REVELATIONS

Prince Adam of Eternia laid near the lake of the Mystery Forest. Next to him was his pet tiger Cringer, sleeping silently. Adam was depressed. This was something that had been happening often lately. Too often. The reason for his depression was a female, with red hair and blue eyes. She was a stunning beauty and a great warrior. And she was in love with him. Adam shook his head slowly. No, not with him, with He-Man. If she knew he was He-Man... What would happen then? Was there any chance that she would still love him? Adam, himself, had been in love with the Royal Guard Captain for a long time, but... He sighed and stood up. He had to get her off of his mind, relax for a few days. For weeks, he hadn't thought of anything else, not since that one battle... How could he have been so silly? "Damnit" he murmured. "I have to get out of here. Cringer!" There was only one place he could go where he wouldn't have to think about it. Relaxing there- now that was another question. But at least he would get away from Teela. "Come on, old buddy. We're going on a little journey."

At the very same moment, Adora said farewell to her boyfriend, Sea Hawk. She'd been on his ship a week, and had a wonderful time. They spent too little time together. "When will we meet again?" she asked. She had placed her arms around his shoulders. He held her tight at the waist and smiled at her lovingly. "Anytime, Adora. If you can spare a few days..." "It's not like setting an appointment to spend some time together" she laughed, blushing lightly. "Next week we have our yearly rebel's fair. Would you like to join us with your crew?" "I would prefer to be alone with you, actually," He said, grinning. His hands were wandering up to caress her lightly. She grinned. "Put yourself together, sailor boy! You agreed to wait so don't be so hasty now." He made a little grimace. "I shouldn't have promised that..." She sighed. "Is it really so hard to let the things happen slowly, Hawk? You have some experience, but I want to be absolutely sure you're the right man for me, before we make love." "Aren't you sure yet?" he asked, gently running his fingers through her hair. "We haven't been together so long that I could answer this question with yes." "So what do I have to do to make you trust me?" She smiled. "Wait. Then the trust will happen." He nodded. "I'd do anything for you, Adora. If you need more time, that's okay." "Really?" she asked. Instead of an answer he kissed her, longingly. "I'll see you at the rebel's fair, darling. If we're still welcome there." "Your crew will always be welcome, Hawk. Bye now." "Good-bye, Adora." She mounted her horse and watched Sea Hawk enter his ship. "Come on, Spirit!" she shouted then. "To the Whispering Woods!"

"Sorceress, I would like to go visit my sister," Adam announced. "Now seems like a good time," the Sorceress responded. "All is quiet here, for now. And you could use a vacation." She grinned as she opened a portal for him. "Tell me about it," he muttered. "You know how to find me when you need to return," she said, motioning towards his sword. "Of course," he nodded. "Cringer, are you coming with me?" "Wwwell, if I have to," he began. "No. You don't have to, but Adora would probably enjoy the company," Adam persuaded him. "Alright then. I'll go." He sauntered into the portal after Adam.

Adora had been sitting on a rock near the Singing River. She had been thinking for some time before Spirit questioned her. "What is it, Adora? Something is bothering you." "I was just thinking about the Sea Hawk." "Has he done something to upset you?" "No, well, I don't know," Adora moaned. "I just feel like he is putting pressure on me." "You shouldn't be pressured by anyone, Adora. You have to remain strong for the rebellion," Spirit replied. "I don't think that he is trying to pressure me, but I feel like I am under a microscope right now. If I do, or say the wrong thing, he may leave me. I hate feeling like this," Adora confided. She felt that she loved Sea Hawk with all her heart, but she couldn't handle the way that he kept trying to bring their relationship to another level that she just wasn't sure that she was ready for. And she didn't like the fact that he continued to ask her about it. "Adora, are you sure that you love him?" Spirit asked. Adora gazed at the river. "A few weeks ago I would have laughed at you being asked this question. But now I'm not sure of anything anymore, Spirit. I've never really stopped and thought about what I want. It just seems right to be with him. I feel like I love him. I just don't like this argument that we keep having. I don't understand why it's so important to him. I am content with our relationship as it is now," she said, wistfully. "Have you told him that you don't appreciate this burden that he has placed on you?" "I don't think that he is doing this on purpose, Spirit. It has always been his way... He was always aggressive. It is in his nature to be so," she explained. "But is this a trait that you feel you will be able to live with?" Spirit grew serious. He always worried about Adora. "Are you sure that you want to be with someone that is 'naturally' aggressive?" "I just don't know, Spirit," she answered. She continued to watch the river. There was only a slight breeze in the air that occasionally caused small ripples in the water. Adora glanced down at her reflection and tried to picture herself by Sea Hawk's side. She was startled when she saw a tall figure cast a shadow over her. Then she saw, in the water's reflection, that it was Adam. She jumped up and embraced him. "Adam! I'm glad you're here." "Miss me?" he asked, sarcastically. "A little," she replied embarrassed at how immature she must have appeared to her brother. "And you've brought Cringer!" she said as she bent to pat his head. "Hello,Adora," the creature said, shyly. "Everything alright?" Adam asked, raising an eyebrow as he backed away. "No, I'm just going through a slight period of confusion... It will pass," she replied, quickly. "Ok?" he remarked, confused. It would probably take an eternity to figure his sister out, he thought to himself. "We should go back to the camp and tell everyone you're here," she said, suddenly. "They'll be so excited!" They began to ride back to the camp on Spirit. Adora noticed that her brother was uncustomary silent. "Are you sure that something isn't bothering you?" He looked at her and muttered, "I am just in need of a vacation." "I can understand that. You've come at a great time. We shouldn't be in need of He-Man anytime soon. It's looks like you will have your vacation. So tell me about Mother and Father. How are things on Eternia?" They talked about their family for the remainder of the trip.

"Adora, do you have a minute?" Bow asked her as she made her way back to her tent. She had planned on resting before she planned the evening's festivities for her brother's arrival. She rolled her eyes and turned to him, "What is it?" she asked a little too harshly. She had about enough of men already that day. He took a step back. "I was just wondering if you were ok. Something seems to be bothering you. I came to see if you wanted to talk to anyone, that's all." "Oh, well, I'm fine. Really," she replied. "If you're sure then..." he began. "I will let you know if I want to talk, ok?" she promised. Then she turned on her heel and entered her tent. Bow hurried away, hurt. "Seems to me like you're the one that could use a friend," a voice said behind him. He turned, and saw Frosta standing before him. "You want to talk?" she asked. "You know how they say that if you talk about it, you'll feel better?" he said. "Yes?" "They lie, but I'll give it a shot anyway." Frosta couldn't help but chuckle, "I hope I can make you feel a little better, at least. Let's hear it." "It's Adora..." "I never would have guessed," she teased. He flushed and grinned, briefly. Then he began to confide in her, "Ever since she came here, I felt like I was connected to her. I thought that I was in love with her for awhile. I guess I still think I am. But all she thinks about is that Sea Hawk guy." Frosta grimaced. She had never liked that man. She certainly didn't approve of the way he treated Adora, at times, but she tried to get along with him for her sake. Bow continued, "I thought that maybe it was just a crush that she would get over, so I have continued to treat her like gold. But she always pushes me away. Maybe I am just fooling myself by thinking that she would even be interested in me. I'm beginning to lose my patience waiting for her." "How do you know that she is even right for you, Bow?" Frosta suggested. "I suppose I don't." "Do you think that love is something that you should have to wait for the rest of your life? I am pretty sure that's not how it works. Otherwise, I will wait for He-Man until I'm 120. I'd rather not. You only get one chance at life, Bow. You have to take things as they come. You can't force love to happen. It just does," she explained. Now it was Bow's turn to chuckle, "I guess you are in the same boat as me... With He-Man and all." "There is a difference, I have decided that any man that won't even look at me twice isn't the right one for me," she frowned. She was still upset about making a fool of herself over He-Man. "I think he was crazy to turn you away. Any man would be," Bow said, appreciatively. "Hey, I'm supposed to be making you better, ok? Not the other way around," she smiled. "Well, I think we've both succeeded. Anyway, I should be going. See you in Castle Brightmoon?" "Sure, see you there," she called. Bow turned and watched her leave. A strange feeling came over him as he watched her. It was something he had never felt before, even when he looked at Adora. It was lust. He shook his head and stumbled over to the Swan Inn to meet Kowl.

The small celebration held for Adam took place in Queen Angella's castle. Adora's brother was a friend of the Rebellion and they were always happy to have him. Music was playing and soon Adam asked his sister for a dance. She still didn't look any better than she had that afternoon. He sighed. "Is there anything I can do, sis?" She jerked her shoulders. "I don't think so. It's just... men." "Men?" he asked, lightly amused. He had only seen the Sea Hawk, Adora’s current - and as far as he knew - only boyfriend, once before. "You mean just one man, don't you?" "I don't know..." Now it was her turn to sigh. "Adam... may I ask you something personal?" "Of course. What is it?" She blushed lightly. "You and Teela..." He moaned. She bit on her lower lip, knowing that this had been the wrong question. "Sorry." "Never mind. What do you want to know?" They both weren't paying attention, and nearly crashed into another couple. Adora raised an eyebrow as she saw Frosta and Bow dancing a perfect English Waltz. "Excuse me!" Adam shouted. They didn't even hear him, they were talking intently with one another. The Princess shook her head. "I didn't actually plan this when I asked Frosta to talk to Bow. I just wanted her to speak to him, because some members of the rebellion have said that he's been acting strange for weeks. Which doesn't surprise me, I think, he's been acting strange since I've know him... If only I knew, what was on his crazy mind..." Adam shook his head inertly. Didn't she get it, what was going on? Even he, who was barely involved the rebellion at all, knew, that Bow had been in love with Adora since she had first joined the group. But that was something his sister would have to deal with alone. "So what do you want to know, sis?" he asked again. She didn't look at him. "Well... did you... did you ever think of being with Teela... I mean... being with her in the night... I mean..." He had to laugh. "You mean, if I want to make love to her?" She wasn't used to his straight-forwardness yet. "Yes... yes, I think that was what I wanted to know." He grew serious. "Of course. Who wouldn't? She's beautiful and has a temperament to match it. But for me, sex isn't the most important thing. I love her and want to be with her, as her boyfriend, not as a one-night-stand. At least I always thought so..." Adora saw that he was having problems of his own with love. Suddenly, she felt ashamed because she had only been talking about herself. "What has happened, brother?" "Well... it was last month, after a battle with Skeletor..." Adam paused thinking of how happy he had been, when he realized that Teela had been okay. She had been caught by a stunner and had been unconscious for a while. He had leaned over her, worried, just when she had woken up... "I was He-Man... I don't know, how I could have been so silly, sis. But she looked so sweet that moment- I just had to kiss her. And she didn't refuse. But all the years I've tried to impress her as Adam. I don't like the fact, she sees me as the great hero and only loves me just because of that. We haven't talked about it since then." Adora thought about it for a moment. "Well, perhaps you should..." Just then, explosions from outside sounded. "Warning! Attack!" some of the guards yelled. Immediately, the rebels went outside. Adam and Adora stayed behind. "What was that you said about a vacation, sis?" Adam grinned. She jerked. "Never give up hope. We'll talk later, okay?" "Okay. For now..." They took their swords and transformed into He-Man and She-Ra.

Frosta was one of the first who ran outside. "Horde troopers! They're attacking from the air!" she shouted. "Well, let's get busy," Glimmer responded. She turned to her Mother and nodded. They both raised theirarms into the air and combined their power to bring one of the attacking planes crashing down. Frosta began to freeze some the others, and Bow shattered them with his arrows. Castaspella was about to help, when she noticed something emerging at the bottom of the castle. "We have tanks!" she announced. "Let's go!" Frosta ordered. She and Castaspella rode down to the ground on an ice trail. Bow followed them and some of the other rebels had already come out of the castle to join them. Frosta sighed as she froze one of the tanks. 'This is probably going to be a big fight,' she thought. The castle was well protected by the Moon crystal so the Horde must have a large ambush planned. Otherwise they would have fought the rebels elsewhere. She-Ra jumped onto the tank that Frosta had stopped, and she sliced it in half with her sword. Two troopers jumped out and She-Ra made short work of them as well. Castaspella created a heavy for so that the Horde would slow down. They couldn't attack blindly. This gave She-Ra the chance to jump on Swift Wind and begin attacking the troopers in the air. He-Man ran out of the castle and headed for a tank. He punched it with his fist. It collapsed on impact. Once Frosta had taken care of another tank, He-Man picked up the piece of scrap metal that he had left behind and threw it at the frozen tank. It exploded and pieces of ice went everywhere. Castaspella was so caught up in creating the fog that she didn't notice the troopers behind her. Two of them seized her. Frosta and He-Man were still fending off the tanks and didn't notice Castaspella's disappearance. "Up, Swift Wind," She-Ra called. The planes would have a hard time attacking in the fog, but the fog did not bother She-Ra because she had very sharp eyesight. She and Swift Wind rose right underneath one of the planes. She-Ra sliced it open and a Horde trooper tumbled to the ground. "Look out below!" she yelled as the trooper hit the ground and set on fire. Frosta quickly put a stop to the burning mess and waved to She-Ra. "Over there," She-Ra directed to Swift Wind. They flew over to another plane and She-Ra held her sword over her head, ready to attack. Something from the ground stunned her and she was knocked off of Swift Wind. "She-Ra!" he shouted and flew down, trying to catch her. Bow spotted her out of the corner of his eye and moved to catch her. "Thanks," she whispered. She was so caught up in the moment that she forgot there was a battle going on around them. She moved to kiss him, but he put her down and took off to help He-Man. She-Ra shook her head. "I must have been hit harder than I thought," she said to herself. "What just came over me?" She didn't have time to think because Catra pounced in front of her, "Merowr, She-Ra. I have improved my aim, don't you think?" "It was you that knocked me down?" "Indeed it was. And now I will finish you," Catra cackled. "I don't think so, Catra." She-Ra kicked Catra, knocking her onto her back. She took the stun gun that had fallen to the ground and aimed it at her. Catra got up and backed away, "Don't you worry She-Ra. We got what we came here for." She-Ra looked puzzled. Catra's aim had improved. She was still a little disoriented. "We have your little friend, Castaspella. Shadow Weaver has plans for her!" "They'll have to wait then," Frosta said. She glanced over her shoulder when she was finished with the tanks and saw the troopers with Castaspella. She put them into a deep freeze and ran over there to make sure Castaspella was all right. "Drat, She-Ra! I will be back, and I will get what I came here for next time," Catra purred. She turned and retreated back to the Fright Zone, calling the remaining troops to follow her. "That wasn't so bad," Glimmer said to Angella. "No, it wasn't. But that is what bothers me. I wonder what that was all about," she answered. "Let's go talk to She-Ra and see if she knows anything," Glimmer suggested. They made their way to the others.

"What do you suppose Shadow Weaver wanted with Casta?" Frosta asked She-Ra. "I have no idea," was her response. She turned to Castaspella, "But we will have to keep an eye out for you, Casta." "Yep. We’ll make sure that nothing happens to you," He-Man said to her. "We will have to be careful, but that shouldn't spoil our evening," She-Ra said. "Right," everyone agreed. They went back into the castle to continue celebrating. She-Ra and He-Man remained behind. "Now what is it?" He-Man asked. "I just don't know what has come over me, brother." "What do you mean?" "Well, I think Catra hit me pretty hard with that stun gun. I almost kissed Bow." "You what?" He-Man was shocked. He wouldn't have minded if his sister got together with Bow, but she never seemed interested in him. "I said almost. He didn't give me the chance." "He didn't?" Now he was totally confused. Of course Bow didn't know who She-Ra really was, but he was amazed that Bow didn't take advantage of the situation. Bow had always seemed interested in both She-Ra and Adora. Some of the rebels even teased him about who he really did have a crush on, She-Ra or Adora. Adora noticed the way he was looking at her. "Is there something, I should know?" He jerked. "Well... perhaps it's better if I tell you. As long as I've known him, Bow has been in love with you." "Pardon?" She had to lean against the wall. That was the last thing she had expected. Of course he had always been nice to her and all, but... "You really didn't know?" He-Man asked. "No! He loves me? But... why?" Adam rolled his eyes. "If I say now: `I don't know,´ you will knock me down." "Thanks for the compliment" she said, absent-minded. "My god! I always saw him as only a good friend, brother... And if he's really in love with me, why did he refuse me, when I tried to kiss him?" "That's what I don't understand either." She sighed. "I'll have to talk to him." The twins changed back and made their way into the castle. "For now, I think that we should just concentrate on having a nice evening with our friends" Adora murmured. "Sounds like a good idea to me" Adam stated.

Adora spotted Bow sitting at a table with some of his friends. "May I have a word with you?" she asked as she passed by him. "Sure. Just a minute," he replied and turned back to his friends. He continued his discussion as if she hadn't even spoken. He was telling them about some battle he had encountered in the Fright Zone, and how he had fooled Scorpia. Adora made her way to a corner and waited for him to join her. When he was finished, he stood up and glanced around, trying to find her. He casually walked over to her. "What's up?" he asked. "I just wanted to talk to you for a minute," she said. "About?" "Well, about us. I know that I have been a little rude to you lately. I have just been having some problems and I've been taking them out on everyone," she explained. "Really? I hadn't noticed," he said. "Oh, Bow," Adora moaned. "You know exactly what I'm talking about. Look, I really am sorry for the way I've been acting. I hope it doesn't cause any bad feelings between us." "There are no 'bad feelings' between us, Adora. I understand how you feel and that you have a lot on your mind lately. Don't feel like you owe me anything because you don't. I know that I can be a real pest sometimes, like I was before. But it won't happen again. At least, I will try not to let it happen again," Bow replied. "Just have a good time tonight and try not to worry so much. I'm sure that you will work things out," he smiled at her. In that moment, he realized just what he had felt for her all this time. He did love her, but not in a romantic way. It was strictly a love that made him want to protect her from harm, the kind of love that her brother probably felt for her. He was surprised at how relieved he felt about this revelation. Adora was glad that he was smiling. She hugged him and excused herself so that she could go find Adam. Bow finished his beer as he watched her leave. It was his sixth so he was only vaguely aware of what he had just said to her, but he did know that he wasn't in love with her. Another thought came to mind. He sauntered over to Frosta. She was standing alone, finishing off a drink of her own, a bourbon. "So how are you feeling?" he asked her. "Apparently not as good as you," she teased. "I haven't had that much to drink," he remarked, defensively. "I was only kidding. Everything alright?" "I think so. I think everything is starting to work out now," he told her. "So... How shall I put this? Adora is..." Frosta began. "For the time being, she is out of site and out of mind. I have realized that I feel the same way about her that her brother does," he explained. "You mean, you never really did love her?" "No, I think it was just a slight crush. Anyway, I don't want to talk about her. What do you think about that attack tonight?" "It was definitely odd," Frosta commented. "I wonder what Shadow Weaver has up her sleeve." "Care to discuss it on the terrace?" Bow suggested. "Sounds like a fine idea," she agreed. They grabbed a couple more drinks and made their way outside.

Glimmer had something to discuss with Adora so Adam didn't have time to continue the conversation they had begun before the battle had taken place. He actually didn't mind. He wanted to be alone for a little while anyway. Deep in thought, he walked out onto a balcony of the palace and looked at the stars. He first realized that someone else was here when a cloud of thin smoke surrounded him. He turned around and saw Castaspella sitting on a chair behind him. "Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt..." "Never mind." She took another drag of the cigarette, she was holding. Adam was kind of astonished. The only person in his life he had ever seen smoking was his sister. He also knew that she had to be really depressed to do it. So what reason could Casta have to do such an unhealthy thing? She had apparently read his thoughts. "Depression seems to run rampant this evening. It spreads out like cancer, did you know that?" She stood up and leaned on the rail of the balcony. "You shouldn't be here," Adam said worried. "If the Horde comes back..." She grinned and turned to him. "Oh, I didn't know you cared..." He blushed immediately. "I'm as worried about you as everyone else is. You really don't have any idea what Shadow Weaver is planning this time?" "This is a very sad story, Adam, and I haven't told many people. It hurts too much." She took one last drag and threw the cigarette down into the garden. "And the worst of it is: I feel sorry for her." "For Shadow Weaver?" Casta nodded. "She was a friend of mine, Adam. Actually she was more..." Her eyes grew dark. Hesitatingly, the Prince touched her arm. "If you want to talk about it..." Again Casta nodded. "It's strange... I barely know you... but I seem to be able to tell you everything. Not even Adora knows about this. Hardly anybody does. I'm ashamed and sad, that things have turned out this way with Shadow Weaver." Tears glinted in her eyes. "I couldn't prevent what happened. I wanted so badly to help her, but I couldn't do anything... I'll blame myself the rest of my life for it." Adam thought about the story, he had once been told about Shadow Weaver. "I know that she was a member of the good side. She gave it up to become more powerful. But what... or how does this have anything to do with you?" "Let me tell you my way. As I said, it's not easy." Casta looked at the starry sky. "I've known her all my life... You know I lost my parents when I was just a baby... and I grew up with Shadow Weaver in the house of Norwyn, the wizard. He taught us all about magic. When her transformation took place, and she joined the Horde, I cried for days. I couldn't believe that I had lost her." Adam placed his arm around Castaspella's shoulders, which she didn't even notice. She was crying now. "And why?" "Because..." She took a deep breath. "Because she's my sister." "What?" The Prince shrank back. "My god! That's terrible!" "You can say that again. If I only knew, why she hates me so much now! I understand why she hates Norwyn. He prevented her from getting the full power of the crystal, which turned her to evil years ago. But I, I did nothing. I was just a teenager!" "Oh, Casta." Again he hugged her, while she was crying uncontrollably. "All I want is to get her back, but it seems impossible. All, she feels for me, is hate." "I understand." Adam ran a hand through her soft, brown hair and wiped her tears away. "This must be pretty hard for you." Slowly she gained back her self-control. "It feels good to talk about it. Thanks for listening." "You're very welcome. You can tell me anything, Castaspella." He looked deeply into her eyes- and suddenly they kissed. They both were a little shocked, but they smiled. "You know," Casta said, "a relationship that begins with deep psychological talks, won't last very long..." "Yeah, I know" he grinned. "Want to stop here and now?" "Over my dead body, Prince Adam." Again they kissed. And Adora, who had just come out looking for her brother, saw them together, stood there and gasped. "My god" she said quietly. And again: "Oh my god." She realized that she would not be able to talk with Adam now so she went back inside. The party had picked up quite a bit, but Adora wasn't in the mood to mingle. She hadn't even had a drink yet. Some of her friends noticed her mood and had tried to cheer her up, but it was hopeless. She had been thinking about Sea Hawk all day, about the direction he was trying to push their relationship into. But ever since the attack on the castle, all she could think about was Bow. She remembered seeing Bow dancing with Frosta. Then she thought about the conversation she had with her brother. How could everyone but her have known that he was in love with her? And why was he acting so distant now? She entered a restroom to freshen up. She splashed some water on her face and peered at her reflection. 'Is he in love with me or not?' she thought. 'Maybe he has just had too much alcohol, and didn't realize that he was pushing me away earlier. That has to be it. But why can't I get him out of my mind now? Ever since Adam told me that Bow has always loved me, he's all I can think about. I have treated him so terribly,' she moaned and turned away from her reflection. 'I need some air,' she decided.

"So how many have you had tonight?" Bow asked. "Does it really matter?" Frosta challenged. "No, but I'm just curious. I feel like the town drunk right now," he answered. "Well, let's just say that I could qualify as good competition for that title. It's been an odd week." "That it has," he nodded. "Let's hope this next week will be a little better," Frosta proposed. "I'll drink to that," he said. "You'll drink to anything," she giggled. Just then, a guard came out and whispered in Frosta's ear. "No," she told him. "I am perfectly fine here, and all is well in the Kingdom. There's no need for me to rush right back there. Besides, we must make sure that Castaspella is unharmed." "Yes, Empress," the guard answered. "Please excuse the interruption," he added and left. "Duty calls," she said, rolling her eyes. "Even when I'm away. Adora said that Adam is on vacation. Why can't I get one?" "Well, you are an Empress. Adam isn't," he pointed out. "True. Oh look. It's starting to drizzle." "You know what would be great," Bow smiled. "What?" she asked. "Some snow, instead," he was grinning from ear to ear as he suggested it. "If you insist," Frosta stood and raised her arms. She transformed the slight drizzle into large snowflakes. "Now that is much better," he said. "It's much more romantic than rain," he whispered as he leaned over and placed his hand under her chin to kiss her. Frosta was taken aback, but she was pleasantly surprised. She had always thought that Bow was attractive, but that he was in love with Adora. When it was over, she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him again. She took the initiative this time and kissed him deeply, probing his mouth with her tongue. "Why, Empress," he whispered, out of breath, when they had pulled back. "This is a side of you that I've never seen before." "Well, prepare to be surprised," she flirted. "There's a lot about me that you don't know." He embraced her and kissed her again. Adora stopped short when she saw the scene Bow and Frosta were making on the balcony. They looked so passionate together that she could almost see steam rising from them. She was so shocked that she dropped the glass she was holding. Bow and Frosta looked up quickly. Then they turned away, embarrassed. Adora quickly turned away and left the castle. She knew that she couldn't stay at the party any longer. She had to be alone. Bow called out after her, but she ignored him.

Adam and Castaspella saw the Princess leave on Spirit. Adam looked worried. "I think, I have a problem." "You have indeed" Casta murmured, caressing him gently. "Because I’m planning to kidnap you... to take you to a more silent place..." He blushed. "What for?" "Oh, come on!" she laughed. There was something which had definitely to be cleared, Adam thought. "Castaspella, I’m not a man for a one-night-stand" he said, moving her away from him a little bit. "Neither am I" she answered. "But why not starting a relationship with a night of passion? I think, I just need some support right now. I don’t want to pass this night alone." "Well, then it’s okay." Adam kissed her once more. He didn’t know what came over him. Teela was as far away as could be. The feelings, he had always had for her, he suddenly had for Castaspella. "I’ll stay with you. I guess the party’s over soon, anyway. But where to go?" Casta grinned. "Leave that to me, my Prince." She closed her eyes and concentrated shortly. In the next second they were in a very small room, dark, but warm. "Ey, where are we?" Adam laughed. "I have no idea" Casta admitted. "Somewhere in the palace... I just thought of a place of silence. Hm... and it seems to be a good one." She pointed at the bed. He grinned. "You didn’t plan this at all, you said?" "Me? I never would" she said innocently. "Of course not." He pulled her near to him. "But since we’re here yet- let’s make the best of it." "I just wanted to suggest something like that" she smiled. "But be careful, Prince Adam. You’re dating a Sorceress right now." "Is there anything special to pay attention of while making love to a Sorceress?" he asked, pressing her against him tightly. "Just be sure to be prepared for anything" she gave back. "I sure am." He was acting exactly the way, she had imagined it. He was gentle, but straight. He wanted to rule the game, but he did not hurt her in any way. First he undressed her, then himself, slowly. She sat on the bed and waited for him. She felt his strength, as he laid down on her, taking possession of her without taking away her will. For a while she accepted the role of the passive one, but then she suddenly rolled on the side and sat on him, taking the initiative herself. She liked it to light those stars in his eyes, to know of all the fireworks in his body. She wanted to ride him, to be the aggressor, until they both had their height and she fell on him exhausted. "That was wonderful" she smiled. "I agree. Once more?" he grinned. "Well, the night is long..." She bent down to kiss him. "What do we have here?" suddenly a voice in the darkness asked. Castaspella looked sharply at the corner of the room to see who had spoken. A young girl emerged and stepped into what little light was present in the room. Castaspella quickly covered herself and moved closer to the girl. "Are you lost?" she asked curiously. "I don't think so," the voice said amused. She grabbed Castaspella's arm and transformed into her true shape. "Shadow Weaver!" Adam yelled. "Let her go this instant!" "Oh, I don't think so, my dear boy. I have plans for her." She began to laugh and a cloud of smoke surrounded them. "Adam, get help, quickly!" Castaspella ordered. Adam quickly dressed himself and shouted for help. By the time anyone arrived, Shadow Weaver had already taken Castaspella.

"Do you want to go after her?" Frosta asked Bow. "No, I think she needs some time alone. I understand that she is having some problems with Sea Hawk," he answered. "Well, if that's what you think is right," Frosta commented. "I promised her that I wouldn't push her," he replied. "Anyway, your glass looks a little empty." "Oh, I don't think I'll have anything else. It's getting late," Frosta began. "You're right. And we've had some snow huh?" Bow grinned. "Oh! I guess I should change it back," she said. With a snap of her fingers, the drizzle began to fall again. Bow leaned towards her, and was about to kiss her goodnight, when they heard shouting. "That sounds like Prince Adam!" Frosta exclaimed. "We'd better hurry," Bow determined. They rushed to find him. He was a mess when they found him. His appeared to have been in a struggle. By the time they had arrived, he was kneeling and whispering, "It's all my fault," over and over again. Frosta placed an arm on his shoulder and leaned down to his level. "What's your fault?" she asked quietly. He looked at her, bewildered. "She's gone. And it's my fault. I was right there with her and I couldn't even stop it." "Stop what?" she asked again patiently. "Casta. Shadow Weaver was here in disguise. She took Casta away with her." Frosta was horrified, "We have to go save her right now! Where are He-Man and She-Ra?" "Oh who knows," Adam moaned. "It's all my fault." "Adam, come on. You've got to pull yourself together. How are you going to save her if you're in the middle of a breakdown?" Bow related. "I'll find Adora," Frosta put in. She left before anyone had the chance to reply. Bow continued to help Adam and ordered the others to organize a search party for Castaspella.

Shadow Weaver used her magic to transport Casta and herself inside her laboratory in the Fright Zone. Before her sister could react she chained her to the wall with power chains. "What do you want?" Castaspella asked. "First that you put some clothes on. This is disgusting." Weaver turned away. Casta looked down on herself. Perhaps she should really take some more on. Jerking her shoulders she snapped her fingers. Immediately she got her normal appearance back. "Better?" "No, not a bit, but who cares?" Weaver watched her with visible loathing. "How can you spend your time with someone like this... Adam?" "Oh, I’m sure, Hordak is better in bed than him" Casta commented. Weaver got enraged. "I have never..." "Of course you have. Don’t think, I don’t know how you got this far in the Fright Zone. You would never be Hordak’s nearest advisor, if you wouldn’t be his mistress, too." "That’s none of your business" Weaver said harshly. "It isn’t, you’re right. But don’t you critique my sex-life then. It isn’t very polite to watch, by the way." "I haven’t. I’m not interested in the games, you’re playing with men." Casta just shook her head. She didn’t understand this. After all she was a prisoner here. Suddenly Weaver suddenly treated her like a sister. Like a very little, silly sister, no doubt. "That’s not your business now. And also if it were, I’m playing no game here. Unlike you I know what love is. And I just found it." Weaver laughed bitterly. "For how long? Until the night is over? I know how many boys you turned down. Using them for pleasure, just the way, you want it, isn’t that a kind of being evil?" "This time it’s different! And who the hell are you to decide about that? What actually do you want from me, Shadow Weaver?" "Your powers" the witch said hard, and turned to the controls of a machine. A kind of power field surrounded Castaspella. "You’ve been a thorn in the Horde’s side for long. This machine will take your power, which I will take myself then. After this Hordak has some more plans for you." Weaver didn’t look at her sister, and Casta thought to know the reason, why. "But this all wasn’t your idea, was it? Did you forget what you taught me?" The Sorceress closed her eyes and sent a psychic message to Weaver. `Can you still hear me this way? Remember, I feel, what you feel, De-Lara.´ Weaver turned around quickly, hate in her eyes. "Never call me like this again, Casta!" `Why? After all it’s your name...´ "It isn’t my name any longer. And speak loudly!" Castaspella grimaced. "A pity. You knew how to have fun in the past. But that was, before you began to serve the evil." "You haven’t understood anything" Weaver hissed. "I don’t serve the evil, I am evil." "No, you aren’t" Castaspella contradicted her. "Don’t forget of the telepathy, you taught me. I know, how unsure you are inside yourself. Something has changed since last I saw you. What is it, Shadow Weaver? Has Hordak let you down? Has he found another mistress?" "Shut up!" Weaver fired a dark ray on Castaspella. Her sister just had to concentrate shortly to turn it into bright light, blinding Shadow Weaver. With her magic Castaspella had no problem escaping the power chains. She had just waited for the right moment. Now it was there. She went to her sister. "Can’t we talk rationally, De-Lara?" When another black ray was shot on her she hadn’t got the time anymore to defend. She got knocked down. The evil power took her breath away. Her whole chest seem to burn. "Apparently we can’t" she pressed, gasping for air. "Then I’m sorry, but I’ll have to leave. I thought, there was a chance, but there isn’t. Good-bye, Weaver." "You go nowhere!" Fast Castaspella turned around. "Hordak!" Now she was trapped. "Weaver, what are you waiting for? Capture her!" the tyrant shouted. Casta prepared for more dark magic. Astonished she heard her sister saying: "I can’t, Hordak. This bitch has taken my power. I can’t fight against her." What? That wasn’t true, after all Weaver had just knocked her down! Castaspella had no idea what was going on but she knew, what she had to do. She snapped her fingers and transported herself out of the room. Actually she had wanted to take Weaver with her, but the witch had known, she would try this, and had built a invisible shield of her magic around her. All, Casta could do now, was leaving the Fright Zone with mixed emotions. She put herself together. To come out of here would be hard enough. If she thought of Weaver it would be even harder. She looked around and walked down the first way which seemed to lead outside.

Everyone had organized them selves, and they were about to leave Castle Bright Moon to find Castaspella. But Bow was puzzled. "I wonder why Frosta hasn't returned with Adora," he said to Adam. "I don't know, but we've got to get moving. There's no telling what will happen to Casta if we don't find her. Just then, Adora returned to the castle. She briefly spoke with Queen Angella, who filled her in on the situation. She ran to Adam's side. "Adora! I'm glad you're here. You can come with me to the Fright Zone," he said, relieved that She-Ra would be able to help. "Adora?" Bow asked. "Didn't Frosta come back with you?" "Frosta?" Adora questioned, raising her eyebrow. "I never saw her." "What do you mean?" Bow demanded. "She was supposed to bring you back here so we could leave. Where could she be?" "Don't panic, Bow," Adora replied. "I'm sure she will be along. Maybe we just missed each other. We should leave now though, so we can find Casta before it's too late." "Well then I'm going with you, Adora," Bow determined. Adora gave her brother a knowing glance. "That will be fine. I'll go with some of the others," Adam suggested. Adora pulled him aside. "What are you doing?" she hissed. "We can always find She-Ra later, if we need her. I'll get He-Man so that we have some protection in the meantime," he whispered back. "We should go now," he said, out loud. They split up into small groups and headed for the Fright Zone.

The rain had picked up considerably by the time Frosta entered the Whispering Woods. She hurried to Adora's tent, but was surprised to find that she wasn't there. She quickly began to search the rest of the camp, but to no avail. Finally, she decided that Adora must have gone back to the castle. She left the Woods and retraced her steps. She followed the Singing River back to the castle. Then, she discovered that no one was left inside the castle. 'I guess they decided to leave without us,' she thought. There were only a few guards on duty that remained. They confirmed her suspicion that everyone had gone to the Fright Zone. But, curiously, they also related that Adora was with them. Now Frosta was totally confused. She wondered how she could have missed Adora. She made her way outside of the castle to find everyone, and never noticed the figure standing in the shadows. Just as she was about to leave the castle, the figure emerged and knocked her unconscious.

Queen Angella decided to travel to the Fright Zone in the air. She was able to keep watch over everyone that way. She paced herself a short distance behind them so that she could see them better. Unfortunately, the distance was just enough so that no one ever saw her fall out of the sky from the laser beam that was shot at her. She never even knew she was being followed.

"I hope nothing has happened to Casta," Adora commented. "I knew that I should have stayed at the castle. This probably never would have happened." "You can't blame yourself for this," Bow reasoned. "Even if you were there, I am pretty sure she would have been taken anyway." "I feel responsible because we knew that she was in a considerable amount of danger, and I left anyway because I was thinking of myself. I should have been more concerned about her protection." "Adora, really. You didn't know that she was going to be kidnapped in the castle. Adam was with her when it happened, so what makes you so sure that you could have done anything more? It wasn't your responsibility. You have a life too. You are entitled to have time to yourself," Bow reassured her. "Yes, but I should have put her needs first," she argued. "That isn't very realistic, Adora. We all understand that you have a heavy burden to bear, being the leader of the Rebellion, but you are not responsible for us every second of the day. You couldn't possibly watch over us all the time. Not even She-Ra could do that." Adora smiled at that remark. She had always felt as if the rebels respected She-Ra more than they respected her. She was glad to find that it wasn't the case, at least, it wasn't with Bow. "Thank you again, Bow," she said. "I don't know how I could handle being a part of the rebellion if it weren't for you." She was beginning to see him in a different light. She wasn't sure if it had anything to do with the revelation her brother had made to her, but she knew that she wanted to be closer to him. "Bow?" Adora pressed. "Oh, right. I'm glad that I have helped. We should hurry," he responded. "Right," she spoke quietly. She wondered if this fog in herhead was ever going to clear up. She wasn't alone. Bow was beginning to wonder if he actually had a chance with Adora after all. He was also trying to decided whether or not he wanted to be with her. Neither of them noticed the Horde troopers until they were surrounded. Bow quickly pulled out his weapon and aimed. Adora used her sword to deflect their stun beams back at them while Bow used his exploding arrows to destroy them. One of the troopers was about to stun Adora when Bow pulled her back into his arms and trashed it with another arrow. They looked around at the pile of metal and the rising smoke. Then, Adora turned to Bow. "I am beginning to wonder if, pretty soon, I will owe you my life." "Let's worry about it when it happens," he hushed. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him. He tightened his grip on her and returned the kiss, dropping his bow at his side.

`The worst of it is over,´ Castaspella thought. `Now I just have to get out of here.´ She tried to teleport herself out of the Fright Zone, but was surprised to discover how weak she was. She actually had to sit down from the strain. `I shouldn't have used so much of my power against Shadow Weaver,´ she thought. `But I had to. The rays she was firing at me were too strong. I'll just have to find some other way out of here.´ She continued down the path before her and found a doorway that she assumed led to the outside. It was eerily quiet and she tried not to make any noise. The door creaked when she opened it. She found herself inside another hallway. "Great," she said to herself. "Now what?" "Merow! I'll tell you what. You are coming with us!" Catra screeched. Grizzlor grabbed her from behind and Catra paced around them in a circle. "Don't you think we should get her back to Hordak now?" Grizzlor snorted. "In all due time, you buffoon!" Catra dictated. "Hordak has big plans for you," she purred, turning to face Castaspella. "You and a few of your friends..." "You'd better not harm any of them!" Castaspella shrieked. "And just what are you going to do about it?" Catra challenged. "You see, Shadow Weaver has failed Hordak for the last time. If she does not agree to his latest design she will be terminated. He has had about enough of her foolishness. But you won't have to worry about anything much longer." "What do you mean?" Castaspella narrowed her eyes. "Hordak has encountered an old spell to help him accumulate a greater power than even Horde Prime himself knows. All he has to do is destroy three female members of royalty. Only their blood is pure enough to use for the spell. And now that we have Queen Angella and Empress Frosta in our custody, all we need is one more. He will explain the details to you before he kills you. Rowr and it looks like your number is up!" she began to laugh uncontrollably. "And then, even that miserable She-Ra won't be able to stop us!" Catra turned to Grizzlor, "Put those bands on her so thatshe can't use her magic anymore. Then take her to Hordak at once." She turned and began to walk down the corridor. Then she looked back, "So sorry it had to be this way, but you rebels should have minded your own business a long time ago. Now you will pay for all that you've done!" Castaspella hung her head. She knew that there was nothing she could do for herself or her friends.

Princess Glimmer and He-Man didn't hold up much of a conversation as they made their way through Thaymor. He-Man was too distressed about Castaspella to chat with anyone. Glimmer didn't know what to say to him. She had tried earlier to talk to him about Castaspella, but he didn't want to discuss her. He couldn't let Glimmer know why he was so worried about Casta. He pretended that he just had to save her because she was a member of the rebellion. So she had decided to stay quiet and keep moving. They came to Talon Mountain, which was just outside of the Fright Zone. Glimmer stopped him. "Do you think that she is going to be alright?" "I don't know," he responded. "We're not going to find out standing around here though." "Wait, He-Man," she persisted. "I don't understand why, but I'm getting a very bad feeling about this. It's almost as if... No, that can't be right." "What?" he asked, alarmed. Glimmer looked up and gasped. "My Mother! She's gone!" He-Man glanced at the sky and saw that Angella was nowhere in site. "She must be around here somewhere. Maybe some of the others were in danger and she flew down to help them," he reassured her. "No. That's not it. We have to get to the Fright Zone now!" she demanded. "If we don't, I may never see my Mother again!"

Adora and Bow reached the Fright Zone without difficulty. "You know your way around here. Where should we go?" he asked. "This way," she led him down a dark path underneath the Fright Zone. Neither of them had talked much after the kiss. Adora had simply suggested that they get moving and were satisfied to. Adora had been thinking about Bow, and how she would tell the Sea Hawk that she wasn't sure she wanted to be with him anymore. She realized that she would always have a faithful companion with Bow. She was not so sure about Sea Hawk. He was always gone, and she never knew what he did. Bow was uncomfortable talking with her because his head was still buzzing from all the alcohol he had consumed. He wasn't thinking about Adora, but about Frosta. He was wondering what had happened to her. He was hoping that they could find Casta and leave this place right away. He wanted to be sure that Frosta was safe. They continued in silence until they heard noise above them. "It's a prison block," Adora informed him. "That must be where Casta is." "Can we get up there?" Bow asked. "Yes, this way," she pointed to a rock in the wall. She pushed it and revealed a secret stairway. As they ascended the stairs, the voices became louder. Adora peered around the corner to see what was going on. She gasped and Bow hurried to see what she had found. He was furious to see that Hordak had Castaspella chained to the wall along with Frosta and Queen Angella. Hordak was walking around in front of them and giving orders to his minions. "Bring them up to the altar in five minutes. It's almost time to get this over with. We will be free of that rebellion tonight!" he shouted. Once he had left the room, Grizzlor used his stun gun to knock the prisoners out. He, Mantenna and Leech carried them outside for Hordak. "We have to go after them," Bow whispered. "You're right, but we made need She-Ra. I will go find her..." Adora began. "No. There's no time for that. We have to go now," Bow hissed. He grabbed her arm and they followed the henchmen outside.

Glimmer and He-Man were outside of the Fright Zone now. "Do you have that grapple hook?" He-Man asked Glimmer. "Yes," she replied. He took it from her and threw it at one of the towers. "Ready?" he asked. "Ready," she said. They climbed up the rope. Once they had reached the tower, He-Man pulled Glimmer up. They heard a commotion coming from across the roof. "What do you suppose that is?" Glimmer asked. "I have a pretty good idea that it has something to do with Casta," He-Man remarked. They hurried over to the source of the clamor and saw Hordak. He-Man breathed a sigh of relief when he noticed that Castaspella was present and unharmed. "We still have a chance," he murmured. They began to sneak up on them and listened to Hordak's demands. "Weaver, this will be your last chance! You had better make this spell work or you are finished. Now get started." "But, Hordak, we have to make sure that the moon is fully visible," she argued. "Fine, it will only take another minute. You can prepare in the meantime," he retorted. "Now get started!" Shadow Weaver busied herself in front of what appeared to be a giant altar. She had a book of spells in front of her. She was mixing up some type of potion that she proceeded to pout into a large goblet. She then picked up a knife and chanted a spell over it. "Everything is ready now, Hordak," she said when she was done. "But it must be you that performs it I can only chant the spell." He turned to Grizzlor. "Now then," he pronounced. "Bring me the Ice Empress." "Yes, Mighty Hordak," the beast responded. He quickly grabbed Frosta and brought her forward, throwing her on the altar. "Watch it, you oaf!" Hordak commanded. "If you do anything to ruin this you will suffer for an eternity." Grizzlor apologized and stepped back. "Begin, Weaver," Hordak dictated. Shadow Weaver began to chant to the moon overhead. And Hordak moved to the altar, grabbing Frosta by the hair. "That bastard!" Bow exclaimed when he saw Frosta being dragged around by her hair. "Bow, please. We will stop him, but we can't do it on our own," Adora reasoned. "We should at least wait for He-Man." Bow continued to creep up closer to the altar, but remained hidden. Adora sighed and followedbehind him. She looked up and quickly pulled Bow back. "It's He-Man," she whispered. "Now can we stop this?" he asked. "Yes," she replied, smiling. Bow crawled out of hiding and stood behind the group of Hordesmen. "Stop right there!" he ordered. "Ah, Bow. Today I will end your precious little Rebellion. And I will start with these three women. Did you come to say good-bye to your friends?" Hordak asked, amused. "No, we came to put a stop to this," She-Ra responded. Adora took advantage of the moment she had away from Bow to transform. Bow was relieved to see her. He-Man also came forward with Glimmer. Hordak watched as they arranged themselves in front of the altar. He smirked and turned to his minions. "Well, well. It looks like I will be able to take care of all the most important enemies tonight. Kill them," he ordered. Grizzlor, Catra, Mantenna and Leech advanced on them. Mantenna was firing lasers at Bow who had no trouble avoiding them at first. But there was limited room on the roof for him to maneuver in. He lost his footing after dodging another blast and fell over. He could only grasp the roof with his fingers, and he knew that he wouldn't be able to hold on for long. Glimmer rushed over to help him, but Catra jumped in her way and kicked her. Glimmer was stunned for an instant, but quickly regained her footing. She raised her hand to strike Catra with a light blast, but Catra kicked her hand out of the way, and grabbed her by the neck. In the meantime, Bow was able to climb back onto the roof, but Mantenna was waiting for him. He quickly stunned Bow before he had a chance to attack, temporarily paralyzing him. He-Man saw what was happening and picked Grizzlor up, tossing him into Mantenna. But Leech was just behind him, and grabbed his head, sucking the power out of his body. She-Ra had knocked Catra away from Glimmer and pushed her to the ground. But Catra was more determined than ever to defeat her. "You will not stop us this time, She-Ra," she spat at her. "That is why you will always be on the losing side, Catra," She-Ra retorted. Catra used her mask to transform into a panther and jumped on She-Ra. who hadn't been expecting it and fell hard. Glimmer aimed at Leech to get him away from He-Man, but Grizzlor grabbed her. She easily tossed him over her head, and was shot by Mantenna. Like Bow, she was also paralyzed. Hordak turned back to the altar. "Is it time?" he asked Shadow Weaver. She merely nodded as she continued her chanting. "Say good-bye to the Ice Empress, rebels! Your time is over!" His voice echoed all around them and everyone paused to see what Hordak was going to do. He raised Frosta up and used the knife to slice her throat. "No!" Bow screamed and jumped at him, knocking him down. The paralysis had worn off, but not in time. Hordak was so surprised that he landed badly, and couldn't move for a few moments. Bow rushed to Frosta's side, and saw that she was bleeding very badly. He yelled for help from She-Ra. It was all he could do to keep from going insane. In the seconds that it took She-Ra to get to him, Bow realized just what he would lose if Frosta died. He would lose the love of his life. She-Ra trampled over to the spot where Bow was kneeling, with Frosta in his arms. She quickly placed her hands on Frosta's neck. It began to heel, but they wondered if it would be fast enough. All they could do now was wait. "I could use some help," He-Man managed to say. Leech still had him and was draining his energy. "I have to help him," She-Ra told Bow. "Go. I'll stay here," Bow ordered. Glimmer formed a force field around Hordak so that he couldn't attack them. Then she went after Catra. But defeated and angry, she knew that it was useless to fight. The cat ran away, taking Mantenna with her. Shadow Weaver stopped chanting and looked at the scene before her. She had the perfect opportunity to take care of the rebels. She aimed for She-Ra. She was going to send that rebel to Beast Island on a one way trip. Castaspella had woken and looked around. She spotted Shadow Weaver out of the corner of her eye. "Don't do it, De-Lara!" She screamed when she saw Shadow Weaver prepare to destroy She-Ra. Shadow Weaver paused, and then turned around. "I told you never to call me that!" she screeched. She let a bolt of lightning lose on Castaspella. Casta quickly jumped to action and deflected it back to her. Shadow Weaver was hit and vanished in a cloud. Casta frightened. She knew, how dangerous Weaver’s magic was. She ran to her sister. She had only seconds to decide. The dark fog prevented everybody from seeing, what the Sorceress was doing, but it was already ceasing again. Castaspella concentrated on Shadow Weaver. Seconds later the Horde witch had disappeared. Now, Castaspella helped her friends to fight off the Horde. All that was left were Leech and Grizzlor. They knew that they were outnumbered so they cowered away. When it was over, everyone was relieved. Castaspella checked on Queen Angella who was a little disoriented, but otherwise fine. Then, they looked at Bow. He was still kneeling down. She-Ra walked slowly over to him. "Is she?" "No," he pronounced. "But I'm not sure for how long." "We nee to get her back to the camp so that we can treat her," She-Ra stated. "I'll take all of us back," Castaspella offered. "Are you sure you're strong enough?" He-Man asked. "Yes, I had enough time to re-energize myself." She formed a circle of energy around them and brought them back to the Whispering Woods.

She had done it quite well. Bow, He-Man, She-Ra and Frosta were transported into the sick tent. The others were outside. They laid Frosta down on the bed and covered her with a blanket. Bow sat down by her side and took her hand, absent-minded. They couldn’t say if he or Frosta was more pale. When She-Ra placed a hand on his shoulder, he didn’t even react. "Tell us, if something happens" she said quietly. He only nodded. She-Ra and He-Man went outside, into Adora’s tent, paying attention on not to be seen. Inside the tent, they changed back. Adam saw, how bad his sister was looking. "What is it, Adora?" She sighed. "That’s a very long story." "Well" he mentioned sarcastically, "I think, we have some time now." Actually he had wanted to see, if Casta was okay, but he knew, that now he had to be there for Adora. He placed an arm round her shoulders. "Tell me." They sat down on her bed and she told him all, beginning with the scene on Sea Hawk’s ship. Finally she said: "I thought, all was clear, when Bow and I kissed before. But now he only has eyes for Frosta again. It’s not that I don’t understand it, I mean, at present she’s more dead than alive, but I don’t know what to think or to feel now anymore." "I quite understand." Adam really did. For years he had been in love with Teela and hadn’t even thought of anyone else. And now, suddenly, he seemed to have feelings only for Castaspella. In minutes his whole life had changed. "You know, what’s missing now?" he asked, smiling lightly. "That a certain pirate Captain is around here..." "Don’t even speak about it!" she moaned. "I’ll talk to Bow. I don’t think, He'll be even listening, but I can’t stand this uncertainty any longer." She stood up. "Seeya." Adam continued sitting there for a while, just relaxing, than he decided to find Castaspella. He had to know if she was alright.

No one had realized where Casta had transported herself to. She had chosen a guest's tent, which was a little bit away from the main camp, and had surrounded it with a force field. No one was able to enter- or come outside. When she beamed into the tent, Weaver was still chained by her own magic. Her sister raised her hand and the dark cloud vanished. "Are you alright?" she asked. "Why do you care?" The other woman stood up and looked around. "Remove this force field! At once!" "Why?" Castaspella asked. "You want to go back to the Fright Zone? Then be told, that you aren’t welcome there. I don’t know if you haven’t gotten it yet, but Hordak has enough of you. I don’t think, you’ll find a welcome-back-party, if you enter the Fright Zone again." Weaver didn’t answer. She just looked at her sister, apparently trying to decide what to do now. "Why did you bring me here?" she wanted to know. "Because I didn’t want Hordak to do, what Catra told me, he would do. I won’t watch, how my own sister is killed." "I am not your sister anymore, Castaspella!" Weaver bitched. "How can you deny your own blood? I don’t understand you!" the Sorceress shouted. "You had the honor to know our parents. I can’t remember anything about them, but I love them dearly. And you, who had the chance to be with this wonderful people... what happened to you, De-Lara? Let it be! If you always fire at me, when I call you with your real name, you soon won’t have any power anymore." With rage Shadow Weaver lowered her hand. "Finally tell me what you want from me!" "The heart, you lost, when you turned to evil years ago. I want to get my sister back!" Casta had to wipe tears away as she saw the hate in Weaver’s eyes. "Just you" the witch said angrily. "I should have killed you when I had the possibility to." "What have I done to you, Shadow Weaver? All the years I’ve tried to reach you! I wanted to help you all the time..." "Oh, yeah?" the other one hissed. "And where were you when I really needed you? Where were you when Norwyn prevented me from getting the greatest power on all Etheria? You stood just next to him, you could have stopped him easily. But you watched, how he destroyed my life." "He destroyed it? You haven’t understood anything, have you? The wizard just wanted to prevent a catastrophe. Look in the mirror and see what the crystal has done to you! What would you look like if you had got all of these evil powers?" Weaver’s sight grew even darker. "If you feel such power you don’t care about beauty anymore. I could have become stronger than Horde Prime. I could have ruled the universe. You and Norwyn, you destroyed everything!" "You can’t lie to me, Weaver, have you forgotten that again?" Casta asked calmly. "I feel your doubts. You don’t want to be evil anymore. When will you finally give up being that pig-headed?" Weaver turned away. "It’s too late, Castaspella. It’s much too late." "What do you mean?" The witch sat down on the bed, burying her face in her hands. "I’m dying, Castaspella. I’m sick for a long time. I have only weeks to live left." Her sister was horrified. "Why didn’t you tell me?" "What for? It’s too late for an absolution. It’s too late for everything. Remove this force field now, Casta. I’m going to a lonely place in the mountains to wait for the death. That’s all, which is left for me to do." The Sorceress wanted to say something, but Weaver shook her head. "Just let me go." Without a word Castaspella released her sister. The witch vanished. Seconds later Adam came in. "Here you are. What the hell happened?" He saw her tears and frightened. "Are you hurt, Casta?" "No... I’m alright. Adam- would you mind to take me in your arms for a moment? I think, otherwise I’m about to go crazy." "Of course." He hugged her tightly. He had never known, what it really meant to love somebody. Now he knew. It meant to be there for the partner, no matter what happened. Adam was wondering if Adora had similar experiences.

Adora made her way back to the infirmary tent, but became worried whenshe saw Bow frantically talking to some of the workers that were near. She picked up her pace to see what was going on. "What is it, Bow?" she asked. "It's Frosta. She's crashing! I don't know what happened. She was still unconscious and she was just lying there. All of the sudden, she stopped breathing. Now she's breathing but it's so weak and she barely has a pulse," he explained. "She needs a blood transfusion," Adora realized. "Let me," Bow began. "No," Adora answered. "You can't be here right now. Please, I will help her, but can't if you're acting hysterical. Get Glimmer. She can help me," she ordered. Bow left quickly to find her and Adora entered the tent. She knew what she had to do. She carefully took out a large needle and an IV tube. She prepared to give Frosta some of her blood when Glimmer rushed in. She nodded at her, knowingly and assisted her. When it was over, theybreathed a sigh of relief. Frosta had survived, but only time would tell for how long. They left the tent and saw Bow standing just outside. Adora whispered to Glimmer, "I will talk to him." Glimmer gave her a curious glance and left without a word. She walked up behind him and placed a hand on his shoulder. He slowly turned around, and Adora was shocked to see him on the verge of tears. "Is she alright?" he inquired quietly. "For now," Adora murmured. "But we're not sure how long she has." "Oh," he turned away. "Bow, can we talk?" Adorarequested. He nodded in response. "What about?" "I think you know. About us, about Frosta, about everything," she said. "And especially about the scene outside of The Fright Zone," she added. Bow shrugged, "I suppose we have time to talk now. About what happened..." "No, please. Let me say this first," Adora interrupted. "I've been with the rebellion for awhile now. It is a hard job that tends to clutter my vision sometimes. I don't see things that are right in front of me. Sometimes I lose my patience. I never understood how you felt about me until yesterday. I always thought that you were there for me when Adam couldn't be. Do you understand what I'm saying?" "I think so," Bowstammered. "Now that I know what you feel for me, everything makes moresense. I thought that the Sea Hawk would make me feel wanted and loved. I thought that I could find security with him, but now I understand that it was all just a foolish dream of mine. I'm not even sure that he does love me" Adora continued. "Adora, don't sell yourself so short. He would be crazy not to love you. But you will never find out if you just sit back and wait for it to happen. You have to let him know how you feel. Please don't be offended by what I did before. I don't know what came over me. I must have been caught up in the moment. You know I can't help but rescue damsels in distress," he actually smiled for a moment. But it vanished as quickly as it had appeared. He grew serious again, "You need to make sure that you are happy, Adora. Because that is all that really matters. Just promise me you won't make any suddendecisions that you will regret later on," he warned. Adora listened tohim very carefully. Maybe she shouldn't push the Sea Hawk away so quickly, she thought. And Bow seemed so caught up in Frosta right now that she knew she shouldn't try to pressure him. She decided to take Bow's advice, and give Sea Hawk another chance. "Thanks, Bow," she smiled. "I think you're right." With that, she turned and left him to watch over Frosta. Bow stood there, shaking his head. "I will never understand her," he thought.

Bow remained by Frosta's side for the next few hours. He was astonishedto see her stir after a little while. She opened her eyes and lookedaround. "Hello there, sleepy," he grinned. "Bow? What happened? Hordak didn't hurt Casta or Angella did he?" she asked, frantic. "No. No. You were hurt the most, but we were able to get you out of there in time," he responded trying to calm her. He moved closer to her and took her hand in his. "You really had us worried. We didn't think you were going to make it," he told her. "What happened, exactly?" she inquired. "Well, Hordak was about to execute all three of you ladies. You happened to be first on his list," Bow continued to fill her in on what had happened. Frosta was shocked. "I shouldn't even be alive right now," she whispered. "No, but I'm so glad that you are," Bow assuredher. He bent down and softly kissed her lips. "I missed you," he saidquietly. Frosta was glad that he still felt the same about her without all the alcohol running through his system because she knew that she wanted to be with him. She was afraid that he was only so nice to her the other night because he was intoxicated. "You do realize that this will be difficult," she frowned. "What do you mean?" he asked. "Well, I am an Empress. I have a kingdom to rule. If we are going to be together, there will have to be a lot of sacrifices," she informed him. "You are always the diplomatic Empress aren't you? Don't worry about that right now, Frosta. You just woke up from an almost certain deathThere will be time to discuss things later, but right now, I just wantto rejoice in the fact that you are still here," Bow suggested. "We will have plenty of time for worrying." "You're right, Bow," she smiled. "Why don't you come here? There is room in this bed for you to lie down with me." He carefully moved to the bed and lay down beside her, cradling her in his arms. He spent the entire night telling her just how thankful he was that she was still with him.

Frosta recovered slowly the next day. She was still a little anemic,but she was much stronger than she had been the night before. She was walking around the camp, and giving orders to her people in the Polar Caps to the guards that had traveled with her. She was very much her normal self by the end of the day. As night fell, she searched for Bow. He had been gone most of the day because he had returned to Castle Brightmoon for his normal assignments. He also wanted to check up on Queen Angella. Frosta wanted to discuss the situation with Bow. He had just returned to camp and noticed her waiting by his tent. He pulled her close to him and led her into his tent. "You're feeling much better," he commented once they were inside. "I certainly am," she replied with a devilish smile. She inched closer to him and kissed him. He embraced her and returned the kiss, running his hands through her hair. She pulled him even closer and kissed him deeper. Their breathing grew shallow and they pulled apart for a moment to look at each other. But they couldn't keep their hands off of one another. Frosta placed her hand under his chin and pulled his mouth back to hers. He pushed her against the side of the tent and kissed her lips. Then he moved down to her neck and traced her collarbone with his lips. She had her fingers in his hair and she moaned softly. He continued to move down to her breasts and he kissed them through her clothes. Her nipples became erect and she felt the heat rise between her legs. Then he stood up again and looked at her, questioningly. She just nodded, pulling him closer to her again. She ran her hands along his chest and pulled him to her so she could kiss him again. He ran his hands down to her breasts, cupping them and then grabbed her rear as they kissed. Then, he picked her up and brought her over to his bed. He lay down with her and she began to explore his body. She began to lick and suck on his neck. Her hands traveled down his chest and she felt his hardness between her fingers. She stroked him slowly and he groaned in response. They became frantic and undressed each other quickly. Their breathing was rapid as they felt their naked bodies press together. He began to follow a trail across her chest. He sucked her breasts and caressed her skin. He moved his fingers down her stomach, between her thighs and inside of her. She moaned again and pushed against him. He positioned himself above her and entered her slowly. She opened herself to him and they began to move together in their own private rhythm. He began to stroke her body and pushed harder. She responded by pressing into him and he moved faster. She had her arms around his back and she gripped him tighter, leaving marks. She was moaning in earnest now and she threw her head back, spreading her hair around. They sustained their sensuous tempo until she came, gasping his name. She felt as if her entire body was electrified. He waited for her to reach her climax before he took his own. They had been so caught up in their passion that it hadn't lasted longer than a few minutes, but they had dreamt about it for so long that it was too hard for them to control themselves. When it was over, they lay in each other's arms. "Mmm. I'm glad I waited around for that," she mouthed. "It was worth it," he agreed with a smirk. "How about another round?" he challenged. "I don't think I could right now, but I'd love to," she murmured. "It won't be so bad, you know? I come to the Woods fairly often. And when I don't, you could come to see me," she decided. "What will your people think? You are an Empress," he warned. "They will have to deal with it," she grinned. They held each other and discussed the future together.

Just a few feet away, another couple was doing the same. Castaspella had wanted to be alone for a while today. Adam had taken a walk around the woods in the meantime and now they had been in the guest's tent foran hour, barely speaking, thoughtful. Suddenly, they both wanted to say something. They had to laugh. "You begin." "No. You do." "Okay" she sighed. "I have thought about us all the time today. And I don't know if it is possible to continue our relationship." He was quite shocked. "Casta! But..." "No, Adam, let me speak. You said you would take a walk around, when you left in the morning. You said, you were going to think things over. But you weren't thinking about me. Who's Teela, Adam?" He was startled. "How could you know..." In the next moment, heheard her voice in his head. `Telepathy and empathy, Adam. I'm not able to do this with everybody. You're must be someone special to me. In fact, I think, you're more special to me than any man has ever been before. I think I love you. But in your heart, I see that there's someone else you like.´ "I like her," he said. "You're right. But I realized that I don't love her. If you feel, what I feel, then you should know that too." Castaspella smiled mysteriously, for she knew better than he did. "Tomorrow you'll return to Eternia, my Prince. You're needed there. I know that. And I think it's better to leave me behind, than to try to continue this relationship. I'd never ask you to stay here with me and I can't go with you. The rebellion needs me. Besides, I still have Weaver here. I'll search for her, as soon as I have the time. I want to be with her in the last few weeks that she's alive." Casta shook her head slowly. "An unbelievably hard love to hold onto. I always hoped never to see it. Now that I have it's even harder to let go." Adam hugged her. "Casta, we don't have to do this. I don't want to lose you." "I don't want to lose you either. But it's the best, if you go. And you know that." She saw the agreement in his eyes. It broke her heart. Tomorrow he would be gone. "Adam..." How could she tell him? She wanted to say that she wanted to have one more night with him... He looked into her eyes and knew. Without a word, he pulled her to him and kissed her. They undressed, feeling the fire between them. Adam laid her down gently, caressing her entire body. She trembled with ecstasy, kissed him passionately. She had never known it could be like this. This time it was different. They didn't want just satisfaction; they wanted to experience the most beautiful act of love, as long asthey possibly could, because they never would do it again. So they took their time. Castaspella rolled onto Adam, looking lovingly into his eyes, as she touched him, his strong chest, and his handsome face. She let her hand slide down on his body and aroused him with soft movements. She felt his manhood grow and lay down next to him again, waiting for him. His full weight pressed against her, then he took her, showing her the heaven as she could only see it while making love. She wrapped her legs around his, pulling him even nearer. She wanted to feel him, truly, madly, deeply, with all of her body and deep inside her. They held the position for a while, then he pulled out of her and turned her around, taking her from behind. First, it was painful for her but soon she loved it and had an intense orgasm, only seconds after he had. Quite exhausted they laid in each other's arms then. "Come with me," he suddenly said. "What?" "Come-with-me-to-Eternia." After every word he kissed her. "You could come here every time the rebellion needs you and..." "Adam, please" she stopped him. "We talked about this before. I don't want to leave my planet. My heart would be torn in two." "I know." He hugged her tighter. "I just wish it didn't have to be this way." "You'll find love, Adam" Castaspella said seriously. "You don't know it yet, but you love Teela. And I'm sure, you'll be very happy with her one day." He smiled. "You really believe that, do you?" She nodded. A last time she kissed him, then she stood up, putting onher clothes. "It's better if I leave now." He saw that she was about to cry. She went to the exit. Without turning around she said: "I'll never forget you, Adam." Then she was gone.

Early in the morning, Adora and Adam rode on Spirit to the gate the Sorceress had opened to Eternia. Next to them, walked Cringer, who had spent all of his time on Etheria sleeping. Some things never changed.On the way, Adora told her brother what had happened with Bow and what he had advised her to do. "Will you do it?" Adam asked. "Will you talk to Sea Hawk?" She smiled weakly. "I'm heading for the beach as soonas you've returned to Eternia. I think, he knows what I want to talk about. He sounded pretty serious when I contacted him yesterday." Adam saw her sadness. "What are you going to tell him... about Bow, I mean." She jerked her shoulders. "I don't know yet... I don't know anything yet. Only that our relationship can't go on like this. What about Castaspella, brother?" They had always told each other everything. "We have split." He didn't look at her. "Oh! I'm sorry, Adam." "Never mind. Perhaps it's better. Concentrate on your own problems now. If you should need me- just call for me." They were at the gate and dismounted. "I will," she promised. They hugged. "When will you come to visit us again?" he wondered. "Mom and Dad would sure be glad," he added. "Tell them, I'll come soon. Hordak has just lost one of his best soldiers with Weaver. He'll have to recover and I can spare a few days, I think." "We're looking forward to it. Good-bye, sis." "Bye." Adam and Cringer entered the gate. It disappeared. "To the beach?" Spirit asked as she mounted him. "I wish I could say no, dearie" she murmured. "But I have no choice. Let's go!"

He came alone. He had taken one of his smaller flying ships and waited for her inside it. "Do you want to take a flight around?" he asked. "Sure. Spirit, could you stay here for a while?" "Of course." She sat down next to Hawk and they kissed shortly. The boat took off. "I heard there was a battle yesterday," he said. "Is everyone alright?" "Yes. We're fine." Silence. Their flight in the clouds was wonderful, but today Adora had no desire for it. She thought about it, that this could be the last time, she flew with Hawk. It made her sad. But she knew she finally had to clear up her feelings about him. "Hawk... I have to tell you something." "So do I. It's very serious... Adora, you never meet my father, have you?" "No," she said, surprised. "You will now. I'mreally sorry to do this to you but... it's his last wish and..." "Hawk, what are you talking about?" she asked. "My father, the Falcon... is dying. I know, he doesn't have much time anymore, but this is happening much sooner than I expected. Now he asked me to bring you to the island. He wants to meet you before he goes." Adora was completely shocked. She knew she couldn't begin to talk about theirrelationship right now. She had never seen her boyfriend so down. "I'm sorry, Hawk." "You don't have to go with me, Adora. It's very difficult, you know." She shook her head. "I want to go there." For the rest of the way, they didn't speak. "Father?" "Hello, my son." Hesitatingly, Adora entered the corner of the cave, where the Falcon was laying in his bed. Where he would finally end his life. Adora got goose-flesh thinking about it. When the old man saw her he smiled. "And you must be the woman, who makes my son so happy. Come on, sit down. Leave us alone for a moment, Hawk." He was surprised but went outside. He wasn't alone. His old friend Davy Jones sat on his shoulder, at least as sad as he was. He would loose a good friend as well asHawk. Adora watched the Falcon thoughtfully. He looked so much like his son... The same green eyes, the same face. She had heard legends about him long before she had met Sea Hawk. He was a great person. Itwas a pity that he had to die. "You're a very beautiful woman," he said. "Thanks." "I've heard many stories about you, Adora. You're a strong, brave woman. You've got fire in your heart. So has my son. I always was afraid, one day you'd leave because of it. And now it has happened." Adora hung her head. Was it that noticeable, that she and Hawk had problems? "Falcon..." "You owe him nothing, Adora. Nor me or anyone else. You belong to no one but yourself. I know my son pretty well. I can imagine why you aren't very happy with him at the moment." She looked at him and saw that he really understood. She sighed. "It's just... he wants it all and he wants it now. That's his way. And I'm not sure if it is what I want too. This time he asked me to make love to him, next time he may ask me to jump from a bridge with him." The Falcon shortly laughed- and coughed immediately. Worried she supported him. "Are you alright?" "Yes. It's okay. I just laughed becauseyou are thinking wrong, Adora. He doesn't mean to hurt or push you. He loves you too much for that. And he loves you with every beat of his heart, believe me. He wants to show you this love, in every possible way. Just remember the locket, he gave you." Unconsciously, Adora touched it. "Sea Hawk was never good at expressing with words. And isn't it better if he shows you he loves you rather than hearing `I love you´ all the time, and you know they are just words? And if he asks you to make love to him he wants to give you the mostbeautiful gift of love. Do you understand that, Adora?" "I think so," she nodded. "Good; because you two are meant for each other. I can feel it." The Falcon took Adora's hand. "Be happy, Adora. For the rest of your lifetime." He closed his eyes. The Princess was startled. "Hawk! Quickly!" She had been afraid the Falcon was dead yet, but when Sea Hawk came inside, his father woke up one last time. They said farewell seriously. Then it was over. For the first time since she knew him, Adora saw her boyfriend shedding a tear as he covered his father with a blanket. "I'll close the door of the cave forever," he said quietly. "That was his wish. Davy, are you coming with us?" The mouse sat on the Falcon's bed, without moving, just staring at his old friend. Slowly heturned around. "I don't know..." "Of course you come with us," Adora said. "You've been his friend for years. Now you can be ours. We have so many journeys ahead of us." She took Sea Hawk's hand. "Together." Hesmiled with tears in his eyes and hugged her. "I'm sorry for pushing you, Adora. I shouldn't have done that. I know I hurt you..." She stopped him. "It's okay, Hawk. Really." Although the situation was so sad, she managed a smile. "I love you, Sea Hawk." And for the first time during their relationship he said, "I love you too, Adora. I should have told you this before, I know. I love you more than I've ever loved anyone before. Let's just start over." "Good idea, Hawk. But first I have to tell you something." She had prepared for thismoment for a long time. She had already asked the Sorceress and knew she was doing the right thing. She stepped back and took her sword, saying loudly, "For the honor of Grayskull! I am She-Ra!" He needed a few moments to get overcome his shock. "My god, Adora! Why didn't you ever... okay, silly question. Come here." Again he hugged her. "I'll have to get used to it... my girlfriend is She-Ra, the Princess of Power, herself..." "I... I hope, this doesn't change anything," she said, a little bit afraid. "Not at all," he answered, pulling her near and kissing her long.

Frosta and Bow prepared to say their farewells. Frosta was needed back in her Kingdom and Bow wanted to stay behind in case Hordak was planning any surprise attacks. It turned out to be a beautiful. Thesun was shining down on them in the woods. There were a few clouds overhead and a slight breeze in the air. The two held hands as they spoke. "It's probably better this way for right now anyway," Frosta said. "I would have a lot to explain to my people if you just showed up with me." "I understand," Bow remarked. I'm not exactly royalty," he added sarcastically. "Don't be that way, Bow. It doesn't matter what they think of you. I can be with whomever I choose and there is nothing they can do about it." "That doesn't make it right," he muttered. "And just because you're not royalty doesn't make it wrong either," Frosta answered. "I love you and there is nothing wrong with that." He smiled and embraced her. They kissed for a long moment. "Save a dance for me," Frosta whispered. "All of them are for you," he grinned. She turned and left. Bow watched her leave and longed to follow her.

Frosta had tears in her eyes as she made her way back to the polar caps. She created an ice path that shetraveled on. She didn't even notice Castaspella below her. Casta had begun on her journey to find her sister. Ittook all of her strength to make her continue the search. She didn't know how she was going to manage livingwithout Adam by her side. 'Maybe if I don't think about it, it won't hurt so badly,' she thought. Sheconcentrated all of her effort into making a telepathic connection with Shadow Weaver. She prayed that hersister would answer her if she heard her. She had already made her way through Thaymor and she was aboutto go back to Talon Mountain. She had a feeling that her sister went there to be alone. Nobody ever went outto the mountain unless it was absolutely necessary so she knew that she would have privacy there. Suddenly,she stopped. She sensed danger. It definitely came from the part of Telan Mountain, she had wanted to avoidat all costs, the part Shadow Weaver had surely tried to avoid as well... but apparently she had had no suchluck. Quickly, Castaspella went on to the castle of Hunga, the harpie. She tried to remain unnoticeable by beaming herself inside the castle, but Hunga had seen her on her view screen long ago. Castaspella was welcomed with a stun beam from Hunga's magic wand, which knocked herdown at once. She barely dodged a second one. She created a shield with her magic fast. She knew Hunga was trying to kill her. The stun beam had weakened her so much that she couldn't defend herself. In a fewseconds, her shield would break... And then... A white, cold ray caught Hunga and froze her silent. Astonished, Casta looked up. "Frosta! What the hell are you doing here?" "Hey, How about, `Nice to see you´? Or`Thanks for saving my life?´" the other woman asked sarcastically. "The question is, what are you doing here? Were you so depressed about Adam that you want to commit suicide?" The ice empress helped her friend standing up. Castaspella was a little weak, but all right. "Glad to see, that you haven't lost your sense of humor, Frosta" she groaned. "Come with me! Now!" She felt it. There was a great emptiness in her heart. Casta hadn't known why before-but now she knew. Apparently, Hordak had advised all of his followers to kill any Horde enemy. When they found Shadow Weaver, they knew that they couldn't do anything for her. Crying, Castaspella knelt down beside her. Something strange happened. Weaver's body vanished. A small white light remained, and fell over to Casta. With tears in her eyes she took it into her hands. Seconds later, it vanished. Frosta, who was one of the only people who knew about the relationship between Castaspella and Shadow Weaver, placed a hand on her friend's shoulder and saw, surprisingly, that she was smiling. "She's alright," the Sorceress said. "She just told me. She's in a better place now." Of course, she was sad, nevertheless. "Let's go" Frosta said. They left the castle without any further problems.

She-Ra remained with Sea Hawk for awhile longer. She knew that she wasn't needed back at camp and she had made her decision. "Hawk," she began. "Yes?" he asked. "I've decided that... maybe you're right. Weboth love each other and we know that we are committed to one another, so why shouldn't we take our relationship a step further?" "Are you saying what I think you're saying?" he asked, shocked. "Yes. I want youto make love to me," she answered quietly. "Can I ask you one small favor?" he asked, beaming. She-Ra rolled her eyes, "What now?" "That I can make love to Adora first," he answered. "Oh," she cried looking at herself and then blushing. "I didn't realize that I was still..." she transformed back quickly. "It's not that I have anything against She-Ra, but I wanted it to be with you as you normally are," Hawk explained. "I understand," she said and moved closer to him. They kissed softly, at first. "Hawk," Adora whispered. He looked into her eyes and put a finger over her lip. "Shh, don't say anything," he murmured. "But I haven't..." she began. He took her hands into his and said, "It's alright. We'll take it slow." He kissed her hands and then her lips. Then he ran his hands through her hair and down her back. She moved up his chest. He cupped her face and his hands and kissed her again. He was awakening feelings in her that she had never felt before. He gently lifted her up and carried her inside the ship's cabin. There was no bed, so he placed her on a blanket on the floor. "Sea Hawk,"she said, pushing him away for a minute. "I love you." He hugged her against him tightly. "I love you more than you could ever know," he whispered. He caressed her cheek with the back of his hand as he looked into her eyes. Then he leaned closer to kiss her again. She reached up and pulled his head close to her. He moved down to her neck and nibbled lightly. She was taken aback, but she enjoyed the sensations that she felt. She relaxed herself and began to respond to him. He moved his hand down to her chest and cupped one of her breasts. He pulled back to take his shirt off. He was about to take hers off when the ship was hit, knocking him over. "What the hell?" he muttered. He quickly redressed himself and ran to the cabin door. He peered out thecrack in the door, but saw nothing. He ran back over to Adora. "You'd better hide. I don't know what is happening. Besides, She-Ra can always help later," he told her. "Right," she said. She stood up, slowly andmade her way across the cabin so she could transform. She had been so caught up in the moment that she forgot where they were temporarily. She was angry that they had been interrupted. It wasn't often that she had the chance to be alone with Sea Hawk like this. She hid herself for a moment behind the door as Sea Hawk left. She wanted to see what had happened. She didn't need eyes to know who had been responsible for it.She heard a very familiar, feline voice bellow, "Sea Hawk! We know that you're on this ship. We are under Hordak's order to search this ship." "Catra, fancy meeting you here," Hawk replied. "Don't patronize me," she ordered. "Get him," she told her troopers. Catra never forgave him for betraying herself and the rest of the Horde for Adora. "As long as you agree to cooperate, you will have no trouble with us. Personally, I would like to see you rot in hell, but I don't have time for that right now. We are looking for a certain Horde traitor. She must be brought back to the Fright Zone at once. You haven't seen anyone have you?" "Adora hasn't been here," Hawk answered. "I'm not talking about her you imbecile! I'm talking about Shadow Weaver. If you've seen her, you should let us know now. If we find her on this ship, it will be big trouble for you. And I certainly wouldn't mind bringing you to justice." She told the troopers to begin their search. "I have not seen Shadow Weaver and she is not here," Hawk shouted at her. "Merow, well, we can't a rebel's word for it. Hordak wants us to be sure. If she is here, you will be executed. He has ordered anyone that is helping her to be killed. Just make sure you stay out of the way. Oh, and if Adora is here, she will be brought back with us. That is a promise," she smirked. "Those are Hordak's eternal orders." With that she turned away to join the troopers. Worried, Hawk looked at the door she entered. Through this door he had carried on with Adora just minutes ago! What if they found her? When three Horde Troopers were thrown out of the cabin he was relieved. He heard Catra scream angrily and ran inside quickly. She-Ra had just taken care of the last few robots. She gavethem a kick and Catra dodged them so that she wasn't caught when they passed by her. "Merow, She-Ra, out of my way!" She tried to shoot a phaser, but this time the Princess of Power was prepared for her. Shedeflected it easily and the phaser was shot away. "Get lost, Catra. You're not welcome here." "Dream on!" Her enemy transformed into a cat and attacked her. She-Ra just shook her head. By now, Catra should know that it was useless. With a fast jump to the side she avoided the attack. Unfortunately, Catra really had really improved. She had expected this and stopped her jump to attack from behind. "She-Ra! Watch it!" Sea Hawk shouted. But it was too late. The cat knocked the Princess down. There was a terribly loud noise as the tearingclothes sounded, when Catra used her claws. Hawk knew he had to do something. The cat's weapon still lay on the floor. It would be difficult to catch her while she was fighting She-Ra, but he had to risk it. He aimed and shot. Catra reverted back to her true shape and lay on the planks, unconscious. Quickly, he went to his girlfriend. "Are you alright?" "Could be better," she murmured, standing up. "Damnit!" She removed her cape and took a deep breath. On her waist and back, Catra's claws had left deep wounds. "I guess I had better towarm up to the fact that she's a much better fighter than when I commanded her in the Fright Zone," She-Ra growled. "How about sending her back there, dear?" "Good idea. Just sit down and press on this for a moment." Hawk gave her a sterile cloth. "Hey, I'm not invalid," she protested and tried to go to Catra. Hawk stopped her. "You stay here. My men should be back from their mission any second. They'll help me." At exactly that moment they heard Sven from outside. "Captain, areyou there?" "Duty calls," he smiled and kissed her fast. "Wait for me." Before she could say anything, he went outside. She really hated being treated like she was helpless, but on the other hand, the injury actually did hurt... and it felt good to know that he cared about her that much. She realized that Hawk's men shouldn't see her andtried to remember where his cabin was. She carefully stepped over to the other ship and began her search. Finally she found it and went inside. Nothing had changed since last time she had seen it. It was small and very plain. Some weapons were placed on the wall. In the corner, there was the desk, where he had written all those love letters for her... Smiling, she looked at it. This sign of his endlessly romantic way was such a contrast to the weapons hanging around... It was true, what she had told Spirit, that he was aggressive. But he could also be the gentlest man in all of Etheria. Her eyes fell on the large bed and she thought of the scene before the battle. It had been just wonderful. She wasn't afraid anymore. She loved him and felt more strongly about him than she ever had. A sharp pain reminded her of her injury. She-Ra entered the bathroom, which was clean and tidy. Grimacing, she looked at the four long cuts Catra had given her. It was no use; she had to put off her dress to take care of them. She jerked. Sea Hawk would be busy for a while longer out there; it wasn't likely that he would suddenly come back inside the room. 'Besides- would it matter if he were here right now?' she thought, smiling again. She-Ra undressed herself and began to disinfect the injuries. It burned like fire. She had to suppress a scream. Blast! But she had to do it. Otherwise, she would be in great danger. Catra's claws were as dangerous as Scorpia's sting. Adora had the pleasure of this experience once and didn't want to have it again. It had been a few months ago, when the scorpion had hurt her. She-Ra had just closed the wounds with her healing powers and in the following night she had developed sepsis. She wouldn't be alive now if it hadn't been for Bow. Bow... She sighed. Perhaps, if she had never meet Sea Hawk... But she didn't want to think about that now. She cleared her wounds and closed them then by laying a hand on them. Then she tried to put on the torn dress again, when she heard Hawk's voice, "Why bother going to all the trouble, Princess?" She was startled and turned around. "Why, Sea Hawk," she grinned. "I can't believe, you're spying on me..." "What makes you think, I was spying?" he asked, innocently. "You don't think, I could be lost?" He came closer and took her in his arms. "No. You look too smart to be lost" she gave back, remembering the words they had spoken, when theyhad met for the first time. "Thanks, Princess." He went to kiss her when someone knocked from outside. "Excuse me, Captain!" Sven shouted through the closed door. "Do you have a minute?" She-Ra saw Hawk'sannoyance. "Go," she said softly. "I'll wait." "I'll be back in a second." He turned to the door. "Sven, I hope for your own sake that you have a good reason to bother me!" he shouted. She-Ra had to laugh. She took her sword and changed back, as she had done before. This time perhaps they should pin a 'Anyone who interrupts, shall be killed!' sign on the door... Hawk smiled when he saw she had become Adora once again. "That's better. You remember: She-Ra is fun to fight beside but I'd rather spend time with you." She had to smile too. He felt her trembling a little bit. "One thing I want to tell you, Adora. I won't do anything you don't want me to do. We can stop anytime. I don't want to push you. Never again." She nodded. "I know. But I want to do this, Hawk, more than anything." She hugged him tightly. "Show me heaven, Sea Hawk." He didn't recognize her. She didn't normally play this role; she really wanted to make love to him. So why was he holding back? Happily, he took her face in one hand, ran over it gently and bent down quickly to kiss her passionately. She opened her lips and his tongue slid through it, meeting hers. Very slowly, he wandered from her waist up with his hands. Lightly he touched her tight, little breasts. A strange feeling came over her. But she liked it. It made her heart beat wildly and caused emptiness between her legs. Hawk switched off the light. The moon shining through the window was enough. When his hand came back he didn't place it, where it had just been, but on Adora's leg, half on her thigh, half on her bottom. From there he went on, gently parted her legs and touched her vagina from behind. Adora got a goose flesh although she still wore her clothes. Hawk nibbled on her ear meanwhile and she moaned quietly. She was frightened. What would he think about this noise? He leaned his forehead against hers. "It's good to hear your lust," he whispered. She felt waves of arousal inside of her. He continued caressing her and now she came out of her shell too. She backed away to take away her scabbard with the sword and her belt. Then she opened the zipper of her bodysuit. "Let me," Sea Hawk asked her quietly. She enjoyed his touch as he pulled her clothes off slowly. She began to open the buttons of his shirt and felt his heart beating fast under his strong chest. She kissed him happily. She loved him so much! It was right, what they were doing, she knew it now. The zipper of her bodysuit was open. She slipped out of the sleeves and the dress fell down, revealing her bare, flat belly and the white pants. Hawk took off his shirt, his weapons, and boots. Adora sat down on the bed to take her boots off as well... oops! She nearly sank down in the soft pillows. "Is this meant by you to happen to all woman?" she laughed. "Of course" he grinned and knelt down beside her, pulling her shoes off. He leaned his forearms on her knees and laid his head on them for a short moment, looked at her guilelessly. She leaned down to kiss him, losing herself in his green eyes. Sea Hawk took her narrow waist once more and pushed her white blouse up. She stretched her arms, taking off the gloves. Standing, up he pulled off her blouse. Now she wore just her pants and a very thin white bra. Through it, Sea Hawk could see that her little nipples stood forward. He sat down next to her and leaned her back lovingly. Totally relaxed, she laid down, showing no sign of nervousness anymore. No fear. Not even when she felt Hawk's arousal, through the trousers, he still wore. She was only startled a little, when he lay on top of her. Nevertheless, he had felt it. "Just one word and we can stop," he reminded her. "No." She pulled him down and kissed him deeply. She pressed her belly against his and felt the wetness between her legs. She felt like she was on fire, although they hadn't even really begun yet. She got over the last of her shyness, rested on her elbows to open her bra. "You're so beautiful, Adora" Hawk whispered in her ear. "I love you with every beat of my heart. I'll never hurt you anymore, I promise." "I love you too, Hawk." He took her breasts, massaging them, sucking them, and biting her nipples playfully. She leaned back her head and pushed against him even more. She was so aroused that she first didn't even realize that he had taken off her pants yet. She got on her knees and opened his belt, losing any sense of shame. He knew how new and strange this all was for her, so he undressed himself alone. He saw her surprise again, when she saw his erection, but he also saw how she suppressed her fear immediately. She had decided- now that she wanted to know it. She wasn't the first virgin Hawk had, and he knew what to do. He laid her down again, took her in one arm and spoiled her with the other hand once more. In seconds she was aroused again. Her virgin body was trembling and waiting for him. Hawk took her hand and kissed her, as he pushed inside of her, with a fast, but gentle move. She pressed his hand for a moment, seized up shortly, when he split her hymen. "Relax," he said quietly. She did, and it didn't hurt anymore. First, he moved slowly inside her, until she recalled his rhythm. It became faster, their hearts beat as one. After a few wonderful minutes they reached their height, and when he finally came inside her, she had tears of joy in her eyes. "It was wonderful," she said gladly. "I love you, Sea Hawk." "I love you too, Adora." She hugged him tightly, knowing that by his side she was safe. Now she was happy, she had waited for the right man for so long. And Sea Hawk surely was the right one.

Frosta and Castaspella made their way back to Thaymor. They walkedalong a path outside of the village so that they weren't disturbed. Frosta knew that Castaspella was still upset over everything that had happened with Prince Adam and suggested that she talk about it. Castaspella was reluctant at first, but she knew that Frosta was a great listener. She reconsidered and hoped that Frosta could help. "Oh, Frosta, it's no use," Castaspella cried as they walked. It was the first time either of them had spoken. "I am so completely in love with him, but I know that I have to let him go," she added. "Why?" Frosta asked narrowing her eyes, concentrating on her friend. Castaspellasighed. "I know that he is in love with Teela, not me." "How do you know that for certain?" Frosta questioned her. "I can read his thoughts. All day yesterday, he was thinking about her, not me. How can he possibly care for me when she is all that he ever thinks about?" "Are you certain that he wasn't thinking of ways to let her go? He may very well be in love with you and he is trying to decide exactly what it was he truly felt for her." "You know, you may have a point there, Frosta," Casta began to think back to the events that had happened earlier that day. "Now that I do think about it, I never did readmuch into his thoughts. I just picked up on some images and generalthoughts because I didn't want to invade his privacy. For all I know, you could be right. I really wasn't even trying to read his mind when it happened." "You see? Maybe you should pursue this some more," Frosta suggested. "I think you're right," Casta agreed. "I may just have to pay him a visit in Eternia sometime soon..." She paused as they emerged from the blanket of shade from the forest. They continued into the sunlight surrounding the valley of Mystacor. They could see Castaspella's castle in the horizon, from the mountain that is rested upon. "Maybe you could come with me..." Casta began. "Oh no, Casta.You should go alone. I would only interfere. And besides, I have so much to do back in the polar caps. I have been away for so long, thanks to Bow," she grinned and looked away from Castaspella for a moment. Her friend had to smile. "You really do love him, don't you?" "Turning the tables on me ey?" Frosta challenged. "Yes, actually, I do." "I'm so glad that you have found someone you can be with," Castaspella was genuinely happy for her friend. Frosta glanced down at the ground and pushed a pebble with her boot. She was still nervous talking to people about her relationship with Bow. "Is something wrong?" Castaspella asked. "It's just that I'm not sure how to handle this. This is all so new to me. I've never had a relationship with anyone before. I mean, a real relationship. I'm not sure how the people will react..." Frostabegan to explain. "Does it really matter?" "To me, no. It doesn't matter to either of us. I just don't want to cause a war within my kingdom over this. Do you know what I mean, Casta? I love him so much that I would leave my people for him if I had to. I just don't want it to come down to that," Frosta continued. "Frosta, I know exactly what you mean. Why don't you come with me and have a drink before you leave?" Castaspella said. They had almost reached the castle when the sun began to set. The sky was ablaze with so many colors that matched the girls' confusion. There were so many blues and purples and reds in the sky that the picture was quite beautiful. The two took it as a good omen that everything would work out for them. Eventually.

Prince Adam of Eternia laid near the lake of the Mystery Forest. Next to him was his pet tiger Cringer, sleeping silently. Adam was depressed. This was something that had been happening often lately. Too often. The reason for his depression was a female, with red hair and blue eyes. She was a stunning beauty and a great warrior. And she was in love with him. Adam shook his head slowly. No, not with him, with He-Man. If she knew he was He-Man... What would happen then? Was there any chance that she would still love him? Adam, himself, had been in love with the Royal Guard Captain for a long time, but... He sighed and stood up. He had to get her off of his mind, relax for a few days. For weeks, he hadn't thought of anything else, not since that one battle... How could he have been so silly? "Damnit" he murmured. "I have to get out of here. Cringer!" There was only one place he could go where he wouldn't have to think about it. Relaxing there- now that was another question. But at least he would get away from Teela. "Come on, old buddy. We're going on a little journey."

At the very same moment, Adora said farewell to her boyfriend, Sea Hawk. She'd been on his ship a week, and had a wonderful time. They spent too little time together. "When will we meet again?" she asked. She had placed her arms around his shoulders. He held her tight at the waist and smiled at her lovingly. "Anytime, Adora. If you can spare a few days..." "It's not like setting an appointment to spend some time together" she laughed, blushing lightly. "Next week we have our yearly rebel's fair. Would you like to join us with your crew?" "I would prefer to be alone with you, actually," He said, grinning. His hands were wandering up to caress her lightly. She grinned. "Put yourself together, sailor boy! You agreed to wait so don't be so hasty now." He made a little grimace. "I shouldn't have promised that..." She sighed. "Is it really so hard to let the things happen slowly, Hawk? You have some experience, but I want to be absolutely sure you're the right man for me, before we make love." "Aren't you sure yet?" he asked, gently running his fingers through her hair. "We haven't been together so long that I could answer this question with yes." "So what do I have to do to make you trust me?" She smiled. "Wait. Then the trust will happen." He nodded. "I'd do anything for you, Adora. If you need more time, that's okay." "Really?" she asked. Instead of an answer he kissed her, longingly. "I'll see you at the rebel's fair, darling. If we're still welcome there." "Your crew will always be welcome, Hawk. Bye now." "Good-bye, Adora." She mounted her horse and watched Sea Hawk enter his ship. "Come on, Spirit!" she shouted then. "To the Whispering Woods!"

"Sorceress, I would like to go visit my sister," Adam announced. "Now seems like a good time," the Sorceress responded. "All is quiet here, for now. And you could use a vacation." She grinned as she opened a portal for him. "Tell me about it," he muttered. "You know how to find me when you need to return," she said, motioning towards his sword. "Of course," he nodded. "Cringer, are you coming with me?" "Wwwell, if I have to," he began. "No. You don't have to, but Adora would probably enjoy the company," Adam persuaded him. "Alright then. I'll go." He sauntered into the portal after Adam.

Adora had been sitting on a rock near the Singing River. She had been thinking for some time before Spirit questioned her. "What is it, Adora? Something is bothering you." "I was just thinking about the Sea Hawk." "Has he done something to upset you?" "No, well, I don't know," Adora moaned. "I just feel like he is putting pressure on me." "You shouldn't be pressured by anyone, Adora. You have to remain strong for the rebellion," Spirit replied. "I don't think that he is trying to pressure me, but I feel like I am under a microscope right now. If I do, or say the wrong thing, he may leave me. I hate feeling like this," Adora confided. She felt that she loved Sea Hawk with all her heart, but she couldn't handle the way that he kept trying to bring their relationship to another level that she just wasn't sure that she was ready for. And she didn't like the fact that he continued to ask her about it. "Adora, are you sure that you love him?" Spirit asked. Adora gazed at the river. "A few weeks ago I would have laughed at you being asked this question. But now I'm not sure of anything anymore, Spirit. I've never really stopped and thought about what I want. It just seems right to be with him. I feel like I love him. I just don't like this argument that we keep having. I don't understand why it's so important to him. I am content with our relationship as it is now," she said, wistfully. "Have you told him that you don't appreciate this burden that he has placed on you?" "I don't think that he is doing this on purpose, Spirit. It has always been his way... He was always aggressive. It is in his nature to be so," she explained. "But is this a trait that you feel you will be able to live with?" Spirit grew serious. He always worried about Adora. "Are you sure that you want to be with someone that is 'naturally' aggressive?" "I just don't know, Spirit," she answered. She continued to watch the river. There was only a slight breeze in the air that occasionally caused small ripples in the water. Adora glanced down at her reflection and tried to picture herself by Sea Hawk's side. She was startled when she saw a tall figure cast a shadow over her. Then she saw, in the water's reflection, that it was Adam. She jumped up and embraced him. "Adam! I'm glad you're here." "Miss me?" he asked, sarcastically. "A little," she replied embarrassed at how immature she must have appeared to her brother. "And you've brought Cringer!" she said as she bent to pat his head. "Hello,Adora," the creature said, shyly. "Everything alright?" Adam asked, raising an eyebrow as he backed away. "No, I'm just going through a slight period of confusion... It will pass," she replied, quickly. "Ok?" he remarked, confused. It would probably take an eternity to figure his sister out, he thought to himself. "We should go back to the camp and tell everyone you're here," she said, suddenly. "They'll be so excited!" They began to ride back to the camp on Spirit. Adora noticed that her brother was uncustomary silent. "Are you sure that something isn't bothering you?" He looked at her and muttered, "I am just in need of a vacation." "I can understand that. You've come at a great time. We shouldn't be in need of He-Man anytime soon. It's looks like you will have your vacation. So tell me about Mother and Father. How are things on Eternia?" They talked about their family for the remainder of the trip.

"Adora, do you have a minute?" Bow asked her as she made her way back to her tent. She had planned on resting before she planned the evening's festivities for her brother's arrival. She rolled her eyes and turned to him, "What is it?" she asked a little too harshly. She had about enough of men already that day. He took a step back. "I was just wondering if you were ok. Something seems to be bothering you. I came to see if you wanted to talk to anyone, that's all." "Oh, well, I'm fine. Really," she replied. "If you're sure then..." he began. "I will let you know if I want to talk, ok?" she promised. Then she turned on her heel and entered her tent. Bow hurried away, hurt. "Seems to me like you're the one that could use a friend," a voice said behind him. He turned, and saw Frosta standing before him. "You want to talk?" she asked. "You know how they say that if you talk about it, you'll feel better?" he said. "Yes?" "They lie, but I'll give it a shot anyway." Frosta couldn't help but chuckle, "I hope I can make you feel a little better, at least. Let's hear it." "It's Adora..." "I never would have guessed," she teased. He flushed and grinned, briefly. Then he began to confide in her, "Ever since she came here, I felt like I was connected to her. I thought that I was in love with her for awhile. I guess I still think I am. But all she thinks about is that Sea Hawk guy." Frosta grimaced. She had never liked that man. She certainly didn't approve of the way he treated Adora, at times, but she tried to get along with him for her sake. Bow continued, "I thought that maybe it was just a crush that she would get over, so I have continued to treat her like gold. But she always pushes me away. Maybe I am just fooling myself by thinking that she would even be interested in me. I'm beginning to lose my patience waiting for her." "How do you know that she is even right for you, Bow?" Frosta suggested. "I suppose I don't." "Do you think that love is something that you should have to wait for the rest of your life? I am pretty sure that's not how it works. Otherwise, I will wait for He-Man until I'm 120. I'd rather not. You only get one chance at life, Bow. You have to take things as they come. You can't force love to happen. It just does," she explained. Now it was Bow's turn to chuckle, "I guess you are in the same boat as me... With He-Man and all." "There is a difference, I have decided that any man that won't even look at me twice isn't the right one for me," she frowned. She was still upset about making a fool of herself over He-Man. "I think he was crazy to turn you away. Any man would be," Bow said, appreciatively. "Hey, I'm supposed to be making you better, ok? Not the other way around," she smiled. "Well, I think we've both succeeded. Anyway, I should be going. See you in Castle Brightmoon?" "Sure, see you there," she called. Bow turned and watched her leave. A strange feeling came over him as he watched her. It was something he had never felt before, even when he looked at Adora. It was lust. He shook his head and stumbled over to the Swan Inn to meet Kowl.

The small celebration held for Adam took place in Queen Angella's castle. Adora's brother was a friend of the Rebellion and they were always happy to have him. Music was playing and soon Adam asked his sister for a dance. She still didn't look any better than she had that afternoon. He sighed. "Is there anything I can do, sis?" She jerked her shoulders. "I don't think so. It's just... men." "Men?" he asked, lightly amused. He had only seen the Sea Hawk, Adora’s current - and as far as he knew - only boyfriend, once before. "You mean just one man, don't you?" "I don't know..." Now it was her turn to sigh. "Adam... may I ask you something personal?" "Of course. What is it?" She blushed lightly. "You and Teela..." He moaned. She bit on her lower lip, knowing that this had been the wrong question. "Sorry." "Never mind. What do you want to know?" They both weren't paying attention, and nearly crashed into another couple. Adora raised an eyebrow as she saw Frosta and Bow dancing a perfect English Waltz. "Excuse me!" Adam shouted. They didn't even hear him, they were talking intently with one another. The Princess shook her head. "I didn't actually plan this when I asked Frosta to talk to Bow. I just wanted her to speak to him, because some members of the rebellion have said that he's been acting strange for weeks. Which doesn't surprise me, I think, he's been acting strange since I've know him... If only I knew, what was on his crazy mind..." Adam shook his head inertly. Didn't she get it, what was going on? Even he, who was barely involved the rebellion at all, knew, that Bow had been in love with Adora since she had first joined the group. But that was something his sister would have to deal with alone. "So what do you want to know, sis?" he asked again. She didn't look at him. "Well... did you... did you ever think of being with Teela... I mean... being with her in the night... I mean..." He had to laugh. "You mean, if I want to make love to her?" She wasn't used to his straight-forwardness yet. "Yes... yes, I think that was what I wanted to know." He grew serious. "Of course. Who wouldn't? She's beautiful and has a temperament to match it. But for me, sex isn't the most important thing. I love her and want to be with her, as her boyfriend, not as a one-night-stand. At least I always thought so..." Adora saw that he was having problems of his own with love. Suddenly, she felt ashamed because she had only been talking about herself. "What has happened, brother?" "Well... it was last month, after a battle with Skeletor..." Adam paused thinking of how happy he had been, when he realized that Teela had been okay. She had been caught by a stunner and had been unconscious for a while. He had leaned over her, worried, just when she had woken up... "I was He-Man... I don't know, how I could have been so silly, sis. But she looked so sweet that moment- I just had to kiss her. And she didn't refuse. But all the years I've tried to impress her as Adam. I don't like the fact, she sees me as the great hero and only loves me just because of that. We haven't talked about it since then." Adora thought about it for a moment. "Well, perhaps you should..." Just then, explosions from outside sounded. "Warning! Attack!" some of the guards yelled. Immediately, the rebels went outside. Adam and Adora stayed behind. "What was that you said about a vacation, sis?" Adam grinned. She jerked. "Never give up hope. We'll talk later, okay?" "Okay. For now..." They took their swords and transformed into He-Man and She-Ra.

Frosta was one of the first who ran outside. "Horde troopers! They're attacking from the air!" she shouted. "Well, let's get busy," Glimmer responded. She turned to her Mother and nodded. They both raised theirarms into the air and combined their power to bring one of the attacking planes crashing down. Frosta began to freeze some the others, and Bow shattered them with his arrows. Castaspella was about to help, when she noticed something emerging at the bottom of the castle. "We have tanks!" she announced. "Let's go!" Frosta ordered. She and Castaspella rode down to the ground on an ice trail. Bow followed them and some of the other rebels had already come out of the castle to join them. Frosta sighed as she froze one of the tanks. 'This is probably going to be a big fight,' she thought. The castle was well protected by the Moon crystal so the Horde must have a large ambush planned. Otherwise they would have fought the rebels elsewhere. She-Ra jumped onto the tank that Frosta had stopped, and she sliced it in half with her sword. Two troopers jumped out and She-Ra made short work of them as well. Castaspella created a heavy for so that the Horde would slow down. They couldn't attack blindly. This gave She-Ra the chance to jump on Swift Wind and begin attacking the troopers in the air. He-Man ran out of the castle and headed for a tank. He punched it with his fist. It collapsed on impact. Once Frosta had taken care of another tank, He-Man picked up the piece of scrap metal that he had left behind and threw it at the frozen tank. It exploded and pieces of ice went everywhere. Castaspella was so caught up in creating the fog that she didn't notice the troopers behind her. Two of them seized her. Frosta and He-Man were still fending off the tanks and didn't notice Castaspella's disappearance. "Up, Swift Wind," She-Ra called. The planes would have a hard time attacking in the fog, but the fog did not bother She-Ra because she had very sharp eyesight. She and Swift Wind rose right underneath one of the planes. She-Ra sliced it open and a Horde trooper tumbled to the ground. "Look out below!" she yelled as the trooper hit the ground and set on fire. Frosta quickly put a stop to the burning mess and waved to She-Ra. "Over there," She-Ra directed to Swift Wind. They flew over to another plane and She-Ra held her sword over her head, ready to attack. Something from the ground stunned her and she was knocked off of Swift Wind. "She-Ra!" he shouted and flew down, trying to catch her. Bow spotted her out of the corner of his eye and moved to catch her. "Thanks," she whispered. She was so caught up in the moment that she forgot there was a battle going on around them. She moved to kiss him, but he put her down and took off to help He-Man. She-Ra shook her head. "I must have been hit harder than I thought," she said to herself. "What just came over me?" She didn't have time to think because Catra pounced in front of her, "Merowr, She-Ra. I have improved my aim, don't you think?" "It was you that knocked me down?" "Indeed it was. And now I will finish you," Catra cackled. "I don't think so, Catra." She-Ra kicked Catra, knocking her onto her back. She took the stun gun that had fallen to the ground and aimed it at her. Catra got up and backed away, "Don't you worry She-Ra. We got what we came here for." She-Ra looked puzzled. Catra's aim had improved. She was still a little disoriented. "We have your little friend, Castaspella. Shadow Weaver has plans for her!" "They'll have to wait then," Frosta said. She glanced over her shoulder when she was finished with the tanks and saw the troopers with Castaspella. She put them into a deep freeze and ran over there to make sure Castaspella was all right. "Drat, She-Ra! I will be back, and I will get what I came here for next time," Catra purred. She turned and retreated back to the Fright Zone, calling the remaining troops to follow her. "That wasn't so bad," Glimmer said to Angella. "No, it wasn't. But that is what bothers me. I wonder what that was all about," she answered. "Let's go talk to She-Ra and see if she knows anything," Glimmer suggested. They made their way to the others.

"What do you suppose Shadow Weaver wanted with Casta?" Frosta asked She-Ra. "I have no idea," was her response. She turned to Castaspella, "But we will have to keep an eye out for you, Casta." "Yep. We’ll make sure that nothing happens to you," He-Man said to her. "We will have to be careful, but that shouldn't spoil our evening," She-Ra said. "Right," everyone agreed. They went back into the castle to continue celebrating. She-Ra and He-Man remained behind. "Now what is it?" He-Man asked. "I just don't know what has come over me, brother." "What do you mean?" "Well, I think Catra hit me pretty hard with that stun gun. I almost kissed Bow." "You what?" He-Man was shocked. He wouldn't have minded if his sister got together with Bow, but she never seemed interested in him. "I said almost. He didn't give me the chance." "He didn't?" Now he was totally confused. Of course Bow didn't know who She-Ra really was, but he was amazed that Bow didn't take advantage of the situation. Bow had always seemed interested in both She-Ra and Adora. Some of the rebels even teased him about who he really did have a crush on, She-Ra or Adora. Adora noticed the way he was looking at her. "Is there something, I should know?" He jerked. "Well... perhaps it's better if I tell you. As long as I've known him, Bow has been in love with you." "Pardon?" She had to lean against the wall. That was the last thing she had expected. Of course he had always been nice to her and all, but... "You really didn't know?" He-Man asked. "No! He loves me? But... why?" Adam rolled his eyes. "If I say now: `I don't know,´ you will knock me down." "Thanks for the compliment" she said, absent-minded. "My god! I always saw him as only a good friend, brother... And if he's really in love with me, why did he refuse me, when I tried to kiss him?" "That's what I don't understand either." She sighed. "I'll have to talk to him." The twins changed back and made their way into the castle. "For now, I think that we should just concentrate on having a nice evening with our friends" Adora murmured. "Sounds like a good idea to me" Adam stated.

Adora spotted Bow sitting at a table with some of his friends. "May I have a word with you?" she asked as she passed by him. "Sure. Just a minute," he replied and turned back to his friends. He continued his discussion as if she hadn't even spoken. He was telling them about some battle he had encountered in the Fright Zone, and how he had fooled Scorpia. Adora made her way to a corner and waited for him to join her. When he was finished, he stood up and glanced around, trying to find her. He casually walked over to her. "What's up?" he asked. "I just wanted to talk to you for a minute," she said. "About?" "Well, about us. I know that I have been a little rude to you lately. I have just been having some problems and I've been taking them out on everyone," she explained. "Really? I hadn't noticed," he said. "Oh, Bow," Adora moaned. "You know exactly what I'm talking about. Look, I really am sorry for the way I've been acting. I hope it doesn't cause any bad feelings between us." "There are no 'bad feelings' between us, Adora. I understand how you feel and that you have a lot on your mind lately. Don't feel like you owe me anything because you don't. I know that I can be a real pest sometimes, like I was before. But it won't happen again. At least, I will try not to let it happen again," Bow replied. "Just have a good time tonight and try not to worry so much. I'm sure that you will work things out," he smiled at her. In that moment, he realized just what he had felt for her all this time. He did love her, but not in a romantic way. It was strictly a love that made him want to protect her from harm, the kind of love that her brother probably felt for her. He was surprised at how relieved he felt about this revelation. Adora was glad that he was smiling. She hugged him and excused herself so that she could go find Adam. Bow finished his beer as he watched her leave. It was his sixth so he was only vaguely aware of what he had just said to her, but he did know that he wasn't in love with her. Another thought came to mind. He sauntered over to Frosta. She was standing alone, finishing off a drink of her own, a bourbon. "So how are you feeling?" he asked her. "Apparently not as good as you," she teased. "I haven't had that much to drink," he remarked, defensively. "I was only kidding. Everything alright?" "I think so. I think everything is starting to work out now," he told her. "So... How shall I put this? Adora is..." Frosta began. "For the time being, she is out of site and out of mind. I have realized that I feel the same way about her that her brother does," he explained. "You mean, you never really did love her?" "No, I think it was just a slight crush. Anyway, I don't want to talk about her. What do you think about that attack tonight?" "It was definitely odd," Frosta commented. "I wonder what Shadow Weaver has up her sleeve." "Care to discuss it on the terrace?" Bow suggested. "Sounds like a fine idea," she agreed. They grabbed a couple more drinks and made their way outside.

Glimmer had something to discuss with Adora so Adam didn't have time to continue the conversation they had begun before the battle had taken place. He actually didn't mind. He wanted to be alone for a little while anyway. Deep in thought, he walked out onto a balcony of the palace and looked at the stars. He first realized that someone else was here when a cloud of thin smoke surrounded him. He turned around and saw Castaspella sitting on a chair behind him. "Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt..." "Never mind." She took another drag of the cigarette, she was holding. Adam was kind of astonished. The only person in his life he had ever seen smoking was his sister. He also knew that she had to be really depressed to do it. So what reason could Casta have to do such an unhealthy thing? She had apparently read his thoughts. "Depression seems to run rampant this evening. It spreads out like cancer, did you know that?" She stood up and leaned on the rail of the balcony. "You shouldn't be here," Adam said worried. "If the Horde comes back..." She grinned and turned to him. "Oh, I didn't know you cared..." He blushed immediately. "I'm as worried about you as everyone else is. You really don't have any idea what Shadow Weaver is planning this time?" "This is a very sad story, Adam, and I haven't told many people. It hurts too much." She took one last drag and threw the cigarette down into the garden. "And the worst of it is: I feel sorry for her." "For Shadow Weaver?" Casta nodded. "She was a friend of mine, Adam. Actually she was more..." Her eyes grew dark. Hesitatingly, the Prince touched her arm. "If you want to talk about it..." Again Casta nodded. "It's strange... I barely know you... but I seem to be able to tell you everything. Not even Adora knows about this. Hardly anybody does. I'm ashamed and sad, that things have turned out this way with Shadow Weaver." Tears glinted in her eyes. "I couldn't prevent what happened. I wanted so badly to help her, but I couldn't do anything... I'll blame myself the rest of my life for it." Adam thought about the story, he had once been told about Shadow Weaver. "I know that she was a member of the good side. She gave it up to become more powerful. But what... or how does this have anything to do with you?" "Let me tell you my way. As I said, it's not easy." Casta looked at the starry sky. "I've known her all my life... You know I lost my parents when I was just a baby... and I grew up with Shadow Weaver in the house of Norwyn, the wizard. He taught us all about magic. When her transformation took place, and she joined the Horde, I cried for days. I couldn't believe that I had lost her." Adam placed his arm around Castaspella's shoulders, which she didn't even notice. She was crying now. "And why?" "Because..." She took a deep breath. "Because she's my sister." "What?" The Prince shrank back. "My god! That's terrible!" "You can say that again. If I only knew, why she hates me so much now! I understand why she hates Norwyn. He prevented her from getting the full power of the crystal, which turned her to evil years ago. But I, I did nothing. I was just a teenager!" "Oh, Casta." Again he hugged her, while she was crying uncontrollably. "All I want is to get her back, but it seems impossible. All, she feels for me, is hate." "I understand." Adam ran a hand through her soft, brown hair and wiped her tears away. "This must be pretty hard for you." Slowly she gained back her self-control. "It feels good to talk about it. Thanks for listening." "You're very welcome. You can tell me anything, Castaspella." He looked deeply into her eyes- and suddenly they kissed. They both were a little shocked, but they smiled. "You know," Casta said, "a relationship that begins with deep psychological talks, won't last very long..." "Yeah, I know" he grinned. "Want to stop here and now?" "Over my dead body, Prince Adam." Again they kissed. And Adora, who had just come out looking for her brother, saw them together, stood there and gasped. "My god" she said quietly. And again: "Oh my god." She realized that she would not be able to talk with Adam now so she went back inside. The party had picked up quite a bit, but Adora wasn't in the mood to mingle. She hadn't even had a drink yet. Some of her friends noticed her mood and had tried to cheer her up, but it was hopeless. She had been thinking about Sea Hawk all day, about the direction he was trying to push their relationship into. But ever since the attack on the castle, all she could think about was Bow. She remembered seeing Bow dancing with Frosta. Then she thought about the conversation she had with her brother. How could everyone but her have known that he was in love with her? And why was he acting so distant now? She entered a restroom to freshen up. She splashed some water on her face and peered at her reflection. 'Is he in love with me or not?' she thought. 'Maybe he has just had too much alcohol, and didn't realize that he was pushing me away earlier. That has to be it. But why can't I get him out of my mind now? Ever since Adam told me that Bow has always loved me, he's all I can think about. I have treated him so terribly,' she moaned and turned away from her reflection. 'I need some air,' she decided.

"So how many have you had tonight?" Bow asked. "Does it really matter?" Frosta challenged. "No, but I'm just curious. I feel like the town drunk right now," he answered. "Well, let's just say that I could qualify as good competition for that title. It's been an odd week." "That it has," he nodded. "Let's hope this next week will be a little better," Frosta proposed. "I'll drink to that," he said. "You'll drink to anything," she giggled. Just then, a guard came out and whispered in Frosta's ear. "No," she told him. "I am perfectly fine here, and all is well in the Kingdom. There's no need for me to rush right back there. Besides, we must make sure that Castaspella is unharmed." "Yes, Empress," the guard answered. "Please excuse the interruption," he added and left. "Duty calls," she said, rolling her eyes. "Even when I'm away. Adora said that Adam is on vacation. Why can't I get one?" "Well, you are an Empress. Adam isn't," he pointed out. "True. Oh look. It's starting to drizzle." "You know what would be great," Bow smiled. "What?" she asked. "Some snow, instead," he was grinning from ear to ear as he suggested it. "If you insist," Frosta stood and raised her arms. She transformed the slight drizzle into large snowflakes. "Now that is much better," he said. "It's much more romantic than rain," he whispered as he leaned over and placed his hand under her chin to kiss her. Frosta was taken aback, but she was pleasantly surprised. She had always thought that Bow was attractive, but that he was in love with Adora. When it was over, she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him again. She took the initiative this time and kissed him deeply, probing his mouth with her tongue. "Why, Empress," he whispered, out of breath, when they had pulled back. "This is a side of you that I've never seen before." "Well, prepare to be surprised," she flirted. "There's a lot about me that you don't know." He embraced her and kissed her again. Adora stopped short when she saw the scene Bow and Frosta were making on the balcony. They looked so passionate together that she could almost see steam rising from them. She was so shocked that she dropped the glass she was holding. Bow and Frosta looked up quickly. Then they turned away, embarrassed. Adora quickly turned away and left the castle. She knew that she couldn't stay at the party any longer. She had to be alone. Bow called out after her, but she ignored him.

Adam and Castaspella saw the Princess leave on Spirit. Adam looked worried. "I think, I have a problem." "You have indeed" Casta murmured, caressing him gently. "Because I’m planning to kidnap you... to take you to a more silent place..." He blushed. "What for?" "Oh, come on!" she laughed. There was something which had definitely to be cleared, Adam thought. "Castaspella, I’m not a man for a one-night-stand" he said, moving her away from him a little bit. "Neither am I" she answered. "But why not starting a relationship with a night of passion? I think, I just need some support right now. I don’t want to pass this night alone." "Well, then it’s okay." Adam kissed her once more. He didn’t know what came over him. Teela was as far away as could be. The feelings, he had always had for her, he suddenly had for Castaspella. "I’ll stay with you. I guess the party’s over soon, anyway. But where to go?" Casta grinned. "Leave that to me, my Prince." She closed her eyes and concentrated shortly. In the next second they were in a very small room, dark, but warm. "Ey, where are we?" Adam laughed. "I have no idea" Casta admitted. "Somewhere in the palace... I just thought of a place of silence. Hm... and it seems to be a good one." She pointed at the bed. He grinned. "You didn’t plan this at all, you said?" "Me? I never would" she said innocently. "Of course not." He pulled her near to him. "But since we’re here yet- let’s make the best of it." "I just wanted to suggest something like that" she smiled. "But be careful, Prince Adam. You’re dating a Sorceress right now." "Is there anything special to pay attention of while making love to a Sorceress?" he asked, pressing her against him tightly. "Just be sure to be prepared for anything" she gave back. "I sure am." He was acting exactly the way, she had imagined it. He was gentle, but straight. He wanted to rule the game, but he did not hurt her in any way. First he undressed her, then himself, slowly. She sat on the bed and waited for him. She felt his strength, as he laid down on her, taking possession of her without taking away her will. For a while she accepted the role of the passive one, but then she suddenly rolled on the side and sat on him, taking the initiative herself. She liked it to light those stars in his eyes, to know of all the fireworks in his body. She wanted to ride him, to be the aggressor, until they both had their height and she fell on him exhausted. "That was wonderful" she smiled. "I agree. Once more?" he grinned. "Well, the night is long..." She bent down to kiss him. "What do we have here?" suddenly a voice in the darkness asked. Castaspella looked sharply at the corner of the room to see who had spoken. A young girl emerged and stepped into what little light was present in the room. Castaspella quickly covered herself and moved closer to the girl. "Are you lost?" she asked curiously. "I don't think so," the voice said amused. She grabbed Castaspella's arm and transformed into her true shape. "Shadow Weaver!" Adam yelled. "Let her go this instant!" "Oh, I don't think so, my dear boy. I have plans for her." She began to laugh and a cloud of smoke surrounded them. "Adam, get help, quickly!" Castaspella ordered. Adam quickly dressed himself and shouted for help. By the time anyone arrived, Shadow Weaver had already taken Castaspella.

"Do you want to go after her?" Frosta asked Bow. "No, I think she needs some time alone. I understand that she is having some problems with Sea Hawk," he answered. "Well, if that's what you think is right," Frosta commented. "I promised her that I wouldn't push her," he replied. "Anyway, your glass looks a little empty." "Oh, I don't think I'll have anything else. It's getting late," Frosta began. "You're right. And we've had some snow huh?" Bow grinned. "Oh! I guess I should change it back," she said. With a snap of her fingers, the drizzle began to fall again. Bow leaned towards her, and was about to kiss her goodnight, when they heard shouting. "That sounds like Prince Adam!" Frosta exclaimed. "We'd better hurry," Bow determined. They rushed to find him. He was a mess when they found him. His appeared to have been in a struggle. By the time they had arrived, he was kneeling and whispering, "It's all my fault," over and over again. Frosta placed an arm on his shoulder and leaned down to his level. "What's your fault?" she asked quietly. He looked at her, bewildered. "She's gone. And it's my fault. I was right there with her and I couldn't even stop it." "Stop what?" she asked again patiently. "Casta. Shadow Weaver was here in disguise. She took Casta away with her." Frosta was horrified, "We have to go save her right now! Where are He-Man and She-Ra?" "Oh who knows," Adam moaned. "It's all my fault." "Adam, come on. You've got to pull yourself together. How are you going to save her if you're in the middle of a breakdown?" Bow related. "I'll find Adora," Frosta put in. She left before anyone had the chance to reply. Bow continued to help Adam and ordered the others to organize a search party for Castaspella.

Shadow Weaver used her magic to transport Casta and herself inside her laboratory in the Fright Zone. Before her sister could react she chained her to the wall with power chains. "What do you want?" Castaspella asked. "First that you put some clothes on. This is disgusting." Weaver turned away. Casta looked down on herself. Perhaps she should really take some more on. Jerking her shoulders she snapped her fingers. Immediately she got her normal appearance back. "Better?" "No, not a bit, but who cares?" Weaver watched her with visible loathing. "How can you spend your time with someone like this... Adam?" "Oh, I’m sure, Hordak is better in bed than him" Casta commented. Weaver got enraged. "I have never..." "Of course you have. Don’t think, I don’t know how you got this far in the Fright Zone. You would never be Hordak’s nearest advisor, if you wouldn’t be his mistress, too." "That’s none of your business" Weaver said harshly. "It isn’t, you’re right. But don’t you critique my sex-life then. It isn’t very polite to watch, by the way." "I haven’t. I’m not interested in the games, you’re playing with men." Casta just shook her head. She didn’t understand this. After all she was a prisoner here. Suddenly Weaver suddenly treated her like a sister. Like a very little, silly sister, no doubt. "That’s not your business now. And also if it were, I’m playing no game here. Unlike you I know what love is. And I just found it." Weaver laughed bitterly. "For how long? Until the night is over? I know how many boys you turned down. Using them for pleasure, just the way, you want it, isn’t that a kind of being evil?" "This time it’s different! And who the hell are you to decide about that? What actually do you want from me, Shadow Weaver?" "Your powers" the witch said hard, and turned to the controls of a machine. A kind of power field surrounded Castaspella. "You’ve been a thorn in the Horde’s side for long. This machine will take your power, which I will take myself then. After this Hordak has some more plans for you." Weaver didn’t look at her sister, and Casta thought to know the reason, why. "But this all wasn’t your idea, was it? Did you forget what you taught me?" The Sorceress closed her eyes and sent a psychic message to Weaver. `Can you still hear me this way? Remember, I feel, what you feel, De-Lara.´ Weaver turned around quickly, hate in her eyes. "Never call me like this again, Casta!" `Why? After all it’s your name...´ "It isn’t my name any longer. And speak loudly!" Castaspella grimaced. "A pity. You knew how to have fun in the past. But that was, before you began to serve the evil." "You haven’t understood anything" Weaver hissed. "I don’t serve the evil, I am evil." "No, you aren’t" Castaspella contradicted her. "Don’t forget of the telepathy, you taught me. I know, how unsure you are inside yourself. Something has changed since last I saw you. What is it, Shadow Weaver? Has Hordak let you down? Has he found another mistress?" "Shut up!" Weaver fired a dark ray on Castaspella. Her sister just had to concentrate shortly to turn it into bright light, blinding Shadow Weaver. With her magic Castaspella had no problem escaping the power chains. She had just waited for the right moment. Now it was there. She went to her sister. "Can’t we talk rationally, De-Lara?" When another black ray was shot on her she hadn’t got the time anymore to defend. She got knocked down. The evil power took her breath away. Her whole chest seem to burn. "Apparently we can’t" she pressed, gasping for air. "Then I’m sorry, but I’ll have to leave. I thought, there was a chance, but there isn’t. Good-bye, Weaver." "You go nowhere!" Fast Castaspella turned around. "Hordak!" Now she was trapped. "Weaver, what are you waiting for? Capture her!" the tyrant shouted. Casta prepared for more dark magic. Astonished she heard her sister saying: "I can’t, Hordak. This bitch has taken my power. I can’t fight against her." What? That wasn’t true, after all Weaver had just knocked her down! Castaspella had no idea what was going on but she knew, what she had to do. She snapped her fingers and transported herself out of the room. Actually she had wanted to take Weaver with her, but the witch had known, she would try this, and had built a invisible shield of her magic around her. All, Casta could do now, was leaving the Fright Zone with mixed emotions. She put herself together. To come out of here would be hard enough. If she thought of Weaver it would be even harder. She looked around and walked down the first way which seemed to lead outside.

Everyone had organized them selves, and they were about to leave Castle Bright Moon to find Castaspella. But Bow was puzzled. "I wonder why Frosta hasn't returned with Adora," he said to Adam. "I don't know, but we've got to get moving. There's no telling what will happen to Casta if we don't find her. Just then, Adora returned to the castle. She briefly spoke with Queen Angella, who filled her in on the situation. She ran to Adam's side. "Adora! I'm glad you're here. You can come with me to the Fright Zone," he said, relieved that She-Ra would be able to help. "Adora?" Bow asked. "Didn't Frosta come back with you?" "Frosta?" Adora questioned, raising her eyebrow. "I never saw her." "What do you mean?" Bow demanded. "She was supposed to bring you back here so we could leave. Where could she be?" "Don't panic, Bow," Adora replied. "I'm sure she will be along. Maybe we just missed each other. We should leave now though, so we can find Casta before it's too late." "Well then I'm going with you, Adora," Bow determined. Adora gave her brother a knowing glance. "That will be fine. I'll go with some of the others," Adam suggested. Adora pulled him aside. "What are you doing?" she hissed. "We can always find She-Ra later, if we need her. I'll get He-Man so that we have some protection in the meantime," he whispered back. "We should go now," he said, out loud. They split up into small groups and headed for the Fright Zone.

The rain had picked up considerably by the time Frosta entered the Whispering Woods. She hurried to Adora's tent, but was surprised to find that she wasn't there. She quickly began to search the rest of the camp, but to no avail. Finally, she decided that Adora must have gone back to the castle. She left the Woods and retraced her steps. She followed the Singing River back to the castle. Then, she discovered that no one was left inside the castle. 'I guess they decided to leave without us,' she thought. There were only a few guards on duty that remained. They confirmed her suspicion that everyone had gone to the Fright Zone. But, curiously, they also related that Adora was with them. Now Frosta was totally confused. She wondered how she could have missed Adora. She made her way outside of the castle to find everyone, and never noticed the figure standing in the shadows. Just as she was about to leave the castle, the figure emerged and knocked her unconscious.

Queen Angella decided to travel to the Fright Zone in the air. She was able to keep watch over everyone that way. She paced herself a short distance behind them so that she could see them better. Unfortunately, the distance was just enough so that no one ever saw her fall out of the sky from the laser beam that was shot at her. She never even knew she was being followed.

"I hope nothing has happened to Casta," Adora commented. "I knew that I should have stayed at the castle. This probably never would have happened." "You can't blame yourself for this," Bow reasoned. "Even if you were there, I am pretty sure she would have been taken anyway." "I feel responsible because we knew that she was in a considerable amount of danger, and I left anyway because I was thinking of myself. I should have been more concerned about her protection." "Adora, really. You didn't know that she was going to be kidnapped in the castle. Adam was with her when it happened, so what makes you so sure that you could have done anything more? It wasn't your responsibility. You have a life too. You are entitled to have time to yourself," Bow reassured her. "Yes, but I should have put her needs first," she argued. "That isn't very realistic, Adora. We all understand that you have a heavy burden to bear, being the leader of the Rebellion, but you are not responsible for us every second of the day. You couldn't possibly watch over us all the time. Not even She-Ra could do that." Adora smiled at that remark. She had always felt as if the rebels respected She-Ra more than they respected her. She was glad to find that it wasn't the case, at least, it wasn't with Bow. "Thank you again, Bow," she said. "I don't know how I could handle being a part of the rebellion if it weren't for you." She was beginning to see him in a different light. She wasn't sure if it had anything to do with the revelation her brother had made to her, but she knew that she wanted to be closer to him. "Bow?" Adora pressed. "Oh, right. I'm glad that I have helped. We should hurry," he responded. "Right," she spoke quietly. She wondered if this fog in herhead was ever going to clear up. She wasn't alone. Bow was beginning to wonder if he actually had a chance with Adora after all. He was also trying to decided whether or not he wanted to be with her. Neither of them noticed the Horde troopers until they were surrounded. Bow quickly pulled out his weapon and aimed. Adora used her sword to deflect their stun beams back at them while Bow used his exploding arrows to destroy them. One of the troopers was about to stun Adora when Bow pulled her back into his arms and trashed it with another arrow. They looked around at the pile of metal and the rising smoke. Then, Adora turned to Bow. "I am beginning to wonder if, pretty soon, I will owe you my life." "Let's worry about it when it happens," he hushed. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him. He tightened his grip on her and returned the kiss, dropping his bow at his side.

`The worst of it is over,´ Castaspella thought. `Now I just have to get out of here.´ She tried to teleport herself out of the Fright Zone, but was surprised to discover how weak she was. She actually had to sit down from the strain. `I shouldn't have used so much of my power against Shadow Weaver,´ she thought. `But I had to. The rays she was firing at me were too strong. I'll just have to find some other way out of here.´ She continued down the path before her and found a doorway that she assumed led to the outside. It was eerily quiet and she tried not to make any noise. The door creaked when she opened it. She found herself inside another hallway. "Great," she said to herself. "Now what?" "Merow! I'll tell you what. You are coming with us!" Catra screeched. Grizzlor grabbed her from behind and Catra paced around them in a circle. "Don't you think we should get her back to Hordak now?" Grizzlor snorted. "In all due time, you buffoon!" Catra dictated. "Hordak has big plans for you," she purred, turning to face Castaspella. "You and a few of your friends..." "You'd better not harm any of them!" Castaspella shrieked. "And just what are you going to do about it?" Catra challenged. "You see, Shadow Weaver has failed Hordak for the last time. If she does not agree to his latest design she will be terminated. He has had about enough of her foolishness. But you won't have to worry about anything much longer." "What do you mean?" Castaspella narrowed her eyes. "Hordak has encountered an old spell to help him accumulate a greater power than even Horde Prime himself knows. All he has to do is destroy three female members of royalty. Only their blood is pure enough to use for the spell. And now that we have Queen Angella and Empress Frosta in our custody, all we need is one more. He will explain the details to you before he kills you. Rowr and it looks like your number is up!" she began to laugh uncontrollably. "And then, even that miserable She-Ra won't be able to stop us!" Catra turned to Grizzlor, "Put those bands on her so thatshe can't use her magic anymore. Then take her to Hordak at once." She turned and began to walk down the corridor. Then she looked back, "So sorry it had to be this way, but you rebels should have minded your own business a long time ago. Now you will pay for all that you've done!" Castaspella hung her head. She knew that there was nothing she could do for herself or her friends.

Princess Glimmer and He-Man didn't hold up much of a conversation as they made their way through Thaymor. He-Man was too distressed about Castaspella to chat with anyone. Glimmer didn't know what to say to him. She had tried earlier to talk to him about Castaspella, but he didn't want to discuss her. He couldn't let Glimmer know why he was so worried about Casta. He pretended that he just had to save her because she was a member of the rebellion. So she had decided to stay quiet and keep moving. They came to Talon Mountain, which was just outside of the Fright Zone. Glimmer stopped him. "Do you think that she is going to be alright?" "I don't know," he responded. "We're not going to find out standing around here though." "Wait, He-Man," she persisted. "I don't understand why, but I'm getting a very bad feeling about this. It's almost as if... No, that can't be right." "What?" he asked, alarmed. Glimmer looked up and gasped. "My Mother! She's gone!" He-Man glanced at the sky and saw that Angella was nowhere in site. "She must be around here somewhere. Maybe some of the others were in danger and she flew down to help them," he reassured her. "No. That's not it. We have to get to the Fright Zone now!" she demanded. "If we don't, I may never see my Mother again!"

Adora and Bow reached the Fright Zone without difficulty. "You know your way around here. Where should we go?" he asked. "This way," she led him down a dark path underneath the Fright Zone. Neither of them had talked much after the kiss. Adora had simply suggested that they get moving and were satisfied to. Adora had been thinking about Bow, and how she would tell the Sea Hawk that she wasn't sure she wanted to be with him anymore. She realized that she would always have a faithful companion with Bow. She was not so sure about Sea Hawk. He was always gone, and she never knew what he did. Bow was uncomfortable talking with her because his head was still buzzing from all the alcohol he had consumed. He wasn't thinking about Adora, but about Frosta. He was wondering what had happened to her. He was hoping that they could find Casta and leave this place right away. He wanted to be sure that Frosta was safe. They continued in silence until they heard noise above them. "It's a prison block," Adora informed him. "That must be where Casta is." "Can we get up there?" Bow asked. "Yes, this way," she pointed to a rock in the wall. She pushed it and revealed a secret stairway. As they ascended the stairs, the voices became louder. Adora peered around the corner to see what was going on. She gasped and Bow hurried to see what she had found. He was furious to see that Hordak had Castaspella chained to the wall along with Frosta and Queen Angella. Hordak was walking around in front of them and giving orders to his minions. "Bring them up to the altar in five minutes. It's almost time to get this over with. We will be free of that rebellion tonight!" he shouted. Once he had left the room, Grizzlor used his stun gun to knock the prisoners out. He, Mantenna and Leech carried them outside for Hordak. "We have to go after them," Bow whispered. "You're right, but we made need She-Ra. I will go find her..." Adora began. "No. There's no time for that. We have to go now," Bow hissed. He grabbed her arm and they followed the henchmen outside.

Glimmer and He-Man were outside of the Fright Zone now. "Do you have that grapple hook?" He-Man asked Glimmer. "Yes," she replied. He took it from her and threw it at one of the towers. "Ready?" he asked. "Ready," she said. They climbed up the rope. Once they had reached the tower, He-Man pulled Glimmer up. They heard a commotion coming from across the roof. "What do you suppose that is?" Glimmer asked. "I have a pretty good idea that it has something to do with Casta," He-Man remarked. They hurried over to the source of the clamor and saw Hordak. He-Man breathed a sigh of relief when he noticed that Castaspella was present and unharmed. "We still have a chance," he murmured. They began to sneak up on them and listened to Hordak's demands. "Weaver, this will be your last chance! You had better make this spell work or you are finished. Now get started." "But, Hordak, we have to make sure that the moon is fully visible," she argued. "Fine, it will only take another minute. You can prepare in the meantime," he retorted. "Now get started!" Shadow Weaver busied herself in front of what appeared to be a giant altar. She had a book of spells in front of her. She was mixing up some type of potion that she proceeded to pout into a large goblet. She then picked up a knife and chanted a spell over it. "Everything is ready now, Hordak," she said when she was done. "But it must be you that performs it I can only chant the spell." He turned to Grizzlor. "Now then," he pronounced. "Bring me the Ice Empress." "Yes, Mighty Hordak," the beast responded. He quickly grabbed Frosta and brought her forward, throwing her on the altar. "Watch it, you oaf!" Hordak commanded. "If you do anything to ruin this you will suffer for an eternity." Grizzlor apologized and stepped back. "Begin, Weaver," Hordak dictated. Shadow Weaver began to chant to the moon overhead. And Hordak moved to the altar, grabbing Frosta by the hair. "That bastard!" Bow exclaimed when he saw Frosta being dragged around by her hair. "Bow, please. We will stop him, but we can't do it on our own," Adora reasoned. "We should at least wait for He-Man." Bow continued to creep up closer to the altar, but remained hidden. Adora sighed and followedbehind him. She looked up and quickly pulled Bow back. "It's He-Man," she whispered. "Now can we stop this?" he asked. "Yes," she replied, smiling. Bow crawled out of hiding and stood behind the group of Hordesmen. "Stop right there!" he ordered. "Ah, Bow. Today I will end your precious little Rebellion. And I will start with these three women. Did you come to say good-bye to your friends?" Hordak asked, amused. "No, we came to put a stop to this," She-Ra responded. Adora took advantage of the moment she had away from Bow to transform. Bow was relieved to see her. He-Man also came forward with Glimmer. Hordak watched as they arranged themselves in front of the altar. He smirked and turned to his minions. "Well, well. It looks like I will be able to take care of all the most important enemies tonight. Kill them," he ordered. Grizzlor, Catra, Mantenna and Leech advanced on them. Mantenna was firing lasers at Bow who had no trouble avoiding them at first. But there was limited room on the roof for him to maneuver in. He lost his footing after dodging another blast and fell over. He could only grasp the roof with his fingers, and he knew that he wouldn't be able to hold on for long. Glimmer rushed over to help him, but Catra jumped in her way and kicked her. Glimmer was stunned for an instant, but quickly regained her footing. She raised her hand to strike Catra with a light blast, but Catra kicked her hand out of the way, and grabbed her by the neck. In the meantime, Bow was able to climb back onto the roof, but Mantenna was waiting for him. He quickly stunned Bow before he had a chance to attack, temporarily paralyzing him. He-Man saw what was happening and picked Grizzlor up, tossing him into Mantenna. But Leech was just behind him, and grabbed his head, sucking the power out of his body. She-Ra had knocked Catra away from Glimmer and pushed her to the ground. But Catra was more determined than ever to defeat her. "You will not stop us this time, She-Ra," she spat at her. "That is why you will always be on the losing side, Catra," She-Ra retorted. Catra used her mask to transform into a panther and jumped on She-Ra. who hadn't been expecting it and fell hard. Glimmer aimed at Leech to get him away from He-Man, but Grizzlor grabbed her. She easily tossed him over her head, and was shot by Mantenna. Like Bow, she was also paralyzed. Hordak turned back to the altar. "Is it time?" he asked Shadow Weaver. She merely nodded as she continued her chanting. "Say good-bye to the Ice Empress, rebels! Your time is over!" His voice echoed all around them and everyone paused to see what Hordak was going to do. He raised Frosta up and used the knife to slice her throat. "No!" Bow screamed and jumped at him, knocking him down. The paralysis had worn off, but not in time. Hordak was so surprised that he landed badly, and couldn't move for a few moments. Bow rushed to Frosta's side, and saw that she was bleeding very badly. He yelled for help from She-Ra. It was all he could do to keep from going insane. In the seconds that it took She-Ra to get to him, Bow realized just what he would lose if Frosta died. He would lose the love of his life. She-Ra trampled over to the spot where Bow was kneeling, with Frosta in his arms. She quickly placed her hands on Frosta's neck. It began to heel, but they wondered if it would be fast enough. All they could do now was wait. "I could use some help," He-Man managed to say. Leech still had him and was draining his energy. "I have to help him," She-Ra told Bow. "Go. I'll stay here," Bow ordered. Glimmer formed a force field around Hordak so that he couldn't attack them. Then she went after Catra. But defeated and angry, she knew that it was useless to fight. The cat ran away, taking Mantenna with her. Shadow Weaver stopped chanting and looked at the scene before her. She had the perfect opportunity to take care of the rebels. She aimed for She-Ra. She was going to send that rebel to Beast Island on a one way trip. Castaspella had woken and looked around. She spotted Shadow Weaver out of the corner of her eye. "Don't do it, De-Lara!" She screamed when she saw Shadow Weaver prepare to destroy She-Ra. Shadow Weaver paused, and then turned around. "I told you never to call me that!" she screeched. She let a bolt of lightning lose on Castaspella. Casta quickly jumped to action and deflected it back to her. Shadow Weaver was hit and vanished in a cloud. Casta frightened. She knew, how dangerous Weaver’s magic was. She ran to her sister. She had only seconds to decide. The dark fog prevented everybody from seeing, what the Sorceress was doing, but it was already ceasing again. Castaspella concentrated on Shadow Weaver. Seconds later the Horde witch had disappeared. Now, Castaspella helped her friends to fight off the Horde. All that was left were Leech and Grizzlor. They knew that they were outnumbered so they cowered away. When it was over, everyone was relieved. Castaspella checked on Queen Angella who was a little disoriented, but otherwise fine. Then, they looked at Bow. He was still kneeling down. She-Ra walked slowly over to him. "Is she?" "No," he pronounced. "But I'm not sure for how long." "We nee to get her back to the camp so that we can treat her," She-Ra stated. "I'll take all of us back," Castaspella offered. "Are you sure you're strong enough?" He-Man asked. "Yes, I had enough time to re-energize myself." She formed a circle of energy around them and brought them back to the Whispering Woods.

She had done it quite well. Bow, He-Man, She-Ra and Frosta were transported into the sick tent. The others were outside. They laid Frosta down on the bed and covered her with a blanket. Bow sat down by her side and took her hand, absent-minded. They couldn’t say if he or Frosta was more pale. When She-Ra placed a hand on his shoulder, he didn’t even react. "Tell us, if something happens" she said quietly. He only nodded. She-Ra and He-Man went outside, into Adora’s tent, paying attention on not to be seen. Inside the tent, they changed back. Adam saw, how bad his sister was looking. "What is it, Adora?" She sighed. "That’s a very long story." "Well" he mentioned sarcastically, "I think, we have some time now." Actually he had wanted to see, if Casta was okay, but he knew, that now he had to be there for Adora. He placed an arm round her shoulders. "Tell me." They sat down on her bed and she told him all, beginning with the scene on Sea Hawk’s ship. Finally she said: "I thought, all was clear, when Bow and I kissed before. But now he only has eyes for Frosta again. It’s not that I don’t understand it, I mean, at present she’s more dead than alive, but I don’t know what to think or to feel now anymore." "I quite understand." Adam really did. For years he had been in love with Teela and hadn’t even thought of anyone else. And now, suddenly, he seemed to have feelings only for Castaspella. In minutes his whole life had changed. "You know, what’s missing now?" he asked, smiling lightly. "That a certain pirate Captain is around here..." "Don’t even speak about it!" she moaned. "I’ll talk to Bow. I don’t think, He'll be even listening, but I can’t stand this uncertainty any longer." She stood up. "Seeya." Adam continued sitting there for a while, just relaxing, than he decided to find Castaspella. He had to know if she was alright.

No one had realized where Casta had transported herself to. She had chosen a guest's tent, which was a little bit away from the main camp, and had surrounded it with a force field. No one was able to enter- or come outside. When she beamed into the tent, Weaver was still chained by her own magic. Her sister raised her hand and the dark cloud vanished. "Are you alright?" she asked. "Why do you care?" The other woman stood up and looked around. "Remove this force field! At once!" "Why?" Castaspella asked. "You want to go back to the Fright Zone? Then be told, that you aren’t welcome there. I don’t know if you haven’t gotten it yet, but Hordak has enough of you. I don’t think, you’ll find a welcome-back-party, if you enter the Fright Zone again." Weaver didn’t answer. She just looked at her sister, apparently trying to decide what to do now. "Why did you bring me here?" she wanted to know. "Because I didn’t want Hordak to do, what Catra told me, he would do. I won’t watch, how my own sister is killed." "I am not your sister anymore, Castaspella!" Weaver bitched. "How can you deny your own blood? I don’t understand you!" the Sorceress shouted. "You had the honor to know our parents. I can’t remember anything about them, but I love them dearly. And you, who had the chance to be with this wonderful people... what happened to you, De-Lara? Let it be! If you always fire at me, when I call you with your real name, you soon won’t have any power anymore." With rage Shadow Weaver lowered her hand. "Finally tell me what you want from me!" "The heart, you lost, when you turned to evil years ago. I want to get my sister back!" Casta had to wipe tears away as she saw the hate in Weaver’s eyes. "Just you" the witch said angrily. "I should have killed you when I had the possibility to." "What have I done to you, Shadow Weaver? All the years I’ve tried to reach you! I wanted to help you all the time..." "Oh, yeah?" the other one hissed. "And where were you when I really needed you? Where were you when Norwyn prevented me from getting the greatest power on all Etheria? You stood just next to him, you could have stopped him easily. But you watched, how he destroyed my life." "He destroyed it? You haven’t understood anything, have you? The wizard just wanted to prevent a catastrophe. Look in the mirror and see what the crystal has done to you! What would you look like if you had got all of these evil powers?" Weaver’s sight grew even darker. "If you feel such power you don’t care about beauty anymore. I could have become stronger than Horde Prime. I could have ruled the universe. You and Norwyn, you destroyed everything!" "You can’t lie to me, Weaver, have you forgotten that again?" Casta asked calmly. "I feel your doubts. You don’t want to be evil anymore. When will you finally give up being that pig-headed?" Weaver turned away. "It’s too late, Castaspella. It’s much too late." "What do you mean?" The witch sat down on the bed, burying her face in her hands. "I’m dying, Castaspella. I’m sick for a long time. I have only weeks to live left." Her sister was horrified. "Why didn’t you tell me?" "What for? It’s too late for an absolution. It’s too late for everything. Remove this force field now, Casta. I’m going to a lonely place in the mountains to wait for the death. That’s all, which is left for me to do." The Sorceress wanted to say something, but Weaver shook her head. "Just let me go." Without a word Castaspella released her sister. The witch vanished. Seconds later Adam came in. "Here you are. What the hell happened?" He saw her tears and frightened. "Are you hurt, Casta?" "No... I’m alright. Adam- would you mind to take me in your arms for a moment? I think, otherwise I’m about to go crazy." "Of course." He hugged her tightly. He had never known, what it really meant to love somebody. Now he knew. It meant to be there for the partner, no matter what happened. Adam was wondering if Adora had similar experiences.

Adora made her way back to the infirmary tent, but became worried whenshe saw Bow frantically talking to some of the workers that were near. She picked up her pace to see what was going on. "What is it, Bow?" she asked. "It's Frosta. She's crashing! I don't know what happened. She was still unconscious and she was just lying there. All of the sudden, she stopped breathing. Now she's breathing but it's so weak and she barely has a pulse," he explained. "She needs a blood transfusion," Adora realized. "Let me," Bow began. "No," Adora answered. "You can't be here right now. Please, I will help her, but can't if you're acting hysterical. Get Glimmer. She can help me," she ordered. Bow left quickly to find her and Adora entered the tent. She knew what she had to do. She carefully took out a large needle and an IV tube. She prepared to give Frosta some of her blood when Glimmer rushed in. She nodded at her, knowingly and assisted her. When it was over, theybreathed a sigh of relief. Frosta had survived, but only time would tell for how long. They left the tent and saw Bow standing just outside. Adora whispered to Glimmer, "I will talk to him." Glimmer gave her a curious glance and left without a word. She walked up behind him and placed a hand on his shoulder. He slowly turned around, and Adora was shocked to see him on the verge of tears. "Is she alright?" he inquired quietly. "For now," Adora murmured. "But we're not sure how long she has." "Oh," he turned away. "Bow, can we talk?" Adorarequested. He nodded in response. "What about?" "I think you know. About us, about Frosta, about everything," she said. "And especially about the scene outside of The Fright Zone," she added. Bow shrugged, "I suppose we have time to talk now. About what happened..." "No, please. Let me say this first," Adora interrupted. "I've been with the rebellion for awhile now. It is a hard job that tends to clutter my vision sometimes. I don't see things that are right in front of me. Sometimes I lose my patience. I never understood how you felt about me until yesterday. I always thought that you were there for me when Adam couldn't be. Do you understand what I'm saying?" "I think so," Bowstammered. "Now that I know what you feel for me, everything makes moresense. I thought that the Sea Hawk would make me feel wanted and loved. I thought that I could find security with him, but now I understand that it was all just a foolish dream of mine. I'm not even sure that he does love me" Adora continued. "Adora, don't sell yourself so short. He would be crazy not to love you. But you will never find out if you just sit back and wait for it to happen. You have to let him know how you feel. Please don't be offended by what I did before. I don't know what came over me. I must have been caught up in the moment. You know I can't help but rescue damsels in distress," he actually smiled for a moment. But it vanished as quickly as it had appeared. He grew serious again, "You need to make sure that you are happy, Adora. Because that is all that really matters. Just promise me you won't make any suddendecisions that you will regret later on," he warned. Adora listened tohim very carefully. Maybe she shouldn't push the Sea Hawk away so quickly, she thought. And Bow seemed so caught up in Frosta right now that she knew she shouldn't try to pressure him. She decided to take Bow's advice, and give Sea Hawk another chance. "Thanks, Bow," she smiled. "I think you're right." With that, she turned and left him to watch over Frosta. Bow stood there, shaking his head. "I will never understand her," he thought.

Bow remained by Frosta's side for the next few hours. He was astonishedto see her stir after a little while. She opened her eyes and lookedaround. "Hello there, sleepy," he grinned. "Bow? What happened? Hordak didn't hurt Casta or Angella did he?" she asked, frantic. "No. No. You were hurt the most, but we were able to get you out of there in time," he responded trying to calm her. He moved closer to her and took her hand in his. "You really had us worried. We didn't think you were going to make it," he told her. "What happened, exactly?" she inquired. "Well, Hordak was about to execute all three of you ladies. You happened to be first on his list," Bow continued to fill her in on what had happened. Frosta was shocked. "I shouldn't even be alive right now," she whispered. "No, but I'm so glad that you are," Bow assuredher. He bent down and softly kissed her lips. "I missed you," he saidquietly. Frosta was glad that he still felt the same about her without all the alcohol running through his system because she knew that she wanted to be with him. She was afraid that he was only so nice to her the other night because he was intoxicated. "You do realize that this will be difficult," she frowned. "What do you mean?" he asked. "Well, I am an Empress. I have a kingdom to rule. If we are going to be together, there will have to be a lot of sacrifices," she informed him. "You are always the diplomatic Empress aren't you? Don't worry about that right now, Frosta. You just woke up from an almost certain deathThere will be time to discuss things later, but right now, I just wantto rejoice in the fact that you are still here," Bow suggested. "We will have plenty of time for worrying." "You're right, Bow," she smiled. "Why don't you come here? There is room in this bed for you to lie down with me." He carefully moved to the bed and lay down beside her, cradling her in his arms. He spent the entire night telling her just how thankful he was that she was still with him.

Frosta recovered slowly the next day. She was still a little anemic,but she was much stronger than she had been the night before. She was walking around the camp, and giving orders to her people in the Polar Caps to the guards that had traveled with her. She was very much her normal self by the end of the day. As night fell, she searched for Bow. He had been gone most of the day because he had returned to Castle Brightmoon for his normal assignments. He also wanted to check up on Queen Angella. Frosta wanted to discuss the situation with Bow. He had just returned to camp and noticed her waiting by his tent. He pulled her close to him and led her into his tent. "You're feeling much better," he commented once they were inside. "I certainly am," she replied with a devilish smile. She inched closer to him and kissed him. He embraced her and returned the kiss, running his hands through her hair. She pulled him even closer and kissed him deeper. Their breathing grew shallow and they pulled apart for a moment to look at each other. But they couldn't keep their hands off of one another. Frosta placed her hand under his chin and pulled his mouth back to hers. He pushed her against the side of the tent and kissed her lips. Then he moved down to her neck and traced her collarbone with his lips. She had her fingers in his hair and she moaned softly. He continued to move down to her breasts and he kissed them through her clothes. Her nipples became erect and she felt the heat rise between her legs. Then he stood up again and looked at her, questioningly. She just nodded, pulling him closer to her again. She ran her hands along his chest and pulled him to her so she could kiss him again. He ran his hands down to her breasts, cupping them and then grabbed her rear as they kissed. Then, he picked her up and brought her over to his bed. He lay down with her and she began to explore his body. She began to lick and suck on his neck. Her hands traveled down his chest and she felt his hardness between her fingers. She stroked him slowly and he groaned in response. They became frantic and undressed each other quickly. Their breathing was rapid as they felt their naked bodies press together. He began to follow a trail across her chest. He sucked her breasts and caressed her skin. He moved his fingers down her stomach, between her thighs and inside of her. She moaned again and pushed against him. He positioned himself above her and entered her slowly. She opened herself to him and they began to move together in their own private rhythm. He began to stroke her body and pushed harder. She responded by pressing into him and he moved faster. She had her arms around his back and she gripped him tighter, leaving marks. She was moaning in earnest now and she threw her head back, spreading her hair around. They sustained their sensuous tempo until she came, gasping his name. She felt as if her entire body was electrified. He waited for her to reach her climax before he took his own. They had been so caught up in their passion that it hadn't lasted longer than a few minutes, but they had dreamt about it for so long that it was too hard for them to control themselves. When it was over, they lay in each other's arms. "Mmm. I'm glad I waited around for that," she mouthed. "It was worth it," he agreed with a smirk. "How about another round?" he challenged. "I don't think I could right now, but I'd love to," she murmured. "It won't be so bad, you know? I come to the Woods fairly often. And when I don't, you could come to see me," she decided. "What will your people think? You are an Empress," he warned. "They will have to deal with it," she grinned. They held each other and discussed the future together.

Just a few feet away, another couple was doing the same. Castaspella had wanted to be alone for a while today. Adam had taken a walk around the woods in the meantime and now they had been in the guest's tent foran hour, barely speaking, thoughtful. Suddenly, they both wanted to say something. They had to laugh. "You begin." "No. You do." "Okay" she sighed. "I have thought about us all the time today. And I don't know if it is possible to continue our relationship." He was quite shocked. "Casta! But..." "No, Adam, let me speak. You said you would take a walk around, when you left in the morning. You said, you were going to think things over. But you weren't thinking about me. Who's Teela, Adam?" He was startled. "How could you know..." In the next moment, heheard her voice in his head. `Telepathy and empathy, Adam. I'm not able to do this with everybody. You're must be someone special to me. In fact, I think, you're more special to me than any man has ever been before. I think I love you. But in your heart, I see that there's someone else you like.´ "I like her," he said. "You're right. But I realized that I don't love her. If you feel, what I feel, then you should know that too." Castaspella smiled mysteriously, for she knew better than he did. "Tomorrow you'll return to Eternia, my Prince. You're needed there. I know that. And I think it's better to leave me behind, than to try to continue this relationship. I'd never ask you to stay here with me and I can't go with you. The rebellion needs me. Besides, I still have Weaver here. I'll search for her, as soon as I have the time. I want to be with her in the last few weeks that she's alive." Casta shook her head slowly. "An unbelievably hard love to hold onto. I always hoped never to see it. Now that I have it's even harder to let go." Adam hugged her. "Casta, we don't have to do this. I don't want to lose you." "I don't want to lose you either. But it's the best, if you go. And you know that." She saw the agreement in his eyes. It broke her heart. Tomorrow he would be gone. "Adam..." How could she tell him? She wanted to say that she wanted to have one more night with him... He looked into her eyes and knew. Without a word, he pulled her to him and kissed her. They undressed, feeling the fire between them. Adam laid her down gently, caressing her entire body. She trembled with ecstasy, kissed him passionately. She had never known it could be like this. This time it was different. They didn't want just satisfaction; they wanted to experience the most beautiful act of love, as long asthey possibly could, because they never would do it again. So they took their time. Castaspella rolled onto Adam, looking lovingly into his eyes, as she touched him, his strong chest, and his handsome face. She let her hand slide down on his body and aroused him with soft movements. She felt his manhood grow and lay down next to him again, waiting for him. His full weight pressed against her, then he took her, showing her the heaven as she could only see it while making love. She wrapped her legs around his, pulling him even nearer. She wanted to feel him, truly, madly, deeply, with all of her body and deep inside her. They held the position for a while, then he pulled out of her and turned her around, taking her from behind. First, it was painful for her but soon she loved it and had an intense orgasm, only seconds after he had. Quite exhausted they laid in each other's arms then. "Come with me," he suddenly said. "What?" "Come-with-me-to-Eternia." After every word he kissed her. "You could come here every time the rebellion needs you and..." "Adam, please" she stopped him. "We talked about this before. I don't want to leave my planet. My heart would be torn in two." "I know." He hugged her tighter. "I just wish it didn't have to be this way." "You'll find love, Adam" Castaspella said seriously. "You don't know it yet, but you love Teela. And I'm sure, you'll be very happy with her one day." He smiled. "You really believe that, do you?" She nodded. A last time she kissed him, then she stood up, putting onher clothes. "It's better if I leave now." He saw that she was about to cry. She went to the exit. Without turning around she said: "I'll never forget you, Adam." Then she was gone.

Early in the morning, Adora and Adam rode on Spirit to the gate the Sorceress had opened to Eternia. Next to them, walked Cringer, who had spent all of his time on Etheria sleeping. Some things never changed.On the way, Adora told her brother what had happened with Bow and what he had advised her to do. "Will you do it?" Adam asked. "Will you talk to Sea Hawk?" She smiled weakly. "I'm heading for the beach as soonas you've returned to Eternia. I think, he knows what I want to talk about. He sounded pretty serious when I contacted him yesterday." Adam saw her sadness. "What are you going to tell him... about Bow, I mean." She jerked her shoulders. "I don't know yet... I don't know anything yet. Only that our relationship can't go on like this. What about Castaspella, brother?" They had always told each other everything. "We have split." He didn't look at her. "Oh! I'm sorry, Adam." "Never mind. Perhaps it's better. Concentrate on your own problems now. If you should need me- just call for me." They were at the gate and dismounted. "I will," she promised. They hugged. "When will you come to visit us again?" he wondered. "Mom and Dad would sure be glad," he added. "Tell them, I'll come soon. Hordak has just lost one of his best soldiers with Weaver. He'll have to recover and I can spare a few days, I think." "We're looking forward to it. Good-bye, sis." "Bye." Adam and Cringer entered the gate. It disappeared. "To the beach?" Spirit asked as she mounted him. "I wish I could say no, dearie" she murmured. "But I have no choice. Let's go!"

He came alone. He had taken one of his smaller flying ships and waited for her inside it. "Do you want to take a flight around?" he asked. "Sure. Spirit, could you stay here for a while?" "Of course." She sat down next to Hawk and they kissed shortly. The boat took off. "I heard there was a battle yesterday," he said. "Is everyone alright?" "Yes. We're fine." Silence. Their flight in the clouds was wonderful, but today Adora had no desire for it. She thought about it, that this could be the last time, she flew with Hawk. It made her sad. But she knew she finally had to clear up her feelings about him. "Hawk... I have to tell you something." "So do I. It's very serious... Adora, you never meet my father, have you?" "No," she said, surprised. "You will now. I'mreally sorry to do this to you but... it's his last wish and..." "Hawk, what are you talking about?" she asked. "My father, the Falcon... is dying. I know, he doesn't have much time anymore, but this is happening much sooner than I expected. Now he asked me to bring you to the island. He wants to meet you before he goes." Adora was completely shocked. She knew she couldn't begin to talk about theirrelationship right now. She had never seen her boyfriend so down. "I'm sorry, Hawk." "You don't have to go with me, Adora. It's very difficult, you know." She shook her head. "I want to go there." For the rest of the way, they didn't speak. "Father?" "Hello, my son." Hesitatingly, Adora entered the corner of the cave, where the Falcon was laying in his bed. Where he would finally end his life. Adora got goose-flesh thinking about it. When the old man saw her he smiled. "And you must be the woman, who makes my son so happy. Come on, sit down. Leave us alone for a moment, Hawk." He was surprised but went outside. He wasn't alone. His old friend Davy Jones sat on his shoulder, at least as sad as he was. He would loose a good friend as well asHawk. Adora watched the Falcon thoughtfully. He looked so much like his son... The same green eyes, the same face. She had heard legends about him long before she had met Sea Hawk. He was a great person. Itwas a pity that he had to die. "You're a very beautiful woman," he said. "Thanks." "I've heard many stories about you, Adora. You're a strong, brave woman. You've got fire in your heart. So has my son. I always was afraid, one day you'd leave because of it. And now it has happened." Adora hung her head. Was it that noticeable, that she and Hawk had problems? "Falcon..." "You owe him nothing, Adora. Nor me or anyone else. You belong to no one but yourself. I know my son pretty well. I can imagine why you aren't very happy with him at the moment." She looked at him and saw that he really understood. She sighed. "It's just... he wants it all and he wants it now. That's his way. And I'm not sure if it is what I want too. This time he asked me to make love to him, next time he may ask me to jump from a bridge with him." The Falcon shortly laughed- and coughed immediately. Worried she supported him. "Are you alright?" "Yes. It's okay. I just laughed becauseyou are thinking wrong, Adora. He doesn't mean to hurt or push you. He loves you too much for that. And he loves you with every beat of his heart, believe me. He wants to show you this love, in every possible way. Just remember the locket, he gave you." Unconsciously, Adora touched it. "Sea Hawk was never good at expressing with words. And isn't it better if he shows you he loves you rather than hearing `I love you´ all the time, and you know they are just words? And if he asks you to make love to him he wants to give you the mostbeautiful gift of love. Do you understand that, Adora?" "I think so," she nodded. "Good; because you two are meant for each other. I can feel it." The Falcon took Adora's hand. "Be happy, Adora. For the rest of your lifetime." He closed his eyes. The Princess was startled. "Hawk! Quickly!" She had been afraid the Falcon was dead yet, but when Sea Hawk came inside, his father woke up one last time. They said farewell seriously. Then it was over. For the first time since she knew him, Adora saw her boyfriend shedding a tear as he covered his father with a blanket. "I'll close the door of the cave forever," he said quietly. "That was his wish. Davy, are you coming with us?" The mouse sat on the Falcon's bed, without moving, just staring at his old friend. Slowly heturned around. "I don't know..." "Of course you come with us," Adora said. "You've been his friend for years. Now you can be ours. We have so many journeys ahead of us." She took Sea Hawk's hand. "Together." Hesmiled with tears in his eyes and hugged her. "I'm sorry for pushing you, Adora. I shouldn't have done that. I know I hurt you..." She stopped him. "It's okay, Hawk. Really." Although the situation was so sad, she managed a smile. "I love you, Sea Hawk." And for the first time during their relationship he said, "I love you too, Adora. I should have told you this before, I know. I love you more than I've ever loved anyone before. Let's just start over." "Good idea, Hawk. But first I have to tell you something." She had prepared for thismoment for a long time. She had already asked the Sorceress and knew she was doing the right thing. She stepped back and took her sword, saying loudly, "For the honor of Grayskull! I am She-Ra!" He needed a few moments to get overcome his shock. "My god, Adora! Why didn't you ever... okay, silly question. Come here." Again he hugged her. "I'll have to get used to it... my girlfriend is She-Ra, the Princess of Power, herself..." "I... I hope, this doesn't change anything," she said, a little bit afraid. "Not at all," he answered, pulling her near and kissing her long.

Frosta and Bow prepared to say their farewells. Frosta was needed back in her Kingdom and Bow wanted to stay behind in case Hordak was planning any surprise attacks. It turned out to be a beautiful. Thesun was shining down on them in the woods. There were a few clouds overhead and a slight breeze in the air. The two held hands as they spoke. "It's probably better this way for right now anyway," Frosta said. "I would have a lot to explain to my people if you just showed up with me." "I understand," Bow remarked. I'm not exactly royalty," he added sarcastically. "Don't be that way, Bow. It doesn't matter what they think of you. I can be with whomever I choose and there is nothing they can do about it." "That doesn't make it right," he muttered. "And just because you're not royalty doesn't make it wrong either," Frosta answered. "I love you and there is nothing wrong with that." He smiled and embraced her. They kissed for a long moment. "Save a dance for me," Frosta whispered. "All of them are for you," he grinned. She turned and left. Bow watched her leave and longed to follow her.

Frosta had tears in her eyes as she made her way back to the polar caps. She created an ice path that she traveled on. She didn't even notice Castaspella below her. Casta had begun on her journey to find her sister. It took all of her strength to make her continue the search. She didn't know how she was going to manage livingwithout Adam by her side. `Maybe if I don't think about it, it won't hurt so badly,´ she thought. She concentrated all of her effort into making a telepathic connection with Shadow Weaver. She prayed that hersister would answer her if she heard her. She had already made her way through Thaymor and she was about to go back to Talon Mountain. She had a feeling that her sister went there to be alone. Nobody ever went outto the mountain unless it was absolutely necessary so she knew that she would have privacy there. Suddenly, she stopped. She sensed danger. It definitely came from the part of Telan Mountain, she had wanted to avoid at all costs, the part Shadow Weaver had surely tried to avoid as well... but apparently she had had no such luck. Quickly, Castaspella went on to the castle of Hunga, the harpie.

She tried to remain unnoticeable by beaming herself inside the castle, but Hunga had seen her on her view screen long ago. Castaspella was welcomed with a stun beam from Hunga's magic wand, which knocked herdown at once. She barely dodged a second one. She created a shield with her magic fast. She knew Hunga was trying to kill her. The stun beam had weakened her so much that she couldn't defend herself. In a fewseconds, her shield would break... And then... A white, cold ray caught Hunga and froze her silent. Astonished, Casta looked up. "Frosta! What the hell are you doing here?" "Hey, How about, `Nice to see you´? Or`Thanks for saving my life?´" the other woman asked sarcastically. "The question is, what are you doing here? Were you so depressed about Adam that you want to commit suicide?" The ice empress helped her friend standing up. Castaspella was a little weak, but all right. "Glad to see, that you haven't lost your sense of humor, Frosta" she groaned. "Come with me! Now!" She felt it. There was a great emptiness in her heart. Casta hadn't known why before-but now she knew. Apparently, Hordak had advised all of his followers to kill any Horde enemy. When they found Shadow Weaver, they knew that they couldn't do anything for her. Crying, Castaspella knelt down beside her. Something strange happened. Weaver's body vanished. A small white light remained, and fell over to Casta. With tears in her eyes she took it into her hands. Seconds later, it vanished. Frosta, who was one of the only people who knew about the relationship between Castaspella and Shadow Weaver, placed a hand on her friend's shoulder and saw, surprisingly, that she was smiling. "She's alright," the Sorceress said. "She just told me. She's in a better place now." Of course, she was sad, nevertheless. "Let's go" Frosta said. They left the castle without any further problems.

She-Ra remained with Sea Hawk for awhile longer. She knew that she wasn't needed back at camp and she had made her decision. "Hawk," she began. "Yes?" he asked. "I've decided that... maybe you're right. Weboth love each other and we know that we are committed to one another, so why shouldn't we take our relationship a step further?" "Are you saying what I think you're saying?" he asked, shocked. "Yes. I want youto make love to me," she answered quietly. "Can I ask you one small favor?" he asked, beaming. She-Ra rolled her eyes, "What now?" "That I can make love to Adora first," he answered. "Oh," she cried looking at herself and then blushing. "I didn't realize that I was still..." she transformed back quickly. "It's not that I have anything against She-Ra, but I wanted it to be with you as you normally are," Hawk explained. "I understand," she said and moved closer to him. They kissed softly, at first. "Hawk," Adora whispered. He looked into her eyes and put a finger over her lip. "Shh, don't say anything," he murmured. "But I haven't..." she began. He took her hands into his and said, "It's alright. We'll take it slow." He kissed her hands and then her lips. Then he ran his hands through her hair and down her back. She moved up his chest. He cupped her face and his hands and kissed her again. He was awakening feelings in her that she had never felt before. He gently lifted her up and carried her inside the ship's cabin. There was no bed, so he placed her on a blanket on the floor. "Sea Hawk,"she said, pushing him away for a minute. "I love you." He hugged her against him tightly. "I love you more than you could ever know," he whispered. He caressed her cheek with the back of his hand as he looked into her eyes. Then he leaned closer to kiss her again. She reached up and pulled his head close to her. He moved down to her neck and nibbled lightly. She was taken aback, but she enjoyed the sensations that she felt. She relaxed herself and began to respond to him. He moved his hand down to her chest and cupped one of her breasts. He pulled back to take his shirt off. He was about to take hers off when the ship was hit, knocking him over. "What the hell?" he muttered. He quickly redressed himself and ran to the cabin door. He peered out thecrack in the door, but saw nothing. He ran back over to Adora. "You'd better hide. I don't know what is happening. Besides, She-Ra can always help later," he told her. "Right," she said. She stood up, slowly andmade her way across the cabin so she could transform. She had been so caught up in the moment that she forgot where they were temporarily. She was angry that they had been interrupted. It wasn't often that she had the chance to be alone with Sea Hawk like this. She hid herself for a moment behind the door as Sea Hawk left. She wanted to see what had happened. She didn't need eyes to know who had been responsible for it.She heard a very familiar, feline voice bellow, "Sea Hawk! We know that you're on this ship. We are under Hordak's order to search this ship." "Catra, fancy meeting you here," Hawk replied. "Don't patronize me," she ordered. "Get him," she told her troopers. Catra never forgave him for betraying herself and the rest of the Horde for Adora. "As long as you agree to cooperate, you will have no trouble with us. Personally, I would like to see you rot in hell, but I don't have time for that right now. We are looking for a certain Horde traitor. She must be brought back to the Fright Zone at once. You haven't seen anyone have you?" "Adora hasn't been here," Hawk answered. "I'm not talking about her you imbecile! I'm talking about Shadow Weaver. If you've seen her, you should let us know now. If we find her on this ship, it will be big trouble for you. And I certainly wouldn't mind bringing you to justice." She told the troopers to begin their search. "I have not seen Shadow Weaver and she is not here," Hawk shouted at her. "Merow, well, we can't a rebel's word for it. Hordak wants us to be sure. If she is here, you will be executed. He has ordered anyone that is helping her to be killed. Just make sure you stay out of the way. Oh, and if Adora is here, she will be brought back with us. That is a promise," she smirked. "Those are Hordak's eternal orders." With that she turned away to join the troopers. Worried, Hawk looked at the door she entered. Through this door he had carried on with Adora just minutes ago! What if they found her? When three Horde Troopers were thrown out of the cabin he was relieved. He heard Catra scream angrily and ran inside quickly. She-Ra had just taken care of the last few robots. She gavethem a kick and Catra dodged them so that she wasn't caught when they passed by her. "Merow, She-Ra, out of my way!" She tried to shoot a phaser, but this time the Princess of Power was prepared for her. Shedeflected it easily and the phaser was shot away. "Get lost, Catra. You're not welcome here." "Dream on!" Her enemy transformed into a cat and attacked her. She-Ra just shook her head. By now, Catra should know that it was useless. With a fast jump to the side she avoided the attack. Unfortunately, Catra really had really improved. She had expected this and stopped her jump to attack from behind. "She-Ra! Watch it!" Sea Hawk shouted. But it was too late. The cat knocked the Princess down. There was a terribly loud noise as the tearingclothes sounded, when Catra used her claws. Hawk knew he had to do something. The cat's weapon still lay on the floor. It would be difficult to catch her while she was fighting She-Ra, but he had to risk it. He aimed and shot. Catra reverted back to her true shape and lay on the planks, unconscious. Quickly, he went to his girlfriend. "Are you alright?" "Could be better," she murmured, standing up. "Damnit!" She removed her cape and took a deep breath. On her waist and back, Catra's claws had left deep wounds. "I guess I had better towarm up to the fact that she's a much better fighter than when I commanded her in the Fright Zone," She-Ra growled. "How about sending her back there, dear?" "Good idea. Just sit down and press on this for a moment." Hawk gave her a sterile cloth. "Hey, I'm not invalid," she protested and tried to go to Catra. Hawk stopped her. "You stay here. My men should be back from their mission any second. They'll help me." At exactly that moment they heard Sven from outside. "Captain, areyou there?" "Duty calls," he smiled and kissed her fast. "Wait for me." Before she could say anything, he went outside. She really hated being treated like she was helpless, but on the other hand, the injury actually did hurt... and it felt good to know that he cared about her that much. She realized that Hawk's men shouldn't see her andtried to remember where his cabin was. She carefully stepped over to the other ship and began her search. Finally she found it and went inside. Nothing had changed since last time she had seen it. It was small and very plain. Some weapons were placed on the wall. In the corner, there was the desk, where he had written all those love letters for her... Smiling, she looked at it. This sign of his endlessly romantic way was such a contrast to the weapons hanging around... It was true, what she had told Spirit, that he was aggressive. But he could also be the gentlest man in all of Etheria. Her eyes fell on the large bed and she thought of the scene before the battle. It had been just wonderful. She wasn't afraid anymore. She loved him and felt more strongly about him than she ever had. A sharp pain reminded her of her injury. She-Ra entered the bathroom, which was clean and tidy. Grimacing, she looked at the four long cuts Catra had given her. It was no use; she had to put off her dress to take care of them. She jerked. Sea Hawk would be busy for a while longer out there; it wasn't likely that he would suddenly come back inside the room. 'Besides- would it matter if he were here right now?' she thought, smiling again. She-Ra undressed herself and began to disinfect the injuries. It burned like fire. She had to suppress a scream. Blast! But she had to do it. Otherwise, she would be in great danger. Catra's claws were as dangerous as Scorpia's sting. Adora had the pleasure of this experience once and didn't want to have it again. It had been a few months ago, when the scorpion had hurt her. She-Ra had just closed the wounds with her healing powers and in the following night she had developed sepsis. She wouldn't be alive now if it hadn't been for Bow. Bow... She sighed. Perhaps, if she had never meet Sea Hawk... But she didn't want to think about that now. She cleared her wounds and closed them then by laying a hand on them. Then she tried to put on the torn dress again, when she heard Hawk's voice, "Why bother going to all the trouble, Princess?" She was startled and turned around. "Why, Sea Hawk," she grinned. "I can't believe, you're spying on me..." "What makes you think, I was spying?" he asked, innocently. "You don't think, I could be lost?" He came closer and took her in his arms. "No. You look too smart to be lost" she gave back, remembering the words they had spoken, when theyhad met for the first time. "Thanks, Princess." He went to kiss her when someone knocked from outside. "Excuse me, Captain!" Sven shouted through the closed door. "Do you have a minute?" She-Ra saw Hawk'sannoyance. "Go," she said softly. "I'll wait." "I'll be back in a second." He turned to the door. "Sven, I hope for your own sake that you have a good reason to bother me!" he shouted. She-Ra had to laugh. She took her sword and changed back, as she had done before. This time perhaps they should pin a 'Anyone who interrupts, shall be killed!' sign on the door... Hawk smiled when he saw she had become Adora once again. "That's better. You remember: She-Ra is fun to fight beside but I'd rather spend time with you." She had to smile too. He felt her trembling a little bit. "One thing I want to tell you, Adora. I won't do anything you don't want me to do. We can stop anytime. I don't want to push you. Never again." She nodded. "I know. But I want to do this, Hawk, more than anything." She hugged him tightly. "Show me heaven, Sea Hawk." He didn't recognize her. She didn't normally play this role; she really wanted to make love to him. So why was he holding back? Happily, he took her face in one hand, ran over it gently and bent down quickly to kiss her passionately. She opened her lips and his tongue slid through it, meeting hers. Very slowly, he wandered from her waist up with his hands. Lightly he touched her tight, little breasts. A strange feeling came over her. But she liked it. It made her heart beat wildly and caused emptiness between her legs. Hawk switched off the light. The moon shining through the window was enough. When his hand came back he didn't place it, where it had just been, but on Adora's leg, half on her thigh, half on her bottom. From there he went on, gently parted her legs and touched her vagina from behind. Adora got a goose flesh although she still wore her clothes. Hawk nibbled on her ear meanwhile and she moaned quietly. She was frightened. What would he think about this noise? He leaned his forehead against hers. "It's good to hear your lust," he whispered. She felt waves of arousal inside of her. He continued caressing her and now she came out of her shell too. She backed away to take away her scabbard with the sword and her belt. Then she opened the zipper of her bodysuit. "Let me," Sea Hawk asked her quietly. She enjoyed his touch as he pulled her clothes off slowly. She began to open the buttons of his shirt and felt his heart beating fast under his strong chest. She kissed him happily. She loved him so much! It was right, what they were doing, she knew it now. The zipper of her bodysuit was open. She slipped out of the sleeves and the dress fell down, revealing her bare, flat belly and the white pants. Hawk took off his shirt, his weapons, and boots. Adora sat down on the bed to take her boots off as well... oops! She nearly sank down in the soft pillows. "Is this meant by you to happen to all woman?" she laughed. "Of course" he grinned and knelt down beside her, pulling her shoes off. He leaned his forearms on her knees and laid his head on them for a short moment, looked at her guilelessly. She leaned down to kiss him, losing herself in his green eyes. Sea Hawk took her narrow waist once more and pushed her white blouse up. She stretched her arms, taking off the gloves. Standing, up he pulled off her blouse. Now she wore just her pants and a very thin white bra. Through it, Sea Hawk could see that her little nipples stood forward. He sat down next to her and leaned her back lovingly. Totally relaxed, she laid down, showing no sign of nervousness anymore. No fear. Not even when she felt Hawk's arousal, through the trousers, he still wore. She was only startled a little, when he lay on top of her. Nevertheless, he had felt it. "Just one word and we can stop," he reminded her. "No." She pulled him down and kissed him deeply. She pressed her belly against his and felt the wetness between her legs. She felt like she was on fire, although they hadn't even really begun yet. She got over the last of her shyness, rested on her elbows to open her bra. "You're so beautiful, Adora" Hawk whispered in her ear. "I love you with every beat of my heart. I'll never hurt you anymore, I promise." "I love you too, Hawk." He took her breasts, massaging them, sucking them, and biting her nipples playfully. She leaned back her head and pushed against him even more. She was so aroused that she first didn't even realize that he had taken off her pants yet. She got on her knees and opened his belt, losing any sense of shame. He knew how new and strange this all was for her, so he undressed himself alone. He saw her surprise again, when she saw his erection, but he also saw how she suppressed her fear immediately. She had decided- now that she wanted to know it. She wasn't the first virgin Hawk had, and he knew what to do. He laid her down again, took her in one arm and spoiled her with the other hand once more. In seconds she was aroused again. Her virgin body was trembling and waiting for him. Hawk took her hand and kissed her, as he pushed inside of her, with a fast, but gentle move. She pressed his hand for a moment, seized up shortly, when he split her hymen. "Relax," he said quietly. She did, and it didn't hurt anymore. First, he moved slowly inside her, until she recalled his rhythm. It became faster, their hearts beat as one. After a few wonderful minutes they reached their height, and when he finally came inside her, she had tears of joy in her eyes. "It was wonderful," she said gladly. "I love you, Sea Hawk." "I love you too, Adora." She hugged him tightly, knowing that by his side she was safe. Now she was happy, she had waited for the right man for so long. And Sea Hawk surely was the right one.

Frosta and Castaspella made their way back to Thaymor. They walkedalong a path outside of the village so that they weren't disturbed. Frosta knew that Castaspella was still upset over everything that had happened with Prince Adam and suggested that she talk about it. Castaspella was reluctant at first, but she knew that Frosta was a great listener. She reconsidered and hoped that Frosta could help. "Oh, Frosta, it's no use," Castaspella cried as they walked. It was the first time either of them had spoken. "I am so completely in love with him, but I know that I have to let him go," she added. "Why?" Frosta asked narrowing her eyes, concentrating on her friend. Castaspellasighed. "I know that he is in love with Teela, not me." "How do you know that for certain?" Frosta questioned her. "I can read his thoughts. All day yesterday, he was thinking about her, not me. How can he possibly care for me when she is all that he ever thinks about?" "Are you certain that he wasn't thinking of ways to let her go? He may very well be in love with you and he is trying to decide exactly what it was he truly felt for her." "You know, you may have a point there, Frosta," Casta began to think back to the events that had happened earlier that day. "Now that I do think about it, I never did readmuch into his thoughts. I just picked up on some images and generalthoughts because I didn't want to invade his privacy. For all I know, you could be right. I really wasn't even trying to read his mind when it happened." "You see? Maybe you should pursue this some more," Frosta suggested. "I think you're right," Casta agreed. "I may just have to pay him a visit in Eternia sometime soon..." She paused as they emerged from the blanket of shade from the forest. They continued into the sunlight surrounding the valley of Mystacor. They could see Castaspella's castle in the horizon, from the mountain that is rested upon. "Maybe you could come with me..." Casta began. "Oh no, Casta.You should go alone. I would only interfere. And besides, I have so much to do back in the polar caps. I have been away for so long, thanks to Bow," she grinned and looked away from Castaspella for a moment. Her friend had to smile. "You really do love him, don't you?" "Turning the tables on me ey?" Frosta challenged. "Yes, actually, I do." "I'm so glad that you have found someone you can be with," Castaspella was genuinely happy for her friend. Frosta glanced down at the ground and pushed a pebble with her boot. She was still nervous talking to people about her relationship with Bow. "Is something wrong?" Castaspella asked. "It's just that I'm not sure how to handle this. This is all so new to me. I've never had a relationship with anyone before. I mean, a real relationship. I'm not sure how the people will react..." Frostabegan to explain. "Does it really matter?" "To me, no. It doesn't matter to either of us. I just don't want to cause a war within my kingdom over this. Do you know what I mean, Casta? I love him so much that I would leave my people for him if I had to. I just don't want it to come down to that," Frosta continued. "Frosta, I know exactly what you mean. Why don't you come with me and have a drink before you leave?" Castaspella said. They had almost reached the castle when the sun began to set. The sky was ablaze with so many colors that matched the girls' confusion. There were so many blues and purples and reds in the sky that the picture was quite beautiful. The two took it as a good omen that everything would work out for them. Eventually.