Previously on Earth's Magic:

A blinding flash and where his [Captain Steve Marshall] niece once was falling, flew Dovahzii .

Chapter 10: Revelations Part 2

Dovahzii raced towards the falling Steve Marshall and took hold of the back of his chair with one hand as her wings folded up, causing it to spin. With the other hand, she used her armor's claws to rip through the harness. Pushing the chair away, she then placed her arms under Marshalls and spread her wings.

Moments later, Dovahzii landed heavily in the rumbled remains of a deserted town. Once his feet were on the ground, Steve pulled away from the dragon warrior. A few stumbled steps away, the turned to glare at the female who just saved his life. "You're…How … "he growled, "Explain yourself!"

Dovahzii sighed tiredly as she summoned her staff. Using the staff as partial support, she made her way to some cracked stairs and sat down. Closing her eyes, she leaned back slightly to consider what to say.

":You could alter his memory:"Zii hissed, ":You know the Words. You have the power:"

'No, 'Althea sent to the spirit forcefully, 'And if you ever suggest that again, I'm getting a new cane.'

With a sense of relieved laughter, Zii replied, ":Good. I'll hold you to your promise:"

"Althea Victoria Strom!"

Dovahzii opened her eyes and looked towards the frustrated Steven Marshall glaring at her. She said, "I know you know how to keep a secret. Announcing mine to the world will only make life more dangerous and considering that the Horde just tried to kill ..."

"I get it, "said Steve more calmly, "We'll talk about this at home…no at the office. Home will be too dangerous once the Horde finds out we've survived." He pulls out his miraculously undamaged phone to call for pickup. As the line rang, one of his eyebrows raised and he said, "I suggest telling Prince Adam I wish to speak with him and before I start filling out my report."

"Ah…yeah, "said Dovahzii as she pressed a button on her wrist communicator.

(Earth Military Alliance Naval Research Facility)

"I'm sorry, but I don't know why Thea asked you to come over, "said Susan as she lead the Prince, Cringer and Teela through the research facility, "My guess is it might have something to do with the exploding air-car."

Teela stopped in her tracks as she said, "What?! What happened?"

Susan turned and crossed her arms, looking as if she was about to stomp one of her feet, "They won't tell me! All I know is the aircar they were taking to the airbase blew up on its way over there and they just got here a few minutes ago only to say they were waiting for you before locking themselves in his office. The gal that Stevie called in to be Thea's bodyguard was found dead in her locker even though everyone insists they saw her leave with Stevie."

Adam frowned as he said, "You mean the soldier I saw waiting with Captain Marshall when…Why are you looking at me like that Teela?"

Teela growled, "That's it Adam! I must insist that you return to Eternia! We were lucky that the assassin was targeting someone else. The next one could be out to kill you!"

Adam raised his hands as he said, "Calm down Teela. As Prince of Eternia, that has always been a possibility…even on Eternia."

Teela huffed and muttered, "It's not the same."

"Weeeeellll, that his office right over there, "said Susan twisting her hands nervously, "Why don't I take Teela over to the break room, while Adam…"

"No, "said Teela forcefully, "I'm staying with Adam as he talks with Captain Marshalls and Miss Strom, or we are leaving…"

"Teela, stand down, "Prince Adam ordered, "Go with Susan and get something cold to drink. I'll be ok."

"But Adam…"Teela started to argue her point only to be struck silent by the look on his face. It wasn't often that the Prince of Eternia used the 'Royal Glare' and maybe because it was so rarely used, his seemed more commanding than the king's. Teela sighed and bowed slightly, "Yes, you're Highness."

Susan lead Teela away as Adam walked towards Captain Marshall's office door and knocked. He received muffled, "Enter" before opening the door. Captain Marshall stood up as Adam and Cringer walked in, but Althea remained seated rubbing her forehead. "Thank you for coming so quickly, you're Highness. If you would be so kind as to close the door and have a seat, we have something very important to discuss."

Adam quietly did as the Captain requested and as he sat down, he heard Althea whisper, "I'm sorry about this." Marshall must have also heard, since he sent a glare that could have left burn marks towards his niece before sitting down. Placing his hands together, Marshall looked straight into Adam's eyes and said bluntly, "I know you are He-Man."

"Oh oh, "said Cringer, "This is not good."

Adam closed his eyes with a sigh and asked, "Who else knows?"

"I haven't told anyone…yet, "answered Marshall, "This little meeting will determine who, if anyone, will be notified your secret and my niece's."

Adam asked, "What do you want to know?"

Steve stood up, slamming the desk with both hands and said, "I want to know why I was left in the dark! Whose bright idea was to keep the fact that the girl that I raised not only has magical abilities but is able to transform herself into some sort of mystical dragon/human creature?"

"It is need-to-know, "said Althea, "The fewer people that know, the less chance the Horde or some other danger will find out. How often have you kept secrets from me for the same reason?"

"It is not the same!"

Althea pulled herself up and leaned heavily on her cane, "You're right. How hard did you fight…how many strings did you pull to keep me from becoming a lab rat? And that was only for my ability to 'see' magic. How much good can I do if they decide they want to find out what makes a Dovah tick and if it can be duplicated? You've seen the reports. Both He-Man and Dovahzii are listed as being people of 'interest'. How much good can I do for and with Earth's magic if I have to keep looking over my shoulder wondering when the tranquilizer dart will hit. What good will it do for the Earth-Eternia alliance if Prince Adam should suddenly be killed by someone who thinks He-Man is too dangerous?"

Adam then added, "Don't forget, that there is also our families and friends to worry about. As much as a target you and my parents already are in danger, it becomes much worse if someone decides they want to control He-Man or Dovahzii."

Feeling a headache coming, Marshall rubbed his forehead and said, "Fine, I'll keep your secrets for now. However I ask that you refrain from…flying off until I get a better grasp of the situation."

Althea and Adam glanced at each other, just before Althea nervously said, "Well…I might need to go 'flying off' to check out a few places. I think I might have figured out where store the more dangerous artifacts and once this place is cleaned up some, a good place to start training other magic users."

Marshall frowned and said, "Where is it?"

"You may not believe us, "said Althea nervously, "The stories about this island have grown and changed so much over the centuries, it would not be recognizable using the current popular picture of the place. So please keep an open mind."

(Horde Mother Ship, 'Deathblaze')

Lillian fell heavily on the floor. With a snarl she sat up and wiped the dark blood from her lip. Lord Devon's eyes flared as he rubbed the back of his hand. "You are fortunate that this is the first time you have truly failed me in the years that you have served. Otherwise I wouldn't be so merciful, "he said and then sat down, "Explain to me why is the girl still alive."

Lillian stood up shakily and then quickly knelt down at his feet. "I don't know my lord, "she said, "When my first shot failed, the sabotage I did to the airship should have sealed her and Captain Marshall's fate. No one could have survived the fall from that height. There were no other vehicles in the area that might have been able to save them mid-air and the girl's magic is reported as being rudimentary at best. They should be dead."

A beeping noise drew Devon's attention away from Lillian. He turned his chair around towards his work station and presses a button. One of the monitors lit up, revealing Professor Miles. "This better be good," Lord Devon said.

"It's better than good, Lord Devon, "replied Miles, "I do believe this is the site that holds the items you are looking for."

Devon leaned forward in interest and asked, "Oh? What makes you so certain?"

"A formerly hidden, underground level of what was a temple to Marduk was found still sealed. The seals are knocking back anyone who gets too close to them, "said Professor Miles, "If the tablets are not here, there is something worth hiding."

"Promising indeed, "replied Devon leaning back, "I'll be arriving there within the hour. Make sure everyone is gone by the time I get there."

(Dig Site, Central Iraq)

Professor Miles turned off the computer and then walked off towards the dig site. On the other side of the computer, hidden by a very thin tent wall, Jack was struck silent by what he just heard. Moments passed before the shock wore off, but once it did the college student dug out his cell phone and dialed an almost forgotten number. "Please pick up, please pick up, "He nervously whispered.

"Jack? It's been a while, "came Althea's voice over the phone, "But now is not a good time."

"Thank God I was able to reach you, "said Jack, "I just over-heard the professor talking to that Devon guy…."

(A little later)

Behind a cropping of large rocks, a portal opens out of sight of the camp. First He-Man, then Battle Cat and then Dovahzii walk out from the portal. He-Man and Battle-Cat keep watch as Dovahzii closes the portal. Just before it closes fully, Captain Marshal jumps through head first and rolls safely into a stance.

"You crazy, "Dovahzii hissed, "Are you trying to get yourself stuck between dimensions?!"

Captain Marshall dusted himself off and replied, "You three don't have the authority to be here, at least not alone. I do and I can bring anyone I damn well please. This way there will be hopefully fewer problems after this is all over."

"Glad to have you along, "was all that said He-Man.

Dovhazii sighed and looked up as if asking the heavens for help. She then took a peek around the outcropping and gasped. The whole blasted place was lit up to her 'sight'. It was almost as 'bright' as Castle Greyskull. "Huh, guys we may have a problem. A big problem."

"What's wrong?" asked He-Man.

"I don't know what the Horde is looking for here, but whatever it is has saturated the whole area with magic like radiation just after Chernobyl. Something that strong…"

"Great, a magical nuke, "said Marshall, "We knew there was a chance one would be found someday. I just hoped it wouldn't before we found a safe place to house it…and no I still can't believe you think you can find…"

"Get down, "said He-Man ducking behind the rock and the others followed just in time to see Horde air carrier fly over. It lands right next to the dig site and opens up to allow a squad of Horde soldiers to march out followed by Lord Devon. Next to the Horde commander, a strange creature walked with him. It appeared to have the general shape of a greyhound, but with armored scales and a viper's head.

"Damn it, a D'nake, "hissed Marshall. Seeing both He-Man's and Dovahzii's questioning looks he explained, "A D'nake is like a Horde guard dog with venom. The venom is extremely painful and takes a long time to kill a person. I've…seen Horde prisoners bitten by 'em when the prisoner proved to be no longer any use or the guards got too bored. It's rumored that they can also smell magic."

"Great, "said He-Man.

"Hopefully, the local magic will prevent him from sniffing me or He-Man…"

The D'nake raised his head as if sensing something, and then with a strange combination of a loud hiss and a howl it took off towards the hiding heroes. The Horde soldiers as a group turned and started firing. Captain Marshall pulled out his own laser pistol and started firing back from behind the rocks. Dovahzii flew upward and shouted, "Mid Vur Shaan!." He-Man jumped onto Battle-Cat who easily dodged the blasts and raced towards Lord Devon who calmly walked towards a ruined building.

To be continued….