Chapter Three
"Dawn, Dusk and Dawn Again"
Marlena stood atop one of the towers of Grayskull and looked out upon the horizon, the stars starting to twinkle away, the moons moving from view, as if all were being chased by the dawning sun. She had cried a few times, out of both shock and regret. Her neck was still bruised from Randor's attempt to kill her.
The man she loved.
The man she still loved. Marlena sighed and let her head drop, tears now flowing freely from her eyes. Changing half of the entire planet . . . it seemed so impossible. To change it back was the task before her, but how? What could she do? She was but a mere human? Marlena hoped for Rokkon and Stonedar as they journeyed through space, in the vain hope of finding Zodak.
Her thoughts reeled to Adam and Adora, whose revelation was shocking. She had the hardest time wrapping her mind around the fact that He-Man and She-Ra were her children. Marlena had suspected it, to an extent, but never honestly considered it.
"Your majesty?" came the light voice of the Sorceress.
Marlena turned around. "Yes?"
"I have been able to contact Etheria. Your daughter and the entire Great Rebellion will be teleported here in the afternoon."
Marlena nodded. "My daughter . . . I'm still getting over it."
"I know. My apologies, Queen Marlena, for telling you in such a manner. But the time for pretenses is over."
Marlena nodded once more and walked over to the keeper of Castle Grayskull. "I know. I understand. It's just hard for me to comprehend," she returned. "You're looking better, though?"
"The power of Grayskull has been tainted by the Spirit of Evil. He-Man - Prince Adam - has been greatly altered by the power of the Spirit of Evil. Adora, because she was not here when the wave hit, remains safe from its effects."
"That's good," Marlena replied. "At least one other of my family is normal."
Sorceress nodded and smiled a bit. "She is what keeps Grayskull from being completely corrupted. She is the hope on the horizon."
Marlena nodded a little. "This is what you meant, isn't it? When Hordak and Keldor tried to take the children, and ended up Adora. I remember what you said. 'Their destiny is greater; greater than so many others on Eternia. They will be the forgers of fate.' This is what you meant."
"Yes. It is. The Elders knew of them and I think even the Ancients knew that it was going to happen. Good and evil, Queen Marlena, are two of the most vital things here on Eternia. Your children . . . they are fighting in something far greater than you or I. But, milady, I shall not stand here and diminish the roles of anyone else on Eternia. Indeed, all our lives touch each others, sometimes changing things in ways we often don't know about."
Marlena looked at Sorceress for a long time, soaking in each word. The Sorceress, instead, was looking out to the horizon, the sun coming over the tree-lined horizon, spreading it's light across the rough field below. The two stood in silence, in the middle of this everyday experience. Marlena felt as though a great burden had been lifted off the Sorceress' shoulders, but a haunting look was still in her eyes.
My God, thought Marlena, she's lost a daughter too.
"Teela," Sorceress said then, and then looked to Marlena. "My power is weak and I can not see her. I worry for her." And then, as if suddenly realizing what she said, Sorceress turned back to Marlena. "I worry for all of Eternia."
"As . . . as do I."
The Sorceress gave Marlena a small smile, touched her hand, and then walked down the nearby stairs, leaving Marlena alone on the tower.
***
The trees swayed heavily as Sorrowful bounded through. The large dragon kept tripping over and shrubs, sending Twiggets running in fear of being squashed.
"In-coming!" yelled Bow.
Sorrowful leapt and attempted to fly through the last amount of trees, but ended completely collapsing, falling right on his face in the shadow of Brightmoon. She-Ra mustered a smile at the sight, but the smile immediately faded.
The entire Great Rebellion had gathered here at Brightmoon for transportation to Eternia. Some of them question this mission to protect Grayskull, but most of them agreed that if an evil Randor were to gain access to Castle Grayskull, things were be far worse for Etheria. An evil Eternia could not be tolerated, especially if that evil would be setting its sights for Etheria.
"She-Ra," Angella said then, pulling the blond female warrior from her thoughts.
"Yes, your highness?"
"The former general has arrived," Angella replied. From behind her came General Sunder. Formerly the Horde's most successful leader, Sunder had defected. She-Ra was a bit surprised to see him, but pleased none the less.
"I am going with you," Sunder said.
"Are you sure? I heard you had a child on the way."
"She-Ra, I was the one that let Extendar and Snout Spout escape that day last year. I didn't let them go free just to see them become evil once more," Sunder replied. "I will bring them to justice. I will help you."
She-Ra smiled and nodded. "Okay then. Queen Angella? Are they all assembled?"
Angella nodded. "In front of the Castle, yes."
"Are you sure about this? Abandoning the kingdom now?"
"Yes, She-Ra. The Twiggets will protect it, as will the rest of the guard."
"Alright. Then let us go."
She-Ra led Queen Angella and Sunder down to the courtyard, where the entire Great Rebellion had gathered. Swift-Wind, Flutterina, Mermista, Netossa, Bow, Sorrowful, Spinnerella, Glimmer, Castaspella, Frosta, Madame Razz, Broom, Kowl, plus herself, Angella and Sunder. "Quite an army," she breathed to Swift-Wind as she made her way over to her beloved pegacorn.
"They are willing. More than willing," said Swift-Wind. "They are determind."
"Indeed so," She-Ra replied. She then lifted up the Sword of Protection. "Sorceress! We are ready!"
Reality bent and moved. A door between dimensions warped open, its golden energy inviting them forward. The Great Rebellion moved into the portal . . .
***
. . . And arrived in a large chamber in the heart of Castle Grayskull. Orko was waving his hands in the air, the strain obvious as he helped the Sorceress hold the portal open. When the last person came through, She-Ra nodded to them. "That's all."
The portal collapsed, the strain gone from their faces.
As Marlena further explained the situation, She-Ra couldn't help but notice bruising on her neck and face. What had happened that she wasn't telling? How bad were things back at the palace? When Marlena finished up and stopped telling them what they were to do, the group began to talk amongst themselves.
"Marlena . . ." began She-Ra.
"I need to talk to you," Marlena said instead. "Privately."
She-Ra furrowed her brow, but let Marlena guide her away from the chamber. The two went down a long stretch of corridor and into a small room with a wooden table and a few bowls and shelves. She-Ra stood inside as Marlena locked the door behind them.
"What is it, your highness?"
A taunt smile crossed Marlena's lips. "I know."
"Know?" She-Ra asked, a little unsure. "Know what?"
"I know about you, Adora. The Sorceress told me about you and Adam being She-Ra and He-Man."
She-Ra dropped her sword onto the table in pure shock. "What?"
Marlena nodded. "Yeah," she returned. Marlena opened up her arms and She-Ra came into them, the two hugging. "It's okay. It's alright."
"Mom . . ." She-Ra said to her. "I . . ."
"No, don't worry about it. I understand. I do. Really."
The two separated and She-Ra saw the bruises once more. "What happened to your neck, mother? Who did that?"
Marlena's smile faded and she bit her lip before answering. "Your father, dear."
"WHAT?!"
"Yes. He . . . listen, Adora, it's not our concern right now. We need to stop your brother and the Heroic Warriors from taking over Castle Grayskull, and then deal with what happened in the core of Eternia. After that, everything will be okay."
***
"WHERE DID SHE GO?!?! WHAT IS HER PLAN?!?!"
"Go ta . . . go ta Hell . . ."
Randor slammed his fist against Lubic's stomach once again. Lubic winced in pain from the impact. His entire body was black and blue from the punches, and blood had been gushing from various parts for hours.
"You aren't going to get anything from him, Randor," Man-At-Arms said from the door of the prison cell.
Randor snarled at Lubic, then spat in his face. "I know."
"When are we leaving?" questioned Randor.
"Tomorrow morning, if we're staying on time table. According to our scouts, Skeletor's army will be moving out within the next week. If we're going to take Castle Grayskull, it needs to be tomorrow."
Randor nodded. "Prepare them, Duncan. I don't expect this to be an easy task. Has there been any word on finding Rokkon and Stonedar?"
"Not yet, your highness."
"I don't like this, Duncan. Not one bit. Not one single bit."
"Do you think I do? Trust me, the sooner we take Castle Grayskull, then sooner Eternos will be protected."
"And Eternia will be safe!"
Duncan nodded. "Yes. All of it."
***
The night came and went and all of Eternia seemed to grow tenser. Skeletor's army grew under the shadow of Snake Mountain as a second tribe of Orcs joined up. Plans were being drawn to decide just where to strike first and how.
Defenses mounted at Castle Grayskull. Weapons were brought to windows and the towers were armed. Banners and flags were set up right next to laser cannons and missile launchers. The Great Rebellion rested and prepared for the dawn when they would be forced to battle those they once called allies.
The Heroic Warriors had all assembled at Eternos, now more than ready to make war against Castle Grayskull and to take its secrets in the name of Eternos.
Just as the sun rose, Adam awoke, ready for the battle. He reached for the Sword of Power and let his eyes soak in its greatness. Such power and strength it gave him! It's potential had been misused for so long . . .
"Not anymore," Adam whispered to himself. He kicked Cringer in the stomach, waking the green tiger. "Get up! It's time!"
Cringer growled. "Leave me alone!"
Adam scowled, but lifted the Sword of Power anyway. "BY THE POWER OF GRAYSKULL . . ."
***
A sudden crack rumbled through Castle Grayskull. Lights flashed, doors were thrown open and then slammed shut, and a terrible pain struck at the Sorceress. She doubled over, face red, eyes filled with tears. Marlena grabbed hold her as she nearly collapsed.
"What is it?" asked Marlena.
"Adam . . ." the Sorceress whispered, though the room was empty. "He's transformed into He-Man, but the power of Grayskull that has been tainted . . . it's adapting him to suit his new affiliation."
***
". . . I HAVE THE POWER!"
As the transformation ceased, He-Man was quite pleased with what was changed. A new armor covered his body. It was black, except for the shoulders with were covered in a silver armor. A red scarf drifted around his beck, and it was the same color of his fingerless gloves.
He-Man looked over at Battle-Cat, finding the red armor had been completely replaced by black. "Grrrrr. This is more like it."
He-Man smiled and nodded. The pair walked out of the room, prepared to meet the others. Once they got to the courtyard, the first person both He-Man and Battle-Cat bumped into was Teela. She had as well had changed her wardrobe.
A pair of sashes covering her chest had replaced her top, and a large golden necklace linked those. She wore black pants with a golden sash belt flowing from her hips.
"Nice look," He-Man complimented.
"Same to you," Teela replied, coming up closer to him. She put her hands on his chest. "Although, I do miss the near-nakedness."
He-Man smirked. "Well, there's one good way to see that again. And without the near." He put his hands on her hips and Teela lifted her head, licking her lips sultry-like.
"EXCUSE ME!" barked Man-At-Arms. "If you would so kindly take your hands off my daughter, He-Man, we have a mission to complete."
He-Man laughed and threw his head towards the others. "Let's go, babe. Come on, Cat!" he ordered. "LET'S MOVE OUT!"
***
She-Ra stood at the drawbridge of Castle Grayskull, fear in her eyes. The Sorceress joined her. "Feeling better?" asked She-Ra.
"Yes," Sorceress replied. Dawn had come and morning was moving along slowly. "All are in position?"
"Yes. The Great Rebellion are in their assigned areas," She-Ra returned. "Sorceress, why wasn't I changed as well? Why am I not evil?"
"Spend enough time on Eternia and you will be, especially if you make the transformation from Adora to She-Ra enough times. What protected you from the Spirit of Evil's power was the fact that you are only half-Eternian and was off-planet when it happened. Add in the fact that Light-Hope is joined with the power of the Sword of Protection and that you were in the Whispering Woods and it all stands revealed."
She-Ra nodded. "Can we help my brother? Change him back to the side of good?"
"That is what I am hoping for, my dear."
