Storybrooke's Clock Tower

if she did sacrifice herself in anyway, it wasn't for those girls. it wasn't to save catra from that big ass tentacle-tongue monster, it wasn't to save adora from prime's virus.

if she was sacrificing herself for anything, it was for the magic to be set free. what she was really sacrificing then, was getting to be there for it. giving up her chance at all that power in exchange for a real chance at the magic being set free.

cause when adora knocks her arm off of her and turns back for catra when she cries out, shadow weaver stares at all that glowing, pulsing magic and i think that's what she's contemplating.

the realization that even if she dragged adora along with her, adora was close to succumbing to the virus, and with her unwavering concern for catra, there was no way she'd have the strength to activate the failsafe even if she could focus enough to try.

if there was a chance at everything working and the magic being set free, it had to be catra. and finally, she begrudgingly accepts it and in my opinion, that's why she turns back.

saves catra, tells her what she does before adora gets there, gives herself a pat on the back,

and has her mutually assured destruction moment right before their eyes.

it's her final act of manipulation to further her agenda. she didn't gaf about these girls (or anyone) beyond her perception of their utility. never had, not even at the end.

the only tragic thing about her death to me is knowing that how everything went down woulda twisted & intensified all the trauma she'd put them through in ways they'd be dealing w for the rest of their lives. like even in this small blip of catra's physical reaction to sw's "proud of you" statement, she makes these confused, quick, conflicted little movements & expressions.

so i've said it many times and am always down to say it again ~

Happy anniversary to a show that forever changed my brain chemistry and gifted me characters I’ll love and adore forever, and for the amazing people and friends I’ve met because of it!! <3