Zorelda

 

Art by Zetarok and Katzueki

Zorelda is a character introduced in Defenders of the Earth and also developed in fan fiction. One of the most powerful magic users, she is a member of a Mongoian society known as witches — supernatural beings who were dreaded and hunted during her youth. In the TV series, it is unknown whether she was born with her abilities, or if she gained them through the study of necromancy. 

DoE confirms that she is a former Queen of Mongo who ruled alongside the tyrannical Suramong long before the rise of Ming the Merciless. In one account of her history, she was empowered by the mysterious Seven Sages of Mongo, who sent her to seduce and assassinate Suramong. However, the young beauty fell in love with Suramong instead, and took his side after turning on the Sages. She then used her position as queen to ban the hunting of witches, granting them positions of authority worldwide. 

Among most of Mongo's people, Suramong's rule was still considered oppressive, and Zorelda's power made matters far worse. In addition, several witches proved vindictive, and used their new positions in government, along with their paranormal gifts, to lash out at civilians subjected to their rule. 

Against incredible odds, rebels opposed and eventually defeated Suramong's regime, imprisoning the king magically. Afterward, Zorelda went into hiding for decades. She resurfaced to form an alliance with Prince Krotan, a member of the new ruling family, suggesting that she could help him become supreme ruler. After freeing Suramong and betraying Krotan, Zorelda was seemingly slain by her former king, who claimed that he had no further use for her. However, she returned in various works of fan-created fiction, notably Sailor Moon Defenders, in which she assisted a new leader initially before going rogue.

 

 

In other realms, such as Dimension X, she regained control of Mongo following a violent revolution, reestablishing witches as the dominant class. As part of her effort to make witch rule permanent, Queen Zorelda mandated that all girls were to study witchcraft, and declare loyalty to her, upon coming of age. She was, again, opposed by several rebel groups, including many led by young women.

Image 2 by Zetarok, Katzueki, Neldorwen, and Plustina 

Related: Royals of Mongo