Chapter Text
guest starring
CINDY ROBINSON as Perfuma
JOHN KASSIR as Stinkor
A new day was dawning on Etheria, and Adora was still asleep. She'd never been that used to sleeping in a warm, cozy bed like this...but it was a welcome change.
A light moan escaped her mouth, as the sunlight hit her face and she awoke from her slumber.
Now, she definitely wasn't used to waking up like this...the sunlight in her face, taking in a breath of fresh, smogless air. But it was at least easier on her lungs.
Upon doing that, she suddenly realized that it was at least 11 in the morning.
Immediately she shot to life and started racing to find the restroom. Last night, she'd just passed out right in the castle. She had to brush her teeth so she could get ready for the day!
She quickly ran to her bathroom and desperately hurried to make herself look presentable.
After washing her hair, face, and brushing her teeth, Adora quickly dried off and started brushing her hair, then she scampered into the main room, looking absolutely frazzled despite putting in the effort to make herself look presentable.
"Ex-Horde Captain Adora, reporting for..." she suddenly started to look around, seeing that everyone else was still having breakfast and were dressed in nightgowns and sleeping clothes. "...duty?"
“Uh, good morning, Adora…” said Glimmer, swallowing a fistful of bacon. “...you look…prepared?”
“You want a muffin?” asked Orko.
Adora glanced around at everyone and laughed nervously. "Heh...oops..." she remarked, her face turning red.
“Are you alright, Adora?” asked Queen Angella. “You seem a little tense…"
"Tense? Who's tense?" Adora laughed sheepishly. "I'm not tense! Hehehehehehe...heh....oooh..."
Her head dropped. "...I would love a muffin, thank you..." she relented.
Spinnerella handed her one of the muffins from the table, and Adora quietly bit into it.
[ End Cold Open ]
My name is Adora .
For these past few years, I've done horrible things, in the name of horrible people. [Shot of Despara leading armies.]
But now I have a chance to atone for all I've done. [Shots of Glimmer, Bow, Kowl, Orko, Queen Angella, Spinerella and Netossa.]
Maybe I can make a change for the better...and redeem myself in my own eyes.
[Shot of Manty and Razz, with Adora and Spirit as she holds the sword up]
FOR THE HONOR OF GRAYSKULL!
I AM SHE-RA!
[Intro ends]
After that, Adora was chewing the bran muffin and sneaking glances at almost every angle.
"Boy...you sure are high-strung in the mornings, aren't you?" asked Glimmer.
"I'm just focused, that's all," explained Adora. "You never know when we could get attacked, so I have to be prepared, ALWAYS."
Glimmer gave Adora an odd look. And by "odd", I mean like "holy cow, you just grew a second head".
"I'm not sure if we're going to be attacked while we have breakfast," she commented.
Adora glanced at her purple-pink new friend. "How can you possibly be sure?" she asked.
"Once we finish, I have an announcement to make," said Angella as she adjusted her robe. "Today is the weekly meeting with the Rebellion Generals...and you're invited."
Adora raised a brow in surprise. “Huh?” she muffled through a mouthful of muffin.
"Don't look so surprised," said Angella. "If the avatar of the legendary She-Ra has come forth, the other Rebellion Generals have a right to know."
A LITTLE BIT LATER...
Glimmer escorted Adora into the meeting room. Orko was already there, as were Kowl and Bow.
"Come on, the meeting's about to start," urged Glimmer.
Adora looked around and saw how sparsely populated the room was. "So why are there still so many empty chairs?" she asked.
"Those are for the other Etherian Princesses," explained Glimmer. "But none of them have been active members of the Rebellion since I was little."
Adora looked a bit uneasy. Madame Razz had alluded to something like that happening during her story.
“If the Horde is such a big threat, why aren’t the other Princesses a more integral part of the rebellion?” she asked.
"Something horrible happened a long time ago, and it really demoralized them," Glimmer summed up. "So most of the old princesses gave up. Now all the kingdoms keep to themselves, and the new princesses do the same."
"Well, except for Spinnerella and Netossa," explained Bow. "They don't really have kingdoms, so they mostly live here."
“But what could've caused this?” responded Adora. “And why has no-one tried to reach out to them?"
"...Mom doesn't like to talk about it," replied Glimmer. "It's a sore point for her."
Shortly afterwards, everyone was gathered at the group table.
"The reason I asked you here was because I received a distress call from Perfuma, princess of Plumeria," explained Queen Angella. "The Horde is laying siege to her kingdom, and she's asking Bright Moon for assistance. General?"
The General, Juliet, stepped forth and brought up a holographic map. "The kingdom of Plumeria is located near the front lines. The Horde has set up camp in her territory, cutting off their main supply route," she explained, before putting up a holographic display of the general leading the attack. “The general in charge of the attack is identified as STINKOR, one of Hordak’s special force agents.”
"Bright Moon will provide food and humanitarian aid," stated Queen Angella.
"I have a better idea!" Glimmer spoke up. "We..."
"Fight the Horde?" Angella inquired dryly. "Glimmer, you propose this idea every meeting."
Glimmer pouted lightly "It's a good idea..." she muttered.
"I said NO, Glimmer," said Angella, her wings floofing out. "Now sit down."
Adora noticed that Glimmer was miffed, so she decided to speak up. "You could send us on the relief mission," she suggested. "I'd go as She-Ra, ensure we get there safely, and protect them if the Horde attacks. I promise...I won't disappoint you."
Queen Angela rubbed her chin in deep thought as she considered Adora's plan.
Finally, she sighed.
"...very well," Angella spoke. "You will deliver food and supplies to Plumeria. And under NO CIRCUMSTANCES will you engage the Horde. You leave at dawn."
Bow and Glimmer couldn't believe their good fortune. Orko, however, just sighed. "Why do I have a bad feeling about this?" he commented.
MEANWHILE, IN THE FRIGHT ZONE...
Lonnie was bashing a Horde Araknomech, while Kyle was being thrashed around, and Rogelio was hitting it from the sides.
"No mas! No mas!" Kyle screamed as he was being swung around.
"Kyle, quit playing around!" Lonnie remarked.
"Playing around, she says…!" Kyle grumbled to himself as his face turned green from the thrashing.
“Damn! This thing’s even tougher than before!” Rogelio shouted as he scampered under one of the claw strikes.
“If only one of these legs would give…!” Lonnie grunted as she struck at one of the legs.
"So where's Catra?" asked Rogelio. "She's supposed to be here!"
"Not exactly, cadet," said Imp. "Your little friend has been promoted."
“Promoted?!” the kids exclaimed.
"That's right, kiddos," said Catra as she came into the training room. "You are lookin' at the new Force Captain!"
The trio narrowly avoided getting their heads smashed in, but offered their congratulations.
"Now that I'm in charge, I don't have to be afraid of Shadow Weaver, and neither do you," Catra smiled confidently. "From now on, that ancient witch is taking orders from ME!"
“Woo-hoo!” Kyle audibly cheered.
Lonnie gave a small nod.
"Yup, I'm gonna be the one watching out for ya," Catra continued on. "After all... it's what Adora would've wanted."
"Is that right...?" rasped Shadow Weaver, looming behind her.
Catra’s tail was frizzing out as she slowly turned around, clutching it to keep it calm.
"First you're GOING to tell me whatever it was you did to Despara," hissed Shadow Weaver.
"I didn't DO anything," Catra responded. "Despara went out on her own, and she's long gone. She's not coming back."
“Don’t you lie to me, you mangy wretch!” Shadow Weaver spat. “I know you did something to her!”
Catra bared her fangs. "Believe what you want...but I rank higher than you," she snapped. "And because of that, Hordak's not going to let you do anything to me!"
"I WILL find out," Shadow Weaver snarled, her magical aura surging. "Even if I have to drag it out of you myself—"
FRA-ZZAK!!
Shadow Weaver screamed out in agony as she clutched the sides of her head, much to Catra's surprise.
Imp chuckled wickedly as he clutched a dark red gemstone nearby. "Hordak SAID this would keep you in line, but I never realized how fun it would be!" he grinned.
Shadow Weaver withdrew from there. “Alright…I’ll back off—for now ,” she relented. “But sooner or later, you’ll get yours.”
“Yeah?” called Catra as the witch slunk away. “Well, you just try it!”
Catra gave a small sigh of relief as the cadets approached her with slightly worried looks.
"...you okay?" Rogelio inquired. "That was a little too close."
“Yeah, I’m fine,” Catra said, trying to maintain a confident outer shell. “Way I see it, she was just blowing smoke. Spoken like a sore loser.”
MEANWHILE...
Glimmer, Orko and Bow arrived at the edge of a clearing, where small children played in spite of the presence of many a barren tree.
"...Mom didn't say anything about all these plants dying..." Glimmer said.
"Not sure if she knows," responded Bow. "Hey, where's Adora?"
"Nowhere in sight," Orko replied dryly. "She-Ra, meanwhile, is nearby."
Behind them, She-Ra was effortlessly carrying a massive cart full of supplies with one hand.
“Hmph! Too easy!” the blonde warrior woman boasted while flexing her other arm.
“...are you going to stay as She-Ra the whole time we’re in Plumeria?” asked Glimmer.
She-Ra smirked. “I promised the queen I would,” she replied. “Besides, people like me better as She-Ra.”
Orko rolled his eyes. “Debatable…” he murmured.
“Besides, could Adora do this ?” She-Ra asked as she twirled the cart on her finger, like it was a basketball. “I wasn’t even trying there, how crazy is that?”
“As impressive as that is, look!” Bow said, pointing to an area nearby that had a smoke cloud rising up. “I’d bet…well, I’d just bet that’s gotta be a Horde camp!”
Just then, a female voice made She-Ra jerk her head upward. "Oh, good! You came!"
The group looked over to see a tan-skinned young woman with long blonde hair, clad in a pink sundress and a pink hat which resembled a flower.
"Princess Perfuma?" introduced Glimmer. "I'm Commander Glimmer of Bright Moon, these are my associates."
"Good afternoon, y'all, and welcome to Plumeria," beamed Perfuma as she did some gestures, conjuring up a flower crown on Bow's head. "Ah'm just right pleased as a posy in pottin' soil to meet y'all!"
"Well...thanks," replied Bow, before Perfuma made her way over to the archer.
"Now, who are YOU?" she queried.
Bow blushed a little. "Uh...well, my friends call me Bow." he replied.
"Really now?" Perfuma asked. "What's yer girlfriend call ya?"
"I don't have one." Bow stated.
Perfuma's lips curled into a smile, and her eyes became half-lidded. "That might change~" she purred.
"...r-really?" sputtered Bow, thrown by this. He'd NEVER had a girl approach him in such a manner before!
Glimmer and Orko chuckled behind their hands as they saw Perfuma flirting with Bow.
She-Ra was quite confused. “...what are they doing?” she asked.
“We’ll explain later,” replied Glimmer. "So, Perfuma, when exactly did all the plant life start wilting like this?" she asked, trying to get back on topic.
Perfuma's look changed to somber as she looked around at the plants. "A few days back…” she explained. “Was ’round that time, the most awful stench popped up. Worse than anything we’d ever smelled before."
"I see," She-Ra commented. Somehow, this sounded familiar to her.
"But at long last, the universe done heard our prayers and sent us a champion!" Perfuma beamed as her face brightened.
She-Ra's eyes widened slightly. She still wasn't used to being seen as a savior to so many people.
"Anyways, we brought food, supplies, plenty of seeds," said Orko.
"Thank ya kindly!" Perfuma blushed. "Anyways, lemme show y'all around..." she winked at Bow. "...’specially mistah tall-drink-a-watah here."
If Bow had a turtleneck, let alone a shirt, he’d have tugged the neck sheepishly.
"So! Our folks have lived here in peace for a thousand years," Perfuma explained. "We’re famous for our beautiful flowers, our majestic trees..."
As the quartet walked along, they noticed the plants were looking sickly.
"...and THIS right here is the heart of our kingdom, the Heart Blossom," Perfuma said as she approached a massive, magenta-colored tree. "And the source of all my magical powers!"
"...of course, things have been real rough lately. Ever since the Horde showed up, our village has been witherin' away," Perfuma explained. "...but, no sense in dwellin' on the bad! On the bright side, She-Ra's here! And ah’m as happy as a hog in mud!"
The group exchanged glances as the Plumerians began showering She-Ra with gifts.
MEANWHILE, IN THE FRIGHT ZONE...
A massive, furry black creature with skunk stripes on his body, was in deep meditation, seated in a cross-legged position before the chamber opened.
"Shadow Weaver," he glowered without opening his eyes. "What brings you to my chambers?"
“I’ve come to discuss something with you, Stinkor,” said the dark magician
“If this is about my Plumeria mission, I’m mentally preparing for it,” the Pellezean responded.
“Well, it’s good that you have your priorities in order.” Shadow Weaver complimented. “But there’s just one more thing I need you to do for me.”
Stinkor groaned inwardly. “This is about the girl, isn’t it?” he asked.
“Astute as usual, I see,” replied Shadow Weaver. “I need you to bring back Despara, should you see her, and if She-Ra should impede your progress, then deal with her.”
Stinkor waved her off. “Yes, yes, sure,” he replied. “Now if it’s not too much trouble…leave me be.”
Shadow Weaver withdrew from the room, leaving Stinkor by himself. And when it came to her, that was how he liked it.
Meanwhile, back in Plumeria....
Glimmer, Orko, She-Ra and Bow continued to follow Perfuma through the village. As they did, the Plumerians were beginning to lavish the group with gifts. Even a few toddlers were starting to follow them.
It almost made She-Ra a little nervous.
"It's alright," she said to a villager who gave her a big plate of fruit. "You need this food way more than we do."
"Nonsense," responded the villager. "It's our honor to serve the She-Ra!"
She-Ra relented and accepted the fruit, which she took a big bite out of. It was wet and mushy, kinda like a pear…which is weird, since before now Adora had never eaten pears.
"We're just so proud to have ya here, you know?" Perfuma smiled. "After all these years of bein' gone, you've come back to us in our time of need... just like in the stories!"
She-Ra raised a brow. "...there are stories?" she asked. Nobody had mentioned stories until now.
Glimmer, Bow, and Orko exchanged looks as Perfuma continued. "Well, of course there’s stories! Plenty of ’em talk about all the folks you've helped," she responded. "One of my favorites is the one where you took on an army of ferocious mantis men!"
Before She-Ra could protest, Bow started to get the crowd a little more hyped up.
"You think THAT was something?" he asked. "How about the time she took on an army of Horde Soldiers to protect Thaymor?"
She-Ra quickly turned to Glimmer. "WHAT is he doing?!" she whispered.
"Hyping you up, apparently," said Glimmer. "It was a thing he did for a while..."
"This seems like a bad idea," said Orko.
"Alright, we're all plenty excited for you to heal our land and bring the plants back to life," said Perfuma. "Will y'all be doin' it before or after the drum circle?"
"...heal?" She-Ra asked.
"Yeah, like in those old stories!" said one Plumerian kid.
She-Ra's mind was racing. She was supposed to heal the land here? How the heck was she supposed to do that?!
"Shouldn't we go see what's poisoning the land?" she asked. "The Horde is up to something, I know it. We should investigate."
"...we?" Perfuma asked, looking around at her villagers. None of them had the makings of a warrior. "Look, this is mah power: ah make plants. Ah'm no fighter."
“Well, you can accomplish a lot with that kind of power. So, you can make plants, yeah?” She-Ra responded. “There's a lot of dangerous plants you could use to defend yourself and others. A Venus flytrap? Vines? Poison ivy?"
"Every time I tried, it's all gone wrong," said Perfuma.
"Maybe we can get this working?" suggested Glimmer. "I mean, you've done crazier. Maybe this healing thing could be a new power you unlock?"
Suddenly, there came a loud rumbling sound that jostled the others.
“...what was that?” asked Glimmer.
“It’s a Horde Trooper Tank!” called one of the Plumerians. “They’re coming!”
“Well, that sure ain’t good,” sighed Perfuma. “Looks like I better go out and meet our unwanted guests face to face.”
Shaking her wrists out, she headed into the clearing.
Standing in there was Horde General Stinkor, who glanced around the area with a look of disgust. He was flanked by two Horde Troopers, clutching stun batons.
“Already I’m sick of this place…” Stinkor growled, before turning frontwards. “Ah…Princess Perfuma. So nice of you to meet us here.”
“Stinkor!” the flower princess said with disgust. “What do you want this time?”
“Same as every time,” replied the master of odors. “We’ve come to collect your tribute, your tithe. You know, your tax that prevents the Horde from burning this hippie commune to a cinder.”
“Well, suppose I don’t pay up and send you on your way back to the Fright Zone?” asked Perfuma.
“Then per Hordak’s orders, we burn this drum-circle, granola-crunching, flower-child cesspool to the ground, and take you as slaves,” Stinkor retorted. “Suppose
that
.”
Perfuma nervously gulped at that. “The only way into this here forest is through
me
!” she declared, trying to maintain her composure.
Stinkor raised a brow. “Is that right, then?” he asked. “So what exactly are
you
going to do?”
“Why don’t ya try this on for size?” Perfuma shouted as she summoned vines to ensnare Stinkor and his vehicle.
Stinkor looked down at himself. “Oh, no…I appear to be trapped,” he remarked. “Whatever shall I do?... oh, wait. ”
Taking a deep breath, he expunged a repugnant cloud of green gas from around his body, which didn’t just wilt the vines—they
melted
them into a puddle of chlorophyll.
The flower princess looked down, then back up and smiled nervously. “Guess I…should get those supplies in order, huh?”
“Yeah, I guess you should,” Stinkor responded. “Best be prompt about it…from the looks of things, it wouldn't take too long to melt your tree to the ground. A day or two, at best.”
Inwardly, he winced.
Okay…couldn't do THAT before,
he thought.
Whatever happened, it's getting worse.
So, Perfuma brought over the supplies that Stinkor demanded. As he had the Horde Troopers load them into the tank, She-Ra watched in mounting frustration.
They can’t just let him do this,
she fumed.
Damn it, they NEED to fight back somehow!
“Hey! You stinkbag!” she called. “You like picking on those weaker than you, yeah? See if you can actually handle someone who’s able to fight back!”
Stinkor turned slowly, locking eyes with She-Ra. "So… you are this She-Ra," he said, his voice dripping with mock politeness. "I was wondering when the famed defender of Etheria would show up. Decided to finally stop hiding behind your pacifist princess here?"
“Who said I was hiding?” asked She-Ra, brandishing her sword. “Leave these people be, or things are going to get very unpleasant.”
Stinkor snickered wickedly. “I know what unpleasant is,” he snapped. With a flick of his wrist, he motioned to the Horde Troopers. “Get her.”
The two troopers rushed forward, batons crackling. She-Ra, swift as lightning, parried the first blow with her sword and then swung the flat of her blade into the second trooper, sending him sprawling into the dirt. The first trooper made another charge, but She-Ra sidestepped and grabbed him by the arm, flipping him over her shoulder and knocking him out cold.
"Is that all you've got, Stinkor?" she taunted, wiping her brow.
“No, but thanks for asking!” Stinkor declared, as he removed his mask and took a deep breath.
“She-Ra, get away!” called Perfuma. “Even my strongest plants couldn’t withstand this!”
“Eh?” asked She-Ra, as Stinkor exhaled, letting out a tremendous, ghastly belch that sent out a powerful stank blast.
She-Ra leaped back, using her cape to shield her face from the worst of the fumes. “Everyone, get back!” she called.
“Right!” Perfuma nodded, and without hesitation she gathered the remaining villagers and ushered them away from the clearing.
I need some way to cut through that rancid odor, She-Ra thought. Besides, my cape might be strong, but even it won’t hold against those corrosive fumes forever!
Glancing down at her sword, the inklings of a plan began to form in her mind.
“It’s not much, but it’s worth a shot!” she said, as she jumped back, grabbed her sword and began taking wide swings to clear a path and cut through the fog.
Stinkor kept on pushing back with his noxious fumes as he struggled to keep up the assault, but when he saw She-Ra cutting through the gas, he poured it on.
“NO!” he bellowed, concentrating and firing harder.
As She-Ra kept cutting through, she realized that this wasn’t going to be enough.
What if I…wait, do I really want to do this? She thought. Just THINKING about it makes me dizzy…still, it’s the best chance I’ve got.
Taking another stance, she held her sword up, and began swirling it by the hilt, sweeping the noxious wind into a hurricane formation.
“Huh?” Stinkor asked. “What’s she doing?”
“I call this one the air freshener!” called She-Ra as she swirled her sword faster.
Stinkor looked around and saw that the noxious fog was indeed being swept away by the hurricane formation. “This is not going as well as I’d hoped…” he noted.
He tried to expel more of his foul-smelling gas, but the whirlwind created by She-Ra's sword was too powerful, dispersing the fumes almost as soon as they left his body.
She-Ra grinned triumphantly. "Looks like your stink isn’t so unstoppable after all!" She tightened her grip on her sword and advanced toward him, the swirling winds still spinning in the air, clearing a path through the dissipating fog.
Seeing his plan crumbling, Stinkor desperately glanced at the fallen Horde Troopers. But the troopers were still down for the count, unconscious or too dazed to obey.
She-Ra leapt forward with lightning speed, closing the distance between them. With one swift motion, she kicked Stinkor to the ground and pressed the flat of her sword against his chest. "Give it up, Stinkor. You’ve lost."
For a moment, the villain’s expression twisted in defiance, but then he smirked. "So you beat me this time," he remarked. "Enjoy it while it lasts. After all...the transient joys are the sweetest, aren't they?"
Surprised by this, She-Ra backed off. Seizing his chance, Stinkor got to his feet. “Hold on to the moment, She-Ra—you may only get ONE!” he sneered before taking a grenade off his belt and throwing it at her.
The grenade went off, causing She-Ra to cough and gag while Stinkor scurried off to his tank, and drove off.
By the time She-Ra had cleared the fog away, she saw Stinkor’s tank rumbling away.
Glimmer and Orko came over—although Orko now had a clothespin over where his nose was. “Are you okay?” asked Glimmer.
“Well, I smell like a choir of rotten eggs,” commented She-Ra. “...but otherwise, I should be fine, as long as I take a bath afterwards.”
“In that case, let’s get back to the others,” said Orko. “I think Bow’s done distracting Perfuma.”
Glimmer snickered. “Depends on how he distracts her~” she responded.
She-Ra raised an eyebrow, still confused. “...I still don’t know what that means,” she replied
Glimmer patted her shoulder, before swallowing the urge to gag from the lingering stank. “...all in good time, buddy,” she said as she and Orko led the blonde warrior back to the village.
When the trio returned to the outskirts of the village, Perfuma and her people eagerly swarmed around She-Ra, positively giddy with excitement.
"Everybody!" Perfuma called out. "She-Ra’s come back after takin' down those awful Hordesmen! No doubt she's here to help heal the Heart Blossom!"
Naturally, a cheer of excitement went up among the crowd, and this just made She-Ra feel especially nervous. Sweat was beading upon her forehead, and she was inwardly starting to panic.
“Sure, she is!” Glimmer said, sidling over. "Please excuse us," she grabbed She-Ra and pulled her off to the side. "She needs some practice. Get warmed up, you know!"
And so, she and Orko pulled their friend off to the side.
Once they were out of earshot, She-Ra went into full panic mode. “OK, how the hell am I supposed to heal a tree?!” she whispered.
Glimmer grabbed She-Ra by the shoulders. "First off, calm down!" she replied. "You let your emotions run wild, it'll make things worse!...maybe. I'm not an expert on these things!"
“Alright then, Glimmer,” responded She-Ra. “So what exactly do you suggest that we do?!"
"Just take deep breaths...think healing thoughts, then use your sword and point it at something!" Glimmer responded. "I usually go with that school of thought."
With a sigh, She-Ra glanced down at the sword and clutched it gingerly.
...alright....maybe it IS that simple, she thought as she grasped her sword gingerly. You never know unless you try.
Taking a few deep breaths, she pointed her sword out. "Healing...healing..." she grunted, before firing an energy blast from the blade, which Glimmer narrowly dodged.
“Whoa!” called Glimmer. “...okay, that was… fast .”
"Alright...I can do this, I can do this..." she said to herself as she concentrated, before she raised her sword...and fired another blast, which zapped a nearby lizard, turning it stark-white, giving it wings and a horn.
She-Ra opened her eyes—only to see that she'd failed yet again. The lizard squeaked in fright and took off.
"Damnit, damnit, DAMMIT!!" She-Ra yelled as she put her fist clear through a tree.
"It's okay," encouraged Glimmer. "You'll get it soon."
She-Ra sighed. "Soon isn't good enough," she replied. "These people—these weird, flower-loving, earthy people—are counting on me to help them. I thought I'd be better as She-Ra, but I guess useless in ANY form is still just 'useless'!"
"Well, my uncle once told me that you can't grow a forest in a day,” explained Orko. “You need to start off slow, plant the first tree and continue from there."
“And in any other situation, that would be great ,” responded She-Ra, before she whirled around with bloodshot eyes. “But we DON’T. HAVE. THE TIME! ”
Suddenly, in the distance, there was an explosion.
"SEE?!" She-Ra replied.
"She-Ra!" Perfuma exclaimed as she ran over. "Something terrible has happened!"
SHORTLY…
Things had started off bad, and were steadily growing worse. Leaves were starting to fall off the Heart Blossom, and the trunk was covered with sickly green splotches.
"That skunk guy..." Perfuma said, exhausted. "He did something to the Heart Blossom...and now it's dying. Please, She-Ra...heal our land."
Wracked with fear, She-Ra reached out and placed her hand on the trunk. "Come on..." she said to herself. "I can't let these people down..."
For a few seconds, her body glowed brightly...but the sickly green patches began to grow bigger over the tree.
Glimmer, Bow and Orko gave nervous looks as She-Ra looked to be on the verge of tears. “Why...? Why can't I do it?! Why can't I heal it?!"
As she did, she changed back into Adora, and slumped down, falling to her knees.
Glimmer carefully approached. "Adora? Are... Are you...?" she started.
A few tears ran down Adora's face. "Why can't I do it…?" she muttered.
"Hey! Where's She-Ra?" shouted one of the Plumerians.
Adora sighed and wiped off her eyes. "...right here," she sighed. "And she's sorry she couldn't live up to the legend of She-Ra."
Perfuma looked confused. "I—I don't understand...they said She-Ra could heal the land with her power? But..."
She then noticed the regretful look that Adora held.
"I just STARTED being She-Ra...I haven't even figured out everything she can do!" Adora said. "I never meant to deceive anyone. I AM She-Ra...just not the SAME She-Ra..."
As she looked around, she saw the Plumerians' reactions: some of them were crying, some of them were glaring at her.
And it just tore her up inside.
"...I'm sorry. I'm... I'm sorry..." Adora said as she turned and ran off.
"Adora! Wait!" Glimmer exclaimed as she ran after her friend.
Perfuma looked at Bow. "I...I didn't know..." she said, her tone quiet.
Bow sighed. "She's trying to help people...she's just very new to all this…" he said.
Orko watched Adora run off, then turned back to the Plumerians.
"...you all oughta be ashamed of yourselves..." he glowered, his fists clenching.
Perfuma tried to speak up. "We didn't—"
Orko jutted out a finger. "That ain't an excuse, Missy!" he cut her off. "All you've done is wait around and hope for someone else to do the job instead of trying to defend your village. And when your great savior doesn't live up to expectations, you immediately turn against her! She's not the one who failed, you failed yourselves the second you chose to do nothing to help!"
One by one, the Plumerians each began to feel their guilt coming down on them as they heard Orko’s words.
"So, there's your choice," said Orko. "You can either sit around feeling guilty, or you can actually try to fix your mistake."
And so he left, going after Adora.
Bow glanced at Perfuma. “...I gotta go after them,” he said, before he raced off. Perfuma looked down, contemplating what she’d just heard.
Deep in the woods, Adora was sitting in a fetal position.
"I'm supposed to be some legendary hero..." she fumed. "...and I can't even cure a stupid tree!"
Glimmer and Orko found her and carefully approached the frustrated girl.
"Adora... I'm not going to ask if you're okay, because you're not," said Glimmer. "But...what if I told you there was a way to fix this?"
Adora looked over at Glimmer. "And what, pray tell, is that?" she inquired.
“There’s a Horde Camp nearby, right?” asked Glimmer. “Chances are, there’s some sort of antidote. Just in case. So we launch an attack and in the confusion, grab the antidote.”
And that was how Adora, Glimmer, Bow, and Orko found themselves in Horde Soldier uniforms, sneaking into the enemy camp.
“Alright, good plan,” said Orko. “There’s just one problem…” he pointed to his body.
"You're controlling the legs, aren't you?" Glimmer responded. "And if you get caught, we'll pretend you're a prisoner."
Orko shrugged. “...alright, doable,” he responded.
“So…are we ready?” asked Bow.
"No," responded Adora. "But let's do it anyway."
"Alright, what can you tell us about the camp?" asked Glimmer.
"Every Horde camp has the same layout," explained Adora. "And our duties are in half-hour shifts. So when the shift changes, we head in."
"When's the next shift change?" inquired Bow.
"...10 seconds from now," Adora replied after a bit of mental math.
"Cutting it a bit close, aren't we?" inquired Glimmer.
“That’s what it’s all about,” responded Adora. “Now get ready.... Now!"
Sliding on their helmets, the trio grabbed Orko, tied him with some vines, and headed into the camp.
"Shift change!" said Adora, making her voice deeper. "Plus, we found this rebel snooping around."
Orko pretended to struggle. "Removing ONE of us will NOT silence us all, Horde Scum!" he exclaimed. “Viva la Rebellion!”
"Keep talking like that, and I'll feed you to our pets, rebel slime!" Glimmer grunted in a deepened voice.
"Love that enthusiasm," remarked one trooper. "Head on inside."
The disguised group smirked under their masks and headed inside. Once they were out of sight, they unraveled Orko's binding rope and went searching for anything that looked suspicious.
"So, anything in particular we should keep an eye out for?" asked Bow.
"Anything that looks like it could be used as some kind of massive machine," replied Adora. "Probably has chemicals in chambers attached to it."
Bow, Orko and Glimmer nodded as they continued to search the area.
After 12 minutes, Orko spoke up. "You said it was like, a big machine with chemical containers on the sides and tubes?" he asked.
"Yeah. Why do you ask?" asked Adora.
Orko pointed ahead of them. "Well...I think I found it," he said.
Glimmer gasped. "So it's true...the Horde really IS poisoning Plumeria!" she exclaimed.
"That's right," sneered Stinkor, prompting everyone to turn around. "And what's bubblin' in the tanks is my own special blend. But I see it was enough to lure the rats outta their holes!"
Adora cleared her throat. "So what are YOU doing here?" she asked, her tone authoritative. "We have security clearance, password 5-echo-9er. Now be on your way."
"Nice try, kid," scoffed Stinkor. "But they haven't used that password in months. Looks like She-Ra caught onto the second part of the plan…but like they say, too little too late .”
"...so, Adora, what do we do now?" Bow asked.
"I'm open to suggestions," said Adora. "Otherwise...RUN!"
MEANWHILE, BACK IN PLUMERIA...
Perfuma was on a hilltop, when one of the villagers came with a note.
"I found this!" he told her. Perfuma accepted it and read it over.
" 'We've gone to the Horde Camp to find the weapon that's been killing your trees. If we don't make it, I want to say I'm sorry I couldn't be the hero you wanted. Adora.' "
Perfuma held a look that contained so many emotions—worry and fear being the most prevalent of those emotions.
"I can't believe it...they went to help us, even after we were being so negative!" she exclaimed.
That said, Perfuma looked off into the distance towards the Horde camp.
"Orko was right," she said. "This is our home. We can't let them do this alone."
She called to her fellow Plumerians. "Everyone! She-Ra and her friends are risking their lives to protect us from the Horde. We need to help them," she declared. "Today, we MARCH!"
Everyone let out a cheer in response.
MEANWHILE...
To say things hadn't gone so well was an understatement. At this very moment, Adora, Glimmer, Orko and Bow were running for their lives while a bunch of Horde soldiers were coming after them.
“Oh, I knew this was a bad idea!” Orko exclaimed.
“Hey, it worked, didn’t it?” asked Adora.
“Of course it did,” Orko responded dryly. “... for FIVE MINUTES! ”
"I've already been having a crappy day, Orko," Adora said, trying not to blow her stack. "And I DO NOT NEED THIS, OKAY?! I'M TRYING MY BEST!! "
"Sorry! Sorry! I'm just terrified for my life right now!" Orko insisted.
“Well, rebels?” called Stinkor. “Are you going to come out? Or will I have to smoke you out myself?!”
"Here's my response," called Glimmer. "Choke on your own fumes, Horde scum!"
Stinkor chuckled. "Thanks, but no thanks," he retorted. "How about you choke on THESE?!"
And he took out two more of his stank grenades, then threw them both towards the group.
“Incoming!” called Bow.
“These gas grenades are nothing but trouble,” said Orko. “So seal them both inside a bubble!”
Fortunately, the spell worked and both grenades were sealed in a defensive bubble. Suddenly, there came a low, brassy horn call, and a loud rumbling sound followed.
“What was that?” asked one Horde Trooper, looking around.
Suddenly, a wall of massive plant vines came spilling over the fence, and Perfuma was riding atop it.
"Attention, Horde filth!" called Perfuma. "Y'all have been a pain in our collective backsides for long enough, an' we're all fed up!"
And racing behind her were the other Plumerians, armed with whatever constituted a weapon.
Stinkor snorted. "This is how you're going to fight us?" he asked. "With these tree-huggers?"
"Not just them...." said Adora, as she rose to her feet with Bow, Orko and Glimmer quickly following her lead. “But you’ll have to handle us, too!”
“Hmph…fine by me,” responded Stinkor. "Get 'em!" he commanded, and the Horde Troopers attacked, as the Plumerians got ready to fight back.
The Horde Troopers got out their blasters and started firing, but a few of the Plumerians got in some lucky hits on the troopers, which caused their armors to fall apart, and the robot troopers with them.
“Sorry, Robo-dude, but this is gonna hurt big time!” one of the Plumerians said as he whacked one of the robot soldiers with a tree branch—and knocked its head flying a good distance.
Adora got to a good distance, and once she saw she was clear, drew forth the sword.
“FOR THE HONOR OF GRAYSKULL…!” she bellowed, before being engulfed in a flash of light.
In a matter of minutes, she was now clad in a Valkyrian-style headdress, as well as a bright white dress with golden trim, and a pair of matching golden boots.
" I...AM....SHE-RA!! " she bellowed. "Alright, let's kick some Horde tail!"
And so, she stormed the laboratory once again, tossing the Horde Soldiers aside like ragdolls before she peeled the doors apart like wet cardboard.
Once she was in, it took her no time to find the toxin machine; she climbed onto it and drew her sword.
“Now let’s put you out with the trash for good!” she declared as she stabbed the blade into the machine. When she did, a jolt of electricity shot through her, then the machine was engulfed in a bright blue aura, which also shot through the machine’s roots and into the ground.
As it kept on going, it engulfed the Heart Blossom…and wore away the green, sickly splotches on the tree’s trunk!
While the splotches vanished, Perfuma suddenly felt like she’d just gained her second wind. Glancing into her hand, she felt a small flower taking shape.
“...oh, my gosh…” she gasped. “MAH POWERS ARE BACK!”
“Wait, what?” asked Stinkor, looking nervous.
With a snicker, Perfuma gestured to a nearby thorn bush, which began shooting thorns at the skunk-striped general.
“AAAH! YOWCH!” he exclaimed, trying to avoid them. “YIKE! YOIK! F-fall back—OUCH!
“Fall back!” called one of the foot soldiers as he and others began to retreat.
Within moments, the entire base was swarming with plant life, as well as discarded weapons from the retreating Hordesfolk.
“Thank ya kindly, from the bottom of mah heart,” said Perfuma as she hugged She-Ra. “Y'all inspired us to save ourselves. How can we repay you?”
Glimmer stepped forward. “Well, you could do that by joining the Great Rebellion,” she said. “And be the first step in forming a new alliance…an Etherian Alliance. Not just the Princess Alliance.”
Perfuma looked a bit apprehensive. “...are ya sure?” she inquired. “Didn't that go horribly wrong last time?”
“Maybe it did before,” said Glimmer. “But only because in the past they relied solely on the princesses…and come on, we're definitely stronger together.”
“Yeah,” Orko chimed in. “Think what we could accomplish as one big unit!”
Perfuma rubbed her chin. “Would I get to show those low-down Hordesfolk we're more than just a bunch of hippies playing in the mud?” she asked.
Glimmer smirked. “Obviously,” she replied.
“Then your answer is YES!” Perfuma declared, before turning to face her people. “Everyone! We all just became rebels!”
“YEAAHHHH!!!!” The Plumerians cheered.
Hordak, your days are officially numbered,
She-Ra said to herself, her spirits raised.
LATER, BACK AT BRIGHTMOON ...
Adora made her way back into her room, only to find Bow, Orko and Glimmer setting out sleeping bags.
"What's going on?" Adora asked.
"Well, we remembered how you're not used to sleeping alone," said Bow.
"So this time we decided we'd keep you company!" Orko added.
Adora looked a little confused.
"It's called a sleepover,” explained Glimmer. “Friends sleeping at each other's houses."
Orko nodded. "Yeah...even though they're few and far between nowadays," he replied.
"Just think of it as us being here to watch your back so nobody can hurt you!" Bow stated.
Adora began to smile as she looked upon the faces of her friends. She hadn't felt this kind of camaraderie in quite a while. Not since she last saw.... Catra.
"So... whaddya say?" Glimmer asked.
Adora smiled happily as she went to spend the night with her friends. For the first time in a long time, she didn’t feel so alone.
FADE OUT.