Chapter 1
The city of Eternos was bustling with activity on a vibrant, sunny day. The usually radiant palace grounds looked even more so, and the grounds were crowded with loyal subjects. It was a day to celebrate, the day of Randor and Marlena's 20th anniversary. The happy couple stood at the edge of the throne room's balcony, watching as Teela, captain of the royal guard, oversaw the preparations.
"I still can't believe it, Randor," Marlena sighed. "Twenty years-it seems like the years just flew by."
Randor took her hand in his and smiled. "Has it really been that long? It did not seem like it's been that long. Or maybe it's been too long and we just don't realize it because of how long we've been together."
Marlena moved to slap her husband, but the smile on his face gave his joke away. "Don't tease," she laughed, unable to keep a straight face. "I swear, sometimes you're like a child."
"And that's bad?" said Randor. "I thought you liked my joking around."
"I do, darling, don't misunderstand. It's just that I can never tell when you're kidding or not. It can be rather maddening."
"Well, what can I say, my dear? I can't play the serious king all the time. I would go insane." Randor's smile widened slightly, and he drew his wife into a deep kiss.
They were interrupted by the sound of a man clearing his throat. Man At Arms, Randor's most trusted advisor, had entered the throne room, and was somewhat embarassed that he'd walked in on such an intimate moment.
"Oh, Duncan! I...ahem..didn't notice you there."
"No, sire. I feel I am the one who should apologize. I did not realize you were..."
"That's quite alright, old friend. It's not as if you had walked into our bedroom and seen something else. Don't worry about it."
"Well, umm...very well. Anyway, I have just received word from Teela that the preparations are complete...despite a few unfortunate mishaps."
Randor's face suddenly fell. "Does...Adam have anything to do with this?"
MAA nodded. "I'm afraid so. He was helping with the decorations, and he tripped and knocked over an ice sculpture of a dragon. Fortunately, the sculptor had a few extras made just in case."
The king sighed. "That boy...sometimes I'm not sure if we raised a prince or a jester."
"Now, your majesty, please don't be too harsh on him. It was only an accident, and the problem was quickly resolved. Besides, he's actually done more for your anniversary than many of the palace guards. That boy cares for the two of you more than you can ever know."
"He's right, you know," said Marlena. "He holds alot of love and respect for you. I can see it in his eyes everytime he looks at you. He would do anything to win your approval, that's how much he thinks of you."
"You're right as usual, my dear. We've a fine son...and someday, he'll make a fine king." ************************************************** Two hours later, the palace's cavernous ballroom was filled with Eternian subjects from all social classes. All congratulated the happy couple with many gifts, and many wishes for another twenty years. It was the most jubilant the kingdom had been in a long time.
At one end of the table, Prince Adam sat, eating his meal and sneaking table scraps to his pet tiger, Cringer. The large orange and green cat ate his treat eagerly, purring contentedly. He would have thanked the prince out loud, but the food in his mouth prevented him from speaking.
Above the table, Orko, the palace's royal court jester, performed some of his best tricks. The pleasant mood seemed to help his performance, as his magic actually worked properly without a single misfire.
Teela took a seat next to Adam, a smile on her face. "Look at them. Twenty years together, and they still act like young lovers."
"Well, Teela," said Adam, "you know what they say-you're only as young as you feel. I guess they just can't help but show their love-they've been through much together, and that tends to make that kind of bond that much stronger."
Teela sighed. "I just hope that I find a man someday who I'll have the same kind of relationship with."
Adam, desparately trying not to blush, said, "I'm sure you will, Teela. It'll probably happen sooner than you know." The smile on her face told Adam that he had said the right thing.
After the meal, Randor stood and said, "Well, friends, this has certainly been a wonderful evening. I'd like to thank all of you for coming to wish us well. And Marlena, I'd just like to say that you've made me a very happy..."
An explosion in the courtyard cut the king's speech short. Teela rushed to the balcony, and was alarmed at what she saw outside.
Two warriors, a sorceress with an orb-topped staff and a creature with a steel jaw, were firing on the palace wall. Teela knew at once that the party was over.
"Evil-Lyn and Trap-Jaw!" She turned to the king. "Your higness-"
"I know," Randor replied. He turned to MAA. "Have half the guards escort the guests out of the palace, and the other half engage the intruders."
"At once, sire."
MAA, Teela, and the other guards moved to follow the king's orders...and as they did so, Adam was doing some moving of his own.
"Come on, Cringer. We've got work to do."
"Ohhh...do we have to?"
"Now, now, old cat, mother and father need us."
Once out of sight of everyone, Adam unsheathed the sword on his back, raised it above his head, and shouted....
"BY THE POWER OF GREYSKULL!"
Lightning issued forth from the sword, enveloping the prince in a bright flash of light. In moments, the prince had been replaced by another, slightly taller man, with darker skin...He-Man!
The mighty warrior lowered the sword, holding it lengthwise across his chest, and bellowed...
"I HAVE THE POWER!"
He pointed the sword at Cringer, and in another flash of light, the tiger had been replaced by the fearless Battle Cat.
He-Man jumped into Battle Cat's saddle, sword raised high. "Come on, Battle Cat! The king and queen need our help!"
With a roar, Battle Cat dashed for the exit, but a strange feeling made He- Man halt his advance.
"No, Cat. I don't know why, but I feel that the king needs us here. Back to the ballroom, quickly!"
With a roar, Battle Cat turned around, and dashed off towards the king and queen. ************************************************** "Don't worry, Marlena. The guards will take care of the intruders," said Randor,
Suddenly a bright flash of light appeared behind him, accompanied by a sinister cackle that made the king's blood run cold.
Skeletor, leader of the two warriors, had materialized unnoticed behind the royal couple, his skull-like face covered with a triumphant grin. Without a word, he raised his havoc staff and fired a beam of energy at Marlena. It seared through her body, killing her within mere seconds.
Randor was horrifed, unable to move or make a sound. His loving wife, the woman he had spent twenty blissful years with, was taken from him in the blink of an eye.
Skeletor laughed. "Not nice to leave me off the guest list, Randor. I was so looking forward to attending the festivities."
Randor's face contorted into a look of sheer fury. He turned to face the evil being, his mouth twisted into a fierce scowl.
"YOU SHALL PAY FOR THIS, FIEND!"
Randor unsheathed his sword, charging at Skeletor with the fury of a madman. He took a wild swing, forcing Skeletor backwards. But the evil warrior managed to disarm the king with his staff, causing the sword to fly into the air. With lightning speed, Skeletor grabbed it in his hand and thrust it through the king's chest. The blow was instantly fatal.
"I don't believe you were invited to the party, bone brain!"
Skeletor, his back facing He-Man, chuckled. "Glad you could make it, my nemesis. How does it feel to know you failed to protect the king and queen?"
"What are you talking about?"
Triumphantly, Skeletor turned to the side, revealing Randor's body. He pulled the sword free, causing a few drops of blood to drip on the floor. He then motioned to Marlena, who lay lifeless just a few feet away. He grinned.
"As you can see, they are no more. With them gone, there shall be reduced resistance against me, which means I shall be able to take over the kingdom, and take Greyskull's secrets, with little resistance. I shall see you soon, He-Man!" And with one last cackle, he vanished. Evil-Lyn and Trap-Jaw vanished as well, leaving Teela, MAA, and the guards thoroughly bewildered.
A look of horror on his face, He-Man stood over Randor's body. His knees buckled, and he held his face in hands as he wept. His parents were dead, brutally murdered by Eternia's deadliest villain. And he, for all the power that he held, had been unable to save them.
Just before he began to weep, he let out a sole cry of anguish...
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!"
TO BE CONTINUED...
The city of Eternos was bustling with activity on a vibrant, sunny day. The usually radiant palace grounds looked even more so, and the grounds were crowded with loyal subjects. It was a day to celebrate, the day of Randor and Marlena's 20th anniversary. The happy couple stood at the edge of the throne room's balcony, watching as Teela, captain of the royal guard, oversaw the preparations.
"I still can't believe it, Randor," Marlena sighed. "Twenty years-it seems like the years just flew by."
Randor took her hand in his and smiled. "Has it really been that long? It did not seem like it's been that long. Or maybe it's been too long and we just don't realize it because of how long we've been together."
Marlena moved to slap her husband, but the smile on his face gave his joke away. "Don't tease," she laughed, unable to keep a straight face. "I swear, sometimes you're like a child."
"And that's bad?" said Randor. "I thought you liked my joking around."
"I do, darling, don't misunderstand. It's just that I can never tell when you're kidding or not. It can be rather maddening."
"Well, what can I say, my dear? I can't play the serious king all the time. I would go insane." Randor's smile widened slightly, and he drew his wife into a deep kiss.
They were interrupted by the sound of a man clearing his throat. Man At Arms, Randor's most trusted advisor, had entered the throne room, and was somewhat embarassed that he'd walked in on such an intimate moment.
"Oh, Duncan! I...ahem..didn't notice you there."
"No, sire. I feel I am the one who should apologize. I did not realize you were..."
"That's quite alright, old friend. It's not as if you had walked into our bedroom and seen something else. Don't worry about it."
"Well, umm...very well. Anyway, I have just received word from Teela that the preparations are complete...despite a few unfortunate mishaps."
Randor's face suddenly fell. "Does...Adam have anything to do with this?"
MAA nodded. "I'm afraid so. He was helping with the decorations, and he tripped and knocked over an ice sculpture of a dragon. Fortunately, the sculptor had a few extras made just in case."
The king sighed. "That boy...sometimes I'm not sure if we raised a prince or a jester."
"Now, your majesty, please don't be too harsh on him. It was only an accident, and the problem was quickly resolved. Besides, he's actually done more for your anniversary than many of the palace guards. That boy cares for the two of you more than you can ever know."
"He's right, you know," said Marlena. "He holds alot of love and respect for you. I can see it in his eyes everytime he looks at you. He would do anything to win your approval, that's how much he thinks of you."
"You're right as usual, my dear. We've a fine son...and someday, he'll make a fine king." ************************************************** Two hours later, the palace's cavernous ballroom was filled with Eternian subjects from all social classes. All congratulated the happy couple with many gifts, and many wishes for another twenty years. It was the most jubilant the kingdom had been in a long time.
At one end of the table, Prince Adam sat, eating his meal and sneaking table scraps to his pet tiger, Cringer. The large orange and green cat ate his treat eagerly, purring contentedly. He would have thanked the prince out loud, but the food in his mouth prevented him from speaking.
Above the table, Orko, the palace's royal court jester, performed some of his best tricks. The pleasant mood seemed to help his performance, as his magic actually worked properly without a single misfire.
Teela took a seat next to Adam, a smile on her face. "Look at them. Twenty years together, and they still act like young lovers."
"Well, Teela," said Adam, "you know what they say-you're only as young as you feel. I guess they just can't help but show their love-they've been through much together, and that tends to make that kind of bond that much stronger."
Teela sighed. "I just hope that I find a man someday who I'll have the same kind of relationship with."
Adam, desparately trying not to blush, said, "I'm sure you will, Teela. It'll probably happen sooner than you know." The smile on her face told Adam that he had said the right thing.
After the meal, Randor stood and said, "Well, friends, this has certainly been a wonderful evening. I'd like to thank all of you for coming to wish us well. And Marlena, I'd just like to say that you've made me a very happy..."
An explosion in the courtyard cut the king's speech short. Teela rushed to the balcony, and was alarmed at what she saw outside.
Two warriors, a sorceress with an orb-topped staff and a creature with a steel jaw, were firing on the palace wall. Teela knew at once that the party was over.
"Evil-Lyn and Trap-Jaw!" She turned to the king. "Your higness-"
"I know," Randor replied. He turned to MAA. "Have half the guards escort the guests out of the palace, and the other half engage the intruders."
"At once, sire."
MAA, Teela, and the other guards moved to follow the king's orders...and as they did so, Adam was doing some moving of his own.
"Come on, Cringer. We've got work to do."
"Ohhh...do we have to?"
"Now, now, old cat, mother and father need us."
Once out of sight of everyone, Adam unsheathed the sword on his back, raised it above his head, and shouted....
"BY THE POWER OF GREYSKULL!"
Lightning issued forth from the sword, enveloping the prince in a bright flash of light. In moments, the prince had been replaced by another, slightly taller man, with darker skin...He-Man!
The mighty warrior lowered the sword, holding it lengthwise across his chest, and bellowed...
"I HAVE THE POWER!"
He pointed the sword at Cringer, and in another flash of light, the tiger had been replaced by the fearless Battle Cat.
He-Man jumped into Battle Cat's saddle, sword raised high. "Come on, Battle Cat! The king and queen need our help!"
With a roar, Battle Cat dashed for the exit, but a strange feeling made He- Man halt his advance.
"No, Cat. I don't know why, but I feel that the king needs us here. Back to the ballroom, quickly!"
With a roar, Battle Cat turned around, and dashed off towards the king and queen. ************************************************** "Don't worry, Marlena. The guards will take care of the intruders," said Randor,
Suddenly a bright flash of light appeared behind him, accompanied by a sinister cackle that made the king's blood run cold.
Skeletor, leader of the two warriors, had materialized unnoticed behind the royal couple, his skull-like face covered with a triumphant grin. Without a word, he raised his havoc staff and fired a beam of energy at Marlena. It seared through her body, killing her within mere seconds.
Randor was horrifed, unable to move or make a sound. His loving wife, the woman he had spent twenty blissful years with, was taken from him in the blink of an eye.
Skeletor laughed. "Not nice to leave me off the guest list, Randor. I was so looking forward to attending the festivities."
Randor's face contorted into a look of sheer fury. He turned to face the evil being, his mouth twisted into a fierce scowl.
"YOU SHALL PAY FOR THIS, FIEND!"
Randor unsheathed his sword, charging at Skeletor with the fury of a madman. He took a wild swing, forcing Skeletor backwards. But the evil warrior managed to disarm the king with his staff, causing the sword to fly into the air. With lightning speed, Skeletor grabbed it in his hand and thrust it through the king's chest. The blow was instantly fatal.
"I don't believe you were invited to the party, bone brain!"
Skeletor, his back facing He-Man, chuckled. "Glad you could make it, my nemesis. How does it feel to know you failed to protect the king and queen?"
"What are you talking about?"
Triumphantly, Skeletor turned to the side, revealing Randor's body. He pulled the sword free, causing a few drops of blood to drip on the floor. He then motioned to Marlena, who lay lifeless just a few feet away. He grinned.
"As you can see, they are no more. With them gone, there shall be reduced resistance against me, which means I shall be able to take over the kingdom, and take Greyskull's secrets, with little resistance. I shall see you soon, He-Man!" And with one last cackle, he vanished. Evil-Lyn and Trap-Jaw vanished as well, leaving Teela, MAA, and the guards thoroughly bewildered.
A look of horror on his face, He-Man stood over Randor's body. His knees buckled, and he held his face in hands as he wept. His parents were dead, brutally murdered by Eternia's deadliest villain. And he, for all the power that he held, had been unable to save them.
Just before he began to weep, he let out a sole cry of anguish...
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!"
TO BE CONTINUED...