Hordak's Ballad

Hordak stared at the screen of the main controls inside the Black Pyramid. Clicking and typing away at them to restore that which had been lost by the Alliance's interference. He let out a grunt of annoyance at the slowness of the restoration. After three weeks of arduous work, he had only managed to restore approximately 27-59% of the whole amount that lay inside the pyramid. It felt that for every step forward he took to restore his master's legacy there was always something that made him take two steps back. He couldn't help but tighten his fists at the sight of the loading screen. It wouldn't move, there was no progress, no absolute control that he desired. He glared at the screen, noticing the mural behind the screen.

The visage of a woman wearing She-Ra's clothes and armor was plastered on the wall mural. The woman was surrounded by bright lights springing out of her sword like fireworks, and gathered at her feet were people praising her and singing her praises, bowing to her. To many it was a mural that depicted the legendary hero's might and warmth against all odds. But Hordak didn't see that. He saw the truth of what that mural represented. She-Ra was a weapon his masters created to bring order to this unruly world. She was an enforcer of their will and their laws. And yet the last one did what she did.

"Even after so many centuries, your legacy mocks me." Hordak growled. "Are you satisfied? Are you happy with the chaos you've let loose upon the world? The ruination of what was once a great empire? Even with you gone, your actions still hold a haunting image over my every waking hour." He narrowed his eyes, feeling tempted to destroy the mural.

The mural was a reminder of what had been and what should've been. Instead, it was there to haunt Hordak. And it made him remember the days that were before the fall.

Many centuries ago, Hordak stood before a council of First Ones, adorned with a bright golden and green armor, a chestplate with a First Ones symbol and a pair of black pants. He looked up at the council with a smile on his face.

"Councilors, I bring you news about our expansion to the west of the continent," Hordak spoke.

Five members made up the council, each one standing behind a screen with different symbols representing them. There was nothing to suggest who they were apart from faint silhouettes and the tone of their voices. The screens lit up and showed them looking down to Hordak, no doubt expecting good news.

"Give us your report, general." The main council member spoke first.

"We have subdued the savage tribes in Area 56, but their head sorceress managed to escape." Hordak pulled up images of savage warriors fighting against their soldiers as a sorceress dressed in an eagle cowl covered their retreat. "We have managed to establish a base of operations and have narrowed the location of the rest of the magic users."

"Perfect. A shame the witch eluded capture, general." The secondary counselor spoke in a more feminine voice. "But, we have plenty of time to subdue that rabble. We did good in engineering you and your brothers to serve us as soldiers and our army's effective generals."

"That means we have time to get Mara to fully seal off the magic circuitry in the Crimson Desert." A third voice spoke in. "The Black Pyramid must be completed if we are to attain full control over the wild magic."

"Did we have to pick a desert of all places to mount our mightiest stronghold?" The fourth counselor asked with a much younger, less interested voice. "Why not near the beach or a tropical paradise?"

"You know the reason, councilman four." The last council member spoke out.

"The ley lines must be controlled so that the Heart of Etheria may thrive." The first voice spoke up. "Then we, the council, shall control and lead the way for our empire to last a millennium. We look to loyal servants of the Empire like you, general, to see this future come to pass."

Hordak bowed his head at the council members before leaving the room. His duty was to the First Ones and their empire. He would do them justice and bring their dreams to completion, no matter the cost of what might happen to him or his so-called brothers. They'd been created to serve and maintain an order to everything in the world of their masters. There was no greater honor than to live and uphold their will, even if death was to come. Anyone that stood or thought differently received no mercy. However, his thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching.

He looked ahead of the hallway and his eyes landed on the one woman the fate of the empire rested upon. She was a tall woman with brown tanned skin, almost caramel-like, with brown hair tied in a braided ponytail that hung over her right shoulder. Her clear blue eyes looked ahead with a kindness that made Hordak sick. She wore a blue short uniform that resembled a ballerina's dancing dress with white armored shoulder pads, dark blue pants and white sides of a skirt. She had a golden headset that wrapped around behind her head and a brown choker on her neck. And by her side was the sword of Protection in all its glory.

"Afternoon, General Hordak," she said. "Good to see you back from your mission safe and sound."

"Designated Sword Carrier Mara. This is the Council's Sanctum, what are you doing here?" Hordak asked with no small bit of kindness. "You should only be here if summoned."

This was Mara, the latest warrior to bear the title of She-Ra.

"Um, I was summoned. And you can just call me Mara, right?" Mara smirked. "My guess is that they want me to go and fight the good fight on the front lines like you and your brothers."

Hordak growled, finding her chipper attitude disgusting.

"You are nothing more than the warrior chosen by the council. Your duty is to them and only them." Hordak hovered over Mara like a vampire about to bite her. "Never forget that."

Mara took a step back before looking at Hordak dead in the eye.

"I am not some child you can frighten, general." Mara went around him. "I know that my people need me to be She-Ra. I won't let the Council down. You'll respect me soon enough."

Hordak watched her go into the chambers of the Council with nothing but contempt. She believed herself special, a warrior of peace or some nonsense. But he knew the truth. She was only there because the Council had chosen her for her loyalty and trained as a weapon. A placeholder for the sword to be wielded before someone else took up the baton. He and his brothers had been bred and engineered for their task, she was nothing more than a little girl being told to play dress-up for the Council to finish their mission. Once Etheria was under their control, there won't be any need for She-Ra or anyone of her liking.

Back in Brightmoon, Izuku and Catra were training together once more. They clashed punches over and over as they carried weights on their arms and legs. Sweat poured down their bodies as they continued sparring under the watchful eye of Toshinori.

"Alright, keep up that speed!" Toshinori instructed. "You have two more minutes to go and then it's on to the running! You want to get stronger, you'll have to work at it even more!"

Toshinori couldn't feel prouder of his kids. Even with all the curveballs they had thrown his way, he still saw the fire in their eyes as he had back when he'd first met them. If anything it had grown much stronger. Part of him never wanted them to get involved in the war when he raised them. Yet, they carried the flame and aspiration to do what's right because it was the right thing to do. They carried the flame of his will and that of all his fallen friends. He just didn't expect to see that they'd get themselves so many lovers.

He quickly shook his head, the last thing he needed was picturing those things in his mind. However, his mind quickly noticed something odd. They weren't alone. His eyes quickly caught sight of two girls he didn't recognize. They weren't princesses, but the way they looked and hid themselves, Toshinori could guess they were the Horde soldiers that were once friends with Izuku and Catra. Their names were Adora and Lonnie, if he remembered correctly. They watched Izuku and Catra train, taking in every detail, almost like they were waiting for a chance to approach them.

"Alright, time for the running. Remember to keep your energy flowing through your bodies and make sure to force your muscles with the extra weight." Toshinori explained.

"Yes, Master!" Izuku and Catra replied, picking up some extra weights before running off.

As they took off running around the palace, Adora and Lonnie watched them go with great interest and curiosity. They knew that they had learned how to fight and trained for years, but they didn't expect them to have such an intense regiment. The weights they were carrying were easily twice their own weight and they were going for running laps after an intense sparring match. The idea that they weren't complaining was crazy. It didn't look that different from the training they had done in the Frightzone, only they weren't getting shot at or threatened with being put in a hole if they lagged behind. It was so impressive and out there for the two former Horde soldiers.

"So that's how Izuku went from a stick to a brick house," Lonnie said. "Mama likes~." She blushed at the sight of them running.

"Keep it in your pants, Lonnie." Adora elbowed Lonnie's side. "I want to talk to them, I just need the perfect chance to do so."

"Didn't you already talk to them the day before?" Lonnie asked.

"Yeah, but I want to reconnect with them and that means talk to them more than once after a mission." Adora looked down. "I have a lot to make up for. And it doesn't help that they are either going on missions or that they are always with a princess or more than one whenever they're not."

Lonnie smirked, noting the jealousy that lingered in Adora's voice. Her friend had it bad for Izuku and Catra and didn't know it. It wasn't so shocking to Lonnie. With someone like Shadow Weaver being your shadow, developing emotional maturity and understanding of one's desires. She herself wanted to pounce on them and have some crazy night of passion. She liked tough people and those two matched that box so hard that they made a hole through it. The idea made her drool a little.

"What are you two doing?"

Adora and Lonnie jumped out of their hiding spot, only to see Toshinori standing over them. They could see where Izuku and Catra had gotten their muscles.

"Why are you spying on my students?" Toshinori asked.

"S-Spy?" Adora held her hands up. "We-we weren't spying. We just wanted to talk to Izuku and Catra." She got up from where she'd landed.

"Y-Yeah, but we saw they were busy and we kinda just sat here to wait for them to finish." Lonnie added.

"Behind the bushes?" Toshinori asked.

"...They were comfy?" Lonnie tried to sound convincing.

"Look, my name is Adora and this is Lonnie," Adora introduced them. "And we're-"

"I know who you two are. Izuku and Catra spoke about you two and your other friends back at the Frightzone." Toshinori crossed his arms. "If you want to mend your bonds, I suggest you start running. If you don't go to them, they'll not come to you."

Adora and Lonnie looked at each other before nodding. They took off to chase after their friends. Not only did they want to talk to them, but they were also slightly terrified of what could happen if they were left alone with the tallest and strongest man they had ever met.

"Did you think he was about to knock our heads off?" Lonnie asked.

"Who knows what Catra told him when they met him," Adora replied. "Izuku, probably just stuck to the good bits."

"Remind me to thank him for that." Lonnie and Adora ran fast, trying to catch up to their friends.

Spotting their friends not that far from them, they picked up the pace. Falling back on their military training, they quickly cut the distance between themselves and their friends, which wasn't all that hard since they didn't have any weights on.

"So, how do we approach them?" Adora asked.

"On your right!" Lonnie picked up speed, passing Izuku and Catra by their right.

"Lonnie?" Izuku asked.

"Um, hey guys." Adora passed them too as Lonnie turned to run backwards.

"Ah hey Adora. What's up?" Catra asked.

"Well, we were just running and saw you guys and hoped we could talk to you," Adora replied.

"Um, sure, but could it wait until we finish our training." Izuku and Catra picked up the pace, leaving sparks as they went along. "We need to get stronger now that Shigaraki has been augmented by Modulock. Last time we barely got him to break a sweat, we need to be ready to fight." Izuku gave a determined look ahead of him, picturing Shigaraki waiting for them to fight him.

"We got lucky last time, it won't happen again." Catra growled like an angry lioness.

Adora and Lonnie couldn't fault them for wanting to grow stronger to fight that monster. Shigaraki had always been something of a boogeyman for any Horde cadet, seconded only by Shadow Weaver and Hordak himself. But to see him to get all manner of powers and abilities to match and push back not just their friends but their master and several of the princesses, it was a scary thought if he ever went off his chain.

"So, what do you wanna talk about?" Catra asked.

"Um, well, I," Adora stuttered before running to stand side by side with them. "I know that I've made many mistakes and I know that you forgive me for them. But I don't feel that I've earned it."

"Adora, you-" Izuku began, only for Adora to cut him off.

"I want to join the Alliance. I want to enlist." Adora looked at them with a defiant fire in her eyes.

Izuku and Catra looked at each other after hearing Adora's declaration.

"Adora, this isn't like-well, it is kind of what happened in the Horde," Catra said. "Are you sure about this?"

Adora looked at them, noting their worry for her. She felt she didn't deserve it after so many years of being the Horde's puppet. She'd conquered towns and hurt people, all in the name of people that wanted nothing but to eradicate all opposition. Learning that she'd also been used by a First Ones artificial intelligence to do the same thing and hurting her friends even more made her feel muddy. She needed to make up a lot, she needed to learn a lot of who she really was and what the world was truly about. Her time away from the Horde had helped, but she still felt a weight pulling down her heart from what she'd done. Like she was chained to her original sin and couldn't get it off of her even with their forgiveness. She needed to make amends.

"I am, I want to do the right thing for once in my life." Adora looked at them with determination.

"She's not gonna change her mind, trust me, I tried." Lonnie picked up the pace. "But seriously, we all know that whatever Hordak and Modulock are planning is bad. So, instead of just sitting on our hands, we want to help you guys."

"You do?" Izuku asked. "You too, Loonie?"

"Someone has got to keep Adora from getting herself killed." Lonnie shrugged. "Besides, home life isn't for me."

As much as Loonie liked sleeping in an actual bed for a change and not having to fight for every meal, she was a woman of action. Action beckoned her to go out and do something, even something so mundane as punching a tree was all she needed to feel alive. Though she wouldn't be punching trees any time soon… The flower princess had caught her and it wasn't pretty. So the next best thing would be to enlist and keep Adora from running herself ragged trying to keep up with Izuku and Catra. And as another plus side, she got to look at them more often without having the need to spy on them.

"And there's nothing we could say or do to keep you from doing this?" Izuku asked. "They might be suspicious of you two asking to enlist after being part of the Horde."

"Well unless you can make Hordak and Modulock commit suicide in the next few days, we're staying on." Lonnie joked.

"We'll earn their trust then. Besides, you two could use the competition." Adora ran past everyone.

"Get a good look at our asses, we'll see you at the finish line." Lonnie took off after Adora, making sure to shake her ass at them as she did.

Izuku and Catra blushed slightly at the sight of their friends running ahead of them. The revelation and their motivations were valid, but there were still things they had yet to understand about where their relationship stood. And now, it seemed like they were trying to seduce them.

"What is it about us that makes us irresistible?" Izuku asked.

"Ask Entrapta and Mermista, they have plenty of theories." Catra replied. "Now, let's catch up to them and show them why we're at the top."

"Race you!"

Izuku and Catra ran faster.

"You two want to enlist in the Alliance Army?" Glimmer looked at Adora and Loonie, who were sweating profusely, before shifting her eyes to her sweaty pair of lovers. "And you two are okay with this?"

After joining Izuku and Catra for their training, Adora and Lonnie were forced to keep pace with them, with weights and everything. They ran the same distances and lifted the same amounts to keep talking with them. Which led to the two former Horde soldiers to stand before the standing queen of Brightmoon, Netossa and Spinnerella looking like they were chased by a pack of wolves. Which wasn't the worst state that they could've been in but still.

"We tried talking them out of it, but they are adamant in their decision." Izuku sighed. "Plus, they know more about the Horde's supply routes and weaknesses than us. Even with Lady Nagant's knowledge, she mostly worked by herself and far from the other soldiers. Adora and Loonie have offered to give all the information that they know on some key regions we've been working on recapturing."

"Plus, they have this big martyr complex that makes them-no, compels them to do something stupid to prove themselves worthy or something like that," Catra said. "At least in Adora's case. Loonie just doesn't want to sit still all the time."

"Make us sound desperate, why don't you?" Lonnie blushed, trying to compose herself. "It is the right thing to do, isn't it? Besides, we have no love for the Horde after they tried to have us killed."

"That tends to be a deal breaker," Netossa said.

"Please, Queen Glimmer, I know that we've been enemies for the longest time, but I want to start making amends." Adora knelt before Glimmer, making the queen look at her funny. "I wish to pledge myself to your services and aid you in finishing this war and freeing Etheria. I know you have little reason to trust me, but I will work to earn your trust. I-"

"Okay, okay, you made your point. Please, get up, I'm not used to all the regal bowing," Glimmer said, blushing slightly. "I understand where you're coming from Adora, and know that we appreciate your help."

"So, we're good?" Lonnie asked.

"Yes, you two are now formally members of the Alliance's Army," Glimmer said.

"But, you'll be under the watchful eye of Izuku and Catra. The last thing we need is you two getting in over your heads." Netossa added.

Izuku and Catra felt like that last bit was meant for them as well.

"There is a mission to liberate a town not far from a known Horde supply line." Spinnerella pointed out. "Are either of you familiar with the town of Elberon?"

"Oh yeah, we know where it is. It's also the town where the supply line for forged armor ore passes by." Adora jumped at the knowledge. "If we strike at the watchtowers at the same time, we'll be able to move in and disrupt the supply line. Let's go!" Adora dragged Izuku, Catra and Lonnie away to prepare for the mission.

Glimmer, Netossa and Spinnerella could only watch the blond drag them away despite her need for a bath. It was kind of funny to see their strongest fighters get dragged away so easily.

"She is just like what Izuku said she was," Glimmer said.

"We should make sure she doesn't overwork herself," Spinnerella added. "She looks to be the type that can't relax to save her life."

"How much do you two wanna bet that they end up joining the harem?" Netossa asked.

Her wife and Glimmer looked at her.

"What? We were all thinking it." Netossa defended her question.

"Yes, darling. But we shouldn't say that when they could overhear us." Spinnerella pulled on her wife's ear. "Not to mention that for all we know they might not be interested in a relationship."

"Spinnerella, when was your last baby making session with them?" Glimmer shot her a flat look.

"...One should be coming up soon." Spinnerella blushed.

"I still find it weird that we've all slept with them and are very professional about it," Glimmer said. "But yeah, I agree with Netossa, it is less of a matter of if as more a matter of when."

"Yeah, they'll be banging in a few chapters." Netossa added with a knowing smirk.

Back at the Dark Pyramid, Modulock was tinkering with some of the technology left over by the First Ones. A lot of it had sand stuck to it and was a pain to remove, but now he had what he was looking for. He plugged the cables on the machine to get it to work. The lights flickered to life after centuries of disuse, bringing a smile to his face.

"Yes, yes, come on baby!" Modulock smirked as the machine came back to life.

Only for it to spew out black smoke in his face.

"...Why must every advanced past civilization have such crappy maintenance. If you're so advanced you should've found a way to make your work outlive you." Modulock wiped his face clean before opening the control panel, looking at all the crystal pieces that made everything of the machine work. "What good is it to make crystal efficient machines when they don't work with anyone else? I want to see your weapons and defense systems." Modulck pulled out one of the crystals before tossing it over his back.

Hordak caught the crystal before it fell.

"Careful Modulock. The remnants of this technology are scarce enough without you tossing them so recklessly." He narrowed his eyes at the scientist.

"Sorry, boss, but we've been here for so long that everything feels like it's working against us." Modulock bowed to his master. "Any progress on your end?"

"Slow." Hordak looked at his reflection on the crystal, snarling at the memory it brought him.

Hordak watched over the construction of the newest First Ones settlement as they placed a large crystal at what would be known as The Beacon. The settlement was small, but it was near to the Beacon and it was of great importance to make it as safe as possible. Despite his desire for more conquest and putting the enemies of his masters to the sword, he had a duty to uphold. So, he watched and made sure everything was ready for them.

One of his soldier drones approached him with a report in his hands.

"General, we've finished uploading the AI to the Beacon and it has successfully connected with the main network," the soldier told Hordak.

"Good." Hordak said. "Overseeing the activation of a settlement hardly seems fitting, but whatever it be the will of my masters. Anything else to report?"

"Well, there have been some sightings of savage warriors not far from the perimeter, and we haven't received any communications from She-Ra's ship. It was due to arrive a few hours ago." The soldier explained.

"Hm, she probably got lost on the way over after checking on the other quadrants. Send a beacon signal to the Council to see where she is." Hordak instructed before the holographic projection of a radar signalled them. "It seems she's incoming. About time she made due with her appointments. Instruct Lighthope to instruct her with all the needed requirements her duty expects of her."

"Um, general, why is she coming from the west side of the radar if she was-?" Hordak grabbed the soldier by the neck, lifting him up.

"Do not question orders, soldier. I don't care where she comes from as long as she obeys the Council's-"

Boom!

A large loud explosion rattled Hordak and the soldier from where they stood. He fell down before looking up at what had happened. His eyes widened in shock.

The She-Ra ship fired upon the First One soldiers, blowing them up and knocking Hordak for a loop. Chaos spread through the camp as their equipment was destroyed and their weapons broken beyond repair. The soldiers rushed to put out the fires and fix what was broken, but they didn't have time for that. Spears and bolts of magic went through the robotic soldiers like daggers through paper. The savage warriors attacked the settlement, taking down all the soldiers and bringing down their machinery.

"For Etheria!" They cried out in roaring victory.

Hordak watched everything in shock. His soldiers were defeated and their weapons brought low to the dirt. These savage warriors armed with weapons and magic took over the settlement in a span of minutes. They were brought low as they had believed the savage warriors to be. But his fury wasn't aimed at the savage warriors or magic alone, it was aimed at the act of betrayal. He looked up to see the ship that belonged to She-Ra, he pulled out a wrist mounted blaster to fight his way out. Aiming at the savage warriors, if he could not kill She-Ra for her betrayal, he would destroy her new allies.

"For my masters, die!" Hordak called out as he fired upon them.

But his wrath was short-lived.

The sound of a blast caught Hordak off guard. He looked up to meet a blast of pure energy coming at his face. But he wasn't focused on that. No. His eyes focused on the individual flying the She-Ra ship, it was Mara. But where he once saw an eagerness to uphold their master's will, he now only saw a fire that sought to burn everything down.

"RAAAAHHHHH!" Hordak roared in defiance as the blast got to his command center, coating him in flames.

"What you're saying is very troubling, general." The first council member spoke as Hordak stood before them.

His body had been ravaged, scarred and burnt by the explosion that had got him. He could barely move a muscle without feeling great pain. Yet he was put together by bandages, machines and whatever First Ones healing practices were used on him. Sadly, his engineering made his nerves flare up with every second that he was awake. But the anger at the betrayal burnt all the more.

"It makes no sense. According to the reports and the visual confirmations, She-Ra wielder Mara has been complacent," the second council member said. "And yet, the sword's signature has been erratic. Why would she betray us? What could the savages give her that she didn't have here?"

"Maybe they used a spell to control her mind?" The fifth council member suggested.

"In that case, activate the swords failsafes and bring her back here for re-education." The third council member scoffed.

"We should hunt her down and burn whatever she has touched." Hordak growled.

The council looked down at Hordak as though he were a child that had just spoken out of turn. Even behind their screens, their glares could only signify that Hordak would soon be in much greater pain for raising his voice than failing his mission.

"Leave." The first council member spoke in a stone cold voice.

Hordak did as they commanded, waddling to the door he'd just past through.

"The impertinence of that dog." The second council member scoffed. "Telling us what to do. Can you believe the gall?"

"Ignore him, councilman. We have bigger problems than a mutt that barks when he isn't supposed to." The third council member reprimanded. "If our asset has fallen into the hands of those savages and have broken through our conditioning, our entire Empire could be at risk."

"You think a girl we picked by hand would fold so easily? She may be able to channel the magic of this world, but the sword will keep it controlled to a level we choose." The fourth council member pointed.

"But what if she has learned of our plans and broken through those protocols?" The first council member spoke. "If that is the case, we must act quickly."

Hordak listened intently from the other side of the door. He would end this quickly before it got too dangerous to control.

The Horde trucks were loading up the last of their shipments in the captured town of Elberon. It was a mostly peaceful place with very little defenses, its people were a little similar to the Plumerians in terms of culture, though they were more humanoid insects in appearance. Despite their numbers, they folded to the Horde after their leader had been captured in a raid. After that, the Horde locked everyone up and forced them to work to feed them and supply the Horde. With three tall watchtowers looking over the town and keeping watch of the perimeter, the invading army had captured the town and now ruled it while the town's leader was locked away.

She was held up inside a cell, watching everything with little control over it.

"Oh Etheria, please, I beg you, save my people." She prayed.

Back down, the Horde soldiers were preparing their next shipment with a special treat for their leaders.

"Keep going, Modulock wants this back asap." One of the soldiers tapped on the truck. "Move out!"

The trucks started moving out of the town, all the while being watched by Bow by a pair of binoculars. He was joined by Izuku, Catra, Adora, Lonnie and Melog, who were all ready to storm in and fight against the Horde forces.

"Adora's intel came through, they're moving the trucks out of the town and into the passage between the mountains." Bow looked to his friends.

"Radio between them will be spotty once they go inside." Adora pulled out her staff. "We should use this chance to attack their convoy before they can call for help while another team takes out their towers and liberates the town and its people."

"Great, who wants to take on armed trucks and who wants to take on the captured town?" Catra asked.

"Bow, how far do your arrows reach?" Izuku asked.

"Well, I've managed to hit targets over 250 feet thanks to some modifications me and Entrapta have made to it." Bow pulled out his bow and one of his trick arrows. "And I've gotten a few more trick arrows to take down anything that comes our way."

Izuku knelt down and looked at the map of the town.

"We have three towers forming a triangle around the town. We need to take them all at the same time before one or two of them call for help or warn the trucks." Izuku explained.

"So, we need three simultaneous attacks, Izuku, Catra and I can deal with them easily." Adora suggested.

"Aw, and here I was looking forward to taking down the armored trucks." Catra feigned disappointment.

"Sorry, Adora, but we're the heavy hitters and we need stealth and silence for the towers." Izuku countered. "You, Bow and Lonnie will have to take the towers and have the soldiers get the people out of danger. Catra and I will get to the trucks and stop them."

Adora nodded in understanding. She didn't like to leave them on their own, especially now that things had gotten somewhat peaceful. The last thing she wanted was to leave her friends defenseless against unknown odds. She had to be there for them.

"Take out the guards and the towers? Sounds like a walk in the park." Lonnie pulled out her new battle axe and gripped it firmly. "They should have the same codes and schedules, we should catch them in their shift in 15 minutes."

"Alright, let's get ready then." Izuku and the rest got up. "Bow, get the soldiers ready to head in once you give them the signal."

"Right. What's the signal again?" Bow asked.

As Izuku and Catra explained what the signal was to Bow, Adora looked at the towers as an idea popped in her mind. It would be a great way to prove herself and show that she was worthy of her friends and the Alliance. She had to prove herself and make sure they were all safe.

"Ready?" Izuku asked Catra.

"Gotta ask?" Catra drew the Sword of Protection as Melog got ready next to her. "For the Honor of Grayskull!" She transformed before she and Izuku took off after the trucks.

Adora watched them go, knowing that she had to make her move quickly to catch up to them. She started climbing up ahead of schedule, keeping herself out of sight before spotting Lonnie and Bow doing the same as her. The climb was easy for her after years of training under Shadow Weaver's harsh and almost ludicrous goals. Her fingers worked against the rope and the stone, pulling herself up with ease.

She reached the top ahead of Lonnie and Bow, noticing the guard had just turned around to check up on something. Pulling out her staff, she smacked the guard on the back of the head before smashing the controls. The entrance to the town opened up ahead of schedule, getting the concern of the other guards.

Just as Adora spotted a single soldier vehicle, her nose picked up the smell of coffee. Standing right by the entrance of the tower was another Horde soldier holding up two cups of coffee, or whatever the Horde passed as coffee.

"Don't make any sudden moves and you won't get hurt." Adora gripped her staff.

The Horde soldier looked at the emergency button.

They stare into each other's eyes, waiting for the first move.

The soldier dropped the cups, reaching for the button. But he never got close to it.

Adora spun her staff, hitting the soldier in the visor, sending them back over the wall, screaming.

"Um, he's probably fine." Adora shrugged as the other soldiers turned to face the source of the scream.

They pulled their rifles and fired at Adora, forcing her to jump down to the motorcycle beneath her. She revved the vehicle and took off by the entrance just as Bow and Lonnie took out their respective tower guards and the soldiers ran into the town.

"Did she just-?" Bow asked.

"That's Adora for you." Lonnie smashed the controls with her axe. "An overachiever at every freaking point. Hope she's fine." She watched Adora drive off to reach her friends.

Loonie wouldn't say it out loud, but she worried for Adora and how bullheaded she tended to be to get what she set her mind to. Shadow Weaver's programming had left scars on all the children under her care, but Adora was the one that often carried more than everyone else. The burden of the golden child and the star pupil that blamed herself for what happened to her friends. Lonnie hoped that Izuku and Catra could get through to her better than she could.

Izuku, Catra and Melog ran side by side as they chased after the convoy of armed trucks. If the plan had worked then the people would be safe and their town would've been freed from Horde control. And all that was left was to take out whatever was inside the trucks. They didn't know what Modulock wanted so badly to reach the Frightzone, but whatever it was, it wasn't good.

"There's three trucks, each with god knows what inside them, we need to take them down quickly, blocking their path somehow." Izuku narrowed his eyes as he hoped ahead.

"I could send a shock wave to the rocks up ahead and cause them to crumble down." Catra transformed the sword into a spear. "You use one of your kicks to send the soldiers flying and into each other."

But just as she was about to put their plan into motion, Adora rode a bike down on top of the first truck.

"Adora?!" Izuku and Catra both asked.

The soldiers noticed her on top of the truck, alerting the other drivers. And they took out their weapons.

Adora's truck swerved and shook violently, trying to get her off of it. She dug her fingers on the top of the truck, but she wasn't having much luck. She pulled out her staff, digging it onto the roof to stabilize herself. But her breather didn't last long. The soldiers fired upon her, forcing her to stay low and duck from the shots coming her way. She got hit in the shoulder, making her left go off her staff. The truck driver took this chance to shake her off for good, sending her down to the ground. Her eyes landed on the incoming truck, she was going to get runover by the truck! Instinctively, her arms crossed over her front and head to protect herself. She braised for the worse, a possible gruesome death.

But just as she was about to be turned into roadkill, the third truck slammed into the second truck, stopping it on its tracks before sending them both flying.

"What the-?!" Adora let out before she was caught by Catra riding atop of Melog. "Catra?!"

"No, your fairy godmother, who else?!" Catra snapped. "The hell were you thinking, Adora?! You were almost roadkill!" She roared at her as Adora held on to her back.

"Are you all okay?" Izuku joined them, getting on top of Melog, unintentionally sandwiching Adora between them.

"She'll live, if only long enough for me to tear her a new one." Catra glared at Adora.

"I was just trying to help. I didn't want you two to get hurt." Adora looked away, keeping her blush from being noticed.

"Adora, you don't need to worry about us. We're fine. We can fight our own battles." Izuku spoke.

For the briefest moment, Adora saw Izuku and Catra back to when they were just kids. The same kids that had told her the truth ages ago and wanted her to leave with them. Her mind transported her back to that night. Back to the day that she had abandoned them and couldn't-didn't protect them.

Her arms moved on their own, wrapping around the two of them in an attempt to keep them together.

"I won't abandon you again!" Adora let out without realizing it.

Izuku and Catra looked at Adora, briefly seeing her as the little kid they had long known. She was crying as she held onto them like they were the only thing that kept her from being alone.

"I failed you back then." Adora let out through her tears. "I failed to save you, to protect you. I don't want to lose you again. I'm sorry for everything. I won't ever stop trying to make it up to you two."

"Adora." Izuku placed a hand on top of her head. "You don't need to be sorry about it. We're here for you just as much."

"Just don't think you need to save everyone by yourself. We're all in this together." Catra instinctively wrapped her tail around Adora. "Just be by our side. That's all we ask."

Adora looked up, tears still streaming down her cheeks. It wasn't what she thought would happen, but it was something that alleviated her heart.

Their tender moment was short-lived as the remaining truck opened its back door revealing a large gatling blaster aimed at them. The soldiers opened fire on them, forcing Melog to run faster onto the sides of the canyon path, avoiding the shots."

"Hey! We're having a moment here!" Catra snarled like a lioness. "You guys wanna put an end to these clowns?!"

"Let's go beyond that!" Izuku smirked. "Go beyond!"

Adora couldn't believe the fire in their eyes. Like seeing a small kitten one moment and then seeing a large mighty lion roaring as it took its place as the king of its pride. The flames engulfed her without her notice, making her heart beat for what felt like the first time. Her eyes glowed a bright blue as she couldn't help but smile.

"Yeah! Let's show them!" Adora roared determined.

Melog roared, filled with the energy that the trio was giving off. She ran past the blasts with the speed that would've left a cheetah in shame. The energy that coursed through her was like a fire, a fire that was fed by the bond the three riders had. Zigzagging from side to side, she dodged the attacks until they were close enough to jump in. Catra transformed her sword into a shield, blocking the blasts that came too close to them. Melog roared at the soldiers, making them jump back.

Izuku picked up Adora, landing on top of the truck. She pulled out her staff before he punched down on the truck's roof. Tearing off the top, Izuku dropped down on the soldiers before they could react fast enough. He punched the first one in the face before elbowing the second one in the stomach, cracking his armor before the last soldier aimed his stunt baton at Izuku's face. He ducked under the weapon before kicking the soldier back. The heat of battle was just what he needed to test his training. It wasn't much different from what Toshinori had put him through, but he still had to push himself to face Shigaraki.

Adora swung into the driver's seat, breaking the glass with her feet. Driving her feet into the soldier's face, she knocked him to the side, grabbing the steering wheel before anything else. But before she could stop the truck, her ears picked up the charge of the stun baton. Her head moved back, dodging the weapon with ease. She quickly grabbed hold of the man's hand before slamming the baton back onto them. Her mind moved faster and her reflexes reacted accordingly as though she was fully charged with lots of energy. It was strange to her, but it also felt natural. Like a fish that had just been released back into the sea where it had been born. She slammed on the breaks, stopping the truck before she lost the full intensity of her newfound energy.

"Man, that was exhilarating." She didn't notice her eyes had stopped glowing.

She ran to the back to see how her friends were doing. Only to see that they were pretty safe on their own.

Izuku and Catra kicked the last of the Horde soldiers out before they spotted their cargo.

"That's a lot of armor and First Ones tech there." Catra pointed out.

"Modulock might be using it to repair the Black Pyramid, or worse." Izuku closed the crate. "Let's head back. Are you okay, Adora?"

"...Yeah, I'm good." Adora gave them a thumbs up.

"You got shot. Let's patch you up." Catra transformed back before tearing off a piece of her cloth, wrapping it around Adora's shoulder. "You gotta take care of yourself before taking care of someone else. But don't worry, we're with you."

"She's right," Izuku added. "We watch each other's backs, remember?"

Adora nodded.

"Right." Adora winced as the bandage get tightened. "We should get all this back to town, for all."

"I got this." Izuku picked up the three trucks, stacking them one over the other.

"Since when does Izuku show off like this?" Adora blushed.

"Trust me, I'll tell you when he starts showing off." Catra wrapped her arm around Adora's shoulder.

As they returned to the town, they watched the townsfolk cheering for their liberation. Bow was receiving the leader's thanks before he spotted them coming back.

"Hey, you guys made it," Bow said.

"And it looks like you had some fun," Lonnie pointed out. "Makes what we did kinda chill."

"We managed to get everything back." Izuku dropped the trucks down. "Entrapta will be happy to get her hands on some more First Ones tech."

"Speaking of-" Bow began.

"You guys! You guys, you gotta get back!" Entrapta's voice shouted out from Bow's datapad. "I got something! Quick!" The transmission was cut, leaving everyone else with a buzz in their ears.

"Yeah, we should probably go and see what she has." Izuku rubbed his ears.

Hordak watched the flames and rubble with anger. Mara had gone turncoat and had been avoiding any efforts to capture her. It was irking and every failure was heaped upon his head. The council blamed him for losing traces of Mara and he wanted to hunt her down and kill her. She dared to not only betray their masters but also to destroy their law.

"She was last seen heading to the Black Pyramid, but she no longer appears to have the sword on her." The first councilman slammed his hand on his seat. "Damn that brat!"

"We lost the sword, what could she hope to do now that she's in the wind?" The second councilman asked. "What does she intend to do?"

"Rebellion and dissidence is spreading thanks to her. She's made us look cretinous." The third councilmember growled.

"We need to find the sword first, we'll pick someone else and be the 'real' She-Ra and make Mara some kind of spy that fooled everyone." The fourth council member suggested.

Subterfuge and pinning the blame on others was all they ever discussed. Their laws established order in a wild world. But it had held such a strong hold on the wilderness that cracks slipped through. Only those that truly followed their ways would be able to bring peace to the world.

"She was heading to the Crimson land, to the Black Pyramid." Hordak spoke out. "If you-"

"Silence!" Hordak was shocked by the outburst.

"You are our servant. You believe in our laws and our judgement, you will remain quiet, general. We will decide what to do. Perhaps you need some time to yourself." The first council member suggested. "Go into hibernation until we know what to do with you."

Hordak bowed, leaving the room despite his wishes.

He found himself in a hibernation tube. A large tube filled with green liquid that was meant to heal and keep the best minds on standby should they be needed in the future. Hordak watched the door close before him as he rested. He had to believe in the council and their plans. The only reason they had failed so far was because the traitor had luck on her side. That was it. Soon enough, he would wake up and the world would be right again.

Taking in deep breaths, he waited for everything to begin. Just as he was fully relaxed, alarms started going off around him. He looked up, trying to see what was going on.

"What is this? Tell me what is going on?!" He demanded, beating against the glass.

"Heart of Etheria compromised! Repeat, Heart of Etheria compromised! Systems losing energy!"

Hordak's eyes widened in shock. Their greatest symbol was being turned off. It would collapse everything. Magic would run rampant and the empire would fall. He continued to struggle against the glass, beating it with all his strength. But he soon found himself covered in the red liquid of the hibernation tube. His nails scratched and clawed at the glass as he watched more and more alarms going off.

But his arms became numb, his mind drifted as the red liquid filled the tank completely. His ears still heard the screams of the people around him, the failure of their systems, some even screaming that the council was abandoning them. Fools. That couldn't be farther from the truth. He forced himself to stay awake even if his body was sleeping. But it was easier said than done. No matter what he planned or thought of as he laid inside the hibernation tube, he would slip up and sleep…

It was the kind of sleep that was peaceful but short. The kind where you think you've only slept a couple of minutes, but more time has passed…

Hordak's hibernation tube broke after ages of lack of upkeep and maintenance. The glass shattered, releasing him out into the world. The red liquid that had kept him alive for so many years was gone, waking his mind like a lightning bolt had struck it.

Hordak's eyes snapped open as he took in the first gulp of air he'd had in a long time. His mind was scattered, dizzy and the wilderness around him wasn't helping him. The area of the tubes was now covered with rust, plants and free flowing magic. It repulsed him. Steeling himself, he got back to his feet and walked out to see what had become of his home. But all he found were…

…ruins…

Hordak watched as the mighty empire's capital city was no nothing more than a wilderness covered ghost town. The loss of the Heart of Etheria had cut off the energy of their empire and released magic from any restraints. The world was wild and he was the last one to uphold his master's will.

Hordak remembered it all as he watched the She-Ra mural.

"I will avenge you, my masters." Hordak sneered, gritting his teeth.

Back at Brightmoon, Izuku, Catra, Adora, Lonnie and Bow arrived at Entrapta's lab where she and the rest of the princesses were waiting for them.

"What's going on?" Izuku asked Glimmer.

"No idea, Entrapta just called everyone and then started rambling about finding something we should all see," Glimmer replied.

"Oh great, you're all here!" Entrapta bounced. "Izuku, you guys are never gonna believe what I found!" Entrapta bounced around on her hair like a child on a sugar rush.

"Well, don't leave us in suspense." Catra stopped her. "Show and tell us already."

Entrapta pressed a button on her computer station, showing off codes and messages in the writing of the First Ones.

"As you all know, we managed to download a lot of information from the Black Pyramid out in the Crimson Waste, and we've been working night and day to decode it." Entrapta typed away as she explained. "And here we have something you all need to see!"

The screen lit up to reveal a recording of Mara, looking right at the screen. She looked like she'd fought her way inside, her torso was covered with bandages and one of her arms was bleeding. The image was choppy, but it looked like she wasn't going to last long.

"This is former She-Ra wielder Mara, this is a message to all First Ones…
I know you will not believe me but what I do is for the safety of everyone…
The council lied to you…. The Heart of Etheria is not helping the world, it is…

collapse… Sealing the magic of this world has caused an…

everything… All six have been… And I'm ending this once and for all… Please… I'm sorry, Razz."

The video feed was cut off before the eyes of everyone. The pain and hurt in her voice spoke volumes and left them with a grand amount of questions.

"So, that's what Hordak wants, to reclaim the Heart of Etheria," Glimmer said.

"But Mara said it was dangerous and my guess is that Hordak won't care." Catra added.

"Entrapta, is there anything else?" Bow asked.

"That's all I managed to decode, but I have several banks that speak of some locations and what the Heart of Etheria is supposed to be." Entrapta pulled up the information on the screen. "But without something to unlock them, I am lost."

"What were the six she was talking about?" Mermista asked.

"Maybe six pieces that are connected to the Heart of Etheria?" Adora suggested.

"Whatever it is, we need to find them before Hordak and the Horde," Glimmer said. "But we need something to give us more information on what it is and how dangerous it is. Any idea of where it could be?"

"Maybe we know someone that was there and could tell us," Izuku said.

Everyone turned to Izuku.

"Um, Izu, this thing is a thousand years old," Lonnie said. "Who could possibly know anything about it?"

"We have a name." Izuku said. "Where's Madame Razz?"

"Her?" Catra asked.

"Crazy berry lady?" Adora added with confusion.