Lead the Way: A Star Wars/She-Ra Story

Chapter 43: Hordak and the Beast

Hordak was putting the boys to sleep.

Luke asked softly, "Uncle Hordak?"

Hordak said, "yes Luke? What is it?"

"Ever since uncle Sam told us…. That story of him once having been cursed…. Leia, Rey, Grogu and I are scared of that Vader will try to…. Use that spell on him again", Luke said a bit scared.

Hordak rubbed Luke's head as he said, "my dear boy, we would never let that happen. And even if it did, I know your uncle would never try to hurt you. He loves you too much to let beastly instincts force him to attack you."

Luke asked softly, "you think so?"

Hordak replied, "I know so."

Hordak then kissed Luke's forehead.

"It's time to go to sleep, Luke", Hordak said softly.

Luke yawned and said, "good night uncle Hordak…."

Hordak then placed the blanket over Luke.

Hordak then went over to Grogu and he kissed him on the forehead.

Grogu giggled, then he yawned.

Hordak said softly, "good night, my little one", as Grogu drifted off to sleep.

….

Later

Sam and Hordak were in their room lying on the bed.

Sam had his head on Hordak's chest.

Hordak rubbed Sam's back.

The two would never tire of holding onto one another as they slept soundly in their bed.

Dathomir...

"No, let me go", Merrin shouted.

Merrin was being held down by stormtroopers as Vader stood there.

He said, "unless you want the Nightsister race to become that much closer to extinction, you will place the curse upon Sam Skywalker!"

"Never! He's my friend! You lost Vader, placing a curse on Sam won't bring back the empire", Merrin shouted.

Vader said, "maybe not, but I can at least cause him the worst kind of pain. And if you don't help…. Maybe I'll go after that boy you like so much. What was his name? Cal?"

Merrin's eyes widened.

"Okay, I'll do it! Just don't hurt Cal", Merrin pleaded.

Merrin in her mind smirked as she had a backup plan, once Vader had placed the curse on Sam.

Merrin moved her hands to show a glowing symbol.

Merrin said, "use the book to perform the ritual with this symbol. This will curse Skywalker."

"Good", Vader said with a smirk on his face.

Merrin handed him a glowing green orb and said, "this will give you just enough magic to curse him."

"Troopers, let her go, I have what I came for", Vader said.

The troopers tossed Merrin to the ground and followed Vader, as the Nightsister pulled out a communicator.

She said, "I need to fix this mess."

….

Naboo

It was now 6:00 pm in the afternoon.

"I'm going to go take a walk", Sam said to his family.

Hordak said, "okay. Have fun. And try to be back for lunch."

Sam chuckled and said, "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

Rey asked, "can't we go with you dad?"

Grogu was in his cradle as he whined at Sam.

Sam said, "maybe next time. I just need a few minutes to clear my head. But I'll make sure you get to come with me next time."

Rey then felt a ball hit her head.

"Hey" Rey shouted as she turned to see Aiden in his playpen giggling.

Rey chuckled as she brought the ball back over to Aiden, and he instantly started chewing on it.

Sam chuckled at the sight.

"I'll be back for lunch", Sam gave Hordak a quick kiss on the lips and then he walked out the front door.

"Aiden…. No, don't put that in your mouth", Hordak said as he used the force to lift the ball from Aiden's mouth.

….

A few minutes later.

Sam was walking down the streets of the city in Naboo, a former expression on his face.

"How I missed Naboo", Sam said softly.

As Sam walked along, he had yet to see a figure skulking behind him.

Vader had disguised himself and he was wearing a hood to cover his face, his yellow eyes glowed.

Sam was walking towards a nearby fountain, staring at it with a peaceful expression.

"Naboo's beauty never ceases to amaze me", Sam said with a smile on his face.

He was so entranced, that he didn't see the cloaked villain behind him growing closer.

Vader had to stop himself from laughing as his twin brother didn't realize what was about to happen.

Vader's hand grew green as he grabbed the back of Sam's neck, making Sam's eyes widen before he fell over, groaning.

Sam's vision was blurry as he could not make out the figure in front of him.

Vader's voice sounded demonic as he said, "let's see how Hordak deals with having a beast for a husband!"

"V-Vader….", Sam groaned.

Vader laughed as he ran off to hide.

Sam could feel pain throughout his body as he saw fur coming out of his arms.

He said, "no! Nonono! Not again!"

Metal formed over his hands, and he felt his teeth sharpening!

Sam's eyes turned black as he roared and wings sprouted from his back!

His spine poked out of his back as his clothes tore up! He slowly rose to his feet, looking around and snarling like a beast.

Sam sniffed as he saw in the distance a pack of wild animals.

Sam licked his teeth and lips with his forked tongue.

He started running off towards the animals, snarling in hunger!

….

Back at the house, Hordak was looking out the window as the kids ate.

Rey asked, "didn't daddy say he would be back by lunch?"

Hordak said, "yes, he did. Something's wrong. After lunch, we're going to go find him."

"This isn't like our Uncle, he always shows up on time", Luke said as he drank some blue milk.

Leia said, "I hope he maybe just lost track of time."

"Once we're done, we'll go looking for him", Adora said.

Aiden then started to cry.

Hordak then went over to him and held him in his arms.

Hordak said, "oh, don't cry my little one. We'll find daddy soon, okay?"

Catra said, "we'll get everyone on Naboo to run a search."

Soon enough they were done with lunch and they set off to find Sam.

….

Sam was feasting on the bodies of the animals.

He couldn't control himself as his mouth was covered in blood, and he was currently munching on the leg bone of an animal.

"No…. I mUsT fIgHt It", Sam growled.

Sam then started to run back in the direction of his house, along the way he slowly started to turn back to normal.

By the time he entered his yard, he collapsed in his normal form.

Hordak opened the door to see Sam laying there!

He yelled, "SAM!"

Hordak ran over to his husband who was lying on the floor.

He quickly picked him up and ran him inside.

Adora and Catra held the kids back as Hordak carried Sam to their room.

Hordak then got Sam dressed in a new outfit as he laid him down on the bed.

Hamill beeped as he stood near his master.

Hordak said, "I'm worried, Hamill. He was just laying there in torn up clothes. What's going on with him?"

"PaPa….", Rey said as she walked into the room with the rest of the kids.

Aiden was in Leia's arms.

Luke held Grogu as Catra asked, "what's wrong with Sam?"

Hordak said, "I'm not sure. He was passed out in the yard in torn up clothes. Something must have happened."

Adora asked, "could he have gotten into a fight?"

Luke said, "seems unlikely, given how peaceful the people of Naboo usually are."

Sam groaned in pain.

"He's waking up", Leia said.

Sam clutched his head and said, "w-what happened? Where am I?"

Hordak then sat beside his husband as he helped him lay back down on the bed.

Hordak said, "so you don't remember what happened?"

Sam said, "I…. I'm not sure."

"All I remember is walking up to a fountain and then…. Nothing…. Everything went black", Sam groaned as he rubbed his head.

Hordak held Sam as he said, "don't worry. We'll figure this out. For now, you need some rest."

Leia then placed Aiden on the bed Nd he crawled towards Sam.

Sam smiled as he picked up his son into his arms.

Aiden then hugged his dad by the neck.

"He was really worried about you, my little imp", Hordak said with a soft smile on his face.

Sam said, "we'll I just hope I didn't worry my little man too much."

Sam then kissed Aiden on the forehead and Aiden giggled.

Sam chuckled as he held his son. Just seeing the baby's smile was enough to brighten up his day.

Hordak then picked up Aiden.

"Come on, little one, we have to let dad get some rest", Hordak said softly.

Aiden yawned as his father cradled him.

Hordak then gave Sam a kiss on the lips.

He said, "rest as long as you need to, my little imp."

Sam then closed his eyes as he fell asleep.

Hordak then placed the blanket over his husband.

"Come on, let's leave Sam to rest", Adora said.

"Beside it's time for bed for you kids", Catra said.

The kids followed the adults out of the room, leaving Sam in his bed, alone.

Rey asked, "is dad going to be okay?"

"I hope he isn't feeling sick", Luke said

Adora said, "I'm sure he'll be fine."

Catra added, "yeah, this is Sam we're talking about."

"I hope by tomorrow he is okay…. Besides we are having that dinner party", Leia said.

Luke said, "I'm excited for it! Fancy food! Fancy clothes! Fancy decor!"

"And all of our friends will be there", Leia said with a smile.

"There will also be a few senators and you all must be on your best behavior", Adora said in a stern tone.

"Yes Mom", Luke and Leia said at the same time.

Adora smiled and said, "good. Now it's time to get ready for bed."

Luke, Leia and Rey carried Grogu and Aiden to the bathroom so they could do their nightly routine before bed.

"BB8, Hamill, watch after Aiden and Grogu", Luke said.

The two droids beeped.

The kids then started to brush their teeth.

The droids kept watch over them as they did so.

Once they finished, Adora said, "okay kids, time for bed."

Luke and Grogu went to their room as Leia and Rey went to their room.

Hordak was holding Aiden in his arms.

He soon tucked the baby into his crib as Adora and Catra tucked in the other kids.

The kids were all asleep in a matter of minutes as the adults kept out of the rooms.

"Good night", Hordak said to Catra and Adora.

"Night Hordak", the two said as they walked to their room.

When Hordak got to his and Sam's room, he saw his husband was fast asleep.

He smiled as he laid down next to his husband, kissing him on the forehead and said, "good night my little imp."

Hordak got himself tucked in, not noticing Sam twitching in his sleep….

….

A few hours ago….

Vader laughed as he saw Beast Sam running off in the distance.

"It worked. My brother is once again cursed to become the vicious beast! And I can't wait to learn of his previous family being eaten by the man they love! I'll also use that chance to take my children back", Vader said with a smirk on his face.

But as he turned away, he was stopped by a shocking sight in front of him.

Qui Gon Jinn.

Vader stammered, "M-Master?"

Qui Gon said, "you cannot deny your destiny."

And just as quickly as he had appeared, he vanished!

Vader tried to shake the sight off as he said, "it's not real."

"Padme is not happy with all the things you and the empire have done…. Anakin", Qui Gon's voice said.

Vader tried to spot the one speaking, but saw nothing as he turned around in a complete circle.

"She is very upset and angry with what you have become", Windu's voice said.

Vader yelled, "I'm not hearing this!"

"Your own legacy as a Jedi has been destroyed by yourself", Bastilla Shan's voice said.

"Shut up", Vader shouted.

"It's not too late for you…. Anakin", Revan's voice said.

Vader fell to his knees and screamed into the air in utter rage!

"If you keep going down this path...", Adi Gallia's voice said.

"Then you will lose everything you have left", Antauri's voice said.

"Silence", Vader shouted as he clutched his head.

And then he heard a voice that nearly broke him.

"What has become of my little boy?"

Vader muttered, "m-mom?"

"Why Anakin? Why did you do all this? I thought you were…. Good", Shimi's voice said.

Vader felt tears streaming down his face at hearing the horrified words of his mother.

Vader picked himself up from the ground and started to walk to his shuttle with tears still falling down his face.

He fled back to his hidden base in tears….

….

The next day at the dinner party.

4:00 PM.

Hordak, along with Catra and Adora were with their friends and the guests in the main room.

Sam was in his room by himself.

Luke asked as he and the rest of the kids walked in, "Uncle Sam?"

Rey asked, "are you okay Dad?"

Sam was holding his head as he fiddled with his tie. He said, "er, yeah, I'm just having a bad headache. I'm sure it'll pass after I get me some food and water."

Sam then saw Rey was holding a pen with a gem on top that was shining.

Sam's eyes widened.

"It shines and delights...", Sam said.

Leia asked, a bit worried, "Uncle Sam?"

"I must have it….", Sam growled as he lunged for the pen, only for Luke to use the force to get Rey out of the way and he crashes on the ground.

Sam rubbed his head as Luke asked, "uh, Uncle Sam? What was that about?"

Sam groaned and said, "ugh, I…. I don't know…?"

BB8, Hamill, Artoo and Threepio walked into the room.

Threepio asked, "Master Hordak is asking why you are all taking so long?"

"We'll be there in a few minutes", Leia said.

Hamill beeped as he saw Sam.

Sam was groaning in pain as he stood up and walked around.

Rey asked, "dad?"

Aiden made a noise as he saw his dad acting strange.

Then fur came out of Sam's arms.

Sam looked on in fright as his hands became clawed and covered in metal!

He looked in the mirror to see his teeth growing sharp as his eyes turned black!

Sam said, "no! Nonono! Not again!"

Leia asked, "Uncle Sam?! What's going on!?"

Sam looked at his family and yelled, "RUN!"

Sam screamed but then it turned into a growl as he grew in size.

Rey asked, scared, "dad?"

Wings sprouted from Sam's back.

He growled, "rUn BeFoRe I lOsE cOnTrOl!"

The kids ran out of the room.

….

A few moments earlier.

Hordak was speaking with a few Jedi and clones.

He had just said, "and he was just laying in the yard, clothes torn asunder."

Yoda said, "worrisome, this is."

"I highly doubt he would have gotten into a fight…. The people of Naboo here are peaceful", Aayla said.

Obi Wan said, "then who, or what, could have done that to Sam?"

Slash was standing next to Hordak as he said, "ya know, this all sounds very familiar…."

Then the kids came running in.

"Luke! Leia", Adora said.

Hordak asked, "Rey, Aiden, Grogu? What's wrong?"

Catra asked, "where's Sam?"

"Well, we went to go get him and he was acting a bit strange…. But then….", Leia said before a loud roar was heard.

Kit Fisto said, "no…. It can't be!"

Hordak asked, "can't be what?"

The same roar was heard again.

Perfuma shouted in fear, "what's that sound!?"

Luminara shouted, "everybody take cover!"

Sam suddenly ran down the stairs, snarling and staring at everyone in hunger and rage!

Shaak Ti said, "no! It can't be! The curse!"

"He turned into that thing", Luke shouted in fear.

Aayla yelled, "everyone get to safety!"

Hordak asked softly, "Sam?"

The Jedi and the princesses along with the clones started to protect the guests and lead them out of the mansion

Sam growled as he lunged towards a few senators, but Mermista blasted him with water knocking him into a wall.

Hordak yelled, "be careful! It's still Sam!"

Wrecker and Scorpia tried grabbing Sam's arms as he tried to shake them off.

Sam screeched as he shook them off, sending them crashing them into a wall!

Perfuma held up a flower and said, "this should be able to knock him out!"

Sam then picked up a rock and threw it a Perfuma.

"For the Honor of the Jedi Order", Adora shouted

Adora quickly transformed into She-Ra and grabbed the rock!

She-Ra then crushed the rock.

Sam screeched as he covered his eyes.

Luke, Leia and Rey ran over to Sam.

Han shouted, "what are you three doing?!"

"Dad, please snap out of it", Rey pleaded with her dad.

Sam reeled his hand back to strike the kids, but before it could hit them, he grabbed it and began snarling in pain!

Luke asked, "Uncle Sam?"

"GeT aWaY fRoM mE!", Sam screamed as he once again lifted his claws in the air to strike the kids.

Hordak quickly with the use of force speed got the kids out of the way.

Hordak screamed, "SAM! Please! Fight it!"

Sam punches the ground as he howls in pain!

Sam growled as he ran out through a window.

"SAM", Everyone shouted.

"Quick, we must go after him", She-Ra shouted.

"Han, watch after the kids", Hordak shouted.

Han nodded as he grabbed Grogu and Aiden, and led Rey, Luke and Leia upstairs as the others all ran out to find Sam!

Sam snarled as he kept on running.

Soon he stopped in his path as a bright light hit his face.

Sam screeched in pain.

He heard the person wielding the light say, "Sam, listen to me, you need to snap out of it!"

Sam roared in pain as he kept trying to fight for control.

The one wielding the light yelled, "fight it! For your friends! Your family!"

It was revealed to be Merrin, Cal and She-Ra.

"Thank god we got here just in time", Merrin said.

"Perfuma, quickly, tie him up", She-Ra shouted.

Perfuma quickly shot several gones forward that wrapped Sam up so he could only struggle!

Sam growled in anger as he tried to break free.

Bow asked, "now what do we do?"

"Merrin's here, she can undo the spell Vader cast on Sam", Hunter said.

"But it requires something else as well", Merrin said.

Echo asked, "what do you mean?"

Merrin said, "I need the help of Sam's family for the curse to be reversed."

Frosta asked, "how will that help remove the curse?"

Merrin replied, "the only thing stronger than the hateful bond of the brothers, is the loving bond Sam shares with all of you."

"Uncle Sam!"

The rest of the group turned around to see Luke, Leia, Rey and Han with Aiden and Grogu in his arms.

"I tried to get them to listen, but they are stubborn", Han said as he sighed.

Rey asked, "dad?"

Sam grew silent as he kept his gaze on the children, and his husband as they stood beside Merrin.

Hordak walked forward with Aiden in his arms.

Sam kept snarling as Hordak approached with their son, but he stopped as he heard Hordak say, "Sam…."

Sam then stopped snarling.

Hordak said, "please, come back to me."

Sam's face took on one of a man trying to gain control of his own body.

And it was what he heard next that gave him the push he needed.

"D-D-Dadda?"

Sam's eyes widened as he realized who he heard said that.

Aiden.

Luke asked shocked, "did Aiden just say...?"

"D-D-Dadda", Aiden said again as he stretched his arms towards Sam.

Hordak, taking a leap of faith, slowly reached Aiden towards Sam.

Everyone was about to dash forward to stop this, until they saw Sam start cradling the infant, cooeing and purring as he looked upon his son.

"Aiden", Sam purred with a tears in his eyes.

Aiden smiled as he hugged his father's face.

Rey asked as she and the twins walked forward, "Dad?"

Sam looked at his family and growled out, "I'm s-s-s-s-s-sorry."

Rey walked forward and placed her hand on Sam's face.

"Uncle Sam…. It's not your fault", Luke said softly.

Bow, Entrapta, Perfuma and Scorpia started to cry at how emotional this moment was.

Hordak hugged his husband around the side as Merrin nodded and said, "this will make the spell work."

"My family….", Sam sobbed with tears falling down his face.

Hordak said, "it's okay Sam. It's okay."

Merrin then started to chant the spell.

Green magic began to swirl through the air, and slowly encircled Sam and his family!

Leok asked, "is it working?"

As if to answer Leon's question, Sam's size began to decrease!

"Keep it up Merrin, it's working", Cal said with a smile on his face.

Sam's fangs grew back to normal teeth, and his eyes turned back to their natural colors.

Soon enough, Sam was back to normal and Merrin used a quick spell to fix his clothes.

His family surrounded him on all sides and hugged him warmly.

"Dad", Rey cried.

"Uncle Sam", Luke and Leia cried.

"Dada", Aiden cried.

Grogu let out a cry as well.

Hordak kissed Sam as he cried tears of joy.

He was free from the curse, yet again!

Sam returned the kiss with much passion.

The two then broke apart for air.

He said, "thank you. Thank you all, so much!"

"Sam…. I'm so sorry…. Vader made me do it…. He had threatened to hurt Cal…. If I didn't do what he said", Merrin said with tears in her eyes.

Sam said, "it's alright Merrin. I would've done the same thing if he had threatened my family. The people I love."

"Speaking of which, we now have to put more security on Dathomir and Naboo", Cal said.

Hordak and the kids helped Sam up as he said, "and the New Republic will gladly offer aid to both."

"That way Vader doesn't try to do something like this again", Slash said.

"He's growing more bold. Which means he'll more than likely slip up", Obi Wan said.

"And give us the chance to capture him and put him in prison for all the crimes he has done", She-Ra said.

"And the Galaxy can be at rest", Shaak Ti said.

Sam said, "and let's just hope there will be no more surprises in the new future like this…."

….

Meanwhile, on the planet Mandalore.

There was a Mandalorian sitting on a rock as she watched the holonet.

Footage was showing the recent acts of the New Republic cleaning up the mess Vader and his Empire had created.

And her gaze landed on the Skywalker Twins.

The Mandalorian sighed as she said, "soon, I will meet them. Soon they will know…."

She began to take her helmet off, revealing a face no-one could suspect was under there!

"But in the meantime…. I will provide help to the New Republic. And I will help them take down the remaining Imperials…. And Vader", the Mandalorian said as she stared at the sunset.

And as the light glinted off her skin, we see who it is who wears this helmet.

It is….

….

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….

WHAAAAAAAAT!? A cliffhanger?! Who is it!? Find out soon!