“Mission in the Kingdom of Snows” PART 3 (Despara Au) (Patreon)

Notes:

You must can read previous chapters here:

Chapter 1 ✨

Chapter2 ✨

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This story takes place shortly after the events of this mini comic: Despara Minicomic

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The radiant beauty of the colossal ice hall, the stream of laughter, dances, and joy from the inhabitants of the diverse kingdoms of Etheria managed to overshadow the concerns of the ongoing war. Even the presence of the newcomers seemed to go unnoticed amid the festive bustle.

Catra clung firmly to Scorpia's spiky arm, gracefully leading her through the expansive ice staircase while absorbing every detail of the surroundings with interest. The music, a luxury she hadn't had many chances to enjoy during her life in the Horde, resonated in the air, and the culinary offerings surpassed Catra's most audacious smuggling experiences. If the rebellion had tanks the size of those cakes, they would have surely won the war by now.

Scorpia, absorbed in the fascination of the surroundings, appeared much more relaxed. Both turned their gaze to the Prom’s hostess, Princess Frosta, all regal on her icy throne. Despite her apparent youth, (she looked no more than 9 or 10 in Catra’s opinion), her presence exuded an authority difficult to ignore.

Before they could perform the customary bow to Frosta, a sparkly and pinkish beam unexpectedly emerged in front of Catra and Scorpia, startling them. Catra instantly recognized which princess this visiting card belonged to and wasn't particularly thrilled to be interrupted by her. The princess in question also didn't seem too pleased to see her.

"Hey, Sparkles..." Catra greeted with exaggerated joy.

"YOU... how dare you show up here, Horde scum?" Glimmer exclaimed, overflowing with glitter-infused fury.

In the midst of this sudden conflict, Princess Frosta, visibly surprised and annoyed, raised an eyebrow in curiosity, seeking to understand the cause of the confrontation.

"Esteemed hostess, they are from the Horde," Glimmer proclaimed with a grating voice, disdainfully pointing at the pair.

"Princess Scorpia was invited under the Princess Prom's rules," Catra asserted with calculated swiftness, her voice carrying a hint of innocence. "Rules that I deeply respect," she added, concluding with a smirking smile directed at the sparkly princess.

Catra's words prompted an immediate reaction from Glimmer, whose teeth clenched with contained fury. An almost inaudible whisper escaped her lips: "Liar."

Nevertheless, Catra and Scorpia, unperturbed, waited calmlyfor a response from the hostess, intensifying Glimmer's anger.

Frosta, to Glimmer's surprise, declared with an authoritative voice that contrasted with her innocent looks, "The rules state that all princesses are welcome. This celebration has always been neutral, and I won't dishonor that legacy."

"You know the Horde has invaded the realms of Salineas and Plumeria, stealing the magic from their Runestones! They're here because they're planning something! I'm sure of it!" Glimmer exclaimed, revealing palpable fear in her words.

Frosta seemed to hesitate at this information and pressed her lips, contemplating what to say, casting a distrustful glance towards Catra.

Noticing Frosta's change of attitude, Catra hastened to say, "You can rest assured, Sparkles... Despara isn't here, and we aren't breaking any rules... Didn't you read the invitation?" She then shot an offended look at Frosta and made an exaggerated curtsy while saying, "It's evident that Scorpia'sinvitation was a mistake." She then turned to Scorpia, who also bowed silently. Catra looked at her with sadness, sighing loudly. "You were right about the princesses, Scorpia. They invited you to save face because they didn't expect you to show up. We better leave... what the Princess Prom represents is a farce."

Just as they prepared to descend the staircase, Frosta's voice stopped them, and Catra had to suppress a satisfied smile.

"Wait!"

Frosta stood up and, with a softer tone, said, "I apologize; I know the circumstances haven't been the best. Please, stay; this is a ceremony of unity, and everyone deserves to enjoy it."

Catra, still on guard, exchanged a look with Scorpia.

"I assure you we will do our best to make the rest of the evening go smoothly," Frosta insisted, her tone revealing a genuine intention to maintain peace. Glimmer, visibly displeased, let out a grunt of disbelief, but Frosta gave her a firm look before she could protest.

Scorpia, with an expression oscillating between uncertainty and anticipation, waited for Catra's response. The latter remained silent for a moment, assessing the situation. Finally, with a gesture of resignation, she nodded slightly, agreeing to Frosta's offer.

Acknowledging her defeat, Glimmer frowned in disapproval.Knowing that insisting would be useless and would only put Brightmoon in a bad light, she settled for ensuring the couple didn't attempt anything during the event on her own.

With determined steps, she sought Bow in the crowd, hoping he had witnessed the scene from afar to spare her explanations. However, like the others, he seemed immersed in the carefree joy of the Princess Prom, oblivious to the tension that unfolded on the main stage.

Bow had chosen to bring Princess Perfuma as his companion. The Flower Princess was known for her affable and serene nature, but lately she had been withered and affected by sadness for days due to what happened in her kingdom and with her Runestone. Bow, always the kind one, had the idea of taking Perfuma out of the walls of Brightmoon so she could relax a bit amid the festivities. It was clear Glimmer wouldn't be able to count on him tonight.

Amidst the celebration, she felt alone, as if the laughter and dances of the attendees were an insurmountable wall given the weight on her shoulders. After waiting for this event for so long, it was turning into one of the worst days of her life. At least, by focusing on thwarting the Horde's plans, she wouldn't have to think about it.

Emptying her lungs in a sigh, she resigned herself to act as if nothing was happening and made her way through the lively conversation, reaching the group where Bow, Perfuma, Sea Hawk, and other princesses she didn't know were sharing stories.

As usual, the extravagant pirate was talking about his "beloved" Mermista, lamenting her absence. The marine princess couldn't attend the ball as she was busy recruiting pirates, mercenaries, and anyone with a sword and a penchant for a fight in Seaworthy in an attempt to reclaim her kingdom invaded by the Horde. Glimmer suspected that Mermista had insisted on Sea Hawk attending the event without her to keep him away. Sea Hawk could be very irritating, and Mermistawasn't in the best mental state to tolerate him for long.

Bow, noticing Glimmer's serious look, approached with concern and asked, "Glimmer, you disappeared a while ago! Where were you?" Glimmer returned the look, noticing that Perfuma was watching her with a gentle smile while holding onto Bow's arm. Trying to project confidence in the face of the audacity of the flower princess, she put on her best smile and practically yelled, "I just needed to take a walk and enjoy the party from a different perspective. I'm having so much fun, making new friends, and exploring what the Princess Prom has to offer. I'm really enjoying tonight!!" Then she let out a loud chuckle that puzzled Bow, while Perfuma, Sea Hawk, and the others looked at her with bewilderment.

"Um...". Noticing the confused looks, Glimmer hurriedly changed the subject. "Oh!! I was trying the culinary delights. Have you tried the...?" she said, looking towards the cake tables.

At that moment, Glimmer caught the resonant voice of Scorpia attacking the pastries with enthusiasm at one of the tables, and noticed with horror that someone was missing. Desperately, she searched for the elusive feline until she located her, stealthily sliding towards Princess Entrapta, up on one of the balconies.

The princess with purple pigtails seemed immersed in a conversation with her recorder, oblivious to the imminent danger that Catra represented, and too close to the edge of the balustrade that separated her from a deadly fall.

Before Bow had the chance to approach and ask Glimmer what was happening, she stifled a shriek and disappeared in a flash of light, reappearing right where Catra and Entraptawere.

to be continued…

Art: Iria Abella

Script: Henar Torinos

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