The moons of Etheria were clouded over heavily this night. "It seems quite fitting," thought Shadow Weaver to herself. For months, she and the Eternian spell caster Evil-Lyn had conceived the plan to be carried out this very night. The two women had much in common, including their strong dislike of their respective world's "evil tyrant." However, Shadow Weaver had found a spell that could cure all their problems and put both women into power.
The Curse of Kallahar dated back to Eternia and Etheria's very beginnings. As the legends read, an Eternian ruler named Yarnesh married his queen, the Etherian Kallahar. However, a few months into the marriage, Yarnesh began an affair with a young Eternian peasant girl named Likkinia. When Kallahar found out, she became furious. As the queen also dabbled in the magic arts, she turned to sorcery to cure her problems. Drawing upon the natural energies of both worlds, she brought sickness and fatigue to all Eternian and Etherian men. Only through the power of a troupe of female magicians was Kallahar's curse removed, and the queen executed for her wrongdoing.
Shadow Weaver knew that in the present day, the energies of both planets were highly unstable- trying to channel them could end up destroying them. Therefore, she had called upon Evil-Lyn for help. With the Bilzyte Crystal, a natural conductor of energy, both women could directly channel their own magic through the relic and recreate the curse.
There were other necessities as well. Shadow Weaver had disposed Catra to collect the blood of an Etherian man, which would bind the curse to all men. Also needed was a handful of soil from each world. The combination of the soil and blood would be the physical representation of the mystical evil.
Suddenly, a burst of blue energy appeared in Shadow Weaver's chambers. Through it walked Evil-Lyn. "I got tired of waiting, Weaver."
"I understand, Evil-Lyn," replied Shadow Weaver. "As soon as my fellow-"
The opening of the chamber doors cut the witch off. Through them walked the women of the Horde: Catra, Scorpia, Entrapta, and Octa. "Is dis where da magic show is?" asked Scorpia.
"Silence!" bellowed Shadow Weaver. "We are ready to begin." The witch moved her hands in a circle, and the face of the table at which she stood became illuminated. Next, Evil-Lyn undid the strings on the small pouches of soil and dumped them out onto the table. Shadow Weaver then poured the blood that Catra had collected onto the soil. After placing the Bilzyte Crystal on the table, both women closed their eyes and grasped Evil-Lyn's staff.
"Power of the scorned, we call to you," spoke Shadow Weaver.
"Help us to avenge our suffering at the hands of those who rule falsely," followed Evil-Lyn.
"Kallahar, embodiment of strength, aid us in our struggle," both women chanted in unison. Suddenly, a strong wind sprang up in the room. The four women watching the enchantment braced themselves with their arms in front of their faces. Shadow Weaver and Evil-Lyn stood motionless, eyes still closed. The face of the table began to glow a dark green, and suddenly the table became an hourglass with the blood and soil mixture inside.
A powerful, female voice echoed throughout the room. "Avenge me, my sisters. As long as this hourglass remains spinning, your reign shall be everlasting." Slowly, the hourglass began to spin end over end. Shadow Weaver and Evil-Lyn both opened their eyes. Weaver motioned to the wall, and a small alcove appeared. In this she placed the hourglass, concealing it from those who would wish to break the spell.
"We have succeeded!" shouted Evil-Lyn gleefully.
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Prince Adam stood back from the work he had just completed. The village of Gnorgath had recently been damaged by a battle between He-Man and Skeletor. Adam, who secretly possessed the mantle of He-Man, felt obligated to help the townspeople however he could.
Suddenly, a feeling of great fatigue fell over him. Adam felt his knees begin to give out. Luckily he was able to steady himself, and began to look for his trusted companion Cringer, who fought alongside him as Battle Cat. Adam found the cat lapping milk from a dish given to him by a young girl, who was in turn stroking the back of his neck. "Cr...Cringer…" muttered Adam weakly. Cringer looked up from his bowl, and was alarmed at Adam's weakened state. Gently brushing the girl aside and nuzzling her as a thank you, Cringer bounded over to Adam. "Cringer…I…I…" Adam collapsed to the ground. Cringer was distressed and began to roar loudly, hoping his companion would awaken.
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"Blast you, She-ra!" exclaimed Mantenna. The Hordesman had been transporting stolen Rebel supplies to the Fright Zone when She-ra intervened.
"Now Mantenna, I don't believe you asked permission to take those, am I right?" mocked She-ra.
"You won't be leaving here today, Rebel!" Mantenna extended his large, yellow eyes and fired Distortion beams at She-ra, which the warrior easily dodged.
"You'll have to do better than that!"
"Believe me, I…" Mantenna suddenly fell to his knees. "I…some sort of…Rebel…trick…" the villain said as he succumbed to unconsciousness. She-ra was puzzled; sure, Mantenna wasn't the brightest or most ferocious member of the Horde, but he never made an excuse to run from a fight. Unsheathing her sword and holding it in front of her, She-ra made her way towards Mantenna. For all she knew, this could be some kind of trap.
"She-ra! She-ra! It's me, Madame- Broom! Watch where you're going! Left! Evasive maneuvers! Duck and cover!" She-ra turned to see Madame Razz and Broom flying right at her head. Falling to the ground, She-ra heard the all too familiar sound of the magical duo hitting a tree head on. "Broom…we've gotta have a little talk," said Madame Razz as she stood up and brushed the dirt off of her clothes.
"Madame, Broom- what seems to be the trouble?"
"Oh Dearie My, She-ra, it's terrible. People are dropping like rocks all over Etheria, but the strange thing is that they're all men. No women have been affected by it at all." She-ra's eyes widened in shock.
"ALL men?" she asked.
"Every last one. But they're not dying- it's like they're falling into a deep sleep that they can't wake from."
"How are villagers reacting?"
"They're pretty calm, so far," replied Madame. "Queen Angella is calling for all female warriors of the Great Rebellion to convene at Castle Brightmoon at moonrise tonight."
"Do we know if this predicament has affected the Horde as well?"
"Angella has sent spies to the Fright Zone to investigate- they will be reporting at the assembly tonight."
"It sounds like Angella has taken charge quite efficiently. We are going to need contingency plans, however. Madame, fly back to Brightmoon and let her know that Adora will soon be arriving." She-ra watched Madame and Broom fly off. When they were out of sight, she held her sword in front of her face. "Sorceress- can you hear me?"
"Yes, She-ra," the mystic said as the image of her face appeared in the jewel of She-ra's sword. "I believe I know why you have contacted me."
"Then you know about this strange epidemic?"
"Sadly it has also taken root here in Eternia, striking down friends and foes alike," replied the Sorceress.
"Sorceress…my father…Adam-"
"They have been affected along with millions of others. Your brother will be unable to assist you in battle, Adora. As He-man is incapacitated, you are now the sole protector of Castle Grayskull."
"Has my mother assumed control of Eternos?"
"She and Teela are working as best they can to keep order throughout the planet."
"Queen Angella is convening everyone at Brightmoon this evening, Sorceress."
"Angella must contact your mother for aid- I cannot leave Grayskull, now more than ever. Skeletor and Hordak may be helpless, but do not forget their allies- Evil-Lyn, Shadow Weaver, and many other members of the Horde are capable of evils just as great. I must use all my power to maintain and protect the castle. Do not forget, She-ra, that it is now your task to defend Grayskull should it ever be threatened. If I should call upon you, be prepared to venture into Eternia for the sake of both our worlds."
"I will not forget, Sorceress- you have my word."
"I trust you, She-ra. Now more than ever you must use your gifts to hold your people together. I will assist you where I can, and do not be afraid to contact me for guidance. In order to help you begin your quest, I have asked Man-at-Arms to bring me Adam's Sword of Power. She-ra, hold your sword aloft and say 'By the power of Grayskull, two are now one.'"
She-ra did as she was told. A bolt of lightning struck her sword, and She-ra felt an intense amount of energy flow through her, affecting every last fiber of her being. As the feeling faded, She-ra noticed that the jewel of her sword had transformed into a diamond emblem of Grayskull.
"I have bound the Sword of Power to the Sword of Protection. When you transform from Adora to She-ra, you will possess He-man's abilities as well as your own. But be warned, this does not render you impervious to harm. Now, She-ra- join your fellow Etherians at Brightmoon. The fate of two worlds rests upon the efforts of you and your comrades. Good journey ."