"Sire?" Fisto asked respectfully, bowing low before the throne. "You called for me?"
"Yes, Fisto," Randor said slowly. "I've been thinking of who should be the new Captain of the Guard. I understand you attended the guard training a while back? "
"Yes, He-Man recommended that I do so," Fisto agreed immediately.
Randor ground his teeth slightly, but managed not to react at the mention of his son's alter ego. He was still frustrated with Adam's actions. "Fisto, do you know who Keldor is?"
Fisto's brows knit together. "He's your half-brother."
"He's Skeletor," Randor said flatly.
Fisto blinked hard. "That's impossible."
Randor stood and descended from the throne, only to pace around the room. "I wish that were the case, Fisto, but it's not."
"But how-"
Randor waved a hand impatiently. "I'll explain that part of it later. I have another problem right now." He resumed his pacing. "As you can imagine, this leaves me with an interesting dilemma. None of my guardsmen have direct experience fighting that fiend."
"But I do," Fisto acknowledged slowly as the king stopped and stared at him.
"Precisely," Randor said with tight smile. "In fact, your history of both working for and fighting against him makes you an ideal person."
"I'm afraid I'm not following you, Your Majesty," Fisto said bluntly. "You seem to expect something from me, but I'm not sure what it is."
"I want you to be Captain of the Guard, Fisto."
Fisto's mouth dropped open slightly. "That's...that's quite an honor," he said humbly. "Why me? Why not He-Man? "
Randor opened his mouth, tempted to tell Fisto the truth. "He-Man is-" He broke off, clearing his throat. "...responsible to Grayskull," he finished instead. "He cannot be tied to the Eternian guard, although I'm sure he'll be here as often as we need him."
Fisto was silent for a few moments. "You really think the guard will accept an outsider as their leader?" he finally asked.
Randor nodded. "One of my concerns has been the gap between the Guard and the Masters since Teela resigned. You could fill that gap, Fisto. You attended the training and have fought with both."
Fisto shifted uncomfortably, not sure how to word the next question. "What about...the duty as the prince's bodyguard? " he asked awkwardly. "Was Saul still covering that as well?"
Randor shook his head. "No, it came to my attention some time ago that the prince can handle himself more than adequately, and he has surrounded himself with friends who are willing to fight on his behalf. It's not necessary."
Fisto was relieved. He had heard stories from Teela about how difficult it was to keep track of Adam, and he didn't want an assignment he didn't think he could fulfill.
"Your Majesty," he said, straightening up and looking Randor in the eye, "I would be honored to accept the appointment as Captain of the Guard."
The tension between Adam and Teela had been heavy on the way to the castle, when Teela refused to talk to him. It was even worse on their return trip, as Teela's exhaustion-enhanced emotions tossed her thoughts back and forth and anger slowly began to win out over taking comfort in her husband's arms. When Josiah screamed again and began to tremble, she lost it completely.
"I hope you're happy," she finally spat out at Adam, the cursed tears flowing down her face once more.
"What?" Adam asked, caught by surprise. "What are you talking about?"
"Don't you see?" Teela demanded. "All this started when you brought Skeletor back. He's the cause of it all, and it's all your fault! He's just using you, like he always does to everyone, and you've allowed it!"
Adam wanted to argue with her, but he wasn't as confident in Keldor's change as he would like to be. "I think you're wrong about him," he finally said.
"Oh yeah?" Teela snorted derisively. "Bet he's either gone or taken over the palace by the time we get back."
"Stop it, Teela," Adam said irritably.
"Stop what?" she yelled at him over the wind raider's engines. "Stop pointing out what a stupid mistake it was for you to bring him back?"
"He did what I asked!" Adam retorted. "He helped us defeat the Alma'Odela. We couldn't have done it without him! And he didn't have to surrender afterwards, but he did! How much proof do you want that he's changed, Teela?"
Teela stared at him in disbelief. "Don't you see?" she demanded, her voice weakening to a distraught, hoarse sound that Adam had to strain to hear over Josiah's cries and the wind raider's engines. "He's done the one thing you always feared: he's hurt your family. He's driven a wedge between you and your father, he's harming our son....he hasn't changed at all Adam. He's just being more covert about it all. He's succeeding where before he failed. And now all he has to do to get rid of you is disappear before his trial."
Teela's words were as ice gripping Adam's heart and slowly seeping through the rest of his body. 'By the Ancients, what if she's right?'
'I can't believe this," muttered Orko as he looked around the corner. 'Skeletor and Evil-Lyn just strolling down the halls of the palace like they own it.' Orko narrowed his yellow eyes. 'Especially after what I overhead--Skeletor regretting that he didn't blast King Randor. I don't know why they keep saying things like they want to help one minute and then want to blast people the next, but I'm going to get proof that they haven't changed one bit.' Orko was still fuming as he floated down the hall toward the terrace over the east gardens.
"I still feel like someone is following us," Lyn said, glancing back over her shoulder.
"Well, if they are," said Keldor with a mischievous grin, "let's give them something to see."
Lyn chuckled as Keldor took her in his arms and gave her a tender kiss.
"Blech!" Orko exclaimed as he saw Skeletor and Evil-Lyn kissing.
Keldor and Lyn broke apart at the noise. Orko barely had enough time to dive behind the column next to the exit before Keldor looked his way.
A wary expression crossed Keldor's face as he scanned the area. Unable to find the cause of the noise, he shrugged and turned back to the view of the east gardens.
"It's not our terrace back home, but it's a nice view, nonetheless," Keldor noted as he leaned on the railing overlooking the riot of colors and statues below them.
"It is nice," agreed Lyn. She leaned her head on Keldor's shoulder as he placed his arm around her.
"Of all of the sneaky tricks," muttered Orko, pushing his sleeves up to his elbows. "Now they're whispering. Well, I'll fix that." Orko popped the top of his hat open and a disembodied gloved hand began tossing things down at his feet. "I know that recorder Man-at-Arms gave me has got to be in here somewhere," he muttered as the pile grew as tall as Orko's floating robe's end. A pile of fireworks landed in a jumble on the floor followed by a pair of firestarter rocks that Orko had found for his massive rock collection. A spark flew from the rocks with a clack and soon a hissing pulled Orko from his seemingly endless search.
"Uh-oh," muttered Orko nervously. "I'd better put that out before they go off." He rushed to the fireworks, no longer caring if Skeletor and Evil-Lyn saw him. Stopping the explosion was more important for the moment. "Fire never meant to start, liquid come now and do your part."
Suddenly a metallic bucket of clear liquid hung over the sparking fuse.
"Wait," shouted Keldor. He and Lyn had heard noises and come down the hall to investigate. "That smells like-"
Before Keldor could even finish his thought the bucket fell, soaking the fire with wind raider fuel.
Adam gritted his teeth as Teela tried to calm Josiah. Everything she said was making sense. 'How could I let myself be taken in by him?' he fumed as he landed in the eastern hangar bay. Suddenly an explosion shook the bay, seeming to come from the East Hall.
Teela threw him an exasperated look. "See?" she said almost wearily. Adam didn't answer, but quickly transformed into He-Man. Teela's mouth tightened as she watched him. She wanted badly to fight by his side, but she knew she wasn't well enough yet.
"Stay here?" He-Man requested quietly, his blue eyes pleading with her and a gentle hand on her upper arm. Teela managed a jerky nod, and he was gone.
"You bumbling idiot!" Keldor yelled at Orko as the little magician rubbed at his scorched clothing. "You could have killed us all! And look at this mess!" He threw out an arm to encompass the entire wing. Blackened stone was all around them, doors were burnt to ashes, and a dark acrid smoke still hung in the air.
Lyn put her hands on her hips, anger coursing through her as well. If Keldor and Orko hadn't gotten their shields up so quickly, all three of them would have died, she knew. "You're lucky no one else was in this hallway," she snapped.
"Well it's your fault," Orko retorted defensively. "If it weren't for you two being here, none of this would have happened!"
"What's going on here?" demanded He-Man, entering from a side hall. His eyes widened as he took in the damage. Experience told him immediately that Teela had been wrong, and he relaxed slightly.
"This magical mishap nearly blew up the palace," Keldor snapped, jerking a thumb towards Orko.
"Orko?" He-Man challenged his small friend in an understanding voice. "What happened?"
"It was an accident," Orko protested.
"Of course it was an accident! Anyone could have accidently thrown a bucket of fuel on a pile of flaming firecrackers," sneered Keldor.
"You what?" asked He-Man Orko, an exasperated look crossing his face. In the past he may have chuckled over such a thing, but now with his doubt and fear-riddled mind, he couldn't seem to focus.
Before the tiny magician could reply the palace guard, led by a very angry Man-at-Arms, appeared behind He-Man.
"Put them in restraints and take them to the throne room," ordered Duncan.
He-Man turned to face his mentor. "What?"
"King Randor's orders. The prisoners are to be brought before him to answer for this," he said with an angry wave to the decimated balcony.
Both Keldor and Lyn were furious, but they did not say a word. They allowed themselves to be restrained and led into the hallway.
Man-at-Arms looked at He-Man warily, expecting him to protest the king's orders. His eyebrows rose as he took in He-Man's lost, almost defeated look.
"Yeah...I'll go get Adam," he said. "I know he wants some answers as well."
Adam entered the throne room just behind Keldor and Lyn. Except for Miro, the entire royal family was already gathered there; even Lana and Sea Hawk were present. King Randor glared at the two former villains.
"I demand an explanation for the destruction you caused," Randor said, striving to keep his voice calm but failing.
"We did nothing!" Keldor snapped, tired of taking the abuse from everyone. He had known it would be difficult to return to Eternia, difficult to face everyone's distrust and anger, but experiencing was actually worse than imagining it. Keldor recognized within himself that even with Miro's unexpected support, he just did not have the patience required to deal with his family.
"You expect me to believe that?" Randor asked in disbelief.
"Orko," hissed Adam, nudging the magician with his elbow.
Orko floated forward a few feet, his head hanging. "It was my fault, Your Majesty," he admitted somberly.
"What happened, Orko?" asked Adora gently.
"I....um...was-" stammered Orko.
"Spying," snapped Keldor.
"No one asked you, villain," barked Randor. He looked back at Orko expectantly.
"I was afraid they were going to do something to try to take the palace, Your Majesty. I was keeping an eye on them to find proof of their plan before they could attack us."
Keldor began to pace back and forth, his face flushing a deep angry purple. One of the guards raised a laser pistol in warning, and Keldor halted in mid-stride, his jaw twitching.
"Only they started talking too low for me to hear and I was trying to find the recorder Man-at-Arms gave me so I could amplify and record their plans....." Orko tugged nervously on his scarf. "Only I accidently lit some fireworks and...then I...um…"
"Tried to put them out by soaking them in vehicle fuel," snarled Lyn. "We are lucky that Keldor and your little jester were able to raise their shields quickly enough or we would be dead now."
"Orko," asked Marlena, her eyebrows raised. "Is this true?"
Orko nodded quickly and lowered his head until only the top of his hat could be seen.
"Guards," commanded Randor, "leave us. Take Orko by the housekeeper's office and have him gather cleaning supplies to begin repairing the damage he has done."
Keldor and Lyn stood facing the family, still in their restraints.
"Since we have them here," interjected Teela angrily, "I want a few answers!" She turned to Lyn and Keldor. "I want to know exactly what you've done to my son! He was fine! We were fine and then you two showed back up. You're just as evil as ever, you've just gotten better at hiding it. Now undo what you've done before I freeze you two and drop you in the abyss around Grayskull myself."
"Teela," gasped Adora. Hawk laid a restraining hand on her arm and shook his head slightly.
"And then I want to know how you set up the Alma'Odela uprising. I know you had to be behind all of this," accused Pierce. "You're looking for a way to worm your way back into Miro's good graces and I tell you, it won't work."
"Pierce," scolded Mira. "How could you? He saved your life. Our kingdom. Our son!"
"I'm afraid I have to agree with Pierce, Mira," said Randor. "This is all too convenient. The kingdom is struggling with rumors and strife--then there's an uprising of Keldor's own people and who must save us, but our long-lost brother--and just in the nick of time. Our hero," Randor spat the words in disgust. "Your trick won't work, Skeletor."
"Keldor!" shouted Miro as he burst through the doors into the throne room. He scanned the room quickly and saw his eldest son and daughter-in-law in bonds. "Randor, what is this?"
"I've finally come to my senses," Randor replied.
"You call this coming to your senses?" Miro demanded, stalking over to Keldor and Lyn. "Take these things off at once."
"Not until we have some answers," Randor argued, his voice deepening in agitation.
"Earlier you refused to listen to anything I said!" Keldor exclaimed in exasperation. "If you changed your mind, all you had to do was ask!"
"I don't want to hear about what drove the 'good Keldor' to become Skeletor," Randor said, sarcasm heavy in his tone. "Nor do I want to hear about how you conveniently became Keldor again. I want to hear the truth about your plans. Why are you here?"
"Because Adam called me back!" Keldor said heatedly, too upset to do more than spew out the truth.
Adam blanched under the angry gazes directed his way. He didn't hear the rest of Keldor's response as he struggled with the utter sense of despair that was welling up. He hadn't felt so miserable since he had thought Teela had died. But now, with most of his family angry at him, his people believing he was unworthy to rule, and the Sorceress' hesitant proclamation about Josiah's health, it seemed as if everything in his life was crumbling right before his eyes. And if Teela was right, a large part of it had to do with the man and woman still shackled before him.
"Let me use the Sword of Truth on them," Teela suddenly interjected as Keldor ended his explanation. She grew thoughtful as the tension in the room dissipated somewhat, and even Keldor and Lyn relaxed.
"An excellent idea, Captain," Randor agreed immediately, slipping on Teela's title. Adora hid a smile at his error. "Please retrieve it immediately."
Lana took Josiah from Teela's arms. Teela strode out of the room.
Keldor looked over at Adam, his stomach sinking to his feet. Adam's face was awash in misery and his stance was as spiritless at a beaten slave. 'How can my being here help him? I seem to do nothing but cause him more misery.'
A tense silence filled the throne room as everyone waited. Randor began to tap his fingers restlessly on the arm of his throne. The tapping was grating on Keldor's last nerve--he bit his tongue to keep from yelling at his exalted brother.
Randor noticed the tension on Keldor's face and leaned forward, a mirthless smile on his face. "So are you getting a bit nervous now that your vile plot is about to be revealed, brother?"
"I have nothing to fear from the truth, Randor," Keldor retorted. "I was merely trying to keep from telling you to stop that annoying tapping before I blast something."
"How dare you-" began Randor, but he was cut off as Teela entered with the Sword of Truth. "Finally," he said in relief. "I want to know what his plan is, and what possible reason I could have to trust him, and what he has to do with Josiah's illness."
Teela nodded, a determined look on her face. She raised the Sword before her, "Let the truth be revealed as to what these two have planned, why any of us should trust them, and what they've done," Teela's voice broke and she had to take a deep breath to calm herself before continuing, "and what they've done to my baby."
The sword glowed brightly and enveloped Lyn and Keldor. Images began to form in front of them....
First Skeletor was sitting in between four tall torches in a jungle filled with red-orange flowers, but his shoulders were shaking with silent tears. 'What have I done?' was the anguished cry they heard from the mind of the man they only ever knew as the Overlord of Evil. 'What right do I even have to draw breath after all I've done? I don't deserve to live, but the children, they deserve a life.' Skeletor lifted up his bony face to the stars and took a shaky breath. 'I don't deserve my life, or this second chance I've been given, but I'm going to spend it doing the right thing from now on. Oh Ancients, Father, I'm sorry for what I've become, and Randor...' Skeletor's head dropped again. 'I can never do enough to repay you for what I've done...for helping take Adora...Ancients, I'm sorry. I would step into Blazes right now, if I could just undo what I've done to you, Randor.'
This memory faded and another shined in front of them. It was Keldor looking as he did now. He was standing in a room filled with ink and parchments talking to an older woman.
"You've heard my life now, historian. I was a monster…a fiend. How can you think that even one bit of it is worthwhile? Worth knowing?"
"Because, Keldor, your life is a testament to the fact that it is never too late to change. You prove that Good is strong enough to bring good out of the greatest evil. Think of what was said of you at the ritual of position. Where you once enslaved, you will free, where you once hurt, you will protect and where you once killed you will heal."
The memory shifted again.
Keldor and Lyn were on a wide balcony overlooking a breath-taking jungle view.
"You cannot go with me. You seem to believe that we will be returning to Eternia. That Adam will use the spell I set at Snake Mountain to call me back. If it does work out that way, you must stay here with our children, Lyn."
A very pregnant Lyn looked up into Keldor's blue face, "I will be going with you when you return and that's final. Our children will be safe here."
"But I will be tried for my crimes, and I will deserve any punishment I receive. I can't leave the children without at least one of us! I forbid you to come with me!"
"You what?" Lyn snarled.
The memory shifted just as it seemed a great argument was in the making.
Keldor was carrying Lyn into a bedroom. She was wrapped in a sheet and was holding a tiny blue baby girl.
He settled her tenderly on the bed and turned to leave. "Don't go," Lyn said weakly.
"I'm going to get you something to drink," Keldor said turning back to his wife.
"Stay. Stay with me, and Keelyanne," Lyn requested softly as she held her child close to her chest.
Keldor turned and sat on the bed next to his wife and their child. He ran a finger down her full cheek and down her blue arms only to have her grasp his finger in her tiny fist.
"I think she likes you," Lyn observed softly.
"I think I like her too," he said.
One a moment it looked as if Keldor was glowing with joy. Then in the next he looked stricken. He pulled away from Lyn as he walked toward the door just as a group of midwives entered.
"Keldor, where are you-"
"I need to get some air, Lyn, I'll be back," Keldor choked out.
Keldor half-ran and half-stumbled out of his home. He sat heavily in a chair on his balcony and began to weep in earnest.
'What have I done? I would die if I were ever separated from my Keelyanne. Why do I live? Randor. I'm so sorry. Ancients, Truth, why do I live? I would give anything to undo what I've done. Randor. Adora…. I'm so sorry. I would do anything to undo what I've done."
A new scene began with Keldor and Lyn standing on the same balcony.
"What do you think we will be called back for?"
"I have no idea when I will be called back for what, but I owe Adam and Randor more than I can ever repay and I will do whatever is needed." 'Even if it costs me my life, it's not too much to pay.' Keldor's thoughts trailed off as a new scene appeared before them.
Keldor was striding down the palace hall.
'I don't know why I think they'll let me try and help the child, but I can't not at least try to help. If it were one of my children… I have to at least try to help Adam's son. I only wish I knew what was wrong with him so I would know where to start.'
The glow faded slowly from around Keldor and Lyn as everyone stood stunned silent.
Keldor supposed a truly good person wouldn't feel the triumphant vindication that was flooding him at the moment, but he simply couldn't help it. He hadn't chosen what to reveal; the Sword of Truth had. It obviously proved all of their assumptions wrong. He only hoped that it not only helped him, but Adam as well.
The mixture of relief and chagrin on Adam's face was almost comical. His muscles relaxed slightly as he understood he had been right in trusting Keldor as much as he had. He felt certain now that Keldor and Lyn wouldn't be running away, leaving him to face their sentence in their place. But he also felt ashamed that he had let his family's words cause him to doubt his own instincts. Good had told him to bring back Keldor; Adam couldn't help but think that he should have believed more strongly that the former villain had changed, based on that fact alone.
Randor's mouth opened once, then closed as Teela slowly lowered the sword in disbelief. The awkward silence grew. Finally Randor found his voice. "It appears we may have misjudged your motives," he said hoarsely.
"Appears?" repeated Miro, stunned by this understatement.
Adam closed his eyes for a few seconds. He could feel another full-fledged family argument coming on. And perhaps there would have been, except that Josiah chose that moment to let out a blood-curdling scream. Marlena looked down at him and quickly shifted him in her arms, trying to relieve the pain he was obviously feeling.
"Oh Ancients," Teela said, her voice catching as she and Adam reached Marlena at the same time. She looked up at Adam as he took Josiah, her eyes tortured. "If Keldor's not behind this, then the Sorceress is right. We can't fix whatever's wrong with Josiah."