Chapter Four
"Landfall"
Evil Lynn studied Kobra Kahn as he pleaded before her. "You must join with King Hiss," he yelped. "He promises swift victory against the Dark Cloud - and great power! Even moreso than Skeletor was ever able to!"
Evil Lynn's eyes widened when a blue-toned hand grabbed Kobra Khan by the neck and lifted him up. "Silence, traitor!" shouted Skeletor.
"Skeletor, so nice to see you still alive . . ." Evil Lynn greeted.
Skeletor regarded her curtly and then threw Kobra Khan to the floor. "Contact your NEW master, Kahn!" he hissed. "Tell that old enemies are going to form new alliances."
Kobra Khan snarled and ran. Skeletor then turned to Mer-Man. "What are you doing here?! Get your people to Grayskull and join with the other armies!"
Mer-Man ran off, and made for the waterfall. Skeletor then turned to Evil Lynn. She perked an eyebrow with curiosity. "What are you up to Skeletor?" she purred.
"I'm sorry to say that good and evil must join forces this day, Evil Lynn. The Dark Cloud posses a great threat to us all - and can only be defeated by joining forces with our worst enemies."
With that, Hordak walked in. "Indeed."
Evil Lynn took a step back. Skeletor then pointed to her and Spikor. "My power . . . it has been weakened. I need a new Chaos Staff immediately. You two get to work on one. We have very little time to move."
***
Adam pulled away from Teela, their lips parting once more. "Teela," he breathed, his face red. "Teela, we need to stop."
"Why?"
"We've been kissing for an hour. Considering that we chatted for ten minutes before that - "
"We're late," Teela concluded, standing up.
"Yeah. We better get our asses in gear."
The pair swiftly packed up their backpacks and set off towards the north once more. Adam smiled at her. "You're a good kisser."
She blushed. "Yeah, well, so are you. Apparently, you've got some experience in that."
"Not as much as you'd think."
"Oh?"
"Well, you know me, Teela. Too busy with my training to spend time with the ladies," Adam laughed.
"HA!" Teela yelled. "That's great, Adam. Real great. 'Training.' You! Ha ha ha!"
Adam shook his head and looked to the east. "The sun is rising," he pointed out.
"Yeah. I see that."
"But something's different, Teela. Something's wrong with the sky. Look at the clouds around the sun."
She looked at the breaking dawn and saw thick, hazy, purple clouds were indeed blocking the sun out. She turned to Adam. "Something tells me we better hurry up."
"Yeah. I just hope we're heading in the right direction."
***
By the time mid-morning arrived, the sun was barely visible through the purple haze. A great air of tension filled the great armies outside of Grayskull. The moment was soon at hand. Every hour, the leaders checked in on the status of their troops and refined the strategy.
The air itself was thick and humid with the summer now taking over for the spring. All of Eternia stood ready now for great battle and great war. The Dark Cloud was coming. The very sky was a sign of this. She-Ra stood at the balcony once more and looked out beyond the gigantic mass of soldiers. The Sorceress seemed so despondent now, and her mood was spreading.
They needed hope.
And as a portal opened behind her, She-Ra got what she needed. Queen Angella, Madame Razz, Broom, Bow, Glimmer and Frosta all appeared before her.
"You're here!" shouted She-Ra in joy.
"Yes, we are," Angella announced as Randor and Man-At-Arms joined them. "This threat is greater than just to Eternia. King Randor."
"Queen Angella. Good to see you again, milady."
"The same, milord. Now, where would you like us?"
"The Great Rebellion can join the Heroic Warriors at the entrance," Man-At-Arms instructed. "Queen Angella, if you'll join us in the throne room."
Just as they were taking their places, a great horn sounded. A new army appeared on the horizon. This one was far different than any of the others - Mer-Men and the Sea-People were marching forward. A gigantic flying fish lifted from the army and came to Grayskull.
Mer-Man sat upon this flying fish and confronted the group.
"The people of the Eternian Oceans wishes to join with the Surface People in the war against the Dark Cloud," Mer-Man announced.
Randor smiled. "Coordinate with Granamyr and the others, Mer-Man, and prepare your troops for battle."
***
The Great Towers appeared abandoned to Skeletor's eyes. For a moment, he realized it would be quite easy to enter into them and take their power. But that thought vanished - there were greater things to handle right now.
Next to him, Hordak stood patiently in deep thought. Skeletor wasn't telepathic, but could easily tell that the sight of the Great Towers and the power of Elders placed within them was touching the same power within Hordak. And he was struggling with that.
Behind him, the Horde Elite and the Evil Warriors growled and snapped at each other. They didn't dare move, though, not unless Skeletor or Hordak said different.
Then, King Hiss arrived, with his Snake Men behind him. "Well," he began, "this is quite the alliance."
Hordak snorted. "Were these different circumstances, King Hiss, you would be dead where you stand."
"Were these different circumstances, neither you nor Skeletor would be standing here. We'd probably have killed each other at this point. Mighty good war, by the way, Hordak."
"We haven't the time for this!" snapped Skeletor, holding up his Chaos Staff. "Look at the sky! The Dark Cloud will be here in a matter of hours!"
"An alliance MUST be formed. At least, temporarily."
King Hiss smirked. "We're to defend Grayskull. How odd." He held out his hand. "Alright. Temporary cessation of hostilities until this crisis has passed."
Hordak placed his hand onto Hiss. "Agreed."
Skeletor put his hand on top of Hiss and Hordak's. "Agreed. Let live this . . . alliance of evil."
***
Adam and Teela ran across the cold ground, the chilly winds hitting their faces as they moved fast. There was no time for talk, no time for affection. Much to her surprise, Teela liked it like that. The kissing had been nice, and so had the snuggling. But there was definitely something missing - something she didn't quite realize until after they were back on their journey.
But there wasn't any time to pin-point it. Not now. Now, it was time for business. Now, it was time for action. Now, it was time for -
"TEELA! LOOK!"
Adam had halted in his walk and pointed to the sky. A huge mass was tearing through the atmosphere, looking like it was going to hit south. The Dark Cloud. It was fumed black from its tail, but it's front burned. An unearthly roar ripped through the sky as it vanished over the horizon.
And then, there was sudden rumble. It rippled outward from the point of landing south of Ice Mountains, sending vibrations throughout the ground. Rocks tumbled and rolled around Teela and Adam as the tremor struck their region.
Suddenly, then, the quake tore open a crevasse beneath them. Adam and Teela spilled into the large gap, and fell into the darkness below.
***
Inside the throne room of Castle Grayskull, Man-At-Arms, King Randor, King Stephan, Queen Johanna, Granamyr, Queen Angella, the Sorceress, and She-Ra all stared at the triple-screen displays.
"Confirmed," Marlena spoke from one. "The Dark Cloud has landed in the southern regions of the Mystic Mountains."
"It looks like it's using the surrounding plant-life to create an armor," said Delora from the second. "Our engineers calculate a matter of hours before the armor is completed and it heads south to your location."
As the two women spoke, all eyes looked onto the satellite image of the southern region of the Mystic Mountains. From a huge crater, rose a billowing and fuming tower of smoke. Flashing lights and cracks of energy from the crater inside indicated what it was doing. An armor was being forged.
"King Randor, we have a situation," reported Stratos then.
"What is it?"
"Um, best to see for yourself."
The group went up to the highest tower on Grayskull and saw it. Skeletor, King Hiss, and Hordak were all coming towards the armies and Castle Grayskull, their forces in tow. "We don't need this now," commented Man-At-Arms.
Randor nodded. "Indeed. Prepare our peoples for - "
"No!" shouted Sorceress. "They are not here to conquer, but rather to aide us."
"What!?" questioned Angella loudly.
"Open the drawbridge," the Sorceress ordered.
"No, Sorceress. This is a mistake."
Granamyr shook his head. "No. She speaks the truth. Skeletor is nearly powerless and doesn't pose a threat. Hordak is still under the influence of the Elders. And King Hiss is no match for any of us. Their presence here can only be a positive."
The drawbridge lowered and Skeletor, Hordak and King Hiss were all permitted to enter. Their warriors joined with the Heroic Warriors and Great Rebellion outside.
"We're only doing this because we believe we have no alternative," Randor told them. "The three of you will remain in here, where we can watch you. Your warriors take orders from us, understand?"
"Yesss," Hiss slithered.
"Agreed," Hordak nodded.
Skeletor looked at the throne. The power of Grayskull that he once possessed was once more tempting. It would so easy . . .
"DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!" yelled Randor, grabbing Skeletor by the collar.
Skeletor looked at Randor and cackled. "Of course, dear Randor. Of course."
She-Ra couldn't help but notice Stephan and Johanna's reaction to this motion. Johanna looked scared - for Skeletor. Stephan looked like he was about to do worse to Skeletor. Granted, She-Ra didn't know much about her family, but maybe she should start. What could Skeletor have done to the royal that was so terrible and would envoke the reactions it did from her uncle, aunt, and father?
***
Adam and Teela awoke swiftly and found themselves in a white room. Before them were large figures, that stood out from the pure white background. It was apparent immediately, whom these figures were. They stood tall and spoke as one.
They were the Ancients - the people that brought power and sorcery to Eternia during the First Age. Their names have long since forgotten, but they each represented six parts of Eternia and they grouped themselves before Adam and Teela in such a manner.
Ground, Wind, Water, and Fire - elemental beings who assumed the visage of that which they represented.
Strength, Thought, Heart, and Population - beings that represented the aspects of people and their ways.
Animals, Peoples, Ancients and Before - beings that were the manifestation of the different forms of life that lived on Eternia.
Phoenix, Science, Sorcery, and Unity - those that were the emissaries of the forces in the lives of those on Eternia.
Good, Evil, Time, and Space - the forces that were greater than those represented in the former group.
And then there were the Ancients that were known. Procrustus - representative of the Ancients; Intrepid - the opener of portals; the Forge - master of the Ancient weapons; and Master- the silent one.
"The Ancients . . ." stuttered Teela. She gripped Adam's shoulder with shock.
"LONG HAVE WE PASSED FROM ETERNIA, MOVING OUR SEPARATE WAYS FROM THIS WORLD!" said Procrustus, who spoke for the Ancients.
"Yes, sir," Adam replied, unknowing what to say.
"BUT WE HAVE RETURNED TO ETERNIA, KNOWING THAT OUR GREAT ENEMY HAS RETURNED! THE NAMELESS ONE SEEKS THE FORTRESS OF WHICH WE CREATED - CASTLE GRAYSKULL!"
Adam looked up at Procrustus. "You . . . you created Castle Grayskull?"
"THE TIME FOR QUESTIONS HAS ENDED!"
"Sorry."
"THE TIME FOR APOLOGIZING HAS ENDED!"
Adam was about to apologize again, but kept his mouth shut. He looked over at Teela, who was looking lost amongst all this.
"THE TIME FOR WAR HAS BEGUN!" Procrustus proclaimed. "ADAM, SON OF KING RANDOR AND QUEEN MARLENA OF EARTHKIND! HEIR TO THE THRONE OF ETERNOS! YOUR GREAT HEROISM IS UNLIKE ANY OTHER! SO SHALL YOUR DESTINY BE TRUE!"
Adam was a bit confused about this, and realized they had referred to his being He-Man without even saying so.
"TEELA, DAUGHTER OF DUNCAN AND TEELANA! CAPTAIN OF THE ROYAL GUARD OF ETERNOS! YOUR PLACE HAS BEEN WELL IN THIS DRAMA AND SO SHALL YOUR DESTINY BE TRUE!"
Teela's eyes widened, the name of her mother revealed and that she did indeed a destiny - just as her dream told her.
"TEELA, YOU WERE BROUGHT HERE TO US BY PRINCE ADAM! IT IS YOU WHO SHALL WIELD THE SWORD OF THE ANCIENTS!"
"What?!" yelped Teela. "Are you serious?"
"THE TIME FOR QUESTIONS HAS ENDED! THE TIME OF WAR HAS BEGUN! LET THE SWORD OF THE ANCIENTS BE UNSHEATHED FOR TEELA, DAUGHTER OF DUNCAN AND TEELANA! YOU SHALL BE OUR WARRIOR - OUR CHAMPION! GO FORTH! FIGHT FOR THE FUTURE OF THE ETERNIA - AND BEYOND!"
With that, Procrustus lifted his hands and light poured all around them . . .
. . . And suddenly, Adam and Teela found themselves back by the Talon Fighter once more. It was late, though the purple haze had grown thick enough to block out the sun. Far south, they could see a dark smoke brimming from the horizon.
"Adam . . ." Teela began. He looked to her and found that she was holding a sword in her hands. It was quite big, with a broad yet simple metalic hilt. The blade itself was silver and shined in what little was being produced. In the center of the hilt were runes from the First Age.
"The Sword of the Ancients," Adam muttered.
A rumble of thunder from the south tore their attention from it. Adam opened up the cockpit and they both entered.
"Not long," Teela stated, starting up the engines.
"Nope."
***
For the first and only time, Skeletor, Hordak, King Hiss, King Randor, King Stephan, Queen Johanna, Queen Angella, Granamyr, the Sorceress, She-Ra, Battle-Cat, Swift-Wind and Man-At-Arms stood at the balcony of the highest tower on Grayskull and looked out upon the soldiers about to march unto war.
Thunder rumbled and the twilight was turning pitch black from a tall figure going from the north. The Dark Cloud, enarmored in a metallic mesh, walked forward. Darkness flowed from his footsteps, scaring creatures of all sorts away.
And then he entered the fields surrounding Grayskull. Randor turned to Man-At-Arms. "Give the word."
"The word has been given," Man-At-Arms spoke into a headset. "Move into attack formations. Wings one and two, ready volleys."
"Ready the attack," Randor ordered.
"Ready," Man-At-Arms spoke once more into the headset.
"Go."
Man-At-Arms nodded and repeated the word into the headset. "Go. We are go. Open fire. Attack, all forces, move in and attack."