The air around Snake Mountain seemed to vibrate from the excess magic that escaped through fissures in the rock. Skeletor slowly released the breath he had been holding, in the background he could hear the sound of his newly acquired army preparing for battle, the clatter of armour on the polished flagstones and the screech of weapons being sharpened. On reflex he reached for his blade, running his fingers over the edge, good it was sharp, soon it would be coated with the blood of his enemies, one in particular, He-man. Skeletor smiled at that thought, although it was painful.
Tomorrow at dawn it would truly begin, the peace loving fools of Eternia wouldn't know what hit them. Randor had no idea the things his new allies were capable of, and he had been careful to keep it that way, just a few strategic raids here and there, some villages razed to the ground and every male of fighting age slaughtered before they could raise a hand against him. The next raid instead of a massacre there were mysterious disappearances, just enough to instil terror into the survivors, just enough to make them flee to the safety of the capital bringing tales of screams in the night with them. It pleased him no end to see Randor's once shining city now surrounded by a shanty town of squalor, where the king's loyal subjects felt the gnaw of hunger in their belly's and turned against their once beloved monarch when he couldn't find the means to feed them all.
He was brought back to reality when he heard the footsteps of an approaching figure. He knew who it was without turning around, the tread on the stair was light yet confident; only one person would have the nerve to interrupt his solitude and enter his private quarters without a summons. Even so, she had better have a damn good reason; he wouldn't want to reprimand her the night before a major battle.
"Speak Evil-Lyn, what is so important that you disturb your lord's privacy?" he barked as he whirled round to face her, his red eyes blazing his annoyance as she remained unfazed by his volatile aura. "You of all people should know the importance of sound battle planning, yet still you stand there." However his second in command did not cower at his words but bowed her slightly head in a mockery of an apology before raising her eyes to meet his gaze confidently.
"I'm sorry to have intruded on such ponderings, but some important news has come to my attention and I know that this is something you would want to hear." Lyn replied confident in her conviction. "I was crystal gazing around Grayskull, keeping an eye out for the refugee groups as you requested, when I noticed something odd. A small band of well armoured men entering the castle, amongst them Prince Adam, clearly our pampered prince will not be fighting alongside the masters."
"So?" Skeletor snapped. "That is hardly startling news, the whelp is a coward, and Randor has finally recognised that fact and sent him to cower beneath the sorceress's skirts. I trust there is more to this, enough to justify your unwelcome intrusion? Or did you just miss me dear Lyn?" He added enjoying a flicker of pleasure at the witch's peeved expression.
"Oh most assuredly my Lord," Lyn retorted, sarcasm dripping from every word. "I cannot imagine how I get through an hour without your deifying presence. However there is more to the tale. I continued to gaze, just in case the masters had discovered our plans and were fortifying Grayskull against us. However a few hours later the same band of men emerged but this time led by He-man, they headed off into the jungle and I sent one of Tri-clop's doomseekers to follow them. I myself watched Grayskull yet Prince Adam did not re- emerge.."
"So, what Adam was obviously too cowardly to go on the mission, and once more has handed his royal duties over to that muscle bound moron." Skeletor scoffed.
"That is what I also originally believed and so I left the orb to attend to my other duties, however before I did so I cast an alarm spell, one which would alert me Adam left Grayskull. It is now some hours since and it has still not gone off."
"Get to the point Evil-Lynn." Skeltor snapped his patience clearly at an end.
"The point My-Lord is that I have just received word from Tri-Klops that one of his doomseeker's has located the young Prince in consultation with his father, at the palace!"
"But that's impossible even if the Sorceress teleported him to the battle it would have triggered an alarm spell, are you sure you cast it correctly." The arch mage demanded his brilliant mind searching through any known magical or technological means that would enable someone to be in two places at once? "A double perhaps...Are you certain about the spell?"
Evil-Lynn drew herself up to her full height and looking Skeletor in the eye stated, "I would stake my life on it."
"I hope for your sake my dear you are correct!" He hissed, whirling round and storming off towards the main hall, Evil-Lyn obediently following a few feet behind. "For you know how much I like to hold my evil warriors to their promises
- - - -
The forest was dark and foreboding and Teela felt the little hairs on the back of her neck begin to prickle, shaking her head in an effort to dispel such thoughts she still tightened her grasp on her blaster. It was just too quiet, a few hours ago He-man had attacked Skeletor's scouting party but as yet there had been no counter-attack and it was the very lack of action that was making her nervous. If only she had been allowed to remain at the palace, instead of being sent here with a small party to guard Grayskull, then perhaps she wouldn't have been so on edge.
Dammit it just wasn't fair she shouldn't couldn't stand it, sitting here doing nothing when the other masters could be in danger, her own father could be fighting for his life and she the head of the King's bodyguard had been relegated to simple guard duty. And why? Why had she been disregarded like this? It didn't take any effort on her part to remember the scene at the palace.
He-man still hadn't arrived so instead Randor, Adam and her father were discussing strategy when she had arrived. The atmosphere had been tense, but as it had been like that for days she hadn't taken any notice they were at war after all; but she hadn't realised how most of it had been directed at her. Not until she heard Adam's suggestion that was. For a moment she was too stunned to protest, her go off and guard Grayskull and not leave it no matter what! But what shocked her more than anything else was that everyone else appeared to be in agreement.
Breaking free from her stupor she had tried to reason, to argue even cajole but they had been adamant, her only hope had been He-man; she knew that when he arrived he would no doubt agree with her. The trouble was that he hadn't! She had been leaving as he finally arrived and when she had ran over to him, relief on her face, before she could even utter a word he spoke the words that made her blood practically freeze. "Go to Grayskull Teela, we need someone to hold the fort." And that was it, no friendly smile no reassuring pat on the arm, just a look of ice in his crystal blue eyes that made her heart constrict in her chest. What was it with everyone today, why were they suddenly treating her like she had a serious cause of Eternian skin-lice?
One thing was certain, as soon as this battle was over she was going to track Adam and down and even if she had to use thumbscrews she would find out just what she had done to earn such disrespect from her fellow masters.
- - - -
Back at the palace He-man, King Randor and Man-at-arms were surveying their defences.
"The 2nd battalion will have to be positioned here hold the bridge, the only problem is that it will make them exposed to fire attack from Skeletor's winged monstrosities!" He-man hissed as he thumped the table in frustration causing everything to jump almost a foot into the air.
"My new defensive shielding should be able to give them some extra protection from above..." Man-at-arms interjected. "But we won't know until it's under fire how long it will be able to hold!"
"That seems to be a disturbing theme." Randor murmured sadly. "At least the last of the evacuees have arrived at Grayskull, it anyone can protect them then it is the Sorceress." Randor added his thoughts fleeing to his beloved Marlena and his only son Adam. "Even if we never see another sunrise, through them Eternia will continue to survive albeit on a different planet."
"Your Majesty that is only the last resort, you know the Sorceress she will hold out to the last possible moment before creating that portal, only when all hope has been lost, the strain of using so much magic….Well it will kill her!" He-man announced gravely, watching as his old friend's face clouded momentarily with pain at the possibility of his true loves demise.
"At least the people will be safe." Man at arms replied dutifully. "Although the cost will be great indeed, I only hope they can find it in their hearts to forgive us."
"I know Marlena will understand and will continue to lead our people but Teela....Does Teela know what she has to do if the worst happens?" Randor asked his normally kind eyes narrowing in righteous anger. "Still cannot believe that you kept such a secret from me all these years old man or from her, she has a right to know her own heritage.
"I agree but the sorceress made me swear and part of me..." Duncan sighed unable to continue under the heavy weight of his sovereign's anger. "It was wrong not to tell her…I just couldn't bring myself to tell her, it would bring up so many questions that I don't think I can ever bear to answer, and besides it might all be for nothing, these new allies that Skeletor has somehow enlisted might not be as good as everyone whispers but if they are….The sorceress will tell her when the time is right. However we have not lost yet and have faced darker days than this and still prevailed!"
"You're right Man-At-Arms we must not cave in to doubt, we must be strong only united can we hope to stand, and stand we will!" Randor exclaimed striding over to his throne and drawing the ancient sword from the sheath set into the leg. "We will make our stand against the forces darkness and we will be victorious."
- - - -
Meanwhile deep in the dark enchanted forest some ancient evil stirred. Skeletor stood at the apex of a giant pentagram his havoc staff clutched tightly in his right hand and a strange glowing amulet in his left, then suddenly he brought the two together and there was a flash of blinding green light that nearly knocked the surprised Evil-Lyn from her feet. This was the first time she had been permitted to attend a shadow summoning and already her cunning mind was eagerly absorbing all the knowledge it could whilst her own dark powers lapped up the excess magic that was being radiated off of such a tiny insignificant looking object.
"Arise Darconus you master commands your presence!" Skeletor intoned in his booming voice, waves of raw magic flowing from him into the pentagram before rebounding off each of its sides, gradually building faster and faster until a virtual vortex of dark shadows had been created. Then suddenly out of this emerged a blackness, darker than any shadow or than the finest ebony, it was more accurately the absence of any light.
"You summoned me." The words appeared in the air, swirling and reverberating around the two figures, but they didn't appear to sound from anywhere in particular, they sounded as if they came from everywhere and yet nowhere at the same, even inside her own skull and Evil-lyn reflexively grasped her head clamping her hands down upon her skull as the words continued to rattle inside and so missing Skeletor's knowing smirk in her direction.
"Call forth you creations tonight we rid this world of the living." Skeletor replied.
"How?" Evil-Lyn demanded, her curiosity getting the better if her.
"Perhaps a little demonstration would be in order….Darconus teach Evil-Lyn her place."
"As you wish…" The voice intoned and suddenly the air became colder, Evil-lyn could see her own breath freezing as she exhaled.
"What is happening?" She called out to her Lord but instead of replying he stood and watched her reaction with gleeful delight as Evil-lyn's own shadow suddenly sprung forth from the ground and turned on its owner, midnight black claws reaching for her slender pale throat. Stepping backwards she retreated reaching into her cloak for her wand and trying every blocking spell she knew to get the shadow to halt but nothing worked and for every step she took it was there with her, its long vapour fingers at first caressing her soft skin then tightening viciously crushing down on her windpipe.
Gasping in panic she tried to claw the creatures fingers from her throat but each time her own passed straight through them like there was nothing there; suddenly aware of her own pounding heartbeat and the tinges of black on the edge of her vision she dug deep with herself and crawled towards her master, throwing herself forward and grasping the edge of his cloak.
"I think that is enough for now Darconus…" Skeletor muttered as he watched the last few moments of light in Evil-Lyn's eyes start to fade. "It was after all only a demonstration."
"Thank you Skeletor a most effective one." Evil-Lyn managed to whisper after a few deep breaths, her hand automatically flying to her throat massaging the blood back into it, unable to do anything to resist as a now chuckling Skeletor reached down and wrapped one of his own large strong hands about her tiny lily white throat and physically wrenching the witch from the floor.
"Yes but has the lesson be learnt?...Don't interrupt me or question me like an equal Evil-Lyn, I am your master I own you and I will tell you when you may or may not speak."
"Yes my Lord, my apologies my Lord." Evil-Lyn gasped, her beautiful eyes wide but not with fear, she would never dishonour herself in such a manner.
"My proud little witch, it isn't all your fault I suppose." Skeletor whispered playfully, raising his other hand gently stroking the side of her face. "In the past I have tended to indulge your little delusions of self-importance because you were my most effective servant, but that has now changed another has taken your place and you must learn to step down the order." He watched as she physically flinched at this, her pride was legendary and she wouldn't take this slight easily, she would try to retaliate in some way. "But don't worry I still have an important role for you to fill in the new order, and so for now your life is safe." He added setting her down on the ground beside him.
"My lord…May I ask what role this might be?" Evil-Lynn asked, careful to keep her insubordinate impulses in check and the condescending tone from her voice.
"No you may not, I will tell you when the time is right!" Skeletor snapped whirling round and facing the mass of darkness once more. "It is time Darconus begin your assault on the enemy positions, take your time I want them to realise what is happening to them."
"What should I do My Lord? Do you want me at the front?" Evil-Lyn asked.
"No… I have another plan for you. Go to Grayskull, the fools will undoubtedly fall back there it is the only place than can withstand Darconus's attack, you are to make sure the gates remain closed for them understood?"
"Yes My Lord!" Evil-Lyn retorted bitterly, guard duty was so beneath her, couldn't he send Mer-Man or one of his other idiots?
"Don't fail me Evil-Lyn!" Skeletor ordered as he slowly stepped into the shadows embrace and disappearing from her sight, his last words booming out just like the voice of Darconus. "You know the consequences if you do."
- - - -
Over in Grayskull the Sorceress sat regally on her throne this was the only room not full with evacuees from Eternos and as such it was her one haven in her normally solitary home. Taking deep calming breaths she opened her mind up to the power of the elders, forcing herself to ignore the irritating twitters of so many minds nearby and focus on the wider mental scope. Pushing her boundaries her mind flew over the countryside drawn to the site of battle, she could see them now preparing…The King with his generals…He-man and Battle cat parading amongst the ground troops encouraging them by his very presence and her beloved Duncan standing tense upon one of their battlements his enhanced equipment scanning every tree and hill for several miles for any sign of their enemy; indulgently she allowed her mind to brush against his revelling in the automatic recognition and the warmth with which he greeted her fleeting presence…Teelina…She heard him whisper into the wind before she drifted on out over the wasteland towards the enemy.
At first she saw nothing out of the ordinary, troops armed and deadly looking but nothing that their forces couldn't handle, some were saddling dragons other's sharpening their weapons or practising their blaster aim but there was no sign of Skeletor or Evil-Lyn… Where else could they possibly be at such a time? Pushing her boundaries out further she suddenly screamed out in pain, wrenching her headdress from her brow and rolling from her seat in horror as Teela and Queen Marlena came running in.
"Sorceress what is it what is wrong?"
"I saw…" She gasped unable to put it into the words as the horror began to overwhelm her.
"What? Sorceress you have to tell me, He-man will need to know."
"Shadows…Pain….Death…" She managed to whisper before fainting dead away.
- - - -
It was raining…On top of everything else, it had to rain as well to compound her misery! Sitting high up in one of the ancient trees that surrounded Grayskull Evil-Lyn sat and fumed, she couldn't even cast the most basic of shielding spells to allow the rain to bounce away as that would almost certainly be detected by the all powerful sorceress. So instead she sat and stared, feeling the trickle of water as it slowly soaked her hair and plastered it to her back as she silently cursed Skeletor, why couldn't she be at the front? Why couldn't she have gone back to Snake mountain for a thicker cloak? Why on earth was she his most cunning of warriors sitting here, her legs slowly going numb whilst exactly nothing was happening?
'Because Skeletor told you to, and you're such a lap dog that you obey his every command.' Her sarcastic inner voice sniggered before being harshly silenced once more.
"This is pointless." Lyn muttered stretching her limbs intending to return to Snake mountain for the remainder of the night when suddenly the drawbridge began to open and out darted a cloaked figure heading towards the hoverbike that was parked out the front. Squinting in the darkness Lyn finally recognised the disguised figure and a sly smile spread across her face all she had to do was wait and bide her time, watching and waiting as Teela mounted her ride and headed off through to rain towards their Eternian forces, and conveniently right past Evil-Lyn's lofty roost.
Crouching Lyn waited grappling hook in one hand and her favourite crystal topped wand in the other, waiting until the perfect moment she swung out the hook lashing the stunned Teela against the bike's control before pouncing herself onto the bucking craft. Struggling for a hand hold in the rain Evil-Lyn wasn't prepared for the sharp back hand as Teela freed one arm to lash out at her captor. Evil-Lyn retaliated with the first spell she could croak out, one which Teela successfully ducked but their craft could not and for a moment the dying groan of the engine drowned out the constant thunder.
"You idiot Evil-Lyn don't you realise you'll kill us both!" Teela screamed as the craft took a nose dive, scrambling to free herself from the confines of the grappling hook just as Lyn was trying to release it from her belt both managing to throw themselves to safety in the surrounding canopy as the little hoverbike crashed into the forest floor, exploding on impact.
- - -
Far on the outskirts of the Eternian defences seasoned soldiers sat waiting and watching. The Quartermaster's moved from dug out to dug out checking the armouries and reassuring the new recruits, green and eager for their first battle and yet nervously fingering their weapons still not sure of the feel of them their hands.
"All's well?"
"Aye All's well!" The lookout called out before switching posts and heading down to join the men as they gathered round the fire. "There is a foul wind tonight…It carries a strange noise."
"The enemy sir?" One lad asked, his face seen scarce past seventeen years.
"If it is they are a strange foe." The lookout joked. "Nay it is some magic sent to frighten our men and dispel their spirit for the fight but they will not succeed, now will they?"
"No." The soldiers called out rallying round as they settled back down enjoying the fire's warmth.
It was just past the two O'Clock call when things seemed to change and twist, the shadows growing longer and stretching out over the battlements, slowly and silently at first and then with a sudden savagery, attacking first the lone sentry encircling his throat and squeezing tightly. Choking the old soldier flailed out reaching for his unseen adversary then when he realised the futility of his actions he reached out blindly for his alarm bell managing to two sharp pulls before he collapsed dead. Panic gripped the camp as men drew swords and searched for the invisible enemy panicking as their comrades began to splutter and clutch at their throats before falling to the ground. Fearful the new recruits gathered together round the fire, their backs to the flames their swords held out in front as they attempted to ward of the evil that advanced till only one brave lad remained to call out to the darkness.
"What sorcery is this? Show yourself!"
The shadows seemed to deepen, a swirling pool of black deeper than ebony and from them a menacing cackle that made the hairs prickle on his arms and the back of his neck.
"Do you not know me boy?" Skeletor called out as he stepped out of the shadows and into the flickering light, shadows cast upon his skull face his long powerful fingers curling around the hilt of his sword as he towered over the cowering boy. "It is pathetic really…Eternos's finest a cowering wreck of a child snivelling at my feet, your parents would be so proud boy! Perhaps I should let you live just so they can see for themselves what a coward they raised for a son?"
"I would rather die fighting than beg for my life!"
"Then my child…" Skeletor hissed as he reached out and grasped the boy's hair pulling him up to stare directly into the fire pinwheels of the dark mage's eyes. "I grant you your wish!" He added withdrawing a poisoned blade and striking down his enemy. "For I doubt you will last the night." And with that he turned and returned to the shadows.
- - -
"Well that was another stroke of genius on your part!" Teela hissed as she lowered herself down from a branch to the dark forest floor.
"I was doing my duty!" Evil-Lyn retorted holding her side protecting her damaged ribs trying to draw on her magical reserves to begin the healing process. "No one was to leave and that included you…I am so sorry I couldn't make an exception in your case." Lyn hissed reaching to the ground for her wand, her eyes narrowing in annoyance as the fragile stem shattered under her touch. Growling as anger flooded her face Evil-Lyn reached for the nearest weapon available, sludging through the mud she found a stone and with lightening accuracy flung it at the prince's bodyguard.
Screaming as the sharp stone caught her unawares and knocked her off her feet and into the growing puddles of mud that gathered on the forest floor, Teela wrenched herself to her feet squinting in the darkness for a glimpse of the illusive witch. Wiping the blinding rain from her face Teela reached down and grasped a heavy branch hefting it like club as she advanced into the undergrowth. Somehow this was turning into a very different night than she had planned but as she caught a glimpse of movement and she followed the fleeing witch she realised anything was better than sitting and doing nothing.
- - -