CHAPTER THREE

"Troublesome Heralds"

500 years ago, Count Marzo walked on Eternian soil for the very first time. He had been everywhere, but had spent most of his time in the Sands of Time. It was there that he foresaw a vision.

A warrior, huge and muscular, overthrew the plans of Count Marzo. While this would not come to pass for hundreds of years, Marzo was concerned that this vision may become reality. He needed to ensure that this never happened.

And so, Marzo went throughout the galaxy and found himself a young boy. To this boy, he gave some of his own immortality. The boy could only be killed by violence. A death by age would have no effect on this child. The child was paraded from world to world, then, learning how to become the finest warrior. Powerful and strong enough to counter the strength of He-Man himself.

After over five centuries of training, Count Marzo was proud of the boy. He named this boy - now a man - Ninjor. Ninjor's fighting abilities were so instilled in his brain that they became second-nature. But still, Marzo knew that the key to defeated He-Man was experience. He could not rely on any other experience but to defeat He-Man.

And so, Count Marzo wiped out Ninjor's memory - with the exception of his fighting skills. He teleported him to Snake Mountain, home of Skeletor - enemy of He-Man and all that he stood for. It was there that Ninjor learned of He-Man's strengths and weaknesses.

It was there that he prepared himself for that final battle. It was there that he watched for the right moment . . . that never came. He could never strike at He-Man. Marzo had underestimated Skeletor. The master of Snake Mountain kept a tight leash on Ninjor, never allowing him to strike at He-Man without his permission.

He-Man and Skeletor left then, for five years, and only returned to defeat one another. Skeletor was dead and He-Man ceased to exist. Only King Adam stands where He-Man once did - for the two were one and the same.

One and the same.

Ninjor's target had just reappeared.

"Well, what do you think?"

Ninjor opened his eyes. His vision immediately fell upon Count Marzo, who was leaned up against a tree. His entire body felt sore, but he was up on his feet in seconds. "You are the one responsible?"

"Yes. Throughout your training, I've kept my eye on you. I always thought myself as a . . . father to you. What do you think of yourself now, Ninjor?"

Ninjor sighed deeply and thought for a moment. He looked back up at Marzo and spoke quietly. "The same as I did a few moments ago."

Count Marzo was a bit surprised by this, but nodded all the same. "Well, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised by that. In the meantime, I'm assuming you know what I want you to do next, eh?"

Ninjor picked up his sword that had fallen out of his hands when he passed out. He studied it for a second, then looked back up at Count Marzo. "Kill the King."

***

"We're still on the look-out for Ninjor, but there's been little luck," Adora reported over the comm-link.

"That's not good news," Adam sighed, looking at twin on the viewscreen. "Do you need any help? I know everyone over has been itching for a chance to get into a fight."

"No, but thanks Adam. I'm sure we'll be fine."

"Good luck. Ninjor isn't a pushover. Plus, I've been hearing these rumors . . ."

"Oh?" Adora asked, fascinated.

"There have been strangers at our borders. Our cousin Jeremy contacted me this morning from the Western City and told me about these people hanging out in front of his castle. He had them removed."

"What were they doing?"

"That's the strange thing. They weren't doing anything. Last he heard, these people were heading East."

"Towards Eternos."

"Yeah. I don't know, Adora, something's wrong."

"I feel the same way, Adam. Anyways, how is Jeremy doing?"

"Just fine. Stuck-up as usual. I mean to call more often, but . . . well . . . it's hard to run an empire and still have time to call the relatives."

"Tell me about it," Adora replied thickly, but with a slight smile.

Adam blushed with embarrassment. "Well, um, it's just that . . . uh . . . well you could call me!"

"Oh? I don't know if I want to. You never call me, so why should I call you?"

He sighed and shook his head. "Adora, I swear . . ."

"Ha ha!" she laughed. "Gotcha good, little brother. How's the baby?"

"Joshua's fine. Very hungry, though. Won't leave Teela alone."

"There's an image."

"Oh, come on now. You'll be doing it soon someday."

"Eventually, but not for a little while, at least. Not if I have anything to say about it."

Adam chuckled. "You might, but not your sea-loving husband."

"Oh, the minute I get pregnant, you know he'll go off on one of his old year-long ocean voyages that he used to do before we were married."

"If he decides to do it today, I'll join him."

"Like Teela would let you. Speaking of which, where is the little woman?"

"With the kids. Addison just got of school and he's anxious to play with his little sister and new little brother."

"Nice to know all the kids are getting along and - "

Suddenly, then, the comm-link cut out. Adora's image was replaced with static. Adam pressed a small button his wrist and contacted the Communications Tower.

"This King Adam. What happened to the comm-link with Etheria?"

"I don't know, sire. Communications are being jammed."

Just then, the static disappeared. A new image filled the screen. Adam's mind flashed and he recognized it immediately. Count Marzo.

"People of Eternia!" Count Marzo proclaimed. "If you do not remember me, I am Count Marzo! I am currently coming in loud and clear on all frequencies. I am informing that I have returned to Eternia, though you know not where I am. And do not even try to find me. You'll find this signal untraceable. In three days, my space armada will be arriving to take over your world. You won't stand a chance against my forces. Between my own cunning experience over the centuries and my near unlimited resources, I will easily overpower you. And just so you know I'm not kidding . . . I've prepared a little demonstration. See you in three days."

Adam snapped to his feet. "Prepare our forces and - "

Before he could mutter another word, the entire palace shook. A thunderous noise was heard. Adam ran to the nearest window and saw one of the walls of Eternos exploding. A bomb!

A second explosion roared nearby, shaking the palace with such strength than Adam had anticipated. A third one was heard, but it was little farther away.

"Adam!" cried Cringer, bounding over.

"Cringer! It's alright!"

"No! I hear a sound! It's like a clock ticking - "

That was when a fourth explosion ripped through Eternos. The room that Adam and Cringer were sharing filled with fire and debris, causing Adam to shot back. He and Cringer grabbed onto each other as the explosion roared across the room.

Adam shook some sense into his head and looked over to Cringer. The old tiger appeared safe. He glanced up and saw an untouched corridor off to the left side of the room. The fire was roaring, but it didn't seem to spread too much. Not yet at least.

"Come on, Cringer, let's go find Teela and the kids."

Just as they were about to exit the room, there was a loud clatter from behind. Adam spun around and found Ninjor standing a top a large portion of the ceiling that had crashed down. At his feet was Adam's family sword.

"Fight."

"No."

"I was trained to kill He-Man. I'll have to settle for you. You're my only target, Adam. But if you deny me, I'll kill you and your family. There is no honor in that, but they are my instructions."

"And who gave those instructions?"

"Marzo."

Adam grimed. Ninjor kicked his sword over to him and Adam picked it up. "Cringer, go find Teela and the children. Make sure they're safe."

"But Adam . . ."

The King of Eternia looked back at his most dearest of friends. "Please, Cringer. Make sure they're safe."

The large cat grumped, but then leapt over to the corridor and then rushed over and tried to follow Teela's scent through the smoke and fire.

"A good move," Ninjor said, lifting his sword out in front of him, his other hand hovering behind.

"I'm only doing this because I have to," Adam replied, holding his sword straight out. "You'll have to excuse me, though, it's been a while since I've kicked someone's ass."

Ninjor smiled beneath his mask. "I spent nearly 500 years training how to kill He-Man. I can handle a watered-down version of him."

It was then Ninjor shot into action. His blade swung through the air, coming right towards Adam. The King, though, blocked the move. Just as he had, Ninjor was able to move himself against Adam. A kick quick to the leg caused Adam to lose a bit of his balance. But still, his sword pushed him off of Ninjor.

Ninjor pulled back, then pushed forward. Adam got a kick to the chest. He was getting tired of this, though, and lunched his sword at Ninjor. Ninjor blocked it, but Adam was putting a lot of pressure on it. A few seconds of laying on this pressure and Ninjor dropped the sword from his hand.

Adam was about to deliver a punch to Ninjor's head, but was unable to. Ninjor unleashed five shirukens into the air. Four of them hit Adam's leg. Adam let out a shout as blood began to soak his pant leg. Ninjor, though, wasn't through.

He launched himself forward, kicking Adam right in the gut - then followed through with a kick in the chest and the face.

Adam stumbled back, but wasn't quite done with the masked warrior. As he stumbled backwards, his right leg - his good leg - shot out and kicked Ninjor in the gut. Adam used his own momentum to punch Ninjor in his head, then jabbed at his neck. Ninjor tried a punch, but Adam deflected it.

Once more, Adam used his momentum to ram the palm of his hand against Ninjor's chin. His head snapped back, allowing Adam to knee him in the gut.

That was when Adam realized something. Ninjor was holding back. Why was he holding back?

Adam, feeling the need to end this, snapped at Ninjor's legs. He fell to the ground and Adam yanked out his sword. He held it right above Ninjor's neck.

"You were holding back. Why?"

Ninjor brought his hand up and removed his mask. "Because there is no honor is this fight. This is only a duty. An order. Given out by a man that has no respect for balance or honor, or even duty. He has manipulated my life for 500 years. He must be stopped."

"How can I trust you?"

"You have your sword to my neck. I give my life to you. I vow to you I will stop Count Marzo." There was something in Ninjor's eyes that caused Adam to rethink everything he had known about Ninjor. This man often times cited honor when attacking He-Man or the others. Something about this felt very right.

Adam lowered his sword. "I believe you."

Ninjor got to his feet. "Thank you. My life is yours now."

Both of them, then, looked over at the fire. Water began to spray on it, steam filling room. As it began to pass, Adam half-expected Ninjor to be gone. He wasn't.

"Adam!" shouted Teela, who came rushing into the room. "Are you okay?! You're bleeding!"

"I'm fine, Teela," Adam assured her. "The children? Are they okay?"

"Yes. They were out in the courtyard."

That was when Ram-Man-At-Arms, Snout Sprout, Roboto and Man-E-Faces entered. "King Adam! What has this cur done to you?"

"Vowed his life to me and to the defeat of Count Marzo."

"Your orders, sire?" asked Ram-Man-At-Arms.

"Send word out. Assemble the leaders of the people of Eternia. It's time to prepare for war."