Chapter Two- Realization

The villagers screamed and fled as the two-legged wolf creature terrorized the town. It ran at people, but did not kill or run them down once they started running. It smashed stalls, statues, and punched holes in buildings. Soon, it stood in the center of a ruined town, threw back its head, and let out a loud, triumphant howl before loping toward the mountains minutes before the Royal Guard showed up.

Adam sprinted up a rocky incline, amazed at how athletic he suddenly was. Yes, he was in good shape, but usually sprinting like this only happened when he was He-Man. He gripped the tip of the incline and vaulted over it to land on a flat rocky land that led to a maze-like network of caves. He ran into one and took several seemingly random turns that led to a large cave in the back of the mountain. It was lit with phosphorus moss on rocks and had a waterfall that fed a large lake.

He sat on the floor, his back against the wall. He was feeling confused at why he had run to this place, much less knowing this place existed. Why hadn't he gone back to the palace? More to the point was why wasn't he at the palace?

I remember walking through the Evergreen Forest on the way home a few days ago when I was ambushed by Skeletor. I remember being hit by a beam, but nothing happened…or did something happen? A mountain village was asking for help earlier today and I was about to change into He-Man once I had landed, but I think I blacked out because the next thing I remember I was coming here.

He got up and headed to the lake for a drink. He leaned forward and recoiled from what he saw. That wasn't his face! Was it? He turned around to see that he was alone. He inhaled sharply: That meant the image in the water was him! He steeled himself as he turned back to the water and leaned forward again.

His face was covered in brown fur from which a snout extended from it. A pair of pointed furry brown ears stuck up from the top of his head. His eyes had changed: They were a glowing red. He reached up to touch his face, but froze when he saw that his hand was different. He brought both up to see them covered in fur and each finger ended in a sharp claw. He stood up and looked down at himself.

His entire body was covered in brown fur and firmly muscled as well. His legs were in the shape of a wolf complete with paws that had extended claws. A furry brown tail swished against his legs. What is going on? he wondered. How did I become a wolf? Wait a minute. Skeletor! It had to be that beam. But, why? What reason could he have to make me a wolf? He shook his head. All these questions with no answers; it was pointless to wonder about them right now. It would be best to get some rest and somehow get in touch with Man-At-Arms or the Sorceress. He nodded slightly before lying down on the floor and falling asleep.

When Adam awoke, he immediately looked at himself and saw he was human and completely clothed again. So my clothes melded with the fur. That's convenient. Adam found his way out of the maze and started for the nearest village on foot. He had parked his Sky Sled in a secluded spot before the entrance to the village so he could change to He-Man, but instead had blacked out. He entered the village and stopped in his tracks. The village was in ruins! The villagers were in the midst of rebuilding, assisted by the Royal Guard, minus Teela.

"Your Highness!" a voice called out.

The prince turned to see the lieutenant of the Guard approaching him. "What happened here?" he asked.

"According to the villagers a two-legged wolf tore through here, wrecking everything in sight. Luckily, no one was hurt."

"A two-legged wolf?" Adam repeated slowly. "What did it look like aside from the fact that it stood on two legs?"

"It was tall, about six or seven feet. It had clawed hands, instead of paws and it was covered in brown fur."

"I see." Adam's voice was steady, but his heart pounded wildly. The description matched the werewolf he had been earlier! That means I was the one who wrecked the village! But I don't remember doing it. How could I not remember attacking, yet I came around after the attack? Is it possible that somehow Skeletor ordered me and it triggered the change?

Adam looked at the lieutenant. "I'll go back to the palace and report this to Mother and Father. Keep helping with the rebuild."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Adam hopped on his Sky Sled and took off for home. He didn't intend to tell his parents; he planned to go to Man-At-Arms and ask for his help. Adam parked his Sky Sled and headed straight for Man-At-Arms' workshop. Perhaps, a scientific cure for the spell could be found. It would be difficult to explain the attack but Man-At-Arms would understand that the prince had no control over his actions.

He passed by the new security robot without incident and into the workshop. "Duncan, are you here?" he called.

"Yes, Adam. I'm here.' Man-At-Arms stepped from behind a workstation and saw the urgent expression on Adam's face. "What's wrong, lad?"

"There's something I have to tell you…" he began.

Skeletor watched Adam approach Man-At-Arms' workshop and heard him say he had something to tell him. "No," he hissed, knowing what Adam was going to say. "He will not speak of the spell." He switched to telepathy and "spoke" to Adam in his mind. Stop, Adam. Transform and come to Snake Mountain.

Adam stood stock still as he heard Skeletor's voice in his head. He saw Man-At-Arms' confused expression and his mouth moving, but all he heard was Skeletor.

Adam, transform and come to Snake Mountain.

No, he thought. I must tell Man-At-Arms-

You will tell no one! I, Skeletor, your master, command you! Go to the courtyard, transform, and come to Snake Mountain immediately!

Unable to resist, Adam left the workshop, went to the courtyard, became a werewolf, and left for his master's home.

Man-At-Arms blinked at the bizarre events that had just occurred. Adam had been about to tell him something when the prince stopped speaking, turned, and left. He shook himself out of his confusion, and searched the palace for the prince to ask why he left so suddenly, but there was no sign of him.

Skeletor appraised the werewolf that stood before him: He stood still, looking forward with blank eyes. He suspected that Adam would try to resist him once he learned that the werewolf terrorizing people was him. He was relieved that the spell remained strong. It was brilliant to cast a spell on Adam to make him a werewolf that would follow his every command. If he planned it right and carefully, he might be able to persuade Adam to join him in conquering Eternia.

If he were seen transforming and committing an absolutely evil act, he would turn to me, his master, in protecting him and protect I would in return for his unending loyalty. Yes, that is perfect. All I need is the perfect evil crime. But, for now, I need to insure that Adam is still under my control.

"Adam, go the village closest to Snake Mountain and destroy it. Afterwards, return here and enter an empty dungeon cell."

Adam did not answer; instead he nodded and ambled out of the room to fulfill his orders. Beast Man, Trap Jaw, and Evil-Lyn watched the entire exchange with surprise.

"Skeletor, this is amazing," Evil-Lyn said. "He is doing everything you say."

"Of course he is, Evil-Lyn. That's part of the spell. I was concerned that his will would break the spell when he learned he was the one who attacked the village. Fortunately, that did not happen. Now, Beast Man, once Adam enters the cell, lock him in. We will meet here at that point. We will discuss an evil act for Adam to commit. My plan is for him to transform in front of his friends and family and for them to see him do this crime. If all goes well, he'll turn to me to save him from those chasing him. I'll help him in return for his promise to follow my every command."

"Brilliant, boss," Beast Man growled.

"Of course it is, Fur Face. Now, go to the dungeons to await Adam's return."