JUNE

"Foundations"

Part Two

Orko appeared in Prince Adam's bedroom shortly after dawn. He yawned and dropped the small stack of training books onto Prince Adam's table. Adam was across the room, splashing water on his face, waking himself up.

"Here you go! Straight from the library!"

"Thanks Orko," Adam replied. Cringer leapt onto the bed and laid onto the jumble of sheets. Outside, the sun was just beginning to rise, the land wet from a storm that came in the night before.

"Why do you have to train so early in the morning?" asked Cringer.

"After what Skeletor put me through, I don't want to be defeated like that again. If I train now and tonight, then I can only grow as a warrior. Plus, I can't let Teela know I'm doing this. She'll suspect something is up and I need to continue to do a terrible job with her."

Cringer yawned. "Oh. Okay. Whatever."

Adam sighed and pulled open the first book. Over the next two hours, Adam put himself through a fast regiment of intense training. He memorized fighting styles and attack moves. Sometimes he would do it solo; other times he would have Orko conjure up a fake opponent for him to fight off.

At 8 Bells in the Morning, Adam was finished up. He closed the books and Orko teleported himself down into the library to return them. Adam shooed Cringer off his bed and slammed down onto it, feeling exhausted and worn out.

There was then a knock on the door.

"Adam!" shouted Teela from the other side. "You're late for your training."

Adam groaned. Teela thought it was because he had to do his training. Adam did it because he had to go through it again.

It was the second week of June and summer was in full swing. It was sweltering hot and the humidity was making it worse. However, as Adam made his way out to the courtyard, it was still cool after the rain and storm from the night before. It wouldn't last, of course.

Once more, he preformed badly for Teela, but mainly out of exhaustion from his earlier work out. She tolerated it and afterwards, the two of them walked together to breakfast in the Second Level of the city.

"So have you heard from He-Man at all?" asked Teela, munching on her bagel.

"Nope," Adam replied, taking a messy bite out his creamstick. Chocolate was smeared above his upper lip. "Why?"

"Just wondering how he's recovering. Generally concerned."

"Ah. Nope, sorry Teela. I don't know anymore than you do." Adam took another bite out of his creamstick, getting some cream of his chin. Teela said nothing, happy to see the Prince make a bit of a slob out of himself after the terrible work-out this morning.

At that moment, the door to the bakery opened up and King Randor walked in.

"Adam," he addressed as a few of the patrons bowed or stood up in recognition. He waved at them and then walked over to his son. "Son, we are – BY THE ANCIENTS! Did you just shove a doughnut on your face?"

Adam started and looked to Teela. She giggled and handed Adam a napkin.

"What's going on, father?" asked Adam as wiped his face. He could always tell when there was something troubling his father, as any son can with their father.

"A situation is developing in North Eternos. I'm heading up there. I'd like you to come up with there with me and get a lesson in helping to dismantle problems like this."

Adam nodded. "Sure. Let me stop by my room real quick and I'll be right there."

"We're leaving in twenty minutes. Teela, will you come as well? To keep my son in line, of course."

Teela smirked. "Wild horses couldn't stop me."

As Adam and Teela went to leave, Randor turned to the baker. "I'll take your freshest whole wheat bagel and quickly, man, trouble is brewing!"

Two hours later, a small royal convoy arrived at North Eternos Palace. Queen Johanna stood next to the landing pad, awaiting her brother and nephew's arrival. Her brown hair (with silver streaks) was back in a bun, her crown upon it. Her son, Prince Jeremy, stood nearby with his sister, Princess Edwina.

North Eternos was a modest kingdom, mainly taking care of the smaller villages and towns along the northern boarders of Eternos itself. Queen Johanna, being younger than Randor, reported to him all of the happenings of the kingdom, but the purpose of both her and her kingdom was to handle the smaller events and to maintain the security of the northern portion of Eternos.

Adam had not seen his aunt nor his cousins since the funeral of King Edward two years ago. Part of him felt guilty for that, but in truth, it was hard for Adam to connect with his Edwina and Jeremy. Edwina had become prim and proper, constantly checking her make-up and trying on dresses. Jeremy, much younger than the two of them, always acted out. Lying, running off, talking back . . . neither Adam's type nor age, really.

He made an effort, though.

"Good to you two again," he said to them as the royal family walked into the Palace.

"You too, Adam," replied Edwina.

"Did you bring anything fun from Eternos?" asked Jeremy.

"Teela. She tons of fun."

Teela rolled her eyes.

Jeremy didn't seem to care about Adam's joke and eventually wandered off. This annoyed Edwina, who tried to scold him, but he was gone before she could say anything.

"Sorry about that," she said in a snotty way. "He's really a little monster."

"Ah, I see," Adam stated, not really knowing how to reply.

Soon enough, the entourage entered Johanna's throne room. It was far smaller than Randor's, but nicely furnished. She took them over to a long table to the left.

"His name is Fisto," Johanna told her brother, nephew, and Teela. "You've met him, Randor. At my wedding."

Randor shrugged. "I don't recall . . ."

"He was Edward's cousin. I never knew his first name, only his nickname. 'Fisto.' Edward gave him a vast amount of land near our eastern boarder, as well as the title of 'Lord.'"

Randor nodded. "What happened, then?"

"He made an announcement late last night. He said he was separating his property from all of Eternos, declaring it his own kingdom."

"You must be joking, Johanna."

"I'm not. He's even recruited some local thugs into setting up camp along his property lines. I've got some soldiers out there, but I'm not sure how to handle this situation. I'd like to talk to him, but he refuses. He only wants to talk to you."

"Really?" asked Randor, perking an eyebrow. "Okay, then. Let's see what I can do . . ."

"There's more," Johanna then interrupted. "I've had a number of spotters as well our own sensors detect some unusual happenings near his property. There's a forest that crosses over into his property. We've been seeing some odd vehicles land there."

"What kind of vehicles?"

"The same that match the attack on Eternos in January."

"Skeletor," Teela muttered.

"Maybe," Johanna said. "Whatever the case may be, whoever that warrior is that you've got stashed somewhere is, we may just need him."

King Randor nodded a little. "One thing at a time, Johanna. We'll ride out to Lord Fisto's property and meet him there."

Randor, Johanna, Adam, Teela, and a dozen Royal Guards made west, towards the property causing the ruckus. As they came to the edge of Fisto's property, a small gang of thugs stepped in front of them. "I wouldn't come over here," said a tall, thick muscled one in front.

"This is the kingdom of Eternos, citizen!" Randor shouted. "Under the govern of Queen Johanna and under the leadership of myself. You will stand aside."

"Nope," said another thug. "This land belongs to King Fisto now. It's whole new kingdom."

Randor stepped up a little, hand near his Honor Sword. "Let me speak to Fisto."

At that moment, the gang split down the middle and Fisto came walking forward.

"King Randor and Queen Johanna. Come to give your blessings to this new kingdom?"

"I've actually come to find out what exactly is going on," Randor replied. "Why have you ceded away from North Eternos? You are valued member of our kingdom."

Fisto smiled. "Am I? Then why are you keeping secrets from me, Randor? Why haven't you told us about your warrior?"

"I . . ."

"You know who I'm talking about. He-Man, champion of Grayskull?"

At that moment, Fisto lifted his right hand. Johanna was stunned at the sight. In his new hand was a small holographic project. He activated it and an image of He-Man appeared above it.

"How did you get that?" demanded Randor.

"I have some . . . new allies."

King Randor turned to Johanna. "Get back to the Palace. Teela, Adam, go with her." His eyes then squinted. "Run."

"Randor . . ."

"Go. Now!"

King Randor pulled out his Honor Sword as three of the Royal Guards followed the others. The remaining Guards retrieved their own weapons.

"You're making a mistake, Fisto. Besides myself and my close allies, there are only two others that know about He-Man. And one of them is gone from this dimension."

"Why . . . I do believe you're talking about me!" shouted Skeletor, walking out from behind a nearby patch of trees.

The gang of thugs suddenly looked horrified at the sight of Skeletor, but they maintained their stance.

"Fisto, this man will bring you nothing but trouble. Trust me. He will turn on you. Everything he has given you, he will take away."

Skeletor cackled. "Listen to him, Fisto! Listen to his lies! I must say, Randor, Fisto would make a much better than king than you."

"Stand down, Skeletor!"

"I don't think so. Fisto has allowed me to become his guest here in his new kingdom!"

"To act with aggression would be an act of war," Fisto stated.

"War?" exclaimed Randor. "You are mad. Your thugs are no army. As soon as Johanna returns to the Palace, the Royal Soldiers will be here in no time . . . wait."

Skeletor let loose an evil laugh. "He's connecting the dots! Putting all the clues together! Took you long enough."

King Randor rushed forward, soldiers behind him. Skeletor and Fisto went to quick, along with the gang of thugs. It was over in five minutes.

Nearly an hour later, Johanna, Adam and Teela arrived at the Palace.

"I want soldiers stationed along all borders of Fisto's property!" she shouted. "I need to be in contact with Queen Marlena and Man-At-Arms! Adam, Teela, get back to Eternos immediately. Have Edwina and Jeremy get into a secure area. We may be attacked!"

"What about my father?" asked Adam as Teela went off to warm up the Wind-Raider.

"If Skeletor is really out there, then . . . only that special warrior Fisto called He-Man will be able to help."

Adam nodded, knowing exactly who she was talking about. Unfortunately, there was no breaking from Teela to transform.

With the three soldiers that escorted them back to the Palace, Teela and Adam took to the skies.

After another hour and a half, Teela and Adam were halfway home when they intercepted a convoy consisting of Man-At-Arms, Roboto, Man-E-Faces, Mekaneck, Buzz-Off and Stratos. Along with them were at least three dozen Royal Soldiers.

"Teela, soldiers, come with us," Man-At-Arms ordered, sending over a Sky Sled. "We'll need all the help we can get. Adam, head back to the Palace on your own."

"But father, what about Skeletor's agents? Adam could be in danger!" Teela protested. "I'm his body guard," she then added.

"We just came from there. It's fine. Trust me."

Teela reluctantly gave in and Adam hopped onto the Sky Sled.

"See you guys back at the Palace. Good luck!"

As soon as the group was out of sight, Adam ran for a small cropping of trees. He then drew the Sword of Power, which he had brought with him to North Eternos.

"Here we go," he said, pausing just a little. His confidence was still shaken from the last time he was He-Man and faced off with Skeletor. "BY THE POWER OF GRAYSKULL!"

Lightning blasted the Sword of Power, charging it and sending it right back into him. Adam felt the usual transformation and was suddenly He-Man.

"I HAVE THE POWER!"

The transformation came to an end and He-Man leapt onto the Sky Sled, heading back to North Eternos.