Chapter 8
Having a sister was definitely something that was not on the agenda for Adam this week, or any week really. Ever since Adora randomly showed up, it was like his whole life had been spinning around. He didn't know what was worse though. The fact that the sorceresses hadn't told him anything about it up till now. Or the fact that ever since she came, his father had been acting stranger than normal. Like he had connected with her just by looking at her.
How could they have kept this a secret from him all this time. Act like she didn't even exist only to suddenly just miraculously remember and have all these feelings just flood to him. Worse, he didn't know which feelings were which. Anger at his parents from keeping the secret that he had a sister, jealously at how easy his parents accepted her and liked her, sadness for her not living the life she should have had or acceptance at the fact that Adora's life seemed to be a good one now, despite all the trials and tribulations that apparently she had to deal with from the stories she was telling them.
Looking up at the ceiling in his room he contemplated these thoughts until he felt something large pop on his bed. Cringer was looking at him with that normal worried expression he had on his face whenever she was in a fowl mood. Adam had been feeling something easy ever since Adora came.
"Yeah, I'm okay buddy" Adam smiled petting his forehead, "Just been a weird few days you know"
Cringer gave a soft meow.
"Yeah, having a sister is weird, I mean I guess I'll make the most of it...Beside they can't stay here forever right. Guess I should be happy, more family right?...Though I have no idea what the Sorceresses even wants with her though. I mean why she NEEDS She-Ra and not He-Man this time".
He remembered the conversation they had back at Grayskull after Adora fainted. It was still strange to think that she just fainted. Adam had a suspicion that it wasn't just the arguing that caused it, but perhaps something else.
"Why can't I restore the magic?" He asked the Sorceresses back then, "I mean don't i have that ability? Or are She-Ra's ability different from mine"
The Sorceresses just gave him a stern look, "Sadly Adam while you have done many great feets as He-Man that is a power you have not yet acquired, it's something Adora has. She-Ra is from the planet Eternia, a different type of magic, and from what I can tell she has embraced her role fully"
"What and I haven't" Adam argued, "I've been He-Man for a while now, and I kinda enjoy it, you know helping others, fighting Skeletor, that sorta thing"
The Sorceresses merely smiled, gently putting a hand on his shoulder "Adam, you have done many great things for Eternia, but I'm afraid you still have not full comprehended everything yet"
"Yet!" Adam was shocked, stepping back now "After everything I still haven't got it, come on"
"I'm afraid so….But your time will come...when you figure it out"
What did that mean not embracing He-Man fully? He had been He-Man for a few years now. Defeating the forces of evil like Skeletor and King Hiss over and over again almost like on a loop now. Doing the same thing over and over again, never seeming to make any real progress in it. However he kept moving forward, hoping one day that it could be over, to live in a world that didn't need He-Man. Or better, one where he can finally reveal to everyone that he was He-Man so that people could finally think good of him. That he was a hero and not just some bratty prince.
That was the one curse of being He-Man the fact no one knew it was him. The fact everyone did consider him a bratty prince. Teela, who he liked, still didn't think of him the way she considered He-Man, the hero of it all. The other masters who were also nice to him, never took him seriously. Man at Arms, Cringer, Orko, they knew of course. However the worst part was that it was his parents who didn't know. He wanted to make them so proud and yet he couldn't without revealing his greatest secret.
Still, why couldn't Adora transform when she could
"Ugh...Well, why couldn't Adora transform when she did, didn't seem to have trouble earlier"
The Sorceresses looked unsure, "I do not know, perhaps the magic of Grayskull interfere with the magic she tapps into or perhaps, her own inner mind prevented it...If I had to guess, it was complicated"
"Complicated...ha" Adam rolled his eyes and sat back down again, "Ugh, why do magic people have to be so confusing, can't they just...You know...Be straightforward"
"Don't I know it-" Adam looked up to see Adora by the door, "Oh sorry, was I interrupting private time, sorry…."
"What...No, it's cool" Adam stood up.
Cringer slowly walked up to Adora and began rubbing his head across her leg. Gently she put her hand on his head and petted him causing him to purr a bit.
Ever since Adora came here though the whole world was going topsy turvy it seemed. His parents acted differently around her than him. Understandable that she was missing for almost his entire life and yet no one brought it up. There wasn't even a sign or a hint. Why not ever show anything. Talk about it all, he could take it. Was it a shame? Grief? Now though, just like that they acted as if she had lived here the whole time.
Worse, he could tell they liked her more. At least father did. Something about the way he looked at her, there was almost like instant pride. As if she had accomplished something he had always wanted. What though, Adam didn't know.
"Aww...Catra's like that sometimes" Adora chuckled, petting Cringer's head, he seemed to like that.
"He likes you" Adam snickered, Cringer continuing to want head scratches "Granted he'll like about anyone...But uh, did you need something or..."
"Oh no, not really um…" Adora scratched the back of her head, "Since I'm staying a bit, and hopefully get this whole Grayskull thing figured out, I was wondering if you'd wanna spend some you know...Us time?"
"Us time?"
Adora nodded, "Yeah...like a brother, sister day! Just two siblings getting into trouble, that sorta thing"
"Uh huh…" Adam then stretched and yawned, "Well wake me up when it's like...Not morning, I"m gonna go to bed"
"Well um about that" Adora seemed nervous, "The King Dad persoan...Randor...Dad...Not sure what to call him still, wanted us to come for breakfast"
Adam groaned, "Of course he did" he got up, "Well, I'll be there in a second"
"Great!...Oh family breakfast….I'll get Catra"
Adam snickered, father wouldn't be happy about that, though he wouldn't give an argument. Plus probably good for Catra to know the in-laws.
Getting up he got dressed and headed out. He walked down the halls passing a few soldiers and guards who were on patrol as usual. Until he saw a familiar face about to pass him by.
"Hey Teela," Adam said.
"Adam" Teela yawned, "Up early for once"
"Yeah well, father wants to have breakfast with my new sis so...Yeah…" Adam yawned, still tired because he couldn't have his nap.
"Your sister is quite impressive I have to say"
Adam blinked, "What do you mean"
"Before she went to do it, she had some one and one time with me with a spar. She's a natural, I mean a real down and gritty fighter"
"What!" Adam looked shocked, "She was up sparing at the crack of dawn"
"Yeah, girlfriend just sat there and watched for a bit" Teela smirked, "Before she joined in"
"You spared with my sister and her cat girlfriend"
Teela nodded, "Yep, and I have to say they'd take you out in a second"
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah!" Teela chuckled, "Come on they were trained fighters remember, I mean sure it sounds awful and all, but they are really good. They honestly could put the rest of the Masters to the test."
"Oh I'm sure they'd be happy"
"I'm sure" Teela smirked, "And of course you're sister being essentially a He-Man of her planet, that's gotta be impressive"
Adam frowned, "Yeah, yeah...Rub it in"
"Just saying, she's more than just some random princess"
"Hey!"
Teela rolled her eyes and walked off, "Just saying Adam" she chuckled, "But really, it's...It's kinda surprising she's YOUR sister"
"What does that mean?"
"I mean after that she was going on a jog and it was the middle of the morning," Teela exclaimed, "She was focused, didn't seem to slack off and was actually paying attention most of the time"
"Well yeah she was trained as a soldier since birth from what she's told us a dozen times" Adam responded, "Of course she's gonna be like that, what do you expect she grew up in a bad place while I - we-"
Teela raised a eyebrow, "I know it wasn't great for her Adam but come on, even you could show a bit more discipline at times"
"So we're a little difference, I'm sure we can find similarities too"
"Again Adam, I'm just saying" Teela gently nudged his ribs before walking off.
Adam glared at her for a moment before mockling muttering, "Just sayin Adam" he sighed, "I'm He-Man for pete sake I gotta defend this place every day, at least I don't show off" He grunted as he began to walk off to the dining hall.
"Everything okay" Adam froze again and this time saw Man at Arms, "You seem a bit agitated"
"Oh well, talking to Teela, you know how that goes for us"
"Seems more than your usual banter"
"It's nothing it's just...all this new stuff, plus whatever is going on in Grayskull at the moment"
Man at Arms noded "I understand, but you should be happy, not often we get reunited with our families the way we do. You should be happy, Adora seems like a nice girl, despite her hard life, though I can say for some of her friends yet"
"I don't know, they seem...Interesting"
"True" Man at Arms sighed, "I just hope she can help us with whatever is happening with the elders power, once she's more settled in, will try again and see if we can't restore Grayskulls power to full"
"Yeah….Yeah…" Adam nodded before walking off.
Adora was sweet, there wasn't necessarily inherently wrong with her. Just though the idea of being a brother, to a twin nonetheless was strange. Did that mean he had to share his parents' love. He was practically an adult, but still, it was a weird feeling. Already he could tell his father liked her a bit more, always talking about her being responsible and proactive. Perhaps he wasn't always on his best behavior or responsible, but being He-Man was a hard job as it was. Though if he was being honest he wished he could just tell his parents. But that would mean enemies would use that to their advantage.
Enemies like Skeletor.
These thoughts and more were all he could think of as he headed into the private dining halls of the Castle. There he saw his parents Adora and her girlfriend Catra all sitting around in silence while he sat down. Cringes quickly walked up the strange alien cat named Melog. The two meowed for a bit before they started to wander off
"Wait Melog…" Catra called out as her alien cat creature walked away.
Adam chuckled, "They'll be fine, I'm sure Cringe just wants to give them a tour"
"He better" Catra glared at him
Adora looked at them both seeming nervous, "Hey! Family bonding! Isn't this nice, your cat is getting along with Catra's cat! One big happy family heh heh" she looked a bit sweaty now.
"Yeah, bonding" Catra muttered while taking a bite of the food.
Adora laughed nervously, "So...Mrs. Queen mom...ma'am"
"Whatever makes you comfortable, Adora" Marlena smiled.
"Right!" Adora nodded, "Queen mom, so...you're a first one but King Dad is Eternian, so two different things"
"Correct," Marlena nodded, "I have forgotten what my colony was like years ago, the crash I suffered was server, if it wasn't for Randor well...you two wouldn't be born"
"At least I can be grateful towards you for that" Catra smirked but Adam could see her holding Adora's hand tight.
"You two really have the hots for each other don't you?" Adam asked.
Adora blushed, "I mean, we've been together forever, I don't think I remember I time when Catra wasn't involved in my life in some way or another"
"Yeah…" Catra's ears flopped down, "Except when I made some stupid mistakes"
"From what you told us that first dinner you two seemed to have a harrowing journey to get from where you are today" Marlena smiled at them, "I'm proud and pleased to know in the end you came out on top"
Adora nods.
Randor however eyes them closely, "Yes, well...I still don't understand the ins of it, you said you were enemies in the past but now you're ...a couple? Not to judge per say but I've never heard of that sort of um...relationship occurring."
"So how many times did you kick her butt" Adam asked Catra.
Catra was taken aback but smirked, "All the time"
"Catra!"
"What? If we're gonna reveal we fought, might as well tell them how many times I outsmarted their daughter in well...everything"
"Okay you did not outsmart me" Adora snickered, "I got you plenty of times, Battle of Brightmoon remember huh...who won...oh yeah...me!"
"Yeah well who almost got all the planet before the Horde screwed itself over with infighting and Horde Prime...and the Heart of Etheria thing" Catra snickered, "So if the score is right uh...I win, oh and whose declaration of love saved the universe, mine so...yeah...again win...win-win-win"
If Adora and Catra didn't notice what they were saying, then clearly they were crazy. Who jokes about war, let alone saving the universe. Well apparently his sister did in Adam's mind. He could already see a bit of tension on his parents face unsure just how to move forward. Perhaps a joke or Ice breaker could easy the tide
"Again...You two...Hots for each other" Adam laughed, hoping to clear the air "It's so obvious, you two talk about fighting and war as if it was some little crush, don't see m-I mean He-Man doing that with say Skeletor".
"Adam, not funny" Randor said sternly.
Adam frowned, "Sorry father"
"Apologies Adora" Randor responded sounding concerned, "We aren't used to talk of war and battle being taken so...so lightly"
"Yes well…It's kinda the best way Catra and I operated really" Adora face turned red, "We grew up together as best friends but then I found out the Horde...The place I grew up was not great and well...I defected and Catra...Took a while, but we got there in the end"
"Why didn't you defect if you knew it was bad?" Adam asked, "I mean if I grew up in a cruddy place I'd hightail it out of there so fast"
Catra glared at him, "It's complicated okay. I had a lot of ...investment in my cruddy home, bad investment".
"I just wish to understand," Randor said, his voice calm.
"It's complicated" Catra glared, "There was a lot going on in our lives okay, thank Shadow Weaver for that"
Marlena gave a sad expression, "Adora...This Shadow Weaver? Who was she?"
"She was uh….She raised us...Raised me" Adora bit her lip.
"So...Your adopted mother?"
"Hardly" Catra sneered, "Nothing motherly about her"
"Catra…" Adora hissed, "I know she was horrible but...In some ways...In a lot of ways...she was. Otherwise she wouldn't have had the effect on us she did"
"Well I'm sorry you had to suffer for her" Marlena responded.
Everything went silent. Adam listening to everything. He didn't really know who to interject on whose behalf. It did seem like they were holding back a lot. Pressing it might not be the best idea, at least that what his mom thought. His father though, he seemed like he wanted to keep this conversation thread though as long as possible.
"Still, if you know the Horde was evil, why stay? It's one thing to be fooled but to know"
"It's more complicated than good and evil" Adora explained, "Why do you think Hordak is with us as well as Catra and I being together"
Catra nodded, "Trust me, I don't know how Eternia works, but back home...It was a little more gray and a loss less black and white"
"It does seem strange to me you are friends with someone who tried to conquer your world" Randor replied.
Catra sneered, "Yeah well...Trust me, if you saw the guy he pretty much saw as a god, you'd change your mind"
"Yes, this Prime" Marlena rubbed her head, "The name was becoming more familiar the more I heard it"
"Just be happy we defeated him for you" Catra said taking another bit of food, "Your welcome by the way, if you want we could probably take out Skeletor for yuh too, just give me a map, how many forces you got, and I can take him out in a second"
Adora chuckled, "We probably could"
"No need" Randor shook his head, "As you say it's complicated, Skeletor is a lot more wily than probably anything you've dealt with"
"More wily than me?" Catra snickered, "Fat chance, I could probably outthink that Skeleton guy any day"
"I'm sure you could Catra and we want to help in any way we can" Adora replied, "I'm kinda interested how long have you been fighting Skeletor"
"Decades" Randor sighed, "Ever since I was just a captain"
Catra chuckled, "And you still haven't taken him down"
"Like I said he's wily" Randor grumbled taking a bite of food, "We tried containing him in the Dark Hemisphere until he broke out, thankfully He-Man has been able to protect us"
"And for the time being you have She-Ra" Adora said proudly.
Catra glared at her, "Yeah, yeah...But not forever okay, this isn't a permanent thing, remember we have stuff to do home too...Plus if this He-guy was all powerful he would have taken him out already" She glared at Adam.
Adam glared back at her, "Yeah well maybe he doesn't because he has a higher moral code than you"
"Moral code, you guys are at war with him right" Catra argued, "Just attack, take him out and boom done"
Adora held Catra's hand, but gave a stern expression "Well it's a good thing I didn't think that way, otherwise we wouldn't be here now would we"
Catra was going to argue but closed her mouth and huffed.
Adam kept glaring at her. It was easy to think about taking Skeltor out, running a sword through his chest and being rid of him once and for all. But he couldn't. Killing Skeletor was one step too far. With the powers of the Elders and the sword that would be going down a path that could have passive consequences. Sure Catra make it sound easy but it wasn't.
"Well, i'm sure one could debate what to do with Skeletor all day, but that would bring down this lovely breakfast" Marlena injected.
"Right...So any other family members I should know about?" Adora jumped in again, "Sisters? More brothers, uncle"
Randor eyes widened for a moment before coughing, "N-No...None at all, just me, my wife and Adam...No one else"
"Actually, speaking off...That's another question" Adora asked, "We didn't talk much about this first time but uh...W-What was it like...The dayI was taken"
Randor and Marlena grimace at one another before the King spoke, "Unfortunately we were unable to do anything to help you that day, because Skeletor decided to surprise attack us. I and the other Masters were busy defending the Capital, when all of a sudden a bright light came from your room. I tried as quickly as I can to return but by then, it was too late, you were gone"
Again...Silence.
"That's it" Catra interrupted, "Skeleton guy attacks and then Adora gets swiped up...heh...Guess I owe him a favor after all"
Adora again groans, "Catra…"
"What? I'm joking...Yeesh, have a sense of humor"
"Not now," Adora mutters.
"I'm just saying it seems like a quick story, Skeleton guy attack, you get sweeped up, I would suspect something a bit less mundane then that"
"Well I suppose fate takes on many paths" Marlena again interjected quickly, a bit too quickly. "Adam, today is is such a lovely today, perhap you and Adora can enjoy the family gardens together"
Adam shook his head trying to not think of it, "I heard she already did with Teela".
Adora spit out her punch.
"Yeah, sparing...Two against one, seems unfair"
"Oh, I see" Adora smirked, taking a deep breath "Think you take me on"
"I mean...I hate to brag" Adam smirked, "Being a prince means you gotta know how to fight an all that"
"Ha!" Catra laughed, "You think whatever they teach you in Prince school can match up of decades of Horde training" she pulls a arm around Adora's shoulder, smirking, "Me and Adora are trained killing machines, we could take you on like that, even by ourselves"
"Oh yeah?" Adam smirked, "Like to see you try, WITHOUT She-Ra powers"
Adora smirked back, looking at Catra nodding "Fine then, I agree with Catra, Prince training is I'm sure on point, but like, it's nothing what they teach you in the Horde"
"Or just fighting dirty," Catra chuckled.
Adam sneered, "Okay, you both are on…
"Nah, I don't wanna humiliate yuh, I'll let Adora do that" Catra looked at her nails, "Good old fashion sibling battle"
"Fine then" Adam said, "Spar!"
"Deal!"
Without even missing a beat Orko popped into the room and looked around confused, "Uh...What did I miss?"
-000-
The palace courtyard had started out empty but news travels fast. Adora's friends along with a few of the masters like Man at Arms, Ram Man, Man-E Faces and Stratos joined in the crowd. Teela of course was there too. She would love to see him get humiliated by his newly found sister.
Was this all ego? Sure it was, but it was gonna be worth it. Adam loved a good spar, and always enjoyed competing, mostly Teela, who always liked to make fun of him ever since he was a kid. Sometimes being a prince ment people underestimate him. It seemed like almost all the masters were here. It just added to the sense of wanting to show that he could make it.
"Okay, so what are the rules?" Adora asked about taking the combat stick on the other side of the field.
Adam smirked, "Basic sparing, first to get knocked down loses"
"Are you sure you wanna do this" Teela said, standing by his side, "Your sister was trained from birth and you well...Your you"
Adam frowned, "Why does everyone not think I can do this"
"Adam, you can barely beat me in sparring sometimes"
"Oh yeah well...I'm getting better"
Teela rolled her eyes before heading up, "Okay...No dirty tricks...Nothing below the belt...Go"
Thus the battle began, Adam thought he would have the upper hand given his strength, but Adora already had him on the ropes. She was quicker, more precise, every move she made seemed to be perfectly calculated. He just realized his instincts and wits. However that meant that his actions were clumsy.
Adora managed to get an opening kicking his knee but Adam quickly restedied himself.
"Sloopy" Adora muttered.
Adam sneered, "Yeah, well...Look over there"
"What?"
Adam gave her a nudge causing her to tug back.
"Hey!" Adora yelled, "That's fighting dirty!"
"Oh come on sis, I'm sure your girlfriend did that to you all the time"
Adora frowned, "Yeah well…" she responded with another forward attack.
The more Adam fought Adora though the more he could tell that she definitely had seen more combat than him. She had trained her entire life to be a soldier. So fighting was second if not first nature to her. On the other hand, he grew up a prince. Luxury, comfort were always his. Most of the time he had lived in peace, for Skeletor and his forces lived behind the mystic wall. Trapped supposedly forever until he was not. Even when he became He-Man he had never trained in probably a way that caused Adora to fight the way she fought.
Adam tried to keep on his feet but in the end Adora was too much, she kicked in the stomach when he was off his game knocking him down.
"Match!" Teela declared.
Adram groaned seeing Adora get stand over him now, a sincere smile on her face as she held up a hand and smiled.
"Good match"
"Yeah, yeah," Adam moaned, getting helped up.
Catra walked up to them now laughing, "Really? Come on, Adora your brother's weak sauce! How about we show him a real match"
Adora raised a eyebrow, "Are you sure"
"I mean your parents are watching"
Adam saw his parents watching with interest, he gently waved to them, embarrassed at how easily he got walloped by his 'sister'. Slowly he began to walk over to sit next to them but couldn't look them in the eye. Or at least his father.
"You did well Adam," His mother assured her.
Randor nodded, "Yes, good effort, but you can tell that Adora was definitely trained to be a soldier" he glared over to Hordak and Entrapta who also were watching.
Hordak must have heard for he merely looked at the king confused.
"Horde training is quite sufficient" He merely said before looking over at the crowd, Randor looked over to him, "Most of the simulations were crafted by my earlier Force Captains, I merely created the simulations to apply to all manner of contingent"
Entrapta nodded, "Yeah, I saw many of the training simulations, they go over everything, it's really quite fascinating, too bad a lot of the training facilities are probably down. Still, quite efficient for a army, you know if you want Mr. King Randor Sir, maybe me and Hordak could create simulations for your own troops"
"That is...Unnecessary," Randor said, looking uncomfortable.
"Awww," Entrpata moped.
Adam just laughed, "I don't know, I'd like to know what they come up with"
"Really!" Entrapta rushed over to Adam, "Oh I wouldn't mind making a battle simulation for you, maybe even have you fight some bots, I know a few that love a good tussle, it's fun for them"
Adam raised a eyebrow but shrugged, "Eh...Sure, if you ever have the time"
"GREAT!"
"I'll never understand this" Perfume sighed, "What is it with these two and fighting, even when they are friends again they are fighting. What ever happened to meditation, come and pace"
Scorpia shrugged.
"I love a good fight" Ram Man said, slapping his fist together, "Keeps you on your toes"
"But what about meditation and tranquility?" Perfuma argued.
Ram Man shrugged, "I mean that's good and all, but nothing beats a good fight"
Catra began to walk up to the arena cracking her neck and knuckles, "Should we put on a show for them Adora"
"Sure, why not," Adora smirked.
Adam rolled his eyes, "Ugh...Fight flirting, weird"
"Woo hoo you go Wild Cat!" Scorpia cheered
Teela stood in the center, arms raised, "And...Begin"
Just like that Adam saw the fight begin...and it was nothing like he had ever seen before. For this was no fight, oh no...This was an experience. A dance almost. Two people locked together in combat but also as if they were connected mentality with one another. Each predicting the others moves, each known where the other would exactly step. The two never take a moment to look away from the other eyes locked. It was something Adam had never seen in a battle before. This sort of intimacy, but rivalry, love, and passion. All in one.
"I can see why your sister likes her," Marlena smirked.
Randor grunted, "It's definitely...Something"
"Oh trust me, you should have seen them when they were enemies…" Glimmer snickered, "I think everyone knew"
"Except them," Bow chuckled.
Adam again shook his head, "I still don't get it, being in love with the enemy"
"It's not love with the enemy" Glimmer explained, "They were raised together, they know each other better than they know themselves sometimes"
"Well…It's weird"
"I get that"
Adam now looked at Glimmer intrigued, "Huh?"
"No, I get it, see I only knew Adora when those two were enemies" Glimmer explained, "But even then Adora was always thinking of Catra and vice versa"
"Yeah, probably trying to kill each other"
"Not really kill...Well maybe not Adora at least but, whatever nevermind, my point is...They have something those two, a connection. They are each others world"
"If you say so" Adam looked back at teh field.
The battle kept going on for several minutes, both girls not letting up, each showing off their specific training. It wasn't until the two of them were now pretty much face to face to each other stuck that it seemed like it was about to go to a draw. Again the two of them kept moving as one. Each focused squarely on the other.
"Ready to give up" Adora said through bated breath.
Catra smirked, "Nah…" and to her shock and Adam's she kissed her, big deep wet kiss, only to then kick her in the knee and have Adora fall over.
"Well uh...Unconventional" Teela muttered, "But, winner Catra"
"Oh come on!" Adora groaned, Catra helping her up, "Fowl play"
"Nah...It's just the one move I can do to you" Catra smirked.
"I'm not doing that to Skeletor thats' for sure" Adam thought allowed but applauding all the same.
Randor stood up now, "Well, that was quite a display Adora, can't I say approve of everything but...You definitely do have quite the skills. You would have made a good soldier in the Eternian army...If that's what you wanted of course" he said looking nervous after Marlena gave him a look.
"Oh uh thanks" Adora said looking unsure, "I mean, I kinda been a soldier all my life really"
"Unfortunately" Catra muttered.
"I mean, as I said, if Hordak hadn't taken me back to the Fright Zone I probably be dead"
Adam saw Hordak freeze for a moment seeming unsure before Entrapta gently took his hand and smiled at him.
Randor faced him, "Yes? Well, your training was efficient I suppose"
"It...It was not my training" Hordak coughed nervously, "It's just standard Horde protocol, I never took any interest in them, they were under the care of Shadow Weaver as I believe was stated before..." he then seemed more unsure, "Although I suppose I should have taken your skills more into considering Adora, we would have one of the war far easier"
"Oh yeah like that would have been helpful" Catra scowled.
"Technically speaking it would have" Hordak started looking at Entrapta, "That was a complement right?"
"I thought it was nice," Entrapta shrugged.
Adam chuckled and saw Adora and Catra walking up to them. They looked into each other's eyes. Despite the intense spar he could see the love they had for one another. Despite how strange their relationship was, at least his sister was happy. Even hardly ever knowing her, he was glad that she was happy about that.
"So Prince, now do you know what real spar looks like" Catra smirked
"Oh yeah...Well I-"
"Adam, don't humiliate yourself further" Teela interjected, "I don't even think I wanna go up against them"
Catar chuckled, "Yeah, you really don't"
"Quite impressive all around" Randor clapped, "Although I'm not sure I approve of all the techniques"
"Hey, we learn how to fight in war" Catra argued, "You gotta fight dirty sometimes"
Randor was gonna argue when suddenly one of the soldiers ran toward them looking exhausted and frantic, "Your highness...W-We have a emergy?"
"Skeletor?"
"No...volcanic eruption near a village"
"We can help!" Adora stated, "I can use She-Ra to plug up the mountain, Glimmer you can teleport the villagers out there"
"Sure"
Randor nodded, "Adam, you and Teela show them where to go"
"Yes father" Adam nodded, "I won't let you down!"
-000-
Man at Arms led the way to the village in question.
Prince Adam drove the speeder carrying Bow and Glimmer while Teela had Adora and Catra on hers. They went at a brink pace as they started to head out, hoping that the damage wasn't too critical. Here was maybe a chance to show his stuff to Adora and the other Etherians.
"Hope the towns are still in one peace when we get there" Adam heard Bow say from behind him.
"We'll if need too, I'll teleport anyone out as quick as I can" Glimmer responded.
Adam smirked, "Just don't freak them out, never met a teleporter before"
"Says the magic muscle man" Glimmer whispered slyl.
"Touche"
Adam could see the village just around the corner now. Just as the guard had said a volcano had definitely erupted. Apparently it hadn't been active in years. So why now? However that didn't really matter as they could hear the screaming of townsfolk trying to get out of the way. As they got closer though he could see something, or someone in the distance. Someone floating on top of the volcanic activity, summoning dark magic into it.
"Count Marzo!" Adam shouted.
Adora looked confused, "Who?"
"Someone not good"
Count Marzo was a sorcerer of great power from long ago. Once imprisoned as a elderly man, his power came from a magical amulet. He would terrorize local villages and other areas in Eternia. Every now and then allying himself with Skeletor although the two of them never got along. He-Man had defeated him a few times in the past. Guess it was time he did it again.
"He's putting his magical energies into the volcano" Teela pointed out, "We have to get away from him and quick"
"Leave it to us" Adora said "Glimmer, teleport to the village wit Bow and get people out" she then ordered, "Catra, Adam, Teela...watch my back while I take on this guy"
Everyone nodded and jumped into action, Glimmer and Bow sparkled away why Adam moved his speeder bike down towards the village.
Catra looked unsure, "Adora I-"
"FOR THE HONOR OF GRAYSKULL"
A flash of light and Adora transformed into She-Ra and lept into action as soon as they hit the down.
"Adora wait...Ugh!" Catra mutters, "Wait up!"
"She sure likes to jump into things" Teela responded as she began helping villagers evacuate.
"Yeah, um….I'll go help out"
Count Marzo's magic was spiraling out of control. He looks down at the group to see them, cackling madly, his voice echoing across the sky.
"If it isn't the masters of the universe" Marzo declared.
Man at Arms faced him, "We're here to put a end to your terror Marzo"
"Oh really?" He eye She-Ra now, "And who is this? A new member to your little club"
Adora stepped forward, "I am She-Ra...Uh...Name, name, name...Think" she bit her lip thinking for a second before declaring "Warrior of Etheria...Yeah...That sounds pretty epic"
Catra facepalmed herself, "Oh brother"
"We need to get te amulet from him"
Adam could see the amulet in his hand.
"I got it" Bow fired one of his arrows at Marzo, it exploded mid way but the amulet remained firmly in hand even if it tilted him back.
"Insolence" Marzo fired a beam back at Bow.
Glimmer summoned a magical barrier to protect them before firing her own sparkles back at him.
Chaos now began to ensue.
Adam slowly began to step back.
"Adam where are you going…" Teela asked.
Adam frooze needing to think of a lie, "I uh….I'm gonna go help the villagers! Yeah...I'll be back"
"Wait...Adam"
Despite hating the fact he was running off to transform into He-Man he needed to do this, it was really the only way they were gonna take on Count Marzo. No matter what it meant Teela and the others felt of him, it was a necessary evil. A sacrifice that he would always make no matter what.
Adam rushed off trying to find a good hiding spot to transform. Taking a deep breath he looked out at the village remembering why he was doing this in the first place. He raised his sword into the air, feeling the power rush through him as he shouted… "BY THE POWER OF GRAYSKULL"
A flash of light and he began to transform.
"I HAVE THE POWER!"
He-Man was here.
"Ada-I mean...He-Man" Adora said, looking around to make sure no one noticed the slip up, "He-Man, yep! It's you! He-Man, who is connected to me in some way because of the name but that's it ...ha ha…"
"Nice to see you again She-Ra" he said playing up the part, "Think we can take him on together"
"Think you take them?" He-Man asked Adora, smiling.
She-Ra smirked, "Game on!"
Competition among siblings with magical powers was something Adam had never expected to do but here they were with Adora cutting down massive rocks and pushing them back from a volcano to make sure that not a lot of property damage occurred. Despite defending people, Adam almost wanted to show off. Showing his magical sis that he was just as magical as well and in this world he was the warrior hero here.
"Quite strong ey He-Man?" Adora shuckled.
"I've had a lot of experience," He said, slicing another boulder.
Adora knocked a rock back with her foot, "Yeah, so have I...Pretty much since I was born"
Another crack at her growing up.
It was strange to think though, Adam had spent all his life as a prince, living in the lap of luxury. Adora was a trained soldier, and he could see it more and more now in the precision of her attacks and defense. Even in the middle of chaos
"Impressive, but not as impressive as me!" Marzo fired his amulet magic at them, both Adora and He-Man deflecting it with their swords.
"Heh, that's nothing...Watch this" Adora used her own magic and jumped from flying rock to flying rock, Adam back down to make sure none of the boulders hit the villages.
Marzo was taken aback by how quickie She-Ra was able to get to him but only that kicked him back forcefully and took his amulet out of his hand.
"My amulet!" He called.
Just like that the magic began to drain from his body until he reverted into an old man, shaggy and wrinkled, plopping down onto the ground. Looking up he found himself trying to run off but Glimmer teleported to him and managed to get a hold of him.
"Gotcha!" Glimmer smirked.
"Nice one Sparkles" Catra snickered.
Man at Arms walked up to take hold of Marzo, "Finally, at least less evil for Eternia to worry about" he took the tiny old man in his arm and began to walk off, "We have a nice Cell just for you"
"Cell?" Glimmer blinked, "Oh right...Other places have prisons"
"You Kingdom doesn't have a prison" Man at Arms asked, then looked at Catra, "I suppose given your tale I can tell"
Catra glared at him, "Hey, we have prisons, Fight Zone had plenty of them"
"Not helping your case" Glimmer muttered.
"Well I think it's honorable trying to see the good in all," She-Ra looked up to Marzo, "Perhaps you would think about changing your ways?"
Marzo huffed, "Like I would ever give up what I have"
"And that's why we have a prison" Man at Arms started and then walked off.
He-Man remained silent before saying, "Well, if there isn't anything else, I suppose I should be going...Until next time She-Ra" he gave a small wink before running off finding a nice rock to hide behind before transforming back into regular Adam.
Waiting a few minutes Adam took a second to take record of what happened.
Adora was quite the fighter in a panic, probably from all the battles she's been through. Taking a look, he just watched as she transformed back to her regular form, and the local villagers all gathered around her now. He forgot that unlike He-Man, his sister was able to show people who she truly was and thus get all the admiration and credit. Even Teela was impressed as she seemed to be talking to her excitedly about something.
Adam didn't like this feeling.
Jealousy wasn't something he experienced often. It's not like he wanted praise and adoration for being He-Man. However so many people underestimate him as just regular prince Adam. When he had saved Eternia, his father, and the other so many times. However it never felt like him, he and He-Man were two separate people.
Still, why couldn't people appreciate Adam instead of He-Man.
"Hey, you okay?" Glimmer saw Adam behind the rock.
"Aw...Oh wait you know already….Nevermind"
Glimmer blinked, "Oh right the whole He-Man thing"
"Yeah...The He-Man thing" Adam chuckled as he began to walk up to th rest of the village still seeing Adora talk to the villagers as she transformed back, crowds still on her, "You think they never saw a magic warrior before"
"Adora has that charm on people" Glimmer stated, "Not that she ever wanted too"
"She's lucky" Adam chuckled, "People get to know her heroism"
Glimmer shrugged, "Adora likes helping others, she has a good heart that way, been that way ever since I met her. Strange considering she was raised by the Horde"
"Reminds me of mother and father" Adam said, "They always love going to help people as best they can. Kind why they hate being King and Queen, means they can't go into the field and help. People worried about their security".
"Oh trust me I know that" Glimmer replied, "When I was made Queen a lot of my court needed me to stay in Brightmoon and I could't go back into the field"
"So what did I do?"
"I decided I wasn't gonna be a Queen who stood in the sidelines, and I was gonna fight the war against the Horde head on"
Adam nodded, "Must have worked considering you guys won"
"It….wasn't" Glimmer sighed, "Mistakes were made"
Adam raised a eyebrow, "Do I wanna know"
"Well its-"
"Complicated" Adam sighed, "Yeah, everything with you guys seems to be complicated"
Adam again turned to Adora who kept getting thanks for grateful villagers.
"Wow, that was amazing Adora!" Teela declared standing by her side, "I am definitely seeing more and more why you were made this She-Ra warrior"
"Oh um...T-Thanks?" Adora shrugged.
Adam turned seeing Catra grunted taking Adora by the arm a bit and holding her a bit tight.
As Adam kept watching though, he still wasn't sure what to feel, however one thing was definitely becoming clear. His relationship with his sister was going to be ...complicated.