Introduction to a Clone
You're piloting a hollowed-out husk of a ship in an assault on a planet whose name you haven't bothered to learn. After all, there's no point in learning a name you won't live long enough to use.
Prime sent you to 'fight' in the initial wave with a ship that was stripped of its main gun, its crew, and every other even semi-valuable piece of equipment. All that remains are the few other tools not worth saving, including yourself. You are a decoy, and your greatest contribution to this battle will be to draw fire away from those worthy to continue serving Prime. You tell yourself to be grateful, that it is a privilege to die for Prime, that you are lucky to be allowed even-
The empty space before the ship
cracks. Jagged purple lines splinter out from the epicenter, as some kind of purple circle expands until it dwarfs your entire ship. You have an instant to think,
is that a portal? Then you're crashing into it.
A dozen alarms blare at once. Energy crackles along every surface of the ship, ripping through your body. Your world goes white, then black.
***
You wake up to find yourself collapsed on the floor of the ship's bridge, lit only by the flickering light of a half-broken terminal. You quickly realize three things:
- The terminal shows that the ship somehow crashed into a planet without killing you.
- You're too defective to even die properly.
- You are utterly, totally, horrifyingly alone.
For the first time in all six years' of your existence, you can't feel the Horde. You can't feel Prime! You've never had the honor of hosting his consciousness, but you've always felt at least a trace of him. Now, there's not even a hint of his attention pressing down upon your mind, caressing the folds of your brain.
But you were Prime's top general! You were trained to handle the unexpected, the inconceivable! You call up all your willpower and courage. You can do this!
After you finish sobbing on the floor, wailing for Prime to let you back into the embrace of the Horde, you take stock of the situation, like a rational, competent general.
The ship's sensors have automatically logged the following facts. You've crashed on a planet. This planet is
not the planet you were assaulting (for the eternal glory of the ever-victorious Prime). This planet has twelve moons (that appear to provide heat and light to the world). This planet has no sun. This planet has no stars in its sky. This planet (and its moons) appear to be the only celestial bodies in existence. There is no trace of any other Horde ship or even Horde technology
anywhere in the entire dimension.
After you finish your second round of sobbing, you review the facts. You are stranded on a world that is somehow separated from the known universe (which flourishes under the glorious rule of Prime). The Horde won't come to rescue you because you aren't worth the effort. You are alone... Just as Prime was alone when he conquered his first world.
Perhaps you haven't fallen forever from Prime's light? Perhaps you can still prove yourself worthy?
Yes, Prime sent you to your death. Yes, Prime sees all and knows all, but he doesn't always
pay attention to
everything. After all, you managed to conceal your defects for years by making sure they stayed beneath his notice. If you bring this world into Prime's glorious light, then surely Prime will realize he made a mist- made an incomplete evaluation of your value.
Yes, you nod. You know what you must do. Using only what you can salvage from the wreckage of a single ruined ship, you must single-handedly conquer this world for the Horde. And know you must learn where your conquest will begin.
You've crashed in the middle of:
[ ] Arid badlands (The Fright Zone. Canon start)
[ ] A bountiful forest (Plumeria)
[ ] A mountain range (Dryl)
[ ] A chain of small islands in a vast sea (Salineas)
Author's Note: I've decided that the Fright Zone was called "the Fright Zone" even before Hordak conquered it. Scorpia's family canonically called their ancestral home "Horror Hall." They had a goth aesthetic, and it's awesome.
Additional Note: Before you vote to land in Dryl, keep in mind that Entrapta is currently a newborn. More details below.
Introduction to a Quest
This quest got its start when I asked myself "What would have happened if Hordak had landed in another kingdom and another princess was raised in the Horde?" Then I got to thinking about how (as much as I love Entrapdak), I'm not very happy with Hordak's redemption arc. Even Wrong Hordak, had a better arc (in my opinion).
So, now you've got a quest (my first in a while), and it will run more like a Choose Your Own Adventure than the typical quest. I'm not expecting to roll dice (but I may change my mind). Anyways, there are a few things I want to make clear from the begining
Canon: The show is intriguingly/frustratingly light on canon details, so this quest will involve a lot of headcanon. I may end up contradicting Word of God as listed in a tweet somewhere. If I do, please consider this quest to be an AU.
Timelines: I'm assuming that Hordak came to Etheria about 30 years before episode one of the show. That means most of the main characters haven't been born yet. For example, Light Hope will bring baby Adora to Etheria in about 13 years (unless her plans change). I'm expecting this quest to involve a few time skips, so we should meet a lot of them eventually.
Romance: If folks vote for it, I am more than happy to write Hordak getting into romantic relationships. However, Hordak will be treated as a mentally competent adult, so he will not enter into relationships with minors. Also, Hordak will not romance anyone who he knew as a child (even after they've become an adult).
In other words, if Hordak meets baby!Entrapta, he will not smooch adult!Entrapta. I wouldn't really be comfortable writing that romance, so I've decided that Hordak just won't be into it.
