Skeletor sat on his skeletal throne. In front of him, Evil-Lyn, Mer-Man, and Beast Man, kneeled before him. Their heads were bowed down, parially for reverance and partly in shame. They knew that their presence here had something to do with their failues in the campaign for taking Castle Grayskull.

   Skeletor tapped his havok staff on the floor. "Arise, my minions," he said. The three minions raised their heads and stood up on their feet.

   "Time and time again you have failed in capturing Castle Graskull," he said. "You disappoint me."

   "But Skeletor!" Beast Man whined. "It's that meddling He-Man's fault, not..."

   Skeletor fired a stun bolt from his staff at Beast-Man. Beast Man dropped prone to the ground to dodge the bolt. "I don't wan't any excuses!" Skeltor hissed. "He is just one man. One man! And you can't deal with him!"

   Skletor stood up, clutching his staff with both hands. "Fortunately for us, I now have other people to conquer Eternia with. People who, unlike you, are competant!"

   Skeletor looked to his right and made a gesture with that arm. Footsteps were heard as a large dark figure emerged from the shadows...

..................................

   Yuko Ahso was standing outside of her school, letting the raindrops hit her bdy. She knew that she was getting soaked, of course. However, she felt that she had to do it.

   One year ago to this day, her best friend, Reika, died in the fight to save two realms, the Earth Realm and the Dream Realm, from the forces of the third realm in the galaxy: the Dark Realm.

   What was even more troubling about that fact was the person that killed Reika was Yuko herself. Reika had attacked her becase she joined the forces of the Dark Realm to get revenge on the human race that had scorned her. Yuko was left to defend herself agaist her former friend, and ended up killing her. Fortunately, Reika had repented her ways with her dying breaths.

   Yuko reached into her bag that she had on her shoulder. She walked slowly to the wall that she was standing by a year ago; when Reika told her that she was leaving.... and also the day that Yuko had received the Valis Sword and became the Valis Soldier.

   When she reache into the wall, Yuko drew her hand from her bag. A crimson ribbon was clutched tightly in Yuko's hand. It was a piece of Reika's outfit during the fateful battle, one that Yuko had torn off to remind her of the friend.

   Yuko stopped and fell to her kneees. She landed in a puddle, soaking the skirt she had on more than it was already and making her legs cold. She didn't care about this minor discomfort at the time, however. Yuko gripped the ribbon tightly with both hands, lowering her head and closing hereyes tightly. A single word escaped from her rain-soaked lips. "Reika..."

  "Yuko."

   Yuko opened her eyes and got up from the ground. She turned around, looking for the person that had called her name. She then stopped. She recognized the voice, but didn't believe it. "Reika?" she cried out aloud.

   "Yuko." Reika's voice echoed throughout Yuko's head. "Go to your sword, Yuko."

   Her sword? The Valis Sword? Why would she have to go to the Valis Sword now.

   She then gasped when she realized the most possible answer. "The Dream Realm must be in danger!" she said softly. She quickly stood up and ran to her house, where she kept the Valis Sword.

  Hopefully she could arrive in time to be of help to the Dream Realm.