Chapter Three: "Crusade"

Old friends and noble Cat-citizens Tao and Percival walked along the corridors just beyond their boarders, leading the group of Heroic Warriors and Great Rebels to their destination.

"I thank you once more," She-Ra said as they came upon on final large tunnel.

"No problem, She-Ra."

These cats were far different than the ones from Eternia, He-Man had noted. They were less cat-like and more like simple humans with cat features. He knew of their magic, but was unsure of the full extent of their powers. Still, though, there were some similarities between Eternia and Etheria that nagged at him.

"This will take you in the great underground," Tao told them all. "Beyond this point, we can help you no more."

"Many thanks," Man-At-Arms stated.

"Farewell," Percival replied. "I hope we will see you again, She-Ra."

She-Ra smiled and waved good bye. For some reason, she felt as though she would see them sooner than they all thought they would.

Far from the Magicats underground city, the team marched into the damp darkness of the vast below. The team had been assembled for each ones certain talents and abilities. Bow, Glimmer, Teela, and Frosta were all brought for their offensive/defensive skills. Man-At-Arms was brought in for this reason as well, but it also helped that he had incredible experience with Hordak from not just recent years, but also from the Horde War back on Eternia. Man-E-Faces and Mekaneck were both their for their scouting and scanning strengths. Castaspella and, to an extent, Orko were their for magical purposes. Orko was also there with Kowl so that the pair could do some on the spot research.

After a few hours of traveling, the corridor opened up into a vast chamber that was strangely lit by glowing rocks in the ceiling. The floor was littered with ancient statues and ruins of what once could have been temples or homes.

"What is this place?" asked Teela.

"I'm not sure," She-Ra answered and brushed the dirt off a nearby pillar to reveal just what it said. "It's in a language I don't recognize."

Kowl flew over and put on his reading glasses. "Who-whoo! Let me see what it says." He furry brow furrowed with some struggle as he tried to make out the words. "I've never seen it before either."

He-Man, curious, walked over and looked at it. He did, in fact, recognize it.

"You know what it means, smart guy?" asked Frosta.

"I don't know what it means, but I recognize the ideograms."

"What is it?" asked Man-At-Arms. "Where have you seen them before?"

"Castle Grayskull. And . . ." He paused and glanced at some of the other ruins. "At the Crossroads of the Universe. One of the doors had these same symbols on it."

Orko flew over and took a good look. "Yeah, me too! I've seen them before too!"

"Where did you see them, Orko?" asked Castaspella.

"They were on Zodak's chair!"

"This is just odd. Why would those be down here? It looks like this place hasn't been touched in 3,000 years!" Man-E-Faces exclaimed.

She-Ra stood up. "I don't think it's a good idea to dwell on this. We need to keep moving. According the map, that tunnel at the end of the chamber will bring us closer to the Dark Palace."


Double-Trouble walked carefully up the Palace gates. At her recognition, the guards allowed her entrance. From there, the double agent made her way into the throne room, carefully fingering the disc in her pouch. It wasn't good news she was carrying, but it was good that the Great Rebellion could find out about it ahead of time. Thank the First Ones for small favors . . .

"Queen Angella," Double-Trouble stated simply upon her entrance. She bowed a little to the monarch of Brightmoon.

"Double-Trouble," replied Queen Angella. She could tell by the look on her face that they needed to speak in private. After excusing herself, Angella and Double-Trouble left the throne room and went to Angella's private study across the corridor.

"What is it?" asked the Queen Angella.

"It . . . it would be best if I showed it to you," Double-Trouble answered and pulled out her disc.

Queen Angella placed the disc in the small computer on her desk. The computer came to life and displayed information from said disc. The leader of the Great Rebellion's eyes widened and wings tensed at the sight. She looked up at Double-Trouble.

"Is this a joke?"

"No ma'am."

"Because if it is, then it's not funny at all."

"Ma'am, it's authentic. It even has the Horde confirmation codes."

Angella sat down in her chair, shocked. "If this is true . . . then Etheria only has six more months of freedom left."

"Yes, ma'am."

Angella sneered at the monitor, then looked away. Outside, the sun had set and the moons were in their zenith. She sighed and nodded a little.

"I would like to take some time and look over these plans. When are you due back at the Fright Zone?"

"Not for another week."

"Plenty of time, then. Stay nearby, will you? I need you to do me a small favor."

"What is that, ma'am?"

"Bring me my husband and send out word to the other members of the Great Rebellion that I need to see them first thing in the morning." She looked once more at the monitor before returning her attention again to Double-Trouble. "This is the greatest threat Etheria has ever faced."


Adora, only ten, walked along the path, surprised at just how green and beautiful the world was so far away from her home in the place called the Fright Zone. Little mice skittered away from her and she started to chase after them. Not far away, Shakra was sitting under a tree, nose in a book.

Adora smiled and was completely in love with this weather. She skipped along, following the mice as they attempted to flee, as if afraid that a ten year old girl who loved the flowers and the songs of birds was going to kill them mercilessly.

The young one stopped all of sudden, eyes catching glimpse of stream of dark smoke coming from just over the next hill. Curiously (curiosity had been her enemy a few times before, of course), she went up that hill and saw where the smoke was coming from. Three houses were burning, the flames dancing high into the sky. She then saw what was just beyond those burning houses.

A dozen people of varying ages, sat on their knees, hands on the back of their heads. Many of them were crying while some of them sat with strained resilience. Adora stared wide-eyed as a dozen Horde Troopers arrived, laser at the ready. Her mind began to connect just what was to happen and her breath was taken from her. How could they be doing this? The Horde protected Etheria! Were these bad men? They were children and old folk down there - how could they be bad?

"You aren't supposed to see this, child," a red form said monotony. Shadow Weaver slid in front of Adora and began to wave her hands over Adora's face. "You won't remember it either."

The memory faded and would be repressed until today . . .


She-Ra awoke with a strong gasp. The dank air of the large cavern and the sounds of a few whispers were all that greeted her. They had stopped for six hours and one half of the team slept for three and the other half slept for the next three.

"Are you alright?"

She-Ra looked up and saw Man-At-Arms standing above her. She nodded a little and Man-At-Arms bent down to her level.

"Shadow Weaver had surpressed certain memories throughout my childhood. With her mental blocks no longer being reinforced, the memories come surging back. Most of the time, it's at night. When I'm dreaming."

Duncan spread his arms out and She-Ra embraced him. She felt very secure with him and was very happy to have a man such as he for what was practically another father.

After they were done hugging, She-Ra stood up and began to walk around their current location. It was a very large cavern, one that the Horde would have to travel through to get to Dark Palace. She-Ra made absolutely sure that NONE of them reached Dark-Hope . . . not even their team here. That meant stopping the Horde right here. Collapsing the cavern was also an option, but She-Ra was concerned that it may just destroy the entire network of tunnels that flowed here. Not to mention themselves.

As She-Ra drank a little water from the canteen, He-Man sat alone at the edge of a small cliff that made up the right side of their trail.

Teela looked at him for a long moment and felt her emotions stirring. She still cared about him, didn't she? Of course she did - how could she not? It was tearing them both up, this separation of their friendship. It was time, Teela decided, to end that.

She looked over at Castaspella and Frosta, very happy they were both asleep. Teela walked over and sat down beside He-Man. He-Man looked over with an expression of surprise and Teela gave him a smile.

"Hi."

"Um . . . hello."

"He-Man, listen . . . I think it's time we had a chat about this."

"Yeah? Yeah."

"I think it's time we just decide to be friends. This whole thing with me . . . and you . . . it's just silly. We were friends for so long before any of this happened. And it was stupid of me to even act like I did."

He-Man nodded a little. "Yeah, well, I suppose I could have let you down a little easier."

"Yeah. That may have helped."

"Okay, well, friends then?" he asked, outstretching his hand.

Teela took his hand and shook. "Friends." As soon as her fingers caressed his rough skin, she wished they were more than just that. But she knew that for now - just for now - they were better off this way.

"EVERYBODY UP!" shouted Man-E-Faces suddenly.

He-Man and Teela were on their feet and spun to watch Man-E-Faces as he went from ROBOT to MONSTER.

At that moment, from another cavern entrance, came the Horde. Before anyone could act, the Horde Troopers opened fire. Laser beams sliced through the air, smashing not the Heroic Warriors nor the Great Rebellion - but the wall behind them.

"Get moving!" roared He-Man to the others. His gut had told them they shouldn't have stopped to rest, but they had all been traveling for hours.

"I don't think so!" Hordak shouted. Before She-Ra, He-Man and their companions could move, Hordak unleashed a burst of power right at the spot that the Horde Troopers had attacked. The wall cracked and crumbled and collapsed right on top of them.

"That will hold them off for ten minutes," Hordak grunted. "Leech, Catra, Scorpia, and Horde Troopers - remain here. The rest of you, with me!"

Hordak, Shadow Weaver, Multi-Bot, and Modulock journeyed into yet another tunnel. Both Hordak and Shadow Weaver could sense great, evil power resting at the end of this tunnel and they relished in it. Dark-Hope, and the power to break into the Whispering Woods, was near.


Queen Angella sat alone in her quarters, the rain pouring down on her window. Thunder rolled and she could see a crack of lightning strike something far off. She had been up for most of the night, thinking and re-thinking. The plan was the picture of perfection. Every counter-attack counted for, every battle plan calculated. It was amazing in its minutia.

There was a gentle knock on the door. Angella turned from the window and stood up. The door opened without her acknowledgement, but she didn't mind. It was her own husband, of course - King Micah. His return from the front lines at the Crimson Waste was three hours ago and he had taken the time to read through the invasion plans.

"Six months," he muttered.

"Yes. I can not believe Hordak has given us all a death sentence."

Micah sighed. "To be honest, my love, I can't believe he hasn't done this before. Gather up all of his best brains and central core people and have them come up with the ultimate plan to defeat us."

Angella put her head in her hands. "What can we do, Micah? This plan . . . it's flawless!"

Micah looked at the printouts in his hands. After a few seconds, he looked back up to her. "No. It's not."

"What do you mean?"

"There is one fatal flaw. One grievous error. One massive hole. It's just a matter of taking advantage of it."

"What is it?"

Micah told her.

Angella sat there for a second looking at her husband for whom she had loved for many years. Her mind toyed around with what he said. She played it out in her mind, looking for exactly how she perceived it would go. It was a tough one, but she began to think about a little more and began to feel a bit of her faith rising.

"It . . . would be a struggle."

"Of course it would."

"And it would be harder than we think it is."

"Hordak doesn't even know we have these plans. He won't be expecting it."

Angella stared back out the window, wings relaxed as the rain continued to pour down. After taking a deep breath she turned back to her husband.

"We have no other choice, then," she said straightly. "When She-Ra and the others return from their mission, we'll go through with it."