Chapter 14
"How's his pulse?"
"Having trouble getting one!"
"Heart rate?"
"Very low, and continuing to drop!"
"The blood transfusion isn't working!"
"I don't care what it takes! I refuse to lose this patient!"
Prince Adam of Eternia lay in a hospital on a far-away planet, fighting for his life...a fight he was quickly losing. The combination of fangcat venom and the deep wound were more than he could take. Now, he was near death, his life hanging on a very fragile thread...
A long, steady beeping noise attracted the horrified attention of the surgeons in the OR, and time seemed to stop entirely.
"Doctor, he's flatlining!"
"Paddles! Hurry!"
The paddles were pressed hard against Adam's chest, and the electricity coursed through him. The tone didn't change. Twice...three times...four...five...
Nothing.
Suddenly, Adam started to slip deeper into the darkness, as the doctor yelled, "Hang in there, young man! Hang in there!!!"
*****************************************
"Adam. Adam, wake up."
The prince stirred, feeling as if he'd slept for an eternity. As his eyes slowly adjusted to his surroundings, he saw that he was in a room with the brightest white light he'd ever seen. Soon a series of throne-topped staircases came into view, followed by the sudden materialization of many glowing figures, draped in shimmering white robes. Adam recognized them right away as the Elders, especially when he saw the Sorceress sitting on the central throne.
The smile on her face was the first Adam had seen in a very long time. He stepped toward the foot of her throne, assured that she was pleased. For the first time since the murder of his parents, he was truly at ease.
"Adam, you have finally learned the lesson I was trying to teach you. You have earned the right to take on the mantle of Grayskull once more...if you wish, that is."
Adam was bewildered. "But...the hospital...I was dead..."
"No, Adam. Merely in a state of suspended animation. I was able to save you from death using Grayskull's power, bringing you here to safety. I blanked the memories of those you met, making it impossible for them to remember you or how you saved them. It was the best way to keep them from asking too many questions about your disappearance."
Adam let the info sink in, then turned back to what the Sorceress said earlier. "You said I could have Grayskull's power back if I wished, but I feel as if there's...something else."
The smile on the Sorceress' face grew wider. "You are very intuitive, Adam. There is something I would like to offer you...if you want it, that is."
"I...don't understand..."
The Sorceress motioned toward another throne, and suddenly Adam knew what she was getting at before she spoke.
"The Council of Elders has decided, and I agree wholeheartedly, that you have earned a seat among us. You may be young, but your heroic deeds, both as He-Man in the past and as Adam last night, have showed us that you are ready...if you so desire."
Adam was astonished! An invitation to join the ranks of Eternia's wisest and most noble minds...
And yet...he couldn't...
"I thank you for the offer and your confidence in me, but I can't accept this. Despite what you might believe, my recent misdeeds are not those of a worthy Elder. I choose to atone for my crimes, even if it takes the rest of my days."
The Sorceress nodded. "I understand. Then raise your sword, and prepare to once again receive the power you have earned!"
Adam did not hesitate, as he lifted the Power Sword and invoked Grayskull's power with the familiar command:
"BY THE POWER OF GRAYSKULL!"
When the lightning subsided, He-Man stood before the Sorceress, who wasted no time in creating a portal back to Eternia.
As He-Man prepared to pass through the gate, the Sorceress shouted, "Before you return to Eternia, I should let you know: You are about to return to a time you may not wish to relive..."
Before He-Man could ponder what she meant, he had passed through the portal and was on his way...
TO BE CONTINUED...
"How's his pulse?"
"Having trouble getting one!"
"Heart rate?"
"Very low, and continuing to drop!"
"The blood transfusion isn't working!"
"I don't care what it takes! I refuse to lose this patient!"
Prince Adam of Eternia lay in a hospital on a far-away planet, fighting for his life...a fight he was quickly losing. The combination of fangcat venom and the deep wound were more than he could take. Now, he was near death, his life hanging on a very fragile thread...
A long, steady beeping noise attracted the horrified attention of the surgeons in the OR, and time seemed to stop entirely.
"Doctor, he's flatlining!"
"Paddles! Hurry!"
The paddles were pressed hard against Adam's chest, and the electricity coursed through him. The tone didn't change. Twice...three times...four...five...
Nothing.
Suddenly, Adam started to slip deeper into the darkness, as the doctor yelled, "Hang in there, young man! Hang in there!!!"
*****************************************
"Adam. Adam, wake up."
The prince stirred, feeling as if he'd slept for an eternity. As his eyes slowly adjusted to his surroundings, he saw that he was in a room with the brightest white light he'd ever seen. Soon a series of throne-topped staircases came into view, followed by the sudden materialization of many glowing figures, draped in shimmering white robes. Adam recognized them right away as the Elders, especially when he saw the Sorceress sitting on the central throne.
The smile on her face was the first Adam had seen in a very long time. He stepped toward the foot of her throne, assured that she was pleased. For the first time since the murder of his parents, he was truly at ease.
"Adam, you have finally learned the lesson I was trying to teach you. You have earned the right to take on the mantle of Grayskull once more...if you wish, that is."
Adam was bewildered. "But...the hospital...I was dead..."
"No, Adam. Merely in a state of suspended animation. I was able to save you from death using Grayskull's power, bringing you here to safety. I blanked the memories of those you met, making it impossible for them to remember you or how you saved them. It was the best way to keep them from asking too many questions about your disappearance."
Adam let the info sink in, then turned back to what the Sorceress said earlier. "You said I could have Grayskull's power back if I wished, but I feel as if there's...something else."
The smile on the Sorceress' face grew wider. "You are very intuitive, Adam. There is something I would like to offer you...if you want it, that is."
"I...don't understand..."
The Sorceress motioned toward another throne, and suddenly Adam knew what she was getting at before she spoke.
"The Council of Elders has decided, and I agree wholeheartedly, that you have earned a seat among us. You may be young, but your heroic deeds, both as He-Man in the past and as Adam last night, have showed us that you are ready...if you so desire."
Adam was astonished! An invitation to join the ranks of Eternia's wisest and most noble minds...
And yet...he couldn't...
"I thank you for the offer and your confidence in me, but I can't accept this. Despite what you might believe, my recent misdeeds are not those of a worthy Elder. I choose to atone for my crimes, even if it takes the rest of my days."
The Sorceress nodded. "I understand. Then raise your sword, and prepare to once again receive the power you have earned!"
Adam did not hesitate, as he lifted the Power Sword and invoked Grayskull's power with the familiar command:
"BY THE POWER OF GRAYSKULL!"
When the lightning subsided, He-Man stood before the Sorceress, who wasted no time in creating a portal back to Eternia.
As He-Man prepared to pass through the gate, the Sorceress shouted, "Before you return to Eternia, I should let you know: You are about to return to a time you may not wish to relive..."
Before He-Man could ponder what she meant, he had passed through the portal and was on his way...
TO BE CONTINUED...