The Diary of Angella

The Downfall of Castle Bright Moon

The 18th day of the seventh month

It has been three long months since I have been able to return to this aging book of mine, but the story that I have returned to tell is one without happiness. I have only just regained the throne in glorious Mizar, the home to the ever-shining Castle Bright Moon.

I remember the battle as if it were only yesterday. Mizar had little influence by the Horde at this point, leaving my people in peace. However, news was spreading quickly to my chamber that Hordak was advancing on nearby kingdoms in an effort to leave Castle Bright Moon surrounded. I had known for some time that Hordak would come for my home, as Bright Moon serves as a beacon of hope to all those that opposite his cruel dictatorship. I never expected him to attack so suddenly, and it was a mistake I promised not to make again.

Hordak's ambush on the castle came at the dawn of the eleventh day of the fourth month. I had been staying up much later to keep watch on the kingdom, of course opposing the requests of my dearest daughter, Glimmer, and what I knew would be those of my fair husband (Heaven's blessings be upon him), Micah. They warned me of exhausting my energy; that it would be needed on the day of the attack. I could not sit by and sleep while Hordak lay just beyond the mountaintops.

Impatience, however, would be our downfall.

At dawn, Mizar was stormed by Hordak's robot soldiers and Force Captains. Of course, among them was the evil ruler himself, waiting for the moment that he could join the battle and ultimately finish his conquest of Etheria. Castle Bright Moon was his target the entire time, but Hordak knew that attacking us head-on right away would be foolish. Instead, he chose to tear down this planet one village at a time, hoping to strike fear into our hearts. He was only somewhat successful; So long as the glory of Castle Bright Moon stood strong, Hordak knew he would never succeed.

On this day, however, he had planned his attack so perfectly. He knew that my magic was weakened by my exhaustion, but he was wise enough – or, perhaps, desperate enough – to take on our forces when he was sure that I would be without my greatest power.

The troopers first came forth on the ground, led by Mantenna, and quickly stunned any of the villagers that made an effort to fight alongside our forces. They were ill-prepared; then again, as were we. The ground below the castle was suddenly filled with the sounds of battle, red laser beams being thrown in all directions. I sent out some of our own soldiers on the ground to meet them in the villages and temporarily hold them back.

Soon, the skies were filled with Batmeks. Beams suddenly pounded the castle shields. I was already within the throne room at this stage receiving new information brought forth by our Intel groups. Catra was among the opposing air force, attempting to make way for Hordak to advance. Our soldiers were already at the cannons blasting the aircrafts out of the sky as fast as possible. Still, some were more evasive than others and continued their mission on attempting to lower the shield around the castle. They were slowly gaining in numbers and I could feel the strain during every minute of the battle.

Coming in behind the troopers were the Destructo Tanks, led up by Grizzlor and Leech. They were quickly demolishing as much of the villages as they could, eventually making it possible for storage trucks to come in and capture whatever prisoners they could get their greedy hands on. They intended to take as many of my people as possible, leaving the few remaining to flee or fall in the battle.

As soon as Intel informed me of Hordak approaching the battlefront, Glimmer came to my side and immediately asked to go out into the battle. I could not allow my own daughter to join the battle. If, Heaven forbid it, Castle Bright Moon were to succumb to the force of the Horde, she would be among the captured. I refused to allow her to leave. As my daughter, however, she was as stubborn as I am sure I would have been. She argued with me over the matter until I agreed, but only if she would agree to let me accompany her.