Chapter Four

"Leadings"

Prince Adam awoke with a start.

Alarms were blaring throughout the Palace, and he leapt to attention. Just as he was about to reach for his vault, the door flew open. Teela stood there, in her pajamas, her blade in hand.

"Are you okay?" she questioned harshly.

"Yeah . . . yeah . . . what's going on?"

"There's an intruder in the Palace."

"Well, let's go find them!" Adam said suddenly, leaping from his bed and pulling on his robe. Teela was a bit startled by this, but followed Adam down the hall. The pair ran down a set of stairs, weapons raised and ready. They arrived in a main chamber, where Randor stood, scepter in hand.

"The library," he told them, leading them out of a set of doors. The trio crossed through one of the gardens and towards the library.

Man-At-Arms and his soldiers were already there, and one of the guards was being carried out on a stretcher. His armor was melted away, and there was a lot of blood and flesh splattered.

"Duncan, what's going on?" demanded Randor, immediately assuming command of the situation. "What happened here?"

Man-At-Arms strode towards Randor. "We're still trying to figure that out. Best we can figure right now is that someone broke in here, spat acid at the guard, Sampson, and stole a few books."

"Which books?" wondered Adam.

"Old texts. History books. We're cross-checking the inventory right now."

"Are the intruders still here?" asked Teela.

"We're double-checking. All soldiers are checking every room, every corridor, and the perimeter. Heroic Warriors are joining them."

Randor nodded. "Double security at all entrances and exits. I want everyone armed. Whomever got in here, may still be in the Palace."

"Do you have any leads?" asked Teela, pulling her back into a ponytail.

"Suspicions, yes. Leads, no. It would probably be best if you all went back to your rooms," Man-At-Arms suggested. "We'll have soldiers posted at your doors."

Randor grunted. "A true warrior doesn't need soldiers at the door," he scoffed. "But I suppose the hour is indeed late. You will wake me the moment you find anything, correct?"

"Of course, sire."

"Then, good night."

Randor exited the library, leaving Teela and Adam with Man-At-Arms and the soldiers. "Why don't you two head back to bed, too. We've got this handled."

Teela was about to protest, but Man-At-Arms stopped her before she even started. "Your better use to us all rested, Teela. Plus, you still have your injuries to tend to."

She sighed and turned back towards the garden. Adam looked to Duncan, but Duncan shook his head. He-Man wasn't needed tonight either.

***

Dark clouds loomed over Snake Mountain by the time King Hiss, Kobra Khan, Tung Lashor, and Rattlor returned. Skeletor stood at the entrance, a little curious as to why King Hiss would try a stunt like this. "What are you up to, Hiss?"

"Research, Skeletor."

"Oh?"

"There are a great many powers on Eternia. Ancient powers that go back to my age. I plan on releasing those powers, Skeletor."

Skeletor stared intently at King Hiss. "We should be concentrating our efforts on Grayskull, Hiss."

"Skeletor, when you see what I have in store, you'll forget all about Castle Grayskull. Trust me."

The old bone-faced villain had no reply to those words. For his patience with King Hiss was growing quite thin. But he assured himself that this 'ally' he has found was going to make Skeletor power. And that required, Skeletor groaned, trust.

***

Off the beaten path, many miles away from Eternos, a small bar and inn sits. Full of a spectrum of walks of life, this Inn is known for having customers of an unpleasant reputation. Nonetheless, Duncan figured it would be the best place to meet up with his old friend.

Entering the bar, Duncan spotted a dark-skinned male sitting alone at a booth. It was morning, so the crowds were light. Duncan took the seat and smiled.

"Clamp Champ, good to see you again."

"Same here, Duncan. I hear you need my help."

"There was a break-in last night at the Royal Library. I have a few ideas as to who it is and I was wondering if you could help me out - "

Clamp Champ smiled. "You want me to let you in on what I've heard."

"That's right."

"Well," Clamp Champ started, "if you're thinking it's Skeletor, you're wrong. It's not Skeletor."

Duncan sat back, surprised. "What?"

"That's right. It's his new friend. King Hiss and his Snake Men. And trust me, you're not the only ones to get robbed this week."

"What do you mean?"

Clamp Champ looked around the room. "From what I hear, the Eternian rogues gallery is all freaked out. No one - and I mean no one - knows what exactly to make of King Hiss. He apparently stole some old tablets from Icer. A few scrolls from Batros."

"Regarding what?"

"Old stuff. That's all I know."

Duncan sighed heavily. "Clamp Champ, you're the best detective on Eternia. We need your help to try and figure out why King Hiss stole what he did. Can you come to Eternos with me?"

Clamp Champ grinned. "All you had to do was ask."

***

Orko didn't quite know what to think as he flew over the purple and green trees of Trolla. He had spent nearly six weeks here, vacationing with Dree-Elle, Uncle Montok, and Yuckers. It had been a lot of fun with all of them, especially Dree-Elle.

"Heh heh heh," he chuckled to himself.

But now, for some reason, the High Muck-Muck sent for Orko regarding a "very important matter." According the to message, it had something to do with being on Eternia for so long and the experience he had in dealing with "matters of great importance."

Orko was nearing the tower he was asked to journey to, and just as he reached the entrance, another Trollian poped up in front of him.

"HALT!" yelled the Trollian. "Are you Orko?"

"Yes I am. And who are?"

"My name is Bobo, head of Trollian security. We're glad you came, Orko. You're the only one who can help these people?"

"Help who?"

Bobo opened the door and lead Orko up through a long and winding set of stairs to the top of the tower. It was there that Orko spotted two large rocks. "Them," pointed out Bobo.

Orko looked at the rocks oddly. "Uh . . . okay?"

Suddenly, the rocks began to change. To move open, to reform into two different people. "You must Orko!" said one of the rock-people. "I am Stonedar and this is my apprentice, Rokkon. Our world has been invaded by the evil Horde and we ask that you take us to Eternia, where we can be safe."

"Um, sure! I wouldn't see why not!" yelped Orko.

"Excellent. We shall leave at your earliest convenience."