Chapter II: The Red Bat and the White Hand
LORD HORDAK'S JOURNAL
34th DAY IN THE THIRD YEAR OF MY OCCUPATION OF ETHERIA
We split up and went in separate ways, the path me and Weaver traversed was rugged, climbing mountains (of course Shadow Weaver just floated up the mountains) and valleys. We searched for miles, "Blast this land, we've searched forever and still no Ring" I yelled. I could sense the Ring, its energies called out to me like a siren's song. I craved the power contained, it cried out in voice that seemed to be the voice Shokoti herself, "Hordak come I seek you, Hordak find me"
Shadow Weaver seemed to be studying the terrain, after about a moment of thought, she came to me, "Lord Hordak, I found the Ring," she announced. I ran over there as fast I could, hoping to see it in her possession, but all she in her hand was air.
"Where is the Ring?" I inquired, she waved her hands and showed me a map of the area, in which she zoomed in to see three figures, two were shout humanoids, about half the size of normal men. Another being was thin and lanky almost all skin and bones. I studied the creatures, the one in the middle has the Ring, they are heading to a volcano in the far east of the land," she reported to me.
I wanted to get that Ring, nothing on Etheria would stop me from that goal, "who's closest to them?" I demanded to know; who ever it was would be ordered to go to retrieve the Ring for me. Weaver zoomed out on the map and searched for all of our forces across the land, she studied their positions, calculating all possible outcomes and trajectories. She then came over to me and announced, "My Lord, we are the closest to the volcano, but it is still a distance off, shall I order our forces to regroup and plan a way to get the volcano?" She inquired.
I thought for a moment, a regroup would give us an update on our findings about this land, however a regroup was take too long and time is of the essence. "No Shadow Weaver, we continue on our present course" I commanded her, I studied the terrain, I closed my eyes and focused my mental gaze on the Ring, I could see another being searching for the Ring, others who wanted it, and finally the Ring itself. I could see that I was a plain gold Ring, how ironic that the greatest powers lie in the simplest of things. Take Castle Grayskull for instance, to the untrained eye it's an old crumbling castle, with nothing more than ghosts, but to those who can sense magical energies and students of history and religion, they know of Gnostics who buried their secrets in the castle, secrets whose power was augmented by the union of gods and mortals.
As I was contemplating the power of the Ring, Weaver came up to me with some disturbing news, "My Lord, Adora followed us!" she said worriedly as he pointed to where she was on the map.
"Curse that Angella, she thinks she stop me form taking her kingdom, she's nothing compared to me," I said stamping my foot on the ground. Angella has always been a thorn in my side, she and all those rebels especially Adora. I looked out on the terrain focusing my gaze this time on my minions to alert of them of this situation.
Just as I was finishing my transmission, Shadow Weaver came up to me again, "Lord Hordak, several beings are approaching our area, they appear hostile" she informed me.
"How far away are they?" I asked surveying the terrain, Focusing my gaze on the beings, I could see them, they are not rebels but native, whoever they are they will rue the day the met me.
"Not far, my lord" Shadow Weaver informed me, indeed I could see from my foresight that they were only a few miles away, easily accessible by foot , I jumped off the cliff and on to the ground and went to face this army.
GRIMA WORMTONGUE'S JOURNAL
2 March 3019 III
We marched from Isengard to the Fords of Isen to about a few miles into Westfold; there was no trace of the army I saw.
The Uruk-Hai had followed scent has far as they could, suddenly about a few miles into the Westfold we were stopped by a being dressed black in armor.
"Ou' of our way stranger" the Uruk-Hai began to shout waving their weapons at him in a show of intimidation.
The being just stood there, fixed as if he was made of stone, "that's not anyway to speak to someone you just met" the being said in mock politeness.
"Why don't we show him how we deal with newcomers" one Uruk-Hai Zergak said stepping forward.
He marched right in front of the being, who magically threw him in the air as if he were a dart. "Anyone else?" he asked smiling at the fact of taking them down.
The Uruk-Hai began to charge at him, only to be sent hurdling into the air like balls.
I hid behind a rock hoping not be discovered, alas it did not work.
The demon screamed out "YOU!" and he used his magic to capture me. He walked over to me and lifted me off of the ground "who are you?" he asked me with a fury that had to come the depths of Tartarus itself.
I saw that the demon's eyes were pure red and pierced my very soul, "Do you know what the punishment is for spying on the Horde!" He interrogated me. His demon eyes stared into mine with a power that only Saruman could surpass.
"I...I...I...am ...G...G...Grima Wormtongue" I stuttered, the being studied me as one studies a book. He and his companion seemed to be discussing various things; they mentioned strange and foreign locales called 'Horde World' and 'Fright Zone.' The demon wanted to send to me to 'Horde World' to face trial before a being called 'Horde Prime' from I what could surmise he was the master of the demon and possibly even the demon's god.
I had to think of some way to avoid being killed, I did the only thing I could I lied "I...I...I bring a message from his Excellency Saruman the White" I said as bravely as I could. I knew Saruman would probably kill me saying such a falsehood but death by his hand would probably more merciful than death at the hands of the demon.
PRINCESS ADORA'S DIARY
34th DAY IN THE THIRD YEAR OF THE HORDE'S OCCUPATION OF ETHERIA
I rode for most of the day, through the land of Middle Earth, we rode past mountains and fields, occasionally I would stop so Spirit so could have a rest. The entire land seems like it's been at war. Even in far off lands, war is a reality.
I continued to ride in a northwest direction for several hours. We saw many sights; for the most part it was grasslands with a few towns. The culture of the people I saw seemed to be based around horses, at least I knew Spirit would be welcomed when reached a town.
After about three hours, I decide a little rest was in order; I stopped near an old tree, dismounted from Spirit and sat down. No sooner than I had done so that hideous creatures ambushed me, I drew forth the Sword of Protection and prepared for a fight, I wish that I could find a place to hide a change into She-Ra, but I to make do with just my own skills as a warrior.
I tried my best to defend myself, these creatures put up a good fight, we fought for several minutes, until one of the brutes snuck up on me and struck from behind. The last thing I remember is that I could Spirit crying.
When I came to again, I was in a prison cell with my wrists shackled above my head. I could hear the sounds of people being tortured, a sound that I've heard before. During my early years when I served the Horde, Catra had assigned me to work in the Fright Zone's dungeons and I was taught that those who were captured got what they deserved. I also thought we were humane compared to the stories I've heard about Snakemen and how they devoured their captives alive.
I could hear the creatures talking about me, no doubt they looking through my bag. I couldn't see anything since there was no light in the prison, but I could hear all too well, they were torturing Spirit, poor friend, if I had the Sword of Protection with me I change into She-Ra and teach these fiends a lesson they wouldn't forget, however, the Sword is in my bag and my captors have my bag.
About an hour later, two of the creatures came to my cell along with an old man dressed in white. The man was holding a long black staff that ended in a white sphere. "Greetings, young one." He said to me nonchalantly, "We have to talk" he told me as one of the creatures handed him my sword.
He studied the sword with great intent, "where did you get this sword?" he asked me, I knew he sensed the magic that the sword contained and wanted to harness it for his own purposes, that was something I could not let happen, I just remained silent.
"So you won't talk, maybe a little coercion is in order" he said as he left the cell, this may be the last time I write in this journal, if I die, I do so for the Honor of Grayskull!
LORD HORDAK'S JOURNAL
34th DAY IN THE THIRD YEAR OF THE OCCUPATION OF ETHERIA
The spy, whose cohorts thought they match for me, brought forth an interesting proposition, an alliance between the Horde and his master. A union between him and us does have its advantages; his master lives in this land and could be able to help us get to the Ring faster.
Shadow Weaver seemed nervous a about the deal and warned me it could be a trick. I had taken that into account but I also knew this being was scared of me and knew that I could destroy him with out a second thought and would not dare to try to trick me.
"Very well, Wormtongue take us to your master." I said to him as he pointed towards the west.
I sent a message to my minions to meet me at Orthanc, the coordinates I obtained from the Grima.
We walked for several miles until we came to a river; Shadow Weaver used her magic to teleport to the other side of the river since I being of a vampiric nature cannot cross the river on my own. She followed me along with the Horde troopers that accompanied us.
After we crossed the river, we walked a short distance to Isengard and the tower of Orthanc, My men arrived a short time after, once we were assembled, Grima opened the door to the tower.
The inside was foreboding; I could hear of prisoners being tortured, I smiled when I heard the screams of Adora below obviously they had captured her. I must learn his secret to capturing prisoners.
Grima took us to a study filled with books, in there an old man wearing a white robe; he seemed to be looking for a certain piece of information.
"My master, I bring new allies for you" Grima announced as he showed us in the study, I noticed that one of the items on the table where his master was sitting was undoubtedly the Sword of Protection.
"Grima, I am busy why go and do something more useful than bringing strangers in here" he told Wormtongue. I knew what he was trying to do, find out about the sword he had in his possession.
"I can tell you where that sword came from" I informed him, he looked a bit skeptical but willing to listen if it meant the riddle before him could be solved.
"Really, you know of this sword?" he asked me as he invited to come forward, he handed me the sword, how I've longed to have this accursed weapon in my grasp. There was no mistaking it; it was the Sword of Protection,
"It is called the Sword of Protection, the second Sword of Grayskull. It was forged Millennia by wise men called the Elders of Grayskull." I told him, I could tell that this interested him deeply. I told of the history of that accursed lineage that has haunted from the moment I first set foot on Eternia.
"Maybe, We could work out a deal, what brings you to Middle Earth?" he asked me as he stepped forward to welcome.
"I am Hordak, Ruthless Leader of the Evil horde and son of Horde Prime, god of all eternity. I come seeking the item known as the One Ring of Power," I told him. The being introduced himself as Saruman and told he too was seeking that artifact. He told that he knows that two creatures called hobbits are in possession of it, those must have been the beings that Shadow Weaver showed me earlier.
"Tell me, Saruman, where did you obtain this sword at?" I asked him, if Adora was in this tower I wanted to see her pay for humiliating me all the time. He told from a prisoner that they had captured earlier. I told him that I wished to see her. He told me that she being tortured and once that was over I could see her.
While I was waiting I told Saruman about my mission and about the Horde and anything he wanted to know. After about three hours a message came from one his subordinates that Adora was done being tortured, so he me led down to the dungeons to see Adora.
PRINCESS ADORA'S DIARY
34th DAY IN THE HORDE'S OCCUPATION OF ETHERIA
So...weak, they tortured me for what seemed to be an eternity, hoping that amidst my cries of pain and I would tell them about the sword. During the whole ordeal all I said is 'Light Hope, Light Hope where have you gone, protect me' what kept me alive thus far has been Queen Angella's poem, I have recited many times today to give me strength to continue.
Later that day, Hordak, who must have formed an alliance with these beings, came to my cell. He said he's come to see pay for stopping him from conquering Etheria. I told him that nothing could stop me from trying to stop him. He laughed and said that I wouldn't survive much longer and left. As they were leaving, I heard them they say about sending troops out find the Ring.
I knew that if I did not do something soon, all would be lost. The dungeon is too heavily guarded making an escape impossible. I bowed my head and prayed, Light Hope if you can hear me answer me.
This night maybe the darkest since Hordak first walked the universe.
Later that night, while my guards slept, I used a hairpin to unlock my shackles and open the cell door.
I walked around the complex for a long time, finally I came to dining room, wanting not to be discovered I hid behind a corner and listen to what my enemies were discussing.
Inside Hordak and his ally were discussing the One Ring, Hordak's ally whose name was Saruman, mentioned several locations among them were the "Cracks of Doom" or as he also called it "Mount Doom", also he mentioned a place "The Dead Marshes" and seem to indicate that is where the Ring was. From what I could surmise someone was already in possession of the Ring and was heading to its place of origin "mount Doom" to destroy it, I had go there myself to see the destruction of the Ring for myself.
While I was listening to them speak, I saw the Sword of Protection lying on the table, but before I could sneak in to get it some of the guards came in, they are obviously going to tell them that I had escaped.
While I was listening to them, I heard Hordak order the creatures to kill my Horse by using the Sword of protection. This was no doubt a trick to lure me out into the open, but Hordak's little plan will fail, but I also had to save my friend.
I went back to the corner that I was hiding in, I could here the guards footsteps as they left the room, I could also hear them brag about the deed they were going to do, a deed that I had to stop.
I had to think up a plan, as they approached the door I picked up a small stone and throw it across the hall.
The guards turned around when they heard the noise "it's the girl, she nearby" one of them exclaimed.
The looked around trying to find out where I was, this momentary distraction allowed me to come out of hiding, sneak up on the guards who had possession of my sword and take it back.
"There she is, get her!" one of the guards exclaimed as he saw me depart with the Sword in hand.
I ran as fast as I could, hoping to evade the guards, who were running almost as fast as me, but luckily I had just enough of the head start to outrun them.
Once I was sure that were gone, I found a corner to hide in. My muscles were aching, they were still sore from the hours of torture and the added stress of running was not helping them heal, I knew what had to be done in order to save spirit- I had to transform.
After checking to make sure no on was coming, I raised my sword in the air and said the incantation "For the Honor of Grayskull…"
Immediately the power and energy that lay dormant in the sword rushed out of the blade and into my body. The wounds inflicted during torture were healed miraculously by the power of Grayskull; the fortitude and bravery of King Grayskull the Great gave me the courage and power to take on Hordak and any other enemies and the divine blood of the gods gave me the will to do it.
"I am She-Ra," I declared to the world as the transformation ended, I was no longer the weak Princess Adora of Eternia- now I am She-Ra- Princess of Power
Now only one thing remained to do- I had to save Spirit!
LORD HORDAK'S JOURNAL
34th DAY IN MY OCCUPATION OF ETHERIA
After I visited my old enemy and my sure she wouldn't threaten my plan Saruman and I sat down for a late dinner.
During the meal we discussed our plans for capturing the One Ring, from what I could surmise the 'hobbits' were heading to place called Mount Doom, it was there the Ring was made and only there could it be destroyed.
Saruman told me that they heading through a supposed secret path through the Dead Marshes, a place that bears resemblance to the Lethe Wetlands of Etheria.
"The Marshes were a site of an ancient battle between Sauron and the Last Alliance between Men and Elves. Their souls have not rested since and are said to lure travelers to their doom" Saruman explained to me.
While I find the records of ancient battles most enlightening, I was more interested on learning the history of the One Ring, so I asked Saruman to get to that part of the story.
"Ages ago Hordak, Rings of great power made, nineteen in all…" Saruman stated
Interesting how numbers repeat themselves throughout time, according to legend there were nineteen Gnostics who founded Infintia and Castle Grayskull is said to house the nineteen secrets of the foundation of the universe although it is unlikely, I wonder if there is any connection between them
He told me about the Rings; how Sauron created the One Ring and how the Ring was lost until now, once I gain possession of the Ring of Power, I shall became the most evil being on Etheria once again the heavens will tremble at the name of Hordak of Etheria.
While me and Saruman were discussing our plan's to find the Ring, one of his Uruk-Hai came in with some bad news "My Lord Saruman! Lord Hordak! The girl has escaped and stole the Sword form us.
"YOU IDIOTS! I'LL RIP OUT EYES AND USE THEM FOR SPORT!" I ranted in drunken rage; I must recapture her before she ruins my plans.
Saruman stood up and simply remarked "Lergov, do whatever Hordak commands you to do"
The creature than faced me, "Your orders, Lord Hordak?" he asked awaiting my commands
I thought for a moment, my main concern now was to stop She-Ra from leaving and I knew how to do it "Go to the dungeons, Kill her horse, she won't leave without it, then lock this tower from basement to attic and make sure that no one leaves" I ordered him.
Just as Lergov was about to leave, Saruman held up a finger "Wait" he said wanting the creature to stop.
"Yes, my master" Lergov replied bowing to him.
Saruman stood up and faced Lergov, "Kill the horse with your arrows- the poisoned ones" he ordered with an evil smile on his face.
"Yes my master" Lergov said bowing as he left the room.
I turned to Saruman, "I like the way you think" I told him, thinking about the pain She-Ra would endure, a pain that all of Grayskull's descendants would feel as punishment for trapping me in Despondos to rot.
"Thank you, my friend" he replied his ego inflated from the compliment I just spoke.
I turned my thoughts away from Saruman and towards the future namely me finding the One Ring and She-Ra's ultimate defeat!
PRINCESS ADORA'S DIARY
34th DAY OF THE HORDE'S OCCUPATION OF ETHERIA
All through out the tower I could hear the sounds of the locks and bolts being slammed, they are locking the tower to prevent my escape.
Faster than winds that howl in the Abyss of Grayskull, I rushed down the steps to the stables. I could hear the neighing of a Horse I knew it was Spirit.
Finally, when I reached the stables, I looked in horror as I saw the guards shooting arrows at him. They were laughing at him as he cried in pain the whole spectacle sickened me.
I ran in front of him and tried to block the arrows, the arrows dug into my flesh with a sharp searing pain, I knew that if Spirit was to survive I had to drive off the guards, so I picked up some stones and hurled them at the guards. I continued to hurl the rocks at them until they fled.
As I was watching them flee, I began to feel dizzy and light headed, at first I thought it was from the blood loss, until I looked at the blood I spilt on the floor, there was a green liquid mixed in with it- the arrows were poisoned.
Soon my muscles began to erupt in violent spasms paralyzing me and when I tried to move them the spasms intensified making me collapse to my knees in pain; I placed my hand on my forehead I was burning up and possibly going into shock, I wiped the sweat from my brow, it was mingled with blood.
I began to feel queasy and vomit uncontrollably, I knew that if couldn't stop vomiting I would die of dehydration and if that didn't do me in the blood loss and poisoning would.
I was delirious; I kept hearing Hordak's voice taunting me, "LEAVE ME ALONE YOU MONSTER!" I spat trying to make him go away, but to no avail
My vision was impaired everything was blurry and at times I thought I was blinded, the utter horror of Spirit's death, mixed the pain of the poison which was speeding through my body at incredible speeds due to the extreme blood loss was overwhelming, all I wanted to do was to curl up and die, but that was not an option- I had to save Spirit!
Using what little strength I had, I crawled over to spirit, his eyelids were heavy and he was crying in pain. I tried to remove the arrows from his body, a task that would normally be easy, but in my condition I couldn't even remove shallow ones.
As I was trying to remove the arrows, I saw his eyes close, he had succumbed to Viper's blade.
I was overcome by anger and sadness, but had no strength to do anything, so I curled up in a fetal position beside him and wept, finally after five minutes of crying, my own eyelids got heavy and everything became black.
Oh Sweet Thanatos, take me away from this place!
LORD HORDAK'S JOURNAL
34th DAY IN THE THIRD YEAR OF MY OCCUPATION OF ETHERIA
Me and Saruman put this finishing touches on our plan, once we were finished Saruman retired for the night, I hope it's sound for it will be the last peaceful Sleep he has, for tomorrow he will have nightmare.
Once I made sure that he was in the Morpheus' care, I went into the study and stole the battle plan, Hordak shares power with no one.
As I was running out the tower I overhead some Uruk-Hai mention that they took care of She-Ra, she would no longer be a threat to my plans; I stopped to savor the fact of her demise and left to carry out my plans.
I had instructed my men to meet outside the tower and to be ready for an excursion.
Our plan was simple, from what I surmised there were two ways to enter Sauron's land, the first and easiest way was to go through the Dead Marshes and make your to the Black Gate; the other way takes us through the city of Minas Morgul up the stairs of Cirith Ungol and finally into Mordor.
We would form two teams- The Prime Team, led by Shadow Weaver and me would go in through the through the Dead Marshes and to the black gate, while the Etherian Team led by Catra would go in through the back way Once there we will ambushed this 'Ring bearer' and claim the Ring for my own.
When I arrived at the location we had chosen to meet I found my men there ready to attack, I told them that this would be just like our assault on the Temple of the Magi, knowing what I meant we set out to capture the Ring of Power.