The Wedding

Chapter One

Disclaimer: "He-Man and The Masters of the Universe", their characters, and concepts are the property of Mattel and Hallmark.

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"You're crazy, you know that?" Atrius was standing over the rickety wooden table. He was a hardened warrior in his late forties with close-cropped gray hair. His tall, lean frame was clad in red-and-black leather body armor.

"You got any better ideas?" Lysia was sitting on the other side of the table. She was a young woman in her mid-to-late twenties with long, dark brown hair. Both she and Atrius stood inside the tent that served as their temporary headquarters.

"Not even SKELETOR can kill him!" Atrius shot back. "What makes you think YOU can?"

"Skeletor is a doddering old fool … who's surrounded by babbling idiots," Lysia replied silkily. "Unlike Skeletor and his pathetic excuses for minions, I know how to … eh, think outside the box … so to speak." Lysia paused. "He's been a thorn in my side for TOO long."

"I still think this is a fool's errand…"

"He's costing me money ... costing US money," Lysia said icily. She then added, "We must catch him when his guard's down … when he LEAST expects it."

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"It seems He-Man has been invited to a wedding," said Man-At-Arms. He and Prince Adam were standing in the Royal Workshop, peering over a scroll that had been delivered via messenger earlier that morning.

"Who's the lucky couple?" Adam asked.

"Prince Jadon of Hamaneel is marrying Princess Mesha of Amidala," Man-At-Arms replied. "The wedding itself is being held in the Emerald Forest." Man-At-Arms paused. "This invitation is being personally extended by King Ungore of Hamaneel."

"I'd … er, I mean … I'm sure He-Man would love to go," said Adam, correcting himself.

"I'm not sure that's a wise idea," said Man-At-Arms. "He could be very well setting himself up as a target."

"It's a royal wedding," Adam replied. "I'm sure they won't be lacking for security." Adam paused. "Besides, if he DOESN'T go, King Ungore might well consider it a personal slight."

"I suppose it'll be all right," said Man-At-Arms. "It's only for a day."

"Great!" Adam exclaimed. "I'll, uh, go tell He-Man."

All the same, I think I'd better talk to The Sorceress about this, thought Man-At-Arms.