The Ghost of He-man
By Richard Taylor
Even through the blackened night Snake Mountain cast a terrible shadow over the surrounding area. Moss Man and Fisto slowly and carefully crept through the rotten and dying trees and vegetation that stood in their path.
Fisto looked over at Moss Man. He could tell that his friend was visibly distressed at having to move through the dying plant life. He couldn't begin to imagine what Moss Man was feeling from the plants. Moss Man suddenly stopped. Fisto stopped as well and was about to ask Moss Man why he had stopped when Moss Man held up his hand. Fisto watched as Moss Man placed his hand against the trunk of a seemingly dead tree. Moss Man's fingers then started to grow and change shape. To Fisto, Moss Man's fingers had started to take on the likeness of roots. Still silent Moss Man's fingers ran over the blackened bark of the tree until they found a crack, then the fingers wormed their way in to the crack. Moss Man closed his eyes and allowed his mind to communicate with the tiny spark of life still left in the tree.
"There was a patrol that passed nearby," said Moss Man in a soft voice so low that Fisto strained to hear him. "We have to be careful as they are still close," Moss Man then removed his hand from the tree and opened his eyes. "Thank you again. I am sorry I cannot do anything to ease the suffering that this place causes."
Being extra careful Fisto and Moss Man made their way towards Snake Mountain. Soon they had reached the deadly fortress. Fisto reached in to his belt and removed a small piece of paper. On the paper was drawn a small map.
"When I was here last year I had chance to scout out a few escape roots from here." said Fisto.
Moss Man knew all about Fisto's past and that when he and Jitsu had travelled across Eternia in search of their mentor they had joined Skeletor's army, but Fisto was betrayed by Jitsu and he left and joined forces with the Heroic Warriors while Jitsu remained a member of the Evil Warriors.
"Let's hope that Skeletor's men haven't discovered your way in and blocked it off." said Moss Man as the headed closer to Snake Mountain.
The two Heroic Warriors carefully pushed through dead brambles and plants and came up on Fisto's way in to Snake Mountain. The opening had grown over with vines and other plants. Moss Man used his powers over plants to move them to one side to allow them to walk in side.
Fisto and Moss Man found themselves inside a large tunnel. The walls were covered in a thick black slime. Moss Man could see the remains of small animals and plants that were unfortunate enough to be caught in the slime. As the remains decayed they let out a powerful stench that almost had Fisto and Moss Man gagging. Using his plant like powers Moss Man released a scent that was just powerful enough to stop the smell of death from overpowering them.
"How did you manage to survive this horrible smell long enough to find that you could use this to escape?" asked Moss Man.
"I almost didn't," replied Fisto. "But I knew that this place would also hinder anyone following me. I thankfully never had to us it until today."
The two Heroic Warriors soon came to a large opening in the tunnel. Ahead they could see the inside of Snake Mountain. As they began to head inside there was a sudden flash of light and Skeletor along with Beastman, Tri-Klops and Trap-Jaw appeared.
"You are either very brave or extremely foolish to think you can sneak in to Snake Mountain unnoticed," hissed Skeletor. "For this I should have you killed however I need you to deliver a message. Tell King Randor that his spies will never learn the secrets of Snake Mountain!"
Then before either Fisto or Moss Man could move a inch Skeletor raised his Havoc Staff above his head. A beam of bright green light shot out from the eyes of the ram's head blinding Fisto and Moss Man. When they could see again they found themselves outside Snake Mountain. Fisto and Moss Man looked up to see Tri-Klops and Beastman standing on the battlements with a squadron of Doom Troopers. Each Trooper had their blaster rifles trained on the Heroic Warriors.
"You had better leave!" Tri-Klops shouted down to Fisto and Moss Man. "Because Skeletor will not give you another chance to leave under your own power."
With that Tri-Klops's helmet span around so that his red eye was facing them. A beam of crimson energy then shot out from the eye and struck the ground at the feet of Fisto and Moss Man.
"Come," said Moss Man. "We can learn nothing more here. We have to tell the king about what happened here."
Reluctantly Fisto agreed and joined his companion in returning to the Royal Palace.
The new day had barely started when King Randor ordered the Heroic Warriors to meet him in his throne room.
"I have called you all here for a very important reason," said King Randor. "I had best allow Fisto to brief you on what has happened."
Fisto stepped forward.
"As you know Moss Man and I were sent on a mission by King Randor to discover any truth in the rumoured threat that the royal couple were to be kidnapped during their up coming visit to the eastern continent. Getting to Snake Mountain was easy, though looking back it was too easy. Once we had gotten inside we were ambushed by Skeletor and his men. They knew we were coming and told us as much."
Once Fisto had finished his retelling of the past night's events all attention was turned back to King Randor.
"If our visit wasn't so important I wouldn't hesitate in cancelling the trip," said Randor. "But I can't. I'm leaving in your hands to find this spy and bring him to justice."
Man-At-Arms stepped forward.
"Will you be taking Prince Adam with you?" asked Man-At-Arms.
"No Adam will be remaining here," Randor then turned to Teela. "Teela I know that you are Adam's official bodyguard but I need you to help find the spy."
Teela nodded.
"Understood," said Teela. "But if you don't mind my asking, if I'm with the Heroic Warriors searching for the spy who will protect Adam? After all he does need protecting from a lot."
"I have chosen to leave Adam under the protection of my personal bodyguard, Strongarm," said Randor. "I will have a squadron of Royal Guards with me at all times so the queen and I should be protected enough."
"You do not have to worry about Adam's safety," said Strongarm from his place next to King Randor. "I have vowed to protect his life as if he were the king himself."
"You have no idea how difficult Adam can be." Teela huffed.
"No but I believe I am up for the challenge." replied Strongarm as he flashed a smile at Teela.
Man-At-Arms sat next to one of his many inventions, he was so deep in thought that he failed to hear Adam enter his laboratory.
"I hear that there's a spy in the palace," said Adam. "And that I've got a new bodyguard."
Man-At-Arms almost fell off his chair in surprise.
"Don't you know never to sneak up on someone," said Man-At-Arms. "And to answer your questions. It is as we feared there is a spy working for Skeletor in the palace. And yes until we find the spy King Randor has given Teela other duties and you will be guarded by Strongarm."
Adam sighed, even though Strongarm had proven himself a loyal bodyguard to the king and queen he still felt uneasy having him in command of his safety.
"Let's hope we find the spy fast," said Adam. "I'm barely able to keep Teela from guessing that I'm He-man. I don't need to start all over with Strongarm."
"I share your sentiments," said Man-At-Arms. "However I'm having a hard time coming up with a plan that will flush out the spy."
"We could always make Skeletor think that we are so desperate to find this spy that we are willing to do just about anything." suggested Adam.
"And how do you think we should go about it?" asked Man-At-Arms.
"We attack Snake Mountain." replied Adam.
Skeletor sat in his throne room staring at his crystal viewer. On the viewer the royal cruise ship had just sailed out of the harbour towards the eastern continent.
"Excellent," said Skeletor. "Once the ship is far enough out to sea I shall begin my plan to capture the king and queen."
The Evil Warriors that sat around the long table in front of Skeletor's throne began clapping their master's plan.
"All I need is to give my spy his command and the queen and king shall be mine!!" cried Skeletor.
Again the Evil Warriors clapped and cheered. Suddenly the whole mountain began to shake.
"W-W-What was that?" gasped Beastman.
"How am I supposed to know!!" snapped Skeletor. "Trap-Jaw get on the spy-cams I want to see who is foolish enough to attack Snake Mountain."
"Immediately Lord Skeletor," said Trap-Jaw. He then got up from his seat and headed over to the large computer that sat inside the wall, Trap-Jaw then raised his cybernetic arm. The tip of the arm then began to transform its shape so that it formed a large spike. Trap-Jaw then placed the spike in to the computer. Instantly the computer came to life showing the outside of Snake Mountain through the many spy cameras. Outside Snakes Mountain was a troop of Heroic Warriors led by He-man attacking Snake Mountain with a Battle Ram.
"How dare those fool attack here!!" snarled Skeletor. Skeletor then turned to his men. "I am not paying you to sit while we are under attack!" snapped Skeletor. "Now get off your backsides and fight back!!"
Instantly the Evil Warriors leaped up from their seats and raced out of the throne room to battle the Heroic Warriors.
Man-At-Arms walked over to He-man as the Battle Ram launched another attack on Snake Mountain.
"Do you think we've got their attention yet?" said Man-At-Arms with a smile.
"With the amount of noise we're making we can't help get their attention," replied He-man. He-man then looked up as the Battle Ram launched another attack and saw a troop of Doom Troopers led by Karg storming the battlements. "They're here. Now let's hope they believe our little act." He-man then raised his sword and cried. "FOR KING AND ETERNIA.......ATTACK!!!!"
The Heroic Warriors then ran towards Snake Mountain.
"IN THE NAME OF EVIL.......DESTROY THEM!!!!" commanded Karg and his Doom Troopers charged in to battle.
As the sounds of battle rang out around Snake Mountain a small group of Heroic Warriors led by He-man made their way in to Skeletor's fortress. No sooner than they had stepped in to Snake Mountain, He-man and the Heroic Warriors were confronted by Skeletor and his warriors, Beastman, Tri-Klops, Trap-Jaw and Clawful.
"How dare you launch a unprovoked attack!!" hissed Skeletor.
"We have every right to attack you Skeletor," replied He-man. "You have placed a spy in the Royal Palace and have threatened the safety of the King and Queen. We're here to force the identity of the spy from you. And no matter who you throw in the way we will have our answer."
"So the heroic fool has finally lost what little sense he had in the first place," laughed Skeletor. "Well come. The only answer you will find is the one that finally seals your fate!!"
Skeletor then gave his men a silent command. Instantly the four Evil Warriors attacked the Heroic Warriors. As Man-At-Arms, Ram Man, Mekaneck and Stratos fought with the Evil Warriors, He-man charged for Skeletor. Skeletor stood calmly watching as the champion of Eternia raced towards him. Suddenly with blinding speed Skeletor raised his Havoc Staff and a bolt of evil magic shot out from its eyes. He-man was unable to avoid the blast and it struck him in the chest. He-man fell to one knee but quickly got up again. Skeletor raised his staff again. Once more He-man was hit by Skeletor's evil magic. And again He-man continued forward.
"Why won't you die!" snarled Skeletor ignoring the battle raging around them.
"Tell me who the spy is!" He-man snapped back as he was stumbled by another attack from Skeletor's Havoc Staff.
"You don't know when to quit do you!" hissed Skeletor. The Havoc Staff suddenly vanished only to be replaced by a deadly looking sword. "Very well if you are so desperate to meet your creator try the power of the Sword of Darkness."
Skeletor then swung the sword through the air and a bolt of crackling purple magical energy raced along the sword's blade and flew off its tip directly for He-man. He-man swung his sword up to deflect the on coming energy, however his movement was to slow and the energy engulfed He-man.
The warring fighters suddenly stopped in their combat and turned to see He-man vanish in a ball of purple flames.
"By the Elders!" cried Man-At-Arms as he threw Clawful away from him. Man-At-Arms then raised his blaster and aimed it at Skeletor. "I'll make you pay!!" Man-At-Arms then pressed the trigger.
Skeletor ignored Man-At-Arms and just stared at the spot He-man once stood. The blaster energy sped its way towards Skeletor. Just as the energy was about to strike him Skeletor raised his hand and the energy bolts harmlessly bounced away. Skeletor then looked up with a evil smile on his face.
"At last," cried Skeletor throwing his arms up in victory. "I have destroyed the Champion of Eternia!! Soon all Eternia shall be mine!!"
"Not if I have anything to do about it!!" hissed Man-At-Arms as he threw his blaster to one side and raised his battle mace ready charge at Skeletor.
"No," said Mekaneck as he grabbed hold of Man-At-Arms. "Getting yourself killed won't honor He-man's sacrifice. Today we've lost. We need to get back to the palace, we still have to find the spy."
Man-At-Arms reluctantly agreed with Mekaneck and began to back away from Skeletor and his men. Tri-Klops and Clawful prepared to attack when Skeletor stopped them.
"Let them go," said Skeletor. "They have lost He-man. Even if they do manage to find my spy it will do no good."
Reluctantly the Evil Warriors backed down and allowed the Heroic Warriors to retreat from Snake Mountain.
Everyone was in a stunned silence as they returned back to the city of Eternos and the Royal Palace. Nobody uttered a single word. Man-At-Arms was silently thankful for that as it was his and Adam's idea to fake a attack on Snake Mountain with the hopes they could trick the identity of the spy from Skeletor. Then it struck Man-At-Arms like a falling boulder.
'How do I explain this to the king and queen?' thought Man-At-Arms. 'How do I tell them that their son was really He-man and that He-man has been killed by Skeletor?'
He knew that he could explain Adam's absence for a short while by telling everyone that Adam had gone off on some foolish adventure, but that lie could only last so long. In the end the truth would come out and it would destroy the king and queen as losing Adora to the Horde had almost done.
'And I doubt that even the Sorceress could cast a spell to block out this tragedy.' Man-At-Arms thought sadly.
Man-At-Arms looked up to see the great gates to the city of Eternos. Standing in front of the gates were Teela, Orko and Strongarm.
"Well did the plan work?" asked Teela cheerfully. "Do you know who the spy is?"
"No we did not," said Man-At-Arms and Teela could sense the sorrow in her father's voice. "The plan went tragicly wrong."
"What do you mean?" asked Teela. Then she noticed someone was missing. "Where's He-man?"
"He-man is dead." said Man-At-Arms after a short while.
Man-At-Arms looked at his daughter. He could see the same stunned disbelieve that he felt run through her. She opened her mouth to speak but she was too shocked to utter a single word. The only sound in the uneasy silence was the gasp of Orko.
"He-man can't be dead!" said the little magician. "He can't be!"
"What happened?" asked Strongarm.
Man-At-Arms struggled but managed to retell the details of the mission to Snake Mountain that ended in the death of He-man. Once they had reached the main hall of the Royal Palace Teela turned to Strongarm.
"Have you seen Adam?" asked Teela.
"No I haven't," replied Strongarm. "With all that has gone on I got distracted."
"That's what Adam usually needs," said Teela. "He's picked a brilliant time to decide to go off somewhere."
"Adam is resourceful," said Man-At-Arms. "I'm sure he'll be fine."
"That may be," said Strongarm. "But the king and queen placed his welfare in my hands. I'm going to search for him and bring him back."
"You should try the nearest swimming hole." said Teela.
Strongarm nodded and left the room. Teela then turned to Man-At-Arms and the others.
"Any information on the king and queen?" asked Man-At-Arms.
Teela shook her head.
"I've been in constant contact with the captain of the royal ship," said Teela. "He reports no incidents involving the rumoured kidnap plot. But to be on the safe side he has guards constantly watching the king and queen as well as watching out for any attack from air or sea."
"That could mean many things," said Man-At-Arms. "But I think its likely that the spy is still here. All we need to do is find him or her."
Strongarm was walking from the main hall when the communicator he had hidden in his belt signalled for his attention. Looking around him Strongarm made sure that no one was nearby he then removed the small skull shaped communicator that Skeletor had given him. Pressing a button set in one of the skill's eye sockets he opened a link to Skeletor.
"By now you have heard the good news." said Skeletor's tiny voice from the communicator.
"Indeed I have," replied Strongarm. "It is a historical day for you and all the forces of darkness."
"As it was always destined to be," said Skeletor triumphantly. "But we must capitalize on this. Even while the Heroic Warriors mourn the death of He-man they still pose a threat. Even more so as soon their grief will turn to anger."
"How shall we do this?" asked Strongarm.
"The plan to capture the king and queen was accidentally spoiled by them having you remain behind," said Skeletor. "But I do not see that we can't alter the plan a little."
"How so?" asked Strongarm a little puzzled.
"If we cannot capture the king and queen then we'll have to settle for the next best thing.... Prince Adam," said Skeletor. "With the prince in our grasp it will be easy to crush the Heroic Warriors and take the throne of Eternia.
I know you have a past with the young prince so when you find him, do with him as you wish. Only bare one thing in mind. If you kill him then you have me to answer to. Understood?"
"Perfectly." replied Strongarm.
'I'll finally get my revenge on Adam for having me expelled from the Royal Guard Academy,' thought Strongarm as his evil mind drifted back to a time when he was another person, then he had been a promising student of the academy, he would have been Captain of the Guards by now. But that all ended when the prince was sent to the academy by the king. His then girlfriend Teela had immediately taken Adam under her wing. They spent so much time together that he was soon forgotten. This he couldn't allow so on one of the academies survival trips he set a trap for Adam. All was going perfectly, that was until Teela came to Adam's rescue. Later he was expelled from the academy for his attempt on Adam's life and was banished from Eternos. However just when he thought his revenge on Adam would never come to be he met Skeletor. Skeletor offered him a chance at revenge, he agreed and became Strongarm the bodyguard guard to the king and queen and now Prince Adam.
Strongarm was lost in his thoughts about what he would do to Adam that he failed to see the vase flying towards him before it was to late. The vase hit the ground and shattered in to a thousand pieces around his feet. Strongarm's head snapped around looking in every direction for the person who had thrown the vase. The corridor was empty in every direction.
"Who's there?" snapped Strongarm as he quiet put the communicator back in to his belt. "You are only making it worse! Now show yourself!!"
Still no answer came to him. Boiling with pure fury Strongarm then turned and walked out of the corridor, all the time feeling that someone was watching him.
Man-At-Arms had returned to his laboratory. As he sat at his desk his thoughts had drifted from finding the spy and towards the inevitable time when they would have to deal with He-man's death in public. Man-At-Arms reached out and turned on his computer. Instantly the program he had set up to detect the spy's possible communication to Snake Mountain came to life. Man-At-Arms stared at the read out for a few seconds before he realized what he was seeing.
Teela was bravely holding back the tears that threatened to flood from her eyes. Orko was nearby and Teela could tell he was feeling the same way. Teela watched as Orko waved a finger in the air with disinterest. A small bubble appeared and floated for a few seconds, Teela could see something form inside the bubble but before it could fully form the bubble burst. Orko just sighed and conjured up another bubble. Teela turned away from Orko and stared out of the window and down to the courtyard of the Royal Palace. The guards were marching out for her daily inspection. Realizing that she had her duty to do Teela stood, turned and walked straight in to one of Orko's bubbles. Before the bubble burst Teela caught a glimpse of something inside. As she looked closer she saw that it was He-man calling out to her. Shaking her head and dismissing the image as something caused by her grief Teela walked out of the room and headed towards the courtyard.
As Teela headed towards the guards she saw Man-At-Arms, Mekaneck, Ram Man, Fisto and Man-E-Faces heading towards them.
"What's wrong?" asked Teela as she saw the grim look on her father's face. 'I hope its not more bad news.'
"I have managed to locate the spy." said Man-At-Arms sounding very angry.
"Who is it?" asked Teela.
Man-At-Arms was hesitant at first then he spoke.
"He was cleaver I have to give him that," said Man-At-Arms. "But in the end I managed to locate the source of his transmission to Snake Mountain."
Teela was getting impatient with her father's need to drag out the identity of the spy.
"Please tell me who it is." said Teela barely holding back her frustration.
"It was Mekaneck." Man-At-Arms said finally.
Everyone including Teela and the Royal Guards were shocked and stared at Man-At-Arms then Mekaneck.
"W-What?! How could you say something like that?" Mekaneck said stunned by the accusation. "I am a loyal member of the Heroic Warriors."
"I found it hard to believe at first," said Man-At-Arms as he took something from a pocket inside his armor. "Then I found this in your quarters."
In Man-At-Arms's hand was a small communications device that was the shape of a skull. Even the newest Royal Guard Cadet recognized the device as one that belonged to Skeletor.
"That isn't anything to do with me!!" pleaded Mekaneck. But Teela wasn't listening. Barely holding back her anger Teela ordered her guards to arrest Mekaneck.
As Mekaneck continued his protest of innocence Teela turned to Man-At-Arms.
"I cannot believe that one of our own would do something like this." said Teela, tears threatening to finally break free. Man-At-Arms placed a comforting arm around his daughter.
"I know," said Man-At-Arms. "I couldn't believe it at first. But the evidence doesn't lie. Mekaneck was the spy and as such he shall face trial for his crimes including his part in the death of He-man."
Teela couldn't say a word, she only watched as Mekaneck was taken to the palace prison where he would await his trial.
"Mekaneck is innocent," Teela heard a voice say. But the voice was as faint as a gentle breeze and Teela struggled to hear it. "He has been set up. The real spy still poses a threat."
Night had fallen by the time Strongarm had returned from his search for Prince Adam. As he walked in to the main hall of the palace he noticed that the looks on everyone's faces were grimmer than they were before.
"What has happened?" asked Strongarm silently wondering if it would be worthy to report to Skeletor.
Ram Man turned to Strongarm.
"We found the spy," said Ram Man. "It was Mekaneck."
Strongarm faked a shocked reaction.
Strongarm had planted a second communicator in Mekaneck's quarters when he began spying for Skeletor to throw suspicion away from him if his reports to Skeletor were ever discovered.
"Did you manage to find Adam?" asked Teela breaking Strongarm's thoughts.
"I'm afraid I did not," replied Strongarm. "I even searched all the areas you told me he was likely to be."
"That is so typical of Adam," snapped Teela. "With that is going on he has to add more problems."
"I'm sure he'll be fine...." Man-At-Arms began to say, suddenly there was a loud crash and they heard the startled cry of one of the many palace maidens.
Instantly the Heroic Warriors were on alert and raced over to where they had heard the cry. They turned down in to one of the service corridors that led to the main hall. In the middle of the corridor was a palace maiden, she was on her knees staring up at something on the wall her eyes were wide in pure terror. Teela was the first to reach the maiden. Gently she helped the maiden to her feet.
"What is it?" asked Teela. "What has frightened you in such a way?"
Frozen with fear the maiden couldn't utter a single word. Slowly the maiden raised a shaking hand and pointed to the wall. Teela and the Heroic Warriors turned and saw large glowing letters on the wall. The letters said:
'The Grave Cannot Stop Me From Revealing The True Spy!! Give Yourself Up Before I Do It For You!!'
The Heroic Warriors stared at the words in disbelief.
"This is some sort of sick joke," said Strongarm breaking the silence. "We have the true spy locked up."
"Yes we have," said Man-At-Arms. "But it looks like someone wants us to think otherwise."
Strongarm was alone. His thoughts were on the strange message that was written on the wall. He was certain that he had covered his tracks so that he would never be suspected as the spy, and now with Mekaneck in prison he was more than certain he was in the clear. But the words troubled him. He had to find the one who wrote the words. The only problem was how was he to do it without giving away his secret. Suddenly Strongarm saw something out of the corner of his eye. Standing in the middle of the corridor was He-man. Only He-man wasn't there as Strongarm could the objects behind He-man.
"I know that you are the spy," said the ghostly image of He-man. "Soon all the others shall know as well."
"I don't know who you are!" hissed Strongarm as he angrily walked up to the ghostly image of He-man. "But your foolish tricks do not impress me!!"
Then using the power that Skeletor had given him Strongarm's right arm began to increase in size and strength until it was so strong that it could smash through anything.
Raising his massive arm in the air, Strongarm then swung a thundering punch at He-man. He-man calmly stood still as Strongarm's first hurled its way towards him. Strongarm's fist passed effortlessly through He-man's body and Strongarm momentary lost his balance.
"I see you still haven't realized what the situation is," said He-man. "I am a ghost. I died at Skeletor's hand but it is because of you that my death came about. I am trying to make it easier for you. Give yourself up and have Mekaneck freed or I shall continue to haunt you until you go crazy."
Strongarm glared at He-man.
"I shall do no such thing," hissed Strongarm.
Strongarm swung again and once again his mighty fist passed harmlessly through He-man. Only this time his fist hit the wall sending a loud crashing sound echoing down the corridor and a large hole in the wall. Just at that moment Orko floated around the corner.
"What was that noise?" asked Orko.
Strongarm span around. He-man was gone leaving only himself and a very large hole in the wall.
"What happened here?" asked Orko as he spotted the hole.
"Its none of your business!" snapped Strongarm who then turned and left the stunned Orko floating in the corridor.
Many of the Heroic Warriors had gotten up well before the morning sun had begun to rise. Teela was one of the first to enter the main hall. As she took a mug of steaming hot coffee from one of the maidens that were preparing the morning breakfast she noticed Fisto, Ram Man and Man-At-Arms standing to one side.
"Couldn't sleep either?" asked Fisto as Teela made her way over to them.
"No I couldn't," said Teela as she sipped her coffee. "Every time I felt like falling asleep I kept on thinking about the spy, the death of He-man and Adam's disappearance. It like they're all connected somehow."
"We all share the same feeling," Man-At-Arms said. "Be we have captured the spy. Mekaneck is in a cell awaiting his trial."
"You cannot truly believe Mekaneck was the spy." said Teela.
"That's not what you thought yesterday," said Ram Man. "You were the one that arrested Mekaneck."
"I know," said Teela. "But when I saw that writing on the wall it made me start to wonder weather Mekaneck wasn't set up and that however incredible it may seem He-man's spirit is trying to guide us to the true spy."
"I agree that it is possible that Mekaneck isn't the spy. After all who would risk being discovered in such a way by hiding a communicator from Skeletor in their own quarters." said Man-At-Arms. "And hopefully the real spy will accidentally trip himself up if he believes that we still think Mekaneck is the one we were after. As for He-man's spirit guiding us. I wish it were true. We all do."
"I can't believe you don't believe me," said Teela. "If nothing this planet is a magical place....." then a thought suddenly came to Teela. "If there is any way to contact He-man then the Sorceress of Grayskull shall know. I'm going to see her."
"Y-You can't go and see the Sorceress." Man-At-Arms suddenly said.
Teela looked at her farther puzzled as did Ram Man and Fisto.
"Why not?" asked Teela. "Surely the Sorceress would be more than willing to help us."
"That is true," said Man-At-Arms. "If only the Sorceress was still on Eternia." looking around at the others faces Man-At-Arms decided that he needed to tell them more. "The Sorceress was summoned by Zodac the Cosmic Enforcer not long after He-man's death. She in turn summoned me to Castle Grayskull. There the Sorceress told me that she had to leave Eternia for a short time while she searched for the one who would replace He-man as the Champion of Eternia."
The others still looked puzzled but seemed to accept Man-At-Arms's explanation.
"Well we're back to square one." said Teela frustrated.
At that moment Strongarm walked in to the room. Like the others Strongarm didn't look like he had slept well either.
"Are you still angry over not finding Adam?" asked Teela. "Well you shouldn't. It took me a good few years before I managed to work out where Adam runs off to. Yet even now he still manages to pull his disappearing act from time to time."
Teela's statement didn't make Strongarm feel any better. The last thing on his mind was finding the prince, though he guessed that when he reported his failure to Skeletor it would be the least of his worries. His frustration had grown over night as he tried to work out who had discovered that he was the spy and not Mekaneck. Once he found the person or persons responsible for the incident involving what he believe must have been some sort of holographic image of He-man, he would make them pay in a way that would go down in legend even at Snake Mountain.
"I was placed in charge of the prince's safety by the king himself," said Strongarm. "And as such I feel that I have failed them. I am going to head out and continue my search for the prince."
Before any of the others could say a word Strongarm turned and walked out of the hall. Once inside the corridor Strongarm stopped and pulled out a small hand held device. Switching it on the device began to show an image from inside the main hall.
'Good with my spy drone safely hidden I can keep an eye on the Heroic Warriors,' thought Strongarm as his tiny spy drone control to transmitting everything it saw. 'With the Heroic Warriors believing that I am looking for Prince Adam they won't bother me while I search for the one that knows my secret. And if its one of the Heroic Warriors then the drone shall inform me immediately.'
Strongarm then put the device away and began his hunt.
No sooner had Strongarm left the Royal Palace his communicator began signalling for his attention. Making sure no one was around Strongarm grabbed the communicator.
'This is really bad timing.' thought Strongarm as he switched the device on.
As expected it was Skeletor calling him.
'No doubt about why I haven't delivered Prince Adam yet.' Strongarm thought before Skeletor spoke.
"What have you to report?" demanded Skeletor immediately. "Why isn't Prince Adam in my clutches?"
"The prince has disappeared." said Strongarm.
"Disappeared?" hissed Skeletor. "What do you mean he has disappeared?"
"It is believed that the prince has unfortunately chosen this time to go off on some sort of adventure," explained Strongarm. "I was just about to......."
"I do not want to listen to excuses!!" snapped Skeletor cutting off Strongarm's sentence. "I cannot wait for you to redeem your failure. We will have to proceed with or without Adam being my captive."
Strongarm waited silently for Skeletor to continue.
"Your new mission couldn't be more simple," continued Skeletor. "I want you to lead the Heroic Warriors in to a trap. Make sure you do not fail me again."
At that moment Orko floated around the corner. His mind was still filled with the events of the previous night and his dreams about He-man trying to tell him Mekaneck couldn't be the spy that he collided with Strongarm. Startled by Orko Strongarm dropped his communicator and it shattered as it hit the ground.
"You foolish imp!!" snarled Strongarm, his arms already turning in to the powerful weapons that they were.
"I-I-I'm so sorry," cried Orko. "I was so distracted that I didn't see you there." suddenly the broken pieces of Strongarm's communicator caught Orko's eye. "I'm sorry I've broken it," Orko swooped down and picked up the pieces. It was then he realized what it was. "By the great magician of Trolla! This is the marking of Skeletor..... That must mean that you're the......"
Strongarm's huge shadow loomed over Orko. Orko tried to fly away but Strongarm was too fast and caught Orko in his mighty arms.
"You are going nowhere!" growled Strongarm as he began to crush Orko in his vice like grip.........
To be continued