CHAPTER EIGHT

"The Bottom Drops Out"

"Is that an explosion?" asked Exo, his energy armor allowing him to magnify the top of Darksmoke.

"I don't know. You tell me."

"It was," Exo replied. "You know, this internal issue. I don't think it's a simply matter of someone loitering around Granamyr's old house. I'm thinking rebellion at this point."

"Seems the only logical explanation to me," Horn stated. "From what I can tell, there seems to be a lot of Trolls and Dragons up there."

"Well, yeah, they do have an alliance."

"It's not just that. My hearing is almost as advanced as my speaking. And I'm hearing fighting."

"Gentlemen," stated a Troll coming up from behind them. They were tucked behind a cropping of rocks, and had THOUGHT they were safe. "I was hoping you would respect our wishes. My name is Grimm, the former ambassador for this place. Predictably, King Adam sent you to spy on us. Give him this," he said then, handing them a letter. "It will explain things. Make it perfectly clear to him that we do not want any of you near our mountain."

Exo glanced at Horn. "Gotcha."

"Sure thing."

"Now - GET THE HELL OUT!"

***

Adam found the strangest thing relaxing. It was something that he hadn't done in a long while, but it still felt good. Cringer was asleep at his feet, as what he did most of the time these days. He was running his fingers through his mane, hearing the soft purr of the old tiger.

Just as Adam felt his body unwind, the doors of the throne room opened and Exo and Horn entered. "Sire, we have a message from former ambassador Grimm," reported Exo.

"What is it?" asked Adam, standing up and stepping down the stairs towards the pair. Cringer mewed a bit and rustled, then resumed his sleep.

Exo handed his king the letter. Adam fingered it, then ripped open the top and read:

'King Adam,

As we are sure you have noticed, Darksmoke has closed its boarders. We are currently facing a civil war. Certain factions under the command of the exiled dragon Razor Tongue have launched an attack on the Trolls and Dragons still loyal to Epoch, son of Granamyr. They have done this with the aide of an army of Goblins loyal to a man known as Master Chaos. We also believe this rebel faction was responsible for the death of King Stratos and the attempted murder of King Buzz-Off.

Stay away from our boarders, son of Randor, for this is our problem and our fight. Your interference will be an act of war.'

Adam let the letter drop to the ground. "Damn it."

"What is it, sire?" asked Horn.

"Someone named Master Chaos supplied a rebellious faction with an army of Goblins. Now the leader of this rebellious faction, Razor Tongue, has launched an assault on Epoch and the Trolls loyal to him. More than that, though, if we interfere, they see it as an act of war."

Adam turned away, struggling to keep his temper from flaring.

"What should we do about this, sire?" asked Exo.

"Nothing we can do, Phillip. But we just can't let this happen. Please, I need some time alone."

***

Amelia had been out jogging all morning and was certainly feeling thirsty enough to drink up the entire Sea of Gnarl. Her eyes fell upon Ram-Man's new establishment. It was a bar, which was something she just as well avoid. But, on the other hand, she was VERY thirsty . . .

She stepped into the bar, and was immediately greeted by Ram-Man's warm smile. "Hiya princess!" he shouted.

"Hello Ram-Man."

"What can I get you?" he asked her as she sat up on one of the barstools. "Hey, looks like you were out training."

"Jogging, actually. And I'll have a water, please."

"One water comin' right up!"

Amelia smiled before glancing over at Rio Blast, who looked like he was sleeping, with his head on the bar. She sighed and turned back to Ram-Man, who was now handing her the water. "Thank you," she said.

"So, what's new in the palace?"

"Nothing's blown up in a week."

"Ha ha ha!" Ram-Man laughed. "That's great, kid."

"Yeah well," she stated between chugs of water, "listen, I'm sorry about getting on your case about that. I guess I can come off pretty arrogant sometimes."

Ram-Man leaned forward and smiled warmly. "Don't worry, honey. We all get a little smug every once and while."

"I guess. But thanks, Rammy, I appreciate it."

"What are friends for?"

***

A little after noon, Adam decided to get a new perspective on things. The best way to do this, he decided, was to go out and walk with the people of Eternos. Hopefully, they wouldn't crowd him, but he knew there was no guarantee of that NOT happening.

Luckily, though, as he passed through the market place, all he received were happy smiled and reassuring handshakes. It was nice for Adam and for a moment - just as moment - he felt like things were actually back to normal.

"ADAM! KING ADAM!" came a cry.

Adam barely even got the chance to see where it came from when a brown-robed figure shot forth and wrapped his arms around Adam's legs.

"Wha - ?!" Adam gasped.

"I see it! I see tomorrow and it's so so so dark! The east! It's coming from the east!"

Adam backed up, the man falling to the ground. But he was up in a flash, this time, grasping onto Adam's collar.

"Who are . . . ?" But Adam's voice trailed off as he realized whom he was staring at. Tri-Klops. He was so much older, but his three-eyes were still intact.

"The east! The darkness is coming from the east! You will be striked at three times!"

"Tri-Klops!" came another shout. Trap-Jaw appeared then, though he was only one-armed. "Come on, I told you we needed to get this next shipment out."

Adam suddenly remembered that after Peacekeeper had helped them out of their evil tendencies, they had taken up sailing and delivering.

"Trap-Jaw? What's going on?"

Trap-Jaw felt a sweep of nervousness. "Ah, he gets like this. A hallucination."

"From the east! I see it!"

"Would you like me to see if Peacekeeper can do anything for him?"

"Maybe," Trap-Jaw replied, looking sadly at his friend. "Yeah. Sure."

"The east . . . the east . . ." he continued to mutter.

***

"I'm getting too old for this," grumped Randor as he rode Stridor through the Hidden Realm. The sun was setting and Randor found himself a little dismayed by the letter he received. It was from his brother and sister - Stephan and Johanna - asking to meet him here.

He sighed, his gray hair waving in the wind. There was something wrong about all of this, he decided as he approached an opening in the forest. Usually, if one of his younger siblings wanted to see him, they would just show up. But this time . . . something was different.

When Randor reached the meeting spot, he found Stephan and Johanna standing next to a beautiful white horse. They pair had been living here with their respective spouses since Hordak invaded - and both chose to remain here, placing their children in charge of their kingdoms.

"Randor," Johanna greeted. "So good to see you again!"

"The same to you, dear sister," Randor answered.

"Hello Randor," said Stephan. "Now, what is it you wanted to see us about?"

Randor was suddenly very confused. "What? I thought you wanted to see me?"

"No, not at all. We both got this letter from you, saying you wanted to meet us here. Randor, what's going on?"

A strange chill fell over them all. Both Stridor and the other horse neighed loudly and rushed off. The trio turned to see them trot away - afraid.

"Stridor too?" muttered Randor. "What could scare a mechanical horse?"

Just then, there was an eerie howl . . . and ten glowing skeletons appeared, each one with a long, flowing purple cloak.

"What in the name of the Sorceress are those?!" yelled Stephan, reaching for his communicator as they began to close in, drawing swords.

"I've heard of them," said Johanna, reaching for her own sword.

"Scare-Glows," Randor said at last, drawing his royal blade. "They are considered the ghosts of our dearly-departed brother, Keldor."

The Scare-Glows paused at that name, but then moved forward again.

"Communications are jammed. And we're miles away from help," Stephan said. "This was very-well planned trap."

"Can we take them?" Randor asked as he began to turn back-to-back with his siblings.

"No, probably not," Stephan replied grimly. "Run, Johanna."

"Why? So I can make it a couple more feet before they kill me? No. The children of Miro will stand together."

Randor took a deep breath, realizing just how true that statement was. Stephan must have realized this as well and nodded, saying "Until death and beyond, it seems. Unto the end?"

"Yes."

"Right."

"UNTO THE END!" the three shouted, swords waving as the Scare-Glows came upon them. There was the clanging of metal, the screaming and shouting of both the Scare-Glows and the three children of Miro. The battle was fierce and long, lasting for a time unknown - but longer than anyone had suspected.

But in the end, there could be only one victor . . .

And in the end, the Scare-Glows were the ones that emerged from the forest and teleported back to Eternia.