An Authors Note:

This is going to be a bit of a departure from the main canon, and will be taking some liberties here and there. I'll also be trying to explain why in the name of sanity anyone would use the name "He-man". Don't get me wrong, I liked the show well enough, but the name seemed kinda silly. Also, this is my first fic, and even with me double spacing between paragraphs, I'm having a bit of trouble with formatting, so please go easy on me.

-GammaZero

Allow me to explain the story of our land, for all those with a thirst for knowledge and understanding. Long ago, Eternia had a nearly all-powerful barbarian-king. His name was Hei'mon D'vann Greiskl. Through great trials and introspection, it was said that he uncovered power unlike anything seen before. His sister was Shei'rha Ar'lei Greiskl, who later went on to become an explorer, diplomat, and warrior of great renown and honor. Both would often operate from the then-capital of Eternia. Perhaps to their chagrin, due to it's shape and similarity in pronunciation, it was often known as Castle Greyskull rather than Greiskl. To the great sorrow of all, both royals would meet their end. Yet an end to a life is not the end of a legacy. When the armies of the Hysse took to capturing the original capital of Eternia, Lady Greiskl fought valiantly and honorably to protect all of the civilians who had made for a retreat. This, however, would end in tragedy, with the Lady losing her life in the process.

Although devastated, Lord Greiskl was also embolden and inspired by his sister's example. He shortly after departed on a pilgrimage to seek the power to defeat the wicked King Colpereed Hysse. Through trials, tribulations, and revelations of mystics, he came to realize that the power he sought was within him the whole time. In his final Battle Against the Hysse Army, he gave his life to defeat the wretched and otherworldly threat. Yet, this would not be the end. Although Lady Greiskl did not leave behind an heir, Lord Greiskl did. This child of his would become the progenitor of the Eternian Royal Family. Not only this, but both of the Greiskl line also left behind another legacy. The sword Lady Shei'rha Greiskl used became imbued with her great skill, speed, and strength. Lord Hei'mon Greiskil's sword became imbued with his unrelenting spirit, strength, and cunning. The former became known as the Guardian's Edge, and the latter became known as the Blade of Might. Years, decades, and eventually centuries would pass, and their true names would become distorted; their history forgotten.

I am Prince Adam of Eternia; a descendant of that once fierce king. However, this story will not be as you may expect. I am the first-born Prince of the Kingdom of Eternia, but I am not what is typically expected when one mentions a prince. I was born physically frail, to the point where I had to train hard just to be able to jog lightly without running out of breath. Those who safeguard the kingdom worry for its future due to this. Yet I know I can do what is needed of a king, not due to might, but due to my intelligence. I have studied Eternian technology and magic to the point where I could be considered an expert on these subjects. However, in part because of my age, no one takes me seriously. Perhaps that was for the best, because exactly one year ago, I was able to fuse the two into a unique pairing I have dubbed "magitech" and "cirmagic" (Get it? Circuits?...I'll stop now). In using the two to locate powerful sources of magic to aid the kingdom (we have a LOT of enemies that want to do the typical bad-guy thing, you know, like ruling the world with an iron fist?), I was able to find something that at first seemed to be just a diminutive mountain. However, when using my scan spell, the mountain was revealed to be the long lost capital of Eternia: Castle Greyskull.

In my expedition into the castle, I was forced to enter from below; the castle's drawbridge was closed (even if it wasn't, the damn thing was encased in rock; what else could I do?!). It was then I discovered the royal legends' true names. You see, for years, the many enemies of Eternia used those very names to disparage and taunt us. They had become so corrupted over time that the names were often said or pronounced as "He-man" and "She-Ra" (seriously, those have to be not only the dorkiest, but most embarrassing names ever! I guess that's the point though…) With this understood, our many enemies would jeer at us, with the absurd corruptions following swiftly after ("Here comes big tough He-Man! Someone should shoot whoever came up with that!" or "Ooh, watch out, here comes She-Ra! What a stupid name!". Have I mentioned how much I hate those names sometimes? 'Cause I really do!). Yet these women and men of evil intentions never would suspect what would happen next. A voice called from the deepest chambers, and when my pet Cringer and I followed it, we found a magnificent…rusted, piece-of-shit sword. Or, at least that's what I thought. But when I held the sword, I could feel foreign knowledge flow into me. It was as if my ancestors spoke within my mind and soul. With a will that was both of and not of my own self, I held this blade aloft, and spoke words of might:

"BY THE POWER OF GREYSKULL!"

It was then that the rock that had formed over centuries through processes unknown had crumbled to dust, revealing the castle in its true form. It has been a full year since that day, and nothing has been the same. The sword shines now, as it did the moment I spoke those words, and when I speak them again, I shine as well. My body takes on the strength and form of my ancestor, and I become a champion who stands against the ill intent of the wicked. At first, they mocked me, as all do who hear the tale of my progenitor. But I made sure to etch this one fact into their souls; they would fear the name they once had mocked! I took ownership of that corrupted name and made it into one that evil shudders in terror at.

I am Prince Adam of Eternia, but my secret lies only with those who I have the utmost trust in.

For I am also he who protects Eternia.

For I, am He-Man.

I am he who armies follow into victory, and whose friends are many and amongst the most loyal one could hope for. Yet, even after all of my adventures and friends I've made along the way, why do I still feel like I am missing someone at my side? Perhaps there is an element of the past that has yet to be revealed, or returned, to the planet of Eternia.