CHAPTER THREE

"The Judgement of Loxx"

"This is so stupid," muttered Emily as she joined her brothers, sister, and parents in the Battle Jeep. It was long and wide, but was faster than any Road Ripper. It would get them to Shadow by dusk, where they would be able to get ahold of Loxx and the power to defeat the Energy Beast.

"It's something we just have to do, Emily," Adam told her.

"Besides, the City of Wisdom is closed any ways," Teela followed up, helping him adjust the controls.

"Yeah, so you can't hang out with any of your weird friends," Joshua whispered to her.

"No, but that's because I have no friends," Emily replied harshly, but seemed almost proud of the fact.

"Leave her alone, Josh," Addison scolded.

Adam sighed deeply and he had the strange feeling that no one was going to be leaving this vehicle alive. "Let's just sit tight. This was the only thing that take us all fast enough."

"And I just want you kids to behave, alright? We have enough problems to deal with," Teela chided.

It was then that Adam smiled, realizing where the kids got most of their spitfire from. Their mother. "Alrighty. We've got a quest to fulfill."

In a way, Adam felt good about all of this. It wasn't everyday he had the chance to chuck everyone in his family into the Battle Jeep and headed off for certain danger. It made him think back to the days when he would hop onto Battle Cat and head off into parts unknown for the key to stopping Skeletor.

He missed those days for some reason. Despite how hard it could be or how dangerous, there was a certain thing about being there. Doing something for the good of Eternia - sans the politics or the fact that there was Zodac in background.

Things felt right back then and Adam strangely wished things were as easy as good versus evil once more. They were being manipulated, of course, by Zodac's 'master plan,' but it still felt good. Felt right.

But so much had happened since then. Adam was king now, with children of his own. So was his sister. Adora was mother as well . . . but ever since she lost Sea Hawk . . .

He suddenly shut out those thoughts. He was with her when the news of Sea Hawk's death broke. Adam didn't care relive the moment he saw his sister at her weakest.

Yet it was moments like that that remained with Adam, just as the 'good ole days' did. Moments that caused him to grow - to learn and evolve into the man he is today.

And that was a pleasing thought.

***

"Glad you could come on out, Dad," Exo said, as he and Mekaneck stood upon a frozen cliff, watching as energy shimmered and shuddered north of their position.

"Not a problem, son," Mekaneck replied, his neck pulling back. "Looks pretty bad up there. The Energy Beast is using the electro-magnetic spectrum as a supplier of power. No harm done to the planet, but it won't be any good for us when he heads to Eternos."

"I agree," said Stinger, landing behind the pair. "I've contacted Eternos with our results. We should head back."

"Too cold up here?" asked Exo with a grin.

"Yes. Makes me miss the Hive. Nice and toasty all year round."

Mekaneck smiled. "No wonder your father only showed up when we REALLY, REALLY needed him."

Stinger smiled. "Come on, let's head back."

Just as they started towards the south, there was a strange howl on the wind. Mekaneck looked east and extended his head to listen for it. A second howl echoed - this one louder and far closer. Mekaneck saw its origin and shot his head back down.

"What was that?" asked Stinger, majorly concerned.

"It's a modern-day myth, of sorts," Mekaneck began, noting that the howl was now growing farther and farther east.

"How so?"

"Well, in the past twenty-five years, there have been these strange reports of glowing riders. They started in the Dark Hemisphere, but have grown more and more scattered. They're called Scare-Glows."

"Scare-Glows? Never heard of them," said Exo.

"Rumor has it that they're the ghost of Skeletor - that he was so powerful in the end that he came back as ten ghosts instead of just one."

"And that's what you think you saw?"

"Maybe," Mekaneck said. "Though they're rarely been seen during the day. There's also the possibility that these Scare-Glows are just a bunch of old warriors that believe that Skeletor is still alive. That the theory I prefer to the believe."

"Well, what exactly did you see, Dad?"

"A few riders charging east, that's all."

"Hmmm," Stinger hummed thoughtfully. "Coincidence?"

"We'll see. Come on. Let's get back to Eternos."

But as Mekaneck and Exo hopped onto the Talon Fighter and took to the skies with Stinger, he couldn't help but look back . . . and wonder . . .

***

Eight hours, four potty breaks, nine arguments and seventeen minutes later, they arrived at Shadow Mountain. The Battle Jeep lurched up the rocks and started up the mountain, until they reached a point where it was too steep for the poor vehicle to climb. Of course, that was when they spotted a strange set of busted up stairs.

"All set, gang?" asked Adam with a smile.

Not even Teela looked remotely happy about this.

"Right-o. Let's go."

***

Duncan couldn't help but admire someone like Peacekeeper. She had been born mere minutes after Hordak covered Etheria with his black oil. Freed by Light-Hope four years later, she hadn't aged a day - much like everyone else on Etheria.

But there was more to this woman than just that. She was very telepathic and worked for years to become a psychologist. Considering all she had done at the Light-Zone . . . with her help, Trap-Jaw and Tri-Klops were freed of the demons that had haunted them all throughout their lives. They were free men, both serving as smile traders and farmers in the country.

When she had signed on as Adora's personal contact with Eternia last year, everyone was bit shocked. Considering she was barely twenty-five and already had so many accomplishments under her belt. She had a thirst for knowledge that . . . that was unlike anything else Duncan had ever seen.

But now it was her sheer bravery that caught his eye this time. She had just insisted to Adora that she remain on Eternia and help out against the Energy Beast.

Surely, this woman was much more than met the eye.

"Hey Duncan!" came the shout of the Trollian named Nell. Duncan liked Nell. He was a much younger cousin of Orko's who came to serve as Court Jester after Orko married Dree Ell and moved to Trolla. He was a bit more confident in his skills, and less clumsy than his cousin was. But that didn't cover for his over-excitement for such small things.

"Yes, Nell? What can I do for you?"

"I'm just a little worried about this war! I mean, I don't want to be the end of us, and I'm sure it won't, but I'm still just a little worried and I can't help but be because I don't like war and it's no fun and - "

"Nell," said Peacekeeper, stepping over. "Calm down. We'll be okay. Right now, I think we'll need you to make sure that all of the civilians are safely behind the outer wall and are in the secure areas. Can you do that?"

Nell seemed happy with this assignment and tipped his hand. "Why certainly!"

"Thanks for the save," Duncan told her.

"Not a problem. Any word from Adam?"

"Not yet," Duncan replied. "But our scout team just reported back. The Energy Beast is making progress. If you'll excuse me, I would like to check-up on Ram-Man-At-Arms and Machinesmith. I'm curious if they've come up with anything yet."

"I certainly hope so," Peacekeeper added as he walked off. "See you later."

Duncan walked down the corridor, still depending far too much on his cane. His leg never did completely heal from the abuse it had taken at the Fright Zone all those years ago. But he tried to ignore and kept on towards the lab.

"Anything yet?" he asked as entered.

There was small explosion from whatever Machinesmith was working on. He looked up sadly. "Nope. I'm starting to think we're just going to have to dissipate the energy."

"That's gonna be harder than you think, Machinesmith."

"It's all I can see doing at this point, sir," Machinesmith said with a frown. "But I'll keep working on it."

Duncan gave him a reassuring smile. "I know you will, son."

***

During the entire way up those long, unsteady, cracked stairs, Emily could have sworn she felt like they were being watched. Her eyes kept registering movement in their corners.

"Did you guys see that?" she asked.

"See what?" asked Amelia.

"There was something moving. I know it."

"I didn't see anything."

Emily sighed and shrugged. Maybe she was just getting tired. And cranky. She muttered a curse to herself, then kept moving . . . only to bump into Amelia, who had bumped into Joshua, who had bumped into Addison, who had bumped into Teela - who had stopped abruptly behind Adam.

They all stood at the edge of a cave entrance. Adam nodded and grinned. "This is it. Home of Loxx. Our only hope in defeating the Energy Beast and stopping him once more in his - "

"Let's save the dramatics, eh hon?" said Teela, putting her hand onto his shoulder.

"Oh, yeah. Let's head on in, then."

And so they did, guided by their lanterns and torches through the darkness. They had were walking for a while when Adam felt something brush up against him. He spun around, eyes darting to find what it was.

"What is it?"

"Something brushed up against me. It . . . it must have been a bat or something."

Still, though, Adam felt a tingle of dread in the back his mind. After a few more minutes of walking, the whole royal family found themselves in a large room.

They were standing on a balcony, a gigantic chasm beneath them. The entire chamber was large and wide - quite intimidating to all but Adam. He had seen much larger in his journey underground.

There was a sudden rumble, then a burst of green smoke and lighting. Then, in a flash, a gigantic creature filled up the chamber. He was obviously quite large, his hands like claws and his face demeaning and authoritative.

"You have arrived at last, King Adam," Loxx announced. "I expect you would like to share my power to defeat the Energy Beast."

Adam drew a breath and nodded. "Yes. I believe our intentions are noble. We seek to destroy the Energy Beast for the sake of all those on Eternia."

"Indeed," Loxx said to them, "your intentions and causes our quite noble. But have you forgotten that you must be judged?!"

"No, I have not, I - "

"JUDGEMENT!" shouted Loxx, his claw-like finger pointing straight Adam. "You are of hybrid blood!"

"What . . . ?"

"You are tainted! You are unworthy of the power of Loxx!"

"Because of my blood?"

"Your blood is that of a alien! You're half-breed! You should not even have control of the throne, let alone my power!"

"Now, just wait one second . . ." started Amelia, feeling insulted.

"JUDGEMENT!" Loxx shouted now, his fingers outstretched and pointed towards Amelia, Joshua, and Emily. "None of you are worthy! Your blood is a bastard blood! Alien! The actions of Marlena from Earth have damned you and your world - "

"HOW DARE YOU?!" yelled Adam. "How dare you place that kind of judgement on us! It is not our fault my father - "

"Your father was honorable until he made love with your mother, King Adam. He condemned his branch on the royal family for that!" The finger then went to Teela. "JUDGEMENT!"

"Give me your worst . . ." Teela began.

"You were supposed to have an honorable position safe-guarding Castle Grayskull! But instead you have given that up for the half-breed and your son! Who, I might add, may have gained the power were he of royal blood! If only you had love-making with one of the royal cousins!"

Teela about ripped his face off. "WHY YOU NO-GOOD, CONDESCENDING, LITTLE NOTHING!"

Adam held Teela back "HEY! HEY! Calm down, honey, calm down. Let's just get out of here. We don't need Loxx or his power."

"Yeah," Joshua threw in, following the rest of his family as they started back into the tunnel.

After a moment of silence, a figure appeared from the tunnel entrance. He was wrapped in a dark robe, his face shadowed in his hood.

"Who are you?" asked Loxx. "You followed them."

"Yes. Yes I did. And my name is Chaos."

"Chaos. It was you who released the Energy Beast from Etheria?"

"Yes."

"And now you want my power?"

"Yes."

"JUDGEMENT!"

The finger shot out at Chaos. "My intentions are noble."

"To yourself. But still, that maybe enough to . . . eh? Your blood is . . ."

"It is."

"But how? I've watched the royal family carefully and I have not seen you before."

"No one has. I'm brand-new."

"Then you may have your power, Master Chaos. You do so intrigue me."