HE-MAN: YEAR ONE

JANUARY

"He-Man and the Power Sword"

Part Three

Adam and Cringer were now ten feet from the door to the foyer. Adam took a look back and saw them still standing there. The thing of it was . . . Adam was also in the middle of a large field. A river was running nearby, leading to the edge of a cliff. Long, dry grass was all around him, right up to the river. A small tree sat near the edge of the cliff, right beside the river.

"What is this, Cringer?"

"I don't know, Adam, but I'm scared! It still smells like we're inside!"

Adam shrugged. "But it looks like we're outside."

At that moment, Adam's eyes caught something. Next to the tree was a woman, dressed in a outfit of feathers – blues ones, all except the stomach and chest. Orange-feathered wings linked the back and the arms. A falcon's head atop her own head, it's white feathers flowing like hair to her shoulders. She was graceful in her movements.

"Excuse me!" shouted Adam.

The woman looked up at him, only some twenty feet away.

"Where am I?"

"I . . . HELP!"

In an eye blink, a huge blue-furred creature bounded at her. He wrapped his arms around her and snarled at Adam and Cringer. Cringer jumped behind Adam, shaking.

"HELP ME!"

The creature roared, such a blunt and terrible sound that it rattled Adam's knees. The creature then jumped off the cliff, the woman still in his arms. She screamed as they vanished off the edge.

"No!" yelped Adam and ran towards the edge.

The cliff was only a twenty-foot drop. The creature landed perfectly on his feet and held the woman tightly, licking at her face. They stood in the middle of some dry grass.

It was at this moment that Adam found himself unsure as to what to do. Does he try and rescue the woman? Does he make a run for the doors that stood in the middle of the field? What could he do?

"HELP ME! PLEASE!" the woman screamed.

"All right . . ." Adam whispered. The decision had been made. "We need to figure out a plan here."

"What!" yelped Cringer.

"Come on, Cringer. We need to help her!"

"But how? That thing is huge! We can't wrestle it!"

"Maybe not, but at least we can try to outsmart! He's going to eat her!"

Adam looked around, eyes searching for options. They settled on some thick vines hanging from the tree. There was a strong western wind coming in.

He smiled and turned to Cringer.

"Come on. I've got an idea."

"Ohhh no . . . I don't like the sound of that."

Four minutes later, Adam landed squarely on the bottom of the cliff. He moved west of the creature, near a huge patch of dry grass. He glanced up over at Cringer, who was hiding behind a few big rocks midway down the cliff.

"HEY! UGLY!"

The creature looked to Adam and roared his mighty roar. Adam shook with nervousness, but stuck his tongue out in defiance.

"I bet I got more meat on my bones than her! Come and take a nice bite outta me, ugly!"

The creature leapt up from the woman and bounded towards Adam. Adam took a deep breath, then threw a match at patch of dry grass. The grass suddenly blazed up and the wind carried it west, trapping the creature.

Cringer came running along then and to the woman. The woman grabbed onto the tiger and Cringer rushed her away. The creature didn't notice. He was too busy snarling at Adam. Adam knew that dry grass wouldn't burn for long. He ran along the dying flames towards the edge of the waterfall.

The creature lunged out of the fading fire and right at Adam. Adam ducked out of the way and grabbed hold of a vine that he had set up. The vine was pulled and huge rocks slammed to the ground, right in the path of the creature. The creature fell over them and right into the water.

There, the creature squealed and churned, arms flapping. Adam watched as the creature did its best to swim, but was failing miserably. He turned to the woman, who was staring at Adam with intense curiosity.

I just can't let it drown, he thought. It can't help what it is.

Adam picked up the vine and tossed it at the creature. The creature's huge hands grasped it. Adam then secured his footing on the rocks and pulled. The creature was pulled out of the water and was on the surface.

As soon as the creature was safe, everything around Adam dissolved. He was suddenly standing in a vast chamber. Behind was a large bridge two deep, rectangular holes that led to who-knows-where. Along those holes were huge pillars. Beyond that was the door to the foyer.

"What . . . what is this place?" questioned Adam, turning around.

Before him a set of stairs leading a throne. To the sides were doors and staircases.

"Castle Grayskull," the woman whom he had rescued answered. "I am the Sorceress of Grayskull."

Cringer was suddenly at Adam's side, looking around cautiously.

"Protector and guardian of Grayskull," the Sorceress continued.

"Ah, I see. Okay. But what was all that?"

The Sorceress smiled and Adam looked into her eyes. Despite looking just over thirty, there was a wisdom in her eyes that told him differently.

"A test."

"A test? A test for what?"

"Prince Adam," addressed the Sorceress. "We do not have much time. As we speak, a great enemy called Skeletor is on his way here. If he reaches Castle Grayskull and is able to enter, he surely claim the power that lies within these walls."

"Power?"

"Castle Grayskull has been a collector of powerful artifacts since Preternia, Adam. Great forces of magical power are here. The walls resonate energy that is tapped into the very core of Eternia's magic. And even beyond that, there is vast technology here that is beyond any compare. If Skeletor manages to take control of Castle Grayskull, then he shall find a way to take that magic and technology. All of Eternia is in trouble."

"Why can't you stop him?" asked Adam, still not quite sure what he was doing here.

"Because I am not strong enough. The guardianship of Grayskull is split for fear of misuse. And the type of protector that is needed right now fulfills a role I can not. For you see, the one who is needed to defend Grayskull must be able to operate outside of it. I can not do that."

"Why can't you?"

"My powers only work within Castle Grayskull. The protector that must arise needs to able to be mobile. He must face threats such as Skeletor outside of Castle Grayskull. And while I can maintain the magics within the walls of Castle Grayskull, I can not contend with what I may face outside."

Dawning suddenly came to Adam. "Wait . . ."

The Sorceress perked an eyebrow. "Yes?"

"This protector . . . this guardian of Grayskull . . ."

"You, Adam. You must become the protector of Grayskull."

Adam shook his head. "Hold on, Sorceress. Just . . . hang on. I'm no warrior. My father or Man-At-Arms or maybe even Teela – but not me. I can barely hold a sword!"

"Those three are all fine warriors, but it is you must stand against evil, Adam. You. You are He Who Is the Man. You passed the test. Wind, water, fire, ground. You showed compassion, courage, strength, and wisdom. You are the chosen one."

"But how? I can take care of that creature, but this Skeletor guy? If he's as bad as you say he is, then how can I do that?"

The Sorceress smiled and walked over to a table near a doorway. On the table was a large wooden box.

"You must become more than you are now. Your inner self must match your outer self. You must become more than just a man . . . you must become a He-Man."

The box opened up and inside was a gleaming silver sword. It was beautiful and Adam could immediately feel a connection to it. The blade was long and sharp. The crest branched out, then curved up. Symbols that Adam recognized as the words of the Ancients ran along the blade.

"The Sword of Power," the Sorceress stated. "Only you may wield it."

Adam slowly reached in and picked it up. It was heavy, but he could handle it. He held it with both hands and after just a few seconds could feel it resonate with power.

"Adam . . ." whispered Cringer, fear in his voice.

"These words . . ." Adam observed.

"They are of the Ancients, but the Sword of Power is far older than their time. It has been sitting in the Hall of Secrets for centuries. Waiting for you. It will transform you, Adam. Give you strength. Give you power. But you must wield that power responsibly. None save myself and Man-At-Arms must know your real name."

"Real name?" Adam questioned, looking up from the Sword of Power.

"In your new form, you shall have the name He-Man. The name of a mighty warrior."

"New form?"

The Prince was suddenly all too aware of how real this was. It all sounded so amazing, but yet . . . was it true?

"I'm not sure about this . . .," he admitted.

"I understand your reservations," she stated, stepping forward. "But time is running out. This is your fate, Adam of Eternos. Your day has come. Embrace your destiny!"

Adam nodded and looked down at the words of the Ancients. There was a long moment of silence that was then interrupted by Cringer.

"Adam?" asked Cringer.

"Yeah?"

"What are you going to do?"

Adam half-smiled. "What I need to, I guess."

"Oh boy . . ." Cringer cried.

The Prince of Eternos whispered the words of the Ancients. "By the power of Grayskull," he muttered and felt an intense jolt of warmth and power. He almost dropped the Sword. "WHOA!"

"Yes," the Sorceress said. "Louder, though. The Sword of Power is like a lightening rod for Grayskull's power."

Adam took in a deep breath and held the Sword of Power aloft. Then, with a loud, commanding voice, he shouted.

"BY THE POWER OF GRAYSKULL!"

Power swept over Adam as soon as he said it. Warmth blasted from the Sword of Power. Huge bolts of lighting went up all around him. Prince Adam gasped as he felt marvelous transformations come over him. Muscles exploded, quadrupling in size. His skin tone went darker, like he had a deep tan. His clothes vanished, replaced by a harness of metal. His honor belt was replaced by one of a brown hide.

"I HAVE THE POWER!" he then shouted in a new thick voice, completing the words on the Sword of Power's blade.

The lightening was then gone. The light that had overcome Adam had vanished. The warmth from the Sword of Power faded, though not all at once.

"Whoa . . . WHOA!"

The Sorceress couldn't help but smile. "The transformation is complete, Adam. You are He-Man now, the most powerful man in universe!"

"I'm huge!" He-Man shouted, staring at his mammoth muscles. "And half-naked!"

"Intimidation, He-Man. If your enemy sees just how strong you are, he may just end up giving up."

"Yeah, but not a whole lot of protection from weapons," He-Man then added.

"Your harness is fashioned from Coridite, which will allow you some invulnerability."

"What if I need a shield?"

"Then call upon it."

"Umm . . . shield?"

There was flash of light and a shield appeared on He-Man's wrists and upper arm.

"Whoa."

"Adam? Adam, is that you? You smell the same," Cringer whimpered.

"Cringer . . . it's all right . . ."

The Sorceress walked over to Cringer. "He-Man will need your help. Your friend needs a faithful companion against Skeletor and his minions. You are his best friend. Will you answer the call?"

"Um . . . maybe."

"He-Man, point the Sword of Power at Cringer."

He-Man did so and suddenly felt the warmth grow again. The Sword of Power then unleashed a mighty bolt of lightening that struck Cringer. Cringer quaked with fear, but then tripled in size. Huge red armor appeared on his back and face. The newly transformed Cringer roared.

"He-Man, your companion – Battle-Cat!"

"Cringer?" asked He-Man.

"I feel incredible!" Battle-Cat shouted. "I don't know what I was so afraid of!"

"All righty . . . Sorceress? Now what?"

But the Sorceress had turned quite grim. "I sense Skeletor and his minions. They are approaching Castle Grayskull. Prepare yourself for battle, He-Man."

He jumped onto Battle-Cat's saddle. 'He-Man' and 'Battle-Cat' were starting to stick.

"Remember all that has been taught you. Your parents, your teachers, Man-At-Arms, even Teela . . . let their wisdom and training guide you. Rely on your instincts, but remember that violence is not your only resort. You must maintain the respect and dignity of your role. You must not kill."

He-Man nodded. "Understood."

"Then ride hard against the enemy."

Battle-Cat was off. The doors the foyer opened automatically. The jawbridge then began to clank open. He-Man took in a deep breath.

"Here we go."