Hardships

Taron: The Tendū River Valley

"Oh you've got to be kidding me!", Catra exclaims as she looks at the beautiful scenery in front of her. Adora quirks a brow and puts a hand on her girlfriend's shoulder to look at the valley in front of them.

"I dont see the problem here babe, we landed on Taron right?", Adora asks confusedly looking at the frustration on Catra's face. "Yeah we're on Taron alright, but on the wrong side of Taron". Adora, Bow, and Glimmer blink confusedly and Catra sighs and says, "We're on the Southern Hemisphere of Taron. I remember this from my Father's memory. We are in the Tendū River Valley. The Tendū River Valley is a valley that separates the Ryos Mountain Side which is what we have to go through to get to the Northern Hemisphere which is where my family's kingdom is located. But that should be fairly easy because we have Darla, we can just fly over the mountains and the Valley".

Bow and Glimmer look at each other before gulping nervously and looking back at the couple in front of them. "Well you see... it seems like Darla has run out of fuel", Bow says sheepishly scratching the back of his neck. Catra's eye twitches as she pinches the bridge of her nose and says frustratedly, "Bow... please tell me thats some sick prank". Bow shakes his head and says, "Nope...".

Catra groans and sits on the bridge of the ship and crosses her legs under her, pressing the tips of her middle finger and thumb together and closing her eyes.

"What is she doing?"

"Sh!"

"Im curious Adora! What is she doing?!"

"Yeah honestly im fucking confuzzled here!"

"Shes calling upon her father for guidance I think, now can you both shut up!"

"Ok, ok we're shutting up now"

"Thank you Glimmer"

The three of them watched patiently as Catra was meditating on the thought of her lover. There was a breeze that passed by her, wrapping itself around her body before she opened her eyes to see her father smiling down at her.

"You've made it to Taron my child", Meliodas says proudly putting a hand on his hip and looking down at his daughter. Catra nods and says, "We're here but we're in the Tendū River Valley. Our ship has run out of fuel.. and we need to get past the Ryos Mountain Side. What is a route we can take that will get us past the River Valley and the Mountain Side. Or where can we get some fuel?".

Meliodas taps his chin and says, "Getting past the River Valley and Ryos Mountain Side by foot its near impossible Catra. You would have to stop by the Tendūji Village approximately 20 klicks from where you're at now. There they have motorbikes there, I suggest you find someone by the name of Huj. They were my personal supplier for motorbikes back when I was in my teenage years. Remember child, you do not need to get to Taros yet. You need to find Iroh, who dwells in the land between the Poile plains and the Kurioji mountain. You have four months remember this and use your time wisely. You have your mother's intelligence and my stubbornness... use it well".

Catra nods and says, "Thank you father, I will use my time wisely". Meliodas nods and pats my head and says, "You have made me proud my child. Remember this Catra, you have people around you who love you. Adora. Bow. And the sparkly one... Glitter is it?". Catra snickers and says, "Glimmer". Meliodas chuckles and rubs the back of his neck and says, "Glimmer, right. Well you have them with you. It is ok to be vulnerable around them. To let down your walls. The bond you share is strong and as long as you have them you will never be alone. I sense their energy and its true that they are all stubborn and strong in their own ways. You need to drop your pride and let them help so you can be stronger and carry out your duty".

Catra was speechless, but before she could respond she felt the presence of her father fadd away. Her eyes widened and she reached out for her father's hand and exclaimed softly, "Please! Dont leave..". Meliodas smiles and says meeting his daughter's tone, "Im afraid I've offered you with the help you need my child... you do not need me now Catra". Catra blinked and asked shakily, "What do you mean?". Meliodas' body disappeared into the wind, his face the only thing visible as he says, "Fear not Catra, I will not leave you permanently but as of now you seem to have understood what you truly must do. Therefore you do not need my help now. I must go now little one". Catra's head drops before her father's face faded away along with the breeze of the wind.

"Goodbye father".

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Catra opened her eyes and stood up, feeling refreshed. "What did your father say babe?", Adora asks joining Catra's side. Catra turns to look at her lover and wrapped her arm around her waist before turning to look at Bow and Glimmer.

"We have time you guys, for now lets just head towards a village that is 12 miles away from here. There we can rest and enjoy ourselves", Catra says taking the three of them by surprise. Adora looked up at her girlfriend with wide eyes and asks, "What changed your mindset Catra?". Catra smiles and says, "Mostly it was my father but I realized I havent been exactly fair to any of you. Especially you Adora, I havent let my walls down. I realized that its ok to let people help". Adora smiles and leans up, pressing a kiss to Catra's cheek before pulling back and whispering in her ear, "Im proud of you love".

Catra's cheeks were bright red as she pulled back to look at her proud lover. "Oi! Let us have some of that love too!", Bow yells running at them his eyes spread wide before he pulled the two lovers into a tight hug. Catra chuckles and pats Bow's back and says, "Alright alright big guy".

"Come on Glimmer! This is a Best Friend Squad group hug!", Adora exclaims looking at the still very shocked queen. Glimmer blinks before smirking and shouting, "Oh yeah?! Then prepare yourselves because you know whats coming!". Their eyes widen as Glimmer disappears in a cloud of glitter before she appeared above them yelling, "CANNONBALL!".

Glimmer fell on top of the laughing trio, making the four of them lay on the green grass in eachother's arms. They all gain their composure and Catra sighs, cradling the back of her head with her right hand and rubbing Adora's back with her left as the girl cuddled into her side. "How does it feel to be back Catra?", Bow asks curiously looking at the feline who was looking up at the sky.

"It feels... good?", Catra says hesitantly before looking down at the girl cuddled to her side and smiled before looking up at Bow and saying more confidently, "Yeah it definitely feels good".

To be continued...