Unbroken: Fall of the Universe

Chapter Eleven

The world around Hordak faded. He cried out as a burning light seared his thoughts, shutting them down.

"NO!!!"

You thought you could get rid of me that easily, little brother, Prime's voice seeped into his head, chuckling to himself.

White pupils rolled into Hordak's eyes. Pained tears streamed down his face as he tried to resist the lull of darkness beyond thought. Before, he relished when Prime would free him from the burden of thought and speech, but he'd come to see that it was all a lie.

You're only hurting yourself, the emperor promised.

Get out of me!

My, you've grown strong. Horde Prime's voice darkened with rage. Too strong for what you are. Give in already. Let me have your body, and you can be free from thought forever!

Never! The clone seethed.

So be it.

"Ah little brother," Horde Prime laughed through Hordak. "So it's true: you have been thoroughly corrupted." He raised a hand and pushed back his hair.

Imperfect as always, Prime scoffed.

Entrapta was standing now. Hordak's consciousness was blurry. He could barely hold onto the connection between him and his eyes. Somehow, she'd undone her bonds.

"No!" she cried, trying to escape.

Prime snatched her out and into the air.

"You have forced my hand," Prime growled. "I will unleash the Heart. And so we shall die in cleansing flames together!"

If you're still there, remember this, brother, Prime spat. Everything that is about to happen is because of you.

No, Hordak pleaded weakly.

Prime snapped his fingers together, and teleported them to Etheria. The Velvet Glove glided closer to the surface.

Inside the tumble of the void, it was even harder for Hordak to maintain his hold on his body. Just hold on a little longer...

The void dumped them on the cliff side overlooking a spire. In the gorge beneath, Princesses of the Rebellion fought against the Horde.

Hordak could hardly see anymore. He could hardly hear.

This is all my fault. The universe will be destroyed because of me. The last of his consciousness began to lose its hold on reality. Let go.

"No!" Entrapta screamed, struggling in Prime's grasp. "You can't do this!"

Through the murkiness, the voice reached Hordak. The void of emptiness was calling him, but he resisted. A new power filled him. One he had never known before. It bubbled inside his soul and spilled throughout the rest of his consciousness.

Not yet! His mind called out. I am not giving up on you, Entrapta! I can still fix everything!

He allowed his thoughts to swell, to multiply. He released his furry on Prime's soul.

Ahhhhh! The emperor cried as he was knocked from his grip on the clone. What do you think you're doing?

What I should have done long ago! Hordak cried. He expanded his mind, reaching out and claiming what was his. His eyes flickered from green to the vivid red of the past.