Chapter 1: The Sword of Protection Part 1
In a distant galaxy, there was the planet of Etheria. The planet was a lush paradise of a world, until many centuries ago, when a galactic empire known as The Horde conquered the planet. They implemented a brutal regime of tyranny, ravaging the planet of its resources and subjugating its people. Many Etherian people tried to resist The Horde, but their advanced technology and magic made quick work of most rebellions. All of this was aided by The Horde's leader on Etheria, a powerful being known as Hordak.
In a small village on Etheria, Horde forces had arrived unexpectedly. Everyone in the village was brought up front by the power-armored soldiers of The Horde. Waiting with the soldiers was Hordak himself with his white skin and red eyes, his slender physique made him stand out from the bulky armored soldiers, and especially from the person standing next to him. A 12-foot tall behemoth of a man, equipped with modified Horde soldier armor, his muscled arms each almost as thick as a person, a Horde helmet covering his face, yellow glowing eyes able to pierce through a person's soul. This giant was standing to Hordak's right, and to Hordak's left was a black and red-cloaked Horde wraith. The mayor of the village, though even he wore peasant garb like everyone else, walked to the front of the crowd.
"Oh great Lord Hordak, we were not told of your visit to your village, for what reason do you honor us with your presence?" the mayor said bowing to Hordak
"You can spare the pleasantries. I am here due to reports that your village has been harboring rebels." Hordak simply said in response
"Lord Hordak, we would never harbor rebels in our village." The mayor said nervously
"Is that right? You know, I would be inclined to believe you if the last village mayor harboring rebels didn't tell me the exact same thing...until we killed most of the population and tortured the information out of him. And it's funny, you're reminding me a lot of him." Hordak said. The people of the village were terrified, the mayor could not stop himself shaking on the spot.
"M-my lord, I assure you. We would never do anything that goes against your glory." The mayor said, collapsing onto his knees.
"Really? Is that why there are currently 5 rebels, all in sniping positions in the bell tower, inn, and three different homes, all with their rifles aimed directly at me?" Hordak said, the sound of those words making the mayor's face go pale. The Horde soldiers all aimed their weapons at the buildings.
"Open fire." said the giant man next to Hordak.
"Delay that order." Hordak said before looking at the mayor. "You know, I do not normally get directly involved in these matters." he said before he opened his hand and spread his clawed fingers, a beam shot out of each finger and homed in on each spot a rebel sniper was, each beam not only hitting the area perfectly, but destroying the areas completely. "But it seems that the people of Etheria have forgotten who rules over them." He said before his eyes glowed a bright red, the mayor grunting in pain. The mayor looked at his hand to find his very skin cracking. "I knew there were rebels here before I even arrived. If you were wise, if you understood who you were trying to betray, you would have surrendered and told me the truth. But you were not wise, you thought you could trick me and lie to me. That shows me that the people of Etheria need to be reminded why I am their leader." He said as the mayor's body continued to crack, light shining through the cracks. He screamed in pain as the cracks covered his whole body and burst open, a large explosion destroying the person that was once there.
"My Lord, Shadow Weaver requests you back at The Fright Zone." The Horde Wraith said
"I see. Force Captain Kyle, deal with the rest of this village, I have important business to attend to." Hordak said to the giant man. Force Captain Kyle nodded as the other Horde soldiers aimed their energy weapons at the villagers.
Hordak himself teleported to The Fright Zone, The Horde's base of operations on Etheria, a city of metal and industrial machines, factories blotting out the sky in the area with their smog, and a red aura blanketing the base. Hordak walked down a corridor where a woman wearing a full red cloak that covered her entire body was waiting.
"You're late." the woman said sternly
"I was busy, Shadow Weaver." Hordak replied dismissively
"Well then, let's hope that's a good enough excuse for her." Shadow Weaver said as the two opened a door and entered a room. In the room was a party being held, several other Horde Force Captains chatting and enjoying themselves, and on the ceiling was a banner that said "Happy 20th Birthday Adora!"
"Dad! You made it!" said a blonde woman with crystal blue eyes, wearing a white undershirt with a red jacket and black pants. She ran up and hugged Hordak.
"Of course, Adora. I wouldn't miss this for anything." Hordak smiled as he hugged Adora back.
"Indeed, your father and I are very proud of you." Shadow Weaver said putting her hand on Adora's shoulder. "It's not just your birthday. Today is the day you officially become a soldier of The Horde."
"Yes! When do I get to go on my first mission!?" She asked excitedly, she had been training to be part of The Horde since she was a kid and today was the day she finally got in.
"In time, Adora." Hordak chuckled, "For now, enjoy the celebration."
"Yeah, come on, Adora. Scorpia and Grizzlor are in an arm wrestling match, you HAVE to see it." said a cat woman with fur on her body, a red dress-like outfit, and a red headset with goggles on her head. Catra, another soldier of the Horde and the lover of Adora. Catra grabbed Adora's hand and brought her to a table where a scorpion woman and a bear man were in an arm wrestling competition, the other captains watching and cheering them on. Adora had known the other Horde captains since she was a kid, they helped train her and hone her abilities. Easily the Horde member who she was closest with was Catra; the two were childhood friends, their friendship eventually growing into love for one another.
"Adora! Happy Birthday!" smiled a boy around Adora's age who resembles Hordak, his hair slicked back and his eyes more green instead of red. Prince Zed, Hordak's nephew and a close friend of Adora. The two hugged each other and smiled. Adora had known Zed since he was born, the two were like siblings at this point.
"Thanks, Zed. Happy to see you." Adora smiled, Catra was focused on the arm wrestling match with the other Horde captains. Grizzlor and Scorpia both struggling hard to gain the upper hand on the other. Eventually, Grizzlor won the match, some captains cheering and some groaning.
"Congrats on making it in, Adora." said a green fish-looking man.
"Yeah, we knew you had it in ya." Said a strange creature with a red head and blue body.
"Thanks, Leech. Thanks, Mantenna. I wouldn't have made it this far without you all." Adora smiled before Scorpia hugged her from behind.
"Aw thanks, Adora." the buff scorpion woman smiled before letting Adora go. Scorpia stood out from the other Horde captains, mainly from just how nice she was to everyone. Adora, Catra, Zed, Matenna, Leech, it didn't matter. She loved to greet her fellow Horde members with a smile and a hug.
"We all helped train you to get this far and we know you'll make us proud." Grizzlor said patting Adora's back.
"Hey, where are Entrapta and Kyle?" Adora asked
"Kyle said he had a mission to do. He said he'd try to get here as soon as he can." Catra said, "As for Entrapta, who knows? Probably still cooped up at Outpost Six. Cause Hordak forbid she actually leave that lab once and a while." she said rolling her eyes.
"Well, I'm still happy you all are here." Adora smiled, it took a little under an hour, but Kyle finally arrived, his massive frame ducking under the doorway.
"Adora, sorry I'm late. Hope you weren't having too much fun without me." Kyle said, his deep and digitized voice able to intimidate anyone, even when he's being friendly.
"Ah, it's okay, Kyle. And don't worry, that party wasn't complete without you." Adora smiled patting Kyle's arm. While Kyle looked intimidating and was feared among the Horde's enemies, most fellow members of the Horde saw him as a dependable friend.
"Since most of us here, let's have a picture of us scanned." Lonnie, Adora's best friend, smiled. The group then huddled together and smiled as the device Lonnie had scanned a holographic picture of them.
Not too long after the party ended, Adora was in the Horde stables. In the stables were several creatures that the Horde made use of, including Adora's personal horse, Spirit. She entered the white horse's stable and grabbed the grooming equipment.
"Today's the day, Spirit." Adora smiled as she began brushing Spirt's fur, "Today, I get to go on my first ever Horde mission...is it wrong that I'm nervous?" she asked. She had been looking forward to the day she became a full member for years, wanting to help the Horde fight the rebellion. But now that the day was here, she wasn't 100% sure if she was ready. "I mean, what if I mess up? What if I completely fail a mission? What if it turns out I'm not ready for actual fieldwork, what if-"
"You know, if you're nervous, there are others you can talk to besides your horse." said Catra as she walked to where Adora was in the stables. She walked to the stable right across from Spirit, where a horse-sized pink lion was.
"I can't help it, you know? I'm anxious about this stuff." Adora said
"You shouldn't be. You've been training for this day since you were, like, 8." Catra said petting the lion, "Everyone's rooting for you to succeed."
Adora sighed and smiled as she finished brushing Spirit's coat. "I guess you're right. Still can't help but be
a little nervous. I mean I'm basically the princess of The Horde, that alone puts a lot of expectations on me."
"and I know you'll surpass every single one. You know why?" Catra asked Adora as walked to the stable Adora was in and wrapped her arms around Adora's shoulders.
"Because you love me?"
"Yes, and because I know you." Catra smiled, "And I know you won't cave under pressure."
Adora smiled and leaned her head closer to Catra's. "Thanks, hon."
Later that day, Adora was in one of The Horde armories, searching for a set of armor that would fit her. Despite her nervousness, she was still beyond excited that she was going to go on her first mission. She dreamed of joining in The Horde's fight against the rebels for such a long time.
"Adora, I wanted to give you this gift, your very own special suit." said Shadow Weaver as she teleported in. She handed a box over to Adora. "Go ahead, put it on."
Adora opened the box and put on the outfit; it was a gray bodysuit, black armor on several spots, claws on the fingers of the gloves, knee-high boots, and a long red cape on the back. She looked at herself in the mirror.
"Uh, mom? Are you sure this will be allowed for me to wear?" Adora asked examining herself.
"Trust me, dear. This suit will allow you to be agile, fast, and deadly, I even enchanted it with my magic so that it is completely impenetrable." Shadow Weaver said resting her hands on Adora's shoulders.
"Wow, really? Thanks mom!" Adora smiled as she turned around and hugged her mother.
"Anything for you, Adora. Now head off now, Catra and Force Captain Kyle are waiting for you."
Adora walked out to the armory and to the main entrance of The Fright Zone, there she saw Catra, Kyle, and several soldiers preparing two Horde transport vehicles.
"Hey, Adora!" Catra smiled as she waved at Adora. "Oh wow, what's with the new outfit?"
"Shadow Weaver made it for me for missions. What do you think?" Adora asked
"It looks great, hon." Catra smiled as she kissed Adora's cheek.
"Alright, everything's ready." said Force Captain Kyle, "Job's simple, we head to the Horde Prison at Dryl, load up the transports with prisoners, and bring them back here for rehabilitation. Standard procedure, perfect for your first mission, Adora."
"You ready, Adora?" Catra asked putting her arm around Adora's waist.
Adora looked at the transports and smiled, "I'm ready." she said determined, she was ready to begin her long and glorious career serving The Horde.