The Effects of Pepper

A/N: Decided to write a fanfic after watching the Filmation episode A Beastly Sideshow. What if Teela were able to see He-Man transform Cringer into BattleCat after his rescue from Snake Mountain? How would the episode end differently and what may the future bring? Please note I will be referencing scenes from that episode in this story as well as scenes from other episodes as needed. For purposes of my story I am putting the order of this episode directly following Teela's Triumph which was the 108th episode. In this chapter, Teela's Triumph is referenced. Hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: Once again, this is a work of fiction. I do not own, have any holdings, nor profit from anything He-Man, She-Ra, and MOTU nor Filmation, Mattel, or MYP related.


"What do you mean Adam went off to Snake Mountain?", Teela the red-haired Captain of the Eternian Royal Guard yelled at the top of her lungs. Her question was directed to the Court Magician Orko who had just informed her of the Prince's whereabouts.

Teela had just finished drilling the troops through their morning routine, then waited for Adam to show for his daily workout. As was typically the case, he was nowhere to be found. Thinking that he may be helping her father out in his workshop, Teela meandered over to her father's haven looking for the blonde heir to the throne. Instead, she found her father busy reconfiguring wires on a broken down SkySled, their childhood friend Orko, hovering over her father's form humming a catchy tune. Without any worry, Orko informed her that Prince Adam was on a quest to save his pet tiger that was abducted by Beastman the night before. He related to Teela that one of her guards had found a ransom letter hidden in the courtyard that explained that Cringer was being held captive at Snake Mountain.

"Why wouldn't Sani personally inform me of this?", she asked wondering why she was just finding out of Cringer's abduction so late in the game.

Peeking up from the hood of the SkySled, her father answered for Orko "The ransom letter was addressed directly to his Highness." "The soldier followed what he thought was the right protocol to inform Adam that Cringer was missing."

"Yes, father, he did." Teela replied. However, angry that she was left out of the equation she reminded both her father and Orko that she was his Highness's bodyguard and that it was her duty to be informed of when Adam or Cringer were in danger.

With that, she turned her back on her father and the floating magician to go after her oftentimes lazy charge. A brief second before the electronic sliding doors closed behind her retreating figure, she turned to yell over her shoulder "I'm on my way to Snake Mountain, no one try to stop me."

Walking briskly away from her father's workshop, Teela made a quick stop at the kitchens for a bite to eat. Always eager to please the fiery captain, the Palace Head Chef offered to make her favorite.

"Not today, Chef Allen." "I'm in a bit of a rush, just make me something quick and filling and I'll be back in 15 minutes", she asked of him. Leaving the kitchens, she headed to her rooms for a quick shower and change of clothes. Donning her usual gold and white uniform, she adjusted her gold headpiece so that it wouldn't fall off her head. Satisfied with her reflection in the mirror, she locked her door and returned to the kitchens.

Not to her surprise, Chef Allen had prepared her favorite breakfast consisting of an egg-white omelet with crumbly feta cheese and chopped sundried tomatoes. The tantalizing smell played havoc on her senses causing her stomach to growl in anticipation. After her workout with the troops, she was famished. Teela just wished she had enough time to eat. Alas duty called therefore; she prepared herself to turn down Chef Allen's masterpiece.

To her surprise, she noticed that he had packed a take away bag for her. In it he had put her omelet wrapped within a whole-wheat wrap.

"This way, you can eat it with one hand while driving the SkySled with the other", Chef Allen explained.

Beyond grateful, she leaned in to place a warm friendly kiss upon the rotund chef causing a slight blush to creep up his neck and spread all over his face. The Palace's chef always blushed whenever Teela showed him any form of affection, which she readily and easily gave whenever he made one of her favorite meals. Chef Allen couldn't understand why the courtiers found her actions to be tomboyish. Teela was very much a lady and had a curvaceous womanly figure. The chef was proud that he could make delicious and nutritious meals for the captain without her having to worry about her figure or go hungry.

Pulling the food bag over her shoulder, Teela made her way to the Hangar. Once there, she stopped in her tracks as a thought occurred to her. Perhaps, she should return to her father's workshop to ask him to notify He-Man that she was off to Snake Mountain. She wondered if she would need his help. Deciding against it, she squared her shoulders as she approached the lead aviator technician to ask which SkySled was ready for take-off. As the technician readied the sled for take-off, Teela's thoughts turned once again to the gorgeous blonde hero who was tasked to protect Grayskull and Eternia. She smiled inwardly, knowing beyond a doubt that if she needed his assistance he would somehow know where to find her.

Teela's keen mind began making these weird and new connections regarding the mysterious Champion of Grayskull. These strange musings began after her brief stint covering for the Sorceress when she unexpectedly disappeared. As she rode towards Snake Mountain, Teela recalled her brief stint as she substituted for the Sorceress of Castle Grayskull.

Being woken from a deep sleep by no other than the actually Spirit of Grayskull, Teela dressed hastily and had made her way to the gargantuan castle.

Entering, she was guided to the Sorceress's throne room where the spirit made his presence. Using the Mystic Mirror, Grayskull's specter showed Teela the form of Zoar the Falcon vanishing into thin air while midflight. Later, Teela learned that Skeletor had used a magic beam to unknowingly send the Sorceress who was traveling in her transformed bird-form to another dimension. Luckily, Skeletor had also send He-Man to the same dimension. Off course, Skeletor decided to attack Grayskull with Evil-Lyn and Trap-Jaw thinking that there was no one left to defend the magical castle.

That's where Teela came in. The Spirit had told her, that only she had what it took to defend the Castle until more helped arrived. Grayskull's spirit informed her that she would be able to magically ward off Skeletor. At first, his words were incredulous to the seasoned warrior. After all, she had never used magic before. However, the Spirit insisted that he would be able to teach her enough magic to keep the Evil Warriors at bay. In the end, it was the Spirit's guidance and her quick thinking and strategic planning that saved Grayskull. Until He-Man arrived with the actual Sorceress in tow. Then those who dwelled in the Dark Hemisphere didn't stand a chance. The three heroic warriors quickly defeated Skeletor and his goons and send them packing.

Upon the Sorceress's return, Teela was able to return to her life at the Palace as a guard. However, not all of the magic that the Spirit of Grayskull had taught her had left her completely. One of the skills she retained was a slight telepathic ability. Thinking that this skill could be useful against her fight with Skeletor and her duties as Captain of the Royal Guard, she didn't make a big fuss about it. Teela kept quiet about her newfound ability, careful to guard it even from her father and especially from Adam. She didn't know why, but she was sure that if either of them realized that she now had this power, it would become a big deal and arguments between them would ensue. Thus she kept it as a well-guarded secret.

Receiving the green light from the technician, Teela jumped onto the SkySled and sped out of the Hangar in the direction of the Dark Hemisphere and Skeletor's dwelling.


Immediately after receiving the kidnap note written from Beastman, Prince Adam of Eternia transformed himself into the mighty He-Man and made his way to Snake Mountain to save Cringer. It didn't take the hero long to reach his nemesis's base as in his transformed state he could run at speeds of Mach 3.3. When he ran at these speeds, he left a thunderous sonic boom behind him, his feet barely skimming the ground giving the illusion of flight.

As He-Man ran he contemplated the events that lead to his current predicament. Adam and Cringer went to sleep early the night before as the Prince had intended to be on time for his morning training with his bodyguard. Waking, he looked for his companion which was no where to be found. Adam checked in all of Cringer's favorite napping places throughout the palace before finding himself entering Duncan's workshop.

Asking his mentor if he saw Cringer this morning, he was disappointed when Duncan and Orko had informed him that they both had not seen him. Cringer never ran off. Feeling a trepidation in his gut, Adam turned to leave the workshop when an out of breath sentry came looking for him. In broken speech marked by haphazard breathing indicating that the soldier must have run a great length, he informed the prince of the kidnap note. The letter written by Beastman told of Skeletor's demand that Cringer would be returned to the palace unscathed as long as Adam went alone to retrieve him. Knowing it was a trap, he transformed as soon as the guard exited Duncan's workshop. Not wanting to waste anytime going to the Hangar for a vehicle, He-Man jumped out of a window for a faster exit.

Now reaching the outskirts of Snake Mountain, He-Man stopped to think of a plan. He could easily break through an entrance on the side of Snake Mountain, his typical way of entering Skeletor's domain. It was brutal but effective. Remembering that 'Adam' was supposed to be making an appearance at a ball following yesterday's carnival, He-Man decided against that approach. Although Grayskull's magic protected 'Adam's' body from manifesting many scars, there were times that 'Adam' had to explain unexplainable injuries. He-Man needed his knuckles to be unscathed as 'Adam' would be holding many debutantes in his arms tonight as he whirled them around the dance floor.

Deciding that a stealthy climb up the side of Snake Mountain would be his best approach, He-Man flexed his knuckles before beginning his ascend. Taking hold of the rocky terrain, he pulled his muscled body upwards using his feet as leverage as he scaled the monolith. Using his super upper body strength, the transformed prince inched his way higher and higher as he made his way towards the top of Snake Mountain. Within minutes, he reached the mountain's mid-level platform. Jumping off the wall, He-Man used this time to take a sip of water from his canteen. Looking towards the heavens as he dipped his head backwards to drink, he eyed a glass cage teetering precariously on a sharp ledge about 200 feet above him. With his keen eyesight, He-Man discerned that there was a figure inside the enclosure. His eyes widened when he noticed it was Cringer.

Taking a step forward, he halted in his steps when he heard a ferocious growl. Looking behind him, He-Man was met with the fierce face of a huge Shadow Beast three times the champion's height and He-Man was a tall man standing almost seven feet in height. The blonde warrior realized that this was Skeletor's way of impeding his progress to reach Cringer. Having no options, he knew he would have to fight the hirsute beast which he was sure was under the mind control of Beastman. Caught in between Snake Mountain's wall and the beast, He-Man had no choice but to fight the Shadow Beast. Reaching behind him to unsheathe his sword, He-man realized that he was a second to late before the Shadow Beast reached forward and grabbed him around the waist. Raising his arms over his head, the Shadow Beast violently shook his arms with He-Man flaying wildly in the early morning sky. Luckily, his strong hands continued to maintain his grip on the Power Sword. Engaging his mighty triceps, He-Man brought his gleaming sword over his head as he aimed to amputate the beast's arms. A millisecond before the Power Sword made contact with the beast's limbs, He-Man heard the whir of an engine. Stalling his movements, man and beast turned their heads towards the sound of the engine. He-man was sure it was another surprise attack sprung on him from Skeletor. He was pleasantly surprised when he discerned that the whir came from a SkySled sporting the Royal Family's crest of armor. The familiar blue and green colors quickly made their way closer to He-man and the now doubly enraged beast. As the Shadow Beast shook him violently once again, He-Man swung his arms back over his head for a second strike.

"No He-Man, don't", he heard Teela yell as she somersaulted off the SkySled to land directly next to the Shadow Beast.

Stilling his movements, he watched as his childhood friend inched her way even closer to the mangy beast her arms outstretched in front of her protectively. With the soothing voice he heard her speak to a creature such as this during yesterday's carnival, He-Man marveled at the effect her confident soft voice had on the creature. To his surprise and relief, the Shadow Beast stopped shaking him in the air and seemed to be comprehending Teela's pleas.

"That's right." "Put He-Man down, he won't hurt you", she consoled as she closed the space between them. Laying a soft hand on the beast's massive thigh, she looked up into its ferocious vintage as she smiled at him. Nodding her head for encouragement, she continued speaking to the beast in a soft reassuring voice until it did her bidding.

Within seconds of Teela's arrival, He-Man was free. He was extremely thankful for her intervention. As she smiled up at the beast, He-Man felt a pang of jealousy that her beauteous smile was directed at the beast rather than on him. Stepping away from the beast just in case he decided he wasn't done scrambling his brains around as if they were egg yolks getting whipped together for an omelet, He-Man watched as Teela continued calming the beast until it felt secure enough to disappear.

Once alone, Teela turned to He-Man a concerned look marring her stunning features. Teela was extremely angry. She had arrived within Snake Mountain's territory almost 15 minutes ago, encircling Skeletor's adobe from above looking from Prince Adam. When she heard the Shadow Beast's growl, she quickly followed the noise to come upon He-Man.

No Prince Adam.

Sure, that she hadn't missed him she addressed Grayskull's Warrior first. "Where's Adam?", she queried.

"Oh, he's safe", He-Man replied easily. That was his standard response to Teela's questioning about 'his' whereabouts. He followed his response asking her "What are you doing here?"

"Orko told me Adam was coming here to get Cringer", she answered. "I've been here a while and haven't seen him."

"You won't", he replied nonchalantly.

At her perplexed look, he explained further. "I send him back to the Palace", he lied. He-man hated how easy it was becoming for him to lie to Teela.

Now Teela was really confused. She didn't meet Adam on her way over here. There was only one flight path between Eternos and Snake Mountain and nowhere did she meet up with her charge.

"Are you certain?", she asked.

Surprised that she was questioning him, something that Teela never did when he was in this form he challenged "Are you calling me a liar?"

Shaking her head vehemently, she replied "No." "It's just that I just came way of the Palace and didn't run into him." "I'm worried about him."

Time being of the essence, Teela's response annoyed He-Man. He was wasting valuable time arguing about his 'own' whereabouts while Cringer was dangling over the side of Snake Mountain. Wanting to get rid of Teela as quickly as possible he responded, "Prince Adam doesn't need a babysitter", and turned to walk away from his childhood friend. Although years had passed since his father pegged a bodyguard on him, Adam still hated the fact that he couldn't go about his daily life without someone always following him around.

Freezing at her audible intake of breath, He-Man turned his head around to gaze at her crestfallen face. He knew he hurt her. Teela was so peculiar. As a warrior and captain, she was a fiercely strong combatant who didn't shy away from blood and gore. She could give as good as she took, often hanging around with tough men on the battlefield. But every now and then she let those around her now that she was also a gently bread young lady who expected others to treat her as such. He-Man's problem was that he never knew how to treat her and how she would react to his treatment. It was hard, working with her as a comrade in arms and then switching his tactics to deal with her as his bodyguard and friend. Today was no different. In a way, he was thrilled that Teela came after 'him'. However, he was unsure if it was because she truly cared for Adam or if it was because she honestly thought the Prince couldn't take care of himself. Oftentimes, he was extremely close to asking her pointblank to tell him how she felt. Nevertheless, he kept putting it off until the right time. The problem was that there never was the right time.

Teela stared after him as he walked away from her. Shocked, confused, and hurt she turned to climb onboard her SkySled once more. 'He didn't even thank me for saving his ass!', she thought inwardly. With a final look at the bronzed warrior, she revved up the vehicle's throttle and took to the sky. As she flew, anger blossomed inside of her at his rudeness. 'Who does he think he is?', she mused.

A wry smirk escaped her plump lips. "He's Eternia's Champion, that's who", she answered herself. Teela knew he was a busy man, his importance to Eternia paramount to everyone's well-being. She should have thanked him for coming after Cringer rather than question his integrity.

"Now, where did that thought come from?", she questioned as she flew the SkySled over and around Snake Mountain. "Is He-man here to retrieve Cringer?", she thought to herself. He had told her that he send Adam home, but he didn't clearly state that he was there in lieu of the Prince. Knowing that Skeletor would do anything to capture He-Man, Teela decided not to leave. Whether He-Man wanted her around, she would stay to offer him her aide. Landing on a level closer to the mountain's peak, she jumped off the SkySled and made her way closer to Snake Mountain.

At the same time, He-Man had reached the same level. Seeing him, Teela decided to keep her presence hid from him. She wanted to see with her own eyes if he was there to rescue Cringer and whether or not Adam was still around. Hiding behind a massive boulder, she crouched low as she played voyeur.

Teela watched as He-Man approached Skeletor's abode. She watched as he tipped his head upwards as if looking for something high above. Following his movements, Teela raised her eyes to gaze at the next level of Snake Mountain. There at the precipice above He-Man's head, she was able to discern Cringer being held captive within a glass cage. Seeing the timid cat enclosed and tittering ready to fall, Teela's heart jumped into her mouth. If the cage tipped over, Cringer would not survive the fall. Fear for her friend had her gripping the boulder tightly. Lowering her head, she saw that He-Man was now standing only about 10 feet away from where he would be able to grab a hold of the mountain's walls to begin his ascend once more.

With bated breath, she watched as Cringer seemed to be talking to He-Man. Off course there was no way that the warrior would be able to hear him. Despite all of Grayskull's Warrior superpowers, it wasn't like he had supersonic hearing. Teela watched as Cringer became visibly upset the closer He-Man got to the wall. She knew that meant only one thing. Cringer was probably trying to warn He-Man of a trap. As she made the mental connection, she heard He-Man yell "Hold on Cringe, stop moving!", as the agitated tiger began pacing nervously within the cage.

Teela watched as He-Man's words did nothing to stop Cringer from pacing back and forth. Teela knew that the large cat couldn't hear He-Man. With every step closer that He-Man took, the more Cringer paced. The more he paced, the wobblier the cage got. In awe, she watched as Cringer purposefully reached the back of the cage and then with speed, she didn't know he had made a mad rush to the front of the cage. No sooner had Cringer reached the front of the cage than the entire encloser tipped over the ledge.

With eyes wide, He-Man and Teela watched as Cringer free fell down the side of Snake Mountain. Quickly overcoming his shock, He-Man sprang into action. He knew that if he didn't act promptly, Cringer would not survive the fall. Looking left and right and seeing the coast was clear, the blonde warrior reached behind his head to withdraw his Power Sword. Holding it high above his head in his right hand, he yelled the words that gave him his awesome powers. "By the Power of Grayskull", the litany boomed loudly in the morning air. Immediately, long strings of blinding lightning bolts leapt from the sky radiating down the length of his sword before abating. No sooner had the lightning entered the sword, then He-man pointed the tip of the sword in Cringer's direction.

Behind the boulder, Teela stood stock still. Watching He-Man's actions she wondered what he was going to do. Thinking that He-Man must have a newfound power of opening dimensional portals with his sword, she watched as the lighting enveloped the glass cage shattering it before alighting upon Cringer. To her extreme bafflement Teela watched as the prince's pet was magically transformed into the mighty BattleCat.