Chapter Four – "Arcadia"

After two days of Adam playing meet and greet and Orko and Songster boosting morale at Drisdos, the entourage moved southwest. For years, the area just outside of the Eternos kingdom southwest of Drisdos was known only as the 'Evil Place.' It was such named as many people and creatures would vanish in this vast, mostly empty land – not to mention the many tremors the area would experience. However, years ago, Adam and Teela discovered that the so-called 'Evil Place' was the home to the women-controlled kingdom of Arcadia.

"From what I can figure, Queen Sumana kept Arcadia hidden from the eyes of the Horde," Teela explained as they rode through This Forest towards Arcadia. "I tried to find her a few times, but wasn't able to. Needless to say, I wasn't very happy about it."

"Ah, I can understand that. However, I think it's time for us to try and make a lasting peace with Arcadia. I'm hoping we can set-up some of trade agreement."

"If they'll see you." Teela turned around from the front window of the Attack Track and looked back at Addison, who was engrossed in some game Orko gave him. "Sweetie, are you hungry?"

"No Mom!"

"Do you have to go potty?"

"No Mom!"

"Okay. Just let me know when you do?"

"Okay Mom!"

Teela turned back to the front window.

"That's still strange," Adam said.

"What?"

"You being a Mom. It's odd."

Teela shrugged. "Something I've just gotten used to." She squeezed his hand. "Something that's been easier since the Horde has fallen."

The envoy came to a halt just outside the This Forest, officially out of the realm of Eternos. This would not be their only stop – they still were planning on visiting Hourglass Mountain and Lizardia.

"Here it is," Adam said, emerging from the lead Attack Track. "Queen Sumana! King Adam of Eternos asks for an audience! We come in the name of peace!"

There was a long pause. Then, after a few long moments, the air around them filled with a strange wind and static seemed to build-up. Suddenly, out of the vacant land, the kingdom of Arcadia appeared. Tall towers materialized out of thin air, all standing behind a massive wall.

Addison smiled and laughed out of pure amazement.

"Pretty exciting, huh?" Adam asked.

"Yeah! Wow!"

"Pretty impressive," Orko added.

The gates to Arcadia swung open, revealing Queen Sumana and King Ananda. "Greetings, emissaries of Eternos. Long has it been since we've spoken with other kingdoms of our people," Sumana greeted.

Teela bit her tongue, but bowed with Adam.

"Your highnesses," Adam replied.

"Come, enter," Ananda beckoned.

The envoy came through the gate. As they did, Adam, Teela, and Addison walked along with Sumana and Ananda towards the Palace Towers.

"So, the mighty He-Man was Prince Adam all along?" asked Sumana.

"Indeed he was, your highness," Adam said. "Not a secret I enjoyed keeping."

"It is not a secret that affects us much, but still . . . it is good to know." Sumana looked to Teela. "Captain Teela, I would like you to know that your pleas for help during the Second Horde War were not ignored. Unfortunately, we were forced to not respond for the safety of our people and those we have aligned ourselves with."

"What do you mean by that?" asked Teela, careful to keep her temper under control.

"We will explain in a moment," Sumana replied, the group now reaching the stairs. "King Adam, what business would you like to conduct here today?"

"A trade agreement, your highness. The last time we were here, I was quite impressed by your vast forges. As you may or may not know, the Horde destroyed anything that could be used as a weapon. Our farmers and workers need tools. If we could provide the metal, would you be willing to help us?"

Sumana seemed unimpressed by this proposal. "And what would we get in return? You mentioned this being a trade . . ."

"We would be more than willing to help with your agriculture and farming. Moss Man is with us and I have the Jewel of Life."

"Let me think on it."

The doors to the Palace Towers opened up. As soon as they did, there was a cry from within and a young girl came running towards them.

"Adam! Teela! Orko!"

She was about eleven with big blue eyes and long, flowing blonde hair. It was Starchild – a girl with amazing telepathic, telekinetic, and teleportational powers who had years ago befriended Adam, Teela, and Orko. She hugged each one of them.

"Starchild? How did you get here?" asked Adam.

"Who's this girl, Momma?" Addison questioned.

"This is Starchild, Addison. Starchild, this is my son Addison."

"Nice to meet you, Addison!"

"Hi."

"Starchild . . . I thought you were still with the Tree and Cave Peoples?" Adam asked again.

"I was!"

"But we brought her here," a new voice came. Malik and Kareen entered the room, their old allies from Stone Mountain.

"Malik! Kareen!" Teela yelled. "I searched all over Eternia for you!"

"We came here, to protect Starchild," Kareen said.

"Her powers made her a prime target for Hordak. We figured that this would be the best place for her," Malik added.

"Then I would agree," Adam said.

Together, the entire group walked into the throne room. Sumana and Ananda had already entered when the others were engaged in talk with Starchild, Malik, and Kareen. When they all walked in, Sumana and Ananda were busy talking.

"We will prepare a lunch for you and your entourage," Ananda said. "Afterwards, a few other guests and allies will join us."

"Such as?"

"All in due time, King Adam," Sumana promised.

Lunch came rather shortly then, with Sumana and Ananda asking questions about the current status of Eternos, Avion, and Insectia. Sumana herself was rather dodgy with answers, and Ananda seemed to be content with letting his wife do most of the talking.

"I'm quite curious to know just why you've kept your secrets," Adam said suddenly, getting frustrated with the situation.

"All will be revealed shortly, King Adam. I'm just respecting my allies wishes."

At that moment, the doors to the throne room came open. Everyone looked to see who entered . . . it was none other than Lizard-Man!

Adam and Teela were on their feet immediately.

"Lizard-Man!"

"Adam! Teela! So good to see you again! Or should I call you He-Man?" Lizard-Man laughed.

"Call me whatever you wish, as long it is friend!" Adam replied.

"Of course, Adam, of course."

Teela turned to Sumana. "I don't get it. Lizard-Man was a Heroic Warrior and then a ambassador to Eternos. Why would you keep his alliance with you a secret?"

"That was my doing," came an older voice from behind Lizard-Man.

King Subternias of the Belats and Rabar of the Rock-People walked into throne room.

"Sumana help keep Lizards and Belats and Rock-Peoples safe," Rabar said in his simple speech.

"I demanded it be kept a secret, even from those we would hold as allies," Subternias revealed.

"It was not a united decision," Lizard-Man interjected.

"Let's not worry about that right now," Adam replied. "The past is behind us and there is nothing we can do to change those events. The time has come to move forward. What can we do to help each other now?"

"Rock-People need be safe at home," Rabar stated plainly.

"We can help secure your caverns."

"Now that the war is over, we would like to be left alone," Subternias said then.

"And you, Lizard-Man?"

"Our place is our caverns in the east. I will lead my people there and rebuild the world we have known." Lizard-Man then looked to each of his allies. "But I would like to remind my friends here of our pact."

"What pact is that?" asked Teela.

"In exchange for a vow of silence, I have enlisted them to join in an alliance with Eternos if and when the war ended," Lizard-Man said. "The last military alliance seemed to fall apart as soon as the other races left before the Second Horde War. It is time, I think, to open the doors to a vaster alliance and between the four kingdoms here and Eternos."

"What of Avion? And Insectia?" questioned Clamp Champ.

"Them as well."

Adam nodded and thought on this. "Let's take it one step at a time, Lizard-Man. Trade agreements. We can help any and all of you for raw materials and use of the Arcadian forges. Our people need tools, and perhaps armor and weapons."

"You have a deal," Lizard-Man said. "My people can help supply you with the raw metals that you will need. I am certain that Subternias and Rabar can help in that way too."

"Rabar help!"

"As will I, for the price of silence during the war."
Sumana looked to Ananda, who nodded. Sumana turned back to He-Man. "We shall help you, then. Also, we will allow your entourage to remain as guests for the rest of the evening and night. We will serve your meals and you have permission to dine with us."

"My thanks," He-Man replied.

The rest of the evening passed without much incident. Adam and his fellow Heroic Warriors spent most of the time with Lizard-Man, catching up on events during the Second Horde War. Details were pounded out in regards to the trade agreement. Starchild, Orko, and Addison were involved in a very elaborate game of hide and seek tag. The mastery of Starchild's powers was quite amazing.

As the moons began to rise over Arcadia, the party went to their various guestrooms. Adam was headed to his own when Malik bid him pause.

"I wanted to speak to you for a moment."

"What is it, Malik?"

"It's in regards to Starchild."

Adam nodded and they strode stopped in a long corridor with huge windows that allowed the moonlight to shine through.

"I have a concern and though it maybe nothing, I can not help but have a shadow of foreboding in my mind." He looked to the moons. "I have been in contact with Zagraz the Comet-Keeper and Professor Orion of the Bright Moon throughout the Second Horde War. They have told me that a pair of Cosmic Enforcers arrived on Eternia some months ago. Mere minutes later, only one left the planet."

"Zodak?"

"I do not believe so. They could not offer me any other details. But that is only half of my concern."

"Do tell."

"The next day, Starchild teleported away. I did not see her for many hours, despite my search for her. In evening, she returned, claiming she was just 'out playing.' Kareen and I scolded her, but . . . what troubles me the most is the dream she had that night."

"And that dream?"

"It was intense. There were telepathic ripples flowing out from her bedroom during the entirety of the dream. She was thrashing in her sleep, her powers out of control. As I went to awaken her, I heard her whispering a phrase over and over again."

"What phrase is that?"

Malik turned grim. "Rohana'Rota."

The words hit like bricks. Rohana'Rota was one of the few phrases to outlive the era of Preternia. It was the word to describe the final battle between good and evil upon Eternia. Armageddon.

Adam felt a chill go up his back. "I've heard it before."

"Adam, how would a child know that phrase?"

"Her powers could have merely plucked it out of someone's head accidentally."

Malik nodded a little. "I'd like to agree, but . . . I can't help but shake off this feeling of dread. Starchild has only grown more powerful with each passing year."

"The future is yet written, Malik. You and I both know from experience that prophecies change."

"Perhaps." Malik then sighed and turned away. "Good night, King Adam. Sleep well."

Adam did not.