Chapter Two - "Statistical Probabilities"

Hordak stepped upon the old stone stairs and looked upon Horror Hall with some doubt and reluctance. A rational voice called out in his head to turn back and return to the Fright Zone. This was a foolish endeavor. He then realized it was too late. Shadow Weaver must assuredly knew he was already here.

He reached the top of Horror Hall and made no effort to wait for permission to enter. All of Etheria was his, including this place here. There was no need to knock, no need to ask for permission. The doors creaked open and Shadow Weaver stood in their wake, waiting for him.

"Hordak," she stated.

"I need to speak with you, Weaver."

She said nothing to him, only led him down a nearby corridor. After a minute of travel, the pair arrived in the core heart of Horror Hall. Huge walls of books and potions stood high from the floor to the ceiling. Mist from a few open bottles brought a faint, acidic stench to Hordak's piggish nostrils.

He snorted.

"I am concerned," he told her.

"Why?"

"There have been reports of odd things occurring in varying sectors of Etheria. Military movements in Mystacore and Brightmoon - Double-Trouble has reported very little about this, which is also odd. Last Friday, an entire town refused to pay its taxes. Instead, all of the citizens gathered in the center of the town and did nothing. I ordered the Horde Troopers to attack, but they were all . . . frozen."

"Frosta."

"My thoughts as well. What concerns me the most out all of these events, however, is that of a great meeting not two weeks ago in Brightmoon. Spies and scouts are claiming they all witnesses entourages from villages and kingdoms aligned or allied with the Great Rebellion entering into the Whispering Woods."

"I have also heard those reports. Hordak . . . there are a great many forces at work here. Good and evil are about to clash violently. If the Great Rebellion isn't planning something, we are. I believe you are being paranoid."

Hordak snorted. "Really, Weaver?" he asked. She was bit surprised about just how vulnerable he sounded. How very open. He's worried, she suddenly realized. Did he perhaps sense something she didn't?

"I am nearly sure of it. There is nothing to be concerned about."

Just then, Hordak's communicator went off. He pressed it. "This is Grizzlor," came the voice in reply.

"What is it?"

"We're getting a report. Five towns and villages are refusing their taxes. Just like last week, they have gathered in a group."

"Send in Horde Troopers."

"I have, but they are being beaten back."

"By villagers?"

"No, sir."

The Horde Trooper stood ready, laser aimed, finger on the trigger. As soon as he prepared to fire, though, hundreds of butterflies came rushed at him, landing upon the armored frame, then entering into the body. They yanked on wires, chewed into microchips, and clogged up fans. The Horde Trooper collapsed and then the butterflies immediately moved on.

As they did so, their current master Flutterina sent her boot into a third Horde Troopers, which caused him to go crashing to the ground. Her wings snapped back to smack an on-coming Trooper. She then spun around and watched as the villagers continued their refusal. She smiled as they to joined against the Horde.

Helping Flutterina maintain this village was Sweet-Bee. Sweet-Bee sent a dagger into the chest of a Horde Trooper, then spun around. Two huge orb-like blobs of honey formed on her hands and she launched them clean off and they slammed into a pair of Horde Troopers, sticking them together with one other Horde Trooper.

The villagers aided in the destruction of the final few Horde Troopers. After many years of Horde oppression, the town was safe . . . for now.

"Thank you so very much," said a mother of seven, hands on Flutterina's arm.

"You're welcome. It won't be easy, but with the Horde weapon stockpile located in that storehouse there, you should be able to maintain your safety." She then reached into a pocket and pulled out a communicator. "Here. If the Horde attack again and you need our help, you can reach the Great Rebellion with this."

"Thank you! Oh thank you!"

Sweet-Bee then walked over. "I just got finished speaking with Netossa. She and Spinnerella need our help in Issock."

"Understood," Flutterina replied, then turned back to the crowd. Good luck!"

"Farewell!" Sweet-Bee added before they both took to the skies.

Angella, Glimmer, and She-Ra stood upon the cliff and looked out upon the Ruins. Decaying hulks, shattered buildings, and broken buildings laid out before their eyes, evidence of a terrible war long before the Horde ever came to Etheria. No one knew exactly what had caused the war, only whispers that great wizards had clashed against a powerful enemy.

But these were only whispers and despite the fact that there were ruins of what was once an ancient city, there was no concrete truth in this.

"Where are they?" asked Glimmer impatiently.

"Avoiding the Monstroids, most likely," She-Ra answered, keeping an eye for the large, transforming robots.

"That, or we've been here, right under your feet the whole time," came a high-pitched robotic voice. A hole in the ground suddenly appeared and two Manchines, Cutter and Zipper, climbed out. They were small, only coming up to the knees of the three ladies.

"We got your message," Zipper told them. "We're willing to help."

"The Horde must be stopped and my people are ready for a good fight," Cutter followed up.

"Even if it's to the death?" questioned Queen Angella, raising an eyebrow. There was a hard, serious look in her eyes that sent a small chill up Cutter's circuits.

He nodded slowly. "Yes. We will help as much as we can."

"Good." Angella then looked out upon the Ruins. "One more visit I need to make out here."

"Where to, mother?"

"Where are the Monstroids?"

Frosta looked upon along the crest of snow and watched as the ship came down for a soft landing. Horde Troopers, each one armed to the teeth, marched out. Professor Tempest emerged last, carrying a small computer pad. His fingers danced across the pad, taking small scans of the ground below them.

Horde Troopers then went back into the ship and returned with a little bit of drilling equipment. Frosta grinned. This was their chance. They would destroy the ship and the Horde Troopers and take Tempest prisoner.

Frosta's heart pounded, just like it did in any pre-battle situation.

She looked to her left and nodded at her companions, who had also hid themselves behind the crest of snow. Bow and Castaspella nodded back. Immediately, the trio went into action. A beam of magic from Frosta froze Tempest in a block of ice.

Bow let loose arrows as fast as he could, each one ripping through the Horde Troopers. Half of the Horde Troopers collapsed onto the snowy ground before they could open fire. The other half did indeed open fire. Frosta, however, managed to put up an ice shield before the laser beams could cause any sort of great damage.

Castaspella, in the meantime, casted a very explosive spell. Twin beams of light shot from her hands and struck the ship. Bursts of fire ripped across its hull and after a few seconds, the whole thing exploded, sending hunks of debris across the snow.

"Not bad, gang," Bow said. "Scouting crew wiped out, ship destroyed, and we even have a prisoner on ice."

Frosta rolled her eyes. "Like I haven't heard that one before."

Queen Angella stepped into the center ancient mechanical Ruins - a barren area where the buildings that once stood there had long become dust and debris. Her wings were tight against her back in a sure sign of anxiety and preparation. As she stepped over a large pile of debris, her eyes studied the empty area before her.

As soon as she passed the pile, a dozen tentacles with numerous devices at the end came swirling about her. She did not move, took no defensive position. The Sword of Uriel was tight in her hand and she stood firm as they scanned and looked her over.

"Pull back your puppets, Monstroids," Angella commanded of them. "Come and face me one on one."

The probes recoiled as if they had been offended horribly. They then scattered, moving right back underground. At the moment, from one of the large cracks in the ground, came the slim robot known as Number One. He came clanking over to her.

"Queen Angella. Sensors do not indicate the presence of guards or soldiers. State your business."

"I am here to speak with you on diplomatic terms."

"Illogical. The Monstroids and Kingdom Brightmoon are not allies. We are enemies. There is no reason for there to be diplomatic talks between us. You have ten seconds to vacate this area."

As Number One began his countdown, Angella stood her ground. She tossed the Sword of Uriel onto the ground and relaxed her wings.

"We will talk. I am not here as your enemy but as your ally."

Number One seemingly ignored her. "Five . . . four . . . three . . . two . . . one."

Angella did not flinch.

The lasers did not fire.

"Speak," ordered Number One.

"We are in need of your help, Number One. The Great Rebellion is planning a massive strike against Hordak and the Horde. They are your enemies as well."

"Illogical. Even with all your members, the Great Rebellion will be unable to overthrow Hordak."

"We have a united force of Etheria greatest remaining powers."

"Your odds of success grow with them, but you will meet with favor."

"Then help us."

"We refuse to aid you. Our assistance will not help you in your endeavor. We will, however, not attack you while you battle Hordak."

"Well, I guess I can be grateful for that."