Chapter Three

"How is she?" He-Man asked. He and Battle Cat were standing in Castle Grayskull's Throne Room (Upon hearing word of the shooting at Dragon Rock, The Sorceress summoned He-Man back to Grayskull immediately.)

"She's alive … but in a coma," The Sorceress replied mournfully from the throne. "Shot through the heart." The Sorceress paused. "Or so Orko has told me."

"Do they know who did it? Do they have any suspects?"

The Sorceress gestured, creating a window in time. An image of Shadow on the roof of the hangar appeared in the window. She froze the image and said, "He's known by the name Shadow. He's an assassin for hire."

"That means someone paid for the hit on Teela," said He-Man. "Lysia told me I should be worried about Teela back in the village." He-Man paused. "Three guesses as to who put the contract out on her."

The Sorceress smiled weakly, and then shut down the smile almost as soon as it appeared. "It's bad enough she went after you," she said solemnly. "This time … it's personal."

"I can imagine," said He-Man.

"Can you?" The Sorceress replied softly. "Teela is all I have left in the world. Teela and Grayskull … that's it."

"No family?"

The Sorceress closed her eyes and shook her head ... No. "They were all killed … when The Horde attacked our village."

He-Man clasped his hand over his mouth in horror. "The irony of it all," The Sorceress continued, shaking her head in bemusement. "I've spent years trying to protect her … trying to keep her from becoming a target … by denying her any link to me. Now … " The Sorceress paused. "She's become a target … on account of her association … with you."

"Sorceress, I…"

The Sorceress shook her head. "I'm not blaming you for anything," she said softly. "I know this hurts you … as much as it does me. If I'm angry at anything, I'm angry at the situation."

"I'm willing to step down … to give up being He-Man … if that's what it takes to protect Teela."

"He-Man … Don't," countered The Sorceress with an edge in her voice. "Lysia would like nothing better than to have that happen." The Sorceress paused. "I know for a fact that that's not what Teela would want." The Sorceress paused again. "We'll protect Teela by capturing Lysia … and Shadow."

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"Where's the rest of my money?" Shadow demanded. He and Lysia were back at Mother's tavern, sitting at a table in a darkened corner.

"When Teela is dead, you will receive the rest of your payment," Lysia replied silkily.

"Teela IS dead!" Shadow wailed.

"Teela is in a coma, you idiot," said Lysia through clenched teeth. "That means she's still ALIVE!"

"So … what am I supposed to do about it?"

"Finish what you started," Lysia shot back. "Kill her … and bring her severed head to me."

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It was after midnight in the Royal Palace of Eternos. Teela was in her quarters, lying comatose in bed with her eyes closed.

All at once, a large orange and white falcon flew in through the open window. The falcon hovered in mid-air and in a flash of light, suddenly transformed itself into the figure of a woman dressed as a falcon -- The Sorceress of Grayskull.

Her transformation complete, she walked over to the side of Teela's bed and sat down on the edge of the mattress.

"Hi," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I came as soon as I could." She then gently stroked the comatose Teela's forehead. "I know I haven't been … the best of parents." Her voice became choked with emotion. "I know … there's nothing I can say or do … that will change the past." The Sorceress then gently caressed the side of Teela's cheek. "I want you to know … that I did what I did … because I love you … and I want to protect you."

"For years, I've tried compartmentalizing you … my feelings for you," The Sorceress continued. "Putting them in a box … putting you in a box … and stowing it away, in order to do my job." The Sorceress paused. "I can't do it anymore. Not now … ESPECIALLY not now … not after nearly losing you altogether."

The Sorceress pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to stop the tears that were running down her face. "It's taken … THIS … to make me realize … how much I care for you." The Sorceress paused. She then added, her voice choked with emotion, "I hope … that one day … you'll find it in your heart to forgive me … for all the pain I've caused you." The Sorceress paused again. "I want you to know … that I love you … and that I'm here for you."

The Sorceress stood up. "I must go," she said. "But I WILL return." She bent over and kissed Teela tenderly on the forehead. "I love you," she whispered. She then stood up once more and disappeared into thin air.