Note: Thanks for the reviews!
I plan on this story being relatively short as compared to my other attempts at fanfiction to help ensure that I do finish this one. Hopefully once I get back into practice of writing again, I'll be able to go back and finish off some of my old stuff. (Fingers crossed)
As for sounding a little like Skyrim, that is where I'm getting some of my inspiration from. If you look really close, you might see some hits of another popular video game. Kudos if you guess which one.
As for all the OCs, sorry about that but it's kinda hard to bring in a full sense of what's happening on Earth in the He-Man universe without a handful or two of them. Since I'm not familiar with the He-Man/DC universe, I'm not going to even consider including it.
The request for Althea being grilled by the Queen…has partially been filled.
Chapter Four: Memory Projector
(Man at Arms' workshop)
Man at Arms was hammering a bent piece of metal as he said, "I can't believe you told her that you are…"
Holding down the piece of metal, Adam said, "I DIDN'T tell her anything, she figured it out all on her own. "
Man at Arms quit hammering to wipe the sweat off of his forehead and sighed, "Well, just be careful. We don't really know anything about her, except that she CLAIMS to be from Earth."
One of Adam's eyebrows went up as he said, "If she was going to do anything, she wouldn't have told me that she found me out or gave me her secret."
"Hmmm, true, "said Duncan, "But I don't like how this spirit of hers was able to so easily block the Sorceress' spell."
(Palace Hallway)
Orko and Cringer peeked around a corner to watch Queen Marlena talking with Althea as the two women walked down the hall. The Queen laughed at something Althea said just before heading off to the throne room as Althea opened the library door.
Orko asked, "You sure about Man at Arms saying about not trusting her?"
"P-positive, "said Cringer, "Heard him talking with Adam about her."
"Dunno, why, "Orko shrugged, "she seems nice enough. The Queen really likes her."
"In that case, "said Cringer with a yawn, "I'm going back to my nap."
Orko grabbed the tiger by the tail and said, "But if Man at Arms is concerned, we should keep an eye on her."
"It's not nice to spy on people, "Cringer protested as he was pulled along, "Plus she can get real sc-c-cary."
"Even more reason to keep an eye on her, "insisted Orko dragging Cringer down the hall.
(Royal Library)
One of the royal librarians opened the door to a dark room and turned on the lights. "Here you go, my lady, "she said as she stepped aside to let Althea pass, "Here's the room where most of the texts on magic is kept. We ask that you lock the room if you leave because some of what is written could be dangerous in careless hands."
"Of course, "said Althea mentally thanking the Queen once more for giving her permission to check this section of the library's restricted area, "Thank you for your help."
With a small bow the librarian left as Althea placed a stack of blank papers and some pens on the single table in the small room. She left the door open in the hopes of clearing out some of the stuffy smell and to prevent that closed in feeling.
"Oookay, "Althea said as she scratched the back of her head, "Where do I start?"
She starting looking over the books, hoping to get some idea where to start based off of the titles. Noticing that only a few had titles written on the bindings or covers, Althea sighed. What was worse was the scrolls she noticed bunched together on the top shelves.
While she was doing this, Orko peeked in and whispered, "Restricted area, hey…What could she possibly want in there?"
"Come on Orko, "said Cringer taking Trollan's attention away from the room, "I don't feel right being here. Let's go someplace else."
"No Cring, "said Orko crossing his arms, "We are going to stay right here."
Althea stepped right up behind the Trollan and asked, "Could one of you go ask the librarian if there is a catalog or listing of books for this room, please? I forgot to ask on my way in."
Cringer ducked as Orko flew upward with a startled "EEP!" The Trollan bounced off the ceiling and crashed into a bookcase. The bookcase fell over, falling onto the next book case. Then like falling dominoes, the bookshelves fell one by one in a row unit the last one hit the ground with a 'boom'.
"Oh oh, "said Orko covering his eyes.
Althea sighed and returned the book she was holding to its shelf. She turned off the light and locked the door behind her.
An angry looking librarian walked over to a very sorry Orko and just when she was about to scold the Trollan, Althea spoke up to say, "It was partially my fault. I shouldn't have startled him like that. If you could find someone to help get the bookcases up right, I'll help with the clean up."
A few hours later, Althea was sitting on the ground organizing stacks of books when the sound of a growling stomach made her giggle. "If you're hungry, Cringer, you can take a break and come back later, "said Althea, still trying to get use to talking a green tiger.
Cringer dropped a book he was carrying in his month onto one of the smaller stacks next to Althea. "I wish, "said Cringer, "But if Man at Arms or the king found out…"
"I think they would understand you had nothing to do with this, "said Orko carrying some books as well, and "It was me that knocked over the bookcase. You were just…there."
"So this is where everyone is hiding, "said Adam as he walked into the library. Looking around he said, "What happened?"
Althea, Cringer and Orko all said at the same time, "You don't want to know."
Althea covered her mouth to stop the laughter from escaping. Then with a loud sigh, Althea picked up her cane and started to pull herself up off the floor.
"Here, let me help, "said Adam offering her his hand.
She took his hand and after being pulled up said, "Thanks." She then stretched and asked, "What time is it anyways?"
"Mid-afternoon, "answered Adam, "You all missed lunch."
"Aw man, "said Cringer, "No wonder I'm hungry."
"Sorry, Cring, "said Adam, "And there is no time for a snack. He-man is needed."
"Anything I can do to help?" offered Althea.
"Well…you see…"said Adam uncomfortably.
"Man at Arms doesn't trust me, "said Althea with a smile, "And he shouldn't. It's his job after all. Actually, I'm amazed how much free reign I have here just based off of me being from Earth."
"Thanks for understanding, "said Adam obviously relieved.
"Go, "said Althea, "If no one else shows up back here, I'll tell Teela you were here and helped me out as we cleaned up the place."
(Early evening, Palace hallway)
"Well that took long enough, "said Althea walking down the hallway.
Orko flew past her and then turn around to say, "At least we got done in time for dinner. "
As the two of them neared the dining room, they saw Man at Arms waiting by the door with his arms crossed. Seeing this Althea asked, "Why do I feel like I about to be grounded?"
"Ms. Strom, I need to speak with you, "said Man at Arms and then sent Orko a glare, "In private."
"Sure thing Man at Arms, "said Orko with a wave as he left.
Althea asked, "Is there a problem?"
"You could say that, "replied Duncan, "What are you plans?"
"You mean aside from getting something to eat, "said Althea, "I hope to learn at least the basics of magic and then find a way back home. With a least these basics, I can help with figuring out ways to safely find uses for the re-awaking magic."
"For power?"
"Earth needs it magic. Not only to help fight off the Horde, but to continue to grow. Earth has almost suffocated under what we have done with technology. If magic can be used so we don't have to use so much tech…"Althea paused, "It's difficult to truly describe what I mean. If I could only show you…"
"Actually that's marvelous idea, "said Queen Marlena walking up behind them.
"Your Majesty, "said Man at Arms.
"We have a device called a Memory Projector, "said the Queen, "You can use it to show us what Earth is now like. I'm especially curious."
"Hmmm, "though Duncan, "Actually that's not a bad idea. The memory projector can only show what one truly remembers. It can't show false memories."
"Does it show all my memories, "asked Althea, "Because I was a college kid and there is definitely some stuff I don't anyone to see."
"No, "answered Man at Arms, "Only the ones you are thinking about."
"Good, "said the Queen, "We can all meet after dinner."
(After Dinner)
": Is this a wise decision? :" asked the dragon spirit as Althea followed the Queen and Man at Arms to the room where the Memory Projector was kept. ": We don't truly know what this projector does:"
'I don't like having a machine strapped to my brain any more than you do, 'Althea thought back, 'It's bad enough having you see all my memories and messing around with my mind, but at least with this I'm having a say in the matter….not like last time.'
": I do not 'mess around' with your mind:" the spirit said a sigh, ": I take over only when you allow it and when needed. As you learn to use your Dovah abilities, the less this will happen. Eventually, you will be able to pass me on to another Dovah to train:"
'Sorry, I know you are having the worse of it, 'Althea sent, 'I'm just nervous, I guess.'
The small group entered what looked to be a small theater room and Duncan indicated that Althea should sit next to what she assumed to be the Memory Projector. However, it was the Queen that help place the headband on her and explained what to do. "I use this quite often to show Adam about the Earth as I remember it, "reassured the Queen, "You actually have to concentrate on the memory a little so that the machine picks it up."
"Okay, "said Althea, "So I just think about a memory?"
"That's correct, "said the Queen, "If you want to test it, think about something minor. Like a birthday party or a holiday."
Althea thought for a second and then grinned. Loud marching band music filled the room as an announcer called out "TOUCH DOWN!" The image of a large crowd wearing burnt orange and white filled the screen as their cheers filled the room. The crowd settled down to reveal a college football field. Longhorns were playing against the Raiders.
The image turned to show a bronze haired woman wearing orange and white makeup. "Isn't this AWESOME, Thea!" said Susan on the screen.
The Queen chuckled and said, "Nice to know that some traditions are still there. So you are a Longhorn's fan?"
"To be honest, I was literally dragged to the game by my friend, Susan, "Althea said, shaking her head, "She insisted I needed to get out show some support for the home team." The screen went dark and Althea asked, "Is there anything specific you want to see?"
"You went to school in Austin, "mused the Queen, "Can you show me some scenes of city."
Althea seemed to consider the Queen's request as if debating something. Then with a nod, concentrated and the Texas State Capital building appeared on the screen as seen from highway. Surrounded by trees, the domed building looked peaceful. An air-car could be seen flying in and landing not far from it.
The Queen asked, "What was that?"
"The air-car?" asked Althea as the image changed to show a dark blue and white air-car with the Earth Military Alliance emblem on the side, "Yeah they're relatively new. Started coming out on the market about … three, maybe four years ago. So far only the government, military and the wealthy seem to have them. Everyone else is still using the roads."
At that thought, the song 'Born to be Wild' filled the air and the image changed to a view from the back seat of a car. Two teenage girls sat in the front, with one increasing the volume on the radio. The driver said, 'This is the perfect song for this trip.' Althea voice could be heard saying, 'You know if Steve finds out we are soooo gonna be in trouble.' The two in the front just started singing along with the old song.
The screen went dark as Althea started tapping a finger on the armrest. Then she sighed as new images appeared. The first was that of a large shopping center, the next was from a city street with wires crossing the sky barely allowing light through, another image of protestors chanting, news reports from about two years ago including problems in the Middle East and a storm warning. A concert in a park with fireworks going on in the background, funny cat videos, the Blue Angels flying over and a high school graduation ceremony.
The Queen asked questions about things that interested her, usually the new technology she was seeing and some of the news events. After a while, Duncan asked, "These are all pre-war memories, aren't they? What of the attack itself?"
""I figured it might be a good idea to show what Earth looked like to me before the attacks," Althea answered.
The image went dark for a few seconds then lit up showing a view of an Archeology textbook page and the sound of writing could be heard in the silence. The view went up to show a large library and a few other students also reading or typing on computers. The view went back to the textbook just before the first explosion shook the building. The view quickly shifted to one from under the table as bits of ceiling fell. A cell phone came into view, but it showed 'No Service' on the screen. A few choice words were heard as the phone disappeared.
There was another explosion, farther away but this time followed by the sound of jets flying past the building. More choice words and the image shifted as the person crawled out from under the table and started making her way to the nearest Exit.
The door opened to reveal white armored soldiers wearing the Horde symbol marching past with a large tank like vehicle following them. With a quiet gasp, the image abruptly moved as she moved to hide behind the door. Footsteps could be heard as two soldiers approached the door she was hiding behind.
"Don't bother, "came a voice as a mechanical sound was heard, "We are not here to capture slaves today. It's a pure destroy all mission."
A loud boom and the image went dark.
"The only reason why I'm alive is that they were messy or I was extremely lucky. I ended up in a space created by the damaged doorframe and one leg trapped under what I thought was a ton of rubble." The screen showed what she described with minimum light and the sound of screaming filled the air. Some of the rubble moved as a voice was heard saying, "Over here! Found one! Hold on, we'll get you out of there. GOD DAMN IT, someone get some help over here!"
Althea pulled off the headband and said in a shaky voice as she got up, "I'm sorry, I need some fresh air."
After Althea hurriedly limped out of the room, the Queen glared at Man at Arms to say, "Are you happy now?!"
"I...I...don't know what to...,"stuttered Duncan.
(Outside)
Althea made it to a patio overlooking one of the gardens. Taking a few deep breaths, she eventually calmed down. She slammed her palm on the railing as she said, "I thought I was over that already."
": When have you had the chance to truly face what happened? :" the spirit gently asked, ": When you were recovering, there were those no doubt worse off than you so the healers concentrated on them. When you ability to see magic was discovered, you were pushed to concentrate on looking for magical items with little or no time to even talk to someone about what happened. Am I correct? :"
Althea sighed, "So you saying this is actually a good thing for me to be going through. Talking about the attack, what happened."
": One must face one's fears, but usually it is best done with someone you can trust:" said the dragon spirit, ": For this fear, it is also best if it is someone you can see and hold on to if needed:"
"That's most likely gonna have to wait until we get back home, "Althea sighed.
(Back in the Memory Projector room)
"I can't believe you….How could…UGGGGGGG! "growled the Queen, too angry to talk.
"Your Majesty, "said Man at Arms trying to calm the Queen down, "Please understand, I only had the royal family's safety in mind."
"What's going on?" asked Althea as she returned.
The Queen turned and said, "I'm so sorry, we shouldn't have…"
"It's alright, "said Althea as she sat down next to the projector, "I kinda need to talk about it anyways, you know. The timing is just not right and seeing it…" Althea picked up the projector's headband considering what to do next.
"You don't have to…"said the Queen sitting next to her, gently placing a hand on Althea's arm.
"Actually, "she said, glancing over at Man at Arms and the back at the Queen, "Now that I think about it there are a few things you should see. I have a feeling Earth is going to need all the help it can get and soon." Althea placed the headband on once more and the view of a room filled with injured in beds appeared. Muffled sounds of crying and people in pain appeared.
"Where is she?" came the worried voice of Steve Marshall. "She's over by the wall, Commander, "said a tired, female voice. After a few moments an exhausted Steven Marshall, wearing the silver leaf pins, walked into view. He pulled up a large white bucket and sat on it as he said, "Hey"
"Hey, Steve, " Althea voice replied as the view changed slightly as her head was turned, "Mind telling what's going on, or it is classified?"
Marshall snorted and said, "I don't think anyone can keep secret about what's happening. Earth has been invaded by aliens. God, that sounds like a line from a bad science fiction movie." He took a deep breath to continue, "Right now many government heads are either missing or dead, the few that are still around are trying to calm the general public of their respective countries while anyone else that can hold a gun is being drafted to fight the aliens off."
A humorless 'hah' and then Althea' voice said, "And here I am with a busted up leg, just taking up space."
"Don't say that, "said Steve firmly, "To be honest, I rather have you here safe than out on the front lines. Especially after some of the stuff I've seen. I know it's selfish, but that's how I feel. Some of these alien's have…powers. I saw one say a few words and the next second rows of armed vehicles went flying. Another one just laughed as he sent flames from his bare hands into a group of people trying to escape."
The scene changed to one of room filled with people evacuating the field hospital as alarms filled the air. A glance downward showed a pair of legs in old, faded jeans in a wheelchair racing across the floor. One off pant legs was cut off to make room for a cast. Looking up again showed a guy with a bandage over his eye reach over to pull the viewer up and then the sound of the wheelchair being kicked to the side as they made their ways with the group down a flight of stairs. Emergency lights lit the way as the sound of thick doors closing up firmly behind them. Rows of large shelves filled with dusty crates and covered statues filled the screen. A faint glow or reflection could be seen coming off some of the items.
Sitting next to the Queen, Althea snorted and said, "What do you know, this thing actual shows what I see when 'seeing' magic."
The scene continued with people trying to find the safest places to place the more seriously injured. The on screen Althea seemed to have been place next to items from ancient Greece. Bits of marble statue and bronze armor on stands came into view. A large flat item appears to radiate scaly, gray aura, through its think covering. Althea's hand reach over pull aside some of the old fabric to reveal a portion of an old, bronze shield that despite its age had an almost mirror finish in places.
Althea sitting next to the Queen, chuckled as she said, "I was so lucky I didn't uncover the whole thing."
"Why?" asked Man at Arms.
"There's an old myth about a mirrored shield used by a hero to kill the gorgon called Medusa. This gorgon was cursed with the power to turn anyone who looked at her directly at her into stone. Somehow, while the hero use the shield to see Medusa indirectly in order to kill her, caused the gorgon's image and some of her power to be burned into that shield. The hero gave the shield to the goddess Athena as thanks for her help. Stories vary, but some say that the shield had the power to turn all that saw Medusa's burnt in image to stone as well, "said Althea and just before continuing the scene added, "For the lack of a better explanation I 'saw' that the shield has something to do with stone and snakes."
The scene continued as a dark red light appeared out of the corner of Altheas eye and sound of the door being blasted open could be heard. "So this is where all the mice are hiding, "came a hissing sounding voice. Looking between the artifacts, Horde soldiers led by a hooded woman with red scaled hands could be seen. The woman herself had an evil looking aura about her. Altheas hands reached over to grab the shield, as the woman hissed, "Surrender now, and we may find a use for some of you in the Horde."
The woman and soldiers walked into the row where Althea was hiding. One of the soldiers lifted up a weapon as Althea lifted up the shield. A hand pulled off the shield's old covering and Althea said, "Hell no."
The woman hissed in panic just before she and her soldier's were all turned to stone.
The image stopped. "I don't want to even try to guess how many times that shield saw battle after the Army got hold of it. I just pray they were careful with it and have locked it up in a very secure location. Hmph! It's probably crated up right next to the Ark of the Covenant in some warehouse by now, "said Althea, "I'm not going to bother showing you the debriefing or interrogation I went through afterwards, but I will say I was put right to work looking for other possible magical items that could be used against the Horde."
The scene changed once more, but this time of people cheering in the streets among the rubble and burnt out vehicles. Announcements of the war being over could be heard over the roar of the crowd. The view moved to the side and upward to show an older looking, scarred Steve Marshall now wearing silver eagle pins. "It's not really over is it, "asked Althea and Marshalls only reply was a sad shake of his head.
To be continued…