Author's Note: This story takes place after the events of "Year One: June" It ties into "Preludes and Beginnings," "The Day That Nothing Happened," "The Elfsong of Eternia," "The Crossroads of Destiny," "Prophecy & Change," "Just Another Day," "Liberty and Valor," "Manifest Destiny," "Roots," "Deus Ex Machina," "My Blue Reflection," "The Last Battle," "The Final Adventure," "A Winter's Heart," and "The Shroud of the Horde." These characters don't belong to me.
HE-MAN: YEAR ONE
JULY
"Point Dread"
Part One
Roughly Ten Years Ago.
Zanthos stood at the base of Snake Mountain, eyes taking in the massive snake-choked structure. He looked down at the package in his arms, uncertain still if this was the right move. His mind argued that Skeletor was very powerful, making a name for himself even so far as the Plains of Perpetuia. If there was anyone that was worthy of what Zanthos carried with him, it was Skeletor.
"Who are you?" growled Beast-Man as Zanthos neared the entrance to Snake Mountain.
"A visitor, here to bestow a gift to the mighty Skeletor."
Beast-Man grunted and sniffed. "Come then," he beckoned.
Zanthos followed Beast-Man into Snake Mountain. After walking through a maze of corridors and up numerous stairs and inclines, the pair arrived to a large chamber. At the far end of the chamber was a throne made out of the bones and skulls.
On this throne sat Skeletor, overlord of destruction. Zanthos had never seen such a sight like Skeletor, but he restrained his shock at Skeletor's appearance.
"Greetings, mighty one," Zanthos said, bowing to one knee. "I bring a gift to you."
Skeletor looked Zanthos over. "What gift is this?" he asked.
Zanthos placed the package on the floor before Skeletor. Skeletor leaned forward, hand on his Havoc Staff in case it was some kind of trick.
The package was opened, revealing a tall stack of golden discs.
"These are the Golden Discs of Knowledge. They contain all of the information that the Elders once had. They entrusted it with me before they vanished. I give them to you now, in the hopes of unlocking their secrets."
Skeletor tilted his head a little in curiosity. "And just why are you giving these to me? If they contain the knowledge of the Elders, then why not use them for yourself?'
"I am not powerful enough to access them. I hoped that you would have the strength to do so and therefore, leave them with you."
Skeletor stood up from his throne and walked over to the discs. He placed his hand on the top of one and concentrated.
"Yes. I can sense vast knowledge within them, but . . . they are nearly impossible to read." He then looked up at Zanthos. "Go. My sparing of your life is thanks for this gift."
Zanthos bowed and turned away.
XXXX
Present day. July 23rd of Year 15 of the Fourth Age.
"Rise."
The man stood up, eyes flickering between the various members of the Council of Seasons: Lady Spring, Mister Winter, Missus Summer, and Count Fall. Their judgement had ended and they discussed telepathically if he was prepared for what task laid ahead of him and the transformation he was about to go through.
"We have deemed you worthy, good sir," said Missus Summer. "Prepare yourself to receive our gift. Our strength. A part of which unites all of us. Are you ready?"
"I am," the man responded, bowing his head.
"THEN LET IT BE DONE!" the Council of Seasons exclaimed.
Blue and white light powered from their hands, striking the man before them. An avatar of the elements. A warrior of heroic qualities. He had nothing to lose when he approached them when they decided to join the fight against Skeletor's evil. They had called out for a champion and the man took up the offer.
And thus, with their powers, he was transformed. His skin turned light blue. A dark blue armor appeared on his torso and legs. His arms were given a yellow armor and he was bestowed a yellow helmet. Red circles that would help him with his powers snapped onto the armor at the helmet, the wrists, and the shoulders. A black RADAR-like screen that could help him gauge his powers clicked onto his chest plate.
"You are now a champion of good. You have been given the power to manipulate and create the winds," Missus Summer said. "What shall you call yourself?"
The man smiled. "Sy-Klone."
"Very well," Missus Summer continued. "Remember, as you join the war against Skeletor and all things evil, that it is not you who controls the wind. You are controlled by it. You are with it. You move with it. The wind flows and so then shall you. Good journey, Sy-Klone."
XXXX
He appeared in the shadow of Snake Mountain, where Zanthos had stood years earlier. Underneath his red helmet with the big black eyes and the silver edges, his expression was grim. Eternia's balance felt . . . disrupted.
Zodak stepped forward, reviewing the Cosmic Enforcers history with this planet. It was quite extensive. This was not his first time here, of course. Eternia was not a new world to either Zodak or the Cosmic Enforcers. However, the current events dictated he review what was known about Eternia.
Beast-Man and Spikor greeted him at the entrance.
"Who are you?" snarled Beast-Man.
"Silence," Zodak responded. His hand was in motion, sending both Beast-Man and Spikor into the wall with his telekinesis. Zodak walked forth, all robotics seemingly ignoring him. He was aware that he was being monitored, but didn't care.
At last, he reached the throne room. Skeletor stood in the center of the throne room, his cloak dangling behind him, one hand on the hilt of the Sword of Darkness and the other wrapped around the Havoc Staff.
"A Cosmic Enforcer," Skeletor sneered.
"You know of us?"
"The Elders did," he responded. "The information contained in the Golden Discs of Knowledge told me about your existence."
Zodak nodded, but said nothing.
Skeletor stepped forward, entering into a battle pose. "I expect you're here to take me away. Re-establish the balance of good and evil on Eternia. You should know, then, that I am far stronger than you believe me to be!"
"No, actually. The balance is indeed tipped, but not against you. In fact, the forces of good have disrupted Eternia's balance."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean I am here to see to it that good and evil are made equal. That I will aide in you whatever ways you see fit. The balance must be corrected or there shall be dire consequences."
"Help me find the way into Castle Grayskull if you wish to help me. What I need is in there. Once I breach the walls of Grayskull and receive its power, then darkness shall sweep across the world."
"I am here only to restore the balance. However . . ." Zodak paused, bringing up new information into his helmet. "I do feel as though it would benefit my purposes to help you."
"Fine! Then help!"
"I shall. Where are the Golden Discs of Knowledge?"
Moments later, after Tri-Klops and Evil-Lynn retrieved the Golden Discs of Knowledge from the devices they were hooked up to and Skeletor learning Zodak's name, the Cosmic Enforcer approached the wealth of information given to Skeletor. Zodak touched his hand to the Golden Discs of Knowledge and sought what was within.
"How much of this have you seen?"
"Barley any of it."
Zodak nodded. He pulled away the discs he had been holding and picked up another one. "There is a key to Castle Grayskull, Skeletor. Forged by the Ancients and hidden away for times of dire distress."
"Where?" shouted Skeletor. "Where is it?"
Zodak stood fully up right. "A mountain called Point Dread."
