#lord hordak special

[prongsmydeer]

Ayesha Liveblogs She-Ra S5 

“You’re not She-ra anymore, remember?” Unlike Bow, Adora is not adjusted to fighting without her powers LOL

You know, it didn’t really occur to me to question it until now but why do only five of the princesses have runestones? Spinerella and Netossa are princesses but they don’t get to be part of the balance of planet LOL

Scorpia, Entrapta and Micah in the intro ahhhhhh! I love this for all of them

“What is this?” Akorradora trying to access the Avatar state again:

Shockingly tactful for Entrapta to suggest they’ll figure out where Glimmer is soon. You know what that is!! Growth!!!

“You saved me, and you’re gonna save my little girl.” Micah said: Have you heard of father figures. I am available

Ffhkjhg @ Adora defiantly charging every enemy she sees, magicless

“It seems [Hordak] had very little love towards you at the end.” Hordak said: I looked into my brother’s memories just so I could figure out how to hurt your feelings, Catra 

How nice of Horde Clone #1 to warn Team ScorDorBow that their camp was being attacked LOL if Micah hadn’t sent a signal they still could’ve gone back

[Shadow Weaver saves Micah from a bot] [Micah grunts, perhaps in both thanks and resentment] “You’re welcome.” The funky little aunty trauma emerging from Micah and Shadow Weaver. Call me compelled

Horde Prime offering his flagship speciality, Genoc!de Jello: 

How does Glimmer get this whole view of the camp being attacked but somehow DOESN’T see Micah. Feels intentional 

“Ah, here she is, your beacon of hope. Adora.” Horde Prime is smarter than I gave him credit for in identifying Adora as the leader

Though, he saw all of Hordak’s memories. So. Eh on credit

“These princesses are so predictable with their feelings.” “As were you. Elevated heart rate, dilated pupils. Adora means something to you.” I was half-kidding about Horde Prime trying to figure out how to hurt Catra’s feelings but it was true

“Cast aside this false hero and deliver her to me.” Okay Lorde Hordemort

I know I’m like. Technically Millennial/Gen Z cusp. But as a self-identifying Millennial, the way this show was DEEPLY written by a Millennial. The media influences are clear 

I googled it and he was born in ‘91. HA

LMAO @ BOW TOSSING EVERYONE OUT OF ADORA’S TENT INCLUDING THE KING. PRIME MEDICAL ADVOCATE:

I think Frosta should get to punch Horde Prime, as a treat

UNBELIEVABLE THAT ENTRAPTA STILL CARES MORE ABOUT TECH THAN FINDING GLIMMER HAHAHA. DIDN’T YOU JUST SAY LIKE TWO EPS AGO YOUR MAIN COMPLAINT WAS BEING ABANDONED. ONE STEP FORWARD, TWO STEPS BACK LMAO

Whatever, much like Mermista, I’ll take it if she’s not pro-Horde

Also: Djjfkjfkhfkj funny that Scorpia is now the mediator

Also also: Scorpia’s really good at impressions! 

“Little sister, why do you rebel against my commands?” Horde Prime calling Catra his little sister gives me the heebie jeebies. You are nothing like Daddy Hordak!!!! Not that Hordak was a good guy, but like. Hey. He had something to offer as a family dynamic

Ohhhhhhhhh poor Glimmer: 

HAHA @ PERFUMA PUTTING ENTRAPTA ON A CHILD LEASH

“You don’t care about Glimmer or any of us. You only care about tech.” Are we FINALLY going to have Entrapta show some remorse. I hope so. AGAIN. I get that she’s probably representing a specific like. Cognitive situation. But NEURODIVERGENT PEOPLE CAN CARE ABOUT THEIR FRIENDS!!!!!

“I thought maybe, if I could use tech to help you, you’d like me.” This line is a hard sell. Why then, do they have to talk Entrapta into doing anything for/with her friends by offering tech? Literally done so in this same episode? Just lean into the fact that she didn’t realize how much she’d hurt them rather than rejecting responsibility and suddenly deploying a tragic underlying motivation! 

I do genuinely like Entrapta!!! She is endearing in her way. I just think that they make her so neutral towards most people (save for Hordak, with whom she shares both technology and a seemingly familial-esque bond), and then inconsistently suggest she is people-motivated. Be accountable to your actions, babygirl!

“Glimmer needs us.” FINALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLY

“Focus, Entrapta! Glimmer needs you,” said Entrapta, to herself. Loving Entrapta’s Empathy Era. Good for her!!

Ahhhhh Adora needing to let go of She-Ra to move on. <3333

“Yeah, it turns out I’m an awesome leader, so we’re gonna be fine.” Also loving Mermista’s Rebellion General Era!!!!!!!

“You want She-Ra? Come and get her!” MICAH, KING OF COSPLAY

“See you soon, babygirl.” I SWEAR IF I DO NOT GET A MICAH, GLIMMER AND ANGELLA REUNION, I WILL BE SO SAD

“You remember me, don’t you? Here’s a clue. You don’t like me. Hordak.” RETURN OF DADDY HORDAK AND THE FUCKED-UP FAMILY REUNION:

Bow’s mediation skills and level-headedness are unmatched. If Adora is the Heart of the Rebellion, then Bow is the Head

The powerful healing energy of teenage girls sitting on the floor:

“Your Adora causes you nothing but suffering.” Actually, I think Catra causes most of her own suffering, Horde Prime. This is just the manifestation of her Repressed Furry Space Lesbian Feelings

Platinum Hordak has such sad little eyes as he goes to the memory bath

Poor Bow is clinging onto his hinges for dear life trapped on a ship with the two princesses with the worst impulse control (aside from Bestie Glimmer LOL) kjhgkjhgjh

“You will be exalted, raised up above the other creatures of your wretched home world.” Is this Horde Prime’s way of saying Catra’s gonna be in his museum of war horrors

“I’ll never say sorry to anybody, ever,” said Catra, at age 7, and then she stuck to it for the next ten years of her life

“I want to do that one good thing in my life. Like you said.” YEAHHHHH CATRA AND GLIMMER

(Cannot help but feel this will immediately bite Catra in the ass though)

WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH CATRA SAVING GLIMMER (AND INDIRECTLY, ADORA) AT THE COST OF HER OWN SAFETY. I LOVE U CATGIRL

“There’s no one left in the entire universe who cares about me.” [Immediate cut to Adora] WRONG

“Adora, I’m sorry, for everything.” I FORGIVE YOU IMMEDIATELY CATRA, THAT WAS ALL I NEEDED TO HEAR

Me last season: Catra/Adora is gonna be hard sell given how hurtful Catra has been for every single episode of this show

Me this season, after seeing Catra be nice twice: IT’S FINE

I keep thinking how unrealistic it seems that no one is being killed but at least with Catra it makes sense that Horde Prime would keep her, as she is the Adora Bait 

Adora is taking being used as a weapon WAY better than I expected jkghkjghg. I mean good for you but you’re allowed to be a little mad at Glimmer! 

“Like, one time, Kyle told me he had a crush on Rogel—” the Lizard Boy who speaks no words??? Kyle please. Also Kyle/Rogelio forever ❤️

“This is all my fault. Horde Prime only found us because—” “Because YOU activated the Heart of Etheria.” Bow is mad enough for the both of them, actually:

”That was forever ago. A lot’s changed since then.” Bow said: Now I have broader shoulders, you have a different hair, and you’re a war criminal, Glimmer. Times have changed

I looked it up on the UN website to see which War Crimes Glimmer has committed, and I count at least two:

“Intentionally launching an attack in the knowledge that such attack will cause incidental loss of life or injury to civilians or damage to civilian objects or widespread, long-term and severe damage to the natural environment which would be clearly excessive in relation to the concrete and direct overall military advantage anticipated.” (Using the Heart of Etheria)

“Subjecting persons who are in the power of another party to the conflict to physical mutilation or to medical or scientific experiments of any kind [...] and which cause death to or seriously endanger the health of such person or persons.” (Turning the princesses into the weapon)

Starla with her boomerangs and magic owl and immediate sharing has already won me over

Do the robot arms imply that Tallstar is a double or quadruple amputee? Wild as hell

“I’m not leaving anyone behind!” YEAHHHH ADORAAAAAAAAA

“Ready to do something that probably won’t work?” “Always.” Oh, how I’ve missed the Best Friend Squad

“We’re going to fight Prime, and take back our home.” Love this for the Star Siblings as well ❤️

“You get to be mad, for as long as you need to be. But I’m not going anywhere.” Glimmer is speaking MY love language

Swift Wind making magic radio calls to Adora every night is v sweet

How have none of the Horde clones alerted Horde Prime about the intruders in their server room lmao

Are we sure this isn’t Hordak? The crying seems kind of on-brand:

Hahahaha, Wrong Hordak is a delight. The implication that all of the Horde clones are incredibly emotionally vulnerable sad boys if left to their own devices kjhgjhgkjgh. Hordak never stood a chance of being well-adjusted lmao

“I brought her to the light. Isn’t that right, little sister?” Hate every part of this for Catra. However. This animation fucking rules:

“But you have already hurt me. Prime has set me free of that pain.” Quit blaming Adora for your repressed gay middle school crush, Catra. If it were about abandonment issues, please see the past five seasons when Adora has repeatedly extended her hand to you

I also like Catra’s new haircut. The hair changes in this show are good

“We both know I don’t matter.” “You matter to me!” 💞

BABYGIRL BACK IN ACTION. NOW I BELIEVE SHE’S 8 FEET TALL:

I really hope the Helpful Hordak that they brought with them IS actual Hordak. I want to see him and Entrapta reunited

Update from thirty seconds later: It was not him, but he knows she is looking for him. Daddy Hordak will get his favourite daughter reunion soon enough

Helpful Himbo Hordak is my new favourite character. If anything happens to him I will [redact] everyone on this ship and then myself:

IGFHKJFHKFJH SCREAM THEY ADDED HELPFUL HORDAK TO THE INTRO. I’M LOSING IT HIM HOLDING THE WRENCH AND SMILING 

“What do you care? I know you all hate me.” “I never hated you!” I am glad Catra is literally the first ex-Horde soldier to actually be dealing with some lingering guilt and complex dynamics emerging of her actions

Also. also. For the final time. Someone desperately needs to fix the captions of this show and stop dropping important words. The captions here drop the words ‘I know,’ which are important, because it signifies 1) Catra’s pre-empted conclusion (i.e. I don’t need to talk to anyone, I know how they feel about me) and 2) That this feeling of being hated is entirely rooted in herself (I feel that I am hated). I get that it probably has been outsourced and done as quickly as possible. But it is deeply inaccessible to people who rely on captions to understand what’s being said 

All of this caption mess is really a piss-poor-how-dare-you-say-we-piss-on-the-poor moment

Also. Kind of unrelated but something I’ve been thinking about since I looked up the Millennial who wrote this show. Why do the credits use a name he doesn’t go by anymore? The show is recent enough to reasonably be updating it. Like Umbrella Academy also had someone involved in the change their name, and they changed the credits on every prior episode to say Elliot. Did the creator for She-Ra choose to leave it? On Wikipedia it describes his production credits for this show as ‘credited by deadname’ which like, to me, suggests it’s not something he actively chose. For a show which tries to weave representation and inclusion into its fabric, its Netflix presentation is bizarrely thoughtless when it comes to real people!

We interrupt all the meta concerns to say: Hee hee, leetle kees on the volleyball court

“Did you think she was going to just instantly become a different person?” LMAO @ ‘a different person’ being Glimmer and Adora’s code for ‘Catra trying not to be mean for more than 30 seconds at time’

There’s something very poetic and funny about Micah desperately wanting Frosta to accept him as a friend, like Frosta wanted from Glimmer

[Ominously] “Why don’t you stay for supper?” I KNEW something would wrong with Elberon ever since the Flutterina thing. Something has been brewing in the water here

“Horde ships coming right for us,” from Entrapta also sounds kind of like, “hardships coming right for us,” which is also true

I really feel like Adora should’ve yanked the chip out of Catra when she was still in She-Ra mode. Is it like. Connected to her brain stem?

[Groaning] “My daughter’s gonna hate me.” Micah is the love of my life

“It’s like they’ve been replaced by totally different people.” Hmmmmm

Elberon has gone full Spooky Mode. I love the constant Haunting Lighting:

Entrapta clearly remembers every time she’s been wronged (being left in the Fright Zone, Catra taking her work and sending her to Beast Island). But somehow NEVER retains anything she’s done to wrong others (hacking the Black Garnet, creating the portal which took Glimmer’s mother). What kinda selective memory jkghkjghgjh. [Entrapta as Aslan meme voice] I forgor 

Wow. Catra admitting she wants Adora to stay is a real breakthrough!

“Just stay with me while I do it okay.” It’s a day of breakthroughs for Catra. I’m very proud of her!

You know. Aside from Adora being a literal alien. They’ve already established that she’s impervious to the cold, so why not, to her free-floating in space? 

Bold of her to jump out without checking though!

“Chip appears to be fused with the subject’s nervous system [...]” I guess Horde Prime did put it in her brain stem!

Catra said: I do apologies AND thank-yous now. I’m a new catwoman!

Glimmer and Bow immediately moving aside so Catra can sit between them. I love the Best Friend Squad!

Not Spinerella being chipped!!!! Don’t harm our happy background emotional support couple

“Onward to a secret underwater party adventure.” Screaming over the fact that Scorpia, Perfuma, Mermista and Sea Hawk have decided the way they’re going to deal with the citizens of Etheria being turned into robot spies is by having a fancy dress party:

I love that Perfuma is an excellent actress, good for her

LMAO @ MERMISTA AND SEA HAWK HAVING TO BEAT UP HALF OF THE PEOPLE THEY SEE. Feels like perhaps the easiest version of this plan would be leaving Sea Hawk at home 

“I just wanted to know what [setting someone’s boat on fire] felt like.” [Gasps] “You are everything I’ve ever wanted.” Mermista x Sea Hawk 5ever

The ratio of musical numbers really does increase as the shows goes on. Also losing it at Scorpia literally singing her deception to a room full of people: 

“Strangest thing but I think we’ve met before.” DHJKDHDJHD has Prince Peekablue been replaced by Double Trouble

Update from 30 seconds later: Yes

Good for Netossa for noticing right away but for someone who has full access to his victims’ brains Horde Prime is sure not good at acting in-character for them. He should take a lesson from Double Trouble 

I should’ve figured that Mermista would be the one to get chipped at the incredibly convenient and inconvenient location of underwater but NOOOOOOOOOOO MERMISTA

They are messing with ALL of the emotional support background couples this ep

This party is not really going well for Team Princess at all: 

THEY GOT PAPA GLIMMER TOO??? OH MICAH 😭😭😭

“That’s your cue, Hot Stuff. Let’s go.” Hahahah is Double Trouble calling Sea Hawk Hot Stuff because he likes to set boats on fire or just because they think he’s cute kjghkjghgkjhg

Kind of bizarre that Scorpia, despite being under water, has seen no impact of water conducting an electrical current. SHOULDN’T THAT BE A MAJOR ADVTANGE? 

SCORPIAAAAA. I THOUGHT THIS WAS GOING TO BE A NICE LITTLE REPRIEVE NOT HALF OF THEIR FRIENDS BEING LOST TO THE HORDE. THE FANCY DRESS OUTFITS BETRAYED ME:

Very haunting when they end episodes with just silence ahhhhhhh

Ohhhhh the chipped friends going into the antagonist slot in the intro 😧

“Your plan is to ram through an armada of ships?” “No... Maybe!” Rare voice of reason moment for Catra LOL

Dhdkjhdjjdh Helpful Hordak immediately spilling Horde Prime’s vulnerabilities at the slightest prompting. Me oversharing about my health problems when people ask how I am 

Someone please clarify how they had a spacesuit with cat ear slots so readily available to them in the middle of hiding from a nearly omnipresent enemy. Was Adora just keeping this on board always in the hopes Catra would get her act together hahahaha: 

LHFKJHFJHFKJH Bow and Glimmer looking between Adora and Catra perplexed whenever they make Lesbian Eye Contact 

Lesbian Eye Contact Count 1: Adora giggling at Catra as she tries to take off her unexplained custom-made helmet 

“So, wait. The plan is to barge ahead into the structurally unsound building to find some mystery person that we know nothing about, in the hopes that they somehow know how to defeat Horde Prime?” Catra is experiencing culture shock from the Rebellion planning strategies

It really takes Shadow Weaver like seconds to figure out how to get under everyone’s skin: 

You know, surely there’s some kind of risk in plugging Helpful Hordak into this new building. You don’t really know what his reset button is

Lesbian Eye Contact Count 2: Adora staring as Catra makes a new door in their mysterious abandoned building:

“Seems Wrong Hordak has begun to question the meaning of life. [Sobbing] “Who am I if not an exaulted brother of Horde prime?” Helpful Hordak bursting into tears the moment he has to deal with anything that he’s not used to. Relatable content

Catra was right to hesitate to take her helmet off, I think. Just because they can breathe doesn’t mean those glowing spores are safe

“I think the feeling I had about this place is a bad feeling,” said Glimmer, as they were chased out of a hallway by numerous spikes trying to impale them 

[Deadpanned and emotionless] “Go through the door on your left.” That Entrapta message doesn’t at ALL sound suspicious

Update from 1 minute later: It was not Entrapta speaking 

“I thought it was bad but it’s not. It’s magic.” Ohhhhhhhh love that Glimmer’s understanding of magic has grown with time!!! Her being the first to understand the illusions they’re seeing: 

Is the illusion creature a cat or did it just choose to be a cat for Catra?

“I’m sorry I got angry. It’s something I’m working on.” [Endeared] “Oooh. You are?” Me and Adora being impressed and endeared whenever Catra shows the bare minimum of growth hahahaha

I can’t believe the payoff for Catra’s five season fursona is that she can speak alien cat hahahaha

“They dug into the ground. Built machines.” “The First Ones. That’s what they were doing. They were mining this planet’s magic, just like on Etheria.” Everything eventually circles back to space colonization

God I love the addition of Melog, Space Cat to Team Princess

“Brothers, Horde Prime lied to us. He is a false ruler. We must rise up against him and free the universe from his unjust reign.” We love the self-radicalization of Helpful Hordak. He said we will seize the means of production and overthrow the bourgeoisie (his rude brother)

“Etheria isn’t a weapon. It’s a living creature.” Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh Shadow Weaver said I see your Space Cat Friend and Raise You Planet Friend

“We can destroy the restraints the First Ones built, set the magic of Etheria free and use it against him.” Didn’t work too well when you tried that on Daddy Hordak, did it, Shadow Weaver? Shadow Weaver said: Never forgive, always forget

“What is this tingling sensation?” “That’s warmth, buddy.” That’s Rough Buddy vs. That’s Warmth Buddy stand-off in the streets

I was wondering if Melog was going to be added to the intro in this ep and while Melog wasn’t, I did notice how the Catra and Adora fight has changed to more of a friendly and playful ahhhh I love when intros match the emotional stories of the protagonists

What good is the Hive Mind if it can’t see She-ra right in front of them LMAO

“Oh... expressing facial emotion is a privilege reserved only for Prime,” said Helpful Hordak, like doesn’t burst into tears every time he’s stressed

Obsessed with Helpful Hordak mimicking any expression he sees ❤️: 

[Horrified gasp] “Princesses? Where?” [slams door] wild that the princess propaganda that Catra and Adora were raised on as Horde children has eventually circled back to being true 

Hahahahah Glimmer and Bow are incapable of not trying to recruit people to the Rebellion for even 30 seconds in a shop

I like that Melog is now Catra’s means of using magic. If you're not born into royalty, adopt a giant cat with whom you develop a symbiotic magic relationship and it’s basically the same

“My fight is over. Lord Prime has given me peace.” [popular Netflix show voice] There’s no war in the City of Light

HAHAHAHAHA @ CATRA BEING OFFENDED AT ADORA HESITATING TO FIGHT HER CHIPPED HOMIES, WHICH IS NOT AT ALL THE SAME AS FIGHTING A FRENEMY WHO WAS A BELIGERENT BELIEVER IN TYRANNY UNTIL 4 EPISODES AGO

Adora: How are we supposed to fight our own friends?

Catra, scoffing, like she didn’t instigate 98% of their fights: It never stopped you before

I think Spinerella’s use of the word beloved (a term Netossa has said they don’t use) is Horde Prime being purposely cruel ��️

“I must access the memories stored in this version.” Can’t believe we’ve graduated from Daddy Hordak to Grandpa Hordak 

Speaking of Daddy Hordak, I have been waiting all season for him to find Entrapta and join the Rebellion. It feels like a matter of time 

Side note though: I do think he will sacrifice himself for the Rebellion and Entrapta. He’s done a lot of damage so I can only imagine that’s how his story will end with four-and-a-half episodes remaining

“So the only person I’m fighting here is... my own wife?” WIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HER WIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD

“We were gone. We weren’t here to help our friends.” Bow you literally were helping your friends!! You can’t be every at once, sweet boy

“We won’t abandon Erelandia,” said Glimmer, before teleporting away

Perfuming crying because she hates managing people. Same girl:

“But can we circle back to your not-at-all-weird-and-very-detailed theories on our weaknesses?” Netossa said: I have a had a lot of time and trauma while you were gone

“Glimmer: Crippling self-doubt mixed with overwhelming hubris.” “Whoa, whoa, whoa, that’s like, really personal compared to fire.”

1) HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

2) True

3) Same

“Your negative vibes aren’t appreciated here, Catra.” Perfuma directly calling Catra out for being a vibe killer

“They can’t defend themselves. They’re dads.” This is such a wonderful line, I feel like they just breeze past it jkdhkdjhdj

“’What did the First Ones say when they burned dinner? It was ruined.’” Bow’s parents leaving him a note about their secret hiding place with a doodle of themselves, drawn hearts and a joke inside is peak parenting. Lance and George deserve an award for this kind of communication:

“This one’s mine.” Perfuma wants to stay above fighting her friends but Netossa truly has no such qualms about fighting her wife. She said: Are you kidding me, my wife will kill us, we gotta kick her ass

“Mara wasn’t alone. She was working with a group of rebels going against their First One’s leaders.” OOHHHHHH ARE WE FINALLY GOING TO RESOLVE MARA’S PLOTLINE? I LOVE

My money is on Arxia being the Fright Zone or Bright Moon

“Friendship isn’t a weakness. It’s my greatest strength. And Scorpia’s too.” Is this cliché? Yes. Do I adore Perfuma being too nice to hurt her friends anyway? Also yes!!!

“Because Spinny, you’re my weakness.” AHHHHHHHHH NETOSSA:

Perfuma reassuring Catra that it’s okay to keep your heart open is why I think she should date everyone she interacts with. She just has the vibe of everyone she knows living in her heart

Well, colour me incorrect! Arxia is on Mystacor, I kinda forgot about Castaspella and Shadow Weaver LOL

Netossa and Spinerella being reunited in the intro with a kiss 🥺💘 I’m love them

“Would a ‘please’ kill you?” Fjlfjfjhfjkh that ‘a’ really sounded like an ‘I’ and was really thinking Castaspella was escalating hahahah

“Micah was an exceptional sorcerer even then. It’s a shame it didn’t run in the family.” Shadow Weaver is determined to antagonize everyone who has joined her on the Arxia Rebellion Field Trip

“This isn’t about tech. It’s about our chipped friends. If I can get this to work, I can save them.” THAT’S RIGHT BABYGIRL, ENTRAPTA’S EMPATHY ERA HERE TO STAY

Lesbian Eye Contact 3: Adora loving that Catra is trying to rescue her and Catra being embarrassed about it

RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEIR TERRIBLE FOSTER MOM LMAO

“I see you and Catra are close again. Do you really think that’s wise?” Yaddah Yaddah Generational Trauma: Emotional Distance Edition 

Also this is horseshit, every time Adora has transformed this season has been in the interest of protecting a loved one

Speaking of generational trauma, DADDY HORDAK IS BACK BAYBEE:

This is certainly a rough way for Glimmer to reunite with her father 

“Adora, it doesn’t always have to be you!” Ohhhhhhh Catra

Vhjkvhjvhkjvh I know it’s like. To prevent them from wreaking magical havoc. But wild for Adora cave-in Micah and two other sorcerers in a hidden magical prison without food or water 

“[Sacrificing yourself for Etheria] is what you’ll always choose. I don’t have to stay and watch it happen.” Someone was listening to Shadow Weaver’s emotional distance lecture a little too hard

“Adora doesn’t want me! Not like I want her.” It took her 51 episodes but Catra is finally admitting that her feelings for Adora are not entirely platonic LOL

Having non-verbal communication and comfort from an animal friend was really an element we’ve been missing until Melog. A talking horse just doesn’t hit the same feelings: 

YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH GO REBELLION:

We are back to the realm of the Romantically-Charged Friendship Simulation. I wonder what Bow and Glimmer will see in here, if anything

You’re telling me instead of needing a bunch of princesses, all Horde Prime needs to do to activate the Heart of the Etheria is to invest in an auger drill? LMAO

"I never could’ve done any of this without you. Thank you for being the best friends anyone could ask for.” ADORAAAAAA ☹️☹️

Catra going back to warn Adora only to stumble on to Shadow Weaver getting drunk in the middle of a war while Adora takes all the world’s burdens. Incredible. Truly representing the average parenting energy of this show

FINALLY they’re acknowledging that water conducts electricity. Just as the planet is about to explode

I can only imagine Entrapta being captured will trigger Daddy Hordak to turn. [Rafiki voice] IT IS TIME

“Take care of her, Horde Scum.” “That’s the plan, Sparkles.” I LOVE CATRA BEING IN THE BEST FRIEND SQUAD 😭❤️😭❤️😭❤️😭❤️

“Bow. I love you. I love you. I love you.” “I love you too.” Kind of figured Bow and Glimmer were headed in that direction. Every single friendship in this show is romantically charged hahahaha

More like the Best-Friends-To-Lovers Squad, am I right? 

“You’re worth more than what you can give to other people.” MARA 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

“Doesn’t it remind you of the first time we met? You also tried to kill me then. 😌❤️” Sea Hawk for Most Boyfriend in the History of Etheria

Everyone’s suddenly being really forthright about their romantic feelings. That’s TWO I love you exchanges from the Team Princess and self-admission from Catra. They said if we’re gonna die we might as well speak our feelings

“Hello Babygirl.” Micah for Most Haunting Use of Babygirl Award:

“How strange. I must have fought her. I must’ve known her face. But I have no memory of it.” Last minute theory of Light Hope/Mara/Horde Prime love triangle. I don’t really think it’d happen, but it would HILARIOUS to me if it were true 

CATRAAAAAAAAAAAA (also Shadow Weaver). Ex-Horde reunion LOL

“My mother raised me to be brave. My friends taught me to be kind. And I’m stubborn. I get that from you. I will never stop fighting. And I won’t lose another parent.” GLIMMER 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

Side note: Until this point I have kind of been assuming Angella would be freed from her dimensional trap during the finale, but it doesn’t seem like that’s going to happen 

I love that Bow and Entrapta’s knowledge together is what takes down the chips!!!! TECH BOY AND TECH GAL FORCES UNITE

“It’s time to take back our world. It’s time to fight.” BABY BOY BOW INSPIRING ALL OF ETHERIA TO FIGHT BACK

WHAT DO YOU KNOW, IT SEEMS SHADOW WEAVER CAN LEARN SOMETHING:

“It’s too late for me. But you, this is only the beginning for you. I am so proud of you, Catra.” Shadow Weaver said: The cycle ends with me, actually

“Whatever happens, I am staying with you.” Catra said: ‘Til death do us part, Adora

“I made a life of my own. I made... a friend. I am Hordak, and I defy your will.” I knew Daddy Hordak was incapable of killing his favourite child: 

Hordak didn’t really think through the whole Hive Mind thing when he threw his brother/parental figure/supreme overlord into a bottomless pit

Adora’s dreams for the future are so sweet ahhhhhhhhhhhhh:

(On a less serious note: What wild hair choices for everyone LMAO)

“Don’t you get it? I love you. I always have. So please, just this once, stay.” They got there eventually! GOOD FOR THEM 

Not to be dramatic but lesbian love is literally going to save the whole universe. I repeat: GOOD FOR THEM ❤️❤️❤️

I’m not sure if I fully understand why the hell the First Ones did all of this planet weaponization if all it took to defeat Horde Prime was She-Ra finding a lover she could find strength in. They really took the path of Most Resistance 

“I remember you.” I cannot believe that She-Ra just exorcised the Horde Prime out of Hordak as if he were a particularly vindictive ghost and not his clone brother/paternal figure/supreme overlord controlling via Hive Mind:

“Hordak! I’m so glad you’re back.” AWWW ENTRAPTA AND DADDY HORDAK REUNION 

(Does no one care that Hordak has been terrorizing society for over a decade prior to this, and is probably responsible for killing a bunch of their parents? No? I really thought he was going to die, LMAO)

Edit after posting: Befuddled by what the creator had to say about this relationship, DO BETTER AT DEPICTING AGE AND DYNAMIC LMAO 

“Hello! I’m your dad.” GLIMMER AND PAPA MICAH REUNION 😭❤️

Scorpia said, to Catra: My kekkei genkai is forgiveness

“So are we all just like, okay with this?” asked Mermista, glancing at Hordak suspciously, verbalizing what I believe they should all be thinking jgjhkgh

The Fall of Salineas could not be THAT long ago omg 

“Look at us. From capturing you to us now being buddies. This is so dope.” Hahahaa, the off-screen dialogue in this scene is def improv

“What a sweet and optimistic ending of everyone having a peaceful friendship, familial and romantic reunions and the protagonists deciding to plan a fun little road trip to bring magic back to the universe, which could not possibly backfire on them given the amount of space colonization that has happened in order to harness magic as a weapon thus far. As with Hordak, we will pretend we do not see it 😌❤️:

[freedfromthegalactichivemind]

Dignity

She-Ra fanfiction Entrapdak Entrapdak Mini Month Prompt / Theme 10 - Formal  Summary: A formal event unlike any other.   --------------------------

Dignity Today was a special day.  He had to look his best.  He had dyed his hair three days prior, with Entrapta’s help.  It was back to the midnight-blue hue that made him feel like himself.  His eyes had become their stunning red.   All that he needed now was a formal dress and polished armor, which Entrapta was adjusting for him.  She was dressed well, too.  It was not like Entrapta to wear dresses, so her clothing took on something closer to masculine business-attire, or perhaps something bordering on a tuxedo. The suit was dark in color, a dark gray, almost black.  Her shoes were polished and they shined, quite a departure from her usual steel-toed work boots.   Either way, they were both very formal.  The tabard-dress that Entrapta had purchased and re-cut for him did not bear any hint of the Horde-wings.  It was, however, black, with a kind of shimmer to it.  In the right light, it took on many colors, like an oil-slick.  Metallic fibers in the fabric picked up all of the reds, the deep blues and the sparks of purple that made up his armor, his eyes and his hair.   They were going to be stunning when they stepped out into Bright Moon’s main hall.   It was the public event of the century.   Guards, in polished armor and brandishing spears, finished their greetings and escorted them both.  The two lab partners scanned the room as previous guests had already arrived.  They took their place in the center, upon the long carpet. People were standing all around.  The Queen was about to address the crowd, as was her father, the elder King Regent.  Queen Glimmer was dressed to the nines, with all of her badges of office upon her person. Entrapta’s eyes quickly found Adora and Catra, and she looked down and away.  Being in her formal attire, she did not have her mask available to her. She also found Bow and Scorpia. Again she looked down and away. Hordak looked straight ahead, his gaze meeting Queen Glimmer’s.   He had almost forgotten about the shackles upon his wrists, binding his arms behind his back.  A guard pressed Entrapta back as Hordak stepped forward. “Hordak, former Lord of the Horde,” Queen Glimmer addressed him, “Your fate has been decided.”   “Good, finally,” he rumbled.   “Are you willing to accept it? Today is your formal sentencing.”   “You do remember my requests, do you not?” “We do,” King Micah answered.  “Entrapta has been fully exonerated.  Your child shall be cared for in your absence.  Your brethren are free and are already being given over to caring families and counseling for cult deprogramming and habilitation into Etherian life.” “Good.  Than I accept my responsibilities and my formal sentence.”   The King and the Queen both looked sorrowful, regretful.  Hordak noted the kind of shocked look on Catra’s face, and Adora putting a hand on her shoulder.  Adora did not look too well, either.  Princess Mermista of Salienas had a sour look.  Princess Perfuma of Plumeria seemed to be clutching some kind of crystal. Castaspella, sorceress of Mystacor, looked impassive.  Scorpia was fidgeting with her claws and twitching her tail.  The archer looked anywhere but in his direction.  The elder princesses, the holdouts from the first rebellion, looked grim and serious.   “I am afraid,” Queen Glimmer announced, “That the governments of our alliance-planets have given us no choice.  This is not usual Etherian-justice,” she narrowed her eyes, “but considering the damage you have caused, it is probably better than you deserve.”   Hordak stood straight and tall, keeping his formality and his dignity.   “The sentence is Death,” King Micah told him. “I have been elected to carry it out. It will be by a magical life-taking sigil.  I assure you that it will be swift and painless.  We shall inter your remains with dignity.  A life for the lives you have taken.  An insurance that you shall do no more harm.  The sentence will be carried out at dawn in three days time, giving you a chance to make your peace.”   “No!” Entrapta shouted.  Guards were quick to hold her back.   “It’s okay,” Hordak mouthed to her as the pair of guards that had led them in took their positions beside him to lead him back to his cell.   Hordak pinned his ears back and looked at his feet the entire way, trying to shut out the sound of her wails and the sound of her struggle against the guards.   She knew better than to fight it.  He could hear her trying, anyway.  

[secrafessi]

Lord Hordak Special ( No Armor ) 1

[danitza-drtc]

Ohh the true name of Lord Hordak and his origin!!! according The Masters of Universe Classic mini comic.

Oh I would like to know more about the past of Hordak in "Shera an the Princesses of Power" ✊✊✊✊

I made this capture in this video:

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[sometipsygnostalgic]

double date

they meet up and catra jokes "and how are the senior citizens today"

hordak tsks and asks if they should have choosen a non-alcoholic establishment as per etherian rules to not serve drinks to children

entrapta and adora are meanwhile already catching up

entrapta is showing off her new constellation tracking device

adora is super into it because omg stars

she tells entrapta she's getting into cartography (this is from ND's and Aimee's headcanon) and has already made so many charts

catra and hordak are looking at their gfs gush about their hyperfixations/special interests smiling

catra notices him smile and goes wow 'might lord hordak' has gone soft

hordak flushes but says all composed says the 'force captain' with the dilated pupils

adora and entrapta watch them banter and smile

I'm sorry I took so long to respond to this post, but it was so cute that I needed to do something for it.

@bobbieclayton if you see this, this is your doing

[ericamzdm]

Food and the Horde - Hordak

There are two things food-related things we can take from the tiny soups scene:

(1) Hordak eats ration bars

(2) Hordak's relationship with food - with all of his bodily needs - is real bad.

Hordak and Rations

The soups are pretty obviously liquefied and heated ration bars, so we know that's what Hordak eats.

Give Entrapta a little credit here - if not as someone who cares deeply about her friends and their needs, then at least as an incorrigible snoop. She's definitely gone through Hordak's snack drawer.

Ration bars also just make sense as the whole of Hordak's diet. After all, clones live in a gilded cage [made of razor wire] where food simply isn't a concern - Nutrient Rich Amniotic Fluid is always, endlessly available.

Which means that when Hordak got dumped into a pocket dimension, he had zero knowledge of how to feed himself. Just an utter lack of basic skills like "recognizing hunger" and "putting food aside for later"; never mind advanced ones like "buttering bread".

Hordak was faced with a really steep learning curve ... which he had no interest in mastering, because he has negative patience for his own needs. He would have learned just enough to get to "good enough", and no further. And that's ration bars. Not good - not tasty, not quite nutritionally complete, not even fully consistent - but good enough.

Good enough to free him from the tyranny of choice, to mean he doesn't have to deal with different tastes and textures and nutritional profiles. Good enough that he could delegate production to his force captains. Good enough to let him pour all his energy into finding the magic trick that will finally, finally prove his worth to Big Brother - and let him go back to never having to think about food [or anything else] ever again.

Food and Shame

So Hordak considers food - and bodily needs in general - tedious and frustrating, a distraction from and roadblock to his return to Prime.

But frustration alone isn't enough to explain why he is refusing help. After all, Hordak and Entrapta's relationship, to this point, has been all about her ability to resolve aggravating problems. If he simply wanted better food and medical solutions, he should be happy to talk to her.

No, Hordak isn't refusing help because he is frustrated; he is refusing help because he is ashamed. His body's needs are not simply an irritation, a problem to be evaluated and solved (even if with ill-grace). They are a disgusting symptom of his unworthiness, a manifestation of the loss of Prime's favour - material proof that he is a failure, and does not deserve help, love, or care. It is not a technical issue that can be fixed - it is a shameful imperfection, something that can only be denied and hidden, left to fester in the unspoken darkness.

A darkness Entrapta banishes when she tells him his imperfections are beautiful, and he does not have to be ashamed.

Bonus Headcanon Content

Hordak has serious texture/flavour issues, and a "sensitive stomach" - everything I said about Scorpia applies to him many times over, with bonus medical complications.

Prior to ration bars being a thing, he spent a lot of time accepting prestigious meals as "Lord Hordak", and then having to mash them into a fine paste to be able to choke them down.

His inability to perform 'hearty eating' is another source of shame for him. Not only must he engage in the disgusting act of eating, but he can't even do it well.

Because of the above, he absolutely hates eating in front of people, and the implication that he needs help eating (eg, Entrapta trying to spoon-fed him) is a special hell of humiliation.

He gets better after the end of the series! But better doesn't mean "able to perform food in accordance with social norms". He will still have to eat carefully, and may never find it an uncomplicatedly joyful activity - but he won't be constantly ashamed (and when shame does rear its head, he'll be able to fight back).

[lemaistrechat]

I've said this to authors but I always find it low-key kinda hilarious that Hordak who was advertised since the days of his toy to be a Villain "MORE EVIL" then Skeletor and Skeletor old Boss/Mentor/Dark Lord is the one who has a variant who got to have a happy ending with a loved one.

(Even though Skeletor...Saved the Children...in the Christmas Special ;p)

It is, yeah.

[cruelfeline]

And y'all know what else? The class-patterning is why it's so hard for me to see the Etherian Horde as "colonizers." Technical definitions aside, these are people who don't have any special powers, who don't have significant riches, and who have to work for everything they own.

Even Hordak falls into this category. He's not some actual lord, enjoying luxury and riches as a result of his conquering. He essentially owns nothing. He takes little to no leisure. He enjoys no luxuries. And his origin is in literal slavery. Evil though his actions may be, he has to work incredibly hard for anything he has and any progress he makes.

The same applies to Catra. And the Horde Trio. Really, the only person it doesn't really apply to is Scorpia because... well: royal class.

And when it comes to the war itself, the Princesses function as real-life upper class people do in wars. They don't end up as refugees, or scrounging for food, or suffering homelessness and insecurity and worse. They're able to use their status and their magic to maintain a luxurious lifestyle despite everything.

Mermista is the perfect example! Her "country" is taken over in war, and she uses her connections to literally flee while still enjoying the comforts of royal standing.

She weathers the fall of Salineas in a bubbly bathtub, soothing herself with ice cream. Because she can. Because she's connected enough and powerful enough that the destruction of her kingdom doesn't actually affect her in any meaningful way.

It's kind of absurd to look at what are essentially lower class people trying their best to survive and label them "colonizers" when the people they're supposedly colonizing are too rich and powerful to care.

It just doesn't work.

[phantomlesbian]

the effin horde dynamics

(I am terrified of losing my drafts like last time, so I wrote everything in google docs and pasted it here, so I’m sorry if the formatting is off)

Okay, so the Horde right? The Fright Zone? In place of finishing the next chapter, I decided that I wanted to go on a brain rot and figure out just what I think would’ve happened to the Horde under Adora’s supervision in this AU. And I think it’s pretty cool so I’m going to share it. 

So we all know what the horde was like pre-Adora gaining control, it’s just what you’d imagine Horde life would be like throughout the show. No education of the outside world, very little exposure to the outside world, cruel punishments, those freaking ration bars, no birthdays (omg), and so on and so forth.

 Alright.

What in the heck happened after Adora became Lord?

Lots of good things actually!

I always perceived Adora as having innate good tendencies, so she naturally knew that some of the things in the Horde weren’t that great. Of course, she got special treatment from Shadow Weaver so her perception of things being bad in the Horde is especially diluted, but I believe it’s still there somewhat.

So basically after she kills Hordak, it was stated that the soldiers there elected her to be the new Lord in place of Shadow Weaver This doesn’t mean there was an actual election, they basically just walked into the room and started cheering, which then led to them to kneel in front of Adora and proclaim her the new Lord, which Shadow Weaver disputed.

Okay

Adora and Scorpia: so Scorpia became a Force Captain pre-canon, and since the fic follows the canon timeline, with Princess Prom being the beginning of the fic, Adora would have already been a Force Captain. Because Scorpia was always older than Adora, they met in orientation, and instead of disliking each other, they kinda hit it off. It wasn’t like best friends at first sight, since Lonnie was alive at this point, and I always saw Lonnie as her best friend if Catra weren’t there.

It’s kind of a confusing timeline that I’ve been trying to explain so I’ll try to break it down a little further.

Oh also, I would say that Adora became a Force Captain at around sixteen since there weren’t any “distractions” to steer her away from becoming Force Captain. Okay so at sixteen she becomes force captain, at seventeen is when Lonnie finds the sword and subsequently disappears, at eighteen is when Adora first becomes She-Ra and subsequently kills Hordak, and at nineteen is when the story begins. 

OKAY SO WHAT DID ADORA DO

Well, we know that a fight occurred between Shadow Weaver and Adora, so I'd say that this is when she began to strip away Weaver's power. But she just made her second in command without the title. Like she handles meetings, paperwork, and the basic busy work and housekeeping that Adora and Scorpia push out.

Adora and Scorpia have lunch together every day to discuss the progress they've made, and what they should do next. The first thing Adora did was order a bunch of books, and she also did research on Scorpia's family, the Alliance, and stuff like that. This would explain why she wasn't immediately hostile towards the Princesses or even the concept of Princesses in the first few cha[ters.

So she obviously learns about the Scorpioni Kingdom, and she's like oh wait we're on stolen land I need to do something about this. So she helps rebuild the palace or whatever was left in it and decided that she didn't want the younger generation of Horde brats to live in the same conditions that she did, so she asks Scorpia for permission to house the children there and rearrange the way that they learn. There was still some space left so she renovated that and basically opened it up for either more housing or office space/ "I'll deal with that later".

OH HEY

The next part of this post will contain spoilers for previous chapters, possible future plans for the next chapters, as well as a topic that you might want to research if you don't know what I'm talking about because it might take a while to explain.

OKAY

So growing up, I was in love with the divergent series. Lynn was my gay awakening, this is where I became obsessed with psychology and personality differentiations, and...yeah. To spare people from having to google everything, divergent is a book set in futuristic Chicago where society is divided into five different factions, and you take a test to determine which faction you belong to. There are abnegation, erudite, dauntless, candor, and amity. The one we're going to be focusing on is dauntless.

So the dauntless are the people that value bravery over anything else, and they kind of act as the protectors/police (???) of the city. So in my tiny pea-sized brain, I was like hey, Princess of Power, Guardian of Etheria, magical Protector...dauntless??? Okay yeah, that works.

I have no clue if this makes any sense.

Remember a couple of weeks ago when I reposted that one post about the city that had plants growing inside of it and it turned into an urban jungle? And remember when Adora grew plants all over the Horde at the end of the show? That's kind of what I'm thinking of.

One of the main things that were mentioned in the Horde's new dynamics was the introduction of real food, real clothes, better jobs, actual wages, music, and the hydroponics and aquaponics system. While I was planning out the timeline for the show I wrote a little subsection about the Horde dynamics, and what I wrote is that the Horde is more like dauntless now but more corporate.

What does that even mean?

So we know that the Horde has money. Adora's also done with stealing land and killing people. She's like eh not my vibe I'd rather do it ethically (because she knows what ethics is (that was sarcasm)). So she purchases land and imports goods, and basically just strikes deals and wagers with other provinces.

How does this relate to the dauntless? WELL

So the dauntless were mainly stereotyped as being adrenaline junkies, with dyed hair and tattoos and rock music. It didn't matter what you looked like there, as long as you were a good fighter and a good listener, you had worth. Now there were mainly problems with the faction system that eventually led to its downfall, but the core concept is actually pretty cool.

Adora really did think the war ended when she killed Hordak. She didn't know about the treaties or the way the Alliance would've reacted, she just knew she was;t murdering innocent people or stealing land. So she thought she could create a place where instead of hurting the people of Etheria, she could protect them and protect her soldiers.

Now, if this actually works or not, you'll have to read the fic to find out, but this is her immediate goal. She wants to establish a solidified union in order to end the war and bring safety and peace to her people.

I know comparing the Horde to the Dauntless is an outlandish example, especially if you've never heard of them, but it was the first place my mind went that actually clicked for what I wanted the Horde to be under Adora's care so I'm so sorry if it's confusing.

I'm probably going to be doing a character study on Adora and Catra later on, but definitely before the fic ends.

[nezumipapuruaka]

Hordak does not know what childbirth is

Shadow weaver enters the sanctum with a flourish to report to Hordak: “I’m sorry  for disturb you, Lord Hordak, but a third division soldier has something to report to”  “I... I need a few months off” said soldier, with shaking voice. She had no idea what reaction to expect. Hordak was sitting on his throne. Luckily he didn't look particularly pissed today.   “Go on...” “I’m pregnant...”  “What is that mean!” Hordak  growled imperiously. “I have no idea how it happened!” “You don’t?” Shado weaver  hissed mockingly.  “I...We done everything to don’t let it happend. We were even...” “Stop!” I don’t need you to explain yourself! I want to know when you are going to be ready to fight again!” “I let know as fast as soon as the puerperium will be over! I swear it’s going to take only 9 months!”  “Are you sure? Are you sure your health is good enough to recover so quickly?” Shadow weaver scoffed.  Hordak eyes widened. He straightened up. He seemed more threatening now, but it was unclear what his expression meant.  “Do you expect some special treatment?  Hordak growled and turned to Shadow Weaver: ”Why are you come with this to me?”  “Well...”  “It won’t happen again!!” the soldier shouted. “I’ll be suprise” SW muttered. “ That's enough! Solve the matter and come back when you're well! Now GET OUT of my face!” “YES!”  SW and soldier began to withdraw. “You stay! Hordak point at SW. “We need to talk.” Soldier leave the sanctum quickly.  “Yes, my lord?” “... What is pregnant?” Hordak asked uncertainly. SW stay shocked for a moment “My lord” she started. Was this some type of test? But Hordak wasnt playing in any stupid games. What was that? “Do you know what pregnacy is?” “I!” Hordak stoped. He feelt werid to ask. It seems that he was supoed to know this kind of thing, but he never care to lern all the names of Eterian diseases... “Is this some kind of sickness?” Shadow Weaver  mercilessly lowered her hands. She never ever in her live imagine explaining to LORD HORDAK where are the babies come from. This little creature that just crawl on his shoulder... And He still don’t know? Maby it’s just a matter of terminology. He is from another planet Surely they are speaking different language in there.  “My lord” she cleared her throat and continue “The pregnacy is how we call the process before giving birth.” Hordak leaned in on his throne. He seems to focus now on what SW is saying. SW couldn’t belive her eyes. “My lord, do you know where are babies come from?” Hordak looks a little offended but  mixed at the same time.  “My lord, How does your... this creature comes to live?” “... naturally I made him...” Hordak look to the side. “How do you made him?” “I mixed some of my DNA and put it into the tube and make him capsule to grow in and...” “My lord, I’m afraid that none of people on this planet comes from tube.”  Hordak take deep breath. “How does it happen in other cases?” SW couldn’t belive. Right now or real. How old even is this man? Does he never... She looks up and down on him... probabely not. Grate, She, Shadow Weaver is now going o teach sex education six and something foot tall, Emo Cyborg Alien Lord of the Fright Zone.  (...) “WHICH WAY DO THEY COME OUT? “ Hordak sit in pure terror while SW was explaining the miracle of birth to him. He aleready feel sorry for his soldier. “H. aghm How ...?” SW did not know that she would have such fun explaining the next parts of the labor To Grate Frightful Hordak. His face was priceless. Does he never had a sex education? Wait ... Does anybody in fright zone had a sex education? What does this soldier do to prevent...  “My lord...” “yghm...” Hordak  needed a moment “yes?”  “Shouldn’t we educate about this rest of soidiers? Especially orphans who have nowhere to find out?  To prevent accident like that today...” “That’s not the worse idea. If you know it soo well, maby you would do that. You were aleready are taking care of young ones.” “But my lord!” “Yes?” Hordak ask in his normal tone. “I don’t have a proffesional  course, I...” “Do you know anybody who have necessary qualifications IN THE FRIGHT ZONE?” “...No...” “Grate, set a date than the one for the other classes”  Grate... from Light Spinner to sex ed teacher in Fright Zone... But the fear on them faces... she will be not play nice words. She don’t have time or  patience for that. 

[prince-toffee]

Alleyways

Hordak x Shadow Weaver

Canon Divergence | Alt Universe

Season One | Episode 14: Alleyways

Beatrix scoffed and threw the brown ration bar and the rest of her food tray across the prison cell, she far preferred the grey ones. She gave a defeated sigh lowering her head down. She rubbed her fingers over the scratched part of her mask, in the spot where a chip of the Black Garnet used to reside. Her shoulders slouched down, all tension in her muscles left her as she gave up. She felt so powerless. So weak. Just a few days ago she was still one of the most powerful witches on the planet, every magic user feared her name.

Shadow Weaver.

Now, she sat in a prison cell, rank-less. She didn’t know if she should’ve felt honoured, or disgusted by the fact that the cell was specially attuned and adjusted for her specifically. Which meant it was probably designed and constructed, in secret, long before her treason. This place was full of secrets and surprises, usually unpleasant ones. Hec-Tor would’ve probably said it was an honour, he was an architect that truly thought of everything. And The Fright Zone was one of his most haunting creations.

Beatrix wasn’t disgusted, per say. She knew she didn’t have many fans, and plenty of enemies at every corner. This outcome was inevitable, she knew deep down she was getting too greedy for her own good. But the power felt too good to give up. What a fool she was. She saw it all clearly now. Where her addiction led her. Her very unsubtle disregard for orders, her greed peering through her emotionless, cold stature. She knew she was on thin ice with Hec-Tor, the control freak he was. He desired order and expected subordinance. He always disliked her - everybody back home knew she was a wildcard, deceptive, insidious. Looking out for only herself - she never really cared about the cause.

Perhaps she should’ve been more surprised that he didn’t do it earlier. She knew he wasn’t fond of her, and vice versa of course - she couldn’t stand his patriotic and prideful attitude. Acting as if being apart of The Horde was a gift from god. He was an old blind fool. Beatrix wouldn't have thought twice before leaving this place and selling her loyalty and inside information to the most welcoming bidder - The Alliance, or even maybe try her luck with The Empire of Talon Mountain. So any choices to choose from, now if only she could manage to escape her imprisonment.

Unfortunately, if she knew Hec-Tor, and she did, The Hordak had probably thought of every possibility of escape she would think of, and countered it. He was paranoid like that. The spherical pure white containment cell she was unceremoniously thrown into was made out of Glowmoon-Dwarfstone, the surface layer anyway. A magical element only found on one of the moons of Etheria, able to absorb darkness itself. Bad news for the Weaver of Shadows, she was powerless here. She despised feeling weak, vulnerable. She was meant to be the predator, not the prey.

She had no shadow. The stone absorbed it. She felt two dimensional. She didn’t know if that made sense, but she heard the stone had negative effects on the mind if in close proximity for too long. Speaking of which, she had no idea how long she had been locked up, she lost the track of time. No windows. So no sky. No clock. No space. The spherical cell was the size of a small closet. At least they were still feeding her, but the food in there was never anything to gloat about.

She placed her face into her hands, she was loosing it. She couldn’t break! But she was close. She didn’t want anyone to have the satisfaction of seeing her beg, and pled. She was strong, stronger than them. She was going to win in the end, she just had to wait it out, play the long ga-

“Inmate-667. Place your forehead on the wall behind you and position your hands behind your back. The containment unit door will open, and a commanding official will commence your questioning. And Weaver, you’re gonna like this one, hehe.”

Beatrix narrowed her eyes and growled at the announcement. She recognised the voice, Force-Commander Grizzlor. She never liked him. The feeling was seemingly mutual. She did as she was ordered. A groan reverberated through her throat, she knew exactly what this was, she could tell from Grizzlor’s smug voice. Catra. She was back to berate her. It seemed like her former ward’s ego had grown three times the size, rather than her heart. Beatrix dreaded these visits. Catra came over from time to time, to insult and demean the dark sorceress, rub her victory into Beatrix’s face. Insolent little brat! She got lucky! Beatrix was weak when she caught her off guard, too drained by the toll the Black Garnet’s power took on her. If only- if only she could take hold of the Garnet’s power! S- She didn’t need much, just a little, it would’ve cleared her mind, beat her heart faster. If she had just a little more she could’ve had taken out Catra, and her two stooges. Everything would have been all better if only she had a little more. Damn that girl! And her mother!

The cell opened up. A side panel gave out a hiss as it dislodged, pulled out and off to the side. Weaver felt the colder air pour in. The closest shadow cast onto her was too weak for her to do anything with, the upper layer of the walls draining it’s ethereal cosmic weight. Or perhaps she was the one who was too weak. Catra loomed over her. The teen thought she could intimidate her, not a chance.

“Well? Come on then, you spoiled brat! Got anything to say? Came here to gloat and mock me, you think you have won, but one wrong move with Hordak and he’ll throw you to the dogs, he’s-”

“Weaver.”

The sorceress silenced herself. The voice that called to her was cold and smooth, in other words not Catra’s. The single word was followed by a pair of footsteps, metal boots clanking against the stone’s surface. The sound of cybernetics hissing as his joins moved. He was close now. The cell entrance slide back into place closing the cell. They were alone now. Beatrix had to admit, even though she knew Hec-Tor for most of her life, seen him at his most vulnerable, even shared some intimate moments with him, but still even after all that - he was terrifying.

She turned her head around, and there he was. He looked different in the light, stranger. She almost never saw him outside of his ThroneHall. Always cloaked in darkness and smoke. She sometimes wondered if he bought smoke machines on purpose to scare any kids that would accidently wonder into the room. Hec-Tor certainly had a taste for the dramatic. Beatrix turned around and seated herself comfortably looking up at the Overlord, well, as comfortably as possible. There he was, in all his glory, out of shadows - a glorified toaster. The same Hec-Tor that used to write poetry for girls that would never go out with him. The same Hec-Tor that dyed his hair blue, because kids from the neighbourhood made fun of him being ginger. The same Hec-Tor that beat his own father within an inch of his life, and conquered half of the galaxy...

Same old, same old.

She swallowed down quietly, she couldn’t show him she was weak. The mask helped hide most emotions, most weaknesses, she had to control the rest of her body language. Beatrix lifted one leg over the other and intertwined her fingers together, giving off a relaxed posture.

“Lord Hordak. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

She looked over him - blood red eyes, and teeth, grey skin, military regulation hair cut, his two prostatic arms, which could crush boulders, his imperial purple cape, and the neon lit armour implants. She was actually curious as to what he was actually going to say. His eyes narrowed, anger was apparent, but an air of irritation was present too. He gave out a long tiresome sigh, as he moved his fingers to rub the bridge of his nasal cavity, even venturing as far as his eyes. She was in for it.

“Why? Why can’t you just follow orders? Beatrix Hallows, always struggling with adhering to reason and common sense.”

Shadow Weaver’s eyes widened she couldn’t believe what she was hearing, he actually had the audacity to school her, to talk down to her. This was almost worse than Catra, hearing her full name spoken out in a mocking tone, like lecturing a child, slapping them on the hand, this was humiliating. And from Hec-Tor too. When angered by her he’d usually give her the cold shoulder, take her off a mission, reassign command to someone else, like Catra. She thought he had given up on talking to her ages ago. But she wasn’t going to have it.

“Having fun? Look you’re not covering any new ground here. Catra already had multiple pitstops here to make me her new donkey. If you think you get to insult me like that, just remember your punk rear wouldn’t have made it back home if it weren’t there for me. You owe me. Several.”

It was true. Back on HordeWorld, back on the streets. They had nothing. Had to rummage through trash, and steal for food. Stomach empty all day. Times were tough. They had to rely on each other. One distracted the passer-by and the other pickpocketed, on a lucky day, thanks to Hec-Tor’s puppy eyes the stranger would hand them some pennies on top of that. But man, on days like these she wished she had never stood up to those bullies shoving little young Hec-Tor around, should have never allowed him to follow her. But how couldn’t she, he was so adorable.

“I am not here to appoint you my personal laughing stock. And I thought I told Catra talking to prisoners was forbidden. I’ll have a chat with her about the regulations... I am here to understand. Finally. I have been putting this off for far too long.”

This was curious, and unexpected. She would’ve lied if she said she wasn’t interested in what was about to exit that mouth. He had avoided her for years. Often said she was ‘not worth wasting words on’. The feeling was mutual. She heard that mouth declare rousing speeches, bone-chilling monologues, and the softest of kisses. Versatility was everything. He continued.

“We never saw eye to eye, never liked each other, you always went your own way. Chose to differ from others, always take the other path. You talk back to me, you waste resources on personal escapades, and often break protocol... But back there, at such a crucial point, disobeying my orders, for what? Just because of a child that did follow orders?”

Putting faith in that girl was going to be his undoing. Unless she was going to get to him first. Catra was always a nuisance, untrustworthy, going off on her own, not listening to what she was told. She had a rebellious spirit, that drove her away from Weaver’s lessons, she often managed to drag others away with her. She was too smart for her own good.

She’ll be biting down on Hec-Tor’s ankles soon enough. She supposed that an upside of being stuck in the cell was that he had to deal with Catra’s antics now. That was his mess to clean.

“How did she even get a drop on you? Was it the Garnet? I told you to tell me if the artefact displayed any negative effects-”

“Are you done? I know you didn’t come here to talk about my feelings. If you care to know your magic weapon is fine. And Catra. She’s nothing but a brat, that you’re letting walk all over you.”

She wasn’t having any of this, she had to speak up for herself. Call it a warning, that girl is not to be dismissed, she’s trouble - like her mother. But deep down she felt a hint of embarrassment herself, she was one of the most powerful sorceresses, years ago when she first drained the power of the Garnet she did it effortlessly. Even though Hec-Tor didn’t trust her, he handed her the responsibility, because he knew she was the only one who could hold its power. He knew she was mighty. But now, the Garnet rejects her, resists her, no longer bows down to her might. It hurt sometimes. But she could never show weakness.

The infamous Hordak stared down at her, judgementally, much like how he looked down at everybody. He looked off to the side at the thrown away tray, mashed potato and peas smeared on the floor, tray flipped over, and the brown rations crumbled on the floor.

“You’re not eating.”

What was that? She wondered to herself. Was that genuine worry? She noticed he stayed on the ration bars for a second too long, noting her preference perhaps. He seemingly had no idea where to go from there, so she helped him out, she asked.

“Why are you here Hec-Tor?”

This time using his real name rather than his title. More personal, it cut to the point. Plus he was always going to be Hec-Tor to her. That puppy eyed scaredy-bat, the one always picked on, by bullies twice his weight, the nerd allergic to flowers, and the same geek that used to write poems for her. She dismissed them of course, just a bunce of nonsense if you’d ask her. The change never really quite settled in, even when the Council made the public announcement of picking the new Hordak. Even when Hec-Tor’s face came on every screen on the planet. Even when the death of He-Ro shocked the nation. Nothing changed.

Well, maybe not until that day at Vix’s Diner. It was the strangest circumstance. He was the one who called her over. She guessed it was just a nostalgic meet up, like in the old days. 'The Hordak' was present, so they ate for free. Their conversation would be constantly interrupted by randos bowing and giving respects to him. He dismissed them.

But there was something different about the man that sat in front of her, he was colder, more stiff. Beatrix treated herself to the unlimited free breakfast meals, best she’d eaten in years. She half listened to his ramblings, something about the war with the Light and the Ones Who Won’t Be Named escalating, the Council was abolishing anti-terraforming laws, and Horde warships were launching on the offensive against the enemy. The wannabe poet gone, all that was left of the boy was a patriot, and a soldier. Well, what do you do? That’s what the government spoon feeds people.

But the strangest thing was. He asked her to be his 'Weaver' - his second in command. An honour placed apon only those who are seen as worthy, or chosen by the Council. But this wasn’t an ask of desperation or of fear. This was an order. Firm, and powerful. That day in the diner, if Beatrix would’ve refused him, she didn’t know if she would’ve walked out of there with her head on.

The Hordak is no mere man you can refuse after all.

He is the 'Beast of HordeWorld'.

And so, they set off. Boarded the warship: Annihilation, and rocketed into the stars. And the newly appointed Shadow Weaver pondered, that it was quite curious that HordeWorld was completely decimated only few days after they left. Curious indeed. Blah. Blah. Blah. Couple of thousand years, some food shortages and dead bodies later: Etheria. Crash landing in the back fields of King Niro’s Kingdom of Scorpion Hill. And it was through Weaver’s highly skilled dark magic on display, that the kingdoms bowed down to them, Mysticore even building a statue in her honour. They looked up to her, marvelled at her magical abilities. Her Horde magic was far more advanced than what the wizards held in their possession. She taught, and trained them. But good things never last. They turned on her.

“Like I said, Beatrix. I am here to understand.”

Now it was his time to use her name. She was still curious yet cautious. Whatever side-tracks Hec-Tor from the main mission, can’t be good. All this was strangely personal. Was the Beast in fact capable of concern and closeness? She let him continue.

“We’ve known each other longer than most beings live. But in my quest into the unknown, I never even dared to explore what was nearest me. Tell me, why break, why snap at me at a point of victory? And why, why the girl? It’s that Magicat that sets you off at every moment. Why? Why do you hate the girl?”

“Will, you free me?”

“...No. We both know I won’t, I can’t. It is against the protocols, and I gave you too many passes, vouched for you too many times, I overlooked your actions for too long. And that’s why I am here.”

Well, that wasn’t going to work. No freedom, no deal, no talking. She was surprised by the fact that this entire situation was simply a genuine attempt at a heart to heart. But he knew nothing. And that’s how Beatrix liked to keep things. Much like Hec-Tor, she wished to be a bogeyman, imagination was always the greatest deterrent.

And what was there to explain? Catra was a pain, undisciplined, and unwilling to learn. Beatrix wasn’t about to just let that brat walk over her, of course she snapped! Everything Catra got, every punishment, was because she deserved it. Though... no. No, he couldn’t know. Could he? Did he? Hec-Tor was a master tactician and strategist, he always researched and analysed everything before the attack - what if the Beast already knew the answer to his own question?

Did he know about Melendy?

Beatrix never spoke to anyone about her personal life, especially not her love life. And she had made sure she was back for check-ins, erased her tracks, she was sneaky. She didn’t slip up often. How would he know? Could it be? Was the grand Lord Hordak jealous? A curious stalker.

But perhaps it wasn’t that outside of the realm of possibly. The Queen of Magicats. The Lord of the Horde. Hec-Tor set up many negotiations in the time before the war, people talk.

And what now, he expected her to sit here listen to him give her therapy? As if. If that bastard knew about Melendy’s choice... about her leaving, and didn’t say anything, just holding it over her head as bait - then damn him to the Light! But did he truly know? He couldn’t possibly understand. She was in love. Nothing ever came close to making her feel like that. Not even him. Beatrix loved her, and she chose to leave, just because of tradition, culture. To Light with it!

But what prompted him to care? Perhaps he looked back fondly on the past, reminiscing? Hordak and her didn’t sleep together often, but when the duty became too much, too stressful - they aided each other to settle the nerve. Heh, it took practice to get used to each other, their first time, wasn’t pretty.

She still remembered that night, or well, it was day actually. She always misremembered, since the skies over the city of Catrax were always grey from the city’s pollution. Kids used to come over to their windows and watch the rare instances when sunshine would penetrate the dark clouds above. Very little hope shone down on the people of the lower levels. But the kids of the higher levels, the ones on the first floor, above the clouds, they had all the sunshine they wanted, and took it all for granted.

So when Beatrix and Hec-Tor pickpocketed and stole a little, just to keep living, just to have. It wasn’t that selfish. When the two crash landed on Etheria for the first time they ventured throughout the land, claiming everything they could, stealing and conquering, taking - just to have. Just because they couldn’t in previous lives.

On that day, after Beatrix stole old Mister Scurvy’s wallet as Hec-Tor distracted him, they both ran off away from the yelling man. Ran faster than they ever ran before, too afraid that the man’s screaming would attract the attention of any local law enforcement, if they got them, it was Confinement for sure, no matter that they were teens.

She huffed and panted so hard she almost fell off her own feet. She had to lean herself on the side of a brick wall in the alleyway she ran into. Just as Hec-Tor joined her, the rain began to pour. He bowed down, arms holding his knees, trying to support his upper body. His ears tilted down. His exhausted cough turning into a cackling laugh, which clearly infected Beatrix since she burst into laughter with him. She didn’t really know how it happened, but he got closer to her, with her pinned against the wall, looking straight into each other’s eyes. As their chuckles settled, her hand ventured down to his hip as her lips made their way to his own. And then, well, they were teenagers, you know what else.

Good memories.

Perhaps memories were just the advantage she needed, perhaps Hordak didn’t despise her as much as she had previously thought. Could it be? The All-Mighty Lord of The Horde feeling... lonely?

“Do you remember the alleyway?”

“Eh, there were... many alleyways.”

True that, after it felt so good, the first time, it sort of became a daily routine for them. Partners with benefits. They used each other to feel better, to feel something. There was nothing between the two, or so Beatrix thought. But perhaps she was wrong yet again. She wished to test that.

She took off her mask. The Weaver mask was a totemic symbol back on HordeWorld - representing strength and authority. And underneath that mask, was a woman. A broken woman, with scars and stiches, missing flesh. Something many would call a monster. But Hec-Tor Kur of House Kur saw nothing but beauty. A magnificent beast that saved him many a times. The girl he fell for so long ago. And Beatrix knew that, knew it was the moment she locked her toxic waste green eyes with his blood red, which shimmered in the light of the cell. She knew straight away, his weakness.

“Look at me, Hec-Tor. So frail. I wasted away. So little of me left... The Council was right. No matter what power I aim to tame, I fail, I never amounted to anything, like they predicted. I know you’re disappointed to have me as a partner on this venture... But… I miss the alleyways. When we had nothing. Back when so little felt like so much.”

It worked. The seemingly cold and calculated persona cracked. His facial expression changed, from irritation, and anger to a certain softness, maybe pity. He breathed in heavy, and out through the nose. He took a step closer to her. The cell was a snug fit so his leg was already brushing hers.

“We do have nothing, Beatrix. We are the last of our kind. We have little, but we can have it all. You are not a failure. We are not failures. There is a reason why I haven’t just simply executed you like a common thug... I miss those days too. But we still have time.”

The Hordak kneeled down, lowered himself to be closer to her. This was it - the moment of truth. He clearly had no idea what to do with his hands, so one rubbed its thumb and pointing finger together in anticipation, while the other hovered in the air half open awaiting her permission to proceed. The Weaver of Shadows accepted it, took hold of the old vampire’s hand into her own, intertwining their talons. Old scared skin taking comfort in one another, something familiar, in an unfamiliar world.

“We will have our people back. We will terraform this miserable planet! And we will be the new gods of a new utopia... And... though we never seem to see eye to eye... even if all it was, was physical, there is no one I would rather stand with and watch this world transform into hope, because you are my partner. This is our mission.”

Beatrix was the first to move forward. And Hec-Tor quickly followed suit, he closed his eyes and opened his fanged mouth. And the blissful moment was brief, but glorious, the space bat even let a pleasing hum escape him. And perhaps Beatrix would’ve let it go on longer, it wasn’t often that she had pleasures like these. But this situation was dire, and also, she was really tired of looking at the same white walls all day. She decided she earned herself a little walk to stretch her legs.

Hordak knew there was something wrong - his mouth became colder, and something wriggled inside that made him choke on his own breaths. Shadow Weaver rose up, straightening her legs completely, while Hordak bent down, onto his knees. The Dwarf Stone absorbed all darkness present on all surfaces, rendering her powerless, but the magic stone’s reach was limited. Cause Hordak’s entire inside of his body was nothing but darkness - so many shadows coating all of his vulnerable entrails and organs. She wasn’t going to paralyse him permanently, she wasn’t that cruel - just because of their history, she could show mercy.

Hec-Tor’s face pale and sick, his body limp, blood pooling around his organs, he fell on the floor. Shadow Weaver took a good long heavy breath, perfect. She placed the mask back over her face, and approached the wall of the cell through which Hec-Tor entered. Firmly placed her palms on the stone and pushed against the wall. The ethereal shadows twisted and morphed and drilled into the wall, she didn’t have much time. Every second the walls drained away the shadows, Hec-Tor had very little left in him, and the bright magic of the material weakened her, so little strength was left in her.

But there it was, the sound of the stone cracking. She wormed her fingers into the crack, enlarging it, chipping on it. The rock crumbled down, exposing the metallic layer underneath it. That was it, her window of opportunity. She commanded the shadows to bore into the mechanisms, and the shadow beast tore the panel wide open. The steel bending and ripping was extremely satisfying. Weaver loved the look on Grizzlor’s face as he took in what just happened. The witch made quick work of him, throwing him off to the side with the dark mass. She sighed in relief, she wasn’t free yet, but she had plenty of material to work with. The shadows from smallest corner to the largest corridor converged around her, swirling like a vortex.

“Now this is something I can work with.”

[spacebatisluvd]

Summary: Entrapta and Hordak discuss different forms of stimulation.

Content Warning: Frank discussion of sexual arousal and means of sexual stimulation/porn. Mentions of masturbation. Discussion of consent. Voyeurism...kind of. (Also, there is Sea Hawk, but he not involved in any of the former.)

-

It was easier to scavenge parts from Prime’s towers than Hordak thought it would be. They had to be deconstructed anyway, and he found himself separating out anything that could be repurposed in any case. It was a simple thing to set aside a few small components for his own project. As Entrapta said, it was surprisingly easy, and required no stealth at all. Sea Hawk never even asked what he was doing, even when Hordak began to tinker with the components right in front of him.

As he sorted through the parts, he found numerous pieces Entrapta would find interesting. Data chips of a style she’d likely never seen. Intricate mechanisms of a design she’d find satisfying to unlock and unravel. A few small pieces that he knew she would find ‘cute’. He set these aside and commandeered a crate to ship them. After he felt he’d gathered enough tech to keep her occupied for at least a little while, he labeled what he could and began neatly packing it for shipment.

Sea Hawk watched him. “Hmmm...you know, if we weren’t such good friends, I might find this very suspicious.”

Hordak was entirely unsure if that was a roundabout way of stating his suspicions or if he was just reiterating his confidence in their presumed ‘friendship’. Nor did he care to parse Sea Hawk’s intentions. “I’m sending these to Entrapta to—“

Sea Hawk leapt from his place at the drafting table to catch Hordak’s forearms in his hands. Pain shot up his arms. Hordak disguised a flinch by hissing at him and pulling away, his ears drawn back. Still, Sea Hawk pressed forward. Frowning, Hordak held a hand against his chest, holding him at arm’s length while he glared. “Oh, you are clever, aren’t you? You nearly had me fooled!”

“You are entirely incomprehensible.”

Sea Hawk shook a chastising finger at him. “No ‘wooing’, hmmm? And yet, here you are—sending her gifts! Tokens of your affections! Very clever! I nearly believed you were too heartbroken to ever love again, but I see now that all is not lost. Never fear! I will help you!” He grinned. “Tell me, what are you sending?”

Hordak cocked his head, one ear folded back. “These are not—“ He huffed. “These are artifacts that Entrapta will enjoy studying. They are not tokens of anything, nor are they gifts.”

“My friend, you are a terrible liar. These are obviously gifts!”

“I am given to understand that gifts are presented during special occasions.”

Sea Hawk’s grin was broad and knowing. “Oh, no. A gift can be given at any time! And a gift given without a specific reason? That is the most heartfelt gift of all.” He winked. “Were I not so infatuated with my dearest, my darling—the enchanting Princess Mermista—I might regret denying you so swiftly.”

Hordak nearly left the room on principle, but he had to admit there was at least a drop of truth in his ocean of nonsense. “A gift can simply be given without cause?” Sea Hawk nodded enthusiastically. G laring at him, Hordak slowly withdrew his hand, wanting to make sure the pirate would not try to touch him again. “I see. That does change things.”

He folded his arms behind his back, considering the crate. He had chosen items he knew she would enjoy working with. Things she would find interesting. However, it did not feel like a gift. If he intended it to serve as such, then it seemed...incomplete.

Some part of him whispered a reminder that it did not need to be perfect. She would appreciate it regardless. Nevertheless, thinking of it as a gift inexplicably changed the framework.

He dropped his gaze. A gift was meant to be at least somewhat sentimental, wasn’t it? A token of affection should demonstrate affection, and even he knew that the collection of tech—though something she would certainly appreciate and enjoy—was rather...cold. His ears folded back. Entrapta deserved a better gift than that.

Unfortunately, he did need help if he was going to make this shipment of tech into a gift. He was not adept at expressing sentiment, and he wanted to get this right. Entrapta had done so much for him. She deserved a good gift.

But he was absolutely not asking Sea Hawk for advice.

He didn’t have many people he would trust to ask, though. Ideally, he’d ask Entrapta, but that seemed inappropriate in this situation. He did know of one person that might be willing to help, however. She and Entrapta were friends, and as a bonus, she didn’t seem to have any trouble expressing affection. He looked to Sea Hawk, who grinned. “Yes, friend?”

“Do you know how to get in contact with Force C—that is, Princess Scorpia?”

-

Thankfully, the archer had apparently given all the princesses communicators at some point, and it was easy enough to connect to hers. Getting Scorpia to pick up was another matter.

“Ope! Wait! Don’t hang up! I’m here! Just. Having some trouble. Claws, you know?”

Hordak and Sea Hawk watched the display flip and turn as she fumbled the communicator. Finally, her face came into view. Upside down. “Princess Scorpia—“

She yelped and the communicator fumbled again. Hordak sighed, looking skyward. “Lord Hordak!” she said, picking up the communicator. Right side up, this time. “Hi! Uh. Didn’t, um. Didn’t expect to see you. And—is that Sea Hawk?”

“Hi, Scorpia!”

She looked at both of them. “Excuse me. I just need to—“ She pinched a fleshy part of her arm. “Oh, yeah. Okay. Definitely awake. Um....” She studied them both. “Is everything okay? Blink twice if you need help.”

Hordak huffed. “I will not, but I do require your assistance.”

“I. Did not expect this, but...okay. Shoot!”

He cocked his head, trying to figure out what he was supposed to shoot and with what. The peace treaty explicitly forbade him from carrying any weapons. Sea Hawk interrupted his musings, stealing the data pad and showing her the crate of tech. “Hordak is send a gift to Entrapta!”

He had to bite back his instinctive denial. For once, Sea Hawk’s assessment was—

“He is trying to woo her! He has confided to me—“

With a growl, he snatched the data pad back. “I told you—there is no ‘wooing’! And I have confided nothing. Stop lying.” Shaking his head, he deliberately wiped the irritation from his features and turned back to Scorpia. “I have several pieces of tech to send to Entrapta. Sea Hawk has observed that this could be considered a ‘gift’, but I find it lacks...feeling. You are Entrapta’s friend. She speaks highly of you, and you are known to be adept at expressing affection. Would you be willing to assist me?” She was staring at him, her eyes gone wide and watery. “Princess? Are you well?”

“Mm-hmm. Just. A little emotional. She speaks highly of me? And you’re sending her a gift?”

He gave a firm nod. “Yes. She has been...kind to me. Inordinately so. I wish to reciprocate her kindness and demonstrate my gratitude. Are you willing?”

She nodded, eyes still a little watery. “Of course! Show me what you’re sending.”

“It is Horde tech I’ve harvested from Prime’s towers.”

“Oh, she’ll love that—did you find anything small? She likes small things.”

“Yes. There are several pieces that I believe she will consider ‘cute’, though I am unsure. Her standard is somewhat inconsistent.” His ears flexed, but thankfully, he didn’t blush.

“Okay, that’s good. She’ll like that. What else?”

The tips of his ears drooped. “That is it. As I said, it is somewhat...cold.”

“Oh, yeah. Okay, I see what you mean. Hmmm.” She pressed a claw to her mouth, brows furrowed as she considered what he’d said. “She’s mentioned that she likes the sound of your voice.” He called upon all his time in the Galactic Horde to keep his expression neutral. “And she’s always listening to recordings. Maybe you could—“

Sea Hawk made an ungodly sound, and Hordak turned, searching for the source of his pain. Were they under attack? Then Sea Hawk grabbed the front of his shirt with both hands, pulling him down until they were eye to eye. The data pad was crushed between them. Faintly, he could hear Scorpia asking what was wrong, but Sea Hawk commanded all his attention at the moment. “YOU MUST SING FOR HER!”

What.

“I—No. Absolutely not.” He shoved Sea Hawk off of him, glaring.

Sea Hawk would not be dissuaded. “Yes! A song is the perfect way to express your love! Your passion! Your desire.”

Hordak stared at him, ears back. He looked to Scorpia, who seemed hesitant. “I’m not really sure about that....”

“I am absolutely sure that is not happening,” Hordak said firmly, deftly avoiding Sea Hawk as he reached for him again. “Stop touching me! I have not given you leave to do so!”

“But it would be so perfect! I can picture it now—“

Hordak had had enough of this. Ears back, he glowered at the man. Scorpia, seeing his face, paled. “Uh. Sea Hawk.”

“—swept up by your passion! And I can help you compose it! Nay, not just can—I will! I must! It is my sacred duty as your wingman—“

Hordak picked up the tech he’d been working on, glancing at Sea Hawk. He’d been intending to test it out anyway. “Sea Hawk!” Scorpia said, raising her voice. “You should really stop now. It would be a very good idea to not do any of the things you’re doing anymore.”

Ignoring both of them, Hordak took the tech and the data pad and marched to the doorway. It had no real door—they’d been working out of an abandoned shop, the door kicked in and the stock raided long ago. He set the data pad down, and pressed a component to each corner of the doorway. With a glance at Sea Hawk, who had finally noticed that Hordak was not just ignoring him but actively walking away, he pressed his thumb to the activator. A red beam fired from it, connecting to the opposite transmitter. In rapid sequence, each transmitter fired, and with a flash, a red field formed over the door.

Hordak stood back, studying it. No signs of sparking, and the field itself seemed solid enough. Through the red field, he could see Sea Hawk’s mouth moving but—blessedly, miraculously—he couldn’t hear him, except for a faint, muffled echo. He closed his eyes and sighed, at peace. Sea Hawk tapped at the field insistently, kindly providing proof of concept.

He stepped away and picked up the data pad. Scorpia looked at him with dread and fear in her eyes. “He’s not dead, is he? Please tell me he’s not dead. I know he’s a lot, but...just tell me he’s not dead.”

“He is not dead.” He turned the data pad to face the doorway. Seeing that he had their attention, Sea Hawk waved, then gestured for him to deactivate the forcefield. Hordak ignored this request and turned the data pad back around. “Are you satisfied?”

“Oh, wow. Okay. Phew. I really thought you’d, uh....” She let out an uneasy laugh. “I am so glad you didn’t kill him. I mean, we’ve been having such a nice conversation. It really would have spoiled things if....” She paused. “He can breathe in there, right?”

“Yes. It is merely a forcefield.”

She let out a relieve sigh. “Oh, good. Okay. So. Where were we?”

“You suggested a recording of some sort, but what?” They both grew quiet, thinking. Then, his eyes lit up. “Perhaps....”

“You have an idea?”

“I...believe so. You will tell me your thoughts. In a few weeks, only two of your ridiculous artificial moons will be visible for a period of approximately one hour before more of them rise. During that window, several stars and planets that would not normally be visible to the naked eye will be very prominent in the night sky. I could create a star chart for her, so that she could properly view these stars and planets. Perhaps I could record some information on each of them, for her to listen to while she views them?” He looked at Scorpia. “Would that be acceptable?”

Her eyes were watery again. “Oh. Wow. Okay. Yeah. That’s, um. That’s perfect. She’ll love that. And, uh, when exactly will this be? Perfuma loves the stars. It would be nice to show her more of them.”

“Send me your coordinates, and I will give you an exact time. Be sure to select a spot with a clear view of the sky, away from all ambient sources of light. That will provide you with the optimum viewing experience.”

She beamed at him. “Thanks! That would be great!”

He nodded. “Thank you for your assistance. It is appreciated.”

“No problem at all! And...keep in touch, okay? I’m, uh, I’m glad you and Entrapta found each other again.” She smiled at him and, ears cocked, he offered a hesitant nod.

“I believe I can do that,” he said, somewhat unsure of himself. The request seemed unusual, and yet, he felt inexplicably warmed by it. “You will...do the same?” He wasn’t sure if that was the correct reply, but her smile was bright and vibrant, so it seemed acceptable.

“I will.” She wished him well, then disconnected.

Hordak glanced at the forcefield, which Sea Hawk was testing by throwing his body against it. He shut his eyes, savoring the momentary silence. Then he approached the door and pressed his thumb to the activator. The field went out, and the soft humming he’d barely noticed before cut out all at once.

Unprepared for this, Sea Hawk ran past, stumbling on the shop’s stoop. Hordak caught him by the back of the shirt, saving him from falling face-first on the ground. He stood him upright, and held up a hand when Sea Hawk started to speak. “Do not touch me without my permission.”

“Oh. You—you don’t like that?”

“I do not.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

Hordak shut his eyes and exhaled slowly, then entered the abandoned shop and activated the field, locking himself inside.

Silence. Blessed. Silence.

He would have to report to Entrapta that her plan was a success; with this in place, he would feel quite comfortable and secure in his quarters. Far more so than a mere lock would allow.

-

In his quarters several days later, Hordak’s data pad started to chime. “Answer call,” he said.

“Hordak!”

His features softened into a smile as he angled the data pad to face him. “Hello, Starlight. Did you—“

She squealed happily, interrupting him. “The tech! And the star-chart! The recording!”

“You received my package then. You are pleased?”

“Pleased? I’m—I’m speechless! No one’s ever done something like this for me before.”

His chest felt warm, his hearts light. “Scorpia assisted me. Sea Hawk was more of a hindrance, but he was present for parts of the discussion.”

She gave him a fond look. He realized that the Princess Alliance was very fortunate she had no interest in conquest, because he would have given her the world if he thought she’d look at him like that. “Thank you,” she said. “I’ll miss you. When I’m looking at the stars.”

“You will have my commentary. And you will know I am looking at the same stars and thinking of you.”

“I know! It’s just...it’s not the same as having you here.” She paused, hair curling around her face. “I miss you. I miss having you in the lab. Kadroh tries, but he’s not you.” She paused. “Are you alone?”

“I am.”

“And...you won’t be interrupted?”

“The forcefield is on. I was just about to take off my armor before you called.”

“Ooh, can I watch?”

He cocked his head, ears flexing. “You want. To watch.”

“Is that okay?”

“I suppose.” He eyed her. “May I ask why?”

”I find it satisfying. Something in the way the pieces fit together, the way they connect to your ports. Additionally, I find you appealing to look at.”

His cheeks felt warm. He swallowed. “As you wish.” He angled the data pad and stepped away, so more of his body was visible to the camera. “Is this all right?”

She nodded eagerly. He hesitated, fingers on the crystal at his chest. “I am...unsure how to proceed.”

She leaned closer to the camera. “You don’t have to do anything special. You can just take it off as you usually do.” He nodded, but the uncertainty lingered. Despite her words, this felt like something else. Something different. She smiled. “If you like, I can give you directions.”

His shoulders relaxed. “I would appreciate that.”

“Okay, start with the crystal.” He obeyed readily, closing his hand around it. It felt good, nestled in his palm. “Now the vambraces.” H e reluctantly set the chip aside, and held up his arm to begin unhooking the armor from his radial ports. The touch of cool air on his skin was a welcome relief after the heat of the day. “I wish I was with you,” she said while he took of the other vambrace. “I want to run my hands over your arms.”

He froze, remembering what it felt like to have her hands on his forearms, fingers running through the radial void. His skin prickled at the thought. “It is pleasant,” he said stiffly, “When you do that.”

“Yeah?” He nodded. “Would it be pleasant if I kissed your hands?”

He looked at the data pad, then at his hands, flexing the fingers. “Why would you...?”

“I like your hands,” she said. “Sometimes, in the lab, I like to watch you work; I find it satisfying. You’re very dextrous. I think about kissing them. Your knuckles. Your fingertips. Do you think you would like that, if I did?”

He swallowed hard. He could hear his hearts beating. “Not. Not in the lab. That would be unsafe. But...I think. Perhaps I might. Enjoy that in. Other circumstances.”

“Oh, good! When I see you, we’ll have to try it.” He nodded, feeling faintly adrift. “Now the armor around your upper arms.”

“Rerebrace.”

“Hmmm?”

“That’s the name of it. A rerebrace.”

“Oh! Okay. Yeah, go ahead and remove that.”

He nodded and worked the pieces of the rerebrace free. He winced a little, massaging the withered muscle when it was exposed. “Do your arms hurt?” she asked, voice soft.

“No more than usual.”

“That’s not an answer.”

He paused, looking at the data pad. “Yes. They ache. Is that a sufficient answer?” She nodded, a worried line appearing between her brows. Not wanting to linger on that, he asked, “Should I remove my pauldrons?”

“Please.” He disconnected them from his scapular ports, rolling his shoulder after removing each. “Does it feel good, taking off your armor?”

Absently working the stiffness from his arm and shoulder, he considered her question. “It helps to manage my pain, so it is not entirely pleasant to take it off. Nor do I enjoy this state of vulnerability. However, it does become uncomfortable after wearing it for a long period. In that way, it is a relief to remove it.”

“I see.”

He finished stretching his shoulders, then reached back to disconnect his gorget from his thoracic and cervical ports. He couldn’t withhold a soft groan, and he ran his fingers around the cervical port, over the back of his neck, massaging the tendons. He lifted his chin and rubbed his fingers along the sides of his throat, easing the tension that tightened the muscles. He rolled his neck, and Entrapta made a soft, strained sound. He paused, one hand on the nape of his neck. “Are you all right?”

She nodded, one hand covering her mouth. “Mmh-hmm. Keep going.”

His ears twitched in confusion, but he only had one more segment to remove. The rib guards each disconnected with a soft hiss and he set them aside. A faint ache spread across his ribcage, and he raised one arm at a time, massaging the muscles along his sides as he did. Entrapta watched, rapt. He paused, looking at her. “You truly are enjoying this, aren’t you?”

She nodded slowly. “I admit, I’ve never been particularly interested in...visual stimuli. But I find that watching you is.” She exhaled shakily. “Stimulating. More so than expected.”

His hair prickled, and he smoothed it down instinctively. “Stimulating.”

“Yes. Very.”

“I. See.” His ears flexed. “In...in what way?”

“Sexually.”

The prickling grew worse, and he cleared his throat, feeling heat spread across his cheeks. “I. I was not aware that this kind of activity could be....” His chest felt tight, and his hearts were beating fast. “Arousing. In that way.”

“Oh.” Her eyes went wide. “I’m sorry! I should have— That is.” A red flush spread across her cheeks. “I think I mishandled this situation,” she said, “When I asked to watch you remove your armor, it was an innocent request. I find it...satisfying. The same way I find it satisfying to deconstruct a robot. I didn’t take my sexual interest into account, so I didn’t realize that it would likely affect me in an entirely different way as well!” Her blush deepened, and her hair began wrapping itself around her. “If I’d thought about it, I would have known, and I would have asked if you were okay with that before we continued! I didn’t mean to make you feel...used.”

“Used?”

She nodded, eyes wide. Her hair was frazzled, grasping tightly at her clothing and her arms. “It’s a matter of consent, isn’t it? It would be one thing, if you knew I wanted to watch you undress for purposes of sexual gratification—“ The heat spread across his face, all the way to the tips of his ears. “—but it’s entirely another if I watched you for that purpose without your knowledge or consent. But I didn’t—I didn’t intend to! This is an...unprecedented reaction on my part.” She spoke in rapid succession, her discomfort obvious. “I would have clarified, if I knew, or I wouldn’t have asked in the first place!” Her hair was so frizzy and so tightly coiled, it looked like she was being consumed by it. “I’m sorry!”

“Entrapta.” He wished that he was there with her, wished that he could reach out and offer her his hand. “I do not feel used.”

She swallowed. “You don’t?”

“No. I feel...” He considered. “Surprised. I admit I am also intrigued. I was under the impression that tactile stimulation was necessary to be...aroused. To any degree.”

“Oh, no. There are lots of ways to cause sexual arousal. Their effectiveness varies from person to person, but any engagement of the senses can be arousing, so much so that they’re used as masturbatory aids. Visual stimuli, auditory stimuli, or a combination of both is very popular. Personally, I prefer mental stimulation in the form of erotic literature.”

“Erotic. Literature.”

“Yeah—people write about sex or characters having sex or something similar, and that can be very stimulating.”

His face felt like it was burning. “Would.” He swallowed. “The. The procedural outline you gave to me. Could that be considered. Erotic literature?”

She blinked. “Oh. I didn’t really think of it that way, but I guess it could. Why?”

He felt a little lightheaded. “I believe I need to sit down.” He grabbed the data pad and sat on the bed. “So, it is...normal to react physically to non-tactile stimulation?”

“Oh, yes. Perfectly normal.”

“It is not a sign of-of...unnatural desires? Or anything...perverse?”

“Not at all!” She studied him, and her eyes widened. “Oh. Did you find my outline stimulating?”

He looked away, ears drawn down. “I.” He exhaled hard, fingers clenching on the bedspread. “Yes. I thought.” He shut his eyes. “I thought that there was something wrong with me. Prime always said we would be nothing but beasts without his influence to control our urges. I thought my reaction was...supporting evidence.”

“Oh, no! No, it’s not that at all!” She swore softly, and he looked at her, ears cocked. He rarely heard her use that kind of language. “I wish I was there. I wish I could hold you. I wish....” Her mouth was firm, though her eyes seemed wide and over-bright. “Prime is a liar,” she said. “He lied to you. All of you. There is nothing wrong with you. Nothing unnatural or perverse. If anything—“ She lifted her chin, and there was something fierce in her gaze, something protective. “I’m glad you found my proposal stimulating. Flattered, even. Next time, though, I would like it if you talked to me if anything I do or say causes you to feel that way.”

“I was ashamed. I thought you would think less of me.”

The fierceness faded into something sad. “Oh, Hordak....”

He shut his eyes, wincing. “I should have talked to you.” His ears pulled back, and he looked away from the data pad. “You have proven yourself worthy of my trust. I am sorry I did not honor that.”

“It’s okay,” she said, “When you don’t think you deserve better, or if it matches your past experience with people, it’s easier to believe the worst. Even of people you...trust.” Her voice sounded strange. He turned and realized she’d drawn her mask down. “But we can be better with each other. Or, at least, we can try. Right?” She cocked her head in question.

Slowly, he nodded, wishing that she was here with him. Wishing he was there with her. “Yes. We will be better with each other.”

She raised her mask hesitantly. “Does this mean you’re still interested in our Intimacy Log? I thought you might have changed your mind, and I didn’t want to pressure you.”

He hesitated. “I worry about harming you.”

She smiled. “That’s okay. I worry about hurting you too.” He blinked. “I think, if we endeavor to talk to each other openly and honestly, we’ll be okay. I am comfortable proceeding with the log if you are.”

He swallowed. The idea had him feeling jittery and nervous, but there was an element of excitement as well. And a not insignificant part of him just wanted to prove Prime wrong. Slowly, he nodded. “Yes. I would like to proceed. I will review your proposal and send it back to you. When I return, perhaps we can...attempt the procedure.”

She smiled. “I would like that. And if you change your mind, please tell me.”

“I will.”

-

A/N: Your comments are treasured. I may not reply (for various reasons) but know that I often re-read the things you guys say because they make me so happy. Thank you so much. ^_^ I’m glad you’re all reading and enjoying this fic.

[freedfromthegalactichivemind]

Eighteen - Hordak’s Tale - Chapter 3

She-Ra and the Princesses of Power fanfiction Rated - Teen (graphic violence, fictional politics).   Hordak-centric Characters: Hordak, Horde Prime, Horde Clones, Scorpia, Scorpia’s Grandfather, Scorpia’s Mothers, various Original Characters.

Chapter 1. Chapter 2.

Chapter summary: Eighteen brothers hurtle through space, all of them condemned to death. Dying in battle might be glorious, but it is death, nonetheless. They blame a single sinner. This is all his fault. 

Eighteen Chapter 3: Eighteen Brothers

A Horde battle-cruiser drifted through interstellar space to the latest front line – a dismal little system of worlds and their colonized moons with a nearly-matched technical capability to the Horde’s own.  The war was raging and the Horde was taking many losses.  For the eighteen clones aboard the vessel, it was a certain death-sentence.  

The cruiser was well-appointed, however. There was a sizable compliment of robot-drones, laser canons and other heavy-artillery.  The flock had survey-equipment and everything else they needed to put up an incredible fight before they fell in service to Prime.  They would take out as much of the enemy as they could, the plan being to clear the path for Brothers in Prime’s Favor to “clean up” and secure the world.  Indeed, they were well-equipped, but not as generously-equipped as the backup force would be.  Lead-forces never were, nor were forces deployed to a front that remained in heavy dispute. Prime wanted the territory badly – for the system had rich resources.  Its populace had also raised his wrath enough that he’d plotted moves previously with the generals to draw out the fight specifically to grind the rebellious people down slowly to make them suffer.  A system that he’d simply had done with would have merely seen their planets carpet-bombed.  Not so here. He did not want to damage the resources and for the enemy, it was too merciful a touch.  

The remnant of them would come into the Light eventually, after a certain amount of appropriate Judgment.  

The clone among the flock which had gotten the flock in this predicament piloted the ship.  The red giant that hosted System 111-456 shone in the distance through the elegantly curved Command Deck window.  This pilot felt the eyes of his brothers upon him. He knew their minds. Distance lessened the feel of the hive mind, so distant Brethren were barely felt and, more alarmingly, Horde Prime himself grew further away. Truth be told, there was always some relief for any given clone whenever Lord Prime’s focus was elsewhere, especially for one with weaknesses and sins to hide, but it always came with a feeling of emptiness.  Reporting in would become more difficult the further from the Velvet Glove they got and they would eventually have to rely upon their physical technology.  

The general steering the ship, in sensing the thoughts of the brothers close to him knew their hatred.  The remaining seventeen were angry, down to the last man. They did not show it upon their faces, keeping a placid demeanor, as becoming of Exalted Brothers of Prime. Expression was for Him alone save for approved displays of emotion, typically found in the frenzy of worship. The lead clone could also sense that they all shared fear, save for perhaps one particularly stoic individual who was know to be particularly “brave” among them.  That one might not have cared, but the one in the pilot’s chair, may Prime forgive him, did not feel ready for oblivion.  

The decant-batch was young, as far as their species went.  They were not newborns, but they were yet young.  The leader’s defect would slowly devour him, the wasting that had begun a progressive condition, but was he not still useful?  He was still strong!  More importantly, he was keen of mind – the entire flock was, designed by their creator’s bold hand with specialization in mind.  It would not do to think of themselves as above other brothers, each had their place, but were they not faithful?  

The pilot was something of a default-leader now, as the flock of seventeen others had been ordered to “follow him.” The order was to follow him into death, of course.  He was the malfunctioning one.  He had committed the sin of hiding his corruption.  He was the reason for their collective punishment.  The defect had emerged in his body, which meant that it was likely present within them all, being of the same batch, and he was merely the first to manifest symptoms.  Horde Prime could not stand the presence of the ugly and the weak.  They were to be culled for the greater good of the Horde, to strengthen the Whole and to appease His Judgment.  

They all knew this and they were to accept it, but there was a buzz among the minds present on the battle-cruiser that they did not truly accept their fate.  

The blame was firmly upon the “leader.”  

“Sinner,”

they thought at him.  

“Filthy sinner, you have doomed us all.”

“Would you have simply perished in your last battle; the rest of us would be able to serve Prime longer.”

The pilot ground his fangs together.  He sent out a feeling of

“Silence!”

but there was none to be had. The whispers of the local Mind were unrelenting.  

After all, it had not merely been a discovered defect that was their problem with him.  This one had been the one with the small quirks.  He was the one who sometimes experienced admiration of enemies’ battle-tactics or the stray piece of alien technology (yes, it was acceptable to borrow an effective plan or device for the glory of Prime, but one was not to openly admire lesser species).  This was the one that had taken the colorant and had placed it in his hair once and had done his duties sticking out in heresy until his hair had grown back to Prime’s White.

He was to fall sooner or later and they had not expected him to last much longer after that incident.  The Brethren seethed their displeasure that he was taking the rest of them down with him now.    

The cruiser neared the system.  Lights from enemy stations and ships as well as Horde equipment began to become visible.  They were to make for the third planet in the system, the one with the fiercest combat.  

“Aku!” spat one of the men.  The clone that was standing next to the pilot, taking computational readings looked sideways at the leader and had chosen to speak aloud rather than just let his mind murmur into the defect’s.  It was an insult in the language used among their own kind, given extra spittle.  

(If the word were translated to the language you are reading this story in now, dear reader, as the rest has been so far, you would immediately see the term as “Sinner”).

The defective one growled low.  “Do your duty!” he demanded.  

“Aku!” the other clone spoke again, the tiniest of smiles tugging at his lips despite the lack of permission they had for such things.  This one apparently decided that he would have the pleasure of tormenting the one who had gotten them into this mess.  In theory, Prime could send his mind halfway across the galaxy to administer appropriate discipline for this outburst, but it seemed like the Flock of Eighteen Generals knew that their Emperor felt them beneath his notice for the time being.    

“Horda-aku!” a pair of the others joined in. “Horde-sinner! Horde-sinner!” they taunted.  

The pilot snarled dangerously.  “I’ll rip out your spines if you do not cease at once!” he threatened.  

In response, the two kept chanting.  

“What does it matter?” said the one who had started this disturbance.  “We are all doomed because of you!”  

“Do you want to live to see the chance to die in glory?” the “sinner” asked.  “Perhaps we can be key in taking 111-456-3 and show that we remain of use!”

“Dreams, defect!” another clone snarked – the brave one.  “Lord Prime has ordered us to give our lives in his service and that is what we shall do.”  

“Stop taunting the defect and stay on mission, brothers,” another clone who had his hands clasped behind his back said, shutting the chanting “twins” up.  He glared at the “Horda-aku” and sent him the mental message to get back into the pilot’s chair.  “The time for violence will come soon enough.  Brothers are to fight together in the destruction of those who reject Prime’s Light.  We are not meant to have meaningless fights with one another.”  

“What is that?” the pair that had begun the “sinner” chants said in unison as their eyes widened and their jaws slackened. Subconsciously, they reached for one another’s hands – something unbecoming, but nothing that clones in close proximity to one another did not do in secret upon occasion when encountering something distressing or feeling forbidden emotions.  

There was a strange formation outside the ship. It looked like a black hole and it had just opened up before them, yet there was no record or reading of a dying star anywhere near here.  Strange purple light swirled around it in a circular pattern.  The consoles on the ship sprang to life as klaxons blared.  

“Eternos?” the clone that had been reading the screens questioned.  “That system was conquered centuries ago, was it not?  And it is nowhere near these coordinates!”

“No!” the pilot exclaimed… “Etheros? What does that mean?”  He scanned the readings and blinked. “Eth-er-i-a?”  

“A world that doesn’t exist?” one of the Brethren yelped.  “That ancient record of a lost planet?  Had it not been destroyed, swallowed by Prime’s Holy Will into oblivion?”

“These readings cannot be correct, brothers!” another exclaimed.  

The pilot growled and slammed a fist down on the edge of his chair.  “Repair the equipment!” he shouted to an anxious-faced clone in the back, who quickly ran to gather tools.  

The ship thundered and rocked.  

“We are being pulled toward the vortex!” a brother shouted.  

The pilot flipped the engines to reverse. It was no use! The ship was being inexorably pulled into the void.  Its gravity increased exponentially.  

The pilot held his head high and closed his eyes.  This was an unorthodox way of fulfilling their mission, but at least they were all going to die, as per Prime’s Will.  

[shipwreckedshadows]

Espionage AU

-The Children-

A terrible storm bombarded Mystacor and her surrounding territories. Lightning reigned supreme that night and Casta watched anxiously from the north east tower of the Academy. She downed the last of her night vision potion and leaned into the cold glass windows. Even with her ocular enhancement spell, her vision was not good enough to see through the sheets of rain. She nearly looked away to retrieve a book when she caught sight of some movement near the edge of the shield. After so long, she’d learned what to look for when seeking Shadow Weaver’s return. The shadows responded to the elder witch, they leaned sharper in her direction and sometimes, if it was quiet enough, they gossiped in hushed tones about her return.

Casta hastily activated a teleportation spell and appeared beside the dark spot at the edge of the shield. The shadows wrapped away to reveal Mystacor’s best and only agent. She hunched over a box and her breaths came in clouded pants. Her face was hidden under someone else’s stolen identity.

“Are you alright?” Casta asked, taking the box from her. It was no larger than the cavity of her chest and a small girl sat upright in it. A garbage back had been wrapped around her like a makeshift pancho. Her teeth chattered together and her eyes stared widely at Casta. The rain slid right off it and caused the cardboard to grow soggy. It was heavier than she expected and she used a small levitation spell to assist her.

“I’m fine.” The agent stretched out her back. Several vertabrae crackled from being hunched over for so long. “I’m not used to transporting more than just myself.“ She shivered, “We should go inside, before any of us catch cold.”

Casta was barely able to teleport all of them to the stairs of the academy. They walked the rest of the way to her chambers, leaving a trail of rain water as they went. Several academy tutors and students, up late finishing term projects, nodded at them and offered help for the old mother and her child. Casta dismissed them with a warm smile and gratitude for their offer. It was then that she noticed that Shadow Weaver had taken a visage similar to the girl in the box - blond hair and bright, blue eyes. It clashed with her robes, soaked through and clinging to her meager body.

They exchanged no words until they arrived in Casta’s quarters. Shadow Weaver let the illusion fall from her face.

“No, wait, don’t do that.” Shadow Weaver said, as Casta set up a drying spell.

“We’ll all die from cold if I don’t!”

A warm blast of heat surrounded the three of them and evaporated every last drop of water.

“See, its so much better now - oh!” She giggled, “Oh stars, your hair!”

Shadow Weaver struggled to smooth the mess of frizz on her scalp. Casta decided to give the agent a break but she couldn’t stop herself from smiling. Leaving the agent to her own devices, Casta turned her attention to the small girl. She had since climbed out and was playing with the knobs on one of the dresser drawers.

Casta went to pick up the box, so she could dispose of it, when she discovered another, smaller bundle. A hairless cat baby snored quietly, swaddled in a patchy bath towel. She must have been hidden under the other child’s bag pancho.

“What in Etheria is dark, scary Shadow Weaver doing with you.” Casta cooed.

“Cat-ta, Cat-ta!” The small girl babbled, pointing at the baby.

“I was only going to leave with the girl.” Shadow Weaver sighed, “But she wouldn’t leave without the cat and the cat wouldn’t leave without the box.”

“That’s adorable. Do they have names?”

“The older child is named Adora. I don’t have a name for the cat.”

Casta gasped, “You found this adorable baby and you didn’t bother to name her? You know, I read once that children require a name in order to properly forge their identity. They can’t name themselves, so, as the responsible adult in the room, you are obligated to do it for them.”

The agent massaged the bridge of her nose, “I kidnapped two soldiers from Hordak’s barracks - I didn’t exactly have an open schedule. Especially not with that little beasty yowling for her friend.”

“Shh! She is not a beast! Don’t listen to her... she’s just tired.”

“You’re going to wake her.”

“She slept through your terrifying magic and the thunder outside. I’m not going to wake her up.”

Shadow Weaver shifted her eyes away.

Casta squinted at her, “What did you do...?”

“I charmed the towel. She can’t hear anything as long as its wrapped around her.”

Castaspella didn’t bother to hide her disappointment, “I can’t believe you were allowed to teach students at this academy.”

“Teaching and parenting are very different things.”

Casta gently unraveled the towel from the baby and set them together on the bed.

“Watch her while I go find her a proper blanket.”

From her closet, she sifted through the spare garments on the top shelf until she found something that would work. It was one of the first things she had knitted. It wasn’t a perfect square but the yarn was soft and transitioned gently between different pastel colours of rainbow. 

“It’s a little old but I think - oh.” Casta smiled softly when she saw Shadow Weaver at the windowsill, looking out over the Academy court yard. The cat baby was in one arm. Her other hand steadied Adora’s back as she stood against the glass and wondered at the humongousness of the outside.

“Let me.” Casta said, reaching for the baby.

Shadow Weaver took the blanket from her, “No, I can do it. I’ve been doing this far longer than you have.” She let Adora down gently before attending to the baby.

With a gentleness Casta didn’t expect the agent to posses, Shadow Weaver wrapped the child in the knitted blanket. Through the commotion, the baby opened her mismatching eyes and made several noises at the mages.

“Cat-ta!” Adora tugged at Shadow Weaver’s gown.

“Would you like to hold her?”

The child exclaimed, wordlessly.

“Alright, but be careful with her. She’s only a baby.”

“I know!”

Shadow Weaver knelt and made sure Adora’s small hands were secured around the bundle. The girl smiled down at the kitten, “Hi, Cat-ta.” She whispered.

“You’d make a great mother, under different circumstances.”

“Don’t you ever say that.”

“Why not?”

“Motherly I may be, a mother I am not.”

Casta thought for a moment. After some silence she murmured, “Cat-ta doesn’t have a very pleasant ring to it.”

“She’s trying to say Catra. She wrote it out in her crayon drawings a few weeks ago.”

“I must be imagining this, but is that pride in your voice?”

“Of course. She’s my ward. I put in a lot of hard work to teach her.”

Adora handed Catra to Shadow Weaver and climbed up onto the bed. She lay her head on Casta’s lap and the sorceress pet her hair until she dozed off to sleep. Shadow Weaver sat on the other side of Casta.

“Why’d you take them?” She asked.

“Because they refused to leave each other.” 

“Yes, you said that - so I understand why Catra is here. But why Adora?”

“Because Adora is special. You won’t be able to see it but the Obtainment powers showed me - she has something inside of her that will bring peace to Etheria. She’s not from this world. Lord Hordak found her laying just beyond a portal in space. The idiot put her in the nursery with the other children and she unfortunately developed attachments. When I explained to her that I would have to take her away, she cried for hours.”

“What made her stop?”

“I told her that if she didn’t stop crying, she would use up all the water on Etheria and the whole planet would become a desert.”

“That’s a little... harsh.”

“It worked.”

Casta frowned, “We’ll have to find good homes for them. Money is a little short for everyone so I’m not sure who’s going to take them. But we’ll try.”

“Promise me you’ll take them if nobody else does?”

Shadow Weaver hardly ever begged for anything but when she did, she did so without a care for her dignity. Casta had to look away so she wouldn’t have watch the agent’s face fall.

“I can’t do that. I have so much responsibility as the Supreme Sorceress. I can’t take care of two children, let alone one. And what happens when I have to go out there and I get injured in battle? What happens to them if I die?”

“Don’t say that. Never ever say that.” She put a hand on Casta’s cheek, “You will be here for at least one hundred years. Longer than that, maybe.”

“Dearest... that still doesn’t mean I can take care of them.”

Shadow Weaver took a breath.

“I’ll find them the best home, I promise.”

“You better.”

[ambii15]

Untitled Catradora FanFic

So, I’m trying my hand at a Catradora fic. It’s been a VERY long time since I’ve written anything for another fandom other than Clexa, and even those I haven’t had the motivation to write for. But I’ve simply fallen in love with Catradora, She-Ra in general, and I want to give this a go. I’m posting this sneak peak of a small portion of what I already have written and I’m hoping to get some feedback on it. Constructive criticism is very welcomed! Enjoy!

Catra felt her stomach flop in unease as she entered Hordak’s sanctum. The same unease she used to feel as a child when Lord Hordak’s name was so much as uttered around her. 

But she shoved the feeling aside. 

She was here, successful now, with an all powerful weapon just waiting outside the door behind her. 

Catra’s bare feet padded across the cool metal floor, stopping just shy of the steps that lead to Hordak’s throne. Lord Hordak’s glowing red eyes peered down upon her and tilted his head to the side, his little dragon like minion mirroring his movements. 

“Force Captain Catra,” Hordak drawled out,“I was somewhat surprised when your return from your mission, whatever it was that was so important, was announced so soon. Tell me, was your mission a success…or a failure?”

Any lingering traces of Catra’s unease completely vanished from her being. Her mission was much more of a success than Hordak knew. She couldn’t wait to wipe the self righteous smirk from his face when her real prize was revealed. 

Catra kneeled low, head bowed, as she held her arms out. Her hands unfolded to reveal the pink diamond shaped crystal that she had taken from the First One’s ruin. Catra looked up through her lashes to see Hordak’s eyes twist in confusion. 

“This,” Hordak spat with a wave towards the crystal,”Is what your ‘important’ mission was about? A…shiny piece of crystal? Do explain to me why this was so important that you had to leave in the middle of our planning our attack on the rebellion?” 

The Force Captain’s tail flicked back and forth as she stood to her full height and gripped the crystal tightly in her fist. 

“During the rebellion’s last invasion on the Fright Zone they left behind a…very important package,” Catra purred. 

“A package?” Hordak inquired. 

Catra let a dark laugh pass through her lips. 

“A princess.” 

Hordak and his little winged minion straighten their posture, suddenly very interested in the young feline’s information.

“A princess? What does this have to do with your mission to get that crystal? Explain. Now,” Hordak demanded. 

Catra began to slowly ascend the stairs to Hordak’s throne as she tossed the crystal from hand to hand. 

“During the invasion a certain princess got left behind. One that just so happens to excel in science and…weapons.”

Hordak’s red eyes widened momentarily, all his attention now drawn to Catra’s words.

“Scorpia and I happened to come across this princess, Entrapta, and while interrogating her we discovered that the rebellion left her behind, left her to die here at the hands of the Horde. We were able to make her realize that we could put her abilities to much better use than the rebellion ever could. After that Entrapta gave me a map to the location of some First One’s tech that would help her to better advance our bots once she was able to…study it.”

By the time Catra had finished her explanation she had reached the top of the stairs and now stood directly in front of Hordak’s throne. Hordak’s little minion perched itself on the edge of the throne’s arm, eyeing Catra with it’s blank eyes. Hordak rubbed the top of his minion’s head causing a mewl of enjoyment to slip past it’s lips. 

“You believe you can trust this princess to work on our bots with this ‘First One’s’ tech? How are we not to know that she isn’t just a spy left here by the rebellion to tinker with our machines and destroy us from the inside out?”

Catra stifled a full blown laugh behind her hand,“Entrapta, no offense to her, is the last person the rebellion would leave as a spy. She may have the greatest brain in all of Etheria but she has an attention span of a child. If, and I highly doubt that she is, she was a spy Entrapta would be the easiest to take out. I will take full responsibility if she is.”

“You take responsibility? My, she must be highly valuable in your plans for you to take responsibility of her and her actions, Catra.”

“She is not the only one who is highly valuable in my plans, Lord Hordak,” Catra smirked,“In addition to Entrapta and the First One’s tech I’ve brought one more very special contribution that I hope will set myself well into my plans.” 

Catra snapped her fingers and only moments after the door to Hordak’s sanctum slid open. Rogelio stepped through, pushing a metal gurney in front of him. Strapped down to said gurney was a still unconscious Adora. She groaned deeply in her sleep as the gurney shook, her body feeling the effects of Catra’s assault to her head. Lonnie followed swiftly behind Rogelio, hands occupied by the weight of She-Ra’s sword. They closed the distance between the door and Lord Hordak’s throne swiftly, knowing that there was no room for dawdling. 

Catra watched with great interest, and a self satisfied smirk, as Hordak’s face twisted with pleasure at what was shown before him. Rogelio and Lonnie wasted no time in bowing before their Lord and Force Captain. Lonnie held She-Ra’s sword extended out above her head and Catra knew this was the moment she had waited for since Adora had abandoned her. 

Catra stalked down the stairs and didn’t hesitate to snatch the sword from her subordinate’s hands. She admired the green glow bouncing off the sword from the lights for a few moments before once again making her way back to the top of the stairs. Catra kneeled once more, this time at the helm of Lord Hordak’s feet, and presented him with She-Ra’s sword. Even though her head was bowed and she could no longer see him Catra could feel Hordak’s presence shift as he stood and moved towards her. 

She felt the weight of the sword leave her hands as he took it in his own grasp and Catra allowed herself the moment to stare up at her Lord. She watched as he tested the weight in his hands, studying the blade and its hilt. 

“Force Captain Catra,” Hordak bellowed as he swung the sword slowly in his hands,“You have accomplished a great deal in such a small amount of time. I may have underestimated your abilities.” 

This.

This is what Catra had waited for. Had worked for. The recognition. The praise. She had finally done something worth while and on her own. She no longer hid behind anyone’s shadow. 

It was all her. 

But there was still one more thing she wanted. 

Catra kept quiet thought. She knew when to speak and when not to. Plus she would not beg for the greatest thing she wanted, no matter how much she wanted it. 

Lord Hordak returned to his throne, setting the sword across his knees and gliding his hands across the blade. His little winged minion curiously inspected the sword from its’ perch on the throne’s arm. Catra watched on with impatience. She had given Hordak more in these past few minutes than she had in her entire life and all he could do was admire the sword. 

But still she would not beg. 

She would wait for her moment to come of its’ own accord. 

“Rogelio you are dismissed,” Hordak waved him away before turning his eyes to Lonnie,“You…strap Adora to the table over there and bring me Shadow Weaver.”

Catra’s mismatched eyes scrunched in confusion.

“Why do you need Shadow Weaver?”

Hordak stood once again, ignoring Catra’s question, and watched as Lonnie moved Adora from the gurney to the metal table in the center of the his sanctum. Catra eyed him suspiciously. Her mind began wondering to exactly what he planned to do with Adora…and then bringing in Shadow Weaver? Just what was he planning?

Catra internally scoffed as she caught that deep feeling inside of her trying to rise to the surface. What did it matter what Hordak planned to do with Adora? She brought Adora to him. It wasn’t like she was concerned what happened to her. 

That’s a lie and you know it. 

Catra shook her head, ears twitching at the sound of her own voice in the back of her mind. 

No. She did not care what Hordak planned to do with her ex-best friend. This is why Catra took Adora back to the Horde leader. She was the ultimate object in Catra getting what she truly wanted. She would not let herself ruin this with tedious thoughts of concern for Adora. If she was concerned she never would’ve returned to the Fright Zone with her. 

Lies. You know you’re regretting your decision. 

A deep rumble stirred in Catra’s chest. The inner conflict in the back of her mind rising to the forefront. Catra smacked a hand to the side of her head trying to force the thoughts away. 

She would not ruin this for herself. 

But this isn’t what you truly want and you know it. 

Again, this is only a small portion of what I’ve written. I have much more already planned for this fic, I’m just hoping it will get some feedback, enough that it will inspire me to keep going with it! But, anyway, thank you for taking the time to read it! I hope you enjoyed and hopefully will look forward to move of it!

[tartarean-thread]

💭

“This one’s different.” Shadow Weaver mutters, turning to Lord Hordak. “Can’t you feel it?”

From the moment Shadow Weaver was touched by the Spell of Obtainment, the world around her had changed. Her vision was twisted, blurred, left unable to make out all but the faintest details in anything not thrumming with magic. Only that could make something clear, let her eyes focus on it, see it as it truly is. In Mystacor, when she fought the other sorcerers, she could only just barely tell who she was killing, their features fading into each other until they were little more but obstacles and bundles of magic to drain.

Except for Micah.

Even in her haze of power and fury, she could never mistake his face. He was as clear as the day they met, as though her vision had never been changed. Every stand of black hair, every wrinkle in his uniform, she could make out everything, even when everything else had turned to static.

She could see herself, reflected in dark, tearful eyes, just as easily as she could see the fear, the horror in them as she approached. How could she not? They were one and the same.

Things only grew duller beyond Mystacor. The flying city was saturated with magic, but Etheria as a whole barely held a candle to it. She navigated by the light of the moons, their internal magic making them just clear enough she could tell where she was going. She’d never left the city before now, but she knew that the Fight Zone was somewhere to the south. Hopefully, that was enough.

She knew she arrived by smell first. Even miles away from the zone proper, the air was heavy with smog and ash. It didn’t take long to find Hordak, and it took less time to earn his trust. The hatred with which she spoke of her former friends and family was enough.

Before long, she was in control of the Black Garnet, one of the only sources of magic she’d seen in the Fright Zone. Such was its power that its light, a deep, dark red, brought all around it into clarity as well. It was an anchor, something she could always rely on to be clearly visible.

Her reflection was just as visible.

More than once she lashed out after feeding off of it, scratching at the scarred woman looking at her from inside the runestone, her eyes red and angry. Accusing. Hateful.

Her mask was a great relief. It concealed her face better than loose bandages, yes, but that was never its main purpose. It cast all the light that passed through its lenses in magic, bringing clarity to the world that had become so hard to decipher. She could make out others’ faces again, she could read and write, she could see. It wasn’t perfect, but it was something, so much more than the near blindness she’d grown accustomed to.

She still took to looking away from the Garnet when she had to drain it.

It was hard to stir her from it when that happened. Feeding from it was like staring into the sun with her entire consciousness, stifling anything else that might intrude on her awareness.

Hearing a child cry in the heart of the Fright Zone was just enough to do that.

She knew the child was special from the moment she saw her. She nearly stumbled as she knelt before Hordak, running on auto pilot more than anything. The child... She was perfectly clear. Clearer than anything she’d seen since the Spell of Obtainment, many years ago. She was clearer than anything before that, when her eyes were young and perfect.

It wasn’t hard to convince Hordak. He just wanted the child out of his presence. She cradled the infant in her arms, brushing aside the swaddling partially hiding her face. After a moment, her crying quieted, bright blue eyes opening to look up at Shadow Weaver. The terror at her strange and scary surroundings melted as quickly as the sorceress’ heart. A small hand slipped out of the blanket, grasping her arm as clumsily as all babies do, but gently. Tenderly.

The reflection in Adora’s eyes was as clear as the rest of her. Shadow Weaver could see herself better than she had in many years, perhaps her entire life, and she felt that, perhaps, Adora could see her just as clearly.

“Oh, don’t worry little one,” She cradled the child closer, letting its clumsy, gentle hand bat at her mask.

“We’re going to do great things together.”