Chapter Five

Three days later, Teela was standing before King Randor and Queen Marlena in the Throne Room of the Royal Palace of Eternos, giving her final report on the apprehension of Lysia.

"Your Highnesses will be pleased to know that Lysia has now been committed to the Royal Asylum for the Criminally Insane," said Teela.

"Excellent work, Teela," said King Randor.

"Thank you, Your Highness," said Teela.

"Your report has made for some … interesting reading," said Queen Marlena.

"How so?" Teela asked.

"Did you REALLY do everything Lysia has testified to … in this report?" asked The Queen. "Can you REALLY … appear from out of nowhere?"

"DID I appear from out of nowhere? Yes," Teela replied. "Yes, I did do that." Teela paused. "Can I do it on my own? No."

"Someone was working with you, then…"

"Yes, I had someone working with me," said Teela. "Someone … who has asked to remain … anonymous."

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A few days later, Teela was at Castle Grayskull, visiting The Sorceress. They were in The Sorceress's quarters, staring out a window.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Teela asked The Sorceress.

"I'm wondering … if I came on too strong," The Sorceress replied.

Teela knitted her eyebrows in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"I can't help but think … that it was MY fault … that Lysia went insane," said The Sorceress ruefully.

"How could it have been your fault?" Teela asked. "She never even SAW you!"

"She suspected something … she had to," The Sorceress replied. "How could she not? If nothing else, she had to have known that something was out of the ordinary."

"Look, these things happen," said Teela. "Think about all the enemies you've faced over the years … people who have ACTUALLY seen you fight … just as you are right now. Did any of THEM go crazy?"

The Sorceress smiled a shy smile. "You have a point," she said softly.

"Look, stuff happens. It was an isolated incident, nothing more," said Teela. "Happens in MY business all the time. One minute, your best friend is standing right beside you. The next, they're nothing but a bleeding, broken corpse."

The Sorceress's eyebrows shot upwards. "Teela, did that actually HAPPEN?" she asked, concerned.

Teela nodded her head. "Yes … yes, it did," said Teela mournfully. "It happened early in my career … before I was transferred to the Guard." Teela paused. "Me and my friend Markus, we were both newly commissioned lieutenants, fresh out of Officer Candidate School. We were called to put down a revolt in the Outer Territories." Teela paused again. "To make a long story short, a mortar landed near him … and he was killed instantly."

The Sorceress put a comforting hand on Teela's shoulder. Teela returned the gesture by placing her hand over The Sorceress's. "Thanks," she said softly.

"You've kept that inside you … all this time."

Teela sighed. "It's neither here nor there."

"I still can't help but wonder … if it wouldn't be best for all concerned … that I confined myself to Grayskull."

Teela shook her head. "Please … DON'T," she said. "Don't crawl back into your shell."

"I'm wondering if I might be TOO powerful," said The Sorceress. "I'm beginning to wonder if I even know my own strength."

"You did great out there," said Teela. "Granted, your tactics took a little … um, getting used to." Teela paused. "At the same time, I found them to be … frighteningly efficient."

"It was never my intent … to drive her insane."

"Hold onto that," said Teela. "As long as you know in your heart that you didn't set out to drive her insane … and I'm assuming that you didn't … don't let it get to you." Teela paused. "If she's seeing invisible birds after being shaken up a little, then the problem lies with HER … not YOU." Teela's face then turned grave. "Eternia needs you … I need you," she said. "Don't quit. Don't withdraw." Teela paused again. "Because if you do, Lysia will have won."

The Sorceress smiled. "You're right," she said softly. "You're absolutely right."

"You never gave Skeletor the victory," said Teela. "Don't give it to Lysia."

"If you want me, I'll stay in the game," said The Sorceress. "If you need me, I'll be there."

Teela embraced The Sorceress. "Now THAT'S the Sorceress I know," she said with a smile. She then added, "You know, you're one-of-a-kind."

"Oh?"

"I don't know many people like you … who are willing to step into a sewer."

The Sorceress gave a shy smile. "I'm glad I was able to help."

"He-Man must really mean a lot to you … if you were willing leave Grayskull for him."

"You're right … he does," said The Sorceress. "He wasn't the ONLY reason, however."

"Oh?"

"Remember Shadow? The man who shot you at Dragon Rock?"

"Yeah."

"He was an assassin-for-hire."

"A hit man…"

The Sorceress nodded. "Lysia put a contract out on your life."

All of the air suddenly left Teela's body. "She paid HIM … to kill ME," she said, bewildered. "WHY?"

"You're close to He-Man," said The Sorceress. "After her attempt on his life in The Emerald Forest failed, she tried to strike back at him by killing you … a presumably 'easier' target." The Sorceress paused. "My coming out there … was as much about you … as it was about He-Man."

"Wow," exclaimed Teela. "I'm speechless."

The Sorceress put a hand on Teela's shoulder. "Think nothing of it," she said.

"I was wondering if I could ask you … a personal question," Teela asked hesitantly.

"What is it?"

"Major Bellaq," said Teela. "Was he … the REAL you?"

The Sorceress knitted her brows in confusion. "I don't understand…"

"Is he … the person 'behind the mask'?" asked Teela. "When He-Man told me you fought The Horde, I couldn't believe it. Now … after seeing you in that sewer … I can." Teela paused. "I can definitely see you now as a warrior … a soldier … fighting The Horde."

"The person you saw in that sewer … was Teela-Na," said The Sorceress.

"Teela WHO?"

"Teela-Na … my human name," said The Sorceress. "My name … before I became The Sorceress. A name … I'm asking you to keep strictly between the two of us."

"Of course," said Teela.

"It's … personal," said The Sorceress. "To answer your question, there IS no 'real me'. There isn't anyone … 'behind the mask', as you put it." The Sorceress paused. "When I first became The Sorceress, I was told that I would cease to be human. I know now … that that is not entirely true. If nothing else, my heart is as human as it ever was."

"I can see that," said Teela.

"I see The Sorceress and Teela-Na as being two aspects of a greater whole," said The Sorceress. "I have nothing to hide … nothing to be ashamed of."

"Pleased to meet you … Teela-Na," said Teela.

The Sorceress smiled. "Likewise," she said.

THE END