Author's Note: This story takes place after the events of "Year One: Prelude." It ties into "Preludes and Beginnings," "The Elfsong of Eternia," "The Crossroads of Destiny," "Prophecy & Change," "Just Another Day," "Liberty and Valor," "Manifest Destiny," "Roots," "The Final Adventure," "A Winter's Heart," and "The Shroud of the Horde." These characters don't belong to me.

HE-MAN: YEAR ONE

JUNE

"Foundations"

Part One

Outside, the summer storm raged on.

Lord Fisto said in his extensive home, the fire before him crackling and stirring in the fireplace. Outside, the wind howled. Lighting blasted. Thunder boomed. A massive thunderstorm expanded outside the manor of Lord Fisto, soaking the ground with torrential rain.

Alone, Lord Fisto sat reading. With his left hand – his only hand – he pulled out a book from his wall of books. Laying it on his right stub, he sped through a few of the pages, searching and seeking out a specific short story.

He couldn't find it.

Sighing, he shoved the book back into its place and stomped back to his chair next to the fireplace. Outside, the storm continued on and on.

Fisto was, of course, not his real name. He had picked it up after returning to North Eternos from a long trip across Eternia. His return surprised many when he arrived without his right hand. However, without his right hand, his left hand had grown stronger. A troubled man, Lord Fisto had gotten into a number of bar fights after he came back, giving him the nickname 'Fisto.'

And Fisto was a lord of North Eternos. His land was vast and great, as he was the cousin of the late King Edward, husband of Queen Johanna. His position had allowed his beloved cousin to take a great amount of property, being Edward's only living relative.

Lord Fisto enjoyed having all this, as it gave him something he had never had before – responsibility. Fisto was, among all things, a man who knew no responsibility until this. His life had been filled with bar fights and travels, the first continuing to this day.

Fisto was feeling restless these days; tired and bored and sick of books and bars. He, much as others had, heard rumors of a war. A quiet war, but a war none the less. Someone had attacked Eternos back in January, and in the months previous, there had been whispers of dangers near the Borderlands. There were talks about a massive magical disruption back in March. Compounded with the second attack back in April on Eternos and the word that the Widgets had been attacked, and it had the citizens of Eternos – including Lord Fisto – talking.

Among all the rumors and whispers, there was word of a great and powerful warrior who protected Eternos from whatever was attacking it. Naked save for an honor belt, tall, blonde, and super-strong . . . it was almost unbelievable if not for the amount of people talking about it.

Why didn't his cousin-in-law's brother – King Randor – talk to anyone about it? Wasn't it time for the word to get out? Announce to the world that Eternos was at war?

There was booming noise that echoed through the house and it was not the thunder. Lord Fisto rose from his chair and walked down a corridor as his door was knocked on. He arrived at his door, wondering just who would travel across his large property and to his door in this foul weather.

His left hand worked the lock and the door swung open, revealing the man on the other side. He wore a large and lavish red cloak, the hood drawn up. Fisto brown eyes widened at the sight of the man before him.

"Jitsu!"

"Good eve, blood brother," Jitsu greeted. "May I enter?"

"Of course, of course. Enter, please."

As Jitsu came in, Fisto cast a glance outside searching for Jitsu's horse. Surely he didn't walk here? And last Fisto had heard, Jitsu didn't have the funds to procure a flying vehicle.

"Horse?"

Jitsu shrugged and hung up his cloak, a second one beneath. It was crimson and the arms were long, hiding his left hand and his right stub. A worn, leather sack hung heavily on his shoulder.

"It has been long since our days as travelers, old friend, but surely you remember being without reasonable means to travel."

Fisto smiled, his face obscured by his thick red beard. "Of course, of course. What brings you here, Jitsu? I haven't seen you in over three years."

Jitsu and Fisto had, so many years ago, traveled Eternia together. It was during these travels that these two friends had been wrongly punished by having their right hands cut off.

"There is war afoot," Jitsu said to Fisto a few minutes later. They both sat in his sitting room now, the storming billowing outside and the fire crackling next to them. A small tea set sat between them and they sipped as thunder and lightning exploded beyond the walls.

"I've heard rumors. Tell me, do you know anymore than I do?"

Jitsu nodded. "Revolution. Ancient forces are rising out from the Dark Hemisphere to strike at Eternos. Chaos to sweep away the old, corrupt order."

"The Dark Hemisphere? Truly?"

"Yes. Out from the Valley of Storms. Evil is on the march, but it is not the evil you would think it to be."

Fisto rubbed his hairy chin his left thumb and pointer finger. "What do you mean by that?"

"This evil is generous. Smart. Strong. Not without mercy."

"I'm afraid I don't understand."

Jitsu set down his tea. "The power that this enemy of Eternos has is vast. There will be war, yes, and there will be death. But it will not last. Soon, all of Eternia will benefit by this new leadership. Just as I have."

It was then Jitsu pulled back his right sleeve, revealing his new, golden hand. His waggled the fingers.

"Impossible!" Fisto shouted.

"Not, it's quite possible. My hand, restored and stronger than ever. A gift from my new master."

Fisto sat back in his chair and stared at his right arm, his hand gone for over a decade with nothing more than a nub to represent his hand.

"You have the same opportunity I do. This is your chance then. Your dear cousin left you this land, but he was your only relative left. You have the chance to sweep into the Palace at North Eternos and seize this part of the kingdom for yourself. Take the place of your cousin Edward."

"I . . . I have family there. Johanna's children."

"They will be spared. This can be peaceful. It is why I have come to you, blood brother. I knew that if I came to you first, we could make this coup dentate easy and peaceful."

"I appreciate it. Tell me, though, what will happen to Johanna and the children? I need to know more about this revolution."

Jitsu looked to the window. Lighting struck, lighting the landscape. "There is corruption in the royal family, blood brother. King Randor has been keeping secrets. A warrior has been working for him. A powerful warrior, from out of Castle Grayskull."

"Castle Grayskull is a myth."

"Considering the things we saw on our travels, then I am certain you of all people know that there is no such as myths. There is truth and there are lies. Nothing more, nothing less. And Castle Grayskull is, in fact, truth."

"What . . . what would I have to do?"

"Claim your land as your own. Take it as your own kingdom. I can help you, of course, but I may not be enough. Do you know anyone else who can help you?"

"I have a good friend in town. His legs were crushed, but I gave him some of that medicine we were given on the Berserker Islands. It made his legs stronger. They act like hydraulics. He owes me for that."

"What's his name?"

"He calls himself 'Ram-Man.'"

"And you still call yourself 'Fisto?'"

"I do."

Jitsu reached into his sack. "Then proof it. Become it." He pulled out a large wooden box and set it on his lap. He unlocked the clasps and tossed it open. Within was a metal hand. Jitsu lifted the hand and gave it to Fisto.

"What . . . what is this?"

"You know what is it. A gift from my master, whether you join us or not. Consider that if he can give you and I our hands back, think of what he can give to Eternos . . . to Eternia!"

Fisto held the hand that could be his. He thought long and hard, and then looked back at Jitsu.

"Tell me more, Jitsu. Tell me more and I'll give you my answer."