Disclaimer: Don't own em'
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Ordained Pathways
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At the palace of Eternia in the dinning hall, less than a half of a dozen Masters were seated around the main table. Like they had every morning since before their vacations the Masters had always ate their morning meals together. Once they were all finished the new Captain of the Guards, Teela, gave them their duties for the day.
Duncan sat with the Masters, insisted on being involved today, something strange, something big was about to rise and he wanted to be around for that.
The Masters eagerly awaited Teela's first orders as Captain. She stood at her chair. "Stratos, you and Buzz-off will do a quick aerial search of the perimeter of the palace. Then Stratos, you will go north and Buzz-off you go south of nearby villages to see if any trouble is stirring in the area. Man-E-Faces and Roboto you will stay at the palace with me. That leaves Ram-Man, Mekanek, Adam, and Man-At-Arms for a perimeter scout around Grayskull. Whenever you are ready you are dismissed and remember to keep in contact. With everyone's guard down if something happens we may not know of it until it is too late."
The Masters nodded their understanding and some left to their duty while the rest stayed, waiting for their brief meeting before they left for their perimeter scout.
The four sat nearby each other, as Teela gave the following orders before she left to depart with the other Masters. "Grayskull's south side is the most susceptible to attack. So, that's where you will start."
"Same route as always?" Adam asked.
"Actually, I was thinking that you should stay to the forest line rather than the mountain, since we have been ambushed a few times that route. I mean, if Skeletor is free he could easily plan some sort of ambush. I just think changing our scouting areas a bit would be beneficial to us not as a liability."
Duncan rubbed his chin, grinning, "nice thought out plan, Teela. You'll keep Skeletor and the other threats of Eternia of guard thinking this way."
Teela smiled, appreciating the compliment. "Thank you father, and if you don't mind I have some guards to work with. Good journey." With that she left.
Once she had left Adam looked at Duncan and asked, "do you think she's taking this captain business a little too seriously?"
"Not at all. It's very important to always be on your guard and to try to stay one step ahead of your enemies. She'll make a great captain. She's dedicated to her work and takes it seriously, unlike some people I know," Duncan replied, eyeing Adam.
Adam sort of shrugged the comment off, a bit distracted with this Teela being captain concern he had. Maybe it was the fact that he grew up with Teela and when they get that sort of responsibility for the first time it seems strange, somewhat, "I just hope she gets some time adjusted to the position before Skeletor frees himself."
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Inside Snake Mountain Hordak, Skeletor, and the rest of the evil horde watched as Teela dealt out her commands to the Masters and then as the four Masters on patrol began to leave for their now known mission. The two mighty horde generals couldn't help but laugh.
"Looks like their first step is going to be a steep one," Hordak said.
The image from Tri-Clops machine disappeared since the Masters had left and there wasn't much more needed for them to know. "Adora, you are in command of this mission and I want all of you," he paused to glare at Catra, making sure she knew he meant her and then he looked at Shadow Weaver, defiantly, "horde and other members of this mission to follow her orders first and foremost. You are not to attack right away. When you spot the Masters you are to contact me. I will send my horde troopers for reinforcement to be sure we defeat these Masters with as few injuries as possible. I want this divide and conquer mission to be dealt in a smooth manner."
"Smooth manner, who are you kidding?" Beastman muttered loud enough for everyone to hear. Before Hordak could respond to the dimwitted beast, with lightening fast speed Adora was up in Beastman's face or rather down, since the brute was at least a foot taller and outweighed her by a hefty amount.
Her usual sky blue eyes turned a stormy blue and her glare made the 'mighty' warrior lower his head in submission.
"I have conducted scouting missions since I was a mere child for the horde. I have never failed a scouting mission before and do not wish to have one of my men complain about a simple mission. Now if you feel you are not up to the challenge then perhaps one of your teammates will be able to join me in your place instead."
Behind her Hordak beamed with pride. By insulting him, she made it impossible for him to complain and if he tried anything against Adora he would look rather foolish. Though the dimwitted brute didn't receive the entire message, he surely wouldn't do anything against the young girl. He was in a no win situation and he knew that for the most part.
"No, just that the Masters always have something up their sleeve is all," he excused.
"As you saw and heard their 'surprise' has been spoiled, but to be on the safe we'll be anticipating more from them, which we should be on guard anyway." Adora finished, looking at Hordak for further instructions.
"Alright, now that you're all acquainted you will leave at once. Remember do not attack without first contacting me and receiving orders from me. Is that clear?" he said.
"Yes sir," Adora responded, saluting she returned her gaze to her troops. "Check your gear team, we depart in five."
With that they dispatched to stow their weapons and other gear needed for the mission. While who was left in Snake Mountain followed Skeletor and Hordak as they entered the war room to discuss further strategies.
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The sun was high in the sky, a rather comfortable temperature filled the day and the Masters were welcomed with a light breeze as they neared a clearing. Adam sighed; it had been a while since he had been on patrol. The feeling was both happy and sad as he had enjoyed being a Master and of course turning into He-Man, the time off had been something he enjoyed, but he supposed it was time for him to return to the battle for Eternia.
Duncan looked over at the young man, "Adam, what's wrong?" he asked.
"Ah nothing, I was just thinking about the time off and now returning to Master duties. I guess I just wish that peace was completely restored, like it was before Skeletor and his goons freed themselves. It's just now I know I can't wake up late or do the simple things anymore."
"Adam, you must realize how important you are. The duties you do help make this planet so much better. Just know all this work will one day pay off. When you will one day be king and have children of your own, you will be able to pass some of these duties to them."
"Yeah, I noticed how those burdens are off you," he said, sarcastically referring to Duncan still on perimeter patrol, despite how he tried to convince everyone this was his last day as an on duty Master.
"Well, you find that old habits die hard. Besides I want to make sure my duties are filled by someone that can fill them, though I didn't have any doubt in Teela taking over my position, it's just that someone doesn't just jump into that sudden reasonability."
"I just hope that I can fore fill my father's duties. Since I'm his only child he would take my failure a little bit harder."
Duncan nodded though the look on his face gave way that he was hiding something, a big secret that occurred long ago. "So that's just what will make your success so much greater for your Mother and Father."
"I know the pressures of being a mighty warrior myself," Ram-Man said, moving closer to the group. Mekanek and Ram-Man were behind him the whole time, listening in on the Prince's worries since there wasn't anything more interesting to do at the moment.
"You and me both Ram-Man," Adam said, his hidden message only known to him and Duncan.
"Aw Adam, you can't be so hard on yourself. It's not like you're He-Man, you're a Master, not a full time warrior like him, but who is?"
"I suppose you're right. I shouldn't compare myself to He-Man. That would be silly."
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In the brush a good distance from the Masters, Adora and the other four watched on. Quickly judging their adversaries Adora called in the situation to Hordak.
"Excellent. Are you sure that they are alone?" he asked.
"Yes, I had Catra and Beastman checked the rear while Tri-Clops checked ahead. They are alone on patrol. We just have to get the jump on them before they can contact the rest of the guards."
"Okay, since you have the situation on hand. I want you to take them prisoners. Call me when you are successful. Hordak out."
Adora knelt in the brush. A quick strategy formed. "Catra, Beastman you sneak in behind them. Tri-Clops will hit them from the front, since you are already familiar with those positions. Shadow Weaver and I will surround them on both sides to box them in. Shadow Weaver, you got Ram-Man, Tri-Clops and Catra will take Man-At-Arms, Beastman you got Mekanek and I'll take the prince. Hit them hard and quick. I don't want them to have a chance at radio contact, understood?"
They all nodded. They moved out to bring down the Masters.
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Inside Grayskull, the Sorceress sat on her throne. Slowly she was recovering from her near death experience from King Hiss' venom. Even though it had been a while some of the venom still flowed through her blood. It was just a matter of time and recovery before she would fight off the last of the poison.
She felt a pang well up in her stomach. Something, someone was on Eternia and near castle Grayskull. Before she could contact Duncan or Adam a memory flashed before her mind.
The horde was on Eternia. Queen Marlana had given birth to twins. The battle had raged on, the Eternians had defeated Hordak and the horde. Victory was in their grasp it seemed. What they hadn't expected was an assault on the nursery where the children slept. Hordak had Adora in his grasp, stepping back he got out of the way so Skeletor could rob the cradle of the other child. Queen Marlana squirmed in the corner where they left her tied and gagged as she tried to either get out from her confined position or make enough noise hoping for someone nearby to hear. Fortunately her struggles were heard by Man-At-Arms. The man that had been friends of the queen for years and the king for many more years before that entered the room just in time to send a laser Skeletor's way. The evil pupil scrambled along with his teacher towards the window.
Hordak landed on the sky sled flying away even before Skeletor could exit out behind him, allowing Man-At-Arms to catch the villain that had been left behind. With Adam saved Adora was lost and after a few questioning tactics against Skeletor resulted in the location of Hordak's secret base, the place where he had an emergency portal machine, the place where they might find Adora. After Man-At-Arms and the Sorceress sent Skeletor into the dungeons they set out after Hordak and Adora. They had become hopeful when they caught Hordak just about to enter the portal, since he hadn't already. After a back and forth battle amongst the two sides Hordak managed to sneaked between attacks into the portal, with Adora. Man-At-Arms and the Sorceress tried to follow but the portal closed instantly behind Hordak. They were never seen again.
A tear fell upon the Sorceress' cheek as the memory that haunted her for so long faded. The following evens flashed before her. Her short leave of Grayskull to take a break from the duties that had failed the young princess and now with the enemy of so long gone the rest of the villains of Eternia seemed to vanish with him. The planet, it seemed, was in a status of peace. Then she met and lost her husband, soon after she gave birth to her daughter that knew nothing of her mother. The memories had ended and she now thought of the princess. Though she didn't know Adora for too long, with a daughter that was somewhat lost of her true self, there seemed to be a sort of connection that compared the two.
If her memories and that feeling she felt right now were true of the princess then she was here, now back on Eternia. The Sorceress wasted no more time as she called out telepathically to Man-At-Arms, it was then she realized of the true situation. Transforming into the falcon, Zoar, she left the castle to aid the Masters in their soon to be ambush.
"Man-At-Arms," she called out again desperately.
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Duncan had that eerie feeling, like something wasn't right.
"Man-At-Arms," he heard the Sorceress call out.
He instinctively raised a hand to his temple. "Yes Sorceress. What is it?" he asked telepathically, as his eyes scanned the area for any sign of trouble. Before he could react Tri-Clops and a woman he'd never seen before were coming right at him.
"Battle positions," he ordered.
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Zoar saw the ambush from above as two of the Masters had already fallen, Mekanek and Adam, while the other two were struggling with their opponents.
She sensed the magic from a woman cloaked in red. Zoar swooped down like a predator about to impale its' prey. Magic formed once she reached the ground as she reformed into her human form.
Before the new enemy could react the Sorceress sent the witch to the Sands of Time where she would be far enough away from Grayskull to be a liability, giving the Sorceress and Masters time to defeat the magic-less enemies.
The Sorceress turned her sights on helping Man-At-Arms while Ram-Man had Beastman on the run.
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Adora watched as a falcon turned into a woman, who then sent Shadow Weaver somewhere, with a spell no doubt, then Ram-Man defeat a retreating Beastman and the falcon woman was now helping Man-At-Arms.
Now she watched as the fallen Masters recovered from their supposedly defeat. She saw her perfect, flawless plan crumbling before her. Her next move was on instinct, she needed to get what was left of her team back safely to Snake Mountain as the last thing she wanted was for Hordak to have to send a rescue mission to the dungeons of the palace.
"Retreat!" she called out. Without hesitation the warriors retreated to the woods, hoping that the Masters would loose interest sooner rather than later on their fleeing ambushers.
After some distance between where they were now and their battleground Adora checked over her shoulder to see if they were being followed. They weren't.
She breathed a sigh of relief since one thing had finally gone their way. Adora nearly made it to the vehicles as she was coming up the rear to be sure everyone on her team had made it back okay, well except for Shadow Weaver.
After she checked again for any more followers she was a little surprised to see Catra in her face.
"Come on Catra, we've got to keep moving." The situation clouding her judgment a bit, she didn't notice a possible threat before her.
Catra acted as if she didn't hear a single word she said. With lightening fast speed Catra clipped Adora on the side of the head with the butt of her sword. Adora fell to the ground, dazed.
Even though her vision dimmed, Adora still looked up at her now forever enemy. "I was told that strategy works best in battle, at least for the winner. Isn't that right, Adora?" With that, Catra kicked Adora in the head. The blonde's head snapped back, unconscious.
Catra smiled, satisfied. Turning, she fled to her Sky Sled. From that height she turned back to see the Masters approaching the unconscious Adora. 'Let's see you get out of this one,' she thought, heading full speed back to Snake Mountain to tell Hordak of her good news.
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The four Masters and Sorceress had raced after the retreating villains. They were in time to see the last Sky Sled fly off into the distance.
"Blast! We let them get away," Adam said. Discouraged he began to dig his unsheathed sword into the dirt.
Duncan was about to reply to Adam's statement when something in the distance caught his eye. Stepping forward he was able to make out the figure as the girl that had attacked them.
Skeptically he looked around, thinking it to be some sort of yet another ambush.
The Sorceress came to Duncan's side. Gasping when she saw the fallen girl, she quickly was at the girls' side.
"Be careful," Man-At-Arms cautioned, now approaching the two females.
"Duncan, do you recognize who she is?" she asked, looking back at the man who steadily approached.
Arching an eyebrow questionably, he knelt next to the blonde. Carefully he turned her onto her back. Seeing her face brought forth a wave of memories.
"Adora," was all he said, as tears of joy and sorrow filled his eyes. He cradled the lost girl in his arms. The other three Masters watched on in confusion.
"Duncan, who is she?" Adam, so boldly, asked.
"Adam, she's your sister," he whispered so softly Adam almost didn't hear it. But when it registered Adam stared at the girl in complete and utter shock.
Sure the girl resembled him, but sister...he never had a sister. "What!? How is that possible?"
Duncan looked at the Sorceress, who answered. "Adam, years ago when even before you were born your father and Hordak were in an endless battle for the planet. Many years were spent fighting and then a month after you were both born the war was at is' highest peak. The final battle was at hand. Your father, along with the Masters and the ally villages defeated Hordak and his army.
Victory, it seemed, had finally been won, but that evening Hordak and Skeletor had crept into the nursery. After the queen had been gagged Hordak took Adora, Skeletor was about to take you but Man-At-Arms entered in time to stop Skeletor. While occupied with Skeletor, Hordak was able to make a break for it. Skeletor told us where to find Hordak so we went there only to have a short battle that ended in Hordak's escape through a portal.
So many years had passed before we finally gave up hope. I used my powers to erase the memory of Adora from everyone on Eternia. Only the one's closet to Adora and those few who witnessed the kidnapping remember her."
"But why would you wipe the memories away?" Mekanek asked.
"The Elders showed me a vision. If the memories of Adora would be erased, she would one day sense the emptiness she had caused and that would lead her back to restore the memories. But that chain has been broken, since the horde had come to Eternia."
"So how will our memories of her be restored now?" Ram-Man asked, rubbing his head in hopes to help the memories along.
"Adam, you and Man-At-Arms know the answer."
Adam looked at her questionably. "How do I..." he began, but stopped when he began to understand what she was talking about once Duncan looked at him gesturing towards Adam's sword.
"You mean she..." the Sorceress nodded. "And we'd..." again a nod. "Wow," was all he could say after that.
The other two Masters watched on in confusion and curiosity, not sure at all what the Sorceress was talking about. "Come. We must get her medical attention," Man-At-Arms said, picking Adora up, whose body laid limply in his arms.
The Sorceress placed a hand on Adora's forehead. Closing her eyes she searched for any serious damage. Finding only a minor concussion she agreed for Duncan to take her back to the palace for medical treatment. The five Masters headed towards Grayskull where their Sky Sleds were.
Returning to her falcon form she flew high above to be sure no one would intercept them on their ever so important journey home.
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Next chapter will have the reunion and revenge from the horde so stay tuned.