Note: I apologize for the long wait. I had to rewrite this chapter four times and I still don't like it. I feel like something is missing, but don't know how to get it in there. Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter. Only one or two more chapters to go.

Chapter 8: Storm Front

(Seattle, Washington, United States, Earth)

A night watchman lit a cigarette as he passed a pile of broken concrete and bent steel. In the distance he could hear a faint siren as he made his rounds, keeping an eye on the remains of the once proud Space Needle. A breeze picked up some dust as a security guard took hold of his flashlight and looked around. The guard yawned and scratched the back of his neck as he passed a large truck still loaded with bent and melted steel beams.

With a 'zzzt' sparks started to appear racing across the metal. A few small sparks appeared at first, just enough to make the guard think he was seeing things. A clap of thunder and the guard jumped back and fell over as a large electric bird shape appeared in a bolt of lightning striking the pile of scrap metal.

The 'bird' took off and the flap of its wings creating hurricane force winds forcing the guard to crawl for cover. Crawling to the other side of a bulldozer, he was finally able to catch his breath. He took hold of his two-way radio to call for help only to find it dead. Thunder and lightning joined the wind as he pulled out his cell phone, it too was dead. A few choice words were uttered as he looked over to the main office to consider his chances of reaching it. Then the rains started.

(Earth's Orbit a few days later)

The Cu Chulainn entered Earth's orbit as the communication officer quickly hailed Earth's Military Alliance. Adam and Althea walked over to stand next to Captain Marshall as the Earth was shown on the monitor. The image revealed a large storm covering most of the west coast of the North American continent.

"That's a big storm, "said Adam as they could literally see the storm.

"Bring up the weather reports on that storm, "ordered Captain Marshall, "I want to know how bad it is over there."

"Aye, sir."

The monitor split into multiple displays showing multiple new reports and two weather maps. All shared one thing; the west coast storm appeared out of nowhere in Pacific Northwest two nights ago and was growing. There were also multiple reported sightings of bird shaped bolts of lightning.

"Enlarge the image of this lightning bird, "ordered the captain as he sat down in his command chair. As the screen enlarged he turned to his niece and asked, "See anything?"

Even though she knew it wouldn't work, she took a good 'look' at the video footage. "Sorry, but you know I can't normally 'see' magic through recordings or pictures. Have to be there in person or a live feed, "she answered and then added, "Any chance we can head over there?"

Marshall shook his head negatively and said, "No can do. We need to land and report in first."

"Sir, "said the communications office, "Admiral Kang is requesting to speak with you."

"Put him on screen, "ordered Marshall as he stood up. Admiral Kang's appeared on the monitor. People in uniform and lab coats could be seen running back and forth in the background. Before anyone said anything, Susan's voice cut in with a "Welcome home, Stevie and Thea!"

Kang glared to someone off screen as both Steve and Althea pinched the bridge of their respective noses at almost the exact same time.

Steve Marshall took a breath and saluted as he said, "Sir, requesting permission to land."

Kang returned the salute and said, "I see you found your wayward niece as well has someone else you did not leave with. Can I assume your mission was a success?"

"Aye, Sir, "replied Marshall, "The Eternians are interested in speaking with Earth about the Horde. They even sent a member of their royal family to help smooth things along. Admiral Kang of Earth Military Alliance, this is Prince Adam of Eternia."

Adam stepped forward and gave a small half bow in respect to the admiral, and then said, "If it is acceptable to you, I rather wait on diplomatic meetings until the emergency at hand has been resolved."

"A politician with common sense, "said the Admiral, "I'm starting to like Eternians already. Captain Marshall, I need you to get to the west coast ASAP. Your ship may not have much room, but it can handle the weather on the west coast. You are to help out with rescue and evac. Land for supply and to drop off your civilian passengers, I'll send Ms. Susan to pick them up. "

"Aye, Sir, "said Marshall.

"That is all Captain, Admiral Kang out."

Marshall sat back down and said, "You heard the man, we got work to do."

Adam and Althea glanced at each other briefly just before Althea said, "Steve…"

"No you are not going with, "said Marshall, "You heard the Admiral's orders."

"But if the storm is magical in nature…"

"No."

(Airport)

Althea sat sideways on the luggage trolley's seat as she and Adam watched the Cu Chulainn change its cargo from a full military vessel to a rescue vessel. Armor suits and weapons were loaded off as medical and bedding supplies were loaded onto it.

Adam asked, "So what do we do now? I don't know about you, but I can't stand by when there are people in danger."

Althea frowned and said, "Same here. We just need to figure out the best way to get there and not…"

A loud beep-beep drew their attention towards a landing air-car with the Military Alliance logo on the side. Susan jumped out and with an "ALTHEA!" ran to tackle Althea, knocking the air out of the poor girl.

"Susan…need to breathe…"Althea gasped. When Susan released her hold, the happiness vanished to be replaced by anger. Then with a slap across Althea's face she said, "Don't you eva disappear like that again!"

"I didn't really plan on it, "said Althea rubbing her check, "By the way, let me introduce to Adam, Prince and Ambassador of Eternia. Adam, meet Susan. She's like a sister to me; a mean, older sister."

"Oops, "said Susan as she started to look nervous, "Nice to meet your Highness, majesty…huh. One moment please?" Susan took hold of Althea's arm and nearly dragged her out of the seat and out of ear shot. Actually ignoring how Althea had to struggle to keep up due to her bad knee. "Why didn't you warn me?"

"You didn't give me a chance, "replied Althea.

"He is kinda cute, "Susan commented after taking another quick glance at the prince, "but I think I'm getting mixed readings. His clothes say one thing but…"

"He is not gay, "said Althea flatly, "It's just the style where he comes from."

"And just how would you know that?"

Althea huffed upwards in frustration and then said, "Let not get into this now, we have more important things to worry about. Like that storm. Can you get us to the west coast?"

"I could, "answer Susan slowly, "but aren't you two suppose to go and wait at the base?"

Althea waved Adam over as she said, "Plans have changed."

(Aircar)

"You are aware Steve is going to kill all of us when he finds out, right, "said Susan as she drove the aircar ,"You know how he gets when he thinks you're in trouble."

"I am fully aware how he gets, "answered Althea, "But he needs to get use to the idea that this is what I'm meant to do now. There is no way that the storm is natural, especially with those reports of a lighting shaped bird. If it's magic, I need to be there. No choice."

Adam asked "Anyway to find out just how bad it is?"

Susan tapping what looked to be a metallic red and gold Bluetooth earpiece, "Been monitoring how bad it is the whole time. It's bad and getting worse. The storm now ranges from southern Alaska down to the Gulf of California. It's spanning from just off the coast to the Rockies and is now actually going over the Rockies. Mudslides, floods, you name it. Then there is the lighting. It's already knocked out all the power on the west coast and is causing some major problems. "

Leaning over from the back seat, Adam asked, "What about the lighting bird sighting?"

"Thunderbird sightings…or at least I think it's a Thunderbird, "said Althea when Adam and Susan both gave her a questioning look.

"Doh!" exclaimed Susan as she slapped her forehead, "Of course, a Thunderbird…but I thought that the Thunderbird was basically a large bird that could cause storms. I never heard of it actually being made out of lighting."

"Not if it's a troubled spirit of a Thunderbird, "Althea said, "Its only a theory, but I've already seen proof of one spiritual leftover from Earth's magical past."

":A leftover am I?:"came the dragon spirit's voice in Althea head.

Althea ignored Zii as she continued, "One story I heard was that there was a tribe who could transform between the form of a thunderbird and a human by putting on or off a magical cloak of feathers and/or a beaked wooden mask. What if these cloaks or masks actually held thunderbird spirits?"

":You are correct. I remember the Strunviings:" said Zii, ":But only one of the bloodline could safely use their masks:"

"My guess, someone found and tried to use a thunderbird mask without knowing what the hell they were doing, "said Althea, "Or someone thought they could use it even though it didn't belong to them."

"And this spirit woke up very cranky and mad at seeing a stranger trying to use its powers, "said Adam, "I've seen something like this before, but not on this scale. We need to find this cloak or mask."

"And hopefully find its rightful owner, "added Althea, "I don't think destroying the artifact will do any good and might actually make things worse."

"Keep that thought, I just got an emergency call, "said Susan.

(Sometime later, unidentified location, West Coast)

Marshall held for all he was worth onto the rope that was a stranded woman's life line as the flood threatened to pull her away. He and his men had been working non-stop since arriving helping to find and pull survivors to safety. The work was draining and it was starting to affect him and his people. The drag started to pull him towards the raging water and he fought to regain his footing on the slippery mud covered concrete. Just as he was about to fall into the water a large hand grabbed hold of the rope just in front of his grasp. "I got it, "said He-Man as he carefully pulled the rope, bringing the woman to shore.

"Oh thank God, "said Marshall tiredly and then turned to his men, "Don't just stand there! Go take a five and then go find someone else to help. "

"Careful, now, "said He-Man as took hold of the woman's lower arm to help her out of the water. The woman grabbed hold of the hero as he lead her towards Marshall, "Captain Marshall here will take you some place safe. "

Marshall nodded as he took charge of the woman and said, "Thanks for the help…I know those a little further north of here could really use a hand."

"Dovahzii is already there, "answered He-Man, "I was told by the rescue team there are people stranded in their vehicles not far from here. I'm heading that way now."

(A little ways further north)

"Laan Tiid!"

The river still flowed but seemed to slow down just as Dovahzii flew down and took hold of a pair of children that were holding on for dear life to a metal latter bolted to the side of a building. Their mother was with them and Dovahzii said loudly, "I'll be back as soon as I get your children to the firemen over there." The woman nodded and encouraged her children to go with the strange being. As quickly as she could safely fly carrying the children in the storm she reached the firemen waiting for them. She stayed just long enough to hand them over as she flew back to get the mother. "Crap, "said Dovahzii as she saw her command fade and the waters start to rage again. The water suddenly slamming into the mother forced her to let go and dragged her under.

With a "Su'um!," Dovahzii dove in after her. A long few minutes later, Dovahzii, with the mother, flew out of the water. Tiredly the dragon warrior landed next to the firemen and coughed up some water. One of the firemen patted her on the back between her wings and offered her some oxygen. She waved them both off as she listened to the fire truck's radio trying to figure out where she was most needed next.

"I'm heading further up river to see if there might be anyone else stuck, "she told the fireman that had offered her the oxygen. He nodded and said, "Understood. You need a radio?"

Dovahzii tapped her wrist communicator and said, "Just let me know what frequency everything is on. I kinda over looked getting that in my rush over here."

She was walking slowly away from the truck as she entered in the frequency needed to keep in touch with the local rescue efforts when with a crash of thunder a lightning bolt stuck the ground a few feet behind her. The unexpected strike knocked her to the ground.

Without a word, Dovahzii summoned a shield just as a second lightning bolt stuck her directly. With a screech, the thunderbird spirit swooped down, missing her by inches as Dovahzii rolled out of the way. The dragon warrior took off and shouted "Fus Ro Dah" directly at the bird only to slow it briefly. Now the words being said were definitely a few choice English ones as she dodged another lighting attack. Seeing that this one nearly hit the rescue team below she called out, "Ok Sparky, catch me if you can!" and then flew right pass the creature drawing it away. With a clap of thunder, the lighting spirit gave chase.

As they flew off, the rains stopped.

(Rescue Camp)

"What the..,"said Marshall as the rains stopped and the clouds broke apart allowing sunshine through.

A voice of Dovahzii, came through the nearby radio. "He-Man, do you read me? I have the thunderbird spirit chasing me now. I need the way cleared, this thing is mad."

Marshall grabbed hold of the radio's microphone and said, "Captain Marshall, here. Dovahzii? How did you…never mind what's wrong?"

A rumble of thunder in the distance drew his attention to the north.

Dovahzii answered, "You see that storm heading your way? It's the heart of the whole… (A loud screech came over the radio's speaker) Sonofa…Fo Krah Diin!"

Marshall turned and shouted, "Get everyone to the ship now! Forget the equipment, people only!" He helped an injured woman up and started carrying her as fast as he could to the Cu Chulainn thanking whoever was listening that most of the people were already onboard. Only the most recently picked up and their rescuers were outside.

(A little ways south of the rescue camp)

Wading through the rushing water, He-Man carried a beat up BMW towards the shore. He carefully placed it down and then ripped off the doors, enabling the driver and his passengers to escape. As he was doing this the rains stopped and the sky cleared.

Looking up he muttered, "Seems like the rains stopped…wonder why?"

"He-Man!" one of the volunteers rushed over, "Someone calling Dovahzii was trying to reach you and sounds like she was in trouble!"

"Thanks, "said He-Man as he checked his wrist communicator, only to find out it was damaged during one of the rescues. This not being the first time this has happened since becoming He-Man, he sighed and walked over to the nearby camp to see if he could borrow their radio. In the distance he noticed the distance storm clouds rolling in with lighting streaking across the surface. The distant rumble of thunder increased in volume and frequency as the storm neared. A pair of tornadoes formed and touched down as Dovahzii could be seen dodging lightning bolts.

The dragon warrior suddenly dove down and a bird shaped bolt of lightning followed. Just before hitting the water, Dovahzii pulled out of her dive and raced across the surface. The 'bird' hit the water with a splash and a sizzle before vanishing.

Dovahzii landed near He-Man and took a few moments to catch her breath. "I see you found our storm raiser, "said He-Man using a hand to protect his eyes as the rains picked up.

"Actually, it found me, "the dragon woman replied, "I have no idea why, but that thing hates me."

A flash of lightning and a crash of thunder, the Thunderbird re-appeared. Only this time it appeared in the form of a large dark colored eagle with white markings on its breast and wings. The large wings created hurricane force winds. The winds pushed back at the two heroes, and the lighter Dovahzii nearly got blown away if it wasn't for He-Man digging in his heals and taking hold of one of her arms. With her free arm, the dragon warrior was able to summon her staff and grounded it to bring up a shield that blocked out most of the wind. This made the Thunderbird even angrier and it sent bolts of lightning towards the pair. Dovahzii flinched and paled with every hit. He-Man noticed this and asked, "You ok?"

"My shields are human magic and takes energy that my Dovah Words don't, "replied the woman, "Not sure how long I can hold 'em up if they keep taking a beating but Dovah Words or Commands seem to fade rather quickly."

"We need to try something else, "mused He-Man and then turned to face the creature, "I don't know if you can understand me, but we mean you no harm."

"LIAR!" screeched the Thunderbird.

Dovahii exclaimed, "Jesus Christ on a crutch, it can talk?! Why the hell did you attach me?"

"DEMON!"

"I am NOT a demon, "said the dragon warrior as if insulted, "I am Dovah!"

"LIES!" replied the creature, "DOVAH GONE! THE PEOPLE GONE! STRANGERS! LAND COVERED BY METAL AND STONE!"

"Calm down, "said He-Man, "We can help you find your people…"

"LIES!" screeched the Thunderbird even louder as it sent a larger thunderbolt into Dovahzii's shields. Dovahzii, fell to one knees as the shields shattered around the pair. He-Man grabbed the dragon woman and jumped to the side to avoid another bolt. The hero then dropped Dovahzii and picked up a large chunk of concrete to block yet another bolt of lightning.

"Drem Ov" Dovahzii called out loudly yet somehow in a soothing voice.

The lightning stopped as the bird landed shaking its head and shook its feather. It screeched and prepared to take off when Dovahzii called out once more "Drem Ov"

The Thunderbird calmed and when Dovahzii said , "Drem" it closed its eyes and sat down. He-Man placed the concrete down and slowly walked towards the bird. He gently pushed up the bird's beak and came back with a wooden beaked masked. Where the Thunderbird previously rested a young man now laid in a tore up shirt and jeans. Dovahzii turned over the sleeping man to reveal an ID tagged to his shirt. Picking it up she took a good look at it and said, "He works at the Burke Museum. That's most likely where he found the mask."

He-Man picked up the unconscious man and said, "Why hasn't the storm stopped."

"Not sure, but most likely the Thunderbird triggered the storm but it won't stopped unless made to do so or it runs it coarse, "said Dovahzii, "Let's see if a Dovah and calm a Thunderbird storm."

She took a few steps away and then took a deep breath as she looked up. "LOK VAH KOOR!"

A clear circle appeared as her Words hit the clouds and the circle grew until there were only clear skies. She turned towards He-Man and said, "I rather not use those Words since they may affect surrounding weather patterns for the worse, but since this storm was not natural…" She shrugged.

The two of them started to walk towards the remains of the rescue camp and Dovahzii took the mask from He-Man so that he could better carry the museum worker. He-Man asked, "What do you plan to do with the mask?"

"Now that we know where it was being held, we should be able to find the legal owner, "answered the woman, "Whether or not the mask will be returned, depends on who the owner is. If it was on loan from the heirs of the Thunderbird line, it would be best to return it to them. If not, it might have to become one of the first artifacts we put in safe storage."

(Back at the Aircar)

As she saw Adam and Althea walked towards her, Susan yelled, "Where the hell have you two been!? You said you were going to wait for me here as I flew that injured guy with his kid to the evacuation site."

"Doing my job, "answered Althea as she handed over the wooden mask and ID badge to Susan, "Let's go home."

To be continued…