Chapter Two

"Arms Race"

The moon peeked over the trees, shining its light upon a path leading parallel of the Fright Zone. A wagon pulled by dark horses and armed by four Horde Troopers trotted down the path, on its way towards Doom Tower.

"We are still eight miles until the secure area," spoke one of the Horde Troopers.

"What is your bullet point, unit SR-1138?"

"No bullet point, only pointing out the observation."

The leader robotically grunted. "You newer units. So paranoid, you are."

"Can you blame this unit? The Great Rebellion has been spotted in this area!"

"Ever since that incident last week on Beast Island, this one was has been afraid!" complained the commander to the leader.

SR-1138 shook his head. "I was only . . . hey. What's that?"

The wagon stopped and the quartet looked up to see a big pair of yellow eyes. They were sitting high up in a tree, staring down at the robotic gang.

"It's just an owl."

"Wrong!" said the eyes. "My name is Kowl!" Kowl shot from the branch and yelled out into the air. "NOW!"

Arrows struck out from the darkness, smashing through SR-1138. Bow swung down, and kicked SR-1138, allowing Glimmer to leap out. Glimmer ran her sword through the leader, disabling it in a large explosion.

Adora ran out of the dark and fired her laser at the commander, blowing it apart. The final one came to an end from Fluterina, how dropped from the sky and knocked the head off of the Trooper. She sighed and smiled cutely.

"Mission accomplished," Flutterina said.

"Kowl, check the wagon for bugs or trackers," ordered Glimmer, sending Kowl to the wagon. "Bow, see what our payload was."

Adora holstered her weapon and walked over to the horses, stroking their manes, and running her fingers through their fur. "Shhhh, it's alright now. We're going to get you somewhere safe."

"It's all clear!" Kowl shouted with joy.

"Then let's get it back to Brightmoon!" Glimmer yelped.

***

"So, King Hiss, isn't it? Do we have a deal?"

Hiss smiled from his throne, and eyed Count Marzo carefully. He nodded, and reached for a case next to him. Opening it, he revealed eighty bars of solid gold. "Yes, and yes. Just think of all the Black Roses you can pick up from your supplier with this much gold."

Marzo grinned. "Excellent. Then here are your new allies. Bounty hunters, and former goons for hire. And each one with a grudge against your enemies."

The Count pressed button and teleportation beam appeared, depositing a silver and gold robot. "Blast Attack. Former Horde Trooper, remodeled into a living bomb with reconstruction capabilities. Abandoned by Horde Prime as a result of testing failures."

"I HAVE BEEN GIVEN AN UP-GRADE!" said Blast Attack very loudly.

"I . . . see . . ."

Another teleportation beam appeared and five gigantic eggs appeared. Quickly, these eggs opened and revealed robotic animals.

"Crocobite, Dinosorb, Gore-Illa, Orbear and Rhinorb," introduced Count Marzo. "Meteorbs, King Hiss. Their war with the Rock People was interrupted by a Horde invasion on their world. Not only that, but two of their greatest enemies are currently guests of King Randor."

"Good, good. Is that all?"

"Well, there is one more thing . . . the text you requested . . ." Count Marzo pulled out a scroll, tanned and worn, but still quite readable. "I'm sure you know what this is?"

"Yessss. And for that, I will double your price."

King Hiss pulled out a second case and handed it to Count Marzo. The Count nodded and gave Hiss the scroll. "Exceptional," Marzo released. "This will be quite an interesting story to share around the cosmos . . ."

"Leaving Eternia?"

"My partner-in-crime was recently locked away. There are so many warrants out for me here on Eternia, King Hiss, that I do not believe the ground even likes me."

"You may be more evil than I, Count Marzo. Take your leave and your money and come back when both Eternia and Etheria belong to me."

Marzo smiled, turned heel and walked out of Snake Mountain. King Hiss waved his hand towards his recently acquired goons.

"Please, make yourselves at home. Our first battle has yet to happen, but it shall soon. This I promise you. Rattlor and Tung Lashor will show you to your quarters," King Hiss instructed.

The pair walked the group out, leaving King Hiss alone with his thoughts. And the recently acquired scroll.

"Perfect," Hiss sneered. "This is the key. This is what we will do it."

"Do what?" came a voice. Skeletor walked into the chamber, dark eyes baring down on Hiss. "What are you doing?"

"I've found another portal into the void where my people and I were banished to by the Elders. It is in Viper Tower. With this scroll, I will be able to release them."

"And set them against Hordak? How?" Skeletor snarled.

"With the power of my Snake Army, I will - we will, be able to conquer Eternia. After we do that, we march our forces onwards towards Etheria, destroying Hordak and the Horde forever."

"No, Hiss. Our attack should be on Castle Grayskull. Take it and we shall be able to stand against the Hordak even stronger. With the Snake Army - "

Hiss stood to his feet, anger in his eyes. "Will you stop obsessing over Grayskull?! It is meaningless to my plan!"

"How dare you!?"

King Hiss suddenly felt the intense need to reach out and snap Skeletor neck. To pour poison into his veins. To destroy this man . . . this creature . . .

But he reigned himself in. There were other ways of doing this.

"Skeletor, these are my forces. After the first attack, and the major defenses of Eternia have fallen, then we shall strike at Castle Grayskull."

Skeletor stared at King Hiss. "Alright . . . for now."

***

Adora walked through the darkened hallways, looking over the list of what has grabbed in the most recent raid. It wasn't that bad, really; in fact, it was quite good. Everything they had gathered was all of value. But there was one thing among the stolen objects that bothered Adora . . .

A computer database, complete with a report of a new batch of Horde Troopers being constructed. But these Horde Troopers weren't for a new strategy on Etheria against the Great Rebellion. No, these new robots were being constructed for a new aggression against Eternia.

Worried for the safety of her parents and her home world, Adora headed off to her room for the night. She had made sure that everyone knew that she would be heading to Eternia in the morning with She-Ra. Angela was concerned for the safety of the Great Rebellion. Things would only grow worse if the Horde engaged Eternia and took portions of the planet.

Lifting the Sword of Protection into the air, Adora called out with it. The Sorceress' telepathic thoughts reached the Princess in mere seconds.

Adora? What is wrong, child?

"Sorceress, Hordak is preparing a new army for an assault on Eternia. I need to warn my brother and my parents."

Of course, dear child. I shall open the portal for you.

A golden door opened before her, and Adora stepped through it, lugging with her the database they stole in the raid.

Instantly, Adora appeared in Castle Grayskull. The Sorceress smiled warmly at Adora, but the young blond could tell there was something bothering her. "Hello Adora."

"Sorceress. Good to see you again. But . . . what's the matter? You look upset?"

"It is . . ." The Sorceress paused briefly, before shaking her head. "No. It is nothing of any consequence. I will be awaiting your return, my dear."

"Are you sure?"

The Sorceress smiled again. "Yes, completely."

"All right . . ."

***

A little later, after a period of greetings from her parents and brother, Adora joined Adam, Randor, Marlena, and Man-At-Arms in the Situation Room. Adora asked about Teela, and was shocked to hear what had happened to her. No wonder Man-At-Arms seemed to gruff.

"From what we can gather, Hordak is amassing a new army of Horde Troopers deep within the Fright Zone. I doubt even the entire Eternos Royal Guard and the Heroic Warriors combined could break into it," Adora filled in.

"He's preparing for war," Randor said grimly. "But why? And why Eternia? I thought the Horde had stopped their invasion against us."

"Father, I think it may have something to do with King Hiss. He-Man told me that the two were really going at it at the Towers a few weeks ago," Adam suggested.

"Conceivable, son," Randor said then. "There definitely seemed to be some recognition between the two of them."

Marlena pursed her lips. "Adora, how many Horde Troopers are being built?"

She paused before answering, fearing the reaction her words would bring. But they had a right to know. "15,000. Maybe more."

Man-At-Arms slammed down into a chair and rubbed his eyes. "15,000? How is he doing this?'

"I don't know," Adora replied. "My best assumption is that it's at the command of Horde Prime, master of the Evil Horde."

"So he would be supplying the resources and extra security," Man-At-Arms stated. "Is there anything we or the Great Rebellion can do about this?"

"I'm not sure," Adora answered. "It's pretty grim back on Etheria. Hordak's barely had time to launch any new offensives, he's so wrapped up in this project. At first, I thought it was us . . . but apparently I was wrong."

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Randor opened it and in came Orko, holding an envelope. "Hi everyone!"

Randor grunted. "Orko, we're a bit busy right now, I'd appreciate it if - "

"This came for you! It says it's urgent!"

Randor took the envelope and began to open it. "Where did you find this?"

"A messenger from the Desert Outpost said they found slipped under the door. No explanation at all."

"What does it say, father?" asked Adam.

Randor looked up at the group. "It says that a war is building between Hordak and King Hiss, and it will place all of Eternia and Etheria in peril if it is not resolved."

"Who is it from?"

"It doesn't say," Randor replied. "But apparently, we have someone helping us out. And it seems we best prepare ourselves to stop a war."