Note: I know this is a short chapter, but sometimes its needed to help relieve a Writer's Block. That being said, expect another (and longer) chapter in the next few day.
Chapter Two – "Making Way"
The world of Primus orbited three stars, which the solar system was named for. The Tri-Solar System. Some 300 years ago, Primus suffered through a civil war of unmistakable devastation. In the aftermath, the atmosphere had been decimated and all but one ocean was dried up. But in the years afterward, a group of telepaths, telekenetics, and the rare mage gathered together to form the Inner Council.
The Inner Council combined their resources and created a protective shield around Primus. While it succeeds in preventing the suns deadly rays from vaporizing the planet, it also serves as protection from space debris and invading forces. However, because of geo-magnetic anomalies on the planet's surface due to long-lasting damage from the civil war, there are weak points in the structure of the shield.
The Mutants of neighboring world Denebria, a bleak and desolate planet, have taken advantages of the shields weaknesses. The Mutants forces, led by the warlord Flogg, seek to pillage Primus, steal its resources, and ultimately conquer the planet. The first of what Flogg hopes will become a vast empire.
As the space fleets of Denebria grew and grew, the people of Primus (who had become an enlightened, pacifist people) were forced to militarize. But even the advance technology that Primus possesses has hardly held up against the Mutants. They were in need of champions.
Master Sebrian, a chief amongst the civilian government and among the highest advisors to the Inner Council, devised a plan to recruit a team of special warriors from neighboring star systems. But chief among these warriors was one whose name has been but a whisper.
He was said to have repelled the Dark Cloud . . .
There was a rumor that he may just be the strongest man in the universe . . .
His world had survived three attempts at Horde invasion . . .
He-Man.
Master Sebrian was contacted by the Cosmic Enforcer known as Zodak, who informed Sebrian that He-Man would be an excellent candidate for his cadre of warriors. Perhaps even as a leader, as He-Man himself often led campaigns against the forces of evil on his own world.
Master Sebrian and the head scientists of Primus – Alcon, Gepple, Meloc, and Krex – created a starship that was capable of traversing the long distance of space/time from Primus to Eternia. And that was what brought Hydron and Flipshot to Eternia.
This information was told to He-Man as Flipshot worked on the repairs of the starship. His mind whirled as this was all told to him, accompanied by visuals. The Tri-Solar System was in a state of war, one of which that could be the end of both Primus and Denebria. The Mutants were posed to conquer Primus, as their military was stronger and much more powerful.
However . . .
There was another person who found all this out. As Skeletor's shuttle made its descend, he accessed the databanks for the mission specs of the alien visitors. It was all revealed to him. Primus . . . Denebria . . . all of it.
It got Skeletor thinking.
Man-At-Arms pressed his communicator and fired a fire laser bolts from his wrist-blaster. The Evil Warriors were pulled away, but Man-At-Arms still couldn't raise He-Man. Luckily, however, the Evil Warriors were in retreat, heading back to the Dark Hemisphere.
"Damn . . ." he muttered, still unable to reach He-Man.
"Man-At-Arms!" yelled Mekaneck.
"What is it?" he asked.
"We just got word. The Snake-Men are holding position at the Great Towers. Queen Marlena's forces are being overwhelmed."
Man-At-Arms nodded. "Contact Eternos. Have them send us some vehicles at Staples Hill. We'll make any repairs to Roboto and anyone else on our way to the Great Towers. Gwildor!"
The scientist waddled over. "Yes?"
"We may need reinforcements from Etheria. Get started on calculations."
Gwildor went to work immediately, pressing various keys, and adjusting the tones and tunes of the Cosmic Key. Man-At-Arms, meanwhile, pressed on his communicator again.
"She-Ra, are you there?"
"We're here, Man-At-Arms."
"There's trouble at the Great Towers. Can you and Teela meet us at Staples Hill? Teela will know where it's at."
"Yes. We'll be there shortly."
Man-At-Arms closed the comm-line, but left the one to He-Man open.
As the stolen shuttle, made its approach to Snake Mountain, Skeletor's mind whirled with possibilities. He had, for some long, sought the power of Grayskull. And while he did indeed hold a fraction of it in his hands, just how long would he be able to keep a firm grasp on it?
Failure followed him.
He-Man followed him.
Skeletor was intrigued by the information that was displayed during the slow ride through the atmosphere. He couldn't help but imagine what he would do with such a fleet as Flogg's. And that, really, was when he first started to consider leaving Eternia for Denebria.
If he took the power of Grayskull with him, then returned with an armada (stolen from Flogg, of course) Eternia would most assuredly be his.
This was the thought that was at the top of the heap of thoughts as the stolen shuttle veered towards Snake Mountain. He could see his Evil Warriors, having teleported back to his fortress, engaged in battle with the Reptons. Along with them were the Centurions and Hover Robots, who aided the Evil Warriors in their campaign.
As the Reptons pulled out, Skeletor landed. The shuttle landed softly on the ground and Skeletor emerged.
"Guard that ship with you life!" he snarled.
"Yes master," Beast-Man replied, charging over.
"How many are left?" asked Skeletor of Karg.
"All of the Reptons have pulled, but one."
Skeletor nodded. The doors to Snake Mountain suddenly flew open and out emerged Kobra Kahn, spun up in a web by Webstor.
"The traitor," Webstor snickered, tossing the webbed Repton to Skeletor's feet.
"Yes." Skeletor pointed his Havoc Staff right at Kobra Kahn. "Anything to say for yourself?"
"I . . . uh . . ." stammered Kobra Kahn.
"That's what I thought. Webstor, take him down to the dungeons and make sure he stays there! The rest of you, secure Snake Mountain!"
As the Evil Warriors leapt into action, Skeletor fingered the capsule containing the portion of Grayskull's power he had stolen. It was the key to victory, but would be able to turn it? Would he be able to use this power? Surely, He-Man would be back from orbit soon enough. And She-Ra was still out there, not to mention the rest of the Heroic Warriors.
He turned to Beast-Man and the Centurions who surrounded the shuttle. "As soon as Snake Mountain is secure, I want that shuttle loaded into the docking bay."
Man-At-Arms and the Heroic Warriors arrived at Staples Hill just as the afternoon was transformed into evening. Vehicles and Royal Soldiers were waiting for them, as were She-Ra and Teela.
"Teela," Duncan whispered, embracing his daughter. "I can't tell you how glad I am to see you back to normal."
"Thank you, father," Teela answered. "Though, to be honest, I still can't completely remember what happened. Some of it is blurry."
"That's to be expected. Now, I want you to head back to Eternos and get some rest."
Teela's jaw dropped. "What?"
"That's an order."
"Father, listen to me. I need to do this. I must."
Duncan sized up his daughter. "Why?"
"After what King Hiss put me through? I'm looking to give him his revenge for it."
Man-At-Arms looked away, unsure as to what to do. But the more he thought about it, the more it made sense. What Hiss had planned for Teela, what he did to Teela . . . if there was anyone fit to seek out his destruction, it would be she.
"Okay. Just be careful, alright?"
"Yes father."
"In-coming!" Gwildor shouted.
The Cosmic Key activated. The spires spun and reached out. Music flowed. Lights fluttered above it. A massive blue door in reality warped open. Queen Angella was the first to emerge, followed by Frost, Castaspella, Flutterina, Mermista, Netossa, Spinnerella, Glimmer Peek-A-Blue, Madame Razz and Broom, and Kowl – the Great Rebellion, all save Bow.
"Man-At-Arms," Angella greeted.
"Your majesty," Man-At-Arms replied, bowing. "I hope that your assistance in this battle is enough to wipe clean your debt to us."
Angella shook her head. "No, no. You aided us in our darkest hour. You helped save our entire world. Our debt to you can and will never be fulfilled."
Man-At-Arms smiled. "Whatever the queen wishes." He then turned to the combined forces of the Royal Guard, the Heroic Warriors, and the Great Rebellion. "We ride to the Great Towers!"