Chapter Text
Lyre frowned at Cora who was glaring at Lillian’s back.
“You’re still mad?” Lyre asked softly.
“I hold a grudge like Momma, we’ve known each other since we were babies, you know this.” Cora huffed. “Whatever, it doesn’t matter. Did anyone get Mom from the Crystal Castle?” Cora grumbled.
“Yeah, Aunt Adora went to get her. You sure you’re okay, Cora?” Lyre asked. Cora sighed.
“Ask me again and I’m going to stick my foot so far up your ass even Aunt Casta will feel it.” Cora snapped.
“Okay, Okay, sorry for being concerned.” Lyre grumbled. Lillian turned to face her brother and Cora.
“Can I talk to Cora, privately…” Lillian asked. Lyre gave Cora a look, causing Cora to scowl at Lillian, giving Lyre a shoo motion. Lyre silently obeyed before Cora sighed as Lyre left the two in the hall.
“If you want to lecture me more, you can do it later, Sparkles. I have reached my maximum fucks to give, and I’m beyond caring about any lecture you could give me.” Cora snapped. Lillian looked hurt for a moment.
“What I said to you before you left… It wasn’t fair. You… Aren’t Aunt Catra, and we really shouldn’t treat you like you are. It’s unfair for the Alliance to treat you as anything other than the Princess of Alvasta. You’re a wonderful person…” Cora started as Lillian gently took Cora’s hands. “You’re a great friend. And… I’ve been terrible to you. I… Should have thought before I spoke so harshly to you. You can be as mad at me as you want, I deserve your anger and frustration, I was the one who put you down the most.” Lillian looked down to Cora’s hands in her own. “I didn’t realize that despite your goofy, carefree, sappiness, you’re just like Adora. You care about what others say, you try your best even when people don’t think you’re good enough… You have a big heart, and you make the world around you so much better.” Lillian paused to see Cora wasn’t looking at her.
“No, I don’t. I just make things worse. You’ve said it, the entire Alliance has said it… There’s nothing that I do that makes things better. Like I told Lyre and Mom, I’ve made up my mind. You’ll never have to see me or put up with me again.” Cora took her hands from Lillian’s frowning. “If only I had been a little less naive, I could have prevented this. People always did refer to me as the stupid one. We have a meeting to attend, let’s get it over with, okay?” Cora frowned as she rounded Lillian and entered the War room. Upon her entrance, the room went silent except a squeal from Future Adora. Future Adora ran to Cora and picked her up in a hug, which Cora began to struggle against. “MOM! PUT ME DOWN!” Cora hissed pushing against Future Adora’s face as Lillian slipped into the room.
“Oh my gods, I was so worried about you! Are you okay? What happened to your hair?” Adora asked, setting Cora back on her feet, gently reaching to Cora’s hair.
“You already know, so why ask?” Cora asked moodily. Future Adora grinned and pulled Cora into her, making Cora growl in annoyance.
“You mean your mother finally talked some damn sense into you. Finally. You’re so cute, Kitten.” Future Adora giggled. Cora shoved away from Adora with a growl.
“I. Am. Not. Cute.” Cora growled crossing her arms over her chest.
“Cora-cat? Oh my gods, finally! I’ve been bugging the Rebellion to get you back as soon as possible.” Came Catra’s voice from the tracker pad in Lyre’s hands. Lyre pointed the pad away from himself to show Future Adora was still grinning, and Cora giving her a glare. “AH! SUNSHINE! OH, Honey, I miss you!” Future Catra gushed. Future Adora giggled.
“I miss you too, Kitkat. Anyway, did you get ANY sleep since I’ve been gone?” Future Adora noted that Future Catra seemed tired with large bags under her eyes.
“Only if Casta knocks me out… Anyway. Now that you found Cora, you’re going to come home, right?” Future Catra asked, looking rather hopeful. Future Adora hesitated looking to current Adora. “Sunshine? Please, you promised…” Future Catra begged. Future Adora hesitated again.
“I know I did, honey, but I… Didn’t think about the return trip, Catra… Glimmer, Lillian and Casta were able to open a portal to this time, but I don’t know how well it will go vice versa…” Future Adora said weakly.
“Adora, you’re such an idiot... “ Future Catra groaned with a whine.
“Kitkat, it’ll be okay, I promise… We’re working on it…” Future Adora gave the tracker pad a soft hurt look.
“If you’re done being saps already… Gods, I’m going to barf next time you two declare your undying love.” Cora grumbled. “From what I found out before I got interrupted in hacking the Crystal Castle. It’s impossible… At least until Etheria is out of Despondos. It’s easy to get in, but hard to get out.” Cora shrugged going to the War room table. “Right now, as Mom and Uncle Bow found out, Etheria is essentially in Despondos, a… Pocket in Space if you will.” Cora paused to draw a sigil in the air. The Sigil floated to the table top and formed a replica of Etheria. “There are six major Rune Stones on Etheria. The Heart Blossom, The Moonstone, The Fractal Flake, The Black Garnet, The Pearl… And the Sword of Protection. As Mom and Uncle Bow pointed out, we set off the Heart of Etheria, and everybody goes boom, per information not just from Light Hope, but from Mara’s recordings. ” Cora gave a snap of her fingers, and symbols representing the runestones appeared surrounding the planet’s image. “There is a Seventh Rune Stone, The Jade Tigerseye, but it literally has nothing to do with Despondos, or us getting home. Also, Aunt Scorpi, when did you get here?” Cora asked looking across the table to see Scorpia perched on top of Emily, grinning slightly.
“Oh, me? Oh, well everyone seemed really busy, so I kinda just snuck in.” Scorpia beamed, the whole room burst into gasps before the Princesses dived after Scorpia who yelped, attempting to explain as she was chased from the room. Cora, Lyre, Lillian and Future Adora allowed them the others to chase Scorpia.
“I’m not going to try to stop them…” Future Adora grumbled.
“Wait, Sunshine, did Scorpia just arrive in Bright Moon?” Asked Future Catra. Cora and Future Adora both shrugged at the same time.
“I don’t know. Maybe? I just got back myself. I mean I was trying to figure out that Energy transfer thing that Entrapta was talking about before we left…” Future Adora said skeptically going to Lyre and taking the tracker pad to look at her wife. Future Catra sighed.
“Adora, you have to let Sparkles fuck up Etheria. I already committed my ultimate crime when I opened that portal, even after yours, Entrapta’s, and Scorpia’s warnings not to… Sparkles has to set off the Heart, if I remember correctly, as Cora was saying, you can’t leave until Etheria is out of Despondos.The only way for Etheria to come out of Despondos is for Sparkles to set off the heart, which means allowing her to take Scorpia to the Fright Zone to bond with the Black Garnet.” Future Catra gave Future Adora a look before letting out a soft whine, “I just want you both home, Sunshine. Razz has been in Bright Moon for the last four days. She’s been cleaning, telling me to take naps, and cooking, I’m going bonkers. Glimmer and Bow have had Pan preoccupied with Double Trouble for the last two days, and I’m scared. I don’t want to do this without you…” Future Catra sniffled.
“Oh, Kitkat, I’m so sorry. I… I didn’t think… I should have thought it through. Fuck, I’m sorry…” Future Adora said softly.
“What’s wrong with Momma?” Cora asked as she gave Future Adora a look. Future Adora flinched.
“You… Didn’t tell her? I love you, Adora, but you’re an idiot. Fuck, let me talk to Cora…” Future Catra groaned. Future Adora frowned handing over the tracker pad. “Hey Cora-Cat. How was your time with the Horde, Force Captain?” Future Catra attempted to give a playful wink that turned into a wince.
“Eh, fun enough I guess. I kind of liked being able to boss people around. I surprised you and Aunt Scorpi when I took out my extensions and washed the dye out of my hair.” Cora shrugged. Future Catra gave a soft hum.
“Yeah, to think my big doofus was so pretty and hid her looks… You look so much better without the Glamour and the hair, Sweetie. I’ll defend that stance until I die, to be honest. Any way, so, your Mom hasn’t told you, has she?” Future Catra asked, giving Cora a soft saddened look. Cora shook her head. “A day or so after you had been pulled through the portal, we found out you have another brother or sister on the way. The problem is, I’ve been so over loaded with the excess magic that you normally command, that it’s made it extremely dangerous. Castaspella thinks that I’m due any day, and… Well… That’s a problem. Magical overload and Pregnancy are both dangerous in their own right, but together…” Future Catra paused, noting that Cora seemed shocked. “It’s not your fault, Cora, don’t you dare blame yourself. I know everything will be okay, I’m just worried about you and your mother.” Future Catra gave Cora a look.
“What… If I don’t want to come back, Momma…” Cora said quietly. Future Catra sighed.
“Then that’s your choice, baby. I’m not going to make you do anything that you don’t want to do. I’ve literally had years to ponder you saying that, Cora-Cat. Believe me, when I tricked you into fighting Adora during the War, I realized really quickly that you’re a person of your own that shouldn’t be slammed with expectations. What you told me about the future in the past, I didn’t think too much of it… But I understand more than you think I might. If you don’t want to come back, that’s up to you. I’m not going to try to make you go anywhere where you don’t feel safe or wanted. It’s like Mara told Adora, you, Cora, are worth more than what you give to other people. You deserve love, too. By extension, you deserve the freedom to be your own person.” Future Catra gave Cora a tired smile.
“Yes, we’d be grateful if you do come home, but… Catra and I talked about it while you were with the Horde. You’ve done so much for Etheria just by being born… You don’t owe anyone anything…” Future Adora looked to the tracker pad as she rounded Cora and smiled over her shoulder to Future Catra. “It’s all dependant on what YOU want, Cora. Not me, not your mom, not even Gramma Razz.” Cora looked away.
“I’m not really sure what I want at this point, Mom…” Cora trailed off as Scorpia’s loud voice was heard from the hall way.
“No, I mean it, Perfuma, I am SOOOOO Sorry. I have this reflex, that when I’m scared, I accidentally sting people!” Scorpia yelped. Surprisingly, a soft giggle from Perfuma was heard.
“You don’t have to be afraid of us. We’re not actually going to hurt you.” Perfuma giggled.
A few hours later, Cora, Lillian, and Lyre snuck down the hall to the room where Scorpia was being… “Held Prisoner”. Cora grinned as she found that Frosta was fast asleep while Scorpia was talking merrily to Emily, making the robot chitter in response to Scorpia’s enthusiasm. Cora gave Lyre and Lillian a sign to be quiet before she stepped out of the shadows, tapping Frosta gently on the shoulder.
“Hey, I’ll take next watch, you get some rest.” Cora said making Frosta grumble.
“Yeah, sure, I totally wasn’t asleep.” Frosta yawned as she rubbed her eyes. Once Frosta had gotten up and left, Cora gave a whistle that caused Scorpia to look up. Lyre and Lillian came into the room, and settled themselves beside Emily.
“Oh! Hi there! What are you doing here, Wild Kit?” Scorpia asked looking to Cora with a grin.
“Hey, Aunt Scorpi. We figured we’d hang out with you for a bit. If you don’t mind, that is. Um… Oh, you haven’t met the twins yet!” Cora motioned dimly to the Twins with a look of realization. Lyre chuckled as Cora rounded Scorpia and began to untangle the vines binding Scorpia.
“I’m Lyre, Prince Lyre of Bright Moon. I’m the son of Queen Glimmer and King Bow.” Lyre grinned. Lillian giggled.
“I’m Lillian, Princess Lillian of Bright Moon. I’m the older twin and the daughter of Queen Glimmer and King Bow.” Lillian beamed. Scorpia frowned.
“You mean you’re the one who made Cora feel so bad about herself that she joined the Horde?” Scorpia asked with a scowl. Lillian flinched as Lyre frowned.
“Hey, it’s fine, everyone makes mistakes, Aunt Scorpi. I needed time with the Horde to blow off some steam.” Cora said merrily. “You know, I think Auntie Perf said this was about when she realized what a wonderful person you were, despite formerly being part of the Horde. FYI you guys make cute little scorpion babies…” Cora giggled. Lyre choked as Lillian also giggled, Scorpia pointed a pincer to herself as her face turned bright red.
“You two are so cute together. I think you’re almost worse than Aunt Adora and Aunt Catra…” Lyre mused. Scorpia flushed as bright as her exoskeleton.
“Oh no, Mom and Momma are SOOOO much worse. Anyway, anyone thirsty? Hungry? I know where ALL the booze is in Bright Moon~” Cora sang with a smirk.
“Food and drinks, yes, Alcohol, no.” Lyre said sternly.
“Pffft, Catra’s my momma, you think I’m going to not pass this up?” Cora traced a sigil in the air, blew Lyre a kiss before disappearing. Lillian rolled her eyes.
“She’s going to get plastered, and if you think Aunt Adora is dumb while inebriated, then you’ve never encountered Cora, completely crocked.” Lillian sighed.
“So, you’re from the future, too?” Scorpia asked. Lyre nodded.
“Yeah. It’s a long story. Other than Aunt Adora fighting Cora on the occasion and thinking she was Aunt Catra, was Cora treated okay in the Horde?” Lyre asked changing the subject with ease.
“Yeah! In fact, Catra sent her on every mission that involved ambushing the Rebellion. She knew Adora well enough to throw her off several times. Double Trouble said it was a work of art!” Scorpia giggled. Lyre grinned.
“That’s our Cora. She’s sweet but devious.” Lyre chuckled seconds before Cora reappeared, her arms and pockets bulging with bottles and bundles. Cora unceremoniously dropped everything in a pile in the middle of the circle that was formed between Scorpia, Lyre, Lillian, and Cora. Cora then sat between Lyre and Scorpia, taking a bottle and a package from the pile. The four began chattering with Scorpia about what Wryn and Ven were like. After a while Cora began to snort unattractively.
“Cora, did you raid the liquor closet, again?” Lyre asked noting the Magicat was slightly flushed.
“Possibly. You guys are such idiots, you know. Rebellion, Horde, Alliance… It doesn’t matter. Oh my gods, Aunt Scorpi, you’re so pretty…” Cora went to Scorpia and sat in her lap, reaching up to fluff through Scorpia’s hair.
“Uhhh… Is she okay?” Scorpia asked as she tried to push Cora out of her lap.
“How is your hair so soft? Oh gods, does it really smell like wildflowers? Let me smell your hair!” Cora grabbed Scorpia by the back of the head, bringing Scorpia’s head down where she gave an audible sniff before snorting in laughter.
“Cora, you’re drunk. Leave Aunt Scorpia alone…” Lillian said trying to gently pry Cora away from Scorpia.
“Ohhhh, you’re just jealous, Glitter-bug.” Cora laughed as she slid easily into the Princess’ lap. “You’re so pretty and sparkly when you’re jealous.” Cora snorted as she played with a part of Lillian’s bangs.
“You’re drunk, Cora.” Lillian sighed. Cora gave a deep Adora-like giggle.
“And? You like me when I’m like this…” Cora snickered.