Hey, it's been a while, hasn't it? Life has a funny way of moving forward, and soon enough, you realize just how long it's been since you posted a chapter! No promises, I'm afraid. I have no idea how long it will be to the next chapter, but I'll try at least!

-GammaZero

Adam's POV

"AAAAAH! WHAT THE HELL IS THAT!?"

Right in front of me was what could only be described as a hideous looking, massive sand-worm. The main question in my mind, however, was WHAT THE HELL IS A GIANT SAND-WORM DOING IN THE MIDDLE OF A FOREST!? Something wasn't right here, but I had little time to consider the implications. The creature jumped at me as soon as I let out that scream, intending to devour me whole, bones and all. I wasn't one to go down without a fight, though.

"Cringer, stay back! If memory serves, things like this worm are sensitive to noise, so don't make a sou—aaa!"

Just as I said that, the creature took the opportunity to make another attempt on my life.

"HEY! I'm trying to talk here, ya overgrown earthworm! Take this! 53 69 7A 65 3A 20 32 30 0A 53 68 61 72 70 6E 65 73 73 3A 20 32 30 0A 53 70 65 65 64 3A 20 33 30…Ice Spear!"

Knowing that this creature was from a desert region, I decided to use ice to bring a swift end to this. Unfortunately while it did a lot in the way of damage, it also severely pissed the worm off, throwing it into a frenzy! Grass, bark, wood, and dirt were thrown everywhere as the worm tore up its surroundings in an effort to kill me. My actions were, at that point, more instinct drilled into me by Man-At-Arms. Watch its segments, predict where it went, dodge, cast, and repeat. This was the plan, until the worm got a little too violent for my tastes. A yelp rang out, as I realized that the worm hit cringer in its rampage. I was less annoyed now, and more at the point of being absolutely livid.

"I've just about had it with your bullshit, worm….you hit me, that's fine. DON'T YOU DARE HIT CRINGER!"

My eyes began to glow a cool and steely blue, as the whole of my cirmagic power began to overflow. Perhaps sensing its impending doom, the worm reeled back, and looked to be considering escape. Sorry pal, no such luck would be found. I was about to bring a new Ice Age, and this thing would be the unlucky one to experience it.

That's what I though would happen, until I head a battle cry ring out, and the worm's head was cut off moments later. As soon as I realized it was dead, I ran to Cringer's side.

"You ok buddy?"

"Grweor...rar-grr-rwar" ….I'll take that as "I've been better".

"Hold on; I'll get you fixed up in no time! 4C 69 76 69 6E 67 20 66 6F 72 63 65 20 6F 66 20 61 6C 6C 2C 20 6D 65 6E 64 20 66 6C 65 73 68 20 61 6E 64 20 62 6F 6E 65 20 66 72 6F 6D 20 62 61 74 74 6C 65 73 20 77 6F 6E 20 61 6E 64 20 6C 6F 73 74: Healing Rain!"

What appeared to be streaks of rain-shaped energy passed over my loyal friend, and soon, with a little effort, he was standing and back to normal.

"How're you feeling now? Are you hurt anywhere else?"

With a shake of his feline head, he more or less indicated that he was okay. However, it was then that I realized he was staring at our, until recently, unseen benefactor. Turning to see who it was that beheaded the beast, I was shocked at what I beheld. A young woman, no older than myself (or younger for that matter), clad in white, with holden armor and a golden helmet (diadem?). She held herself with strength and resolve, seemingly unshaken by the events that took place. Her gaze was steely and focused, until it turned to us. Her eyes softened a bit, and she approached us with steady stride.

"Are you two ok? You really should be careful trekking out here! This was a desert until recently, so there still may be sand-worms and other dangerous things around."

She had spoken, but I wasn't really paying attention…no, not in that way! Something about her…no, something about that sword she was using seemed familiar somehow. Not that she herself wasn't; the way she looked reminded me of mom for some weird reason. That sword, however….I wonder if nostalgic would be the right term? How can that be though; I've never seen it before!

"Finally we caught up to…you."

A second voice chimed in, snapping mem out of my dazed state. This was another young woman, with two others at her side. She seemed to have feline features, like cat ears and a tail. One of the others was a man with pale skin, dark hair, and keen eyes. It felt like he was taking in every detail of this situation. The other person was another young woman with pink hair that…she was standing on?! How does that work? Is it some kind of nanotech or-ya know what, I was getting off track there for a moment. It was at this point the rest of her group spoke up.

"It would seem you made it in the nick of time." keen-eyes remarked.

The pink-haired woman spoke next "Yeah, otherwise the worm woulda gobbled them up!"

The cat-woman, however, seemed less than pleased with my presence here.

"Hey, kid" Kid? We're the same age and height, damnit!

"You wanna gawk at something, gawk at the trees. Eyes to yourself."

I'm getting the feeling that woman is the jealous type. Are she and the swordswoman together or something?

"Catra! He's probably just a bit shaken up from getting attacked; give him a break!"

At that point, I thought it was now time to butt in before any more misconceptions could be made.

"Actually, I was just impressed with her swordplay; it was pretty damn clean! Sorry for staring, I'm pr-Adam. Sorry, I'm Adam; and this here's my pet and loyal friend Cringer!"

Telling people I'm a prince is probably not a good idea; especially since I have no clue where in Eternia I am!

"Nice to meet you, Adam! I'm Adora, and this little ball of sunshine and joy is my girlfriend Catra. The girl with the pink hair is Entrapta, and this guy over here is Hordak-"

"HORDAK?!"

Immediately, I readied my staff to blast this abomination into oblivion. I should have known it was too good to be true, meeting nice people out of seemingly nowhere! From what I studied of Eternia's history, this was the worst person I could encounter!

"Wait, wait, it's okay, he's good now!"

Stopping just before casting, I looked at Adora with confusion. Hordak steps forward, and begins to speak his piece.

"I understand that this must be confusing, and even unbelievable. However, what she says is true. Once, I was the most feared being throughout Etheria, but after meeting the original Horde Prime and finding my own truth, I've come to realize the error of my ways. If you cannot trust me, I understand, but please give me the chance to prove that I mean you no harm."

I eyed this man carefully, seeking any falsehood in what he said. To my surprise, I could find none.

"Okay, I'll give you a chance, but trust is earned and not given." Wait, he mentioned a…

"Say, you said Horde Prime?"

"Yes, I am a clone of his, although a failed one."

Hmm….that explains one thing. But….did he say….

"Oh ok, I guess that makes sense. Also, I really need you to repeat the last part you said."

Cocking his head to the side, Hordak asked "Which part?"

"You said you were feared all throughout some place; which place was that?"

A little caught off guard, her replied "All of Etheria, really."

My mind raced with all the information I had learned from years of study. Etheria was lost to the darkness of Despondos…if that's true then…

"That's what I though you said; let me offer this as a rebuttal:"

Adora's POV

The mage promptly fainted, and faceplanted right into the dirt.

"A real charmer, isn't he?"

"Really, hon?" Rolling my eyes at my girlfriend's remark, I walk over to Adam to pick him up, hoping to find someplace to help him rest and recuperate. At that moment, his big-cat friend jumps over Adam and growls at me, while also obviously shaking in fear. Even terrified, he was trying to protect Adam. He really is a loyal friend, isn't he?

"Don't worry, we won't hurt him, but lying on the floor isn't going to do him any good. Please, let us help him."

After seeming to pause to consider what I said, Cringer cautiously walked backward, eyes on us but allowing access to Adam. It was then that Hordak walks over to Adam, and frowns upon seeing his state.

"Adora, I don't think this is exhaustion alone. Yes, he likely exhausted his magical reserves, but the color in his cheeks, the form of his arms and body, and the color of the rest of his skin as well... I've seen this before; he has a birth condition. I'm not sure which one, but what I am certain of is that his condition may worsen if we do not give immediate aid. This holds especially true if he used all of his magical power. I propose we take him back to Entrapta's and my house. We have the tools to aid him better there."

"So wait" Catra spoke up "We're just going to help some guy we just met? How do we know he won't just turn on us once he's at your house?"

Knowing she was just trying to protect us, I decided to explain.

"Kat, I understand you're just being cautious, but from what I understand if he doesn't get help, he could die. Is that about right, Hordak?"

"I would say it's within possibility given his preexisting condition, yes."

"…Ok, when you put it like that 'Dora, I guess there's really no choice, is there? Let's go, then."

With that, Hordak took Adam on his back, and the rest of us made for Entrapta and Hordak's place. What Catra didn't know, and I chose not to say, was that Adam wasn't the only one staring. Something within me felt as though it had changed. Also, it struck me as odd that Adam had a sword on his hip. Wasn't he a mage? Why did he need one if he was? Maybe it was just me, but it felt like I'd seen that blade somewhere before. It gave me a feeling, like melancholy and joy at the same time. Whatever these feelings were, they would have to wait. Making sure he was ok was top priority now.