New Legacy 1.7 - The Horde, Part Four

[thew40]

HE-MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE: NEW LEGACY

Episode Six: The Horde, Part Four: Reunions

Written by Mirage and thew40
Art by Jukka

Previously . . .
Since she received a blood transfusion from the Sorceress of Grayskull, Teela has experienced moments of telepathy. These are usually few and far in between are a guarded secret of hers.

The Horde has returned and as they tore through the first wave of defense, He-Man and Skeletor were captured by Hordak. However, He-Man attempted to reach his long-lost twin sister, Adora and reveal the truth behind her life with the Horde. She refused to believe it.

In the meantime, Hordak launched several campagins, including one against Andreena, where Princess Sweet-Bee and Lord Buzz-Off were captured. Hordak then led an attack against Castle Grayskull, where he failed in destroying the former fortress of his enemy and was teleported away thanks to Zodak and the Sorceress. While this was occuring, He-Man finally got convinced Adora of the nature of the Horde and she aided him in escaping.

It is now only mere moments since then . . .

-------------

Mirage, Jukka, and Thew40 present . . .

Masters of the Universe: New Legacy
Episode 1-8
"The Horde – Part Four: Reunions"

Act One: Unexpected

He-Man emerged from Doom Tower and his Sword of Power slid into the mechanical belly of the Horde Troopers. Adora was right behind him, weapon aimed, still not convinced this was the best course of action. She still walked along with him, guiding him towards the exit.

The door opened and the pair stepped out from the wall. He-Man took down four other Horde Troopers before they could react.

“How are we supposed to get to Eternos?” asked Adora.

Just then, a huge green tiger with red armor came rushing out from a small nearby cave. Battle-Cat, waiting for his master the whole time. He-Man scratched his faithful companion behind the ears, eliciting a gentle purr.

“Adora . . . meet Battle-Cat.”

“Your steed?”

“Yeah. Hop on board.”

***

Zodak came rushing out of Castle Grayskull. He lifted up his staff and sent it sailing. It smashed into a Horde Trooper as the Horde began to withdraw from the area. With Grizzlor and Manteena having to return to their posts and Shadow Weaver looking for the teleported Hordak, Multi-Bot was overrun.

Teela, Man-At-Arms, Man-E-Faces, Clamp Champ, and Ram-Man continued to blast the Horde Troopers, joined by Zodak now. Alongside two dozen Royal Soldiers, the Masters were winning this battle.

As the Horde Troopers finally withdrew into the Evergreen Forest, Man-At-Arms turned to the others. “Pursue them best you can,” he ordered. “Teela, I want you to remain here. Keep watch over the Sorceress.”

“Understood,” Teela replied. The Masters were off in a flash and Teela turned to the massive fortress.

***

Hordak finally emerged in the Evergreen Forest, about ten miles west of Castle Grayskull. Where AM I? he wondered, trying to regain his bearings.

"My Lord," said a raspy feminine voice nearby.

Hordak turned towards the voice. Before him stood Shadow Weaver, his top lieutenant in all her robed glory.

"Weaver," Hordak said finally.

"My Lord, I am the bearer of bad tidings," said Shadow Weaver. "He-Man has escaped."

"WHAT?" Hordak exclaimed, outraged.

"He-Man has escaped from Doom Tower," said Shadow Weaver. "…And Force Captain Adora is missing."

"Find her … find Adora." Hordak then said darkly, "I will deal with He-Man later."

"Yes, Lord Hordak." With that, Shadow Weaver reached out with her mind, searching for Adora.

***

Teela marched uneasily towards the approach to Castle Grayskull. No matter how often I come here, I can never quite get used to the place, she thought.

Teela came to a stop just short of where the approach met the drawbridge. "Sorcer-…?" she cried. Just before she could get the word out, the drawbridge lowered, bidding her to enter. She's expecting me, Teela thought.

***

"Sorceress?" Teela stood in the doorway of The Sorceress of Grayskull's massive, lavish bedchamber (The Sorceress had summoned her there telepathically.)

"Over here," said The Sorceress weakly from her bed. The battle with Hordak had left her physically exhausted.

Teela walked hesitantly over to the side of The Sorceress's bed. "Father sent me here … to check on you," said Teela. "What happened?"

"Hordak … attacked me," said The Sorceress, her voice barely above a whisper.

Teela gasped and clasped her hand over her mouth in shock. She had never seen the Sorceress like this before -- weak, helpless, seemingly drained of energy. "You … gonna be OK?" she asked haltingly.

"I'll be fine," said The Sorceress softly. "I just need to rest."

All at once, images of Adora and Shadow Weaver filled her vision. Shadow Weaver seeks Adora, The Sorceress thought. "Teela…"

"Yes, Sorceress?"

"I need you to do something."

"What is it?"

"Come closer," said The Sorceress.

Teela edged closer to the head of The Sorceress's bed. "What do you want me to do?" she asked.

"Give me your hand."

Teela held out her hand. The Sorceress then gently took Teela's hand in hers. All at once, an image of Shadow Weaver in the Evergreen Forest filled Teela's vision.

"What're you doing?" Teela asked, a note of fear creeping into her voice.

"Don't be afraid," said the Sorceress telepathically in Teela's mind, her voice having a soothing, almost maternal quality about it.

"What's going on?"

"I have to stop Shadow Weaver," said the Sorceress.



All at once, Teela felt a surge of psychic energy flow through her. For a brief, shining moment, Teela and the Sorceress were one: one flesh, one mind, one spirit. Wave after wave of psychic energy flooded Teela.

Through the psychic blasts, Teela could just barely discern something else: love. Overwhelming love. Love for HER, of all people. Why ME? Teela wondered. I never knew she felt that way about me.

***

"My Lord Hordak," said Shadow Weaver. "My attempts to find Adora are being blocked."

"BLAST!" Hordak exclaimed. He then sighed and said, "Let's get out of here, Weaver. There's nothing more we can do."

***

A little while later, the Sorceress had relinquished her psychic hold on Teela. Teela stood at the side of the Sorceress's bed, pinching the bridge of her nose and trying to stop the tears that were falling from her eyes.

"Teela," said The Sorceress.

"Huh?" Teela grunted in reply.

"What's wrong?" The Sorceress asked, concerned.

"Nothing's wrong," Teela countered.

"You're crying…"

"I … don't know what to say," said Teela. The tears had finally stopped falling. "I … never knew you felt that way about me."

"Sometimes … it's best not to say anything," said The Sorceress, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I … really should go," said Teela as she turned to leave. "I'll tell Father you're OK."

"Teela…"

Teela turned back to face the Sorceress. "Yeah?"

"Thank you," said the Sorceress.

Teela nodded weakly. "I was … glad I could help," she said. She then shyly waved good-bye, turned, and left the room.

Someday, you'll understand, thought the Sorceress as Teela left the room. Someday, you'll understand.

-------------

~W~

[Meta Ray Mek]

WOW! I've been playing 'catch up' with the last few chapters and hokey smokes this is incredible!

The artwork is AWESOME. Jukka's really outdone himself here.

Outstand job everyone!

(Oooooh, are we ever gonna see what happened to Buzz-Off and Sweet Bee? *brick'd*)

[Fyre]

are they going to bump into bert racoon in the evergreen forest?

(sorry, couldn't resist )

bring on the next installment!

[Rhoman06]

Sweeeeeeeeeeet. Great art Jukka and great writing Mirage and Thew40, both of you. This is an awesome chapter. Please keep it coming.

[conan]

I like I like

[Hordaks Henchman]

yes yes yes. thank u. i enjoy that stuff really

[warmachinex]

Great story yet again and the art WOW!!!! great job jukka, the detail is amazing.

[SKELEPIMP]

Cool! Good work, guys!



,

[ZeroCool]

The artwork is AWESOME. Jukka's really outdone himself here.

Outstand job everyone!

(Oooooh, are we ever gonna see what happened to Buzz-Off and Sweet Bee? *brick'd*)

There is nothing more to say about it

[He-Fan2002]

Great job, Jukka! It's good to finally see Shadow Weaver.
Is there going to be more?

[J-Sun]

AWESOME STORY AND ART!

You guys are Amazing!

[Toymaker]

Really good, cant wait for the next part!

[thew40]

Act Two – Family Restored

“He-Man’s back!” shouted the guard at the gate. “He’s alive!”

The doors to Eternos came rumbling open and Battle-Cat came rushing in, He-Man and Adora on his back. Citizens of Eternos emerged from their homes and watched from the windows and balconies and doors as the great hero returned. There were whispers, however, as to just who was the woman sitting behind him.

Battle-Cat came to the pavilion before the Palace doors. Man-At-Arms and Orko were there, waiting for him.

“You escaped!” shouted Orko, rushing over to He-Man. “And you . . . um . . .”

Man-At-Arms’ jaw dropped. “Adora . . .” he whispered.

“Yes,” Adora replied, heart thundering, cheeks red. Her blue eyes scanned over the Palace before her, instinctively counting and noting every soldier and guard in sight. She then looked to the door to the Palace.

“How did . . .?”

“I’m here to meet my parents,” Adora then said. “Hordak’s been lying to me my entire life. I . . . need to know the truth.”

“You know the truth,” He-Man reminded her.

Adora didn’t answer, but doubt resonated in her mind. She had been lied to since she was a mere baby, but how could she know that this here was the truth? How could she know that this was where she truly belonged? She came because she couldn’t stand to be at Doom Tower for another second, but was this the wisest course of action?

“Orko, why don’t you take the princess into the Palace? To her . . . parents,” Man-At-Arms added. “I need to de-brief He-Man.”

“Sure thing!” Orko yelped and put his hand on Adora’s shoulder.

Adora instinctively slammed her palm into Orko’s face. Orko went rolling back in the air.

“OW OW OW OWIE OW!”

Adora let out a shuddering breath and shook her hand. “Oh, Horde World, I’m sorry,” she apologized to the Trollian. “I’m just . . . and I’m not used to it . . .”

“Maybe I should take you in,” He-Man offered.

“Nah, I’m okay!” Orko then said, waving his hands in the air. “Come on, Princess!”

Adora smiled a little, then followed Orko into the Palace. As soon as they were out of earshot, Man-At-Arms turned to He-Man.

“How did this happen?”

“I told her the truth, she didn’t believe me,” He-Man answered. “She checked the records and it shook the lies she was told. And then . . . she talked to Skeletor.”

“Skeletor?!”

He-Man looked to his old mentor. “If it weren’t for Skeletor, I doubt she would have crossed over to our side. I’m afraid we may end debt to old bone head.” He-Man then took in a nervous breath. “Now, if you’ll excuse me . . .”

***

“You’re gonna love it here!” shouted Orko as he and Adora walked down a long corridor. “The food is great, the people are fun, and I’ll even do some magic for ya!”

Adora perked an eyebrow, not used to any of this. The brightness of the Palace was such a sharp contrast to the dark of Doom Tower and Despondos. The vast windows she passed by let such beautiful, late morning sunlight.

Did she belong here, this stolen child of war? Did she have a place here, among royalty? Could she live life as a Princess not a warrior?

Would anyone truly accept her?

“Here we are!” Orko chuckled once they reached two huge wooden doors.

Adora paused, eyes uncertain, expression lost. She could hear her heart pounding in her ears. Orko waved his hands and the doors opened wide. Adora moved to the side, as Orko instructed her, so she couldn’t be seen.

“Entrances are everything!” he then added, the doors now open. He floated into the throne room.

“We’ll send the attack squad tonight, then,” King Randor was overheard as saying.

“AHEM!” Orko let out.

King Randor and Queen Marlena were sitting their thrones. Various dignitaries and members of the Royal Court were also in the throne room, speaking to each other. Marlena looked up at Orko, and then Randor followed.

“If I could have your attention, please!” Orko shouted. Everyone looked to him, away from their work.

“What is it, Orko?” Randor asked, frustration in his voice. “Can’t you see we’re in the middle of a war right now?!”

“Ohh, don’t I know it!” he said sheepishly. “We’ve got a special guest for ya, your majesties!”

“Yes, I know. He-Man has returned,” Randor grunted. “Man-At-Arms is with him right now.”

“Oh, not just He-Man, King Randor!”

Marlena leaned forward. “Orko . . .”

Pulling out a megaphone, Orko let his high-pitched voice carry through the throne room. “YOUR ROYAL HIGHNESSES . . . MAY I PRESENT TO YOU THE LONG-LOST - ”

“By the Ancients,” whispered Marlena, hands to her mouth.

“ – PRINCESS ADORA!”

Adora walked in.

Marlena was on her feet. Randor was right behind her. Adora’s eyes welled with water as she saw the look of pure, unbridled shock and joy on Marlena’s face. Doubts melted away, the lies completely exposed.

Queen Marlena swept her arms around her daughter, tears pouring from her eyes. King Randor was next to her, hugging both his daughter and the long-lost Princess.

“We thought we lost you,” Marlena sobbed. “I never lost hope.”

Adora started to cry now. “I’m sorry,” she said.

“It’s all right, Adora. It’s all right,” Randor told her. “You’re home now. You’re home.”

Adora had never anything like this. Never felt this kind of love and affection. It was true, it was all true. There was no doubt left in her. Both parents pulled back and took a good long look at their daughter, seeing bits and pieces of themselves reflected in her.

“Adora?” came a male voice from the side. A young man, looking Adora’s age, stood at the doors.

“You must be . . .”

“Your twin brother,” Adam finished for her.

“Yeah.”

Adam hugged his sister, surprising her. Adora then hugged back. Randor and Marlena joined in, all of them hugging and holding each other, ears went with tears, faces overcome with smiles.



Various others began to look upon the wondrous sight. There would come a time for explanations and a time of further conflict with the Horde, but for now, they were one. For now, they were together. For now, within these walls, there was peace.

Teela, who had just returned from Grayskull an hour ago, joined Man-At-Arms and Fisto in one of balconies overlooking the throne room.

“A family reunion?” she asked, not knowing that in a nearby window, a falcon was watching this all unfold as well.

“Yeah,” Duncan returned, his own eyes wet.

“I guess that explains why I didn’t see Adam at Grayskull,” she muttered. Duncan smiled at her and put his hand on her shoulder.

Randor pulled back from his family.

“This is a joyous day for Eternia!” he shouted. “The royal family is whole once more. And by the Ancients, I swear that nothing shall separate us again!”

---------

~W~

[Rhoman06]

Awesome work. I really liked the bit with Orko taking a shot to the face. The picture of the family embrace is great too. Is this the end of this episode or is there another installment?

[thew40]

Awesome work. I really liked the bit with Orko taking a shot to the face. The picture of the family embrace is great too. Is this the end of this episode or is there another installment?

Another installment. The third act is coming . . . soon!

~W~

[warmachinex]

Another great read, i too liked the orko shot to the face part and the peice of art was a fitting peice - another great job guys

[conan]

Another great installment a excellent story and beautiful artwork.

[ZeroCool]

Another installment. The third act is coming . . . soon!

~W~

I hope so.

This was really enjoyable reading, but also a bit too short ;-(

[Neo]

are they going to bump into bert racoon in the evergreen forest?

(sorry, couldn't resist )

bring on the next installment!

The Evergreen forest was part of MotU back in the 80's long before the Racoons aired.

[Fyre]

I know

[thew40]

I hope so.

This was really enjoyable reading, but also a bit too short ;-(

It was going to be longer, but it was just too happy to add in the next scene. So, the scene that was going to be part of Act Two is now going to be Act Three. Which is good, because Act Three was really short.

~W~

[thew40]

The end is coming . . . soon.

~W~

[Jukka]

The end is coming . . . soon.

~W~

It is?


I'm always out of the loop...

[LupaLuna]

I love the Shadow Weaver!!! Awesome LOOK !!!!!

[thew40]

Part Three: Rescue Operations

Stratos arched his wings, eyes squinting through his goggles. Behind him, a contingent of Avions assumed a v-pattern, missiles armed on their jetpacks. Stratos pressed a small key on his gauntlet, allowing his goggles to zoom in on the target ahead.

“Looks like Adora’s information was correct,” Stratos said into the comm.

“Good to hear,” came the reply from Eternos, Man-At-Arms’ voice filling his comm-set. “But all she really did was confirm our suspicions.”

Stratos grinned. “Trust issues?”

“No. But this is new territory. I just need to be suspicious about what happens here with her. But don’t worry about that right now, Stratos. Where is your back-up?”

Stratos looked to his left. A squadron of Andreenids appeared, dropping down from the night sky. Stratos pointed to a small valley. The Andreenids, under the command of General Stingrad, landed with them.

“We’re meeting them right now,” Stratos reported. “I’ll get back to you when I can.”

“Man-At-Arms out.”

Stratos landed, large feet padding across the floor of the Mystic Mountains. Behind him, the Avions landed as well and they all approached General Stingrad and his Andreenids.

“The information is confirmed?” asked Stingrad.

“The Horde internment camp is about fifteen miles from here,” Stratos reported. “If we fly low enough, we should be able to evade the Horde sensors.”

Stingrad nodded. “Yes sir.”

Stratos smiled. “We’re partners in this, General. There’s no ‘sir’ here.”

Stingrad returned the smile. “Then let us make war against them . . . together.”

***

Teela watched as Adam and Adora walked along the path in the garden. She didn’t mean to spy, not really, but she couldn’t help it. It was such a curious thing, to see this man that she had fallen for be reunited with a twin he never knew.

Adora was certainly different than Adam. She carried herself cautiously and walked heavily, obviously from years and years of serving with the Horde. In another time and place, would that have been Teela? It seemed as though Adora was an exaggeration of Teela – where Teela was raised by a military man and eventually became Captain, Adora was raised by the military and became Force Captain. Just how similar were they?

Adam sat down on a bridge, a pond below them. Adora joined in, the stars above twinkling.

“I can’t believe this,” Adam exclaimed. “A sister!”

Adora smiled. “I know the feeling. It’s all . . . a bit of an adjustment.”

“I can certainly understand that, but I’m here. We’re family.”

Adora nodded. “That’s the hardest adjustment of them all, to be honest.” She brushed a stray hair behind her ear. “The Horde offered no family, no compassion, no love. I knew these only as weaknesses. We were instructed to form familiar bonds with each other to aide in battle. But . . .”

“But what?”

She sighed heavily. “I’m embarrassed to say it, but there was always a part of me that wondered why family, love, and compassion were considered weaknesses.”

“Why are you embarrassed about that?”

She gave him a half-hearted smile. “It goes against all of our laws and principles.”

“Well, that would make sense.”

Adora giggled, then looked just over Adam’s shoulder. “Come on out, Captain.”

Teela suddenly emerged from the bushes, face red. Adam had a look of surprise on his face and she quickly looked away. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to spy.”

Adora shrugged. “You’re my brother’s bodyguard, it’s understandable.” Adora liked saying that word – ‘brother.’

“She’s a little more than that,” Adam said, Teela stepping over. He took her hand.

“Ah. I see,” Adora replied. “It seems I still have a lot to learn about you, dear brother.”

Adam gave Teela a wide smile that said just how much he was enjoying have Adora in his life now.

Adora, meanwhile, looked across the pound, her mind drifting. A terrible feeling of dread had come over her all of a sudden. She was very aware that she could not stay here. That soon, very soon, the Horde would be after her again . . .

***

Explosions ripped through the air. Grizzlor was out of his compartment in a flash, snarling and growling. “What is this?!” he roared.

“An attack!” reported a Horde Trooper. A second later, the Horde Trooper was slag on the ground. Avions and Andreenids swooped down from the sky.

Grizzlor reached for his energy bow, but five explosions sent him sailing back into a wall. Avions suddenly landed and provided heavy fire across the Internment Camp. As they attacked, Andreenids came down, axes and lasers out, slicing and blasting through Horde Troopers as they made their way to the rudimentary prison compound.

As Stratos and a unit of Avions blasted at Grizzlor, keeping him pinned down, General Stingrad busted into the prison compound. Andreenids and Avions alike rushed in, taking down Horde Troopers left and right.

“There!” shouted Stingrad, pointing to a cell at the end of the corridor.

Buzz-Off was laid out on the ground, looking like hell. Stingrad blasted open the door to his cell and he and the Andreenid known as Bumblor entered.

“Lord Buzz-Off . . .” Bumblor grunted, holding the head of their greatest warrior up.

“They took half the prisoners to Doom Tower,” coughed Buzz-Off. “Including Princess Sweet-Bee. I tried to stop them . . . but my injuries were so intensive . . .”

“I brought for you Ambrosia,” Bumblor said, pulling the energizing substance out from a pouch on his belt. Buzz-Off ate it immediately and could feel his wounds healing a little.

“Thank you, I feel better already.”

With Stingrad and Bumblor’s help, Buzz-Off stood up. “Free the rest of these warriors and then let’s get out of here.”

Within minutes, the prison compound was in ruins, the Avions and Andreenids in the air. Ambrosia was being passed along as they headed north. As Buzz-Off watched as the Internment camp was left burning behind him (with Grizzlor roaring in frustrated rage), he swore that he would free those taken to Doom Tower.

***

“Mother . . . Father . . .”

Marlena and Randor were both perched at the edge of their seats as Adora addressed them. Adam was nearby, arms folded, looking at his twin sister with sad eyes. She had told him what she was planning on doing just an hour ago and he hated it.

“I need to go back.”

Marlena shook her head. “No. No, we won’t let you.”

“Why?” asked Randor.

“Because I can help you against the Horde,” Adora answered. “Hordak put me in charge of planning the attack on Eternos. If I go to him with a plan that you know about, you may just be able to halt his advances. He’s committing a lot of resources in destroying this kingdom. We can derail his invasion this way.”

Randor looked to Marlena, then to Adam, then back to Adora. “I can’t command you to stay, Adora. This is your decision.”

Adora gulped. “I . . . need to go back. But I will return. You’ve given me a place to come back to. A place so different and so much happier and wonderful than where I was. I have a new home now. I have . . . a family now.”

***

It was with these thoughts that Adora held with her as she approached Doom Tower. The dark, tall tower in the center of the fortress stood high above her in a more menacing way, so unlike how it used to. To her, it was a symbol of power and might. Now, it was darkness personified. A threat to the place she now called home.

She was greeted by Horde Troopers, but made immediately for the throne room. Hordak stared at her with wide-eyed fascination as she stepped forward. She bowed before her master.



“They let you go?”

“I escaped.”

“What did they tell you?”

“Lies.”

Hordak snorted and smiled, revealing sharp fangs. “Did you time there provide you with any insight?”

“Yes. I have a battle plan ready for an attack on Eternos.”

“Look at me, Adora.”

She looked up, blue eyes meeting his blood red ones. She conveyed no emotion, using her training to hold back anything that threatened to bubble to the surface. Holding it back . . . and burying it. Hordak walked over and ran his finger across her cheek. He hadn’t done that since she was a child.

“I was very worried about you, Adora. I am glad you returned.”

“I . . . I appreciate your concern, master.”

Hordak smiled darkly. “Oh, Adora, I think you can stop calling me that,” he responded. “I think from now on, you can call me . . . father.”

----------------

Next Episode:
The Horde has been the throne in Eternia's side since their return. But now, as they launch their attack on Eternos, will He-Man and his allies be able to repel them for good? And will Adora fully betray her master?

~W~