Sorry for the long delay it was just one thing after another. First there was semester finals, then I got caught up watching the Stanley Cup finals (Penguins win baby! Woohoo!) Finally I had some computer trouble so I got a new notebook and transferred my files over. Hopefully I can make more frequent updates now.

BTW: it has come to my attention I've been misspelling Modulok's name (there's no c) from here forward I'll be using the correct spelling.

CHAPTER TWO

Duncan had thought nothing of it when Marlena asked to speak with him. When she indicated she wanted to go somewhere more private he still wasn't concerned. However when they passed several empty rooms that would have given them privacy, then he began to wonder. It soon became apparent that the queen had a specific destination in mind. When Marlena finally entered the chamber of her choice Duncan knew this was a serious matter.

The chamber's walls were lined with various paintings of the entire royal family. In addition to portraits of Randor and Marlena individually, there were group pictures of them together as well as ones with Adam throughout various stages of his childhood. Other portraits featured the extended family, Randor's siblings as well as his father Miro. In addition certain artifacts, memoirs of the family history decorated the room.

However Marlena ignored all this and walked purposely toward a strange vehicle displayed in the room. It was a small craft, a flying vessel of unknown origin. Nothing like it had ever been seen elsewhere in Eternia, though study of the vehicle had indicated it to be a prototype therefore one could not be certain of its origin. Marlena slowly ran her hand across the hull almost absentmindedly.

Duncan waited patiently for her to say something but she did not speak. Finally he slowly coaxed, "My Queen..."

"You don't always need to be so formal Duncan," she said, still not looking at him. "We've know each other since long before I became a queen. As far back as I can remember in fact. You were there with Randor when he found me. A crashed pilot, lost, confused and with no idea where I came from or what I was supposed to be doing. Barely able to remember my own name."

"You had taken a pretty serious blow to the head," Duncan nodded. "Memory loss is not that unusual in such a situation."

"Strange how I can remember that day so well when I after all these years I still can't recall anything before it. For all we know I may not even be Eternian. But I've come to accept that this is my home, my life now. I don't want anything to destroy it."

Duncan was beginning to grow uneasy. Something in Marlena's tone gnawed at him. "You're Majesty... Marlena, you said you needed to speak to me about something. I'm guessing it wasn't just to reminisce about the past."

Finally Marlena turned and faced him. "As I've just said Duncan, I've known you for as long as I can remember, you're one of my closest friends and I trust you completely. That's why it pains me to have to say this." She sighed and continued. "Lately I've come to suspect you've been keeping things from me."

Duncan swallowed hard. He wasn't sure what to do now. His first thought was that Marlena was on to Adam's secret. That could raise serious problems. Clearly whatever it was, she was not happy about it. Finally Duncan spoke slowly, hoping to gain a better clue of what the queen suspected before deciding how to handle the situation.

"What makes you think this My Queen?"

"Your reaction seems to confirm my suspicions," Marlena said firmly. "I've heard some of the men talking. They seem confused by instructions you've given out."

"Such as?"

"For starters, you've ordered Shadow Weaver wanted dead or alive. You've told them she committed a great act of treason against the royal family, then deemed the details classified. Everyone is naturally curious as to the secrecy."

At the Man-At-Arms relaxed some, "You know perfectly well what Shadow Weaver did. We all agreed back then that it was best to keep it a secret. Are you saying it's time to tell everyone?"

"You tell me," Marlena said. "At the same time you ordered Shadow Weaver captured dead or alive for reasons classified, you also declared Hordak's mysterious apprentice wanted alive, preferably unharmed, again for reasons classified."

Duncan tensed again. He now knew what was troubling Marlena and had been dreading the time when he would have to face this. When he said nothing she added, "They say this young girl calls herself Adora."

Duncan sighed, there was no avoiding it. "Yes, she does."

"The right age, blue eyes, blonde hair, a beautiful girl among a Horde of disgusting creatures," Marlena stared at him, her eyes pleading, "Tell me the truth Duncan. Is it her?"

"The truth is I'm not really sure," Duncan admitted. "That is why I didn't tell you. I didn't want to get your hopes up until I had collected more evidence."

"But you believe it is Adora don't you?"

Man-At-Arms sighed, "Yes I do. But I fear that may be because I want to believe. The Horde is known for its trickery. The question now is who is being tricked, us or Adora? It may even be both. If it turns out that this girl is not who we think she may be, but that instead this is all some cruel deception laid out by Hordak or Shadow Weaver..." Duncan gently laid his hand on her shoulder. "You've had to deal with loosing her once. I didn't want you to have to feel the pain of loosing her a second time. Yes I have been keeping this from you. Perhaps I was wrong to do so, but please believe me I had the best intentions for it"

Marlena nodded. "Unfortunately Duncan the mere presence of Shadow Weaver on Eternia again is enough for me to feel the pain. I never told anyone this, but when she was imprisoned in Despondos all those years ago I felt cheated. I know this makes me sound cruel and vengeful, however all this time I've thought that she got off easy. After what she did to me, to my family, I wanted her to pay the full price and all this time I've held the belief that she escaped true punishment."

"Personal grief can result in such feelings," Duncan said. "Look at Zodac with King Hiss."

"I would never go so far as to endanger Eternia for vengeance," Marlena said. "Nevertheless, now that Shadow Weaver has returned I will see justice done. And I have come to the conclusion that I can't rely on waiting for her to be captured in combat."

"I don't follow you."

Marlena straightened her posture and stood tall speaking firmly, looking more like a queen than Duncan had ever seen her, "On my authority Duncan I want you to put a price on her head. I know you don't like dealing with bounty hunters and mercenaries, but I'm not going to let Shadow Weaver get away this time."

"I'm not sure that's a good idea," Duncan said. "You said you don't want to endanger others to get to her. Shadow Weaver is far too powerful for a simple bounty hunter to handle. I fear a price on her head would only inspire innocent lives to try to defeat her when they stand no chance."

"You may be right," Marlena sighed, "but we can't simply do nothing. Think about it. If this girl isn't Adora that means the real Adora is lost forever, and if it is that means she's had her mind tainted by the Horde. Either way Shadow Weaver is to blame and she must pay for her crime."

By now Marlena was in tears. Duncan gently pulled her into a comforting embrace trying to sooth her pain.

"She will pay Marlena, I promise. In the mean time I'm making Adora my top priority. I'll do whatever it takes to learn if this is truly the child taken away those many years ago. If it is I will not rest until she's home where she belongs."

"Do Randor and Adam know yet?" Marlena asked "About Adora?"

"I haven't told them," Duncan said. "Like you I wanted to spare Randor the pain. As for Adam," he paused. Adam had seen Adora as He-Man. How should he put this? "Adam has heard the name, but he has no idea who Adora is."

"Regardless of whether this is really Adora or not," Marlena said, "I think it's time he knew the truth."

"I think there may be no avoiding it," Duncan said honestly. "I'm just worried how he'll take it. Especially so soon after learning the truth about Keldor."

"He deserves to know," Marlena said. "I know he can handle it."

"Are you sure?"

Marlena shot him a glance that suggested she was now the one withholding something, "A mother knows her children," she smiled.

______________________________________________

The Desolate Mountains could not have been more appropriately named. Located at the far end of the Chaos Wastes, the area was barren and uninhabited. There was not a trace of life, neither animal nor vegetation. Years ago the area had been lush and green, but now where there was once forest there was only rock and the only rivers that flowed were of molten lava.

Modulok led the way as Hordak, Adora and Shadow Weaver followed closely. Bringing up the rear was Leech and a few Horde Troopers for security. Adora felt increasingly uncomfortable the further they pressed into the mountains. It had been the Spell of Separation that had created the Desolate Mountains, so the irony that the Horde was to blame for the land's current condition was not lost on her. She found it slightly hard to believe that anyone could actually be holding up in this place. On one hand it was certainly the last place anyone would think to look for someone, but conversely this was logical since long term survival would be nearly impossible.

Adora wiped away some sweat from her brow as she and the other Horde members trudged up the mountainside. It was unusually hot ,for this altitude which Adora at first attributed to volcanic heat, however there was no sign of lava flow and the peak had not blown its top. The explanation soon became clear as they discovered a hidden cavern in the mountain. Here, in the massive hollow, there were several magma pockets that slowly emptied out into a hidden underground tunnel, allowing the molten rock to flow away from the source.

Though no one appeared to be present at the moment, it was clear that someone was using the cavern as a domicile. Various personal belongings lay scattered about with no care to tidiness. In one corner away from the magma pools a tattered straw mattress sat as a makeshift bedding, albeit one that was badly ripped and full of holes. Over one heat source a cooking spit had been rigged up and there was currently three large wolf bats roasting on a skewer. Not exactly an appetizing meal but, Adora supposed, out here one had to make do to survive.

The main thing one would notice in this unorthodox lair was the vast amount of deadly weaponry about. Some new, some old and in need of repair, still others in the process of being forged. A closer inspection revealed that the owner had alternate motive in selecting this location, besides seclusion.

"Very clever," Shadow Weaver mused. "Rather than going through the trouble of keeping a fire burning hot enough, he's using the natural heat of the lava as his forge."

"What manner of contraption is this?" Hordak said pulling a tarp off a shrouded object.

"Some kind of transport I think," Adora offered. Indeed the object was a strange saucer shaped craft. Though it was sitting on the ground due to being deactivated, it was apparently meant to be a flying vehicle. The black metal was shaped into a sinister monster like face in the front with burning red eyes. Around the middle of the craft was a large circular saw with curved three foot blades jutting out.

Modulok grinned with a mix of scientific and morbid delight as he looked over the vehicle. "By the Ancients, it's a Roton. I haven't seen one of these in years. I'd heard Randor had outlawed their use."

"A war machine?" Hordak asked.

"Actually, they were originally designed simply to cut through vegetation," Modulok explained. "It was meant to aid in exploring through forests and jungles. Somewhere along the lines though it was realized the spinning blades could just as easily mow through the flesh of opposing armies. Makes sense that Spikor would have one in that regard."

"So where is this Spikor?" Adora asked. Almost immediately she received her answer as a huge figure lunged out of the shadows and brought a large spiked mace smashing down on the head of a Horde Trooper. The sheer force behind the blow split open the Trooper's helmet and would have pulverized its skull had the trooper not been simply an empty suit of armor animated by demonic puppetry.

The attacker didn't bother to take any time to notice this however and instead swung his mace around wildly forcing everyone to scatter. Hordak motioned to Leech and the monstrous henchman placed himself between the warlord and the attacker. Though Hordak didn't want to show it, and would never admit it aloud, he was still not fully recovered from his battle with He-Man. Though he had regenerated his body, his strength and magic were not up to their normal levels and he wasn't in a condition for battle. Fortunately Modulok managed to end the attacker's assault by speaking up.

"Is this the way you great all your potential customers Spikor?"

Spikor paused as though taking in Modulok's voice then slowly stepped into the light revealing a frightening sight. He was a large muscular being with dark purple flesh and haunting yellow eyes. He stood roughly the size of a Caligar, but his face had a beastly mammalian appearance. His most prominent feature though was undoubtedly that which he drew his name from. Nearly his entire body from head to foot was covered in large sharp spines which stuck out in every direction at various lengths. Anyone who attempted to touch Spikor would find themselves either sliced apart or horrifically impaled.

"Do I know you?" he said finally, speaking in a low grumbling voice.

"When we last met I was known as Galen Nycroft," Modulok explained. "I've gone through some changes since then."

"So I noticed," Spikor snorted. "Welcome to the freak club."

"Try to show a little respect. The name is Modulok now. Chief scientist to Lord Hordak."

"Yeah I heard the Horde was back," Spikor said. "If you're here to recruit me you can forget it. I don't really care what you do to Eternia, but I'm not taking anyone's side. My days of being a slave are over."

"My purpose here is not to recruit warriors," Hordak said, though the look he was giving the fearsome creature clearly implied he was considering it. "I merely want you to forge a special sword for Captain Adora here. You will be suitably compensated for your work."

Spikor eyed Hordak suspiciously then turned his gaze to Adora. His eyes, which had been narrowed towards Hordak, grew noticeably wide with interest. Adora felt a tinge of uneasiness as he slowly looked her over from head to foot, spending a particular amount of time staring at her legs. Finally he grinned in a disturbingly lustful way.

"Yeah all right," he said. "Been a while since I made a special order for a young lady. I'll take the job, just so long as we all understand this is not a pledge of loyalty. It's strictly business."

"Fine with me," Adora said, thinking the less time spent around Spikor the better.

Author's Notes: Spikor was always one of my favorite figures as a kid and I wish he could have made it into the 200X line. However I wasn't to fond of how Filmation made him a total moron, and besides Clawful has that distinction in this continuity, so I made my Spikor more intelligent. Just how clever and nasty he is will come into focus later on.

Meanwhile I alwasys did like Filmation's character development for Marlena, something that was lacking in the new series. Mike Young Productions stated that this time she would not be from Earth yet never offered an alternate origin, which I feel realy diminishes a cool character. In the end I went and restored her origin for the most part but made it so we don't know for sure where she came from. Is she from Earth, Eternia, or somewhere else? I'll leave that up to the individual reader to decide for themselves.