Princess of Nothingness

by Slann22

From Pact Worlds to Veskarium, the activation of a mysterious weapon was detected that threatened to destroy many planets, which repeated itself shortly thereafter a few months later. It was discovered that the attack came from a hitherto hidden planet located in a ravaged region of the galaxy. Over the next few years, an expedition was organized to explore the site.

15. In the Mountains of Dryl

In the Mountains of Dryl

- Lonnie, could you remind us again of the names of our allies? - Kyle asked anxiously, looking at the abyss stretching to the right.

She grit her teeth to hold back her anger.

- I've told you a million times. Mi-Go. That's four letters, two syllables! How come you can't remember that? - she growled, turning to the boy.

- When I think about them, I remember their buzzing, and then they start to remind me of bees, I'm afraid of them - said the blond man, adjusting his backpack.

She narrowed her eyes.

- Since when are you afraid of bees?! - she asked in amazement.

- About the time I found out I was allergic to bee venom, - Kyle said, trying to keep his balance, though the backpack weighed heavily on his back.

- How do you know that? If a bee ever entered the Fright Zone and didn't die immediately, it committed suicide after looking around! - she said loudly, gesticulating violently with her hands.

- From the tests they did on us in the Fright Zone. They did to all of us. Turns out I'm allergic to bee venom, lactose and Luia's pollen. Rogelio - he pointed to a rather depressed lizard who carried a backpack heavier than Kyle himself, had a strange black cylinder under his arm The Imp was cowering on his shoulder in the cold wind despite the warm sweater they made him sew - he has allergy on feathers and you on shellfish

- Shellfish? - She looked at him in consternation - I've never had any allergies to shellfish ... sooner cats - she smiled inwardly.

- Because you've never eaten any, and you know, these Migu ... - he didn't finish, because she interrupted him.

- Mi-Go! I just told you! And I know where you're going, but I won't turn back! We need technology! The weapons these creatures offer us! - She screamed at Kyle until he backed up onto his back and kicked his legs like an upside-down beetle. She rolled her eyes and helped him up.

- I'm just worried about you and all of us. These creatures… I don't trust them, we've never heard of them before. Not before the end of the war. - Kyle said in an apologetic voice. -They are terrible and do terrible things. - He tried not to look at cylinder that was held by Rogelio . The lizard nodded at him. She rolled her eyes.

- Highlanders from Drill were in contact with Mi-Go since the time of the First Ones. To these beings, your appearance is equally repulsive. - A soft, slightly metallic voice came from the cylinder. A metal tentacle ending in a cybernetic eye slid out of the device. Rogelio and Kyle flinched simultaneously.

- -They can be terrible, as long as they deliver what they promise, - Lonnie said firmly.

- Comrade General Lonnie, are you going to order stopover? - asked a young woman with scarlet hair. Her tone was polite, but she had a sneer on her face. She held the sorcerer's staff in her hand.

- Comrade Scarlet, thank you very much for the question, but it was just a little consultation, she replied sharply.

Scarlet bowed humbly to her and walked forward. "I hate her,but she is necessary. Why do I always have to deal with people I hate? It's good that at least this time I'm giving the orders" she thought, smiling as if she wanted to growl at the red-haired woman.

- All right, Rogelio, Kyle, let's go! she called to them and goes towards Dead Mountain, where they were to meet their new allies.

The Drill Mountains were the largest mountain range in Etheria in terms of both area and height. The weather here was absolutely unpredictable and violent. Rainless storms lasted here for years, and winds capable of carrying boulders weighing several tons rose in a few seconds, only to subside soon after. The mountains were criss-crossed by numerous tunnels that made traveling through the region easier, but unfortunately Lonnie's allies had chosen a rendezvous point away from most settlements and underground passages, as if they were deliberately trying to make it harder for them to get here.

The first time they sent their minions, two Boarpeople who brought a cylinder with Dr. Moors. It was already evening and she was making the rounds of the outer defenses. Her subordinates reluctantly explored the interior of the ancient stronghold. They had copied data from the datapad, probably stolen from Scorpia, because it had a picture of her, Entrapta, and Catra glued to the back, but the map still failed sometimes, as if the castle didn't want anyone to know its secrets. The Boarpeople came from one of the settlements scattered in the many valleys and valleys of the Dryl. She told the guards to let them in. They introduced themselves as friends of the Whisperers in the Dark and brought someone she should meet. She knew the stories of beings whispering in the dark on the mountaintops, but she didn't believe them. But then the cylinder spoke.

- Hello Comrade General Lonnie, I am Doctor Moors. We met before in the Fright Zone when you were a kid. Of course, I looked a bit different back then, but iassure you it's much better this way.

Then, as she stood in the courtyard of Castle Crypto surrounded by her subordinates, she thought for a moment that it was a joke and wondered if it wasn't another of Entrapta's ridiculous inventions that had gone mad. The Doctor extended his tentacled arms, and a small window appeared on the top of the cylinder through which they could see what was inside. Though she'd seen a brain both in pictures and one preserved in formalin in anatomy class, nothing had prepared her for something like this.

- Ugh, hello, comrade doctor. I'm glad you're in good health, and we're glad you're happy in general. - she said, confused.

- I learned that you are fighting for the people of Etheria... and I came here representing my... superiors. The mighty and Ancient Mi-Go will gladly help you… in exchange for small favors.

It took her a moment to process the top hat's words.

- They're from there, from the stars. - She pointed upwards where the first stars of the evening could be seen. She was perhaps not as distrustful of them as most of Etheria's inhabitants,

- Ahh, just like our ancestors. Few have the right to call themselves natives of Etheria. But the Mi-Gos were here before the arrival of the First Ones, and they will wander the dark emptiness of space on their wings long after our civilizations are nothing but dust.

She winced at such boasting. Hord Prime had made her immune to such talk. She had once believed the Horde's propaganda and still considered herself a soldier, but she could tell when someone wanted to appear more powerful than they really were. She looked at the cylinder from which several tentacles sprouted. Some apparently were used for locomotion, others for manipulating objects, and still others ended in what looked like eyes.

- You can trust him... Comrade General. I've heard of these beings. They are a highly ancient race that possesses technology beyond anything we possess. - said Scarlett. In her intensely green eyes, she saw delight mixed with greed, "I don't trust you, much less trust someone who packs living brains in cans."

- What do you have to offer!? Just be brief! I have a Rebellion to lead! - she said menacingly looking at the doctor locked in cylinder.

- Like Scarlet said, we're offering you technology that will give you an advantage over the princesses. - he said. Imp flew to the top hat and sniffed it, then touched it with his hand. The Doctor directed one of his tentacles at him, and the winged man jumped back. Rogelio took it on his shoulder and stared hard at the ominous creature.

The doctor was right. She had several thousand battle-hardened soldiers with her and a lot of equipment they had managed to get hold of. However, Drill's production capacity was limited compared to the Fright Zone, and many of technicians sought employment somewhere in the realms. Most importantly, against all the princesses, wizards and moon-cursed She-Ra, they could only stand Scarlet, who was self-taught sorcereress.

- Okay, we can talk preliminarily, but be warned if… - She wanted to sound menacing, but her brain cut her off.

- I'll contact my… friends. I will stay here with you as a sign of good will. - he said while signaling the Boarpeople to leave

The meeting was to take place in the courtyard of Castle Crypto, surrounded by her soldiers. Most of them wore reworked Horde armor, but repainted silver. Her private guard was clad in experimental heavy armor developed for the alliance before switching sides. Only a dozen or so were made, and Catra and Hordak were not interested in increasing the survivability of the soldiers, especially since they were expensive in materials. Fortunately, her technicians were able to start production, although it was time-consuming. „Neither Hordak, nor Catra, nor even Hord Prime had a personal elite guard." she thought proudly. A few towers that were mounted on the moors were directed inwards. They waited in the light of accursed stars and dark moons. She, Kyle, Rogelio, those she trusted, and Scarlet and Doctor Moors, those she need, were waiting in the square. The young sorcereress was dressed in the robes of her trade that had once been sewn for her. The dark blue outfit was almost black in the dim light. A mystic, as she liked to call herself smiled mysteriously. For two days, the Doctor "sat" in Entrapta's former workshop, converted into the main workshop, as if he were just another strange object abandoned here by the former mistress of the fortress. Now he stood with his tentacles outstretched and waited.

- I don't understand, if you could contact them, why can't we? Kyle asked, nervously looking around.

- Oh, you could talk to my friends too, if you had the same transformation as me. I assure you it's worth it. - one of the tentacles reached towards the blond-haired boy's face, and he jumped back with a short cry. Rogelio hit her hard with clear disgust.

- Won't you protect your boys from our sweet abomination? - Scarlett asked. She gave her a menacing look.

- They are not my boyfriends, our relationship is much more complicated and it is none of your business. - she threatened the sorcerer. She just smiled evilly at her.

- Who would have thought that life would ever become so complex. - Everything seemed so simple in the Fright Zone, at least until our blonde friend started honoring and the cat showed her claws.

She narrowed her eyes. They weren't friends with each other. Scarlet wasn't friends with anyone, but unlike Catra, she didn't annoy the cadets either. She only annoyed the trainers, but she never got in Shadow Weaver's way. It was all the easier because most of the time she was cleaning toilets or standing guard at the treatment plant. The number of statutory penalties exceeded even today's Grand Marshal, but she never made the dark sorceress angry. "Did your talent show up then? Is that why you didn't want Shadow Weaver to notice you? So she doesn't get rid of you as a potential competitor."

- It's really better for you to keep quiet. – said Lonnie

- Indeed, you are right. I'm silent now. she said turning away from her

They waited two hours. Dryl's great batbats flew blotting out the stars, unconcerned with the sight that so terrified many of her planet's inhabitants. When Mi-Go showed up, at first they thought it was one of those huge wolf batbats that were supposed to live deep in the mountains and supposedly could snatch a young flanneling. However, the wingspan was much larger. The creature landed soundlessly on six limbs. She gasped at the sight of him. She was very tolerant of beings with a different physique, she slept with Rogelio after all, but that being…. It looked a bit like a cross between a crustacean and a cockroach, but it wasn't covered in chitin, but something rubbery in texture. It was difficult for her to determine where the head began, she could only see something flat, finished with poppies where the face was. The legs were much more flexible than those of insects. The pair of pincers was more delicate than Scorpia's, but she felt they allowed her to manipulate objects much more freely.

- Hello, Comrade General. You can call me Connector. -he said. His voice sounded like bees buzzing, but it was understandable. Imp curled up on Rogelio's shoulder, and the lizard himself didn't look very confident. Kyle looked at his friends anxiously.

- Hello, Connector. We were supposed to negotiate a deal… she said, though she wasn't sure exactly what she wanted.

- Oh yeah. Our species has made deals with… lesser races for hundreds of millions of years. We will be happy to get along with you. You pulled the planet out of the dimensional pocket and defeated the Horde, so you have credit with us, - he croaked. She preferred not to explain that none of this was their fault. In fact, they spent almost the entire occupation hiding in the Crimson Wastes. She wasn't proud of it, but they were ordinary people, not wizards or princesses. They had no powers... But they didn't bring the Horde at least...

- What do you have to offer us? - she asked. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Scarlet licking her lips as she studied the creature with absolute fascination. The creature reached under it with its pincers and took out something that it must have held under it with organic grips, perhaps with small tentacles? Then he placed the oblong object at her feet

- You gave me a stick, a moondamn stick! - she shouted. "Are these beings just trying to make fun of the lesser races?" She felt the creature laugh.

- It's Staff of the Wanderer of the Infinite Sky from Leng. - Mi-Go said, and she heard Scarlet suck in a breath.

- Leng? Is this somewhere in Prime Empire? Another lost First ones colony? - she asked skeptically, nudging the stick with her shoe.

- The nightmarish Leng Plateau is not on any planet but in Dreamlands. You can get there mainly by falling into mystical sleep, or through secret cracks in the fabric of the reality. Supposedly, some of them are here in Dryl. Flesh-eating ghouls and mysterious denizens of Leng live on the plateau. In its valleys there are gods and horrors beyond description. I'd like to go there someday. - said the mystic in a dreamy voice.

„If Shadow Weaver and Entrapta had a child, it would be you" she thought, and shuddered because captured Prime's technology made it possible. She reached for the staff and was surprised to feel the power, just like once when she was in the Black Opal chamber… Or near She-Ra… It was made of an unfamiliar metal. It was covered in runes she couldn't read, but they certainly weren't made by the First Ones. "It's rather good? They created the heart of Etheria. They made the sword." She tilted her head to the side.

- For Honor... She started to whisper and felt herself blush. "It's idiotic. I'm Lonnie, the comrade, not dumb heroine."

- It is made of pure adamantium. It can withstand even the impact of Sword of Protection. It has been enchanted by great power… Try it yourself. the creature buzzed.

She gripped the metal staf with both hands, as she had been taught all these years in the Fright Zone. This weapon was slightly longer that one she was training and much lighter than she thought it should be. It fit well in the hand. She walked over to one of the several tanks parked in the yard becaouse of lack of a better place. She took off the canvas sheet and took a swing. As she hit, she heard a wailing whistle. The tank's armor cracked at the point of impact. She stared dumbfounded at what she had done.

- You know Lonnie, we have a limited number of tanks so don't destroy any more. - Kyle said stunned as he stared at the damaged machine. She smiled triumphantly.

"It's…" She couldn't find the right word…

- This is only part of the artifact's capabilities. Touch the first rune from the handle by pointing the tip of the stick at an object. the creature buzzed

She shrugged and pointed to a metal box. First, she felt the stick become an extension of her own hand, and then... Then the box lifted slightly above the ground. She felt like she was lifting herself. She heard those strange wailing whistling noises over and over.

- Move the cane a little and see how it moves. - said the Connector. She did as he said. She could move the box in the air as if she was holding it in her own hand. She did whatever she wanted with it. She smiled and took swings. The box flew and hit the walls of the fortress with all its might. Sweat ran down her back.

- The heavier the object is or the more rapidly you move it, the more you tire... Now point the Staff to a place, as long as it's not too far or too high. – stated Mi-Go. She pointed to the seat in front of Rogelio and pressed. She saw a flash, then a wailing howl, and suddenly she was in front of the lizard, smelling the stew they had eaten today. She took a deep breath. It was amazing!

- The rune takes a minute to recharge. The range is about three hundred meters. Now touch one of your friends - the Connector suggested. She hesitated. She didn't like the suggestion very much. The creature didn't seem trustworthy to her.

- It won't hurt anyone, I swear. - Mi-Go said. She cautiously approached Rogelio and asked.

- I can?

After a moment's thought, the lizard nodded. She touched him with the tip of her staff. Then his eyes were covered with mist.

- What happened to him? - she asked fearfully.

You took over his mind. Now, until the next sunrise, he will obey your will. – Said the creature.

- I don't want it to be like this, tell me how to make it like it was before, because you won't get out of here alive. - she threatened Mi-Go.

- Hit him pretty hard. the creature buzzed.

- I… I'm sorry," she said, and punched him hard in the stomach. - Her friend doubled over, but his eyes regained their sparkle. He began to purr loudly, gesticulating violently. It pointed to a stick. It's on Lonnie and finally on Mi-Go. Lonnie had known Rogeiio since she was a child, so she understood what he meant. She turned to the Connector and started toward him, the artifact in her hands. She hit him with all her might. Mi-Go flew to the castle wall. A blow that would have shattered a tank didn't make much of an impression on the creature, except for a large indentation. The staff was covered in yellow gore that smelled of ammonia.

- It was exactly as I said, it not hurt him. You hit him. You could have waited. - There was no guilt in the creature's buzzing voice, only amusement. She felt tears come to her eyes.

- Throughout the occupation, we managed to avoid being chipped. Prime never had any power over us, he didn't break us and….

- You now have a fraction of his power. As one of the few on this planet, you can control others like puppets. And you received this gift from us as a gesture of goodwill. Think about what else you can get from us as our cooperation develops. I can see in your eyes that you've made up your mind.

She closed her eyes. The creature was right. Even now she could feel the power flowing from the staff..

- Okay, tell me what you want - she asked grimly.

-Meet us in a week at the top of the dead mountain. Bring as many Sorcerer Crystals as you can. - It buzzed and took off into the air. She noted with satisfaction that his flight was not straight. She looked at the staff and tightened her hands on the handle.

"I need power and they will give it to us"

So the five of them walked to Dead Mountain, though only one of the five of them was really happy with the trip. They wore thick fur cloaks that they put over their new-old armor, which are the Horde armor, which they repainted silver and in place of the old Horde symbol, they inked the sign of the People's Rebellion, which is Etheria surrounded by its moons. Kyle and Rogelio carried old shock batons, and the lizard he had blaster obtained from Prima Clones. In addition to her staff, she had a rock breaker. Larger and bulkier versions of this were used by the Horde tafter they incorporated Castle Crypto to break gates. However, it was a smaller and more practical version, often used by the inhabitants of Dryl for ... many purposes. It fired a small recoilless explosive capable of shattering a metal door. "Or someone's skull," she smiled grimly. For now, they avoided killing as much as they could, but she feared that one day someone would die and the conflict would escalate. They must be ready for it, and that's why they pinned so much hope on this meeting ... at least for her.

Rogelio has been gloomy and angry since she used the staff on him. He was reluctant to "talk" to anyone without being asked. Kyle was trying to lead her away from her goal. He feared that dealing with these beings would bring misfortune upon them. She loved them both with all her heart. They have been with her forever and have never let her down. But they will not deter her from what she has decided. But she didn't want to lose them. He has to do something to convince them of this decision.

Of course, Scarlet had no worries. They hadn't been friends before the victory, and they weren't now. She had no idea what had happened to that woman in the first three years since the end of the War. She had learned sorcery somewhere, but certainly not in Mystakor. Her power wasn't great, but she could do some things even Shadow Weaver didn't know. She came to them, to the camp in the Crimson Waste with a map of Castle Crypto, without which the entire Rebellion would not have been possible. It was with the seizure of Entrapta's former seat that their activities began in earnest, and the Queen and Catra now had to reckon with them... Only it didn't change the fact that she still resented that woman. Maybe not as much as Catra, who had betrayed them twice, but she still annoyed her. Scarlet didn't believe in their cause, all she wanted was…power? authority? She wasn't sure. "Will it be my very own Shadow Weaver?" she thought anxiously.

Imp became their mascot, but also something more. Prime placed a high bounty on him, and during the occupation they had to protect him. Most former Horde soldiers would have given up the little spy Hordak without hesitation, but he was as much a victim to the three of them as they were. Abandoned by its creator in the last moments of the war, it required care. He wasn't a kid of course, actually he was a bit older than her. Now most of the soldiers liked him, even respected him for his scouting abilities. She didn't know what she thought of her "Father". Hordak had his new family on Beast Island, and he was out of their reach...at least for now.

At last they came to the foot of Dead Mountain. It wasn't particularly high. It looked like a rounded solid block of granite, completely out of place with the rest of the soaring peaks of the Drill. Climbing it would be easier than all the walking here, but she decided they deserved a rest anyway.

- Let's stay here for a while and eat something. - she said in the most cheerful voice she could muster. Kyle smiled and unwrapped their provisions. They were pies stuffed with spicy vegetables and meat. They were cold but still tasty. After leaving the FrightZone, they vowed never to eat food packets and enjoy real food. The meal made even Rogelio cheer up, and he offered her curdled milk. It was like before...

- It is interesting. - said Scarlett. She was standing by a tall stele that at first they took for a bizarre signpost. Its crown looked like a spider turned backwards, with eight legs supporting a spherical stone. It was covered with writings in the same language as those on her staff.

- Atlach-Nacha, - the red-haired sorcerer suddenly said - The Spinner of Darkness. It's quite funny, considering our experience.

- Can you read it!? Kyle exclaimed in surprise. The sorcereress turned to them confused, as if they had caught her doing something wrong.

- I know this language a bit - she said, obviously hiding something from them.

- And what is written on my staff - she asked the red-haired woman sharply, but the other one answered her smiling contemptuously.

- Just what the Connector told you. -Scarlet said

The good mood was gone. The pancakes didn't tasted anymore.

- This bodes badly for everything. And those shellfish… Kyle said in a scared voice

- Mi-Go are fungi - Scarlet corrected.

- Fungi can be poisonous. Kyle continued.

- Just say you want us to turn back! - She yelled at him, blushing furiously.

- It wouldn't be such a stupid idea after all. - The blonde said, and Rogelio nodded his agreement.

- And what? How do you envision the next fight? Without weapons from these creatures, we have no chance of winning! - She felt despair rising in her heart.

- You know, Lonnie, maybe it's time to think about negotiating. The Queen will certainly accede to some of our demands. he said, and there was a terrible silence. It seemed to them that even the wind howling through the jagged peaks had ceased. At first she wanted to explode with rage and threaten them. Intimidate them into obeying n=her commands. "I am not Catra." She took a deep breath and said.

- Some demands? What are we to give up? To bring justice for what was done to us, to all the people of Etheria? Giving up the rule of the people, not to those who have it just because they wield magical power? From ensuring the safety of the entire planet? Tell me what's not important anymore. - She looked at him hard

- I don't know, but we can make concessions in each of them. We don't have to take revenge… Kyle said slowly.

- You think I want revenge? We don't even have anything to avenge, except for our ruined lives! Hordak sits on Beast Island and pretends to he didn't want to do anthing wrong. and they're making Catra and Adora's wedding a moondamn state event! Tell me, does our everscreaming leader live in conditions like those he sent to their deaths? No, they've built themselves a lovely outpost where they're happily doing research. And all those who died during the war. It was mistake? Horde citizens, especially us cadets, are also victims. We gave our lives in the fight for fantasies, for lies! We don't have a past or a future. All we can do is fight, and we've been made damn good soldiers. - she was explaining, but Kyle cut her off.

-We can sew, we can repair shoes, and Rogelio is a great cook - he said with a nervous smile. She chose to ignore him.

-They tell us about conditioning and the warped shaping of the psyche. and us? We too have been conditioned and perverted, have any of us done as much evil as he has? Except for Catra, of course. - She clenched her fists - At least Hordak was imprisoned, although with better conditions than those in which most of the citizens of the Horde had to exist. But Catra was rewarded for her crimes. Throughout her rule, we tried to kill or imprison our former colleague because she resented the fact that she had abandoned her. Her, not all of us, by going over to the enemy's side. And now they slept together and everything is fine, and the fact that we risked our health and lives, that we hurt others, does not count anymore? And why was all this? In the name of… that they took offense at each other? And now Catra is the Grand Marshal, and everyone is happy, though if Prime hadn't arrived, she'd still be scheming. - She took a few steps back and forth to calm herself down.

- But you and Catra… you never liked each other and… - Kyle started, but she cut him off

- Because when we were five years old, this psychopath attacked me for no reason! She's Shadow Weaver's true daughter and she can't deny it. She and Entrapta almost killed all of us twice. Twice! - she laughed unhappily - Entrapta is not much better. She had no qualms about making deadly weapons until Catra got mad at her and sent her to Beast Island. The mere fact that she married someone like Hordak says a lot about what kind of person she is. They should all answer for their actions. So did Shadow Weaver, but she got away with it because she was dead.

She crouched down to think for a moment. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed that Scarlet smiled when she talked about the fate of the dark sorcereress, but she had no intention of guessing what the red-haired girl was thinking.

- Power should be transferred to the people. The fact that princesses have magical powers does not entitle them to rule over people in any way. Let's look at Scorpia. We all know she's nice and has always treated us well, but let's be honest. She was no good at leading a squad, let alone running a country. Entrapta has left her own kingdom, Adora, well... She doesn't rule anything. I don't know much about the others, but I doubt it's any better. The people of Etheria suffered for thirty years in a war they could not win. And it probably would have taken twice as long, but the queen's mother had died, and then she used ancient technology with Entrapta's prudence to get her revenge. And not only did she hardly destroy Etheria herself, but she also brought Prime to us. So what if She-ra beat him. Now anyone can come here and attack us. The universe is full of Hordaks. - she said and looked up at the sky covered with stars.

- Only darkness comes from the stars. - she said softly.

- The true darkness lurks in the space between the stars, promising power to anyone who proves worthy. - Scarlet interjected unexpectedly. She looked at her surprised. She had no idea how much of her speech the sorceress had listened to, but she didn't really care, because she wasn't the one who was addressing her speech. Kyle and Rogelio looked like they had taken her words to heart, or at least thought about them.

- I understand Lonnie, but I'm afraid that ... everything will get out of control and we will only make things worse. - Kyle said in a depressed voice.

"For sure everything will get out of control, it always happens. That's why we need to prepare." But she patted him on the shoulder.

- Don't worry, everything will be fine, now come on - she knew she was lying to her friend - We can't be late, it would look bad.

Dead Mountain was called that way for a reason. On the way, they did not encounter anything living, not even a tiny insect. It was also very cold here, the icy wind penetrating under the furs. Kyle was shivering from the cold, Rogelio took out the blanket and covered him with it. However, they did not slow down because they had to hurry to meet their new allies. They reached the top almost perfectly, whenever the dark moons were in the sky. The wind howled, and now everyone was chattering their teeth. But so far no one was there.

- You're not afraid of an ambush? - asked the blonde haired man,

- They wouldn't gain much from it, - she said, though deep down she wasn't sure. These creatures were so alien.

They came in silence. Five winged figures descended on the flattened mountaintop. She recognized the Connector, to her disappointment it looked like the wound she had inflicted on him had already healed. The other two looked like soldiers. They had strange blasters in their paws that looked organic. Strange tentacles were wrapped around their pincers. Next Mi-Go was bigger than the others and had strange egg-like packages underneath him. The last one had a thicker 'skin' with many long protuberances. There was a strange antenae in the middle of the torso.

- Hello, Comrade General Lonnie. I am the Overseer and I run this small facility. I am very happy about our cooperation. We brought you weapons in exchange for sorcery crystals. – Mi-go buzzed, and Rogelio and Kyle took out the crystals. Mi-Go set up the containers, which opened and a terribly stinking mist began to come out of them. With some disgust, her friends began extracting organic items from them that were similar to the ones the warriors carried with them.

- These smaller eldrith arquebuses which strike with cold and are capable of killing the tissues of a living thing. - Said the Overseer. His voice was stronger than the Connector. Kyle took the arquebus and fired it at the stone, which cracked, most likely from the water freezing inside.

- The larger ones are the Howl Muscets. They can tear flesh from bones with sound. said the Overseer. Rogelio grabbed the muscet and fired at the boulder, which shattered with a crash.

- And these are the Hunter's Claws. They are sharper than steel - the Mi-Go leader said. She reached into the container and pulled out a gauntlet that wrapped tentacles around her wrist. It wasn't a nice feeling. She'd never had an octopus in her hands, but she suspected it wasn't half as disgusting as this thing. Still, the strange gauntlet fit perfectly. She walked over to the remains of the boulder and hit the largest piece with all her strength. Cracks appeared on the surface of the stone.

- Now Catra I have claws too - she said softly and turned away, then turned to the Overseer with satisfaction.

- It's great equipment. We will bring you more crystals soon.

- We won't be needing the crystals for a while. We have another request for you. - the Mi-Go leader buzzed. She felt furious, though she should have expected it.

- What?! That was not the deal! she shouted and Kyle, Rogelio and even Scarlet came after her.

- But there was no deal. You provided us with the crystals as we requested, and we provided you with the weapons. Now we're asking you for something else. ' replied the Overseer. She clenched her fists, including the one in the glove, and drawled slowly.

- What do you want.

- Originally there was a listening base. We were watching the great project of the first ones then, but unfortunately we were detected and Mara in her new form slew all my former subordinates. Fortunately, they did not detect our base, and I bred new subordinates for myself - the Overseer buzzed without emotion, telling about the death of his kin.

She narrowed her eyes, not knowing how to react to Mi-Go's story.

- Mara? Was that the previous She-ra? How could you know her, that was a thousand years ago. - she asked suspiciously. These creatures have never lied before. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the doctor awake and his tentacles extend. He was talking to the Liaison in a language they didn't know. She didn't like it, but she had to deal with the Overseer.

- Much more time passed. In the meantime, however, a mysterious event on a cosmic scale has occurred and my memory no longer works as it used to. Therefore, I am asking you for help in contacting my kin. To do that, I need you to build a relay a bit…

- Need our help to contact other Mi-Gos who have managed to escape the wrath of the Galactic Horde? - she asked a bit skeptically.

- Our activities in the Empire have probably been extinguished, and those who remained went into sleep mode. - the Overseer calmly explained.

- Those who stayed? The rest of your people hid on those planets that Prime missed for some reason? - she asked curiously. She'd heard a little about how things were with the old Empire.

She suddenly felt nauseous, her teeth began to ache, and the blood in her temples throbbed. She looked at her companions. Judging by their expressions, they felt it too.

- What are you doing to us? - she asked confused.

- Oh well, my joy is painful. Know that it's not easy to make me laugh. - Said the Overseer. He was making strange movements with his pincers - I forgot this place is full of ignorant people. You believe, or rather you want to believe, that Hord Prime has conquered the entire known universe. Oh, his empire occupied only a small part of one of thousands of galaxies. Even in the one in which we exist, powers surpassing him have probably already rise.

She felt cold sweat running down her back. She got dizzy. "I always knew. The universe is a scary place, but it's not full of Hordaks, it's full of Primes. No one realizes the danger that threatens the entire planet. Are others so blind?" she thought in horror.

- We will try to help you... but you will have to give us more... Weapons and other equipment. Your new request will be difficult to fulfill. - she said, crossing her arms over her chest and trying to look as threatening as she could.

- Don't worry, we'll help you. We'll send you the plans. Just remember, you have to hurry. It's been five years since you pulled the planet out of Despondos. Your queen's deed has not gone unnoticed by the current powers of the galaxy. It's only a matter of time until someone takes an interest in your home. – "Said" the Mi-Go leader.

Kyle placed a hand on her right shoulder.

- Lonnie, that's not a good idea. You remember what happened last time, when someone from off-planet was attempted to be sumoned... - he asked in a worried voice.

- There is nothing to fear, Comrade General. It is said that the Mi-Go have built colonies near every major world and have never attempted to conquer one. As you can see, they have better ways to get what they want.

Finally she nodded.

- It's a choice of the lesser evil. Anyone who wants to win must be prepared to make difficult decisions. - she said slowly. Kyle frowned but nodded in agreement with her.

"When it comes to difficult decisions. I have another proposition for you" she heard in her own head. She jumped up in fear. Her companions gave her questioning looks, but she said nothing, for she guessed that the Overseer was talking to her.

"Don't be afraid, I can't read your mind. Back to my proposal. Most of you have not very volatile minds. We try to save the few notable ones from the fragility of your bodies by placing them in cylinders. However, there is one mind in this world whose genius can amaze even us. We want Entrapta's brain."

She felt her face turn green with disgust. It wasn't a fate she would condemn anyone to.

"He didn't pretend to be so shaken. I have read your demands. You want to kill her lover, the father of her child, and sentence her to life imprisonment in Castle Crypto, where such great tragedies befell her. What we do to her will be an act of mercy. And our gratitude will be immense. We know where the First Ones warship is hidden. We will help you find it and run it. "

She nodded her head, they can feel her nausea rising…

This chapter was also not planned. You can see a bit of my national flaw. We Poles believe that a good rebellion is a failed rebellion. And if the rebellion is winning, then something has gone wrong.