Chapter Five: "Armistice"
The blade stood dangerously close to Flogg's neck skin. As it did, the sounds of the Starship Eternia, the battle below, and the Mothership and the Colossus exchanging fire all echoed into the night. Flogg looked He-Man in the eyes.
"What happens if I kill you?" He-Man asked.
"I will be avenged and the war goes on in my martyred name."
"What happens if we take you prisoner?'
"Just about the same."
"And if I demand a surrender?"
"Never."
"What about negotiations?"
Flogg paused and broke eye contact. He looked Slushead, who was making an attempt at sitting up despite having Hydron having a weapon trained on him. His eyes then went to Crita, who was tied up by Mara and had Flipshot standing by. Finally, he looked back at the battle.
"I . . ." He choked on the words. "I am open to negotiation on some ground terms."
"And those are?"
"My Mutant Enforcers are not take prisoner."
"Only if you order your forces to stop fighting. I will do the same and honor your terms."
Flogg paused for a long time then nodded just a little. "Yes."
He-Man stepped back and handed Flogg his comm-unit. Flogg opened the channels to all his point leaders.
"This is Flogg, warlord of Denebria and moon Nordor to all points. Stand down. I repeat: stand down and cease fire. Do not abandon your posts, but cease fire."
Flogg then handed the communicator to He-Man. He-Man, with one hand still on the Sword of Power, opened his channels to Nathan and Etor.
"This is He-Man. The Mutant forces have halted and a cease-fire has been issued. Resume your posts, but do not engage the enemy. Also, I need a unit of soldiers up here on the double."
Flogg gave He-Man a harsh look. He-Man jerked his head to Crita and Slushead. Flogg sighed, but said nothing. Both of them then watched as soldiers moved away from each other, both taking a position with an area of twenty feet between them. The Starship Colossus moved away from the Mothership and landed nearby, with U-R, Gleep, Nocturna, and Vizar joined the group.
The Starship Eternia likewise landed and Master Sebrian joined He-Man and Flogg. He pointed away from the battle to a small park that was surprisingly intact despite the chaos and destruction that resided so very close to it. A pavilion sat at its edge.
"Flogg, He-Man, let us head here to discuss this," he suggested.
"Agreed," He-Man responded.
Flogg said nothing, but his eyes locked onto the peace treaty in Master Sebrian's hand.
Flogg was in front of He-Man and Sebrian; the Power Sword readied in He-Man's hand. They arrived at the pavilion and Master Sebrian laid out the peace treaty on a picnic table.
"This is the exact same peace treaty that was presented to the Galactic Council three years ago. No changes have been made."
Flogg read it over and found no differences. It was indeed the same one he had once secretly almost signed.
"Some changes will need to be made, however," He-Man said and Sebrian agreed.
"Such as?" asked Flogg.
"Besides the complete withdraw from Primus and Nekron?" asked He-Man.
"That goes without saying," snarled Flogg.
"The treaty mentions a partial de-militarized Nordor. We want Nordor completely de-militarized. We'll have an inspection team oversee this."
"But our defenses - !"
"You honestly believe we're going to attack you?" asked Sebrian. "Before you attacked Primus, the Mutants and Primians existed peacefully! We want that back. My people have sacrificed their pacifism because of you. The last thing we want is another war!"
Flogg slammed his fist against the picnic table, nearly smashing it. "Fine! But I want something in return!"
"And what is that?"
Flogg pointed to a paragraph regarding the new leadership of Denebria's military. "It says here that Primus is to oversee all aspects of the military. I want that out. Primus has no place in the realm of Denebrian politics."
Sebrian hung his head. "Then what do you suggest? We simply allow you to return, rebuild your forces, and come back? The cycle of violence must end, Flogg."
"If you want peace, you must be willing to negotiate."
"What do you suggest?"
"A joint agreement on who will head up the new military leadership. A Mutant, chosen by both Primus and Denebria."
He-Man shrugged. "What about Meriac, the sheriff of Gorn City?"
Flogg lifted his head in thought. After a minute or two, he nodded. "Done."
"And what happens to you, Flogg?" asked Sebrian.
"You think you are the only ones who tires of war?" Flogg asked, turning his back to them both. "I am done with this war and done with the military. I will take my place on moon Nordor, where I will live out the rest of my days."
Sebrian used his telepathic skills and focused on Flogg's mind. He had never been so surprised in his long life when he discovered that Flogg was being truthful.
"What other terms, Flogg?"
"If I remove my forces from Nekron, so must you," Flogg said.
"Perhaps," Sebrian said. "But only if after Meriac is in place as new leader of military, both Primus and Denebria can jointly and peacefully aide in bringing civility and order to the peoples of Nekron."
"So be it. When I leave my post, I don't care what happens." Also true.
"Then . . . that's it?" Sebrian asked, excitement in his old voice.
Flogg took in a breath of air. "Yes, it seems so."
Sebrian stood up from the bench and faced down Flogg, the treaty between them. The sounds of the night were quickly turning into the sounds of the morning. The suns were starting rise over the horizon.
The treaty, with its revisions, sat on the table between them. He-Man watched as history was made. Master Sebrian extended his head across the table. Flogg looked at it, then He-Man, then Sebrian, then his hand again. Flogg reached out . . . and shook it.
He-Man let out a hefty sigh.
The War of the Tri-Solar System was over.
A few minutes later, Flogg, He-Man, and Sebrian rejoined the Galactic Guardians. "What now?" asked Slushead.
"Slushead . . . the war is over."
"WHAT?!" yelled out Crita.
Flogg ignored her and opened up a channel to the Mutants. "Optikk, this is Flogg. Recall all soldiers to the Mothership and put them in stand-by."
"This is insane! Flogg, what did they do to you?" Crita shouted.
"SILENCE, WOMAN!" snarled Flogg. "I tire of this damnable war."
"A few details, Flogg," Sebrian said then. "I want you and your Mutant Enforcers separated while the details of the treaty are pounded out."
"Slushead remains with me. I will not go alone."
"Fine, Slushead will accompany you. I will arrange a meeting with the Inner and Outer Councils immediately. My hope is to have the treaty signed by dusk."
"Agreed."
Sebrian and Slushead were then escorted down to a transport. Crita snarled and was escorted to the Mothership. The battle below was over for at least an hour, maybe even a little longer. The Mutant Troopers were already lining into the Mothership, along with the Mutant Enforcers. The Gleanons had taken their place near their twin transport ships.
Far above, in orbit, Dreadwings and Terror Pods turned away from Primus and returned to Denebria.
"Drissi, this is He-Man," He-Man spoke into the comm-line. "I need you to contact Gorn City immediately and reach Meriac. I'm certain word the armistice will reach Denebria shortly. Tell him he has quite the job opening waiting for him."
"I'm on it, He-Man."
He-Man closed the comm-line. He then took in a deep breath, taking in the fresh morning air. Mara walked over to him, excitement in her face.
"He-Man! The war is over she said!" grabbing his arms. She smiled wide at him. "You know what this means?"
"I know. Peace for Primus and the entire Tri-Solar System."
She laughed loudly. "Not just that, silly. He-Man! The war is over! You're going home! You're going back to Eternia!"
He-Man's jaw drop, the realization finally sinking in. He was going home. Something he had wanted ever since he first followed Skeletor to –
"Wait," He-Man said suddenly.
"What?"
"FLOGG!" He-Man roared running after the Mutant warlord.
Flogg stopped mid-stride, as did his entourage of escorts. They all looked back at He-Man.
"What is it?" asked Flogg, annoyed.
"Where is he? Where is Skeletor?" He-Man demanded.
"I have no idea. He said he had a plan to destroy you, but I do not know where he went. It was right as the battle began and he cloaked his vessel with some kind of spell before I gleam as to where he was going." Flogg then smiled a little. "Better watch your back, I guess."
XXXX
Some thirteen hours later, He-Man and Hydron walked out of a transport that landed near the battle site. The Mothership was up on its support struts, the engines on stand-by. The military presence around the Mothership was high, just in case they would decide to turn on Primus.
A stage was set up high in the center of the battlefield, a table in center of the stage. A white carpet led from the stage to the Mothership and from the stage to a transport that carried Sebrian and other members of the Primus government.
Civilians were not allowed in attendance, but the entire event was being broadcasted throughout the Tri-Solar System. The reaction on Denebria was mixed, but Flogg was surprised to learn that a massive number of Mutants were either indifferent to the whole matter or were highly satisfied with change in leadership and relationship with Primus and Nekron.
A many number of people were in attendance here, including Drissi, Caz, Grot, Aquatta, Alcon, Krex, Meloc, Gepple, U-R, Gleep, Nathan, Eton, and Mite Ambassador Bimbo.
Lining the carpet from the stage to the transport were the fully assembled Galactic Guardians, which were now Hydron, Flipshot, Kayo, Vizar, Nocturna, Tuskador, Artilla, Spinwit, and Sagitar. Lining the other side of the carpet were the Mutant Enforcers, Optikk, Lizzor, Hoove, Quakke, Butthead, Staghorn, and Kratti. To say that many of them were displeased with these events would be an understatement, but until ordered to otherwise, they were under the control of Flogg.
He-Man took the stage and stood in the center of the table, facing everyone and the cameras. After several long minutes of waiting, Gleanon General Nifel, Flogg and Crita emerged from the Mothership. Meriac was with them, along with an entourage he had brought with him from Denebria. All of Gorn City and its surrounding areas were abuzz with excitement.
At the same time as Flogg, Nifel, Meriac, Slushead, and Crita started their walk down the carpet, so did the Primian half. Master Sebrian, Mara, Mite President Pell, Counselor Werban and Military Chief Darius all walked to the table.
Finally, the last to arrive did so. Olos, an emissary of the Galactic Council (legitimately, too, as to make sure that another Patheon-type wouldn't occur) arrived and stood at the head of the table. He-Man filled the other head. On the left were the Mutants and the Gleanons and on the right were Primians and the Mites.
Olos, who signed the line for 'Third Party', lifted the treaty up. The treaty then went to Crita, who filled with the box for her information (which included Position, Name, Date, and Signature), then handed it harshly to Mara. Mara did the same and handed to Nifel, who then handed it to Pell, who passed it to Slushead, who gave it to Darius, who handed it over to Meriac, who in turn gave it to Sebrian. Sebrian gave it to Flogg, who finally gave it to He-Man, who filled out his box.
He-Man then turned to the last page, where the signatures would need to written again. He did and the order went back, though reversed.
When Olos received the treaty, he signed it, and placed it back on the table. He pressed a button on his wrist and a beam of light struck the treaty. Immediately, the treaty duplicated - one for Denebria and one for Primus.
"Let it be known that the Galactic Council is pleased with this treaty and hopes that the Tri-Solar System can move on with its peace."
The groups separated and started back down the carpets. However, neither group made it fully to their ship when a massive clap of thunder exploded nearby. Streams of energy went raining from the sky and destroyed the stage.
The visage of Skeletor appeared above everyone.
"PEACE?! PEACE!" roared Skeletor, fury in his voice. Crita smiled, He-Man grimed, and Flogg looked up curious. "YOU FOOL, FLOGG! DO YOU REALLY THINK I TRAVELED ALL THE WAY FROM ETERNIA – JUST TO SURRENDER? I HAVE FOUGHT YOUR RIDICULOUS BATTLES! ALLOWED YOU TO ORDER ME AROUND! PUT UP WITH YOUR STUPIDITY ONLY FOR THIS MOMENT!"
Skeletor unleashed a massive blast of energy that shook the ground. "Go then, cowards! This battle is mine alone!"
Flogg sneered. "You were the one that ruined me, Skeletor! You were the one that pushed for war! Now you are the one that must pay!"
"NO!" roared He-Man. "This battle is between Skeletor and I!"
"YES!" shouted Skeletor. "Let it be done, then!"
"Skeletor!" yelled out Crita. "I will serve you loyally! I reject Flogg!"
Flogg grumbled loudly and pointed at Crita. "You've made your decision, then, Crita! Perish along with Skeletor!"
Crita walked up to the visage of Skeletor, which stood like a ghost in the Oasis.
"So it ends, He-Man," Skeletor said.
There was a sudden burst of light and He-Man, Crita, and Mara were gone, as was the visage of Skeletor.