Day 7 part 1
Kadroh fluttered his eyes open when he felt the weight on the bed shift. He groaned and slowly got up, rubbing the tiredness from his eyes and looked to see Entrapta and Hordak staring at him with soft smiles. Kadroh's heart started to race as he remembered that he will be getting the sentencing from all of Etheria today and it should have been posted based on the position of the Sun. In Entraptas' hands, she held a datapad, not able to let herself see what the clones sentencing would be and decided it was right for Kadroh to see first.
She let her hair take the datapad to Kadroh and patted his hand when he hesitantly grabbed it. Emily, who awoken beside him, beeped encouragingly and bumped her dome against Kadroh as he took deep breaths. Kadroh tried to give her smile, but all he could give was a pained look amd let out one final breath out and turned on the datapad. He went passed all the forms that he used the other day and finally came upon the announcement that was sent all over Etheria. A simple message that made him want to throw the datapad.
He took a shaky deep breath and pressed the announcement; every second it took made him more anxious than the last. Then, the message. Kadroh closed his eyes and when opening them again, he read out loud,
" To the people of Etheria, we have analyzed through countless voices about your views on the clones, what you feel, and what your decision entailed. An overwhelmingly amount of you have expressed negative views on those clones. For what they have done. For who they served before. For the impact that they have done on Etheria"
Kadroh could feel tears in the corner of his eyes as he continue to read.
"Yet those same people have listened to other views. Watched those clones in their care. Made their decision on what to do to them. You have seen our representative clone Kadroh and you learned more about your clones and today we will read what will be done with the clones based on your decisions"
Kadroh closed his eyes, hesitantly opened them and finally read the rest of the announcement.
"From all over Etheria, clones will receive true freedom once they commit enough community service hours based on the location they're assigned to after they are through with orientation in the kingdom of Dryl. They will stay with a family or independent(s) to learn and grow more as they slowly turn to citizens of Etheria or even then, people of their own in the universe. Thank you for your decision and to the horde clones, welcome to your new life."
Tears streamed down Kadrohs' face as he put down the datapad and looked up to the others. The two were smiling brightly, Entrapta screaming happily and threw herself onto Kadroh, crying, "You did it Kadroh!" Hordak followed her lead and hugged both of them and said with such pride in his voice, "You did great, brother." Emily beeped happily besides the three, nudging herself into the hug with joy. Kadroh just shook, not being able to say or do anything as the overwhelming feeling of joy filled his chest and through his tears.
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The princesses and their close ones looked at each other in concern, all together at the end of the hallway that would lead to where Hordak was. They heard the cheers of their clones all over the castle which they wanted to join, but all they could feel is dread building in them. During the war, they would all have gladly seen Hordak being punished for his crimes, but after getting to know him, it was even harder to put him to trial. They thought that they would get an understanding of him during the week to have a neutral view on him when coming into the trial, but now they come to grow fond of the clone.
After all the damage he had done, all the chaos he brought and the dangers that came after him, mostly all of them thought that they would still hate him even after being with him. Yet, there they were, worrying for the one who used to be their enemy now turned ally. What's even worse for most was that he was close to Entrapta who acted like a bridge between most of them and to help to come closer together. With every growing day, she does things that they learned were for them and how much she tries to make them happy, it just makes things worse that they will have to go to trial with someone she loves with all her heart.
What were they supposed to do?
Adora sighed as she rubbed her temples and asked the others, "How are we feeling?" The others turned to her, struggling to say past a few mumbling of words and avoiding eye contact with others. Catra was finally the one who spoke up, "Like I should be in ditch. Like what am I supposed to do about the guy who did wrong to me, but I also did wrong and relate to and want to get close to only to learn he's on trial against a whole world?" Catra growled in frustration as she scratched her hair wildly.
The others agreed and Micah said, "Compared to the clones who had each other, Hordak is mostly facing this alone besides Entrapta. We can't easily just say that we pardon his crimes because he needs to face the consequences of his actions." They nodded glumly, not being able to retort or say anything that would liven the mood.
Glimmer sighed, "Makes things worse is that he's so calm about most of this. If he was screaming and fighting back, I would feel better about the trial, but he's just accepting what's coming in his way. He's even trying his best to apologize to each of us! Ugh, why couldn't he be just a jerk like I use to think of?!" She stopped when she heard Catra laugh, the rest turning to her as well, confused on why she find this situation funny.
Catra wiped her eyes and said, "Sorry, it's just that Hordak was a jerk, but the one who changed him was Entrapta and you all know that." The group once again looked at each other and knew that she was right. If it weren't for Entrapta, they wouldn't know what else the former warlord would have done without her by his side.
"Entrapta...", Bow whispered. Everyone knew what he was thinking. Entrapta will fight tooth and nail for Hordak and that would mean that she would be capable of even going into war for him. Mermista facepalmed and groaned, "Why does she have to be so important to us? It would have been so better if she just ran away with him, but knowing her, she wants everyone to see the good in Hordak and if it weren't for her being so lovable, it would have be easier to put Hordak on trial."
"You got that right. She does so much for us, only for us to try her boyfriend like backstabbing her", Frosta complained. They all looked at each other sadly, wanting to just avoid this trial all together, but this was also for the people of Etheria, not for their personal lives. Glimmer sighed and rubbed her temples before saying, "Look, let's just... get this done. At the very least we have to make sure he's prepared for the trial." Everyone slowly agreed as they all started slowly walking down the hall.
The guards outside could tell there was an upsetting atmosphere when they saw the group, but didn't dare comment on such an important day. Glimmer nodded to the both of them and both knocked on the door before opening it. Their breath hitched at the scene they saw that only made them feel worse. They all had already eaten from what they could see from the empty plates on their table and must have taken a mid morning nap. Hordak had Kadroh and Entrapta in his arms and Emily was at the foot of their bed, a smile on Hordaks' face as the others cuddle close to him, dried tears noticeable on all of their faces and all sleeping so peacefully.
They took in the scene, no one daring to say a word and only wishing to let them all sleep peacefully, but they knew it wouldn't last long. Emily beeped awake when she noticed the groups presence and stood up on the bed, bowing to them and getting down from the bed. The absence of Emily woke the others up, all still groggy from what most likely be a bad night of sleep due to everything that was happening to those in the room. Entrapta smiled as she noticed that it was her friends and waved happily, saying, "Good morning!" Kadroh took notice of them as well and said, 'Brothers and sister! Pleasant morning to you all!"
Hordak grunted from the sudden amount of noise, but when he realized the princess and their loved ones were there, he gave them a soft smile and nodded at them. All they could do now was smile back at the trio, so lively even though it's trial day for Hordak. "Hey, we, uh, just wanted to see if you were prepared for today.", Glimmer said with an odd softness in her voice.
"Aw thanks! We just need to get dressed and we'll be out soon enough!", Entrapta explained as she jumped up on the bed, grabbing a pile of clothes that were on the other bed. "Okay, we just really wanted to see how you were all doing and not be late for the... trial", Adora said, rubbing her neck as she watched Kadroh helping Hordak getting up slowly, obvious that his body was tired as well as himself from the week. Hordak thanked Kadroh and turned to the group which made them tense under his gaze.
What caught them off guard was Hordak bowing to them and said, "I thank you for the chance for being put on trial. I am glad that you all are the ones who will over see that I will get proper punishment." When he lifted his head back, he jolted when there was a sudden flurry of hugs that he received. The group, excluding Micah and Swift wind, couldn't help themselves anymore and just hugged Hordak when he said those words. Adora and Catra were the closest ones to him and felt his arms mostly on them.
"Are you alright? Did I say something wrong?", Hordak asked, worry growing in his voice. "No you idiot, we just... worry for you", Catra said, words muffled by being in his chest. Adora looked up to him and said, "We'll try our best to give you a proper trial and we'll prove to Etheria that you are worthy of their attention." Hordaks' eyes widen as he laughed softly, looking at the others in the group, all looking at him with soft smiles and some even tearing up. He hadn't had the chance to say anything as he felt the others in the room come into the hug as well with Entrapta gathering everyone with her hair.
Hordak smiled, tears filling the brim of his eyes and buried himself into the group and wanting to last in the hug forever. He knew that he wouldn't be able to keep his hold on them for so long, but for now, at this moment, this will be his most cherished memory that has happened in his life so far.
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Those who didn't live in the room, waited outside for them to change, the guards noting the difference in the atmosphere as they talked amongst each other with a better outlook for the trial. Seeing Entrapta encouraged them to confront Hordak and see Hordak made them realizing that they will fight for him as well or his trial. They will do their best to give a fair trial for both him and Etheria, but will also prove to Etheria that Hordak is willing to change for the better.
Their talking stopped when they heard the door creek open and out came the four in their professional attire.
Emily was wearing two bows, one on her head and one that would be on her 'neck' as she couldn't decided which one she wanted for the occasion. Kadroh wore a suit top and wore a pencil skirt with black tights underneath and slip on dark purple shoes. Entrapta wore a purple slim fit suit with purple gloves to match and low navy platform shoes and what surprised them all was that she had her hair into a single ponytail instead of her usual pigtails. What suprised them even more was Hordaks' attires as he wore a soft yellow shirt dress with a light lavender blazer on top, white tights and lavender slip on shoes; a bright attire that he wasn't seen often in.
Hordak looked at them nervously as he asked them, "Is this too much?" Adora step towards and him and smiled, "You look great Hordak." Hordak smiled at her, giving a small nod and said, "Thank you Adora." Scorpia, Perfuma and Bow ran up to him and the rest and from what he could from them speaking over each other was, "Oh my gosh Kadroh you are so cute!" "You look so great Hordak" "You look gorgeous Entrapta!" He blushed at the sudden compliments before Micah spoke up with a smile on his face, "Okay, okay, leave them alone kids. We got to head out now."
They turned to the former king and nodded, each taking a side to the four and smiled at them, waiting for them to start walking towards the courtroom. Hordak trembled at their gaze, but settled down when he felt hands at either side of him. Kadroh to his left and Entrapta on his right, smiling to him encouragingly. Hordak took a deep breath and nodded, taking a step forward and ready for what were to come.