[ Adora knew this would happen. Not because Catra told her it would — Shadow Weaver's not going to let you get away that easily — but because it already has. She's been chased through the halls of Mystacor, taken prisoner in the Fright Zone; while she'd banished those shadows then, there was no finality to it. Nothing to make her think Shadow Weaver wouldn't try again, and again, and this time, there's no Glimmer to save her from a fate worse than death. So when she catches sight of those familiar red robes, she's ready for a fight. To finish things once and for all with her former mentor, before she can get her hands on Adora again... or worse, on Catra.
So no, Shadow Weaver being here isn't a surprise. It's her state that is. Ragged, maskless, weak, as if the journey took everything out of her to make. Maybe it's a trick, but Shadow Weaver letting herself look vulnerable goes against everything Adora knows about her, and when she sees her face (her real one, the first time she's had more than a terrified glimpse of it), she feels her gut clench. Shadow Weaver is here, in pain, and that part shouldn't be Adora's problem but it is, and before long she's scooping her into She-Ra's arms, trying not to exacerbate any injuries she can't see on the sorceress. ]
I'm taking you to the clinic. [ She hopes Shadow Weaver is too out of it to notice the faint trace of concern in her voice. ] Don't make me regret this, Shadow Weaver. If you try anything, I won't give you another chance.
[ Hours later, after she's gotten in contact with Catra — Shadow Weaver's here, and she's hurt. Really hurt. We're at the clinic, but be careful. — and the two of them have done what they can to patch her up, by... wrapping bandages all over her body, attempting healing with She-Ra, and arguing over their next course of action, Adora sits by her bedside, waiting for Shadow Weaver to regain consciousness. At the first sign of it, she hisses to Catra: ]
She's waking up. [ Then, she turns her attention back to Shadow Weaver. ] I think we both have some questions for you.
i
So no, Shadow Weaver being here isn't a surprise. It's her state that is. Ragged, maskless, weak, as if the journey took everything out of her to make. Maybe it's a trick, but Shadow Weaver letting herself look vulnerable goes against everything Adora knows about her, and when she sees her face (her real one, the first time she's had more than a terrified glimpse of it), she feels her gut clench. Shadow Weaver is here, in pain, and that part shouldn't be Adora's problem but it is, and before long she's scooping her into She-Ra's arms, trying not to exacerbate any injuries she can't see on the sorceress. ]
I'm taking you to the clinic. [ She hopes Shadow Weaver is too out of it to notice the faint trace of concern in her voice. ] Don't make me regret this, Shadow Weaver. If you try anything, I won't give you another chance.
[ Hours later, after she's gotten in contact with Catra — Shadow Weaver's here, and she's hurt. Really hurt. We're at the clinic, but be careful. — and the two of them have done what they can to patch her up, by... wrapping bandages all over her body, attempting healing with She-Ra, and arguing over their next course of action, Adora sits by her bedside, waiting for Shadow Weaver to regain consciousness. At the first sign of it, she hisses to Catra: ]
She's waking up. [ Then, she turns her attention back to Shadow Weaver. ] I think we both have some questions for you.