Azure's POV

It was midday, the sun boiling, heating up the side of the cliff we had scaled. I looked down, feeling a bit sick.

"I hate heights." I mumbled. A calloused hand gripped my wrist, pulling me up.

"I know you do." Faust smirked at me.

I braced against the iron wall, feeling the hot metal warm my back though my baseball T and leather vest. I looked down to see Bow, just inches from the top, and struggling. I bent down with Faust and we each grabbed one of his hands to pull him up. Adora and Glimmer were just on the other side of Faust. I leaned on the wall, breathing deeply. The climb had been stressful, not to mention the fall would be fatal.

"Okay, we need to reclaim the Horde-occupied fortress for the Rebellion. How are we going to do this?" Adora asked, breathing a sigh.

"I'll teleport ahead to scout a path." Glimmer offered.

"And I'll quietly shoot the turrets with my trick arrows." Bow smirked holding up one of his arrows.

"We'll follow through." Faust said, making a circular movement with his pointer finger.

"You'll have the advantage in a sneak attack. Go!"

I waited, pressed in the shadows of an arch way, Faust across from me. I was waiting for the signal.  "Should we have specified which signal we were using?" I wondered just below a whisper. Faust nodded, looking slightly irritated. There was a distant slam and a shout.  "Signal?" I wondered and Faust nodded.

As his Body passed into the light he shifted. I grabbed onto his scruff and swung up onto his back. Adora was knocking out every Horde soldier that came near her, and Bow was firing his trick arrows. He stood atop a cannon proudly, lifting his arms in triumph as Faust swung around, flinging a Horde soldier by his boot.

"Yes! And now-!"

I never herd the end of that, as a cannon basted, and Bow disappeared over the edge. I cried out in shock as Faust halted and Glimmer sobbed.

"He's dead..." Adora said solemnly.

...The tiny Bow figurine fell to the map with a soft plunk.

"Oh, What?" Bow groaned grabbing the figurine. "Tiny Bow you will be avenged!" He shouted.  I watched as Bow cried and collapsed on the table. The four of us watched uncomfortably. I sat next to Glimmer while Faust gave me a look on the other side of the table next to Adora.

"This is the one?" He asked so quietly only I could hear. I gave him a look in return.

"That clearly isn't going to work, let's try this again." Adora said, replacing her own figurine.

"I shouldn't be dead. That turret came out of nowhere." Bow objected before we could start another round.

"You failed to make an observation check. If we are going to retake the pass, we have to be prepared for anything." Glimmer pointed out.

"The pass is the only way in or out of this region." Adora was saying and Faust leaned over the table.

"The Horde seized it while we were defending Bright Moon. It's crucial we get it back."

Bow groaned melodramatically.  "Why does that mean I have to die? And after I made these for you!" Bow moaned, gesturing to the pieces.

Adora clapped her hands to her head.  "look, our plans always fall apart, always!" Adora snapped.

"It'd be impressive if not terrifying." I added.

"We've gotten good at improvising though." Glimmer put in, but Adora just sighed.

"If we're going to pull this off, we need a plan that won't fall apart; that takes into account everything the Horde could throw at us, including surprise attacks." Adora emphasized.

"But you're breaking tiny Bow's heart." Bow said, holding up his figurine to his face.  "I mean look at his face." Bow pleaded, and Glimmer looked thoroughly unamused.

"He's smiling." Faust pointed out.

"Through is pain, Faust. Through his pain." Bow hissed dramatically.

"Guys, this pass is important. The Horde will not give it up without a fight. It's obviously going to be guarded by their very best and brightest." I said sleepily, still extremely tried from our hunt last night...

I was drifting between sleep and wakefulness during the next planning session.  "Clearly that plan won't work. So maybe if we try sneaking past the turrets from a different side~" Adora trailed off.

"You're going about this all wrong. We're not going to win by sneaking; We have to take the action to them!" Glimmer grinned deviously.

"Did going in half-cocked do anyone any favors?" I wondered aloud as we were pulled into Glimmer's vision.

"Just let Glimmer handle this. Using my awesome powers of teleportation, I take out their first line of defense." Glimmer swiped away a small group of tanks with her hand while mimicking the sound of explosions. 

"Then I teleport onto the wall and take out a line of soldiers with one critical strike!" More mouth made explosions.  "I back flip, front flip, back flip into a teleport, poof! Then I take out a Super Bot and it explodes!" Glimmer shouted rather loudly, and I watched the Train wreck ensue.  "Yeah, and I'm past the Wall! I am unstoppable! I'm-" Glimmer was cut off by Bow who knew her teleportation limit better than anyone.

"You ran out of teleports, like, twelve teleports ago." Bow reminded her, and she grinned.

"Then I land on you!" She added a dramatic cry as she dropped her figurine onto Bow's which clattered of its little boots.

"Tiny Bow, No!" Bow howled and flopped back in his bean bag chair. I reached over and sleepily patted his knee.

"Glimmer, we need to come up with a plan based on reality." Faust tried to reason.

"Yes, and in that moment, I really would land on Bow." Glimmer added cheekily as Adora grabbed back the small tactics manual.

"Using a limited number of teleports isn't a bad idea... So, Glimmer will take Bow and using her powers, teleport him into the turrets' blind spot. Bow shall act as backup, while you and I breach the less-patrolled area." The plan was cut short as Mermista walked into the tent, looking judgingly down at us.

"Uh... Why are you playing with dolls?" She asked in her droning type of voice.

"We're not playing with dolls!" Adora snapped Defensively.

"Yeah, they're war-table, battled figures." Bow pipped up and Mermista set her hand on her hip.  "And I don't know if I have one for you. Hold on." Bow said and began to rummage through his bag.

"Wait, aren't you supposed to be on watch?" Glimmer asked Mermista grouchily.

Mermista looked over her shoulder and out the tent flap.  "Oh, look, the fortress is still there, like it was an hour ago. Watch complete." Mermista replied sarcastically, and Glimmer groaned.

"Relax, I switched with Perfuma." Mermista smirked.

"We're still coming up with a plan." Adora informed her.

"Am I in the Plan?" Mermista asked taking a seat between Bow and me.

"We're getting to-" Adora started but was cut off as Bow emerged from his bag with two more figurines.

"I don't have you, but I do have a seashell and a Happy otter." Bow said holding up the two which Mermista inspected cynically.

"Uh... Googly eyes? Pass." She sated blandly.

"What?" Bow asked, holding the figurines close, looking rather offended.

"Can we get back? -" I started as Faust nodded off.

"I'll be She-Ra." Mermista said, picking up Adora's miniature. Adora's eyes widened.

"You can't be She-Ra. I'm She-Ra." Adora scoffed, looking as irritated as I felt.

"Not anymore. You snooze, you-" Glimmer grabbed Mermista and disappeared.  A second passed before she reappeared with the miniature figure.

"I admit I got carried away. But the rest of my plan could work." Glimmer said brightly.

"Except you're not taking the biggest variable into account: Catra." Adora said grimly and Faust nodded drowsily.  "She's been behind every Horde plan, lead the attack on Bright Moon too."

Glimmer smiled gleefully.  "And I've already thought of that." Immediately we were back in Glimmer's head.  "I knew destroying the bots would lure her out." Glimmer said coolly.

"And so, it has, Glimmer." Catra chuckled from the shadows. I watched as Catra stepped into the light, and I was jerked awake.

"Does her cat have an eye-patch?" I wondered aloud at the sight of the fluffy cat that Catra was clutching.

"This is how you see Catra?" Adora snorted.

"Yeah, this seems a little off." Bow smiled and I leaned into him.

"A little?" I smirked.

"You fell into my trap. I've armed the tower with a bomb capable of taking out my greatest enemy, you." Imaginary Catra smirked, pointing at Glimmer.

"Do you expect us to just sit here?" Glimmer sneered, and Catra smirked.

"No princess, I expect you to-" Before Catra could finish I was jerked back to reality by Perfuma who smiled.

"I cast Giant Flytrap on Catra!" She said happily.  A small Flytrap in a flowerpot shot forward but we all neatly pulled our figures out of the way... except Bow. The flytrap caught the figurine in its jaws and Bow whimpered.

"Oh, sorry Bow." Perfuma apologized.  I turned to see Frosta standing behind me along with Mermista, and I smiled at her while Glimmer sort of groaned.

"Ugh! What are you doing here?" Frosta just smiled, unfazed by the apparent discourtesy in Glimmer's tone.

"Mermista said you were playing. We want to join." Frosta said eagerly.

"Ugh. We're in the middle of a very serious planning session." Adora groaned.

"We have lots of ideas for plans!" Perfuma pipped up with her usual cheery tone. I perked up at her voice and Directed my attention to her.

"Aren't you supposed to be on watch right now?" I asked worriedly. Adora dismissed my confusion with a sigh.

"Fine. But only if you're serious."

Frosta quickly plopped between Glimmer and I with a grin.  "I'm sitting next to glimmer!" She sated rather loudly. Conversation flicked around briefly before I relaxed in my cushion.

"Okay, everyone has a figure except for Perfuma who's using her plant, and Mermista who has that for some reason." Bow said, glancing from the small flytrap to an action figure that resembled Mermista herself.

"Says the guy with a bag of dolls." Mermista snorted.

"They're war-table battle figures!" Bow squeaked.  Faust shook his head as Adora continued planning with a sigh.

"Okay, I'm thinking-" Adora started but was once again cut off by Bow who grabbed the small tactics manual.

"Hold on! So far, I have been shot, eaten, and squashed. We're doing my plan, and there will be no dying, just Heroic, good times." Bow sated importantly.  I watched with my fist on my chin watching as he threw his vision about the room.

"I am Bow, She-Ra's best friend, and defender of Etheria!" Bow sated importantly.  "When the evil Horde strikes, I strike back!" I stood next to Glimmer and Adora, envisioned in ludicrous costumes.

I found my clothing had also transformed with this strange situation. My hair was half up, and I was clothed in a single piece leotard. It was absolutely ridiculous.

"Ooh we all get hats." Perfuma oohed happily. I exhaled loudly, giving the ground my full attention.

"After I destroy the turrets with my trick arrows, Glimmer teleports us to the tower; there, someone waits in the shadows... Catra!" Bow snarled dramatically.

I rested my hand on my head and watched from under my palm.

"Fools. I won't let you destroy my purrfect plan!" Catra hissed stepping into the light. I snorted as Adora shouted.

"What!?"

Catra was in tight fit red clothes, the Horde symbol embossed on her chest, lapis eye-shadow up to her brows. It was not a flattering set. Glimmer laughed a bit.  "This is kind of amazing."

Bow stationed himself heroically in front of us.  "Looks like I've got you meow evildoer." Bow said puffing out his chest in pride. Oh boy.

"I'd paws to reflect upon your upcoming death if I were mew."

Bow shook his head with a smirk.  "I don't know, I'm feline pretty good right now." I snorted.

"Oy with the poodles already." I mumbled and Faust smacked the back of my head from behind me.

"Stop, you've got to stop." Adora groaned, covering her eyes.

"Now we're all hoping this plan kills us." Mermista droned.

Catra grinned wickedly, flexing her claws.  "Then purr-pare to meet your end!" Catra snarled and was instantly transformed into a panther like creature.  My brows shot up and Faust could not help but snort.

"Wait, she can do that?" Frosta asked in awe.

"No. but I ran out of figures and only have this left, so she can now." Bow admitted, breaking the reality.  "Also, the Horde has Dragons as I did not make enough Robots." Bow added before returning to the strange game.  "Not to worry. I'll shoot her with my net arrow." Bow said bravely and readied an arrow.

The arrow bounced off the walls before knocking over Bow's figurine and trapped him under a silver net.  Bow stood up from the table, everything appeared normal again.

"Oh, come on!" He shouted. Adora scoffed, dismissing the move.

"She would obviously duck. You cannot underestimate Catra, or the Horde. We can exploit a weakness in the wall." Adora started again before Perfuma raised her hand.

"Oh, is it my turn?" She asked eagerly.

"This isn't a game." Faust stressed; dark circles eroded the space under his eyes, and he was slowly becoming more irritated.

"I use my magic to grow a Plant Golem to take down the tower." Perfuma grinned standing up and trusting out her hand, making loud growing sounds.

Bow raised his own hand, still standing.  "If it's made out of plants how does it roar?" Perfuma just giggled into her hand.

"Its Plant Magic." She smiled. Bow sat down, still looking confused.

Adora set her fist to the table, trying to keep calm.  "Perfuma, we aren't just making up whatever we want." Adora growled.

"Plus, your idea is dumb." Mermista added. Perfuma spluttered, offended.

"And what would you do?" She scoffed. Mermista snorted as if it were obvious.

"Uh... I step forward and I say... I am Mermista. Fabulous secrets were reviled to me the day I held aloft my trident and said, 'For the Honor of Grey Whales!'" I gave Noah a look and he shook his head with a heavy sigh.

"Then it's like, sparkle, sparkle, dolphin, sparkle." Adora grumbled Mermista's name but she went on.  "I get shoes that are slightly better than my normal shoes. There's probably another dolphin." She added on.

"Mermista!" Adora snapped, but it was not to be helped.

"Then I twirl, and my hair does this thing where it looks all messy, but it's actually, like, super beautiful." That was enough for Adora.

She grabbed Mermista by the shirt collar and stared her down.  "You can't transform into She-Ra!" Adora glared. Mermista rolled her eyes.

"Uh, duh, I'm Sea-Ra, Princess of the Oceans, obviously." Mermista scoffed.

Across the table Perfuma turned red.  "No. if she gets to be Sea-Ra, I get to have a Plant Golem." She snipped. Frosta silenced all with a wave of her hand.

"The Winters Bane needs no help from a plant." She grinned deviously. My brows shot up and Adora's eyes bulged.

"The what?"

Frosta grinned.  "My enemies know me as Frostbite Winters Bane. My friends call me Bane... That is, if I had any. But no one comes close to the Winters Bane!" We all looked at Frosta who held up a drawing.

"She's got an Obsidian broad sword that enhances strength, plus three; and her finishing move is the Snow strike." She added, pointing to various parts of the drawing."

Mermista touched a small scribble of pink of the bottom right corner.  "What's that little pink blob next to her?" She asked and Frost grinned.

"Her sidekick, Glimmer." At this Glimmer leapt to her feet.

"What?!"

Adora rubbed her temples.  "We are getting so far from the real plan. Can we please focus?" Adora groaned.

"Yeah. Focus on how I'm not a sidekick!" Glimmer added.

I stood up, covering my ears as the noise got louder. Faust took note of my discomfort and followed me out the tent. The sound had been overwhelming, the hearts beating in my ears were suffocating, and I was about to scream.

I got farther and farther from the tent as I could. With each step, my own thoughts crowded in on me. The scares on my neck and shoulder throbbed, my stomach burned, and I was about to kill whatever made noise next.

"Azure." Faust called from behind me. I did not slow my pace, hair thrashing around my head.

"No. Faust I've got to get out of here." I snapped back. Faust groaned.

"Az, you can't just walk away." I scoffed but quickened my pace.

"Watch me."

I did not hear the scolding I expected from my actions, instead there was nothing.  I huffed, but within seconds of believing I was left to be alone the ground vibrated violently.  I whirled around before throwing myself aside as an open maw, dripping fangs and wild amber eyes lashed out at me. Faust landed where I had just been standing.  His eight-foot body rippled with the weight on impact, muscle bulging inside his pelt. I gaped at him, unable to comprehend why he had lunged at me.

"What the heck!?" I screeched at him. He swung a paw of razor claws towards me. I hopped back on my toes.  "Faust, watch it!" I snarled. Faust shook his body snarling.

This time when he leapt, I planted my feet in the dirt, stretching out my arms and took his force. His head planted in my chest. I gasped at the impact. He pushed me back, using all his force to send me flying. I kept my feet, shouting with the effort. My eyes snapped open, and I snarled pushing back before pulling the scruff of his neck and used all my strength to push him off.

Faust twisted and went skidding into the dirt. I gasped for breath as my heart thudded in my chest, throwing myself to the ground, weak with exhaustion. I looked up, seeing the grooves I made in the earth.  I turned to Faust, who was shaking dirt from his fur, a strange wolfish grin on his muzzle. I stared at him in confusion the returned my gaze to the grooves that stretched on for twelve feet.

"Did you know that would happen?" I breathed.

Even from his distance of six yards away. He huffed with a toss of his head before his body rippled back to its human form. Faust was panting as he stood on his two feet, a smile on his face.

"Not really, no. But you felt different, more powerful." He chuckled, touching the back of his hand to his lips which was a little bloody.

I stood up slowly, watching as Faust laughed.  "Az! Whoa!" He whooped as he came to stand next to me.  I was still in shock when he rubbed my head with his knuckles, tucking my neck under his arm.

"Feisty puppy got game!" He chuckled.  To me it sounded like utter nonsense. Once he let me go, I stumbled back.

"What was that?" I asked giddily pointing at the scores in the ground.

"That was you Azure." Faust chuckled rubbing my shoulder.  Me? What did he mean by that?

"That was... a wolf thing?" I asked and he nodded turning me by my shoulders to face him.

"That is when your body has recognized your shifting pattern." He explained quickly, pointing to the scores I made and his own.  "You are human mostly so your wolf-" He pressed his finger to the center of my forehead.

"Your wolf had recognized the pattern, and now has given you the brain space to be stronger in your human form to protect yourself." He breathed.

I held up my hands.  "What does that mean for my wolf? Is shifting going to be harder?" I wondered and he shook his head.

"No, no. Your wolf if perfectly normal, you are just stronger when your body's adrenaline rises, heartbeat increases, or your emotions take over." He added. I held my head.  "I know it's a lot to process but trust me... just trust me. It is honestly nothing to be afraid of. Cosmo was like you." He added standing up. I looked up at the mention of Cosmo's name.

"That's how we jumped like we did?" Faust nodded, and straightened up.

"It was an old thing. Not a lot of wolves know about it, for us it's like... puberty." He said. I wrinkled my nose.

"We've already had it."

Faust wiggled his brows.  "We've had one yes, but what about second puberty?" I shoved him.

"Not the time." I laughed.  Before I realized it, I could hear more laughter bubbling up from the tent.

"That doesn't feel like normal laughter." Faust said, putting an arm around my shoulders.  "We'll talk about puberty later." Faust smirked down at me and I shook my head.

"Yeah, we are never coming back to this subject." I smirked back...