A/N: Special thanks to Jangotat2 for writing the scene with Bedorat.
Malick struggled to guide Bedorat through his tangled memories and help him repair pieces warped and damaged by the echoes that tormented him. Bedorat rocked back and forth as the memories came.
'You are a creature of honor. Never back down from a fight. Always fight for what you believe in. Nothing more, nothing less.' It was his mother's voice that spoke, and Bedorat moaned lowly in agony. He had strayed far from that path in his position as a mercenary.
'Find He-Man. Kill him.' It was Horde Prime's voice. 'Kill him. Kill him.' It echoed in Bedorat's mind over and over until the other voice, the one trying to help him, broke in.
Malick tensed as he heard Horde Prime's directive in Bedorat's mind. Then the thought struck him, 'Fak-He-Man is out there on the field. He fights without honor-with lies and foul sorceries.' Malick focused on the image of Faker in the arena as he repeated his accusation. 'You must stop him-with honor-not death. For trial-not vengeance."
Bedorat straightened up slowly as his memories began to make sense. He stood, staring at the ground, breathing more harshly as each minute passed, as his sanity slowly came back. 'I did what? Pies?' For a moment he was quite taken aback by this. 'A Syriak… I…was drooling over pies.' More and more memories flooded into his mind.
Then he saw He-Man. 'The man I was sent to kill.' Bedorat took this knowledge and prepared himself to end the mission. Despite being dishonored by over half of the Syriak race for becoming a mercenary, he refused to let go of his honor; he held onto it by finishing every job. 'I must finish him.' Then he realized something else. The man trying to kill Adam, the prince of this planet, the one who had been nice to him, was in control of He-Man. 'Cut off the head of the snake and the body dies,' he recalled his former leader saying before they went to try to conquer Grayskull.
If he killed the other man, Hutch, then He-Man would fall. He grabbed a nearby sword, which for a human would have taken two hands; it only took the Syriak one hand. Shaking his head, Bedorat charged Hutch, yelling. It was an age old tradition of most Syriaks to never stab an enemy in the back. Bedorat had fallen from this while he was a mercenary, but no longer would he fight that way.
Hutch turned from trying to stab Adam just in time to see the furious Syriak bearing down on him. Bedorat brought his sword down on Hutch's. For a moment Hutch just stared, then he started to try to push against the Syriak's blade. Bedorat smiled and, using both hands, pushed down. Hutch's sword broke and he went flying.
Hutch rolled away from the Syriak. "No, this is my moment! I will not fail, not now!" he cried. With that he sent a burst of sheer dark energy into the Syriak.
Bedorat stumbled, feeling the pain course through his body. He continued staggering forward. Hutch poured more and more energy into the Syriak, trying to tear his body apart. Bedorat finally reached Hutch and grabbed him by the throat. Hutch stared, then his eyes went wide as the sword went into him. He lashed out with the half a sword he still had and sliced the Syriak's throat.
Bedorat threw Hutch away and then fell to the ground. He dimly saw Adam staring. "Get He-Man for me," the Syriak gasped.
The dark continued to close in, but for a moment Bedorat could have sworn he saw the Syriak king, and then everything went dark as he felt something reach towards him.
Adam stared, an odd mixture of horror, disgust and relief rolling through him. How ironic that the very creature sent to kill him had just saved his life by killing someone Adam had once considered a friend. "Hutch," he gasped, not even loud enough for anyone to hear him. His gaze shifted to the Syriak. "Bedorat." He could barely breathe because of the magical bonds around him; that fact and the shock of watching the two of them kill each other sent him to his knees.
Teela choked back a sob of relief. Hutch had almost won. Another few seconds, and Adam would have been dead. She looked at She-Ra, who was still pushing against the force field. Marzo had the stone. They still couldn't get out.
"I forgive you," Lana whispered, her eyes closed. She repeated the phrase. "I forgive you." Slowly, she stepped onto a low platform as regally as if she still wore Grayskull's mantle. "I forgive you," she said clearly, feeling a wall within her crack. "I forgive you!" she finally shouted, and with that, the wall came crashing down, and she collapsed to the ground, as exhausted as if she had run a thousand races. She buried her head in her hands, still unable to believe for a moment that Duncan had been right, that she had held so much anger and hatred within her.
Lana's yell reached She-Ra even amidst the roar of the crowd, which echoed with a mixture of angry yells, horrified cries, and a few remaining calls of forgiveness.
She-Ra took a chance with her favorite roundhouse kick, putting everything she had into the fluid motion. Her boot connected with the shield, and for the first time she felt it give. "Hee-yah!" she yelled, kicking it again as Keldor and Lyn blasted it with their magic at the same time. The shield shattered; the backlash of magic caused the jewel in Marzo's hands to explode and Adam's magical bonds finally dissipated.
"Thanks, Sis," Adam gasped as She-Ra grasped his hand and pulled him to his feet. Together, they turned to face the three remaining villains.
She-Ra breathed in sharply. Jitsu and Faker were talking to each other, swords in hand, ready to fight, but that wasn't what caught her eye. The blast from the gem had knocked Marzo down, and he was writhing in pain, burns on his face and hands. She-Ra's heart was moved by pity.
"I have to help him," she said in an undertone to Adam.
Adam grabbed her wrist. "Be careful," he warned. She nodded and ran over to Marzo.
Adam stepped towards Faker and Jitsu, his strength again returning more rapidly than he could explain. "Jitsu and Faker, you're under arrest," he said firmly. Marlena and Randor stepped forward as well, with Keldor and Lyn on Adam's other side. Teela was busy scouring the ground, looking for the Sword of Truth; Fisto was at her side, watching the three evil ones warily.
"You can't arrest me," Faker jeered. "I'm the king now."
"That crown does not make you a king," Keldor spat at him.
Marzo's eyes fluttered open as She-Ra sent her power through him. "How nice of you to share Grayskull's power with me," he said in a hoarse voice. He grabbed her wrist and tried to pull her power away magically. Shocked by his attempt, She-Ra froze for a second. She had forgotten he had attempted something like this with He-Man.
"You...won't...get...Grayskull's power!" She-Ra denied, holding onto the power with everything in her.
"She-Ra!" Lyn hissed, seeing what was happening. "I have to help her!"
Keldor grabbed Lyn's hand as she started forward to help She-Ra. "No! You have to protect the child!" he said frantically.
"You took the crown by force," Randor acknowledged to Faker. "But I never abdicated my place as king."
"Then perhaps you should do so now," Faker suggested. With lightning speed, he grabbed Adam's arm and whirled him around, twisting Adam's arm behind his back painfully. At the same time, the tip of his sword pressed against Adam's throat. "Or I could just do away with all of you one at a time."
Jitsu grabbed Marlena, who was closest to him, and pressed his sword to her throat. "You might want to abdicate now, Randor," he suggested with a malicious laugh.
Marzo, still holding on to She-Ra, let loose a blast directly at Keldor. Lyn gasped as Keldor was thrown into the forcefield wall with Marzo's blast. "Keldor!" she shouted, becoming a ball of light and flying to his side. Lyn materialized and raised her magical shield even as she poured healing magics through Keldor's body.
She-Ra finally gained her feet and whirled around rapidly, sending Marzo flying into the shield not far from where Lyn and Keldor were. Seeing the predicament Adam and Marlena were in, her heart went into her throat and she started toward them, staggering slightly.
Keldor gasped in air desperately.
"Are you okay?" Lyn questioned.
"I am now," Keldor confirmed. He quickly scanned the field. Everyone was frozen, staring at Faker and Jitsu. Even She-Ra had stopped short as Jitsu pushed the point of his sword tighter into Marlena's throat. Just to the right of his own position, Keldor spotted Marzo was climbing to his feet, chuckling maliciously as he took aim at Randor.
"I don't think so," Keldor muttered. Aided by his magic, he leapt forward, tackling Marzo to the ground.
Marzo blasted Keldor away and shot ropes of magic from his hands that encircled She-Ra. "I'll take the power of Grayskull from you and use it to conquer Grayskull and rule Eternia!"
Lyn gasped as she recognized the arcane draining spell Marzo employed. She had to stop him. Raising her hands, she began to chant, "A spell you use from ancient time, now reverse the intent that was thine. Release your magic in a pillar of fire, even against your very desire."
Lyn's eyes were lit with a brilliant purple light that lit her outstretched hands. The blast of power shot forth but circled away out of Marzo's line of vision.
"Ha, witch, you can no longer cast a simple spell." He laughed as he saw the lavender bolt of power hit the packed dirt of the arena ground. His gloating allowed She Ra a brief reprieve and she began to struggle once more.
"Ah ah ah!" said Marzo, focusing once again on his spell with such intensity that he did not notice the ground glowing purple at his feet. Suddenly that glow erupted into a pillar that encased Marzo, cutting She-Ra free of his magical bindings. She stumbled to the side a few steps, then dropped to one knee, trying to regain her strength and her bearings.
Marzo screamed as he felt his power flow from him in a rope of fire that leapt into the sky above him. "No! Not my power. It makes me immortal. You're killing me!" he screeched as the rope of flame began to dim and sputter.
Marzo seemed to deflate as Lyn's spell faded, its job done. He began to shrivel and gray before their eyes. In moments clumps of hair fell from his head and he hunched over, struggling to stand. She-Ra closed her eyes and turned away.
Adam and Marlena also averted their eyes as Marzo lost his struggle and collapsed. All the while his flesh seemed to shrink until he was little more than a skin-colored skeleton-a skeleton that was looking grayer by the moment. The gray became dust that crumbled away from its skeletal form and collapsed into nothing.
Breathing heavily, Lyn and Keldor looked from the pile of dust that had been Marzo, at each other, then back at the group where Faker and Jitsu still held Adam and Marlena hostage.
Adam ground his teeth together. With one arm twisted behind him and the sword at his throat, he couldn't get the leverage he needed to throw Faker clear.
"Face it, Adam, you aren't worthy of being prince or of holding Grayskull's power. That's why the Elders took Grayskull's power from you. Because you weren't worthy," Faker accused. "You're weak and pathetic. Grayskull's power is mine now, and so is the throne of Eternia!"
Keldor jerked as what Marzo had attempted to do to She-Ra clashed in his mind with Faker's words. Another memory flashed: Ranay telling them that Grayskull's power had been bound to Adam. 'Adam holding his own against Faker after we fought that round—he shouldn't have been able to. Saving Lyn earlier—that should have been impossible as well. When he acts like He-Man, he still has something…' Keldor's eyes widened as he realized that Adam had been near Faker each time as well. If Grayskull's power was bound to him, then… 'Adam!' he sent urgently. 'Grayskull's power belongs to you, not Faker! Pull it from him, just as I used the Obsidian Sphere on you!'
A surge of excitement filled Adam as Keldor's voice echoed in his mind. He closed his eyes, ignoring the sting of the sword tip as it finally broke his skin. 'Good, please help me.' Then he reached up with his one free hand and grabbed onto Faker's arm, yanking it downward and concentrating on pulling power from the evil being.
The response was instantaneous. Strength flooded Adam as if he had invoked the Power Sword again. He ripped his arm from Faker's grasp and turned, still clinging to the false He-Man's arm. "Now, Keldor!" he called.
Keldor sent golden beams of power from his hands as he began to chant. "Vile creature created to destroy and deceive. I unmake you now. My power, from you, will leave!"
With Keldor's final shout, Faker screamed. Adam continued to pull power from Faker, not realizing that as he did so, his skin and hair were darkening until he began to look almost exactly as he did as He-Man, only dressed in royal robes.
Faker began to glow and became mere rods of golden light in the form of a man. Slowly those rods began to disperse, leaving nothing behind but a stunned crowd.
Jitsu gaped as She-Ra and Prince Adam-looking exactly like He-Man-approached him. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Keldor and Lyn approach as well. Jitsu pushed Marlena into the arms of the prince and tried to scramble away, only to find a rope around him.
She-Ra jerked Jitsu to the ground and Randor ran up with a tube in his hand. "Back away," he said holding the tube over Jitsu. "I took a port-a-prison from one of the guards." The king hit the red button on top of the tube and the last villain was no longer a threat.
The crowd was roaring now, with different chants of "He-Man" and "She-Ra" echoing throughout the arena. Grayskull's power still with him, Adam went to where Hutch lay dead. He knelt down beside his former friend, his heart heavy. Grayskull's power was slowly fading; he could feel it slipping away. But before it left him completely, he had to try to save a life. He laid his hands on Hutch's chest.
"Let the power return," he whispered. The power faded quickly, and Adam returned to normal, his skin tone lightening immediately. But the power did nothing. Hutch didn't move. Adam bowed his head briefly. "I'm so sorry I couldn't save you, my friend," he said softly.
"Adam," said Teela, gently pulling at his arm. "It's over." Looking up into her sympathetic face, Adam nodded and stood unsteadily. Teela quickly caught him on one side, Fisto on the other.
"Be careful," She-Ra admonished him. "You may have lost more blood from that leg wound than we realized."
Adam nodded again and allowed Teela and Fisto to guide him to stand next to Randor.
She-Ra, Lyn, and Keldor hurried around the arena, healing those who needed it. Beastman and Tri-Klops heaved themselves to their feet, looking around in confusion, as did the guards around them.
"My people," Randor called, "I give you He-Man and She-Ra, also known to you as Prince Adam and Princess Adora." The cheering that greeted his statement went on for five full minutes. She-Ra transformed back into Adora, and she and Adam exchanged embarrassed glances. "You now know the sacrifices they have made for you, for our world. The way in which they selflessly fought today is evidence of that. But at their side were allies who are unfamiliar to many of us. We came here with the desire to sentence four evil-doers to a punishment fitting their crimes, and instead those people worked to save our world today."
"So my people I ask you. Think how justice may best be served. By sending these to prison mines, or by sending them to a world controlled by tyrants as evil as they once were, to see that others are not harmed by evil." Randor waited till the crowd grew silent. "They fought against evil even for those who came to judge and punish them..."
Randor's voice trailed off as he looked around at the wreckage and the dead and injured around them. Even those healed were in need of rest, and the dead-though enemies-were in need of burying.
"For now, my people, we must all withdraw. It is wise for all of us to process what has happened here today before we go further. It is for that reason, I declare the sentencing delayed until order has been restored and calm objectivity can return to us all. I vow that the final verdict will be transmitted as it is given, but for now this proceeding is adjourned."
Slowly, and with the assistance of the royal guard, the stadium was cleared and a transport was sent through the forcefield. Randor, Marlena, Adam, Teela, and Adora entered first, followed by Hawk and Orko. Keldor, Lyn, Beastman, and Tri-Klops entered under the watchful eye of two guards. The rest remained behind on Randor's orders to begin cleanup.
Adora leaned into Hawk's chest as the transport finally entered the hangar bay. She was so grateful he'd demanded to be on board the transport sent from the palace to ferry them back home. She needed him so much now. The secret was uncovered to the masses yet again, and she completely understood now why Adam had been so eager for the Sorceress to wipe the memory from everyone's mind. Especially with the looks of awe and reverence the guards were fixing her with. And the open-mouthed astonishment that Beastman and Tri-Klops wore on their faces. Looks that had nothing to do with the shackles they wore.
"We will confer with the Masters," Randor stated just as the transport retrorockets fired with a soft whoosh. "I'm sure Marlena and I can rearrange the schedules and locations for the sentencing for tomorrow."
The transport landed with a metallic thud. Randor looked over to the guards. "You will leave the shuttle with your charges and return them to their cell. See that they are comfortable and well fed. Then take the rest of the day off. All of you have earned a rest after your assistance today."
Beastman and Tri-Klops remained silent and simply rose as the guards motioned for them to move. The exit ramp lowered with a slight metallic squeak and the guards led Beastman and Tri-Klops away.
Randor led the rest of the small band out to the hanger where his siblings and their spouses awaited.
"Thank the Ancients you're all unharmed," Randor said, hugging Mira, Hannah, and Stephen. He paused in front of Pierce as the man met his eye.
Pierce looked on those surrounding his father and Mira's brother. He began to rub his neck uncomfortably. "I don't know who to thank, or apologize to first," he said weakly.
"Anyone who thanks me will be blasted. I don't care if the Truth punishes me for the deed," groused Keldor. He turned to Randor. "Thank Golden Boy or Princess Powerful over there if you must." Keldor waved toward Adam and Adora. Keldor leveled a weary gaze toward Randor, "I am tired. I request I may return to my chambers until my presence is required."
Randor chuckled. "Of course. Go, brother." He met Keldor's shocked expression at Randor's wording. "We will find you when needed."
Miro smiled warmly and nodded to his son and Lyn as they headed to their quarters.
"I assume," began Randor, looking over to Adam and Adora, "that you both are feeling somewhat tired as well?" Adora nodded, and though Adam said nothing Randor could see it in his son's ashen expression. "Then I order you both to go take a nap."
Adam gaped at his father and Marlena chuckled.
"Come on, princess," Hawk said, throwing Adora over his shoulder. "We wouldn't want to disobey official orders."
Adora laughed even as she told Hawk to put her down. Her protests echoed down the hall as they and then Adam and Teela disappeared toward their suites.
Randor looked at the rest of his family still waiting for them. "I'm sure you all have questions. And I could use your help taking care of what we should do next. Perhaps around a good meal?" he suggested.
Stephen nodded and took Hannah's arm. Mira and Pierce turned to go down the hall as well when another voice gave them pause.
"I want to know something first," demanded Orko, waving his arms around as he spoke for the first time.
"What's that, Orko?" Randor asked with a raised eyebrow.
"How could all those people forgive Skeletor, just like that?" The little Trollan folded his arms in clear disgust.
"Considering the number of people there, it was not that many who forgave him," Mira interjected.
"It was just barely enough for She-Ra to be able to break through that shield," Randor agreed, inwardly shuddering at how close they had all come to dying.
"Come here, Orko," Marlena requested softly. Orko floated over to her, holding his hands behind his back his head bowed. "You didn't forgive him, did you?"
"No," he admitted. "All I could think was that it was all their fault. They chose to act that way and they deserved their punishment."
"Orko, forgiveness does not mean forgetting what someone has done, or that they no longer have to pay the consequences for their actions," Marlena explained gently. "It means letting go of your own ill will and feelings. And you know what?"
"What?" Orko asked miserably.
"Sometimes you have to decide to forgive someone more than once for the same action."
"I still don't see how it's fair. All those people they hurt," Orko sighed.
"Orko, my friend," Randor said, placing his hand on Orko's shoulder. "I share with you a lesson I've only recently seen the truth of."
Orko looked at the king expectantly.
"Your bad feelings don't hurt Keldor; they hurt you."
Orko cocked his head to the side. "Huh?"
Marlena smiled tenderly at Orko and nodded.
"All those year I hated Keldor, I spend hours-weeks at a time-spending every free moment, not walking with my lovely wife, not fishing with my son, not even enjoying the talents of the finest jester our court has ever seen." Randor smiled as Orko blushed, causing his ears to redden. "All of that joy I denied myself didn't punish Keldor. It took precious time and moments of happiness that I can never get back." Randor paused and grasped Marlena's hand.
"Ah, but you tried to tell me, my dear," Randor said ruefully. "Orko, unforgiveness chains you to the person who hurt you. You can never release the pain they caused you because you know that if you do, then you can't stay angry at them anymore."
"I'm not sure I understand," Orko said, clasping his hands behind his back and looking down.
"Orko, remember what Drak said during the trial, about the forcefield?" Marlena asked.
"Something about his hatred fueling it," Orko recalled. "But how do you just forgive someone for killing your sister? It doesn't make sense!"
Marlena frowned, trying to think of another example that would help him. Suddenly her face lit up. "Remember the creeping horak?"
Orko shuddered. "Don't remind me of that stuff. It grew and choked all the air out of the palace. It almost killed us all!"
"Imagine the palace is your soul," Marlena instructed Orko. He closed his eyes in concentration. "The creeping horak, Orko, is everything that fills us when we refuse to forgive-anger, hatred, bitterness. It chokes the joy out of our lives, out of our souls. When you forgive, it's sort of like when He-Man made the creeping horak disappear. The palace was back to normal; it was clean and full of life-giving air. When you forgive, you make room for love and joy again, because the anger and hatred are released."
"But they still deserve to be punished," Orko said weakly.
"That's right," Randor agreed. "And just as the horak still exists, so do Lyn and Keldor's crimes. But they no longer have control over our lives."
"I think I understand," Orko said quietly, his eyes growing wise. Without another word he floated away slowly, clearly deep in thought.
Randor looked on sadly as Orko turned a corner. He motioned for his family to go on ahead of them to the dining room. Mira and Stephen nodded and led their spouses away, understanding his silent request for a moment alone with his wife. Randor sighed and walked to the window a few feet away.
"How many, Marlena? How many people live trapped by the very pain and hurt that injured them so badly?" Randor's shoulders slumped slightly.
Marlena hugged Randor from behind. "We'll do what we can to help them: be an example, share our stories, and send encouragers through the kingdom. The rest we leave to Good." She tightened her hold on her now whole husband and whispered too softly for even him to hear. "Please, God, heal our people."
Adam and Teela thanked Lohni for watching Josiah, who was sleeping when they arrived in their suite. Observing their exhausted faces and having seen the events unfold via the hologram projectors in the palace, Lohni simply nodded, bade them farewell, and took her leave.
Adam sat heavily on the bed, his mind hazy from fatigue. Teela sat beside him and put her head on his shoulder. "I can't believe it's over," she said softly. "All the fighting and worrying and...now they're all gone or imprisoned."
Adam drew in a shuddering breath, the thought of Hutch in Blazes for eternity still haunting him. "Perhaps we'll finally have some peace," he answered just as quietly. "Our people deserve that."
"We all deserve it," Teela affirmed. She raised her head and looked in the direction of Keldor and Lyn's suite. "I guess it isn't truly over, though, is it?"
Following the direction of her gaze, Adam understood immediately. "No, it's not. And it's not fair to Keldor and Lyn, or their children, drawing it out like this. I should go speak to Father, so we can decide quickly how and when to finish the sentencing."
Teela put a restraining hand on Adam's shoulder. "After you rest," she said tenderly, but firmly. "Keldor and Lyn had quite a scare. I'm sure they need time to rest and just be with their children." She shoved gently at Adam, and he obediently lay down, telling her without words how exhausted he truly was. She laid down next to him and snuggled into his chest, biting her lip at the same time. 'I wonder how Lyn and Keldor really are doing.'
"Ma, Da!" shouted Neara. She barreled away from Panthor's side and threw herself at their feet.
"They wouldn't let us watch the sentencing," Micah grumped as he threw a glare toward the nanny that had relieved Miro long enough for Miro to meet his children at the hanger. "Grampa wouldn't either."
"And I'm glad he didn't," Keldor said, passing Neara to Lyn and wrapping his son in a tight hug. He waved a dismissal at the nanny and she scurried out of the room without a glance back.
Panthor stood and stretched and slowly made his way to weave in between Keldor and Lyn.
"Where's your sister?" asked Lyn.
Neara pointed to the nearby bedroom. "She's sleeping."
"I think that sounds like a good idea, don't you? We could all take a nap together. Just like we did when we were traveling through the Jungle."
Neara nodded and buried her face in Lyn's white hair. Lyn turned back a moment when she realized that Keldor and Micah hadn't moved.
"I'll be along in a moment," Keldor promised. He still had an arm slung around Micah's shoulder and his free hand scratching Panthor's head.
Lyn nodded, a knowing look on her face and she closed the door behind her.
"I'm tired, boy. I'll tell you what happened when we're both sitting."
Micah nodded and soon they were sitting on the sofa with Panthor curled up at their feet.
"We were attacked mid-sentencing." Keldor held up his hand to keep questions from forming. "None of the good guys were harmed, and the men that were causing unrest in Adam's kingdom will harm us no more. Randor and his leading warriors, the masters, will be reconvening soon to complete the sentencing."
"I want to go, Da," Micah said looking in his father's eyes. "Whatever happens, I want to be there. Let Grampa stay with the girls. I need to be there with you this time. Whatever happens."
Keldor looked into the face of this young man. A boy who had seen more pain than one his age should have. But a boy that would come of age in a world at war. Keldor sighed. He didn't want Micah there, but Micah was in fact nearly considered a man among his people, even though he was so young.
Keldor finally nodded, his blue eyes worried. "I don't like this, but I won't deny you."
Micah hugged his father once again. He didn't let go for a minute and when he looked up saw that his father had fallen asleep where he sat. Micah pulled a throw from a nearby chair and draped it over Keldor and then placed a pillow by his and laid beside him. Panthor laid his head across Keldor's outstretched feet, and soon all residents of Keldor's suite found the only peace they could. That of sleep.
Thinking along the same lines as Adam, Randor didn't waste any time. First thing the next morning, he used Duncan's hologram projector to send a message to as many of the larger towns and villages as possible.
"My people, I thank you for your patience in the sentencing of Skeletor, Evil-Lyn, Beastman, and Tri-Klops. I believe, as I am sure many of you do, that this has been delayed long enough. I have asked the masters to convene at ten o'clock this morning. We expect to have a decision by two o'clock this afternoon. If there is a delay for any reason, Prince Adam will notify the public via the hologram." Randor paused. "Although there were more testimonies scheduled for yesterday, I believe we have enough information to make our decision. Anyone who disagrees may contact Man-at-Arms to arrange to be heard."
After Randor signed off, he looked over at Duncan, as did the rest of the family. Duncan shook his head. Ten minutes, twenty, thirty minutes went by...but no one called in to demand they be heard.
"I'm surprised," Randor admitted candidly.
"I'm not," Marlena said calmly. "He-Man and She-Ra have clearly indicated where they stand. As much as the population hated Skeletor, they love He-Man and She-Ra more." She smiled at Adam and Adora. "Your willingness to forgive and show mercy has moved many hearts."
"As did Lyn and Keldor's actions yesterday," Adam responded quietly. He glanced at the clock. "It's nearly time." With sad but hopeful hearts, he, Randor, Adora and Duncan went to take their places among the Masters as they discussed the fate of the four former villains.
"Before we begin," Man-At-Arms said softly to Randor, "there was one person who wished to speak before the king and panel of masters."
Randor nodded, sighing inwardly. Even in the midst of He-Man's lead to forgive, and Keldor's brave actions, he had expected there would still be some who wished to see Keldor and Lyn sent to the mines. He had heard from one as they walked to the sentencing. The only reasoning offered was that if the four villains returned to their evil ways they would at least be unable to harm anyone else if they were in the mines. Randor grimaced. He was sure that wasn't the main reason. Many had forgiven Keldor, but not all.
"I suppose I should be glad there's only one who petitioned to speak," Randor muttered too softly to be heard. Randor looked at the assembly for a moment and his stomach twisted when he saw Micah standing in between Jonas and Antaris. He was surprised Keldor allowed the boy to attend, but shook his head. He would see to his brave nephew if the worst happened, he promised himself as she stood.
"I reconvene this sentencing of the criminals known as Beastman, Tri-Klops, Kel-Skeletor, and Evil-Lyn. Before we may come to a decision one final person has requested the right to testify before us," he announced.
The door slid into the wall, instantly revealing a tall cloaked form. The man walked in and lowered his hood. Several gasps sounded around the room as people took in his face. It was mostly obscured as though by a strange featureless mask, but there were cracks scattered, showing a fragment of lavender eye, a lock of white hair and a sliver of nose and mouth.
"I am the Faceless One, former guardian of the Ram Stone in the middle of the Sands of Zalesia," his voice echoed, true and pure. "I have had the honor and burden of being one in over a thousand generations of protectors of this mystic talisman. I was told, as were all my predecessors before me, that there would come a time when one would arrive to use the stone at a time of great upheaval for our entire galaxy. I was instructed when that one arrived, that the stone itself would choose this person and enter this chosen one to give them the power to pass any barrier, magical or physical. A few days before the Great Battle of Snake Mountain my daughter, Lyn, known to you as Evil-Lyn, arrived, accompanied by He-Man and She-Ra, to request use of the stone.
"I was reluctant to consider such a thing because of the treachery I have suffered from her many betrayals. Yet when she entered the stone chamber, the decision was taken out of my hands. The stone joined with her and now there is no prison that can hold Lyn, or anyone she wishes free."
A low murmur of uneasiness filled the chamber at this proclamation; Buzz-Off's wings whirred in an irritated fashion. Fisto clenched his great hand.
"I can tell you of the evil and good in my child's life equally, so I offer you no testimony in that regard," the Faceless One added. "However, I felt that this knowledge was one truth you needed to know before you make any decision that depends on the ability to keep Lyn detained. That, for her, is no longer a possibility."
With those words the Faceless One placed his hood back over his head and stepped back into the small group of witnesses to the trial, consisting primarily of the royal family and several others of the nobility.
The murmur grew into a small roar among the masters. It was stopped with a rapping of Randor's scepter on the podium he stood behind.
"Very well," Randor said, regaining the focus of the crowd. "We will adjourn to the conference room to make our final decisions."
Man-at-Arms tapped a few buttons on his gauntlet and a panel opened up behind the Masters. They filed into the discussion room silently, their faces somber. Keldor caught Lyn's hand on his own as they waited for the Masters to decide their fate.