AU where Shadow Weaver succeeds in wiping Adora's mind and Catra joins the Rebellion after freeing Glimmer herself.
First thing Glimmer does when one of her hands is free is punch Catra because she does not trust cat girl.
And she thinks she’s just being moved to be tortured some more and not being released by one of the red evil ladies minions
Catra is very offended about being called a minion
Their whisper fight lasts several moments that they don’t have and really if sparkly wants to see mom and dad again soon or ever she should get her cute shiny butt moving.
Glimmer doesn’t believe her that Adora turned sides.
Catra dead eyes make her believe it a little more- as if this isn’t the first time it’s happened. As if this is normal but painful for the girl that has attacked them so many times
Catra shows Glimmer, hides her in the shadows like she’s done alone a million times before. Shows her Adora laughing with the other Horde members. People Adora would call friends and Catra hated with every fiber of her being.
Shows her Adora smiling as Shadow Weaver compliments her, as she’s relaxed when the woman places a hand in her shoulder.
Glimmer doesn’t want to see more.
Scorpia takes a bit convincing before she leaves with them - her eyes wide as she watches Glimmer and Catra, who couldn’t stand out more from each other if they tried but with similar looks in their eyes. Not determination, but not exactly doubt either. A quiet acceptance.
It’s Scorpia who goes grab Bow, who kicks for his life until he’s in a room with Glimmer and calms down. He asks for an explanation but when Glimmer offers only small quick words just goes with the plan. They’ll talk when they’re out of here.
“Wait where’s Adora” “Adora’s not coming Bow” “What do-” “She’s not coming”
They meet up with the other guys soon after- there’s a lot of questions and none get answered that day. Glimmer is exhausted. Catra refuses to even look at anyone and Scorpia only knows so much but is willing to share all of that.
In Bright Moon, the preparations start right away.
Catra and Glimmer wear for days the same bags under their eyes, though only Glimmer is really preparing anything.
No one trusts the horde soldier - even the one who saved the princess.
Catra doesn’t sleep because everything is to nice but she’s once again the outsider, the odd one out, and perhaps when everyone was living poorly kicking into survive mood saved her some headspace, but here all her thoughts are her own.
They grow closer not by choice but because Glimmer is the only one who lets Catra do anything
And the closer they grow the more Glimmer understands why Adora kept going back for Catra no matter how many times she was turned away.
And if there was anyone who could bring Adora back to her senses it was these two.
send me an AU and i’ll tell you my headcanons for it