Author's Note:
These characters don't belong to me. They do, though, belong to Mattel. I'm not making any money off of this and so on.
This story is set about six weeks after the final episode of "She-Ra: Princess of Power" - the episode entitled "Swiffty's Baby."
This fic takes place in the same continuity as "Preludes and Beginnings," "The Elfsong of Eternia," "The Crossroads of Destiny," "Prophecy & Change," "Just Another Day," "The Final Adventure," "A Winter's Heart," and "The Shroud of the Horde." It serves as a basic sequel to "Just Another Day" and continues the Destiny series that started with "The Crossroads of Destiny," continued in "Prophecy & Change" and "Just Another Day."
This story is the sequel to "Liberty and Valor - Book One: Hope" and "Liberty and Valor – Book Two: Resistance," which is summarized below.
Previously:
Frustrated with his many failures, Hordak assembled a brain trust of Hordesmen to develop a plan to defeat the Great Rebellion and conquer Etheria. They did so, under the threat of death, in just under 48 hours. The plan was full proof; even Horde Prime thought so.
Horde Prime then informed Hordak that if his plan did not work, he would be executed. With Prince Zed organizing a massive revolution against Horde Prime, it would serve as an example as to just how ruthless Horde Prime truly was and would help put the kibosh on Zed's resistance.
The first phase of the plan was to find a way into the Whispering Woods. Hordak and Shadow Weaver ventured into the underground to awaken Light-Hope's evil counter-part, Dark-Hope. He-Man and She-Ra stopped Hordak, but until they discovered the not only would Dark-Hope awaken soon, but also that Hordak was given a bit of its power.
Afterwards, the plan was leaked to the Great Rebellion thanks to Angella's spy, Double-Trouble. She-Ra and Angella swore to have the plan unravel. In a manner much like Hordak's, various towns, cities, kingdoms, and peoples from across Etheria were called in for a meeting to discuss just how to counter Hordak's dastardly plan.
A full-scale revolution took place, in which Horde Harbor was destroyed, towns were freed from Horde rule through riots, taxes were halted, and key components to Hordak's plan were lost. While the Great Rebellion dealt with things on Etheria, She-Ra traveled to Horde World to meet with Prince Zed. She was captured, though, and was to be executed by Horde Prime himself. But at that last minute, She-Ra was rescued by the person she least expected: Skeletor!
She then returned to Etheria to aid the gathering of a massive army that would be marching soon to the Fright Zone . . .
Chapter One - "The Third Meeting"
The hill was well known. Widely considered by the denizens of the Whispering Woods as one of prettiest and among the tallest, it had a spectacular view of the woods. She-Ra stood upon its tall top, blue eyes gazing out at the multi-colored trees and occasional clearings and ponds that made up the Whispering Woods. Her view locked and fell upon a vast collection of flags and tents that laid out around the edge of the Woods.
The vast armies of Etheria were gathered here, 85,000 strong, ready to battle the Horde and destroy them once and for all. Or die trying . . .
Fighters, militias, and armies from Delvan, Lavender Pond and Greenthatch Village, Elberon, Thaymore, Northland, Dyl, Greenvale, Spikeheart, Erelandia, the Twiggets, Blue Mountain, Elfworld, Argo, the Jungle, of the Margicats, Sand Valley, Island Green Kingdoms, Salinius, of the Bibbets and Bibbetland, Castle Chill and the Snow-People, the Manchines, the Harpies, Glacia and the Selkies, Mystacore, and Brightmoon gathered near the edge of the Whispering Woods, ready for a battle that would go down in history.
"I can't believe that they've all come," said a small voice next to She-Ra. She-Ra smiled and looked over. Next to her was a small being in a rainbow-colored jumper with long, blue hair.
"Lookee, this a moment unlike any other," she told him. "A moment that – win or lose – will decide the fate of Etheria forever more. Your people have bared witness to many things. It is imperative that you are here when it happens."
Lookee grinned. "You think we'd stop now? After all this time?"
She-Ra shook her head and smiled. "No, I suppose not. You may want to hide, though, because they're coming up now."
She glanced over and Lookee was nowhere to be found. She smiled fondly and watched as the group walked up the hill and joined her. The sun was low in the sky, just an hour or so after dawn. They would be leaving soon.
The Great Rebellion was suddenly there, standing before her in all their glory. Flutterina, Mermista, Netossa, Bow, Sorrowful, Spinnerella, Glimmer, Castaspella, Frosta, Madame Razz, Broom, Kowl, SeaHawk, Sunder, and Queen Angella all walked up, taking in the fresh air the wonderful view.
"What is you wanted us for?" asked Angella, wings relaxed at her back.
She-Ra smiled, and waved her hand to a large collection of picnic baskets. "Breakfast," she told them all.
Sausages, eggs, flapjacks, flasks of coffee and juices, bacon, berries, jerky, and many other breakfast foods were immediately passed around the group. The ate heartily as the sun continued to rise. They chatted, all of them, about anything but the up-coming battle. She-Ra smiled and took in the sight. She spoke then.
"My friends, my dearest friends," she told them, "it is time I speak to you regarding this battle. We are about to engage in a march to war. A war that will surely change all Etheria in one way or another. And I should tell you that, no matter what happens, I shall always care for you all. You have embraced me a sister, all of you." Her eyes flickered to SeaHawk, to whom she knew that that didn't apply to. "And while I have led the Great Rebellion in victory many times, it would never have happened had it not been for all of you here. We would never have reached this point had it not been for you all here. It would not have mattered if not for all you."
She-Ra pulled out his shield. It was rarely ever used and looked almost new, it's gold radiating the morning sunshine.
"This is the Shield of Grayskull. During the Third Age of Eternia, my ancestor He-Ro used it in battle many times. Last night, I rechristened it. It is now the Shield of the Great Rebellion. All of your names have been etched in it. It is a symbol, a calling for us to rally around and use to protect those to whom evil wishes to strike. Today, tonight, and into tomorrow . . . we face our greatest challenge yet. And for all of you, with whom I have fought alongside, I say now that we will be victorious."
She-Ra raised the Shield of the Great Rebellion and their many fists followed it. Victorious . . . or die trying . . .
Across the solar system, on Eternia and in the kingdom of Eternos, King Randor stood in his chambers, Queen Marlena by his side. She tightened the chestplate of his armor and patted it. It was thick and hard as ever.
"That should do it," she stated and kissed him.
"Worried, my dear?"
She smiled a little, a bit of red filling her cheeks. "Always," Marlena replied. "And I'm actually feeling a bit nostalgic."
Randor perked an eyebrow. Another one of those Earth words that didn't make much sense. "What does that mean? Nervous?"
"No no, sweetie," she replied, arms around his waist. "It means that I'm feeling a strong . . . love for the past. I just remember the Horde War . . . or at least, right before it."
"Oh yeah," Randor answered, kissing her nose. "Back in the 'sausage days.'"
"Salad days, dear."
"Yeah, that one."
"It was such a wonderful time. Teelana, Susannah, Stratos, all of us . . . it was a time of my life that I will never, ever forget."
"Changed my life," he said to her. The two kissed one last time and then he pulled away from her. "I need get down there. They're waiting for me."
"Go on, I'll be down in a little bit."
Not far away, Kathryn and He-Man were sitting in small, closed off lounge. He held her tightly to him, his lips upon hers, huge arms squeezing her against him. She giggled a little when they released.
"I love the costume," she said, rubbing his thick forearms, then running her fingers across his broad chest.
"So you've said," he replied, running his hands through her hair. "But unfortunately, I need to get a move on. Plus, you don't want to run the risk of someone seeing us like this. You and He-Man having an affair would complicate things for you and Adam."
She laughed a little. "You always make me laugh, you big lug."
"It's what I do best."
"You do other things better."
It was his turn to laugh. He squeezed her hand and the pair began to walk to the door. "Remember what I told you. Adam and Adora are at Castle Grayskull, keeping it safe from Skeletor."
"Right, right."
The pair walked out of the lounge, then He-Man walked off towards the courtyard. Kathryn, though, joined Queen Marlena in the corridor. They walked along to one of the balconies that overlooked the courtyard.
"Your majesty, excuse me, but I have a question for you."
Marlena smiled at her. "Go ahead, dear."
"It's just that, well, you've seen King Randor go into battle many times, right?"
"Far too many."
"Well, it's just . . . I'm very worried about Adam . . ."
She nodded. "I understand. But you should know that He-Man is far stronger and more invulnerable than my husband. It's not just that, though. You have to realize that this isn't about choice. It's about duty. They have duty not just to people in general, but to the ideals of good and justice." Marlena then took a deep breath. "That being said, I'm not going to lie to you, dear. I get butterflies in my stomach every time that they go into battle."
"'Butterflies in what?'" questioned Kathryn.
"It's an Earth expression."
The pair came out the balcony. King Miro stood there as well, as he was helping keep the kingdom safe in the Heroic Warriors absence. Below, in the courtyard, a lyric, chiming song rose out from the Cosmic Key. The Heroic Warriors – being King Randor, He-Man, Teela, Man-At-Arms, Man-E-Faces, Mekaneck, Ram-Man, Stratos, Buzz-Off, Fisto, Moss Man, Roboto, Sy-Klone, Rio Blast, Extendar, Snout Spout, Clamp Champ, Rotar, Gwildor, Orko, Stonedar, Rokkon, and Pelicor – entered into the portal that formed from the Cosmic Key.
They arrived just as the Great Rebellion was coming down the hill. Immediately, both groups halted. That had been, for the past year, a lot tension between both groups. The Spirit of Evil had done a terrible thing, pitting the two teams together. And despite the fact they had worked together again after the event, the tension in the air was quite thick. For a long minute, they both just stood there, staring.
And then . . .
"Good to see you all," King Randor stated, breaking the ice.
"Likewise," Queen Angella replied, following through. These two had always gotten along.
"A lot things happened between our two groups," He-Man brought up. "A lot which was not our fault. Whatever tension there is between us . . . whatever happened . . . it ends now. We offer our apologies."
He-Man lifted the Battle-Axe of the Heroic Warriors.
"Your apologies are taken. The time for our tensions to end has come. An enemy we are both familiar with must be taken down. The only way to do that is stand together," She-Ra returned.
She-Ra lifted the Shield of the Great Rebellion.
And that was that. The two groups united, as one force of power and strength. Together, heroes and heroines that for so long served on two worlds came together. All those that witnessed this large battalion walk together was filled with the weight of their presence. Strength . . . power . . . wisdom . . . guidance . . .
It was in that moment, as the legion of Heroic Warriors and the Great Rebellion entered into the camp, that all knew that it came down to these people. That if this group could not destroy Hordak and end the Horde's reign on Etheria, no one could.
"Quite the show of force, dear," stated Angella's husband, King Micah.
"Thank you," she replied and turned to King Randor. "This is my husband, King Micah. Micah, this is King Randor."
"Pleasure. The leadership is meeting up front. We're moving out at mid-day."
Randor, She-Ra, He-Man, Man-At-Arms, Angella, Frosta, Micah, Mermista, and Glimmer all went into leadership tent.
An hour later, riders went out along the lines. Tents went down, everything was packed away. She-Ra saddled Swift-Wind. A large herd of Unicorns waited to carry the Great Rebellion onward, all from Unicorn Island – straight from the king himself! Flags unfurled, banners were waved, calls went out. The army began to organize itself, and segmented in the different groups and armies and races of Etheria.
Near the back, there was a pair of huge war machines. One was from Sallies, armed to the teeth – it was to be used for attack, but also doubled as a place for King Mercia's people to rejuvenate, as the whole seashell-shaped ship was filled with water. Likewise, two connected saucers walked on short legs, also well armed and the inside was frigid to serve as a temporary habitat for the Selkies and the Snow People.
"Prepare for departure!" shouted She-Ra.
Kowl flew above them waving a pair of yellow flags, indicating the preparation to march out. Kowl flew back and exchanged the yellow flags for green.
"We go," She-Ra told him.
Harpies screeched as Kowl passed them over. Horns sounded, drums thundered, the army of Etheria marched on to war . . .
Shadow Weaver, for the past few weeks, had since something moving close to their dimension. But it seemed, at times, to have been deceiving her about its location. However, after a long time of studying its tricks, Shadow Weaver found a way to get a hold of it.
She sat by cauldron filled with dark power. Her crystal ball glowed brightly next to it. Suddenly, a shadow overcame the crystal ball. It was time. From her fingers danced a smoky kind of spell that reached like vicious claws into the cauldron. The crystal ball began to shake, going to from dark to light as her spell wrestled with the object.
And then . . . there was a sudden clatter. A burst of power roared and the cauldron exploded. The crystal ball fell from the table and rolled across the dark room within Horror Hall. Shadow Weaver was thrown off her chair, which was now toppled onto ground.
She stood up, shocked that it had been so hard to recover. But her eyes widened at what she saw. It was a sword that sat amongst the ruins of the cauldron. It was smoldering, but that was really just from the spell she had used to bring it here.
The sword itself was identical to that of She-Ra and He-Man's. It was the same color of Skeletor's Sword of Darkness, which was violet. But this one had a red jewel on its crest. This was another sword altogether. As her bony hand grasped it, she knew that this sword came from Castle Grayskull. The power matrix was identical . . . and just as untouchable.
As soon as it was in her hand, she knew it was not meant for her. But who then? She was just about to sit down and begin to study it when there was a sudden beeping from her comm-panel.
"Shadow Weaver! Get over here immediately!" shouted Hordak.
She did so. Racing the wind, she arrived at the Fright Zone and entered into Doom Tower. Once arriving, she walked into the throne room, where much of Hordak's headmen stood, staring at a vid-screen.
"What is it? What is - "
But her words vanished from her mouth. An army of considerable size was marching out from the Whispering Woods. She turned to Hordak.
"They are coming here," he answered her unspoken question.
"How soon?"
"A few days. Four, we calculate."
"How are we going to stop them?" asked Manteena.
"An advance army, Hordak?" wondered Scurvy. "I will gladly lead them."
"You are mad," Hordak answered and Scurvy twitched. He wasn't completely healed from the last time he and Hordak had a 'talk.' "This isn't a regular army. The most powerful sorcerers on Etheria are marching with them."
"What do you advise we do, Hordak?"
Hordak snorted. "Gather our forces at the Slime Pit. Make a stand there. We can at least reduce their numbers. Until then, we increase our military might here. Manteena, Leech, Grizzlor – recall all Horde Troopers stationed within heavy rioting zones. Have them split, then. 2/3 to the Slime Pit, 1/3 here. Shadow Weaver, I want those wizards unable to do anything by the time they get here. Scorpia, increase security here. Modulock, I want all Horde Troopers prepared for battle in four days."
Hordak stood to his full height. "The day they enter the Fright Zone will be their last!"