I admit that I've been to Mystacor since my banishment, and have discovered a secret of the country. I did break the confines of my exile to pursue these mysteries, for I have always been intrigued with the history of the kingdom of sorcerers.

❂❂❂

Shadow Weaver and Carmen returned to the Fright Zone a day later. Her servant had managed to escape through the vents, but the alarm had given her a headache and a half. Shadow Weaver pitied the felinetta; if Catra's screaming was too loud for her, it must have been torturous to hear the alarm.

She ordered Carmen to the sanctum. But before she could go to the infirmary – she had trouble walking, and was sure she had a concussion of some variety – Force Captain Tara found her. "Commander," she said, her voice hard, "there was a riot in the Fright Zone. Soldiers are demanding more variety and substance in their meals. Twenty-four dead."

Shadow Weaver's mouth dropped open. "Twenty-four?"

"Some of them got a hold of the electric rods – how, I dunno. The others accessed our firearms." The Silaxian ran a hand through her short white hair. "It was a small-scale war. More were beaten and wounded in the process. The rioters turned on their fellow soldiers, like there was a conflict under the surface long before."

Shadow Weaver sighed, overwhelmed. Twenty-four... Her face and hands suddenly grew numb, and she wobbled on her feet. The pain in her head grew hotter, brighter. How will I...explain this...

No. You cannot faint now.

She would deal with the issue swiftly and brutally. Then, perhaps Shadow Weaver would escape her commander's wrath...this time.

✧✧✧

(Illustrated by CosmiqueAliene)

"My lord?" a drawling voice asked.

Hordak turned around; he could barely hear Carmen over the drills sewing his armor in place. He dared not look at the scars scraping across his back from the machines' previous failures. His wounds bled blue even now.

"Why have you disturbed me, Force Captain?" he demanded. In truth, he was not as angry as he sounded – just exhausted and having to overcompensate with force.

Carmen flinched. "My lord, we recovered the...the thingie..."

"The power source?" Hordak prompted.

"Yes, that!" she chirped. "I'm gonna leave it on your desk, yeah?"

"Very well, Force Captain." A pause. "Why have you come to me instead of your commander again?"

"Well, y'see..." Carmen said softly. "Shads ain't doin' well. Micah slammed her head 'gainst the floor – the Crypto Castle's made of metal, it is –"

"And she has a concussion," Hordak finished. Foolish woman. An entire battalion had rioted, and Shadow Weaver would be out of commission to implement his new policies. It wasn't even worth it to withhold the Black Garnet – she would simply lay around, more lethargic than ever, if not given the chance to heal. Growling a bit, he waved his hand. "You are dismissed. Good work, Force Captain Carmen."

He shuddered; the pain had not dissipated since he put on his armor. The cracking sounded again, painful and potent. Hordak gasped from the impact, his vision fuzzing around the edges as his sweat dripped onto the table.

If Shadow Weaver found out about his ailment, he would be dead the next day. Thus, he had to control her somehow. But how could Hordak do so in a way that didn't compromise the Horde itself?

He crushed his eyes shut. Then, the pain...stopped. Why, he was unsure; his episodes could last an hour or more, sometimes accompanied by fainting or vomiting. But Hordak was thankful; perhaps...perhaps God was still looking out for him, even now. Maybe He had made a mistake...

He missed his cohort. He wanted to go back, to fit in. Gaining his bearings, Hordak picked up the enormous battery. It held the power of electricity itself.

As much as he hated to admit it, Shadow Weaver was too valuable to Hordak. Thus, he would settle for this spark of hope. This new invention, made by Princess Entrapta herself. The path to salvation.

✧✧✧

The Princess Alliance met the next day – or rather, demanded to meet. Foolishly, Micah assumed it would take them weeks to arrive, since many refused to travel by anything less than a carriage. However, nearly all the monarchs arrived to censure him, using sorcerers to take them through the In-Between.

Gritting his teeth, Micah sighed roughly and sat in his chair as they entered the room. Every seat, save Mystacor's and Tropicilas', was occupied.

Keep your temper under control. Princess Talyn's face twisted into a scowl. Her prehensile hair was braided down her back with gold ornamentation; it would become a dangerous weapon if she smacked him. Silence dominated the room. Micah looked over at his wife, then at Nell, who sat on either side of him.

Finally, Princess Talyn of Dryl spoke in an icy voice. "The thief got away despite our efforts. Now Entrapta's power source is in the Horde's hands, and who knows what horrid machines they will use to attack us?"

"I accept responsibility," Angella said softly. "I should have stayed with Shadow Weaver. I was unable to give Carmen a fight because of my pregnancy. If she'd kicked the baby –"

"With respect, Your Majesty," King Rei of Plumeria interrupted, "you should not have faced her alone if your condition was an issue."

Calm your temper, Micah repeated mentally. "We didn't expect to run into Shadow Weaver there. She's good at masking her plans from us."

"Then your spy isn't doing a particularly good job, now, is she?" Princess Talyn retorted.

"Our spy is doing the best she possibly can," Nell said. "Promotions take time in the Fright Zone, and only Force Captains communicate directly with Shadow Weaver."

King Gian of the Snows sighed. "We cannot do anything about it now. Our only hope is to launch an invasion, and attempt to recover the power source."

"Are you insane?" Queen Morgause of Salineas exclaimed. "You cannot raid the Fright Zone – you would have to cross the Whispering Woods to accomplish such a feat, and could not possibly bring enough soldiers."

Micah frowned. "Your Majesty," he said to Morgause. "Your navy could try."

"The Fright Zone is landlocked, my dear," she said. "It would be foolhardy –"

"No," Nell said. "It's not." All eyes turned to him, and he inhaled. "I'm not a tactician, but I have attended many meetings with the king and queen. The Horde has a base by the coast, specifically to ward off intruders from the sea."

"That is precisely our problem," Morgause agreed.

Nell nodded. "However, if there's one thing we can learn from the Horde, it's a sneak attack. They were able to hit Delvala hard with only a hundred soldiers. If we tried a similar tactic, we could take the base by the ocean. Then, we could use their machines to go to the main complex."

"Shadow Weaver will be ready for us," Micah said with a frown. "But if I can distract her...maybe get to the edge of border patrol...it could work."

Nell looked pleased at the suggestion. The royalty were silent. Finally, King Gian sighed. "Good doctor, we wish we could. But you are no tactician."

"I have acknowledged that," Nell said. "Is there a flaw in my plan?"

Micah lowered his eyes. "We'd have to make sure we can arrive at the Fright Zone undetected. We'd need a good handful of sorcerers with us. It wouldn't hurt to bring Angella's sister, too."

Angella nodded. "Spinnerella would make a fine addition to our group. She could speed the skiffs along, and her wind powers are capable in combat."

Micah patted Nell on the shoulder. "I vote to go through with Master Nellith's plan."

"As do I," Princess Talyn said. "We can offer reconnaissance – my sister has crafted capable mapping devices."

"We will offer our navy," Morgause said hesitantly.

"And our forces," King Gian agreed.

King Rei nodded. "Though I will not take part in this fight, I am in favor of the decisions made here."

"Then it's settled," Micah said. "Now, to get down to the specifics."

❂❂❂

Did you know...

- I had a difficult time with Part 2 initially. I believe that it was originally only 15,000 words, as opposed to 25-30K for the other parts. However, I added the battery subplot to enrich Shadow Weaver's character, as well as allude to Hordak's desperation regarding his portal project.

- "Rei" means "King" in Portuguese, so King Rei's name is literally "King King." This was based on the naming philosophy used in the Kung Fu Panda franchise.

Tell me what you think...

- Is the Alliance right to be so angry at Micah over the battery? Why or why not?

- Is Hordak wise to fear Shadow Weaver at this point?