Chapter 2: Recruitment
Jab, jab.
Jab, jab, right cross.
Jab, jab, right cross, left hook
Jab, jab, right cross, left hook, right uppercut, left uppercut.
Lonnie had been training with her boxing combos in a local gym, burning off both calories and frustration. After a quick three minute session, she took her one minute break as she sat down at a bench and began chugging a bottle of water. Lonnie looked around in admiration at the gym. The typical layout featured a variety of punching bags such as heavy bags, light bags, speed bags. There were a lot of free weights, but no machines, and in the center of the gym were two large boxing rings. One aberration that Lonnie noticed at this point was a person she never thought she would have seen again. Coming in through the entrance was the octopus Force Captain herself, Octavia. Lonnie cocked her eyebrow suspiciously, and wiped her face with a hand towel, wondering if what she was seeing was real. Sure enough, the reality was manifested when within ten feet, Octavia greeted Lonnie.
"I thought I'd find you here, kid." Octavia greeted. After wiping her face off and letting out a few steady breaths, Lonnie stood up and nodded.
"Been a long time, Octavia…" Lonnie muttered. Octavia smirked as she eyed Lonnie, up and down.
"You're looking great. Glad to know you kept up with weight training and cardio." Octavia complimented, then added, "and you don't look half bad in a sports bra." Lonnie turned her head a little bit, hiding her blush.
"There a reason, other than flirting with me, that you came here?" Lonnie demanded as she put her boxing gloves on and began walking towards a bag.
"I've come to ask for your help." Octavia indicated as she followed her.
"Yeah?" Lonnie inquired as she threw a few right and left hooks, ducked, then fired an uppercut. "What could I possibly give you?"
"Revenge…" Octavia said gravely as she folded her arms. Lonnie was about to fire off a cross before she heard Octavia. Lonnie stood up straight and turned to Octavia.
"What're you talking about, Octi?" Lonnie demanded.
"There is an organization that is taking root... called the Twelve Apostates." Octavia explained, "not sure if you heard about the little *incident* that happened at the Thaymore festival the other day?" Lonnie blinked her eyes a few times.
"You mean that guy in the cloak that killed Grizzlor? That was you?!" Lonnie demanded in shock. Octavia shook her head.
"I didn't kill him, our leader did." Octavia explained. Lonnie moved with a foot or two away from Octavia and glared.
"I mean, I never really liked Grizzlor, so I ain't gonna shed a tear for him. But what the heck is this organization even doing? What exactly do y'all want from me?" Lonnie demanded. Octavia moved back to the bench and sat down while Lonnie followed suit.
"We're going to hunt down and kill the Horde remnants that served under Hordak." Octavia explained. Lonnie blinked her eyes a few times, stood up, and started towards the bags again.
"You. Are. OUT yo' mind." Lonnie accused, "the war's over, Etheria's at peace. Why would y'all want to do all that? Oh, and by the way, in case you forgot, we were Horde, 'Force Captain.'" Lonnie sighed. Before Lonnie could take any more steps, Octavia said one simple name.
"Catra." Octavia spoke. Lonnie stopped dead in her tracks then turned around.
"Wha'd you say?" Lonnie demanded.
"Don't pretend like you don't care. You want revenge on Catra just as much as I do, don't you?" Octavia accused. Lonnie looked down for a moment, not knowing what to say. Octavia then added, "you know, the Catra that clawed your face from your childhood to when you were a teenager? The Catra that sent you on mission after mission without any sleep against insurmountable odds? The Catra that, despite everything that you, Rogelio, and even Kyle did for the Horde, never gave you the support, gratitude, or respect you fully well deserved?"
For a few moments that turned into minutes, Lonnie paced around, tuning out all of the huffing and puffing from everyone in the gym. Octavia did make good points about Catra. And simply hearing Catra's name filled Lonnie with a vindictive rage. She moved over to the punching bag and gave it a flurry of hooks. The rope holding the bag started slivering until a mere thread snapped and the bag flew several feet away. Lonnie was panting excessively for a little while then turned back to Octavia.
"Alright, I'm in. But the only person I'm going after is Catra. Once she's out, I'm out. And I want Rogelio and Kyle left alone!" Lonnie insisted. Octavia grinned.
"Fair enough. Welcome to the Twelve Apostates." Octavia said, holding out one of her tentacles. Lonnie cocked her eyebrow, but shook Octavia's tentacle marking the beginning of a new organization...
Meanwhile, Stalkra made her way to recruit a former Mystacor student...
A tall, slendered muscle young man had just entered the village of Forestvale, a humble village filled with thatched roof buildings, and a palisade wall. The young man was hoping to retrieve some information regarding a bounty that he had been tracking. This individual wore a charcoal gray bodysuit that covered every part but the neck up and the arms below the shoulders. He was armored with a few pieces of light plating that covered his chest, wrists, and knees. Each armor piece was a navy blue color. Most distinguishing was the mask with a lightning symbol he wore that covered his face from the nose to the neck. His hair was black with blue highlights that complemented the rest of his uniform.
This young man was Volt, and he had a mission to do, and he was walking with a purpose.
Volt entered a local tavern and looked around. A lot of beer bellied, muscle bound, ruffians inhabited the large room in great numbers. Volt walked over to the bar and signaled for the bartender, only to be ignored. He then spoke up,
"Yo, barkeep, are you gonna keep me waiting?" Volt demanded. The bartender looked back at Volt and grunted.
"Listen, kid, this establishment is only for adults. Why don't you scram before I have one of my boys throw you out? And take the mask off, ya look ridiculous." The bartender sneered. Volt cocked his eyebrow then slammed his fist on the bar table, causing much of the glass cups to fall and shatter. To the left of Volt, one of the patrons enjoying his drink had the same drink spill all over his torso. He growled and glared at Volt, but Volt didn't seem to notice. Volt then grabbed the bartender by his shirt and pulled him inches away from his own face.
"No, you listen here, booze keeper. I have been getting the slip all day today by guards, princes, and now you. I'm not about to leave without you-" Volt then looked around the room and shouted, "or ANY of you telling me what I need to know. Got it? Now, I'm looking for a guy named Despara. Where is he?" The bartender started sweating profusely and was about to speak until the guy that had his drink spilled all over his torso approached Volt and punched him on the left side of his head.
Volt fell over, ripping part of the bartenders shirt. All the patrons began laughing at Volt's plight. As Volt collapsed, an electrical current started flowing around his eyes, and a rage started welling up inside him. Volt started igniting the electrical currents in his hands to the chagrin of the man who punched him. The man was taken aback and started shuddering. Volt picked himself up, the electricity in his hands flowing even more rapidly. He held up his hands, put them together and pushed them forward, firing a stream of lightning at the man, both conducting electricity from the beer on his torso, and surging through the man's bod. The man started screaming in an electrocuted stammer, sounding like,
"AH-AH-AH-AH-AH!" Eventually the man became completely fried and fell to the floor. Volt glared indignantly at the man. Another one of the patrons; a skinny man, yelled,
"You.. you killed my friend! You'll pay for that!" The skinny man broke the end of a bottle and charged at Volt, swinging the bottle, drunkenly. Volt easily evaded each swipe, bobbing and weaving. Finally, Volt grabbed the man's wrist and twisted it, causing the bottle to fall to the ground. The room was so quiet that the shattering of the bottle was almost ear-splitting.
In his continued rage, Volt punched the man in the stomach, using a left hook. The man choked out a bloody cough. Volt then picked the skinny man up, without too much effort, and heaved him out through a side window. The window shattered glass all over the street and the bar, filling everyone in the room with fear.
Volt was breathing excessively at this point. He looked around the room, the electrical current flowing through his hands and eyes, rather rapidly. He was glowing blue all around. He then spoke in a slightly distorted voice,
"Now, I'm gonna ask you all one more time, before I burn this entire tavern down. Where is Despara?! Tall, muscly man, former Force Captain of the Horde?!"
A couple thugs made advances towards Volt, but he noticed them and fired his lightning at them, shocking them both, simultaneously, and incapacitating them. Volt growled and said,
"Anybody else want some?!" All the patrons that were even considering going towards Volt took a few steps back, holding their hands up. Volt continued, "Listen! This is REALLY simple. You tell me how to find-" Volt pulled out a picture and continued, "this guy, and I'll leave the rest of you to drink in peace, get it?!" Everyone was silent for a few moments. After those moments, however, a young woman stood up from her seat and walked towards Volt. He brandished his electrified fist at her. She smiled and said,
"Take it easy, sparky, I know the guy you're talking about." Volt lowered his fist, his rage starting to subside. She continued, "I think we should probably talk outside, though." Volt nodded, and they both walked out. Fortunately, nobody dared follow them. Volt continued to hold up his electric fist at the patrons until they fully exited. Volt breathed deeply a few times and absorbed the electricity flowing through his external body. No sooner did that happen, did his eyes also return to normal.
Volt was able to get a good look at the girl in front of him. She was a light, red-skinned, petite young woman, no more than 5 and a half feet tall. She had black hair with red highlights tied in a short ponytail. Her eyes were greener than emeralds. Her attire consisted of a dark purple, sleeveless top, black leggings with a purple trim, purple boots, and pieces of armor, very similar to his own. She had small bracers and knee pads. Her top also seemed to have lines of armor that chained down the shirt. Most distinguishing of all was a tail that slithered around her backside. It was a red thing that ended in a serrated, arrowhead tip.
"Beautiful and tough, you're my kind of a girl." Volt said, flirtatious. He then noticed the tail, "you some kind of demon?" The woman rolled her eyes.
"Cute. Listen, I have information you need, but I want a few things, first." The woman declared. Volt chuckled.
"Well, honey, I'd love to give you that, but I don't have the ti-" Volt began before the girl glared at him, her green eyes beginning to glow, "right, sorry, not the time. Alright, what do you want?" She sighed and said,
"I want to know why you're after Despara." The woman demanded. Volt's eyes became serious.
"I was hired to assassinate him. What's it to ya?" Volt inquired. The woman smiled.
"Take a walk with me..." The woman offered.
As the two walked, the woman led Volt to a local lake for a chance to speak privately. The woman explained that her name was Stalkra and that she was a representative of the Twelve Apostates. She explained that they too were after Despera and offered to help find him in exchange for him joining the Apostates.
"The Twelve Apostates, huh? So your little club is trying to kill all of the remnants of the Horde?" Volt chuckled, "well, you can pay me right?" Stalkra grinned.
"Let's just say that you'll be well taken care of and you'll be under our protection." Stalkra indicated. Volt scoffed.
"I don't need protection..." Volt indicated. He took a few moments of thought, then added, "but you know what I do need." Volt began as he stopped his pacing and leaned against a rail overlooking the lake. Stalkra listened intently as Volt added, "I want to destroy Mystacor. At least their leadership. Then I want it for myself." Volt turned to Stalkra to see that she had her arms folded and was still grinning with her sharpened teeth.
"That can be arranged." Stalkra declared. Volt grinned under his mask.
"Really? Heh... well, in that case, I accept. I'll join your little crusade." Volt indicated as he held out his hand. Stalkra took his hand and shook it.
"You've made the right decision..."
Reaper makes his way to Brimstone Keep to find Pyra, 'the Fire Princess...'
Brimstone Keep was the castle that had been rebuilt after the great war between the Rebellion and the Horde. Supposedly, Pyra was attacked by the Horde and received little to no support. But as the war ended, she was able to at least begin rebuilding her kingdom and begin regrowing her population; though it remained much smaller than any other princess kingdom.
Brimstone Keep was located at the edge of the Valley of the Lost in a defensible, mountainous region. The only reason that the Horde was able to launch an attack was that they tricked the local Dinomen to soften up the Kingdom of Fire's defences before sending their own people.
Regardless, Pyra was left embittered from the Rebellion's lack of support and so she quickly left the Alliance.
Just as in the grim reaper that was spoken of in legends, Reaper, with their bony wings had flown to the mountainous region of Brimstone Keep. Flying over the stony walls and buildings, Reaper found themselves flapping right above the keep. As Reaper descended, they got a good look at Brimstone Keep. It truly lived up to its name, as the entire castle was made out of charred rock that had been molded together from lava in a nearby volcano. Pyra's power was strong enough to control the lava in order to mold this castle to a perfect shape. Though it was daytime, the sky was darkened from all of the smoke coming from the industry of the Fire Kingdom.
Reaper had flown to one of the towers and landed on the crenellation. And there she sat, the Fire Princess herself, across from Reaper.
Pyra was a petite, young ruler with pyro-kinesis, thanks to the powers of her runestone: The Glowing Obsidian. She was around 5'2", had short red hair, and orange eyes. She wore a sleeved skater dress, while black leggings with fire decals donned her legs. On her feet were orange boots. She sat there, arms folded, and a grinning mouth.
"About time you showed up." Pyra said, impatiently. True to her abilities, Pyra was quite an impatient hothead. Reaper let out a little chuckle as they jumped from the crenellation. Pyra then added, "come inside."
Pyra led Reaper down the tower and into the throne room. The throne room was a resplendent, ornate room that featured black, carved pillars, ornate tiled floors, a library filled with a myriad of books, red tapestries with various First One's words, chandeliers, red cushioned seats, and other various decorations. Reaper was quite impressed.
"I never took you for someone who appreciates ornamentation." Reaper said, almost backhandedly. Pyra scoffed and placed herself upon her throne.
"My people are fed, safe, and happy, there's nothing wrong with having a little vanity." Pyra smirked. "Now, what exactly did you want, Creeper?" Pyra demanded, facetiously. Reaper smirked under their mask.
"Well, Princess Pyra. I am well aware of two things about you. Your kingdom is a reflection of you: Strong, independent, dare I say… heated?" Reaper declared. Pyra cocked her eyebrow and Reaper continued, "the Horde and Dinomen besieged your Kingdom, and the Rebellion sent nothing. No reinforcements, no humanitarian aid. Did they even send a message asking if you were alive?" Pyra looked down for a moment, somberly. She let out a large sigh then shook her head. Reaper took a few steps towards her and lifted up her chin.
"How would you like to make both factions pay for what you went through?" Reaper inquired. Pyra blinked her eyes a few times then smacked Reaper's hand away.
"I'd like that." Pyra indicated.
"Wonderful… then what would you say to pledging your support to the Apostates?" Reaper inquired. Pyra sunk her head into her hand as she considered everything.
"I don't want my people involved… but if it means getting back at the Horde and those traitors from the Rebellion, I'll at least hear your plans out." Pyra declared. Reaper took a few steps back and bowed.
"Excellent, your Highness, you will not be disappointed." Reaper declared as he began walking away. Before he made it out, two of Pyra's guards brought in a grey, dinosaur-looking man. He looked like a cross between a human and a tyrannosaurus rex. Reaper moved out of the way, allowing the guards to drag the Dinoman to Pyra.
"Your Highness, we found this Dinoman sneaking around the castle." The guards indicated. Pyra hopped up from her throne and glared at the Dinoman. She moved within inches of the Dinoman's face as he snarled and unhinged his mouth, revealing his razor sharp teeth. Pyra cocked back her fist and slammed it on the Dinoman's nose, causing him to let out a shriek of pain.
Pyra then placed both of her hands on the Dinoman's head. As she did, her orange eyes began glowing brightly, and her hands started turning red. The Dinoman began sweating profusely and his face began turning red... then started smoking. The Dinoman let out shrieks of protest until suddenly, a fire began spreading throughout his head. Soon enough, the fire spread throughout his body. The guards and Pyra backed up and merely watched in sadistic pleasure as the Dinoman was reduced to nothing but ash.
"Oh, Reaper, one more thing. If you ever touch me face again, it'll be the last thing your hand ever touches." Pyra chuckled. Reaper turned back and chuckled as well.
"Of course, Your Highness…"
Octavia visits one more recruit...
"No." A gruff voice said in the front of his home when he was approached by Octavia.
"Colt, wait..." Octavia protested as she reached out her arms in beseechment.
Octavia had made her way to the man named Colt's home to invite him to join the Apostates. Colt was at the front yard clipping his hedges, becoming more aggressive with his pruning the more that Octavia talked.
"The war is over, why are you people doing this little crusade?" Colt demanded.
"Because the Apostate's demand justice. Everyone just got off, scotts-free?" Octavia explained. Colt stopped his trimming and turned to Octavia.
Colt was a burly wolf-man. He looked like a werewolf only more tame. One could easily mistake him as a humble dad from the flannel shirt and jeans he was wearing. He had multiple scars from the various battles he had fought in, but looked relatively good for a man of his position. Colt let out a sigh.
"Does that really matter? You were Horde, too, weren't you?" Colt accused.
"I mean, yeah, but that doesn't mean I don't have a bone to pick with Hordak, and in particular, Catra." Octavia snapped. Colt let out another sigh as he looked inside. He found that his wife, Kira, was cooking dinner. He smiled as he looked through the window, then frowned when he turned back to Octavia.
"The answer is no, Octavia." Colt firmly declared as he turned to go back into his home.
"You were ordered to be left for dead, weren't you?" Octavia informed him. Colt stopped dead in his tracks.
"What...?" Colt inquired as he turned around.
"I was told that your position was getting overrun. I told Hordak that I could spare some of my men to reinforce your position, but he said that you weren't worth the cost." Octavia said, matter-of-factly. Colt eyed Octavia suspiciously.
"That... can't be. I only defected because it was at that point that Horde Prime was invading Etheria. I fought alongside the Rebellion to take out Horde Prime... no.. I don't believe you" Colt snapped. Octavia pulled out a recording device and played a tape that was on it.
"No, Force Captain. You will not send relief to Force Captain Colt. Their position is already overrun. There's no chance of saving that outpost." Hordak's gravelly voice pierced the air.
"But, my Lord," Octavia protested in the recording, "Colt is one of our best. We can't just-" Hordak then interrupted Octavia with a growl.
"Need I remind you how close we are to victory? We have but Bright Moon to march upon. Once we destroy it, we will deliver the final blow to the Rebellion. We won't need Force Captain Colt, anymore." Hordak commanded.
"...Yes, sir." Octavia replied, dismally.
"That was the moment I knew I didn't want to follow Hordak anymore. All that malarkey they taught us in the Horde about loyalty and support... ridiculous." Octavia muttered.
There was a stunned silence when Octavia's recording ended. Colt merely stood there staring off into the sky. Slowly, his breathing became more pronounced and louder, until the manifestation of his rage came out and he hurled his hedge shears at a tree, sticking them into it. He turned to Octavia again.
"Where do I need to go?" Colt demanded. Octavia grinned.
"Follow these coordinates. Welcome to the Apostates."
Meanwhile, as the Apostates gather their forces, the Best Friends Squad come up with their own plans to deal with them...
The United Etherial Kingdoms; (formerly known as the Rebellion and the Princess Alliance,) had sent their representatives to Bright Moon in order to discuss the foreboding incident that happened at Thaymore. They would consult with one another about how they would proceed in resolving the growing threat of Reaper and their Apostates. All of the princesses from their respective kingdoms attended the meeting in order to hash out some kind of agreement.
"I say we get every single one of our soldiers, search all of Etheria, and punch Reaper in the face!" Frosta, so boldly and irrationally, declared as she formed ice around her fist and slammed it on the circular table.
"That's... kind of the plan." Adora muttered.
"Okay, yeah, but like, how are we supposed to find them, anyway? They kinda just vanished from the stage." Mermista added.
"The only clues that we have so far are the recording of Grizzlor attacking the Rebel village.." Bow then lowered his voice when he said, "and the laser shot that hit Glimmer." Bow explained.
"Ugh, don't remind me..." Glimmer muttered as she placed her head on the table. Bow continued his explanation as he booted up a hologram in the middle of the table. In the hologram, it showed a snippet of the recording. In particular, it showed the ending part of the recording where a certain citizen attacked a Horde soldier with a sickle. The face was well hidden, but they recognized the village that the video was taken in.
"That's Hinterland Village." Adora indicated, "do you think that's Reaper in the video?" Bow put his hand to his chin and rubbed it.
"Maybe. It's hard to tell, but if we go there and ask around, we might be able to figure out who exactly Reaper is." Bow suggested.
"What are we waiting for?!" Frosta jeered, "let's get in there and kick Reaper's butt!"
"Maybe we could try talking to this... Reaper person? Maybe they'll see reason? I haven't met a person that doesn't deserve forgiveness and understanding, yet!" Perfuma offered, nervously. All the princesses gazed at Perfuma with near-contempt to which she rubbed her shoulder and said, "...never mind." Glimmer then spoke up.
"In addition to checking out that village, another clue would be to find out what rifle... shot me." Glimmer suggested. "We might be able to find out who sold or smuggled it, since all of the Horde's weapons were confiscated." Everyone nodded in agreement. Adora then rubbed her hands together.
"Oh, oh, oh! I bet I can find out what it is!" Entrapta declared as she used her hair to grab pipes above her and lift herself onto the holographic projector. She then fiddled with a few buttons, switching to the wound that Glimmer received from the rifle. Glimmer cringed at the sight of her wound and shielded her eyes.
"Ugh, Entrapta, is this necessary?!" Glimmer demanded. Entrapta pulled up her welding mask and grinned at Glimmer.
"Yes." Entrapta said, excitedly. She then pulled out the USB drive that contained the projector's data and scurried off to find out what kind of rifle it was.
"Okay, let's split up into teams and get started on finding Reaper." Adora declared. A round of cheers permeated the room. After a few moments it died down and Mermista made an observation.
"Uh, so... where's the lobster princess? Isn't she, like, on our side now or something?" Mermista inquired. As though Mermista were a clairvoyant, Scorpia bumbled into the meeting room holding a tray filled with houre d'oeuvres. Everyone turned to her with cocked eyebrows, except Perfuma who clapped her hands.
"Hey, sorry, everyone. These took longer to bake than I realized!" Scorpia declared as she set the tray down. "So, what'd I miss?"