Chapter Four: "Words and Punches"
Snow swirled around Eternos that crowded afternoon, the gray skies keeping the sun away and caused snow to pile up upon itself. Adora stood next to her brother at the sight as they watched from the window.
"It was a good meeting," she said with care.
He nodded. "Yeah. I suppose it was. Ground forces should be gathered here soon."
"You're troubled."
"Yeah. Yeah I am."
"What is it? Horde Prime? Trouble with Teela? What's the problem?"
Adam shook his head and walked away from the window and sat down in a nearby couch. "None of the above, Adora."
Adora looked carefully at her brother and could easily see a problem. There was something dragging him down, something very powerful and heavy was laying on his shoulders. It had been for a while now, she realized, and she had just been too busy to see it before.
"Talk to me, big bro. What's going on?"
He looked up to her with honest eyes, and spoke in a voice like a whisper. "I can't tell you."
Adora was about to reply to this when the door suddenly flew open and Orko appeared, covered in tiny red and green light bulbs.
"MAY KRISTAS!" he shouted with joy, throwing his arms out to the twins.
Adam and Adora both looked at each other. "May . . . what?" questioned Adam immediately.
"You know, May Kristas," Orko replied.
"What is that? Who is that?" asked Adora, trying to decipher these words Orko was saying.
"Oh come on, you guys know what I'm talking about. That Earth holiday that's right after your birthday. The one that your Mom used to go on about and we celebrated when those kids ended here."
"Christmas," Adam replied. "Merry Christmas."
"Ohhhh! That's right!" Orko let out, smacking his head with his hand. "Duh! Well - MERRY CHRISTMAS!"
Adora smiled to Adam as memories flowed back to them. But then, seeing Orko, they realized that the poor Trollian hadn't heard the bad news about his homeworld. "Orko, I think we need to talk . . ."
Orko started pulling off the strings of lights, apparently hearing the serious tones in their voices. "Heh heh. Okay, what's going on?"
Adam took a breath. "Flipshot informed us of a number of worlds that came under Horde rule, but were suddenly released when the coup de tat occurred on the Horde World. Most of there were newer worlds taken."
"Trolla was one of them. It fell to the Horde two years ago, but was freed about eight months ago," Adora continued.
Orko's eyes were huge and it looked like his body was shaking. "The . . . the Horde?" he questioned. "But . . . Dree-Ell . . . and Yuckers and Uncle Montok. What happened to them?"
"We're not sure," Adam answered honestly. "The High Muck-Muck survived, I know. From what we can tell, there's an entourage on its way here tomorrow. There's no confirmation yet, but there are some representatives from Trolla on board. A few of Trolla's best mages to help out against Horde Prime."
Orko nodded, but it seemed like was only half-hearing those words. "I understand," he said. "I . . . uh . . . I want to be alone."
With that, Orko floated out of the room.
Adora sighed and turned to her brother. "That could have gone better," she said simply.
Adam nodded heavily. "Yeah. It could have."
"Adam, listen, I've got this idea. It's crazy, but since we're not getting any information from the Sorceress whatsoever, I'm wondering about Phantos."
Her twin brother perked an eyebrow. "Really? What do you mean?"
"I suppose part of it's just theoretical, but there could the possibility that the missing people on Eternia were teleported to Phantos."
"Possible. All right, do it. Have Hydron or Flipshot take you there in the Starship Eternia."
Adora nodded and made for the door.
"What do you call this again?" asked Gepple as he and the other scientists met with Man-At-Arms and Gwildor.
"The Cosmic Key," answered Gwildor.
It was quickly passed between the four of them, each one having something to say about the way it worked or looked or theories or suggestions. Man-At-Arms and Gwildor looked carefully at each other, Gwildor not caring for the way it was being man-handled by these strangers. U-R and Gleep were not surprised at all.
"Can you help us over here?" asked Man-At-Arms, pointing to the star field displayed on the main viewer.
"Oh yes!"
"Of course! Of course!"
"Sorry!"
Krex, however, kept his attention on the Cosmic Key. "I wonder if I can set it to open a portal to Primus . . ."
Teela shut the door behind her carefully, making sure not to wake Addison. After what had happened this morning, she had to keep her anger in check. Slamming doors were a part of that. That woman, that Mara . . . how dare she kiss Adam?
The young Captain flopped down onto her bed, eyes fixed on the snow outside her bedroom window. Her thoughts were suddenly a jumble and she tried to find a place of reasoning within them. After what had happened with Mara, there was something gnawing at her. Guilt.
Four years ago, Teela made a stupid choice and slept with a guy she did not love. Her true love - or, as she had known then, loves - were off on some other world. Adam told her not long ago that he suspected that she had feelings for him and she confessed the same thing, and that only made her guilt deepen.
"I really screwed this one up," she muttered.
Terrible thoughts flowed into her head. What if he liked the kiss? What if it was something he wanted again? What if he felt the betrayal of her act four years ago at last and wanted to make her feel the same? If Teela remembered correctly, didn't Adam mention being with her while they were on Primus?
Teela slammed down a mental door at those thoughts, stopping them from running about in her mind anymore. She sat up, determined to talk to Adam about it.
She asked one of the maids to stay in her room, and listen for Addison if he woke up from his afternoon nap. Teela then walked out of her room to search for Adam. After checking the usual spots - the throne room, the Situation Room, his room - Teela made her way towards the Mess Hall.
It was there she heard Adam's hearty laugh.
Followed by Mara's.
Teela peeked her head around the corner and looked into the Mess Hall. Adam was sitting across from Mara, the two drinking coffee and laughing it up. Mara was gazing at Adam with a look that was far-too-friendly. Adam was laughing pretty hard, something she realized he hadn't done much of since the confrontation with King Hiss.
Why was she making him laugh like that? Why was he with that woman? What were they talking about? How could -
She turned around suddenly and leaned against the wall. "Easy, Teela. It's okay. Calm down. Just be mature about this," she whispered to herself. "Ah . . . forget that. I need a gun."
Just as she was about to walk into the Mess Hall, she felt a voice reach into her mind. The Sorceress. It was quite rare to here from her like this, especially for Teela.
Teela . . . the Sorceress spoke telepathically.
"Sorceress?" asked Teela.
Please come to Castle Grayskull. I must speak with you.
Teela nodded. "Of course. I'll . . . I'll be right there." She began to walk away and promised not to look back as Adam bellowed out another laugh.
Adora was still quite amazed by the power of the Starship Eternia as it blasted through the solar system. She left barely three hours and was nearly at Phantos, the last world in the Eternian system. The world was nearly the size of a moon, and was often considered one, but it's leader - Queen Elmora - had insisted on otherwise and was therefore designated a planet.
"So, rumor has it there's been trouble for your brother," Hydron brought up.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"I spotted Mara, his flame from Primus, giving him a big kiss right in front of Teela."
Adora smiled a bit. "Teela has quite a jealous streak. I'm sure she's not taking it well."
"Probably not," Hydron replied. He began to flip a few switches as Phantos filled their view. "We're coming in for a landing. Hold on."
As the Starship Eternia came down for a landing, Adora was far from surprised to see a contingent of guards near the landing platform. But as she hoped, Queen Elmora was standing with them, eyes locked securely on the craft at it settled.
Adora opened the hatch and walked out, the guards drawing their weapons at the sight of her and Hydron.
"I come to see Queen Elmora," Adora let out. "I am Queen Adora of Eternos, and have come on a mission of peace."
Queen Elmora stepped forward, raising her hand to the guards that stood at the landing platform. "Queen Adora of Eternos. Queen Adora of Eternia. Enemy of Skeletor," Elmora said, her voice full of judgement. A small grin then appeared on her face. "Any enemy of Skeletor is a friend of mine."
Adora smiled back. "Thank you," she offered. "This is Hydron of the planet Primus. I'm afraid our visit can't be longer, but I needed to speak with you."
"About what?"
"I trust you know about the Horde," Adora began as the pair began to walk towards Elmora's Palace.
"Yes," replied Elmora. "Etheria went dark and then we intercepted transmissions that Hordak conquered Eternia. I assume that He-Man returned then?"
Adora nodded. "Yes. And freed Eternia. But after he freed Eternia, it was discovered that many of the peoples and kingdoms that once resided on Eternia had vanished. The Sorceress of Grayskull knows where they are, but won't speak to us about it. I've been spending the past few months trying to figure out where they are."
Elmora nodded. "And you thought they may have been teleported here."
"Yes."
"No, Queen Adora, they weren't. The days here on Phantos have been calm for a long time."
Adora drew a breath and then released it, not surprised at all. "Okay then. Thank you for your time, Queen Elmora."
"Of course. I only wish the news had been better for you. Before you go, though, I was wondering if you could clear something up for me."
"What's that?"
"We've intercepted transmissions from Eternia. What is this armada that's building?"
Adora told the story of the great unrest within the Horde, leading to the Horde Prime coming to Eternia and an armada being set up to defend the world against him. When Adora finished with the story, Elmora nodded, but looked a bit puzzled.
"That explains that," Elmora said in reply. "But there was something else we've been detecting."
"What's that?"
"An energy signature coming Eternia. We're not sure where from on the planet, but it's heading into deep space. We've been investigated the energy signature and have found a written word within it."
Adora looked confused. "What word?" she asked.
"'Zodak.'"
Teela entered into the Throne Room of Castle Grayskull and saw the Sorceress standing, reading a book. The Sorceress closed it as soon as Teela came closer and turned and smiled.
"Teela," Sorceress greeted. "So good to see you."
"The same here," Teela replied. "What's this about? I've never known you to just call me and not anyone else."
"True, but there is a role for you to play in the up-coming conflict," the Sorceress said, walking up the stairs to her throne. "Adam."
"Yes, what about him?"
"He needs you, Teela. Something happened to him in the caverns beneath Eternia. Something that has shaken his faith. Have you not seen it?"
Teela nodded slowly, thinking now that it had been weeks since she'd known him transform into He-Man. "Yeah . . ."
"He needs you, Teela. To defeat Horde Prime, Adam must become He-Man. He will not speak to me, but he will to you."
"What happened to him? Why won't he speak to you?"
The Sorceress' eyes drifted away from her. "It is . . . it is something that I can not speak to you about. Only Adam can talk to you about it. It is only right that you hear it from him."
Teela nodded again. "Right . . ."
"You must help him restore his faith. You mean far more to him than you realize," Sorceress said straightly.
"I . . . I suppose," Teela answered, though not exactly believing it. "Thank you, Sorceress."
"Of course."
"I need to get back to the Palace. Addison . . . his nap is running over."
Sorceress nodded and allowed Teela to leave. As Teela left the Castle, the Sorceress felt a pang of guilt within her stomach. For Adam, for Teela . . . and for everything else that was going to happen in the next few months.
As the sun disappeared on the horizon, Adam joined Flipshot, Man-At-Arms, Hydron, Meriac, and Mara in the courtyard. A hologram of Eternos was projected between them.
"This scenario works," Adam decided. "But that's assuming that we're the target."
"It would make sense," Mara replied. "Eternos is the self-proclaimed capital of Eternia."
Flipshot nodded. "True, but - " He stopped mid-sentence, becoming aware of another presence among them.
"But what?" wondered Man-At-Arms. "What is it?"
Flipshot swiftly pulled out his laser pistol and fired into a nearby tree. A dark, shadowy figure jumped out, and rolled across the pavement.
"Oh no you don't!" shouted Flipshot, running after the figure.
Adam and Man-At-Arms recognized the figure immediately. It was Ninjor, obviously spying for Evil Lynn.
Ninjor ran across the courtyard, with Flipshot in hot pursuit. The cosmic guardian jumped up then and tackled Ninjor to the ground. Ninjor, though, slammed his pointer and middle fingers into the back of Flipshot's neck.
"Ah!" yelped Flipshot and he was thrown back.
Ninjor stood, and started to run, but Flipshot threw out his hand and blocked him. Ninjor swung a punch at Flipshot, but was blocked. Flipshot, in return, kicked Ninjor in the stomach. Ninjor tumbled back, but turned it into a flip.
When Ninjor landed, he slammed his palm into Flipshot's chin. Flipshot stumbled backwards, but spun and turned it into a kick. The kick landed on Ninjor's shoulder. Ninjor swung around and chopped Flipshot's side.
Flipshot tumbled a bit, allowing Ninjor to flip hands-and-feet across the walkway and into the Palace. Flipshot recovered quickly and ran after Ninjor. Ninjor threw the doors of the Palace open, and Flipshot ran behind. Ninjor then dropped from the ceiling and delivered a double kick to Flipshot's chest.
Flipshot moved with the momentum of the kick and flipped back to his feet, and assumed a fighting stance. Ninjor smiled behind black mask and assumed one as well. The two stood for a second, Ninjor with his right leg out and his leg turned to the side slightly in the back, his left hand in a fist by his jaw, his right hand flat and ready for a jabbing chop. Flipshot stood with both feet pointed squarely at Ninjor, both hands balled into solid fists.
After a tense few seconds, Ninjor made the first move. With lightning speed, he jabbed at Flipshot. Flipshot blocked the jab with his left arm, allowing for a strike from his right. His fist went straight for Ninjor's face, but Ninjor ducked and hit Flipshot in the stomach.
Flipshot felt the pain, but didn't let it falter him. His left hit Ninjor's neck, his swift leg slicing at Ninjor's feet. Ninjor leapt up and went for a quick high-kick at Flipshot's face. Flipshot ducked though and delivered his own kick to Ninjor's back. Ninjor rolled forward from it and landed on his feet, back turned to Flipshot.
He spun around and landed a punch right against Flipshot's helmet. Ninjor then came back with an open palm hit to the shoulder. Flipshot turned with it and leapt back to gain a little more room between them. Ninjor surged forward, shoulder bent to slam into Flipshot. But Flipshot used this to throw Ninjor off, and slammed his fist into Ninjor's side.
Ninjor swung his fist into the air, hoping to strike Flipshot. Flipshot bent backwards, the fist missing him completely. But Ninjor slid his leg into a tight position around Flipshot's and pulled. Flipshot went flying backwards, but recovered shockingly well by landing completely on his feet.
Flipshot then threw a punch at Ninjor, but Ninjor blocked it with one hand, and blocked a second one with his other hand. He broke the block and shoved himself back from Flipshot. Flipshot still moved forward, throwing a punch that was blocked. Ninjor threw a few punches himself but Flipshot blocked them.
Ninjor then threw a punch to Flipshot's face, finding it blocked - as expected. While Flipshot blocked it, Ninjor smashed his foot into Flipshot's stomach, then spun lightning-fast and slammed another foot into his side.
Flipshot crumbled to the ground, but grabbed hold of Ninjor's ankle and threw it up. Ninjor fell back and flipped to his feet while Flipshot flipped forward. Ninjor fired a punch, which Flipshot was able to block.
A kick was blocked, a thrust was stopped, a deathblow put off and on and on. Their fight was suddenly looking more and more like some sort of incredible dance to the on-lookers that were now gathering in the hall to watch.
Flipshot launched a fist to Ninjor's face, only to miss once more. As Ninjor dodged it, Flipshot threw his elbow in and smacked it into Ninjor's covered ear. Ninjor was thrown off balance, allowing Flipshot to throw both feet against his chest. Ninjor flattered back, and Flipshot caught up with his opponent, smashing his fist straight against Ninjor's head.
But Ninjor suddenly snapped forward and open-palm fisted Flipshot in the shoulders. He head-butted the cosmic guardian, then punched him in the gut. He jabbed at his neck and threw his shoulder against Flipshot's chest.
Suddenly, though, Flipshot grabbed hold of Ninjor's shirt and threw him back as well as himself. The two back flipped and landed in a crouch, their backs facing the other. With untold speed, the two stood, spun around and faced each other completely - this time, Ninjor was wielding a long, curved dagger, and Flipshot held out his laser pistol.
"I will slice off your hand before you even pull the trigger."
"And I'll blast you in the head before you even think about moving."
"ENOUGH!" roared King Adam, stepping between them. "Flipshot, stand down! Ninjor, what the hell are you doing here? We have a treaty! What are you doing spying on us?"
Ninjor put his dagger away. "Forgive us all if we happen to get curious when our 'ally' doesn't inform us that ships are coming to Eternos for reasons that are a mystery to us."
Adam grumbled. "If Evil Lynn had a problem or was curious, she could have just contacted us. Spying . . . isn't appreciated."
Ninjor came to full size. "Old habits die hard, King Adam."
"Inform Evil Lynn I will meet with her in person tomorrow at Snake Mountain. And tell her that next time we find a spy, we're not going so lightly about it."
Ninjor nodded and Adam walked off. Two well-armed guards walked over to escort him out, but Ninjor paused when he walked by Flipshot.
"Not bad. Next time I won't hold back," Ninjor said simply.
"Neither will I," Flipshot replied with a sharp smile.