Chapter 9
"Woo! Did you see that I was on fire!" Adora said pacing back and forth that night, she was still quite pumped from the battle against Count Marzo and saving the village, "Oh man, Catra, I gotta admit, it felt good"
Catra frowned, "Yeah, that's what I'm worried about"
Melog hopped on the bed keeping close to Adora sensing Catra's protective instincts starting to take hold.
Adora had been going on and on about their little adventure in the village against some random evil wizard. Catra had kept quite through most of the aftermath allowing her parents and the other so called Masters to listen to Adora tell her tale of working with He-Man, but deep down she could just tell it was pure trouble, plain and simple.
For years Adora had always had a hero complex, first in the Horde when she had to be the best soldier, Shadow Weaver's favorite because of the pressure put on her. Then as the hero of the rebellion as She-Ra. Now, now what? Impress parents she just met? Or worse, enjoy the battle because that was all she knew, all they knew. Just thinking that made Catra clench her first, she hated to think that might be going inside Adora's head right now.
A need to play hero mixed with a need to want to please this new family of hers. Catra knew that she wanted everyone to be happy, but knew that Adora would to great lengths to please everyone. As the old saying went if you please everyone you please no one. But knowing Adora stubbornness she was gonna try but it wouldn't end well.
Still Catra smiled as she just listened to Adora continue to talk about the mission. Her excitement was intoxicating to watch, if incredibly stupid. But that's what she loved about her.
Adora, her big dummy.
"I mean I was all like BOOM and he was like mwahaha...and I then like boom kick!" Adora played out the day over and over again, "It was amazing! Haven't felt this good since taking out Horde bots..Oh no offense".
"Heh, non taken, maybe if we get back home I'll have Entrapta round up some leftovers and we can go a few rounds"
Adora chuckled, "Sure...Why not, I mean come on...Did you see me out there, I was awesome" she started stretching a bit to unwind.
"It was also reckless," Catra muttered sitting down on the bed, Melog was next to them resting on their lap, "Come on Adora, years of Horde training and yet you still don't come up with a plan"
"We had a plan to rescue the village"
"Yeah while you and bro had your little rock competition" Catra argued.
"Oh we were just having fun" Adora shrugged, "Sibling rivalry like the spar challenge, that's what siblings do right?"
"I don't know never had siblings"
"I mean...Do we count since we grew up?" Adora tapped her chin, "And what about Lonnie, Rogelio and Kyle"
Catra shuddered, "Eh...The idea of Kyle being my brother...No thank you"
"Ha! As if! Oh, I gotta get changed, be out in a giff" Adora rushed over to the private bathroom.
Catra chuckled and headed out of the room for a bit with melog to get some fresh air.
Despite the jokes Catra still felt uncomfortable. Adora was starting to like this place. Making her worried if she would choose to stay and while if she did Catra would stay with her as well, she couldn't help but feel she was staying for the wrong reasons. This planet was a bit like Eternia before the way, bad guys to fight, people to help, always action. Honestly it was less the family and more just wishing to keep Adora safe that kept Catra on edge.
"I don't know Melog" Catra sighed looking at her friend, "I want Adora to be happy, even if that mean she stays here, but if she wants to stay here because
Suddenly her ear twitched as she heard the sound of footsteps walking down the hall. Looking up she saw a familiar looking tall figure, standing straight, hands behind back walking down the hall. Hordak in all his stiff appearance.
"Hey Hordak" Catra muttered, getting his attention, "Where's Entrapta?"
"She's taking a nap on a makeshift workbench, I thought best I don't disturb and thus take as they say...a midnight stroll"
Catra snickered, "You taking a walk? Never thought I'd see that day"
"I have learned to appreciate the smaller things in life since my freedom from Prime" A small smirk appeared upon Hordak's face.
"Better than mopping around your sanctum all day"
Hordak nods, "Yes...I notice you are not with Adora? Is something the matter"
They both stood there in silence for a few moments, looking at one another. Catra was a bit surprised that Hordak of all people was concerned about her personal life. Perhaps Entrapta was rubbing off on him after all. Then again both were trying to be more sympathetic towards others in general.
"Hey um….M-Mind if I join you" Catra answered, trying to avoid direct talk on her issues.
Hordak was quite again before nodding, "Very well"
So the two former Horde leaders walked in silence, Melog a few feet behind them keeping a eye on Catra. It was such a strange sight for anyone who knew them. Their history, the hurt they both inflicted on each other and others in general. Now the two of them who once terrorized a planet, now walked across the halls of a new castle, in peace.
Continuing their walk they passed a few guards who gave them a look, Catra saw Hordak grimace but press on.
"You too huh" Hordak looked down to see Catra walking next to him now, "Don't worry you get used to it a lot back home"
"The whispers"
"The glares" Catra muttered.
"The hate " They both said in unison, looking at each other in shock.
Hordak sighed, "We are definitely as the Etherian saying goes, in the same boat...Catra, even on another planet we are the suspected ones"
"Yeah, though for me it's more my own fault than yours, you have the whole...Clone excuse"
"Perhaps" Hordak eyes narrowed, "But I do not want any excuses, despite what you or Entrapta will say, my actions happened, and I want to prove to Entrapta that I am worthy of her"
At this Catra laughed, "Please, you don't have to do that, she's head over heels for you, honestly you could have ruled Etheria and so long as you two had tech, you'd be happy, trust me, I'm the one who has the most to prove to Adora"
"Adora does not see you as worthy?"
"Adora" Catra looked chuckled sarcastically, "She'd be to dumb to realize if I wasn't, honestly sometimes I wonder if I am even worthy of her"
"Entrpata and Adora may think we are worthy, but no one else will, nor honestly...I don't think they should"
Catra nodded, "For once, I think we agree"
"Etherian...Or Eternian" Hordak sighed, "But I suppose that is our lot in life, and I have seen...kidness, from others beyond Entrapta"
"Like who?" Catra asked, genuinely curious.
"Well from Adora for one"
Catra smiled, "She's nice to everyone"
"And Former Force Captain Scorpia" Hordak added.
"That doesn't surprise me" Catra smiled again, "She forgave me so easily...I still don't get it, I wa horrible to her and yet, yet she said it was water under the bridge"
"Also for the Sea Pirate SeaHawk has apparently taken a shine to me for whatever strange reason"
Catra was taken a back and laughed, "Oh you must love that"
"I don't" Hordak muttered, "But I am at least glad for Entrapta's sake that others have accepted me, though I know deep down not everyone will"
"Same" Catra nodded, "But it makes Adora happy, and that's all I want from her now" she cuckles bitterly, "It's funny, I used to think she got everything she wanted, that she had this perfect life but now...Now I realize she never got anything she wanted, she was robbed of everything...By Shadow Weaver, by Light Hope...The stupid first ones...I'm worried this family will try to take advantage of her too"
Hordak raised an eyebrow, "You don't trust them?
"I'm worried they only see her as She-Ra, like everyone always does" Catra looks at Hordak now, "I mean, there King was pretty fishy about when Adora left"
Hordak looked confused, "How so"
"He just says that Skeleton or whatever his name is just so happens to attack the Kingdom on the day Adora vanishes, I mean that seems suspicious to me" Catra interjects, "Like, that can't be a coincidence maybe something happened, maybe they purposely sent her away, maybe he was in league with Light Hope"
"Or maybe you are letting your own paranoia get the better of you...again" Hordak muttered
"Well at least I'm being paranoid FOR Adora this time" Catra argued, taking a moment before chuckling "It's funny, you never saw her as She-Ra at all throughout the entire war...Or even when you took her as a baby"
"How do you know that?"
"Adora told me, and I put two and two together" Catra stated, "You are probably the only other person I know who never saw Adora as She-Ra first"
Catra saw Hordak look up a bit confused.
"To be fair I never saw her at all" Hordak commented,
"You mean like at all at all?" Catra asked.
"I only knew here from her file, and the few reports you gave me when she was in the rebellion, outside of that you tended to the one obsessed with her". Hordak commented, "Although only in retrospect I started putting the pieces of your relationship with each other during the war"
Catra chuckled again bitterly, "Yeah...wow...Shadow Weaver did lie to her"
"What do you mean?" Hordak raised an eyebrow.
"She used to say that she was the future of the Horde and how you were looking greatly into her training and had big plans for her"
"Plans?" Hordak now chuckled bitterly, "I never once had plans for either of you, Shadow Weaver may have brought up something about her magic once, but I barely remember, the only other time I remember seeing Adora's name was when Shadow Weaver wanted approval to make her force captain, after that, again you brought her up more than me"
Catra nodded, Hordak really wasn't as obsessed with personal grudges then just conquering Etheria for Prime. A different type of single mindess, but still one that ended in their ultimate failure in the end.
"Funny" Catra snickered, "I spent so long trying to get Adora to stay but now I want her to go...away from this place, not from me obviously...But, if this is what Adora wants, and I'm torn because I want to give her what she wants too".
"But do you want it?" Hordak asked, "Isn't compromise a healthy part of a relationship? That is what Entrapta has told me of course"
Catra stiffened for a moment and sighed, "I'll make it work, and I won't let Adora be taken advantage of, she deserves everything, and I want to give it her".
-000-
Etherians were odd creatures.
Very emotional, and quite frankly quite irrational so much of the time. At least, that is what Hordak had observed all these years of being around Etherians. Always from afar, always a distance but never interacting with any of them. In hindsight war seemed quite simple: just lead one's armies on the march and conquer .That was until Entrpata came into his life, and changed everything. How little did he really know of the planet he had lived on for years before he met. It was like getting hit by a neuron blaster and finally coming and releasing him.
Entrapta had been a blessing in so many ways that he would never truly be able to comprehend it. She was his guide through the strange ways of Etheria and now apparently this world of Eternia. Even though she herself knew little about it. All he knew was that it was in Prime's backup logs and forbidden from the rest of the former Hive Mind. What did his former progenitor want to hide here? What exactly was this planet's secret? Personally he didn't care but apparently it was important to Adora, and despite the irrationality of it all, he wanted to help. Perhaps to atone for his many sins on Etheria.
If only he knew how.
So far Entrpata had been busy going through the tech of this city, continuing to spend time with the one called Roboto. Hordak always felt a tinge of something that he couldn't depict whenever this was happening. However that would go away whenever he saw just how happy she was. He could never take away that feeling from her no matter how he felt about it.
"Brother!" Hordak jumped as Wrong Hordak, or Zed, walked up towards him alongside Emily, having spent much time now in the Eternia palace gardens, for some reason wanting to observe the planet life. He was surprised the Princess Perfuma as not around.
"Zed, Emily" Hordak muttered, noticing Imp was with him hanging on his shoulder, "Be careful brother, don't let the little spy dangle to much, he'll think your a chair"
Imp stuck out his tongue and jumped onto Hordak's shoulder now, "Fine...For now" Hordak hissed at his tiny associate.
"So, what are you doing on this lovely day?" Zed asked eagerly, his usual cheerful smile plastered all over his face. He was always quite the optimist.
Hordak signed, "I suppose I was enjoying the peace and quiet of the gardens, these last few days have been quite...eventful"
"Ah yes, this new planet is quite interesting, I'm still not sure why Prime would want to keep this place a secre, although perhaps it was because it was a such a joyful place he did not wish us to know joy. Given how unjust he was during his reignt" Zed nodded, "Although I have also heard the news about Little Sister Catra's stress. Also apparently Brother Adora is also in some sort of stress trying to maintain peace between everyone or so Brother Glimmer told me when cooking some lunch on Darla. I find the news quite...stressing. ".
Hordak nodded, "Agreed, those two have always had...History. Looking back, I feel like I should have realized Catra's instance of going after her during the war. Then again I had prior concerns such as the portal and Entrap-" he paused and shook it off, "The point is, those two are always as Entrapat would say...In a tizzy"
"Is a tizzy not a good thing?"
"No"
"Oh my" Zed's ears drooped down.
Hordak sighed, "Yes, and let's just say I have seen what Catra's own tizzy's can be like first hand and they are...as the Etherian saying goes...not pretty"
"Is there anything I can do" Zed looked worried, "I do not like the thought of our brothers in stress"
"I'm afraid this is beyond our field of expertise" Hordak responded, "Beside's I doubt they want to see us at the moment"
Zed ears drooped in sadness, "Oh, I see…"
"Beep Boop"
"But if you wish, you may try" Hordak muttered.
All of a sudden Zed beamed with joy, "Oh happy day brother, I will find something cheer up our brothers" with that he and Emily were off leaving Imp tos tand on Hordak's shoulder.
"Guess it's just you and I, little Spy"
"Entrapta!" Imp said in Hordak's voice.
"She's busy"
"Entrapta!"
"She's busy observing this planets tech, especially the one called Robot, sentient robot's are a rarity it seems, although I did see some weaponry around the palace" Hordak stated as he continued to look around the garden, "It does seem quite advance, I wonder how it would help up against one of our tanks"
"Perhaps if we visit Etheria we can test it"
Hordak froze and turned around, seeing Queen Marlena standing before him now. A calm expression on her face, hands by her waist as she just continued to stand there in silence. Hordak felt his cheeks blush from embarrassment as Imp gave a bright chirp. The tension in the area grew for a few seconds before he let out a small cough.
"I-I merely meant for pure scientific reasons" Hordak assured her, giving a bow "Nothing more"
Queen Marlena nodded, "Of course, would you mind if we joined you in your walk"
"Uh…N-no, not at all" Hordak responded, despite wanting to say no, he couldn't refuse his host, nonetheless the Queen, "Your majesty"
"Thank you, come on, the gardens are quite lovely"
Thus Hordak followed Queen Marlena around the palace gardens. He had to wonder what some of the guards thought. There royal walking around with him, the defective clone, the former lord of the Etherian Horde. He who had brought so much suffering all because of his own stupid obession to return to his brothers side. A brother who never loved him. One who only used him as canon fodder and cattle, perhaps even worse.
"Imperfection is Beautiful" Imp chirped in Entrapta's voice, a reminder of what was important.
Hordak smiled lighty, "Yes, thank you"
Entrpata was the gift that kept on giving, even the sound of her voice and wise words could cause ease to his always stirring mind. Still, he couldn't help but feel some sort of guilt for the actions he did on Etheria. Every day he wished nothing more than to make up for his past deeds, and to live a life of peace with his lab partner.
"So, your majesty" Hordak said, "I doubt you just wanted to walk, is there anything I could do for you"
Queen Marlena looked at him, as if to ascertain his motives before asking, "Why did you rescue Adora all those years ago"
"I-" Hordak seemed taken aback, "Don't understand"
"I know a bit more about the Horde than I let on, I didn't want to frighten Randor at the time. Nor worry Adora, who I can tell thinks we don't understand her entire situation. Which in some ways, we really never can" Queen Marlena sighed, "Like I said I was a First One, I grew up in a colony, long since the decline of the once mighty Empire. But I know of our past, our dark past, but I also know of the enemies we fought. Prime and his forces were just as bad if not perhaps worst, I know of his clone armies, but I don't know why one would want a first one's child in there ranks...Granted I never heard of a clone that built up their own private army".
"Ah I see-" Hordak coughed, Imp just looking confused as he sat on his shoulders, "It was not by any grand design on my or Prime's part I assure you. I found myself on Etheria years prior, alone and isolated, wanting to get back to Prime after he himself essentially banished me from the fold".
"I see...Go on" Marlena looked intrigued.
Hordak took a deep breath, not enjoying reliving his past "Long story short, I built an empire on Etheria in hopes of conquering it, my own Horde if you will. So that when I did return to Prime, I would show him that I was worthy of rejoining his ranks".
"Impressive" Queen Marlena nodded, "From what I hear Prime's Clones are mere extension of his will, but you were able to make a life for yourself"
Those words were one's he had used on Prime during the final battle.
"Yes...Though I suppose not one I wish I could have had" Hordak grunted, "During that time I tried to create a portal to return to Prime, during one of my many years, I found a energy reading of sub multiversal energy, I quickly went towards it, thinking it was prime, thinking that he had finally come for me"
"And yet...You found Adora" Marlena finished for him, "And took her in to your Horde?"
Hordak nodded, "Yes"
"And you took her ...Because?"
"To be honest...I don't know" Hordak remained silent as the two of them just continued walking,
Marlena nodded, "From what I can tell, it didn't seem like it was for any malevolent intent" she looked at him closer, "You don't seem like a bad person to me"
"Many in Etheria would disagree" Hordak gave a sarcastic chuckle, "As for why...Like I said, I wasn't sure. I was alone when I found her, the force I brought with me stayed behind, for I wished for it to be just me and Prime thinking he had returned to me, which obviously he didn't...Yet, when I saw her...I...I don't know. Perhaps, perhaps it was pity. Sadness, mercy? I don't know. Understanding emotions is still very new to me. All I knew was that I was going to bring her back with me, for...For I wanted her to have use, because if she had use...Maybe I could still have some too. That no one is completely useless."
Queen Marlena seemed puzzled, not upset, just curious, "Use? Like in a plan"
"No, just...Just in general, a reason to exist, a purpose" Hordak frowned, "Where I come from, not having use means you get tossed aside, I had to believe everyone could have a purpose, a use. To know they aren't a failure. I know now that people are worth more than that...At least that's what Entrapta teaches me"
Marlena nodded, "And not once did you see Adora as some sort of tool to be used, someone special for your own ends"
"Never" Hordak replied, "I never knew she was magical or She-Ra, if anything she would just have been another nameless soldier, although Shadow Weaver convinced me to make her a Force Captain before she defected but even then that was her instance, not mine"
A moment of silence between them as they kept walking.
"So you want to see yourself as useful?" Marlena asked.
Hordak nodded, "She would not approve, but I feel like I have much to prove myself to the Etherians, they I have been forgiven but I know deep down I have a debt to repay them"
"I see…" Marlena looked puzzled, "Well on Eternia, no one knows who you are, yes we heard your story but we have no reason to judge you either way"
"Are you giving me residence?"
Queen Marlena chuckled, "If you wish, like I said no one would know you"
"Hmm...Tempting" Hordak shook his head, "But I will not leave Entrapta and she will not leave Etheria, or at least would not leave permanently, she would leave to see space though"
"She enjoys the stars"
"Very much" Hordak nodded, "Plus as for myself, I feel as if I have a debt to pay to that world for the damage I caused. No matter what Entrapta tells me otherwise, I want to make up for the damage I did in my foolish attempts to return to Prime. I like to think that so long as Entrapta is with me, Etheria is my home".
"Very noble" Queen Marlena smiled.
Noble, that was not a word Hordak was used to be called, abomination, villain, tyrant, never noble. He wasn't quite sure how to feel about being called that.
"Ah I see court is in session and oh…" Marlena stopped.
Hodak looked up, their walk had gone a lot farther than he realized.
No longer were they in the palace gardens anymore, instead they had walked all the way to Eternian Palace's Throne Room. King Randor was there as well as Adora, Adam and Man at Arms. Apparently some elderly woman was there speaking to them about something. Everyone seemed so distraught. With his hearing Hordak was able to hear what they were talking about even from this distance.
"The Snake Men?" Adora asked, "What are they"
"Snake Men are ancient beings from Eternia's past, although recently they've shown up again" Man at Arms explained, "They are led by someone named...King Hiss"
Hordak's eyes widened, "I-I know that name" he muttered.
"What name?" Marlena asked.
"King Hiss...It, it's not my memory but...Prime's"
Without realizing Hordak walked up a bit closer now everyone noticed until Adora looked up at him and made eye contact.
"Lord...I- mean, Hordak" Adora blinked, "What are you doing here"
"I heard the terms Snake Men and King Hiss" Hordak replied truthfully, "I am aware of them, my memory is vague but...I-I believe Prime faced them once"
Adora beamed, "Great! Hey maybe you can come with us and help"
"What I - Uh? " Hordak seemed taken aback, "You want me to accompany you"
"Yes" Adora pounded her fist together, "You me, will bring Catra too...Entrapta could come along obviously, with some She-Ra magic will take this Snake Men head on"
Man at Arms raised a eyebrow, "You seem quite confident in this"
"Heck yeah" Adora nodded, "If I'm gonna stay here for a few days then I want to make sure that She-Ra is at the service of the people of Eternia.
"Now, old lady, ma'am, where did you see these Snake Men again"
"Well I think it's a excellent idea" Marlena replied, "You seem to do well with your friends Adora, and we are always happy to have more helpful and useful hands alongside us when fighting those who would do the people harm"
Hordak wasn't sure if that was a complement or not, "I uh…" he sighed and bowed, "I will be honored to help"
"Bring Adam along with you Duncan" Randor replied, "It's good for him to know more about his sister, both on and off the field"
"Great!" Adora beamed, "Come on Hordak this will be fun"
Hordak frowned, Adora was sounding very much like Entrapta, however he wasn't sure if he considered She-Ra's version of fun...fun.
"So old lady person" Adora said looking at the eldarly woman, "Where did you see the Snake Men"
"Thank you kindly all of you" She said in a haggard voice, "The Snake Men were deep in the caves, somewhere in subturnia, I hear they are plotting something against the King, though what I do not know".
"We will aid you in any way we can" Randor said.
The woman bowed, "Oh yes, thank you thank you, I hope that this new warrior She-Ra appears"
Adora stepped forward, "Well don't worry...She's already here...For the Honor of Grayskull!" In a flash of light she had transformed into the mighty She-Ra, brave and tall,
Hordak couldn't help but think...It was a tad overdramatic.
"So...Ready to go brother" Adora looked at Adam.
Hordak raised a eyebrow, brother...He never heard that word in a positive light
-000-
Adam and the others exited the transport near the entrance of Subternia. Cringer kept close to his knee, his frightened nature getting the best of him as he looked into the dark tunnel that was the entrance to this part of the Kingdom.
"Ah don't be worried Cringe you got company" Adam patted his head.
Melog walked up to Cringer rubbing against his head and giving him meows of encouragement. Cringer grinned as they headed off.
"Aww, friends already" Adora beamed looking at the two felines, "See...One big happy family"
"Yeah...Happy family" Catra muttered.
Adam chuckled nervously. The ride was quite especially given the company this time. Although a few times he would try to lighten the mood with some of his usual quips and jokes. Bow at least tended to enjoy his sense of humor. Everyone else either moaned and rolled their eyes like usual. Except for Hordak who just remained quiet, and Entrapta who was taking notes on her pad or examining Roboto, who she was obsessing over. A few times Adam thought Catra was giving him a death glare but it was hard to tell. All the while Adora looked extremely nervously, smiling wide. He could tell she was trying hard to make everyone happy.
"So where are we headed again?" Catra grunted as they kept moving,
"Subternia, Eternia underground" Man at Arms explained.
"And we're fighting Snake People?" Catra asked.
Adam nodded.
The Snake Men had become a recurring threat to Eternia now for the better part of a year. Ever since one of their descendants by the name of Kobra Khan had managed to set them free. Once they were an ancient army, almost conquering the entire planet under the command of their ruthless leader the all mighty King Hiss. Terrible, and evil, they were one of the greatest threats the planet had faced, second only to Skeletor himself.
Along with Adora, Catra, Bow and Glimmer, the other Etherians Hordak and Entrapta joined them too. Man at Arms, Teela and Roboto also were around.
This mission was stranger than the last. Now they were apparently taking someone who was the leader of the army trying to conquer his sisters adopted home?
Adam didn't have much of an opinion on it outside that it was strange to see so many enemies be allies all of a sudden. It made him wonder just how the war for Etheria really ended, for it seemed lke something that he wouldn't even believe no matter how many times people heard him
As for the mission itself, Subternia was the underworld of Eternia, home to the Spleanes and Caligars, two factions who had much mistrust for one another. His father King Randor had brokered peace between them several times but that didn't make the place any more dangerous. It was a large network of tunnels and caverns that one could easily get lost if not careful. Thankfully Roboto had a navigation system within him to insure they weren't lost in any way.
"Snake Men, ha! I've taken on Snake Men" Catra replied.
Hordak seemed shocked, "When did this happen!"
"When you banished me to the Crimson Waist" Catra said quite matter of factly.
"Aw...I see" Hordak tapped his chin, "Perhaps descendants of the original species"
"Yeah…" Catra muttered before smirking, "To bad Scorpia's back with Perfuma, she would love to see me taken them down again"
Adam blinked, the conversation was strange, so casual to talk about being banished. He was standing a few feet away from Hordak while walking. He definitely looked like someone who would be part of Subternia or even the Dark Hemisphere. With those glowing red eyes and scowl. It felt like he would fit right in with Skeletor and the other Evil Warriors, maybe even be a partner. However Adora said he was a friend and the one who saved her when she was a baby.
"You took down Sname Men?" Adam asked.
"Yep...or at least Snake Men of Etheria...Took over there entire gang, could have ruled the Crimson Waist too...But then…" Catra frowned, "Stuff happened and ….Here we are!"
"Let me guess, it's complicated," Adam asked.
Catra was silent, "Anyway...Why are we here, not just send a army and deal with these Snake People"
"We aren't just going to send an army into foriegn territory, Subternia is not only dangerous but home to some of our allies" Man at Arms argued.
Catra rolled her eyes, "Okay, why not just make bots, you go one fighting Robot just send a bunch of them, how the Horde did things and it worked"
"Yeah, until we kicked your butt" Glimmer smirked.
"That was never proven" Catra huffed, "We pretty much had you guys on the ropes till you got all magical on us"
"Yeah, and we kicked your butt"
Entrapta pulled out a pad, "Actually according to the data the Horde was on the precipice of victory until it was not. The Heart of Etheria plan was doomed from the start"
"Ha! See Data never lies and I was about to win"
"What no way!" Glimmer shouted, "We had you on the ropes, the Princesses wiped out a good chunk of your bots and soldiers were retreating left right and center"
"Either way!" Man at Arms interrupted with a annoyed tone "We aren't just going to start randomly invading place even if it means to face a enemy" , "I don't know what you were taught but if we overstep our bounds then who knows where we end up"
There was another round of awkward silence again, Adora bit her lip and took Catras hand a bit tightly. Adam felt a bit bad that things between the two groups were getting awkward. Perhaps some different topics were necessary.
"So...Hordak" Adam tried to stir up conversation, again "You saved my sister when she was a baby...t-that's nice...Meant I didn't get to be a only child but nice" he laughed nervously at his own dark humor
"I am told as much by Adora and your mother" Hordak responded.
Adam grimace, guess humor wasn't his thing "Uh huh...So...W-What are you anyway, a bat...Part of the Spleanes species?"
Hordak scowled, "I do not know what those, I am a Clone of Br- of Horde Prime"
Entrapta interjected, "Oh Hordak is more than that, he is quite brilliant, he built a Empire from nothing but a broken ship, tech and weapons that no one has even seen...and bots...LOTS and LOTS of BOTS!"
"Looks like you have competition then" Adam looked at Man at Arms snickering a bit, "Be careful he might steal your job"
Man at Arms frowned, "I'm sure Hordak's technology is impressive"
"Well, not like anything Entrapta could make" Hordak added.
Entrapta blushed, "Oh well, I dabble a bit"
"Dabble?" Hordak gasped, "You built weapons and technology I could never imagine, your machinery is grander than anything any common Etherian could ever comprehend, not even the Rebellions so called Tech Master could compare"
"I think I just got insulted" Bow muttered under his breath.
Hordak sighed, "I was just making a observation based on the intelligence data I received on you"
"Intelligence data?" Bow raised a eyebrow, "Uh, what other intelligence do you have on me"
"Much" Hordak answered, "Such as the name of your father and all your brothers"
"Okay" Glimmer interjected, "Well we know what we are getting from the Fright Zone when we get back home then".
"Oh very true" Entrapta nodded excitedly, "I haven't had time to move most of the bots back to Dryll since I repaired them"
Glimmer grimace, "YOU WHAT!"
"I saw all those poor boys laying around there in the armory, and I couldn't bear to see them in pain" Entrapta spoke like the bots were living people, "So I fixed them, gave them some upgrades, and a master control beacon connected to my datapad"
Catra blinked, "You uh...You did all that?"
"Yep, the bots back in the Fright Zone could have a lot of uses like mining and helping rebuild" Entrpata added, "And if not we can still use them for self-defense purposes, I mean they have a lot of weapons that still work"
Glimmer again looked like she was about to faint, "Will uh...will discuss all this when we get home"
"Okay!"
Adam chuckled nervously, "But uh...What uh...What species are you? If you are species, is that rude to ask, I'm not sure"
"It's fine" Hordak grunted, "Honestly, I'm not really sure...That information has been lost to time"
"I know it's fascinating really" Entrapta popped up behind Adam now as she walked at his other side, "I've been going over Horde Prime's data to see if I can't find anything on Hordak's actual species of origin but so far I've found nothing, but that's not gonna stop me"
"Right...Heh, heh...Nice" Adam gave Entrapta a nervous smile.
Entrapta was a strange one, but that could be said of Adora's fellow Etherian friends. She was quite hyper, and definitely seemed to have a close relationship to Hordak, always by his side every time he saw her. She also had a big round bot with her, apparently named Emily, although they were back at the Castle at the moment with the other Hordak creature or he guessed clone.
"Sooooo" Entrpata said slyl, "What do you know about Roboto huh, what are his gears, wiring, how does the circuitry like"
Adam blinked, "Uh...I don't know...Go ask Man at Arms, he made him not me"
"I have, he didn't seem interested"
Hordak scoffed, "It appears then you Eternians aren't as interested in good conversation as Etherians. Never interested in scratching beyond the surface." he turns to Roboto, "You have here a practically sentient Artificial Lifeform just like Emily and yet you are not interested on how it happened"
"I mean he built himself with Skeletor attacked, that's the story" Adam answered
"Fascinating!" Entrapta beamed, "He actually built himself into existence"
"Well Robot was a A.I to play chess and then yeah...he built himself some armor to help fight the good fight"
Entrapta nodded taking notes, "Wow! That sounds amazing! He actually wanted to help and fight!"
"Robot's fighting for the good guys" Catra snickered, "This world really is topsy turvey ain't it Adora"
Adora chuckled, "Guess so"
"I don't understand the joke" Roboto replied, "Robots do not have any moral alignment, it's merely a projection of our programming"
"Agreed" Entrpata replied, "But that doesn't mean I don't think A.I like you, Emily or Darla should be treated as just things, your people too...You're all so wonderful and unique".
Roboto just looked and Entrapta, "I believe that was a complement, so thank you for the compliment"
"Your welcome!"
Adam just chuckled to himself as they continued to press forward now. As they did he just saw Hordak muttering something to Entrpata as she began to look over his arm, pulling out a few tools and adjusting the metal on it.
"Weirdest, mission, ever" Catra muttered as they began to enter into the caves, "I don't know what though, the fact I'm with my girlfriends brother or the fact my ex-boss is helping us"
"I think this is a great social bonding experience" Entrapta beamed as she started examining the rocks, "Former colleagues coming together, not to mention I'm sure Adora is getting much data interacting with her blood sibling"
Adora seemed confused by a nodded smile, "Uh...y-yes...See, Etherian and Eternian coming together against bad guys! As it should be"
"Is she always like this" Adam asked, sounding annoyed..
Glimmer chuckled, "Only when she's excited
"I am not Etherian though" Hordak commented.
"Well, technically neither am I but I think I consider myself Etherian" Adora responded, "It's my adopted home after all"
Hordak raised an eyebrow, "Adopted home?"
"Yes, I wasn't born there but living their means it's my home and I have feeling toward it"
Hordak blinked, seeming confused, "So...Since you lived in the Fright Zone did you once consider that home too" he asked, genuinely curious, the idea of an adopted home was one he did not fully understand.
"Well uh…" Adora flinched unsure.
"Oh please Hordak, that hunk of junk was no one's home, did you even consider it home?"
"I…" Hordak was confused, "It was my base of operation, nothing more"
"So see, why did you consider it home" Catra shrugged.
"I see…"
Listening to Adam never considered the idea of a 'adopted home' he had only known one home, Eternia. However that wouldn't matter much, they still had to press on, complete the mission.
"So what exactly do you know about the Snake Men?" Man at Arms ask as they headed down another tunnel, the light getting better indicating lava pits nearby.
Hordak grunted as if struggling to remember, "V-Very little. What I can reccolate from the hive mind it was a species Horde Prime fough, though clearly he didn't wipe them out completely if they still live"
"Gee Hordak that's morbid" Catra grunted.
"You know what Prime is capable of" Hordak replied, "If these Snake Men are conquerors then Prime would have sought them eliminated for good, even you should know standard Horde Protocol at this point"
Catra stiffened a bit before sighing, "Yeah, I know"
"I don't think i wanna know what standard Horde Protocol is" Adam whispered to Adora, she nodded in agreement as the two kept going.
As they kept on walking Adam could hear Man at Arms and Teela talking in a soft voice from behind him.
"Didn't Adora say that the one called Hordak tried to conquer Etheria?" Teela whispered to Man at Arms.
"Apparently, but what she also said it's a complicated story"
Teela huffed, "What so complicated of someone trying to conquer a planet, sounds a lot like Skeletor and Hiss if you ask me"
"Adora trust them, so I will for now"
"Very well, but I got my eye on them...and that cat"
Adam grimaced, biting his lip, he wanted to say something but part of him felt that it wasn't his place too. Despite somewhat trusting Adora, he couldn't say he felt the same about the others. All of this was still strange and new to him and he didn't quite know what to make of any of it.
"Hey what's wrong?" Adora asked, now walking by Adam's side.
"Nothing it's" Adam was looking at Hordak again, "That guy really tried to take over your planet"
"Well, yes, well...He wanted to do it for his creator Horde Prime but yeah...kinda" Adora explained fumbling her fingers, "He's good now"
Adam breathed, "It's just weird, it would be like if Skeletor surrendered and we were all buddy buddy with him now"
"Well...maybe because Skeletor was never able to find love" Adora eyed Entrpata who held Hordak's hand a bit.
Adam blinked, "Skeletor find love...that would be strange"
"I mean, stranger things have happened"
Catra walked up to them and smirked, "I guess it's also a good thing we're friends with Entrapta, otherwise I don't really think she'd care much if Hordak went back to conquering worlds so long as she had tech"
"Catra" Adora hissed.
Catra rolled her eyes, "So, some old lady comes and says Snake Men are planning something and we are just barging in without a plan" Catra muttered to Adora.
Adora nodded, "We have Adam and Man at Arms, and Teela, plus it's a sneak attack, pre-emptive strike. Horde did that regularly when I was fighting you guys?"
"No I did that" Catra corrected, "Hordak here preferred straight, long...slog"
Hordak frowned, "It was standard protocol"
"And how well did that go for the first decade?" Catra muttered.
"I…" Hordak groaned and brushed it off, "I am not discussing my past deeds"
"You act like you're proud of your work" Teela muttered.
Catra glared at her, "I'm not proud, I'm just stating the obvious here, I know my away around a battlefield, and how to strategize, and right now we are really going in with pretty much nothing but our muscles"
"Catra is pretty good at strategy" Glimmer added, "Trust me, I should know, I've been learning it more and more these days" she smiled at her.
Catra smiled back.
"Hold it!" Adora stopped them and took out a flashlight and began to look around, "Always survey the area when going into enemy territory"
"Oh now you take caution" Catra smirked, "But she's right, thankfully I can see in the dark pretty good...Don't see anything"
Teela chuckled, "I see brains at least run somewhere in the family" She smiled over to Adam.
"I would have thought of that"
"Standard Horde training" Adora replied, "They teach you this in the simulations"
Catra chuckled "Yeah, little miss perfect score over here, until she gets in the field and then just bulldozes her way through it"
"More like She-Ra her way through it" Glimmer added.
Adora frowned, "Yeah well...I'm trying okay"
"Well I'm glad your with us Adora" Teela continued, "Being a great warrior of your world, you seem to know what responsibility is all about"
"Oh trust me" Catra muttered, "She perhaps takes on too much responsibility"
"Well I think it's noble".
Adam grunted, "I can be responsible...Sometimes"
"Hardly"
Hordak sighed, he wasn't sure just what was going on at the moment but he could tell this was more bizarre Etheria emotions.
"I can sense social tension" Entrpata whispered to him as she kept close, "I think Teela is using Adora to make fun of the one called Adam for his lack of responsibility"
"Trivial concerns" Hordak hissed, "We are on a mission of grave importance, we don't have time for prattle"
"Agreed" Entrpata nodded.
Hordak gave her a warm smile, "I'm glad one of us agrees with me"
That chatting quilted down as they entered into the darker areas of the cave. Man at Arms took the lead. The Snake Men could be in any corner now. Apparently there had been multiple sightings of them. They were tricky and could easily sneak up on anyone if they weren't careful.
"Shh," Adora said as she leaned up against a large boulder to another cave, "I hear something"
Every began to hide, as Adam was able to see the outline of two large repitallian figues walking past them.
"His majesty is hosting a rally to prepare for our latest plan of attack" One said.
"Finally, I hope we retake Snake Mountain, I'm tired of hiding underground" The second replied.
The First laughed, "Yes, see that old bone head Skeletor in our Majesty stomach would quite pleasing"
The two Snake Men went off deeper into the cave.
"Let's follow them" Adora led the way.
Adam and the others began to follow Adora through the caves, in the distance a. The light itself was coming from large molten tons of lava pouring down the mouths of large snake like monuments. Now all of them were standing near the end of some underground temple. Inside dozens of Snake Men laid around
"Oh spooky" Entrapta muttered
All the statues in the form of various snakes. Not only that there were snakes all over the place too many of them standing around talking to one another, some fighting, while others showing off their muscles. It was a real lair of Snakes alright. But on the moulton ground where Snake Men, legions of them. They all seemed to be hissing and chanting. Some of them dance in some sort of ritual like state. Some of the eyes on the Snake Statues began glowing a sickly green, more loving coming out of them.
"Snakes, why did it have to be snakes?" Glimmer muttered.
"Are you afraid of Snakes?" Bow asked.
"Not really, I do find them kinda creepy though, not gonna lie"
Hordak rubbed his forehead again.
"What's wrong?" Entrapta jumped in, "You look in pain, are you in pain, do we need to get you back to safety, is your armor malfunctioning"
"No…" Hordak grumbled, "The armor is fine...It's...It's my mind...The remnants of the Hive Mind, Prime's memories of these people trying to break free"
Adora looked at Hordak with a sympathetic expression, "What can you remember of them? How would Prime even know about them? He did know about Eternia, although I haven't seen anything that looks like the Horde since we got here"
"If he did come here it was before my time" Hordak explained, "Though the collective memory does not want to be known...I can only assume it was….was….
"A failure" Adora finished.
Hordak stiffened but nodded.
"Hey, it's okay" Entprata held his hand, "Remember, Prime was horrible and not all powerful, and a failure, but never acknowledged it"
"Right" Hordak nodded, looking at Entrata's hand with a smile.
"Well this is great moral lesson and all" Catra muttered, interrupting the moment, "But we're standing by the entrance of a bunch of Snake Men, what are we gonna do"
"We go in and attack," Adora muttered.
"Wait" Man at Arms held up a hand… "It's him"
Adam looked to where Man at Arms was pointing.
On the highest statue of snakes, Adam saw a figure emerge. He was different from the other Snake Men. Far more humanoid in nature with a headdress that was almost like a crown and a gold staff in hand. He stood tall before the other Snake Men, a few of what had to be his generals standing at his side, generals like Ratlor and Snake Face, watching as the snakes continued to celebrate. Perhaps they were readying themselves for the attack on Eternia again. This was all some pre battle ritual. He held up a hand and quited the crowd down before speaking.
"My brethren" He spoke in a hiss, the other snake men standing at attention now, all ears on him, "Our time underground will nearly come at a end!"
They cheered and hissed.
Hiss continued, "We've survived many wars….We fought off the dragons! The Shadow Beast….Even survived wars against Invaders from the Stars, and the so called "Bringer of Light"!"
"What did he say" Adam heard Hordak mutter.
"Soosh" Catra hissed.
"We took on King Grayskull and have closer than ever to nearly conquering this pitiful world" Hiss said causing the others to cheer" "Our truce with Skeletor will one day end, and once he is defeated, will reclaim our home...and then...The Real war begin"
Adora was about to go but Catra stopped, "Adora stop"
"What? Catra are you kidding, there gonna attack Eternia"
Catra rolled her eyes, "No they are gonna attack Skeletor, let them, they wipe each other out and then no one has to deal with either of them"
"Or Hiss takes back Snake Mountain and we have just a worse threat on our hands" Man at ARms argued.
"Not if I have anything to say about it" Adora said, beginning to head off.
Catra gawked, "Adora what are you-"
"FOR THE HONOR OF GRAYSKULL!"
In a flash Adora transformed into the mighty She-Ra. Everyone was in awe every time he saw, and it was only a few times when it happened.
"Now if only He-Man were here" Teela said.
Adam sneered, "Yeah, well...He can't be hear all the time right?"
"Yeah, but it would be helpful"
Without hesitation Adora jumped into the field of battle.
"Adora you idiot!" Catra chased after her.
Teela smirked, "I like her fighting spirit" she looked at Adam
"What I have the fighting spirit"
Man at Arms held his arm, "Perhaps you should go back and…
"No, I'm going in now"
"Wait Adam!" Man at Arms said.
Now it was just Hordak standing back with Glimmer, Bow and Entrapta, the chaos around them started to get a bit confusing.
"We should find a better vantage point," Entrapta suggested.
Glimmer nodded, "Good idea hang on" Without warning the Princess teleported all of them a bit closer to the field but still in a good place for them to hide and plan.
"Were you rebels always this disorganized" Hordak grumbled.
"Not you too" Glimmer muttered, "I get enough grief from Catra thank you very much"
Bow fired a few of his arrows onto the field knocking out a pair of snakes that almost were going for Adora.
Adora ran up to Adam, "Why haven't you-"
"I can do this on my own"
Despite his brain telling him it was foolish for some reason right now Adam wanted to prove that he could do this, that he could be Adam and face the Snake Men on his own. Prove to Teela and even his father that he could do this, that he wasn't just some glorified prince but a warrior in his own right. Someone who defended his people and his home without any magical help.
"A HA!" Adam turned around, a Snake Man had caught them, "More food, you will do well to fear the wrath of Kobra Khan"
Adam might not have Adora's training but he definitely fast on his feet. As Snake Men came in mass, he was able to take them back, keeping his sword close and being as speedy as possible, knocking a few out one after the other with ease. Even if he wasn't He-Man leven strength was definitely five smarter than any of these brutes.
"Hey, mind if I slither around" Adam chuckled before knocking one into a rock.
"Snake Puns" Catra groaned.
More Snake Men began continued to rain down towards them now. Kobra Kahn was joined by Squeeze. The Snake looked at Entrapta and Hordak instincts kicked in. He lifted the large rock covering them and managed to bolt it right at the snake, knocking them back.
"Wow!" Entrapta started taking notes, "The armor strength capacity definitely works to full functionality, huzzah"
"Yeah," Glimmer chuckled nervously, "Remind me to make you mad" activating her own magic she started attacking snakes.
"Infidels!" King Hiss cried out from one of the higher Snake head statues, "You dare defile the ancient temple, you will be punished for this"
Soon the statue's eyes began to glow and come to life, She-Ra fighting her own magic at them.
"Fascinating" Entrapta said, as one of her hairs knocked out a Snake Man, "It seems this place is magically embune with...Well, magic"
"I hate magic" Hordak muttered.
Entrapta shrugged, "I don't hate it so much as I don't quite get it, although the runestone I was able to undertake
Chaos just continued throughout the temple. Adam was able to hold his own against the Snake Men but it was definitely not as easy if He-Man were here. Normally he wouldn't feel as tired and get fatigued so easily. The magic was definitely a boost, but he kept his own, feeling more and more confident with each snake he took out.
"This is maddening," Hordak muttered.
Bow chuckled, "Well...At least you're getting the Rebel experience"
"We are not rebelling though"
"It's more a figure of speech" Bow fired another round.
The battle still raged, Hordak still looking until suddenly he saw him King Hiss….And the two locked eyes.
Suddenly everything stopped. The Snake King froze as he looked on Hordak, his mouth slightly dropped again.
"Don't worry I got your back" Adam stood in front of Hordak and Entrpata now.
However Hiss's eyes didn't focus on Adam instead they focused...On Hordak.
"Impossible"
Now they were in trouble, Hiss leaped into the air flying high into the sky only to land a few feet in front of them now, his red eyes gazing at him and Entrapta.
"Uh oh-" Entrapta muttered.
Hiss sneered, "You!"
Hordak was confused snarling back, "I don't know you!"
"Heh heh….I never thought I'd see one of your kind again" Hiss sneered, "I thought I had seen the last of you and your master"
"Um...Hordak?" Entrapta stuttered, "A friend of yours?"
"Hardly"
"Hordak?" Hiss chuckled, "So they do have names….I wonder how they taste"
Hiss then transformed, no longer a humanoid, but a full on snake...A multi headed snake, it's mouth wide and hungry as he began to head towards them. Hordak readied to take them down, but before he could, King Hiss was knocked back by Prince Adam.
"Ah ha! Yes!" Adam said, "See Sis I told you i could do it"
"Reached Prince" Hiss unleashed Venom.
"Adam looked out" Adora pulled him back and took the hit, "Ack!"
She-Ra was covered in venom.
"Adora!" Catra yelled rushing towards her, "Glimmer get us out here now!"
"To me!"
The group rallied around Glimmer the last thing Hordak heard before they all teleported out was Hiss yelling, "Don't let them escape" thankfully though they failed. Hordak and the others ended up back in the transport.
Adora was down on the ground, her She-Ra form wearing off.
"Adora...Adora…" Catra whimpered.
"I-I'm okay...Ugh…." Venom still covered her skin.
"Can I-" Hordak found himself saying.
Catra hissed at him, "How can you help"
"I can suck the venom off him, we clones are immune….Prime insured it"
Entrapta interjected, "And I can examine the venom and cook up a antidote just in case"
Catra bit her lip but nodded, "Just...Be careful"
As Hordak began to aid Adora's from the poison Catra just eyed Adam with a look that could kill.
"You….Did….This…" She hissed at him.
Adam gulped, Adora had said that the two of them had been fierce enemies once, and now she understood that Catra could be fierce and that fire was now directed all at him.
Catra just shouted, "I HATE ETERNIA!"