Chapter Five – "Destiny's Decision"

Despite the rain, Teela stood on a balcony at Grayskull Tower. Fifteen minutes ago, He-Man had called meeting with all of the Heroic Warriors, plus She-Ra, King Randor, and Queen Marlena. Apparently He-Man had been asked to aid a far-off planet called Primus in its war with another far-off planet called Denebria. What prompted this decision was that Skeletor himself had abandoned Eternia for Denebria.

Those were the cold, hard facts and as a woman who knows more about duty than almost anyone else, she understood that.

That didn't mean she liked it. In fact, Teela quite hated it.

"You'll catch cold."

Teela rolled her eyes. "Don't care."

"Teela . . ." It was He-Man who spoke to her.

"You're not going to be here to feel guilty about it, so what do you care?"

"Don't do this, Teela. Don't you think this is hard for me too? All of you have grown so close to me."

"He-Man . . . do you have parents?"

"I . . . I can't answer that. You know that, Teela."

She turned to him, face wet from the rain. "Exactly. All I know about you is that you can't tell me anything about yourself. There's more I don't know about you than I do."

"It's the way it has to be."

"Damn it, He-Man," she grunted. "I love you! I love you and you're leaving and you still won't tell me anything!"

"I . . . I . . ."

She sighed and rubbed the back of her neck. "I'm sorry. I know I'm being foolish and selfish, but I'm so tired of fighting. Skeletor is gone, Hiss is in retreat, and Hordak is defeated. Can't we just be together?"

"No, we can't. I'm not done with Skeletor. He's planning on taking control of Denebria, I know it."

"Then let them take care of him."

"Teela, you know it doesn't work like that," He-Man responded.

"I . . . I know. I'm sorry."

"Me too."

"I just hate the fact that I'll be waking up and know that you won't be here."

He-Man closed his eyes and nodded. "Y-Yeah. I feel exactly the same way." He stepped forward. "But I'll be back."

"I know."

"Teela . . . I . . . I'm going to miss you. A lot. You have no idea how much you truly mean to me."

"Shhhh."

She brought him in to a hug, her head pressed against his chest, listening to his heart beat, feeling the warmth of his body against. She wanted to tell him how she loved him again, but her lips couldn't move. Teela just hugged him.

"You and He-Man. It's almost too much to bare."

Adam nodded and leaned forward. "The people of Primus need He-Man's help, father. And mine too. You, mother, and Duncan have all done so much to train me. I think by helping He-Man on Primus, that I can put some of that training to good use. Perhaps even to work as He-Man's peaceful counter-part in aiding the Primians in a creating peace treaty with Mutants."

"You think this is the best option, son?" asked Marlena, who sitting next to Adora. The four of them were in sitting in a small lounge off the main hallway. It was evening and Adam was planning on leaving the next day.

"I do, mother," Adam replied, knowing that her question had a double meaning.

"She-Ra and I will be taking Adam and He-Man's place on Eternia," Adora then added.

"A good trade-off," Randor said. He sighed. "Son, this is a decision I'm not happy with. But it is your decision. And to be honest, it's a very mature one. I am very proud of you."

"Thank you, father. That means a lot to me."

Randor put his hand on Adam's shoulder. "I love you, my son."

"I love you too, father."

The resourcefulness of the Horde was greatly underestimated by the Great Rebellion. Between the abilities of the Horde and the determination of Hordak, the group had been able to construct a data link between some of the systems at Snake Mountain and the computers here. This, in addition to a sensor array, allowed the Horde to be aware of Skeletor's abandonment of Eternia.

"Skeletor abandoning Eternia . . ." wondered Hordak, staring at the Sword of Deception. "Interesting."

"Does this change our plans at all?" Mantenna asked.

"Yes. Yes it does. But in a good way," Hordak said, then snorted. "We still have much to prepare for. Our attack must wait. Wait until all have settled into a false sense of security."

"How long would that be?" Shadow Weaver questioned.

"Getting impatient, Weaver? Patience is a virtue. Time is not quite of the essence, but timing is. And that's what this will take. Good . . . timing." He said this all without tearing his away from the Sword of Deception.

"Of course, master."

"Leave me now. I must concentrate on the matters at hand."

There was a knock on Teela's door. It came open and Teela stood in front of Prince Adam in nothing but her robe.

"Hey," Adam greeted. "I'm sorry. Is this a bad time?"

"No, it's fine. I was just getting out of the shower."

Outside the rain was still coming down. The sun was just beginning to set. Adam had down so many good byes today, it wasn't even funny. This one, though, he knew was going to be rough. After what had happened between He-Man and Teela, there no telling just how this one was going to go.

"Mind if I come in?"

"Sure."

Teela moved aside and allowed Adam to enter. The room was in a bit of a rough state after the problems with Vipera.

"How are you feeling?" Adam asked, sitting down on her bed.

"Good. Very good, actually. That was . . . some rough times. But I got through it. Been going through a lot." She sat down in front of her vanity, looking for a hairbrush.

"Oh yes. Like the past five and half years . . ."

"Well, I guess. But I really meant from my near-death to now. I mean, what all has happened to me? Almost died, got turned evil, turned into a griffin, and then was exchanged with Vipera. I barely even remember fighting Vipera, too. It's so strange, these lives we lead."

"You can say that again."

Teela turned to Adam. "I heard about Kathryn . . ."

"I'm sorry. I really am. How are you doing?"

"I'm . . . I'm dealing with it."

Teela stood up and walked over. She sat down next to him and grabbed his hand. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"I . . . yeah. I probably should."

"So, why did you break it off?"

"Honestly? She said she couldn't handle the lifestyle."

Teela nodded. "Understandable, I guess."

"Yeah. I found something out, though. Something that . . . I just didn't even know. And its what really hurts. More than the break-up."

"What's that?" Teela asked, still holding his hand.

Adam closed his eyes hard, then looked over at Teela, tears welling. "She was pregnant, Teela."

"Wha-what?"

"She was pregnant and she lost the baby. We. We lost the baby. I didn't even know . . . I was told afterward. I . . ."

Adam lost it. For the first time in ten years, Adam began to sob in front of Teela. She wrapped her arms around him, holding him as he cried against her robed shoulder.

"How . . . how can you miss something you didn't even know you had?"

"I know, sweetie, I know," Teela whispered. "Oh Ancients, Adam, I'm so sorry. I should have tried harder to help her, to get her to safety."

Adam pulled back from her. "No, Teela, no. It's not your fault. Please don't blame yourself."

"I . . . okay. Listen, you'll get through this. You're a strong spirit. You really are."

Adam tried to smile. "Thanks. Thank you."

"Anytime."

"Um . . ."

"What is it?"

Adam sighed. "There's no easy way to say this, I guess. Teela, I'm leaving Eternia. I'm going to Primus with He-Man."

Teela let out a long breath and ran her fingers through her wet hair. "Damn it."

"I'm sorry. I'm . . . I need to go. For both the Primians and myself. I'm in a really bad place right now."

Teela shook her head. "I understand. Shit."

"Hey . . ."

"Why?"

Adam put his hand on her shoulder. "I need to do it. I do."

"But . . ." Now it was Teela's turn to cry. "What am I supposed to do, Adam? You, He-Man . . . Ancients, I'm losing two of the most important people to me!"

Adam bit his tongue. Hard. Teela looked over at him, eyes red. "What am I supposed to do?" she asked again, frowning. She took his hands. "You remember what I told you about you and Kathryn getting married and how it upset me that I was losing my best friend? It's just like that, but worse!"

Teela started sobbing.

"Hey, come here."

Adam leaned back against her headboard, then pulled Teela onto his lap, her head laying on his chest, the rest of her body curled up on him.

"I just don't know what I'm going to do without you. I could handle He-Man leaving, but not you. Not you." She wiped her tears away with the sleeve of her robe. "Ugh. Look at me, I'm a mess. I'm sorry. It's just been a rough couple of days."

"For both us."

"Yeah."

Teela settled on him, the top of her head touching his chin. He kissed it and held her. I think I'm in love with you again, he thought then, but dared not say it.

"You be careful out there," she said, sobering up a little. "I don't want He-Man coming back, telling me you got lost and they never found you or something like that."

"I will. And you do the same. Teela . . . I . . . I'm going to miss you. A lot. You have no idea how much you truly mean to me."

She smiled and nuzzled against her best friend. A little later, she would realize that that was exactly what He-Man had said earlier in the day.

Though his birth name was Brakk, he renamed himself Flogg. And Flogg, chief warlord of Denebria, stood on the bridge of the Mutant Mothership, which had just launched out of the skull-faced asteroid, called Nordor. He was dressed in red battle armor, with silver shoulder pads and helmet. His skin was a light purple, and almost fish-like in its appearance.

"We're detecting a vessel arriving from trans-hyperspace," reported Optikk, the navigator. His body was all armor, except for his shoulder. His shoulder and head were replaced with one huge eye.

"It's a Primus shuttle," reported Hoove, the green-skinned lieutenant.

"Probably trying to get an idea as to our fleet movements," added Critta, the only woman on the bridge, red hair framing her light-purple skin.

Flogg pointed to the vessel on the main screen. "Lizorr, lock weapons and destroy it."

"Done," Lizorr hissed.

The shuttle exploded as soon as the laser beam made impact.

"Well done," Flogg congratulated.

However, as soon as it was done, there was a loud 'THOOM' noise, followed by an intense light. Skeletor appeared, then, in the center of the bridge.

"INTRUDER!" shouted Slush-Head, who stood next to Flogg, a green skinned Mutant with a clear glass helmet on over his head.

The Mutants leapt into position, all save Flogg and Critta. From the left came the blue-skinned Staghorn, a helmet made of silver spikes atop his head. By his side was the red-skinned Quakke and his massive boulder.

From the right came Butthead, who immediately reminded Skeletor of a smaller and orange-skinned Ram-Man. Hoove was by Butthead's side. Finally, both Optikk and Lizorr were charging from in front. With Slush-Head, approaching from behind, one would think that Skeletor was outnumbered and outgunned.

Not so.

His Havoc Staff spun and Skeletor turned right around, facing each one. As he did this, tremendous bolts of energy came firing outward, striking the approaching Mutants.

"Well done, newcomer," Flogg said.

"Thank you," Skeletor responded.

"What brings you to my bridge? Surely you are not from Primus."

"No, I am not. I have come from far-off Eternia."

"Ah yes. I have heard of it."

Skeletor tilted his head. "Really?"

"Yes. Only whispers, though."

"I have come to serve you, Flogg. I am a sorcerer, as you may have gathered. I have recently been exiled from Eternia and hoped that I could help you in your campaign against Primus."

"Perhaps. But how exactly would help us?"

"The shield that protects Primus is partially based on magic. Being an expert on magic, I may just be able to aid you in your up-coming invasion."

Flogg became to smile. "I like the way you think, Skeletor."

"So do I. Hahaha!"

Adam awoke early. He stood up and looked around his room. Three bags were packed to their full, filled with clothes, pictures, books and many other items he would need for his stay on Primus. After getting dressed, he and Cringer walked down the corridor for some breakfast.

"I'm really going to miss you," Cringer confessed. "I wish I could come with you."

"Me too, Cringer. But the Sorceress said only one of us can go. You need to remain here – or, at least in the solar system – so that my Sword of Power can be grounded here. I'm sure Adora will take care of you when she moves over here."

Cringer nodded. "When is she coming?"

"She said she needs at least another couple of months to wrap things up on Etheria."

"Oh. All right."

Prince Adam walked down into the dining room . . . and was stunned by what he saw. The entire Heroic Warriors - Man-E-Faces, Mekaneck, Ram-Man, Fisto, Moss Man, Roboto, Sy-Klone, Rio Blast, Extendar, Snout Spout, Clamp Champ, Rotar, Orko, Lubic, Stonedar, Rokkon, Pelicor, Stratos, Buzz-Off, and Lizard-Man – all sat there, waiting for him to arrive. But they weren't alone, as the royal was also sitting at the breakfast table: King Miro, King Randor, Queen Marlena, Princess Adora, Queen Johanna, Princess Edwina, Prince Jeremy, King Stephen and Prince Dell. Along with them were also Stanlin, Lady Delora and Prince Talon, Garth, Kittrina, Celice, Hawk, and SeaHawk.

"Holy . . . crap . . ."

King Randor stood up and all others did so. "A toast, my friends, to my son! Prince Adam of Eternos! May his journey be safe and successful!"

All of them lifted a cup.

"HERE HERE!"

"CHEERS!"

Adam had never felt so blown-over and so honored before in his entire life. His knees buckled a bit, his eyes watered, and he bowed.

"Thank you."

Hours later, a slate of gray clouds hung over Castle Grayskull. Adora, Randor, Orko, Man-At-Arms, Marlena, the Sorceress, and Cringer stood in front of the jawbridge. After some small, individual good byes and good journeys, Adam turned to them all.

"Farewell," said Adam then. "Until our next meeting!"

Adam then entered into Castle Grayskull and made himself not look back. The story was that he was to meet He-Man inside the castle, then teleport up to the starship. As soon as he entered the foyer, the jawbridge clanged shut. Adam walked into the throne room.

Within minutes, Zoar came flying in from a small room off of the throne room. She transformed into the Sorceress.

"The Sword of Power?" she asked.

Adam pulled it out and handed it to her. Immediately, it began to glow and she handed it back to him.

"The connection between the Sword of Power and Castle Grayskull has been altered. Until your return, you must now call for the power of 'Eternia.' It is a stronger and long-distance connection."

"Okay, gotcha."

"I will be able to remain in telepathic communication with you, but not at all times."

"I understand."

"I . . ." She paused. "I will miss you, Adam. You have been a dear friend and ally to me. I . . ."

Adam gave her a huge hug. "Thanks. For everything."

The Sorceress began to reply, but then said nothing. They broke from the hug and she stepped back from Prince Adam. He lifted the Sword of Power into the air.

"BY THE POWER OF ETERNIA!"

There was a subtle change to the transformation that only he could really detect. His body transformed in much the same. But as the energy continued to wrap around him, his armor changed as well.

"I HAVE THE POWER!"

A gold strap now ran across his chest and back, with a large shoulder pad. His Honor Belt was gone, replaced by a normal red belt with blue pants and golden boots.

"Hey, pants. Five and half years and I finally have some pants."

"I am glad you like them."

"This is going to take some getting used to."

"You will do well."

"Yeah, I'm sure I will."

He-Man smiled at her, the mentor, advisor, and friend, then stepped over to his three bags. He pressed the communicator that Hydron had given him and opened a channel.

"This is He-Man. Ready to teleport."

"Welcome aboard, He-Man," Hydron greeted. "I'm glad you made the right choice."

"Me too," He-Man replied and looked out at Eternia through the front window.

"We're ready to engage the trans-hyperspace engines," Flipshot advised. "You might want to buckle up."

"Understood."

The ship swept out of orbit and spun 180 degrees, facing a massive star field.

"Course set," Flipshot reported. "Tri-Solar System: Primus."

The star field began to move away as the ship zoomed forward.

"By the way, He-Man, we finally named the ship."

"Oh? What's that?"

Hydron smiled and glanced to Flipshot.

"In your honor, He-Man, we have named it the Starship Eternia."

TO BE CONTINUED . . .

LOOK FOR "MANIFEST DESTINY – BOOK FOUR: JOURNEY" COMING SOON!