Chapter 47: Let Them Come...

Just as instantly as the bodies of Team Glimmer seemed to dissipate upon touching the Moonstone at Bright Moon, their bodies rematerialized…

...Right in the middle of some kind of kennel laboratory. Looking around, and back-to-back, the seven teammates could see a brightly lit, white room, tinted with neon green lights. There numbered six of Horde Prime's clones that seemed to be working as scientists, as they were dressed in white lab coats and sophisticated-looking scrubs. Simple counters lined the walls… as well as cages. Most frightening of all, however, is what dwelled within the cages.

They were those snake-like creatures with finned heads and scythe-arms. They were thrashing and snarling as they attempted to break open their cages. On the counters and a gurney were a couple of unconscious snake creatures that were being implanted with whatever cybernetic technology that Horde Prime saw fit to 'perfect' them.

Both factions were surprised upon seeing each other, though Team Glimmer was more ready. The six scientists gasped but quickly glared and reached into their holsters to grab their laser pistols. Before that could happen, however, Catra acted quickly.

"Get 'em!" Catra growled as she heaved herself at the closest scientist to her, pinning him against a wall and clawing at the hand that was attempting to draw his firearm. While this happened, Brittni and Brett also drew their pistol and rifle; respectively. Entrapta ran to a nearby cabinet and jumped inside, hiding from the violence.

Three of the scientists managed to draw their weapons and began firing upon the bunched-up members of Team Glimmer. As their neon-green bolts of energy flew towards the team, a shield of ice was immediately thrown up, blockading and neutralizing their firepower. Frosta then took the ice that was formed and began fabricating it into three large orbs, which she heaved at the three scientists that were firing at Team Glimmer, striking them against the wall behind them and knocking them out. In the meanwhile, Catra had successfully taken out the scientist that she was working on… but where was the last one?

Scanning the room, the team managed to find the last one to the right side of the cages… his finger grasping a lever. Having a good idea of what that lever did, Brett brandished his rifle and fired it at the scientist, hitting him right in the chest.

But it was too late.

The scientist managed to pull the lever down…

… Opening the cages of the creatures.

Meanwhile, back at Bright Moon…

Hordak wasted no time in sizing up the troops of the Rebellion. In a large field just behind the white and purple wall that would shield Bright Moon, the standing guard of Her Majesty stood at attention in rows. Though, once Hordak arrived with some of his own soldiers, many felt uneasy upon seeing their former enemy stand before them. Hordak moved into position onto a podium that stood around thirty feet away from the Bright Moon soldiers. Before Hordak spoke, Bow decided to serve as a mediator between the two factions.

"Fellow Rebellion soldiers, at this moment, Horde Prime's galactic Horde is nearly at our gates, ready to attack in full force." Bow began, taking in a breath of air, "but we are not alone this day. No, as I speak, reinforcements are coming from our newfound allies, Hordak's Horde." Bow said.

As Bow spoke, there was murmuring coming from the crowd, as many; (rightfully so,) were uncomfortable with this alliance. Hordak decided to advocate for himself and placed his hand upon Bow's shoulder, motioning for him to move over. Upon reaching the podium, Hordak took a deep breath and spoke.

"Bright Moon soldiers. It is indeed true that I have been your adversary for many years… and have been the instigation of much suffering." Hordak said, letting out a sigh. He closed his eyes for a few moments, seemingly to reflect on his past sins. Upon reopening his eyes, Hordak spoke with much vigor.

"But at this moment, a threat more deadly than anything either of our nations could even conceptualize has been made manifest. Horde Prime is, indeed, coming to Bright Moon… but his forces are not going to leave here alive." Hordak declared, boldly. "As I speak, our people; Rebellion and Horde, are infiltrating Horde Prime's flagship and are on their way to disable any of Horde Prime's creations that are coming our way… and with all the fortune in the world at their side, they will also bring down Horde Prime, himself, and end this conflict once and for all!"

At Hordak's words, many of the soldiers began speaking with hopeful attitudes and nodded in agreement. Hordak grinned at this and nodded as well.

"You are what's standing between Horde Prime and his victory… but there will only be one victory today…" Hordak let out a slight breath then raised his voice, "and that victory will belong to Etheria!"

At Hordak's proclamation, a resounding company of cheers, rang from the Bright Moon soldiers as they raised their weapons, completely ready to take on Horde Prime's creatures. Hordak let out a pleasant groan then continued.

"So, get yourselves into defensive positions. We have a war to win!" Hordak declared. Per his command, the sergeants of each squadron began giving orders for them to get into position. Hordak let out a sigh of relief and turned to Bow.

"Are you ready, young tech master?" Hordak inquired of Bow. Fastening his quiver to his side, he gave Hordak a nod.

"Let's go save Etheria."

Back at the kennel laboratory...

A screech of metal grating against itself spelled the predicament that the team just found themselves in. The gates that were barring the creatures were suddenly open, and they were feeling rather rancorous and ravenous.

"The serpents!" Adora yelled, giving them a name.

Without hesitation, the serpents began swarming out of their cages. The serpent in the very front made a dive towards Brett. He quickly brandished his rifle and fired a few rounds at the serpent's head, killing it. Though, the momentum of which it was moving, forced it to plow into Brett, knocking him against a counter. Adora quickly unsheathed her sword and yelled her all-too-familiar battlecry.

"For the honor of Grayskull!" Adora shouted, transforming herself into She-Ra. This notion seemed to aggro the serpents, as now they focused their attention on her. The serpent closest to her, raised its scythe claw to slice her head off. This would not happen, as She-Ra swung her sword, slicing her opponent's arm clean off. She then spun around and lopped its head off, finishing it.

A good start for the team, but the lab was rather large, and held dozens upon dozens of cages, all filled with the same monsters. Brittni was pulling the serpent off of Brett and Frosta attempted to block the path of the serpents by forming a gigantic ice wall between them and the cages. The ice managed to stop them for a moment, but the shrieks coming from the serpents indicated that they were ready to completely tear that ice down. As such, their scythe arms began beating and slashing against the wall, beginning to make notches in the ice.

"Let's get out of here!" Catra shrieked attempting to open the doors. Right before she was about to open one of the doors, an alarm began sounding and a solid metal wall shifted from the floor and blockaded the door. Catra let out a gasp and a growl, "wh- what the heck is going on?!" Catra growled as she slashed at the metal, not even making a scratch upon it. Likewise, Brittni and Brett were attempting to open the doors, to not even find any kind of opening.

"Can you cut through it?" Brittni demanded of Brett to which he groaned.

"Yeah, if you can give me a few hours!" Brett snapped.

The twins' bickering was interrupted as the ice was beginning to completely break and the serpents began to squeeze through.

"What do we do?!" Frosta demanded. Glimmer then quickly grabbed Frosta's hand. She then shouted to the others.

"Grab on! I can teleport us out of here!" Glimmer proclaimed. Brittni ran over and grabbed Glimmer's hand. Before anyone else could, however, one of the serpents broke through the ice and attempted to slice at Glimmer. With a knee-jerk reaction, Glimmer, and those holding her, turned to a magenta aura and simply vanished.

"What the- She left us!" Catra growled as the serpent that was about to attack Glimmer turned its attention to her. She-Ra quickly swung her sword, slicing the head right off the serpent's neck before it could get any closer to Catra. Meanwhile, Brett was firing laser upon laser, keeping the serpents from crawling through the ice. Unfortunately, the laboratory was rather large, and there had to have been dozens upon dozens; perhaps even a hundred of the serpents that were rapidly breaking through the ice.

She-Ra attempted to use her sword against the metal wall that was blockading the door. Surprisingly, the metal managed to not only withstand her blade… but even knock her backward.

"Oof!" She-Ra groaned, "not used to that…" But her jokes would have to subside for now, as another serpent was coming at her. Before she had a chance to swing her sword, however, the serpent managed to clamp its mouth upon her arm.

Letting out a blood-curdling scream, She-Ra attempted to punch the serpent. Before her fist made contact, however, a string of green lasers did the job, piercing the serpent's head and causing it to loosen its mouth upon She-Ra.

"Thanks, Brett!" She-Ra shouted, looking back at him. He nodded but continued to fire at the serpents breaking through the ice.

Soon, however, the ice wall completely shattered… and all of a sudden, a large force of angry and hungry monsters stood before our heroes…

At the wall of Bright Moon...

A rather intense silence pervaded the atmosphere of all the Bright Moon soldiers that were placed upon the wall. So far, Hordak's Horde had not succeeded in even coming within several miles of Bright Moon because of the Whispering Woods. Horde Prime's Horde, however, was interminably marching forth, killing, devouring, and destroying everything in its path. Regardless of the anxiety that filled the hearts of all the brave Bright Moon soldiers, they would stand their ground and be ready for any threat that would come their way.

… At least, they held onto a hope that they were ready… until they heard a high-pitched whistle coming from the Whispering Woods. No sooner as the soldiers heard the whistle, did they see a burst of rockets flying their way.

Bow, who was in the middle of the wall, let out a gasp and nocked a particular arrow. Shooting it towards the ground, towards Bright Moon, a rope trailed the arrow, allowing him and others to swing down.

"Go! Get off the wall!" Bow shouted as he swung his bow around the rope and dove down. As Bow and a few of the soldiers began swinging down the rope, they heard the rockets hit the wall.

Chunks of concrete and dust flew into the air as the volley of rockets hit various parts of the wall. Many Bright Moon soldiers attempted to flee, scrambling around and off the wall, but many were still caught in the blast, sending them flying upwards. Although many were able to make it off the wall, many still were suddenly buried by the collapsed concrete, and others died from the initial blasts.

Bow quickly recovered, picking himself and other soldiers up. Hordak had arrived from the podium, armed with some sort of cannon that was now strapped to his right arm. Hordak helped some of the soldiers up; something that was rather uncharacteristic of him.

After helping the soldiers up, a chill ran down the spine of everyone who could suddenly hear a discordant roar coming from the Whispering Woods. Hordak and Bow climbed over the now debris-ridden, former wall of Bright Moon to see what made that noise.

Though, they wish they hadn't.

What they saw, around a couple of hundred feet away was one of the biggest creatures the Bright Moon soldiers had ever seen. The beast had skin, like scaled white armor, wings that looked mechanical, large limbs with metallic claws flexing out. Rows of sharpened teeth protruded from its mouth, and glowing, neon green eyes completed its look. Hordak let out a breathy groan as he aimed his arm-cannon at the creature.

"...Dragon…"

Back with Glimmer, Brittni, and Frosta...

The electronic-sounding, windchime noise signified that Glimmer, Brittni, and Frosta had successfully teleported out of the laboratory and into a dimly lit chamber.

The three gasped for air, recovering from the fright of being nearly killed by the serpents in the lab kennel. As they steadied their breathing, they took a look around and found sections of plasma-barricaded prison cells encompassing the area they were in. Inside the cells were indeed prisoners, some looked Etherian, others, more alien.

Although fascinated with the prison, Brittni realized how distracted she was and got on her radio.

"Hello? Brett? Adora? Catra? Entrapta?!" Brittni shouted into the radio. The only response to her cries was static. Letting out a groan, she turned to Glimmer. "Glimmer, can you get us back?" Brittni demanded. Glimmer hesitated for a moment.

"I… I don't know if I can teleport where I can't see." Glimmer admitted, dismally. Brittni took off her helmet, quickly grabbed Glimmer's shoulders, and stared deeply into her eyes.

"You have to try. I-" Brittni began before being interrupted by a shout coming from the opposite end of the prison.

"Hey! You three!" A clone of Horde Prime shouted, brandishing his laser rifle. Brittni turned around and received a laser straight to her chest, sending her flying into Glimmer and causing the two to tumble into the ground.

"Glimmer! Brittni!" Frosta shouted as the two went to the floor. More lasers were flying towards Frosta as she used her powers to raise another ice wall, blocking the lasers. She then ran over to Brittni and Glimmer. Once there, Frosta saw that Glimmer was missing. She knelt next to Brittni and lifted Brittni's head. "Brittni? Brittni, are you okay?!"

For a few moments, Brittni seemed to lay lifeless… though, after those moments, a few coughs could be heard, and Brittni blinked her eyes. Frosta let out a gasp of delight then wrapped Brittni in a hug.

"Oof! Easy, my chestplate-" Brittni began to protest until she let out a gasp as the clone showed up and brandished his rifle at the two. With reflexes of a magicat, Brittni quickly unholstered her laser pistol and fired a couple of shots at the clone's rifle, causing him to drop it.

"You dare?!" The clone growled as he was about to grab his rifle. Before that happened, however, a very familiar windchime noise showed up behind him. The clone turned around, to his immediate regret, as his face received Glimmer's fist, punching him to the left, into a wall, knocking him out.

Frosta let out a squeal of delight as she saw Glimmer. The two embraced, then helped Brittni up.

"Are you hurt, Brittni?" Glimmer inquired. Brittni shook her head.

"No, fortunately, my armor stopped the laser. It did knock me back pretty good, though." Brittni replied. Glimmer nodded and let out a sigh of relief.

"Glad to hear it. Alright, we should get out of here." Glimmer suggested. She then looked around and saw all the prisoners, "but, we should probably free all the prisoners, first." Brittni and Frosta nodded in agreement and looked around for a release switch of some sort.

As the three searched the area, the inhabitants of the prison took notice and began begging for release in their respective languages. Brittni attempted to be assuring that they were trying to find a release. Though, she stopped when she heard a particular voice…

"Brittni…?" The voice inquired. Brittni widened her eyes as she recognized the voice. Following the voice, Brittni let out a gasp of relief and shock. Standing before her, behind the plasma-barred cell, was none other than…

"Keirnan!" Brittni shouted as she moved close to the plasma, placing her hands on it. Keirnan moved to the plasma and smiled. His clothes were roughed up, and he himself looked rather battered, indicated by the lacerations and bruises upon his body. As he placed his hands atop Brittni's; (behind the plasma), he let out a joyful shudder.

"It's great to see you… but how… how did you get here?" Keirnan inquired.

"It's a long story. Let's just get you out-" Brittni began until suddenly, a green aura began surrounding Keirnan. The two looked at each other, then at Keirnan, as his body suddenly began dissipating from his feet.

"Brittni…!" Keirnan shouted as his body began fading into nothingness...

"Keirnan!" Brittni shouted back, slamming her fists onto the plasma, attempting to break it. Glimmer and Frosta appeared behind Brittni.

"Brittni, who was that?" Glimmer inquired.

"It's Keirnan! Basically, my dad growing up! And now… he… he's gone…" Brittni sobbed, tears running down her face. Frosta attempted to comfort Brittni by patting her on the back.

Glimmer, in the meanwhile, analyzed the cell and saw a very familiar device at the ceiling.

"I don't think he's gone… I think he teleported!" Glimmer surmised, thinking of the portal that Void had made back at Mystacor. Brittni sniffled a bit and smiled.

"Then… then we can save him!" Brittni said, her hope coming back. She then turned to the cell, then to Glimmer. "Can you get me in the cell?" Glimmer nodded and grabbed Brittni by the hand, teleporting into the cell.

Once inside, Brittni reached her hand to the ceiling and touched the device. No sooner than when Brittni did that, did a series of visions began pervading her head. Quickly making sense of said visions, Brittni figured out where Keirnan was.

Letting out a gasp, Brittni recovered quickly from the vision and turned to Glimmer.

"I know where Keirnan is… and I know some things that we're going to have to do. And… I have a plan…"

Meanwhile, back at the defense of Bright Moon…

The behemoth-sized, green-eyed creature flapped its wings, sending gusts of wind that felt like a hurricane, towards the Bright Moon soldiers that survived the initial blast from Horde Prime's artillery. Eyeing its prey with a soulless gaze, the dragon let out a roar, indicating its readiness to attack.

Hordak fearlessly aimed his arm cannon at the beast and soon after, a red glow appeared at the tip of the cannon. A sudden burst of red energy then discharged from the cannon, causing Hordak to take a few steps back. The red energy flew towards its target and was about to hit until the dragon let out its own energy.

A stream of green, fire-like energy was blown from the dragon's mouth and seemed to combat Hordak's laser. As the two energies collided, an explosion befell the land. The shockwave knocked down many of the Bright Moon forces that were behind the now-destroyed wall, though the dragon seemed unharmed. Hordak let out a growl as he picked himself up. The dragon then sucked in a generous amount of air, and let more fire erupt from its mouth, towards the Bright Moon soldiers.

The fire came at the soldiers like a cannonball, and exploded in the center of a group of them, killing many, and sending others flying.

"Get to cover!" Hordak shouted as he looked around for anything that could shield them from the dragon's attack. There were still several buildings standing that Horde Prime's artillery did not decimate, and so, Hordak led whatever troops he could towards one of them.

Entering the building; (which ended up being a simple general store,) Hordak, Bow, and a handful of Bright Moon soldiers stormed in and moved to the windows to see where the dragon was. The flying monster was moving closer, while staying in the air, and discharged its fire-energy at any straggling soldiers that were attempting to getaway. Hordak let out a groan.

"Tell me that the Rebellion has some kind of heavy artillery…" Hordak muttered. Bow thought for a moment then snapped his fingers.

"I'm thinking that the fire coming from the dragon's mouth is both an offensive and defensive weapon…" Bow surmised, "if we could get some soldiers to distract it from one side, you could use your cannon on it from another side." Bow suggested. Hordak nodded.

"Excellent plan, Tech Master. I will head upstairs and get a vantage point. Once I am in position, I will give you the signal to elicit the beast's attention." Hordak indicated. Bow let out a nod as Hordak made his way up the stairs.

"Uh, sir?" A Bright Moon soldier began, motioning for Bow to come over. "We don't have a visual on the dragon anymore… I think-" The Bright Moon soldier began to say until a loud screech, followed by a crashing sound interrupted him.

Bricks and grout flew into the room as the dragon had flown down onto the ground and broke through the wall that the soldier was looking out at. Unhinging its massive jaw, the dragon grabbed hold of the soldier and pulled him and its own head out, heaving the soldier beyond any line of sight the other soldiers could behold. There was no time to mounr, however, as the dragon let out a bloody roar and began moving back into the building to finish off Bow and his team.

"Everyone, run!" Bow shouted as he nocked an explosive arrow and aimed it at the beast. As it stuck its head in, Bow let loose the arrow, right into the dragon's face. The explosion caused the dragon's head to retreat from the shop; though the arrow seemed to anger it more than hurt it. The dragon let loose its green fire into the shop, burning a few of the Bright Moon soldiers.

With the remaining survivors, Bow led them out of the shop. Once out, they looked to the street that was facing towards the Bright Moon's inner walls and figured a retreat would be their best bet. Running towards the inner walls, they looked back and saw the dragon begin pursuing them. Sucking in a generous amount of air, the beast blew more fire towards them. Bow and the soldiers ran to the left and right to take cover behind some buildings.

Ducked behind the buildings, the soldiers knew that their only bet at that moment was to face the dragon. Bow nocked another arrow and took in a deep breath. Letting out a shrill scream, Bow motioned for the others to come out of cover to face the behemoth. Though, as they came out of cover and saw the dragon, they were pleasantly shocked to see it screaming in rage.

The screaming was a result of Hordak jumping upon the beast's head from the building. The dragon bounced up and down, attempting to buck Hordak off, to no avail. Finally, Hordak pointed his arm cannon point-blank at the monster and charged it up. Once the red energy was expended from the cannon, a huge gaping hole in the dragon's head made way for the red energy coming from Hordak's cannon.

The dragon collapsed onto the street, sending a minor shockwave to all that were present. Hordak flew off the dragon as well, falling onto his back on a sidewalk. A round of cheers came from the few dozen troops, as well as Bow. Bow then ran over to Hordak and held out his hand to help him up. Hordak had a few cuts and bruises from falling, but managed to open his eyes.

Looking at Bow and taking him by the hand, Hordak let a small smile creep onto his face. Once up, Bow let out a laugh of relief.

"Guess we should have been working together all along, huh?" Bow suggested, jokingly. Hordak let out a slight chuckle.

"I suppose we should have…" Hordak declared, happily.

Although the dragon was down, the battle was far from over. This was indicated as the group of soldiers saw a Horde scout running towards their position from the now-destroyed outer wall.

"Tech Master! Lord Hordak!" the scout panted as he made it to them. "We have a lot more of those serpent and octopus creatures… as well as clones coming this way." Hordak turned to Bow and nodded.

"Well… let's not keep them waiting…"