certainty

blurred lines

I've decided to do a thing before most chapters where I'll list one or two "action items" or some questions to think about regarding BLM, LGBT+ rights, women's rights (intersectional feminism only), etc. You can skip over them if you'd like, because I understand that fanfiction can be an escape/break from reality for some people, but that doesn't mean these issues stop existing. They are of the utmost importance, so I encourage you to at least skim the items, or even come back to them after you read; I promise, it'll only be a couple things! :) For today:

1. Follow @ soyouwanttotalkabout on Instagram (excellent infographics regarding a variety of social issues that are easy to digest if you're easily overwhelmed by statistical information!)

2. Read So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo (I've just started and it is SO. INFORMATIVE.)

now a couple story notes: this is more of the Iron Man AU! i had quite a few people tell me they enjoyed it and i knew i wanted to write more so i did, this time from catra's perspective.

note: if you did not like the Iron Man AU, feel free to skip this chapter! that's totally okay, you won't hurt my feelings.

anyways, thank you to all of you who continue to leave lovely comments on this story! y'all are the best and i love you :)

HI = Horde Industries

~*~

"Catra! I need your help!"

Adora's voice was filled with panic discernible even through the static of the intercom, and Catra immediately dropped the paperwork she was annotating to rush out of her office and practically fly down the stairs leading into the lab. She discarded her shoes as she ran, as the heels only slowed her down.

"Light Hope, that door had better be unlocked and open!" she shouted as she jumped down the last set of steps, ignoring the jarring feeling of her feet slamming into the concrete floor. The AI thankfully had the sense not to argue with her, and Catra was able to race into the lab without issue.

Adora - or She-Ra, technically - was standing in the middle of the room with a look of abject terror on her face, while her entire body radiated a brilliant shade of sky blue.

"Uh, what the hell is going on?" Catra demanded, finding herself taking a wary step backwards at the sight. She-Ra unnerved her. Especially the way her eyes glowed.

"I can't transform back!" Ugh. Even more unnerving was the way Adora's voice left She-Ra's mouth, still edged with panic. "Help me! Please!"

"'Help you'?" Catra repeated incredulously. "Adora, what on Etheria do you expect me to do?!"

Adora flailed her arms helplessly, waving the giant sword so frantically that Catra couldn't help but be concerned she might accidentally let go of it and thus fling it at her, which sounded... less than appealing, to put it lightly. "I don't know! Something! Anything!"

"I'm sorry, but eight-foot-tall, giant, magical warrior princesses are not within my realm of expertise," Catra snapped. "Just - Just think Adora thoughts! Not She-Ra thoughts."

"Aargh! Catra, I am She-Ra!" Adora argued, the blue aura around her brightening in intensity and causing Catra to wince. "There is no separate mindset that I shift into! I'm still me!"

"Well, maybe you need to figure out a way to separate yourself from her!" Catra groaned, dragging a hand through her hair. "Dammit, Adora! Helping you detransform wasn't exactly in my job description when I applied."