Teela'na, the Sorceress of Castle Grayskull, bowed her head in thought as Duncan finished relenting to her the dangers that now faced Eternia.
"I had sensed a great evil entering our land last night Man-At-Arms," she said "Your story has confirmed my fears."
"We're going to need all the help we can get," Duncan said. "I was hoping you could call He-Man for us. With him away on Etheria your telepathy is our only way of communicating with him."
The Sorceress placed her hand to her chin thinking; something Duncan had rarely, if ever, seen her do. There was a moment of silence before she spoke again.
"I could try to contact He-Man telepathically, however with him being so far away it would place a strain on my powers. I may need to save my strength for the battle ahead."
"But without He-Man's help even all of your power may be for nothing," Duncan pointed out quickly. Duncan always found it hard to remind himself that as vast as The Sorceress' powers were they still had their limits.
"Not to worry my friend," Sorceress said with a slight smile that helped ease Duncan's mind. "I can also contact She-Ra through the crystal in her sword. I think it's safe to assume He-Man will be by his sister's side. It's not easy for me, but it will be far less draining on my powers."
"Then please do so Sorceress," Duncan said. "Every second counts."
Etheria had been beautiful once. There was a time when the people lived in perfect harmony with everything around them. A time when a man could travel the streets without fear. But that was long ago. Before the Horde.
Traveling to other worlds from their homeland of Horde World, The Evil Horde had ensnared countless planets in the name of their leader Horde Prime, a powerful dark being whom precious few had seen and lived.
The Horde had ruled Etheria for many years under the command of a high-ranking Horde officer known only as Hordak. Although small uprisings were common, the Horde had managed to crush them all. That is until the unexpected arrival of one woman who managed to turn a small group of freedom fighters into a true "Great Rebellion".
"Your aim is as bad as ever today Mantenna, if not worse," the Princess of Power said as she easily dodged another blast from the Hordesman.
"That was just to lure you into position She-Ra," the bug-eyed creature snarled unconvincingly. "I won't miss this time." With that his eyes extended as far as their stalks would allow and began to glow red as he powered up for another attack.
Deciding she'd had enough fun with Mantenna for one day She-Ra held up her sword.
"Sword to mirror!"
Instantly the Sword of Protection magically transformed into a large mirror right as Mantenna fired. Just as swiftly his beams reflected back off of the mirror and struck him dead center in the chest, knocking him out cold. Shaking her head She-Ra returned her sword to normal and turned to see how her brother was fairing.
If such a thing were actually possible, He-Man's adversaries were even more pathetic than Mantenna. But then, they were mere robot Horde Troopers. The Troopers always relied on their numbers to win rather then brains. It was an effective tactic against helpless villagers, but when facing the most powerful man in the universe it became more of an annoyance.
As She-Ra watched He-Man easily deflect the Trooper's pitiful attacks she began to wonder how the Horde had ever managed to conquer Etheria in the first place.
"That's the last of them," He-Man said bringing his fist down on the robot's head, smashing it to scrap metal.
"And with it this entire area is now liberated from The Horde's control," She-Ra added. "Not a bad day's work brother."
He-Man smiled, "You said it sis. But now I think we'd better get back to Whispering Woods. She-Ra and He-Man can appear and disappear at will, but if Adora and Adam are gone too long it may raise suspicion."
"You'll get no argument from me," She-Ra said. Together the twins made their way to the forest's edge. Then, after checking to make sure no one was around, they raised their swords and spoke in unison.
"Let the power return!"
A second later He-Man and She-Ra were gone and Prince Adam and Princess Adora headed for the campsite of the Great Rebellion.
Adam enjoyed fighting by his sister's side. Particularly since up until a couple years ago he had not even known he had a sister. At the time of their birth the Horde had been attempting to conquer Eternia. Though the Eternian armies were successful in driving the Horde off, Hordak would not accept a total defeat. He had abducted the newborn Princess Adora and escaped through a dimensional portal. A massive search was issued, but at the time there was no way of knowing where Hordak had gone. To spare Adam the grief, all memory of Adora was magically removed from the memories of Eternia save the king and queen, The Sorceress and Man-At-Arms.
Just as Adam had been destined to receive the Sword of Power though, Adora too had been destined to receive the Sword of Protection. Some time after Adam had become He-Man the sword began to be drawn to its owner and reopened the portal that Hordak had used so many years ago. The Sorceress sent Adam through the portal, which led to Etheria, to find her.
Adam had found Adora, but she was serving as a force captain for the Horde. Hordak had raised her as his adoptive daughter and through lies, deception, and the occasional magic brainwashing, had convinced her that the Horde were the rightful rulers of the land. Fortunately, Adam was able to free Adora from the Horde's control and with the Sword of Protection she finally fulfilled her destiny by becoming She-Ra.
Though Adora did long to return to her family on Eternia, she felt an obligation to the people of Etheria to help free them from the Horde's control. As well as atone for the crimes she had committed under their influence. Therefore, she had joined the Great Rebellion then had quickly taken over as their leader as Adora, and their inspiration as She-Ra. Adam in turn would take any opportunity he could to travel to Etheria and help her. Hoping to speed up the day when his sister could finally come home for good.
"Adora!"
Adam looked around, "What was that?"
The voice came again much clearer this time, "Adora do you hear me?"
"It's The Sorceress. She's calling me." Adora pulled out her sword and stared into its crystal as the Sorceress' face appeared in the center of the jewel. "Yes Sorceress, we hear you."
"Hello Adora, I'm sorry if I am intruding."
"Not at all," Adam said. "We just gave the Horde a major thrashing. It'll be a while before they cause any trouble again."
The image of the Sorceress grinned. "That is good to hear my friends, but now the safety of Eternia is in great peril. Adam, I must ask that you return home at once. We need He-Man's help!"
Subconsciously Adam had to admit he was a little disappointed. He had been looking forward to spending some peaceful time with his sister and all of his friends on Etheria. He did not argue however, for he knew that The Sorceress would not have summoned him unless the situation was severe.
"Perhaps I should come too," Adora said. "She-Ra might be of some help."
"Yes Adora," Sorceress said quickly then added, "I hate to take you away from your duties on Etheria, but if you are able come we can certainly use all the help we can get."
"Very well," Adora said, "but first I must get Spirit and inform the Rebellion that I'm leaving. We'll call when we're ready for you to open the gateway."
"Please hurry my friends," Sorceress said anxiously.
Adora turned to Adam and sighed, "No rest for the weary."
It took longer than expected to leave. First came the difficulty of choosing who to leave in charge during Adora's absence. She finally chose to give command to her friend Princess Glimmer.
"Are you sure about this?" Glimmer asked.
"Of course," Adora nodded. "After all, you were the leader before I came around weren't you?"
Glimmer sighed. "Yeah, but in those days we were getting our asses kicked!"
Adora shook her head and took Glimmer by the shoulders. "Relax you'll do fine. Things are always quiet for a while after we win a major victory over the Horde. I doubt anything will happen you can't handle, and in the unlikely event they do Madame knows how to reach me."
Adora glanced over at Madame Razz who gave her a small smile and a wink. The kind-hearted elderly witch was one of the few rebels who knew Adora's secret.
As hard a time as Adora had with Glimmer though, it was nothing compared to the trouble she had convincing her beloved Sea Hawk to let her go.
"Must you leave so soon? I thought we were finally going to have some quality time to spend together."
"I'm sorry Hawk but this is a personal family matter." Adora turned to go but he grabbed her arm.
"If you won't stay then why don't I go with you?"
"I appreciate the offer," Adora said freeing herself gently from his grip, "but I'd feel much better knowing you're here to help the rebels if anything happens while I'm away."
That was actually a lie. In truth Adora wanted Sea Hawk to be with her, but she realized it would be too much trouble. As much as she loved the rugged pirate, she had never revealed to him the secret of her double identity. It was hard enough keeping it hidden on Etheria, but on Eternia where She-Ra was not often seen, it would be far too complicated if he were there.
Eventually Adora got everything squared away and she and Adam, along with her beloved steed Spirit and Adam's pet tiger Cringer, headed for the predetermined place where the Sorceress would open the dimensional portal for them.
"I think it would be best if we go to Eternia as He-Man and She-Ra." Adam was saying. "We're going to need to become them anyway and since everyone on Eternia thinks Adam and Adora are still on Etheria it will save us the trouble of disappearing to transform."
"I guess so," Adora sighed with a clear lack of enthusiasm.
"Hey what's the matter sis?"
"I don't know, Adora said. "It's just sometimes I get so tired of being She-Ra. Living this double life is becoming too much of a burden on me."
Adam stared into his twin's eyes and saw she was fighting back tears. "This is about Sea Hawk isn't it?"
"I love him so much brother," she sniffed. "And at last I know he loves me. The real me. For some time I've come to accept that my friends like me more as She-Ra than Adora, but Hawk is different. He likes She-Ra, but he loves me as Adora. I don't think I can keep this secret from him any longer."
"I know how you feel," Adam said. "I've gone through the same thing."
Adora raised an eyebrow. "You mean Teela?"
"At least you know how Hawk feels," Adam said. "I have no idea what she thinks of me."
"Do you think I should tell him?" Adora asked.
Adam shrugged. "I think you should do what your heart tells you."
They walked the rest of the way in silence. Finally they came to the open plain where they had made their inter-dimensional jaunt many times before.
"It's time Adora," Adam said. "You ready?"
Adora slowly nodded and drew her sword but then she hesitated in silence so Adam got things started.
"By the power of Grayskull! I have the power!" With these words Adam became He-Man and Cringer became his loyal companion Battle Cat. Once the transformation was complete He-Man turned to his twin.
"Your turn sis."
Adora paused a moment longer then turned to him, "I've decided Adam. When this is done the first thing I'm going to do is tell Sea Hawk the truth." And with that, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders, all the sorrow and anguish that had plagued the young princess that day melted away to the strong determination that she was so well known for.
"For the honor of Grayskull! I am She-Ra!" With that Adora was turned into the Princess of Power and Spirit was changed into the winged unicorn Swift Wind.
He-Man smiled. This was the sister he was used to. And ,though he said nothing, in his heart he was proud of the choice she had made.
She-Ra called into her sword, "Sorceress! We're ready. Sorry it took so long."
With that the sparkling yellow portal appeared and the twin heroes passed through… unaware that their proceedings had not gone unwitnessed.
"How interesting," the figure said tucking a pair of macro-binoculars into the pocket of her long leather coat and pulling a pair of sunglasses down over her eyes. Turing away, the strange woman mounted her hover-bike and revved the engine.
Well She-Ra, she thought, It looks like our meeting will have to be postponed. But no matter, I can wait. After all, I now know where to find you anytime I want.
