A/N: So to make up for the last chapter being shorter this one is longer. Which makes sense because I consider this a milestone chapter.
Sargent Angle: "Hey, Adora."
Mos Eisley Spaceport: You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. At least, that is what most outsiders would describe it as. Adora never felt this way about her trips to the spaceport when it was for her former master's trade deals. She knew that a lot of rough characters were around this side of the planet, but with being a slave came security that she was off limits. Now that she looks at the settlement as a free woman Adora can't help but feel a sense of unease. As if she is walking into a rancor pit of her own free will.
Mara sensed this so she placed a comforting hand on Adora's shoulder. "There is nothing to fear. As long as you stay close to me I'll keep you safe." Mara reassured her.
"It's just that…...I feel so unprepared ya know? Do you feel like this all the time? In your journeys I mean?" Adora questioned nervously.
"Sometimes, but not now. Trust me." Mara then pulled out a worn, brown cloak to cover her bright clothes and shiny jewelry. "Just think of this as a lesson. Calm your nerves, and control your emotions. Breathing helps."
"Oh cool. Then there's no pressure." Adora said with a pout as she attempted to follow Mara's lead by pulling her red tunic over her head like a cloak; exposing more of her dirty white robes.
Mara chuckled at this while pulling Adora's tunic down then straightening it out. "No, sweetie. You're trying too hard."
Adora waved Mara's hands away. "I'm just following your lead."
"Maybe this will make you more comfortable." Mara pulled out her DC-17 blaster pistol. "For protection, in case I'm not there."
Adora looked really nervous as she eyed the weapon. "Isn't that yours? Maybe you should keep it."
Mara raised a brow at that. "I can defend myself fine. No offense, but you need this more."
"I really don't think I should take this. Blasters make me nervous." Adora waved the weapon away.
"Adora. I saw you cuddle that dagger in your sleep." Mara deadpanned stared at Adora.
Adora blushed. "That's different! It's my only keepsake. That and we were usually never allowed blasters. Also, they just seem…...dangerous? Is that dumb?"
"I get it, but this is just for insurance." Mara unfastened her thigh holster then buckled it onto a fidgeting Adora. "If this really works, then you won't have to even use it. Alright?" Mara placed the blaster in the holster.
"Fine." Adora pouted.
"Good. Now let's find a ship." Mara climbed into the driver seat of the speeder with Adora and sped off into Mos Eisley.
As they drove the hover speeder into town they had to avoid dodging various overzealous aliens. Such as Jawas who came into town to sell their wares. Mos Eisley was made up mostly of rustic, granite buildings with stalls set up for selling various merchandise from trinkets to stange, native food. Adora thought it looked similar to what she called her old home, but that thought ended when they went further past the homes and closer to the inner works. Much larger buildings were set up; some had open ceilings to function as docking ports for ships while some were appliance stores to sell ships or parts for them. Mara attempted to drive for these stores, but Adora signaled her to park the speeder next to a den.
"Are you sure about this?" Mara questioned as they parked the speeder close to a plain looking building with a single sliding door.
"Yep. Even if we sell the speeder we couldn't afford a ship. The added credits from the knick knacks would not make a difference either." Adora whispered the last part and silently thanked Kyle for messing up once again by not unloading the speeder before she stole it. "We need a smuggler. Lonnie told me that if you want to find decent smugglers they'll be drinking Sarlacc kickers." Adora motioned to the cantina.
Mara just shrugged and pulled up her hood as they walked through the sliding door into the building. Going through a dimly lit hallway they were met by small steps that lead into a circular den with a bar at the center. Adora's eyes bugged out at all the aliens that were in the room enjoying their drinks while listening to the Bith band play in the back.
"'Mad about me'?"Mara smirked. "I love this song." She remarked to the song the Bith band was playing.
"Maybe we should go somewhere else." Adora stated after a bipedal wolfman scared away a jawa with a growl.
"Oh no. You wanted to go to a cantina. So we might as well get a drink." Mara began walking to the bar.
Adora's nerves grew as Mara left her side so she quickly followed her to the bar. Adora excused herself as she slid past several gruff individuals to find Mara that Mara had a seat. Mara signaled the bartender who was an older human male.
"Hey. I'll take a glass of spotchka." She ordered. The bartender nodded then poured a pitcher of blue, hard liquor into a serving glass.
Mara tentatively drank from it as Adora awkwardly stood next to her. "Deep breathes, remember." Mara commented without looking back at Adora. "Your presence feels so nervous it's like an itch."
"Did you just call me a rash?" Adora felt a little insulted.
"Not the point." Mara downed her drink as she scouted around the catina. She felt eyes on her then turned her attention to a large figure in the corner. Mara felt no hostility, but genuine curiosity coming from the individual.
"I think we have a bite. Stay here and order something." Mara handed Adora a credit before walking away to a dark corner of the cantina.
Adora lost sight of her after that. 'Can't they afford better lights in this place? Maybe it's for the atmosphere.' She distracted herself with random thoughts as she tried to not appear completely out of place at the bar.
"Hey, blondie." Adora jumped as a sharp nail poked her shoulder. She turned back to see what she could only describe as a cat lady. "Drinking alone?"
Adora felt her mouth go dry as she stared at the stranger. She was captivated by her heterochromic eyes; the left was a pale yellow and the right was turquoise. You would think the other features like the tan fur, long ears, and tail were striking but it was those mischievous eyes that caught her attention. This person was interesting to Adora to say the least.
"Cat got your tongue?" The cat girl teased.
Adora shook her head. "Sorry it's just that-"
"Was it the ears?" She flexed her cat ears. "Got a name or do you prefer blondie?"
"Oh, right. I'm Adora." Adora said shyly as she was eyed by the feline.
"Hey, Adora." The cat girl drew out the name as she spoke. Like she was testing it and found the name wanting. "Name's Catra."
"Catra?" Adora then looked over Catra again to see that the name did fit.
Catra's arms were placed on the bar as she leaned next to Adora. She was clad in slightly ripped, form fitting red spandex that covered her tan fur. She wore a black jacket that had red padding over the shoulders and elbows with an emblem of a coiled, red serpent on the back. She wore no shoes to let the claws on her feet out. Catra also had a belt that was connected to a thigh holster which held a DL-44 blaster pistol. Catra's tail wagged as she caught Adora staring again.
"Never met a Felacatian before?" Catra continued to tease.
"Sorry, if I'm staring. It's just that you're the first." Adora answered.
"I'm your first, eh? That's alright. Far as I know, there's only one of me." Catra tried to brag.
Adora took that the wrong way. "Oh, I'm sorry. You've never met another one."
"Hey, it's fine." Catra waved the concern off. She was a little confused why the girl's reaction was worry and not more embarrassment or at least a more desired reaction. "So what brings you to this sarlacc pit? Just trying to shake off the sand or are you looking for something. Or someone?"
Adora felt uncomfortable with the invasive questions so she just shrugged her shoulders in response.
"Say I got a pretty big ship that's not too far from here. She's a beauty." Catra commented as she leaned in closer to Adora.
"Oh really? That's nice." Adora brushed that off while backing away from the closing girl.
'A little weird that she would just bring that up. Although I don't have a ship so I wouldn't know what it feels like to brag about one. Or the reason for it.' Adora mused internally.
'This one's a little dense.' Catra thought to herself. She simply held her catty smile and turned to the bartender. "Two Sarlacc kickers."
Adora's eyes widened at that. 'Oh I get it! She wants me to hire her. I didn't know the saying was so literal.'
"Wait. You're a smuggler, right?" Adora felt the need to make sure.
Their drinks arrived as Catra snorted at her before sipping her drink. "What gave it away? The confidence? The good looks? It was the jacket, right? Why do you wanna know?"
"A friend and I need to get offworld." Adora stated.
"...oh. A friend, eh?" Catra was briefly disappointed before remembering that this girl was offering a job. "What's chasing you guys?"
"We just need to get somewhere fast?" Adora replied without giving too much information.
"Sounds like your friend might have more answers. Where are they?" Catra questioned.
Adora pointed to the corner she saw Mara went into. Catra always had good night vision so she narrowed her eyes to see a cloaked figure talking to her companion.
"Looks like she got a head start. Come on. Let's talk business." Catra downed the drink then walked to the table. Adora eyed her own drink before polity taking it then followed.
As they neared the table, the burly figure called out to Catra. "Oh! Wildcat! Over here! We got a customer. Here she is!" She gestured to Mara who held the hood tighter.
Catra face-palmed. "Scorpia……..just move over." Adora was shocked that this confident person sounded so tired now.
"Sure thing, buddy. Oh, who's this." Scorpia must have thought Catra meant to stand up because that's what she did as she walked to Adora. "I'm Scorpia. Fair warning. I'm a hugger." She pulled Adora into a fierce hug; her legs dangling off the ground.
"Oh my-thank you." Adora wheezed out as Scorpia crushed her ribs.
"Please put my companion down." Mara requested. She winced as Adora was turning red faced from the pressure.
"Oh. Sorry. Should've given you a heads up there." She dropped Adora. "Hi, I'm Scorpia. Oh wait, I just said that. I'm always nervous about these things. Wildcat, she says that-"
"Scorpia." Catra said firmly as she pointed to the seat next to her on the bench.
"Of course. Right." Scorpia sat down. "Again, sorry if you weren't ready for that."
Adora sat down next to Mara. "Oh, it's no big deal." Adora said distractedly as she was looking at Scorpia's exposed, muscular arms.
Scorpia was a very tall, built human woman with short, undercut hair. She wears a black jumpsuit with the front zipper slightly open to reveal a red undershirt. Her sleeves were rolled up which showcased her arms and confirmed that her physique was very fit. Unlike Catra she does not appear to be caring a blaster.
Catra noticed that Adora was now eyeing Scorpia and felt annoyed that she was not the blonde's center of attention. "So Blondie here says that you both need a smuggler."
"Prices are high these days. We thought it would be more convenient." Mara stated.
"Sure. Also, this wouldn't have anything to do with the Horde sniffing around would it?"
Catra asked rhetorically with her confident smirk returning.
"We would need a very good smuggler to get around that. Scorpia was just telling me about how her "wildcat" was the best pilot in the outer rim." Mara smirked in return.
Catra's face fell as she looked at Scorpia with an annoyed stare. Scorpia simply nods her head at Catra and winks like she did something right. Catra rolled her eyes then faced the other girls. "Well if we're dropping the pretense: what's the job?"
"We require passage to Etheria." Mara could feel a sudden wave of anxiety emit from Scorpia, but interest from Catra.
"Why do you want to go there? Nothing but uptight princesses, glitter, and rainbows." Catra commented.
"Princesses?" Adora questioned. 'Those are a real thing?' She thought to herself.
"Oh, I bet you'll love it there. Adora, right? Yeah they'll probably dress you up in itchy dress along with a stupid tiara. Kinda like that." Catra pointed to the headpiece Mara wore.
Mara ignored the insult. "Our reasons are our own. We just seek transport."
"Yeah. I can get you there without being picked up by the Horde. I know a route from here to Etheria; it'll take longer but if you wanna avoid the Horde then that, which means me, is your best shot." Catra scratched her long ear almost like her namesake.
Scorpia looked nervous. "Catra, I don't no about-"
"Relax, Scorpia. We're just talking. Anything we should know?" Catra waved off Scorpia.
"Just the two of us along with any possessions on our person. That's about it." Mara did not want to reveal too much information for this barter.
"Alright. Now let's talk about price. How about 8,000?" Catra quizzed.
"What?! We can't-" Adora's reply was cut off by Mara placing her hand over her mouth. Adora continued to exclaim but they all came out muffled until she huffed and crossed her arms.
"We can't give you full price now, but the princesses would." Mara offered.
"Oh now it's interesting. You got business with the royalty, eh? Is there some kind of arranged marriage nonsense going on?" Catra teased.
"Oh not like that, but as you can tell." Mara pointed to her headpiece. "This is very important for some very wealthy people."
"So what? Are you a princess and is she your handmaiden?" Catra giggled at that thought.
"...I'm not your handmaiden, right?" Adora legitimately asked Mara. Now that she thought about it Mara did mention she was royalty.
"Are you taking the job or not? I'm sure someone else will beg for the chance to ask for riches straight from Etheria." Mara began to stand.
"Hold on. We're just talking!" Catra motioned for Mara to sit back down and so she did. "Promises of riches are great and all, but we need some compensation in advance." She said in a more calm tone.
"That's fair. How does two thousand credits sound? Then, once we reach Etheria you can barter for more. I would reason that you could receive twenty thousand easily?" Mara negotiated.
Catra made a slight choking sound. At this Scorpia pat her back as if to help clear the air she was choking on. Catra waved off Scorpia before smiling with a fanged mouth. "Are you guys that desperate?"
"Oh no, that was just the starting price." Mara bluffed.
Catra bite her lip "Well princess, we can make accommodations. I'd say this is fate isn't it, Adora." She teased the blonde who just shrugged in response. While put off by the rebuke, Catra turned back to Mara. " What do you say?" She held out her hand.
Not sensing a trick, Mara shook her hand. "Great. Our freighter is in docking bay ninety-four. We meet there in an hour?" Catra asked to close the transaction.
"Sounds reasonable. Come, Adora." The two stood up to make their way out of the cantina. Adora looked back to see that Catra winked at her. She raised an eyebrow, but ignored the odd gesture.
After they left Catra started laughing in an airy, raspy tone. "Oh man. We hit the jackpot! I just wanted a date, and now we're escorting royalty. I got a good feeling about this."
"Catra." Scorpia dropped the nickname to get her attention. "I'm really not comfortable with this."
"Relax. Look I know you have some weird backstory with Etheria, but it'll work out. All we gotta do is fly them there. You don't even have to get off the ship. Come on, this could set us for life!" Catra pleaded.
Scorpia still looked uncomfortable, but forced a smile. "If you say it'll work out then I trust you, Wildcat."
"Good. Now you go prep the ship, and I'll stick around to….scout the area." Catra suggested.
"Okay." Scorpia nods her head excitedly as she makes her way out of the cantina.
Catra shook her head at her excitable friend. Scorpia was older but Catra always felt like the adult between them. She made her way to the bar for a few more drinks before heading to the docking bay. As that happened, her instincts were proven right as she noticed a hooded figure seated close by speaking into a communicator.
Docking Bay 94
"We totally got ripped off! That speeder cost way more than two thousand credits." Adora grumbled to Mara who kept her hood up as they walked off the street down into the docking bay.
"Along with the junk we sold, this will be more than enough." Mara explained.
"Yeah. I'm actually amazed how much you got out of the merchants. It's like they were just agreeing with you. You're a real haggler." Adora teased then elbowed her said playfully.
"...Yeah." Mara looked nervous before changing the subject. "Look, I think we're here,'' She said as they turned a corner in the hallway to find themselves facing a ship with Scorpia sitting on a lowered ramp.
Scorpia perked up then stood while waving at the two. "Hey guys! Here! Hi, it's me. You remember me, right?"
"You're hard to forget, Scorpia." Mara quipped with a polite smile.
"Aw, thanks." Scorpia waved her hand in a bashful gesture.
"So where's Catra at?" Adora looked around to see the feline lady was not here yet.
"Oh. I'm sure she'll be here any minute. If she were here she would probably say." Then Scorpia gestured to the freighter. "Say hello to The Outrider."
The Outrider is a YT-2400 light freighter. The main body of the ship is a saucer shaped hull with the cockpit attached to the port or left side of it by two large bracing arms. A pair of double laser cannons mounted on the top and bottom of the hull. The entry ramp they were currently talking at was on the port side so this gave Adora a good view of the side of the hull and the cockpit. When she looked closer she noticed a lot of scuff marks from blaster fire on the ship.
Adora decided to voice this. "You have a little….dirt on your ship."
"Oh yeah that. Well it's a long story that Catra probably doesn't want me to tell. I mean that she wants to tell-you would like a tour?" Scorpia cut herself off. "Just head on in and Entrapta should show you around."
"That sounds reasonable. When your captain finally decides to show please tell her we are in a hurry." Mara walked into the ship all while keeping her polite smile.
Adora found Scorpia endearing but she felt like the woman was busy so she went up the ramp too. As they both moved inside they noticed that the interior of the ship was a rough pattern colored in white much like the exterior. Before Adora made a comment about it, she heard a crash followed by a whirring sound as something heavy was heading down the hall. Around the corner, a beige colored metallic sphere came rolling into view. Adora yelled and jumped out of its path while Mara sidestepped as the ball crashed into a wall. The impact did not damage anything, but the momentum ceased as the sphere stopped moving.
"An ambush? What's going on?" Adora questioned frantically.
"Emily!" Before Mara could respond a voice was heard as a figure crashed into Adora and the pair fell over.
Adora groaned on the ground before rubbing her head and opened her eyes to see a metallic, purple insect face with large, cracked lenses staring at her. "Argh!" Adora yelled as she crawled away from the figure who actually followed Adora in a squat position.
"Oh, new people. Fascinating." A nasally voice spoke behind the face plate.
"Are you, Entrapta?" Mara asked while holding in a laugh at the antics.
"Oh! You know my name. New crewmates? No wait. Catra wouldn't hire more people. Says that dealing with me is already too much. I'm not sure what that means, but I think she's trying to compliment my efficiency. Passengers? Your cloak says you're hiding. Are we smuggling you?" She said as she lifted Mara's cloak who at this point lowered her hood with a bemused look on her face.
"So you're not a monster?" Adora knew that sounded stupid as soon as she said it.
At this Entrapta lifted her mask to reveal her smiling excited expression. "Nope." She answered simply.
With the welding mask now on her head the two got a better look at the excited woman. Her age was hard to guess since she was relatively short and stocky. Besides that her most noticeable feature was her long, lilac twintails that reached past her shoulders to her hips; the ends were split and the hair was slightly unruly. Her olive skin clashed with her rose-colored eyes. Her outfit consisted of a partially unzipped, lilac colored flightsuit that revealed a stained white undershirt. The suit was partially covered with halfway buttoned, beige overalls with large black gloves and boots.
"Emily!" Entrapta exclaimed as she passed Adora to hug the large ball on the ground.
"I'm really confused right now." Adora commented on the situation.
"Is that a…..droid?" Mara had never seen one like this before.
At that comment, the top of the droid peeked open to reveal a shining purple lens. "Wwwwwwrrrrrrrrr. Beep-bop-beep."
"This is Emily. She says hi." Entrapta said while petting Emily.
"I really should've learned binary." Adora lamented the fact she could not understand the droid's beeps.
"Emily." Mara questioned as she took a closer look at the excited droid.
"Her designation is EM-E11. Emily. She's an astromech I invented myself. The previous versions were glitchy and prone to spontaneous combustion, but I think Emily is my finest work yet." Entrapta explained with a proud smile as her voice reached a higher pitch when talking about building.
Mara and Adora stepped away after she mentioned that. "Um. Are you sure it won't explode?" Mara questioned.
"There is a ninety-three point forty-three percent chance that won't happen…….last time it did there was only a eighty-seven point twenty eight percent chance so the odds are better. That among other glitches we still need to work out, but Emily and I can make it work." Entrapta answered then stared at the two with slowly blinking eyes and a wide smile. "Who are you again?"
Outside the ship, Scorpia wore goggles as she was patching the ship. She thought about the fact that they didn't have the credits to pay for a repair job or the time to fix the ship since they just arrived on Tatooine. Scorpia was distracted until she heard a yell over the wielding. She turned to find Horde stormtroopers facing her.
Scorpia audible swallowed then scratched the back of her neck in a nervous twitch. "Hey fellas. How can I help?"
One of the troopers spoke. "We have reason to believe there are fugitives in the area."
"Fugitives? That's crazy. Well I hope you find them." Scorpia forced a large smile.
The trooper pointed at the ship. "Have you paid the fine for this vessel to be here."
"Of course, Sir." Scorpia hid the hydrospanner behind her as though it would make her look guilty.
Ironically, doing that made her look suspicious. "Let me see your identification." The other one spoke up as he stepped closer.
"ID? Is that really necessary? Come on guys. I gotta fly out before I get fined again. Can't we just-" She was cut off as they pointed their blasters at her. She let out a short yelp before holding her hands up.
"Stay right there! Search it." He nodded to his partner.
Before either of them could move they were both blasted from behind. Their bodies fell to reveal Catra holding a smoking blaster.
"Catra! You blasted them!" Scorpia pointed out.
"Oh did I?" Catra questioned sarcastically as she took their blasters.
"Yes! I just saw you." Scorpia reiterated.
Catra tossed the blasters to Scorpia who fumbled to catch them. "There was a spy on us. Whether they're after us or the clients doesn't matter so get that packed away and the engines hot. We're blasting off this dust ball." Catra made her way up the ramp with Scorpia behind her.
The ramp was pulling back up as Adora and Mara ran back to see the commotion. "Was that a blaster shot?" Adora hysterically questioned.
"Save all your questions until the end of the ride, blondie." Catra responded before she turned to Mara. "If your highness would follow me to the cockpit so we can leave." Catra said this as she walked to the cockpit with everyone in tow.
Scorpia was already powering up systems as they made their way inside. The cockpit was sphere shaped with transparisteel covering the top portion to give an outside view of the surroundings. There were four worn, leather seats with the front two facing the control panels. Scorpia was in the co-pilot seat as Catra sat in the pilot seat. Adora noted that it had visible claw marks on it as though the cat girl had marked her territory. The ship shook as the engines on the back of the hull shined blue, and the vessel took off out of the open ceiling.
The outrider was now flying above Mos Eilsey. Adora was taken aback as she had never been so high up before. She glanced through the transparent cockpit to the shrinking settlement below. The ship began to gain more altitude as it flew past the highest towers to glide into the sky. Adora's glee broke as she spotted a large grey vessel begin to fly to them out of the spaceport.
"I think they don't want us leaving." Adora pointed at the ship.
Catra looked in that direction to spot a large transport vessel carrying four TIE fighters. "A Gozanti cruiser. Nothing to worry about; it won't catch us."
"Oh I agree, but those will." Scorpia said as the TIE's broke off from the vessel to pursue.
"Karabast." Catra growled. "Strap in. Scorpia boost the rear deflector shields and power up the cannons."
"Are you sure about this?" Mara asked as she was feeling a sense of Deja vu.
"Trust me, princess. I'll show you I'm worth every credit." Catra flipped more switches before quickly veering the ship into a one-eighty to turn back.
The TIEs fired green laser bolts as they drew closer. "We are supposed to avoid the Horde. Why are we flying at them?" Adora questioned as the ship shook.
Beeping sounded from the hall as Emily rode away with Entrapta. "Oh boy another encounter. More data!" Entrapta exclaimed.
"Why are you happy?!" Adora yelled back. The only reply she heard was mad, excited laughter.
The outrider flew low over Mos Eisley only several hundred meters above the buildings. Pedestrians scattered as the vessel was followed by screeching TIE fighters in hot pursuit. Sand and debris from destroyed stands were kicked up as the dogfight escalated with some blasts hitting buildings while others pinged off the outrider's shields. The ship jerked suddenly to the left to avoid a large yacht which forced the TIEs to gain altitude and break off for a reprieve.
"This plan is beyond reckless. I was expecting more subvert tactics from a smuggler. At this rate, people will be hurt if we don't crash first." Mara said as she braced herself when the ship turned at a ninety degree angle to drift around a building.
"Then earn this meal ticket your worshipfullness. Both of you get on the cannons. Entrapta will show you the way." Catra commanded.
"Finally, a good suggestion." Mara got up from her seat.
Adora hestated. "I don't care for blasters, remember that Mara?" Adora commented.
Instead of arguing, Mara grabbed Adora's hand as they walked through the hall to see an excited Emily waiting for them. Apparently, Entrapta made Emily lead them instead because when they followed the droid they found their destination. A ladder at the base of the ship that led to the controls for the heavy cannons awaited them.
Mara turned to Adora. "Unfortunately, that day is here Adora. Consider this lesson two."
"Lesson one was just socializing. This seems like a big leap." Adora countered
Mara ignored the comment. "Stay focused, and trust your instincts. Remain calm so you can trust yourself. Trust the force." Mara then made her way up the ladder before Adora could argue.
Adora quickly slapped her cheeks as if to smack the nervous expression away to wear a forced determined one. She made her way down the ladder to find a seat with a targeting system attached. Adora placed a nearby headset on her right ear to hear a remark from Catra. "A good idea is to shoot the cannons."
"We just made it. Powering on now." Mara responded.
Adora turned on the targeting system then grabbed the hand grip controls. As Adora turned them, she scrambled briefly in surprise as the chair moved with the aim of the cannon. She performed a few test turns before she felt comfortable with it enough to aim at the incoming fighters. Two were flying close behind them while the other pair were higher up and firing from a higher vantage point. Adora started blasting as red bolts shot out of the cannon at the fighters.
"Wildcat, the shields aren't holding." Scorpia committed as she maintained the power output of the ship.
"Divert more power from the engines. This baby has a fat head so we need to turn better anyway." Catra ordered as she turned the ship vertical to coast by another building.
"Don't say that Catra! The rider can't help how she looks." Scorpia argued as more blasts rained down on them.
"You do know she can't hear me right?" Catra responded while referring to the ship.
"But I can." Mara chimed in over comms. "Would you keep the ship straight? Can't exactly aim if my head is spinning in a spinning chair in a spinning ship." Mara did not yell but she really wanted to.
"I think I hit a building!" Adora exclaimed in horror over the comms.
"Are we going to blow up?" Entrapta pulled her masked face into the cockpit to ask. She had a hydrospanner in her hand to fix a recently blown fuse. "Cause that would not be fun. My stuff is all here."
"We're fine!" Catra yelled at all the voices before flinching as another blaster bolt hit them.
Catra turned her head to see that a TIE was closing in on her starboard side. Catra growled as she slowed the ship down.
"Stop blasting my ship!" Catra jerked on the y-axis so that the ship flipped around.
Almost using the cockpit as a weight, the hull of the ship turned over and slammed into the wing of the TIE. It broke the flight of the fighter as it went crashing into the sand below. If you looked longer, you could see a group of jawas immediately rush to the wreckage to scavenge it. The outrider righted itself as Scorpia as clutching tightly onto the controls from the maneuver.
"I should be off planet by now, but no. After everything that's happened to me why should I expect anything different." Mara talked to herself, not caring that everyone can hear her.
Her senses warned her of danger, and she turned the cannon into the direction of a dive bombing fighter. After several well placed shots at its center, the whole TIE was eviscerated into a flash of white hot fire. Mara steadied herself as she could not get a clean shot on the other ships.
"That's one. Adora, check to see if they are at the portside." Mara advised.
"Which way is port?" Adora frantically asked.
"Oh! I know this one!" Scorpia's voice broke through. "Port has four letters like left so port is left. I get starboard and port mixed up sometimes so I remember that phrase."
"After three years." Catra mumbled as she turned the ship to a forty-five degree angle.
Adora was firing as best she could but the TIE fighter was a ship built for speed. So even when the targeting computer was locked it would quickly evade a blast. Adora felt like she was trying to swat away flies as one fighter was circling in her line of sight. She was always a bundle of nerves in these situations, but then she reminded herself of Mara's advice. So she took deep breaths through her nose to calm herself.
Adora still felt anxiety, however she began to realize it was not all her. It was as if her senses were suddenly much broader and could take in more information. She could feel waves of anxiety from Catra and her crew mixed in with other emotions like fear, but also an odd feeling of excitement. Adora noticed that none of this was coming from Mara. Maybe she was just controlling herself, but Adora could only feel a wave of calm from her. Adora realized that she would have to be like that so her muscles relaxed and her mind stopped wandering to refocus on the situation.
Adora moved the cannon to the left suddenly to fire and hit a TIE. It was completely destroyed by the barrage leaving no trace. It was as if Adora knew the enemy craft would be there. No, it was as if she could predict it would be there.
Then, Adora realized she hit her target, "I got one. I just got one!"
"Goob job, Adora. That's two now, Catra." Mara relayed the information.
" I bumped it down to one. We'll break for the atmosphere after we lose it." Catra replied.
"Um, wildcat. Isn't that the podrace track?" Scorpia pointed at a large dome building that was a part of an arena filled with crowds.
"That's no good." Catra replied simply before pulling the ship up.
The outrider sailed over the large stands of panicking people before it was now above only the sand. The ship served to gain more altitude as the pod racers on the sand almost stopped in their tracks. Craft both large and small with engines running from two to eight, These vehicles moved at fast speeds to break away from the firefight. Which Catra found unnecessary since she was trying her best to avoid casualties while evading this menace.
The last TIE closed in from behind to fire blasts that created plumes of sand when they struck the ground. Catra turned the ship vertical again hoping to aim both cannons at the fighter. Adora and Mara let loose more blasts at the evading fighter. As Catra spun the ship to avoid more blasts, Adora fired from the belly and hit a glancing blow on the fighter. It spun wildly before it's pilot lost control and crashed the ship into the ground creating an explosion of sand, fire, and durasteel shrapnel.
"Yeah! I'm surprised blondie. You're a crackshot." Catra's compliment felt more like a tease to Adora.
"You know my name. It's not blondie." Adora countered..
"With the fighters gone the Gozanti should break off. I think we're good." Catra said as she ignored Adora's comment. "Come back to the cockpit."
Adora and Mara meet as they climb from the ladder. "So did I pass?" Adora questioned Mara. "That was pretty good, right?" The next question was delivered with a smirk and a cocky voice.
"Eh. I had it handled." Mara teased.
Adora snorted at the comment before following behind. As the two made their way into the cockpit, they could see the breaking atmosphere as the blue sky revealed the black void of space. Adora's eyes twinkled as bright as the stars she witnessed. All her life, her world had only been sand, and now she was faced with the true expanse of the galaxy. Adora's thoughts were interrupted by a naselly scream.
"Space! Isn't it amazing?!" Entrapta almost shoved Adora as she made her way in the cockpit.
"Entrapta, you live on a spaceship. You see space all the time." Catra pointed out the obvious.
"I know!" Entrapta kept giggling as she stared through the transparisteel. Catra rolled her eyes as Scorpia was holding in a giggle.
"I hate to be the bearer of bad news." Mara trailed off as she pointed at a large vessel in the distance.
It was the Horde Interdictor cruiser that was the bane of all of Mara's problems. Currently, it's staff were scrambling on the bridge to read off the information from the scans the outrider showed. Force Captain Titus, a blonde man with a rather bulbous nose, took a position to see through the large transparisteel windows. He turned to an officer.
"No vessel is permitted to leave until the fugitive is captured. What am I looking at?" Titus spoke in an annoyed voice.
"It appears to be a YT-2400 Corillean freighter, sir. It's descriptions match that of a wanted vessel last seen by an outpost on Krytis."
"Any lifesigns?" Titus interrogated.
"We currently have five on our readings, captain. It's possible the fugitive is with them." The officer answered calmly.
"Well, this could potentially be an entire cluster of rebels. If the woman is aboard, along with other insurgents, I may even receive my own Star Destroyer after this." Titus mumbled to himself before focusing on the task. "Give me communications."
Titus's voice broke through the comms of The Outrider as the crew in the cockpit listened in. "This is Force Captain Titus of the Galactic Horde. Tatoonine is under lockdown. Any escaping vessels before the lockdown is lifted shall be labeled as dissidents. Lower your power, and allow us to commandeer your vessel."
Catra scoffed then shut off the comms. "This guy sounds like such a tool. No way am I getting caught by him."
"If you plan to run I'm afraid it's in vain. That ship is equipped with gravity wells. If we jump to lightspeed they'll just force us out or, worse, tear the ship apart." Mara explained.
"Can't we just outrun it?" Adora questioned.
"Great idea. Have them chase us through sublight travel to either get killed by their fighters or anything else in space that what's us dead. In case you didn't know, a lot of things want us dead." Catra replied with the usual sarcasm.
"Can you get us close to the ship?" Mara questioned.
"Do you want to be captured now? How will I get paid then?" Catra argued.
"Knock off the snark. I'll assume that's a yes like I'll assume you have a spacesuit. Entrapta?" Mara turned to Entrapta as if posing the question.
"There's about nine spacesuits in the cargo hold for emergencies." Entrapta answered with her smile still showing.
Mara turned back to Catra. "Just get us close and jump when I'm back aboard." She then walked out while grabbing Entrapta's hand. "Mind showing me the cargo hold?"
"Sure. I have a feeling I'll like this experiment." Entrapta sped up to basically drag Mara with her.
"What the hell is she doing?" Catra got up out of her seat before she was stopped by Adora.
"You can trust her, Catra. Mara knows what she's doing." Adora had seen Mara do amazing things the past twenty four hours so she was confident in her.
"Little miss royalty is going to die. Do you want that to happen? I'm not going to dogfight an interdictor because someone decided to play space ranger." Catra argued back but could not get past Adora's bulkier frame.
"I know you just met us, but trust me. I'm not stupid. You guys clearly don't want to get caught by the Horde, right?"
Scorpia piped up. "Oh definitely not. After what we did-" She then put her finger to her throat and stuck her tongue out signalling the universal image of an execution.
Catra briefly glared at Scorpia before facing Adora. Seeing that the blonde would not move, she pinched her nose and sat back down. She worked to distract herself from thinking that while Adora was dense she had spunk. Maybe this plan will work out.
"Well if we die it won't matter anyway." Catra powered up the ship and sped it towards the interdictor.
Mara was already at the airlock putting on a bulky, beige colored spacesuit with a transparent, domed helmet. Entrapta was helping her strap in while Emily was letting out a series off alarming beeps.
"Calm down, girl. Everything is gonna be fine…..I hope." Entrapta then turned to Mara. "The boots can magnetize so when you hit the ship you won't fly off. When you make the boom go off, and I assume there's gonna be a boom, Emily will help you get back to the ship. Oh, also don't die." Entrapta slapped Mara's back in an attempt to be comforting.
"Thanks for the advice. Come along, Emily." Mara said as Emily beeped almost like she was nervous but followed her in the airlock regardless. While in there, Entrapta could not see that Mara brought out her lightsaber and attacked it to the belt of the suit.
Back with Titus, he was on the verge of yelling profanities at seemingly being ignored by the other ship before he saw that it was heading for them. "Are they moving into attack position?" Titus asked himself out loud. "All batteries target that vessel!"
"Should we scramble the TIEs, Force Captain?" The previous officer questioned.
"This ship is more than equipped to handle that flying junkpile. Now target their engines." Titus ordered.
The Outrider spun it's frame to avoid blaster fire coming from the quad laser cannons of the horde ship. Thankfully, this ship was small and fast enough to avoid most of the fire, but was taking several hits as the deflector shields sparked from impacts. Just as it was about to fly over the ship, the airlock opened and the vacuum sucked out Emily and the suit wearing Mara. Initially, she felt dizzy but focused her senses on stabilizing herself. Then, she grabbed onto Emily who began to spray projectile mist out of several vents on the side of her large frame. This propelled them forward until they landed on the enemy ship.
The Outrider began circling around while firing at the interdictor bridge; pretending like they were trying to do damage. "This is gonna be a fast pickup. Adora, get to the airlock if she needs help." Catra advised Adora who nodded and made her way there.
Mara and her droid companion made their way to one of the large gravity wells attached to the ship. "This is way bigger than I thought." Mara said out loud before twisting her lightsaber to ignite it's blue form.
Mara leapt up to bring the saber on the gravity well, however the shield had deflected the blow and pushed her away. Mara grunted as she spun from the impact before using the force to push herself back onto the surface. "That didn't work. If only I still had my blaster. Do you have anything?" She quipped to Emily.
Emily's light flashed as a front compartment opened to reveal a thermal imploder. "Wow! I think I figured out the combustion issue. Two birds, one explosive as they say." Mara grabbed the grenade before signalling the ship with the suit's communications. "Catra and Scorpia, do you have my signal? I'm gonna need that pickup fast. Like really fast."
"Always the plan. Hit it, Scorpia." Catra's voice sounded off as the outsider's engines flashed a brighter blue before heading for the hull of the interdictor.
"Okay. I think I got this." Mara began running in the opposite direction of the gravity well while using the force to float the explosive towards it. Then, she clicked the device on when it closed in on the well. Mara then pushed so it partially bypassed the shield before exploding. A bright blue flash erupted as the shield of the well flickered and a visible, flame spurred from a crack in the well.
Mara grabbed onto Emily and force jumped as the Outrider slowed down overhead with it's airpock open.With the force and maneuvers from Emily they reached the airlock. However, blasts from the cannons hit the ship and one particularly hard impact set off a wave that sent Mara and Emily flying. Adora and Entrapta say this through their viewport on the other side of the airlock.
"No!" Adora cried out. In her urgency, she desperately wielded that they would return. Her feelings were so strong and abrupt that Adora unconsciously force pulled the two from the void and back into the airlock. Entrapta then sealed the outer door as the pressure began to stabilize.
When the inner door opened, Adora ran inside to help the dizzy Mara stand. "Are you okay? What happened? Did you do it?"
"Breathe, Adora." Mara smirked at her. "Thanks for the help."
"I….I didn't do anything." Adora looked confused.
"You helped me get back to the airlock. You saved me." Mara explained.
"I-how did I….." Adora's eyes widened as she realized what happened.
Before she could make another statement, Catra's voice cut through on comms. "Get back here, ladies. We're not home free yet."
"Right. Let's see if that worked or if I wasted everyone's time and options." Mara said as she stripped out of the spacesuit.
The outrider began to pull away from the interdictor. Then, to Titus's surprise, it blinked away as it went into hyperspace. "Why are the gravity wells not active?" He exclaimed to his crew.
"Sir, we detected a malfunction in one of the gravity wells. We fear that turning them on would trigger-"
"I will not let this prey slip through my fingers. Increased status is within my grasp so fire the wells damn you!" Titus raised his voice for the order.
Doing as they were ordered the large gravity wells were powered back on and flared blue as they should. Then, the damaged well on the front left side began to spark as it's field turned brighter. This caused concern, but before Titus could issue another order a large explosion went off as the well exploded from the energy pressure. The interdictor shook and buckled from the force. The entire front of the ship was ablaze as it began to fall from it's position into a downward plummet.
The outrider was safely flying through the blue, swirling tunnel of hyperscape as it's crew breathed a sigh of relief. "Haha. Well what did I tell ya. Worth every credit. No problem." Catra leaned into her seat then propped her legs up.
"Uh, pretty sure Mara and her plan saved us." Adora corrected.
"Yes, but I did like ninety percent of the work." Catra argued. She noticed Scoirpa looking down at her hands then signed. "What I meant to say was yeah we did it." She concluded in monotone.
Mara pulled out credits before dropping them in Catra lap. "Your fee. Let's hope we can avoid any more Horde so you can earn the rest." Mara then left the cockpit.
Catra turned to Adora. "What's with her?"
"Look it's been a long day. I think I'll go lay down." Adora followed behind.
Catra then turned to Scorpia. "What's with her?" She repeated.
Scorpia shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe they're just hungry. I'll break out the stew. That always cheers me up." She left too.
Catra signed as she braced her hand on her cheek. "At least there's a cute blonde on my ship."
Etheria-Mystacor
Once a person passes through the green foliage of the Mystacor forest, they will see a green hill that towers over treacherous waters. From there is a large bridge that connects it to a structure that looks like a fractured piece of land that is attached to large stalagmites rising through the sea. On that fragile speck of land is the Castle of Mystacor, which hundreds of years ago was known as Arxia back when it was established by Eternian settlers. Despite the almost sinister appearance of the castle with its red hues and spiky exterior this was known as a place of trade whether it was knowledge among scholars or minerals between kingdoms.
That being the case, it did match up with the appearance of the horde. It was visible that the Horde had already secured the castle with little damage to the structure. Patrols of horde stormtroopers were guarding the bridge while others were defending the castle with hover tanks and AT-DPs(All Terrain Defense Pods). The armed, two-legged walkers with large box body's and protruding bug-like eyes were walking around a large structure that protruded from the castle and into the sky. This superstructure was a transport elevator that delivered items from the ground to the connected port hub in the clouds.
It was about to send up more supplies like ammuninations and tanks with a pair of engineers operating the controls. A pair of stormtroopers with an officer were investigating the merchandise. There were already three stormtroopers there who stopped them.
"We already have the inventory accounted for, sir." The trooper spoke in a feminine voice. "This crate of proton charges has already been secured for transport as well."
The officer looked bored as he studied the datapad given to him. "Very good trooper. Report for shift change after the next cycle." He handed the datapad back as they made their way off the durasteel platform.
The rig began to move as the engineers completed their calculations and sent the structure up. The three troopers braced themselves from the shifting movement as one caught the other from falling. "Careful, Glimmer. A clumsy stormtrooper would look suspicious."
The one identified as Glimmer grabbed her helmet and growled. "It's not my fault I can't see a thing in this helmet. How are we losing to people who wear this?" She gestured to herself wearing the armor.
"Considering how easy it was to scam those troops and take this gear, maybe they are incompetent." The third one who was Netossa put down the datapad on the crate where the unconscious stormtroopers were hidden.
"What does that say about us?" Bow replied.
"That we're at least creative." Netossa sounded off before gesturing to the incoming clouds. "Etherians made this after all."
They flinched as they broke through the clouds only to feel relief as they passed through the cool, wet substance. As the rig dispersed through the other side they held a view of the underbelly that was the port of Mystacor and one of the few spaceports in Etheria. The bottom was spherical with a chrome visage speckled with glowing blue vents that helped to lift the massive platform. While that looked so industrial, the rig stopped once it passed through an opening to reveal the different upper face of the port. It reminded them of Brightmoon from how regal the architecture appeared; mixing the line between ancient times but futuristic colors. Most of the buildings were made of stone, but the tallest structure at the center appeared as a castle built into an artificial landscape with a waterfall casting off the side and into water aqueducts through the floating city.
The wow factor was still there, but Glimmer held sadness as she saw some structures were now rumble, the usually bustling streets were filled by stormtroopers, and the only ships leaving the ports held the sigil of the Galactic Horde. Underneath the helmet, Glimmer cringed. "I don't understand. With the shield and the ion cannon Mystacor should have held the Horde back. Did Aunty Casta surrender?" Glimmer questioned the others.
"We don't know what happened. I don't think they would harm Lady Catsapella. Just like how I'm sure the Queen is still alive." She said directly at Glimmer who did not respond. "Let's hurry before we're questioned." Netossa said as the group began marching with their stolen E-11 blasters propped in their arms.
Several engineers came in with hover lifts to carry the crates along with officers who had datapads to count inventory. A troop of stormtroopers came by on a march so it was the perfect time to fall in behind them without being noticed. One officer was confused as he was looking for them but shrugged it off. Maybe Netossa had a point about incompetence.
They blended in surprisingly well as disguised soldiers; no one seemed to question their presence yet as they made their way deeper into the port. There were several disputes where it appeared as though civilians were being cuffed then placed in troop transport, but they held back the urge to intervene. It took a piece of them to watch the Horde throw these people out of their homes by force yet they knew now was not the time. Eventually, when they reached a junction point, the three broke away to go inside the structure of the Myscacor port. On the inside the floors were polished ivory and the walls were a luminous crystal. The lack of damage to the interior raised some questions for later.
As they made their way down the halls trying to look inconspicuous they got the eye of an officer. "Halt. Trooper, stop right there."
Trying not to panic they stopped on his order. The officer, who was a gaunt looking man, walked up to them. "Where are the three of you wandering off to? Troopers are to be outside organizing the transition for the occupation."
Netossa spoke up. "We were given orders to report to the…...to stand guard at the hall, sir." Netossa did not want to mention the docks to avoid suspicion.
The officer still found this odd. "By who? Where is your commanding officer?"
"Aw. He left sir. On a break." Bow responded as Glimmer and Netossa rolled their eyes at his answer.
"That is highly irregular. What is your number trooper?" He asked.
Bow palmed the back of his helmet. "Uh, my number…..it's Uh…...four…..seven…."
"I'll have to report this occurrence." The officer drew his comlink to his mouth but before he could turn it on Netoosa shot him.
The blast rang out in the hall as the body crumpled to the ground. Netossa picked up his comlick and command cylinder from his breast pocket. Glimmer and Bow were freaking out while Netossa remained stoic.
"Why did you do that? Everyone must have heard the blaster go off!" Glimmer exclaimed.
"Adapting. Here." Netossa pulled another comlick that was bulkier and round out of her belt then placed that and the code cylinder in Bow's hand. "This cylinder should have the codes to get you two off-world. This comlink is in case-just in case I make it."
"No. No you can't do this." Glimmer was getting tired of people throwing themselves in the line of fire for her.
"It's my job. Someday you'll understand." Netossa was cut off as they heard shouting and the running of boots. "I'm the distraction. They might miss a shuttle if a mad woman is firing off. Now get to the dock." Netossa ran from them back down the hall to a turn. Flashing red lights could be seen from the reflective walls and screams of soldiers in a firefight.
Glimmer made to run after her, but Bow caught her arm as they ran away from the fight. They did not care if they were seen at this point. It was chaos as more officers and even armed engineers began running the way they came. Netossa's distraction seemed to work as they paid no mind. Soon, they found themselves at a hangar just when a Gozanti was taking off with AT-DPs attached to it.
The hanger was mostly clear as people were either in the transport or taking care of the mess. They were able to spot a couple of pilots at a Lambda-class T-4a Shuttle. The craft was a vehicle with a rectangular hull and a slanted cockpit with three large fins or wings attached to it's back. Before the pilots could ask them anything, Bow shot them with the blaster rifle. Glimmer was slightly shocked by this, but followed along as they jogged up the ramp into the ship. They took off their helmets as they closed the ramp, and sat down in the pilot seats.
"I don't know what I'm doing." Glimmer told Bow as she motioned to the controls.
"Don't worry I can fly this. Just press a flashy thing when I say. Okay?" Bow asked rhetorically as he powered on the vessel.
The Lambda's engines ignited as it flew out of the hangar bay. Two of the wings lowered to the sides of the ship while one largest fin stayed on the dorsal. The shuttle flew high in the atmosphere almost following the path of the Gozanti as if to appear normal. Which they did as there was no call in for them. After several minutes they broke the atmosphere.
Their entrance was being processed by an officer on the Star Destroyer, Skeletor, that was now back in orbit above the planet. Force Captain Octavia noticed this so she walked towards an officer at his terminal. "Got something for me?"
"In a way ma'am. A shuttle is signaling to go off-world." The officer explained.
"That's relevant how?" She questioned.
"It's just that this is an unscheduled departure." He contacted the shuttle. "Shuttle Tydirium, what is your reason for departure?"
Bow's voice sounded through the static. "Um…...there was an incident so we are scheduled for resupply."
The two Horde officials turned to each other with a confused expression before the officer turned back to the console. "Standby."
"Do they have a code clearance?" Octavia asked knowing this was very irregular.
"The code checks out ma'am. Should I clear it?" He asked his superior.
Before she could respond, Octavia's comlink beeped. She brought the cylinder com to her mouth. "Yes."
"Force Captain." Hordak's voice said into the com.
"L-lord Hordak! Yes, sir?" Octavia's earlier response was annoyed, however after hearing his voice she grew anxious.
"Is there anything to report?" Hordark interrogated.
"I-I nothing too significant. There is an issue with a shuttle requesting-"
Hordak cut her off. "Shuttles do not concern me. Let them pass."
"Yes, sir." Octavia did not question the strange resolution to this event.
"Force Captain." Hordak signed off.
Octavia breathed a sigh of relief as she belted the communicator then turned to the waiting officer. "Just give them access."
He acknowledged the order then turned to the console to give the news. "Shuttle Tydirium, you are clear for passage."
It was a while before a reply was sent. "Roger." They couldn't see Bow and Glimmer celebrating on the shuttle. They were letting out laughs for the sake of relief. The shuttle made it's way past the blockade before taking the chance and jumping to hyperspace in blur.
Brightmoon
Hordak was currently in the remains of the former's queen's throne room. He was sitting on the ruins of the throne he crushed; his lavish cape covering the remains.With no back support from the seat he was sitting slouched over with one metallic claw tapping on the only armrest left. He put away a portable comlink of his own then turned to the rest of the room. There were troopers posted around the room to guard their leader with an officer on standby by the throne. Hordak spoke to him.
"Create a private channel to Coruscant. Then leave me. Everyone." He said the last word louder as the soldiers funneled out.
"Yes, Lord Hordak." The officer typed on a data pad then the hologram projector in the center of the room went a lit.
Then, he briskly walked out of the throne room and sealed the large blast door to cut off the only opening. Hordark stood from the seat to walk directly in front of the projector, and kneeled on one knee before it. The image ceased flickering to reveal a robed figure. The hologram was see through and blue so some features of the individual were hidden. The man was very tall and broad with dreadlocks brushing down his shoulders. His facial features bore a striking resemblance to Hordak except the left side of his face held three eyes, each above the other.
"Oh, Great One. My Lord Horde Prime." Hordak spoke in a submissive tone to the emperor of the Galactic Horde.
"Greetings, little brother. I presume the conquest is proceeding according to plan." Horde Prime spoke in a calm, familiar yet not friendly tone to Hordak.
"Your empire grows. Brightmoon has been trampled underfoot and Mystacor has yielded. The fallen queen of Brightmoon continues to resist the mind probe in vain. The magistrate of Mystacor is cooperating for her own sake. Our forces are already confronting the meager defenses of Salineas. The rest of this world should follow soon." Hordak spoke with pride.
"Excellent. Now have you done what I have requested, little brother?" Prime asked with the still self satisfied smile.
"Of course, my lord. The princess has left the planet as you foresaw. My Lord, I never questioned your order, but may I ask why she was allowed to escape." Hordak raised his head to speak but did not look directly in Prime's eyes.
Prime was silent for a minute before answering. "There has been a disturbance in the force. Do you feel it?"
"Yes, my lord. The Jedi, Mara, seeks to oppose us. I can feel her. Like an infection that continues to spread. She opposes us." Hordak answered.
"Yes, the false She-Ra. She is the key. The key to the heart." Prime explained.
"She can find the heart of Etheria?" Hordak asked in a surprised tone.
"That is why the rebellion sent her alone. The daughter of Keldor seeks to dismantle this boon. To take the weapon of the board. Such foolish optimism on her part. The princess of Brightmoon will seek her for us. In their quest for hope, they will find despair." Prime smirked at his own proclamation.
"Brillant, my lord. I shall have Shadow Weaver pursue. She has already shown herself to be an exemplary tracker. If she still wishes to prove her worth, the witch will bring the key to us." Hordak promised his sovereign while bowing his head in fealty.
"Make no mistake, little brother. The key will be brought forth and the heart will belong to me. I have seen it's use. The raw power hidden beneath this peaceful world shall burn all who stand against the light of Prime. Am I clear?" Prime questioned Hordark.
"Of course, my lord." Hordak recognized the veiled threat hidden in Prime's words; the heart would be his or else. "When that happens, Mara shall be crushed along with the dream of resistance. The last of the Jedi and Eternia shall die."
"Indeed. Now wait, dear brother. Lie in wait for the opportunity. For the end is near." Horde Prime's visage faded away as the transmission ended.
Hordak stood to full height. His head was still lowered as his expression was subdued. "Soon I will earn the right. I will succeed you. That is my purpose." Hordark spoke to himself as he sat back in the shattered throne.
Hordak did not summon his forces or call Shadow Weaver yet. He wished to be alone with his thoughts. Feelings of inadequacy beared themselves at him but he forced them down as always. Hordark would prove these doubts as false. He would become perfect. He would fulfill his destiny at any cost.
-End of Act I
A/N: And Scene. This took way longer than I thought, but I'm glad with how it turned out.
So are Netossa and Castaspella okay? Who knows.
When I mentioned this chapter would bring in my favorite character I should have said characters. The trio is so likable that it was really hard to see them as the villains in the series proper. I'll go ahead and reveal that while their appearances are different, Scorpia and Entrapta are still from Etheria. That'll be explained later.
Yes, Catra was flirting with Adora. Yes, Adora did not know that. Cue the hijinks. Catra's origin is also very different in this story so she won't be quite as emotionally damaged. Of course she's still a brat though. Her race is based on a species from Star wars legends(non-canon). The description for the race was so close that I just took the name. So while this version of a felacatian is different that is what she is. All part of that new backstory that will not be explained for a while.
Mystacor's design was based on the look of both the original and the 2018 reboot. Literally just mashed them together.
Also, These chapters had a lot of easter eggs that I hope were caught. I should have said this before, but expect that throughout the series whether it's star wars or MOTU/She-Ra references. Case in point, I revealed who Mara's dad was……...that's all I'll say about that.
I hope everyone enjoyed this. Please review and leave honest opinions.
Next time: Across the Stars
