Authors Note: OK I'm going to post this chapter even though i have A LOT of editing yet to do on it so a lot of it might get changed later on.
Chapter 5 Wager with the Devil
Man-at-Arms and Adam breached the Dark Hemisphere on their way to Snake Mountain where the Faceless One had said the Sorceress is imprisoned along with the Candle of Doom. The Candle that is day by day slowly draining away the Sorceress's life force. All they have is the piece at mind that they have the element of surprise but little do they know, they are being carefully tracked by Tri-Clops Doom seeker. Although, Tri-Clops hasn't yet told Evilyn or any of they others yet about they intruders. He has decided that they could work to his advantage and help him stop Hordak who is already changing things around to the dislike of Tri-Clops who remains loyal to Skeletor. Hordak has chained King Randor and Skeletor to the thrones of the Great Hall. He plans on making them watch his ascension as Skeletor planned to do with Randor. Then he plans to throw them mercilessly into the dimension of Despondos where they shall be damned for all of eternity. The prison in which Hordak has spent the better half of the last century trapped in like a caged animal.
Man-at-Arms and Adam stared helplessly at Teela's lifeless body. She hasn't moved a muscle, she hasn't even breathed. They can't even tell whether she is alive. Teela is Man-at-Arms adopted daughter. After the Sorceress of Greyskull left her with him long ago, he took her in like she was his own and although they are in reality not bonded by blood, he looks upon her as though she is. Adam has mixed feelings about teela. He has spent the better half of his life viewing her as the sister he never had, but in recent months, he has developed more intimate feelings for her. Though he isn't sure if she feels the same way. Nethertheless, both of them would be broken without her and where prepared to risk life and limb to protect her.
Meanwhile at Evergreen Forest, the Masters of the Universe steadily inch close to the city of Eternos. Mekanek was still seething at himself for aiding Evilyn in opening the box containing The Sword of Protection. He nor any of the others truly knew what the significance of that sword was. They do not know that sword rightfully belongs to Adora, Adam's twin sister who was taken as a baby by an evil Horde to the world of Etheria where she remains very much alive, unaware that her destiny is being stolen from her at this very moment. The Kingdom of Eternia could not conciliate the wound caused her loss. Thus the Sorceress did what she thought was right by wiping the memory of Adora from the minds of every soul in Eternia. But in the Sorceress's weakened state, she couldn't hide her thoughts from Evilyn's Telepathy thus Evilyn learned the truth.
The Masters had been attempting to plot a counter strike on Skeletor's forces but without He-Man, Teela, or Man-at-Arms by their side they would face almost certain defeat. Stratos wasn't prepared to send hundreds of men out on a suicide mission. Instead he decided to remain stationed until he received further orders from Man-at-Arms or Teela. Little did they know that Teela and Man-at-Arms where on a suicide mission of their own in the Dark Hemisphere.
Adam glanced into Teela's frigid face. He held her head up with his warm finger tips caressing gently through her lengthily locks of chestnut hair. As he studied the symmetry of her face, he perceived that he never truly looked at her the way he did now. He felt as though by looking at her face, he was gaping into her very soul. He felt connected with her. He felt they urge to embrace her and never let her go. As though the minute he took his eyes off of her, he would suffer and die a thousand times. But why, Why he felt this sudden affection, this sudden illogical sentimentality? He desired nothing more than to purge himself of these irrational feelings. But at the same time he didn't, he wanted to envelop them, to satisfy the deepest yearnings of his heart. As the icy wind lashed through his golden hair, an epiphany came into his wake. He came to fathom that these feelings came from FEAR. Fear of loss. Fear of the thought of never again knowing the joy of being a part of her life. The thought of such a reality was haunting him, tormenting him every time his heart beat. He couldn't bring himself to think on anything else while her life was hanging in the balance. He would be willing to deny himself, the satisfaction of food, the warmth of clothes, and even the very comfort of oxygen in his lungs if it meant she could live for a single moment longer. He would suffer forever in the 8 circles of hell if it could alleviate a single moment of her agony.
A tear came across his face.
"Teela, if you can hear me, please, you can't give out on me like this. Like you said, we've been through too much together. Look, I know I can be a royal pain in the ass sometimes, well most of the time, but it's only because well, you're they only one who will put up with me and allows me to just be . . . me. You're the only one who really listens to me and is always they're for me. You"re my best friend, my only friend.
"I'm your friend too" Man-at-Arms replied gently with his hand on Adam's shoulder. He meant not to interrupt Adam's heartfelt plea to Teela, he only wished to let Adam know that he was their for him.
Adam nodded and reluctantly took his arms from Teela and allowed her cold face to rest upon the Bio Bed.
Then the Transport's power began to fluctuate, going off and on and off until Man-at-Arms pulled the emergency stop lever on the vehicle. They where now dead in the water.
"I don't understand. I recharged it before we left. Their's enough power in this thing to go weeks on full velocity" he explained.
"Not if I disable the power systems" called a voice.
" Tri-Clops, I should have known. SHOW YOURSELF" he commanded.
Tri-Clops Doom Seeker came into view. I should warn you that it wouldn't be wise to fire, I have ten more Doom Seekers on your trail. Besides, I have no query with you at this time, I simply want to arrange a deal." he explained.
"And WHY would I trust you" he asked?
"I don't know, maybe because you are flying into enemy territory without reinforcements and I have they ability to alert my superiors. That way, your plan to save your precious Sorceress will fail and Eternia will be damned forever" he said villainistically.
"You have our attention" Man-at-Arms reluctantly conceded.
"As I thought. Now you see, Unlike they other scum I work with, I have a sense of loyalty to those I work for. While all my comrades submit to whomever is in power. My loyalty does not lie with Hordak. My loyalty lies with Skeletor " he explained.
"Quite Frankly Tri-Clops, I think that's a lie, I think that your only loyal to Skeletor because he always makes use of you and your inventions" Man-at-Arms replied.
"Well Man-at-Arms it seems you know me better than I thought. With Skeletor I have a motive in life, a purpose to show-case my many talents. Hordak called all my inventions worthless junk. As a matter of fact, I have a feeling that as soon as the power of Greyskull is within his reach, he'll do away with me and all my life's work, and you see, I just can't have that" Tri-Clops explained.
"Ah, well that sounds more like you, I can't say I'm thrilled to be working with you, Tri-Clops, but I believe you. Since you give me no other choice, I'll hear you out. Now what exactly did you have in mind" he asked?
Well, thats the good part, I've devised a plan to release Skeletor from Eternos" and your going to help me.
"Wait just a SECOND. Release, SKELETOR, We've got enough on our hands, we don't need that Staff wiedling maniac on our tails again. Sorry Tri-Clops but we're not that thick" Adam stepped in.
"I haven't finished yet. The second part of the plan is that we send Hordak back to Despondos AND we destroy the candle of doom, thus your Sorceress will be free and the power of Greyskull will be safe once again" he explained.
Man-at-Arms carefully pondered his proposition. "Well, it's the best chance we've got" he responded.
"WHAT" adam asked?
"First we have to release the Sorceress from Snake Mountain and destroy the candle of doom" Man-at-Arms said.
"You see that's the thing, their might be a we bit of a problem with that because you see, neither the Sorceress, nor the candle of doom are in Snake Mountain. Evilyn brought the Sorceress hear and the Candle of Doom has been hidden carefully in Evergreen Forest" Tri-Clops explained.
"WHAT but the Faceless One told me................."Yes I was watching your little discussion with him through the Doom Seeker, I have no doubt that Evilyn knew you where on the way and told him that so that he'd throw you off your game" Tri-Clops interrupted.
"Adam we have to turn around and head for Eternos" Duncan screamed.
"NO" Tri-Clops interupted. "Not yet, there is something you must do first in Snake Mountain. You see, King Hiss and the Snake Men have been trying to overrun Snake Mountain for weeks. But Skeletor created a barrier to protect it. The barrier has most likely fallen by now thus King Hiss is no doubt making himself comfortable" Tri-Clops explained.
"Your point" he asked?
"King Hiss has an old quarrel with Hordak. Long ago in they age of the Zodakkians, their was one time when it looked as if the first great hero of Eternia, He-Ro was defeated. The Horde had seized control over all of Eternia. Hordak swore an oath that if King Hiss aided him in conquering Eternia, he would give King Hiss control over all the land that once belonged to the Snake Men before the Zodakkians later inhabited the planet. Once in power, Hordak betrayed King Hiss. He denied his request and instead confined the Snake Men to a small portion of land that was no more plentiful of than the land the Snake men had inhabited prior to Hordak's Reign as ruler. Then of course, He-Ro and King Hiss where trapped in the Cosmic Pool and years later, Eternia was split by Hordak into the Light and Dark Hemisphere's, The Horde's Reign ended at the hands of King Greyskull when he encased Hordak in the Dimension of Despondos at the cost of his own life. Then, the Horde was driven out of Eternia. Instead they decided to invade Eternia's sister planet Etheria.. If I know King Hiss, I know his one weakness is a thirst for vengeance. He is no doubt still seithing at the very mention of the name Hordak and would go to any lengths to even the score" Tri-Clops explained.
"Yes, there is one flawe in your plan Tri-Clops, King Hiss has a thirst for our blood as well. The Masters drove him and the Snake Men into the sea not too long ago. How do you know he won't eat us alive if go anywhere near Snake Mountain" Adam asked?
"I don't, but I do know that if you told him that in only hours the power of Greyskull will be in the hands of his greatest enemy and he'll be virtually unstoppable, it might grab his attention. Catch my drift" Tri-Clops asked?
"All right" Duncan said. "You've got yourself a deal, we'll attempt to get King Hiss BUT, in exchange, you'll have to do something for us. Send all of your Doom Seekers to find they exact location of the Candle of Doom. Then use those brains of yours to figure out a way to destroy it" Duncan commanded.
"I've already sent out my Doom Seekers to patrol the Evergreen Forest. You might as well send your Defenders to look as well being that they are just taking up space while Hordak is sending a surprise attack to exterminate them all. Tri-Clops out".
Duncan gasped. He quickly reached his communicator out of his pocket. "SECRET ATTACK! Stratos come in.......Stratos COME IN" he commanded.
But it was too late, Stratos and the Masters had been ambushed by Hordak's Forces.
The Masters at first faired well against they Invasion Force, that is until the ground shook at they emergence of Evilyn, bearing the Almighty Sword of Protection.
"Who wishes to challenge me" she asked?
Ram Man charged her with all his might. BAM! He felt as if he ran into a brick wall. The Sword protected Evilyn by forming an invincible barrier that not even Ram Man could come close to penetrating.
"Argh, I can't feel my body anymore" he gasped.
Evilyn's eyes traveled around the Evergreen Forest until her eyes met the perfect target.
"Perhaps you Mekaneck, after all I have you to thank for my new toy. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have access to the God-like power that I now have in my possession" she skulked.
Mekanek stared scoldingly into his Nemesis's eyes. Her lip curled in an evil smile as she knew her prey was taking the bait, falling willingly into her clutches. His neck extended ramming Evilyn unto the ground.
Now enraged, Evilyn sprung back to her feet. She reached into her sheath and wielded the Mighty Sword of Protection. At the glimmer of the mighty sword, the Defenders gasped and took several steps backwards.
"Ah, it's time I took the power of Greyskull for a test ride. IN THEY HONOR OF GREYSKULL. I AM SHE-RA" she bellowed. Once again, the beautiful gem in the center of Evilyn's Sword emitted a ray of light. Evilyn, now augmented with the Power of Greyskull raised her power sword into they air and then aimed it at her prey.
"NOW, let's see what you got" Evilyn said with they obvious intention of coaxing Mekanek into a dual. Mekanek took the bait. He had long wanted to prove his worth to the Masters of the Universe. Now he finally had the chance. Mekanek slowly paced in Evilyn's direction staring squarely into her merciless eyes.
"NO! She's too powerful lad" Stratos exclaimed. "And if it wasn't for me, she wouldn't have that power. I gave it to her, now I'm going to take it AWAY" he shrieked.
Mekanek extended his neck as long as he could and wrapped it around Evilyn and tightened like a Anaconda. Evilyn held aloft her sword and chanted "Sword of Protection, reveal your power". The sword radiantly gleamed. It scolded deep into Mekanek's neck freeing Evilyn's arms. Now bearing the strength of a titan, Evilyn was able to break his grip effortlessly. Then she kicked him sharply in his stomach, hurling him across the rocky ground. Then she lifted his face out of the muddy earth and whispered tenaciously "Mindless fool, it is a shame, so young, so quickly your life has run it's course. It's best I put you out of your mindless MISERY" she hissed. She wielded the sword once again. "Sword, reveal your WRATH" she commanded. The Gem unleashed a blare of energy. The energy shot up Mekaneck's body causing him to feel the deepest pain and agony he had ever experienced. The radiant color of Evilyn's eyes where soon replaced by darkness as if a specter had eclipsed her compassion. Soon this was reflected in the usually colorful gem on her power sword as it changed to the tone of death. Mekanek looked up at his friends. They could do nothing for Evilyn had erected a force field around herself and her victim. Mekanek raised two fingers up to his comrades in a sort of salute before his body buckled and burst. Mekanek was no more.
As time passed by, that moment did not. That moment remained frozen in every soul in Evergreen Forest. It is moments like them that separate life from that of Roboto's and that of a normal sentient being. It is moments like them that shape a person, that ultimately change them forever. As time may have been passing them by, the Masters were not aware of it. Shock had overtaken their souls. Reality had yet to sink in. As their lives passed before their eyes, they stood frozen, paralyzed with visions of what they had just witnessed.
Evilyn stared malignantly at the beguiled remains of her fallen victim. Of all the evil deeds she had ever performed in her long life, this was by far the worst of them all. Mekanek was not in the slightest way a threat to her power. She had killed him mercilessly in cold blood simply because she could. No deed in her dark mischievous past could compare to this unhallowed sin. She had turned people into toads, sent people to unhabitable dimensions, and burned off they're very skin but never had taken the life of an innocent. Her hands began to tremble. She felt intoxicated. Tears fell from her face as she felt distrait for her victim and yet in a sick way, she drew pleasure from it. Pleasure from the pain she had caused. After she wiped away the tears from her face, she had a sick smile. She indulged in it.
From beyond the walls of Castle Greyskull lurked a father in pain. The Faceless One fell to the ground gasping for air. He couldn't believe what he had witnessed. What remained of his heart was stabbed out with a knife by his very own daughter. The very air he breathed was poison. He was after all these years faced with reality. He had spent years trying to bury the past deep into his subconscious only to have it cast back at his face. The Reality that sins of the father had influenced Evilyn to be the death of an innocent young man. That harsh reality was one that he could not bear to live in.
"Stratos, come in, PLEASE" Man-at-Arms commanded. "I'm here, I'm here lad he said in a morbid tone of voice. "Stratos, what's wrong, what has happened" he asked?
"Mekanek, he's, he's dead"
Author's Note: YIKES, I wrote a very WIERD and unexpected ending to this chapter. It was even unexpected to me and I wrote it.
Chapter 5 Wager with the Devil
Man-at-Arms and Adam breached the Dark Hemisphere on their way to Snake Mountain where the Faceless One had said the Sorceress is imprisoned along with the Candle of Doom. The Candle that is day by day slowly draining away the Sorceress's life force. All they have is the piece at mind that they have the element of surprise but little do they know, they are being carefully tracked by Tri-Clops Doom seeker. Although, Tri-Clops hasn't yet told Evilyn or any of they others yet about they intruders. He has decided that they could work to his advantage and help him stop Hordak who is already changing things around to the dislike of Tri-Clops who remains loyal to Skeletor. Hordak has chained King Randor and Skeletor to the thrones of the Great Hall. He plans on making them watch his ascension as Skeletor planned to do with Randor. Then he plans to throw them mercilessly into the dimension of Despondos where they shall be damned for all of eternity. The prison in which Hordak has spent the better half of the last century trapped in like a caged animal.
Man-at-Arms and Adam stared helplessly at Teela's lifeless body. She hasn't moved a muscle, she hasn't even breathed. They can't even tell whether she is alive. Teela is Man-at-Arms adopted daughter. After the Sorceress of Greyskull left her with him long ago, he took her in like she was his own and although they are in reality not bonded by blood, he looks upon her as though she is. Adam has mixed feelings about teela. He has spent the better half of his life viewing her as the sister he never had, but in recent months, he has developed more intimate feelings for her. Though he isn't sure if she feels the same way. Nethertheless, both of them would be broken without her and where prepared to risk life and limb to protect her.
Meanwhile at Evergreen Forest, the Masters of the Universe steadily inch close to the city of Eternos. Mekanek was still seething at himself for aiding Evilyn in opening the box containing The Sword of Protection. He nor any of the others truly knew what the significance of that sword was. They do not know that sword rightfully belongs to Adora, Adam's twin sister who was taken as a baby by an evil Horde to the world of Etheria where she remains very much alive, unaware that her destiny is being stolen from her at this very moment. The Kingdom of Eternia could not conciliate the wound caused her loss. Thus the Sorceress did what she thought was right by wiping the memory of Adora from the minds of every soul in Eternia. But in the Sorceress's weakened state, she couldn't hide her thoughts from Evilyn's Telepathy thus Evilyn learned the truth.
The Masters had been attempting to plot a counter strike on Skeletor's forces but without He-Man, Teela, or Man-at-Arms by their side they would face almost certain defeat. Stratos wasn't prepared to send hundreds of men out on a suicide mission. Instead he decided to remain stationed until he received further orders from Man-at-Arms or Teela. Little did they know that Teela and Man-at-Arms where on a suicide mission of their own in the Dark Hemisphere.
Adam glanced into Teela's frigid face. He held her head up with his warm finger tips caressing gently through her lengthily locks of chestnut hair. As he studied the symmetry of her face, he perceived that he never truly looked at her the way he did now. He felt as though by looking at her face, he was gaping into her very soul. He felt connected with her. He felt they urge to embrace her and never let her go. As though the minute he took his eyes off of her, he would suffer and die a thousand times. But why, Why he felt this sudden affection, this sudden illogical sentimentality? He desired nothing more than to purge himself of these irrational feelings. But at the same time he didn't, he wanted to envelop them, to satisfy the deepest yearnings of his heart. As the icy wind lashed through his golden hair, an epiphany came into his wake. He came to fathom that these feelings came from FEAR. Fear of loss. Fear of the thought of never again knowing the joy of being a part of her life. The thought of such a reality was haunting him, tormenting him every time his heart beat. He couldn't bring himself to think on anything else while her life was hanging in the balance. He would be willing to deny himself, the satisfaction of food, the warmth of clothes, and even the very comfort of oxygen in his lungs if it meant she could live for a single moment longer. He would suffer forever in the 8 circles of hell if it could alleviate a single moment of her agony.
A tear came across his face.
"Teela, if you can hear me, please, you can't give out on me like this. Like you said, we've been through too much together. Look, I know I can be a royal pain in the ass sometimes, well most of the time, but it's only because well, you're they only one who will put up with me and allows me to just be . . . me. You're the only one who really listens to me and is always they're for me. You"re my best friend, my only friend.
"I'm your friend too" Man-at-Arms replied gently with his hand on Adam's shoulder. He meant not to interrupt Adam's heartfelt plea to Teela, he only wished to let Adam know that he was their for him.
Adam nodded and reluctantly took his arms from Teela and allowed her cold face to rest upon the Bio Bed.
Then the Transport's power began to fluctuate, going off and on and off until Man-at-Arms pulled the emergency stop lever on the vehicle. They where now dead in the water.
"I don't understand. I recharged it before we left. Their's enough power in this thing to go weeks on full velocity" he explained.
"Not if I disable the power systems" called a voice.
" Tri-Clops, I should have known. SHOW YOURSELF" he commanded.
Tri-Clops Doom Seeker came into view. I should warn you that it wouldn't be wise to fire, I have ten more Doom Seekers on your trail. Besides, I have no query with you at this time, I simply want to arrange a deal." he explained.
"And WHY would I trust you" he asked?
"I don't know, maybe because you are flying into enemy territory without reinforcements and I have they ability to alert my superiors. That way, your plan to save your precious Sorceress will fail and Eternia will be damned forever" he said villainistically.
"You have our attention" Man-at-Arms reluctantly conceded.
"As I thought. Now you see, Unlike they other scum I work with, I have a sense of loyalty to those I work for. While all my comrades submit to whomever is in power. My loyalty does not lie with Hordak. My loyalty lies with Skeletor " he explained.
"Quite Frankly Tri-Clops, I think that's a lie, I think that your only loyal to Skeletor because he always makes use of you and your inventions" Man-at-Arms replied.
"Well Man-at-Arms it seems you know me better than I thought. With Skeletor I have a motive in life, a purpose to show-case my many talents. Hordak called all my inventions worthless junk. As a matter of fact, I have a feeling that as soon as the power of Greyskull is within his reach, he'll do away with me and all my life's work, and you see, I just can't have that" Tri-Clops explained.
"Ah, well that sounds more like you, I can't say I'm thrilled to be working with you, Tri-Clops, but I believe you. Since you give me no other choice, I'll hear you out. Now what exactly did you have in mind" he asked?
Well, thats the good part, I've devised a plan to release Skeletor from Eternos" and your going to help me.
"Wait just a SECOND. Release, SKELETOR, We've got enough on our hands, we don't need that Staff wiedling maniac on our tails again. Sorry Tri-Clops but we're not that thick" Adam stepped in.
"I haven't finished yet. The second part of the plan is that we send Hordak back to Despondos AND we destroy the candle of doom, thus your Sorceress will be free and the power of Greyskull will be safe once again" he explained.
Man-at-Arms carefully pondered his proposition. "Well, it's the best chance we've got" he responded.
"WHAT" adam asked?
"First we have to release the Sorceress from Snake Mountain and destroy the candle of doom" Man-at-Arms said.
"You see that's the thing, their might be a we bit of a problem with that because you see, neither the Sorceress, nor the candle of doom are in Snake Mountain. Evilyn brought the Sorceress hear and the Candle of Doom has been hidden carefully in Evergreen Forest" Tri-Clops explained.
"WHAT but the Faceless One told me................."Yes I was watching your little discussion with him through the Doom Seeker, I have no doubt that Evilyn knew you where on the way and told him that so that he'd throw you off your game" Tri-Clops interrupted.
"Adam we have to turn around and head for Eternos" Duncan screamed.
"NO" Tri-Clops interupted. "Not yet, there is something you must do first in Snake Mountain. You see, King Hiss and the Snake Men have been trying to overrun Snake Mountain for weeks. But Skeletor created a barrier to protect it. The barrier has most likely fallen by now thus King Hiss is no doubt making himself comfortable" Tri-Clops explained.
"Your point" he asked?
"King Hiss has an old quarrel with Hordak. Long ago in they age of the Zodakkians, their was one time when it looked as if the first great hero of Eternia, He-Ro was defeated. The Horde had seized control over all of Eternia. Hordak swore an oath that if King Hiss aided him in conquering Eternia, he would give King Hiss control over all the land that once belonged to the Snake Men before the Zodakkians later inhabited the planet. Once in power, Hordak betrayed King Hiss. He denied his request and instead confined the Snake Men to a small portion of land that was no more plentiful of than the land the Snake men had inhabited prior to Hordak's Reign as ruler. Then of course, He-Ro and King Hiss where trapped in the Cosmic Pool and years later, Eternia was split by Hordak into the Light and Dark Hemisphere's, The Horde's Reign ended at the hands of King Greyskull when he encased Hordak in the Dimension of Despondos at the cost of his own life. Then, the Horde was driven out of Eternia. Instead they decided to invade Eternia's sister planet Etheria.. If I know King Hiss, I know his one weakness is a thirst for vengeance. He is no doubt still seithing at the very mention of the name Hordak and would go to any lengths to even the score" Tri-Clops explained.
"Yes, there is one flawe in your plan Tri-Clops, King Hiss has a thirst for our blood as well. The Masters drove him and the Snake Men into the sea not too long ago. How do you know he won't eat us alive if go anywhere near Snake Mountain" Adam asked?
"I don't, but I do know that if you told him that in only hours the power of Greyskull will be in the hands of his greatest enemy and he'll be virtually unstoppable, it might grab his attention. Catch my drift" Tri-Clops asked?
"All right" Duncan said. "You've got yourself a deal, we'll attempt to get King Hiss BUT, in exchange, you'll have to do something for us. Send all of your Doom Seekers to find they exact location of the Candle of Doom. Then use those brains of yours to figure out a way to destroy it" Duncan commanded.
"I've already sent out my Doom Seekers to patrol the Evergreen Forest. You might as well send your Defenders to look as well being that they are just taking up space while Hordak is sending a surprise attack to exterminate them all. Tri-Clops out".
Duncan gasped. He quickly reached his communicator out of his pocket. "SECRET ATTACK! Stratos come in.......Stratos COME IN" he commanded.
But it was too late, Stratos and the Masters had been ambushed by Hordak's Forces.
The Masters at first faired well against they Invasion Force, that is until the ground shook at they emergence of Evilyn, bearing the Almighty Sword of Protection.
"Who wishes to challenge me" she asked?
Ram Man charged her with all his might. BAM! He felt as if he ran into a brick wall. The Sword protected Evilyn by forming an invincible barrier that not even Ram Man could come close to penetrating.
"Argh, I can't feel my body anymore" he gasped.
Evilyn's eyes traveled around the Evergreen Forest until her eyes met the perfect target.
"Perhaps you Mekaneck, after all I have you to thank for my new toy. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have access to the God-like power that I now have in my possession" she skulked.
Mekanek stared scoldingly into his Nemesis's eyes. Her lip curled in an evil smile as she knew her prey was taking the bait, falling willingly into her clutches. His neck extended ramming Evilyn unto the ground.
Now enraged, Evilyn sprung back to her feet. She reached into her sheath and wielded the Mighty Sword of Protection. At the glimmer of the mighty sword, the Defenders gasped and took several steps backwards.
"Ah, it's time I took the power of Greyskull for a test ride. IN THEY HONOR OF GREYSKULL. I AM SHE-RA" she bellowed. Once again, the beautiful gem in the center of Evilyn's Sword emitted a ray of light. Evilyn, now augmented with the Power of Greyskull raised her power sword into they air and then aimed it at her prey.
"NOW, let's see what you got" Evilyn said with they obvious intention of coaxing Mekanek into a dual. Mekanek took the bait. He had long wanted to prove his worth to the Masters of the Universe. Now he finally had the chance. Mekanek slowly paced in Evilyn's direction staring squarely into her merciless eyes.
"NO! She's too powerful lad" Stratos exclaimed. "And if it wasn't for me, she wouldn't have that power. I gave it to her, now I'm going to take it AWAY" he shrieked.
Mekanek extended his neck as long as he could and wrapped it around Evilyn and tightened like a Anaconda. Evilyn held aloft her sword and chanted "Sword of Protection, reveal your power". The sword radiantly gleamed. It scolded deep into Mekanek's neck freeing Evilyn's arms. Now bearing the strength of a titan, Evilyn was able to break his grip effortlessly. Then she kicked him sharply in his stomach, hurling him across the rocky ground. Then she lifted his face out of the muddy earth and whispered tenaciously "Mindless fool, it is a shame, so young, so quickly your life has run it's course. It's best I put you out of your mindless MISERY" she hissed. She wielded the sword once again. "Sword, reveal your WRATH" she commanded. The Gem unleashed a blare of energy. The energy shot up Mekaneck's body causing him to feel the deepest pain and agony he had ever experienced. The radiant color of Evilyn's eyes where soon replaced by darkness as if a specter had eclipsed her compassion. Soon this was reflected in the usually colorful gem on her power sword as it changed to the tone of death. Mekanek looked up at his friends. They could do nothing for Evilyn had erected a force field around herself and her victim. Mekanek raised two fingers up to his comrades in a sort of salute before his body buckled and burst. Mekanek was no more.
As time passed by, that moment did not. That moment remained frozen in every soul in Evergreen Forest. It is moments like them that separate life from that of Roboto's and that of a normal sentient being. It is moments like them that shape a person, that ultimately change them forever. As time may have been passing them by, the Masters were not aware of it. Shock had overtaken their souls. Reality had yet to sink in. As their lives passed before their eyes, they stood frozen, paralyzed with visions of what they had just witnessed.
Evilyn stared malignantly at the beguiled remains of her fallen victim. Of all the evil deeds she had ever performed in her long life, this was by far the worst of them all. Mekanek was not in the slightest way a threat to her power. She had killed him mercilessly in cold blood simply because she could. No deed in her dark mischievous past could compare to this unhallowed sin. She had turned people into toads, sent people to unhabitable dimensions, and burned off they're very skin but never had taken the life of an innocent. Her hands began to tremble. She felt intoxicated. Tears fell from her face as she felt distrait for her victim and yet in a sick way, she drew pleasure from it. Pleasure from the pain she had caused. After she wiped away the tears from her face, she had a sick smile. She indulged in it.
From beyond the walls of Castle Greyskull lurked a father in pain. The Faceless One fell to the ground gasping for air. He couldn't believe what he had witnessed. What remained of his heart was stabbed out with a knife by his very own daughter. The very air he breathed was poison. He was after all these years faced with reality. He had spent years trying to bury the past deep into his subconscious only to have it cast back at his face. The Reality that sins of the father had influenced Evilyn to be the death of an innocent young man. That harsh reality was one that he could not bear to live in.
"Stratos, come in, PLEASE" Man-at-Arms commanded. "I'm here, I'm here lad he said in a morbid tone of voice. "Stratos, what's wrong, what has happened" he asked?
"Mekanek, he's, he's dead"
Author's Note: YIKES, I wrote a very WIERD and unexpected ending to this chapter. It was even unexpected to me and I wrote it.
