Chapter Text
"Whew, that's better," said Glimmer, removing her hands from the runestone in Darla's cargo hold. "The one thing I don't like about exploring space is being able to run out of magic again."
They were back at Adam's castle. Everyone had shared what they'd experienced in the battle at Snake Mountain.
"Skeletor has to be lying," Bow said. "If he's really a First One, like a real First One, he'd have to be over a thousand years old!"
"He said he used magic and tech to keep himself alive since before their war with the Horde," Glimmer replied. "I don't know about his tech, but his magic is incredibly powerful." She hesitated. "Like stronger-than-my-dad powerful."
"Regardless," Adam chimed in, "it's more important than ever now that I make sure Skeletor never gets access to Castle Grayskull. If he is a First One, his first-hand knowledge of their technology might let him get to information even Adora and I can't."
Adora put a hand on her brother’s shoulder.
“We won’t let that happen,” she said.
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The Etherians spent another dinner and overnight with the Royal Family. Adam and Adora swapped stories of their childhoods (Catra making sure to interject with particularly embarrassing episodes). Glimmer discussed ongoing relations between Eternia and Etheria. More than once, Catra had to jab Adora in the ribs with an elbow before she accidentally revealed Adam as He-Man to her parents. Entrapta worked through most of the night inspecting Darla and setting up a portal beacon. There was no indication that Skeletor’s minions had figured out enough about the ship while they had it to do any serious damage. Duncan provided a secure chamber within the castle for the installation of the beacon.
Eventually, late into the night, everyone made their way to bed or a night’s sleep, and in the morning, it was time for the Etherians to go.
“Are you sure you don’t want us to stay and help with the fight against Skeletor?” Adora asked her father. The others were milling around by the ship, giving Adora some privacy to say goodbye to her family.
“Thank you, but no,” Randor said. “From what you’ve all told us, you all fought long and hard for your world’s peace, and you deserve to enjoy it. I don’t want to drag you into our war.”
“Ok, but you’ll call us on the beacon if things get too bad,” she replied. “If you need us…if you need me…”
Randor laughed and hugged Adora.
“I promise. But as long as we have He-Man, I think we can handle things.”
Adora hugged him again, then turned to her mother.
“It’s so strange,” Marleena said. “You’ve been gone so long, and we’ve only just gotten you back… I suppose I expected the thought of you leaving again would be unbearable.” She took Adora’s hands in hers. “But just knowing that you’re safe, and happy…” she glanced over Adora’s shoulder at Catra. Adora followed her gaze, also looking over her shoulder at Catra. She couldn’t help but smile. “That’s all we ever hoped for for you.”
Adora hugged Marleena.
“I’m going to visit a lot,” Adora said. “I promise.”
“You’d better,” Marleena said with a soft laugh. “We’ll have a proper family dinner the next time you and Catra come to Eternia. You’ll have to tell us all about how you two met and fell in love.”
“Hoo boy, is that a long story…”
“I can’t wait to hear it. I love you.”
“I love you too, mom.” Tears welled up in Adora’s eyes.
They parted smiling, and Randor and Marleena stepped back inside the castle from the large balcony serving as their makeshift landing pad. That just left Adora and Adam. They gave each other a tight embrace.
“It’s weird, you leaving so soon,” Adam said.
“I know,” Adora replied. “But I’ll be back again soon, I promise.”
“Can’t wait.” They released their hug, smiling warmly at each other. “And thanks, for everything.”
“What are sisters for?” Adora shrugged. “And for real, if you need me-”
“I’ll call,” Adam interrupted. “I promise.”
Adora walked toward the ship, looking back at her parents and brother the whole time. Adam started back into the castle. As Adora reached the entry ramp, Catra took her hand. Everyone else was already inside.
“Go on ahead,” Catra said. “ I’ll catch up.”
“Okay,” Adora said.
Catra raised her hand to her lips and kissed her knuckles. As Adora entered the ship, Catra jogged across the landing pad.
“Adam,” she called, “wait up!”
Adam stopped and turned back, letting Catra catch up to him.
“Hey, so,” she began, “this might sound a little weird…”
“What is it?” Adam asked.
“Could you… contact me on the beacon like a month before your birthday? We’ve always had a birthday celebration for Adora, but we were always just kind of guessing, of course. Now that we can know when her real birthday is, I’d… like to do something special for her. Y’know, for the first time we can celebrate her real birthday.”
“Will do,” Adam said with a smile.
“And… thank you…” Catra said. “For being good people, I mean. I’m really glad Adora found you.”
Awkwardly, Catra opened her arms toward Adam. He smiled and accepted the invitation for a hug.
“Take good care of my big sister, okay Catra?” Adam said.
“That’s the plan,” Catra replied.
With that Catra headed into the ship. Adora was waiting for her just inside.
“Aww,” Adora said. “Did you just give my brother a hug?”
“Oh shut up,” Catra groaned. “Don’t make a big deal about it.”
Adora just smiled.
Darla’s landing ramp closed, and the ship rose into the sky. Adam, Marleena, and Randor waving as it blasted off back into space.
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Skeletor stood on a balcony of his fortress. Below, his minions still toiled to clean up and repair from the previous day’s battle. There had been much grovelling and begging for mercy. Skeletor had granted none, despite his greater designs.
“My lord,” said Evil-lyn’s voice behind him.
“Yes,” he replied curtly.
She hesitated.
“They escaped,” the question came more like a flat statement.
“It is of little consequence,” Skeletor barked. “What of the mission I gave you?”
“Yes, my master. I found the Thenurian. He awaits you within.”
Skeletor turned on his heel and marched into the fortress. He walked briskly through the maze of corridors to the room in question. A soldier fearfully unbolted and opened the metal door at his approach.
Inside lay a wide variety of scattered technology from different ages. Machines hummed, buzzed, and crackled. But the objects of Skeletor’s interest were the newest additions. The first was a diminutive and terrified figure in chains. Pointed ears and nose stuck out from a mane of wild orange hair. The second was still within a wooden crate, the lid already removed and set aside.
Skeletor loomed over the Thenurian, relishing the panicked squeak and rattling chains as it cowered.
“Your reputation precedes you, locksmith,” Skeletor whispered. He reached into the wooden crate to touch the device inside. The device he’d discretely removed from the strangers' vessel. “Tell me, Gwildor, what do you know about portals?”