Disclaimer: I do not own She-Ra it is a copyright property of Netflix and Hasbro
Chapter 18: Back From the Dead
"Shssh, sweetie it's okay. Mommy's here," the angel said, "Please someone get my son some help!"
"M-Mom?" Caine closed his eyes and entered a death like sleep. His last thought was I am sorry for everything I've done. Goodbye world. He was ready to move on but death did not claim him.
...
Caine was surrounded by the void of non-existence. He had lost his ability to see and hear. He realized then that he was dead. So this is my punishment. An eternity inside an unbearable darkness. I deserve it, hethought.
"Caine!" A voice pierced the silence of the abyss, one that Caine remembered.
"Glimmer!? Where are you!?" Caine looked around but saw only the endless shroud of nothingness.
"I'm here Caine. But I haven't got long." A ball of pink light revealed itself in the black, illuminating the area in front of Caine.
Caine fought back tears. Guilt. It was the first thing he felt since he came to this place. "Glimmer, I'm so sorry. I couldn't save you."
"Stop with the tears bro. Anyone ever tell you that you cry too much for a boy?" the ball teased.
Caine suppressed a chuckle, "I guess I deserve that. So what is this place?"
"I don't know, but if I had to guess, this is a waiting room for those on the brink of death."
On the brink of death, Caine thought, "Does that mean we're not dead?"
"I think so… I hear mom's voice. Don't you?"
"No. I don't."
"Just focus, and listen."
Caine tried to calm down, making himself one with the darkness. It was then that he heard his mother's voice, filled with fear, "Please, don't let my children die!"
"We are trying our best. They are both teetering on the edge," Catra responded, her voice had a twinge of worry.
"Well try harder! It's your fault that my children are dying!"
"Don't you think I know that!? I can never forgive myself."
"Catra. Angelle. Calm down. Bickering amongst ourselves won't save them. We just need to hope that all that has been done is enough," Lonnie said, trying to be the voice of reason.
"She's really mad, isn't she?," Caine said, more guilt weighing down his conscience.
"Yeah. If we survive this, she'll never let us leave the castle again," Glimmer chuckled.
"I think this is it, Glimmer. We're going to die. I never wanted to be responsible for your death. I'm sorry."
"Will you stop!? I chose this path. I chose to go along with you. I knew the dangers when I signed up. And if it makes you feel any better… I don't regret a second of it."
"You've truly grown up, haven't you? I am going to miss having a kid sister depending on me."
"Well get used to it, bro. When we wake up I'll expect a parade for my part in bringing down the Horde," Glimmer proclaimed.
"You got it sis. When we get back, I'll make sure they have the biggest parade ever seen in Etheria, all in your honor."
Caine felt himself fading and saw that Glimmer's ball was dimming. The young prince knew there was no turning back.
"Looks like we're done. It was a crazy ride, wasn't it?"
"It was an adventure for the ages."
"Yeah it had everything: drama, action, romance, and the beautiful heroine meeting her tragic end, securing ultimate victory."
"It'll be one they tell around campfires for ages"
"Yeah, but it couldn't have happened without you."
"I love you Glimmer."
"I love you too." Glimmer's ball vanished, and a cold wave of lonliness fell over Caine.
"Glimmer, I'm sorry." Caine was alone once again. "I will see you soon sis. Mom, I wish I could've kept my promise."
"Y-you c-ca-can s-st-still k-keep yo-your pro-promise Ca-Caine," an unfamiliar voice ringed in Caine's ear. The monotone voice sounded as though it were coming through static.
"Who is this!? Where are you!?" Caine shouted into the ether.
"W-we a-are th-the F-First O-O-Ones. W-we ca-can g-give y-y-you th-the p-po-power t-to s-s-save th-the o-o-one's y-you lo-love."
"Why should I trust you? You gave the power to Adora and look what happened."
"A-Adora wa-was un-unworthy, We b-believe yo-you're a-a w-worthy ca-candidate."
"Candidate for what?"
"W-We b-believe yo-you c-can be the n-next w-wielder of the Sword of Protection."
"Sword of Protection?"
"Ye-yes. I-it a-allows the w-wielder t-to b-become t-the n-n-next i-incarnation o-of Sh-She-Ra."
"Okay. If I do this, will it allow me to save Glimmer?"
"Ye-Yes. W-we p-p-promise."
"Very well. What do I need to do?"
"T-take t-t-the cr-crystal o-ou-out o-of t-the s-s-sword a-a-and d-destroy i-it."
"Very well, I will do this. But, you better keep you're promise."
"Arise!," the voice shouted.
Caine's eyes shot open. He had tubes and wires coming to and from his heavily bandaged body. He could hear the rhythmic beeping of a machine. Looking up, he saw his mother standing over him.
When Queen Angelle saw her son's eyes open, she wept tears of joy. "Caine! I am so glad that you're alive." The queen embraced her son and held him lovingly.
"Mom, is Glimmer okay?," his voice cracked.
"Caine, sweetie… No. She passed only a few moments ago." The queen placed her hand to her mouth. She sniffled and sobbed.
"Mom! Do we still have Adora's sword?"
"Yes. It's in the vault. Why?"
"Get it for me." Caine tried to prop himself up but instantly fell back into the bed.
"Caine, stop! You can't get up. You're still in critical condition. Why do you even want the sword?"
"Because it may be my only chance to save Glimmer! Now get it for me!" Caine roared.
"Very well. I hope you know what you're doing." Angelle walked off, approached the nearest guard, and requested that he retrieve the sword.
A few moments later the guard returned, sword in hand. Caine grimaced upon seeing the rust colored tip, knowing it to be his sister's blood.
Queen Angelle took the sword in her hand and walked towards her son. "Now, how will this save Glimmer?"
"The red gem. Take it out and break it."
"Okay." She was confused, but did as she was told, crushing it underfoot.
When the gem was destroyed the voice of the First Ones returned to speak with him. "Caine, take up the sword."
"Mom hand me the sword," Caine demanded, impatiently.
"Why? What do you plan to do?"
"Just give it to me, now!"
The queen reluctantly handed the sword to her son.
The voice came again. "Now, speak these words: "For the honor of Grayskull!"
"I hope this works," Caine said, unsure of himself. He held the sword aloft, straining his sore arm to do so. "For the honor of Grayskull!" The prince was lifted off his bed and beams of light seeped through his bandages. He felt strange magic surround him, his muscles expanded, and he grew in height. A sensation of strength filled him. When the transformation was complete, Caine found himself standing face to face with Queen Angelle.
"Aaaaahhh!," she screamed.
"What!? Mom, what's wrong!?"
"What happened to you!?"
"I'm not sure, exactly."
"Look in the mirror."
Caine did as he was told. What he saw stunned him. He looked exactly like his father, beard and all. He wore a white and gold outfit which held tightly packed muscle. "Oh my god… I was transformed." The prince saw that his black hair had also turned blond and his eyes into a sky-blue.
"Caine, how is this supposed to save Glimmer?"
"We're about to find out." Caine made his way to Glimmer's stretcher. He looked down at his lifeless sister, her body covered in a blanket. She also had tubes and wires coming out of her body. Caine felt guilt but knew that he had a chance to save his sister.
"Alright sword, do your stuff." Caine pointed the blade at Glimmer. It did nothing. "Come on, work! Now!" He tried again.
"You must focus on your faults," the voice called.
"What?"
"You must forgive yourself in order to access the sword's true power. Adora did not do so, otherwise you would have never beaten her.
Caine thought for a moment. Every action he took had terrible consequences for all involved. The raid of Plumeria, his fault. The siege of Salineas, his fault. The imprisonment of his sister and Catra, his fault. Glimmer's death, his fault. How can I forgive myself?, he thought.
"I-I can't." Caine hung his head in shame. He felt a hand on his shoulder. When he turned his head he saw Perfuma, and behind her Mermista, Catra, and Lonnie.
"I don't blame you for the loss of Plumeria, so you shouldn't either. You tried to help. It wasn't your fault," Perfuma said smiling.
"You may have broken the Sea Gate, but I understand that you did it for your sister. So I guess I can forgive you," Mermista said, trying not to make eye contact.
Catra walked up to Caine, placing her hand on his cheek, "You helped me realize that Adora was no good for me. You helped me get back on track and gave me a chance to become a better person. You are the best friend I ever had"
"Yeah and you killed She-Ra! You're a living legend! You should try and take some pride in that," Lonnie exclaimed.
Caine wiped away his tears and smiled. "You're right. I did do all that." He turned back to Glimmer. "Well… here goes nothing. Sword heal!" At his command, a beam shot from the sword toward Glimmer. Her body rose, enshrouded in white light. After the process was done Glimmer was back on her feet. She smiled. She looked healthier than ever.
"Glimmer!," both the queen and her son cried out, embracing the young princess.
"Mom! Caine!" Glimmer returned the hug with tears in her eyes.
"Oh, my baby is okay." Angelle kissed Glimmer's forehead repeatedly.
"Mom stop. You're embarrassing me," Glimmer said pushing her mom back.
"Well excuse me for being thankful that my daughter isn't dead," the queen huffed.
"Speaking of which, how did I get back?"
"You can thank Caine for that."
Glimmer looked at her brother's new form. "Wow, you look just like dad."
"Yeah I guess I do," Caine said rubbing the back of his neck. The comment no longer phased him, because he knew that he was his father's son and he was proud of that.
"So, uh, what do we call you now?," Perfuma Asked, looking at Caine.
"What do you mean?"
"Well you are in the She-Ra form, but you are also a male."
"I know, He-Ra," Mermista exclaimed, drawing blank stares from the assembly.
"How about He-man?," Caine said.
"He-man? Really Caine?," Glimmer said, looking at Caine expectantly.
"Ah, come on. It's better then He-Ra," Caine said defensively.
"Not by much bro. Just sounds like your compensating for something," Glimmer replied.
"I'll show you compensating. Come here." Caine grabbed Glimmer and tickled her side.
Laughter filled the room. She tried to fight out of his grasp, but, no matter how hard she struggled, the princess couldn't break free.
Catra watched all this and smiled silently. She went up to Mermista and Perfuma, sticking her hands up.
"Uh, what are you doing?," Mermista asked.
"Giving myself up for judgment," Catra replied.
"Oh, we don't care about that anymore," Perfuma said to Catra's surprise.
"Really? But I did all those horrible things."
"You helped us stop Adora. Not to mention you aided in our escape. So, we're even," Perfuma replied in earnest.
"However, I do think the prince of Bright Moon might want to talk with you."
"Hey! Catra come here!," Caine called out.
Catra approached the prince and looked up at him guiltily. "Look Caine, I'm sor–" Catra was instantly lifted up over Caine's shoulder alongside Glimmer. "Hey! what are you doing!?"
Caine carried the two girls to a balcony overlooking the gathered masses of soldiers. "Soldiers! Today we are victorious. The horde is no more and it is all thanks to these two," Caine said indicating the girls "Three cheers for the heroes of the rebellion!"
"Hip, hip, hooray!," the soldiers yelled.
Catra couldn't believe it. She had finally gained acceptance. When Caine put her down she looked at him lovingly. "You helped me when I hurt you. You forgave me when I betrayed you. I don't know what to say."
"Just say you'll give us a chance," Caine looked in her eyes affectionately.
Catra was surprised. She had a feeling that she thought she would never have again. She wrapped her arms around Caine's neck and said, "You know what? I think I will." Catra kissed Caine as he held her in his arms.
Caine and Catra exited the Fright Zone base, hand in hand. "Catra I think I'm in love with you."
"I feel the exact same way, Caine." They watched the sun rise and cuddled, feeling safe in each other's arms.
Wow, it has been a crazy ride. We have the epilogue left, but after that this story will be complete. I wish to personally thank everyone, from SlowCreep for his helpful edits, to all of you. I value each and everyone of you. You helped me get this story done in time. Thank you!