Chapter 9

Teela stood nervously beside her mother and Queen Marlena in the royal throne room of Eternos Palace. King Randor stood at one desk and her father stood at another beside Randor's while a royal dignitary from another Kingdom, Fei Forelong. His nation was far away from the Great War and knew only a few stories of He-Man stood at the front before the throne as the judge.

Normally King Randor would head all judgment over crimes in the kingdom, but with his connection with Prince Adam, the Council of Eternia all agreed that he would not be suitable to head this court session.

Teela gasped when Adam was finally dragged in, the shock quickly turned to outrage when she saw that he was badly beaten. His two guards were smiling and she didn't have a doubt they were the two that did this outrageous action. She had often over heard the two talking about He-Man stealing the Royal Guard's spotlight and that they should be the heroes of legend, not the half naked hero. Teela would definitely get them later.

"This court is now in session!" Fei Forelong stated loudly, "The Sovereign Kingdom of Eternos versus Prince Adam, Son of Randor, Crown Prince of Eternos, The Charges are as stands: Falsifying death, multiple charges of deceit to the Crown, vigilantism, and treason." Fei glanced at Randor and Man At Arms, "Opening statements may now take place."

Randor stood up first, "Your Honor," he said giving a faint bow, "Prince Adam, under the guise of He-Man has played hero for over two years, playing on the emotion of myself, Man At Arm's daughter, Teela, and everyone in the Kingdom's for his own selfish ego and pride. He falsified his own death to make it easier on himself, not caring if it would hurt anyone, and above that countless times disgraced the throne to selfishly be a 'hero' and take the praise that rightfully deserves to the TRUE defenders of Eternia." Randor then took his seat, not even making a glance to his son.

Duncan placed a hand on Adam's shoulder before standing up, "Selfish? Adam is a lot of things, but selfish is the farthest from him, if Randor ever took the time to actually get to know his own son he'd know this." Duncan said giving Randor a dirty look. "Your Honor, I've raised Adam as my own son. I know him as well as I know myself, as well as I know my own daughter. I'm also pleased to realize if things keep going as they are, I might be saying son-in-law before too long. Adam is selfless and heroic. Yes he has made mistakes, but what young person doesn't? Eternia was under siege from Skeletor's evil beginning two years ago. The Masters, as well trained as they were, were not ready. Eternia needed a champion, needed a hero. Adam stood up and took the challenge with selflessness, despite the sacrifices he knew he would be making."

Duncan took his seat back beside Adam, before Fei turned to King Randor, "Your Highness, you may call your first witness."

Randor smiled almost evilly at Adam, before turning to the crowd, "Your Honor, The Kingdom of Eternos calls Teela, Daughter of Duncan to the witness stand."

Teela walked to the stand with her usual proud demeanor, but her worried eyes gave her away easily. "Do you swear to tell the truth on your honor as a citizen of the Kingdom of Eternos?" Fei asked, watching her carefully.

"I do," Teela stated in her official tone of voice.

"Hello, my dear," Randor said in the tone of voice Teela recognized as his 'Uncle Randy' voice. She hadn't heard it in years, and it sickened her that he'd use it on her here of all places. "Are doing ok, today?"

"As well as expected, Your Highness," Teela said, a hint of contempt in her voice, "As well as I could with my boyfriend's father treating him like a criminal."

"I'll be brief, I know this entire event has been very stressing on you," Randor smiled, "How long have you known Adam?"

"As long as I can remember. He was my first friend," Teela stated, giving Adam a small smile.

"Your first friend? A friend doesn't lie to or play mind games with you do they?" Randor asked casually, stroking his beard.

"No …" Teela asked, narrowing her eyes on the king.

"And what has Adam been doing the past two years, making you believe him a coward, then throwing his artificial muscle in your face, finally making you believe he was killed?"

"Doing what he had to do to protect me, YOU, and the entire world," Teela said in a dangerous tone.

"Ah, I see, I see," Randor nodded, and began pacing before the girl.

"One year ago, during the Second Snake Wars, who defeated the Snake God?" Randor asked.

"He-Man did, Adam did," Teela stated, "We already know all about it."

"Where did he defeat the monster?" Randor continued.

"At Castle Grayskull." Teela stated proudly.

"Ah, at Castle Grayskull," Randor repeated, a smile growing on his lips. Teela was falling right into his trap. "Prince Adam, as He-Man, is supposed to be the Most Powerful Man in the Universe, is he not? If he is so powerful, why did he not defeat the beast before it attacked Eternos and leveled the city to the ground?"

"He was sworn to defend Grayskull," Teela answered warily.

"Indeed, He-Man is sworn to protect Castle Grayskull, and he succeeded in that didn't he?" Randor waited for Teela to nod slowly, "But as the Prince of Eternos he is to defend his Kingdom and Capital to the very end as well." He then looked back at the girl, "Teela, if He-Man had been with the Masters on that day, could the city have been saved?"

"…"

"A simple yes or no will do, my dear," Randor said in his 'kind' voice again.

"OBJECTION!" Duncan snapped, jumping to his feet in outrage at what his king was doing to his child, his children.

"Overruled," Fei nodded, before turning to Teela, "Answer the question, Captain."

"Yes, but …" Teela said in defeat, before looking up, "but-"

"It almost bankrupted the Kingdom to fully repair the damage Snake Mountain did to the city," Randor turned to the audience, giving a faint bow to the outraged Teelina and Marlena, "Adam, as He-Man, was picking and choosing who he was to save, placing Grayskull especially above the lives of many innocent people in Eternos and all over Eternia."

Randor then turned back to the girl, "You are Captain of the Royal Guard, I'm sure you are well versed in the law of the kingdom," Randor stated, "Teela please tell the court the definition of the term Vigilante?"

"A Vigilante … is one who under no official endorsement enforces the law, sometimes looking over some laws while capitalizing on others," Teela recited, giving Adam and her father a worried glance.

"Yes, indeed," Randor nodded, "He-Man has never been made an official member of the Masters, nor have any of his REAL information been brought before the throne. Obviously we would have spoiled Adam's little game long ago if it had…"

"OBJECTION!" Duncan shouted again.

"Sustained," Fei agreed, "Your Highness, please get to the point."

"Teela, have you ever noticed He-Man appearing to be a Vigilante?"

"No, not ever." Teela stated firmly.

Randor frowned, "Very well, Man At Arms, your witness." Randor then took his seat.

Man At Arms stood and approached his daughter. His eyes met hers, and he mouthed the words 'it will be over soon'.

"Teela," Man At Arms began, "Do you remember, I believe it was a few months after you and Prince Adam completed your initial training as Masters, I caught you and his highness in a highly improper situation?" he said with a smile.

In a moment Teela turned the color of her hair, "there was nothing improper about it, we just sort of fell asleep in the guard station when I was on volunteered duty." Teela explained rapidly, growing even redder.

"If memory serves, weren't your arms and legs wrapped around each other, and he had a good portion of your hair in half way down his throat?" Duncan pressed.

"Father … it wasn't … well … it wasn't how it looked." Teela covered her face with her hands.

"Objection! Does this have a purpose, or is Man At Arms trying to slow my son's just punishment?" Randor said dully.

"It does have a very important purpose, the key to this very case, Prince Adam's true character," Duncan smirked, before turning back to the judge. "As you can see your honor, Prince Adam was not on duty that night, at all," he said handing a folder to the Judge containing the duty schedule for said week.

"Teela, what was Adam doing there?" Duncan asked, cocking an eyebrow at his daughter.

"It was my first week of night watch," Teela explained, her blush lowering in intensity but not going away. "He said he was worried about me out there by myself and not being used to staying up all night watching as he put it, 'the grass grow'," Teela said before glancing at the prince, "He was always like that. Any hint of danger he was my shadow, there to make sure I was ok. Shena used to tease us, saying that it was more like the other way around the prince watching over the bodyguard. Of course I denied it, but more times then not, she was right."

Teela then gave a glare at her father, "I guess we were both weaker then we are now, we both fell asleep against each other and somehow or another beyond our own better judgments, ended up in each other's arms. Not that it's anyone's business, we were both fully clothed and it isn't the first time you've caught us in bed together, father! ……. That didn't come out right."

The chuckles from the crowd and judge made her glow even brighter in embarrassment. "So you're saying Adam was only there to watch over you and keep you safe?" Duncan asked, before adding, "Please, for your dear father's already battered heart condition, answer a yes or no."

"Yes, he was only there to make sure I was well protected," Teela said somewhat shyly.

"I said yes or no only, Teela, but thank you," Duncan nodded, "and since the appearance of He-Man, how has Adam 'basked' in the glory that came with being the most powerful man in the universe?"

"Basked? That's a laugh!" Teela started but quickly turned solemn as her face contorted with shame and sadness. "He-Man only came when we needed him, and never stayed around for us to even thank him properly. Then Adam, we … I was horrible toward him. His father looked down on him, the kingdom laughed at him. After learning his secret, I find it a miracle he didn't kill himself for real."

"So are you saying that it is foolish to say that Adam took the mantle of Guardian of Grayskull for self glorification?" Duncan asked.

"Foolish isn't the word," Teela scoffed glaring daggers at her king, "more like purely idiotic."

"Thank you, Teela, no more questions," Duncan said and Teela returned to her place at her and Adam's mother's side

The trial went on for several hours, taking a few breaks between witness interrogations and evidence examinations.

Randor finally stood up, "The Kingdom of Eternos would like to call its final witness, Prince Adam of Eternos."

Duncan looked worried but nodded for Adam to do as told. After making the oath he sat down at the bench and waited for his father to approach.

"Adam I have one question and one question only," Randor said leaning forward, "I want to know why. Why did you disgrace and make a fool of the royal name of Eternos? Why did you constantly embarrass your family, your kingdom, and yourself when you could be considered the greatest of the great? You made a fool out of me, Adam, you made a fool out of the crown you would have inherited. I want to know why."

"You want to know why, Father?" Adam asked, a rage beginning to form in his ocean blue eyes, "You want to know why I fought as He-Man? Why I pretended be a coward and a disgrace, making myself look like a complete idiot? I'll tell you why. You'd think I'd say I wanted to save you when Skeletor grabbed you. Or I didn't want to see you or mother hurt. Or I didn't want to see Teela in danger. Or I didn't want Skeletor to hurt any more innocent people. To tell the truth, all of those played a role in it, but that wasn't it. That wasn't why I became He-Man. You should know why I became He-Man, Father, it shouldn't surprise you what I'm about to say."

Adam took a deep breath and closed his eyes tight before continuing, "Man At Arms used to tell me bedtime stories growing up. One of my favorites was about my hero. He was appointed to do a job he didn't want or feel he was ready to do. But he stood up and he took the responsibility like a man; like a King. Under the sole reason of knowing he was the only one who could. When the Sorceress gave me the sword I took it thinking about my hero. I took the responsibility just like he did. I did it because I was the only one who could. That's why."

Randor's eyes widened as the court erupted in applause along with the judge screaming for order.

Finally the crowd settled and Randor just glared at the boy, not knowing what to say next other then 'no further question'. He returned to his seat with people booing and cursing at him, once again being silenced by the judge.

The Judge turned to Man At Arms and Duncan nodded, "I believe this has gone on long enough, no questions from me."

Fei nodded in agreement, "There will be a five minute recess then I will appoint judgment on the case."

Teela, Marlena and Teelina quickly made their way to Adam and Duncan. Teela wasting no time to kiss the prince, "You really put him in his place, Adam," Teela smiled breaking the kiss and resting her head on Adam shoulder.

"I want to warn you Adam, be ready I don't think we're going to get out of the falsifying your death. You're caught pretty well red handed with that. Deceit to the Crown worries me a bit, but the others I think we shot out of the sky," Duncan explained, patting the boy's shoulder, "All things considered, I'm proud of you, son. I just wish Randor wasn't so full of himself where he could see the fine man you've grown up to be."

"Me too, Duncan," Adam said before he was hugged on the other side by his mother. "Mother! Teela, let me breath," Adam wheezed from the two women's death grip, then glanced at former Sorceress who seemed to want to join the group hug, "Oh go ahead, finish me off."

Teelina gave a faint blush before joining in the group hug. "It will all work out for the best, Adam," Teelina whispered, "Have faith."

Adam nodded and the Judge's gavel sounded, signaling the time for Judgment.

Adam stood with Man At Arms before the Judge holding his head high. "I have given this a great deal of thought and I can only hope the Ancients have given me the wisdom to deliver proper judgment in this case," Fei started, before holding out a scroll, "First charge, Vigilantism. Prince Adam is found … Not Guilty." Fei awaited the crowd to die down before continuing. "Prince Adam as He-Man by all evidence supplied by both sides of the case has proven him to be nothing more then a champion of righteousness."

"The next charge," Fei said rolling down the scroll. "Falsifying one's death. Prince Adam is found … Guilty." No one was really surprised by this, but Teela still cried in Marlena and Teelina's arms from the verdict. "He did knowingly and willingly leave people to believe he was killed, causing emotional damage to many around him and close to him. Also I recommend Man At Arms role in the events be brought into examination immediately."

The scrolled rolled again, "The charge of treason. Prince Adam has been found … Guilty." The crowd gasped, and Teela just slumped down to her knees easily taking Marlena and Teelina with her, "He-Man has shown favor to Grayskull then his own kingdom which he would one day rule. While at first glance one could not look at this as treason, there have been many reported incidences that began closer to Eternos, threatening the lives of her people, and could have been ended without awaiting the attack on Castle Grayskull itself."

"And finally, the last charge, Deceit to the Crown," Fei read, "Prince Adam has been found … Guilty. He has on multiple time withheld information from the Crown which could have possibly effected the paths of the war."

"Normally the judgment for these combined charges is indisputably death," Fei said but stopped for the gasps, and sudden sobs from Teela and Adam's mother. "BUT, after what He-Man has done for this world, though he must be punished for his crimes, we owe him enough not to have him slaughtered as Skeletor will one day be." He said, no one noticing Randor flinching. "Eternia owes a great debt to He-Man, to Prince Adam, so instead of the death sentence, Prince Adam will spend two days exactly shackled in the center of Eternos, facing the people he willingly turn his back on when he chose to fake his own death." He glanced around the shocked crowd, "There the people of Eternia will determine his fate, mercy, stoning, all is in your hands."

Randor stepped forward, "I hope you'll learn something from this, my Son," Randor said triumphantly. "Man At Arms escort the prisoner to the dungeon to await the shackles' preparations."

"No." Man At Arms said removing his helmet, and turning and walking out the door.

"Ramman, you take him away," Randor said turning to the Master.

"Ah can't believe you'd do this to Adam, all he's ever done was help us," Ramman said removing his helmet, "Ah quit." With that he followed Man At Arms' path.

"Stratos?"

"You've gone too far this time, old friend," Stratos said, starting after the other two Masters, "To put your son on trial as such, and him being He-Man, the greatest of us all. I had assumed you had a heart."

"Buzz Off?"

"Go screw yourself seeing as you've finished screwing your son," Buzz Off snapped, taking flight behind the others.

Slowly all the Masters turned their backs and walked out, then followed by the majority of the Royal Guard. "You'll all pay for this! I'm the King! I hold all your retirement benefits!" Randor called after the retreating heroes, then turned to the Queen, Teela, and former Sorceress standing behind Adam. "I don't suppose you'll take him away, Captain Teela?"

"Only reason I'm not walking too is I'm not leaving him again," Teela said folding her arms under her chest.

"Thought so," Randor sighed, then turned to the only two remaining Royal Guards, "Biggs, Wedge, take him straight to the center of Eternos, I'll chain him up myself."

Randor walked with the two soldiers and his son, and glanced at his wife. "If you go through with this, Randor, we're done. Do this and I'm leaving you."

"Suit yourself, my dear," Randor scowled, before walking out.

"Oh Adam …" Orko sighed, watching Adam lead out of the palace, then teleported where he hoped was his bedroom. No surprise he missed, and found himself in a large unused closet. "Oops, I really need to … YOU!?!"

To Be Concluded ...

AN: sorry for the delay, only one chapter to go and it's almost done should have it by tonight or the first of this coming week if all goes well! Don't forget to drop a review!