She-Ra's Self-Discovery

I've found it hard to write action scenes, as of late, so I've tried my hand at a very different type of writing. This is an introspective, 3rd-person piece, completely told from She-Ra/Adora's perspective. It takes place immediately after "The Secret of the Sword". It might be just an 'one-off', or I might write more if people like it (it may be interesting to try to fill in certain 'gaps' in the official She-Ra story). Of course, this is just my interpretation of the character, and many may disagree with it.

Anyway, this is the last of Canadian_He-Man's words... She-Ra begins speaking now.



I fly upon my wonderful steed Swift Wind, loving the sensation of air rushing through my hair, and of waves of motion caressing my face. It is truly exhilirating!

It helps to clear my head.

What a week it has been. Mere moments ago I helped to liberate Brightmoon from Horde control. Much like control of Birghtmoon, my life has been completely turned upside down.

The Sorceress

Queen Angella

Glimmer

Bow

My father, King Randor

My mother, Queen Marlena

Man-At-Arms

Teela

Skeletor

So much magic. So much adventure. So much wonderment!

Most importantly, though... He-Man... my brother. I knew when I first met him, while I was still Force Captian Adora, that there was something... special about him. I just couldn't put my finger on it. There was a warmth to him... and incredible honesty to him.

He actually convinced me to question the Horde... something that I never believed that I could do! Then the Sorceress nurtured the seed of personal growth that my brother planted in my heart and mind, and hence I am now She-Ra.

Where does Adora end, and She-Ra begin, I wonder?

In this form, I am so much stronger, so much more powerful, and so much quicker and agile. The sheer, unadulterated rush of it all would be intoxicating one would think... and yet, I feel such calm and clarity as She-Ra. Everything makes sense. Everything, in the heat of the moment, is clear.

The big picture, however, is elusive, even as She-Ra.

I already miss him. I already yearn to see him again, and hear his wonderfully comforting and noble voice of brotherly love. I know he wants me with him on Eternia, and that he did not easily concede to my arguments. I hate hurting him... and mother... and father.

Still... there is so much unfinished business here on Etheria. I can't run away from my real past simply to enjoy the past I would have liked to have had.

Hordak... Hordak weighs heavily on my soul.

He must be forced back, that I now know. I must compensate for the wrongs I did as Horde Force Captain, and I must help liberate the poor, weary people of Etheria.

And yet... Hordak helped to raise me. So did Shadow Weaver.

It is all... it is all so disorienting. So stunning. So jarring.

The overwhelming goodness that eminates with virtually every word that my father says, that my mother says, that my brother says, that the Sorceress says, and that Man-At-Arms says... it entrenches an inescapable reality within my spirit.

They are my real family... even the overly suspicious, and quick to anger and judge, Teela, is clearly an integral part of my brother's life, and hence mine.

Still... Hordak can be redeemed. I just know that he can. I was redeemed... so why can't he be?

This is the perplexing puzzle that I must now deal with. I must fight Hordak, and yet try to guide him into being a good man like my father. If Hordak can pretend to be a good man, then he is capable of actually being one.

At some level, I still love him... or do I?

I love He-Man more. I love my real father more.

Part of me thinks I should hate Hordak... he denied me my real family! He denied me the chance to grow up in the gorgeous Eternos palace within a magnificent family. He caused untold pain, and suffering, to my parents.

Still... He-Man doesn't hate. Not really. The Sorceress doesn't hate.

The Sorceress. I have to talk to her before calling it a night.

"You haven't said much, She-Ra." stated Swift Wind.

Swift Wind. How thankful I am that he's still Ok. At least Spirit is one constant through this all that I can clinge to.

"I know, Swifty." I reply, as I gently stroke his mane, having noticed that he had slowed somewhat, "There is so much running through my head right now. Have I made the right decisions, Swifty? Am I making the right decision in staying on Etheria?"

"Only you can answer that, dear friend." responded Swift Wind, "I have complete faith in you, She-Ra... Adora. Your heart is pure, and true. Your motives are clear, and admirable."

"Thank you, Swifty..." I reply, softly and sweetly, so grateful for his reassuring words, "Still... could you land for a second? I must speak with someone."

"As you wish, She-Ra." responded Swift Wind, smoothly landing upon a forest clearing.

I dismount him, and unsheath my sword, staring into the shimmering stone within it. Merely by focusing in on it, and sending out a telepathic signal of sorts, I can tell that the Sorceress would soon respond.

"I am here, She-Ra." she finally states, "Does something trouble you, my child?"

"Many things trouble me, Sorceress." I answer her, "First of all... how did Adam look when he returned to Castle Grayskull?"

"He was... a bit sad, in truth, Princess." the Sorceress replied, "He told me to make sure to send for him with out a moment's notice if I was to ever notice you in trouble."

Dear, sweet Adam. I hope that mother and father realize what a fine family man they have with him as their son.

"However, he seems to have come to terms with your choice to stay on Etheria, She-Ra." continued the Sorceress, "I do as well, of course. We all miss you, of course, but we know that you can handle yourself. You certainly proved that against Skeletor!"

Skeletor. Had he impressed me more, I may have been more leery over returning to Etheria. Still, while he is crafty, and difficult to avoid, he lacks good follow through. I have no doubt that my brother can handle him, as he always has.

"I'm glad for your vote of confidance, Sorceress." I reply to her with a smile, "Still... this is more difficult than I let Adam know."

"I realize that... Adora." the Sorceress responded, "It is only natural for you to continue to feel some positive sentiment for Hordak... for Shadow Weaver... they were your parents, of a sort, after all. I hope that you can reach them as I reached you! However, people who have continuously chosen to do evil... people like Skeletor... we must be strong and steadfast in opposing. You need not use excessive force against Hordak... you should never seek to hurt him for how he wronged you... but you must fight him, for the sake of your adoptive planet."

"I could simply storm the Fright Zone, and tear it to shreds..." I admit out loud, implicitly asking a question, "It would take some time, but if I was to fully exert my powers, I could ravage the Horde!"

"Yes..." the Sorceress agreed in turn, "But by the same token, He-Man could level Snake Mountain. You, and He-Man, are defenders, She-Ra... defenders, and creators. You help to defend that which is good, and create peace and tranquility where it is missing. Destroying strongholds of wicked men does not do that. What does that is changing hearts and mind, and simply holding evil at bay."

"I understand, Sorceress..." I reply with a smile, "I understand perfectly. Thank you so much for how you've marvellously impacted my life! Please know that Eternia will never be far from my mind."

"And you will never be far from the minds of those of us on Eternia who know you, Princess." responded the Sorceress, "Your brother, and parents, will be fine in time... as will Etheria! Good night, She-Ra."

"Good night, Sorceress." I reply, as the image of the 'woman in the sword' slowly phases out, leaving me virtually alone with my thoughts once more, yet comforted.

"Do you feel better, She-Ra?" asks Swift Wind.

"A little bit, Swift Wind." I answer while flashing him a smilfe, "But it is time to rest. It is time for Adora to come back. Let the power return!"

And now... I'm Adora. The strength reduced. The speed and agility lowered. The 'high' removed. But I'm fine... and I'm fit... and I'm happy.

Tomorrow is a big day, though. Glimmer confided to me that with the liberation of Bright Moon she is considering a successor to take her place as leader of the rebellion. Could she be thinking of me? Do I dare ask for such a role, given how mere days ago I fought for the Horde?

That I must rest on.

I just got through reading this via PM, and I saw that you posted it. Very good stuff. I love it. It's a very different reaction than from "Sibling Rivalry," and I like it a lot. I think you should continue this story, as well. It will be interesting to see more of Adora's feelings for Hordak since he basically was her father for so many years. I would also like to see how this decision effects Adam and the rest of the Eternian clan.

In any case, great start, and I'm glad you posted it here to share with others. Sorry it took me so long to give feedback.

That was cool. Definitely a different approach to the story,a nd I like you interpretation. I am amazed at how many stories you have going on at once and they are all really good.

Foxy and Rhoman - Thanks a lot to you both!

I intend to write a new chapter in something tonight - I'm not sure what, yet, but one of my ongoing stories (or this new one here) will feature a new chapter in it.

Have a great day!

Ryan I found this fic the other day and wow. Its amazing. I hope to see another chapter soon

I'm going to continue this introspective story. In the third, or fourth, installment, I'm going to go back to She-Ra/Adora. Right now, however, I'm going to focus on Prince Adam's reaction to the conclussion of "Secret of the Sword".


It's been a long day, and an even longer week.

I feel unusually drained, and tired, and my mind is racing with so many thoughts.

I had never been cut off from the comforts of the Eternos Palace for so long. I had never been a captive for so long. Hordak, and the Horde, truly tested me as I've never been tested before.

I was captured twice in less than three days. Both times, I was effectively held, and needed the help of others to know freedom. Never have I felt so vulnerable, and overwhelmed.

Still... the spark of hope in their eyes against an oppressive world order like that of the Horde was very motivating. The Great Rebellion on Etheria is greater than Kowl gives it credit for. Their collective spirit can't be easily crushed, and their tenacity is awesome. They are now further strengthened by her presence.

Never had I known an opponent like her. Never had I known an ally like her. I'm relieved that she's my sister... the sister I never knew.

How I wish she was on Eternia.

"It didn't work, did it?" asked a knowing Man-At-Arm's, landing a wind raider just beyond the drawbridge of Castle Grayskull to give Cringer, and I, a ride home.

"No, Man-At-Arm's, it unfortunetly didn't." I reply to him, having hoped that the liberation of Brightmoon would have satisfied her need to help the Great Rebellion on Etheria... though it did not.

"S-she's certainly a b-brave one!" stammered Cringer, peering up at Duncan, and I, "I w-wish I had her courage!"

"Yes, she's very courageous." I state in agreement, while flashing a smile to Cringer, "Perhaps too courageous."

"I can't blame her for her courage, Adam." stated Duncan, as Cringer, and I, move into the wind raider, and we prepare for take off, "After all, she handled Skeletor, and a large contingent of his forces, with contemptuous ease! You, Teela, and I didn't need to lift a finger. And to think, your father wanted to bring the full force of his military to bear against Snake Mountain."

"Is that a good thing, though, Duncan?" I ask wryly, "Skeletor, though often sloppy, is also frequently a serious threat that He-Man has truly had to struggle against. Sadly, I don't think that She-Ra came away with that impression of him."

"You're thinking that if Skeletor had come off as more of a threat to her, and her family..." began Duncan.

"She would have chosen to stay on Eternia." I interject, finishing his sentence, "That's exactly right, Duncan."

Father declared, with great pomp and circumstance, with high emotion and the finest rhetorical force and finesse, that his family would never be broken apart again. It is a testament to the strength of Adora's will that it is already broken again.

"Well, I'm sure that the Sorceress will call upon her aid if Skeletor ever truly overcomes us, Adam." responded Duncan with a grin, as we cruise through the air towards the royal palace of Eternos.

I sigh at those words.

"That's not it, Duncan..." I say in reply, "There's so much... there's so much catching up to do. There's so much time that needs to be spent getting to know my sister better. There's so much to learn! How can I do that when we're on seperate planets, Duncan?

"I know that it's not easy, Adam." he responds, ever understanding and loving, though avoiding the actual question, "It's certainly not easy for your father, or your mother, or any of us."

A tense moment hangs in the air, during which a dark thought drifts past my mind.

"We've all sacrificed so much, haven't we, Duncan?" I pose in rhetorical question, "We've all kept so many secrets. While I was hiding the fact that I'm He-Man from my parents, they in turn were hiding the existence of my sister from me. Only you, and the Sorceress, were in on all the secrets. I wonder how fractured we all are from being less... open, honest, and transparent with one another."

Duncan looks very weary as he contemplates these piercing words. He is a proud man. A generally happy man. A profoundly good man. Yet... I can tell how deeply he regrets all the secrecy, all the shallow excuses, and all of the divisions.

"One day, Adam..." he replies, trying to sound an optimistic note, "One day all of that will be past. Still, you're right, we've all sacrificed a lot. Let us not forget that your mother, just like your sister, grew up on a planet other than Eternia."

"Yes, that's right." I quickly chime in with agreement, "I guess that in a strange way, Duncan, we're all unified by our far from ordinary backgrounds, and life experiences."

"And you've experienced quite the week, haven't you?" asked Duncan, with a grin, attempting to change the mood, "Try to look on the bright side, Adam. King Randor has never been more proud of his son. In comparison to the joy you have brought his heart in helping to bring Princess Adora back to him, even if but for a day, the frustration brought about by your seeming cowardice and disappearances are but water under the bridge. He respects you greatly now, Adam. Even Teela speaks highly, and with pleasant surprise, over how your lengthy mission to Etheria was a rousing success!"

"That is true." I admit with a smile, "It had become increasingly hard as of late to not feel distant from my parents. I could tell that the sudden disappearances during times of trouble, and the perception of me being a cowardly and lazy Prince, had begun to truly hurt my relationship with my parents. The Sorceress' mission could not have come at a better time... for me, or my sister."

"That's right." Duncan quickly adds in concord with my thoughts on the matter, "It's good that you found Adora as a responsible, thinking, relatively free, adult. If she was still a child, or even in her adolescence, reaching through to her may have been exceedingly difficult. And you'll see her again, Adam. I'm sure of it."

"I just hope that it's under better cirumstances than when I first saw She-Ra..." I state, "I'll admit that being held by the Horde, and having my free will slowly removed from me... it was awful beyond words. When I first saw She-Ra, I truly thought I was seeing an angel."

Duncan couldn't help but to laugh at those words.

"You better not let Skeletor hear you say that as He-Man." he joked to me, "He'll never cease to be amused by the idea of He-Man needing an angel!"

"I say that Skeletor's ego is too bruised at the moment to be amused by much of anything!" I shout in enthusiastic reply.

All of us, including Cringer, begin laughing loudly over that idea.

"Yes, Adam, I dare say that your sister has bought us a week, or more, of Skeletor sulking away in Snake Mountain." Man-At-Arm's states, "I'm sure he's racking his skull as we speak trying to think of a way to deal with He-Man, and a female He-Man to boot!"

Duncan had managed to cheer me up. He was right about everything that he said. While I knew that father felt a bit numb, and cold, over the absence of his daughter from his life once more, he lights up when I'm around him now. My sister... my wonderful sister... has helped to restore my relationship with my parents.

They, like me, are going through a hard time... but we're all strong. We're all united in the emotional hardships that we've endured. Things will return to normal on Eternia in time, and then there will be those blessed occassions when my sister visits Eternia. There is much to be happy about.

Still...

I will need to take the iniative. I will need to plan regular visits to Etheria. That is what I will do. And Hordak will pay dearly if he ever tries to tear my family apart again! He will find He-Man a tougher opponent next time!

By the power of Grayskull, Hordak... your time as ruler of Etheria is starting to run out now. The sands in the hourglass will drip away, and Etheria will one day be like Eternia, and then I will be reunited with my sister for good.

These thoughts comfort, and inspire, me as Duncan lowers the wind raider on a clearing in the royal courtyard, our relatively short journey from Castle Grayskull to the Eternos palace complete. I smile widely at who is there to greet us.

"Blast it... blast it... blast it!" he shouts, moving about so excitedly, the troublesome mage of Trolla, "I just heard from Teela about Adam going to another world... about the return of a Princess Adora... and a sharp guy like me can figure out pretty quickly who She-Ra is!"

"We didn't want to disrupt your vacation, Orko." I say with a grin.

"Nor did we want to ruin the Princess' return with a magic trick gone awry!" pipes up Duncan, with a raised eyebrow.

"Hey now... I would have pulled off the bestest magic trick ever for the returning Princess!" exclaims Orko, "Come on, Adam... show me your sister now!"

"Another time, Orko." I reply with a grin, always amused by the lovable court magician, "Don't worry, you'll get to see her one day!"

"Aaawwww..." he whines, "But I wanted to get to meet her now! Aw, shucks, I suppose I can wait."

And that was the end of a week of adventure, and discovery, for me. A good time for Cringer, and I, to catch up on our rest. I just hope that things go well for my sister on Etheria. I hope that the Rebellion accepts her in spite of her history as Horde Force Captian.

Who knows... maybe they'll even make her their leader!

I really enjoyed this chapter, and I can actually imagine Adam having those thoughts. I feel a little sorry for Duncan. I bet he does feel a little guilty to be keeping so many secrets from everyone! He and the Sorceress are the only ones who know everything. I'm surprised Adam doesn't wonder if there are anymore surprises the Sorceress and Duncan will have to come clean about in the future, and I've always thought that from watching the shows, not just your fic, so great job!!!

Now for a twist - a little bit from Hordak's perspective, and a little bit from Skeletor's perspective. After that, I'll go back to Adora/She-Ra (and probably stick with her for awhile).

Hordak

"Blast! Blast!! Blast!!!" I scream, destroying various pieces of mechnical equipment within my throne room by using my arm cannon transformation.

Grizzlor, Mantenna, and Shadow Weaver, look scared in reaction to my outburst. Very scared.

Good.

I need them scared... I need them to fear me more than they fear these troublesome rebels!

"Get out of my throne room!" I bark at all of them, as I slouch into my throne, "Get out of here, you failures! I have much dark contemplation to endure!"

"Hordak..." begins Shadow Weaver, all too perceptive of my inner turmoils for my liking at times, "We will get Brightmoon back. I will see to it myself, mighty one!"

"Not now, Weaver!" I exclaim in thunderous reply, pounding my fist upon one of the arms of my throne "I don't want to even think about it right now! Get out of here!"

Yet, I have no choice but to think about it. I have to determine where everything went so wrong, and what I can do to make things go right again!

Grizzlor, and Mantenna, had been wise enough to back away at my first command, and now race out of my throne room. Shadow Weaver leaves at a slower, less responsive pace. I'm too weary to chide her for it.

Why did he come to Etheria? Where in the blue blazes did she come from? How has Adora been turned against me?

Shadow Weaver's spell appeared to be working fine. Could He-Man's words had been that persuasive to her? She shot him in the back, for crying out loud!

Just like Skeletor stabbed me in the back yet again, that treasonous turncoat!

Who can I trust? I couldn't trust Adora, I couldn't trust Skeletor, and I couldn't trust the effectiveness of Shadow Weaver's magic.

My two finest pupils are both traitors to me!

Why? Why?! Why do they turn against me?

What more surprises lay in store for me?

The Horde was functioning as a well-oiled machine for years on this planet. There was a meager rebellion of weak mages that Skeletor could toy with, and bumbling archers and villagers forming a pathetic conscript army of sorts, but they were nothing to the Horde.

Then that blasted He-Man arrived.

Why? Why did he leave Eternia to hinder the Horde's efforts on Etheria?

Skeletor told me much about He-Man just before we underwent our successful capture of Adora, and expressed some regret over how I came so close to eliminating that nuisance once and for all. He-Man has clearly spent almost his entire life on Eternia, and is an Eternian. He's always preoccupied himself in stopping Skeletor from becoming on Eternia what I am on Etheria.

Why, then, did He-Man come to Etheria?

It must have been to get Adora back for the benefit of the Eternos royal family. That's the only logical conclussion I can come to. Somehow, he must have turned her against me, in spite of Shadow Weaver's magics.

I wonder if Castle Grayskull was involved in this little forced defection of my Force Captian?

Of course, as troubling as this all is, it doesn't collectively make for my gravest concern right now.

My gravest concern is this warrior woman She-Ra, for I know next to nothing about her. She's a complete mystery to me.

What's her connection to He-Man? Is she his lover?

Skeletor didn't have a clue about her, so she can't be Eternian, so it's hard to imagine what else other than a sudden romance could cause her to help He-Man out at the risk of her own personal well-being.

However, a woman of her strength would surely have been noticed by the Horde a long time ago if she was Etherian.

Is she yet another interloper from another world, and if so, from which world? What's her interest in Etheria?

Does she have any connection to Adora?

She's a complete unknown here... and that's what scares me.

I have a sense that He-Man won't be on Etheria all the time, thankfully... not with his rivalry with Skeletor on Eternia, in any event. However, this She-Ra could be a constant thorn in my side. It is imperative that I find a way to trounce her.

Still... I miss Adora. I could never admit that to my Horde subordinates, though I'm sure that Shadow Weaver can sense such sentiment in me.

Adora was a fine Force Captian. I had no worries about the Rebellion with her at the helm. I think that she could even present problems for She-Ra if she was still at the helm, as her track record against He-Man demonstrates.

Also... I trusted her. I deliberately raised her to be good, because as much as I'm loathed to admit it... good people make for more loyal subordinates. You don't have to scare them. You can be more relaxed around them. If not for the accursed He-Man, she'd still be my most loyal subordinate.

I... I want her back. The Horde needs someone like her. I can already sense the salivating Catra manuevering for her vacated spot, but Catra has an ambitious streak to her that worries me. All of my immediate subordinates do. Imp is the only one that's even remotely loyal.

Adora needs to be punished, but most of all... she needs to be Horde Force Captian again. She needs to be put under Shadow Weaver's spell again. She needs... she needs to be my daughter again.

Then, I'll send her after Skeletor for some payback. How fitting that would be.



Skeletor

I sit upon my throne of bone, in careful consideration of recent events.

It was going so well. So wonderfully wickedly well!

I used my 'old teacher' to help kidnap this Eternos Princess, and then I sent him back where he blongs - to Etheria!

I wouldn't mind having Hordak serve me for a change, but there's no way I'd want him on Eternia under any other conditions, as useful as he might prove to be even as an equal.

My minions were surprisingly loyal enough to side with me against Hordak, and force him back to Etheria, but an extended stay on Eternia may have left those fools wide-eyed over the prospect of serving a man who actually does rule a world... though I will be greater than him once Grayskull's secrets are mine!

... Still, my confidance wanes on the matter. A female He-Man! Where did she come from? Is she some recruit of the Sorceress? Is she the warrior woman that Hordak told me about?

I will have to spend much time observing things through my viewing globe... including Etheria.

Hordak, and his Horde, has to be watched closely. I don't trust them for a second! They have renewed designs on Eternia... I can feel it in my bones!

And yet... yet... the Sorceress has raised the stakes through introducing this female He-Man. She has made my life that much more difficult! I'll need to raise the stakes as well, and bring in my own new resources. The Horde might be just what I need!

I'll need to secretly search through those closest to Hordak, and find someone disloyal to him. The person that's the most disloyal, the most ambitious, the most easy to turn to my side... that's the person that I must ally with to eliminate Hordak!

Conquest of Eternia, as always, remains my primary goal... but Etheria may offer some opportunities to me.

In fact... would it not be wonderful to pit my greatest enemies against one another? King Randor against Hordak! No Eternos royal palace! No ruling authority to stop me!

Yes... yes! I'll get Modulock working on the matter immediately!

This female He-Man may think that she has me down for the count, but nobody keeps Skeletor down for long! All hail Skeletor!

Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!!!

A very special someone requested me via PM to write more of this, so I'm doing so.

The next bit is told from Adora/She-Ra's perspective, and it's the morning after the liberation of Brightmoon....

__________________________________________________ ____________


From a distance, the Brightmoon palace does look quite gorgeous on this bright, sunny morning. It's a fitting new beginning for the people of Whispering Woods.

Still, I feel discomfort over how some of my new allies, and friends, look at me.

A mere few days ago, I was a legendary enemy to many of these people.

I was the vile Force Captian Adora, part of Hordak's inner circle.

Some look at me with sheer shock in their eyes, wondering how a person of such high rank in the Horde on Etheria could ever voluntarily defect from them, and endure a much more dangerous life as a rebel.

Some practically sneer at me, and rush both themselves and their children away from me as I walk by. They cause me such sadness, and a sense of inner guilt.

One man stares at me with a look of fierce anger in his eyes, and the woman who appears to be his wife has to talk him into cooling down with the story of how I'm really an eternian that was corrupted by Hordak, but thankfully rescued from that corrupted life by her gallant brother Prince Adam.

I try to take some good cheer from the thought of my brother being quite beloved by many Etherians, as the legends of Adam, He-Man, and She-Ra, course through Brightmoon, and rebel encampments, like great wildfires. Indeed, there is an electricity in the air that could cause a Horde batmek to explode.

Many wonder where my brother He-Man, and myself She-Ra, came from. They are exceedingly excited, and bolstered, by our recent actions, as well as immensely thankful for them, yet it is clear that in our empowered by Grayskull roles, my brother and I are beings of great mystery.

I can tell that He-Man will be dearly missed not only by myself, but also by the Great Rebellion itself. It is clear that I will need to go to greath lengths to be an inspiration as She-Ra to soften the blow of his lost for the forseeable future, but also that is is important to make the people feel more empowered in their own right to take swift, and decisive, action against the Horde even in the absence of both He-Man, and She-Ra.

Some are also vaguely familiar with Prince Adam, and with the fact that I'm really an Eternian Princess displaced by a wretched kidnapping, and I can tell that the names 'Adam', 'Bow', and 'Glimmer', are spoken with a deep, and abiding, sense of respect and trust.

Adam deserves it, particularly given how wrongly he is viewed by father and mother for the act he has to put on back on Eternia to maintain his secret identity. Thankfully, I can tell that She-Ra is looked upon as a great hero in her own right, which will be helpful in motivating the Great Rebellion to truly live up to its name.

It is good that She-Ra is loved by the Great Rebellion... for the sentiment towards Adora is mixed at best.

"Don't let them bother you, dearie." states the kindly old mage Madame Razz to me, as we finally walk inside of Castle Brightmoon, "They don't know what you went through, like Bow, Glimmer, Broom, and I do. Hordak did such a truly awful, and wretched thing to you. We're just so glad that Adam made right what Hordak wronged, and that you're now one of us!"

Madame Razz is such a wonderful woman. Her, and her fellow twiggets, are such kind, and sweet, beings. They are fabulously forgiving, and empathetic.

She, Broom, and I, are whisked into the throne room.

There, already gathered, are Queen Angella, Bow, Glimmer, Kowl, and several of the more accomplished human and twigget soldiers in the ranks of the Great Rebellion.

"Good morning, Adora!" shouts Glimmer joyfully to me, as she rushes over to give me a hug, causing the eyebrows of a few of the human soldiers in attendance to be raised.

Glimmer is younger than I, and while she and I were bitter enemies at one time, we were not enemies for long, and it's clear that I now make her think of her rescued mother moreso than I make her think of the former Horde Force Captian.

I am very relieved by that fact.

"Yes, good morning, Adora." states Bow as well with a slight smile, but with a somewhat stiff posture.

I make eye contact with him, with Queen Angella, and with Kowl, as I disembrace from Glimmer. I can sense their inner questioning, and lack of complete trust in me. Of the three, Kowl strangely seems to be the least untrusting.

"I'm... honoured to be here, and called to this important meeting." I state in reply.

"Well, you have to be here, Adora!" shouts Glimmer enthusiastically, "This meeting concerns you just as much as it concerns me! Isn't that right, mother?"

"Yes, my daughter, that is true." answers Queen Angella in her astutely diplomatic, and regal, manner, "However, I have some... reservations with your plans."

"Well, let's get to that right away then." continues Glimmer energetically, moving back to stand next to Queen Angella who is sitting in her throne, "Let us all discuss openly what it is I'd like to do."

"And what is that, Glimmer?" asks Bow, with more than a touch of uneasiness.

"With the Brightmoon kingdom rightfully restored by how He-Man and She-Ra rescued my mother, and then aided in the liberation of Brightmoon..." began Glimmer in answer, "I now have a duty as Princess of this realm. I have an obligation to help defend Brightmoon along with my mother."

"I am greatly heartened to hear you say that, Glimmer." states Queen Angella with a smile.

"I'm glad that you agree with me at least a little bit, mom." replies Glimmer with a smile towards Queen Angella before moving to look at the gathering once more, and address us all firmly, "Now, to continue on, this role as Princess of Brightmoon means that, well... I won't be able to continue on as leader of the Great Rebellion."

Bow squints nervously at these words, while some in the gathering look sad over them, particularly the twiggets. Kowl immediately agrees with Glimmer's decision, however.

"That is very wise of you, Glimmer." he states, "It pleases me greatly for you to see how you being both defender of Brightmoon, and leader of a global liberation army, would constitute a potential conflict of interest!"

"That is right, Kowl." responded Glimmer to him with a grin, "It would not be fair to the Great Rebellion to have a leader who's heart was more committed to one region of Etheria over all of the other regions... and, in truth, I am more committed to Brightmoon, and Whispering Woods, than I am to the Horde dominated world beyond. At least one person here isn't, however... there's at least one person here that is perfectly suited to leading the Great Rebellion!"

"Oh?" I ask, eager to hear more of Glimmer's reasoning, "And who is that person, Glimmer?"

"Why... who else but you, Adora?!" she exclaims in rhetorical question, and with a wide grin on her face towards me.

Glimmer's statement creates quite a clamour through out those gathered in the throne room. Bow gives greater voice to their doubts over Glimmer's assessment.

"Glimmer!" he shouts, while motioning to the crowds to quiet down, "Do you really think that this is wise? Adora has been in our ranks merely for a couple of days... and we don't have Adam here to keep her in line any more."

That statement angers me considerably.

"I don't need my brother to keep me in line, Bow." I state with some anger, and narrowed eyes, towards him.

"I trust Adam." replies Bow, "But I don't fully trust you, Adora. Not yet, in any event. Adam, and I, have fought side by side against Horde troopers. It was Adam who brought He-Man's help to us, and it was probably him that brought She-Ra's help to us as well! I have yet to fight side by side with you in battle, Adora... and yet Glimmer would already make you my superior!"

Bow is right, in a sense, and hence I reluctantly back down from my verbal joust with him. He hasn't fought side by side with Adora yet... not knowingly, anyway. He trusts Adam, He-Man, and She-Ra, because he's fought alongside all three... but not me as Adora.

"Bow!" cried Kowl, in much anger over his old friend's words, "That's no way to treat Adora, or Glimmer! We should show sympathy to Adora, Bow... not anger, and distrust! Adora was stolen from her very family by Hordak. Adora has suffered the atrocities of the Horde as much as any other person here has."

"Thank you, Kowl." I say softly and sweetly to him, so thankful for how understanding he is.

"Think nothing of it, Adora." he states, as he flies over to greet me.

With the gathering effectively silenced by Kowl's words, Glimmer continues on with her proposition, while addressing her most prominent opposition in the form of Bow.

"Beyond what Kowl so eloquently states, Bow." she elaborates, "Adora is uniquely suited to be leader of the Great Rebellion for three reasons. First of all, she is a native Eternian... she knows no unique alliegance to any particular portion of Etheria as such. Hence, we can trust her to treat each region with equal degrees of desire to liberate, and in time defend. Secondly, she knows the inner workings of the Horde better than any of us, for she was once one of the three most prominent Horde leaders along with Hordak and Shadow Weaver. Finally, she was a largely successful Force Captian. She even captured He-Man, Bow! She is very good at what she does. She would be the ideal leader for the Great Rebellion!"

There is much logic, and rationale, to Glimmer's words, which effectively causes many in the gathering to re-examine their initial misgivings about me becoming the leader of the Great Rebellion.

However, my own misgivings are probably the largest of all.

How can I possibly lead the Great Rebellion as Adora, yet secretly change into She-Ra whenever the going gets tough?

Still, Glimmer seems determined for me to become leader of the Great Rebellion.

Queen Angella thinks differently, however.

"While I agree with you stepping down as leader of the Great Rebellion, my daughter." states the Etherian Queen to Glimmer, "I don't agree with having Adora become leader of the Great Rebellion. However, I want Adora to know that my reasoning on the matter is not the same as Bow's. You have inspired great friendship, and trust, in my daughter, Adora... and hence, in spite of how I know of the many great misdeeds you committed as Horde Force Captian, I am inclined to think that you would make a fine addition to our ranks. However... were you to become yet another horrendous casualty of war while leading the Great Rebellion into war zone after war zone, I do not know if I could live with myself. I know how wretched it was to be torn apart from my husband, and from Glimmer... I would hate for your family, who are not even etherians, to lose you as I've lost my husband, Adora."

I'm deeply touched, and pleasantly surprised, by Queen Angella's words. However, as I dwell upon them more analytically, they give me the perfect idea.

"I... I have a suggestion to make." I exclaim with great fervor, "I have an idea that I think might work for all of us!"

I can see the gathering grow increasingly interested in our meeting, and in what might come of it.

"What is that suggestion, Adora?" asks Glimmer, with deep curiousity.

"Yes..." muses Bow with a raised eyebrow, "I'd like to hear this suggestion as well!"

"Then hear it you shall!" I shout at him, still somewhat angry over his untrusting sentiments which has sadly permeated through out much of the gathering, "Let me be the strategic, and tactical, leader of the Great Rebellion... but let She-Ra be the one who most often leads the actual charge into combat!"

Most of the gathering is stunned by the suggestion, but most also seem to be keen on it. I smile over their approving looks.

"My brother Adam, He-Man, She-Ra, and I, all met before He-Man and She-Ra went off to rescue Queen Angella." I continue on, fabricating a story that both helps maintain my secret identity, while also reinforcing my suggestion, "During that meeting, the four of us agreed on a lasting alliance of sorts, and I am able to contact She-Ra at a moment's notice as such. Entrust me, my friends, with this secret means of contacting She-Ra, and if I ever sense that we're in a battle that is going awry, I will race off to retrieve her help! I will plan the battles, and the broader liberation scheme, but She-Ra will command the forces. This will ensure my safety, Queen Angella, and it will also help to earn me greater trust from those here who are unfortunetly dubious over my alliegances."

Glimmer smiled widely over my suggestion.

"That's a magnificent idea, Adora!" she exclaims, "Yes, you and She-Ra will share leadership of the Great Rebellion!"

With that, Glimmer starts to applaud enthusiastically, with Queen Angella rising from her throne to join in. Soon, there is an eruption of great applause, and cheers.

"Long live our new leaders Adora and She-Ra!" comes the passionate cries of many of the wonderful twiggests.

"To the great success of She-Ra!" shouts Bow, not wanting to seem difficult, but also clearly not trusting me as Adora yet.

Kowl flies over to me, with a big, wet grin on his face.

"Brilliantly played, my dear." he states in whisper to me, "Brilliantly played, indeed. Just know that you don't have us all fooled..."

His words shock me for a second.

He knows.

Kowl, some how, knows!

"He's not the only one who's deduced it, dearie." comes the sweet, endearing voice of Madame Razz, whispering to me as well, "But don't you worry! Kowl, and I, will help you keep your secret!"

Madame Razz knows as well.

I hope the Sorceress won't mind. I wonder how it is that they know, yet nobody else appears to?

Still, aside from these two new friends of mine, my secret seems secure.

Now, I only hope and pray that I can effectively lead the Great Rebellion.

Now... time for a twist.

I skip ahead several months, Adora/She-Ra's time. This is after...

1) Her meeting Castaspella for the first time, and defeating Mortella.

2) Lots of battles with the Horde, as shown in the Filmation cartoon.

3) The episodes "Gateway to Trouble", "Horde Prime Takes a Holiday", "My Friend, My Enemy", "Unexpected Ally", and "Of Shadows and Skulls" are of unique importance here. In particular, this is She-Ra's inner monologue, of sorts, after "Of Shadows and Skulls".

Up to this point, I've been exploring the inner feelings and sentiments of several key MotU/PoP characters (and particularly Adora/She-Ra), and helping to fill in some gaps.

At this point, however, this truly becomes a story... because it will break from the established PoP chronology at this point (but it follows it precisely, with added explanation of my own design, up to this point in question).

Here, we will see She-Ra reflect on things a great deal, and make an interesting decision. It takes place the morning after the events of "Of Shadows and Skulls". I hope that you all enjoy.

__________________________________________________ ___________


As I soar through the skies upon my marvelous flying unicorn Swift Wind, I seek to clear my mind. It has been, to say the least, a very eventful and tumultuous few months.

I am, thankful to say, largely pleased with my leadership of the Great Rebellion, and of how circumstances have progressed since that role was all but forced upon me. Most meaningful battles with the Horde we have won outright, though it is increasingly apparent that by sheer force of arms, and weight of numbers, the Horde is a tough nut to crack.

For the most part, the Great Rebellion is still sadly on the defensive.

There is no question that we have gained invaluable recruits through out the whole of Etheria, and that we have gained invaluable regional allies in both the restored Mystacore, and Frosta's frozen realm, but most Horde strongholds live up to the very term 'stronghold'.

I have spoke briefly with father, mother, and Man-At-Arms, during a largely covert, and sadly quite short, visit to Eternia, and in describing what the ongoing war has been like on Etheria to them, they all seem to agree that it is, sadly, a difficult war of attrition.

They do lift my spirits with their assessment of how the Great Rebellion has reached a position of virtual equality with the Horde on Etheria. It is true that we can effectively free great numbers of prisoners, and offer them genuinely secure safe haven in Whispering Woods, but constant vigilance is called for.

Hordak... Hordak is tenacious, and unrelenting.

There are times when I think that he's actually loving the challenge put towards him by the perpetually growing Great Rebellion, though there can be no doubt that his standing with Horde Prime has been severely weakened in recent weeks.

Shadow Weaver also remains a menacing, and dangerously unpredictable, threat to the Great Rebellion.

She has come far too close, for my liking, to brining untold destruction and ruination upon Castle Brightmoon, the Whispering Woods, or even the Great Rebellion as a whole.

Catra has proven more efficient in assuming my former role as Force Captian than I thought that she would, particularly when it concerns both Sea Hawk and myself.

In truth, my greatest hopes have not been realized. Not yet, in any event.

I... hate to admit it, but I grow somewhat weary, and tired, of this perpetual struggle.

With a seemingly unending chain of skirmishes that ultimately seem to settle very little.

The Great Rebellion are not killers. I'm not a killer.

We are efficient soldiers in defending against the Horde's manueverings, and in staging operations like simplistic prison breaks or raiding Horde supplies, but I can tell that most Etherians are people who love peace, and simply wish to be left alone, to live as though the Horde did not exist.

I am grateful over having gained the undying loyalty, and trust, of Bow and all of the men and women under my command... as both Adora, and She-Ra.

I am even, at some level, very proud over what the Great Rebellion has accomplished.

Yet, at this time, I feel Eternia beckoning to me.

He is much more of a threat than I first thought.

He came perilously close to stealing the Velvet Glove, and using it to wrought incomprehensible degrees of desolation to Eternia, all to satiated his mad lust for power and control.

He has defeated Hordak in combat many times, and even almost managed to assassinate him with Catra's help.

He even defeated me as She-Ra once, albeit with the help of Shadow Weaver.

As menacing, and dangerously unpredictable, as Shadow Weaver is... Skeletor is even moreso.

"What are you thinking of, She-Ra?" asked Swift Wind, taking note of how lost in thought I had become.

"I have a hard decision to make, Swifty..." I reply, with a terrible sense of uneasiness, "A very hard decision indeed."

My brother was injured in battle, just before Skeletor formed his most recent alliance with Shadow Weaver.

The Sorceress relayed this to me telepathically, just so I would know.

Skeletor's confidance has been given new life by his recent successes against the Horde, and on Etheria in general.

He-Man managed to stave off his latest attempt to capture the secrets of Castle Grayskull, but he suffered a severe leg injury while doing so from a combination of Skeletor actually connecting with a havoc staff blast of his, as well as one of Trapjaw's new arm attachment's tearing at He-Man's flesh.

It makes me so mad.

How dare they attack my dear brother like that?

How dare they?!

I was about to head off to Eternia to try to heal my twin's injury, but before I could do so I was summoned by Lighthope to deal with Skeletor here on Etheria.

Skeletor... that insane yet deadly criminal malcontent mage... needs to be more strongly curtailed than what he has been as of late.

Yet, can I risk time away from Etheria to help my brother do so?

"I'm sure that you'll make the right decision, She-Ra..." comes the comforting words of sweet Swift Wind, "You always do!"

"Thank you, Swifty..." I reply softly, while petting his mane, "I have a question for you, though. Do you think that the Great Rebellion could sustain itself under, say, General Sundar's leadership? Could they manage with out She-Ra for a time?"

I'm very thankful at this moment for General Sundar's defection to the Great Rebellion only a few short days ago. He is an exemplery military commander, and as my former General, I have no doubt that he could take Adora's place, if needbe. She-Ra's may be another matter, however.

"As long as there is a Horde on Etheria..." begins Swifty in stirring answer, "You will be indispensible, and invaluable, to the Great Rebellion's cause, my dearest friend. That being said... I know that you're worried about your family, and family does come first. For that reason, it may be prudent to have General Sundar temporarily fill your golden boots of justice as well as he can."

I smile widely over Swifty's graceful, and lovely, words of support and understanding.

"You brighten my day with your wonderful words, Swifty." I state to him in a smile, "Very well then, I will make an announcement later today as Adora, and leave for Eternia! Skeletor must be captured and imprisoned, for his crimes! I will not let him ravage my precious family any longer!"

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Skeletor

The Velvet Glove!

Secret alliances with those within Hordak's inner circle itself!

Victories of great majesty, and power, over the likes of Hordak and She-Ra!

He-Man injured at my hands!

Years of magical, and tactical, training, are finally paying off!

Only Man-At-Arm's saved He-Man this most recent time.

Only that flamboyant Etherian archer Bow managed to rescue She-Ra from my clutches!

Soon, these secondary pieces will be of no concern to me.

Soon, I will have my greatest enemies exactly where I want them.

"Tri-Klops!" I shout out loud at my most inventive minion now that Modulock is no longer in my ranks.

"Yes, mighty Skeletor?" he asks in reply, as though the fool doesn't know what I already want.

"Is the new invention ready?" I continue in question, my eyes flaring red in eager anticipation of what this invention will do for me.

"Yes, mighty Skeletor!" he exclaims in more assertive tone this time.

"Excellent..." I state in euphoric malevolence, "With that new invention, Tri-Klops, Eternia will soon be mine! Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!!!"

Hey Ryan are you ever going to go back to this. If you hit a block let me know and I`ll see what I can do by throwing some ideas at you. Please post more soon.