Chapter Ten
The Blacksmith
After Man-E-Faces joined forces the Masters of the Universe, Skeletor grew tired of his constant failures against his heroic enemies, and he knew that he and his Evil Warriors had to up their game. So, with Whiplash's help, the Lord of Destruction sent them to Zagras Mountain, a desolate region in the Dark Hemisphere that they knew little about. There they would find a reputable blacksmith who was a master of his work, creating armor and weapons
Not only was he a great blacksmith, but also a ruthless warrior on the battlefield. He was reputable for killing many of the worst criminals and outcasts in the Dark Hemisphere, and that he has never been defeated. No one had dared to face him again.
On the journey to Zagras Mountain, Evil-Lyn, Beast Man, and Whiplash were crossing the terrain on Land Sharks, while Tri-Klops was in the air traveling in the Fright Fighter, a large flying aircraft he built which resembles a dragonfly.
"You are nothing but a suck up, scale face," Evil-Lyn quarelled with Whiplash. "Promising Skeletor more help against He-Man and his moronic friends!"
"Unlike you I am actually doing our great master a favor," Whiplash laughed. "All you cretins do is fail against those pathetic Masters of the Universe, time and time again."
"You Caligarians are so full of yourselves," Beast Man growled. "All what you do all day is loaf around guarding Wolfsgate, while we get a taste of true battle...and blood!"
"Bah!" Whiplash spatters. "I would have slaughtered that muscle-bound pretty boy myself by now...if Skeletor would let me!"
"You crack me up, Whiplash," Beast Man said. "Not even your tail-thrashing power could destroy the strongest man in the universe!"
"No matter," said Whiplash. "Once we have Kleffton on our side, we will be dancing around the dead corpses of those annoying Grayskull defenders in no time!"
It took a while until the Evil Warriors reached Zagras Mountain - a location which was the domain of a fallen wizard, who was killed by Skeletor not long before Prince Adam was chosen to become the Defender of Grayskull.
Leaving their vehicles outside, the Evil Warriors ventured into the deep, dark caves of the mountains, until they reached Kleffton's dwelling.
Inside, was all kinds of weapons and armor he had made in his forgery. Whuplash called out his name, and the evil blacksmith entered the room. He was a hideous creature with purple skin, a pug-like nose, large yellow eyes and large spikes protruding from his head and armored torso.
"I no longer go by that name," said the blacksmith. "My name is Spikor now. So, what brings the illustrious Lords of Snake Mountain to my forgery?"
"His name is Spikor...how fitting!" Evil-Lyn whispers to Beast Man.
"Our master, Lord Skeletor, wishes to make an allegiance with you," says Tri-Klops. "With a man with your reputation, we have a bigger chance of defeating He-Man and his idiotic friends!"
"I have no desire to align myself with Skeletor," grunted Spikor. "He is a tyrant obseessed with power and is unable to kill a handsome barbarian with a magic sword. His ambiitions leads to madness, and madness brings on failure!"
"Come now, Spikor," said Evil-Lyn, enticingly. "If you join us, Skeletor will share the power of Grayskull with us, and we can all rule the universe together."
"Besides, you need to get out of this hell hole," said Beast Man. "The outside world is much more inviting, and you can achieve greatness by serving the Lord of Destruction!"
Spikor reluctantly agrees, as Whiplash smiles deviously to himself, craving reward from Skeletor. The Evil Warriors then prepare to head back to Snake Mountain.
Meanwhile, far, far away in the Polar Ice Cap above the Ice Mountains, He-Man and Teela were being trained by the Green Goddess in her secret citadel, which went unseen by ordinary Eternians, and the vile creatures that scoured the Ice Mountains.
"Your training has paid off commendably, champions," the Goddess told them with pride.
"I will have to admit that training with your girlfriend is much more fun," He-Man joked, as Teela playfully elbowed him in the abdomen.
Now matter how stoic and nubile Eternia's champion was, Prince Adam's humor and wit always shone through.
Suddenly, the Goddess winced, putting her hand to her forehead, and dropped to her knees. She saw a vision of the future - Skeletor leading an army of thousands across the land, the Masters dying in battle, and the taking of Castle Grayskull...with the Lord of Destruction himself becoming the Master of the Universe, holding his own Sword of Power.
"What's wrong, Goddess?" asked He-Man, rushing to her side.
She explained to him what she saw, until Teela's own power of clairvoyance lets her see the same vision. She gasped in horror.
"This can't be real?" Teela asked, panting.
"Not yet," said the Goddess. "It is a vision of the future. If these events unfold, all will be lost."
"It would be impossible for Skeletor to take the power of Grayskull," said He-Man, clenching his mighty fist. "He has tried and failed multiple side. Besides, the power itself can only be harnessed by those who serve the forces of good!"
"That may be true, He-Man," said the Goddess. "But the Lord of Destruction will never give up until he finds the means to achieve his goal. The lust for power that a mad man like he possesses can never be wavered."
"We must not let that future come to pass!" said a determined Teela.
"Remember, Masters," said the Goddess. "The future which was now foreseen can be prevented. The future is fluid, and is ever-changing."
Teela thanks the Goddess for the training and then prepares to go back to Castle Grayskull, as He-Man has a word with the Goddess.
"Do you know what happens to me?" the Eternian champion asks.
"That is an answer I cannot give you, champion of Eternia," says the Goddess. "But, if that future does unfold, there's a possibility that you may NOT survive."
He-Man thinks for a moment, as he has a lot to prepare for.
"What happens to me is not important," he said. "As long as the Power of Grayskull doesn't fall into evil hands, the universe and everyone in it will always be safe."
"Remember, He-Man, the universe will ALWAYS need a champion," said the Goddess.
"If I give my life for save everyone, I would do so in a heartbeart," said He-Man. "As long as my friends, my people and all of existence are free from evil."
"I will always be by your side, He-Man," said the Goddess, as He-Man thanks her for always watching over him and his fellow Masters.
The dreadful future the Goddess and Teela had foreseen was getting closer when the Evil Warriors returned to Snake Mountain with Spikor, the newest addition to the Evil Warriors bows before the Lord of Destruction.
"Snake Mountain is truly magnificent, Skeletor," said Spikor.
"So," says Skeletor. "That scaly-skinned thug Whiplash believes that you will have the ability to defeat He-Man."
"You surprise me, Skeletor," said Whiplash, with a cocky snicker. "All this time, one of your power is unable to defeat a boy with a sword!"
Skeletor's eyes burn red with rage, and he blasts the spike-studded blacksmith with his Havoc Staff, sending him flying into the wall.
"You dare insult Skeletor, you spike-studded fool?!" Skeletor rages in anger. "He-Man wields the powers of Grayskull. He is not to be underestimated."
"You need not worry, mighty Skeletor," said Spikor, shaken from a blast of the Havoc Staff's power. "I pledge my services to you, and shall make armor and weapons that will make you unstoppable, and your enemies will be crushed!"
As thunder explodes above Snake Mountain, the slaves in the pits below can hear the Lord of Destruction's menacing laughter, making them quiver in fear.
Meanwhile, He-Man and Teela were flying in a Wind Raider across the breathtaking lands of Eternia.
"Listen, Teela," He-Man says gently. "If that future you and the Goddess have seen does come true, I may not survive!"
"What...I can't lose you, Adam," said Teela, as eyes start to swell up with tears.
"As He-Man, the people of Eternia call me their saviour," said He-Man. "What is a savior if he does not give his life for his world? For everyone and everything he loves?
"You're not a god!" Teela said angrily. "Do you have any idea how much you're giving up?"
"I am not giving up anything," said He-Man, sternly. "I just want to make sure that in the end, all of the universe is safe from Skeletor's evil. Including my friends. What happens to me does not matter."
"Sometimes you can be so selfless that its aggravating," Teela scoffs at him. "I don't want to talk to you anymore!"
Theyt ravel back to Grayskull in an uncomfortable silence.
Later on that night, outside Castle Grayskull, Adam is sitting at the camp fire with all the other Masters, telling him about the Goddess' terrible vision of the future.
"We need to make preparations for war," said Man-at-Arms. "Gather all the help we can get. Strengthen our defenses."
A glowing light emerges before them, and the Sorceress magically appears.
"Sorry to disturb you on this peaceful night, Masters," she says. "But Skeletor has recruited a terrible blacksmith called SPikor that could pose a menacing threat to Eternia!"
"We must all be prepared should this Spikor attack," said Adam. "Right now, we could also use a good night's sleep."
Adam is unsettled as Teela has been off to one side the entire night, and is unable to communicate with her. But, they had bigger problems awaiting them in the days to come.
All through the night at Snake Mountain, Spikor was in the forgery, deep beneath the bowels of the fortress, building armor for Skeletor. He had even fashioned a mighty axe, made from purple Deterium, a mineral that could destroy anything it comes into contact with.
Spikor continued to labor on for hours, creating the perfect armor for Skeletor that would increase his power and add to the durability of the weapons they were forging.
The Lord of Destruction himself walks into the forgery and gives the Untouchable Master of Evil Combat a small glowing neon-green crystal, which was part of the Shard of Havoc - an artifact that was kept in the Citadel of the Elders - on the fateful day when Keldor fell in battle against King Randor, and the events that eventually led to his transformation into Eternia's ultimate threat.
Legend has it that the power of Havoc itsef rivaled that of the Power of Grayskull. Part of the magic from Havoc is what created Skeletor's magic staff in the first place.
As Spikor continues to work on the armor for Skeletor, the Lord of Destruction laughs wickedly, as the green mist from the power of Havoc flows through Snake Mountain.
Meanwhile, the Masters were in the town of Visilia, protecting the citizens from a swarm of rampaging dragons.
He-Man and Battle Cat managed to drive the dragons away, while the Masters helped to get the citizens to safety.
Just like Battle Cat, the dragons possessed the power of speech.
"You may have won the fight today, barbarian," said one of the Dragons. "Know this - dragon kind and humans cannot co-exist. The Dragons of Darksmoke will rule again. So swears the soldiers of Granamyr!"
The fiery-breathing, winged beasts flew back to the kingdom of Darksmoke, a hidden city in the Ice Mountains. A place the Masters knew little about.
"Talking dragons?!" says He-Man, amazed by what he witnessed. "Now I have seen everything!"
"Are talking dragons weirder than a talking tiger?" asked Battle Cat, laughing.
"Well, no, I guess not," said He-Man. "But, you and I are friends. Comrades in battle. We grew up together, and not to mention, you were a part of the Royal Family."
"Eternos," sighed Battle Cat. "Do you miss it as I do, my friend?
"Every day, old cat," said He-Man, as they ran back to help the other Masters. "Maybe one day we will see her again."
The great fighting tiger made haste, carrying his master back to the battle in Visilia to see to their friends.
Growing up, Queen Marlena told Adam stories about the Dragons of Darksmoke, and how their master Granamyr, who scourged the Eternian lands, and he possessed unparalleled ancient power, and almost destroyed Eternia. He was luckily put in a centuries-long slumber by the warrior-wizard He-Ro centuries ago. He just didn't know that the Dragons of Darksmoke could talk like regular Eternians.
He-Man wishes to see Granamyr one day, and wishes to ask the Great Dragon to put their differences with humans aside, and forge an allegiance.
The two mighty warriors eventially caught up with their friends to help to the injured and helped to repair the village.
"We need to go on further patrols," Man-at-Arms commanded. "They might be more people in danger. We have to be extra vigilant after what the Goddess has foreseen!"
Unfortunately, before they could leave, a large lavender portal in the town square opened up and out stepped Skeletor's Evil Warriors.
They attacked the Masters with a fury, and the heroes had to defend thier home once more. Ram Man vs Tri-Klops. Battle Cat vs Mer-Man. Man-at-Arms vs Beast Man. Teela vs Evil-Lyn, and Fisto vs Jitsu.
The Masters seemed to be overpowered by the Evil Warriors. He-Man intervened, and managed to defeat them single-handedly. They were no match for his strength and the power of Grayskull that flowed through his Sword of Power.
"Bravo, He-Man!" laughed Evil-Lyn. "Unfortunately, there are even bigger surprises for you!"
Once the villains were defeated by Eternia's champion, Evil-Lyn says to He-Man that they have more surprises in store for him, and she then uses her magic to teleport them away.
Suddenly, the Eternian champion senses someone sneaking up from behind. He feels a sharp, painful blow smash through his face, and he falls to the ground.
He looks up to see Spikor, the new addition to Skeletor's evil band. He-Man's face is bloodied from an orange spiked club that Spikor carries with him.
The Untouchable Master of Combat is surprised that the legendary hero fell to the ground so quickly, after all the stories he had heard about his legendary battles with the force of evil.
He-Man got up quickly, moving in a bronze blur. He engages in combat with Spikor. The new villain shows tremendous skill and quickness in battle. He eventually disarms He-Man of his sword.
The champion starts using hand-to-hand combat with the spike-studded villain. His hands are cut and injured from the deadly spikes on his armor and face.
"Your spikes are enchanted," he said, looking at the blood on his wounded hands.
"I was once an ordinary man, just like you," said Spikor. "A soldier. I was dying in battle, until the witch Majestra saved me from death. She granted me me untouchable skin and armor, but also changed my appearance. My spikes are constructed of ancient evil magic, which could injure anyone who dared to face me!"
Spikor was indeed not like the rest of Skeletor's cronies, who had been defeated time and time again by He-Man and his eventually.
Spikor eventually overpowered him, and He-Man is beaten. For the first time since he first raised the Sword of Power, a minion of Skeletor has made him bleed.
"Spikor, I will...stop you," said the injured champion, struggling to get up and continue fighting.
Spikor prepares to kill the hero, but Teela shows up, and blasts Spikor away with the magic of her Staff of Ka, and helps He-Man back to his feet.
While He-Man has never faced a villain like him before, he starts to heal from his injuries, thanks to his enhanced skin and the powers of Grayskull. It was the magical energies surrounding Spikor's spikes that injured him, not the spikes themselves.
"You've got some power, little woman," said Spikor, dazed from Teela's magical attacks. "But I was only keeping you distracted to wait for the Lord of Destruction's arrival!"
He points to the sky, and another portal opens in the air, and out leaps Skeletor. The Lord of Destruction is adorned in new armor covering his torso - a metallic purple and black attire with a neon-green bat symbol glowing on the chest plate.
"Greetings, He-Man!" Skeletor laughs. "I have come to seize this day!"
"You must go back to Grayskull," said He-Man.
"No, let me help you!" Teela insisted, with fury in his eyes.
"Please, leave," said He-Man. "The stakes have risen. The rest of Eternia will need you. Leave Skeletor to me!"
"Listen to him, daughter!" Man-at-Arms cries out. "The rest of Eternia needs the Masters!:
After being completely healed from Spikor's untouchable spikes, He-Man walks towards his mortal enemy, sword in hand, with a stern expression in his eyes.
"This endless battle between us needs to stop, Skeletor!" said He-Man. "It's kind of getting old by now."
Skeletor bursts into malevolent laughter.
"That is why I am here, champion!" he laughed. "To end the fight. With my new Battle Armor, you will be crushed like a bug beneath my feet!"
Meanwhile, the Masters are in their vehicles, patrolling the other cities, searching for anyone else is in danger.
"Do you think He-Man can win this time?" Ram Man asked Teela, who was sitting behind him on the Blaster Hawk.
"I don't know, Rammy," said Teela. "But, if Skeletor has grown in power, He-Man may be the only one who can stop him!"
Meanwhile, Skeletor has teleported himself and his heroic enemy to a high, rocky mountain, surrounded by thick black clouds, as lightning and thunder was all over the place.
"Fancy new armor you have!" said He-Man.
"It's constructed from Havoc," said Skeletor, talking about Havoc like it was a delicious meal.
"Havoc, the only force in the universe that rivals the power of Grayskull?" asked He-Man, remembering what the Sorceress told him about the dark half of the Power of Grayskull.
"Correct, dear enemy," said Skeletor. "Spikor made it for me. Talented, isn't he?"
"Why did you bring us to these mountains?" asked He-Man.
"I could have killed you in front of your friends," said Skeletor. "But, this will be the last day in your worthless existence, and your pathetic Masters will just be a distraction. Once your dead corpse falls at my feet, Grayskull be mine for the taking!"
"Grayskull will never be yours!" cried He-Man, as they engaged in a furiuous battle
The clash between them is so intense that it shakes the very confines of the mountains they were located on. The collision of heroic and evil power has been elevated dramatically.
Not only has Skeletor been granted with new armor and weapons, he has grown more powerful and more dangerous. He gains the upper hand, and attacks He-Man violently, with tremendous speed and strength.
For the first time since their first battle, the Most Powerful Man in the Universe is beaten badly by his archnemesis.
"What a glorious day!" Skeletor yells to the sky, reveling in his victory.
Eternia's champion lies before him, mortally wounded, and near death.
Skeletor's eyes burn red with excitement as he aims his Havoc Staff at his fallen enemy, preparing for the final kill. His moment had come.
Was this the end for Eternia's mightiest hero? Has the forces of evil triumphed at last?
Before all hope is lost, a field of rainblow colored light shoots out from the skies, and out steps the Green Goddess. She met eyes with Skeletor, her eyes glowing with a green energy.
"You will no longer harm him!" she says.
"You are unwise, woman!" snaps Skeletor. "You should never stand between the Lord of Destruction and his kill. I have waited for this moment for so very long!"
To protect Eternia's champion, The Goddess unleashes her magic upon the Lord of Destruction, which knocks him senseless. He is no match for her divine, etherial power.
She then uses telekinetic abilities to lift him in the air, and bound him in a glowing gold light, and then teleports him back to Snake Mountain.
The Goddess is saddened about He-Man's predicament, and she kneels before him, and cradles his head. She looks up, and sees a Wind Raider approaching, with Man-at-Arms, Teela and Battle Cat inside.
He-Man hoarsely mutters the words "Skeletor...Havoc...power!" and the Goddess gasps in horror.
They rush to the fallen leader. Teela's eyes swell up with tears, as Battle Cat and Man-at-Arms hang their heads in sorrow.
"He was always the best of us," says Battle Cat.
"He has always devoted his life to protect our fellow Eternias," says Man-at-Arms.
Teela is grief-stricken, unable to speak. Man-at-Arms consoles her.
"Don't worry. Teela, he will be alright," said the Goddess. "We must just get him back to Grayskull immediately!"
Man-at-Arms takes a blanket and wraps it around He-Man, and they load him into the Wind Raider, and they travel back to Grayskull, as fast as the Wind Raider flies.
Back at Snake Mountain, Skeletor is enraged by the Goddess' intervention, as he was seconds away from destroying He-Man once and for all.
He is in an isolated chamber, smashing down walls with his new battle axe. Evil-Lyn enters the chamber, fearful of his intense rage,
"My Lord," she says, softly. "No, that He-Man is out of comission, shouldn't this be the right time to take Grayskull."
"Nothing will make me happier," said Skeletor, vehemently. "But, I have bigger plans, my dear."
He returns to the throne room, and hands a bag of gold each each to Spikor and Whiplash. The other Evil Warriors scoff in frustration, as they never get paid or treated fairly by their diabolical leader. Whiplash goes after his reward like a stray dog searching for water, while Spikor quietly counts his gold pieces.
"Master, why do we never get paid for our services?" asked a frustrated Mer-Man.
"Unlike you, fish sticks, Spikor actually made He-Man bleed!" Skeletor seethed with anger. "His pathetic friends always have his back. That wretched Sorceress. That annoying Green Goddess. Even that little pipsqueak Teela. The Masters seem to thrive as a team. To break up a team, we need to raise the bar!"
The Lord of Destruction, then cackles wickedly to himself.
Meanwhile, at Castle Grayskull, He-Man is lying on a bed, and his wounds starts healing. Taking a massive beating from Skeletor, who is now powered by Havoc, it had taken him a lot longer to recover. Once he had been fully healed, he changes back into Prince Adam, who gets up from the bed.
He sees many of his allies - The Sorceress, Man-at-Arms, Cringer, Orko, Ram Man and even the Goddess - standing before him, smiling happily as he opens his eyes. All except Teela, who is off to one side, leaning against the castle wall. She breaks eye contact with him.
"One of my greatest fears have has become reality," says Adam. "Skeletor now possesses the one thing in the universe that rivals the power of Grayskull - Havoc."
"The arrival of Spikor and Skeletor possessing Havoc is only the start of things to come," says the Goddess.
The Sorceress uses her vast array of magical abilites to create images of what happened in the past - the time when King Randor, who was formerly a great military leader, fighting against his ambitious brother Keldor.
For the first time, Adam sees Skeletor for who he was before - a handsome man with raven-black hair and a member of the blue-skinned Gar race. Not the monster he was in the present day.
Being a servant of the Elders, they granted Randor the tools to protect Eternia against Keldor. An echanted sword and shield that could protect him against his brother's nefarious magic.
The two siblings engaged in a furious battle. Growing up in peaceful times before Skeletor's arrival, Adam had never knew how fierce his lost father was in battle. An unstoppable Eternian hero.
Desperate to rule Eternia, Keldor tried to kill Randor, and used his magic against his brother. But, the enchanted weapons protected Randor, and Keldor's attack backfired. He was fatally injured, his body burned beyond recognition. A victim of his own dark magic.
The Masters were even horrified, where beneath the Citadel of the Elders, was also a bottomless gorge, similar to Grayskull's Bottomless Abyss. From the gorge, gigantic neon-green tentacles emerged from beneath, and pulled the dying Keldor beneath the earth, never to be seen again. His minions scurried back into the Dark Hemisphere.
"Where exactly does Havoc come from?" asked Orko.
"During King Grayskull's rule," the Goddess explained, "the demonic deity Demo-Man tried to usurp Grayskull's power for himself. Possessing unlimited powers, Demo-Man's malevolent nature awakened Havoc, a dark and twisted form of the power of Grayskull.
Havoc made Demo-Man omni-potent. A true god of evil. He unleashed legions of evil upon Eternia. But, King Grayskull and his fellow Masters of the Universe managed to overpower his armies, and the mighty warrior king was able to use his own power to banish Demo-Man to an unknown pocket in space and time, where he was never be able to return to Eternia."
"Do you think that Keldor's transformation into Keldor could be linked to Demo-Man?" asked Adam.
"We are unsure, Prince Adam," replied the Sorceress. "He has been imprisoned for centuries. But, we have seen that Havoc has spread like a cancer, and the universe is now in more danger than ever."
"The power of Havoc sucked Keldor into the earth," said Man-at-Arms. "It could have derived from another part of existence...where Demo-Man resides!"
"Monsters such as Demo-Man have magic so potent that it could break through the barrier of dimensions," said the Goddess. "While the Havoc could have healed Skeletor, it is still uncertain what his connection to Demo-Man is, or how much influence the deity has on him."
"Sounds like too much power for anyone to wield," said Orko. "But, a creature like Skeletor will take all the power he can...until it consumes him completely!"
"They strive to use the power for control and dominion," Teela tells the young wizard. "The drive of a true Master is to serve the power in order to help others. That is something Skeletor will never undestood."
"I could not beat Skeletor this time," said a disappointed Adam. "Yet alone Spikor."
"Havoc may rival the power of Grayskull," said the Sorceress. "But it could never truly defeat it. True power comes from the goodness in someone. That is how King Grayskull was able to defeat Demo-Man. His own goodness is what made the power of Grayskill triumph in the end."
"We will be ready should Skeletor strike again," Adam says, as he prepares his Masters for any future attacks.
Man-at-Arms comes up to the prince and puts his arm around his shoulder.
"I may know a way to turn the tide in battle and break Skeletor's Battle Armor."
And so, with the help of the heroic Master of Weapons, Adam prepares for Skeletor's next assault.
For the past few days, Man-at-Arms and Adam were beneath Castle Grayskull, inside its own forgery, where the former Masters of the Universe created weapons and armor to battle their ancient enemies.
They create a suit of Battle Armor from Eternium - the hardest metal on Eternia - and infused it with the power of Grayskull. A magical harness that could protect He-Man in battle.
Changing into Eternia's champion once more, He-Man made his way to the top of the castle, adorned in his new indestructible body armor.
"You must hurry, He-Man," The Sorceress told him. "The Evil Warriors are attacking a small farming village, not too far from the your old home of Eternos."
"Ready for another adventure, my friends?" He-Man asked his allies, and they all prepared for another battle.
Boarding the mighty Talon Fighter, the Masters made their way to the village in no time. Man-Faces and Mekaneck were asked to help lead the villagers to safety.
The Masters fought harder this time, and He-Man was stronger than ever before with his new armor. Caught unawares by their massive boost in power, the Evil Warriors fled like the cowards they were. Like animals running away from a violent storm.
Little did the heroes know that all the way up in Snake Mountain, Skeletor had watched the events unfold in a crystal ball in his stronghold. He was shocked to see He-Man alive and well, wearing new armor. He bellowed in anger, pounding away the sitting table his minions sat at to have meals with his Havoc Staff.
"I just can't win with that muscle-bound buffoon," moaned the Lord of Destruction. "This time, should I see his accursed face again, I shall destroy him once and for all!"
He boards the Fright Fighter, and heads towards the village, flying through the dark skies above Snake Miountain.
As the Masters were attending to the damage done to the village, it wasn't long until Skeletor made his way to them in the Talon Fighter, eager for battle with his handsome opponent. His ferocity was more intense than ever.
"Kick his arse!" says Teela, as He-Man prepares for the duel.
With his new Battle Armor, could this be his final battle against his evil uncle?
Entering an open grassland with a cool breeze, Eternia's champion meets the Lord of Destruction for another grand fight.
"I preffered it when you were dead," Skeletor growled.
"This endless fightign needs to stop, Skeletor," said He-Man. "Your lust for power will be your own undoing?"
"You make me nauseaus, boy," Skeletor said. "Always using the power that has been given to you for the protection of others. With your power, you could have served by my side, and we could have ruled this universe together!"
"No, Skeletor," said He-Man. "You've always cared only for yourself. Even your lackeys mean nothing to you. And, yes, I use the Power of Grayskull to protect my fellow Eternians...and to protect this universe from your evil!"
"Ooh, now that stings!" Skeletor said, sarcastically. "Prepare for round two, He-Man. The round of your death!"
Once again, the two greatest forces in the universe, one good, one evil, clash once again.
Thanks to his own Battle Armor, created by Spikor, and the diabolical power of Havoc, Skeletor had grown mighty, almost killing his heroic nemesis. But, He-Man's strength has tripled since been granted with his own Battle Armor, made from Eternium and enchanted with the insurmoutable Power of Grayskull.
The fight was phenomenal. The very earth shook as they clashed. He-Man, with his undying will and great power, managed to defeat Skeletor and crushed his Battle Armor into pieces with a three strikes from his Sword of Power.
Once again, the Lord of Destruction lay in the ground, humiliated. His bare blue-skinned torso had a singe of black smoke from the strike of the Sword of Power.
"You may have defeated me this time," Skeletor says, looking up at his heroic enemy in anger. "But, you have no idea what is coming. Eternia's end draws near!"
Little did the Lord of Destruction know that Spikor had followed him. The Untouchable Master of Evil Combat attempted to kill Eternia's hero once more.
"Spikor shall have your head!" the spike-studded minion creid, leaping into the air, wielding his orange spiked mace above his head.
He-Man also leapt into the air, his Power Sword glistening.
"Feel the sting of my blade, foul creature!"
Stronger than ever, He-Man easily defeated Spikor with a single strike with his Power Sword. The Evil Warrior fell to the ground, his spike-studded armor crushed and a burned mess.
"Remember what I told you, champion," said Skeletor. "Eternia's end is near!"
The Lord of Derusction, he uses his diabolical sorcery to teleport himself and Spikor away.
Thanks to his incredible new Battle Armor, Eternia is safe once more thanks to its noble champion, even though he knows that even greater perils await in the future.
Later that night, Teela stands on the pinnacle of Castle Grayskull, looking up at the star-filled sky, as Adam joins her on top.
"I'm really glad Skeletor didn't kill you," she said. "I am sorry for my bad behavior earlier. I guess the thought of losing you makes me shake."
"I never said thank you for saving me from Spikor," said Adam. "I am truly grateful, Teela. That Spikor is not a minion to be trifled with. Anyway, we have to be more vigilant than ever now. The threat of the Goddess' future vision could still happen."
"I just want you to stay alive, Adam, even if that future does happen," Teela said. "You accepting death to protect everyone is what makes you so special, but you have so much to live for. Friends, being a hero, an entire world of people who look up to you. You do your parents' memories so proud."
"I don't want to die," said Adam. "I am accepting the risk and possibility of dying. This universe cannnot fall to Skeletor's evil!"
Teela gets saddened again.
"I wanted us to save the universe together. Don't you see, I can't watch you die. I love you!"
Adam walks up to her, and lifts her chin gently with his finger.
"I love you, too," he said, and then kisses her passionately. He then hugs her and they hold on tightly to one another, fearing and awaiting the perils that lie ahead.
Back at Snake Mountain, Spikor is lying on a stone tablet, his entire body wrapped in bandages. He is badly wounded from his second round with He-Man. Skeletor enters the room, and stands their in silence.
"I underestimated He-Man," Spikor said, hoarsely. "He's unlike any man I ever faced in battle. A true Eternian champion!"
"Havoc might have made me powerful," Skeletor said, "but the power of Grayskull is the true price. That is what will make me Master of the Universe!"
"I failed you, my lord," said Spikor, "so why don't you punish me."
"You see, Spikor," Skeletor said. "Sometimes I have to go beyond the forces of Snake Mountain to obliterate my enemies. You were the first to actually beat He-Man and almost succeeded in destroying him. It was the intervention of his friends that caused our failure, not you!"
"Maybe one day you the power of Grayskull will be yours," said Spikor."
"I have tried many times and failed," Skeletor spattered. "By land, by air, by sea. You see, Grayskull's power can only be used by the forces of good. Those that serve the power to protect others. The sword which harnesses the power is wielded by a hero!"
Spikor grins malevolently.
"What if you had your own Sword of Power? A dark replica of He-Man's own blade...created by the fires of Havoc?"
"Yes," Skeletor reveled in excitement. "If I had my own sword, I could use havoc to corrupt the magic of Grayskull, and bring a new age of darkness."
"Godhood awaits you, mighty Skeletor!" Spikor says.
The Lord of Destruction then erupts in hysterical evil laughter. Thunder claps all around Snake Mountain, as his laughter echoes across the haunted lands of the Dark Hemisphere.
Back at Castle Grayskull, the Green Goddess appears before the Sorceress. They had an important matter to discuss.
"It is time, Sorceress," the Goddess said, "is time that young Adam knows the truth...about his father."
"Yes," the Sorceress said. "That King Randor is still alive. Eternia calls her ruler back home."
While the Lords of Snake Mountain prepare to bring utter havoc to Eternia, the revelation that King Randor was still alive could bring even more hope for He-Man and his heroic allies, as well as the rest of Eternia. And for the horrifying events about to unfold, Eternia will not only need its champion to protect it, but also its king to guide it.