Chapter Two: "Engagement Party"
The following morning, as the sun washed Eternia in golden light, King Hiss walked along the edge of the huge mound his Snake-Men had discovered. He could feel its power pulsing within; its energy thundering just beneath the surface.
For how long did he seek this out? How many years of his life were dedicated to what was about to come? He sought this goal until the ancient war with the Eternians broke out, when he was forced to deviant his interest towards battle. But as soon as he arrived to this era, Hiss had resumed his quest, this time with ease.
He rose the Great Towers not just for the power they held, but mainly for Viper Tower. For Viper Tower held the eyes of the amulet and the tower itself was also another key ingredient in releasing whom it was he wished to unleash.
It was at Snake Mountain, however, that King Hiss found disappointment. The emerald that had been hidden there in his era was no longer there when he returned. For a full year, King Hiss searched for the jewel. He had nearly given up hope and decided that by creating an alternate reality, he would find victory in some manner. But that plan had failed.
King Hiss, right before Skeletor returned to banish him, found a hidden chamber. Yet before he had the chance to unlock the chamber, he and his minions were tossed out of Snake Mountain. Hiss, for that second year, concentrated on finding the other portion of the amulet - the snake. He had found it in the Sands of Time, near the Temple of the Sun.
When word reached him that the Horde was having a showdown with the Great Rebellion, King Hiss joined Skeletor not only to help defeat his most ancient of enemies (Hordak himself), but also to find the last jewel that would sit in the snake's mouth. He secret entered that hidden chamber and found it.
Now everything was in place. This was the location he had sought. Only two more components were left. He would retrieve those tonight. For now, King Hiss had other business . . .
Modifying the technology that Hordak had given him during this very brief alliance, King Hiss was projecting an energy field that kept them hidden. Even his bargain with Hordak was made towards this action.
Blast-Attack came over at this point, fully reprogrammed.
"Are you programmed correctly?" questioned Hiss.
"That I am, master."
"Excellent. Snake-Men!"
His small cadre of warriors walked behind a barrier that had erected the night before. Blast-Attack began to climb the mound, ticking away as he did. As soon as he reached the top, there was intense and violent explosion. As rocks were blasted away from the mound, King Hiss checked his small sensor readings. The explosion had been undetectable. Perfect.
As the dust cloud began to taper off, King Hiss gave his second round of orders. The Meteorbs - being Crocobite, Dinosorb, Gore-Illa, Orbear and Rhinorb - rushed off to the mound and began to go to work. There was something within that mound, something made of Eternium. It may have been impossible to smash, but it was heavily buried. And while Blast Attack took down the heaviest of the mound, the Meteorbs were needed to clear away the rest of the debris.
By noon, the Meteorbs had completed their work. King Hiss stood, then, and stared with stunned and amazed silence. A great statue of a snake was laid out on the dessert floor. The snake was stretched out and was coiled at both ends, though the end with the head was more heavily coiled that the tail. The head was looking straight upward, mouth wide open with a small platform set within. The tail was coiled as well with the rattle of the snake pointing up. A smaller platform sat on top of the coils.
"Vipera . . ." whispered King Hiss, dropping to his knees. All these years of searching, of planning and scheming - at long last they were paying off.
After about an hour of checking that massive statue out, King Hiss assembled his Snake-Men. "Prepare yourselves for tonight. Our information states that the two we seek will be at Eternos attending some sort of party or gala. We strike then, when they least expect it. Hard and fast. Do not engage the enemy unless you must. When all is done, they shall be brought here."
The attention of the last night's dinner mercifully concentrated on Adam and Kathryn. Teela simply laughed at the right jokes, talked at the right times, and pretty much spent the rest of the time eating slow enough to show everyone that she did in fact want to be there.
It was with a realization at some point before dinner that the reason for being upset was rather a simple one. She was losing her best friend. Over the past year, despite Adam's living at the Great Towers, the two of them had become closer friends. Now that Adam was getting married, Teela was at serious risk of losing that friendship. It would not revert to what it was when they were younger - prince and bodyguard - but it would certainly splinter.
Within the past twenty-four hours it became amazingly clear to Teela that she would have a hard time not having Adam in her life. To admit that to herself was hard. Admitting it to Adam? Impossible. She just wouldn't do it. Teela was good at bottling things up. This would just be another exercise in doing that.
There was an engagement party for Adam and Kathryn tonight. It was going to be very formal, full of old family friends, not mention the entire royal family (except for the long-dead Keldor). Teela had already reviewed the security specs and they looked good. Now was the taunting task of finding something to wear . . .
After about twenty minutes of deep searching, Teela found a green little dress that she felt was formal enough for the party. As soon as she finished zipping it up, there was a knock at her door.
"Come on!"
The door opened up and in came Prince Adam himself. He was wearing a very formal outfit: white undershirt, blue shirt, with dark blue pants and dark blue cape. In his hand was a small, silver crown.
"Hide me, please," he moaned and collapsed onto the bed.
Teela smiled and worked on her hair. "What's wrong with you now?"
"I swear, Teela, you know what I need to hear right now? I need to hear 'congrats' one more time. I do. Because hearing it one more time, Teela? It'll push me just over the 1 million limit."
"Should have realized that going into this."
"Yeah, I suppose so."
"I see you got out the crown. Here I thought that was super rare."
"Oh yeah," he replied, running his fingers over it. "It's one of those super rare events."
"You guys set a date yet?"
"This fall, actually."
Teela nodded, the smile diminishing. She was now putting her earrings in. "Ah. I see."
Adam looked over to her and saw in the reflection the look on Teela's face. It wasn't sadness, but it wasn't the kind of excitement he would have expected from her. It was a sort of neutrality that bugged him. It meant there were some deep thoughts going on on the other side of that look.
"Out with it, Teela."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"I know that look. Tell me what's on your mind, Captain. That's a command."
Teela rolled her eyes. Adam once tried to command her to go jump off a cliff when they were kids. She didn't do it then and she wasn't about to fall for it now.
"Nothing's on my mind, your highness."
"Come on, Teela. I know you better than you know yourself. I know there's something bugging you."
Teela sighed and turned to face him. Adam sat up on the bed. "I'm worried, all right. You and I . . . the two of have been much closer the past year than ever before. It's not you and me out in the courtyard playing or the two of us training or me watching your back. I mean . . . I guess I'm just worried that you being married is going to really put a damper on our friendship."
Adam stood up and shook his head. "Of course it won't, Teela." Her eyes told him that she didn't believe that. Adam smirked. "It'll change, that's for sure. But damper? Nah. The two of us are like peas in a pod. You're my best friend. You'll always be my best friend."
Teela took in a deep breath and smiled. It was good enough for her. The two hugged strongly, Adam's thin arms engulfing her. After a few seconds, Teela was the one that let go.
"Well, you need to finish getting ready."
"Right."
"Thanks Adam. I really do appreciate this."
"GUESTS OF ETERNOS!" yelled out the presenter. "I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE TO YOU THE GUESTS OF THE EVENING! KING STRATOS, LADY DELORA, AND PRINCE TALON OF AVION!"
A full range of applause filled the banquet hall of Eternos. Stratos, Delora and their newborn baby Talon entered in their most formal outfits. Stratos was wearing a long, feathery red robe. Delora's dress was black and cut low. Delora just was looked like a little baby Avion, with small, bare wings and very slick bit down feathers.
As the trio entered the hall, the presenter introduced the next visitor. "LORD BUZZ-OFF OF INSECTIA!"
More applause followed. Buzz-Off waved to the people, but was quite flattered. He was just here yesterday.
"KING PAW OF THE CATS!"
King Paw walked in, two guards by his side, including Kittrina. A long leopard pattern cape followed from his shoulders.
"KING JOVAH AND QUEEN JEDAH OF THE BEARS!"
These announcements went on and on as more and more royal guests entered.
"PRIME MINISTER PANGAS AND HIS DAUGHTER, CELICE!"
"PRINCESS RANA!"
"PRINCESS NAMI!"
And so on. Eventually, trumpets on either side of the entrance sounded.
"THE ROYAL FAMILY OF ETERNOS!" the presenter shouted with force. "KING MIRO!"
Miro entered, looking healthy, if not quite old. A long red cape flowed behind him as he walked into the banquet hall.
"KING STEPHAN AND PRINCE DELL!"
King Stephan followed his father, also in formal attire. His son, Dell, was two steps behind his Dad. They both wore huge smiles on their faces and had the symbol of West Eternos on their shirts.
"QUEEN JOHANNA, PRINCESS EDWINA, AND PRINCE JEREMY!"
Queen Johanna came in, her hair back in twist. Behind her was Edwina, who was wearing a deep purple, strapless dress. Her hair was up in a complex series of braids and buns. Jeremy followed, looking very stately. On his shirt was the symbol of North Eternos.
"KING RANDOR AND QUEEN MARLENA!"
The crowd that rose in sound with each new arrival grew even louder as the King and Queen walked along the red carpet laid out at the door. They soon joined the rest of the royal family, who were all lined up at the end of the carpet.
"PRINCESS ADORA AND HER ESCORT, ADMIRAL SEAHAWK!"
Adora walked in, arm-in-arm with SeaHawk. SeaHawk was dressed in a naval uniform with the crest of Brightmoon on his shoulders. Adora wore a long, extravagant red dress.
"Escort?" whispered SeaHawk as Adora waved to some people in the huge banquet hall. "They make me out to sound like I'm your hooker or something."
"Oh? You didn't know you were?" she whispered back.
"You better pay me soon, then, or I'll walk back to Etheria."
She smiled. "I love you, sweetheart."
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! CAST YOUR ATTENTION TO THE ENTRANCE NOW AS WE INTRODUCE TO YOU THE CENTER TONIGHT'S CELEBRATION! PRINCE ADAM, SON OF RANDOR, AND THE SOON-TO-BE PRINCESS KATHRYN, DAUGHTER OF ROMAN!"
The entire room howled, yelled, whooped, and clapped. Kathryn giggled and held onto Adam's arm as the walked over to the rest of the royal family. They all stood there, then, the family of Eternos: Miro, Stephan, Dell, Johanna, Edwina, Jeremy, Randor, Marlena, Adora, SeaHawk, Adam, and Kathryn. Flashbulbs from the rare camera blasted, capturing the sight. Everyone within the banquet hall was on his or her feet, shouting and clapping.
This exact group would never stand together again.
After a few more minutes of deafening applause, the royal family was escorted to their table. It was a long table that sat on a stage underneath four oval-shaped windows. Right at the bottom of the stage stairs were two other tables, one for the royal dignitaries and another for the guests of the royal family and members of royal duties. Teela and Man-At-Arms sat at the third table, along with Rohad, Hovar, Justin, Melaktha, Stanlin, and Orko. Also at this table was Roman, Kathryn's father, and his other children Benjamin, Alice, and Olivia.
Kathryn sat next to Adam at the center of the table and smiled. She took it all in. Her nerves were on high alert as she looked out upon all of those people that she would been talking with or commanding. Kathryn's eyes locked onto the Heroic Warriors and she realized that perhaps someday, she may just have to order them into battle.
Her nerves must have been acting up a lot because when she was given her food, she started to feel a little nauseous. She took a sip of water and felt better. As she started to eat, she noticed that there were some people looking up at her. The pressure was building for the farmgirl.
"You doing okay?" asked Adam.
"Yeah. Just a little strange being up here with all this attention being paid to me."
Adam smiled and squeezed her hand. "You'll get used to it."
"So, Kathryn, how did you and Adam meet?" asked Stephan between intakes of his ZaZoo leg.
"Rio-Blast, actually. He invited my Da and my family to the celebration y'all had here last year. I didn't even know who he was," Kathryn answered, thankful for the conversation. It was helping to take the pressure off of her.
"She just grabbed me and we started dancing. She was so shocked when I told her my name," Adam completed. "About passed out."
There was a pulse of laughter from along the table.
"We met again when Adam was investigating an animal attack at my farm. We feel in love there," she said, blushing and sighing.
Adam put his arm around her shoulders. "It's been perfection ever since."
Smiles and warm thoughts circulated along the table. Johanna picked at her salad and then turned to SeaHawk.
"How did you and Adora meet, Admiral?"
SeaHawk sipped at his wine. "Funny story."
"Oh?" questioned Stephan.
"Yeah, actually, I was smuggling weapons for the Horde."
Randor about choked on his corn. He turned to Marlena. "You didn't tell me that."
"I thought you'd be mad," Marlena whispered. "Besides what does it matter?"
Randor grunted. "It matters."
"No it doesn't. Besides, we need to stick with the operation."
"Operation?"
"Operation: grandbabies."
"Marlena … I love you …" Randor gulped, "but you are scary sometimes."
The dinner continued on with light joking and happy discussions. There was circulation on the floor, many of the guests getting up and chitchatting. Between the dinner course and the dessert course, Adam tapped his wineglass.
"Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen, excuse me!" Adam said, standing. Teela smiled at him from her table. "I'd like to make a toast. I've been a lucky man. As the prince, I had a full education, a regale lifestyle, and a lot of life experience. I've seen dangers and dark times. But none of that matters. None of it. What really matters is the love I've been blessed with. I've been blessed with two fantastic and fair parents . . . not to mention great cousins and a wonderful aunt and uncle. My best friends have never treated me any different because of my position. I've had the chance to be reunited with an amazing sister and a wise grandfather. And now, I am even more blessed to find the love of my life. My beloved Kathryn."
Kathryn blushed and smiled radiantly.
"So, I encourage you to all open your hearts and to find someone with whom you love. Because love, my friends, is what matters above all else. So here's a toast! TO LOVE!"
Adam put the glass to his lips.
What happened next sent the wineglass flying out of his hands. Glass and mortar exploded behind him. Adam went rolling over the table as an explosion echoed out through the banquet hall. Adam stood up and his blue eyes went the wide.
The Snake-Men stood where once the windows and the wall did.
"MOVE QUICKLY!" shouted King Hiss.
The Snake-Men were in motion before anyone else. Sssqueeze slammed his hand palm into Adam's face, grabbed it, and tossed him off the stage. Randor reached for his sword, but was kicked into Marlena and Stephan. Johanna shoved the children behind her as the Snake-Men leapt off the stage.
Adam stood up and watched as Adora was punched in the head and then thrown to the ground. He secretly kicked himself for leaving the Sword of Power in his quarters.
"CRINGER!" he yelled.
The tiger knew exactly what that meant. Cringer went bounding off to the apartment wing. Adam ran towards the on-coming Snake-Men. They were fast.
Rio-Blast and Roboto were in motion as well, though, firing energy beams at the Snake-Men. But what happened was unexpected. The beams were merely deflected right off. They were wearing portable force field generators. Even Fisto's fist couldn't puncture.
"Adam!" shouted Teela, running over to him. "Are you all right?"
"Fine! Get the guards over here!"
"I contacted them but the dignitaries are in the way! We can fire without running the risk of hitting them!"
A cloud of Kobra Kahn's gas rushed around the Heroic Warriors. It wasn't concentrated enough to be poisonous, but it was enough to disorient them. However, before they could, the Meteorbs flew and began to attack them.
"Take down Kobra Kahn! I'll get to the others!" Adam commanded.
"Gotcha!"
As Teela went running to Kobra Kahn, Adam rushed towards the startled and bewildered dignitaries. It was then he heard a scream that chilled his blood.
"ADAM!"
Adam turned and saw Kathryn in the arms of Tung Lashor. His tongue was wrapped around most of her body.
"Let go of her!" shouted Adam, running over.
Rattlor smacked him in the face with his tail, sending Adam over a table.
"UNHAND HER!" shouted Pelicor, his white wings spread wide. He dove toward Tung Lashor, but was blasted in the chest by King Hiss himself.
"She's ours now, bird," Hiss snired.
"TEELA!" shouted Man-At-Arms suddenly.
Adam stood up and watched as Snake-Face transformed Teela into a statue. The Heroic Warriors were still recovering and there were too many guests in the way to fire a weapon. Sssqueeze then grabbed her and jumped up to join his companions and the captive Kathryn. With the two female hostages standing along with the Snake-Men, King Hiss pressed a key on a device on his belt. The Meteorbs rushed out the window, into the night sky.
Man-At-Arms shot at Hiss, but it was too late. Energy and light dissolved over the Snake-Men and their hostages . . . and then they were gone.