it was important.

     "While you were out traipsing around in space, some of us have been working to stop the Heart of Etheria from falling into Prime's hands," Shadow Weaver scanned the room. "And we discovered the same thing you did. Rumors of a fail-safe that will break the restraints the First Ones built, and set the stolen magic free." Many of the eyes in the room widened.

     "Are you kidding?" This time Glimmer was the one who spoke up, some anger shown in her voice. "After everything that happened last time, you're still going after the Heart of Etheria?" Glimmer then turned to me. "And you're helping her?" Glimmer had a glare to her face as I walked closer.

     "Were trying to free the magic for all of Etheria, so we can be strong enough to fight Prime." I explained, placing my hands on Glimmer's shoulders. "I'm doing this for your father, and for you. Shadow Weaver is the lesser of two evils-" "At least you admit she's evil," Catra chimed in from where she stood in the far corner, a strong glare on her face, directed at me. I glanced back at Shadow Weaver to see if she had reacted to that in any way.

     "You're one to talk...aren't you, Catra?" She responded, tilting her head to the side. Catra growled in response, taking a step towards Shadow Weaver, only to be held back by Adora. Catra sighed and looked to the side, a soft glare still on her face. "Tell us what you know about the fail-safe. What makes you think it's in Mystacor?" Adora questioned. Adora glared, and Shadow Weaver glared right back at her.

     "As any good sorcerer knows, Mystacor was built on the ruins of an ancient First Ones citadel. And beneath Mystacor-" "Ooh, can I tell this part?" I chimed in, an excited smile on my face. Shadow Weaver stared at me for a moment, before sighing and nodding her head. "Go ahead." I clapped my hands excitedly, then turned to the rest of the group.

     With a dramatic inhale, I began telling the story, with the same dramatic appeal as a ghost story around a campfire. "Beneath Mystacor, there are many secret tunnels and rooms, forgotten and sealed off. No one has been able to access them in centuries, but there are whispers of what they might contain." "An artifact known as the Crystal of Arxia, hidden there by a group of traitorous First Ones." Shadow Weaver finished. I scowled at her. "You said I could do it!" "You were taking too long." Shadow Weaver responded. I could almost feel that there was a playful smirk on her face, even if no one could see it from under her mask. After a moment, a small smile came to my lips.

**flashback**

     "I'm not oblivious, you know," Shadow Weaver commented, somewhat randomly. "What?" I gave her a confused look. "Honestly, Castaspella, you were my student at one point. I know you." I remained silent, not sure what she was going on about. "Elevated heart rate, the faint blush on your cheeks...for someone who's trying to hide this, you're being very obvious." Shadow Weaver turned to face me. I crossed my arms and avoided her gaze, but couldn't bother to try and deny what she was alluding to.

**flashback over**

     "Arxia...that must be the outpost that Mara's rebels were talking about! The fail-safe might be under Mystacor!" Bow exclaimed, looking around the room at the solemn looks on everyone's faces. "Reaching it will not be easy, but I've spent my whole life studying the secrets of Mystacor. I can get us in."

     Adora took a few steps forward, speaking again. "If you figured it out on your own, why come back here? Why do you need us at all?" Shadow Weaver crossed her arms, glaring slightly. "Because Mystacor is controlled by Micah, who, you may recall, is controlled by Horde Prime." A sad look crossed over Glimmer's face. Shadow Weaver continued.

     "You have allowed Prime to take too much ground. If he seizes the Heart, it will all be over. There is no more time for half measures, Adora, you must act now." Adora sighed and pushed Shadow Weaver's hand off her shoulder. She then turned to the rest of thr group. "It's the only lead we have. We have to try. It'll have to be a stealth mission;Catra, do you think you and Melog can--" Adora turned around to see that Catra had disappeared.

     "Oh, leave her to sulk," Shadow Weaver said. "We can't allow her to slow us down." Adora pushed Shadow Weaver off of her shoulder once again. "You guys go get ready, I'll find Catra." Shadow Weaver rolled her eyes as Adora took off after Catra, then turned back to the rest of the group.