Moonlight

The Report

She sat back at her desk watching him work, a strange curiosity focused only on him. He was the big baddie guy she had been warned of so many times before. The one who's name struck fear in the heart of every horde and rebellion soldier alike. Hordak.

Yet here he stood, a mere 5 feet away, complaining to her about how flawed his troops could be. Literally venting. This strong, widely feared monster, really just a small husk of a brilliant mind.

She watched, her smile growing and growing. It was funny, the way he paced and raved, ranting about the strangest of things. She loved it. She loved him.

"I simply cannot understand it! I give them the simplest tasks, but every time it goes to Hell! It's as if these captains only hear gibberish when I speak! And now, WE HAVE A RUNAWAY!" He threw his hands up in the air, and sighed, defeated.

Entrapta nodded at him, and used her hair to grab a spare tiny cup besides her. "Tiny soup for your troubles?" She offered.

He looked from the extended cup to her beaming face.

"...Yes."

He took the cup and watched as she turned towards the glowing blue monitor in front of her. "If it helps any, I've gotten some more data back on those first ones artifacts we found, according to this-"

Hordak leaned down beside her, looking at the data as she explained it to her. He tried his best to never look at the princess directly, or get too close, because every time he felt something pull on his dark heart. It was something he couldn't describe.

Even now, his eyes were trying to stay focused, observing the data, but every now and then he look at her from the corner of his eye. The curve of her face, her smile, and those beautiful eyes of hers always full if curiosity at the world. Always searching for answers, for questions. Always looking at him with joy, happy he was around. Proud of him always.

"Lord Hordak, Sir!"

His face lit up blue as he turned around to face the voice, snapped out of his daze. Entrapta followed with him.

Standing before them was his best and worst force captain. Catra.

He sighed, the flush of color fading. He knew though from Entrapta's stare that she had noticed it too. Damn.

"What do you want now? To tell me you've lost another of your squadron? You know you're lucky your friend here is so convincing. Had it not been for her, you wouldn't be standing where you are now." He assumed his usual powerful stance, towering over the force captain.

She remained unfazed as always, the usual problem with her. She was one of the few who had ever remained unafraid if him.

"No, we got a bigger issue."

His expression changed again, clearly infuriated.

"This had better not be one of YOUR issue's again." He snarled.

"Not me, no, this is about another force captain."

Hordak, confused, turned to look at Entrapta to confirm what he had just heard. She too looked at him troubled.

"Catra, explain to me why you'd report another force captains responsibility? Wasting my time is something I don't take kindly too."

She smirked her prideful smile, just as usual, like she once again knew a wonderful little secret. One she wouldn't dare tell him until she heard him beg for it. The high and mighty bowing down before her.

"Force Captain Scorpia left early yesterday for Brightmoon."

Whatever pose that was in him left, as he growled at her words. He grabbed her by the collar of her uniform and lifted the dumb little brat.

"What did you say?!" He hissed.

She gave him that smile again, even bigger. Mocking him. "She left. To catch the escape. Took a few other soldiers with her."

He dropped the girl and turned, frustrated at her words. The impulse to destroy returned once again, and as he raised his hand to destroy a desk in front of him, purple hair wrapped around his wrist holding him back. He turned to see her, a look of concern on her face, pleading with him.

His mood shifted in an instant to that of guilt and worry. He sighed, and composed himself. The purple around his wrist slid away, a little reassurance left over from her touch. Using one hand he pushed his hair out of his face.

He turned to Catra, visibly smug at his displeasure.

"Why are you telling me this?" He glared at her, hating every fiber of her being. The only reason he kept her was because she was in fact one of the best force captains he had seen yet.

"Because I sent her."

His frown turned to that of a smile.

"You do realize that her failure of "your" mission would mean your demise. You'd be exiled straight to Beast Island."

He saw how her expression wavered, some doubt in her confident facade. "Yes." She said solemnly. "I'm aware."

He smirked. "Good. I'll be expecting our traitor shortly then. Anything else to share?"

Catra nodded her head. "No."

"Excellent." She turned to leave, her heart sinking slightly at the smug cackling behind her. "Good luck, captain."

The door's slid shut behind her and Catra felt the tears welling up her eyes.

Scorpia, don't fail me.