Chapter 6: The Truth
---
Hello my friend, we meet again
It's been awhile, where should we begin?
Feels like forever
Within my heart a memory
A perfect love that you gave to me
Oh, I remember
When you are with me
I'm free
I'm careless
I believe
Above all the others
We'll fly
This brings tears to my eyes
My Sacrifice
We've seen our share of ups and downs
Oh how quickly life can turn around in an instant
It feels so good to realize
What's in yourself and within your mind
Let's find peace there
When you are with me
I'm free
I'm careless
I believe
Above all the others
We'll fly
This brings tears to my eyes
My Sacrifice
I just want to say hello again
I just want to say hello again
Cause when you are with me
I'm free
I'm careless
I believe
Above all the others
We'll fly
This brings tears to my eyes
Cause when you are with me
I am free
I'm careless
I believe
Above all the others
We'll fly
This brings tears to my eyes
My Sacrifice
My Sacrifice
I just want to say hello again
I just want to say hello again
My Sacrifice.
- Creed 'My Sacrifice'
---
Adam slowly opened his eyes and saw the sun shinning through the small window of Teela's bedroom. He felt a lot better then the night before. He felt rested and refreshed. He started to sit up, but felt something holding him down. Adam looked down and saw a mass of auburn hair spread across his chest, and the rest of Teela's body curled up in a ball beside him. She was still in her usual skirt, but she had her hair out of her usual ponytail.
"Teela …"Adam whispered shaking her slightly, "Teela, wake up."
She moaned slightly, rose up and, with her eyes closed, gave Adam a peck kiss on the lips before curling back into the same position she was to start with. Adam, now fully awake, and wide-eyed, and red faced, watched her expectantly, trying to figure out if she was awake and meant to kiss him or not. "Teela, time to wake up," Adam said softly, giving her a slightly harder shake.
"Just a few more minutes," she groaned, "I went over a year thinking you were a coward, what felt like an eternity thinking you were dead. I want to enjoy having my best friend back," she said tightening her grip on him.
"Fair enough," Adam smiled.
"How are you feeling?" She asked rising up slightly, then placing the back of her hand on his forehead, "the fever's gone, damn, you might live," She said teasingly, with a half smile on her lips.
"Well, technically I am dead," Adam shrugged, "You know, the funeral was the most surreal experience of my life."
"I don't want to talk about that," Teela said burying her face in his chest, "that was the worse experience of my life."
"But it wasn't real," Adam said reassuringly, "See, I'm alive, my heart's still beating, and I'm still breathing."
"I know," whispered Teela, "your heart sounds nice, it's what put me to sleep last night." She then blushed, early morning daze is making her say more then she meant to. She then shook it off, and looked up at him, "Adam, it was real to your parents and the other Masters, they were heartbroken. Well except Buzz Off, but he's a jack ass anyway."
"And my mother," Adam stated, smiling at Teela's puzzled expression, "I think she knows. When He-Man was settling into his room, she approached him and started talking about me to him. Even called me a 'he-man'. You tell me she doesn't know."
"Sense when did you and He-Man become two people?" Teela asked sitting up.
"Easy, I'm a coward and he's a hero," Adam stated looking up at her. "I think that would qualify me being different from him."
"I don't know, Adam," Teela said turning her back and walking toward her bathroom, "after putting up with your father and my crap about you being a coward, I think you might possibly be a greater hero then He-Man, at least to … uh I think I'll take a shower."
Adam watched her walk in to the bathroom, and heard her turn on the shower. His mind began to wonder to what was going on in that shower, but he cut himself off by slapping his forehead, "Stop it, Adam," He scolded himself, "She's your best friend, you don't … think about best friends like that!"
"You don't think about best friends like what?" Teela asked with a smirk, standing before the bed in a bathrobe and her hair pulled up and wrapped in a towel.
Adam chuckled nervously, "Uh …"
"Hey, Teela!" Man-E-Faces called, knocking on her door, "You ok? You never sleep in this late!"
"Crap!" Teela cursed, grabbing Adam by his tee shirt and dragging him toward the bathroom, "Get in there, take a shower and change, now!" She ordered.
"But, they'll think you're sleeping with He-Man," Adam argued.
"They already do, so get in there!"
Adam changed as quietly as he could in the bathroom. Luckily the running water masked most of his pyrotechnics. Then with a knock on the door Teela spoke up, "It's safe. Man-E-Faces left."
He-Man opened the door and sheepishly walked out. And saw Man-At-Arms sitting on the bed. Teela was still in her robe, but has removed her towel and her damp hair ran down her back and over her shoulders. "What's the matter, Duncan," He-Man asked, noticing the worried expression on his mentor's face.
"First off, it would be wise for you to take breaks from your He-Man form," Man-At-Arms stated, "It could be dangerous if you tried to stay in that form for too long."
"Ok, I think we can handle that," Teela smiled looking over at He-Man.
"Secondly, We need to go to Grayskull," Duncan stated, "The Sorceress wishes to speak with you, both of you."
---
The three walked out into the hanger toward a Wind Raider, "Why hello there, old friend," a voice called from the shadows, and Duncan visibly froze, but quickly and silently activated both of his arm canons.
"Get Teela to Castle Grayskull," Duncan whispered to He-Man but he simply looked back in confusion.
"It's been a long time, Duncan," Kagato said walking out of the shadows, his silver armor and hair shinning, "How have you been?"
"Hello, Kagato," Duncan growled, "What do you want?"
"A way to go in and visit my ex-wife," Kagato stated, "It seems she's denied me visitation rights to my daughter, I do long to meet her."
"I won't let you touch her," Duncan growled, and He-Man on instinct stepped protectively before Teela.
"I don't know who you are, stranger," He-Man said drawing his sword, "But unless you have business with us, I suggest you move on."
"The Sword of Power," Kagato chimed carelessly, "So the chosen one has come, naturally he'd be a blonde bimbo."
"Who are you?" He-Man asked narrowing his ice blue eyes.
"I am known as Kagato," he said flexing his muscles, "And BY THE POWER OF GRAYSKULL!" He cried out, and in a flash of light, he grew three times his normal size in muscles, "I HAVE THE POWER!!"
He-Man and Man-At-Arms were visibly surprised, then Kagato in a spit second, gripped their faces and slammed them to the ground. "Father! He-Man!" She cried running to their sides.
"Father?" Kagato asked, then smiling wickedly, "Teela …" he hissed, "Come to your real father, daughter," He commanded when she looked up stunned.
"I don't even know who you are!" Teela said trying to sound brave, but fear echoing in her voice.
"I'm your birthfather, Teela," Kagato stated, "And you … you are going to give me the full power of Grayskull."
"She's not giving you anything," He-Man stated standing up, and reared back to give Kagato a thunder punch. He threw his most powerful attack, but Kagato caught the thunder punch easily.
"Please tell me that isn't all you have," Kagato smiled as he began to squeeze He-Man's fist bringing the so-called Most Powerful Man in the Universe to one knee. "You are but a boy pretending to be a man. You are not worthy of the Power."
Kagato then reared back and kicked He-Man hard in the ribs. He-Man flew backwards and left an imprint in the side of the hanger, but pulled himself unsteadily to his feet, "Nice kick," He-Man smirked as a line of blood ran from his lip.
"Thank you … He-Man is it?" Kagato stated, and in a flash his fist connected with the side of He-Man's face. He-Man then readied another Thunder Punch, which did connect right at the base of Kagato's sternum. But the Guardian of Grayskull's eyes widened when Kagato only smiled.
"You really don't know how to control the power you possess do you, Blondie?" Kagato asked, then his eyes widened, "No, not yet!" he then walked backwards, "I'll see you soon, Teela, you can count on it," Kagato said as he threw a flash bomb at his feet and disappeared.
Teela then ran to He-Man as he leaned up against the wall. "Are you ok?" She asked worriedly, gently wiping the blood from his lip.
He-Man nodded, then turned to Duncan who was now rubbing the back of his head, "Well, Man-At-Arms, I think you're right in that a trip to Grayskull is in order."
---
The three Masters walked into the ominous Castle Grayskull, Man-At-Arms leading the way and Teela and He-Man walking a few steps behind.
"Adam?" She asked, and He-Man couldn't help but smile at her referring to him by his name in his current form.
"Yes, Teela?" he asked looking down at his friend.
"You did say the Sorceress was the one who gave you the sword, and said not to tell anyone, right?" she asked looking up with a strange glimmer in her eye, that made a shiver run down his spine.
"Uh, yes that's right, Teela," He-Man gulped, "Why do you asked?"
"Don't worry," Teela gave a strange smile, "That was all I wanted to know …"
He-Man then had a very bad feeling enter the pit of his stomach, but he pushed it aside. He'd ask her what she meant by that later.
The group made it to the Sorceress's throne room, and He-Man and Man-At-Arms stopped before the Sorceress, but Teela continued to approach her.
"Welcome, Teela, I am afraid I have something very important to speak with--" The Sorceress started, but was silenced when Teela punched her square in the jaw.
"Teela!" Man-At-Arms and He-Man cried, as the Sorceress dropped to her hands and knees holding her face where the punch connected.
"You self-serving … sorry … you ruined his life with your little game!" Teela all but screamed at the Sorceress, "Do you know how great of a prince he could be without you making him play superhero? Huh? Do you?" she then reared back and kicked the Sorceress hard in the ribs.
He-Man then moved forward and grabbed Teela by the arms and pulled her unwillingly back, while Man-At-Arms helped the Sorceress to her feet. "It's alright," The Sorceress said looking at the fuming redhead trying to wiggle out of He-Man's grasp, "I can understand her reasoning and agree from her point of view, I had that coming. But right now we have more important matters to attend to."
"This Kagato?" He-Man asked, as Teela finally began to relax in his arms.
"Yes, you see … he …" She said showing one of the rare signs of emotion, "He was my husband."
"Your HUSBAND?" He-Man asked eyes growing wide, and Teela stopped all commotion and listened carefully.
"Yes, he was my husband, and he was once one of the kindest souls ever to be placed on Eternia," Sorceress stated looking away sadly. " I met Kagato shortly after I took the mantle of Sorceress of Grayskull. He was a soldier and I was a scared girl with a big role to play. I met him through my best friend, and we hit it off very quickly," She said flashing one of her rare smiles at Duncan when she mentioned her best friend.
"Kagato and I were together eight months when he asked me to be his wife," Sorceress continued, "I happily agreed, we both had the same wish to keep Grayskull safe from danger and also successfully raise a family together. Then … then the Horde Wars came …"
(Flashback)
[I] The Horde had invaded Eternia and the Eternian Guard made sure to secure all locations that could be used as Horde fortresses. One of those places was Castle Grayskull. [/I]
Two men in Eternos foot trooper armor stood on the east tower of Castle Grayskull keeping watch at night. "So how's life been treating you, Duncan," the silver haired soldier asked, leaning against the railing, "You haven't been by since the wedding reception. Teelina's really missed having you around."
"I'm sure you've been keeping her happy without me getting in the way, Kagato," Duncan said forcing a smile, "I've just been busy since Captain Randor made me second in command."
"I've done my best, but I still can't help but be a bit jealous," Kagato said smiling at his friend, "You've still got a piece of her heart that she won't ever let you let go of. Sometimes I don't think I'll ever live up to you in her eyes."
"Of course you won't, Kagato," A teasing voice came from behind them, "Duncan is the best there is at what ever he does. A slacker of a husband like you could learn a lot."
"Cute, Angel," Kagato laughed hugging his wife who sat a tray with three glasses of water on the railing, "Who am I to be compared to the legendary Duncan?"
"Just a cute tin soldier," she said gently pulling away from her husband and giving him a kiss on the cheek, almost bumping her eagle shaped headdress off in the progress.
"Something the matter, Duncan?" The Sorceress Teelina asked worriedly seeing Duncan looking down.
"Yes, I'm fine," Duncan said forcefully, rubbing his eyes slightly, "Just got some dust or something in my eye. Nothing to be concerned with, Teela," He said using his childhood nickname for her.
"So how's things with you big strong soldier boys?" Sorceress asked leaning against the railing.
"Everything's fine, Randor and Marlena wished me to ask if you would come for the birth of the twins?" Duncan asked smiling at his childhood friend.
"I wouldn't miss it for all of Eternia," She smiled, "Who would of thought those two would have ever gotten together."
"Fate can fool you sometimes, Teelina," Duncan said softly, almost sadly, not noticing a red dot moving up from her neck to rest on the side of her head.
A moment later Kagato looked at his wife, and unlike Duncan, he did notice the dot, "TEELINA, GET DOWN!" He cried, grabbing her arm and jerking her toward him, he threw her to the ground but the plasma shot connected him in the very back of the neck.
"NO!!!" Sorceress cried, tears now flowing down her face, "Kagato!" She said rolling her husband over into her lap.
"Damn!" Duncan cursed loudly, transforming his armor, activating both arm cannons and all four shoulder held missiles.
'Nobody makes her cry,' Duncan said under his breath as he fired everything he had at the now visible Horde Stealth Glider.
The Glider exploded in a bright explosion, making the night appear to be day for a moment.
"Kagato, Kagato, wake up!" Sorceress pleaded holding him tight.
"I'm sorry, Teelina, there's nothing we can do …" Duncan tried to reason.
"NO! NO! The power, the Armor of Power!" She said as she used her power to raise his still body into the air, "Come on, Duncan, we can still save him!"
Duncan ran after her into the depths of Castle Grayskull, and she finally stopped at the crystal chamber in the very heart of the castle.
"Teelina, that armor isn't his," Duncan protested, "That belongs to the prince when he is old enough to take his destiny, anyone else its power will drive mad!"
"Kagato is strong," She said stroking her husband's pale cheek, "He can control it, I know he can."
"Teelina, this could change everything, with the Sword and Armor of Power, the heir of the throne shall rise as mightiest of all heroes, Teelina think about what you're doing. Without the armor can the prince fulfill his destiny?"
"Only the Sword or the Armor is mandatory for the acceptance of the power," The Sorceress explained as two large boxes rose from the depths, a smaller one containing the Sword of Power, and the other larger containing a suit of silver armor with a large golden 'H' upon the belt. "I will not lose him, Duncan, I can't!"
"Teelina," Duncan started, but a teary look by the sorceress silenced him.
"Please help me, Duncan," She begged, "Please, just help me place the armor on him, I can do the rest."
Duncan looked at her, the armor, and the man dieing on the floor, "lets get that on him …"
It took only a few minutes for Duncan to place the shimmering armor on his friend's body. "Ok Teelina, do your stuff," He said standing away from Kagato, 'I hope you know what you're doing, Teela …' he thought watching her begin to glow faintly standing at Kagato's head.
"By the power of Grayskull!" Sorceress cried in a loud voice, "Grant this mortal the power!"
In a flash of light Kagato was raised into the air but a moment later plummeted back to the ground with a clang of his armor. "What … happened?" He asked weakly, trying to sit up.
"KAGATO!" Sorceress all but squealed as she dove at her husband's side and wrapped her arms around him, "Thank the Ancients you are alive! Do you feel ok? Are you hurting anywhere?"
"I feel fine, Teelina," Kagato croaked, "in fact … I feel great."
"Ancients for give us," Duncan whispered leaving the couple alone, "Ancients for give me …"
--
[I] At first Kagato was as he always was, but as the weeks went by he began to change. He became easily angered, and was always looking for ways to make himself stronger. I began to become worried about him. The Armor was the only thing keeping him alive, so he had no choice but to wear it, but I could try to keep him from pushing the power to its limit. The chosen one would know instinctively to control it, but Kagato was not the chosen one. If he pushed the power too far, and took too much of it, it could be fatal.
I hid everything I could find on how to push the Armor to give access the power, but he knew there had to be away. And he would not give up the search. If he couldn't find it in Castle Grayskull, he thought he might find it elsewhere on Eternia. So he spent less and less time at Grayskull, and even less time with me. And what time he did spend with me, all he seemed to want to talk about is his power. Then something happened that destroyed everything I tried to save. [/I]
"Teelina?" Duncan asked walking into the dark castle depths, into the master bedroom of the castle.
"How can I help you, Duncan?" the Sorceress asked, keeping back to her friend.
"That's what I'm here to ask you," Duncan asked walking close to her, "Why haven't you responded to me, Teela? I've been calling to you telepathically for several days, but I don't get a single feeling, let alone word, from you."
"Nothing for you to be concerned with, Duncan," She said softly still not looking back.
"Where's Kagato?" Duncan asked, noticing her flinch at the name.
"He left … about an hour ago," She said coldly, "who knows when he'll be back."
"Is anything wrong?" Duncan asked taking another step closer, "Between the two of you, I mean."
"No nothing's …" She started, but broke off, "All he cares about now is power and an heir. I'm so sorry, Duncan, you were right all along …" she then spun around to face him, and the sight made his blood boil.
"Oh, Teela …" Duncan whispered, looking at the bruises on her cheeks, two on her right and three on her left. "Why didn't you … I could of …" he cut himself off, trembling with anger.
She didn't let him say another word, she rushed to him and dove into his arms and began to sob on his chest. It was then Duncan realized his friend and the man the woman he cared for loved was dead.
"Teela, I won't let him hurt you anymore," Duncan whispered tilting her chin up to meet his eyes, "We created him, we have to stop him. I won't let you do it alone though. I won't leave you."
"Duncan …" the Sorceress whispered before capturing his lips in a kiss they both wanted for years.
---
[I] That night I severed all ties to my husband, and Duncan and I began to plan on a way to stop him before he lost full control, or found a way to gain more control over his unnatural power. Then one week later, we got our chance. [/I]
"Teelina," a bulked up Kagato marched into the dark corridors of Castle Grayskull. "We must talk," He said hatefully.
"This way, darling," the Sorceress responded deep into the castle, "You still wish for the ability to gain more power?"
"You know I do, Teelina," Kagato smiled evilly.
"Then come to me," Sorceress' voice sounded, "I will grant you what you deserve."
Kagato physically shrunk to his original size and walked down the lighted hallway. As Kagato walked into the main chamber of the castle, he met a shocking blow to the side of the face, "That's for hurting her, you monster," Duncan growled standing over the sprawling Kagato.
"Et tu, Duncan," Kagato smiled up, getting up to his feet.
"I am truly sorry for what I have done to you, Kagato," Sorceress said holding out her hand, to open a portal, "I am doing this because I love you, Kagato, I love the man you once was. This portal will take you to a world where you will be safe from the power that I foolishly bestowed upon you."
The portal opened and the suction drew lose items into the space. Duncan fired a grappling hook from his belt and attached it to the wall. He steadied himself, but gasped when Kagato grabbed his hand and tried to drag him into the portal with him.
"DUNCAN!" Sorceress cried as Duncan's safety cord popped holding himself just out of the portal, and Kagato half in, half out.
"I'm sorry, my friend," Duncan said forming his arm cannon with his free arm, and placing it at his wrist. He gritted his teeth and held his eyes tightly shut as he fired it severing his wrist, and sending Kagato tumbling into the portal.
"I'll find a way back, Teelina!" Kagato called from the portal, "I'll find a way back!"
The portal closed and the Sorceress dashed to Duncan's side. "Hold on," She whispered as she removed Duncan's arm canon from his good hand, and used her magic to reform it into a mechanical hand and fused it to his arm. She then stood up and walked toward throne.
"Teela?" Duncan asked pulling himself to his feet.
"I've failed," She whispered sadly, she then brought her forefingers to rest just under her eyes, "may my mistake never be forgotten, let these emerald tears remain a reminder till the Power of Grayskull forgives my failure."
"Teela?" Duncan asked again, "Teelina, talk to me."
"I am the Sorceress of Grayskull," she said coldly, turning around slowly, green tear-shaped marks coming down from each eye. "I shall not allow my emotions influence my duty any longer. So … just go."
"Teelina …"
"Duncan, what we shared was special, but …" the Sorceress sighed, the Teelina he knew showing herself for a moment, but fading again, "I won't take the same risk again, and cost you your life and mind as I did Kagato. So, please Duncan, just go."
Duncan watched for a moment, then turned around slowly and walked from the throne room silently. Realizing all had changed.
(End Flashback)
"Around nine months later, I gave birth to my daughter, and left her in my best friend's care. To protect her from being used if Kagato or anyone else learned my secret." Sorceress explained looking expectantly at Teela and He-Man. "How Kagato freed himself, or the true reason he is after you Teela is beyond me. But I suspect he is out to use you against me to gain the knowledge to control the power I gave him."
"You mean … that monster … was my … Father?" Teela asked, letting the knowledge sink in. "And you're my mother …"
"Yes, on both counts," Sorceress acknowledged, with a hint of shame in her voice.
"Why am I only learning this now?" Teela asked hatefully, "All my life all I wanted to know was what my mother was like. And you were here hiding from me the whole time."
"I wasn't hiding from you," Sorceress replied, "It was the best way to keep you safe …"
"No, it was the best way to keep YOU safe!" She all but screamed, then turning her back, "You know if Adam really wanted to act like a coward, all he would have to do is look at you."
"Teela!" Duncan cried as she walked toward the exit of the throne room, "That's your mother, surely …"
"It's like you've told me all along, Duncan," Teela said coldly not looking at the man who raised her, "My mother is dead. I have no mother." She then walked out quickly before he could respond.
"I'll speak with her," Sorceress said, but He-Man stepped before her.
"I think you both have done enough," He-Man stated coldly, "I'll go and talk to her, after all I already know what you're going to tell me to do. You want me to clean up you're mess." He then started after the way Teela went, "I hope you both realize you've lost a lot of respect from me today."
---
Teela found what looked like a spare bedroom, and went to the window to look at the full moons in the skies.
"You ok?" came a voice from the door.
"They send you to talk me down?" Teela asked, as Adam walked into the room.
"No, I came on my own," he stated walking to stand beside her, "Nice night …"
"You never was good at small talk," Teela snapped not looking his way.
"I just want to try to help," Adam said timidly.
"Well you can't," Teela snapped, but then looked down and took a deep breath, "I'm sorry, Adam, I know it's not your fault."
"I can listen," Adam stated resting his hand on her shoulder.
"I guess …" Teela started, looking up at the moon, "I just I never expected anything like this. I've always wanted my mother to be alive; I wanted to meet her. But … I never once thought that she would willingly give me up for any reason. And I never thought Fa- Duncan would lie to me so blatantly. And I just … I just feel very alone right now …"
Teela gave a light squeak when she felt herself being pulled rapidly into an embrace. "You are not alone, Teela," Adam spoke into her ginger hair, "Never ever think that. Do you hear me? Never think that. As long as I'm able, you'll never be alone."
Teela brought her hands to rest on his chest, and she suddenly realized Adam was a head taller then her. 'When did he get so tall?' she mentally questioned, breathing in his scent, 'and when did he start smelling so … nice …'
Neither knew who started it, or even if they both at the same time. But before either knew what was going on they were kissing passionately. And neither knew when they started moving until they were both pulling each other down on the spare bed.
To Be Continued …
C. Cowboy: the chapters will be coming a bit quicker now. As for how others, especially King Randor, have taken Adam's absence, which will be covered in detail next chapter. Also next chapter will show just what Duncan thinks of Adam and Teela having a relationship stronger then just friendship. Anybody remember the beginning of Armageddon? Chuckle. Until next time.