FRIENDS OR FOES?

The first thing Adam noticed when he stepped out of the dimensional portal not too long ago was that it was daylight. He'd left Eternia well after nightfall and here the sun shone brightly up above. By its position in the sky Adam could determine that it was some time after midday. His surroundings seem tranquil enough. Blue skies, a warm sun up above and solid ground beneath his feet; anything could have awaited him once he set foot into the portal and so far he's not complaining. The terrain here is hilly with lush green vegetation. A small stream runs nearby and a dark shadow in the distance suggests a forest. A dirt road wide enough to accommodate travel looks like it's well used. Adam can easily distinguish evidence of heavy carts and frequent foot travel. A village must be nearby and Adam decides it's as good a place as any to start his endeavor.

Over the years Adam has found himself in a bevy of situations. Regardless of whether it was as himself or He-Man, he can think of instances that at first glance were far more daunting that his current situation. This time it's the onslaught of information that leaves him a bit off kilter. Perhaps it was egotistical but Adam had always assumed he was the only champion of Grayskull; his sole responsibility to protect and defend, for the good of Eternia and the balance of the Universe. It's a heavy burden but one he's come to terms with and that he accepts with complete humility. Now he carries news of a second champion, someone to share the responsibility with. A woman who was traumatically abducted as a child and more than likely has no knowledge of the events that unfolded after her birth. Now Adam has to shatter her existence here, uproot her from the only life she's ever known and force the Sword of Protection onto her, complete with platitude filled rhetoric. Adam remembers the day it happened to him well. It was a day he left behind youthful ignorance to serve a greater cause. The difference for him was that he always knew one day the crown and Eternia would come calling. He just never imagined Eternia would get a jump start and in the way that it did. Now Adam stands on a foreign planet with an important task and with the Sword of Protection inhabiting the same scabbard as the Sword of Power. Wherever this girl is, Adam hopes she's enjoying her last moments of innocence.

As Adam walks the nearby road, slowly the open spaces surrounding it begin to give way to the occasional farm house and finally the beginnings of a village. As Adam makes his way down the village's market a pair of eyes keeps a sharp lookout on his every move. They watch as he observes the wares peddled by the street vendors. They watch as he stays clear of the Horde Troopers posted in the market. And they watch as the two swords in his scabbard glisten in the afternoon sun.

"What are you looking at?" A voice asks the observer from behind.

"I've never seen him before."

A moment passes as the two observe the stranger.

"What are you thinking?"

"Well for starters he looks like he bathes," he jokes with a roguish grin. "Too clean to be a pirate or a Hordesman," he then concludes more seriously.

"The Horde has been recruiting spies in recent months."

"You think he's a spy for the Horde? I don't think so. Look at the fabric of his clothing. It's not showy but it's far richer than that of your average villager."

"Maybe he's putting his extra earnings to good use."

That remark earns his companion a good natured roll of his eyes. "Come on let's follow him."

"Bow, they're waiting for us."

"Glimmer I'm bored. This is the most excitement we've seen in weeks and in case you haven't noticed they aren't exactly the most punctual of people. We'll get back with plenty of time to spare. Besides, I seriously doubt they'd pick now to show up on time."

The look on Glimmer's face tells him she knows he's right. "Atta girl, let's go."

"No you go ahead," she says shaking her head. "There's something I want to do. I'll catch up."

Before Bow has a chance to respond she's off; her gray cloak billowing behind her.

"Killjoy," he mutters. With Glimmer gone Bow turns his attention back to the stranger who has progressed further down the street.

As Adam walks the market of the nearest village he could find he was beginning to reassess his original opinion of this unknown planet. Unlike the life and vitality that permeates the market in Eternos and others he'd been to on Eternia, this market could best be described as somber and desolate.

The people conduct their business in hushed voices and quickly disappear into the sparse crowd as it ebbs and flows. What little produce he sees is meager and the shopkeepers malnourished. The majority of the people he sees are clothed in rags that hang on their skeletal frames. Haphazard patches attempt to mend places where the threadbare fabric has given way. Some people walk stooped as if their bodies still believe that they're hard at work on some back braking labor. Adam is self consciously aware of how much he sticks out among this group of people.

Silent, armored foot soldiers stand in pairs at every corner. Their slited eyes burn bright red as they turn and watch the villagers. A blood red insignia is etched onto their armor. The knot that had been in the pit of Adam's stomach since he first saw them grows with each passing moment. A wave of denial threatens to wash over him until reality finally allows him to squash it. Adam's eyes widen in recognition. He knows it well. The latest chapter of Eternian history speaks forebodingly of it. It is an image that not even 24 hours ago Velora had confessed to him as having haunted her nightmares for years and now he walks right by it, unable to do anything about it--the Horde.

Adam is guided out of his initial shock as a rising commotion in a secluded corner of the market begins to draw a number of wandering eyes and a small crowd gathers. A few of the people in the back crane their necks to try and get a better look. Fully aware of how conspicuous he must appear Adam hugs a nearby wall as he nears the source of the disruption. Sandwiched in between a wall and a small nook Adam can remain partially hidden yet allow his height to give him a slight advantage over several of the people gathered in the back.

"These are illegal citizen," reports one of two Horde soldiers standing near a very frightened and frail older man. He holds up a tarnished, small dagger for all to see.

"Please I meant no harm. I merely wanted to trade it for some fruit. Ask him," he says as he points to a nearby shop keeper, "He'll tell you. It's a simple trade. No one gets hurt."

"Weapons are illegal," the other solider reiterates. "The Horde does not tolerate rebel sympathizers."

If the silence that envelops the market isn't deafening enough a collective gasp sweeps through the crowd as does the look of fear in their eyes.

"Oh no please! It's a misunderstanding. I'm no sympathizer. The blade is useless. I wanted some fruit for my granddaughter's birthday. I promise," The man begins to weep uncontrollably as the soldiers begin to lead him away, unswayed by his pleas. "My family!"

And everyone just watches. Heads cast down and mouths clamped shut. No one speaks up for the man. No one offers a word of support. They've got families of their own as well. They can't afford to become embroiled in the matter and they squirm nervously relieved to have the problem over with; just as long as it isn't one of them.

Adam also watches on, his conscience enraged. It isn't so much anger for the inactivity demonstrated by the villagers but for the feeling of helplessness that he feels. His face is stone still and his knuckles white from the ever tightening fist he's making. He doesn't know who these rebels are but it's clear that the man is being detained on very flimsy evidence.

And so Adam makes his decision. So much for keeping a low profile. Common sense be damned.

"Wait!" Adam calls as he shoulders his way from his place in the back through the throng of people.

At the sound of his voice the two soldiers stop in their tracks, look toward one another, and then back in his direction. One takes hold of the villager while the other walks right up to him.

And he's big...very big.

"I think there's been a misunderstanding."

"Rebel sympathizers will be dealt with."

"Yeah you've said that already. All I'm saying is that dagger probably couldn't even slice bread let alone be used as a weapon. Why not just leave him with a stern warning and let him be on his way. His family's waiting for him."

The Trooper only looks at him for a second before redirecting his attention to the hilts of the swords in his scabbard.

"Weapons are illegal. All rebels will be executed."

The Trooper before him hits a com unit on his belt. "Rebel spotted," his robotic voice accentuates and the crowd that had gathered nervously disperses. Children are silently ushered indoors, shutters are closed up and all that remains in the silent marketplace are Adam, a frightened old man, two Horde troopers, and the promise of more any minute now. Dark alleyways around him lead to parts unknown so Adam draws his sword in preparation for conflict. He and the old man are getting out of this alive.

With almost pinpoint accuracy a stun beam is fired by the closest Trooper, breaking the standstill they'd found themselves in. Adam dodges to the right just in time but not without feeling trace amounts of its heat near his shoulder. A small, singed hole on a stone wall shows the point of impact.

Undeterred by the miss the soldier fires again. The shop facades provide little protection and Adam finds himself on the defensive, using his sword to block the red hot beams. At the rate he's going Horde reinforcements will arrive before he can do anything worth doing.

His eyes pick up the forgotten dagger that had sparked this string of events and a plan of attack quickly forms in Adam's mind. With all his strength he launches his sword at his adversary. Just as expected the Trooper avoids contact with the sword. Instead the sword lodges itself into a beam breaking it in half and causing the fruit it supported to cascade onto the ground.

That provides enough of a distraction for Adam to scramble towards the cast off dagger and jump the Trooper from behind, but instead of taking him down as he'd hoped Adam finds himself several feet off the ground on the Trooper's back being flung around as it tries unsuccessfully to remove him. With dagger in hand Adam drives it underneath the soldier's helmet trying to dislodge it.

Adam can feel the heat from the other Horde Trooper firing at him as it tries to aid its partner. Sparks begin to emerge as the helmet begins to pry loose. In a last ditch effort the Trooper stops its manic movement and rams itself and Adam into a wall several times. The force of the impacts nearly works as Adam begins to lose his hold on the Trooper's back.

Finally the helmet comes off completely and Adam falls to the ground, the wind partially knocked out of him. The headless Horde Trooper takes a few tentative steps forward, its hands reaching towards where its helmet once stood. It stops and unceremoniously tips over, a plume of smoke emanating from the gaping hole.

At that moment the second Trooper leaves its prisoner and begins to move towards Adam. Just as Adam stands up to face it out of nowhere a pair of arrows appear, piercing the eyes of the Trooper and blinding him to Adam's location. A hooded man stands a few feet away, lowering his bow as he prepares to pull another arrow out of his quiver. He launches several more arrows at the remaining soldier piercing its armor and immobilizing it. Like its companion smoke begins to escape at the damage site before it too falls to the ground.

The marketplace is quiet, devoid of any villagers. Robotic remains lie scattered at his feet.

Another hooded figure runs up to him and grabs him by the arm.

"We don't have time. More are on their way," says a female voice as she drags him away.

"Wait," says Adam as he makes his way to the old man who still remains, partially hidden behind some barrels. "Are you all right sir?" Adam asks with concern.

"Yes, yes I am. Thank you. You put yourself at great risk for my foolishness. I'm eternally grateful."

"It wasn't foolishness," says Adam handing over the dagger. "Keep it well hidden," He then rushes to dislodge his sword from the beam and returns it to his scabbard.

Adam and his two cohorts scramble into the adjacent alleyways dodging curious villagers as they make their way to the outskirts of the town. Behind them Adam can hear the collective stomp of the Troopers gathering at the site of their skirmish.

It's all a flurry of dizzying activity as the three of them crash through the backdoor of an isolated farmhouse. The frightened faces of small children stare up at them as eating utensils and bowels clatter on the earthen floor. They're quickly ushered into what can be described as a hole in the ground with a few support beams to keep the earth above from crashing on top of them.

The entrance is sealed and the three of them are launched into darkness.

After a few moments of awkward silence the woman sighs, "We're going to be here awhile."

Someone snaps their fingers and a soft light begins to emanate from a corner of the room where the woman stands, cloak discarded and an orb of white light resting on her outstretched hand. She releases it and it floats to the center of the room and hovers, providing just enough light to make out the features on everyone's faces.

She's young, possibly just a few years younger than he is and very pretty.

Her short hair is gathered in a small, messy ponytail. A few strands have loosened to frame her face. Perhaps it's the light but her hair appears to give off a slight lavender hue. A low slung holster houses a stun gun of some kind and an additional shoulder holster carries an equally menacing weapon. Her delicate frame is in direct contrast to her no-nonsense demeanor and artillery. She's slender, wearing a slate blue sleeveless body suit with knee high boots. The fabric is beginning to fray ever so slightly, especially around the knees. The decorative adornment on her bare upper arms and down the neckline to her waist suggests a hint of regality. She's seen better days that's for sure.

Her male companion haunts a far wall with an unreadable look. He's lowered his hood to expose only his disheveled, dark red hair which is slightly longer than his own and which partially shields his eyes. A prominent amount of stubble is present on his face. The dark look in his eyes reminds Adam of the men that lurk in the dark corners of Eternian taverns. Life has hardened them and they don't trust easily.

"You make it a habit of drawing attention to yourself like that?" The man asks with an amused timber and surprisingly enough with no hint of accusation.

"Not particularly, no."

"You gotta name?"

Adam glances at the third person hidden away down there and notes her looking at him intently. She's playing close attention to his mannerisms. Like the Horde Troopers in the village the presence of the two swords doesn't escape her gaze. Adam watches the two strangers as he weighs his options. Leaving the confines of the cellar puts him at the mercy of Horde soldiers in an unknown planet and further endangers the lives of those harboring them. And that's assuming he can get past these two. For the most part the young woman has only observed the proceedings but he doesn't doubt her ability to use her weapons, not to mention her unique ability. The man has already shown himself to be a proficient archer.

"My name is Adam," he finally volunteers. He doesn't know if these two are friends or foes but he can't deny that they helped him out of a precarious situation. Perhaps sharing his name will be a suitable sign of trust.

"Well, Adam, why don't you settle a minor disagreement we've got going on. You're not from around here are you?"

They've been observing him for a while. Why doesn't that surprise him?

"No, I'm not," Adam answers the man cautiously. "I'm looking for someone," he adds.

Both strangers look at him like they're expecting him to further elaborate on his very vague statement. When it became apparent to them that he isn't going to volunteer anymore information both individuals glance at each other in silent communication before returning their attention to Adam.

"That's it, huh," says the man. "Well that was anticlimactic. So much for breaking out of this lull," he concludes as he moves away from the wall he'd been leaning on.

"Don't mind him," says the young woman, speaking for the first time since she lit the small room. "He's been a little stir crazy lately. We understand your reluctance to share. These are dangerous times and sometimes the enemy can have a friendly face but..." she pauses as if searching for the right words, "we're in a delicate situation. You've seen us, and more importantly you've seen us associating with Tilden. He's a friend and someone who is risking a great deal in sheltering us. Now getting back to what I said earlier about enemies having friendly faces. You're wary of us, but let me assure you that the feeling is quite mutual despite your actions in the market. When the danger to us has passed it's going to be hard to just go our separate ways without wondering whether or not your next stop is going to be the Fright Zone."

Adam nods thoughtfully at everything the young woman has just finished saying. He wants to trust someone and if there's anything previous experience has taught him is that allies are a wonderful asset in difficult situations.

"I can assure you that's not my intention, for what it's worth. I don't want any trouble and I think we'd all like to get out of this no worse for wear. If it's a show of faith that you want I'm sure we can come to some sort of an agreement. However I just have to point out that despite our mutal suspicion of one another I think I've been pretty cooperative. And right now you definitely know more about me than I know about you. Trust goes both ways."

With that said Adam moves away from his two room mates. 'The ball is in their court' as his mother would say. He has a job to do and as much as he'd like to have potential allies on this foreign planet he can manage without them. He would much rather not though. Adam's short time in the village has told him that the Horde is well established on this planet. Back at the village there was the suggestion of a resistance force of some kind. Are these two members? Right now it certainly seems like it.

Adam's gaze falls on the few crates that are scattered within the small space, as are a few barrels. The leafy green stems of vegetables are barely visible peeking out. Apparently potential outlaw rebels aren't the only secrets the cellar conceals. Even in the dim light Adam can tell they're of far better quality then the ones he'd seen in the market. In their mad dash to the farm house Adam didn't recall seeing a field for crops but a small garden isn't entirely out of the question. It still seems unlikely though given the destitute conditions in the village. The man sees him eyeing the barrels and clears his throat in disapproval before returning his attention to his companion.

Annoyed Adam purposely gets closer to the crates and barrels. When the archer sees this he turns to confront Adam but is stopped by the young woman when she grabs his arm holding him back.

"Come to our camp," she tells Adam. "There we'll find out whether or not we're on the same side."

Adam responds with a curt nod, satisfied with the decision. Revealing their camp to a potential enemy shows a tremendous amount of faith in their own judgment.

How much time goes by after that Adam can't say. The orb of light released earlier continues to give off its muted light and shows no sign of tapering off. His companions stay in their corner of the small room having a quiet conversation marked with the occasional head nod and frustrated sigh. For his part Adam busies himself with trying to recall everything he could remember from his lessons about the Horde Wars. When his thoughts wandered into the dangerous territory of imagining what Eternia would be like if the Horde had emerged victorious he consoled himself with wondering about what was happening back on Eternia in his absence. He didn't get very far when small streams of dirt loosen up and skitter down as someone up above lifts the door to their little hideaway. A column of sunlight filters through the doorway.

"Time to go," the woman says from her corner leaving no room for argument.


A/N: As my personal profile says updates on this story will unfortunately be sporadic. I've got some major things up at work that require a lot of my time so it's hard to fit in anytime to write right now. Hopefully that should end once we get the event we're working on over with. Although, occasional bouts of creativity hit me for other pieces I've got in the works. It really helps that at least this fic has a lot of major parts already written. It's just a matter of fine tuning them. Until then thanks so much for those reading and sticking with it.