"I still can't believe Entrapta's working for the Horde." Adora said while riding through the forest in Hot Rod's seat.

Glimmer sat on Arcee in her motorcycle form and both Bow and Fixit rode Bumblebee in his car form. They were also accompanied by Ironhide, who drove behind them in his black truck mode.

"Yeah. It's kind of a shock." Hot Rod agreed with his partner.

"Hey, everyone!" Fixit shouted. "We're nearly at Alwyn! Let's get ready for our task!"

"Fixit, I think we should talk." Bow said. "We haven't really had much chance to talk about Entra…"

"Like I said, we're nearly there!" Fixit interrupted forcefully.

Glimmer sighed. "He still doesn't want to talk. It's been three days. I'm worried about him."

"He's still trying to process what happened with Entrapta." Arcee said. "Give him time. He'll come around."

The Autobots kept driving until they stopped. The Etherians exited them and they changed back into their robot modes. Ironhide was the last to transform, looking like a big, black brute with guns armed at his wrists. He also had a pack of weapons on his back.

"The forest is too thick to drive through at this point." Fixit said. "We're gonna have to roof it… tooth it… foot it!"

"So why are we going to Alwyn again?" Adora asked.

"Upon deciphering a bit of the data from the Golden Disk piece we got, we can use it to track down the other pieces. The only problem is that we keep having inter-inter-inter…" SMACK! "Interference. Some strange signal from Alwyn is crossing signals with my data. Until it's fixed, we can't get any Disk data."

"And you're sure it's coming from Alwyn?" Glimmer asked. "They were the Rebellion's biggest suppliers."

"Positive." Fixit assured. "We tracked the interfering signal in this area."

"So why are you here, Ironhide?" Bow asked.

"Well, when I heard how valuable Alwyn is, I figured they could use some defense gear just in case." Ironhide answered. "A good defense array could be what they need."

"Well, let's go!" Fixit shouted. "We've got Golden Disk pieces to find!"

What they didn't know was that someone was watching them. From behind a row of bushes, a very big spider with black-and-gold colors watched them. The spider took a step back before changing its body transforming in a female Cybertronian with spider legs sticking out of her back. She pulled out a communication pad and called in.

"This is Blackarachnia to Lord Megatron. I've gained something you might find interesting."

Starscream followed Catra right into Hordak's sanctum. They nervously walked over to the laboratory where the Horde leader himself was working on a set of gadgets alongside the Decepticon scientist, Shockwave.

"Are you sure about this?" Starscream whispered.

"Don't worry. I've got it handled." Catra replied.

"State your purpose, you two." Hordak said.

Catra cleared her throat. "Lord Hordak, Starscream and I thought we should touch base with you and Lord Megatron like you did with Shadow Weaver. We need to formulate our next step against the Rebellion and the Autobots if we are to…"

"So I am to understand that you've disturbed me for no reason." Hordak interrupted.

"Not for no reason." Catra said. "We need to plan our next move. We're getting closer to winning and…"

"Was squandering our resources while the Whispering Woods regrew part of your plan?" Hordak asked condescendingly. "Was letting yourself get captured?"

"If I may," Shockwave said, "The plan to send out resources for the Autobots to engage is a variable we can use to our advantage. And if your Force Captain hadn't been captured, we wouldn't have known about the Golden Disk."

"Glad you brought that up." Said Megatron who surprised Starscream from behind.

"Oh, Lord Megatron!" Starscream exclaimed nervously. "What… What brings you here?"

"Just to give our allies an update." Megatron said. "The Predacon known as Blackarachnia has informed me that the Autobot team that includes this Adora are on their way to locate the other disk pieces. I've already had Soundwave send Lazerbeak to keep an eye on them and inform me on the data they collect."

"See? This is good after all." Catra said.

"Don't be so hasty, Etherian." Megatron scolded. "Let's not forget you nearly destroyed this vital Energon source."

"What are you talking about?" Catra asked.

"You don't know? Fine. Shockwave, explain."

The one-eyed Decepticon approached the two. "I was going over Entrapta's data about the storm that was created when you hacked the Black Garnet. It was building up an unstable reaction to the Energon crystals scattered around the planet. If you had succeeded in destroying the Moonstone in Bright Moon and made the storm stronger, all the Energon would have detonated and this entire planet would be destroyed."

"Wait! The Autobots were telling the truth?" Starscream gasped.

Catra growled silently clenching her fists. "Maybe it would've, but my point still stands. We can still win."

Hordak paused for a moment pondering. "You think you still have worth? Prove it. You're dismissed."

Catra gritted her teeth before turning around. Starscream turned afterwards and they both left together.

"Starscream." Megatron sighed. "He showed great promise when I first brought him into my ranks. Now, his prospects are hanging by a thread."

"Megatron, now that I have the chance to speak to you," Hordak said, "I've been meaning to ask something. You've been traveling across the galaxy ever since your home planet was destroyed, yes?"

"Correct." Megatron said.

"Then tell me, in all your travels," Hordak said, "Have you ever come across someone by the name of Horde Prime?"

Megatron turned to the Horde leader. "Cybertron has had many people who have carried the title of Prime. I've studied most of them before I started the Decepticons. From my world or beyond, no. I have never heard of this Horde Prime. Who is that?"

Hordak lowered his head. "Never mind."

"So Alwyn is a big supply town?" Arcee asked.

"Yep. It's basically one big orchard." Glimmer said. "One big, happy…"

Everyone stopped when they exited the forest and reached their destination. Unfortunately, it wasn't as they expected. Instead of a big, happy orchard like Glimmer described, it was more like a ghost town. The area was dark and there was no person anywhere within sight. There were just empty buildings.

"Well, this is ominous." Hot Rod said.

Bumblebee buzzed.

"I don't know what happened here, Bee." Bow said. "We should probably be careful getting through here for…" He stopped when he saw Fixit strolling through the empty field with the tracker in his hands. "Fixit, what are you doing?"

"The interference is coming from this direction." Fixit said. "We can't waste any time." He moved on without anyone saying anything. Everyone else shrugged and followed.

"I don't know about the rest of you, this is starting to feel like some kind of horror story." Hot Rod said.

"You know, back when I was a kid, Shadow Weaver used to tell me all sorts of ghost stories," Adora said, "Like the tale of the Weeping Princess, who hunts down anyone at night. They say you never see her coming until you hear her cries."

"Well, I'm not scared of any ghosts." Ironhide said pulling out a giant machine gun. "If anything, ghosts should be scared of me."

"Tick tock, guys!" Fixit shouted continuing his walk.

Catra and Starscream looked over a map of Etheria while Scorpia and Waspinator had trouble holding the files behind them. Scorpia had trouble because she had no opposable thumbs. Waspinator had trouble because he couldn't keep the small files in his big hands.

"So if we attack Erlandia, the Autobots will have to respond." Catra said.

"I assume that's simple for you to do, Scorpia." Starscream said.

"Well, normally, yeah…" Scorpia said, "But the soldiers we have stationed near there are refusing to fight."

"What?" Starscream asked angrily.

"It's not us! I promise!" Scorpia assured before struggling to go through the files in her claws. "It's just that they don't have any armor. They put in… six requests for new ones. Didn't you guys read these?"

"We were busy preparing to attack Bright Moon," Catra said, "Which apparently meant the world ending! Not to mention, we've been discovering a Golden Disk that we're waiting on information for! Fine! Whatever. Just send them the armor."

"But we don't have armor." Scorpia said. "The blacksmith guys ran out of the metal for the armor. Even worse, we can't find the file for where to get it."

Catra sighed. "I bet Shadow Weaver never had to deal with this kind of hassle."

"Well, these are creepy lady's files, so she probably did." Waspinator said.

"Take it from me, Catra." Starscream said. "Being second in command is certainly not easy. Though, I wonder why we sent Knock Out to work at the infirmary and Strika to the field. At least they would have been better company than this bug-brain."

Suddenly, a vent popped open and Entrapta dropped down behind the group. She chuckled and waved. "Hi."

"Entrapta, you're not a prisoner anymore." Catra said. "You don't have to keep sneaking around."

"I know. The ducts are just much faster." Entrapta explained. "Now, I came because I need a six-sided hex driver!"

"A what?" Starscream asked.

"My lab table's got a bolt loose. I need a hex driver to tighten it so I can have a more stable work environment."

"Aren't you a super genius?" Catra asked. "Make due with what you have."

"I could, but it's the principle. Gotta have the right tool for the job. Well, I think I saw a driver in Hordak's lab. I suppose I could just head on in and…"

"NO!" Catra yelled. "Look, I know that you're new here, and possibly being around other people in general, but Hordak is no one to mess with! Under no circumstances are you to enter his sanctum!"

"Ooh, he calls his lab a sanctum." Entrapta admired. "That is so classy."

"Hey!" Catra yelled. "Look, the only people Hordak would let enter his sanctum are Megatron and that Decepticon scientist, Shockwave. No one else goes in unless he summons you. So promise me you will not go to Hordak's lab. Promise me!"

"Okay, okay. I promise." Entrapta said.

"All right. Now, I know you have trouble focusing, so repeat back your promise." Starscream said. "We need to know you understand."

Entrapta sighed. "I promise I won't enter Hordak's lab."

One hour later, Entrapta entered Hordak's lab. Despite promising not to, she put her need for a hex driver above her promise. She brought Emily with her and they snuck right into Hordak's sanctum. Entrapta saw the tool she needed, but she instantly changed her focus to what Hordak and Shockwave were working on.

Hordak flipped a switch and an orb lit up in front of him and Shockwave. Green electricity sparked inside, but in an instant, the machine died down. It just stopped working. That made Hordak angry enough to slam his fist on the table.

"This isn't working!" Hordak growled. "Shockwave, you assured me that Decepticon technology would fix the issues!"

"You cannot blame me, Hordak." Shockwave said. "If anything there were bound to be errors mixing your Horde technology with that which is clearly more advanced."

"Don't look down on me!" Hordak shouted. "We need this project done as soon as possible!"

"Why?" Shockwave asked. "I know what we're doing and we're more than willing to help, but you still haven't told us anything about what you intend to use it for."

"That is on a need-to-know basis, and right now, you don't need to know."

"You're on thin ice, Hordak." Shockwave said. "If Megatron finds out you've been intentionally keeping secrets from him, then the Fright Zone will become a desolate wasteland before the end of the day. If you wish for our resources to help your project anymore, the most logical thing to do would be to reveal your intention."

Hordak looked away for a moment. He deeply considered before growling. "Fine. Take me to Megatron. I'll tell him myself."

Shockwave nodded and lead Hordak out of the lab. All the while, Entrapta stayed hidden. When they exited, she took the tool she needed and was about to leave, but she didn't.

"I know I got what I need," she told Emily, "But I can't help but be curious. What's this big project Hordak and Shockwave are doing right now?"

Entrapta approached the machine that shut itself down and began to examine it. It wasn't long at all before she decided to modify it.

Throughout one building to another, there still wasn't anyone in Alwyn. Adora checked out the dinner that was left alone in one home.

"The food's cold, so they must have left in a hurry, but it was a while ago." Adora said.

"There's no one in their beds either." Bow said.

"This is just like the story of the Headless Princess." Adora said. "She stalks the night taking the helpless from their beds leaving nothing behind but bloody footprints."

"Well, the floors are spotless, so we can cross her off our suspect list." Hot Rod said. "Wait, what am I saying?" He gazed across for a second and beheld a spire at the center of town. The base of it was nearly overgrown with vines and vegetation. "What's that?"

"I don't know." Glimmer answered.

"Hmm." Fixit said looking at his pad. "I bet…"

They were all interrupted by the sound of a distant, echoing laughter. Everyone sprung into action pointing their weapons in different direction.

"What was that?" Arcee asked.

"This is serious," Adora said, "Like the tale of the Undead Princess, who lures soldiers to their doom!"

"Undead Princess?" Ironhide asked. "Sounds like the Horde really had a theme."

Adora thought back for a moment before surprising herself. "Wow. You're right. Can't believe I haven't figured it out before."

"Do any of your ghost stories have any tips for getting us out of this?" Glimmer asked.

"Well, usually, the soldiers often become doomed after they split up." Adora said. "They say they were covering for more ground, but that just made them easier to pick off one by one."

"Then I suppose we shouldn't do that." Hot Rod said.

"So we're sticking together?" Arcee asked.

Exactly. Throughout the streets, the Autobots and rebels stood side by side step by step keeping their guard up.

"This has to be the coolest we've ever looked." Hot Rod said.

"You know what?" Fixit asked. "I think…"

Once again, he was interrupted by ghostly laughter. It came from the forest, where the heroes saw a humanoid figure made of light. They were certainly frightened sharing a yell while Adora changed into She-Ra and went after the figure.

Entrapta kept working on the machine in Hordak's lab until her area darkened. She realized it was a shadow casted by Hordak, Megatron, and Shockwave.

"Do you mind? You're kinda blocking my light."

"GET… OUT!" Hordak yelled.

"In a minute. I'm almost done." Entrapta said casually.

Hordak was surprised. No one has ever reacted like that to his threats before.

"What do you think you're doing, little one?" Shockwave asked.

"Just a bit and… Done!" Entrapta said plugging in the last cable. "Give the switch a little pull."

Hordak paused for a moment until he flipped the same switch he used before. The machine before them lit up again, and this time, it didn't shut itself down instantly. The longer it went on, the more impressed the higher-ups were.

"How did you do that?" Megatron asked.

"You were using uninsulated cables and the Decepticon tech was much less compatible, so I had to replace the cables. Neat, huh?" Entrapta asked.

"It certainly is… neat." Shockwave said.

"It's a power source, isn't it?" Entrapta asked. "What are you building that needs so much power? Wait!" Entrapta went to the electronic board above the control console. She gazed at the text written there. "I recognize these formulas. You're working on portals, aren't you?"

"You know this concept?" Shockwave asked.

"I mean, I'm familiar, but I always thought portals were just theoretical." Entrapta said.

"So typical of someone from this backwards planet to think so small." Hordak said. "Since you fixed the error, I suppose you've earned this explanation. Portals aren't theoretical. They're real. In fact, it used to be a common concept on Cybertron based on what Megatron told me."

"Really?" Entrapta asked with eyes full of wonder.

"Yes." Megatron said. "Although, back then, we called them space bridges. We'd set up generators all over the Decepticon empire that open or receive said portals."

"That's amazing!" Entrapta exclaimed happily. "How did they work?"

"Unfortunately, that information is currently lost to us." Shockwave said. "Zeta Prime, the previous leader of the Autobots, set out to destroy every space bridge generator on Cybertron and beyond as well as wipe out all data on how they work. It didn't matter if they belonged to Decepticons or even Autobots. Zeta Prime did everything he could to make sure the knowledge of space bridges was lost to us forever. The day he destroyed the last trace of space bridge technology was the same day he lost his spark."

"Why would he do that?" Entrapta asked.

"Unknown." Shockwave replied. "We believe it may have something to do with what happened before when a bright flash filled the sky above us for a moment. Zeta Prime went public saying it was merely a solar flare that passed overhead, but given his final actions, I have doubts about that."

"The point is, Hordak was already experimenting with portal technology." Megatron said. "We believe that if we perfect it, we can regain access to space bridges. Maybe even use them better than before."

"WOW!" Entrapta cheered. "I'd like to help! I mean, I can only do so much, with our current resources, but with First Ones tech, I'm sure we can succeed!"

"Is that so?" Hordak asked with a sinister grin.

"I see." Shockwave said. "Horde technology and Decepticon technology have centuries in between them. But this First Ones tech appears to be a perfect blend. If we use it as a bonding agent, we can be able to make any technology of ours much more powerful."

"A mix of technology from the Horde, the Decepticons, and the First Ones?" Entrapta asked in a giddy tone. "That sounds like fun!"

Catra and Starscream entered the prison sector. They went to a certain cell that held a former dark sorceress with a red mask covering her face. Catra furiously dropped a file in front of her former superior.

"We can't attack Erlandia without the armor the troops need, and we don't have the metal to make them!" Catra yelled out. "And there's not a file that explains where to get them! You're trying to sabotage me, aren't you?"

Shadow Weaver sighed. "The material you're looking for is mined at the foundry here in the Fright Zone. If you want to attack Erlandia, there you go."

"Well, that was easier than I thought." Starscream said.

"Tell me, Catra, how is your position in the Horde?" Shadow Weaver asked.

"How do you think? I'm better than you. Hordak trusts me completely."

"Does he though? Did he even tell you his plan?" Shadow Weaver noticed the hesitation is Catra's nervous expression. "He doesn't. Don't take it personally. He never trusted me with his end goal either."

"Don't let her get to you, Catra." Starscream advised. "Remember, we're in charge and she's the prisoner."

"Right." Catra said with a breath. "Enjoy your stay, Shadow Weaver."

The two of them closed the cell and began to walk away. That was when Scorpia ran up to them with Waspinator behind her.

"Found it!" Waspinator shouted. "Cat girl and star bot won't believe it, but…"

"The stuff we need is found here in the Fright Zone." Catra said emotionlessly.

"Beautiful and brilliant." Scorpia admired.

Catra looked around and noticed something bad. "Where's Entrapta?"

"Why are you asking us?" Waspinator asked. "Weren't you supposed to look at long-hair girl?"

"No, you bug brain!" Starscream yelled. "Oh, no!"

The four of them ran down to the lower levels and entered Hordak's sanctum. Catra and Starscream began to panic as she saw Entrapta and Emily surrounded by Hordak, Megatron, and Shockwave.

"Lord Megatron, let us explain!" Starscream yelled.

"Yeah! She has a terrible habit of slipping away!" Catra said. "I promise, she won't bother you anymore!"

"You are the one bothering us with your constant intrusions!" Hordak growled confusing the seconds-in-command. "Entrapta will be working here for the foreseeable future."

"What do you say, Shockwave?" Megatron asked. "You did say you were in need of some extra hands in your experiments."

"Yes. Entrapta has proven to be an expert in fields that are beyond even my understanding. She would be the most logical associate in my research while we work on the project."

"Ooh! This will be fun!" Entrapta cheered.

Both Starscream and Catra were shocked, confused, and feeling left out. Nevertheless, they understood their positions and left the sanctum. Right after they left, Shockwave leaned leaned to his master.

"Lord Megatron, are you certain we should continue our partnership with the Horde after what Hordak told us of his origins?"

"I admit, it is normally a deal-breaker," Megatron said, "But the Horde appears to have proven to be a valuable asset in areas we couldn't handle on our own. After all, we are on the verge of obtaining the ability to open space bridges again. Besides, if the person Hordak described really has as much power as he described, then I would very much like to meet him, then decide whether he should be allied with or wiped out."

Back at Alwyn, the figure that Adora kept chasing continued to disappear and reappear at times. The rest of her friends followed while keeping an eye out.

"What is happening?" Ironhide asked.

"I don't know, but let's make this quick." Fixit said with his eyes still fixed on his pad. "I don't want to rest until we get the data we need."

"DATA?" Bow asked. "Fixit, we're dealing with ghosts here! Can't you think of anything else but that?"

Bumblebee buzzed loudly.

"There's no need for harsh language, Bumblebee." Fixit said. "Besides, I think I found the solution."

"WHAT?!" everyone asked at once.

Fixit turned around and rode across the field. Along the way, a light figure stood in front of him, but he was to busy looking at his pad to notice. He didn't stop, even when he went right through it.

"What the…" Arcee asked.

Bow carefully approached the light figure and waved his hand across it. With each wave, the figure made a digital buzzing noise.

"Guys, it's not a ghost!" Bow declared. "I think it's a hologram."

Bumblebee buzzed.

"Bee's right." Arcee said. "Where did they come from?"

"I think Fixit's onto something." Hot Rod said.

They all followed Fixit right back to the pointed spire. They caught the Minicon moving the vines and vegetation from the base of it and noticed familiar glyphs on it.

"Rot it… Thought it…" SMACK! "Got it! Guys, this is what's causing the interference! There's First Ones writing on here! This must be a First Ones ruin!"

Adora looked at it before holding up her sword. The glyphs lit up and several different figures of light appeared around them. But they weren't attacking. They just looked like they were living out normal lives.

"What is this?" Ironhide asked.

"It must be some kind of recording device." Bow said. "Something used by the First Ones to transmit messages."

"So why is it acting up now?" Glimmer asked.

"I think it's a result of the Black Garnet storm." Bow said. "If it opened up Grimlock's pod, it must have reactivated this spire, which is actually an antenna."

At that moment, Fixit's pad slipped from his hands and onto the ground. He didn't take the time to look down on it while the others watched. They shared looks of concern for the Minicon.

"Fixit, are you all right?" Arcee asked.

Fixit chuckled and waved away while picking up the pad. "It's fine. Everything's fine. There's nothing that isn't fine. It's fine."

"That's too many fines." Hot Rod said. "Fixit, what's the matter?"

"Nothing. I just… don't want to talk about that storm right now."

"Why not?" Adora asked.

"I just don't! Okay? I just… I just…" Fixit sighed before frowning and confessing. "Thinking about that storm, it reminds me of Entrapta."

Everyone widened their eyes. That was the first time they heard Fixit mention that name since the confrontation with Catra.

Bumblebee buzzed.

"Because Entrapta said so herself," Fixit replied, "She was the one who hacked the Black Garnet and created that storm. It was right before she broke off all ties to me… after everything we've been through."

Everyone couldn't help but feel sorry for Fixit. Glimmer leaned out her hand to him. "Fixit…"

"How could she do this to me?" Fixit asked glumly. "I knew she'd be distracted by science, but for her to abandon all of us just for her own curiosity! I keep telling myself that she must have felt abandoned when we thought she was dead, but it doesn't change what she's done! She nearly blew up Etheria! She built those robots to be used against us! And right now, she's probably doing whatever Hordak and Megatron want her to do and she's doing it with a smile on her face! And the worst part it, I can't help but blame myself! She was my partner, my responsibility! And because I messed up, she's betrayed us, which makes this my biggest failure of all! The only thing I could do to stop thinking about it was to focus on one singular point, even if it was dangerous and stupid! It would've been better than be hurt by the one job I had that I messed up!" He finally took a breath while everyone watched. He looked back at them with regret in his eyes. "I'm sorry. This town may not have been haunted, but I certainly was."

"Fixit… I'm sorry." Bow said. "I know it's hard, but we still need to talk about it, even if we don't want to."

"Tell you what." Glimmer said. "When we're done here, why don't you take a vacation? Make yourself feel better at Mystacor. They do have a good therapy class there."

Fixit cracked a smile and looked back at his friends. "Thank you. That me… me… me…" SMACK! "Means a lot."

Hot Rod couldn't help but laugh. "I sure am going to miss that little glitch of yours… until you return that is. Five seconds after that, I'm going to regret missing it. Now then, Adora?"

Adora nodded and went to the lit glyphs at the antenna. After placing her hand on it, the lights dimmed and the holographic figures disappeared.

"Be at rest." She said.

"Now that this place is ghost-free, we can tell the villagers it's safe to come home." Glimmer said.

"If you don't mind, I think I'll stay here for a bit," Ironhide said, "Just until I can set up proper defenses for these guys. After all, the next hostile-looking figures that pass by here, you can bet they won't be holograms."

"That's a good idea." Arcee said.

Suddenly, the pad on the ground began to beep. Fixit picked it up and imaged started to flash. His tiny smile suddenly turned into an exclamation of joy.

"What is it, Fixit?" Adora asked.

"The data from the disk piece just finished processing!" Fixit said. "We can finally track down the other pieces!"

"That's great!" Hot Rod said.

What they didn't know was that Lazerbeak was perched at a tree behind Fixit. It zoomed its eye to get a better look at the data that scrolled through the screen on the pad.

"Hmm. That's strange." Fixit said looking at the pad.

"What is it?" Glimmer asked.

"Well, so far, I've got two results, probably from two other disk pieces," Fixit said, "But for the last piece, the data's still processing."

"Can you fix it, Fixit?" Adora asked. She chuckled at her own joke even though no one shared her humor.

"Perhaps, but it'll take some time, and I've gotta get to Mystacor like you all suggested." Fixit said. "Don't worry, this pad here is synced with the computer on the Ark, so you'll be fine. In the meantime, I just located the second and third pieces, as well as get the names of the Cybertronians that are with them."

"That's great!" Arcee said. "Who's protecting them?"

Fixit looked at the screen for a second before giving the answer. "Rattrap and Wreck-Gar."

Author's Note: That's the next chapter done. Not gonna lie, I didn't have as much fun with this chapter as I usually do, but the next chapters are going to be quite enjoyable for me. I know it. Now, you all know the next two Cybertronians that are coming, so you can bet that hilarity is going to ensue.

Any and all comments are welcome.