Author's Note:
Just a few things before we get started. As usual, these characters don't belong to me, nor do their back stories or really anything vaguely related to them. But this story is an original, though it's based on one or two "MOTU" flashbacks and hints given along the way.
I need to note this or everyone will either kill me or get confused - or both, which is far worse. Continuity and canon is something I'll be taking somewhat lightly while writing this. Not lightly enough to destroy everything we know and love about "MOTU" and to alter it completely, but just a few adjustments for the sake of the story. This story takes in the same continuity as "The Crossroads of Destiny," "Prophecy & Change," "Just Another Day," "The Elfsong of Eternia," "Liberty and Valor," "Roots," and "The Final Adventure." So . . . without further ado . . . "Preludes and Beginnings."
This story is a sequel to "Preludes and Beginnings - Book One-Three," being "Hate," "Love," and "Conflict." You may want to read before you dive into this one. If you don't want to, here's the run-down.
Previously . . .
King Miro's youngest son Keldor was a strange one to the royal family of Eternos. Not as dominating as his oldest brother Randor nor as bright as sister Johanna nor as strong as his other brother Stephan, Keldor involved himself in sorcery. He soon became obsessed with Castle Grayskull and sought to find it. He did and eventually stole a blade called the Sword of Darkness from it. However, part of his scheme to enter Grayskull backfired and Orcs attack Eternos. When this came to light, Keldor was banished and he went to live with the same Orcs that battled the forces of Eternos. In the aftermath of his banishment, King Miro went missing and Randor was made King.
Two years later, an Earth woman by the name of Marlena Glenn arrived on Eternia. She learned about the planet she was on and soon fell in love with King Randor. While the two developed a relationship, the Sorceress of Castle Grayskull had a one-year respite from her role. She courted Randor's best friend, Duncan and the two soon became parents-to-be. Randor and Marlena married months after first meeting and the citizens were overjoyed for them. Meanwhile, Keldor had his heart replaced by a Orc heart due to its dying condition. Keldor then joined up with the Horde, serving under Hordak while he prepared an invasion. Hordak had been sent to conquer Eternia so his master could control a wormhole that had brought Marlena to Eternia.
A few months later, the Horde secretly set up their base at Snake Mountain and launched various world-wide attacks against the most powerful of kingdoms: Eternos being the number one. While the war was waged, the Sorceress had given birth to a daughter named Teela and had to become the Sorceress once more. Marlena then became pregnant with twins: Adam and Adora. As she carried them, Randor engaged the enemy during many battles. During one such battle, Randor understood that it was Keldor that served Hordak. When the bulk of the Horde was pushed back thanks to the many allies of Eternia, Hordak unleashed most of his strength against Eternos. In one mighty battle, Randor led his people to victory. But it would not last, for Hordak and Keldor sought to kidnap newborns Adam and Adora, for they were told to have a special destiny. However, Keldor was captured and Adam was saved. Hordak and Adora, though, fled Eternos, moving back to Snake Mountain speedily . . .
Chapter One - "Escape"
Lynn sat in the large, mostly empty chamber, engrossed in an old text. Across the room, Beast-Man lured small rodents into his sights . . . and then ate them. The young woman would usually find this disgusting and uncouth, but she was too busy studying. Lynn had assigned herself to creating a staff in which to channel her budding dark powers.
However, midway through a lengthy paragraph, Beast-Man looked up at her, ears twitching. "They're back."
She nodded and stood up. The pair, though they both secretly despised each other, walked out onto a balcony together. Below them, Horde Troopers, Bat-Mechs, tanks, and transports came to the base of Snake Mountain. They had already heard the news regarding the Horde's loss and the now there was talk of a full withdraw.
Lynn and Beast-Man rushed down to meet with Keldor, too see their young leader in this moment of loss and to give him their support. What they found was . . . unexpected.
Hordak stood at the gates of Snake Mountain, carrying a squalling baby. Next to him was a Horde Trooper, holding Keldor's Havoc Staff and Sword of Darkness.
"Take this," Hordak snarled at Lynn and pushed the child into her arms.
"And what am I supposed to do with it? Just because I'm female doesn't mean I - "
"Just clean it up and keep an eye on it!" shouted Hordak, which urged more cries from the little girl in Lynn's arms.
"Where's Keldor?" asked Beast-Man.
"He's been captured," Hordak responded. At that, the Horde Trooper gave Beast-Man the Havoc Staff and the Sword of Darkness.
Both Beast-Man and Lynn exchanged dark looks.
Hordak pressed a button on his wrist. "Attention all Horde members – prepare for an immediate evacuation. Empty the armories, leave the equipment, but wipe out all memory cores after a full back-up. Order retrieval of Horde scouts."
Hordak then walked into the main communication hub. He pressed a few keys as Horde Troopers and technicians scrambled from computer to computer. Hordak set-up a com-link to Horde World, the seat of the Horde Empire's power.
Hordak then walked into the large empty chamber that served as the communications room where he and his brother, the master of the Horde, Horde Prime communicated.
"Horde Prime," addressed Hordak once the glowing energy of Horde Prime's life force appeared via holography.
"Hordak, I received your report. What is your current status?"
"I am currently recalling all forces to Snake Mountain and preparing a mass evacuation. I estimate a few hours before we are able to leave Eternia."
Horde Prime's life force flashed briefly. "Very well. Luckily for you, the opportunity to seize one of the systems planets has just opened up."
"Oh?"
A holographic map of the solar system fizzled to life before him. The next world beyond Eternia was highlighted - Etheria.
"Etheria has a civilization slightly less advanced than Eternia. You will find less technology and less unification on this world. I will give you a three year respite to begin preparing the proper forces to invade."
"Understood."
"Then I shall see you on Horde World."
Keldor went flying across the room, blood gushing from his nose. His blue arm slammed into the stone wall and he knew there were bruises all ready. Outside, the sun was dawning over the Light Hemisphere. The Horde would be gone shortly. Keldor was running out of options . . .
"WHERE ARE THEY!" Randor yelled, a fury and passion in his voice unlike any Keldor had heard before. Oh, how he hurt his poor, dear older brother.
"I'm not going to tell you."
Randor grabbed his brother by the scruff of his neck and smashed his head into the bars of his cell. Keldor made no sound.
"Randor, stop it," Johanna whispered from just down the corridor.
"NO! Not until he tells me where the Horde are!"
Randor tossed Keldor against the back wall. "It's a secret, brother."
Outside the cell, Stephan, Man-At-Arms (still Rohad), Dekker, and Johanna watched in silence as Randor turned his back to Keldor.
"Anything yet!"
"No. And Duncan's been missing since Adora was taken," Rohad reported.
"Keep trying to reach him," Randor responded. He then turned to Keldor, who was now unconscious. "I want the same guards that watched him that night that the Orcs attacked watching him now. Understood? Continue the lock-down. Rohad? Anything else to report?"
"We've been seeing Horde ships in various areas, most of them in the Borderlands. From what we can tell, they're withdrawing. But most of our scouts and sensors can't see too far into the Dark Hemisphere."
Randor let out a huge breath. If only . . . if only he could remember where it was he was being held. If only he was awake when the Sorceress had rescued him.
"The Sorceress!" yelled Duncan. "She knows where Hordak's base of operations is! Of course!"
"Sire?"
"Duncan has to be with her. She trusts him. He rescued her, remember?"
"True . . ."
"Someone get me a com-set."
The sun was barely riding over the panic ridden and the battle weary city of Eternos when Marlena stopped sobbing. She knew in her heart that her dear Adora wasn't dead . . . and that created a great sick feeling in her stomach. But as the sunlight poured mockingly into her window, Marlena felt that sick feeling boil over into anger unchained.
After she called Susannah in to watch Adam, she grabbed a laser pistol and left the room.
A few minutes later, Randor entered with Dekker in tow. "No answer yet," he told Dekker and then found Susannah alone with Adam.
"Where's Marlena?"
It was Susannah's worried look that answered his question.
Keldor's eyes blinked open. Pressing against his temple was something round and cold. His eyes turned and saw dress swinging around two ankles.
"Don't move or I'll shot your brains out."
A smile crossed Keldor's lips. "Marlena."
"Where are they, you sick animal? Where's Hordak? Where's my baby? WHERE ARE THEY!"
"Now why would I tell you . . .?"
He heard a click. The laser pistol switched from a stun setting to a kill setting.
"They're my children . . . please . . . if there is any decency left in you . . ."
"There
isn't."
"Damn you!"
The pistol was even harder against Keldor temple. He had a feeling that the finger was right on the trigger. And he was also quite certain that she would indeed fire it if provoked. His mind sped around, searching for a way out of this.
"Marlena!" shouted Randor as Keldor's brother appeared at the cell door. Next to him were Dekker and Rohad.
"Randor, it's the only way," she returned.
Randor said nothing. His eyes met Keldor's. Something happened then. Something none them expected. To this day, no one was ever sure what it was in Keldor that made he speak. It could have been his ever growing contempt for Hordak. It could have been because his own life was at stake. It could even have possibly been some kind of compassion in Keldor for his brother seeping through.
Whatever the case was, however, Keldor told them exactly what they wanted to hear.
"Snake Mountain. The Horde's at Snake Mountain . . . but they won't be for long."
Zoar landed at the Sands of Time, exhausted. As Zoar transformed back into the Sorceress, Duncan split open a cactus to reveal a small pool of water within. The two of them gathered around it, saying nothing as they drank from it.
"Only a few minutes," she told them briefly between gulps of water.
"That's fine," he replied curtly. After a minute or two, he spoke again. "How long have you known about the Horde's headquarters?"
"Since I was first taken to the Hall of Wisdom at the beginning of the war."
"And you never told us because . . .?"
"If myself and the Elders provided everyone with all the answers they wanted, then no one would do anything," she answered calmly.
"If we knew it in the first place, then it would have saved lives," Duncan said, his voice sounding as though he was looking for an argument.
"That is not our place to decide. Our matters are higher."
Duncan nearly choked on his water. "WHAT! Higher than . . . Teelana!"
Her eyes flared up. "That is no longer my name. And you need to understand, Duncan, that there are many things happening here that I just can't explain to you."
Silence from Duncan followed and plucked a small berry from a nearby Dry Bush. He popped it in his mouth, and then looked back at her.
"You wouldn't take my letters."
Her face showed no emotion. She sighed. "I did take them. I just couldn't . . ."
"Couldn't what? COULDN'T WHAT!"
The Sorceress raised her hand to calm him. "This is neither the time nor the place. When this all done, bring Teela to Castle Grayskull and we shall discuss what must be discussed."
"But I - "
"Not before hand."
Duncan let out a deep breath. It was right then his communicator began to beep. He pulled it out at once.
"Duncan!"
"Randor!" yelped Duncan. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to get in touch with you before, but we had to get moving."
"That's all right. Adora's at Snake Mountain. Are you with the Sorceress?"
"Yes. We're about five hours from Snake Mountain."
"We'll be right behind you. Squadrons from Avion and Insectia are joining us, along with Lizards, Cats, and Bears."
"So now they decide to join us," Duncan grumbled cynically.
"We'll be there as soon as we can," Randor said then, ignoring what Duncan stated. "Duncan, if you get there before us . . . please . . . do what needs to be done."
"Yes sire. Duncan out." He turned to the Sorceress. "Let's get a move on."
As Randor's forces left Eternos, Keldor sat alone in his cell, staring at the blank wall. To guards, he just looked bored. But what they didn't see was that beneath that placid expression was a man in deep concentration. His mind reached out, searching and seeking . . . trying to find . . .
There was a suddenly explosion from down the corridor. Both the Havoc Staff and the Sword of Darkness came flying through the corridor. The Sword of Darkness ripped deep into one of the guards, while the Havoc Staff slammed the other in the head.
Keldor then called them both to him. The Havoc Staff and Sword of Darkness in hand, he blew the iron bars off his cage. He cackled and walked down the corridor. As he did, he heard a shout. Not from one of the guards, but a fellow prisoner.
"Hey! HEY! Take me with you!"
Keldor spun around and saw a brutish man sticking his arms and head out of the bars. "And just who are?"
"Name's Kronis."
"And just what would you do if I let you go?"
"Whatever you want me to," Kronis responded.
Keldor raised his Havoc Staff. "If I free you, then you will serve me."
"Anything's better than this."
The prison bars came down and Keldor and Kronis made their escape.
As Lynn held the screaming child, Hordak watched as the second of three very large transport ships blasted away. Hordak turned on his heel and walked over to a small computer.
"How long until the last one is underway?" Hordak asked.
"Twenty minutes," replied a voice.
Hordak was about to turn around, when a beam of energy came slicing through the room. At the entrance to one of the balconies stood the Sorceress and Duncan.
"Give us Adora and we'll let you go free," Duncan advised.
"Never!" hissed Hordak. Adora suddenly vanished from Lynn's hands and appeared in Hordak's. With one free hand, a burst of blue light came sailing out, striking both the Sorceress and Duncan. They went flying backwards and Hordak went running, Adora in tow.
"He's making for the transport!" shouted Duncan to the Sorceress, grabbing her by the hand and pulling her behind him.
The two ran through the empty hallways of Snake Mountain, Hordak just few steps ahead of them. Neither of them dared to take a shot, though, for desperate fear of injuring Adora. A feeling of intense dread sat coldly in their stomachs as they ran.
Hordak ran down a long set of steps. Duncan and Sorceress followed, ready for anything. The stairs came to an end at a long, lone corridor. It was empty.
"Where is he?" shouted Duncan.
"Outside!"
The pair ran hard and fast. They came out the end of the corridor, which was one of the main entrances of Snake Mountain. As soon as they exited, a beam of energy smashed down at them. The Sorceress threw up her hands and blocked it with a force field. However, as soon as she did, the Crystal of Alynel shimmered. Duncan grimaced. She was running out of power . . .
Thunderous explosions were then heard. All three of them looked over and watched as the forces of the Light Hemisphere charged towards Snake Mountain.
The transport ship began to lift off. Hordak looked down at Duncan and the Sorceress.
"It's over, Hordak. Give Adora up. The Horde War is finished!" roared Duncan, shaking his fist.
The Sorceress prepared a blast. But unexpectedly, another beam of energy tore out from Hordak's hand. Duncan pushed her out of the way as Hordak laughed wildly.
"You may have defeated us . . ." he declared. A portal opened behind him. ". . . But you'll never see this child again!"
And with that, Hordak and Adora were gone.