Chapter One: "I See A Bad Moon Risin'"
Two weeks after his return from Etheria, Prince Adam found that his schedule had suddenly freed up. So, when he spotted a familiar figure entering Eternos that evening, Adam pulled out his sword and became He-Man. Not because this man was an agent of evil - nope. Because this man was an old friend of He-Man's.
"Rio Blast!" called out He-Man to the figure. Rio Blast looked up, his cowboy keeping his features hidden in darkness, though He-Man could make out his face. Rough and experienced, with a mustache and a thick cigar in his mouth.
"He-Man!" yelled back Rio Blast, grasping He-Man's hand. "Good to see you again. I was hoping to run into you tonight."
"Oh? Why's that?"
"Well, I was in the area and was wondering if you wanted to were up for a good old fashioned camp out?"
He-Man nodded before even thinking about it. "Most definitely. Let me just tell Man-At-Arms about it, then I'll be on my way."
After notifying Man-At-Arms that he and Rio Blast were going out for the night, He-Man returned to his old friend. Immediately, he recalled that Rio Blast used to be a cowboy, tending the animals farther into the west of the Fertile Plains. Count Marzo, though, abducted him and turned him into a living arsenal to be used for whatever purposes Marzo wanted him for. But it was He-Man that ultimately freed him from Marzo's grasp and sent him on the path of good again.
That was last year and twice now had Rio Blast insisted that he repay He-Man by 'showing him the true life of a cowboy.' It was laughable, but He-Man enjoyed it each time. Especially when it came to Rio Blast's special chili.
Underneath the stars, Rio Blast stirred his chili over the open fire, letting him simmer. He-Man had been looking forward to this more than anything.
" . . . so, then, I punched him in the face and he was done," He-Man said, finishing up a story.
"Reckon that sounds like some fun," Rio Blast returned.
"You ever consider joining the Heroic Warriors, Rio Blast?"
Rio Blast shook his head. "Heck nah. Not permanately, least. Too much of my life is out here, among the creatures that need tendin' to. But if y'all need me back at that big ole' palace to help out, all's you's gotta do is say the word and I'll be there in a jiffy."
"I'll keep that in mind, old friend," He-Man replied with a friendly grin. He looked around, suddenly aware of the openness out here. "You always sleep out here?"
"On the ground, you mean? Sometimes. When I need to or feel like it. Sure is hard to get the ladies out here, though."
"I'm betting."
"Something about laying on the ground with bugs and animals just doesn't seem to appeal to them."
He-Man threw his head back, laughing. "Yeah! I guess not!"
Their laughter just calmed down, and just as Rio Blast was reaching for the spoon to stir the chili - there was a sudden explosion from above them. Energy beams were being shot at both He-Man and Rio Blast!
They both took cover behind a nearby rock formation and a pair of binoculars snapped up in front of Rio Blasts eyes. "What do you see?" questioned He-Man.
"Looks like Trap-Jaw, Tri-Klops and Two-Bad," Rio Blast answered, another energy blasting right next to them.
"Cover me," He-Man ordered.
Rio Blast flicked his wrists, and two gun snapped into his hands from a his forearms. Two energy cannons appeared on his shoulders, and his chest opened up to reveal two rocket launchers. He opened fire on the trio as He-Man rolled along the flat ground.
The two had been staying in a flat, somewhat featureless with the exception of a few outcroppings of rocks and whatnot. This made things difficult for He-Man, but he had apparently, left he and Rio Blast's shelter without being noticed.
He was just about to make it to the hill where the trio lay in attack, when there was a sudden orange blur in front of him. A snarl revealed its identity. Beast-Man stood in front of He-Man, growling and roaring; claws braced, mouth open, drooling dripping from the teeth.
He-Man pulled out his sword, only to find it snapping against Spikor's trident. The purple spiked villain appeared next to Beast-Man, just as braced for battle. He-Man spun around, wanting to put some distance between himself and the pair . . .
Only to find that Stinkor was there, leaping into battle. He unleashed a rush of toxic smell at He-Man, causing the hero of Eternia to double over as his lungs filled with the odor. There was swipe across his face as Beast-Man lifted him up. Spikor's trident smacked the Sword of Power onto the ground.
He-Man was immobilized.
"Put him down!" yelled Rio Blast suddenly, firing at the second trio. One of the energy blasts struck Beast-Man's hand, causing He-Man to fall right onto the dirt floor. He scrambled as Rio Blast kept them off balance, and reached the Sword of Power. Rio Blast and He-Man stood together, then, against the trio of enemies.
And the other appeared. Tri-Klops laid down an array of fire at the pair, followed up by Trap-Jaw and Two-Bad.
"Call for back-up," He-Man stated.
"Already did. They should be on their way soon," answered Rio Blast.
"Then I suppose it's up to us to keep these goons busy until then, eh?"
"I reckon!"
With that, the two ran forward, throwing themselves into battle.
***
From his throne room within Snake Mountain, Skeletor watched the battle play out, a smile crossing his face. He laughed, and stood up, purple cape flowing in behind him. Sending those buffoons out as a distraction was just what he needed. He couldn't He-Man our any of his allies getting in the way tonight - one of the most important nights in all of Skeletor's life.
He journeyed through endless corridors, deep into the deepest caverns of Snake Mountain. Doors and stairs that had once been sealed from him were now open, allowing Skeletor to enter and find what he has been looking for - the solution to He-Man's attacks.
Finally arriving at his location, Skeletor found both Kobra Kahn and Evil Lynn standing there, waiting for him. In the center of the room was a pit that appeared to be covered in a strange sort of stone. It was, indeed, the Snake Pit. It was here that the Council of Elders and their allies sealed away King Hiss and his army.
"Is all prepared?" he questioned Kobra Kahn. "Are you certain you have translated the instructions correctly?"
"Yes," hissed Kobra Kahn in response. "Yessss. The Snake Men were sealed away with the power of good. The power of evil will release them!"
"Excellent! Evil Lynn! Join me!"
The two lifted their staffs and unleashed a pair of energy beams at the pit. Immediately, the entire ground began to shake. As more power was poured in, the mountain began to rumble, groaning as the forces that laid there for thousands of years . . . began to wear away . . .
"MORE POWER!" yelled Skeletor. He lifted his staff and pushed everything he had into it, focusing all of his rage and desperation into each blast that struck the pit.
Evil Lynn followed suit, her staff shooting off streams of power at the Snake Pit. The walls shook harder and Kobra Kahn ran out of the cavern, fearing for his life. But it did not help him. The entire mountain was thundering.
In time, it was not just the mountain, but skies themselves began to explode in a monstrous thunderstorm. The ground began to rumble and shake, spreading outwards from Snake Mountain . . .
***
Beast-Man swiped at He-Man, but He-Man ducked down. He kicked the furry creature then, and went around and blocked a blow from Spikor. Barely able to maintain that for more than a second, He-Man punched away Tri-Klops, and then leapt over his eye beam.
As soon as He-Man touched back onto the ground, a terrible tremor rocked through the plain. He-Man wanted to investigate it, but didn't have a choice but to continue on fighting. He was too busy fighting off Trap-Jaw, though, to notice that Stinkor was coming in from behind -
A sudden female "hai!" knocked down the foul-smelling villain, allowing He-Man time to acknowledge the presence of Teela, Ram-Man and Moss Man.
"What was that tremor?" he asked quickly as he and Rio Blast pulled back.
"We don't know, but it seems we have bigger problems."
He-Man looked up, wondering what she was talking about. His eyes widened. Thick, black clouds were forming, and moving quickly toward them. Thunder rolled around and lightning cracked. And the Evil Warriors swooped in for another attack.
***
Skeletor's Chaos Staff roared with power, but nothing was happening. It was as if his power was not enough. Evil Lynn was looking near exhaustion beside him, but kept working harder and harder. And then he felt it. Something was forming, moving subtly. They were making progress.
So, Skeletor stepped up to the pit, energy still flowing from his Chaos Staff. He lifted it, power surrounding him, crackling within the cavern, Evil Lynn still blasting at the pit. He lifted it - AND THEN STRUCK DOWN THE END.
Pure power bubble, rippled, shattered, and spread out as the seal was broken and a figure formed. A wave of invisible energy ripped away from the Snake Pit, throwing Skeletor and Evil Lynn backwards. The wave then expanded and continued outwards . . .
***
The Sorceress snapped open her eyes as the storm hit Castle Grayskull. It rumbled, sending her to the ground. Her senses caught fire as the shattered power of the Elders ran through her and the castle. And then came the energy wave.
Castle Grayskull seemed to roar in pain and the Sorceress was thrown across the room. Bookcases fell, doors flew open, and the very foundations of Grayskull rumbled. Still, the wave continued on . . .
He-Man had just punched out Tri-Klops when the wave hit. The torrential rain didn't help matters, but something happened. The Sword of Power glowed hotly and He-Man was suddenly - somehow - thrown nearly fifty feet back. The wave had struck the sword, pulling He-Man along with it.
As He-Man stood up, he felt different. For a brief instant, it was as if the Sword of Power had gone dead. But as soon as he sensed it, the sword was alive again, sparking with power. He-Man stood up and trotted back to the battle. First things first.
Again, though, the wave did not yield . . .
Adora sat alone in her room, looking over maps and preparing for the next move at the liberation of Brightmoon. She was just reaching for her sword - when a sudden wave send her - and the Sword of Protection - flying across the room.
Never before had she felt such power. It was as if something had just smacked her deep inside. At first, she thought it was Hordak. But no, this FELT different than Hordak. This felt old and evil like Hordak, but not Hordak himself.
She picked up the sword, and felt as though it had diminished slightly before returning to full strength. Adora liked not the looks of this.
Yet, the path of the wave roared on . . .
Hordak walked into the meeting with the rest of the Horde Elite, ready for what was to be yet another foolish meetings. But as soon as he walked in, Hordak felt something odd. His training with the Elders so long ago . . . he was suddenly reminded of the abilities he was taught . . .
And then it hit him. The energy wave came upon Hordak like a tsunami. Each one of the Elders had put part of themselves into sealing the Snake Men away. Hordak had done so only to keep to King Hiss from informing the Elders of Hordak's true loyalties.
But now, that was part being pushed back into Hordak. Ripped, shattered and shredded, though. Hordak's body lurched, then flew backwards, through the doors. It burned with power, his body.
"He's free . . ." Hordak croaked out, the others rushing to his aide. "HEEEEEE'SSSS FREEEEEEEEEE!"
***
Skeletor stood up, the cavern a mess. He stood up and soaked in the sight before him. Standing before the Snake Pit was a man. He wore all green with the exception of his face and a silver plate on his chest with a snake symbol on it. His face was smooth, eyes yellow and sunken back.
"I'm free . . ." this man whispered, before moving into a scream. "I'M FREE! KING HISS IS FREE!"