Chapter 22: I Hate to Say Good-Bye

Gathered together in the throne room of Eternos City, Orko told his story to those humans, and one tiger, who were his closest friends and family. He told parts that even the other mages hadn't heard, such as his capture - he, unlike the others, was actually grabbed while in the city, drugged by injection, and by his best guess dumped into a sack to be taken to Tsar'kris - and of his imprisonment in the birdcage. Then he spoke of the escape, and the dragon, and the cursed cubes.

"Hey," Vivi interrupted at that point. "Orko, if this counts as your home plane..." Slowly they all pulled out the cubes. The four sides were pearly white still.

"No change," mused Zentarou. Orko absently rolled it around in his hand, but it bounced away suddenly. The red robed mage grabbed it just before it hit the ground... and accidentally pressed one side in his fist. Instantly all four cubes reacted, humming loudly.

"Oops..." Orko muttered.

"Something's happening." Dregan's ruby eyes were darting about, searching for clues, as the humming grew louder... louder...

And then - one, two, three, four - one side of each cube turned red, crossed by a single black arc. Then the cubes were silent.

"Is everything okay?" Adam asked. The Bretheren were all smiling as Orko explained,

"We're one-fourth complete to breaking the curse."

'I guess the sides must be pressed to set the worlds," reasoned the cat. "Good to know." The cubes were carefully put away.

"So you only have a few hours," asked Marlena.

"Yes." Orko beamed. "But only we've found Dregan's home, I'll be able to come back. And besides, I've got my wand back." Drawing it out, Orko used a spell, and a small bouquet of yellow flowers appeared in Teela's hands. "I tried to do that the day we met, only it turned into yellow flour."

"So that's what happened!" Duncan said.

"My magic isn't perfect, not as powerful, as it is on Trolla, but, Trolly-molly, at least it won't backfire anymore."

"That's a relief," muttered Duncan, getting a gently nudge from his daughter Teela.

"I'm just really glad you're home," said the prince. "We were all really worried, but not even the Sorceress could find any trace of you."

"Yeah," agreed Cringer (it had been a bit of a shock to the other three mages that he could talk). "We looked everywhere, even questioning - " He shuddered. " - Skeletor, but he didn't admit to having you captive."

"Trolly-molly..." Orko whispered sincerely, trying to control his emotions, "for a while... I honestly wondered... if I'd even see Eternia, of any of you, ever again."

"The important thing is that you are home, at least for a little while," King Randor said decisively. "Rest up - " This to the other mages. " - and we'll then celebrate while we can, before you have to leave us." Orko bowed out of the offer, and as the other three took hot baths and rested he wandered the palace and streets with Adam, Teela, and Cringer, soaking up as much time and memories as he could. After all, he had less than eight hours.

That evening, there was a large celebration, full of good food, good friends, and lots of stories. Even after the eating was done, they talked for what felt like hours. Orko did little talking, letting the other three tell stories of their homes, and demonstrate a little magic (Dregan seemed to enjoy using his light spheres to entertain).

"But, at last, they felt a bit of vibration from the cubes.

"It's later than usual," observed the elf, "but it's time for us to go." Orko gave all his friends farewell hugs.

"Take care, Orko," Adam bid. Orko nodded, his eyes a bit misty.

"I will." He cleared his throat. "After all, I'm Orko the Great. I've got to take care of the others."

"Bye, Orko."

"Bye." The red robed mage drifted over to his 'brothers,' taking one last look at his family.

Then the Bretheren Arcanum vanished.