Unbroken: Fall of the Universe

Chapter Nine

The end was near.

It flowed through every fiber in every clone. It filled the Velvet Glove and trembled in the atmosphere of Etheria. Even far underground, the Heart of Etheria could sense freedom. It wouldn't be long before Prime used it to bring peace and order to the farthest reaches of the galaxy.

The spire had been complete. The runes had been drawn. It was only a matter of time.

Hordak returned to the ship. The whole time on Etheria, flashes bombarded his vision. Whether they were real or not, he'd never know. He tried to focus on Prime, what was really important, but it never seemed to work.

Now he was back on the Velvet Glove to assist Prime with the most difficult part.

"Brother," Prime greeted as Hordak fell into a bow before him. All around, the throne room had been rearranged for the process.

"Greetings, Lord Prime," Hordak said curtly.

"Thank you for your assistance this evening," Horde Prime said, then turned back toward his massive screen. A satellite image of Etheria was projected across its surface. The center of the planet contained a swirling white orb, representing the power of the Heart.

It puzzled some small part of Hordak why Prime would tamper with such things. After all, he'd always claimed that magic was evil. 

The clone shoved the thought away and got on with the task. Fellow brothers were stationed here, too. Horde Prime's prehensile hair became loose. It lengthened until it was longer than the platform was wide. Hordak had never seen him use it to this extent. No matter. Prime already had everything figured out. All his clones had to do was set things up.

Hordak plugged a few of the tendrils into the keyholes in the computer's monitor. Prime wasted no time in giving them specific instructions on what goes where. Once the job was finished, the lord was connected to his computer. He stood where his throne had been removed. Power flooded through him.

Hordak turned to see a fellow brother walking toward him. In his hands, he carried a weapon.

The clone stiffened. From somewhere, he recognized the design.

It was sleek and white. It was meant to be strapped to the right arm, where it would be fired on telepathic command.

A laser gun.

"For precautions, of course," the brother stated flatly.

How anyone would be able to sneak onto the Velvet Glove while it was in space, Hordak had no idea. Hesitantly, he took the cannon and put it on.

While he put the gun on, he messed up his perfectly gelled hair. A single strand of hair curled in front of his face, but he didn't notice.

His arm felt heavier, but he held himself straight. He would protect his lord at all costs.

Out of the corner of his eye, Hordak saw Prime's pupils turn pure white. Somewhere on Etheria, a clone had been possessed.

"My brothers," Prime called. His speech was slow and deep, filled with power. His voice echoed around the room, and could also be heard miles below through the mouth of another. "The time has come at last. No longer shall She-Ra stand in my way. The Heart shall be laid bare, its power mine for the taking!"

Hordak cued in through a different clone's eyes. 

Hundreds of Horde troops were stationed around the perimeter of the clearing. In the center, the white and black spire sprung into the sky. Underneath it, a massive triangular hole had been created. Before it, a computer screen was stationed. On that platform, the possessed clone stood at the ready.