Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Horde of Horrors. Enjoy the 2000-word chapter. I don't own She-Ra, Mattel and a few others do.
(Salineas)
It could never be said Brennus didn't regard Adora with SOME sort of respect, minor as it might be. He blocked her blade, sending her skidding across the cracked courtyard's floor with a single kick. He brushed off his cloak, turning to Catra.
"As I said, you have spirit, but your power doesn't make you a warrior." Brennus said, turning to Catra. "Are we finished here? I do not want to bombard the city, but if their forcing my hand? I will." Brennus said as he looked at Adora.
This woman was the warrior who Catra staked an interest in battling? Her skill was decent, but it was clear she had barely held it for more then a handful of months, her stance had her footwork paced too far apart to effectively block his strikes.
"You know, I was upset after Brightmoon when you guys threw us out… But now?" Catra asked, leaping down from the ledge she had lunged towards. "I think this makes up for that pretty well, huh?" Catra questioned as he turned to look around while shrugging as she leaned on Brennus.
"Where'd you get him, Catra?" Adora asked as Catra shrugged. "Whatever she's told you? She's lying, it's what she's done before." Adora added as Brennus rolled his eyes.
"Oh, Catra must find you amusing." Brennus said as he crossed his armored limbs. "This is war. You think you don't lie at times? War isn't good and evil, both sides demonize the other. Catra had to fight to get there, I can tell, I've met warriors like her before. You can barely fight without being a group. So what? You thought you'd something like telling me to death?" Brennus asked as he brought up his arm.
"You said you'd help me, but all you've ever done is push me into your shadow." Catra hissed, pointing a finger at Adora. "Brennus has a point, if you're this big great hero? Then why did you try and gang up 6 on 4? If we didn't take out your buddies? You'd have us outnumbered. Some hero…" Catra growled as she looked at her friend with quite interest.
"This coming from someone who brainwashed the guy fighting for…" Adora started to say as a stone was hurled at her by Brennus. "Glim, what's the plan?" Adora asked as the sound to footsteps began to set in.
Glimmer knew quite well it was Horde soldiers, nobody else had their sleek armor that created those types of footsteps. They were outnumbered.
"Get back to Brightmoon…" Glimmer said as her friends turned to her before she looked at Catra and Brennus. "You're going down, Adora asking or not next time." Glimmer said as she linked her arms with the others.
Brennus and Catra watched as the princesses teleported away, leaving the two Horde officers alone in the burning city.
"They will come back soon. Glimmer does not seem the kind to just allow people to win." Brennus said as Catra nodded. "Lonnie? We've secured the city, capture any survivors, me and Commander Catra are done here." Brennus said as he started to turn and look around.
Catra watched as Brennus sheathed his sword across his back. He spared a look around the city, shaking his head that the city and its people were stubborn. Then again? So was his, but they had no leader. Most leaders wanted their soldiers to survive and not die when it came to it.
"Hey, Bren?" Catra asked as Brennus continued to walk a second later. "Bren?" Catra questioned as she sighed.
She heard the sound of footsteps, Brennus turned, pivoting on his heel towards her. Catra watched as the armored warrior slowly stepped towards, his cloak billowing behind him like a massive bird or such. He strode up to the girl, pausing only to tilt his head down to her.
"Yes?" Brennus asked, eyebrow raising as he did so. "We have won, do you not want to report your victory to Lord Hordak?" Brennus questioned, brushing some ash off his armor.
"Yeah, I just wanted to say thanks for backing me up…" Catra said as Brennus chuckled.
"You're a skilled warrior, Catra. I cannot see you in someone's shadow to begin with." Brennus said as he turned to look at the city. "However? The princesses will return, for all of their lack of skill as warriors? I do not see them as cowards at the end of the day." Brennus added, crossing his arms.
Catra growled, but she supposed he was right. The princesses still had their victory of Brightmoon fresh on their mind… And keeping their friends in the Frightzone was just a recipe for disaster… If Hordak was smart? He'd take care of them.
"I do have a single question." Brennus asked, raising an eyebrow as they walked into the conquered landscape. "If you hate Adora so much? Why are you eager to prove your better than her? Your clearly smart and capable enough to be one of the better soldiers in the Horde." Brennus said, turning to see she had given no answer.
"Why do you care?" Catra asked as Brennus let out a muffed hum. "She's always thought she was better than me. The second she gets that STUPID SWORD…." Catra added, clenching her clawed hands.
Brennus shook his head, deciding to dig into that later. The best thing to do now was allow their victory to be carried over and allow it to set it. Their triumph here would not only raise morale, but it would allow him to get more answers
"Lord Hordak must be a good leader to have rallied these many soldiers under his banner." Brennus stated a moment later, brushing off his armor. "I can see now why the Horde is winning this war with commanders like him and you leading their army." Brennus added as he balled up his fists a moment later.
"He's not the one running the war, he's been busy in his lab." Catra stated as Brennus shrugged.
"Just as the princesses probably have a strategist when it came down to it." Brennus stated while gesturing with his hands as he did so. "The princesses probably have someone who organizes them. Hordak organizes the Horde…. The only difference is back home? Leaders like me fight alongside their soldiers." Brennus added, cracking his fingers.
"You guys really like fighting, don't you?" Catra asked, raising an eyebrow while Brennus shrugged.
"My people are warriors and builders when it came down to it." Brennus responded, looking over the rest of the city as they passed through the main gate. "Not everyone fights, nor do we look down on those who do not. Leadership, however? Is earned in battle. My father earned his right as king, and every dependent of the ruler must prove they are worthy, they are not simply given power." Brennus put in, shaking his head as he did so.
"Sounds a lot like how I had to study and do all that work to become Force Captain." Catra said as they slowly continued their walk.
Brennus nodded, looking at the crimson flames which lit up the entire town. It was as like every conquest, destruction and death followed it as did often. A building slowly collapsed, raining rubble into the sea. It was quite clear that the Horde had taken down the entire city… However? He was quite perturbed at seconds.
"Being a leader is not easy, but I'm curious what is going to happen." Brennus said as he walked into the camp, waiting for Catra to walk back and past him. "Savor the victory, the next one will be harder to claim. I will make sure the dead get their proper respects and report to Lord Hordak with you." Brennus said while he turned, walking past a squad of Horde soldiers.
He knew that there was going to be plenty of issues. Their army was not as strong as the princesses, he could train them, but it would also take a lot of time to make sure that happened properly.
Plus? He was still interested in what happened next. Lord Hordak would have a plan, he had one if he had sent them to conquer the city.
"Bren!" Catra called as Brennus turned, raising an eyebrow as he did so. "Thanks for asking about some of that stuff… I want to talk when we're done talking to Lord Hordak." Catra added to which Brennus nodded, crossing his arms as he shook his head.
"I will talk with you when you need me, until then?" Brennus asked, gesturing to the fallen Horde soldiers. "I will make sure the dead get their proper burial, it's part of Vorutian Culture." Brennus said before Catra crossed her arms.
"Your entire race is soldiers, isn't it?" Catra questioned to which Brennus hummed.
"No, not all of them." Brennus said as he shrugged his shoulders. "But people like you would be in charge of them, they like smart, dedicated warriors." Brennus stated before dusting off his cloak.
Catra watched the prince vanish into the crowd while she sighed and looked around the camp, curious as to how this victory would be affect the planet. She knew that people would be interested now that they had conquered the city.
(10 minutes later)
Brennus stood over a few graves before shaking his head. They had fought well when he thought about it. He turned away and walked over towards the war table. Hordak appeared from the center projector of the table.
"We took care of the city, Adora and her stupid friends escaped, but the city is gone." Catra said as Brennus joined her, crossing his arms over the chest.
"We can focus on them when we attack Brightmoon." Hordak stated before turning to Brennus a moment later. "Force Captain? I thank you for helping our conquest… We have faced setbacks since the battle of Brightmoon, your brother just reported with Entrapta." Hordak added, brushing off his cloak.
"The princesses are the only issue, once they are gone? The fighting will slow." Brennus said while he looked down at the ground. "How has my brother been helping? He's not as much of a warrior, I should apologize for that." Brennus added, pausing to look at Catra.
"I didn't give him a mission that requires combat, but it helps." Hordak responded to which Catra raised an eyebrow. "Report back to the Fright Zone, we have plenty to think about, and Catra?" Hordak asked before Catra blinked.
"Do not let this get to your head, I need everyone on the frontlines of combat." Hordak added before crossing his arms. "But I commend you and Brennus's work, Eternia will be ours sooner or later. Hordak out." Hordak put in as he vanished.
"As I said, you should be proud of your leadership guaranteed a victory here." Brennus stated as he drew in his cloak, looking at her with amusement. "The best thing to do now is make sure the deaths we suffered for it was worth the effort. That's the first step to ensuring a victory." Brennus added before turning towards the Horde soldiers.
"SAVOR THIS VICTORY, FOR IT WILL BE THE FIRST OF MANY!" Brennus roared, gaining the attention of most of the camp. "FOR THE HORDE!" Brennus screeched to which they started to cheer.
Catra looked at the holoprojector, the feeling of rage and pride bubbling over inside of her.
Author Note
Phew. Another chapter done! I want to point out next chapter will be longer and such and will show both Brennus and Catra heading back to the Fright Zone and talking and bonding a bit more and such. Next chapter will be in 2-10 months and will be 900-3500 words and such at the moment. Next chapter will be a bit delayed and such at the moment. Until then, Lighting Wolf out!