A/N: Forgive any grammatical or continuity errors as it's 3AM, I'm exhausted, and quite delirious. Thanks for reading.

Chapter 52

-Three Days Later -

The curious group of old men stared at him.

"This…is Force Captain Adora's…brother?" Selmo asked skeptically.

"Yes."

"But Princess, how are we to trust him?" Vyntman asked, his brow furrowed.

Standing behind a seated Glimmer, arms folded Adam silently stared back.

"You trust me, do you not?" she challenged.

All the men, eleven in all nodded and mumbled in the affirmative.

"Then you can trust him. He and his warrior friend rescued the Nanny Shakra from the Fright Zone—"

The tent burst into shocked murmuring, her violet gaze scanning the room.

"He's spent weeks training my people for combat. He's also responsible for planning and carrying out the last several offensives against The Horde at the expense of his own welfare," she explained.

More wide-eyed surprised chatter.

"I trust him with my life and the life of my troops," she reassured, her piercing gaze studying them in the pensive silence.

"He looks intimidating enough," Steppen stated with an appraising look.

The Eternian's steely sapphire gaze shifted to the older man.

"Yes. Frighteningly so," another added.

Adam lifted a brow.

"Yes, well he did singlehandedly immobilize six Horde perimeter guards by Bow's account," Glimmer boasted, an edge to her voice. "He killed one of them."

Gasps and more curious chatter as all fell silent.

"You murdered somebody?" Selmo asked shocked.

"Self-defense," Adam replied stone-faced.

They gaped at him.

"What were they doing?" another asked.

"Shooting at me."

Their jaws fell open.

"And…you just walked away? Without a scratch?" someone else ventured.

He nodded.

Glimmer watched them; at this new knowledge some were eager to join the fight, others still leery of the Outsider's presence.

"His father is the King of Eternia."

This time, shouts of surprise and disbelief filled the tent.

"So, Eternia…exists?" Selmo pondered, his eyes wide.

"Yes," she replied.

"What is your name, young man?" Otham asked intrigued.

The Blond hesitated while Glimmer suddenly stood to her feet. She gestured to him.

"This is Adam Miro, Crown Prince of Eternia."

More gasps, Hawk and Bow anxiously surveying their reactions.

"So that means Adora…," someone trailed off.

"Is Second Born Heir to the throne," Adam finished warily. "My twin."

"Hera…," Vyntman replied. "Twin Royals?"

"Yes," the Etherian Princess replied, rounding the table and standing in front of the men, her arms clasped behind her back. "His mission is to bring his sister safely home to Eternia and to their parents. Of his own free will he selflessly joined The Rebellion offering his services and putting himself in grave danger."

Silence as everyone glanced at each other.

"I'm in," Selmo offered, resolute as everyone's heads whipped to him.

"Me too," Otham added.

One after the other, the band of older yet able-bodied former fighter pilots all volunteered to join The Rebellion to Glimmer's, Hawk's, and Bow's relief, the Blond quietly observing.

"When do we start?"

The corner of Adam's mouth curled into a smile.

xxx

With everyone huddled around a large wooden desk the Prince outlined the plans for sneaking into the Fright Zone and acquiring the aircraft. They exchanged glances.

"Will this work?"

"It has to," Adam replied.

"And where is this Warrior you reference?"

The Princess looked to him.

"He's here. In the Woods."

Hawk and Bow glanced at each other.

"Strange," Otham drew out. "He lurks among the bushes awaiting your call?"

Adam looked at him. "It's his way," he shrugged off.

"And he is to lead us off, Your Grace?" Ziffor inquired.

"Yes."

"Are we all in?"

A few beats as everyone measured the level of risk.

"Yes, Commander Glimmer."

"Good," she rose as all the men present followed in respect. "Prince Adam, when do you initiate?"

"Midnight tomorrow."

She nodded. "I suggest you all get some rest," she advised. "Meet us here, after dark."

"Yes, Princess," the village men bowed as she and Hawk left the tent. While everyone filed out, Bow approached.

"When are you going after Adora, Prince Adam?" he asked, his amber gaze troubled.

Adam looked down at him. "After we liberate Queen Angella."

Bow's eyes tightened in determination. "I want to go with you."

They eyed one another.

"No."

"Why not?" he asked, ticked off.

"Because…I may not make it back." Adam abruptly turned and left the tent.

Bow's eyes widened at the implication.

xxx

"What exactly was that scene Casta and I walked into a few days ago?"

Glimmer frowned. "Scene?"

"Yes," Hawk replied, troubled.

"I don't do scenes."

Headed for their quarters, annoyed Hawk stopped her, stepping in front of her.

"I'm usually not the jealous type but you two were in the middle of an embrace."

Irritated, she stared up at him. "Correct. You are not the jealous type yet you continue to act the part," she replied curtly, a hand going to her hip. Calming she gave a sigh. "You have nothing to worry about, Luna. I'm with you. Not him."

Sea Hawk furrowed his brow. "With? Don't you mean love?"

The Princess bit her lip, her eyes darting away before returning to meet his.

"I've told you before. I'm…I'm not ready for love, Luna. Not yet," she confessed haltingly before pushing past him and disappearing into her tent.

Crushed, his sea-green gaze followed her, his jaw falling open.

xxx

Adam ducked into his tent and stopped, his eyes darting to a sheepish Cringer as the woman, sitting in a chair stood.

"I wanted to thank you properly, young man," Shakra began shakily, her hands clasped in front of her.

"Properly?" he replied, his gaze wary. Strange women sneaking into my room happens way too much.

Standing she approached, "Forgive me for taking liberties but I have a pressing question that must first be answered," she stopped directly in front of him, her piercing stare freezing him in place.

Gazing down at her frail 5'3" inch frame his eyes narrowed. "What is your question, Private?"

"Why couldn't your warrior friend have taken me all the way into camp?" she asked. "Why did he take the time and effort to break into the Fright Zone, carry me all those miles only to stop mere feet from our encampment and not completing the mission?"

Uncomfortable silence.

"He's shy?" he tried.

Shakra blinked at the comical reply. With a chuckle she closed her eyes and turned away. Taking a seat once again she looked at him.

"No. It is you that is shy, young man."

Adam and Cringer exchanged confused glances.

Leaning forward she whispered, "You and He-Man are one and the same, Prince Adam."

Adam's eyebrows shot upward. Shakra shook her head.

"There is no use denying it. I could always tell when Adora was hiding something from me," she explained with a wistful smile. "She was a terrible liar. And so are you."

He bit his lip. What's the use of having a fucking secret if everyone figures it out? his mind wondered.

"Don't worry. I will not reveal your secret."

"So you read minds, now?" he asked jokingly.

She gave a sad smile. "No. But Adora has been in my care since she was days old," she replied. "I was practically her mother. And a mother knows her child."

She stood again, coming to a stop before him.

Their gazes locked she knit her brow, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

"Commander Glimmer told me your story. I cannot imagine the heartache your mother experienced at having lost you two so soon after giving birth. Her pain I'm sure haunted her for many years," she offered, her voice trembling with emotion.

Swallowing hard, Adam stared down at her.

"And now she, as well as your father, must risk losing you once again as you leave to search for your sister," she added with a shake of her head.

He gave a silent and almost imperceptible nod.

"Although I have no biological children, Adora was my daughter," she continued, wiping a tear. "I love her so much. She is my Dear One," she said with a sniffle. "And now that she's succumbed to Hordak's iron rule with the help of that witch's brainwashing it's like…I've lost a child, too," she added.

Adam studied her. "Thank you."

Shakra's surprised gaze shot up to him. "For what, Your Grace?"

"For caring for her. For watching over her and serving as a safe place for her heart while she endured Hell," he explained, his expression forlorn.

Her mouth fell open.

"Our family thanks you. Eternia thanks you."

She fought off feelings of guilt as her mind raced with memories where she was too afraid or perhaps too selfish to affect an escape for her adopted daughter. She could have done more. She could have found a way to get the child to safety even if it meant the end of her own life which she would have gladly given. She would have done it if it weren't for the doubts; thoughts of the all-knowing Enchantress Of Evil tracking them down with her Seeing Eye and brutalizing poor little Adora—

"Don't torture yourself with guilt. In the most hopeless of circumstances you did everything in your power to protect and shield her, Private," Adam observed. "I'm sure she was under heavy surveillance with Hordak never letting her out of his sight. You're to be commended for your courage, Madam."

Speechless, she stared at him before blinking conscious, a small teary smile forming on her lips.

"Now who's the mind reader?"

He smiled. "Not at all. I just happen to be well acquainted with regrets."


He stood at the crude wooden railing stroking the stallion's nose.

"I know. We'll get you out of here," he replied to silence. "Maybe you can come with us…if we make it, that is—"

"What are you doing?"

Adam whirled around to Sea Hawks' frown, his own forming.

"What's it to you?"

"You're talking to a horse."

"And you need to know because…?" Adam shot back, annoyed.

Hawk shook his head. "Never mind. I want to know if you're attracted to my girlfriend," he demanded, hot.

Adam scowled. "My feelings are none of your damn business."

The pirate surged forward. "It is my business because she belongs to me, not you!"

Angry, the Prince's gaze narrowed. "I want you and your insecurities out of my face. Now."

Taking it as a challenge Hawk took several steps forward, now toe to toe with the much taller man, his green gaze locking upward on blue. "You can kiss my ass," he snarled.

They glared at one another, Spirit snorting and trotting off.

"Back the fuck up."

"Make me." At that Hawk roughly shoved Adam's chest, the Prince's shoulders swaying only slightly, others in the area stopping to ogle at the confrontation.

He clenched his jaw. "You get one warning: don't touch me," Adam stated low, the steel in his tone evident.

Unfazed, Hawk snorted. "Or else?" he goaded, shoving Adam's shoulder this time.

Adam's sapphire gaze ignited in pure fury, Hawk's eyes going round before suddenly being picked up and body slammed to the hard ground, the dust flying up as passersby gasped.

The wind knocked out of him Sea Hawk lie there paralyzed, his eyes wide, his mouth open as he gasped for air. Seeing stars, he could barely make out the Prince's livid features as he squatted down.

"Do we understand each other now?"

The pirate mouthed, Y-yes.

"Fuck with me again and they'll be sweeping you up with a broom," he threatened before straightening and walking off.

When the coast was clear, those nearby rushed over to him.


-That Evening -

A knock at his tent's post.

"Come."

Glimmer entered, Adam preparing a backpack.

"Want to tell me what happened?"

"No," he kept packing.

She folded her arms. "Hawk's going to be okay." She tilted her head. "That was quite a blow you gave him."

"It settled things, didn't it?" Adam asked harshly without turning.

"That it did," she concurred. "But the consequence was disproportionate to the offense, don't you think?" she asked, her eyebrows lifted.

"Nope."

"Why not?"

At that he stopped and turned to look into her eyes. "He touched me."

Another quirk of her brow. "Is that illegal in your country, to place hands on a Royal?"

"Not exactly illegal," he explained, "More like a misdemeanor."

"I see," she replied, her pensive gaze going to the floor. He turned back around resuming his work.

"But that's not the reason I tossed him."

"Oh? What was the reason?"

Adam stopped again turning around. "He threatened me. I made a decision."

"I doubt he's a threat to you," Glimmer replied, incredulous.

"Anyone can be a threat," he replied. "I always defend myself…and others."

"Oh."

He turned away again. "He made a move requiring a counter-move."

Her eyes narrowed. "But I touched and continue to touch you," she pointed out. "You've never struck me."

With a sigh, he stopped and turned back to her, slowly. "I need you to know that I am very uncomfortable with being touched…by nearly everyone. The reason why I didn't react with you was because you approached me in a non-threatening way, Princess."

"Oh. So I don't have to worry about you attacking anyone in the camp then, correct?"

Adam snorted a chuckle before growing serious. "No. In case you were unaware, your boyfriend has been harassing me ever since I arrived, My Lady."

Glimmer's eyes widened, her mouth falling open. "Why?"

He eyed her. "He believes I have feelings for you."

The two stared in silence.

"Do you?" she asked nervously.

The Prince slowly shook his head.

Pressing her lips together, straightening she nodded. "Thank you for your honesty, Your Grace." With a deep breath she regained her composure, her arms going to her sides. "The men will be back before we know it. I will see you tomorrow."

He inclined his head. "My Lady."

Nodding, she turned and left his tent.


-The Next Evening -

The village men along with The Rebellion's leadership gathered in the clearing of the camp's perimeter.

"Where is the Eternian Prince?" Selmo asked to the concurring grunts of the others.

As if on cue, the Woods produced a tall muscular, bronze tanned man wearing a criss-cross leather harness and a furry loincloth, the hilt of a sword peeking over his right shoulder. He calmly and quietly strode into camp, the men's eyes going wide.

Commander Glimmer gestured. "This is He-Man of Castle Greyskull."

A smattering of voices began with the name Greyskull standing out.

"From where do you hail?" someone asked.

"Eternia."

"Another Eternian?" Vyntman marveled.

"We don't have time," she interjected. "He-Man? Is Prince Adam in position?"

His blue gaze found hers. "Yes, Princess."

"And the village evacuees?"

"Being moved as we speak," Hawk replied.

She nodded. "Maintain radio silence for the entirety of the mission until you are a safe distance from the Fright Zone. If you are not at the rendezvous point in six hours, we will interpret it as distress and come after you. Understood?"

"Yes," they all replied.

"Follow him," she commanded, pointing to the Warrior, "...and may The First Ones watch over you. Move out!"

Their supplies in hand, they followed He-Man marching into the Woods in complete silence, only hand signals used for communication.

xx

At each hour interval they stopped to rest and drink water, He-Man knowing the rest was needed as they were advanced in age; each of them in their mid to upper sixties.

xx

They reached the edge of the Whispering Woods in three hours, each of them crouching behind verdant bushes and thick tree trunks to surveille the small group of robotic perimeter Horde guards patrolling the entrance. He-Man turned to them.

-Stay here.- -Wait for my signal-, he signed to them.

They nodded, their eyes wide, adrenalin pumping.

Gently unsheathing two Swords, he straightened and disappeared in the brush.

X

Fifteen Horde robotic patrolman marched lifelessly back and forth, their laser rifles at the ready patrolling the entrance to the Whispering Woods to stop any villagers attempting to seek refuge within its borders.

He-Man carefully approached, crouching behind the shrubbery several feet away. Kneeling, he lay the broadsides of the Power and Protection Swords flat on the ground, crossing the blades, the tips facing out.

Instantly the Swords charged, the Twins galvanized by their juxtaposition. Vibrating in a swirl of energy, the ground began to rumble, the guards stopping and glancing in his direction.

"You there. Halt. Halt," they called out in synthesized monotone voices as they rushed towards him.

Immediately the Swords erupted in a blast of lightning covering the ground and hitting the guards' feet, the electricity climbing up their bodies, short circuiting their wiring and blowing out their power coils. The yellow bulbs in their eye sockets fading to black they fell clumsily on their backs crashing to the ground.

He-Man gave a crooked smile. "So fried."

xx

Hiding the extraneous units, the men, He-Man included quickly dismantled the body armor, pulled out the burnt out circuits and donned the metal suits placing the helmets on last. They each checked one another to ensure no signs of deception gave them away.

One man approached He-Man, tapping him on the shoulder.

"There's a lock of your hair peeking out from under your helmet, Sir," Vyntman noted, his voice muffled.

"Shit. Thank you," he replied, pulling up his helmet and tucking the errant blond lock back inside.

Taking up their weapons, they marched the rest of the way to the Fright Zone; no one noticing as the streets were bare from curfew and the other regiments assuming a shift change.

They marched straight into the hangar, closed for the evening and virtually unguarded, The Horde in their arrogant assumption feeling secure from attack as curfew was strictly enforced. For thirty years, no one on Etheria had ever dared to hijack Horde Prime aircraft.

Until now.

Ducking to the side and away from security cameras, once inside they quietly removed their armor hiding them inside the large scrap metal dumpsters along the perimeter of the hangar.

Setting their eyes for the first time on a line of twelve high quality, high powered fighter jets, the men's mouths hung open.

Signaling, He-Man directed them as they stealthily climbed each ladder and quickly buckled up.

Sprinting to the hangar doors, He-Man pulled them apart as they slid open, clanging loudly as the pilots fired up the engines.

Greyskull's Warrior then ran below the security cameras lining the ceilings brackets.

With a mighty leap, he unsheathed the Power Sword and swinging along each bracket, he destroyed all seven cameras as the jets screamed to life.

Hopping down, he could hear the sounds of commotion coming from the main tunnel. He faced the jets.

"Get out of here! Now!" he shouted, unsheathing his secret sister's Sword.

The elderly pilots nodded, the cabin covers lowering as each one rolled out of the massive hangar, the sounds of rushing boots meeting He-Man's ears.

Eleven jets tore out of the hangar screaming down the runways and lifting into the night skies as the Warrior turned, a hail of laser fire meeting him.

With lightning speed he batted each one away double-sworded, the soldiers running for cover as their own ammunition came careening right back at them destroying the hangar walls, the stored artillery exploding in a volatile display of fireworks sending heavy tools and spare parts hanging from the rafters crashing into the cement floors.

In the brief lull, He-Man sprinted to the remaining jet and, hopping into the cabin, he initiated the engine sequence as the pistons screamed to life.

"You there! Stop! Stop I say!" someone shouted amidst the chaotic chain reaction of explosives.

Just then, Commander Hordak emerged among the chaos, furious.

"Stop him! Stop him NOW!" he demanded, "Or you will all be hanged in the morning!"

But it was too late.

The final jet full throttle shot out of the hangar with such force it blew Hordak and his men hard to the floor, the aircraft rolling down the runway and lifting in an almost vertical assent into the night sky.


-Just Before Dawn -

The sounds of low flying jets awakened the sleeping camp, many rushing out of their tents in night clothes to investigate.

Lifting their eyes, they cheered as twelve fighter jets screamed over the treetops and circled for landing, the towering pines and redwoods backing away to form a tree-lined runway for the pilfering pilots.

They landed one after another and rolled to a stop powering down as the Woods closed in, sheltering the newly acquired aircraft.

With a shout everyone, especially the children, ran to meet the heroes, Glimmer, Bow, and Hawk approaching as the men descended the ladders wearing wide smiles, each emboldened by the daring mission.

"I feel twenty-five again!" Steppen shouted, his wife rushing to his arms as the others all did the same with their families.

The smile fading Glimmer frowned, her violet gaze straining.

"Where is Prince Adam?"

"Here."

She turned to see him approaching, a small smile on his lips. Smirking and folding her arms, she shook her head.

"Remind me to never doubt you again, Your Grace."

"That's completely unreal, Your Grace!" Bow exclaimed clasping the man's arm. "Unreal!"

Sullen, Hawk stayed behind, arms folded.


-Two Hours Later -

Cringer lie on the floor, his head on his paws.

"The evacuations have been completed, correct?"

"That's correct," Bow replied. "Mystacore and the Kingdom of the Snows will feed and house them for as long as necessary."

"Good," Adam replied, his eyes meeting Glimmer's hopeful ones. "That way when Hordak retaliates, there'll be no one in the villages to retaliate-against," he smirked.

Glimmer gave a smile and a nod. "Only the soldiers that failed, I'm sure."

"Count on it."

Hawk cleared his throat. "Queen Angella is being moved to an undisclosed location in three days," he interjected. "Our lookouts are saying it's now or never."

"We have two hundred new recruits putting the total able-bodied combat ready adults at four hundred-fifty," the Princess noted. "How many Harpies?"

"One hundred at last count which was two months ago," Hawk stated.

"Give or take fifty or so then, a conservative guess," Adam considered. His gaze went to hers. "Does everyone need to go?"

Glimmer nervously chewed her lip. "I suppose not. But I want to make sure we have the manpower without blowing through our reserves but without going overboard."

"Two hundred," Hawk suggested.

"It'll work," Bow asserted.

Adam gave a small smile. He was beginning to like this guy.

Pensive, the Prince reached down to scratch Cringer's fur, the cat purring as the others looked on. He straightened.

"You give the order, Commander."

"Tonight," she stated causing Hawk's green gaze to widen.

"So soon?"

"Yes," she replied. "They won't expect back-to-back offensives, Luna."

"I agree."

She glanced at the Eternian who offered a reassuring nod.

Resolute, palming the tops of her thighs she took a deep breath.

"The Snow Princess and her father's regiment will attack from the rear at your signal then rendezvous with us in Mystacore," she added.

Everyone stared at her, the atmosphere electrified.

"Let's do this."


High above in the jagged mountains of Battonryche, Queen Ellyn of the Harpies tossed a piece of raw meat at the beleaguered Queen of Bright Moon.

"There!" she pointed, her voice high pitched and nasally, "Get down on all fours before me and eat your dinner, bitch!"

The older woman, her sunny blonde locks pulled back, a few errant strands about her soiled features lie wearily against the craggy wall in chains.

The fire from her violet eyes driven out years ago, she stared hopeless at the insult. Too weak to put up a fight, the Harpies enjoyed pushing her to the point of near starvation only to cruelly revive her with proper food as a form of torture; the continued cycle relentless and punishing. Adding insult to injury, they had clipped one of her wings serving as a warning if she were to ever attempt to escape.

Ellyn thought back to fifteen years ago when a particularly lucrative deal was made with Horde Prime's Second In Command:

Driven by self-promotion, Hordak's desire to expand The Horde's territory involved taking Bright Moon, a well-established and thriving kingdom, one of the largest on Etheria. But he needed Queen Ellyn's help.

He needed her army of Harpies to assist in overthrowing the monarch. In exchange, he would deliver its queen for Ellyn's personal sport…to hold her captive in perpetuity. He felt Bright Moon would please his brother Prime and solidify his own reputation as Supreme Commander.

Ellyn agreed, her propensity to harass, harangue, and demean one of her redeeming traits in Hordak's mind. Plus the promise of food, supplies, and her own expanded kingdom in return were simply icing on the cake.

The Harpy Queen relished her new alliance with The Horde affording her legitimacy in the eyes of the inhabitants of Etheria, the Harpies prior to this thought of as nothing better than goat-legged winged bats. Scavengers with no redeeming qualities.

Hordak in return enjoyed the added firepower from the skies; Harpies not only possess the power of flight, but have the ability to spit fire from their mouths, useful in aerial combat and a supplemental force to his then cache of fighter jets.

"I…I cannot—"

"Eat it! Eat it you whore! Or you get nothing for one week!" the Harpy Queen screeched in threat, her coven cackling maniacally.

First Ones, hear my prayer. Please protect my daughter, her mind beseeched.

At that a rumbling met her ears, the sound of thunder causing Angella to lift her eyes and glance about. She noticed her captors doing the same.

"What…what is that?" one of them asked.

Fearful, Queen Ellyn extended her bat-like brown wings and took flight, her mouth falling open at the sight of Horde fighter jets in attack formation headed directly toward her, a regiment of troops below closing in.

Hordak? Is he violating the contract? Furious she took a deep breath. "Harpies…attack!" she screeched in order.

One hundred winged creatures immediately took to the skies to meet the oncoming assault, the winged witches opening their mouths and shooting fire at the hapless jets.

The lead jet released countermeasures careening left as the resulting explosion took out twenty of Ellyn's troops, they dropping from the sky like burning comets plummeting to the ground below.

The other jets pulled left and right evading the counter attack, firing ammunition as the winged beasts evaded easily, the dogfight continuing.

"Forward!" Commander Glimmer shouted leading her troops on the ground as they followed, He-Man and Battlecat serving as rear protection while the front led by Glimmer, Hawk, and Bow climbed the rocky mountainside using harpoons and tow cables shot directly into the rock.

Chained to the walls, Angella watched helplessly when something frigid touched her shoulder from behind. Shivering at the coldness, she whipped her head around.

A beautiful young woman with straight long blue hair past her shoulders possessing a perfect hourglass figure smiled down at her, her hand on the Queen's shoulder.

She wore a sky blue body suit matching her hair color boasting a white zig-zag patterned bodice, white thigh-high boots, and white opera length gloves. A blue hooded cape tied around her neck that reached the ground billowed behind her in the windy gusts of the mountainside.

"Queen Angella I presume?" she purred.

"Y-yes. Wh-who are you?" she asked, her brow knit in worry.

The younger woman straightened, her hands on her hips.

"I am Princess Frosta of the Kingdom of the Snows," she announced with a mischievous smirk on her blue lips. "We're here to free you from those wretched Harpies."

"Kingdom of the Snows?" Angella repeated incredulous. "Why…we haven't seen your people in decades—"

"So we had a few family squabbles to work out, but we're better now," Frosta explained away. She cleared her throat. "Umm, we'd better get going or else that bat woman will have our heads." She glanced behind her shoulder signaling her troops, the regiment of one hundred armed Snow Soldiers suddenly appearing from nowhere. She turned back to the Blonde woman as they charged past them toward the enemy.

"Hold your wrists out, honey," she advised. "This might sting a little."

Doing what she was told, Angella held out the iron cuffs, her face turned away as Princess Frosta held out two palms.

Snowy magic swirled within her gloved palms immediately striking out like a shot and engulfing the iron in frigid ice, the iron cracking and breaking off. She did the same with the shackles around the woman's ankles freeing her. Frosta bent over to help the Queen to her feet, she weakened by years of abuse.

The battle creeping closer, the younger woman glanced behind her shoulder.

"Let's go. Now!"

xxx

The aerial assault continued as on the ground, Glimmer's men and women, with the help of her leadership team charged Ellyn's remaining fifty Reserves, the hand to hand battle vicious as the Harpies used every resource available to them; clawing, biting, shooting fire, grabbing Rebels by their hind claws and dropping them roughly down the sides of the mountains.

He-Man and Battlecat cut through the fray, the Power Sword making quick work while Cat lunged forward with a thunderous roar mauling several harpies easily.

The Snow Soldiers shot rapid fire ammunition at each creature, wounding some and killing others, the battle raging as Frosta and Angella escaped to an awaiting transport bound for Mystacore down the opposite side of the mountain.

xx

The jets veered and careened in skillful dogfight fashion, killing the rest of Ellyn's aerial warriors, she herself wounded in the battle and lying bloodied and beaten, Glimmer's and Frosta's troops sending up a cheer as victory was realized. Bright Moon's Princess approached the dying Harpy queen.

"Y-you…will…n-never…b-beat…Hordak," Ellyn coughed her voice hoarse. "He's t-too sm-smart for you," she said with a smile, her eyes dilating as her head fell forward. Dead.

"We'll see about that," the pink-haired camouflage covered commander huffed. She turned to Hawk. "Burn the bodies!"

He gave a quick nod. "Yes, Commander," before turning abruptly relaying orders.

Glimmer approached a bloodied and perspiring He-Man, Battlecat still filled with adrenalin giving a low victorious growl.

"We did it."

Straight faced, the Warrior nodded.

"I'm impressed."

Her violet gaze shimmering with tears, she smiled in relief.


Along with Frosta's regiment, The Rebels headed to Mystacore, the notion of reuniting with her mother after fifteen years rendering her in awe.

"We couldn't have done it without those fighter jets," Glimmer remarked more to herself than anyone.

Hawk snapped his head to her. "I concede that Prince Adam's idea worked."

She looked at him as they marched. "Will you ever leave him alone, Luna?" she asked, half serious, half not. "He's not interested in me. With his gorgeous looks he's probably got someone back home," she waved off.

Luna clenched his teeth, his eyes narrowed. "How do you know he's not interested in you?"

Caught, snapping her head to him her eyes went round, her mouth falling open.

"Uhh…I…," she took a deep breath in resignation. "Okay, I asked him."

"You what—?"

"I know! I know. I was curious, alright? Let it go."

Fuming, he remained silent the rest of the way to Queen Castaspella's kingdom.

xxx

The rest of the troops arrived in Mystacore, the agreed upon rendezvous point below ground and away from Horde spies. There, the men and women received medical attention, food, water and temporary cots for rest and healing before the long march back to the Whispering Woods.

Glimmer entered the makeshift triage, her violet gaze troubled.

"Mother?"

Dehydrated and malnourished, Queen Angella lie on the gurney, her head whipping toward her daughter's voice, their eyes meeting.

"Glim?" she called out tiredly.

"Mother!"

The younger woman rushed to her side, Mother and Daughter embracing after years of anguished separation.

"I love you, dear. And I can't be more proud," she stated quietly, tears brimming in her eyes as she stroked her only daughter's back. "Thank you for coming for me."

Glimmer squeezed her a little tighter, her own tears falling.

xx

Standing and arms folded across his chest, his right bicep bandaged He-Man talked with Bow.

"So where was Prince Adam?" he asked, "Was he in one of the jets?"

He pursed his lips. "I believe so, yes." He hoped Bow hadn't taken the time to count that there were only eleven jets in the sky.

At the absence of a reaction, Bow apparently didn't seem to notice.

"This is exciting," he replied, his amber gaze glancing about. "To have significant victories under our belts. It's…it's amazing. For the first time, I have a feeling that we can beat these sons of bitches!"

Greyskull's Warrior lifted a brow. "I'm sure you will one day. And I hope soon."

"Darling!" a smooth and sexy voice interrupted them, the Blond and the Redhead whirling around in surprise to an approaching Castaspella, Frosta in tow.

"I'd like you to meet Princess Fr—"

The younger woman froze, her mouth agape.

"He-Man?"

Confused, Casta and Bow furrowed their brows as He-Man's sapphire gaze went round, his mouth dropping open.

"Lady Cylvia?"