CHAPTER ONE

"Coming Together"

The locks clanged open while old doors creaked. The thunderous clap of boots shook the ground as the eight guards walked their prisoner forward. Chains and clasps bound the purple Chimera as he was escorted towards the front door.

"You're lucky," said the lead guard. "Very lucky. If this guy isn't as rich as he is, you would be spending the rest of your life in that rotten little cell of yours."

"Luck?" laughed Chimera is a deep voice. "I do not believe in such a thing. Count Marzo swore he would free me. So, I have waited until that day. That day has come."

"Yes, it has, my old friend."

Chimera looked up and the tall, lean, distinguished Count Marzo standing at the exit of the alien prison. The guards began to unlock the bounds of chains that held Chimera. As soon as they did, the purple thug walked up to Count Marzo and bowed.

"My Count."

"Ah, Chimera. I promised to rescue you. Thank you, guards."

The guards acknowledged and walked back into the prison. "Sir," began Chimera as he stood up, "I fear there maybe deception afoot. There might be snipers in the windows of the prison."

"Hmmm? Are they? Well. Here you go, old friend."

Count Marzo pressed a small button on his wrist. In a burst of power, the entire prison exploded in a raging inferno. Marzo thundered in laughter.

"Thank you, sir. The guards were annoying."

"Not a problem. Now, onto business," said Marzo as he stepped into his ship. As it launched from the exploding prison complex, Marzo turned to his partner-in-crime.

"Yes. Business. What is this I heard about He-Man?"

"Oh. Yes. That. Well, Chimera, it turns out that He-Man and that sniveling prince Adam were one and the same. Something about the Zodac manipulating such-and-such. All I know is that the Swords of Power, Protection, Darkness, and Deception are gone. Brakk, Skeletor, Hordak, and King Hiss are all dead. And now, Adam runs all of Eternia under the banner of peace and openness. The same goes for Etheria and his sister, Adora."

"Really?"

"That's right."

"How long ago did this go down?"

"Five years ago, there was this huge battle. Quite messy. But I don't really care. All I know is that King Adam is bad for business."

"And He-Man wasn't?"

"No. He-Man was genuine. He-Man could be placed into position that I could manipulate. I learned that during those two visits we made. He was big and strong with a heart of gold. His only responsibility was to those he protected. But Adam . . . no, I'm afraid Adam is much different. He has his head and his responsibility is to the throne."

"I understand."

"Yes. So, like I said, King Adam is bad for business."

"What are you going to do about it?"

"Oh, we're going to kill him."

"Sounds like a plan."

***

Bright, blue ribbons and banners fluttered in the morning sunlight. Eternos smiled as the third day of celebration continued. The birth of Adam and Teela's second child was commencing. The celebration was long - as was the labor. After having both Addison and Amelia, Teela figured that this birth would be swift. Amelia was born in less than seven hours. Addison in four. But Joshua was taking his time . . .

"Adam!" screamed Teela as another contraction slammed across her body.

Adam held her hand. Only to find that she was stronger in labor than He-Man had ever been in battle. He could practically hear the bones cracking as her grip grew harder.

"Teela - OW! - Teela, darling, it'll be - OUCH! - okay . . . ow . . ."

"NO IT WON'T!" she fumed. "YOU DID THIS TO ME! I HATE YOU!"

"Honey, it'll be over soon - OW!"

"YOU SAID THAT TWO DAYS AGO! YOU SAID THAT YESTERDAY! AND THIS BABY IS STILL INSIDE ME! YOU'RE HE-MAN! GET IT OUT!"

She yanked on Adam's hand, and the poor king felt like it was about to be ripped off. Teela clenched her teeth. Then, slowly, the contraction began to flader away.

Adam let go of her hand and rubbed his own. "Yow . . ."

"Oh, honey," she moaned, "I love you so much. Thank you for being here for me. I love you."

Adam looked at his crushed hand and sighed. "You've got a funny way of expressing it."

Teela gasped when she saw what she had done. "Oh, you poor thing. I'm sorry. Here, let me see."

She took his hand into her loving, gentle fingers and rubbed it softly. Then, in a violent twist, those same fingers began rigid and terrify as they smashed Adam's hand.

"ANOTHER CONTRACTION!"

"No kidding . . ." moaned Adam, his hand in new forms of pain. He recalled the words she told him all throughout the pregnancy. "I don't want any painkillers. I've been raised as a warrior. I didn't have painkillers when I had Amelia or Addison and I did just fine. I'll just chalk it up to a pain-handling experience."

His hand still ached from Amelia's birth two years ago, but now . . . this was worse. This was three frustrating days of grueling labor and childbirth all poured into this little hand. To be honest, Adam would be much happier facing an army of Skeletors than go through this one more time. But, it was Teela. For Teela, he would go through TWO armies of Skeletors just to get to this.

That's how much he loved her.

"I love you," he whispered.

"SHUT UP! THAT'S WHAT GOT US HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE, YOU JERK!"

He winced as the insults came barreling at him, but Adam had long since accepted this sort of ranting for one in pain. Finally, though, the words from the doctor came like soft, loving music.

"Okay Teela," he said, "this is it! Finally!"

She pulled herself and started to push. Adam put his arm around her shoulders and her face stressed. He took her hands and felt them hurt in pain once more. But it was worth it. This was all worth it. Teela tensed outwards and started to bear down on the child within. Pain took her body, but Teela still plowed through.

"Adam . . ." she muttered as she pushed.

"Teela?"

"I love you."

"I love you too."

The crying of a baby filled the room. Adam and Teela looked past her legs to see the Doctor holding up their young, newborn son. He quickly cleaned him off and bundled him off before handing Joshua off to Mom and Dad.

All three of them cried.

The Doctor smiled contently and then turned to a nurse. The nurse walked over to a door and then out to a waiting room, where Adora and her husband Sea Hawk sat with Randor, Marlena, Addison, Amelia, Duncan and Telana.

"I think you can make the announcement," the nurse grinned. "Ten fingers, ten toes, and just adorable."

Adora looked to her friends and family, then stood up and walked to a balcony that overlooked the courtyard. It was full of people, clamoring about, waiting to hear about the birth.

"People of Eternia!" she shouted with joy and a tear. "Queen Adora of Etheria wishes to convey a message to you! Joshua, son of Adam and Teela, has been born!"

The crowd clapped and shouted. Great bells rang. The sound carried into the room in which Adam, Teela, and Joshua were huddled.

"This," Adam said with a tearful smile, "this is a fine day for Eternia."

"And it's a fine day," Teela returned, running a finger across the baby's cheek, "for our family."