The Swap Between Eternity and Ether (Masters of the Universe Role Reversal Story)

[AwarenessBringer]

Disclaimer: I do not own Masters of the Universe, or any of its associated characters and lore, whether He-Man-aligned or She-Ra-aligned. That right belongs to Mattel, and those they trust to adapt it for animated series and comics alike.

[SBE]

The Swap Between Eternity and Ether

[SBE]

The Princess of Eternia

[SBE]

Training Grounds of the Royal Palace of Eternos, The Light Hemisphere of Eternia​

Located in the exact center of the universe, the planet Eternia was often noted by both natives and non-natives as an awe-inspiring, diverse world of multiple species operating under the laws of science and sorcery alike. It was not always a peaceful, or fair, existence for the Eternians and how they approached the universe itself, but the presently Royal House of Randor did what they could for their people from the capital city of Eternos.

It was in the outside training grounds of the royal family's grand home that the young daughter of King Randor and Queen Marlena, Princess Adora herself, was undergoing combat with Captain Teela of the Royal Guard with only the overall head of Eternia's armed forces titled Man-At-Arms as their witness. As a fair spar between the two, there was nothing life threatening about the occasion, just Man-At-Arms making sure that both of the young women would be prepared whenever real battle came to them.

Adora, who was approaching the age of sixteen the following day, was a Human being with fair skin and flowing blonde hair, who wore a red vest over her white shirt and a pair of long black pants. Noted by many Eternians to have had sharp, yet lovely, physical features, Adora was praised by many citizens as the kind of royal who was focused on her duties, but no less compassionate to those less fortunate than herself.

Teela, a fellow Human only slightly older than Adora with browner skin and red hair, wore a white uniform and gold hair piece suited to female members of the Royal Guard. Described by Queen Marlena as a "by the book kind of tomboy," Teela was adopted, as far as Adora understood, by Man-At-Arms when still a baby, and had been brought up into a strong, athletic, and loyal soldier by her adopted father, who indeed earned her command over the Guard. Although Teela had her rigid moments, Adora nonetheless saw her as her closest friend since their childhood.

While the two displayed their fighting skills, Man-At-Arms, real name Duncan, was standing to the treeline observing. A tall, muscular, brown-bearded Human wearing the blue helmet, orange armor, and green uniform worn by his fellow soldiers, Duncan was looked up to by Adora and Teela as one of Eternia's finest warriors, a distinguished inventor, and the most trusted advisor to King Randor dating back to when he was still a prince.

Clinging her metallic, knobbed staff against Teela's, Adora showed a small smirk as she asked, "Do you yield, my captain?"

Returning the expression at the sound of Adora's banter, Teela replied, "Apologies, my Princess, but I haven't even begun to fight."

Sliding back to deliver a side kick that Adora was barely able to dodge, Teela then took out a round metal disk that expanded to form a larger, hovering disk that she jumped on, while exclaiming, "Catch me if you can, Adora!"

Seeing Teela dare her in such a manner, Adora followed suit with her own Disk Rider and allowed herself to enjoy the brush of air in her hair as she quickly caught up to Teela. The two friends traded grins as they continued their flying race and held their staffs up to continue their training when the Guard Captain saw something that brought alarm to her face.

"Watch out," she cried out before stopping her Rider in midair with Adora doing the same soon after.

Taking a glance at what alarmed her childhood friend, Adora saw that if she and Teela were not careful, they would have slammed into the stature of the late King Miro, and would have been bodily harmed as well as punished. Wincing at the thought altogether, Adora bowed her head in sincere apology as she said, "Sorry, Grandfather. From both of us."

A whistle from the training grounds captured the attention of both girls, and they both hovered down to the grassy surface where Man-At-Arms was expecting them. "I think that's enough training for today, young ladies," he said with a serious tone of voice before betraying a small smile of his own. "Still, Teela, Princess Adora, I'm most pleased that the both of you have been progressing further in hand to hand and with your weapons."

"Thank you, Man-At-Arms," Adora replied with a grateful expression and nod of her head. She then showed a small frown as she commented, "Still, while I enjoy a good fight, I think I would prefer encouraging peace and cooperation better."

Nodding in understanding, Man-At-Arms said, "And it's a noble ideal, Princess, but sadly we must be ready for whatever grave threat comes our way. As your mother once said, if we seek peace, we must prepare for war."

Feeling a playful jab at her right arm, Adora turned to Teela, who remarked, "What you need is something sweet and something refreshing after that workout. Nothing too big, though, or your appetite will be ruined at the big party tomorrow."

Showing a small smile at her friend's recommendation, Adora ultimately showed a downed look at the reminder of her upcoming birthday that neither Teela nor Man-At-Arms failed to notice.

"Adora," Man-At-Arms asked in concern before the aforementioned princess cleared her thoughts and turned to him.

"Lord Duncan, can we talk in private?"

Letting out a chuckle, the technologically-talented soldier answered, "You don't need to address me like I'm a stuffy and boring aristocrat, my Lady, but yes."

Showing a smile of appreciation, Adora half-joked, "I could call you my uncle, but that might be a bit unprofessional."

"But not at all unwelcome."

The three shared a good laugh until Teela excused herself with a wave and humorously telling Adora, "See you later, cuz," leaving Adora alone with Duncan.

Taking a seat at a nearby stone bench, Adora let loose a sigh and began to say, "Duncan, I'm not really feeling excited for my birthday this year."

Uncertain and surprised to a degree, Duncan asked, "Do I dare ask why not? It may seem childish, but this is a time when those who are most dear to you show their care for you, most of all your parents."

"That's the thing, Duncan. My parents." Exhaling again at the sight of Duncan's perplexed facial expression, Adora explained, "I didn't really notice it as a little kid, but during my last couple of birthdays, I could tell from Mom and Dad's voices and looks that something was bothering them on my birthday. As if they weren't really happy for me."

"They weren't happy for you," Duncan repeated in disbelief. The man then forced a laugh as he added, "Adora, with respect, that's preposterous. Your mother and father love you with all their hearts. How could they not be happy having you for a daughter?"

"Then what did I do wrong," Adora let out with a yell, frustration and desperation evident in her tone.

Taken aback by Adora's question and how she said it, Duncan thought to himself quietly, and the princess saw the look of realization in his eyes before he sighed and turned back to her. "Adora, perhaps it's best you talk with His and Her Majesty about this," he finally advised.

Adora felt like she had been slapped in the face and immediately responded with, "No! There's no good outcome to that! Either they tell me what's wrong and I get upset, or far more likely, they dodge the question and we argue into some kind of hot mess! Regardless, we don't need that family drama."

Duncan adopted a firmer expression and tone as he reminded her, "Adora, you won't feel at ease until you hear the truth."

"So, why don't you tell me now then, Man-At-Arms," she ordered in a challenging way.

"It's more complicated than that, and it can't be just me who tells you," Duncan snapped back. The two held their heated stares at each other until Duncan gave in to his regrets first, saying, "Adora, you are like family to me and my daughter both, but I cannot simply go behind my King's back in this manner," he then placed a comforting hand on Adora's left shoulder as he added, "But please don't take this the wrong way. You are, have always been, and always will be loved."

Adora felt tears of both sadness and guilt develop in her eyes before she quickly said, "I gotta go now," and then ran fast to her quarters in the palace before Duncan could reply or stop her. It was a dumb thing to do, and Adora knew that, but she was only Human and she felt too upset for further conversation.

[SBE]

Snake Mountain, The Dark Hemisphere of Eternia​

To say that Eternia had both a Light and a Dark Hemisphere meant only that one half of the planet was bathed in good magic and the other in dark magic. Said to be the result of an ancient spell that split the prevailing supercontinent into its separate parts, each Hemisphere was historically counted to attract the typical Eternians that would prefer whichever half appropriate to their needs and wants.

The Light Hemisphere, which included Eternos, had the most life on Eternia. Perfect for farmland, the careful balance of nature, and other attributes that served the growth of empires and the wellbeing of millions of people.

The Dark Hemisphere, however, was best described as an expansive wasteland that made a good industrial playground for some and a criminal refuge for others. And the fittingly named Snake Mountain was a signature landmark to that part of the planet.

Made of stalagmite-like peaks with an enormous stone snake wrapped around them, Snake Mountain was historically said to have been the creation and headquarters of the Eternian Snake-Men before their defeat at the might of Eternia's greatest warrior king, King Grayskull himself. In the present day, though, a different form of evil had taken root within Snake Mountain's fortress, incorporated many mystical and technological innovations into it, and was, at last, ready to strike at the heart of Eternia itself.

Within the fortress, a mass gathering of blue-skinned, winged demons in purple clothes with horned light-blue skulls and beak-like mouths, all wielding bone-themed swords and daggers, stood in attention as their terrible ruler looked over them as if he were a deity. While there were several other warriors of diverse species in attendance as well, including a scantily-clad Human witch, all of them, begrudgingly or dutifully, obeyed their master and stood apart from him.

Seated upon his throne, the blue-skinned Master of Snake Mountain with demonic bare feet, who wore a purple cloak and hood over his body, held a long staff with the purple skull of a ram on it, and was attended only by his large, green-eyed, purple-furred savage cat of a familiar, surveyed his audience with the glowing red eyes in his otherwise obscured cloak. At that moment, no one dared to utter a sound until their lord and master was ready.

Finally, he exclaimed, "My Skelcons," the demons all cried out in recognition, prompting their overlord to add, "My Evil Warriors," his more diverse followers then joined in the cheering. "After so many years of careful planning, secret preparation, trials, and errors, our time has come at last!"

Everyone praised the news as their master finally stood from his throne, staff in hand, and conjured a magic burst of purple light for effect. "Here, from the ruins of this fallen kingdom," the overlord continued his speech, emphatically saying, "where the Snake-Men tried and ultimately failed to bring Ancient Eternia to its knees, we crafted ourselves into a mighty army with which to strike that fool of a king, Randor, from his underserved throne!"

Allowing a moment of good cheer to pass, he then added, "And take everything that rightfully belongs to us! You shall all be rich beyond your wildest dreams and among the most powerful in this universe, while everyone who ever did us wrong shall be exterminated!"

His forces of evil all exclaimed their excitement of the carnage and promised rewards that awaited them, which was when their master remarked, "All ages yet to come will remember tomorrow as the day when the purity of evil eternally blessed Eternia and the Havoc of Destruction echoed on all worlds across the universe!" Showing the palm of his free left hand, the dark lord of Snake Mountain added, "Randor's reign will end as a new Master of the Universe arises to his proper destiny!"

Prepared to make his finishing sentence, the fiend revealed his green-skulled head as he concluded, "All living beings on all worlds in all galaxies within this universe shall hail Skeletor!"

"All Hail Skeletor," the Evil Warriors applauded first.

Following, soon after, the Skelcons shouted in unity, "All Hail Skeletor!"

"All Hail Skeletor," all who served the Lord of Destruction proclaimed as their ruler looked over them with arrogance and, most of all, greedy expectation. The sixteen birthday of Princess Adora would be an event no one would ever forget.

[SBE]​

After Masters of the Universe: Revolution was shown on Netflix, I found myself inspired to make one-shots at least and/or full stories at most about the franchise as a whole. I actually would like Archive of Our Own to feature an All Media Types tag that would have all He-Man and She-Ra depictions listed under it. I mean, Sonic the Hedgehog, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Transformers, and many other fandoms have their own, so it is only fair in my book.

Anyway, if the title and first chapter were not enough clarification, this story plays with the idea of Adam/He-Man and Adora/She-Ra having switched upbringings, and how it leads from there. Now, before it gets confusing to a degree, I would like to firmly point out that this does not mean that Adora is required to wear a loincloth anymore than Adam is going to wear a skirt.

I will explain things as we move along, but I would also like to say that while I am up for Catra, to name one example of a character to appear in this story, having her appearance from She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, her personality will be slightly different from the aforementioned animated show in a fusion kind of way. I mean, how Scorpia was portrayed might remain mostly intact, but that is mostly because her traditional character model yells "Kycilia Zabi with scorpion features" to me, if you catch my drift.

Still, as a first for me, I think I will post this story on SpaceBattles and Sufficient Velocity to get some further attention, especially since I have some more chapters to write in and eventually post, anyway. While I do have my own ideas on how to make it all work, I will welcome apocrypha, and even fan art, on those forum websites to help keep it going. If nothing else, it could make for a good experiment.

As for Adora's part of this chapter, the idea came to me not too long ago that if Adam celebrated his birthday with their parents, the latter two would feel uneasy overtime which Adam may notice eventually. Not because they do not love their son, but because he shares his birthday with their only daughter who was taken from them, which makes it all bittersweet for them. The same works if Adam was taken away instead in my book.

Of course, Randor and Marlena do not mean to look like bad parents, it is just the lack of communication between them and their remaining child. Think Disney's Frozen, but in a mix between fantasy and science fiction among other differences.

All the same, be ready for the next chapter, where we go into the "ether" side of this swap.

 

[AwarenessBringer]

Taking a note from some users who have done their fair amount of fanfiction posting, I thought handing out partial drafts of a chapter every now and then would be a good idea to encourage discussion, interest, and such.

Even more so, when I might not have the full chapter out for a while. A certain tornado took out my power and internet lines, so it will probably be a while before I really write in detail at home again. It sucks worse than a non-bendy straw, I tell you.

Moving forward and onwards, though, here's the first partial draft of the second chapter. And as I implied with a promise in the notes of the first chapter, Chapter Two will move us from Eternia to Etheria. I think it would help keep it balanced between the two planets and the people who live and fight on both, if you know what I mean.

Care to guess any references and/or portrayals from any Masters of the Universe material (Filmation, Netflix, Classics, and et cetera) currently available? I would be very interested in any responses you all would make.

Entrapta's Laboratory, The Fright Zone, Etheria​

Far from the exact center of the universe, the planet Etheria was said by its inhabitants to be a world of natural beauty that balanced powerful magic with relative technological progress. However, in less than two decades, Etheria had come to be described as a world where darkness roamed and hope seemed lost in the face of the intergalactic army that arrived on the planet in mass and promptly conquered it.

Based on Etheria's central continent, the occupational forces constructed their technological labyrinth headquarters that all beings referred to as the Fright Zone. A factory-like, tightly secured base comprised of a series of seemingly limitless pipes large enough for vehicles to roam freely inside, the Fright Zone served as a dark reminder of what inevitably came from heavy industrialization as a large cloud of yellow smog covered the skies above, the nearby black waters were inhabited by frogs and other swampland creatures, and there was no harmless plant life for hundreds of miles around.

What many onlookers noted from observing the buildings of the Fright Zone, though, was the same red emblem of a bat silhouette with stretched wings that adorned several outside walls and directional signs as it would be worn on all kinds of armor and clothing. It was the symbol of the Horde and a reference to the dominant race native to Horde World itself.

Although the name of the faction would imply that it was strictly made up of troublesome barbarians, the Horde was really an empire that spanned several galaxies in the known universe. It may have originated as a gathering of disorganized thugs following the will of a nomadic, planet-based warlord supported by many warlocks, but in the thousands of years since the first Horde Lord, Seferus Kur, succeeded in conquering the then rechristened Horde World, the Horde Empire had seized over ten thousand worlds to hone its strength and reach.

The "Evil Horde" as many detractors, other enemies, and even some fanatic followers referred to it in its long history as the Horde was a force where only the adaptable would survive in the military industrial complex that served as its backbone. And anyone who did not comply with the demands of the Emperor himself, who all addressed as Horde Prime, would be punished accordingly.

Whether from Horde-occupied Etheria to its holdings on multiple other locations off-planet, it was evident to Entrapta that the empire was an unfair embodiment of scientific progress, but she was dutiful to the orders of her commanders regardless, and had even come to like being a part of it.

"I trust the canisters are close to completion, Entrapta," a shrill voice demanded the young Human woman's attention as she was finishing the welding of the fourth and last extra large canister that her rather impossible inquirer had ordered her to create in her lab.

Rolling her rose-colored eyes underneath her retractable, red lensed welding mask that had the Horde emblem on the forehead, the fairly shorter and somewhat stockier Entrapta turned to her superior in the Horde and mustered her best diplomatic tone of voice as she unmasked her olive-skinned face and responded with, "Ah, Shadow Weaver! No need to worry! As of now, I'm done with all four!" She then cleared her throat at the sight of Shadow Weaver's narrowed glare and in a more controlled tone, added, "You can have your potion in these babies at anytime."

While Entrapta had long, lilac-colored hair that she wore in scientifically prehensile pigtails and always wore her work attire, consisting of heavy gloves, steel-toed boots, arm covers, and a pair of overalls worn like pants over a white undershirt, Shadow Weaver was attired in a crimson cloak with the Horde emblem on her waist and always hid her face with a hood which only revealed her slitted, yellow eyes. Even more so, while Entrapta cultivated her reputation as a royal-born scientist with pride in her work and a chipper attitude, Shadow Weaver was a sorceress shrouded in mystery and was often mistrusted by pretty much everyone in the Etherian Horde.

"I trust you followed my instructions to the letter," the self-proclaimed mistress of dark magic remarked in a very expectant manner.

Keeping her face straight, Entrapta used her right pigtail to take out a small device from her person and pointed it at her lastly finished canister before demonstrating that the laser it emitted could not damage the indestructible material the canister was made out of, let alone slice through it. Betraying a sneaky grin in Shadow Weaver's direction, Entrapta commented, "The Photanium we imported was a good call on the Horde Lord's part, wouldn't you agree?"

Allowing an introspective hum, Shadow Weaver replied, "It would have been a less costly purchase if Phantos was taken by the Horde by now, but I digress." The witch then moved her hand to conjure purple coils of mystic smoke that levitated the canisters before she turned to Entrapta, saying, "The Horde Lord will be pleased by your efforts, Entrapta. Thanks to you, we can finally dispose of the rebel movement before they officially rise up."

Entrapta felt her smile falter at the thought of anyone getting butchered, which Shadow Weaver clearly noticed, but chose not to comment on, instead concluding her visit with the words, "That will be all for now," before leaving the lab.

Releasing an exhale as soon as she was sure the witch was out of earshot, Entrapta returned the laser emitter back to its place in her overalls and took out a different device from her left pockets. It was a schedule keeper, and Entrapta had promised her two favorite people to take a break from working every now and then.

Showing a more pleased smile at the timing, Entrapta headed for the exit herself to catch up with her friends before Etheria's very Horde Lord had further assignments ready for any or all of them to perform in his service.

 

[AwarenessBringer]

Felt like getting another partial draft down this week, and I gladly have it written here. I'd be pretty happy to see comments and such, by the way.

The Recuperation Hall of the Fright Zone​

A large area within the Fright Zone, the aptly named Recuperation Hall functioned as a mess hall, where the Hordesmen got their daily meals, mixed together with what some planets called an arcade, an establishment for games which was useful for the Hordesmen to rewind with after performing their work, both tedious and dangerous alike. All in all, it was a well-regarded locale for the Etherian Hordesmen, and that it was the personal brainchild of their Horde Lord, the official planetary governor of Etheria, made them most grateful and loyal.

Seated around various round tables and frequenting just as many gaming stands were the stationed Horde Troopers off-duty at the time. Wearing bulky, silver armor, the Troopers were the foot soldiers of the Horde recruited among numerous species and deployed to multiple worlds within the Horde's territory as well as within their sights for conquering.

Because of the design of their armor as well as their armaments, it left mass speculation among non-Hordesmen if the Troopers were either robots or even demons, instead of ordinary people either conscripted or enlisted to serve the Horde from one location to another. As a result, it was not uncommon for rebels to target Troopers and their families with a vengeance, and it prompted the local Horde Lord to proclaim full confidentiality of the identities of all his soldiers upon entering office. No Trooper was allowed to disclose their faces or names outside of certain areas in the Fright Zone itself.

Which made the sight of Etheria's Troopers having their glaring helmets retracted to reveal their faces in the Recuperation Hall, a place where they all felt safe and sociable, a heartwarming one for a certain Scorpioni amongst them by the name of Scorpia.

A tall, strong, young woman who appeared nearly Human with the added features of a scorpion, including a long stinging tail, sections of a hard carapace, and broad pincers in place of hands, Scorpia had white hair with a simple short undercut, and wore black lipstick. As a Force Captain of the Horde, her uniform was a two-tone maroon swan-necked vest, marked with the Horde emblem on the back and near her collar, followed by plain burgundy tights.

Hailing from the Crimson Wastes region that was northeast of the Fright Zone itself, Scorpia was born to the royal family of the matriarchal Scorpioni and eventually became the Queen at a young age. At the time the Horde made its grand arrival to Etheria, her people were ostracized by most of the other Etherians as "barbaric brutes," or words to that effect, but seeing the initial invasion force demonstrating its superior military power, Scorpia heeded the advice of her counselors, both fearful and opportunistic alike, and aligned their entire society with the Horde regime.

As a result of the alliance, Scorpia had to abdicate her throne and begin a career in military service, so that the Scorpioni would learn to place their allegiance to the Horde first and foremost. It had not been an easy transition, especially in areas where hands with fingers were needed, but Scorpia slowly adapted and learned to make do with what she had.

One such example of her adaptability, was Scorpia's success in arm wrestling without her pincers causing harm to whoever she was wrestling with, which was a favorite pastime of hers when off-duty.

"All right, who's next," the one time Scorpioni Queen cheerfully asked from her table, after having bested her fifth challenger at the time. No one was seriously hurt, and everyone participating or observing actually had fun, but it did not take long for a new challenger to properly announce themselves.

"Who do you think, Force Captain," a rather confident voice boasted from outside the small crowd, who all gave way to a smirking, tan-skinned, athletic, teenage girl with freckled cheeks, a pale yellow left eye in opposition to her turquoise right eye, and cedar-brown hair in a wild, spiky form.

As a member of the feline Qadian race, she showed small fangs, slit pupils in her almond-shaped eyes, retractable black claws on her fingers and toes, darker, horizontal markings on her arms, large black ears, and a long prehensile dark brown tail. And, as for attire, the Qadian girl wore a head piece with small black markings, a sleeveless, high-collared, two-toned red-orange leotard-style top over a set of fashionably-torn, reddish-violet stirrup leggings which exposed her knees, and two belts each sporting the Horde symbol that crossed over one another.

"Only if you're up for it, Force Captain Catra," Scorpia remarked with her own daring grin.

Getting seated, Catra took Scorpia's right pincer with her right hand, replying, "Then let's not waste time with more talking."

Staring at each other intently, Scorpia and Catra then gave in to their arm wrestling. The both of them putted a good deal of effort in their respective approaches, and they could hear the onlookers placing bets on who would win, but just as Scorpia was about to tip Catra's arm down, the Qadian surprised the taller Scorpioni by throwing her pincer back so hard she herself was thrown into a nearby wall.

A moment of silence engulfed the entire Hall for a brief moment, with even a wincing Catra being speechless while Scorpia was tending to the sore spots on her back and head. But as soon as the latter got back up on her feet, she proclaimed for all to hear, "That was awesome," and everyone was back to celebrating in good spirits.

Catra was the to reach Scorpia's side, asking in concern, "You're not hurt that badly, Scorp?"

Scoffing in a good natured way, Scorpia answered, "Don't worry, Wildcat. I meant what I said about it being awesome." She then showed a sly grin as she added, "Especially since I let you win."

Scoffing back, but with no less of a hearty smile, Catra playfully bumped Scorpia's left arm, replying, "Like you seriously did that!"

Showing her pincers in a surrendering gesture, the Scorpioni said in a mock humiliated way, "Didn't have you fooled for a second, did I?"

The two close friends shared a laugh until they heard a third voice approaching them in a positive way, with the words, "Hey, my two favorite people!" Drawing Scorpia and Catra's attention, they saw Entrapta, the young scientist of the Horde on Etheria, approach them both with wide arms for a group hug.

"Hey, Entrapta," Catra greeted in a bright manner, while Scorpia was already embracing the shorter woman. Making light of Entrapta's workaholic tendencies, the Qadian said, "This is the fourth time this week you've left the lab to take a break. Are you eager to try for fifth?"

"Anything could happen, Catra," the Dryl-born Human quipped with a smile.

"Join in, wildcat," Scorpia interjected as she pulled Catra into the hug, then adding, "Super Pal Trio for life!"

"Just for the record," Catra began to say as she then dryly added, "I didn't agree to the name."

Entrapta already had a coy response in mind for that remark. "Then explain to us why you didn't argue strongly then."

Trading her pessimistic look for a smile, Catra joked, "What can I say, girls? The both of you grew on me like mold."

The Super Pal Trio all giggled at that until the familiar screeching of a certain Horde Wraith, a title bestowed to sorcerers and sorceresses who often acted as advisors to their individual Horde Lord, rang across the Hall. It was a screech so forceful, that everyone in the Hall stood at attention in the presence of Shadow Weaver.

At the sight, Scorpia and her friends all felt their moods dimmed as they broke away from their group hug. "Party's over, I guess," the Scorpioni Force Captain groaned to herself.

Entrapta, who had a reputation of being just as bubbly as Scorpia herself, actually exhaled seeing Shadow Weaver. "Isn't seeing her just once a day enough?"

"You too, huh," Catra remarked at Entrapta's comment out of curiosity.

"Too," Scorpia and Entrapta repeated the word in surprise, but a quick, yet stern, look from their friend silently told them not to ask further. At least not at that time.

"If you are all done acting like children," Shadow Weaver sharply announced to the bristled and intimidated Hordesmen, "His Lordship requires your strength and focus to crush the resistance of Etheria that harms us all. He is already waiting for Force Captains Scorpia and Catra at the garage, and you Troopers have your roles to play as well."

Upon receiving the news that the Horde Lord himself had need of them, meaning that he was personally going to the field, the gathered Troopers all scrambled to have a chance to participate in what their leader demanded of them. Entrapta patted both of her eager friends on their backs as a token of good luck just before Scorpia and Catra left for the garage to be of service.

 

[AwarenessBringer]

Work on the rest of chapter two is still ongoing, but I figured a media threadmark would pass the time and give a good hint on who'll be introduced.

Still, can I please get a commentator?

Spoiler: The Horde Lord in (exaggerated) toy form

View: https://www.reddit.com/r/MastersOfTheUniverse/comments/nkrw4f/hedak_anyone/

 

[Bad_kobold]

Are you going to post this on AO3?

 

[Cyrus2]

A reversal of rolls is certainly an interesting take for this universe.

 

[AwarenessBringer]

A reversal of rolls is certainly an interesting take for this universe.

Click to shrink...

It seemed like an appropriately grand idea to me. I couldn't resist wanting to try it out.

Are you going to post this on AO3?

Click to shrink...

I'm embarrassed to admit that I forgot to link the story on Archive of Our Own to this thread, but I corrected it not too long ago.

Anyway, this is the third partial draft for the next chapter. I'm debating if I want to put in the next scene or two, or just leave at here until the full chapter is ready, so I would appreciate some responders on that subject.

[SBE]

The Laughing Swan Inn, Thaymor, The Kingdom of Bright Moon​

Far to the east of the Fright Zone, and south of the Whispering Woods, Thaymor was a pristine village formally within the Kingdom of Bright Moon, one of Etheria's many countries that was forced into submission from the initial Horde assault of the planet. While Bright Moon's royal family and a handful of its soldiers were able to escape to fight another day, the Kingdom as a whole, like most of Etheria itself, was occupied by the Horde.

At that particular time, however, as Etheria's sun had set itself over the continent where Thaymor was located at, the village had been all but seemingly vacant, no resident was in sight at all. Excluding the three Rebels who sat at a wooden table inside the local Laughing Swan Inn, waiting for trouble to inevitably arrive.

"Too bad Perfuma couldn't make it here, guys," the broad-shouldered, fairly muscular, and fair complexioned young man of the three with a reddened buzz hairstyle and black eyes, Bow Reccula, remarked to his friends just for the sake of talking. "She has a thing for the garden here, right?"

Seated on the young man's left, was a small creature with physical features that would remind most people of a koala and owl combined, yet distinct all together. He had a melon-furred body, yellow eyes, a purple beak, and the inside of his large, wing-like ears held a rainbow-esque pattern.

In response to Bow's comment, the creature, known amongst his friends as Kowl, said in amusement, "Knowing dear Perfuma, Bow, she would be dismayed should the flowers be destroyed by either us, those Horde brutes, or, most likely, both us and the Horde."

Opposite of Bow, the sole teenage girl amongst them, who was short, stocky, and tanned with dusty-pink eyes and thick bubblegum-pink and sparkly-purple hair, scoffed at his exchange with Kowl. "Like it's our fault the Horde is the worst thing to ever come to Etheria, Kowl," she snapped.

A bit startled by the girl's temper, Kowl hastily explained, "That wasn't what I meant, Princess Glimmer. I am merely pointing out that every action, even those with good intentions, may bring unintended harm to others."

Letting out a sigh, Glimmer replied, "I know. Sorry, Kowl. I guess I'm just not looking forward to this mission for some reason I don't even know."

Showing a small, yet understanding, frown, Bow replied, "There are a lot of ways this could go bad for everyone," to which Glimmer only nodded in agreement.

With Kowl wearing nothing, Bow wore golden forearm guards, a silver armor under a small golden armor embellished with a red heart which exposed his midriff and was attached to a golden sleeve perched atop his left shoulder. He also wore blue pants, with a brown belt, and matching golden buckle, and white boots which were nearly knee-high with golden heels, soles, and toes, and had a 'V' shape at the front. Hanging from his chair, was Bow's quiver of arrows which had served him well into the fight for Etheria.

Glimmer's attire, in contrast, consisted of a light purple tunic with a blue diamond clasp and pink inner lining, and a sleeveless, dark purple mid-thigh leotard underneath, a sparkling, wing-shaped blue cape, and a set of pale blue fingerless gloves. To complete her look, she also wore a pair of two-tone purple and periwinkle-blue boots, which featured white moons placed on the front and soles, as well as small, light blue wings on each side. In her eyes, it was a fitting sense of fashion for the displaced heir to Bright Moon's throne.

With her parents, King Michah and Queen Angella, having disappeared at different points for unknown reasons, Glimmer was forced to head up the mounting resistance movement on her own with the support of her friends. It was a hard effort to organize, recruit, and train new allies as well as gather supplies and intelligence, which made Glimmer desperate enough to hear one such ally's unthinkable strategy.

It was a risky maneuver, and not just in execution as Kowl had just alluded to, but Glimmer was nonetheless determined to carry it out.

Clearing his throat to break the silence, Kowl spoke up to say, "Nonetheless, my good friends, the time is nearly upon us and we will need to be at our most coordinated. " He then showed an upturned look as he showed a small piece of paper for Glimmer and Bow to see, adding, "Which is why I already have the password in mind for Bow to say when the moment is right for you to act, my dear Glimmer."

Taking a look at what Kowl had written, Glimmer was immediately repulsed just reading it. "Did that Horde scum rub off on you, Kowl," she immediately asked and then abruptly turned to the snorting archer by her side, yelling, "It's not funny, Bow!"

"I'm not laughing, though," the boy replied, apparently unaware that he might as well have been laughing right then.

Kowl himself was amused as his expression and tone of voice indicated. "That is a lie, Bow, and we all know it." The owl/koala fusion then perked up in alarm with his ears widening at something he was hearing, forcing him to conclude the moment with serious news. "He's here."

The three all then adopted solemn attitudes as they rose from the table, with Bow hoisting his quiver and bow behind his back, and hurried to the outside to see that their intended audience had arrived. Hovering in the air over the grounds of Thaymor, as if defying gravity itself, were twenty-seven black, chariot-like vehicles all ridden by a single occupant, whether a Horde Trooper, or, in the case of three, certain Horde officers.

The first two officers that landed were none other than the Etherian traitors that prompted a growl from Glimmer. On the left was Force Captain Scorpia, who showed her a confident look and a semi-friendly wave, and on the right was Force Captain Catra, who smirked at Glimmer in particular with predatory condescension.

As the Troopers disembarked from their Jet Machines, carrying their energy blasters in tow, Catra took a step forward, as if daring Glimmer to go on the offensive too soon, with Scorpia following close behind. The former was the first to comment on things. "I gotta hand it to you, Sparkle, this is, by far, your crappiest move yet." Letting a small laugh she then turned to Bow, wondering, "Or was this your call, Arrow Boy? It's hard to tell."

"They have names, you know," Kowl interjected in an affronted manner where he stood at Bow's side, "just as I do."

Scorpia then shrugged with an innocent-looking smile, responding with, "Yeah, we know. The nicknames are just supposed to be funny like that," she paused in thought before concluding with, "Fluffball."

"Fluffball," Kowl yelped at the insult, one which Glimmer could sympathize all too well with, especially with Catra laughing at Scorpia's suggestion.

Bow, on the other hand, was looking self-conscious as he said to himself, "Being named Bow, and holding a bow, is kind of weird in a cosmic sense."

"Don't encourage them," Glimmer and Kowl both snapped at the startled archer.

Further conversation was put on hold when a nearby puncturing sound was heard from behind the Force Captains, drawing everyone's attention to a masculine figure who was only somewhat taller than Bow, but carried himself with a far more intimidating atmosphere with his appearance even before he made use of his own weapons.

Always seen in his black, form-fitting body armor with a red cape over his back, which Glimmer knew hid two mounted swords that the loathsome warrior was a master of, this particular person always hid his face behind a white-colored, demonic-looking mask said to be in homage to whoever mentored and raised him from infancy. And in his right hand, he carried a sharp staff that was not only another weapon, but a symbol of office for he was the Horde Lord of Etheria. The one who enforced the hardships the people of Etheria faced as unwitting subjects of the Horde Empire.

"Come now, my Force Captains," the ruthless fiend spoke first to Catra and Scorpia, as if in slight admonishment of their behavior, "we're all older than that, correct?" Passing through his grinning subordinates, the leader of the Horde occupation turned his attention to Glimmer as he said, "Still, Glimmer, Catra isn't wrong. Announcing yourself here was reckless even for you. Is this a consequence of poor parenting?"

At the man's provoking words, Glimmer straight up snarled at him, with Bow doing what she could to hold her back, as she said with contempt, "You don't get to judge me, or my parents, Desparo!"

 

[AwarenessBringer]

I'm still working on the present chapter. I guess the last couple of days have been pretty busy and distracting for whatever reason.

But anyway, I'm sure what will happen is obvious, yet I figured the following would give out a good idea of what to expect. Just to pass the time and all that.

Spoiler: Two Words After a Contraction

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4F4qzPbcFiA&pp=ygUQdGhpcyBpcyB0aGUgdHJhcA%3D%3D