A/N: Merry Christmas everyone! Thanks so much for all the feedback. It helps keep us engaged with the story. As always, thanks to Candi for beta-reading. And of course, we own very few of these characters--Josiah, Serena, any Truth Sworn, the Syriak, and Keldor's children...I think that covers it. Everything else is owned by...um...Mattel? Well, it's someone with a lot more power and money than we have. ;-) We just borrow them so we can escape real life for a while each day.

"What's going on?" Adora asked Keldor as she met up with him and Lyn in the hallway just outside of Adam's and Teela's suite.

The blue mage shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine."

Adora bit her lip. Something was really wrong. She could sense it. 'Has Josiah taken a turn for the worse?' she wondered worriedly.

The door opened, and Teela beckoned them in, her face tight with tension. Adam had told her only that he needed to talk to them all. He had refused to tell her about it separately. Whatever it was, it was bad enough that he didn't want to repeat it twice, and he wasn't even trying to protect her from it. Teela had known him long enough to understand that whatever was bothering him was serious—so serious that she was barely keeping hold of the panic balling in her stomach.

Adam was standing in the living area, his back to them. Keldor frowned. An unfamiliar cold rage seemed to be emanating from the prince. He glanced at Teela, but she had eyes only for Adam as she motioned for the group to take a seat.

Adam sighed deeply, trying to shove aside the helpless anger that seemed to be simmering in his blood. He took a few seconds to re-focus himself, and then turned around, his face calm, even if his emotions were not.

"There's something you all need to know, because it involves all of us," he said quietly, hoping he was making the right choice. "A second guardian of Grayskull has been chosen. His coming heralds a final battle between Good and Evil. A battle that is destined to change Eternia for eons." As his allies exchanged confused glances, Adam went onto explain what he had learned, and recited the prophecy almost word-for-word.

Keldor was struck dumb for a moment as the full impact of the prophecy filtered down. "No," he whispered. But even as he said the word he knew that what Adam had said was not only the truth, but it felt like this was exactly what he and Lyn were waiting for. Not some trial, but this. A battle that he was supposed to be a part of. 'But the child,' he thought in horror.

"Adam, no!" protested Lyn. "It can't be true. It just can't." Tears began to stream down her face. Adam's gaze traveled to Lyn, who looked even paler than usual.

"I'm afraid I'm lost," Adora said, looking around at everyone. "You seem to understand something I don't."

"The seed of a hero must be laid down—one life denied," Adam quoted again. "A seed is-," He stopped, his throat choking up.

"It's a common reference here on Eternia," Keldor finished as Teela and Adam wrapped their arms around each other, giving each other strength. "It's a reference to a child. In this case, a hero's child." Keldor swallowed hard as another thought occurred to him. He didn't consider himself a hero, but some on Carina certainly did. What if the person who had written the prophecy had not known of his dark past? What if this was about his own child?

"No!" Adora objected, stepping back. Her head swirled with the implication.

"Is there any way either one of us can take the child's place?" Lyn whispered. Keldor could see her thoughts were only of Adam and Teela and Josiah; the idea that it might be a child of her own had not occurred to her yet.

"The Sorceress said that there was a chance that you were misunderstanding the prophecy, right?" Teela interjected before Adam could answer, her voice breaking. "Maybe-"

"Whether or not this prophecy means what we all think it means," Adam said his voice even, "the Sorceress did tell me via telepathy that all of us, including you, Teela, will be needed in that battle. And she believes that the time for it is coming very soon—although of course she could be wrong about that."

"Not if we're supposed to be a part of it," Keldor pointed out.

"Are we supposed to keep this a secret or something?" Adora asked. "Why tell us and not Duncan, Lana, Hawk, and Orko? Or Mother and Father?"

"Because this is about us," Adam said firmly. "Two guardians--that's Malick and Serena. Two champions--you and me. Two forgiven-" He looked at Keldor and Lyn, who nodded.

"And what about me?" Teela challenged.

Adam grasped her shoulders gently. "You're Josiah's mother," he said, struggling to hold back the tears. "I couldn't leave you out of something that affects him."

"It just can't be about him," Teela whispered, leaning into Adam's embrace again. He rubbed her back soothingly.

Adora hesitated as another thought occurred to her. "We're all ignoring the fact that Adam and Teela are not the only heroes in this room with a child," she said softly.

Keldor threw her a despairing look, but it was too late. The idea was out there.

Lyn's face grew pale. "But they're on Carina. Surely they aren't going to be hurt."

Keldor turned toward her and took wrapped an arm around Lyn's shoulders. "When the demon had us captured in Snake Mountain, he threatened them," he admitted solemnly. "He said Evil had agents everywhere."

Lyn began to tremble. "I know we have to do this. We were sent her for this reason Keldor, but I—I-" Lyn's voice faltered.

"I know," Keldor said, his voice thick with pain. He struggled to compose himself for a moment. "We have to remember. Evil can never truly separate us from them. Nothing can happen unless it can be used for some greater good, and at the end of all things we'll be with them again." Keldor murmured these words softly to Lyn, but they carried throughout the silent room.

Adam swallowed hard and turned away, feeling shame creep up his neck in a steady flush. Keldor's and Lyn's faith in goodness seemed to cast a harsh light on his own recent doubts and struggles. 'Then again,' he thought bitterly, 'they aren't being forced to watch their child waste away before their eyes. It's easy to believe you'll have faith until you're in the midst of a real crisis.' He took a step away from the others, trying hard to compose himself, his hands clenched at his sides.

Teela approached Adam from behind. His emotions were so strong that they were fairly pouring off of him, though she wasn't sure Keldor and Lyn could sense it. Adora could. She was watching Adam and Teela with wide, worried eyes. "Adam?" Teela said softly, touching his shoulder gently.

Adam took a few deep breaths, forcing himself to calm down. "I'm okay," he whispered to her. Teela squeezed his shoulder; he turned back to the others and put an arm around her. "Your faith is admirable, but I will do anything I can to stop a child from being sacrificed in this fight," he said roughly. "Whether it is mine or yours, no child should have to die." His eyes narrowed. "I won't let it happen."

Lyn took in a shaky breath as she gathered herself. "This fretting is useless. There are things that seem clear to us now, but Keldor and I have seen too many prophecies that are fulfilled in ways that astound even the ones who gave those prophecies."

"Lyn is right," Keldor pointed out. "We can only do what we should do in this circumstance. Understanding prophecy is tricky, and trying to avoid it inevitably leads to disaster. At least," Keldor shrugged, "that has been my experience."

Adam snorted. It seemed to him that unknowingly fulfilling prophecies had led him into trouble in recent years. Still, there was truth to their words.

"They're right," Adora agreed quickly. She cast a worried glance at her brother. "We have to do what's right. Some smart-mouthed hero told me that being a hero meant doing the right thing, no matter what." She laid a hand on his arm. "Telling Damien no when he was torturing you was the hardest thing I ever had to do, Adam, but it was the right thing to do."

Startled, Adam's gaze flew to her wide blue eyes. 'Does she know what Damien offered?' But no, he could see that she was a bit surprised by what had come out of her mouth.

"I know," he answered her, trying to draw on whatever strength he had left to make his voice sound as sure as he could. But inside, his heart was breaking into a thousand tiny pieces, and when he looked at Teela, he could see that she felt the same.

Lyn pulled herself up to her full stature. "Then it's decided. What do we do now?"

Keldor placed his arm around her waist and looked to Adam.

"We go on with our lives," Adam returned in a dull voice. "You await your trial, we go be with Josiah, and Adora and Hawk" -he did his best to lighten his voice and smile- "get ready for their wedding."

Keldor shook his head. "I will never regret returning to good. Never, but I have to say that being bad was a thousand times easier than this mess."

"No one ever said it was easy to do the right thing," Adam said by way of agreement, his mind already returning to Damien's offer.

"Adora?" Keldor growled grumpily the next morning after breakfast. Like everyone else, he had found it difficult to sleep the night before, and timing his breakfast to avoid Randor was as challenging as ever—sometimes Keldor could swear the king lived in the kitchen. It was as if he feared Keldor would poison the food. "Would you like to spar with me for a while? I think I need to hit something."

Adora smiled as, at that statement, a decidedly crossed look appeared on Adam's face. "I'd love to, Uncle Keldor."

"I'm not sure Father will like that idea," Adam pointed out. 'And I'm not sure I do either, Sis,' he warned her silently.

"Tough," she said cheerily. She led Keldor out, smirking as Adam glowered after them. 'It'll do him good to think about something other than Josiah for a while.' The turmoil she sensed in Adam was worrying her.

"Wait a minute," Adam called after them. He gave Adora a pointed look. "You had your fun with Keldor already. It's my turn."

Adam stared into the mirror, tugging at his sleeves one last time. Part of him couldn't believe he had volunteered to spar with Keldor. But the helpless rage inside of him was growing minute by minute, and he didn't know what else to do with it.

He paused to study his reflection. He was shocked as he observed the dark circles under his eyes, and the anger and confusion in his own gaze. He closed his eyes for a moment, but when he looked again, it the emotions were still there. Just as Josiah's illness was.

"And there's nothing I can do about it," he whispered harshly, clenching his fists. 'I'm He-Man. I can save almost anyone. But not my own son.' The feeling of impotence plagued him, teased at his mind and heart, and the words of the prophecy whispered at the corners of his mind. 'One life denied...'

Adam growled under his breath as he turned from the mirror. He needed this fight. If he didn't find a way to get rid of this rage, it was going to consume him, and he feared what he would do if he allowed that to happen. He took a deep breath and focused on the coming fight. Maybe, for just a moment, he could work out his stress and forget about his problems. Maybe.

Teela met him on his way out. "I checked with Ramos. Still no change. Josiah's sleeping." She took in Adam's tense expression. "Give him a few extra bruises for me," she said as she wrapped Adam in a tight embrace. "If I weren't so sleep deprived I wouldn't mind taking a swipe at him myself."

Giving a tight smile that didn't reach his eyes, Adam nodded. "I'll do my best, Captain."

Teela watched Adam walk down the hall, worrying her lip with her teeth. She could understand Adora sparring now. Teela wouldn't mind sparring herself if she still weren't recovering from Josiah's birth. But Adam? Adam never used sparring as a way to relieve tension. She decided to go watch the match.

"I hope this helps," she whispered as she trailed after Adam to the training grounds.

Keldor grinned as he swung at his practice target while Adam changed into something more suitable for sparring. He was glad that Adam decided to do this. The tension coming from his nephew was intense. Perhaps the sparring would take his mind off things for a little while…and Keldor hoped it would for him as well.

Lyn walked up and laid her hand on Keldor's shoulder. "I've set the spell. No one should be able to see this match going on. Adam won't have to worry about exposure."

"Well that was kind of you," Adam commented wryly, approaching from Keldor's other side. "Especially since I'm supposed to be holding you two captive."

Keldor chuckled, deliberately trying to set the mood for the match. "Always a joker. Sometimes I wondered if you were more jester than warrior."

Adam grinned—it was a half-hearted grin, but at least he tried. "Unlike you, Keldor, I never liked fighting. Cracking lousy jokes was just one way to deal with it." He raised his practice sword; the Power Sword was still invisibly strapped to his back.

Keldor grinned as well. This could be fun—he might actually get to teach Adam something. He drew his sword. "It's all in the view of the fight," Keldor instructed as he started circling Adam. "If you see it as a contest, a challenge to make your body the perfect instrument of your mind and spirit, it becomes almost a form of meditation." 'And you could use some meditation,' he silently added, shielding his thoughts from Adam.

Adam cocked an eyebrow, circling as well. "I'll meditate while fishing, thanks."

Keldor smirked at Adam's comment, and then lunged toward Adam, his blunted sword racing down toward Adam's shoulder. Adam blocked his blow easily and sent Keldor back a few steps before the mage met Adam's next swing with a metal clang. The swords flashed wildly for a few moments as the two of them worked out their aggressions on each other. Eventually their initial rage was spent, and they circled each other more warily.

"You know, if you ever fought this way in front of me, I would have discovered your secret long ago. Your true style is unmistakable," Keldor commented.

"Why did you think I never tried to stay and fight?" Adam grunted as he blocked Keldor's thrust. The two of them broke apart, each eyeing the other. He smirked. "Aside from the fact that I used to be a lot clumsier, that is."

"H-he's improved with age," Cringer agreed. Adam and Keldor both glanced over quickly and found a small crowd had gathered. Teela, Cringer, Adora, Lyn, and Hawk were all watching the duel.

"Well that ups the stakes," Adam muttered. He knew neither Keldor's pride nor his own would allow for an easy out on this match now.

"That and the fact that your trainer in all things self defense is watching you," goaded Keldor.

Lyn chuckled. Keldor was turning Adam's joking remarks against him. "It seems even he can learn something once and a while," she commented to Adora.

"Well, they say it's never too late to teach an old dragon new tricks," Adam quipped as he ducked.

Keldor leapt away from the low swing Adam angled toward his right leg.

"Whoever 'they' were must have been crispy and tasty for those old dragons," Keldor commented as he spun away from the attack Adam had braced himself for and in the next instant was swinging his sword toward Adam's sword hand.

Adam dropped his hand barely in time; Keldor's swing loosened his grip on his sword. "The dragon probably got indigestion," he retorted lightly as he switched his sword to his left hand. "I heard he was pretty crabby."

"If you two paid more attention to your fighting and less to your talking, this match would be over already," Teela called, slight irritation coloring her voice.

"Ah, but where would the fun in that?" called Keldor as he blocked another one of Adam's blows. "And I think since everyone around you is grumpy," Keldor quipped, his eyes cutting toward Teela for a second, "perhaps the dragon had good cause to be. Did you hang around it much?" Keldor grinned as he knocked away Adam's latest attack and returned with a lunge of his own.

"I've never met a dragon I didn't like," Adam countered with a grin, barely dodging Keldor's attack.

The match wore on for well over an hour, both men growing visibly tired but reluctant to call it a draw. Eventually even the bantering ceased. Teela returned to Josiah, while the others stayed to watch.

It was when Adam noticed how late it was getting and his mind returned to Josiah that he slipped up. With a well-placed kick to his heel, Keldor knocked Adam to the ground and lowered his sword to his chest.

"Do you yield?" he asked, his taunt weakened by his winded voice.

Inexplicably, Adam's stomach clenched against the thought of yielding to Skeletor, even as his reformed self. The wave of emotions caught him by surprise, and Keldor caught his odd look. 'Did I hurt him?' Keldor worried. As the mage's expression showed concern, Adam thought fast.

"Keldor, look out!" he exclaimed. "It's Doodles!"

Keldor ducked away, confused. It was exactly what Adam needed.

"Blast it, where?" Keldor snarled, looking around for the comet.

Adam rolled to his feet, grabbing his sword at the same time in one smooth motion. "Nowhere," he answered, smirking. He nodded towards Keldor's sword, which was now lying on the ground. "Did you want to yield, Unc?"

Keldor looked annoyed for a second. Then he laughed heartily. "So you've learned some new tricks after all noble prince. You win," Keldor chuckled. "This time."

On the side of the field, Cringer snickered loudly as Lyn howled, looking like she was about to pass out from her laughter.

"Thanks for your support," Keldor groused.

"Who's Doodles?" Hawk asked, his brow furrowed.

"A c-comet," Cringer explained. "It chased Skeletor all through Snake Mountain once." He snickered again in delight, then looked guiltily at Keldor and Adam, who were approaching, towels around their necks.

"We laughed about it for months," gasped Lyn, tears of mirth streaming down her face.

Adam laughed. "So did we."

"It just looooooooooooved Keldor," Lyn laughed. "I'd never seen him that flummoxed before. He blasted anyone who mentioned Doodles from that point forward."

"Really?" Adam asked in mock-fear, stepping away from Keldor. "In that case, I'd better get going." He winked and strode off to go take a shower and visit with his son, his good spirits fading as quickly as they had come.

"It's not too late for me to blast you," Keldor threatened Lyn.

She swatted his arm playfully. "Just try and the next bedtime story Neara hears is Keldor and the magical friendly comet Doodles."

"So you want to tell me what that was all about?" Hawk asked, grasping Adora's hand gently as they strolled away from the training grounds.

"What do you mean?" Adora asked, ducking her head to allow her hair to hide her face.

"Adam hates to fight. You told me that yourself. So what was he doing with Keldor?"

"Working off some stress," she replied worriedly. She could sense how angry Adam was, and it scared her. "It's awful, Hawk," she whispered. "Adam's greatest fear was that his family would suffer because he is He-Man. And now-" She stopped, biting her lip.

"What does Josiah's illness have to do with who Adam is?" Hawk asked impatiently. "You're talking in whirlpools, Adora."

"I wish I were, Hawk, but more than likely, who Adam is has something to do with it," Adora said. She went on to explain what Adam had shared with them earlier that day.

"Great bumping barnacles," Hawk muttered when she had finished. "That's awful." He fell silent, mulling over what she had said.

"Oh Hawk, what if it were our child?" Adora whispered, leaning into him. "I can barely stand the thought."

"But it's not," Hawk pointed out.

"We don't know that," Adora argued. "That prophecy could be about events twenty years from now."

"Then why did Serena tell Adam about it?" Hawk asked.

"She didn't exactly," Adora admitted. "Damien did. Adam went to Grayskull and demanded to see it."

"Damien," Hawk growled. "Adam actually listened to something that piece of sea salt scum said?"

"He was right about the existence of the prophecy," Adora said hesitantly.

"And that means what, Adora?" Hawk challenged. "It means that that fetid festering flounder had a reason for telling Adam." He increased his pace, his hands now behind him as he concentrated. "And he knew Adam would demand to see the prophecy. And he knew just as well how it would affect him. All of you."

Hawk stopped and turned to face Adora. "Damian wanted to share that information with us to worry us, to distract us from doing what we have to do. And to suck every last ounce of hope from us. You remember how important hope is in the middle of a war, don't you?"

Adora nodded. She looked up at Hawk. "You have a point." She held up her finger to interrupt Hawk as he looked like he was about to say something else. "Don't even think about saying whatever it is that put that wicked glint in your eyes, or I'll make you go to my gown fitting in my place tomorrow."

Hawk nearly choked on his guffaw. "Somehow I don't think they would get the appropriate measurements down by using me as a model." His dark green eyes grew serious once more. He wrapped his large hands around her waist and drew her close. "Keep an eye on Adam and Teela, Adora. Damien is still after you and Adam. He hasn't given up."

Adora nodded solemnly. "You're right." She tilted her head in a silent invitation, and Hawk kissed her gently. She moved into his embrace, thankful again for his presence in her life.

"My but it looks beautiful, Adora," cooed Mira.

Adora looked over her shoulder and saw in the three-way mirror something that took her breath away. Her gown flowed around her as light and lovely as the clouds that surrounded the Crystal Castle, yet skimmed her waist to flow gracefully in a train of sumptuous cloth.

"I don't believe how lovely it is," Adora sighed.

Marlena looked at Adora, her eyes bright with tears. "My beautiful daughter," she breathed.

"Adora, I think that's the first smile I've seen from you in days,"Mira said.

"I've had a lot on my mind," Adora said distractedly, her thoughts immediately returning back to those awful words in Adam's suite.

"Did I say something wrong?" asked Mira.

Before Adora could say a word, a loud noise filtered up though the open chamber window. Adora and Marlena exchanged concerned glances and hurried to the window. A crowd of people were gathered in the courtyard, with pitchforks, swords, and clubs in their hands. The seamstress followed behind Adora, a swatch of fabric still in her hand, protesting Adora's movement. The queen waved an annoyed hand, and the woman fell silent, allowing Marlena and Adora to hear better.

"The Elders are against you, Randor!" yelled a burly man with curly blond hair. "Surrender the throne!"

"Yeah, give it to He-Man!"

"We heard Skeletor is in the palace and has secretly taken over!"

"Where's He-Man?"

Randor and Adam appeared in the lower balcony, off to Adora's and Marlena's left. Randor lifted his hands.

"My people, I assure you that He-Man has not abandoned Eternos as the rumors have said," he began.

"We want He-Man!" The cry quickly turned into a chant, and suddenly, a stone flew through the air. Randor barely ducked in time to avoid it. Other rocks quickly followed; there was no way Adam and Randor could avoid them all; nor did they want to look like cowards and run.

"I have to get down there," Adora said to her mother in a low voice.

Marlena glanced around. "Come with me. Mira and I will be able to help Adora safely out of her gown, but we should get away from the windows."

The seamstress looked at the rapidly increasing crowd.

"I suppose you are right, Your Majesty," she agreed nervously.

Mira gathered up Adora's train and they sped rapidly down the hall. When they reached a corner, Adora placed a hand on Mira's arm. "I have this from here," Adora whispered, taking the train from her aunt. "I have to find She-Ra," Adora added with a wink.

Adora tried to the nearest alcove, but her gown billowed out of the narrow nook. "By the First Ones," she muttered, frantically dragging every scrap of fabric behind the wall. Very carefully Adora raised her sword…only to hear a rip. "Oh, no! Well, I'll have to worry about that later. For the honor of Grayskull!"

Adam moved protectively in front of Randor as they both tried to duck out of the way of the flying stones. "This is ridiculous," he muttered. He had never been so tempted to transform in front of a crowd before. "Get inside, Father." He drew his sword and deflected a stone that had been coming directly at his head.

Adam glanced down. The guard had arrived, but the people were ignoring them. The lead guard looked up, waiting for Randor's order to stun them, but Randor was reluctant to turn them onto his own people.

"Adam, come on," Randor urged as he reached the doorway. As Adam turned to obey, Randor's eyes widened and he shouted, "Look out!"

Adam whirled back around, his sword raised out of habit, and barely met the swing of a man who had appeared out of nowhere. The swords clanged together, and the crowd below cheered madly.

"Adam!" Randor cried out. He started forward, only to have a hand grab hold of him. He looked over his shoulder and found Keldor's eyes on Adam as the mage motioned with his free hand, obviously casting some sort of spell.

"What are you doing, you fiend?" Randor demanded.

"A shield!" Keldor snapped back. Randor looked back and realized the stones were now bouncing harmlessly off of Keldor's newly erected shield. His eyes wandered back to Adam, worried as his son defended himself with his sword. Keldor drew his own sword and stepped forward.

"Stay back!" Adam snapped. He didn't need Keldor accidentally killing anyone and thereby providing Randor with more ammunition for his animosity. He could handle this himself.

"What's going on here?" demanded She-Ra as she raced onto the balcony.

Rocks were clattering against the stone railings of the balcony and sizzling as they hit the magic of Keldor's shield.

"The usual," replied Keldor sharply. He sheathed his sword. "I try to help and I am accused of treachery. As for the people below..." Keldor trailed off for a second. "Listen for yourself."

"Adam, I think you need to go find He-Man," She-Ra began.

She-Ra's voice trailed off as Adam ignored her and whirled around, blocking an attack from a man who had been out of her line of sight. The man was huge, standing easily a full head over Adam, but the prince was quicker, and easily blocked the swings. Several other men suddenly appeared behind the original attacker, apparently having scaled the side of the balcony as Keldor shielded the front.

"Guards!" Randor roared at the top of his voice, looking around for a weapon. Three of the guards below broke off to race up to the balcony as the remaining seven finally began firing mild stun beams into the crowd. Within seconds, the crowd was turning on them.

She-Ra leapt to stand beside Adam. "Adam, go find He-Man!" she urged.

'No!' came his response in her mind. 'Don't you see, that's part of the problem!'

Keldor pressed his sword into Randor's hand. The king froze for a few seconds, his eyes searching his half-brother's face. Then he abruptly nodded and they both went to help Adam and She-Ra, the four of them standing in a circle against their attackers.

"Keldor, can't you do something that won't hurt them?" Adam asked.

Keldor thought for a few seconds, then nodded. "If you can keep them busy for a few minutes."

Meanwhile, Randor tried to reason with the men on the balcony. "Stand down, now! You're committing treason!" Below them, he could hear the firing of the stun beams, and his heart twisted. This was not how he wanted to rule.

"You're the one committing treason against your people!" yelled one of the men. "You're housing Skeletor right in this very palace!"

Keldor's spell flew out of his mind at that, and he stared at the man, dumbfounded.

"Enough of this," She-Ra muttered. "Sword to rope!" Using the resulting rope, she lassoed the group of men together, leaving only one free--the burly man who had attacked originally. Suddenly his form shimmered, and Hutch stood before them all, a grin on his face.

"Well-played, my friends," he said, laughing, and disappeared. The men within She-Ra's rope suddenly seemed lost without their leader, and began mumbling apologies and excuses to King Randor and Prince Adam. The guardsmen arrived and took control of the prisoners, allowing She-Ra to turn the rope back into her sword.

Now that the men above were subdued, Keldor looked out over the shouting crowds below. They had stopped throwing stones, and the guard had stopped firing; it was an uneasy truce at best as the two sides stared at each other. She-Ra was attempting to get the people's attention, as was Randor, but nothing seemed to calm the angry mob. Keldor's heart froze as he saw a few people holding small children atop their shoulders. Children yelling just like their parents. Children that would be hurt if this madness continued.

'Adam, there are children down there in that mob. It's getting worse, and if it's not stopped soon they could be hurt. He-Man is needed.'

'My running off to become He-Man has caused this,' Adam returned sourly. 'It's tearing my kingdom apart.'

'And you can't fix that problem in a day. But if those children are injured do you think your kingdom will be any stronger for their sacrifice? There will be time later for you to deal with your perceived cowardice,' Keldor sent.

Adam looked down below and caught sight of the children. His stomach turned over; they hadn't been there at the beginning of this mess. Keldor was right. He ducked inside and quickly became He-Man, then strode out to the center of the balcony. The crowd actually quieted as they caught sight of him, and fell silent as he raised both hands.

"People of Eternia," he said, his strong voice carrying to them clearly, "you must stop these actions against King Randor and his family. Neither the Elders, nor the Ancients, nor anyone else has set themselves against Randor's rule or Adam's rule. The only ones against them are the servants of Evil, who are working hard to spread false rumors about the family."

"We want you to rule!" one voice cried out, several others echoing the call.

"While I am honored by that, my friends, it is not possible," He-Man replied. "My duty is to protect Castle Grayskull. King Randor and Queen Marlena are the rightful rulers of Eternia, and Prince Adam is the rightful heir."

"Skeletor's in the palace, He-Man. You must capture him," shouted one woman.

The crowd yelled its agreement.

Keldor stepped back into the shadows. There was only one way to calm this particular rumor. As always for Keldor, it came back to the truth.

'Tell them,' Keldor sent to He-Man. 'Tell them the truth. You--Adam--captured me and I am in your custody. Tell them the truth.'

He-Man's head whipped around. 'Are you sure about this?' he sent.

Keldor nodded.

He-Man raised his hand for silence once more. "People of Eternia, you have heard correctly that the one we once knew as Skeletor is in the palace now. He and Evil-Lyn are under the custody of the royal family, awaiting trial. Prince Adam was the one who brought them into custody in the first place."

Shocked murmurs and anxious whispers filtered up from below.

"I assure you, the royal family has the situation under complete control and Prince Adam and I are aware of where Skeletor and Evil-Lyn are at all times. None of you have any reason to fear."

The people slowly began to break apart and head back to their houses. Those who had been mildly stunned by the guardsmen were recovered enough to walk home with some aid. He-Man stood watching them disperse, a drained look on his face.

"You did the right thing, my brother," She-Ra said laying her hand on his shoulder. He reached up and gripped it tightly.

"I hope you're right, sis. I really hope you're right."

He-Man glanced at Randor, who seemed bemused by all that had transpired, then looked over to Keldor. "Thank you," he said quietly.

"What are you thanking him for?" Randor asked heatedly.

At He-Man's nod to the group of prisoners and the guardsmen, She-Ra returned his nod in understanding and directed the guards to lead them away.

"For shielding us both from the rocks, for convincing me that He-Man was needed, and for urging me to reveal that he was here and safely under arrest," He-Man answered once the group was gone.

"And when exactly did he do that?" Randor demanded. "I didn't hear him speak a word."

Sighing aloud, He-Man projected his thoughts to his father, watching as Randor's jaw grew slack. The king glared at Keldor, then He-Man, then spun around and marched into the palace without a word.

"That went well," Keldor commented sarcastically.

"Yeah, great," He-Man repeated morosely as he led the way back inside.

"Well, it could be worse," She-Ra grumped.

"How?" both men asked at the same time.

"Neither one of you has to explain to the seamstress how you have a foot-long sword rip in your wedding gown. I do." With that She-Ra stalked off toward her mother's solar, leaving them chuckling behind her.

Adam and Teela clung to each other as Josiah slept on. His pulse and blood pressure had slowly but steadily dropped over the last few days since the mob had attacked the palace. The healers were at a loss as to what to do, as was Duncan. Ramos had just informed them, sadly, that even with the strengthening spells, he suspected Josiah would not last the week.

Teela wiped angrily at her eyes. "If only there was something we could do," she whispered.

"But there is something I can do," Adam whispered back, thinking of Damien's offer.

Teela pulled away to look him in the face. "You can't. Don't even think about it." But the pain in her eyes strangled Adam's heart even more.

'I can't let him die,' he thought miserably. Aloud, he only said, "I'm going to get some air. Will you be all right for a few minutes?" At Teela's nod, he kissed the top of her head and left, his pace slow and reluctant.

Marlena took a deep breath before she entered the room where her grandson lay dying. She knew it was only days now, if that. Her fervent prayers had gone unanswered, and God alone knew the reason why.

Glancing around the room as she entered, she frowned. "Where's Adam?" Marlena asked Teela.

"He said he was going to get some air. I was actually just headed out. I need to go get something to eat," Teela said woodenly. She wasn't hungry, but she knew better than to skip a meal, no matter how meager. Yet she didn't move. Instead, she looked up at Marlena, suddenly needing to talk. "Damien told Adam he could cure Josiah, you know."

"What?" exclaimed Marlena.

Teela looked back at her son, continuing to stroke his head. "All Adam had to do was serve Evil for a while, Damien said. Adam refused of course."

"Of course," Marlena murmured. But she could imagine how tempting such an offer would be. If someone had offered that to her when they had been in the Fright Zone…

Teela rose and glanced at Josiah. "I know I need to eat," she said softly, "but I hate to leave him."

"Go on," Marlena urged her. "Orko's on his way here with Dree Elle to watch over Josiah."

Teela nodded and walked out, a lost look on her face. Orko and Dree Elle entered at almost the same moment.

"Orko, Dree Elle, I'll be back," Marlena said hurriedly. "There's something I need to attend to." She didn't wait for the Trollans' agreement, but ran rushed out into the hallway, where she nearly ran into Keldor.

"I'm sorry," he apologized immediately.

"You're just the person I need, actually," Marlena countered. "Can you use your magic to locate Adam?"

"Of course. But why?"

"Mother's intuition."

Adam walked slowly to the hangar, his determination not to serve Evil fading with every step. Instead, he began wondering if he could commit himself to Evil for even three days. Even more, he wondered how he could watch his son die if he didn't. Undecided, he stood staring at the wind raider for what seemed like an eternity. A gravelly voice interrupted his musings.

"Your son is growing weaker, Prince Adam," Damien said, appearing out of the shadows in front of Adam. "He hasn't much time left. Have you reconsidered my offer?"

Adam couldn't make himself say no. 'One life denied…' Nor could he agree. 'Being a hero means doing what's right, no matter what.' He simply stood there as if frozen, staring at Damien with distaste, as thoughts and memories tumbled in his mind.

"Still undecided, hmm?" Damien asked, his brown eyes appearing warm with sympathy.

Adam reminded himself that everything the demon did was geared towards achieving his evil goals. 'Don't trust him,' he told himself. But thoughts of Josiah's thin, pale form haunted his mind more strongly than the danger Damien presented.

"I'll tell you what, Adam," Damien said kindly. "I'll change my offer. One day. Serve me for one day, and I will heal your son. I will save his life."

One day. It was such a small amount of time, such a small price to pay to save Josiah. Adam's breathing became shallow as he stared at Damien wordlessly.

The demon held out a hand to Adam. "Take my hand, and the deal is sealed, Prince of Eternia."

Unlike the other times, Adam didn't back off, didn't answer Damien. His heart felt as if it were about to break under the burden of this decision. As if from afar, he watched as his own hand rose up to meet Damien's.