Chapter Text
Hordak has a problem. His body is malfunctioning. Again. Such problems are de facto for him; he is a defective nightmare. Each day is a constant battle to keep himself from falling apart. But now there is a new irregularity. A troubling one.
It involves the organ his body uses to expel liquid waste. Hordak never paid it much attention. It served its purpose and that was that. But now, there are tingles. Sometimes it throbs. It also expands, squeezing itself against his undergarment.
This only occurs when he is in the company of Entrapta.
He paces about his quarters, the dim evening light casting his agitated shadow across his resting platform. His body needs sleep, much to his dismay, but his mind is far too active to permit such an activity tonight.
These malfunctions do not happen every time he and Entrapta work together. They are, of course, focused on their common goal – opening the portal. That is key. That is his salvation, his way to prove his worth to Horde Prime. He will conquer this pathetic planet single-handedly in the name of his Brother. This will ensure his return to his rightful place at Prime’s side. That is his purpose. That is where he belongs.
He pauses, relaxing fingers he unknowingly clenched into fists. He will not achieve his goal if his body fails him before the portal is operational. He must maintain his focus. But this… anomaly… it is an unknown. Hordak does not like unknowns.
He resumes his trek, booted footsteps clomping against the smooth dark floor. There have been other physical sensations around Entrapta. Yet the warmth that blooms in his chest is not unfamiliar; it represents his fondness and respect for her. He has felt this warmth before, with others who serve under him. It is what the Etherians call a “happy feeling”. These feelings are increasing in number, but this too is logical. Entrapta pleases him greatly – their progress has been significant.
However, there are also some disturbingly irrational behaviors. There are times she looks at him and his thoughts become clouded. Occasionally when she speaks to him, he is unable to form words in reply. And there was one instance when her gloved fingertip brushed across the top of his hand. A tingling shiver had raced up his arm and down his spine.
In fact, yes… soon after that the issue with his organ started.
Thinking about her touch causes another twinge. It isn’t entirely unpleasant, but it is abnormal.
Nothing in his clone training referenced that organ as anything other than a waste disposal mechanism. But Hordak is no fool – this flaw is biological in nature. If he is to return to Horde Prime and prove his worth, he needs to resolve it. Immediately.
^*^*^*^*^
When the amber Etherian moon dawns across the Fright Zone, Hordak heads to the library that once belonged to Scorpia’s people. His anatomy is not all that dissimilar from the Etherians, perhaps a book or datacard on the subject will fill the gap in his knowledge. He passes a medical bay, noting the disarray of paperwork and pamphlets strewn across the intake counter. He dislikes clutter, and a brief scowl at the two nurses stationed there triggers them into reparative action.
Satisfied, he continues to the library, only to stop cold within the curved metallic doorway. The sheer volume of books and information displayed within the large expanse will require him to do something highly unpleasant. Request assistance.
There are Horde soldiers scattered among the dark metal tables within the library, insects resting before their next flight. And like insects are wont to do, they cluster together and buzz quietly amongst each other. Hordak stiffens his spine and walks into the cavernous space. Immediately all noises cease, and many curious, questioning eyes turn toward him.
This is unacceptable. He lifts a claw and points to the doorway. “Is this how you serve me? Return to your posts.” Slightly louder, “Now.”
All before him scramble and bumble their way past. Satisfied, Hordak approaches the librarian - an older Etherian female, once a resident of Erelandia but conscripted by Shadow Weaver over a decade ago to provide this service to his people. She is, as expected, cowering behind the main desk.
Fear is a useful tool, but it has its drawbacks. He is glad Entrapta does not fear him like this. It would hamper their progress.
“Cease your nonsense. I require your assistance.”
The Erelandian squeaks and stammers. “How… how might I help you, Lord Hordak?”
He pauses, taking the time to phrase his request properly.
“I am seeking information on the physiology of Etherians. Primarily anatomy.” In a flash of inspiration he adds, “I am researching ways to biomechanically enhance our troops for improved strength. And speed. And intelligence.”
He stops himself from rambling, but grins all the same. That isn’t a bad idea.
The look of horror on the librarian’s face is textbook. These Etherians. So backwater. She appears stuck that way, so he growls, “Provide me with this information.”
“Oh! Yes, yes my Lord. Please wait here. There are a couple books that I believe will suit your needs.”
She scurries away and returns exactly one minute after Hordak’s patience wears thin. There is an expression of triumph in her grin as she clutches three hardcover scientific manuals to her chest. He yanks them from her grasp with a snarl. “These had better be worth the time I wasted waiting for them.”
A gulp and a whimper. “Oh, my Lord, I’m certain they will be.”
“We shall see.”
^*^*^*^*^
They do prove extremely useful. Hordak spends an hour skimming each, and quickly learns that the organ in question is used for organic reproduction. The concept is somewhat mind-boggling, and if he’s honest, rather unhygienic. Males inseminate the female via the release of a fluid containing one half of the DNA required to create a new life form. The female has eggs within her that contain the other half. When the two join, new life is created.
To Hordak, this seems barbaric and primitive. Where is the assurance that each half is clean and viable? Where are the controls to keep the new life form stabilized? The haphazardness of it all grates against his psyche. Clone creation is strictly controlled to prevent any failures. He is a rarity as a defect. This… this abomination leaves everything entirely to chance. The risk is high. How is this even permitted in a civilized society? It’s abhorrent.
He has zero desire to create a new life form with Entrapta. So why does his body behave as if he does? The books do not explain the strange sensations, but a diagram clearly articulates what the swelling is for. The male’s member must become engorged to penetrate the female. And at some point in time, fluid is released. Details on this are not provided.
He glances down, disturbed that his body can do what is described in these manuals.
A small chime on a terminal indicates it is officially time to start his day. He pushes thoughts of swollen anatomy from his mind. The portal is the priority. The portal, and nothing else.
^*^*^*^*^
It is early evening when Hordak returns to his quarters. There were no twinges or swellings today. Just inputting data into computers, running calculations, tweaking code. The majority of the day was spent in silence – well, on his part. Entrapta often speaks to herself, or to her ever-present bot. It does not distract him; her chatter has become akin to the hum of machinery. Mere background noise.
He retrieves the three manuals and heads to the library. Perhaps now that he has become educated, his mind will keep his body in check. Upon arrival, as expected, there are far fewer soldiers clustered around the tables. Most are elsewhere, stuffing their faces. It is the evening mealtime.
The librarian notices him immediately, and rushes toward him, eager to serve his whim. “Thank you for these,” he states. “The information was indeed useful.” Hordak prides himself on acknowledging his people when they do as he commands.
Her voice trembles. “Oh! Oh! I am glad to hear that. Thank you, my Lord.”
She doesn’t retreat until Hordak’s eyes meet hers. No words are said, but she recognizes her error, bows and returns to her duties.
He decides to visit the disorganized medical bay prior to returning to his quarters for the evening. He is pleased to see the two nurses have corrected their error from before. He says nothing but scans the counter of the intake window with a critical eye. A stack of booklets grabs his attention, and he plucks one free with his claws.
‘Horde Regulations Regarding Sexual Activity, including Available Health Services’
The word ‘Sexual’ is what caught his eye. ‘Sex’ was a word used within the manuals. “What is this?”
The taller one blushes as the smaller one replies, “Pretty much what it says on the front cover. They’re your regulations, yes?”
Hordak blinks and the nurses peer at him curiously. “Of course they are,” he snaps, even though he has no idea about any of this.
“He might be questioning why they are out on the counter, Yvelle,” the taller nurse murmurs.
“Oh! Well, Lord Hordak, Sir… we want to make sure that any new recruits, or anyone of age really, has access to that information. The more prominent the better, I always say! I sincerely doubt you want a bunch of infants born here in the Fright Zone.”
“I do not.”
“Well then,” the short one nods.
Time to reassert his authority. “Your area was disheveled this morning. Be sure it does not happen again.” He glares at the two women, who synchronously backpedal away from him.
“Yes, my Lord,” they parrot in unison.
He turns and returns to his quarters, the booklet clasped within his grasp.
^*^*^*^*^
The booklet provides Hordak with a wealth of information. Not everything is clear, but enough is articulated to expand his education significantly. Shadow Weaver must have instituted this program without his approval. He is irritated by her arrogance, but also grateful for her wisdom.
Etherians do not mate just to procreate. They do it for fun. It is apparently quite pleasurable for them. In fact, they do it so frequently they require medicines or other implements to prevent the creation of a new life form.
Hordak is forced to acknowledge there is far more to this concept of sexuality than just procreation. The booklet mentions multiple ways to ensure ‘safe sex’ and it articulates many options for accomplishing this. It highlights the appropriate ‘protection’ for a male/female coupling, a female/female coupling, and a male/male coupling. It specifically states that all are acceptable within the Horde, but activities of this nature must occur off-hours, and must not disrupt others. Anyone who forces sexual activity onto another without their consent will be banished to Beast Island immediately.
Hordak’s imagination short-circuits as he digests this new information. The booklet is not illustrated, unlike the hardback manuals, so he is unable to picture how the same-sex couplings would work.
This leads him to wonder if Entrapta has partaken in any couplings. If she has, was it with another male? Or does she prefer females?
The thought of her with anyone irritates him. He can feel his anger rising, and something within his chest is rumbling possessively. He rationalizes that his outrage is justified, as such dalliances would distract her from their work. But he knows there is minimal logic to that argument. Her evenings are her own. Even though she spends many with him working on the portal, that is by her choice, and not his demand.
The booklet also implies the twinges and occasional throbbing are related to the pleasure sensations associated with this primitive reproduction. Hordak wouldn’t call them pleasurable, but they do not pain him.
He feels wise, and relieved. His body is reacting to Entrapta. She is female. He is male. They spend a great deal of time together. That is all this is. Perhaps it is a phase, and will pass in time.
^*^*^*^*^
It does not pass in time. If anything, it becomes more of a distraction than ever. He now sees Entrapta as more than a partner. He sees her as female. He spends an inappropriate amount of time studying her – he struggles to keep his eyes from her. She is soft, curvy and rather cute to look at. It’s like Imp in a way, but then, it’s nothing like Imp at all.
He notices her eyelashes. The way her clothing curves around her body. Her scent, which meant nothing to him before, now has meaning. That scent means she is close to him, and his treacherous body is reacting to that. Her voice has become pleasing, particularly when she says his name a certain way. It is a serious tone, less hyper. Low and throaty.
The tingles are omnipresent, and the throbbing and swelling alternate the entire time he is near her.
He tries to avoid her, but she is far too intelligent to let such behavior slide. She confronts him about it after two days.
“Is everything… are you okay?” she asks quietly while adjusting a chip on a circuit board with a micro-driver.
“Yes. Yes, everything is fine. I am fine.”
“Mmm… response contains five more words than normal.” She turns and studies him. “Ears tilted slightly back, eyes wide.” She nods to herself. “Discomfort. Not fine.” There is a pause before she says, “Did I do something? Sometimes that happens. I say or do a wrong thing and I don’t know it.”
“You have done nothing wrong, Entrapta.” He wants to take her in his arms and comfort her. He wants to press his body against hers. The urge to do so is quite strong.
What is happening to him? He needs to leave. Now.
But he cannot. His feet will not move. Instead, he stares at her, fighting to keep his arms at his sides, to keep his body still. Warmth is spreading from his chest to his cheeks, and also straight down to his abdomen. His undergarment is now uncomfortable. Again.
“Well, okay. Good. But you’re acting strangely. Perhaps you weren’t aware.”
He’s quite aware, thank you.
She smiles, “Well, now you are! I like it when people tell me that I’m doing strange things. Otherwise, how would I know?”
Hordak has had more than enough of this. “I may be overtired. I will rest.”
Her focus has returned to her circuit board. “Okay. See you.”
Hordak hurries to his quarters, slamming the door shut. He curses himself in his own native language, as well as two others. He cannot deny this any longer.
His body wants to mate with Entrapta.