Chapter One

At the same time in what was left of Eternos, life was going on as usual. The battle against the snake god Serpos had devastated much of the city including the royal palace. However the Snake Men were now defeated and in hiding and Skeletor had not been seen or heard from in weeks. So the repair work was proceeding at a much faster pace than the previous times the palace had been rampaged.

Though security was a top priority, and the Masters of the Universe still went out on scheduled patrols, without any actual combat to occupy them they had plenty of time to lend their unique talents to the effort. Fisto and Ram Man stood on opposite sides of an enormous chunk of debris that had once been part of a tall pillar. It was unsalvageable, but at the same time too large to be moved. That left the heroes with only one course of action.

"Ready Fisto?"

"On three. One. Two. Three!"

Ram Man leapt forward headfirst while Fisto simultaneously slammed his oversized metallic hand into the stone. The double impact shattered the large chunk into tiny rocks, which Sy-Klone then cleared away with a miniature whirlwind. Across the courtyard another pillar was lying toppled over. This one however had sustained little damage and was now being hoisted back into place.

Adam breathed in and out hard as he pulled on his cable. His body ached as the weight strained his muscles to their limit but he kept on nevertheless. It was taking nearly a dozen people tugging on a series of pulleys to raise the stone. While most of the cables had teams of two working together, Adam had seized one by himself. As He-Man he could have easily lifted the entire pillar back into place on his own, but he has made up his mind to help with the reconstruction in his true form.

"Are you all right Your Highness?" the young soldier next to him said.

"Just fine," Adam grunted.

"Maybe you should rest and let us handle this."

"No, it's okay. I'm…" Adam got no further before he felt his grip loosening involuntarily. The rope was rushing through his palms despite his best efforts to hold on. Had he not been wearing gloves, the skin on his hands would have been severely lashed open.

Just when it seemed he was going to loose his grip entirely, a second pair of hands shot out and grabbed on. Adam turned to see Teela standing beside him. She flashed a quick smile then began tugging on the cable. It was not her nasty smirk she shot him whenever she had bested him in a sparing match or pulled his butt out of a nasty situation. Instead it was the genuine smile of the best friend he had grown up with. Something he hadn't seen in a while and had deeply missed.

Working together they managed to hoist the pillar up till it stood on its own power. Once it was safe Adam let go of the rope then removed his vest and wiped his sweat-laden brow. Teela pulled out a canteen and offered it to him but he shook his head. The young captain gave another friendly smile and forced it into his hand.

"Take it! You've earned a rest!"

It was true. Adam had been working hard all day, as he had been for the past several days, and he was feeling rather parched. But he was determined not to appear lazy or incompetent. He may not have been able to prevent the massive damage, but he would see to it he did more than his share to fix it.

Adam did take deep drink from the canteen, though. He knew better than to argue with Teela. Especially since she had actually complemented him on his hard work as opposed to her usual belittlement of his apparent cowardice and laziness.

"You've been pushing yourself too hard Adam," Teela said as he handed the canteen back to her. She took a small sip herself and continued, "I admire your determination, but you don't have to do everything yourself."

"Teela's right son," King Randor said, coming over to them accompanied by Man-At-Arms. "You've been doing a fine job and I'm very proud of you. But try to slow down a little. It's almost as if you're trying to punish yourself for something."

Adam looked around at the massive destruction Serpos had left in his wake. His eyes drifted out of the courtyard and settled on the small plot of fresh graves in the nearby cemetery of honor. Several good men had lost their lives in the battle.

"I should have been here," he whispered more to himself than to anyone around him. "I could have stopped this from happening."

"Don't be ridiculous son," Randor said laying a hand on his shoulder. "Your presence would have changed nothing except possibly your dying as well."

"It took all of He-Man's strength with the entire power of the Elders backing him up to subdue Serpos," Man-At-Arms added. "I know it's painful to see what the Snake God did, but believe me it could have been much worse."

"Besides," Teela chimed in. "It's not like you were cowering under the bed like Cringer. Father told us how you were helping He-Man to evacuate the villages in Serpos' path. Your actions saved countless innocent lives. You should be proud of what you accomplished instead of dwelling on what you couldn't change."

So that was why no one had criticized his absence! Adam glanced at Man-At-Arms and made a mental note to properly thank him when they got a chance to speak alone. Adam had said nothing to anyone about where he had been while Serpos was attacking. He had been unable to think of a cover story that he didn't feel would infuriate his father and perhaps make many of Eternia's people despise him for abandoning them. He was already feeling guilty as it was for not helping them more.

However, it seemed that Duncan had found the perfect excuse, which was actually not far from the truth. Adam had been evacuating the villages, though he had been doing it as He-Man not in assistance with him. But then, He-Man could not exist without Adam so in a way it was the truth. And for once it made him look like a hero instead of a worthless coward. Just as long as no one dug to deep into it and discovered that not a single villager had seen Adam present.

"I still feel bad for those who weren't saved," he sighed. "And the destruction that was caused."

"It's all right, Adam" Randor said now wrapping his arm around the boy in a comforting embrace. "It's perfectly natural to mourn the losses, but you should not blame yourself for what happened. One man can only do so much. After all, not even He-Man can be in two places at once."

"I guess so," Adam sighed. "You know, sometimes I feel like one He-Man just isn't enough."

As the group returned to their task they failed to notice the glint of silver behind them. Had they bothered to turn around they would have seen their conversation had not gone unobserved or that they were now being followed at a distance by the small flying device. But then, that was the whole point of Doomseekers.


Far away in the now three-headed Snake Mountain, Skeletor sat watching the transmission being beamed back by Tri-Klops' spy drone. At the base of his throne several of his evil warriors sat or stood watching in silence. Upon hearing Adam's final comment however they all instinctively glanced up at the dark leader to see his reaction.

Skeletor's empty eye sockets glowed red and he snarled deep in what would have been his throat were his head not simply a skull floating detached over his body.

"Not enough? One He-Man is too many!"

"But He-Man hasn't been seen or heard from in weeks," Trap Jaw chimed in hoping this would help calm Skeletor down.

"Oh he'll turn up again," Evil-Lyn smirked. "As soon as we make a move, he'll be there." While it would seem unwise for Lyn to contradict Trap Jaw's attempt to calm the evil overlord, she was actually working on his good side. Belittling the others and not only saving him the trouble, but showing that she was siding with him and they were thinking alike.

Nevertheless, she made sure to keep a respectable distance from him. Skeletor was fully aware that Evil-Lyn had recently attempted to double cross him and free Hordak from his imprisonment. The attempt had not only failed, but had nearly killed her in the process. While Skeletor could have left her to die or even finished the job himself, he chose to save her for reasons he did not divulge. So it was that now Lyn decided to reassure him of her loyalty. She would try again to release Hordak once she had found a new way that wasn't so dangerous, but for the time being she found it to her advantage to go along with Skeletor.

A sudden movement drew her attention as Clawful approached Skeletor's throne with a confused look.

"Uh… why aren't we making a move?" he asked slowly. "Shouldn't we… I don't know… hit 'em while their still down?"

All eyes shot to Skeletor. In truth they had all been thinking the same thing but none of them were actually stupid enough to say so, and thus question Skeletor's actions. Skeletor leaned forward and his grip on the havoc staff tightened. Clawful braced himself for the energy blast that was sure to follow but curiously Skeletor then simply chuckled lightly.

"A good question Clawful," he laughed. "I must congratulate your brain on finally working."

Clawful breathed a sigh of relief, completely oblivious to the fact he had actually just been insulted. Skeletor stood and walked down past his minions letting his staff lightly tap the ground with each step.

"It's true," he continued, "With the Snake Men defeated and the Masters still recovering from the devastation, now would seem the opportune time to annihilate them once and for all."

Newly filled with confidence, Clawful began, "Well then, why don't we…" but got no further before a massive energy beam from Skeletor's staff sent him careening into the wall.

"Because if a brainless crustacean like you could figure that much out, than obviously the Masters would have realized it as well!" Skeletor shouted.

Evil-Lyn nodded. "They'll be expecting an attack from us. So their defenses will be on the highest alert."

"Precisely," Skeletor said, his voice calming down once more. "What I need here is a way to catch them by surprise."


Outside Snake Mountain Tuvar was sulking as he looked out across the dark hemisphere. Ever since Serpos had been returned to the stone form of the fortress, now with the additional two heads, Skeletor had ordered constant guard duties round the clock to protect it against the remains of the Snake Men army or anyone else who might dare invade. Tuvar didn't mind this so much as his fellow patrol members. It was bad enough he was permanently fused to Baddrah, whom he despised more than anyone on Eternia, but Beast Man had fallen asleep on the job and Whiplash was simply sitting around absentmindedly doodling in the dust with his tail.

"Would you at least pretend your actually doing something," he grumbled.

"What's the point?" Whiplash groaned.

"Snakes no fight without king," Baddrah mumbled, "No one else that stupid."

"I didn't ask for your opinion," Tuvar snarled.

"He's right though," Whiplash said, wiping his latest sketch in the dirt away and starting a new one. "I mean who would actually just walk right into Snake Mountain?"

As if on cue the wind whipped up like a small tornado then, jarring Beast Man out of his slumber, a bright glowing vortex appeared in front of them depositing its traveler. The frail man looked up at the fortress of evil with his cybernetic eye and marveled at the three heads oozing molten lava from their mouths.

"It certainly has changed since last I was here," Galen chuckled.

"Hold it right there!" Beast Man snarled and leapt from his perch on the stone landing mere inches from Galen with a ferocious roar. Instead of being intimidated however, Galen just smiled.

"Well, well Beast Man. It's been a long time."

"You know this guy?" Tuvar asked.

Beast Man sniffed the air and stared for a long time. It had been years since he had last seen the scientist and his appearance had changed dramatically. But soon enough a hint of recognition came to the savage henchman.

"Nycroft? Is that you?"

"More or less," Galen said before lapsing into a violent coughing fit. His health had taken a turn for the worse in the last few days. He had managed to keep it hidden from Gwildor as they finished the Cosmic Key, but Galen was well aware he did not have much time left.

The evil warriors took a few steps back from Galen until he stopped coughing and seemed to regain control though he was now breathing hard through his mouth.

"What do you want here you germ bag?" Whiplash growled.

Despite his condition Galen managed a small grin. He had not originally planned for this when he first concocted the idea for the key, but now he had little choice in the matter. If all went as planned though, it would be more than worth it. He held up his invention.

"I've brought a gift for Keldor."


Skeletor turned the strange device over in his hands, looked up at Galen, then looked back at the invention. Finally he held it up and shook it in the inventor's face.

"And just what exactly am I supposed to do with this?"

Galen was unfazed by Skeletor's attitude. He hadn't even cringed when he saw that his former master Keldor was now a living skeleton. Granted he had stared with a mixture of scientific and morbid curiosity, but given his own appearance he was not overly disturbed.

"I call it the Cosmic Key. It's taken half my lifetime to accomplish, but without a doubt it is my greatest achievement."

"Considering your record of failures Nycroft," Tri-Klops scoffed. "That's not exactly high praise now is it?"

Galen glared at the swordsman out of the corner of his cybernetic eye. "Why so bitter Tri-Klops? Afraid I'll take back the position you stole from me?"

"I stole nothing!" Tri-Klops snarled. "Keldor simply realized your skills in science were amateurish compared to mine."

"If it weren't for me," Galen said firmly, "you'd be wandering the dark hemisphere blind as a wolfbat!"

Tri-Klops stared to contradict him but found he could not deny the facts. It had been Galen who modified the visor that gave Tri-Klops his sight and special powers. Without it his eyes were so badly damaged he could barely see his hand before his face. He did owe Galen a debt whether he liked it or not… which of course he didn't.

"Drop dead old man!"

Suddenly Galen keeled over in yet another coughing fit, this one much worse than before. He was forced to his knees unable to stand up, and clutched his chest in pain. It appeared as though he actually was about to drop dead.

"That was just an expression," said Clawful.

"Skeletor let out a soft sinister chuckle. "Still suffering from your Judgarian plague I see, Nycroft."

"Neither of us are looking as good as we once did Keldor," he spat.

Skeletor's eye sockets glowed with a fiery red fury. He was giving serious consideration to blasting Galen across the room with his havoc staff, however he decided against it. Given the man's condition, even a low energy blast might have been enough to kill him and Skeletor wanted some information first.

"You still haven't answered my question," he growled. "What exactly does this thing do?"

"Like I said," Galen explained, getting to his feet, "it's a Cosmic Key and like any key it opens doorways. Inter-dimensional doorways to be precise. Simply input the coordinates, activate the device, and you have a portal that provides almost instantaneous transport to any place on the planet. Or any other world for that matter."

"That's your ultimate achievement?" Tri-Klops laughed. "A portal generator? I'll grant you it's a convenience, assuming of course that it actually works, but I fail to see why we should be overly impressed."

"Tell me Tri-Klops," Evil-Lyn smirked, "how is it that you have three eyes, yet you lack vision? With this device at our disposal we can recruit armies from the farthest reaches of the galaxy. Or launch a surprise assault on the Masters by appearing suddenly in the royal palace right next to the king."

"Or better still,'" Skeletor beamed, "into Grayskull and powers of the Elders!" Suddenly his sinister grin faded. "You would not simply hand over such a powerful device without expecting something in return, Nycroft. Why would you not simply use this yourself? What price are you asking?"

"Power is no good to me if I'm not going to live to enjoy it," Galen sighed. "My fee is simple Skeletor. I want my life back."

"You want me to take you back as my head scientist you mean?"

"That is my second wish. But first I must be free of this cursed illness! I have heard your magic has grown much stronger since you cast me out. I ask that you use that power to cure my plague!"

"I must admit I was surprised to learn you still lived," Evil-Lyn said. "The plague is slow acting yes, but still, most who get it are dead within three years. You however have lasted nearly two decades against it."

"Yes," Galen coughed. "I tried many times to find a cure, but all I could do was delay the inevitable. I'm much worse than I appear. I have almost run out of time. Soon the plague will consume what little there is left of my body. So I ask you again Skeletor. Heal me, and in return I offer my key and my servitude."

"I am the lord of destruction Nycroft," Skeletor mused. "My magic does not save lives, it takes them. And the Judgarian plague is such a rare and powerful disease that no mystic healer can reverse it. Only the great power of the Elders could save you now."

"Then you can cure me once that power is yours, and with my key you can easily get it. I have enough life in me to wait that long."

Tri-Klops walked over and looked at the Cosmic Key carefully. "Why bother? Why don't we just take this and leave you to your fate?"

Here Galen actually managed a weak laugh. "Because only I know how to properly work the key. If you make a mistake you could create a vacuum portal that would pull all of you into a dimensional limbo forever."

There was a moment of silence then Skeletor burst out laughing with delight. "You certainly thought of everything didn't you Nycroft? You're much smarter than I remember. Perhaps I could use that brain of yours after all."

"Then do we have a deal?"

Skeletor placed a bony hand on Galen's frail shoulder. "Galen my old friend, if you can get me into Grayskull I'll not only cure you, I'll use the power of the Elders to make you immortal!"


On the other side of the planet inside the walls of Castle Grayskull, The Sorceress was sitting in a state of meditation. Lately she had been plagued by strange visions. Memories from the past mixed with images of the future. She had taken advantage of the quietness on Eternia to concentrate on discerning their meaning. Despite all her powers however, her mind still remained unclear.

Rising from her throne, Sorceress headed down a series of passages until finally coming to a stop in the center of an empty chamber. At a tap from her staff the floor opened and she descended into the hidden crystal chamber towards the shining orb containing all the powers of Grayskull and the Council of Elders.

"Elders," she spoke softly to the orb, "I seek your wisdom. Why am I having these visions? And what of these strange disturbances I sense?"

The crystal orb remained still and silent. Sorceress had not expected a verbal response but usually a reply of some kind would follow her questioning. Now, however, there was nothing.

"Please," Sorceress begged. "I must know why I am seeing these events again after so long. Is the tragedy of the past about to be undone? Or are we doomed to face it once again?"

Suddenly a vortex began to open behind her . At first Sorceress thought she was about to receive her answer, but within moments she realized this was not the Elders' doing.

Someone seeks to invade these walls, she thought. Pointing her staff towards the opening she concentrated with her magic and began sealing the portal as quickly as it opened.


"Nycroft, what's happening?" Skeletor growled.

"I'm not sure. I'm getting some kind of resistance. It's as though someone is trying to close the portal!"

"You didn't really think it would be that easy did you?" Evil-Lyn chided. "The castle's guardian isn't about to let us in without a fight."

"Nycroft, you'd better do something about this!" Skeletor snarled, his eye sockets glowing red.

"Not to worry, Skeletor," Galen assured him. "All I have to do is increase the power to the key." With that he threw several switches on the device. The portal shot open further and began swirling up a vicious wind that kicked up dust and pulled at Skeletor's cloak so hard he was forced to back off less he be blown off his feet. He let this minor annoyance slide though as the resistance began to give way. Soon the power of the Elders would be his.


Sorceress had thought she had the would be intruder beaten when suddenly the gateway grew in power and threw her backwards. Struggling to her feet, she reached behind her and placed a hand on the glowing orb.

"Forgive me Elders," she whispered, "but I must once again call on your power to defend these walls."

Pointing her staff at the portal again Sorceress drew upon the power hidden inside the Crystal Orb and fired. Using her body as a conductor for the raw powers of the Elders, Sorceress pushed aside the strain and concentrated all her efforts on sealing the gateway that had grown ever larger.

"You shall not enter the castle," she said. "Whatever manner of trickery this be, magical or technological, you shall not enter. YOU SHALL NOT!"

With those words the portal finally collapsed in upon itself. Sorceress fell to her knees panting for breath. Slowly she placed a hand to her forehead and began sending out a telepathic message. Though the immediate threat was over, she knew that the real danger was far from gone.

"Adam… Adam, come to… Gray… skull," she managed before falling over out cold.


"Lord Skeletor, please give me another chance!" Galen pleaded as the Bat flight pack swooped down and grabbed him by the shoulders. (None of the evil warriors wanted to touch him)

"I should have known better than to rely on you," Skeletor growled. "The only reason I'm not killing you right here and now is that it will be a far more suitable punishment to simply let you die slowly from your plague."

"Wait, I can make it work! I know I can!"

"Get him out of my sight!" Skeletor shouted. Against Galen's protests the Bat pack turned and carried him off into the tunnels. Skeletor turned and slunk down on his throne.

"What a monumental waste of time," he moaned. Beside him Panthor growled as if in agreement. Skeletor reached down and lightly stroked his fur.

"Perhaps it wasn't a total waste," Evil-Lyn said. "After resisting Galen's device the castle's defenses are bond to be weakened. If we were to launch an attack now…"

"We'd run right into the Masters," Skeletor shouted. "Do you really think this will have gone unnoticed? Those accursed do-gooders are probably already on their way to Grayskull at this moment. The opportunity has passed. I'm not even going to bother anymore today."

Though she said nothing, Evil-Lyn knew Skeletor was right and was actually tempted to commend him on his tactical thinking.

"Still, perhaps you were a bit hasty in dismissing Nycroft," she said. "His device may not be a match for the powers of Grayskull, but there may still be other uses for it."

"Bah," Skeletor scoffed with a wave. "If it cannot gain me the power of the Elders than it is of no interest to me."

"Suit yourself," Evil-Lyn sighed as she left the room. But I've already thought of a good use, she thought. You may not have any interest, but I know of someone who will be very interested in this indeed.


After flying several miles away from Snake Mountain the Bat pack dropped Galen violently onto the sandy ground then turned and flew off. Slowly he pulled himself up and staggered forward a few steps before collapsing to the ground again. Instantly he realized that he had pushed himself too hard that day. His body was giving out and it was highly likely he would not live though the night.

"What's the use?" Galen asked himself. "Nothing can save me now. I might as well just lie down and die here."

Suddenly the sky grew darker and the winds whipped up as a deep sinister voice called out.

"Nycroft. Galen Nycroft. Hear me."

Galen lifted his head and looked around but saw nothing.

"Who… who said that?"

"Your new master."

Still Galen saw nothing and he was beginning to grow wary. "Who are you? Show yourself!"

"If you truly wish to see me," the voice said with a lighter tone, "than use your device. Open a gateway to Despondos, and release me."

Suddenly Galen shot up with shock. "Despondos? Than you're Hordak!"

"Yes," Hordak laughed. "And you, Galen Nycroft, hold the key to my release."

"Perhaps," Galen nodded looking down at the Cosmic Key strapped to his waist. "But why should I? What good would it do me?"

Hordak was well prepared for this response. "Look at yourself Nycroft. Ridiculed, betrayed, abandoned and dying. I can give you everything you need."

"You can cure me?" Galen asked looking over his broken body.

"I can do more," Hordak said. "I will give you a brand new body and power beyond your wildest dreams. And under my leadership your genius will be well revered. You will want for nothing."

Galen thought long and hard then finally looked up again.

"Tell me what I must do. My master."