CHAPTER SIX

"The Assault on the Fright Zone"

In the time He-Man was gone, the Fright Zone had undergone many changes. It was now a gigantic fortress and rose from the solid, oil-like substance that had taken the world hostage like a gigantic cylinder. The dungeon was huge, but didn't go much underground. The oil had even been spread that far.

All of the living soldiers of Eternia were kept here, awaiting the time when their homeworld would be overrun with Hordak's power. A long and pitiful wait.

Even the Defenders were forced to sit and watch.

Sadder still was the fate of Man-At-Arms. He was kept in a small cage above a long corridor that led to the dining hall from the cells. Kept alive, he was there only as a symbol that their hope was gone. A torture - Duncan was the finest of all the warriors, second only to He-Man himself. To see him up there, useless, it was heart breaking.

But every day, the prisoners had no choice in the matter. None at all. And every day, Man-At-Arms would watch them walk in procession. He tried to grin, but some of his teeth were missing by this point. The beatings he received were hard on the ever-growing-old warrior.

Something inside him, though, felt different than usual. It was night and something seemed to be happening in places he wasn't at.

***

That night, it was Modulock turn to run the fortress. Most of the others were on Eternia, dealing with some sort of crisis at hand. He was running quite a tight-ship so far. Everything was fairly quiet as usual and there was nothing out of the ordinary . . . except . . .

"Sir?" asked a Trooper from his station.

"Yes?" asked Modulock's first head, Modu.

"Our sensors just detected something. It seems something just struck the fortress wall."

"Nothing's struck the wall since we found that annoying bat," said the second head, Lock.

"I think we should take a look," suggested Modu.

"I agree. Take five others out there. We still haven't taken that damned mountain. Someone from there could finally be attacking."

"Probably not," retorted Modu.

"Yeah. Still, better safe . . ."

"Than sorry."

In minutes, five of the Horde Troops headed down on hover pads to the area that movement was detected. What they found surprised even them.

"What do you process it as?"

One of the Troops pulled it out. It was an arrow. A dozen of them, at that. All stuck in the wall. All with something attached to them.

"My scanners indicate that they are arrows," said the one that held the arrow.

"What's that attached to it?"

"I've never scanned anything like that before."

"Sensors indicate that it is some sort of magic stone."

"It appears to be on each of the arrows."

As they all continued to gather around the arrows, each of the arrows began to glow green . . . a growing brighter and brighter green until . . .

The entire wall exploded! A firery eruption fumed from the area, billowing smoke and flames from where the wall once stood.

Two dozen more arrows struck at the wall, causing the same event. The fortress' wall was aflame!

And then it happened. From the very sky, appeared a Talon Fighter holding Adora, He-Man, Glimmer, Castaspella, and Fluterina. Teela sat at an attached Battle Ram. Stridor - which was flying now, due to some improvements - held Bow.

"Your camouflage spell worked great, Castaspella," complimented He-Man. "Now, let's move in!"

Bow continued to fire arrows that had been enchanted by the Soceress. The Battle Ram was unleashed into the fortress and laid in the cover fire for the Talon Fighter.

They all landed in the courtyard of the now confused and busy Fright Zone.

"Bow! Teela! You and the others keep everyone distracted! I'm heading down to the dungeon!"

He-Man leapt out of the just-landed Talon Fighter and took off, his axe and sword out. He began to slash up Horde Troops as he went by.

Meanwhile, Adora ran off as well. No one seemed to notice, as they were too busy fighting off the growing number of robotic Horde Troops.

***

Deep in the heart of the Fright Zone, Sy-Klone sat in a cell next to Extendar. "A lot of commotion upstairs, don't you think?" asked the once, ever-spinning hero.

"Yeah. No kidding. I wonder what's up."

"Freedom, that's what's up," a familiar voice said.

"Well I'll be!" shouted Sy-Klone. "If it ain't He-Man himself!"

He-Man ran forth and slashed open the cell doors. He ran into Extendar's first and snapped his shackles.

"I knew you'd show up soon enough!" greeted height-changing hero.

"Thanks," He-Man replied. He then let Sy-Klone out and broke his shackles.

"Hey old buddy. Thanks a lot, He-Man."

"No problem. Now, I need you two to get downstairs and get the soldiers freed as soon as you can. I'm going after the others."

"Right. Let's go."

"When you get them freed, head up to the courtyard. Teela and what's left of the Great Rebellion is fighting for our lives and could probably use the support. So, don't be afraid to stop by the Armory on your way up there."

"Sweet!"

"Alright!"

He-Man smiled. "Let the good times roll, my friends. But we're not out of the woods yet."

The two headed down a flight of stairs, knocking and punching every Horde Troopers they saw. He-Man headed down through another corridor.

He entered one room and found a large tank of water. The room was exceedingly dark, but He-Man could still pick out a figure inside the tank. It was Moss Man, his body discooperated. The poor soul was being over-watered.

"Don't worry, old friend, I'll free you."

He-Man pulled out his axe and smashed open the tank of water. Glass and water spilled all over the place as Moss Man rested on the bottom of the empty tank.

"A-air . . ." he moaned.

"Moss Man, I'm here. It's me, He-Man."

Moss Man looked up at him and opened his yellow eyes. "It is you. Oh, He-Man, thank you . . . you saved my life . . ."

"Thank me later. More Horde Troops are on their way. Come on."

He helped Moss Man to his feet and swung one of his sopping wet arms around his shoulders. The pair started out, but soon encountered a pair of Horde Troops. With one swing of us axe, they were done for.

He-Man headed to a room across the hall. "Can you stand on your own for a couple of minutes?"

"Yeah. These lights are helping already. I'm drying out."

He handed Moss Man his shield and smashed open the next door. Inside were two cells. One for Snout Sprout and one for Rotar.

"He-Man!" shouted Snout Sprout. "Thank the Soceress you're here!"

He freed Snout Sprout, then moved over to Rotar. Rotar was being held by long metal clamps to keep him from spinning. Even so, it didn't take He-Man much to free him.

"Moss Man's out in the corridor. Help him out. Get downstairs with Sy-Klone and Extendar. Help them free the soldiers."

"Not a problem. Thanks, He-Man."

Rotar helped Moss Man up and the trio went towards the stairs. He-Man once again headed down the corridor. He came to another door and opened it. Inside were two other doors - one to the left and one to the right. He-Man headed to the right first.

He was shocked at what he found inside. It was his old friend Roboto. He was barely functional and many of his limps were missing.

"Roboto . . .?" asked He-Man quietly.

"He-Man?" wondered the android. "At long last you have come. My systems are functional, but not completely. I am . . . I am . . . I am in need of assistance . . ."

"You will have it, old friend. Come on."

He-Man helped Roboto off of the table he was laying on and took him out into the room between his room and the other, unknown room.

He-Man made for the other door. He opened it and found Rio Blast in a small cell, all of his weapons removed and placed on a table.

"He-Man! Help me! They've been tinkering with all of my weapons!"

The hero of Eternia and Primus opened up Rio Blast's cell and let the cowboy out. He limped over to the table, where he placed two or three of his weapons in their old sockets.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm okay."

"I need you to defend Roboto out here. He can't walk and is barely functional."

"Got it."

"Head down the stairwell and meet the others downstairs. They're busy freeing the imprisoned soldiers."

"That could take a while."

"I know, but it's the only chance we've got. Are you going to be able to make it?"

"Yeah, no sweat," he grunted as he hauled Roboto onto his back.

"Good." He-Man darted down the corridor once again. He pressed a key on his wrist. "Teela! How's it going up there?"

"Okay for now. We've got quite a defense set up here. But their numbers keep growing. That, and Adora has gone missing."

"I, um, think she went to find She-Ra."

"Oh. Good. We could use her. We're doing our best."

"Keep up the good work. Reinforcements are on their way up. He-Man out."

He-Man closed the comm-link and entered yet another room. He smiled when he saw the grin on Ram Man's face. The large Eternian was chained to the floor.

"About damn time you showed up!" he shouted.

"Hello to you too, Ram Man," He-Man replied, snapping the chains that bound him to the ground.

Ram Man grabbed his helmet. "Did you enjoy your trip?"

"Not really. Stick with me, huh? I need your help."

"No problem, old buddy."

The pair ran out of the room and were then suddenly confronted by a dozen Horde Troops.

"Halt!" they shouted in robotic unison. He-Man was about to act, but Ram-Man put his hand up.

"I've been waiting a long time for this!" he shouted. He bounced forth and smashed them all to bits.

"Nice job!"

"HA HA! Just like old times!"

The duo went through another door and found two cells. In one was Buzz-Off. In the other was Fisto.

He-Man let Buzz-Off out, while Ram-Man took care of Fisto.

"It'sssss good too sssssee you again, He-Man," said Buzz-Off.

"Same here," Fisto followed-up, his metal hand growing stronger.

The four ran out of the room and into the corridor. They smashed into the next cell, which held Man-E-Faces.

"Man, if you guys aren't a sight for three sets of sore eyes!" Man-E-Faces stated with a grin.

"Let's move. I want you all in the courtyard, supporting Teela and the others. The soldiers should be joining you soon."

"Alright. You heard the man, let's go!"

Ram Man, Man-E-Faces, Buzz-Off, and Fisto all took to the stairs. Though they were weary from their capture, they felt stronger than ever. Each Horde Trooper they took down on their way up to the courtyard only made them feel a whole lot better.

Soon, they arrived on the scene. Teela, Bow, and their friends were up against a growing number of Horde Troopers. Ram Man smiled at his compatriots. Payback time.

Ram Man threw himself into the air first, bashing into an entire unit of Troopers. Buzz-Off flew over a couple and knocked them down, sending their little bits and pieces across the stone floor. Fisto pounded each one until they were nothing more than scrap metal. Man-E-Faces switched from monster, Eternian, and robot to deal with them.

Teela resisted a tear as she used her laser pistol and staff to reach the foursome.

"Welcome to the party," she greeted with a smile.

"Hey, the party's always been here. We should be welcoming you," Ram Man said. "I missed you, squirt."

"You too, big guy."

***

He-Man made his way down into a special wing of the dungeon. As soon as he opened the door to this special wing, he heard a voice cry out.

"HE-MAN!"

"Oroko!" He-Man answered. He walked over to where Oroko was being held. It was a small cage that hung from the ceiling. He cracked it open and let the Trollian out.

Oroko immediately smothered him in hugs.

"I've missed you so much! Thank you for rescuing me!"

He-Man found himself strangely moved, but he had business to attend to. "Oroko, there is much to be done."

"No kidding. Go through that door. There's somebody else that's missed you in there!"

He-Man walked over and opened it. He gasped. Inside were a few animals, including Adora's horse. Most importantly to He-Man, though, was Cringer.

"Cringer . . . ? CRINGER!"

The sad-looking cat suddenly jumped to life and embraced his old master. He meowed. The animal translation spell must have worn off - but He-Man could still understand what Cringer was saying. He-Man swung out his sword and pointed it to him.

"By the power of Grayskull - change Cringer into . . . BATTLECAT!"

In white flash, Cringer became armored, large, and strong. He let out a mighty roar. Together with Oroko and the rest of the animals in tow, He-Man and Battlecat charged out of the rooms and towards the stairwell.

As soon as he reached the stairs, he found Extendar. "We're starting to get everybody up to the courtyard, but it seems Modulock has blocked the exits. It'll take some time to find the alternate routes."

"Damn."

"One more thing, He-Man," said Extendar. "We can't find Man-At-Arms. He must have been moved."

He-Man paused. This was far from good.

"Okay. Oroko, have all of the animals follow you. Extendar, take them all up to the courtyard with you. Do whatever you can to get up there."

"Gotcha."

"I'm going to find Man-At-Arms."

***

Teela continued to fight above with the others. The Horde Troops were now increasing in numbers. They were being pulled from every department, every station. Some were even beginning to rebuild themselves.

And then it happened. Four teleportation beams marked the arrival of Mosquitor, Dragster, Mantenna, and Leech.

"He-Man, we've got a problem," she said through the comm-link.

"What is it, Teela?"

"Horde members. Four of them. That, and the Troop numbers seem to be increasing. We could use some help up here."

"Help should be on the way."

"I just wish they would hurry."

He-Man didn't answer.

***

He-Man searched for the longest time for Man-At-Arms. But now he was getting desperate. The battle up in the courtyard was getting worse and he was needed more and more each passing minute. Plus, the soldiers were still unable to find a way up there.

Finally, He-Man took up once last resort.

"DUNCAN! DUNCAN!" he cried out.

He-Man then stopped short of a door that was slightly ajar. A small moan echoed from it. His curiosity was piqued and he entered. It was there that Man-At-Arms was found. He was beaten and bloodied.

"Duncan!" he shouted as he ran over. He pulled his old mentor up into his arms.

"A-Adam . . .?"

"Yes. Yes, it's me."

Duncan squinted. "How . . . how was your vacation?"

"Not bad," He-Man half-jokingly answered, just glad he was alive.

"Probably better than mine," Duncan replied, his voice raspy. "The - - the food was terrible. Service . . . COUGH . . . coulda used some work. Mini bar wasn't . . . wasn't too bad . . ."

"I'm going to get you outta here. We don't have a lot of time."

"Adam," Duncan said. "There's not enough time. The Troops are going to level this place in twenty minutes. By the time we get up there, it'll be too late. They said this as they beat me that last time."

"Level it?"

"Yes . . . it's too heavily damaged . . ." Duncan began to pass out.

"Oh no you don't!" He-Man shouted. He hoisted Man-At-Arms up onto his shoulder. "Wake up! WAKE UP!"

"It's . . . it's too late . . ." Duncan struggled, about to slip off of He-Man's shoulder.

He-Man grabbed Duncan's face and looked straight at him. Duncan's head rolled loosely.

"DON'T YOU DIE ON ME, DAMN IT! You've got too much to live for! Teela, my father, ME! And, for goodness sake, you've never even met your own grandson!"

Duncan opened his eyes. "Grandson?"

"Yes!"

"I have a grandson . . .?"

"Yes. And I'm going to make sure you meet him. Now, come on!"

He-Man pulled Duncan into his arms and took off running out of the room and towards the long stairs.

His legs pounded against the stones as he ran up the long, winding flights of stairs. In surprisingly no time at all, he ran into the newly free, newly rearmed soldiers.

"Make way! Make way!" he shouted as he past through them.

For some reason, seeing He-Man carry Man-At-Arms made them grasp onto hope much stronger. He-Man soon made it passed the few (a dozen, maybe) animals and up to the freed Defenders.

He-Man put Man-At-Arms onto Battlecat's back. He then turned to Extendar. "Do we have a way up to the courtyard?"

"Yep! Right up these steps!"

"Good. We've got fifteen minutes to group together and get out of here!" He-man exclaimed. He turned to the troops. "ONWARD! CHARGE!"

Everybody and everything picked up their pace. In no time at all, they were in the courtyard and began to do battle with the continuing masses of Horde Troops. He-Man went over to Teela with Battlecat as the Royal Guards began to form a perimeter.

"Father!" shouted Teela. She ran over and placed her hands on the man that sired her. "Oh, father . . ." she cried.

"Hi honey . . ." he moaned. "What's this about a grandson?"

"I love you, father. Just hang on."

"We need to get everyone rounded up. This place is going to blow in less than ten minutes."

At that time, there was an explosion from a nearby wall. The Defenders - as well as many others - watched as Modulock duked it out with Adora.

He punched, she kicked. He lunched, she dodged.

"Hey look! Modulock has got She-Ra's sword!" exclaimed Bow.

"Adora! Get the sword and let's move!" shouted He-Man "Everyone, pull back!"

Adora nodded briefly at He-Man, knocked both of Modulock's heads together. The sword fell from his grasp and into Adora's waiting hands.

He-Man's eyes practically bugged out when she lifted it above her head and spoke the enchanted words.

"FOR THE HONOR OF GRAYSKULL . . ." A flash of light, a twinkle of energy, and burst of power. ". . . I AM SHE-RA!"

She-Ra stood where Adora once was. She fired a beam at her horse - which suddenly became the winged Pegasus named Swift-Wind.

"Did she . . . does this mean . . ." Bow started.

"By the Queen!" shouted Castaspella. "Adora is She-Ra!"

Teela suddenly looked to He-Man, but he was too shocked to say anything. He shook his head and snapped out of it.

"Let's move it! Come on! Teela - contact Gwildor! We've got five minutes!"

Less than forty seconds later, the gateway created by the Cosmic Key opened up in the courtyard. "Royal soldiers! Move in! Everybody!"

He-Man pointed the way. The animals, the wounded, Oroko, the Etherians, the royal guards - they all made their way in first.

"Come on, Defenders! Let's move it!"

The base started to explode as the whole gang began to march in. Only She-Ra was left. She was making her way over to Mosquitor, Dragster, Mantenna, and Leech. She was LOOKING for a fight.

"SHE-RA!" shouted He-Man as explosions racked the fortress. "EVERYBODY'S IN ALREADY! LET'S MOVE IT!"

"THEY'RE GETTING AWAY!" she shouted as she and Swift-Wind turned away from the four. They were teleporting out.

"COME ON! COME ON!"

She-Ra and Swift-Wind charged into the portal with He-Man. As soon as they reached the other side, the portal closed for good. As soon as it did, the entire fortress exploded.