Author's Note:

99 percent of the characters presented in this story are the property of Mattel and Filmation and do not belong to me in anyway. This is a Fanfiction, written solely for the entertainment of its readers and myself. I make zero cash off of this.

This is a continued re-write of the original "The Final Adventure." It is the beginning of much longer fanfic that will now be in tune with the fanfics written since then. It is therefore in the same continuity as "Preludes and Beginnings," "He-Man: Year One," "The Day That Nothing Happened," "The Elfsong of Eternia," "The Crossroads of Destiny," "Prophecy & Change," "Just Another Day," "Liberty and Valor," "Manifest Destiny," "Roots," "Deus Ex Machina," "My Blue Reflection," and "The Last Battle."

It continues the "Final Adventure" storyline that began in "Return to Eternia," and continued into "A Winter's Heart," and "The Shroud of the Horde." Both fics were edited slightly to reflect changes in the continuity. It is important to have read these three stories first. But if you didn't, here is what happened last time.

Previously:

During the five years He-Man and Skeletor were in the Tri-Solar System, Horde unleashed a renewed attack on both Eternia and Etheria. With Etheria placed into suspended animation and Eternia conquered by Hordak, He-Man was in for quite the shock when his long-term mission on Primus ended. However, with the help of his friends, he managed to overthrow Hordak and free Eternia. In time, Etheria was as well restored.

In the aftermath of Etheria's restoration, Queen Adora married SeaHawk. Most recently, Skeletor, who had returned from his exile and had been working in the background, made his prensece known to He-Man.

He-Man himself was feeling quite distraught, having not too long ago learned that ever-present war between Good and Evil had been manipulated by the Cosmic Enforcers for a dark reason . . .

Chapter One: "Tales of Eternia"

The sun was setting on Eternia when the portal opened and Adora stepped out. Just two days after her honeymoon ended and it was back to work already. She sighed, not wanting these blissful post-wedding days to be replaced by the newest crisis. However, the summons made by Adam was quite insistent that she return to her royal duties as soon as possible.

Adam himself stood at the edge of the courtyard. Years of training as a Force Captain caused Adora to notice the extra security.

"What happened?" she asked.

Adam looked away, but was grim-faced. Again. She was getting tired of that.

"How was the honeymoon?"

"Fine, but I told you that two days ago when I got back to Brightmoon. What is happening here?"

Adam looked at her with honest eyes. "Skeletor is back."

Adora sighed heavily. "Not unexpectedly."

"I wish I didn't share that sentiment. I thought I had him taken care of, but . . ."

"I thought the same with Hordak, Adam. Don't worry about it. What happened? What did he do?"

"Broke into Central Tower and made off with the ram skull. I believe he's going to reconstruct the Havoc Staff."

"By the First Ones," Adora grunted. "Have you heard from Snake Mountain yet?"

"Nothing, but I don't think he's working with Evil-Lynn. It's not like him to go on these missions on his own. If he had the power of Snake Mountain behind him, I would have been fighting Webstor, Beast-Man, and Ninjor."

She nodded. "Right. Have you informed the Sorceress?"

He sighed and looked away.

"Adam!" she yelled. "All right, that's it. Spill it. Everything. Every single detail. Whatever the hell happened between you and the Sorceress, whatever you found out in the caverns underground . . . spill it now."

"Adora . . . it's . . ."

He looked at her. Beneath the mask of frustration was the deep yearning to know and understand what her twin was dealing with.

"All right," he said at last. "Come with me."

They walked across the courtyard and took a seat at a picnic table. He told her what he was told by the Faceless One.

The Cosmic Enforcers had brought Earth's humanity to Eternia, changing them only in slight and subtle ways so they could adapt to life on Eternia. Years later, during the time of Preternia, the mighty King Grayskull was killed in a battle with Serpos. His sword was shattered, but under the advisement of the Cosmic Enforcers, was reforged into the Swords of Darkness, Power, Deception, and Protection.

Much later, they gave technology to the Ancients, and then to the Elders – all in the hopes of increasing the war between Good and Evil. Most recently, Zodak had He-Man recover the Starseed, which could alter reality itself. In the aftermath of a final Eternian battle, the universe would then be altered to fit whichever was the winning side. In addition to this, Stonedar and Rokkon had spied on Eternia for Zodak.

After he was done telling his story, Adora sat quietly for a few long moments, rolling it all over in her mind. Finally, she turned to her brother.

"You believe it's true?"

"Completely. Skeletor knows it too."

"And you believe him?"

"Yes, in this, I do."

Adora went quiet again. Adam looked down uselessly at the brick ground.

"Let's go to the Sorceress."

He perked an eyebrow. "What?"

"Now. Let's go. We confront her about this and figure out just how we can get out of it."

"Out of it?" he questioned. "Out of what?"

Adora looked hard at her brother. "You're kidding me, right? This entire time, you've just been mad about the situation? Adam . . . wake up. We're heroes. We fight this. We figure out how to fight this and we win it. Understand?"

"I . . ."

"UP. NOW."

The trip to Castle Grayskull was quiet. Adam and Adora had slipped out, preventing any one from escorting them. But in addition to that, Adam just didn't know what to say to Adora. He had of course been thinking of ways to undo what had been done – though most of them had included time travel and each scenario he thought of ended in disaster.

Adora was also in deep thought, her mind still rolling the story around, trying to find a flaw and hole. She had had limited experience with the Cosmic Enforcers, so maybe it just didn't impact her as much. Though learning that Etheria's humans came from Eternia, who themselves came from Earth was a bit of a shock.

The Talon Fighter landed in front of Castle Grayskull. The night was balmy and thick with humidity. The moons were ¼ in the night sky, lightning only a little bit of the land around them.

"Sorceress!" shouted Adora, picking up for any pussyfooting Adam was making.

The jawbridge slowly clanged open and Adam and Adora entered the ancient fortress.

They walked across the bridge, through the foyer and finally into the throne room. The Sorceress sat upon her throne and watched as the pair walked towards her.

"Your majesties," she said, her tone respectful. "I never had the chance to congratulate you both."

"Thank you," Adora said.

Adam simply nodded. "I . . ." he began, but couldn't find the words.

The Sorceress sighed.

"Enough," Adora told them both. "Adam told me everything he learned about Eternia and the Cosmic Enforcers. We're here now to ask for you help. What has been set in motion must be stopped. Is it possible?"

"I . . . I am not sure."

Adam sighed. "Sorceress . . ."

"Adam, stop," Adora cut in. "Sorceress, why can't you tell us? If you know something, why must you keep yourself from telling us?"

"I am bound by a sacred oath not to reveal any information in regards to the Cosmic Enforcers and what they have done to Eternia. You must know that if I could tell you anything, I would . . ."

"See?"

"Who are you sworn to?" asked Adora. "We are the champions of Grayskull. We are the heirs to He-Ro and King Grayskull. Who holds a higher title than that?"

"I do."

The twins spun around and saw a woman standing in the doors to the foyer. She was pleasant looking, but had a strange maternal look to her. Her skin was green and she wore a red snake-like armor. Two wings hung from her back.

Adam and Adora heard a gasp from the throne and turned to see the Sorceress bowing.

"My lady!"

"Who are you?" asked Adam, not sure what to do.

The woman smiled and walked towards them. As she did, the jawbridge clanged shut and the doors to the foyer closed. A deep and cold wind drifted into the throne room and it seemed as though all of Castle Grayskull moaned sadly at her presence.

"My name is Veena, the Goddess. Or what is left of her," the woman answered. "I have been pulled in many places, but I am the final piece. I have returned to my final resting place at last."

"You're a ghost?" asked Adora.

"More than that, dear Adora. I am your ancient grandmother. Wife of King Grayskull. My power was released into Castle Grayskull during Preternia. That is a long story . . . and I believe it is time you hear it."

Adam looked to his sister, then back to the Sorceress. Much to his surprise, the look on the Sorceress' face was that of incredible hope.

"Teelana," Veena said to the Sorceress, "the three of you will need coffee and tea. I have many tales to tell and the night will be quite long without proper refreshments."

"The northwest tower?"

Veena nodded. Adam had been in that tower before. Veena walked – or floated, it seemed – past them and went to one of the stairways.

"What stories do you have to tell us?" asked Adora curiously.

"Many of which are a concern to you. Many that the Sorceresses I've put into service have been forbidden to tell."

Veena said no more and the twins simply followed her to the tower. Adora took a seat in one of large pillows. Adam sat on a hefty chair. Veena sat simply on a low stool. Only a minute or two after they arrived, the Sorceress came to the room, a tray with coffee, tea, and some snacks in her hands. To Adam, she looked like a waitress and that seemed so wrong . . .

He took the tray for her and set it on the small table. Despite the previously balmy air outside, the castle seemed so cool – too cool. Outside the window, a fog began to slither across the land.

"Where shall I begin?" asked Veena, looking to the Sorceress as she made herself comfortable in a rocking chair next to the now roaring fire.

"The beginning."

Veena smiled. "The beginning."

And like that, everything was revealed to them . . .

The worlds cooled in the aftermath of Creation. Some took hundreds of years, some took days, and some took billions of years. But long after the universe was birthed and when Earth was seeing mankind begin to flourish, life came to Eternia.

Eternia was unique.

At the heart of Eternia was the Starseed, the left-over of Creation. So brightly did it burn that it bent time and space. This bend brought forth magic, which seemed to overflow on Eternia. Creatures marvelous and terrifying rose on this magic-brimmed world and there were those that could control vast amounts of the magics of Eternia.

Thus, rose of the Gods of Eternia.

In very little time, these Gods made war with each other. Magic was misused, a gist mishandled. Violence threatened to destroy world. So it was that the Gods reached to stars for help, for guidance. Good and Evil were not new concepts to the Gods, but those called the Cosmic Enforcers didn't understand either one.

The Cosmic Enforcers quickly learned of the Starseed and decided that the Gods should have avatars to continue their war, so that the Starseed would be preserved. Mankind had had experiences with Good and Evil, so they brought Earthlings to Eternia. Modifications were made so they could access the magic of Eternia.

Mankind made war themselves. In time, however, the Gods still warred. Many of them either died or faded away. As they did, magic began to slowly drift from Eternia.

By the time the period known as Preternia began, only two Gods were left . . . Veena, the Goddess; and Serpos, her greatest enemy.