Chapter Sixteen: Snake Mountain Unleashed

A month passed with no new Horde activity. There were continual troop movements, but nothing of much consequence. A few minor skirmishes here and there, yet still nothing that required a full military commitment. Eternos, Avion, and Insectia all held their stations, despite the fact that the war seemed to be fading away.

After another month, the Horde War seemed completely over. Despite the slow relief throughout the Light Hemisphere, there was also a large amount of tension. Questions. Concerns. Demands. Ultimately, hanging over nearly all of Eternia, was the question: just what was the Horde doing?

Early December came and the first snowfall blanketed much of Eternia. Snow, though rare, was a bit of a concern for Eternos. It damaged crops, and while some plants thrived off it, it was not a good sign for the spring months ahead. Avions, as a general rule, considered snow a poor condition because it limited their flying abilities.

King Randor stood alone on the main balcony, snowflakes twirling around him, caught in the wind. He longed to remember just where he had been taken so many months ago so he could simply send scouts to the undisclosed location and uncover what Hordak and Keldor were up to. If they were still even on this world.

"What's wrong, Randor?" asked Marlena from behind.

He turned around and faced Marlena, who sitting in a chair near the balcony doors. "Just thinking. Aren't you cold?"

She nodded. "Yes, thankfully. I was having a hot flash. Ancients, it's hot," she said. Using 'Ancients' had grown into her vocabulary over the past few months.

He smiled and walked over. A kiss on the forehead and a belly rub brought a warm smile to her face. "How are you?"

"Huge. On Earth, I would be considered over a month overdue. This pregnancy is pushing my body to the limit."

"The Healer and the Doctors both said the children are just fine and your body is adapting."

"Yeah . . . I guess. Oh, Randor, can you shut that door and then help me up?"

He closed the doors to the balcony, and then helped her out of the chair. With one arm around her, the husband and wife walked into the Throne Room. Marlena was huge. At 43 weeks, her belly bloated huge before her. She had gained nearly seventy pounds from the pregnancy, not a fact she was happy about. Spending too much time on her feet resulted in swollen ankles; her back was ached; her hips were sore from widening. Her body was not made for a ten-month pregnancy, but it had successfully been able to adapt to the incredible changes that had taken place.

As she took her place on the throne next to her beloved, she placed her hands on the massive mound of her belly. Such a wonderful experience it had been, bringing these two beautiful children into the world. Marlena felt ready - very ready. A lot of her doubts had faded as the pregnancy had continued to progress into these final stages.

"King Randor," addressed Man-At-Arms, stepping towards the thrones. "Still no word on Horde. However, there have been some reports of disturbances in the Plains of Perpetuia."

"What kind of disturbances?"

"Unknown, sire."

At that moment, the entire Royal Council entered along with Captain Dekker, Captain Stark, Commander Duncan, King Stratos and General Buzz-Off.

"There are concerns now, sire, that the Horde is gathering all of their forces for one final battle against us," Tobias stated. "If this is true, then we must consolidate our own forces."

"Wait a moment, please," Randor jumped in. "Where are you getting these facts?"

"Sire, we are just considering all options at this moment."

"Understandable, but still I'd like to -"

"Oh," gasped Marlena a little.

Randor looked to his wife . . . and saw that her skirt was all wet.

"Um . . ."

Her face turned red, embarrassed. "Looks like my water just broke."

Keldor stood the bottom of Snake Mountain and watched as the Horde Troopers began their march towards the east. He turned to his two compatriots, Beast-Man and Lynn.

"I want you two to remain here. Keep an eye on things. With all of us going, it'll be no one but Horde Troopers at Snake Mountain. Watch over the fortress, you two. I'm trusting you. When I return, I promise you all of the power you want."

Lynn smiled. "Fight well, brave one."

"That I shall."

Keldor left the two and made for the rest of the army that was now marching west out of the Valley of Storms. Though he kept his feelings close to him, he was very much against this strategy. He was truly shocked that Hordak could be doing something so . . . foolish. Eternos would most likely fall, of course, but Keldor was all too aware that it would result in the destruction of much of the Horde Troopers.

Eternos was but one location on Eternia. There were plenty others. His faith in his master was waning greatly.

Keldor walked to the front of the great war machine that was the Horde army. It was there that Hordak stood, gazing out beyond the Valley of Storms. The thunderous sound of marching Horde Troopers filled the air.

"Take this," Hordak said, handing the lower half of a faceplate to Keldor.

"You still think I should hide my identity?"

"Yes."

Keldor snarled. "Why? Because it is what the Elders want?"

Hordak's eyes widened. "What?"

"I sometimes wonder if you've truly left their influence."

Keldor felt a sudden burning on his chest and was blasted backwards. He was sprawled onto the ground, a trickle of blood coming from his mouth. He put the faceplate on and followed the army.

After 72 long, tortuous hours of hard, agonizing labor . . . Marlena gave birth to her twins. The crown prince and princess of Eternos were born on the evening of December 17th, 985 of the Third Age of Eternia. Some hours later, as snow fell gently out the window, the children were being held quietly by their over-joyed parents.

"Have you thought of any names?" asked Randor, holding his newborn daughter.

"I have. What about you?"

"A few."

Marlena smiled (she hadn't really stopped since they were born) and ran a finger across her son's cheek. "I think I want to name him after my father."

"What was his name?" asked Randor, sitting down with sleeping baby girl.

"Adam," she said and kissed the boy on the forehead.

Randor looked to sleeping child and smiled broadly, then nodded. "Prince Adam," he stated. "Yes. Yes, that's perfect."

Marlena squeezed Randor's hand. "What would you like to name our daughter? It's only fair, of course, that since I got to name our son that you name our daughter."

"Adora," he said quietly. "After my grandmother."

Marlena held Adam next to Adora.

"Prince Adam and Princess Adora," she said proudly.

"Our children."

After setting the babies down in their nearby crib for the night, Randor and Marlena slept soundly, smiles on their faces and dreams of a wonderful future. It would be one of the last times they slept and dreamt like this in years.

In the morning, Randor awoke to the sound of a rushed knock on the door. He stood up and found that Marlena had woken up at the crack of dawn was currently feeding Adam and Adora next to the window. A fresh coat of snow layered the ground outside.

Randor, not wanting to allow whoever was at the door to see his wife breast-feeding, walked outside the door. Duncan stood there, waiting for him.

"Duncan?" asked Randor. "What is it?"

"We've got a situation, sire."

"What do you mean?"

"The Horde is coming here."

Randor let out a heavy breath and leaned against the wall. "When? Where?"

"They have just entered the Sands of Time. Two waves, from what we can tell. One commanded by Calyx, the other by Hordak himself. Sire, these are robots. They don't sleep. That means - "

"Yes, I know, I know. They don't sleep, they don't stop. Four days, at the most. Ancients, what a mess."

"The Royal Council has called an emergency meeting with our allies. They'll be here by mid-morning."

Randor yawned and nodded. "Good, good. With the help of Avion, Insectia, Lizardia, Cats, and Bears, Eternos should be able to hold out against this onslaught."

With his tail swishing behind him and his paws flat on the table, Prince Paw licked his chops and said with complete seriousness: "No."

Randor wasn't quite surprise. Out of all the allies during the Horde War, the Cats had been the least supportive. It was that first battle that pushed the already distant Cats away from being more of a help against the enemy.

Ambassador Smokey nodded in agreement with is master. "As far as we are concerned, the Cats are done with this war. Unless the Horde violates our boarders, we are no longer involved in this campaign. We wish the Ancients grace you with their kindness and strength, but you will not have us by your side."

"And you shall be forced to fight without us well," added King Jade.

From his side, Ambassador Woods grunted. "We aided heavily in the battles in the Evergreen Forest. With the Horde concentrating its efforts away from our northerly homeland, we no longer feel as though we are responsible for helping you in this war."

"It is nothing personal, of course," Jade continued onward. "But our people have paid a price."

This did surprise Randor, but it was more a disappointment than anything else. Both of these kingdoms were smaller than really any of these other present save Lizardia.

Speaking of which . . .

"We are opting out of the battle as well. Our place is no longer with you," stated King Creatus.

"You're joking?" Randor spat. "You've just joined us!"

Creatus snarled a little. "We have aided you when our kingdom was in danger. Our kingdom is no longer the target of the Horde's threats."

Randor groaned. "Mine is. If Eternos falls, who do you think is next? Your kingdoms will be in danger as well."

Stratos cleared his throat. "Unfortunately, old friend, the Avion Senate does not see it your way."

Randor's eyes widened and his jaw dropped. "WHAT!"

"I'm sorry, sire. I've argued all morning with the Avion Senate and they are all in agreement. We can not lose any more lives in this war."

"This . . . this is madness . . ." Randor sighed. He then looked at the young General Buzz-Off. "I'm certain your Queens have the same to say."

Buzz-Off nodded slowly. "Yes, sire. The Insectoids . . ."

". . . have lost enough lives!" Randor slammed his fists on the table. "Gentlemen, may I remind you that it was ETERNOS that was first attacked! It was ETERNOS that has waged the battle after battle! We have been the ones putting up the strongest effort against the Horde!"

"And you wonder why you were the target of this final attack?" Paw grunted.

Randor sighed heavily in a effort to control his raging temper. "They brought this upon us. They destroyed an ENTIRE CITY! THEY HAVE COME TO CONQUER THIS ENTIRE WORLD! THEY HAVE - "

He stopped himself, knowing that his words would do nothing. Instead, King Randor stood up. "Tell me, gentlemen, have you all abandoned Eternos because you know that we will win? Or because you think that when we go down, we'll take most of the Horde down with us?"

There was no answer.

Randor turned around and walked to the door.

"That's what I thought."

"They've all abandoned us. They've given up on us."

Eldor took a long puff of his pipe. "You need to see things from their point of view, my young friend."

Randor shook his head. "I don't feel young. I feel old. This war feels old. This all feels . . . old."

Eldor put his hand on the king's shoulder. "You have a full life ahead of you, King Randor."

"If we survive."

Eldor smiled and shook his head. "No confidence in your our soldiers? No confidence in yourself? With that kind of attitude, it would not surprise me that this would be our final meeting."

"I hate war, Eldor. I hate this war. My own children are barely a day old and they may not make it a week. 10,000 Horde Troopers are on the march, led by a ruthless general made of stone, a fallen Elder and interstellar warlord, . . . and my own brother."

"You defeated them before, King Randor."

"On a smaller scale!"

Eldor nodded. "Yes, but you are strong, my boy."

"Strong enough to bring the Horde crashing to its knees."

"Possibly."

Randor glanced at the timepiece on the wall. He and Eldor had been speaking at the Hall of Wisdom since noon and it was now Four Bells in the Afternoon.

"I need to go, Eldor. My thanks for the meeting."

Eldor nodded and grinned. "Any time."

A few moments later, King Randor rode out from the Hall of Wisdom to return to Eternos. Even without the others, he still had North and West Eternos forces coming to aide him and his besieged kingdom. After returning, he would be heading to meet the first wave head on to slow them down.

He came to Eternos and felt the rising tension in the air. Most of the citizens had been urged to move away and head to safety and some had complied. But many others remained on staying behind. To help secure them, the vaults below the city were opened. Created not long after Eternos was created here, these series of fortified caves beneath the city were used to hide the citizens of Eternos during an attack like this.

Whether or not they would be much good was beyond Randor. He was half-tempted to order the city to empty.

"How did things with the Elders go?" asked Man-At-Arms upon Randor's arrival.

"As well as could be expected. They're not going to push anyone in any direction, which I knew was coming. Have my siblings arrived?"

"Yes. The soldiers from North Eternos and West Eternos shall be here by morning."

"Make sure we have sufficient living space for them. I want every able hand to be full of sleep and food by the time the Horde get here."

"Yes, sire."

Randor looked at his Man-At-Arms and saw that he it was quite apparent that he was hiding something. "What is it?"

"It's nothing, sire. I . . ."

"Spit it out, Man-At-Arms. That's an order."

Rohad struggled for a moment, then nodded. "After the battle, I'm retiring. I'm giving up my position."

Randor and put his hands on Rohad's shoulders. "I can't say I'm not surprised. You've been Man-At-Arms for a long time. I'll miss having you at my side, but I can understand."

"Thank you, sire."

"Any idea who you want to have pick up the title?"

"Yes, I do."

Duncan sat in the courtyard, Teela wrapped in a blanket in his arms, sucking on a bottle. After this, it would be her naptime. She kept dozing off while drinking away, which meant she was pretty tired. At that moment, Duncan had a feeling someone was watching him. He looked up and saw Zoar.

"Teelana?" he whispered.

Watch after them . . .

Teela's eyes snapped opened and she looked to the great eagle.

Watch after them . . .

"Watch after who?"

There came no response. Zoar took flight and left Eternos.