Chapter Two
He-Man rushed down the alley, his feet splishing and splashing in puddles. Prime City was huge and getting to the gate was taking more time that he wanted. This was his mission all the same, though. What he sacrificed by coming here was much more than ever he wanted. No longer could he turn into Adam. He-Man was his life. His sacrifice.
As He-Man came closer to the gate where the attack had taken place, his eyes spotted at least five Bolajets shooting towards his own destination.
After a little longer, the hero arrived at the gate, where Hydron was directing men in Prime City. There seemed to be no one else but the good guys, which surprised He-Man.
"Hydron!" He-Man greeted to his friend.
"He-Man, we have a situation," Hydron filled in. "Flipshot got to them first."
"Is he alright?" He-Man wondered, looking past Hydron to the slowly recovering Flipshot.
"For the most part."
He-Man couldn't help but stare at Flipshot. He was shaking and looked exhausted. Something had happened here. This wasn't just a shot in the stomach or a punch in the face. Something that had shaken his very heart and soul. He-Man had seen this sort of thing before, but he couldn't seem to recall it.
"Where are they?" asked He-Man, trying to remember.
"It looks like they headed into the sewers, He-Man. I'm assembling a team to handle them."
"Good. I'll be coming too."
"HE-MAN!" came a sharp cry. He-Man spun around to find the Sorceress' in her falcon form swooping down towards him. As soon as the falcon touched down, it flashed and became the female Sorceress. "He-Man, Skeletor still has the Jewel of Amara!"
He-Man's eyes grew wide. "What?"
"We thought it destroyed, but he had it the whole time," Sorceress explained.
"He brought it with him. He used it on Flipshot."
"And we'll use it on everyone else if we can't stop him, He-Man. You must find them."
"Right," He-Man stated, pulling out his sword and prepping his shield. "Let's move it! Into the sewers!"
But as He-Man, Hydron and a number of others entered the sewers, a memory came into play.
A memory . . . of a different time . . .
***
It was many years ago. The winds of an early winter were sweeping across Eternos as Prince Adam sat in the courtyard. Cringer was playing with a bright blue ball, not affected by the cold at all due to his thick, green and yellow-stripped fur.
Adam, on the other hand, was wearing a light coat and found himself relaxing as the sky opened up let out a little of the suns rays. It was a peaceful day, with no attacks from Skeletor or any of his lackeys.
"Mind if I join you?" asked Man-At-Arms, holding two mugs of cocoa.
"Sure thing, Duncan," replied the blond-haired prince, taking a mug. They watched as Cringer continued to play around with his little blue ball, having the time of his life.
"I've been working on some re-designs of the Dragon Walker. I'm hoping to make it faster."
"That's great, Duncan. Do you need any help?"
"No, not really. I'm out for some fresh air. Need to relax. I've hit a sort of 'inventor's block.' I can't think of anything that I - "
Suddenly, the ground began to rumble. Cringer let out a loud yelp and hid underneath the bench where the two males were sitting. Man-At-Arms immediately opened up a panel on his wrist-armor and watched as readings appeared on the screen.
"What is this, Duncan?"
"Some sort of tremor. It appears to be emanating from the Sands of Time. Come on."
The pair stood up quickly. Cringer followed intently. The three made their way into the laboratory. The tremors were starting to calm themselves. By the time they entered the lab, the tremors had ceased completely. Man-At-Arms began at one of his computers, studying read-outs.
Right then, King Randor marched into the room. His face looked stressed and very concerned. Though he showed a bit of pride seeing Adam there, Randor's main thoughts were focused on what was happening.
"What was that, Man-At-Arms?" Randor thundered.
"Some sort of tremor. The epicenter was somewhere in the eastern half of the Sands of Time. It looks like there was an energy spike in that area as well. I'll take Teela, Stratos, and Ram Man with me to investigate."
Adam was about to say something when he heard a female voice in his mind. 'Adam,' called the Sorceress, 'come to Castle Grayskull at once.'
Sighing, Adam turned to Randor. "I'll, um, prepare the Talon Fighter. You know how THAT OLD BIRD needs to be warmed."
Man-At-Arms paused, then nodded in understanding. Randor just looked confused. "Are you going there too, Adam?"
"Um, well, I . . ."
"Adam will be monitoring from the desert, sire."
"I see. Well, please inform me as soon as you hear anything," Randor stated, walking down the corridor.
Adam turned to Man-At-Arms. "The Sorceress wants to see me immediately. Come on, Cring. Let's get moving."
"Ohhhhh no," Cringer moaned, backing up.
"Oh yes, old friend," Adam replied with a grin. He pulled out his mighty sword and lifted it high above his head. "BY THE POWER OF GRAYSKULL . . ." Adam shouted. Power began to flash all around him and light swirled and thundered to his sword and body. ". . . I HAVE THE POWER!"
The Sword of Power unleashed a transformation upon Adam's body. The feel of familiarity filled his being as the meek Adam became the extraordinary He-Man. He-Man turned his glowing blade at Cringer. Cringer reeled back, but it was for naught. As the same power that had swept over Adam ran towards Cringer, the young tiger was transformed into Battle Cat.
"You know, that still impresses me," Man-At-Arms observed.
"You're not the only one," He-Man mused. "We have a lot to do. I'll meet you after I see the Sorceress."
"Gotcha."
After a ride on Battle Cat, He-Man arrived at Castle Grayskull. The drawbridge cranked open, inviting He-Man inside. He-Man hopped off of Battle Cat and the pair strode through the great door of the Castle. The Sorceress greeted him with a stern expression
"He-Man," she said in a straightforward manner, "it is good you have come. An event that calls upon your strength is needed."
"I suspected as much. What is going on?"
"You felt that tremor, I expect."
"Yes."
"It was Skeletor. It seems that Skeletor is hunting down an ancient weapon called the Jewel of Amara. Skeletor believes that this Jewel is capable of creating ones greatest fears."
"Right. I'm on it!" He-Man shouted, leaping onto Battle Cat. He roared out of Castle Grayskull. The Sorceress called after him.
"NO! He-Man, there is much more that you do not know!"
But the great warrior didn't even hear her words as he charged Northeast.
***
"He-Man!" shouted Hydron. "Over here!"
He-Man was suddenly torn from his memories and was back in the present day. Beneath Prime City, chasing the Mutants. "What is it?" asked the great warrior.
Hydron lifted a light onto an area of the wall. On a small pipe, there was a red piece of cloth. "This material here. It's the same kind of cloth that makes up Brakk's cape. They're heading this way."
"Right. Let's move it."
The group rushed down the tunnel. As they did, there was an explosion and everyone but Brakk was there facing them. In a matter of seconds, the battle was joined.