Chapter Four
Rise of the Warrior Goddess
For the past couple of weeks, Skeletor and his minions have been quiet. Unfortunately, He-Man and the Heroic Warriors have had to deal with other threats in other regions of Eternia.
They have battled sea serpents in the Crystal Sea who had attacking food carrier ships, and an army of Ice Trolls who invaded the isolated kingdom of the Kulataks beneath the Ice Mountains.
During the time that has passed, Stratos and his people, the Avionians, have made a peace treaty with the Andreenids - the Bee People in the Mystic Mountains - and they have decided to help He-Man and his allies against the threat of Skeletor.
One day, the thriving city of Doone, known for selling opium, silver and various spices, were attacked by the Arachna, a race of venomous spider warriors.
The Heroic Warriors succeeded in saving the town, as the spider warriors were incarcerated and sent on a flight carrier to the Prison Mines, a place were criminals worked in the mines as punishment.
He-Man decided that they should remain in the town to attend to the helpless and the injured. With his great strength and Man-at-Arms knowledge in science, they were able to rebuild the town. The people of Doone were extremely grateful for He-Man's heroism, hailing him as the true savior of Eternia.
"All hail He-Man, savior of Eternia!" said the mayor of the town, as He-Man stood beside him the town square, filled with cheering people.
"No thanks is necessary, Mayor Burkus," said a modest He-Man. "Everyone in this town fought bravely alongside my warriors and I."
After helping to fix the town, the heroes decided to go back to Castle Grayskull. He-Man and Battle Cat were traveling with Man-at-Arms in a Wind Raider.
"It sure is a breath of fresh air to get away from the grounds of Grayskull, Duncan," said He-Man. "I am also grateful to Orko. With his compassion and otherworldly magic, he has been a great assert in the battle against evil."
"We haven't seen Skeletor in weeks," says Man-at-Arms, with mirth in his voice. "I hope that deviant has learned to not tamper with magic he does not understand!"
Teela comes flying beside them in the air on her hoverboard.
"We can't do too much celebrating," she tells them. "Skeletor learning the truth about Grayskull almost came to fruition during our last fight."
"I swear he will never set foot inside Grayskull," said He-Man, sternly.
Suddenly, they heard a loud roar. Was it a wild animal from the nature spots they were passing over? A dragon? One of the liozard people? The roar was far too familiar. It was the roar of Panthor, who came into veiw in a rocky clearing, with Skeletor riding on top of him. With his minions at his side, they were certainly eager for another fight.
Man-at-Arms noticed that Skeletor was wearing some of sort of mechanical glove. After his hand and arm was fatally wounded trying to wield the magic of He-Man's Power Sword, he had received a replacement. The mechanical glove had large fingers which look like incredible sharp blades which could shred through anything.
"What a hideous appendage!" grunts Man-at-arms.
Stratos, Teela, and Buzz Off - king of the Andreenids and the newest member of the team - land on the ground. He-Man, Battle Cat and Man-at-Arms leap out of the Wind Raider, and they are joined by Orius, who is flying a Sky Sled.
The champions of Grayskull draw their weapons and stand ready for battle. They charge for Skeletor, who pounds the bottom of his Havoc Staff into the ground, setting a massive magical shockwave. His enemies flew back, all dazed. He promises that they won't get so lucky in battle this time.
While most of the team is trying to gain their senses, it is He-Man and Teela have have received the least hurt. With the power of Grayskull flowing through He-Man's being and with Teela's own hidden powers protecting her somehow, they are the best defense against the Lord of Destruction.
"Bah! You call yourselves the Defenders of Grayskull, but I could slaughter you are with a whim!" Skeletor bellows.
He-Man and Teela hold themselves ready against him. Unfortunately, He-Man is pounced upon by Beast Man, Whiplash and Mer-Man, who hold him to the ground.
Teela armed with her cobra staff, does her best against Skeletor. She manages to dodge his magical attacks, and even blocks some of them off with her cobra staff. Skeletor manages to disarm her, and she falls to the ground, looking up at the hideous form of her enemy approaching.
He-Man breaks free from the minions' grasp, thanks to his incredible strength. He rushes to help Teela, Orius comes from behind Skeletor, swinging his large yellow metal cub.
"Orius, no!" He-Man cried out, knowing that the young warrior was no match for Skeletor's magic.
"You will cause this world no more misery!" Orius cried, leaping towards his bone-faced adversary.
The Lord of Destruction uses his magic from the Havoc Staff to stop Orius from moving in mid-air, leaving him hanging. Orius stares at his gruesome new hand.
"Ah, you like my new hand?" Skeletor asks, in a deepened, gloomy voice. "I created it myself. I call it the Terror Claw!"
With a large blinding flash, he uses the Terror Claw to slash Orius's neck. Blood splattered all over the ground.
He then blasts the fatally wounded warrior with his Havoc Staff in the face, blowing him away. He-Man arrives, enraged, and punches Skeletor away, sending him flying through a large nearby tree.
He-Man and Teela rush to Orius side. He's barely alive. His neck is a bloody mess and his eyes are singed shut, full of black burn marks. Both warriors are horrified by acting too late.
"He's barely alive," says a panic-stricken Teela, as they try to conceal the wound with their hands, trying to stop the bleeding.
Luckily, a recovering Man-at-Arms arrives and uses nanotechnology to seal the wound on his neck and stop the bleeding. Having escaped death's door/
"Thank you, my friends," Orius replies with a weasing voice.
The young warrior struggles to speak. He is weak and is in great pain.
"Man-at-Arms, you must take him to Grayskull at once," says He-Man, his hands covered in blood.
Man-at-Arms does as he is told, as they help Orius onto the Wind Raider.
"Don't worry, lad," said Man-at-Arms, softly. "We will find the ways to fix you!"
Man-at-Arms departs in the Wind Raider, as it disappears into the clear golden sky.
"Skeletor's a psychopath!" Teela scowled with rage.
"I just hope that its not too late for Orius," said He-Man, kneeling to the ground with his head hanging in disappointment.
The two warriors are approached by Stratos Buzz Off.
"That Skeletor fiend packs quite a wallop," says Buzz Off, rubbing his sore head.
"What happened?" says Stratos, and saw the blood splattered on the large rocks. "By Avion, who's blood is that?"
"Orius," said Teela, "Skeletor got to him. He's badly wounded. Luckily. my father got to him!"
Suddenly, Skeletor leaps out from the bushes, like a large predator, his demonic eyes glowing red with anger.
"You heartless monster!" cries Teela. "How dare you try to kill one of our friends!"
"You friend shouldn't have rushed so quickly into battle, girl!" Skeletor roars in anger.
Evil-Lyn appears next to him via teleportation, smiling malevolently.
"Shall we finish these do-gooders off, my Lord?"
"Be my guest!" said Skeletor, gleefully.
The champions of Grayskull stand their ground, weapons ready. Before Skeletor makes their move, a gigantic stream of golden light pours out of the sky, as if coming from some sort of space vessel. But the light was a lot brighter than anything which could come from an ordinary space cruiser. It stops the fight, as both the forces of good and evil are baffled by witnessing this strange phenomenon.
From the golden light, steps out a beautiful woman with green skin and red cobra armor. As beautiful as this woman was, she had this unusual presence which was both powerful and divine.
He-Man and Teela recognized her immediately - it was the legendary Green Goddess of old. They had been eagerly waiting her arrival.
"Who are you, woman?" asked Skeletor.
"I am the Green Goddess!" The Goddess replies, her voice was soothing, yet godlike.
"What? But you're only a legend!" Skeletor gawped, showing actual fear for the first time.
For the very first time, He-Man, Teela and Evil-Lyn were shocked to see the Lord of Destruction is such anxiety. As if he had no ambition or wrath left within him.
Since their first encounter, he was thought to be the ultimate embodiment of evil. A ruthless, cold-blooded monster. But it appeared that even the most cold-blooded of men could feel fear.
"We...should leave, my Lord," said Evil-Lyn, cautiously. "The Green Goddess is said to be the most powerful being to walk Eternia...if not the entire universe."
"Be quiet, Evil-Lyn!" Skeletor snapped. "The great Skeletor does not cower away from false deities!"
The Goddess looks upon Skeletor, at is appears that he's anxiety increases.
"Be gone, foul demon!" she says, raising her hand. "You infect these lands with your evil. The universe will one day be rid of you!"
"I will crush you..." Skeletor yells, but the Goddess merely strokes the air with her hand, and the Lord of Destruction and his sorceress are gone.
"What happened to them?" asked Teela, carefully coming towards him.
"I sent them to the dark regions they come from," the Goddess replied. "Snake Mountain, that is."
Beast Man, Whiplash and Mer-Man appear, and they flee into the wilderness like the cowards they are, before the Goddess can make a move on them.
He-Man and Teela step forth, and knelt down before her. She smiles upon them.
"It has been many years since Eternia has been gifted with such fine heroes," she said.
"I've been waiting for you," says Teela. "Hoping you could teach me to use my latent powers."
"That is why I am here, Teela," the Goddess replied. "I have waited since you were born for this day. You are the true embodiment of a warrior goddess."
"A warrior what now?" asked Teela.
"I will explain everything to you," the Goddess replied, then looks to He-Man. "Ah, mighty He-Man. The elders have chosen their new champion wisely. I will also help you to further your training. The war against evil is far from over."
"That will be a great honor," said He-Man. "You have my gratitude."
As the Goddess prepares to educate Teela, He-Man, Battle Cat and the other Heroic Warriors travel back to Castle Grayskull to see to Orius and how he is recovering.
"Good luck, Teela!" He-Man calls out.
Teela has a radiant smile on her face.
"Looks like you and He-Man are more than friends," says the Goddess, as Teela blushes.
Back at Snake Mountain, Skeletor is furious by the Goddess' intervention, believing it was his chance to get rid of He-Man and the Heroic Warriors once and for all. Her arrival also ruins his plans to uncover the truth about Castle Grayskull. But he would not rest until he finds a way.
Beneath the Lord of Destruction's throne room, Beast Man had a menagerie, filled with cages of vicious animals and man-eating monsters, which he had enslaved. The Savage Henchman had the innate and unique ability to telepathically control animals and monsters. Evil-Lyn and Mer-Man were with him, as they grew tired and frustrated with Skeletor's berating and belittling.
"There is one thing that intrigues about those Grayskull champions," says Beast Man, giving out foot to some Serpinataurs, large serpent-like creatures. "Is that He-Man and Prince Adam are never seen together. The prince makes a disappearing act and then He-Man appears out of nowhere. Not to mention that the prince is a Defender of Grayskull. And, what was that weird energy flowing into the Abys? After Adam fell to his death?"
"Controlling a menagerie of monsters has fried your brain, beastie," said Evil-Lyn, strolling the area. "Are you deducing that the prince is somehow the strongest man in the universe? That is absolutely prosperous. He-Man is a titan on the battlefield, while Adam is but a feeble little wimp."
"Well, they do have a certain resemblance," warbled Mer-Man, who was standing one side.
"Bah, you two dolts have over-active imaginations!" she says, and storms out the menagerie with an irate attitude.
"What's her problem?" asked Mer-Man, as Beast Man delivers a befuddled expression.
Meanwhile, Skeletor sits on his bone throne, trying to think of ways to get back at his enemies. Then Whiplash marks in with an intruder outsider - a monstrous Arachna spider warrior with dark blue spider-hair, bulging red eyes and purple body armor.
"Found this spidery intruder outside, my lord," Whiplash grunts, and walks out the room.
The Arachna warrior bows to Lord Skeletor.
"Forgive me, Lord Skeletor," he says. "I am Webstor, master strategist of the Arachna armies. I have come to pledge my services to you."
"Ah, yes, I have heard of you," Skeletor says. "I have heard you the Master of Escape. Your skills are exemplary, putting others to shame,."
"Yes, lord, I have escaped the Prison Mines," said Webstor. "I want revenge upon those defenders of Grayskull who sent me and my people there."
Skeletor welcomes Webstor to Snake Mountain, and believes that this cunning spider man will be a great asset in his conquest of Castle Grayskull.
Meanwhile, The Goddess is with Teela in the Tanglewood Forest, not far from the town of Doone, as they train together. With her help, Teela is able to get a hold of her powers, learning that she can communicate with animals and also possesses the unique power of clairvoyance.
"This is amazing," says Teela, as all forms of animal come to her. From stags, to rabbits, and even birds. As if they were friends.
"When I wasn't battling Serpos and the Snake Mountain, I spent time in the forest, communicating with the animals and understanding nature," she said. "I feel one with them."
Teela looked at the Staff of Ka, still uncertain if she was meant to wield it.
"I remember when He-Man and I travel to Serpos' Temple and found this staff," she said, and hands it back to the Goddess. "It belongs to you."
"No, Teela," said the Goddess. "The staff chooses its master, just like the Sword of Power chose Prince Adam to become He-Man. You are the right one to wield it."
"I always thought I was supposed to be a simple soldier," Teela said, elated. "But, looks like fate has much more in store for me."
"Indeed, Teela," said the Goddess, "you and He-Man have both special destinies. He will become the universe's savior, and you will be his side, as equals. To become Masters of the Universe."
"I just wish that we could fight alongside Skeletor," said Teela, "not against him. That's what He-Man wants. What King Randor wanted. A peaceful and united universe."
Suddenly, a large liozard comes walking towards the Goddess, snarling gently. It was a giant creature - part lion, part reptile. While the creature looks like an ordinary lion, it had a green skin pigmentation with scales, and a long forked tongue like a snake.
Teela gasped, knowing that liozards were the one of the most aggressive creatures in Eternia's animal kingdom, but it came to the Goddess, and she stroked its head. The beast was as friendly as Cringer.
"You see, even the most hostile of creatures can be tamed," said the Goddess. "Even the most evil of enemies can be redeemed. Maybe, one day, somehow, Skeletor will find redemption."
"So, what do we do now?" asked Teela, amazed by how the liozard reacted to the Goddess.
"We shall become one," said Goddess, "to face Skeletor. I can assure you he won't rest until all of Eternia is his!"
Teela prepares for battle, and the new destiny that awaits her.
Back at Castle Grayskull, Man-at-Arms is attending to the severely injured Mekaneck in the Recovery Room, with the Sorceress and Orko standing by.
Ram Man is with Adam and Cringer, as the Human Battering Ram fears for his young cousin's life.
"My cousin cannot die, Your Highness," says a disheartened Ram Man. "He has a young wife and a baby boy. They need him/"
"Don't worry, Rammy," said Adam. "Orius is in excellent hands. We will be able to fix him."
At the same time, Stratos and Buzz Off are on patrol in the Crimson Sands, where the village of Gnael are being attacked by Sand Demons.
"Prince Adam, come in, Prince Adam," Stratos calls through a communicator. "The village of Gnael is being attacked by Sand Demons."
"We will be there soon, Stratos," says Adam, as he asked Ram Man for aid in the journey.
Prince Adam runs into a secluded room, with Cringer at his side, and raises the Sword of Power.
"BY THE POWER OF GRAYSKULL!"
Lightning pours out of the blade of the sword, and the room is emitted with immense light. The light fades out in a giant flash, and the prince has transformed into the mighty He-Man, with lightning crackling all around him.
"I...have...THE POWER!" he cries, as he lowers the sword in Cringer's direction. In a flash, the quivering feline is transformed into the fearless Battle Cat.
"Let's go catch some Sand Demons!" says an excitable Battle Cat.
Boarding the Wind Raider with Ram Man, they fly out to Gnael, ready to protect the people once more.
With the Wind Raider's speed, they reach the village in a matter of minutes. While Stratos and Buzz Off have led most of the people to safety, the Sand Demons have demolished some houses.
The Sand Demons were large, bulky creatures with a sandy texture, although their bodies were as hard as stone. They were magical constructs, yet not truly alive. They had great strength, and their eyes glowed brightly, almost like glistening jewels, and they made a ghost-like wail as they marched forward like the lumbering brutes they were.
Stratos fought bravely against them, using his wrist-mounted blasters, but it had little effect on them. One demon attacked him, and he was wounded, no match for their strength.
Before anymore damage could be done, He-Man arrived with Ram Man and Battle Cat.
With his supernatural strength, the most powerful man in the universe, turned their sandy opponents into nothing more than piles of sand. Ram Man was instrumental in with his ramming power, and even Battle Cat made a difference with his tiger strength.
Once the Sand Demons were taken care of, the Heroic Warriors help to repair look to see if there was anyone trapped into the rubble or injured. There were luckily very little human casualties. The villagers returned to the homes, and thanked He-Man for his heroism.
Suddenly, Evil-Lyn and Beast Man come into view in the sky, atop their Griffins, laughing maniacally.
"You brainless fools!" Evil-Lyn laughs. "While you were working out a sweat taking down those Sand Demons, our great lord approaches your precious Castle Grayskull!"
"The Sand Demons...they were a diversion!" said an angry He-Man.
"Yes, handsome," says Evil-Lyn. "You see, I created them with my magic...to lure you away from Grayskull. Oh, what a glorious day this is!"
"You haven't won yet, Evil-Lyn!" He-Man cried out.
The heroes board the Wind Raider. Buzz Off was carrying Stratos as he wounded from his battle with the Sand Demons. He loads the injured Avionian into the Wind Raider.
Buzz Off flies after Skeletor's henchman with the Wind Raider in tow. The bee man manages to blast Beast Man off his Griffin, and he flies into the forests below/ He then goes after Evil-Lyn. She tells her Griffin to fly back to Snake Mountain, and before Buzz Off can reach her, she teleports herself to Castle Grayskull.
He-Man turns up the speed on the Wind Raider, and they blast off towards Grayskull, flying over many miles of land.
Meanwhile, back at Grayskull, the Sorceress detects Skeletor and his minions are approaching. While she and Orko attend to Orius, Man-at-Arms goes to the tower cannon, to help defend the castle.
Skeletor comes riding on Panthor, with Mer-Man, Whiplash and Webstor right next to him.
Man-at-Arms sits at the tower cannon, demanding that they leave. He starts blasting at them with the cannons, and they dodge out of the way, but Skeletor is able to block the attacks with his magic. Evil-Lyn teleports next to him, which makes him pleased.
The Evil Warriors manage to dodge the firepower of the laser cannon, and hide behind large boulders near the castle. Then, Skeletor blasts at Man-at-Arms with his Havoc Staff, sending him falling off the tower and into the Abyss. The Master of Weapons pulls out a grappling hook, and hurls himself back to the surface.
"Ah, Duncan," Skeletor sneers. "Don't you pathetic heroes know by now that I will not rest until I discover the secrets of Grayskull? Come and face me, old man, and meet your doom!"
A raising fervor swells up in Man-at-Arms, and he faces Eternia's greatest evil. He fights superbly. Mace against staff.
In a matter of time, He-Man and his friends have returned from the Crimson Sands. The henchmen of Skeletor stand ready to face the most powerful man in the universe.
He-Man leaps down from the Wind Raider, and pounds the ground so hard with his fist, that it causes a great shockwave sending the monstrous warriors flying many feet through the air. They fell to the ground, dazed and wounded, no match for He-Man's strength.
Unseen by the naked eye, the terrible Webstor leaps onto Ram Man, venom black venom dripping from his fangs and mouth. He bites Ram Man on the arm. The large warrior clutches his arms, and collapses. Even Webstor's venom is potent enough to bring down the strongest of warriors.
Buzz Off knocks out Webstor with a blast from his pole-axe, which knocks the spider warrior unconscious. The bee man takes Ram Man inside Castle Grayskull, where the Sorceress can heal him.
Skeletor overthrows Man-at-Arms in the fight, and turns to face He-Man. Battle Cat and Ram Man wish to join the fight.
"It's okay, guys," he said. "I'll handle this!"
"I will end you, hero!" Skeletor fumes, his eyes burning red.
But, before the two archenemies take on another for the umpteenth time, a giant blast of rainbow-colored light comes from the heavens and strikes the earth, stopping the fight.
As the light dissipates, the Green Goddess and Teela emerge from it. A mystic energy glows around them, and the two women form into one divine and powerful being. It shows Teela, wearing the cobra armor of the Goddess and her eyes glowing with a green-colored energy, and armed with the Staff of Ka.
"Come and fight me, demon!" she says, as both the voices of Teela and the Goddess speak through her.
"Grayskull is mine, wench!" Skeletor yells, charges downwards her in a fit of rage, and they engage in a wondrous battle.
While Skeletor still proves that he is a force to be reckoned with, he comes to realizes that he no match for the divine magic and the power of the good wielded by Teela, as the Goddess' power flows through her being. Once again, the Lord of Destruction has been defeated.
Teela walks toward him, glowing in rainbow-colored energy, Skeletor looks at her, with fear and dismay.
"I promise you, monster," she says. "You will never set foot inside Grayskull. The Masters of the Universe will never fall to you!"
"I swear I will have my revenge!" Skeletor cried in anger, humiliated, and disappeared in a flash.
He-Man and his allies rush to Teela, who separates from the Goddess. She now wears the Goddess' armor, which she will use in battle.
"Now, you are the Heroic Warrior Goddess," she Green Goddess tells Teela with pride.
Teela is now in full control over her powers, thanks to the patience and guidance of the Green Goddess.
"Thank you," she said, as she rushed to the Green Goddess and wrapped her arms around her for a hug.
"You have my thanks as well, great Goddess," said He-Man, smiling at her.
"I will not always be here," the Goddess replied, putting her hands gently on Teela by her shoulders. "While you have become the Warrior Goddess, you also have a life here with your friends, defending Grayskull. I have to return to the stars. The rest of the universe needs watching. Should I be needed again, I will return. Farewell, my Masters of the Universe!"
The rainbow-colored light comes down from the skies once again, and carries her back into the heavens.
He-Man, Teela and the other heroic Masters of the Universe celebrate their victory.
"You were amazing today," He-Man tells Teela, lovingly embracing her.
"I am so glad to have met her," Teela said, with a sigh of content. "She calls us Masters of the Universe. Has a nice ring to it."
"A bit of a mouthful, don't you think?" asked Buzz Off.
"Yeah, something we all have to get used to," said He-Man. "But, if protecting the secrets of powers of Grayskull doesn't make us Masters, then I don't what does. As long as we all stay true to each other, our world is safe."
Once again, with the forces of good united, the menace of Skeletor and his legions are, for the time, defeated, and Eternia is safe once more.
Later that evening, when the sun was going down, Adam and Teela stand atop the Grayskull towers, and talk about the events of the day.
"These powers are really something, Adam," Teela says joyously. "But, having the ability to communicate with animals, that's something quite remarkable."
"It is, indeed," said Adam, as the wind blew his wavy blonde hair. "I am grateful that the Green Goddess fights by our side. I hope we see her again."
Man-at-Arms comes up to see them, a look of satisfaction on his wise old face.
"Hey, father, how is Orius?" asked Teela.
"The worst is over," said Man-at-Arms. "The wound on his neck was severe, but we will able to fix it. His eyes and vision were also severely damaged. But I am working on something that will fix him, and further his skill in battle."
"Good to hear, Duncan," said Adam. "Orius is a loyal and brave friend. We can't lose him."
"That's what fears me," says Man-at-Arms. "Orius almost lost his life. Skeletor does not care who he hurts."
"Don't worry," says Adam. "We have the power of Grayskull on our side. Teela is now in full control of her powers, and the Goddess has become our friend and ally. Maybe Skeletor won't bother us for a while."
"I hope so, Adam," says Duncan. "Even villains need their rest. One thing is certain - we haven't seen the last of Skeletor and his lackeys."
While the day has been won by the Masters of the Universe, the truth is that Skeletor will not rest until he has conquered all of Eternia. Evil never sleeps.
Whatever lies in store for them, the champions of Grayskull will always be there to protect Eternia against the forces of evil. No matter how long the war rages on.