A/N: It's my sincere hope this update finds all of you safe and healthy; both you and your families. We will all get through this...one day at a time.

Thanks for your wonderful reviews. Your feedback keeps me going.

Chapter 59

"We're homeless."

"Thanks to you!" Skeletor snapped angrily.

Distraught, Beastman's head whipped to his Master.

"W-what did I do, Boss?"

The former Lord of Snake Mountain leaned over, his elbow on his knee. "It's more like what you didn't do, Fur-Brain! You neglected to kill He-Man when you had the chance! So now all you do is whine incessantly!"

Evil-Lyn, Tri-Klops, Mer-man, Trap-Jaw, and Clawful sat in fearful silence, their eyes wide.

"And now we're stuck out here on the edge of galactic eternity lost in another dimension!" Skeletor raved, "All because of you!" he accused before shooting to his feet.

Trembling, Beastman cowered in fear. "B-but I only d-did what you told me to do, Master!" he whimpered. "Besides, He-Man is very strong—"

"So now you're blaming me, are you?" the warlock's eye sockets blazed with fury as the wizardry angrily powered up, the beast's cerise eyes going wide.

"No! I…no! I'm not—!"

A purple bolt of menacing energy exploded hitting him square in the chest knocking him over the steep side unconscious, the others flinching at the sorcerous explosion. Seconds later a distant splash met their ears.

The Prince of Darkness surveyed the rest of his crew, his smoldering sockets appraising each as they one after the other cast their gazes down conveying submission.

"Anyone else care to air their unwanted useless opinion?" he asked.

"No, Master," they chimed nervously.

"Good."

Clutching his Havoc Staff, Skeletor took his seat at the head boulder of what appeared to be a degraded dimensional facsimile of Rocky Point; a jagged cliff located on the southern tip of the Eternian coastal town hundreds of miles from the Dark Hemisphere.

After the Warlock and the Captain's showdown inside his lab, the subsequent explosion utterly destroyed Snake Mountain, all its occupants therein catapulted into what appeared to be a Black Hole at the center of Andromeda; their bodies spinning wildly out of control toward the vast inky blackness unable to stop the powerful drag of its gravitational pull.

Falling for what seemed an eternity, the villains tumbled through the other side onto a warped inter-dimensional version of the sandy shores of Eternia's vast Meridian Sea; the sky constantly churning an odd multi-colored mixture of orange, purple, blue, and green; its shores uncharacteristically black resembling crushed coal.

"Panthor!"

The purple feline slinked over, his head low.

Sitting on his haunches by his Master's side Skeletor reached over and stroked the feline, his skeletal features pensive. Frustrated, he placed a fist under his chin, his elbow on his knee.

"Somehow that redheaded bitch sent us to an identical dimension—"

"How?"

Aiming his staff, he squeezed off a shot hitting Mer-man between the eyes, the anthropomorphous amphibian flying backward and hitting the water fifty feet below with a hard belly-flop thwack, narrowly missing a dazed Beastman struggling to paddle to the shore.

"Don't interrupt me."

The remaining four simply stared, eyes wide. The skeletal warlock stroked his bony chin.

"This is…an identical dimension. Identical. A Twin Dimension…," he mumbled seemingly onto something, the others watching closely. "Why is that significant? I seem to remember something about…twins…," he trailed off.

All remained silent. His gaze igniting once again.

"What do I pay you all for?" he shouted. "I'm asking a question! Theories?"

They all began to babble confusedly, each giving their own opinion.

"Silence!"

They stopped, their eyes on his.

"I see you all lack the intelligence and the will to offer anything of use to me," he spat frustratingly. "When we return, I must have you all killed. That will free up payroll."

Horrified, everyone stared.

"I noticed the Captain using an unusual highly amped atmospheric disruptor to block my shots," Evil-Lyn spoke up.

That got his attention.

"Continue."

"Very powerful. Perhaps I can replicate it, adjusting my own, training it to the correct frequency? It may aid in returning us home."

His eyes pinned on hers he nodded. "Good," he drew out. "That's…that's surprisingly very good, Witch."

She offered a devious smile.

"Do it," he commanded, standing to his feet as the others followed in deference. "I want a report of your progress first thing in the morning."

She nodded, he turning on his heel and, with Panthor following, he walked through a warped space differential immediately disappearing only to reappear below in the far off distance on the sandy black shores, headed for their makeshift abode. Evil-Lyn turned to her comrades.

"He forgets. There is no chronological time here," she stated worriedly.

The others knit their brow.


-Whispering Woods, Etheria -

Greyskull's Twin Warriors stood arms crossed opposite one another.

"You think so?" she asked, slightly self-conscious.

"Yes," He-Man replied unfolding his arms. "When we get home, I can see Dad's going to have to find a bodyguard for you too," he quipped turning.

She-Ra looked confused. "Why?" she followed her brother.

"Because I won't have time to work triple duty—"

"Meaning?" she quirked a brow.

He stopped turning back to her. "I can't be the Prince, the Defender, and the Bodyguard," he joked.

"Why would you have to? I can pull my own weight."

He quirked an amused brow. "I can't spend all of my time beating off all the men coming after you, Sis."

His sister's eyes went wide before collecting a tiny tint of blush on her cheeks. He-Man smirked.

"The mini-skirt and thigh boots alone are going to be trouble," he replied snorting a laugh before turning to pick up his backpack. Embarrassed, She-Ra's mouth flew open.

"Well look who's talking, Loin Cloth Boy," she shot back with a chuckle.

He-Man stopped and whirled. "Loin Cloth Boy?"

"Yes," she smirked, walking past him to Spirit. "Who chose these clothes anyway?" she threw over her shoulder.

Blinking, he shrugged. "Damned if I know. You'll have to ask the Sorceress."

Stroking the horse's nose, she glanced at her brother. "You mean…I'll get to meet her?"

"Yes."

"She's an actual…person? Not just some disembodied spirit lurking inside a bejeweled sword?" she asked.

Straightening, he squinted in thought. "She's a person but teleports at will. Sooo…perhaps she's part apparition, part matter."

She looked at him. "Oh Hera," she mumbled intrigued at the enigma.

"And she reads minds," he added, "So watch what you're thinking," he said with a crooked grin.

Accepting the advice she nodded.

She turned back to Spirit who seemed to enjoy the attention, his blond tail snapping, a happy snort from his nostrils. Blinking in thought, she took a step back reaching behind her left shoulder and pulling out the Protection Sword.

Oblivious, He-Man had set down the backpack and was now checking his compass.

Studying her Weapon, She-Ra gripped the hilt and caressed the blade turning it to eye the large round brilliant-cut Diamond at the center, intrigued by the fact that it was set clear through the center of the Sword's base, visible from both sides. She turned it again.

"Brother? Do you think that—"

Immediately a volt of Greyskull's power exploded, inadvertently shooting straight from the Diamond hitting an unsuspecting Spirit, He-Man's head whipping to her in surprise.

Frightened the horse bucked, She-Ra stumbling backward dropping the Sword and falling to the ground as the power engulfed him in bright luminescence forming a gold chanfron and matching peytral as armored protection.

In the whirlwind, a gold-plated saddle molded onto his back as enormous ivory wings sprouted from his sides flapping downward, the giant gust of wind from its draft nearly sliding a grounded She-Ra backward, she scrambling to her feet, her brother helping her up.

The final transformation resulted in a rimmed horn matching the color of his blond mane and tail, it growing just above his forehead below the ears.

Shaken, switching his hooves in agitation Spirit gave a worried guttural bray echoing amongst the trees as the whirlwind died down going silent.

Staring at the newly altered stallion, She-Ra and He-Man stood side by side speechless.

+just what exactly did you do to me?

She gasped. "Who – who said that?"

"Oh shit," her brother replied shocked at the spontaneous transformation.

+it's me…Spirit

She-Ra's mouth dropped open, He-Man giving her a knowing glance.

"That's the other thing I meant to tell you about."

Confused, her head whipped to him.

"You're able to hear the thoughts of your spirit animal," he explained, "But I had no clue he'd transform into…into…," at a loss for words he gestured.

"A unicorn," came the ghostly reply.

"Who was that?

"The Sorceress," he replied before glancing upward. "So that's what he is?"

"Yes…," her voice trailing off in their minds without further explanation, He-Man frowned.

Without warning, the horse hopped on hind legs before lunging into a powerful two-hooved gallop, propelling himself into the air with little effort, the twins gaping once again.

His wings gracefully extended, with a quick aerial encircling of the campsite her friend made his descent, his hooves touching down, the ground beneath him rumbling at his landing. Eyeing the Blonde, trotting forward he stopped before her.

+never mind

+you're forgiven

Blinking, He-Man laughed as She-Ra, still stunned at a talking, flying, horse-unicorn stared wide-eyed at the stallion. Composing herself she looked at her brother.

"You seem to be taking this in stride," she teased straight-faced.

He shrugged. "I've been you before. You should see my cat."

Her eyebrows flew up.

"What's her name?"

"His name's Cringer when he's normal."

Another confused frown.

"But when he undergoes this," he gestured at the horse, "His name is BattleCat."

"BattleCat?" she replied confused. "So he was transformed from a domestic short hair into a little fighting kitty?" she asked in all seriousness more like a statement.

Her brother stared at her in confusion before laughing in understanding.

"It'll make sense later."

Watching them, the horse suddenly flapped his enormous wings creating a spontaneous cyclone sending the ground's dust and gravel flying over a hundred yards, He-Man's and She-Ra's blond locks blowing wildly in the down draft.

Silence.

The Princess of Power bit her lip. "So what's his na—"

Swift Wind…

Her eyes going round she snapped her head to her brother.

"Was that Greyskull again?"

He shook his head. "No."

They fell into pensive silence.

"It sounded like the Woods announcing him worthy of refuge," he stated.

She-Ra…

They exchanged glances.

He-Man…

He pursed his lips.

More silence, Swift Wind's nostrils giving an agreeable snort.

"In this form, how do you decipher all of these voices in your head?" she asked her brother.

"You just learn to identify them, I suppose."

"Without going schizophrenic somehow?"

He gave a slow smile. "Yes."

They grinned at one another.


-Situation Room, The Palace, Eternia -

"We still have no news on my brother's whereabouts?"

"No, Sire," Commander Marcus replied. "The Sorceress knows he is off-world and is now mapping the cosmos in preparation for scanning."

The King turned to the Redhead. "Captain? Status on The Masters?"

"I've arranged for them to guard the ruins of Snake Mountain on a rotating schedule, Your Majesty," she replied. "That way, they won't be away from their families for more than two days at a time."

"Good," he replied.

"Sergeant Durizimen, your jet arrived from Gar and has been delivered to Hangar 12," the Queen stated to the young woman's surprise. "My husband and I assumed you would want your equipment at hand in case needed. This will avoid having to adjust to unfamiliar aircraft under pressure of time."

It was all Gada could do to keep her mouth from flying open. "Thank you, My Queen. That is very thoughtful of you both," she gave a neck bow.

Marlena offered a small smile. "I'm a fighter pilot as well, Child. I can understand."

The younger woman smiled appreciatively.

"Is there anything I can do?" Orko asked.

Teela smiled as Randor put a gentle hand to the Trollan's back.

"Just stay safe. And keep your magic charged," he stated. "We may need it in a crunch."

With a nod, the Little Magician bobbled animatedly above his chair as the King glanced about the room.

"My wife and I want to thank all of you for your continued diligence as we confront these demons and eventually defeat them," he spat. Placing his elbows on the cherry wood conference table, he clasped his hands together. "With Skeletor quiet and giving us time to regroup, let's discuss progress on tactical offensive measures, shall we?" he offered.

Duncan nodded. "The cache of mesotronic bombs are just about ready, Sire."

"Good. Major?"

"The Palace Guard has received additional training on trapping and ambushing trespassers, Your Majesty," Hall replied. "They also have new protocols."

"Excellent. Commander?"

"My people are completing Module II of mesotronic anatomy and will begin Module III which includes disarmament, detonation, and re-detonation of Commander Duncan's bombs, Your Majesty," Marcus answered. "They're also receiving guerilla warfare training from Moss Man's people."

"Good. And Captain?"

"The Masters have provided a part of their regiments dedicated solely to the round-the-clock protection of Castle Greyskull, Sire. These men are also on rotation and they, along with The Masters themselves continue to stand-by at my signal."

"Outstanding," he stated. "As previously discussed, would you please inform those present of your new gifting?"

Confused, Hall and Marcus turned expectant gazes to Teela.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Glancing at her father who nodded his approval, she began.

"Commander. Major. What I'm about to say is of the strictest security classification." Teela took a deep breath and gave a hard swallow.

"Knowing that as part of the military sharing new and helpful information across all branches is essential. I've therefore been granted permission by Greyskull to disclose the following to you."

Her emerald gaze scanned the room as Gada, along with the two men, eyed her with stilled focus, the King and Queen studying her.

"With no clear explanation, Greyskull has imparted to me some of its sorcerous and telepathic powers—"

"Holy Ancients!" Hall blurted while Marcus guffawing, leaned forward in utter disbelief.

Teela nodded carefully as Gada nervously chewed at her lip.

"I'm uncertain of its duration; it could be temporary or permanent, but my newly acquired powers mimic that of the Sorceress in such a way as to shoot blasts of disruptive energy from my hands and telepathically communicate with others—"

She was interrupted by the King clearing his throat, her gaze darting to him before returning to the men.

"Correction; I can communicate only with the Crown Prince at this time."

More bursts of chatter in the room, this time Gada joining them.

"You can talk…to the Prince?" she asked incredulous.

"What's his status? Did he find the Princess?" Marcus wanted to know.

"How is that even possible?" Hall mumbled to himself.

Duncan raised his hands. "Everyone…please."

The room settled, all eyes on the Captain as she folded her arms. She looked at Hall.

"It's not entirely clear, Didimus," she replied. "During the last two battles with Snake Mountain's lackeys, out of nowhere I could shoot without a physical weapon. And…the day I was taken hostage by Lord Skeletor, the Prince began communicating with me."

Silence in the room as Orko's eyes worriedly volleyed from one person to the other.

"So, was that actually you who brought down Snake Mountain? Or The Sorceress?" Hall asked.

She held his gaze. "That information is A-Level classified."

The chambers resumed its stunned silence.

"Please, what is the status on the Prince and Princess?" Lucius needed to know.

Duncan cleared his throat. "The Crown Prince has located and emancipated the Princess," he replied. "They are both at last report safely within Whispering Woods."

"Did he run into any trouble at the Fright Zone?"

Man-At-Arms hesitated. "That he did, Commander," he reluctantly replied. "The Prince suffered near fatal injuries during a three-day stint of torture at the hands of Hordak's Necromancer—"

More outbursts, Gada's hands flying to her mouth as the two men peppered him with follow up questions, the Sergeant speechless. Duncan folded his arms before holding up a palm.

"The Prince is fine. That is all we have at this time, gentlemen."

Randor turned to her. "Thank you, Captain." He looked about the room. "Keep us posted on your progress. We'll meet again at the end of the week. It's imperative we stay on top of this. My brother has proven himself to be unpredictable and extremely deadly."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

With that, taking his wife's hand he stood as all rose and bowed and curtseyed, the monarchs leaving the room.

As the meeting broke, Hall rushed to Teela, a hand on her arm as the others filed out.

"Is he really…alright?"

Her heart fluttering with anxiety, she gave a cautious smile. "Yes."

He nodded.

"For now," she added ominously.


-Whispering Woods, Etheria -

Adam and Adora awoke the next morning, sleeping in a little later than usual as a result of the lively events of the previous day.

Finishing up breakfast, the two packed up camp as Spirit grazed nearby.

Knowing what happened prior to her emancipation, Adam turned to her.

"Are you prepared to return to the encampment?"

Her eyes glistening with emotion, Adora bit her lip. "Honestly…no. I feel too ashamed to face them," she replied. "After my treacherous betrayal I doubt I'll ever be trusted again. I nearly cost them their lives," she stated gravely, her gaze shifting to the ground, her eyes anxiously darting back and forth.

Empathetic, he studied her.

"Do you know how long I've been on Etheria?"

Her eyes meeting his, she shook her head.

"Nearly two months."

Adora's eyes went round. "Where did you spend all that time, Adam? Roaming the Woods?"

"No. After an admittedly rocky start, I stayed with Commander Glimmer and her people."

She furrowed her brow. "Do they know…who you are?"

"Which who?" he asked in all seriousness.

"Oh – right. Do they know you're my brother?"

"Yes, I told them. After the smoke cleared, I explained our situation," he replied facetiously.

Her eyes went rounder then narrowed in confusion.

"Smoke?"

"The armed guards let their lasers fly," he explained. "Tried to kill me on the spot."

With a gasp, her hand flying to her mouth she glanced away in shame.

His heart sinking, Adam tilted his head. Taking her hand, her eyes flew up to his.

"It wasn't your fault, Sister. You weren't in control. You were under the influence of multiple spells—"

"But I could have been stronger! Why did I succumb so easily? You heard Weaver. Didn't she say I was a bad apple to start with—?"

"No. That was narcissistic bullshit…utter fabrication," he insisted, his sapphire gaze hot. "Trust me, I'm well acquainted with this type of personality." He squeezed her hand.

"Adora, the Sorceress tells me that it took multi-layered spells and years of mind reform to condition you to the will of The Horde," he explained. "And even then, the sorcery was weakening to the strength of your stubborn will. You kept rejecting it. Weaver kept attempting to strengthen it."

She stared in disbelief, a hand swiping at a tear. "Truthfully?"

Adam nodded.

"Does…do they know you came for me? The Rebellion?"

"Yes."

His sister blinked in astonishment.

"And, they helped me find you."

Her sapphire gaze darted back to him.

"Commander Glimmer provided the specs to the Fright Zone as well as intel on its forces. She and her people were planning on accompanying me to bust you out of there but I snuck off alone."

Shocked, her mouth fell open.

"But why the change of heart?" she asked desperately. "The last time I saw her, she vowed never to trust me again."

Adam shrugged. "I lived with them for two months. They didn't have to but they took me in, even if reluctantly at first. During my time with them I worked on rebuilding the trust that was lost, Sister."

She stared at him.

"Even so, they could have stayed closed-minded but the longer I was with them, the more I came to realize something: they have naturally forgiving and trusting hearts."

With a nod, her eyes welled up with tears, Adam studying her features.

Quietly gathering her in his arms, he held his little sister as she quietly reflected on her past actions, the emotional and intellectual fog she endured while locked in mental chains forced to do The Horde's bidding.

Embracing him, a few hot quiet tears fell and landed on his shoulder; simple, reflective tears as her mind wondered what living a normal life would seem like. What living free to make her own decisions, to travel freely, to make friends meant for her.

This was uncharted territory.

It scared her to a degree…the unknown.

Completely lost, Adora had no idea.

As Adam held her, she knew she would have to rely heavily on her brother's guidance in the beginning.

She silently thanked the Ancients for him.

xx

After several quiet moments they pulled apart, he holding her gaze.

"Are you alright?"

"I will be," she stated swiping at another tear.

"I need to tell you something."

Adora's gaze met his.

"Your former nanny is at the camp."

She gasped. "Shakra is alright? How? When?"

"She's safe at camp," he stated, "And…she knows my identity."

Adora frowned. "Identity. Meaning, she knows you're…," she trailed off.

Adam nodded. "She's the only member of the entire Rebellion who knows who I am in Greyskull," he explained. "No one else to my knowledge knows…unless they figured it out while I was gone," he shrugged. "I hope not." He took a deep breath. "We must assume no one else here knows. Let's try to keep it that way."

"Yes. Of course."

A thought occurred to her.

"Does anyone know on Eternia? Or are they ignorant as well?"

"Our parents know," he replied, "A close friend named Orko also knows, as well as my girlfriend and her father—"

"Girlfriend?" she asked.

Adam nodded in reply.

She narrowed a pensive gaze. "What is…a girlfriend?"

Her brother's eyes went round as she simply stared at him in confusion.

"We'll discuss that when we get home. That'll take way too much time to explain."