QUICK NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: Okay, this is my first time writing Frosta. It's been so long since I've seen the old Filmation "POP" show that I've just basically had to guess at what she's like. If I'm totally and completely off, please feel free to thoroughly yell at me. But, nonetheless, enjoy the show! ~W~
Chapter Three
"Tarnished Crowns"
Frosta made herself comfortable in her throne. As leader of the Snow-People, she needed to put on a good face for the Selkies. Their representatives had come from Glacia for a reason, one that called for the alliance formed between the two formerly warring peoples to come into play. Though it wasn't a long distance between Glacia - home of the Selkies - and Castle Chill, it was still a big deal to have them here.
Considering the past history between the races, Frosta needed to show the Selkies that she was not their enemy. Not until the Horde was defeated.
"Mr. Ambassador," Frosta started, "what brings you here to Castle Chill?"
The large, thick-bodied Selkie looked at Frosta with concern. "The Horde are in movement again. We've heard rumors that they need resources. Minerals found only under our kingdom's lands. The Fright Zone took quite a beating from the Snake Men."
"How soon can they launch an attack?" questioned Frosta, playing with her long, white hair.
"Few days. They'll use their Bat-Mechs to fly in and then they'll bomb us. They learned from their last confrontation with us - "
"Their ONLY confrontation with us," added Frosta.
"Yes. They learned from that that ground forces won't work well against us."
Frosta's mind thought about this for a while. There was a decision she had been contemplating for the past few weeks, and it was time she made it. "For too long have the Selkies and the Snow-People sat around and waited for an attack."
" . . . What?" wondered the ambassador.
"We're going on the offensive. We're taking this fight to them."
The ambassador was flabbergasted. "But - but - but - we can't!"
She smiled at the ambassador stood up. "Don't worry. When I say 'we', I mean 'me.' I'm going on the offensive for both our peoples."
"What? How so?" questioned the ambassador.
"Why . . . I'm going to join the Great Rebellion, that's how."
***
There was something different.
He could feel it within him, deep within his soul. Something changed. Something was released that was buried away a long time ago. It was as if a light had been shined into a place where darkness had dwelt for so long.
Hordak stood up from his chair, and began to remove his armor. He felt old. He felt his age. 1,500 years old and still alive. Magic, technology, and the slow aging of his people had kept him alive through these many centuries. He thoughts raced into the past suddenly, and Hordak recalled his accomplishments. Such incredible victories, and such amazing battles.
He was considered a prized member of the Horde. An astounding leader. A skilled tactician. A warlord beyond all other terms. But there was something else. Something else that he had been known as 1,000 years ago.
A masterful apprentice to the Council of Elders.
It was supposed to be such an easy assignment. Act like an alien visitor, seeking guidance from the Council of Elders; become one of their fifty apprentices; then assassinate the Council of Elders, paving the way for planetary conquest.
But he had underestimated the Council of Elders. Thirty-five years of trust and power, and they still didn't fully believe that he was trustworthy. They stopped him, and he was kicked off Eternia for another 900 years. Yet . . . he had learned a lot in those thirty-five years.
The knowledge gained there was more powerful than anything he has learned since. And yet, he blocked most of it out. He denied that time and those experiences, remembering it only as a few words written in a report.
Until now.
And now, something was different.
Channeling the power of the Elders like that had touched those memories and brought them to the surface. To make matters worse, he even had some of the Elders' memories within him, flowing with his own. He was different and unsure.
Hordak stopped removing his armor after the chest plate was off. He turned to a torn fabric on his bed. The symbol of the Elders. It was his robe, which had been mostly ruined during the struggle with Hiss. Why he kept was beyond him, but still . . . there were memories about it . . . in his mind . . .
"Lord Hordak," came the call of Mantenna on the intercom.
"Yes?" Hordak asked.
"It's him. He wants to talk to you. Says it's important."
Hordak heaved, and placed the ripped robe back on his bed. Then, putting the armor back on, Hordak walked from his quarters to the Communications Chamber.
Arriving in the large room, he saw the solid-energy image of Horde Prime before him. Darkness and green swirled behind what appeared to a smokescreen. A large metallic hand beckoned him forth. Hordak stepped forward and bowed.
"Horde Prime. How good to hear from you again."
"Silence, Hordak! We have matters to discuss."
"Apparently so."
"You KNEW I didn't support this war!" shouted Prime. "Yet you used YOUR Horde resources in YOUR personal war against the Snake Men! WHY?!"
Hordak straightened. "They were a threat. King Hiss has a grudge against me, Horde Prime. I sought to end it, which would allow for our return to Eternia."
"Return to -- ?! HORDAK! We are no longer interested in Eternia! What happened there was a personal matter! And look what this PERSONAL MATTER and YOUR VENGEFUL WAR has cost us! Has cost YOU!"
"We are working on repairing the Fright Zone."
"Then do so. In the meantime, I am leaving Horde World for Etheria. We will be there in a few days."
"What?! Why?"
"The events that have been set in motion has stirred an ancient evil power. The Nameless One has awakened and has been called to Eternia . . ."
Hordak felt a sudden lump in his throat. "No . . ."
"Yes. We'll be there soon to prepare for the best defense."
***
"Something went wrong," She-Ra said, slumped down in her chair. The Sword of Protection hung listlessly from her hand, having spent hours trying to use to reach the Sorceress. That had no been response, which was shocking. Therefore, it was obvious - something went wrong.
"We don't know that for sure," Glimmer attempted as she and the others all sat around the Throne Room.
"There's no other explanation," Extendar countered. "We have proof that Hordak has returned to Etheria. Someone else must have launched an assault."
"Skeletor perhaps? Or maybe Hordak failed to stop King Hiss?" Snout Spout stated.
"We're all jumping to conclusions," Angella calmed. "The Snake Men are gone from Etheria. Hordak has retreated. Right now, we need to concentrate on finding out the facts. How can we do that?"
She-Ra looked up at her queen. "I will infiltrate the Fright Zone and attempt to make contact with Eternia. It's the only way."
"Great, and I'll come with you," came a female voice from the entrance.
Frosta stood there, her white hair drifting done past her shoulders. "I'm Frosta. I'd like to join the Great Rebellion."
"Frosta?" asked Angella, standing up from her throne. "Of Castle Chill?"
"The one and the same. If you haven't heard, the Horde are prepping to move against us again and to be frank, I'm tired of being on the defensive. So . . . here I am."
"Well, to be honest, we could use all the help we can get," Bow stated.
"Great!" Frosta yelped, clapping her hands. "Now let's see . . . don't' tell me, I betting I can guess your names. Glimmer, Bow, She-Ra, Queen Angella, Madame Razz and . . . er . . . Broom. Right?"
"That's right," She-Ra replied, smiling at her friends in the Great Rebellion.
Frosta then turned to the Heroic Warriors Snout Spout, Extendar, Rio Blast, Rotar and Clamp Champ. "Okay . . . let's see. Elephant-Boy, Metal Man, Rhinestone Cowboy, Top-Dude and Man-With-Metal-Claw."
The Heroic Warriors looked at each other, exchanging smiles and embarrassed looks. "We'll . . . work on names later," She-Ra assured her new friend. "In the meantime, I need to make for the Fright Zone."
"Good!" shouted Frosta. "I'll come with you."
"I don't think that's such a - "
"Let me put it this way - I'm going anyways. Let's just do this together."
***
"Meal time!"
"Ha ha ha ha!"
Two-Bad walked across the length of the stronghold, the citizens of Eternos looking worse for wear. Behind him, centurions were throwing out pieces of bread out to the many civilians. They scrambled for it with little dignity.
"Ha ha ha!"
"This is great!"
"Two-Bad!" shouted Tri-Klops all of a sudden. "Give them the food, don't throw it at them! We don't need them to scramble. As long as they know we're the ones giving them food, they'll be obedient and they'll soon learn that WE are their protectors and leaders!"
"NEVER!" came a shout. An old stood up tall among them. "We will never bow to you! Not as long as He-Man lives! Am I right?"
The people began to rise, shouting in unison "YES! NEVER!"
"We don't need your food!"
Bread suddenly came pouring towards Tri-Klops, Two-Bad and the centurions. The civilians then began to stomp and jump, pounding on the walls and the floor. "NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER!"
Tri-Klops fired a few blasts into the enclosed room of the stronghold, but this didn't calm them down. He waved his hand and Two-Bad and the centurions backed towards the large door. Once they passed its threshold, Two-Bad slammed it shut and locked it.
"Keep an eye on them!" Tri-Klops ordered. "But do not harm!"
"Yes - "
"- Sir."
Tri-Klops then pressed his comm-unit. A hologram of Evil Lynn appeared before him. "Evil Lynn, we have a development."
"What is it?" spat the mistress of evil.
"They're resisting us."
***
Arriving at the Fright Zone, She-Ra immediately ordered Swift-Wind to keep an low profile amongst an outcropping of rocks. Then, she and Frosta sneaked over to Doom Tower. For She-Ra, it was a sight that she thought she would never see.
The destruction the Snake Men had brought to it was incredible. It's complex dark walls and outcroppings were shattered on the north side. A field of debris now lay to the west, leaving the heart of the Horde's base of operations on Etheria exposed.
"If we only had the man-power," She-Ra wished.
"Not to worry. Once I get to stop them from attacking Castle Chill and taking those minerals, they'll be left wide open for longer."
She-Ra smiled. "I'm glad. Your help will be appreciated, Frosta."
"Don't worry about it. Listen, I think we should split up. Where did you say the Bat-Mechs were located?"
"The east wing, upper levels H-X, lower levels A-D."
"Thanks. Good luck."
"To you too."
Now separated, She-Ra made for the least guarded entrance. When she arrived, she was shocked not to find any guards at all. "They must all be dedicated to guarding the west wall. Shouldn't be a problem."
She smashed the lock and opened the door, letting herself in. Now inside Doom Tower, she instantly recalled the way to the communications array. It was there, hopefully, Adora's old access codes would allow a signal to be sent to Eternia, asking for information and instructions.
Sadly, though, the subtle act of getting up there wasn't meant for She-Ra. "Let the power return," she whispered. A crackle of power and energy surged around her female form and She-Ra became Adora.
As Adora, she opened up a nearby vent and climbed inside.
Meanwhile, Frosta arrived in the hanger bay of the Bat-Mechs. According to a lay-out she had glanced over, these were the Bat-Mechs that were going be launched. Hanging upside down from a pipe above the hanger (so as not to be seen), Frosta gathered her strength and concentrated.
For ten minutes, she prepared herself. And, fully aware and all-powerful, white energy dashed from her wide open hands, spilling ice and snow all over the Bat-Mechs. She laughed to herself as this effect flowed all throughout the hanger bay, incasing the many vehicles in ice and snow.
They cracked and creaked, then fell of the ground, suddenly too heavy for their moorings. When they collided with the ground, they shattered open, completely destroyed. Over the loud noise throughout the hanger, Frosta giggled to herself. Then, she iced up the pipe she hung from and slid away.
Adora arrived at the final vent, and stared out into the communications array. The room was empty, as she expected. She opened up the vent and leapt down, making little noise as her feet landed on the floor. She then walked over to the communications computer and began to type in her access code.
"Damn," she muttered to herself, finding her codes denied. She expected it, though, and tried another set. Nothing.
"You didn't honestly expect to be able to access the communications computer, did you?" came a wispy voice from behind.
Adora spun around and found Shadow Weaver standing there. "Shadow Weaver . . ."
"Hello Adora. How's the Great Rebellion? Enjoying the lap of luxury at the royal palace? Mommy and Daddy giving you all that you wanted? Huh? Spoiling you?"
"Shadow Weaver, please."
"DON'T PLEASE ME!" Shadow Weaver shrieked. "DON'T YOU EVEN! WE RAISED YOU, ADORA, AND NOW YOU'VE THROWN IT BACK AT US! HOW DARE YOU?! HOW DARE YOUR?!?!"
"Shadow Weaver! That's enough!"
Hordak walked in and looked to Shadow Weaver, then to Adora. Much to his surprise, Adora's face was mixture of emotions - most of them shock and grief. "You're dismissed, Weaver."
The Horde witch moved out of the room, allowing Hordak to completely walk in.
"Stay away from me, Hordak."
Hordak smiled. "First time I've ever heard you say that. In a way, I knew you'd someday betray us. But that's not a discussion for today. You see, Adora - snort! - you've caught me in a time of great unrest within my heart. The power of the Elders has opened up a sort of . . . floodgate within me. I feel compelled by the bond we once shared to aid you."
"What do you mean?"
"One minute ago, my entire Bat-Mech fleet was frozen solid and shattered. I don't have time to completely explain this to you. I raised you and right now - I just want to make you happy. Don't bother with the communications computer, Adora. You won't be able to reach Eternos. Skeletor, who now sits on the throne and awaits the moonrise and the opening of the Great Eye, took both Castle Grayskull and Eternos. I don't want Skeletor to become a demi-god any more than you do, so here."
He tossed her a scroll. She opened it. "What is this?"
"A spell that will help you open a gateway to Eternia and stop Skeletor."
"How can I - " And then, Adora looked into his eyes. They were no longer red, but . . . human. The black center, surrounded in green, and then white. ". . . I . . . don't know what to say."
"Go, Adora. The way is clear. Gather up your little ice-witch and get out of my sight."
Adora, still in shock, ran out of the room.
***
Soon, back at Brightmoon, Madame Razz looked over the scroll. "Deary My! I don't think it's possible to get this spell wrong!"
"Then get to work, Madame," She-Ra said, back to her former self before she left Doom Tower and met back up with Frosta.
"How can you trust that this spell is legit?" wondered Frosta.
She-Ra paused and recalled the image of Hordak's eyes. "I . . . I just do."