Disclaimer in one
FINALE

One year later.

The Royal Palace...

Prince Adam removed the royal medallion he wore for special occasions and placed it back in its box on his dresser. He looked in the mirror and awed at the fact that he was already finding a stray gray hair here and there.

He wasn't old, he had just lived more than most men his age. He half smiled and sat down in the nearby chair.

The wedding ceremony had gone smoothly. Everyone finally seemed to be happy and content.

Eternia was once again a place of peace and prosperity. There was of course the occasional rabble-rouser, but that was to be expected. It was nothing the guard or one of the Defenders hadn't been able to handle.

He was grateful to find himself back in a place where He-Man wasn't needed every other second of the day. He was content just being Prince Adam. In a few months, it would be King Adam, as his father had told him he was ready to abdicate the throne so that he and the queen could spend their retirement without the hassles of politics.

He didn't mind though. He felt ready, he had found peace in his life. Earlier that very day, he stood in front of hundreds of people and watched as his best friend and teacher, Duncan, finally found what he had been looking for.

Adam smiled as he remembered the look on Duncan's face as he and the Sorceress, now known as Teelina, had exchanged vows of marriage.

They deserved to be happy, and he was glad they found it in each other.

Adacan was growing like a weed. Adam chuckled at the premonitions of trouble he saw his vivacious young son getting into.

He thought about how he had almost lost him a year ago and he frowned a bit. For some reason, the memory of the battle was fuzzy to him. No one ever discussed it, Adora always said she preferred not to rehash the horrible day, and the Defenders seemed to be in the same boat he was.

They knew there was a battle, and the Sorceress had saved the day. But there were pieces missing to the puzzle. But for her actions, she lost her powers and became a mere mortal. No one really knew how or why she was able to come back, since she was presumed dead so many years before. But when asked about it, she merely smiled and said it was as it was supposed to be.

Adam rubbed his head. It didn't matter anymore though. It was finally over and after that day, he found a great weight eased off his shoulders. He met each day with optimism and a new respect for life.

He and Adacan had spent more time together and Adam saw many of his own traits in his son. He also started to recognize the traits that came from Erin.

He remembered a dream he had shortly after the battle. He was standing in a field surrounded by strange green trees. It was bright and very quiet.

On the other side of the field stood Erin, dressed in white, waving to him. He ran towards her and they embraced. It was short lived however, for soon he awoke and found that his mangled hand that once bore the scar of her death, was healed and returned to normal.

Adam looked out the window. Things changed for him after that. He had removed the wall around her gravesite and had the statue replaced with a beautiful white marble fountain. The statue of the sad princess didn't seem to belong there anymore. He was resolved in the idea that wherever she was, she was at peace, just as he was now. They would be together again someday, but for now...he had the rest of his life to live and he intended to do it to the fullest.

He had one regret, though.

He had ventured out to Grayskull a couple of times after the great battle. He had hoped to embrace some kind of relationship again with Teela. He remembered his actions that led up to that day and it burdened his heart that they remained unresolved.

However, every time he went to see her, she seemed distant and avoided his questions. He once tried to put his hand on her shoulder and she jerked away as if his touch were toxic.

After that, he hadn't gone back. That was many months ago.

Man-At-Arms once told him that she would someday come around. Adam hoped in his heart he was right.

Until that day though, he had many other responsibilities to attend to.

The sun started to set on the Eternian plains and Adam closed his eyes and took a deep breath, taking in the sounds of the wedding celebration that was still going on in the courtyard below.

Behind him the door opened and a young blonde head poked in. Adacan didn't say anything. He just walked over to the window and sat on the sill, with his feet dangling over the edge.

Adam opened his eyes and walked over to his son.

"Is Duncan going to stay here Dad?" Adacan asked inquisitively. "Or is he and Teelina going to move away?"

Adam chuckled and put his hand on his son's shoulder.

"I think they are here to stay," he laughed. "But they both deserve a vacation...everyone needs time alone once in a while."

Adacan scratched his head.

"Yeah," he said flatly. "I guess so...Too bad they're not taking Leva with them. All she ever does is pick on me."

Adam smiled and remembered a time when a young red-headed girl used to chase him around the courtyard.

"Don't worry Adacan," he said warmly. "This will always get better."

*************

Grayskull....

Zodac stood on one of Grayskull's towers and looked out onto the horizon. He held his hands behind his back and chuckled.

Behind him, Teela also stared solemnly.

"What is it you find so funny?" she asked dryly. "This is no laughing matter."

Zodac turned and walked back into the castle, Teela following a few feet behind him.

"It's funny how things turn out isn't it?" he chuckled as he walked down the steps and into a hallway. "I mean, to look at the land around here, you'd never think a battle of such epic proportions took place on this very ground. It's truly amazing."

Teela scowled and walked into her private chambers and looked out the window.

For her actions that day, the counsel had granted her a reprieve and she was allowed to continue as the Sorceress of Grayskull. Her powers were restored, her destiny-so to speak-was back on track.

Well, sort of.

Zodac walked about the room laughing still. His constant giggles were grating on Teela's nerves.

"Why are you so damn happy?" she said angrily. "I can't see where you find joy in this matter."

Zodac stopped and his black eyes got wide.

"Why Sorceress Teela, what reason do I have not to be happy?" he grinned. "Or do you, for that matter?"

Teela sighed. She had plenty of reasons to be happy. Her mother and father were united. She had her job back. Her friends were all alive and healthy. And once more, Eternia was at peace.

It was the ideal situation.

For a long time it hadn't been. There had been a gaping hole in her heart that she feared never would be filled.

She longed to be with Adam, but she vowed to the counsel never to allow that to happen. She had made Grayskull her priority and she aimed to keep it that way. For it was prophesized that one day, after many, years of peace, evil would once again return to Eternia. She had to be ready for that.

But her job didn't fill her chest with warmth and make her mind spin like he did. She tried to make herself grow cold inside, as cold as the castle itself.

But something interfered with her plans. And now she felt complete again. It wasn't to be however.

She sighed and looked at Zodac.

"You really should enjoy this down time while you have it, Teela," Zodac urged as he walked near her. "We both know that someday, you will not have that luxury again."

She rolled her eyes.

"Why do you always have to be so passive?" she asked and walked past him toward the shadow near her bed. "I mean, there are things that I still need to tend to."

Zodac shook his head and chuckled again.

"I swear, you are the moodiest woman in the universe," he laughed. "I would think that phase would have passed by now."

Teela turned and walked back towards him with a squirming bundle in her arms.

Zodac's laughter slowed to a stop and he frowned as Teela approached him with the child.

"You were serious, weren't you?" he gaped. "You actually want me to take your child away from here?"

Tears formed in Teela's eye. She now realized how hard it must have been for her mother when this time had come.

"Yes," she said holding back her tears. "I can't take the slightest chance of endangering him by keeping him here."

She handed perplexed Zodac the squirming bundle. She reached out and kissed his tiny cheek.

"Teela," Zodac chided softly. "It doesn't have to be this way...you know you have friends and family that would help you."

She frowned. She had concealed her pregnancy from everyone, her parents, the Defenders, Adam. Only Zodac ever knew.

"You should tell him," Zodac continued. "He should know about his son."

Teela's eyes blazed and she snapped.

"Do not tell me how to handle this!" she scolded. "Adam, has a son..one who's destiny is foretold. I cannot interfere in that!"

Zodac looked as the child in his arms began to wake. He looked at her again.

"And what of this child's destiny?" he asked. "Do you care nothing for him?"

The floodgates opened and Teela fell to her knees sobbing.

"How can you ask that," she sobbed. "This is killing me inside, but it must be this way. You know that and I know that."

Zodac nodded for what she was saying was true. Even though he didn't like it, even though it wasn't his place to care, even though he wasn't supposed to get involved..he couldn't fight it anymore.

"I will do, as you wish," he conceded. "I shall take the child to the counsel and ask permission to raise him in the great halls. He will be brought up with the unlimited knowledge of the universe. You have my word."

Teela wiped her eyes and nodded. Slowly, she stood back up and regained her composure.

"Do not return here with him until the time comes," she said hoarsely. "Until it's time for him to join his brother in the fight against the dark powers."

Zodac nodded.

"Despite the dark predictions, the future is a promising one, Teela," Zodac soothed as his portal slowly opened behind him. "Two warriors, one of unlimited power and one of unlimited knowledge. The forces of evil don't stand a chance."

Teela nodded as she watched Zodac turn and walk toward the portal.

"Just make sure that he knows his mother loves him," she begged as she turned her back to them. She couldn't bear the thought of watching her son being taken away.

Zodac stepped into the portal. As he did he turned one last time.

"I promise that your son, young Tarian, will be protected and cared for," he said proudly. "You have my word."

With that, Zodac disappeared into the portal carrying away Teela's legacy.

Teela felt the portal closed and then turned to face out the window again. The Eternian moons were full and bright, just as the future of Eternia was.

"The day will come," she told herself strongly. "And when it does, we'll be ready again."