Chapter Text
Later in the day, Teela, Ileena and their unexpected ally ‘Majestra’ had made it back to the high-rise apartment belonging to the traumatised Arcadian woman in their care. Helping her to bathe and get into nightclothes, they learned that her name was Adrianna. An aspiring painter, portraits of her previous works were hung on the walls. An easel set up near her living room’s balcony held her latest work: a panoramic view of the cityscape from her windows. Once she felt able to talk, she explained that having spent her entire life within the confines of the force dome, she went to explore the world beyond, hoping to gain some artistic inspiration. She had been given no warning as to the horrendous conditions in the men’s slums. Once they had arrived back in the old city, she baulked at the suggestion of going straight to Sumana’s warriors and pleaded for her rescuers to just take her home. Majestra used magic to repair the torn dress and held Adrianna close, pretending to be a couple as a means of avoiding attention while the quartet moved through the inner city streets.
Teela shook her head as she contemplated the day’s events. With only the military possessing air transports, the civilian women of Arcadia were effectively under siege, and those who would otherwise be good men were held hostage to possible retribution from vicious gangs like the one that nearly ended them all.
What a mission this was turning out to be. Teela noted that once again, she was going to have to open Queen Sumana’s eyes to the problems of her city. Hopefully this time, the monarch would listen before things got any worse.
She turned away from the balcony and approached Ileena, who was sitting at Adrianna’s kitchen table. The young trainee had been quiet and subdued ever since escaping through the portal. Carrying out any instructions her teacher gave with a minimum of words. The Captain’s heart went out to her friend, who had been dragged into combat far earlier than had been anticipated. While ultimately, it was an experience that could not be avoided if Ileena wanted to pursue the life of a warrior, Teela had hoped her friend could have faced such a scenario with more preparation and support. While Ileena had acquitted herself commendably, even saving Teela’s life, the Captain couldn’t help but feel guilty for putting her in that position. She put a hand on Ileena’s shoulder and offered a supportive smile. The blonde looked up and tried to offer a smile in return, but Teela could see the turmoil in her eyes. If in the wake of this violent experience, Ileena wanted to cancel her training and return to a peaceful life with her father, Teela would make the arrangements without question and ensure that no-one would speak ill of her brave friend. They would need to sit down and have a serious conversation once Adrianna’s welfare had been attended to.
Speaking of which, Teela walked to the open doorway of Adrianna’s bedroom. The lady of the house was laying down atop her bed covers. ‘Mejestra’ sat on the bed next to her, holding the young woman’s hand and gently caressing it. Though shaken by her experience, she looked up with fondness, perhaps even reverence, at the magician who had resolutely stood her ground against monsters in human form. Who had terrorised and threatened the young artist whose only crime was wanting to see the world.
Teela leaned on the door frame with her arms folded, contemplating the woman she knew by another name and another face. While she was glad to see that her former nemesis and one-time lover Evelyn had embraced using her powers for good, and was grateful for her help, doubts lingered. The last time she had adopted the persona of ‘Majestra’, it was to infiltrate the Royal Palace and kidnap King Randor. Turning Teela into a frog with the power of the Shaping Staff along the way. Given that history, the fact that she was using a disguise that once aided her evil deeds gave cause for concern.
Adrianna looked up at the woman she regarded as her hero. “Will you…stay with me tonight, Majestra? I don’t want to be alone.”
The mage responded quietly and sincerely. “If that is what you wish, my dear. I will stay as long as you want me to.”
Alarm bells ringing in her head, Teela cleared her throat. “Majestra, I need to have a word with you… now .”
The disguised magician sighed and began to turn away, at which point a shivering Adrianna bolted upright and grabbed her arm. “Please don’t go.”
‘Majestra’ offered a smile and covered the young woman’s hand with her own. “I’ll just be in the next room. I will return, I promise.”
Teela looked back towards the living room. “Ileena? Could you keep Adrianna company for a while please?”
“Of course.” Her student entered the room and sat down on the bed as Majestra turned and followed Teela into the kitchen.
The magician pulled up a chair and sat down, having known this conversation was inevitable, but not exactly looking forward to it. Teela stood, waiting for a reaction. After much contemplation of the tablecloth pattern, the disguised Evil-lyn sighed and raised her head. “I am…grateful you did not expose me.”
The warrior’s response was gentle, something Lyn was not expecting. “After our last meeting, I owe you that much. In case you’re wondering, our special 'encounter' in the forest remains a secret. When my business was also Huntara’s business, nobody wanted to ask questions.”
“Another thing to be grateful for.” Evelyn paused again. “I’m sorry that she left. I saw how deeply the two of you loved each other. You deserved to keep that.”
Teela was taken aback. “Thank you, I’m…surprised to hear you say that. I thought you might have been jealous.”
“Once upon a time, I might have. Now I merely lament the fact that we spent so long as enemies, when we both wanted to be quite the opposite. Not that it matters, really. Even if we had reached an accord sooner, I wasn’t capable of being what you needed, nor did I deserve what you would have given in return.”
“In some respects, you're right, Evelyn. When I look back, there’s a part of me that wishes there could have been more between us than just an afternoon at the lake. Certainly would have enjoyed it more than having to fight you all the time. But I think you're underestimating yourself. Maybe you and I were not meant to be, that doesn't mean you're incapable of loving someone.” A wry grin spread on her face. “For what it’s worth, I treasure everything you did give me.”
The disguised mage grinned back “You’re welcome.” She then lowered her head once more.
Teela decided to steer the conversation back to more current topics. “So…never thought I’d see it. How do you like being a hero?”
‘Majestra’s’ expression soured. “Don’t start with that. I’m no hero, I just have some standards.”
“The way she looks at you, I think Adrianna would beg to differ.”
At the mention of the redheaded artist, Majestra softened. “She might not think so highly of me if you hadn’t appeared and started a brawl. Left to my own devices, there would have been no fight, only summary executions.”
“Well, if there had been, I can honestly say I would shed no tears for them. I would for you, though.”
“Save your lamentations. What you saw today was me defending one of the few lines that I did not cross long ago.”
“Speaking of executions, I heard things about you.”
“What did you hear?”
“You’re gaining quite a fearsome reputation out in those slums. They say that one of those men tried to attack you as well, and you turned him into a squished slug.”
The mage chuckled. “Is that what they say about me? My dear Teela, you shouldn’t be so quick to believe the rumours that men spread to protect their pride. Yes, I was attacked, but no, I did not kill him.”
“I’m almost afraid to ask. What did you do to him?”
That familiar, malevolent smile was back. “I used a spell that everyone at Snake Mountain feared. The same one that ensured they kept the contents of their loincloths to themselves any time you or another woman were taken prisoner…I instantly turned him into a eunuch.”
Despite knowing that she should feel no sympathy for the supposed victim, Teela still grimaced. “Evelyn…”
The former Evil-lyn brushed off the concern. “What? He can get it back, if he finds a sympathetic sorcerer with sufficient skill. Personally, I would prefer he remain ignorant of that fact.”
Another moment of quiet passed as Teela collected herself. “So, if you’re doing good things these days, or at least trying not to be evil, then why the disguise? Arcadia was shut off from the rest of Eternia until recently. They don’t know you, at least not in the way that everyone else knows you.”
Lyn sighed. “I find it easier. People are a lot more accepting of Majestra than they would be of Evil-lyn.”
“I hear you go out to the surrounding villages. Putting on magic shows?”
“Yes, much like the one I put on for your King…though with less kidnapping involved. Mostly I do it to increase the options for potential bed and board if I need to call on them. Though strangely, when I see the impressed faces and hear the applause of the villagers…it soothes me.”
“You mean making people happy soothes you.”
Lyn looked away, blushing. Never comfortable with being on the defensive, she tried to throw off her verbal sparring partner, gesturing to the bedroom door. “Your companion in there…new girlfriend?”
Now it was Teela’s turn to blush. “My student, Ileena.”
“That’s not a ‘no’.”
The redhead became flustered. “She’s my friend, alright? She is looking to follow in my footsteps. Everything you saw, I taught her.”
“Not everything, she fights dirty. Definitely didn’t get that from you.” Lyn then proceeded to describe what she witnessed, adding. “I like her, she may outlast us all.”
Teela became contemplative. “As of today, I owe her my life…and I owe you as well.”
Evelyn brushed it off. “I told you before: Eternia is far more interesting with you in it. Thankfully your girlfriend - sorry, your ‘friend’ - understands what it takes to keep you in it.”
“Which is?”
“Honour may get you into a fight, but it won’t help you survive. Your Ileena seems to know that, perhaps she is the one who could teach you .”
“Possibly.”
Lyn drummed her fingers on the table impatiently. “If that is all, then I’ll get back to Adrianna.”
Teela snapped back to attention, reminded of why she dragged the magician away in the first place. “No, that’s not all, Evelyn. I heard you agree to spend the night with her.”
“Your point?”
“What if she wants you to stay another night, and the night after, and the night after? What if she wants to give you food, clothes, money? What if she wants to share…other aspects of her life?”
“And what if she does? Do you begrudge me for accepting that which is freely given? Do you not believe that one good turn deserves another?”
“Normally, I do. But to whom is she giving those rewards? That is the question.”
Lyn became evasive. “Does it matter?”
Teela pressed on. “Of course it does. You want to do good deeds while wearing a disguise? Fine. You want to protect people and then accept rewards when they’re given? No argument here. But you can’t do both. Otherwise, you’re just deceiving people and taking advantage of them like before. I don’t believe that’s who you are anymore. You’re a good person, Evelyn. You proved that to all three of us today. But if you keep this facade going, you’ll be tarnishing all the good you did. The cause you fought for will have been dishonoured.”
As the truth of Teela’s words hit home, the disguised mage was unable to look her in the eye.
“I know the real reason you hide behind ‘Majestra’: you’re afraid. Afraid to let the world see the woman I got a glimpse of years ago. You spent so long amongst Skeletor and his evil gang. Angry, bitter, resentful, lashing out, causing pain and suffering wherever you went. But you changed, you broke away and today you decided to put your life on the line for another. Yet at the same time, you’re clinging to the past like an old blanket. Using the face of someone who never existed to convince yourself that the actions you take are not coming from your heart, from the person you truly want to be.”
Irritated, ‘Majestra’ looked up. “So what’s your big solution, Miss Morality? Should I climb up on the highest mountain peak in Eternia and yell out that I’m ‘Good-lyn’ now?”
Internally, Teela had to admit she wouldn’t mind seeing that. “Nothing so dramatic. Simply go back in there, show Adrianna your real face, tell her your real name and let her make an informed choice about whether or not she wants you in her life.”
‘Majestra’ gave voice to the unspoken part of Teela’s speech. “And if I don’t, you’ll do it for me.”
The warrior didn’t deny the accusation, but pressed on. “Look, if I had been stranded in the desert with any of the other Evil Warriors, do you really think I would have tried to reach out as much as I did? Do you really think I would have taken as many risks to make peace with anyone but you? You were always better than them, better than you ever thought yourself capable of being . Right now I’m doubting you, yes, so prove me wrong. Let go of your past, let ‘Evil-lyn’ die, let ‘Majestra’ die. Let the world know Evelyn Powers, the way I know her.”
The challenge hung in the air for what seemed like an eternity, before the mage sighed and gave Teela a rueful smile. “For someone who doesn’t deal in magic, you certainly have me under your spell.”
The warrior shrugged. “It’s the red hair, right? You can’t resist.”
Evelyn chuckled. “No…no, I can’t. Alright, I’ll do it.” She then wagged a finger. “But if she kicks me out of here as a result, I’m never letting you hear the end of it.”
“I’ll take that deal.”
The mage spoke seriously once more. “I know you will have to report to Queen Sumana when you get back. If it will help ensure that no more women in Arcadia suffer the same fate Adrianna was threatened with, then tell the Queen what you will of my involvement. The same goes for when you report to your own King and kin. Do not keep any secrets on my behalf. I care about you far too much to see you ruin your life over me.”
Teela was pleasantly surprised to hear her friend make such an admission, one that had eluded her last time. “I understand, and thank you.”
“Hold on, there’s more. If Randor would listen to what I have to say, then tell him this: Eternia is large enough for people to leave each other alone. I will not trouble Eternos, provided Eternos does not trouble me. If he should send his agents after me, well…you’ve seen what happens when I am provoked.”
“I’ll do my best to make him see it your way. But he is my King, so no promises on whether he agrees.”
“That is all I ask. Now…” Evelyn rose from the chair and turned back towards the bedroom door.
Teela stopped her. “One more thing.”
She turned back, annoyed “What now?!”
“If you do this and it all works out fine, then Ileena and I will take our leave. If we’re not back at the Palace soon, Queen Sumana will probably send her warriors out to search for us. I don’t think you or Adrianna want that kind of attention, so…” Teela extended a hand. “Good Journey Evelyn.”
The former villain contemplated the hand, then took it and followed through into a hug. “Good Journey Teela…my friend.”
The friend grinned and gave her a pat on the back. “There it is. Feels nice to say the word, doesn’t it?”
Evelyn smirked unseen on Teela’s shoulder. “It does, but ‘girlfriend’ sounds even nicer. So tell blondie before something else happens.”
Having gotten a slight bit of satisfaction from having the last word and making Teela squirm over her obvious attraction, Evelyn opened the door and walked back into the bedroom. Ileena vacated the edge of the bed and stood behind Teela, who was again leaning on the door frame. The white-haired mage resumed her previous perch.
Adrianna reached out to hold her hand. “I knew you’d come back.”
“Of course, my dear.” ‘Majestra’ took a deep breath as she prepared to take the biggest gamble of her life. “Adrianna, I’m afraid I haven’t been entirely honest with you. Before you make any decisions about keeping me around, you need to know the truth.”
The redheaded artist sat up. “Whatever it is, Majestra, it can’t be that bad.”
“Can’t it?” The magician replied, then took the plunge. “My name is not Majestra.”
“Of course it isn’t, entertainers often have stage names.”
“No, my dear, you don’t understand. The person you see does not exist, nor did she ever exist. It is an illusion, a magical disguise, that I use to hide from those who would rightfully be in fear of my true face.”
Adrianna reached down and gave the magician’s hand a squeeze. “Today, I’ve had plenty to be afraid of…but I know I have nothing to fear when you’re around.”
‘Majestra’ let out a breath. “Close your eyes, what I’m about to do next can be rather blinding.”
Once Adrianna and the other onlookers had complied, the mage clicked her fingers and with a flash of light, Majestra was gone and Evelyn sat in her place. Teela opened her eyes to see that she had changed her look since last they met. Wearing a navy blue, sleeveless coat over black leggings. The crown was gone, Evelyn’s once close-cropped white hair was now long and spilling down her back.
Adrianna regarded her curiously. “So, who are you really?”
“My real name is Evelyn Powers. But for several years now, Eternia has known me - with good reason - as Evil-lyn.”
The mage closed her eyes, waiting for the yelling and the screaming to start. Instead, Adrianna leaned forward and planted a quick, gentle kiss on Evelyn’s cheek. Stunned, she put a hand up to her cheek and opened her eyes to find that Adrianna, for the first time since this ordeal started, was smiling. Evelyn thought it the most beautiful sight she had ever had the privilege to behold.
“I see no evil here.” Without another word, Adrianna moved in for a tight hug, placing her chin on Evelyn’s shoulder.
The former villain returned the hug. As she did so, the emotional defenses she had spent years building, to hide any potential weakness from both heroic enemy and evil ally alike, crumbled. Tears flowed freely down her face and soon dampened Adrianna’s shoulder. Aware of her friend watching the whole affair, Evelyn turned her head to the side and mouthed the words Teela never expected in all her years of battling the ruthless witch. “Thank you.”
The warrior simply responded with a warm smile, then turned to Ileena and silently gestured towards the front door. The two of them left the apartment as promised, leaving Evelyn and Adrianna to start a new chapter of their lives.
Teela and Ileena quietly headed for the elevator and the end of the hallway. The teacher tried to reach out to her student. “What did I tell you? We got through it and we saved her.”
“We sure did.” Ileena replied in a subdued voice.
Teela tried again, concerned. “Hey, talk to me. Are you alright?”
“Yeah, I’m fine, I guess.” Though Ileena didn’t sound very convincing. “I just want to go home.”
Teela suspected this was coming. “You want to go back to your father?”
Ileena was confused. “What? No, I want to go home. Our home.”
Teela wasn’t sure, but that answer gave her a little hope that they would not be parting after all. “Don’t worry, we will. As soon as I give my report to Queen Sumana. Don’t know how I’m going to explain all this to her. Some diplomat I turned out to be, wouldn’t be surprised if she wants us gone as soon as possible.”
As they reached the elevator, Teela pressed the button, the doors slid open and both of them stepped inside. Ileena mused. “So much for me keeping you out of fights.”
Teela smiled as the doors closed. Then as the elevator started its long descent to ground level, she turned to her comrade in battle. “Ileena…you saved my life.”
The blonde looked away, trying to act nonchalant. “That’s what I signed up to do.”
“When we get back home, I’ll need to report to King Randor. I plan on telling him everything you did and will recommend you be given an officer’s commission in the Royal Guard. It would probably have to be provisional at first, maybe an Ensign. But as soon as I can leverage it, I will push for you to be a full Lieutenant.”
Ileena’s head suddenly shot up and she gripped Teela’s shoulders, eyes wide. “Teela, please, I beg you. Tell the King what you must, but please, please don’t make any decisions about me being in the Guard until I’ve finished my training!”
The Captain was taken aback by her friend’s impassioned plea. “You mean…you do want to continue after everything that happened today?”
“Not only do I want to, after today, I have to. All the stories we heard growing up. About evil, about men of violence. It all sounded so distant, didn't it? Something that happened to other people far away, or in the distant past. But twice now, I have seen real evil and I can’t just go back to my village and hide away from it. I have to do my part to stop it. I was thinking for a long time in that apartment about why I want this. To be taught by you is my dream, but using your lessons to protect people? That is my calling. Maybe I’m a little crazy, but…I feel like this is what I was born to do.”
Teela smiled. “You’re not crazy for feeling that way, Ileena. At least, no more crazy than I am. But if that is how you feel, why would you turn down an opportunity at rank?”
“Because I almost lost you today!” The fear and upset was evident on Ileena’s face. “There were a hundred different things those thugs could have done, we were just lucky they picked the one thing I could defend you against. If they had gone with any of the other ninety-nine options, I wouldn’t have known what to do and you would be dead!”
Teela tried to calm her friend. “Close calls like that happen in our profession, Ileena. It’s the danger we all have to live with.”
“But you get through them because you know what to do. There is still so much I need to learn. If I get into the Guard-”
Teela insisted. “When you get into the Guard-”
Ileena was equally adamant. “If I get into the Guard, it has to be because I have the skills to match the rank. I need to know that I’m one of the best, because you made me the best. If the King did make me an officer right now and something happened to y-” She quickly corrected herself. “To the person I was ordered to protect, because I was left standing there not knowing how to defend them…I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.”
Teela could see that what she thought would please her friend had now brought her to the verge of tears. “Ileena, I’m sorry. You’re right, I shouldn’t have jumped ahead like that. If it comes up, I’ll make sure the King knows your wishes. I just felt that you should be rewarded, that’s all.”
Ileena looked into the redhead’s eyes with absolute sincerity. “Knowing that you’re safe is the only reward I need.”
A smile spread across Teela’s face and she opened her arms. “C’mere.”
As they stepped in towards each other, Ileena thought that the moment she had dreamed of for years had finally arrived. Her head tilted, her lips slightly parted, she closed her eyes and moved forward to…
…feel Teela’s chin coming to rest on her shoulder.
Opening her eyes, she saw that the redhead had wrapped her up in a big hug. A welcome embrace, but not the kind Ileena was hoping for. “And having a friend like you is all the reward I need.”
The sound of the elevator doors opening onto the street provided a welcome distraction, allowing Ileena to pull back from the hug and step out onto the pavement without letting Teela see the disappointed look on her face.
Oblivious to what nearly happened, Teela put a hand on her shoulder. “All that said, if King Randor decides to give you some kind of medal or citation, please just accept it…for me.”
Ileena looked at the woman she would follow to the ends of Eternia. “For you…I can do that.”
They started walking towards the Royal Palace. There was a notable tension in the air as the sun set over the city. The Arcadian Guard appeared to have doubled their patrols. What few citizens were still outdoors hurried to get off the streets. Keeping a low profile, the two women kept to the shadows, hoping to slip through unnoticed.
“Ileena, I get the distinct feeling word has gotten out about what we did.”
“Guess this makes the second time you forced the city to wake up to its problems.”
Teela let out a weary sigh, “And your first time. Just wish Arcadia could get its act together without relying on us to come in from out of town.”
Feeling the need to lighten the mood, Ileena brought up something she had kept quiet about until now. “So…Evil -lyn, huh?”
“Yeah, long story and not always a pleasant one. Though it looks like it might have a happy ending, after all.”
“I hope so.” Ileena couldn’t help but tease. “One of the most notorious evildoers in Eternia and you talked her into becoming a hero? What was it you told Queen Sumana about not being a diplomat?”
Teela had a wry grin as she delivered the counter-riposte. “What was it the Queen said to you about insolence?”
Ileena shrugged. “I learned from the best.”
“Something you didn’t learn from me, though: Evelyn told me that she saw you hitting below the belt during the fight.”
Ileena was unrepentant. “You told me I needed to improvise. I just imagined that each man before me was Jarvan and the rest came to me naturally.”
Teela raised an eyebrow “Are you going to picture him the next time you square off against a man?”
“Oh no, I’m past thinking about him now.”
“Good, because King Randor and Queen Marlena want to be grandparents someday. That won’t happen if your sparring sessions with Adam get too rough.”
Ileena’s face turned red with embarrassment. “Teela! Adam is my brother in all but blood, I would never do that to him!”
Teela put an arm around her friend’s shoulders as they walked. “Glad to hear it. Now, for Zoar’s sake, don’t let him know that!”
The two of them laughed away their troubles as darkness fell on Arcadia and the end of their mission was in sight. They had left Eternos as friends and would now return as sisters-in-arms. An innocent saved, the guilty punished and a former enemy turned away from the darkness, towards the light and possibly towards love. All in a day’s work, Teela thought to herself.