Hordak stood in front of what was to be his newest force captain and frowned in irritation. "Explain this to me, Weaver. You were to break his will not his body."
"The damage to his body was a necessary side effect. His will proved much stronger than I anticipated." The witch simpered as she floated to her master's side. "It is good that I had a chance to try the spell before we attempt to use it on Adora."
"How much longer before his will is broken?" Hordak impatiently questioned.
"I could not break it, and I think his body would perish of pain and exhaustion even if I continued to try. He has no magic of his own that I could sense, but something was giving him the strength to resist all my efforts."
"Then his usefulness has greatly decreased." Hordak stroked his chin. "I suppose his capture was not a complete waste. She-Ra now belongs to me, and, given more time, perhaps he will draw Adora to me as well. I will have him moved to a dungeon cell."
"You misunderstand me, my Lord," Shadow Weaver corrected quietly. "He will be yours to command very soon."
"Explain yourself and quickly," Hordak growled.
Shadow Weaver bowed slightly in supplication. "Forgive me, Oh Mighty One. It was not my intention to mislead you. Sea Hawk's will could not be broken, so I broke his mind instead."
"How?"
"I erased his memories –"
"You what?" Hordak's anger flared once more. "He is of no use to my fleet if his memories as a sea captain are gone!"
"Not all his memories." Shadow Weaver confessed. "Only the past two years. His last true memories are as an agent of the Horde, when he smuggled supplies and sold them to us. His time with the Rebellion, with Adora, is gone. I implanted false memories of him joining the Horde and increased his desire for gold. He will believe he pledged himself to you for the riches you promised."
"Very good," Hordak praised as he wrapped his fingers around Sea Hawk's chin and tilted his face up to the light, "but he appears rebellious by nature. I wanted a force captain that would obey me without question."
"With the memories gone, I am able to bind him to you." Shadow Weaver's husky voice explained. "The spell is not the same, but he will not be able to resist any command you issue. He will want to please you."
"As it should be with all of my force captains." Hordak smiled, satisfied with this outcome. "And if confronted with Adora?"
"He will not remember her." Shadow Weaver confirmed. "There is the possibility that he could develop feelings for her once more though. It is unlikely as his moral character will have been altered, but I cannot prevent it from happening. I can, however, erase it if it does. Should you desire that, my Lord."
"Hmmm . . ." Hordak mused. "I will think on that. Perhaps such an encounter could be used to our advantage. Or at the very least to hurt Adora. She must know punishment before she can resume her place as my protégé."
"She will return to us. You have seen it."
"Yes, she will be mine again." Hordak turned away and began to walk toward the door. "How much longer?"
"A few more hours to complete the spell. I must go slowly or I could destroy his mind altogether. Unless you only want him to do as you command and nothing more."
"No, I need an able sea commander. He has proved troublesome to us in the past, perhaps we can put that to use against the Rebellion."
"Of course, sire."
Hordak grunted in vague approval. "And his broken body?"
"I will use my magic to heal him. You will be able to assign him to your fleet by morning." Shadow Weaver assured him.
"If this works, you will be well rewarded."