Chapter 9
The Man With Many Faces
After the Masters helped to bring peace back between Targa and Operon, it only took a few days for Skeletor and his vile minions to cause trouble again. They attacked a small village, not too far away from Castle Grayskull.
Luckily, He-Man and a few of his fellow Masters - Teela, Stratos, Orko and Battle Cat - were nearby and managed to once again drive away their terrible enemies.
While some of the villagers' homes were demolished by the Evil Warriors, no lives were taken, and the villagers were extremely grateful that the Masters came to their rescue.
He-Man and the Masters decided to remain in the village, and help the villagers repair the damage that had been done and rebuild.
He-Man and Stratos did some of the heavy lifting, while Orko was a great help with his magic.
Meanwhile, Teela sat with some of the village children, playing games. The children were elated to have the Masters in the presence
"You guys were amazing," said a young brown-haired boy. "Facing off against those monsters. He-Man using the Sword of Power!"
"We were so scared when Skeletor arrived," said a little blonde-haired girl. "He's a scary man!"
"It is okay to be scared," Teela said to them. "But you must always be hopeful. Remember that there is bravery in everyone and you don't need super powers to be a hero."
"What gives you hope, Teela?" the children asked.
Teela looked to He-Man.
"I get my hope from him," she said, smiling lovingly at Eternia's champion.
The children started cheering for He-Man, chanting his name and admiring his heroism.
Once the damages had been repaired, the villagers thanked the Masters for their help.
They decided to head back to Castle Grayskull, hoping for a good meal and to catch a little sleep.
While He-Man was riding Battle Cat, the great beast''s super senses detected the "stench" of the Evil Warriors. Stratos took to the skies to get a bird's eye view.
"By the Ancients!" said the horrified King of the Avions. "They are attacking another village!"
"Those Evil Warriors really get me steamed!" said Teela, frustrated.
"We must get there quickly," said He-Man, "Lives are at stake!"
The Masters made haste, and quickly found the village, where they heard the screams of people and the sight of smoke in the sky, as houses were being destroyed and burned down.
Once they got there, they saw Skeletor obliterating houses with the evil magic of his Havoc Staff. People were running away in fear, feeling defenseless. They watched as Jitsu crushed a horse carriage with his cybernetic, while Beast Man and the spider warrior Webstor were also destroying property.
Skeletor paused as he noticed the Masters of the Universe approaching, and started mocking He-Man aboiut his sentimentality.
"Welcome, He-Man!" he said, "Coming to save the worthless lives of these pathetic villagers. How noble!"
Teela got off her SkySled, and saw that Webstor was about to give one of the farmers a nasty spider bite with his poisonous white fangs, which was dripping with green venom.
She carefully aimed her Staff of Ka, and released a magical energy blast the hideous spider man off the farmer, saving the man from a painful experience.
Stratos managed to surprise Jitsu from behind, and managed to get the samurai warlord away from the villagers by flying him away into the air. Battle Cat got into a ferocious fight with Beast Man, while He-Man faced Skeletor.
"You have stood in my two many times, boy!" said Skeletor, as he clashed furiously against his heroic enemy.
"Attacking villages is a new low for you, Skeletor!" said He-Man, as his sword clashed against the Havoc Staff. "But, then again, evil becomes you!"
Skeletor moves quickly, and manages to outmanuever He-Man. A task which is often difficult. He-Man lies on the ground, as Skeletor prepares for the kill. Suddenly, a gust of wind comes from behind the Lord of Destruction. A tornado took behind him and blew him away, and he crashed into a wppdem carriage full of hay. He-Man's life had been saved.
He looked up to see none other than Sy-Klone, the warrior he had fought with against Jitsu during the Siege of Anwat Gar. He jumped down to the ground and greeted He-Man.
"It's good to see you again, He-Man," said Sy-Klone. "I have come to make amends for my past mistakes. I hope I can stick around and lend a hand."
"You already made up for that by saving my life," said He-Man, shaking the cybernetic warrior's hand. "Welcome back, my friend."
It was only a matter of minutes before Skeletor got back up from his feet from Sy-Klone's intervention and he was enraged.
"You meddlesome curs!" he roared. "No matter, I have a surprise for you. My ultimate weapon...meet Perkaedo!"
A large green-faced monster hurled towards them, growling viciously.
The creature called Perkaedo had the anatomy of an ordianry man with armor covering his arms, abdomen and legs, and wore a strange containment suit covering his head and shoulders. The creature had a green monster face, roaring with fury.
He leapt onto He-Man, and the two started wrestling.
Teela, Stratos and Battle Cat managed to drive Skeletor and the other Evil Warrios away.
"Master, we have the perfect time to destroy He-Man!" said Jitsu.
"Not today, Jitsu," said Skeletor. "Besides, Perkaedo will be more than a match for these witless heroes. My time will come where He-Man will breathe no more!"
Skeletor said that the creature will be more than a match for He-Man.
As the most powerful man in the universe battled the creature, he realized that he was somewhat stronger than the rest of Skeletor's cronies.
He-Man managed to beat Perkaedo in hand-to-hand combat. As strong as hewas, he didn't match He-Man's strength. He fought like a wild animal. Pure rage without thought. He tried to attack He-Man again, but paused. The creature started to roar in pain, grabbing its head. It felt like his head wanted to split open.
Destroy He-Man, said a female voice. Destroy He-Man. The voice was inside his head. He was under some sort of spell.
"Are you alright?" asked He-Man, struggling to communcate with the creature. "Is someone forcing you to attack us?"
He came to realize that it was forced to serve Skeletor, and his mind was magically controlled.
As He-Man came close to it, he lashed out with his monster claws and slashed He-Man across the chest. And then ran away, like a scared animal trying to escape a hunter.
Sy-Klone caught up with him, alongside the other Masters.
"Skeletor's new warrior is powerful," said He-Man. "He's out of control. So much rage. I believe someone is controlling him."
"I wouldn't be surprised," said Teela. "It's most probably Evil-Lyn's magic. That glorified witch has a lot of tricks up her sleeve. Sorry for the pun."
They then returned to the village to make sure that its inhabitants were safe and unharmed. Once again, they decided to help repair the damage that was done. Night time was coming. The Masters have made a new foe. But, was he really evil? Or truly being forced to do evil things?
Back in Snake Mountain, Skeletor and Evil-Lyn were walking through the stronghold. It was indeed Evil-Lyn herself who was using the creature, using her mind-controlling abilities to make Perkaedo attack He-Man and his allies.
Apparently, Perkaedo was once an ordinary man who traveled all over Eternia, from town to town, using his amazing acting for shows, concerts and special events. His wish was to align himself with the Masters of the Universe, after hearing about all their legendary exploits.
Perkaedo had an unnatural ability to change his face at will. From an ordinary man, to a robot, to a ravaging monster.
"Our little pet is more resistant to my magic than we thought," Evil-Lyn told her dark lord.
"Then, you must strengthen your spell, my dear," Skeletor snickered. "Perkaedo is one of the strongest men on the planet. I could be our last chance to getting rid of that muscle-bound pretty boy for good...and then, Grayskull will be ours!"
Evil-Lyn said that he was more resistant to her powers than she anticipated.
Beast Man walked in with Perkaedo, who was hancuffed in Korodite chains, which dampened his monstrous strength. The Savage Henchman threw him at Skeletor's feet.
"Master, are you sure this idiot can defeat He-Man?" asked Beast Man. "He's failed aready."
Skeletor angrily blasts Beast Man away with his Havoc Staff.
"You worthless failure!" Skeletor bawled in anger. "You could have torn those Masters apart."
"I am NOT evil!" Perkaedo yelled desperately. "I wish to serve alongsdie the Masters of the Universe, not to hurt them!"
"Beast Man, get this whiny sap out of my sight!" said Skeletor, wickedly. "Throw him in the dungeon before I bust a gut!"
"Fear not, Lord Skeletor," said Evil-Lyn. "I will strengthen the spell!"
"Get out of my sight, all of you!" said Skeletor. "You disgust me!"
The Lord of Destruction stomped off back to his throne room, with Beast Man scowling disrepectfully as he carried the desperate Perkaedo to the dungeon. Evil-Lyn smiled deviously, planning her next move.
Back at Grayskull, Sy-Klone was sitting with Prince Adam, Man-at-Arms, Teela, the Sorceress, Orko and Stratos at a large dining table.
"I was ashamed of my actions, my friend," said Sy-Klone, drinking an ale. "I have dishonored the memory of my wife and child, and have also disgraced my people. I understand now that revenge IS NOT the answer!"
"I felt vengeful after my parents were killed by Skeletor," said Adam, as Sy-Klone was shocked by this revelation. "But, later on I realized that I was fighting for something greater."
"I can't believe that Jitsu is alive," said Sy-Klone.
"He's even more dangerous now that he serves Skeletor," said Orko.
"He won't give up until Grayskull is his," said Stratos, slamming his fist against the table.
"I no longer have any desire for revenge," said Sy-Klone. "Now, I only mean to fight alongside you and serve the power of Grayskull!"
"Well, since Skeletor is recruiting talent such as Perkaedo, we need all the help we can muster," said Prince Adam.
"You've earned a second chance among us, Sy-Klone," said Man-at-Arms. "Admitting you were wrong has put you on the right path already."
The prince and Man-at-Arms said they also forgive him for what happened to Jitsu, and that they never give up on anyone, no matter what crime they commit.
In the throne room, Sy-Klone walks up to the Sorceress and welcomes Sy-Klone to Castle Grayskull, and officially calls him a Master of the Universe. The Masters are also happy to make a new friend and ally, especially now that Skeletor is seeking new warriors to help him in his evil schemes.
The following morning, Ram Man and Mekaneck were patrolling the skies above the Sands of Time, trying to see if Skeletor's lackeys weren't causing trouble.
They came across a oratory, where religious denizens were praying to the Green Goddess. They see a few Land Sharks approaching the oratory, knowing that they were going to cause mayhem. it was Evil-Lyn, Perkaedo and Tri-Klops who were attacking the oratory,
Ram Man flies down in the Blaster Hawk, shooting down large discs from the mouth of the aircraft. Mekaneck follows in his Sky Sled, firing at them with laser rays. One of the discs from the Hawk strike one of the Land Sharks, knocking out Tri-Klops.
The two Masters land on the ground, armed with their respective weapons, while the religious sect flee from the danger.
Evil-Lyn and Perkaedo jump out of their Land Sharks. The evil sorceresss' mind-controlling power over Perkaedo has strengthened, and the lost warrior's monster side is roaring with rage.
He collides with Ram Man and Mekaneck. With his monster strength, he is able to take out the Human Periscope with ease. Ram Man, after years of being a soldier, gets in a furious battle with Perkaedo. His ramming power gave him an advtange in the fight, but Perkaedo was too quick and too full of blind rage that he overthrew the Human Battering Ram.
"Well done, Perkaedo," she syas. "We should bring these dolts to Snake Mountain. What a lovely surprise for Skeletor!"
Perkaedo tosses the fallen heroes into the Land Shark, as Tri-Klops recovers from the attack. They then travel back to Snake Mountain.
Meanwhile, Prince Adam, Teela and Sy-Klone are still in the Grayskull throne room and tell the Sorceress about their fight with Perkaedo the previous day in the village.
"Perkaedo is not evil," said the Sorceress. "He has been used by Skeletor and Evil-Lyn. He is a traveling actor, who is very lonely, confused and lost.
"We must help him," Adam says to his fellow Masters, and they all agree, preparing for their next task.
Back at Snake Mountain, Ram Man and Mekaneck are locked up on the dungeon, with Corodite chains. Ram Man, being one of the strongest men in the Eternia, struggles to break free.
Beast Man and Webstor visit them in the dungeon and they start mocking the Heroic Warriors.
"Are you feelings hungry," Beast Man laughed, who is eating from a bowl of Jafari stew, and then he threw it into Ram Man's face.
The Human Battering lunged towards him, still unable to break free from his bondages.
Webstor comes near Mekaneck, mocking him that there's "no He-Man around to save them." He claws at the Human Periscope, whose communicator falls from his belt and switches on when it hits the ground.
All the way at Point Dread, Fisto and Orko are sitting at the communcation system, and they can hear the commotion through the radio. Fisto immediately calls Man-at-Arms at Grayskull.
"Come in, Man-at-Arms," he said. "This is Fisto at Point Dread. Our allies have been captured at Snake Mountain."
Back at the castle, the Master of Weapons instantly deduces that their friends are in Snake Mountain.
Adam takes out his Power Sword, and exclaims: "BY THE POWER OF GRAYSKULL!"
He transforms into the mighty He-Man. "I HAVE THE POWER!"
Sy-Klone is taken aback, astonished by Adam's big change, which was the greatest transformation of all.
"Let's go save Perkaedo!" said Teela, who was unsettled about having to go to Snake Mountain, but they could not turn their back when an innocent man needed their aid.
Sy-Klone remained behind with Man-at-Arms and Orko to guard the castle, while Stratos took to the skies to attend to business in Avion.
While He-Man and Teela made their way to Snake Mountain, Evil-Lyn sees it in her crystal ball staff. Skeletor sits in his throne room.
"So comes the end of our enemies," said Skeletor, snickering to himself.
"Shouldn't be kill Ram Man and Mekaneck instead, my Lord?" asked Evil-Lyn. "If one of He-Man's friends fall, he will be overwhelmed with guilt, and then brought to his knees!"
"No!" bawled Skeletor. "If He-Man's falls, the Masters will be no match for us."
Evil-Lyn scoffs as the Lord of Destruction shuns her suggestions, not giving her any credit.
Meanwhile, He-Man and Teela have reached Snake Mountain in the Dragon Walker, a new assault vehicle which Man-at-Arms had recently built. It resembled a green dragon, and had a massive sidewinding mechanism, which propels the vehicle forward, and smashes anything in its path.
"Agh! This place gives me the creeps!" Teela grunted.
"I am not too fond of it myself, Teela," said He-Man. "But, if what the Sorceress says is true, and Perkaedo is not evil, then we cannot turn our backs on him now!"
Teela admires He-Man's compassion, even against someone who had tried to hurt them.
The Evil Warriors attacked them outside, and the Dragon Walker made short work of them with its incredible side-winding power. With the henchmen defeated, He-Man and Teela make their way into Skeletor's stronghold.
As Teela goes to search for Mekaneck and Ram Man, He-Man sleathily explores the fortress looking for Perkaedo.
The Heroic Warrior Goddess eventually finds her captive comrades, and uses her Staff of Ka to free them from their chains. As they prepare to catch up with their leader, they hear a loud roar from behind. It is Perkaedo, appearing in his monster form.
Fortunately, before he can attack the Masters, He-Man sneaks up from behind and grabs him. Perkaedo is strong in his monster form, but not nearly match for the Power of Grayskull flowing through Eternia's champion's veins.
"Do not struggle," He-Man says to Perkaedo softly. "We are not here to hurt you. You are being controlled by Evil-Lyn. Fight it, friend. Fight it!"
Perkaedo fights against Evil-Lyn's mind-controlling spell, but struggles.
"Hold him still, He-Man," said Teela. "I will help him."
She uses her own powers to communicate telepathically, sensing that there is no truly no evil inside him. Perkaedo starts to calm down, as the spell Evil-Lyn put on him starts to weaken. Eventually, Teela has blocked it out completely.
He-Man carefully lets him go, and he falls to his knees. He changes back to his human form, and looks up to the Masters with sorrow in his eyes,
Apart from his containment suit which gives him an odd appearance, the Masters were shocked to see that he was an ordinary man, who was not a monster at all.
"I am so sorry for attaking you," he said. "I never wished to harm anyone!"
"Everything's alright now," said He-Man. "Evil-Lyn's spell is broken and we are here to save you!"
"You want to save me?" asked Perkaedo. "After everything that I have done?"
"We're the Masters of the Universe," said Teela. "We never give up on anyone. It wouldn't be very heroic."
He-Man helped him up to his feet, and Perkaedo was touched by their kindness.
"You infidels!" roared the sinister voice of Skeletor. "Do you know the penalty for entering my domain!"
"You are a coward, Skeletor!" said He-Man. "Using an innocent man to do your dirty work!"
"That's what I do, champion!" Skeletor laughed wickedly. "I enslave weak men like him. They fear me, and so they will respect me, and follow my command! Prepare to die, heroes!"
He then Skeletor starts displaying some fancy magical attacks. He-Man manages to evade his attacks, but the other Masters are injured.
The rest of Skeletor's cronies attacks, and Perkaedo changes again into his monster form to help He-Man fight them off. Only this time, he is no longer under Evil-Lyn's control. The Evil Warriors fight viciously against them, but he overthrows them with his great strength and an unnatural quickness.
He-Man goes to see to his friends, who are still shaken from Skeletor's magic. Skeletor hovers towards his archnemesis, and unleashes dark magical energies at him.
The magic hurts He-Man, until he grabs tightly onto his Sword of Power, and calls upon the Power of Grayskull. The power of the magic is so intense that it sends Skeletor flying across the passage, knocking him to the ground.
"You will never accept that goodness will always triumph over evil!" says He-Man, as Skeletor is defeated.
Perkaedo rushes to He-Man's side, and he helps the other Masters. They prepare to go back to Castle Grayskull, taking Perkaedo with them.
"I swear to you, He-Man!" Skeletor shouts back at them. "I will destroy you all should our paths cross again!"
As the Eternian sun sets that evening, the Masters arrive back at Grayskull and offer Perkaedo food and a place to sleep. He also meets Man-at-Arms, Orko, the Sorceress and Cringer.
"I was an actor who traveled Eternia," he told them. "My monster form I used for roles in my plays. One night, when I was on my travels, I was attacked by Skeletor and his men, and they killed my beloved wife Ariella. Then they controlled me with Evil-Lyn's magic, and turned me into something I am not."
"I am so sorry about your wife," said Teela. "That's horrible, and nobody deserves that!"
"I also know too much about loss," He-Man told Perkaedo. "I also lost my parents, thanks to Skeletor!"
Man-at-Arms walks up to Perkaedo.
"Perkaedo, the Masters of the Universe could use your help against the forces of evil," he said.
"I am most honored to fight by your side," said Perkaedo as he shakes hand with He-Man, making their allegiance official.
"Your talents will be a great help in the future," said Ram Man.
"Your ability to change your many faces is something unique," said Orko.
"Hey, wait a minute," said Teela, as her face lit up. "Man-E-Faces...really good name for a warrior!"
The newest member of the Masters of the Universe accepts his new warrior code name graciously, as He-Man assures him that he is no longer alone.
The Masters celebrate the night together, as Man-E-Faces has found a new home, and they patiently await their next perilious adventure.
Back at Snake Mountain, Skeletor is infuriated at Evil-Lyn because her magic failed to keep Man-E-Faces under her control. The other Evil Warriors cower before Skeletor's anger.
"I thought Perkaedo was my chance to acquire the powers of Grayskull," Skeletor lamented. "But, no, he was just a sentimental idiot like the rest of the meddlesome Masters of the Universe!"
Suddenly, the reptilian bodyguard Whiplash enters the room, who didn't seem to be fazed by Skeletor's anger like the rest of the evil Warriors.
"We may yet another chance," said the scaly-skinned Whiplash. "There is a blacksmith in the Black Mountains called Kleffton. He creates weapons and armor that could enhance your powers, and he has never been beaten in combat!"
"Well then, Whiplash," said Skeletor, gleefully. "We must find this Kleffton, and bring an end to all that's in our way!"
Skeletor burst into the hysterical laugter, as the Lords of Destruction came one step closer to achieving their plans of conquest.