Adam fought the urge to go off with Teela in search of Adora. Just knowing she was alive and well ignited a compulsion for him to reunite with her. It was overwhelming his good sense and he felt agitated and restless. This was not good. He had to fight it.

He and Teela had thrown themselves into helping the resistance -they helped repair housing units, gather food, and prepare for Queen Angella's planned rescue by gathering supplies. They were not part of the strategizing sessions – despite their skills in this area, they were strangers – and not fully trusted. It wouldn't have made sense to be included at the highest level planning meetings. Nonetheless, they felt as if they weren't truly giving all they could give, and it rankled.

"Perhaps if we sparred and displayed our skill, they would understand our levels of experience," Teela told Adam as they worked together. Adam had been very careful to work at normal strength forcing Teela to work harder. He couldn't move faster or take away her burdens – it would reveal his odd strength as well as demean Teela's contributions. In theory, Teela agreed with Adam's logic. In reality, she wanted him to carry the heavy stuff. She was getting soft, she thought with a shake of her head.

"Together," he asked uneasily. Adam hated sparring in this form, although Duncan had forced him to back home to get used to wielding the power as himself. When he'd first taken on the duty of He-Man, he learned to control his great strength and had broken a good deal of equipment along the way. Duncan's laughing 'glad that wasn't me' whenever He-Man splintered a training dummy hadn't put his fears to rest... but then Adam realized his mentor had been acting 'normal' about the display of great power in order to aid Adam in treating it as normal. He learned to appreciate his mentor's wry humor.

This frightened him, though. One slip... he could kill her. There was no sorceress to heal her if he made a mistake.

"We did it at home," she said, trying not to smile and give the words double meaning.

"Where the Sorceress could heal any injuries."

"Any of my injuries, you mean. "

"Yes."

"Come on, Adam – it would be strange if we never sparred, being warriors as we are. Don't worry about hurting me. We've done this so many times before -"

Bow stood aside listening. He was a master at hiding and eavesdropping thanks to his involvement in the rebellion. Given the skill these two had shown in battle, he didn't understand why Adam was afraid of hurting Teela. He decided not to make himself known to see if he could learn more.

"Okay. Sparring sounds good. If we're going into battle soon, it's good to be warmed up."

"Now you're talking. "

They both headed to the makeshift training area that Bow had pointed out the day before. Bow followed silently, planning to make himself known after they arrived at the site.

"My friends, are you planning to put on a show," Bow stepped out from trees, speaking lightly. "Perhaps I could call in the others." He knew they wanted the others to trust in their skill and he felt it a good idea. Regardless of who Adam was in relationship to Adora, Bow was sure that Teela and Adam were on their side. He felt it deep down.

"Just a little sparring," Teela spoke first. "We want to be ready for battle."

"You seem to spring right into action yesterday," Bow noted appreciatively. Their skill had been truly impressive.

"As you know, skills get rusty if they aren't exercised daily."

"She's something of a - " Adam trailed off, not wanting to tease Teela about her doggedness of pursuit of duty while here. He couldn't risk having anyone learn he was royalty.

"Ah, afraid of alienating the beautiful one, my friend," Bow teased. "I do not blame you at all. If she were my mate, I would only strive to make her happy."

Teela laughed at his overblown words and shook her head.

"She's also good with a sword, my friend," Adam answered with a grin. "And that alone is reason enough not to want to anger her just prior to sparring. "


The audience had gathered quickly and Adam forced himself to focus. He knew he could do this. He'd done it before. He simply had to erase all distractions from his brain.

Teela squelched down her anxiety – sparring with Adam with He-Man's strength was daunting. An inappropriate application of force could easily kill her, and although she knew that he was well practiced in fighting with these great powers, he was also distracted about his sister. She exhaled and brought herself into the calm, meditative state with which she approached such sessions.

Adam and Teela circled each other, both ready to begin the battle – and on signal, they each began to attack and defend in an old and well-practiced rhythm.


"That was fine fighting," Bow said after it was over. Adam had won, and Teela was fine with it – he had more stamina like this and while he could hold back on his strength, he couldn't fake fatigue in battle – he needed to be as honest as possible with his capabilities so that his fellow comrades could trust him in battle.

"Thank you," Adam said. "We... grew up together," he told the other man, trying not to give away too much. "We've been sparring together for years."

"It was obvious. There's a familiarity – you fought as though you expected no surprises."

"Which isn't how it will naturally be," Adam agreed. "If you are willing, I'd love a chance to fight someone I've never fought."

"Same here," Teela agreed. "But not at this moment. I need to recuperate a bit."

Adam tried to hide his guilt at wearing her down.

"Well, he is much larger than you, Teela," Bow agreed. "And far too skilled to let his own attacks be used against him – as are you. You've obviously had the same teacher."

"You two must teach the others," Glimmer said regally, making it clear her words were command and not suggestion. "We will schedule sparring sessions – we can learn a lot from fighting you. For now, you may refresh in the hot springs. They do a marvelous job recuperating sore muscles."


"Was this a good idea," Teela asked Adam laughingly as they walked in the direction of the hot springs.

"I... hope you think it was," he told her cautiously, worried he had hurt her.

"I had fun, Adam. You know I always do. I meant with the others. Sounds like we'll be busy."

"Well, that's another thing you love," he teased her, reminding her of her grueling training schedules back home. "I think this was a good idea. This is what we do best – and it's how we can best contribute to the effort."