Chapter Twelve: "The Last Battle of the Irons"

Dear Journal,

It's been a while. Six weeks, I think, if that last date was right. Something like that. The last time I wrote in here was when Stratos and Buzz-Off lost that battle at the coast. That was May. It's July, as you can see by the date, and I am five months pregnant.

With twins.

Pretty wild, huh?

To be honest, it's times like these I wish my Mom were still alive. And even if she wasn't, I wish my sister was here or even Teelana. I'd even take a mother-in-law, if Randor's mom hadn't died a long time ago. They're all dead, expect Kristina, who I'm sure thinks I am.

I'm scared. I traveled into space three times - once strapped to a nuke, crash-landed on an alien world, and was kidnapped by thugs, and I'm more afraid now than I was any of those times. Imagine my surprise when I found out that Eternian pregnancies last ten months, not nine. Do you know what that means? That means I'll have two one-month-old babies in me before I go into labor. So . . . childbirth is a pretty scary thing right now.

But just being a Mom in general in scary. Hard enough there's a war on like this world has never seen, but how am I supposed to raise children during such a thing? How am I supposed to raise two children that will someday be responsible for this entire kingdom? I've hardly mastered the written Eternian language! How can I teach it?

I'm really just not sure as to what to do. I'm confident that these children will be special and I'll love them. And Randor will love them. He about fainted when I told him, but he's been as supportive to me as he could be.

I guess helping Duncan with Teela has been a learning experience for me. A little bit of training, I suppose. I wonder just how she and my children will get along ten, twenty years from now? Can't tell you how much I've thought about that.

I just hope we can make it until then. The war continues on, with neither side claiming a large victory. Hordak is said to be involved now in the Evergreen Forest, but there haven't been any battles with him directly fighting. Most of the Light Hemisphere has become defensive while the fighting the Sands of Time and the Desert have transformed from small skirmishes to large-scale battles. Two of them: one won, and the other lost. Randor was involved in the winning one.

I hate it when Randor fights. I hate it so much.

And despite what happiness I can find with being pregnant, I can't shake this feeling of dread . . .

Marlena closed her journal and sat back. She lifted her shirt and little and looked down at her full belly. The belly button was slightly poked out and she had been lucky that there wasn't a lot in the way of stretch marks quite yet. She felt one the kids kick and she smiled. The other one kicked in response to its twin and she smiled again.

"Don't you guys start fighting," Marlena told them, poking her belly. "Don't make me come in there."

She giggled at her own stupid joke, then heaved herself out of her chair and walked tenderly across her royal apartment to the walk-in closet. She began to go through clothes that she hoped would fit her. She was planning on heading down to the medical wing to see some of the soldiers that had recently been injured.

At that moment, however, the door came open and Randor walked in.

"Ancients, tell me you're not going anywhere."

Marlena perked an eyebrow. "And what if I am?"

"I've been in meetings since dawn. All it was was a bunch of 'military experts' trying to tell me what to do. Ugh. Driving me up a wall!"

Randor slammed down onto the end of the bed and sighed. Marlena smiled and climbed up behind him, laying her hands onto his shoulders. She began to massage them gingerly and he let out a small, satisfied moan.

"Feel good?"

"Yes."

"I'm glad." A second later, she stopped. "Okay, my turn."

"Your turn? How can it be your turn? I'm the one who's stressed out here."

"Yeah, well, my body is stressed out. And you never give me a massage any more."

Randor rolled his eyes and turned back to face his wife. "I give you massages all the time."

"Not since I got knocked-up, you haven't."

"'Knocked-up?' That's a new one."

"It means getting pregnant."

"Well, I kinda figured that."

Marlena smiled playfully at Randor and moved in for a kiss. He returned it passionately. When they broke, Marlena hunkered back.

"I still want my massage," she said somewhat seductively.

"Oh, I'll give you a massage, all right. And it will be the best massage you've ever had."

"Two can play at that game."

Randor took his wife into his arms and began to kiss her again. However, just as things started to get 'hot and heavy,' there was a rapid knock at the door. Randor groaned loudly and pulled himself off the bed.

"Randor! Get back here and - "

"I can't right now. It could be important. Let's just hope it better be or this guy is going to have his head cut off."

With that, Randor swung the door open. A young aide was pale in the face, obviously having heard what Randor had said through the door.

"This just came from Man-At-Arms, sire," the aide said shakily.

Randor was handed a piece of paper. He looked back up at the aide. "Is this all?"

"Yes sire."

"Good."

The door came close and Randor looked over the paper.

"What is it?" asked Marlena.

"Hordak's been sighted again. Twice, in fact. First in the Evergreen Forest, and then again right at its southern edge. Odd. Also, some reported Troop movements. What is he planning?"

Randor sat down in one of the chairs. Marlena sighed, the chance gone. She got up and went to get dressed for her visit.

Her black dress swayed in the breeze as Lynn walked towards her destination. Dusk was sweeping over the land and she knew that her time there would be short. But that didn't concern her - it needed to be short, simply because of the danger. The Elders may just sense her budding evil powers and try and attack her.

She neared the library entrance and acted perfectly calm despite the two Gunslinger-Rangers standing at the door. Her pass, stolen of course, allowed her entrance into the library. Lyn entered and immediately set upon her task. Her dark eyes scanned the tall shelves for the books that she so eagerly seeking.

Lynn found the book and quickly made for the door. Much to her shock, it was locked. She rushed over to a large window and gasped at what she was. Approaching from the north was an army of nearly 800 Horde Troopers. Lynn lifted a small tiara from her satchel and placed it on. Her mind drifted outward and she could sense great power approaching with this army.

Hordak . . . the Three . . . and one other.

"Incredible," she stated simply and watched with excitement as the army came ever closer. "Simply marvelous."

"How many?" asked Eldor as he and the other Elders convened in the main chamber.

Willym loaded his gun. "800. At the most."

"Have you sent word to Eternos?" Farnsworth asked.

"Yes, and Avion and Insectia."

"Will they send help?" questioned Chalon.

"Randor is on his way, as is Stratos and Buzz-Off. From what I understand, they've contacted the Bears and the Cats. They are sending forces as well. I have all of the doors locked and bolted, but knowing the Horde, they'll only be content with one door - the main one. I'm having all of my Gunslinger-Rangers protecting it."

"Willym . . ." started Eldor. "We can fight. There is no need for you to do this."

Willym looked to his guns. "The Horde is our greatest enemy, Eldor. We will die protecting you from them until help arrives. We have no choice. Hordak will be able to counter you, along with the young wizard apprentice and the Three. You need to prepare for those five. Let us contend with the Horde Troopers and you can battle it out with the magicians."

Eldor nodded sadly. "As it must be, I suppose."

"Yes."

Willym walked off, guns loaded and prepared for battle. Heath, Dean, and all of the others were waiting for him.

"Remember our oaths. If you have anything you want to write to your loved ones, write it quickly and leave it on this table." He pointed at all small table by the door. "Aim well, fire fast, reload quickly, shoot on target."

Each of them had a pair of small shields on their wrists, allowing for some sort of protection; and every one held their guns. The world had changed, Willym thought to himself as the doors opened and they were let out. Guns were becoming out-dated, soon to be completely replaced by lasers and the like.

But if this were to be last battle of the irons, Willym silently declared, then let us see that they vanish with honor.

A few moments later, the Horde came within firing range and the guns cocked and fired. Lasers screeched across the air, but the Gunslinger-Rangers protected themselves. Guns were fired once more. The first shots claimed Horde Troopers.

"First blood, gentlemen," Heath cried. "Let us also draw the last."

The Gunslinger-Rangers opened fire, the barrels of their guns blasting out bullets that exploded against the dull armor of the Horde Troopers. It would not be enough, however, and Willym finally understood that this would be their last.

The last battle of irons.

The last battle of the Gunslinger-Rangers.

Lynn watched as the Horde Troopers came right the base of the Hall of Wisdom. Through all of the pounding of mechanical boots and blasts of laser fire, she could hear the crack of gunfire. The Gunslinger-Rangers were still alive, which surprised her to no end.

Lynn was in favor of the Horde simply because she knew that if the Horde had indeed conquered Eternia, darkness and evil would sweep the land. As a student of the evil arts, she would surely become a more powerful figure.

She could see Hordak and his apprentice, along with the Three. If she helped them enter, the Horde may just help her grow in her teachings. With a small talisman stolen from the Temple of the Sun, she fired small bolts of energy at the locks of the side door she had come through earlier. The door opened widely and she leaned out, mind reaching out to the five dark sorcerers.

Not far away, the Three turned to Hordak.

"They are still alive!" gasped Keldor.

"They fight with honor, Keldor."

"That doesn't matter. They'll be dead soon."

Hordak sighed. "There is much you still don't understand, Keldor. I - "

"Hordak!" rasped the Three as they spoke in one voice. Both Keldor and Hordak looked to the Shadow Weavers, and then followed their pointed fingers. A young woman no older than 17 stood in a doorway at the library.

"She is summoning us," the Three told him.

Keldor smiled and pulled out the Sword of Darkness and his Chaos Staff. "Then who are we to turn her down."

Hordak turned to Calyx. "Handle the battle from here. Push through that door. We will meet you inside."

"Understood, Lord Hordak."

Keldor, Hordak, and the Three departed the army and rushed into the door. A few stray bullets came firing off towards. Keldor paused a watched as Willym - bleeding badly - attempted to stop them. Keldor watched then as laser fire riddled his body. The last of the Gunslinger-Rangers were dead.

Keldor followed Hordak and the Three into the library.

"I helped you!" said the girl with a grin.

Keldor paused and looked her over. "The Horde thanks you," he replied and patted his hand on her shoulder . . . and then ran after his master.

"Willym is dead," Eldor stated somberly. "Let us not forget this moment."

"Not to worry, old friend! You shall not!" cried out Hordak from an open corridor. Hordak, Keldor, and the Three rushed into the main chamber. Keldor stood at Hordak's side, just a few steps behind him. The Three floated in the air in defensive positions.

"End this conflict, Hordak."

"Never, Eldor. You don't see it, do you? I have become stronger without you. I am beyond you. I am no longer the Hordak you knew. I am a masters of the dark arts!"

Beams of energy came flying forth from Hordak's hands. The Elders put their palms forward and the beams were immediately deflected.

"You can not defeat us, Hordak," Kor grumbled.

"I most certainly can. I know all of your secrets. All of your weaknesses."

Streams of energy came streaking across the chamber from Keldor, Hordak, and the Three. They collided with Sparrow, a young-looking woman. The streams of energy wrapped around her body as Hordak hoped to break one link in the chain of the Elders.

Break one link and the whole chain crumbles.

"Do you honestly believe we have not prepared for your return!" shouted Schemendrick.

"We have had 1,000 years to ready our counter-attacks," Ali added.

Their hands raised and the streams of energy veered from Sparrow, warped upwards and collided with itself.

"I have far more tricks up my sleeves," Hordak returned.

He raised his own hands, as did the Three and Keldor. Pulses of golden light came forth. The Elders suddenly understood what was happening. A portal was opening . . . a portal to Despondos - the one place where the Elders would be powerless. Despondos was so evil . . . so dark . . . that the Elders could not even close a portal that had opened to there.

"Knock down that door!" roared Calyx. "Trample those bodies! Move it! Move it!"

Calyx stepped forward and felt a rush. Great power was working in there. A part of him very much wanted to see it, to take in the full view of evil triumphing over good. The Elders were mighty, he knew this, but even they had their weaknesses.

"Sir, the door is 75.4 ready to be demolished. We predict a full breach in two minutes and -"

An explosion cut the Horde Trooper off. Calyx spun around and his eyes widened at what he saw. An army of incredible size, flags and banners waving, weapons firing, came rushing into the Horde Troopers. Avions, Insectoids, Bears, Cats, and Men.

"Curse them," Calyx muttered.

"RIDE ON! RIDE ON AND FIGHT!" shouted King Randor as his sword sliced right through armor and robotics.

Unknown to Calyx, Randor heard a sudden shout for help in his mind. Randor! yelled Eldor telepathically. We need your help!

"How can I get to you?" he asked aloud, destroying another Horde Trooper.

The side door to the library! Hurry!

Randor turned to Duncan and Dekker. "The Elders need my help. Duncan, you're with me. Dekker, keep things moving out here."

"Yes, sire," Dekker replied and then launched a grenade at a gaggle of Horde Troopers.

Randor went running, Duncan right behind him. They came rushing through the side door, completely ignoring Lynn, who had taken up a hiding place behind a bookshelf. The pair charged their weapons and went running into the main chamber.

"Hordak!" shouted Randor.

Hordak smiled. His apprentice turned to Randor . . . and his mouth went slack.

"Randor . . ." Keldor muttered.

"KELDOR?" gasped Randor.

"NO!" shouted Keldor then, rage burning in his eyes.

"What has happened to you?"

"KELDOR DO NOT LOSE CONCENTRATION!" shouted Hordak.

"Stop him, Randor!" Eldor cried as he and the others tried with failing luck to halt the opening of the portal.

Randor glanced around and saw that the portal was being held open by Keldor, the Three, and Hordak. If one of them were to fail, the portal would probably seal itself. Leaping into action, Randor took down the one he always knew he could overpower.

He tackled Keldor and the brothers went rolling onto the ground. Keldor's power was torn away from the portal and the opening quickly began to close up. Duncan yanked out a laser pistol and started to take shots at the Three.

"Die now . . ." the Three hissed as they veered towards Duncan.

"HALT SHADOW WEAVERS, DARK AGENTS OF THE HORDE!" spoke the Elders as one. Bright light fumed from their bodies as they stood up and joined hands. Hordak's red eyes went wide and Duncan could see fear on his alien face.

The Three turned to the Elders as their power began to grow.

"YOUR TIME IN SERVICE TO DARKNESS HAS COME TO AN END! YOU EVIL IS NO LONGER WELCOMED ON ETERNIA NOR IN THE UNIVERSE! FACE LIGHT NO DARK ONES!"

Arms raised high, fingers interlocked, a huge beam of focused light and energy struck the Three. Cries of searing pain and burning echoed throughout the chamber. Power cut through their bodies and sliced them apart. Their dark and evil presence was ripped apart by the power of the Light.

With three smoky explosions, the Three were gone. Their tattered clothes fell to the floor and dissolved. The Elders released their grip and faced Hordak.

"Keldor! This is over!" Hordak cried.

Keldor didn't hear him, he was too busy fighting his brother. Hordak saw an opportunity. A small burst of energy from Hordak knocked Randor unconscious.

"Grab him and let us go!" Hordak commanded, a jet back suddenly forming on his back.

"No! No!" cried Duncan, firing a few times at Keldor and Hordak and held onto one another and Randor.

Hordak went flying upwards, blasted a hole in the roof and was gone.

"NO!"

Duncan immediately ran to the main doors and opened a comm-line. "STRATOS! BUZZ-OFF! Tell me you just saw Hordak! Tell me you're following him!"

"We saw him, but he was too fast! He is out of our range already!"

"Damn it! Damn it damn it damn it!" Duncan shouted and kicked a table next the doors. Small scrapes of paper went flying all throughout the lobby.

Notes from the dead.