Hi, there!
Ooo, wow!
You're here to read the start of my new episode, aren't you?!
You're desperate (at least -ish?) to find out how Entrapta and her entourage/back-up will recover from the terrible revelation at the end of the last episode, right??
Well, I felt merciful and decided not to put off the resolution of the cliff-hanger, but instead treat this as if it is the second part of a two-part episode (which it basically is in everything but name). :)
You're welcome!
First:
What the heck has happened in this big ole story so far?
Well . . .
In Episode 53: On The Plain of Heroes the princesses began their separate journeys.
In Episode 54: Just Friends Ship - Adora, Bow, and Glimmer welcomed Catra to Bright Moon, and Mermista and Sea Hawk faced a terrible storm at sea.
In Episode 55: Sleeping Arrangements - Catra faced demons in the Whispering Woods, Adora got really bored amidst Bright Moon preparations, and then she invited her girlfriend on a new adventure.
In Episode 56: Throne Room - Mermista returned to a ruined Salineas, King Micah returned to Bright Moon, Adora and Catra found a warning, and Spinnerella and Netossa saved their lives.
In Episode 57: Missing Peace - A tense meeting led by Glimmer, the New Super Pal Trio entered the Fright Zone, and Entrapta and Wink began a journey.
In Episode 58: Peace Zone - Entrapta returned to Beast Island, Scorpia claimed her kingdom, and Mystacor vanished!
In Episode 59: Good Will Tour - Entrapta and Wink met the robot Lucinda, Catra found the battered Mystacor, Mermista rescued her people, and Scorpia forged peace between the former Horde and the princesses!
In Episode 60: Cry For Etheria - Entrapta made a momentous discovery, the Best Friends Squad activated the distress beacon, disasters struck, and Catra wept.
In Episode 61: Stay Close - A sleepover brought all the princesses together as Catra and Castaspella bonded.
And in Episode 62: Chance for the Future, Ghosts from the Past with the help of Entrapta, the princesses formed a plan to save Etheria, and Adora and Catra faced terrors of their pasts.
I would like to dedicate this week's chapter to my newest reader, and a great new friend, Randy ( @Randomo123 )!
I hope my story helps to carry on the spirit of She-Ra and that you enjoy this next chapter.
Thank you all for being here with me!
Episode 63: Welcome . . .
The light is failing over the Valley of the Heart, and cloud-cover pales the sun.
Etheria’s friendly moons are lost in mist.
And the air is heavy with dreadful foreboding.
Adora, Bow, Entrapta, and Wink are hemmed in by the overwhelming force of a hundred or more identical grey figures standing silently on every side.
Bow, poised to let his arrows fly, looks to Adora for a sign.
But Adora’s attention is absorbed in the piercing gaze of the one before her, whose bone-white face and glowing green eyes bear a smile of absolute triumph.
The Sword of Protection trembles uncertainly in Adora’s hand.
Horde Prime’s Clone: [slowly and pointedly] Welcome! To those who dared to oppose . . . the awesome might . . . of Horde Prime!
Adora’s eyes widen in horror. Her sword arm falters and begins to sink.
Adora: [whispering] Nooo . . .
In the brief moment of deathly silence, Adora takes a quick step backwards, and the others immediately move inward to meet her. Entrapta latches onto Wink, pulling him close enough to swaddle them both within her lavender strands of hair. Bow and Adora stand back to back, raising their weapons for a desperate stand. Adora closes her eyes and grits her teeth.
Adora: [softly] For the --
But before she can finish, she is interrupted by a deep booming voice.
Horde Prime’s Clone: We are . . . forever in your debt!
Adora’s eyes snap open, and she gapes at the vision before her. The clone speaking to them is down on one knee. Within seconds, the entire vast gathering of clones around them drops to its knees, and every head bows humbly in unison.
Bow straightens from his slight crouch and looks around himself in bemused wonder. Entrapta relaxes her hair, smiling.
Adora: [in confused relief] Oh . . .
She nearly jumps at Entrapta’s voice.
Entrapta: [with shocking enthusiasm] You’re WELCOME!!
Adora looks toward Entrapta, then at the clone at her feet, who raises his head with pleading eyes.
Horde Clone: [mournfully] How can we ever repay you?!
Adora: [uncertainly] Uhhhh . . .
Bow: Adora.
Adora: [quickly, turning her head] What?
Bow: [smiling, relaxed] I think you can put the sword away, now.
As Bow speaks, he casually flips his bow closed and sheathes it behind his back.
Adora: [shaking her head as if to clear it] Right. Okay.
She unclenches her hand, and the sword shimmers away. The clone acting as spokesperson rises to his feet as Adora gathers herself together and takes a deep breath. With a fresh, cool attitude, she addresses him.
Adora: [In a serious tone] Okay. We are on a desperately vital mission on behalf of all of Etheria’s princesses. Our world is in danger, and time is short. We need you to give us safe passage to the Chamber of the Heart.
The clone’s expression changes to a troubled frown. He lowers his gaze.
Horde Clone: We . . . [almost as if in pain] . . . have sworn on our lives to protect the Heart of Etheria. It is . . . a terrible weapon. Never again must anyone --
Adora cuts him off.
Adora: [sharply] No! You don’t understand. Etheria faces destruction. The system is out of control, and the only way to stop it is to shut it down. To do that, we have to have access!
The clone raises his head again to look her directly in the eyes, a mingling of doubt and anxiety visible on his face.
Horde Clone: I am sorry, but . . . I cannot grant that. The only one of us who can do so is --
A sudden cry of elation sounds from behind Adora.
Entrapta: [with explosive joy] HORDAK!!
Startled, Adora turns her head to look over her shoulder, then ducks quickly as a rippling wave of purple sweeps just past her face.
Adora: [wide-eyed] Huh?! Wha-ohh!!
She leans away as Entrapta stilts through the crowd on her ponytails, picking her way carefully, and with impressive speed, over the heads of the clones!
Adora straightens up and looks searchingly around the shoulders of the clone in front of her, toward Entrapta’s goal.
She witnesses a curious sight.
Like a large green ball floating buoyantly on the surface of a calm white sea, the spherical shape of Emily bounces happily up and down as she carefully picks her way through the crowd of kneeling figures. Using one of her extendable arms, she holds a clone by the hand and gently leads him along.
But, as they approach, it becomes clear that the one she is leading is different from all the rest, with almost a noble bearing, a more formal stature. His eyes betray signs of weariness, a weight of responsibility, and the experience of troubled years, but also a unique sparkle of determined inspiration and hope.
He wears a brilliant violet crystal on a thin chain around his neck.
There is a mildly astonished expression on Hordak’s face as he recognizes the squealing flurry of hair and energetic delight coming at him!
In a few moments, Entrapta arrives over his head and lets her hair collapse in loose waves by his feet. Instinctively, Hordak reaches out to catch her body in his arms, and she lands with a pleasant thump and an instant embrace!
Entrapta: [beaming] Oh, Hordak! It’s you!
Hordak: [with a dazed little grin] Entrapta! I . . .
He trails off as he looks ahead of them with renewed surprise at the colorful familiar pair striding confidently toward him through the parting sea of white.
Unconsciously, he gently lets Entrapta slip to the ground, where she stands bobbing subtly up and down, her hands clasped together, gazing affectionately up at her old friend.
Adora steps up to within a few feet of them, and Bow joins her at her side. She regards Hordak with an enigmatic smile, her arms folded, her stance wide and relaxed. The two of them greet one another silently, until Hordak takes a long, deep breath.
Hordak: [mildly] Adora.
Adora: [cooly] Hordak.
For a few moments their eyes lock unwaveringly, and a shared vision forms in their memories:
A verdant field ornamented by a loose border of natural crystalline columns . . . long grasses waving in a gentle wind . . . a lonely figure, tall, broad-shouldered, wearing battle armor and a long cape that sways in the breeze . . . he lowers his head to behold with wonder . . . a tiny child, resting in his arms . . . her pale, blue eyes wide . . . full of innocent peace and nascent wisdom . . . her hand gently reaching to touch the gauntlet of her bearer . . . and at the contact, a tender smile . . . and in response . . . the tiniest break in a calloused soul . . . and a smile returned . . .
For an instant, the two are made one in heart, a moment of total understanding, leaving seeds of compassion that bloom only after many years, as the circle is finally made complete.
The mists of memory recede, and they are returned to the present.
Hordak: [with gentle feeling, to Adora] It is . . . good to see you again.
Adora nods slowly, with a warm smile of understanding.
Hordak turns his head to regard Bow.
Hordak: And . . . ?
Bow folds his arms with an ironic smile.
Bow: [kindly] Bow. It’s okay. I was a minor prisoner of the Horde once. During the war. [raising an eyebrow] But . . . that didn’t last very long. [he shrugs] So, I wouldn’t expect you to remember me.
Hordak nods.
Hordak: [matter-of-factly] Of course.
For a brief moment, Hordak spies an unfamiliar clone with slightly ruffled hair just behind Bow. It winks at him. He frowns slightly, then turns to look down at Entrapta. She looks up with a bright expression, and a tiny smile colors Hordak’s face.
Hordak: I didn’t imagine you would come back here so soon.
Entrapta: [eagerly] Neither did I! I thought I might be too busy for a while. But, as luck would have it, there’s a planet-wide catastrophe that made a visit to you absolutely essential! What a coincidence, huh?!
Hordak raises a questioning eyebrow.
Horde Clone: [stepping forward, humbly] Lor -- er, Hordak. They are asking about the Heart!
Hordak notes the clone’s conflicted dismay. He turns and sees looks of determination and resolve in Adora’s and Bow’s eyes. Then he nods with decision. Raising his arms, he addresses the crowd of clones surrounding them.
Hordak: [loudly, with benevolent authority] My brothers! These visitors are friends to us! We will give them all possible assistance! [addressing Adora in a quieter voice] Come with me.
He turns around and leads the way. As the others follow behind, Entrapta walks beside him, chattering excitedly.
Entrapta: Hordak! I have so many questions I want to ask you! And I just know you’ll be fascinated by my recent discoveries! When I went back to Beast Island to confirm . . .
As Adora watches her friend in increasingly animated conversation, Entrapta’s hand somehow slips into Hordak’s palm, squeezing it tightly. Hordak nods along, grinning in growing warmth at Entrapta’s delightful enthusiasm.
The sweetness of the moment is echoed in Adora’s smile.
