Azure's POV

"Hang on." Petra whispered urgently.

I could not see a thing, my palms were sweaty from anticipation, and I squirmed.

"Petra" I whined.

"Just hold on, it's almost over." Finally, after days of agony it will end.

I waited in silence. I could hear the ruffle of tulle; the final sound of the dress being laid down next to me.

"Open." Petra instructed, and I opened my eyes. Our dresses lay side by side, her dress pale lavender, with white-gold trim, and embroidery. It would look stunning with her ocher eyes, and black hair.

"Three moons!" I exclaimed, reverently picking it up by the shoulders, and I held it up to her.

"Petra, if Noah doesn't drop dead when he sees this on you, he doesn't deserve you." I said, and she blushed madly at the praise, and chuckled.

"He's your brother, doesn't he deserve the world?" She asked, and I shrugged playfully.

"Eh."

I set the dress back down, and Petra held up mine again.

"Gosh Azure, I still have no idea why Bow hasn't asked you yet." She said, and I shrugged, trying not to meet her eyes.

It was true that Bow had not asked, but he had probably forgotten about the ball in the first place. Trying to distract from the fact that I was, more than a little upset about it, I looked over my dress again. It was a sky-blue tulle skirt, under a white top with ruffled sleeves. There was no embroidery because I sucked at it. I was no good at sewing, or designing a dress, but I had recalled a similar shape my mother had. My mother's color was pink, every shade she looked fantastic in. She had a sundress she wore for my fifth birthday that I could see so clearly. A pale lipstick pink, with tiny daises painted on. I remember when I was bored Noah, and I used to count the daises when she twirled, as per request.

"Azure, are you okay?" I looked up at Petra and nodded.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I said and smiled rather unconvincingly.

She gave me a scrutinizing look before she grinned an evil grin.

"What if you ask him?" I burst out laughing.

"As if I could, but you know me. I get sweaty, my hair frizzes, and I lose my tongue." I objected still laughing.

She was not though, she looked horribly sly.

"Well, it is Winter Wonderland, if he still doesn't ask you until you're there, give him the cold shoulder." She burst out laughing, and I felt joyful tears spring to my eyes.

"Let's just go talk to Glimmer." I said, and we walked out

Making it down the hall, Faust, and Noah emerged from their room.

"How could your feet grow two sizes in the past week of us getting those shoes?" Noah teased Faust, who rolled his eyes.

"It's not that, Noah." He groaned.

Faust was not picky, but he did need to learn to love formal shoes. Any of us pick comfort over presentation if that is not obvious enough by my casual clothes.

A faded teal, bishop sleeved shirt with floral patterns painted along the top of the neck, and shoulders. I wore a pair of puffy tan pants that cut into calf cuffs to fit under my calf high boots. I had been very intrigued by the comfort of the clothes I was given by Bright Moon, though I wore my blue, and white striped shirt almost every day, I still liked this style of layers that were durable under active stress.

Adora was at Glimmer's door, examining an invite to the ball. I questioned it before I remembered the whole Princess of Power thing. She nodded at us, as we appeared.

"Uh, hey guys. I got an invite for the All-Princess Ball, Winter Wonderland. Do you know what this is?"

The door flew open, and both Bow, and Glimmer exploded out.

"Princess Prom!" they squealed, and rushed back into the room Noah walked in, and flopped down on a pile of pillows.

I listened as they chanted and grinned at Faust who wiggled his brows.

"I'm glad you're so refined." He teased, and I rolled my eyes at the old joke.

"Okay, you've gone crazy, got it. I'll just come back later." Adora said, and I grabbed her arm gently.

"Hold on, they'll explain." I muttered, and she nodded looking at them expectantly.

"The All-Princess Ball, is a meeting of all the princesses of Etheria." Bow explained and met my eyes without hesitation. Okay no second thoughts, great. He will probably wait till the very last minute unless he does not ask me.

"And a Big party! Food, dancing, fancy dresses!" Glimmer shouted in a teleport, and twirled Adora into a dip.

"Dancing?" Adora asked worriedly.

"It only happens once a decade. I've been waiting years for this." Glimmer squealed, and I shrugged.

"Well, you know, um- I'm only a princess sometimes, should I even go?" Adora asked with a stutter. She would have gone if Glimmer had not mentioned dancing.

"Of course. Every princess is invited, so that includes you." Glimmer said, and Noah sighed.

"If only there was some kind of hang out for Alpha-males, and princes." I waved him off.

"Oh yeah, it's all in the invite." Bow said, and Bow took the invite from Adora, and with a small tap of his finger the invitation extended, and the bottom rolled across the ground.

It was ridiculously detailed, but my mom had gone to a Princess Prom, and had filled me in on it.

"Okay, 'rules for greeting the hostess. Expected curtsy depth. Proper stair descending etiquette?'" Adora snorted.

"The ball has been going on for centuries, there's a lot of old etiquette stuff you've got to do before you can party." Bow elaborates.

"But it's going to be so fun!" Glimmer squealed.

"I still don't know why Azure got one. I mean, she's a She-Alpha now." Noah said sitting up, and I gave him a look.

"Maybe it's because they liked mom so much, I'm just intently perm-invited. Petra was adored by the Alphas of Bracken. The She-Alpha never had kids, but Petra was the closest thing." I winked, and Petra sighed.

"What can I say? Everyone loves me." She said, tossing her hair. Noah was behind her in a second and hugged her.

"Well only I'm allowed to love you now." He said.

"And Princess Frosta is hosting this year in the kingdom of Snows! Her magic is incredibly powerful, she'd be a huge get for the rebellion." Glimmer said excitedly, and Faust nodded.

"We knew Frosta's Parents. Queen Glacier, and King Hailstorm." Faust said, and I nodded. Remembering that they were dead now.

The kingdom of Elmira conveyed the sad news though the Arora, that was almost four years ago though. I had not heard anything from Elmira since, and the fall of the city was close to the Kingdom of Snows.

Adora sat down with a nervous whimper.

"Don't worry I'll be there with you, and Bow will too since he's going as my plus one." I bit the inside of my cheek at the words.

So, Bow was going with Glimmer. I should have thought of that. But I mean, it is a ball, not a life changing event, it will be fine.

"Uh... actually-" he said trailing off, but Glimmer spoke again.

"The seven of us can handle anything, seven is a magic number you know." Glimmer gushed.

"About that..." Bow tried again.

"It's the best friend squad in action. Right Bow?" Glimmer asked.

"I'm going with Perfuma." Bow admitted bluntly with a smile.

"What?!" Glimmer screeched.

Okay, now that made no sense. Is it because her powers were not as deadly? Maybe it was just a friendly ask. He had told me he liked me, and I was okay with him exploring his options, for now I guess, I could already feel the jealously swelling up in my body. I swallowed my pride.

After we split to get ready, I sat in our room, looking out the window. I felt weird, sick almost. Maybe I was coming down with something. I knew I needed to tell the others about the scars. So, I had called them all over after lunch, they should be here soon. Petra got out of the shower, and sat down dressed in under garments, and a tank top.

"They're in the hall. I can smell them from here. Both wearing cologne." I informed her, and she gagged playfully.

The guys walked in, and I turned to face them all.

"So, I'm going to show you something right now, so you know, don't freak out." I said hurriedly, and Faust raised a brow.

Without hesitation, I pulled my arm out of my sleeve, and showed them the scars. It was better now than when we were walking up the stairs to the ball and having them notice when I take off me shall.

"It looks like blood text." Faust said leaning in. I cocked my head, dissing what I would have said.

"It's from forge connection, you usually get it after a surge in power." He said and unbuttoned his shirt.

There were faint scar lines along his lower ribs.

"I had some when we were leaving Lupin. It's quite common." He assured me, and I sighed.

Even though it did not feel right, I trusted my brother, though I felt like he was not saying something.

After some talking and sipping some calming tea. Noah, and Faust leapt to get dressed for the ball. I sat down and started to dress Petra's face. I added foundation, and small bits of highlight. She added the mascara herself, and I did her hair. I pulled it up, and braided from the base of her hair up, and repeated the braid, going from her forehead, having the bun meet in the middle. After that I dressed, and Petra switched roles. She added concealer to my face, a dusting of blush, and I added my own mascara as she did my hair. She pulled it back, forming a half up hairdo, the rest of my hair frizzed around my head as she braised the top into a ponytail.

Finally, after that, it was over, I stood in the mirror with Petra, and she posed in hilarious poses. We walked out into the hall, and I saw Noah, and Faust waiting for us. Noah was Petra's plus one, and since Bow was otherwise occupied, I decided to take Faust. He was able to go buy a suit, and he looked well done, nor like how we all used to look. The girl I had seen in the mirror did not look like the girl who spent most of her life in hiding, morning over dead family, and friends. This girl looked pretty, almost.

Noah sported a midnight blue suit, with leather dancing boots, and a pale gold, and lavender kerchief sticking out of his pocket. His tie was also golden, and his coffee brown hair was brushed back, and smooth. Faust looked handsome as well, with a grey, and black suit, a baby blue tie, that I did not know he planned to wear. His boots were soft leather, and his over coat went down to his mid-thigh. His hair was combed nicely, and they both looked like real men. It was weird to see.

"Gosh, we'll have to keep the masses away from you two." Noah smirked, and took Petra's hand, and kissed her knuckles.

She rolled her eyes, and I leaned against the wall next to Faust.

"My brother is getting married to my best friend. What are the chances?" I sighed, and Faust chuckled.

"Pretty slim." I lay my head on his shoulder, and Noah lead us outside.

In front of the palace, was a grand carriage. There was another that Glimmer, and Adora were getting into.

"Race you there?" Adora called to me, and I grinned.

"You're on!" I called back, and with less than no grace, I scrambled into the carriage, barely having time to praise the make.

It was painted gold, but it was mostly wooden, with strips of iron for stronger support.

"Step on it baby!" I called out the window to the coachman, who urged the horses forward, and we started off.

I relaxed into myself, finding that both Petra, and my dresses took up all the foot space. After wrestling with the puffy skirts, the boys managed to get their feet on the carriage floor without damaging the skirts.

We sat in nearly complete silence the whole way there. We discussed Blood text a few times, and Noah told me I would be able to read it in a mirror. The frosty wind took to swirling around us as we got out of the carriage everything was crystallized in exquisite patterns, and the large bride of ice lead up in a wind to the palace entrance. People we scattered along the bridge, walking, and talking. Faust got out and held put a hand. I took it and climbed out of the carriage. The night air bit at my exposed forearms.

"Colder than I remember." I said, and Faust helped Petra, then teasingly held out a hand to Noah, who smacked it away with a smirk on his face. Faust them promptly slapped Noah upside the head.

We walked up the icy lane, and into the palace. The guards asked us for weapons, and I turned in a collapsible axe I hid tucked into a band around my thigh. Adora, and Glimmer were already here, and Adora was turning in her sword whilst conflicted; struggling to let go.

"Be careful with it. Don't just lean it somewhere with the other swords, or it might get confused!" She instructed frantically as Glimmer pulled her away.

"Adora, come on." We walked towards each other, and I wrapped glimmer in a hug.

"Don't you two look beautiful." I complimented, and Glimmer grinned.

"You guys too, wolves can clean up pretty good." She teased, and Faust chuckled.

"Come on, I can smell the food from here." Petra groaned, and we pushed open the grand double doors.

It was huge, and lights were glowing in soft multi tones from above. People talked and ate. There was even a line leading up to the throne.

"Whoa, its big..." Adora marveled.

"The Ball is out most ancient tradition. A princesses Ball is a huge rite of passage. Plus, the Kingdom of Snows is really big." Glimmer gushed.

"Which is why we need Frosta." Noah added.

"If she joins us all the other princesses are sure to follow." Adora agreed, as we made our way up the stairs in groups.

I stood with Faust behind Adora, and Glimmer. Petra, and Noah stood behind us. Adora took a deep breath and stepped up as next in line.

"Here we go." She said confidently and stepped up.

She made a low bow and counted out the proper length.

"Hold for one, two, and three." She looked up, and I could feel her heart stutter.

"That's princesses Frosta? She's like, Ten!" Adora exclaimed. I face palmed as everyone in the hall started to whisper.

"I'm Eleven and ¾." Princess Frosta's voice cut the hum like a knife.

"Revered hostess, we come into your hall under the ancient rules of hospitality, bringing greetings from Bright Moon, and she She-Ra, the legendary warrior." Glimmer said, and curtsied, gesturing to Adora.

This brought a murmur through the crowd.

"You are welcome in the Kingdom of Snows under the ancient rules of hospitality. Leave conflict at the door, and please enjoy the ball." Frosta said and dismissed them with a wave of her hand.

"Thank you your, Gah- Majesty..." Adora managed to get out as they were escorted down the stairs. I stepped up with Faust, and bowed low, before rising. Frosta nodded at us, and recognition passed through her eyes.

"The wolves from Lupin, so glad you've come." Frosta said, retaining a calm composure.

"Thrilled to be here, your majesty." Faust said, and we were dismissed. I saw a familiar shape on one of the columns.

Forgetting myself I ran over to Entrapta, who saw me coming, and slid down.

"Azure! Nice to see a familiar face here." Entrapta smiled, peaking in her high, and loud voice.

"Nice to see you alive, and not surrounded by bots." I joked, and she smiled.

"Of course, that's always a much better setting." She agreed, and I felt a few other the others behind me. Adora, and Glimmer.

Faust was saying goodbye to Noah, and Petra before coming over.

"Adora, Glimmer. Are you here to watch the social experiment too?" She asked and looped one of her lilac pigtails around my shoulders.

"Social experiment?" Adora asked, and Entrapta hugged the column, watching a group of people awkwardly exchange greetings, and engaged in small talk.

"Different groups are thrown together and forced to mingle. Hierarchies form, and brake, it is the perfect place to observe behavior. And they have tiny food!" she added, showing me her pocket full of tiny pastries, and snacks.

"Where's Bow? I want to show him my new recorder." Entrapta said, and I examined the shiny new thing.

"He's coming later." Glimmer said gloomily.

"Why didn't he come with you, aren't you two friends?" Entrapta asked, and handed me a tiny cookie, which I ate gratefully.

The sad thing about tiny food, was that it was not in heaping piles.

"Why would you think we weren't?" Glimmer asked worriedly.

"There he is. Bow!" Entrapta pointed and shouted towards the stairs.

I looked up, and saw Bow, with Perfuma. He was handsome too. He wore a white tux top, and a cropped dress shirt, with black pants, and elegant shoes. Perfuma was amazingly pretty. Her blonde hair was fitted with flowers, and her dress fitted her perfectly. Compared to her, I felt like a kid who put on their mom's makeup. My hair did not even fall right.

"They're matching. That's our best friend thing." Glimmer said sadly, snapping me out of it.

"Feelings seem to be getting hurt." Entrapta whispered to her recorder, and I bent down.

"Lives are at stake." I whispered into the recorder, and Entrapta smothered a burst of laughter Faust was behind me in a second and holding my hand.

"Hey, I'm here too. Don't make a big thing out of it." Mermista said coming over to us.

Most of the others ignored her but I gave her a friendly nod, and smile. Laughter from Bow, and Perfuma across the ball, seemed to make Glimmer's heart hammer angrily.

"They're making up their own inside jokes. What? Is Perfuma his new befriend now?" She spat, crossing her arms, and cast her eyes to the ground.

"Not going to get into whatever is happening there." Mermista said, and Entrapta pocked her head between them.

"People are just walking around in circles." Entrapta whispered into the recorder.

"Possible murder suspects sighted." I added with a stifled laugh, taking my mind off Bow.

"... Or that but have any of you guys seen-" Mermista was cut off, blushing madly when Sea Hawk spotted her.

"She's a beauty, can't you see? She's attending this with me, she's my Princess of the Sea. Mermista!" Sea hawk sang in a remarkably high pitched soprano.

Mermista put her head in her hand and kept her flaming cheeks out of sight.

"Oh hey, it's my crew." Sea Hawk smiled over at us.

"So, Sea Hawk is your plus one?" Adora asked slyly, arching a brow.

"No. He is just my ride okay? Just my ride." Mermista said through clenched teeth, as she pushed Sea Hawk away. Faust caught him, and Sea Hawk bounced back.

"Ha-ha-ha, of course. I am her plus one." He then whispered to Adora.

"This is the best social experiment I've ever been to!" Entrapta exclaimed and popped up under my arm.

"Whatever. Do they have a kelp bar?" Mermista asked, and walked off, Sea Hawk following.

"To the buffet! Adventure- oh hi Bow." I did not have to stick around long, as Entrapta pulled me away, and towards a seating area.

"Log, hour one. Princess Azure is very funny, and I would like her to be my best friend." Entrapta said, sheepishly, and held out the recorder towards me, for an answer to what I guessed was a friendship request.

"We already are." Entrapta grinned.

"Perfect, now can you help me find out more about the social experiment?" She asks, and I nodded, looking around.

"Okay, there." I gestured subtly towards Noah, and Petra. "They seem to have formed an exclusive group, either romantically involved, or introverted." Entrapta said into the recorder.

"Exactly. Romantically involved, Engaged, actually. The wedding is in four months." I said then face Entrapta again.

"Would you like to come?" She brightened up.

"Ooh, that sounds like a great best friend thing to do." I nodded.

I liked Entrapta, in a way she reminded me of Cosmo, even though he was quiet, and reserved, he still had a passion for many things, including tech science. He always wanted to know more about people because he was unsure of himself. I got the same vibes back from Entrapta, not so much as quiet, or reserved, but all that other stuff.

We talked for a little while, about tech mostly, and she agreed to teach me some basic information sometime. In return she asked for me to be part of a morphing study. I agreed, and we moved onto other things. We examined the behavior of some people, and I found it fascinating how attentive Entrapta could be.

There was a flash of red, and black. Straightening up, I saw two familiar figures making their way towards the throne where Frosta sat.

"Entrapta, do you think they have any tiny bread?" I asked, and she shot up.

"I'll go check; I'll find you in a minuet." She said, and her hair carried her off.

I stood up, and locked eyes with Petra, who nodded towards the two Horde soldiers making their way up the stairs to Frosta. Noah, and Faust closed in with us. We maintained a safe distance from the throne but were in leaping distance if needed. Adora, and Glimmer unwisely, ran up to stand near Frosta.

"Revered Hostess, you can't let them in. They're from the Horde." Adora said and cast a side glare at the two which I recognized as Catra, and Scorpia.

"Revered Hostess, Princess Scorpia was invited as per the rules of this ball. Rules I personally have the upmost respect for." Catra said in a sickly-sweet voice that made me want to punch her. "You do not!" Adora exclaimed angrily.

"Princess Adora, the rules state clearly that all princesses, and their chosen guests are welcome." Frosta recited and looked hard at Adora.

"But they're up to something, I can feel it. You have to- "Adora explained but was cut off by the icy roar of Frosta.

"Enough! You look at me, and you see a child. But I have worked too hard to gain respect, only to throw it way, because you feel they're up to something." Frosta said.

I made eye contact with Faust who shook his head. It clearly stated, 'back off.' Hesitantly I did so and listened.

"For centuries, the all-princess ball has been natural ground, I will not dishonor that legacy. Scorpia is a princess, princesses get plus ones. They stay." Frosta said with finality to the matter.

Glimmer, and Adora were pushed back by a guard, and Faust made a backup motion, and I nodded. We walked off, and I made eye contact with both Scorpia, and Catra.

I bore my enhanced fangs, and my noes wrinkled in distaste. I found my way back to Entrapta who was walking towards me too. A smile fitted on my face.

"Hey Entrapta." I greeted, and she grinned.

"Hello! They didn't have any bread, but they had cupcakes." She handed me a tiny cupcake, and I took it with a thanks. She cocked her head, and then she was holding my face.

"Your teeth are sharper than they were a moment ago." She observed, and then grinned.

"Ooh! That means you're either Angry, annoyed, or afraid." She said, and I nodded, impressed.

"That's right. I am sort of all three right now. There's some real bad guys here." I said, and Entrapta nodded.

"Like Bow who invited Perfuma instead of you?" I blushed, and she clicked her recorder.

"Positive response. Hypothesis correct." I laughed and slung an arm over her shoulders.

"I like you Entrapta." She beamed.

"Oh good!"

Someone cleared their throat, and I turned to see Bow. He was alone, thank the moons, but I had no idea how long he had been standing they are for.

"Ooh, tell me everything later." Entrapta whispered rather loudly and swooped away. Bow smiled down at me.

"You look really pretty Azure." He said, and I bowed my head.

"Thanks Bow, you are too." I said and noticed the goosebumps on his exposed abdomen.

"You're cold." I stated, and he shrugged.

"Yeah, I thought I'd go get my cummerbund." I nodded, an overwhelming sensation of clarity washed over me, and I wrapped my arms around him, and gingerly leaned in.

To my surprise he hugged me back.

"Whoa, much better." He confirmed, and I chuckled into his shoulder. After a moment of calm silence, we pulled away. He looked into my eyes, and blushed.

"I'm sorry I didn't ask you." He apologized, and I waved my hand dismissively.

"It's just a ball Bow. Perfuma is really pretty, but I guess I kind of want to know if you changed your mind... on me?" I asked timidly, and his eyes widened.

"No way! Uh- I mean, no. You're right, it's just a dance." He said and shivered again. I chuckled.

"It's a shame really, but you should get your cummerbund." He nodded and squeezed my hand.

"I'll be back okay?" I nodded, and he walked off.

I split to find Entrapta and let her know what happened. I saw her of the second level ring walkway, and I ascended the stairs to meet with her. Turning around a pillar I saw Entrapta standing next to Catra, talking with Adora.

"Oh Azure! Catra this is my other assistant." Entrapta said motioning to me.

"She stole my food and asked me to spy on people with her. Is this what love feels like?" Catra asked, and Adora tensed before grabbing Entrapta, and pulling her away.

"Entrapta, she's from the Horde. The people the Rebellion are fighting, the Rebellion you're a part of." Adora hissed to Entrapta who was staring at her blankly.

"Oh, well in that case we should keep a better eye on her because she just walked away." Entrapta said, and I looked around.

"Yeah, she's gone. I'll track her sent." I stated, and Adora nodded. She conversed with Entrapta a little longer, but I was hunting.

I sniffed the air casually and started to follow the distinctly feline sent. I walked through the ballroom full of people, and the sent turned down the hall.

Being so close to other people, I could not pick out heart beats, and the sent over crossed many trails. I followed it still, I walked down an empty hallway, and heard a loud thud. A familiar sent crawled into my nose, and a stuttered heartbeat filled my ears. I shot forward, stumbling, and tripping in the mass of fabric that billowed around.

I saw someone on the floor at the end of the end of the hall, and I picked up my skirts. I knew the sent, and his face, it was Bow. I knelt next to him and checked his pulse.

"Bow? Bow come on, get up." I said, my voice calm enough.

There was a hammering in my ears, and I reeled back. A familiar person came into view. Scorpia. I bore my fangs, and snarled, looking much more feral in my reflection than I thought I would be. Every icy surface reflected my glinting teeth and burning eyes.

Scorpia lunged at me, and I feigned left, curling into a crouch, and when she was beside me, I shot my fist up into her jaw. There was a satisfying crunch, and she waved her pincers. There was someone behind me, and they jammed something into my ear. I snarled and pushed back into an ice pillar.

"Get off!" I roared.

Then there was sound, so much of it. My head stung like fire, and needles, my head threw back with a strangled cry, and with an explosion of pain, everything went dark...