CHAPTER SEVEN

"Dark Clouds"

The winds were heavy and fast as the funeral began. It was dusk, the sun making the sky turn hues of red, orange, yellow and purple. Dark clouds that were beginning sink were reflecting the warm colors against their grays and blacks.

Adam sat silently as he, the rest of the royal family, and Machinesmith (the new Man-At-Arms) all sat together. A few others were with him, including Buzz-Off and Stinger; King Felinus of the Cat-People; Mer-Man; and King Jade. There was a coffin before them, separating this group from a large contingent of Avions. Many of other Avions filled the sky, to celebrate the life and mourn the death of King Stratos.

Talon, now the king, walked forward, his pale blue eyes forcing themselves dry. He stood at the head of the coffin and nodded to the representatives of the other peoples of Eternos. Then, he did the same to his own people. Finally, he stood straight and looked longly at the coffin that held his father.

After a few silent moments, Talon eased his head up and faced the people that had touched his father's life.

"I was named Talon," he began. "As some of you may or may not know, Talon was the name of a great warrior nearly 1,000 years ago. The strength and honor that he wielded is legendary. He even defended Eternos when all other peoples abandoned them - and the battle was won that day, all because of his wisdom and strength.

"Very few have carried on his legacy and are worthy of even coming to being compared to Talon. Myself included, though I carry his name. Few are to dare to be compared to him - but not my father. King Stratos of Avion was a warrior beyond the very meaning of the word. His battles with Skeletor, Hordak, and King Hiss were always fought with a style and grace that is rarely seen here on Eternia. His leadership is without question, as well. When Hordak invaded Eternia and King Buzz-Off was taken prisoner, Stratos and the Avions led the Insectoids into the deep caverns of the Mystic Mountains - while he fought undaunted.

"He was like that, my father, always bound and determined to put the safety of his people before anything else. To follow in his footsteps is something I am not prepared to do, but with my father's spirit within me, I know that my doubts will quick. Now, fellow Avions, if you will accompany me as I take my father on one final journey."

Adam took a breath, knowing that this was a traditional thing for Avions. A designated group of Avions lift and carry the coffin high into the air, with the rest of the people in tow. It's a glorious sight . . . and they take the coffin beyond the horizon and drop it beyond the shores of Vine Jungle. It was to be taken and be tossed by waves that would lift both into the sky and bring it to a resting-place beneath the seas.

For some reason, he was curious to know if Mer-Man knew anything about this, but pushed it out of his mind. Talon was leading the group of Avions as they lifted into the sky, carrying the coffin of Stratos with them.

Like a flock of birds, they flew in formation - as far as the eye can see - towards the coastline to the south.

Adam and the other representatives stood and watched respectfully until the group was gone, then turned to each other.

"I've never heard nor seen anything quite like this," Mer-Man said. "Coffins nor Avion bodies have never appeared on the sea floor."

"Strange," noted Buzz-Off. "I thought most Avion bodies were burned upon death."

"Not royalty," King Jade told him.

"I see."

Adam took a breath. "I would like to know who killed him."

"And the Trolls that set that trap," Stinger followed-up.

"It was meant for the both of us," Buzz-Off commented sadly. "If I had just been paying attention . . ."

King Felinus put his hand on Buzz-Off's shoulder. "You're being too hard on yourself, Buzz-Off. Stratos died saving you. Best not to dishonor him by wishing the act hadn't happened."

"I suppose."

"We should probably concentrate on investigating the murder," Machinesmith added.

After a few moments, the Avions flocked home. Talon made b-line straight for the representatives. "Thank you for coming," he told them. "You have always honored Avion and my father in the past. To be here does further honor."

"I just want you to know that we'll help in any way with the investigation," King Adam said.

Talon paused briefly, but then nodded slowly. "Thank you. If you will excuse me, now, there are some personal things I need to take care of."

A round of apologies came from the group and Talon started to walk off - only to find Emily running to catch up to him. "Talon?" she asked softly and nervously. "I'm sorry about your father."

He turned to her, an expression unreadable. "Thank you. My apologies for the other day. I was speaking out of turn."

"Well, so I was. I was just having problems," Emily returned, remembering that week and its fun little visitor. "But I'm sorry about that too."

"Thank you. I shall see you upon my next visit to Eternos."

Emily mustered a slight grin. "Bye."

"Good bye."

***

Lynn sat upon a large cliff, out above the rest of Eternia. Far from the eyes of men. She had barely aged a day since she took up studying the light arts. Indeed, her entire body seemed full of new life and regeneration. Her skin was warmer and less pale than it was during her time with Skeletor.

As she sat in meditation, as she had for the past two weeks, Lynn took note of a subtle movement behind her.

"You've found me, Ninjor. Now what do you want?"

Lynn turned around to find Ninjor - just as she expected - standing behind her. "How did you know?"

"Please. I've been up here for weeks, speaking to the wind. It told me you were coming as soon as you left your home."

Ninjor sighed, then nodded slowly. "I've come to speak with you."

"I already know. Yes, he is."

Ninjor closed his eyes. "I should have known. He was the one that arranged the death of Stratos."

"Of course. He is quite resourceful."

"What are you going to do about it, Lynn?"

"I . . . I don't know."

Ninjor gruffed. "You need to find that out!"

"I realize that!" she snapped back. "But I'm not sure yet."

The pair fell silent. "When are you going to tell Adam?"

For a long while Lynn gave no answer, gazing her sight out towards the long, thick fields that spiraled out beyond this mountain. "Soon enough, Ninjor, soon enough."

***

"The Trolls have closed their boarders," reported Man-At-Arms (Machinesmith).

Adam stood up from the throne, mouth agape. "What?" he questioned, shocked.

"Some sort of internal issue. That's all they told us," he replied. "That, and Darksmoke is now off-limits."

Pounding his fist onto the arm of his chair, Adam then shot up. "DAMNATION!"

The entire court fell silent and Adam closed his eyes, hoping to block out the anger he was feeling. Teela looked at him silently with concern. Slowly and carefully, her hand fell upon his fist. He took his seat, then, and closed his eyes, pressing his fingers against each other and bowing his head.

For a long moment, he remained like this, until he lifted his head and looked straight at the new Man-At-Arms. "Send out a surveillance team. I would like to have details. Send Exo and Horn. I want a report in thirty-six hours. Then, I want Tail and Poet to investigate the area that Stratos was killed. See if you can get Stinger to help you."

"Yes sire," Man-At-Arms replied, heading out the door. Adam sighed deeply and shook his head.

"I lost my temper."

"You have every right to, Adam. This is a tough enough situation."

"Something's not right here, Teela. First, the Energy Beast is released. Then, Stratos is killed. And then, Darksmoke seals its boarders. There's something going on, Teela - I can feel it. Something dark and evil is rising. It's circling around us and it's going to strangle us. And this time, I can't stop it."

Adam buried his face into his hands as Teela sat in shock as hearing all this. "You can," she said in nearly a whisper, "and we can help you."

But King Adam had no answer for his queen.

***

Thundering against the dirt, ten glowing, skeleton-like creatures rode on their beasts. The sun was lowering and it would soon be time to do their masters bidding. And so, they disappeared - away from Eternia and into the Hidden Realm.