Chapter Six
Trouble in Anwat Gar
For several weeks, He-Man and Teela had been staying in the Citadel of the Elders, training with the Green Goddess. They were improving on their prowess in combat and learning more about their respective powers.
However, He-Man and Battle Cat had to step away from training as they were summoned to other parts of Eternia in helping others in need. One important journey was stopping the enslavement of the citizens of Targa, a city formerly ruled by the tyrannical Queen Balina, and also battling the creatures of the Black Swamp, that had been disturbing the peace of the benevolent plant creatures that live there. The swamp was a place that the Most Powerful Man in the Universe preferred to not to visit too often, but he refused to turn his back on those in need.
When they finally returned to Castle Grayskull, they changed back into Prince Adam and Cringer. When they entered the castle, they came across a stranger in the Sorceress' throne room, who was a yellow and blue-skinned warrior with cybernetic parts covering his torso, face and legs.
"Sy-Klone, this is our leader, Prince Adam," said Man-at-Arms, who was also in the room with Orko.
"Just Adam, thank you," said the prince. "I am just a member of the Masters of the Universe. It is great to meet you, Sy-Klone. How may we be of service?"
"It is good to meet you too, Adam," replied Sy-Klone. "I am from the island of Anwat Gar. I am the first Cylanian to step foot outside the island in many, many years. My people prefer to keep to ourselves. But, now we are in need of help of He-Man and his allies. You see, our land is under siege by a powerful warlord named Jitsu. He slayed my wife and son before my eyes!"
"Ah, yes, the Cylanians," said the Sorceress. "I have heard about your people. You escaped your homeworld when it was overtaken by the Horde Empire."
"My condolensces, Sy-Klone," said Adam, sympathetically. "Yes, we will help you. Our duty is to protect all of Eternia. You made a good choice to come to find us and it was wise to you to come to Grayskull for aid.
\"Man-at-Arms and Orko will go with you, Adam," said the Sorceress.
"Some of my magic will come in handy," said an excitetable Orko.
"Your magic is always welcome, Orko," chuckled the Prince.
As Sy-Klone went to wait outside, Adam transformed into He-Man once more.
"'BY THE POWER OF GRAYSKULL!" as lightning and blinding light filled the room, as He-Man and his friends prepared for their next important mission - the journey to Anwat Gar.
The Masters followed Sy-Klone to Anwat Gar, traversing the Eternian oceans via War Whales, water-based vehicles created by Man-at-Arms
The island is vastly different to most other parts of Eternia, with unusual architecture, religion and ways of living.
"When we arrived on Eternia, my people and I could not adapt to Eternia's atmosphere and ozone layer, so we brought our advanced cybernetics to create suits of armor and weapons to keep ourselves alive."
"That is amazing," said Man-at-Arms, once they reached the shoreline of Anwat Gar with their War Whales.
"Yes," said Sy-Klone. "Our weaponry has made a difference against Jitsu and his armies. But, he is a persistent one. He has no formed an army of stone soldiers, which has brought many of our greatest warriors to their graves!"
"Soldiers made from stone?" asked He-Man. "Looks like we've got our work cut out for us!"
"They are not alive, though," said Sy-Klone. "Just not easy to take down."
"If we can fight against the magic of Skeletor, we will our best againt Jitsu's forces," said Man-at-Arms.
"Thank you, friends," said Sy-Klone. "Ah, yes, I have had the misfortunate of meeting this Skeletor. A nightmarish, cold-blooded monster. Our people went to Snake Mountain for help, and he and his minions blatantly refused to help us, chasing us away like a pack of dogs."
"Unfortunately, Skeletor is not the most gracious man on Eternia," said He-Man. "He thrives only for himself. His minions are the ones who suffer the most, as they fail do achieve his ambitions."
"Skeletor has been a thorn in our side for a long time," said Orko, with a sigh of chagrin. "Eternia would be a much nicer place without him."
"You must kill him, then," said Sy-Klone, clenching his He-fist. "A world should not fall to a tyrant such as the Lord of Destruction."
"No, Sy-Klone," said He-Man. "The Masters of the Universe fight for justice, not destruction, Killing Skeletor would turn us into the monster he is. To end violence, we must not be violent. I was chosen as a Master of the Universe for a reason, to wield the power of Grayskull to protect and inspire others. I want to lead Eternia to a bright future, and I cannot do that if I am to become a killer."
"But he is a monster," said Sy-Klone, with a hint of disgust at his tone. "Surely you don't think that mercy is the answer to your problems."
"Skeletor is a monster, yes, but we are not," said He-Man, with a stern reaction. "We are fighitng for a united and peaceful universe. Everyone, no matter how evil or how cruel he or she is, can be redeemed. One day, I hope, Skeletor will one day become the man he once was."
"If Skeletor doesn't change, the more crimes he commits, the bigger the punishment," says Orko. "So, please bare with us, Sy-Klone."
"Very well,"" said Sy-Klone, as He-Man walked on to Sy-Klone's home village.
"Looks like He-Man and Skeletor have a bad history," Sy-Klone whispered to Man-at-Arms.
"We all do," said Man-at-Arms, with pain in his response. "You don't know the half of it!"
Once they Sy-Klone's, the entire place has been demolished and many people had been slain. An elder named Sy-Gor rushed up them
"Lord Sy-Klone, Jitsu attacked with a fury,"' explains Sy-Gor that the warlord Jitsu ""His armies of stone samurai were too much for our own warriors. Ty-Fune and Cy-Clona fell!"
"Our two greatest soldiers," said Sy-Klone, with tears swelling up in his eyes. "They were like my brother and sister. I should have helped. I am your leader. I should have been here!"
"Don't worry, Sy-Klone," said Orko. "The Masters of the Universe are here to end this menace!"
"We need to help this people," said He-Man, horrified by the suffering Jitsu has caused.
Horrified by the suffering this Jitsu has called, the Masters decide to jump in and help. Man-at-Arms had brought food and medical supplies, while He-Man uses his strength to clean up the crumbled buildings and search for any life casualties. Orko uses his vast array of magical abilities to rebuild and restore the houses and buildings, which pleases Sy-Klone.
"Great work, my friend," He-Man said, smiling at Orko. "Your magic is truly a blessing during this hard time for these people!""
\The villagers thank He-Man, who assures them that the Masters do not allow the innocent to live in agony.
Later that night, the Masters and Sy-Klone sit around a fire, listening to the sounds of waves breaking along the shoreline of the island. The villagers are grateful to He-Man and his friends for his assistance.
"He-Man, can you tell us about your trip to Morania and when you fought against the giant ice spider?" asked a little girl named Cy-Lon.
"What about the Space Pirates you arrested on the Moon of Zundar?" asked her older brother.
"Very well, little ones," said He-Man as the chidlren gathered around him excitedly. "I have plenty of exciting stories to tell."
He-Man and his friends enjoy the company and laughter of ordinary people, which was refreshing from their many battles against Skeletor, which takes a toll, even for the Most Powerful Man in the Universe.
While most of the Cylanians go to sleep, the Masters discuss with Sy-Klone about how to check on Jitsu and his soldiers.
"We need to make sure that Jitsu does not attack the village again," said He-Man.
"We should investigate, my fellow Masters," said Man-at-Arms.
"Jitsu should have a fleet of ships on the seas," Sy-Klone replied.
"We will go when the sun rises," said He-Man. "I suggest we get a little shut eye. Don't worry, Sy-Klone. No Cylanian will be slaugthered ever again."
"You have my thanks, Masters," said Sy-Klone, gratefully.
And so, the Masters and their new ally in arms went to their accomodation so they oculd get a few hours of sleep.
During the first sign of sunlight, the Masters go with Sy-Klone to the shoreline of Anwat La, where Jitsu has gathered his armies.
Everything is quiet, and the Masters came across Jitsu and his many ships near the shoreline. They watch carefully as the sun rises over the ocean, the water glistening like gold.
They see Jitsu climbing down from his own ship, calling it the Golden Flame as a large golden dragon is sculpted onto the bow.
Jitsu was a middle-aged man with long raven-colored hair and a definite evil in his eyes. He wore red and gold armor.
"How cruel can one man be to command stone soldiers to attack peaceful villagers?" asked Man-at-Arms.
"Fear not, my soldiers," said Jitsu, his voice was dominant and commanding. "Just a few more villages...and then Anwat Gar will be under our rule!"
The Masters and Sy-Klone leap into action, much to Jistu's surprise.
"How dare you interfere with my plans?" Jitsu spattered with rage.
"Stand down, Jitsu," saud He-Man, sternly. "We will no longer tolerate you harming innocent people!"
"Ah, a man of compassion?" asked Jitsu, wih malevolence in his tone. "Pathetic! Attack, my soldiers!"
The soldiers charge towards them in a fury. He-Man smashes them with his supernatural strength, turning them into stones and dust. Man-at-Arms fights brilliantly with his mace, while Orko uses his magic to make short work of them, by making them float in the air and then smashing them into little bits.
The Masters are amazed by Sy-Klone's own powers, as he uses the power of wind to destroy the soldiers, and uses his arms to create strong tornados by spinning them in rapid motion.
Suddenly, Jitsu appears from nowhere. He leapt into the air and takes down Sy-Klone, and in a blur, defeats Man-at-Arms and even Orko with ease. He then intends to face He-Man, but does not attack him head on.
The champion has taken down countless of the stone soldiers, as they were no match for the Power of Grayskull.
"You care so much for these Cylanians," said Jisu, "but yet, you fight like a god. You have the strength of a thousand men. We should join forces, champion. We can be gods together."
"I do not wish to be a god," said He-Man, gripping onto his sword tightly. "I serve the world of Eternia as its protector."
"Ah, you're a protector of the innocent?" asked an intrigued Jitsu. "What do they call you, warrior?"
"My name is He-Man, and I am here to ask to leave Anwat Gar. There's no need to bring harm upon these people."
"He-Man...I have heard of you," said Jitsu. "I have traveled our over the world, and the people cheer your name and tell stories about your heroic deeds!"
"What about it?" asked He-Man.
"You know what happens to heroes, He-Man?" asked Jitsu. "They get burned. One last chance, champion...join me in a quest for glory. Put this insipid path of a savior aside!"
Jitsu is thoroughly impressed with his strength and skill, saying that He-Man's strength is godlike. He remarks that he and He-Man should work together to conquer not only Anwat Gar, but all of Eternia. That they should become gods together.
He-Man refuses to become a partner of a ruthless killer, which enrages Jitsu, who attacks the hero with his kitana blade. He-Man fights back amrvelously with his Power Sword.
Impressed with his strength. Jitsu evades his moves as if the hero was a clumsy child. He-Man finally strikes Jitsu down with his sword, although doesn't wound him.
"Take your ships and leave," said He-Man. "Anwat Gat doesn't need a tyrant!"
"No, I live to conquer, hero!" Jitsu spattered.
He smiled malevolently and leapt over He-Man in a rapid motion, and restrains the hero's wrists with cuffs, which have a strange glowing red crystal inside. He-Man hands are cuffed behind his back, and the red jewel inside the cuffs have some kind of magical effect which restrains his strength, and he cannot break free. For the first time since his first transformation, his strength feels useless.
"That jewel is made from Corodite," said Jitsu. "It dampens one's powers. Even one as powerful as yourself. It is the most powerful element in the universe!"
With He-Man rendered helpless, Jitsu and his soldiers take the Masters and Sy-Klone to Golden Flame, where he plans to execute them.
"Throw these interlopers into the sea!" Jitsu commanded. law. "Throw in this muscle-bound goody-goody first...for defiance against me."
The stone soldiers shove He-Man off the ship, and he sinks into the blackness of the ocean, with his fellow Masters crying out to him. What will they do without their great leader?
"What about the others, sir?" asked one of the Stone Soldiers.
"I have changed my mind on them," said Jitsu. "Since it was He-Man that denied me allegiance, and not them. They will work on the ship as slaves."
"You will pay for this, Jitsu!" growled Man-at-Arms.
"He was our friend," said a saddened Orko. "And you took him from us!"
He-Man started sinking deeper and deeper into the murky depths, trying his utmost to break free from the Corodite cuffs, but to no avail. Sinking into an endless blackness of water, he couldn't hold his breath any longer, his sight became blurred and he slowly started losing consciousness. Eventually he blacked out.
He started seeing images. They were memories. He saw himself as a toddler running around the gardens of Palace Eternos, and the lovign embrace of his parents. He remembered training with Man-at-Arms, learning the ways of science and machinery. And he remembered the woman he loved - the beautiful Teela, and how their romance had blossomed since their once great kingdom fell to Skeletor's armies.
The memories started to fade out, bit by bit, as all he could see was an uttere black darkness. But suddenly, he could hear a voice. The voice of a wisened man. A voice of comfort. It was the voice of his father - the noble King Randor.
Just as the black of darkness started overpowering him, a flash of white light exploded, and he was standing in the middle of open fields and grasslands, bathed in warm sunlight and looking up at clear blue skies. Only this time, he was in the form of Prince Adam
He turned round and saw his parents standing before him, smiling with love and affection in their eyes. He ran into their arms, lamenting on how much he missed them.
"Adam, my beautiful boy!" said Queen Marlena, overjoyed.
"How great it is to see you, my son!" said King Randor. Adam had never seen his father so happy.
"Where are we?" asked Adam, as he looked to the distance and could see Eternos City, just the way it was before Skeletor's invasion. A beautiful, thriving city, as it once was.
"You are at a crossroads between life and death," said Randor. "We are happy to see you, son. But you must leave?"
"Why? Why can't I stay here with you?" asked Adam, frustrated. "Death doesn't scare me!"
"We want you to stay with us," said Marlena. "But you have a destiny, Adam!"
"We are so proud of the hero you've become, Adam...or should we say, He-Man?"
"All the people's you've saved," said Marlena with pride. "The challenges you've overcome. You brought back hope to our people."
"I was wrong about you, Adam," said King Randor. "You may have been a jovial prince, but now you truly have the heart of a king. How honored I am to have you as a son!"
"I've waited years for you to say that, father," said Adam, as his heart was filled with joy as his father now saw the true hero inside him.
"You must go then, Adam," said Marlena. "Eternia needs you...the universe needs you!"
"Good journey," said Adam, as he walked towards a light that was growing brighter and brighter.
"We love you, son!" said Marlena, waving him goodbye.
"We will always be with you!" said Randor.
Suddenly, he awakes, back in the form of He-Man, still sinking to the bottom of the sea. His sword starts glowing, as the Power of Grayskull is calling out. He sees the Sorceress.
"He-Man, please come back!" she calls out. "You must live! Eternia needs her champion!"
In another effort, He-Man uses all of the strength he can muster, and in a mighty cry, breaks the Corodite cuffs. With his powers restored, he swims as fast as he can so he can rescue his friends.
Back on the Golden Flame, as Jitsu is planning to do something malevolent to the Masters, He-Man leaps out of the water, and back onto the ship, saving them from their bondages. They fight back the stone soldiers, and defeat them.
"Tell me, He-Man," said Jitsu. "Why don't you just stay dead?!"
"Because I have a destiny," He-Man said. "And part of that destiny, is stopping tyrants like you!"
Jitsu charges towards He-Man, but the mighty hero lifts his mighty fist, and punches him to the floor. He lies helpless on the ships floor, looking up at He-Man in defeat.
"The fighting is over!" He-Man said, finally settling the score.
"Go ahead and kill me, champion!" said Jitsu, spitting blood out at the hero. "I have no more honor. No more self-respect!"
The samurai warlord gets up, and draws his katana blade, preparing to attack the hero again.
"Killing is not my way," said He-Man. "That is the easy way out!"
But, Sy-Klone leaps into the air, generating whirlwinds from his armies, aming at Jitsu.
"You will die for what you did to my family!"
"Sy-Klone, don't!" He-Man asks, desperately. "Stand down, please!"
"A criminal must die for his sins!" says an enraged Sy-Klone, and with that, he uses his tornado powers to blast Jitsu into the waters below.
The Masters rush to help him, but a gigantic shark comes after Jitsu, and pulls him down under the water, seemingly ending his life. Blood comes up to the surface of the water.
He-Man looks at Sy-Klone in disappointment,
"We could have saved him the right way," the champion said. "That is what the courts and laws of Eternia are for?"
"No, He-Man," said Jitsu, "A murderer like Jitsu deserves no compassion."
The Fist-Flinging Tornado takes to the skies, looking like a human hurricane, as Jitsu's ships started leaving the shores of Anwat Gar. The island has been saved, thanks to He-Man and his friends.
"We could have brought him to justice together, Sy-Klone," said He-Man, who was angry at his friend. "Shown him mercy."
"Mercy?" asked Sy-Klone, looking at the hero dumbfoundedly. "Mercy won't stop monsters like Jitsu from spreading their evil. In fact, what I did to him is considered merciful...he slaughtered my wife and child in front of me. What would you do if your enemy killed someone you loved?"
"My parents were taken from me in front of my eyes," said He-Man, in a fit of anger. "My father was killed right in front of me by my greatest enemy - Skeletor. My mother...she was banished to another dimension. The anger I feel...the animosity towards him...I carry with me every day!"
"So, why don't you end his life?" asked Sy-Klone. "The stories I have heard about this Skeletor...the evil he's spread. Why don't you kill that demon once and for all?"
"I could have killed him a thousand times over," said He-Man. "But that would turn me into the monster he is. If I were to kill him, I would dishonor the memory of ny parents!"
"We were chosen as Defenders of Grayskull," said Man-at-Arms. "We became the Masters of the Universe. We have to uphold what is right. If we were to kill, we wouldn't be setting an example to our people. That is what He-Man stands for, as a leader and a bringer of hope for those who have lost hopelessness."
"The anger never goes away, Sy-Klone," says He-Man, as he started to calm down. "But I choose not to use that anger to go on a killing spree. A true Master of the Universe does not seek vengeance. I chose to restrain my anger."
"Then you are weak, He-Man," said Sy-Klone, angrily.
"No, Sy-Klone," said He-Man, "You chose to commit an evil act...and that made you weak. It is strength to allow someone to live...no matter how black his heart is!"
"I succumbed to my anger and pain," said a shameful Sy-Klone, as he sat down on a tree stump, as the Masters were preparing to leave the island.
"You are not my enemy," said He-Man, as he walked into the ocean water and jumoed onto his War Whale. "But, if you decide to change your ways, you know where to find us!"
And so, the Masters took to the seas on their War Wales, disappearing into the horizon. Maybe someday Sy-Klone will be redeemmed and he will fight with them one day again.
As the evening sun was setting, casting a great golden light which the land, the Masters finally arrive home at Castle Grayskull. There, Teela and Ram Man waited for them outside the castle.
He-Man is overjoyed that Teela has returned from her training with the Green Goddess. After greeting her father, she runs into He-Man's arms, hugging him tightly, and they kiss romantically.
"How did it go on Anwat Gar?" Teela asked.
"Not as well as we hoped," said Man-at-Arms.
"We took care of the danger that plagued the island," said He-Man. "But, there's is still a lot of...fixing to do."
As the sun sets, Adam and Teela sat with Orko and Cringer at an outside fire.
"Sy-Klone has what it takes to become a worthy Master," said Orko. "But, his need for vengeance got the better of him."
"Everyone deserves a second chance," said Adam. "Some people deal with grief in extreme ways. Luckily Sy-Klone knows where to find us. I hope we fight as friends in battle some day again."
"I kinda feel sorry for that Jitsu creep," said Teela, as she got the creps by the thought of getting killed by an ocean predator. "Quite a gruesome death!"
"Yes, but a villain as powerful as he does not die that easily!"
Adam looked up at the stars, wondering what other dangers they will face next, and worries that the fighting will never end.
Little did the Masters know that Adam was right. Jitsu had survived, he had made it to the shores of Anwat La, where he had killed the shark by killing it with his katana. The predator's carcass was cast out onto the golden sands with the blade in its gut, lying in a pool of blood.
Jitsu had suffered some bite marks and lacerations on his legs on arms from his battle beneath the water. Because he was wearing body armor, the shark had not pulverized his flesh or any vital organs of his body with its giant teeth. Unfortunately, he had lost his right hand in the fight. His arm was now a bloody mess.
He crawled helplessly on the sand, coughing out the salty, briny water. He looked to see three pairs of feet before him. Monstrous feet of unknown creatures.
He looked up to see nobody but the skull-faced monstrosity of Skeletor, whose demonic features came through in the moonlight. Beast Man and Trap Jaw were standing beside him.
"Who are you, demon?" he asked, his voice hoarse from his encounter.
"I am Skeletor, Lord of Destruction!" says Skeletor, with self-pride. "We could use a man of your talents."
"Then, mighty Lord Skeletor, I am your most gracious servant," said Jitsu, as Trap Jaw and Beast Man helped him up.
Skeletor started laughing maniacally, as the demonic sounds of his laughter echoed through the night, like a creature who had awakened to bring about darkness. More than that, Jitsu would wreak his wrath upon He-Man and his allies. The threat of evil continues to spread, and the Masters of the Universe have to be prepared for the perils that lie ahead for them.