Author's Note: This story takes place after the events of "Year One: November." It ties into "Preludes and Beginnings," "The Elfsong of Eternia," "The Crossroads of Destiny," "Prophecy & Change," "Just Another Day," "Liberty and Valor," "Manifest Destiny," "Roots," "Dues Ex Machina," "My Blue Reflection," "The Last Battle," "Return to Eternia," "A Winter's Heart," "The Shroud of the Horde," "Prelude to Hope," "Across All Worlds," and the up-coming "Endings and Epilogues." These characters don't belong to me.

He-Man: Year One

December

"Battle for Grayskull"

Part One

In the distance, a volcano erupted. It was an amazing sight. Rock melted. A huge plume of black smoke rose from the top of the destroyed mountain. Ash hung suspended in the air. In reaction, a storm rose into the Valley of Storms and began to thunder and rumble. The Dark Hemisphere was home to events like this and its unbelievable weather phenomena.

Skeletor watched as it unfolded. The air was filled with tremendous heat. Winter on Eternia. A winter that he would see to be never-ending . . . if he was able to gain entry into Castle Grayskull. In all his years of serving the forces of darkness and evil, he had been faced with obstacles. From the moment Duncan attacked him in the Hall of Secrets, his path to domination had been filled with troubles.

From Duncan to He-Man, and now so many stand against him. But Skeletor wouldn't have it any other way. If there was one thing he learned from Hordak, it was that no victory was worth it without some truly harsh opposition.

He turned from the mouth of Snake Mountain and walked to the throne room. There, he had kept Tri-Klops, Trap-Jaw, and Spikor waiting.

It was December fourth.

"Well?" he asked impatiently.

"Progress," Tri-Klops reported. "The skeletal structure is in perfect working order. We have installed mechanics to help move the joints."

"And the programming?"

"It's all set," Trap-Jaw answered. "All systems are ready for action."

Skeletor nodded. "What of the DNA? Two-Bad brought you the knife with He-Man's blood all over it . . ."

"Ah, true," Tri-Klops began, "but unfortunately, we can not get a full reading on it. Massive portions of code are missing."

"Not surprising," Skeletor mused. The technology left over by the Horde and even that bizarre machinery found in the deep caverns was no match for the power of Grayskull. Power that would be his . . .

"We were able to synthesize the vocal cords, though. His DNA will read as He-Man's, as it was a copy of He-Man in the first place," Spikor explained.

"And the skin tone?" asked Skeletor.

"Unfortunately, we've tried everything we can. It can not be changed."

Skeletor went silent, then waved his hand at them. "Go."

The trio left the throne, leaving Skeletor alone to contemplate his next move. He noted, of course, that he was indeed not alone. Evil-Lynn lingered in the corner, not spying, but not being seen.

"Out."

She smiled, as if playing a game with him. Evil-Lynn stepped out of the shadows and walked towards her master.

"The skin makes things difficult, Skeletor," she said, though smiling thinly.

"Pigment means nothing. This can still work."

"Perhaps." She was standing right in front of him now.

"Perhaps nothing. Castle Grayskull will be mine."

She placed her hands on his forearms. "Ours."

"You speak too freely, Evil-Lynn. As usual, you only come to me when the odds are in our favor."

"With you, lord Skeletor, the odds are always in our favor."

"You lies are thin."

"I'm well aware."

"Understand you are a means to an end, Evil-Lynn."

"It wasn't always that way."

He shoved her away and stood up. "Those days are long since past, Lynn!"

She revealed an insulting grin. "Evil-Lynn. And I await your command."

Queen Marlena sat next to the window, sipping a cup of coffee. Outside, the snow fell heavily. She hated this time of year. Christmas would be arriving (to her anyways) in a few weeks. And just before then, Adam's birthday. Adam . . . and Adora's birthday. As she sat there, sipping on her coffee, she couldn't help but think of the little girl she lost so many years ago. Was she dead? Was she enslaved? Was she raised thinking that her parents hated her? That Hordak was her father?

She shoved all those thoughts away and composed herself. It didn't work. Even seeing the snow reminded her of a family lost. Not just Adora, but her sister on her homeworld. Would Kristina think of her on Christmas? Did she have children of her own?

Marlena stood up and finished her coffee. As she walked across the bedroom, she made a vow. She would see Adora again. And when she did, they would celebrate Christmas. It was a very long-awaited Christmas

After she showered and dressed, Randor arrived.

"Something the matter?"

"Just some reports I'm not happy about. Skeletor's Roton has been spotted on the edges of the Sands of Fire. Could be trouble."

"Beef up security."

"What does 'beef up' mean?"

"Increase, sweetie."

"Oh. Well, yes, then. I've got Stratos and Buzz-Off on their way."

"Oh good! I haven't seen Stratos in far too long!"

Randor smiled. "I love you."

Teela came down into the courtyard and pulled her jacket close. The wind howled, cold and harsh. Snowflakes spun around her as she walked towards a pair of Royal Guards. She hated this weather. Absolutely hated it. And yet, there was Adam, on the other side of the courtyard, having a snow ball fight with Orko and Cringer. He loved the snow.

Wish I could do that, she sighed. Sometimes this responsibility was just too much for her.

Two Royal Guards came right over. "You said you had a report?" she asked.

"Yes Captain. We've just received word of a foul odor in the village of Sweetsville. Contact has been sparactic."

"Great," she sighed. "Could be Stinkor, could be a back-up sewer. I'll contact my father and He-Man, see what they want us to do. Be on alert."

She turned around and nearly bumped right into Man-At-Arms and He-Man. She glanced and noticed that Adam was gone.

"Trouble in Sweetsville," she told them. "Maybe."

"I heard the same," Man-At-Arms replied. "He-Man and I will investigate. Have the rest of the Heroic Warriors on stand-by, Teela. This could be something, it could be nothing."

"Understood, father."

A few minutes later, a Wind-Raider left Eternos and was on its way southeast. Man-At-Arms sat in the pilot's seat, with He-Man next to him and Battle-Cat in the back. They zoomed across the wintry landscape, snowflakes flying in their faces. Duncan hated this weather.

"I've got a bad feeling," He-Man said as they neared Sweetsville.

"Oh?"

"Yeah. Just not liking what's been going on. The whole mess with the Nurrune felt like it was smaller part of a bigger plan. Same thing with Two-Bad's attack last month. And now, this."

Duncan nodded a bit. "Right. Oh! I can smell it from here!"

"Me too. Battle-Cat? You up for this?"

"I guess so."

They made a pass over Sweetsville and could see Stinkor in town's square. Green smog poured from his body. Man-At-Arms brought the Wind-Raider in low and He-Man (atop Battle-Cat) leapt out. They landed right in front of Stinkor.

"Seriously, Stinkor, take a bath," He-Man said as he and Battle-Cat rushed towards the foul-smelling villain.

He-Man forward and did everything he could hold back his vomit. The smell of Stinkor was intense and was now being concentrated purely on He-Man. He leapt off Battle-Cat, knowing that his faithful companion was having more trouble with this than He-Man.

The champion of Grayskull slammed his fist against Stinkor's facemask, but it had little effect. Stinkor shoved both hands against He-Man's nose.

He-Man tumbled back, practically yelling. He could feel bile rising in the back of his throat. Stinkor slammed his fist against the back of He-Man's neck.

"Ancients . . ." He-Man gagged.

"Now you're mine!" Stinkor shouted.

"I don't think so!" yelled Man-At-Arms at that moment.

He-Man, his eyes watery, looked up and saw his mentor running into the fray. Stinkor received a blow to the head the chest-plate with Man-At-Arm's club, then was punched. He-Man noted Man-At-Arms facemask and was glad that he was using his head.

Stinkor rolled back, looking beaten. A burst of foul-smelling smog came flying forth as he ran towards the edge of the village.

"I noticed he had a Rotar over there," Man-At-Arms said.

"Why don't you get back to Eternos?" He-Man replied as he was handed an extra mask. "I can handle Stinkor. We may need back-up on this."

"You don't need my help?" asked Man-At-Arms.

"Nah, I've got it handled."

"You sure?"

"Positive. It's Stinkor."

Man-At-Arms nodded and headed back to the Wind Raider. He-Man, meanwhile, adjusted his mask and ordered Battle-Cat to stay-put.

Teela was walking towards the Palace entrance when she heard the shout of He-Man behind her.

"Teela!"

She turned around and smiled a little. "Hey. When did you get back? I just heard from my father, telling me that he just left you . . ."

"Stinkor was gone. Battle-Cat brought me back as fast as he could."

Teela perked an eyebrow. "Oh? Is there a problem?"

"Perhaps," He-Man replied. I'll be assembling the Heroic Warriors."

"Skeletor?"

"Perhaps. I shall see you later."

Teela nodded. "Oh, uh, okay."

He-Man veered off and pressed the intercom button. "All Heroic Warriors, this is He-Man. Assemble in the courtyard please. Repeat: this is He-Man. All Heroic Warriors assemble in the courtyard please."

It wasn't long until the Heroic Warriors arrived. He-Man watched them all as they gathered before him – Stratos, Buzz-Off, Mekaneck, Roboto, Man-E-Faces, Fisto, Ram-Man, Sy-Klone, and even Orko. They stood in front of He-Man, ready for his words, his commands. They followed him, their leader and champion.

"We have situation," He-Man announced.

"As King Randor feared," Stratos replied.

"I assume that it why you have gathered us, He-Man," Sy-Klone followed up. "What's going on?"

"This."

Coming in from both the left and right were Skeletor and Evil-Lynn. The Heroic Warriors started to get into defensive positions – but were too late. Skeletor and Evil-Lynn were already in motion. Staves raised, energy beams ensnared each one and bound them all together.

"Skeletor! How dare you come here?!" shouted Fisto.

"You turned your back on me, Fisto," Skeletor answered. "You didn't think I'd try and seek revenge on you for that?"

"He-Man?" asked Orko. "Is that really you?"

"No," said 'He-Man.' As soon as he said that, his body changed colors. His skin became blue, his hair orange, and his eyes a glowing yellow. "My name is Faker."

"It is done!" shouted Skeletor. "Evil-Lynn?"

Staves pointed towards the Heroic Warriors, the group was suddenly overcome by a red and orange light that seemed to vaporize them. In under a minute, Heroic Warriors were done with.

"What on Eternia - ?!" shouted Teela from the entrance of the courtyard.

The evil trio turned to the Captain as soon as the words left her mouth. She flipped back and pressed the emergency intruder alert key on her wristband, then went running. Alarms began to blare.

"Come now, Faker, Evil-Lynn," Skeletor said, leading them into the Palace. "The Heroic Warriors have been defeated. Let us now prove ourselves as the lords of destruction."