Lead the Way: A Star Wars/She-Ra Story
Chapter 21: Etheria Rises
Things were only growing more and more chaotic on the surface of Etheria!
As the Heart was quite literally sucking the life out of the planet in order to fulfill programming that was many years too late!
"It's….", Entrapta said with amazement.
"Stars", Bow said, as he was amazed at what he was seeing.
"We're not in the Unknown Regions anymore, we're in the wider galaxy", Entrapta said with amazement in her voice.
"I need to find Glimmer", Bow said as he ran off.
"We need to find our uncle as well", Luke shouted as he and Leia ran after Bow.
….
Fright Zone
Sam woke up to hearing Glimmer screaming in pain.
"Glimmer", Sam shouted as he rushed over to her.
"Sam. I-I-I'm sorry", Glimmer said before she cried in pain.
Sam asked in fear, "what's going on?"
"Adora was right. Light Hope used me. She activated the Heart", Glimmer said as she realized her mistake.
"So? I thought you wanted to win. Use your weapon", Catra said in confusion.
"I can't. It would destroy everything", Glimmer said in pain, "but we have to try and stop it, Sam, follow me", Glimmer said as she stood up.
Sam held onto Glimmer as he helped her walk to the room where the Black Garnet was.
Sam asked, "what should we do?"
Glimmer started to fire magic at the Runestone.
"If we destroy one of the runestones, it could prevent the Heart from activating", Glimmer said.
Sam activated his lightsabers as he slashed at the Runestone, but no damage appeared on the stone.
Sam yelled, "it's not working! My lightsabers can't slice through it!"
Catra pushed past him and tried to scratch the stone, but when no damage was seen, she shrugged and said, "well, there goes that!"
….
"The Heart is primed and ready. Commencing activation", Light Hope said as she was prepared to activate the Heart.
She-Ra cried in pain.
"Look at all these stars, these worlds. They will all be destroyed. Mara sacrificed her life to stop this from happening", She-Ra shouted to Light Hope.
"Mara. Mara would not want me to….", Light Hope said with a soft tone, before her programming once again took control.
"Mara was a traitor. She turned against her people", Light Hope said with a stern tone.
"Mara was your friend. She knew you were more than just a program, and so do I. You can stop this." She-Ra said as she tried to get Light Hope to snap out of her programming.
"I am not as strong as Mara. I cannot change my programming", Light Hope said as if there was no hope for her, "this is our Destiny", Light Hope said as she turned to face She-Ra.
The sword began to lift again but She-Ra tried to keep it down, "NO. This is not my destiny."
"You will comply", Light Hope said as she lifted her hand to raise the sword.
The blonde grunted as the hologram tried to lift the sword once more, "No, No NO!"
But it was too much for the girl to handle and it was raised.
Throughout Etheria the magic was being sucked out from the princesses.
….
Sea Hawk held Mermista in his arms.
….
Scorpia held Perfuma and Frosta in her arms as the three cried in pain.
….
Glimmer was shaking and crying as she yelled in pain, trying to hold herself up as Sam, Hamill and Catra were trying to destroy the stone!
Sam yelled, "it's not working!"
Catra exclaimed, "thanks Commander Obvious!"
….
The Silver Blade was flying in the sky as it was trying to avoid the magic.
Luminara yelled, "what's happening here!?"
Obi Wan shouted, "either this planet is having a tantrum, or some sort of world ending cataclysm is affecting it!"
"Either way we have to find Sam and the twins before it's too late", Ahsoka yelled.
Wrecker added, "let's head on down there and show that planet who's boss!"
Tech said, "it's a planet. You can't show it anything."
Wrecker merely yelled in excitement.
….
All the glowing light and magic went into the runestone of the Sword of Protection.
"It is time", Light Hope said.
She-Ra grunted, "I won't be controlled. I am not a piece of their machine. I am NOT a weapon. And I'm going to end this NOW."
She-Ra began to pull the sword down.
"No, stop", Light Hope said.
She-Ra continued to fight against Light Hope's control.
"Don't. Do it", Light Hope said as she began to fight back her programming.
"Do it. Don't", Light Hope said as she had a flashback of Mara giving her flowers.
"Don't", Light Hope said as she then remembered Mara's smiling face.
Then, she removed her grasp on the sword, "Do it."
With a yell, She-Ra turned her sword around and slammed it into the ground, shattering it into a million pieces before blacking out.
When Adora woke up, her hair had come out of its ponytail, and Light hope was in front of her.
The hologram put a hand on her shoulder, "Adora….", she began to dissipate, "thank you….", and then, Light Hope was gone.
Adora looked around her as the magic began to return to where it was supposed to be.
She got to her feet, hoping to find her friends.
She had a tear go down her face as she stared upon the remains of the sword.
She said, "goodbye…. My friend…."
….
Fright Zone
Catra, due to being tired, blacked out and fell to the ground.
Glimmer fell to the ground as well, but she was still awake.
"Sam?"
Sam turned to see Hordak.
"Hordak", Sam shouted as he ran towards Hordak and hugged him.
Hordak hugged back and asked, "what did I miss?"
Sam said, "the short version? I think Adora just saved all of our asses from a world ending cataclysm. And I don't think we're in the unknown regions anymore…."
"Glimmer!"
"Uncle Sam!"
Sam turned to see Luke, Leia and Bow from a distance.
"Bow", Glimmer shouted.
"Luke! Leia", Sam shouted.
"Stay there! We're coming", Bow said as he fired an arrow which then turned into a rope.
Then a strange green light engulfed the group, Hamill shrieked as he jumped out of the way.
Sam asked as he hugged Hordak tighter, "what's going on?"
"Horde Prime, he's here", Hordak said as he and Sam, Glimmer, Catra, (who was hiding behind some rubble), are teleported to Horde Prime's ship!
"No", Bow, Luke and Leia shouted as they made it to the other side.
But Sam, Glimmer and Hordak were gone.
"No", Luke said as tears fell down his face.
"Not again", Leia said with tears in her eyes.
Bow hugged the twins.
"Luke! Leia!"
Bow asked, "who said that?"
The three turned to see the Silver Blade.
Ahsoka was the first to run out yelling, "thank the Force! We finally found you!"
Luke and Leia yelled, "Aunt Ahsoka!"
The twins ran into the woman's arms as the others all ran towards them.
As soon as the hug ended, Leia was swept into Hans arms as Luke asked, "how did you all find us?!"
"The planet just appeared in front of us", Slash said as he walked out of the ship.
"Uncle Slash", Luke shouted as he ran to hug him.
"Thank the force you're all safe, it took us a year to find you", Obi Wan said.
Luke and Leia said in surprise, "a year!?"
Hunter said, "yeah, but we never stopped looking."
Wrecker exclaimed, "and we knew that you little rascals would be alright!"
Obi Wan said, "and we know about you and your friends, and…. Wait…?"
Shaak Ti asked, "where's Sam?"
"Uh guys…. Look", Bow said as he pointed up to the sky.
There were diamond-like ships flying in the sky.
"Our Uncle was taken by a green light, he must be on one of those ships", Leia said.
"Let's go find Adora, she'll know what to do", Luke said as he ran into the Silver Blade.
Echo yelled, "you kids better explain everything once we find all of your friends!"
The whole group ran into the ship and strapped in as it took off.
As they sped off, Bow said, "um, hi. I'm Bow…. And, uh…. Who are all of you?"
….
We see Adora walking through the forest, hoping to get back to her friends.
Adora then saw in the sky the diamond ships.
….
Glimmer woke up as she found herself inside a ship?
Glimmer tried to use her magic, but she couldn't.
Sam was still hugging Hordak, when a voice was heard.
"Is that you, little brother?
In front of them was a throne chair and it turned around to reveal…. Horde Prime.
"I thought you had perished", Horde Prime said.
Sam saw that standing next to Horde Prime was…. Ashla.
"I was pulled into a shadow dimension. All this time I have been trying to return to your side. But it has not been in vain. I have built an empire in your name", Hordak said to Horde Prime.
"I received your transmission, but I could not determine its source. Until I detected an energy reading like nothing I have ever seen before. And when I arrived, this curious planet appeared", Horde Prime said.
Ashla looked at Sam and asked, "and who is this man with you?"
Hordak said, "this is Sam Skywalker…. He's my…."
Sam finished with, "I am his husband. It's an honor to meet someone Hordak speaks so highly of."
Hordak's face was filled with shock and he blushed.
Horde Prime looked a bit shocked as he then walked over to Hordak.
"To your will. Why can I not see your thoughts? I see now. You have given yourself a name. You tried to create an empire of your own. There was even a time you wished I would not come for you, is that so….", Horde Prime said as he spoke to Hordak with a glare on his face.
Hordak said, "what?! No! Of course I wish to see you again!"
Ashla said, "Prime, sweety, calm down."
Glimmer whispered to Sam, "did she just call Prime, sweety?"
"I am guessing Ashla has already made Prime a bit…. Soft", Sam whispered.
Then Horde Prime grabbed Hordak by the throat as he lifted him into the air.
Ashla yelled, "Prime, what are you doing?!"
"You have forgotten who you are. You truly think you are worthy to stand beside me, could be equal to me? I made you in my image, but you have become an abomination", Horde Prime said as the cable tentacles from his head detached themselves.
Sam gasped as he knew what was about to happen.
"And so, you must be reborn", Horde Prime shouted as the cables went towards Hordak...
But then Hordak was pushed out of the way as he fell to the ground…. And then there was a scream of pain in the air.
Hordak lifted his head as he gasped in horror at what he saw….
Sam was being held in the air, the tentacles stabbing into him, screaming in pain as blood trickled from the wounds, and his mouth!
Hordak yelled, "SAM!"
Horde Prime was shocked as he detached the cables and let Sam fall to the ground.
Hordak scattered to Sam and held him in his arms!
Hordak exclaimed, "Sam! Sam! Please, stay with me! Stay awake!"
Sam shuddered as Hordak put pressure on the wounds.
Ashla stormed towards Horde Prime and yelled, "WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?!"
Horde Prime stuttered, "I didn't- he wasn't supposed to- it was-"
Ashla slapped Horde Prime and yelled, "I thought you were making progress! But look at what you did! You tried to reprogram your brother, and just wounded this poor man!"
Hordak continued to hold Sam to him as he cried, yelling, "stay with me!"
….
The group had just made it to where Adora was. They were outside the Crystal castle.
Then Luke and Leia, along with the rest of the Jedi, felt pain through the force.
Adora asked, "what's going on? Luke? Leia, are you okay?"
Rex asked, "Ahsoka?"
Crosshair asked, "Luminara?"
Leia said, "pain…."
Luke added, "suffering…."
Shaak Ti said, "I sense it too."
Obi Wan said, "Sam is in pain."
Luminara added, "terrible pain."
Ahsoka said, "as is Hordak. But his pain…. Is emotional…. Sam's is physical…."
….
"Sam", Glimmer shouted as she tried to stand up.
The clones of Horde Prime started to approach them.
Hordak glared at the clones as he held Sam in his arms.
Then Antauri appeared.
"Antauri", Glimmer shouted.
Horde Prime looked shocked to see Antauri.
He growled out, "you…."
Antauri activated his lightsabers and said, "you…. Will not touch him!"
Antauri used the force to send all of the clones away as he continued to say, "after all these years, I was hoping my mercy and your wife would have changed your outlook more, old friend."
"Antauri...", Sam said weakly.
"Sam, it's okay, you're going to be okay", Hordak said as held Sam in his arms.
More clones started to approach them.
"Glimmer…. Get her….", Sam said as he coughed up blood.
Hordak said, "please, stay still. You'll only injure yourself more!"
Antauri said, "I am taking my friends…. And leaving…. If you stop us, I will not show you the same mercy I once did…."
Horde Prime glared at Antauri.
Antauri tried to get to Glimmer, but the clones started firing at them.
"No, Antauri, take Sam and Hordak! Get them out of here", Glimmer shouted.
"No…. Glimmer….", Sam said.
"Just go", Glimmer shouted.
Antauri had a hestiated look on his face, but he then turned around and grabbed onto Sam and Hordak and teleported them out of the Horde Prime's ship!
….
Adora then saw a bright light appear in front of them.
Hunter asked, "what's that?!"
Then Antauri, Hordak and Sam appeared.
"Uncle Sam", Luke and Leia shouted as they ran towards him.
The others followed the twins, but they all gasped when they saw how injured Sam was.
Hordak held Sam in his arms as he was bleeding everywhere.
Sam coughed up blood.
Hordak cried and said, "please, you have to help him! I can't lose him! Not after everything we've been through!"
Tech and Bac approached and looked over Sam's injuries.
Sam managed to look at everyone and choked out, "h-hey e-everyone…. G-good to s-s-see you a-all."
Luke and Leia held terrified looks, while Adora couldn't believe her eyes as she saw Hordak clutching Sam's hand.
He cried, "Sam, I promise, if you live…. I'm done with the Horde. I'll never leave your side again! Just please, don't leave me!"
"What is it!? Can you help him", Luke shouted as tears fell down his face.
Tech and Bac had sad looks on their faces.
Tech said, "his injuries are too severe for the equipment we have on us."
Hordak cried out, "you have to try! Please! I can't lose him! I'd give everything up, just for him to be safe and sound in my arms!"
Adora and the others were shocked to see Hordak, the leader of his armies, begging for them to save Sam.
"Hordak…. Adora…. Ahsoka…. Everyone…. Please take care…. Of Luke…. And…. Leia….", Sam said as he coughed up more blood.
Hamill was crying at seeing his master dying.
Hordak cried and said, "Sam, please! Don't leave me! I love you!"
Antauri held a look of utter pain on his face as he watched Sam's life fading.
He closed his eyes, as he realized what he had to do….
Antauri would not fail Sam, like he did with Mara.
"I won't let Sam die…. There is a way to save him", Antauri said.
Adora asked, "how!?"
Antauri replied, "for him to live…. I must transfer the last of my life force into him. Sam will live, but I shall become one with the force."
Bow asked, "are you really willing to do that?"
Antauri smiled a bittersweet one and said, "Sam is like the son I always wanted to have. I would do anything if it meant he would live…. I have lived a thousand lifetimes…. Seen so many things…. Done everything twice…. And I am willing to give up infinity itself…. So that my son may live…."
Ahsoka asked, as she had tears in her eyes, "but how will you transfer your life force into Sam?"
"Hordak will use the force abilities he has as a dyad in the force to transfer my life force into Sam", Antauri said with a bittersweet smile.
Hordak then stared at Sam, before looking at Antauri.
Hordak nodded his head.
Antauri then laid down on the ground.
"Hordak, promise me this", Antauri said.
Hordak asked, "what is it?"
Antauri said, "take care of him. Love him. Share his pain. And help him bring balance to the force, once and for all."
Hordak nodded and said, "I promise."
Antauri smiled and said, "then I can pass, knowing that things will be as they should…. Goodbye my friends…. And may the force be with you all…."
Antauri began to glow as the light started to glow through Hordak, and into Sam!
Before their very eyes, Sam's wounds began to heal themselves! His color returned to his cheeks, and as Antauri started to vanish, Sam's eyes opened up, and he gasped in a large breath of air!
Everyone shouted, "Sam!"
Hordak then hugged Sam close to him as he kissed Sam on the lips.
When the kiss ended, Sam looked to see Antauri's body starting to fade away.
Sam whispered, "Antauri?"
Antauri smiled and said, "may the force be with you…. My beloved son…."
Antauri's body then disappeared,al and only his lightsabers were left behind.
"Antauri", Sam cried as Hordak held Sam in his arms. Sam asked with tears falling down his face, "what happened!? Why did Antauri disappear like that?
"You were…. Dying Sam…. Antauri was able to save you…. But at a cost….", Shaak Ti said with sadness.
Sam cried as Hordak held him and said, "shh…. It's okay Sam…. It's okay…. Let everything out…."
Hordak slowly rose while holding Sam in the bridal style.
He said, "we should all head to Bright Moon. We all deserve rest after everything that's happened."
The others nodded as they made their way towards Bright Moon. They made it there in about an hour. Waiting there was Entrapta, Scorpia, and all of the other princesses.
They were all shocked to see so many new faces, including Hordak holding Sam in his arms.
Hordak took Sam to an empty room.
Sam kept hugging Hordak as he was still crying.
"Shhh…. It's okay Sam", Hordak said as he held Sam in his arms.
"No it won't! Antauri is gone! My father…. Is gone", Sam cried out.
Hordak was silent for a moment before saying, "he may be gone…. But all of the time you spent together…. That will last forever…. And no matter what, I'll be right by your side. I'll be here with your or every single step of the way. His death won't be in vain…. I promise you this, my love."
Sam's crying calmed down a bit.
Hordak asked, "Sam, I wanted to ask you something…. Why did you say you were my husband to Horde Prime?"
Sam gave a sheepish look and said, "I…. I was going to ask you…. When all of this was over…."
Hordak asked, "ask me what?"
Sam took a breath before looking into Hordak's eyes and asked, "Hordak…. Will you marry me?"
Hordak grew wide-eyed at the question.
Sam asked, "w-well?"
Hordak gave the biggest of smiles and said, "YES!"
Sam then kissed Hordak on the lips and Hordak returned the kiss with much passion.
Both men were crying tears of utter joy as they held one another.
The door to the room then opened.
Sam and Hordak saw Entrapta walk into the room.
"Hello Guys", Entrapta said, a bit nervous.
Hordak got to his feet and approached her, saying, "Entrapta…."
Entrapta tried to say, "look, about-"
Hordak instantly hugged her and said, "we missed you so much. We thought we'd never see you again."
Entrapta was surprised, but quickly melted into the hug, her hair wrapping Hordak up and grabbing Sam and making him join in.
Entrapta then saw Sam and Hordak were wearing the rings on their fingers.
Entrapta asked, "you found the gift I made for you two?"
Sam said, "yep. And they're the perfect gifts. I swear, I cried an entire river when I found them."
Entrapta gave a very big smile at that, and then said, "um, the Princesses wanna talk to you both in a little bit. When you're feeling up to it, of course."
"I do feel a bit nervous…. I'm not sure how they will react to me joining their side", Hordak said as he was feeling nervous.
Sam then held Hordak's hand.
"It's okay my love, I'll be there for you and we can also tell them the news of our engagement", Sam said with a smile.
Entrapta's eyes then widened.
And she proceeded to give a very happy and high-pitched scream of joy as she hugged both men with her hair.
She said, "ohmygosh! Ohmygosh! Ohmygosh! This is the best thing I've ever heard in my entire life!"
Hordak and Sam's faces were red as they were blushing.
Entrapta yelled, "I can't wait to tell Scorpia! She's gonna hug you guys so much, I just know it!"
Hordak and Sam glanced at one another when they heard THAT.
"Well, let's go", Sam said as he was still blushing.
The three then walked to the meeting room.
Sam, Hordak and Entrapta went inside the room, and the princesses eyes widened upon seeing Hordak.
Mermista shouted, "what's he doing here!?"
Sam said, "calm down, please. He is here with me."
Hordak nodded and said, "I am here to help Sam, not to attack anyone."
"Yeah right, this is a trick", Frosta yelled as her fists formed into ice.
Micah said in anger, "why should we believe you?!"
Hordak then sighed.
Hordak got on his knees and bowed to all of them, shocking the group.
He said, "I don't expect any of you to believe me. In fact, I expected all of you to attack me the second I walked through the door. But I've changed. I really have. Spending all of that time with Sam, Entrapta, and even Hamill…. It made me think about everything I've done. I want to fix my mistakes. And I'm willing to do it all…. For the man I love. For his friends. His family. And if you don't believe me…. Then do with me as you will…."
Hordak even made a show of placing his lightsabers in front of him to prove his point.
Adora then walked towards Hordak.
Sam asked as he held Hordak's hand, "well, what do you think Adora?"
Adora stared at Hordak, thinking about everything that had happened in the past. Her time in the Horde. When she became She-Ra. Sam and his family arriving on Etheria. The tiems she had seen Sam and Hordak together. Hordak's actions from when she was an infant. How he cried when Sam had nearly died. How he refused to harm the twins. It all raced through her mind as she gazed upon the man who put hit life in their hands.
Asora asked, "do you promise to leave the Horde behind Hordak?"
Hordak said, "yes. I promise to leave it all behind. I simply want to end this war once and for all, and keep the family I've made safe. And I will do what I can to redeem myself in all of your eyes. Even if it takes me the rest of my existence."
"He is telling the truth, Hordak really wants to become a better person", Sam said.
Adora looked at Sam and asked, "and you vouge for him?"
Sam nodded and said, "with my life."
Adora held a contemplative look upon her face.
Adora picked up Hordak's lightsabers and she thought for a moment.
Bow asked, "well Adora?"
Adora then had a small smile on her face as she stared at Hordak.
Adora said, "we'll give you a chance. To prove yourself to everyone here."
She held the sabers out to Hordak.
Hordak then stood up as Adora handed him his lightsabers.
"Welcome to the Rebellion, Hordak", Adora said with a smile.
Some of the others held unsure looks, while others held hopeful looks.
Hordak smiled as he took back his weapons and said, "I promise, I won't make you regret this!"
Sam then hugged Hordak and Hordak returned the hug.
Perfuma asked, "what's up with the hug?"
Hordak then kissed Sam on the lips and Sam returned the kiss.
Many of the others grew wide-eyed at this.
When the kiss ended, Sam smiled and said, "that's one way to let the others know we're a couple."
Slash asked, "so it's true, you and Hordak are…. Boyfriends, commander?"
"More than that", Sam said as a small blush was on his face.
Ahsoka, "what do you mean?"
"I asked Hordak…. To marry me…. And he said yes", Sam said as he was blushing.
Like Entrapta predicted, Scorpia squealed in joy and ran over to the couple and scooped them up in a giant bear hug.
She exclaimed, "oh! I'm so happy for you two!"
Sam groaned out, "choking! Not breathing!"
The others chuckled at this.
"Sorry", Scorpia said.
Scorpia let Hordak and Sam down.
Luke and Leia then approached Sam and Hordak.
Artoo and Threepio were behind them.
"Luke, Leia, I hope you can understand my choice and I hope you two are not mad at me", Sam said with a sigh.
But Sam was surprised as his niece and nephew launched themselves at him and hugged him with the same intensity as Scorpia did.
"Uncle…. We could never be mad at you", Luke said with a smile.
"At first it was hard for us to understand, why you didn't want to come back to Bright moon", Threepio said.
Artoo beeped.
"It took us a while for us to accept...your relationship with Hordak…. But if he makes you happy Uncle, then we're happy for you", Leia said with a smile.
Tears fell down Sam's face as he hugged his niece and nephew close to him.
He said, "you're the best family a guy could ask for. I'm so happy to have you both in my arms again."
The others all held smiles on their faces as they watched Sam's reunion with Leia and Luke.
Luke and Leia then walked towards Hordak.
"Welcome to the Skywalker family…. Uncle Hordak", Luke said as he and Leia hugged Hordak.
Hordak had a surprised look on his face, but then he smiled as he returned the hug.
Scorpia, Entrapta and Perfumia all held looks of delight at the cute display.
Sam had a relieved smile at the sight, and then joined in the hug.
As the other stared at the display, they were convinced that things would soon be better.
….
A while later, Sam was with Ahsoka in a empty room.
Ahsoka asked looking shocked, "you saw my sister?"
Sam said, "yes. She seemed to be in a relationship with this; Horde Prime. It seems her story is similar to mine, trying to help him change for the better, like I did for Hordak."
Ahsoka asked as she was in deep thought, "I had visions of her with Horde Prime, but I wonder how long has she been with him?"
"I also believe that Ashla is already married to Horde Prime as Antauri did call Ashla, Horde Prime's wife", Sam said with a unsure look.
Ahsoka said, "regardless, I get the feeling it's going to be hard to get Horde Prime on our side."
"I can already tell, since he almost killed me…. And Ashla slapped him for what he did", Sam said with a weak chuckle.
Ahsoka chuckled and said, "yep, that's my sister alright."
Sam asked as he then sat down on the bed, "she looks exactly like you minus the clothing, what is your sister like Ahsoka?"
Ahsoka replied, "well, she can't use the force like I can. She's very courageous. Smart. Never takes bantha crap from anyone."
"Well hopefully Horde Prime does join our side", Sam said.
"Hopefully", Ahsoka said with a bit of hope in her voice….
….
Reviews:
SuperSentai199: A moment I was very happy to write.
Squidward: well, what word was it?
….
A little late, but I still got the chapter out today!
As you can see, Hordak doesn't get reprogrammed, and Horde Prime is less evil, making his redemption later on a little more plausible.