It has been twelve years ago since Hord Prime was vanquished and peace was restored to Etheria. Queen Glimmer spend the first few years of her reign restoring the lands and making sure that her rule would be absolute and unquestioned. The other princesses, out of a symbol of friendship, swore their everlasting allegiance to the throne of Bright Moon. This action had, in effect, turned all remaining empires and principalities into vassal states. Technically still independent, but everyone knew that Glimmer held the ultimate authority over Etheria.

With the scavenged technology of the Horde and the scientific leaps made by Entrapta and Hordak, Etheria quickly industrialized. It didn't take long for fully automated factories to churn out anything from mechanized equines to space-worthy vessels with frightening speed. Princess Perfuma at first protested against the rapid industrialization, warning that it would upset the balance of nature. Such worries were later laid to rest however, once it was proven that machine and animal, magic and technology, could coexist peacefully and beneficially.

With loyal subjects, a powerful industry and the might of magic at her fingertips, Queen Glimmer, now Empress Glimmer, made good on her promise and sent out spacefaring fleets into the galaxy to spread the wonder of the arcane. Most alien species embraced the coming of the Etherian magi, gaining access to technology and abilities they could have never dreamed of under the oppression of Horde Prime. After being uplifted, the species were given the opportunity to join the intergalactic community as allies of the Bright Moon Empire. Yet not all were interested in peace and stability, and yearned for conquest and domination instead.

'Calm Perfuma, you're calm, everything is going to be alright.' Perfuma, princess of Plumeria and admiral of the eighth exploration fleet paced nervously on the bridge of The Everlasting Spring, a Mystacor-class dreadnaught. The massive warship loomed threateningly over the hellish world of Ralkath, awaiting the orders of its mistress.
'Your highness,' a slender and horned creature approached Perfuma and bowed shortly thereafter. 'We have still not been able to penetrate their defences, but I'm afraid I bear even graver news.'

'Well?' There was a certain, quite palpable aggression in the princesses' tone. Shortly after she noticed her own outburst, the admiral of the eight fleet took a deep breath and closed her eyes. 'I'm sorry commander,' She slowly breathed out again and opened her eyes, successfully regaining her composure. 'I didn't mean to lash out. What is the news?'

'We have lost contact with Mermista's battalion milady.'
Perfuma breathed out a slow, frustrated sigh. She knew this would happen when Mermista insisted on attacking an enemy stronghold, but there was nothing she could do to stop her. Angry with both herself for not intervening, and Mermista for being stubborn, Perfuma's eyes twitched several times before finally calming down.

'Any news from Adora and the first fleet?'

'They'll be here as fast as their engines will carry them, but their navigators estimate it will take them another week before they arrive, your highness.'

The princess of Plumeria clenched her fists but unclenched them soon after. Another deep breath in and out. She was still angry, but her rage had become focused, a tool rather than a hindrance.

'Orders milady?'

'Prepare my shuttle and ready the troops, we're going to safe Mermista.'

'Aye aye your majesty.'