Noticing Adam: The Uprising Chapter 4
He felt like he was going to throw up. Even though his eyes were not open, he could already feel the room spinning. It was a familiar feeling after everything he had been through recently and he was not pleased to find the sensation upon him again. He paused for a second when he realized he had no idea where that thought came from. What made him think he had felt this way before? Taking a deep breath through his nose and letting the air out through his mouth helped him feel a little better. "Who told me to do that before?" he asked himself silently. The memory was hazy… He remembered being in a bed and someone was lying beside him. In his mind, he opened his eyes and saw a man with brown hair and eyes. He was looking at him worriedly, but he could also see the love in his expression. Then, a name supplied itself: King Randor.
"Father," he whispered to himself. Now, he was really confused: what had happened that caused him to forget his own father momentarily? Now, he could remember everything: all of Skeletor's schemes and the problems he and his family had recently overcome. Did he get another concussion and suffer a slight memory loss?
He opened his eyes and glanced around the room anxiously. He had no idea where he was! Slowly, he sat up and pressed his back against the headboard. Just like he had been with his eyes closed, his head spun a little and he went back to breathing as his father had taught him. It took him almost a minute to steady himself and when he did, he took a better look at his surroundings: the light was off so everything was dark, but the room seemed to be dull and gray. The furnishings were quite nice, however. He was in a comfortable bed that could rival the one he had slept on in the Royal Palace. There was a desk in the far corner of his room with writing supplies. There was also a wardrobe across from him—its door was open and there seemed to be an ensemble of clothes for him. Then, he glanced to his left and gasped. Right in front of the window was a huge laser gun that he could actually sit on and aim at the enemy. "Where in the world am I?" he asked himself.
Then, he remembered the battle and Shadow Weaver. "Oh, no," he mumbled as he slid across the bed and made his way to the window. He had a suspicion where he was and he hoped he was wrong. He stared outside and saw that he was right. Below the building looked like a warzone. No life was there but brown, contaminated soil, and in the distance, he could see the Whispering Woods in all its splendor. He needed to get back. He knew Adora would be beside herself if he didn't show back up soon. Did she even know he had been taken? And, what had happened to Teela?
Racing across the room, he tried the door to find it locked. He used all his muscle to jiggle the handle. He was hoping beyond hope that the door hadn't been made well and he could force it open. No such luck, though. He took another deep breath and tried to think. How could he get out? He went back to the window and looked at the ground far below. He then glanced around his room and looked at the blankets. There wasn't enough to make a rope long enough to reach the ground.
Then, he shook his head and chastised himself softly. "Duh, Adam." He reached behind his back to grab the Sword of Power and then widened his eyes. It was missing. He closed his eyes as he remembered it flying from his hands before Shadow Weaver had confronted him. "Here we go again," he said to himself in frustration as he remembered all the times he lost his sword. Those moments always challenged him, and while he supposed they made him a better fighter and not so reliant on He-Man, this could not have happened at a worse time.
A noise was suddenly heard at his door. He quickly turned around just as Hordak and Shadow Weaver walked into the room. He swallowed roughly as they approached him and he tried to force himself to stand still. He didn't know what to expect, but he didn't want to make things worse by making a wrong move.
"Adam," said Hordak, surprisingly in an almost sympathetic manner, "how are you feeling, my boy?"
He widened his eyes. "My boy?" he questioned himself. "Who does Hordak think he's talking to? I'm not his anything!" But he didn't dare say that out loud. He knew something was going on, but he didn't understand what. "I'm okay," he answered aloud. "I was a little disoriented when I woke, but I think that's passed."
Hordak nodded and replied, "That's very good. Do you think you're up to eating anything? You can join Shadow Weaver and me for breakfast."
He looked out the window and scrutinized the dark sky. "It's not nighttime?"
Shadow Weaver floated forward and said, "No, child, it's morning. You've slept all night."
He nodded a little and tried to stop himself from having any negative reaction to their friendliness. He knew that would be a mistake, but his mind was running rampant with questions: Why were Hordak and Shadow Weaver acting like they were friends? Did Hordak think they had built a rapport with one another since they had helped each other escape Snake Mountain? That didn't make any sense since Hordak had tried to capture him after the fact. Then, he widened his eyes. Maybe they believed he thought they had a friendship! He remembered Shadow Weaver making him fall asleep. Perhaps they thought he was under a spell…like Adora had been!
"Adam, are you all right?" questioned Hordak. The Horde leader looked at Shadow Weaver and lifted his hand like he was commanding her to do something.
He saw Shadow Weaver begin to approach him more closely, so he quickly replied, "Forgive me, my liege. I'm just a little fuzzy still. I would like to accompany you to breakfast. I am hungry."
He watched Shadow Weaver lower her hands and he tried to hold back a sigh of relief. Obviously, her spell had almost worked earlier since it had made the memory of his father and recent events hazy, so he didn't know what another hit of her magic might do to him. It was best to avoid it by all means necessary. "Besides," he thought to himself, "if Hordak and Shadow Weaver believe I'm under their spell that means it will be easy for me to free our friends!" He grinned as he realized the Rebels didn't need to find someone to join the Horde anymore. He could do it himself!
=)=)=)
"Where is Adam?" exclaimed She-Ra as she stared at Teela and members of her father's Royal Guard. Earlier, the Guard had sounded a retreat because Hordak's number of men kept increasing. They had been too close to the Fright Zone to have had any real hopes of winning. She had agreed with the decision to run, because she had known they would lose with so few a number to fight with her. As she ran, in front of her she had seen Teela and then noticed that someone had been untying her, but in the chaos she couldn't tell who it had been. She had assumed it was Adam, because Teela was the one he had come for and she knew he had wanted to be the one to rescue the captain. Because of that, she hadn't worried since they had been ahead of her. She had looked back at that moment to see the Horde Troopers following them, so she and Swiftwind had stopped to hold them off so the others could run. She had thought He-Man would show up any second to help her as she used her sword as a discus and many other objects to keep the Horde from getting any closer to her friends.
But He-Man never showed up.
And, now that they were finally safe at camp, she saw Teela but no Adam. "Where is he?" she asked again a little more loudly.
"I don't know," the captain exclaimed. "I didn't see him at all."
She-Ra shook her head frantically and asked worriedly to no one in particular, "Did we leave him?" She knew she was about to breakdown and she couldn't do that as She-Ra. No one would understand why she was so worried and it might make them start to wonder. Taking a deep breath, she announced, "I'm going to go get Adora." Quickly, she ran into her tent and changed herself into her true self.
She walked back outside and made her way to Teela once more. "No sign of him yet?"
"No," she answered, looking around frantically.
Adora knew Teela was studying everyone, hoping to catch Adam's face amongst her soldiers and the other Rebels, but it was no use. She knew in her gut that Adam was now a prisoner of the Horde and it was because of the women in front of her! She gritted her teeth and tried to keep herself calm, but it was a losing battle. Eventually, she spat nastily, "You do realize that this is your fault, don't you?"
"What?" asked Teela. She was shocked. "Adam will show up! He's probably taking care of something as He-Man!"
Adora could tell Teela was really worried and that she was trying to convince herself that her words were true, but it wasn't going to happen. "No, Adam has been captured and it's all your fault! We told you that you couldn't be our spy! We told you to wait and that we would discuss it in the morning! Did you listen? No! And, now look what your foolishness has caused! I swear, Teela, if anything happens to him…" She shook her head.
Tears entered Teela's eyes and Adora knew she was finally realizing what she had done. The soldier covered her face in her hands and cried desperately, "Oh, Ancients! Please, Adora, you don't really believe he's been captured, do you? You're just worried! Someone would have seen them take Adam if that had happened, right?"
Adora glared at her and then they both heard a voice from the woods speak to them. "Actually, someone did see."
Adora whirled around to see a young boy who was probably only a cadet in the Royal Guard approach them. "Sorry that it took me a while to get here, but I was the farthest away from everyone…along with Prince Adam."
Adora stepped forward and exclaimed, "What happened to my brother?" Teela stepped beside her and looked at the boy desperately for some good news.
"The Horde attacked and Adam immediately ran from the crowd. I don't know where he was going, but I followed him as best as I could. He took out his sword and appeared ready to fight when this…thing appeared in front of him."
"Thing?" Adora and Teela questioned simultaneously.
He nodded and then focused on Teela. "She was large like a normal-sized person, but she was like Orko, sort of. She wore red from head to toe. I guess she has toes. She floated and had yellow eyes. I don't know..."
"Shadow Weaver," whispered Adora, and Teela heard her and gasped. "What else happened?" she then asked louder.
"She did something. She waved her hands and this black smoke circled Prince Adam, and then he passed out! Hordak and Skeletor approached them from behind. I ran to help him—I promise I did—but I was too far away. Hordak picked him up, and then Skeletor and that thing joined hands and they disappeared." He shook his head as tears filled his eyes. "I let the prince down. I knew I was the only one who knew what was happening, but I couldn't stop it. All I could save was this." He pulled out the Sword of Power and Adora and Teela gasped.
Adora knew the boy didn't realize the true importance of that sword or what it meant that Adam didn't have it with him. He probably thought he had simply saved the prince's favorite weapon. She stepped forward, took the sword from the cadet, and said comfortingly, "Don't blame yourself. I know Adam wouldn't want that. You did what you could, and telling us what happened helps tremendously. Now, we know where to go from here. Thank you. Now, go to your tent and rest. We'll figure things out and get Adam back. I promise."
As the young cadet walked off slowly, Adora looked back at Teela and frowned. "Do you see what your actions have caused?" She waved the Sword of Power slightly before she slipped it behind her back.
Tears slipped down Teela's cheeks. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen! I thought that if I freed your friends, Adam and I could go back home to Eternia. I know he didn't really want to come here. I honestly thought things would work out."
"But they didn't! And, you don't know what Adam wants!" snapped Adora. "You just cared about what you wanted! You wanted Adam all to yourself back on Eternia! We told you that your stupid plan wouldn't work! Why did you do this? You do realize that you ignored an order from your superior, soldier! Adam is the prince and you're his captain! What would you do if this had happened with one of your soldiers?" She shook her head. "I know what I would have done when I was Horde Force Captain…" she trailed off. She waved a hand in the air and said, "I need to be alone right now to think about how I'm going to get my brother out of this mess that YOU put him in!"
She stomped away and didn't bother to look back at Teela, even when Cringer ran from a crowd farther inside of camp and questioned "Where's Adam?" The tiger stopped when he got in front of her, but she simply passed him by. Teela could give him the bad news, since it was her fault. She then heard him ask Teela what was wrong, but then she was too far away to hear her response.
=)=)=)
Adam followed Shadow Weaver and Hordak down the corridors of the Fright Zone. He didn't know how Adora had learned this place so well, because it was even more confusing than the palace. He watched with interest as each Trooper saluted Hordak as he walked by. His father didn't require such actions from the Royal Guard within the palace. They'd be doing it constantly if he did, but the act didn't seem to bother anyone here. It had probably become the norm, so no one thought anything of it.
He almost ran into Shadow Weaver when she and Hordak abruptly stopped in front of him. They turned towards him and Hordak gestured with his hand for him to go inside a door that they stood by. He did and was surprised to find a dining hall that was very similar to the one at the palace. It had a large dining room table with chairs, but the room was also decorated with pictures that he assumed was of old Horde generals or some other ranking officials.
He walked farther into the room and noticed that no one else was around until a little blue thing flew at him quickly. "Hey! What are you doing here! I'm going to tell Hordak!" the creature cried.
"Imp!" called out Hordak. "Come here."
Adam turned around and watched as Hordak whispered to Imp. He was undoubtedly telling Imp that the Prince of Eternia was under a spell and didn't remember who he truly was. With a smile, he turned back to the table and stood before it wondering where he should sit. Hordak walked past him and sat at the head of the table. Imp sat on Hordak's shoulder and Shadow Weaver sat to his left, so Adam walked to the chair at his right. He pulled it out and sat down gingerly.
Everyone at the table took that moment to stare at him and he calmly bore their scrutiny. He realized earlier when he knew they thought he was under their spell that they would watch him for any sign that he was coming out of it. So, he had to make sure they never came to that conclusion. He smiled as best as he could and asked, "So, what are we having for breakfast? I'm starved."
Hordak asked solicitously, "Is there anything in particular you would like?"
He didn't know if this was a test to see if he knew any Etherian foods. Did this spell provide him with some kind of back history that he should know? It did seem that way since they didn't explain to him in his room why he was there and why they were talking to him as if they were all well-acquainted with one another. Swallowing nervously and hoping his anxiety didn't show, he replied, "I don't really care what it is this morning as long as it comes soon."
"I bet you have worked up an appetite after yesterday's battle," Hordak stated and clapped his hands once. Soon, servers came into the room and Adam fought the urge to cringe. The servers who came in appeared to be slaves, and he had no doubt that they were probably from the Rebellion. Their clothes were old and tattered, almost like it was all they had to wear, which was probably the case. Their faces spoke of exhaustion as he stared at their droopy eyes and pale skin. He wished desperately to help them, but he knew he couldn't unless he wanted to give away his secret.
He looked down at his plate and then closed his eyes as the server poured something into his plate. He heard the man's stomach growl and he squeezed them shut even tighter.
"Is there something wrong, Adam? Would you like something else?"
He opened his eyes and answered quickly, "Not at all. I was just getting a little dizzy again."
He watched as Hordak and Shadow Weaver looked at one another. He picked up his spoon and nibbled a bit at the food they had put onto his plate. He didn't know what it was, but it tasted pretty good, so he ate a little more. He continued to watch his companions worriedly as he ate. They kept looking at each other every so often now, and he wondered if he made a mistake telling them that he had gotten dizzy. Maybe they were beginning to suspect that her spell was wearing off. Maybe that was one of the symptoms that would appear when that happened.
Taking a deep breath, he tried to plaster a smile on his face. Eventually, Hordak turned towards him and said, "We came really close to getting your sister back yesterday, I think."
He raised his eyebrow with interest. That was an honest reaction. "What do you mean?" he asked. Not sure if he should know, he added hurriedly, "I didn't see her yesterday."
Hordak grumbled for a moment and commented angrily, "Yes, I suppose it's possible that the Rebels are still hiding her, Adam, but I promise we will get her back, and we will break the spell those Rebels have put on her."
He blinked rapidly and almost questioned his words disbelievingly, but he stopped himself. "I hope we do," he said softly. "I miss her a lot."
"I'm sure you do," Hordak whispered just as softly. "I do, too." He reached his hand out towards Shadow Weaver and she placed what looked like paper into his hands. Hordak then scooted closer to him and said, "I've been thinking about Adora a lot recently." He handed him the paper and Adam saw that it wasn't paper. It was pictures.
Adam frowned as he saw a five-year-old Adora smiling in Hordak's arms as he flew her around with his rocket booster. He flipped to the next picture and saw an older Adora—probably around twelve or thirteen—sword-fighting with an older gentlemen. Hordak was smiling proudly in the background with Shadow Weaver right beside him. Tears filled his eyes, but he wasn't sure why they were there. He was grateful Adora had what appeared to be a wonderful childhood. He was glad Hordak hadn't been a cruel father to her…but it pained him to see these pictures. He didn't want to see anymore.
He set the pictures on the table and pushed them towards Hordak as tears that he couldn't control slipped down his face. The villain reached out, grabbed his hand, and stated confidently, "We will get her back, son. We will get her back, and then we'll be a whole family again!"
He couldn't control his response if he tried. Adam shot up from his seat and instinctively jerked his hand away from Hordak's. "I...I…" He didn't know what he could say to save face. He said the first thing that came to mind: "I want that, but I don't know how to make it happen. Adora has been with the Rebellion for so long now. She considers them her family…"
It seemed ironic to him that he was saying things he sometimes thought to himself when he was on Eternia. He never said it aloud to anyone else, but he had wondered in the past if Adora really considered Eternia home and if she would come home when the time came. He used that emotion now in hopes that he could convince Hordak that his earlier response wasn't because of some disgusted reaction towards him.
Hordak stood and glanced at Shadow Weaver. They both approached him and Adam forced himself to stay still. If he ran, he knew they would know.
"We are her family, and we will convince her, Adam, I promise you." Hordak slipped around Adam and appeared to grab both of his shoulders in support. He squeezed them comfortingly. "Things will get better," he assured him again.
Shadow Weaver stood a distance away so Adam wasn't worried about them casting a spell on him…until he heard Hordak whisper in his ear, "But first, we have to help you…"
=)=)=)
Well, I should be in bed since I have to go into work early tomorrow morning. I typed this chapter up quickly and just finished it, so I hope you enjoyed it. If there are any typos, please forgive me. I'll fix them tomorrow afternoon! Thanks to those who have commented and messaged me, as usual. You guys are awesome.