CHAPTER FIVE

"Premonitions and Promotions"

There was darkness. And voices. And things that burned and things that stung. There was a strange smell in the air, like sulfur and brimstone.

And the something changed. There was a light being shone - but it was so far away. He got up - had he been sitting? - and ran towards this light. His feet pushed against whatever ground there was and he just kept trying to get to that light in front of him.

Closer and closer he came, the light still radiant. It was feeling warm and cold at the same - it's wonderous power blowing all things away from him. And then King Adam saw what this light really was.

The Sword of Power was before him, glistening and shining like it was in the middle of the transformation. And all Adam wanted to do was reach out a grab it. He did so . . . his hand extending towards the hilt . . . fingers ready to grasp it and use it for the great transformation into He-Man, hero of Primus, Etheria and Eternia.

Yet as soon as he went to grab it, the sword was gone. The light was gone. Darkness was all around him. And a laugh. A familiar cackle that he had known for years.

There was as burning light that rose from the ground - a light that was so unlike that which had surrounded the Sword of Power. No, this light surrounded the man known as Skeletor.

Draped in a violet cloak, Skeletor laughed as he opened up his hand - and a black crow appeared. It cawed at Adam, then shot forth, straight at him. As soon as it reached his face, though, both the crow and Skeletor were gone.

Replaced by nothing but darkness.

Adam shot up from his dream and found himself sweating and panting. "What was that?" he asked no one. He turned to his wife, who was fast asleep next to him. He hadn't woken her, apparently. Which was fine with him. His eyes looked to the clock, which immediately told him that he had only been asleep for an hour. It was just past midnight.

Not feeling like going back to sleep, Adam stood and walked towards the balcony. He looked to find the lights on in the lab. Machinesmith or RMAA was always late, working on something. But the lights were out, telling Adam that they weren't there for some reason.

"Oh yeah," he told himself.

Some of the old members of the Defenders came to take the new members out to celebrate their recent victory over the Energy Beast. Their first major battle, major villain, and major victory.

Maybe that was what stirred up the dream. Adam could only hope so.

He had a sudden urge to join them in their late-night celebrations and even considered doing so, until Teela sat up and looked at him. "What is it?"

"Nightmare."

"I'm sorry," she said, getting out of bed and moving next to him. "Anything I can do to help?"

He shook his head.

"Do you want to tell me about it?"

"There was all this darkness, and I saw the Sword of Power. But as I reached for it, it was gone. Skeletor came then and released this crow at me. The crow disappeared and I was back in the darkness."

"What do you think it means?"

"Probably just has to do with yesterday's battle. You know, first enemy appearing after so long. Haven't had one since Marzo."

She nodded and leaned her hand against his chest. "Yeah," Teela assured him. "I love you, you know."

"I know," was his reply, "and I love you too."

***

"Hey barkeep! Another round for the house!" Man-E-Faces shouted.

"On my tab!" followed up Sy-Klone.

Snout Sprout held the mug up to his trunk and sucked it all up. "It's good!"

A whole host of the old Defenders had come to celebrate their predecessor's success. 'Old school'-style, as Ram-Man-At-Arms had put it.

"So, that power of yours sounds pretty cool, Horn," commented Clamp Champ.

"Thanks!" Horn returned.

"HEY EVERYBODY!" Sy-Klone yelled. "How about a good old bar song? Just like the ones we used to sing back in the day!"

"Good idea!"

"Ooooooooooohhhhhh!

Who lives in a mountain on the dark hemisphere? Skeletor bonehead!

Ugly and blue and skull-faced is he! Skeletor bonehead!

If joining losers is something you wish! Skeletor bonehead!

Then join the crappy gang with Tri-Klops and man-fish! Skeletor bonehead!

Ooooooohhh!

Skeletor bonehead!

Skeletor bonehead!
Skeletor bonehead!

Skeletor bonehead!"

The song turned into laughter as the group realized they had a few too many to sing the next verse. Poet chuckled to himself and turned to Tail, who was enjoying this little fest.

"This is a lot of fun," she said with a grin.

"Definitely. You were pretty good out there, you know?"

"Really? Thanks. Your 'stop' was perfect."

"Oh that? That was nothing."

"No, really, that was really good. It's good to have someone like you out there to help us out."

"Well, thank," Poet replied. "And I gotta say . . . I loved your moves . . ."

She smiled at him. "Well, we felines are known for our moves."

There was a strange moment, when the two of them felt a connection unspoken. Just as they were about to explore it, Philip appeared behind them, throwing his hands onto their shoulders.

"This is great, isn't it?! The best night of my life!"

Just then, Mekaneck's head appeared next to him. "Glad you feel that way! I'm proud of you, son. And I'm glad you can celebrate this victory. I'm proud of all of you!"

"Thank you, sir," Tail answered.

"Yes, thanks," Poet added, feeling the moment lost.

Meanwhile, across the room, Machinesmith was nursing a drink, feeling a bit tired of people commenting and praising him on the victory.

"Hey, Machinesmith, you all right?" asked Ram-Man-At-Arms.

He mustered a smile. "Yeah. I guess it's just . . . I overheard this rumor about this promotion. I'm not sure if I want a promotion."

"Why not?"

"To be honest, sir, what I did, I did in that lab. I don't want to leave it."

Ram-Man-At-Arms finished off his mug. "Well, don't worry about that, kiddo."

"Oh? Why not?"

"Because you'll spending a lot more in time there because of your promotion."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"You're going to be the new Man-At-Arms."

Machinesmith nearly choked. "What? Are-are you serious? That's . . . that's . . . whoa."

"Yeah."

"But I can't take that position. I mean, that's your - "

"I'm retiring, kid."

"HUH?!"

"Yeah. I'm buying this bar."

"But . . . I mean, does the King . . ."

"He knows. He approves. You'll be the youngest Man-At-Arms ever, but hey - I can't think of anyone else suited for this job."

Machinesmith nearly cried. He lurched forward and hugged Ram-Man-At-Arms. "Thank you, sir. You won't regret this decision."

"HEY EVERYBODY!" yelled out Fisto. "Who's up for a good ol' drinking game?!"

The entire room roared in acceptance.

"Then come on! I know exactly where we can do this!"

Somehow, the whole gang found their way into a room that branched off from the main lab. It housed a machine that allowed ones own memories to be shown onto screen. Everyone took his or her seats as alcohol was passed around.

"Okay!" shouted Ram-Man-At-Arms. "Here's the deal! We're gonna watch one of the old missions we were on!"

"For old times sake!" added Sy-Klone.

"Here's the rules of the game," explained Fisto. "One shot for every time He-Man beats the crap outta one of Skeletor's evil warriors!"

"Two shots for every time He-Man beats up Skeletor!"

"Three shots for every time WE beat up one of evil warriors!"

"And four shots each time Skeletor swears vengeance!"

And with that, the celebrations continued for the rest of the night . . . or until everyone passed out.