Chapter Fifteen: "Fighting in the Desert"

Randor was tossed into the air. The explosion was so loud that for one brief second he thought it caused him to go deaf. His body, protected by armor, slammed onto the ground. Sand was thrown into his face. He coughed and then felt his body being hauled backwards.

"Hang on, your highness!" came a familiar voice.

"Dekker," Randor coughed.

Another explosion roared nearby, tossing more sand against their bodies. Randor got to his feet and began to move away from the site of the bombing, Dekker by his side.

"The Horde is advancing along our southern flank," Dekker reported.

"Show me."

Dekker helped the king to a group of rocket launchers set atop of a large, secure boulder. Randor looked out upon the battle that was unfolding below the cliffs where he and his men were set-up. Horde Troopers marched onward while Royal Soldiers unleashed their lasers.

In the distance, Randor saw the base. They had successfully been able to destroy one of the Horde's bases here, but in the month after the Horde was finally pushed out of the Evergreen Forest, the Horde had gathered all of its resources into the Desert and the Sands of Time.

"Where is Stratos?" Dekker asked, an explosion going off not far from where Randor and Dekker had just left.

"The Avions are encountering resistance. They won't be here until nightfall," Randor returned.

"The Bats . . . I thought they were done."

Randor coughed again. "They may be cut off from the Mystic Mountains, but they still have an alliance with the Horde. After what the Dragons put them through, I'm a little surprised by that."

Dekker nodded and looked closer at the battle below. He opened a comm-line to the commanding officer. "I want our southern flank to contract. Allow some of the Horde to move in and then pick them off one by one."

Randor opened his own comm-line. "Keep your distance, though. We're going to try and plow them down with missiles." Randor pointed to the men behind the rocket launchers. They prepared their weapons for the up-coming attack.

"Sire!" came the shout of an aide from behind.

Randor turned around and faced the young man. "Yes?"

"Sire, there's someone here to see you."

Randor glanced at Dekker. Dekker nodded, well able to take care of the situation. Randor hopped off the boulder and over to the small encampment set-up behind it.

"Who is it?"

"He says he was contacted by the Elders."

"The Elders?"

Randor came to his tent and entered. He gasped. Standing there, on the furs that made up his temporary floors, was King Creatus. Creatus was the leader of the Lizard-People of the southern Fertile Plains. More specifically - the vast underground kingdom of Lizardia. Early on, King Creatus had made it very clear that his people's role in the war was pure neutrality. His kingdom was also not within the range of Horde quite yet. And, as a rule, the Lizard-People hardly ever involved themselves in affairs not their own.

Which shocked Randor all the more to see him here.

"King Randor," Creatus grunted. "An honor to see you again."

"Likewise. I think we've only met once before."

"Yes. My father's funeral." The large, green-scaled king sighed deeply. "King Randor, I will be blunt. As you know, I have kept my people out of the Horde War simply because it was not our problem yet. But I was also . . . concerned. Concerned that the Horde was too great an enemy."

King Creatus paused, but King Randor said nothing. After studying Randor for a long couple of seconds, Creatus cleared his throat.

"I have sat back and watched as Eternos, Avion, Insectoids, Bears, and Cats have all sacrificed lives for all of Eternia. Including my people. I do not lie when I say that that has tolled on my conscience. I went to the Elders for advice . . . and I was told there was only one situation."

Randor blinked. "Wait. What are you saying?"

"I have an army poised to join the fight on your command."

The King of Eternos smiled widely. "I'll contact my commanding officers. You and I will coordinate the battle from up here."

"The Lizard-People have joined in at the Desert. We believe that combined with the Royal Soldiers, they will converge on the base in two hours."

Keldor went silent then, the up-date complete. Hordak snorted. The Lizard-People were formidable - especially their tails and muscle mass. They keen awareness of sword forging was also well known. In short, this was going to be trouble.

"What do you recommend, sir?" asked Keldor after too long a pause.

"I am . . . not certain. What is the status of the Avions?"

Keldor punched a few keys on the pad in front of him. "Batros is in retreat. The Avions will be there in three hours."

Hordak slammed his fist on the table. At that moment, a Horde Trooper entered the throne room.

"Sir, we have found a trespasser."

Keldor glanced at Hordak, then nodded. "Bring him in."

Much to Keldor's surprise, a pair of Horde Troopers didn't bring in a he, but a she. She was quite pale with short, white hair. The girl looked no older than seventeen and was vaguely familiar to Keldor. He also found her very beautiful.

A fourth Horde Trooper entered and dropped two sacks onto the table.

"Who are you?" demanded Hordak.

"Lynn, sir. I've come to serve the Horde."

Hordak snorted. Whether it was irritation or amusement was unknown to none but him.

"The Horde is falling apart," Hordak said then. He poured himself a drink.

Keldor's eyes widened at just what Hordak had said. He said nothing, though, and began to prod around in Lynn's sacks. One was filled with clothes; the other had magical items and books. One he recognized - it had once been in the library at the Hall of Wisdom.

"You . . ." Keldor realized, finally putting it together. Lynn smiled as she watched him understand. "You were the one that let us into the Hall of Wisdom."

Hordak turned. "What?"

Lynn blushed a little. "I was, sir. I was the one that allowed you access to the Hall of Wisdom."

"Surely, that is enough to let you join our ranks," Keldor stated, gazing at her soft features.

Hordak's red eyes grew wide. "Just because I let you keep around that walking fur-ball doesn't mean that you can let just anyone join the Horde!"

"She aided us, Hordak."

"Bah! Nothing!"

Keldor turned back to Lynn. "A test, then. A second test."

Hordak let out a brief, ugly laugh. "Fine, fine. A test." He took another drink of his wine. "Lynn, dear, we are currently losing the war. Just how would you remedy that situation?"

Lynn smirked. "I would seek out the Oracle of Truth in the Crystal Sea. He would give you his insight. All you would have to do is ask him just what strategy would be best."

Hordak laughed again, that ugly thing. "That may just be a good idea. You better hope he gives me some good news." He finished off his wine, then turned to a Horde Trooper. "Prepare my transport for immediate departure."

Hours later, as evening came upon Eternia . . .

Legend had it that the Crystal Sea was once a massive palace and during the time of Preternia, it was the home to gnomes, fairies and even a bit of the long-lost Elven civilization. Something had destroyed it, as legends go, but parts of it still retained that magic from the old days.

Whatever the case may be, Hordak was agitated when he landed near the entrance of the Oracle of Truth. Few knew about him and Hordak was one of them - mainly from his time with the Elders. He was impressed that Lynn was aware of the Oracle's existence, but was still unsure if she was going stick around or not.

Hordak entered the cavern and stepped forward.

"Oracle of Truth - I summon you!"

There was a great distortion around Hordak, as if the entire world had suddenly gone out of focus. It passed and when it did, the face of a man with trim white hair and a beard appeared before him.

"Hordak . . ."

"I have questions, Oracle."

"Ask them, then."

"I must defeat Eternos. What is the best way?"

The Oracle fell silent. "Recall all of your forces and then unleash them all on the Palace. It is the best strategy."

"Will it guarantee victory?"

"I can not answer that. There are many probabilities and outcomes that I can not see."

Hordak sighed. "All right. What is the greatest asset to Eternos? What is the most powerful and most vulnerable?"

Once more, the Oracle fell silent before answering. "There is not a place or object that would aid you in your conquest. However, there are two people that are very powerful and yet very vulnerable."

"Who? Who are they?"

After the silence, the Oracle spoke once more. "The children of Randor and Marlena. By the time your forces are regrouped and unleashed, the twin babes will have been born. Both children have a special destiny, but what it is I can not say."

Hordak perked an eyebrow. "Can not or will not?"

"They are destined for great things, Hordak. You know this. The Three told you that once. The mating of the King of Eternos and the alien has produced very powerful offspring. Take both children and victory shall be yours."

Marlena waddled along the hallway, feeling both fat and unattractive in her new shape. Her feet were swollen - and just about everything else was as well. And even though it was early October, it was still a good 80 degrees outside. She hated the fact that despite the fact that Eternians had developed lasers, jets, and sensors, they had yet to create air conditioning.

The first thing she did when she got back into her quarters was change. Off went the big, puffy dress and on went the civvies. In her case, it was a top that didn't even touch her bare belly and a pair of shorts.

The kids were kicking fiercely. Her back was killing her. As soon as she sat her big butt down on the chair, her eyes darted to the large stack of paperwork on the desk.

"Oh no . . . I really don't want to do this."

At that moment, there was knock on the door. She grunted.

"Come in."

Susannah entered. Marlena sighed, not really wanting to see skinny, not-pregnant Susannah right now. Like it or not, though, Susannah was her best friend. After over a year on Eternia, it was nice to have one.

"Sorry I'm half-naked right now," Marlena apologized.

"It's okay, ma'am."

"What brings you up here, Susannah?" Marlena asked, leaning back in her chair, hands on her large abdomen.

"You looked fairly miserable all day. I wanted to know if you needed anything."

Marlena smiled. "A pizza would be nice."

"Pizza? What's that?"

"An Earth food. I've been craving a slice all day."

"Ah. I see. Second Chef Allan is in the kitchen tonight. I'm sure he could try and get a close approximation to your pizza."

"He could try, I guess." Just then, there was a second knock at the door. Marlena rolled her eyes. "That better be the pizza delivery boy. Can you get that? And tip him well. He just traveled across the universe to deliver a pizza. That's a lot of gas."

Susannah smiled, but didn't really understand it. She opened the door and Johanna came in.

"Marlena, hi!" Johanna greeted. "Look at you! You're huge!"

Marlena sighed deeply. "Well, thanks a lot sweetie. That's always nice to hear."

Johanna smirked. "I'm sorry. That's not what I meant. You're glowing! You look beautiful!"

"And fat," Marlena added, smiling a little herself. She hoisted herself out of her chair and hugged Johanna.

"Two more months to go, huh?" asked Johanna.

"Yeah. If these were full Earth kids, they'd be out next month. But I guess you guys have ten month pregnancies. Wish I had known that sooner."

Johanna grinned, but Marlena suddenly noticed that she was hiding something. Marlena glanced at Susannah, who looked like she had noticed as soon as the Queen of North Eternos had entered.

"What brings you to Eternos, your majesty?" asked Susannah.

"I have a briefing here tomorrow. I thought I'd stop by tonight and spend some time with you." Johanna lowered her eyes a little, clearly indicating that she wanted to talk in private.

Marlena turned to her friend and aide. "Susannah, how about you head down to kitchen and see if we have any dough, meat, and cheese? If we do, let me know. We're going to have some pizza."

Susannah smiled and nodded. "Yes, ma'am," she acknowledged. She was gone.

"You may want to sit down," Johanna told her sister-in-law.

"Thank you!" Marlena plopped right down. "Now, tell me this isn't about Randor getting kidnapped again . . ."

"It's not. It's . . . Marlena . . . I'm pregnant."

Johanna attempted a smile. Marlena was shocked.

"What?"

"I'm pregnant. I just found out earlier."

"Who's the father?"

"The Captain of our Royal Guard. Edward, son of Shawn."

"Do . . . are you guys planning on getting married?"

"I . . . I don't know. I'm so . . . so ashamed."

Johanna fell into Marlena's arms and started to cry. "Hey, hey, it's okay. There's nothing to be ashamed about. He's nice guy, isn't he? I met him once or twice."

"He's great. He's wonderful. I love him, I really do. But . . . it's so confusing . . ."

"Just take it easy, sweetie. There's nothing to worry about. You're going to be fine. I'm sure things will work out," Marlena assured her. "There's nothing wrong with this. There isn't."

Johanna wiped away a tear. "I suppose. It's just . . . I'm the Queen . . . people look up to me."

"I know. Trust me, I know."

At that moment, the comm-line opened. "Queen Marlena, Queen Johanna, this is Susannah. Second Chef Allan has what you asked for, ma'am."

"All right. We'll be down shortly."

The comm-line closed and Marlena got up. She pulled a longer shirt that left only a large crescent shape of her belly bare, including her popped belly button.

"Come on, hon. Let's talk about this over pizza."

"What's pizza?"

"You're lucky, girl," Hordak snorted, entering the throne room where Lynn and Keldor were both waiting. "The Oracle told me just the answers I wanted to hear."

"I'm glad to serve you," Lynn responded, smiling and bowing a little.

"Bah. Just what service do you think you'll serve here? Giving advice? Sharing fine council?"

Lynn glanced at Keldor, then back to Hordak. "I wish to become your pupil in the ways of evil, sir."

Once more, Hordak snorted. "I already have a pupil."

Keldor took a step forward. "Then I will take her on as a pupil."

"You? You're not even close to achieving master," Hordak spat.

"I am for more power than you know me to be, Hordak."

Hordak turned away. "You're a fool, Keldor. A stupid fool. Train her, then, in your chaotic ways. It will only lead you both to destruction and disappointment."

With that, Hordak left the chamber, leaving Lynn and Keldor alone. Lynn smiled seductively at Keldor. Keldor enjoyed that smile.

"Looks like I'll be your teacher, then."

"Yes . . . master." She ran her finger along the head of Keldor's Chaos Staff.

Keldor's blue face turned a slight red. "Just what, um, attracts you to the Horde, Lynn?"

"Power. I want it."

"Then you should know," Keldor said, slightly unsteady, " that I am very powerful."

"I believe it."

The two kissed deeply. A few moments later, they retreated to Keldor's chambers and that night, Keldor lost his virginity to her.

Five days later, Randor rode along with Dekker in a troop transport towards the second and final base, this one located just inside the Sands of Time. He was not pleased with what he saw. On the report sheet that he was reading, there were indications of huge Horde Trooper movements. Even stranger and more distressing were there reports the Horde had huge Trooper unit pulled from battles all over Eternia.

The transport suddenly came to a halting stop. Randor stood up and went to the back exit. The transport all around him were stopping in their place.

"What is going on here?"

Stratos dropped from the sky. "My apologies, King Randor, but I felt it best to stop right now. There is something you may want to see."

"Show me."

Stratos grabbed hold of King Randor and the pair was airborne. Stratos took him over the group of transports and then into view of the base. Randor's jaw dropped.

"What is this?"

The base was abandoned. It looked like a quick deconstruction job had been done on it, leaving it in shambles.

"We're not reading any sign of Horde Troopers," Stratos said. "We have also just received word that all Horde bases that we intelligence scouted in the past twenty-four were left in the same condition."

"The mass Trooper movements . . . the pulling out of battles . . . the Horde is in retreat," Randor concluded. "But where did they go? And why?"